Seven_Winter2020

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is a proud sponsor of the

2020 Region 7

Teacher
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3 K-BAD
KILGORE ISD’S FIGHT AGAINST UNDERAGE
SUBSTANCE ABUSE

6 Q&A WITH TODD SCHNEIDER
REGION 7’S NEW EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR

8 OMNITRACK
REGION 7’S NEW WORKSHOP
REGISTRATION SYSTEM

10 LEXI’S LEGACY
12
A YOUNG GIRL’S GIFT TO GLADEWATER ISD’S
GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS

REGION 7 HEAD START

ADAPTING TO THE NEW NORMAL

14 TOMATO BOWL TOTEM POLE

A JACKSONVILLE ISD TRADITION

16 NEW FACES

AT REGION 7 ESC

20 HARMONY ISD & ELYSIAN FIELDS ISD
STUDENTS AND TEACHER SELECTED AS

STATE HEALTH AMBASSADORS

WE'RE LOOKING FOWARD TO A

ARTHEY E A R F I L L E D W I T H

We are accepting nominations
through January 17, 2021

Awards Ceremony April 15, 2021

Submissons will be accepted
February 1 through March 1, 2021
Awards Ceremony April 28, 2021

For more information on these events
and to learn about our arts Qrograms
for students and teachers visit us at

arts4allkids.com

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Kilgore Police Department School Resource Officers,
from left to right, Officer Clint Johnson w/Officer Ruger;

Officer Richard Stanley, and Officer Patricia Davis

K-BAD
Kilgore ISD’s Fight Against Underage Substance Abuse

by Rebecca Smith, ACPS • Next Step Community Solutions

On the Kilgore High and Middle School campuses, working on the logistics but everyone is really
you might see an unusual acronym on posters or pleased with what we’ve been able to put together
mentioned by students in the halls. for the students.”

“K-BAD.” One of the coalition members who was president
of the program as a student in the 90s was April Cox,
It stands for “Kilgore Bulldogs Against Drugs.” who is now the principal of Kilgore High School.

K-BAD is actually a resurrected and improved “I loved being a part of this program when I was in
program from the 1990s. Originally, the program school myself,” she said. “It means a lot to me to be
was “Kilgore Youth Standing Superior Eliminating able to bring it back for my students now.”
Drugs,” or KYSSED (pronounced “kissed.”)
Here’s how the program works: students sign a
It is a unique partnership with the schools, the pledge to abstain from drugs and alcohol with the
Kilgore police department, and Kilgore businesses School Resource Officer (SRO) on their campus.
through the Piney Woods Substance Abuse After they sign a pledge, they get a K-BAD photo ID
Coalition. card they can use to get discounts at participating
businesses and invitations to exclusive, fun events
“There were several coalition members around the hosted by the Kilgore Police Department such
table at our monthly meetings in 2018 who either as pizza parties during lunch, rented-out movie
had been in the program as students themselves theaters, movies in the park, and bowling.
and wanted to see it come back, or heard about how
popular it was and wanted to resurrect it somehow,” “It was really important to us that we have student
said Rebecca Smith, program director at Next Step input,” said coalition member and Kilgore Chief of
Community Solutions, the parent nonprofit that Police Todd Hunter. “The students were the ones
houses the coalition. “It took a few months of us
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who came up with the name change, and we had healthy coping skills students can use instead of
students at the meetings and asked them what substances, and research from Texas A&M on the
kind of discounts or events they would like, and we actual rates of substance use in East Texas among
continue to get their input. We want them to see 7-12th graders.
this as a cool program to be a part of.”
“When we talk to students, they almost always
Chief Hunter was one of the program’s biggest believe 80 to 90% of their peers are using substances
advocates. He used the department’s drug seizure regularly,” Smith said. “A lot of times it is human
funds to purchase the ID card machine, rent out nature to believe we are the only ones doing the
movie theaters for K-BAD students, and other fun right things, but this belief that ‘Everyone is doing it’
events that students recommend. Drug seizure can really add to a student’s sense of peer pressure.”
funds are earmarked for prevention education,
Hunter said, so it was ‘a perfect fit.’ Texas A&M administers the Texas School Survey
with 7-12th grade students across the state every
School Resource Officer Clint Johnson said the two years. The survey is totally anonymous to get
program draws on ideas from the previous program, the most reliable data, and researchers even have
but also prevention research. questions to weed out students who aren’t being
honest. The data is then broken down into the 11
“We know f rom
research that one of the health regions in Texas.
best ways to keep youth
from using drugs and The latest survey
alcohol is to beef up their results from 2018
‘refusal skills,’ meaning (2020 was postponed
help them come up with due to the pandemic)
ways to turn down drugs show that, on average,
and alcohol,” Johnson only 30% of East Texas
said. “What’s great students said they had
about this program is it alcohol in the last 30
gives them an excuse days; 19% used tobacco
to say ‘No.’ They can say in the last 30 days (14%
‘No thanks, I can’t take used an e-cigarette);
that drink or smoke only 12% had used
because I’m in K-BAD.’ It marijuana and 8% had
also incentivizes them to taken a drug prescribed
say ‘No’ as well with the to someone else in the
discounts and events.” last 30 days.

