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The La Conner High School graduating class had to adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic and then one last time Friday evening. The 128th annual commencement exercises were moved from Whittaker Field to Landy James Gym when forecasts predicted rainfall. There were few dry eyes among families and friends of the graduates during the emotional 90-minute ceremony. “COVID was not kind to this class,” stressed co-valedictorian Delaney Cobbs, one of several student speakers. “By the time we hit our junio...
Few have shown the can-do spirit on a sustained basis as well as Shegay Vanderpool. The career educator, after all, has proved since the early 1970s that she can do just about anything in the classroom, at all grade levels. Same with the campus music hall. And auditorium. Not to mention the counseling office. In baseball parlance, said her longtime friend, retired La Conner Middle School principal Maureen Harlan, Vanderpool is the ultimate utility player – someone versatile and skilled...
The school district honored its volunteers – a vital group of more than 70 strong – along with retirees and colleagues not returning here in the fall with a reception and awards program at the middle school gym June 7. The 90-minute event led off with school administrators and staff praising the volunteers, who lent their time and expertise across academic activities at all grade levels. “Just think of all that volunteer time,” said Superintendent Will Nelson, serving as the afternoon’s master of ceremonies. “I can’t imagine that yo...
La Conner high school's graduating class. Graduation Friday, June 10 at 5 p.m....
La Conner High School has held annual commencements for more than a century but the 5 p.m. June 10 graduation at Whittaker Field will offer something new. Those attending will be officially welcomed in four languages, Lushootseed, English, Spanish and American Sign Language. “We’re excited about that,” La Conner Middle and High School Counselor Lori Buher told the Weekly News. In another all-time first, the Class of 2022 boasts co-valedictorians and co-salutatorians. Charity Dakota Jordan, who r...
Ryan Hiller and Beth Clothier were instrumental in helping La Conner schools navigate uncharted waters posed by a global pandemic. The couple, members of the La Conner High School Class of 1987, were formally recognized as the school’s Outstanding Alumni for 2022 at the La Conner Alumni Association’s annual banquet and program in the middle school gymnasium June 4. “These two individuals are very important to the school district,” said association vice-president Susie Deyo. “During the pande...
Even though Eleonora Libé got sick her first days here after what seemed to her an endless flight, she is living her dream since then over the last nine months. The senior exchange student at La Conner High School turned 18 years old this April in Washington state, away from her family. This is the adventure she chose to live back in 2020, when she saw on social media other exchange students from her country in American schools. Stressed with Italian school and eager to travel and...
Winning has long been par for La Conner High School senior Emma Worgum. The Lady Braves’ senior golf standout has excelled throughout her high school career, including summer tournaments. She capped her fantastic four-year run by capturing the Washington 1B/2B girls’ state championship at Deer Park May 25. She carded a two-day score of 144 – highlighted by a three-under-par 69 during Thursday’s second round – to win the title by 17 strokes. “Emma played great,” golf coach Jamie Car...
La Conner School Board members dealt with topics from A to Z during their two-hour hybrid meeting May 23. During public comments, a series of speakers stressed the value of preschool instruction being accessible to all children. They said it helps build a lifetime foundation of academic and social-emotional skills and that a district program will make sure children unable to attend private preschools not “fall through the cracks.” Members said they will consider it. Counselor Lori Buher reported that 24 seniors plan to attend four-year pub...
La Conner High School sophomore Tommy Murdock won the boys’ state 2B 300-meter hurdles title in storybook fashion at Cheney May 26-28. Murdock, who had bolted to an early lead, clipped the final hurdle before tumbling across the finish line. Despite the late fall, it was Murdock who moments later climbed atop the winner’s podium to collect the gold medal in his signature event. “He won pretty decisively,” La Conner head track coach Peter Voorhees said. Murdock clocked a 0:40.76 in the final,...
Passage of national Title IX legislation 50 years ago began leveling the playing field for female athletes. Now, five La Conner High School senior girls have signed letters of intent to compete for college athletic programs next school year. Juna Swanson, Sarah Cook, Rachel Cram, Emma Keller and Emma Worgum were front and center at Landy James Gym May 17, with their friends, family members and school staff during a 45-minute collegiate athletics letter of intent signing ceremony. “This is a s...
La Conner High School track standout Ellie Marble has qualified in four events at what will be the first state 2B track and field meet in three years starting Thursday, May 26 at Eastern Washington University. She will compete at Cheney in the 300-meter hurdles, shot put, high jump and 4x200 meter relay after having helped lead the Lady Braves to a second-place team finish at bi-district trials in Chehalis last week. Marble placed second in the shot, fourth in the 300 hurdles, fifth in the high...
La Conner High School golfers dealt with tough conditions last Thursday in Oak Harbor, but at the end of the day their outlook could not have been sunnier. The boys and girls golf teams weathered drizzly skies and harsh gusts to blow past the competition in post-season tournament play as the Lady Braves – led by senior standout Emma Worgum, a Western Washington University recruit – captured top district honors, advancing from bi-district trials as state 2B qualifiers. “It was pretty breezy and rainy out there,” said La Conner hea...
By capturing the NW2B District track crown in Coupeville on Saturday, the La Conner High School girls completed a three-sport hat trick this year. La Conner girls’ teams had earlier won the district volleyball and basketball championships. They kept pace in track, outpointing host Coupeville 78-47. La Conner was led by multiple event winners Ellie Marble and Kaliana Bill plus strong showings in the relays, Marble won the 300 hurdles and shot put while Bill swept the long jump and triple jump. Marble, Lydia Grossglass and Hannah Cook ran 1...
