By James Day The Silverton High School career and technical education program has received a $125,000 shot in the arm. The CTE grant, one of 54 from the state, was part of $7.3 million that will assist 148 middle schools and high schools in programs such as advanced manufacturing, engineering, agricultural science, app development, robotics, tourism, forestry, home renovation and […]
The Silverton High School athletic program, which has been searching to replace several departed coaches, now must also look to replace the head of the department. James Rise, who has served in the athletic director position for the past 4 years, has been announced as the new AD at Cascade High in Turner. He assumes the Cascade post Aug. 1, […]
By Melissa Wagoner Candace Pressnall has been involved with the theater for over 40 years. “I even have a degree in it,” she said proudly. “I’ve enjoyed it a lot.” Which is why, when the Silverton Senior Center decided to pivot to a more member-led programming, she jumped at the chance to bring a little theater to the lives of […]
Each spring the Silver Fox Foundation hosts an all-night celebration for that year’s senior class. “The party is always the night of graduation,” long-time organizer Erica Rumpca said. “Kids will load buses at 10 p.m. and we will transport them to the party returning the following morning at 6 a.m.” Originally created as a way to keep drugs and alcohol […]
By Melissa Wagoner Megan Ireland’s love of baking has its roots in the very heart of her childhood. “My mom baked and I always liked licking the beater,” Ireland recalled. “And when she made pies, I used up the scraps.” Then, at Silverton High School, Ireland began taking Culinary Arts classes from Zelma Cannon and her love for making things […]
By James Day The Silverton High football program lost just once last season in a magnificent 12-1 year that saw the Foxes claim their first state title since 1991. Now, the school has hired the coach who dealt them that lone defeat. Dan Lever of Tualatin has taken over the Foxes from Josh Craig, who stepped down in January because […]
Both Silverton High basketball squads advanced to the state tournament in Corvallis after sparkling Mid-Willamette Conference championship seasons. The boys team advanced to the state title match against Wilsonville, falling 34-30 in a defense-oriented game in which Silverton led 11-6 at halftime after shutting out the Wildcats in the second period. The No. 4 Foxes opened with a thrilling 49-47 […]
The “Senior Follies,” showcasing the talents of those aged 50 and older, is set for June 24-26 at Silverton High School, with March 15 the application deadline. Applications are available at the Silverton Senior Center, 115 Westfield St. Email [email protected] to receive an application via email or for more information. Interested parties also can call Silverton Senior Center Executive Director […]
By Stephen Floyd Around two dozen students were asked to leave Silverton High School Feb. 4 during a maskless walk-in protesting state COVID-19 mandates. Demonstrators gathered outside the school entrance that morning, prepared to disregard mandates requiring masks in all school buildings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. They were met by administrators who explained, though the district supports students’ […]
By Stephen Floyd Students at Silverton High School staged opposing protests last month to highlight what they believed were harmful COVID conditions in the classroom. A walkout held Jan. 19 protested state mandates requiring students to wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, while a walkout held Jan. 20 called for a two-week return to distance learning in […]
The Silverton Zenith Woman’s Club thanks the community of Silverton for all the help they received for their 2021 Tree of Giving project. Together we were able to make Christmas a little brighter for 210 children in the Silver Falls School District. We wish to particularly thank: Silverton Together for help with screening families; Hi-School Pharmacy, Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. […]
By Brenna Wiegand Only two weeks of school had elapsed when Our Town touched base with Silverton High School Principal Sione Thompson, in his first year with the Silver Falls School District. “It’s been quite a trial by fire but what makes it all worthwhile is that these are just terrific people,” he said. “They are kind and compassionate with […]
By Brenna Wiegand Though Hawaii born and raised, the pandemic spurred Sione Thompson to move to the mainland and become Silverton High School’s new principal. “I have a lot of family on the West Coast,” Thompson said. “I also have four children: two in grade school, one in high school and another in college. Dawn and I agreed that we […]
The Silverton High basketball teams finished their 2020-21 seasons on June 23, ten days after the seniors graduated and 15 months after a global pandemic left them waiting at the altar at a state tournament which held such promise. There. That’s a weird sentence, isn’t it? Somehow the hoopsters were able to finish a truncated six-week season, just like their […]
To the graduates of 2021, my sincere congratulations for your wonderful accomplishments. It could not have been harder, right? You weathered COVID-19, quarantines, wildfires, ice storms, and an entirely new but hopefully temporary “normal.” You learned online in your pajamas, caught sneak peeks of your friends on weekends or when the Zoom teacher was looking the other way, missed out […]
Fix high school sound system A year ago we attended our grandson’s graduation from Silverton High School. He was one of the valedictorian speakers, and of course, we were looking forward to hearing his speech. We knew we’d be seated in the auditorium; it’s common for the overflow attendees not to get to sit where the ceremony actually [takes] place. […]
“Her commitment to quietly helping others was obvious,” Mayor Kyle Palmer said in announcing Alyssa Khieu as the Future First Citizen for 2018 from Silverton High School. He went on to praise the “amazing group of students” nominated this year. As Future First Citizen Alyssa will receive the Jack Berger Memorial Scholarship. The daughter of Van and Lydia Khieu, she […]
By Peggy Savage In the wake of the Feb. 14 mass shooting at a Parkland, Florida high school, a group of Silverton High School students are organizing a walkout to protest gun violence in schools and the lack of change that has occurred to stop the violence. Sophomore Orion White and senior Elijah Rakha-Sheketoff are coordinating the event as part […]
By Kristine Thomas Rubber bands, masking tape, gadgets that cut strings, a helium balloon, a parachute, a tiny camera and a satellite are a few of items Silverton High School students are using to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Teacher Creighton Helms said 35 students are participating on the SHS NASA High Altitude Balloon Project. There are seven high schools nationwide […]
The Silverton High football team has rallied for a pair of victories and is on the verge of clinching a playoff spot. The Foxes opened the Mid-Willamette Conference season with a pair of close losses, a 20-13 defeat at Dallas (the Foxes were stopped at the Dragons’ 25 in the closing seconds) and a 21-20 loss to Lebanon, which is […]
By Kristine Thomas According to a highly reliable musical source, Sarah Kaser Weitzman was told the last time a tuba was purchased for the Silverton High School band was in 1953. “My mom remembers when the band got the tuba,” she said laughing. What is not a laughing matter for Weitzman or fellow members of Silverton Friends of Music is […]
By James Day It’s a new season for the Silverton High School football team. New turf has been installed at McGinnis Field and the squad is trying to put last year’s 5-5 season in the rearview mirror. “Last year had a lot of twists and turns for us,” seventh-year Coach John Mannion said. “And it gave us a chance to […]
By James Day The Silverton High girls soccer team continues to demonstrate that it is a force to be reckoned with in Class 5A. The Foxes, who came within one goal of a Mid-Willamette Conference title the past two seasons, outscored opponents by a 46-14 count in summer league and captured the championship. Silverton, which has advanced to the round […]
By James Day The Silverton High wrestling program is holding a summer camp July 18-21. But it’s a camp with a twist. The Foxes are planning to close the proceedings with an outdoor dual meet under the lights on the tennis courts. The festivities will include music and a barbecue. Here is a look at the basics for the camp: […]
By James Day Silverton High athlete Sam Roth has decided to take his basketball skills to Northwest Nazarene University. Roth, who helped lead the Foxes to the 2015 OSAA Class 5A state championship and was a two-time all-state selection, has signed a letter-of- intent to play for the Crusaders, an NCAA Division II school in Nampa, Idaho. Roth will play […]
