Calling it a landmark night for Taft High wrestling, second-year Taft Coach Robb Ellis’ upstart squad defeated defending Class 3A State champion Willamina in its own gym 39-37 in a dual match Thursday.
While saying it doesn’t mean the Tigers have a shot at the State title because dual matches play out differently than individually bracketed tournaments such as State, “it is still a pretty cool milestone for Taft wrestling.”
Taft also defeated Clatskanie 24-6 Thursday, but lost 34-24 to Dayton, another 3A power that should finish near the top at State this season.
Senior Jacob Mayoral (Photo by Lon French)
The highlight of the night, Ellis said, was senior Jacob Mayoral’s 145-pound win over the defending District champion from Willamina. Down by a point with a second remaining, Mayoral managed to get behind his opponent and score two points for the victory.
“Jacob doesn’t get some of the press that some other wrestlers do, but over the last two years he has one of the highest winning percentages on the team,” Ellis said, “Jacob was looking in good shape to go to State last year and then ran into a very tough 145-pound bracket at the District tournament.”
Mayoral was unable to make it in to the top three to qualify for State, joining another wrestler from Rainier who also did not qualify after reaching State the previous year.
“Some people do get easier draws at Districts, and that can help them get into State,” Ellis said. “With the way Jacob is wrestling, he has a very good shot to go to State, but he may have to cut down to the 138-bracket at Districts. While he will be a little hungry and have less energy, the 138 bracket may be shaping up nicely for him to get third place or even higher this year. Jacob has worked hard and deserves the spotlight.”
Meanwhile, senior Cody Knott continued to dominate by going 3-0 and improving to 18-1 this season.
“He put on a display by stacking a State qualifier from Willamina,” Ellis said. “We were able to see some of how we will fare at the District tournament and secure some seeding in the brackets with some key wins.
“I am feeling very positive that our goal of breaking the Taft record by taking six wrestlers to State this year is well within reach.”
Taft is competing today at the Alsea Bay Classic in Waldport.
City staff will recommend approval of beer and wine sales at the Bijou Theatre in Lincoln City at Monday’s first City Council meeting of 2019.
Owners Keith and Elizabeth “Betsy” Altomare have requested the Council to recommend to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission approval for a limited on-premises liquor sales license at their movie theater at 1624 NE Highway 101.
In addition, staff will recommend Momiji Express, a Japanese and Chinese restaurant at 1500 SE E. Devils Lake Road #305, be approved for a full on-premises commercial liquor sales license.
The requests follow a review by Lincoln City Police Chief Jerry Palmer.
In other action, staff will recommend that Council direct Parks & Recreation to list Lincoln City in the Oregon Heritage Tree Program and recognize trees of significance such as the giant Sitka spruce at Regatta Park; conduct a public hearing on proposed ordinances to create standards for four-plex dwellings and tiny house (400 square feet or less) developments; and consider amending a zoning code to reduce or eliminate existing requirements for off-street parking in Taft and Oceanlake.
An Oath of Office ceremony will also be conducted for incoming Mayor Dick Anderson and new City Councilors Mitch Parsons (Ward I), Diane Kusz (Ward II) and Rick Mark (Ward III).
A reception will be held for outgoing Mayor Don Williams and Councilor Susan Wahlke following Monday’s meeting.
Judith Larrett, 81, of Lincoln City, was pronounced dead at the scene Thursday morning following a head-on traffic collision near Seal Rock.
Oregon State Police said Larrett was a passenger in a gold 2008 Toyota van driven by Richard Larrett, 85, of Lincoln City, when a blue 2001 Lexus SUV, operated by Patricia Norenberg, 55, of Waldport, drifted into the northbound lane and struck the Larrett’s vehicle.
At approximately 8:45 pm, OSP troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of the two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 101 near Milepost 152, just south of Seal Rock.
Norenberg and Richard Larrett were transported by ambulance to Newport’s Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital. Their conditions have not been released.
