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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 15, 2005)
The INDEPENDENT, September 15, 2005 Back to School Barbeque a hit with all The Vernonia Community PTA hosted a “Back to School Barbeque” at Washington Grade School (WGS) on Thurs- day, September 1. Students from kindergarten through eighth grade and their families were invited to attend. The purpose of the bar- beque was to ease back-to- school jitters, allowing students to see where their classrooms would be and to meet their prin- cipal – as well as to enjoy the new play structure at WGS, the good company and the food. Approximately 150 people attended the event and roughly 200 hotdogs were eaten. Prin- cipals Aaron Miller and Nate Underwood barbequed the hot- dogs and PTA volunteers served food. All food was free, courtesy of the Vernonia Com- munity PTA, with pasta salads donated by “Simply Delicious,” a local catering company. En- tertainment was provided by “Muggles” (Forrest Wheeler of Vernonia), a clown from the “Clowns Interactive Program”, a non-profit organization that promotes social good. Left, Muggles the clown makes balloon animals and hats for kids at the Vernonia Community PTA Back to School Barbeque held on September 1. Below left, children at the barbeque en- joyed playing on the new play structure put in place during the summer. MTC summer youth program provides lead- ership training MTC Works again provided a variety of summer youth ac- tivities in Columbia County. In addition to the youth jobs program in Vernonia, 25 young adults completed four days of skill-building, teambuilding, and leadership training with MTC Works and the National Guard. Youth focused on applica- tions, interviews and complet- ing the Q Customer Service Training during the first two days of the workshop. Comple- tion of the Q Training earned students college credit from Chemeketa Community Col- lege. The National Guard returned to provide two days of team- building and leadership activi- ties led by MSgt. John Shirron and Sgt. Bobbie Vicory of the National Guard Drug Preven- tion Team. Youth were actively involved in hands-on leader- ship building activities, learning skills that will help them make better choices in life. Participants also had the op- portunity to interview for work experiences with private busi- nesses and public agencies Page 11 Vernonia High School Sports Report By Ben Schorzman Vernonia High School is once again in full swing, ready for another long year. It is al- ways the same: the teachers, old and new, ready for the kids, and the kids, not ready for homework. For the athletes of Vernonia High, it all started in August,with the volleyball and cross-country teams practicing hard for their respective sea- sons, and the football team get- ting ready to take another shot at the playoffs. For the football team, prac- tice started almost a month be- fore the first day of school. They began play with a week of “Team Camp” starting August 8 — no pads, and no condition- ing. It was a week of relative fun for the players who each paid $25 for the camp. The pur- pose of the camp was for the coaches and players to devel- op a new offense before start- ing daily doubles. When asked about the change in offense, Coach Mike Funderburg said, “This team is unique, because even though I’m the head coach, I’m only running the defense. But be- cause I am a head coach, I have my own offensive philoso- phy. I want to know in a tight game which plays are being called.” In addition to a new offense, the Loggers have two new coaches. Jeff Ridgeway, who formerly coached at Mollala High School, is the receiver coach. Also added is Jackson Gillett, who enlisted in the Marines out of high school, played some semi-pro football, and a year of Arena League Football. When asked how the team is looking this year, Coach Fun- derburg said that it all depends on how they handle adversity. “They could get down on them- selves and lose it, or they can choose to battle. Even though we have lost a lot of key play- ers, we have eight returning starters from offense and de- fense. We look at this year, not as a rebuilding year, but as a ‘reloading’ year.” How the team handles ad- versity is key because they have a tough opening sched- ule. After the Willamina Jam- boree, where they won by scores of 12-6, 6-0, and 6-0, they will play number four ranked Blanchett at home, then travel to Scio, before opening league play at Clatskanie. To see how they handle the com- ing season, join the fans on Fri- day nights to watch the Mighty Loggers on their march toward the playoffs. throughout the county. Those who were selected spent the summer learning new skills while providing a public service at several work sites. For more information about MTC Works programs, contact Karin Miller or Diana Nish in St. Helens, 503-397-6495. Evergreen Dance Center Classes Start Sept. 22!! WEDNESDAYS Ballet Age 4-5 3:30 p.m. Age 6-7 4:30 p.m. Age 8 + 5:30 p.m. Jazz Age 6 + 6:30 p.m. $38/MONTH Teacher: Jessica Weller Davis Classes held at Vernonia Community Church 957 State Ave, Vernonia To Register, Call 360-423-7410, Longview