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Volunteering presents many opportunities for
students looking to participate in community
E ta S antoro
Staff Reporter
Whether its cuddling
with kittens at an animal
shelter or shelving books at a
library, many organizations
depend on volunteers. But
what's in it for the person
who is giving service
without pay?
By volunteering,
individuals are learning
how to reach out in their
local communities. People
of all ages and abilities can
volunteer.
Rebecca Zilk, sophomore,
enjoys volunteering at the
West Linn Public Library.
She offers book suggestions,
helps plan events for teens
at the library, and even
watches small children while
their parents look for books.
She found out about the
volunteer opportunity when
the library offered some
volunteer jobs during their
has been volunteeringThere
for five summers.
"Our job is to inspire the
community to create a better
future for wildlife," Smith
said. Along with that, she
Colleges sometimes
look for people who have
done community service,"
Rebecca Zilk, sophomore
said. Volunteering can make
up for individuals with
very involved in sports, I
like to be involved in school
activities, and I overall like
leading and helping, which
I do volunteering," Hannah
Deluca, junior, said.
m
S u m m e r R e a d in g P r o g r a m .
>he meets the Teen Advisor
Board the first Tuesday of
the month and also attends
other scheduled meetings.
"Volunteering is a good way
to help your community,"
Zilk, sophomore, said.
A small volunteer job can
spark more opportunities in
more areas. Jessica Smith,
senior, applied for her
volunteer job at the Oregon
Zoo when she was in eighth
grade. During the summer
camps, programs were
offering volunteer jobs. She
At the West Linn Public Library, Becca Zilk, sophomore, reads to a young patron. Volunteer jobs are
proven to build self-esteem and provide job experience.
Photo by Eta Santoro
also is committed to her
family farm and African
Pygmy Goat Corral and the
Ed Animal House.
When applying for
college, volunteering can
boost chances of being
admitted, according to an
article by Kerrie Troseth on
Suite 101.
low grade point averages
or lower scores on an
entrance exam. It gives the
convenience to average and
below-average students to
still have a chance of getting
a good education.
"I volunteer because I
want things for a college
application since I am not
C hess does not equal boring
C hr
RBiN
N FI
Staff Reporters
Say "chess" and people often
think boring and picture old
men in the park. With chess
games such as "Blindfold
Chess" and "Blitzing," Avi Levy,
Zachary Hansen, Matthew
Kirsch, Jonathan Shepherd,
seniors, and Alexander Wise,
junior, are binding, blockading
and breaking their way into the
chess world.
"We are not as hard core
as people tend to think. We
just care about having a good
time, and we want to win,"
Shepherd said. "I do what any
other normal student does: my
homework, hanging out with
friends and watching movies."
Along with everyday life,
members also participate in
and other activities. For
’p BRance, Hansen is a member
' of the Boys' Rugby Team and
Avi Levy, senior, contemplates his next move during a Chess Club
meeting. Levy played first board this season and helped the team to
take fourth place at State.
Photo by Alison Fieldhouse
likes to ski when he gets the
chance.
The boys first formed an
interest in starting Chess Club
because they wanted a place
at school where they could
compete, but also enjoy the
social aspects of the game.
According to the boys, they
view it as a social gathering
rather than a club.
continued on page 6
Little rewards can result
from volunteering too.
Andra Sturtevant, senior,
volunteers at the Northwest
Children's Theatre in
Portland. She ushers during
performances and earns
the chance to see a show
for free. Another student,
Inyoung Jung, junior,
traveled to another country
while helping doctors nurse
patients. Kendall Weierich,
freshmen, received the
chance of working with
scriptwriter Mike Rich while
volunteering at the annual
golf tournament for Ronald
McDonald House Charities.
Although volunteering is
required in certain programs,
such as the National Honors
Society, other students
decide to do so or help as
a part of a class project or
as a member of another
organization.
"I volunteer because it
feels like I'm contributing
something to the community,
doing my part, and also
because I really feel that the
volunteer work needs to
be done. People out there
need help, and it's our
responsibility to help them
and the Earth," Miranda
James, freshmen, said.
Individuals are assigned
certain hours to work and
their jobs can range from
small quick tasks to lengthy
ones, but all are equally
meaningful.
"Some volunteer jobs
can be fun even if they may
not sound like it," Darian
Royse, sophomore, said.
Royse assists in outdoor
jobs such as participating
in the Haystack Rock
Awareness Program and
clearing blackberry bushes.
Working together as a team
can provide fun between
individuals while helping
out, according to Royse.
The school website
has a section dedicated to
volunteer information. Here
students can find places that
are in need of volunteers.
Available volunteer jobs in
West Linn include helping
children with homework,
cleaning buildings,
delivering meals, directing
as a youth leader, caring
for animals, or keeping an
eye on neighborhood parks.
The Career Center, located
next to the library, also posts
volunteer opportunities.
Students can also visit
Jamie Welle, Career Center
Secretary, at the Career
Center for additional
information. She is at the
school Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday from 7 a.m.
to 3p.m. Welle can also be
reached by phone 503-673-
7833 or e-mail WelleJ@wlwv.
kl2.or.us. For direct on-line
access, students can go to
http://www.wlhs.wlwv.
kl2.or.us/WLHS_guidance.
html and click on the
'Volunteering' link to find
more posts.
According to a study by
AmeriCorps, volunteering
can lead to improved mental
and physical health. People
who have suffered from
depression have found joy
in helping out and working
with others. Others with
anger management issues
who need something to do
turn to volunteering. Many
skills can be learned from
working or helping out in
the community. Strength,
courage, and responsibility
can all be attained when
volunteering.
"I lead a very blessed life
and have been given more
than I deserve. I feel the need
to help others and find joy
when someone else benefits
because of something I may
have said or done, or given
them the confidence to do
themselves," Hannah Stout,
junior, said.