Amplifier 2017-2018 Spring Edition (Volume 98-Issue 3)

West Linn, Ore. / Volume 98 / Issue 3 / Spring 2018

INSIDE

Amplifier West Linn High School

pg. 3 - Six scientists to present findings at national level

pg. 6 - A look back on the most successful season of girls basketball in school history

SPEAKING OUT IN SILENCE

BY BROOKE MCKELVEY co-editor-in-chief

A little over a month after the walkout in remembrance of the 17 Parkland deaths, another walkout is scheduled; this one taking a political stance.

“The walkout on March 14 was a memoriam for the students lost in Parkland,” Myzanne Huss, senior, said. “This next one will be more political and we are actually advocating for something.”

Their goal is to raise awareness for stricter gun regulation. Oregon already has some laws in place, but Huss and the small group of students she is working with are trying to spread this awareness at a national level for states that have looser laws.

“We hope that we will be heard, and maybe be able to bring this issue to DC,” Huss said.

Like the previous one, this walkout is a national movement, but different in the way that it will take the form of more of a protest.

The walkout will begin April 20 at 10 a.m. outside the front of the school.

There will be a few speakers, including Huss, and then students will march to Representative Kurt Schrader’s office in Oregon City.

“By the end of the day I want to have taken action to demand political action on behalf of the safety of my school,” Laila Elmashni, senior, said. Elmashni was an integral part in organizing

Gathered outside, students stand in silence mourning the lives lost in Parkland, Fla. This walkout that took place in March will be followed up by a march to Oregon City advocating for stricter gun laws later this month. Photo by Philip Chan

the memoriam walkout in March, and even though she’s not organizing the upcoming walkout, she will be participating.

Although the walkout begins on campus, students will be marked absent if they choose to participate since they are leaving campus for an event not organized by the school. Principal Kevin Mills and SRO Jim Halverson,

however, will accompany students during the march for safety reasons.

“They won’t be advocating for anything,” Huss said. “They’re just there to supervise since students are leaving campus.”

Huss and the other students in charge believe that there will be a decent amount of support for this issue, but at the same time, that isn’t what

they’re trying to achieve. As long as they are able to participate in the national movement at a local level, they will feel successful.

“We really just want to voice our opinion to create a safer environment,” Huss said.

For more coverage on the March walkout, see pg. 2

Editor wins Oregon Journalist of the Year

BY WALLACE MILNER coverage editor

Working late on editing yearbook spreads, Emily Martin, senior, continues to add to her portfolio. Martin recently won the title of Oregon Journalist of the Year. Photo by Philip Chan

The Oregon Journalist of the Year award has been won by yearbook editor Emily Martin, senior. A statewide competition that features broadcast, online and print journalists from across the state, as well as yearbook staffers, the title of Oregon Journalist of the

Year is given to the top journalist in each state. Winners then send their portfolios to a national competition.

Martin has been on West Linn High School’s staff since her sophomore year, and after starting with The Amplifier, Martin found her home with the Green and Gold yearbook.

“I liked the design and the artistic factor of year-

book,” Martin said. “I have a very design oriented mind.”

Editing every page of the yearbook is a time consuming commitment. The yearbook is often more than 200 pages long.

“It’s stressful to say the least,” Martin said. “During my editor period, I spend a lot of time editing pages.

I go over the things people

have turned in, make sure everything is up to our standards. Just kind of mundane things like running spell check.”

It’s no surprise then, that Martin received the news of her award during one of the three periods she spends working on the yearbook.

For continued coverage, see pg. 3

HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE

BY JI HYUN AN co-editor-in-chief Dozens of cars pulled up to the high school on Sat. March 3, as students in suits and dresses stepped out for Solo and Ensemble—the annual district band and orchestra competition.

Musicians began playing their pieces at eight in the morning to vie for a spot to compete at the state Solo and Ensemble, as only those who place first or second win the opportunity to do so.

This year, Miki Nakai, senior and cellist, played “Saint Saen's Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor." She picked it because of its romantic, French style and worked on perfecting the piece for half a year.

“This year was my second year participating in solo ensemble. Last year

I participated to enjoy the experience but this year, I was doing it for competition,” Nakai said.

Although she was stressed, she enjoyed the overall experience by listening to fellow musicians.

“I practice the cello many hours a week but I was not able to dedicate as much time as I wanted for this piece before the competition,” Nakai said.

“But I enjoyed listening to other great players, it motivates me to get better.”

Sheridan Hardy, senior and euphonium player, has participated in Solo and Ensemble for three years and won the district champion title this year and last year.

“This is my third year doing solo and ensemble and my second year as district champion,” Hardy said.

In preparation for the competition, Hardy practiced by himself for a few

months and then a few weeks with his accompanist.

“For me, the most fun part is when I play with an accompanist,” Hardy said. “My favorite thing to do is to play solos after school, that was my hobby, just to go find music to play so this was fun.”

Rehearsing her piece for Solo and Ensemble, Miki Nakai, senior, practices her cello.

As district Over 20 musicians qualified to advance to the state competition. Photo by Ji Hyun An champion, Hardy will play at the “I have a really hard piece of music State Solo and Ensemble competition. I want to play for state so I’m going to He is planning on practicing whenev- practice half an hour to an hour a day er he has time, as he’s prepared a hard when I can,” Hardy said. piece for himself.

For results, see pg. 5

Guns in school?

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OPINION

AMPLIFIER

SPRING 2018

PAGE BY MATILDA MILNER AND WALLACE MILNER opinions editor and coverage editor

After the tragedy in Parkland, Fla. has brought to the fore the conversation of gun safety and gun control again. As gun control advocates

across the country organize protests and marches, the Republican Party has presented a markedly different solution, allowing teachers to carry

Teachers unconvinced

The Trump administration has controversially proposed the idea of arming teachers, so that they could combat any potential threat. The idea has drawn the ire of some, particularly gun control advocates, who criticize it as impractical and ineffective.

