Beak 'n' Eye Sept. 2011

BeaknEye_1_11_ISSUU

9/22/2011

3:58 PM

Page 1

Beak ‘n’ Eye

Do scare tactics work? --See Page 6

Volume 52 Issue 1

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West High School

3505 W. Locust St. Davenport, Iowa 52804

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Friday, Sept.9, 2011

Cold air is a blessing

taxes. The tax is otherwise known as the ‘penny tax’.

“Every time you buy something other than food and Over the summer, air conditioning was installed some other items, one penny is taken out per item into West High. from the taxes paid. In the end, the tax payers paid for During the installment the air,” said of the air conditioning, Jacobsen. there was some trouble.

With the air condiOne of the problems tioning, West is now being that school started opened to new earlier this year. Ryan and opportunities.

Associates, the company Summer school, colwho was hired to do the lege for kids, day job, had only about two camps, and such may months to finish a job that be able to start back would normally take nine up at West again. months to complete. Ryan “Before when there and Associates actually was no air, it was started working installing way to hot in the pipes in February in the school for the kids,” schools tunnels. said Jacobsen.

The time crunch wasFive other schools n’t the only problem, got air conditioning Photo by Erin Pershall principal Nancy Jacobsen this summer, includDuring the summer months the school was under said. “The Friday before construction with much of it inaccesible. ing Central, Smart, school started, they Walcott, and turned the air on and a coil broke. There was water Garfield. Now all 36 schools in the district have air everywhere.” Another time there was even a late conditioning. delivery.

The music rooms, science rooms, offices, and nursWhile work was being done, more problems were es office were the rooms that had air already installed found. in them at West. In the past, the offices and nurse’s Contractors found, “Major deterioration under the office had window air conditioners. overhang in the front of the building,” said Jacobsen.

“I think it’s (air conditioning) is awesome. I can “Over time, water had gotten behind the brick and wear jeans at the beginning of the school year and not caused it to deteriorate.” The school plans on fixing worry about the temperature in the school,” said sophthe east and west ends of the overhang before omore TaLia Pulley.

December. Then, when school is out, they will continPolly Brownson, English, said the air has made “a ue working on the rest of the overhang. world of difference” in students’ attitude toward learnThe air conditioning was funded by a grant. The ing. “I don’t dread coming to work in a hot room anygrant money was put together by one of the local more,” she said.

By Erin Pershall

Photo by S. Lyle

Workers began construction on the school as soon as the year was finished. They barely finished before the year began.

Dress code for teachers gets mixed reviews

By Emily Thumann

You won’t see teachers wearing shorts or jeans this year because of the new dress code that has been put in place. Most teachers say they’re okay with it, but some miss wearing jeans on Friday.

The new dress code was made to ensure that employees dress in an appropriate way in order to establish a professional image expected by students, parents, and the community. Employees are expected to use good judgment with the guidelines and their choices on what they wear to work.

Teachers are no longer allowed to dress casual; they are to dress “business casual” excluding jeans, shorts, flip flops, t-shirts, sweatpants, and hats from their wardrobe.

Teachers are also not allowed to wear clothing that reveals cleavage, back, chest, or stomach. The dress code applies to all contracted work days for all employees at West High.

Some of the teachers like the dress code.

“I love the dress code in a way because the staff separates ourselves from students, we look professional and it gave me an excuse to do more shopping,” said Alyssa Hansel, math.

poll

Do you think teachers should be allowed to wear jeans on Friday?

Yes 98% No 2%

SOURCE: Beak ‘n’ Eye survey of 130 students

Some teachers were affected a lot by the dress code.

“The new dress code mostly affected my checkbook. I had to buy a whole new wardrobe,” said Brian Heller, math. Heller’s new wardrobe consists of khaki pants and collared shirts instead of tshirts and shorts.

Heller’s wardrobe wasn’t the only one that changed. Science teacher, Steve Saladino’s old wardrobe consisted of basketball shorts and tennis shoes. With the new dress code he can no longer wear his shorts.

“My boy Mr. Verdon and I were really affected because we like

shorts,” said Saladino. “I had to buy more pants, but I was really just looking for comfort.”

There are consequences for teachers if they don’t follow the dress code.

The employee’s supervisor can determine whether the employee’s clothing meets the expectations of the dress code. If their clothing fails to meet the standards the employee will be asked to not wear the inappropriate clothing in the future. If the employee continues to go against the dress code the employee will be sent home to change clothes.

Most teachers say that it won’t affect their teaching.

“The dress code wasn’t necessary. It’s not a matter of how you dress, dressing a certain way won’t earn respect from students,” said Heller.

Saladino also didn’t think it was necessary.

“I don’t think how we dress distracts the students or changes how they look at us. I think if our bellies were hanging out it would cause a distraction but I haven’t seen that happen before,” said Saladino.

“I really miss wearing jeans, because that’s what I would wear everyday,” said Hansel.

Photo by Emily Thumann

Steve Saladino teaches class in his new attire. In previous years Saladino would have been seen in shorts, however the new dress code prohibits such clothing in the classroom.

Other changes in the building:

■ Purple House is the newest edition to the Freshman Academy due to an increase of over 50 freshman this year.

■ Student Senate inherited two new advisers, Jodi Zimmerman and David Kintigh.

■ Students are no longer required to wear ID’s on their lanyards like the previous two years.

Photo by S. Lyle

At freshman orientation both the cheerleaders and dance team performed for the class of 2015 for the first time.

BeaknEye_1_11_ISSUU

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2 News

Beak ‘n’ Eye

Friday, September 9, 2011

Beak ‘n’ Eye

Friday, September 9, 2011

STOP AND GAWK Kayla Lyle Garcia, freshman, stops to watch an Ecology Club announcement on the new TVs in the main hallway.

Homecoming Week offers many activities

By Hieu Nguyen

Homecoming of 2011 features a tug of war as well as the bonfire and parade.

“The senate tries to focus on fewer but bigger events,” said David Kintigh, Senate adviser.

Senate hopes to draw people to a new event-a tug of war on Sept. 13. They have cut out other competitions and the drive in move in the parking lot, showing scary movies.

“It’s a good time to celebrate and be a Falcon,” Kintigh said about homecoming.

The theme of this year is When World Collide and the colors are blue, green, and white. Student senate and volunteers are the ones in charge and organize the homecoming.

Homecoming week is from Sept. 12 to 17. Each day has dress up theme.

There are 12 queen candidates and seniors and faculty select the candidates on the first senior’s advisory.

