No End to
Massive
Protests
Established in 1970
New Police
Chief Named
to Build Trust
Black leader says
streets is where
change will be won
Chuck Lovell
rises to the top of
command
See story, page 2
See Local News, page 3
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Volume XLVIV • Number 14
‘City
of
Roses’
www.portlandobserver.com
Wednesday • June 10, 2020
Honoring the Class of 2020
Reflecting on a school year cut short
The Jefferson High School se-
nior class created all of the Class
of 2020 content for this special
graduation edition of the Portland
Observer.
Inside you will find reflections
from the students on a school year
cut short by the cornonavirus pan-
demic and how they are respond-
ing to another tragedy, the police
custody death of George Floyd in
Minneapolis.
See the letters of support and
congratulations to the graduates
from their teachers, administra-
tors and adult mentors, like those
from Self Enhancement, Inc. The
students also include photos to
showcase their school experience,
list their favorite music, and share
their special art projects.
Valedictorian speeches by
five of Jefferson’s achieving stu-
dents, not able to be delivered at
a formal graduation ceremony
because of the social distancing
requirements of the pandemic,
are also included and will in-
spire you.
This special coverage was co-
ordinated by Jefferson students
attending a Senior Inquiry class, a
dual-credit class designed through
a partnership between the Jeffer-
son High School Middle College
for Advanced Studies and Port-
land State University.
All seniors at Jefferson take the
class and earn 15 college cred-
its upon completion. Jefferson
teachers and Portland State pro-
fessors help direct them on a path
of individualized learning by en-
gaging in community advocacy,
action projects, art installations,
writing and other types of aca-
demic exploration.
At its core, the Senior Inquiry
model stimulates critical thinking
and self-reflection while focus-
ing on the importance of building
strong relationships with class-
Senior Tarisha Spencer is draped by messages of unity
mates, instructors, high school
and equality in the halls of Jefferson High School in a
staff and community members.
photo taken earlier this year.
Committed to Cultural Diversity
Congratulations
Seniors!
The
Port-
land Observer is
proud to dedicate
this special issue
to all of our high
school seniors,
and
especial-
ly the Jefferson
High
School
Class of 2020,
the school histor-
ically grounded Publisher Mark
to the heart of Washington
Portland’s Afri-
can American community.
We are proud to give a voice to these
honored students during a difficult time,
sharing their dreams for the future and
providing them a proper sendoff after a
senior year cut short by the coronavirus
pandemic and the public health crisis that
closed all schools since Spring Break.
“Your lives were disrupted, but you
have not been forgotten,” said Portland
Observer Publisher Mark Washington.
“Congratulations seniors and best wish-
es to your future!”