When Lieutenant Colonel ShaiLin KingSlack spoke to students at Sunridge Middle School, she was open and honest about her experiences in school. “Going to school wasn’t always easy for me; there were some hard things, like being singled out for the color of my skin or not getting chosen for sports,” KingSlack said. But she just kept going and focused on what she was passionate about, like music, art, and things she liked, regardless of negativity from other people.
KingSlack was at SMS on January 23, 2024, speaking to Native American students about leadership. KingSlack works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Walla Walla District. A graduate of West Point Military Academy, she is an experienced and decorated soldier who was deployed to Iraq and served in Europe. KingSlack currently oversees more than 800 engineers and professionals in civil works, interagency programs, and operations of Corps of Engineers projects for Eastern Washington, Idaho, and parts of Oregon, Nevada, Wyoming, and Utah.
When she started at West Point and in her early career in the U.S. Army, KingSlack said she didn’t know if she was cut out to be a leader, but she found her purpose in defending America by serving her country in the military.
“Being a leader can be inherent, but it can also be taught,” she said. Things leaders do are encouraging others and being loyal to others, she emphasized to students. She encouraged students at this stage of their lives to discover their “mission,” which could be getting good grades, becoming better at playing a musical instrument, or doing well in sports.
KingSlack said that students can later turn their strengths into leadership skills. “Not every leader is a good leader, but try to be a good one.”
In addition to visiting SMS, KingSlack spoke to students on January 23rd at Pendleton High School and Nixyaawii Community School. The presentations were organized through the Title VI program in the Pendleton School District.
PHS Forecasting Night
/in District Site News, High Schools News, Sunridge News /by rthornburgPHS Forecasting Night was a success on February 28, 2024! Thank you to all the students and families who joined us to learn about opportunities at PHS.
Mr. Dutcher’s Principal Message from PHS
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgCTE Spotlight – Kaden Clark
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgCTE Spotlight – Kaden Clark, Pendleton High School
Your Name: Kaden Clark
Your Title: Hospitality/Tourism & Foods Teacher
School/District:
Pendleton High School/Pendleton School District
What do you teach?
I teach basic culinary skills to advanced culinary practices, the importance of cultural diversity, the basic principles of opening and running a business, and much more within the hospitality and tourism industry. Students leave my class feeling comfortable in a kitchen setting and having a new-found perspective on cultural differences and their positive effect on the world.
What is your school’s CTE focus for the 23-24 school year?
Our focus is to give students the greatest opportunity for work-based learning practices and advancement in their future careers early on. Our CTE staff is working to offer opportunities many students have never had the chance to participate in before. A huge part of this is having such a great community that is constantly willing to support PHS students and their goals to work in CTE-related fields.
How is CTE work in your school making a difference for students?
The two greatest attributes I believe CTE students are benefiting from are work ethic and confidence. Our programs offer opportunities for students to leave the ever-growing mobile world and work hands-on and face-to-face with other people. I see a growing number of my CTE students willing to meet new people, promote our program, and engage with community partners because they are becoming more confident through CTE coursework. Putting students into the CTE environment we have created has increased their work ethic tenfold. It has been an amazing experience to work side by side with these students on some really cool projects this past year, and I cannot wait to see what they are able to achieve in the future.
What is something people may not know about CTE in schools?
We have some of the most dedicated and hardworking individuals leading these programs and the most caring people I have ever worked alongside. We are dedicated to working with community partners to give students greater opportunities. We are always willing to partner with other CTE programs to give students a chance to learn and engage in CTE-related activities/events. A huge part of our success is due to the amazing CTE staff and Administration who care about the future of their students and CTE.
FIRST Robotics Competition at PHS
/in District Site News, High Schools News, Sunridge News /by rthornburgForecasting Family Night at PHS for Grades 8-11
/in District Site News, High Schools News, Sunridge News /by rthornburgAll students and families of eighth through eleventh grade students in the Pendleton School District are invited to a Forecasting Family Night on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at Pendleton High School.
The purpose of the event is to learn about academic opportunities and student activities available at PHS for students who will attend in the 2024-25 school year.
The event from 5:00 – 7:30 pm will include:
“This is an opportunity for us at PHS to showcase our school community and all we have to offer students,” said Karen Demianew, PHS Counselor, “plus a great chance for families to see the school and ask questions to help their students plan for next year.”
Attendees are asked to park in the PHS Student Parking Lot.
For more information or questions about Forecasting Family Night, please contact Pendleton High School at 541-276-3621.
CTE Spotlight – Tessa Ayers
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgPendleton High School CTE Student Spotlight – Tessa Ayers
Name: Tessa Ayers
Grade: Senior
What CTE classes/pathway are you taking?
I have taken Food and Travel 1-4, which is part of the Hospitality and Travel Pathway.
What do you enjoy about your CTE classes at PHS?
They have helped me learn about the culinary industry and the health benefits of the food. Doing the takeout meals for teachers has given me experience in the aspects of managing a business.
How are CTE classes making a difference in your education?
