Amplifier 2019-2020 Winter Edition (Volume 100-Issue 2) by wlhsNOW

Amplifier West Linn High School

West Linn, Ore. / Volume 100/ Issue 2 / Winter 2020

Hope

Health

Strength

ABOVE: Ella Johanssen, senior, and Eliza Porter, junior, link hands to show unity. Photo by Gillian McMahon

BY LILIAN GOTTSCHLING staff reporter

ccoriding to a study by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S. The same study found that there were

almost 50,000 suicides in the US and over 1,000,000,000 attempts. The Suicide Prevention Resource Center found that the second leading cause of death for ages 1034 was suicide, and the numbers are climbing with each year. As teenage suicide rates skyrocket with each

Photo by Devontia Bogle.

year, high schools around the country are attempting to find ways to lower these rates and provide resources for their students. Sources of Strength, created in 1998, by Mark LoMurray, is a national student outreach program that works to educate

Photo by Megan Riehle.

Pursing 'senior sends'

students on how to assist their peers through difficult situations in their lives, and the program has made its way into the West Linn halls.

STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Photo by Gigi Schweitzer.

A gift that gives again

Causes worth fighting for

BY SKYLAR MOORE co-editor-in-chief

BY MEGAN RIEHLE copy editor

BY LILY GOTTSCHLING staff reporter

Lip-synching in front of an auditorium of people or singing karaoke in the library at lunch may not be at the top of the list for all of us, especially if it has to be done in costume. It wasn’t for Bella Royer, senior, however, that didn’t keep her from participating in the 2019 Mr/Ms/Mx competition, an annual fundraising pageant for seniors. Royer, this year's winner of the pageant, was originally turned off by the sociable activities contestants were required to contend in.

The Civil Liberties Defense Center (CLDC) is an organization founded in 2003 by Lauren Regan. They work with activists, providing free legal counsel and educational resources to put a stop to social injustice and inequality, as well as preventing further destruction to our environment. The CLDC represents activists who have been arrested. Right now the CLDC is defending “The Valve Turners,” a group of five activists who shut the valve of the active cases across the country.

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THE FUTURE OF STUDENT EQUITY WORK BY MATILDA MILNER co-editor-in-chief Of all students enrolled in U.S. public schools, 49.9% were non-Hispanic whites as of 2017, according to the national census. Such is not the case, however, for West Linn High School, at an 80% white student population as of the same year. This racial homogeneity has influenced the education of the community’s students. Meagyn Karmakar, English teacher and department CoChair, has been a witness to that impact during her time as a teacher. “For a long time- I’ve been here 20 years- our school has been the majority white students,” Karmakar said. “In general, I have found, white people have a hard time talking about race. They just do. It’s often not a conversation they have at home.” She goes on to consider the importance of conversations surrounding race for West Linn’s climate and culture. “Race affects white people too,” Karmakar said. “But we’ve been taught, we’ve been racialized as white people, to think that white is the norm, that ‘I don’t have a race if I’m white,’ which is so not true.” Understanding this, staff members formed a school equity team almost four years ago, Karmakar as co-leader with science teacher Jennifer Howe. The objective was to consider ways students are marginalized, and how to combat discrimination within the school and greater community. Though the team exists to promote equity in general, the teachers agreed to focus on issues of race for the 2019-2020 school year. “What we noticed as a group was that students of color have never had [a voice], and that there has never been an active voice speaking for them, speaking to their unique concerns,” Karmakar said.

Pursuing ‘senior sends’ Story continued from page one

“We’ve been talking a lot about our hallways and the culture of our hallways, and do they represent students now?” Karmakar said. “They sure represent students of the past, but do they represent students now?” In order to better represent the student body, photography student Saskia de Kanter, sophomore, has been working on a visual project that will be displayed in a public space in our school. Dara Udoh, sophomore, poses for a portrait for the photo essay. Photo by Saskia de Kantera

Though this doesn’t mean the team is disregarding other ways students may be disenfranchised.

Story continued on page 12

First showcase of 2020 At First Friday, an event hosted by the library staff to showcase student art, Emma Mitchell, junior and Aislynn Patrick, junior, browse Japanese New Year’s cards made by Ms. Hawe’s Japanese classes. Photo by Paige Rodriguez.

Robotics displayed two of their robots which they call “bunny bots.” Photo by Paige Rodriguez.

This 3D train track was created by Colin Mason, freshman, as a project for his English nine class after reading the book “Night” by Ellie Wiesel. Photo by Paige Rodriguez.

Photo illustration by Gillian McMahon.

BY SKYLAR MOORE co-editor-in-chief Royer, this year’s winner of the pageant, was originally turned off by the sociable activities contestants were required to contend in, but decided alongside her friend Gabriella Mcvicker, senior, to try it out anyway. “I’m just not really a ‘do things in front of people’ kind of person, but I’ve just been trying to do as many fun things as possible senior year,” Royer said. “[Mcvicker and I] call it senior sends.” Along with the dress-up days and performing, the Mr/Ms/Mx competition is always paired with a fundraising event. This year all money collected was donated to West Linn’s new Sources of Strength program that was recently initiated by School Psychologist Mike Miller and Student Body Counselor Michelle Olson. Sources of Strength, a national program that’s been brought to our own community, is a suicide prevention and awareness project that aims to help provide students with the resources they need surrounding their mental health [see Hope, help and strength, pages 6-7]. “They’re working to create a more positive environment where people know the resources that they need to talk to, that they have access to when they’re struggling, when they need help, and I think there’s a lot of students in our community who struggle with mental health so that’ll be really good,” Royer said. Past Mr/Ms/Mx fundraising has gone toward local, state-wide and national non-profit organizations, however this year’s proceeds stayed within our school with the purpose of supporting the new program. The other difference in this year’s competition has been the added “Mx” title for non-binary students. While there were no students competing who identified as non-binary this year, the competition was advertised for everyone, opening the option to compete to all seniors. For Royer, the Mr/Ms/Mx competition was an opportunity to try something new during her last year of high school, and even though it started off as intimidating, Royer recommends the experience for future seniors. “It ended up being really fun,” Royer said. “I’m telling all my junior friends now to do it next year.” “I feel like it’s just kind of one of those things,” Royer said. “You can only do it once when you’re a senior, and people just kind of overlook it because you’re dressing up and people might make fun of you. It’s just kind of a fun thing to do, especially if you have a friend to do it with you.”

