SEATech Health Science Careers/Pre-Nursing students observe brain surgery
On December 11, Health Science Careers/Pre-Nursing students started their day at 6:30 a.m. to observe brain surgery at Providence St. Mary Medical Center. Students were provided a hands-on experience with surgical instruments and microscopes of different diseases. The presentation was instructed as a college-prep class. This was a very tedious surgery that took about 5 hours. Students experienced what it would be like to work in this setting. Students were treated as health professionals and informed of what our world offers in healthcare. This was a great experience and day at Providence St. Mary Medical Center and we thank them for the opportunity.
“It was a fabulous experience for SEATech Pre-Nursing, we were so lucky to have this experience,” said Sandy Thomas, Instructor, RN.
WaHi Hosts Annual Career and College Fair
On October 17th, Walla Walla High School held its annual College & Career Fair. Several local colleges and organizations volunteered to come and talk to our students about post-secondary options, scholarships, and volunteer and job opportunities. Thank you to our Career and College Specialist, Karen Ruzicka for organizing this event!
Thank you to all of the colleges and organizations for participating in this event! We appreciate your continued partnership and support.
Blue Mountain Community Foundation, Careers in Education, Central Washington University, Columbia Basin College, Columbia County Health System, Eastern Washington University, Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), GEAR UP, Gesa Power House Theatre, Grand Canyon University, Heritage University of Tri-Cities, Lewis-Clark State College, Moreno & Castillo Construction, Pacific Lutheran University, Perry Tech, Providence St. Mary’s, SEATech Skills Center, United States Army, University of Idaho, University of Oregon, University of Washington, WaHi Counselors, Walla Walla Community College, Walla Walla Elks Lodge, Walla Walla Sweets, Walla Walla University, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Patrol, Washington State University Agriculture, Human & Natural Resources, Washington State University Pullman, Washington State University Tri-Cities, Whitman College, and WorkSource.
CTE New Faces
Connor Hubin - Geometry in Construction & Engineering Design
This year, Connor Hubin is our new CTE teacher at WaHi, teaching Geometry in Construction and Engineering Design. While this is his first year as a full-time educator, he is familiar with the beautiful WaHi campus from working as a substitute teacher in the Walla Walla School District.
To Connor, teaching is an opportunity to guide students towards a greater standard than what came before. Every day he is grateful for the chance to be a force of positivity in a student's life. In teaching Engineering Design and Geometry in Construction, Connor is looking forward to seeing the students develop problem-solving skills and demonstrate their creativity in projects and assignments related to the engineering field.
Connor grew up in Auburn, WA but has lived in the valley since 2016 when he started attending Walla Walla University. “One of the reasons that I was compelled to start a life here in our valley was how close-knit the community is. I hope to continue growing my connection with this community with an open invitation to reach out and contact me for any reason, especially if there is a chance I can provide any help.”
Christine Schumacher - CTE Program and Partnership Coordinator
Working in education has always been something that Chris wanted to do, inspired by her parents, both of whom were teachers. Growing up in Odessa, Washington, Chris admired the educators who made a lasting impact on her life, in particular, her high school business teacher, which is why she wanted to be a CTE teacher.
For the past 22 years, Chris has taught business and marketing, starting her career right after earning her bachelor's degree, and later a master's in educational leadership and administration from Eastern Washington University. Before working for the Walla Walla School District, Chris taught in Davenport, Sumner, and Buckley, Washington.
“This year, I’m particularly excited about the growing opportunities for students at SEATech and throughout the district, especially in helping them explore post-secondary options like internships and apprenticeships. I’m proud to be part of a community that values student success.
When I’m not working, I’m spending time with my husband John, the principal at WaHi, our son Flynn, who goes to PiHi, and our vizsla, Lucky. As a family, we enjoy traveling, attending sporting events, and getting to know the town of Walla Walla.”
Walla Walla High School Teacher Attends Professional Development Institute
Original story published by CASE Institute News Release
Jessica Johnson, an Agriscience teacher at Walla Walla High School, recently attended a Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education professional development institute at the State University of New York at Cobleskill to teach the Agricultural Equipment Maintenance & Technology (AEMT) CASE curriculum.
During the CASE Institute, Mrs. Johnson spent 5 days in Cobleskill, New York, and 3 days studying virtually working through nearly every lesson in the yearlong curriculum and learning how to deliver lessons in an inquiry-based way that will shift focus in the classroom from teacher-led to student-directed learning.
