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Student Spotlight Winter 2019

Shedding light on the students who are striving to achieve more in Curry County

Page 2 — Student Spotlight • Winter 2019

The gift and the challenge

Chris Eberhardt Superintendent Brookings-Harbor School District

often think back on a newspaper clipping that my mother sent me in my early years of teaching. It was a circle from “The Family Circus” comic by Bil Keane depicting big sister giving some advice to little brother: “Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a GIFT. That’s why it is called the present.” The work we do in education is not easy. As educators, the gift we have is the next transaction with a student, parent or community member. It can be hard not to let our previous negative experiences impact that next conversation – especially with so many demands on our time, energy and resources. Yet, the cumulative effect of small daily actions can be profound. As a district and a community, we must do everything we can to remain student-focused at all times and in all decisions. We have the opportunity to encourage, challenge, and create positive connections for students at every step along the way. At Brookings-Harbor School District, our mission is to cultivate a safe, highly effective, and collaborative learning environment where every student can succeed. Making

this a reality requires and systems changes; a commitment to an and, continuing to ongoing process in communicate with doing it in partnerand engage the comship with students, munity in the imparents, staff, and the provement process. community. It’s an instrument of Since I joined the accountability, but district this fall, our the true proof will be BHSD leadership how we can create teams have analyzed a culture that keeps past assessment and students wanting to student data and come to school. gathered feedback At the end of the from a new commuday, I truly believe nity survey, as well what Frederick as staff and student Douglass said a long surveys. Using time ago, that is that insights from this “It’s easier to build Chris Eberhardt process, we have pristrong children than to oritized two keystone repair broken men.” I goals: 1. Improve graduation rates; and 2. have challenged our teachers and staff to be Improve attendance. instruments of inspiration for our students The district submitted a draft Continuous – to be effective with the conversations that Improvement Plan to the state earlier this we have in order to help students buy-in to month which maps out targets as well as po- the value of their education and training. tential sub-goals and strategies for the comOur jobs are tough because we serve all chiling years. The plan requires a commitment dren, and they are trying to find a place to to building data-driven teams and routines; feel safe, to feel loved, to feel valued. centering relationships and resources for Our jobs are tough because we must crestudents; implementing needed investments ate that welcoming and inclusive space – it’s

the gift and the challenge. We are grateful to everyone in the community who shared their concerns and dreams for the district this fall. We appreciate our volunteer leaders, including the elected School Board of Directors, District Leadership Team, school SITE Councils, and others for their collaborative work and support of our schools. We look forward to more conversations in 2020! I can be reached at chrise@brookings. k12.or.us at 541-469-7443 or by stopping by the District Office at 564 Fern Ave., Brookings.

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Student Spotlight • Winter 2019 — Page 3

BHHS boys basketball: ‘It’s a matter of trust’ By Randy Robbins ess Beaman has just come off an extremely successful season as the Brookings-Harbor High School boys soccer coach. The Bruins almost made it to the finals, advancing to the semi-final round. So he knows what it takes to win. Switching gears from a black and white ball to orange ball, coach Beaman says he likes what he sees in his team, but whether of not they will become the hardwood heroes that the good citizens of BrookingsHarbor are accustomed to seeing on the basketball court “depends,” according to the first year varsity basketball coach. Like the Billy Joel song of the same name, “It’s a matter of trust,” Beaman said. How so? “Last year’s team lost four seniors, this year we return two regular starters,” Beaman said. He explains “I have a very athletic team. I am expecting the seniors to lead in order to have a cohesive team, the rest are going to have to stand up as well.” Adding “ It’s going to be a challenge

to get them to trust each other as a team.” To Beaman’s point: basketball is not tennis. It is not an individual sport where one person does it all. A team has to be willing to ebb and flow, taking turns relying on others to get the job done instead of doing it all by themselves. That is the cohesion the first year coach knows holds the keys to the young Bruins success. Beaman’s take on the competition has Sutherlin, looking to be tough again as defending league champs, and he points to St. Mary’s as being a contender as well. “We are looking forward to those match-ups,” Beaman stated. The Bruins (15-9) took second in league last year losing in the first round of the OSAA playoffs to private school, De La Salle of Portland, who went on to be repeat state champions beating Amity 58-45. What is the new coach’s philosophy to climb the mountain to the top? “I think it is important for kids to have fun playing basketball. When they have fun the will do well, and the results will come,” Beaman said.

