RECORDS/COMMUNITY A6 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM BRIEFS AWS seeks scholarship applicants Amazon Web Services recently announced it is accepting applications for the 2022 AWS InCom- munities Scholarship Pro- gram. High school seniors in Umatilla and Morrow counties, including Nixy- aawii Community School, are eligible to apply. A total of $100,000 in scholarships is avail- able to students enrolling in courses such as elec- trical and electronic engi- neering, computer science, artifi cial intelligence, bio- chemistry, software engineer- ing, phys- ics and more. T h e deadline Pacheco to apply is March 29. For the application and additional informa- tion, visit https://learn- more.scholarsapply.org/ awsincommunities. The scholarship pro- gram off ers grants to students in designated districts of Oregon, Cal- ifornia, Ohio and Vir- ginia who plan to pursue a STEM-related subject at a higher education insti- tution. The AWS InCom- munities Program exists to make a positive impact through community-based programs, specifi cally in the regions where AWS builds and operates its global infrastructure. America Pacheco, a 2021 Riverside High School graduate, is using an AWS scholarship to attend Oregon State Uni- versity. She is studying computer science with an emphasis on cyberse- curity. In an AWS press release, Pacheco said she only recently dis- covered her passion for technology. “Growing up, I didn’t see many women in tech careers,” she said. “I never thought of myself doing anything STEM-related until I got to high school.” Although she’s study- ing across the state in Cor- vallis, Pacheco said she wants to return to East- ern Oregon and give back to her community in the future. For more information about AWS, visit www. aboutamazon.com. Irrigon water meeting fl ows with information A general member- ship meeting of the Irri- gon Water Users will pro- vide information to both new landowners and long- time members of the community. The meeting is Thurs- day, Feb. 3, 6 p.m. at Stokes Landing Senior Center, 195 N.W. Opal Place, Irrigon. People also are invited to bring questions. The West Extension Irrigation District will dis- cuss how the water district works, with such topics as water rights, how to know how much water you are using, your bill and how to set up payment arrange- ments and how develop- ment in Irrigon will impact landowners. For more information, contact Lisa Baum, administrative ser- vices manager, at 541-922- 3814 or lisa@westexten- sion.com. Local student earns distinction at Whitman A 2018 Hermiston High School graduate recently earned academic dis- tinction for the fall 2021 semester at Whitman College. A double major in poli- tics and Chinese language, with a concentration in global studies, Salma Anguiano was among stu- dents receiving recogni- tion for completing and passing a minimum of 12 credits while earning a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Whitman is a private liberal arts college in Walla Walla. For more informa- tion, visit www.whitman. edu. EOU announces fall 2021 dean’s list Eastern Oregon Univer- sity named 565 students to the dean’s list for the 2021 fall term. Qualifying stu- dents achieve and maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale while completing a mini- mum of 12 hours of graded EOU coursework. For the full list, visit www.eou. edu/ua/deans-list. Local students receiving recog- nition include: Boardman: Veron- ica Alvarez Frias, Zulema Gaytan, Daniel Puerta, Jose Puerta; Echo: Kaden Clark, Michael Fisher, Natalee Sherbahn; Hep- pner: Hunter Nichols; Hermiston: Ryne Andrea- son, Ryan Arnold, Jil- iane Dawson, Giovanni Gallardo, Alondra Gar- cia Plascencia, Kylie Green, Martin Heredia, Callie Ann Hoeft, Naxely Jaime, Andrew James, Ivana Pena, Joshua Rob- erts, Aaron Roman, Ash- ley Seibel, Dylan Usher, Ericka Wells, Evan Yzagu- irre; Ione: Payton Miller; Irrigon: Ashley Aguil- era, Kimberly Renteria Montes; Lexington: Eva Martin; Umatilla: Leah Yarbrough. Dixie State honor roll includes Hermiston students A pair of local students were included on the fall 2021 semester honor roll at Dixie State University. Landon Jones and Makena Royer, both of Hermiston, were among the 2,627 students to earn the recognition. Students must complete at least 15 credits with a minimum GPA of 3.5 to be eligible for the list. Founded In 1911 in St. George, Utah, Dixie State is a public institution off er- ing more than 200 aca- demic programs. For more information, visit www. dixie.edu. BMCF announces scholarship opportunities The Blue Mountain Community Foundation scholarship program now is accepting applications for the 2022-23 academic year. High school seniors or graduates of high schools in Umatilla County, as well as Walla Walla, Columbia and Garfi eld counties in Washington, are eligible for the schol- arships. In addition, adult students who have lived in one of the four counties for at least three years may apply. Scholarships are avail- able for undergraduate and graduate level study at any accredited college, trade school, or commu- nity college within the United States. By com- pleting the 2022 Common Application, students are considered for up to 53 scholarships. The deadline to apply is March 7. The application and additional informa- tion is available at www. bluemountainfoundation. org. For questions, con- tact Liz McClure, schol- arships manager, at liz@ bluemountainfoundation. org or 509-529-4371. Blue Mountain Com- munity Foundation started in 1984 based and became one of more than 750 com- munity foundations in the United States. Since its inception, the foun- dation has received and grown assets to exceed $60 million in 401 chari- table funds that benefi t the community. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022 One area teacher who’s making a diff erence McNary Heights’ Tricia Lorence nominated for national award By TAMMY MALGESINI Hermiston Herald McNary Heights Elemen- tary School teacher Tricia Lorence is in the running for a National LifeChanger of the Year Award. A Heppner High School graduate, Lorence attended Western Oregon State Col- lege and Eastern Oregon State College with plans to enter the fi eld of education. However, before completing her degree, she determined she didn’t want to become a teacher and ended up drop- ping out. Working a variety of jobs, including in bank- ing, agricultural services and bookkeeping, Lorence credits Heidi Sipe, Umatilla School District superintendent, with a life-changing event. “She would encourage me to fi nish my bachelor’s degree so that I could sub- stitute teach,” Lorence said. “The morning after receiv- ing my restricted teaching license, I was called to sub.” She continued as a sub- stitute teacher throughout the school year. However, Lorence was still unsure, saying it took the entire summer for people to convince her that the class- room is where she belonged. Starting out as a fourth grade teacher in 2016, Lorence has taught third grade ever since. Sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation, the LifeChanger awards honor top educators and school dis- trict employees across the United States. Award win- ners are recognized for mak- ing a diff erence in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive infl u- ence and leadership. A total of 18 individual awards are presented across the nation, which includes cash prizes to Heidi Sipe/Contributed Photo Tricia Lorence poses for a picture in a “back to school” photo booth at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year at McNary Heights Elementary School, Umatilla. The third grade teacher was recently nominated for a National LifeChanger of the Year Award sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation. be shared with the winner’s school district. Lorence was nominated for the award by Charlotte Engelhart, one of her col- leagues. Sipe said that makes it truly special. “It’s amazing to see staff noticing each other’s work and taking the time to recog- nize extra eff ort,” the super- intendent said. In her nomination letter, Engelhart said Lorence not only champions her students, but also her fellow educa- tors and the school’s classi- fi ed staff . She said Lorence helps in creating a feeling of family among the build- ing’s staff . Sipe agreed, say- ing Lorence goes above and beyond with both her stu- dents and co-workers. Lorence expressed sur- prise at the nomination. While she’s appreciative of the pos- itive feedback, Lorence said she doesn’t seek recognition from others — she merely wants to do the best she can. “My job is to make sure all of my students are safe and loved,” she said. “My other job is to make sure that every staff member feels important and valued.” A realist, Lorence said teaching is hard. Many nights, she said, she’s exhausted when her head fi nally hits the pillow. However, once morn- ing comes, Lorence is ready and excited for another day in the classroom. And that atti- tude, Engelhart said, is one of the reasons why she nomi- nated Lorence for the award. “ Mrs. Lorence lights up her school building with her smile,” Engelhart said, “and intense commitment to mak- ing a diff erence in the lives of her students.” ODFW opens 2023 wildlife stamp art contest EO Media Group The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is put- ting out a call to artists for its 2023 wildlife art contest. Artists are invited to sub- mit artwork to be used in producing collectible stamps and other promotional items that will be sold to bene- fi t Oregon fi sh, wildlife and habitat. There are three categories, and the winner in each one will receive a $2,000 prize. Detailed information on con- test rules is available online at www.dfw.state.or.us/. Entries for the habitat conservation stamp should depict an eligible species from the Oregon Conserva- tion Strategy in its natural habitat. Waterfowl stamp entries must feature the greater scaup in its natural habitat, Sentences Lawsuits The following lawsuits have been fi led in Uma- tilla County Circuit Court (interest, court costs and fees not listed): Michael J. Johnson, of Weston, vs. William J. Steele, of Haynes, seeks $843. State Farm Fire and Casu- alty Insurance vs. Robin Jean Callaham, Daniel Charles Callaham, Tanner Ervin Callaham, all of Pend- leton, seeks $188,181.31. Marriages Marriage licenses have been registered in Umatilla County for: Mason Lee Alcala-Ken- nedy, 23, and Alisha Anne Mii Brown, 21, both of Umatilla. Tiff any Lynn Kissler, 40, and Michael Ray Masterson, 52, both of Hermiston. Contributed Photo “Chukar,” by Debra Otterstein, winner of the upland game bird category in the 2022 Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife stamp art contest. Church COURTS The following sentences were have been fi led in Umatilla County Circuit Court (interest, court costs and fees not listed): Case Laurence Weems, of Rupert, Idaho, pleaded guilty to 2021 charges of fel- ony fl eeing, resisting arrest and second-degree criminal mischief; sentenced to two years probation and a $350 in fi nes. and entries for the upland game bird stamp must fea- ture the mountain quail in a natural setting. ODFW will begin accept- ing entries for the 2023 stamp contest on Aug. 26, with the deadline to submit at 5 p.m. Sept. 30. Entries may be mailed or hand-delivered to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife headquar- ters, 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive, Salem, OR 97302. DIRECTORY St. Johns Episcopal Church Join Us N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston 541-567-6672 JOIN OUR INCLUSIVE CONGREGATION ON OUR JOURNEY WITH JESUS Services 9:00am Sundays In-person or streaming on Facebook or Zoom First Christian Church “Grow Your Faith Through God” Sunday School...9:00 am Worship Service...10:30 am 567-3013 775 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston 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 Seventh-day COME WORSHIP Adventist Church WITH US AT THE Saturdays Sabbath School........9:30 a.m. Worship Service......11:00 a.m. English & Spanish Services 541-567-8241 855 W. Highland Ave. Hermiston, OR 97838 Sundays at 11:00am LANDMARK BAPTIST CHURCH Hermiston Christian Center & School 125 E. Beech Ave. • 567-3232 COUNTRY CHURCH 32742 Diagonal Rd. Hermiston, OR Sunday Gathering: 10:00 AM Pastor David Dever Sun. Bible Classes...................10:00am Sun. Worship Service..............11:00am Sun. Evening Worship..............5:00pm Tues. Creation Club (Sept-May)..4:30pm Wed. Prayer & Bible Study......5:00pm Nursery care is available 3 years & under Kids Club available 4 years-5th grade Sunday Prayer Gathering: 6:00 PM NEED PRAYER? CONTACT US! www.hermistonlmbc.com 1825 W. Highland Ave. 541-567-3480 | hcc4u.org Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church Iglesia Católica Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles 565 W. HERMISTON AVE. hcc4u2020@gmail.com 565 W. HERMISTON AVE. 541-289-4774 To advertise in the Church Directory, please contact Audra Workman 541-564-4538 or email aworkman@eastoregonian.com