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Recently inaugurated
President Barack
Obama starts his first
100 days with a bang.
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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."