The Brookings-Harbor High School boys basketball team in action. Photo by Robert Potluck.

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Page 4 — Student Spotlight • Winter 2019

Lady Bruin basketball preview: ‘We have potential to be special’ A

By Randy Robbins

s Brookings-Harbor head girls basketball coach Chris Schofield watches his Lady Bruins run the hardwood at a recent practice, he barks out instructions occasionally as his players pass the ball from player to player, before finally crashing the boards to get a rebound and make the shot. He smiles as he runs his hand over his head saying, “that is how you do it!” The 2018-2019 Lady Bruins finished (16-9) overall, and (7-2) in league. They placed fourth at the OSAA 3A State Basketball Championships in Pendleton, as Clatskanie would eventually take their first basketball title. This year Brookings-Harbor wants to build on that solid performance from last year. The Lady Bruins return three starters, but Schofield maintains, “It is really five who started several different games last year, but we are listing the three that were consistently in the line-up at the end of the year.” The strengths he sees in his team? According to Schofield this year’s team will rely heavily on their offensive

production. ”Offensively, we can shoot the ball well and have a lot of kids that can score for us,” Schofield said. “We will be very strong around the perimeter.” Schofield said his team will rely on their quickness and speed to keep their opponents off balance. “We are extremely short with no real size or post presence inside. That will be a challenge for us to exploit the quickness advantage while not getting hurt by our size disadvantage,” Schofield said. To remedy that imbalance Schofield will be relying on what he describes as “playing hard and fast, with good shot selection... but we want a real fast tempo.” The Bruins have a good solid core of kids who can each lead and drive the team. Schofield lists Sierra Fitzhugh, Sidney Alexander, Lexi Schofield, Sidney Alexander, Avana Pettus, Lexee Murray, and Shelby Jirsa among this team’s top performers. He says all them are capable of giving the Lady Bruins big games on any given night. Looking at the competition in league this year, the Bruins coach says, “Sutherlin is loaded this year. They picked up

BHHS Boys Basketball Schedule

Dec. 4 vs. Marshfield, 7 p.m.

Dec. 5 @ Henley (Yreka TournamentYreka H.S.) 4 p.m. Dec. 6 vs. Etna (Yreka TournamentYreka H.S.) 10 a.m. Dec. 6 @ Yreka(Yreka TournamentYreka H.S.) 7 p.m.

Jan. 4 @ TBD (North Valley Tournament-NVHS, TBD Jan. 7 @ Lost River, 5 p.m. Jan. 10 * * @ Cascade Christian, 5:30 p.m.

Lady Bruins players defend against a teammate. Douglas’ best player in the off season and that gives them the best post player in our league.” The Blue and Gold Lady Bruins look good for another strong run but their coach is taking it one game at a time.

BHHS Girls Basketball Schedule

Dec. 5 @ Yreka (CA) (Yreka High) 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6 @ Modoc(CA) (Yreka High) 11:30 a.m.

Dec. 7 vs. Del Norte(CA) (Yreka High) 4:30 p.m.

Jan. 14 ** vs. Douglas, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 10 vs. North Bend, 7 p.m.

Dec. 10 vs. North Bend, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 17 ** @ Sutherlin, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 13 @ Bandon, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 13 @ Bandon 7 p.m.

Jan. 21** @ North Valley, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 17 @ Marshfield, 5:45 p.m.

