SPRINGFIELD – When Grant Meadors made his debut at Autzen Stadium during Oregon’s spring game in April, his first kickoff went out of bounds. “That was the most nervous that…
SPRINGFIELD – When Grant Meadors made his debut at Autzen Stadium during Oregon’s spring game in April, his first kickoff went out of bounds. “That was the most nervous that…
Through a successful combination of the outdoors, work ethic, and personal drive, the Northwest Youth Corps (NYC) will soon celebrate its 40th year as a nonprofit, with a goal to…
Through a successful combination of the outdoors, work ethic, and personal drive, the Northwest Youth Corps (NYC) will soon celebrate its 40th year as a nonprofit, with a goal to…
CRESWELL – They’re moving on up! The Cascade Kids are an amazing, one-family band, ranging in age from 10 to 16. With five siblings currently in the band, they’re getting…
CRESWELL – They’re moving on up! The Cascade Kids are an amazing, one-family band, ranging in age from 10 to 16. With five siblings currently in the band, they’re getting…
SPRINGFIELD — Reading is a critical skill for helping kids start, and stay, on a path to success in school and beyond. Across Oregon, students in early grades are still…
SPRINGFIELD — Reading is a critical skill for helping kids start, and stay, on a path to success in school and beyond. Across Oregon, students in early grades are still…
22 Nov 2023
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Penned & Published: Thurston alum finding footing in writing
PHOTO PROVIDED. Rebecca (Kash) Atanassova, a 1992 graduate of Thurston High School, now lives in Lincoln, Neb., where she volunteers for wildlife rescue and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She’s published and penned over two dozen children’s books, a passion she discovered at an early age.
Editor’s Note: This story is a part of a Chronicle series titled “Where are they now?” The series takes a look at the stories of alumni from our area high schools. The Chronicle is looking for former or current residents who have achieved impressive accomplishments with a unique story to tell since graduation. Area alumni from all decades welcome.
SPRINGFIELD — A year ago, Springfield native Rebecca (Kash) Atanassova would have never guessed she would have her own books distributed in big-name bookstores and sold worldwide.
“We went from zero to Barnes & Noble and global distribution in under a year,” Atanassova said in a recent phone interview.
Alongside her sister Rachel MacKnight, they started their own publishing company a year ago and have since published 27 of Atanassova’s children’s books, including her most recent, “Your Heart Can Hold the Whole Universe,” in late September.
A 1992 graduate of Thurston High School, Atanassova recalls she’s always had an affinity for child-directed speech. When she was a teen, she took child development classes and volunteered in the high school’s preschool. In her senior year, Atanassova volunteered at Ridgeview Elementary School every day and assisted with each grade level.
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