News
2006
Students explore Oregon's past, present, future
_ M ary S cofield _______ _ _
Staff Reporter
Working together and
communicating effectively
are important skills that all
high school students need
according to Todd Jones,
social Studies teacher.
Without those skills their
future can be challenging.
The new social studies class,
Oregon, helps students work
on those skills and to learn
about their home state.
Jones and Monica Emerick,
social Studies teacher, are
teaching a class focused on
the history, current issues,
and future possibilities of
Oregonians. One third of
the semester will be history;
including the study of Native
Americans, white settlers
and their economy and how
that affects the present day.
Another part of the semester
is dedicated to current issues
as well as the challenges of
Oregon today including the
elections in November.
"If you know about
something, you'll care about
it," Jones, said.
Parent chaperone Terri Bandel and Diana Simpson, senior, saw a
log at a recent field trip for Oregon the People. During a lumberjack
exhibition, Sara Moon, senior, and Jordan Martin, junior, watched
the traditional cross cut saw demonstration.
Photo by Nicole Hutchinson
Salsa Club members mix
rhythms, cultures, steps
L exi W elp
Staff Reporter
Dancing to a mix of African,
Cuban and other Latin
American rhythms and tunes,
Salsa Club members met for
the first time on Sept. 29 and
will meet every Friday at
lunch in Room E203 to learn
new steps.
"I started out not knowing
any steps but the awesome
thing about Latin American
dance is it's all about freedom
and self expression," Nathan
Gonzalez, senior, and the
president of the club said. Each
week Gonzalez brings music
to dance to and welcomes
newcomers to enjoy a unique
dancing experience, regardless
of any previous knowledge or
past dance lessons.
Gonzalez was inspired
by his love of Latin and the
influence of his Spanish
classes. Crosby Kisler, senior,
added, "It simply gives us
a chance to dance." The 10
to 12 people who show up
learn how to dance and then
practice the steps. Those who
are more experienced dance to
music Gonzalez supplies.
continued on page 16
Students will practice
presenting in front of peers,
discussing and debating
issues in class. The rest of
the semester is focused on
the future and what ways a
student can revolutionize the
future. "Where is the future
economy shifting to, where
will the jobs and professions
be?" "What do you need to
look forward to?" Are just a
couple of the questions that
students in the class will
answer.
The class is offered to
juniors and seniors. "This
class is for anyone who likes
Oregon, and who likes to
have fun; we are already
having fun," Jones, said.
Oregon is also for those who
want to accomplish many
things; and those who want
to make a difference in the
present and future. The
students will leave this class
with the ability to work and
communicate with others and
a better understanding of the
Oregon that is our home.
"Most people don't know
that the Oregon Trail ended
in Oregon City, across the
river; and it is good to know
about your home," Emerick
said.
The concept for this class
was born when ideas for
Oregon's 150th birthday
party, in three years, were
floating around. It was then
thought that it could be a two
week curriculum course in
most history classes. Jones
and Emerick thought that the
course could be a semester
long class where Oregon's
past, present and future were
the main point, because the
information is important for
students to know when they
Distant dream turns into reality
S achìe H opkins
Staff Reporter
school in the Portland area to
adopt a sister school through
the Harambee Center.
"Southridge (High School in
Beaverton) took four students
last summer to their sister
During the second year
of GATA's existence, a
relationship began to develop
with the Harambee
Center in Portland.
Students took a field
"The goal o f the trip is to
trip to learn about the
either help our sister school
chance to have a sister
create a com puter lab, o r
school, and to maybe
to help fin d a reliable w ater
travel to Africa. What
source fo r the sch o o l,"
began as a distant dream
David Frick, G A T A adviser
has now developed into
a definite reality.
Last year West Linn
adopted the Namwela
school and the trip was
Secondary School in Chwele,
very successful," Frick said.
Kenya. The relationship
"However, our trip is taking
began with last year's
place on a much bigger scale.'
freshmen sending pen pal
Perhaps the most exciting
letters to students there.
part for most West Linn
Many photos were received
along with descriptions of a
JH
very different place.
West Linn is the second
National Merit Semifinalists have high hopes
l i l i i i l Ifiif le iiliri________ n
continued from page 1
History, AP Calculus AB,
AP European History, AP
English, AP Music Theory,
AP Statistics and Spanish V.
Alix Gerber
Future plans: Hopes to attend
Cornell University.
Extracurricular activities:
Enjoys stage managing and
drawing in her spare time.
Advanced classes: Spanish IV
and V, Honors Humanities,
AP English, Honors English,
AP Calculus, AP
Statistics, AP Environmental
Science, Physics, and AP
Studio Art.
