Theater programs in Bellingham Public Schools' four high schools continue to thrive despite district budget cuts, with teachers implementing creative solutions to maintain drama education.
Drama teacher Leslie Adamson noted a strong correlation between students who participate in drama and those who become school leaders, observing that many drama students actively engaged in student government initiatives.
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Despite limited funding, high school drama programs fight to keep theater magic alive — Sun, 04 Oct 2026 04:00:00 +0000 Students perform in a May 2025 production of "Hadestown" at Sehome High. Despite Bellingham School District budget cuts, teachers are finding creative solutions to ensure drama programs thrive. (Photo courtesy of Lauralise McGowan) When Options High School started its ASB student government two years ago, drama teacher Leslie Adamson noticed a curious trend. “A lot of the drama kids … stood up in front of the student body and pitched their ideas and asked for their vote,” Adamson observed. “I see an extreme correlation between students who continue in drama and students who become leaders in the school.” Each year, theater teachers in Bellingham Public Schools’ four high schools watch students gain confidence, community and career skills. But with tight district budgets, high school drama programs work hard to keep theater magic alive. Former Squalicum High drama teacher Breeann Dunivent saw firsthand how “teaching theater does not fit nicely into the challenging puzzle that is public education.” Theater is “not easy to grade,” Dunivent shared. “It makes it hard to advocate for, and advocate for more classes, when it doesn’t tick all the boxes” the system is built around. Administrators don’t want to approve classes with low enrollment, but students don’t want to enroll in a subject without enough classes to support their exploration. At Squalicum, Dunivent made the most of the single class period she was contracted to teach. “At one point,” Dunivent recalled, “I h Source: https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2026/oct/03/despite-limited-funding-high-school-drama-programs-fight-to-keep-theater-magic-alive/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=despite-limited-funding-high-school-drama-programs-fight-to-keep-theater-magic-alive Nooksack Valley opens conference play with blowout win over Blaine — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 06:10:19 +0000 Blaine's Dmitriy Shvorak is tackled by a pair of Nooksack Valley defenders on Oct. 2 as the Pioneers won 46-10 at Nooksack Valley High. ( Nick Zeller-Singh /Cascadia Daily News) EVERSON — Despite a 46-10 home victory against Blaine in its 1A Northwest Conference football opener Friday night, Nooksack Valley walked away feeling it had left more on the field. “There are a lot of things that I think we need to get better at to be at the level we want to be,” Nooksack Valley coach Craig Bartl said. “It is good to have the victory, but we are not satisfied with that.” Penalties, missed blocks and missed assignments caused frustration through the night, Bartl said. On the Pioneers’ second drive, running back Tyler Martin had a near 70-yard touchdown run called back for a holding penalty. “We are our own worst enemy,” Bartl said. The Pioneers (5-0, 1-0 NWC 1A) bounced back when Treven Scheenstra scored a 4-yard rushing touchdown to make it 7-0. On Blaine’s following possession, quarterback Connor Brown threw a pick-six to Martin, who returned it 30 yards for the 14-0 lead. “We got to tighten things up, but our defense is playing pretty good right now,” Bartl said. Evan Leyerly and Martin also intercepted two more passes in the night, with no returns. Scheenstra scored on an 8-yard rush, and Martin had a 29-yard touchdown catch to end the first quarter with a 27-0 lead. In the second quarter, tight end AJ Woodrich caught a 1-yard pass to extend the lead to 33-0. Nooksack Source: https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2026/oct/02/nooksack-valley-opens-conference-play-with-blowout-win-over-blaine/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nooksack-valley-opens-conference-play-with-blowout-win-over-blaine ‘Fledgling’ editor sees birding’s big picture — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 04:00:00 +0000 CDN lifestyle editor Sophia Gates takes her chances with warbler neck as she stretches to survey the very top of the trees along Samish Crest Trail. Aubudon board members Steven Harper and Sue Parrott sh
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