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

Ji An

Ji An, Current Events Editor

For some high school students, any thought afforded to the future is devoted to their next meal, next paycheck, or next like on Instagram. But Ji Hyun An, sophomore, constantly considers how her actions as a high school student will affect her life as an adult. Not only the Current Events section editor of Amplifier, An is also taking AP Chemistry, AP Stats, and higher-level spanish and math classes. “I’m taking [the AP classes] because I want to get the best possible for myself in the future,” she said.

So far, the quest for a successful adult life hasn’t been easy for An, largely because of how she dealt with stress in her freshmen year. “Last year, I was struggling to find balance and I barely had any energy. I would procrastinate, and then get stressed out trying to get things done at the last minute. Finals were... not perfect, because I started studying for them the day before, and had multiple panic attacks. It was really scary,” An admitted. “Procrastination is such a terrible habit and I recommend anybody to break it. It's almost like an addiction; it gives you short happiness but once you snap out of it, you're so behind and have a lot to deal with.”   

Like many other students, An’s elective was the only class she found solace in.

“Journalism was the one class last year I actually enjoyed. It’s refreshing, like getting what you need to say out,” An said. “I chose it as an elective because I’ve always wanted to be a TV reporter. As a kid I would stand in front of the TV and pretend to be a weatherman.”

This year, An wants to do things differently, and her schedule reflects that. “It’s easier to focus and study when I’m more interested in the subjects,” An said. “I’ve definitely put too much on my plate. But if you want something, you have to work for it- it makes the goal more worthwhile.”

Concerning long term goals, An wants to find work not only in her own academic safe haven, but also create a safe haven for others.

“Maybe a humanitarian/journalist, I really love helping people,” An said.

Further, An started reading self-help books and watching Ted Talks on psychology over the summer. They focus on the benefits of having a growth, rather than fixed mindset. “Not because I have low self esteem,” An said. “I just like to improve myself and make sure I’m the person I want to be. I really hope I can do it.”

All content by Ji An
Snow-covered playground near Fields Bridge Park

[Photo] School versus snow: Q&A with Superintendent Ludwig

Philip Chan, Opinions Section Editor
January 8, 2017

Snow-covered playground near Fields Bridge Park

Icy neighborhood streets like those in Arbor Cove prevented residents from traveling safely

[Photo] Snow day Q&A with Mills

Philip Chan, Opinions Section Editor
December 17, 2016

Icy neighborhood streets like those in Arbor Cove prevented residents from traveling safely

Bo Hyun An, senior, reviews and compares the old SATs to the new SATs. This year, the SATs were changed to help students for what they’ll learn in college. As a result, the students have found the SATs to be more applicable to in-school learning than last year.

Out With the Old, In With the New

Ji An, Current Events Editor
April 22, 2016

Many high school juniors and seniors stress over taking their SATs, or the Scholastic Aptitude Test, in the springtime. But recently, College Board has made some major changes to the test in order to...

Signs of cheer

Signs of cheer

Ji An, Current Events Editor
January 12, 2016
Keely Jacobson, math teacher supports the Portland Trailblazers with her handwritten, eye-catching posters.
The 2015-2016 St. Olaf College Symphony Orchestra stuns the audience during their performance. This world famous orchestra performed at West Linn high school on Oct. 16.

A concert to remember

Brooke Mckelvey and Ji An
October 29, 2015

Travelling to China or Europe is nothing new for the St. Olaf College Symphony Orchestra and now, over 50 years since their very first tour, the St. Olaf’s Symphony Orchestra can be found almost anywhere...

  Nurayam Shayzada, Kazakh exchange student, enjoys watching American T.V shows like “Friends” and “American Horror Story” in her free time. She is staying for a year with James and Jennifer Meagher, her host parents and their two adopted children from Kazakhstan to improve her English and learn independence.

We’re not in Kazakhstan anymore

Ji An, Current Events Editor
October 27, 2015

  Every morning, Nurayam Shayzada, senior and Kazakh exchange student, wakes up to taste food she’s only heard about, experience a culture she’s never lived in and speak a foreign language...

Hailing from San Diego, Calif. Sean Keating, assistant principal, moved to Ore. this July to not only fill the empty vice principal position, but to share his love for learning and school.

From the San Diego Bay to Downtown Portland

Ji An, Current Events Editor
October 2, 2015

In July, Sean Keating, vice principal was officially hired as the new assistant principal after being interviewed multiple times by administrators, WLHS staff members and even a student. He was first interested...

Ann Bernert, OSU graduate, will take over the ISEF Coach position at WLHS this year. 
Bernert decided to fill in the ISEF Coach position after discovering a love of working with high school students since teaching a high school internship.

A Returning Legend

Ji An, Current Events Editor
September 29, 2015

Ever since second grade when Bob Carlson, director of the Center of Research in Environmental Sciences and Technologies, came into Ann Bernert's second grade classroom to talk about magnets, she developed...

