Photo: Klamath Union High School senior Nathaniel Soriano playing his trombone during a performance at the Klamath Union High School graduation June 8 at Modoc Field.

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 17, 2025

Contact: Linda Warner, KUHS Band Booster president; 541-281-5535, lindareawarner@gmail.com

Newly-Formed Klamath Union High School Band Boosters Invites Klamath Union, Ponderosa Middle School Families To Join Group

Klamath Falls, OR – September 17, 2025 – The newly-formed Klamath Union High School (KUHS) Band Boosters are gearing up for an exciting year of music, community, and unforgettable memories. The KUHS Band brings energy to football and basketball games, dignity to graduation ceremonies, and joy to every performance in between. To amplify the band’s impact, the Band Boosters support the program and its feeder schools, helping the program excel musically, grow in membership, and foster a strong sense of community, discipline, and artistry.

If you are a parent or guardian of a KU or Ponderosa band student, you are automatically a member of this group.

"We have big plans for supporting the band students and their directors, Allen Haugh and Drew Langley, and have so many ways you can help, beginning with our traditional Willamette Valley Pie Company fundraiser which begins today, September 17," KUHS Band Booster president Linda Warner said.

For pie orders, contact Warner at 541-281-5535 or lindareawarner@gmail.com

They’re off to a great start! Summer Band Camp, a long-standing KUHS tradition, runs for three days at the end of August. While student musicians learned drills and new music, the Band Boosters measured students for marching band uniforms and concert attire. During KUHS’s first home football game, the band rallied the crowd, while the Band Boosters organized uniforms, a water station, and parent volunteers to support the event.

The Band Boosters have two main goals for the 2025–26 school year: 1) Help every student musician afford concert attire; and 2) Raise funds for participation in the Western International Band Clinic (WIBC) in Seattle, Washington.

Fall isn’t just about football—it also marks the start of the band’s fundraising season. For 75 years, the KUHS Band has sold baked goods to fund trips to clinics and special music events. Originally Texas Fruit Cakes, the tradition has evolved to delicious Willamette Valley Pies. Though the pie selling season is short, it plays a vital role in supplementing band resources.

The Band Boosters have also launched “Dinner Night Out with the KU Band,” held on the second Wednesday of most months. Participating restaurants donate a portion of the evening’s proceeds to the band, making it an easy and enjoyable way to support the program while dining with friends and family. The Band Boosters warmly invite all current and prospective Pelicans to join these fun fundraisers.

Fall also brings auditions for prestigious honor bands, including the All-State Band, All-State Jazz Band, and the Western International Band Clinic (WIBC). Held in Seattle, WIBC brings together 600 auditioned students to rehearse and perform with world-class conductors. KUHS students will build skills, forge connections, and fuel their ambitions. The Band Boosters are supporting this opportunity by organizing audition music, providing individualized instruction, and coordinating fundraising and logistics for the November honor band trip.

The KUHS Band takes pride in its legacy. The band’s vibrant energy transforms ordinary gatherings into memorable celebrations, rallying crowds and fostering unity and excitement. The 2025–26 WIBC Honor Band program will elevate student musicians’ skills, create lasting connections, and inspire excellence.

Through the Band Boosters’ dedication, the KUHS Band is set to inspire the community, blending music and school spirit into a symphony of shared pride. Join them the third Tuesday of every month at KUHS at 5:30pm for their meeting and updates.

Families from Eagle Ridge New Tech High School and Klamath Learning Center joined together Wednesday evening for an inspiring FAFSA Night on campus.

Robert Adams, Director of College & Career Options Oregon Services, traveled from Redding, Calif. to provide families with FAFSA preparation materials—including the Student FSA ID Account Worksheet, a step-by-step guide to creating an account, explaining college costs and financial aid opportunities. These tools will help families prepare for the 2026–27 FAFSA, expected to open on or before October 1, 2025.

The evening also included a community meal, thanks to Abby’s Legendary Pizza on Austin Street, who generously donated more than 10 pizzas. 🍕

It was a night filled with guidance, resources, and support—helping students take their next steps toward college and career success.

✨ Supporting Students at Ponderosa Middle School ✨

Did you know Ponderosa Middle School students have access to mental health professionals and skills builders right inside the school?

Klamath Basin Behavioral Health’s Tina Zaragoza has an office inside Ponderosa to provide students with a safe space to talk, reset and build positive coping skills. Whether it’s a quick breathing break, a game of Uno, or just someone to listen, students know they have support in a space where information is kept confidential.

Through a partnership with Klamath Basin Behavioral Health, these services are available to any student. The process begins when students are referred to Ponderosa counselor Brittany Clark, who then connects them with Zaragoza.

“Sometimes they just need a minute,” Zaragoza said. “We’ll step out, do breathing exercises, or play a quick game of Uno. It helps them reset and get back to class.”

“No matter what they’re going through, it’s real for them. My job is to listen and make sure they know they have a safe place here.”

Ponderosa is grateful for Tina and the entire KBBH team for helping our students daily.

For more information, reach out to the front office at Ponderosa or Clark.

Ponderosa Middle School students in the classroom of Alissa Cruz sharpened their photography skills Thursday and took photos outside to get ready for the school year book.

