Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2009)
Maf 10 College alternatives viable option for some seniors a Nico V arela & M ark C hipperfield Staff Reporters As seniors advance to the next stage in their lives, they will be headed in different directions. Some will go to a private college, and even more will attend a state college. However, some will choose an alternate path. Samantha Hanlin is one senior who is choosing to do something different immediately following high school. She will attend Capernwray Bible School outside of London, England for six months. Then she will go to Austria for three months to partake in community service. "This seems like a productive and active way to steady myself as a person spiritually as well as see parts of the world before I buckle down for a four year college," Hanlin said. Hanlin does plan to go to college a year from now, yet isn't sure where she will end up after that. "I’m still pretty cloudy on where I'll attend college in 2010, let alone what I'll pursue as a career. But ideology, theology and humanities fit in pretty well with the outreach program as well as with my current interests," Hanlin said. Another senior, Kate Griffith will be in Berlin, Germany as an AuPair, after she graduates. An AuPair is similar to a nanny. She will be taking Portland Community College classes online during her 12 months overseas. "Afterward I will probably go to Portland State University or University of Manoa," Griffith said, "I have no idea what I want to do later for a career. I might want to do something with speaking German, so this is a perfect opportunity for me to improve my foreign language." Having a year to create a stable foundation to grow on is one of Hanlin's goals for the upcoming year. Life experience is Griffith's objective. However, these aren't the aims for everyone who decides to initially bypass college. For some it's the cost, but others have a career path in mind which does not require college. Benjamin Stoneking wishes to pursue a career which does not depend on a college education. Though he will be taking classes part time at Clackamas Community College, Stoneking plans to focus on his future career. "I've been helping my dad with fixing up houses for as long as I can remember. W hen school is over I'll be able to work a lot more and eventually take over the family business," Stoneking said. His dad, uncle and grandpa are in the housing business, in addition to general contracting work. They buy, fix up and rent houses. After he graduates and has more free time, Stoneking is looking to become more involved in this business. "I don't need to go to college for what I want to do. I went the state competition she was accompanied by three guitarists. Judges listened in a separate room so nothing would impair their judging and they could focus on the sound of the musicians playing. She was judged on the rhythm, time, arrangement of the tune, appropriateness of harmony, whether each player complements each other and clarity of tone. Gholi enjoys the music she is able to make on the fiddle. She describes her style as Texas style old time fiddling. "She is able to play the old time style with a classical sounds which sets her apart from other fiddlers," Webster said. Gholi started with violin lessons at Willamette Primary School. According to Gholi, one of her teachers came to her elementary school to play for her class and ever since then she has been in love with it. She later enrolled in the school's strings program. Gholi visits the primary schools and plays demonstrations to spark interest there. When she received her first fiddle from her parents she was ecstatic. She participated in orchestra at Rosemont Ridge Middle School and is currently the only fiddler in the orchestra. Practices are held every day in her room but for better acoustics Gholi also practices in the bathroom at her house. Along with continuous practice, Gholi also takes private lessons for an hour a week. She has been taking lessons now for four years. Although the constant practicing can be strenuous, it has paid off at the countless competitions in which Gholi has participated. She competes in three or four a year depending on her schedule. "I enjoy meeting new people at the to the college of hard knocks," Stoneking said. The norm is for seniors to go directly to college after high school. The reality is that this option isn't for everyone. B en jam in S to n ek in g , senior, hammers while w orking for his dad's co n stru ctio n com pany. Stoneking is one of several seniors who is taking an alternate path rather than going im m ediately into college after graduation, r Gholi fiddles her way to national competitions m A shley S heron _____________ Staff Reporter Tabitha Gholi, sophomore, will be competing in the National Old Time Fiddlers' Contest and Festival in Weiser, Idaho in June after winning the Oregon State Junior Fiddle Championship which includes year long recognition in the National Fiddlers' Hall of Fame in Tulsa, Okla. "I have been wanting to see her in a competition for years and I was glad to make it to a competition she won," Andrew Webster, West Linn High School guitar teacher, said. Gholi has been a member of the Oregon Old Time Fiddlers' Association since she was in fifth grade. At Sauvy Minds ’hoto by Patrick D'Arcy Fun and Engaging Math Can Be A Breeze • Innovative Approach » Professional Instruction * Student Recommended Summer Head Start Math Programs at the Lewis & Clark College Cam pus Program s to prepare fo r Algebra 1 - Geom etry - Algebra 2 - Precakxilus Success@SavvyMinds.com 503 442-8899 www.SavvyMinds.com Tabitha Gholi, sophomore, plays her fiddle behind the school on a sunny day. After winning the State title in March, Gholi qualified to compete at the National Old Time Fiddlers' Competition which will be held in June. Photo by Patrick D'Arcy ■■P* competitions and playing music with other friends," Gholi said. At Nationals, Gholi hopes to advance to the second round by practicing extensively and having fun. m At next year's competitions Gholi's goals are to make it to the top five in each competition. So far, Gholi's biggest accomplishment has been winning State. Her next competition after Nationals will be in August. Starting at a young age, Gholi has grown and matured while putting her own touch to playing the fiddle. When competing, many people dress in a costume, but Gholi dresses in more comfortable attire. This refreshes her so that she is able to be herself and is confident when she plays, according to Webster. "My goal for fiddling is to just keep pushing myself to get better and better," Gholi said. Even after countless hours of practice and determination that has paid off and continues to pay off in competitions, Gholi plans to continue playing the fiddle forever. "I continue to play the fiddle because I'd feel empty without it and a part of me would be missing," Gholi said. ^ *
