Portland, OR. It was an emotional moment when football coach Bruce Barnum surprised two “walk-on” members of the football program with full-ride scholarships. Such generosity was possible thanks to Portland State University’s largest annual athletic fund-raising event: Wine and Roses. The benefit on May 19th at the Portland Art Museum generated $515,000 for scholarships and an additional $150,000 for the Viking Pavilion renovation project. Those totals made this year’s edition the highest grossing to date. Over 500 people came out to support Viking Athletic Scholarships. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)
Viking alum Joe Wiser leads the Wine and Roses crowd in a “Go Viks!” cheer.
Viking student-athletes singing the national anthem.
An inspiring speech from alumnus and Marine, Micheal Dorsey.
Highlights of the evening included:
• Speeches from two alumni, Theresa Lepow (soccer) and Micheal Dorsey (football). Lepow, who worked in the White House of the Obama Administration, and Dorsey, who is a Marine, shared inspiring stories and were great examples of why those in attendance care about and invest in PSU Athletics.
• Recognition to Denny Ferguson for a decade of service in fund-raising for Viking Athletics.
• Two major commitments to the Viking Pavilion Campaign.
• Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler attended in support of Portland State University.
• Live music throughout the evening, as well as Viking student-athletes in attendance, assisting with the event and singing the national anthem.
The 2018 edition of Wine and Roses will take place next April 28th. It will take place in, and be the Grand Opening of, the new Viking Pavilion.
Portland, Or. Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade winners are celebrating, including members of the Clark County Fair & Patrol who took home top Equestrian Group honors. Another big winner is Century High School’s first Rose Festival Queen, Michaela Canete. She’s a senior from Hillsboro, Oregon and the Metro West Princess. Michaela is the 2017 Queen of Rosaria.
Michaela is a scholar athlete, member of the National Honor Society, and Key Club member. She plans to attain a double major in Education and Biology at Oregon State University with the goal of becoming a science professor or biomedical researcher.
Parade fans saw the debut of the zany Red Hot Mamas dance group from Idaho, among other entries.
Here’s a list of the Rose Festival Winners:
2017 SPIRIT MOUNTAIN CASINO GRAND FLORAL PARADE FLOAT AWARDS
Al Reser Sweepstakes Award (Most outstanding float in the Parade) Reser’s Fine Foods
Queens Award (Most Creative float in the parade) Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon
President’s Award (Most effective overall floral presentation)
Alaska Airlines
Governor’s Award (Best depiction of life in Oregon)
Spirit Mountain Casino
Royal Rosarian Award (Best craftsmanship and workmanship)
Portland Ulsan Sister City Association
Rose Society Award (Most effective use and display of roses)
Royal Rosarian Foundation
Rose Festival Directors Award (Best depiction of volunteerism)
Portland – Kaohsiung Sister City Association
Rose Festival Court Award (Best example of enthusiasm and teamwork)
Vietnamese Community of Oregon
Grand Marshal Award (Best depiction of whimsy)
Battle Ground
Theme Award (Best presentation of Rose Festival theme – Brilliant)
Portland General Electric
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Award (Best depiction of community spirit)
Fred Meyer
Peg Roseboro Award (Most artistic design and presentation) Cambia Portland Classic
Dick Powers Picture Perfect Award (Best Mini-float)
Washougal Mini-Float
BAND AWARDS:
Band Sweepstakes (Best Band in Parade)
Shu-te Economics & Commercial High School, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
In-State Division A (99 Members or Less)
First Place – Liberty High School, Hillsboro, OR
Second Place – Aloha High School, Beaverton, OR
In-State Open (100 or more)
First Place – Sunset High School, Beaverton, OR
Second Place – Oregon City High School, Oregon City, OR
Third Place – Tualatin High School, Tualatin, OR
Out-of-State Division A (99 Members or Less)
First Place – Battle Ground High School, Battle Ground, WA
Second Place – Roosevelt High School, Seattle, WA
Third Place – Mark Morris High School, Longview, WA
Out-of-State Open (100 or more)
First Place – Heritage High School, Vancouver, WA
CAPTION AWARDS
