Anne Rogers Johnston High School Johnston, IA
They say high school is the best four
years of your life. While I’m not sure that’s
entirely true, I have realized that they tend to leave out how much people change in high school. I can see how much I have changed as a student, as an athlete, as
an individual. To what do I contribute that
change? Words. Journalism has changed me into a stronger, better person. Being a part of the newspaper staff in the J-Lab is hard explain, but the bond I have created with the people, with the classroom, with the old grungy couch, with my adviser,
and with words, has shown me that jour-
nalism is as much a part of me as football
is a part of the QB 1. I am a journalist, and I am proud of it. This is why.
I am a journalist because I have
insatiable curiosity. I thrive on stories that I learn alongside the reader. My junior
year, I took on a story that had to deal with some controversy between administra-
tion and our Student Council. The adviser quit because administration broke a rule
stated in the Student Council constitution. There was a time where we did not know if we would have a student body govern-
to hear- that will change lives, motivate
this generation was failing. But I also had
year, I wrote a story about the severe and
it was just what people needed to read in
some, and inspire others. My sophomore
profound classroom, room 211, at our high a time where we are avoiding the imperschool. This is where the kids in wheel-
fections the world presents. My article was
day learning. I helped out in this room
ity in our world, and how we can achieve
chairs with severe disabilities spend their sometimes and I thought it deserved an
article because the bond I saw between
those kids and their teachers was incredible. I tried to explain it through a story,
any answers. But I had an advantage
because I could get those answers. So I
talked to many people who did not want to talk to me, and they made that clear. I did the research on the constitution. I went to school board meetings. And then I wrote
the story, which received over 5,000 views on our website. Without that craving for
the truth, those answers would not have been found.
I am a journalist because I have a
dream of telling people accurate storiesstories that are hard to believe and hard
people to change those flaws.
I am a journalist because I believe in
I want to become a journalist. I had some
articles that mirror the world and have the
lished and tell me they were going to start
to enlighten people. I have to find those
people come up to me after it was pubvolunteering in room 211 because they
world address it’s imperfections, I have stories and inform the world. My senior
want to make a change in those kids’ lives year I became the editor in chief of the like the teachers were making. I realized
school paper. It was a big job with many
ling enough for people to want to make a
lenge and I could not have been prouder
that the power of words can be compeldifference in someone else’s life. It was thought provoking for me; it made me
wonder what else I could write about for people to look at the world in a different way, a different perspective.
I am a journalist because I want my
the mirror and address it’s imperfections.
kid in my English class who didn’t have
going on under the surface, and I want
enlightening the unenlightened. In order
real story. Why did administration break
of the school? I was just as curious as the
that. I want people to think about what is
school. I often cite this story as the reason for me to have insatiable curiosity, to write
articles and interviews to be a mirror of
this rule? What does it mean for the rest
a mirror that showed why we need equal-
and it was well-received by my peers at
ment the next year. Since I was the journalist reporting on it, I needed to get the
many people who liked my article, saying
the world, and I want the world to look in
My senior year came along and I realized how much I had changed. I went from a
shy and timid girl to a strong and power-
ful young woman, and I realized that I did
responsibilities, but I took on the chal-
of how this year is turning out for “The
Black and White.” In this day and age, it
is hard to not be surrounded by the news. That is what encourages me even more
to share this news that surrounds us. The
staff this year has gotten the student body to really think about the world we live in. It has sparked intense conversations about religion, gay marriage, abortion, politics,
and even athletics. It has gotten people to believe in themselves and in the people they are growing up with.
Change can be good. It can be hard,
not care what people thought of me, for
uncomfortable at first, yet in the end,
myself. And I was proud of myself. So I
immensely over the course of my high
all that mattered was what I thought of
decided to write an opinion on feminism, a topic that is quite controversial in my
generation’s world. I stood up for what I
believed in that opinion- that equality matters and women should receive the same amount of respect as men all around the
world. I received some pretty nasty comments on my article. I was called mean
names; I was even told I was the reason
change is empowering. I have changed school years. I have no doubt I will
continue to change. Yet I will embrace
that change. My generation is different
than any other generation. Our mindset is different, we think about things differ-
ently, and I think we are not opposed to
progress. We have the power to change
the world into a better place. And I will be there to report on it.
Anne Rogers | 1 Curriculum: Writing
An unbreakable bond Special Education teacher Andy Cashin holds up a
also close to the high school. “Johnston makes it a
their needs is a challenge,” Cashin said. However, there
sophomore Aaron Harvey. “Is today Thursday, Aaron?”
at Johnston are exposed to the kids in this classroom,
sides talking, and every day the teachers and helpers
card with the word “Thursday” written on it in front of Andy asks. Aaron makes no response.
Then, she holds up the “Friday” card. “Is today Fri-
point for everyone to be equal,” Cashin said. “Students and it’s really cool to see everyone interact.”
Even though teaching kids with these types of dis-
day, Aaron?” Aaron starts laughing, his way of saying
abilities can be difficult, the challenge is worth it. Cash-
“That’s right, Aaron. Today is Friday,” Andy says.
is never a boring day. “Communication is probably the
yes.
She then picks another student to help count the days
until they land on today’s date. “We call it opening; it’s a relaxing way to get each day started,” Cashin said.
Cashin is the head teacher in room 211, the severe
and profound classroom. Students in this classroom
show a wide range of characteristics that limit them from participating in general education classrooms.
Five adults work with seven students in wheelchairs. Because of the teacher to student ratio, room 211 has
a closer connection than any other classroom. “It gives us a chance to spend more time with the kids, and we
are able to develop a one-on-one relationship with them,” Cashin said.
