Broadway first-graders complete 100th-day-of-school food drive

More than 90 first-grade students at Broadway Elementary spent part of Thursday afternoon carrying bags filled with food across the street to the Spokane Valley Partners Food Bank. The four first-grade classrooms have been collecting donated food this month for the school’s third annual food drive.

The goal was for each classroom to collect 100 pounds in honor of the 100th day of school, which was Thursday. After crossing the street, the students filed into Valley Partners’ auditorium where a scale was set up on the stage. February can be a slower month for donations, so the children’s efforts are welcomed, said Valley Partners director Ken Briggs.

“There’s no bad time to bring food to us,” he said. “This is such an opportunity for them to learn about giving.”

The children gave a loud cheer when it was announced that they had carried in more than 408 pounds, just slightly over their goal.

Music competition

Three Spokane Valley high schools have announced results from the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s Regional Solo/Ensemble Competition this month at North Central High School. First-place winners will advance to the state competition in April at Central Washington University.

University High School – Lirico Chamber Singers, first place in mixed large vocal; Men of Lirico, first place in men’s large vocal; Women of Lirico, first place in Women’s Large Vocal; LeeAnne Frahn and Breanna Duffy, first place, soprano solo voice; Taila Wachter and Kylene Peden, first place, mezzo soprano solo voice; Joey Pitner, first place, tenor solo voice; Jordan Taylor, first place, baritone solo voice; Nathan Van Vlaenderen, first place, clarinet; Kaylee Hooper, first place, oboe.

Jessica Arp was named runner-up in mezzo soprano solo voice, and Daniel Smith placed in baritone solo voice. University also took first place in men’s small vocal and women’s small vocal categories.

East Valley High School – In the solo category Lexy Durand was given a superior rating and will be an alternate to state. Chelsea Montenguise was rated, good, and those receiving a rating of excellent were Ashley Schutz, Whitney Gorman, Ashley Gren and Cherie Patterson. Montenguise and Durand also scored a good rating in the duet category.

Other winners include Jen Kersh, first place, violin solo; Katie Radmer, second alternate, violin solo; Brian Coyne, first place, cello solo; and Melissa Kersh, first alternate, cello solo.

EV group winners include Encore, first alternate, large string ensemble; String Quartet, first alternate, small string ensemble; and Cello Quartet, second alternate, small string ensemble.

West Valley High School – Corey King, first place, snare drum; Chris Babinski, first place, French horn; Woodwind Quintet, first place, woodwind ensemble; Eric Heale, second place and first alternate to state, snare drum; Lukas Agerskov, superior rating, piano; Steve Gardner, third place and second alternate to state, trumpet.

Those receiving ratings of excellent were Alex Durgeloh and Alla Znovets, clarinet duet; Clinton Slovarp, French horn; Kelly Hansen and Kari Mitchell, mallet duet; and the Percussion Ensemble.

Poetry Out Loud

Ciara Totten of East Valley High School recently finished second at the regional Poetry Out Loud Competition. Students were required to memorize and recite two poems. She had previously taken first place in a Poetry Out Loud competition at EVHS by reciting “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allen Poe and “Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight” by Vasachel Lindsay.

Totten will advance to the state competition in Olympia in March and will be required to memorize a third poem.