Thursday, May 21, 2015

WHS Student Earns Master Certification through Microsoft Academy Program

Brendon Moen, Washougal High School freshman, is the first student in the Washougal District to earn a Microsoft 2013 Word Master Certification as a part of the Microsoft IT Academy (ITA).  Moen had to pass five exams (Word, Word Expert 1 & 2, Excel and one optional test). He passed two optional exams, 2013 PowerPoint and One Note.

WHS teaches ITA through the Computer Applications classes. “This program started late spring of 2013 and since then students have passed over 200 tests,” said Katherine Sturdyvin-Scobba, WHS yearbook and digital photography teacher.  “The program has shown an increase in participants and has prepared them in the application of Microsoft Office products in the academic and job arenas.”

Microsoft ITA is a partnership between The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and Microsoft to provide the training at all Washington high schools. Microsoft ITA bridges the gap between the world of education and the world of work. It boosts Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education statewide and the employability and global competitiveness of our students and future workforce.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Washougal High School Offers Varsity Letter Program for Students’ Community Service Efforts

Five Washougal High School students who demonstrated commitment to their school and community through documented volunteer service work have earned a varsity letter for that effort. Letters were earned by senior, Bryce Samwell; juniors Nick Costa-Stange and Deni Ortiz; and freshmen Michael Stevens and Bridgette McCarthy.  The community service varsity letter program was launched in June 2013. Last year, a single student, Nicole Gamble, earned the distinction.

“It is wonderful to provide recognition that is very meaningful to students for the time and energy they put forth volunteering,” said Marsha Spencer, Washougal High School Career Technical Education Director. “We believe this program helps to support positive interaction between Washougal students and the community and help to inspire a habit of service that these students will have for a lifetime.”

To earn a varsity letter, students must complete and document at least 150 hours of qualifying community service hours.  That requirement is based on an estimate of hours needed for practice to participate in a varsity high school sport. No more than 50 of their volunteer hours can to be school-related.  The balance must be earned in the community, such as work with churches, service organizations, non-profit organizations, 4H and scouts.

The Washougal students will be recognized by the Camas/Washougal Rotary at their weekly morning meeting on May 21.

“The recognition is nice,” said Samwell. “But it is not why we do this,”  Samwell earned many of his volunteer hours at Legacy Salmon Creek at the help desk, discharging patients, delivering food, and helping to guide visitors to where they need to go.

McCarthy was able to learn about conservation and the environment through her volunteer work at the Portland Zoo.  “I worked to educate the public about animals and habitat and how to protect them,” she said. “We even went to elementary schools and talked about recycling and the positive affect it has on Black Bears.”  McCarthy said that she personally learned a lot about the environment and its effects on everything around us.  She also enjoyed the challenge of educating a variety of age groups. “I learned how to talk at different levels to different audiences,” she said.  Rounding out her volunteer work, McCarthy also volunteered with UNITE Washougal Community Coalition.

With an eye on a career in law enforcement, Stevens completed this community service work as a part of the Clark County Explorer Post 893.  A portion of that time was learning skills through the Washington Law Enforcement Exploders’ Auxiliary Academy.  “The training is in Yakima, WA in the summer and winter so it is either really hot or really cold.” Stevens said.  “I learned everything from social contact to practice on the shooting range.  I also learned things like report writing and traffic stop protocol.”  Stevens plans to study computer science after high school to provide a variety of options in a law enforcement career.  Stevens also volunteered as a lifeguard at the Camas Pool.

“I feel like I am making a difference in the community,” McCarthy added.  “I encourage others to try for this varsity letter.  It is really fun and you can learn a lot while volunteering.  Plus it is nice to get recognized for something you are out there doing that other people may not know about.”

Community Service Varsity Letter program forms and more information, such as what type of volunteer work qualifies, can be found at the WHS website at www.washougal.k12.wa.us/whs/departments/counseling.htm.

“Volunteerism assists students to gain experiences to help qualify them for various scholarships, bolster their college applications and for use on their resumes,” said Spencer.  “The WHS varsity letter program provides another reason to get involved and help provide them with the recognition they deserve.”