School notes for Nov. 25, 2014

Festival of Trees set next weekend

The Washougal Festival of Trees will return to Hathaway Elementary School this year.

It will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.

The event will feature several decorated trees, which will be given to the highest bidder. Proceeds benefit Washougal schools.

The trees are donated by Washougal River Christmas Trees.

There will also be a breakfast with Santa from 9 a.m. to noon, for $3 per person.

Photos are an additional $3.

Snow make-up days set

The Washougal School District has announced that Friday, March 13 and Friday, May 1, are now regular attendance days per the school board adopted calendar, to make up for weather related closures on Nov. 13 and 14.

The next available makeup day is now after the end of the school year, Tuesday, June 16, with additional days added as needed.

Building in snow makeup days is needed so that the district complies with Washington State law, which requires that schools provide 180 calendar days of education for students.

In Camas, the first makeup day for school closures due to inclement weather is Feb. 13. All other makeup days will be added to the end of the school year.

WHS students selected for honor bands

Each year, music students at Washougal High School and throughout the Clark County area audition or apply to participate in the musical equivalent of an all-star team called honor bands. This year, 10 WHS musicians were selected.

They are: Riley Miller (senior), All-Northwest Honor Band, Pacific Lutheran University Honor Band, North County Honor Band (trombone and tuba); Colton Gale, (senior) Pacific Lutheran University Honor Band, North County Honor Band (trumpet); Emma Boyle (senior), Pacific Lutheran University Honor Band, North County Honor Band (string bass); Maddie Gregory (senior), Pacific Lutheran University Honor Band, North County Honor Band (clarinet); Tess Russell (senior), Pacific Lutheran Univ. Honor Band (oboe), Vanessa Scheg (senior), North County Honor Band (bass clarinet); Patrick Neill (senior), North County Honor Band (trombone); Karina Miller (senior), North County Honor Band (tenor saxophone); Monica Wilcox (senior), North County Honor Band (clarinet) and Nick Torres (junior), Pacific Lutheran University Honor Band, North County Honor Band (trumpet).

“Being selected for an honor band provides these students an awesome opportunity,” said Kelly Ritter, WHS band instructor.

Honor band students spend several days rehearsing and performing with top high school musicians from around the local area, the state, and in some cases, all over the country.

“They also work with major university music directors and composers from all over the world,” Ritter said. “Their experience benefits the entire WHS band program, because these students come back and share their new knowledge with their peers.”

WSU raises money, honors alumni

Washington State University Vancouver raised $135,000 for student scholarships and presented 2014 Notable Alumni awards to 25 individuals, including those from Camas and Washougal, at a 25th anniversary celebration dinner recently.

Local recipients among the 25 recognized were Jonathan DeHart of Camas, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in business administration and is president and CEO of NorthShore Bio. He also serves as director for Allegory Venture Partners.

Also recognized was Ron Wysaske of Washougal, who holds a Master’s Degree in business administration and serves as president of Riverview Community Bank.

Donna Sinclair of Washougal is a consulting historian who holds a B.A. in general studies and social services.

Scholarships are WSU Vancouver’s top fundraising priority, according to a press release. More than 80 percent of WSU Vancouver students qualify for financial aid and a scholarship can make the difference between staying in college and earning a degree, or dropping out.

The funds raised at the event will go toward the Second Chance Scholarship, which supports students who are one to three semesters from graduation and have run out of money.

“The paddle raise brought together the strength, compassion and generosity of the 752 guests in the room to support our students,” said Jennifer Miltenberger, WSU Vancouver director of development and alumni relations. “Friday night our guests met scholarship recipients for whom the decision to stay in college or drop out because of expenses was very real. There is no better feeling than seeing these students complete their degrees.”

Preview Day set

Washington State University Vancouver invites prospective students and family members to Preview Day at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 in the Dengerink Administration Building, Room 110.

Attendees will learn about WSU Vancouver’s academic programs, the application process, financial aid and scholarships, campus life and more. Those who want to take a campus tour are asked to arrive at 4:30 p.m.

At Preview Day, attendees will learn about admissions requirements and how to apply. Representatives from student organizations will share information about recreational and co-curricular activities. Student ambassadors will offer insight into campus life, academics and student support services. Members of WSU Vancouver’s staff and faculty will be on hand to answer questions.

An “A – Z of Financial Aid and Scholarships” workshop will cover loans, grants, waivers and scholarships. Financial aid experts will be available to answer individual questions.

This event is free. RSVP to studentaffairs.vancouver.wsu.edu/admissions/preview-day. WSU Vancouver is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave.