Future Healthcare Leaders Take Flight: Pacific Northwest University's Roots To Wings Program Soars With Success! (Photo) - 11/07/25

YAKIMA, WA — The Yakima School District (YSD) CTE and GEAR UP Program, in collaboration with Pacific Northwest University (PNWU), is thrilled to announce a successful launch and an exciting schedule of upcoming sessions for the "Roots to Wings" program! This initiative is designed to inspire, educate, and offer hands-on experiences, providing a clear "flight path" for the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Successful Kickoff Paves the Way

The Opening Ceremony on October 15th was a resounding success and provided a fantastic start for our participating students. Attendees heard from a remarkable panel that included:

• Dr. Lisa Siino, a previous Roots to Wings mentor and current PNWU Board of Trustees member.

• Dr. Christian Heck, who gave an engaging Paleontology talk detailing his exciting experiences doing fossil digs in Montana.

The night concluded with students meeting their small groups, which include peers from other local districts, all led by volunteer student doctors from PNWU. Students also participated in a scavenger hunt to familiarize themselves with resources like fire extinguishers, AEDs, and phones.

Program Delivers Hands-On STEM Engagement

Our students will continue to attend bi-monthly sessions where they will engage in peer mentoring, lectures, and labs relating to various medical fields. This program offers a fantastic opportunity for our students to explore diverse career paths and engage in vital STEM activities.

Highlights from the packed schedule include:

• Anato-Bee Introduction (October 21st): Students will dive into the human body with an intro to organs, a bingo game, a library research talk, and will research an organ system, create a poster, and give a talk (from their chair).

• DNA Exploration (November 5th): Participants will attend a DNA introduction session, complete with a practical Strawberry DNA distraction activity in BHH 302 with Dr. Mapes.

• The Amazing Brain (November 19th): This session features a Brain talk and a compelling, hands-on Sheep brain dissection, followed by mentors sharing their powerful mentor stories.

• Life-Saving Skills (December 3rd): A crucial CPR certification course/babysitter course will be offered.

• High-Tech Simulation Lab (SIM Lab): Students will experience two high-tech sessions:

  • February 11th: Focused on Lungs/Vitals (using an O2/heart monitor/stethoscope), practice with an Intubation mannequin, and learning about bruise formation via Moulage.

  • March 4th: Focused on clinical skills like H&P taking (using the OPQRST framework), Physical exam skills (osteo screening exam, reflexes, eye charts), and Skin tests.

• Dental Learning (January 14th): Students will brush teeth, learn about teeth, make molds, and handle instruments.

• Emergency & Rehabilitation (March 18th): Practical skills covered include Splinting/bandaging/stop the bleeding, exploring impairment devices with an Occupational Therapy (OT) focus, and taping with a Physical Therapy (PT) focus.

The program will conclude with a Closing Ceremony on April 29, 2026.

The Yakima School District and its partners are excited to continue offering this essential program, fostering a strong connection between our local students and the vast opportunities available in the healthcare industry!

A Champion For Yakima Families: Graciela Villanueva’s Leadership Legacy (Photo) - 11/03/25

A Champion for Yakima Families: Graciela Villanueva’s Leadership Legacy

By Trevor Greene | Superintendent, Yakima School District

Yakima, WA — The Yakima School District and the broader Yakima Valley community will honor the service and leadership of Graciela Villanueva on November 5, 2025, 4:00 pm, at Lewis & Clark Middle School. Villanueva, who is stepping down after more than a decade of service as a director on the Yakima School Board, currently serves as Vice President of the Board and represents Position 1.  She leaves behind a legacy of advocacy, compassion, and unwavering commitment to student success.

Originally appointed in 2011 and subsequently elected to three terms, Villanueva helped guide the Yakima School District through years of transformation. During her tenure, the district established dual language programming, expanded mental health supports, increased graduation rates, and earned numerous awards — including four Board of Distinction honors and the current Large District School Board of the Year for the state of Washington.

"Graciela has been a powerful voice for equity and opportunity," said Superintendent Dr. Trevor Greene. "Her lived experience, deep understanding of organizational leadership, HR background, and tireless belief in students helped shape a culture where putting kids first isn’t just a phrase — it’s policy."

Villanueva is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, one of the region’s largest community health organizations. Her professional work mirrors her public service: creating pathways to opportunity for underserved communities, advancing inclusive practices, and mentoring the next generation of Yakima leaders.

Raised in the Yakima Valley and a graduate of Heritage University and Washington State University, Villanueva has long described herself as “a product of the very systems she now works to improve.” In an interview with Hispanic Executive magazine, she reflected on her commitment to addressing the barriers her own family experienced. “It’s not just about policy,” she said. “It’s about purpose. And people.”

Throughout her board service, Villanueva helped prioritize legislative advocacy, championing state-level efforts to expand Local Effort Assistance and close funding gaps for communities like Yakima. She worked closely with fellow board members, elected officials, and community groups to ensure Yakima’s voice was heard in Olympia.

She also served as a visible role model for young Latinas in the Yakima Valley. “Representation matters,” said Board President Ryan Beckett. “Graciela didn’t just lead — she inspired. Our students saw someone who looked like them, who came from the greater Yakima community, and who never stopped fighting for their future.”

Villanueva’s final months on the board were marked by continued progress — and celebration. This fall, the Board received its fourth Board of Distinction award in five years, recognized by the Washington State School Directors’ Association for its “visionary leadership and deep commitment to educational equity.”

Reflecting on her service, Villanueva said she is proud of the work the board accomplished — and optimistic about what lies ahead. “Serving the students and families of Yakima has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” she said. “I’ll continue to be their advocate — just from a different seat.”

Yakima School District Board Named 2025 Board Of Distinction - 11/02/25

Yakima, WA — The Yakima School District Board of Directors has been named a 2025 Board of Distinction by the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA), marking the fourth time in five years the Board has earned this prestigious honor. This award recognizes exemplary school boards that demonstrate visionary leadership, a strong commitment to equity, and clear alignment between board governance and student success.

WSSDA’s review team praised the Yakima board for “elevating legislative advocacy as your primary equity strategy.” The board’s ongoing efforts to engage elected officials, mobilize public awareness, and influence state policy were highlighted as a model for other districts, with special recognition for Yakima’s support of House Bill 2049 and sustained advocacy for levy equalization and Local Effort Assistance (LEA).

“We’re deeply honored by this recognition,” said Ryan Beckett, Board President. “This award reflects our board’s unwavering commitment to ensuring every child in Yakima—regardless of zip code—has equitable access to the resources and opportunities they deserve.”

The Yakima Board of Directors was previously honored as a Board of Distinction in 2021, 2022, and 2024, and is the current Washington State’s Large School District Board of the Year, the highest honor bestowed by WSSDA. In 2023, the Board also received national recognition with a Magna Silver Award from the National School Boards Association for its student voice initiative.

Superintendent Dr. Trevor Greene emphasized the importance of governance and collaboration in sustaining student-centered progress:

“This award is a tribute to the partnership between our board, staff, families, and community. By prioritizing legislative advocacy, Yakima is helping lead the charge for fair funding and educational justice in Washington State.”

The Board will be formally recognized at WSSDA’s Annual Conference on November 20, 2025.