However, the plan represents the culmination of a long term argument presented by the pro gun movement, namely that the only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.

To some, this plan brings relief. To others, it feels like a step in the wrong direction. And to Officer Jeff Halverson, student resource officer, it seems like an interesting prospect, but not one with guaranteed results.

“I don’t think that arming everybody in the school is going to keep everybody in the school safe,” Halverson said. “Could it help? Maybe. Could it make things worse? Maybe.”

Matt Kellogg, a social studies

teacher with a criminal justice degree, expressed doubts over the proposal. “[I] don’t think it’s realistic or would be effective,” Kellogg said.

However, this introduces many potential complications for not only teachers, but America as a whole.

“If that’s a direction that not only the country, but the school district wants to look into, they’re going to need to do a lot more research,” Halverson said. “ It’s not just as simple as handing out guns.”

Kellogg warns that this could have unintended consequences.“You’re going to give them [teachers] a gun in a high stress situation, it would definitely make them less safe,” Kellogg said.

One thing remains clear: if the Trump administration decides that arming teachers is the next major policy proposal, they will face a difficult journey politically, legally and logistically.

weapons in schools.

The proposal has sparked a national conversation: could more guns be the solution to gun violence?

70 percent opposed to arming teachers Strongly Unsafe Somewhat Unsure/no Somewhat Safe Very safe disapprove unsafe opinion safe In a poll conducted by WLHSnow, “approved” and 9.6 “somewhat apstudents have made their feelings on proved.” arming teachers clear. When asked West Linn opinion seems to rep“Do you support Donald Trump’s pro- resent national beliefs. According to posal to arm teachers?” 71.2 percent a poll conducted by NBC, 56 percent said that they disapproved to some of Americans disapprove of arming degree. The most frequently selected teachers, while 42 percent support the answer was “strongly disapproved,” idea. selected by 43.9 percent of students, This poll, was conducted by talking while 21.7 percent “disapproved” and to a random sampling of 198 students.

5.6 percent “somewhat disapprove.”

In addition to the numbers reported 22.3 percent of students approved above, 6.6 percent of students said to some degree. 5.6 percent said they had no opinion on the issue, or they “strongly approve” of arming were unsure. teachers, while another 7.1 percent

Despite shootings, majority feel safe at school In light of recent shootings, how safe do you feel at school?

Very unsafe

Unsafe Somewhat Unsure/no Somewhat Safe Very safe unsafe opinion safe

The rise in mass shootings has left students shaken, but most still feel safe at West Linn. The vast majority of students 70.7 percent feel safe to some degree.

However only 12.1 percent of respondents feel

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

Photo by Philip Chan

Can we trust teachers to defend students in a crisis? And most importantly, are we safe?

“very safe.”

Most students find themselves “safe” 28.3 percent or “somewhat safe” 30.3 percent. Of those who felt unsafe, students were again unwilling to commit to a definitive answer.

15.7 percent of students feel “somewhat unsafe,” dwarfing the 5.6 percent who answered “unsafe” and the 3.5 percent who answered “very unsafe.”

4.5 percent of respondents had either no opinion, or were unsure.

A CALL FOR CHANGE Laila Elmashni, seniolr, delivers a speech calling on the government to address the epidemic of mass shootings.

A SHOULDER TO CRY ON. Comforting her friend, Ellie Barrett, senior, hugs Munya FashuKanu, senior, during the 17 minutes of silence.

Photo by Philip Chan

Photo by Andrea Secchi

Students participate in national walkout On March 14, students participated in a nationwide walkout honoring the 17 victims of the Parkland shooting. At 10 a.m., hundreds marched into the courtyard with signs bearing the names of Parkland victims. After 17 minutes of silence to mourn the deaths in Fla., organizers Laila Elmashni and Shaylee Hicks, seniors and Audrey Minch, junior gave speeches calling for political action to end mass shootings.

TAKING A STAND . Tanner White, senior holds a sign honoring Parkland victim Luke Hoyer.

Photo by Andrea Secchi

PEOPLE

AMPLIFIER

NATIONALLY HONORED

Six seniors qualify as National Merit Scholar finalists

BY BROOKE MCKELVEY co-editor-in-chief

In qualifying for being a National Merit Scholar, these six seniors represent the top 0.5 percent of seniors in the state of Oregon. This seems like an

the time commitment comes from studying for the PSAT itself, but Out of over 1 million entrants even then, that wasn’t the focus nationwide, only 15,000 finalists for these finalists. are chosen for the National Merit “I think the [National Merit Scholarship Program, Scholarship and this year, six of Program] those finalists hail from shouldn’t West Linn. be a huge For some, being a focus for high National Merit Scholar schoolers,” has been on their mind Arcot said. since the optional PSAT “Focusing freshman year, but for on the SAT others, the opportunity and the ACT just comes along and will probably they find it an offer create success they can’t ignore. in earning “For the PSAT, I the merit didn’t prepare at all,” scholarship as Evan McKinley, senior, a byproduct.” said, “But I can’t think Most of anything I would do After calling them down to the office, principal Kevin Mills presents senior National Merit students Scholar finalists (from left to right) Anisha Arcot, Theresa Li, Elise Hlady, Evan McKinley, Nadifferently.” prefer to thaniel Olds and Caden DeWitz with the news that they are one step closer to a $2,500 McKinley is one of minimize their scholarship. Photo courtesy of Anya Hershberger the six senior finalists time taking along with Anisha Arcot, Theresa intimidating number when it’s on standardized tests, and these Li, Elise Hlady, Nathaniel Olds paper, but for the finalists, they six didn’t stray too far from this and Caden DeWitz waiting to hear think nothing of it. norm. back on whether or not they’ve “I would advise putting in the “I took the test junior year been chosen to receive the $2,500 effort of filling out the application mostly to prepare for the SAT,” top scholarship. Even if they don’t form,” McKinley said. “It’s Hlady said. “I knew I was on the receive the scholarship, being a basically a coin flip chance of very cusp of the qualifying scores, finalist is a reward in and of itself. getting accepted from there.” but I wasn’t really thinking about “Some colleges will give The application for the the scholarship until I got my national merit scholars full rides,” program only consisted scores back.”

