June 14, 2007

	Top of Their Class in Elma
	The Class of 2007 were handed their diplomas Saturday By Tommi Halvorsen Gatlin Vidette Reporter Elma High School's top 10 graduates this year are an impressive group. "They have really distinguished themselves in the classroom, in the community, in the gym and on our playing fields," their principal, Deborah Parriott, said. "They've been successful academically, athletically and through the arts. Their contributions to our school and our community have also contributed to their own personal development." Commencement took place Saturday, June 9, at the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds Pavilion.		Elma High School's top 10 graduates, from left, Jakiah Nauman, Leah Gordon, Breanne Starks, Alex Bush, Dillon Thomson, Anneliese Kohn, Kristi Schumacher, Colby Scott, Evan Cox and Amy Arnold, posed last week in front of the school that has now become their alma mater. (Photo by Dee Anne Shaw)
	McCleary School says good-bye to five
	It's the last day of school for four teachers and the librarian - a large number for a small school. By Tommi Halvorsen Gatlin Vidette Reporter Today, the McCleary School bids good-bye to four retiring staff members, Cecelia Bond, Steve Messman, Debi Olson and Suzie Stoney. The school's beloved part-time librarian, Mary Thornton, will also be absent in the fall. "All five people have contributed greatly to the success of our kids. They're going to be greatly missed," McCleary's superintendent/principal, Dan Bolender, said. "They are all very dedicated professionals who have had the best interests of the kids in the forefront of their teaching and working here." It would be difficult to find anyone who's been involved with the school longer than second-grade teacher Suzie Stoney, 58, who began there as a bright-eyed youngster in kindergarten.		Retiring teacher Suzie Stoney, top left, sits in her classroom at McCleary School, where she's been involved more than 50 years. The school's other retiring teachers are, top center, Steve Messman and Cecelia Bond, and bottom left, Debi Olson. Part-time librarian Mary Thornton, bottom right, has accepted a position in Hoquiam. (Photos by Dee Anne Shaw)
	Montesano boy nabs biggest fish
	This is a family deal, and it is nice to get the families out spending time with each other - Norm Cole, derby official. By Jerrad Kellogg Vidette Reporter Nearly 300 kids descended on Lake Sylvia for the 10th Annual Montesano Moose Lodge Kids Fishing Derby. And even though not everyone walked away with a fish, nobody left empty-handed as the Moose Lodge, with the help of numerous sponsors, was able to hand out a prize to every participant, sending the kids home with a smile from a rather rainy Saturday morning on June 9. Lined up at the gates to Lake Sylvia before dawn, a bulk of the anglers got right to work in the recently stocked waters as soon as they were allowed into the park just shy of 6 a.m.		Cole Grigg, 8, of Montesano, proudly displays his 5-pound 8-ounce, derby-winning fish. Inset, Grant Kent, 8, of Montesano, hoists his 5-pound 3-ounce catch early in the morning. Kent's fish remained the top catch until late in the day, when Cole Grigg turned in his score. Kent wound up winning the 7-9 age group. (Photos by Jerrad Kellogg)