Amplifier 2017-2018 Fall Edition (Volume 98-Issue 1)

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West Linn, Ore. / Volume 98 / Issue 1 / Fall 2017

INSIDE

Amplifier West Linn High School

PRICE OF EDUCATION pg. 2 NEW CLUBS AND NEW SRO pg. 4 HAUNTED HOUSES pg. 5 SENIOR SEND-OFF pg. 6 HOMECOMING pg. 8

Is it Luck?

By AMIR SALEM staff reporter

Rolling through the Three Rivers League with a 16-0 record, the varsity volleyball team advances to the playoffs after a victory over Lakeridge on senior night Thurs. Oct 19.

"Before every match, we recite our goals as a team so we all know we're going toward the same thing, on the same page," Abby Fillion, senior, said.

Before the first match of the season against Lake Oswego, the team set a list of goals for the season. The first goal being to go undefeated in league.

Last year, they were 15-1.

“Our first game was the toughest game we had all season,” Fillion said.

“It was one of the only times we went to five games.”

Against Lake Oswego, they won the first set, lost the second, won the third, lost the fourth and came back to win the fifth for the victory.

That set the tone for the season.

They went on to go 16-0 and were ranked 5th in the state going in to the playoffs.

One of their team goals, in

Fingers crossed, seniors Kayla Tence, Callista Noel, Izzy Bean, Abby Fillion get a break on the bench during the third set at senior night against Lakeridge. The "luck" paid off as the underclassmen win the third set 25-9. Photo by Brooke McKelvey

addition to going undefeated in league, is to be top 8 in state. That would allow the team to make the state tournament--something they haven’t done since 2013.

A win against McNary on Wed. in the first game of the playoffs will send

them to the second round Sat. With a win, they will advance to the state tournament.

While Fillion doesn’t consider the team’s success luck, she does admit to having some personal superstitions.

"I have to wear my hair in a pony

tail and braid the ponytail, otherwise I don't play good," Fillion said.

With a dominant win on Senior night going 25-20, 25-16, 25-9.

For more on Senior Night, go to pg. 6.

Unified program recognized nationally

BY PHILIP CHAN copy editor Efforts to promote social inclusion from Unified Club and Unified Sports have earned the school national distinction awarded to only 37 others.

Special Olympics Oregon announced Aug. 23 that the school has been distinguished as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School. This marks a school that has “an inclusive school climate and exudes a sense of collaboration, engagement and respect,” graded on 10 national standards of excellence, according to the Special Olympics website.

During a school-wide assembly on Oct. 20, the banner was presented to the Unified Club by Jean Hansen, Vice President of Sports for Special Olympics Oregon.

“I was like, wow, wow," Emmett Black, freshman, said.

“Happy and excited."

Currently, West Linn is only one of four schools in the state with this distinction and one of 38 in the U.S. “[The banner] shows how accepting we are as a school,” Will Hixon, senior, said. Hixon has been on both the Unified

Soccer and Basketball teams since he joined as a freshman.

“That’s really important to us.”

The program is open to students with intellectual disabilities and those without, as athletes and partners. They train and compete together in order to promote social inclusion.

“It gives kids an opportunity to build relationships and confidence,” Lynn Squires, Educational Resource Center instructional assistant, said.

Squires and Julie Holson, learning specialist, describe themselves as the sports team managers. Four years ago, they kicked-off the school’s Unified programs. Now, there are three sports: soccer, basketball, and track and field.

Nick Pepper, learning specialist, coaches basketball.

Alex Close, English teacher, has coached the soccer team for the last three years.

“I’ve always tried to find ways to make school more inclusive and egalitarian,” Close said.

Beyond sports, the Unified Club aims to make lunchtime more inclusive.

“Game Days” occur on the first and third Wednesday of each month in the ERC. At the

At the Homecoming assembly Oct. 20, Jean Hansen (left) presented with the National Unified Champion School banner, recognizing schools nationally by providing for students with disabilities. Photo by Aylish Clayton.

first meeting, pizza from local chain Bellagio’s is available on the tables by the door. Other snacks are often available too, paid for by the club’s money or out of Holson and Squire’s pockets.

“It gets people here,” Holson said.

Then, with desks set up in a circle, the students play games together. Popular choices range from the card games “Uno” and “Apples to Apples” to the charades-inspired app “Heads Up.” Students also play Wii games, taking turns racing

each other in “Mario Kart” or swordfighting in “Wii Sports Resort.”

“You develop a different sense of someone when you play together, eat together,” Holson said.

Together, Unified Club members also attend football games, school dances and other activities.

Since Holson began, she believes that the culture of the school has shifted in a “more positive” direction, as the Unified program moves important issues to the forefront.

“I’m really appreciative of

how it’s grown,” Kevin Mills, principal, said, “And I think it shows a sense of community of students in our SPED program."

“Going forward,” Holson said, “I’d like to see students take real ownership and directing events and activities themselves.”

Unified, for Holson, is about more than just a club or a team sport. It's a social, global endeavor.

“The laws are out there to provide equal access,” Holson said, “But it doesn't always happen.”

