Paige Rodriguez, Arts and Culture Editor
Speaking up for herself and others has never been an issue for Paige Rodriguez, senior. Now, she’s decided to add writing to the mix.
“I love the idea of telling real stories and using writing as a platform for current issues,” Rodriguez said. “It’s important to be educated about our world today.”
She became interested in journalistic writing after attending the “March for our Lives”, a protest in support of stronger gun regulations last year in downtown Portland.
“It was completely new to me, at first I was resistant to just telling a story without inserting my opinion, but I ended up really enjoying it. I realized I could combine two things I really love: writing and discussing important issues,” Rodriguez said.
Along with taking part in March for our Lives, Rodriguez has participated in several school walkouts as well as a meeting at Town Hall in Salem to discuss gun control.
“Current political issues are important to me,” Rodriguez said. “I’m always trying to make sure I’m supporting good causes and participating in events that vocalize issues that have been suppressed or ignored.”
As an aspiring journalist, she’s not only excited about covering stories at West Linn High School, but also becoming a columnist on the teen page of the Clackamas Times. She’ll be writing monthly content and hopes to use this opportunity to connect with local teens.
“Writing for the Clackamas Times will be a very new experience for me, but it’s exciting,” Rodriguez said. “I’m so lucky to start my exploration of journalism and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.”
![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)
