The “other” Washington, that is, Washington D.C. Mark Ray, Washington’s 2011 Teacher of the Year, and a librarian and media specialist from Skyview High School, Vancouver, WA, is currently in the nation’s capitol where he, along with the teachers of the year from the other states, got to visit the White House, and shake the president’s hand. While in town he also plans to meet with Washington’s senators, and others to advocate for school libraries. In this picture, Mark is in the back row, far right. The full story is printed in today’s Columbian. We previously saluted librarian Ray when he won his award, back in October, 2011.

Bridgeport High School, with 170 students, is one of six finalists in the Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge. Located near Chief Joseph Dam (Douglas County) with a population of a little over 2,000, it has a chance to win a commencement address from President Obama. Please give them a ‘high five’ at http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/Commencement

According to the White House, “hundreds of applications were received and were judged based on the schools’ performance, essay questions and supplemental data. The six finalists were selected for their creativity in engaging and supporting students, academic results, and progress in preparing students to graduate college and career ready.”

Viewers can rate the videos from 1 to 5. The three schools with the highest user rating will then be submitted to President Obama for final selection. Go Bridgeport!