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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

Elise Brown

Elise Brown, Co Editor-in-Chief

Elise Brown, senior, has always felt comfortable standing up and giving her opinion in front of everyone and for the most part, she enjoys it very much.  That is one of the many reasons why she heads the debate team, and also why in June she earned a place in the National Speech and Debate Competition in Indianapolis.

Out of the 250 people entered in the competition, she finished 151st in the country.  Before she earned her rightful place in Nationals, however, she needed to prove herself in Districts and State.

Her 10 minute long speech about socialism and its benefits took first and second in Districts and State, respectively.

“In the National competition the judges didn’t appreciate politics or controversy as much as they did in Districts and State,” Brown said.  This was confirmed from one of the judges she conversed with in order to find out what she could do better.

Brown’s interest in current events started in the eighth grade.  She then did the Amplifier, the high school newspaper to help communicate her ideas about the world with her fellow peers, she also did the debate team to better understand the problems throughout the world and learn how to solve them somewhat.

“Debate involves knowing what is going on in the world,”  Brown said.

This year for upcoming competitions, she has a speech in the works that she feels will top her last one.  This year’s speech is about interdependence inspired by the “you didn’t build that debate,” caused when President Barack Obama told business people that they did not create their businesses on their own.

Brown’s passion for debate has influenced what college she will go to, what she will study in college, and what she wants to do in her life.  Brown’s goal is to graduate high school and then travel to Massachusetts and attend Wellesley College, a very well known and prestigious college, where Brown hopes to study political science.

To achieve this goal she has taken part in a number of rigorous courses and activities such as Speech and Debate, AP Government, AP Economics, Honors Law, AP English and journalism.  Once Brown achieves her education goals, her next goal is to become a political commentator.

“I want to change people’s minds,”  Brown said.  Brown has chosen the path to become a political commentator because she believes political power lies with the media.

Brown has worked very hard throughout high school and continues to work hard through her senior year.  She has taken many challenging courses to achieve her goal of going to Wellesley, and will need to continue down the very rigorous path to success to accomplish her goals.

All content by Elise Brown
(From left): Hunter Bosson, senior, and Alec Teich, junior, await round two of parliamentary debate at the Hap Hingston Forensics Invitational.  15 members from West Linn competed at the two-day tournament, and six broke to “out-rounds” where they received semi-finalist or finalist distinction.

[Photo] Speech and Debate Team secures six semifinalist and finalists at Hap Hingston Forensics Invitational

Camille Collier, Current Events Editor
January 14, 2014

(From left): Hunter Bosson, senior, and Alec Teich, junior, await round two of parliamentary debate at the Hap Hingston Forensics Invitational. 15 members from West Linn competed at the two-day tournament,...

Senior Prank: Mariachi band hired to follow Bailey

Senior Prank: Mariachi band hired to follow Bailey

Elise Brown
May 28, 2013

Students and faculty were treated to the sweet sounds of mariachi music during second period on May 28. The Class of 2013’s senior prank was hiring the band to follow Lou Bailey, principal, around the...

Chinese students recognized in language honor society

Chinese students recognized in language honor society

Elise Brown
May 6, 2013

West Linn’s chapter of the National Foreign Language Honor Society recognizes Spanish, French, Japanese and - for the first time this year - Chinese students. “It was very special to have our first...

What's with the pennants?

What’s with the pennants?

Elise Brown
April 29, 2013

The morning of April 19, students looked up from the Media Center to see pennants from various colleges lining the bottom of the second floor. Lou Bailey, principal, came up with the idea, hoping to make...

Next year’s student government chosen

Elise Brown
April 25, 2013

Voters have chosen their Associated Student Body officers for the 2013-14 school year. The process of choosing the president, vice president and other specific roles will begin next week. Senior Officers: Keeley...

Holstrom to retire to Arizona after 14 years in West Linn

Holstrom to retire to Arizona after 14 years in West Linn

Elise Brown
April 17, 2013

Finishing up a career that has encompassed teaching, administration and coaching sports from basketball to football to golf to tennis, Rob Holstrom, assistant principal of athletics and activities, is...

Scientists earn recognition at statewide expo

Scientists earn recognition at statewide expo

Elise Brown
April 9, 2013

Having impressed the judges at the CREST Jane Goodall Science Symposium on March 14 and 15, 25 West Linn students advanced to the Northwest Science Expo on April 5. Nine of West Linn’s projects were...

Teachers, students, cops ride donkeys to raise leadership funds

Teachers, students, cops ride donkeys to raise leadership funds

Elise Brown
April 5, 2013

Struggling to stay atop their donkeys, community members shot hoops at an event hosted by the Leadership I students on April 3 to raise money for the freshman and sophomore class councils. At 7 p.m., the...

