2012 Graduates Bid Farewell to WLHS - West Lutheran High School

10
West Gives the Gift of Life with Blood Drive
Jordan Vieths giving a double red
blood cell donation.
Life is a precious gift from God. On May 14, West Lutheran High School students, faculty, staff and parents helped
preserve that gift by participating in the Spring Blood Drive in the WLHS gymnasium. The event was sponsored
by the West Student Council. The day began with the Student Council hosting a donor’s breakfast at 7:30 which
included fruit, muffins, and pancakes. With 31 donors, 35 units (pints) of blood, which included 7 double red
blood cell donations, were collected and donated to Memorial Blood Centers of Minneapolis.
Because blood can be broken down into three components, plasma, platelets and red blood cells, the 21 whole
blood and 14 double red cell units collected at the West Lutheran High School drive can be used to save 105 lives.
Double red blood cell donation is similar to whole blood donation, except a machine separates and collects two
units of red blood cells and then returns the remaining blood components, the plasma and platelets, back to you,
along with some saline. Because of the return of the plasma and platelets and the addition of saline, the donor
doesn’t lose the liquid portion of the blood and will actually feel more hydrated after giving.
Since the first Blood Drive at West in March of 2007, the students, faculty, staff and parents of West have given
310 pints of life-saving blood. Thanks to those who donated food and funds toward the breakfast and to West
parents, Becky Clement and Susan Nelson, who helped donors check-in and handed out snacks.
Learning Outside the Classroom
AP History Class Tours Lakewood Cemetery
The AP US history class
took a field trip to the Lakewood
Cemetery in Minneapolis
on Tuesday, May 15.
The class toured the beautiful
chapel where many weddings
are held. Visiting the
crematorium, the students
learned about cremation.
Looking at the beautiful period
cemetery architecture
and gravestones, the students
learned the meaning
of the symbols on the markers.
They also discovered
that there are six former
governors, United States
senators, and even Tiny Tim
buried at the cemetery. Trivia
question...Was Tiny Tim
buried with his famous ukulele
The class was thankful
for the beautiful weather
and for Phil Peterson driving
that big yellow school bus
through the cemetery flawlessly!
(Answer: Yes)
Art and Computer Graphics
Classes Explore Museum
On Tuesday, April 24, twenty-six students
from West visited the Minneapolis Sculpture
Garden and Minneapolis Institute of
Arts (MIA). Students were from the Drawing
and Painting class, Computer Graphics
and Design, and a few International
Seniors went along for the cultural experience.
At the Sculpture Garden, students
took pictures of the early spring flowers and the recently repainted
spoon and cherry. At MIA, the students enjoyed a guided tour of “The
Sports Show” and then explored other areas of the museum.
General Chemistry Conducts a Stream Study
During the final quarter of 11th grade General Chemistry, the class has
been piloting a variation to the traditional course. This class has become
a mixture of chemistry
and environmental topics
such as the geology and
chemistry of our aquifers,
the organic chemistry
behind fossil fuels and
the ecology of our local
streams. Activities have
included comparative
tests of tap water from
student homes, the production
of biodiesel and
as you can see from the
photograph, an analysis
of the Crow River where
it crosses Hwy 55.
Physics Students
Study at ValleyFair
On the last day of school the senior
Physics students took a field
trip to Valleyfair. Here the students
used concepts and skills
they acquired throughout the year
to learn about the engineering required to keep the
rides safe while still providing a thrill. The students
made measurements from a number of rides using
various home-made devices and then where
required to answer a series of questions regarding
the physics of the ride. Of course, they had a great
deal of fun riding these rides too. What a great way
to spend the last day of their high school career!
Students Experience Cultures
On Friday, May 4, the freshman geography class
participated in a field trip to the annual Festival of
Nations World Culture Fair at the River Centre in
St. Paul. Students experienced the many cultures
with tasting of ethnic foods, viewing items in the
country’s booths, and watching demonstrations of dance, games and
crafts. With a mock-passport, the students also were assigned to write
a 2-page detailed report on their experience at the Festival of Nations.
West Lutheran High School • 3350 Harbor LN N • Plymouth, MN 55447 • (763) 509-9378 • info@wlhs.net • www.wlhs.net