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“Have you ever thought about welding?”

This question was asked of Thomas Cunningham probably a hundred times before his 13th birthday. But, as the Cheney High School junior recounted, the idea never really stuck. By the time he reached middle school, he had experienced his fair share of hands-on activities like woodworking and blacksmithing, but welding was in a world all its own. There was some trepidation from Cunningham’s parents about him entering the world of welding as a seventh grader, given the more dangerous nature of the trade, but when Cunningham’s seventh grade shop teacher asked him about welding and encouraged him to give it a shot, he jumped in.

Cunningham was a natural, and welding just clicked for him. Even at 13 years old, he had an innate ability in the field, and he continued to hone his skills after he purchased his own personal welding machine. By his eighth grade year, Cunningham was perfecting different welding processes, like Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding and Shielded Metal Arc welding (commonly known as stick welding). His eighth-grade CTE teacher encouraged him to think about his future and consider a career in the field. When he arrived at Cheney High School, he continued learning under the tutelage of veteran CTE teacher Allen Skoog.

“Skoog taught me the intricacies of TIG welding, MIG [Metal Inert Gas] welding, and stick welding, and from then on, just carried over,” Cunningham said. “My freshman year, I just went through class and tried my best. I ended up being pretty dang good at it.”

Cunningham’s teachers again recognized his talent, and during his sophomore year he was encouraged by his advisor to join SkillsUSA. SkillsUSA is a workforce development program grounded in academics and focused on the development of personal, workplace, and technical skills. The program has competitions across the nation, including a state competition in Washington state; events offer a blend of leadership and technical skills challenges, as well as networking opportunities. Eventually convinced by the encouragement of his advisor, Cunningham joined SkillsUSA and submitted a sculpture to the state competition.

And he won.

“We started amping up my whole shop setup at home, and I got a bunch of tools at home that I never would have imagined having before the age of 18,” Cunningham said. “This year, I went to state again, won again, and now I’m a two-time champ at state.”

His state-winning sculpture was inspired by two great horned owls that nest in his family’s tree each year. Until recently, Cunningham was unable to photograph the elusive birds, but one of their hatchlings was more agreeable to the attention. Once he was able to capture the image, Cunningham used 3D technology to help bring his design to life.

“So, I took a picture of the owl, and I put it into a 3D rendering software, which then gave me a 3D file of the head,” Cunningham said. “Then, I casted it out of copper, and the entire project was built on that.”

Using nearly 100 percent of recycled materials, he designed, built, and welded together the state-winning sculpture. The owl features a solid copper head with brass inlaid eyes, a body made of horseshoes, and wings that can actually move. Cunningham designed a sort of ‘train-track’ system on the inside of the owl’s body to account for wing rotation. It is a detail that he believes secured his second state title.

“That is probably the thing that set me apart from everybody because movement is always one of those touch and go things,” Cunningham said. “When people saw the movement, they were like, that is an ingenious way to fix it in.”

“Not only are his skills top-notch, but his artistic mind and what he’s thinking about is way past what I–I’m not that artistic,” said Skoog. “But he is very creative. And then he makes it happen, and he thinks about how to make it happen. He’s proficient in all the tools, in all three or four processes of welding. But also working on computer drafting, computer machining, and he has even got into AI to design some things.”

Welding is now integrated into nearly every aspect of Cunningham’s life. He spends his mornings at NEWTech Prep, an alternative learning program that is housed under the umbrella of Spokane Public Schools and partners with area high schools to offer advanced technical and professional training. He then returns to Cheney High School for an afternoon of core classes and CTE pathways. When he’s away from school, he is cultivating his own welding business, TC Creations. Some days, he says, he logs about four or five hours of welding.

That level of dedication did not happen by accident. For Cunningham, the encouragement of his seventh grade CTE teacher had a pretty big impact on the trajectory of his education, and perhaps his future career. He knew there were a multitude of career options when it came to welding, but until he dove into the courses and competitions, metal sculpting was not on his radar.

“...When teachers were like, ‘You should get into this,’ I thought about, well yeah, I could go work in a fab shop and do all this stuff, but I had never thought about doing sculpture work,” Cunningham said. “I’d always just thought, oh, making horseshoe art is a side project. I always liked it, but I [never thought], this is my life. Then, last year, when I did my first sculpture, I was like, this is actually really fun…It showed that is actually what I want to do. The dedication and the time that I put into it showed more than just the outcome of the project.”

At the SkillsUSA Nationals competition in 2025, Cunningham was asked, “Did the artist come first or did the welder come first?”

“I think I can confidently say that the artist came to me because of the welding,” Cunningham said. “I can confidently say that I was a welder, and the artist just came along with it; the figuring things out just came along with it which just sparked everything to work out.”