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OPINION

AMPLIFIER

FALL 2017

BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Is Print Dead?

Paying the price for education

BY WALLY MILNER coverage editor

Earlier this month, West Linn students took the PSAT. For those in 11th grade, the chance to take the test was less of an opportunity and more of a privilege. The fee to take the PSAT was $18 dollars. A paltry sum, perhaps, but enough to make signing up for the test an inconvenience for some.

Most students will not have even noticed the price, but that is beside the point.

The entire idea of public education is that it is a universal commodity. There should be no preference given to students on the basis of whether they can or cannot afford to pay a fee.

Success in education should be determined by intellectual ability, not the worth of the family.

Of course, the PSAT is not that important. Re-taking a practice test is not going to make or break a student’s High School career. However, the test does have value. You needn’t take my word for it.

The school’s Registration information makes the case, saying “All college-bound Juniors should register for the PSAT as it provides practice for the SAT and qualifies juniors for National Merit Scholarships” So while our school, and the thousands of others that offer the same test, recognize the value of taking the PSAT, they are willing to deprive students who cannot afford the fee of the opportunity to take it.

In a way, though, this is an excellent education opportunity. As students begin to look beyond High School, they will find the pathway to the future littered with unexpected costs.

Much has been made of the exorbitant price of college, but less attention is payed to the out of pocket costs students pay for ‘additional’ items for school.

Print journalism faces dire conditions.

The Chicago-Sun Times fired all of their photographers in 2013, including a Pulitzer winner, citing a shift to online video. Early this year, the New York Times laid-off its stand-alone copy desk, comprised of 100 copy editors, in order to “streamline” the publication process.

Weekday circulation of U.S. daily newspapers has been declining for the last 28 years, according to a Pew Research Center. Readership has declined by 18 percent in the last decade.

President Donald Trump has not been kind to the media either. On numerous occasions, he has lauded mainstream media sources like ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN as “fake news.”

This is the environment in which the Amplifier exists. This year, only six journalism students returned to continue working on the Amplifier.

As students, we’re

challenged to create professional content, to build a portfolio and act like professional journalists. However, it’s discouraging when job opportunities disappear.

What is our role? What is our future?

Though print is not what it once was, it’s certainly not dead.

The New York Times print revenue fell 18 percent in the first quarter. But, following the politically tumultuous events of 2016, the company saw 19 percent increase in digital ad revenue, as well the best quarter for subscriber growth in the paper’s history.

This last year has proved a truth that we’ve known since 1776: journalism is essential to democracy. There will always be a need to keep the government accountable.

Furthermore, journalism is not just about politics; it’s storytelling.

Humans need stories, not just to entertain or inform, but to make us

laugh and cry and feel.

The local newspaper can never be replaced because no one else will tell those stories.

Perhaps it’s nostalgia, but there is something unprecedented about being able to touch a paper and see the names of your friends and family in ink. History is recorded in print, and without the local paper, local history is forgotten.

Even if print disappears, the shift to video, audio and other forms of communication online provide a new opportunity to tell these stories. These mediums don’t hurt journalism; they provide new ways to engage, by not just reading, but seeing and hearing the story.

Though it’s a tough time, journalism is essential, and it will live on with those committed to telling stories.

Amplifier

West Linn High School

5464 West A. Street West Linn, OR 97068 503-678-7800 wlhs-amplifier@wlhs.wlwv.k12.or.us WLHSnow.com

A TI-84 can cost over 200 dollars. Photo by Wally Milner Make no mistake, buying calculators, books, and computers is simply not realistic for every family. By the time the reach college, many students are already saddled with a massive loan.

According to a college board study, textbooks can cost as much as $200 a peice. That’s 21 hours of work at minimum wage to pay for a single textbook.

For many students, these prices are simply untenable.

They are forced to use outdated textbooks, or share them with friends. A cost that many students never considerd preparing for has the potential to severely limit their education.

In fact, the entire transition from high school to college is a minefield for students from lower middle class families.

Every step of the way, money provides opportunities to streamline passage. AP tests, national honor society, SATs and after school activities are all vital chances to impress colleges, available only to those who can afford it.

In an era where discussions of college costs have finally entered mainstream political conversation, it is time to address the reality that is plaguing America. The price of school is robbing students of opportunities, preventing colleges from admitting the best students, and reinforcing the every growing wealth gap in the United States.

The resultant catastrophic issue in American education can only be combated through a combination of government support in College payments, and increased education for students going into college.

With that in mind, I call on the West Linn Wilsonville school district to increase efforts to educate students on financial management.

Only by assisting students in accessing scholarship opportunities and doing everything possible to provide financial aid to help those who need it can West Linn adequately prepare our student body for college.