"This new AEMT (Agricultural Equipment Maintenance & Technology) course is exactly what our community supporters and students have been asking for," said Jessica Johnson. "It will provide our students with the opportunity to learn advanced skills and essential knowledge to enter a post-secondary program and become technicians in the agriculture, construction, diesel, and automotive industries." Mrs. Johnson is implementing this new curriculum to teach the AEMT (Agricultural Equipment Maintenance & Technology) class beginning this year.
CASE 4 Learning is committed to designing an inquiry-based agricultural curriculum that meets the current demands of teachers, students, and industry. CASE 4 Learning provides comprehensive professional development and workshops for new and seasoned teachers to achieve lifetime certification, learn new coursework, and build a community of support. Upon certification, all CASE 4 Learning teachers have access to course updates, training, and support for the remainder of their careers. The curriculum is designed to spiral and scaffold course concepts, incorporate APP (Activity, Project, or Problem) modalities, and meet core standards to equip teachers and schools to help students become lifelong learners and prepare them for college and/or careers. The curriculum was written by CASE 4 Learning. CASE is an acronym for Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education and is an initiative of the National Council for Agricultural Education (The Council.)
Where Are They Now?
Peyton Badertscher
On July 17, Sheriff Crider swore in a new support services employee, Peyton Badertscher!
Peyton is a recent WaHi grad looking to deepen her roots in Walla Walla by serving her community with the Walla Walla Sheriff’s Office.
Peyton was born in Pullman, WA, and raised in towns across Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. She has a supportive family and a few dogs that she loves to hike with. Peyton loves being up in the mountains with family and friends, soaking up fresh air and enjoying nature. When she is not in the mountains, you can probably find Peyton nose-deep in a book, immersed in another world.
Peyton took Criminal Justice classes at SEATech Skills Center with Sgt. Smith for two years during high school. Both years she competed in SkillsUSA and made it to nationals for Crime Scene Investigation, recently competing in Georgia!
Peyton plans on continuing her passions in college, staying in Walla Walla. She has lived here for about 7 years and says it is her favorite place she has lived. Peyton stated, ''I enjoy the people and the culture, and I am so excited to help keep it safe and loved by being a part of WWSO."
Congratulations Peyton and thank you for choosing SEATech!
WaHi JROTC League Competition
On November 16th, 85 high school Junior ROTC marksmen representing 12 rifle teams from Washington and Oregon met on Saturday in Lebanon, Oregon for the first Cascade Mountain League JROTC Drill Meet Rifle Match of the 2024-25 season. The high school marksmen filled 5 relays at Lebanon High School to test their marksmanship skills in the first of 5 contests that the Cascade Mountain League conference will hold this season. Shooters competed in 3 position rifle matches consisting of 20 record shots in the kneeling, prone, and standing positions.
In the sporter class, Cadet First Sergeant Melissa Villegas fired the Blue Devil’s highest score with a career-high 541 out of 600, taking the Gold medal in the Sharpshooter Class and leading WaHi’s sporter team to a 2nd place finish with Cadet Corporal Jaycee Cox taking the gold medal in the Expert Class with a 528. The Blue Devil Sporter team was rounded out by Cadet Major Claire Wooster finishing on a 515 for a silver medal in the Sharpshooter Class and Cadet Captain Saphira Rynaski with a 516 shooting in the Master Class. The team finished the day setting a new school record for the sporter team with 2100 points out of 2400, behind the winning team from Lebanon High School who ended on 2135.
The Blue Devils swept the Precision Class with Cadet Lieutenant Claire Calvert claiming gold with a final score of 580, followed close behind by Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Hannah Goin in a virtual tie with a 580. The medal was decided by both ladies’ center x ten count with Calvert coming out just ahead of Goin 32-28. The scoring precision team was rounded out by Cadet Captain Sarah Nelson shooting a career high of 577, followed closely by Rifle Team Captain Evan Graham behind a 570.
“This is the first time in several years we have shot a score over 2300 on the precision team,” said WaHi Rifle Team Coach Mark Mebes after the match. “That is extremely encouraging this early in the season.”
At the conclusion of the day, Walla Walla’s Precision Team took first place over the team from Redmond, Oregon, 2307 to 2075.
“Even though we shot well today, everyone came off the line with something that we could have done better,” said Graham on Saturday “ If we can keep improving as the season progresses it’s exciting to think how far we could go this year.”
Walla Walla’s Rifle Teams return home this week to host the Pardini Air Nationals Qualifier next Saturday at Walla Walla High School.