Cunningham is poised for a return to the SkillsUSA Nationals competition next month, June 1-5, in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jenna Larson, 
Communications Coordinator
jlarson@cheneysd.org

CAROLINE WHITE SELECTED AS PRINCIPAL FOR
CHENEY HIGH SCHOOL
Pending Board Approval
May 29, 2026

After an extensive interview process, Cheney Public Schools is pleased to announce that Caroline White has been selected as the next principal of Cheney High School, pending Board approval. Representatives from all major stakeholder groups were part of the process including staff, parents/families, community members, and district administration.

The interview process was a comprehensive day that included student, staff, district leadership, and superintendent panel interviews, as well as a community forum. Following the evaluation of feedback from stakeholder groups, Caroline White emerged as the best candidate for the principal position. 

White will begin her tenure with Cheney High School on July 1, 2026, following current Principal Brett Hale’s transition into the role of Assistant Superintendent. 

“Caroline brings exceptional experience and a strong desire to be part of the Cheney community,” Superintendent Ben Ferney said. “She demonstrated impressive leadership throughout the interview process, and I am excited about the strengths she will bring to Cheney High School and our District.” 

White arrives at Cheney High School with 23 years of experience in public education, including more than a decade as an administrator. She has served as an assistant principal since 2015, including the last five years at Rogers High School. Prior to transitioning to administration, White spent more than a decade as a secondary math and science teacher, with seven years at the Diocese of Spokane, three years at Gary Middle School, and two years as an Honors/AP Biology teacher at Rogers from 2013-2015. She has extensive experience in strategic leadership, including professional learning and staff development, instructional leadership and curriculum expertise, equity, inclusion, and cultural responsiveness, student engagement and school climate, and strategic planning and school improvement. White also has comprehensive knowledge in community and family engagement, operational management and compliance, and scheduling, programming, and pathway design, all of which she has collected over the course of her career as a teacher and administrator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Eastern Washington University, a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Tarleton State University, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Washington State University.

“I am incredibly honored and excited to serve as the next principal of Cheney High School,” White said. “Cheney High School is a special place with a strong sense of pride, tradition, and commitment to students, and I am excited to become part of this outstanding school community. I look forward to getting to know the students, staff, families, and community members who make Cheney such a remarkable place and to continue building on the many strengths already in place.”

This story was featured in the April Community Connections newsletter. Bowdish, along with the Cheney High School Marching Band, will be part of the annual Armed Forces Torchlight Parade on Saturday, May 16, part of the Spokane Lilac Festival.

For Hayden Bowdish, the Spokane Lilac Festival has always been a fond childhood memory from her hometown of Spokane. From the Royal Court to the parade, it was an annual highlight that signaled the start of Spring. 

“I grew up in Spokane, so the Lilac Festival was always a fun thing that I’ve loved to go to with my mom,” the Cheney High School senior recalled.

When her family relocated roughly 16 miles west to Cheney, she felt that connection with her hometown fade. So when she saw a flyer at the start of the school year seeking candidates for the Spokane Lilac Royal Court, she was intrigued—but also intimidated. Having grown up attending parades and admiring the royalty of past courts, the idea of stepping into that role herself felt out of reach. With the support of a friend, Bowdish attended the informational meeting, setting into motion a series of events that would shift the trajectory of her senior year and beyond.

“They ended up showing a video of the past Royal Court,” Bowdish recounted. “They shared their personal experiences, and they talked about how much they grew through the program. After seeing that, it was definitely something that I knew I wanted to be a part of.”

As it turns out, Bowdish was precisely the type of person the Spokane Lilac Festival was in search of for the Royalty Scholarship and Development Program. According to Jill Ham, Co-Vice President of Royalty with the Spokane Lilac Festival, above anything else they are looking for young women rooted in servant leadership.

“When we go to schools and we talk to the school coordinators, we emphasize that we’re looking for somebody that has a heart to serve, and that kind of shocks them when they find out that’s what we’re looking for,” Ham said. “So, someone that just has a heart for others. That’s kind of our baseline that we ask for.”

Bowdish’s extracurricular resume more than fits the bill. She’s active in the Key Club, a community-service focused organization, along with Executive Leadership at Cheney High School, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), in addition to serving as a Peer2Peer Mentor through MPower Mentoring, where she helps low-income students optimize their futures. Bowdish also serves on CHS’s ASB as the social media manager, in addition to running the school coffee shop as a barista. Regardless of her long list of service-focused extracurriculars, Bowdish never considered herself to fit the mold of Lilac Royalty. 

“Initially, I’ll be honest, I didn’t think it was something they’d select me for, just because I’m not great at public speaking, and it’s never been something that I put myself out there to do,” Bowdish said.

