The independent student media site of West Linn High School

wlhsNOW
Spanish classes at the school use the four-point grading scale to measure students level.
Both sides of the scale
Among other school changes, the new block schedule has come into effect this year.
Staying on schedule
This year, AP Precalculus wont be weighed on a five-point scale.
The difference in AP Precalculus
Wildfires were prevalent all over Oregon this past fire season.
In the line of fire
Trends and newsworthy events were plentiful in the summer of 2023. Movies were released, controversies arose, and the internet had something to say about it all.
Summer 2023: What happened and the internet’s response
On Aug. 30, a brick shattered the Clackamas County Democratic Headquarters
Brick shatters window of Democratic Building
How do students feel about the mask mandates being lifted?
How do students feel about the mask mandates being lifted?
AS mask mandate lifts, community members express their concerns.
Students and teachers express concerns as Ore. prepares to lift the mask mandate
Phil Mickelsons final fairway swing on green 18, before winning the 2007 Players Championship TPC.
The luxury of wealth and politics
Grover and Lin are analyzing their findings, zooming in on the diatoms related to the Willamette River algae blooms last year.
Discovering interests: ISEF project about the Willamette River
Sometimes buying simple is better than by extravagantly. Smart shopping is the best way to get the most bang for your buck.
Holiday Haywire
During COVID-19, some celebrities havent been the most relatable, and we cant help but poke fun at their cluelessness.
Read the room
Wildfires were prevalent all over Oregon this past fire season.
In the line of fire
CTE Environmental Science Club travels to see great gray owls
CTE Environmental Science Club travels to see great gray owls
The density of the strike took up both lanes and the sidewalks of the Burnside Bridge as the group continued toward Pioneer Place. There are two banners held at the front of the group. One reads Shut down Zenith oil calling out the company Zenith, a company that carries toxic and flammable materials along unmaintained railroads. The other sign says Tina Kotek, act now, urging Gov. Tina Kotek to keep her promises of staying on top of climate change in the state of Oregon.
Rising voices: images of the youth-led Portland Climate Strike
Make it happen. Holding a sign at the Portland Youth Climate Strike that reads “In the climate silence” in Spanish, Samuel Koehler, 11, protests with the crowd. As the group marches through the crowds, Koehler rests on an individuals shoulders to show off their sign. “We are all standing in front of the convention center getting ready to march,” Lucy Lotspeich said.
No Planet B
Protesters have been vocalizing their opinions about the Willow Project.
Wither the Willow Project
Local parks: why they matter and where to find them
Local parks: why they matter and where to find them
Students created signs before the protest to display their message.
Students speak volumes on gun control
Preparation not reparation
Preparation not reparation
Amelia Deckert and Jonathan Garcia pose for a photo after sharing words about the recent school shooting and hold a moment of silence in honor of the victims.
Students walkout to demand stricter gun laws
Measure 114 aims to reduce gun violence rates in Oregon by banning the sale of large-capacity magazines and installing mandatory background checks before firearm purchases.
Firearm regulations cause controversy
State Representative Julie Parrish speaks about her experience as a wife of someone who served in Iraq.
Candidates Parrish, Prusak, and Paulson lay out visions for Oregon
Student activism at WLHS
On Aug. 30, a brick shattered the Clackamas County Democratic Headquarters
Brick shatters window of Democratic Building
Tina Kotek has stated that the State will support doctors prescriptions of abortion medication.
Oregon post-Roe
After the Congressional Budget Offices announcement on May 12, Americans are waiting for more information before the month ends.
Detrimental debt
City Hall is the base of West Linn politics. The City Council is housed here, as well as the mayor’s office. They house meetings focused on city issues and changes.
Rory Bialostosky, the superior choice
One of the multiple ballot drop off locations, located out front of the city hall. The mayoral election is slated to take place May 16.
Mayoral candidate William Relyea takes first steps into election season
The residential sector accounts for roughly 15% of natural gas consumption. As Gov. Tina Kotek has called for 36,000 new houses to be built each year, it’s vital for Oregon to move towards more sustainable energy sources in the face of climate change.