The tug of war is on September 13 at the band field. Students will choose their team and play against each other.

The bonfire will be 7:00 p.m. on Sept.

15 at football/track field and there won’t be any balloon.

West will play against North High School for homecoming this year on Sept.

16 at Brady Street stadium. The football game will be at 7:30 p.m.

All West students are invited to go to the dance. They just need to buy the tickets, have no detention and bring their I.D.s to the dance. The dance will be held at River Center, downtown of Davenport.

“Students are more interested about the game with North High School and the dance than the aud, car rally, and bonfire,” said Kintigh.

“Homecoming is headache and crazy for us, but it’s worth it at the end,” Alisa Behrens, member of Student Senate.

Photo by Hieu Nguyen

CNN - The new TVs that are located around the school play CNN, Sports Center, pictures, and announcements.

West gets flat screens in hallways

Monday-Super Hero Day Tuesday-Twin Day Wednesday- Western Day Thursday-Nerd Day Friday-Crazy Red White Day

SEPT. 12 - Homecoming court aud, 1st block in gym SEPT. 13 - Tug of war, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the band field SEPT. 15 - Bonfire, 7 p.m. at the football field SEPT. 16 -Car rally, 5:15 p.m. in the West parking lot SEPT. 17 -Dance, 7 to 10 p.m. at River Center, downtown

Students in advisory decorate a poster for the door in Room 161.

photo by S. Lyle

BONFIRE - Last year’s Homecoming queen Lindsay Strittmatter lights the bonfire the day before the 2010 Homecoming game. This year’s bonfire will be at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 15 at the football field. The theme of the dance is “When Worlds Collide.” The dance is from 7 -10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 at the River Center. Tickets cost $15 a person.

Science Department takes over Blood Drive efforts

By Krista Johnson

photo by S. Lyle

DONOR- Senior Austin Price gives blood on Aug. 25 in the West YMCA gym. This was his third time donating his Type O negative blood. “They seemed pretty happy when I told them that.”

Blood drives at West High will now be held by the science department instead of Student Senate. Their first blood drive was held Thursday, Aug. 25.

“Student Senate was making changes in the way they operate and was looking for someone to take over the blood drives,” said Renee Lietz, head of the science department. “The science department thought it made sense for them to do so.”

“I know blood drives are important and if the science department can do it then I’m fine with letting them,” said Jodi Zimmerman, advisor of Student Senate. “But if they weren’t able,

then Student Senate would definitely continue to.”

However, the first blood drive held was an unexpected one.

“We felt a little unorganized, but that was most likely because the blood center asked us to make the date after another high school cancelled the Aug. 25th drive.

That left the blood center ten percent short for what they need for a week,” said Lietz.

Rock Island High School was the school who cancelled. The blood center does several important drives a week in order to collect their needed 2000 pints.

“So we stepped up and said we could pull it off in two weeks because West is best,” exclaimed Lietz.

Seniors go all out with pranks

By Erika Reed

The police are continuing their investigation with the students who were caught participating in the senior pranks that occurred the night before school started on Aug. 14.

The pranks consisted of tee-peeing the trees, writing with window paint on multiple windows of the school, and writing on the band’s trailer.

Principal Nancy Jacobsen said that several car loads of students were involved; some students weren’t even from West. Charges haven’t been filed, but Jacobsen said that they may face community service for the school or other consequences for their behavior.

Senior pranks may seem harmless, but it costs time and money to investigate and clean up. “I don’t think it’s fair that the custodians had to wake up extra early to clean up that mess,” said security guard, Troy Harrington. The custodians were called

Internet channels and networks will be plugged into TVs,” said Hassig. There are sports channels and news channels such as CNN and, local news staWest installed eight flat screen TVs in the poll tions. hallways and cafeteria to promote school events Have you The TVs were bought from Best Buy at the and organizations. cost of $600 each. Students and teachers at West Bob Tollefson, associate principal, was the watched the can watch the TVs before school, during lunch, and person who had the idea of bringing TV’s to the new TVs in during passing time. school. the hallways?

North and Central also have TVs. They had The purposes of the TVs are to show weathTVs at the end of last year, but only cable TVs. The er alerts, messages to school, videos and picYes 57% TVs at West show what channels other schools tures of clubs, and sports.

No 43% show, but we will have Internet and TV networks.

“I think people are more visual learners than “They show positive aspects of West,” audio learners. They’ll pay attention,” associate SOURCE: Beak ’n’ Eye Amanda Schwartzhoff, ESL teacher, said. principal Matt Hassig said. “All stuff is potensurvey of 143 students “I like TVs at our school,” Jeremy Horvats, tial, it has benefits for students, and I think it’s sophomore, said. great. I hope that it gives students honorship.”

Some students say that they cannot hear the The district contractors installed the TVs into the school a week before school started. Four of them are audio because people are talking in the cafeteria. in the cafeteria. The others are located at the athletic entrance, “I think that TVs are good, but there’s no sound, I just think that in the main office, near the nurse’s office, and in front of the it’s kind of waste of money. We can go home and watch TV,” said Dakota Kirkley, senior. library.

“The installments for TV’s are not completed yet. T h e

By Hieu Nguyen

Calendar

SPIRIT WEEK

Photo by Hieu Nguyen

between the times of 1 and 2 a.m. to come to work to clean the school. It took the custodians all morning, and even when everything was cleaned up they still had to come inside to work for six more hours.

“You should think about it. We shouldn’t have to come out and clean up that mess and then go on with a normal work day,” said first year custodian, Mary Smith.

Ultimately tax payers paid for it. The money used to clean up the things left by the senior class could’ve been used to go towards more important things that the school needs.

There are other ways to show seniority and school spirit other than vandalizing the school, Jacobsen said.

“Is there a better way to say that we’re young adults and ready to go out into the world? Let’s on our own prove we can be adults. It’d be really cool to see as much spirit as the seniors had last year at the basketball games!”

West teacher meets president

By Erin Pershall

On a Midwest tour, President Barack Obama went to Atkinson, Illinois to speak. There were around 200 people who could attend. A few of those people were Barbra Lipnick, West Spanish teacher, and her family.

Lipnick got to attend the speech due to special connections from one of her son’s old friends from high school. “My son’s friend is the event organizer for Obama. He called us one morning and said, ‘Hey, I have these tickets and you can go if you want to,” Lipnick said. “We had to go!”

Unlike the others, Lipnick and her family didn’t have to wait in line for them. Certain political leaders attended the conference.

