Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2007)
2 Mar<£ News Presidential candidates promote diversity in politics u J ohn C ampbell _____________ Page Editor With over a year-and- a-half left until the next presidential election, it's time for numerous politicians to announce their candidacy for president. This year's candidates are looking to make history with the 2008 election. The Democratic Party is offering up the most diverse candidates in years. In America's history, every president has been a white man. But Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are looking to change that. Obama, an African-American senator from Illinois gained support after delivering a speech that most politicians considered impressive at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. His recently released book "The Audacity of Hope" and his daily podcast have gained him even more publicity with the voters. Clinton, a New York senator and former first lady, has long spoken about her political ambitions. Her two terms in the Senate and her marriage to former president World-wide competition advances students into scientific community , K atie C arney & L auren P ak Staff Reporters Students from around the world were invited to join the International Science and Engineering Fair which is one of the globes largest science fairs. This competition is held annually and made up of almost 1,500 students from at least 45 nations who are all competing for the $50,000 freshman, and Hannah Acre, freshman, said. From the District Competition, the first and second place winners from each of the 16 categories moved on to compete in Regionals. The categories vary from Animal Sciences, Computer Sciences, Earth and Planetary Sciences to Engineering. Regionals will be held March 16 at the Bill Clinton have helped gain voter support, but Clinton is by no means the first woman to run for president. However Clinton is the first to be a frontrunner and have an actual chance at the presidency. "All the hype is with Obama and Clinton right now," David Frick, social studies teacher, said. "Yet the Democrats may end up choosing John Edwards because the other two might be seen as polarizing." While the Democrats offer up new-wave candidates, the Republicans are putting out more traditional ones. The biggest frontrunners for the Republican nomination are veteran senator John McCain and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. McCain, a senator from Arizona ran for president in 2000 but lost to current president George W. Bush. Polls show that McCain holds an advantage due to his sense of humor and willingness to poke fun at himself. His appearances in the film "Wedding Crashers" and on "Saturday Night Live" have helped boost his appeal to young voters. "McCain seems like a good guy and would probably make a good president," said Will Gibson, senior. "But in the end I feel I'm probably going to vote for one of the more diverse candidates. McCain just seems too traditional." Giuliani is considered to be one of New York's finest mayors, praised for his attempts to wipe out organized crime and his ability to help the city heal after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. His edge may come in his ability to unify the Democrats and Republicans by being able to ride the middle. These are only four of the many people running for the highest office in the land, but with the political winds constantly changing the way they do, it's hard to predict exactly what names will be on the ballot next November. But according to polls, these are the most likely nominees. Thespians lo o k to com pete w ith state's elite; send varied acts to H istoric Elsinore Theatre u C hristopher E rbin _________ Page Editor Despite some tough judging which kept some of the upperclassmen from reaching the State competition, West Linn is sending five different acts to the Oregon State Thespian Acting competition in Salem on April 12-14. While the regional acting competition was a slight disappointment for senior actors, many of the younger competitors received a pleasant surprise when they advanced to State. Sophomores Caitlyn Olson, Reis Mahnic and Jenelle Barzola advanced along with Elise Biancardi and Avik Bandyopadhyay, juniors. Maggie Lewis was the sole senior to advance to State. Approximately 600 students from 21 different schools in the Northeast Acting Region competed at WLHS in hopes of claiming the few positions at State. Serving as the host school, West Linn dominated in the ten acting categories. Arguably the biggest surprise of the competition came in the novice solo acting category, an event which would send only one actor to State. Olson claimed that single position for her re-enactment of scenes from "Kentucky Cycle" and "Reckless." "Caitlyn truly was one of the best surprises to come out of this competition," Jessica Murray, drama instructor, said. "She really wasn't expected to advance to state, but her natural talent helped pull her past the other competitors." Also placing in the solo acting category were Kristy Wilkinson, sophomore, and Lucy Walker, freshman. They tied for third and received honorable mentions. Olson was not intent on qualifying for just a single act at State, she also advanced^* in the Duo Dramatic VP Competition. Along with Lewis, the team reserved a spot in Salem with their skit from the performance "Trifles." Thespians compete continued on page 3 Student strives to promote peace by starting club u K ate C arnahan & J essica S huholm Staff Reporters Hannah Acre, freshman, and Hillary Krippaehane, freshman, show off their ISEF project to the public on March 2. Students who placed first and second moved on to Regionals, which will take place today at Portland State University. Photo by Malia Chong grand prize. At Districts, Avi Levy, sophomore, won first place in engineering and mathematics division. He received $10,000 dollars and a scholarship of $2,500 to Oregon State University. Levy will be joined by Michael Bemert, junior, Nicole Panichello, freshman, and Kelsey Guerins, freshman, who received an automatic admission and free round trip to internationals to observe but not compete. "We chose to take part in the Science Fair because we knew it would be a wonderful opportunity to include on our college applications. It would help us with our science skills, and we did not have to do some of the projects in biology," Hillary Krippaehne, Northwest Science Expo Center. Approximately 20 winners will move on to the final event of the competition, Internationals, which will be held May 13-19 in Albuquerque, N.M. . "Passing the deadlines and fitting everything on our board was the hardest part of completing the project," Lisa Kirkemo, freshman said. Kirkemo and Katie Carnahan, freshman, worked together and presented their project at the District Competition. "I think we did fine; we made it to state. They seemed to like our project," Kirkemo said. The two will move on to compete in Regionals and have high hopes for participating in International ISEF Competition. P One month ago, Diana Crane, junior, was sitting in Honors International Relations, thinking about what to do for her final project. The Young Advocates for Peace was her answer. The new club, which meets on Mondays at lunch in room A102, consists of students learning about different issues and what they can do to help. Right now, their main goal is to raise more awareness for the club. "We are pretty excited for how many people are coming," Crane said. On Thursday, Apr. 5 at 7 p.m., Young Advocates for Peace will be holding a peace vigil in the New Commons. The event will feature, poetry, singing, food, and flashlights according to Crane. A vigil will be.held on the first Monday of every month. The club is also focusing on participating in upcoming peace protests, like the one in Pioneer Courthouse Square on March 18, which marks the fourth anniversary of Hailey Murto, senior, creates a poster to advertise the peace protest that Young Advocates for Peace members will be attending on Sunday at the South Park Blocks. YAP was formed by Diana Crane, senior, to raise student awareness about world issues. Photo by Malia Chong the war in Iraq. They want to focus on the organization "Save Darfur," and join the organization's high school program, STAND. There are also plans to invite a Buddhist monk to come and talk about inner peace. Club members plan to write letters, making their opinions known to U.S. Senators. "We also have their phone numbers!" Crane said. Stacy Erickson, club adviser and social studies teacher, is also excited about the new club. "I love to see students excited and involved in positive activities. This world could use more peace. Who would disagree with that?" Erickson asked. To join the Young Advocates of Peace, meet in Room A102 on Mondays at lunch. All are invited to the first Peace Vigil, which will be held on Apr. 9, at 7 p.m. the New Commons. Up
