Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2008)
January 10 Snowboard Team hopes to shred slopes a this year. The team also went Contributing Writer to Wendell's indoor facility The Snowboard Team to train on trampolines, encounters freezing skateboards and a foam pit. temperatures, carving "This was a great through fresh powder, opportunity to learn the sore muscles and tearing more complicated tricks down hills of fresh snow in and rotations needed practices that began Dec. 6. to score high on judged Their first competition was competitions, without Jan. 12 and the season ends worrying about wiping out," in late February. Nannette Boggess, coach, Team members can said. choose from a variety of Having to endure a events in which to compete, two hour chartered bus such as Slopestyle, Banked ride to each practice and Slalom, Halfpipe, Snowcross finding their own means and Slalom. In Slopestyle, of transportation to one rider at a time performs competitions at Mt. Hood before the judges by Meadows could wear one going through a series of down, but their positive jumps and obstacles while results from previous performing tricks. During seasons show just how Slalom, the rider must pass dedicated the team is. They through a series of gates in hope that it will reflect in as little time as possible. In their performance this year. halfpipe, a rider maneuvers The Snowboard Team back and forth through a operates a little differently halfpipe performing tricks. than many other school Pre-season training began sports. To be eligible to in November with weekly participate, a team member dryland practice at school. must have their own lift Alistar Bunch, School pass, snowboard equipment Resource Officer, is the and clothing. Numbered team's conditioning coach jerseys are provided for the K aitlvn L athrop ____________ first-year riders and read i ^ them for competitive snowboarding. Last season, the women's team won the Sato Cup for being the best women's team overall in Oregon. The men's team took third in halfpipe. Several seniors graduated last year, and their absence may be felt this season. "We lost a few good seniors, but the rest of the team is progressing and getting better. I think we will be able to fill the gap and do really well," Thomas Pittenger, sophomore, said. The first Three Rivers Nick Mcmillen, freshman, practices air maneuvers at a pre-season practice. The team trained at Wendell's indoor facilities, which offered League competition is the them an opportunity to practice tricks instead of dryland training. banked slalom at Mt. Hood Photo submitted by Nanette Boggess Meadows on Jan. 12. season and wearing a helmet is mandatory. On Wednesdays after school, the team practices conclude with arrival back at the school at 11 p.m., making for a long day. Each rider directs his or her own training, based on their individual goals and ability. Coaches are present at practice, often assisting Donate your spare change Spare a «lia We probably won't be among those sleeping on the streets at night. There are many parents Even Oregon has a varied in places such as Mexico, range of income. The median Iraq and Africa that struggle income in West every day to provide food and household Linn in 2005 was $75,300 and shelter for their children. We the average price of a house take for granted a roof over our was $619,900. In the large head and food in our kitchen. eastern Oregon Harney county, in the city Bums, houses were going for $157,400 and the median income was $25,900. The gap is vast. And this is just within Tony Romo, but even with perfect season. But consider Oregon. Think of the difference their high octane offense and between this: that magical year when Linn and their fast defense, I think Tom Kenya, or West the Dolphins ran the table, even the difference they had 43 touchdowns and Brady and his offense would between Bums and Kenya. be able to pick them apart. 5,195 total yards. This year's Kenyan families can survive The only team right now Patriots team has racked up on one dollar a day. Imagine 75 touchdowns and 6,850 total that I think would put up a all those little extra things you decent fight would be the yards through the regular buy like gum, Starbucks and season. The leading receiver of Green Bay Packers, a team candy. That one grande non-fat that with Brett Favre as that Dolphins team had four vanilla latte you buy every quarterback, Donald Driver touchdowns, while this year morning could feed a starving and Greg Jennings on the for the Patriots, Randy Moss family for four days. has 23. At this point, it looks outside as wide receivers and My intent is not to make emerging star Ryan Grant like no team is going to stop you feel guilty, it is to make them. providing the running game, you aware. I hope this It seems like week after seem to have everything going awareness will lead you to week, something happens that for them. The Packers only action. There are many ways to help those less fortunate. It’ seems like week after week, For example, the Oregon Food something happens that only stokes the Bank will gratefully accept fire in the belly of the beast, encouraging time, food or money. You can help people in them to play better need by donating to one of the only stokes the fire in the belly have 49 touchdowns on the school's fundraisers. There are of the beast, encouraging them season in comparison to the - also clubs you can join that to play better. Whether it's a Patriots' 75, but have given notify you with ways you can player of the opposite team up 26 in comparison to the help, such as GATA. Recently guaranteeing a win against Patriots' 34. we lost to Oregon City in the them or prolonged drama What amazes me is even canned food drive but the surrounding the claims that when they have an off game point was not to win. The point they spied against the New and aren't performing at their was to provide food for people York Jets last season, they are best, they still find ways to that cannot afford it. only driven to prove people win. In week 15 against the Many grocery stores have wrong. Jets, Brady only completed 14- little jars you can leave your What will it take to stop a 27 pass attempts for only 140 spare change in; going to a team of this caliber? I don't yards and no touchdowns, yet better cause then sitting in see another team in the league they still managed to pull off your jeans pocket. Or you that can compete. Some said a 20-10 win. That is the sign of could collect all that spare that the Indianapolis Colts a good team. They take care of change in your own jar and could give them a run for business even when they aren't donate it to a charity of your their money, but that would choice. playing their best. have required a win against So the next time you're out The Patriots are on track the now-infamous Chargers. spoiling yourself with new for a season of outstanding The Chargers playoff stint Abercrombie jeans, remember accomplishments and just proved that anything is how fortunate you are. statistical achievements. For possible in the NFL this year. years, people could be looking Remember there are people Some say the Dallas back on this team calling them in the world starving and Cowboys could compete under the best team in the history of homeless that you can help, 4K the leadership of the young the National Football League. with your spare change. continued from page 5 Patriots take one step closer to history ■ J on H elmkamp ____________ co-Editor-in-Chief If you have any doubt in your mind that the New England Patriots are the best team in the history of the National Football League, don't. Prior to this season, the 1972 Miami Dolphins are the only team in the history of the NFL that had ever had a Unplanned Pregnancy? You Deserve to KNOW: ...Are you really pregnant? ...Have you explored all your options? ...Are all your questions answered? Nurse Consultations. Pregnancy Tests. Ultrasound to Verify if Pregnancy is Viable. Respectful. Confidential. 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