Hlady said, “So it’s an amazing of submitting a letter of Each year the qualifying opportunity for good test takers recommendation, grades and an scores change depending on and it gives you a nice way to essay - similar to that used on the national averages. By comparing stand out to colleges.”

Common App. The majority of their scores to previous years,

SPRING 2018

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Journalist of the Year reflects, looks to future Continued from pg. 1 “It was so surreal,” Martin said. “We got the call in class; I was caught completely off guard. Honestly, it was just one of the best feelings ever. I’ve put so much work into this, and the application was so stressful.”

The award came after a massive application process.

“I had to make a portfolio website that showcased work from 11 different sections, and I put in some of my work from yearbook, some of the stuff that I’ve done on WLHSnow, my broadcast stuff,” Martin said.

Even though the application is what Martin put the time

into for the award, editing the yearbook requires constant work.

“I work at lunch almost every day,” Martin said, “And I’m here most often two to three days after school.”

It’s a job that some might find exhausting, but for Martin, this is a chance for her to prepare for the future and is the highlight of her high school experience.

“I love editing. Most people hate it. I love it,” Martin said. “This is what I want to do. I want to be an editor.”

You can find Martin’s portfolio at emilyrebekahmartin. wordpress.com

most finalists knew they had a chance but couldn’t confirm their hopes until they were notified.

“The news I was a semifinalist was a lot more surprising and really gratifying,” Hlady said. “It shows a lot of my work in school has been paying off.”

While they wait to receive their final news about the scholarship, the finalists are also waiting to hear back from colleges. None are quite sure how this program will help them, but are hoping to make the most of it.

“I can’t really definitively say whether or not it has helped in the college process,” Arcot said, “But I am glad to have put it on my applications.”

Researchers present at science symposium

BY PHILIP CHAN copy editor More than 200 students shared their science and engineering projects as part of the CREST-Jane Goodall Science Symposium. In the Auxiliary Gym, 243 students from West Linn High, Wilsonville High and Arts and Technology High School presented 161 projects as part of the district’s 17th annual fair.

The young scientists shared their research with 53 judges, of volunteer scientific experts and professionals, on March 5. The public symposium and the awards ceremony were the night of March 6.

Program coordinators Amy Schauer and Danielle Grenier help students with their projects from start to finish. The two travel between West Linn and Wilsonville, helping students choose their questions, conduct research,

design their boards and more.

“The thing that really got me to buy into this program so wholeheartedly,” Grenier said, “Was this intersection between students getting to do exactly what they want outside of the classroom, all of this cool science technology and research, and then this third component that makes it so unique is the access and investment from really cool people all over the community.”

The symposium included primary and middle school projects and a community discovery center.

Demonstrations and displays from the school robotics team, meteor experts and more entertained viewers in the New Commons.

The auditorium featured a lecture by Rebecca Vega Thurber, Oregon State University associate professor of microbiology. Thurber studies how bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms interact with marine

“That moment is what you live for.”

-Danielle Grenier

ecosystems, like coral reefs, whose conservation was the focus of her speech.

“You guys are the future,” Thurber said.

“You will lead us, Six students and their four projects were honored as Best of Fair. They will present their projects at the Intel hopefully, out of ISEF at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. May 13 through 18. Wierman and Pejcinovic will also attend the international fair but not present. From left to right: Hayden Wierman, Hannah the disasters we Budroe, Michelle Stevens, Nathan Tidball, Pooja Jain, Rishima Mukherjee, Marlee Feltham and Katarina created.”

Pejcinovic. Photo by Philip Chan After her speech, four the fall through March before They’re crazy.” student panelists asked they present their findings.

Many student inquiries her questions. Thurber Grenier’s favorite part of ISEF sought to solve real world addressed gender inequality is the eureka moment, when problems or find efficient in microbiology, and she gave after much troubleshooting, alternatives to existing suggestions on how to deal things finally pan out. technology. with science deniers.

“That moment is what you To prevent drowning, The night ended with the live for,” Grenier said, “When junior Jessica Yu constructed awards ceremony. Students they walk out of the lab or the a headband that alerts were invited to the stage field or whatever, and they’re parents if their children are to receive the certificates on top of the world, and submerged underwater for too and prizes. Schauer, they’ve had such success.” long.

Grenier, Thurber, District This year’s projects covered “I thought it was a thing Superintendent Kathy Ludwig a wide variety of topics. that was preventable,” Yu and others greeted the “I think my favorite thing said. students. There were three about ISEF is the level of After crossing the street by types of recognition: Category complexity and creativity the Performing Arts Center Awards, Special Awards that you see that students one night, junior Caitlin and Best of Fair. Exemplary have come up with,” Rishima McCabe was inspired to students were chosen to Mukherjee, junior, said, design light-up tiles powered advance to the state and “Projects that are literally by pedestrians and cars. international fairs. completely out of left field.