PEOPLE

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‘I need some positivity right now’ BY KALEIGH HENDERSON managing editor 32% of high school students reported they “felt sad or hopeless almost every day for 2 or more weeks in a row so that they stopped doing some usual activities,” according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, as of 2017. Among that 32% is Haley Calvert, senior. “Junior year,” Calvert said, “I was struggling with depression and going through a lot.” At the start of her senior year, once she had found help and advocated for herself, she wanted to help others do the same. “[My recovery] was difficult at times, but you just have to have people to lean on when you’re feeling down,” Calvert said. “And luckily I have people. I have so many people. But not everyone has that many people. So I was like, we need a club, so everyone else feels like they have people.” Calvert and her best friend Grace McGovern, senior, started the brand-new Positivity Club at West Linn. Calvert and McGovern are trying to alleviate the pressures of high school, one meeting at a time. “Our goal is to create a welcoming, positive environment at West Linn High School,” McGovern said. “We know high schoolers are facing a lot of stress, and it’s nice to have a club where we can openly talk about issues like mental health and do fun crafts. We’re not going to be yelling at people and being like, you should go seek treatment, you should do this, do that. We just want to create somewhere where people can share how they actually feel with other students.” “Our meetings are pretty low key, pretty laid back,” McGovern said. Calvert and McGovern start every meeting by welcoming everyone and introducing what is on the agenda for that day. There usually have a craft or activity to do, and while people work on that, they discuss what’s happening in their lives. “We do this kind of elementary school idea, roses and thorns: what’s something great that’s happened since our last meeting? What’s something not so great?” McGovern said. “We also hand out crisis line cards after almost every meeting to people who are new to the club,” Calvert added.

Every Friday during lunch, International Club meets in room D204. The goal of the club, “is to educate people about international cultures and traditions,” Sydney Phipps, junior, said. The club also can help members “feel more connected to those living far away from us,” Grace Heaton, junior, said.

Spreading holiday help Inside Interact Club’s latest project BY ETHAN GILL co-opinions editor

ABOVE: Haley Calvert, president of Positivity Club, making ornaments during a meeting. Photo by Kaleigh Henderson.

Although this club has only been around for less than a semester, its presence is already being felt in the school. “Some of my friends have actually complained to me on weeks where we don’t have a meeting,” McGovern said. “They’ll come up and be like, why aren’t we having a meeting this week? I need some positivity right now.” Positivity Club meets every first and third Thursday at lunch in Andy West’s room, E203. For updates and other club info, their Instagram account is @ wlhspositivityclub. Positivity Club meetings are open to everyone, and would love to see an increase in membership. “We want to see more people,” Calvert said. “We want more faces, new faces to see at our club. You can literally walk in, sit for five minutes, and walk out if you want. We’ve had that.” “But we’d love for you to stay,” McGovern added.

Exploring cultures BY EMMA COKE media editor

WINTER 2020

A typical International Club meeting includes, “a presentation about a cultural event that’s happening and then we’ll talk about it and do an activity about it,” Katarina Pejcinovic, senior, said. The meetings also include a plethora of snacks related to the culture that is being discussed at that specific meeting. In addition to their usual meetings, International Club holds a Crepe Day that students who

Club members congregating around a table of food from another country to try during their winter potluck. Photo by Lisa Rodriguez

aren’t a part of the club can attend. Crepe Day acts as a fundraiser. “For the past couple of years we’ve been partnered with the Rafiki Village Project, which is basically helping build schools in Tanzania,” Pejcinovic said. The club also holds potlucks throughout the year. People choose to join certain clubs for a number of reasons, but for International Club it seems a majority of the members joined it out of curiosity for other cultures. “I joined the club because I was interested in learning about different cultures and beliefs in the world that I hadn’t previously been exposed to,” Phipps said. In addition to learning about different cultures, some members joined to feel a stronger sense of belonging. “Being a person of color, it’s kind of hard to find a space in West Linn, and when I saw an advertisement for International Club I was like ‘oh my god it’s perfect for me,’” Pejcinovic said. International Club is a way to help make connections with other cultures. “My favorite part of the club is learning about different holidays and cultures in different parts of the world,” Phipps said. If you’re interested in this club make sure to check out a meeting.

Traditionally the holidays are known for being a time for giving to those who do not have as much. From giving to Santa’s ringing bells on the street for the Salvation Army, to Toys for Tots or more local charities like the Doernbecher Blanket Drive, or the book drive in the library. Among these groups is Interact Club, with their November and December project: care packages for the homeless. “For November and December we decided to combine it just because there’s so many breaks,” Winnie Wilber, junior and copresident of Interact Club said. While the club knew that they wanted to make care packages, who would receive these packages took a little time to decide. “We knew we wanted to do care packages,’ Alexa Cihak, senior and co-president of interact club said. However, the group initially had to decide where the packages would go. Some options they considered were to the deployed military or to a children’s hospital. But the homeless was the population [group] that they chose,” Alexa Cihak, senior and co-president of interact club said. The care packages themselves are full of items that interact club deemed to be the most helpful. “So, we brainstorm on what items or necessities people would need in daily life,” Anna Lee, junior, said. “And then we pitched in and we asked people who could bring this stuff in bulk and those people volunteer and then we bring them together.” “We did granola bars, fruit snacks, toothbrush, toothpaste, thermal blankets, hand warmers and a nice holiday note,” Cihak said. The notes were hand made by the Interact Club members for the purpose of spreading holiday cheer to those who will receive the packages in the coming weeks. “We will take them down to the Portland Rescue Mission Downtown over break sometime,” Cihak said. The Interact Club is always accepting new members according to Cihak and Wilber. “So Winnie and I joined last year just to get involved with our community. I was new to the school, so I thought it would be a great way to get more involved,” Cihak said. For other members though, Interact Club is an opportunity to give to those who have less. “I think we’re just so fortunate to live in West Linn,” Calvin Hopkins, junior, said. “So it just feels good to give back and, you know, have some fun while doing it.” BELOW: Illustration by Kaiden Randall

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Feeding bodies and souls KALEIGH HENDERSON managing editor Plates and platters cover the dinner table, overflowing with meat, potatoes, vegetables, and bread. There is more food than can be eaten in one sitting. After everyone’s eaten more than their fill, out comes the dessert. Although this is an ordinary meal experience for many, it is outside of the realm of possibility for too many families. An estimated 48.8 million Americans, including 16.2 million children, live in households that lack the means to get enough nutritious food on a regular basis, according to the organization No Kid Hungry. That’s where food pantries, such as our community’s West Linn Food Pantry, step in. “The volunteers at the West Linn Food Pantry believe no one should go hungry,” Debbie Meyers, WLFP Volunteer Coordinator said. “Since January 2007, we have worked to provide food assistance for neighbors in the West Linn and Lake Oswego areas.” The Pantry operates out of the Willamette United Methodist Church, located at 1683 Willamette Falls Drive, and is open every Thursday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. “The pantry is staffed completely by volunteers, and operates 100 percent on donations,” Meyers said. “It is supported by local schools, service groups, businesses, and many, many individuals.” The pantry is dedicated to helping their neighbors with grocery needs. “Once a month, a family may obtain a food box from the pantry containing a three to five day supply of food,” Meyers said. “They may also come in weekly to pick up perishable items such as bread, produce and pastries. Currently, over 100 families receive a once-a-month food box and over 50 people come in weekly for perishables.”