Out walkers/Parent Support
Battle Ground High School, Battle Ground, WA
Cheerleaders
Aloha High School, Beaverton, OR
Flags/Dance Team (TIE)
Shu-Te Home Economic & Commercial High School
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
ROSE FESTIVAL EQUESTRIAN CLASS ENTRIES AWARD LISTING
Vern Hulit Award for Excellence in Preparation,
Organization and Presentation
Miss Vancouver Rodeo – Ali Diegel
Native or National Costume, Individual/Pair
Happy Canyon Indian Princesses – Gabriella Lewis & Virginia Conner
Portland, OR. Travel Portland’s 38th Annual Tourism & Hospitality Awards recognized individuals, organizations and businesses that made a valuable contribution to the visitor industry over the past year. In 2016, the Portland metro area welcomed 8.9 million visitors who generated $5.1 billion in direct spending, a 2.9 percent increase from the previous year. In addition, the local tourism sector grew 2.3 percent to 36,300 total jobs in 2016. Travel Portland’s president, Jeff Miller thanked Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler for supporting the May 16th event. (Photo credit, Naim Hasan)
KGW’s Stephanie Strickland served as emcee. She introduces Mayor Wheeler and David Penilton of America’s Hub World Travel.
Mayor Ted Wheeler presents Bill Wyatt, executive director for Port of Portland, with the “Rose City Award” for the organization’s significant contribution to the promotion of tourism. They’re pictured with David Penilton.
Travel Portland honored award recipients at a celebratory breakfast at the Oregon Convention Center. “Tourism continues to grow in Portland and there are many organizations and individuals who have contributed to that growth and success,” said Jeff Miller, president and CEO of Travel Portland. “By joining forces with the Mayor to recognize our tourism and hospitality partners, we not only acknowledge and thank each recipient for the remarkable work they’re doing in our city, but underscore the critical economic, cultural and social impact that this industry brings to Portland.”
Travel Portland’s award recipients were selected based on their contributions to the economic and social value tourism generates for the region.
Travel Portland’s 2017 Tourism & Hospitality Industry Awards and recipients include:
Portland Award
The Portland Award recognizes the greatest overall contribution to the promotion of Portland’s visitor industry:
Stephen Bloom, CEO of the Japanese Garden, for displaying the vision and leadership to make one of Portland’s top attractions an even more amazing experience.
President’s Award
The President’s Award recognizes valuable contributions to Portland’s visitor industry by individuals, organizations or businesses:
Rick McCullogh, producer, Wie Is De Mol, Netherlands, for believing that Portland would be a compelling location for his viewers and shining a spotlight on Portland, resulting in increased website visits and airline bookings from the Netherlands.
Portland Mercado, for showcasing diversity and the entrepreneurial spirit in Portland and believing that small business and culture are the cornerstones of a city.
International Rose Garden, for creating a positive and enduring brand for Portland through the garden’s work to maintain a must-see attraction for locals and visitors to enjoy over the last 100 years.
Rose City Award
The Rose City Award honors a significant contribution to the promotion of tourism:
Bill Wyatt, executive director, Port of Portland, for opening potential visitor feeder markets around the world and ensuring that visitors’ first and last experiences in Portland are positive.
Twin Spires Award
The Twin Spires Award honors an individual or association that has made a significant contribution to the promotion of convention business in Portland:
General Council on Finance & Administration, the United Methodist Church, for contributing to Portland, both in meeting business and community service.
Presbyterian Church U.S.A., for continuous volunteer efforts and for always focusing on leaving a positive impact on visitors and the community.
Sustainability Award
The Sustainability Award recognizes an individual or association that has fostered environmentally friendly business practices or programs that enhance Oregon’s exceptional quality of life:
Go Green Conference, for continuing to push Portland and Oregon toward a greener future and maintaining Portland’s leadership in sustainability.