Their tickets were held for them as were Lipnick’s.

“The rest of the tickets were given out for free to the people who waited in line,” Lipnick said.

Lipnick and her family got to sit in the front row.

“We were in the back, and then all of a sudden a man approached us, and said, ‘Will you three please follow me?’ and we were in the front row,” she said.

To Lipnick, the lecture was held in a good manner. “For the first 20 minutes, he talked, and for the rest of the time he let the audience ask questions,” said Lipnick.

“I had my hand up to ask a question, but at the same time, I

“

didn’t want him to call on me. I was so nervous!”

Lipnick didn’t get called on, but he still touched her heart.

“He was talking about education and he called on a young woman fresh out of college (she went to school to be a foreign language teacher) and she asked him what was needed the most in education and he said ‘foreign language teachers’. I felt honored,” Lipnick said.

“In a way, he was saying in order to get the job done, we need to put our differences aside and stop worrying about what we can do to make our different sides grow and make the decision to better our country as a whole,” she added.

Lipnick got to shake Obama’s hand. This isn’t the only president that she got to see speak and shake hands with.

“When Bill Clinton came to Iowa, I got to shake his hand as well,” she said.

The President also talked about how both political parties needed to focus on the good of the country.

If you watch the video, you can see the Lipnick family in the background. Her husband and son made the New York Times. “ My husband was reading the New York Times one morning, and all of a sudden he said “There is a picture of us in the New York Times!” said Lipnick.

A man approached us and said, “will you please follow me?” and he moved us to the frongt row. ”

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photo by S. Lyle

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briefs

News 3

Ecology Club makes plans

By Josie Miller

Ecology Club plans to do a planet march for using other resources other then fossil fuels at 10 a.m. Sept. 24 in downtown Davenport. They will walk over the bridge and finish at the bus terminal.

During the walk there will be t-shirt hand outs and maybe some bikers.

The club was active over the summer. Members volunteered at Floatzilla at Sunset Park in Rock Island, and they were involved in the river clean up on Aug. 15.

The club will have a hay rack ride on Oct. 2nd.

The president is Emily Thompson, the vice president is Brianna Fisher, the treasurer is Shelby Ramsay, the secretary is Erin Pershall, and the lead activist is Courtney Haines.

Adviser Jodi Zimmerman said the purpose of this club is “to allow people to explore the ecological connection to the planet.”

Casting begins for play

By Paige Parsons

More than 60 students tried out for the production of Beauty and the Beast on Aug. 22.

Rehearsals are now underway for the 40 that were cast.

Drama teacher Wayne Hess said he is looking forward to top-notch performances this year. “This year’s shows are going to be extra special,” he says, “so I hope a lot of people will attend.”

Meetings for the Drama Club have also begun recently, and will continue to be held every other week. Topics for discussion will include points for Honors, as well as upcoming events. Some of the events Drama Club will participate in later include visits to other schools in the area, as well as a trip to see Grease at Circa 21 this February.

S.O.U.P. gets new adviser By: Courtney Geiken

S.O.U.P. will participate in the Homecoming Car Rally Sept. 16.to spread the word about S.O.U.P. S.O.U.P. welcomed their new advisor, Nancy Allen, this year because their old one retired.

S.O.U.P. stands for Students Organized to Unite People. Ms. Allen said that the goal of the group is to recruit more members. “S.O.U.P. is a group that treats everyone equal,” Allen said.

Planning is something that the students do a lot of. They make sure students are informed about different events like Day of Silence, Women’s History Month, Black History Month, and Gay Pride, which is coming up in October.

They raise money so they can get supplies for posters to put up around the school.

S.O.U.P. meets every Thursday in the library.

Leo Club helps with dance

By Olivia Terronez Leo Club will help decorate for Homecoming from 8 a.m. – noon Sept. 12 at the River Center.

This will be the first year Leo Club has decorated for homecoming. Last year they collected food for the food drive, helped with Festival of Trees, and paired up with Ecology Club to help around the community. Adviser Stephanie Hansen said, “We like to help out wherever we can.”

The purpose of the Leo Club is to help out with the school and around the community. The benefits of joining are scholarship opportunities, meeting new people, and helping out in the community.

Leo Club meets every Wednesday after school and wants new people to join and show their support for their community.

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4 Faces

Beak ‘n’ Eye

Friday, September 9, 2011

New teachers

Beak ‘n’ Eye

Friday, September 9, 2011

Leisure 5

IOWA FAIRS

Summer life in Iowa consists of enjoying time at the fair

By Edvin Turcinhodzic

LISA VERDON Special Education Degree: B.A.; St. Ambrose College.

Years teaching: 24 Last school: Central High School.

Favorite thing about teaching: The nice, respectful students.

Hobbies and interests: Reading, camping, traveling,sporting events.

Favorite author: Danielle Steele.

Something silly I have done: Chalk broke while I was writing on the board and half of it went down the front on my shirt.

I dislike: Tapping noises because it’s annoying!

MARY MILLMAN Special Education Degree: B.A.; Augustana College.

Years teaching: 1 Last school: Moline High School.

I have always wanted to: travel everywhere!

Hobbies and interests: Volleyball, skiing, snowboarding.

Favorite book: Corrently, The Help.

Something silly I have done: probably asking students for directions around West.

I dislike: Complaining because it’s waste of time!

ERIC JOHNSON Special Education Degree: B.A.; University of Northern Iowa.

Years teaching: 6 Last school: Wood Intermediate School.

I have always wanted to: Go to Alaska.

Hobbies and interests: Sports.

Favorite author: Jonathan Kozol.

As I kid, I wanted to be a: Gas station attendent.

Something silly I have done: I don’t do silly things.

GABRIELE AUERBACH German I Degree: Masters; Univeristy of Iowa.

Years teaching: 27 Last school: Cornell College.

I have always wanted to: Spend a whole year in France or Italy.

Hobbies and interests: Traveling, reading, working out.

As I kid, I wanted to be a: Doctor.

Something silly I have done: Too many to tell.

I dislike: Rudeness because it hurts my feelings.

Photo by Amanda Roberts

SHELTON - One of the most anticipated concerts at this years’ Mississippi Valley Fair was the Blake Shelton concert. He also sang his hit song, “Honey Bee.”

poll

Did you go to the Mississippi Valley Fair this year?