For continued coverage, Students work hard from see pg. 8

4

CURRENT EVENTS

AMPLIFIER

SPRING 2018

‘AMAZING RACE’ MAKES GREAT SHOW

BY GRACE NICKAS co-editor-in-chief

With snow days trying to stop it, the infamous “Amazing Race” took place the week of Feb. 23 to March 2. The all senior competition was full of difficult challenges, tasks testing mental and physical strength, both factors of a perfect show.

The teams were Griffin Banta and Skyler Westover, Emily Craddock and Kali Burkhartzmeyer, Grace Gabler and Lauren Adelman, Lauren Griffith and Brooke McKelvey, Sarah Heiden and Cailee Ito, Tayler Lundquist and Ryann Winkler, Grace Miller and Haley Thayer, Kellen Olsen a n d Brett

Bell, Jaxon Severson and Ian Cruickshank and Kenna Royse and Zach Huffstutter.

Banta and Westover were victorious with Lundquist and Winkler in second and Bell and Olsen in third.

“I thought my team did fantastic,” Winkler said. “Both Tayler and I did a great job keeping up with each other and pushing ourselves to go harder.”

This event serves as a way to emphasize the importance of teamwork and it brings the contestants closer together.

“We worked great as a team,” Lundquist said. “We supported each other and had great energy.”

ASB worked hard at planning the event, which proved to be stressful, but it was for a good reason. “[‘Amazing Race’] was very stressful to plan,” Shaylee Hicks, senior and ASB president, said. “It was v e r y well organized and everyone felt like this has been the most productive ‘Amazing

Race’ yet.”

ASB spent the two weeks before planning and continued to create the challenges throughout the week of “Amazing Race.”

“The best parts were making the challenges and watching contestants do them,” Hicks said.

Each of the contestants had their favorite challenge they had to complete.

“My favorite challenge was one of the last challenges where we were all in the weight

room and we had to thaw ice cubes to get LEGO pieces and then with those pieces we had to build a train,” Winkler said. “Ever since I was little I’ve liked to build things.

LEGOs weren’t my thing, but they still have that creative element.”

With all the ups and downs that the contestants went through, the “Amazing Race” proved to be a memorable experience for those involved.

“The ‘Amazing Race’ was a difficult, frustrating experience,” Winkler said. “But purple team put our heads and muscles together and made it to the end, and had an amazing time doing it.

Left: Tayler Lundquist and Ryann Winkler get ready for the final challenge. They earned second place in the challenge and raised $243 for Tsuga Community Commission. Photo by Right: Griffin Banta and Skyler Westover pose for a picture after they win the 2018 “Amazing Race.”

Banta and Westover raised $213 for Charity Ball. Photo by Grace Nickas.

Full scope of Kaleidoscope As publish date approaches, check in with our yearly arts mag

BY KATHERINE STALLARD arts and culture editor As time comes nearer for the blueprints of Kaleidoscope club’s literary magazine to be constructed and the mag to be created, Kaleidoscope’s submissions in their google classroom continue to grow. Sadly, the time for submissions has come to a close and while the club gets ready to start putting together their work of art, the anticipation for what’s to come is at an all time high.

Nicola Bittner, senior, and one of the leaders of the club, is excited to be a part of the process and for everyone to see the club’s passion project.

The last Kaleidoscope that came out in a print, physical form was in 2013 and since the club’s revival and revamp, their fresh minds decided it needed to make a come back after last year’s attempted transition to web. “They did [the magazine] last year but it was online and it was kind of a last minute thing; it didn’t come out till June,” Bittner said. “We thought print would be more memorable.”

“It seemed more important that we printed it out so that it could be on file and that people could have a hard copy of their work and a hard copy of part of West Linn and what we represent,” Bittner said.

Abby Manley, another leader of the club, thinks that the book symbolizes something that the school has been lacking since it’s hiatus. “I feel like a

lot of art kids don’t feel as represented and they’re so talented. I think they should be represented and having this published piece of work could be a confidence booster for those that are published,” Manley said.

Although the revival lies in the classic roots of print, it has definitely experienced an innovative revamp.

“When it first started it was really small, like only like 20-30 pages and kind of the same people were submitting. It wasn’t super diverse but from then on, it just got bigger and bigger,” Bittner said about the club’s long past.

Because of the club’s sudden and somewhat unexpected success, the club is prepared to expand the magazine’s distribution and construction to follow the demand. “One issue used to be two years put together at about 100 pages, but this year we have so many people interested and we wanna make it maybe over 200 pages,” Bittner said.

When it comes to the incredible interest in the project, Bittner said that the new media presence is only helping their success and audience scope.

“Now, because of social media, we can do Instagram and show people the old issues and people love that, they love seeing the older stuff,” Bittner said.

While Kaleidoscope’s roots may stem from the past, the literary magazine is anything but old-fashioned with a team of smart, passionate seniors driving the force of the club.

With Abby Manley, Brandon Humber-

“We thought print would be more memorable.”

-Nicola Bittner

“I feel like a lot of art kids don’t feel as represented and they’re so talented.”

-Abby Manley

Two of Kaleidoscope’s leaders, Nicola Bittner and Brandon Humberston, seniors, lead the meeting and discuss the plan for the following weeks of design. As submissions have closed, the group has begun to work on Adobe Indesign to meet their publishing deadline. “People that show up to the club want to be apart of it and they want to do like design stuff and help out as much as they can, so we just try to meet with people and get a sense of what we need to do next,” Bittner said. Photo by Katherine Stallard.

ston and Bittner in control, the club is reaching greater heights than originally expected.

Since the closing of the submissions, the club has turned to focusing on the design of the book. On their Wednesday meetings in room E105 on, the club discussions center on business details like printing, advertising and marketing.