The Waldport Fire Department, Seal Rock Fire Department, Newport Fire Department, ODOT Incident Response/Maintenance, Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department and Newport Police Department assisted OSP.
The Lincoln City Cultural Center is accepting items for its ninth annual Winter Rummage Sale.
The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, and Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Cultural Center, 540 NE Highway 101.
“We’ll take your used items –- clean and in good repair -– and turn them into concerts, art shows, workshops and children’s programs,” LCCC Executive Director Niki Price said.
All proceeds will fund the Cultural Center’s operations, including exhibits, classes, children’s programs and more.
The LCCC was site for nearly 400 programs in 2018, its busiest year on record. Bringing in an annual windfall of approximately $5,000, the rummage sale is among the Center’s biggest fundraisers.
The effort is led by volunteer Clarissa Gillis, who will price donations of housewares, small appliances, light furniture, electronics, bed and bath items, books, DVDs, CDs, children’s toys, boxed games and puzzles, knickknacks and clean clothing in good repair. The sales committee also needs clean plastic bags for use in the sale, and volunteers to sort, lift, cashier, bag and clean.
Donations will be accepted from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Jan. 14-17, at the Center’s east entrance. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted.
Limited pickups may be available in the North County area. To schedule, call the Center at 541-994-9994 or Gillis at 541-764-2260.
The Lincoln City Police Dispatch Daily Desk Log is a public record of police calls. Homepage will run the log every Friday. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Friday, Jan. 4
Theft – 11:35 a.m. – 1521 SE Highway 101 – Theft of a bass guitar and equipment from Autobahn 101.
Theft – 1:49 p.m. – Chinook Winds Seafood Grill – Theft of a cell phone and wallet from employee area of restaurant. iPhone 8+ with a red case and tan and gray Burberry wallet containing debit cards, social security card and Oregon drivers license were stolen.
Assisting Other Agency – 3:35 p.m. – 6040 SW Jetty Ave. – Nickolas Arguello (4/21/94) taken into custody on felony warrant out of La Grande for resisting arrest, fourth degree assault, assault of a police officer, possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia.
Saturday, Jan. 5
Disturbance – 12:49 a.m. – 3468 NW Highway 101 – Report of brothers fighting in driveway. One male transported to SNLH on peace officer hold.
Assisting Other Agency – 11:44 a.m. – McKay’s Market – Jared Smith (12/23/67) taken into custody on felony probation violation out of Lincoln County. SMith was transported to Lincoln County Jail.
Car Clout – 2:59 p.m. – 5559 NE Voyage Ave. – Two vehicles broken into. iPod and GPS unit stolen.
Warrant Arrest – 3:44 p.m. – 1266 SW 50th St. – A caller requested a welfare check for a transient male sleeping on a table. Nathan Opperud (1/12/79) taken into custody for Washington Department of Corrections warrant for escaping community custody. Opperud was transported to Lincoln County Jail.
Trespass – 7:47 p.m. – Safeway – Caller reported a male and female had been previously trespassed from the store. Murae Van Ras (8/11/93) was taken into custody for a misdemeanor warrant out of Linn County for failure to appear on drug charges. Van Ras was transported to Lincoln County Jail. Ruben Mosqueda (3/18/94) was cited and released for theft and trespassing.
Sunday, Jan. 6
Burglary – 10:03 a.m. – 606 NW Inlet Ave. – Attempted burglary. Damage done to front door and lockbox.
EDP – Chinook Winds Casino – Male attempted to strangle himself with seatbelt in vehicle. Transported to SNLH on peace officer hold.
Monday, Jan. 7
Minor in Possession – 1:05 a.m. – NW Inlet Ave. & NW 2nd Dr. – Driver cited and released for MIP for marijuana after routine traffic stop.
Theft – 1:04 p.m. – 5515 El Sol Ave. – Caller reporting missing money/items from bank lockbox.