Yes No

64% 36%

SOURCE: Beak ‘n’ Eye survey of 107 students

Photo by Karli Murrens

MEMORIES-Friends spend time together at the Mississippi Valley Fair. From left to right, Sydney Lee, Karli Murrins, Zach Elias, Thuy Nyguen, Sara Moritz, Hayley Allen, and Jessica Carstens.

LINDSAY GOSSE Math Degree: B.A.; Loras College.

Years teaching: 1 Last school: J.B. Young.

Favorite thing about teaching: Getting students excited about math.

Hobbies and interests: Golf, running, biking, reading, spending time with family and friends.

Favorite book: “The Pact” by Jodi Picoult.

Something silly I have done: I believed it when my dad hid in a closet while we were gone and tried to scare us by acting like an intruder.

I dislike: Potatoes because just because.

KATHERINE MENTZER Math Degree: B.A.; Kentucky Weskyan University.

Years teaching: 15 Last school: Ottumwa High School.

Favorite thing about teaching: The “light bulb” moment when a student “gets it”.

Hobbies and interests: Playing with my kids, reading, cooking, baking, scrapbooking.

Favorite book: “Shapaholic” by Sophie Kinsella.

As I kid, I wanted to be a: ER nurse.

I dislike: Whining because it doesn’t help solve the problem or accomplish anything.

CASEY NOE Math Degree: B.A.; Western, Illinois.

Years teaching: 11 Last school: West ( I was gone 1 year for deployment).

Favorite thing about teaching: Watching a student catch on and actually “get in” when learning something new.

Hobbies and interests: Spending time with my family and riding motorcycle Favorite book: Brown Walter “Black Berets” As I kid, I wanted to be a: Fighter pilot - Navy.

I dislike: People’s new sense of entitlement because anything worth getting is worth earning!

JENNIFER LEUDO Spanish Degree: B.A.; Northern Illinois University.

Years teaching: 1 Last school: McHenry West High.

Favorite thing about teaching: No day is ever the same!

Hobbies and interests: Spending time with my friends, family and dog Izzy, the Chicago Cubs, Bears and Black hawks.

Favorite author: Rob Bell.

Something silly I have done: In high school, I gave blood and passed out in front of my whole chemistry class.

I dislike: Cilantro because it tastes awful!!!

Custodian appointed new head of department

West’s new head custodian, Gary Hayes, took over the job after Gary McKibben transferred to another school. Hayes talks about what he enjoys doing in his free time and about how he got his job.

NEW OFFICE - As the new head custodian, Gary Hayes, takes time to work in his new office. In his office, Hayes has numerous pages on the walls such as, a map of the school, phone list, and calendars.

Do you have any goals for the school this year?

My goals for the school is to try and keep it clean and to make everyone happy. And sometimes it is very hard to do.

What is like to keep a school facility clean and maintained?

There are several custodians, who take care about school after school and through night.We have three people a day.

What ineteresting experience have you had while working at a job?

We were working on condition construction on 2nd floor whole summer. We wanted to end our work by classes started, so we were working all Saturdays and Sundays.

Mac Miller has noteworthy sound

Mac Miller is somewhat of an uprising in today’s Hip-Hop stage. His style of music, solely based on his hometown of Pittsburgh, and his favorite memories experienced there, expressed through rap. While certainly gaining plenty of new fans thanks to an opening gig on fellow Pittsburgh MC Wiz Khalifa’s Waken Baken tour, he has yet to gain the critical attention that some of his peers have, Blue Slide Park should change that.

After several mix-tapes and features with other rappers, Mac is finally getting the acclaim he deserves. Blue Slide Park will be Mac’s third album release after K.I.D.S and Best Day Ever. Although Mac isn’t even on your local radio stations yet, it won’t be long until your hearing his name at Music Awards.

To advertise in the Oct. 7 issue of the Beak ‘n’ Eye, call 563 386-5500 ext. 161

What is your favorite thing about West?

The way I get treated also staff and students. Keeping school clean and attention custodian gets.

What are your hobbies?

I like to run and play golf.

How long you have been custodian? Do you like it?

I have been custodian a while.

Started the March of 1984. West was my first building. And I really like my job. I have done a lot to get to be head custodian. I like challenges and I am happy where I am at now.

HEATHER ADKINS Science Degree: B.A.; St. Ambrose University.

Years teaching: 3 Last school: Central High School.

Favorite thing about teaching: Relathionships with staff and students.

Hobbies and interests: Gardening, reading, fishing, swimming, hiking, laughing.

Favorite book: “The Memories of Cleopatra” by Margaret George.

Something silly I have done: I fell down a mountain in the Andes .

I dislike: Dishonesty because it is deceitful.

R E V I E W S

Music

Photos by Arina Russkikh

ELECTRIC SHOCK - Head custodian, Gary Hayes, takes a look at one of the many electrical boxes in the school.

Iowa’s fairs and festivals showcase the best that Iowa has to offer, from diverse foods, agricultural, industrial and home life exhibits, carnival rides guaranteed to thrill, and a wide range of entertainment for fairgoers of all ages.

Millions of people attend the Iowa fairs annually and it has proved to be a good time for everyone. However locally, the Mississippi Valley Fair is the one that usually gets our attention.

The Mississippi Valley Fair comes to Davenport, Iowa every year, lasting from about late July to the end of the first week of August. Many things attract people to the fair. The delicious greasy food, amateur rides, grand stand concerts and simply meeting up with friends. This year the Mississippi Valley fair brought all things and more!

The fair had fun for concert-goers and kids of all ages, with livestock judging, baby tigers and diving acts, chainsaw carving and racing pigs.

“The Pirate Diving act was pretty intense! They were jumping off of 100 foot diving boards and doing all sorts of flips and twists,” said senior Paige Bird of the exciting fair show.

Besides the events, some people take the games very seriously, and frankly, as a challenge. Even though many believe they are rigged, there is a select few that are determined.

Movie

‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’

Rise of the Planets of the Apes is an origin story in the truest sense of the word. It shows us what happens when experiments in genetic engineering, leads scientists to produce an intelligent ape. The film is a cautionary tale that blends sci-fi with science.

The cast of the movie also isn’t half bad. It stars James Franco (Pineapple Express, Spiderman), Amanda Silver, and Freida Pinto. Franco nails his character Will Rodman. He's your typical cold and isolated scientist. Pinto and Silver also make for a nice supporting cast.

This is a film for people of all ages. But the animal abuse scenes are hard to take. If you bring kids, you might want to tell them to close their eyes.

“The basketball hoops are something that gets me every time! I know they’re rigged but I still give it a shot,” said senior, Devonne Brown.

