Deer Park High School

This past weekend, Deer Park High School participated in Spokane’s annual “Steps for Autism” 5K walk. The event, organized by the Northwest Autism Center, helps build a more inclusive and supportive community for individuals and families affected by autism.
What an awesome way to spend the weekend in our community!

#StepsForAutism #Community #DPHS

DPHS students Jacey Boesel and Parker Russell were recognized by the Greater Spokane League (GSL) for their academic excellence! Student athletes are awarded this recognition based on GPA, rigorous courses (e.g., College in the HS courses), and athletic awards. Congratuations! Way to go, Stags!

Congratulations to DPHS's Spokane Scholars! These scholars were recognized for their academic excellence in the following areas on Monday evening at the Spokane Convention Center, along with 34 other high schools in the region:
English - Christopher Heath
Fine Arts - Emily Harris
Math - Ava Berg
Science - Jacey Boesel
Social Studies - Andrew Feist
World Languages - Bailey Barton
Way to demonstrate academic excellence, Stags! #academicexcellence #inspireexcellence

Strong Schools Build Strong Communities! DPHS DECA invited the community and business owners to learn about the businesses led and run by DECA students. Mayor Verzal, three City Council members, several business owners, and community members visited the high school to learn more. Student businesses include a Jitter-Bucks (coffee), Stag Prints (stag.prints@dpsdmail.org), DP custumz (manufacturing), Stag Box (Stag Merchandise), Very Vendy (vending services). Did you know that by using the student-run businesses, the proceeds directly support the students? This enables the students to continue to compete at the state, national, and international levels and represent Deer Park across the world. Our students are preparing for college, career, and life!

Summer EBT Program/Sun Bucks
States can provide $40 per summer month per child to families with eligible school-age children for them to buy groceries, similar to how USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are used.

If you didn’t fill out a free or reduced lunch form this year because school meals are already free, you could be missing out on the new Summer EBT Program! Students who qualify for Free or Reduced school meals at Deer Park Elementary, Arcadia Elementary, Deer Park Middle School, and Deer Park High School are eligible to receive $120 for summer groceries.

To qualify for Summer EBT, families must complete the Free and Reduced Price Meals application.

Questions?
Call the SUN Bucks Contact Center at 833-543-3230
Applications are available at any school office or you can request to have one sent home with your student.

Deer Park High School DECA is having a successful year of growth and service. Between managing five student stores, concessions, and leading community initiatives like Night at the North Pole, our 46 members have demonstrated exceptional leadership. A major highlight was meeting with Mayor Verzal to officially declare November as DECA Month for the city of Deer Park!
Our competitive success continues with 27 State qualifiers and 9 students advancing to the International competition in Atlanta this April. Additionally, 25 students gained professional hospitality and sports marketing experience through partnerships that included the Spokane Chiefs and Davenport Grand.
Local leaders and business owners are invited to our Community Business Tour on April 16 to see our operations in action.
Thank you for all the support from our parents and community!

#DECA #DPHS #StagPride

How do we ensure ALL DPSD students are ready and successful for college, career, and life? 🎓Educators, leaders, community members, and even a recent graduate came together to answer that exact question.

Using community feedback, research, and our district’s strategic priorities, this team worked collaboratively to define the skills and characteristics our students need to be ready for their future.

We want all DPSD students to be:
- Confident, independent, and self-reliant
- Critical thinkers & problem solvers
- Personally and socially accountable
- Effective communicators
- Flexible and adaptable
- Contributing members to society and the community

We’re grateful for the voices, perspectives, and passion that made this work possible. This is how strong communities build strong future-ready students in Deer Park. 💙

#DPSD #ProfileOfAGraduate #FutureReady #CommunityDriven

🎶 Huge congratulations to the DPSD Band on an incredible weekend! 🎉

Students brought home 1st place and silver ratings in all categories, plus the Spirit of the Festival Award! 🌟
Special shoutout to Austin Cohrs, who earned the Maestro Award—and an invitation to perform at Carnegie Hall! 👏🎼
The trip was full of amazing experiences:
• A warm welcome dinner (Thank you, Boosters!)
• Exploring MoPop Friday morning
• Trip to the Seattle Aquarium after the state competition
• A delicious pasta dinner (Thank you, Boosters!)
• Outstanding performances Saturday from Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Choir
• Fun at Westfield Southcenter and a memorable awards banquet & ball

Thank you to our incredible community for your continued support of student activities like these—made possible through local levy funding. We are so proud of our students! 💙

Representative Andrew Engell, who represents the 9th Legislative District, visited Mr. Wrigley's political science class at Deer Park High School. Representative Engell stated, "The students were very engaged with deep and sometimes difficult questions that showed their understanding of civics and current events." Representative Engell stated that meeting with the students gives him hope! He enjoyed interacting with the next generation of leaders and sees them preparing to make a difference and bring accountability to the government. Thank you for visiting Deer Park High School, Representative Engell!

