![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)
Embracing the stage
Matthew Snyder, sophomore, seeks a future in performing arts
Photo by Rameen Ali In the fall production of “The Addams Family,” Matthew Snyder, sophomore, plays the role of Gomez Addams. “The Addams Family” is one of the many productions Snyder has been involved in.
Looking out to an audience filled room from under glaring spotlights is a daunting task. For Matthew Snyder, sophomore, however, this is a dream come true. Snyder has over a decade of singing and dancing experience under his belt, and he couldn’t imagine himself doing anything else.
“I’m a song and dance man for sure,” Snyder said.
In fourth grade, Snyder began his career as Benjamin in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Since then, he has been in countless productions within school and outside of school. His favorites are “In the Heights,” which presented a fun story for the cast, and “Anna Karenina,” which taught Snyder about Russian culture as he worked on playing a character adopted into a Russian family.
Coming up, Snyder will be performing in the “Rock of Ages” put on by Portland’5 Centers for the Arts. He will be playing Franz, the son of a German developer who has plans to tear down one of the oldest buildings on the Sunset Strip. With the town rallying against them and a love story in the midst of it all, this production will be one to remember.
“We only have four weeks to prepare, but I already know this will be one of my favorites,” Snyder said. “Since it is set in the 80s, it will be campy, raunchy and everything in between.”
Even though Snyder devotes his life to theater, he admits that it is definitely the hardest performing art. Not only does he have to combine his singing talents as well as his dancing talents, but when tech rehearsal comes up, Snyder can spend up to 12 hours at one rehearsal. It can be tiring, but he embraces the challenge and focuses on the bright side, influencing his fellow cast along the way.
“He knows what he’s doing and how to get things done,” Matthew Lewis, junior, said. “He’s a great person to be around.”
With little spare time, Snyder looks forward to those scarce moments he can spend with his family and friends. Snyder has a full plate, but he is excited to see how he can continue following his passion in the future. Whether on the Broadway stage or the Hollywood screens, Snyder is ready to do what it takes to get there.
“I’m open to possibilities, but I definitely want to do this as a career,” Snyder said.
Your donation will support the student journalists of West Linn High School. Your contribution will allow us to continue to produce quality content by purchasing equipment, software, and continuing to host our website on School Newspapers Online (SNO). Additionally, donations will go towards paying for the physical editions of our Amplifier. Donations of $20 dollars (as of Oct. 15, 2025) or more will receive a subscription to our Amplifier, which will be mailed to the donator's address (donations made with the intention of purchasing a subscription CANNOT be anonymous).
Going from soccer practice, to softball practice and then finally home to practice her trumpet, Brooke McKelvey, senior, is definitely not a lazy person....
Yearbook is for people who have a love for photography and journalism. For Rameen Ali 12, that’s exactly what it is, a chance for her to do what she...
![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/I70A1454-1-600x400.jpg)