Graduation day is less than two weeks away, and the CHS seniors will soon don their caps and gowns for the big celebration. But before we send them off, they have one final challenge to complete! They will be wrapping up their high school career by participating in an International Economic Summit on Tuesday, June 3. Students are acting as an economic advisor of a nation and this year we have 26 nations competing. The goal of the advisors is to learn their country's history, government, culture, and economy. At the Summit, students create a display to show off their nation's attributes and they trade to improve their nation's economy. This event highlights international economic strategy, the value of competition, and the merit of cooperation!
Yesterday, our ASB Executive Board and their advisor Mrs. Titus wrapped up the year with a fun and meaningful end-of-year retreat! Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Ressa for hosting another fantastic event! The event was filled with team-building activities, lots of laughs, and a few heartfelt goodbyes. 🫶 We welcomed our incoming board members and celebrated the seniors as they prepare to move on to their next adventures. Here’s to a year of leadership, growth, and amazing memories—can’t wait to see what the new team will accomplish!
The CHS Greenhouse is having a final clearance sale TOMORROW, May 28th from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm:
Hanging baskets $15
Petunias, Pansy, and Alyssum $1.50 pony pack
basket stuffers. $3
Geraniums, Red, White and Pink $3
Earlier in May, our hatchery had some very special visitors—kindergarteners on a mission to learn! Our hatchery students did a fantastic job guiding the little ones through the hatchery. Pictured below is Brandon Moore as he shared his fry knowledge, while Scott Steele, Alex McKinzie, and Ari Stewart gave the kinders an up-close look at our BIG trout—petting included. It's always a treat to see curiosity and learning come to life like this. Great job, team!
Earlier this week, Mrs. Mills and her Fish Hatchery students visited the local US Border Patrol station to explore a possible career as an agent. Thank you to the Border Patrol agents for taking the time to share your knowledge, answer questions, and provide our students with a behind-the-scenes look at your important work. Your hospitality and insight made a lasting impression!
Cheer tryouts for next year's 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders!
Last week ourASB hosted a Coin Drive Fundraiser to support the Valley Warriors Against Cancer, a local charity that provides meals, gas, and other essentials to cancer patients in Stevens County. The competition raised over $200 for the charity. Atta way Hawks!
This weekend, students Dane Hoogstad and Dallas Burt proudly presented a handcrafted, one-third scale replica of a David Thompson Columbia River canoe to the Kettle Falls Historical Society. Their stunning work was showcased at the Celebration of the Fur Trade and the grand re-opening of the Kettle Falls Historic Museum.
The canoe was built using historical blueprints and materials generously donated by Columbia River Cedar. Guided by Carpentry teacher Mike Jutila, the students quickly discovered that this wasn’t just a typical shop project—the intricate craftsmanship demanded incredible patience and persistence. The project ended up taking the entire school year to complete!
The result? A museum-worthy masterpiece that now lives on as a part of our region’s rich history.
If you see these two around, be sure to congratulate them—it’s not every day your school project ends up in a museum! Atta way Hawks!
The CHS Video Production students and their teacher Mr. Purvis went to an on-location promo shoot for JJ Riggs Equipment in Arden today. We are fortunate to live in a community that is so supportive of our programs giving opportunities like this to our students throughout the year! Thank you!
This week, four or our Colville FFA members traveled to Pullman WA to attend the State FFA Convention. There they were recognized on stage in front of their peers for their accomplishments in Forestry and Potato Judging. They also attended the Expo, industry tours and toured the WSU campus. The following students received plaques on stage:
Hailey Leaden 7th place team at State Potato Judging
Kelsea Lewis 10th Place individual State Forestry
Colton Hanson 8th Place individual State Forestry (not in attendance)
Emma Newby 4th Place individual State Forestry
Kendra Lewis 2nd Place individual State Forestry
Hailey Leaden 1st Place individual State Forestry
Colville FFA (Hailey, Kendra, Kelsea, Emma and Colton) 1st place State Forestry team and won the right to represent Washington at the National FFA Forestry Career Development Event in Indianapolis! Great work Hawks!
