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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (May 15, 2019)
LOCAL WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2019 HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A3 Hermiston teachers walk in — not out — for education funding By JADE MCDOWELL NEWS EDITOR Hermiston High School’s colors are purple and gold, but last Wednes- day the stands at Kennison Field were full of red. Teachers from across the Hermiston School District rallied together at 7 a.m. for a “walk-in” instead of a walk-out as teachers across the state used May 8 to push legislators for more invest- ment in education. They held signs encouraging law- makers to “fully fund Ore- gon schools” and wore matching red T-shirts as part of a broader “Red for Ed” movement. “We’re not here to push for raises and other union demands, we’re here to ask legislators to invest in our students,” said Delfi no Osorio Garcia, the Herm- iston Teachers Association president. On Wednesday, Oso- rio Garcia addressed the crowd of teachers, classi- fi ed staff, administrators and school board mem- bers, wishing them a happy Teacher Appreciation Week and thanking them for their service to students in the district. Staff photo by Jade McDowell Hermiston School District teachers gathered before school on Wednesday, May 8, to show their support for increased education funding. “You are valued and appreciated,” he said. He said Oregon’s aver- age class sizes are some of the largest in the nation, and schools need more fund- ing from the state to ade- quately address the needs of students, particularly those who come from back- grounds of abuse, neglect or other trauma. “We need more nurses, more counselors, more librarians, more art, more music, more P.E. and more support for students with behavioral problems,” he said. Superintendent Tricia Mooney also took the fl oor, thanking everyone present for “taking a stand against inadequate funding for education.” The walk-in was orga- nized in response to plans in other school districts for teachers to walk off the job. Local teachers had previously stated that they wanted to participate in the effort to raise awareness of the need for more education funding, but did not want to add more days to the school year for students. Mooney thanked the teachers for understanding that their students needed them in the classroom. “You guys are amaz- ing and I couldn’t be more proud,” she said. As teachers around the state took action to sup- port more education fund- ing, House Bill 3427 was stalled in the state Senate as Republican senators staged a walk-out of their own. All of the chamber’s Republican caucus were absent for most of last week to prevent the Senate from having the necessary quo- rum to vote for HB 3427, which would raise approxi- mately $2 billion per bien- nium for education through a 0.57% tax on businesses on sales inside the state of Oregon exceeding $1 million. Hermiston Art Festival blooms with creativity By TAMMY MALGESINI COMMUNITY EDITOR With spring in the air, the Hermiston Art Festival is creating fresh excitement in the downtown business district. For more than a dozen years, local art enthusiasts have hosted an annual festival in Hermiston. With the lack of a 2018-19 Desert Arts Council season, a new part- nership developed with the Herm- iston Downtown District to pres- ent the Hermiston Art Festival, said Mary Corp, event co-chair. “This is an opportunity to show off the arts and our downtown,” Corp said. Judy Pederson, Hermiston Downtown District president and festival co-chair, said the event supports and encourages peo- ple’s creative spirits, while further building a sense of community. She’s thrilled about the opportu- nity to show off improvements and beautifi cation efforts in the downtown district. “Hermiston’s Main Street area may be small in comparison to other cities but it has heart and believes in being a welcoming place to everyone,” Pederson said. An indoor/outdoor event, the Hermiston Art Festival is Sat- urday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Professional artists from across the region will display and sell their work in hosting down- town businesses and along Herm- iston’s festival street. Admission is free to attend the festival. Special classes in paint- ing (separate sessions for chil- dren and adults), fl oral design and cookie decorating are available for fees ranging from $15-$30. Corp said the caliber of work Contributed photo by Adam Sims The work of local photographer Adam Sims, including “Night at Monument Valley,” is featured during the Hermiston Art Festival May 18 in downtown Hermiston. and bronze awards and a people’s choice award, which all include cash prizes. Also, Hermiston High School art students will showcase their creations at several businesses. With 40 pieces of work, Corp said that’s a strong show for Nikki Cimmiyotti’s students. Five prizes of $20 each will be awarded to student artists. Festival entertainment includes the HHS choir, Majazzty (10 a.m.); BBPD — Brad and BC Power Duo (10:45 a.m.); Jonna Kopta, vocalist/keyboards (noon); Zumba by Joy with audience par- ticipation (1 p.m.); Cory Cooley & Eric Jepsen, singing favorite tunes with harmony (1:45 p.m.). Referring to it as an art form, Corp said including music as part of the festival provides a fuller experience. The diverse offerings, she said, draws more people in. “For us painters, you get to see the fi nished product,” Corp said. File photo Several youths participate in an art activity during a 2015 art festival in Hermiston. Re-branded as the Hermiston Art Festival, this year’s event is Saturday, May 18 in downtown Hermiston. Contributed photo A variety of mediums are featured — including metal jewelry by Diana Hayden of Hermiston — during the Hermiston Art Festival. Artwork will be on display and for sale May 18 in Main Street businesses and Hermiston’s festival street. in the juried show is superior, including many new faces to the festival. Featured artists include Corp, Jan Beitel, Daniel Bren- nan, Laura Gable, Diana Hayden, Stella Hickey, Kate Kopaczewski, Leah Lutz, Pat Quigley, Samantha Sautter, Pam Sharp, Adam Sims and Justin Stark. Mediums rep- resented include paintings, fabric art, jewelry, drawings, metal art and wet plate photography. Art- ists are competing for gold, silver I am Banner Bank. Stacy is a veteran banker with 25 years experience. Raised in Boardman, she’s proud to call Eastern Oregon home. As an active member of our local community, you’ll find her volunteering with the Hermiston Sports Boosters, the Blue Mountain Golf Tournament and the King and Queen’s Golf Tournament. Find out how Stacy can support your success. “With musicians, you get to expe- rience the sound. It adds energy.” And, BBPD epitomizes energy. Featuring a pair of former band teachers — Brad Rozema and BC Clarity — Corp calls them a “dynamic duo.” Playing with force and artistry, the seasoned musicians also jug- gle multiple instruments, includ- ing saxophones, fl ute, trom- bone, trumpet, fl ugelhorn, guitar, piano and various percussion instruments. Clarity carries the load on vocals, while Rozema harmonizes. “We play everything from Dix- ieland jazz to pop tunes,” Clarity said. “We play a variety that no one else can match.” For more information about the festival, call Corp at 541-720- 3859 or visit www.facebook.com/ Hermistondowntown. To pre-reg- ister for classes, stop by Lucky Endz Gifts, 239 E. Main St., or call Pederson at 541-289-1112. PET OF THE W EEK Lucious is a Mastiff mix approx 2 years old. He is large and powerful so needs a strong handler. He does great with children, seems fine with both dogs and cats. Does bark when strangers approach. He is healing fast from having a leg removed and will be ready for adoption soon. If interested please put an application in at fuzzballrescue.com LUCIOUS! Mark Sargent, DVM • Brent Barton, DVM Eugenio Mannucci, DVM, cVMA • Jana von Borstel, DVM, cVMA Small and Large Animal Care Mon: 8-6 Tue - Fri: 8-5 Sat: 8-12 Emergency Service Commercial Lending - Hermiston 541-564-4208 bannerbank.com ~ 800-272-9933 Member FDIC 541.567.1138 MEET 80489 Hwy 395 N Hermiston www.oregontrailvet.com PLACE YOUR AD HERE! Contact Audra at 541.564.4538 Today! If you are not able to adopt, but would like to foster or donate, visit fuzzballrescue.com or you can mail in donations to Fuzz Ball Animal Rescue, PO Box 580, Hermiston, OR 97838