GRACE NICKAS co-editor in chief JI HYUN AN co-editor in chief BROOKE MCKELVEY co-editor in chief PHILIP CHAN copy editor WALLACE MILNER coverage editor RORY BIALOSTOSKY staff reporter SAMUEL MISA staff reporter ALEKS BROOKS staff reporter SARAH HEIDEN staff reporter MATILDA MILNER staff reporter ANNA STROBBE staff reporter AMIRHOSSEIN SALEM staff reporter ALEX BISCHEL staff reporter BRYCE CRUMPTSON staff reporter KATHERINE STALLARD staff reporter NICOLE MALLY staff reporter EMILY EBSEN staff reporter HAVEN LEE staff reporter ARRONETTE VONLEH staff reporter GLENN KRAKE adviser 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.

Twitter: @WLHSAmplifier @WLHSNow Facebook: @westlinn.amplifier Instagram: @wlhsnow Snapchat: Wlhsnow Youtube: WLHSnow

CURRENT EVENTS

AMPLFIER

FALL 2017

Dress up to power up

DAY ONE: PAJAMA DAY Students like Ryan Roby, freshman, dress up to show school support for spirit week. On an Instagram poll 56% of 110 students participated. “It was really fun to dress up in onesies and as a giraffe,” Roby said.

Photo by Maygan Adams

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BY MAYGAN ADAMS

DAY 4: DECADE DAY On Thur. it was dress up as your favorite decade day, each grade decorated their porch from the 60’s for Freshman to the 80’s for seniors, Emily Fogg and Grace Miller dressed up for the ‘80s Photo courtesy of Emily Fogg

DAY FIVE: SPIRIT DAY Friday is spirit weeks last day, Shannon Groppe, freshman, has has an insider view being a part leadership and the spirit squad “It was amazing to see everybody be able to dress up and to be apart of it,” Groppe said.

Photo by Maygan Adams

DAY 2: TWIN DAY On Tues. Miranda Wiler and Grace Heaton, freshmen, find the motivation to dress up as eachother. “It was fun to dress up like my best friend, “ Wiler said.

Photo by Maygan Adams

DAY 3: JERSEY DAY On Wed. Evan Klinkhammer, senior, and Olivia Anderson, junior, suit up in their favorite sports gear to show their support. “It was hard to decide what jersey to wear, I love so many teams,” Anderson said.

Photo by Maygan Adams

Students prepare for haunted trail

BY BRYCE CUMPSTON staff reporter “We’re gonna scare a lot of people,” says Rachel Cupparo senior, one of many students volunteering on West Linn’s Haunted Trail this year.

The Haunted Trail is a long time tradition of the city of West Linn, and has recently been taken over by the local organization Creatures of the Night.

“Creatures of the Night has been doing the Haunted Trail for five years,” David D. Jones, the head of the organization, said. Since they’ve been in charge, Creatures have taken the trail down a more creative, storydriven path. “Every year is a continuation of Mary’s story,

which is how we started the first story,” Jones said. “The telling of a little girl, Mary who now is the protector of Mary S. Young Park.”

While the storyline has become a big factor in the trail,the staff isn’t worried about diluting the fear factor. “I do think it will be especially scary this year,” Ian Underwood, senior, said.

“Just seeing what we’ve been building over these past few weekends, it looks like it’s going to be a truly spooktacular night.”

The trail is also a fantastic opportunity for West Linn students to get volunteer hours, or just to have fun building props, selling concessions, and even acting

on the trail. Dylan Jahnson, senior, has volunteered every year since seventh grade, and now sees it as a community event for him and his friends.

“We don’t have to ask each other, ‘Hey, are you working on the trail this year?’ It’s more just like we know we’re gonna do it, and it’s fun to just go in together and have ideas about basically just how to scare people.” Jahnson said. “The maze is always the scariest part…”

This year is expected to be a massive success, and draw in a record amount of people. “Every year we’ve had double the amount of people who have come, so this year I think we’re expecting a couple thousand people,”

Photo by Bryce Cumpston

Underwood said. “It’s gonna be a huge success if the trend continues.”

The trail will run on Oct. 27 and 28 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Mary S. Young Park.

Get ready to boogie: Thespian Masquerade

BY ARRONETTE VONLEH staff reporter

Get your masks ready for the Thespian Masquerade dance on Oct. 28 P.M to 10 P.M just a week before the release of “Spamalot.” When asking the organizers what inspired them to organize the dance they went into detail about how it’s all about just having a good time and being creative through costume.

“Well it’s a fun thing that’s organized for us wild and crazy guys to have fun with each other and just

have a good time” Brady McDevitt, senior, said. When asked who could attend Mcdevitt said, “Anyone,

When: Oct. 28 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Where: Black Box in the PAC Who: Anyone Free admission really. It was first set out to the Thespians to invite their friends and so on. We don’t advertise it as much because we host it in the black box

so we don’t have much space.”

“This is an annual tradition we have been doing it for years! We also do trick or treating so toddlers can eat before the dance,” Brady McDevitt, senior, said. “If you plan to attend the dance, wear your best costume and be ready to boogie.”

McDevvit concluded “If you plan to attend the dance, wear your best costume and be ready to boogie.”

Students can attend the Masquerade dance on Oct. 28.

Admission costs 5 dollars, but online tickets can be prepurchased for 4 dollars on the City of West Linn’s website.

