By Joaquin Aguilar-Flores, KFCS

More than 200 Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) students from across Southern Oregon filled Oregon Tech’s campus Friday morning as Klamath Union High School hosted its annual DECA District Competition, the largest event of its kind held in Klamath Falls. Hallways usually home to college students and engineering majors instead buzzed with high-schoolers clutching role-play packets, practicing introductions under their breath and adjusting ties or jackets before stepping into their competitive events.

For KU DECA advisor Joel McPherson, the day is less about scores and more about growth. Before the first round began, McPherson gathered volunteer judges for a quick briefing, reminding them that for many students, this was their very first time competing.

“A lot of these students may have never done a role play before,” McPherson said. “So what I like to ask is that we take that into consideration. We want them to learn from the experience and decide if this is something they want to come back and do. This is really a skill-building opportunity.”

McPherson encouraged judges to focus on the bigger-picture categories rather than penalizing first-time nerves, and to offer short, constructive comments at the bottom of their score sheets, which is feedback students often rely on to prepare for state and national competition.

For Klamath Union junior Thomas Biggs, KU’s reputation in DECA is something he feels proud to uphold. Last year’s event at Oregon Tech was his first, a moment he walked into unsure of what to expect. Now, after competing at nationals, known as the International Career Development Conference (ICDC), he returns as an officer helping guide newer KU students in DECA.

“The biggest thing about being an officer is to lead by example,” Biggs said. “Last year it was all new. Now I’m trying to show others, ‘Here’s how you do it. Here’s how you prepare. Here’s how you walk into an interview with confidence.’”

Biggs said preparation is crucial, from weekly practice role plays in McPherson’s classroom to rehearsing at home in front of a mirror. It’s a rhythm Biggs believes pays off not only competitively but far beyond high school.

“I think if you’re very good at DECA, that would help you more in the workplace than almost any other class, in my opinion,” Biggs said. “My interview skills have improved so much.”

KU sophomore Audriana Morehouse remembers exactly what it felt like to compete for the first time. 

“My first year, it was definitely more scary,” Morehouse said. “I was worried I wouldn’t even know what I was doing.”

Now in her second year, she feels the growth and shift in confidence that comes with being in DECA.

“You get full creative liberty,” Morehouse said. “You read the role play, come up with a solution, and present it. There aren’t that many strict rules; it’s flexible. I’m a lot more comfortable this year.”

Morehouse hopes to qualify for nationals someday and already sees KU DECA as something special in her short time in high school. KU DECA has won the Oregon Chapter of the Year award for six consecutive years and routinely sends a number of students to ICDC. 

Morehouse gave credit to her fellow DECA members, Aeris Saindon, Jacob Martin, Hope Hartley, Nakia Williams and Tristan-Rayson Tatekaw, who should have a promising year competing in state and national competitions this year.

“Within the DECA community, it’s like another little family,” Morehouse said. “Everyone is super helpful. If you have questions, they really try to make sure you’re set up for success.”

Oregon Tech student Tristan Clark said several business courses encouraged students to observe the competition. Clark, a Grants Pass native, mentioned his Operations Management and Principles of International Business professors Sonja Bickford and Jared Emard, offered extra credit for participating.

“A lot of us from the business courses came out because it ties in with what we’re learning,” Clark said. “I have not been familiar with something like this before. Events like this DECA competition help college students stay connected with the high school programs shaping the region’s future business leaders.”

By Joaquin Aguilar-Flores, KFCS

Klamath Falls native Ashley Spivey has spent nearly two decades teaching kindergarten, but her creativity doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Recently, the longtime educator and artist brought her talents to Ponderosa Middle School, where she painted a large mural of the school’s bobcat logo, a piece which now stands as a bright symbol of Ponderosa pride.

Spivey, who currently teaches at Klamath County School District, said she was contacted by Ponderosa Vice Principal Katey Limb ahead of the school year about the mural project. Limb has been familiar with Spivey's previous work, including a detailed pelican mural she painted last spring at Klamath Union High School and wanted to bring a similar creative touch to Ponderosa.

“I think Katey was really excited to start her career at Pondo and wanted to bring some new elements,” Spivey said. “She liked what I did at KU and asked if I’d be interested. I gave a couple of design options, and they decided to go with their school logo.”

Spivey has known Limb and her husband, Dean, for sometime. Spivey recalled her first mural being painted at Katey and Dean’s former gym they owned in Klamath Falls almost 10 years ago.
While the Ponderosa mural’s clean lines and symmetry make it appear simple, Spivey said it was one of her most technically challenging projects.

“It’s hard to paint circles and do lettering and it’s even harder on brick,” Spivey said. “I was really nervous, but I took it one step at a time. I even had to use a lot of math to figure out the circles and spacing. The bobcat head I freehanded, and I think it turned out okay.”

Balancing full-time teaching, her art business (Starry Night Studio), and family life meant Spivey worked on the mural across several weekends.

“Katey was really kind to work around my schedule,” she said. “I came in on a few Saturdays, about six hours each day. I think it took me three Saturdays in all.”