Cashin always wanted to be a teacher, but never
felt the connection with other students. When she went
in and the other teachers love what they do, and there hardest part. Not being able to talk to the kids about
Meet the
Gang
Special education associate Chanhom Tharrington
works in room 211 as well, and has also developed
Amanda Wilber sophomore
Loves Disney music, prin-
senior
Loves country music, makeup, and girly things.
Rachel Christ
ing them succeed and helping them live their life to the
Loves classical music,
fullest potential,” Tharrington said.
Student helpers see the connection as well. “When-
ever I’m in here I can see that this room isn’t like any
other classroom in this school,” sophomore Danielle
Wright said. “The teachers know the kids personally, and I can see that the kids make the teachers happy.”
Senior Karsen Kramer started helping in room 211
at the beginning of the school year. “The teachers in
there don’t treat it like just a job, they don’t just go through the motions,” Kramer said. “They make each day in there worthwhile, and I love seeing the strong connection between them and the kids.”
Students here learn more about people with disabil-
ities than at other schools, one reason being the option
of taking service credits in rooms like 211. ChildServe,
an organization helping children with disabilities, is
published October 2012 the black and white
and sensory objects
relationships with the kids. “The kids in here deserve to learn and love life like any normal kid, and I love watch-
worthwhile,” Cashin said.
sophomore
Donna Petry
things, and they make the little things in life important.”
they couldn’t do before, that’s what makes this job
Loves loud noises, laughing,
knew that working with kids with disabilities was the Cashin said. “The kids give us new perspectives on
ever I see one of the kids succeed in doing something
Aaron Harvey
cesses, and relaxing
right job for her. “We learn so much more from them,”
learn something new about one of the students. “When-
in room 211
to Easter Seals Camp Sunnyside, a summer camp in
Des Moines for adults and children with disabilities, she
are other ways to communicate with the students be-
senior
clothes, and make-up
Neiman Clinton senior
Loves lights, noises, and Wheel of Fortune
Missy Brown
I wrote this article after doing a service credit with Room 211, and I thought they deserved a spotlight on them because the bond I felt and saw was something indescribable. My editors at the time let me run with it, and I was really proud of the story when it was published. As a journalist, I want to tell the stories of others, to share stories to the world. This was my first taste of that, and I fell in love with the job.
senior
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Loves food, being outside, and being a cheerleader.
Rae Perry junior
Loves Nickelback, people, and the color purple
3
Columbia Gold Circle Award
Anne Rogers | 2 The Curriculum: Writing
Athletes diversify their direction published October 2013 the black and white Senior Nick Stitzell takes advantage of the three
days between the end of baseball season and the
start of football season. He knows he will not be able
to get that offseason again for at least a year. “Those three days were basically me sitting on the couch wondering what to do with my life,” Stitzell said.
Stitzell is one of many athletes who play more
get asked as head coaches is, ‘What other sports do
they play? Are they a well rounded athlete?’ A college
coach wants to take a good athlete and develop them into a baseball, basketball, football player. They don’t
want a kid who has just done baseball all his life, who
has reached his peak, and is probably done growing.” Playing in more than one sport has prepared
than one sport in high school. He is a varsity athlete
athletes for college in more than one way. “I think
guess I have just stuck with those four, and it’s been
preparation for what college is like because there will
in football, basketball, track and field, and baseball. “I hard to give them up,” Stitzell said. “They’ve pretty much become part of who I am.”
According to Iowa High School Athletic Associa-
tion, there are many benefits to playing multiple
sports. One of those is that multiple sport students
playing in more than one sport at a time is a good
be some nights where you have to stay up late studying,” Joens said. “I’ve done that before, like when I
get home late from a practice, and I know what to do and what works for me.”
Junior Macall Campbell only participates in gym-
show improved athletic performance. Cross train-
nastics, and she notices the advantages and disad-
leadership and teamwork skills, and better mental
one of those sports that you can’t really slack off in,”
ing leads to becoming a well-rounded athlete, better development. It also makes it easier for multiple-sport athletes to pick up on new skills.
Head baseball coach Michael Barta agrees.
“There is no training that I can give an athlete that is
vantages of specializing in one sport. “Gymnastics is Campbell said. “No one on my team, including me,
does anything besides gymnastics because we have to really focus on the sport.”
Campbell has been particpating in gymnastics
going to be better than them running, jumping, cut-
since she was little, and has only tried one other
“Kids are young, they’re 16 and 17 years old, and
know,” Campbell said. “So if something happens and
ting, every day at a sport, in a practice,” Barta said. their bodies are in great shape to be able to do all the things coaches ask them to do.”
Senior Taylor Joens, another multiple-sport
athlete, sees the advantages of playing volleyball,
basketball, and track and field. “Basketball helps me
sport, softball, for two years. “Gymnastics is all I
I wouldn’t be able to do gymnastics anymore, it would be hard for me to find something else to participate
in. I honestly don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t do gymnastics.”
Despite the disadvantages, Campbell thinks the
transition to track because a lot of track athletes don’t
advantages outweigh the disadvantages for her. “To
time during basketball,” Joens said. Even though the
my own athletic needs, gymnastics is all I need.” She
do anything during the winter, and I’m running all the
transition from volleyball to basketball can be difficult, Joens has learned to adjust to it. “You just have to
switch your focus from sport to sport, and I’m pretty used to it by now,” Joens said.
There are disadvantages as well. “When I’m in a
sport I don’t get to go to preseason practices for the
me, gymnastics is my sport,” Campbell said. “To fulfill knows that every person is different. “I know some
people really did have to pick between two sports, so
maybe doing one sport is holding them back,” Campbell said. “But for me, gymnastics is my sport, and I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.”
