An audio recording of an oral history of Ken Skipper on Hillsboro during the Vietnam War. Ken Skipper came to Hillsboro in 1968 as a first year teacher at Poynter Jr. High. In 1969, Mr. Skipper was drafted and did basic training at Fort Lewis. Later he was transferred to Denver, Colorado to finish his master’s degree and became an occupational therapist for the army at a psychiatric hospital in Denver. Later he went on to work in counseling people with mental disorders and drug issues. Skipper describes how he returned to Hillsboro in the early 1970s as a counselor at Poynter Junior High, then transferred to Hillsboro High School where he taught for a long time.
An audio recording of an oral history of Luz Villaroel, including her work with the Beaverton School District as an ESL Counselor. File includes finding aid. There is a transcript of this interview.
An audio recording of an oral history of Lester Mooberry on School District #7, Hillsboro's first school district. Last half of interview is inaudible.
An audio recording on cassette tape labeled Bill van Horn, Class of '54. The interview is undated, but based on other similar recordings in the collection, was probably done in 2005.
An audio recording on cassette tape of John Jacobs, Pacific University Class of 1954. The interview is undated, but based on other similar recordings in the collection, was probably done in 2005. Topics include racial diversity and the Hawaiian community at Pacific University in 1949-1955, the Boxer statue; Pacific's mascot; a campus chapel and masses in 1949-1954; foreign language classes in Okanogan, Washington school district in 1950-1960; his time as a bus driver in Forest Grove in 1953-1954; and alleged rape charges against a fraternity on campus in the 1950s.
An audio recording on cassette tape labeled 'Dr. Arnold Opengart OD '54.' Opengart was an optometrist. He was a 1954 graduate of the Pacific University Optometry program. The interview is undated, but based on other similar recordings in the collection, was probably done in 2005. States that he came to Pacific University in 1949 that was accepting applicants for the Optometry department. He and his wife moved from New York and rented a log cabin and later a house on Douglas Street so Dr. Opengart could attend the University. He and his wife later had both their children in the house in Forest Grove. There were around 149 students in the program when he started the Optometry program. The whole University later dropped down to as low as 600 students. In 1955 Dr. Opengart and his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he opened his own practice. They later moved to California, Arizona, and Oregon for several years. The interviewer asks about diversity and they discuss the ethnic and religious diversity on campus.
A transcript of an oral history of Mary Hamerman on Century High School. Ms. Hamerman was part of the planning team for Century High School. Prior to this she was a special education teacher at Glencoe High School. During the begining stages of the new high school, she was asked by the director of special education, Henry Weans, to help plan the physical layout of the special education department. Overall her vision was to integrate and not seperate, wanting all teachers teaching all kids.
A transcript of an oral history of Rex Hoyt on Century High School. Rex Hoyt was one of the members of the site council for Century High School. The purpose of this council was to do the majority of the planning for the new high school, Mr. Hoyt specifically dealt a great deal with the research for the block schedule.
A transcript of an oral history of Scott Kellar on coaching men's basketball at Century High School. Scott Kellar began his time at Century High School as a history teacher and a men’s basketball coach. He previously had been a coach at Sandy High School. At the time of this interview, Scott Kellar was a counselor and a coach at Century High School.
A transcript of an oral history of Theresa Kirsch on Century High School. Theresa Kirsch was on the planning team for Century High School. Before moving on to work at Century High School, she was teaching 9th graders at Evergreen Middle School. One of her goals for the new school was introducing an Interactive Math Program. Since opening, Century High School has focused on the CAM program, beginning with only three or four basic ones and having added Fame, Business, Health & Physiology, and Technology.
A transcript of an oral history of Mrs. Koellmann on being an advisor at Century High School. While working in Salem at McKay High School, Mrs. Koellmann was interviewed for the activities director position at Century High School. The interviewed was conducted with Dawn Montgomery, Lynn Scheller, and Ron Web and later in the day she was hired. The school had gone through three previous activities directors: Guy Takahashi, Nancy Haake, and Dave. As a result, her goal was to build consistency into the program and build school traditions.
A transcript of an oral history of Vicky Lindberg on Century High School. Vicky Lindberg became the counselor on the planning team for Century High School and put together the first curriculum handbook. Earlier in her career she had been the counseling coordinator at Hillsboro High School for 10 years. During the interview she discusses the school’s diversity, the block schedule, as well as organizing curriculum and registration out of the district office with Mr. Barnekoff
A transcript of an oral history of Mrs. Mabry on Century High School. Mrs. Mabry was hired by Phil Barnekoff with the intensive purpose of creating the Physical Education department at Century High School. Formerly, Mrs. Mabry had taught a form of adaptive physical education at Thomas and Poynter schools. Also throughout this time she coached volleyball at Glencoe High School. In the course of the interview, she recalls her experiences as part of the planning team as well as, working with other creative and like-minded individuals.
