535 S Columbia River Hwy, Ste B, St Helens, OR 97051 (opens in a new tab) (503) 397-1490
Order Online (opens in a new tab)
powered by BentoBox (opens in a new tab)
535 S Columbia River Hwy, Ste B, St Helens, OR 97051 (opens in a new tab) (503) 397-1490
Main content starts here, tab to start navigating

Standing in Solidarity with St Helens High School Students

a close up of a sign

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." -Nelson Mandela

On Friday, November 15th, 2024, Village Inn was featured on KGW Live that night at 6:00pm PST. We hosted a live showing of the high school's board meeting that night in our banquet room. Thankfully there was enough space to fit as many students, parents, and overall the general public who wanted to view the showing that night. There was even some people spilling out of the banquet room as the volume grew throughout the night. This was a time when everybody needed each other the most; this includes the assurance that local businesses stood with St. Helens High School students and the parents.

A packed audience in a theater, focused on a film being projected on a big screen in a darkened room A large group of individuals in a room, engaged in watching 

A crowded room filled with people, some posing for a camera while others engage in conversation A diverse crowd of people seated in a dimly lit room, attentively watching a movie on a large screen

What happened prior of Friday night was that an SHHS Audition Choir mom reached out to our general manager on Thursday night. The mom expressed how she wanted to plan something fun for the kids, in hopes of them having something to look forward to amidst all the chaos and unknowns. We loved her idea of a karaoke night for the students and of course wanted to be part of it. Fortunately, a known local favorite, Jessica Dawn, was available and was more than happy to provide her services and time as the karaoke host. For that same week we shared this news on social media, hoping this opportunity could provide any glimmer of light for the students. Word spread around fast, and many people were already expressing interest in this, so we knew we would need adult chaperones for that night. So on Saturday night, November 16th, 2024, we hosted the event "SHHS Karaoke Party" from 5:00 - 8:00pm. Without knowing how many people, especially students themselves, would attend, the whole lounge ended up being filled that night with support, love, and some grieving, yet voices and hearts sang out. We also created a custom menu for the students to fully enjoy.

We will always confidently stand with you, St. Helens High School students. Also, students of all grades within our local community and Columbia County in general. We are proud to service this community.