Even though Barta believes playing multiple sports
next sport,” Stitzell said. “It frustrates me that there
is beneficial to most athletes, he understands the oth-
than I am for that sport during preseason.”
grounds in their sports,” Barta said. “If you decided to
are other kids that are able to put in much more effort Barta, however, knows playing multiple sports will
pay off in the end. “I know a share of college coaches,” Barta said. “And one of the first questions we
er side. “At Johnston, the coaches have great back-
do one sport, the coaches would be able to put a plan together to help you become athletic, get stronger, all those things. It just takes so much devotion.”
I saw this idea when looking through a sports magazine. I thought it would be cool to investigate the diversification of sports in our athletes at my school. It turned out really well, and I really liked having a mini photoshoot with the three athletes I talked about. It was fun and effective.
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IHSPA sports writing
Anne Rogers | 3 The Curriculum: Writing
Counting down the concussions Senior Joscey Miner watches from the sidelines as
football season in August, as the team started two-a-
Oct. 12, Miner suffered a blow to the head, which took
for the ball and someone landed on my head,” Ries-
her cheerleading squad pumps up the football crowd.
her out of participating in cheer for the rest of the season. “It’s sad, and really hard to sit and watch because I’m so used to being involved,” Miner said.
Her concussion happened when a flyer’s back
came down on her head during a practice. “Only my back hurt at first, so I didn’t think anything of it,” Miner
days (two practices in one day). “I dove on the ground
sen said. He played the rest of practice, but went to
the doctor’s right after. “I felt really out of it and I had a really bad headache,” Riessen said. “I knew I had
a concussion though. When someone gets a concussion, they just know.”
Riessen got constant headaches for two and a half
said. “Later that night, I got really bad headaches, and
months after the first concussion. He ended up sitting
Miner waited six days to go to the doctor until she
couldn’t play, but I know concussions are dangerous,”
I would consistently get them everyday.”
realized things were getting worse. “When I was writing
my government essay one day in class, my head was literally pounding,” Miner said. “Afterwards, my mom took me to the doctors because it was hurting so bad.” After her visit to the doctors, Miner was out of school
for the next two weeks because of the severity of the concussion.
Concussions have always been a problem in ath-
letics. There were 18 concussions in school athletics
this past fall season. “There was a handful of football
out the rest of the football season. “Yeah I was mad I Riessen said. “When it happened I wasn’t thinking
straight, so I thought I was fine. Now I’m glad I stopped playing after that practice.”
In order to prevent concussions, coaches need to
stress to their athletes to always take safety precautions. Football coaches constantly tell the boys to ‘see what you hit.’ “As coaches, that’s the most important
thing we say to them. Don’t put your head down, see what you hit,” Woodley said.
In cheerleading, technique is key. “We are constant-
players, at least five on varsity,” head football coach
ly coaching and correcting the girls in their technique,
being one of them, got concussions this fall as well.
vent injuries,” Shafer said.
Brian Woodley said. Three varsity cheerleaders, Miner Athletes seem to push away the severity of concus-
so that they can learn preventative measures to preNurse Susan Krebs sometimes sees athletes who
sions so they are still able to participate in their sport.
have concussions in her office. “Athletes need to be
to be taking care of it. “[The cheerleaders] know the
Krebs said.
They tend to ignore their concussion when they need
impact that just one girl missing from practice can have
smart about the play. They have got to be careful,” What athletes do not realize is that if they don’t take
on the team when it comes to stunting and pyramids,
the time needed to recover from concussions, there
cause they don’t want to sit out,” said head cheerlead-
people with permanent brain damage, memory loss,
so they may not tell anyone they have a headache being coach, Lexi Shafer.
Football players pretend to be fine as well. “Some
players just don’t want to miss playing time,” Woodley said. “But this is their head, their brain, and they need it to function for the rest of their life.”
Junior Grant Riessen got a concussion this past
published December 2012 the black and white
could be serious damage in their future. “I’ve seen
even people in wheelchairs,” Krebs said. No matter
how much they love the sport they play in, athletes need to be precautious and take the time to heal from a concussion. “If you have concussion symptoms, listen to it,” Krebs said. “It’s a matter of four weeks out of one year, or the rest of your life. Think about it.”
Concussions were a big problem in our high school during the fall season, even cheerleaders were getting them. I investigated how and why athletes were getting concussions, and the risks some were taking in order to keep playing their sport. Some athletes didn’t want to talk to me because they were afraid they would get in trouble for admitting they played while having a concussion. It was the first time I have experienced that, however I did not give up and found some athletes who would talk to me.
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IHSPA sports writing
Anne Rogers | 4-5 The Curriculum: Writing
Escaping Africa Eight-year-old Odette Muziranenge hides under the
money, you didn’t go to school,” she said. School was from
of the Congo. “If we got caught, we would be killed along
went from 1-6 p.m. “After school I helped around the house
seat of a car on her way out of the Democratic Republic with everyone in the car,” current junior Odette said. The driver and passengers of the car smuggled Odette with her
Odette and her family did not know any English and
Hidden Acres Camp, a summer Christian camp. Because
“When I came I didn’t know anything except ‘Hi,’” she said.
send all his kids and Odette to camp, he asked members
7 a.m. and 12 p.m. for younger kids, and the older kids
although she was 14, Odette started in seventh grade.
and played with other kids,” Odette said.
“But I learned at school hearing other kids talk.”
Every minute was dangerous for members of Banyamu-
Odette faced difficulties in school. “It was hard because
older brothers Stephen and Alex, as well as Stephen’s wife
lenge. “Even if you are traveling somewhere they would
if I wanted something or knew something, I couldn’t just
from the rebel soldiers. “Stephen was telling us ‘It’s OK,
the car and follow us’ and they would kill us for no reason,
were speaking, and I would feel like crying so I would go
Nezia and their two kids Patrick and Hope to protect them everything will be alright.’ I was a little kid, so I believed him,” Odette said.
