WV City School students to share shamrocks

Shamrock plants grown at West Valley City School could spread some St. Patrick’s Day cheer. About 40 City School students will bring the plants during their visit Thursday with residents of Moran Vista Assisted Living, under a partnership that ties in the school’s greenhouse. Many of the elderly residents at Moran Vista have Alzheimer’s disease.

“The students are developing some really positive relationships with some of the residents,” said Vice Principal Kerri Barsness. “After the students visit, it really creates some energy for the residents.

“The plants give them something to interact with, and it really brightens up the place. It’s a memory, too, that the kids grew these plants for them, that are in their rooms. It creates awareness and empathy for the students as they’re around these residents, especially in dealing with Alzheimer’s. It helps them have a better understanding and respect for the elderly.”

The West Valley School District received an Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction “Learn and Serve” grant that provides partial funding for this City School service project. Students will visit monthly for other special occasions, such as Easter.

In addition, the students often sing, do crafts with residents or share poetry. They may also write some of the residents’ biographies. Eventually, those involved at the school hope to do some landscaping for the South Hill facility and by next year bring some of the elderly residents to City School’s greenhouse to do planting projects.

Teachers Mary Cheek and Jason Remington are helping coordinate the program.

Valley Christian bowls them over

The Valley Christian School varsity Knowledge Bowl team took first place among all B schools in a March 1 regional competition held at the Eastern Washington University campus in downtown Spokane.

The team members include Kyle Jarvis, Shannon Mickelson, Donny Swanson, Robert Zakheim, Ben Lewis, Cameron Eden and Matt Seeman.

“It was the first time that Valley Christian has taken first place as last year we were No. 2 behind a great team from St. George’s,” said Coach Alan Orr. More than 30 teams competed from A to B level schools.

The team placed seventh overall among teams from around Spokane. Valley Christian’s aggregate score was more than any other team competing, but the team lost one match that put them into a secondary category.

Team members will travel to the state tournament in Camas, Wash., at the end of March. Last year, the varsity team took third place in the state tournament. The team is coached by Marilyn Schlafmann, Karen Pace, Cathy Hopson and Orr.

Music students head for state

Several musically talented students have qualified for a state competition in April.

University High School director of choirs Russell Seaton announced winners with superior marks from a regional competition who will go to the state solo/ensemble music contest April 29-30 in Ellensburg.

They include Carly Hodgson and Rachel Lopez for women’s small ensemble and Rachel Finley for mezzo soprano soloist.

Other state-bound students in singing groups are: Jesse Bordern, Nicole Dieter, Kayla Henson, Carly Hodgson, Rachel Lopez, Amanda McFarland, Joshua Munkers, Rachel Newton, Matthew Palfinier, Aran Patchett, Allison Seymour, Ashley VanMeter, Morgan Walker, Jeremy Welch, Ian Williamson and Nicholas Wittman.

U-Hi state alternatives are Patchett as baritone soloist and VanMeter as mezzo soprano soloist. In addition, VanMeter and Kyle Traver were selected to perform in February for the All-Northwest Choir.

Two West Valley High School students qualified for the Ellensburg contest. Krystal McCarthy, a sophomore, in the snare drum division and Zac Slovarp, a junior, in the euphonium division.

West Valley state alternates with second-place wins were junior Ashley Belcher, in the marimba division; sophomore Jennifer Claeson, in flute; and sophomore Josh Johnston, tuba division. Doug McManaway, a junior, placed third in the piano division.

Three East Valley band members qualified. George Hamilton, who plays bassoon; Shawna MacDonald, bass clarinet; and Drew Knutsen, clarinet.