The WA-Hi orchestras traveled to Southridge High School to participate in the CBMEA (Columbia Basin Music Educators Association) regional large group festival on Wednesday, March 13.

Julie Woods, WA-Hi Orchestra teacher, says this about the performances. “The string orchestra performed selected movements from Peter Warlock's Capriol Suite & Vivaldi's Concerto for Strings in D Major. They were adjudicated by Dr. Edward Dixon & Adrienne Shields. The symphony orchestra performed Glinka's Overture to Ruslan & Lyudmilla & Mendelssohn's String Sinfonia No. 2 in Major. They were adjudicated by Dr. Paul Luongo & Adrienne Shields”.   

Both the string and symphony orchestra received exceptional ratings for their performances.  

WA-HI ASB President Candidates

• MATT RESER https://youtu.be/SnavI2SkM74
• MEGAN HARVEY https://youtu.be/4BmI4mTZ628

WA-HI ASB Vice President Candidates

• LUCIEN PETIT https://youtu.be/P2lb2EDWBZQ
• SYDNEY TACHENY https://youtu.be/8loLDayVBA0

WA-HI ASB Secretary Candidate

• AMELIA GLASE https://youtu.be/WO8mBJR4Q1E
• ISABEL ROBERTS https://youtu.be/TnQH0K_eLlk

Wa-Hi ASB Treasurer Candidate

• SEVIN BIRDWELL https://youtu.be/Y0rSL_uqQO0

To vote, check your school email for the link.

On Thursday, March 14 and Friday, March 15, Walla Walla High School participated in the Every 15 minutes program. This program was planned and organized by Walla Walla County Traffic Safety Coalition, law enforcement and emergency personnel and the WA-HI ASB. It was centered around the Every 15 Minutes event to bring awareness to the dangers of drunk and distracted driving.

    The main goal was to teach teenagers the severity of drunk and distracted driving by having them experience the effects of being involved in a driving accident without the “real-life” effects of having been involved in an accident. Statistics show that 37,000 people die yearly in traffic fatalities, 94% of which are preventable.

    Every 15 Minutes originally referred to the statistic where an individual dies of an alcohol related car crash every 15 minutes. Though the incidents of these crashes have been decreasing since the 80’s, it is still important to recognize how impactful they are. The program has changed to recognize that Every 15 minutes a traffic fatality occurs in the US; the most due to drinking or distracted driving of some sort.

    Wa-Hi’s Every 15 minutes program started 22 years ago with a primary focus on drinking and driving. Throughout the day students were pulled out of their classroom to represent the actual deaths of those who have died in driving accidents in Walla Walla County. The “grim reaper” came to class to get participating students while someone else read a brief obituary of the person they represented. Students had their faces painted white, dressed in a black gown and wore lanyards with information about the victim they represented. They then returned to class as a “walking dead” person and weren’t supposed to talk or participate the rest of the day.

    Student participants of the program spent a night outside of home to work on various activities including their final letters to their families explaining their deaths. They also took the time to work on a skit which was presented to the seniors on Friday to represent the aftermath of a car crash.

    Raising student awareness of making smart choices behind the wheel has dramatically decreased youth drinking and driving accidents in our area. According to Nancy McClenny-Walters, Target Zero Manager of the Walla Walla County Traffic Safety Coalition, “After years of participation in this program Walla Walla High School has had no drinking and driving related deaths during Homecoming, Prom and Graduation”.

Congratulations February GO BLUE students of the month! Eight students were chosen by their teachers to be February’s students of the month. These teachers believed that during the month of February these WA-Hi students provided an exceptional example of what a WA-Hi student is and should be. This is how they responded when asked why they thought they were chosen to be students of the month.

Freshmen:

Dominic Bayer- “I like growing myself; seeing how far I can go, and bringing other people up with me.”

Daniel Flores- “I try to be an excellent student and citizen.”

Sophomores:

Jada Hilliard - “I do a good job on my tests.”

Jessica Rasmussen - “I’m outgoing and inclusive during class activities.”

Juniors:

Zachary Moore: “I balance school, hobbies and work and I guess, I’m funny.”

Anthony Swanson: “I didn’t skip any classes and I had a good month.”

Seniors:

Zachary Arend - “I think it’s because I’m trying to be the best person I can be.”

Luis Bahena - “I’m respectful, I always get to class on time, and I’m always working hard.”

Staff members of the month were Lori Finn and Marqui Shields.

Choir students of Wa-Hi competed in the Regional Solo and Ensemble contest at Hanford High School on February 23. Students competed against all high schools in our region. Wa-Hi choir teacher, Colleen Hatch, rehearsed with the Treble Choir and Belles Voix choir groups and coached various students along with their individual voice teachers. Each group or soloist had 10 minutes to perform but the two ensemble groups perform without a composer.  

Students can receive Excellent and Superior ratings. Peter Hoffman got a Superior Plus (I+) which is the highest rating one can get in the contest.

