November 8, 2009
- Eugene, Oregon
South Eugene High School program "changing lives"
By Molly Blancett
EUGENE, Ore. - Skye Rios thought he had his future all planned out.
"I didn't think I would ever go to college," said Rios. After high school, he was going to get a job, but he signed up for South Eugene High School's Integrated Outdoor Program last year. Life hasn't been the same since. "The way they tied in reading and writing to the outdoor adventure, it really got me back into reading," said Rios. He applied to college. "And I got in," said Rios. "And I'm actually going to be admitted a year early to college in North Carolina." The program has been incredibly successful for students like Rios and even for those who were headed down the AP/honors path. Instead of spending the day deep in lectures, Rios and his classmates spend most of the time knee deep in nature, preparing pits for ponds and a courtyard for an outdoor classroom. Students just started building a tool shed a few days ago, and they're already putting tar paper on the roof. Rios said it's all thanks to the best part of the class: teamwork. "It's really new and exciting for me to work with my peers on that level and being able to rely on them for direction and support," said Rios. "It really brings us closer." The sweat, dirt and hard work is all paying off. The students are well on their way to completing the project and transforming the plot into a place where future students can sit, read, garden and cultivate a whole new level of learning. "We're building something tangible that future students will be able to use and are going to appreciate and we can come back to later and be like, wow, we built this," said Rios. |
Upload directly from your mobile device. Learn howYouNews
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
Stay Connected |
Connect with KVALViewer PollMost Popular
|
Copyright © 2009
KVAL, 4575 Blanton Road,
Eugene,
OR
97405
Copyright © 2008 Fisher Communications, Inc.
Powered by Broadcast Interactive Media.