Businesses in Kilgore “Do we want these
that offer K-BAD percentages to come
discounts are identified down even more?
with a door sticker. Absolutely,” Smith said.
Businesses include “But it’s important for
Sonic, Whataburger, students to know that,
Panda Express, Johnny Ozark’s, The Back Porch, even though they feel like
Kilgore Skateland, Mazzios, Charlie’s Sno-Balls, Four ‘Everyone is doing it,’ the majority of their peers
Star Cinema, and Little Ceasar’s in Kilgore. aren’t using substances.”

One of the businesses that offers one of the When students sign up for the program, they also
biggest discounts to K-BAD students is Johnny agree to random drug tests, funded by the police
Ozarks. department. In the event that a student fails a
drug test, they have to either meet with a licensed
“I love it because it supports our kids early on,” said counselor or go through a prevention curriculum
Linda Thompson, front manager. “It is a great way before they can be reinstated to receive the benefits
for us to support our local school district. of the program. The course of action is decided
on by the student, school administration, and the
One of the improvements on the former program student’s parents.
is students now go over an info packet when they
join the program with the SRO. The packet was “It was really important to the coalition members
created by the prevention experts at Next Step and that the discipline after a failed drug test not be too
covers not only the dangers of substances, but also punitive, and that we give the student a chance to

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be in the program again,” Smith said. “Studies show a K9 officer, Ruger, who specializes in detecting
that students are much less likely to reoffend after substances. A black Labrador, Ruger’s nose is so
a failed drug test if they talk about it with someone powerful he can detect vaping devices that are
who cares about them.” sealed inside a vehicle on campus. Ruger travels
to both campuses and works with Officer Johnson.
The program now has hundreds of students
participating. As the program has grown, the “Ruger is the face of our program,” Davis said. “The
SROs have added several components to make it youth love him.”
stronger, such as a grant through Texas Youth and
Adult Program with Texas A&M, and participate in Ruger makes regular appearances on the K-BAD
the Tobacco Enforcement Program with Texas State social media pages where youth and families can
University. K-BAD students work with the officers see upcoming events.
to conduct undercover stings in which students,
under an officer’s watch, try to buy tobacco as a Smith said K-BAD is a great example of how
minor to catch retailers who aren’t following the substance abuse prevention should work.
law. The SROs also partner with the Texas School
Safety Center, and students attended their first “Everyone has a role to play in prevention,” she
SayWhat! tobacco prevention conference virtually said. “When different parts of the community come
this summer. together to help like they did with K-BAD, we can
accomplish so much more.” ■
“We joined and the students love it,” said Officer
Patricia Davis, SRO at Kilgore Middle School. “We
were proud to be able to communicate with our
youth and help them to continue to advocate. We
have really grown as a coalition.”

The SROs have also incorporated other activities
that are fun as well as educational, such as an “The
Great Vape Escape” escape room game for Red
Ribbon Week.

“We are dedicated to keeping our program
thriving,” said Davis, SRO at Kilgore Middle School.
“Just because they are learning about substances
doesn’t mean it has to be a boring presentation.”

The Kilgore Police Department also provided

Bowling night for members of K-Bad.

