Umatilla’s eighth graders will get room to learn in comfort

By Terry Murry on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

UMATILLA – The Umatilla School District is purchasing new desks for eighth grade language arts students at Clara Brownell Middle School thanks to an $8,000 grant from the Wildhorse Foundation.

School officials say the current fixed desks don’t accommodate many of the taller students.

“Students often have to sit far back from their workspace or slump forward with their legs extending into the aisle,” Umatilla School District spokesperson Lizzy Burres wrote in a news release. “With the new desks, students will have a more supportive and comfortable learning environment that helps them stay engaged and better able to succeed.

Umatilla High School’s Tina Ridings helped write the grant request and she expressed her gratitude to Wildhorse.

“Their partnership and investment in our schools is an investment in our community and our students’ futures,” she said. “We are truly grateful.”