![MORE THAN A GAME. With two diving catches in the outfield, the Lions showed up defensively, aiding in their victory over the Pacers. One catch was made by Atwood, and the other by McGraw. Throughout the game, the Lions knew that it wasn’t just about their victory today. “I think [playing for cancer] makes it bigger than just a game,” McGraw said. “Knowing that you have a bigger impact in this world than just who you are as one person.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/I70A1454-1-1200x800.jpg)
![Students in the National Art Honor Society work on the Mount Hood mural on the window of SouthLake Church. The students brought a variety of paints and mixed their own custom colors. “Instead of brushstrokes, we’re doing more dabbing, because it gives [a] better impression of tree foliage, rather than looking like actual brush strokes, because if we’re painting trees, we need it to look like trees,” Crawford said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/IMG_2397-1200x900.jpg)
McKerns add to their family with the birth of Claire Grace
Claire Grace McKern was born to Kaleb McKern, math teacher, and Allison McKern, Rosemont Ridge wellness teacher, on March 11, 2015. She was 7 pounds 1 ounce and 21 inches long.
Kaleb McKern, math teacher, and Allison McKern, wellness teacher at Rosemont Ridge Middle School, welcomed a new addition to their family on March 11 at 3:16 p.m. Claire Grace McKern, 7 pounds, 1 ounce and 21 inches long, was born.
“She is definitely a blessing to our family,” McKern said. “We are very excited to have a new baby. We aren’t getting much sleep, but she is truly a blessing to have.” Their four year-old son, Sam, is adjusting nicely to being a big brother.
“He’s doing pretty well,” McKern said. “He was a little concerned at first, but he’s excited about her now. He’s been pretty helpful, too. He gets diapers and always want to carry the baby.”
“He’s doing a good job of being an older brother. Sam originally wanted to name her Buttercup, so we have been calling Claire Buttercup as a nickname,” he said.
Allison is adjusting well to having a newborn in the house again. “She is doing really well,” McKern said. “She and the baby are both happy and healthy. She is going to miss all her students while she is out with the baby. I think that will be the hardest part for her while she is gone.”
“We are excited to have her,” McKern said. “We can’t wait for all the things that will come. It’s just great that she is part of our family.”
Your donation will support the student journalists of West Linn High School. Your contribution will allow us to continue to produce quality content by purchasing equipment, software, and continuing to host our website on School Newspapers Online (SNO). Additionally, donations will go towards paying for the physical editions of our Amplifier. Donations of $20 dollars (as of Oct. 15, 2025) or more will receive a subscription to our Amplifier, which will be mailed to the donator's address (donations made with the intention of purchasing a subscription CANNOT be anonymous).
Rather than waking up an hour or two before the school day, Grace Nickas, senior, starts her day four hours earlier. On a typical say, Nickas wakes up...
