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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (March 15, 2007)
The INDEPENDENT, March 15, 2007 Vernonian sought to help CCF The Commission on Chil- dren and Families is seeking a volunteer representative from Vernonia. Kim Tierney, the cur- rent representative, is seeking a replacement and suggests someone who has children in school or is active in the com- munity on behalf of children. The commission meets 10 times a year, once a month with the exception of August and December. The meetings are held in St. Helens at the OSU Extension office. They begin at 5:30 p.m. and are usually over by 6:45 p.m. In times of bad weather a member may be connected by phone. Each member chooses an area of focus such as a com- munity building project (work- ing with other members) or pol- icy and fiscal management or work in the Comprehensive Plan for Columbia County Chil- dren. The time devoted to proj- ects is determined by each member. Currently, there are two va- cancies on the 20 member board. Members are appointed by the Board of County Com- missioners. For more information, con- tact Jan Spika Kenna at 503- 397-7225, or via email at ken naj@co.columbia. or.us. This is a great opportunity to promote and sustain the well being of children and families in Vernonia. New program offers travel abroad Enrich your world! An inno- vative new foreign exchange program is offering opportuni- ties for Vernonia high school students to travel abroad to Spain, France, China, Japan, Costa Rica or New Zealand. Education, Travel & Culture (ETC) is a Portland-based non- profit organization committed to promoting international un- derstanding and goodwill through high-quality education- al and cultural exchange pro- grams in the United States and abroad. The organization is looking for host families to welcome foreign students – for three months, six months or a year — as well as local organiza- tions willing to help provide scholarships for Vernonia boys and girls. The first outbound trip will be three weeks in Chi- na this summer. Get on board! For more in- formation, call local coordinator Carol Sawyer at 503-429-4748, or Scott Garrison at ETC in Portland, 503-222-9803. Page 11 Vernonia High School Spirit By Brittanie Roberts and John Fitch Things have been a little chaotic at Vernonia High School, as the winter sports have come to a heated close. The Girls’ and Boys’ Varsity basketball teams attended play-offs, finishing fourth in dis- trict, while five of our Logger wrestlers qualified for state. Equestrian is still in action, with Vernonia currently ranked num- ber one in our league. Other activities such as the Senior/ Honors English trip to Ashland, and the Vernonia High School blood drive have taken place. Our high school has also wel- comed three new students, each one a distinct addition to our student body and our com- munity. To give you a closer look at our winter sports this year, here is a rundown of the games and matches that took place at the close of the season. Boys’ basketball ended their season with a 6-22 record. The first two playoff games filled Vernonia fans with hope. Game one was against the Neah-Kah- Nie Pirates. The game ended with Vernonia taking the victory with an astonishing 79-49 win. The second game was against the Oregon Episcopal Aard- varks. Vernonia beat Oregon Episcopal 57-51, bringing Ver- nonia farther into the Lewis and Clark league play-offs. The third game dropped Vernonia from any chance at winning first place by losing to the Portland Adventist Cougars; the game ended 44-60. Still in the run- ning for third place, Vernonia played the Rainier Columbians. Unfortunately, Vernonia fell short and lost 42-46, ending the season at 7th place in our new Lewis and Clark League. Girls’ Varsity Basketball fin- ished the 2006-07 basketball season with a 9-18 record. The Girls’ Varsity team made it four games into the Lewis and Clark League playoffs. The first two games were wins; first against Oregon Episcopal with a score of 70-63, and then the second against Catlin Gabel Eagles with a score of 32-30. Unfortu- nately, the girls lost their third game to the Portland Adventist Cougars with a score of 42-48. The fourth game was a loss to the Neah-Kah-Nie Pirates, end- ing the season at 7th place in the Lewis and Clark League. The most impressive sports season, so far this year, would have to be that of the Vernonia Wrestling team. The Vernonia Loggers had a winning attitude this year, and ended their sea- son on that same note. The Vernonia Loggers sent five wrestlers to state this year – Tyler Bernardi, Tyler Corey, Tr- ever Gwin, Willie Hansen and Tommy Carr. Hansen and Corey were each one match away from placing in state. Tommy Carr and Trever Gwin placed 6th in state, while Tyler Bernardi placed 5th. Overall, the team has grown; not only in num- bers, but in talent as well. Friday, February 23, we had our annual donkey basketball tournament and taco feed. The Junior class planned the event with business owners, the fire department, teachers, the Boosters Club, and students, all participating. It was a packed gym with lots of laughs, and the student team taking a victory over the adults. Pro- ceeds from the taco feed went to the Zack Rumbolz scholar- ship and funds raised from the donkey basketball games went to the Juniors 2007 prom. The school year is only half over and this next semester looks promising. Grades are high and a whole new sports season has started. Look for the results of Mr. Irresistible, the Vernonia High School blood drive, and the class trip to Ash- land in our next article. Vernonia High School Equestrian Team sets new district record The Vernonia High School Equestrian Team had a record setting weekend when they competed March 8-11 in McMinnville. The Birangle Team of Mac- kenzie Carr and Stephanie Carr place first out of 42 entries and broke the NW District Record of 25.03 with a time of 24.91. Other top 15 placings in team events of the meet includ- ed the following: Birangle – Bryan Benes and Jamie Benes, 14th place; Team Canadian Flags – Bryan Benes, Jamie Benes, Mackenzie Carr and Stephanie Carr, 2nd place; Team Penning – Bryan Benes, Mackenzie Carr and Stephanie Carr, 3rd place; Drill Team – Bryan Benes, Mackenzie Carr, Stephanie Carr and Ashley Paleck, 2nd place; In Hand Obstacle Relay – Mackenzie Carr, Stephanie Carr, Marissa Clement, and Ashley Paleck, 6th place; Working Pairs – Mackenzie Carr and Stephanie Carr, 6th place. Vernonia’s top 15 placings in individual events included: Keyhole – Ashley Pal- eck,10th place; Bryan Benes, 13th place; Figure 8 – Stephanie Carr, 12th place; Barrels – Stephanie Carr, 2nd place; Steer Daubing – Ashley Pal- eck 10th place; Stock Seat – Mackenzie Carr, 11th place; Trail – Mackenzie Carr, 11th place. The team is currently in the lead for the high point small school (schools with seven or fewer competing athletes) award. Seven of the 16 high schools in the district are small schools. The next meet will be April 12-15 in McMinnville and will determine who qualifies to go to State in Redmond, May 17- 20. Pet of the Month Columbia Humane Society in St. Helens has a variety of wonderful pets available for adoption. Find the pet that’s right for you in the shelter at 2084 Oregon St. Monday through Saturday, 11 am. to 5 pm. 503-397-4353 Winnie is a little shy but she is really sweet once she warms up to you. She is up- to-date with her shots. Come give her a visit, you’ll want to take her home! The Columbia Humane Society is a No-Kill non-profit shelter dedicated to helping friends find each other since 1985. The Pet of the Month is Sponsored by: PBM Inc. Precision Building Maintenance, Inc. 503.556.3333 www.PBMaintenance.com LICENSED, BONDED, INSURED, CCB# 144926