Today is an important day for our community and our democracy. All ballots must be deposited in an official ballot drop box by 8:00 p.m. tonight at the courthouse.

Each year at PTHS, one of the most powerful reminders of why voting matters comes from watching seniors who have recently turned 18 prepare to cast their very first ballot. Seeing students step into this responsibility with pride and excitement highlights how meaningful participation in a democratic process can be, especially for young people finding their voice.

Alongside academics, one of our most important responsibilities is helping students grow into thoughtful, involved members of their community. Understanding how a democracy works, and how their voice fits within it, is a key part of that learning.

Local elections matter. They influence decisions about schools, public safety, infrastructure, and the many services that directly affect our day-to-day lives. When we vote, we are helping shape the future of our community.

If you have not yet returned your ballot, please consider taking a few minutes today to do so. Your voice matters, and our democracy is stronger when we all participate.

Walking into the auditorium last Wednesday, it was immediately clear that something special was happening. Students were smiling, cheering, and encouraging one another before the first note was even sung. Houses were ready, performers were nervous and excited in the best way, and the room was buzzing with positive energy. What followed was a House vs. House Karaoke competition that felt less about winning and much more about belonging, pride, and celebrating who we are as a school community.

Cedar House advisor Mr. Gambill shared that what stood out most was the balance between competition and community. He noted, “What I enjoyed most is how we are able to be competitive in the house system but also support each other at the same time. It’s a fine line that is hard to walk and we do it well.” That combination of school spirit and mutual respect was visible throughout the event, with students cheering just as loudly for other Houses as they did for their own. For Mr. Gambill, that sense of connection is at the heart of the House model. “We are human and community is a vital part of what is great about being human,” he said, adding that the structure of Houses helps students feel safe taking risks. “I think everyone knows that they will be supported when they try and it makes it easier for people to take risks.”

Senior Dylin Shockley, who served as the MC for the competition, had a front row seat to that support. She described the experience as “a ton of fun,” and shared that it was especially meaningful to introduce each group and speak about how the House system has worked through the first semester and why its values matter. Watching students perform in front of the entire school was powerful for her. “It was so inspiring, especially seeing the feedback from the room during the brave performances. It showed an incredible sense of community across all four houses.” Throughout the event, Dylin said the atmosphere never wavered. “The energy was nothing but supportive and ecstatic in the room. Even between performances, all I could see out in the crowd were smiles and eager faces waiting for the next performance.”

After the final performances, the entire school transitioned from the auditorium to the courtyard for an all school cake picnic, made possible by the hard work of Mrs. Kruse’s culinary classes. Over the course of two days, students prepared 25 sheet cakes with homemade frosting, dividing responsibilities, practicing safe food handling, and coordinating the logistics of serving a large crowd in a short window of time. Mrs. Kruse shared that this allowed students to contribute to the celebration in a meaningful way. “Students were able to get involved ahead of the event and the culinary classes were able to showcase their baking skills,” she said. When the cakes were revealed, the reaction was immediate. “After such a fun karaoke event, it was great to see the whole student body spill into the courtyard. Students were surprised and super happy to see so much cake.”

For Mrs. Kruse, the moment captured the growth she has seen over the semester. She reflected that students are stepping into leadership and supporting one another across grade levels, and that excitement around House events continues to grow. Even amid the controlled chaos of serving hundreds of students, she saw pride in action. “Students take pride in their work and know how much their peers appreciate their treats. It’s fun to see the growth over one semester and see skills in action.”

As a senior, Dylin reflected on how different the atmosphere feels now compared to earlier years. “I can’t even begin to describe how far the school spirit and pride has come since my first year here,” she said, noting that it is rewarding to see pride across the student body and staff. She emphasized that the culture being built is rooted in support. “No matter the situation or the competition, there are always people rooting for you. That’s what building this culture has been all about, being supportive and building one community.”