TIPS

DOUBLE UP YOUR HALLOWEEN COSTUME: “I will be dressing up as Coraline for my costume,” Brady McDevitt, senior and Thespian president, said. “So you can wear your Halloween costume that you already have.”

NO NEED TO ORGANIZE A GROUP: “I’m not going with anyone in particular,” Matthew Lewis, senior and Thespian president, said. “It’s mostly about everyone coming together and hanging out as one big group.”

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PEOPLE

AMPLIFIER

FALL 2017

Kaleidoscope, Ecology clubs get fresh start Winner of school competition advances to regionals and Salem finals

BY KATHERINE STALLARD AND HAVEN LEE staff writers Ecology Club and Kaleidoscope Club are two of the many new clubs emerging this school year.

Ecology Club, is looking forward to making a difference in our community and getting their message out. Jim Wynne, senior and president of Ecology Club, has a detailed mission statement that he and the Ecology Club are working to complete. Its main goals are to discuss environmentalism and ecology, and to do things that make a positive difference in our community. The members aim to do cleanups and volunteer work around town that help improve our parks.

“We’re even planning on cleaning up the Tripp lot-stuff like that around the school,” Wynne elaborates. “We’re also looking to maybe change policy within the school to make it a more environmentally and eco-friendly place.”

With the club being created three weeks ago, just after the club fair, not many

people know about it. Wynne didn’t exactly plan on being president, but when Jonathan Davies, club advisor, brought it to his AP Environmental Science class, Wynne jumped at the opportunity.

“Ecology Club was a club in previous years and we started it up again because it died,” Wynne says. “I wanted to enjoy the club but it didn’t exist, so I got it started back up.”

“Anyone who wants to join can join,” Wynne says. “Anyone who’s interested in the environment should consider it and join if they care about the environment. I want people to care.”

Like Ecology Club, Kaleidoscope is a club that, once dead, has made a resurgence.

Previously out of print for several years, the Kaleidoscope literary magazine has been revived by determined students. The club hopes to bring attention to the various arts students participate in, both within and out of school.

Hannah Schwartz, a member of the club, hopes to create a more close-woven community of artists.

REVIVING THE LOST - Since the resurgence of the club last year, a trio of senior editors Abigail Manley (above), Nicola Bittner and Brandon Humberston, have taken the reigns to put together a literary arts magazine. The club aims to bring more attention to the arts and promote students showing off their talents. Meeting every Wednesday at lunch in room E205, club member Hannah Schwartz is excited about the efforts of the group. “We aim to bring everyone together,” she said. Photo by Haven Lee

“[The club] tries to bring everyone together and let other people see the different forms of art. We really want to represent that through our school.” She also explains that personally, artists can become used to doing only one type of art and that being in the club can open people up to different forms and techniques.

When the club meets, the members often work on getting student artists to submit their work, as well as formatting the book they’ll be cre-

GETCLUB-CONNECTED Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

ating. The meetings revolve around writing or drawing.

The Kaleidoscope publishes all forms of art.

“We have a Google Classroom that you can submit whatever you’d like to,” Schwartz says. “We just ask that you submit it personally or that the name of the person who did it is on it, because the ‘anonymous’ stuff can get a little questionable.

It’s really open to whatever you want to submit, so really nothing’s off limits.”

The club welcomes anyone

Thursday

who might be interested to join, as well as people who enjoy organizing and would like to help make the book a success.

New clubs like Ecology Club and Kaleidoscope are actively looking for members to join and participate. If you have interest, Ecology Club meets on Tuesdays in C204 and Kaleidoscope meets Wednesdays at lunch in E305.

For more club coverage, visit WLHSNow.com

Friday

Ecology Club

GSA

Model UN

Thespians

JSA

Lunch-C204

Lunch-A103

Lunch-B205

Lunch-Black Box

Lunch-A203

Speech and Debate

ASL

Red Cross

West Linn United

5-7 PM-B202

Lunch-Band Room

Speech and Debate

Lunch-Forum

Lunch-Forum/A104

Looking for a new activivty? All of these clubs are looking for new members.

FCA (Boys) L (Girls)

5-7 PM-B202

Interact Club

Calligraphy Club

Lunch-D203

Lunch-D202

Magic: TG Lunch-B104

Lunch-Forum/Lunch B103

Tech Lab

Key Club

AVA

International Club

Lunch B202

Lunch-D204

Lunch- A105

3:30-5:30 PM-Library Alcove

Unified Club Lunch-ERC

Theoretical Physics Lunch-C103

Feminist Club Lunch-A101

TAB Lunch-Forum

Meet new SRO Officer Halverson

BY MATILDA MILNER staff writer Jeff Halverson, Student Resource Officer, had no intention of working in law enforcement until he was roughly 26.

“If you told 18-yearold me, ‘You’re going to be a cop someday,” I’d say “You’re out of your mind,’” Halverson said.

“What happened was, the first time that I was living in New Zealand, I was playing basketball with some guys in a league, and three or four of them were cops, and they were telling me about it. And at that point, you know, [I was] just newly married and trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. At that point I was 26, so I’d traveled around and checked the

world out a bit.