Even though the club members are a huge part of the process, putting together all of the pieces of the magazine can be a difficult task, especially since the magazine has been relatively out of service for the past couple years.

“Abby, Brandon and I--we all work

hard like sorting through the work, talking to people, organizing; we decide what goes in and what we don’t want in. We just take care of the marketing; we call businesses and ask if they wanna buy a copy.

We’re basically in charge of the whole thing,” Bittner said.

Manley agreed about the difficulties of the uncharted territory. “Having to form a layout of a book, we’ve never done that before and it’s not that easy. The organization is a bit harder than I expected, but I do want to go into publishing when I’m older, so I feel like it’s a good experience for me to have,” Manley said.

“I feel like it’s a good experience for me to have.”

-Abby Manley

Continued on pg. 8

ARTS AND CULTURE

AMPLIFIER

Whirlwind play ‘The Trial’ wraps up

BY ALEKS BROOKS advertising manager The drama department just wrapped up their performance of the play “The Trial.”

“The Trial” tells the story of Joseph K, who on his 40th birthday, is mysteriously arrested for a crime unknown to him.

“Everyone Joseph K asks about the charge happens to be conspirators of the court,” Zach Socherman, freshman, said. “Everyone in the world works for the court.”

“The Trial” is based on Franz Kafka’s book “Der Process.” Kafka was an Austrian-Czech writer born in 1883, known for his sporadic writing, and “The Trial” is no exception, written in 1914-1915 and published, but not finished, until 1925.

The book never has an obvious ending, but it does have a chapter that ends the book.

The story is a critique of totalitarian governments and how little rights the citizens of those governments have. The book was even banned in Nazi Germany along with all of Kafka’s other works, as the “The Trial” criticized oppressive governments everywhere. There is no better time for this play to be shown than

now, while there is discussion going on about government control in all aspects of life.

The main cast members were Nick Olson, senior, who played Joseph K; Grant Halverson, sophomore, who played Franz, a warder who arrests Joseph; and Brady McDevitt senior, who played Willem, another warder who arrests Joseph.

“The whole cast [worked] amazingly hard,” McDevitt said.

“Everyone [had] a decent amount of lines.”

Olson, for example, had 422 lines and appeared in every scene.

This large amount of memorization required tryouts to be before winter break.

“We had a lot of intense dress rehearsals where we ran through with our costumes, our makeup and the lighting,” Socherman said.

“The Trial” is adapted by Kenneth Albers and directed by Jon Ares with costume design by Eylse Grimaldi, and sound design by Dylan Jahnson, senior, along with Kaiden Randall. sophomore. Its original composition was created by Jahnson. “‘The Trial’ [was] super interesting, funny and crazy and scary,” McDevitt said. “It [was] just a whirlwind.”

There is no better time for this play to be shown than while there is discussion going on about government control.

Nick Olson, senior, performs as Joseph K in “The Trial.” Photo courtesy of Andrea Secchi.

DISTRICT RESULTS: Solo & Ensemble Groups Advance to State Continued from page 1

2018 District Band Solo and Ensemble Results: FLUTE: Joaquin Socolofsky, senior, District Champion.

Returning State Placer.

OBOE: Haven Lee, junior, 2nd Alternate; Augie Cota-Davie, sophomore, 4th Alternate BASSOON: Christian Torralba, junior,; Ray Smith, junior, 1st Alternate ALTO SAX: Will Glausi, senior, District Champion.

Returning State Placer.

TRUMPET: Cameron Craig, junior, District Champion; Luukas Lemetyinen, senior, 2nd place; Wilfred Lim, sophomore, 4th Alternate HORN: Lauren Griffith, senior, District Champion.

TROMBONE: Jesse Anderson, junior, 1st Alternate EUPHONIUM: Sheridan Hardy,senior District Champion.

Returning State Placer TUBA: Eli Dodd, junior, District Champion.

MALLET PERCUSSION: Noah Wenig, freshman, 1st Alternate; Andre Chenevert, junior, 2nd Alternate ORCHESTRAL SNARE: Noah Wenig, freshman, District Champion; Jordan Buser, junior 1st Alternate

WOODWIND ENSEMBLE SMALL: Sheets/ Bezio/ Nicholson, sophomores, 4th Alternate WOODWIND ENSEMBLE LARGE: Clarinet Choir, District Champion.

BRASS ENSEMBLE SMALL: Low Brass Quartet, District Champion Trombone Quartet, 1st Alternate; Low Brass Trio, 2nd Alternate

SPRING 2018

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Academy awards diversity

‘Darkest Hour,’ ‘Three Billboards’ win big at 90th Oscars

BY SAM MISA current events editor

“Dunkirk” portrays the evacuation of the Allied forces from Dunkirk, France after suffering This year’s Academy Awards, devastating losses. It shows which marked the show’s 90th the perspectives of a Royal Air anniversary, took place March Force pilot (Tom Hardy), a 4. The Oscars had a few diver- British Private (Fionn Whitegences from the predictions head) and the civilians (Mark but overall went as planned Rylance and Barry Keoghan) with increased diversity among who came to the aid of the solthe winners, including the fifth diers from the homeland. It is ever nomination of a female in seen by many as the most realthe Best Director category. istic depiction of the war, with “Darkest Hour” won Best many veterans of the actual Actor in a Leading Role, and event considering it a mostly Makeup and Hairstyle; both accurate movie. centered around Gary Oldman.

The film has a constant tenThe movie is about Winston sion built on the foundation of Churchill’s (Gary Oldman) ac- a “shepard tone,” which cretions after just beates the illusion of a coming the prime constantly escalating MORE minister of Great score.

