vernonia’s
voice schools
october
09
2008
Vernonia Fall Sports Report
By Scott Laird
Vernonia’s school sports teams are off to a mixed start but really tough,” and Jake Titus, “ ...our fastest player.” B r o o k i n s .
this fall.
The Toppers last home game of the season is against Jew- “The rest of
The Varsity and JV football teams have struggled to ell on October 14.
the team is
start the season, both los-
The Varsity Volleyball team has fairly young.”
ing all three of their first
struggled to start the season. Captains Contributing
games. After starting the
Tricia Levenseller, a senior, and Bon- to the team
season with a successful
nie Birkmaier, a junior, lead the Lady have
been
jamboree, beating Gervais
Loggers. “This is a great group of girls sophomores
and Gaston, and tying Wil-
who all love the game of volleyball Chris John-
lamina, the Loggers Var-
and who desire to play at the top of ston,
Paul
sity was beaten by Sheri-
their ability,” said coach Brook Van- W h i t e m a n
dan 6-0, Knappa 34-0 and
Meter. “Though we have had a slow and
Kodi
Nestucca 20-16. Athletic
start, we anticipate gaining momentum Dyer,
and
The Varsity Volleyball team talks strategy
Director Gordon Jarman
and ending somewhere near the top.” f r e s h m a n
noted that Knappa has an
The JV squad has fared better with a Jackson Miller. Brookins said he thinks the boys will continue
excellent team this year
4-1 record led by team captain Chel- to improve and be competitive throughout the season. The Girls
The Vernonia Middle School football program
and that the Nestucca game
sea Patton. Coach Teresa Williams team lost four varsity runners to flood related moves. Juniors
is off to a great start
was between “two evenly
mentioned head setter Ariel Rock (“... Katy Stevens and Souvanne Miller and fourth year seniors Am-
matched teams.” “We expect to improve as the year goes very athletic, quick on her feet, a good all around play- ber Eastlick and Gillian Cheney have led this year’s team. Kris-
on,” said Jarman, as the team moves into league play. “I er.”) Mickell Maller (“...one of our middle blockers who tina Halverson, an active cheerleader, has also stepped in oc-
think we will compete for a playoff spot.” The JV team, has played well”) and Shyla Tungwenuk (“...has played casionally and finished first for the team in her first race. “Katy
made up mostly of freshmen and sophomores, has struggled well on defense on the back row- she’s not afraid to get Stevens and Souvanne Miller have a chance to make the league
to score so far this season.
down on the floor.”)
team if they continue to improve,” said Brookins. The Loggers
One bright spot in the Vernonia football program is the
The Cross Country teams, with seventeen total run- host the Vernonia Relay on October 16 as part of Homecoming
middle school team coached by Alex Etta. The Toppers won ners under the direction of coach James Brookins, are im- Week, the only chance to see the Loggers race at home this sea-
their first game 34-7 with an attack-
proving. The Boys team son.
ing defense and some solid offensive
has been lead by English
One other highlight for Vernonia sports this fall season has
performances. “The kids are really
exchange student Timothy been the return of the Vernonia Cheerleading Squad. Coach
becoming a team and starting to be-
Pillow. “Timothy should Cassandra Ashby has her girls together and working as a team,
lieve in each other,” said Etta. Etta
qualify for State,” said bringing school spirit back to school sports events in Vernonia.
is working to instill three traits in his
players-be positive, be respectful,
and to have integrity meaning “...do
the right thing, even when no one is
By Scott Laird
looking.” Etta mentioned some of
his top performers- Corey Eason and
The Vernonia School District Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) is looking for new
Nick Court, both playing defense
members. Are you the parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle of a student attending Vernonia or
and runningback; Kendrick Leaver-
Mist schools? Are you a concerned citizen without children in school but still interested in
ton- “... the littlest guy on the team,
what is going on with local schools, teachers and students? Are you a student in the district
District 47J PTA Needs You!
Vernonia Cheerleaders at their first game
Trail Blazers Student Achievement
Program Rewards Good Behavior
By Scott Laird
Last year over 15,000 students and families participated in the Portland Trail Blazers
student achievement programs and over 150 schools performed, played on the court or orga-
nized a special group event.
The Portland Trail Blazers are pleased to once again offer local area students, staff and
their friends and family their School and Family Nights: several nights designated just for
you with incredible ticket savings! For the Super Saver $5 nights, tickets must be ordered
two weeks prior to each game. For the Saver $10 nights, the order deadline is three weeks
prior to each game. Reserved seating for this program is limited and is filled on a first come,
first serve basis. I hope you are able to take advantage of this discounted offer. Enjoy! If you
have any questions, please feel free to call Lisa Swan at the Portland Trail Blazers at (503)
963-3966.
If any student, K-5, at Washington Grade School maintains positive school behavior,
demonstrated by having no disciplinary referrals or stingers through the end of the first quar-
ter, October 30, they will receive a complimentary Portland Trail Blazer ticket through the
Behavioral Reward Program! Parents and guardians of the specific student can get their
tickets at a discounted price.
The same procedure will be followed for the second quarter, ending January 22, and the
third quarter, ending April 2.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call Washington Grade School
Principal Mr. Miller or Mr. Spaulding at 503-429-7941.
Hope to see you at some games!
C
ATURE
E
R
S
who would like to help influence parent and teacher relationships? If you are any of these,
then you could be an active and vital member of the local PTA and help shape how Vernonia
schools function.
The local PTA has been actively assisting Vernonia schools for the last six years. The PTA
has been responsible for providing digital cameras for photography classes, printers for the
grade school and middle school, helping fund class field trips, and purchased and installed
the new playground equipment at Washington Grade School (WGS). They also put together
the community Easter egg hunt each spring.
The PTA is actively recruiting members so it can continue to play an active role in local
schools. “We have done so much, but we need more members to keep it going,” said PTA
President Camrin Eyrrick recently. Eyrrick was instrumental in re-starting the local PTA six
years ago, and she believes it has a critical role to fill in the community. “The PTA is about
open communication and working for our children.”
Eyrrick said they are looking for members from the middle and high schools so there is equal
representation. She also said that the PTA gives a scholarship to a high school senior each
year who is an active member. There are no eligible members yet this year.
Eyrrick explained that the PTA is the oldest child advocacy group and has been active in
Oregon for over 100 years.
The Vernonia PTA usually meets monthly on the second Wednesday of the month at WGS.
On October 8 they will hold a Back to School BBQ in conjunction with the WGS open house
night. Many other activities are planned for the upcoming year and volunteers are needed.
For more information about the Vernonia PTA, contact Camrin Eyrrick at 503-429-0425.
y
t
G
t
ifts
e
r
P
Pet Supplies & Pet Grooming
BREWERY, FINE WINES, Premium Pet Foods, Tropical Fish,
AND A WORLD
Specializing in Exotic Birds
OF DELIGHTS!
OPEN 10 AM - 8 PM
TUESDAY - SUNDAY
Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 10am-6pm
(503) 429-4350
62467 N. Hwy 47 Vernonia, OR
www.creaturespetshop.com
503-429-PETS (7387)
lissaedgar@yahoo.com - 736 Bridge Street, Vernonia, OR 97064
Thursday-Saturday 11am-6pm
Sunday 11am-5pm
&Things
Now re-opened in our new location.
Stop by, say hello, & check out
our new merchandise!
SH
O C AL !
L
P
O
phone 503-869-3039
7 8 6 B r i d g e S t r e e t , Ve r n o n i a O R