But, it is not about fitting a specific mold—it is about finding young women with a desire to lead and serve. The Royalty Scholarship and Development Program helps shape that passion into confident, capable leadership. 

The program includes nearly 16 weeks of personal and leadership development that precedes the coronation of the Queen and the announcement of the Royal Court. Known as the Ambassadorship, Bowdish joined 16 other seniors from across Spokane County in leadership training and personal development, including interviews, panel discussions, question and answer sections, volunteering, and public speaking. For Bowdish, who describes herself as shy and reserved, a quieter type of leader that served by example, the program presented quite the personal challenge.

“Lilac was intimidating because it’s more about public speaking and being in the spotlight, showcasing yourself, which isn’t something that I love to do,” Bowdish said. “It was nerve wracking. But, one of the biggest parts of this program is youth empowerment. After being a part of this program for so long, I feel so confident in  my skills, and I feel set up for success with my future.”

On March 28 after months of learning, preparation, and a grueling process of interviews, panels, and speeches, Bowdish was selected as Queen of the Royal Court. She became the second Queen in CHS history, and the ninth Blackhawk to be part of the Royal Court.

“It was definitely a rush of emotions,” Bowdish said of the moment she was named Queen. “I was overwhelmed at first because often throughout my life I’ve struggled to see myself as a leader. And then hearing them say my name really brought me back into reality about how far I’ve come personally.”

As Queen, Bowdish will lead the Royal Court for the next year as they travel throughout the Pacific Northwest, serving as ambassadors for the Spokane community. The next year will include multiple appearances at community events across the region, engaging with the public, giving speeches, and showcasing the members of the Royal Court.

“She’s our vocal one, so she’s out giving speeches and representing, trying to give opportunities to girls who are standing alongside her to showcase them also,” Ham said. “That’s one reason why Hayden is perfect for this; she’s always watching and observing others, she gives others a moment to talk, she’s very analytical and knows their strengths. As one of the girls said, ‘She has a piece of all of them in her.’ So, she has a piece of all their strengths within her. She’s perfect for it.”

That ability to lead while lifting others up is part of what made Bowdish stand out throughout the process.

In addition to being named Queen, Bowdish was also awarded a scholarship that will help fund her freshman year at Washington State University next year. She has been accepted into the Honors College and plans to study Accounting and Management Information Systems. The scholarship, she says, will help to cover the gap that her other financial aid does not–including housing, additional fees, and books–easing the stress and uncertainty that often comes with funding college.

“I have grown so much throughout this process,” Bowdish said. “I’ve gained connections with powerful young women across my community that I wouldn’t have been able to meet otherwise. I am so grateful for those connections and bonds. It’s a unique experience, and we go through it together. We grow as people, and seeing that growth in each other is incredibly empowering. And then also being able to be so involved in my hometown again with these events that I used to love as a kid, it’s been like a full-circle moment, and I’m so happy to be a part of it.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jenna Larson, 
Communications Coordinator
jlarson@cheneysd.org

BRETT HALE NAMED ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT 
FOR CHENEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 
Pending Board Approval
April 24, 2026

After an extensive interview process, Cheney Public Schools is pleased to announce that Brett Hale has been selected as Assistant Superintendent, pending Board approval. The multi-day interview process included representatives from several key stakeholder groups across the district. 

Hale will step into the role July 1, 2026 following the retirement of long-time Assistant Superintendent Tom Arlt. 

Candidates participated in a five-part comprehensive interview process that included teams made up of district leadership, school leaders, classified directors, staff, and association representatives. Following evaluation of feedback from those five stakeholder groups, two finalists were selected to return for a final day of interviews. Feedback from key stakeholders helped to inform the District’s decision to move forward with Hale.

“Brett stood out in a highly competitive process, rising to the top after two days of interviews,” said Superintendent Ben Ferney. “It is clear that his heart and passion are with Cheney Public Schools. I am excited for the leadership he will bring as our next Assistant Superintendent!”

An experienced leader, Hale has spent nearly 15 years in administration, most recently as principal at Cheney High School. In his four years at CHS, Hale’s leadership has been instrumental in guiding the high school’s two site-based decision-making bodies—the Department Coordinators and Guiding Coalition—while also supervising and evaluating a wide range of staff, including teachers, paraeducators, secretaries, counselors, assistant principals, and athletic directors. During his time at CHS, he guided the building through the adoption of a new bell schedule and a district-wide cell phone policy, as well as an intense examination of Tier I Instruction across classrooms. He has prioritized ongoing professional development for his staff, along with individual coaching methods. Before his time as principal at Cheney High School, Hale spent 10 years as an assistant principal with stops at Mt. Spokane and Rogers high schools, with experience rooted in both Student Services and Teaching and Learning. Prior to his transition to administration, he spent over a decade as a science teacher, beginning his career at Kennewick High School in 1999. 

