Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2008)
8 DecembtfC^- Seven m erit scholars advance to sem i-finals L ibby M athes Staff Reporter Seven seniors named National Merit Scholars are vying for scholarship money and the chance to advance it to the finals. The seniors include Hans Farnbach, Johanna Hanson, Avi Levy, Caitlyn Olson, Chloe Patterson, Hannah Schumaker and Andra Sturtevant. "I'm honored to have been recognized, but it must be kept in context. It is based on three hours of one day when I was a junior. It doesn't say much about me as a person. It just says I test well," Schumaker said. "So I'm honored and it's nice to be able to receive scholarship money, but again, it was three hours of my life." In order to reach the semi-finals, students must have a good score on the PSAT as a junior the previous year. To move into the finals, students submit a list o f tY\e e x tra c u rric u la r activities in which they participate, a personal essay, transcripts and SAT scores to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. "I think we have some very solid and well-rounded individuals who all have done some outstanding work in the various fields we have in West Linn," Curt Scholl, Assistant Principal for llth/12th grade, said. "It's easy to see why they're in the top 1% in the nation." While being a merit scholar looks good on an applications, winning scholarship money can also help fund college which are in each of their plans. Farnbach plans to major in mechanical engineering, minor in chemical engineering, and then start his own research and development company. Levy also plans to pursue a more scientific field. "I want to be involved in technological innovation in the future. That's really broad mostly because I she wants as a career. Along with studies, these seniors juggle extracurricular activities such as sports. Schumaker is on the Varsity Girls' farm, so I do farm chores after school." One of the ways they became merit scholar has been through studying. Levy finds he learns when ?Wt & ■ # fv. f $EAS1B{ U N IV ERSITY •XkM m e a n at m math n r J*O J National Merit Scholars-Front row: Hannah Schumaker, Andra Sturtevant, Chloe Patterson and Caitlyn Photo by Hannah Zaayer Olson. Back row: Avi Levy, Hans Farnbach, Johanna Hanson. have no idea what I will major in," Levy said. Two of the scholars are involved with theatre and Sturtevant sees it as a part of h e r fu ture. "I w ou ld like to m ajo r in theatre and probably also psychology. I would like to work professionally in theatre like acting, or I want to teach," Sturtevant said. "I am in rehearsal most days (She is currently in the production "Dancing at Lughnasa."). I am also in choir," Olson said. Hanson plans to help the world in a more philanthropic way— activism. "I don't know how that will manifest itself— it could be anything from working internationally for Mercy Corps to working for the United Nations." Schumaker just wants to obtain a college degree. "I don't really know which one I want to get into," Schumaker said. She hopes whatever she chooses, it will help guide her to what Basketball Team and Sturtevant plays violin, sings in the choir and is involved with the Northwestern Children's he is interested in the subject and looks for ways to make what he is studying interesting. "I do homework. I work T h eatre. "I d o a lot of h o m ew o rk ," w ith o th er p eop le like m y friends. F o r the SAT’s, Patterson said. "I live on a I use the study books," Sturtevant said. Patterson also has multiple strategies for studying. "I like to quiz myself and do things for memory," said Patterson, "I can't stand procrastinating. It drives me crazy!" For Hanson, it is important to pace herself. "I take notes. I read over notes. I drink a lot of green tea, and I play the piano when I start to freak out too much," Hanson said. For some, it comes naturally and they don't need to study. "I don't really have study habits. Heck, a lot of the times I forget that we have a quiz or a test that day. I normally walk into class, see the desks are separated and think, 'Oh yeah, test today...'" Farnbach said. Olson has luck on her side, as well. "I took a really good test that day. I guess I woke up on the right side of the bed or so m e th in g . I didn't reall s tu d y b efo re," O lso n sai of the PSAT. Trade schools offer students different kinds of experiences A ustin C ummiins Staff Reporter While there are many well known colleges and universities in Oregon, there are also many specialized schools that include trade schools. If students have a passion for cooking, Oregon Culinary Institute at Pioneer Pacific College offers training to become a chef. OCI offers "complete, practical, and affordable" education as they teach in a hands-on, learning environment. They also help is coming In times of stress do you have someone you can talk to? Someone with life experience? If your are: ° Depressed o Fighting with mom and dad o Having problems with peers at school o Can’t stop partying Text,Call or Email Donny 5 0 3 -3 2 0 -9 1 9 0 | wrightcounseling@comcast.net W ig h t Counseling and Consultation Services LLC. Addictions, mental health and consultation services 1684 Willamette Falls Drive students develop expertise in running a restaurant. Another culinary option is Western Culinary Institute. Their Le Cordon Bleu programs include degrees in culinary arts and baking with a convenient location in Portland. If art sounds like an interesting career, then Pacific Northwest College of Art is a local option with its campus in Northwest Portland. PNC A offers classes in visual art, photography, design and features extensive studio experience. Classes are open to all ages from children to adults. Their mission is "to transform students into knowledgeable, articulate, practicing visual art and designers with the ability to significantly contribute in the original to the ongoing dialogue in art that shapes our culture." With technology being a big part of our lives today, a career in technology can be very fruitful. Oregon Institute of Technology, is "the only public, accredited polytechnic university in the Northwest" according to its website.OIT was founded in 1947 to educate WWII service people returning from war. Since then, they have retained ties with industry and technology partners to train workers. Another option is University of Phoenix. The college offers online and on campus degrees in various areas. It has four locations in Oregon to choose from, including one nearby in Clackamas, as well as other locations nationwide. Heald College in business, education, technology, law and health. It has a Portland campus, as well as campuses in Hawaii and California. "There's a college for everyone," Karen Lakin, temporary career center counselor, said. There are many well known and lesser known colleges located throughout the Portland area and in Oregon. However, during this period of economical downturn, people are searching for scholarships. "More kids are coming in with concerns about money than about college choices," Larkin said.