“So, these guys were telling me about it, and it seemed like a good fit for me. I can talk to people, I like people, and we do get to drive cars really fast sometimes.

Sometimes--under very strict conditions, I do understand this is being recorded. I came across it [police work], I looked into it a bit, and so far it’s been a really good fit for me.”

Before deciding to be a cop, however, Halverson worked his fair share of other jobs.

“I’ve worked in the jails, I’ve worked in the courthouses, this is in New Zealand where I did that stuff, I’ve done motorway patrol which is like OSB, and that was in New Zealand, [...] I’ve done tag team in New Zealand which was like

crowd control, which was really fun, here in America I’ve done acting sergeant roles, night shift is always fun, PIO as well[...]. Within the police departments that I’ve worked at, there’s been room to move around and do different things, and that’s what keeps it fresh and keeps it interesting for me.”

“Going out of high school, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do,” Halverson said. “I think as a young guy, you’re not really sure what’s going on, but there was that acting bug. Like I said, I don’t have any problems talking to people.”

“Or maybe radio, I did a little bit of radio work. [...] I did a few little internships and things with some radio stations up in Seattle.

Things, you know, just didn’t go my way, and it wasn’t meant to be, so I moved on from that and did some odd jobs.

I worked at pike place market for a while, and I worked at some toy stores. Just some goofy stuff. I worked for the YMCA--the YMCA and starbucks, so I went back and forth, so I’d work for the summer camp and then I’d go work for starbucks when I came back. Pretty good gigs.”

So, how did Officer Halverson come to replace Officer Bunch?

“I was on patrol, and the SRO position came up, and I’ve been a cop now for fourteen years, and I’ve never worked in a school,” Halverson said.

“But kind of my background is, I’ve got

Student Resource Officer Jeff Halverson, in his office. “Can we include my clown picture in this?” Halverson asked, before this picture was taken. Photo by Matilda Milner

kids of my own, I’ve worked with kids, even before I had kids of my own I worked at summer camps, I volunteered with kids. So, I like kids.

“Part of this job is always doing new things, as an officer. So, for me, the chance to come and work at a high school-how many cops get to do that? Not a lot.”

“It kind of fits in with the way that I like to police where it’s proactive, we like to get out there

and meet the kids, meet the citizens, friendly and non confrontational, rather than them calling us and saying, “I need your help”, to meet them beforehand. So, this seemed like a kind of good fit for me to come in and meet the students who are going to be the citizens who live here.”

PEOPLE

AMPLFIER

FALL 2017

Looking For a Nightmare?

Four local Haunted Houses for a holloween freight

Fear PDX 5413 NE Columbia Blvd, Portland, OR 97218 General Admission $30 Fear Factor 5/5 People are raving about this online “Outstanding, start to finish.

Best haunted house I’ve been to in years.”- Devin H a yelp user writes.

This house has lots of good variation with six haunted houses in under an hour, but animatronics may bring down the experience.

However, the exceptional acting and cosmetics of the actors makes this an exciting and horrifying haunt. It takes you from all different types of scenes with jump scares from that will spike your adrenaline and make sure you have a good time.

BY ALEKS BROOKS staff reporter

13th Door 3855 SW Murray Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97005

General admission $18 cash or $20 credit card

Fear Factor 2/5

Fear Asylum 13121 SE McLoughlin Blvd, Oak Grove, OR 97222 General admission Unreleased

Fear Factor 3/5 A great, non profit haunt that employees young actors. The quality of the overall experience can sometimes be low, with hokey, low budget set ups sometimes taking away from believability That said, Fear Asylum manages to make do with less, and the experience is still very enjoyable.

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This haunt has an insane amount of animatronics and quality actors.

It has the potential to provide a great scare.

Instead, the experience was ruined by a logistical error.

The admittance desk didn’t space the groups out long enough, so we ended up catching up with the other groups. This caused the experience to be brought down because there were around 20 people clustered together causing there to be more people than actors, ruining the experience.

Haunted Trail Mary S Young Park General Admission $15 Fear Factor 2/ 5 Scary, but because the actors are far away from you it is great for young kids who want to experience some fear and fun but still feel safe and in control. The enchanted trail, which can be found at the same location is great for little kids and younger sibilings who want to have fun and enjoy the halloween season without being scared to death.

The haunted trail is a ‘for all ages’ experience. If you’re looking to be truly rightened, there are better sites, but the haunted trail is a fun, local experience.

Hitting all the right notes Aubrey Patterson brings a fresh energy to the choir program

BY ALEX BISCHEL staff writer “I started choir in my junior year and continued with it through college, until I got my vocal major, then I just got hooked.” That’s the story of how Aubrey Patterson ended up as West Linn’s newest teacher.

“When I get to work with students who are as passionate about this as I am, it makes my day.”

Patterson is a choir-loving person who enjoys working with the students. In her first year at the school, she’s ready to guide the kids to become great musicians and grow along with herself.

“I don’t want to change very much from last year’s program; I want to build off the foundation that’s already there.” Patterson said. “There’s room for growth in sight reading, the ability to sing a new piece with confidence.”