For those unable to come to the pantry in person, there are also deliveries available. “Home deliveries can be arranged for seniors, individuals who are homebound, or families without transportation,” Meyers said. “Deliveries are made on the third Thursday of each month for those who are homebound.” In 2017, the pantry served 1,126 families, 2,324 adults and 1,000 children. In addition, the pantry provided 130 families with holiday food boxes and gifts for 158 children. For community members who need grocery assistance from the pantry, they are happy to help make sure that everyone gets what they need. Come to the Willamette United Methodist Church on a Thursday to pick up groceries. To receive assistance, identification is required, with proof of address. Proof of need is not required. Meyers also requests that community members bring empty bags or boxes to carry their food each time they visit the pantry. The pantry is committed to providing food without exclusion. The food is always free, the pantry is accessible by wheelchair, and if you are unable to commute to the pantry, the pantry can come to you. Homebound families may call (503) 915-9446 to set up a delivery. The pantry would not be able to function without food donations from the community. Any non-perishable and unopened food items are accepted, as well as many other goods. For more information about how to volunteer, donate or receive assistance, visit www. westlinnfoodpantry.com. The pantry has been going strong for 13 years, a feat which would never have been possible without the support of the community. “Thank you for all the community support,” Meyers said. “All of us working together make a huge difference in building a stronger community.”

Infographic by Kaleigh Henderson.

FEMINIST CLUB’S MOVIE NIGHT FUNDRAISER HELENA ERDAHL staff reporter During the holiday season, 34% of the yearly donations occur within this time, according to USA Today, from Steve Maclaughlin, a director of product management for the software company Blackbaud.

Local organizations have started fundraisers to help the community, including the clubs at our school. The feminist club has recently taken part in this and has hosted a movie night, welcoming donations for money, and feminine hygiene products. These movie nights often include films that support female empowerment and education about

Feminist Club gets ready to play “On the Basis of Sex” on Dec. 6. Photo by Helena Erdahl.

influential women. This year they featured the movie “On the Basis of Sex” which is a film about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and her story becoming a supreme court justice. During this movie night, the feminist club decided to donate to numerous organizations that will help the community. As co-presidents of the feminist club, Moya Moses and Audrey Lipsey acknowledge these events not only bring their club together but also help numerous foundations. “The money is going to go towards planned parenthood and the Clackamas women’s shelter,” Audrey Lipsey, senior, and co-feminist club president, said. These contributions to Planned Parenthood will further provide women’s rights of choice and health, while Clackamas women’s shelter supports women suffering from domestic abuse and violence. “A lot of our hygiene products are going towards the school itself,” Moya Moses, senior, and copresident said. “The students at this school and any clothes and bags we get are going to Rosehaven women’s shelter,” According to the Rosehaven’s Women’s shelter mission statement, “Rose Haven is a sanctuary from the street in Portland, offering compassion, practical assistance and community during the daytime hours for women and children facing a loss of home, abuse, and other disruptive life experiences.” These donations from the feminist club will advance their goal of helping Portland residents.

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The gift that gives again

The Civil Liberties Defense Center’s Dec. charity concert BY MEGAN REHLE copy editor The Civil Liberties Defense Center (CLDC) is an organization founded in 2003 by Lauren Regan. They work with activists, providing free legal counsel and educational resources to put a stop to social injustice and inequality, as well as preventing further destruction to our environment. The CLDC represents activists who have been arrested. Right now the CLDC is defending “The Valve Turners,” a group of five activists who shut the valve of the Keystone Pipeline to stop the flow of oil between the US and Canada. The organization has about 20 active cases across the country. On Dec. 12, the CLDC held a benefit concert in order to raise money for the organization and to support their activist

defense programs. The CLDC does not receive government endorsements and they take all of their cases pro bono. They receive money from their member groups who pay a membership fee in exchange for trainings (like their Know Your Rights seminars that work to educate people of their rights and how they can defend them) and digital security, among other things. Anyone can support their cause by donating any amount to the organizations. All donations made by the end of Dec. will be matched both by a group of CLDC donors and Patagonia. A link to donate can be found on the CLDC website. The concert attracted a crowd of 45-50 people and lasted about three hours (6 to 9 p.m.). At the door, they asked for a

donation of 10-20 dollars as an entry fee and they provided food and drinks. They sold a number of different printed graphic t-shirts, including one that features a woman in a mask and the title “Stop Snitching.” These shirts were printed on union made shirts and the proceeds of all the shirt sales went to supporting the CLDC’s activist defense programs. The jewelry being sold was made by a woman named Judith Schlacter. Schlacter, Reagan’s pilates teacher, donates handmade jewelry for CLDC events. The earings being sold were a collection of different styles and colors that all featured a pendant of lady justice holding her scale. Read full story on wlhsNOW.com

Supporting community members of all ages BY MADELYN TABOR photo editor Every year when the days get shorter and colder, different holiday-related posters line cork boards of community forums, asking for donations to make someone’s holiday season just a bit brighter. For the last two years the West Linn Police Department, Womens Clackamas Services and Angles in the Outfield have worked together to run a holiday drive for children of domestic abuse survivors. “The drive was started by the Neighborhood Association, wanting to give back to the community,” Jeff Halverson, school resource officer, said. More specifically it was started by community member, David Baker. “He (David Baker), who was a part of the Neighborhood Association, was looking for some kind of fun way to get everybody involved and what was more fun than a nice little friendly competition,” Halverson said. The police station acts like a host for the

drive, where people can go in and donate toys. “We’re open all the time. People can come in during business hours and drop the toys off,” Halverson said. Along with helping kids, the drive also adds a competitive aspect of giving during the holiday season. “David wanted to you know, challenge the other neighborhood associations, to see what kind of toy drive they can put together, who can raise the most,” Halverson said. West Linn has 11 different neighborhood groups that participate each year in the toy drive. “We’re going to gather them all up and we’ll take a picture and crown a winner. Last year was Rosemont Summit.” All the toys will be gathered up and shipped to Clackamas Women’s Services, located in Oregon City, and set up all the gathered toys and allow families to shop at a scheduled time. “A list is sent out of toys kids want, and we’re taking toddlers all the way up to 18 year olds,” Halverson said. “It’s not a handout of toys, it gives people the opportunity to shop for toys.”