A transcript of an oral history of Christina Mahoney on Century High School Site Council. Miss Mahoney was at the time of the interview, a student representative along with Dave Morgan, on the Century High School Site Council. The responsibility and duties of these student representatives was to provide input from the student perspective. The administrators on the council are Mr. Struckmeier, Mrs. Montgomery, Mrs. Peterson, Mr. Croley, and others. For the duration of the interview, she discusses her role on the council and some decisions she has been involved in.
A transcript of an oral history of Dawn Montgomery, Principal of Century High School, on the school. Dawn Montgomery had been an assistant principal at Evergreen Middle School when she came to Century High School in 1997 as a vice principal. She put together the Student/Parent Handbook the first year. There were three vice principals: Mr. Orme, Mr. Zehr, and herself. She became principal after 2 years. Century High School was planned to be community based, inter-departmental, and focused on small communities within the school.
A transcript of an oral history of Dawn Montgomery, Principal of Century High School, on changes within the school in the current school year. During the year of the interview, 2002, comprehensive finals were to be replaced by performance assessment, leading to better skill assessment and more instructional time in the classroom. Principal Montgomery expresses disappointment that Measure 28 did not pass, as it resulted in no increased funding. Because of this days will be cut from the school year. Liberty High School opening next year will relieve over-crowding at Century. The CIM and CAM programs are still important, especially CAM as it provides students a look at career choices.
A transcript of an oral history of David Morgan on Century High School Site Council. David Morgan at the time of the interview, was a student representative on the Site Council. Part of the duties of the students given this postition was to govern the curriculum and participate in scheduling decisions. Principal Dawn Montgomery and vice principals Kathy Robinson and Mary Peterson also participated.
A transcript of an oral history of Gary Morton on planning Century High School. Mr. Gary Morton was part of the first block schedule school in Hillsboro. At the time, Mr. Morton taught AP English, Art, and Interpretation of Film. Mr. Morton was also involved in coaching high school basketball, including Damon Stoudamire’s father at Washington High School.
A transcript of an oral history of Gary Morton on Century High School budget cuts. Gary Morton was on the planning team for Century and started as an AP English teacher. The impact of cutting 17 days off the school year has lowered morale among the teachers. Teachers are being transferred to other schools, some are being let go. Mr. Morton feels the national coverage is embarrassing for Oregon. He states that he will be retiring at the end of 2002, before the PERS retirement system is changed.
A transcript of an oral history of Nikki Squire on Century High School. Nikki Squire’s involvement with Century High School began as a member of the original planning team, before the first bond measure was put forth. She was the assistant superintendant of the district for curriculum and instruction. Her early role was to listen to different groups of people who would be involved in the high school and form a ‘vision’ for the school, and to help with the overall design. Two areas of controversy were attendance boundaries and staff assignments. One of her ideas, was the clock tower that can now be seen at the entrance of the school.
A transcript of an oral history of Tom Oberhue on working at Century High School. Mr. Oberhue began teaching economics to seniors the second year that Century High School was open. He then became the technology coordinator/system administrator for their network. There is now an independent digital technology department.
A transcript of an oral history of Tom Oberhue on current year at Century High School. Tom Oberhue has been at Century for five years, beginning as a social studies and economics teacher. At the time of the interview, he was head of the digital technology program and was teaching Network Technology. Mr. Oberhue explains that the year has been both eventful and challenging due to the budget cuts. He further elaborates on the idea that the vision for the school is quite different for everyone. He expresses looking forward to having fewer students and feeling more like a community. Oberhue recalls his childhood, growing up in Beaverton, and feeling that it was disappointing to see Oregon struggle with school funding. Overall, everything from 9/11 to the Iraq War created an underlying stress within the school and the community. During the academic year, five students received a CAM in digital technology; this being a first for Century. One of his current goals is to get the CCNA, Cisco Certified Network Associate degree, which is considered an industry standard.
A transcript of an oral history interview of Tracy Olsen on being a student at Century High School. Tracy Olsen attended Century High School the first year it opened, 1997 as a sophomore. Her first impression of the building was that it was “hospital-like”, due to the stark white walls. She recalls everyone working exceptionally hard to establish a sense of school spirirt and identity.
