This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week, and at Port Townsend High School, we’re taking a moment to shine a light on the incredible people who make our school a place where students feel known, supported, and inspired.
The Port Townsend PTA kicked off the week with a generous spread of cookies, fruit, pastries, and coffee, organized by parents Lindsey Lewis and Amy-Irene Lynch. On Wednesday, staff will be treated to a grilled lunch of burgers and sides before collaborative time, because let’s be honest, fueling a campus full of teenagers with passion and purpose takes energy (and snacks).
Behind every project-based unit, every hallway check-in, every encouraging note in the margin of a student paper, is a staff member who is deeply committed to making sure every student at PTHS feels a real sense of belonging. Our teachers work tirelessly, not just to cover content, but to design learning that is relevant, meaningful, and connected to the lives our students are living now and the futures they are building.
Sophomore Lewis Clanton shared how Mrs. Alice Ralston has supported him this year, helping him with math, as well as his letters and numbers. “She gives hands-on tasks and jobs to help people,” he said, highlighting the way she creates interactive learning experiences that feel accessible and purposeful. When asked why we should celebrate teachers, Lewis kept it simple: “Because it makes them feel good.”
Senior Benja Greene reflected on his experience with former English teacher Mr. Gambill, saying, “He really puts a lot of effort and energy into his lectures. I get really engrossed, and I feel like I’ve learned more than just English, it made me a better person.” He also appreciated how Mr. Stegner supported him throughout high school, noting that even simple conversations made a difference. “Just being able to talk sometimes was really awesome,” he said.
Benja pointed out that the most engaging teachers are the ones who clearly care about what they teach. “Students see that and they gain interest if you put in more energy.” He also noted that many of our teachers go above and beyond, whether that’s staying late to get grades in, coaching after school, or quietly checking in with a student who seems off.
At PTHS, teaching is about more than content delivery, it’s about connection, relevance, and care. Our staff work hard to ensure that students aren’t just showing up, they’re showing up to a place where they feel safe, where they feel seen, and where they know the adults around them believe in who they are and who they’re becoming.
To every teacher in our building: thank you. This week, and every week, we see the heart you put into this work, and we are endlessly grateful.
At Port Townsend High School, senior projects aren’t just a box to check before graduation. They’re a way for students to explore real-world interests, serve their communities, and discover what they’re capable of when given authentic responsibility. The work students take on helps ensure we’re graduating young people who not only know how to learn, but who are committed to being thoughtful, capable citizens, people who support the communities they live in through both their actions and their beliefs.
This year, senior Peter Sanok took that mission seriously. For his project, Peter has been volunteering with Jefferson County Search and Rescue, learning firsthand what it means to be of service when someone is in distress.
“You’re preparing for real-life situations where people are counting on you, sometimes for their lives,” Peter shared. “You can’t fake it. You have to be ready.”
His year has been filled with training, navigation, first aid, outdoor survival, and with putting that knowledge into action, even when conditions were tough. “You’re out there in all weather,” he said. “The adrenaline kicks in, but it’s the teamwork and the preparation that really matter.”
Peter’s experience also opened his eyes to the quiet dedication of the volunteers who serve behind the scenes. “It made me see how much happens behind the scenes,” he reflected. “These are volunteers who train like professionals. They don’t ask for recognition. They just want to help.”
As Peter looks toward the future, he’s considering paths that blend his love of the outdoors with a continued commitment to service. “Search and Rescue has shown me how valuable it is to show up when it really matters. I’ll carry that with me.”
Throughout this year, the Senior Spotlight series has become a favorite among parents, students, and staff alike. People love seeing the specific and often inspiring work our most veteran students are partaking in. We hear about this often as we connect with families and community members, and we truly appreciate the feedback. As we continue to shape the Redhawk News, our goal is to make it as meaningful and relevant as possible for students, parents, staff, and the greater Port Townsend community. Keep the feedback coming... we're listening.
PTHS Students Compete in MATE Underwater ROV Challenge
This weekend, the Port Townsend High School Underwater Robotics Team will take the plunge at the MATE ROV Competition in Federal Way, an event that blends engineering, teamwork, and just the right amount of waterproof anxiety.
The MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education) ROV Competition, now part of the Marine Technology Society, challenges students to build and operate remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) designed to function underwater. These student-built robots must complete complex tasks in simulated marine environments, ranging from mock environmental monitoring to underwater “repairs.” While some schools build their robots in pristine labs with endless funding, the PTHS team operates in classic Redhawk fashion: fueled by zip ties, caffeine, and stubborn optimism.
Here in Port Townsend, a town with deep maritime roots and a working waterfront just blocks from our school, this kind of project isn’t just about STEM, it’s about relevance. With a history rich in shipbuilding, marine trades, and ecological stewardship, Port Townsend provides a natural backdrop for learning that’s tied directly to the lives and futures of our students. “Since CAD, manufacturing, and programming are such universal skill sets today,” said team advisor Tim Behrenfeld, “underwater robotics felt like the right fit, not just academically, but as something that reflects who we are as a community.”
Behrenfeld, who teaches science and CAD, started the program ten years ago to give students an authentic next step beyond what they learned in middle school robotics. “We had the infrastructure, we had the kids who were interested, and we had this incredible town that values marine innovation. The goal was to give students hands-on experience that prepares them for careers and connects with the world just outside our classroom windows.”
Their current creation, affectionately known as Neo, has been described by Behrenfeld as “small, light, and capable.” Senior team member Zen Cook went further: “About 30% of Neo is made of zip ties and dreams,” he admitted. “But we’re fully waterproof this year. Last year, I forgot to install two O-rings the night before competition. We dropped the robot in the water, and the cap literally fell off in my hand. That was... not our proudest moment.”
Despite setbacks, the team has become known for its resourcefulness. One of their most MacGyver-esque moments came when the robot refused to function the night before competition. “We changed the communication pathway at 11:50 p.m. and made adjustments in the van on the way to the event,” Behrenfeld recalled. “Not the best way to win.”
The team dynamic, according to Zen, is “chaotic, unified, adaptable.” When things go sideways, which happens often with live electronics and gallons of chlorinated water, they shut everything down, troubleshoot systematically, and lean on each other’s strengths. “We’ve got a solid bug testing team,” Zen said. “If something starts smoking, we’re ready.”
With guidance from Behrenfeld and the support of the school, the team has grown not only in technical skill, but in their ability to collaborate, stay calm under pressure, and find joy in a challenge that reflects their environment and their ambitions. “Everything I’ve learned, about electronics, buoyancy, design, I’ll use for the rest of my life,” Zen said. “But I really hope to never experience the fear of a flooded robot again.”
At Port Townsend High School, we’re committed to making learning not just rigorous, but deeply relevant. When students see a clear connection between their work in the classroom and the world around them, that’s when the real magic happens, whether it's coding an underwater robot, fixing a leak on the fly, or dreaming up the next big innovation on the Salish Sea.
This past weekend, student musicians from Port Townsend spent took part in the Long Beach Loyalty Day Parade. The trip marked a special milestone—not just for the band’s performance, but for the overall experience the trip provided.
“It was a little scary, especially when we were lining up before step off because we were surrounded by other really big, really good bands,” said Port Townsend student Stella Bosley. “But just being able to go and show our band to another community was a really great experience.”
Despite having only one rehearsal before the parade, the band rose to the occasion. Band Director Kim Clarke said, “A highlight for me was seeing and hearing how much the band improved as the band came together… I was excited to see older students mentoring younger players.”
For many students, it was their first time traveling as part of a band. Stella shared that she doesn’t usually pay much attention to the crowd while marching, but that performing in an unfamiliar place made it easier: “It’s a little bit easier when you're in a different community with nobody you know.”
Parents helped organize logistics and chaperoned the trip, while students focused on sharpening their performance. “The students were polite and respectful during the trip,” Clarke said. “They worked hard during our rehearsals to improve their marching and playing.”
As the group prepared to step off, a noticeable shift happened among the students. “Before we were surrounded by the other bands, everyone was kind of goofing off,” said Stella. “But then when we were getting ready to go, everyone started helping each other out and really trying to do their best.”
The trip home wasn’t without its challenges. “When we were only 45 minutes from home, an accident on the road ahead of us caused our return to be delayed for about 90 minutes,” Clarke said. “The students waited patiently and kept each other’s spirits up even though they were tired and ready to get home.”
One of the most memorable parts of the trip for many was simply being together. “The bus ride was pretty fun,” Stella said, laughing. She also noted that travel is one of her favorite parts of band. “Rhodie’s pretty much all we've done, but I think the traveling to another place was like really fun and valuable.”
More than music, the experience taught students focus and perseverance. “Marching band requires a lot of discipline,” Stella said. “It’s really hard to play your song while you're marching, while keeping time, while all stepping on the same foot.”
The band will continue building on this experience as they look ahead to local performances. “The crowd was encouraging and thanked us for coming,” Clarke said. And with that, the band came home a little tighter, a little prouder, and ready for what’s next.
About Port Townsend High School
Website: https://highschool.ptschools.org/
Location: 1500 Van Ness Street, Port Townsend, WA, USA
Phone: 360.379.4520
Non-discrimination statement
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
Title IX Officer:
Carrie Ehrhardt
1610 Blaine Street
(360) 680-5756
Section 504/ADA Coordinator
Shelby Macmeekin
1610 Blaine Street
(360) 379-4501
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
