Pleasant Hill Future Farmers going national
PLEASANT HILL — The Pleasant Hill Future Farmers of America Chapter is taking five high-achieving students to the upcoming FFA National Convention from Oct. 31-Nov. 5 in Indianapolis, Ind. Students will attend various workshops and competitions throughout the event to develop leadership skills and explore new career paths within agriculture. The students attending include seniors Tressa Geyer, Zoey Brott, and Savannah White, sophomore Cece Plummer, and 8th grader Peyton White. For the first time in Pleasant Hill’s history, one of its members, Brott, has qualified to compete in the National Agricultural Science Competition with her project on the incorporation of microbial fuel cells into aquaponics. The students will return on Nov. 5. From left: Brott, Geyer, Savannah White, and Plummer. Not pictured: Peyton White.
Creswell’s Spriggs earns scholarship from Masonic Lodge
Caroline Spriggs is the winner of the Creswell Masonic Lodge Trades and Technology Scholarship, the Creswell Masonic Lodge #112 recently announced. Caroline is a 2023 graduate of Creswell High School who distinguished herself through attitude and efforts in academics, athletics, and as a fine example of a citizen of the community. Caroline is attending the Dental Assisting Program at Lane Community College with the future goal of becoming an orthodontic assistant.
Patriotic student essay contest underway
Area students in both middle and high school are encouraged this year to participate in the Veterans of Foreign Wars essay contest. Topics this year include:
• Middle school: “How are you inspired by America?”
• High school: “What are the greatest attributes of our Democracy?”
Middle school student essays should be 300-400 words. High school students are to produce a 3-5 minute essay-speech.
Entries are due to your Creswell, Cottage Grove, or Springfield VFW Post by Oct. 31 deadline.
More info: Please contact VFW member Bob Beck, LTC USA Retired, Youth Chair for OR District 13, at [email protected] information and the entry form.
Area college students earn academic excellence
• Biola University Spring Dean’s List: Hannah Fackler, of Creswell. Music performance major.
• Western Oregon University Summer Honor Roll: Ashlynn Norton, of Springfield.
• Pacific University graduate: Sara Yesenia Villada, of Springfield, graduated from Pacific University in Oregon with a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management.
• Sam Houston State University summer graduate: Leah Helfrich, Springfield. Master of Science, Criminal Justice.
Blood donations needed
The Red Cross must collect 10,000 additional blood and platelet donations — over and above expectations — each week over the next month to sufficiently meet hospital needs. Donors of all blood types are urged to book a time to give now, especially those with type O blood or those giving platelets.
Donors can still give blood or platelets after receiving a flu vaccine, so long as they are feeling healthy and well on the day of their donation. Likewise, there is no deferral or wait time for those receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
All who come to give Oct. 21-Nov. 9 will receive a $10 gift card by email to a restaurant merchant of their choice.
To make an appointment, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood drives include:
SATURDAY, OCT. 21
• Lox, Stocks and Bagels, 368 E. 40th Ave., Eugene, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
MONDAY, OCT. 30
• Starbucks Springfield, 3348 Gateway St., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
TUESDAY, OCT. 31
• Holiday Inn Express, 2117 Franklin Blvd., Glenwood, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
How to donate blood
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. People who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Postal Service holiday shipping, mailing deadlines
The Postal Service has announced it will not have a peak, or demand, surcharge this holiday season. The deadlines to get your mail to its receiver by Christmas are as follows:
USPS Ground Advantage: Dec. 16
First-Class Mail (including greeting cards): Dec. 16
Priority Mail: Dec.18
Priority Mail Express: Dec. 20
