10
schools
march8
2011
Loggers Basketball and Wrestling
Complete Successful Seasons
Connecting the Dots— Students at Washington Grade
School spent a day with Geoff McLachlan from the Ovation Company for
“Connecting the Dots” an intense 5 hour program that works with upper
elementary students during the regular school day. Through a series of activi-
ties, stories and interactions, the program provides opportunities for students
to connect with each other outside of their normal routine. Students learn
how they impact each other both positively and negatively while promoting
empathy, acceptance, understanding and forgiveness. Over ninety students,
along with eleven high school student mentors, participated in the program.
US Bank has made a donation of $25,000 to the Vernonia Education Foun-
dation. Making the presentation (third from left) was US Banks's Vernonia
Branch Manager, Nicole Larke. Accepting the check were Vernonia School
Board Members (from left) Tim Bamburg, Ernie Smith, Bill Langmaid, Kim
Wallace, and Greg Kintz.
Basketball--The Vernonia Loggers
boys basketball team finished off one of their
most successful seasons in recent memory
in February. Earning a trip to the state Sweet
Sixteen playoffs for the first time since 1996,
the Loggers capped their season with a League
playoff win over Gaston to clinch second place
in the Northwest League and an automatic berth
in the state playoffs. The Loggers faced a very
tough Knappa team in the league title game,
losing by just two points. Knappa had gone
undefeated in conference play this year. The
Loggers then traveled to Salem to face Western
Menonite in the Sweet Sixteen, where they fell
76-58.
Knappa went on to reach the semi-
finals and Western Mennonite won the state
title.
“Knowing that we lost to some of the
best teams in the state hopefully gives our kids
some confidence and some validity to just how
good they really were this year,” said Loggers
head coach Ted Aubin. “It’s been a long time
since a Vernonia team played for a league
title. This team did a lot of things that haven’t
been one in a while here—it was season full of
positives.”
The Loggers ended their season with
an 11-5 conference record and a 12-11 record
overall.
“The kids were really disappointed to
see the season come to an end,” said Aubin.
“They were really excited to be playing
meaningful games so late in the season.”
Coach Aubin said he really appreciated
the way the community rallied around the team
this season, especially at the final Western
Mennonite game. “ It was standing room only
and was really a great atmosphere, the crowd
really got involved” said Aubin. “I want to
thank the fans for their support.”
The team will lose graduation seniors,
Tanner Faber, Jordon McMahon, Bob Michalec,
Paul Whitman and Joshua Liman. “I think those
players will l hopefully be
able to look back and know
that they helped change
the culture of Vernonia
Basketball,” said Aubin. “I
would like to think they helped establish a new
tradition and helped raise the expectations of
the community around their team.”
“This was personally my best season
and my favorite team. We got along really
well,” said senior McMahon. “I already miss
playing!”
The team looks to be strong again next
year as Aubin has a solid nucleus of talent with
returning guards Byron and Craig Weller, center
Austin Edgar and and forward Austin Cutright,
who all saw significant playing time this year.
“I think next years team could be as good or
better,” said Aubin. “They have the potential—
they’ve had the experience of competitive
games and need to keep working hard and hold
each other accountable.”
Wrestling—The Vernonia Loggers had
another successful wrestling season, concluding
with a 13 th place finish at the Sate 2A/1A
Tournament. Six Loggers competed at the
State Tournament this year, with two wrestlers
earning medals. Both Joe Benes at 140 pounds
and Alex Barber at 285 finished fourth. The
Loggers suffered a tough first round with only
Barber advancing. Benes had to battle back in
the losers bracket to earn fourth place.
The Loggers will lose a core of
outstanding wrestlers to graduation this year,
including state qualifiers, Barber, Jacob Alf and
Michael Kinnan, along with Kodi Dyer, Parker
Roach, Cody Cowles, Danielle Della Rosa, and
Theo Ionita
The Loggers look to return a strong team
again next season with state qualifiers Benes,
Shylo Dooley, and Jake Barnes all returning,
as well as District third place finishers, Quin
Johanson, Jake Stevens, and Brett Benes.
Washington Grade School 4th graders from Mrs.
Trout Release
Richmond’s class participated in an Oregon Fish and Wildlife
Department Program, raising trout and then
releasing them in Vernonia Lake.
VHS Alumni
Basketball Game
Sat, March 12th 6:00PM
Boys & Girls Varsity
vs.
Alumni
Two games -
12 minute running quarters
Tickets: Adults $5
12 yrs-High School Student $4
K-5th grade $3
Want to play?
Contact Julie Ramsey
at 503-869-0211
Fundraiser for Oregon School
Employees Association Chapter 67
Friends of the Library Vernonia
Book Sale
Sat. March 12
10 - 4
at
at the
the Vernonia
Vernonia Public
Public Library
Library
701
701 Weed
Weed Avenue
Avenue
Florist
FLOWERS AND PLANTS FOR ALL OCCASIONS
• Gifts • Balloons • Arts & Crafts
• Sewing Supplies • Yarn
Proud Sponsor of
Mackenzie Carr
2011 Miss Rodeo
Oregon
736 Bridge St, Vernonia
(503) 429-2000
www.VernoniaFlorist.com