If you've spent time at the Lincoln Park BMX track in Port Angeles, you’ve likely seen Jackson Beal in his element - speeding through tight corners, launching off jumps, and most recently, guiding a group of young riders through their first laps. A dedicated BMX racer who competes up and down the West Coast, Jackson decided to turn his passion into purpose for his senior project by teaching group BMX lessons to kids in his community.
His love for the sport traces back to a family connection. “When I was younger, my brother saw a flyer at the middle school for a racetrack in Port Angeles—it’s called Lincoln Park BMX,” Alex explains. “He started racing and really enjoyed it. I wasn’t all that into it at first, but he convinced me to join since he didn’t have anyone to talk to. From there, I got hooked on it and started to love it.”
That early introduction grew into years of racing and a desire to give back. For his senior project, Jackson wanted to support the very track that helped shape his youth. Coaching younger riders not only let him share technical skills, but also offered an opportunity to mentor and inspire.
One of the biggest lessons Jackson found himself teaching wasn’t about speed or handling—it was about confidence. “Usually, kids are all for it until their first crash,” he says. “That’s when they get really skeptical and scared. I tell them about my own experiences - I’ve gotten hurt a lot doing this - but I show them that you can push through. Just praising them for the little things, like not falling at a spot where they used to, goes a long way.”
Coaching a group of energetic six- to twelve-year-olds came with its own set of challenges. Keeping everyone focused was tough, especially with larger groups. “You can’t always focus on just a few individuals - you have to sort of project to the entire group,” Jackson says. His solution? Turn practice into play. “One thing that works really well is adding fun games to the drills. For example, I run a corner drill where I place cones on the track for them to ride around - but then I move the cones the next time through. It keeps them thinking and makes it a little game.”
The result was an experience that was both fun and functional, with riders learning new skills without even realizing they were being coached. Jackson discovered just how important adaptability and patience are in leadership. “They’re little kids—they don’t exactly know the best way to do things yet,” he says. “So just keeping them engaged in any way possible is huge. If they’ve learned something from the experience, that’s a win in my book.”
What stands out most for Jackson is seeing his students take what they’ve learned into real races. “Not every kid from coaching actually races, but when I see them go from our sessions to racing - and doing something I taught them - it’s just one of those moments that makes you feel really proud.”
Through it all, Jackson has deepened his connection to the broader BMX world. “Even though it’s an individual sport, community is a huge part of BMX,” he reflects. “A couple years ago, the indoor track in Port Orchard closed down, but the BMX community came together and brought it back. That really stuck with me. I’ve met so many great people through this sport.”
Perhaps one of Jackson’s most meaningful insights is the reminder that fun should come first. “So many kids go into the sport wanting to win all the time,” he says, “but my brother started because he just liked riding bikes. That’s what he enjoyed. He still comes out to ride when he can—just because it makes him happy. I wish more parents understood that it’s not just about winning - it’s about having fun.”
As he prepares for life after high school, Jackson knows the mindset he’s developed through BMX - resilience, creativity, leadership - will stay with him. Whether it’s college, a job, or another big challenge, he’s ready to ride it out with confidence.
Port Townsend High School is heading into spring break with a burst of energy and connection, offering three student-centered events that promise to bring the school community together in fun and meaningful ways. From a spirited schoolwide tournament to a cozy movie night and a joint dance with Chimacum, the week ahead is packed with opportunities to relax, have fun, and build community.
Friday Morning: Knowledge Bowl Tournament Kicks Things Off
The excitement starts Friday morning with a schoolwide Knowledge Bowl tournament during first period in the gym. Students, teachers, and administrators will face off in a high-energy competition of quick thinking and teamwork, while the rest of the school cheers from the bleachers. Sophomore Frances Lynch said the event is “fun to watch and fun to be a part of,” adding that “cheering on your grade and seeing everyone come together—it just builds that school spirit.” When asked about the new administration team joining the tournament, she didn’t hesitate: “Students are going to win. The teachers will lose.”
Friday Night: Pajamas, Popcorn, and The Waterboy
That evening, the fun continues with the first-ever Student Appreciation Movie Night in the PTHS auditorium. Doors open at 7:00 PM, and the movie—The Waterboy, chosen by student vote—starts at 7:30 PM. There will be free popcorn and movie candy, along with a pajama contest featuring prizes for the coziest, funniest, or most creative outfits. Frances shared that she’s especially excited for the movie night because “we haven’t had a lot of events like this outside the school day.” She added, “It’s just fun to try something different, and I’m really looking forward to connecting with people and being a part of it.” For her, events like this “make you feel like the school really cares about students.”
Saturday Night: Spring Fling with Chimacum
The week wraps up Saturday night with the Spring Fling, a joint dance hosted with Chimacum High School in the PTHS gym from 8:00 to 11:00 PM. It’s a natural extension of the partnership the two schools have built through shared sports teams, and students from both communities are invited to join in the celebration. “I think it’s awesome,” said Frances. “We already play sports with Chimacum, and we know a lot of people there. It’s great to be able to dance with them too.” She noted that the dance is a chance to see friends she doesn’t get to see often and to have fun together outside of regular activities, saying, “It helps students get out of their comfort zones and hang out with people they might not usually spend time with.”
A Week to Celebrate Community and Connection
Whether you're cheering from the bleachers Friday morning, showing up in your pajamas for a movie that night, or dancing with friends from two schools on Saturday, this week at PTHS is all about being together, trying something new, and celebrating the student experience. See you there.
On Thursday, March 27th, students from Jeff Taylor’s Anatomy and Physiology class at Port Townsend High School took a deep dive into the world of healthcare during a hands-on visit to the Peninsula College Nursing Simulation Lab in Port Angeles. As part of the school’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming, the field trip was designed to introduce students to healthcare pathways and provide real-world experiences that connect learning to future career opportunities.
Throughout the day, students rotated through a series of engaging simulations that covered a wide range of clinical and practical skills. They learned how to take blood draws, insert IVs, apply casts, and identify healthy and abnormal heart and lung sounds. Other activities included diagnosing a patient during a “scavenger hunt,” responding to a simulated cardiac arrest, and practicing medical safety procedures such as donning PPE and following sanitation protocols.
But the day wasn’t just about technical training—it was also about career exposure in a high-demand field. Across the Olympic Peninsula and much of Washington State, healthcare careers are among the most difficult to fill, both now and in the years ahead. From registered nurses to medical assistants and technicians, the need for trained professionals continues to grow. These roles offer more than job stability—they also provide living wage careers that are accessible within our region.
For junior Ayelen Soto-Zavalza, the trip was especially inspiring. She said hearing directly from nursing students—many of whom are nearing the end of their program—was one of the most powerful parts of the experience. Their personal stories, challenges, and insights gave her a better understanding of what it takes to succeed in nursing school and how meaningful the work can be.
One hands-on station that stood out to her was the one focused on listening to different lung and heart sounds. Being able to compare healthy and unhealthy rhythms helped her understand what to listen for in real patient care, and the nursing students on-site were able to clearly explain the causes and concerns behind each variation.
She also learned that seemingly routine procedures, like blood draws, require immense focus and precision. “It takes a lot more patience and concentration than people think,” she reflected. “Everything is timed, and you have to make sure you’re doing it exactly right.” Watching how calmly and expertly the nursing students guided her class through these tasks gave her a new appreciation for the training and professionalism healthcare roles demand.
Ayelen was particularly struck by one nursing student who, despite English not being her first language, delivered some of the clearest and most engaging explanations. It reminded her that communication, patience, and empathy are just as essential as technical skill in the healthcare field. “You could tell how committed she was,” Ayelen said. “She explained things really well and showed us what it means to be supportive and understanding.”
The visit also introduced students to the administrative side of healthcare, including using a simulated office setup to practice phone etiquette, inter-office communication, and patient record systems. Many students hadn’t realized the full scope of what nurses and medical assistants manage behind the scenes.
By the end of the visit, a survey conducted by Peninsula College staff showed that around two-thirds of the class expressed interest in potentially pursuing a healthcare career. For many, the trip sparked curiosity and helped clarify their post-high school goals.
As the demand for healthcare workers continues to rise locally and statewide, opportunities like this ensure that students at PTHS are not only aware of the need—but equipped with the knowledge and inspiration to meet it. Whether students ultimately become nurses, assistants, or administrators, experiences like the Simulation Lab visit show them that meaningful, stable, and well-paying careers are within reach—and right here in our community.
- Tuesday, 4.1 at 4:00 / 5:30 pm: Boys JV / V Soccer at Memorial Stadium
- Wednesday, 4.2 from 1:30 - 3:15 pm: Staff Collaboration in the Library
- Wednesday, 4.2 at 4:00 pm: Boys Varsity Baseball at Chimacum
- Thursday, 4.3 at 4:00 pm: Boys JV Baseball at Chimacum
- Friday, 4.4 at 7:00 - 9:30 pm: Student Appreciation Movie Night in the Auditorium
- Saturday, 4.5 at 8:00 - 11:00 pm: Spring Dance in the Gym
- Monday, 4.7 from 3:30 - 4:15 pm: Cabinet Team Meeting in Mr. Dow's Room
- Tuesday, 4.8 at 3:00 pm: Girls & Boys Golf at the PT Golf CLub
- Wednesday 4.9 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm: PTHS Public Tours
- Thursday, 4.10 at 3:00 pm: Girls & Boys Golf at the PT Golf Club
- Thursday, 4.10 at 3:30 pm: Girls Varsity Tennis at PTHS
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