“Even though I spent half a paycheck, It made my girl happy to win her one of the little yellow minions from Despicable Me,” said junior Jacob Stewart about the addicting games that present them self at the fair.

The concert schedule for this years fair featured Joe Nichols, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, The Steve Miller Band, The Charlie Daniels Band, and Miranda Lambert.

“My favorite concert was The Steve Miller Band because old rock is one of my favorite types of music,” said junior, Skylar Kraft.

Above all, most people pay the price of admission to simply enjoy time and make memories with their friends.

“One of the biggest reasons I even go to the fair is to hang out with friends and make good memories,” explained junior, Rocki Butcher.

The Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial showings in the country. Annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world, the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines is Iowa’s great celebration, a salute to the state’s agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement.

“The Iowa State Fair was really fun. I got to take my horses to show and have them get judged. I also hung out with my friends,” said junior Aleana Riley.

Game

‘Madden 12’ is ahead of the game

The Madden football series has been a proud franchise for nearly two decades and their next release will be another exceptional addition to its succession.

EA Sports is trying to make this newest Madden the most realistic. With its past games already being amazingly realistic, making it even better will be a mission, but with its new features they hope to be as true to the game as possible.

They will do this with a brand new collision system, broadcast authenticity, smarter defensive tactics, and new features such as Become a Superstar and Create a Franchise.

The game was released in stores on Aug. 30 with the Cleveland Browns’ massive running back, Peyton Hillis gracing the cover.

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6 Focus

WARNING: SMOKING CAN KILL YOU.

Beak ‘n’ Eye

Friday, September 9, 2011

Friday, September 9, 2011

Beak ‘n’ Eye

Focus 7

History of Cigarettes 1492: Columbus discovers tobacco

1558: Tobacco introduced France, Spain, and Portugal 1564: Tobacco introduced England

1762: General Israel Putnam introduces cigar smoking to the US.

1830: First organized anti-tobacco movement in US begins along with the temperance movement 1923: Camel captures 45% of the US market.

1964: Marlboro country ad campaign is launched.

Marlboro sales begin growing at 10% a year.

1972: Marlboro becomes the best selling cigarette in the world. It remains so today by a wide margin.

1999: About 10 million Americans smoke cigars.

2002: CDC estimates smoking health and productivity costs reach $150 billion a year.

2012: FDA requires cigarette companies to add graphic warning labels to all cigarette packs.

Here are three of the ten different graphics that will be used for cigarette packaging starting in September 2012.

Fear can be used to motivate

By Krista Johnson

Growing up, children often hear the tales of Santa Clause and the list that he checks twice or the threat of the police taking misbehaved children away. Fear is often used by patents as a motivational tool.

“My mom would tell me I was going to get kidnapped when I went somewhere I wasn’t supposed to,” said Erica Jennings, senior. “And now she likes to say I’m going to get raped.”

Due to the fear that is instilled in children that is somewhat true but often exaggerated and artificial, many could wonder if the actions of others are done out of ethical standards or out of the fear of consequences.

“I hope students do the right thing because they know it is right. Reality tells me that often it is out of fear of punishment,”said Kathy Jacobsen, social studies teacher. “This is unfortunate because they have learned nothing and no one has truly benefited. I believe when students do something because it is the right thing to

do everyone benefits.”

From adolescents to grown adults, fear is pushed into the mind.

Those who fear too much tend to live life in a less fulfilling way but those who are fearless usually cannot function properly in society.

“We want fear to be instructional

“

ries to persuade people to practice safe sex.

The FDA is now requiring graphic warning labels to be put on all cigarette packaging to in order to warn people of the risk.

On television security businesses use commercials that frighten people of robbery so their home alarms are bought. Basic understanding and fear develop in children at nearly the same time and lives with them all the way through adulthood.

“If you use fear too much it can lose its affect,” said Zimmerman. If someone continually is threatened by something but does not actually see a consequence their fear lessens she explained.

Without fear, many would agree that society would not exist. Laws are put in place in order to prevent chaos and mayhem, and jail exists so people fear breaking those laws.

With many of the laws of this country being ethical, unfortunately many are still broken and many others would be if it weren’t for the consequence that followed.

We need fear to be connected with consequences.”

because that is how nature intended it to be,” said Jodi Zimmerman, psychology teacher. “We need fear to be connected with consequences.”

Examples of how fear has been related to consequences can be seen all through out the community and country. Campaigns on HIV began in the early 80’s and today have been combined with campaigns on all STDs in order to prevent the spread of them. However, many campaigns use graphic pictures and horrible sto-

By Blake Rees

Each day 60,000 children under the age of 18 start smoking according to teenhelp.com. The FDA passed the law for warning labels on cigarette packs in order to warn the country of the risks involved with smoking. These warnings mark the first change in cigarette warnings in more than 25 years and are a significant advancement in communicating the dangers of smoking.

The reason for requiring these 9 labels is to promote awareness, encourage smokers to quit, and empower youth to say no to tobacco according to the FDA. The labels will be on the top of the front and back of every pack. The new warnings also must be included in 20 percent of any cigarette advertising. They also all include a number for a stop-smoking hotline.

The labels will show how smoking can be addicting, harm children, and cause lung and heart disease. Some of the pictures may be graphic showing a dead corpse or diseased lungs. The cost of the labels will be paid by the cigarette companies not by the government.

Childhood Fears

“I was scared of monsters grabbing my legs when I ran up stairs in the dark.” — Sam Slagle, senior.

“I was afraid of rice crispies as a child. I thought they were talking to me.” — Alex Faison, sophomore.

“When i was like four I was scared of the automatic toilets. I thought they were going to eat me.”

— Sam Thompson, sophomore.

“I’m scared of going over bridges because any random bridge could just collapse at any time. I’ve seen it.” — Allie Garlisch, sophomore.

Drivers Ed fights for good driving through fear

By Bethany Puetsch

The first time seeing the grotesque, brutal and repulsive images shown in the videos used in drivers education class your first reaction may be shock. For one girl the images even brought tears, as she watched the rescue team take care of the disgusting remains.

Seeing human bodies torn apart like paper and strewn along the cement may have a sobering effect. It’s a scary realization that teenagers everywhere die every day because of vehicle crashes, which it can happen to anyone at anytime. ` When you scare someone it makes an impression, it’s a small reminder of what could happen and how to prevent it, but does it really work? Will students think about the videos and stories they heard as they drive down the road?

