On Monday and Tuesday of this week,  Wa-Hi Students Kyle Carver and Ruben Balderas traveled to our State Capital in Olympia Washington. Ruben and Kyle spent their time talking to State legislators about the importance of afterschool programs in Walla Walla. They shared how After School programs during their middle school years and now in high school have influenced in their own lives for the better. Ruben also served as a panelist on the Expanded Learning Opportunities Quality Standards Initiative which presented to the House Committee on Education. These two students will travel to Washington, D.C. later this year to educate our federal congressional members about afterschool programming in our district and state.

 TICKET PRICES for 2017-2018

REGULAR SEASON

$5 -Adult

$3- Sr / Middle School*

WA-HI ASB cardholders get in for free (skip the line and present your ASB card at the gate).

*Middle School Students from WWPS can get in for free with their school ID

POST SEASON

$7 -Adult

$5- Sr / Middle School /Elementary

(No passes or ASB cards can be accepted for post-season admission)

Here is what Connie Schmidt (Ballard) '74 had to say:

"This event was started 4 years ago by myself and Nancy Mitchell ’74, and over the years, Martha Lehnen ’75, has been a very active participant. We thought it would be fun to get together again after all these years, especially since Coach Wirth is still kicking. The first year happened to coincide with our 40-year reunion, and the event was such a hit, we decided to keep it going and see how many past coaches and athletes we could get involved. In previous years, we have had Coach’s Charlotte Wirth, Arlene Smith, Leslie Stockton, Marda McClenny, Martha Lehnen, Pat Bafus and Diane Briggs in attendance. Classes in attendance have been 1944 (Miss Wirth) up through the latter 80’s.

We also felt it was important to pay it forward, or give back…depending upon how you look at it Hence the passing of the hat. Sports was so important to those of us who were on the leading edge of Title IX. A few of our attendees were behind that curve and never got to participate in high school. We were VERY lucky to have Miss Wirth on our side fighting for our rites! We want the young women currently in sports at Wa-Hi to understand what we went through, and know that we STILL have their backs! We don’t want any girl not to be able to participate due to her financial circumstances. And we hope when the time comes, they will do the same thing for the young ladies who follow them! I am sure we have helped over 50 young ladies, so that is a good start!"

If you are interested in taking part in the next reunion (set to coinside with the class of '78 reunion next year), please contact Connie at Connie@pacificpub.com

Wa-Hi Athletics is very grateful for the support of these women and hope this tradtion grows!

Wa-Hi MCC All-Conference Award Recipients Spring 2017

Hermiston Accepted to Join WIAA
 
RENTON, Wash. - The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Executive Board took action to approve Hermiston High School’s (Hermiston, Ore.) application to join the Association, beginning with the 2018-19 school year. Hermiston will become the first out-of-state school to join the Association as a full member and has been accepted by the Mid-Columbia Conference.
 
The WIAA Executive Board formulated set criteria to be used as an evaluation tool for out of applications, working jointly with bordering state associations in Oregon and Idaho. The process, which began with the request by Hermiston in January, included gathering input from affected leagues and districts in Oregon and Washington as well as written support from OSAA.
 
“This was a unique situation for both Hermiston and the WIAA,” said WIAA Executive Director Mike Colbrese. “The Executive Board worked closely with the OSAA and IHSAA to put measures in place to evaluate the situation at hand, and set a standard going forward.”   
 
Hermiston would have faced a significant travel hardship based on the proposed changes to Districts and Classifications by the OSAA. Average travel for conference play was estimated at 404 miles round trip, per contest, as opposed to the average of 80 miles estimated in Mid-Columbia Conference play. The change will both reduced the amount of class time missed by student athletes, as well as limit the financial burden to Hermiston High School.
 
With the WIAA currently on a four-year classification schedule, Hermiston’s commitment will span through the end of the current cycle in spring of 2020.
 
“This move to the WIAA is the right thing for our students,” said Hermiston High School Athletic Director Larry Usher.  “Our situation will be much improved in regards to travel distance, lost instructional time, and budgets.”
 
“Hermiston is also tied culturally and geographically to the Tri-Cities of Washington,” said Hermiston Schools Superintendent Dr. Fred Maiocco. “Our communities have a shared heritage dating back to the Lewis and Clark expeditions. This action by the WIAA permits us to strengthen and deepen the cross-border community partnerships which naturally exist between Hermiston, the Tri-Cities, and Walla Walla.”
 
Hermiston will be a full member of the WIAA for all sports and activities programs and will qualify for postseason play as a member of WIAA District 8. Action was passed Monday which approved the request of Mid-Columbia Conference Schools Chiawana, Hanford, Kamiakin, Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, Southridge and Walla Walla to District 8.

Click here for full article https://wwbluedeviltrack.com/2017/03/02/out-with-the-old-in-with-the-blue/