With high-class humor and thoroughly tugged heartstrings, “Pride and Prejudice” not for the faint of mind

Elise Brown
March 14, 2013

Jessica Murray, director, would not call the theatre department’s spring play “accessible.” It is for a very specific audience: the strong-willed, culture-savvy students who make up our school’s...

Stutznegger leads multitude of students to “do the Harlem Shake”

Elise Brown
February 22, 2013

“Do the Harlem Shake!” heralds the transition, in the hottest new YouTube meme, between a group of people statically standing around and bursting into the eccentric dance of their choice. Preston Stutznegger...

City Council votes 4-0 in favor of water treatment expansion

City Council votes 4-0 in favor of water treatment expansion

Elise Brown
February 18, 2013

After months of deliberation and debate, the West Linn City Council has unanimously decided to allow the Lake Oswego-Tigard Water Partnership to expand its facility in the Robinwood neighborhood. The...

Junior recognized as rising star in the poetry world

Elise Brown
February 13, 2013

With her pieces “Peaceful World,” “My Protection” and “Thousand-Mile Walk,” Brandi Meyers, junior, has achieved recognition from the World Poetry Movement, who named her one of the best poets...

77th Oregon Legislative Assembly begins with education-focused State of the State Address

77th Oregon Legislative Assembly begins with education-focused State of the State Address

Elise Brown
January 16, 2013

Dr. John Kitzhaber, governor, expressed great pride in Oregon’s citizen legislature in his State of the State address on Jan. 14, and the 77th assembly of that legislature he feels is off to an exciting...

Courtesy of Green & Gold

Drake Edwards, past business editor, dies in car collision

Elise Brown
January 9, 2013

On the afternoon of Dec. 23, Drake Edwards, Class of 2011, was involved in a collision on Highway 35. According to the Oregonian, he was in the passenger seat of a station wagon whose driver lost control...

Photo by Niki Gray

Hoss announces retirement after 36 years at WLHS

Elise Brown
November 30, 2012

Clark Hoss, social studies teacher, has taught a plethora of classes over his teaching career, from World History Green to the now-defunct Crisis: World Dramas course. He’s taught nearly all social studies...

Courtesy of WLHS Yearbook and LifeTouch Photography

Memorial service set for Monday for Taylor Combs, freshman

Elise Brown
November 30, 2012

Taylor Combs, freshman, died the evening of Sunday, Nov. 25. On Tuesday, Nov. 27, her father, Joshua Combs, released the following statement on Facebook. “I write this with a very heavy and broken...

Photo by Elise Brown

WLWV again achieves AP Honor Roll distinction; Bailey credits accessibility of classes, quality of teaching

Elise Brown
November 14, 2012

Among nearly 540 school districts nationwide and two statewide, the College Board has placed the West Linn-Wilsonville School District on its Advanced Placement Honor Roll school district for the second...

Courtesy of The Hub TV Network

Bronies Speak Out: What are you looking forward to in season 3 of “My Little Pony?”

Elise Brown
November 10, 2012

Fans rejoiced when the Hub returned the cartoon “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” to the airwaves. The show’s third season premiered on Saturday, Nov. 10, with a two-part episode where the “Mane...

Sauce Boss offers options upon options for the choosy eater

Sauce Boss offers options upon options for the choosy eater

Elise Brown
October 24, 2012

While its specialty dish is a stir-fry entree, the newest addition to the Robinwood neighborhood’s shopping center has a wide variety of options to suit a wide variety of palates. The Sauce Boss Grill,...

Details emerge on fire's cause

Details emerge on fire’s cause

Elise Brown
October 8, 2012

The fire which forced classes to evacuate on Oct. 8 was the result of a welding accident, according Brian Barker, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue public information officer. Sparks from the welders' work...

Fontana organizes vocal men into acapella group

Fontana organizes vocal men into acapella group

Elise Brown
October 1, 2012

A small group of men meets in the choir room each Tuesday and Friday during lunch to sing contemporary songs in instrument-free harmony. Led by Barb Fontana, choir director, they hope to perform at assemblies...

Singers, actors chosen for “Kiss Me Kate”

Elise Brown
September 14, 2012

Thirty-five students auditioned for the fall musical, “Kiss Me Kate,” on Sept. 10, and the cast of 27 has been announced. The cast includes several underclassmen, who are taking a couple of the lead...

Reflections from Outdoor School

Elise Brown
June 5, 2012

Five years ago, I spent five days at Twin Rocks Friends Camp, learning about the mountains, beaches and tide pools, and making some pretty sweet crafts. I learned so much about how to be a better member...

