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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 11, 2011)
schools january11 12 2011 Who Works At Your Schools? Meet Teri Willard Teri Willard, in her own words, keeps reinventing herself as a teacher at Vernonia High School. An electives instructor, Willard loves her job and loves her students and keeps finding opportunities to teach here in Vernonia. Originally from New York, Willard taught Spanish in Colorado for five years before moving to Oregon. She was a stay-at-home mother for ten years and moved to Vernonia with her family in 2006, where she again took up teaching. Willard, who had been living in Clackamas, says she chose Vernonia because she wanted to get away from the crowded suburbs and schools. “I was looking for a small place where I could teach,” she says. In Vernonia, as a part-time teacher, Willard continues to teach Spanish, and in the past has taught Aerobics and Folk Art. Because of shifts in faculty and curriculum, this year she is teaching Leadership. “I think these students are the best of the best, and they are just amazing,” says Willard. It’s awesome and I hope I get to keep on teaching them.” “I was a leadership nerd in high school, involved in student council and planning activities, dances and events,” continues Willard. “I’m really enjoying it [teaching Leadership]-- I think I have the best job in Vernonia!” Willard is very encouraged by a recent trip the Leadership students took to a state conference. “The students were really inspired by that conference in the fall and are really doing some fun things. Their goal in September before the conference was to boost school spirit and I think they have done a really good job so far.” Willard is one of those teachers that every student should experience during their educational years, an instructor who cares about and enjoys her work and builds real relationships with her students. Willard is actively engaged in the lives of her students, not just their school day lives, and treats them like real people. “I love young people,” says Willard. “I can’t think of anyone I would rather spend my day with than a high school or middle school kid. I love their energy.” This past year, Willard put together a team of twelve students to compete in the Hood-to-Coast Run and has already registered a team again for the 2011 run. “It is not a school- sanctioned activity, but it’s still fun,” says Willard. “I’m not a coach-- I go as the driver and cheerleader. It’s a lot of fun and very challenging for the kids. And they have a blast!” helping the students fundraise for the trip and organizing a fantastic itinerary for the traveling group. Right now, plans include time at a Sea Turtle research center where students will help patrol the beach and and collect turtle eggs to protect them from poachers. Plans also include travel through the rain forest, a home stay with a local family, a visit to an indigenous community, a zipline adventure and a visit to a butterfly reserve. “I have traveled with students before, but it was more as tourists, staying in hotels and traveling by bus from place to place,” says Willard. “This will be more like an ecotour.” When not teaching Vernonia students, Willard says she enjoys spending time with her family. She enjoys listening to music, watching movies, cooking and going out to restaurants to eat, hiking and being outside, and road trips and traveling. Teri Willard is one example of Teri Willard teaches Spanish and someone who cares about Vernonia, Leadership at Vernonia High School. about our schools, and most importantly, She has also been working with about the students she teaches. a small group of students for a trip to Costa Rica this upcoming summer, VHS Winter Sports Report the right time and is very exciting to watch. Make plans to come out and Boys Basketball-- At the beginning of the season, watch a few games this season. Coach Ted Aubin predicted the Loggers would finish their non-league schedule without a lot of wins, and Vernonia entered league play with a 3-6 record. But the Wrestling--The Loggers Wrestlers are picking up right Loggers have shown improvement as the season has where they left off last year. Coach Chris Wolfe has progressed and wins over Neah-Kah-Nie and Riverdale almost his entire team back from last years’s defending and a tough loss to Knappa, put the Loggers 2-1 in the District Champions squad, and their experience is showing. Joe Benes, Shylo 2A Northwest League. Dooley, Cody Cowles, and Against Riverdale on Dillon Dethlefs are all wrestling January 4, the Loggers took a slim well, and the varsity squad is two point lead into the locker room getting contributions from Quin at halftime, but came roaring out Johansen and Kodi Dyer in the after the half, defeating the Mavs middle weights. Brett Benes, by a score of 63-39. Coach Aubin Jacob Alf and Alex Barber have got inspired inside play from Bob been solid in the upper weight Michalec, and Austin Edgar, great classes. passing and ball handling from At the Clatskanie Invitaitonal Paul Whiteman, clutch shooting over the holiday break, Shylo from Tanner Faber and Jordon McMahon and an all around The Vernonia Loggers’ Shylo Dooley was Dooley was named Outstanding dominant during a recent home meet. Wrestler of the meet. Coach outstanding performance from Wolfe said the team also performed well against Craig Weller, who was a menace on defense and trouble all night for the Mav’s offensively. The Loggers bench Monroeville, Eddyville Siletz and Perrydale on January provided help all evening with Byron Weller and Austin 5, only losing a handful of matches in the entire meet. At the home dual meet in Vernonia on January Cutright contributing positive minutes. The Loggers and Lady Loggers have key 6, the Loggers were dominant, defeating Knappa, league home games against Gaston on Jan. 11 and Rainier and Warrenton. Joe Benes, Dooley, Cowles Portland Christian on Jan. 13, as well as upcoming and Johansen were all outstanding. Alex Barber won home games against Neah-Kah-Nie on Jan 27 and a classic heavyweight bout against Knappa and Brett Benes also wrestled well. Even first year wrestler Bill Nestucca on Feb. 1st. This team appears to be coming together at just Organ got the first two wins of his young career, both s Na ce ath Health Se rv al P r i tu Girls Basketball--Coach Steve Whiteman is looking forward to league play with his team. So far the Lady Loggers have shown promise after a tough non league schedule, which should prepare them for their games against their Northwest League rivals. The girls were 1-1 in league play before struggling at home against big and tough Riverdale on January 4, losing 58-39 and then dominating Delphian 71-11 on January 6. Coach Whiteman says he has a deep team and has received strong inside play from Mickell Maller, good ball handling, shooting and aggressive play from senior guards Megan and Ariel Rock. He said he’s happy to have Kim Allen, who has been recovering from an injury, back in the line-up, and that freshman Stephanie Castro has been a leading scorer. Whiteman says he has gotten solid play from his bench including Kristina Halvorson, Samantha Lindauer, and Natalie Wallace . This is an aggressive and tough team that should be fun to watch as they make a run at the league playoffs. Mariolino’s Pizza & Grill Open for breakfast, lunch & dinner Dr. Carol McIntyre Naturopathic & Chinese Medicine 503.481.4096 cccmnd@yahoo.com naturalpathhealthservices.com by pins, the first in nineteen seconds. The Loggers are headed to the Oregon Classic in Redmond on January 13, and 14 before returning home to face Corbett and Clatskanie on Thursday January 20th. They will also wrestle at the Clatskanie Tournament on January 22 and the Scappoose Invitational on February 5, before their final home match on February 8 against district rival Central Linn and Neah-Kah-Nie. You are encouraged to come out and support your Loggers--this is a very talented team! We have ice cream! Serving Vernonia since 1970 786 Bridge Street Vernonia, OR, 97064 721 Madison Avenue, Vernonia (503) 429-5018 Owned and Operated by Don & Kim Wallace