Last Wednesday was more than a fun afternoon. It was a reminder that when students feel a sense of belonging, when adults create space for joy and risk taking, and when everyone comes together to celebrate, school becomes a place students want to be. The karaoke competition and cake picnic captured that spirit perfectly and set the tone for a strong second semester together.

This past weekend, the Port Townsend High School Mock Trial team competed in the Kitsap District Championships at the Kitsap County Superior Court, and the results speak for themselves. But more importantly, the experience highlighted exactly why activities like Mock Trial matter so much for students and for our school community.

Across two long days of competition, PTHS entered both a varsity and junior varsity team. Each team completed four full trials, one on Friday and three on Saturday, with very little downtime between rounds. Trials ran two and a half to three hours each, making for a demanding, nearly nonstop schedule. Students stayed focused, supported one another, and represented our school with professionalism and pride from start to finish.

That level of commitment does not happen by accident. Mock Trial asks students to show up the same way athletics do: consistently, prepared, and ready to work together under pressure. Mr. Kubik, who volunteers with the team and teaches Business Law and Trial Practice, shared that the team practices daily after school and holds all day scrimmages on Saturdays. He noted that “the amount and intensity of the work is similar to any of the school’s sports teams,” and that expectation has helped set a high bar for everyone involved.

The structure of Mock Trial requires deep collaboration. Students must present a unified theme from beginning to end, relying on one another’s preparation and performance. As Mr. Kubik explained, that kind of work “requires a high level of teamwork, which in turn develops mutual respect, reliance on your teammates, and a strong sense of support for everyone’s work.” .

For students, the impact is personal and lasting. Team captain Zella Mack shared that Mock Trial has helped her grow in many aspects of her life, saying that she has gained confidence in public speaking, learned how to act in professional settings, and strengthened her ability to formulate strong arguments. She also spoke about the team culture, noting that while the commitment is significant, “the team is so connected and I have made some great friends lifelong through Mock Trial.” That connection is a powerful reminder that belonging often comes from doing hard things together.

The results from the weekend reflect that preparation and commitment. Multiple students earned Best Witness and Best Attorney nominations across individual trials, and PTHS students received two of the highest individual honors in the entire district competition. Sawyer Duvall was named one of the Overall Best Witnesses, and Adeline McMillen was named the Overall Best Attorney. In addition, the varsity team placed second overall, earning a spot at the State Championships in March.

Advisor Chris Pierson summed it up best when he shared how proud he is of the team’s work, noting that the effort students put into this year’s trials is the strongest he has seen in years. He emphasized that Mock Trial is not about training future lawyers, but about giving students opportunities for growth, confidence, and professional interaction that will serve them well in any path they choose.

As a school, we are incredibly proud of this group of students. We’ve already begun planning a send off for when the team heads to state, and in the days leading up to the competition, we’ll even be temporarily changing our bells to the Law & Order chime! It’s a small gesture, but one that reflects something much bigger: when students find belonging, put in the work, and support one another, the entire community shows up with them.

Mock Trial continues to be a powerful example of how learning, teamwork, perseverance, and community come together at PTHS, just like they do in our classrooms, our arts, and our athletics.

Last week, we shared a story about PTHS wrestlers heading into the district tournament focused on preparation, perseverance, and the pursuit of something bigger than themselves. That article centered on the daily work, the culture of the program, and what students have been building all season.

This week, we get to share what that work produced.

This past weekend was a historic one for East Jefferson wrestling, as the Rivals qualified a school-record number of wrestlers to the state championships. The results are a direct reflection of a group of students who committed to the process long before competition day ever arrived.

Athletic Director Shelby Box shared that what stands out most about this team is their mindset. “This team has been highly motivated all season to work hard and go as far as possible in the post season,” she said. She pointed to the foundation that was built months ago, adding that “the thing that sticks out to me the most is the willingness of this core group to put in the work in the off season.”