Sourcing sustainable housing
To get ready for the Three Rivers League (TRL) division games to end the season, wlhsNOW staff hosted a womens soccer media day, which included portraits in the photo studio and individual interviews with the players, not to mention home opener photos. Scroll below to see each starter’s profile, which explains each starters’ backstory and individual outlook on the rest of the season.
Getting to know the 2023 womens soccer team
Damian Lillard released “Farewell” hours after the trade rumors were confirmed.
Damian Lillard sends a “Farewell” to Trail Blazers fans
Kate Cheldelin dribbles past the defender in a game versus Beaverton on Sept. 7.
Goals for gold
To give a complete overview of the season, wlhsNOW staff hosted a mens soccer media day, which included portraits in the photo studio and individual interviews with the players. Scroll below to see each player’s profile, which explains each players’ backstory and individual outlook on the season.
Getting to know the 2023 mens soccer team
In their final game of the 2023 season, the Portland Trail Blazers lost by 56 points while their point guard, Damian Lillard, watched from the bench.
A new era in the Moda Center
The 2023 football season preview
The 2023 football season preview
To get ready for the Three Rivers League (TRL) division games to end the season, wlhsNOW staff hosted a womens soccer media day, which included portraits in the photo studio and individual interviews with the players, not to mention home opener photos. Scroll below to see each starter’s profile, which explains each starters’ backstory and individual outlook on the rest of the season.
Getting to know the 2023 womens soccer team
Kate Cheldelin dribbles past the defender in a game versus Beaverton on Sept. 7.
Goals for gold
To give a complete overview of the season, wlhsNOW staff hosted a mens soccer media day, which included portraits in the photo studio and individual interviews with the players. Scroll below to see each player’s profile, which explains each players’ backstory and individual outlook on the season.
Getting to know the 2023 mens soccer team
The 2023 football season preview
The 2023 football season preview
Tom Bradys journey with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady’s journey with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Schreck twins hold hands as they chase the ball against Barlow on Nov. 2, 2022.
Freshman twins make waves on varsity soccer
Tom Bradys journey with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady’s journey with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The cheer team takes the sidelines at football games to encourage the team and rile up the fans.
Is there more to cheer than pom poms?
Men’s playoffs underway! Zeke Viuhkola, senior, performs a handshake with Jake Holmes, junior. The fifth-seeded West Linn Lions hosted the 28th-seeded Ida B. Wells Guardians on Mar. 1 in the first round of the OSAA 6A playoffs. The Lions defeated the Guardians by scoring 72 points in the last three quarters after only scoring 12 points in the first quarter, “We just keep playing,” Viuhkola said. “We knew we were gonna hit shots later on.” The final score was 90-70 in favor of the Lions.
Lions open up playoffs with two victories
Huddle up! West Linn hosts Lake Oswego to open 6A Three Rivers League competition on Jan. 12. The Lions huddle up and prepare for what will be a very tight game. Down by one with 20 seconds remaining, West Linn pulled through, winning by three. The Lions were led by Jackson Shelstad, junior, and Zeke Viuhkola, senior, who both combined for 59 of the Lion’s 80 total points. “I thought we showed a lot of poise in the second half,” Viuhkola said. “When things were tough, we stayed out to finish the game.”
Lions defeat Lake Oswego, stays undefeated
Just in time! Nyla Cabine, sophomore, knocks down the corner jumper with 15 seconds left in the first quarter. Cabine’s shot put the Lions up 19-11 at the first quarter’s conclusion.
Lions defeat Raiders in season opener
Drive and kick! Mark Hamper, junior, drives to the paint and immediately passes to the right corner. The Lions swing passes created opportunities for threes for Jackson Shelstad, junior, and Zeke Viuhkola throughout the game.
Lions pass through the Storm enroute to victory
Baseball team goes back-to-back
Baseball team goes back-to-back
The womens lacrosse team has seven graduating seniors. All graduates were starters.
Lacrosse starters to fill senior voids
The mens tennis team came in first in total points on May 20. This resulted in their first state championship in nearly 20 years.
