In 2018, Bend-La Pine Schools leased a warehouse to hold both Realms High and the now-closed Skyline High School. Going into the 2026–27 school year, the lease is no longer financially viable for the district. Realms Middle School will be moving to Buckingham Elementary’s campus, while Realms High school will be joining Bend Tech. 

Instead of determining which students attend based on their proximity to the school, all students in Bend-La Pine Schools are eligible to attend Deschutes River High by entering a choice option lottery. The lottery currently has an ongoing waitlist. Students who are presently attending Bend Tech or Realms will be automatically offered a spot at the new school if they choose to attend. 

The school’s new name, Deschutes River High School, was chosen back in February. Using suggestions from the community and staff at both schools, a committee was formed to present the top three names to the Bend-La Pine School Board. The name was chosen because of the Deschutes River’s proximity to the high school and its timelessness.

Deschutes River High will offer both Bend Tech’s CTE program, made up of four academies that provide students with hands-on training and certifications for careers in health science, STEM engineering, construction and business. The CTE program will be interwoven with Realm’s experiential learning model, which centers on providing project-based, hands-on learning to enable students to contribute to a better world.

The school will be under the leadership of Bend Tech’s current principal, Latisha Clark, and Realm’s vice principal Zach Harju. 

“We get to explore new things and new ways of learning, teaching and thinking,” said Clark. “Bringing Bend Tech and Realms together into a single high school could bring the best of them both and ensure the Bend Tech campus is fully utilized.” 

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Started in 2017 under a few feet of snow, the now annual FungiFest has attracted all kinds of attendees, with the goal of educating people about — you guessed it — mushrooms! According to the National Library of Medicine, society has a large distrust and fear of mushrooms, called mycophobia, and spread rumors about their deadly toxins. This comes despite only 2% of known mushrooms being toxic. The Central Oregon Mushroom Club aims to set this record straight through their mushroom talks, presentations and museum-like exhibits all featured at FungiFest.

The first thing many notice at the Fungi-Festival — or rather, before the fest — is that there’s nowhere to park. It was hosted at the Sunriver Homeowners’ Aquatic and Recreation Center, which offered 200 parking spots. However, overflow parking was still required at a nearby church. Volunteers said it’s the most people they’ve seen at the event yet. One volunteer, Don Carter, discussed the changes they made this year to accommodate. 

Carter has volunteered at the festival for the last five years with his daughter. Back then, the festival ran out of the Sunriver Observatory, “but obviously it outgrew that location,” he said. This year, Carter was in charge of running an art station for kids to paint, teaching them that mushrooms are friends and not to be feared.

But why has the FungiFest been such a hit with locals? It is truly a mushroom-lover’s paradise, with mushroom coffee, mushroom ice cream and even a mushroom marketplace. However, Carter believes there’s more to it than just excitement. 

“People are curious,” he said. “And I think now more than ever people are trying to play more of a role in where their food is coming from.” 

The quality of the food available in stores is becoming a growing concern for Americans across the country. People have been calling into question the dangers of using pesticides and other chemicals. Just last year, the Charles Boggini Company recalled three different sodas from businesses because several of their additives, including preservatives and dyes, were linked to cancer. 

Redmond High School student Lyric Campbell attended the event with their father and said that chemical processes are important to prevent food from going bad but the manufacturers “don’t have anyone’s best interests at heart.”

Clearly, people have concerns about the use of preservatives in their food, but don’t have an alternative. Campell stated that organic foods are too expensive to be a reliable option, especially for people in low-income situations. 

Popular retailers like Safeway typically demand an extra 40 to 60% for organic produce. Therefore, if someone wanted to save money, get outside, and be more confident in the quality of their food? Then going mushroom foraging seems like a great alternative! Carter believes this fits with “Central Oregon’s unique outdoor culture” and is part of the reason why FungiFest is bringing in so many people year after year.

Ultimately, Sunriver’s FungiFest is a place where outdoors hobbyists and people looking to learn can gather. While there, one would be hard pressed to find a place where a kid wasn’t running around having fun painting or playing with a magnifying glass. The event cultivates a sense of curiosity for all ages. While at first the lectures can seem boring, the level of passion these people have for fungus is enviable. With such big numbers this year, it’s clear FungiFest won’t be going anywhere and could be a Central Oregon tradition for years to come.

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In just a couple of hours, one of Caldera’s student and counselor-led clubs attracted a wave of people, selling out entirely. The club, Cultural Legacy, was started just three years ago by counselor Morgan Davis. As Caldera is a Spanish immersion school, the club was provided to express a great amount of love and acceptance no matter one’s ethnicity, hoping to unite a variety of students to learn and share about themselves through practices and experiences. 