Assault – 7:34 p.m. – 4290 NE West Devils Lake Rd. – Report of a female with bloody hands and face. Female transported to SNLH. Investigation ongoing.
EDP – 10:33 p.m. – 4009 SW Highway 101 – Report of suicidal male on beach with Inn at Spanish Head security. Transported via Pacific West Ambulance to SNLH on peace officer hold.
Tuesday, Jan. 8
Trespass – 11:11 a.m. – Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital – Alex Kelley (8/13/86) taken into custody after refusing to leave hospital after being released. Kelly was transported to Lincoln County Jail.
Counterfeit – 11:28 a.m. – Chinook Winds Casino – Security reports that a fake $10 was used.
Theft – 12:31 p.m. – 1131 SW 17th St. Theft of a chainsaw out of bed of truck. Stihl chainsaw serial number: 512953048 entered into LEDS.
Citizen Contact – 1:57 p.m. – LCPD – Owner requested that LCPD take a firearm and ammunition that he wanted to surrender. Property received and report taken.
Wednesday, Jan. 9
Extra Patrol Request – 4422 NE Devils Lake BLVD., Suite 2 – Transients have been sleeping under awning of entrance on north side of building. Requesting an extra patrol at night to keep people off the property.
Hit and Run – 5:06 p.m. – SE 23rd Dr. & Highway 101 – Newport PD hit and run suspect vehicle stopped at location. Steven Ray Easton (3/12/57) taken into custody for driving while revoked, felony DUII, interfering with police, resisting arrest and reckless driving. Easton was transported to Lincoln County Jail.
Thursday, Jan. 10
Domestic Disturbance – 5:18 a.m. – 4675 NE Johns Ave., Apartment 2 – Caller reports male pushing her around and she thinks he will leave with their children. No weapons or injuries reported. Kieran G. Hill (3/25/84) fled before police arrival. Report taken.
Crash – 9:14 a.m. – SE East Devils Lake Rd. & SE Port Ave. – Caller reports a vehicle drove off the roadway and down a ravine. Driver and juvenile passenger transported to SNLH.
Assisting Other Agency – 2:52 p.m. – 1111 SW 13th St. – Officer assisted DHS. Brittany Lynn Hull (6/22/94) taken into custody on warrant out of Lincoln County for failure to appear on reckless driving. Trevor Petricevic (8/12/90) taken into custody for failure to comply as a registered sex offender. Both were transported to Lincoln County Jail.
The Lincoln City Resource Center and Warming Shelter will host the first in a series of outreach events on Thursday, Jan. 24, marking the start of a new partnership with Lincoln County.
The partnership, dubbed “Project Homeless Connect: Outreach,” will see the center host 12 outreach events throughout the year, with sessions scheduled for the third Thursday of each month.
The outreach events are intended to complement the annual Project Homeless Connect gathering held in Newport each January, organized by Samaritan House under contract with the county.
Warming Shelter Board President Patrick Alexander said the idea for the outreach program came about through discussions with County Commissioner Claire Hall and Samaritan House Executive Director Lola Jones.
“Together, we agreed that the presence of a year-round homeless resource center in Lincoln City changed the game as far as service provision goes,” Alexander said. “For much of our homeless population in North Lincoln County, a series of smaller events makes more sense than traveling to Newport for one big gathering.”
Each month’s event will have services arranged around a theme, with the Jan. 24 theme being healthcare.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., guests will have access to the Samaritan Health Services dental van featuring SmileKeepers dental staff, HIV testing, mental health services, Oregon Health Plan enrollment and bus tickets for medical travel. Guests can also enjoy a free lunch along with access to showers, laundry service and fresh clothing.
The outreach events are made possible in part thanks to funding from Samaritan Health Services and Lincoln County.
“Lincoln County has provided financial support for the Homeless Connect event in Newport for many years” Commissioner Hall said. “I’m pleased we are able to offer similar support to this Lincoln City effort.”