Team Placements
- Precision Rifle Team: 1st Place
- Sporter Rifle Team: 2nd Place
- Unarmed Drill Team: 3rd Place
- Team Commander C/CSM Kincheloe placed 4th
- Armed Drill Team: 6th Place
- Team Commander C/CPT Sheldon placed 4th
- Color Guard Team 1: 2nd place
- PT Team 1: 2nd place
- PT Team 2: 2nd place
WaHi JROTC's next drill meet will be December 14th at Rogers High School in Spokane, WA.
SkillsUSA Students at Nationals
SEATech Skills Center students from the Careers in Media and Entertainment and Criminal Justice Programs traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, in June, to compete nationally in the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference with over 6000 other champions.
Peyton Badertscher, Cooper Nelson, and Raighlyn Lore had a strong showing, finishing in the top 20, while also earning their SkillsUSA Points Certification, deeming their skill levels in Crime Scene Investigation, meeting or exceeding the industry standards.
Ricky Lozano Competed in the Criminal Justice championships and finished in the top 20 in the nation.
Sarah Jousma and Soren Thompson finished in the top 15 in Digital Cinema Production, also earning their SkillsUSA Points Certifications.
WaHi FFA Evergreen Tour
On October 4th, 27 WaHi FFA members attended the Washington FFA Evergreen Tour at Colfax High School. Members participated in leadership activities and icebreakers that helped build foundational skills. They enjoyed meeting and getting to know the current state officer team. This event was a great way to start the 2024-2025 school year!
SkillsUSA Fall Leadership Camp Recap
SEATech SkillsUSA students from Criminal Justice and Construction attended the Fall Leadership Camp held at Black Diamond Camp in Auburn, WA. This year’s camp featured leadership workshops, team-building activities, and invaluable moments for students and advisors to connect and grow.
Congratulations to Jordan Lopez (Criminal Justice), who earned the Washington Statesman Award by demonstrating outstanding SkillsUSA knowledge, leadership, and commitment.
WaHi FFA Fair Results 2024
Original Story published September 6th, WWPS Week in Review
The Walla Walla High School FFA chapter had another successful year at the fair. This year 60 students participated by showing seven species of animals. Thanks to the community support again this year with market sales exceeding $115,000.
Below is a list of results and livestock participants. Special thanks to all the FFA Advisors for their hard work preparing students for the fair.
Market Results
Goats:
Reagan Leiferman: FFA Champion Market Goat
Kiauna Snyder: FFA Reserve Champion Market Goat
Steer:
Max Cox: Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer, FFA Champion Steer
Sheldon Coburn: Rate of Gain Champion
Sheep:
Natalie Lieuallen: FFA Reserve Champion Market Lamb
Best pen of 4: Owen Hand, Carson Hand, Makenna Wright, and Hanna Wright.
Swine:
Reagan Reser: Grand Champion Market Hog, FFA Champion Hog
Alexis Jones: FFA Reserve Champion Market Hog
Breeding Results
Jaycee Cox: Grand Champion Registered White Face Ewe.
Showmanship Results
FFA Supreme Showman: Jaycee Cox
Sheep:
Madison Doyle: FFA Reserve Novice Showman
Swine:
Rem McBride: FFA Grand Champion Showman, FFA Advanced Champion Showman
Keeley Preston: FFA Reserve Grand Champion Showman, FFA Advanced Reserve Champion Showman
Ellie Edwards: FFA Champion Novice Showman
Ellie Ford: FFA Reserve Champion Novice Showman
Steer:
Jaycee Cox: FFA Champion Steer Showman
Goats:
Reagan Leiferman: FFA Champion Goat Showman
Kiauna Snyder: FFA Reserve Champion Goat Showman
Small Animals
Chickens:
Kelli Taylor: FFA Champion and Reserve Champion Chickens in multiple classes
Rabbits:
Kelli Taylor: Multiple Champion and Reserve Champion Awards
Alexa Kemp: Multiple Champion and Reserve Champion Awards
Western Games
Poles, Stakes and Barrels Champion: Teegan Timmons
Keyhole and Flag Race Champion: Madison Worden
Livestock Judging
Pre-Fair:
1st place team: Makenna Wright, Hanna Wright, and Madison Worden
2nd Overall: Kinzey Appleford and Tazie Betzler (tie)
3rd Overall: Makenna Wright
4th Overall: Owen Hand
5th Overall: Kaiya Witcher
6th Overall: Hanna Wright
7th Overall: Ellie Ford
9th Overall: Kenny Gabel
10th Overall: Madison Worden
During Fair:
1st Overall: Jaycee Cox
7th Overall: Sheldon Coburn
10th Overall: Reagan Leiferman
Tractor Driving:
1st Place Team - Rem McBride, Sheldon Coburn, Wyatt Aycock
1st Individual - Rem McBride
2nd Individual - Sheldon Coburn
3rd Individual - Wyatt Aycock
Horse Judging
1st Individual - Hanna Wright
Herdsmanship:
Our chapter won the FFA herdsmanship award in Swine, Goats, Chickens and Rabbits.