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QA& WITH
TODD SCHNEIDER
Region 7 ESC’s New Executive Director

In this issue, we talk with Todd A: My official title is Executive the classroom before entering
Schneider, who became the new Director, which can be administration. I have served as
Executive Director of Region summarized as the one who is an Assistant Principal, Principal,
7 Education Service Center on charged to lead the organization Assistant Superintendent, and
September 1, 2020. He has served in planning, vision creation, and Superintendent. A majority of my
for 25 years in public education, implementation of programs and administrative experience was in
with 18 of those years in Region 7 services that support schools in Region 7 at Martin’s Mill ISD and
school districts. educating the students of all of Bullard ISD. I retired in 2019 and
Region 7. spent a year working for Raise
Schneider chatted with us about Your Hand Texas, a non-prof it
his role at the ESC, goals for the Q: WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE organization that advocates on
future, what inspired him to go COMING TO REGION 7 ESC? behalf of the 5.4 million students
into education, and, of course, A: I spent 31 years in Texas Public in Texas Public Education.
sports. Education, starting in Spring
Branch ISD as a JH Math teacher Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GO
Q: WHAT DO YOU DO AT and Coach. I spent 15 years in INTO EDUCATION?
REGION 7 ESC? A: My uncle was a math teacher/
coach who finished his career
as an administrator. I have great
respect for him and we are very
close. My love for math and
sports directed my career path
to follow the same path he did.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE
PART OF THE JOB?
A: I am very passionate about
how the service center can
support the Region. ESC 7 is an
awesome place to work with
an outstanding reputation
across East Texas. Some of the
things I am most excited about
is building on what we have,
adding new programs/services,
and increasing the impact we
have on our schools, staff, and
students.

Q: WHAT BIG GOALS ARE ON

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THE HORIZON FOR THE ESC? the PEG list and a low B grade Q: WHAT IS ONE THING THAT
A: Hard to say being here less (near the middle of the region) to MIGHT SURPRISE PEOPLE
than four months. I am still an A rating (in the top four rated ABOUT YOU?
learning all that goes on within districts in the region) in just A: I was born and raised in
the building and how TEA three years. A lot of challenges Denver, Colorado. After I
influences what we do. For now, were faced and met head on, graduated from college, I landed
I am absorbing information and but the plans worked and a job in Houston (1988). I knew
gathering data. students were benefiting from Texas was home within the first
the systems and programs that week.
Q: WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU were implemented.
MOST WHEN IT COMES TO Q: WHEN YOU WERE A KID,
HOW YOU APPROACH YOUR Q: WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE
WORK? JOB? WHEN YOU GREW UP?
A: There are many people A: At 12 years old, I delivered A: A person who worked doing
that have influenced me and newspapers every morning, 365 something with math!!! I wasn’t
continue to as well. My wife, Jan, days a year. I got up, folded over even aware of careers other than
has been and will always be the 100 newspapers a day, loaded teaching that involved math.
one who encourages me and them on my bike, and delivered
drives me to have the courage to throughout the neighborhood. Q: WHAT WOULD WE MOST
take risks and confidence to see I did this for three consecutive LIKELY FIND YOU DOING ON
them through. As I mentioned, years before working in THE WEEKEND?
my uncle, Don Schneider, was a construction during summers. A: Playing golf with all three of
major influence on me as well. my boys, going to church, or
I also have a strong network of Q: WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE working in my barn building
school leaders that help guide YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN? some kind of furniture
me on a regular basis. WHO WAS IT FROM?
A: Retire from the Q: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE
Q: WHAT’S A WORK-RELATED Superintendency…from my wife SPORT TO WATCH AND WHICH
ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT and kids!! Stress level was taking TEAM DO YOU ROOT FOR?
YOU’RE MOST PROUD OF? it’s toll and I had to hear it from A: Being a Denver, Colorado
A: As Superintendent of Bullard them! native….I am a huge Denver
ISD, we moved from a being on Bronco fan. GO BRONCOS! ■

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OmniTrack

Region 7 ESC’s New Workshop Registration System

by Toni Erickson, Region 7 ESC Workshop Specialist

On September 1, Region 7 converted from MIS to data. OmniTrack has a report available named
OmniTrack, propelling our workshop system into “Workshop Time” report for staff to keep an accurate
the 21st century. record of their time accounting as it relates to live
workshops.
From a technical perspective, OmniTrack is written
in a current computer language, allowing the Externally, OmniTrack has several features for our
software to easily be updated and customized to participants including:
meet Region 7’s needs. MIS had been written in a
language that is now obsolete. • Remote check-in – participants can sign into a
workshop from their own device at the beginning
Internally, OmniTrack provides a more efficient of the workshop.
workflow for those who are involved the workshop
process including: • Online evaluations

• It is an online system – nothing must be installed • A “My Content” tab that provides their personal
on your computer to create a workshop. workshop calendar, upcoming workshops, and
workshop history all in one area.
• Workshop creation is a one-stop shop – versus
MIS where a workshop had to be created, and • Access to their certificates at any time just by
sessions tied to that workshop had to be created. going to their workshop history.

