Rotary Scholar of the Month for January 2015: Joshua Stout

Joshua Stout was selected as the Camas Washougal Rotary Scholar of the Month for January 2015.  Joshua is a sophomore at Washougal High School and has a GPA of 3.950.  Marcee Salas, Joshua’s English Teacher, describes him as “hard working, polite, and an overall great student.”  Salas further adds that “he always turns in every assignment and is a major contributor to class discussions.”

Brian Eggleston, Joshua’s Spanish Teacher, adds that “Josh has a natural spirit of inquiry that I would love to see in more students; he enjoys learning new concepts and practicing them in speaking, reading, writing, and listening, and he asks thoughtful questions to deepen his skills and knowledge.”  Eggleston notes that “he also works well with any partner I select for him, and brings a consistently positive attitude and strong work ethic that I know others appreciate too.  He stands out as an avid learner with a bright future.”  Eggleston also adds that “I can also tell that his efforts and attitude in class are a mirror of his work outside of the classroom too, where he strives through self-discipline and helping others to become a better person each day.  From what I know of Joshua, I am confident that he richly deserves this award and is an ideal example for other youths to follow in many ways.”

Geometry Teacher Karen Wysaske says “Josh is one of the hardest working students I have ever had.  He perseveres no matter how challenging the problems are.”  In her work with Joshua she has found that “he comes in frequently to check his understanding, ask questions, and to complete work,” and that “he takes his time and meticulously shows his work to demonstrate his understanding in Geometry.”  Joshua is the son of Harley and Sierra Stout.  Congratulations Joshua!

WHS December Students of the Month

Bryce Samwel

Creative and dedicated, WHS Senior Bryce Samwel excels as a student, a leader by example, and a golfer! Both staff and students are drawn to his bright smile, positive, encouraging attitude and courteous, respectful manner. Bryce not only is actively involved in life at WHS, but he is active in the community as well, volunteering at a large hospital and in various programs such as Loaves and
Fishes, Earth Day Cleanup and a community education golf camp. Bryce is a
bright light that will continue to shine wherever he chooses to go in life.

Karina Miller

Always positive, WHS Senior Karina Miller is dedicated to excellence in all that she does. This talented, diligent, hardworking young lady plays tenor sax in the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band and has been selected for several honor bands.

Karina's Senior Project this year involved supporting Stuff-the-Bus.  She did a tremendous job and her efforts along with everyone else who was involved provided thousands of pounds of food for the Washougal community.

Washougal High School Students Share the Love of Reading

Washougal High School Childhood Development students recently got up close and personal with understanding childhood literacy.

“As an assignment, my high school students were required to bring an age appropriate book for a literacy field trip to Gause Elementary,” Rachel Webb, WHS Childhood Development teacher explained.  “The idea is to encourage literacy across the district through our older students reading to our elementary students.  We were welcomed into Mrs. Darling’s classroom where the high school students read to the first graders and then the first grade students read to the high school students.”

“I could sense that the kids liked the independence they showed by reading to us,” said WHS senior Emily Perkins.  “It was cute to see them excited about what they were doing on their own. They were proud to show the big kids what they could do.”

There was also a lesson in not always getting things right. “Sometimes my brain reads faster than my mouth and I messed up reading aloud a couple times,” admitted Hannah Couture, 10th grade.
“It was good for the kids to see a big kid mess up reading too.”

Sidney Childers, 10th grade, was impressed at the reading level of one of the first graders she worked with.  “He was so proud that he could read a big chapter book,” she said.  “It was a huge National Geographic book about jaguars.  I was amazed!”

Besides giving encouragement to these young readers, some students hoped they would leave a lasting impression. “I hope we made an impact on them and they will remember this experience so when they are in high school they will do this for younger students,” said Couture.  Several WHS students agreed, recalling instances when they were young readers and interacted with older students and how inspirational that experience was.

“I had a reading buddy when I was in the second grade and now I get to be that big kids helping,” Brooke Otto, 10th grade, remarked.  “It is important for the little kids to understand that older kids like to read too.  It’s not just something they are expected to learn right now, but something they will enjoy.  You are never too old to read!”

“It is a field trip they will always remember because of the excitement of all students and the impact they made on each other's lives,” Webb said.  “This literacy field trip is what lifelong learning is all about.”

