Cascadia Tech News
March 2023
From Our Director
March is Women's History Month. Help us celebrate the women pioneers in aerospace, diversity, human rights, mathematics, medicine, science, and robotics. Without them, many of our students would not have the opportunities in the programs we offer.
We are also celebrating Disabilities Awareness Month! Our Para Educators offer all our students learning support to be successful in their programs.
Reminder that Cascadia Tech does not receive bond or levy funding. If you’re looking for a way to support students at Cascadia Tech, plan to attend the upcoming Annual Foundation Dinner & Auction held in May.
Enjoy your well deserved Spring Break. Classes will resume on April 10.
We are doing great things!
-Joan Huston
Joan Huston
Shaun Campbell
Tamila Oppliger
Please Join Us For Our Annual Dinner & Auction Supporting Cascadia Tech Academy
Join us Saturday, May 6th for our 2023 Annual Dinner and Auction at ilani Casino Resort presented by NW Natural.
We are looking forward to an incredible event this year as we raise funds to support education that works! We have an exciting program prepared, along with silent and live auctions. You will hear from current and former students how Cascadia Technical Academy has helped prepare them for their future. One of those students will be Penny. Watch the quick preview of Penny's story below and plan to hear the full story on May 6th. You will be inspired!
Special Tribute to Dennis Kampe
Rising Stars
Sulamita A., Dental
At least twice a month, Cascadia Technical Academy’s dental program hosts community dental clinics. Sulamita (Sula) A. is seen here assisting our volunteer dentist in a surgical extraction procedure.
Sula is a junior from Legacy High School and plans to attend our second-year program as a senior. She hopes to someday become either an Oral Surgery Assistant or an Orthodontic Assistant in a dental office.
While juggling a busy school schedule, Sula dedicates her time helping her family by tending to her incapacitated sister and working at her uncle’s denturist clinic. Whenever she has the opportunity, Sula also enjoys working out at the gym and volunteering at her church.
Charles Cooper, Automotive Technology
Congrats to Charles Cooper, second year Automotive Technology student, winning the Rego Scholarship for being a shot and discus thrower at Heritage High School!
Celebrating Disability Awareness
Linden Gragg, Business Principles
Linden's goal after graduation is to do a service mission for his church and to work fulltime at Walmart. Hopefully as a store manager or store lead for a few years. He would like to move to Boise, ID to attend BSU and earn a MBA in Political Science or attend BYU and earn a MBA in Entrepreneurship. Linden's long term plan is to start a business of his own.
Instructor, Sandi Sterling shared, "Linden is a great example of how students can take advantage of the opportunities provided by Cascadia Tech Academy and specifically, Business Principles, to achieve success. Linden has worked very hard to set and attain goals while here at CTA and it shows. I'm very proud of him!"
Para Educator, Gina Turner said, "I have worked with Linden for the past two years as his Para Educator here at Cascadia Tech Academy. He has been courteous, thoughtful and always expresses his willingness to be helpful to others. It has definitely been a pleasure to work with Linden and I am going to miss hearing him say, "Hi Gina, I'm so happy to see you today." Best of luck to you and your future endeavors, Linden, you will be missed."
Jacob Nichols, Construction Technology
Jacob is a first-year Construction Technology student and recently found out that he was accepted into second year where most of class time will be spent on a job site building a house.
When asked about what he likes best about Cascadia Tech, Jacob said, "There are lots of good people here. I like working as a team everyday. CTA is not like other schools. The learning here is top level. Bill is teaching us industry level techniques. The skills we learn here will follow us through our lives. The learning here is hands- on, not just in textbooks." Jacob overcomes challenges by making sure to ask questions about things he don't know. He has his classmates as a team to rely on. The class is able to fill each other in on anything they might not know.
Instructor, Bill Draper shares, "Jacob is a hardworking individual that takes his training here at Cascadia Tech very seriously. He works very hard to understand and learn the technical and professional skills necessary to work in the construction industry. He is an asset to the program."
Kaliq Chapin, Hospitality & Tourism
Summer of 2021, Intro to Baking with Chef Patty Curfman was Kaliq Chapin’s first experience with Cascadia Tech. The class was all online during Covid. That fall, Kaliq was accepted into Culinary, Baking & Pastry Arts with Chef Andrew. Kaliq enjoyed the class, but it was very fast paced and hard to keep up sometimes. Some of Kaliq's struggles are with math, but he always has a positive attitude to work through it. This year, Kaliq decided to try Hospitality & Tourism.
