Amplifier 2022-2023 Fall Edition (Volume 103 - Issue 1)

Amplifier West Linn High School

West Linn, Ore. / Volume 103 / Issue 1 / Fall 2022

SPOTLIGHT Student activities take center stage

SPOTLIGHT Amplifier West Linn High School 5464 West A. Street West Linn, OR 97068 503-678-7800 wlhs-amplifilifier@wlhs.wlwv.k12.or.us wlhsNOW.com AUDREY LIPPERT print editor-in-chief HELENA ERDAHL coverage editor-in-chief KARINA ROWER web editor-in-chief LILY GOTTSCHLING copy editor-in-chief SYDNEY MCCRONE social media editor JOSEPH MURPHY photography editor KAELYN JONES student life editor Staff Reporters: CHIARA ARENDT ELI BALLESTEROS KENNY CORBETT VIOLET DACHTLER RACHEL HAN EDIE HIMMER FINN HOWELL MOLLY LUNDSTROM JUSTINE PAHSLEY EDEN PEPOS NOA RICHARDSON LILY SEWELL PRESTON WELLER BENJAMIN WILLIAMS CYNTHIA YODER TWITTER: @wlhsNOW FACEBOOK: @westlinn.amplifier INSTAGRAM: @wlhsNOW YOUTUBE: wlhsNOW

The Amplifier is published quarterly by the West Linn High School journalism class. Opinions expressed in the commentaries and editorials represent those of the writer, and are not necessaarily the opinions of West Linn High School, its administration, faculty, staff or student body.

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THE AMPLIFIER • FALL 2022

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS As the spotlight falls onto a new generation of students whose time in school was interrupted by a pandemic, we look to a future in which that label no longer defines us. As we cut ourselves free from the limitations imposed on us by the time we grew up in, the steps we take begin to pave the way for the new opportunities that have grown from the hardships of the last three years.

Moving forward is inevitable and we, as a staff, want our issue to reflect this.

We not only want to address the ways our world is returning to normal, but also the ways it’s changed and how we as a staff are being influenced by these changes. Three years ago we were still a newspaper publication, three years ago we had just two editors-inchief, three years ago we had just 12 people on our staff. Today, all of that is different.

Over the course of a year, our staff has become a group of reporters who aspire for innovation and honesty in their storytelling. With photography becoming one of the prominent methods of reporting, and social media coming to the forefront of our coverage, alternative forms of media have been the theme of the year thus far. Our editorial board has grown from five to seven, and our staff from 12 to 21.

This edition covers a variety of student related issues from a student

perspective, and keeps the coverage close to home. While global coverage is important, throughout the years we have realized that there are certain stories that can only be told by students, and that is why our student media publication exists. We were not created 103 years ago to write about things happening in Los Angeles or interview people that live in Switzerland, the Amplifier was created to give students a voice and to allow them to discuss issues that directly affect them.

While we discuss the pandemic in this letter there is not an ounce of COVID-19 in our coverage. Instead we focus on student interests like fall favorites and student-led projects like Breast Cancer Awareness and Sources of Strength. Our cover features Evan McCreary, a senior with a penchant for performing arts and community activism. Though McCreary has only been a part of our school community for a brief period, his impact will remain for years to come through the organizations he has been a part of.

As the limelight centers on a new generation of staffers, we hope to guide them in a helpful and productive way that will leave our program better equipped to handle any challenges they may encounter in the future.

Sincerely and truly, Your editors,

Audrey Lippert

Helena Erdahl

Karina Rower

Lily Gottschling

CONTENTS 04

Sources for change

Has the trend cycle gone too far?

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The journey to districts

Falling into a new routine

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16

Pretty in pink

14

Evan McCreary’s curtain call

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Teacher to the core

Parking within the lines

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10

Fall favorites

A new generation of girls

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06

22

Keep Portland green

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Is true crime media ready to be killed off?

Music media: biopics vs. documentaries

28

Every rose has its thorn

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Sources for CHANGE With the support and connection of the school’s community, Sources of Strength brings students and teachers together to help one another in a positive manner.

BY RACHEL HAN staff reporter tudying, avoiding missing assignments, fitting into a friend group, and experiencing adolescence could all be factors that contribute to stress in high school. Oct. 28 marks the end of the first quarter in the 2022-23 school year. Students may feel emotions like being overwhelmed, frustrated, or worried. There are different ways to keep a balance between school and maintaining good mental health.

Sources of Strength is a suicide prevention program that connects a community of students and adults.

The program’s mission is to make sure that nobody gives up during troubling times. It provides a way for the school to support one another as

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a community, and to help each other.

This mission is upheld by activities hosted by Sources of Strength. Last year, students were invited to bring their family or close friends for a game and movie night. This allowed students to spend time with others that support them.

Greg Bean works as a guidance counselor for students. The counseling staff work together to uphold the program at school.

“I think for me, [Sources of Strength] is about normalizing that it’s okay to have stress,” Bean said.

“It’s okay for things to be hard. And it’s also okay to work through things.

We’re hoping that by having Sources of Strength in the building, students recognize that they have support and their own strengths to count on in

order to help them through tough times.”

This is the second full school year where the program has been implemented into the district.

When Sources of Strength was first introduced in 2019, it was cut short due to quarantine by COVID-19. Last year was considered to be the first full school year using the program. But with adjustments while returning from online school, obstacles held its part in the club’s meetings.

“I think last year was very difficult for a variety of reasons. Some of it was finding a place that we could be consistently communicating with everybody about where to be,” Bean said.

Cheryl Wilson is the school’s social worker and the outreach specialist.

FROM A STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE Imo Udoh, senior, is a student member of Sources of Strength. In this interview she shares her personal hopes, ideas, and feelings about the program.

Photos by Rachel Han

She is also the staff adviser of Sources of Strength.

“What I hope that we get to achieve is that we get the word out that everyone is connected in our community,” Wilson said. “The biggest piece about Sources of Strength is this community that’s out there.”

Learning from setbacks, Sources of Strength meetings will be different this year. The goal is to have meetings in the black box of the Performing Arts Center every other week. That is where the counseling staff and students will be planning and executing the activities for students.

“What we’ll be doing is a combination of things: We’re going to be creating campaigns and educating and working with all of the other clubs in the building. Healthy activities, ways of connecting that can help bring strength to our community,” Wilson said.

So far this year, a large number of students showed up to the Sources of Strength meetings.

This allowed more students to interact with the program.

“We had roughly 69 youth show up to our first kickoff day,” Wilson said. “And I feel like that those 69 kids, whether all of them stay or all of them don’t stay, they were exposed to understanding how to use Sources of Strength,” Wilson said.

The inclusion of clubs in Sources of Strength was also a new aspect that was mentioned for upcoming meetings.

“One of our big ideas this year is to really connect with the club system and the ASB and collaborate with them and connect with them on what the big meaning of Sources of Strength is,” Wilson said. “And we feel like that is going to have a bigger impact with our whole community and our whole culture at school.”

Students can find more information about Sources of Strength and other mental health resources from their counselors. Bean and Wilson are two of the staff members that can help support students. More information about campaign and activity updates can be found on the Instagram account: @wlhssourcesofstrength.

RH: How long have you been a part of Sources of Strength?

IU: This is my second year in Sources of Strength.

RH: What does Sources of Strength mean to you?

IU: Sources of Strength, to me, is just a group of people who want to cultivate a strong community so that people feel like they can reach out to anyone in the school. Because we should be trying to create a place where no one should feel isolated enough to the point that they feel like they have to harm themselves in any way or feel alone. It’s just to remind people that there are people around the school who are willing to support them and still care about them regardless of the relationship to them.

RH: What made you interested in first joining Sources of Strength?

IU: Um, at first they kind of just pulled [me] aside in a, like, secretive manner. But I think I stayed because I just thought what they were doing [was] good and I wanted to see it grow as an organization in our school.