Jan. 24** @ St.Mary’s Medford, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 19 vs. Redding Christian(CA) McKinnleyville, 6 p.m

Dec. 17 vs. Del Norte (CA) 7 p.m. Dec. 19 @ St. Bernards (CA) Logger Classic Tournament Eureka H.S. 9 p.m. Dec. 20 @ TBD (CA) Logger Classic Tournament, TBD Dec. 21 @TBD (CA) Logger Classic Tournament, TBD Jan. 2 @TBD (North Valley Tournament-NVHS, TBD Jan. 3 @ TBD (North Valley Tournament-NVHS, TBD

Jan. 28** vs. South Umpqu, 5:30 p.m. Jan. 31** vs. Cascade Christian, 7 p.m. Feb. 4 ** @ Douglas, 7 p.m. Feb. 7 ** vs. Sutherlin, 7 p.m. Feb 11** vs. St. Mary’s Medfor, 7 p.m. Feb 14** @ South Umpqu, 7 p.m. ** denotes league games

“Our bench will determine how far we go this year. They have the potential to be a very special group that makes us difficult to beat this year,” Schofield said.

Dec. 20 @ TBD McKinnleyville Tournament-MHS, 7p.m. Dec. 21 @TBD McKinnleyville Tournament-MHS, 7 p.m.

Jan. 7 @ Lost River, 3:30 p.m.

Jan. 10 * * @ Cascade Christian, 7 p.m. Jan. 14 ** vs. Douglas, 7 p.m. Jan. 17 ** @ Sutherlin, 7 p.m. Jan. 21** @ North Valley, 7 p.m. Jan. 24** @ St.Mary’s Medfor, 7 p.m. Jan. 28** vs. South Umpqua, 7 p.m. Jan. 31** vs. Cascade Christian, 5:30 p.m Feb. 4 ** @ Dougla, 5:30 p.m. Feb. 7 ** vs. Sutherlin, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 2 @TBD (North Valley Tournament-NVHS, TBD

Feb 11** vs. St. Mary’s Medford, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 3 @ TBD (North Valley Tournament-NVHS, TBD

Feb 14** @ South Umpqu, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 4 @ TBD (North Valley Tournament-NVHS, TBD

** denotes league games

Student Spotlight • Winter 2019 — Page 5

Gold Beach boys basketball faces ‘rebuilding year’

By Randy Robbins orby Altman is the Panthers Head Basketball Coach. As Gold Beach head boys basketball coach Korby Altman assesses the owners of squeaking sneakers stopping and starting across

the hardwood floors of Colvin Court in downtown Gold Beach he understands one thing, “We have our work cutout for us this year.” It’s not so much that he doesn’t believe in his team, he does. It is more like going to the cupboard and finding it

bare. GBHS graduated most their team last year and returns just one starter. The rest of the roster is populated primarily with freshmen and sophomores. Do the Panthers have any size? You know... a 6’5” post he can count on to shore things up? Altman head man shakes his head from side to side and says, “Nope. We might have one barely six-footer, the rest are smaller.” With those challenges in front of him Altman says his focus is to get his team ready by first getting into them into “superior shape” and second, learning a few basic fundamentals that when

executed properly, just might throw a monkey wrench into some of the more established teams machinery come regular season. “We are going to have to make things happen out there in order to keep other teams off balance. Do that... and we might get into some of these contests and surprise a few people,” Altman said. Altman says that league opponents Coquille and Toledo will likely be the teams to beat again this year. GBHS basketball, assistant coach, Ty Wardle calls the Panthers into a circle center court and says, “This is where it all begins. No more excuses...”

GB Boys Varsity Basketball schedule • Non-League W 12/18/19 6pm vs. Glendale

• League W 1/15/20 7pm vs. Reedsport

• Non-League F 12/20/19 7pm @ Lost River

• League F 1/17/20 5:30pm @ Coquille

• Non-League S 12/21/19 3pm @ Bonanza

• League T 1/21/20 5:30pm vs. Bandon • League F 1/24/20 5:30pm vs. Toledo

• Non-League F 12/27/19 3:30pm @ Rogue River • Non-League Tournament Neutral Site R 1/2/20 7pm @ TBD (Salem Academy Tournament - Salem Academy High School)

• Non-League Tournament Neutral Site S 1/4/20 7pm @ TBD (Salem Academy Tournament - Salem Academy High School) • League F 1/10/20 5:30pm vs. Waldport

• League F 1/31/20 7pm @ Waldport • League T 2/4/20 7pm vs. Myrtle Point • League F 2/7/20 5:30pm @ Reedsport • League T 2/11/20 7pm vs. Coquille • League F 2/14/20 7pm @ Bandond • League M 2/17/20 7pm @ Toledo

Balls are flying everywhere during this defensive practice drill. Photo by Randy Robbins.