Freshman Kadence James, left, and senior Autum Barela flex their muscles on the Taft wrestling team
School days for Taft High students Kadence James and Autumn Barela don’t end with a bus ride home or a gathering with friends. Rather, find them confined to a tightly quartered cushioned room filled with grunting boys who reek of sweat.
“It’s great to have girls on the team,” Taft wrestling Coach Robb Ellis said of having James, a 14-year-old freshman, and Barela, a 17-year-old senior, trade moves and maneuvers with the boys on weekdays in T-shirts and sweats before donning compression suits for organized competition on weekends.
“For years, it was always a touchy subject — guys wrestling girls,” Ellis said. “There were times, even, when a guy would refuse to wrestle a girl and purposely forfeit the match. Now that more girls wrestle, and it has become an Olympic sport for girls, many more girls wrestle.”
James, a lifelong Lincoln City resident, and Barela, who moved here from Arizona as a high school junior, have helped turn the Taft wrestling program into a place where diversity and teamwork take a back seat to winning matches.
“My goal is to just build us up and make us competitive so we are known as an above-average team,” Ellis said, “but also a place where kids who haven’t succeeded in other sports can come and find a team that cares about them and wants to work hard together.”
Wrestling boys in practice — and often in organized matches – has made the sisters-in-arms better wrestlers, Ellis said.
“Having to wrestle boys in practice has helped them wrestle better when they wrestle girls, mostly because guys are often stronger physically,” he said. “So, when they wrestle girls at tournaments, they are wrestling against opponents in competition who are usually not as strong as the opponents they wrestle in practice. While technique is still probably the most important part of wrestling, strength is also a big factor.”
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Kadence James
1 of 12
James is well-known as an athlete in and around Lincoln City, having competed in softball, soccer, track and wrestling. Her father, Justin, is supervisor of the Newport and Lincoln City division of Franz Bakery. Her mother, Nicole, works at Groth Gates Heating & Air Conditioning. She has an 11-year-old brother, Ezra, who attends Taft Elementary.
“My parents have coached me all the way up to high school, so they help a lot,” she said. “They always cheer me on and make sure they can make it to both my brother’s and my sports events no matter how busy they are.”
James placed first in the high jump at middle-school districts and her recreation league soccer team went undefeated. A two-time Lincoln City Youth League Home Run Derby winner, her team placed first in the Farm Division in 2012, then won every tournament and lost just one game on the All-Star team her dad coached. Lest we forget she cooks off the field, too – literally. She won the Sodexo Future Chefs Competition in 2015.
“I have done soccer my whole life and I’ve always enjoyed it,” said James, whose mom and dad are former varsity coaches for Taft High boys soccer. “I’ve only done wrestling for two years, but I’ve loved every second on the mat.”
James caught the wrestling bug last year in middle school, where she enjoyed it so much she decided to make it part of her athletic repertoire in high school. She has wrestled in some USA tournaments with former Taft star wrestler Joe Salsbery as her coach.
“She has showed she is an up-and-comer,” Ellis said.
“I think more girls from our school should come out and try wrestling,” James said. “This year, going to some meets, I realized that there are lots of girl wrestlers and the girls wrestling platform is definitely growing. I think wrestling against boys is no different than wrestling against girls. As my coach says, ‘Treat every match the same.’”
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Autumn Barela
1 of 9
Barela moved to Lincoln City about a year and a half ago from Bullhead City, Ariz., on the Colorado River across from the Nevada gambling mecca of Laughlin, about 90 miles south of Las Vegas.
“Autumn decided to try wrestling as a senior and is a brave and tough gal at 138 pounds,” Ellis said. “She is aggressive and has a good athletic sense.”
“I just had a lot of friends convince me to do it my senior year. As time progressed, I really started to enjoy wrestling,” said Barela who also plays volleyball. “Wrestling is now my favorite sport because I have a lot of fun with it and you get to learn a lot of new stuff. To me, it’s just a very unique sport.”