Men’s tennis serves up a state win
In the dugout, Gomez embraces Rylee Gaustad, junior, after the celebration. The softball team played the Lakeridge Pacers at 6:45 p.m. and lost 7—5.
Softball team loses to Lakeridge on senior night
Know the tunes
Know the tunes
Talking strategy. The team huddles up pregame. Varsity head coach Mark Flood is considered to be the “father of high school lacrosse in Oregon”, according to Oregon High School Lacrosse Association (OHSLA) commissioner Jim Hammon.
Men’s lacrosse moves past Clackamas in league play
To get ready for the Three Rivers League (TRL) division games to end the season, wlhsNOW staff hosted a womens soccer media day, which included portraits in the photo studio and individual interviews with the players, not to mention home opener photos. Scroll below to see each starter’s profile, which explains each starters’ backstory and individual outlook on the rest of the season.
Getting to know the 2023 womens soccer team
To give a complete overview of the season, wlhsNOW staff hosted a mens soccer media day, which included portraits in the photo studio and individual interviews with the players. Scroll below to see each player’s profile, which explains each players’ backstory and individual outlook on the season.
Getting to know the 2023 mens soccer team
Tennis Media Day
Tennis Media Day
To give a complete preview of the season, wlhsNOW staff hosted a baseball media day, which included portraits in the studio and individual interviews with the players. Click below to see each players profile, which explains each players individual outlook for this season.
Getting to know the baseball team
To give a complete preview of the season, wlhsNOW staff hosted a softball media day, which included portraits in the studio and individual interviews with the players. Click below to see each player’s profile, which explains each player’s individual outlook for this season.
Getting to know the softball team
A photographer takes a photo of a softball player for their player profile.
Behind the scenes of Softball Media Day
Spanish classes at the school use the four-point grading scale to measure students level.
Both sides of the scale
Among other school changes, the new block schedule has come into effect this year.
Staying on schedule
Kyle Rumrey explains a federalism debate project to his Advanced Placement (AP) Government during the third period.
New staff settling in
This year, AP Precalculus wont be weighed on a five-point scale.
The difference in AP Precalculus
Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab perform once a quarter during the band concerts.
All that jazz
Hitting the clubs in 2023
Hitting the clubs in 2023
Spanish classes at the school use the four-point grading scale to measure students level.
Both sides of the scale
Kyle Rumrey explains a federalism debate project to his Advanced Placement (AP) Government during the third period.
New staff settling in
This year, AP Precalculus wont be weighed on a five-point scale.
The difference in AP Precalculus
Gretchen Bertram teaches the newly inaugurated Ethnic Studies class.
Learning through the lens of marginalized people in history
New school counselor Rick Ruddell is located in room G120 in the main office.
Featuring the counseling office
During a third period, Emily Watson teaches the first ever Creative Writing Nonfiction class.
Creativity two the max
As Taylor Bell transitions into cosmetology, she gains experience through her job at Mane and Co. hair salon.
Seniors begin their journey to individual career paths
Counselors help students adjust their schedules and plan for their futures.
Four tips for four years in high school
ISEF projects sit under lights. In the 2023-2024 school year, ISEF will be offered as a year-long science credit.
Planning accordingly
Continuing to compete: seniors commit to schools for academics and athletics
Continuing to compete: seniors commit to schools for academics and athletics
Picking out a dress, Abby Wilson looks through the “glam rack.” The glam rack is a rack of dresses that are unique, with different kinds of patterns, colors, and designs. Usually, non-traditional prom dresses go here.
‘It’s more than the dress’
Anika Sukumar and Kaia Schmidt are school record-holders in running and jumping. Schmidt holds the 5k record and Sukumar holds the triple jump and long jump records.
Running to the next level
As Taylor Bell transitions into cosmetology, she gains experience through her job at Mane and Co. hair salon.
Seniors begin their journey to individual career paths
People filter in and out of the community room at the public library to learn about Indigenous culture. Basket weaving, jewelry making, and artwork were modified for elementary-aged students to immerse themselves in Indigenous traditions.
Acknowledging Indigenous identities
Are our tears writing our essays? Students are taught to appeal to the emotions of our admission officers, but perhaps it has gone too far.
Demarginalizing the college admissions essay
Mariam Hassan, senior, is crowned 2022 May Queen by former ASB president Averi Fels.
Amplifier continuation: Trailblazer
Photo by Kaelin Kehm
Baseball Feature
CDL vs. Hybrid Learning
Jonathan Garcia, junior, sings Dont Cry for Me Argentina from the musical Evita at May Day.
Students react to performances at the 101st May Day celebration
Mariam Hassan and Karter Hill, class of 2022 alums, returned to crown this years May Queen and King.
Makena Big John and Evan McCreary named 101st May Queen and King
Karter Hill, class of 2022 alum, was crowned May King last year.
The royalty rundown
Queen Anne’s Lace poses for a photo. From left to right, Adam Chapin on guitar, Connor Beck on lead vocals and guitar, and Wyatt Foster on bass.
New student band Queen Anne’s Lace set to perform at May Day
The Monoliers play and write predominantly rock music, and are set to perform at the 2023 May Day.
The Monoliers look for redemption at May Day
One of the highlights of the May Day celebration is the maypole tradition that all freshman students are able to participate in.
Springing into May Day
Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab perform once a quarter during the band concerts.
All that jazz
Hitting the clubs in 2023
Hitting the clubs in 2023
Trends and newsworthy events were plentiful in the summer of 2023. Movies were released, controversies arose, and the internet had something to say about it all.
Summer 2023: What happened and the internet’s response
Hanging up in room A203, there is a Music History map made by Molly McNulty.
New music history class introduces scratchy music and newfound complication
Fans attend a Mother Mother concert at a Portland venue.
Concert catastrophes
45 years after its release, Grease has begun to lose some of its touch, with modern film critics such as Metacritic granting it a 7/10.
Does ‘Grease’ still hold up?
Spring into the season with some new reads.
April book recommendations to get you into the spring season
Book bans: Anti-racist books
Book bans: Anti-racist books
Ottessa Moshfeghs My Year of Rest and Relaxation, which was published in 2018, has become a pillar of media in millennial fiction.
‘My Year of Rest and Relaxation’
Raising questions about conservative censorship trends in books and public education, banned lists with titles such as “The Hate U Give”, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, and “The Color Purple” now include “Maus” in their ranks.
Controversy over banning ‘Maus’, a graphic novel about the Holocaust
Joan Didion permanently changed the world of writing, reading, and journalism.
Remembering Joan Didion
Twilight tells a story of a girl trapped between two worlds, the real one and the one of the boy she loves.
‘Twilight’
Trends and newsworthy events were plentiful in the summer of 2023. Movies were released, controversies arose, and the internet had something to say about it all.
Summer 2023: What happened and the internet’s response
45 years after its release, Grease has begun to lose some of its touch, with modern film critics such as Metacritic granting it a 7/10.
Does ‘Grease’ still hold up?
Are You There God? Its Me, Margaret has a number of classic coming-of-age moments, including an uncomfortable lesson about the menstrual cycle.
Reconsidering a rating
Courtesy of Nintendo and Universal Studios. The protagonist of both the film and video game franchise Mario on the right, celebrating with his brother Luigi.
Nintendo powers up the box office
Billy Dunne, Daisy Jones, and seen in the back Graham Dunne, during their first performance, pictured left to right.
‘Daisy Jones & The Six’: we can make a good thing bad
Graphic of some of the characters from the new HBO show, “The Last of Us.”
‘The Last of Us’ brings dystopian action and LGBTQ+ representation to the table
Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab perform once a quarter during the band concerts.
All that jazz
Hanging up in room A203, there is a Music History map made by Molly McNulty.
New music history class introduces scratchy music and newfound complication
Fans attend a Mother Mother concert at a Portland venue.
Concert catastrophes
Widely considered one of the best bands from the 90s, The Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream turns 30-years-old.