This year’s state qualifiers include girls wrestlers Savvy Grimm, Lavender Douglas, and Ella Welte, along with boys wrestlers Finn Evans, Manaseh Lanphear Ramirez, Grady White, and Rylen Kruse. Leighton Dunn earned a spot as an alternate. Each of these students now carries the opportunity to represent Port Townsend High School at the highest level of high school wrestling.

Shelby shared that Rivals wrestling consistently strives to send athletes to state and that watching students battle for that opportunity never gets old. “The Rivals wrestling program always strives to send as many athletes to State as possible,” she said, noting that the program’s continued presence at the state level “speaks volumes about the coaching staff and their dedication to these athletes both in season and in the off season.”

The weekend also included a remarkable individual milestone. Manaseh Lanphear Ramirez earned his 100th career win, an accomplishment that reflects years of commitment and consistency. “100 wins over the course of a high school career is quite the feat,” Shelby said. “That is averaging over 25 wins a year.” She also emphasized how meaningful it has been to watch Manaseh grow beyond his athletic success. “It has been fun to watch Manaseh grow up, especially as a person,” she said, explaining that he has grown into “a great role model of what it means to work hard and go after what you want.”

At its core, wrestling is about much more than wins and losses. Shelby shared that achievements like qualifying for state and reaching 100 career wins reinforce an important message. “If you set your mind to something, you can achieve it,” she said. “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

She also sees a strong connection between athletics and success in other areas of students’ lives. “When students see they can lead within their athletic teams, I think that shows them that they can be leaders in other aspects of their lives as well,” Shelby said. She added that sports do a powerful job of showing students what hard work and dedication can help one accomplish.

Last week’s article focused on the pursuit. This week, we celebrate the results of that pursuit and the culture that made it possible.

Congratulations to our Rivals wrestlers on an incredible weekend and best of luck as you head to the state championships. You continue to represent Port Townsend High School with pride, resilience, and heart.

This past weekend, PTHS students participated in the regional Solo and Ensemble contest, and the results were nothing short of remarkable. Every PTHS student who performed earned a Superior rating. That level of across-the-board excellence speaks not only to talent, but to the countless hours of practice, persistence, and quiet determination that happen long before anyone steps on stage.

For many of our students, success at this level is built slowly over extended periods of time. Piano student Kestrel Campbell shared that preparation is not something that happens in a short burst leading up to a performance. “I’ve been working on this piece of music for over a year and a half, so the playing itself isn’t the most difficult part of the performance. Before performing, I have to put a lot of intentional effort into keeping myself calm and focused throughout my playing.”

That long-term commitment can be hard to maintain, especially when combined with a demanding academic schedule. Kestrel explained, “Honestly, it’s really hard sometimes. Most of my time outside of school is spent on either academics or music, and it can become overwhelming. I do my best to prioritize my goals and plan what I need to get done and when in order to avoid procrastination and stress.” Even when time is limited, Kestrel emphasized the importance of consistency. “Some days, I didn’t have time to practice at all, and on others, I had to just fit in 15 or 20 minutes where I could. The most important thing for me is consistency, and knowing that doing something is better than nothing at all.”

That idea of steady, cumulative growth came up repeatedly across student reflections. Kestrel noted, “Music has helped me understand that success is cumulative. You have to put in the hours a little bit at a time, and it’s impossible to achieve something overnight without putting in the prior effort to get there.” After receiving a Superior rating and first place, Kestrel added, “Last year, I received a rating a step lower than superior. It’s great to see that my playing has improved.”

Bass student Bella Ferland also pointed to consistency as the foundation of progress. “I’ve been competing since eighth grade and I generally practice the piece I intend to perform for four to five months,” Bella said. When asked what earning a Superior rating represents, Bella shared, “Consistency is probably the most important thing that I have learned, just picking up my instrument daily even if I just practice for five minutes.”

