Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2010)
Illicit Facebook pictures potentiate problems G alley L athrof Hitting the reefer, downing shots...illegal drugs and alcohol play some role in the lives of some students, legal or not. The Facebook revolution combined with these activities often leads to students posting pictures and statuses that depict or imply they are participating in illegal activities. W hat seems like an entertaining picture to share with friends is actually something that can endanger college acceptance, job or reputation. Individuality is awesome and important. Not caring about what other people think can be too. However, there's a fine line between self-expression and ignorance. Making a statement is probably not worth risking one's professional reputation (yes, even the generic student is a "professional" is some way). According to the Oregon Business Report, 45 percent of employers use Facebook to try and gain information high schoolers are often relegated. It's true that some managers don't really care about what applicants do on their time off; however, for some, a picture of an underage teen holding a beer can could afford to lose a job over an ill-advised photo. "I think that if they're okay with anyone in the public to see into their personal lives then it's their choice. But it could hold them back in the future if 7 think it's stupid to post pictures that might be incriminating. I used to until I realized that my friends, or whoever, could put them anywhere and that there could be negative con sequences for me” —Anonymous WLHS student on the personal lives of their applicants. Yes, this includes gas stations and restaurants that we lead to your application being tossed in the garbage. In this economy, no one can employers check it," Elise White, sophomore, said. Forget parents stalking your every move via internet— aunts, grandparents and other relatives will often try to "keep up" with us on e-mail or social networking sites. I have had family try to add me and then I feel too guilty not to accept their friend requests. However, I definitely don't want them stalking me on Facebook. So, unless you want Aunt Mary bringing up your illicit photos at the next family barbecue, I suggest leaving the beer pong pictures from Saturday on the camera. Pictures of you doing illegal things has no benefit, and can only lead to problems. Facebook continues to expand, and as it does, the list of family members, adults, friends and potential employers or admissions counselors does as well. The bottom line? It's just not worth it. As 2010 begins, the race towards resolutions begins G hrisann K im W elcom e to 2010— it's a n e w d e c a d e th a t m a n y h o p e will change them physically, mentally or both. The age- old tradition of New Year's resolutions includes plans and promises students make to themselves to obtain a certain goal in school, life and everything in between. Everyone with a motivation makes resolutions to reach, but does everyone KEEP the resolutions implanted in their heads as 365 days progress? One of the most popular New Year's resolutions in school is earning good grades. I find this more of a default resolution more than one that's voluntarily made. Students want to be admitted into good colleges in their junior or senior year, and as freshmen, students are concerned about grades affecting their future. True, we want passing grades, but sometime students are focused on other resolutions such as romance, family relationships, physical appearance and personal habits. Goals for the new year are meant to be completed by the end of the year, not to be maintained for the rest of one's life. If students wish to complete their goals, they shouldn't abandon them in the dusty corners of their mind and then pull them out West Liim High School, 5464 West A Street, West Linn, OR 97068 (503) 673-7843 «fax: (503)657-8710 • wlhs-amplifier@wlhs.wlwv.kl2 .or. us The Amplifier is published approximately every four weeks by the West Linn High School Advanced Journalism class. Opinions expressed in commentaries and editorials represent only those of the writer, and are not necessarily the opinions of West Linn High School, its administration, faculty, staff, or student body. Editor-in-Chief: Alison Fieldhouse Calley Lathrop Mary Wood Managing Editor: Zack Mueller Business Editor. Drake Edwards Section Editors: News: M ary Wood Forum: Calley Lathrop Features: Lexi Welp Sports: Jen Sitton Entertainment: Alison Fieldhouse Photo Essay: Haley Cool, Libby Kara, Julia Van winkle Photo Editors: M ark Poppert, Libby Kara Staff Reporters: Elise Brown, Nicole Campbell, Haley Cool, Alex Houston, Chrisann Kim, Jaim ie Lorenzini, Ben Mann, Kiliaiko Matthews, Daniel McGarry, Michael McNinch, Marshall Miller, Halie Owens, Sean Pebler, Emily Reed, Julia Vanwinkle, Grace Wall, Gunnar Wolfe Ethan Brent Cartoonist: Eta Santoro ., Adviser: Ann Breyne -■ W ... ' mmë . at the last minute before the next new year comes. If students are organized, focused and timely, their resolutions will be achieved. For some, resolutions don't work at all because students don't choose to make the effort. Often, they're likely to be put aside or put on hold, only to be finished when one chooses to execute their plans is when they really have a chance at accomplishment. "I think that in one way New Year's resolutions can be quite effective; I mean that they give a person the illusion of a clean slate," Emma Kennard, freshman, said, "They give you a momentary high as you imagine what a better, shinier, sparkling new person you'll be, but you feel so satisfied with yourself for even making the mental decision to— what's the word—improve, that you often don't take it to the next level, to the physical decision," If you're determined to complete your resolutions, you need to pace your progress and spread it out throughout the year. Also, give yourself some praise every time you reach a step towards your goal and don't be too hard on yourself if you slip. If, at times you think you're pushing yourself to the extreme, take a break, it won't hurt you. Be sure to recognize yourself at the end of the year when you finally reach your goal—because Photo by Ethan Brent James Squires, sophomore, spots Eric Lonsway, sophomore, on the bench press during weightlifting class. New Year's resolutions often include students working on their physical appearance, fixing bad habits, or improving grades. you've put in a lot of hard work to get through; give yourself a small reward. This decade is a big year for all of us. There will be many changes, new relationships to form, and discoveries that we might uncover not only about ourselves, but as a community and as a world. Plan your goals carefully as the year passes by. You can talk about your goals, but do you have the WILL to reach them?
