Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2009)
^ 2009 3 News Staff members say goodbye to WLHS, hello to new, different and "adventurous" opportunities L exi W elp Staff Reporter As the clock winds down to the last day of school, students aren't the Jonathan Davies, has been retired for eight years and is waiting for me— so it is time to join h im ," Dearborn said. Students are being very sweet and taking the news well, according to Dearborn, saying they don't want her to leave. "I am so happy for Mrs. Dearborn b West Linn and have been very critical about the schools and school districts that I would apply to a principal position," Scholl said. Scholl originally took this job because of the school district and the "great support for education" in West spending tim e w ith fam ily her class and it w ill be sad m d friends, especially some who 1 haven't seen much in the past few years," Rogers said. Rogers began her teaching career in 1990 and came to West Linn two years later to teach German. This year she is teaching French I and French I Advanced along with French III. "I will miss the students' great youthful energy, optimism and their devotion to their studies," Rogers said. "I hope I have inspired people to travel and to see themselves as world citizens." Also retiring from the World Language Department is Tamura. A native of Japan, she has been teaching Japanese at WLHS for the last 25 years. Breaking the news of her retirement to her students was hard, but she looks forward to spending time with her family and doing things she loves like reading, gardening and cooking. "I feel at peace with my decision and value and enjoy each teaching day left," Tamura said. Retiring after more than three decades, Dearborn who currently teaches Chemistry and Organic Biochemistry, is looking forward to spending extra time with her husband, Tom, and feels she is ready for her next adventure. "I have always known I would retire at the end of my 30th year. My husband not to see her next year," Sarah Dawson, junior, said. Dawson is currently taking Organic Biochemistry with Dearborn and has enjoyed her class all year. Another teacher who will not be returning to the Science Department next year is Jonathan Davies. He is currently teaching Biology and Chemistry in the Community. However, Davies will not be retiring but instead is taking a one year leave of absence. He has accepted a position he earned as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship. Davies will be moving to Washington D.C. for the coming year, but plans to return to West Linn to continue teaching in the 2010-11 school year. Davies, who has been teaching for 14 years, most looks forward to spending time with A1 Gore, Chairman of Generation Investment Management, and Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education. Chosen from among more then 400 math and science teachers nationwide to become an Einstein Fellow, Davies completed interviews with 25 other finalists. He said his students were excited when they heard the news of his accomplishment, which made breaking the news easier since he is only taking a one year leave. Curtis Scholl, vice a,,ese teacher All photos by Patrick D'Arcy principal I position at Sprague High School in Salem. This year is Scholl's, j who works as an administrator, 13th year in education and third year at West Linn. Scholl has been looking at principal positions for the past year but finds he is pleased with West Linn. "I have been very happy at * Model m A lison has made a positive impact in supporting students iamura,/ap£ princi pal vice Curtis Sc boll teacher only ones looking forward to their extended vacation. A handful of staff members have decided to take a different direction after this year and will not be returning next fall. Tana Dearborn, science, Shar on R° Sers' Frenchkache7 Hitomi Tamura, Japanese, and Sharon Rogers, French, and will be retiring at the end of sad at the same time. She this year to spend more time is a wonderful teacher and with family and friends who I know I will miss her. I are close to them. have learned so much from "I am looking forward to - principal, has accepted a Tana Dearborn, science teacher Linn. According to Scholl, as he finishes his final year with the district, he hopes that he and staff at West Linn. "I look forward to taking what I have learned in this school community and seeing how it could possibly help the culture of another school. Sprague High School is similar to West Linn in that students are very involved and it has a strong tradition in academics, athletics, and activities," Scholl said. U.N. receives honors at state conference reldhouse ___________ Staff Reporter Three seniors on the Model U.N. team won awards in their individual committees at the state conference held April at the University of Oregon. Axelrod, N ow lin, Rohini cam pus had plenty to offer. Deb, Rajput, seniors; Neelou Etesami, Avilash Cramer, Anik Shresta, juniors; Lisa Wang, Alison Fieldhouse and Sarani Chatterjee, sophomores, represented There was also an ice cream social and a dance at the recreational center. After the conference ended, thev made a quick stop at Enchanted Forest. "It was the most fun I had on a field trip even though I couldn't afford anything. I didn't know childish stuff could be so entertaining," Shresta said. Prior to the conference, Model U.N. had been meeting since the start of October, participating in various activities in preparation for State. There was much to be done in the short amount of time they had including fundraising (in the form of India Night), credentialing and research. "India Night was a huge success. We managed to raise money for everyone and the turnout was better than expected," Greenberg said. "Not only did it raise money, but it helped to get the club members excited too." The team celebrated with a party on April 16 during lunch to commemorate the experience. They shared funny stories from the conference, received special awards from Jones and talked about ways to improve the experience next year. For those who may want to participate next year, a team member offered advice. "Don't do anything you'll regret at the dance!" Etesami said. The M odel U.N. team s gather after their last comm ittee m eeting at the U niversity of Oregon cam pus. The trip lasted three days and they brought home three awards of recognition from the comm ittees. Photo courtesy of Todd Jones Neil Rajput and Sachie Hayakawa won Best Speaker awards in the Health and Human Services Committees and Taylor Nowlin won Best Consensus Builder in the Environment Committee. "It was really exciting to be recognized. In my first speech I messed up a metaphor, so I'm glad that it didn't hurt my chances at success," Rajput said. There were 24 students who went to state, 12 representing India and 12 representing Chad. Alissa Greenberg, Hayakawa, Erin India. Bryan Robinson, Rachel Boehm, seniors; Ariane Hopkinson, Sarah Dawson, Jonathan Aheme, Rachel Heisterkamp, Daniel Lee, Kendall Jorgensen, Morgan Joscelyn, juniors; Hannah Cotter and Jennifer Sitton, sophomores; and Haley Rivet, freshman, represented Chad. Todd Jones, adviser, and Jonathan Peachey, teacher chaperone, traveled to Eugene with the group. The teams met daily in committee meetings, but they still had free time during lunch and dinner. The U of O