Tribe turned away
stop the car and say, ‘You and you come down, get out of just because of the way we are.”
Escape
Finally, Stephen got the chance to flee the constant vio-
Odette and her family belong to a tribe in Africa called
lence of the Congo. “I didn’t know we were going to es-
they are tall and skinny with long, skinny facial features.
grabbed all of us and we ran.” The family was able to get
Banyamulenge. They are described as “tutsi” which means
More than 400 different tribes hate the Banyamulenge be-
cause of the way they look. Because of this violence, more than 5.4 million people have died and some 1.5 million are refugees.
“We weren’t citizens of our country because [the gov-
cape, it just happened one night,” Odette said. “Stephen
no one is going to judge you,” Odette said.
For five years, Odette and her family lived in a refugee
camp and gather plants and other food to eat,” she said. ket and fill it then walk back with it on our heads.”
Coming to America
Alex.
Immigration services will pay for a refugee’s housing for
six months while they find jobs and assimilate to the Ameri-
she said. “If your problems are a big deal and you need
help, they will put you into another camp to wait for them to take you into America.”
The family was moved to another refugee camp in Tan-
tents or cabins may not be real exciting for someone who’s been in a refugee camp but they enjoyed it,” Long said.
As well as helping out with camp, Long and the church
helped furnish the apartment and taught Stephen how to drive.
Stephen is the caretaker of Odette and Alex as well as
his own kids. In their culture, if something happens to the parents the oldest brother is the new guardian.
“I really appreciate Stephen because that’s another
mouth to feed, that’s another responsibility. Stephen is a great guy,” Long said.
Johnston
Because Alex runs cross country, Odette and Patrick
started running as well. She also plays soccer.
“It’s good for me to hang out with people who speak
we moved to Iowa,” Stephen said.
listening to how they talk and the accent they have and I
He and his wife found jobs at the meat packing plant in
them so I love being around them. Even if I was quiet I was learn stuff from them.”
Cross country teammate Abby Puk, junior, appreciates
for their family. Odette and her nephew Patrick, freshman,
Odette being on the team.
dale.
and she is always willing to listen. She brings a positive at-
Alex ran cross country in Texas and showed potential
for college running. The Texas coach contacted the Urban-
“Odette is a huge sweetheart,” Puk said. “She is kind,
titude to the team which rubs off on us.”
Puk and the girls on the cross country team are encour-
dale coach and Alex decided to run at Urbandale.
aged by Odette.
Alex started running in Tanzania at the refugee camp.
“Odette being on the team and running shows me she
Living in Congo was a nightmare for Odette and her
zania for six months until they were given the news they
The family owned a cow, but to prevent it from getting sto-
has hope and is ready to move on,” Puk said. “She has
“It was scary and other kids bullied you,” Odette said.
were so happy,” Odette said. “Finally everything was going
10 miles to milk it and 10 miles back to go to school. “It was
still willing to participate with the team.”
family.
“We are all black, we are all Africans, but they keep saying ‘We don’t like the way you are.’”
To make a living, Odette’s family farmed. “We grew
crops and had cows,” she said. “I never helped out with
the farm because I was young and a girl.” Odette was for-
tunate enough to go to school every day. “If you don’t have
would be moving to San Antonio, Texas. “We cried, we to be OK.”
Odette and her family were excited about moving.
“When we got to Texas, everything was just perfect,” she said. “The bathrooms were my favorite because you didn’t have to go outside to use the bathroom.”
Living in America
len, they kept it ten miles away. Every day Alex would run just something he had to do,” Odette said. “He never really thought twice about it.”
Church guides family
After moving to Iowa, Stephen started to attend West-
chester Evangelical Church where Don Long was the pastor. Long learned more about the family on the way to
the black and white
“The thought of going to camp where you can sleep in
English (in sports),” Odette said. “I can learn stuff from
“After six months I couldn’t find a job in San Antonio so
published August 2013
of the church to pitch in to pay for it.
can culture.
attend Johnston. Her brother Alex, senior, goes to Urban-
everyone talk about their problems with their life at home,”
know.” Since then, Stephen has taken care of Odette and
Iowa
“The immigration people came to our camp and listened to
[our tribe] we kind of got lost with our parents,” she said. they might be dead or they might be alive, we just don’t
hit you, but back in Africa if you didn’t do the homework, if
Des Moines and were able get a two-bedroom apartment
was waiting to see if they would get to go live in America.
“We don’t know where they are, if they’re still alive or not,
Odette noticed how different schooling in America was
The whole time living in the refugee camp, the family
When Odette was two years old, she and her brothers
were separated from their parents. “When they were killing
[English], but talking and writing took me a while.”
you did something wrong, they would hit you.”
“Water was about a 15-minute walk, we would take a bas-
Life in Congo
she said. “It didn’t take me that much time to understand
very different because in Tanzania everyone is the same,
put in a refugee camp. “Living in Congo and Tanzania was
were saying that our ancestors were from Ethiopia. I don’t Congo and my parents were born in Congo.”
Even though Odette has progressed in English, there is
still more to learn. “I’m still learning, so I guess it’s forever,”
from Africa. “Here in America they don’t beat you, they don’t
camp in Tanzania. “We would go out to the woods in the
know where we (originally) came from, but I was born in
to the bathroom and cry a little, then come back to class.”
across to neighboring country Tanzania safely. They were
ernment] was saying that we weren’t,” Odette said. “Some people were saying that we were from Rwanda and they
say it,” Odette said. “I couldn’t just speak the language they
Long knew Stephen did not have the financial ability to
been through much more than any of us at our age and is Odette is thankful she is here today. “It’s all by God’s
grace,” Odette said. “I love the way I am, I love myself. [God] doesn’t want me giving up, that’s why I’m like this
and that’s why I’m here today. If people hate me, I don’t care. Life is great now, I love it.”
