National FFA Week – February 18-25, 2023
“Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve” is the motto of FFA.
FFA and agricultural education provide a strong foundation for the youth of America and the future of food, fiber, and natural resources. FFA promotes premier leadership, personal growth, and career success among its members.
Pendleton High School FFA Advisors Marty Campbell and Kylee Hunt invest in their students who work hard before, during and after school to succeed. This includes working on projects, continuing their SAEs, and practicing for Career Development Events such as Ag Mechanics, Meats Evaluation, and Livestock Evaluation, all of which have enlisted the help of many community members. Mr. Campbell shares some of the recent student successes.
- Eight students will be receiving their State FFA Degree (pending final approval by the state)
- District Proficiency Award Winners (awarded for excellence in their Supervised Agricultural Experiences)
- Kelli Nelson in Sheep Production
- Crae Campbell in Ag Sales and Service
- Michael Roselle in Goat Production
- Kelli Nelson in Veterinary Science
- Rylee Demianew in Agricultural Education
- Alison Spratling in Grain Production
- Kelli Nelson placed second in the Job Interview Career Development Event and will be moving on to Sectionals
- Faith Olson placed third in the district with her portfolio of FFA activities
- Adrie Fisher placed second in the district with the Chapter scrapbook and will be going on to State
- Rylee Demianew placed second in Advanced Public Speaking and will move on to Sectionals
- Faith Olson won the Sophomore Public Speaking and will move on to Sectionals
- Casey Van Corn placed fourth in the Beginning Public Speaking
- Vance Nelson won the Creed Speaking and will move on to Sectionals
- Hazel Case placed fourth in the Creed Speaking
- Michael Roselle was elected Blue Mountain District Treasurer
A big thank you to the advisors and congratulations to the students!
A Message from Superintendent Headings – February 17, 2023
A report was made this morning to the Pendleton High School administration about a possible threat posted on social media to harm students at the school today. Law enforcement was contacted immediately, and with the help of the school administration, the student in question was contacted without incident. At no time were students at PHS unsafe or in any danger from this incident. “We want to thank the student who came forward to make the report and the Pendleton Police Department for their quick response and continued support to keep our students safe.”
PHS Recognizes Their Counselors
Karen Demianew, Maddy Stuvland and Ron Murphy serve as advocates, mentors, coaches, cheerleaders, and teachers, and they are truly the glue that holds so many aspects of our schools together. As we recognize their hard work and dedication this week, we want to express our appreciation and gratitude to each of our amazing school counselors. We know students cannot learn unless their social and emotional needs are being tended to, and our school counselors are there to remove barriers and help students to navigate challenges. We are so lucky here at Pendleton High School to be surrounded by such a talented and creative group of school counselors.
Pendleton High School Holiday Season Wrap-Up
PHS students found several ways to give back to their community during the recent holiday season.
Last month, an annual tradition they completed was PHS Adopt-a-Child, where PHS teams/groups/staff “adopt” a child to provide holiday gifts through Salvation Army in Pendleton. In December, PHS adopted 45 children, an “outstanding effort by our students and staff,” said Stu Clem, PHS Leadership Advisor.
Also, during the holiday season, all district schools — elementary, middle, and high — participated in the Canned Food Drive, with students collecting hundreds of non-perishable food items for local families.
Finally, PHS Leadership hosted their annual Little Bucks Day on December 15th. The purpose of this half-day event is to give back to the Pendleton community and provide a fun day with various activities for some Little Bucks, pre-elementary children, with Big Bucks (PHS students) as role models. The Little Bucks are children of PHS staff members and friends.
There were 20 participants in Little Bucks Day this year. According to Advisor Clem, “We have had about ten former Big Bucks in our leadership class bring their own Little Bucks to this event the last three to five years.” Clem thanked PHS student Grace Pitner, who he said was an amazing chairperson of the Little Bucks committee. “It was the best Little Bucks Day we have had!” Clem said.
Pendleton High School Hang Up and Drive Assembly
Most people, including teenagers, are aware that distracted driving is dangerous and that we shouldn’t do it.
Coats for Kids Drive
Pendleton High School’s annual Coats for Kids Drive acquired 777 coats this year.
Principal Message from PHS – October 2022
A message from Principal Patrick Dutcher, Pendleton High School.
Pendleton High School Freshman Link Crew Day
Pendleton High School Freshman Link Crew Day
August 29, 2022
When was PHS founded? How long are the passing periods between classes? What is a Buckaroo Spirit Morning?
These are some of the questions posed to incoming freshmen at Pendleton High School during Freshman Link Crew Day on Monday, August 29th. The day is intended for the newest high school students to have a few hours in the high school building to themselves to be introduced to being a PHS Buckaroo. After a large group assembly in Warberg Gym, the freshmen were divided into teams to play a version of the Amazing Race game, following their upperclassmen Link Crew Leaders around to get answers to those questions and many more.
Freshman Shevany Fernandez said she is excited to start at PHS. “The thing I am most worried about on the first day is getting lost,” she said.
Dillion Elrod, another incoming freshman, said high school life will definitely be something to adapt to. Still, he is looking forward to more diverse class choices, like metal fabricating which he is taking.
After the Amazing Race activity, the freshmen groups gathered in classrooms to participate in some “getting-to-know-you” games, complete with a little confusion and some laughter.
The freshmen class has 232 students and remains in the same Link Crew group during their entire freshman year. Principal Pat Dutcher said Link Crew Day is always a positive way to start the school year. “I always look forward to meeting the freshmen and seeing them start to explore their role here at PHS in the next few years.”
Riley Kennedy, a Senior, was a Link Crew leader on Monday. She said when she drove to PHS this morning, she thought about this being her senior year. “I remember when I did Link Crew my freshman year and how exciting it was. I am looking forward to all the senior fun this year, but it’s definitely a different feeling.”
And the answers to those questions – 1888, 5 minutes, and the designated day to go all out on Dress-Up Days.
Pendleton High School Student Awarded with Academic Honors from College Board National Recognition Programs
Pendleton High School Student Awarded with Academic Honors from College Board National Recognition Programs
Pendleton High School students excelled in College Board assessments and schoolwork to earn these awards, which colleges use to identify academically competitive underrepresented students.
Pendleton High School students have earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs. These National Recognition Programs grant underrepresented students with academic honors that can be included on college and scholarship applications and connect students with universities across the country, helping them meaningfully connect to colleges and stand out during the admissions process. Colleges and scholarship programs identify students awarded National African American, Hispanic, Indigenous and/or Rural/Small Town Recognition through College Board’s Student Search Service.
Abigail Thorne has been selected as a College Board National Rural and Small-Town Awardee.
“We’re thrilled that Abigail has earned this recognition. We are very proud of her for her achievements in the classrooms and on College Board assessments,” said Patrick Dutcher, Principal of Pendleton High School. “These programs help students from underrepresented backgrounds stand out to colleges during admissions.”
Students who may be eligible have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and earned a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP Exams, and attended school in a rural area or small town.
“We want to honor the hard work of these students through the College Board National Recognition Programs. This program creates a way for colleges and scholarship programs to connect directly with underrepresented students who they are hoping to reach,” said Tarlin Ray, College Board senior vice president of Big Future. “We hope the award winners and their families celebrate this prestigious honor and it helps them plan for their big future.”
CONGRATULATIONS, Abigail!