RH: Do you believe that this program genuinely helps the school’s community and the students?

IU: I think that it has the potential to help students across the school, like a lot of students might not know about what Sources of Strength actually does. So once we change that narrative on what it actually is, I think that’s when it’ll really start taking effect on the school.

RH: What are you looking forward to in the school year regarding Sources of Strength?

IU: Well, we’re just gonna start trying to change people’s perspective on the actual group. And then like, plan events and try and do community building by emphasizing the “sources of strength” in our lives, such as family, friends, healthy activities, and just things that make us feel strong.

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Has the trend cycle gone too far?

Students examine the changing speed of trends, personal style and staples that will last lifetimes.

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BY HELENA ERDAHL coverage editor-in-chief

tudents examine the changing speed of trends, personal style and staples that will last lifetimes.

Fashion is often viewed as a facet of self expression. People can communicate their identity through the colors, shapes, and designs they favor. Throughout history, social and political movements have been led through clothes and outward expression. Fashion can be seen as one of the most important parts of a successful culture and people.

In some ways it can communicate cultural significance, and what people care about.

This is why the hyper speed of trends perpetuated through social media can be seen as so concerning.

Social media apps such as TikTok and Instagram have perpetuated the speed of the trend cycle. The life of a trend has shortened significantly, with some aesthetics going “out of style” within a couple of weeks. In the

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THE AMPLIFIER • FALL 2022

past twenty years, Americans have doubled their textile waste on average, from seven million to 14 million tons, 80 pounds per person according to roadrunnerwm.com. This has caused concern for the environmental impacts as the trend cycle shortens. Autumn Gallagher, junior, understands the severity of overconsumption.

it, it’s probably not because you like it.

It’s probably because it’s trendy.”

Trends conceptually are natural, and can be seen as beneficial to culture. It represents a change in what we value, in social systems, and many more impacts. But is the hyper speed of trends helpful to our culture?

Liam Cooley, senior, holds the opinion that trends are not necessary to have in a culture.

“I think it’s interesting to see how trends put people in the direction of knowing about fashion but I think people need to hopp less on trends and more on self expression and figure out what they actually like themselves,” Cooley said.

Gallagher views trends as influential to culture, but has some limitations.

“I think that [trends] are very fleeting,” Gallagher said. “And I think that fashion trends are super influential. They can only be

I think it’s interesting to see how trends put people in the direction of knowing about fashion but I think people need to hopp less on trends and more on self expression and figure out what they actually like themselves,” -Liam Cooley “I think it’s super impactful on the environment because these people are buying these fast fashion pieces that aren’t going to last because they bought them cheap,” Gallagher said.

“The trend isn’t going to be very popular in two or three weeks, so you’re gonna stop wearing that item because if you’re so fast to purchase

Photos by Helena Erdahl

Autumn Gallagher(left), Arsen Meagher(middle), Grace Novak(right), and Liam Cooley(bottom right), are all featured in this article sharing their views on fashion, overconsumption, and clothing items that can last for years.

influential to a certain demographic of people. You know what I mean? Like, fashion trends are only really super influential to people who are really conscious of them.”

While fashion trends can be fleeting, they can also live a longer life span.

This is rarer today because of the progression of fast fashion, but there are still some items that are seen as long lasting fashion statements. These are items that can stay relevant for years, and even decades to come. They are seen as items that you can grow old with, and eventually give to people in your life. The rise of long lasting, truly meaningful items of self expression can be seen as more valuable than a five dollar tee shirt that will fall apart after one wear.

Arsen Meagher, senior, sees accessories as one of those truly substantial items.

“I see bracelets and rings lasting a long time, just because it gives more of a use more volume to your [outfit] and rings can be a personal thing[significance] too,” Meagher said.

One way to ensure that you’ll keep the clothes you buy for a long time is to develop a personal style. This task is daunting, as it is challenging to pinpoint what styles you see yourself wearing for a long time. But there are some

steps you can take to make this task less challenging. Grace Novak, senior, shares her view on the subject.

“Follow what you’re naturally inclined to without judging yourself in a way like if you see something and it sparks interest, [and] really then go forward immediately and don’t let any other factors come into your mind,” Novak said. “Like oh, it’s out of style, just kind of like trust your instincts.”

“Don’t be scared to wear what you want to wear,” Meagher said. “Just wear what you want. If they[other people] judge you, they judge you and it doesn’t matter.”

STUDENT LIFE

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The JOURNEY to

DISTRICTS

BY JUSTINE PASHLEY staff reporter

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udrey Jacklyn, senior, is one of the team captains of the girl’s cross country (XC) team. Both the girl’s and boys’ teams are within the top four of their league, they both have a chance at making the state meet. To guarantee a spot, they would have to place first or second in the Three Rivers League (TRL) district meet.

“I think that the boy’s team will most definitely go to state because they’ve done really well in their league,” Jacklyn said.

The girl’s XC team has different challenges for getting to state, and for the probability of them continuing into this competition.

“We could go to state if we get second,” Jacklyn said. “Then definitely, but if we get third we would have to depend on a wildcard which isn’t a guarantee to state.”

Cross country is broken down into two teams, the boy’s team and the girl’s team. Cross country, like golf and singles tennis, is more of an individual sport. It relies on your personal best rather than how good you can do while working

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THE AMPLIFIER • FALL 2022

Photo by Joseph Murphy

Audrey Jacklyn, senior, is the captain of the girl’s cross-country team .“I think cross country is more of an individual sport even though it is a team sport. It is kind of like a personal journey, I’d say,” Jacklyn said.

together. In cross country, you don’t get points as a whole team instead, instead, each team member gets points, which add up to a team score.

“Everyone has to have a solid race,” Jacklyn said. If one person has a really good race, but then another scoring runner doesn’t have a great race, then the team wouldn’t do as well as if everyone had a solid race.”

In cross country, you are ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and so on, based on your time compared to the other runners, and the points are handed out by that ranking.

“If someone gets first place they get one point, and whichever team has the least amount of points in the end wins,” Jacklyn said.

Both teams are trying to return to the state meet after missing out last season.

“I think it would be a really awesome opportunity for runners to have somewhere else to compete at an even higher level,” Jacklyn said. “I think for West Linn’s crosscountry program, it would be really awesome too because last year, neither team made it to state. There were a few individuals that qualified,

but as a team, we didn’t make it so it’d be really a step up if we made it this year.”

There’s a lot of time that goes into making it to state or even just becoming a runner-up for state.

“We have a meet once a week on average, and then we have invitational meets which are kind of like a combination of teams in different leagues,” Jacklyn said. ”Then we have league meets which are just the teams in the Three Rivers league. League meets give you an idea of where you stand and then districts are the big and important meet at the end of October. We race against the teams in our league and then the teams who will go to state are decided.”

Since cross country is a team sport that relies on each team member to give 100% at all times. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to stay in top shape and to be able to do your absolute best.

“I think just working hard when you’re running but learning how to take care of your body with nutrition, sleep and hydration and knowing yourself and what your pace is,” Jacklyn said. “But you also need to be able to push yourself.”

IS IT REALLY

THE END? T

Halloween Ends at Hilltop Theater in Oregon City, Or. Photo by Cynthia Yoder.

BY CYNTHIA YODER staff reporter

he new Micheal Meyers movie “Halloween Ends,” released on October 14, 2022, is the 13th movie of the ‘Halloween movie series. The film follows the story of Laurie Strode and her grandaughter Allyson Nelson trying to overcome the darkness that has nailed them down for many years.

A new character is brought into the film Halloween ends. Corey Cunningham desires two things the granddaughter of Laurie and murder.

Corey’s accidental first murder begins with a spoiled boy named Jeremy. He decides to pull and funny prank on Corey by locking him in the attic. When Jeremys’ parents arrive home, Corey kicks down the door leading the boy to fall down the stairs to a bloody death.

