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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (May 30, 2018)
EDUCATION A6 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2018 Stanfield grads urged to address world’s woes Hermiston Head Start opens, another planned By JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN STAFF WRITER By JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN STAFF WRITER The 29 graduates of Stan- field’s Class of 2018 were ready to head out into the world, but not without some final words of wisdom from their peers and parents. At Stanfield Second- ary School’s graduation ceremony Saturday morn- ing, students heard from Rev. John Hurty, who asked students to consider one question. “What’s wrong with the world?” he asked. Citing quotes from phi- losophers and leaders throughout history, he told students that the idea that something is wrong in the world only makes sense if there is a standard of rightness. He told students that the problem, and solution, is with everyone. “You might never be famous, but all of you will exercise influence,” he said. “I hope you will exercise that influence for good.” Students also heard from valedictorian Caleb Walker, and salutatorian Lydia STAFF PHOTO BY JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN Stanfield seniors wait to receive their diplomas at graduation on Saturday. Hurty. Walker asked students to keep their background in mind as they consider where they want to go. “It’s only by learning from the past that we can hope to improve the future,” he said. Students enjoyed a slide- show, featuring each gradu- ate’s baby and senior pho- tos. Each graduate was also given a rose, which they then presented to a family member or friend who had supported and encouraged them. After receiving their diplomas, graduates filed out of the gym, where eager families and friends received them on the school’s front lawn. Umatilla Seniors announce their post-high school plans By JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN and JADE MCDOWELL STAFF WRITERS Amid cheers and fan- fare often reserved for stu- dent athletes, all Umatilla High School seniors who are pursuing post-second- ary education signed letters of intent during the school’s third annual Signing Day. “This is a big step,” Prin- cipal Bob Lorence said, congratulating the students. “As you sign your name, just make a commitment to further your education.” Umatilla High School Dean of Students April Dirksen said this year, 72 students will be signing to post-secondary educa- tion of some kind, whether a four-year college, a two- year college, the military or trade school. That’s a jump of nearly 20 students from the previous year — some- thing Superintendent Heidi Sipe noted when she chal- lenged the underclassmen in the stands to “beat their record” when it was their turn to graduate. Sipe said this year’s senior class has 96 students, and 75 percent of them have committed to a college, trade school or the military. She said the district’s graduation rate last year was 82 percent, and she expects this year’s class to hit at least 86 percent. Before the ceremony, five students discussed their path to graduation and some of the obstacles they’ve encountered along the way. Some students said their biggest obstacle was the lack of financial support they’ll have, and having to navigate the world of higher education alone. STAFF PHOTO BY KATHY ANEY Trey Dorman, of Umatilla High School, announces his plans after graduation to the rest of the student body as part of signing day. “They’re really conquering things,” Heidi Sipe, superintendent, Umatilla School District “I’ve always known I was going to go to col- lege,” said Maria Moreno, who will attend the Uni- versity of Oregon to study biology. She said while she has always been self-moti- vated, it was a little difficult because her parents had no experience with the system. “It would have been a lit- tle easier if they’d been to school, and understood how things work,” she said. For others, the challenges included the loss of a family member. Ayana Reyes, who will attend Blue Mountain Community College, lost her mother when she was a freshman. “That’s been the biggest thing,” she said. Reyes lives with her two siblings. She said while it has been a challenge, she has received support from the community. “My mom was a teacher in the district, so the whole district feels like family,” she said. “I have McNary moms always on me about my grades. It’s basically a second family for me.” Some students made their decision with the long- term picture in mind. Trey Dohman, who is joining the Navy, said being raised in a military family informed his decision. “I definitely figured it was something that would help me in my future,” he said. “That job security made me feel more comfortable.” Mayra Ortiz will play soccer and study physical therapy at Columbia Basin College in Pasco. She said she picked CBC because she had the opportunity to keep playing a sport she loves, but has also keep the future in mind. “I knew that after CBC I would transfer,” she said. “If I don’t keep playing soc- cer after CBC, I can still look for a place I like for education.” These