![At the bottom of the third inning, the Lions are still scoreless. Rowe stands at home plate, preparing to bat, while Vandenbrink stands off to the side as the next batter up. Despite having the bases loaded, the team was unable to score any runs. “It’s just the beginning of the season. We’re just going to be playing out best by June, [and] that’s where champions are,” Rowe said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3077-1200x900.jpg)
![All smiles. The group poses for a photo with last year’s book, “This is Our House,” along with their award for third Best in Show. Meikle, who was an Editor-in-Chief for the yearbook last year as well, holds both and stands at the center of the group. “That was an amazing feeling, going and grabbing the third place award,” Meikle said. “All of it paid off. I cried so much over that book, being able to receive [the award] was one of the highlights of my high school career, it was like the coolest thing ever.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/8bookpose_philly-1200x800.jpg)
As Thanksgiving quickly approaches we should all take the time to think of what we should be thankful for. Here is a top five list to help start your thinking.
#5:
Arts Programs at West Linn
As the recession continues, many schools have been forced to make countless cuts in their programs. Public schools in Burns, Ore., among many other cities, have been forced to cut all of their arts. At West Linn High School, we still have many of the same arts programs that we’ve always had; Art, Photography, Journalism, Drama, Music, Fiber Arts, Sculpture and Clay and many other classes. We should all be thankful for this! And remember, the Arts have been shown to have a beneficial impact on one’s IQ.
#4:
The Community That We Live In
In a hectic world, it is good to know that we live in a safe city. The average crime index in West Linn is less than a quarter of the national average, providing us all with a very safe environment. A study conducted by the Furman Center at New York University showed that lower crime rates lead to less disadvantaged groups in an area. This gives us a sense of security and time to focus on building our futures.
#3:
The Beauty All Around Us
Have you ever spent time appreciating nature? From the rolling countryside to the quaint Old Willamette neighborhood, West Linn is a beautiful place to live. For the past 17 years West Linn has been a Tree City USA community. It is home to numerous parks that add to its livability and enrich our lives.
#2:
Our Educational System
Every citizen of West Linn is blessed with an excellent educational system. Ranked as one of “America’s Best High Schools” by the U.S. News & World Report, West Linn High School boasts a wide array of achievements. With at least 90 percent of its students graduating each year, WLHS has proven to be a top notch school. The youth of West Linn are honored with a remarkable opportunity to an education that they should all be thankful for.
#1:
The First Amendment
The First Amendment allows every citizen in the United States freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of press, and the right to peaceably assemble. There are many countries in the world that are not blessed with these unconditional rights, like China and Syria. We should all be thankful that we have these freedoms that allow us to express our opinions and our thoughts freely and without fear.