Once released from jail he runs into some teenagers giving him a hard time at a gas station. Laurie comes over and orders them to go away. She introduces herself to Corey not knowing she’s about to get her and her granddaughter into one big bloody mess.

After Corey’s first accidental murder he starts to develop a thirst for blood.

He runs into Michel Meyers after being dragged into the sewer drain where he’s been hiding. When he awakens Michel Meyers attacks him but Corey then convinces him to work together. Now there are two serial killers on the loose.

Corey Cunningham kills a total of 11 people in Halloween Ends. His 12th attempt was at Laurie but she was smart and tricked him into falling down the stairwell just like his first victim. However, he survives this fall but then stabs himself in the neck in hopes of tricking Allyson into thinking her grandmother did it. His plan fails as Michel Myeres enters the scene snapping Corey’s neck and going after Laurie to finish it once a for all.

Laurie and Allyson both survive the killers however the killers do not. The movie wraps up with the edging line of Laurie writing on her computer “I said goodbye to my boogeyman, but evil takes on many different shapes.”

STUDENT LIFE

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Falling into a new routine

Photo by Violet Dächtler

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THE AMPLIFIER • FALL 2022

An overview of autumn activites in the Portland metro area

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BY LILY SEWELL staff reporter

utumnal beauty is in abundance in the Portland metro area and the activities do not fall short. As the leaves start to change their colors and pumpkin spice lattes become the current drink of choice, it is clear that fall is upon us. The arrival of fall in Portland brings us plenty of things to do and see.

Besides the weekly football games, the city provides us with many autumn activities and sights. Olivia Trobetsky, senior, has fully submerged herself into everything fall.

“Fall is no doubt my favorite season,” Trobetsky said. “I love watching the leaves gradually change colors, fall, and eventually crunch under my feet.”

Trobetsky has already done some of her fall bucket list activities.

A bucket list being a list of goals, dreams, and aspirations. Things you want to do. She has been crossing off activities one by one.

“I think my favorite thing to do is go to Trader Joe’s and buy all of the fall edition foods,” Trobetsky said. “I also enjoy going into Portland and going to Powell’s.

Buying books and hanging out in Portland has always seemed so fall to me.”

Like Trobetsky, Morgan Stuart, senior, also enjoys spending her fall time in Portland.

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“I really like just being outside whether that’s having lunch with friends on Hawthorne or going on a hike at Mt. Tabor,” Stuart said.

“Fall is so pretty, I just have to spend my weekends among it.”

Thrifting is also a big activity for Stuart. Portland provides a good amount of thrifting locations which are hot among high school students.

“I like getting boba at Tea Chai Té and lunch at Sunny’s Pizza,” Stuart said. “Having everything so close makes the adventure into Sellwood even that much more fun.”

Clearly Portland has quite the selection when it comes to things to do in the fall with hikes, Powells, and thrifting, but there’s also plenty of activities to do locally too.

West Linn has a good amount of fall fun in store that you might not know about.

Anna Lyons, senior, tends to explore her fall options close to home.

“A lot of people know about Lees Farms but their pumpkin selection is unmatched, and their little store with donuts and apple cider is by far the best,” Lyons said. She also enjoys the haunted maze that Mary S. Young puts on close to Halloween. “The haunted maze is a classic. If you haven’t gotten to walk through it, you absolutely should.”

Taking a walk outside is not only a form of exercise. It can also be a way to connect with nature and the fall season, especially in a state known for its trees and their fall colors.

“Going for walks when the air is crisp and refreshing is the best time to go for walks,” Lyons said.

“Get outside and do something fun, our state is great for that.”

“I think my favorite thing to do is go to Trader Joe’s and buy all of the fall addition foods. I also enjoy going into Portland and going to Powell’s.

Buying books and hanging out in Portland has always seemed so fall to me.”

-Olivia Trobetsky “As the weather starts to change so does my wardrobe and I feel like I’m never prepared for it,” Stuart said. “A good solution to that is going thrifting. I think thrifting is super fun and quick, especially in Sellwood. There’s a lot to do in the area besides thrifting which makes the whole experience even better.

I really like the Goodwill Bins and Sellwood Union.”

After thrifting, Stuart enjoys the food and drinks offered in the area. Sellwood bustling mainstreet has boba, pizza, ramen, sushi, and ice cream options.

Besides food and drinks, they also have thrifting (Sellwood Union) and many little boutiques.

STUDENT LIFE

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Fall Favorites

BY MOLLY LUNDSTROM staff reporter

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ept. 21 marks the beginning of fall. Colder weather, cozy clothing, holdays, trees shedding leaves, and sports are just some of the things swept in with the season. Despite the gloomy weather, these changes can be something to look forward to and celebrate.

Daniel Blankenship, chemistry teacher, especially appreciates the weather change that fall brings.

“I like to see the changing leaf colors, that’s important to me,” Blakenship said. “I love the [variety of] color. I love the change of weather from the heat to the gray. “I like cold.

I like the return of the water because we need it. Then the water in turn feeds the plants and gives us all this green. So to me, it’s just invigorating.”

While the oranges, reds, and yellows that fall brings can be nice to look at, the weather brings other important things.

Rainy weather and gray skies provide the water we need for green plants to come back in the spring.

Along with weather changes, fall brings Halloween.

Halloween is many people’s favorite holiday, including Jessica Theurer. Theurer is a new English 10 teacher from out of state.

“I want my pumpkin spice latte, like, the second it comes out. It’s by far my favorite holiday, Halloween is just [for me],” Theurer said.

There are many ways people choose to celebrate Halloween. It could be staying up late, watching a scary

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movie, going to a party, wearing a costume, or even trick-or-treating.

“I really love horror movies. I love that slasher, bloody aspect of it. I really like being scared. I’ve always enjoyed the adrenaline rush of being scared, and haunted houses,” Theurer said.

But adrenaline-inducing scares aren’t the only ways people celebrate fall. Many people, including the Blakenships, have seasonal traditions they do with family or friends.

band t-shirts every day, including ones sporting the Dead Kennedys and Misfits. “‘Halloween’ by the Dead Kennedys reminds me of fall because my dad used to have a Dead Kennedys CD in the car,” Evertz said. “And that was my favorite song in the album at the time. So I would always listen to it on my fall playlists.”

Music can really bring up feelings of autumn. Another thing that can bring up autumnal feelings is comforting and warm foods that can counteract cold weather.

“Once it gets cold enough outside I [want] a warm cup of tea at the end of the night,” Theurer said. “Because I’m not in the mood for tea if it’s hot outside, right? So fall is, like, the first time I drink hot tea at night. I have this kind of spiced tea. It’s called Breathe Deep, I love it. It clears your chest so well.”

Food is one way to fight off the cold weather, but it will only get you so far. Another way to keep warm is by layering and wearing warmer clothes.

“I don’t usually get cold.

Even though it’s typically like 65 degrees in [my clasroom],” Blankeship said. “I’m good with that. But if I do, I’m going [with] fleece pajama pants, a Graphic by Rachel Han t-shirt and then a fleece jacket. “[My wife] Tanya usually makes us It’s my go-to.” go to a pumpkin patch,” Blankenship “I like scarves a lot,” Theuer said. “I said. “And it’s tradition, it makes have a really short hair so scarves are Tanya happy– therefore it makes me this kind of magical thing. I don’t even happy. And the corn maze, we do that need a coat, a hat or gloves. There’s as a family.” something really warm and comforting Another tradition that some people [about them].” follow in fall is listening to specific Fall may have already started, but it genres of music. Owen Evertz, is not over yet. sophomore, can be seen wearing

I have to say, surf music reminds me of fall, or maybe punk.

Some bands like The Cramps are kind of spooky themed, and some punk bands are too.

–Owen Evertz

THE AMPLIFIER • FALL 2022

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STUDENT LIFE

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Pretty in pink

Students honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month during annual football tradition

BY SYDNEY MCCRONE social media editor

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nder the blinding floodlights of the stadium, a sea of pink is captured in a montage of players, parents, and students. With a roaring crowd and a packed stadium, the school’s annual tradition has come back in full force.

