Wasco Is a pyramid of positivity

Wasco Is, a popular social media platform on Facebook and Instagram whose mission is to promote all that is good in Wasco, celebrates six years online this month. Since its inception, it has grown to be a valuable resource for the community, providing news and sharing stories of success.

Community activist Sharon Sharp is the founder.

"I started Wasco Is because I wanted to have a place where we could share about all the good things that happen in Wasco."

Between both Facebook and Instagram, there are almost 10,000 followers.

Her audience is people that live in Wasco and those former Wasconians that like to stay in touch.

On the sites, one can find information on local events and about Wasco churches, schools, nonprofits, clubs and fundraisers, to name a few.

"It's a place where we celebrate, for example, the successes of youth athletics, a middle school concert, someone's business, City Council meetings – anything that is positive you can find here."

She said she is happy that people have embraced her vision and believes the convenience of accessing important information in one place as a starting point is helpful.

"Instead of visiting 15 social media pages, you can go to Wasco Is to get a full idea of what is taking place in Wasco and then follow those pages from there."

Sharp tries to keep Wasco Is fresh and useful to its followers.

"One thing I recently brought back from pre-covid is having a calendar of events. It has school board meetings, high school football games, community meetings and pretty much anything I can find that is going on in Wasco I put on the calendar."

New this year is also posting op-ed articles written by Wasco High School seniors.

"Highlighting the student's stories on Wasco Is has been one of my favorite parts. Now you have students that can see their writing featured in a media outlet."

Sharp came up with the platform name after much thought and prayer.

"I decided to go with 'Wasco Is' because it's about what Wasco is. God put it in my ear. It was not a grandiose name, but so simple and perfect."

She is grateful for the last six years serving the community.

"Thank you to Wasco for supporting Wasco Is and all the people that follow, like or share. I am thrilled an audience finds it encouraging and informative."