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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (May 9, 2018)
A16 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM MENTAL continued from Page A1 She added that while the school’s counselors do a great job, it’s hard for them to keep up with the number of kids that need help. Neighboring school dis- tricts often face similar con- cerns — following the sui- cides of young people in the area, Hermiston organiza- tions, including Good Shep- herd, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Desert Rose Ministries have all held events this year to teach parents, teens and others about recognizing signs of depression and sui- cidal ideation. Torres-Medrano also has a personal connection to the subject. A Umatilla native, she has suffered from depres- sion and anxiety herself. That, along with an abusive background, had an effect on her that she didn’t initially realize. “I didn’t learn about it until people started reach- ing out to me,” she said. After finishing her bache- lor’s degree, Torres-Medrano took a year off before apply- ing to medical school. As she took time to address her own STAFF PHOTO BY E.J. HARRIS Umatilla city councilor Selene Torres-Medrano puts up a flyer for a mental health fair on Tuesday at the city hall building in Umatilla. Torress-Medrano is spearheading a first mental health awareness month for the city of Umatilla and the Umatilla School District. needs, she observed that oth- ers may be struggling with the same concerns. “We have to give kids the tools to deal with trauma,” she said. “It’s not enough to tell them that higher educa- tion is important.” For the Mental Health Awareness Month project Torres-Medrano is spear- heading, week one (held this week) is called “let’s talk about it,” simply discussing WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2018 FROM A1 with students and families what it means to be aware of mental health. Week two, “mind and soul,” teaches students how to be aware of their thoughts and feelings. Week three focuses on the connection between physical and mental health, and week four highlights the impor- tance of nutrition. The daily activities and tips include thought exer- cises (“tell someone two pos- itive traits about yourself” or “ask an adult one thing they do to help themselves feel better”), physical activi- ties like going for a 10 min- ute walk, and healthy eating suggestions. The month will also fea- ture several classes for par- ents and community mem- bers, including a Zumba class and one about “good mood foods,” showing par- ents the connection between eating well and feeling good. The daily events will culmi- nate in a 5K run/walk and mental health fair on May 19. Torres-Medrano said she’s been amazed by the level of support community mem- bers have shown for Men- tal Health Awareness Month. At the city council meeting, councilors adopted a proc- lamation designating May as Mental Health Month in Umatilla. Clara Brownell Mid- dle School counselor Nayeli Guzman said over the past few weeks, the school has seen an increase in suicidal ideation. She said the coun- selors make sure they let stu- dents know they’re being heard and can check in when- ever they need. She said throughout the month, they will be put- ting up posters about men- tal health statistics, and mes- sages encouraging students to seek help if they need it. Umatilla School District superintendent Heidi Sipe said she was excited for the events this month. “Students know it’s OK to ask for help when needed and understand that seek- ing services is simply a part of health and not a stigma,” Sipe said. “I’m excited to see Mental Health month rec- ognized in our schools and community, and hope it helps engage others in the conver- sation about supporting all in our community.” SWITCH AND GET 50% OFF STAFF PHOTO BY ERIC SINGER Drivers in the street stock class come around turn four at Hermiston Raceway on Saturday night. RACEWAY continued from Page A1 fan. He got his start in the sport in the late 1970s when he started driving at the age of 16. Over the course of his career, which he ended in 2006, Walden raced at Hermiston several times. He got into the sport through his father Wayne Walden, who also drove race cars at an early age. Wayne was a business- man that “was always look- ing for ways to make money,” Greg said, and partnered with three other individuals to take on their hometown Tri-City Raceway when it became available in 1982. Within three years, Wayne became the sole operator of the track. And along with business acumen and a pas- sion for racing, he devel- oped a knack for promotion and grew the fast half-mile track into a popular one in the Northwest. Greg was in line to take over what had become the family business until the track was sold in 1998. Greg and his family then started a screenprinting and embroi- dery business in Kenne- wick that year, and he used his business as a reason to remain involved at race- tracks in the region, selling souvenir T-shirts at many of them. Being around the track each summer while hold- ing onto his passion for the sport, Greg knew he wanted to get back into track opera- tions. He just had to wait for an opportunity. In only four months oper- ating the Hermiston Race- way, Walden has already made plenty of upgrades to the track that benefit both drivers and fans. Most significantly, more than $12,000 was spent on fix- ing the wooden grandstands and making them safe for spectators. Upgrades were also made to lighting on the concourse and in the pits, to make the experience better for race teams. Walden has also revamped the racing sched- ule at the track. Races are held every other Satur- day night now instead of weekly, in hopes of attract- ing more cars each night to create a better product. He also aims to keep the races moving quickly, limiting the downtime and creating con- stant action. Pre-race qual- ifying was eliminated, and the races will line up based on points standings. And tro- phy dashes are replaced with heat races prior to the main events. “As long as it’s entertain- ing and fast-paced,” Walden said. “We’re a form of enter- tainment, and if we think we’re just in the racing busi- ness, then it doesn’t work. We’re in the entertainment business, it’s got to be excit- ing. We want to deliver a good program for the fans and racers, and with that we’re able to sell it to busi- nesses to bring their people out.” Hermiston Raceway has been open for two races now following Saturday’s West Coast Late Model Series headliner, and Walden is impressed with the early results. The attendance has been solid, with the grand- stands being nearly at capac- ity on Saturday. And the few dozen cars competing has made for good entertain- ment for the fans. Walden also credits numerous track employ- ees — from pit crew to the flagger to the scorers — that remained from previous regimes as a big part of the early success, too. “The team I inher- ited want to see it thrive,” Walden said. “They want to be proud of the place where they spend their time and that’s important.” Racing returns to Herm- iston on May 19 with North- west Pro 4 Alliance stock cars, as well as the typical late models, street stocks, super mini and mini stocks, legends, bombers and hornet classes. “I’m just excited there’s hope,” Walden said. “Last night we camped in Herm- iston, in my motor home at (former) Umatilla Speedway and I told my wife, ‘How in the world did I end up here running this race track?’ I never thought that, but it came available and some- body had to so why not me?” NO TRADE-IN REQUIRED Choose from the latest Samsung Galaxy Smartphones Prices vary. 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