Scholars presented, Festival pitched, in Parkrose

Meet the five Parkrose High students who each were granted $1,000 towards schooling – and learn more about the August 1st Parkrose Festival & Cruise-in that supports this scholarship program …

The newly-named Parkrose High Scholars line up with members of the Parkrose Business Foundation Scholarship Committee.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
In 1998, the Parkrose Business Association (PBA) decided to reach out and honor one or more outstanding student each year with a scholarship grant, as they graduated from Parkrose High School.

By holding fundraising events, including the now-famous Parkrose Festival & Cruise-in (more about that later), the organization has given out thousands of dollars in scholarship grants since that time.

Alison Stoll recounts how members stepped up, during the PBA’s May meeting, to fund additional scholarship grants.

Speaking for the Scholarship Committee, Alison Stoll told how difficult it was to choose the students who would receive the $1,000 grants from among their applicants. “We agonized over which students will be awarded the scholarships. This year, we only had funding for three scholarships.”

Having given out as many as many as five scholarships in past years, the committee challenged PBA members to donate additional funds to make additional grants possible during their May meeting.

Parkrose School District Superintendent Dr. Karen Fischer Gray, and Parkrose High’s Career Center Coordinator, Meg Kilmer, receive a plaque from Marsha Lee of Copy Express that lists every PBA Scholarship recipient. “Hopefully, you’ll proudly display this in the school’s front trophy case,” Lee said.

“Bank of the West stepped up and pledged $500, then others stepped up. Thanks to the generosity of our members, we ended the meeting with pledges for the two additional scholarship grants, making a total of five,” Stoll exclaimed at their June meeting.

(Members and their contributions are listed at the end of this article.)

Meet the Parkrose Scholars

The five Parkrose Scholars were selected, Stoll said, based on their academic achievements, student leadership roles and involvement in community improvement programs.

Liz Nelson-Cahill accepts her scholarship from Alison Stoll, of Central Northeast Neighbors. Nelson-Cahill will attend the University of Oregon with a major in Psychology or Sociology with the goal of becoming a Marriage Counselor.

Nancy Murphy, who is with Bank of the West, presents Arunee SengChanh with her scholarship grant – along with Marsha Lee, Copy Express Printing & Graphic Design. SengChanh will attend Mt. Hood Community College to study nursing. Her plans are to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Caitlyn O’Mealy shows off her award, with the help of Craig Mendenhall with American Sani-Can. O’Mealy plans to attend Oregon State University to get her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences, with the goal of teaching high school biology, as well as gaining practical experience in the field of wildlife management or forestry.

Mary Brown, who iswith Bob Brown Tires, gives Caitlynn Solheim her $1,000 scholarship grant. Solheim will attend the University of Oregon, majoring in biology with the goal of becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon.

Bob Brown of Bob Brown Tires congratulates Parkrose High scholar Allan Drake. Drake will attend Mt. Hood Community College, majoring in chemistry and biology to become a Forensic Technician.

Parkrose Festival and Cruise-in is August 1

LeeAnne Bruner, owner of LA Signs, and Chair of the Parkrose Festival & Cruise-in Committee, shows off one of the many banners that will decorate NE Sandy Boulevard promoting the August 1st event.

After moving the event from Parkrose High School’s lawn to downtown Parkrose last year – and shifting the date from typically rain-soaked June back to the first Saturday in August – the Parkrose Festival & Cruise-in has flourished.

At the August 1st event, visitors will find half of NE Sandy Boulevard blocked off for events between NE 105th and NE 112th. In addition to the community street fair, it will include one of the best “cruise-ins” in the region.

And, there’s fun for the entire family, including …

Look at some of the vehicles that were on display at the 2008 Parkrose Festival & Cruise-in! East PDX News archive photo

Cruise-in:

A wide variety of antique, specialty, and classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles
Over 55 trophies awarded to participants – including the giant 5-foot Grand Prize trophy
Goodie Bags for first 300 cars in the Cruise-in Show & Shine
Parade of Cars

Food:

Authentic Swedish Pancake Breakfast prepared by the Harmoni Club
PBA Chuck Wagon’s Burgers, Dogs, & Snacks
Genuine Shaved Ice treats
Food specials by Parkrose-area restaurants and establishments

We don’t know if Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard’s coming back for another round in the Dunk Tank – but you might be surprised who is willing to “take a bath” to help raise funds for scholarships. East PDX News archive photo

Activities:

Kids’ Area and Activities
Community Resource Booths
“Blow-up Car” contests – Guess how long a car can run without oil!
The Big Parkrose Raffle – With loads of great prizes
Fun activities within businesses along Sandy Boulevard

The Title Sponsor for this event is again Rex Heating & Air Conditioning; the main sponsors include West Coast Bank, Teeny Foods, Pacific Northwest Credit Union, Les Schwab Tires, and Kindle Home Repairs.

Meet the members
If you can’t wait to learn more about the PBA and this year’s event, join them for their July 16 meeting, starting at 11:30 a.m. It’s at the Holiday Inn Airport, 8439 NE Columbia Boulevard (in the hotel building, around the back at the Flirt’s Nightclub entrance – not the Convention Center next door).

The meeting is free, and the buffet lunch is $17including dessert and gratuity; reservations are NOT required. For more information, see their web site: www.parkrosebusiness.org.

2009 Special PBA Scholar Supporters:

American Sani-Can 100.00
Bank of America 50.00
Bank of the West 500.00
Baskets & Bouquets 50.00
Bob Brown Tire Center 50.00
Century Associates 100.00
Compaction & Recycling Equipment 50.00
Copy Express 50.00
Davey Organicare 50.00
Parkrose Farmers’ Market 50.00
Gail Bash 50.00
Joe Rossi 50.00
Jon Turino 50.00
Karen Taylor, Mary Kay Rep. 50.00
L.A. Signs 50.00
Mary Brown 50.00
Norm Stoll 50.00
NW Pest Control 50.00
Oregon Physical Therapy 50.00
Portland Disposal & Recycling 100.00
Sundeleaf Painting 50.00
Teeny Foods 250.00
Thunder Movers 50.00
USA Performance 50.00

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