This page was worth all the work that was put into it. August was the first issue of the year; we started working on it in July, even though it was still summer. Odette was on the cross country team with me and I had heard her story over the summer- I immediately thought we needed to write about it for the paper. This story was a really emotional one for Odette, when she was talking to me about it during our interview she started crying because of all the things she has had to go through. From that point on I knew I had to make this an emotional piece. I tried to talk to her brother, who was the one who brought her over to America, but he didn’t speak English. Odette had to translate for me, and it was an interesting experience.
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IHSPA personality profile
Anne Rogers | 6 The Curriculum: Writing
Feminist not misandrist When I tell people my goal in life is to break the glass ceil-
ing at “Sports Illustrated,” I usually get them saying something along the lines of ‘Wow, great goal! That’s awesome!
misunderstanding of the tenancy, of the movement,” Ikeda said.
Yes, there are radical feminists that freak out over every
You can do it!’ As much as I appreciate their compliments, I
compliment they get, saying, “I’m an independent woman
ity figure at a sports magazine. It is 2014, shouldn’t women
What we are trying to change is the catcalls and harassment
wonder why it is such a surprise that I want to be an authorhaving higher end jobs be a given?
Yes, it should be a given; however, no, it is not a given.
And that is where feminism arises. Feminism, by definition,
and I don’t need no man.” However, this is not feminism. that some women receive because some men don’t respect women for who they are.
So why should women care? Well, wouldn’t you care if
is not man-hating or me wanting to be superior over my male
you received less money than someone who does the exact
grounds of political, social and economic equality to sexes.
According to www.iwpr.org, in 2013, female full-time
counterparts. It is the advocacy of women’s rights on the
As a young women in the 21st century, I believe that I deserve the same job opportunities as men and the same pay as a man who is doing the exact same job as me.
“I think there has been a pattern forever of male domi-
nance and I don’t think that’s okay, I don’t think that’s some-
same work as you?
workers made only 78 cents for every dollar earned by men, a gender wage gap of 22%.
Why wouldn’t you care about the fact that women don’t
generally receive higher position jobs?
According to americanprogress.org, the top 10 jobs held
thing we should stand for and accept,” senior Troy Ikeda
by women include secretaries and administrative assistants,
agrees with most of the beliefs.
and maids and housekeepers. These jobs typically pay less
said. Ikeda does not consider himself a feminist, however he These beliefs are what make me a self-declared feminist,
and before this summer, I did not even know what feminism
was. One day, however, I was browsing through Twitter and I came across #YesAllWomen, a social media campaign in
elementary and middle-school teachers, retail salespeople than male-dominated jobs and are fueling the gender wage gap.
However feminism is not all about women.
How many guys have gotten made fun of because they
which users share examples or stories of misogyny and vio-
showed emotion? Or felt insecure because they’re not big
not for personal gain, it’s for all women and all women need
expectations to objectify women and be sexually aggres-
lence against women. “It kind of ties back to the whole it’s feminism,” self-declared feminist senior Gabby Escoto said.
The #YesAllWomen is a cry for help from women across
the world – or even across the hallway – for a much needed social change, a change that should have happened a long time ago.
Yes, the campaign only looked at women problems and
enough, strong enough, fast enough? Or burdened by the
sive? Feminism is about changing those gender roles. Men shouldn’t be expected to live up to an unrealistic identity. If
men want to be muscular and all about sports, that’s fine, as
long as they choose it because they want it. But if men happen to like cooking or dancing, that’s okay too.
Women have been talking about our gender experiences
left the men out. “It made men feel more excluded,” Escoto
for decades. It’s time for men to talk about their’s too, and for
We can adapt campaigns like this in order to help men as
In the world that blames victims of rapes and not rap-
said. “But it did empower women, which is always needed.”
well. This hashtag made people aware, and awareness is critical for advancement in feminist views.
Many people are against feminism simply because they
do not know what it is. “Many people think feminism is wom-
them to do something about it.
ists, our society doesn’t fundamentally value the humanity of women. In a world that pays women far less than men, we ignore the possible contributions of countless leaders.
Sexism does not just hurt women, it hinders our society
en being above men but that’s not what it really is at all,” Es-
as a human race.
gain either, it’s for everyone. I always see on Twitter and stuff
will be stubborn people all over the place. But we can raise
they’re not connected at all.”
campaigns. If you do not happen to believe in feminism, that
coto said. “It’s equality for genders. And it’s not for personal that girls think if feminism is a thing then chivalry will end. But
People are against the movement because they do not
enjoy change. “They especially don’t like change if they think
that it’s threatening to them, which it’s not at all, it’s just a
published November 2014 the black and white
I know I can’t change everyone’s mind. Obviously, there
awareness, with social media campaigns and organizational
is okay. However, you do need to have an understanding of what it is.
My senior year was the year that I really stepped out of my shell. I started writing more opinions and standing up for what I believe in. This article was one of them. I wrote about feminism, and I got a lot of feedback from it. Some of it was good, but some of it was really bad feedback. I learned that I have to stand behind my opinion and stand firm no matter what people say about it. It taught me a lot about what I will have to do in my future; even though I will get criticism, I need to stand firm.