Breast Cancer Awareness month is an internationally recognized health campaign hosted by charities around the world to raise funding and awareness for breast cancer organizations.

In Oct. of 1985, the American Cancer Society and the Imperial Chemical Industries hosted one of the first organized events in hopes of bringing attention to breast cancer and the people that it affects around the world.

After the weeklong event captured attention from the media, campaigns and organizations have been educating the public about prevention and early detection of the disease, as well as raising money to support research on a global scale.

To kick start the month of Oct., the Associated Student Body (ASB) has decorated the halls with posters, wrapping paper, and ribbons in pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On Oct.14, the school hosts their annual ‘pink out’ game, where the student section dresses from head

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to toe in pink clothing and collects donations for the local charity, Breast Friends.

In 2000, breast cancer survivors, Becky Olson and Sharon Henifin, co-founded Breast Friends to give patients a community in order to help reduce the fear that can come with diagnosis. . The organization of over twenty years consists of a team of professionals, as well as survivors and volunteers who organize fundraisers, luncheons, and patient programs in hopes of creating a supportive

people within our own communities.

The most significant risk factors for breast cancer include being a woman, getting older, and having a family history of breast cancer.

Learning about the signs of breast cancer at a younger age can be lifesaving. According to the American Cancer Society, the most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass, however, many women with breast cancer may experience other symptoms, or no symptoms at all. This is why doctors recommend regular breast screenings, both from individuals and from medical professionals.

Mammograms, low-dose x rays to help detect breast cancer, are the most common type of screening that you are recommended to get once you reach a certain age. However, mammograms don’t always detect breast cancer which is why it is important to be aware of your own body and to speak to your doctor if something feels abnormal.

To fundraise, ASB sold their annual pink out shirts for $8, and encouraged students to buy and wear them at the football game.

“We are going to be collecting donations and we normally take a big piece of duct tape and walk across the stands so people can stick money to it, and all of that goes to Breast Friends,” said Valerius. After passing the duct

We just want to take this week for everyone to wear pink and really unite in our West Linn Community to show that we are stronger together.

-Emma Valerius

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community for people who are or who have been fighting breast cancer.

Emma Valerius, sophomore ASB officer, helped organize the school’s fundraisers and awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“The more awareness we have about various diseases and sicknesses just helps us to be all the more conscious to make sure we’re staying healthy,” said Valerius.

According to the American Cancer Society, about one in eight women are at a high risk of developing invasive breast cancer in the course of their life.

This means that breast cancer is not an uncommon disease, and it affects

PHOTOS BY JOEY MURPHY

tape through the stadium, the school raised over $1,000 in support of breast cancer awareness.

“We just want to take this week for everyone to wear pink and really unite in our West Linn Community to show that we are stronger together,” said Valerius.

The front row of the student section dressed up in pink to support Breast Friends.

For more information about Breast Friends, scan the QR code to visit their website.

The cheer team celebrates after the football team won 63-14.

STUDENT LIFE 15

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van

McCreary’s

curtain call

BY KARINA ROWER web editor-in-chief

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ctors are taught that there are no small parts, only small actors.

In the case of Evan McCreary, senior, the rather significant roles he plays on and off the stage have done nothing but push him into the spotlight. From inaugurating the first ever Juneteenth celebration, to single-handedly getting books banned, Evan McCreary has shown versatility in every part he has taken.

Now, he is stepping further into the spotlight as copresident of Thespian Troupe 1915 and Black Student Union (BSU).

“Mostly, I feel just incredibly honored, privileged, and humbled to be given the opportunity to have these leadership positions,” McCreary said.

“And also to be able to create the change within these groups and make them better for those who come after me as well.”

After graduating from middle school, McCreary started high school in online school, and then transferred during his sophomore year. When he enrolled sophomore year, McCreary found Thespians as a way to get involved despite the limits of the COVID-19 pandemic and virtual classroom environments.

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THE AMPLIFIER • FALL 2022

“Making goals during [the pandemic] was personally just hard to do because not getting to interact with anyone was very disheartening and just unmotivating to make those goals,” McCreary said. “I just wanted to be the best student academically and challenge myself and I wanted to start being a part of extracurriculars in any way that I could, which was over Zoom unfortunately, and that’s when I joined Thespians and it became the highlight of my week.”

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That’s when I joined Thespians and it became the highlight of my week.

Students interested in joining Thespians Troupe 1915 and getting involved in upcoming productions can attend meetings Thursdays at lunch in the Black Box. “One of the important things that I wanted to stress is the community aspect of our club and just making sure that everyone who comes into the doors of the Black Box knows that they have a space there,” McCreary said. “This club is for anybody and everyone who wants to be a part of it, regardless of your stage experience, or even if you don’t like acting at all. [Thespians] is just a safe space for people

to come and meet some really great people.”

McCreary leads Thespians alongside co-president Hailey Cyphers, senior, and advisers Annie Kaiser and Steven Beckingham. Beckingham teaches Elements of Film, Directing for the Stage, and all levels of acting electives.

McCreary first met the teacher in his sophomore year taking Acting I. Now, he’s risen through his classes and is a student aide for Beckingham.

“Maybe it’s because I’ve had him for so long or maybe because of the way I feel our personalities clicked,” McCreary said. “But [Beckingham] is definitely that teacher that you just know you’re going to remember for the rest of your life.”

Last year, McCreary competed in Solo Acting at Oregon Thespians regionals, a category that requires participants to prepare two directly contrasting monologues, a type of script generally used in theater by actors as an audition piece.

The first monologue was from the perspective of a Black teenager who was a victim of police brutality, and the second from the lense of a white person negatively discussing the topic of racism in the U.S..

Though McCreary did not end up advancing to the state level to compete his monologues, the feedback he received from his audience made the risk pay off.

“I unfortunately didn’t win that but I did get some

compliments along the lines of changing people, and in the end, that is what matters more to me than any first place or second place,” McCreary said. “Initially my directors were nervous about me performing those pieces, but I feel not only as a performer but as a person, and as someone who identifies as a leader, it is my responsibility to use my platform in whatever shape or form to inspire change and growth and be thought provoking.”

Educating and leaving a legacy continued to be a priority for McCreary when he stepped into the position of BSU co-president. As a club for Black students, celebrating pertinent holidays to African-American culture was one way the club began to create new traditions, starting with celebrating and educating others about Juneteenth.

“I got to not only witness this kind of cultural and racial renaissance at

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school, but I also got to help foster conversations and opportunities for growth [as] part of BSU,” McCreary said. “We were able to get [BSU] going and just pick up momentum and we got to help plan and organize and then

to be able to look back on.”

As the curtains begin to close on McCreary’s senior year, his future plans are waiting in the wings. For higher education, he hopes to continue to study dramatic arts at schools such as the Juilliard School or the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, but McCreary is also considering a potential career in law, with a focus on representing marginalized groups.

“In a perfect world, I get to pursue my dream of being a performing artist in whatever shape or fashion that is,” McCreary said. “And I want to be able to continue to use my voice as an activist and performer and be able to raise awareness, create change, and foster opportunities for growth.”

“Matilda” will open in the Performing Arts Center on Nov. 3, with shows following on Nov. 5, 10, 11, and 12.

As someone who identifies as a leader, it is my responsibility to use my platform in whatever shape or form to inspire change and growth and be thought provoking.

Photo by Karina Rower

later run the first Juneteenth event in [West Linn]. I feel like I’ve gotten to be a part of something much bigger than myself here at West Linn so far. Now we’re at that point where we get to leave it to the underclassmen and I feel like that’s just a very powerful legacy

Thespians offers numerous activities throughout the year, ranging from community events to seasonal performances put on in the two venues of the Performing Arts Center (PAC), the auditorium and the Black Box. McCreary is in the ensemble for the fall musical “Matilda,” and plays a number of unique characters, including Sergei, a Russian mafia leader.