Patterson wants to help students improve, but also recognizes the importance of keeping the previous vibe from the last program alive.

“I think for the kids I’m a new intensity level, and I think that can help to inspire them to work harder and improve upon themselves.

By the end of the year to the beginning of next

New choir teacher, Aubrey Patterson, stands at the front of her new classroom. Patterson is excited to be a part of the choir program and is ready to help the program strive for greatness. PHOTO BY ALEX BISCHEL

year I want all the kids to ace their auditions, whether that’s for college or the next level of choir.”

Patterson explains that she is motivated not only to help students improve, but to help wants the program evolve as well. She strives to help all the kids in choir be successful enough to ace their

A show for all ages

BY NIKKI MALY staff reporter Lights, camera, action!

On November 9th theatre is opening another of their plays, Spamalot.

The play is a comedy based on ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’, complete with singing, live music, and large props. The crew has been rehearsing since the start of

the year in preparation for pening night.

“I’m just really excited for everyone to see the play because it’s going to be a good show!” Says senior lead Claire Newrones.

Newrones has been a member of programs like Crayon Kids Musical Theater and singing teams since elementary school.

“I play Lady of The Lake

auditions.

“I really dig the staff culture, the teachers I know are super inclusive and kind, and I’m excited to be apart of that. At my last school, I had to fight for that relationship, and here it just is.”

Not only is Patterson excited to be apart of the choir program, but

she’s super excited to be apart of the school in West Linn. She loves the staff, the students, and the area.

In the midst of sword fights, 80s pop and insane costumes emerged the pure, raw talent of the theater program.

‘Spamalot’ brings Monty Python’s classic comedy to the stage

in Spamalot, she is a strong female character in the show.

Some of the characters doubt her existence until she reveals herself to them out of the lake, I don’t want to give away too much but she is feisty and sassy.”

Newrone’s character is married to King Arthur, played by senior Matthew Lewis. Both are excited to be leads their final year of high

school.

“I’ve been doing the musicals here at West Linn since sophomore year and I’ve been in love with them ever since” says Lewis. Lewis and Newrones sing both solos and duets in the show and are excited to have people come see.

“Spamalot is a show that appeals to all ages. From sophisticated humour to

straight potty jokes. Also the talent is fantastic. It should be a really great show!” says Lewis.

The play is directed

by Steven Beckingham, a professional actor and experienced director. The play will debut November 9th in the Performing Arts Center.

For more in depth coverage of Spamalot, visit WLHSnow.com

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SPORTS

Senior send-off

AMPLIFIER After performing their dance for the graduating seniors, the girls soccer team communicates their thanks one more time with homemade signs. The tradition of a senior night dance is one that has been around since as long as the team can remember, making for a special night. “Since the celebration is the same every year, it was interesting to finally experience it myself afer three years of being on their side,” Leah Briggs, senior, said. Photo by Brooke McKelvey

FALL 2017

During the homecoming pep assembly, the cheerleaders sport a jersey of one of the 32 football seniors during the annual guy/girl dance. During the homecoming game the football seniors were recognized before the game and the cheer and dance team seniors were recognized during halftime.

Photo by Sarah Heiden

BY BROOKE MCKELVEY co-editor-in-chief Similarities between boys soccer and volleyball may not be obvious at first glance, but there is something that unites all fall sports: the tradition of senior night. Whether it is honoring their eldest team members through a dance, or simply by reading out fun facts before their final home game, each sport has its own tradition for remembering their seniors.

Embracing each other after their final home game, the girls soccer team thank each other as their time together draws to a close. “[Senior night] is really a time for us to thank our seniors for all the hard work and dedication they have put in throughout the years with our program,” Calli Masters, junior, said. Photo by Brooke

Keeping their undefeated streak in league alive with a victory over Lakeridge, the volleyball team takes time after the game to celebrate their seniors with a dance. Along with the dance, underclassmen also leave gifts for the seniors in their classes throughout the day.

“It gives us a chance to recognize all that they have done for the team and show how much we appreciate them,” Kayla Moss, junior, said. Photo by Brooke

McKelvey

McKelvey

Thrown into the mix Fall is a stressful time for freshmen figuring out high school, and being put on a team full of upperclassmen doesn’t do much to ease nerves

BY ANNA STROBBE staff reporter

Preparing to receive a serve, Kate Griffin, freshman, shows no fear in being a freshman on varsity. Photo by Gigi Schweitzer

In one of his last games being a Lion, Quinn Manes, senior, takes the ball down the field. Boys soccer honors their seniors breifly before the game, but it leaves an impact on those graduating. “I looked up to prior seniors in soccer a lot, and it means a lot to me as a senior to be able to be a role model for the underclassmen,” Zach Daniels, senior, said. Photo by Aylish Clayton

How did you make varsity? “I got on varsity by trying out for about a week. Normally the coach decides his team’s earlier, but I was actually one of the girls that the coach was picking between JV and varsity.”

Were your siblings varsity stars? “My sister was on Wilsonville’s volleyball team, and my mom was on varsity when she was in highschool. My dad plays volleyball, but didn’t have a boys volleyball team at the school he attended.”

