The following students and staff were recognized at a recent assembly for their outstanding work by our EPSD9 School Board
Words from Table Rock Elementary:
Landon Ayres
Landon Ayres is an outstanding student who consistently shows leadership, responsibility, and respect. He is a member of the 5th Grade Leadership Team and plays a key role in organizing and running various activities and events at our school. His readiness to assist both teachers and peers demonstrates his commitment to fostering a positive environment and community within our school.
Alexis Esqueda
Alexis is one of the finest students I have had the pleasure of teaching. She is hardworking and possesses a strong never-give-up spirit. At her age, Lexi demonstrates a remarkable level of responsibility. As an involved member of Student Leadership on campus, she exemplifies great leadership qualities. Overall, Lexi is an outstanding student with a bright future ahead of her!
Laura Luksich
At Table Rock Elementary, we are proud to present Laura Luksich for recognition as our certified staff member by the school board. Laura is a physical education teacher at our upper campus, working with students across all grade levels. She teaches over 340 students each week, which represents half of our school population!
Laura introduced the Mileage Club at Table Rock Elementary, a program that encourages students to run laps on the track while tracking their distance. This initiative has significantly increased student participation in physical activity and fostered a spirit of friendly competition among them.
Managing a program of this size can be a challenge, but Laura has consistently demonstrated a solutions-oriented approach, effectively problem-solving and going the extra mile for both staff and students. Additionally, she assists with the Girls on the Run club, which focuses on empowering young girls and promoting social development.
Laura's positivity and constant presence make her a vital member of the Table Rock Elementary team, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have her with us!
Danielle Frietze
We, at Table Rock Elementary, are honored to present Danielle Frietze for recognition as our classified staff member by the school board. Danielle has been our librarian for the past two years and sees every class each week, serving over 650 students! She has embraced her role and created an inviting library environment that fosters a love for reading. When students enter the library, they are welcomed with story time and supported as they choose books to take home and share with their families. Additionally, Danielle organizes our Scholastic Book Fair, which is an exciting event for the students. Danielle, Table Rock Elementary is fortunate to have you! Thank you for everything you do for our TRE Tigers every day.
High School Art Students Bring Holiday Cheer to Main Street with Artistic Touch
This holiday season, the streets of Main Street came alive with the festive spirit of art, thanks to the creative efforts of EPHS’s Art students and a generous donation from the Eagle Point & Upper Rogue Chamber of Commerce. Under the direction of the Art Teacher, Mrs. Schroeder, a group of 15 students collaborated with the Eagle Point & Upper Rogue Chamber of Commerce to transform business shop windows along Main Street into winter wonderlands. This community project has added an extra sparkle to the town’s holiday celebrations and united students and local businesses in a celebration of art and holiday cheer.
The process was not without its challenges. Painting in the cold winter weather brought its fair share of obstacles, from frozen fingers to slow-drying paint. As one student noted, “It was stressful at first, thinking we had so much to do, but halfway through, we realized we’d get it done in time. It was going to be okay.” Despite the temperatures and the unpredictability of working with unknown window surfaces, the students adapted and worked to create holiday art magic. One student shared, “Some of the windows had things on them that we had to work around, which made it challenging. And with the paint drying so slowly, we had to wait a lot between layers.”
The artistic approach to this project was also uniquely hands-on. Students worked with primary colors, mixing their own shades to suit their designs, and used sponges instead of traditional paintbrushes. “I had to use a dabbing technique to avoid harsh lines. It was a challenge, but it worked,” explained one student. However, the limitations of the tools and environment did not dampen their enthusiasm. “It was definitely an experience,” another student added. “I’d do it again.”
The sense of accomplishment and community connection was palpable. “It feels good to have our art out there for everyone to see,” said one student. “It’s fun bringing friends to see the windows. It’s like a little art gallery.” Some students even made it a point to show off their work to customers at their jobs or during lunch breaks, spreading holiday cheer and encouraging others to take a walk down Main Street to see the new displays.
The project also revealed the community’s warmth and support; we hope you are able to drive by and enjoy it!
A Senior’s Reflection on the Auction: FFA Brings the Community Together
As a senior at Eagle Point High School, Abbie is nearing the end of her four-year journey with the FFA program—a journey that has shaped her future goals and instilled in her a sense of community and leadership. This year, the FFA auction held special significance for her as she took on the role of Vice President for the event and spoke in front of everyone using a microphone.
“It’s crazy to think this is my last year,” Abbie reflected on her time in FFA. “It feels good to be moving on to the next step, but I’m also sad to leave something that has been such a big part of my life.” Despite these bittersweet feelings, Abbie is eager to continue pursuing her passion for agricultural sciences, with plans to become a veterinary technician after graduation. Her involvement in FFA has been crucial in shaping that path, providing not only educational opportunities but also a sense of community that extends beyond the classroom.
The annual FFA auction is the group's largest event of the year, serving both as a fundraiser and a celebration of the hard work students have put into their agricultural projects. For many students, the auction offers a chance to connect with the community in a way that is different from their usual school day. “It’s cool to see how everyone comes together—staff, parents, students. You get to interact with people you don’t usually see outside of school. It’s like this big, supportive gathering, and it makes you feel like you’re part of something bigger,” one student shared.
The growth of the FFA student officer team reflects the personal development that FFA encourages. For many members, FFA presents opportunities to step out of their comfort zones and acquire skills that will last a lifetime. “It gives you opportunities you wouldn’t have otherwise. It teaches you leadership, teamwork, and even how to speak in front of people,” another FFA student explained. “It helps you build confidence, and it’s amazing to see how people transform from freshman to senior year.”
While the primary focus of the auction is fundraising, the social aspect of the event is equally important, especially for seniors like Abbie who are approaching the end of their high school careers. “It’s a great time to mingle with people you might not see much during the year—teachers, other students, graduates, and even parents. It’s a bit of networking and also a way to stay connected with the community before we all go our separate ways until next year.”
The FFA auction also showcases the support the community provides. Seeing people come together and donate money for scholarships highlights how much the community stands behind the program—not just for the students at present but for the impact it has on their futures.
This year’s FFA auction raised just over $103,000 for the program, with $22,000 dedicated to student scholarships. Approximately 400 guests attended, and 130 auction items were donated by community members and FFA partners. Nearly 100 buyers participated in the auction throughout the evening, making it an exciting event.
Eagle Point FFA is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. “If you’re not in FFA, you’re missing out. It’s not just about animals; it’s about building skills, meeting people, and having experiences,” says Abbie.
We hope to see you at next year’s auction!
