08
october
vernonia’s
voice
schools
2007
Band Director, Mr. Robert Izzett -
A Positive “Beat”
By Lia Sebring, VHS Senior
Throughout the course of the last three years Vernonia High School has seen
three different band teachers. Last year we gained a teacher at VHS, Mr. Robert
Izzett, who has truly made an impact upon the students, not only in his band class
but all over the school and community. From games of Bump during VHS’ Logger
Olympics to preparing for and conducting Vernonia Schools’ band concerts, he’s
making a good impression everywhere.
drummer. They travel all over the world performing in large and small communities,
influencing students and people everywhere. Just recently they were in Moscow.
Dallas Brass promotes music education and also conducts a clinic after performing
to answer questions, help band members improve breathing skills, and to become
over all better musicians.
“I have a lot of fun in his class. He’s definitely better than the teachers before
him,” says high school junior Allee Chadek.
Dallas Brass is coming to Vernonia to perform an unaccompanied concert as
well as a song with the Vernonia High School band and a song with the Vernonia
Middle School band. One of the best aspects of Dallas Brass is that they play recog-
nizable songs that everyone can enjoy.
The 2006-2007 school year in Vernonia was Mr. Izzett’s first job after graduat-
ing from Warner Pacific College in May of 2006. During the school year Mr. Izzett
taught 5th grade band, beginning band, advanced middle school band, and high
school band as well as a drama class at VHS. Mr. Izzett strives to instill fun in the
process of learning and excelling in band.
VHS band and VMS band will have one hour to rehearse before the perfor-
mance. The performance will be held on Friday, February 1, 2008 in the WGS gym-
nasium. Ticket sales start on November 1st. Buy tickets early at $8 for students and
seniors and $10 for adults; or buy them the day of the concert at $10 for students and
seniors and $12 for adults.
When hired, Izzett was expected to rebuild the band program and rebuild he
has! In the year prior to Mr. Izzett’s arrival, VHS’ band score was in the 40’s and
now the score has jumped to 63, leaving the VHS band a few points shy of qualify-
ing for state. Mr. Robert Izzett’s philosophy on teaching seems to be quite an influ-
ence, and many more than students have taken notice.
“This last year was an absolute blast!” he responded excitedly when asked how
his year went.
Teaching both Vernonia Middle and High School students has allowed him to
hand pick a few exceptionally good middle school band members to play within the
high school’s band. This group of students has been doing many things that haven’t
been seen in the community for quite a while now, such as marching in this year’s
Jamboree Parade.
Not only does Mr. Izzett conduct band here, but he also conducts the 104th
Army Reserve Band in Vancouver, Washington. Mr. Izzett was involved in the
military for ten years prior to his current situation in the Vernonia School District.
He also plays lead trombone in the 234th Army Band in Portland, Oregon.
To fund a band trip, Mr. Izzett and the band have planned for the Dallas Brass
to appear in Vernonia. Dallas Brass is a group of five brass players along with a
Washington Grade
School Site Council
Seeks Member
Vernonia High School Football
Varsity
is on a
four-win
streak!
The Washington Grade School (WGS) Site Coun-
cil currently has an opening for one parent mem-
ber. This term is for one year with the election
to be held on Thursday, October 11 during WGS
Open House event to be held from 6-7:30pm. Par-
ents from WGS and Mist Grade School (MGS) are
eligible to apply. Applications are available at the
WGS office. Completed applications should be
turned in by Friday, October 5.
The WGS Site Council meets monthly to discuss
plans to improve the school’s educational environ-
ment, to provide positive leadership, to facilitate
communication between all stake holders, to pur-
sue grant monies, and to implement plans to im-
prove the physical and academic environments of
WGS and MGS.
September Results:
The WGS Site Council would like to extend an in-
vitation to all community members interested in
attending these meetings. All Site Council meet-
ings are open to the public, and interested people
are encouraged to attend.
9/07 @Gaston
W58-12
The Council meets at Washington Grade School on
the last Monday of the month from 3:15-4:30pm.
The next two meetings are scheduled for Monday,
September 24 and Monday, October 29.
9/21 Nestucca
W27-6
If you have questions regarding Site Council and/
or their meetings, please contact Aaron Miller or
Cici Bell at (503) 429-7941
9/14 Knappa
W7-6
9/28 Portland Christian
W20-14
COMPLETE SPORTS
SCHEDULE ON PG. 15