Alumnus is Milken Award winner
Major kudos to 2000 North High graduate Ricardo Larios! At an assembly at Waldo Middle School where he teaches, Larios was surprised by the announcement that he is a recipient of the prestigious Milken Educator Award which "recognizes exemplary elementary and secondary teachers, principals, and specialists who are furthering excellence in education."
The Salem native is the son of Mexican immigrants and the first in his family to attend college. The prize carries an unrestricted $25,000 financial award. Larios is the only recipient in Oregon this year and joins 76 others in the state since 1990.
"Mr. Larios is committed to developing the hearts and minds of students--particularly those who are underrepresented and historically underserved--by teaching students that setbacks in life are merely setups for greatness," said Waldo principal Tricia Nelson. "He can turn every moment into a lesson and every child into a learner." A teacher of the AVID Program (Advancement Via Individual Determination), the Pro Teens Program, and social studies, Larios was complimented by Jane Foley, senior vice president of the Milken Educator Awards, saying, "he has the reputation of a teacher who can teach anyone anything."
"When I became a teacher, I didn't really know why," he said. "But when I got older, I thought, when I die, I want 10,000 people to show up at my funeral and say, 'That man changed my life.'"
Congratulations to Ricardo Larios!
Fitness Center
Your donations are still needed!
When the North High weight room was built some 25 years ago with fundraising and labor by parents and alumni, it was considered a state-of -the-art facility. Not any more! Time and the elements have ravaged the room and the equipment, most of which is original. In addition, curriculum has changed with new ideas of fitness.
Stationary bikes, those that are left, may be missing pedals or seats or both. Still weights are rusted so that lifters cannot lift without getting rust on their clothing. Ceiling insulation and weight benches have developed tears. Weight platforms are crumbling. The drinking fountain is becoming unsafe. The rubber flooring is coming apart.
In a joint effort by your Viking Association, the Booster Club, and staff and students of the school a campaign is under way to repair and renovate the weight room into a 21st century era classroom to meet the needs of the nearly 1/3 of the student body who use this facility every year. The room is used by 8 classes a semester averaging over 40 kids a class. A minority of the students are athletes involved in any school sports. Just under half are girls.
Over the years, the philosophy for usage of the facility has changed, with an increasing focus on learning for lifetime fitness, rather than just athletic training. With increasing concern around obesity in young people, there is a greater need for fitness education. In addition, more staff are interested in the room for fitness and weight loss. WE WANT THE FACILITY TO BE A FITNESS CENTER, not just a weight room.
(Artist's schematics of future Fitness Center with weight platforms at upper left in bird's eye view and lower left, stationary bikes in middle above and lower right, bar and kettle bells and medicine balls upper right)
North's athletic trainer, assigned to the school by Hope Orthopedic, uses the room for rehabilitation of injuries. She would like to expand the capability of the facility to meet these needs.
The School District has made a few repairs and repainted the room and hopes to add increased lighting and improve heating and ventilation. But because the room and equipment was originally donated, District policies prohibit their replacement by the District. SO IT IS UP TO US!
A campaign is under way to raise close to $200,000 to purchase new equipment and flooring. A steering committee has been formed and nearly 20 Viking Hall of Fame members have agreed to be an honorary steering committee, lending their names to the effort. Students will be working to raise funds and encourage donations as well. A letter has gone out to over 2500 Vikings, including most of you.
We hope you will consider donating to this cause which impacts so many of North's students and staff. We are obviously looking for major donors, both individual and business, and seeking grants as well. But even the smallest donations will help us meet our goal and give you a sense of ownership for the project. All donors' names will be listed on the room's wall. Business donations over $1000 can have the business logo inscribed, the logo's size based on the size of the gift.
We are encouraging friends of the school to not only give in their own names, but in honor of others-like a son or daughter-and in memory of loved ones. You can even make donations toward specific items of equipment (see the list in the letter that was sent out).
If you have lost your letter, you can click on the "Donate" tab in the upper left "Links" area in this newsletter. Here you may donate securely by credit card. Or you can mail a check or cash to "Viking Association" with a memo to "Fitness" care of the Viking Association at North High, 765 14th St. NE, Salem OR 97301. All donations are tax-deducible.
And don't forget to give to the ongoing operations of the Alumni and Friends Association. Without these funds, we cannot keep doing what we are doing for the school.
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