Since its inception in 2013, YAMA has emphasized the radical impact of mentorship in our work. We strive to be and develop strong mentors in everything we do - whether it's a Teaching Artist sitting one-on-one with a student to nail down a tricky cello fingering, or a high school junior sharing their experience navigating the social structures of the high school cafeteria with a younger student.

In recognition of the amazing things that can be achieved through mentorship, we're led to wonder: what role has mentorship played in your life? Have you been positively influenced by someone special who pushed you to reach for your potential?  

Ava, a 4th grader at Discovery Lab School under the guidance of her teacher, Mrs. Shari Fletcher created a Passion Project benefitting the school and community.

Ava's project is called the "Happy Day Giveaway" and works like this:

During recess, students select an art object from  the many Ava created (a few other DLS students contributed handmade items) 

Choices included painted rocks, woven wristbands, ihand- illustrated bookmarks, and mini art paintings.

They give this item to anyone of their choosing to make them happy!

THEN the students come back the next day and select another art object that they get to keep!

Ava states, "Art is my passion and I want to be an artist when I grow up! This is a fun way for me to share my talent with others and at the same time make the world a little bit happier!"

 Discovery Lab salutes Ava and all the students who share their passions with the world!

On Thursday May 27th, Barge-Lincoln's Soccer for Success players hosted Hoover's players for soccer games.  There was over 80 students participating between the two schools.  This is an after school program, sponsored from US Soccer, where Third through Fifth grade students had the opportunity to participate in soccer practices three days a week since mid-March until May 27th.

The Barge campus was full of families that were elated to watch and cheer on their players.  Visiting fans watched from outside the fence line, while Barge fans were socially distanced inside and around the soccer fields.  Thank you to both Barge and Hoover coaches for spending March through May practicing and instilling the love of soccer in our students.  There were miles of smiling faces!

Nob Hill Elementary truly cares about the greater Yakima community.  This was recently demonstrated when the 5th Grade Peacemakers facilitated a sock drive and Nob Hill students, staff, families, and friends responded in kind.  Beginning on April 20 and culminating on May the 4th, colorful boxes were filled with donated socks in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors (593 pairs to be exact)!  The proceeds were then sorted (based on size and need) and subsequently donated to Rod's House, Camp Hope, and the YWCA Women's Shelter.  As always, the "force is strong" at Nob Hill because after all..."if the sock fits, share it, you must". Yoda

On June 2nd, our kinder students "graduated" from kinder and are ready for first grade. Thank you to Ms. Macias, Mrs. Broom, Mr. Abarca and Ms. Rehfield for going above and beyond to provide our kinder students with a quality education during remote and hybrid learning. Thank you to all MLK staff members who helped make this day special for our kinder students and their families.