Band and choir students take home accolades for musical skills

Elise Brown
May 16, 2012

Throughout the year, members of the WLHS band and choir have been working to produce quality music. Over the weekends of May 5, at the Northwest Jazz Band Festival and the State Choir Championships, and...

Theatre students demonstrate directing, playwriting, acting skills in 13th year of “Shorts”

Elise Brown
May 10, 2012

For the past 13 years, West Linn theatre students have been given the opportunity to direct, cast and even write a one-act play by themselves. This year, four student-directed plays, including two original...

Supreme Court hears arguments on life sentences for minors

Supreme Court hears arguments on life sentences for minors

Elise Brown
April 16, 2012

According to National Public Radio, 79 people are behind bars right now serving life sentences without parole for crimes they committed when they were under the age of 15. On March 20, the Supreme Court...

School board decides how to make up for snow day

Elise Brown
April 11, 2012

When snowfall canceled the school day on March 17, one important question loomed for the administration: how would that lost time be made up? The school board answered this question on Monday, April 9,...

Hosticka and Parrish plan returns to Oregon Legislature

Hosticka and Parrish plan returns to Oregon Legislature

Elise Brown
April 9, 2012

While the whole nation has its eyes on the presidential election, another political battle is beginning right in our own backyards. In House District 37, which is made up of West Linn and Tualatin, incumbent...

“Super Tuesday” results in victories, uncertainties for Romney and Santorum

Elise Brown
March 7, 2012

Ten states held Republican Presidential caucuses or primaries on March 6 in the electoral tradition of “Super Tuesday.” Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, won four states decisively, while...

Cast of “Distracted” announced

Elise Brown
March 7, 2012

On the heels of its successful production of “Little Shop of Horrors,” the West Linn Theatre Department is already beginning a new show. The play is called “Distracted,” and its company consists...

Conservatives in contraception debate use misguided definition of "religious freedom"

Conservatives in contraception debate use misguided definition of “religious freedom”

Elise Brown
March 6, 2012

It's the year 2007, and a woman is working at a hospital affiliated with the Catholic Church. She has a health insurance plan from her employer, just like her co-workers, but it does not cover contraception....

Jim Lehrer speaks about political journalism to Portlanders, answers Amplifier’s questions at press conference

Jim Lehrer speaks about political journalism to Portlanders, answers Amplifier’s questions at press conference

Elise Brown
February 27, 2012

Jim Lehrer, author and journalist, gave a lecture at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on Feb. 3 about “Politics and Principles.” The lecture, sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Oregon, was...

Students earn bragging rights, college credits at CCC Skills Competition

Elise Brown
February 27, 2012

Students hailing from all over Clackamas County went to Clackamas Community College on Thursday, Feb. 23 to compete in their yearly Skills Competition. Twenty-two students from WLHS competed, and five...

Karen Bowerman discusses her platform with Elise.

Lake Oswego Republican begins run for Congress against Schrader

Elise Brown
February 15, 2012

Representative Kurt Schrader (D-OR-5) is currently running for his third Congressional term on a platform of small business advocacy, balancing the budget and helping rural Oregonians through jobs-based...

Bailey announces new safety protocol following arson incident

Elise Brown
January 30, 2012

At the beginning of second period on Jan. 30, Lou Bailey, principal, announced to the school that new measures will be taken to find the person responsible for Friday's bathroom fires. “Let me be...

Gingrich sweeps South Carolina primary

Gingrich sweeps South Carolina primary

Elise Brown
January 23, 2012

Newt Gingrich, former congressman from Georgia, has won the South Carolina Republican primary with 40 percent of the vote. He is projected to receive all 25 of the state's delegates. This is Gingrinch's...

Unacceptable, unbelievable, unavoidable: the political reality of the NDAA and how we can push back

Elise Brown
January 20, 2012

It is wrong, it is terrifying, and it is a stain on our political history that must be removed. It threatens American citizens with indefinite detention without habeas corpus, shamelessly violating the...

[Video] Schrader takes budget plan straight to home district

Elise Brown
January 12, 2012

Kurt Schrader, Democratic representative from Oregon’s 5th district, held a town hall meeting on Jan. 9 at Gladstone Senior Center to discuss his fiscal priorities in Congress. After presenting a Powerpoint...

Romney claims second win of primary season in New Hampshire

Romney claims second win of primary season in New Hampshire

Elise Brown
January 11, 2012

Following his success in the year's first caucus last week in Iowa, Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, has won the year's first primary. With 39 percent of the vote, according to the New York...

Romney narrowly wins Iowa GOP caucus; Santorum close second

Romney narrowly wins Iowa GOP caucus; Santorum close second

Elise Brown
January 4, 2012

The process of nominating a Republican candidate for President has begun. On Tuesday, Jan. 3, the Iowa Caucus occurred, an event in which Iowa Republicans vote for who they would like to be their party's...