Anne Rogers | 7 The Curriculum: Writing
It is time to
stand UP
When “The Black and White” editorial board printed
rial staff disagrees with Miller on his views of same-sex
marriage, little did we know that people would blow up
we share and discuss our ideas and keep the rudeness
senior Marcus Miller’s Letter to the Editor about gay
about the topic on social media, we would have a response Letter to the Editor in the next issue and people would come up to the editorial board asking if they
marriage. We published it anyway. We all learn when to a minimum. That is hard to do when one is angry, but it is a worthwhile goal for all of us in the future.
For this school to be a place that people enjoy at-
could write a Letter to the Editor about a different topic.
tending and to maximize our learning in order to pre-
will not do- stand up for what he believes in, and we
well-thought out ideas in order to contribute to the dis-
We are glad Miller did something that most others
hope others will learn from this and voice their opinion as well.
Miller took the time to sit down, write a full article
and have enough guts to ask “The Black and White” to print it.
It sounds scary, we know. But members of the “The
Black and White” staff do it all the time even though a majority of the student body, the people we see everyday, are the first to judge us on what we say, do, wear,
pare for the future, more people need to add to the cussion.
Voicing opinions and attaching one’s name to them
is risky. There will be criticism, but take the advice of-
fered by Miller. “If you don’t stand firm, it’s almost as if you don’t believe in it,” Miller said. “If you’re going to
write or say something, you’re going to have to expect
some opposition to it, so you have to be able to stand your ground.”
Expect the opposition, and respond to it. Be edu-
etc.
cated about the topic at hand because being educat-
about feminism, gay rights or racism, so called ‘hot but-
knows what they are talking about.
Other people at our school are not afraid to tweet
ton issues’ in our society. For that, we applaud them.
ed equals respect. People will respect someone who
When writing his letter, Miller knew what he was
But we encourage those people to do more.
talking about. He backed up his opinion with facts, and
enough to voice them to others deserves recognition
responding to him.
Contemplating one’s beliefs and being secure
and respect.
those opposing him should do the same thing when During the time of the year when most of us are
“A lot of people disliked it, but a lot of people backed
stressing about our grades, the lessons we are learn-
“Some of it was rude, but a lot of it was really good
ful when disagreeing with someone might be of more
me up, so overall I thought it was good,” Miller said. discussion.”
Although Miller experienced some rudeness from
people after publishing his article, we can all learn from it.
It is okay to disagree with an opinion, even vehe-
mently disagree. Most of “The Black and White” edito-
published December 2014 the black and white
ing about standing up for opinions and being respectimportance. Our democracy, a form of government that thrives when people contribute ideas, depends on it.
To publish something as thought-provoking as Mill-
er did, and as many of our staff members do all the time, takes bravery.
We invite you to be brave.
This editorial idea came from our November issue. We had a very controversial issue, with some opinions and a Letter to the Editor that got the whole school talking about “The Black and White.” We thought it was a great thing that people were talking about differnet topics that are very apparent in the world we live in. I was proud of our school, but I wanted to hear more. So the editorial board encouraged the student body to stand up for what they believe in, just like we do with every issue that comes out.
Anne Rogers | 8-9 The Curriculum: Writing
Students oppose Student Council decision made by administration A decision made by Principal Brent Riessen involving
Student Council has drawn immense concern from students. More than half of the 40 attendees at the school
board meeting Feb. 10 were high school students. Most
the situation and the officer. Riessen did not follow through
en away from us, and our Constitution was completely ig-
high school students attended in January. She pointed out
the officer back on without the vote and discussion.
and resources to evade the way Student Council operates.”
resent the traits recognized in the assembly. “I know that I
with this process. He made the executive decision to place
“As a student, and as a lot of the students here, we feel
nored. It was ignored all because of one member’s desire As a class officer, junior EmmaGrace Walter asked in
were there to listen or to make speeches involving the deci-
like that is an inappropriate measure of power by our prin-
her speech that Student Council still be allowed to be run
act on what was said at that time.
as a student-run organization, the students should have a
to be leaders now, so that when we leave JHS we have
sion. The school board listened to the speeches but did not In December 2013, it was brought to the attention of
the executive board on Student Council that a picture of a class officer at a party where alcohol was involved was circulating social media sites. The board decided it was an
inappropriate event that class officers should not be partaking in.
Student Council adviser Chris Beguhn proceeded to
have a meeting with the individual about the situation, and
cipal,” Caracci said during his speech. “And we feel like,
voice of what happens. The Constitution that we have set, that we have amended, that we voted on, should be upheld in situations like this.”
The board accepted Beguhn’s resignation as the Stu-
dent Council adviser at the board meeting. “She feels as
though if the student voice isn’t being heard, she’s not doing her job,” Caracci said during the meeting.
moved from office. The executive board, however, felt as
can honestly say that in the six years I have been at Johnston, there is no one I look up to more and no one who has taught me more than Mrs. Beguhn.”
Different students voiced their opinion and perspectives
Sophomore class president Carly Campbell recognized
years. “If kids know they can go complain to the adminisdoing whatever they want?” Campbell said while making her speech. “Kids can go drink and do drugs without fear of
consequence, and that goes for all things, not just Student Council.”
representation of Johnston High School can get you removed. We felt, and she (our adviser) felt, that it was not appropriate for that person to be an officer anymore.” The student was not named at the board meeting.
If an administrator wants to make a case to put an of-
pened recently, our right to make decisions and hold each
itly condoned and perhaps even encouraged the illegal and
other accountable has seemed to disappear.”