Britain during “Dunkirk” is writWorld War II. ten, produced, and REVIEWS With the enemy directed by Chrison WLHSnow.com: marching closer Nolan and “Why ‘The Post’ topher and closer towards scored by Hans Zimthe homeland, easily influences mer. The two have Churchill struggles viewers worldworked together on between standing wide” multiple films before, for the ideals of the “Dunkirk Movie including “Inception” nation and surren- Review” and “The Dark Knight dering these ideals Trilogy.” to Nazis. “Dark“Get Out” was est Hour” explores Winston nominated in four categories Churchill’s darkest hour and and won Best Original Screenis directed by Joe Wright and play. The film was written by written by Anthony McCarten. Jordan Peele, and it also made “Three Billboards Outside his directorial debut. The movEbbing, Missouri” won awards ie satires the actions of “leftfor Best Actress in a Leading Role wing liberals” who end up beand Best Actor in a Supporting ing racist in their attempts to Role. The movie was nominated avoid racism. [Orion Forest, twice for Best Actor in a Sup- WLHS Staff Reporter has alporting Role, with Sam Rockwell ready written a recap of “Get winning over Woody Harrelson. Out” that can be found on WLFrances McDormand stars as a HSnow.] mother who, after waiting weeks When Chris (Daniel with no leads to who murdered Kaluuya) and his girlfriend, her daughter, chooses to put up Rose (Allison Williams) reach three billboards to call attention the next level in their relationto the crime. ship, she invites him to her Woody Harrelson plays Chief parents’ house upstate. InitialBill Willoughby and Sam Rock- ly, Chris credits the odd things well plays Officer Jason Dixon, that start to happen to the fact a cop who abuses the power his of his and Rose’s interracial rebadge gives him. The film has in- lationship. However, as events spired activists who used similar progress, a series of increastactics to push for changes on is- ingly disturbing discoveries sues such as gun control. lead Chris to discover a horri“Dunkirk” was nominated fying secret. “Get Out” features for eight Oscars and came out the song “Redbone” from artist with Best Sound Mixing, Best Donald Glover aka Childish Sound Editing and Best Film Gambino.

Editing.

ACADEMY

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE SMALL: Buser/ Chenevert, District Champion.

VIOLIN: Jenny Yu, junior, 1st Alternate

2018 District CHOIR Solo and Ensemble Results:

VIOLA: Lindsey Abercrombie, freshman, 3rd Alternate

BASS: Cameron Massey - 1st place bass

CELLO: Theresa Li, senior, 1st Alternate

BARITONE: George Ankeney - 1st alternate baritone

BASS: Jack Pesch, junior, District Champion.

ALTO: Audrey Lipsey - 2nd alternate alto

Winner of Best Original Screenplay, Jordan Peele who directed and wrote “Get Out.” Peele first started working on the movie back in 2008. Photo courtesy Universal Studios.

6

SPORTS

AMPLIFIER

SPRING 2018

BREAKING HISTORY Girls finish third in state tournament

Senior Lexie Pritchard contemplates her next move on the court in game against Southridge. While the road to the state tournament wasn’t easy, Pritchard and the girls are porud of their progress. Photo by Gigi Schweitzer

BY RORY BIALOSTOSKY sports editor The 2017-18 girls basketball team accomplished groundbreaking victories this season, finally finishing third in the state tournament. A win over the Beaverton Beavers at the Chiles Center on March 10 gave them that accolade. No, they didn’t win the championship.

Southridge was able to come away with the first place trophy after getting

by West Linn and going on to defeat Benson.

They went deeper in the playoffs than any of the other teams in the league.

The league champion Tigard lost in the quarterfinals to Benson.

But the Lions, led by a multitude of players from across the high school grade level spectrum, were able to do what few teams in school history had done.

They finished third, making it farther than ever before in the state tournament.

It wasn’t easy. The road to the Chiles Center featured setbacks, like their two losses to Tigard. The chemistry was a little bit off at first as the Lions adjusted to having incoming freshmen in the rotation.

Two started for them this year, Makayla Long and Aaronette Vonleh.

These two proved to be leaders throughout the season and especially in the playoffs, along with the seniors. Long picked up 13 rebounds versus Beaverton, the game leader in that category. Vonleh scored nine points, helping to keep her team ahead of the Beavers.

Kennedi Byram, senior, scored 10 points. Lexie Pritchard, senior scored six

“I’m so proud of this team.”

-Lexie Pritchard points in the game along with Brooke Landis, senior.

West Linn got out to a big lead in the first half, outscoring Beaverton 14-5 in the first quarter, taking a 13-point lead into the halftime break. They shot 44% to the Beavers’ 19% in the first half.

It got closer, though.

Facing adversity, the Lions allowed Beaverton to cut the lead down to two points midway through the fourth quarter.

That’s when Byram came through in the clutch, sinking four freethrows down the stretch to

keep her team just ahead, giving them the cushion that they needed. Her foul shots extended the lead to five points, and that was enough. They ended up winning it 38-33.

“I’m so proud of this team,” Pritchard, who will go on to play college basketball at Santa Clara University, said after the game.

For a team that hadn’t made it to the state tournament since 2012 (at that time, Pritchard, Byram and Landis were finishing up their first year of middle school) they did really well.

Looking ahead to next season, head coach Jared Curtiss will have lots of young talent back to make another deep run in the playoffs down the road. A new core will emerge with the now-freshmen Long, Vonleh, Cami Fulcher, Payton Shelstad and Audrey Roden. Veteran juniors Elizabeth Dombrow, Alyx Burkhartzmeyer and Katie Schoenborn will be seniors.

Vanessa Viuhkola will be a junior.

So, while Pritchard, Landis, Byram and Lizzy Herrick, senior, will graduate and move on to their next chapters, the future is bright for this young team.

