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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 9, 2020)
COMMUNITY A6 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020 BRIEFS Hermiston assistant principal named to ODE advisory committee Armand Larive Mid- dle School Assistant Prin- cipal Juan Rodriguez has been selected to serve on the Oregon Department of Education’s Latino/a/x Advisory Committee. The committee which will advise ODE on educational matters affecting Latino/a/x students and Rodriguez families, in an effort to address systemic inequi- ties experienced by these students, through focused investments and commu- nity partnerships. According to a news release from Hermiston School District, Rodri- guez applied to serve on the committee, and may serve two 2-year terms. “The Hermiston Lati- no/a/x population continues to grow, and we need to fi nd a way to best support these families and students,” Rodriguez said in the press release. “I was a fi rst-gen- eration college student and a naturalized citizen. My path to where I am now is not too dissimilar to many of our students. I hope that my service will give me the ability to understand more of what families need, not just in my own community but statewide.” The Latino/a/x Advisory Committee, part of ODE’s priorities under the Stu- dent Success Act (SSA), depicts ODE’s commit- ment to improving access and opportunities for Lati- no/a/x and MesoAmeri- can Indigenous students. In light of the COVID- 19 pandemic, ODE states that this group of stu- dents is experiencing dis- proportionate impacts due to health, social, and eco- nomic effects of the virus, which is compounding inequities already facing these students. Rodriguez grew up in HSD schools and gradu- ated in 2005 from Herm- iston High School. He is married to Amanda, a West Park Elementary School teacher, and they have three children: Sofi a (11), Jakoby (9), and Kamila (5). This is his 11th year working for the district. Holiday bazaar Community Bank announces Apple Appreciation Award winners This fall, Community Bank branches collected teacher nominations for their new Apple Appreci- ation Awards. The award acknowledges current K-12 teachers in the local com- munity while also support- ing school clubs. The winning teacher from each Commu- nity Bank location was pre- sented with an Apple Peterson Apprecia- tion Award trophy and asked to choose a club or student organi- zation at their school to receive a $200 donation from the bank. “We received a great number of comments through social media that pointed out that all teach- ers deserved an award — we agree,” said Community Bank President Tom Moran in a press release. “They have certainly put forth a heroic effort, facing down the extra challenges of last spring and this fall.” The bank congratulates the teachers with the most nominations collected in the branches and online. In Hermiston, West Park Ele- mentary School teacher Allison Peterson won the Apple Appreciation Award, with funds going towards the school’s Student Incen- tive Program. For more information about the awards, contact Moran at 509-525-9860 or tmoran@communitybank- net.com. Ben Lonergan/Hermiston Herald Shoppers wander the city of Hermiston’s holiday bazaar in the parking lot of the Hermiston Community Center on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. The annual event was moved outdoors due to COVID-19 concerns. Agape House plans fi nal 2020 garage sale The fi nal garage sale of 2020 at Agape House, 500 W. Harper Road, is planned for Saturday, Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the cen- ter’s parking lot. The food bank also will be open that day from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. Mark Gomolski, the new Agape House direc- tor, reports the center will be closed on Dec. 24-25 in observance of the Christmas holiday. For more information, call him at 541-567-8774 or email agapehouse@eotnet. net. Hermiston resident encourages Christmas Eve bells Hermiston resident Lisa Koester is hoping to spark some extra Christmas spirit this year by encouraging all Hermiston residents to stand outside and ring bells at 6 p.m. for two minutes on Christmas Eve. She said parents can tell children that the bells will help Santa Claus fl y his sleigh. “I hope it will bring joy back to the people and that through doing this it will bring that Christmas spirit back into our community,” she wrote in a message to the Hermiston Herald. “People love going and doing Christ- mas events. This year has been fl ipped upside down on so many people. Without having to gather we can all step out onto our doorsteps and become a community of one.” Koester said she hopes enough people join in with whatever bells they may have at home that the chimes will be heard throughout Hermiston. “We can bring back hope and end this year with some- thing amazing,” she said. Chavez appointed to state council Josy Chavez of Umatilla has been appointed to the Eastern Oregon Regional Equity in Recovery Council by Gov. Kate Brown. Chavez is a human Campus Life remodels building By JADE MCDOWELL NEWS EDITOR Campus Life spruced up its building with some help from local businesses recently. The nonprofi t’s build- ing