WLHS State finalists win awards at International Science and Engineering Fair competition

WLHS State finalists win awards at International Science and Engineering Fair competition

Ji An, Staff Reporter
June 2, 2015

Competed at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, four WLHS students, Daniel Tang, Nick Miller, Henry Li, seniors. and Krista Wurscher, junior, flew to Pittsburgh, Penn., May 10-15. Miller...

Rochelle Biancardi, senior, began playing the piano in second grade and percussion in sixth grade. Attending Brigham Young University after graduation, she plans to study physics and play in their symphony.

Growing up with notes and keys makes its allegrezza exit

Ji An, Staff Reporter
May 28, 2015

With three older sisters who channeled their passions for music by majoring or teaching music, an older brother who is studying to be a film score composer and parents who are actively involved in music,...

Lions dine on the street

Ji An, Staff Reporter
May 21, 2015

To celebrate seniors and bring classes together on wed. May 20 Pizza Schmizza and Dutch Bros will be served during lunch at Student Street. The prices vary depending on the food or drink. Hanna Lens,...

Former WLHS student Matt Rognlie, Class of 2006 grabs the attention of scholars and professors after bringing attention to a crucial oversight in a popular economics theory. Next year, he’ll graduate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and hopefully study at a research institute.

The comment is mightier than the sword

Ji An, Staff Reporter
May 8, 2015

On a typical night, Matt Rognlie, Class of 2006, a 27-year-old Massachusetts Institute of Technology grad student, will study until 4 a.m. writing research papers and reading about economics. One night,...

With a three-year consecutive win which advances them to International Robotics, the team members work to maintain their record. After claiming a Gracious Professionalism Award at Regionals, the team headed into the state competition with high hopes.

Robotics team placement paves way to international competition

Ji An, Staff Reporter
April 15, 2015

After winning second place and the Gracious Professionalism Award already this year, the Wilsonville Robotics team added the Creativity Award and advanced to the Pacific Northwest Championship at a regional...

Final preparations are discussed at the last MUN meeting before the conference. The busses left WLHS at 6:30 a.m. Thursday.

West Linn Model UN club attending MUN Conference this weekend

Ji An, Staff Reporter
April 9, 2015

The Model United Nations club at WLHS began its activities to prepare for a mock UN conference this spring at the start of the year. Finally, this Thursday, the team will drive up to Eugene as delegates...

Cinderella, directed by Kenneth Branagh brought in $67 million on its opening weekend. It has received high marks even from critics like Rotten Tomatoes.

Cinderella grows from a classic Disney animation into a sophisticated movie

Ji An, Staff Reporter
April 1, 2015

Although it topped the box office in its opening weekend, “Cinderella” was not a movie I was looking forward to. Its trailer portrayed the movie as a cheesy, sappy love story, without any significant...

Two WLHS Freshmen girls claim seats in America’s First Youth Orchestra

Two WLHS Freshmen girls claim seats in America’s First Youth Orchestra

Ji An, Staff Reporter
March 20, 2015

While juggling academics, sports, and clubs, two freshman girls have dared and succeeded to excel in yet another extracurricular, music. Theresa Li, freshman, and Miki Nakai, freshman are both part of...

Two WLHS freshmen girls claim seats in America’s first Youth Orchestra

Ji An, Staff Reporter
March 17, 2015

While juggling academics, sports and clubs, two freshman girls have succeeded in yet another extracurricular: music. Theresa Li and Miki Nakai, are members of the Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra,...

Take part in Community Service Day to represent “West Linn Strong”

Ji An, Staff Reporter
March 17, 2015

Community Service Day, developed by the West Linn High School Associated Student Body, offers all students an opportunity to make a difference in their community. On March 18, students will meet at 1:30...

West Linn and Lake Oswego Albertsons stores are being replaced with Haggen grocery stores during the first week of March. After the merge with Safeway, Albertsons was required to sell many of its stores in the Willamette Valley to Haggen in order to prevent a monopoly.

Albertsons in West Linn and Lake Oswego to be replaced with Haggen

Ji An, Staff Reporter
March 11, 2015

“Our mission is to become a shopper’s favorite local supermarket,” Dennis McCoy, Public Relations Manager of Albertsons, said. “And we realized merging with Safeway was the best way to do that.” Starting...

Hikin’ like Harry

Hikin’ like Harry

Ji An, Staff Reporter
December 15, 2014

From arid, dry deserts to mountainous high cliffs, the West Linn High School Hiking Club has tracked through all sorts of environments and weathers. Some people have joined to follow their love of hiking,...

It’s going to get bloody tomorrow

It’s going to get bloody tomorrow

Ji An, Staff Reporter
October 21, 2014

This year, some juniors and seniors are going to be saving lives and they swear to do it by blood, literally.  The Red Cross Blood Drive is coming to West Linn High on Oct. 22 and students can pre-register...

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