THE SIUSLAW NEWS SCHOOL NEWSLETTER ❚ October 2017 ❚ 3
SIUSLAW
ARTIST OF THE MONTH
Siuslaw students write, weave
Mallory Varas
— Symphonic Band
B Y A UDREY L OWDER
Siuslaw High School
Student
M
allory Varas was se-
lected as this month’s
artist of the month by in-
structor Mr. Chris Rowbo-
tham. Mallory is the
daughter of Scott and Stacy
McCabe and is currently
a senior attending her
last year of Siuslaw High
School.
She enjoys playing fl ute
and piccolo during her fi rst
period class because it “kind
of wakes me up so then when
I go to the rest of my classes
I’m not falling asleep,” she
said.
Th e atmosphere of sym-
phonic band is “actually pret-
ty energetic and it’s a lot of
fun,” said Mallory.
Band has taught her about
dedication, musicality in gen-
eral and has broadened her
perspective on social interac-
tion with her peers.
She said, “Mr. Rowbotham
tries to make a personal con-
nection with all of his stu-
dents and he really tries to get
to know all of his students, so
SUBMISSIONS
WELCOME
Deadline for
submissions is the 15th
of every month.
Weaving
student
Dane Circle
Weaving
student Danin
Lacouture
PHOTO BY CAROL JOLLEY
it kinda makes (symphonic
band) more like a family than
a class.”
Mallory is currently the
president of Key Club and en-
joys volunteering.
Aft er high school, she is
unsure of what university she
wants to attend. However,
she is “interested in studying
business and maybe minor-
ing in a foreign language.”
If you wish to see more of
Mallory and other talented
Siuslaw School District mu-
sicians, there will be a com-
bined Band and Choir con-
cert on Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. at
the Florence Events Center,
1460 Ninth St.
S TUDENT AUTHOR ATTENDS F ESTIVAL
OF B OOKS
Kassy Keppol oversees the TAG (Talent-
ed and Gift ed) program at Siuslaw Elemen-
tary School, and one of the program’s many
projects includes writing and printing stu-
dent literature.
Last month’s Festival of Books at the
Florence Events Center provided an oppor-
tunity for some of the works to be show-
cased. Lily Bitner, a fi ft h-grader at SES, was
one of the 20 students whose stories were
included in the Siuslaw School District
Writers Anthology. While at the festival,
Lily autographed the book for interested
customers.
The students in this program are cur-
rently working on a second anthology,
W EAVING C LUB :
Under the direction of teacher Keppol,
the Weaving Club has more than 20 stu-
dents participating this year. Weaving was
CROW & T HE A RTS
Be a part of School Zone, a monthly
newsletter for students in the Siuslaw
and Mapleton school districts.
Email Features Editor Chantelle Meyer at
cmeyer@thesiuslawnews.com
SUPPORTING
NEWSPAPERS IN EDUCATION
Thank you to the following supporters of this special monthly section
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Jim and Sharron Dwiggins
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Aaron Holmes
Barbara Holler
Paul Holman & Tracy Smith
Delores Hopkins
Archie Hornfelt
David & Benita Jefferis
Hazel P. Jennings
Fred Jensen
Frankie and Harry Jorgensen
Eric Kirsten
Leroy Krzycki
S. Lacer
Barbara Lamb
Andrew J Latomme Jr
Teresa Lichti
Aaron Longo
Clarency & Nancy Lysdale
Mrs. Kassy Keppol and student writer Lily Bitner
with 10 stories ready to include in this
year’s book.
the most popular enrichment club during
last year’s TAG program, so it was the one
to start the year off in September. Weaving
Club is open to TAG and third- through
fi ft h-grade students.
Currently, the students are discover-
ing how to weave fabric, while learning
the vocabulary and pattern skills that go
along with the project. Math and art skills
are incorporated into the learning process.
Students will proceed by making items out
of the fabric they create. Pieces will include
such things as bags and belts. Th e program
recently received a new shipment of yarns,
which the student are excited about using
for their fabric projects.
— Stories and photos submitted by Diane
McCalmont for Siuslaw Elementary School
Debrah Manthe
Nancy Mattice
Daniel Mcdivitt
Bill Mcdougle
Craig & Joanne Mcmicken
B. Mealer
Jim Moe
Jack & Colleen Moore
Harry & Scherrie Morgan
Bill Munzer
Jim & Nancy Murphy
Teri & Mike Myers
Keith and Joanne Nelson
Lanny and Roxy Nivens
North Country Lures & Flies Llc
Don & Joan Olson
Al Pearn
Rachel & Paul Pearson
Russ Pierson
Roger Poirier
Linda Pugh
David Rankin
Martha Ransom
Roger Ranta
Pat & David Reno
G.f. Dusty Rhodes
Lynn Ryan
Ronald E. Sherriffs
Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue
Leo & Shirle Stapleton
John Stead
Bill Stone
Carol Thompson
Ginger Timberlake
Londi Tomaro
Gay and Marian Trueblood
Arlis Ulman
Terry & Kathleen Vanballegooijen
Piney Vanriper
Lynda Verschelden
Susan Weathers
Paul D. Webster
Western Lane Ambulance
Heather Wiggins
Edward and Delores Wilson
Children’s Repertory of Oregon Workshops,
better known as CROW, is a theater arts company
that was founded in 2011 by Melanie Heard. Since
its roots, I’ve been a part of it. From the small the-
ater summer camps to the stage of the Florence
Events Center, I’ve been through all. Th ere are
stories to talk about, so I will tell you three stories
that have stood out to me since I joined CROW.
