CTE Month – February 2026
Spotlight: Pendleton High School Graduate Brady Chichester
During Career Technical Education (CTE) Month, Pendleton High School reached out to a few PHS graduates who are working in CTE fields. Brady Chichester, PHS Class of 2020, is a UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) Operator and Instructor for Delmar AeroEducation, part of Delmar Aerospace based in Nevada. Chichester works at the Pendleton Airport.
As a student at PHS, Chichester was first introduced to UAS through a Military Science class, which included a tour of the Army National Guard facility and conversations with UAS operators. “That sparked my initial interest in UAS and led me to seek out the nearest college program after I graduated, which happened to be Central Oregon Community College (COCC) in Bend, as BMCC did not yet have a UAS program,” he said.
Chichester earned a degree in Unmanned Aerial Systems Operations, which took about two years to complete. The coursework included a mix of UAS-specific classes, aerodynamics, meteorology, and GIS (Geographic Information Systems). He also had to take either a fixed-wing or helicopter private pilot class, which went more in depth than a UAS pilot typically needs, but he found it beneficial since he plans to earn his private pilot’s license in the future.
At Delmar Aerospace, he is the lead instructor for their Non-Credit Training Certificate (NCTC) course, which covers general aviation knowledge such as weather, airspace, and regulations, along with in-depth flight simulations that prepare students for real-world operations. Chichester is also helping create and prepare a new FPV (First Person View) drone course for an upcoming Department of Defense contract. Another recent project involved working with the AeroEnergy crew on methane detection at landfills using UAS.
“My job duties change from month to month, which keeps things interesting. Teaching and working with students takes up the majority of my time, but I still get the opportunity to take on different projects here and there to keep things interesting and even have the possibility of deploying overseas for extended periods.”
What is his advice for high school students interested in the UAS field? He recommends a strong foundation in engineering, robotics, computers, aerospace or related technical fields. “There are still plenty of strictly piloting jobs, but having those skills on top of flying will benefit you greatly. It can be a challenging industry to break into,” he said. He shared that another route that can provide valuable experience is flying UAS in the military, primarily with the Air Force or Army; this is especially helpful for deploying overseas for private companies, which can be a lucrative path.
Chichester also points to the Pendleton hometown advantage, which presents unique opportunities and accessible pathways into the industry. Students can gain valuable experience by interning either directly through the UAS accelerator or through BMCC’s UAS program. “These opportunities are a great way to make connections and begin building a professional network early,” Chichester said.
The UAS industry is rapidly expanding, Chichester continued, making this an excellent time to enter the field in whichever sector interests someone, whether that is oil and gas, defense, agriculture, or many other industries that rely on UAS. “Each industry offers opportunities that go far beyond flying, including roles in research and development, system testing, sales, instruction, and many areas in between. If you are interested in UAS, explore the different paths available, find the niche that excites you most, and get involved as early as you can.”
Two PHS Students Awarded Full Scholarships to Whitman College
/in District Site News, News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgTwo Pendleton High School students received some amazing news in February about their college opportunities. In a surprise meeting at the school, Ella LaMere and Sheldon Joseph, both PHS seniors, received full-ride scholarships to Whitman College in Walla Walla.
Makaya Kekoa-Resner, Assistant Director of Admissions at Whitman, officially presented the news and their award letters.
LaMere and Joseph are recipients of the Šináata Scholarship, offered through a Memorandum of Agreement between Whitman and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). It is offered to as many as five applicants annually, with first preference to enrolled CTUIR students. LaMere and Joseph are both enrolled members of CTUIR.
The Šináata Scholarship, which is Whitman’s most comprehensive one, covers full cost of attendance including tuition, food and housing, books, supplies and a transportation allowance.
Kekoa-Resner said she was pleased to meet LaMere and Joseph and award them. “This is my favorite part of the year, when we actually get to hand students these scholarships in person,” she said.