The La Conner School District’s population has increased over the past decade but projected declines in student enrollment this fall is forcing tough budget personnel cuts ahead of the 2022-2023 academic year. La Conner School Board members dealt with that harsh reality at their Monday study session by reluctantly agreeing to a plan of not renewing contracts of the two most recently hired high school teachers. State funding of school districts is based on student enrollment. The drop from around 600 K-12 students in years prior to the COVID-19...
La Conner youth league teams made an adjustment this spring. The teams had to shift venues after last year’s sale of Hedlin’s ballfield on Maple Avenue. Youth practices and games are now on the La Conner schools campus. The transition has required a team effort on several levels, youth league treasurer and board member Catey Ritchie said. “We really want to thank the school for accommodating the La Conner Little League this year,” Ritchie told the Weekly News. “We couldn’t have had a season without them.” Ritchie praised former board members...
La Conner High School track teams are picking up the pace as the season’s finish line looms ahead. Some dozen La Conner athletes compete in district trials at Coupeville this Saturday. Winners qualify for the state 2B meet May 26-28 at Eastern Washington University. Tommy Murdock, the Braves’ standout hurdler, is on that list in multiple events. Murdock owns the fastest time statewide among 2B contestants in the boys’ 300-meter hurdles. He has clocked a 0:42.46. In the 110-meter hurdles, his per...
The La Conner School Board has chosen the right formula – they hope – to raise student math test scores and provide instructional programs featuring more hands-on problem-solving and critical thinking skills. At their hybrid meeting April 25 the board adopted new K-12 math curricula composed of three separate parts –for the elementary, middle and high schools. The 4-0 vote accepted district staff recommendations to adopt the Bridges to Mathematics component for Grades K-12, iReady Classroom Mathematics for Grades 6-8 and...
The La Conner High School baseball team made major strides with an impressive 6-0 league triumph at Concrete April 26. Braves pitcher Brogan Masonholder earned his first win by tossing a six-hit shutout that secured La Conner a two-game season series sweep of the Lions. “We played with energy and confidence,” coach Jeremiah LeSourd said afterward. “It was a major step forward.” C.J. Edwards started off with a double and was driven home by Nathan Bailey. Leading 1-0, the Braves sent 11 batters to the plate during a five-run outburst keyed b...
The La Conner High School baseball team ripped nine hits, drew 10 walks, and received solid outings from pitchers Nathan Bailey and Haydin Dinuis when the Braves hosted Orcas Island Friday afternoon. But it wasn’t enough to overcome crucial defensive lapses as the Vikings posted a 14-7 NW2B/1B victory. “We had too many errant throws at critical times,” Braves coach Jeremiah LeSourd said afterward of his young club, which fell to 1-7 in conference play. “It led to extra bases and too many earned runs,” LeSourd said. However, the Braves st...
It was Good Friday on the calendar, but anything but a good Friday for the La Conner High School baseball and softball teams. Both lost league home doubleheaders to Coupeville. In the girls’ softball twinbill, the defending NW2B/1B champions routed La Conner 23-0 and 21-1, limiting the Lady Braves to just a pair of base hits total in the two games. Coupeville remains unbeaten (5-0) in conference action. Meanwhile, the boys fell 10-2 and 21-4 to the Wolves, who improved to 5-1 in NW2B/1B standings, one game back of undefeated league-leader F...
Math was the primary subject of study for La Conner School District board members at their April 11 study session. District librarian Beth Clothier made a presentation on two new math curricula being considered for adoption next year at the nearly two-hour special hybrid session. Clothier outlined the pros and cons of Bridges to Math and iReady Classroom Mathematics, the program finalists from four curriculum options reviewed by members of the La Conner Elementary School math adoption team. The board will choose a program April 25. Team...
Sarah Cook delivered countless highlights while helping La Conner High School to a 23-2 mark and fourth place finish at the 2022 Girls’ 2B Hardwood Classic in Spokane. Since then, the senior has received many post-season honors. The latest is her inclusion on a popular sports website’s list of the 15 must-see shooting guards in Washington high school girls’ basketball. Cook was chosen along with Ellensburg’s Dylan Philip, Lynden Christian’s Libby Stump and other standouts from programs across all enrollment classifications in the state. “T...
Ellie Marble has been a central figure in La Conner High School’s last two state 2B Volleyball championship runs. So, it seems only appropriate that Marble would verbally commit to attend and play volleyball at Central Washington University after her 2023 graduation. Marble, a 6’0” junior outside hitter and the Washington State Coaches Association 2021 2B Player of the Year, announced her choice of the Ellensburg campus on social media last week. At Central, she will play for a top-flight NCAA Division II program guided by head coach Mario...
A major fire struck downtown Friday Harbor Thursday morning. The next day the town’s high school baseball team, the defending NW2B2B/1B champions, was equally hot. The Wolverines (5-0 in league) opened their April 8 conference game at La Conner with three consecutive line drive hits, setting the tone for a convincing 13-0 triumph. The youthful Braves (1-4) were coming off a ten-run victory the week before over Concrete. But Friday Harbor made sure the home team did not win a second straight game. “Friday Harbor,” coach Jeremiah LeSourd conce...
