Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (April 29, 1983)
O gan likes teaching at W .L . by Janice McDonald “ I try hard to put forth my best effort and be positive. I’m always falling a little short of what I want to b e ,” says math teacher Tom Ogan, when he was asked to describe himself. Ogan attended Madison High School and was graduated from the University of Oregon, where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical education in 1967 and 1970, respectively. At West Linn, Ogan coaches wrestling, football, and teaches math. He started at West Linn in 1970 and stayed until 1973, when he left to take the varsity wrestling job at Wilson High School. “ W e won the division championship in 1976 and district dual meet championship in 1977, going undefeated in league dual meets.” Leaving teaching after the 1976-77 school year, he worked for a heavy equipment dealer. He then went to work for a steel fabricator, building specialty equipment for mining and ex cavation contractors. In 1979 a serious accident prompted his return to teaching. “ Large steel beams fell on me, crushing my right leg below the knee,” stated Ogan. In 1980 Ogan returned to -West Linn. Ogan says he likes to coach because he feels sports “ Provide valuable, ed u cation a l ex periences to those who par ticipate.” His most memorable experience in coaching was back in 1973 when the football team Green leaves West Linn for trip around world; Christensen nominated to Naval Academy by Kris Warner Senior Paul Christensen has been nominated to the naval academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Interested in becoming an engineer, Christensen feels that Annapolis Naval A cadem y would be the best school in which to earn his degree. Not only would his engineering degree be highly respected, but he would be paid to attend the academy. To be nominated for the academy, a student must have a high grade point average and ex cellent SAT scores. Applicants must be nominated by the con gressmen of their state. “ I wrote letters to AuCoin and Hatfield explaining that I was interested in attending a naval academy and that I needed a nomina tion,” stated Christensen. They looked at my records and nominated m e.” TOM OGAN photo by Greg Wahl-Stevens had a 1-8 win-loss record the year before. Then the next year with most of the same kids they turned around and had a 6-3 year. Ogan likes teaching at West Linn. He feels it is an outstanding school, with many very fortunate students to teach and challenge. Living in Lake Oswego with his wife and three boys, Ogan likes to read, do calligraphy, play tennis, and enjoys most any out- door sports in his free time, “ E xp erien ce ou tside of teaching was valuable for me and I may head in that direction b y Heidi VonTagen Imagine spending a full year traveling to 47 different countries around the world while visiting and seeing places and people much different from those located in the United States. World Affairs teacher Tom Green will soon make this im agined journey a reality. The date is set. Beginning this August, Green and his bicycle will depart for the year-long trip around the world. Green plans to return sometime in June 1984, “ Or whenever my money runs out,” he commented. were much better at conveying thoughts and ideas about the people, sights, smells, food tastes and cultures than any tex tbook. The best way for me to convey these thoughts is if I can actually ex p e rie n ce them myself.” Although academies are very prestigious schools, they are not for everyone. Each year only 1,500 students are accepted to the school, so only the very ex ceptional students are can didates. The students must have not only a high GPA, but also participate in athletics and show leadership qualities. “ Employers know what kind of people that academies turn out so a graduate from an academy is set for life. Show an employer the degree and the academ y graduate has the job ,” exclaimed senior counselor Ray Swanstrom. “ At the academy, students are given the best possible education money cannot buy,” com m ented Sw anstrom . “ The education, if it could be bought, w ould cost approxim ately $ 1 2 5 ,0 0 0 .” Students must earn the education and work very hard to keep it. They wear uniforms, follow strict rules, take part in a sport each term while maintaining their grade point average. After graduating from the academy, the student must serve the government for five years in the Navy or Marines. They enter as commissioned officers. After the five years, the officers then may pursue a career outside of the Marines or Navy or they may continue to serve. Christensen will be notified by mail around May 1, informing him whether or not he has been accepted to Annapolis Naval Academy. again when m y children are out of school. (Teaching) gives me flexibility and c o n fid e n ce because I don’t feel I’m locked into it. I’m here because I want to b e.” Green plans to fly across the ocean to Hong Kong for the first part of his journey while his bicy cle is being shipped to Istanbul. Bus or other public transport will reunite him with the bicycle, which Green plans to use as a major transportation system for the remainder of the trip. OUR MOST DEMANDING SKILLS COMMAND A BONUS. In today’s Army, you ’ll get to choose a skill more challenging than anything you ’ve ever done before. A n d you’ll have an opportunity to earn a bonus o f several thousand dollars. Your choices include everything from computer- operated field artillery to the electronic wizardry o f our Signal Intelligence units. But you ’ll need to qualify. The longer you serve, the bigger your bonus. If, for example, you serve four years as a Cavalry Scout, you ’ll receive a $5,000 bonus. A n d you might qualify for college benefits. For more information, visit your Army Recruiter at the address below. O r call. 6 3 6 - 3 6 0 9 131B N. State St. - Lake Oswego plans to visit 47 different “I have im ages of riding through beautiful countryside in sunny warm weather.” countries A few of the continents he plans to visit are Asia, Africa, and Europe. Specific countries he plans to see are Japan, China, India, Nepal, France and Austria. The estimated cost of this world tour averages $10,000 which will be paid for in part ($3,000) by the West Linn School District as teacher’s sab batical pay. “ I feel that this trip will help me teach the courses of World Affairs and Geography. I’ve had guest speakers who have com e into the classes and Green sees his ideal journey as, “ Riding past many small villages. I hope to be able to stop whenever I feel tired or hungry. I’d like to talk to many people along the way, get to know local people and share their lives, im pressions and ideas about America. I have images of riding through beautiful countryside in sunny warm weather. I plan to stay away from most major cities because they are so westernized. It is the native people and their customs I am most interested in.” ARMY BE A U YOU CAN BE. Wluhtuufbi Balmy PHONE 655-7575 WEST LINN, OREGON 97068 see us for your Holiday Cakes, Cookies and Fruitcakes Decorated cakes for all occasions Located in West Linn Thriftway