Art In the Park 2019
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20th year that local Kids Paint the Vale park and Win BIG at Drexel’s Art in the Park on Flag Day Event!
The Vale Park was not its usual quiet at 9:00 am on June 14th, 30 youth and 14 adults took part in Drexel H. Foundation’s annual “Art in the Park, on Flag Day”. Not only did the park playground equipment get a brand new coat of paint, the participants got the chance to win a trophy for 1st place in 3 age divisions in a mini-mural painting competition. This is the 20th year for this event. It all starts with picking up the litter in the park, then painting the metal playground equipment, followed by games, food, the mini mural competition and ends with awards & prizes. This years participants included; Rem Steele, Jestine Jones, Braydon Jones, Jessi Jones, Ezekiel Fuson, Willow Fuson, Darin Smith, Jasmine Berry, Angela Smith, Diane Davis, Thomas Rodriguez, Zettie Rodriguez, Tristan Rodriguez, Jon Cooper, Makayla Officer, Sara Stephen, Summer Stephen, Cara Zacharias, Lia Jensen, Sam Jensen, Evy Jensen, Sara Jensen, Michael Jensen, Allison Jensen, Janice Jensen, Halie Kamenichy, Lilly Kamenicky, Ruby Johnson, Hypatia, Dane, Jenny, Mariana Gomez, Amex Gomez, Raymond Gomez, Halley Ziegele, Jeanie Murrian, Andrew McLaughlin, Sam McLaughlin, Kelsey Tolman, Dale Sanchez, George Fuson, Connie Fuson, and Sandijean Fuson.
The First Place trophy winner for the ages 3-8 mural division was Willow Fuson. For the 9-12 division winning a first place trophy was Sara Jensen. The First Place trophy winner for ages 13 and up was Lia Jensen. The Largest trophy went to Darin Smith who won the overall Grand Prize of BEST OF SHOW. The donations by local volunteers made it possible to reward each child with a free lunch and free refreshments, as well as prizes for all the participants, so everyone left feeling like a winner.
At the event discussions about community service, gratitude to veterans who served our county, and why there is a national holiday called “Flag Day” also created a learning environment for the youth. Sandijean Fuson the President of the Drexel Foundation also acknowledged the banner sponsors Butler & Looney PC., Golden Wheele Motel, CT. Derm, Carlson Law Office, Ontario Auto Ranch, Fuson Law Office, Malheur Country Historical Society, Malheur Federal Credit Union, Jamison Produce and had information showing appreciation of this years grant support for the several Art Programs for the youth in this area. This project was supported in part with assistance from the Oregon Cultural Trust through the Malheur County Cultural Coalition Committee, Wood Family Charitable Trust Grant, and the Fred W. Fields Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation. This project was also supported in part with assistance from the Oregon Arts Commission Small Arts Organization Grant. “The Art in the Park on Flag Day program makes it possible to teach children about community service and patriotism. The immediate tangible result is the building of self esteem through the visual arts for our local youth! Many thanks to those who helped; we could not do this each year without local financial support and local volunteers! All contributions are TAX deductible because we are a 501 (c) 3, nonprofit organization.” said Sandijean Fuson the President of the Drexel Foundation. 
Certificate of Achievement 2019
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Drexel H. Foundation Promotes Self- esteem by Awarding Certificates of Achievements
To Vale Elementary, Vale Middle School & Four Rivers Community School Students
Local Vale Elementary and Middle school students received prizes and a Certificate of Achievement for their participation in the arts, scholastic ability, and citizenship. Four Rivers Community School were rewarded for Kindness, Ravenous Reader & Language Enthusiast. The Drexel Foundation is a non-profit organization, focusing on youth and family cultural & art programs. Each Vale Elementary, Middle School and Four Rivers teacher chose three recipients for the “Certificate of Achievement Awards.” The “Certificate of Achievement Award” was given with a prize of free popcorn, soda, and candy treat at a special free show at the Historical 1914 Rex Theater located in Vale. The special movie day presented many short films from Drexel Foundation Children’s Film Festival movies: “For Kids by Kids and with Kids in Mind.” In addition to the special show a drawing of the award winners was held for two lucky award winners one boy & one girl from Vale Elementary & Four Rivers Community School and one lucky winner from Vale Middle school. Pictured below are those winning from Vale Elementary were Clairisse Jensen, & Dallynn Kolb, and from Vale Middle school was Trevor Stewart who won a backpack FULL of new art & school supplies. The Drexel H. Foundation has been proud to work hand in hand with our local schools, grades k- 8, for the last 10+ years to provide these awards & special movie day to the students. “We want our local youth to realize that not just their parents and school system approves of their achievements, but we, the community as a whole, also acknowledge their achievements. Our goal is positive reinforcement, which builds pride in each child,” said Sandijean Fuson, President of the Drexel H. Foundation.