Review: ‘Siamese Dream’
Queen Anne’s Lace poses for a photo. From left to right, Adam Chapin on guitar, Connor Beck on lead vocals and guitar, and Wyatt Foster on bass.
New student band Queen Anne’s Lace set to perform at May Day
The Monoliers play and write predominantly rock music, and are set to perform at the 2023 May Day.
The Monoliers look for redemption at May Day
In ancient Greek plays, characters’ identities were often displayed through masks. In this shortened version of Homer’s “The Odyssey,” dramatized by Gregory A. Falls and Kurt Beattie, and directed by Jesse Kohler, actors portrayed gods don unique masks. The mask pictured here portrays Hermes.
The short on ‘Shorts ‘23’
Sophia Burden, junior, performs as Mrs. Wormwood in a dress rehearsal for the 2022 fall musical Matilda.
Getting into character
In an Oct. 31 dress rehearsal, actors prepare for the upcoming opening night of Matilda: The Musical.
Setting the stage for success
Ava Neudeck performs “Naughty” from “Matilda” at a dress rehearsal on Oct. 31.
The making of ‘Matilda’
Center stage. Sofia Gomez, junior, plays Miss Honey in the musical Matilda. This is her second musical, as she appeared in last falls Pirates of Penzance.
Stepping into the limelight
Lord Angelo and Isabella (Philip Chan, senior and Ashley Yablonsky, junior) arguing over the fate of Claudio.
Measuring for Measure – a review of Thespian Troupe 1915’s latest performance
In their final game of the 2023 season, the Portland Trail Blazers lost by 56 points while their point guard, Damian Lillard, watched from the bench.
A new era in the Moda Center
Senior column: “A sunrise without the sun”
Senior column: “A sunrise without the sun”
45 years after its release, Grease has begun to lose some of its touch, with modern film critics such as Metacritic granting it a 7/10.
Does ‘Grease’ still hold up?
Littering has been a problem at the school. Its common to see empty chip bags and dented soda cans around the school.
This opinion is trash
ASB presidential candidate, Jonathan Garcia, stands at the high schools fall carnival put on by ASB.
Editorial: Jonathan Garcia for ASB president
The cover image of the game depicts Link standing at the edge of a sky island.
‘Tears of the Kingdom’ brings new abilities and franchise continuation
Among other school changes, the new block schedule has come into effect this year.
Staying on schedule
To get ready for the Three Rivers League (TRL) division games to end the season, wlhsNOW staff hosted a womens soccer media day, which included portraits in the photo studio and individual interviews with the players, not to mention home opener photos. Scroll below to see each starter’s profile, which explains each starters’ backstory and individual outlook on the rest of the season.
Getting to know the 2023 womens soccer team
To give a complete overview of the season, wlhsNOW staff hosted a mens soccer media day, which included portraits in the photo studio and individual interviews with the players. Scroll below to see each player’s profile, which explains each players’ backstory and individual outlook on the season.
Getting to know the 2023 mens soccer team
Beatrice Gilroy was elected ASB president after being the ASB vice president last year.
A new lion leader
The 2023 football season preview
The 2023 football season preview
Baseball team goes back-to-back
Baseball team goes back-to-back
To get ready for the Three Rivers League (TRL) division games to end the season, wlhsNOW staff hosted a womens soccer media day, which included portraits in the photo studio and individual interviews with the players, not to mention home opener photos. Scroll below to see each starter’s profile, which explains each starters’ backstory and individual outlook on the rest of the season.
Getting to know the 2023 womens soccer team
To give a complete overview of the season, wlhsNOW staff hosted a mens soccer media day, which included portraits in the photo studio and individual interviews with the players. Scroll below to see each player’s profile, which explains each players’ backstory and individual outlook on the season.
Getting to know the 2023 mens soccer team
Baseball team goes back-to-back
Baseball team goes back-to-back
Tennis Media Day
Tennis Media Day
People filter in and out of the community room at the public library to learn about Indigenous culture. Basket weaving, jewelry making, and artwork were modified for elementary-aged students to immerse themselves in Indigenous traditions.
