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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (April 22, 2020)
SIUSLAW NEWS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020 | 5A ACCIDENT from page 1A “My beautiful cous- in Tera Ross gained her wings yesterday in a trag- ic car accident,” Alberts wrote. “Her daughter was in the vehicle with her and is facing multiple surgeries. This funding is to help her support her father Frank as he cares for her two beautiful children.” The GoFundMe page can be found at www.go fundme.com/f/tera-ross- memorial. “We have had a lot of people ask how they can help (the kids) during this difficult time,” Alberts wrote on her Facebook page. “We have created a support box. The idea is that we can have lots of fun goodies and support big messages from their friends and loved ones. We will put all of these items into a box they’ll be able to open once they get settled into their new home.” Some ideas Alberts gave included writing letters, sending pictures, toys, new pajamas, books and summer fun items. People who are inter- ested in providing items for the support box can drop off items with Al- berts this Saturday, April 25, from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Fred Meyer parking or they can contact her through Facebook Mes- senger. Alberts stated that the family was completely heartbroken and appre- ciated the messages of support. She also asked for the GoFundMe to be shared, “and pray for our family during this extremely tragic time. Our family appreciates all of the support the community continues to provide. We feel the love.” Fresh Impressions student exhibit goes virtual E very year, the Fresh Impres- sions Exhibition at Florence Events Center features student artwork from the Siuslaw and Ma- pleton school districts, as well as from area homeschoolers. This year, the 2020 Fresh Impressions Exhibition Artist Opening is scheduled for a virtual tour which opens Wednesday, April 22, at 6 p.m. The community, including stu- dents and their families, are in- vited to check the show out in the online gallery at https:// bit.ly/22020FreshImpres- sionsVirtualShow. According to or- ganizer Jo Beau- dreau, member of the FEC Gallery Committee, “This exhibition is a cele- bration of the artistic talents of the youth in our community. … A special thank you to those individ- These two student pieces — (Above) Mapleton student Lea Buss’s mixed media “A Cold Blossom Tree” and (left) Siuslaw student Hailey Copeland’s acrylic painting “Life Reach” — are among the many en- tries into the 2020 Fresh Impressions Exhibition, which opens today at https://bit.ly/22020FreshImpressionsVirtualShow. uals, groups and businesses that have helped in make this event possible.” She thanked the Friends of the Florence Events Center, Florence Events Center staff, the FEC Gal- lery Committee, Mapleton High School and art teacher Jessi Nel- son, Siuslaw High School and art teacher Kim Pickell, Frames of Florence, Kiwanis Club of Flor- ence, BeauxArts Fine Art Mate- rials & Gallery, The Committee on Random Acts of Kindness and other sponsors for making this event possible. “Be sure join in on the fun as we congratulate and support our youth on their talents and positive impact on our community,” Beau- dreau said. For more information, or to view the gallery, go to “Virtual Tour Fresh Impressions Reception 2020” on Facebook. for one more ‘senior’ year,” had already been getting “But then the person who way to get closer to my he said. “I’ve wanted to play assignments, but had yet to got second place had to family before I move out. I “They’re going to let us football since I was little, receive actual video discus- drop out, and I was able to don’t want to be so far away know what’s going on,” said but I asked my parents ev- sion. go to state because of that. from them,” Wierichs said. senior Trinity Holmes. “I ery year and they wouldn’t While they both thought This year, I wanted to actu- “I would like to be closer saw an idea floating around let me until I moved here. that the video component ally improve and go to state with them so that I don’t of having the seniors in the This was my first and last of online learning would be on my own merits.” feel the need to say, ‘Oh, I’m car with their parents and year, and I really want- helpful, it still wasn’t a sub- Wierichs not only played 18 and I’ve got to move out having a miniparade.” ed to play again. All of a stitute for the real thing. on the football team, but and never talk to you again.’ Four weeks ago, none of sudden, I’m like, I’ve seen that and this was even a remote pos- ‘There might be a I know that’s not “Honestly, I feel like this whole pandemic, and having so good.” sibility. Even when Oregon chance to rig the schools first began closing, system!’ But then, much free time, is kind of a blessing in disguise. I’m able to It’s important it was only thought to be for the dream crashed work a lot more, which means I will be able to save up for to him because a couple weeks. and got crushed. when I move out. I’m going to be 18 in July. Especially on my he knows that in “All I was wondering was Looking back, I way to being an adult, I’m able to work more and be around a year, he’ll move when we were going to go think that hope was on to build his my family as much as I can before the time comes where I own life. back — one week or two,” far-fetched.” said Holmes. “It’s pretty Instead, the se- move out.” “I want to build — Mapleton High School Senior Justyce Wierichs our relationship crazy. This is the last thing niors who were al- I thought would happen ready passing their and continue that during my life, let alone my classes were auto- throughout my graduation year.” matically set to graduate, “School is much better also on the basketball team adulthood,” he said. “Stay Two weeks stretched into and those who were failing than the online aspect,” with