The independent student media site of West Linn High School

wlhsNOW

The independent student media site of West Linn High School

wlhsNOW

The independent student media site of West Linn High School

wlhsNOW

Youngest student in WLHS history to join Mock Trial strives for the best

Youngest+student+in+WLHS+history+to+join+Mock+Trial+strives+for+the+best
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Objection! Order in the courtroom! As Renee Layoun, sophomore, steps up to the stand, she faces the responsibility of being the youngest student to ever join the Mock Trial team in WLHS history.

In Layoun’s case, the balance between school and extra-curricular activities is a delicate one. Recieve too much homework, and many people abandon their other activities; pile on too much out-of-school work, and grades may start slipping. For Layoun, this balance is a constant struggle that comes with hard work, dedication and a love for what she does.

The school’s team lives a courtroom life in the classroom. They work on various cases given to them and defend their side in order to win the case. The team is hard working and high achieving in standards and qualifications, as the work involved requires adept public speaking skills, according to Layoun.

“We get cases and split into teams, and form questions and arguments as to why our side should win. It’s similar to a real court case,” Layoun said. “We compete against other schools’ Mock Trial Teams; those trials are very formal. Our goal is to make it to State and eventually Nationals.”

Mock Trial meets every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the school. They practice cases and improve their skills in order to prepare for upcoming trials against other schools. Regionals will be held on March 3, and the team is currently preparing for this competition.

The team is very supportive and often encourages her to strive for the best. There is no differentiation between ages, according to Layoun. Despite the fact that she is the ‘baby’ of the team, the upperclassmen treat her as part of the family. “It feels great knowing that I’m the youngest person to join the team. I feel honored and accomplished to be working with such a great team. They’re so supportive, especially the Senior Team because they’ve made it all the way to World, which is a huge deal, and because they make Mock Trial fun.”

Along with Mock Trial, Layoun is the founder of the Mathletes, a new club as of this year that placed third in a math competition in Washington recently. Add Sophomore Class Council, Model United Nations and ISEF to Layoun’s impressive extra-curricular schedule. On top of it all, she is also taking Pre-Calculus, Honors Law A and Orchestra as a cellist. With everything going on in her life, it seems hard to believe that she’s not overwhelmed all the time, but underneath it all, Layoun simply enjoys what she does on a daily basis.

“I want high school to be fun while it lasts, before real life starts. Joining clubs, playing sports and just being active in the school is a great way to get to know people and make friends,” Layoun said. “Sure, it’s a lot of work, but I’m prepared for it. I just use my time wisely; the time that I have I want to be beneficial. I think the key to it all is being responsible and having a strong work ethic. Make it fun! Accomplish everything you can in high school. It’ll be worth it in the end,” she said.

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About the Contributor
Sarah Chung, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Not only is Sarah Chung a piano player, National Merit semi-finalist, tennis player and snowboarder, but she is a phenomenal writer and dedicated journalist. “Journalism is my favorite class, and I’m not just saying that because Ms. Breyne (Journalism Adviser) is standing right next to me,” Sarah Chung, senior, said. She had no idea that after joining the eighth grade journalism class at Athey Creek Middle School that she would be co-editor-in-chief of the West Linn High School Amplifier. As a senior enjoying the early release sixth period, she is starting to think about college. “I’m really excited, but also scared because it is almost over,” Chung said. “I am definitely going to make the most of this year.” Chung is interested in attending the University of Washington, University of North Carolina, Duke or the University of San Francisco to go into medical school. After going on a mission trip to Nicaragua, her lasting impressions of the doctors and how they were able to help the people in the country stuck with her. She now dreams of practicing medicine and going on frequent trips to help people in need, like the ones she saw in Nicaragua. Outside of her journalism life, Sarah Chung lives with her parents, Jonathan and Grace, her fourth grade brother, Nathan, and her Maltese, Mickey. She plays varsity tennis and enjoys driving around with her friends in one of their Volkswagen Bugs. She continues to play the piano, which she began when she was six years old. Chung was born in California on Groundhog’s Day, Feb. 2, and she moved to Oregon when she was only a couple months old. What Chung appreciates about Oregon is the seasonal changes.  “They must be distinct,” Chung said.  Winter is her favorite season because all the “good” things are in it.  Christmas, snowboards and snow.  She loves to go to the mountain and snowboard with her friends during winter. Chung is looking forward to her fourth year on the Amplifier providing great journalism to the students, staff and the community of West Linn.
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Youngest student in WLHS history to join Mock Trial strives for the best