Th e fi rst story I will tell you about is the time I
formed a friendship with someone you may know
in the area. Back in the 2011 CROW summer
camp, many of the kids around me were unfamil-
iar — until one particular day. We were playing
an improv game called “miming.” One of the kids
mimed that he was making a smoothie, and I really
liked it. When we had our lunch break, I went over
to a girl and mimed that I was making a smoothie.
I asked her if she wanted some, she answered yes
and we enjoyed our imaginative smoothies. Her
name was Nyah Vollmar. You may know her, as
she is a very talented singer who sings the national
anthem at the University of Oregon Ducks basket-
ball games.
I for one, feel lucky that I have formed a friend-
ship with her.
Another memory from spending time at CROW
was the 2014 production of “Th e Little Mermaid
Jr.” Th at was my third production, and my second
time getting a main role. My previous main role
was Winthrop in “Th e Music Man Jr.” Th is time, I
was given the role of Sebastian, which was a great
deal for me.
Nyah got the role of Flounder, so the two of us
made a great acting duo when we were on stage
together. One scene I love (and miss doing) is the
scene where the chef chases me (as Sebastian)
around the stage while the other chefs are scream-
ing and running around trying to get away from
me. I had such a great time rehearsing it and per-
forming it on stage.
B Y R AMIRO R AMIREZ
Siuslaw High School Student
Overall, this is my favorite musical that I have
done so far.
One fi nal memory I will tell you about is the
most recent days of doing a musical with CROW.
In 2017, when “Th e Addams Family” came, it was
a diff erent story. Th is was the fi rst musical we ever
did without a “junior” on the end.
When auditioning for it, I gave what was prob-
ably my best audition ever. I was called back for
the role of Gomez, a lead role. Unfortunately, with
my height compared to the others, I did not get
the part. Did that stop me from being a great en-
semble member? No. I was giving it my best at all
performances once again.
I had a great time with the cast and crew once
again, as it was my fi rst time back since 2015.
When I took a look at the cast I noticed only 40
percent of cast members were returnees from the
2015 musical and only 14 percent of them were
“original crows.”
When the curtain closed for the fi nal time, I
thought, “Maybe I can call it quits.”
Th e biggest reason would be to make room for
the younger, uprising stars that are making their
mark on stage. Even with the 2018 musical audi-
tions of “Tarzan” coming up, I don’t think I’ll be
able to keep my fi re burning.
However, I will never step away from the crow’s
nest.
CROW is a great place to show your skills and
talents to many people in the Florence area. I had
a great time with them.
If you are interested in showing your talents, but
don’t have the opportunity, here is one waiting for
you. A great future lies ahead.
Th is month, CROW is presenting its Scare-
CROW “Nightmares Haunted Maze” for the third
consecutive year. Don’t forget to check it out —
and remember, CROW can even start your career
choice.
FLORENCE COMMUNITY PTA
PTA preps for quarterly meeting
Florence Community PTA
(FCPTA) is a group of par-
ents, teachers and community
members looking after the best
interests of schools. The group
does this through programs,
fundraisers and events.
LABELS FOR EDUCATION
The Campbell Soup Compa-
ny is winding down its Labels
for Education Program. This
program allows the Florence
Community PTA to earn free
Visa gift cards by sending in
UPC codes with the Labels for
Education Logo attached.
“We have through the fall
semester to collect and submit
labels,” said Labels for Educa-
tion Coordinator Button Wat-
kins. “Our PTA will put the
funds to good use for our stu-
dents. Thank you.”
The Labels for Education
logo with UPC code can be
found on older packages of
the following products: Bic,
Campbell’s, Pace, Pepperidge
Farm, Spaghetti-Os, Swan-
son’s, V8 juice and Post cereals.
Th ere are collection boxes in
the Siuslaw Elementary School
offi ce and the Siuslaw Public
Library branch in Florence.
— Submitted by Button Watkins
MARK THOSE CALENDARS
FCPTA is excited to an-
nounce some changes to its
meeting schedule for the 2017-
18 school year.
PTA’s mission is to make ev-
ery child’s potential a reality
by engaging and empowering
families and communities to
advocate for all children.
This year, the Florence group
will hold quarterly meetings.
Two of its meetings will be at
the traditional 4 p.m. time and
two will be later in the eve-
ning. Dinner will be served.
Join FCPTA to have your
voice heard and connect with
other parents, teachers and
community members. Every-
one should work together to
help each child’s potential be-
come their reality.
Childcare is provided for all
meetings.
Th e November quarterly
meeting will be on Tuesday,
Nov. 14, at 5:30 p.m. at the Siu-
slaw Elementary School library.
Contact Florence Commu-
nity PTA at www.florencepta.
org.