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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 27, 2016)
Polk County News 14A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • January 27, 2016 SCHOOL NOTES Scholarship applications accepted INDEPENDENCE — Applications for the Albert L. & Ivy B. Thomas Scholarship are available to this year’s graduating sen- iors from Central High School. All class of 2016 applicants will receive an award to be used during the 2016-17 school year. Applications may be picked up from Ms. Heins-Mueller in the vice principal’s oice through Friday and must be turned in by Feb. 5. Friday is the last day to request teacher recommenda- tions for this scholarship. For more information: Ms. Heins-Mueller, 503-606-2225 or sheins-mueller@central.k12.or.us. Volunteers needed for spring break POLK COUNTY — The Marion-Polk Food Share is looking for volunteers to help serve meals and help with activities for stu- dents during spring break, March 21-25. All volunteers must be able to pass a background check. To sign up, call Marion-Polk Food Share, 503-581-3855 or email MCurry@marionpolkfoodshare.org. Central students named to honor roll INDEPENDENCE — The following Central High School seniors were inducted into the National Honor Society on Jan. 19: Gabriela Acevedo, Hannah Boyack, Forrest Deters, Reba Hof- man, Samantha Sackett, Santiago Venegas-Trujillo, and Trevore Whittemore. MVCA students donate warm coats JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer Kings Valley Charter School students take a customer’s order at Kings Crossing on Saturday afternoon. KINGS CROSSING Students, artists work together to provide comfortable, ‘chill’ atmosphere By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer KING VALLEY — Kings Crossing, a student-run cof- fee shop open on Saturdays in Kings Valley, is a “living classroom.” Students serve coffee brewed on site and pastries made in the Kings Valley Charter School (KVCS) kitchen. Customers can sip their coffee while browsing the work of local artists and crafters who rent booths during shop hours. Kings Valley Community Center, just across the street from the school, is home to the student business ven- ture, a fitting use for the charming old building. “This is the exact type of thing we had in mind,” said David Crowe, of Kings Valley Community Trust, which operates the center. “The JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer The handiwork of artists are featured during shop hours. kids have stepped up and made it happen. It’s all on their shoulders.” Walking into the center Saturday morning, cus- tomers were greeted with the scent of brewed coffee and the relaxing sound of acoustic guitar music. Natural light flows in through tall and narrow windows of the former church, lighting the makeshift stage where chil- dren sit at the feet of the musicians as they play and sing. “Seeing the little munchkins running around and having people just come and hang out, it feels pretty neat,” said senior Becca Barnhart. “This is the first time we’ve had people come and sing, but that’s always been the goal, just to have people be comfortable — chill and play and guitar.” Crowe and KVCS teacher Diana Barnhart formulated the concept and pitched it to students at the school. The idea was to combine the school and artist com- munities in Kings Valley, and making use of the center. Diana Barnhart said mostly juniors and seniors decided to participate in the proj- ect — which now is an elec- tive class. See CROSSING, Page 13A POLK COUNTY — Students from Mid-Valley Christian Acade- my collected, washed and delivered 70 coats throughout Polk County. Roth’s in Independence and Wells Fargo Bank in Dallas served as drop-of locations. The coats will be donated to Mid- Willamette Valley Community Action Agency. Students are also collecting canned food and are taking part in a coin drive as part of their annual “Missions Week.” All donations will be delivered to Marion-Polk Food Share to provide lunch for students during spring break. Missions Week concludes Wednesday (today) when National School Choice Week begins with a performance at the school with refreshments and a visit to selected businesses and churches. For more information: MCVA, 503-838-2818. Free aviation workshop Feb. 20-21 INDEPENDENCE — The International Experimental Aircraft Association (Salem Chapter) will ofer a free workshop on sport aviation and aerospace on Feb. 20 and 21. The event will take place at the Independence Air Park and is open to students ages 14 to 18. Participants will be exposed to the physics of light, weather, map reading/GPS, simulators, hands-on inspection of aircraft, aircraft construction/aerospace materials, careers in aviation and more. Visit www.polkio.com for a link to register or for more infor- mation. Group to look at locker room safety DALLAS — A superintendent’s committee of Dallas School District staf, students and community members will be formed to look into what more can be done to address concerns about locker room safety and privacy. The idea is a response to the on- going discussion of the district’s policy allowing a transgender student to use the boys’ locker room at Dallas High School. Dallas School Board Chairwoman Lu Ann Meyer suggested the idea Monday at the board’s meeting. She said the group could make a recommendation of what further changes could be made to make kids feel comfortable.