Hoops, Harmony, And Inclusion: Unified Basketball Takes Center Stage At Kelso High -02/03/25

Kelso High School is hosting Fans In The Stands, a regional Unified basketball scrimmage event, on February 5, 2025. Unified teams from Kelso, LaCenter, Prairie, and Skyview high schools will play 15-minute round robin games starting at 6:25 pm. As this is a blackout event, fans are encouraged to wear black in a show of support for our Unified teams.

 

Other highlights of the evening include a photo booth for players and fans and performances by cheerleaders and pep bands from multiple schools throughout the evening.

 

Admission to the event is suggested donation or the purchase of a We Are Unified t-shirt. T-shirts are  $15 and available for purchase at the event and through the Kelso High ASB office, which is open to the community Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:30 to noon and 2:30 to 3:15, and on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 1:15.

 

February 5 is Unified Awareness Day at Kelso High. There will be posters up in the school, a Unified information table, lunch-time events, and more.

 

About Unified Sports
Dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences, Unified Sports is a division of Special Olympics. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.

 

About Kelso School District

Kelso School District has a goal of 100% (bit.ly/ksd-100) of students graduating high school and having post-secondary plans for college, career, trades, or military. Our mission is to prepare every student for living, learning, and achieving success as a citizen of our changing world.

Kelso High School Hosts 6th Annual Teal Out For Team Jules: Celebrating Kindness And Community On January 28 -01/27/25

Kelso High School's 6^th Annual Teal Out for Team Jules basketball games will be held Tuesday, January 28th.  The Kelso Hilanders take on the Mountain View Thunder with the Boys Varsity play at 5:30 PM and Girls Varsity playing at 7:00 PM.

 

This 6^th Annual Teal Out for Team Jules has grown from being a Teal Out, held each year in memory of 2016 Kelso High School graduate Julia Hiatt, who was deeply admired for her compassion and commitment to community, into the Kelso Kind Project.  This project aims to highlight our commitment to foster a culture of kindness, inclusion, and community here at Kelso High School and across the Kelso School District.

 

During these Teal Out games, we will recognize students at all grade levels across the district who stand out at their schools as being Kelso Kind.  Elementary students will be honored at half-time of the boys 5:30 PM game and the secondary students will be honored at half-time of the girls 7:00 PM game.

 

Kelso High School Pep Club students will also be raising money for the Julia Hiatt Memorial Scholarship through the Kelso Public Schools Foundation.  This scholarship will be award to a Kelso High School Senior, who like Julia, makes Kelso a better place for their peers; someone who believes in doing good for others just for the sake of being kind and who inspires others through their actions.

 

Wear your Be Kind and Gratitude gear or teal and come support your Kelso Hilanders as they take on the Mountain View Thunder, highlight the Kelso Kind Project, and honor our Kelso Kind honorees and Julia's legacy as we raise money for the scholarship in her name.

 

If you would like to purchase BE KIND gear, it can be purchased here: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/bekind2025 in your Kelso School District colors.

 

If you are unable to attend these games and would like to donate, donations to the Julia Hiatt Memorial Scholarship will be graciously accepted at the Kelso High School ASB office through February 28^th and at all times at https://wa-kelso-lite.intouchreceipting.com/JuliaHiattMemorialScholarship or directly through the Kelso Public Schools Foundation.

Regional SkillsUSA Welding Competition Hosted By Kelso High School On January 29 (Photo) -01/24/25

Kelso High School is hosting the regional SkillsUSA Welding competition on Wednesday, January 29, from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Thirty students from nine high schools in SW Washington will compete for a chance to move on to the state welding competition. Welding contestants will participate in a variety of timed activities designed to test their skills. Competition activities include a written test, measuring gauges, oxy-fuel and plasma arc cutting processes, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, and shielded metal arc welding.
 

Industry experts will judge the competition and hand out medals for state-bound winners. Field reps will also be onsite to meet with student competitors during wait times. This is an opportunity for students to hear firsthand about future employment opportunities in the skilled and technical welding industry.
 

Last year's 1^st place winner, Carter Huff (Kelso High) graduated and is actively employed in the trades. Huff was recruited by JH Kelly after the competition and is currently in their welding apprenticeship program working in Vancouver, WA.
 

"Having the option to take welding or other CTE classes in high school gives students the ability to learn a skill and gain experience they can turn into a successful career," said Huff. "It's an amazing opportunity I am very thankful for. I hope other students take advantage of this program and all it can offer."
 

The 2024 2^nd place winner, Tucker Salisbury, is currently a senior at Kelso High and will return to compete this year. Steven Jacka (3^rd place, Cascadia Tech) is an aircraft maintainer with welding as part of his job at FlyIt Academy in Camas, WA.

 

Regional SkillsUSA Welding Competition
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Kelso High School Welding Area
Competition: 3:00 -- 5:30 pm, Awards 6:00 -- 6:30 pm

 

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

• Battle Ground
• Centralia
• Evergreen
• Fort Vancouver
• Ilwaco
• Kelso
• Napavine
• Prairie
• Ridgefield
• Washougal

 

EVENT SPONSORS

• Air Gas
• Central Welding
• United Association Local 26

Photos and videos of the 2024 competition can be downloaded here.


About Kelso School District
Kelso School District has a long-standing tradition of excellence in education.  The CTE program offers approximately 80 on-site courses and 7 off-campus courses in partnership with industry leaders. Students can earn dual credit in 21 CTE courses. In the area of welding, the district offers the opportunity to earn five welding certifications. Kelso School District's mission is to prepare every student for living, learning, and achieving success as a citizen of our changing world.