Like many students, Bella has had to navigate busy seasons where balancing school, work, and music becomes difficult. “During the end of the semester I was struggling to balance work, school, and music so I had to get myself to keep practicing,” Bella explained. That persistence carries into other areas of school as well. “It’s taught me to stay motivated even if it doesn’t seem like the work I’m doing now will matter later on.” Looking back on the experience, Bella said, “My ability to stay focused despite last minute changes” is what she is most proud of beyond the final result.

Violinist Amidah Soong, who earned a Superior rating and a first-place finish, described preparation as an ongoing process centered on repetition and problem-solving. “I prepared for the contest mostly through constant practice, focusing especially on parts of my solo that were especially challenging.” Even when time was tight, Amidah stayed highly motivated. “I tried my best to practice consistently, but there were definitely some days when I didn’t have time. I almost always was highly motivated because I knew I wanted to win. Plus, my solo piece is super fun to play.”

Early in the learning process, some passages felt overwhelming. “When I first started learning my solo, there were a few sections that I felt were almost impossible to play, but I eventually figured them out through practicing those parts very slowly and doing warm ups that targeted the weak spots in my music.” Amidah also credited the support of her violin teacher, saying, “My violin teacher, Matthew Daline, was also extremely helpful.”

For Amidah, the recognition was meaningful. “I already knew that I was a pretty good musician, but winning solo and ensemble was good confirmation.” She also offered an encouraging message for younger musicians. “Pieces like the one I played at the contest certainly seemed impossibly hard when I was younger, but through daily practice, I think anyone can get to this level of playing if sufficiently motivated.”

These student stories reflect something we see often at PTHS. When students find an area they are passionate about and commit to it over time, the habits they develop spill into many parts of their lives. Time management, perseverance, goal-setting, and resilience are learned through experiences like music, and they show up in classrooms, extracurriculars, and relationships.

Congratulations to all of our students who participated in Solo and Ensemble and earned Superior ratings. Your hard work, perseverance, and dedication are inspiring, and we are incredibly proud of you.

This year, artwork from throughout PT Schools will be displayed in the Cotton Building downtown so that everyone can see our kids' great art. Let's show students that Port Townsend values their creativity and wants to see their ideas reflected in our community!

To sponsor this event/donate, please visit: https://ptpta.givebacks.com/shop. Contributions will help support this week-long exhibition of artwork by students from PT schools installed April 2-7, 2026, and ongoing art programs in our school district.

To volunteer, please email Chiarra Klontz at klontz.chiarra@gmail.com to be added to our list. We will be preparing art before April 1st, installing the show in the Cotton Building on April 1st, and then hosting open hours each day/evening from April 2nd - 7th. Please let us know if there is a specific date/time or activity you would like to help with.

• Tuesday, 2.10 at 5:30pm: Dual Credit (HS & College) Presentation in the PTHS Library
• Tuesday, 2.10 at 6:00pm: Peninsula College Running Start Presentation in the PTHS Library
• Wednesday, 2.11 during Advisory: Course Interest Surveys & Full House Meetings
• Wednesday, 2.11 from 1:30 - 3:15pm: Vertical Collaboration with BHMS Staff at PTHS
• 🏀Thursday, 2.12 at 5:30 & 7:00pm: Senior Night Girls & Boys BBall at Chimacum🏀

Website: https://highschool.ptschools.org/
Location: 1500 Van Ness Street, Port Townsend, WA, USA
Phone: 360.379.4520

Port Townsend School District No. 50 does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, immigration status, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and all other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator
Carrie Ehrhardt

1610 Blaine Street

(360) 680-5756

cehrhardt@ptschools.org

Title IX Officer:
Carrie Ehrhardt

1610 Blaine Street

(360) 680-5756

cehrhardt@ptschools.org

Section 504/ADA Coordinator
Shelby Macmeekin

1610 Blaine Street

(360) 379-4501

smacmeekin@ptschools.org

Title IX inquiries may also be directed toward the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR):https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html

Discrimination Procedure