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About Appeal tribune. (Silverton, Or.) 1999-current | View Entire Issue (June 8, 2016)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016 APPEAL TRIBUNE ● 3B Equestrian drill team shines at state competition CHRISTENA BROOKS SPECIAL TO THE APPEAL TRIBUNE Roughly translated, the famous Latin phrase, “Omne trium perfectum,” means, “A set of three is complete.” A satisfying sense of completeness surrounded Silverton High School’s equestrian drill team as it secured first place at state for the third consec- utive year. The magic of the “rule of three” wasn’t lost on the three seniors on the team who rode their horses to OHSET victory for a third, and last, time in Redmond last month. Elsie Guenther, Ange- line Starrs and Nicole Kuenzi will graduate high school this month with the distinction of having led Silverton’s “6+” drill team to state gold in 2014, 2015 and 2016. A fourth mem- ber – junior Brienne Hook – helped secure the trio of wins too. Rounding out the squad for 2016 was Han- nah Brunkal, a senior, and sophomore Hannah Zur- brugg, a sophomore. Together, these six young ladies headed to the Deschutes County Fair- grounds, driven by hopes and dreams and followed by a load of pressure as heavy as expected for reigning champs. “There was an insane amount of pressure,” El- sie Guenther said. “With only six people on our team, it is hard to compete against teams with 10 or 12.” Eighteen other drill teams showed up to strut their stuff against the Foxes on Friday, May 13. For Silverton, the night started with a shaky warm-up, Guenther re- called. This was followed by a rousing pep talk from coach Casey Rush. Then it was show time: five min- utes of carefully choreo- graphed horsemanship pushing the limits of tech- nicality and difficulty. “Our performance was intense. It was not per- fect, but we rode like it was,” said Nicole Kuenzi. “We rode with confidence and emotion.” “There were a couple of spots that could have been better, but our drill was much harder than any of the other teams, and we had a team unity that many teams just can’t achieve,” Guenther add- ed. The girls knew they’d done well, and they’d waited all year for this moment, but they had to wait a little longer. Re- sults posted the next day: Silverton was state champ again, with a score of 2029. Behind them were Canby and Forest Grove high schools. “We screamed with joy,” Kuenzi said. “We had awards that day and got a team trophy. Each of us got medals and halters for our horses.” On paper, 2016 appears similar to 2014 and 2015, with their respective scores of 2030 and 2308. But each year has its own back-story, with details only the riders know. “To me, (winning) rep- resents everything that we went through to get here,” Guenther said. “All three years started out rough, and we went through quite a few chal- lenges. There were sever- al times when I didn’t think it would ever come together, but it always did, and we came out on top.” Making 2016 extra bit- tersweet, drill coach Ca- sey Rush, 25, announced she’s stepping down. Her mother is head coach, but Rush, an equestrian champ herself, has shep- herded the 6+ drill team to its three state wins. She plans to apply to Oregon State University, her mother, Sue, said. “(Casey) kept us up late, got us up early and pushed us past anything we though we could do,” Guenther said. “She is the reason we won all three years. She has an extraordi- nary talent for bringing everyone’s individual tal- ents and combining them with routines that she spent hours and hours writing.” With seven seniors graduating, next year’s younger team will push forward with Sue Rush at the helm. Many are interested in riding drill, whether free- style fours or 6+, she said. Rebuilding the team in 2016-17 is a process she expects with anticipation. “Sometimes the chase is more fun than the win. It’s easy to forget that,” she said. At state, overall, Sil- verton finished 12th. The meet ran May 12-15. unique spirit. A celebration of Am- ber’s life will be held at 5 p.m., Saturday, June 11, 2016, at Salem First Free Methodist Church, 4455 Silverton Road NE Salem, OR 97305. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel in Silverton. Memorial contribu- tions can be made to the Amber Taverne Memorial Fund at any Umpqua Bank location. ber of St. Mary’s Parish, also serving in the Catho- lic Daughters and the St. Ann’s Society. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Raymond and Leroy and her son Gary. She is survived by her husband Harold, her daughter Kathy (Gene) Luffman of Iowa Park, Texas, son Richard (Su- zanne) Dieker of Yakima, Washington, her sisters Arlene (Dale) Kloucek and Loraine (Henry) Geshwill, 7 grandchil- dren, 18 great grandchil- dren and 1 great great grandson. A special thanks to the staff at Heartwood Place Memo- ry Care in Woodburn and Hospice Care of the Northwest. The family wishes to express appre- ciation to all who visited and supported her in the final months of her life. A rosary was held on June 6, 2016 at St. Mary’s Church. A funeral mass was held at St. Mary’s Church at 11 a.m. on Tues- day, June 7, 2016. In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Ann’s Society would be appreciated. verton on Sept. 21, 1925, to Henry and Ruth Oveross. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert (Bob) F. Moon in 2007. Jean grew up and lived in Silverton. She and her husband Bob and children moved to Canada in 1968. She always remained in touch with her family, friends and classmates from her Silverton High School class of 1943. Jean brought joy to family, friends and all who met her. She will always be re- membered and held in our hearts. Jean is survived by her three children: Curt (Car- ol) of Vancouver, British Columbia, Dale (Amparo) of Lake Oswego, and Mon- ica of Naramata, British Columbia; and three grandchildren: Ryan (Te- resa), Cameron (Aline) and Brandon; and extend- ed family. Memorial tributes can be made to SHS Alumni Association. Arrange- ments by Unger Funeral Chapel in Valley View Cemetery in Silverton. 1941to Richmond, Califor- nia. He graduated from Golden Gate Academy where he met his future wife, Jean. He was an ap- prentice plasterer, and went on to become a gen- eral contractor, building homes in the Bay Area. In 1971, he and his family moved to Salem and start- ed berry farming and building homes. Harlan was a very strong man of faith, loved his wife, chil- dren, and grandchildren. He and his family served a homeless ministry for 17 plus years. He loved trav- eling in their RV. Harlan was also a member of the Obsolete Fleet Chevy Club of Salem. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jean; his daughter, Sharon (Ron) Hoyven, his son, Rick (Leslie) Warnick, grand- children: Caleb and Ma- risa, sister, Claudia Le Moine, brother-in-law, Jim (Jan) Ford; and many nieces and nephews. Celebration of life will be at 3 p.m. June 10 at the Emmanuel Bible Church, 8512 Sunnyview Road NE in Salem. Contributions may be made to the Em- manuel Bible Church Building Fund or Union Gospel Mission. Arrangements by Un- ger Funeral Chapel in Sil- verton. June 1, 2016 Buster was born in Broadus, Montana, to Chuck and Era Richards. Buster was one of nine siblings, married to Mar- garet Richards, father to Duane (Carolyn) Rich- ards; Jolene (Theresa) Richards; Rhonda (Brett) Medalia; grandfather to 8, great grandfather of 11 and one on the way. Before his retirement, Buster was a cook, had his own business and was well known as a handy- man in the Silverton area. He was a jack of all trades, most known for his kind heart and sense of humor, always willing to help everyone. Buster never met a person he didn’t like. He was a true friend to all. Buster lived everyday knowing his best friend and love of his life for 56 years was always by his side. The most important thing in Dad’s life was his family and he always put them first. Service for Buster was held June 7 at The First Christian Church, Silver- ton. In lieu of flowers do- nations can be made to First Christian Church or a charity of your choice. OBITUARIES Amber R. Taverne October 29, 1983 — May 25, 2016 Amber was born in Salem where she grew up and graduated from McKay High School in 2003. Amber recently graduated from the Uni- versity of Western States. Upon graduation she was hired by the university’s massage therapy pro- gram, and she had also started her own massage therapy business. She loved helping others and was always there for her friends and family. Am- ber was a loving mother to two beautiful daughters; her love for music was passed on to her daughter, Amy. The family she left behind includes her daughters: Amy Taverne and Ollie Swider, her part- ner: Nick Volkoff and his son, Jayson Volkoff; par- ents: Wilma and Hollis Re- agor, and Don Williams; brothers: Chris Kennedy, Tony Currier-Reagor and James Williams, sisters: Shaila Reagor and Tian- nah Reagor; grandpar- ents: Roy and Carol Ken- nedy, Don and Loretta Williams, Ray and Judy Reagor; and many other extended family mem- bers. She will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her and those who appreciated her Bernice H. Dieker March 19, 1928 — May 30, 2016 Bernice H. Dieker, age 88, passed away peacefully on Mon- day, May 30, 2016. Bernice was born in Salem on March 19, 1928, to Aloyi- sious and Marie Duda. She grew up in Hazel Green, then in 1940 her family moved to Mt. Angel. She graduated from Mt. Angel Academy in 1946. On May 12, 1948, she married Har- old Dieker. They celebrat- ed 68 years of marriage. In 1955 Harold and Ber- nice and their family moved out to the family farm on Hook Road. Ber- nice worked at John F. Kennedy High School as a cook, retiring in 1990. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening, camping, fish- ing and spending time with friends and family. She was a lifelong mem- Jean A. Moon Sept. 21, 1925 — May 7, 2016 Jean A. Moon, our be- loved mother and grand- mother, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 7, 2016. Jean was born in Sil- Harlan Delano Warnick October 17, 1935 — May 28, 2016 Harlan Delano War- nick, 80, was called home on May 28, 2016. He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Clarence and Josephine Warnick on October 17, 1935. Harlan moved with the family in Clarence “Buster” Richards February 15, 1940 — Joan Millie Hein Aug. 8, 1945 — May 31, 2016 No services will be held. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel in Silverton.