CHS Named One of America’s Best High Schools
For the third time in four years, Camas High School has been awarded Silver Medal status by US News & World Report. Every year, the magazine rates all U.S. public high schools according to school-specific data on enrollment, ethnicity, participation and success in Advanced Placement classes, and results of state assessment proficiency tests compared to other schools in our state. While its rating formula is imperfect, it is consistent and it does give schools feedback on its students’ level of college readiness. Schools are given a college readiness index score, with the top scoring 4,805 schools receiving a gold, silver or bronze medal and – in the case of gold and silver schools – a numerical ranking. The CHS ranking was 744 nationally and #15 in the state. To put those rankings in perspective: There are over 21,000 high schools in the U.S. and 587 in the State of Washington. To view the rankings, click this link: www.usnews.com/best-high-schools.
To acknowledge this honor and encourage students to continue to challenge themselves academically, the CHS Admin Team scheduled our mandatory monthly evacuation drill for the end of today. When students and staff got outside they received a popsicle or frozen fruit bar to enjoy in the sun while we cleared the campus and took roll. Great work students, parents, and teachers.
CHS Knowledge Bowl: 4A State Champs!
In case you had not heard, yes they did it! Two CHS Knowledge Bowl teams traveled up to Arlington High School last weekend to compete against the very best teams in the state. One team finished 11th out of 18, while our other team took to top spot – State Champs! This was CHS’ first foray at the 4A level, but their fourth state championship in a row.
The Camas #1 team is comprised of juniors. They finished 11th and consisted of Kyle Binder, Rachel Fadlovich, Tim Liu, Lindsay Weinberg, Shicon Wen, and Xinyang Chen.
The Camas #2 team, featured in the photo above, is the the new State Champion team. Coincidentally, this particular time also won State last year at the 3A tournament. The team members this year include (from left to right in the photo): Tim Grote, Captain Marcus Bintz, Griffin King, and Noah Wachlin.
They dominated the competition, winning their bracket in the preliminaries with a score of 120, about 20 points higher than second place. They then won their semi final and final matches by large margins, taking home the trophy. Go Papermakers!
In case you had not heard, yes they did it! Two CHS Knowledge Bowl teams traveled up to Arlington High School last weekend to compete against the very best teams in the state. One of our teams finished 11th out of 18, while our other team took to top spot – State Champs! This was CHS’ first foray at the 4A level, but their fourth state championship in a row.
The Camas #1 team, as we called them at state, is made up of all juniors. They finished 11th and consisted of Kyle Binder, Rachel Fadlovich, Tim Liu, Lindsay Weinberg, Shicon Wen, and Xinyang Chen.
The Camas #2 team, featured in the photo above, is the the new State Champion team. Coincidentally, this particular time also won State last year at the 3A tournament. The team members this year include (from left to right in the photo): Tim Grote, Captain Marcus Bintz, Griffin King, and Noah Wachlin.
They dominated the competition, winning their bracket in the preliminaries with a score of 120, about 20 points higher than second place. They then won their semi final and final matches by large margins, taking home the trophy. Go Papermakers!
Top honors for Camas musicians
Congratulations to several outstanding student musicians from the Camas School District who received top honors by being selected to participate in state and national ensembles this school year.
These auditioned ensembles of only 150 students worked with a nationally known conductor and performed for the All-Northwest Music Educators Conference on February 16 in both Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. Students who were selected for an All-State ensemble represent a select group of students from the state of Washington. Students who were selected for an All-Northwest ensemble represent a select group of students from the six states who will participate in the music conference.
Also, over 3,600 singers from across the country auditioned for the American Choral Directors Association National Honor Choirs. We have several students representing the Camas School District in the National Honor Choir at the ACDA conference in Dallas, Texas on March 13-16. These students are among 300 students selected to participate from across the country.
Congratulations to the following students:
Dorothy Fox Elementary:
Annie Colvin – Junior All-State, Grade 5, Soprano
Grass Valley Elementary:
Sydney Moses, and Chase Fossen
Grass Valley Elementary
Sydney Moses – Junior All-State, Grade 5, Soprano
Sydney Moses – Natl. Youth Choir, Grade 5, Soprano 1
Chase Fossen – Youth Choir, Grade 4, Soprano 2
Prune Hill Elementary:
Abbigale Hayes – Junior All-State Grade 5, Alto
Grant Bane – Natl. Honor Youth Choir, Grade 5, Alto 1
Liberty Middle School:
Abigail Lightfoot
Liberty Middle School
Abigail Lightfoot – Junior All-State Grade 8, Soprano
Skyridge Middle School:
Tara Larsen , Hannah Upkes, Janessa Wilson and Jacqueline Muri
Skyridge Middle School
Tara Larsen – Junior All-State, Grade 6, Soprano
Tara Larsen – Natl. Middle School Choir, Grade 6, Soprano
Hannah Upkes – Junior All-State, Grade 6, Soprano
Janessa Wilson – Junior All-State, Grade 6, Alto
Janessa Wilson – Middle School Choir, Grade 6, Alto
Jacqueline Muri – Junior All-State, Grade 6, Alto
Jacqueline Muri – Middle School Choir, Grade 6, Alto
Camas High School:
Blake Dunn, Erica Abrahamsen, Isaac Hodapp, Haley Sawyer, and Triton Pitassi.
