Walden

Youth notes

• Dustin Berliner, a seventh-grade student at Obsidian Middle School, won first place in the middle school category of The Bulletin’s Newspapers in Education “Words Matter” essay contest. Students wrote 500-word essays on the freedom of speech portion of the First Amendment and if it should be restricted.

Teen feats

• Whitney Walden, a 15-year-old drum and bass student at Cascade School of Music and member of the school’s Cascade Jazz and Academic Blue percussion ensemble, has been awarded the Fortissimo award for May. The Fortissimo award recognizes students in year three and above of private instruction who exhibit talent, effort and achievement and have been nominated by their teachers. Along with an award certificate, Whitney received a $100 scholarship toward private lessons, a gift from award-sponsor Cuppa Yo and Cascade Indoor Sports. All monthly Fortissimo award winners will compete for a $1,000 scholarship to continue music studies at CSM during Crescendo Bendo, to be held at the Tower Theatre on Saturday. She is the daughter of Debbie Walden of Bend.

• Jaime Tracewell, a Ridgeview High senior, won first place in the high school category of The Bulletin’s Newspapers in Education “Words Matter” essay contest.

College notes

• Lauren R. Thomas, of Bend, has earned a bachelor’s degree in health care management from Ottawa University – Overland Park following the spring 2018 semester.

• David Warner, of Sisters, has earned a bachelor’s degree in educational psychology from Marist College following the spring 2018 semester.

• John Taras Halushka, of Bend, earned a master’s degree in parks, recreation and tourism management from Clemson University.

• Jules Ginsparg, of Bend, was named to the dean’s list for academic excellence for the spring 2018 semester at Northeastern University. To be dean’s list eligible at Northeastern, a student must carry a program of at least 14 credits with at least 12 graded credits, have a GPA of 3.5 or greater and carry no single grade lower than a C-. He is also a member of the University Honors Program, participating in one or two honors courses each term.

Educator notes

• Matt Bradley, English and leadership studies teacher at Sisters High School, and Cameron Glogau, third grade teacher at Tom McCall Elementary School, have been named to the OnPoint Community Credit Union’s Excellence in Education Circle of Excellence. The schools of both teachers will receive $1,000 to help fund a special school project.

• Jonathon Bullock, executive director of the Redmond Proficiency Academy, has been appointed by Gov. Kate Brown and confirmed by the Oregon Senate to serve on the Southern Oregon University board of trustees. The term runs for four years, beginning July 1.

District notes

• Brandon Evans and Adrian Robles have been named the outstanding employees for the 2017-18 school year by Redmond School District Nutrition Services. Both employees, who are former RSD students, are members of the Ridgeview High School Nutrition Services team.