The first Troy high school graduation is finally over. The weather was perfect, the graduates have graduated and the party is over!

We had a great time with our guest speaker, Rep. Greg Smith, who came from Heppner. What a treat and honor. We very much appreciate Smith and his legislative director, Phil Scheuers, spending time with us and making graduation in our remote community special.

A big thanks also goes to Robert Crawford from the RotaryClub of Wallowa County for giving a meaningful speech.

We would like to thank everyone who came to support our graduates and Troy school.

The potluck was awesome and the band Rimshot was terrific. The All School Sleepover was fun; and boy, are the adults glad it is over. The kids had a lot of energy.

GRADUATE AWARDSBrandi Martin:

Valedictorian Award, Presidential Award of Educational Excellence from President Obama, Rotary Scholarship, Recognition Award for straight A’s for Junior and Senior years and graduating one year early, Leadership Award for organization of community/school events, Technology Award for the Senior Slide Show and yearbook, Athletic Award for teaching P.E. She also won being skilled in sports, Dance/Choreographer Award, and Eagle Wings to fly away.

Brittnie Rials:

Salutatorian Award, Recognition Award for Designing the Troy Logo, Leadership Award for great ideas such as the School Sign and the yearbook, Artistic Award for Artistic Talent, Technology Award for the Senior Slide Show and yearbook, and Eagle Wings to fly away.

END OF THE YEAR AWARDS FOR TROY

ELEMENTARYJulian Rich:

Baseball medal, Reading Achievement and Reading pin, Good Conduct, Mathematics Award, “Hall Monitor” and “Time Keeper” Award, Bird Expert, and Best Football Kicker.

Dylan Farnsworth:

Soccer Medal, Reading Achievement and Reading pin, Mathematics Award, “King of Fairness: Most likely to become a Judge,” Biggest Dog Lover, and Best Soccer Forward.

Wesley Rich:

Basketball Medal, Handwriting Award, Healthiest/Biggest Appetite Award, Reading Achievement and Reading pin, “Breaking into Dance,” and Most Valuable Player.

Olivia Farnsworth:

Academic Achievement Medal, Choral Award, Dance Award, Student Council, Reading Achievement, Math Award, Good Conduct, Language Arts Award, Reading the Most Books Award, and Writing a Book.

Hans Kiesecker:

Athletic Medal, Generous Award, Flashing /Dimples and Baby Blues, Student Council, Choral Award, and Best Basketball Shooter.

Trevor Farnsworth:

Lamp of Knowledge Medal, Inquiring Mind, Social Studies Award, Math Award, Reading Award, Science Achievement, Student Council, Technological Award, Figuring Anything Out, Piano Achievement, and Best Soccer Goalie.

Sophia Kiesecker:

Music Medal, Best All Around, “Wendy Award For Mothering The Lost Boys,” Language Arts Award, Outstanding Leadership, Good Conduct, Student Council, Piano Achievement, Choral Achievement, and Fastest Runner.

Volunteer Awards:Troy has had numerous volunteers throughout the year. Volunteers include: Stephanie Farnsworth, Consuelo Hafer, Shirley Hone, Melanie Kiesecker, Brandi Martin, Michael Martin, Kris Rich, Lisa Rich, Nat Rich, and Tim Rich. Thank you, volunteers!

FLU HITS TROY SCHOOLThe entire Troy School was wiped out by a stomach virus.

Everyone is well now, but it was really strange for staff and students to get sick during the same time.

Due to the illnesses, the End of the Year Barbecue and Awards Program had to be postponed. It will be scheduled in August or September.

Stephanie Farnsworth, Troy School’s instructional aide, has been diagnosed with chiari malformation. This condition is when the cerebellum protrudes through the hole at the base of the skull.

The pressure causes some very uncomfortable symptoms. Stephanie will undergo surgery and be recovering at home for most of the summer.

The community of Flora celebrated Flora School Days on June 19.

There were wagon tours of the town, an old fashioned cookout, candle and soap making, metal forging, various art demonstrations, and live music.

It was a fundraising event with proceeds going towards the restoration of Flora School.

Upcoming events on June 26 include the following classes: Patchwork and Paper Foundation Piecing and Bending Metal 1.

For further information and upcoming classes go to (www.floraschool.org).

Troy will celebrate the Fourth of July on Saturday, July 3.

Festivities include children and adult games prior to a barbecue at 4 p.m., cake and pie auction, duck race on the river and street dance with live band.

There will be a class to educate individuals on the use of the automated external defibrillator with first aid and CPR on July 22. The class is offered by the Red Cross and will be held at Troy School.

For information, Dick Burch, 541-432-0259, or Jinny Martin, 541-828-7788.

Jinny Martin is the Chieftain’s Troy-Flora area correspondent. Contact her at jmartin@r18esd.org.