All Livestock and Small Animal Showmen:
Beef
Alexa Kemp
Max Cox
Jaycee Cox
Sheldon Coburn
Amiria Weissenfell-Cross
Goats
Hiromy Esquivel
Adaliah Valdez
Kiauna Snyder
Raegan Leiferman
Mandy Tilley
Kenny Gabel
Lambs
Hanna Wright
Makenna Wright
Owen Hand
Carson Hand
Teegan Timmons
Natalie Lieuallen
Phone Frierson
Preston Cochran
Azul Munoz
Reese Babcock
Daniella Brito
Easton Van Dyke
Josie Van Dyke
Madison Doyle
Korben King
Kairi Kincheloe
Braxton Walters
Hadley Morgan
Hogs
Quinton Grimes
Audrey Haury
Wyatt Aycock
Livia Aycock
Sara Bowen
Ashley Lane
Baylee Appleford
Kinzey Appleford
Keeley Preston
Rylee Reser
Race Hubbard
Zace Clark-Paolino
Andrea Esquivel
Ellie Edwards
Tazie Betzler
Isaac Coon
Natalia Horn-Quintero
Parker Morgan
Hagen Taylor
Ellie Ford
Darach Dye
Alexis Jones
Aaden Repoff
Ryder Hubbard
Kaiya Witcher
Sloane Stemple
Rem McBride
Madison Worden
Tazie Betzler
Breanna Sweeney
Chickens
Kelli Taylor
Rabbits
Alexa Kemp
Kelli Taylor
SEATech Criminal Justice Students attend WWPD
Photo courtesy of Sue Webber
On December 10th, students from the SEATech Criminal Justice class were invited to attend the crime scene investigation being conducted by the Walla Walla Police Department Detectives Division.
Earlier in the week a single bone was found during construction on the south side of Pioneer Park. Detectives secured the scene once it was determined that the bone was a human femur.
Until it is determined that the remains are not the result of a crime, students were only allowed to observe the processing of the possible crime scene.
It was a great opportunity for students to see, in real-time an actual investigation, of some of the forensic techniques and procedures that take place in their chosen career field.
Several more human bones were recovered while the students were observing.
STEM Club Volunteers at BMAC
Stephanie Penrose and her Garrison STEM Club members volunteered on November 22 at the Blue Mountain Action Council food bank distribution center. Working together with other adult volunteers, these amazing students helped assemble 1,000 Thanksgiving dinners for local families in need. While they were super tired after helping, all of them agreed their service was totally worth it!
STEM Club members include Claire Baker, Bentley Boyle, Daniel Cisneros, Lyla Creviston, Grayson Gonzalez, Peyton Knudson, Ellie Mahan, Alex Marroquin, Aiden Merrill, Francisco Merrill, Paxtin O’kert, Alex Smith, Ayla Barclay, and Adele DiLorenzo.
Walla Walla High School Celebrates Success: Nine Students Qualify for FBLA Nationals
Walla Walla High School is proud to announce that nine students qualified to compete at the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) National Leadership Conference held this past summer in Orlando Florida. This achievement highlights the school’s commitment to fostering business knowledge and leadership skills in its students, setting a strong foundation for their future endeavors.
The nine students earned their spots at nationals after excelling in the FBLA State Leadership Conference held earlier this year. Competing against peers from across the state, these students showcased their talents in various business-related events including marketing, finance, computer programming, and public speaking. Their outstanding performances have earned them the opportunity to represent both their school and their state on a national stage.
Nationals’ qualifier Junior Matthew “Jerry” Yao took 10th place in Coding and Programming this summer in Orlando.
Principal John Schumacher expressed immense pride in the students' accomplishments, stating, "We are incredibly proud of these young leaders. Their dedication and hard work has paid off. This is a testament to the strength of our business education program and the supportive community here at WaHi."