Instructor, Maria Brown shared, "When I first met Kaliq at the beginning of the year, his presence was known. He has the most welcoming smile, that he instantly made friends with everyone. Kaliq keeps the class motivated and always brings a smile to everyone. Kaliq shared he enjoys the family feel at Cascadia and he has made a lot of new friends in Hospitality. He is well liked by his peers. He shared, "We may all be in different buildings, but we are all family." Kaliq enjoys the diversity and meeting students from all backgrounds. Kaliq’s hope for the future is to have a full-time job in the fall and possibly attend Clark College later on. He is currently doing an internship at Union High School working in the kitchen.
His Mom shared, "Kaliq is very independent and curious. He is always willing to help others. He thinks of his friends and family before himself and tries to make sure they feel noticed, appreciated, and loved!"
Snacks for Students
Students unfortunately arrive at school hungry each day. We do not have vending machines or a cafeteria on campus for students. We have a pantry available that is running low on supplies. If you are able to, your generous support is needed.
Please reach out to Amy Greenberg at 360.604.1050 ext. 2115 or amy.greenberg@evergreenps.org with any questions or drop off any of the items listed below in the main office.
Grab and go and individually wrapped items work best for our students.
Granola Bars
Breakfast Bars
Protein/Energy Bars
Juice Boxes
Pudding Cups
Oatmeal Cups
Individual Bagged Chips
Cup of Noodles
Jell-O Cups
Dried Fruit
Individual Cracker Packs
Applesauce
Pre-Packaged Baked Goods
Fruit Snacks
Fruit Cups
Where are they now?
Laney Snyder started Cascadia Tech Academy in the Criminal Justice program in 2020. She was part of a mock trial team and nominated for best defense lawyer. She enjoyed the program, but realized her interests had changed and decided not to return to Cascadia.
In February of her senior year, Laney realized that she was interested in Hospitality & Tourism and started late in the year. She was determined to catch up with her peers on the Sabre Reservation program and earned several certifications. Laney was offered an internship with The Radisson Hotel and was hired. She learned a lot about the hospitality industry. She loves working with people and giving her best. Her instructor, Maria Brown commented, "Laney is a natural leader and values people, she is considerate and excels in customer service."
Laney was a recipient of the WAVE Scholarship in the amount of $3,000. WAVE recognizes high-performing career and technical education (CTE) students at both the high school and college level. There are up to 147 potential award winners each year. This was applied to her education at the International Air Academy. She graduated in February 2023 and accepted a job at Atlantic Aviation, a private plane company, as a customer service agent. She works with clients in government agencies, celebrities, and high-profile clients. Her goal is to be a flight attendant.
Make Your Summer Count
June 22 - July 13 (No school July 3 & 4)
8 AM - 3:00 PM (Lunch 11:00-11:30 AM)
Earn 0.5 high school elective credits for FREE!
The course list will be available on our website in April: cascadiatech.org
Note that some programs will be offered offsite and different dates.
Important Dates
April 3-7 Spring Break
April 10 Classes Resume
April 26 Early Release
May 1 Summer School Registration Opens
May 10 Early Release
May 26 Now a School Day (2nd snow make up day)
Every 28 Days Drive was a Success
Feminine Hygiene Products Should Not Be a Privilege!
For many women and girls experiencing homelessness and/or poverty, having a period is a nightmare, since feminine hygiene products cannot be purchased with food stamps and are extremely expensive for women with limited or no means.
Throughout the month of February, Cascadia Tech Academy HOSA students partnered with Share to host the “Every 28 Days” campaign product donation drive. Our students participated in this drive to raise awareness for the increased need of feminine hygiene products.
What a success! Our bin is completely full of donations with a total of 1,082 feminine hygiene products donated. A special “Thank you” needs to go out to our own Automotive Program for their generosity and support of this great cause.
Counselor's Corner
Mr. Hovde can help students and their families fill out their FAFSA, College/Tech School Applications, Apprenticeship Applications and any Scholarships you might be applying for.
If you are struggling with any social, emotional, academic or family issues, Mr. Hovde is available to schedule a meeting with you. Please email him at Ryan.Hovde@evergreenps.org.