• Evaluations and sign-in sheets are all online • Several online courses that are on demand
– saves hours of time deciphering handwritten (iSpring) – when they finish the course, they no
evaluations into MIS and ensuring participants have longer must wait for their certificate till the course
registered and signed into the workshop. ends like they did in MIS (Canvas courses).

• Closing workshops are no longer necessary On the workshop system home page OmniTrack,
– because of electronic sign-in and evaluation, we have provided tutorials for our participants, as
participant data and scorecard information is in well as a workshop support ticket system that has
the system. Time Accounting is still in MIS, which a less than a 24-hour turnaround time.
does not talk to OmniTrack.
We have finished our first two months in the
• Time Accounting will be converted to MIS in new workshop system, and there are many more
the Fall of 2021. Currently, there is no connection features and reports that we are currently working
between OmniTrack and MIS for Time Accounting on to meet both internal and external requests. ■

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Lexi’s Legacy

A Young Girl’s Gift to Gladewater ISD’s Gifted & Talented Students

by Cori Arevalo, Region 7 ESC Communications Technician

Lexi Commander was a loving, active child who foundation, which was due to hold their inaugural
had many friends, a huge smile, and an even bigger fundraiser on October 10, 2020, hoping to receive
heart. She had a tremendous love for animals, her funds to help with the purchase of new robots.
friends, and her teachers at Gladewater ISD.
It was at this fundraiser that the Commander
Remembered as the family “daredevil” and very family heard about this need and graciously
courageous from an early age, Lexi lived life to donated the full amount needed, in Lexi’s memory.
the fullest. Pat Commander, Lexi’s grandmother, Gladewater G/T students will soon have the newest
recalls a time when Lexi received a gash on her WeDo2.0 robots, which will officially be named
knee at daycare. While at the emergency room, Lexi LEXIbots.
carefully watched as the doctor closed her wound
with stitches. Lexi informed him that she wanted to Townsend, who also taught Lexi, shared, “Lexi was
put the stitches in. While the physician wasn’t able an amazing kid with a contagious smile and one of a
to let her help, he did promise to let her take them kind laugh! I’m absolutely overjoyed in playing a tiny
out when the time came. “She held him to his word part in keeping her memory alive. I have a picture
and took them out herself with his supervision and of Lexi in my classroom and now I will get to tell
never flinched or winced,” said Mrs. Commander. every one of my students that she’s the reason for
our brand new robots! I am so proud to honor Lexi
Being at school in Gladewater ISD was very special every single day for many years to come!”
to Lexi. She would play school at home and when
she was at school, she loved to help her teachers and Townsend and her students are looking forward
to help take care of her friends. Mrs. Commander to the moment that they will be able to invite the
recalls, “She always made sure that a classmate with Commander family to watch students show off their
learning disabilities always had his favorite treat.” Lego construction and coding skills on the LEXIbots.

These kind and courageous acts will never be Mrs. Commander shared, “I think she [Lexi] would
forgotten by Lexi’s friends and family. Tragically, Lexi be elated to be able to help her school mates
Commander passed away on December 17, 2011 as a and will be smiling and cheering them on from
result of an ATV accident on the family farm during Heaven when they participate in contests with their
their annual family Christmas celebration. Lexi left robots.” ■
behind her parents, Kyle Commander and Jaclyn
Harvey, and numerous friends and family members. Gladewater G/T students
working with WeDo Robots.
Since Lexi’s passing, the Commander family has
ensured that Lexi’s legacy continues. For the first
few years, the family held fundraisers in her name
and eventually established a scholarship at Kilgore
College to be awarded to Gladewater seniors in 2022,
the year Lexi would have graduated. This year, Lexi’s
legacy was also extended to some of the youngest
students in Gladewater ISD.

