On May 28, Portola Junior-Senior High School hosted a highly successful One Book, One Community event at the PHS library, reports literacy coordinator Niecea Freeman. Over 70 students, teachers and community members gathered to discuss the book “Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire” by Washington Post journalist Lizzie Johnson, who also participated in the event. “The event sparked rich discussions about literacy, positive childhood experiences, and wildfire prevention and management,” said Freeman.
The evening began with a poetry reading by local author and poet Margaret Elysia Garcia, who shared excerpts from “Burn Scars,” written after the Dixie Fire. Johnson followed with a reading from her book, accompanied by images highlighting the resilience and stories of the people featured in “Paradise.” Freeman said Johnson’s presentation encouraged the audience to reflect on the concepts of community support and resilience in the face of tragedy.
Attendees then participated in table discussions facilitated by students and teachers, reflecting on the book’s themes as well as on the tone of the novel and the nuances of human emotions that are captured in the narratives, while enjoying a spaghetti dinner provided by the Portola Rotary Club and PHS culinary class.
The event concluded with two panel discussions. The first panel focused on positive childhood experiences, featuring speakers Superintendent Bill Roderick, City Councilmember Bill Powers, PHS Principal Sara Sheridan and Rotary Co-Presidents Matt and Elizabeth Cruse. Freeman pointed out that these speakers “support our youth through cultivating a variety of opportunities for students to develop a sense of belonging and connectedness, and build resilience in safe, stable and nurturing relationships and environments.”
The second panel included local experts Beckwourth Fire Chief Kenny Osburn, Tanner Low from the Healthy Forest Alliance, John Reynolds from Cal Fire and Powers. Freeman said community members engaged in a dynamic question-and-answer session about wildfire concerns, resources and environmental factors affecting the region.
In total, 300 paper copies of “Paradise” were distributed to Plumas County residents, along with 26 audiobooks funded by a Far North Literacy Development Consortium grant. Freeman said this event marks Portola High’s third year participating in the literacy-focused grant program, which aims to bridge learning gaps and address trauma by promoting literacy in communities affected by fire in Northern California. Organizers said the success of the event was due in large part to the dedicated efforts of PHS students Paige Matlock (10th grade), Camila Schweyer (10th grade), Natalie Lopez (11th grade) and Armando Caballero (12th grade), as well as teacher participants Niecea Freeman, Brandi Murray, Adrienne Anila and Daryl Hutchins.
PHS organizers say they hope to continue a tradition of community engagement and literacy in future years and are looking forward to the next communitywide event.
Portola High career exploration: fire science and environmental studies
Two days after the community read event, the TRiO program, based out of Feather River College, funded Portola’s seventh grade field trip to the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum in Reno May 30. There students explored STEM exhibits and participated in a hands-on wildland firefighting workshop.
The workshop highlighted natural versus human causes for forest fires and discussed the fire ignition triangle — oxygen, heat and fuel — as well as species that depend on forest fires for healthy life cycles, like the morel mushroom and lodgepole pine. It ended with a game in which students used firefighters and members of the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to contain and suppress a fire near a small community.
“Opportunities like this prepare students for our high school’s courses in Fire Science (which now counts as an A-G elective for college applicants and science credit at PHS) and AP Environmental Science as students engage in college and career preparation vital for their futures, and for the future of our communities!” said Freeman.
Seventh grade students then had the opportunity to tour the @One building at the University of Nevada, Reno, where they explored programs and facilities for STEM careers in technology and media, including the green room, recording studio, podcast room and virtual reality creation and testing lab.
Information provided by Portola Junior-Senior High School
