Fifty MVHS students attend LEAP leadership forum

Fifty students from the Mount Vernon High School Latino community joined with numerous staff, teachers, and administrators on October 25 for a forum geared to help them understand leadership, government, civics and democracy. Sponsored by LEAP (Latino/a Educational Achievement Project), the forum informed students on how they could be involved in public policy and encouraged them to make their own education a priority.

Guest speakers included Dave Quall, LEAP Chair and Board of Directors; Ricardo Sanchez and Fransico Tamayo, Skagit County; and three high school graduates who are in college or are college-bound.

In 2008, nearly 850 students from across the state attended LEAP's Annual Conference and Legislative Day, including 40 students from Mount Vernon High School. Plans are being made now for the next conference to be held in February 2009.

MVHS Principal Anderson named 2008 Golden Apple Award winner

KCTS 9, PEMCO Insurance and the School Employees Credit Union of Washington announced the winners of the 17th annual Golden Apple Awards on October 24. Eight individuals and two programs making a positive difference in Washington state education in grades K-12 were named. Among the winners was Mount Vernon High School Principal Dave Anderson, who will be honored in ceremonies to be held in January 2009 in Seattle.

The 2008 winners were selected from over 200 nominees by a panel including educators from around the state. Principal Anderson will receive a "Golden Apple" statuette and a $250 prize. PEMCO Insurance will also award Anderson a $1,500 grant to support Mount Vernon High  School.

To read more about Principal Anderson's efforts, please click here.

MVHS Vice Principal Monson inducted into PLU Athletic Hall of Fame

Mount Vernon High School Assistant Principal Eric Monson was one of six athletes inducted into the Pacific Lutheran University Athletic Hall of Fame on October 10. During the ceremony, Monson was particularly honored to have the induction read by his son, Brett, a 2006 graduate of Mount Vernon High School, who plays football at PLU.

A two-sport athlete, Monson lettered seven times in baseball and football. In the fall, Monson was an offensive threat on the gridiron, leading the PLU team in receptions, yards, and scoring. As co-captain, he was also a first-team All-Conference, NAIA all-district, Little All-Northwest and NAIA honorable mention All-American selection as an end to his senior season.

As impressive as he was on the football field, the baseball diamond was where Monson left his mark. In his senior season, he established 11 PLU season and career batting records, ranking as the all-time career leader in at bats, hits, runs, triples, and batting average.

Currently you will find Monson's name on seven different records lists, including most career triples (11) and highest single-season batting average (.446).

Monson was also named a Northwest Conference and NAIA District 1 All-Star in his sophomore through senior season. He was drafted in the 11th round of the 1982 Major League Baseball draft by the Kansas City Royals.

Class of 2009 Graduation Toolkit released

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) recently announced the release of the Class of 2009 Graduation Toolkit. The Toolkit is provided for educators and families to better understand state graduation requirements and will be periodically updated with new materials/handouts if any changes occur during the 2009 Legislative session. To view the toolkit along with other graduation requirements resources, please click here.

School District news on TV-10

Join us for the Mount Vernon School District TV show, Focus on Learning, as we explore school-related issues, instructional programs and important community partnerships. Focus on Learning airs at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on channel TV-10.