Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (April 25, 2018)
Page 13 April 25, 2018 Principal of the Year c ontinued froM p aGe 2 gible for the national Principal of the Year Award. Under Wilson, Benson’s grad- uate rate rose to 88.8 percent for 2016-17, well ahead of the Ore- gon average of 74.8 percent. Ben- son’s dropout rate for that year was 0.2 percent; the state average was 3.9 percent. Wilson said he is proudest of being able to build a communi- ty with Benson’s diverse student body that is about 70 percent stu- dents of color and with about 70 percent who qualify for the free- and-reduced lunch program. “It’s just being able to work with students, staff and family and help bring them together,” Wilson said. Wilson manages a campus that shares space with the Dart Pro- gram, Alliance at Benson, Benson Evening Scholars, a full slate of Summer School Programming, and several other alternative path- ways programs. “He is a valued peer for the administrators of those programs helping to serve our most vulner- able learners,” said Ginger Taylor, former Benson Evening Scholars Principal. Wilson is in his fifth year as Benson principal after moving from Grant, where he was a vice principal. A graduate of Roosevelt High School and the University of Oregon, Wilson started his educa- tion career as a health teacher at Harriet Tubman Middle School in 1997, before moving to Roosevelt to teach in 1997. He also served as a coach, of basketball at Harriet Tubman, and track and cross country at Roosevelt. In 2006, he moved into admin- istration, first as dean of students at Roosevelt, then moving to Grant as a vice principal in 2007. In 2013, he took over as princi- pal at Benson, succeeding Carol Campbell, who took the same po- sition at Grant. Wilson showed just how ded- icated he is to Benson when the school’s girls basketball team made the state championship game. He offered to pay the ad- mission of any Benson student who wanted to watch the Tech- sters play Southridge at the Chil- es Center. Gun Measure Petition Training An initiative petition promot- ing public safety in Oregon by banning the sale of assault weap- ons and large capacity magazines takes another step forward when a rally and signature gathering training session for all ages is held on Monday, April 30 at 7 p.m. at Augustana Lutheran Church, 2710 N.E. 14th Ave. “Now is the time, this is the moment. We encourage everyone to join our Lift Every Voice cam- paign for Ballot Measure 43,” said campaign chair Rev. W. J. Mark Knutson, Augustana senior pastor. The other chief petitioners are Rev. Alcena Boozer, former prin- cipal of Jefferson High School and pastor emeritus of St. Philip the Deacon Episcopal Church, and Rabbi Michael Cahana of Con- gregation Beth Israel. The treasur- er is Imam Muhammad Najieb, director of the Muslim Commu- nity Center of Portland and a vet- eran of the Marines. Rev. Lynn Smouse-Lopez of Ainsworth United Church of Christ is serving as an alternate petitioner. More information, visit liftev- eryvoiceoregon.com. photo by t racy s tadaMire /u n -4-G ettable p hotoGraphy Allen Temple Church Pastor LeRoy Haynes and Oregon Supreme Court Associate Justice Adrianne Nelson attend a recent fundrais- er at the home of community leader Kay Toran to raise donations and purchase customized bricks to rebuild the church. Allen Temple Brick Campaign Portland community leader Kay Toran recently hosted a fund- raiser at her home to help Allen Temple Church rebuild from a 2015 fire. Participants could make a do- nation or purchase customized bricks which will be laid on the grounds of the rebuilt northeast Portland church. Generous con- tributions have come from Tom Kelly of Neil Kelly remodel- ing, Stan Pauls, Décor Cabinets, Prosper Portland, NW Natural, Maranatha Church, the North- east Coalition of Neighborhoods, Portland Community Reinvest- ment Initiatives, Life Change Church, Walsh Construction, Alicia Yoder, Matt Leeding and Ryan Wilde. It’s not too late to purchase your own brick for the re-building cam- paign. Four different sizes with your words are available by call- ing the church at 503-852-1758. Together, we do good things. TM This page is sponsored by Oregon Lottery R April 2018 C alendar SUNDAY 22 Earth Day, established 1970 Girl Scout Leader Appreciation Day 29 Zipper Day (pat- ented by Gideon Sundback in 1913) MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 23 Home Run Day William Shake- speare born, 1564 30 National Honesty Day Anniversary Lou- isiana Purchase completed (1803) 24 Library of Congress established (1800) Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day 25 26 Admin. Profession- als/ Secretaries Day Hubble Telescope launched, 1990 World Penguin Day Take your Daughter to Work Day Hug a Friend Day National Pretzel Day FRIDAY 27 Arbor Day Tell a Story Day SATURDAY 28 James Monroe born, 1758 (5th President)