Cultural Legacy’s table was filled with plenty of food and drinks, provided homemade by student members and their families. Daisy Noeli Chavez, a club leader shared, “our table was a complete success thanks to all the hard work and dedication of our advisors, Veronica Trejo, Morgan Davis and Liz Vargas.”

The club’s table stood out with a variety of decorations, representing Latin countries’ traditional colors and symbols. Many attendees returned multiple times to come back for seconds on their favorite dishes and to chat with students about the club and its purpose at Caldera. 

Authentic Hispanic foods such as empanadas, pozole, Fresca con crema, chicharrones and tamales all sold out at the table, with the club raising a total that day of $1,090.

“I was really happy with our results at the end of the day. I am not surprised people purchased so much of our food because the meals were delicious and our students did an extraordinary job making them,” said Morgan Davis, the team’s head advisor. 

“However I was pleasantly surprised by how much money we ended up making as our goal was to make $500 and we exceeded the expectations,” Davis continued.

The vibes brought to the table helped influence a more cultural environment, rather than feeling like a regular school fundraiser. Members that attended the event with their families to help out preparing the food include Noeli Chávez, Ulises Ventura Santos, Samantha Giovanna Roise, Herandy Ramírez Solorio, Hannah Alicia Lopez and Stefany Guadalupe Tello Ruíz. 

The money raised at the event will help club members go on future field trips to colleges, such as Central Oregon Community College, Oregon State University and Portland-area community colleges. The money will also provide more event opportunities at school like Latino family night, uniting those of Hispanic background and creating a welcoming learning environment to those coming from middle school. 

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Camp Fire, a century-old nonprofit dedicated to community-based learning and outdoor leadership, is responsible for a broad base of educational programs nationwide. But for the children of Central Oregon, it is associated with one program in particular: Tumalo Day Camp.

For 36 years, Camp Fire’s local branch has hosted three weeklong summer camps at Tumalo State Park, providing local youth with an opportunity to forge relationships, learn new skills and connect with both their community and the outdoors.

Supported by a dedicated group of volunteers, campers explore the Deschutes River, sing traditional Camp Fire songs and participate in creative activities.

A group of campers participate in a craft project at Tumalo Day Camp on July 21, 2025. / Photo Credit: Laney McDonald

For volunteer Kari Szukalski, the most valuable part of Camp Fire Camp is “watching the kids get more independent as they grow.” 

The camp curriculum is designed to build on itself over the years, and Szukalski said that this concept is particularly striking when it comes to the campers’ paracord bracelets: Each year, as the children advance their knowledge of knot-tying, the bracelets become more complex.

A Counselor-in-Training demonstrates tie-dying techniques to his group at Tumalo Day Camp on July 21, 2025. / Photo Credit: Laney McDonald

Though the camp’s programming ends when campers reach eighth grade, participation is still encouraged. The Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program enables dedicated campers to assume leadership roles, guiding younger attendees through activities with the help of adult volunteers.

According to Camp Director Cece Valceschini, it is the CITs who make Camp Fire Camp special. Serving as role models for young campers, they encourage continued involvement and contribute their own unique flavor to the camp’s culture.

“I wanted to stay involved in it because I thought the CITs were really cool people,” said Mars Thiel, a recent graduate of the CIT program who served as a counselor this summer.

Counselor Mars Thiel shows off their wood cookie, a Camp Fire tradition, at Tumalo Day Camp on July 21, 2025. / Photo Credit: Laney McDonald

Like many who return to camp, Thiel was drawn not just by tradition, but by the energy, friendships and memories that make it feel like home. From skits and campfire songs to arts and crafts, the fun is what keeps kids coming back.

However, for many, Camp Fire offers more than summer entertainment: It’s where lifelong bonds begin.

“New friendships are built here,” said Valceschini, who met her best friend at camp 34 years ago. Now, she helps new campers find connection, encouraging them through silly songs and skits. The goal of Camp Fire Camp, she said, is to provide a space where all participants’ voices are heard and even shyer children have an opportunity to forge friendships with their peers.

“My favorite part of summer camp is hanging out with my friends,” said 9-year-old camper Alta.

Campers make mud pies at Tumalo Day Camp on July 21, 2025. / Photo Credit: Laney McDonald

However, as Bend’s population continues to grow, the camp faces increasing challenges in securing space. Valceschini noted that Tumalo State Park, where the camp occurs, grows “fuller and fuller” each year, making it increasingly difficult to reserve the site. 

Yet, despite more construction, higher demand for public spaces and limited access to outdoor facilities, Valceschini is optimistic about continuing traditions. After all, she said, the camp runs largely on community support, and as long as there is a need in Central Oregon for Tumalo Day Camp, she trusts that volunteers will step up to keep the camp alive.

“Come to camp,” Valceschini said. “New volunteers are always welcome.”

Camp Director Cece Valceschini and Counselor-in-Training Director Cayden Jones celebrate pajama day at Tumalo Day Camp on July 21, 2025. / Photo Credit: Laney McDonald

Over 30 years have passed since the inaugural Tumalo Day Camp, and over that period, little has changed. It has seen generations of children pass through — including Valceschini’s three children and her grandchild — and the camp’s relevance to Central Oregon youth hasn’t waned. Instead, it continues to encourage connection, allowing campers to experience nature, friendship and fun in a way that, for many, is all too rare.

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Sawyer, a dedicated member of the Caldera High School staff, serves alongside two other hall monitors with the primary responsibility of keeping students safe. Her presence is imperative to the school’s security, she said, and she takes her role seriously.

“Me and two other individuals are in charge [of] the safety of every single human being in that school,” said Sawyer, who reported walking around 20,000 steps each day and referred to herself as the “mistress of detention.”

However, over the past several years, Sawyer has found it increasingly difficult to carry out her responsibilities. Since the pandemic, she has noticed a significant rise in behavioral concerns, leading to feelings of burnout among both educators and support staff.

Additionally, underfunding in schools and Bend’s high cost of living have left many employees with financial worries. Sawyer, for example, earns $23.04 an hour compared to an average income of $31.74 in the city of Bend. As a part-time employee, her gross salary is only $23,943 per year.

“It would be a huge morale boost for us to get paid fairly,” Sawyer explained.

Achieving fair pay is a primary objective in the current bargaining process between Bend-La Pine Schools and the Bend Education Association (BEA) and Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA), unions representing local educators and support staff. This spring, school district officials and union representatives have met to discuss a variety of issues in local schools, but salaries have remained at the center of negotiations.

As this process unfolds, many are left wondering why Bend-La Pine Schools would choose to black out the message on Sawyer’s shirt. According to Scott Maben, Director of Communications for Bend-La Pine Schools, the answer lies in the context of the event.

“In our view, the statement detracts from the primary purpose of Excellence in Education, which is to recognize a select group of educators and support staff who go above and beyond in the work they do in our schools,” said Maben.

Sawyer, however, has a very different view on the matter. With concerns regarding compensation and workload hanging over the school district, she felt that a ceremony recognizing incredible employees was the perfect time to draw attention to the common issues faced by the honorees.

“Good people are getting burnt out, truly,” Sawyer emphasized. “And I’m one of them.”

In Sawyer’s eyes, Bend-La Pine Schools’ choice to post the edited — in her opinion, censored — photos shows a refusal to recognize the complex issues faced by public school employees.

“It’s cowardice to [avoid talk of pay inequity] instead of embracing that this is a conversation that we need to have and being bold and trying to make sure that your employees are being taken care of,” Sawyer explained.

While the district’s funding is largely determined at the state level, Sawyer feels that the school district’s decision to erase the message on her shirt demonstrates a lack of transparency and an unwillingness to work alongside school employees in pursuit of a brighter, more equitable future.

The post Bend-La Pine Schools Conceals Call for Increased Pay appeared first on Obsidian News | Oregon Youth Voices.

On Jan. 17 and 18, Bend High Theatre presented a series of 10 minute plays, performed in Summit High School’s black box theatre. Ranging from a comedic and inspiring story about a group of superheroes with untraditional “powers” to a profound commentary on life and death, the short scenes bridged a variety of topics and themes. The seven cast members delivered a high quality show, particularly impressive in light of the extenuating circumstances.

For Bend High’s performing arts programs, this year has been unusual to say the least. Following the destruction of the auditorium and theatre classroom, theatre classes, auditions and rehearsals were held in the choir room, a much smaller space than the students and cast members were accustomed to.

The 2024–25 school year represented a period of change for Bend High Theatre in yet another crucial way: This fall marked the beginning of theatre teacher and director Madeline Williams’s time not only at Bend High, but in the profession. Starting out as an educator and taking over a theatre program would be difficult no matter what, but the lack of performance space presented an unanticipated challenge.

“It’s been really, really weird,” said Maddie Taylor, a junior who played Carol in the production. “We use the auditorium every single day. For class, we would go in there, and obviously for productions and rehearsal.”

However, Taylor and her fellow cast members recognize Williams as a guiding light in these dark times, fostering positivity and making the process as smooth as possible. The students involved in the production came armed with passion and determination, and Williams’s leadership helped them turn this into something extraordinary, regardless of the challenges faced along the way.

“I think it just really shows what we can do and how we can adapt,” said Bend High freshman Avery Brown, who played Wabbit Woman, Jessica and Teddy.

But for the program to grow and improve, continuing without designated performance space is not a viable option. Their latest production was impressive, but much smaller-scale than the plays they could put on prior to the loss of their auditorium.

Although members of the theatre department hope that a new auditorium will be built quickly, they recognize that this day will likely not come before they depart Bend High. As it stands now, the reconstruction of the auditorium is slated to occur between June 2026 and August 2028, long after Taylor’s graduation this year and potentially after Brown graduates in 2028.

“If [the Bend High Theatre] were to do something well-known, like a musical or a more well-known play, then I would really hope that they would have a proper auditorium for that,” said Brown.

However, as uncertain as Bend High Theatre’s future remains, they are here to stay. Having successfully executed the series of 10 minute plays, Williams hopes to direct another production this spring. Although plans are not yet set in stone, Williams and her students have made it clear that they will continue to make their mark on the local performing arts community, with or without an auditorium.

As Williams put it, “When the time comes that we do have [an auditorium], it’ll be a great celebration of what we’ve accomplished without one.” An auditorium is important of course, but Williams and her cast of actors have proved that it is not what makes or breaks a theatre group. Passion is the heartbeat of the arts, and as long as dedication flows through their veins, Bend High Theatre will remain, stronger than ever.

The post The Show Must Go On appeared first on Obsidian News | Oregon Youth Voices.

The Tower Theatre has been a pillar of Bend culture and entertainment since its opening on March 6, 1940. A symbol of hope and pride for the community, featuring sleek art deco design elements and the Northwest’s first dual projection system, the theatre flourished for its first 40 years. However, due to the increasing accessibility of home televisions and drive-in movies, the theater suffered declining ticket sales and fell into disarray. 

After a period of unsuccessful ownership by the City of Bend, the Tower Theatre Foundation, a community based nonprofit, raised enough funds to repurchase the theatre in 2001. The Tower finally reopened on Jan. 30, 2004, boasting nods to the art deco flourishes of a bygone era and modernized amenities. 

This series will provide an amazing opportunity to honor a Bend institution which has cultivated the arts, community and culture of our town for 85 years. Join the Tower in celebration with accessible prices, birthday cake and an opportunity to jump into the past to enjoy familiar classics. 

The post Tower Theatre Celebrates 85 Years appeared first on Obsidian News | Oregon Youth Voices.

More than 300 people gathered at Drake Park in downtown Bend on Jan. 18 to speak out about their fears and frustrations. The Uniting Our Voices event was inspired by The National People’s March and Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. 

It was a brisk morning with sunny skies, people were bundled up in warm clothing. A myriad of people of all ages and demographics were there, engaging with the speakers. Apprehension and frustration was shown in the people’s expressions. Signs lay about, featuring slogans such as “My body, my choice,” and “This will comb over.”

The first speech acknowledged all of our lived realities and how we need to unite and listen to each other. At one point, the speaker, Chela Sloper, held up a sign reading, “If you’re not saying Black Lives Matter, you’re probably not thinking it.” She also discussed the template of America (white, straight, English-speaking, Protestant) and how we need to reconfigure our understanding of what an “American” is.

The second speech was delivered by a local teacher named Amy Sabbadini. Sabbadini talked of her family’s experiences in the 1930s being Jewish in Italy. She also spoke out about local Ku Klux Klan activity against Catholic immigrants during the 1930s. This may be surprising considering what most of our history has told, but Oregon has had its fair share of racism. That is part of the reason why Sabbadini asked that we protect people the same way her family was protected by her fellow Italians. Sabbadini encouraged people to help their community members, support local journalism and speak up about injustice. 

 “We fight authoritarianism by linking arms, by seeking peaceful solutions and by expanding opportunities. When we build longer tables instead of higher walls, when we refuse to demonize our neighbors, we defeat authoritarianism,” stated Sabbadini. 

The speeches continued, describing the fears around immigration, bodily autonomy and the environment. Poems and songs were sung along with the speeches. 

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