Students in 2nd and 3rd grades compete yearly
in the Region 7 ESC Robotics Competitions. They
were limited in the tasks they were able to perform
at this competition due to their outdated WeDo
robots. Angie Townsend, Gladewater ISD Gifted and
Talented teacher, reached out to the city’s education

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Region 7 Head Start

Adapting to the New Normal

by Summer Stone, Region 7 ESC Communications Coordinator

2020 has been a challenging year for every realm They also connect parents to community resources
of public education, and Head Start is no exception based on each family’s needs.
to the struggles and adaptations needed to move
forward in serving students, their families, and the “Parent training has been the most different
surrounding community. However, Region 7 Family change for me since we are all learning new ways
Service Workers and Family Service Advocates have to do things,” says Monica Strickland, FSWA at
risen to the test and found ways to be both safe and Brownsboro ISD. “We have always enjoyed the
supportive to keep families involved in activities opportunity to meet parents in person, shake their
while respecting local and state-mandated hands, give them hugs, and get to know them
COVID-19 protocols. face-to-face. With COVID, we missed all of these
opportunities and had to shift to virtual meetings.
According to Felicia Woodard-Shaw, Region 7 We also can’t have parent volunteers in the
ESC Head Start Assistant Director, Family Service classroom, which limits our ability to create personal
Workers/Advocates (FSWA) are hired by Region 7 relationships.”
ESC and placed on ISD campuses to be a part of
the campus community. FSWAs also act as a liaison FSWAs also got creative with the 2020-21
between the school/daycare, campus personnel, enrollment process, with several schools conducting
parents, and Head Start staff. One of the primary a ‘drive through registration’ for their students.
responsibilities of the FSWAs is to build positive “Each family would drive up to the campus and we
relationships with parents. FSWAs are trained on would take the forms out to them. They would fill
how to make connections, making the process less them out and return them from their vehicle,” says
intimidating for them as possible. The progress Faz. “This eliminated large groups and made our
of relationship building continues as they assist families and staff feel a little bit safer.”
parents with developing individualized goals
that are specific to each family’s needs. FSWAs Overall, the comprehensive, multi-generational,
continuously conduct follow-up with parents and community-based nature of Head Start is why
while assisting them with achieving set goals. They it is such an effective partner for families within our
provide training for parents that is individualized, 14 county service area in helping them overcome
as well as provide various training to help support new obstacles and find pathways to success. As we
their child’s learning experiences and development. continue to navigate through the ‘new normals’
of public education, Region 7 Head Start Family
12 Service Workers/Advocates will remain key and

essential to the implemntation of safety protocols actually saw an increase in our male involvement
and empowerment of East Texas children and their activity by using ClassTag and allowing families to
families in early education. work together at home instead of at school during
working hours,” says Alice Faz, FSWA in Eustace
As a way to f ill the gap, Region 7 Head Start ISD. Eustace ISD, in addition to several other Region
districts have implemented ClassTag, a free parent- 7 districts, created a male involvement activity
teacher communication tool that connects them focusing on Halloween safety and fun. “We asked
with parents and guardians to relay information them to send pictures through the ClassTag app,
about the curriculum and upcoming involvement and I compiled a PowerPoint collage to share with
projects. Head Start also utilizes ReadyRosie, a all of our families.” Faz believes families were more
researched-based parenting curriculum that builds inclined to participate because they were in the
on parents’ knowledge, and harnesses the power of safety of their own homes and able to help after
video and mobile technology to empower schools traditional working hours, which resulted in higher
to work together to promote school readiness, while involvement. ■
focusing on parenting outcomes such as nurturing,
discipline, teaching, language, and supervision. “We

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Tomato Bowl
Totem Pole

by Grace Taylor, Jacksonville ISD Public Relations Director

One of the longest standing traditions associated Totem Pole, and thanks to the JABC and several
with Jacksonville Athletics and the Tomato Bowl generous donors, it is the perfect complement to
is the Totem Pole on the hill. The Pole stands in the new stadium, almost a brilliant finishing touch
front of the stadium facing downtown. Like the to top it off. In May of 2017, Jacksonville residents
Tomato Bowl, it has been present in the community approved a Bond proposal with an 80% approval
for decades. Many Jacksonville natives have early rate to restore the beloved Tomato Bowl Stadium.
memories of gathering with big crowds after a When the passing of the Bond was declared, all of
game and celebrating at the pole while a Fightin’ the blue lights on the Totem Pole were lighted to
Indian added to the blue lights. signify the big win for the community.

