Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2011)
Emma Davis, senior, and Esperanza Spalding, winner of the Grammy for Best New Artist, partner and perform at the i Grammy Awards. 1 — page 5 Spring sports brave seasonal rains on the road to new records. Find out who wilt be their biggest match-ups this season. Sparkle ponies? Hide and seek clubs? Put a bird on it? Learn how to be a hipster by I watching Portfandia. J March 2011 - Volume 99, issue 5 Junior Mock Trial Team places second at State Championship C arolyn C ruze ________________ After a heated competition, eight students from the West Linn High Junior Mock Trial team placed second at the State Championships. Both the senior and junior teams spent March 11-12 competing in three trials and then the two presentation and memorable themes. On Feb. 26 the senior team placed first and the junior team placed third in the region at the Clackamas Courthouse. After defeating their opponents during the first two rounds, they Photo courtesy of Matt Kellogg Tatiana Jungerman and Chris Del Bene, members of the West Linn Mock Trial team, perfect their arguments in preparation for the State Championships. At the March 11-12 event, the junior Mock Trial team placed second after a first and third finish at Districts by the seniors and the juniors, respectively. top teams moved on to the final round. The final round, against Catlin Gabel, proved to be extremely well matched, with Catlin Gabel placing first by a one vote difference. "Just in that day alone we as a team improved immensely. Next year we'll come back better than ever!" Ailish Duff, junior attorney, said. The 16 students from the two West Linn High Mock Trial teams also beat regional competitors, becoming the only school to bring both teams to State. Divided into a junior and senior team, these students have spent months striving to recreate the perfect trial; a combination of strong arguments, superb competed against each other during the third round to determine the champions. Both teams continued on to State on March 11-12. Each team has four students that make up the Prosecution and four students that comprise the Defense. Within these teams, each student has two responsibilities: one which requires them to argue the law as an attorney, and the other which requires them to act as a witness. Andrew Daniels, senior attorney, is playing the part of J. Byrd, a witness, as well as delivering the opening statement for the Prosecution. "It's really great to give my opinions on both sides of the case, it makes mock trial more interesting," Daniels said. "Plus, it's really fun being a witness, I like being crossed!" While the Prosecution is delivering its argument as lawyers, the Defense is acting as the Prosecution witnesses and vice versa. Deliberately choosing to format the team in this way, Matt Kellogg, Mock Trial coach and Honors Law teacher, said that this format ensures that every individual will be involved in every competition. Additionally, it helps students understand how to answer questions as a witness in a stronger manner. To prepare for competition, the teams meet four days a week from 6:30-9 p.m. At these meetings, several attorneys visit to critique content, give presentational advice and explain the court proceedings. "Attorneys not only tell me what isn't working, but they help me identify the problem and give me advice on how to fix it," Hannah Beth Gilbert, junior attorney, said. Kellogg and Tiffany Davidson, a frequent trial counselor, dedicate hours of their time to explaining what is known to lawyers as the Federal Rules of Evidence. The Federal Rules of Evidence, or FRE's, are the basic rules that determine what evidence will be allowed into a trial and what evidence will be kept out. Some objections are unexpected, but if the FRE's are argued well, students score more points. "You win mock trial in those off script moments," Kellogg said. Besides studying the law itself, students also learn how to effectively present their arguments to a jury. "I've Students honored at CREST-Jane Goodall Science Symposium, continue on to State, Internationals M ary E arp _______________ ___ The CREST-Jane Goodall Science Symposium showcased the projects of 115 W LHS students. 50 projects were honored at an awards ceremony on March 4. Ann Bem ert, senior, and Spencer Chang, junior, advanced to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, Calif, from May 8 to May 13 to showcase their projects at the international fair and compete with other high school students from around the country. Along with the students advancing to the international fair, all students who either placed in their category or received Correction The All-State photo on the front page o f the February issue of Amplifier was taken by Hyunjae Kim. We apologize for the error. an honorable mention are proceeding to the state level competition, the Intel Northwest Science Expo, to compete against other Oregonians. Bemert's project on the implications of biocontrol concerning blackberries placed first in the Life and Environmental Sciences Category. m ____________________________________ continued on page 5 learned to speak so much better and more effectively," Daniels said. Ultimately, the mock trial team strives to successfully recreate a trial that imitates the U.S. court justice system. Along with the memorization and presentation aspects of the trial, a huge part of being an attorney is learning how to persuade and direct witnesses. According to Gilbert, one of the most difficult parts of cross examination is learning how to control and manipulate the witness. "Every witness is going to use the testimony to their benefit but in very different ways," Gilbert said. Tactics used by witnesses can arguably make or break a case, because the witness can ultimately decide what evidence does and does not enter into the trial. Agreeing with Gilbert, Daniels said "I just try and keep my composure and find ways to break [the opposing side's] flow." Mock Trial is the ultimate extracurricular activity, because it combines fast thinking with persuasion and delivery, according to Kellogg. Despite the months of work put in by each student, "It is so rewarding to see the product of our work and have the opportunity to present in front of a judge," Gilbert said. "Besides the fact that I enjoy the success, it is really about being a part of a family," Kellogg said. Students earn awards at Regional Acting Competition, TRL Solo Contest Ten WLHS Thespians were recognized for their acting skills at the Oregon Thespian NE Regional Acting Competition held at Rex Putnam High School on Feb. 5. All of the WLHS actors who competed finished in the top 40 percent. The following individu als won awards: Went to State on March 31 to audition/compete fo r State Showcase (top 10 percent o f region): Solo Acting - Anna Stapleton Solo Musical - Lisa Wang Small Group Musical - Anna Stapleton, Lisa Wang, Samantha Forsey, Caroline Hitesman, and Sophia Starks-Madsen Regional Finalists (top 20 percent o f region): Solo Musical - Reed Sturtevant Solo Acting - Peter Bonoff, Lisa Wang , and Sydney Emett (novice category) Duo Dramatic (novice) - Melanie Raidl and Debora-Michele Grote Urtubey The Three Rivers League Solo Contest also took place Feb. 7. The following students were honored in their respective categories: League Champions: Rachel Metzler, Flute Troy Cornelius, Bassoon Alyssa Walhood, French Horn Joonas Lemetyinen, Trombone Keven Kraus, Baritone Georgia Muggli, String Bass The following students were also named District Champions at the District Solo Contest on March 5: Rachel Metzler, Flute Sarah Schultz, Alto Saxophone Joshua Grelewicz, Tenor Saxophone Anthony Glausi, Trumpet Alyssa Walhood, French Horn Jonathan Macemon, Mallet Percussion Samantha Ing, Violin Georgia Muggli, Bass
