WVHS art project to be dedicated
An art project that was part of the West Valley High School remodel will be officially dedicated Tuesday during a special ceremony.
Artist Phillip Baldwin created steel railings for the stairs leading to the school’s theater that depict local history.
The curving metal is in several different panels that include ponderosa pine boughs, a great horned owl, leaves, apples, a peacock, grape leaves and a bald eagle. The work was designed to incorporate the environment into the school and is titled “Continuity.”
The ceremony will begin with a presentation from 11:35 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a reception with the artist at 12:45 p.m., at the school, 8301 E. Buckeye Ave.
Baldwin grew up in New York and now lives near Seattle. He taught himself blacksmithing as a young man and spent two years as a resident at the Oregon College of Arts and Crafts in Portland. He founded Shining Wave Metals in 1983.
The decorative railings were created using mostly historic blacksmithing techniques. The district was required to commission a piece of art for the school because the district received State matching funds for the construction project.
Fun run results
Students at Centennial Middle School in the West Valley District raised more than $20,000 during their schoolwide fun run for “fitness and funds” on Tuesday.
The students raised a record $22,100. “We were just blown away,” said activities director Cathy Comar.
The annual event, now in its 11th year, usually brings in about $19,000 and organizers were worried that the poor economy would impact the results. The school expects to bring in another $500 at a fundraiser dance on Thursday. “They really stepped it up,” she said.
The money pays extracurricular activities at the school, including music activities and planners given to each student. “It goes for our athletics and officials and uniforms and equipment,” Comar said.
Students collected pledges based on how many times they could complete a mile course in an hour. The students ran and walked 2,700 miles.
Safety and health conference
The recent 57th annual Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Conference at the Spokane Convention Center was attended by 36 students from Central Valley High School. The students are members of the Future Business Leaders of America, work-based learning or in career and technical education classes.
Students learned about career opportunities and the importance of health and safety on the job. The day included several hands-on demonstrations of personal protective equipment and other interactive activities.
Service award
Spokane Valley resident Kaci Matsch was recently awarded the Ignatian Service Award by Gonzaga Prep, where she is a senior.
The award is given to students who represent the spirit of community service. She has volunteered with St. Margaret’s Shelter and the Martin Luther King Center. She is a student mentor and tutor at G-Prep and went on a mission trip to Mexico sponsored by her church. Matsch is the daughter of Wayne and Terri Matsch.
Parent night
East Valley High School will host a parent night to discuss the college application process Wednesday at 7 p.m. The meeting will specifically address college admission procedures and scholarships. A representative from Eastern Washington University will lead the discussion. The school is at 15711 E. Wellesley.