16
schools
june5
2014
Snow Selected to Attend American Legion Leadership Program
Winter Snow, a junior at
Vernonia High School, has
been selected by the Vernonia
High School faculty and the
Vernonia American Legion
Post 119 to attend the 2014
American Legion Boys State
Leadership Program held at
Willamette University from
June 15 to 21.
This week-long event is among the most
respected educational programs of government
instruction for high school students in the nation and
attended by deserving students from across Oregon.
Participants are selected based on their scholarship
and leadership potential with expenses associated with
attending the program paid by the Vernonia American
Legion.
During the week-long event, individuals
are exposed to the rights, privileges, duties and
responsibilities of a franchised citizen. Activities
include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law
enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, chorus
and recreational programs.
The annual American Legion Boys State event
has been a program of The American Legion since
1935. The American Legion is a patriotic veterans’
organization whose focus is on service to veterans and
communities. Today, the Legion is one of the most
influential nonprofit groups in the United States with
Schools Update: Thank You
By Dr. Ken Cox
This is my last article as
superintendent of the Vernonia School
District and the most important message
I can leave you with is to say -Thank
You!
Thank you for the many
friendships that Carol and I have
enjoyed. Thank you for the patience and
understanding of our staff during the
many challenging times that we have
faced.
I want to thank each of you
for your support of our schools. We
wouldn’t have the facility we have today
without your support of our bond back
in 2009. This single act of commitment
to the future of our community was
the initial push that started the wheels
of opportunity rolling and became the
catalyst for making our new school a
reality. Because of your resilience in
wanting to move our community into the
22 nd century we were able to garner the
support of corporate and philanthropic
leaders from across the region.
We have also had the support of
many elected officials from across the
state, but none of these can compare to
the countless hours and conversations
had on our behalf by Senator Betsy
Johnson. Her tireless commitment to
our community and our new schools
project has had a significant impact on
our success.
Together, we made a difference.
Not only for the children of Vernonia,
but for generations to come.
When I accepted this position,
Carol and I talked of spending three
or four years in Vernonia. Then, in
December of 2007, we had an event that
changed all of our lives. I would like
to believe that we are all better people
because of that event, not just because
a membership of over 2.4 million veterans located
at 14,000 locations worldwide. The Legion serves in
all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
France, Mexico and the Philippines. Over the years,
the Legion has and continues to influence considerable
social change in America winning benefits for veterans,
serving communities and producing important
programs for youth.
The Vernonia American Legion supports a
variety of local programs and civic events focused on
enhancing the quality of life for community members.
Membership in the American Legion is open to any
honorably discharged veteran of the United States
military.
we got the mess cleaned up in the weeks
and months (and years) to follow, but
because we realized that there is far
more to this life than our homes and
the things that we collect in them. Our
children, our families are, and should
be, the center of our lives. They are our
future, in the most literal sense of the
phrase. It is for the betterment of their
lives that education is so important.
I am proud of all the staff that I
have had the privilege of working with
for the past eight years. We have some
excellent and very dedicated teachers,
aides and other staff members. I will
miss the many smiling faces and will
remember the many good times we have
had together.
Finally I would like to express
my confidence in the future of this
district. Mr. Miller will do a great job
in my place and it is my hope that you
will give him the support you have given
me. Please keep in touch, our email is
kencarcox@gmail.com and we are both
on Facebook. We will return to visit but
until then take care and enjoy life to the
fullest.
Vernonia Students of the Month
May 2014
Anika Suppes
Grade 5
Anika is known as a very kind hearted young lady
who shows great comTassion for her classmates.
She is not only kind, but also an amazing student
who is organized and has great study habits. Anika
says her favorite subject is math and she likes
Tlaying basketball. In her free time she likes
volunteering with the Vernonia Freewheelers Club.
Haley Lindsay
Grade 8
Haley's teachers say she is a great kid who always
tries her best on her assignments, studies for tests
and cares about her work. Haley enjoys writing
and has written a children's book which she hoTes
to get illustrated soon. She says she likes music
and writing songs. She and a friend are starting a
You Tube channel in the near future. She Tlays
basketball and runs track.
Makenzie Anderson
START RIGHT. START HERE. SM
Grade 12
Mackenzie recently graduated from VHS where
she Tlayed basketball and softball; she was also a
Tercussionist in the band. Makenzie is involved in
local church, is a volunteer summer camT coun-
cilor and also helTs her mother run a day care
business. She racked uT 770 community service
volunteer hours during her high school career.
Next year Makenzie will attend PCC and hoTes to
transfer to the Art Institute to study Interior Design.
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