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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (May 24, 2011)
schools may24 11 2011 VHS Spring Sports Update Track and Field Competitors, Girls Softball All Head to State Tournament 4 x100 relay team sprinted their way to a district championship; team members are Dalibor Kufa, Tanner Faber, Lane Sullivan and Jacob Stevens. Stevens also qualified for state in the high jump and the 200 meters. “For my money, he was the best athlete at the district track meet,” said Brown. “He [Stevens] almost got the 4x400 team to state with an inspiring anchor leg but we came up a little bit short and got third.” Sammy Lindauer qualified for state in the 200 meters in a race she has only run a few times and will go to Monmouth for the state meet with the 3rd best time in the state. Nathan Fleck ran the best 800 meters in decades at Vernonia and also qualified for state. Rowan Cheney just missed qualifying for state, finishing 3rd in the 3K. “Most of the team recorded personal records and I consider the meet a great step forward for the Vernonia track program,” said Brown. “I think we are well-positioned for an even greater season next year.” Left-Right: Tanner Faber passes the baton to Nathan Fleck in the 4x400 relay. Fleck qualified for the State meet in the 800 meters. Samantha Lindauer (right) and Makayla Roach (left) on the medal stand for the 200 Meters at the District Track Meet. Lindauer finished second and earned a trip to the State meet; Roach finished fourth. Jacob Stevens crosses the finish line, earning a District Title for VHS in the 4x100 Relay. Photos courtesy of Justin Stevens. VHS Students Protest Budget Cuts Vernonia High School students, in a show of support for some of their favorite teachers, walked out of class and rallied to help save jobs. Students have become concerned about proposed budget cuts that would eliminate several teaching positions throughout the K-12 program, including beloved teacher and coach Steve Whiteman. Whiteman has apparently elected to take an offer for an early retirement in order to help the school district save funds. Approximately 100 students gathered in front of Whiteman’s house, then marched to the District office, where they were all invited in to meet with Superintendent Ken Cox in a conference room. Cox met with students for over fifteen minutes and explained to the students the difficult decisions he is faced with and listened as students expressed their concerns and praise for their teachers, e s p e c i a l l y W h i t e m a n . They also presented Cox with written testimonials about their concerns; Cox said he would read all of them. “I want you aga s COMPUTER & INTERNET SERVICES Owned and Operated by Don & Kim Wallace •Computer Servicing • Upgrades & Repairs • Office Supplies • Media Transfers • Ink and Toner Refills 503.429.TECH • New & Used Computers in stock • Cell Phone Service & Accessories • Color Copies & Printing Available • Notary Services • Internet - DSL, Wireless & Dial up 866 Bridge Street, Vernonia you have a great deal of love and respect for Mr. Whiteman, and I respect him as well,” said Cox. ath Health Se rv al P r i tu s s t o We ck no ba w tte rie s Baseball—Coach Aaron Miller’s Loggers faced Nestucca at Pacific University in the league playoffs, losing 15-10, and bringing an end to their season. According to a disappointed Miller, against Nestucca, the boys were never quite able to recover from a seven run second inning. “We didn’t give up and roll over,” said Miller. Miller said the team committed 3 errors and several mental errors in that second inning and couldn’t fight all the way back. ce id e v pro rnet w no Inte e W DS L to all understand that this is not a choice that I like to make, to let people go,” said Cox to the students. “You guys live in a great place, but the economic times we live in force us to do things that none of us want to do.” Throughout the protest, students acted in a responsible, mature and respectful manner. “We’re making hard decisions right now and I appreciate your interest,” said Cox in closing his impromptu meeting with the students. “I appreciate Softball—The Lady Loggers defeated Portland Christian 16-8 in the League Playoffs at Pacific University on May 19 to qualify for the State Tournament, before falling to Knappa 9-0 in the League playoffs, to finish in third place. Coach Randy Shockey said the girls had the Portland Christian game well in hand after taking a 9-0 lead after the first few innings. His team also kept the Knappa game close until the sixth inning. Freshman Stephanie Castro pitched both both games for the Loggers and according to Shockey everyone contributed offensively in the first game. The Lady Loggers were unsure who they will face on May 25 in the first round of state playoff action. Na Track and Field—VHS athletes took part in the District Track Meet held at Portland Christian on May13-14. “This was the highlight of our season,” said head coach Byron Brown. Six Loggers qualified for the state track meet in Monmouth on May 20-21. The Dr. Carol McIntyre Naturopathic & Chinese Medicine 503.481.4096 cccmnd@yahoo.com naturalpathhealthservices.com 786 Bridge Street Vernonia, OR, 97064