FEATURES

17

A new generation of girls

BY CHIARA ARENDT staff reporter lthough fall is considered the offseason for FRC 7034 robotics, the team is just getting started. At the end of Sept., the robotics team hosted a booth at the annual club fair to recruit more people to join the nationally ranked team.

Recently, the team hosted a event specifically for women and nonbinary students.

Lauren Gault, sophomore, is a part of the robotics team and works on the mechanical portion, where they control the physical construction of the robot.

“The event going on is an off season event called Girls Generation,” Gault said. “It’s basically a competition and it’s the same game as last season. But it’s just the drive team is all female.

It’s all girls and non-binary students in the drive team and in the pits, which is where we like to fix the robot when it inevitably breaks during the match.”

The team competes through an organization called For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST). FIRST releases a new game every year for high school robotics teams to compete against each other.

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“Basically, it’s a game,” Gault said.

“So every Jan., the first Saturday or something, we get a game. And then we have seven weeks to build a robot to play the game. And there are different ways to get points, things you can and can’t do. It’s just seven weeks to build the best robot you can and then you compete against other robots.”

The goal of “Girls Generation’’ is to allow girls and non-binary students

the past, there have been lingering gender key factors that play into this underrepresentation of women in the engineering field— gender stereotypes, a male-dominated culture, and fewer role models.

Gender stereotypes are usually developed throughout childhood through culture and traditions.

Young children are taught by their surroundings on what is more feminine and masculine, and what they should be a part of. In the past, the engineering field has been predominantly male, giving off the impression that engineering is a masculine “trait,” and implying that it would not be “acceptable” for girls to take part in engineering.

Claire Sousley, sophomore, also works in the mechanical field of the robot.

She has been involved in robotics since middle school, and that passion carried over into high school. Her older sister had competed before she graduated last year.

“It’s definitely a prominent issue we’re trying to deal with, especially with our camps,” Sousley said.

“We try to talk with our leadership teams and the team as a whole just about going the extra step to include females.”

In a male-dominanted field, it can be intimidating to want to join.

Although the role models for young

There’s really big leaders who were in the spotlight and in charge of stuff so that was really great as a freshman to see that and be able to be like ‘Oh yeah, [women working on robots] is normal.’

-Claire Sousley the chance to be on a drive team, or other aspects of the robot to get a better understanding of what a competition environment is like from a first hand perspective.

On Oct. 15, the FIRST Tech Challange (FRC) team won first and second place for both of the robots they entered into the competition, with almost all of the work done by the female and non-binary members of the team.

The engineering field in the past has been somewhat critcized in the past for the lack of female and nonbinary students participating. In

women are changing often now due to social media, there hasn’t really been a specific role model for women in the engineering field. When you think of role models, you would think Bella Hadid or Gigi Hadid for modeling, Elon Musk for the electrical car industry, etc. As the world of engineering is ever changing career wise, it is in our school environment “I mean there’s prominent female leaders in NASA, but even just last year, Maddie Matthews was our queen,” Sousley said. “There were so many leaders [Maddie Matthews, Sarah Talbert, Leah Culbertson, Lilyan

Frazier] who were such strong women who were super.”

Having women in the field to look up proved to be substantial in welcoming women onto the team.

When you have that “role model,” even if it is just a peer, it can create a welcoming environment for newcomers who are interested in participating in the team.

“I think the more girls that are on a team , the more girls that will join the team,” Gault said. “Because, like, if it’s an entire team of guys, and [if] you’re the first girl to join that’s going to feel uncomfortable but I think that now

that they’re more girls on the team, more girls will want to join.”

Because of last year’s leadership, they’re starting to see changes for the women’s interest to get involved in the program.

“There’s really big leaders who were like, able to be in the spotlight and in charge of stuff,” Sousley said. “So that was really great to me as a freshman to see that and be able to be like ‘Oh yeah, [women working on robots] is normal. This is what I should be striving to achieve.’”

Photo by Chiara Arendt

COMING EVENTS:

Want more? Want to get involved? Scan the QR code or go to wlhsfrc.com for more information and upcoming competition dates.

STUDENT LIFE

19

TEACHER TO THE CORE

BY JOSEPH MURPHY photography editor

Julie Guertin

I

t’s the first day of school, and teachers are getting ready to start their classes. However, one of these teachers isn’t making her way to a classroom but actually, the front office. This is Julie Guertin, firstyear coordinator and teacher for the West Linn-Wilsonville K-12 Online Academy (WKOA). This is the school’s online option for education that students can take.

Guertin taught in San Jose, California for a couple years, though she almost didn’t go to California to teach students.

“I got a phone call from West Linn High School,” Guertin said. “They basically said, ‘hey, do you want to come teach journalism here?’ And I already had my truck packed, and I was driving to San Jose when they called me. So I missed it 20 years ago.

I missed my chance.”

After her time in San Jose came to a close, Guertin found her path winding back to the front office’s direction.

“I wound up getting a job at Wilsonville, but [former principal Greg Nueman] called me on the same day

20 THE AMPLIFIER • FALL 2022

that the Wilsonville principal called me,” Guertin said. “They both called me. They were two hours apart. And in those two hours, I had already done the interview and decided to work at Wilsonville. So that’s twice I missed my chance.”

Though she has been a teacher for 20 years, Guertin’s eyes were originally set on journalism. Guertin got her bachelor’s degree in journalism at the University of Oregon.

Photos by Joseph Murphy

“I worked in television and in public relations,” Guertin said. “Then I decided to become a teacher because I couldn’t handle the day in and day out grittiness of [the] news. I have a career in technical education, so I did [Careers in Technical Education] for journalism, and then I was a teacher librarian. I did that for a couple years at Wilsonville. Then I kind of got into the online stuff during the pandemic,

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when I actually taught in the online academy.”

Teaching online education is different from in-person teaching. You aren’t actually with students, work is asynchronous, and teachers don’t actually “teach.” After having a full year of virtual classes already, most students have moved on to regular inperson classes, because they see it as a more beneficial education. However, there are some advantages when it comes to online education.

“A lot of the curriculum is already completed so I don’t have to think up what to teach, but it’s a lot of grading,” Guertin said. “It’s kind of fun, because I get to grade the Fashion Class, which is really interesting. I’m also grading classes like the early childhood education classes. I mean, there’s all kinds of interesting things. And that’s another advantage of the online program, is the electives that we get to offer.”

After two missed connections and 20 years of waiting, Guertin was added to the staff.

“It’s been really nice because I feel like this school is a really welcoming place,” Guertin said. “The staff seem really friendly and I already knew several people because I worked in the district before, so I’m not totally new.”

I feel like this school is a really welcoming place.

-Julie Guertin

New teachers share their experiences and why they took the job.

Michael Sugar

T

he bell has rung, and students are walking to the parking lots to get home. After another day of teaching students, teachers conclude their work day by cleaning up their classroom, in preparation for the next day. Then they head home, but not Michael Sugar. Instead, Sugar goes to the football field to organize fences and chairs along with making sure the football game goes smoothly.

Sugar teaches Modern U.S. History, World History, and Civics, as well as being an event manager for the school. This is Sugar’s first year in the state of Oregon after spending three years teaching in Washington D.C. and five years in South Carolina.

Our school welcomed 19 new teachers and staff this year, one of those teachers being Sugar. Out of those 19 teachers, he is the only one to do event managing in addition to his regular teacher work.

“It’s given me a better opportunity to connect with students who are involved in athletics,” Sugar said.

“I’ve connected with a lot of my

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students who are involved in these events as a result of it. I could have gone to the games anyway, but I don’t think I would make it to as many just because of time and money. For example, when I was teaching in South Carolina, I was also an Uber driver. Instead of spending my time earning extra money doing something off campus, I can do it here, which

builds the opportunities for that. So I’m grateful for the opportunity to get paid to do things that actually add to the school community instead of just some random thing.”