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Page 6 — Student Spotlight • Winter 2019

The Lady Panthers will feature a fast break approach this season By Randy Robins he Gold Beach High School Lady Panther basketball team only won four games last season, but this year head coach Chris Clark feels this year’s team is older, wiser and more polished. “We were an extremely young team last year and it showed,” Clark said. “This year we should be better.” “The good news in all of that is we were able to get two of those wins in the final two games of the season against teams that had beaten us earlier in the season, Myrtle Point and Bandon,” Clark stated. The veteran coach sees that as a possible harbinger of games to come. Gold Beach returns eight starters in all. One senior, two juniors, five sophomores and four freshman. Though admittedly still young, Clark thinks the timing is right to turn the page on the next chapter. That, and he points to a team that has a great work ethic. “This is one of the hardest working teams I’ve had in the 13 years I have been here,” Clark said. “They come in early, stay late, and are doing the things needed to be successful.” Clark says with the help of his assistant coaches, Mike Becker, Matt Wegner, and

one time former player Brandi Allen, he will be looking to co-captains, senior Jennifer Risenhoover and sophomore, Kailina Hamilton, to motivate and keep the team on track this year towards their goal. The Panther basketball boss sees stiff competition in league coming from Coquille, Bandon, and Toledo. “We don’t have a ton of size so we will have to play position ball in order to comp that, meaning we have to be in the right place at the right time on the floor and use good speed and shooting to get the job done,” Clark said.

GB Girls Varsity Basketball schedule • Non-League T 12/17/19 5:30pm @ Illinois Valley • Non-League W 12/18/19 7:30pm vs. Glendale • Non-League F 12/20/19 5:30pm @ Lost River

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The Lady Panthers are working hard on conditioning and their shooting skills early on. Photos by Randy Robbins.

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• Non-League S 12/21/19 1:30pm @ Bonanza • Non-League F 12/27/19 2pm @ Rogue River • Non-League Tournament Neutral Site R 1/2/20 7pm @ TBD (Salem • Academy Tournament - Salem Academy)

• Academy Tournament - Salem Academy High School) • League F 1/10/20 7pm vs. Waldport • League M 1/13/20 7pm @ Myrtle Point • League W 1/15/20 7pm vs. Reedsport • League F 1/17/20 7pm @ Coquille • League T 1/21/20 7pm vs. Bandon • League F 1/24/20 5:30pm vs. Toledo • League F 1/31/20 5:30pm @ Waldport • League T 2/4/20 5:30pm vs. Myrtle Point

• Non-League Tournament Neutral Site F 1/3/20 7pm @ TBD (Salem • Academy Tournament - Salem Academy High School)

• League F 2/7/20 7pm @ Reedsport

• Non-League Tournament Neutral Site S 1/4/20 7pm @ TBD (Salem

• League F 2/14/20 5:30pm @ Bandon

• League T 2/11/20 5:30pm vs. Coquille

• League M 2/17/20 5:30pm @ Toledo

Student Spotlight • Winter 2019 — Page 7

Bruin wrestlers pin their hopes on hard work B

By Randy Robbins

rookings-Harbor High School head wrestling coach, Lonnie Nalls, is the picture of concentration. Nalls is in his fifth season at the helm of the program and he has 10 Bruin wrestlers who are here to learn, sharing their coach’s vision, doing what it takes to succeed this day and hopefully in the upcoming season beyond. Two-by-two they practice a series of take down maneuvers on the big blue rubber mats of the BHHS wrestling room. Nalls makes a few course corrections, spelling out in straight, no nonsense commands little adjustments and sometimes larger ones to improve technique and effectiveness. The Bruins return five starters to join up with five rookies. Two of the team made it to the qualifying round of the state tournament last season. They are 152-pound junior, William Miller, and senior heavy-weight class,