Jill Gregg, Coordinator, and Mandy Oyama, BMCC Next Step Navigator, from the PHS ASPIRE Office, were at the scholarship presentation and happy to celebrate the accomplishments of these two students. “I think it’s so exciting. I remember when we took Ella on a tour of colleges a couple of years ago and just seeing her realize the possibilities was cool, so having this one open another door is neat,” Oyama said.
Principal Pat Dutcher was also thrilled about the potential the Šináata Scholarship offers. “I’ve never been prouder of two kids who deserve a scholarship like this. I know Ella’s story and her perseverance; knowing she is going to have a successful transition from high school makes a lot of people in this room really happy today.”
LaMere said she completed her college applications early so she wouldn’t have to stress about it. She applied to eight schools and likes Whitman’s campus and its proximity to family members. She is excited about the scholarship but is considering other offers before deciding where to attend college.
Sheldon, who applied to six schools, said, “This is really exciting, it’s a really good opportunity, a lot of hard work I put in is paying off now.” He likes that Whitman is close to home and they have a golf team. He has decided to attend Whitman.
For more information about how the PHS ASPIRE program supports PHS students with planning after high school, contact Jill Gregg, ASPIRE Coordinator, at 541-966-3846 or EMAIL.
More information about the Šináata Scholarship is available at this link on the Whitman College website: https://www.whitman.edu/admission-and-aid/financial-aid-and-costs/merit-talent-and-passion-scholarships/sinaata-scholarship.
PHS Forecasting Night Helps Students Plan for Next Year
/in District Site News, News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgAbout 550 students, parents, and families attended the PHS Forecasting Night at the end of February. The hallways were filled with 55 booths highlighting academic areas, elective classes, clubs, sports, activities, and community partners.
Attendees could get informed at a presentation in the PHS Auditorium, browse the booths, and enjoy dinner at one of three vendors — PHS Culinary Program Food Truck, The Dog House, and Panchitos.
PHS Principal Pat Dutcher said the event was a great success. “We appreciate all the families who joined us to plan with their students for success next school year. Family Forecasting Night is one of those Pendleton High School events that reminds us what we do all of this for. It’s a celebration of our students, our programs, and the people who make PHS special, while also giving families clear, practical information to help their students plan a strong path to graduation.”
Dutcher said he is incredibly grateful to Jill Gregg, ASPIRE Coordinator, who plans all of the logistics for the entire event and keeps everything running smoothly from start to finish. He also thanked PHS counselors Karen Demianew and Ron Murphy for their outstanding presentations that helped families make sense of course options and future planning. “And a special thanks to Maria Davis for leading our first-ever presentation in Spanish, which was a meaningful step in making sure every family feels welcomed, informed, and connected at PHS.”
Community Read-In a Great Success!
/in District Site News, News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgReaders of all ages enjoyed books, books, books at the annual Community Read-In at the Pendleton Early Learning Center (PELC) on March 2, 2026.
About 60 volunteers visited the school that morning to read to Kindergartners and share their love of books and reading. Volunteers included parents, grandparents, friends, neighbors, retired PELC staff, Sunridge Middle School Leadership students, PSD staff and school board members, IMESD Blue Mountain Early Learning Hub, Walmart employees, and law enforcement.
PELC would like to thank Pendleton Walmart for their donation of books and their employees who came to read with students.
“The Community Read-In was a roaring, reading literary success that we look forward to every year! We thank all the volunteers who showed up to spend time with our students,” said Angela Lattin, PELC Principal.
The event is the traditional kickoff to Read Across America week.
Community Read-In a Great Success!
/in Washington School News /by rthornburgReaders of all ages enjoyed books, books, books at the annual Community Read-In at the Pendleton Early Learning Center (PELC) on March 2, 2026.
About 60 volunteers visited the school that morning to read to Kindergartners and share their love of books and reading. Volunteers included parents, grandparents, friends, neighbors, retired PELC staff, Sunridge Middle School Leadership students, PSD staff and school board members, IMESD Blue Mountain Early Learning Hub, Walmart employees, and law enforcement.
