By Doris E Rufli
The recent End of Year Recital of the Forest Grove Speech Arts program at the community hall went off without a hitch despite last minute cancellations by two performers.
Malcolm Beveridge and Brendan Nixdorf started with a duet and then worked their way through the various categories, together with their coach, Hisako Arai.
In her fourth and final local recital, Hisako also read a story written by Cindy Whitehead, while Marianne van Osch concluded the story-reading section with a tale based on actual local events.
As the evening came to a close, Forest Grove Elementary School teacher Kerry Tunnacliffe presented Hisako with a handmade poster/card signed by all her students and a basket of flowers. She also thanked Hisako for all her hard work over the years, helping her young students find their voice.
In turn, Hisako thanked her students for their efforts, as well as the Rural School Society for its support. She then invited all attendees to enjoy the snacks and refreshments and mingle.
Doris E Rufli is the Forest Grove correspondent.