Averi Winn. That’s a good start and one that Nalls thinks the Bruins can build on. “The whole process is a numbers game. The schools that have the numbers generally do pretty well,” Nalls stated. “That is why we have been working with the middle school getting the kids over there started on wrestling and we are starting to see dividends there that will eventually make their way here.” As for competition Nalls predicts Harrisburg, Scio, Santiam Christian, and Creswell to be tough. He says closer to home Douglas does “a pretty good job.” Nalls says it isn’t easy to get athletes out for wrestling. “Let’s face it, we (wrestlers) aren’t glamorous like some of the other high profile sports and we have to work harder then everyone else so I get that,” Nalls said. But for this man who is dedicated to hard work, this is where it all begins.

Two Bruin grapplers square off at a recent practice session.

Panther wrestlers looking to repeat at state By Randy Robbins ast year the Gold Beach Panther varsity wrestling team sent three grapplers to Portland to compete in the 2A state championships. This year the goal is to send four... maybe five. This, according to GBHS veteran Head Wrestling Coach, Ben Winters, who-along with long time coach, Reed Ringer will be working tirelessly with his charges to make that goal a reality. Gold Beach has long had a reputation for sending wrestlers to the state meets where, more often then not, they usually are in minimum-contention for a gold medal atop the podium. Generations of Panther mat men and women championship matches adorn the school’s hallways and trophy cases. A testament to a program that is working. Though no championship was in the offing last year, GBHS gained some valuable experi-

GBHS Wrestling team members square off. Gold Beach has two girls on the team of 10.

Gold Beach High Wrestling schedule • Dec. 7 Border Clash @ Del Norte H.S. 7 am • Dec. 13-14 Culver Invitational@ Culver H.S. 12 pm • Dec. 21 Myrtle Point Invitational @ Myrtle Point H.S. 7 am • Jan. 4 Reedport Invitational @ Reedsport H.S. TBD • Jan. 11 The Rumble on the Rogue@ Rogue

River H.S.

• Jan. 18 Siuslaw @ Siuslaw H.S. TBD • Jan. 25 Willamette Invitational @ Willamette H.S. TBD • Feb 1 Beach Bash Wrestling @ Gold Beach H.S. 7 am • Feb. 15 1A/2A Special District3 Tournament @ North Lake H.S. TBD

ence for the season ahead. The three that made the trip to state last year were Landen Timeus at 138-pounds, Darren Bright at 195-pounds, and Dylan Edwards at 132-pounds, all return to the mat this year. With some of their top adversaries departing due to graduation, a renewed optimism has taken hold. “We like what we see in those three and everyone is working hard. We might see Scotty Metcalf at 152-pounds step up, and there is Si Imus Fry who may be a contender,” Winters said. As for league notables, Winters rates Bonanza, Lakeview, and Rogue River as the teams to beat. The Rogue River Chieftains are the ones the Gold Beach coach thinks will be stiffest competition in the 2A Special District. “They(Rogue River) are always tough and we expect they will be again this year,” Winters said. As for the Panthers? “We will continue to work harder than any-

Brookings High Wrestling schedule • Dec. 5 Illinois Valley vs. Brookings 6 pm • Dec. 7 Battle at the Border @ Del Norte H.S. 9 am • Dec. 13 Coast Classic @ North Bend H.S. 1 pm • Dec. 14 Coast Classic @ North Bend H.S. TBD Dec.20-21 Grants Pass Winter Kick off@ GPHS 11 am • Jan. 4 EPHS Invitational @ Eagle Point H.S. 10 am • Jan. 11 Rumble on the Rogue @Rogue

River H.S. 7 am • Jan. 14 Douglas Double Dual@ Douglas H.S. 6 pm • Jan. 23 Special District Duals @ Brookings-Harbor H.S. 6 pm Jan. 30 Special District Duals @ Harrisburg H.S. 5 pm • Feb. 4 Special District Duals @ Cascade Christian H.S. 6 pm • Feb. 14-15 3A Special District 3 @ Umpqua Community College-Roseburg TBD

Page 8 — Student Spotlight • Winter 2019

BHHS Climate Crew: tackling environmental challenges locally By Randy Robbins Curry County is a beautiful place in which to live or visit. Green forests, beautiful rivers, and magnificent beaches adjacent to the Pacific Ocean are some of the natural wonders that exist here. Members of the Brookings-Harbor High School Climate Crew said they want to do their small part to keep it that way. Their motto? ‘Students committed to the preservation

of our planet.’ Ally Karlquest is their sponsor and she says the focus of the club is to involve other students in helping the surrounding environment. Over the summer the Climate Crew recently joined forces with another group to clean Harris Beach. The group invites ecology minded speakers to talk on a subject. One such speaker was Bill Gorham of SOCAN, whose mission is to educate people about the impacts of climate change. What does Karlquest see as the biggest

challenges to the environment? “Worldwide climate change and pollution are the biggest environmental challenge. In Brookings, our environmental challenges is pollution on the land and in the water,” Karlquest said. How so? “The water is contaminated from the boats and fishermen. Some of the commercial fishing boats recklessly throw trash and oil over the sides of their boats,” Karlquest said. Adding, “the pollution on land is mostly caused by the homeless issue.”

How can individuals help the Climate Change Club’s mission from their homes if they choose to? “People at home can start a recycling system if they don’t already have one,” Karlquest said. “Also, they can turn off lights not being used and unplug electronics that are not currently being used.” She has suggestions for shoppers as well. “At the store people might try to buy fewer beef products, buy local foods, and use reusable bags,” Karlquest stated.

American Sign Language Club: ‘making communicating happen’ By Randy Robbins Every Monday at lunchtime there is a small group of Brookings-Harbor High School students who are reaching out to others in a way that is less traveled. These Bruins are learning American Sign Language (ASL) as a means to bridge the communication gap with those with hearing challenges. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that roughly 8.6% of all Americans are either hearing impaired or are deaf, and 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents. At BHHS the ALS Club practices the use of hands and fingers to spell out phrases and or words that the hearing impaired can readily understand as a unique language specifically designed for them. According to Jody Soberon, who

is affiliated with the club, to be fluent in such a specialized language takes some practice. “It is important to have good hand-eye coordination, de-

pending on the level of motivation, one may become fluent in three or four years,” Soberon said. That is to be fluent. The good news she says is that ALS students don’t necessarily have to be fluent to communicate. “Once the alphabet and basic signs are understood, one can communicate,” Soberon said. She encourages anybody who wants to learn ALS should do so explaining her philosophy on the subject this way. “Learning a new language can open you mind to other ways of communicating that you might not have thought of and to be able to communicate with others that you wouldn’t have been able to beforehand,” Soberon stated. She closes with this thought. “As a second, or world language instructor, my favorite proverb is a Czech proverb: ‘You live a new life for every language you speak. If you only know one language, you only live once...”

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Student Spotlight • Winter 2019 — Page 9

The Brookings-Harbor High School Leadership class T

By Acacia Pringle BHHS Freshman Class Vice President

his past year, and for many previous years, the Leadership class at Brookings-Harbor High School (BHHS) has given a great amount back to the community in their efforts to make this world a better place. The students involved in this class have worked on numerous community projects as a whole as well as individually, benefiting others each and every time. During the annual American Red Cross blood drive in October, 54 units of blood were donated, surpassing the initial goal of 43 units. These units, many given by BHHS students and staff, were then distributed among at least five hospitals across Oregon and Washington. Not only has the class contributed to local causes, but they have also worked on Operation Christmas Child, sending 60 boxes full of toys, clothes, school supplies, and other necessities to orphans in third world countries. In addition to working to help children, BHHS Leadership has written letters to local veterans, thanking them for their service to our country and showing them the appreciation they deserve. Twenty-two veterans living in a Lebanon retirement home were also written letters by Leadership and given donations for their holiday Christmas stockings. All in all, Leadership students work

on a lot of great local projects. However, there is one particular group of students that has made quite a big impact on the children, and their families, that are being treated at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon. This group of students, the Doernbecher Committee, raises money for a local charity called Katelyn’s Cause. This charity donates a large number of toys and gift cards to the hospital annually with the funds they collect over the year. In order to support this cause, the Doernbecher Committee holds various fundraisers throughout the school year. During the month of October, they held the Powder Puff Football game where they raised money from donations and concession sales. In addition, the Barnard Family sold homemade caramel apples at home high school football games and donated all their proceeds to the Leadership class who then passed them on to Katelyn’s Cause. The committee also held a Powder Tuff Volleyball game in November where they raised a couple of hundred dollars, also from donations. Their most recent endeavor these past few weeks were decorating trees to be auctioned off at the annual Charitree event. The Doernbecher Committee decorated two trees, one for Katelyn’s Cause and the other for the OASIS House, with hand-painted ornaments made by the BHHS art classes and gift cards and merchandise donated by local businesses. The OASIS House

Students pose after decorating two trees at Charitree event. One tree benefited Katelyn’s Cause and the other OASIS House. Students, from left to right, are Sarah Fulton, Megan Pearson, Annie Nation, Hohemi Fernandez, Danika Leaver, and Celeste Pepple. Photo courtesy of Kristy Kleespies. tree was sold for $200, all of which were given to them along with donations at the event. The Katelyn’s Cause tree went for even more, finally being sold at $300 plus donations. Bringing into account the funds raised during this last event, the Doernbecher Committee at BHHS has made a total of almost $2,200 for Katelyn’s Cause over the past three months

and they hope to raise plenty more as the year goes on. In the end, these contributions of time and effort are just some of the examples of the many things the BHHS Leadership class takes part in every year. Leadership students are always looking for opportunities to help others and to fulfill their goal of bringing joy to their community.

BHHS Robotics Club a real hands-on experience By Randy Robbins

wisting a socket wrench, Aaron Parkinson of Brookings-Harbor High School tightens a bolt on the current robot he and his Robotics Club called the ‘Team Space Niners’ are working on. Other club members are sorting through seemingly miles of electrical wiring, snipping, stripping wires, then crimping. R2D2? No, but close. “It’s a really cool way to build your own robot with your team... and maybe be the best in the state, country, or even the world,” stated Parkinson, who is captain of the club. The 18 member Bruin Robotics Club have distinguished themselves this past year as a stand out group having advanced through several competitions to win their regional face off against over 250 other tech minded prep schools with the help of their two other school team alliance partners ‘Shock Wave’ and ‘Nerd Herd’. “It was the first time we had won since joining the northwestern competition which encompasses high schools throughout Oregon and Washington State,” Parkinson said. During that bot battle the schools were

Brookings-Harbor’s ‘Deep Space Niners’ Robotics Club members work on electronics for their upcoming bot. tasked with building a robot that would deliver a ball into a container and then place a hatch over the cubbie hole where the ball was placed. There are two drivers for the Brookings bot along with another student who mans the remote controlled

arm. Points are awarded as follows: 3 points to place the ball, 5 points to hatch the ball, and 2 points to hatch an empty container without a ball in it. Enemy bots from an opposing team would attempt to block that action.

The BHHS Robotics Club advisor is Gary Suter and has been at the helm for a couple of years. He is impressed with the work of his kids along with their work ethic to conceptualize and work through challenging areas of electrical, guidance systems, pneumatic tubing, weight regulation, and the use of 3-D scanners to develop these sophisticated robots. “The community should be proud of what these young people are accomplishing,” Suter said. “The only drawback is the cost associated and that’s where we(BHHS Robotics) could use some help raising funds.” Super points out that the materials to build the robots and then take their teams to the regionals with lodging, transportation, and food costs places the need at close to $18,000 per year and isn’t in the school budget so private and cooperate donations play a big part in the teams continued success. The BHHS contingent will be in Wilsonville for the first round of the regionals March 7 followed at a Salem meet March 26-28. To help contribute to their efforts Suter says to contact Brookings-Harbor High School for details.

