Students from Our Savior’s Christian, Salem Academy, Santiam Christian, Western Christian, and Willamette Valley Christian came together on April 11, 2025 to compete for the 3rd-4th and 5th-6th grade division titles of the all-school SALT Tournament, hosted by Salem Academy. Congratulations to all of the participants for another fantastic year filled with exciting skirmishes and memories.
2025 Tournament Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 SALT tournament. Well done!
3rd & 4th Grade Champions
Santiam Christian, Book Wyrms (Logan, William, Irene, Ellie, Audrey)
5th & 6th Grade Champions
Salem Academy, The Continental Cat Congress (Sigrid, Jason, David, and Finn)
Duman Award Winner: Reagan Ramirez
Congratulations to Reagan Ramirez, our 2025 Duman Award winner from Santiam Christian!
We ask for coaches from each school to nominate one student who shines their light brightly for Jesus by always showing kindness, encouragement, and good leadership skills. This year’s Duman Award winner, Reagan, stood out among the nominees. This is what Reagan’s coach had to say…
“I am honored to nominate Reagan Ramirez for the 2025 Duman Award, as she truly embodies the qualities it represents. A quiet yet powerful leader, she consistently shines her light for Jesus through her kindness, encouragement, and unwavering support for others. She is the first to recognize the strengths and value in her peers, always uplifting and inspiring those around her. With a heart full of selflessness and determination, she approaches SALT and every challenge she faces with grit and a willingness to work hard, not for personal recognition, but for the success of those around her. Whether through her dedication to preparation, eagerness to collaborate, or steady encouragement, Reagan is a shining example of what it means to lead with faith, humility, and love.”
The Duman Award was established as a way to honor our beloved teacher Trisha Duman who passed away in 2018. She loved being part of SALT, and her passing left us with a forever hole in our hearts. This is an award we give to honor her memory. Trisha had many amazing characteristics, but she was best known for her kindness.
Partial Book List for 2025-2026
We’re excited to announce the first 8 books on our 2025-2026 reading list:
- Beneath the Swirling Sky by Carolyn Leiloglou
- Book of Luke NIV Bible
- Jim Elliot: One Great Purpose by Janet & Geoff Benge
- Pax by Sara Pennypacker
- Poppy by Avi
- The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling
- The Enormous Egg by Oliver Butterworth
- The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney
You can find details about the first 8 books here on the website. Watch for the remaining books to be announced this Fall. The eighth season of SALT will be here before we know it. Happy reading!
The Red Pencil
AUTHOR: Andrea Davis Pinkney
GENRE: Poetry, Historical Fiction, War, Fiction, Cultural
SUMMARY: Finally, Amira is twelve. Old enough to wear a toob, old enough for new responsibilities. And maybe old enough to go to school in Nyala—Amira’s one true dream. But life in her peaceful Sudanese village is shattered when the Janjaweed arrive. The terrifying attackers ravage the town and unleash unspeakable horrors. After she loses nearly everything, Amira needs to dig deep within herself to find the strength to make the long journey—on foot—to safety at a refugee camp. Her days are tough at the camp, until the gift of a simple red pencil opens her mind–and all kinds of possibilities.
The Enormous Egg
AUTHOR: Oliver Butterworth
GENRE: Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction
SUMMARY: Young Nate Twitchell is surprised when one of the hens on his family farm lays a giant egg. After a painstaking wait, Nate is even more surprised when it hatches and out pops a baby triceratops that he names Uncle Beazley! But when Nate decides to keep the dino and raise it on his own, he has no idea what he’s getting himself into. As Uncle Beazley grows, Nate and his family realize they are not equipped to take care of a full-sized dinosaur, and so with the help of their scientist friend, Nate and Uncle Beazley set off for the National Museum in Washington, D.C., on the hunt for the perfect home for a modern-day dinosaur–then the real trouble begins!
The Chocolate Touch
AUTHOR: Patrick Skene Catling
GENRE: Fiction, Fantasy, Humor
SUMMARY: In this zany twist on the legend of King Midas and his golden touch, a boy acquires a magical gift that turns everything his lips touch into chocolate! Kids will eat this up for summer reading or anytime! Can you ever have too much of your favorite food? John Midas is about to find out…. The Chocolate Touch has remained a favorite for millions of kids, teachers, and parents for several generations. It’s an enjoyable story that pulls in even reluctant readers.
Poppy
AUTHOR: Avi
GENRE: Fantasy, Fiction, Adventure
SUMMARY: At the very edge of Dimwood Forest stood an old charred oak where, silhouetted by the moon, a great horned owl sat waiting. The owl’s name was Mr. Ocax, and he looked like death himself. With his piercing gaze, he surveyed the lands he called his own, watching for the creatures he considered his subjects. Not one of them ever dared to cross his path…until the terrible night when two little mice went dancing in the moonlight…