Affinity Club: 

Advisors: Ms. Meagyn Karmakar (karmakam@wlwv.k12.or.us) & Kami Vermillion (vermillk@wlwv.k12.or.us)

Student Leaders: President Uma Grover VP Melina Lin. 

Meets: Every other Friday in the Forum

Welcome to West Linn High School!  Thank you for clicking on this link about affinity groups at WLHS. We are a diverse community with many different groups and clubs to help you find your community.  Affinity groups for students of color are working to create community and understanding within our large high school. Our students come from a myriad of cultural backgrounds and experiences; whether you’ve grown up in West Linn  or recently immigrated, whether you identify as bi-racial or not, if you identify as a student of color, we invite you to join one or more of our affinity groups affirming and encouraging your identity.

Check out our Instagram at wlhs_affinityclub.

Statement on Recent Rise in Xenophobia

We wanted to just take a moment to address the shootings that occurred yesterday in Atlanta, Georgia. Like so many around the nation, we are deeply disturbed and disheartened by the recent rise in violence and discrimination targeting the Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities. We stand in solidarity with the Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander members of our own WLHS community.

We invite all Lions to join us in rejecting racism, xenophobia, and all forms of white supremacy. If you, your family, or friends are in need of support, please reach out to your affinity club advisors; Mrs. Karmakar, Mrs. Hamm Tinsley, Ms. Bonham, Mr. Millan, and Ms. Pyrch, your counselor, or an administrator. We will take your statements seriously and will follow up until there is resolution. Here are some resources to report both urgent and nonurgent safety concerns or incidents.
SafeOregon Tipline (https://app.safeoregon.com/)
WLWV Non-Urgent Safety Concern (http://www2.wlwv.k12.or.us/DistrictDepts/Operations/DistrictSafety_files/Safety.htm)
PUAH at www.reporthatepdx.com
Oregon Department of Justice’s Bias Response Hotline at 1-844-924-BIAS
711 for Oregon Relay, or at StandAgainstHate.Oregon.gov (https://www.doj.state.or.us/oregon-department-of-justice/bias-crimes/about-the-law/)
Stop AAPI Hate (https://stopaapihate.org/)– incidents can be reported and also find additional resources

If you are feeling general anxiety or pain because of these events or other racist experiences please reach out as well. Your counselors and affinity club staff and student leaders are here to help you during racialized moments like this.

Here are some resources that were passed on to us from a WL community member that could help with efforts to combat racism against Asian Americans and help those affected by racist events.
APANO statement condemning anti-Asian hate and bias incidents (https://www.apano.org/2021/02/01/apano-condemns-pandemic-linked-anti-asian-hate-and-bias-incidents/)
Hollaback! (https://www.ihollaback.org/) offers resources and trainings for bystander interventions
APANO and Portland United Against Hate’s (PUAH) “Resilience to Hate Resource Guide.” (https://www.apano.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/PUAH-Resilience-to-Hate-Resource-Guide-3_23_20.docx.pdf)

Upcoming Meetings: