Polk County Itemizer-Observer • April 15, 2015 17A
Polk County Schools/Education
Syphers takes her act overseas
Perrydale senior accepted into music, cultural exchange in Norway
By Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
PERRYDALE — Rilley
Syphers will have to get used
to snow, cold weather, and
… more rain.
Syphers, a senior at Perry-
dale High School, will be
leaving the mild climate of
Oregon in July to spend a
year in Norway as part of a
musical and cultural ex-
change through Brunstad
Christian Church’s Youth Ex-
change Program. Based in
Norway, the church has
branches in 65 countries.
She was selected for the
opportunity from a pool of
more than 3,000 applicants
nationwide. Only about 250
are chosen for the exchange
each year.
Syphers said the applica-
tion process is so competi-
tive that the program en-
couraged applicants to
make a “plan B,” in case they
aren’t selected. Syphers’ was
to attend
classes at
Chemeketa
Communi-
ty College.
“But I got
in, so I was
really excit-
ed about
that. There
Syphers
are five
other kids from the North-
west that got in,” she said.
“To be able to do something
like this is so insane because
I feel like kids and young
people my age always talk
about traveling and never
actually get to do it. I think
this is a really cool way to do
it because you are learning a
good work ethic.”
Giving young adults work
experience is one of the ob-
jectives of the program. A
classically trained singer,
Syphers applied to be in-
volved in the exchange mu-
sical and performance arts
programs. She never consid-
ered teaching music as a ca-
reer, but is open to the chal-
lenge as part of her year in
Norway.
SCHOOL NOTES
LVCS kinder roundup, open house
DALLAS — Luckiamute Valley Charter Schools will host a
Kindergarten Roundup and Open House Orientation on April
23. The event, held for new enrollees for the 2015-16 school
year, takes place from 6 to 7 p.m. at 17475, Bridgeport Road.
Teachers will be available for a meet and greet. Chili will be
served.
For more information: Luckiamute Valley Charter Schools,
503-623-4837.
Holocaust remembered Tuesday
MONMOUTH — Western Oregon University is seeking volun-
teers to help set up and take down the school’s Holocaust Re-
membrance Day display.
WOU’s Holocaust Remembrance Day is Tuesday. Volunteers
are needed to help set up the display from 5 to 8 p.m. on Mon-
day and to help disassemble the display from 5 to 8 p.m. on
Tuesday. Shifts are also available.
For more information: John Wilkins, 503-838-8229; email to
wilkinsj@wou.edu.
Latino parent workshop Saturday
JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer
Rilley Syphers, middle, sings with fellow members of the choir at Perrydale High
School. Syphers will head to Norway in July to participate in a musical and cultural ex-
change program through Brunstad Christian Church’s Youth Exchange Program.
“If I could teach someone
how to use their voice better
and help them in that way, I
would,” she said. “Every
other year, they do a big,
huge Christmas program,
which is televised through-
out Norway. That’s one of
the main reasons I wanted
to be part of it.”
Misty Matthews, Syphers’
choir teacher throughout
high school, said she will be
a good fit for the exchange.
“Rilley is an exceptional
kid,” Matthews said. “She’s
so dedicated.”
When it comes to music,
Matthews classifies Syphers
as a “natural talent” who un-
derstands music without
much instruction.
“You love watching her,”
Matthews said.
Discovering the program
through her church, Syphers
said the timing for her ac-
ceptance to the program
couldn’t be more fitting.
“I wasn’t ready for college.
I kind of just wanted to
break away from school and,
like, be somewhere new and
travel,” she said. “I thought
this was a good way to do
that.”
Syphers said one of the
few concerns she has is leav-
ing her family behind for so
long, but she is also eager to
find her “Norway family.”
Part of doing that will be
immersing herself in the cul-
ture and learning about the
history of Norway. The ex-
change requires participants
to learn some Norwegian
before leaving.
“They give you classes
that you have to pass before
you can go and buy your
plane tickets,” she said. “I
think it’s cool that they really
want you to learn because
you can really put yourself
into the culture.”
She added that her expe-
rience in the country might
provide her direction when
it comes time to go back to
school and choose a career.
“Right now it’s just a blank
slate that is going to happen
eventually, but I’m just going
INDEPENDENCE — The Latino Parent Acton Committee will
host a Latino Parent Workshop on Saturday.
The event begins at 11 a.m. in the Central High School cafete-
ria with a carne asada lunch.
The family event, which runs until 2 p.m., will feature a num-
ber of topics, including: the new community health center, a
presentation by Daniel Alvarado on how parents can get in-
volved at the schools to make educational changes, and a pres-
entation by Sara Csaky on Latino parents and how to support
their students.
There is no cost to attend. Child care will be available.
For more information: Luis Cisneros, 503-428-3671 or Jason
Clark, 503-838-0480.
Inkblot to host slam Thursday
DALLAS — Dallas High School’s literary publication, Inkblot,
is hosting a poetry slam Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.
The slam will be in DHS’ Little Theater, 1250 SE Holman Ave.,
Dallas, and is open to poets of any age and skill level. Competi-
tors will be scored and given feedback by judges.
For more information: www.facebook.com/InkblotLiterar-
yArtsMagazine.
Perrydale to host concert Thursday
JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer
Rilley Syphers is eager to
try her hand at teaching
music while in Norway.
to let the rest of this happen
first,” she said. “I might find
what I want to do and what I
want to be over there.”
A s f o r t h e w e a t h e r,
Syphers said she will try to
keep an open mind and
“learn to like snow.”
“Maybe I will go to Italy in
the winter and hang out
there,” she said. “Why not,
right?”
PERRYDALE — Perrydale School’s spring choir concert will be
held Thursday evening at the school, 7445 Perrydale Road,
Amity.
The concert will take place at 7 p.m. in the school’s old gym,
where the state-qualifying high school choir will be among the
groups performing.
For more information: 503-623-2373.
Free sealant program at Perrydale
PERRYDALE — Free preventive dental sealants will be offered
to students at Perrydale School next week.
Dental sealant help prevent cavities, so this is an opportunity
to protect children’s long-term dental health. Capitol Dental
Care will be providing the sealants, and the dental van will be
there Monday to April 23 from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
For more information: 503-623-2040.
2015 Relay for Life
of Polk County
A Very Special 23 rd Birthday
She was just 20 years old when she was diagnosed with a
rare stage four brain tumor. She had surgery, and went
through ten weeks of both radiation and chemotherapy,
but a few months later, the tumor returned, which for most
patients meant death within about six months.
Doctors injected a modified version of the polio virus into
her brain tumor. Through research, scientists have discovered this
polio virus will attach to tumor cells and kill them. Her own immune
system now appeared to recognize the invading tumor and attacked
it whereas it had not recognized the cancer tumor before. Two years
later, her MRI showed the tumor was gone. She was cancer free and
celebrating the 23rd birthday doctors said she'd never see. The hope
is that the modified polio virus, although not yet recognized as a
cure, will someday be used to fight other cancers.
Because of donations from sponsors like those in Polk County
and around the world, research is being funded every day, leading
to some amazing results and some very special birthday celebra-
tions. Please join us in thanking our three most recent sponsors,
along with the following businesses, health care professionals, fam-
ilies, and organizations for their commitment to Relay For Life and
its mission to find a cure:
Matthew Woolsey, DMD ~ American Outdoors
~ Salem Sand Club
Fundraising for Non-Profits
Tuesday, April 28, 12 PM to 1:30 PM
2015 Relay For Life
of Polk County
It’s a
CELEBRATION!
Free event for all caregivers,
cancer survivors, and those currently
in treatment and their families!
Sunday, April 19, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Dallas Aquatic Center
1005 SE LaCreole Dr, Dallas
Snacks, Swimming, Bingo and Prizes!
For more information: Tammy or Jennifer
2015relayforlifepc@gmail.com
Monmouth Public Library • 168 Ecols Street S.
• General principles of fundraising and fundraising plans
• Money-making versus fundraising
• Roles, responsibilities and evaluations
Phil McCorkle: Serving as the president of the
Center for Community Innovation, Phil has over
28 years of experience working in area non-profit
organizations. Phil grew up in Monmouth and
graduated from Western Oregon University with
a Bachelors of Science in Psycology.
Cost per workshop: $15 for MI Chamber members
$20 for non-members. Fee includes lunch.
Register by noon April 27, 2015.
The 2015 PEP Talks Series features six workshops led by local
leaders in their respective fields of expertise and are designed
to strengthen businesses and organizations in our community.
For more information and to register, contact the
Monmouth-Independence
Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center:
www.micc-or.org or 503-838-4268
• West Valley Hospital
• West Valley Physicians & Surgeons Clinic/Dr. John Hadley
• West Valley Surgical Specialty Clinic/Dr. Alison Smith
• Monmouth Medical Center/Dr. Charles Essex
• Southview Medical Arts
• First Community Credit Union
• Dallas Retirement Village
• H & R Block of Dallas & Monmouth
• Michelle Hasbrook, DDS
• Dallas School District
• Les Schwab Tire Centers of Dallas, West Salem, & Independence
• Rotary Club of Dallas
• Dallas Family Medicine
• James W. Fowler Co.
• Central Lions Club
The deadline for
• Mitch Ratzlaff State Farm
submitting a
• Polk County Association of Realtors
sponsorship is
• Siletz Trucking Company
April 15.
• Bollman Funeral Home
Make this the year
• Hancock Forest Management
your family, company
• Dutch Bros. Coffee
or organization signs
• Washington Street Steakhouse & Pub
on to finish the fight!
• Eola Hills Wine Cellars
If you or someone you
• OREPAC Building Products
• Limeberry Frozen Yogurt
know is interested in
• Polk County Fairgrounds & Event Center
sponsorship, contact
• Elkay Manufacturing
Lyla Bruce at
• R & J Mobility Services
503-508-9277 or visit
• White’s Collision Service
our website at
• Van Well Building Supply
www.relayforlife.org/
• Bookey Strong
polkcountyor
• Dallas Aquatic Center
• NW Natural
• Monmouth-Independence Rotary
Relay For Life 2015
• The Majestic
will take place
• Dallas Glass & Window
• Republic Services
May 30-31, at LaCre-
• Partnerships In Community Living, Inc. ole Middle School in
• Royal Flush
Dallas
• Polk County Itemizer-Observer
• Western Days