Tough matchup ends boys playoff run

BY RORY BIALOSTOSKY sports editor Nobody knew what to expect from head coach Tyler Toney’s team heading into this past basketball season. With an entirely new lineup with the exception of Jalen Thompson, senior, the Lions were unsure in the early season, searching for an identity throughout the opening games of this season.

They started off 4-4, losing tough games in big tournaments like the Les Schwab Invitational. Facing top opponents, they tried their best and held their own versus teams like Mater Dei (CA), one of the better teams in the country.

Keishon Dawkins, senior, along with Thompson, Max Michelon, senior, Ahmir McGee, senior and Logan Maly, senior, were the leaders for the team as the season progressed. Drayton Caoile, junior, will step into the senior role next season and will already be prepped with leadership experience from this season, as he acted as the starting point guard all season long.

Despite the incredible leadership by the senior boys, the team wouldn’t have gotten to their 17-9 overall record without the young guys.

After Dawkins went out with season-ending shoulder surgery, it

MEDLEY TO FREESTYLE

BY SKYLAR MOORE staff reporter From the average season meet to districts to even state, the swim team has made sure to represent itself on all levels during the season this year.

With outstanding teams for both the girls and the boys, the swimmers have been preparing for state since

was up to sophomores Micah Garrett, Bryson Crockett and Damiko Tidmore Jr. to get the job done and fill the void.

And that they did.

Garrett emerged as one of the teams better shooters down the stretch, averaging 13 points per game, putting up 20 on March 3 in the second-round playoff loss to West Salem, keeping his team in the game when it seemed like nobody else could. The others made key contributions as well, like Tidmore Jr’s 10-rebound game versus Tualatin.

In the end, as two of the best teams collided in that second-round game in the playoffs,

the start of the season.

The meets started in early December, and just wrapped up after the state meet taking place Feb. 16 and 17. Boys varsity sent a total of six swimmers to the OSAA state meet this year, girls varsity with a total of four. The meet was held at Mt. Hood Community College, extending over the course of two days in order to determine the Oregon champions.

Boys placed 11th overall, while girls took home an impressive fifth to finish up their season.

The team of Katelyn Landeroute, Reem Alharithi, Gabby Calvi and Audrey Chun all placed sixth after

No. 7 West Linn versus No. 10 West Salem, only one could emerge and head off to the state tournament. It ended up being West Salem, as Portland State University Men’s Basketball commit Kyle Greeley, the states’ leading scorer, scored 28 points and hit 18 free throws. It was enough to take down the Lions. Greeley and co. handed them a 10-point loss, 72-62.

With that, a season and a streak of 7 straight state tournament appearances both came to an end. But when one door closes, a new door opens.

Garrett, Tidmore Jr, Crockett, and Caoile

Bryson Crockett, sophomore, looks to attacfk during the 2017-18 basketball season. He will be a leader for years to come. Photo by Amir Salem

will lead the team in 2018-19. The thought of those three sophomores together for two more seasons is scary. The 2018-19 season will

their 200 medley relay, and third in their 400 free relay. Alharithi also placed sixth in the 50 meter freestyle while Calvi took home 11th in both the 200 and 500 meter freestyle.

Nate Rumsey, Will Chun, Kevin Vu and Paul Muessig all represented the boys this year, winning second in the 200 meter medley and getting 16th in the 400 meter free relay. Chun and Muessig, along with Joey Campbell and Clay Barbee also placed 16th for the 200 meter free relay. Vu got 10th in the 50 freestyle and fifth in the 100 fly, Rumsey placed eighth in the 100 fly and 16th in the 500 free and Chun took home 11th after his 200 meter

begin in December, and they will only continue to get better and become more worthy contenders in the

years to come.

individual medley.

Laderoute, participating through girls varsity, also competed in the 200 meter individual medley, and won first place overall, along with finishing second in the 100 meter backstroke.

Overall, the swimmers enjoyed their experience being on thee team, and formed close bonds with each other over the season.

“It was amazing,” Alharithi said.

“Everyone was always cheering each other on and supporting each other which brought a strong sense of unity.

SPORTS

AMPLIFIER

SPRING 2018

7

WRESTLERS CRUSH AT STATE

BY SARAH HEIDEN photo editor

No pain, no gain. Breaking new records and achieving powerful goals, wrestlers prove that hard work, dedication, and endurance are the keys to their success.

At the OSAA State Wrestling Tournament, Sean Harman, junior, and Brett Bell, senior, stormed the competition. Bell earned the third place title, and Harman becoming the first WLHS student ever to win the state title two years in a row.

“The OSAA State Wrestling Tournament is the final tournament of the year for collegiate-style wrestling,”

Coach Doug Samarron said. “You have to qualify for that tournament in a district tournament. If you qualify in the top four, then you move on to the state meet, and then that would include the top 24 kids in the state at that weight.”

The tournament took place at the memorial coliseum in downtown Portland on Feb. 16 and 17.

Competitors arrived at 6:30 a.m., weighed in (athletes compete with people their same weight) at 6:45 a.m., prepared for a couple hours and then started competing in the tournament at 8:30 a.m.. This routine spanned over two days, each athlete facing many different opponents.

Competitors Brett Bell and Bo Munly (from Westview) shake hands to begin their first match at the OSAA State Wrestling Tournament. Photo courtesy of Kelly Mooney

“Wrestling is a six minute match,” Samarron said. “It’s really hard to wrestle for six minutes; you have to be in really, really good shape.”

The wrestling season begins in November and ends in February. To prepare for such tournaments, and become better wrestlers, athletes follow a heavy training schedule.