Though he has made connections with students, being a first year teacher creates extra challenges.

He has to get new health insurance and allergy shots, things that a new school requires of him. Though in the

classroom, while also moving into a new home, there are different hurdles.

“When it’s your first time teaching a class all the way through, you have to generate a lot of materials,” Sugar said. “[Which means creating] a lot of things and [doing] a lot [more] research than the second time through. It takes a lot more time to generate the lessons this year than it will take me, for example, next year.

There’s also things, like, because I just moved here from the east coast, occasionally there are surprises. For example, I have to take the afternoon off work on Thursday because it turns out the gas to my house isn’t working.”

Though the school cannot help with the needed adjustments to a new house, schools can help with other things.

“Both, you know, for kids and for the future, community was really important to me,” Sugar said. “I also just like some of the spirit, for example, the spirit week that we had out here. I love karaoke down there and just people have fun with learning here. I think that’s terrific.”

People have fun with learning here. I think that’s terrific.

-Michael Sugar FEATURES 21

[Word on the street]

PARKING WITHIN THE LINES

T

BY EDEN PEPOS staff reporter

he student to parking ratio has become a problem due to the increase in student population over the last few years. For 26 years most of the area surrounding the school has had a residential parking zone from 8am-3pm making it so students can not simply park on any street surrounding the school. The city of West Linn was even sued in 2018 due to the lack of parking. This was by a senior at the time, Rory Bialostoky. The parking has been a persistent complaint of students for years.

Katavia Sauer, sophomore, agrees with this sentiment.

“I get to school really early and park on the bridge,” Sauer said. “Like around 7:30 a.m. it is very inconvenient, especially since school days are long, it’s hard to get up early for that. I feel it’s just not helpful [for our education].”

The “bridge’’ Sauer is referring to is one of the places that allows students without designated spots to park in during the school day. There are two bridges over the 205

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freeway. One bridge on West A and another on Broadway Street, there are more parking spaces located on West A street and on Mckillican street.

This year over 100 parking spots were added in a new parking lot adjacent to the stadium. Even with the many delays building the new parking lot, it is finally being used for

Hutchinson said. “Especially for underclassmen.”

Currently students enter a lottery system for parking and priority is given by grade. This year there were only a couple passes left for juniors.

Jonathan Brauer, junior, drives to school everyday.

“Although parking should still be prioritized to seniors, we should definitely have a few more spots for juniors because I know a lot of juniors that drive and it’s a giant competition around 7 a.m. … where everyone shows up and stays in their car for an hour and a half just to have a good spot.” The city has lines drawn where non-residents are allowed to park however people often disregard the lines.

Joleah Estorja, sophomore hypothesized.

“When my mom went to high school here we didn’t have [parking] lines and now we do and people don’t use them,” Estorja said. “You could have five more cars parked if people park normally.”

The responsibility of students is to be on time to class and not face the new 2022 Tardy Policy.

When my mom went to high school here we didn’t have [parking] lines then and now we do and people do not use them. You could have five more cars parked if people park normally.

-Joleah Joleah Estorja student parking in the 22’-23’ school year. With the addition of the new parking lot all seniors are insured a spot.

Adelyn Hutchinson, sophomore added.

“I feel like it could be improved by having more designated spots or at least parking spots that could be assigned to more than just the seniors because parking runs out really quickly,”

This policy states that students with unexcused tardies and absences are not allowed to participate in OSAA ordained after school activities, specifically athletics. This does not just apply to getting to school but getting back from lunch. The lunch rush where students leave for lunch to go grab lunch off campus creating

another scramble for parking when they arrive back to the school. If students get back from lunch late they may be forced to find parking at the further places which can be up a seven minute walk from the school.

At this time the city or school has no new plans to change parking, so it may be up to the students to continue

to hunt down parking now and in the future. The district has hopes that the new Riverside High School will reduce the student population and this could have a ripple effect and reduce the need for student parking.

Photo by Eden Pepos

CURRENT EVENTS 23

Migration to extinction

I

n the last few decades,, deforestation has become an increasingly prominent problem.

According to the Food And Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 10 million hectares (about 25 million acres) of forest cover were lost from 2015-2020. One of the main causes of climate change is the spread of deforestation.

Historically forests provided a home for a variety of different species.

Deforestation is a problem across a variety of different species and families of animals.

One of the species that can be seen here in the Portland area are the Vaux’s Swifts. Swifts’ feet are designed differently from other birds.

Most birds have three talons in the front of their feet and one talon in the back, which allows them to hold onto power lines and tree branches.

Swifts however, have four talons in the front which means they can’t hold onto branches or power lines. Instead, they have to roost holding onto vertical walls.

Teresa Wicks is the Eastern Oregon Field Coordinator for The Audubon Society of Portland, a non-profit organization that focuses on environmental and wildlife conservation.

“When space to roost becomes less available in other places, that [causes] higher densities of swifts nesting in one place,” Wicks said.

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Photo by Finn Howell

I have loved birds since I can talk.

-Teresa Wicks

“[This] potentially increases the likelihood of issues associated with disease.”

Since deforestation has become a bigger issue, the swifts have had to change their roosting patterns.

“Historically, snags were seen as wasted space in a forest,” Wicks said. “They were removed after fires and insect outbreaks and things like that.

Every year, the Vaux’s Swifts migrate back to the same chimney at Chapman Elementary in Portland.

24 THE AMPLIFIER • FALL 2022

A lot of really important roosting habitats for Vaux’s Swifts were removed as part of cleaning up forests.”

The brick on the inside of older chimneys provide the texture they needed to cling to, giving them the protection they needed to roost safely.

Every year during the swift’s migration, the swifts come to stay at Chapman Elementary in Portland for about a week. At dusk, you can see thousands of birds flocking through the sky as they fly into the chimney at Chapman Elementary.

This chimney is one of the few left built with textured brick on the inside, which the swifts can cling onto. It has become a vital part of their migration route.

There are a lot of actions being taken to help with the swifts’ problem. One step was taken in 2016, where an artificial chimney was built by the Audubon Society in lieu of a firehouse that had been demolished. This firehouse was one of the key stops on the swifts migration route and when they took it away you could see thousands of swifts flocking in the sky where the firehouse should have been.

For more information on ways you can help, visit Portland Audubon’s website. There you can find various volunteering opportunities and events.

Photo by Kaelyn Jones

BY FINN HOWELL staff reporter

Keeping Portland green

BY KAELYN JONES lifestyle editor

P

ortland has a reputation for being one of the greenest cities. In 2020, a survey by the Portland government found that 29.8% of the city was covered by tree canopy— 27,637 acres of land.

With leaves often over 12 inches long, the bigleaf maple is a common sight in the Pacific Northwest. They’re one of the most common trees across Oregon and Washington, making up roughly 18% of total hardwood volume, second only to the red alder.

But as climate change continues to have effects worldwide, this may be changing.

In 2021, Portland broke heat records 3 times. Jim Hartmann, who teaches a variety of environmental science courses, knew that the heat wasn’t normal. “The three days leading up to [June 28] in 2021, we broke 107, and then 112, and then 116. I just thought, [climate change is] here. This is what it is,” Hartmann said.

A study led by the University of

Washington in 2021 found that bigleaf maple die-off can be directly attributed to hotter, drier summers. While the trees are able to withstand high temperatures, it significantly weakens their immune systems and their ability to fight against other threats.

These trees are most abundant in wet areas— they’re often found around along river banks and in high drainage areas where water tends to pool. While they can tolerate drier conditions, it’s no surprise that the recent heat has been impacting the trees.

While the trees are not yet facing extinction, their numbers have been rapidly decreasing, a fact that can be seen across the Pacific Northwest.

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Nature is doing the teaching.