Not pictured: Matt McCormick
Camas High School
Blake Dunn – Washington All-State Mixed Choir, Sophomore, Tenor 2
Erica Abrahamsen – All-Northwest Band, Senior , Alto Saxophone
Isaac Hodapp – Washington All-State Symphony Orchestra, Freshman, Trumpet
Haley Sawyer – All-Northwest Mixed Choir, Senior, Soprano 1
Triton Pitassi – All-Northwest Mixed Choir, Senior, Tenor 2
Matt McCormick – Washington All-State Mixed Choir, Junior, Bass 1
Three qualify as National Merit Finalists
Marcus Bintz
Jake Hsu
Evan Roche
The National Merit Scholarship Program has announced the names of three CHS finalists in the National Merit Scholarship competition. Seniors Marcus Bintz, Jake Hsu, and Evan Roche are all part of this elite group. Congratulations and good luck!
The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test—a test which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.5 million entrants each year–and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.
National Letter of Intent Signing Day
Camas High School honored several Papermakers as they signed their National Letters of Intent on February 6, 2013, at Camas High School.
Amee Aarhus
AMEE AARHUS has already signed with Portland State University to play on their Women’s’ Softball team. Amee has earned her varsity letter three years. In 2012, Amee was named the 3A Greater Saint Helens League All-Region Player of the Year. She was also the 2012 Offensive Player of the Year as a junior. The 2012 season was incredible for Amee as she set records in number of hits, runs scored and triples in a single season. Amee was instrumental in helping the Lady Papermakers place fifth at the 3A WIAA Washington State Tournament last year. Amee carries a 3.0 GPA.
Kimberly Knight
KIMBERLY KNIGHT will be taking her running skills to compete in cross country and track at Clark College. Kimi has earned her varsity letter in cross country (4 years), basketball (1 year) and track (3 years) with her senior season of track just around the corner. Kimi was a member of the 2011 and 2012 Girls’ Cross Country Team that brought home the WIAA State Championship trophy. As a track athlete, Kimi was a member of the 4 X 400M relay team that placed sixth overall at the 3A State Championships a year ago. Since kindergarten, Kimi has never missed a day of school and will complete her high school career with perfect attendance. Kimi carries a 3.4 GPA.
Connor Dyehouse
CONNOR DYEHOUSE will be traveling to Wisconsin as a new member of the Men’s Lacrosse Team at Carthage College where he also hopes to pursue economics. In 2012, Connor’s team made it to the semifinals of the Washington High School Boys’ Lacrosse State Championship Tournament. He was also named a U.S. National All-Star for his indoor lacrosse team. Connor is a four-year honor roll student and carries a 3.77 GPA.
Jack Beall
JACK BEALL will become a Penguin as he takes his lacrosse skills to compete at Dominican University of California. In addition to lacrosse, Jack is a three-year letterman in football. Jack’s lacrosse achievements include 2010 and 2011 All-State honors, team captain for the last three years, and he was the 2010 point leader in Washington State with 108 goals. In 2010, Jack was an integral part of winning the silver medal in the Lacrosse World Championships for his age division. Jack is a three-year, Greater St. Helens League Academic All-League winner and carries a 3.89 GPA.
Emily Ponce
EMILY PONCE has already signed with Concordia University to play on their Women’s’ Soccer Team. Emily has earned her varsity letter three years with the CHS Soccer Team. In 2010, Emily helped her team win the 3A GSHL League Championship as well as the District IV Championship before reaching the quarterfinals of the state tournament. As a senior, Emily and her teammates earned a fourth-place finish in the WIAA State Championship Tournament at the 4A level this fall. Emily earned All-League honors as a First Team player in 2011 and a Second Team player in 2012. Emily is a two-year, Greater St. Helens All-League Academic Award winner and carries a 3.43 GPA.
Diane Dyra
DIANE DYRA will be joining her teammate Emily to continue their efforts on the soccer field as she has also signed with Concordia University to play soccer. Diane is a two year varsity letterman with the Girls’ Soccer Team. In her career at CHS she, too, has been a part of winning a GSHL League Championship and District IV Championship at the 3A level as well as a GSHL League Co-Championship this year at the 4A level. Diane earned All-League honors as a Second Team Forward in 2012 and was voted by her team as the Offensive Player of the Year. Diane has also received the GSHL Academic All-League award and carries a 3.26 GPA.
Jamie Carter
JAMIE CARTER will be moving to Montana to protect the goal as she has committed to play soccer at Carroll College as a Fighting Saint. Jamie lettered all four years as a varsity soccer player and three years as a varsity softball player. As a ninth grader, Jamie contributed to the third place finish in the WIAA 3A State Championship Soccer Tournament. As a junior, Jamie was a First Team All-League player and named to the First Team All-State Team. As a senior, Jamie earned First Team All-League honors again, All-State Honorable Mention and was nominated as a team captain. Since her sophomore year, Jamie has been named a GSHL Academic All-League award winner every year in both soccer and softball. She carries a 3.92 GPA.