“I would say there are four areas that are really important [to focus on in wrestling],” Samarron said, “Strength is really important... technical skills are important... conditioning is maybe the most important, because if you can’t breathe, you can’t do anything [and]... mental toughness, how to suck it up and have pain tolerance, and persevere when things get tough.”

Practice starts after school and goes for about two hours. Athletes work on heavy conditioning. which may include sprints. They learn wrestling techniques and strategies, they wrestle to apply new skills, and at the end of practice, there is more conditioning.

“Everytime I come into the wrestling room, I always try to picture myself like a sponge,” Harman said, “Soaking up all the technique, just whatever I can,

and trying to always improve.”

Wrestling requires hours of training and dedication outside of practice as well, especially when your goal is to earn the state title, according to Harman and Bell, who grew up with a passion for wrestling, and have been seriously wrestling since eighth grade. “[Wrestling] is not for the faint of heart,” Bell said. “And if you love it, then you gotta go for it, you gotta put all your time into it.”

Even though the wrestling season is over, many athletes still practice and improve their skills. One activity they may participate in is the Olympic Wrestling Club at 7 p.m., which currently takes place in the wrestling room at school.

“Wrestling is probably the most influential sport in someone’s life,” Bell said. “It really changed my life completely; I owe the person I’ve become to wrestling because it’s made me grow up. It’s taught me respect, discipline, and a bunch of good qualities that someone needs to have.”

The following also qualified and competed in the tournament: Kaden Goff, junior; Cael Brunson, freshman (placed 4th); Taran Floyd, junior; Steven Shelofsky, senior; John Wall, senior; Tyler Good, senior.

“I owe the person I’ve become to wrestling.”

-Brett Bell

VOLUME 98 / ISSUE 3

WLHSnow.com

BACK

Acknowledging art

Student magazine Kaleidoscope to publish May Continued from pg. 4

While a majority of the design is still up for grabs, the club has ideas about the developing product. “We publish photography, poetry, short stories within reason, art, ceramic pictures, and pretty much anything you can get scanned,” Bittner said.

Because of this the layout is planned to be structured in a way that highlights both written pieces and more picture oriented submissions.

“We want to work on pairing poetry and writing with artwork so you can open it, read the poem, and see a piece of artwork that relates to it,” Bittner said.

Though the work is hard for the club, advisers English teacher Meagyn Karmaker, Journalism teacher Glenn Krake and others, help the process along.

“Mr. [Andy] West gave us a ton of books that he collected because I think he used to be in charge, and we started going through it and thought it was cool, like this isn’t a side of West Linn we see a lot.

It really became more of a passion for all of us than we expected,” Bittner said.

As the process progresses, Bittner and the team are really proud of what they’re working on. The legacy and permanence

of a physical copy book and the meaning that it entails is meant to help highlight a different angle of West Linn.

“The club really wants to focus on the artsy people and acknowledge like the artsy side of West Linn,” Bittner said. “A lot of West Linn seems to be sports and clubs that have been around a long time and Kaleidoscope kind of just got forgotten. But what’s important about Kaleidoscope launched an online website to show off work and receive submissions.

Kaleidoscope is that View their site at wlhnow.com/KScope people can express If you’re interested in submissions themselves in their check out their Google Classroom own way.”

Keep an eye out for more Kaleidoscope with the code ‘875b0m’ and if you’re interested in the club, it’s never too late updates in the future as well as the to join. Pop by a meeting Wednesdays magazine itself sometime in May. While submissions are officially closed, the club in E105 or even contact them on their could use a couple more art submissions. Instagram @kaledioscopewlhs for more info.

8

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 BROOKE MCKELVEY co-editor in chief GRACE NICKAS co-editor in chief JI HYUN AN co-editor in chief PHILIP CHAN copy editor WALLACE MILNER coverage editor RORY BIALOSTOSKY sports editor SAMUEL MISA current events editor KATHERINE STALLARD arts and culture editor ALEKS BROOKS advertising manager SARAH HEIDEN photo editor MATILDA MILNER opinions editor SKYLAR MOORE staff reporter GLENN KRAKE adviser TWITTER: @WLHSAmplifier @WLHSNow FACEBOOK: @westlinn.amplifier INSTAGRAM: @wlhsnow SNAPCHAT: WlhsnowYoutube: 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.

Six to share research at Pittsburgh fair Continued from pg. 3

Accepting her award for first place, Pooja Jain, junior, is one of six who will share their research projects in Pittsburgh, Pa. Photo by Philip Chan

Mukherjee and Marlee Feltham studied the KIT gene, searching for a target for gene therapy to fight colorectal cancer.

Volunteer work with the Red Cross inspired Pooja Jain, junior, to find a more efficient method of radio communication during disasters.

Mukherjee, Feltham and Jain are among six students whose four projects were honored as Best of Fair. They will present their proj-

ects at the Intel ISEF at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. May 13 through 18.

About 1,800 high school students from more than 70 countries attend Intel ISEF, according to their website.

Grenier attended the Intel ISEF last year in Los Angeles, Calif. The international fair is the “Super Bowl of science” to Grenier.

“I mean not just Super Bowl in scale,” Grenier said, “But Super Bowl with the flashing lights, cheering crowds and the energy.”

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ISEF students not only exchange information and culture, but they compete for $4 million in prizes: field trips, internships, college scholarships and more.

Winners have gone on to be successful inventors and Nobel prize winners.

“The fact that we’re all high schoolers and we’re all able to do things like this,” Mukherjee said, “Is just astounding.”

For a photo gallery and a full list of award recipients, visit WLHSnow.com

Did you get your yearbook? A limited number were ordered. Reserve yours now before they’re gone.

$50 AT THE BOOKKEEPER WINDOW WLHSnow.com/Yearbook