Kamiakin DECA and Link Crew Sponsor Second Harvest Food Drive

Kamiakin DECA and Link Crew, led by students Sedale Garcia and Juan Pedraza, worked extremely hard this year to run a successful food drive. Not only were 2,891 pounds of food collected, last year’s total of 2,861 pounds was beat! With all the food collected a total of 481 families can be fed for a week. The food drive at Kamiakin was from November 10-23 providing two weeks to collect as much food as possible.

This food drive was successful due to great advertising. Link Crew and DECA participated in making posters and hanging them around the school. The food drive information was on the background of all computer desktops, and on the reader board outside the cafeteria. The variety of advertising techniques helped to collect a lot of food.

Every classroom was given a list of needed items and boxes to fill with food. To provide additional incentives, the winning first hour class would receive a pizza party. Mr. Young’s first period class won with a total of 48 boxes! On November 24th at 8:00 am KNDU videotaped DECA and LINK Crew students putting the boxes collected into the Second Harvest truck. This was a great hands-on experience for all the students and a project that supported our local community!

Kamiakin DECA Students team with SADD to "Be A Lifesaver!"

From November 16th – 20th Kamiakin DECA, led by Brielle Olson and Emily Thoelke and the SADD Club (Students Against Destructive Decisions), sponsored a Suicide Awareness/Prevention week. Results from a survey taken last year at Kamiakin indicated that 17.3% have had thoughts of suicide within the past year. This statistic startled our staff and students, thus, the campaign was created.

During this week DECA and SADD members handed out Life Savers with the Suicide Prevention Hotline telephone number and three easy steps to help somebody with suicidal issues to get help. The point of this activity was to “BE A LIFESAVER.” DECA members, Emily and Brielle went to all the health classes on Tuesday November 17th and presented ideas on how to help someone with thoughts about suicide and what is best to do in a suicidal situation. They focused on making students aware that there is always somebody that would be willing to listen if they are ever in need.

A video announcement was made that really hit home with the students. The video featured Kamiakin students answering questions regarding how they would help make other student’s days better. The suicide statistics from the survey were included. Daily announcements in the school bulletin voiced how serious and realistic suicide is.

Surveys taken at the end of the week indicated that the staff and students at Kamiakin High School are more aware of how to prevent and report suicidal thoughts. We feel that this will help in the fight against harmful acts to self and others. Great job Emily and Brielle for a successful campaign!

CTE Programs at Kamiakin Focus on Job Readiness!

The Career and Technical Education programs at Kamiakin High School worked together to send the same message on job readiness to all CTE students. In order to do this, two days in November were set aside to have students learn from industry professionals.

The first day, November 23rd, the focus was on the paper tools necessary for applying for a job and getting an interview. Four WorkSource professionals talked with the students about the do’s and don’ts for resumes, job applications, employment correspondence, and many other tips. Students were given pocket applications and encouraged to ask questions.

On Tuesday, November 24th, the focus was on interviewing and avenues to get great jobs and careers. There were good and bad interviews presented and then a panel of professionals provided crucial advice to students. The panel consisted of representatives from Battelle, the Forest Service, the health industry, and photography.

We appreciate the community support and feel that the days were successful. An estimated 900 students were involved each day.

"My Little Princess" - Kamiakin DECA's Daddy Daughter Dance

On November 21st Kamiakin DECA, led by seniors, Kristin Kontogianis and Randee Pemberton, hosted the first Kamiakin Father-Daughter dance. With intense preparation, and support from DECA, staff, and local businesses, we are proud to call this dance a great success!

“My Little Princess” took place in the Kamiakin Cafeteria and was open to girls ages 5 to 18 and their fathers/guardians. There was a dance floor set up, as well as tables. Lon Martins was the DJ for this event. Everyone loved him! Attendees learned to square dance and do a tunnel line with their dads. Aside from dancing, there were professional pictures, taken by Realife Photography, free desserts and drinks, tables to color on, and a smoothie bar! Comments from participants were very positive, with thanks to DECA for the opportunity to make the night a special one.

151 guests attended Kamiakin’s Daddy Daughter Dance, a great turn out for its inaugural year; Kamiakin DECA could not be happier and hope that this will become an annual event for years to come.

STEM in Career & Technical Education

Science, Technology Engineering and Math standards are integrated into many CTE classes where students are preparing for their futures! Classes that integrate the STEM standards include Materials Science Technology, Engineering Technology, Principles Of Technology, Drafting and CAD, Construction Technology, Food Science, Agriculture Science, Horticulture Science and Health Science Occupations.

Within these courses students learn STEM concepts through hands-on applications of the standards and participate in exciting projects. For example, students in Agriculture classes learn about water quality while raising fish in partnership with the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Students in Materials Science learn about the chemical properties of glass while they make their own glass.

Recently, students in Marci Howard's Health Science class participated in the Health Career Fair at CBC's Health Science campus in Richland. The students had an opportunity to learn about the many career opportunities within the health care industry, speak with physicans, nurses, technicians and other health care professionals and participate in hands-on activities.

Students are challenged to think creatively and solve problems using the scientific process in hands-on learning environments.