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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2007)
vernonia’s voice schools/alumni december 2007 VHS Graduate Premiers Film Short in Portland By Scott Laird Jaki King has taken on some difficult subject matter for her senior thesis. King, a graduate of Vernonia high school in 2003, and daughter of local residents Jim and Judy King, is currently working on a Bach- elors Degree in Digital Video Production at the Art Institute of Portland. For her senior thesis King has produced a short film called Under the Apple Tree that explores pedophilia. Her film will be premiered at the Hollywood Theater in North East Portland as part of the school’s Senior Short Fest program on De- cember 13th at 6 pm, and will show again around 7:30 pm. I talked with Jaki King by phone while she was in the process of finishing up the film. “As part of a Story Development class we were assigned to create a sto- ry about the worst part of society,” explained King when asked about her subject matter. “I chose pedo- philia. Then I chose it as the subject for my senior thesis film. I don’t think people realize that a high percentage of pedophiles are women. It’s a short ex- perimental piece that will run about five minutes long that I wrote and produced. It’s about the innocence of a child and will have voiceovers from a female actor.” King filmed most of the footage in Vernonia and in Oregon City. “This is a film to educate, a warning piece. It’s really different than other films,” she ex- plained. “Micheal Pitchard did my cinematography. He’s currently working on a project about logging in Vernonia for the History Channel. It is shot in high definition and is just beautiful. I have never seen anything like it.” The film uses no actors, and is just scenery with the voiceovers. “I am not interested in directing films, which is bit unusual in this field,” said King. “I have wanted to be a screen writer since I was thirteen. I have recent- ly been offered to work on casting for some feature films, so that is an opportunity for me that will allow me time to write as well.” “I am hoping to get Under the Apple Tree out on the festival circuit,” concluded King. “That takes a lot of work and expense for a college student. Admission applications cost $50-100 each. If anyone is inter- ested in an Executive Producer credit, I am accepting donations,” laughed King. Great Success for Fall Athletics 2007 By Gordon Jarman, Athletic Director The very successful fall sports season came to an abrupt end in the legendary Fred Spiegelberg Stadium at South Medford High School on Saturday afternoon, Novem- ber 10th. . The Vernonia Loggers football team ran into a very athletic and big football team from Cascade Christian High School in the first round of the state football play-offs. The Loggers had a difficult time containing the power running game that boasted a front line that averaged 250 lbs. across the board. The Log- gers played hard but could not match up to the Chal- lengers. There were several Loggers out with injuries sustained through the season or for disciplinary rea- sons that hurt their chances for a victory. This does not, however, tarnish the accomplishments this team made this year, and they can be proud of the hard work and the deeds they have achieved. The season ended with seven varsity wins and four losses and a berth in the state play-offs, a feat that has not been accomplished since 2004. The Loggers landed several players on the all league teams. There are also several returning letter- men looking forward to next year’s season. Earning all league honors on the first team were Jake Thompson at linebacker, Levi Timmerman on the offensive line, Taylor Smith on the offensive line and Jeramey Lende at linebacker. Second team honors went to Cody Davis as a kicker, Colton Patton on the offensive line and Jer- amey Lende as a running back. Jeramey Lende capped off his senior season with another award. He was rec- ognized for his excellence on defense by the rest of the league’s coaches by being named the Defensive Player of the Year for the Lewis and Clark League. This team represented the school and the community very well and always competed hard every down of every play. If a few key injuries did not occur, there could have been some different outcomes in the play-offs. Vernonia High School students are required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of Community Service as a graduation project. Do you need some volunteers to help with your business, charity or community project? Please contact Rachel Wilcoxen at rwilcoxen@vernonia.k12.or.us or Peter Weisel at pweisel@vernonia.k12. or.us, or call Vernonia High School (503-429-3521). Our students are eager and willing to help our community. included a win over Neah-Kah-Nie that was a first for the Lady Loggers team. The Lady Loggers continued to improve all season and ended with two players on the all league teams. MacKenzie Carr was a second team all league player and Heather Bassett was an hon- orable mention all league player. With a JV team that only had one league loss and only a few girls from the varsity graduating, the Lady Loggers look strong again for next year. The Cross Country team was a very bright spot for the school and competed very well in all contests they en- tered. Although the Loggers failed to qualify anyone to the state meet, they all posted personal bests at the dis- trict meet held at the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation facility in late October. Senior Michael Calhoun turned in the top performance for the team which earned him a spot on the all league honorable mention squad. There were several seniors on this year’s team, but there were also several hard working underclassmen that look to make the Loggers a strong contender again next year. . The athletic programs within the Vernonia School Dis- trict want to thank the volunteers in this community. There are too many here to mention, but they are a bless- ing to our athletic programs and without their help many of the things we accomplish could not have been done. You are the greatest and you are all well appreciated. If anyone in the community would like to help as a vol- unteer, they need not have students in school. They can contact Gordon Jarman at the Vernonia High School for opportunities available. The Lady Loggers volleyball team was another bright spot for the community making the league play-offs for the second consecutive year. The Lady Loggers ended up tied with Clatskanie and Neah-Kah-Nie for fourth place in the Lewis and Clark League but, with the tie- breaker being the most individual games won, ended up 6th overall and had to go on the road to Clatskanie for the second consecutive year to play in the league play-offs. The ladies fell short in their bid to move on in the play-offs but had a successful season which WGS Safety Patrol Crosswalk Awareness By Sheril McWhirter Crossing a state highway to get to school can pose some tricky situations for both pedestrians and drivers. This is especially true when winter weather can make road conditions more hazardous and reduce visibility. The WGS safety patrol is generally on duty from 7:45-8am and from 2:50-3:05pm Monday through Thursday. On Fridays the afternoon time changes to 1:20-1:35pm. Vernonia’s Voice wishes Jaki King the best of luck Fifth grade Safety Patrol students at Washington Grade with her film premier and her career. School (WGS) and the Educational Assistants who su- Need Help?? 15 pervise them are working hard to make this daily activity safer for both pedestrians and motorists. They would like you to be aware of some pro- cedures that must be followed while they are on the job. tions of traffic have stopped and it is safe for students to cross the street. Once students have safely crossed, flags will be pulled in signaling that traffic can again move through the intersection. Please be aware when approaching schools during ar- rival and dismissal times that extra caution is needed to ensure the safety of the young people in our community who are crossing the street and the young people in our community who are helping them cross. Thank you. Columbia County! Cedar Ridge Retreat and Conference Center When a patrol member rais- es his/her flag, it is a warn- ing to motorists that children are approaching to cross the street. They are also call- ing the motorist’s attention to their obligation under the law to respect the rights and safety of pedestrians at crosswalks. WGS patrol members can’t stop traffic. Traffic has to stop for them. 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