FBLA is the largest student business organization in the country, providing students with opportunities to develop essential skills such as leadership, communication, and critical thinking. The National Leadership Conference is the pinnacle of the FBLA experience, where thousands of students from across the country come together to compete, learn, and network with professionals in the business world.
WaHi FFA Potato Judging & Tractor Competition
On November 20th, 10 students, Mrs. Johnson, and Ms. Drader travelled to Moses Lake, WA for FFA State Potato Judging and Tractor Competitions.
All three teams placed well within their competitions. Makenna Wright placed 3rd individually in the Potato Judging Competition out of 221 competitors!
Makenna will be recognized on state at the Washington State FFA Convention and Expo in May of 2025.
JROTC Volunteer Recognition
On August 15th, Cadets from WaHi were recognized by the Walla Walla Veterans Home Superintendent, Lonna Leno, and their Activities Director, Clay Lindsey, for their outstanding support during the 2023-2024 school year. Cadets conducted numerous hours of community service, participated in some of the residents' daily activities, and assisted the veterans during our Veterans Day Assembly at WaHi. The pictured cadets represent last year's battalion of over 100 cadets for their commitment to helping others within our community.
WaHi Blue Devil Rifle Team Shatters School Record
The Walla Walla High School JROTC Rifle Team hosted the Junior AirNats Regional Qualifier Rifle Match at Walla Walla High School on Saturday, November 23rd. 48 shooters from across eastern Washington converged on WaHi’s rifle range to compete for honors and an invite to the national championship match, held in Camp Perry, Ohio this January.
Precision-class rifle shooters fired a 60-shot match from the unsupported standing position. Shots were scored on a decimal system, with a perfect dead-center shot scoring a 10.9 and lower scores radiating out from the target’s center.
The Blue Devil Precision Team won the match over Spokane Rifle Club’s Gold Team by 22 points 2374 to 2352. The top precision class shooter at the match was WaHi’s Cadet Lieutenant Claire Calvert at a 602.2 narrowly defeating Spokane Rifle Club’s Breeden Ensley by 2/10th of a point. The Blue Devil scoring team for this match included Calvert, Cadet Captain Sarah Nelson at 593.2, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Hannah Goin at 590.8, and Cadet Lieutenant Noah Kaheaku at 588.
“We are very pleased with these scores right now,” commented Rifle Team Captain Evan Graham after Saturday’s match “I think this gives our team a very good chance of qualifying for the national championships.”
In the Sporter-class, the match consisted of 20 shots fired prone, 20 shots standing, and 20 shots from the kneeling position for a possible score of 600. The top score went to WaHi’s Cadet Captain Saphira Rynaski with a personal record of 541. WaHi swept the top three spots with Cadet Corporal Jaycee Cox in second place behind a 529 and Cadet First Sergeant Melissa Villegas in third with a 528. The Blue Devils won the match with a score of 2117 out of 2400 ahead of University High School’s JROTC Rifle Team, setting a new school record in the process. Scoring members of the sporter team were Rynaski, Cox, Villegas, and Cadet Major Claire Wooster who finished the day on a personal record of 519.
“This sporter team has absolutely been on fire the last two weeks,” said rifle coach Mark Mebes. “They broke the school record last weekend in Lebanon with a 2100 and then broke it again today. It will be interesting to see how far they can go this year.”
Whether or not any teams from this match will receive an invite to the national match in Ohio will remain to be seen. Locations throughout the US are holding similar regional qualifiers until the end of December.
The Blue Devil’s next contest will take place in Spokane on December 14th at the JROTC Cascade Mountain League drill and rifle competition with the rifle match taking place at Spokane Community College.
JROTC Rifle Team at Nationals
244 of the top High School Rifle Marksmen in the US met in Camp Perry, Ohio on the 9th and 10th of July for the Civilian Marksmanship Program National Air Rifle Championship. WaHi’s JROTC Precision Rifle Team qualified for the event, garnering invitations for 5 Blue Devil marksmen to take the national stage to represent their school. This year, shooters qualifying for this match also received invitations to compete in the CMP Open Smallbore National Match. WaHi accepted both invitations, marking the teams' first appearance in over 2 decades at an outdoor national smallbore rifle event.