Autumn’s dad, Roger Sneed, and mom, Melissa, work at the Ester Lee Motel in Lincoln City. She has two younger brothers — Roger, 14, who attends Taft High, and Mason, 11, who goes to Taft Elementary.
“My parents would have to be the most influential people in my life because they push me to keep going and always encourage me to do my best,” Barela said. “They even support me when they might not agree with me doing something because wrestling was really iffy with them at first. But they still were there and they encouraged me and said that I can do it.
“I’m grateful for everyone who convinced me to wrestle because it’s become something I love. With our amazing coaches, I hope to improve and continue to have a good season. A lot of us are just aiming to do well at Districts, and for some of us to go to State. A goal for the team is just to see us all improve and do better.”
Barela, who enjoys math and reading and plans to go to college to become a veterinarian, said she doesn’t mind sharing mat time with boys.
“Wrestling with guys isn’t much different, at least to me,” she said. “It is a bit of a challenge with most of them being a little, or a lot, stronger than me, but in the long run, when I get girl matches, I feel I’m more prepared because I have gone against guys.
“Wrestling with guys is a lot of fun because they’re so helpful and willing to teach you and help you along the way that you know you’re improving. Personally, I love that women are willing to wrestle — to do something different from what other people would think, to get out there and show that women can wrestle.”
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Ellis, who learned the sport in the wrestling community of Tillamook, is using his interactions with James and Barela to help build a more diverse and opportunistic program. He cited the state of Washington as a venue where the sport has grown for women.
Barela and James get tutoring from assistant coach Josh Liner, left, and head coach Robb Ellis
“It’s common to find separate girls teams with rosters of 15 or 20 girls per team,” he said. “With women’s wrestling being an Olympic and college sport, we are moving closer to a time in wrestling when girls and guys will have mostly separate competitions like basketball or any other sport.”
Some of the bigger schools and certain programs such as Hood River, Elmira and Warrenton have helped pioneer girls wrestling in Oregon, he said. Colleges such as Warner Pacific and Eastern Oregon have also helped expand interest.
Taft, meanwhile, hopes to send James and Barela to the girls District tournament Feb. 1-2 at Liberty High School in Hillsboro in an attempt to qualify for the State meet in Portland in mid-February.
“More than winning, I care about my program being known as a place where students can come and find a family and feel connected,” Ellis said. “When you focus on making that kind of environment, the wins will come as well. We are slowly building that type of vibe in our program. I think our program can be known as a place for students who need to find a place to fit in.”
Taft’s girl wrestlers are evidence of that.
“It has been nice to go to tournaments now and both girls are able to have all girl opponents,” Ellis said. “It would be cool to see girls wrestling get more numbers at Taft and we can move toward having a separate girls and guys team.
“I would have a hard choice knowing which group I would want to coach because it has been really fun coaching Autumn and Kadence. These girls stick through the grind with the guys every day in practice without complaining. We are proud to call them Taft wrestlers.”
Dylan Barrera was one of 19 Taft swimmers to post their best times Thursday.
The Taft High girls got three individual wins and two relay titles to place first, while the boys won three races to finish second Thursday in the Taft Invitational swim meet at the Lincoln City Community Center pool.
The Class 3A Tigers defeated Gladstone 354-283 in girls action, while Class 4A Newport won the boys competition 404-257 over Taft.
“The girls had a full complement of the team there and did very well and benefited from both relays scoring a lot of points,” Taft coach Lissa Parker said. “We had many strong top-four swims as well for the girls.”
Senior Lydia Prins won the 200-yard individual medley, junior Sammy Halferty won the 100-yard breaststroke and sophomore Napy Meyer won the 100-yard butterfly for the Taft girls.
Senior Joram Hoff won the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard IM and sophomore Jose Segura won the 100-yard breaststroke for the boys.
Freshmen Charlotte Lundstedt (200 freestyle) and Aubrey Sciarrotta (100 free) joined Halferty (200 IM), Meyer (400 free) and Prins (100 back) with runner-up finishes for the Taft girls.
