The Award
The Art Regier Outstanding Volunteer Award was instituted in 1991 as a memorial to “Grandpa Art” Regier. Regier, a retiree who devoted years of service to elementary schools in Walla Walla, epitomized the spirit of volunteerism in education. His tireless dedication and concern for the students he served are the inspiration for this award.

This Year’s Recipients:

Peggy Cox - Green Park and Pioneer Middle School
Nominators - Jean Tobin, Dana Jones, Elissa Stites, Mike Lambert, Michelle Carpenter, and Missy Johnson
- Past Green Park PTA President and longtime active PTA member
- Green Park and Pioneer Math Teams assistant
- 5th Grade Novel Groups assistant to help improve literacy skills
Nominator Jean Tobin said: “I know that Peggy’s help is invaluable to many teachers in this district. She volunteers in many ways, and the math team is only a small part of what she contributes. I believe that she is a role model for teachers and students alike.”

Jim & Judi Armstrong - Blue Ridge Elementary
Nominators: Paula Nichols, Tina Holbrook and Lucy Gregoire
- Weekly volunteer (no children in school)
- Provides special holiday treats for students
- Adopts a family in need for Christmas
Nominator Tina Holbrook said: “Jim and Judi Armstrong have a genuine care and concern for the well being of Blue Ridge. They share our story and their own experiences among various community organizations. They have a deep respect for the hard work and caring nature of our Blue Ridge staff.”

Holly Howard - Lincoln Health Center, Citizens for Schools
Nominators: Cindy Meyer and Missy Peterson
- Organized feasibility study for Lincoln Health Center
- Helped get the Lincoln Center funded and operational
- Longtime Citizens for Schools and district volunteer
Nominator Missy Peterson said:
“Since at least 1998 Holly has unselfishly been sharing her time and talents to improve and enrich the lives of students.”

Dr. Alison Kirby - Lincoln Health Center
Nominators: Jim Sporleder and Dan Calzaretta
- Had the vision to make the Lincoln Health Center a reality
- Wrote grants to secure the Lincoln Health Center funding
- Helped develop an operational plan for the center
- Volunteers twice a week at the Lincoln Health Center
Nominator Jim Sporleder said:
“Her determination of care, compassion, and empathy for students has been demonstrated by taking the vision of the health center and making it a reality. Lincoln is the only high school in Eastern Washington that has a health center. Dr. Kirby is truly an inspiration for all of us who have the wonderful opportunity to work with her.”

Priority #1: Grades 9 to 12 facilities improvements - Major improvements needed at both Walla Walla High School and Lincoln Alternative High School

Priority #2: Pioneer Middle School improvements - Second gym, additional classroom space, HVAC

Priority #3: Alternative space for preschool program to allow more room for Blue Ridge K-5 program

Priority #4: Develop and manage a comprehensive plan for ongoing maintenance and repairs

The Community Facilities Task Force expects to finalize its report and deliver its recommendations to the school board by the end of the school year.

“I think it’s great that local merchants are stepping up to celebrate and recognize the importance of academic success and hard work,” Principal Dana Jones said.

Wanichek created a website through Jump Rope for Heart telling people why this event is so important to her and how thankful she is her grandpa is alive despite having bi-pass surgery.

“We think this is a great accomplishment and are very grateful for her hard work and participation this year,” said Cadence Miller, Manager, Youth Market for Jump Rope for Heart. “Thank you again for your support of the American Heart Association, you are helping to save lives!”

Lincoln Alternative High School debuts its first major theater production. April 30, with showings at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., Lincoln students will perform this contemporary version of the Odyssey at the WWCC Performing Arts Center. Written by Naomi Iizuka, Anon(ymous) explores the issues of identity, adoption, and forced relocation. Admission is free. Donations accepted and appreciated.

The one and a half hour performance tells the story of a young refugee called Anon, played by Stan Southern, as he journeys through the United States, encountering a wide variety of people – some kind, some dangerous – in search of his family. From a sinister one-eyed butcher to a sweatshop, Anon navigates a chaotic, ever-changing landscape in this entrancing adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey.

Jessica Barkl, who directed last years Walla Walla summer musical ‘Greece’ and will be directing this year’s production of ‘Footloose’, is leading the Lincoln students through the exciting process of performing Anon(ymous). “Wild, fun and frustrating…theater was definitely a way for me to define myself as a middle and high-schooler. I have a connection with these students,” says Barkl.

Participating in a play production is one of a number of options for students at Lincoln Alternative High School’s after school program ‘The LIFT’. After school program director Jeremy Gradwohl, has created a program which includes cosmetology classes, a cooking class, a bowling math lab, Vibe Dance Studio, an organic community garden, karaoke lunches, Age of Empire matches, a partnership program with Whitman Colleges “Youth Adventure Program” and a morning program which promotes physical and mental exercises to get the students on the right foot for the day. The LIFT encourages students to stay after school and take advantage of programs that teach valuable life skills while the activities also aim to improve basic academic skills such as math, reading and writing.

For more information on Anon(ymous) or The LIFT, please contact Jeremy Gradwohl at Lincoln Alternative High School.

This program provides parents with the vital tools recommended by the FBI. Free children services include: fingerprint profile, digital photographs, child safety journal and home DNA ID kit. This event features free pizza from Big Cheese Pizza, free beverages and more.

Special thanks to Abajian Toyota for hosting this free child safety event.