Members of the West Linn Police department, Clackamas Women’s Services and Angles in the Outfield collecting the toys donated. Photo by Madelyn Tabor.

Founder of Civil Liberties Defense Center, Lauren Regan, and artist David Rovics gather to talk after Rovics finished performing. Photo by Megan Riehle.

Restoring dignity

How the feminist club is suporting the saftey of HNG women at the Rose Haven womens shelter

The staff at Rose Haven provide activities such as yoga, art classes and most recently a The Rose Haven women’s day self-defense class. “We work to shelter In Portland, OR serves restore dignity in our women,” all women, children and gender Keery said. “When they are non-conforming individuals outside of Rose Haven our experiencing trauma, poverty, women feel unseen.” physical and mental health The feminist club donates challenges through restoring to Rose Haven consistently stability and dignity for 3500 throughout the school year. “We guests annually. collect pads, tampons, money As reported by the Portland sometimes. We collect paper Alliance, Oregon has the second- bags, clothing, toiletries, all of highest rate of homelessness that kind of stuff,” Lipsey said. in the country. To help support Lipsey also volunteers over people, Rose Haven provides the summer at Rose Haven. “I nutritious meals, shopping volunteered with them and I saw visits, diapers, medical support, exactly what stuff they are doing, hygiene supplies, showers, and that made it very personal education, and social activities. and very passionate for me,” When a Lipsey said. woman first “Without volunteers, At Rose comes to Rose Haven, 80 to their whole thing Haven she’s 110 women and wouldn’t work.” connected to children visit -Audrey Lipsey someone like the shelter daily, Christine Keery, which comes an advocate at Rose Haven. “We with the need for volunteers. have a clothing shop set up like Currently, the shelter consists a thrift store and showers set up of 685 active volunteers and like a spa,” Keery said. “We want only 10 qualified staff members. to make them feel like they are in “Without volunteers, their whole control.” thing wouldn’t work,” Lipsey According to The Homeless said. “And then women would Toolkit, over the past two years, go without clothes, toiletries, the number of adult women showers, a place to stay when experiencing homelessness grew it’s hot or cold out because by 15%. Nearly half of these oftentimes, it’s just literally a women have been victims of shelter.” domestic violence. The Homeless Toolkit website, “A lot of women experience in the city of Portland, nearly sexual and relationship half of the women have reported violence,” Audrey Lipsey, senior being victims of domestic and feminist club president, violence. 67% of those women said, “Women shelters offer have a disability. “Out on the those women a place to go where streets, we don’t want to admit there’s not any threat of violence. it’s a problem,” Keery said. “If we It’s safe.” admit it, we have to feel.” BY ZOE BARNETT people editor

NEW BEGINNINGS

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New beginnings

WINTER 2020

As we enter a new decade, it's time for our habits and our lives to change. There is the opportunity to better ourselves and our futures, and to embrace our new beginnings.

HOPE, HELP AND STRENGTH

[FROM TOP LEFT TO BOTTOM RIGHT]: Susie Walters, senior, Kamerin Vilagomez, senior, Bella Muffazar, senior, Wilfred Lim, senior, Ella Johanssen, senior, and Eliza Porter, junior. Photos by Gillian McMahon

BY LILY GOTTSCHLING staff reporter “It’s primarily based as a proactive solution for suicide prevention,” Gregory Neuman, principal, said. “But I’ve seen it grow into more than that. As opposed to identifying 100 students that fit into one category, there was an intentional outreach to teachers and staff members around identifying a group of 60 to 80 students that truly touch on all areas of our school.” “Our mission is to spread hope, help, and strength into every corner of our community,” Sources of Strength put in their mission statement. Rather than focusing on trauma, Sources of Strength seeks to find stories of strength in order to bring hope to those in need. The program was brought to West Linn by Michelle Olson, school counselor, and Mike Miller, school psychologist. “This has been something that we have looked at from a district perspective,” Olson said. “We wanted to see how to support our school on a personal basis. I wanted to address suicide prevention for many years, so we were really looking for that.” Sources of Strength is intended to run as a

student leadership program. Olson explained that this was done intentionally, as a way to get the word out in a more powerful way, since students often have more influence on

"You're the life source of this school." - Michelle Olson their peers than adults do. Sources of Strength is open to students of all backgrounds and abilities. Eliza Porter,, explained why she was drawn to the club after being invited.

“It sounded pretty cool,” Porter said. “It’s about bringing positivity and inclusivity to West Linn, so I thought that it would be cool to be apart of something like that.” Olson hopes to open the program with the intention of establishing a safe and comfortable space for any West Linn students who need it. “I’m hoping to encourage our peer leaders to bring in more people that want to be a part of it and take it out of the adults’ hands,” Olson said. “It’s coming from you guys, you’re the life source of this school.” Students often don’t realize how much influence they have on their peers, and introducing a program that is student lead has a great deal of power. Porter further explaiuned what she hoped the club would do for the school. “I hope that it makes West Linn a more Inclusive place,” Porter said. “[I hope] people can talk about West Linn more positively.” Sources of Strength has been used in other schools all around the United States and has proven successful. Olson hopes that Sources of Strength will have a massive impact on our school community, leaving a legacy of hope, help, and strength.

WINTER 2020

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NEW BEGINNINGS

The future of student debt BY DELANEY CALLAGHAN current events editor In June of 2020, more than 500 students will graduate from West Linn High School and take the next steps into their future. The U.S. Bureau of Labor found shows that for about 66% of graduates, these steps include college. However, with college comes the daunting reality of student loans. With the average yearly cost of college tuition at a private university sitting at around $34,740, according to US News, taking out loans has become one of the only options for college students hoping to earn a higher education. In fact, recent studies by Marketplace found that 70% of college students took out student loans in 2019. Along with the rising percentage of students taking out loans, the average student debt after college has risen as well -- today, it totals up to an average of $30,000 of debt per student, adding up to a total of $1.5 trillion of debt in the U.S. This is compared to a total of $675 billion of student debt in 2009, and $90 billion in 1999. While just looking at the statistics of the student debt crisis can be shocking enough, people don’t consider the effects outside of the numbers: psychological effects. The effect of watching your debt continually increase as you are in a constant struggle to pay it off is negative toward one’s mental health and can invoke lasting psychological damage, according to a report by The New York Times published last October. Considering all this, it goes without saying that the issue of student loans has left an intense impact on the young people of the U.S.. As we move forward into the next decade, the question of what's next regarding the future of student loans arises.