PELC would like to thank Pendleton Walmart for their donation of books and their employees who came to read with students.
“The Community Read-In was a roaring, reading literary success that we look forward to every year! We thank all the volunteers who showed up to spend time with our students,” said Angela Lattin, PELC Principal.
The event is the traditional kickoff to Read Across America week.
Classified Appreciation Week: Celebrating Our Maintenance & Custodial Team
/in District Site News, News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgBehind every safe, welcoming school is a dedicated maintenance and custodial team working tirelessly — often before the day begins and long after it ends.
From keeping our buildings clean and safe to responding quickly when challenges arise, their work ensures students and staff have spaces where learning can thrive. Their pride in our schools shows in every hallway, classroom, and shared space.
Thank you for the care, skill, and commitment you bring to our district each day. Our schools shine because of you!
#ClassifiedAppreciationWeek #ThankYouTeam
Classified Appreciation Week: Celebrating Our Paraeducators
/in District Site News, News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgThis week we proudly celebrate our amazing paraeducators — the caring adults who work side-by-side with students every day to support learning, confidence, and growth.
Paraeducators build relationships, provide encouragement, and help ensure every student has access to meaningful learning experiences. Their patience, flexibility, and commitment make classrooms stronger and students more successful.
Thank you for the compassion and dedication you bring to our schools. You truly change lives through your daily work. 💚💛
#ClassifiedAppreciationWeek #StudentSuccess
Classified Appreciation Week: Celebrating Our School Secretaries
/in District Site News, News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgDuring Classified Appreciation Week, we want to recognize the incredible school secretaries who keep our schools running smoothly every single day.
They are often the first friendly voice families hear, the calm presence during busy moments, and the organizational heart of our buildings. From supporting students and staff to solving a hundred unexpected challenges before lunch, their work makes a lasting difference in the experience of everyone who walks through our doors.
Thank you for your professionalism, compassion, and dedication to our students and school communities. We appreciate you more than words can say! 💚💛
#ClassifiedAppreciationWeek #GratefulForOurTeam
Crystal Apple Award Nominations
/in District Site News, News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgDo you know an employee in our school district who is doing an amazing job? Nominate them for a 2026 Crystal Apple Award! Nominations are NOW OPEN.
These annual awards, organized by InterMountain ESD, recognize excellent educators in our region. Any district employee is eligible – teachers, paraeducators, office staff, cafeteria staff, etc. Anyone can nominate at this link: Crystal Apple Award Nomination Form
DEADLINE to nominate is April 1, 2026.
CTE Month – February 2026 Spotlight: Brady Chichester
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgCTE Month – February 2026
Spotlight: Pendleton High School Graduate Brady Chichester
During Career Technical Education (CTE) Month, Pendleton High School reached out to a few PHS graduates who are working in CTE fields. Brady Chichester, PHS Class of 2020, is a UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) Operator and Instructor for Delmar AeroEducation, part of Delmar Aerospace based in Nevada. Chichester works at the Pendleton Airport.
As a student at PHS, Chichester was first introduced to UAS through a Military Science class, which included a tour of the Army National Guard facility and conversations with UAS operators. “That sparked my initial interest in UAS and led me to seek out the nearest college program after I graduated, which happened to be Central Oregon Community College (COCC) in Bend, as BMCC did not yet have a UAS program,” he said.
Chichester earned a degree in Unmanned Aerial Systems Operations, which took about two years to complete. The coursework included a mix of UAS-specific classes, aerodynamics, meteorology, and GIS (Geographic Information Systems). He also had to take either a fixed-wing or helicopter private pilot class, which went more in depth than a UAS pilot typically needs, but he found it beneficial since he plans to earn his private pilot’s license in the future.