How do you handle grades with your sport? “I have a 3 hour practice after school, so I try to get as much done as I can.

If not, I will come in early to get the help I need.”

When did you start playing this sport?

“I started to play volleyball when I was about 3, but when I actually started to play on a club was in 4th grade.”

Is it fun being a freshmen on a varsity team? “I think that it’s a different experience being a freshman playing on a varsity team with the older girls, but you have to step your game up which can be stressful from time to time. You have to put in the work to play at that level as a freshman.”

Closing in on the finish line

BY GRACE NICKAS co-editor-in-chief Hearts pounding, people fidgeting, adrenaline coursing through veins. The gun goes off and a mass sprints away from it, entering the 5000 meter race course.

“Cross country has been one of my favorite things through high school,” Eleanor Williams, senior, said. “I love running, and being on a team with other people who love to run has been great.”

Cross country is one of the largest and most inclusive sports that is offered. It has both a boys and girls team, divided into varsity and JV for racing purposes. The whole

team practices every day after school, and competes against other teams within the Three Rivers League. This year’s season got off to a rough start, but both teams are working to come back to their full potential.

“The season started out pretty rocky,” AJ Cook, junior, said. “We were missing some team members on the guys’ side and others hadn’t run in the summer so they were out of shape.”

Despite these setbacks, the boys team quickly turned it around.

“We took third place at a large invitational which got all of us really excited to compete,” Cook said. “We are looking towards a strong

performance at state.”

With their recent exceptional performance, the team has shifted their focus to the state championships. This means setting new goals for themselves as a team and individually. For Cook, who has been a member of the team since freshman year, he has his sights set on the state championship.

“My goals for the rest of the season is top five at districts and top 20 at state,” Cook said.

With the amount of days for practicing winding down, the team is readily awaiting the state meet which will take place Nov. 4 at Lane Community College.

Despite a rough start to the season, the team remains optimistic and hopeful about their upcoming meets. Their most anticipated event being the state meet which will take place Nov. 4 at Lane Community College.

Photo by Gillian McMahon

SPORTS

AMPLIFIER

FALL 2017

7

Boys soccer looks to surprise in the playoffs 25th-rank in the state makes them the underdog, but don’t count them out

BY RORY BIALOSTOSKY staff reporter The boys soccer team has not beenat their best in the Three Rivers League, or in the state this year. With a record of 2-5-6 heading into the postseason, high-ranking teams like the Jesuit High School Crusaders and the Westview High School Wildcats might be thinking that the Lions–who are usually the dominant team in sports like football and basketball–will be an easy out this year. While their record may not reflect top-quality soccer, the team has draws with the fifth-ranked McMinnville High School and sixth-ranked Newberg High School.

On senior night versus Newberg, a tight battle ensued ending in a 0-0 draw. That was the last game of the regular season on Oct. 19. Bryan Chapman, senior, played a pivotal role in keeping the game close

by pushing the ball forward and keeping it in West Linn’s offensive zone. Chapman, known as the best free-kicker on the team, nearly thrashed a shot into the top corner of the net from 20 yards out to give his team the lead. A beautiful save by the Newberg keeper held the game at 0-0.

Injuries have hurt the team throughout the regular season.

At the beginning of the year, Chapman was forced out with an injury. Another one of their key players, goalkeeper Eli Wall, junior, suffered a hand injury that kept him out of the box. Wall suited up as a striker during that period, but didn’t see action at that position.

Cole Goodheart, junior, helped the team earn two draws, and kept a clean sheet against Newberg in Wall’s absence.

As for being the “underdog,” many of the players say they don’t see themselves as

Ben Walker, senior, (center) prepares to make a play for the ball on senior night, Oct. 19, versus the Newberg Tigers. The game ended in a 0-0 draw, the team’s sixth tie of the season. Photo by Rory Bialostosky.

such. They feel that they have demonstrated the ability to play and keep up with topranked teams, and say their record of 2-5-6 doesn’t reflect their true potential.

“We know we can compete with any team in the state on any given day,” Wall said. “The low ranking is definitely motivation, and we hope to use it to our advantage to catch some teams by surprise.”

The key to the Lions’ ability to pull off a deep postseason run will be finishing goals at the net. It seems cliché, but the team has fallen victim to a tie in six matches during the regular season, a total that leads the state. Only one other team, Franklin High School, has six draws.

“The lack of finishing has hurt us a lot throughout the season but hopefully we can

start to find the back of the net during the postseason,” Wall said. “We’ve actually been working on that a lot at our training sessions leading up to the postseason.”

While this is the first time the team hasn’t finished in the top 10 in the state rankings, they will look to surprise as the playoffs approach. The first round of the playoffs begins on Oct. 28.

The new front

BY SAM MISA staff reporter

After an 85-yard run following a pass, Qawi Ntsasa, senior, reaches the endzone giving the Lions an advantage of 21 over Lakeridge. Photo by Sam Misa.

Check out wlhsnow.com for videos and podcasts on the latest in fall sports.