Sophomores Brieanna LeBoeuf (100 free) and Isabelle Serrato (400 free), junior Bryanna Paget (100 fly), Lundstedt (100 breast) and Sciarrotta (50 free) finished third for the girls.
Freshman Dylan Barrera (100 fly), juniors Micah McLeish (200 free) and Segura (200 IM) placed third for the boys.
The girls 200-yard medley (Sciarrotta, Halferty, Prins, Lundstedt) and 400-yard free (Sciarrotta, Meyer, Prins, Halferty) relay teams were also victorious.
The Tigers placed second in the girls 200 free relay (LeBoeuf, Serrato, Paget, Lundstedt) and 200 boys medley relay (Hoff, Lundstedt, Segura, McLeish).
Freshman Angel Moreno, sophomores Kealy Boyd and Isabell Mackie, juniors Ethan Price, Degan Sawyer and Hannah Weaver, and senior Sam Anderson joined Barrera, Halferty, Hoff, LeBoeuf, Lundstedt, McLeish, Meyer, Paget, Prins, Sawyer, Sciarrotta and Segura with personal-best times.
“Most all of the swimmers for both girls and boys posted best times yesterday [19 of 21], which is a positive note for this time of the season as we are working hard,” Parker said.
Taft was missing star freshman Sam Cortes and Tanner Landry due to illness, but junior Hunter Lunstedt returned to the lineup to swim in one relay while finishing up rehab on a shoulder injury. Junior Mike Young also has had some shoulder issues, but is going to be cleared to compete soon, Parker said.
“Regardless, the Newport boys are a powerhouse and give us some strong competition as they always seem to come from behind to finish strong in their relays,” Parker said.
Taft returns to the pool Wednesday for a three-way meet at Seaside.
In any season, storms can be severe, but there are ways to prepare your home to minimize the risk of damage when severe weather strikes. In some cases, taking these steps can mean the difference between costly home repairs and no storm damage to your home at all.
1. Remove Dead Wood. Trimming your trees regularly will help fewer branches fall in heavy wind or other severe weather. For particularly tall trees, experts can do the trimming for you and can also tell you when trees are at risk of being blown over in a storm so they can be removed.
2. Secure Outdoor Items. Loose items like grills, picnic tables, and lawn furniture should be brought inside to avoid becoming projectiles in storms with high winds. Decorations, even when they are securely attached to the home, could also cause damage or be destroyed in the storm.
3. Deal with Drainage Problems. Having the gutters cleaned once leaves have fallen should be a given, but there can be other drainage problems around your home, including areas where water can drain onto the foundation and cause damage. Landscaping professionals can help you identify the problems and find solutions so that you don’t have issues when the storms come.
4. Inspect the Roof Periodically. A brand-new roof should withstand most severe weather, but if your roof is five to 10 years old or older, it should be checked for loose shingles, nails and sheathing. Not only can shingles blow off in a storm, but loose nails and sheathing can cause chunks of roofing to be dislodged or create openings for rain and ice to penetrate.
If an inspection does turn up any possible leaks, getting them fixed right away will protect your home from damage in severe weather. Roofs that are over 15 years old risk sudden deterioration or failure in storm situations even if no problems are apparent.
5. Consider Impact-Rated Windows. You may be able to protect your windows from damage by installing hurricane shutters, or just boarding up the windows if a severe storm is imminent. The fact is, though, that any new windows are likely to be more airtight and impervious to leaks and damage than older windows. In areas where severe weather is frequent, such as our coastal areas, it’s worth considering windows that are specially made to withstand storm-level air pressure and impact.
“Being with God isn’t just about being in church. It can be about cracking eggs on each others’ heads.”
— Taft High senior Lilly Salsbery
No matter how you look at it, Young Life makes a difference.
Kelly Ellis knows better than anyone. She’s the leader of a diverse group of high school-age kids who call Chapel by the Sea home every other Monday night in a carefree environment designed to party with a purpose.
