The national competition aims to empower students to work with school staff and create a welcoming and inviting school community where every student thrives
On a cold November morning, a group of Washougal High School (WHS) student leaders showed up early to celebrate school bus drivers with a mug of coffee or hot chocolate and a personal thank you. The student leaders were participating in a national leadership challenge organized by Jostens Renaissance Education.
The national competition aims to empower students to work with school staff and create a welcoming and inviting school community where every student thrives. Out of more than 90 schools that entered the competition, three were selected as winners, and WHS was the only high school winner.
ASB advisor and Leadership in Project Management teacher Kyla Ritchey brought the idea to students, and they planned all aspects of the event. Ritchey said, “students worked together to gather donations of supplies, decorate cups, and organize students to show up early in the morning.” She added that students planned the event “the day before Thanksgiving break to give bus drivers a boost before the break, and to tell them that we are thankful for all they do, especially coming up on these cold months that make driving conditions challenging!”
Students decorated the cups with expressions of gratitude, and waited outside and welcomed buses as they arrived, handing drivers cups of hot chocolate, and personally thanked drivers for their hard work. At the end, students spread some extra cheer by giving cocoa to the school secretaries and security staff.
Student leaders at WHS play an active part in creating a great school climate. Student leaders meet monthly with the principal through the student voice council, serve as representatives to the Washougal School Board, and organize numerous community events like Stuff the Bus. School staff work with students to help them learn the value of expressing gratitude and contributing to their community.
Information provided by Washougal School District.
Also read:
- Battle Ground Public School levy falling short in initial count
Early results show Battle Ground’s levy trailing while Hockinson’s measure holds a lead in the Feb. 10 special election. - Puyallup teen wrestler says school ignored her claim of sex assault by male opponent
Pierce County authorities are investigating a sexual assault allegation involving a Puyallup high school wrestling match. - Opinion: Washington parental rights battle goes national
Vicki Murray argues that parental rights and girls’ sports initiatives headed for the November 2026 ballot could reshape education policy in Washington and beyond. - Ridgefield & Steigerwald Lake Refuges open sign-ups for new volunteers
The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex is seeking new volunteers for education programs, visitor services, and habitat support in 2026. - Washougal School District EPO Levy & Capital Levy passing in preliminary results
Preliminary election results show Washougal’s EPO and Capital levies passing with about 58 percent approval. - Opinion: Olympia’s war on a free press
Nancy Churchill argues that Senate Bill 5400 threatens press freedom by subsidizing select media outlets while excluding independent journalists. - Original team member Kelly Winn rejoins Cano Real Estate
Kelly Winn has rejoined Cano Real Estate after four years leading sales for a local home builder.
