in case you missed it
october11
Vernonia Schools Project Celebrates continued from front page
school and visitors to learn about
solar technology.” He says school’s
teachers are enthusiastic about us-
ing the solar installation as a way to
bring alternative energy education
to the school’s nearly 600 students
and the community at large.
SolarWorld is also bring-
ing its partnership with the Founda-
tion for Environmental Education
and the National Energy Education
Demonstration project to the Ver-
nonia effort. Those two organiza-
tions will teach the teachers about
solar energy curriculum to bring the
concepts alive to the students.
Other speakers at the cel-
ebration included City of Nehalem
Mayor Shirley Kalkhoven, whose
city contributed to the Vernonia
schools campaign last year, who
spoke about her connection to Ver-
2011
19
nonia and reissued the statewide
challenge she made to other Or-
egon mayors to support the effort
and help this community in their
time of need.
Vernonia High School se-
nior Crystal-Ann Carreon spoke
about the challenges the commu-
nity and school students have faced
since the Flood of 2007 and how
much the community appreciates
the help outside companies and
individuals have provided. “The
community and citizens have con-
tinued to move forward and work
towards a common goal,” said
Carreon. “The development of
our new schools has brightened the
hope and kindled the spirit of both
the community and citizens, creat-
ing a goal to better educate our stu-
dents and future leaders.”
Top right: Project Manager Steve Effros shows future student Henry Langmaid and his parents Bill and Rachel the new Vernonia School.
Above left: SolarWorld President Gordon Brinser with Vernonia Schools Superintendant Ken Cox and State Senator Betsy Johnson.
Above right: The new high school gymnasium, one of two in the building, will feature high ceilings and large windows to allow use of natural light.
2011 Salmon Festival
The salmon arrived in the Upper
Nehalem Valley at just the right time again—
right in time for the 9 th Annual Vernonia
Salmon Festival on October 1 st . There were
plenty of activities for the whole family
including pumpkin
carving, scarecrow
stuffing, hay rides,
and fishing for kids
in the trout pond.
There was food and
other vendors, art on
display and for sale,
and even Claudia the giant Chinook stopped
by to educate people about the life cycle of the
salmon and the environment we all share. It
was a great way to start the fall season!