his brother, Kody. connected with them, be- four, and questions began classes would have time to Wierichs said. “It’s just a While they were around cause they’ve done so much to arise on whether or not make the work up remotely. different learning environ- each other all the time for in so many ways.” the academic year would Both Wierichs and ment when you’re there practices and school, they As to what the future continue at all. Fellow se- Holmes are still continu- with the teacher and with hardly got to speak. holds for the pandemic, and nior Wierichs was banking ing one more online class, other people. You get to “You’re so focused on what the world should do on a far-fetched plan. a writing course that gives learn in different ways and what you’re doing and lis- to help prevent the spread “I was really hoping [the college credit. do different projects. Just tening to the coach, it’s not of Covid-19, Wierichs was seniors] would have to go “Today’s going to be our talking to someone in per- like you’re just hanging out at a loss. back to school next fall so first online class,” Holmes son is a whole different with your buddy or your “That’s beyond me,” he I could play football again said, pointing out that they thing. It’s much easier to brother,” he said. said. “I feel like quarantine learn that way than online, But now, with the shut- is good, for a little while. It’s in my opinion.” down, he’s getting to know given time for the govern- YOU’RE PART OF OUR FAMILY! There’s a lot of personal Kody better than he ever ment and officials to real- interactions the seniors will has. ly get their head wrapped be missing, prom being one “Me and him have defi- around this and try and of the biggest. nitely gotten closer,” Wi- find a better solution. I feel “I was definitely looking erichs said. “We’re the only like it’s not bad to social dis- forward to going to prom people that get to hang out. tance. But at the same time, with my girlfriend,” said I’m his source of entertain- a lot of people just ignore Wierichs, who has only ment, and he’s mine basi- that. Opening stuff back seen his girlfriend twice in cally. There’s nobody else. up is not too far down the person since the shutdowns And my sister too, she’s road. Hopefully that will began. “Her grandma is in a junior. I’m closer to my happen soon and we start We feel the Siuslaw News is as much a part of the fabric of our her 90s, so her parents are family.” getting back out of this — community as the Siuslaw River. You’re part of our family and like all making sure she’s extra Both Holmes and Wi- because it is pretty tough.” family members, we don’t have to agree all the time to love and be careful around that.” erichs have found strength Holmes also thought that there for each other. We want to thank everyone who has stepped up So instead, they speak in their family relationships people needed to be quar- to help support us and your feedback! It’s been sensational to hear constantly on the phone. through the shutdown. antined, at least for a little from you! – Jenna Bartlett, Publisher and Ned Hickson, Editor “That’s most of my day if Holmes got a job working while. I’m not working,” Wierichs at Safeway with her moth- “If everybody quaran- Some of the feedback we have received: said. “It’s different and it’s er, and in their off hours tined at the same time, the tough, but I’m not going to they play games and joke whole world, that’s how we “The show must go on....” - Marianne B. let this one month or two of around. would get over it the quick- quarantine going to ruin all “It’s fun. We’re playing est,” she said. “Everyone “Thank you Siuslaw News! Last night I made the same contribution to that we have.” board games and watching joining together to fight a my hometown paper using this great program. I really appreciate the One of the biggest loss- movies, sitting outside, ” she common cause, no argu- Siuslaw News and the intelligent, committed people who make it so es for the two is sports, as said. ments, no fears. Just people good.”- Anonymous both Holmes and Wierichs For Wierichs, it’s spend- working together.” had signed up for the track ing time with his family She acknowledged that “I applaud the work of local newspaper, radio and PBS. The media is team. Holmes’ dream was building chicken coops and the changes have been un- vital to our democracy.” - Carol Ann S. to beat her score from last building stairs down to the settling. “I didn’t expect this year, when she placed third creek by their house. at all. We won’t get to have “Thank you for keeping us informed and stay safe.” - Kathy and Mori in the 400 meters. “I can see this as a good a traditional graduation. I was going to be the vale- “Thank you, Siuslaw News staff! I appreciate your coverage and your dictorian and give a speech. care for our community.” - Stephanie S. Cel e It’s sad to miss that. I mean, b 70 rat + Y ing the one thing that you look ear forward to at the end. Yes, s! you finally graduated and you get to go up there and Complete Auto Repair get your diploma.” www.hobergsautorepair.com Wierichs said if he had a chance to speak to his en- tire class at graduation, he would tell them how im- portant everyone has been to him. “I had three years at Wil- lamette High School, a big via: 5A school in Eugene,” he Florence City Limits Only said. “I would talk about how those three years have not compared to this one DONATE year I’ve had at Mapleton. NOW I’ve enjoyed it way more and I’ve thrived in different ways in sports and academ- 345 Hwy. 101 • P.O. Box 357 ics and friendships. This Florence, OR 97439-0012 • 541-997-2413 school year here has meant so much to me in so many ways. I’m thankful for be- ing able to move down here to Mapleton.” 3rd Generation Owner, hobergsautorepair@gmail.com SENIORS from page 1A HELP US FUND LOCAL COVID-19 REPORTING IN OUR COMMUNITY. 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