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

West Linn junior takes a year’s step ahead—into college

West+Linn+junior+takes+a+years+step+ahead%E2%80%94into+college

A sudden leap from junior year of high school to freshman year of college only happens with a select few students nationwide, according to USA Today. For one high school student, Kulu Maphalala, junior, this has become a reality. Maphalala will be attending Bard College next year instead of completing her senior year at West Linn.

“There’s a lot of people around the world, so it’s good to get out-of-the-box,” Maphalala said. “I think it will be a good change.”

Bard College, located in Great Barrington, Mass., offers a two to four-year program for high school juniors and seniors to earn associate’s degrees. The specific building usually has a diverse crowd of 400 people attending each year. According to Maphalala, the program she has enrolled in is “not popular but prestigious.”

In order to be accepted into the program, Maphalala wrote two essays and participated in an interview.

“Just writing the essays and finishing the process was tough,” Maphalala said.

Maphalala first heard of this opening last summer. Her mom had told her about the opportunity and it was also listed in the newspaper. During this school year, she completed her essays and application.

New surroundings excite Maphalala, which is one reason she will be departing Oregon before her senior year. Although Maphalala will be missing her last year of high school, she looks forward to having less time in school.

“I think [missing senior year] is definitely sad because of prom and everything, but I’ve gotten over it,” Maphalala said. “If I stay here, it’d be same-old, same-old, but I guess it’s just more exciting!”

The program offered by Bard still requires students to obtain a high school diploma, so Maphalala will be returning to West Linn at the end of next year to finish. Courses she will take at Bard will fill out missing credits.

“You can take college courses that can apply to high school students,” Megan Kohl, guidance counselor, said.

Kohl said that Maphalala will be attending a school called a “middle college,” which allows high school students without a diploma to enroll. Equivalents to these schools are community colleges, however, middle college courses are more rigorous.

Kohl is aware of several students who have skipped the last year of high school. “It’s as an alternative,” she said. “Some students just don’t fit in a high school setting.”

By taking the month-long class at West Linn near the end of next year, Maphalala will be set for graduation. She will graduate as a senior next year with her current class.

“I would definitely say [early high school leave] takes a lot of thoughtful planning,” Kohl said. “It’s a lot of research into planning education. Communicate with your counselor, your admin… there’s a role each of us plays in that piece.”

After attending Bard, Maphalala is interested in attending another college to earn a bachelor’s degree. For now, Maphalala is driven to do her school work through work ethic and perseverance.

“[I’ve been admitted to Bard College by] doing my school work, being able to do that, and not slacking all the time.”

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Camille Collier, Editor-In-Chief
During eighth grade, young Camille Collier, senior, was in her language arts class taught by Graeme Sandell at Rosemont Ridge Middle School. While many eighth graders sit and stare at the wall not thinking about their futures, Collier was doing just the opposite. At this time, she had decided that she wanted to be a part of the Amplifier during her high school years. “Mr. Sandell really aided my interest in writing,” Collier said. On the first day of freshman year, Collier walked into the Amplifier classroom and has worked her way to becoming the editor-in-chief. Over the past three years, Collier has made countless memories during her time in Amplifier. “The obvious reason I love this class is because of the people,” Collier said. “The other staff members I have the privilege of working beside present different views and really work well as a cohesive whole. I am delighted that there is a group of teenagers out there as competent as the staff.” Not only does Collier enjoy the people she is surrounded with, but the demanding environment that is the journalism world. “I just love the sense of urgency that is journalism. Without it, it makes it kind of a bore so having to work feverishly to track down people to interview, write, edit, and upload a story is a really accomplished feeling.” Not only does she have an admiration and respect for her classmates, but they feel the same way about Collier. “She’s a really funny and intelligent person,” Nicole Gray, senior, said. “Without a doubt she keeps everything and all of us in order.” Collier stays busy not only with the Amplifier, but runs on the Varsity Cross Country Team along with taking four rigorous advanced placement classes that include AP English, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry and AP French. Collier has managed to stay highly successful with such a stressful workload by simply re-adjusting her mindset towards the classes. “It’s one thing when you’re taking a bunch of hard classes in which you are not vested and have no interest,” Collier said. “It’s another when you actually feel privileged to study topics that intrigue and inspire you.” Collier’s one piece of advice is to “actually select classes that inspire even a little bit of your interest.” With Collier’s strong academic success, she has been able to set herself up in a position to attend a highly elite university. She has set her goals high in hopes of studying microbiology. Collier isn’t just envisioning her college life, but her life after college and her career. “I want to be really interested in my work, whichever specific endeavor I chose. I want to be in a place where I’m working hard and I’m feeling good about my hard work,” she said. “I want to have the mindset I do right now, which is that hard work doesn’t dissipate into despair and it eventually pays off.” Collier doesn’t want to just have a “ho-hum, work 35 years then retire” kind of life. For her, life is more important than just sticking to daily norms. She wants to make a difference. “Life is a journey and I don’t want to sit around and do nothing,” Collier said. I want to break barriers. I want to have an impact.”  
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West Linn junior takes a year’s step ahead—into college