Junior Marcus Miller, another executive board mem-
ber, pointed out that Student Council has always followed
the case, and then there is a vote and a discussion be-
only time in history that this Constitution, which has been
tween all the members of Student Council. Based upon that discussion and vote, it is decided what will happen with
“By circumventing the appeals process, the Student
Council Constitution, and continuously fighting to ensure
ficer back on Student Council, there is an appeal process
that is laid out in the Constitution. The administrator makes
views on the incident.
gives students the opportunity to voice their opinions and
make a difference in the school, but because of what hap-
the Constitution when dealing with situations. “This is the in place for 12 years, has not been followed, “ Miller said
during his speech. “However, this time, our voice was tak-
As of now, the school board will not take action because
legal proceedings may be initiated. The issue, however, board president Greg Dockum expressed the impression
the students had made. “I think it was another in a long line of examples that we are lucky to have some of the best
and brightest students in our district, and they are, to their
credit, actively engaged in student life at Johnston High School,” Dockum said after the meeting.
Riessen and Beguhn both declined to comment.
Laura Dillavou, the Communications and Marketing
and other Johnston High School students are matters of
student body not in Student Council and to represent their
Council has been successful because it is student led. It
personality traits are not lost.”
and senior Pratyusha Bujimalla both spoke on behalf of the
Mr. Riessen was disregarded,” junior and executive board
member Ellie Marckmann said at the meeting. “Student
an organization that proves, day in and day out, that these
Coordinator, commented for the district on the issue. “The
ity to remove an officer for a variety of different reasons,” at the board meeting. “Things like lying and not being a
said while making her speech. “I am so proud to be led by
Two students who are not affiliated with Student Council
also came to talk to the school board. Junior Troy Ikeda
senior and Student Council President Jeremy Caracci said
to her students and to the school, is a great loss,” Bujimalla
may reappear on the agenda of a later meeting. School
on the matter at hand. “The voice of the students was taken
away, and the extensive input the executive board gave
but not having an adviser as committed as Mrs. Beguhn is
when going about the process.
lack of clarity Riessen had with Student Council members
though they followed protocol.
“It says in our Constitution that our adviser has the abil-
have not heard the administration’s side in today’s matter,
of the statute of limitations, the set time after an event that
tration and get whatever they want, what stops them from
“We’re losing a role model and someone we look up to. I
Riessen then called the board into a meeting and in-
Senior Callie Alvarez, a Student Council member, an-
concerns presented by members of the student council
district personnel and a student,” Dillavou said. “Informa-
tion regarding personnel and students is confidential and we have no further comment.”
After the meeting, Walter reflected on the issue and
that his actions were upheld, Principal Riessen has implic-
the speeches made. “The speeches were a good repre-
unethical actions undertaken by this student, contributing
school feel about this issue,” Walter said.
in a larger part to the reputation being built,” Ikeda said
sentation of what Student Council and students around the
Senior Melinda Paszkiewicz went to the meeting, but
during his speech. “In his wake, we’ve lost an independent,
she did not make a speech. “I thought that the students did
that is for me as an independent member of the student
Paszkiewicz said.
student-run organization. I cannot express how concerning body.”
Bujimalla acknowledged the DRAGON assembly all
jhsblackandwhite.com
that Beguhn as well as everyone on Student Council rep-
nounced her concern at the meeting with the supposed
tivities director Jon Caracci said while making his speech.
Student Council. Following the meeting, the executive
formed them that he believed the officer should not be re-
Walter said.
her frustration with the example this incident sets for future
is we’re not just losing an adviser here,” senior and ac-
board decided that the officer should be removed.
leadership skills that prepare us to be leaders in the world,”
Others voiced their respect for Beguhn. “The problem
if the student would be honest about the picture, the board
would be more open about letting that individual stay on
by students, rather than by administration. “Let us learn
published February 2014
really well in saying what they believed about the situation,”
This article went on our online site, jhsblackandwhite.com, and was a huge hit. It received over 6,000 views by students, faculty, school board members, and members of the community. I received feedback- some good and some bad. The bad was saying I was biased. I defended myself and learned that I have to take pride in what I write because I know that article was not biased; the people who were saying that did not know anything about journalism. I was really proud of this piece and it was the tipping point to when I started to write more controversial articles. I knew this is what I wanted to do when I was older.
Anne Rogers | 10
CHAMPIONS The Curriculum: Photojournalism
Excitement for state title; disappointment for top runner
1. 2. 3.
4.
Junior Maddy Bradley hugs senior Jordyn Kleve after finishing the meet. The girls’ came home with a team state title. Senior Jordyn Kleve crosses the finish line second behind Megan Schott of Des Moines Roosevelt. Kleve was ranked first the entire season. Head girls’ cross country coach Patrick Hennes hugs and consoles senior Jordyn Kleve after her second place finish at the cross country meet. Senior Jordyn Kleve covers her face after finishing second in the state meet. Kleve finished three seconds behind Megan Schott.
3.
published November 2014 jhsblackandwhite.com
1.
4.
2.
My favorite pictures of the state meet were also the most emotional ones. Jordyn is the fastest runner to ever go through Johnston; she was ranked number one all seasonand then she placed second at the state meet. When she crossed that finish line you could see the disappointment on her face. The pictures tell a story- exactly what journalism is.
Anne Rogers | 11
jhsblackandwhite.com The Curriculum: Web
My sophomore year was the year we started the online site, and ever since then we have been maintaining a print edition and the website. It has been a unique transition, but I’m glad we got it done in order to keep up with modern high school journalism. As the editor-in-chief this year, I maintain both the print and online sites. There are print and online editors as well, and each month the staff is split on who wants to write for online and who wants to write for print. Some of our best stories have been online, and when we use social media to promote the stories we publish, we usually receive many views. One of my stories received over 5,000 views. It’s been an awesome experience to have both editions, and I know both of them will keep improving as the years go on. This is the home page for our online site, jhsblackandwhite.com. We have the different categories up in the dashboard as well as in different widgets when a viewer scrolls down. We try to showcase as much as possible, especially big, top-view stories. We have the ticker to show small announcements, and down at the bottom we upload a PDF version of our print edition each month.
