News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 121
Sisters High School choir singers stepped outside of their usual music repertoire and presented songs inspired by modern songs and movies at the annual Vocal Pops Show on Tuesday, May 21. Teachers Steve Livingston and Julie Cash led students of varying ages in the learning that led up to this event. The show displayed the hard work of the Sisters High School Concert and Jazz choirs, as well as the 7th and 8th grade choir, and 6th grade choir. "It's a time for us to reflect on... Full story
Sisters High School Chemistry class sent their work aloft in the annual weather balloon launch at the Sisters Eagle Airport, led by teacher Rima Givot on Wednesday, May 15. The launch focuses on giving students a hands-on experience to integrate their learning into real-world applications. The students are prompted to brainstorm an experiment that they'd like to send up on the weather balloons; they're then paired up with classmates who have similar ideas. Each of the two ball... Full story
Sisters has been marked as a historically generous community, and its citizens live up to that reputation. More than 53 Sisters businesses, foundations, and inhabitants are donors for Sisters GRO (Graduate Resource Organization) applicants, giving Sisters High School graduates a steady foundation for their bright future. Last Tuesday evening, May 14, Sisters GRO hosted their annual GRO Scholarship Award Ceremony for graduating seniors that received scholarships via Sisters GRO. “This year we had a record-breaking amount of s... Full story
The town of Sisters has often been described as “artsy and vibrant.” From the Sisters Quilt Show, to SFF Presents, to Sisters Arts Association events, the activities held in this small town embody these descriptions. The Sisters School District music program aims to expose students to the arts. The band program at Sisters High School showcases this priority. The SHS Jazz Band has an admirable track record, winning the State Jazz Band Championships in 2022, attaining second place in 2023, and attending later this month in 202... Full story
The loss of a loved one is never easy, but for a child the trauma can create feelings of confusion, overwhelming sadness, loss of control, anger, guilt, and abandonment. Most children, especially the younger ones, lack the vocabulary to express what they are feeling. Since 1999, Camp Sunrise - a place for grieving children - has held a weekend camp that provides a safe, nurturing place for children ages 7-14 to gather with others who have lost a loved one and explore their... Full story
Sisters residents Katie Ryan and Keegan Kroytz received unique full-scholarship opportunities for flight training in the amount of $11,000, thanks to EAA Chapter 1345 of Bend and the Ray Aviation Scholarship program administered by the Experimental Aircraft Association in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Ryan received a Ray Scholarship from the Ray Foundation and Kroytz received a Jack Watson Service Scholarship made possible by the local EAA Bend Chapter. The EAA seeks to improve the flight training success rate from the current... Full story
The SHS Pageant has been a tradition at Sisters High School (SHS) for over a dozen years. On Sunday, April 28, members of SHS continued this tradition as they performed "Outlaws On Broadway" for the Sisters community. The selected seven teams of two performed a multitude of different talents, dances, and videos. The success of the event wouldn't have been possible without the hardworking hands behind the scenes. Pageant coordinators Jordan Velikonia, Holly Davis, and Ella Eby... Full story
If there's something outside of singing that the Sisters High School Jazz Choir is adamant about, it's bonding and creating lasting memories. Over the years the jazz choir has been known to take exciting trips, whether it be to Disneyland, Ashland, or even just the Old Mill for caroling. The group chose to continue the tradition last month, taking a trip to Newport to perform at three locations around the coast. Their venues included the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Oceanview... Full story
This year's high school graduating seniors who live in Sisters Country are being recognized and celebrated with individual photo banners hanging on lamp posts along all of Cascade Avenue and parts of Main and Hood Avenues from April 22 through May 13. According to Citizens4Community (C4C) executive director Kellen Klein, "The Banner Project was initially launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a way to acknowledge and honor graduating students when in-person... Full story
Fifth Grade: 4.0 Bilderback, Weston; Crabtree, Zinnia; Davis, Riley; Freeman, Madison; Griffin, Ellis; Hansen, Avery; Hernandez, Payton; Horton, Luella; Miller, Ezekiel; Padilla, Phoenix; Poulos, Brecken; Scott, Louella; Seaney, Reese; Velikonia, Evangeline; Watley, Damon. 3.5 and above Morrow, Xavier; Bulloch, William; Dickman, Gavin; Durham, Noelle; Johnson, Hudson; Kemp, Blake; Knutzen, Emerson; Nielsen, Finley; Pasley, Parker; Planty, Bodhi; Johnson, Collier; McShane, Declan; McShane, Finnley; Dobbs, Landon; Eigner,... Full story
The 25th annual ARTifacts Art Experience will be held in the Sisters High School commons Friday, April 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is designed for all ages, with much to see, hear, and do — all centered around student art. The event is a showcase of students’ efforts in various art disciplines. Students will host observational art booths and hands-on art stations for community members to try. Potter’s wheels, face painting, and sculpting stations are a few fun activities available for participants. Sisters High Schoo... Full story
The SHS Pageant is an annual fundraiser at Sisters High School that’s taken place for well over a dozen years. Although last year was the first time the term “SHS Pageant” was used to describe it, it still raised nearly $10,000 for Sisters Family Access Network (FAN), a Central Oregon-based program that provides basic needs and services for families and children who require additional support. The pageant, set for Sunday, April 28, focuses on a handful of senior students who carry exemplary “Outlaw qualities,” both in and ou... Full story
On a chilly Friday morning earlier this month, an FAA examiner grilled Timber Bionda. Four hours and one flight later, he had earned his pilot's license. Then he had to get ready for school. The 17-year-old is exceptional, to say the least. Those in his circle describe him differently: "Amazing. The coolest kid." "Very dedicated. Very methodical." "A natural in the air." Timber grew up in France. At age 11, he and his French father, American mother, and little brother set... Full story
The 25th annual ARTifacts Art Experience will be held in the Sisters High School commons Friday, April 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is designed for all ages, with much to see, hear, and do - all centered around student art. The event is a showcase of students' efforts in various art disciplines. Students will host observational art booths and hands-on art stations for community members to try. Potter's wheels, face painting, and sculpting stations are a few fun activities...
