Hermiston honors spring athletes and student organizations at June board meeting

The Hermiston School District board recognized a broad set of spring sports accomplishments and student organization achievements during the June meeting.

Larry Esher, athletics and activities director, said the district had a record 384 athletes participate in spring sports this season and distributed 917 uniforms during the year. He noted the softball team placed among the top state finalists in its first appearance and the boys track team won the 3A Mid‑Columbia Conference championship. Esher introduced several coaches and student athletes for recognition.

Coach Jason Sivi spoke about the girls tennis doubles team Mallory and Grace, saying the pair placed at state and that the team overall came close to placing as a team had they won one additional match. Troy Benson noted girls golf qualified as a team for state and singled out Natalie Cannell, who finished as the Mid‑Columbia Conference player of the year and was a two‑time conference player of the year. Coach Strode reported Hermiston sent about 20 athletes to the state track meet and listed individual placers and school records, and the coach noted many of those athletes are juniors and remain eligible for further state competition.

Student board representative Kari Bizon gave a year‑end recap of student activities, highlighting wins and qualifications for state and nationals across speech and debate, FCCLA, OSET, TSA, choir, theater, chess, FBLA and FFA. Bizon also announced Hermiston will host a leadership conference on Sept. 16 for more than 300 student leaders from across Eastern Washington and described end‑of‑year ASB plans.

Board members and the superintendent offered thanks to coaches, staff and retiring teachers and acknowledged the high level of student engagement reflected in the recognitions.