Eric Nesbit
Future plans: College, move
to Europe
Extracurricular activities:
Symphonic Band and Jazz
Band.
Advanced classes: AP U.S.
History, AP Calculus AB, AP
Calculus CD, AP Physics,
Honors Humanities.
Marta Hanson
Future plans: Hopes to attend
college and law school. She
also hopes to travel a lot.
Extracurricular activities: She
is currently in the musical
"Crazy for You," Jazz Choir,
Symphonic Choir, National
Honor Society, French
Language Honor Society,
Kaleidoscope, Thespian
Troupe 1915, and takes
private voice and piano
lessons.
Advanced classes: AP U.S.
Audrey Riesen
Future plans: Hopes to attend
Santa Clara University to
study engineering and is also
interested in a pre-dental
program.
Extracurricular activities:
WLHS theater production
"Crazy for You," Bible Study
and Youth Group.
Advanced classes: AP U.S.
History, AP Calculus AB, AP
Calculus CD, AP Physics,
AP Studio Art, Honors
Humanities, AP English,
leave high school.
"Since we live in Oregon,
it is important to know about
our state's background.
Oregon has an interesting
story... people thought that it
was the Garden of Eden back
then," Jeff Bandel, senior,
said.
So far this fall, students
have already visited the
Oregon Historical Society
for the exhibit The First
Peoples; the Portland Art
Museum to learn about
native peoples though art;
the McLoughlin House
studying settlers and Fort
Vancouver because it is the
most important settleAment
in the Northwest.
"I think that I will take
away form this class respect
for my state and home, and
skills for the future," Bandel
said.
Honors Law A.
Molly Robison
Future plans: Anything art
related.
Extracurricular activities:
Vice President of Green
Team, takes classes at a
recording studio.
Advanced classes:
Honors Humanities, AP
Environmental Science, AP
Calculus, Honors English.
Heather Wallace
Future plans: To travel and
explore the world.
Extracurricular activities:
Enjoys theater, is also very
involved in her church and is
a Middle School Youth Group
Leader. She also started an
organization to raise money
for a well in Africa.
Advanced classes: AP U.S.
History, Honors English,
Honors Physics, AP Physics,
Symphonic Band, AP
English, Honors Humanities,
AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus
CD.
m.
students is the opportunity to
travel to Kenya from July 24
to Aug. 14 to visit the school.
Approximately 20 students
will be accepted after
completing an application
and selection process. Several
staff members will chaperone
the group.
"The goal of the trip is to
either help our sister school
create a computer lab, or to
help find a reliable water
source for the school," Frick
said. "The sister school project
is an exciting, incredible,
awesome way for West Linn
students to create personal
relationships and a cultural
bridge to people their own
age in Africa. This kind of
project transforms lives."
Vihmma MtoriMiq sctm,
..... p-D 00 X............. .......
...... QÌMLI&.,....... ..........
K£ff^A-
*•<3* /jum / iòne.
D tüf..,5 ociHip H Qfmns ,
p .
Hü!lew,.ruj e mmö arc ... S m m
oté
at jehm i. ijjhin
itBm
JsM
iâtf
fu , I ma
lil nomi h
in tu me, JU?f \rantjfrwfû
tM.iM jùKtj mid. M a ttïiin mu. .... ftiMlJ-
ml. 4 m
at homi
i M m
p u f * ] ttJiìfrm
m o kmMrj m d im s m tu /irm h
ÍM .... i/Oimtm M i Ukm ftmj Ml
n u {Ji h'tn¿id ina .... firn n j .... intinm lnii
.......
"
............
........
.......) .........
............
\ d h i.ihm
ijßJtaiMML,
hM
Marximim <4 j m
$£ .. claké .. Jcnwh Æ M
im mÉi 41.6i m m m J pnitS 01 utm
JMÌ M ilfiài Uamp í m U jiU i
¡¡.mi
IM m .j
JMnffij,. ¡a i t i m mam
.... ¿ítíS iñ ....* $ « 4 ....
jfekr, m m m t .. ............................. a b o u i.M .
hmtnmdMWt
w,hàit ami. ...... ñ íu ¿n 'm .................. 0* ... ß i t u J fina imam"
M h d , .... Chàrsùnu - étUij m Mif t ifi ... Jìtkjiiti-Mmt. 4 kì
: ¡joít, ih.hí'üi. .. ju b ju t ... J do u m h t i i ? .........
.. ...............
A pen pal letter written by Simiyu Marximillan, student of Namwela
Secondary School to Sachie Hopkins, sophomore, as a part of the
sister school relationship. Correspondence began between students
at West Linn and Nemwela last year. Letters included information on
everything from hobbies to family to school life.