This is what the editors see when they open the dashboard. We can see the stories that each staff writer is working on and what has been published. We can open any story and edit it. Managing the site to be a timely and efficent one teaches me responsibility and the importance of leadership.
This is my staff profile on the website. It shows my name and title, my picture and biography, and all of the stories and pictures I have published. It is cool to see that and know people read and look at what I publish. It shows accountability and I’m lucky to have this opportunity.
3
e c a l rd p
IHSPA Online Site
Anne Rogers | 12 The Curriculum: Leadership and Team Building
Sophomore and junior year:
Sports Editor
During my sophomore year, I wrote basically all of the sports stories, and I realized I loved sports journalism. My junior year, I stepped it up as an editor. I started sports-briefs on the online site, where after every sports event, a staff writer or myself would write a couple of paragraphs about the score and the highlights. I would try to publish those the night of the event or the next morning.
I also started tweeting about different sports events going on at our school. It showed me that journalism wasn’t just all writing and photography. There are many different ways we can get the news out to people who need to hear it. I showed the staff that we need to be aware of our surroundings- if it is news, we need to be reporting on it.
Anne Rogers | 13
Senior year:
The Curriculum: Leadership and Team Building
Editor-in-chief
I became the editor-in-chief my senior year. We won the Pacemaker award and multiple state awards as well. Although supervising the entire staff and paper might be one of the most stressful things I have ever done, every month when I have the published paper in my hand, it is worth it. It fills me with pride and honor to call it my own and 30 other staff members. Being editor has taught me things I would have never learned without stepping foot in the J-Lab, like responsibility, determination and leadership.
At the beginning of the year, the print editor and I made AP style guides to put up around the J-Lab for the staff writers to look at when they are confused about how to write something according to AP style. It has been extremely helpful and I keep wishing I had these to refer to when I was a beginner journalist.
At the end of the first semester, I handed out paper plate awards to my staff. We had created some of the best issues of “The Black and White� Johnston has ever seen, so I thought they deserved something that recognized their work. I was really proud of all of them for their work ethic, and they deserved to know that.
Anne Rogers | 14 The Curriculum: Editing
Opportunity of a
Lifetime
One of the hardest things about editing someone else’s work is seeing the look on their face when I tell them many things that they need to fix or redo, especially if they are a friend of mine. I have to put my personal feelings aside and do my job, or else we would not be writing this amazing paper people love to read. I try to talk to people like they are my equal, and I try to point out the good things they did before I tell them some of the suggestions I have to make their work even better. Editing has shown me how to be a leader and how to get work done. It has taught me things that I never would have learned if I hadn’t become an editor.
published January 2015 the black and white One of the sub-editors had an interesting opinion regarding religion. Recently our school has become very Christian-based, even though it is a public school. She did not think there was anything wrong with that, she just believed there should be more tolerance when it comes to religion. I knew this would spark intense debate, so I sat down with her for long hours and talked over the concept, her ideas, and revised countless times. I thought it turned out really well, and I know she was proud of it too. I love when staff members are proud of something they write because I know that I pushed them to challenge themselves with their writing, design, or photography. It makes me proud of them too.
Anne Rogers | 15 The Curriculum: Editing
Opportunity of a
Lifetime
Teaching the staff
The
Editing
Board
Anne Rogers | 16 The Curriculum: News Literacy
Deciphering the
s w e N eracy Lit
n. n(y)o͞oz ˈlidərəsē
The ability to use critical thinking skills to judge the reliability and credibility of news reports and information sources.
One of my stories involved a student at my school who said that she was a boxer. I thought it would be such a cool story, so I started it and interviewed the student. She told me stories about her matches and practices. I thought it was going to turn out to be an awesome story. I had to get another source though, so I contacted the gym.
t is a h W
Ethical?
story
I tried to contact her trainer, so I called the gym and got a hold of the guy who she told me to contact. He told me that this student doesn’t box competively, just participates in boxing classes. After doing more research, I found out that what he told me was true. The student had lied, and now I didn’t have a story.
We sratched the story right away and found something else I could do for that issue. I did not call this student out, but my adviser went to the guidance office and informed them of what happened. I told the student that something had come up and I couldn’t do the story anymore.
Anne Rogers | 17 The Curriculum: Law & Ethics
Law & s c i h t E
n. lô/ ˈeTHiks/ Respect of client confidences, candor toward the tribunal, truthfulness in statements to others, and professional independence are some of the defining features of legal ethics.
In December of 2014, the doubletruck was a piece on marijuana and the students who use it. We obviously could not name these people because the drug is illegal. Only the two people who wrote the story and I knew who the sources were. We could not tell our adviser even because she would be obligated to tell administration. When the story was published, I was asked by multiple teachers and students who the sources were. It was not ethical to reveal them, so I stayed quiet. If the administration called me down in order to tell them who the sources were, I knew to not give them anything because we were protected by student press laws. This was a very interesting experience to go through so I could learn new things about law and ethics in journalism and communications.
published December 2014 the black and white
Anne Rogers | 18
r e Oth
Journalist work
I was invited to go talk to third graders at one of our elementary schools about being the editor of the paper and what informational writing has done for me in my life. They asked for tips when they have to research for their informational writing essays, and I even got a few of them to say they would like to try newspaper when they got older. It was a cool experience and at the end the kids asked for my autograph, so I felt pretty awesome.
This year we traveled to Washington D.C for the national journalism convention, and we won the Pacemaker award. It was the coolest experience to be recognized in the nation. The best part about it was that I experienced it with the staff, who are some of my closest friends. The Pacemaker is like the “Grammy’s” of high school media, and it really did feel like we won a grammy.