Here’s why you should plan now to come see this powerful story presented by the Parkrose High School Thespians, starting February 26 …
The Parkrose High School actors practice a scene from their new play. A slave girl who did a little more than just dabble in the occult, Tituba (Kylie Simmons), professes her faith in God – and accuses other village women of witchcraft – to Reverend John Hale (Jason Newman), an expert in occultist phenomena.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
For their winter season production, Parkrose High School Thespian Troupe 1783 is taking on the challenge of presenting The Crucible by Arthur Miller.
Are you a surfer (or ho-dad), looking for good time? Come out and enjoy this fun-in-the-sun musical, presented on March 19 and 20 …
Can these kids help save the Surf Shack from greedy developers? Come see this musical, that tells the story.
Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Even if you aren’t a surfer, you’ll enjoy the new musical being presented by Lent School called Wipeout! It will be playing on their stage on March 19 and 20.
Find out why this internationally-known recording artist makes
an annual pilgrimage to Parkrose High School …
When nearby young ladies saw us about to snap a candid photo of Michael Allen Harrison talking with a Parkrose High student in the Choir Room, seven additional gals glided into the frame.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
December’s wild and wooly weather shuttered an annual holiday event – internationally-known composer and recording artist Michael Allen Harrison’s annual concert.
Not to be denied the opportunity; Harrison made time in his schedule to attend the “Music in our School’s” winter concert on March 16.
Exactly why were all of these kids out walking and running in the rain? Take a look and you’ll find why they put their backs (and legs) into this special program …
David Douglas High School senior David Dwyer, who’s in the Industrial and Engineering Systems program, sets a brisk pace as he circles Palermini Field’s track.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Even though blowing wind and rain didn’t really provide weather suitable for an outdoor event, more than 60 students involved in the David Douglas High School Industrial and Engineering Systems (IES) program still walked, jogged, and ran, on Saturday, March 14.
Discover why a delightful aroma of wholesome, delicious food was wafting up from the farmhouse, at this unique outer East Portland institution …
Cook and instructor Katherine Deumling demonstrates how to chop vegetables – instead of fingers! – during her first class series at Zenger Farm.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Not content with simply being one of the few urban farms anywhere, and Portland’s only farm-based youth food education center, Zenger Farm has now branched out into offering classes for adults.
Plan now to see the comedic play upon which the
musical Hello, Dolly! was based …
As the stage crew finishes the set, David Douglas High theater instructor – and the play’s director – Michael Givler gives direction to student actors Sam De Roest, Marissa Hanson, Kathryn Martin, John Ellis, Corey Cedarleaf, Quinci Daoust (and below) Carson Cook and Josh McKinley.
Story and photo by David F. Ashton|
During our visit, both onstage and behind the scenes at the David Douglas Horner Performing Arts Center stage, theater manager Mark Taylor and 20 class students were busy putting the finishing touches the set of DDHS Theater Department’s upcoming production of Thornton Wilder’s classic comedy The Matchmaker.
Find out where to take your recycle-for-credit bottles and cans – and thereby help outer East Portland student programs …
The Parkrose High School Varsity Cheerleaders lend many helping hands to Dave Luce, the “Parkrose Can Man”, at their monthly can drive in February.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Having saved a big plastic bag full of deposit-return cans and bottles, we trekked to Parkrose Middle School on February 7 to drop them off at the monthly collection event put on by Dave Luce, the “Parkrose Can Man”.
Take a look and see what you can learn at the outer East Portland working farm and food education center …
Zenger Farm’s Community Involvement Coordinator, Prairie Hale, takes to the streets in the Lents Neighborhood handing out leaflets promoting their new classes with help from volunteer Jon Wagner, and Hazelwood Neighborhood’s Arlene Kimura.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
For years, we’ve brought you stories about Zenger Farm. It’s a unique, working urban farm on SE Foster Road that promotes sustainable food practices, kids’ education, environmental stewardship, and community and economic advancement.
Discover why teachers say that teaching kids how to play chess pays big dividends in the classroom …
Parkrose Middle School students Daniel Lillard and Cameron Davison play a practice game of chess during the “Chess for Success” tournament held at their school.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Unlike in sports, where size and strength count most, winning at the game of chess doesn’t require any special physical or mental skill – it takes concentration, plus the will to succeed.
That’s why an organization called “Chess for Success” supports kids’ chess clubs in more than 70 Title I schools in the area.
See why officials say these students gave other area high schools real competition this year, in our district’s “We the People” competition.
Parkrose High students Connor Leines, Caitlyn O’Mealy, Carmen Avram, Elizabeth Lee and Nathan Clement say they’re proud to have done well at the “We the People” completion. Richard English, their instructor and sponsor, stands behind them – and behind their sentiment.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
A couple of weeks ago, Portland Commissioner Nick Fish stopped us on our way to a press conference at City Hall. “Did you hear how well the students from Parkrose High did at the ‘We the People’ competition in mid-January?” he asked.
Discover why this grade-school teacher works nights and weekends showing kids and adults how – and why – to learn juggling …
SE Portland resident, educator – and juggler – Zach Vestal demonstrates the “cascade pattern” used in three-ball juggling.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Teaching his third-grade class at Buckman Arts Focus Elementary School doesn’t fatigue Woodstock neighborhood resident, Zach Vestal – it invigorates him. Vestal harnesses his energy by teaching the art and skill of juggling at Portland area libraries.
See why all of these DDHS students were moving and grooving to that funky boogie beat before hundreds of cheering fans …
David Douglas High School dance teacher, Lynette Velasquez, welcomes the crowd to this semester’s dance recital. Behind Velasquez is her husband, Dan, serving as the evening’s deejay.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Hundreds of family members, friends and students lined the bleachers at David Douglas High School’s south gym, waiting for the latest end-of-the-semester dance recital – entitled “Takin’ It Back to the Old School“, as it was about to get underway on January 14.