Our CHS Leadership and Key Club students had a wonderful time visiting Panorama on May 1st! They teamed up with the Pre-K and TK classes to create colorful May Day baskets, spreading smiles and a little springtime cheer. It was a sweet way to build connections across ages and schools!
On Saturday, May 3rd, our CHS Rocket Club advisor Mr Heideman, Dane Hoogstad (President of the CHS Rocket Club), and Vincent Fazzari (Vice President) went to Eltopia to launch our rockets with the Tri-Cities Rocketeers Club. Dane and Vincent successfully launched and recovered their rockets, and both earned their Level 1 High Power Rocket Certification with the National Association of Rocketry. WOW! Congratulations and great work Hawks!
May 1st the floriculture class held their annual greenhouse plant sale. The work began back in February when floriculture students planted the seeds. They then cared for the hundreds of seedlings as they grew. Students watered, transplanted, and pruned the plants to create beautiful finished products for the sale. Thank you to everyone who came and supported our floriculture class! We'll be holding a second sale later this month on May 21 and if were not sold out on May 23.
On Thursday, May 1st, from 10:45am-12:15pm, students in the CHS Electronics classes offered their Electronics Showcase '25. This interactive science-fair-type event was open to parents and other guests as well as offered to high school students and staff. Student projects included electronic games (with prizes), IR remote controlled cars, 8-bit binary adders, LED cubes, a laser "trip wire" and many other student creations. Students discussed their challenges and success with the guests and demonstrated pride in their work and professionalism in their presentation. Great work Hawks!
The Colville Skills Center Fish Hatchery worked with WDFW to deliver 1,100 pounds of fish to Deep and Sacheen Lakes last week. They are also delivering over 5,000 trout to individual homeowners this spring.
This week, Hofstetter Elementary 2nd graders had a special trip to the high school greenhouse! CHS Floriculture students did an amazing job hosting and sharing their plant knowledge with these curious young learners. It was a great day of hands-on learning, smiles, and budding green thumbs!
The Colville High School FFA Forestry team competed at the State FFA Forestry CDE on April 24, 2025. We have two teams. Colville 1 placed 1st and Colville 2 placed 11th.
There were 18 teams and 14 schools, and 74 individuals represented. Students were tested on both hands-on skills and general knowledge. Students were tested in chainsaw parts and troubleshooting, compass and pacing, map interpretation including writing legal descriptions, tool identification, tree disorders and a general knowledge test.
Colville 1 received a perfect score on the timber cruising section. According to Bill Barrigan, a forester who set up the plot, it is the first time he can ever remember that happening. He was beaming that Colville students achieved that.
The top team in the state earns the right to represent WA FFA at the National contest. Congratulations to Hailey, Kendra, Emma, Colton, and Kelsea who will represent Washington at the National FFA Forestry contest in Indianapolis, Indiana in October 2025.
Below are the individual placings from the state contest. These students have worked really hard. Please help me congratulate them.
Hailey Leaden 1st place
Kendra Lewis 2nd place
Emma Newby 4th place
Colton Hansen, 8th place
Kelsea Lewis, 10th place
Patrick Wolf, 13th place
Neven Eslick, 22nd place
Aurora Moore, 43rd place
Mark your calendars for the CHS Greenhouse Open House and Plant Sale!
Mrs. Cecil and her AP Biology students visited an active forest management site guided by Vaagen Bros. Lumber forester Josh Anderson. Students were able to witness how responsible management can increase the health of local ecosystems, reduce wildfire risk, increase biodiversity, and increase the health of nearby streams. Thank you Vaagen Bros. Lumber and Josh Anderson for showing our students the real world application of their studies!
The Hofstetter 2nd grade classes were thrilled to visit our Fish Hatchery program recently. They enjoyed visiting several stations that the high school students had planned for them. The stations included a fish print art station, observing the incubation room, and 'petting' the big rainbow trout. Getting splashed is always an added bonus! Atta way Hawks!
