Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2009)
} D OC o LL Recently inaugurated President Barack Obama starts his first 100 days with a bang. if) lu oc m m J LU LL Senior Caitlyn Olson balances school, homework and activities while leading the Thespians to State. - page 4 i i l Nerves and anticipation don't get the best of swimmers at State, even against the dominant Lake Oswego Lakers. - page 12 "Marrakesh" offers unique food and an authentic atmosphere to cater to any patron's needs. n® « page 15 Official Student Publication of West Linn High School Published since 1921 Students enjoy various activities during the first annual Winter Writer's Festival sponsored by Kaleidoscope Club. - page 16 March 2009 - Volume 97, Issue 5 French students prepare, fundraise for trip of lifetime a P atricia P alczewska ________ Staff Reporter Foreign language students are receiving a dose of culture this spring and summer beak. French, Japanese and Spanish classes have been given an opportunity to travel and explore exotic locations while practicing their speaking skills. Although a foreign language trip is made every year, students feel this year's overseas adventure looks especially promising. "I'm so excited," Catherine Boyer, junior, said. Boyer is one of five students traveling to Japan. "Fve never been out of Oregon, so this is great. I want to e x p lo re th e w o rld outside of our state and this the perfect time to do it." This summer, students who are taking a Japanese class will be going to Japan, while 23 French students will travel to France as well as Barcelona and Rome. Spanish language students will be traveling to Costa Rica during Spring Break. Those who want to travel need to be in the second year of their chosen language. This is to ensure that students can converse with natives as well as understand directions well enough to travel around the country, eliminating any problems asking for the bathroom or mishearing directions. It has taken lots of time $4,000. This covers the cost of transportation, lodging, food and activities. The students will also bring collected will go towards the overall cost of the summer's voyage. While in Europe and Students will also dine on exotic fare while traveling. On their menu will certainly be the tasty cuisine of French cafes, Japanese sushi bars, and traditional South American restaurants. "There's this dish called okonogiyaki," Boyer said. Okinogiyaki is a meal of vegetables and meat on a pancake like pastry. "You can make it yourself, and it looks fantastic. I'm really looking forward to trying it out, and can't wait to have the opportunity." A voyage like this year's is made to let students begin to understand the differences of culture in the world. Being so far away from home, students begin to n o tice th e d iv e rsity in o th e r co u n trie s' w a y s o f life Former West Linn World Language students stand in front of Mont St. Michel in Normandy during a French excursion. This year French students from West Linn will be exploring Paris and French provinces and cities in Italy. Photo submitted by Rhonda Case to organize and plan these trips. Many documents need to be collected, lots of paperwork has to be done, and stacks of medical information must be filled out. Months of planning and preparation will go into the few weeks the students will spend overseas. Students and their families also have the responsibility of paying for the vacation. This year's French trip will cost around extra money to spend on souvenirs and shopping in the many boutiques found in the major cities they will pay a visit to. To ease the cost of this year's French trip, a group of dedicated students and parents have organized a , benefit dog wash. On March 14, from 9-3 at 1034 Molalla Avenue in Oregon City, pooches will be washed by students and the money Asia, students will not only enjoy the view of unfamiliar land, but will spend their days participating in activities such as white water rafting in Costa Rica, visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris, revering many of Japan's war memorials, and walking the streets. "I'm really excited to go to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial," Boyer said. as well as realize how much they're used to life back home. "The most important thing some students have learned while away is how much they need and love their friends and family," Rhonda Case, French teacher, said. Even with the imminent homesickness, students seem especially eager for this year's trip and the knowledge they will gain from it. "This is an experience," said Boyer, "that I will truly never forget.” Carlson resigns after 22 years as teacher and administrator M ary W ood Staff Reporter Effective as of Feb. 13, Kim Carlson, former assistant principal, resigned from her position due to personal reasons. This was announced to the staff at a short meeting on Feb. 17. ”1 have always believed that the West Linn High School community is extraordinary," Carlson said. "Working there has been the best experience of my life. There will never be a day that I won't miss the students and staff. It's a really special place." This was Carlson’s 22 year at W L HS, bu t she wasn' t always ' \part of the administration, lefore becoming assistant princip al, Carlson taught health and physical education for 13 years. "I miss teaching evervday and Kim Carlson, former assistant principal, resigned as of Feb. 13. She has been involved with WLHS for 22 years, both as a teacher and as an administrator. Photo courtesy of www.vvlwv.k12.or.us I think that helps me tremen- ' volleyball when she began, and dously as 1 work with students for a year she was in charge of and the faculty," Carlson, said Associated Student Body. Life on her web page profile. outside the school grounds is Carlson made many friends spent with her family, traveling, and keeps in touch with many of her former "I'm grateful to have been able "Whenshewasa to w o r k w lt h her trom beginning teacher she was to end—it was truly amazing.” well loved by her students," —Gary Eppelshiemer Tana Dearborn, chemistry teach er, said. "Her goal was that they working in the yard, shopping things. would learn something about and learning new things, themselves and become better Carlson dedicated many years people. She did the same thing of her life to helping students as an administrator. It was grow and learn throughout important to her that students their high school days. She offered students growth grow th and were learning." In her career, Carlson coached support, and even when she was busy with something else in her life she always put her students first according to her profile. I worked with her for so many years, from when she was a teacher to when she was an ad ministrator. I'm grate ful to have been able to work with her from beginning to end—it was truly amazing," Gary Eppelshiemer, photography teacher, said. "I had the won derful opportunity to watch her grow and change as a person as well as in her pro fession. Working with her was a fabulous experience that will remain vivid in my memory forever."
