CVHS students discuss leadership during recent three-day retreat
LEADERSHIP INVOLVES more than just showing up. A total of 135 Central Valley High School students learned how they can play a larger role as leaders during a three-day student leadership retreat at Deer Lake earlier this week, said Leanne Donley, CV student activities leader and teacher.
The teens and about 10 teachers were at Pinelow Park Campground and Retreat Center Saturday, Sunday and Monday. They participated in rope courses to build teamwork and heard an inspirational speech from Kansas City Royals baseball pitcher Jeremy Affeldt, a 1997 graduate of Northwest Christian School.
While at camp, the group members also made commitments to goals and talked about turning life experiences toward the positive, Donley said.
“The students made verbal commitments to one another on how they’re going to change things,” Donley added. “It was jam-packed Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
“It’s amazing every year we go, and watching 135 kids open their eyes to how they can change their world. It is always exciting. Jeremy Affeldt talked about being a servant leader, being selfless, and he used his life experiences with baseball to prove points.”
Students also discussed what they wanted to see happen at CV and the personal responsibility they would take to make CV realize those goals, Donley said.
Students get sporting chance
Freeman High School’s Future Business Leaders of America members had a crash course on finding professional jobs in athletics at a conference in the Seattle SuperSonics’ KeyArena.
Scott Moore, FBLA adviser, said 25 students traveled to Seattle Nov. 30 for a two-day visit. The group was among about 2,500 teens from different Washington schools that attended the Pro Sports Career Day.
Students heard from staff with the National Basketball Association Sonics and the Seattle Storm women’s professional basketball team, as well as from one sports agent and a sports television host.
“The sports business conference shows kids that professional sports is a huge business and there are tons of jobs within the sports arena,” Moore said.
After the conference, the Freeman group took in a Sonics game, visited the Experience Music Project, and then took a tour of Safeco Field with a Mariners’ guide.
Free time for Freeman parents
Freeman High School’s FBLA will give parents a chance to shop for Christmas without the kids next Sunday afternoon.
From noon to 5 p.m. the high school students will run activities such as basketball, whiffleball, crafts and movies for children ages 5 and older. Snacks and beverages will be provided. The group will take donations toward the day’s cost and for FBLA activities.
For more information, contact Scott Moore at 291-3721, ext. 201.
Fred’s puts generosity on menu
Barker High School staff organizing an annual Thanksgiving feast for 60 to 80 students feared an aging stove would fail them this year – but then a last-minute gift arrived.
The alternative high school’s old stove kept burning food and the oven temperature wasn’t consistent. A staff member with ties to Fred’s Appliance asked whether the business could help the school find a used stove. After a search, Fred’s Appliance staff found one that had been used only a few months, and the business donated it to the school.
The extra large, black and stainless steel self-cleaning oven has a smooth cooktop, with a large pan drawer below.
Staff who wrote about the experience thanked Troy Varness and Fred’s Appliance for the donation and Dean Wilcox for his persistence in getting the stove to the school. Barker staff includes Reneé Wilcox, Jana McKnight, Dan Oster, Dave Beiber, John Griffiths and Teddi Greene.
CV seeks Lilac Princess photos
CVHS is preparing a display of former Lilac Princesses from the high school and needs help. Donations of 8-by-10 color photos of Lilac Princesses from CV are needed.
Copies are fine but the school cannot return any photos because they will become part of a permanent library display. The school library is providing the frames and mats.
Photos can be brought to the school, 821 S. Sullivan Road, to the attention of Bobbi White, library. Along with the picture, White needs the girl’s name and the year she was crowned princess.
For more information, contact White at 228-5198.
Students help Red Cross
Greenacres Middle School students recently donated $1,400 to the American Red Cross to aid hurricane relief. Organized by the 50-member Spirit Service Club, the “Greenacres Cares” Drive raised $700 in student donations in five days.
The fund-raising efforts were matched dollar-for-dollar by Empire Health Services, which operates Valley Hospital and Medical Center. Empire Health Services representative Shannon Jordan came to the school to deliver the $700 check and thanked the students. Spirit Service Club adviser Judy Mauro helped organize the fund-raiser.