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
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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
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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.