-Jim Hartmann

“This year, looking at the area behind the football field, you can see that the big leaf Maples never really turned color like they should,” Hartmann said. “Their leaves just dried up and crunched and fell off in Sept., way before normal. So that really hot day killed a lot of trees. Like, probably millions of trees.”

The bigleaf maple is beneficial to the ecosystem in countless ways. The canopy provides nesting habitat for various birds. Bees collect nectar from the flowers.

The tree is an important substrate to epiphytes such as lichens and mosses.

To lose this tree could be disastrous for many of these species.

“I’m starting to think that, maybe, in a century there won’t be big leaf maples in our landscape like there are

now. They’ll be confined to places that are wet and cool enough, like along rivers,” Hartmann said. “The examples of what happened during the ice age are comforting, but the reality is, we’re changing the climate so much faster than nature did. Nature is going to need a lot of help.”

This doesn’t mean there’s no hope left- there are constant and ongoing efforts to help our society live more sustainably. Electric vehicles are becoming more popular every year.

Now that the Inflation Reduction Act, which focuses mainly on reducing emissions, has been officially passed, American-manufactured electric vehicles will have a $7,500 tax credit attached to them. This makes them more accessible to middle class families.

Ongoing global efforts to reduce carbon emissions have been shown to work. An increase in renewable energy sources prevented a possible 4% rise in fossil fuel generation and the resulting 230 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Mitigating the effects of climate change is a big task- but it’s not impossible.

CURRENT EVENTS 25

Illustration by Lily Gottschling

Evan Peters stars as Jeffrey Dhamer in Ryan Murphy’s “Dahmer— Monster: The Dahmer Story.”

Is true crime media ready to be killed off?

Ryan Murphy’s 2022 take on the Jeffrey Dahmer story brings to light deep-seated concerns about true crime media in the modern day.

BY LILY GOTTSCHLING copy editor-in-chief

W

hile scrolling through Netflix to find a new show, viewers may notice an ever-growing section dedicated to true crime. In it, they will find a range of media, including shows,

26 THE AMPLIFIER • FALL 2022

documentaries, movies, and fictionalized accounts of these true stories. Why? As television shifts from traditional weekly episode releases to yearly season releases on streaming platforms, production companies become more in tune with what viewers want out of the whole package rather than the individual pieces.

Companies also have to adapt

to the new age of social media to transform how they promote and create media. Behavior on social media plays a major role in this. Accounts dedicated to true crime have filled users’ feeds and made the topic at the forefront of people’e minds. While this is a topic that interests a seemingly large number of the general public, it does not come without harm.

The Dahmer Story

The Jeffrey Dahmer story has been told time and time again through books, documentaries, and film adaptations. “Dahmer— Monster: The Dahmer Story” is the newest addition to this list. “Dahmer” stars “American Horror Story” alum Evan Peters, and was directed by the latter’s creator Ryan Murphy.

In its first week on Netflix, “Dahmer” broke records for being the mostwatched show in its first week of streaming. This is in part largely due to the star-studded cast and the story itself, which has captivated audiences since the news of Dahmer’s crimes was made public in 1991.

Criticisms of Murphy’s adaptation of the Dahmer story have come from all fronts, being cited as unnecessary, offensive, and in bad taste. A scene that has since become one of the most criticized from the show depicts the sister of one of Dahmer’s victims publically breaking down in a courtroom hearing for Dahmer. Errol Lindsey fell victim to Dahmer in 1991 after being lured to his apartment and murdered.

Following Dahmer’s arrest, Linday’s sister, Rita Isbell was called to the stand where she infamously broke into tears and shouted at Dahmer. This was then recreated in great detail for “Dahmer.”

“When I saw some of the show, it bothered me, especially when I saw myself — when I saw my name come across the screen and this lady saying verbatim exactly what I said,” Isbell said in an ‘as told to’ with Insider. “I was never contacted about the show. I feel like Netflix should’ve asked if we mind or how we felt about making it.

They didn’t ask me anything. They just did it.”

With the release of the show came varying reactions from its audience. In addition to the vocal criticisms came a shockingly vocal faction of viewers who were disappointed in the lack of gore. “[I’m] just bummed [the show] didn’t show the actual morbid parts,” one TikTok user said.

People were quick to point out the issue with this statement, with a general consensus on how thoughtless and disrespectful it is to the victims. This issue is common with fictionalized accounts of true stories— viewers begin to look at the real people behind the stories as characters.

Dead Asleep

The exploitative nature of true crime media extends beyond fictional retellings of stories and remains present in documentaries and docuseries. Two, in particular, stand out.

Detailing the grisly murder of Brooke Preston, “Dead Asleep,” attempts to portray the bizarre case by the defense for Randy Herman Jr., Preston’s killer.

In the docuseries, Herman, who was found guilty of first-degree murder is given a chance to tell his side of the story, in which he claims that the murder was enacted while he was unconscious.

“I believe what happened in my case could have been the culmination of tremendous stress, depression, trauma, and alcohol that essentially resulted in some unexplainable mental

“

The Staircase

Netflix’s 2018 docuseries “The Staircase” follows the defense of Michael Peterson, a man accused of murdering his wife by attacking her on the stairs in 2001. Spanning over a decade of investigation, trials, a conviction, and an overturning of the conviction, “The Staircase” provides viewers with an in-depth look into a story full of as many twists and turns as a mystery novel. The story was adapted into a TV mini-series in 2022 starring Colin Firth as Peterson and Toni Colette as his wife, Kathleen.

While the eight-episode Netflix series was lauded for the quality of production and storytelling, the ethics of the finished product came into question when it was revealed that Peterson was in a long-term relationship with the show’s editor,

Her murderer is making documentaries about what he did to her… and still living a life.

-Jordan Preston

breakdown,” Herman said in a letter to the New Times.

Preston’s family, who rallied to get Herman behind bars, had not consented to the creation of the docuseries and have worked since its release to get it removed from Hulu.

Preston’s sister, Jordan Preston, has taken to social media to raise awareness for her family’s distress regarding the creation and release of this documentary.

“My sister will never have a family, grow old, or experience life after 21,” Jordan said in a TikTok. “Her murderer is making documentaries about what he did to her… and still living a life.”

A petition was started by Preston’s family to urge Hulu to remove the docuseries from the platform, which has been signed by thousands of people, including Delta Airlines, which promised to remove “Dead Asleep” as a viewing option on all flights.

Sophie Brunet. Speculation has arisen as to whether Brunet’s involvement with Peterson led to any bias in the editing of the show in an attempt to convince viewers of Peterson’s innocence.

True crime media remains under a critical lens as its presence grows. As with several other aspects of modern life, social media has presented a new form of sharing this criticism. Calls for boycotting “Dahmer” and “Dead Asleep” spread like wildfire on TikTok and encouraged people to reconsider their viewing habits.

Nonetheless, people’s morbid fascination with true crime remains, a phenomenon that has fascinated psychologists for years. Dr. Elizabeth Rutha is a clinical psychologist at Masonic Medical Center who has studied true crime through the lens of psychology.

“From the time that we are a young child, we are undeniably intrigued by good versus evil,” Rutha said. “But at the same time, we are drawn to true crime and new accounts of serial killers and it connects us to our most primal fears.”

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT 27

Music documentaries vs. music biopics Exploring their differences, and seeing which is superior.

Albums by musicians who all have documentaries: A Night At The Opera by Queen, Heroes by David Bowie Red by Taylor Swift, and Abbey Road by The Beatles.

Top five music documentaries

BY PRESTON WELLER staff reporter n recent years, music biographical films (biopics) have taken over the box office, with movies like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Rocketman,” and most recently, “Elvis.” Biopics are often used as a way to communicate a person’s entire life or career, in

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the short time span of one movie. This can make for nostalgic and entertaining films, which see significant success at the box office. “Bohemian Rhapsody” made over $900 million worldwide, with a $52 million budget.

Biopics can also have negative effects.

In order to create a more entertaining film, it often must change or ignore parts of a person’s life. Steven Beckingham,theater director and film class teacher, shares his views.

