Current Events

Main gym re-opens after intensive reconstruction

Kenney Whitbey
December 17, 2012

For months, students, faculty and coaches have been awaiting the re-opening of the main gym, which was damaged by the Oct. 8 fire. Along with gym, the wrestling room has also been cleared to open, although the kitchen, locker rooms and dance room will remain closed according to Rob Holstrom, assistant principle and athletics/activities director.

Members of the wrestling team are relieved that they can return to their normal routine.

“Practicing without the wrestling room caused the team many challeneges,” Cameron Schmitz, junior, said. “At Rosemont (temporary practice facility), it was harder to cut weight, there was no padding on the walls, and there weren’t showers which heightened the chance for disease.”

Although the wrestling room at the high school is more preferable to most members of the team, some members will miss parts of practicing at Rosemont.

“There was a lot more room at Rosemont to practice which was nice because it wasn’t nearly as crowded,” Louie Germain, junior, said.

It is unknown exactly how long before the still closed areas will remain closed, but they will hopefully be ready after the winter break according to Holstrom.

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About the Contributor

Kenney Whitbey, Co-Editor-in-Chief

As an editor of the Amplifier, Kenney Whitbey, senior, has a deep passion for journalism. “I need journalism like I need food and water,” Whitbey said. The most memorable article he has written was about a local West Linn student who went to Africa to volunteer. However, Whitbey has a lot more on his plate than just writing for the WLHS newspaper. He is also involved in National Honor Society, Link Crew and class council. During school hours, Whitbey enjoys biology because it is applicable to life, which, for him, makes it an interesting class. But what he is looking forward to most about this year are all of the senior traditions and activities like prom and graduation. After high school, he hopes to attend a university in California, although he is looking into several different colleges along the West Coast. This high school senior is involved in many activities in and outside of the school. While Whitbey said his strengths lie in sarcasm, Madden and ping-pong, another passion of his is sports—whether he is playing in his own game or is one of the screaming fans in CenturyLink Field cheering on the Seattle Seahawks. Whitbey is a cornerback and receiver for the high school football team. In addition to football, he is also a midfielder for the WLHS lacrosse team. Other sport interests of Whitbey’s include intermural basketball, beach volleyball and badminton. Another important aspect of Whitbey’s life is his family. His parents are the most influential people in his life because he believes that they have pushed him in the right direction and prepared him for the future. Whitbey has two siblings; his brother is a freshman and his sister, seventh grader. Also part of the family is a chocolate lab and mini dachshund. Along with sports and family, Whitbey like to travel. Over the summer, he traveled to San Diego and Los Angeles for a week; however, if he could travel to anywhere in the world he would choose to visit Spain because of the laidback culture, food and history. Whether it is sports, clubs, school or travel, Whitbey is enjoying his senior year and is excited and prepared for the future.