Rotary Scholar of the Month for December: Hannah Lintala

Hannah Lintala was selected as the Camas Washougal Rotary Scholar of the Month for December 2014.  Hannah is a sophomore at Washougal High School and has a GPA of 3.675.  Hillary Marshall, WHS Teacher Librarian, said that “Hannah is a determined young woman. She is a fantastic runner and encouraging to other teammates who are less talented.  She also volunteered last year with the WHS Stride and encouraged me in my running efforts!”  Kathy Scobba, Hanna’s Computer Applications teacher, adds that Hannah “works diligently to not only learn the skills but understand the importance of technology to further her academic career” and that “she strives for perfection and when does not obtain it, she will try again.”

Scott Boothby, Hannah’s freshman World Geography teacher, describes Hannah as “always willing to go above and beyond in class” and also noted that “It wasn't just her work ethic that made her stand out. The smile she wore each day and the care she showed for everyone made her class one of the memorable ones.”  Hannah’s Spanish teacher, Rochelle Aiton, says that “Hannah is a delightful student.  She comes into class with a smile and an eagerness to learn.  It's not always easy for her but, because of her hard work and determination, she is successful.  She is also an artist and has designed this year's Spanish club sweatshirt.  I'm happy to have Hannah in class!”

Hanna lives with her parents Earl and Deanna Swigert.  Congratulations Hannah!

WHS Musicians Selected For Regional Honor Bands

Each year, music students in our area audition/apply to participate in the musical equivalent of an all-star team - honor bands.  This year, ten WHS musicians were selected for several upcoming honor bands. Congratulations to them on their hard work!

Riley Miller - All-Northwest Honor Band, Pacific Lutheran Univ. Honor Band, North County Honor Band (Trombone and Tuba)
Colton Gale - Pacific Lutheran Univ. Honor Band, North County Honor Band (Trumpet)
Emma Boyle - Pacific Lutheran Univ. Honor Band, North County Honor Band (String Bass)
Nick Torres - Pacific Lutheran Univ. Honor Band, North County Honor Band (Trumpet)
Maddie Gregory - Pacific Lutheran Univ. Honor Band, North County Honor Band (Clarinet)
Tess Russell - Pacific Lutheran Univ. Honor Band (Oboe)
Vanessa Scheg - North County Honor Band (Bass Clarinet)
Patrick Neill - North County Honor Band (Trombone)
Karina Miller - North County Honor Band (Tenor Saxophone)
Monica Wilcox - North County Honor Band (Clarinet)

Rotary Scholar of the Month for November: Matthew Hickey

Matthew (Matt) Hickey was selected was selected as the Camas Washougal Rotary Scholar of the Month for November 2014.  Matt is a sophomore at Washougal High School and has a 4.0 GPA.  Mary Walker, Matt’s Career and Technical Education teacher, says Matt is always “smiling, talkative, and a hard worker” and adds that he “has a passion for improving things” and is “very involved in ASB.”   Kathy Scobba, Matt’s FBLA and Yearbook Instructor, shares that “His interaction with others is always positive and uplifting. Students continually ask him for help in compute​r ​and Photoshop related issues​. ​ ​H​e is always willing to help with a smile on his face while solving the problem.”  

Jeff Condon, the WHS Leadership Teacher, describes Matt as “a hard worker, he is always willing to help and is a standout leader in ASB.”  He also shared that “His classmates know he is somebody they can turn to for assistance and that Matt will step up when things are needed.  Matt is a great young man...and I'm excited to see where his future takes him!​“ 

Matt’s Spanish Teacher, Rochelle Aiton, has also noticed Matt’s positive attitude, noting that “Matt comes into class with a smile on his face, his homework completed and an attitude to learn.  He is self-motivated and an encouragement to his peers.”  

Matt is the son of Chris and Julia Hickey.  Congratulations Matt Hickey! 

"Day of the Dead” comes to life for WHS Spanish Language students

Along with a foreign language, Washougal High School Spanish language teachers also provide their students with an understanding and appreciation for different cultures.

As a part of that, each year WHS students celebrate the Mexican holiday of El Día de Muertos or Day of the Dead. “The key is that it's a celebration of life: mostly of those who have gone before us,” explained Brian Eggleston, WHS Spanish Teacher.

Students first create sugar skulls by combining sugar, meringue powder, and water, and putting it into a mold.  The skulls harden and are decorated with bright colors in icing, paint, colored foil, and other decorative materials as used in Mexico.

“We have discussed how the holiday is celebrated in some different countries, including Guatemala and México, and students have the opportunity to reflect on how it compares with our own Halloween celebrations, and what the spirit of El Día de Muertos might mean to them,” Eggleston explained.  “I'm impressed each year to see them take their spirit of inquiry into these special projects.”