Kelly Ellis
“Young Life’s mission is to introduce teens to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith,” Ellis said.
Participation in Young Life is considered the first step of a lifelong journey by assuming the choices kids make today — based on God’s love — will have an impact on their lives tomorrow . . . that their lives have worth, meaning and purpose.
“We play games, bond and talk,” Taft senior Lydia Prins said. “We grow into relationships with each other and God, and it lets us break out of our shells.”
Because kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care, Young Life leaders show they care by going where kids are, meeting them as they are, believing in who they can be . . .
And what they can become.
“Young Life leaders are committed to being involved with kids’ lives — from supporting them at their sporting events to listening to them talk about what’s important to them,” Ellis said.
Open to all teens, Young Life meets every other Monday night at Chapel by the Sea for “Club,” where members play games, interact and have fun. On opposite weeks, the participants assemble at people’s houses for “Campaigners” Bible study to learn more about Jesus.
“Young Life literally brings life to loving God,” Salsbery said. “I started coming because being with God isn’t just about being in church. Everybody understands fun.”
Lilly Salsberry as a bodyguard in “Protect the President,” a game played by Young Lifers
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“When you get a good group of young people who believe, are passionate, sacrifice and are committed to a singular purpose, you better look out because great things can happen.”
— Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney
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Young Life started in 1941 in Texas and is now in 90 countries worldwide. In Lincoln City, Young Life has been active for more than 30 years since Jim and Becky Kulla started a club for Taft students.
The group goes to camp annually in the summer at a Young Life recreational property, and plans occasional weekend events such as dodge ball or bowling. This year, the students are looking forward to summer camp week in July at Washington Family Ranch in Antelope. Participants commonly call camp week the greatest experience of their lives.
According to its website, Young Life Oregon Cascades reaches kids in 25 cities and towns across the region, which stretches from the 45th parallel in the north to California in the south, from the Pacific Ocean to the state’s eastern border. It touches the hearts and minds of kids in small towns such as Baker City, Burns and Mill City; coastal towns such as Coos Bay and Newport, high desert towns such as Bend, college towns such as Eugene and Corvallis, and the state capital of Salem.
Young Life believes in the power of presence – that kids’ lives are dramatically impacted when caring adults share God’s love with them. Because its leaders believe in them, kids begin to see that their lives can have importance and impact. It’s the first step of a glorious adventure that will affect the careers they choose, marriages they form and families they raise.
“Young Life cares about kids. We believe that all students deserve to know about the life that God has for them,” Ellis said.
Senior David Jin gets his kicks at Monday Club
Young Life programs are custom-made for kids throughout their adolescent years. While Young Life is the name of the group aimed at high school students, its middle school program is called WyldLife. The initiative for college and university students is known as Young Life College. Young Life reaches military teens through a program called Club Beyond.
“It will help me make decisions to try and better myself and others, to try to become a kinder individual and just be more loving,” Taft senior Charlotte Huppert said.
Young Life starts with adults concerned enough about kids to go to them on their turf and in their culture to build bridges of friendship. The relationships don’t happen overnight — they take time, patience, trust, consistency and persistence.
Tyee Fisher joins in the fun
“I found myself in a low place around seventh grade,” Taft senior Tyee Fisher said. “I found God and grew into a family with these people.”
Young Life makes a difference in kids’ lives because it is supported by adults and parents who care. Membership is for those who want to get the most out of life, whatever their interests or abilities, and no matter who they hang out with.
J.J. Butz, welcome participant
“I was afraid I wasn’t going to be accepted, but I was accepted with open arms,” J.J. Butz said.
Along the way, Young Life encourages kids to celebrate their faith through participation in a local congregation.
“It gives you another home,” Fisher said. “You know you always have someone to talk to when you’re here.”
Young Life started in 1941 in Texas and is now in 90 countries worldwide. In Lincoln City, Young Life has been active for more than 30 years since Jim and Becky Kulla started a club for Taft students.