High School Basketball Head Coaches needed for the 2026 - 2027 school year!
Join our team and make an impact on and off the court!
Please see the link for more information - https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/1585

#DPHS #Basketball #CoachesNeeded

Congratulations to our newest Rotary Student of the Month, Nevaeh Lee, a student known for sharing a friendly hello in the hallways and showing incredible growth and confidence throughout her high school years.

She is actively involved in ASB and the Drama Program, where she especially enjoys playing the funny roles on stage. She loves being part of the high school community and appreciates the supportive staff and leadership, including Principal Mr. Heuett.

After graduation, she plans to attend Gonzaga University and pursue her longtime dream of becoming an elementary school teacher. In her free time, she enjoys drama, theater, and watching shows.

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Nevaeh! 👏

Lady Stags with a WIN 67-32! Congratulations to Kaitlyn Reiter, Sportsmanship Award Winner! Many thanks to the band and cheerleaders for showing your Stag Pride! Keep it going, Stags!

Congratulations to all of our wrestlers at state! Go Stags! The following students placed at State this weekend:

Boys:
Emmitt Priddy - 2nd
Solomon Slind - 8th

Girls:
Hailee Orgill - 2nd
Evelyn Scott - 6th

We are grateful that our community continues to support youth activities and athletics. Athletics such as wrestling are supported by local levy dollars (EP & O levy). Thank you, Deer Park!

DPHS Freshman, Kason Dean, competed at “Cloverbuds and Corduroy” held at Riverside High School on February 11, 2026. Kason finished in First Place in both the Mock Interview and Demonstration categories. Kason is a member of Gettin’ Grit 4H Club and also owns a flock of Babydoll Southdown sheep. Way to go Kason!

Please help us congratulate DPHS student Andrew Feist, as he was recognized by Deer Park Rotary as the Student of the Month. Andrew is an outstanding student! He exemplifies hard work and being kind!

✅ DECA Standout: Andrew's been highly active in the DECA program, competing in six different events and earning recognition as a state finalist.
🌎 International Qualifier: He’s also qualified at the international level—landing in the 91st percentile—and will be heading into his 3rd international competition this April!
🖨️ Campus Leader: Beyond DECA, he serves as the manager of Stag Prints, showing strong leadership and dedication to his school community.
✈️ Future Pilot: After graduation, he plans to attend the University of North Dakota and pursue a career in commercial aviation.

We’re proud to recognize your hard work, ambition, and achievement. Best of luck in April and beyond—we’re cheering you on! 🏆✈️

Deer Park values our students and student voice! Today, the DPHS student advisory council participated in the survey, "What are your hopes and dreams for your future?" as the District begins developing the profile of a Deer Park graduate. Students also provided ideas and suggestions for how to improve the school. Way to go, students!

Deer Park High School Band and Choir students performed at the Northeast Music Educators Association Solo and Ensemble Festival at Cheney High School this past weekend. Approximately 40 of our High School students participated, performing unique musical selections that they prepared for the event. Students received ratings and critiques from judges and competed with students from across our region.

Several students placed and may get the opportunity to perform at the State Solo and Ensemble contest in April. Special congratulations to Owen Stapf - Second Alternate (3rd Place) Bassoon category, Pretty Princess Percussion Party (Ava Berg, Onesimo Garcia IV, Emily Harris, Marlon Gomez-Catalan) - Second Alternate (3rd Place) Small Percussion Ensemble category, Christopher Heath - 1st Alternate (2nd Place) Bass Voice category, and Austin Cohrs - State Qualifier (1st Place), Soprano/Alto Saxophone category.

*The DPHS music programs are available to students thanks to our community! Music programs are funded by local levy dollars. Thank you for your ongoing support - our students appreciate it!

Deer Park's very own Kael Morris (Home Link) has traveled a lot the last couple of weeks. At the University of Montana, Kael scored 1st place in the Middle School Missoula Bullseye Tournament and 2nd for overall (grades 4th - 12th). He also participated in the National Indoor JOAD and National Indoor Tournament, scoring 1st in both events, ranking him #1 in the state for NASP.
Along with Kael, we had Jaiden Johnson (High School), who placed 3rd in the JOAD tournament and 2nd in the Indoor Nationals tournament. And Berkley Haikkila (Home Link) placed 2nd in the JOAD tournament.
Congratulations to all our amazing archers for their hard work and dedication!

#DPSDProud #Archery #NationalTournaments

Congratulations to DPHS Cheer! The girls competed at the Sageview Classic, and the Small Game Day team earned a bid to state! We’re so proud of our DPHS cheerleaders 💙! Way to represent Deer Park!