“There’s always going to be sensationalizing the story or the character because it

1. “Get Back,” The Beatles 2. “No Direction Home,” Bob Dylan 28 THE AMPLIFIER • FALL 2022

3. “The Velvet Underground”

has to be larger than life on screen,” Beckingham said.

Most biopics are usually about a very famous and admired person, which can lead to some of their biggest flaws being ignored for the sake of good storytelling.

“Some people hold [celebrities] up so high,” Beckingham said. “Whether it be a singer or whatever, that if they do hear something about what this person might have done, even if it’s just speculation. Sometimes it’s just kind of brushed under the rug.”

But in other examples, a person’s mistakes can be an essential part of the story and make it more impactful.

Like the 2005 Johnny Cash biopic, “Walk the Line.”

“I remember watching that and thinking, this is a decently written film, as opposed to just [a] pure biopic of a musician, because that’s what

“

I don’t like,” Beckingham said. “It went down and went up and it’s like, oh god, this guy, he struggled. Over some tough stuff, right? And you know what? We’re gonna go, ‘Oh I’m not going to listen to Johnny Cash anymore,’ of course not right.”

Another way a person’s life or career can be communicated through film is by documentaries.

Documentaries can be similar to biopics, as they both communicate key moments that make up a person’s life. One of the most recent music documentaries was “Get Back,” from late 2021. “Get Back” showed a look at The Beatles as they were in the process of creating their final album, “Let It Be.” Taking footage from the filming of the 1970 documentary of the same name.

Although there have been several biopics made about The Beatles,

seeing real footage of them creating and interacting with each other makes for an entirely different experience.

“I take that over seeing some actors pretend to be them doing it,” Beckingham said. “Although I’d watch those films, it’s nothing like [seeing] the real thing.”

Biopics and documentaries each have their own reasons for being called the more effective form of communicating the key moments from a person’s life. Biopics have much more creative freedom, making it easier to create an engaging story, while documentaries make what is being shown a much more realistic and immersive representation of those events. When attempting to create the most authentic and insightful film regarding a musician, documentaries are more likely to be the better film.

There’s always going to be sensationalizing the story or the character because it has to be larger than life on screen.”

-Steve Beckingham

photos by Preston Weller

4. “The World’s A Little Blurry,” Billie Eilish

5. “Miss Americana,” Taylor Swift ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

29

Every rose has its thorn

BY AUDREY LIPPERT print editor-in-chief mblazoned on the seats of Providence Park are the letters SCUSA, an acronym for Soccer City U.S.A. and a permanent reminder of the accomplishments of both teams that call the stadium home. As the model for combined success in soccer for the past decade, the Portland Thorns have won two NWSL Championships since 2013 and the Portland Timbers have reached the MLS Cup finals three times since 2015, winning once. Now, as reports are being released about an abuse scandal within the organization and a subsequent cover up, cracks are beginning to show in the foundation of SCUSA. Throughout the state of Oregon, soccer teams are closely associated with the Timbers/Thorns organization, which is collectively known as PTFC. Kelan Betts, senior, has been playing soccer since the age of five, and is a central defensive midfielder for the

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varsity women’s soccer team.

“We recently went as a team to a Thorns game,” Betts said. “Looking back, I don’t think I would go. At the end of the day, we’re representing our school. They’re representing their organization and I don’t think we would go as a team representing our

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playing for the Thorns in 2015.

This article eventually led to a full investigation into abuse and sexual misconduct in the NWSL. The report, released on Oct. 3, 2022, confirmed the Thorns players’ allegations and the complacency of PTFC in Riley’s actions. Now known colloquially as the Yates report after its author Sally Q. Yates, the Yates report has upended women’s soccer in the U.S., leading to firings across the NWSL and statements from some of the sport’s biggest stars.

Just days after the release of the Yates report the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) played England in front of a sold out crowd of 90,000 in Wembley Stadium. Prior to the game, however, the issue first addressed by players was the Yates report. Players who spoke before the game included USWNT team captain and Thorns player Becky Sauerbrunn.

“It’s my opinion that every owner and executive and U.S. Soccer official

We recently went as a team to a Thorns game. Looking back, I don’t think I would go.

-Kelan Betts

school supporting that organization.”

In 2021, an article from The Athletic featured interviews from two former Thorns players who alleged they had been subjected to general abuse and sexual misconduct at the hands of their head coach Paul Riley, while

2015

2016

Thorns players Meleana Shim and Sinead Farrelly file formal complaints against their head coach Paul Riley.

2019

Paulson calls the owner of Riley’s current club to discuss the Riley’s involvement in the USWNT coaching search. He still is hiding the fact Riley was fired.

Riley is hired by the Western New York Flash, another NWSL club, on the recommendation of Wilkinson.

2015

Riley is fired by the Thorns following an investigation into his conduct. The fact that Riley was fired was not made public.

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How the Yates report has shattered the rose-tinted glasses of Soccer City U.S.A.

THE AMPLIFIER • FALL 2022

2019

USWNT head coach Jill Ellis steps down.

Riley is discussed as a replacement, but the USWNT Player’s Union opposes the possibility of his hiring.

Graphic by Karina Rower

who has repeatedly failed the players and failed to protect the players, who have hidden behind legalities and have not participated in these investigations, should be gone,” Sauerbrunn said.

A reckoning has begun across the league and in Portland, where two longtime PTFC executives, Gavin Wilkinson and Mike Golub, that participated in the cover-up have been fired after 21 and 16 years with the organization respectively. Merritt Paulson, the owner of the Thorns and Timbers, has also stepped aside from his decision making duties for both clubs, but still owns both teams.

“I think firing [Wilkinson and Golub] is the bare minimum,” Betts said. “I think they definitely need to be doing more background checks on the people they’re hiring, so it doesn’t happen moving forward. I think firing them just isn’t enough, that’s what you’re expected to do at this point.”

The Thorns hold the NWSL attendance record of 25,218, and like their Timbers counterparts, have a large supporter group called the Rose City Riveters. The Rose City Riveters

and the Timbers supporter group the Timbers Army, have called for drastic change at the clubs through a joint statement.

“While the personnel changes announced in the past few days are an important step in the right direction, as long as Merritt Paulson is an owner with a financial stake in the club, he is still in a position of power and control,” the Rose City Riveters and Timbers Army wrote. “We continue to call for the sale of both teams.”

PTFC’s largest sponsor, Alaska Airlines, has diverted its sponsorship funds to the NWSL Players Association’s “Support the Players Emergency Trust” and to youth sports in the Portland area this quarter, as opposed to PTFC. This step along with the statement from the supporter groups puts pressure on Merritt Paulson to sell the teams, but as of now both clubs are still in his possession.

Regardless of whether or not PTFC is owned by Paulson, SCUSA will be forever changed by the Yates report and Paulson’s choice to cover up the abuse his players experienced

2021

Riley announced he would not be pursuing the USWNT job via his Twitter account, following the phone conversation between Malik and Paulson.

Despite the controversy surrounding the organization the Thorns season continued, with the team making the NWSL playoff for 9th time since 2013. The only year the Thorns have missed the playoffs since the creation of the NWSL was 2015.

Photo by Audrey Lippert

2021

The NWSL hires a new commissioner, Lisa Baird, and former Thorns ask for a new investigation into Riley’s conduct.

Baird would ignore their requests.

2019

instead of handling it properly. The word has finally gotten out, and now players and fans are demanding justice for the organization’s misconduct.

Former Thorns’ allegations are made public in an article by the Athletic. Baird would resign, Riley would be fired, and games would be canceled following its release.

2021

Riley threatens to resign over league scheduling, but Baird urged him to stay in his current position, which he would following their conversation.

2022

The Yates report is released, and in its aftermath many higher-ups within the NWSL are fired, including Wilkinson and Golub. Paulson steps down from operations of PTFC.

SPORTS

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