Acknowledging Indigenous identities
In the dugout, Gomez embraces Rylee Gaustad, junior, after the celebration. The softball team played the Lakeridge Pacers at 6:45 p.m. and lost 7—5.
Softball team loses to Lakeridge on senior night
Among other school changes, the new block schedule has come into effect this year.
Staying on schedule
Beatrice Gilroy was elected ASB president after being the ASB vice president last year.
A new lion leader
The womens golf team qualified for regionals after placing third in their district competition.
Hitting the green
To give a complete preview of the season, wlhsNOW staff hosted a baseball media day, which included portraits in the studio and individual interviews with the players. Click below to see each players profile, which explains each players individual outlook for this season.
Getting to know the baseball team
To give a complete preview of the season, wlhsNOW staff hosted a softball media day, which included portraits in the studio and individual interviews with the players. Click below to see each player’s profile, which explains each player’s individual outlook for this season.
Getting to know the softball team
Maura Gilday, senior, was awarded the OCCA academic scholarship alongside two cheerleaders from other Oregon high schools.
Closing a chapter
Among other school changes, the new block schedule has come into effect this year.
Staying on schedule
Beatrice Gilroy was elected ASB president after being the ASB vice president last year.
A new lion leader
The womens golf team qualified for regionals after placing third in their district competition.
Hitting the green
To give a complete preview of the season, wlhsNOW staff hosted a baseball media day, which included portraits in the studio and individual interviews with the players. Click below to see each players profile, which explains each players individual outlook for this season.
Getting to know the baseball team
To give a complete preview of the season, wlhsNOW staff hosted a softball media day, which included portraits in the studio and individual interviews with the players. Click below to see each player’s profile, which explains each player’s individual outlook for this season.
Getting to know the softball team
No matter how harrowing tax season may be, the Wang family stayed loyal to one another. From left to right, Joy (Stephanie Hsu), Waymond (Ke Huy Quan), Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh) and Gong Gong (James Hong) are pictured at one of their IRS meetings.
For your consideration: ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ brings representation and the multiverse to the 2023 awards season
The 2023 football season preview
The 2023 football season preview
October Breakdown 2022
October Breakdown 2022
T5 street race: Risky or reckless?
T5 street race: Risky or reckless?
Kaelin Kehm anchoring the October edition of the Breakdown.
October Breakdown 2021
Weekly Wake Up Promo
Weekly Wake Up Promo
Teacher Runs for Council
Gretchen Bertram teaches the newly inaugurated Ethnic Studies class.
Learning through the lens of marginalized people in history
Hanging up in room A203, there is a Music History map made by Molly McNulty.
New music history class introduces scratchy music and newfound complication
Are You There God? Its Me, Margaret has a number of classic coming-of-age moments, including an uncomfortable lesson about the menstrual cycle.
Reconsidering a rating
The amount of injuries that a track can cause is a lot, especially a track with not as much bounce and cushion.
Let’s crack down on the track
The residential sector accounts for roughly 15% of natural gas consumption. As Gov. Tina Kotek has called for 36,000 new houses to be built each year, it’s vital for Oregon to move towards more sustainable energy sources in the face of climate change.
Sourcing sustainable housing
Picking out a dress, Abby Wilson looks through the “glam rack.” The glam rack is a rack of dresses that are unique, with different kinds of patterns, colors, and designs. Usually, non-traditional prom dresses go here.
‘It’s more than the dress’
The independent student media site of West Linn High School

wlhsNOW
The independent student media site of West Linn High School

wlhsNOW
All content by Video by Bennett Kohler
Students gather in front of West Linn to share a message of peace and tolerance. Photo by Philip Chan.

[Video] Students fill courtyard in walkout

Wally Milner and Philip Chan
November 14, 2016

Editor's note: Wally Milner spoke at this event  Hundreds of students walked out of class at 1:30 Monday afternoon, gathering in front of the school to protest threats, intimidation and bullying....

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The independent student media site of West Linn High School
The independent student media site of West Linn High School

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