Hale holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Eastern Washington University with a Master of Science in Education from Walden University and a Principal Certification, also from EWU.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve the students, staff, and families of Cheney Public Schools as Assistant Superintendent,” Hale said. “I have absolutely loved my time serving the Cheney High School community, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside my colleagues, albeit in a different role, but with the same goal of supporting all students. I believe in this district, and I am excited for the next chapter.”

 

 

Sometimes, it takes a series of connections–and perhaps coincidences–to create meaningful opportunities. For Cheney High School FFA advisor and CTE teacher Heather Nelson, community connections and personal partnerships led to a real-world business opportunity for her floral design and project management students.

“We’ve had a relationship with AgWest for a number of years, and they have helped us with contests, providing judges, and industry feedback on the work that we’re doing in FFA,” Nelson said. “I’ve also had an opportunity to work with a couple of their members–like, I’ve had their children in class. They’re very involved in the community, so we’ve worked on a couple of committees together.”

These connections with AgWest created a familiarity between CHS FFA and the agriculture lending cooperative, but the final serendipitous moment fell into place when Nelson’s husband, Danny, took a work call. The Hero Event Support owner was contracted by AgWest for their 2025 holiday party at the Davenport Grand Hotel, and when event details were being finalized, centerpieces came up in conversation—opening the door for a unique collaboration.

“...it was an easy, ‘Oh, we can handle that for you!’, Nelson recounted. “They were very excited about the idea of FFA taking care of that for them.”

And so began the real-world business project for CHS students. Nelson appointed FFA officers and project management students Zoe Brown and Allison Lawrence to spearhead the project, and the pair used their FFA experiences and classroom knowledge to guide their business processes. With support and oversight from Nelson, the duo was responsible for designing the centerpieces, setting prices, and managing the logistics of delivery, consistent with what a contracted florist would be responsible for.

“[Zoe and Allison] have been working all year on Prom flowers, Homecoming, Senior Night for athletics, and some sales as part of that project management class,” Nelson said. “So [I knew] this would be a great project for them. It also gave me an opportunity to involve my classes.”

Nelson provided a photo of the event space, a ballroom at The Davenport Grand Hotel, and the process of designing and creation began. The holiday-inspired design included a variety of greenery, white decorative pine cones, and some accents of blue and silver sparkle in a roundy-moundy arrangement. A professional florist would typically require a few months notice for an event this size; Nelson and her students had just under two weeks.

CHS floral design students started building centerpieces on Monday, December 15 with the final event scheduled for Thursday, December 18. Nelson showed an example of a completed centerpiece and explained the requests and requirements of the client, while Lawrence and Brown were on hand to provide assistance and additional expertise.

“It’s crazy to me that I’m doing this as an eleventh grader, that I’m doing something so big,” Lawrence said. “Going hand-in-hand, meeting these people. Like, they can help me in my future. It’s crazy.”

“[This project] really gives legitimacy to what we’re doing,” Nelson said. “You tell the students, it’s not really my opinion. I am using industry standards to grade these things, evaluate, and give you feedback. When you can actually offer them a project like this, this was an order with a certain set of criteria, they all have to look the same…It did seem to create some excitement with the kids. The idea that they were creating something that I was actually going to sell. They get this little experience of being a professional florist.”

After three days of crafting and finalizing the centerpieces, Nelson–along with Lawrence and Brown–delivered them to the Davenport Grand on the morning of December 18. They set out all 75 of the centerpieces on tables across the ballroom and added a garland to the stage.

“It’s surreal,” Brown said. “If you would have ever asked me as a freshman if I would have been doing that, I would have told you no. It’s an amazing experience.”

Unbeknownst to Nelson and her students, AgWest planned to acknowledge the Cheney High School students and FFA for their role in creating the centerpieces. Nelson, who was able to attend the event, noted that every centerpiece was accompanied by a placard that read, “Centerpieces crafted by Cheney FFA.”

“That was really cool to see us represented on every single table in that room,” Nelson said. “Then, they mentioned us during the program several times, so it was really cool.”

“What excites me most is probably seeing these major people in our Ag business, seeing these [centerpieces] and being like, ‘Oh, these high schoolers made this?!’,” Lawrence said. “They’re looking at the next generation that’s going to be filling those spots.”

The opportunity for real-world business experience like this is something Nelson hopes will continue, with partners like AgWest and others around the community and region. It not only provides real-world business experience for Cheney High School students, but it can foster learning opportunities that are not so easily created inside a classroom.

“I look forward to more students taking advantage of the opportunity to take on projects that are meaningful to them,” Nelson said. “...I am just so pleased with the amount of growth that I’ve seen over this term in terms of organization, follow through, and leadership from [Allison and Zoe]. It’s been fantastic.”