Spirit of Hospitality Award
The Spirit of Hospitality Award honors an individual or organization that exemplifies the highest level of customer service and serves as an inspiration to the hospitality community:
Julie Davies, a volunteer at A Village for One and sales manager at the Jupiter Hotel,for tirelessly working toward the non-profit’s mission to unite the community to provide a safe and healthy environment for youth to heal mentally, physically and spiritually.
About Travel Portland:
Travel Portland is the official destination marketing organization for the city of Portland, Oregon. Its mission is to strengthen the local economy by marketing the Greater Portland region as a preferred destination for meetings, conventions and leisure travel. For more information on Travel Portland, visit www.TravelPortland.com.
Portland, OR. The streets were bright as over 300,000 spectators packed the 2.25-mile route of the Rose Festival’s Starlight Parade on June 3rd. There were about 100 illuminated entries including floats, regional marching bands, floats and twinkling costumes. The Rose Festival just announced the 2017 winners of the parade and starlight run. The list is below.
KBPS and Benson Polytechnic High School were in the 2017 starlight parade.
John “Elvis” Shroder, one of Portland’s most well-known street performers, was selected Grand Marshal for the event. He has been performing on the city’s streets for decades.
Here’s a list of the winners:
2017 PGE/SOLVE Starlight Parade Awards
FLOATS
Sweepstakes Award (Best Illumination)
Oregon Falun Dafa Association
The Portlandia Award
The Daffodil Festival
Best Marching Entry
Lee’s Association Dragon & Lion Dance Team
Commercial Division
First Place: Astoria Regatta Festival Float presented by Columbia Bank
Second Place: CareOregon
Third Place: Alaska Airlines
Non-Commercial Division
First Place: Multnomah County Animal Services
Second Place: Marysville Strawberry Festival
Third Place: Columbia River Yachting Association
BANDS
Sweepstakes
Union High School (Camas, WA)
In State, Open Division
First Place: Century High School (Hillsboro, OR)
Second Place: David Douglas High School (Portland, OR)
Third Place: Grants Pass High School (Grants Pass, OR)
In State, Division A
First Place: Milwaukie High School (Milwaukie, OR)
Second Place: Silverton High School (Silverton, OR)
Third Place: McMinnville High School (McMinnville, OR)
Out of State, Open Division
First Place: Evergreen High School (Vancouver, WA)
Second Place: Shorecrest High School (Shoreline, WA)
Third Place: Skyview High School (Vancouver, WA)
Out of State, Division A
First Place: Hockinson High School (Brush Prairie, WA)
Second Place: Hudson’s Bay High School (Vancouver, WA)
Portland, OR. Cultivating Tomorrow was the theme of Jesuit High School’s annual auction. The event on April 29th was held in the school’s Knight Center and drew 650 supporters. Principal Paul Hogan, posed for a photo with action co-chairs Wendy Pernas, Kim Takla and Jesuit President Tom Arndorfer. JHS cleared the million-dollar mark with $1,020,916 raised in gross revenue. Organizers thanked their Presenting Sponsors – Clearview MRI, Touchmark and Colleen and Werner Nistler. Jesuit’s auction is the school’s largest fundraiser.
Rose Kilpatrick, Sandy & Jeff Jones, and Mary Brown
The Silent Auction was in Smith Gym.
Colleen & Werner Nistler and Tom Arndorfer
Chris Leach, Auctioneer
Randi and Patrick Reiten raise their bid cards during the live auction in the Knight Gym.
The monies raised before, during and after the event provide the critical funds needed for the operation of Jesuit High School and continue to allow tuition to be affordable for all.
From Jesuit High School:
Jesuit High School is a Catholic, college-preparatory school in the Jesuit tradition of education serving students of all religious faiths and socio-economic backgrounds. Jesuit transforms students into leaders who are “men and women for others” and focuses on educating the whole student spiritually, religiously, intellectually, physically, emotionally, and aesthetically.
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