It doesn't take much scientific knowledge to cast our eyes to the horizon and realize that we live in a geologic region of volcanos. Many of us recall the attention grabbed by South Sister not too many years ago when a bulge developed on the west slope, and small earthquakes kept geologists busy monitoring its activity. The volcanic landscapes of Central Oregon have been shaped by tectonic forces that are active on a global scale. In Central Oregon, these forces interact to... Full story
Making the decision to explore a new interest can be simultaneously exciting and vulnerable. Financial requirements can hold some back from doing what they love. Sisters GRO, in partnership with the Roundhouse Foundation, provides applications for the Roundhouse Enrichment Experiences scholarship for Sisters students who want financial support with their interests. “Overall the Roundhouse Foundation is about education and community, providing unique experiences for Sisters and support for them whether it be career-based or s... Full story
Amy Guthrie's Sunshine Club, consisting of 17 Sisters Elementary School fifth-graders, were on hand at The Lodge in Sisters last Wednesday evening as part of their regular holiday visits. They brought handmade St. Patrick's Day-themed cards and crafts just as they did on Valentine's Day last month. At Thanksgiving, Guthrie delivered a giant poster with greetings from the Club, and at the Christmas break, the Club students joined with C4C (Citizens For Community) at The Lodge... Full story
Citizen scientists are exploring a body of asteroids called the Trojan to research remnants of the early solar system through NASA's Project Lucy. Launched in 2021, the Lucy Spacecraft has been in orbit for over two years. Since its launch, Sisters High School staff and students have been involved in surveying the asteroids in occultations around the country. An occultation occurs when one object is hidden from the observer by another object that passes between them. In... Full story
Sisters Cub Scouts are emerging from hibernation, happy to have their own den again. "I'm so excited to announce that the Sisters Cub Scout Pack 139 is officially back up and running!" said Jennifer Hooson, drumming up support on Facebook community pages. "Boys and girls K-5th grade welcome, all faiths welcome, LGBTQ+ friendly, neurodivergent friendly. We really do welcome all and we are a safe place to learn and grow." Hooson rallied former scouts and sponsors to resurrect... Full story
The Outlaw Strings Club made an impression at the four-day Wintergrass Festival in Bellevue, Washington last month. Outlaw Strings is run by Sisters Middle School teacher Melissa Stolasz, but would not be the same without the strong support from Sisters Folk Festival, who helps with introducing students to new artists, financial support, instrument availability, and a daytime summer camp where kids can continue to play without the club. Stolasz explained that she "saw the line... Full story
Sister Middle School opened its doors to the community last Thursday, sparking creativity and fun in STEAM Expo 2024. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Instead of tackling each as a separate field, STEAM education integrates all of these elements to engage students in inquiry, discussion, and creative problem-solving. The goal is to help students become good collaborators, thoughtful risk-takers, and problem solvers. Advocates of STEAM... Full story
At this time of year, we hear a lot about snowpack, its moisture content, and how much water we will have to get through the summer. We drive by Detroit Dam and can't help but check the water level. All year long, we notice the water flow in our local rivers. We know we need water for human consumption, agriculture, sports activities, etc. Our lives are tied directly to water. It seems obvious that we should care about the life of rivers. But what goes on in rivers? They have... Full story
Sisters Elementary School (SES) will hold their annual Kindergarten Roundup pre-registration on Friday, April 26, in the school gymnasium. Students will participate in a teacher-led activity while parents are involved in a parent orientation. Children who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2024, are eligible for the 2024-25 school year. Sign up by contacting the elementary school at 541-549-8981. Enrollment forms may be picked up at the Sisters Elementary School office between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. The school will... Full story
It's a Friday. Or a Monday. The school district declares a day off. Parents with jobs, caregiving duties, or medical appointments scramble to find a healthy, fun way for their kids to spend the day. Now there's a new option: Starshine's first No School Day Camp, taking place on the grounds of The Suttle Lodge. The camp will provide a mix of nature immersion and imaginative activities for kids ages 5–11 on Monday, April 22. Guided by an experienced outdoor educator, kids w... Full story
It’s scholarship season, and a local school-and-student support system is preparing high school seniors for their next academic steps toward promising professional careers. March signals scholarship application review time for the Sisters Schools Foundation (SSF), which will distribute two $1,000 scholarships, an annual endeavor for the nonprofit established in response to financial challenges faced by public schools. SSF is undergoing a transformation with the induction of three new board members. “We really wanted to hav... Full story