After the recent completion of the Tomato Bowl The origin of the Totem Pole is already well known
restoration project, the Totem Pole was also updated to most Jacksonvillians. The Frank Brown family
with a new, well-designed and similar version. The designed it, built it, and placed it where it still stands
Jacksonville Athletic Booster Club oversees the today. Mrs. Patti Kobitz Brown, who at age 91 still

14

resides in Jacksonville, herself drew the designs for wrong with it. I asked where are the other four
the original Totem Pole. Mrs. Brown recently shared lights? Because WE PLAN TO GO TO STATE. We
memories about the origin of an idea that would did play three more games after District and got to
become a treasured tradition in our community. Semi-finals, but never made it to State. But try, we
did. They put up the extra four lights”.
“My husband, Frank H. Brown, had the idea for a
“totem pole” after he had served as the president The modern version of the Totem Pole is precisely
of the Jacksonville Quarterback Club in 1961. The detailed and follows the premise of the original
Quarterback Club was an early “Booster Club”, design with competing team emblems. The pole
before this practice was common in Texas schools. is also beautifully illuminated at night and can be
The totem pole was to have the emblems of each seen from far away. The new project took multiple
team that JHS played, and include a way to display volunteers to bring to fruition. These individuals
when the Indians won a game. The pole was to be and businesses generously donated their time
placed in front of the Tomato Bowl to help promote and talents to fulfill the vision of a new version of
team spirit. an old idea. Many thanks go to Cherokee County
Electric Coop, Horton Concrete, Gibson Signs, Craig
The original idea was to make it a vertical pole, Garner, and Harris & Son Electric for their specific
with the team emblems “stacked” like an American time and talents. The base of the pole also proudly
Indian totem pole. But, if the team emblems were showcases 8” X 8” engraved bricks with the names
displayed in this manner, the totem pole would of 10 extremely big-hearted donors who contributed
be exceedingly tall. I had the idea to offset each to the Jacksonville Athletic Booster Club to enable
emblem to either side, and up and down the pole, this transformation to happen. Those include
and place a horizontal bar with flood lights at the Austin Bank, Texas National Bank, Dick Sheffield
bottom. Blue flood lights would be illuminated after Family (Betty Sheffield), Gene Brumbelow, Mary
the Indians won a game. There were also hooks Alice Adamson, the Eddie Arrington Family, Coach
under each light, to hang a “scalp” of a defeated Danny Long, Tamishea Contreras, the Frank
team. The “Scalp Stick” was an existing tradition at and Patti Brown Family, and the Brad Jacobson
JHS football games, and it was determined to move Family. Although the wooden structure was too
this tradition to the Totem Pole for more exposure. time and weather-worn to salvage, many pictures
exist of it throughout its 60 years. Photographs are
The frame of the Totem pole was made of welded showcased in the Tomato Bowl Hall of Fame entry
steel pipe, and was built by Richard Lewis on the with other historical documents.
parking lot of National Forest Products Company
on the Frankston Highway. The team emblems The Tomato Bowl Totem Pole is yet another
were fabricated and painted by a commercial sign example of how the Jacksonville community is
company in Longview, Texas”, states Mrs. Brown. drawn together through generations and memories
involving our one-of-a-kind landmark on the hill,
The Brown family is still involved and invested in the award-winning Downtown Historic Tomato
Jacksonville and the honored traditions associated Bowl. For more information about the Jacksonville
with Jacksonville Athletics. Timeworn pictures Athletic Booster Club, please contact the current
exist of the original Totem Pole placement, with the JABC president, Chad Devillier at chaddevillier81@
Brown’s employee at the time, Mr. Richard Lewis at gmail.com. ■
the top of the pole. Another photograph portrays
Senator Robert Nichols placing a blue light on the 15
pole after an Indian win in 1962. Senator Nichols
recalls the Totem Pole tradition, “I was President of
the Student body and Co-captain of the team. So,
when the booster club wanted to dedicate it, I gave
a short speech at the dedication on behalf of the
team and student body at the top of the stadium
stairs. I remember it well. In my comments I recall
thanking them for the pole as well as for the idea of
the different color lights for wins (not my idea) and
how important it was for us to display our pride of
our school and team.

At the time, it had ten lights in a row, left and right
at the bottom for all the preseason and District
games. At the conclusion, after thanking them
again, I mentioned that there was only one thing

NEW FACES

at Region 7 ESC

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