Other awards:

Caroline Blethen and Amanda Loney - Placed 1st in the Small Sop/Mezzo/Alto Ensemble Category

Peter Hoffman - Placed 1st in the Bass Category

Dominic Walker - Placed 2nd in the Baritone Category

Shemar Irizarry - Placed 2nd in the Tenor Category

Lydia Anderson - Placed 3rd in the Soprano Category

Belles Voix choir- Placed 3rd in the Large Sop/Mezzo/Alto Ensemble Category

On February 8, students from WA-Hi competed at the FBLA Regional Conference in Tri Cities. Members competed in more than 70 events ranging from cyber security to social media campaigns. Competitions involved presentations, speeches, online tests, and interviews.

Twenty-two students from Wa-Hi placed in the top six in at least one event and have qualified to compete at the state competition which will be held from April 10 to 13. The annual State Business Leadership Conference for the Future Business Leaders of America will be held in Seattle.

Those who place among the top four in each event are eligible to move up to the National Leadership Conference held June 29 to July 2 in San Antonio, Texas.

Qualifying Members:

Natalie Manny

Ethan Goss

Magnus Frederickson

Dane Gomsrud

Julian Coleman-Hernandez

Hannah Peha

Nianzu Yan

Emma Jenkins

Luci Sullivan

Ellie Sieverstan

Marissa Manny

Bradley Anliker

Alicia Newcomb

Jarett Peha,

Anthony Mckerinan

Michelle Foster

Oliver Telander

Aaron Christopherson

Samir Ashford

Carolyn Bergman

Jackson Leinweber

Jordyn Helm

We would love to acknowledge the exceptional students of January. These students have exceeded expectations and impressed teachers thoroughly enough to select them. The following Blue Devils have affected the quality of life at Wa-Hi, making it easier for teachers and students. When asked why they believe they were nominated for this award, they responded with this:

9th Grade

Maxwell Wooster-

“I am pretty friendly and try to be the best student I can be.”

Nathan Feistner-

“I enjoy school and helping people.”

10th Grade

Brody Folk-

“I am helpful and enjoy going to class.”

Neliah Williams-

“I always try to help out in my classes.”

11th Grade

Keeley Hall-

“Mrs. Payne is really nice and I’ve been in her class before.”

Grace Anderson-

“I was chosen because I help others learn more.”

12th Grade

Catherine Janis-

“I am the dance choreographer for an upcoming Wahi musical and just really love being a dance director.”

Hannah Peah-

“I am working on a research project for FFA!”

The entire list of January nominees can be viewed here.

Staff Recognition: Cassie Buska, Jen Hein, and Clayton Hudiburg

We would love to acknowledge the exceptional students of December. These students have exceeded expectations and impressed us thoroughly. The following Blue Devils have affected the quality of life at Wa-Hi, making it easier for teachers and students. When asked why they believe they were nominated for this award, they responded with this:

9th Grade:

Meadow Fauver Ramirez-

“I try hard in class.”

Hunter Page-

“I have a positive attitude”

10th Grade:

Sergio Contreras Ortega-

“I’m a person who likes to make other people happy.”

Dezzaria Martz-

“I like to help the school out and I volunteered at the basketball game.”

11th Grade:

Dylan Ashbeck:

“Mostly just be nice to people; get work done”

Skyler Walker:

“Being nice.”

12th Grade:

Paulina Ochoa:

“I don’t really know why. But I think, well, this group really needed help so I stepped up.”

Also included was 9th grader, Clara Sharon and 12th grader, Cheyenne Smith. Congratulations!!

See all nominees here

Hair, Helm, and Utschinski Recognized with All State Teams Honors

Junior Hannah Hair and Senior Noelani Helm recognized with All State Teams honors by Washington State Volleyball Coaches.

Patrick Utschinski was recognized by The News Tribune. The News Tribune says, "Powerful left tackle for the Blue Devils is one of the state's top offensive line recruits in the 2019 class, and chose WSU over offers from Oregon State, Eastern Washington and others.  4A MCC first-team pick." Link to full story

We would love to acknowledge the exceptional students of November. These students have exceeded expectations and impressed us thoroughly. The following Blue Devils have affected the quality of life at Wa-Hi, making it easier for teachers and students. When asked why they believe they were nominated for this award, they responded with this:

9th Grade

Dominic Bayer:

“Maybe because I put school first.”

Diego Flores:

“I guess because I work hard.”

10th Grade

DJ Williams:

“I always have a positive attitude.”

11th Grade

Haleigh Fullen:

“I work really hard to help the kids in the special ed classes.”

Raenah Overbeck:

“I have a positive attitude and I always show up for school.”

12th Grade

Ryan Chapin

“My work ethic.”

Alexis Sanders:

“I’m not really sure, I pay attention in class.”

Winners also include was Sophomore Reece Falconer.