A BIG HARRAH for several of our teaching staff as they are receiving additional certification called an English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement. Marge Gary, Jan Eaton, Suzanne Towery and Jeremy McNinich have been taking classes sponsored by the Gear-Up program for the past 18 months in order to achieve this state endorsement. Their goal is to improve the delivery of literacy skills and strategies to all our students, but especially to our English Language Learners (ELL).

ANOTHER BIG HARRAH is for one of our seniors, Andy Easton, who received the Seattle Seahawks "Volunteer Service Award" for last year’s efforts throughout our community. He is one individual who has done so much and given of his time and energy for the school and for the community. He recently received a certificate and two free Seattle Seahawks tickets vs. the Buffalo Bills game on November 28th.

A REALLY BIG HARRAH goes to our Freshmen Class for winning the Washington State’s Traffic Safety Award for Youth Initiatives for getting the pedestrian lights up on Highway 12, as part of our Project Citizen program. Mrs. Elsasser is the Project Citizen teacher and the organizing force behind this effort. Mrs. Elsasser and 10 students from her class will be traveling to the SeaTac area for the December 9th banquet that will be honoring them as well as others who have won similar awards from the state. A representative from the state has already taken numerous pictures and interviewed the class for presentation purposes at the upcoming banquet.

A BIG TOUCHET CONGRATULATIONS to our FFA champions who gathered up quite a few ribbons, plaques, and certificates during this year’s Walla Wall County Fair. This year’s livestock winners included the following Touchet students: Emily Coffell (Reserve Champion FFA Market Swine, FFA Novice Champion Showman), Brittney Kentch (FFA Grand Champion Swine Showman, Reserve FFA Overall Showman), Amber McDonald (Grand Champion Market Swine, Overall Reserve Grand Market Swine, FFA Reserve Novice Showman), Katrina Plucker (FFA Grand Champion Sheep Showman, FFA Overall Showman Runner-up), Jami Weber (FFA Outstanding Blackface Ewe), Touchet Novice and Advanced teams (2nd place in Livestock judging), Touchet FFA Swine took the Overall Educational Display Best of Class.

A SPECIAL "WAY-TO-GO" goes out to our Touchet 4-H and High School Rodeo participants who were among the over 150 award winners during the Walla Walla County Achievement Program. Our High School Rodeo participants have done quite well for themselves with Courtney Frazier and Chelsie Schaefer standing 7th & 8th respectively in the All-around Cowgirl competition and Bryce Palmer and Brock Palmer standing 10th & 12th respectively in the All-Around Cowboy competition after 6 rodeos. Two Touchet students who were big winners in the 4-H junior division were Carley Frazier and Justin Casebier. They were selected for the quality and growth of their 4-H project, their leadership skills and their active involvement in the total 4-H program. Other 4-H winner were Best Record Book went to Cassie McCubbins, and Project Medals of Honor and Certificates went to Rachel Huesby, Cassie McCubbins, and Taylor Skramstad. Teen Leadership Pins went to Ed Castillo, Katrina Plucker, Kryssa Haggberg, and Jami Weber.

KUDOS TO THE 5TH GRADE BEGINNING BAND CLASS, whose members have surpassed all expectations of their teacher, Mr. Elsasser. The young musicians are already in mid-season form as they are playing material normally played for the Spring Concert. They are on track to finish their first year’s musical requirements way ahead of schedule. This is the fastest any first year class has accomplished this goal. Their talents will be on display during our annual Winter Concert on December 20th.

The contents of this page are maintained by Dan McDonald. For questions, comments, or corrections, please use this email link or the webmaster link below. .