October 22, 2025
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ISSUE 43
IT'S IN THE CLASSIFIEDS
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Eatonville Dominates Washington 42-0 on Senior Day By Skip Smith
O
n a brisk Saturday afternoon at Franklin Pierce High School Stadium, the Eatonville Cruisers celebrated Senior Day in the best way
possible, with a dominant 42-0 shutout victory over Washington. Before kickoff, the program honored its 13 senior players and one senior manager in a pregame ceremony that recognized the group’s dedication and leadership.
Seniors Connor McIlraith, Jackson Doll, Colton Herbrand, Landon Austin, Derek Wood, Asher Pruitt, Phillip Buchholz, Ricky Campbell, Connor Austin, Jose Cruz Diaz, Sam Reece, Kael Stump, and Oscar Garcia were all introduced and
greeted by cheers from teammates, coaches, and fans. Senior manager Lilly Walls was also recognized for her contributions to the team. Once the ceremony concluded, Eatonville wasted no time setting the tone. Despite an early miscue
on the opening kickoff, a fumble recovered by the returner deep inside their own territory, the
The Eatonville High School football team's seniors all posed for a photo following the Senior Day ceremony honoring them.
FOOTBALL, 3
HEATHER QUIRIE
Open Call For Engineering Students Washington Students Invited to Compete in National Robotics Competition, $4,500 in Prizes Submitted
W
ashington students in grades 4–12 are encouraged to register now through November 12, 2025 for the 2026 K12 Robotics Competition, a nationwide challenge that builds STEM skills and offers $4,500 in total prizes to three winning teams of up to three students.
“The national robotics win was a milestone for Aidan, and his school community is incredibly proud.” For Washington Virtual Academies (WAVA) student and Spokane resident, Aidan, the competition proved life-changing last year. The then-10th grader and his teammates, the WAVA A-Team, secured 2nd place nationally in the 10th–12th grade division of the 2025 K12 Robotics Competition. His success showcased not only problemsolving skills but also the power of an online
learning environment that fosters balance, independence, and achievement. The national robotics win was a milestone for Aidan, and his school community is incredibly proud. Between structured mornings of lessons, live teacher-led sessions, and time for activities he loves, like reading, gaming, and caring for his cat, Aidan is proving that with balance and opportunity, students can excel both academically and personally. This year’s competition is open to all U.S. students in grades 4–12, whether attending a K12-powered school, another public or private school, or homeschooling. Students may compete solo or in teams of up to three, with the guidance of a parent, teacher, or other adult instructor. All teams will use the Virtual Robotics Toolkit, a powerful $50 software license where students can design, program, and test robots in a virtual space, no expensive hardware required. COMPETITION TIMELINE: November 12, 2025: Registration Deadline January–March 2026: Virtual Qualifier Rounds
June 2026: In-Person National Finals, Reston, Virginia The top nine teams (three from each grade band: 4–6, 7–9, 10–12) will advance to the national finals. K12 will cover hotel and local transport costs for finalists and a chaperone. The three national winning teams will each receive trophies and $500 per student.
The K12 Robotics Competition provides a unique, budget-friendly opportunity for students to pursue STEM education, teamwork, and innovation, just like Aidan, who turned his passion into a nationally recognized achievement. For details and registration, visit: enrichment.k12.com/robotics-competition.