Harrison Prep is recognized for closing achievement gaps and Southgate is recognized for elementary overall excellence; improvement and closing achievement gaps. Schools are selected based on their statewide assessment data for the three previous years.

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The cast of Snow White prior to a performance at the Lakewood Playhouse.

Southgate Elementary School students brought the magic of the classic children’s story, Snow White to life for their classmates, teachers and families, thanks to contributions by the Lakewood Playhouse and the Clover Park Rotary.

Beginning last fall, staff from the Playhouse tutored Southgate students in acting exercises. Once the basics were mastered, more than 175 students auditioned for 25 parts. Students performed two productions of Snow White at Southgate Jan. 27 and two additional community productions Jan. 28 at the Lakewood Playhouse.

“This opportunity gives our students confidence and widens their horizons,” said Becky Condra, reading interventionist. “Our students worked extremely hard to memorize their lines and ‘become’ their characters. I was absolutely amazed at how well they performed.”

The collaboration was born from an idea by Rotarian Ernie Heller, and started last school year with a production of Peter Pan. The Clover Park Rotary contributed funds to pay theatre staff and to purchase costumes and props.

On Nov. 16, Clover Park School District Superintendent Debbie LeBeau, Director Paul Wagemann and several district administrators met with local legislators to give them the opportunity to visit our schools and see the work being done to increase student success through student achievement, partnerships and community engagement. The event began at Lakes High School—the district’s newest school building—where culinary arts students prepared breakfast and discussed the importance of career and technical education. Ignite Mentors also spoke about their program and how it connects students for success in high school.

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Lynn Geyer had strong ties with Theatre in the South Sound area since the 1970s.  Because of this connection, especially with The Lakewood Playhouse, Geyer was determined to give the opportunity to disadvantaged children to become acquainted with theatre.

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It all began with an idea from Rotarian Ernie Heller, followed by a terrific Grant request written by Rotarian Dee Ebsen. Clover Park Rotary received $2500 in grant money and in turn budgeted another $2500 so we could hire the Lakewood Playhouse thespians to tutor every class at Southgate in acting exercises. They worked with the children during the Fall and then had 150 students tryout for the 25 parts in "Peter Pan".

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Forty-three members and guests of the Steilacoom Chamber of Commerce enjoyed a "Spring Evening at The Bair" on Thursday, April 22.  Representing the Port of Tacoma, Connie Bacon was the featured guest speaker during the dinner.  She stated that the Port is currently conducting a "nationwide search for a new CEO who is trustworthy, who will tell us the right story in business for the Port of Tacoma, who understands strategic thinking, and is a go-getter." According to Bacon, the Port of Tacoma is "beginning to see a tiny rise in activity, but anticipates steady growth over the next five years."  She added that the Port has spent $170M to clean-up Puget Sound and Commencement Bay.  There are ongoing negotiations with the Puyallup Tribe about possibly operating a terminal, as well.  Bus tours of the Port of Tacoma are available to the public and scheduled every couple of months.

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