A balancing act

BY EMILY EBSEN staff reporter

With the amount of schoolwork that is given throughout the day, and practices everyday after school, the girls soccer team has found that it can be very easy to fall behind.

“I am very impressed with the girls that they are able to keep focused at soccer practice and not fall behind in their studies,” Teale Iacolucci, girls soccer coach, said.

The girls soccer team has been very successful this season with a winning streak of 10 games. They have found a way to get their heads in the game on the field, and in the classroom. The Lions support each other, and together they build a strong team that can conquer anything. With hours of homework, and hours of hard

work at soccer practice, it is a daily challenge.

“I think each game has its own difficulties, and each game you walk away with a new lesson learned,” Iacolucci said.

By being a teacher, Iacolucci has an insight that most coaches don’t have. She can see both sides of her students and understand what it is like to come from a grueling day of school to a practice that seems never-ending.

“I get to see so much of their hard work and dedication,” Iacolucci said. “I know how much homework they take home with them, yet they can walk out onto the field and push it all aside. I think it’s that balance between student and athlete. They surpass my expectations on what they can handle, and how much effort they put into their work.”

With the new fall season, varsity football started off with five wins in a row, followed by two devastatingly close losses. Last year, the mighty Lions went the whole season without losing, and won the state championship, placing themselves at number one in state. At the end of the previous season, the team lost Gatorade Player of the Year, Tim Tawa, along with many other players who are now moving on to college. With the change in roster, the new front trudges on.

The new lineup is striving to keep up with the standards set by those that came before, but they have unfortunately faltered in losing to Tigard by nine points, and to Lake Oswego by one point. Before their first loss however, West Linn beat Newberg with a score 56-0, creating a sense of dominance.

“This season has been going great.

I think we [the Lions] are in a good spot heading into the last part of the regular season and into the play-offs.

We have one goal as a team, and we will find out if we meet that goal or

not in December,” Dillon Miller, the head coach of the freshman football team, said. Miller has coached many of the varsity players in the past, and knows how they can turn themselves around.

“I think we lost those two games because we lacked leadership and competitive fire,” Miller said. “We need to get our swagger and our energy back. In successful years, the team has been a family. We need to find that sense of togetherness. We need to play for each other.”

On Oct. 20, the Lions came out victorious over Lakeridge with a final score of 49-0. Highlights of the game were an interception followed by a 56-yard run for a touchdown, and a pass that turned into an 85-yard score. This game showed the potential that the Lions have when they come together.

“In this season we have faced more adversity then we have in years past.

I think that will be a good thing for us heading into the play-offs. There is no reason that we can’t finish the season as state champions, just like we did last year,” Miller said.

Setting up for a corner kick in their game against Lake Oswego, Rae Peters, junior, looks to score. Photo by Ashley Newborne.

VOLUME 98 / ISSUE 1

WLHSnow.com

BACK

One for the ages

8

PHOTO STORY BY SARAH HEIDEN

Historic look at homecoming traditions

ROYALTY. King Dylan Tiffany and Queen Brady McDevitt, seniors, smile at the roaring crowd. For decades, there was only a queen and princesses.

The second annual homecoming queen was Queen Anita Nunn in 1954.

Starting in 1958 there were homecoming princes and kings. It wasn’t until 1986 that there was a King and Queen. “I didn’t think I was going to be queen, I looked right at Dylan before, and said it’s not going to be us,” Brady McDevitt said, “and then they opened the box, and I saw the balloons, and I looked down and I said ‘Oh, nobody else has balloons,’ so it was pretty cool.”

RETRO DECORATIONS. Class of 2018 won the porch decoration competition with their take on the 1980s. Each porch was decorated to fit a specific decade with the freshman class as the 1950s and the senior class with the 1980s. “Decorating porches has been a big deal,” Marlo Matin, former ASB adviser, said, “2003, maybe, was the first year we did the porch decorations.” With Homecoming first observed in 1953, the relatively new tradition of porch decoration continues to build steam

ASSEMBLE THE VOTES. At the homecoming assembling, the members of the court, Payton Shelstad and Gabe Lee, freshmen; Hunter Shepersky and Micah Molden, sophomores; Olivia Roane and Tate Kadel, juniors; Brady McDevitt, Aubree Schrandt, Morgan Schutzler, Soroush Azizi, Matthew Lewis and Dylan Tiffany, seniors are presented with roses. Online voting technology makes this process much faster, but when Ms. Marlo Matin was in charge of ASB, voting was a hassle. “We used to pass out paper ballots and scantron ballot forms,” Matin said. “We took up more class time, and it was a lot of manual labor, just going around and doing the ballots, making sure they were accurate, running them through scantron machines; it was a longer process.” HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE. Football players scramble for the ball as the Lions take on Lakeridge. The team dominated the game, finishing 49-0.

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KEEPING IT CAUSAL. Since the dance started right after the game ended, students went to the dance dressed casually or in their “green out” spirit attire. “I like how [the dance] is informal,” Dylan Tiffany, Homecoming King, said. “I don’t think everyone would like having three big formal dances a year.”

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