students, and others, were honored at the schoolwide assem- bly Wednesday afternoon, which took place after a tal- ent show. A few student ath- letes were also recognized, including Nestor Chaves, who signed an official let- ter of intent to run track and field for Warner Pacific University. For the big finale, each senior grabbed a handmade poster displaying the name and logo of their school and took a turn at the micro- phone, announcing their name and post-graduation plans. Those plans covered military service, private and public universities, com- munity colleges and trade schools. Afterward the students sat down at rows of tables and signed their own, unof- ficial “letters of intent” to further their education. “They’re really conquer- ing things,” Sipe said, con- gratulating the senior class. As older students get ready to close their text- books for the year, some of Hermiston’s youngest learners have new a place to begin their education. Umatilla-Morrow Head Start has two new loca- tions, one that opened two weeks ago and one sched- uled to open in the near future. The Downtown Cen- ter, at 372 East Main St., opened in mid-May, and houses 40 preschool-age students for extended day classes. Those classes are 6.5 hours long. Another classroom space is planned on Airport Road, but no date has been announced for the project. Associate Operations Director Dan Daltoso said UMCHS had been working to find a place to expand for several months, and wanted to move two of the classes previously held WORSHIP COMMUNITY St. Johns Episcopal Church Join Us On Our Journey With Jesus. Scripture, Tradition and Reason Family service 9am Sunday N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston PH: 567-6672 We are an all inclusive Church who welcomes all. First Christian Church “Proclaiming the Message of Hope, Living the Gospel of Love” Sunday School 9:15am Worship Gathering 10:30 am Children’s Church 10:30 am 567-3013 775 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston 235 SW 3rd Phone 567-7678 Rev. Ed Baker - Rev. Nina Baker Sunday: Sunday School........10:00 am Worship...................11:00 am Evening Service........7:00 pm Wednesday Service..7:00 pm “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Pet. 5:7 CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Worship Service 10:30 AM Sunday School 9:00 AM Pastor J.C. Barnett Children’s Church & Nursery Available 700 West Orchard Avenue P.O. Box 933 Hermiston, Oregon 541-567-8441 Seventh-day Adventist Church Saturdays Sabbath School........9:30 a.m. Worship Service......11:00 a.m. English & Spanish Services 567-8241 855 W. Highland • Hermiston 555 SW 11th, Hermiston 567-9497 Pays $1.00 into an open Youth Savings Account for every top grade that our 1st-12th grade students receive on their end-of-the-year report cards. Up to $50.00 annually. Learn all the details online or stop by your local branch. The Full Gospel Home Church NEW BEGINNINGS Grace Baptist Church Our Earn While You Learn Program Is Available in June & July Only! at the Victory Square office into a new location. “Parents really wanted extended-day services,” he said. Daltoso said they got a great price on the build- ing, which more recently housed the Gems and Gents preschool, but it needed a lot of work. “We had to put in new bathrooms, and we had to work with the licensing and building offices,” he said. Daltoso said the build- ing was originally an auto parts store, and they had to make siginficant remodels to the building. They also redid the kitchen and cre- ated office space. Daltoso said renovating the Downtown Center cost a little over $100,000. He said the classes in Victory Square were part- day — morning or after- noon classes — and with the expansion to extend- ed-day classes, they needed some more space and staff support. Nursery provided for all services Sunday School - 9:30 AM Worship - 10:45 AM 6:00 PM Wed Prayer & Worship - 7:00 PM “Proclaiming God’s word, growing in God’s grace” 1520 W ORCHARD AVE Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am Classes for Kids @ 9:15 am SEEKING JESUS, SHARING LIFE, SERVING PEOPLE www.hermistonnazarene.org LANDMARK BAPTIST CHURCH 125 E. Beech Ave. • 567-3232 Pastor David Dever Sun. Bible Classes...................10:00am Sun. Worship Service..............11:00am Sun. Evening Worship..............6:00pm Wed. Prayer & Bible Study......6:00pm www.hermistonlmbc.com First United Methodist Church Hermiston 191 E. Gladys Ave , Hermiston OR Sunday Worship 11am • 541-567-3002 Nursery available Check us out on Face Book Worship Livestream at herfumc.com Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors Rev. Dr. Jim Pierce, pastor Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church 565 W. HERMISTON AVE. DAILY MASS: Monday-Friday ...............................English 7:00 am Thursday...............Spanish 6:00 pm SATURDAY:.........English 5:00 pm ...............................Spanish 7:00 pm SUNDAY:..............English 9:00 am ..........................Bilingual 11:00 am ..............................Spanish 1:00 pm Offi ce..............................567-5812 To share your worship times call www.communitybanknet.com Member FDIC 541-278-2678