BY PAIGE RODRIGUEZ arts and culture editor For most students, taking the bus can be a hassle — people shouting at 8 a.m., waiting in the rain, and occasionally, missing the bus altogether. Unfortunately, kids yelling to their friends across the bus can’t be solved very quickly, but the other two issues can. The West Linn-Wilsonville school district has recently joined hundreds of others in partnering with First Student Inc. for an app that allows students and their parents to track their bus. First View is interactive, enabling real-time tracking of buses within the district thanks to its proprietary software program, FOCUS. With this technology, First View provides a mobile map and estimated time of arrival for buses. Students will have the knowledge where their bus is, if it’s running late or if it’s not coming, all at their fingertips. Emma Gadbois, senior, has been riding the bus for seven years. First View is designed for students who, like her, most often take the bus to and from school. “School is too far away for me to walk, and I don’t have a car,”

In the past, there have been smaller solutions that have acted like a bandaid on a bullet hole. In 2007, the Department of Education enacted student loan forgiveness or cancellation. However, the acceptance rate for those applying to relieve their debt is less than 1%. Since 2017, out of the 40,000 applications for student loan forgiveness, 206 have been accepted. Other attempts include the Employer Participation in Repayment Act, a bill in which employers would benefit from helping employees pay off their student debt. The bill was introduced in Feb. of 2019, but has yet to be passed. Going into the 2020 election, all of the current Democratic candidates have expressed some sort of plan to address the mounting student debt crisis. Sen. Bernie Sanders, one of the candidates, has outlined a plan in which all the $1.5 billion debt would be erased through creating taxes and fees on stock, bond, and derivatives trades. Other candidates’ plans include elements such as “income-based repayment plans”, according to NBC News, and simply canceling a certain part of debt altogether. According to NBC News, 56% of voters support taxing wealthier incomes to cancel education loans, while 27% oppose such plans. 3.7 million students will graduate from high school in 2020, the National Center for Education Statistics shows. While there are varying solutions and potential fixes to the crisis, the outcome of the student debt situation will ultimately depend on how Americans vote to end the issue, and who is willing to take on the problem. Looking ahead, we can only be sure that the future of student debt is certainly uncertain.

Tracking the future

come,” Gadbois said, “if the bus is late because there’s a substitute I kind of want to know when would be a good time to go back home, and maybe wake my mom up and say ‘hey, I need a ride please.’” While the app will mainly serve as a tool for students, it will help drivers as well. Bus driver Becca Rivas has worked for West Linn for four years. “I usually leave my house around 5:45 a.m., and I’ll get home after 6:00 at night,” Rivas said. “I usually can maybe get 15 or 20-minute break in for lunch. So some really long hours.” Although First View Waiting to get on the bus, Joshua Robert, senior and Anamae Lundstrom, sophomore discuss winter won’t shorten Rivas’ work break plans. Photo by Paige Rodriguez. hours, it may make them Gadbois said. “I could get a ride from driving to and from school, because run smoother. her [Gadbois’ mom], but it would be I’m cheap and would like to save “It’ll alleviate a lot of stress a huge inconvenience because she’s money on gas,” Gadbois said. because we really do pride ourselves a nurse anesthetist and she works Gadbois had never heard of First on being punctual,” Rivas said. “You night shifts.” View, but shared how downloading guys will be able to see what’s really Although parking spaces are the app would affect her getting to going on.” available for seniors, Gadbois relies school. Rivas also reflected on what on the bus to get her to school rather “It would be helpful to me makes driving buses worth it: “The than a family shared car. because, though my bus is pretty kids are just so unique and very w“I feel like I wouldn’t use a car as good at staying consistent, there polite, and just kind of the highlight often as the other people in terms of are times when the bus just doesn’t of my day.”

SPORTS AMPLIFIER WINTER 2020

Cement to snow How this junior went from skating in the city to snowboarding on varsity

GILLIAN MCMAHON design editor

Varsity snowboarder, Ashley Chon, has been on a board since fifth grade when she lived in Chicago. Now, she’s off the streets and on the mountains doing speed runs for the women’s snowboard team. Chon quickly joined varsity and has solidified herself as an essential member of the team. Below is the conversation with Chon about her place on the women’s snowboard team.

to do anything, I couldn’t carve and I was super slow. And they kind of pushed me to be better than I am. They didn’t even teach me to do the bunny slope, they just took me directly to the main lift. It took me about three or four tries to start carving, but it came pretty naturally to me because I skate board so it wasn’t super hard to learn, but yeah. [G] So, Chloe Kim won gold in the 2018 Winter Olympics for snowboarding at age 17. What does that type of win mean for girls like you? [A] It’s definitely amazing. I couldn’t think of anyone earlier but yeah she’s definitely one of my favorites. I literally love her so much. She’s absolutely amazing and to think she would go up to the mountain almost every day and practice since she was a little girl and how she’s gotten so far, that’s just amazing to think about. She’s definitely an excellent role model for not only girls but just Asian representation and she definitley pushed the boundaries to what people thought was possible.

[G] Do you have a funny story from snowboarding? [A] Yeah. I was doing one of my first competitions for the speed one and I wasn’t that good and I was going up against like three people, and I accidentally caught an edge and I like fell but I also took two people out too. So it was just like, whoever could get up the fastest and just go. So I think that one I got like second or third. [G] Because you took out everyone else. [A] Yeah, exactly. [G] Was there ever a challenge you’ve had to overcome? Read the rest of the [A] All of my friends have had conversation on wlhsNOW. years of experience so when I com first went up I didn’t know how

Portrait of Ashley Chon.