at 595 S. First St. across from Hermiston High School got new fl ooring, paint, tables and upholstery on its booths. Director Ashley Umbarger said the paint was donated by Sherwin Wil- liams, the fl ooring by Cost Less Carpet and the labor by Desert Rose Ministries. Campus Life provides Hermiston-area teenagers with supervised, drug-free environment to hang out, Ashley Umbarger/Contributed Photo Campus Life recently got new fl ooring, paint and furniture. play games and hear inspi- rational messages. During the pandemic its building Chamber offers prizes for shopping local HERMISTON HERALD The Hermiston Chamber of Commerce is encourag- ing residents to shop local during the holiday season. The chamber is offering weekly prize drawings from now through February 2021. To enter for a chance to win, just bring a receipt proving you shopped at a local busi- ness that week to the cham- ber’s offi ces at 1055 South Highway 395 Suite 111. The prizes are donated by the Hermiston Walmart Dis- tribution Center. The chamber also informed its members that it has joined the Save Small Business Coalition. The coa- lition is lobbying govern- ment leaders to take action to help keep small busi- nesses afl oat during the pan- demic. To read more about the coalition, or to submit a letter to an elected offi cial with the help of the coali- tion, visit savesmallbusi- nesscoalition.org. is open on Mondays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. for high school students and Tues- days from 6:30-8:30 p.m. for middle school. Masks are required, and disposable masks are provided to stu- dents who don’t bring their own. “We are following all of the safety guidelines to keep students safe during this pandemic and are striving to let them know they have a place to come hang out and vent to Campus Life volun- teers,” Umbarger wrote in an email. She said they wanted to thank the businesses and people who helped with the remodel to show support for local youths who may be struggling with not hav- ing school in person this year. The most valuable and respected source of local news, advertising and information for our communities. resources specialist for Umatilla School District and a Umatilla city councilor. According to her biography on the city of Umatilla web- site, she moved to Board- man from Mexico when she was 10 and became a U.S. citizen in 2017. The Equity in Recov- ery Councils are being set up on a regional basis to help ensure that the state’s recovery from the pandemic is equitable among groups of Oregonians, with equal access to housing, education and other needs regardless of race. HHS drama students to stream Christmas radio play Hermiston High School drama students will pres- ent “A Christmas Carol: the Radio Play” by Philip Gre- cian on Wednesday, Dec. CHURCH DIRECTORY Community Worship Featured this Week: NEW BEGINNINGS 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 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 Christian Church www.eomediagroup.com “Grow Your Faith Through God” Sunday School...9:00 am Worship Service...10:30 am Sun Terrace & Agape House Presents 16. To stream the free per- formance, visit Youtube. com/HSDCommunications. Publishing rights limit the stream to Dec. 16 only. HHS theatre students have embraced the virtual rehearsal process. “It’s been really fun to learn about voice acting and what goes into a radio play,” reported junior Isabelle Herrera, who plays Scrooge, in a Herm- iston School District press release. Junior Kadence Bauer noted, “Theatre people are the best; I’m so glad we could still produce a show during the pandemic!” HHS theatre students hope residents will pull up a chair, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and enjoy their ver- sion of this classic holiday tale. According to Aritza Carrillo, a freshman, “It’s a great story that everyone will enjoy.” 567-3013 775 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston The Full Gospel Home Church 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 St. Johns Episcopal Church Join Us Us Join On Our Journey With Jesus. Join us on ZOOM 9:00 AM Sunday Email: chuckb@eotnet.net for link N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston PH: 567-6672 We are an all inclusive Church who welcomes all. Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church Iglesia Católica Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles 565 W. HERMISTON AVE. 565 W. HERMISTON AVE. To advertise in the Seventh-day Adventist Church PROTECT YOUR LOVED ONES WITH PROPER PLANNING We assist with: Wills and Estate Planning, Real Estate Transactions, Probate and more. BENDIXSEN LAW, P.C. 245 E. Main St., Suite E, Hermiston • 541-567-5564 Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30am-5:00pm Safe Holiday Fun for the whole Family Christmas Fill the Bus Church Directory, December 14-17 Between 10am - 4pm please contact Audra Nonperishable food items, blankets, toys! 1550 NW 11th St. Hermiston, OR 541-564-4538 or email For more info call 541-561-0297 Workman aworkman@eastoregonian.com Saturdays Sabbath School........9:30 a.m. Worship Service......11:00 a.m. English & Spanish Services 567-8241 Hermiston Jr. Academy 1300 NW Academy Lane, • Hermiston