Congratulations to all of the ‘Certificate of Achievement’ student award winners from Vale Elementary School :Kindergarten: Leah Atkenson, Blaise Armstrong, Aspen Haueter, Beckett Tolman, Alex Stewart, Hadley Kolb, Eli Chamberlain;First Grade: Cruz Trevino, Ben Fife, Sophia Silva, Mia Zanabriga, Zettie Rodriguez;Second Grade: Kiersey Dillion, Brystol Keller, Zettah Davis, Santos Mendoza, Maya Bringman, David Ortiz, Ezekiel Fuson, Garrett Bringman, Dallynn Kolb; Third Grade: Elias Arteaga, Weston Cooke, Asrey Wilson;Fourth Grade: Elizabeth Buhrig, Lilika Hawkins, Payton Perry, Cooper DuBois, Jamie Hasselbach, Rhyken Thorstad, Gabby Deleon, Jose Ruiz Alcarado, Landyn Petty, Clairisse Jensen
Fifth Grade: Kesley Steplton, Karlee Crane, Bianca Hendon, Hoss Johnson, Bailey Blake, Ady Maupin; Sixth Grade: Liz Fritts, Sariah Atkinson, Layton Hickman, Lilibeth Diaz, Emmett Bates, Jazmin Coeto, Sadey Kulm, Mariana Gomez.
Winners from Vale Elemtrary School.
From Vale Middle School: Seventh: Cara Zacharias, Tanner Parker, Charlie Barrett, Aj Sigrah, Zoe McNair, Savanna Vialponde, Alexander Craig- Hastings, Jessica Borrego, Colten Stepleton, Walker Phillips, Madi Steele, Brooks Haueter, Rock Peutz, Avery Martindale, Noah Rivera, Tarahlynne Trotter, julionna Wilson,Ali Hagon, Trevor Stewart; Eighth: Genevieve Bolin, Eli Aldred, Brenda Ramirez, Giselle Bakena, Levi Martin, Charles Lamb, Kaidynce Williams. These are all the names submitted, we apologize for any students that were not mentioned, or spelled wrong.
Winner From Vale Middle School.
The Drexel Foundation was originally created to help preserve the Historic 1908 Vale Hotel and 1895 Grand Opera House. At its inception, the goal was to create an art center in a portion of the Grand Opera House and later in the Vale Hotel, thus, providing a space for the community to enjoy cultural events and artistic education. In 1995, the first Art Camp & Talent Show was held and this continues to be a special yearly event.Now there are several annual art programs. Mark your calendars now for the Drexel Foundation’s FREE events and programs:Art Beat on Main Street at 123 Main Street on June 13th at 3:00pm – 6:00pm. There will be free music, vendors, and the spring into Health Fair with giveaways and community resource booths. Also there will be fundraising Historical Tours of the Grand Opera House and Vale Hotel with a small admission fee of $5.00. The 19th Annual Art in Park on Flag Day is June 14th 9:00am-12:00pm at Vales Park; August Art Camp FREE Workshops August 5th -7th 9:00am-noon; Free Talent Show August 8th 7:00pm, both at the Rex Theater. The FREE Crash Course in Film-making is Sept 4; Children’s Film Festival and Film-makers Competition Sept.14th at 6:00pm-10:00pm. And 25th Annual Historical Grand Opera House & Vale Hotel Tours & Open House Dec. 31st9:00am -12:00pm;
As part of the “Engaging Young Voices in Shaping our Community” Humanities project there will be a film maker on hand this summer to work with individuals to teach them how to create a film, add sound, or special effects and edit the film/video. These individualized courses are for anyone and are free. This is to provide a platform and to inspire younger community members to voice their perspective and vision of improvements for our areas future and create films expressing their perspective: their issues, solutions, and desires in future community building plans. All one needs to do be involved in this program is call the office at 541-473-3470 to learn more.
All these free events provide an opportunity for our local families and children to expand their minds, increase self esteem, and have positive influences and self expression all while learning the meaning of community. If you would like to participate, donate, volunteer or if you have any questions, please call Sandijean Fuson at (541) 473-3470 and leave a message, or visit us on the web at All of The Drexel Foundation’s events are free and provide a positive atmosphere where creativity is encouraged. . The community events put on by the foundation are successful because of the time and care of the volunteers and the eagerness to help from both staff and the volunteers. They are always looking for other to help involve the community by volunteering at the Drexel Events. So mark your calendars for the future upcoming events during 2019.
