Doernbecher "grad" kicks off WHS drive

Nine-year-old Liam Jaussi was just five when his parents found out he had a tumor the size of a fist in his brain. Since his surgery, he’s had one recurrence. He gets a check up every six months, so he and his family can keep the cancer at bay.

Poised and at ease, Liam spoke to students at an assembly to kick off Doernbecher Week at the Wahkiakum School District on Friday. And like any kid his age, he seemed unmoved by the excitement and took off in a tear around the gym with his sisters and friends as soon as the assembly was over.

“Thank you for asking me to visit to talk about why Doernbecher is important to me,” Liam said. “We really wanted to come because this is a special place for our family. My grandmother is very proud to be from Cathlamet and says this is the best high school in the whole state of Washington. She says that people have always worked together to help people. She remembers as a child when there was a flooding on Puget Island and all the people in town worked to save the cows and move them to safety on higher ground.”

Liam's family has a special tie to the community and the school. His grandmother Laureen Richardson Jaussi and her three sisters graduated from the Wahkiakum High School. His great-grandmother Laurice was a graduate and librarian at Wahkiakum High School, and his great-grandfather Bert Richardson was the custodian. His great grand aunt married the brother of Julius A Wendt.

“Three years ago,” he continued, “I also needed a lot of help when I had a brain tumor. The doctors at Doernbecher saved my life. I survived and now I am healthy and strong. I am grateful for all the money raised for Kids Making Miracles by people like you.

"I try to teach people that if we each give a little it can go a long way. I am proud that my family is from Cathlamet. I am grateful for all the money that you have raised here at Wahkiakum High School. I hope that you can raise a lot more money this year to help children like me. Go Mules!”

“It really is a great honor to be here,” said his father, Paul Jaussi. “This is like coming home for me. I know you aren’t the biggest of high schools, but you’re doing great things. Thank you.”

“Phil Knight of Nike has told OHSU,” added Liam’s mom, Laura Jaussi, “which includes Doernbecher, that if they can raise $500 million, he would match it. This year it’s even more important than in the past, because your donations might be matched.”

This year’s Doernbecher Court was a selection of students who were considered by their peers to be kind and respectful people. The boy and girl who raise the most money this week will be crowned king and queen.

Representing the freshman class are Trynity Mendez and Hank Ferguson. Sophomore royalty are Bryanna Peek and Tyler Gorley. Juniors Megan Thompson and Kyle Stump and seniors Kelsey Hedges and Seth Doumit round out the group.

The Key Club will round out the fundraising week with a Bunco Night at the high school on Saturday at 5 p.m. The second annual Mr. Wahkiakum Pageant will follow at 7:30 p.m. There will also be a silent auction. A $10 dollar donation will earn a space at a Bunco table and entrance to the show. To attend the pageant only, the requested donation is $5.