For Spivey, the Ponderosa project was heartfelt as she once attended Ponderosa as a student in 7th and 8th grade before her family moved to Bonanza.

“It’s really cool, one because I’m a teacher, and I love helping beautify schools,” Spivey said. “I think it makes a big difference. It helps with school pride and helps kids feel proud of where they go. It is for them to have a beautiful space and see their logo up on the wall.”

Spivey has painted nearly a dozen murals across Klamath Falls, from downtown to Sky Lakes Medical Center, but says schools remain her favorite canvas. Spivey has a love for both city and county school districts, she said, and has two of her children who currently attend Klamath Union.

“I’m proud of Klamath Falls and proud to raise my kids here,” Spivey said. “If there’s any space that allows me to do artwork, I’m just so pleased. But schools are my favorite place to paint.”

At KU, she painted a large pelican mural last year near Modoc Field as a gift from the class of 2025, a project led by students Andi Harmon, Jack and Wyatt Jensen, with the idea originating from Klamath Falls City Schools board member, Andrea Jensen.

“Andrea really saw the importance of beautifying the school,” Spivey said. “After we did the mural, we were already looking for other projects to do. It’s kind of like, you give a mouse a cookie.”

Between her classroom work, her art lessons for ages 5 through adult, and her mural projects, Spivey continues to build creative connections across the Klamath Basin.

“Klamath is such a small town and you just have connections everywhere. It’s special to be able to do something like this for the place where I grew up,” Spivey said. “I hope this mural will help inspire students at Ponderosa to take pride in their school and community. To not say they can’t but to encourage them to try new things.”

PONDEROSA JAZZ BAND

Drew Langley, Director

"Discover the Blues" by Andy Clark

"A Touch of Honey" by Victor Lopez

Soloist: Beckett Harman

"Deacon Jack's Gospel Shack" by Paul Murtha

Soloists: Eve Stewart, Everett Phair, and Bridget Duarte

KLAMATH UNION JAZZ BAND

Allen Haugh, Director

"Honk" by Jeff Jarvis

Soloists: Tommy Biggs, Lenin Heaton, and Aydin Braham

"Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder, Arr. John Berry Soloists: Elaina Nork, Zahira Rico, and Tanner Reit

"Battle Hymn of the Republic" by William Steffe, Arr. Mike Kamuf

Soloists: Annali Budden and Finn Moon

Congratulations to both girls and boys KU cross country teams! KU girls cross country wins a silver trophy for the second year in a row!

Congratulations Cross Country to both boys and girls…👏🏽🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♂️

Girls • 2nd in State

Boys • 5th in State

Results are in and Pels are coming home with some Hardware 🥈

#pelyeah

No. 4 Klamath Union boys soccer advanced to the semifinals of the Oregon School Activities Association Class 4A State Championships after beating No. 5 Ontario this past Saturday night on Modoc Field, 2-0.

Pelicans' Carlos Garcia had his team's first goal in the 50th minute, followed by an insurance goal by Caleb Morton in the 76th minute.

End of the season

Klamath Union boys soccer had a tough task in competing against No. 1 Stayton in the semifinals this past Tuesday and fell to the Eagles, 3-2. 

Klamath Union girls soccer faced one of the best teams in the state as well and lost to No. 2 The Dalles/Dufur last Saturday, 3-0, in the quarterfinals of the OSAA Class 4A State Championships.

Ponderosa staff recently wrapped up a meaningful and uplifting morale-booster organized by Ponderosa Vice Principal Katey Limb and the Pondo Sunshine Committee.

To help brighten each other’s days, staff took part in a “You’ve Been Boo’d” activity, secretly surprising colleagues with small treats, notes, or holiday-themed gifts. Once someone was “Boo’d,” they displayed a note saying so on their mailbox in the staff room to show they were already recognized and passed the kindness along to another staff member, helping spread "gratitude and encouragement throughout the building."

Pondo staff also received a “Getting to Know You” form so everyone could share their favorite things, from snacks and colors to hobbies and gift card preferences. At the bottom of the form, there was a section intended to help staff better understand one another, including prompts for how they recharge, how they work best when/with others, and what they are most encouraged by.

It was a thoughtful way to build connections and remind one another how appreciated they were.

KFCS Board of Education

Andrea Jensen, Zone 1, Roosevelt - andrea.jensen@kfcityschools.org

Andrew Biggs, Zone 2, At-Large - andrew.biggs@kfcityschools.org

Vanessa Bennett, Zone 3, Conger - vanessa.bennett@kfcityschools.org

Kathy Hewitt, Zone 4, Mills - kathy.hewitt@kfcityschools.org

Trina Perez, Zone 5, Pelican - trina.perez@kfcityschools.org

Kelsey Bitzer, Zone 6, At-Large - Kelsey.bitzer@kfcityschools.org

Nicole Trejo, Zone 7 At-Large - Nicole.trejo@kfcityschools.org

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Klamath Falls City Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status in its programs, activities, or employment practices. For more information, please visit our website at Nondiscrimination and Title IX webpage