Pubdate: Wed, 12 May 2004 Source: Register-Guard, The (OR) Copyright: 2004 The Register-Guard Contact: http://www.registerguard.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/362 Author: Jeff Wright Cited: ACLU of Oregon http://www.aclu-or.org/ Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Ginelle+Weber Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) Communities: ACLU BOARD TO SEAT TEEN WHO SUED OVER DRUG TESTING Name: Ginelle Weber, 19, Cottage Grove Past claim to fame: At age 15, Weber forfeited her sports career and sued the Oakridge School District for invasion of privacy over its random drug-testing policy for student-athletes. Two lower courts ruled against Weber, and the Oregon Supreme Court refused to review her appeal. The district suspended the drug-testing last fall for lack of money. Current claim to fame: Weber this week becomes the youngest person ever elected to the ACLU of Oregon board of directors. She will serve a three-year term. How she got involved with ACLU: The American Civil Liberties Union represented Weber in her fight against the drug-testing policy. After a trip to Europe with girlfriends last fall, she decided to volunteer at ACLU's Eugene office. Ginelle Weber began volunteering with the ACLU out of gratitude for its legal help on her privacy case. "It's grown into an enjoyment and a need to better understand the Constitution." "I felt I owed the ACLU a little bit, but it's grown into an enjoyment and a need to better understand the Constitution, how it works and what's going on politically about it." How else she keeps busy: Weber still lives with her parents and brother in Cottage Grove. She works on an organic farm and is taking several community education classes at the University of Oregon that appeal to her eclectic interests: civil rights and liberties, ballroom dancing and yoga. What she hopes to be doing five years from now: "Oh, geez, how about five minutes from now?" Is she a crusader?: "I think every time you speak out on something you feel passionate about, you're crusading for it. Even if it's just talking to a friend, anybody, just start talking, say what you're thinking. Keep yourself informed." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake