Student Spotlight Spring 2020
Shedding light on the students who are striving to achieve more in Curry County
Page 2 — Student Spotlight • Spring 2020
Gold Beach High School senior wins Best of Show at VISION 2020
S
VISION 2020 consists of artwork from 13 southern Oregon high schools. The 76 works of art by 61 students came from the following high schools: Bandon, Brookings-Harbor, Coquille, Gold Beach, Home School, Mapleton, Marshfield (in Coos Bay), Myrtle Point, North Bend, “Thriller” – ceramic by Brooke Firestone Reedsport Community Senior, Brookings Harbor High School Charter School, Roseburg and Winter Lakes. Each year the VISION exhibition continues to present the talents of our regional high school art students. VISION 2020 is on display in the upstairs galleries at Coos Art Museum through April 18. Coos Art Museum has been a cultural focal point of Oregon’s scenic Southern Coast since 1966. It occupies an historic 1936 Art Deco US “Supellex Varia ad Amicum” – Federal Building in downtown digital art by Cyrus Kenyan Coos Bay. The museum offers Senior, Myrtle Point High School a wide range of arts activities including exhibitions, art through Friday and 1 to 4 classes and lectures. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday p.m. on Saturday. For more information on
“Sam Flowers” – oil by Sam Mazur, Senior, Gold Beach High School Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation, log on to www.
socc.edu/foundation, or email: foundation@socc.edu or call 1-800-962-2838, ext 7210.
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am Mazur, a Gold Beach High School Senior, took home the Best of Show award at VISION 2020. The annual high school art competition is underwritten by the Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation. Stewart‘s submission, an oil titled “Sam Flowers” won her a two-year tuition waiver to attend Southwestern along with a $250 cash-purchase award. Brooke Firestone, a Brookings Harbor High School senior, was awarded second place for her Ceramic sculpture “Thriller.” Firestone received a two-year tuition waiver to attend Southwestern along with a $100 cash-purchase award. Cyrus Kenyan a Myrtle Point High School Senior, took home the third place award for a digital artwork titled “Supellex Varia ad Amicum.” Kenyan received a two-year tuition waiver to attend Southwestern along with a $75 cash-purchase award. Sixteen other cash prizes ranging from $50 to $20 were awarded to grade division winners, grades 9 through 12.
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Student Spotlight • Spring 2020 — Page 3
Brookings-Harbor High School 2019-20 Semester 1 Honor Roll Exceptional Honors Student Name
Alexander, Sidney Contreras, Jesse
Firestone, Brooke
High Honors Student Name
Dunn, Jaidyn Roberts, Destiny
Garcia, Natalie
Zamora, Emmanuel
Hooper, Ethan
Christensen, Kayson
Hilton, Cecilia
Meyer, Nevaeh Runge, Patrick Testa, Bryce
Bruce, Rylan Harrington, Aurora Marks, Eleanor
Blair, Ashley
Nation, Annie
Graves, Allison
Tribble, Valerie
Carpenter, Aden
Parkinson, Aaron
Rodne, Mercedes
Beaman, Jake
Schofield, Alexis Shew, Adam
Berghorst, Gavin
Betzinger, Hayden Harnden, Avari
Burton, Faith
Lenz-Ringulet, Sharon
Myers, Kenna
Schiro, Makeala
Humphrey, Brady
Norman, Grace
Nolte, Charlize
Seibert, Kai
Pearson, Megan Price, Baliey
Thompson, Elizabeth
Briggs, Branko Brouillard, Tristan
Zellmer, Gabrielle
Burger, Kyle
Dodds, Alison
Hager, Ha Nah
Christensen, Kallen Dorsey, Zoey
Pringle, Acacia
Ramirez, Garren Roots, Lauren
Spitael, Alyssum Walker, Brian
Cruz, Saron Hakes, Jonie Nidiffer, Daisha Pieren, Reagan Strahm, Lily
Honors Student Name
Buehler, Benjamin Christensen, Conner Christow, Arthur Edwards, Alexander Farnham, Madelyn Fitzhugh, Cartyr Freitas, Isabella Frias-Flores, Gavin Goetze, Celeste Goodwin, Jacob Haines, Madilyn Henry, Dade Johnson, Cortney Jones, Rachael Kime, Cameron Leaver, Danika Lutge, Jesse Morris, Cort Nalls, Alonna Niedens, Hayden Olstad, Chelsea Rowe, Robert Ulery, Kasilyn Valdovinos-Flores, Jair Vanginderen, Jason Walker, Zackary Bates, Andru Bessinger, Josie Contreras, Josiah Fernandez, Nohemi Fitzhugh, Sierra Graves, Alia Hatch, Alana Hernandez-Zepeda, Juan
James, Alicia Jirsa, Shelby Martinez, Isabella Olmedo, Laisha Pepple, Celeste Petty, Joshua Ryan, Connor Skinner, Billy Steendahl, Christian Walker, Abryana Badger, Cerise Benson, Jacob Boydston, Cody Christensen, Luke Clark, Connor DeMill, McKinnly Drain, Anthony Fulton, Sarah Gage, Carly Gallagher, Skylar Gisler, Abigail Harrington, Anistasia Hartung, Alexander Hodge, Dylan Howard, Abagail Howell, Hunter James, Hannah Johnston, Natalia Justman, Abigail Karlquist, Alyssa Morris, Ty Naiman, Hailey Navarro, Isabel Pryor, Jordan Sayne, Trinity Soot, Xenia Stockton, Lillian
Taylor, Madison Villa, Fabian Waldorf, Jayden Whaley, Brynne Wood, Joyce Wood, Taysja Blair, Chase Castleberry, Gillian Chapman, Ashton Day, Lillian Fisher, Carissmarie Grimsley, Marilyn Jenkin, Claire Knauss, Ethan Marks, Olivia McLennan, Lucille Myers, Ian Noland, Sarah Sackett, Brodie Schofield, Ashlyn Scott, Marissa Souza, Zadrian Steendahl, Dane Tayman, Seamus Varitek, Nicholas Zebadua, Layla
Honor Roll Criteria
Honor Roll is determined at the end of each semester, at the time grades are stored for report cards, solely on GPA. Exceptional Honors — 4.0 GPA. High Honors — 3.9 to 3.6 GPA. No grade lower than a B. Honors — 3.5 to 3.0 GPA. No grade lower than a C.
Page 4 — Student Spotlight • Spring 2020
Fifth-grader takes the lead for 4-H Dog Club A
ccording to a narios, decide from self-reported to havCounty Library in CGC is an study from the images of dogs ing been bitten by a Gold Beach which American Kennel Center for Disease whether they would dog. will be open to the Club program that Control (CDC), approach to pet it, The club is looking public. promotes responsible approximately 4.7 and are taught how to forward to helping to The Curry County dog ownership and million dog bites "Be a Tree." reduce those numbers 4-H Dog Club is encourages the trainoccur in the United Every participant is through education and active throughout the ing of well-mannered States each year. The also now receiving a promotion on how to year working on dogs. Members and majority of these Dog Bite Prevention safely interact with many other projects their dog must learn a instances occur with activity coloring book man's best friend. as well. Along with set of 10 skills and family pets and their donated by Daryn This program will be the Dog Bite demonstrate mastery data shows that injury Farmer State Farm offered once a month Prevention Program, to earn their certifirates are highest Insurance. throughout the school members are working cate. among children aged To date, over 75 year at Riley Creek toward achieving Equally as chal5-9 years of age. local students have and is scheduling at their Canine Good lenging, members are Members of the attended the program. least one summer Citizen (CGC) certifi- working on rally and Curry County 4-H Of those students, 44 event at the Curry cates. agility with their Dog Club led by volunteer leaders Barbara Thomas and Debbie Brandt decided to do something about it. Club member, Sophia Hawthorne, a fifthgrader at Riley Creek Elementary in Gold Beach, has taken the initiative with support from her club leaders to develop a dog bite prevention program for youth in our community. Following an adapted version of a national dog bite prevention curriculum, Doggone Safe, this training program teaches children and adults alike how to interpret canine body language, how to safely approach, pet, and behave around an unknown dog. The training is interactive and allows kids to roleplay sce- The Curry County 4-H Dog Club teaches a version of Doggone Safe, a national dog bit prevention curriculum.
dogs. These sporting events involve a “course” and are entertaining to spectators. For more information about the club or the Dog Bite Prevention Program, contact Thomas at barbarakthomas@outlook.com. For general questions about the Curry County 4-H Youth Development Program, call 541247-6672.
Photo contributed.
Gold Beach Track: A new coach offers his vision
Student Spotlight • Spring 2020 — Page 5
Randy Robbins
G
For The Pilot
old Beach High School has a new track and field head coach, but he is no stranger to Panthers sports. Chris Clark has headed up the successful Lady Panthers basketball teams for several years. This year, Clark also takes charge of the Gold Beach track team. So what are his plans, to borrow a track phrase, to get things up and running? "We will build this team based on team and respect for each other and going to work every day and getting better as an athlete while helping those next to you to do the same," he said. The Panthers return four to five athletes and Clark anticipates around 13 to 16 kids coming out for the team. "I will rely on my girls I have had on the basketball floor to be leaders,” Clark said. “Kailina Hamilton was our freshman qualifier at state in the javelin. Cadence Wilstead will be a returning thrower and sprinter, and Gabby Perez is a freshman sprinter and long jumper." All three were freshmen
Gold Beach runners work on their starting techniques during practice. Photo by Randy Robbins.
last year, but Clark still points to these girls as keys to the team. "I expect them to exhibit
the same leadership traits we built our basketball program around," he said. There is a level of mutual
trust that resonates in his words. A rapport on the hardwood that he thinks can translate outdoors.
The first-year coach acknowledges it will be a bit of a learning curve for him and his team. He singles out
his lack of experience in this arena as the largest hurdle to overcome. He's new, his team is young, but he is hopeful of a good outcome. "I will be trying to build a new foundation with very little time other than in school with this group,” Clark said. “It will be a challenge for some of the kids as I try to push them and we search some events they may not be comfortable with in order to find some areas of strength that they may not have known that they had." Clark said his strengths will be those returners that have state qualifying pasts to help create a vision for the newbies. "We hope to eventually cultivate teammates that hold each other accountable and work harder than the majority," Clark said. Who does Chris see as competition from inside the league? "I'm new and am still getting to know the players, but I know Bandon always has great numbers and runners, I would always put them upfront," Clark said. The Panthers begin their season on Tuesday, March 17, at the Brookings-Harbor Ice Breaker Meet.
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Page 6 — Student Spotlight • Spring 2020
Bruins golf — integrity and perseverance Randy Robbins For Th e Pilot
Salmon Run Golf Course is the home course for the Brookings-Harbor High School golf team and BHHS golf Coach Gary Early says it is a huge plus. "Salmon Run is a tough course... our strength lies in playing strategy-how best to score on a hole," he said. The Bruins linksters are part of a competitive 15-school league comprising what is known around the state as Special District 4. Populating the league Early says "are a variety of high-quality 3A, 2A and 1A teams." The Bruins coach knows, all to well, where the top competitors live. "Most of them are very strong, especially the schools around Bandon and Coquille,” he said. "Then there are the Medford schools, Cascade Christian and St. Mary's." The private schools have the resources and personnel to go the distance, he added. Early mentions these but also acknowledges other programs "at lots of other league schools" have been improving so it's hard to know who will surface as a powerhouse.
Cameron Kime smashes a drive during Brookings-Harbor High School golf practice at Salmon Run Golf Course in Brookings. Photo by Brian Williams.
This brings us back to Brookings-Harbor. Last year the boys varsity team went to state. Coach Early indicates that he expects them to return this year and "to be competitive again." Many of the returning players are seniors and they want to finish strong. Early is excited by the prospects of the girls program, too. "We (Brookings) also have more girls turning out this year so we may be able to field an entire girls team for a change," he said. Returning varsity boys are
Zack Walker hits an approach from the fairway as his Brookings-Harbor High School golf teammates watch. Photo by Brian Williams.
Cameron Kime, Robby Rowe, Zach Walker, Ethan Hooper and Rylan Bruce. Returning varsity girls are Mia Weaver and Abby Walker. Assistant coaches joining Early are Jim Barnes, Matt Hubbard and Val Early. Gary points out that his team also benefits from Salmon Runs’ Men's and Ladies Club workshops.
Brookings-Harbor's first tournament will be in Medford at Centennial Golf Course and is being sponsored by Cascade Christian High School. The format? A two-person scramble. And what is Early's philosophy regarding golf? "Golf is a sport that can be played throughout a lifetime," he said. "It should always be fun as
well as challenging. Golf is also a sport that can teach an athlete life lessons — integrity and perseverance. I want the kids to have fun and always try to improve. "Golf is a game of honesty — players call penalties on themselves — and this is something I stress with the athletes," he added.
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Student Spotlight • Spring 2020 — Page 7
Bruins Track: 'Taking no prisoners' Randy Robbins
T
For The Pilot
erry Axel has been at the helm of Brookings-Harbor track and field and cross country for 25 years. The veteran coach is easy to pick out in a crowd this day. Wearing a vibrant red baseball cap he is simultaneously having three conversations with different groups of student-athletes all coming and going. This man loves what he is doing. "Are you going to throw disc? Wonderful...Hey, you guys line up on the fence and get going on your stretches...OK, on your approach I want you to flatten out your upper torso like this first... then let it rip," he said during practice. Like a military general, Axel is getting his troops ready for the battle ahead, and you better believe he is not taking any pris-
oners when it comes to teeth resembling the keys of a league and beyond in the baby grand piano gleaming in arena of 3A state track and the sun. field. "That is what he (Bonde) When asked about the did as a sophomore, the Bruins prospects for the seaschool record is 189 feet 3 son ahead, Axel is all smiles, inches held by Ronnie barking out orders between Manley back in 2014, so we'll answers from behind his sunsee." glasses. The Brookings-Harbor "We have a bunch of talent coach has high expectations starting out with those two for another Bruin, Kaleb guys," he said pointing to Barnes, who took third at BHHS senior Josh Smith and state last year as a freshman Defending 3A state champion in the javelin, junior Derek Bonde. in the 3,000-meter run with a Brookings-Harbor’s Derek Bonde (left) time of 9 minutes and 21.97 "Josh looks very strong in flanks BHHS track coach, Terry Axel (center) seconds and was 5 seconds off shot (put), discus and javelin,” Axel said. “I think he has the and teammate Josh Smith, who competes in of the pace of last year's state ability to be a contender at the shot put, discus and javelin for the Bruins. champion, another freshman, state. He threw 42 feet 9 inchCaden Hildenbrand of Photo by Randy Robbins. es and the two guys that beat Westside Christian. him have graduated so he is in Barnes is also a threat in the Bonde yells back from across a good place. Derek is the returnthe field from where he is hoisting 1,500 where he placed fifth at ing javelin champion...Hey Derek, a long silver spear, "173 feet 8 state turning in a 4:19.97 time. how far did you throw that thing "So here's another guy (Barnes) inches." wasn't it 173 or something?" who just may break some school Axel grins even bigger, his
records along the way because he was only a freshman," Axel said. He also mentions sophomore Jake Beaman as a threat in the 400, 800, and long jump. Even with a boatload of talent, Axel doesn't underestimate the other "big dogs" in the league. "St. Mary's won both the boys and girls at state last year but they graduated a bunch of kids. I think Cascade Christian and Creswell will be tough," he said. As for the girls in the mix, Axel has hopes that an incoming group can shore up the girls short relay saying simply "time will tell" and seems impressed by the freshmen girl throwers out this season. Axel is joined by a 30-year veteran coach, Joe Sthlen, and Matt Steendahl. The season gets underway as the Bruins host the BrookingsHarbor Invitational at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14.
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Page 8 — Student Spotlight • Spring 2020
Bruin Baseball: Swinging for the fences Randy Robbins For Th e Pilot
After dropping down last year from 4A to 3A, the Brookings-Harbor Bruins baseball team ran the table in the league and locked up the top ranking in the coaches polls for several weeks. The Bruins advanced to the 3A state baseball tournament quarterfinals where they were edged by Warrenton 3-2, who advanced to the championship round only to be beaten 8-1 by La Pine. Despite not winning it all, BHHS had a good run. It was a testament to the hard work and commitment of BHHS coach
Keith Wallins and a team willing to buy into his vision of what it takes to be successful. While it is nice to get 'atta-boys' from your peers, Wallins knew that was not going to win games. What mattered was taking it one game at a time and not investing too much time in what the prognosticators were saying about his team. In comments to OSAA Today last April, at the height of the Bruins’ prowess, Wallins struck a balance between thinking 'too much or too little' of the rankings. He simply acknowledged the praise and attempted to keep his team grounded. The task
at hand was what mattered most. "We are embracing everything we've gotten so far," was how he summed it up. This year, the Bruins batters are working toward repeating their top-tier performance from 2109 and hope it will be enough to get them back into the hunt for the upper reaches of, not only the Far West League but state as well. Wallins says he has the numbers and that is a good place to start. "We expect to have somewhere around 25-27 athletes out for baseball, varsity looks to return 10 players from last season and six that played junior
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A Brookings-Harbor baseball player stretches for the ball during practice. varsity," he said. Looking at the league this year, the Bruins’ baseball boss thinks that the league will be balanced. "St. Mary's is definitely trending up along with Cascade Christian,” he said. “They both had some good, young, talent the last couple of years and with no JV teams the last two years their guys have a ton of varsity experience." The Sutherlin Bulldogs
are expected to be in the mix as well. "Sutherlin also has some good athletes and plays well every year," he said. Wallins said a good team is more than just a collection of good athletes. He expects everyone on the team to be a leader on and off the field. "Team building starts with quality leadership and leadership isn't an individual thing. Every
Photo by Randy Robbins.
player can lead in his own way." Adding "Culture is everything for us and whether it is a senior or a freshman, the choices we make on and off the field and how we treat each other is everything...we really believe in letting players hold themselves accountable and growing together." The Bruins open nonconference play at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, when they travel to play Phoenix High School.
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Brookings-Harbor High School baseball head coach Keith Wallin motivates his Bruins for the season ahead. Photo by Randy Robbins.
Student Spotlight • Spring 2020 — Page 9
Lady Bruin Softball: 'We're in a good place' For Th e Pilot
Brookings-Harbor High School softball coach Tony Baron watches his team from the dugout on a warm March afternoon while one of his assistant coaches, Mack Matson, puts them through a batting drill. The BHHS coach is optimistic about the season ahead. After all, he returns nearly everybody, save one graduated senior, from last year’s team that made it to the state playoffs. At state, the Bruins saw their season come to a close after losing to the eventual state champion, Clatskanie in the first round. "It was the first time Brookings (softball) had
made the playoffs since 2014, so yeah...we were excited to be back, but we were young,” Baron said. “Now, we are so much better at all positions and our level of experience is off the charts." Brookings-Harbor is looking to improve on its third-place finish in league a year ago. That experience will be married with three talented freshmen, who Baron indicates "have been playing together since they were 8-years-old in travel ball and Little League." He hopes the newbies will hit the ground running and won't need much time to get up to speed. Baron, as confident as he is about his team this
year, gives conference foes South Umpqua and Cascade Christian their props as teams that will be near or at the top of league. But he indicates the Bruins are up for the challenge. "Look, our defense is head and shoulders better than last year, and it was good then,” Baron said. “Our pitchers are solid and our error rates from the beginning of last season to where it was at the end has plummeted. For all of those reasons, and more... I think we are in a good place." Baron, who was named co-league Coach of the Year last season has some assistants he trusts to help get the Lady Bruins there
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in Aaron Healy and Matson. Matson and Baron have worked together for seven years in different softball venues. With all of that sunshine to report are there any challenges for BHHS softball? "Last year we didn't beat some teams we should have beat,” Baron said. “We need to finish entire games and not let up on the gas when we are ahead...Win those games, that is what I would say." Lady Bruins softball begins the season on Tuesday, March 17 at Gold Beach in a non-league game. The first pitch is at 4:30 p.m. at Buffington Memorial Park in Gold Beach.
The Brookings-Harbor softball team returns a veteran team that advanced to the state playoffs a year ago. Photo by Randy Robbins.
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Page 10 — Student Spotlight • Spring 2020
Gold Beach Baseball: 'We will be much stronger this year' Randy Robbins For Th e Pilot
Last year the Gold Beach High School baseball team struggled. That was then, and according to head coach Mark Hollinger, he isn't about to waste time talking about what led to that showing. For him, it's time to turn the page. "I'm not going to look back at the past year as it has no bearing on this year,” he said. Instead, Hollinger chooses to focus on what is ahead for GBHS baseball. He maintains a cautious optimism when breaking down the 2020 version and voices hope for the future. He sees approximately 18 players turning out to play ball this year. "We have a very young team with some freshmen who have been playing together for the last few years and another class a year away,” he said. “Some of these freshmen will contribute immediately and I believe will do very well." Hollinger has seven returners to lead the charge and will be calling on seniors Ethan Carpenter, Emanual Quesada and Cameron Hagood to head things up. "These seniors are great mentors for the younger players and set a great example for the newcom-
ers," he said. “When we look at the players coming in compared to what we lost from last year, overall we will be much stronger this year." He credits GBHS Athletic Director Kevin Swift for helping that process along. "We are currently set for a large number of preseason games for the younger players to get their feet wet and any jitters out," he said. "Our A.D. has done a great job of getting us the early contests as there are few schools our size on the southern coast and early games have been more difficult." When it comes to Hollinger's philosophy on coaching he lists the following as priorities for his studentathletes. "The players work hard, support each other, compete for their positions regardless of grade, are responsible for their actions, show respect for those around them, and do well in school," he said. Who does Hollinger think will be competition in league? "Toledo and Reedsport both have good programs," he said. Hollinger said Gold Beach is invested in the
Gold Beach High School boys baseball opens the season March 16 at home against Del Norte High School. Photo by Randy Robbins.
program. "We have a wonderful community here in Gold Beach that supports our school and the efforts at the baseball field,” he said. “We, again, have a good youth program and coaches between Little League and high school keeping the players developing in the couple of years between the two levels. " Hollinger thinks that synergy is key. "Our goal as a program
has been to see the younger players in the community really looking forward to playing high school baseball,” he said. “We believe you should always strive to build forward. We work hard to make our community proud of our efforts and look forward to the coming year." GBHS baseball takes the mound in a non-conference game at 4 p.m. on Monday, March 16 at home against Del Norte High School.
Gold Beach High School baseball is looking to put the struggles of last year behind them. Photo by Randy Robbins.
Student Spotlight • Spring 2020 — Page 11
Lady Panthers softball: A new direction
For Th e Pilot
Michelle Pearce has taken over the reins as head coach of the Gold Beach High School softball team this year. She knows her work is cut out for her after inheriting a team that went 3-17 last year. "The strength of this team is the heart and passion of our athletes, the desire to represent good sportsmanship and leadership," Pearce said. Pearce has a resilient bunch of girls out this season. She knows they can put GBHS back on the softball map with some wins in 2020. "I have 25 kids out this year and of those 12 are returners," she said. That kind of enthusiasm in getting the numbers to come out is contagious when everyone is on the same page. It telegraphs that this is a new start and with some team effort the only way from here is up. There is a sense of bonding that furthers the rapport the first-year coach has with her players. When asked who she is looking to for leadership she omits last names, instead, calling them by first their first name — "Sarina, Katie, Marisa, and Jasmine." Gold Beach will have the usual cast of characters in the 2A/1A-SDA Special District 4 League they share with Bandon, Coquille, Myrtle Point, Reedsport, Siletz Valley, Toledo and Walport this season. Of those, Pearce believes that Coquille and Toledo will be formidable. The Toledo Boomers were 25-3 last year and Walport went 17-6. The Red Devils were just above .500, but return most of their team. What are the main challenges for the Panthers
other than rebuilding? "The conditions of the fields along the coast, including ours, and (having athletes) maintain good GPAs (grade point averages) in order to play" are at the top of her list of concerns. When asked what is her philosophy on how she approaches coaching, Pearce says, "Our team is a mini-community inside a larger picture. My athletes strive to be the best in all areas of passion. My personal philosophy is that all student-athletes need the opportunity to excel in all areas of life." Lady Panthers softball starts the season hosting
Brookings-Harbor in a nonleague game at 4:30 on Tuesday, March 17, at Buffington Memorial Park in Gold Beach.
Gold Beach High School softball players throw the ball during practice this season . Photo by Randy Robbins.
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Page 12 — Student Spotlight • Spring 2020
YOU GOT THIS!
Wishing all Curry County Youth a Healthy & Successful 2019 -2020
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