Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2007)
^007 News Staff welcomes three newborns this month a L auren L evine _____________ co-Editor-in-Chief Along with April showers has come the birth of three babies to staff members Jim Hartmann, science teacher, Curt Scholl, assistant Kathryn Luella Scholl principal of student services, and Jamie Welle, student services secretary. Hartmann, 42, is only just now getting the chance to experience what it is like to be a dad. His son, Jamie Selig, who weighed 8 lbs., 21 oz. and was 20 1/2" was bom on April 4 at 4 p.m. to him and his wife, Esther Shepsman, a teacher at Tualatin High School. "(It has been) absolutely Photo courtesy of Curt Scholl. the most intense experience of my life," Hartmann, said of parenthood. "I'm glad I waited until I was this age because I wouldn't be able to handle it if I was any younger." GATA Africa trip cancelled m S achie H opkins ____________ Staff Reporter To everyone involved it was a huge disappointment: the trip planned to Kenya this summer, specifically to WLHS’s sister school, was cancelled on April 3. A sudden increase in violence in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, c d effects reaching all the way to Portland, when a woman from Oregon was shot in a carjacking. The non-profit Harambee Center, the trip organizers, felt that it was too dangerous to go this year. "I have a lot of mixed feelings about (this decision) because in some ways the incidents of violence should strengthen our resolve to take a trip of this nature, so as not to allow the tragedies of the world to dictate our hopes, and our plans for a better world in the future," David Frick, Global Awareness Take Action adviser, said. Members of GATA who were scheduled to go on the trip were extremely disappointed, yet understand the need to keep them safe. "I am extremely disappointed because that was my main focus all year long," Jeff Bandel, senior, said. "I have been in GATA for two years and this would've been my final action being done as a member of GATA, because I'm graduating this year." According to Frick, a trip for the summer of 2008 is already in the works. There are also hopes to bring students from Kenya to WLHS to stay with families and attend school here next winter. Plans also include the continuation of fundraising for the sister school through GATA, to fund science labs, water facilities and a sports field. "I want to give a strong endorsement to the student ambassadors, their parents, and this school district, who were all very understanding at the need to process what happened before making a decision on the trip," Frick said. With demanding careers, he and his wife didn't feel ready for children until recently. Both are taking the rest of the year off from teaching to stay home and take care of their new baby. "(When the baby) cries for five hours straight it requires a lot of strength," Hartmann said. Scholl and his wife, Kellie, welcomed daughter Kathryn Luella, who joined three older brothers at 12:15 a.m. on April 9. She weighed 8 lbs., 2 oz. and was 22" long. "It's fantastic," Scholl said. "We didn't know the gender of the baby beforehand. Having a girl was a good surprise. Anytime you have a baby, it's life-changing." A first-time mother, Welle gave birth to Ethan Vem at 9:12 a.m. on April 17. He was 8 lbs., 5.75 oz. and 21 1/2" long. Ethan Vem Welle Photo courtesy of Kattie Riggs "She's excited to finally have Ethan here and is already enjoying being a mother," Kattie Riggs, who is filling in for Welle, said. 9 7 1 .2 3 7 .0 1 1 2 wwwJnfinityEnhancements.com Photo courtesy of Jim Hartmann Graduation requirements increase, beginning with incoming Class of 2011 u L auren P ak & An P eterson Staff Reporters The idea to alter graduation requirements beginning with the Class of 2011 was brought forth by the State of Oregon in March of 2007. The standard 46 credits originally needed to graduate has been raised to 48 credits. Instead of having two years of math and science, the new requirement is three years of each. This leaves students with fewer opportunities to take elective classes. The new measure will not affect any graduating classes until 2011. This proposal was passed to make sure that Oregon's standards are high enough to keep up with the changing global education. The No Child Left Behind Act has raised school's efforts and increased expectations for new graduating classes. "It's an okay idea in theory, but I don't think that it makes much of a difference," Emily Fischer, freshman, said. Leaving no room to fail any classes, the new graduating students will have to pass all of their subjects. "It will be hard for some people, but others might already take that many classes anyway," Fischer said. "The drawback is that there is no wiggle room for students," Kim Carlson, Assistant Principal said. According to Carlson, most of the students won't even be affected, because they already take the needed classes. • Small classes, averaging 24 students per class • Outstanding faculty, 40% with PhDs • Affordable tuition • State-of-the-art facilities • 42 programs that transfer to Oregon colleges and universities • 32 programs that train you for the workplace eyelash extensions ° perm anent cosmetics prom sweet 16 senior pictures or just for glam our Jamie Selig Hartmann, Ester Shepsman, Jim Hartmann fcocc-HAS THÉ EDGE » in f i n i t y e n h a n c e m e n t s Wrap that all up in a setting of fantastic natural beauty and incredible outdoor sports, and what could be better? : K S iiS www.cocc.edu (541)383-7500 1111 : ■ : 3 : f CENTRAL STAY CLOSE GO FAR » OREGON COMMUNITY COLLEGE COCC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution. Those wishing to attend events at COCC who have special needs resuiting from a physical disability should contact Gene Zinkgraf, 504/ADA coordinator, at least three days in advance of the event. He can be reached at 383-7775, or through the College's TT number, 383-7708. •
