WHITE SALMON — The White Salmon Valley Education Foundation (WSVEF) is has awarded more than $40,000 to outstanding educators and programs in the White Salmon Valley School District. As part of the foundation’s annual Grant Award program, this investment will support STEM, literacy, arts, music, career and technical education, and cultural exploration projects that expand educational opportunities for White Salmon students.
“Stepping into this role as the new executive director, I’ve been so impressed by the impact this foundation has on the White Salmon schools," said Darby McAdams. "The grants going into our schools emphasize practical skills, like the Tiny House project at CHS, where students are gaining experience in construction, teamwork, and budgeting as they build an entire tiny home. From that project to funding new cameras at CHS and supporting a stream monitoring survey for Whitson students, it’s exciting to see the wide range of learning opportunities these grants are creating."
The Grant Awards are made possible through the generosity of donors, community partners, and supporters of the WSVEF. These contributions enable the foundation to continue its mission of providing opportunities for growth and learning within our schools. Since 2006, more than $1 million in donations have been awarded to the schools directly from WSVEF. The majority of our funds are raised at our premiere fundraiser, the annual Gorge Grape Escape, happening this year on Oct. 4 at the Hood River Inn.
For more information about the White Salmon Valley Education Foundation and its grant programs, please visit wsvef.org or contact WSVEF at info@wsvef.org.
2025 Spring Grant Award winners:
Columbia High School New Computers for Computer Aided Drawing (Del Medenbach) – $6,500
Provides 10 new laptops for CHS’s woodshop to support hands-on learning in CAD/CAM-based woodworking, construction technology, and electronics, ensuring students gain modern skills used in today’s construction and manufacturing industries.
Creating a Culture of Reading (Erika Miller, Becky Williams) – $ 4,128
Provides fourth grade students with Accelerated Reader and STAR tools to boost reading comprehension, engagement, and measurable progress.
Replacement TI-84 Graphing Calculators (Kock, Liddiard, Meyers) – $4,417
Replaces broken TI-84 calculators to ensure all CHS math students have access to graphing tools.
Tiny House Doors and Windows (Del Medenbach) – $3,228
Funds a door and window package for the Columbia High School Tiny House Project, giving students hands-on construction experience while preparing the house for sale to fund future builds.
HMS and CHS Camera Upgrade (Amy Saquety, Kelsey Lemon) – $11,611
Provides mirrorless cameras and adapters for CHS and HMS to modernize yearbook and photography programs and teach students industry-relevant digital media skills.
Jewett Creek Stream Monitoring Surveys (Siena Ballance, Becky Williams) – $4,000
Funds continued stream monitoring on Jewett Creek with Whitson Elementary fourth graders, providing hands-on science education that supports salmon curriculum, fosters environmental stewardship, and contributes to long-term water quality data.
Laser Focused Fundraising (Jenna Mobley and Class of 2028 Officers) – $800
This project will fund a Glowforge laser cutter and filter to help CHS students design and produce merchandise for fundraisers, gaining real-world skills in entrepreneurship, graphic design, and technology.
Guided Language Acquisition Design (GLAD) (Chance, Roediger, Sauter) – $4,788
To enhance student engagement and language development, the proposal supports teacher collaboration to integrate Project GLAD strategies into the third grade geography unit, providing inclusive, differentiated instruction for a diverse group of learners.
Second Grade Modern Learning Tools (Sarah Owens) – $2,455
To support differentiated learning and reduce classroom distractions, this project will provide high-quality, durable headphones for second grade students.
Outside Funding secured by WSVEF Grant Writing Efforts:
This grant from the Kelly Foundation of Washington, awarded in 2024, continues to support Columbia High School students who need financial assistance with credit hour fees associated with college level classes offered in partnership with Columbia Gorge Community College.
White Salmon Academy Artist in Residence (Doug Avon and Amy Steunenberg, teachers ) – $2,700
Funded by the Tulalip Tribes Charitable Fund, this program brought trauma-informed artist Allison Bell-Fox to the White Salmon Academy for a hands-on art project that helped WSA students connect with their peers in a positive social setting.
Empty Bowls Project (Kelsey Lemon, Ashley Renfrew, and Stephenie Going) – $5,000
Funded by the Muckleshoot Charity Fund, K-12 students from all five schools created, decorated, glazed and fired earthenware bowls, which were then filled with soup and sold at a fundraiser in May, with proceeds going to our local food bank.
CHS After School Funding (Rachel Suits) awarded $10,635
Three percent of the total dollar amount raised from the United Way of the Columbia Gorge supported the cost of staff time, supplies, and transportation to and from the CHS after school program for students in grades 9-12.
College and Career Readiness — $3,000
Funded by Career Connect Southwest (ESD 112). Supporting the WSVEF College Essay Writing Workshop series for rising seniors at Columbia High School and other area schools. This workshop, run by local author and educator Ashley Erdely, supports students with college essay writing mentorship and roundtable discussions with peers and community experts.
About the White Salmon Valley Education Foundation
The mission of the WSVEF is to enrich the education of PK–12 students in the White Salmon Valley public schools. Since 2006, more than $1 million in community-raised donations have been awarded to the schools directly from WSVEF. Community donations have also been leveraged through WSVEF grant writing services to secure more than $6.45 million in grants from outside funding sources.
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