The number one killer of teenagers ages 15 to 20 years old is motor vehicle crashes. A majority of teens

know and have heard the dangers of unsafe driving. At the age of 14 teens are given the option to receive their permit and begin learning, only two years later at 16 they can receive their intermediate license. 16 year olds have a higher crash rate than any other age, 16 year olds are three times more likely to die in a driving accident than the average of all other drivers.

Drivers ed class is one of the most common ways teens learn how to drive throughout the class there is movies, stories and pictures designed to scare them into driving safely.

“Driving is one of the most dangerous things you’re going to do every day of your life it can become routine and we show the movies so that teens know death can happen,”said Steve Verdon, drivers ed teacher. Every video and picture shown is real life, real people and real situations.

“It gives them perspective and shows them how frail the body actually is,” said Jack Achs, drivers ed teacher.

FDA wins battle over new graphic warning labels

With all the new technology students are easily distracted from the road and their driving. “Driving takes all of your attention there’s no room in your focus to be on the phone talking or texting,” explained Iowa State Patrol Officer Dan Loussart. “Crashes are caused by overconfidence, distractions, and lack of experience.”

One Documentary shows a girl who is texting and driving and she ends up killing a total of five people, some of which she knew. Eighty-one percent of the teens who die in crashes are passengers.

Although the scare tactic works relatively well improvement is always the goal. “Our new philosophy is showing kids how and why crashes happen,” said Loussart. “A lot of times teens don’t relate to the gore and horror of the videos, which makes it easier for them to believe it won’t happen to them and that was just one bizarre situation. The more effective the lessons are, the less crashes that will happen,” said Loussart.

“In my opinion, kids who want to smoke are going to, regardless of a picture. Maybe it will affect a small number, but most likely it will not make a huge difference,”

poll

Do you think the new, more graphic warning labels on cigarette packages will discourage more people from smoking?

Yes - 27% No - 73%

SOURCE: Beak ‘n’ Eye survey of 109 Students

says Marci Barnhart, health Paraprofessional.

“I think they need to take the addictive additives out then people

will be able to make a better decision without being already addicted,” says Mrs. Sands, photography.

These labels will be on all cigarette packs in September 2012.

However, the companies have sued the federal government, claiming the labels violate their First Amendment rights. The lawsuit said the images were enhanced to be more emotional. The tobacco companies said the corpse photo is actually an actor with a fake scar, and the healthy lungs were sanitized to make the diseased organ look worse.

The companies said the warnings no longer simply convey the facts to allow people to make a decision whether to smoke. They instead force them to put government anti-smoking protests more prominently on their packs than their own brands, the companies say. They want a judge to stop the labels.

“Cancer causing companies should not be protected by the first amendment right,” says Aaron Cousins, Social Studies.

“I think it will work for half of the people and the other half wont care,” says Laren Skulte, junior.

West student barely survives car crash

By Bethany Puetsch

Photo accredited by Jack Achs

Drivers ed instructor Jack Achs gives this picture along with a story of a dead teenaged girl in order to show them the reality that a vehicle can be deadly.

Sitting in a truck with junior Ryan Guizar, you would never be able to figure out that he was on the verge of death less than a year ago.

He seems completely at ease behind the wheel of his bright red Chevy truck, humming along to the Jason Aldean song that plays on the radio.

Only a few people closest to Ryan know the details of what happened in a field the night Ryan rolled his truck, but even Ryan himself has trouble remembering what had happened. He rolled his

truck out in a field while goofing around with his uncle, his brother, and his uncle’s friend and ended up in the Iowa City hospital.

The others walked away without a scratch. The difference was that Ryan wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.

“While I was in Iowa City they did surgery on my head, they removed part of my skull,” Guizar said. If you feel the side of his head you can feel the place where the surgery was done. “But it’s hard for me to remember that part of my life,” he explained.

After he got back from Iowa City he spent about three weeks to

a month in Genesis medical center doing rehabilitation. He was finally released to go home on Nov. 30th.

Last April Ryan went through drivers ed. and passed. He currently has his license and is moving on with his life; he is making up credits in school and plans on going to college after he graduates. “Life didn’t just pause when I got into the accident,” Guizar said.

“The biggest lesson I learned form this experience was to wear your seatbelt. I never drive without mine now,” said Guizar.

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8 Sports

Beak ‘n’ Eye

Friday, September 9, 2011

New concussion test

By Sebastian Roe

Photo by Krista Johnson

The risk of a concussion on the football field is very high due to the roughness.

The West High School Athletics Department has a new method of testing for concussions, which utilizes a computer program to judge memory and reaction time, for comparison later.

The test saves the results, and the trainer can use them for a comparison if a concussion is suspected. It can identify symptoms quicker, and can be done on multiple people at a time.

Last year over 190,000 high school athletes were diagnosed with concussions.

Twenty-two were suffered at West last year, according to the West High Athletics Department. This year six concussions have been confirmed—two in swimming, and four in football.

West High’s athletic trainer, Allie

By Malik Salsberry

The varsity football team lost to the Bettendorf Bulldogs 55-6 on Friday, Aug. 26.

Skylar Moore made the only touchdown for the Falcons with a punt return for 6 points, but the field goal was missed.

We lost to a great football program that is fourth in state and is always at the top of the MAC, said coach Jeremy Mosier. “There are a lot of things that we can learn from this game and Bettendorf’s football program.”

Last week the Falcons fell to Muscatine 44-7. Quarterback Shawn Simmons made the only touchdown, on a quarterback sneak, and senior Joe Bierl made the field goal.

The Falcons get ready to do battle with the Pleasant Valley Spartans on Friday, Sept. 9 at Pleasant Valley High School. It’s a great program that is senior dominated and has a great offense for this year, Mosier said. He added that they need

Saladino gets 1,000th win

Stephenson, performs these new tests one time per student during the pre-season for each sport. All student athletes are required to take the test, which takes around an hour and a half.

“The most dangerous part about a concussion is that it is a brain injury,” Stephenson said. “You don’t know you have it until you test for it.”

A concussion is a form of brain damage that can affect a person’s cognitive abilities and memories. It happens when a person suffers impact to their head. Symptoms can include lack of clear thinking, low concentration, poor short term memory, among many other serious problems.

The only treatment is prevention.

Swelling and symptoms can be treated with ice and Tylenol. The next step is to talk to a doctor.

Varsity football fights for first win of season to step up their defense and continue to watch game film on PV to be able to win that game.

To be able to win against Pleasant Valley, Mosier said they will have to step it up in practice as well as on the field.

The varsity team is made of 55 student athletes, consisting of both juniors and seniors. The practices consist of warmups, conditioning, single position groups and team group time.

By Sydney Fetters

Photo by Sydney Fetters

VICTORY - Softball coach and science teacher Steve Saladino feels very accomplished for his 1000th victory during this summer.

Steve Saladino, science teacher and softball coach, achieved his 1,000th victory in softball this summer against Assumption High school .

He is the second MAC coach to receive this many wins and the 11th in the state of Iowa .

Steve Saladino started coaching softball 31 years ago. During those years he has coached many athletes. Saladino stated that “great parents, great athletes, and great work ethic” led his team through these 1,000 victories.

Saladino started coaching in 1981. He also coaches girls’ basketball; he has for three years now.

He said he likes to coach because of, “the passion to compete, athletics, and watching young athletes

By Sydney Fetters

The Falcons begin their season with their first game vs the Bettendorf Bulldogs at Brady St Stadium. West lost 55-6

The volleyball season has began with a loss to Muscatine on Aug. 30th. Muscatine won 3-0 with the scores of 25-18, 25-11, and 25-14.

There were six kills and three aces by Samie Belz, and four kills by sophomore Morgan Ripperger and freshman Hannah Bellman.

Coach Verne Keeney said, “We’ve given good effort, but have a lot of work to do to compete in the MAC.” Even though the season is off to a rough start, everyone is working hard in practice to improve themselves.

Keeney said, “Servings been real good, passing has gotten better. We need more work on offense. Hitters and setters are connecting.” He also said the 2011 season is dif-

“

ferent than others because “We are young, especially at the net. Because of some injuries this last year, we’ve lost key people so it’s a learning stage right now. We can get a whole lot better. How long that will take, lies on the shoulders of the players.”

The captains are seniors Brianna Bellman, Savanna Bramstedt, and Samie Belz. They help the rest of the girls with any problems that they need solved.

K e e n e y believes that the key to winning is “Hard work and a belief that your never out of a match. The will to win can overcome incredible odds.”

Coach Keeney said, “With the work were doing in practice, I hope it translates into the game, especially on the offense side of it.

The stronger we attack the other team the better chance we have to win.”

Swimmers struggle

By Libby Burken

Meet the varsity football players Photo by Erin Pershall

FREESTYLE - Kelsey Ralfs, senior practices for her meet on Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Clinton invite.

What is your favorite football team?

Bears.

What position do you play?

Defensive end.

How long have you been playing football?

Five years.

What’s one of your goals for this season?

Go to playoff.

Photo by Erin Pershall

GET LOW - Alisa Behrens, junior passes the ball in a game against Pleasant Valley on Sept. 6. The girls finished with the scores of 25-14, 25-7 and 25-10.

The Falcons’ second game is away at Muscatine.

The team scores one touchdown and finishes with the field goal. West lost 44-7

What is your favorite football team?

Colts.

What position do you play?

Middle linebacker/fullback.

How long have you been playing football?

Four years.

What’s one of your season goals?

Make it to the playoffs and lead the team in tackles.

innings, and 7-6 in nine innings.

Lexi Quandt hit a double, and there was a catch by Sara Dorton that saved the game. Samie Belz helped end the game with a strikeout.

Saladino was the seventh coach to make it to 1000 wins with just one team. Saladino said that his favorite games they have played is all of the victories that have added up to this achievement.

Saladino was asked what is coming up for next season; he answered, “Try to be better as a coach and as a team.” He also was asked if there is anything different that he is planning on doing next season, and he stated “work harder to instill energy and passion in my athletes.” As all of the softball seasons go by, Saladino will be approaching new goals in coaching

The will to win can overcome incredible odds..”

Photos by Jarrin Williams

DYLAN WILEY Junior

develop into great people and players.” Saladino also said that there was never a time he didn’t want to be a coach.

Saladino’s key to success is “Determination, Dedication, Discipline, and Desire.” He also stated that some of his favorite memories from coaching softball are “state championships, and seeing the athletes succeed in life beyond athletics.” Saladino has given up many things for coaching softball; he’s missed family time, summers off, and personal hobby time.” He was asked what made a good coach; he stated “One who’s not all caught up in being a coach.”

This summer, the Falcon softball team was playing Assumption High School. The girls really pushed themselves in that game.

They beat Assumption 9-8 in eight

Volleyball needs work

Photo by Krista Johnson

COLLIN GILLASPIE Junior

Sports 9

Beak ‘n’ Eye

Friday, September 9, 2011

SKYLAR MOORE Senior

What is your favorite football team?

Cowboys.

What position do you play?

Defensive back & wide receiver.

How long have you been playing football?

Six years.

What’s one of your goals for this season?

To win.

JOSHUA WENDELL Senior

What is your favorite football team?

Steelers.

What position do you play?

Center & linebacker.

How long have you been playing football?

Nine years.

What’s one of your goals for this season?

To win more than last year.

Football

Sept. 9 @PV Sept. 12 @UTHS JV game Sept. 16 @Brady Sept. 22 @Brady Sept. 29 @Brady Oct. 1 @Brady Oct. 7 @Clinton Oct. 10 @Muscatine JV game Oct. 14 @Brady Oct. 20 @Brady

Volleyball

Sept. 10 @ North Scott Sept. 13 @North Sept. 20 @West Sept. 24 @West Sept. 27 @North Scott Oct. 1 @Moline Oct. 4 @West Oct. 10 @West (Senior Night)

Sports Calendar

Oct. 18 @Burlington Oct. 24 @TBA Oct. 26 @TBA Nov. 9-12 @CR Ice Area

Golf

Sept. 12 @ Emeis Sept. 13 @ Emeis Sept. 19 @ Burl Golf Club, Greyhound Invite Sept. 21 @Duck Creek Sept. 23 @Kewannee Sept. 24 @Kewannee Oct. 4 @TBA Oct. 7&8 @Finkbine

Girls Swimming

Sept. 8 @UTHS Sept. 13 @Burlington Sept. 17 @Clinton Sept. 20 @West

Sept. 24 @Burlington Sept. 27 @Central Oct. 4 @West Oct. 6 @West Oct. 10 @Clinton Oct. 18 @Bettendorf Oct. 22 @TBA Oct. 27 @TBA Oct. 29 @TBA Nov. 4 @Marshalltown Nov. 5 @Marshalltown

Cross Country

Sept. 8 @Noelridge Sept. 17 @Richmond Hill Sept. 24 @Rock Island Sept. 29 @Credit Island Oct. 4 @Muscatine Oct. 13 @Scott Co. Park Oct. 20 @TBA Oct. 29 @Ft. Dodge

Because more than half the team was out with injuries or sickness, the girls swim team lost Moline on Aug. 30, but the varsity and JV swimmers improved times for their individual events.