Photo by Scott McMahon

ABOVE: During a practice at Mt. Hood Meadows Ashley Chon tests out her skills on the slopes. Photo by Scott McMahon

TIME TO HIT THE POWDER Orion Forest sports editor

Mount Hood Meadows opened for skiers and snowboarders on Dec. 6 and with less than a month before the first race, the ski team has been hard at work training. The ski team has been in the weight room, on the track, and

of course on the mountain preparing for the fast-approaching season. One member of the ski team, Cole Meany, junior, has been skiing since he was four years old. This is his third year competing for the West Linn ski team. Meaney grew up in a family where both his parents and his sister all skied, so from

a young age Meaney has been up on the mountain. Something Meaney does during the winter is “Try to spend as much time as I can up on the mountain.” When thinking back through the years of ski team, Meaney highlights the many friends he has made through the sport-some of these friends

have gone off to college but they have formed such a bond that they still keep in touch to this day. The first league race for the ski team was Jan. 11 at Timberline and was co-hosted by West Linn and Wilsonville, however the first race of the season was a non-league race on Jan. 4, which is the “Kelsey

Fun Race.” In this race, everybody dresses up in costumes and does a race stress-free. “It’s pretty much like the most fun part of the year,” Meaney said. The first Kelsey Hewitt Memorial race was held in 2017 and has gained popularity and increased participation each year. Kelsey was a former OISRA ski racer and state qualifier who passed away in a skiing accident in 2015. Meaney has been both mentally and physically preparing for the upcoming season. To prepare for a race Meaney does all the necessary steps to physically prepare his body such as stretching and making sure his body is warmed up for the race, but for him, the most important part before a race is getting ready mentally. “You have to mentally prepare because if you don’t think you’re going to get down the course, then you’re not,” Meany said. Meaney is not the only person excited for the upcoming ski season. Principal Neuman commented on the importance of, “Giving those who do not play a traditional sport an opportunity to play for and represent West Linn.” Neuman supports all of the extracurricular activities and sports West Linn has to offer and is, “Looking forward to getting up on the mountain and seeing the ski team compete.”

SPORTS

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WINTER 2020

WORK HARD, PLAY HARDER HAYDEN FISH staff reporter

Despite being younger than the rest of his teammates, Stanley Mylet, freshman, saw his first fall season as a top varsity runner for cross country. Although Mylet began running in sixth grade as a way to simply stay in shape, it has developed into a full-time passion, along with his efforts in lacrosse and other activities, such as skating and snowboarding.

“School always comes first, and then athletics.” -Stanley Mylet Mylet’s fascination with sports truly emerged when he found the deep communities within his teams. As he discovered the friends, apps, and brands devoted to these interests, he became more involved. Mylet is a fan of the tight-knit groups these teams build. Not to mention, he has developed close relationships, from friends to coaches, with whom he feels he can, “talk to ... about any issue,” Mylet said. The shift from middle school sports at Rosemont, to the competitiveness of high school, has reinvigorated Mylet with an extra “push,” and has strengthened his work ethic. However, this shift has shown him the stress these teams can bring, as one can be under “a lot of pressure when you’re playing with older people,” Mylet said. Throughout his first semester in high school he’s learned managing his time is crucial and that it’s easy to get behind on work. “School al-

Working hard at pre-season lacrosse practice, Stanley Mylet, freshman, looks forward to the season, not only for the fun times he knows it will bring but also as a chance to “push [his] body,” Mylet said. Photo courtesy of Hayden Fish.

ways comes first, and then athletics. So, you can go to your practice and the second you get home you’ve got to do your homework,” Mylet said. Being a successful student has always been important to Mylet, though sometimes he has to “stay up late,” Mylet said, to ensure this. Mylet understands the importance of goal setting, noting his largest goal for the next season is to become a full-time varsity player for lacrosse

and make it to the semi-finals. However, to get there, Mylet is aware of the hard work he will have to put in to achieve this. Working hard at pre-season lacrosse practice, Stanley Mylet, freshman, looks forward to the season, not only for the fun times he knows it will bring but also as a chance to “push [his] body,” Mylet said.

Learn about broadcasting, marketing, camera opperation and more Earn 1.5 CTE credits Meetings: at luch every MONDAY in D102

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WINTER 2020

BOND, CAPITAL BOND

City voters pass landmark, multi-million-dollar measure that includes new schools, safety precautions, etc. BY NOLAN LAMPSON broadcast co-editor in chief On Nov. 6, the West Linn-Wilsonville School District received the go-ahead from voters to move forward with one of the largest projects in scope that the district has seen in years. The WLWV Capital Improvement Bond, slated for over $200 million in cost, won roughly 60% of the vote with its promise of new successes for the district. Residents will be taxed $3 per $1,000 in assessed value to assist funding for the project. West Linn joins other local districts, including Portland Public Schools, in their acquisition of funds for new educational services. The bond specifically outlines several adjustments and school improvements. There are protective implementations, such as security entrances, limiting glass installations,

alarm replacements, etc. Additionally, the district plans to update technology and repair certain school building sites. A performing-arts center at Wilsonville High will be renovated, and the West Linn High stadium will be enlarged in order to accommodate the student body and to “increase safety for students during emergency protocols.” Likely the largest changes to the district due to the bond will be the addition and relocation of schools projected. The project to move Arts and Technology High School from its address in Wilsonville to district-owned property in West Linn is underway, as are plans to construct a new middle school in the Willamette area. The district cites “enrollment projections” as one reason for this change; in the coming years, West Linn will soon eclipse over 2,000 students, and Wilsonville will soon reach 1,800. Anoth-

The high school dons a banner thanking voters on the bill’s passing. Photo by Nolan Lampson

er high school will supposedly alleviate the burgeoning secondary school

population.

Where to spend? An ASB spending breakdown By Logan Winder co-opinions editor The Associated Student Body, or ASB for short, is the group responsible for the decorations, events, dances and quality of life improvements seen around the school. The money spent by ASB is going back into the school, and nowhere else. Whether directly or indirectly, money is being used in order to try and benefit students. To begin the breakdown, it’s important to know how much money ABS actual-

Pie chart by Logan Wiinder.

ly has to use. Annie Kaiser, student leadership advisor, has an understanding of these funds and knows how they are used. “We start the year with about 30,000 to 32,000 thousand dollars,” Kaiser said. “That is half of the money that is collected from ASB stickers.” This is the only money they get for the year, so they make sure to plan the year out and have an idea for how much of it they will use. To help plan for spending and to bond with one another, the ASB officers go on a retreat in Aug. In fall, the officers attend the Ore-

gon Association of Student Councils Conference. At this event, the officers get the opportunity to hear from people that have experience in leadership roles and can talk to other groups of ASB officers from around America. These two events give ASB the knowledge and time to figure out what events to hold and how to spend their budget. In planning for the year, ASB themselves know they don’t use the entirety of their budget every year. That’s because they have a portion of it dedicated to the clubs at the school. ASB are the direct providers of

funds to the clubs, and any club has the ability to ask for funding. “We have a meeting once a year for clubs and organizations,” Kaiser said. “We give something to every single club that comes to us,” Kaiser said, “Last year we were able to give out 4,250 dollars.” For those that are more directly involved with the school, this is great news. For those less involved though, it may be confusing as to what ASB is spending money on for them. That is where “student investment,” comes in. This refers to the things that ASB purchases and funds for the benefit of

