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In Our Schools: Art Competition Awards $15,000 in Prizes

Posted on: Tuesday, 8 November 2005, 15:00 CST

By MARGARET ELLIS and HOWARD BUCK, Columbian staff writers

More than 100 pieces of art from students representing 28 Clark County schools were shown in an art competition Thursday.

The competition was held to honor LSW Architects' 50th anniversary in business. The firm gave $500 prizes to winning students, two per grade. The winners' schools also received a $500 prize. A total of $15,000 was given.

About 1,000 people were invited to the event, at Skyview High School. Students provided all the entertainment. The Skyview Marching Band and Color Guard, 130 students in all, performed a grand finale, and other student performances took place throughout the evening.

Performers included singer Dan Wheelon of Prairie High School, Vitamente Sinfonietta of Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, the Skyview High School Steel Band, Battle Ground High School Jazz Band and Jazz Choir, and Clark College musicians.

Fort Vancouver High School's culinary arts program provided hors d'oeuvres. Culinary arts students from the Clark County Skills Center provided dessert.

Legacy students pitch in

Each year, thousands of students visit Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center, tucked off Evergreen Highway near the Interstate 205 Bridge.

Only a few return and roll up their sleeves to give something back, however. The latest to join the group are Legacy High School students led by science teacher Kathleen Holder.

About 20 students designed and built small displays for a new sensory exhibit, meant for children to get a grip on nature. Tree cones, assorted rocks, conifer sprigs, models of Mount St. Helens and a monarch butterfly's life cycle are among the new features.

Another is a very simple, yet effective, wood plank with four holes portraying distinct drilling styles of four woodpecker types. Junior Isaiah Moore hatched the idea after seeing hole-filled trees in the adjacent woods, he said.

Guided by Ed Maxwell, the center's education director, the students cleared a weedy patch and dug holes for the wooden posts to hold the displays. They should soon be mounted near the center's large pond. Legacy also is donating some new benches.

Clark College staff lauded

Five Clark College faculty and staff members were honored by college President R. Wayne Branch.

The college released its Exceptional Faculty and Classified Staff Award winners Thursday.

They are: physics professor Dick Shamrell, health occupations instructor Jean Watson, Director of Medical Office Programs John Clausen, Credentials Evaluator for Health Occupations Programs Barbara Davenport, and Business Administration Department Instructional Technician Jeanette Steinmueller.

Study abroad

Two programs are looking for students interested in studying abroad. AFS-USA is looking for students to apply for more than $250,000 in scholarships to study abroad. They will be awarded to high school students nominated by a teacher, guidance counselor, principal or honor society advisor and must have leadership qualities, serve the community, and at least a 3.5 GPA.

For more information contact AFS-USA at 1-800-AFS-INFO or www.afs.org/usa.

ASSE International Student Exchange Programs are also looking for students interested in traveling to Asia, Europe, New Zealand or other locales. Qualifying students are 15 to 18 years old and will be judged on academic performance, character references and a strong desire to participate. For more information, call 360-510-5920 or 1- 800-733-2773.

Margaret Ellis writes about education. She can be reached at margaret.ellis@columbian.com or at 360-759-8047. Howard Buck also writes about local education. He can be reached at howard.buck@columbian.com or at 360-759-8015.

Source: Columbian

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