# 0 0 9 ________________ _______ News__
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Gas prices increase sharply after recent tumble
u A shley S heron ___________
Staff Reporter
Gas prices went up
nearly 26 cents in December
in Oregon, according to
the American Automobile
Association.
The average price for a
gallon of regular has gone
up more than 10 cents this
last week. Oregon's national
ranking for highest gas
prices has jumped from 12th
to ninth, according to The
Oregonian.
Despite the increases,
drivers are still paying the
lowest prices in nearly five
years with the Oregon and
the national averages at the
lowest point since Feb. 2004.
A year ago, Oregon's
average price for gas was
$3.11 and in recent months
the prices have dropped
dramatically. Prices have
gone as low as $1.74, which
is a significant decrease and
welcome change for most
people. However, in the past
month, prices have been back
on the rise.
"Honestly I kind of
expected the gas prices to
rise; you just have to save
your money while they're
low so you can spend
when they're back up." Reis
Mahnic, senior, said.
Crude oil is currently at
$49 per barrel which is an
increase of about $9 in the
past week. According to the
Portland Tribune, eventually
the return of a more peaceful
situation in the Middle East
and the welcoming of a new
president will probably make
oil and gasoline prices decline
over the next few weeks.
Although there has been
an increase in gas prices,
Oregon remains at its lowest
gas prices in about five years,
according to The Oregonian.
"I've been able to fill up
my 12 gallon car for $27,"
Katherine Konen, sophomore,
said.
In the Lake Oswego-West
Linn area gas prices range
from $1.94-2.01. The lowest
gas price in West Linn is $1.93
at the 2115 8th Ct. Chevron
Station.
12 Month Average Retail Price Chart
Regular Gas
Regular Gas
Price (US $/G)
4.28
4.02
3.76
3.50
3.24
2.98
2.72
2.47
2.21
1.95
1.69
2009
Date (Monthfflay)
India Night, which took place on Jan. 17, was a huge
success according to Todd Jones, Model U.N. advisor. The
club raised $2050 in ticket sales. After $800 of expenses,
a total of $1200 was raised to offset the cost of the state
Model U.N. conference this spring.
Erin Axelrod , senior, Sarani Cha tterjee, sophomore, Avi
Levi, senior, Rohini Deb, senior, Neelou Etesami, junior,
Alison Fieldhouse, sophomore, Alissa Greenberg, senior,
Marie Kerkstoel, freshman, Taylor Nowlin, senior, Neil
Rajput, senior, Allyssa Wood, freshman, Jennifer Sitton,
sophomore, and Anik Shrestha, junior, were all involved
in planning and preparing for the evening.
This chart (www.gasbuddy.com) shows the average regular gas price in Oregon from 2008-2009. While
not as high as they were in the summer of 2008, prices are once again on the rise.
After stressful week of finals,
it's time to refresh body, mind
T amra S chelot
Staff R eporter
S tre ss is lin k e d to th e
leading causes of
death—heart disease, cancer,
lung ailments, accidents,
cirrhosis of the liver and
suicide. Last year ASB
took on this problem by
creating a week just for de
stressing, replacing the more
traditional Spirit Week, and
they are planning to repeat
the event this year.
"Being stressed is like
getting your blood drawn,
it drains you, and
I hate needles,"
Gabriel Welp,
senior, said.
Staff
members
also feel
the
effects.
"When it gets to the end of
incorporated into the week
th e se m e ste r I ca n rea lly feel
th e stress an d a n x iety lev el
la st year.
"W e're really h o p in g to
rise and that's what stresses
me out," Steve Schramm,
math teacher, said.
During the week of Feb.
23-27 there will be a variety
of activities aimed at helping
people to relax and refresh.
Last year back massages
were offered during lunch,
green tea was provided
in the morning and yoga
classes were held at lunch.
A 10 second scream, a 50
second silence and a
black-light dance
were all
go all out this year," Avary
Kolasinski, senior and ASB
Public Relations, said. This
year the theme is Vacation
Destinations, and each porch
will be decorated according
to different tropical
paradises such as Hawaii,
Mexico and Jamaica.
Rejuvenation Week was
an original concept that was
well received by students
and staff. Last year over
3 /4 of the student body
participated and this year
ASB hopes to have 100
percent participation.
"The school was really
awesome with all the
decorations. I loved walking
in with the windows painted
and the interesting ways
they chose to do it and I
think it really did relax
the students here," Karina
Dewart, senior, said.
"Decorating takes a lot of
time, like three whole days,
but in the end it is totally
worth it," Sara Sebastian,
senior and ASB Activities
Director, said of the paper
waterfalls, trees and posters
which decorated the school.
While proposed activities
including massages
and yoga are planned,
suggestions are still being
solicited. If any students
have suggestions for
Rejuvenation Week, ASB
members encourage you to
talk to any of the them or to
e-mail to Samantha Hanlin,
ASB President, at hanlins@
wlhs.wlwv.kl2.or.us.
Erin Axelrod, senior, Rohini Deb, senior, Taylor Nowlin, senior,
Neelou Etesami, junior, Alissa Greenberg, senior and Kendall
Jorgensen, junior, perform a traditional Indian Dance during
India Night on Jan. 17. India Night served as a fundraiser for
WLHS's Model U.N. club.
Students show off the henna tattoos they received during
India Night. The evening included a traditional Indian dinner,
performances by various WLHS students and a short Indian
movie clip.
Kelsey Guerins, j unior, Ann Bernert, sophomore, Kayla Nowlin,
junior, Kathryn Flyte, junior, Erin Morrow, sophomore and
Monet Meyer, junior, pose in front of an Indian backdrop that
included a life-size Ghandi cutout.
Photos courtesy of Anik Shrestha