Throughout the 2023-2024 school year, students of Port Townsend High School experienced a plethora of enticing changes to their curriculum and school culture. From new classes to a creative collection of student-written productions, PTHS’ engagement skyrocketed over the past year. 

Academics was at the forefront of many students’ minds as junior year came to the close. In September, students were offered the option to take a new dual-enrollment science class, Anatomy and Physiology, taught by triple threat Jeff Taylor, a science, math, and physics extraordinaire. Funded in part by grants from Jefferson Healthcare, students dissected animal tissues, examined anatomical models, and if they passed with a B+ or higher, earned college credit.

Arrow Kempthorne, a prospective physician and Junior at PTHS, said “I quite like the learning style because it’s a perfect combination of lecture style learning and hands-on activities that tie those concepts together.” 

After the PSAT in late October, a renewed focus on the SAT filled the autumn air. Post-quarantine, many universities reconsidered the usefulness of a standardized test as the SAT. Many schools have gone test optional, or even test blind like Washington’s UW. Beyond the transition of test optionality, the SAT went completely digital in 2024.

In PTHS, an SAT testing site was finally offered at the Port Townsend Library, allowing a greater number of students to participate in this accoladed test. Rather than drive many hours or even to other states, students could now test their knowledge here at home.

There were shifts and changes among the staff. After Spanish professor Reed Aubin went on paternity leave, an old friend and colleague stepped in: Michelle Kowals. From the second semester on, she taught all three Spanish levels with ease. Between scheduling routine conversations in Port Townsend’s infrequent sunny days, and periods full of cooking Spanish cuisine, Ms. Kowals upheld her duty tremendously. 

Regrettably, several teachers left the staff as well. Beloved para-educator Darlene Marmol passed away late in the year. She was iconic and her absence leaves a void for Port Townsend’s student body.

Principal Carrie Ehrhardt, both colleague and friend, noted Ms. Marmol’s ability to truly believe in her students, and help them in any way she could.

Ms. Ehrdhart and multilingual language specialist Nancy Zamberlin will also leave Port Townsend High School this year. Ms. Zamberlin is retiring while Ms. Ehrdhart will become the director of human resources for the school district. Next year Sean Moss will take the reins as the new principal at PTHS. Ultimately, Mr. Moss was chosen for his extensive experience, which includes being principal of Quilcene Schools and vice-principal of Blue Heron Middle School.

In sports this year, the Rivals had so many wins. Girls’ Cross Country had a 2nd and 3rd place finish at State. Girls Swimming celebrated that 6 of their athletes qualified for State. Boys Tennis had a WCD3 Champ who qualified for State and Girls Soccer made it to the first round of playoffs. Both Boys and Girls Wrestling sent athletes to State with Girls taking home a 3rd place win. Boys Basketball made it to the first round of playoffs while Girls Basketball hosted a playoff game and went on to be one win away from going to State. In the Spring, Boys Soccer had some major wins and Track and Field sent 7 athletes to State.

Finally, students raced for the gold in extracurriculars as well. In Knowledge Bowl and Mock Trial, both varsity teams made it to the State competition. Knowledge Bowl won State recognition with their first place win, while Mock Trial gained many awards and nominations for their performance. Port Towsend’s varsity team won the William Downing Award, one specifically allocated to the team with the best sportsmanship. Senior Ava Butterfield also won thousands of dollars in a Mock Trial scholarship, closing this year with positivity.

The drama department stepped outside of its comfort zone this autumn with a self-written production dubbed “Masks Off.” The performance centered around a high school party chalked full of stereotypes, where each character froze in time, taking off their “mask” and revealing their true thoughts.

As Masks Off became an overwhelming hit in the fall, theater students performed Shakespeare’s The Tempest in the Spring, drawing the drama season to a close. For the first time since quarantine, director Chris Pierson is considering producing a musical next year. While next year’s musical isn’t confirmed, it will certainly be somewhere that’s green. 

Ultimately, Port Townsend’s school year was filled with excitement, change, and hopes for a new beginning.

Go Rivals!

Zoë Pruden is a student in the 11th grade of Port Townsend High School