Page 10 — Student Spotlight • Winter 2019

Brookings and Gold Beach compete in Knowledge Bowl Clubs By Randy Robbins ne might of heard the old adage: ‘Knowledge is power.’ If that statement is true then the brain wattage right here on the southern Oregon coast among the young people at Brookings-Harbor and Gold Beach Union High Schools is very bright indeed. That’s because this last year both Curry County school districts teamed up to put on a show and win the Oregon state level small schools division earning themselves a trip to the nationals in Chicago. Corrine McGinnis is the Knowledge Team advisor in Gold Beach. Today her students are forgoing the normal hang out lunch time with their friends elsewhere to brown bag it in her classroom and flex their brain muscles by digesting a few hundred facts along with their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. McGinnis pulls up a sample question from the knowledge bowl approved master question list: the National Academic Quiz Tournament (N.A.Q.T) on her laptop. “While hiding from his uncle Pelias (PEL-ee-us), this man was educated by the centaur Chiron (KYE-rahn). For 10 points each, name this hero,” McGinnis states. The correct answer? Who is ‘Jason of the Argonauts.’ Over at BHHS, McGinnis’ counterpart is advisor, Lisa Piscitello. She

wears several hats at the school teaching World History, Alternative Education supervising off campus activities, and even runs the coffee shop. Piscitello says, “the knowledge bowl is a lot like the television game show ‘Jeopardy’ with several categories of questions for our students to answer from the NAQT packet.” She points to a thick reamed handbook.”There are sports, geography, literature, and more in there,” she said with a smile. Piscitello explains that each school is allowed to take two teams to the competition and she indicates that BHHS rotates individuals in and out of teams as part of an overall strategy depending on what the situation calls for. In Curry County and across the state the Knowledge Bowl is “kind of an orphan,” Piscitello points out when comparing other states in the nation. “Elsewhere it is a sport where the student can earn a varsity letter, but in Oregon we(knowledge bowl) are not quite a sport, not quite a club, something in between,” Piscitello said. The BHHS cerebral bunch has about 12 kids, and Piscitello points out that Brookings and Gold Beach are among the top 15% in the state. And who is the top dog in the nation? Sounding like a contestant herself, Piscitello lurches for her trusty phone, “definitely not allowed in real competitions,” she blushes. “I should absolutely know that,” she

(Top) Members of the Gold Beach Knowledge Bowl team spend their lunch break cramming on facts and figures. Gold Beach and Brookings were named ‘best in the state’ for small schools last year, earning a trip to the nationals in Chicago.a (Bottom) Like being in an episode of real life ‘Jeopardy’ this GBHS student considers her answer carefully to a Knowledge Bowl query. scolds herself under her breath whirring through her apps. Then comes the answer. “Glasgow took first in small schools... for three times in a row!”

Student Spotlight • Winter 2019 — Page 11

High school clubs keep students involved, teaches skills tudents at Brookings-Harbor and Gold Beach High Schools are offered a variety of clubs and activities each school year. At Brookings-Harbor High, students are encouraged to engage in activities, including the school’s Chess Club, Color Guard, Marching Band, Historical Society Club, the Interact Club, Knowledge Bowl, Robotics Team, and the Curry County 4-H Club. Gold Beach High School offers student

engagement in the school’s Mathletes, with students in four-member teams that compete in the Southern Oregon Math League once a month in Medford. They solve individual and group problems. The school placed third in 2019 out of 16 teams. The school’s Knowledge Bowl allows students to participate in a quiz-bowl setting once a month against other schools in

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southern and coastal Oregon. Last year’s team qualified for the national tournament and participated in Chicago. Gold Beach High also offers a National Honor Society. Students qualify with high GPA and community service and leadership. The high school’s Band and Choir perform throughout the school year with concerts, festivals and at games. Students can also participated in the Yearbook project produc-

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Wishing all Curry County Youth a Healthy & Successful 2019 -2020

Curry Health Network recognizes the young men and women who dedicate so much time and effort to the pursuit of their academic, athletic and extracurricular activities. We salute your hard work, and we hope this school year is filled with success for each and every one of you!

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