The inauguration of
President Barack
Obama reminds
Americans of their
patriotism.
- page 4
Is the grass always
greener—how does
WLHS compare to
Wilsonvillle?
- page 6
With a 7-2 season
game record, the Girls'
Varsity Basketball
team has broken into
Oregon's top ten!
page 10
f-
LU
S
g
< H
CL
LU
LU
“Urinetown" parodies
sustainability and
spreads message about
saving water—opens
Feb. 27.
- page 15
•
-
Official Student Publication of West Linn High School
Published Since 1921
>-
<
CO
CO
LU
O
o X
I—
CL
A two week snowstorm
strikes in West Linn,
student photos feature
snow days,
- page 16
February 2009 - Volume 97, Issue 4
WLHS takes silver award in nationwide competition
S ydney H ongo
Staff Reporter
West Linn High School
received a silver medal award
in the second annual edition
of "U.S. News'" Best High
Schools. The nationwide
competition awarded 100
out of 21,069 high schools
throughout 48 states a
gold medal award and an
additional 504 high schools a
silver medal.
"While test scores are by no
means the only measures of a
good school, they certainly are
an indication that we're doing
some things right," Todd Jones,
Social Studies teacher, said.
The requirements were
based on the college readiness
index, number of AP tests
taken, percentage of students
passing AP exams and a
participation index. To receive
Silver or gold medal, the
college readiness index needed
Students leave school after sixth period. Student perf omance based on the college readiness index, number
of AP tests taken, percentage of students passing AP exams and a participation index resulted in a
silver award for WLHS from U.S. News' Best High Schools.
Photo by Zack Mueller
to be over 20%. WLHS stands
at 36.4%.
"This national rating does
not take into consideration
other aspects of high quality
schools, such as a school's
co-curricular program, but
there's no way to evaluate it
School hopes to open up opportunities with zero periods
m M ax H ays
Staff Reporter
schedule, students would
be able to move ahead with
early classes and be able to
take these electives. Students
who have fallen behind can
also take advantage of the
zero periods by making up
classes before or after school
to recover credits.
"I would
much rather
get up early
to recover
credits than
take summer
school," Travis
lies in staffing and having
teachers willing to arrive early
or stay late to teach a class.
"I used to teach at a school
that started at 7:25 and we
were out of there by 1:50 so
I would be all in for getting
here early and helping kids,"
Steve Schramm, math
teacher, said.
Another aspect of the
proposed schedule
would allow
students flexibility
in when they are
able to arrive
at school.
They could
come early
and leave after
fifth period so
they can work
or participate
in anything
With high graduation
requirements and no room for
error or flexibility in student
schedules, West Linn High
School administrators are
looking into the possibility of
adding a zero period before
and after school.
"Right now we are tip
toeing through the process.
My goal is to have something
established by next year if
everything falls in
place," Lou Bailey,
principal, said.
The reasoning
behind adding
periods to the
day according
to Bailey,
is to open
up more
flexibility
Anthoney Chay and Travis Held, sophomores, discuss schedule
e^se that
changes with Megan Runyon, Guidance Counselor, during Mini
interests them,
in student
Arena on Jan. 12-13. This time next year, students could be applying or they can
schedules so
for zero period classes, before or after school.
arrive late and
they can take
Photo by Zack Mueller leave after the
more classes
proposed schedule would
later zero period.
in order to get
Students also would have the
ahead. The students that have
basically be a expansion
option of taking more than
packed schedules filled with
on early bird classes, but
six periods by taking an early
instead of just having a select
AP and honors classes don't
class or a late class, or both
have the opportunity to take
few classes like Physical
if they decide to and wish to
Education, there would be a
fun electives.
take extra electives. '
"I get here early anyway, so
wide variety of classes.
"Our goal is to open up as
that way I would get to take
Cost is where the main
many possibilities for students
an extra elective and leave
problem lies. If the classes are
to earn extra credits and take
early," Jakob Gardner, junior,
not funded by the student
as many classes as they can,"
enrollment fee, how will they
d.
Bailey said.
be paid for? Another problem
With this proposed
besides looking at the number
of students involved in all
programs offered after school,"
Lou Bailey, principal, said.
In Oregon, Corbett High
School was awarded a gold
medal. There were five
silver medals awarded in
addition to WLHS, to Arts
& Communication High
School, Lake Oswego Senior
High School, Lincoln High
School, School of Science &
Technology and South Eugene
High School. There were 24
bronze medals awarded as
well. Bronze medals were
awarded to 1,321 high schools
across America.
"The West Linn Wilsonville
School district is blessed
with a strong community
that supports education and
has a very strong culture for
academic performance," Bailey
said. "Our entire community
supports our schools with
financial resources to support
our students."
"We have fun, considerate
and motivated students who
bring good attitudes and
strong work ethics to the
classroom," Jones said. West
Linn is blessed with great
administration, teachers, and
parent support, according to
Jones.
The environment most of
West Linn's students have
grown up with have high
academic standards, and they
have been taught that excellent
academic performance is the
norm since elementary school,
according to Bailey.
"It’s about program and
expectations," Bailey said.
"[And this award] shows good
work in the community, and it
is something to be proud of."
Foreign exchange student
injured in nightclub shooting
J ennifer S itton
Staff Reporter
A nne-Sophie Ri a 11 a n d ,
junior, w as injured in a
shooting that took place
Jan. 24, at an underage
nightclub, The Zone.
Rial land, a foreign
exchange student visiting
from France, sustained an
upper leg w ound from a
bullet and is on crutches.
A ccording to her host
family, she is doing well.
A sophom ore from
C lackam as H igh School
and a Peruvian foreign
exchange student died
as a result of the gunfire,
w hile another exchange
student w as in critical
condition. The girl w ho
w as killed Saturday
night w as a good friend
of R ialland ’s. The W LH S
counseling offices
continue to be open for
any students w ho may
need to talk to som eone
about the events.
"The other exchange
stud en ts h a v e been
f r i gh tened, b u t a re
m ainly concerned for her
safety. (They) need time
Anne-Sophie Rialland, french
exchange student, was one of
six survivors.
Photo by Hannah Zaayer
to process their feelings
(about the shooting).
Everyone is planning on
staying for now," M ichelle
O lson, counselor, said.