Coach Brian Heller and Mike Wells are hopeful that the full team is healthy enough for the first home meet Tuesday Sept.6 against Pleasant Valley.

Coach Heller says there are a lot of new faces on the team this year, but everyone has a lot of work to do before the state swim

meet in November. Heller wants every swimmer to accomplish their goals for the season. Heller also said the girls need to push themselves, and never give up.

The swim team voted Jordan Remley and Kelsey Ralfs, both seniors, swim captains for the 2011 season.

The girls started practicing Aug. 1st, from 7-9 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. every day. Varsity swimmers practice three mornings a week and JV swimmesr join in on afternoon practices.

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10 Editorials

Beak ‘n’ Eye

our view

Friday, September 9, 2011

Air conditioning brings needed relief during hot months

Art by Sami Mills

Kill birdies, not the environment

Shooting a bird that you see everyday in your backyard is one thing, but hurting our environment is a completely different one. Last March the Iowa legislature approved the hunting of mourning doves.

That might seem like the issue, but there is an even larger one. The DNR banned lead bullets from use, and a legislative panel overruled that last month.

The panel overruled this ban, because they believe it could create up nearly $7 million in economic activity and about $423,000 a year in state revenue.

They also overruled the ban because lead bullets are much cheaper then steel bullets. Lead bullets can cost anywhere between $10-$60. Steel bullets can cost between $15-$190. According tothemoderatevoice.com, the use of non-toxic shot results in only a 1-2 percent increase in total costs for hunters, according to a study conducted by the National Wildlife Research Centre - certainly not enough to justify the NRA’s paranoid panic that non-toxic bullets will lead to a decrease

in hunting.

Lots of people know about lead poisoning, but do people know what happens to lead bullets after they have been shot off? Lead can cause behavioral problems, learning disabilities, reduced reproduction, neurological damage, and genetic mutation. That can happen in animals or humans. That could be like a frog with three eyes. Lead can also be in plants that humans eat. Also animals that eat other lead contaminated animals would also get lead poisoning.

The Center for Biological Diversity has claimed that consuming lead bullets, in Arizona caused the deaths of three condors found last January. By eating lead bullets the bird’s digestive systems shut down causing them to starve to death. The condor is endangered, yet since 1997 their have been 18 condor deaths in California due to lead poisoning and 15 others in Arizona who met the same fate, writes thethemoderatevoice.com.

It’s also not just animals or humans, plants are being hurt by this also. Many scientists have found that trees around shooting ranges tend to have lead in them. One scientist said that if the trees, that have lead in them, were harvested, they would be contaminated.

The government would have to put money back into a lot of things. All the trees that were contaminated would have to be cut down. They would also have to do something about the animals; they just can’t leave them out there making the lead contamination worse.

The DNR banned lead bullets for a reason. We believe that the government should have listened to the DNR, instead of thinking of the money they would make, when it will eventually go back into the environment. The government spent millions of dollars bulldozing contaminated soil from lead shotguns at Nahant Marsh in the 1980s. You’d think we’d learn our lesson.

Schools should invest in iPads

With limited funds, Davenport Community School District is doing the best they can to get technology in the classrooms.

Schools everywhere are beginning to modernize education. Schools are starting to use iPads, laptops, and SmartBoards.

Several teachers would like to have iPads in the classroom but the districts current budget will just not allow it at this time. The Davenport Community School 2011 budget is $2,163,903. In 2008, there was a greater spending for technology. $2,429,473 was spent for technology. iPads cost about $500- $700 each. It would be more expensive now, but prices

do decline over time.

The Davenport Community School District should consider more funding for iPads but not laptops.

Some of the benefits of getting iPads are that it is low cost, more computer access to students, and assignments would be better to work with. iPads are a lot cheaper than computers. The cost of having to renew a computer every year along with its installations cost a lot more than it would be to buy a set of iPads.

The iPads would need wireless connections and chargers or charging stations to add to the cost.

If we all had iPads, students would

have a better learning experience. The normal classroom has one computer, and that computer is just for the teacher. If everyone had an iPad they would each have a computer that they could use to search things. iPads would allow students to be able to work on assignments on a computer like object. If students were to allow to work on them it would save time and the environment. It would be worth it since a student can interact with models and reviews for reviewing for a test.

Schools will always be behind the technological curve, but hopefully the iPad will bring the next big advancement in school technology.

What’s the best thing you did over the summer?

“I went to Ohio to visit friends and family.”

- Keysha Long senior

“I went to California and I went to Venice beach and I also went to Los Angeles” - Alex Bock junior

“I went to six flags for the first time in my life and it was amazing.”

- Junior McGee sophmore

“I went swimming at the Y and I hung out with friends at the fair.”

-Angel Adleman Freshman

Compiled by Vicki Gomez

We all know it’s not easy to concentrate with sweat dripping down your face. Nobody likes to work or go to school in conditions like that. Crews worked over the summer to install geothermal air conditioning and heating to the second floor classrooms. West is one of the last schools to have gotten the air conditioning done.

We appreciate having air conditioning this year.

Thanks to the school board for approving the $1.4 million project. We should also thank Ryan and Associates, who helped construct air conditioning unit this past summer. The construction workers only had about ten weeks to actually get in the school and work on the unit. They had to put air in about 47 rooms upstairs.

There were some problems, but not enough that it affects the way the air feels. West’s air conditioning unit will be finished by the next school year. For West being so large, this is a huge accomplishment.

The air conditioning in West was very necessary, for a couple very important reasons. This year we started school August 15th, therefore which means it’s a lot hotter during the day for students. Another reason would be it is very hard for some students to concentrate while it is very hot. Also the school board just wants us, as students, to be comfortable.

The air conditioning was definitely worth it. The incoming freshmen and the other students that have classes upstairs seem very pleased with it. Nancy Jacobsen, principal, feels as if, “The air conditioning will improve our educational environment and climate.” Either way we know that school will be cool.

There is one drawback to this new addition to our school, no more two hour early outs due to the heat.

Letters Wanted

SHHHH! Do you hear that voice? ