SBLSD News
Feb. 9, 2023
Equity Director Josh Agpalza interviewed Jason Bass, a Bonney Lake resident, parent and volunteer, who reflects on Black History Month.
Tell us a bit about yourself (family, hobbies, education, etc.)
I'm a graduate of Curtis High School in University Place, and these days, I'm a happy husband and proud father of two young adventurers who attend the incredible Donald Eismann Elementary School. When I'm not spending quality family time with my loved ones, you can usually find me crunching numbers. I have a degree in International Relations and Economics, as well as an MBA in Finance.
What really gets me excited is giving back to the community. I'm honored to be a part of the amazing Bonney Lake - Tehaleh Rotary Club, a passionate group of people who are committed to making a positive impact in our community. I'm also fortunate enough to serve on the board of the Bonney Lake Food Bank, working alongside incredibly talented individuals who share my passion for solving food insecurity.
Celebrating Black History Month: What does it mean to you?
Black History Month is a time to reflect on the pivotal role that African Americans have played in shaping our country and the world as we know it today. From civil rights leaders to inventors, artists, and cultural icons, Black Americans have made immense contributions to society and have been instrumental in bringing about positive change.
But beyond recognizing their achievements, Black History Month is also an opportunity to embrace and celebrate diversity in all its forms. It reminds us of the importance of acknowledging and appreciating the different experiences and perspectives that make our communities and our country so rich and dynamic.
By coming together to celebrate Black History Month, we can deepen our understanding of the past and present struggles and triumphs of African Americans. We can also strengthen our resolve to work towards a more just and inclusive future where all people are valued and respected, regardless of their race or ethnicity.
What/Who has been your biggest inspiration?
My Grandfather, a Tuskegee Airman, has been a constant source of inspiration in my life. His unwavering faith, commitment to serving his country and community has left a lasting impact on me and instilled in me a deep sense of pride and gratitude.
His selflessness and bravery in the face of adversity, both on and off the battlefield, have taught me the true meaning of service and sacrifice. His example has inspired me to give back to my community and work towards making a positive impact in the world.
I am grateful for his service and his legacy, and I strive to honor his memory by living a life of service and dedication to others. He is a true hero, and I am proud to call him my grandfather.
Any words of wisdom that you would like to share with our students?
I want to remind you of the incredible power you have to make a positive impact in your community. You are the change agents of today and tomorrow, and your actions can inspire others to follow your lead.
Serving others is not only about helping those in need, but it also provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment that can bring joy and satisfaction to your life. Whether it's volunteering at a local shelter, cleaning up a neighborhood park, or simply helping a neighbor in need, every action you take has the potential to make a difference.
I encourage you to think about how you can serve your community and be the change you want to see in the world. Start small, and watch how your actions can create a ripple effect that touches the lives of many.
Read the full interview and learn more about Jason and ways we can know, value and support all students.
If you ask Lily Hoopes how she first got involved with Panther Robotics at Bonney Lake High School, she’ll remember the High School Curriculum and Activities Showcase event about four years ago.
“My mom kind of pushed me toward joining the robotics team because I’ve always been a STEM-type person,” said Lily, now a senior at Bonney Lake High School. “The toys I’d always used to have were STEM kits or little robots.”
With some encouragement from her mom, Allison Hoopes, Lily joined as a freshman with the club, and it stuck. She’s been a member ever since.
Along the way, her family has become a big part of the club, too.
“Since it’s such a highly involved club, my mom first got into it supporting everyone with meals,” Lily said.
Lily’s stepdad is a programming mentor for the students. Her stepbrother is a 10th grader on the programming team along with her younger brother, Max, an 8th grader at Mountain View Middle School who was able to join the club early.
At Bonney Lake High School, robotics is both a class and a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO). If students decide they want to extend their learning beyond what they learn in the classroom, they can join the CTSO, Panther Robotics.
Panther Robotics is led by Jason Vander Hoek, who also teaches robotics and engineering at Bonney Lake High School.
Being a member of Panther Robotics is a commitment. The club is a FIRST Robotics team, which means that each year the team — and teams around the world — are tasked with designing, programming and building a robot to play in a themed head-to-head challenge. Teams don’t know what their robot needs to do until the launch of the season, which usually begins in early January.
Once the season begins, Panther Robotics meets three times a week: Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. On school days, they work from right after school until 9 p.m.
That’s because there’s a lot to do. They strategize how they want their robot to operate, prototype their robot using computer-aided design (CAD) software (“We do lots and lots of prototyping,” said Lily), then start developing their subsystems with aluminum to make it look fancy.
“After that, we send our completed robot to the programmers, and they bring it to life,” said Lily.
Lily works often with CAD systems, developing features of the robot like an arm or a collector — whatever the group thinks might achieve the robot’s task in the game.
“There’s lots of ways the robot can go,” she said.
And the time is limited. Teams have six weeks to create their robot before their first competition.
“We put a lot of time and effort into it,” Lily said. “Seeing our robot on the field in a competition is the best part, because it’s like all of our hard work has paid off.”
Last year, Bonney Lake High School hosted a FIRST Robotics district competition, with 32 school teams and over 1,000 students, teachers, mentors and families in attendance. BLHS will again host the district competition this year.
Also last year, Panther Robotics won the FIRST Robotics District Championship in Cheney, Wash., that sent them to their third appearance at the FIRST Robotics World Championships in Houston, Texas. There, they ended their season 35 out of 75 teams in their division at Worlds, just missing the playoffs.
Committing to the team means that you can go really far in the robotics world.
“The advice I would give to any incoming robotics members is to just commit and be super involved, and that’s because the more you put into something, the more you get out of it,” she said.
Lily has certainly been involved. Outside of her regular Panther Robotics meetings, she’s also participated in Girls Generation, a FIRST Robotics competition composed of teams with members from underrepresented communities in STEM. She also helped at the first-ever Summer Robotics Camp last summer, an event planned by BLHS students who taught the basics of programming to 3rd-5th graders.
After graduation, Lily plans to go to college to continue her STEM education and eventually work in the field.
“I’m thinking of a technical project manager, or a STEM teacher,” she said.
Watch the video below of Lily sharing her passion for robotics.
Mae Jemison
Doctor, engineer and NASA astronaut, who became the first African American woman to travel in space in 1992.
Frederick Douglass
In his journey from captive slave to internationally-renowned activist, he has been a source of inspiration and hope for millions.
Do you know a child who will be five years old on or before Aug. 31? Now’s the time to register kindergarten students for the 2023-24 school year.
Find your home school below and click on the link to meet teachers, principals and get a sneak peek at your building! Please note that kindergarteners who live in the attendance area of Daffodil Valley and Maple Lawn go to the Sumner Early Learning Center.
For more information, go to www.sumnersd.org/kindergarten.
We are excited to announce a new partnership with Right At School, a nationally-recognized school enrichment provider for before- and after-school care for elementary-aged students at all of our elementary schools and the Sumner Early Learning Center starting with the 2023-24 school year.
About Right at School
Right at School provides families flexibility in enrollment options and a comprehensive enrichment curriculum to keep students engaged while they participate. Students will have a healthy snack, engage in dynamic fitness activities, student-driven projects, team building, leadership development, and have the opportunity to complete homework assignments.
Program highlights:
Open from 6:30 am to 6 pm
Flexible schedules and pricing options
Tuition discounts available
Childcare available during breaks, non-school days, and summer
Please visit Right at School’s SBLSD website for more information, including program offerings, curriculum, registration and billing, electives, camps and more.
Parent Information Night
You are invited to attend a virtual Parent Information Night hosted by Right at School to learn more about the program and to have your questions answered. The meeting will be recorded for those who are unable to attend.
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 28
Time: 6-7 pm
Location: Via Zoom
Meeting ID: 885 2484 5162
Passcode: 7pa2Bm
Register for 2023-24 School Year
Registration for Right at School is now open.
We look forward to enhancing the educational experience of our students and families through this partnership.
If you were on the fence about applying for the District’s new Capital Facility Advisory Committee, there's still time. The deadline is extended to Feb. 24 to serve in a volunteer capacity, working on issues such as capital planning, funding measures and boundary recommendations.
The committee’s goal is to make recommendations for a long-term capital facilities plan that includes funding measures. Activities include studying facility needs, reviewing data, and developing a plan designed to meet the needs of students over the next 10 years.
Find details about member qualifications, commitment, selection, meeting dates and application at www.sumnersd.org/CFAC.
