The INDEPENDENT, October 5, 2011
Right, the action was excit-
ing,on September 30, when
Vernonia High School played
Culver in Vernonia, although
the Loggers did not win.
Chalk Talk
Chalk Talk is a column of information
about Vernonia schools. This column
was provided by Superintendent Dr.
Ken Cox.
Next football home games
are Vernonia Middle School
vs. Gaston at 5:00 p.m. on
October 6, then Vernonia
High School Loggers against
Portland Christian on Octo-
ber 7 at 7:00 p.m.
In Volleyball action, the next
home games will be tonight
when
Vernonia
Middle
School meets Warrenton at
4:00 p.m, then Vernonia High
School meets Gaston on Oc-
tober 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Win essay contest and receive $1000
U.S. high school students
and their teachers are invited to
participate in the Bill of Rights
Institute’s sixth annual Being
an American Essay Contest.
The largest contest of its
kind in the country, the Being
an American Essay Contest ex-
plores the Founding principles
outlined in the Constitution.
The contest is administered by
the Bill of Rights Institute, a
non-profit educational organi-
zation in the Washington, D.C.
area devoted to educating
young people about the Consti-
tution and Founding principles.
The 2011-2012 contest is
sponsored by the History
Channel.
“This contest is unique in
that it gives students the oppor-
tunity to think about the impor-
tant Founding principles com-
municated in our Constitution,”
said Dr. Jason Ross, Bill of
Rights Institute Vice President
of Education Programs. “This
context is vital to helping stu-
dents see their Founding prin-
ciples as a meaningful part of
the American experiment of
self-government.”
Specifically, students are
asked to share their thoughts
on the Constitution by answer-
ing the following question:
“How does the Constitution es-
tablish and maintain a culture
of liberty?”
The top three student win-
ners from each of the five geo-
graphical regions will be
awarded cash prizes of $1,000
(First Place), $500 (Second
Place), and $250 (Third Place).
Page 11
Teacher sponsors for each stu-
dent winner will also receive a
cash prize of $100.
“The contest not only honors
and awards sponsoring teach-
ers, but also equips them with
free lesson plans and other
supplemental materials that
meet state and national aca-
demic standards so they can
easily incorporate the essay
contest into their classrooms.
The Contest is really a tribute
to the excellent work teachers
do in the important task of civic
education,” said Ross.
Further information, includ-
ing submission criteria, lesson
plans and background informa-
tion on the Constitution, Bill of
Rights, Founders and the
Founding principles are avail-
able at www.BillofRightsInsti
tute.org/Contest.
One month of school has gone by and fall seems to be ap-
proaching fast. Those of you who have children or grandchildren
in school, I would encourage you to check in with their teachers
to see how they are doing. Yes, even if they are in high school, it
doesn’t hurt to let the teachers know you are interested in know-
ing what’s happening with your student.
Washington Grade School’s Open House is coming up on
Thursday October 6th, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Teachers at Wash-
ington Grade School are looking forward to meeting all of their
new parents, and encourage you to come by and see your child's
classroom. While it is only the beginning of the year, students
have many things to share about their hours spent learning at
school. In addition to having a chance to meet your child’s
teacher, a Scholastic Book Fair will also be open during this
event. We hope to see you there!
It is hard to admit it but, I made a mistake. There I’ve said it,
and now you all know that I am not perfect (far from it), but I
should have checked before I sent in my article last month. I was
informed shortly after it came out that the walking distance for
students is 1 mile for elementary students and 1.5 miles for sec-
ondary students (ORS327.043). Because there are few side-
walks in Vernonia we have in the past provided rides to students
within these limits, but have done so only as funds and route
times allow.
Lastly, I want to tell you about another event coming up on
Thursday, October 6th. We will be having a ‘Roof-capping Cele-
bration’ at 10 am that morning at the new school site. In addition
to our regular distinguished guests, the president of Solar World
will be in attendance and make an announcement that will be
good news for our project. He and a number of other guests will
be speaking at a breakfast meeting that morning for all Vernonia
businesses. Please contact the district office for more informa-
tion.
ODFW has free orange hunter hats for youngsters
Free hunter orange hats will
be given to youth hunters that
plan to hunt the fall 2011 sea-
son, to help kids meet new reg-
ulations requiring they wear the
color.
Hats will be given away by
Oregon State Police Fish and
Wildlife troopers and ODFW
field staff who see youth
hunters in the field during hunt-
ing season. Hats are also avail-
able at select ODFW offices
while supplies last (see list of
offices at www.dfw.state.or.us).
Oregon’s new law took ef-
fect August 1, 2011. It requires
youth hunters (age 17 and un-
der) to wear a fluorescent or-
ange hat or upper garment
when hunting game mammals
or upland game birds (except
turkey) with any firearm.
Game mammals are deer,
elk, bear, cougar, pronghorn
antelope, Rocky Mountain
4-H corrects county/state results
Columbia County 4-H is-
sued corrected results for both
the 2011 county and state fairs.
The corrected information is
provided here.
Beef
Showmanship:
Champion – Lauren Glass.
Cake Decorating: Champi-
on – Meghan Sullivan.
Food Preservation: Re-
serve County Champion and
State Champion – Kaitlyn
Eyrrick.
Meat Goat Showmanship:
Champion – Jessica String-
field.
Poultry
Showmanship:
Champion – Crystal-Ann
Carreon.
Pygmy Goat Showman-
ship: Champion – Levi
Carreon.
Rabbit Breeds: Champion
and Reserve Grand Champi-
on – Katherine Goodman.
Trail:
Reserve
Grand
Champion
–
McKenzie
Tarkalson.
goat, bighorn sheep and west-
ern gray squirrel. Upland game
birds are forest grouse (blue
and ruffed), chukar/Hungarian
(gray) partridge, pheasants,
quail (California and mountain)
and sage grouse.
Adult hunters are also
strongly encouraged to wear
hunter orange when in the field.
Pet of the Month
Find the pet that’s right for you at the Columbia Humane Society
2084 Oregon Street, St. Helens. Phone 503-397-4353
Open Mon - Fri 1 pm to 5 pm & Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm
Shady is a young Labrador
Retriever/Pit Bull Terrier Mix. He is
about 2 years old and has been
waiting more than year for a home
and family. He is said to be very
friendly with small children and is
affectionate with adults. He loves
cats, but maybe too much as he
also loves to chase them, so a cat-
free home would be best. He
seems to get along well with most
other dogs.
The Columbia Humane Society is a No-Kill non-profit shelter
dedicated to helping friends find each other since 1985.
This Pet of the Month is Sponsored by:
Senator Betsy Johnson