MONROE — Cedarcrest High School FFA students capped a successful week at the 2026 Evergreen State Fair by earning top team honors in four of nine competitions and collecting numerous individual championships across livestock, horticulture and agricultural mechanics events.

The chapter placed first in Veterinary Science, Milk Quality, Poultry Evaluation and Natural Resources. Lucy Linz was also named the top Individual Competitor in Poultry Evaluation, while Charlotte Booth earned Top Individual Honors in Horse Judging.

Competitions asked participants to demonstrate skills ranging from evaluating animal health and dairy products to identifying natural resources and assessing poultry and horses.

Cedarcrest’s livestock exhibitors also delivered strong performances in the show ring. Lexi Lafritz earned the Reserve Record Book Award and was named top Senior Cattle Showman. Kylie Hobbs exhibited the Supreme Champion Jersey Cow.

In the sheep competition, Lillian Lantz was named Grand Champion Junior Showman and exhibited the Supreme Ewe Lamb. Kelsey Neil earned Grand Champion Novice Sheep Showman honors, while Ella Mitchell was named Reserve Grand Champion Novice Sheep Showman. Linz received Reserve Champion Junior Sheep Showman honors.

Cedarcrest students also distinguished themselves in goat and poultry competitions. Linz was named Grand Champion Novice Goat Showman and Grand Champion Junior Poultry Showman. Taryn Walton earned Reserve Champion honors in Novice Goat Fitting and Showing and exhibited the Champion Saanen. Mitchell was named Grand Champion Novice Poultry Showman.

In horse fitting and showing, Chloe Day earned Reserve Champion Senior honors.

The chapter’s success extended well beyond animal competitions. Cedarcrest students received several of the fair’s highest horticulture awards for flowers, vegetables and floral design. Lantz was named the fair’s Supreme Horticulture Exhibitor and earned Reserve Champion honors for her boutonniere. Linz exhibited the Grand Champion Roses and created the Champion Corsage. Mitchell received Reserve Champion honors for her corsage and tomatoes.

Neil earned Grand Champion honors for her vegetable display and Reserve Champion recognition for her cut-flower snapdragons. Carlyn Brimley created the Champion Boutonniere.

Day received one of Cedarcrest’s top awards in agricultural mechanics, earning recognition as the Supreme Agricultural Mechanics Exhibitor. Her wooden cross was selected as the Grand Champion Agricultural Mechanics entry.

In addition to individual awards, Cedarcrest FFA won 1st place in the Chapter Landscape Display and Design Competition for the 3rd year in a row, and also received Chapter Herd awards for both dairy cattle and sheep. The awards recognize the combined quality and performance of animals exhibited by chapter members.

FFA is a national student organization that develops leadership, career and technical skills through agricultural education. Fair competitions give students opportunities to apply what they have learned while building confidence, responsibility, teamwork and communication skills.

Long recognized as among the best programs in the state, Cedarcrest FFA’s showing at the Evergreen State Fair highlighted the range of which its students are succeeding in science-based competitions, livestock exhibition, floral design, crop production and agricultural construction.

With four first-place team finishes and championships spanning nearly every area of competition, Cedarcrest FFA closed the 2026 fair with one of its strongest collective performances and plenty for the Red Wolves community to celebrate.

Reminder: Tolt Dam Evacuation Drill Sept. 23 at Tolt, Carnation and Learning Center

CARNATION — Riverview School District will hold its annual Tolt Dam evacuation drill Wednesday, Sept. 23, involving students and staff from Carnation Elementary, Tolt Middle School and the Riverview Learning Center.

Staff at the three schools will guide students at as they follow a designated walking route to the district’s official evacuation site located at a higher elevation. In addition to evacuating students, the district will test its emergency response systems and procedures including communications, transportation coordination and notification protocols.

The exercise prepares the schools and local responders for the unlikely event of a breach of the Tolt Dam, which is owned and operated by Seattle Public Utilities and monitored around the clock.

District staff will conduct a debrief to evaluate the exercise and identify opportunities to strengthen emergency preparedness.

Notice: Community Members Needed for Financial Advisory Committee

CARNATION, DUVALL — Riverview School District is inviting community members to participate in its Financial Advisory Committee for the 2026-27 school year.

Now entering its fourth year, the committee provides an opportunity for participants to learn more about district finances and contribute to conversations about Riverview’s financial planning and priorities.

The committee meets approximately four to six times during the year. Its first meeting is expected to take place in October, with the complete meeting schedule to be announced soon.

Community members interested in participating or receiving additional information are encouraged to complete the district’s Financial Advisory Committee interest form.

More information is available on the district’s Financial Advisory Committee webpage.

Hemker Joins Riverview School Board as New Student Representative

CARNATION, DUVALL — Daniella Hemker has been sworn in as the newest student representative to the Riverview School District Board of Directors.

Hemker joins Victoria Hunter, a senior who is beginning her final year as a student representative. Together, they will serve in advisory roles, attending School Board meetings, sharing perspectives from their peers and helping board members better understand the experiences of students across the district.

As liaisons between Riverview students and the board, Hemker and Hunter will provide updates from student councils, raise questions and concerns shared by classmates and offer insight into daily life within district schools.

Riverview was among the first school districts in Washington to invite students to serve at the board table. The district’s early commitment to formal student representation has since influenced similar efforts elsewhere in the state.

Although student representatives do not vote on official board actions, their involvement provides an important connection between district leaders and the student body. Their contributions can help board members consider how decisions may be experienced in classrooms, activities and school communities.

Riverview to Host Snoqualmie Valley Flood Forum and Resource Fair

CARNATION, DUVALL — Riverview School District will join regional agencies, local governments and community organizations this fall to help Snoqualmie Valley residents prepare for flooding and better understand the resources available before, during and after an emergency.

The district will host the 2026 Snoqualmie Valley Flood Forum Community Lifeline Resource Fair from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 in the Assembly Hall at the Riverview School District Educational Service Center, 15510 First Ave. NE in Duvall. A virtual community forum will follow from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14.

The Oct. 7 forum will feature six-minute presentations from regional experts. Topics will include flood forecasting and warning systems, emergency response, insurance coverage, road safety, rebuilding permits, home elevations, property acquisitions and other flood-mitigation strategies.

Panelists will represent King County’s Water and Land Resources Division, the cities of Duvall, Carnation and Snoqualmie, Valley Insurance and the Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance.

Residents will be able to speak directly with Community Lifeline Partners during the event’s resource fair and networking session.

Riverview Seeks Community Members to Help Guide Future Tech Initiatives in Support of Student Learning

CARNATION, DUVALL — Riverview School District is inviting students, families, staff and community members to help shape how technology will support teaching, learning, safety and district operations in the years ahead.

The district is forming a Technology Steering Committee that will examine Riverview’s current technology environment, identify emerging needs and collaborate on future initiatives.

The committee will include parents and community members, students, certificated and classified staff, administrators, and technology staff. District leaders say bringing together people with different experiences and perspectives will be essential to developing a technology plan that serves the entire Riverview community.

“Technology touches nearly every part of the school experience, from classroom instruction and family communication to cybersecurity, school safety and the systems that keep our district operating,” Riverview IT Director Christopher Collins said. “This committee will give our community a meaningful voice in determining where we should invest, what challenges we need to address and how technology can best support students and staff over the next several years.”

Committee members will examine classroom and instructional technology, student and staff devices, wireless networks and other infrastructure, cybersecurity, privacy and data protection. The group will also consider accessibility, equitable access, administrative systems, school safety and communication technology, equipment replacement cycles, and sustainable funding.

The committee’s work will extend beyond decisions about individual devices or software. Its recommendations will be considered alongside the district’s strategic plan, instructional priorities, operational needs, safety initiatives and long-term financial planning.

Artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies will also be part of the discussion.

As schools explore how new tools can support instruction and operations, the committee will consider questions involving privacy, security, ethics, student well-being and responsible use.

“Some of the most valuable perspectives will come from people who do not consider themselves technology experts,” Collins said. “We want to hear from the students, families, educators, staff and community members who use these systems every day. Their experiences will help us understand what is working, where barriers exist and what Riverview will need to remain secure, reliable, innovative and equitable.”

Student participation will be a key component of the committee. District leaders said students are directly affected by many technology decisions and should have an active role in shaping recommendations.

Looking for information on how to participate?

The planning process will ask participants to look beyond immediate needs and consider what technology should look like in Riverview three, five or 10 years from now. Discussions will focus on the opportunities students should be prepared for, the infrastructure schools will need and how future investments can be made responsibly.

The district is seeking participants who are curious, willing to ask questions and interested in learning about the opportunities and challenges associated with educational technology.

Additional information about committee membership and meeting dates will be announced soon.

Those interested in participating may complete the district’s online interest survey. Questions may be directed to Collins at collinsc@rsd407.org or 206-730-5630.