School notes for June 2, 2015

WHS freshman earns Microsoft certification

Brendon Moen, a Washougal High School freshman, is the first student in the Washougal School District to earn a Microsoft 2013 Word Master Certification as a part of the Microsoft IT Academy (ITA).

Moen had to pass five exams, which were Word, Word Expert 1 & 2, Excel and one optional test. He passed two optional exams, which were 2013 PowerPoint and One Note.

WHS teaches ITA through the computer applications classes.

“This program started late spring of 2013 and since then students have passed over 200 tests,” said Katherine Sturdyvin Scobba, WHS yearbook and digital photography teacher. “The program has shown an increase in participants and has prepared them in the application of Microsoft Office products in the academic and job arenas.”

Microsoft ITA is a partnership between the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and Microsoft to provide the training at all Washington high schools.

Pathak wins first place at ISEF

Reesab Pathak, a senior at Camas High School, won first place in the cellular and molecular biology category at the International Science and Engineering Fair last month.

As part of the award, Pathak won $3,000 for his project, “Identification and Characterization of a Novel Immune Response against AIDS Virus.”

He has been conducting research for the past two years. Earlier this year, Pathak was selected as one of 40 finalists for the Intel Science Talent Search 2015.

He won an invite to compete at Intel ISEF for the second consecutive year at the state science fair in April.

Locals named to dean’s list

Several Camas and Washougal students were named to the Warner Pacific College dean’s list for the spring 2015 term.

To qualify, students must be enrolled full-time and achieve a 3.5 or greater GPA.

They include Cali Lamb, Otari Oniashvili, Erik Peterson and Jessica Swink of Camas; and Kaili Goodpaster, Elizabeth Vonau and Heidi Wedemeyer of Washougal.

CCMS bands perform at elementary schools

The student bands from Canyon Creek Middle School were “on tour” Friday, May 29, performing at each Washougal elementary school.

“There are several reasons for this field trip,” explained Lora Brandt, CCMS music teacher. “It’s important for students to take part in multiple performances of music literature for a variety of audiences and in several new venues.

She continued, “They are also getting the opportunity to play music that is recognizable to them and their audience.”

The grade level bands represented sixth through eighth-grade and played many popular songs including “La Bamba,” “Theme from Mission Impossible,” “Thriller” and “Star Wars.”

CW students earn degrees from George Fox

More than 700 students were awarded degrees at commencement ceremonies held at George Fox University May 1 and 2, including those from Camas and Washougal.

Ken Beebe, an alumnus of the university who has served the past 21 years as executive director of the Twin Rocks Friends Camp and Conference Center, addressed undergraduates at their ceremony.

Among those earning degrees were the following local students:

Tami Bringman of Washougal, master of business administration; Katherine Green of Camas, master of arts in clinical mental health counseling; Emily Hoke of Camas, bachelor of social work; Christina Johnson of Washougal, master of business administration; Alysha Mueller of Washougal, bachelor of science in interdisciplinary studies; Daniel Pavlina of Camas, bachelor of science in project management and Brianna Whithorn of Washougal, bachelor of arts in biology.

Ready, Set, Kindergarten offered

The Washougal School District is offering a free summer school program for students entering kindergarten in September. The 6-week course begins Tuesday, July 7 and runs through Thursday, Aug. 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Breakfast and lunch are provided daily. Bussing is available to and from school.

The program addresses summer learning loss and prepares students for full-day kindergarten. Enrichment activities will include The Reptile Man, Jugglemania, OMSI Science Festival, Oregon Children’s Theatre and more.

To see if your child qualifies to attend, contact Lisa Young at 954-3895 or lisa.young@washougalsd.org.