Local veterans groups honor Washougal teacher, name student essay winners

VFW Post 4278 and VFW District 6 name Canyon Creek Middle School art teacher Alice Yang 'Teacher of the Year'

By Doug Flanagan
January 26, 2023 12:22 pm
Latest News, News, Schools

Alice Yang (fourth from left) stands with (left to right) Gary Andreas, Marjorie Stetson, Sonny Liston, Mary Templeton, Dana Difford and Bob Hitchcock during a ceremony at Cape Horn-Skye Elementary and Canyon Creek Middle schools on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. (Contributed photo courtesy of the Washougal School District)

Even though Alice Yang doesn’t teach social studies, United States history or current events, she still finds a way to educate her students about the values of democracy, patriotism and citizenship.

“Art education helps students to learn critical skills such as communication, problem-solving and empathy,” said Yang, an art teacher at Cape Horn-Skye Elementary and Canyon Creek Middle schools. “They learn to process information through art-making while learning how to treat each other with respect. I try to introduce my students to a variety of artists that represent the makeup of our country, as well as artists from across the globe.”

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4278 and the VFW District 6 (Southwest Washington) recently named Yang as the Smart/Maher Teacher of the Year. The groups recognized Yang at an assembly at the schools on Jan. 17.

“Being honored by the VFW District 6 is one of the highlights of my life,” Yang said. “There are so many other teachers who are deserving of this honor, but I am so humbled to be chosen by the VFW members. Teaching is such an important way to contribute to the community, and I feel so lucky to be able to serve in this way. Although I have not served in the military, I have many friends who have. Through their stories, I have gotten a glimpse of the discipline, dedication, and sacrifice it takes to defend our country. Being an immigrant, I am indescribably grateful to those who fought for the freedoms we have today.”

The award recognizes “teachers who get students engaged in good citizenship and patriotism,” according to Post 4278 Adjutant Bob Hitchcock.

“Alice Yang is concerned about the younger generation,” he said during the assembly. “(She) makes sure that they follow their dreams.”

Students erupted with applause as VFW representatives announced that their art teacher had been selected for the awards.

“(Alice’s) elementary and middle school students are so energized to celebrate their teacher,” Washougal School District Superintendent Mary Templeton said. “The sense of community that she builds in the classroom is reflected in moments like this. Alice exemplifies Washougal School District’s mission to know, nurture and challenge all students to rise.”

Yang has worked as an educator for the past 18 years, all but seven as an art teacher, and recently earned a master’s degree in art education. She is a member of the Columbia River Arts and Cultural Foundation, Washougal’s liaison to the Clark County Arts Commission, and the coordinator of the Parkersville Day event student art contest, and plays a key role in the Washougal School District’s annual Washougal Youth Art Month events.

“In the past few years, our country has become increasingly divided and polarized,” she said. “Our youth are exposed to the infighting among our leaders, within our communities, and even in their own families. In order for our democracy to thrive, citizens must be able to engage in civil dialogue and understand that we all have the same goal — to make our country better.

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“It is important for young people to see that the same issues we struggle with are common across humanity,” she continued. “I believe that learning how to interact with each other at school leads to stronger communities, which in turn strengthens our country. Patriotism comes in many different forms. It is up to adults to help children find their own unique way to contribute.”

Cynthia Fahrenkrug, a secretary at Cape Horn-Skye and United States Navy veteran, wrote in a nomination letter that Yang “is beyond extraordinary.”

“She is innovative, an inspiration, a passionate educator that elevates her students to trust their own abilities and strengths and to dare to explore new methods, new technology and new ideas,” Fahrenkrug wrote. “She is passionate about education and strives to stay on the leading edge to improve how we teach. Through her influence, I am confident that our youth will continue to uphold America’s noblest traditions and highest ideals.

Essay contest winners announced

East Clark County resident Noah Stevens placed second in the VFW’s Washington State Voice of Democracy essay contest.

Noah, a home-schooled 10th-grader, wrote an essay, “Why is the Veteran Important?” and took first place in a regional contest to qualify for the state competition.

The contest is an audio-essay program that provides high school students with opportunities to write a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay, according to the VFW’s website. Each year, nearly 25,000 high school students from across the United States enter to win their share of more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.

Noah’s sister Hope, a home-schooled seventh-grader, placed second in the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest. Hope’s essay, “Classic Conversations”, took first place in a regional contest to qualify for the state competition.

Each year, nearly 68,800 middle-school students enter the contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 million in state and national awards. The contest encourages students to examine America’s history and their own experiences in modern American society by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW commander-in-chief, according to the VFW’s website.

The following student essays were recognized earlier this month by the local VFW chapter:

Voice of Democracy, grades 9-12 — 1st place: Noah Stevens, 10th grade, homeschool; 2nd place: Mackela Lynn Meyer, 12th grade, Washougal High School; 3rd place: Natalie Schoenborn, 12th grade, Washougal High School.

Patriot’s Pen, grades 6-8 — 1st place: Hope Stevens, 7th Grade, homeschool; 2nd place: Liya Broeckelman, 8th grade, Liberty Middle School; 3rd place: Calvin Stone Dayley, 8th Grade, Jemtegaard Middle School.

Youth Essay, Grades 3-5 — 1st place: Anaya Grundy, 4th grade, Columbia River Gorge Elementary; 2nd place: Holden Allee, 3rd Grade, Helen Baller Elementary; 3rd place: Aaria Lankireddy, 5th grade, Grass Valley Elementary.

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