First and foremost, I want to thank Ms. Pam, the owner of Leap Ahead for all of her work.

When the center lost Ms. Tambra, I was devastated (and still am) however Ms. Pam has done an amazing job. She and her wonderful staff possess an innate ability to connect with children on a personal level.

They all have a warm and inviting demeanor that instantly puts children at ease, creating a safe and welcoming space for their growth and development.

I have seen Ms. Pam’s interactions with her students and they are are marked by patience, kindness and a genuine understanding of their individual needs.

I have seen numerous instances where their staff have gone above and beyond to ensure that every child receives personalized attention.

My girls are wonderful examples. Two very different types of learners. Two very different types of personalities, yet during their time at Leap Ahead, both have flourished.

So naturally, as thankful as I am for Pearl’s time there, I am sad that her graduation means I will only have one baby left to attend Leap Ahead. One baby left to graduate Pre-school… (pause for a moment, while I bawl into my coffee.)

This string of emotions was ever present at the world’s cutest graduation ceremony, which was an absolutely wonderful and heartwarming event that left everyone in attendance feeling proud and filled with joy.

The entire event lasted only 25ish minutes and ended with cake, which in my humble opinion, is honestly how every graduation ceremony should go.

They sang cheerful songs and recited the pledge of allegiance. Each child was called up individually to receive their diploma, a symbolic recognition of their hard work and readiness to move on to the next chapter of their educational journey.

The little smiles on their faces as they walked across the stage was priceless.

The kiddos were each given a book, signed by all of the staff and the children swarmed Ms. Willow, who wore a dress decorated in the artwork of the kids. It was just perfect.

For me – it was a moment of reflection on how far my child has come. How far my family has come. From her first day at preschool to this remarkable graduation day. After the diplomas were awarded, the celebration continued with a reception filled with delicious treats and refreshments.

It marked the end of a beautiful chapter and the beginning of new adventures for all of these families. Thank you so much Ms. Pam and staff for putting on this wonderful event. It will hold a special place in my memories and will forever be one of the reasons I love where we live.

More Than 150 Attend Annual Lassen Lodge Masonic Public Schools Night

Photos and information by

James Chapman

The Grand Lodge of Masons of California and Susanville’s Lassen Lodge #149 honored some of the area’s best and brightest last Thursday at their 103rd annual Public Schools Night ceremony held in the Masonic Hall on Lassen Street.

“Lassen Lodge #149 has for many years been involved in supporting our local public schools,” explains Lodge member Jim chapman. “From year to year we have honored teachers, students or others who have made a commitment to our public schools system.”

The Masons honored participating area schools, serving Kindergarten to 12th Grade, recognizing the contributions of a teacher and two students from each school.

“It is an honor and a privilege for the Lodge to salute the contributions of our honorees,” said Chapman. “We look to our honorees to be a strong, vigilant force within our community to defend the American tradition of Public Education.”

Public Schools Week in California was founded by the late Grand Master Charles Albert Adams in 1920 when he issued a proclamation requesting all Masonic Lodges to observe Public Schools Week that year. The event has been observed annually since that time and each succeeding Grand Master has issued a similar proclamation.

This year the Lodge hosted more than 150 attendees which included students, teachers, administrators, parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts, siblings, friends and neighbors.

The Lodge was represented by Master Ryan Lagache and Steward Bob Tripp in the pictures, along with Patty Gunderson, Lassen County Superintendent of Schools.

Susanville

Susanville School District had representatives from their three schools.

McKinley School Teacher of the Year was Theresa Moore. Male Student was Derrick

Cisneros and Female Student was Layla Jacome, introduced by DV Principal DeDe Heimbigner.

Meadow View School Teacher of the Year was Patricia Hudson. Male Student was Madden Parrish and Female Student was Naya Bangayan, introduced by DV Principal DeDe Heimbigner.

Diamond View School Teacher of the Year was Sarah McIntyre. Male Student was Robert

Feller and Female Student was Cicily Tupper, introduced by DV Principal DeDe Heimbigner.

Westwood

Westwood Unified School District Teachers of the Year were Catherine Tsaniff (Fletcher Walker-absent) and Cory Rickert (Westwood High-absent). Male Students were Bryson Hart (Westwood Junior High) and Arik Ramsey (Westwood High). Female Students were Kylia Stelzriede (Fletcher Walker Elementary), Payden Scott (Westwood Junior High) and Alasia Williams (Westwood High), introduced by Interim Superintendent/Principal Randy Bobby.

Herlong

Fort Sage Unified School District Teacher of the Year was Peggy Erwin (Herlong High). Male Students were Christopher Custdio (Middle School) and Kody Mccredy (Herlong High). Female Students were Esmeralda Arroyo (Herlong High) and Lilianna Gutierrez (Sierra Primary). They were all introduced by Interim Superintendent Brian Young.

Long Valley Charter School Teacher of the Year was Jon Landerman. Male Student was Jaxon Harguess and Female Student was Charlotte Potter, introduced by Administrator Whitney Mack.

Honey Lake Valley

Shaffer School was not able to attend, due to a school trip. Shaffer School Teacher of the Year

was Elise Williams. Male Student was Brady Deakin and Female Student was Kyannah Johnson

Janesville School Teacher of the Year was Aspen Brown. Male Student was Ethan Gates and Female Student was Addalyn Rotlisberger, introduced by Interim Superintendent Dr. Samia Merza.

Johnstonville School Teacher of the Year was Brie Buckler. Male Student was Aniel Ledezma

and Female Student was Haidyn Snyder, introduced by Johnstonville Superintendent Dr. Scott Smith.

Richmond School Teacher of the Year was Amy Matchniff. Male Student was Parker Langslet

and Female Student was Maya Tomlinson, introduced by Interim Superintendentl Jan DeMers.

Lassen High School Teacher of the Year was Jessica Larson. Male Student was Jeremy Nielsen (absent) and Female Student was Jenna Leaman (absent), introduced by Dean of Students Bob Nielsen.

Lassen County Office of Education Teacher of the Year was Denise Bossé Arnold,

introduced by Interim Richmond Superintendent Jan DeMers.

Click here to register to be on an existing team or form your own, or, make a donation to torch run because it’s a worthy endeavor. Click here.

Also, during the month of June, Susanville ACE Hardware will be raising funds for the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Stop by all month long, make a purchase and ’round up’ your transaction to support the event and the group behind it. 100% of the funds raised will go to the Torch Run.

Opening ceremonies will begin at 7:00a.m., on the steps of the historic courthouse. Runners leave at 7:30 and everyone is encouraged to line the course to cheer them all on.

Torch runners at the beginning of last year’s event

Paul Bunyan’s Prosperity Special from an advertising book about the new rail corridor.

From http://fhsarchives.wordpress.com

Great Northern Wins Lassen Approval

May 31, 1929

The Lassen County Chamber of Commerce at a special meeting last night voted 18 to 7 in favor of supporting the Great Northern – Western Pacific railroads’ application for a permit from the interstate commerce commission to build two hundred miles of railroad between Klamath Falls and Keddie.

The vote was taken after speakers from the Southern Pacific and rival railroads had presented their arguments for and against the proposed construction.

Earlier in the day the board of supervisors of Lassen county refused by a vote of 3 to 2 to intervene in the matter.

Edward C. Thomas was the principal speaker for the Southern Pacific at last night’s meeting, and Col. Charles S. Albert for the Great Northern. Elliot Epsteen appeared for the shippers’ committee of the Good Railway Service Association.

Colonel Albert contended that the lines would open a rich territory now without adequate transportation facilities.