School fundraiser is hair-razing experience

Orchard Center Elementary School Principal Travis Peterson got his head shaved April 1 during an assembly for the school’s Pennies for Patients fundraiser.

Peterson promised students at the West Valley district school he would shave his head if they met a $2,000 goal.

The students raised more than $3,000 to benefit the foundation, which raises funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. One fifth-grader donated $58 she received for winning a dance competition.

Second Annual HEART Run

The Central Valley HEART in Hand Outreach Program will present its second annual HEART Run on April 16 at 9 a.m. at University High School, 12420 E. 32nd Ave.

The outreach program helps low-income families pay their rent and heating costs, find household items and obtain permanent housing, and it distributes holiday meals and gifts.

The cost to participate in this 5K run is $20 and there is a variety of age and participation divisions including running, walking, stroller and wheelchair. No bikes, skateboards or scooters will be allowed.

For more information or to find a registration form, visit www.cvptacouncil.org.

Kudos

• Five local elementary schools are among 10 Washington schools that recently received greenhouses and grants from the Washington State Potato Commission and other partners as part of the “Kids Are Growing” competition.

Winning Spokane County schools include All Saints, Discovery, Grant, Deer Park and University.

Schools received a free greenhouse, a $1,000 cash grant and “the opportunity to experience, firsthand, the miracle of growing,” said David George, of the commission.

“This makes 50 greenhouses that GreenhouseMegastore.com has donated since 2004 when we started this program to promote nutrition and agriculture, and enhance math, science and life skills,” said Karen Bonaudi, assistant executive director of the commission.

For more information visit www.potatoes.com.

• The University High School Technology Student Association recently attended the Washington TSA 2011 State Conference in Bellevue, Wash.

Winners from the school include Joseph Hall, first place in animatronics; Jacob Schwartz, second place in CAD, 3-D engineering; Steven Van Keulen, fifth place in CAD, 3-D engineering; Evan Moyer, Schwartz and Nic Splattstoesser, first place in manufacturing prototype; Moyer and Splattstoesser, fifth place in the technology bowl team; Hall, Moyer, Splattstoesser and Van Keulen, eighth place in Vex robotics; and Moyer and Splattstoesser, second place in webmaster (website design).

• Eastern Washington University has announced recipients of its $2,500 Presidential Scholarship for the 2011-’12 academic year.

High school students with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.8 or higher or those who earned an SAT score of 1,250 or higher are eligible to receive the scholarship.

Winners from the greater Spokane Valley area include Sarah Peterson, Katie Martes and Jonathan Hicks from East Valley High School.