Press Release Battle Ground Public Schools Director of Communications: Gregg Herrington, (360) 885-5337 PO Box 200 • Battle Ground, WA 98604-0200 • Office Location: 11104 NE 149th Street • Brush Prairie, Washington District Switchboard: (360) 885-5300

Feb 1, 2013

BG teacher, coach win Chamber awards

Claire Verity surrounded by cast members . . . Chris Higgins accepting award.

Prairie High School drama teacher Claire Verity and Battle Ground High freshman football coach Chris Higgins were honored Friday, Feb. 1, at the annual Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce Recognition Banquet. Ms. Verity was selected Teacher of the Year for 2012 but missed the event at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver. It was the second night of the two-weekend run of “Wilder Wilder Wilder,” a performance of three one-act plays by Thornton Wilder. Students from PHS and BGHS are staging the show at PHS under Ms. Verity’s direction. (The show runs Feb. 2 and again Feb. 7, 8 and 9.) Ms. Verity had to decide whether to attend the banquet or be at the play with her kids. For her, it was a no brainer. Sue Cranke and Lisa Henry represented her at the banquet and delivered the good news to her at the end of Friday’s performance. Chris Higgins was named Coach of the Year for 2012. He is defensive coordinator for the BGHS freshman football team. This is his third year coaching in the school district. His “day job” is with United Airlines.

Other finalists for teacher of the year were Rachel Karlsen of the Battle Ground School District’s CAM Academy and Sandy Grim of BGHS. Other Coach of the Year finalists were Larry Peck, BGHS, and Phil Phimister, PHS. These two awards were open to teachers and coaches in the Battle Ground and Hockinson school districts and in private schools and youth sports organizations within the two districts. In addition, two PHS freshmen, Aidan Bissell and Lucas Gubala, were among the finalists for 2012 Citizen of the Year for their “Keep Kids Cozy” program in which coats and school supplies are procured and provided to needy students. That award was won by Aryana Peiravi.

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The Battle Ground Public Schools provides equal opportunity in programs and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin/language, creed/religion, sex, sexual orientation-including gender identity, disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, marital status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, HIV/Hepatitis C status. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Contact the following regarding questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX Sexual Harassment Officer, 360.885.5415; Title IX Compliance Officer 360.885.5338; Section 504/ADA Coordinator 360.885.5318; or a letter may be submitted to the designated coordinator at the Battle Ground Public Schools, PO Box 200, Battle Ground, WA 98604.