Roldan Alcobendas
ROLDAN ALCOBENDAS will be taking his kicking skills to Cheney, WA, as he will play football for Eastern Washington University. Roldan has earned his varsity letter three years as a varsity football and soccer athlete, with his fourth season of soccer just around the corner. Roldan has earned GSHL All-League honors in 2011 as a Kicker/Punter as well as the Special Teams Player of the Year. In 2012, Roldan was selected as an All-League midfielder for soccer, All-League punter and Special Teams Player of the Year once again. Roldan also made the All-Region Team as a kicker/punter. Since his freshman year, Roldan has been named a GSHL Academic All-League award winner every year. He carries a 3.59 GPA.
John Norcross
JOHN NORCROSS will be staying close to home as he will commit to play football at Portland State University on a full scholarship. John is a three-year letterman as a varsity football player. John led the Papermakers to the Tacoma Dome and a third place finish in the WIAA 3A Football Playoffs in 2011 and then at the 4A level this last fall. John is a First Team All-League athlete and nominated as the GSHL Defensive Player of the Year and All-State Linebacker in 2011 as a junior. As a senior he was selected a second time as the GSHL Defensive Player of the Year and All-State Linebacker. In addition, John was recognized on the offensive side of the ball on the All-State Team as a tight end. John’s leadership on the field was recognized by his teammates as they nominated him team captain this year. John is an honor roll student and carries a 3.83 GPA.
Please help us celebrate their academic and athletic accomplishments. Congratulations Papermakers!
In May, Camas will be recognizing other athletes who will be moving on to play at the collegiate level. There will be more to follow at a later date.
Fall Sports Wrap
Academic Excellence
One State Academic Champion – Girls Swim – 3.72
One Sixth Place Academic Placer – Football – 3.24
Eight of Eight Varsity Teams with 3.0 or Higher GPA’s
- Boys Cross Country – 3.58
- Girls Cross Country – 3.61
- Boys Golf – 3.58
- Girls Swim – 3.65
- Boys Tennis – 3.65
- Football – 3.02
- Volleyball – 3.62
- Girls Soccer – 3.52
Athletic Excellence
Five League Champions
- Boys Cross Country
- Girls Cross Country
- Volleyball
- Football
- Girls Soccer
Four District Champions
- Boys Cross Country
- Girls Cross Country
- Girls Swimming
- Volleyball
One Bi-District Champion
- Girls Cross Country
Four State Placers
- Volleyball – 5th Place
- Girls Soccer – 4th Place
- Football – 3rd Place
- Girls Cross Country – State Champions!!!
Six GSHL 4A Student-Athletes of the Year
- Alexa Efraimson – Girls Cross Country
- Brian Humphreys – Boys Golf
- Brindl Langley – Volleyball
- Zach Eagle – Football
- Nate Beasley – Football
- John Norcross – Football
Two GSHL 4A Coaches of the Year
- Mike Hickey – Boys and Girls Cross Country
- Jon Eagle – Football
Camas shines at Stanford
Camas sophomore Alexa Efraimson placed second in the girls seeded race at the Stanford Invitational, finishing the 5,000-meter course in 17:04. Amy-Eloise Neal of Snohomish’s Glacier Peak High School won the race in 16:52.
Sophomore Alissa Pudlitzke placed 13th overall (18:36) and freshman Maddie Woodson was 33rd (19:07) as the Papermakers placed fourth among 19 elite teams from the western United States. Glacier Peak placed eighth. Led by Andrew Duffy (39th, 16:14) and Tucker Boyd (46th, 16:19), the Camas boys placed 16th out of 32 teams in the seeded boys race.
Read more at The Columbian
Join seniors Norcross and Patterson for a 24-hr walk
John Norcross and Troy Patterson, as their senior projects, are running the second annual Everyone Walk 24-hour walk at Cardon Field this Saturday and Sunday, September 29 & 30. Proceeds for the event will go to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Portland, childhood fitness and obesity awareness, and the football program.
Read More at The Columbian
Mayor for a day
Camas teen spends the day shadowing Mayor Scott Higgins
Incredible.
That’s how Camas teen Danielle Colwell described her recent “Mayor for a Day,” experience, which included lunch, private tours of the local police and fire departments, and an opportunity to address the City Council.
“Everyone was super nice, welcoming and genuine,” she said. “They all were passionate about what they did and wanted to share it. That was really cool to see.”
Colwell, 18, had the opportunity to job shadow Camas Mayor Scott Higgins after her parents bid on and received the “Mayor for a Day,” package at a Camas Educational Foundation auction.
Colwell said her favorite part of the day was lunch with Higgins and Jennifer Gorsuch, human resources director for the city of Camas. She also enjoyed a tour of the police department.
Read the full story at The Post Record