Glenwood News: New school board members sworn in

Princesses this year are Jocee Hoctor, Kerryna Thompson, Brooklyn Branson, and Dahlyla Rains. Princes are Hunter Walker, Sebastian Williams, Anthony Avila, and Wyatt Patterson. Because Glenwood has no football program, they celebrate homecoming after the final Glenwood/Klickitat (Klickwood) home basketball game, where the court will be presented and the king and queen will be crowned.

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The second annual Glenwood Community Christmas Lights contest was a wonderful success this year. The winners were KyAnn Kessinger and Andrew Dechand in first place, Justin and Kim Holly in second, and Kathy and Jim Roth in third. Besides all those who entered, many other residents lit up their homes and yards, too, and they all brought so much enjoyment to little kids and even big kids like me. Some were so beautiful and bright we could see them from where we live on one side of the valley across several fields to the Trout Lake Highway. 

Congratulations to the winners and to all who donated prizes or monetary gifts to help with prizes. And, again, a huge thanks goes to Jennifer Throop for taking the lead in this fun event. Start thinking about Christmas 2026, everyone.

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At the last Glenwood School Board of Directors meeting of 2025, Board Chair Travis Miller was recognized on the occasion of his last meeting. After 12 years of dedicated service to the Glenwood School District, Travis decided not to file for re-election so he can focus on family and running their ranch. 

He was presented with a certificate of appreciation by Superintendent/Principal Bob Rogers and the board presented him with a gift basket. Travis, thank you for your many years of service as the third generation of Millers to serve on that Board. You will be greatly missed. 

In other Glenwood School Board news, new members Dianna Dillenburg and Perry Wasgatt took their oaths of office. Another board member, Kara Griffin, had made the decision not to file for re-election, but when she learned of another vacancy due to the resignation of director Jake Eldred, she applied for and was selected to that position. Her decision to keep serving on the board is greatly appreciated. So much so that she was promptly elected board chair for the upcoming year.

Dianna, Perry, and Kara join Ryan Sanchey and me as we look forward to a positive and productive 2026. We love our little school and are privileged to get to serve.

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I hope all students and staff enjoyed their Christmas break to the fullest. School resumed on Jan. 5 and the Klickwood high school basketball team will have three games that week. In addition to away games in Goldendale and Dufur, Klickwood boys will play Trout Lake on the Glenwood court on Friday, Jan. 9.

Klickwood is having an awesome season so far, ranked fifth in the state as of this writing. Let’s hope for a huge turn out to show our support for our team. The middle school basketball team, Little Klickwood, has no games scheduled to take place in the Glenwood gym for the rest of the season, but we wish them great success as they travel for the remainder of their games.

Klickwood does not have a girls high school team this season, but if you want some exciting girls basketball, the Trout Lake girls, with our Glenwood girl Emma Patterson, will have some games on the Trout Lake court coming up. Emma is one of the leading scorers in the Big Sky 1A league at this writing. Check the Trout Lake School District website for athletic information and schedules.

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I wish everyone a great new year.

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Mary Pierce writes about the community of Glenwood every other week in Columbia Gorge News. Please send any news items to gmpierce09@gmail.com.