the majority of the students. Student investment is an investment in something that will help students in a positive manner. Things such as school dances (excluding winter ball and prom, as those are funded by the student class themselves), school events, decorations and general quality of life improvements. All of the student investments are done with the purpose of creating a more engaged and happy community of students. Though many things fall under student investment, one major event is left out and has its own category: May Day. This is one of West Linn’s oldest traditions and is something that ASB wants to make sure is getting the funding it deserves. “I know that we have to have at least 13,000 before May Day,” Kaiser said. “It takes about a third of our overall budget.” Because of the number of students involved, though, it’s worth the cost. “It’s a century-long tradition, so it’s really important to us that we continue to value that, and all of the arts kids who come forward, [and] all the kids who aren’t in the arts that have artistic things to share,” Kaiser said. For the most part, that is where the ASB money goes. The little bit left over is flex money, which is used for unforeseen events throughout the school year. That covers the entirety of the ASB budget and spending. In the occasions that ASB has extra money to spend, they give it, “Back to the students first we can,” Kaiser said.

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WINTER 2020

Causes worth fighting for BY LILLIAN GOTTSCHLING staff reporter

On Dec. 10, 16-year-old Greta Thunberg was named Time’s person of the year after her fight for climate change throughout 2019. Thunberg made her voice heard on a global stage and struck a chord with many to take part in activism of their own. In the shadow of Greta Thunberg, activists around the world fight in their communities for things beyond climate change. Seniors Audrey Lipsey, Moya Moses, and Kamerin Villagomez have been fighting for their beliefs since they stepped into the halls of West Linn. Lipsey, Moses, and Villagomez participated in a myriad of strikes, fighting for gun control, climate activism, and gender and race equality. Villagomez has attended local walkouts and protests since she was a freshman, first attending the West Linn United walkout to support marginalized students, but it wasn’t until her junior year that she took the spotlight to speak her mind. Villagomez organized a walkout to push for the adoption of a new health curriculum in our district, which teaches more about consent, sex education, sexuality, and gender identity. “There were instances over time of noticing that my peers were not educated about sex,” Villagomez said. “I guess it just happened at the right time that the vote was happening by our school board, which may be what spurred me to do that.” Moses credits Villagomez’s health curriculum walkout for striking her first steps into the activism spotlight. About a week after the walkout, Moses gave a speech at the school board meeting which voted on whether or not to adopt the curriculum. “I spoke for the first time and it was really emotional,” Moses said. “I feel like that whole experience made me a lot more comfortable using my voice, especially because the situation was really [had] escalated, so speaking to my peers and speaking to people was a lot easier.” Moses and Lipsey are co-presidents of the Feminist Club. In the beginning, Feminist Club was primarily geared toward fundraising, but it took a turn in Lipsey’s junior year. “I kind of shifted feminist club from just fundraising for charities to engaging with the community and trying to address issues,” Lipsey said.

Come to us. We’ve had people come to us multiple times. We have resources and we will set you up on a path to fix the problem. -Moya Moses

There’s a number of people who stood up for what they believe in and did stuff that was terrifying that I look up to. -Audrey Lipsey

“We’re minors, we can’t vote, and there’s no other way for us to voice our opinions other than something big and seen.” -Kamerin Villagomez

“And that [was] kind of my biggest shift away from just fundraising and into activism was junior year.” Lipsey is credited for co-organizing the health curriculum walkout with Villagomez, as well as helping with an environmental walkout last year. When talking about their influences, Villagomez and Moses both listed Lipsey as well as each other as being a major factor in giving them the confidence to speak up. “I think Audrey Lipsey was the first one that I’d seen since freshman year,” Villagomez said. “And being the president of Feminist club, that was crazy to me.” Moses also pointed out the importance of having support. “The entire support system that’s helped me this entire time has been key,” Moses said. Lipsey explained that many of her influences came from history, as well as her own life. “There’s a number of people who stood up for what they believe in and did stuff that was terrifying that I look up to,” Lipsey said. “They’re all people who, in their own way, encourage standing up for what you believe in.” With student action becoming no rarity to society, the impact of it is becoming less impactful to adults and those in power, which begs the question: why continue to do it? “I feel like [protests] are starting to lack strength to other people, but to the people involved, they’re still really powerful,” Moses said. “When I go to events, they continue to impact me because I feel empowered and I have a community and I feel safer.” Students continue to feel like they have a lack of power due to their age. They worry that they won’t be taken seriously, but these three activists have proven otherwise. With their persistent action taken toward fixing our societal problems, Moses, Lipsey, and Villagomez have made themselves known for the better, and they encourage others to do the same. “Come to us,” Moses said. “We’ve had people come to us multiple times. We have resources and we will set you up on a path to fix the problem.”

LOOKING FORWARD BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE PAST How the new acquisition of the Willamette Falls area spells a new beginning for local tribes A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE

CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF GRAND RONDE JUNE 30, 1857: THE GRAND RONDE RESERVATION IS ESTABLISHED

Originally located on a 61,000 acre section of land on the headwaters of the South Yamhil River, it was soon drastically decreased in the late 1800s.

WINTER OF 1856: THE TRAIL OF TEARS After years of treaties both ratiﬁed and unratiﬁed, the federal government begins the forced removal of the Umpqua, Southern Kalapuya, Rouge River and Chasta peoples.

In Aug, of 1954, congress passes the Western Oregon Termination Act, stripping the trive of their federal status, svering the relationship of the tribe and the governement.

AUG. 13, 1954: THE WESTERN OREGON TERMINATION ACT

NOV. 22, 1983: THE GRAND RONDE RESTORATION ACT After years of fundraising and lobbying, the Grand Ronde Tribe gained a victory when congress passsed the Grand Ronde Restoration act.

The Grand Ronde Tribe scored another victory when they regained 9,811 acres of the original reservation that had been stolen in the 1800s.

SEPT. 9, 1988: THE GRAND RONDE RESERVATION ACT

AUG. 15, 2019: THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF GRAND RONDE ACQUIRES THE BLUE HERON PROPERTY In a late summer announcement, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde announced they had purchased the Blue Heron property, a part of the Willamette Falls area that served as an important sacred site for years. Infographic by Remy Gottschling.