WaHi RIfle Team CMP Air Rifle (L-R): Vawter, Goin, Rynaski, Calver, Graham
WaHi Rifle Team Captain Cadet Major Micah Vawter led the team of WaHi Precision shooters in this, their 18th match of the season, and the final high school match for Vawter who has been shooting competitively since his freshman year. The precision team, composed of Vawter, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Hannah Goin, Cadet Captain Evan Graham, Cadet Captain Saphira Rynaski, and Cadet Lieutenant Claire Calvert faced 48 teams from across the US vying for dominance on the national stage.
Preliminary qualifications for this match began last February when the team traveled to Puyallup for the Washington State CMP Championship Match. From there, they advanced to the CMP Western Regional Championship in Salt Lake City, Utah. WaHi’s scores at the match in Utah advanced the teams to the National Championship in Ohio. There they joined the top-ranked shooters in the United States, vying for trophies and honors.
Shooters competed in a course of fire that included 20 shots each from the prone, standing, and kneeling positions. Each shot is worth 10 points for a total match score of 600 points per shooter. On the first day of competition, Vawter led the team with a career-high score of 587, including 198 out of 200 in the prone position, one offhand target that scored a 98, and one nearly perfect kneeling target at 99.
“Micah turned in the performance today that he has been working hard for all year,” commented WaHi Rifle Team Coach Mark Mebes, after the match on Friday. “He has done an outstanding job of leading the team this season. He will be shooting collegiately for Hillsdale College next year, so we are excited to see him perform at the next level.”
As the WaHi team finished their relay, they had racked up 2286 points out of 2400 with Calvert producing the team’s second-highest marks at 571, Graham at 565 and Goin at 563.
On the second day of the match, the Blue Devil squad was led by Goin, who shot 577, including one perfect prone target that scored a 100. Goin’s score was followed by Rynaski with a career-high score of 572, Vawter at 571, and Graham and Calvert both turning 568. The team’s two-day score totaled 4570, placing them 9th overall among the high school teams present in the scholastic category.
Immediately following the indoor air rifle championship, the shooters switched their focus to outdoor small-bore shooting for the remaining 3 days.
The CMP National Smallbore Rifle Championship consisted of one day of practice and two match days in which competitors shot targets at 50 yards with a single-shot bolt action .22 rifles from the kneeling, prone, and standing positions. Identical to the air rifle match in scoring, each shot is worth up to 10 points, with 20 record shots fired from each position for a total of 60 shots and 600 points per match.
Robotics Summer Camp
Over the summer, middle school students from across the district gathered at Garrison Middle School for the 7th Annual Robotics Camp, a free summer enrichment program to spark interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Hosted by Walla Walla Public Schools, from June 17 to June 21, offering students a unique hands-on opportunity to dive into robotics, coding, and teamwork.
Over the week, campers—ranging from current 5th, 6th, and 7th graders—enthusiastically engaged in designing, building, and programming their robots. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, students learned how to safely use tools and equipment, explored circuitry, and experimented with coding techniques.
The camp emphasized teamwork and problem-solving, encouraging students to collaborate and think critically as they worked to bring their robotic creations to life. The fun didn’t stop with robotics—students also enjoyed BBQ lunches and a welcoming, supportive atmosphere that fostered creativity and innovation.
The week concluded with a special "Show and Tell" event on Friday, where families were invited to witness the incredible inventions their children had built throughout the week. Students proudly showcased their robots, demonstrating the skills and knowledge they gained during the camp.
As one of the district's signature summer programs, the Robotics Camp continues to inspire young minds, equipping them with valuable skills that will benefit them in their future academic and career pursuits.
Careers in Education
SEATech Skills Center is excited to announce the launch of its new Careers in Education program for the 2025-26 school year. This course is designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing careers as PreK-12 educators, preschool teachers, or childcare providers. The course will cover current issues in education, effective teaching strategies, and educational theories. Along with this, students receive hands-on experiences by observing and working in classrooms.
One of the standout features of this program is the hands-on practicum experience. Students will be paired with mentor teachers at local schools, and work directly with students under the guidance of experienced educators.
In addition to classroom and practicum experiences, the program also offers specialized training in child development, from infancy through adolescence. Students will participate in field trips, professional talks, and unique activities as the Infant Simulation experience. Students will have opportunities to earn certifications, including STARS Certification, CPR/First Aid, and a Food Worker Card - credentials that are highly valuable in early childhood education and childcare settings.
In addition to these hands-on experiences, the Careers in Education program offers college credit opportunities through partnerships with Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) and Columbia Basin College (CBC). This new program is an excellent way for high school students to explore the teaching profession, gain real-world experience, and earn valuable certifications and college credits.