Cruz’s students spent time working with the aperture of new cameras they have to use in class this year, given to them by Klamath Union Digital Media instructor, Dan Stearns.

At Klamath Falls City Schools, our administrators meet monthly to grow together as instructional leaders. Each month, they observe a classroom teacher in action and then come together to discuss what they saw.

The process doesn’t stop there—teachers are invited to join their principal for a debrief, while other administrators observe. Afterwards, the principals debrief the debrief! This layered approach helps us build alignment across the district on what high-quality instruction and impactful feedback look like.

By learning side by side, our administrators are better equipped to support teachers—and most importantly, ensure every student in Klamath Falls receives the best education possible.

#KlamathFallsCitySchools #TeamKFCS #LearningTogether #StudentSuccess

Please click the following link or click on the image above to be directed to a YouTube video filled with photos KFCS parents shared with us from their child's first day of school. Video link: https://youtube.com/shorts/eF4rx5t95_U

Klamath Union Football senior Gavin Coe has been named Athlete of the Week after his performance in a win last Thursday against La Pine.

Lithia Toyota of Klamath Falls and the OSAA congratulate Gavin Coe of Klamath Union Football for being named Athlete of the Week presented by your local Drive Toyota NW!

Full details & nominate an athlete: https://www.osaa.org/awards/athlete-of-the-week

Carlos Garcia's goal lifts Klamath Union boys soccer over Cascade, 2-0

For coverage of live games this year for KU athletics, make sure to follow and subscribe to KUTV on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@klamathuniontv. 

Klamath Union Boys Soccer

Klamath Union boys soccer (3-1 in nonleague play) is coming off of a strong week in nonleague play after beating both Cascade and Cottage Grove high schools.

The Pelicans started the week with a strong showing in front of its home audience this past Tuesday and beat Cascade in its first game of the year on Modoc Field, 2-0.

As Klamath Union sported new soccer uniforms, the first half became a half of defense as Klamath Union and Cascade were left scoreless. The game’s first goal came off sheer coincidence after Cascade scored on its own goal at 34:10 in the second half.

Klamath Union senior Luis Garcia Guillen was the reason for the score as he attempted a cross to teammate Caleb Morton, which was retrieved by the foot of Cascade’s Tegan Swing, and accidentally fell into the net as goalie Tanen Swing was not in position to make a save.

The Pelicans’ next goal came with purpose. In the last minute of the game, Klamath Union junior Glenn Dougherty came up with a short pass upfield to freshman Carlos Garcia, who confused Tegan Swing with a swift step-over to the left and found himself alone from about 12 meters out and, off the edge of his left foot, hit the soccer ball on the top of the crossbar which fell into the goal. Dougherty was credited with the assist.

Cottage Grove was the Pels’ next victim this past Thursday as Klamath Union won the away game decisively, 4-1.

KU will have two home games this week. The Pels will play starting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 23 against Class 5A Ashland at Modoc Field.

The boys soccer team will then play in its first Skyline Conference game of the year starting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, September 25 against Hidden Valley High School at Modoc Field.

It will all be a part of three games in five nights for the Pelicans as they return to play at Eagle Point Saturday, September 27.

Klamath Union Football

Klamath Union football (1-1 in nonleague play) will be on the road for its next two football games and will play at South Umpqua starting at 7 p.m. today, September 19. 

The Pelicans will play at Sutherlin the following week before returning to play in its homecoming game. Klamath Union will have its homecoming starting at 7 p.m. Friday, October 3 against Cascade Christian.

Klamath Union Cross Country

The Klamath Union High School cross country team will compete Saturday, Sept. 20, at the 44th Prefontaine Memorial Run in downtown Coos Bay. The 5,000-meter race begins at 9:45 a.m. at Marshfield High School, with 26 schools from across Oregon’s classifications expected.

Now in its 34th year as a high school cross country competition, the event finishes on the Prefontaine Track at Marshfield. This year’s field will include international competition, as Tauranga Boy’s College of New Zealand will travel to Coos Bay with standout runner Sam Ruthe, a 15-year-old who earlier this year became the youngest in history to run a sub-four-minute mile (3:58.35).

The top three boys’ and girls’ teams and individuals will earn trophies, while all entrants receive a commemorative medallion honoring the 50th year since Steve Prefontaine’s passing.

Klamath Union Volleyball

After winning three consecutive volleyball matches, the Klamath Union volleyball team (3-1 in nonleague play) will have its next match tomorrow, starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, September 20 in the Marist Volleyball Tournament, with its opponent to be determined. 

The Pelicans are in strong spirits after having won the consolation bracket in the Basin Best volleyball tournament. 

After competing in the Marist Volleyball Tournament, KU will have its first Skyline Conference match of the year, starting at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, September 25 at Phoenix High School.

Klamath Union Girls Soccer

Klamath Union girls soccer is 2-1 so far in nonleague play and will have its next game starting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, September 22 at Ashland High School.

Klamath Union’s first Skyline Conference game will be in an away game starting at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, September 25 at Hidden Valley High School.

KU will have its first home game of the year starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 27 against Eagle Point at Modoc Field.