At Delmar Aerospace, he is the lead instructor for their Non-Credit Training Certificate (NCTC) course, which covers general aviation knowledge such as weather, airspace, and regulations, along with in-depth flight simulations that prepare students for real-world operations. Chichester is also helping create and prepare a new FPV (First Person View) drone course for an upcoming Department of Defense contract. Another recent project involved working with the AeroEnergy crew on methane detection at landfills using UAS.
“My job duties change from month to month, which keeps things interesting. Teaching and working with students takes up the majority of my time, but I still get the opportunity to take on different projects here and there to keep things interesting and even have the possibility of deploying overseas for extended periods.”
What is his advice for high school students interested in the UAS field? He recommends a strong foundation in engineering, robotics, computers, aerospace or related technical fields. “There are still plenty of strictly piloting jobs, but having those skills on top of flying will benefit you greatly. It can be a challenging industry to break into,” he said. He shared that another route that can provide valuable experience is flying UAS in the military, primarily with the Air Force or Army; this is especially helpful for deploying overseas for private companies, which can be a lucrative path.
Chichester also points to the Pendleton hometown advantage, which presents unique opportunities and accessible pathways into the industry. Students can gain valuable experience by interning either directly through the UAS accelerator or through BMCC’s UAS program. “These opportunities are a great way to make connections and begin building a professional network early,” Chichester said.
The UAS industry is rapidly expanding, Chichester continued, making this an excellent time to enter the field in whichever sector interests someone, whether that is oil and gas, defense, agriculture, or many other industries that rely on UAS. “Each industry offers opportunities that go far beyond flying, including roles in research and development, system testing, sales, instruction, and many areas in between. If you are interested in UAS, explore the different paths available, find the niche that excites you most, and get involved as early as you can.”
CTE Month – February 2026 Spotlight: Evan Miller
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgCTE Month – February 2026
Spotlight: Pendleton High School Graduate Evan Miller
During Career Technical Education (CTE) Month, Pendleton High School reached out to a few PHS graduates who are working in CTE fields. Evan Miller, PHS Class of 2018, is a Flight Test Operator for Amazon. He works near the Pendleton Airport and uses the UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) Range at his job.
As a student at PHS, Miller was on the robotics team, working in the FTC and FRC programs. He said the experience was a lot of fun and he really enjoyed it. He also took some engineering classes at PHS, including 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) and general engineering/manufacturing. “All of it was stuff I was very interested in. Not every skill transfers over one-for-one to the job I do now, but it teaches you the mentality of problem-solving and working with a team,” Miller said.
During the second half of his senior year at PHS, Miller did an internship at the UAS Range, which gave him exposure to that career field, building and flying small drones, and learning the technology and how to apply it. He also did a few job shadows with companies working at the range then. “It was great to get to know some people in the field, because when people remember your face and your name, that’s really what helps open doors later.”
Initially, he wanted to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering, but first attended BMCC, earning his Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree and an Associate of Science degree. He also earned his drone operator license. Through a previous mentor at the UAS Range, he found out Amazon was hiring for positions in Pendleton. After competing against graduates from four-year universities, he was hired in fall 2019.
At Amazon, his team tests drones that deliver packages to homes, which Amazon uses in large cities. Miller said his team’s goal every day is to fly the drone through specific test scenarios, and when they encounter something that stops the drone from flying, they solve it. “It’s very dynamic, it’s different every day, and we’ve got to be real scrappy and find solutions. I also like the mix of indoor and outdoor work,” he said.
Miller said the drone field is changing rapidly; he believes the research and development and flight test areas of the field are high demand/high wage careers. However, the skill of flying drones by hand is not as important anymore, because it’s all automated.
What is Miller’s advice for high school students interested in the UAS field? “Get exposure to everything technology, to aerospace and aviation,” he said.
He also shared that Pendleton youth don’t have to leave the community to find successful careers. “The sentiment for a lot of young people in Pendleton is that you have to leave, if you don’t leave immediately you are just kind of stuck where you are,” Miller said. “I want to say that you don’t have to leave your hometown to find something good, which is why I am glad there are more companies wanting to come in, lay some roots and hire more people in our community.”