It has helped me learn the value in food so I can eat healthy and eat well. It also has helped me build experience working as a team. After high school, I plan to study sports medicine or nutrition. Food and Travel classes have given me foundational knowledge of food and its values to further my education after high school.
Would you like to share anything else about CTE at PHS?
I recommend trying the CTE program. You learn so many life skills that you can carry over into your life and further your career. Don’t be scared – it’s fun and collaborative. There are lots of opportunities to get volunteering experience to put on your resume and gain real-world experience. Even if you don’t think you’re going to go into the food or nutrition industry, I do recommend doing at least a year of Food and Travel because it helps you learn basic cooking skills.
CTE Spotlight – Kelli Nelson
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgPendleton High School CTE Student Spotlight – Kelli Nelson
Name: Kelli Nelson
Grade: Senior
What CTE classes/pathway are you taking?
Animal Science and Agriculture, which will directly transfer to my future career of animal science and veterinary medicine.
What do you enjoy about your CTE classes at PHS?
The hands-on learning and experience are what I enjoy most. My level of engagement and retention of the information seems to increase with the real-world application. Seeing what I am learning and not just reading it from a textbook helps me develop my critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
How are CTE classes making a difference in your education?
Because these classes are educating me about everything that is happening in the world and in the veterinary and animal industries, they are improving my education. My agricultural education classes molded me into the mentor and leader I am today. We can begin to understand how agriculture affects the world around us and learn other crucial life lessons by teaching and studying it. The cycle of growth, life, and death—a cycle that all living things go through—is the foundation of agriculture.
Would you like to share anything else about CTE at PHS?
The advisors, Mr. Campbell and Mrs. Hunt are always willing to help you succeed and be your most potential self. You can always lean on them with questions or for advice.
CTE Spotlight – Viviana Martinez
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgPendleton High School CTE Student Spotlight – Viviana Martinez
Name: Viviana Martinez
Grade: Senior
What CTE classes/pathway are you taking?
I am taking Advanced Studio Art, which aligns with the Visual and Media Arts CTE Pathway.
What do you enjoy about your CTE classes at PHS?
I really enjoy how freely we are able to create within the classroom. The studio art classes are entirely independent, which encourages me to plan and design virtually anything I want. Mrs. Prevot, the art teacher, also gives positive feedback and advice for my and other student’s ideas, which is encouraging.
How are CTE classes making a difference in your education?
Since I want art to be my future career pursuit, the Visual and Media Arts CTE Pathway has made it exponentially easier to learn different drawing/painting techniques and how to navigate through different digital applications. Being able to use different digital art/photography programs has been beneficial since those skills are needed in a professional multimedia environment.
Would you like to share anything else about CTE at PHS?
Taking any CTE Pathway is a good way to keep track of what skills and knowledge you need to know for your future career.
CTE Spotlight – Ella Guenther
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgPendleton High School CTE Student Spotlight – Ella Guenther
Name: Ella Guenther
Grade: Senior
What CTE classes/pathway are you taking?
I take aerospace engineering classes.
What do you enjoy about your CTE classes at PHS?
I like being able to do hands-on projects to learn about flight and space.
How are CTE classes making a difference in your education?
Engineering classes at PHS have shown me opportunities that I wouldn’t have considered before and allowed me to work with a variety of different people doing hands-on projects.
Would you like to share anything else about CTE at PHS?
I would strongly recommend trying engineering classes at PHS, even if it doesn’t sound interesting.
Guest Speaker Discusses Leadership at SMS
/in District Site News, Sunridge News /by rthornburgWhen Lieutenant Colonel ShaiLin KingSlack spoke to students at Sunridge Middle School, she was open and honest about her experiences in school. “Going to school wasn’t always easy for me; there were some hard things, like being singled out for the color of my skin or not getting chosen for sports,” KingSlack said. But she just kept going and focused on what she was passionate about, like music, art, and things she liked, regardless of negativity from other people.
KingSlack was at SMS on January 23, 2024, speaking to Native American students about leadership. KingSlack works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Walla Walla District. A graduate of West Point Military Academy, she is an experienced and decorated soldier who was deployed to Iraq and served in Europe. KingSlack currently oversees more than 800 engineers and professionals in civil works, interagency programs, and operations of Corps of Engineers projects for Eastern Washington, Idaho, and parts of Oregon, Nevada, Wyoming, and Utah.
When she started at West Point and in her early career in the U.S. Army, KingSlack said she didn’t know if she was cut out to be a leader, but she found her purpose in defending America by serving her country in the military.
“Being a leader can be inherent, but it can also be taught,” she said. Things leaders do are encouraging others and being loyal to others, she emphasized to students. She encouraged students at this stage of their lives to discover their “mission,” which could be getting good grades, becoming better at playing a musical instrument, or doing well in sports.
KingSlack said that students can later turn their strengths into leadership skills. “Not every leader is a good leader, but try to be a good one.”
In addition to visiting SMS, KingSlack spoke to students on January 23rd at Pendleton High School and Nixyaawii Community School. The presentations were organized through the Title VI program in the Pendleton School District.