By JOHN IWASAKI
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Like the rest of Kitsap County, Port Orchard has been affected by the shrinkage of shipyard jobs in Bremerton, and efforts to develop a small industrial park have had with little success.

Economics played a role in the rejection of three straight levies in recent years in the South Kitsap School District before a measure finally passed.

School officials say residents are otherwise highly supportive of education, pointing to thousands of volunteer hours, parent participation in advisory committees and turnout at school events.

"I think kids here can get a quality education," says Tish Iwaszuk, whose youngest child will be her fourth to go through the system. "I think parents will get involved to make kids stay on track."

Iwaszuk is volunteer coordinator at South Kitsap High, a massive brick structure that holds so many students the halls can come to a literal standstill.

While sophomore Joel Emans, 15, knows his school is enormous, Port Orchard itself is "a small town trying to be big."

"It's laid back," adds junior Kelsey Sage, 17. "Not as hickville as people think."

Sophomore Drew Tetrick, 16, says that in other states in which he has lived a journey to the wrong part of town could spell danger. That's not a problem in Port Orchard because "there's only one part of town -- and it's pretty safe," he says.

Those comforting thoughts are shared by waitress Shirley Dobbs at Myhre's Restaurant, a smoky Bay Street institution displaying historic photos of Port Orchard in the era of dirt roads.

"What I like about the community are old and young people moving toward the future," she says after refilling a coffee cup. "There's a lot of history here. We've gone through some wars. But the community is still trying to be the same community."