INFORMATION FROM THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF GRAND RONDE

BY REMY GOTTSCHLING coverage editor If this decade were to be defined by a single phenomenon, it would be the revival of activism amongst young people. Spurred on by movements such as the March For Our Lives and Fridays For Future, young activists all over the world took center stage and demanded meaningful change. But for an entire decade that will be remembered for its activism, some of the most important movements seem to be the least talked about. Stand with Standing Rock, The Dakota Access pipeline protests, and the Havasupai lawsuit against uranium mining, all represent the collective efforts of thousands of indigenous people to educate about their histories. But while this all might seem so far away physically, Indigenous activism is taking place right where we are standing. Long before the political revolution of this generation, the Willamette Falls valley was home to the Charcowah village of the Clowewalla and the Kosh-huk-shix Village of the Clackamas people. These people were the caretakers

and protectors of the falls until the portion of land was ceded to the United States Government in 1855 as a part of the Willamette Valley Treaty that also forcibly removed thousands from their homes to the Grand Ronde Reservation in central Oregon. 134 years later, the very descendants of those tribes are fighting to regain the land that was taken from their ancestors. On Aug. 15, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde announced that they purchased the Blue Heron Mill site. The 23-acre falls property holds significant historical and cultural importance for the tribe as, according to Deputy Press Secretary Sara Thomson, the purchase of the land represents reclaiming of “a piece of those lands” and resurrection of “our roles as Caretakers to Willamette falls.” Partnering with various local, regional and state partners, the Tribe plans to shape the future of the Falls region as one of tradition and education Over the past decade, it’s become more apparent that the history of Indigenous Peoples that is mostly known by non-indigenous people is, in

fact, not a full and accurate description of the pain and suffering that Indigenous tribes have had to face at the hands of colonialistic interests. The Grand Ronde tribe hopes to spark a wave of change in the community in terms of education about the true history of Indigenous Peoples, this wave has already seemed to reach schools much like our own. Take, for example, the newly formed Indigenous Peoples Affinity Club that aims to work towards building a “community amongst the Native American demographic at the school,” Moya Moses, senior, one of the founding members of the club said. By going to cultural events, discussing identity, and educating through the use of guest speakers Moses wishes to “Uplift us and leave us with a feeling of positivity.” The Indigenous Peoples Affinity Club will be joining an already growing number of Affinity clubs open to students at the school. “We have a pretty small demographic of Indigenous People here,” Moses said. “But I know we can bring people together, and that’s the ultimate goal.”

VOLUME 100 / ISSUE 2

AMPLIFIER

BACK

THE FUTURE OF STUDENT EQUITY WORK

Story continued from page 2

tion.” So far, taking action has been twofold, first focusing on giving staff members stratBY MATILDA MILNER egies to engage with students equitably, and co-editor-in-chief second on the way students interact within the greater school community. “We have chosen as a team to focus on race Staff professional development meetings specifically, understanding that there is a lot this year have been lead by the team, and of intersectionality,” Howe said. “When you focused on racial issues within schools. “So, talk about race, you’re going to talk about we’ve been talking about microaggressions,” LGBTQ issues, you’re going to talk about Karmakar said. “We’ve been talking about socio-economic issues, you’re going to talk vocabulary, we just recently talked about raabout gender issues. You can’t ignore any of cial identity and what it means to be white.” those other marginalized groups when you Though heading up staff meetings has focus on race.” consumed the majority of the team’s time As co-leaders, Karmakar and Howe set over the past year, they’ve begun efforts to agendas for team meetings, and coordinat- look at equity beyond the lense of teaching. ing with the administration on behalf of the “We’re also starting to think about school team. climate,” Howe said. “And our physical enHowe expressed that equity work has vironments and what they communicate, been something she’s been passionate about and how can we make them more welcomthroughout her teaching career. ing and inclusive, overall culture and some “I’ve always had a real passion for help- of the things we do as a school, how can we ing students that don’t necessarily have all make them more inclusive, and moving tothe resources to succeed, or kind of the cur- wards looking at curriculum.” rent system isn’t really working for them,” Changes regarding equity are also coming she said. “When the opportunity came up from the district level. “There’s new fundto work on equity team, it was kind of a no ing coming in with all of the student success brainer. That is very much my passion.” act, the SSA, and we as a district have to For the first two years that the equity team say ‘these are our priorities and this is what existed, group efforts centered around train- we’re going to do with it’,” Karmakar said. ing and education. Starting last spring, they She explains that one of those priorities is have moved toward making tangible change. the challenges that students of color specifHowe believes in a hands-on approach ically face. to in-school equity. “We want to actually Equity team is working to build the founmake moves that make a difference to our dation of lasting change in school climate students,” she said. “We can sit around and by educating community members and emtalk about it indefinitely, but it’s not going powering them to challenge their daily habto move the needle until we start taking ac- its and world views.

Amplifier West Linn High School

West Linn High School 5464 West A. Street West Linn, OR 97068 503-678-7800 wlhs-amplifier@wlhs.wlwv.k12.or.us wlhsNOW.com MATILDA MILNER co-editor in chief SKYLAR MOORE co-editor in chief NOLAN LAMPSON broadcast co-editor in chief KAIDEN RANDALL yearbook editor in chief REMY GOTTSCHLING coverage editor ORION FOREST sports editor PAIGE RODRIGUEZ staff reporter KALEIGH HENDERSON managing editor GILLIAN McMAHON design editor ZOE BARNETT people editor DELANEY CALLAGHAN current events EMMA COKE media editor ETHAN GILL co-opinions editor KALEIGH HENDERSON staff reporter MEGAN RIEHLE copy editor MADELYN TABOR photo editor LOGAN WINDER co-opinions editor HELENA ERDAHL staff reporter LILIAN GOTTSCHLING staff reporter HAYDEN FISH staff reporter GLENN KRAKE adviser

TWITTER: @wlhsamplifier @wlhsNOW FACEBOOK: @westlinn.amplifier INSTAGRAM: @wlhsNOW SNAPCHAT: wlhsNOW YOUTUBE: wlhsNOW The Amplifier is published quarterly by the West Linn High School Journalism Class. Opinions expressed in commentaries and editorials represent only those of the writer, and are not necessarily the opinions of West Linn High School, its administration, faculty, staff or student body.

In another picture for de Kanter’s photo essay, Alana Molden, sophomore, poses for a portrait. Photo by Saskia de Kanter

“It’s not just the work of equity team or teachers of color or students of color,” Howe said. “It’s all of our jobs, and to kind of help staff realizes that there’s things all of us need to be doing, because we all care about kids and we all want to make this an environment where students feel like they can succeed.”

Winter crossword

ACROSS: 3. A plant people kiss each other when under it 4. A chilled and sweetened milkbased drink 6. A sport you do on the mountain 8. A place for a fire within your home 9. The coldest season 10. A type of song

DOWN: 1. A form of apple juice 2. A hot drink made with chocolate 5. Man made of snow 7. A four-sided clay top used by children