Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2009)
2009 News 3 Stoneking stays strong in the battle against cancer J ulia V an W inkle & G race W all Every day many of us take our health for granted; never realizing that in one moment that can all change. On Sept. 7, after suffering from headaches and consulting doctors, Jake Stoneking, freshman, was diagnosed with high-risk medulloblastoma, a brain tumor. In the hospital for 20 days before coming home, Stoneking has not been able to attend school so far this year because of surgeries and treatments. "I couldn't believe or didn't want to believe what was happening," Brett Kruger, freshman and close friend, said. Both he and Stoneking were overwhelmed with the diagnosis. A website on Caring Bridge was set up for Stoneking and his mother, Wendy, makes frequent updates about his condition. Many people have written in the guest book with entries from family in other states, friends and teachers. People write words of hope and inspiration. "You have no idea how much I miss your humor, laughter, kindness and love," Dillion Stoneking, said. To leave messages to Stoneking in the guest book, or check up on how he is doing, go to the Caring Bridge web site at, www. caringbridge.. org/visit/ jacobstoneking. "I think we've all been touched, and feel a real motivation to be with him each step of the way," Susan Kruger, a family friend, said. To help Stoneking's family out with Photo submitted by Wendy Stoneking Process' Jake Stoneking, freshman, rests in the hospital, with cousins Dillon and Ryan. Susan Kruger Stoneking was diagnosed with a high-risk brain tumor and has been undergoing an d L o d e Griffith, have treatments and surgeries. Class Of College application myths debunked Applying to college is a daunting task for any senior. A m I good enough for acceptance? How will I pay for it? W hat can I do to m ake m y application stand out am ong the thousands of applicants? There are m any m yths surrounding the college application process, as w ell as loopholes and lesser-know n facts that can help boost or break an application. Once you recieve that coveted acceptance letter, a new task starts to suck countless hours from your life: figuring out how to pay for it. There are m any options other than begging your parents to w rite a check, and hundreds and thousands of dollars lay at anyone's disposal if the right rocks are upturned. Scholarships: local and national L exi 'W elp Admissions tips and debunked myths G alley U throp ' • Employ Naviance, the WLHS scholarship search. While there is currently a limited selection of mostly gigantic scholarships which may not fit the average among us, in the spring, many scholarships desig nated for West Linn students will become available. • There are thousands of scholarships for which students can apply. It's all about knowing which scholarships you are eligible for. Search Naviance websites of colleges you are interested in applying to. There are also web- sites specialized in sorting through scholarships like Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA), which will sort out scholarships into those that interest you and those that don't. • "There are a ton of local scholarships available that aren’t just for the 4.0 students. Many are available for students who participate in different activities, even students who are going to school to study certain fields," Jamie Welle, Guidance and College Center Secretary, said. •It is important to be familiar with your choice school and know its specific deadlines." All colleges are different," Welle said. Some colleges require the ap plications for their scholarships to be turned in around the same time as their early applica tions are due. Other colleges such as Or egon State Univer sity don’t require their scholarship applications until early February. •BEWARE! M any private colleges and some public refer to their early application process as "early decision." H ere’s why. By applying early to the school, you are signing a contract stating that if you are accepted to the school, you will go there. Just because a college utilizes early decision does not m ean one should not apply there; ju st wait until after the early decision deadline has ended. • Early application is rumored to be both a good and pointless decision. It is both. Applying early m ay m ean you are accepted early, however, you can also be waitlisted. "This sim ply means that the college is unsure w hether they w ant to accept you or not, and w ants to review your application at a later date to m ake their final decision," Jam ie Welle, Guidance and College Center Secretary, said. If you are w aiting to apply in order to re-take SAT’s or boost your GPA, it is often a good option because it w ill boost your application. •The average application fee is $50, but it can be as low as nothing or as high as $75. That can add up quickly, especially for those w ho want a w ide variety of options w hen deciding where to go. M ost colleges are w illing to w aive application fees; simply search the w ebsite to find the link and fill out the application. •The private school option turns off m any be cause of its general high price. However, m any don't realize that private schools have m uch more m oney (often from private donors, m em orials and alum ni) to give to students in financial aid. organized a fundraiser. While insurance pays the medical bills, it doesn't pay for his parents' time off work. Donations help cover these costs. To help, contact Kruger at susankruger@comcast.net. "Now all I can do is stay strong, not just for me, but for Jake and his family," Brett Kruger, said. He has been visting Jake in the hospital- and helping his friend through the cancer. The Krugers aren't the only ones helping out. Family friends Pam Johnson, Melissa Proff, Sarah Wright and Traci Varela have been cooking meals for the Stonekings. Three days after the tumor was discovered, Stoneking had surgery “Now all I can do is stay strong, not just for me, but for Jake and his family.” -Brett Kruger, freshman to remove it. Since then he has been receiving chemotherapy and radiation to treat the cancer, sometimes on the same day. Right now Stoneking has blisters from the treatment and is eating six cans of formula a day through a tube. He has been losing weight, but it has steadied. Friends Mitchell Wible and Mitchell Blatt, freshmen, went trick-or-treating for Stoneking, because he couldn't. "The power of your support is uplifting," Wendy Stoneking said.
