The PHS ASTRA club is affiliated with Altrusa International of Pendleton. With about 45 student members, it is the largest service club at Pendleton High School. Last school year (2023-24), Club President Kyah Hunter and Service Chair Torie Estrada applied for and received a grant in the amount of $748 from the Altrusa International Foundation’s project grant, based in Chicago. The grant was for cancer care kits to give comfort to patients receiving radiation and chemotherapy treatments in Pendleton. Club President Hunter wanted to honor and remember her softball pitching coach, Jordan Bennett, who passed away from cancer at a very young age.

The grant monies were combined with a donation from an Altrusan, who furnished the colorful bags. The bags contained small, fleece lap blankets, crossword and sudoku puzzle books, lip balm, hand cream, and other small items to provide comfort to patients receiving treatment. Brielle Bonzani, this year’s ASTRA Club President, and Service Chair Max Ross, along with other club members, donated the items to the CHI St. Anthony Cancer Clinic for distribution to patients undergoing treatment.

ASTRA members shared that the staff, director of the clinic, and patients were blown away by the quality of the donation.

In addition to this project, the PHS ASTRA club received first place for the project “Fun and Games: Developing Intergenerational Connections” at the ASTRA District 12 Convention in May. They received a service award certificate and $425 toward their club budget for the year for winning the award.

Their project, “Fun and Games: Developing Intergenerational Connections,” served the residents of Sunridge Assisted Living in Pendleton. The students visited residents for four months, played board games, decorated Christmas cookies, and made Valentine’s Day cards with the residents.

The PHS ASTRA club was chartered 20 years ago in Pendleton by Altrusan Debbie McBee, who served as the last district governor for District 12. ASTRA students are mentored by a group of Altrusan advisors and volunteer to complete multiple service projects in the community.

CONGRATULATIONS to Karen Demianew!!! She is the CTE Career Guidance Counselor of the year for the State of Oregon.

Pendleton High School
2025 CTE Month Spotlight

Meet AJ Nez, Senior at Pendleton High School
She is taking classes in the Digital and Media Arts Pathway.

What do you enjoy about your CTE classes at PHS?
I enjoy being able to express my creativity in my work and being able to be my most authentic self.

How are CTE classes making a difference in your education?
I get to have a break from all my schoolwork to work on art. It is stress relieving so I’m not so foggy minded.

Would you like to share anything else about CTE at PHS?
PHS art classes have been my absolute favorite. Before high school, I felt I hadn’t been able to learn much about art and I felt put in a box. But now, I have learned so much in art class, and I get to use my creativity. I got to learn photography and work with Adobe software, which has definitely broadened my ability by a ton, and I discovered yet another medium I enjoy.

CTE Month 2025
Pendleton High School Spotlight

Meet Abbey Prevot, Digital & Media Arts Teacher

What do you teach?
I teach Multimedia Art, Visual Design Basics, Digital Art and Studio/Advanced Studio Art. Multimedia Art is a beginning, general art course. Visual Design Basics focuses on the design aspect of the artistic world, geared towards client/customer relationships. Digital Art is an advanced class that focuses on digital photography and Adobe programs for graphic design. Studio and Advanced Studio Art are for students who work independently on art projects throughout the year.

In your classes, what is the CTE focus for the 24-25 school year?
I am still strengthening and refining the foundations of my CTE program, which are connections with industry partners and creating curriculum with real-world simulations and practice.

Students engage with industry professionals through field trips to creative workplaces, gaining insight into careers in arts and graphic design. Our industry partners include Pendleton Center for the Arts, BMCC, Master Printers and Creative Signs.

We encourage students to enter pieces in local and regional art shows. Finally, students work on real-world simulated design challenges through TSA (Technology Student Association) competitions.

How do you think CTE work in your school is making a difference for students?
The Digital & Media Art CTE Pathway helps students build their portfolios, develop professional skills and explore potential career paths. We focus on collaborative teamwork and the design thinking process to help students develop soft skills such as communication and creative problem solving.

At times, students design for real events or publications, such as Main Street Show’s program cover and the Pendleton School District Art Show poster. I have seen the skills gained through CTE help prepare students for any industry. I love how CTE helps my students think outside of the classroom and prepares them for the workforce.

What is something people may not know about CTE in schools?
CTE is a crucial step toward making education more practical and aligned with the real job market and workforce training. Looking back at my own high school and college years, I wish there had been stronger connections between education and industry, as I felt unprepared for the workforce upon graduation.

CTE bridges that gap, ensuring that we, as educators, equip students with the skills and knowledge they need for their future careers—because, quite simply, it just makes sense.

 

Pendleton High School Spotlight
Meet Karen Demianew, Counselor at Pendleton High School

How does Karen support CTE at PHS?
Throughout her 27-year tenure at PHS, Karen has been a tireless champion of CTE, emphasizing the value of hands-on, practical education and its ability to provide students with real-world skills that enhance their readiness for the workforce. She has worked diligently to promote CTE as a viable and valuable option for all students, ensuring they can explore careers in fields such as healthcare, engineering, hospitality and tourism, multimedia arts, agriculture, and the trades.

How is her work making a difference for students?
Karen consistently demonstrates innovative approaches to career exploration and development. She has been instrumental in developing programs like Pendleton’s “School to Careers” that helps students explore a wide variety of careers through internships, apprenticeships, and partnerships with local businesses and industries.

Her ability to connect students with resources and opportunities outside the classroom has empowered them to make informed decisions about their futures.