On November 25, Ridgefield School District officials recognized the November 2025 Employees and Students of the Month at the regular Board of Directors meeting. Congratulations to all of this month’s honorees!
Students of the Month
Jude Johnstone, Pre-K at the Early Learning Center
Each month, staff vote on our Student of the Month based on how students demonstrate the monthly Character Strong trait. Last month, our character trait was Respect. Jude Johnstone was chosen as our November Student of the Month because of the way he shows respect every day in our classroom and school community! Jude's teachers report that he demonstrates respect through his words, actions, and positive attitude. He listens carefully to teachers and friends, follows classroom routines, and takes care of materials and classroom space. He treats everyone with kindness and fairness, helping make his classroom a place where all students feel welcome and valued. When challenges arise or friends have big feelings, Jude stays calm and caring. He shows respect by giving others space, offering help, and using the strategies we practice to manage emotions. He helps our class feel safe and supported. Jude also shows respect during group activities and play. He takes turns, shares materials, and includes others in games and projects.
Eloise Wright, 2nd Grade at Union Ridge Elementary School
Eloise is kind-hearted, helpful, and consistently brings a sweet, positive energy to her classroom and school community. Eloise goes out of her way to support her peers, showing patience, compassion, and a genuine willingness to lend a hand whenever needed. She is a respectful student who can always be counted on to follow directions and lead by example. Eloise actively participates in class, engages thoughtfully in discussions, and shows enthusiasm for learning each day. She truly embodies what it means to be a Tater Tot in all she does—she is kind, strong, and well. Beyond her classroom, Eloise’s bright spirit radiates throughout our school community. Her joyful smile, positive attitude, and caring nature make others feel welcomed and valued. Eloise reminds us all that small acts of kindness can have a big impact. Way to go, Eloise! You make Union Ridge a better place for everyone.
Everett Lin, 4th Grade at South Ridge Elementary School
Everett Lin stands out for consistently demonstrating one of our core values: Responsibility. Everett shows kindness to everyone each day. He is always helpful to adults and classmates alike, and he demonstrates an outstanding level of respect and responsibility within our school community. Everett has dedicated countless hours to caring for our school grounds through his work on the nature trail with Jr. Stewards and in the garden area during recess programs. Thanks to his efforts, our plants continue to thrive and our outdoor spaces remain beautiful. This is just one example of how deeply Everett cares about his school. If you ever need a helping hand, Everett is always there, ready to assist. For these reasons and more, we are proud to recognize him as this month’s Student of the Month!
Oliver Nickol, 5th Grade at Wisdom Ridge Academy
Oliver is hitting it out of the park with his academics, routinely submitting exceptional work and thoughtfully reading all of his feedback from me, demonstrating remarkable growth as both a learner and an individual over time. He is inquisitive, and his classwork shows that he puts a lot of careful thought into his responses. Oliver has a genuine curiosity about how things work, especially systems like antique fans and lamps, and he enjoys sharing these interests with others. What makes Oliver truly special is not only his kindness and respectfulness but also how easy he is to get along with–he consistently treats his peers with warmth and consideration, making the classroom a welcoming place for everyone.
Jason Beu, 5th Grade at Sunset Ridge Intermediate School
Jason is the kind of student who quietly makes a big impact. Whether in the classroom, the cafeteria, or at outdoor school, he leads by example–showing what it truly means to be a Sunset Ridge Coyote. Jason approaches every learning opportunity with curiosity and care. He listens thoughtfully, adds meaningful ideas to discussions, and gives his best effort in everything he does. His work is always detailed and well done, but what stands out even more is the heart behind it. Jason treats everyone with kindness and respect, welcomes others into conversations, and is quick to offer encouragement or a helping hand. From academics to Social-Emotional Learning lessons to outdoor adventures, Jason shows responsibility, resilience, and respect every single day. He makes our school a better place just by being in it. We’re lucky to have Jason as part of our Sunset Ridge community–his positive attitude and genuine character inspire those around him.
Archer (Jhi) Phillips, 8th Grade at View Ridge Middle School
Teachers and students alike have so many great things to say about Jhi. He communicates well, works hard to make others feel included, and is both creative and imaginative. His positivity, dedication, and school spirit truly stand out! Ms. Stephens said, “Jhi is an awesome human, through and through. He is kind, dedicated, and always willing to lend a helping hand. He seeks out opportunities to help others and be involved in the school, making him an exemplary Heron. He is going to do great things!” Mr. Nguyen shared, “Jhi’s creativity and logic shine through in his interactive story project, where his programming skills create a thoughtful and engaging journey. His persistence in debugging and strong attention to detail make him an outstanding programmer and student.” Way to go, Jhi — you are such a positive presence here at VRMS, and we’re lucky to have you! You have a wonderful future ahead, and we can’t wait to see all that you accomplish!
Lauren Kelly, 12th Grade at Ridgefield High School
Lauren has a remarkable ability to connect with people, always eager to learn about their stories and experiences. Whether she’s engaged in a lively class discussion or volunteering with Unite Ridgefield, Lauren’s empathy and enthusiasm shine through, helping foster the strong sense of community that makes Ridgefield special. Lauren is deeply involved in Robotics, loves building with LEGO, reading Superman comics, and advocating for social causes. Lauren’s teachers admire her not only for her brilliance and work ethic, but also for her warmth, humility, and the way she lifts up those around her. They describe Lauren as a grounded classroom presence, where she asks deep-thinking questions and brings enthusiasm and humor to everything she does. She’s not a student who does work for others or tells them what to do–she listens to her peers and uses her communicative talents to help them implement whatever vision they collectively share. And as one noted: she will probably be our first female President! With plans to study electrical engineering (hopefully at Oregon State), Lauren embodies the best of Ridgefield High School: intellect, compassion, and leadership.
Employees of the Month
Roz Andersen, Registrar at Ridgefield High School
Ridgefield High School couldn’t function without Roz. Despite facing a million interruptions to her daily work–from students coming in needing support while they wait for a counselor, to fielding phone calls (or surprise visits!) from families, to being near-constantly harangued by teachers' "quick questions" or abashed requests for help fixing the gremlin-infested copier. In spite of all that, Roz never makes anyone feel like a nuisance or that they’re inconveniencing her when they ask for help or support (like running Skyward data, looking up student credits, and even tracking down a postage stamp once). She has the patience of the mostly saintly kindergarten teacher, all while juggling the work that keeps the wheels turning at school. We are so lucky to have her!
Christa Mellin, Kindergarten teacher at Union Ridge Elementary School
Christa is a prized member of the kindergarten team. She always has a calm presence with students and staff. Christa knows how to find the positive in situations and works collaboratively with staff and families to meet the needs of her students. Christa’s classroom is a safe, joyful, and productive space. We are so fortunate to have her in our Union Ridge family!