![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)
Why film classes are no longer offered
Wind Lothamer, Visual Arts Department chair, Media Arts Instructor, and former film teacher at WLHS.
The school year has started and students are beginning to get into the rhythm of their new classes and subjects. One class new students won’t be taking this year is film.
Film I and II focused on the analyzation and interpretation of movies, films and similar media. They focused on critical thinking and exploring the art and messages behind films. This year the classes are no longer offered.
“I think it was a couple different factors,” Wind Lothamer, visual arts department chair and former film teacher, said. “The main one being that we just don’t have a teacher or space to teach it.”
According to Lothamer, the film program lacked proper staff and a space designated for teaching it, previously using the photo classroom. With the photo program growing, other curriculum had to re-group to accommodate it, leading to the film classes being cut.
There is still some question as to whether it would be brought back to the school in later years, with some film one students being upset over its expulsion and being unable to complete the full course.
“Students have voiced their slight concerns and stuff about it and were kind of dismayed, but nothing like a movement or anything…” Lothamer said. “If there’s future interest, bring it to the administration’s attention, and we can re-evaluate it.”
Even though the class is no longer available, students can still express other artistic interests.
The school offers many different art-related classes and curriculums, and it is considered a high-priority subject.
“I think everybody needs to have a certain amount of time that they can spend on creative endeavors…” Lothamer said, “So being able to find those outlets and being able to find those particular skills, abilities and passions is very important.”
He also mentions the possibility of some students starting a film club, stating that the resources still existed, and if students were interested enough and had a teacher to support it, it is definitely a possibility in the future.
“We have all the stuff for it, and if students have an interest, it could definitely be a possibility in the future,” Lothamer said.
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Iris Brucker, sophomore, had always been an answer seeker at heart. Since a young age she was constantly asking questions about anything and everything,...