(Classified) Wes Polley, Mechanic, Transportation

• Resignations/Retirements
(Certificated) Amy Ford, Title 1, Edison Elementary, 7 years
* Amy is resigning .2 FTE - she will continue as a .8 FTE Title I teacher
Diana McNamara, Resource, Green Park, 9 years
Carolyn Pemberton, Math, Walla Walla High School, 5 years
* Carolyn is resigning .6 FTE - She will continue as a .4 FTE math teacher

(Classified) Mikaelyn Cottier Swayne, Family Services & Mental Health Counselor, Blue Ridge Head Start/ECEAP, 1 year
John Delaney, Custodian, Green Park, 18 years
Jamesette Rukavina, Para-Educator, Green Park, 2.5 years

Staff Transfer: Ginger Heiser will transfer from Secretary to the Director of Plant Facilities to Walla Walla High School as Secretary to the Principal effective July 1.

The TL21 grant program is a course of professional development designed for educators who want to learn how digital technologies support effective instructional strategies. Both educators will receive hardware, software and training to enhance their classroom technology integration goals, according to Technology Director Janis Barton.

Senior Anna Tupper-Bridges is the editor in chief for online news and oversees the content. “We hope to spotlight students’ art works along with articles of opinions, features, health, sports, arts and entertainment, and news,” Anna said.
The new Web site features more articles than the school’s Web site and will provide a more in depth view into the topics.

“The Journal staff has stepped up to mirror what has happened in industry with journalism. Adding something new like this Web site wasn’t easy when there is so much work they are doing on a day-to-day basis, but they are an exceptional group of students,” adviser Gay Buissink said.

The Journal staff will continue to update the Blue Devil spotlight and the latest news section of the Wa-Hi’s Web site, wahibluedevils.org

“The two USFS employees are giving up their entire day to be here,” said Walla Walla High School Science Teacher Peggy Payne. “We are hoping this visit will lead to more involvement with the US Forest Service in the future.”.

“Last year we re-enacted the engagement between the Mexican and French forces,” said organizer and Spanish teacher Karen Peddicord. “This brought the history to life for the students.”

In addition to all the interesting vehicles on display, there will also be lots of fun carnival-style games. Featured in the dunk tank is the incoming Edison principal, Josh Wolcott along with other Edison teachers and parents: Patrick McFetridge, Doug Klein, Kay Barga, Lynette Fogg, Marnie Johnson, Alejandra Trejo, Tyler Filan and Dave Larson. Don’t miss your chance to dunk them.

Some of the many carnival activities include: a prize fishing pond, an iSpy Game, face painting, temporary tattoos, custom engraved dog tags, colored hair spray and a 50/50 raffle.

For some down-time, Valley Transit is providing their trolley bus which will have stories being read in it every half hour or you can grab a book and sit and relax and read for a few minutes on your own. Since the event is on May Day, we’ll also have an origami flower booth where you can learn how to make a simple origami flower.

You won’t need to worry about going elsewhere for lunch, as there will be lots of food available for sale including beef & veggie hotdogs, nachos, popcorn, fruit, soda, juice, water and of course: cotton candy!

Admission is by donation, with a suggested donation of $2 per person. Free activities include the iSpy game that will also earn you a free trip to the prize fishing pool with two casts for prizes and of course the stories on the trolley are free. All other activities and food can be purchased with tickets on sale at the event for $1 each.

A Big Truck Rally event poster went home with all Walla Walla & College Place children in preschool through fifth grade. Ten dollar gift certificates to Bright’s Candies will be given away to nine children for the best poster art and placement. If your child hasn’t gotten their poster posted yet, they still have time. Judging will take place on Sunday, April 25.

Show times: 7 p.m. May 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15 and 2 p.m. May 8 and 15
Location: Walla Walla High School Performing Arts Auditorium
Ticket Prices: $6 dollars for students and $12 for adults.

Tickets go on sale April 26 and can be reserved by calling the Wa-Hi Box Office at (509) 526-8613 Mondays through Fridays beginning April 26 between 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Order your tickets early to avoid missing the show of the season!

Lovejoy received an invitation to the May 2 Washington State PTA Reflections Awards Ceremony. Her submission ranked as one of the top six Primary Dance Choreography entries in the Washington State PTA Reflections contest. Nataya’s mother is Green Park Head Start/ECEAP teacher Tensie Lovejoy.

“Thank you for your wonderful Reflections entry,” said Pam Deming, Reflections Chair - Washington State PTA.

WISE is an all-expenses-paid outreach program that aims to introduce the college experience to least-advantaged local middle school students and those who would be the first in their families to attend college. It is designed to generate excitement about pursuing a college education and encourage belief in it as a possibility.

Studies show that pre-college counseling and intervention have a proportionally higher impact on students who are low-income or whose families are not college educated, and students from those groups will be given priority in selection for the
WISE program, according to Sonja Aikens, WISE Coordinator.

Students accepted into the program will live in a Whitman residence hall, and all meals will be provided. They will take classes from Whitman professors, attend workshops taught by college admission staff members, take part in fun outdoor activities, complete an art project and have the opportunity to meet current Whitman students. A workshop for parents is provided on college admission and financial aid processes.

Interested students/families need to submit an application, parent release form, teacher or counselor recommendation form and a copy of a recent report card. Those interested can contact Aikens at aikenssl@whitman.edu or (509) 527-5596. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 21, however applications will be accepted later if there are still spaces available. Preference is given to applicants whose family members have not attended college, and space is limited.
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CONTACT: Sonja Aikens 527-5596 aikenssl@whitman.edu

A public service announcement radio spot featuring Kinman is now playing on regional stations.