Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current, February 11, 2009, Black History Month, Page 3, Image 3

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    Page A3
Februaiy II. 2009
Mrs. O regon A m erica
of Oregon, and her hus­
band Bob live in Eugene.
When not in uniform, she
enjoys singing the N a­
tional Anthem at commu­
nity events, family bike
rides, running marathons,
and watching college foot­
ball.
She serves as vice presi­
dent for the Miss Lane
County Scholarship Pro­
gram, is on the board of the
Lane County Chapter of
the U of O Alumni Asso­
ciation, and has chosen
Hl V/A1DS awareness and
education as her personal
platform.
Joelle Rankins Goodwin,
a form er Lincoln High
School Rose Festival prin­
cess, was selected to rep­
resent Oregon as the new
Mrs. Oregon America 2009.
Goodwin, representing
Eugene, was crowed dur­
ing ceremonies Jan. 25 at
the new Broadway Rose
Theater in Tigard. It was
her third appearance in the
tournament, after being
voted First Runner Up in
both 2007 and 2008.
With her selection, she
earns $ 18,000 in prizes and
an expenses aid trip tocom-
pete in September with
women from all over the
United States for the title of
Mrs. America 2010.
Joelle, a Major in the
United States Army teach­
ing ROTC at the University
Joelle Rankins
Goodwin is the new
Mrs. Oregon America
2009.
New Focus on High Schools
ally positive about Portland
schools, with significant im­
provement since 2004.
Fifty percent of the respon­
dents rated the school
district’s job perfor­
mance as "very" or
Portland Public
;
"som ewhat" good,
Schools has released
compared
to 36 per­
findings from a re­
cent
offering
high
cent survey on pub­
marks
in2004.
Butsub-
lic attitudes about
sequent questions in­
school jo b perfor­
dicate that in large
m ance and view s
part, the improvement
about lo cal high
is based on improved
schools, as well as
perceptions in the
results from a com­ Carole Smith
management of finan­
panion survey o f
cial resources.
PPS staff.
Both the public and PPS staff
School district officials say
these surveys are an early step think Portland's high schools are
in gathering public and staff doing reasonably well, but could
input on how Portland Public improve. The survey found that
Schools should change its high 42 percent of the public and 50
school system to improve out­ percent of PPS staff believe
Portland's high schools are very
comes for students.
The surveys, conducted by or somewhat good.
Another 65 percent of PPS
Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall,
show that the public is gener- staff and 57 percent of the pub­
Survey begins
process of
changes
lic called for "some changes ...
o v er tim e to im prove the
schools."
Lack of an adequate and
stable supply of money remains
the top-rated obstacle to the
success o f P ortland's high
schools.
According to the survey,
"More than 75 percent of the
public, and even larger percent­
ages of staff, identified both
adequacy and predictability of
school finances as a 'very big' or
'big' obstacle to success.
Portland Public Schools Su­
perintendent Carole Smith said,
"I'm e n c o u ra g e d by our
community's confidence in our
schools, and by their recogni­
tion that we still need to make
high school a more challenging
and engaging experience for all
our students."
The surveys are one part of
an on-going public process to
inform decisions about the fu­
ture of Portland's high schools.
Cutting kilowatts:
much easier than
cutting calories.
• W E H A V E L O T S O F B R IG H T ID E A S F O R
E N E R G Y E F F IC IE N C Y .” l owering your energy
intake is easy and painless. Installing compact fluor­
escent light bulbs, turning down your thermostat,
making simple home improvements
they all add up
to low er electricity use. W e also have programs and
incentives to help you save even more. You'll find all
Lhe in v-ve is.r p a c ific p o w e r.n e t
^P A C IF IC POWER
Let’s turn the answers on.
Celebrate the Queens
of Blues and Jazz
BLAC K HISTORY MONTH 2 0 0 9
What better way to honor this
special month than with our new
compilation CD that pays tribute
to the legendary African-American
women who helped shape the
future of music The Royal Blues:
Celebrating the Queens of Blues
and Jazz brings together the most
influential voices in the history
of these most American of music
forms, including Billie Holiday,
Ella Fitzgerald. Etta James,
Sarah Vaughan and Shirley Horn,
» í , * •
plus an exclusive track recorded
just for us by up-and-coming jazz
phenomenon Lizz Wright; $18.95.
Available at all Nordstrom stores and
nordstrom.com/blackhistorymonth.
•
W W * ' . »
All after-cost profits from this CD
J
sold February I - December 31,
..JJI
2009 will benefit the Thurgood
Marshall College Fund in its
mission to provide educational
opportunities to a new generation
of black leaders.
■ Á
NORDSTROM
*r
Wb
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Discover more, nordstrom.con» Clackamas Town Center 503.652.18’ 0. Downtown Portland 503 224 6666. Lloyd Center 503.287.2444 Salem Center 503-371.7710. Vancouver 360.256.8666 Washington Square 503 620.0555.
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