Current Events

Things to be thankful for: a countdown to Thanksgiving

Mary Earp
November 14, 2011

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.

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About the Contributor

Mary Earp, Co Editor-in-chief

Perfectionist, outgoing and busy are just three of the many words that describe Mary Earp, senior. Earp heard about Amplifier from her eighth grade English teacher, and has been a part of the staff since her freshman year. Currently, she is one of the three Co-Editors-in-chiefs of the paper. Most people have goals that they would like to pursue in their life, and this is a true statement for Earp as well. “I want to be a doctor, and I know this sounds cheesy, but I would really like to make a difference in the world,” Earp said. After high school, her hopes include attending either Pomona College or University of California, Berkeley. Outside of school, Earp has a very hectic life which includes playing co-ed soccer, being a member of the school Mock Trial team and being the President of National Honor Society. She is traveling to New York in late October for an international Mock Trial Competition, Empire, where she is assigned to present the closing argument and both direct and cross examinations for the trial. Some highlights of Earp’s summer were hanging out with friends and taking a vacation to North Carolina, where she visited family and spent some time at the warm sunny beach. If Earp could visit any place two places in the world, she would choose “Italy and Machu Picchu, Peru, because the scenery is beautiful,” Earp said. Her favorite year in high school so far was junior year. “It challenged me the most and broadened my horizons,” Earp said. So far in her senior year, the class Earp most enjoys is AP Environmental Science, “It’s very interesting, enlightening, and I have a great teacher,” Earp said. Earp’s senior year is packed with AP Environmental Science, AP Calculus BC and AP English, leaving her with a long night of work to complete. The most challenging part of taking these classes “is all of the work involved,” Earp said. So far, her last year in high school has been hectic and full of work, yet she is excited and looking forward to all of the opportunities that lie ahead in her future.