Cast of spring musical, “Little Shop of Horrors,” selected

Elise Brown
December 6, 2011

After a three day process of auditions and callbacks, the cast list for the West Linn Theatre Department’s spring musical, “Little Shop of Horrors,” has been chosen. “Little Shop of Horrors,”...

WL actors bring creativity and hilarity to classic Shakespeare comedy

Elise Brown
December 1, 2011

Spot-on physical comedy, stunningly creative design, and a love dodecahedron. This is what viewers should expect from this year’s fall play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Jessica Murray, director,...

Barney Frank chooses not to run for re-election

Barney Frank chooses not to run for re-election

Elise Brown
November 30, 2011

Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA-4) announced on Nov. 28 that at the conclusion of his current term, he will be retiring. In a statement on his website, he said that he came to this decision because of the redistricting...

Occupy Portland continues despite disbanding of Tent City

Occupy Portland continues despite disbanding of Tent City

Elise Brown
November 29, 2011

Portland Police broke up Tent City on Nov. 13, the former center of Occupy Portland in Chapman and Lownsdale Square parks. Officers arrested at least at least 50 people. However, closing the parks did...

From left: Eric Dale, freshman, Ben Roth, senior, Hugh Sherman, freshman, Jack Lisin, freshman, Madison Henry, junior, and Daniel Nguyen, sophomore.

Speech and Debate Team wins big at Silverton Invitational

Elise Brown
November 28, 2011

The Speech and Debate Team sent five students to Silverton High to compete on Saturday, Nov. 19, and each one of them met some success. Elise Brown, junior, won first place in Original Oratory for her...

Corporate America jumps the gun on Christmas, push to buy starts too far in advance

Elise Brown
November 15, 2011

It’s the day after Halloween. You’ve recovered from your candy binge, slowly slid back into your normal routine, and decided to watch some TV. The continent is in the heart of autumn, with turkeys...

Local voters approve police station bond, other measures

Local voters approve police station bond, other measures

Elise Brown
November 9, 2011

This year’s Election Day had West Linn voters saying “yes” to police stations, sheriffs, and countywide urban renewal votes. On Nov. 8, voters approved all four measures on the ballot: 3-377, 3-378,...

From teaching government to working in government: WL teacher is recruited by Kitzhaber’s office to improve education standards

Elise Brown
November 9, 2011

Todd Jones, social studies teacher, is taking a sabbatical from teaching to work with the state government to make Oregon’s education system better. For 14 years, Jones has taught classes at West Linn...

Michael Moore visits Occupy Portland to express support

Michael Moore visits Occupy Portland to express support

Elise Brown
November 3, 2011

No person better embodies the ideas and beliefs of the Occupy movement than Michael Moore, filmmaker and progressive activist. On Oct. 31, he visited Occupy Portland’s “Tent City” to speak to the...

Occupy Movement ignored by mainstream media after a month of strong protest

Occupy Movement ignored by mainstream media after a month of strong protest

Elise Brown
October 19, 2011

Log on to any news website. Turn on any news channel. Read any newspaper. Chances are that your favorite news source is underreporting one crucial story: the Occupy Movement. The Occupy Movement began...

Steve Jobs dies at 56

Steve Jobs dies at 56

Elise Brown
October 5, 2011

Steve Jobs, founder and CEO of Apple, died on Oct. 5 at the age of 56. The cause of death was not specified by Apple or his family, but he has battled pancreatic cancer in the past seven years. The Jobs...

Robinwood Station, now official community center, prepares events for city teens

Elise Brown
September 30, 2011

On Aug. 27, Robinwood Station officially opened its doors as a city-owned meeting hall, kicking off its roster of events with an end-of-summer picnic. Since then, the Station has hosted a birthday party,...

Big ideas require smart politics - this includes compromise

Big ideas require smart politics – this includes compromise

Elise Brown
September 30, 2011

I am a citizen of very strong beliefs. I believe billionaires should pay higher taxes, women and men must be completely equal, and teachers should earn six figure salaries. And to make these goals happen,...

Lead Decemberist creates novel consistent with his musical genius

Lead Decemberist creates novel consistent with his musical genius

Elise Brown
September 30, 2011

Colin Meloy: singer, songwriter, sesquipedalian and – most recently – author. As the frontman of the Portland-based indie band The Decemberists, Meloy has constantly woven extravagant stories in his...

A snarky Liberal’s look at the Republican presidential candidates

Elise Brown
September 16, 2011

Pick your poison, voters. If you choose not to give President Obama a second term, you can give the job to one of eight potential future presidents, eight people who each show in their own way just how...

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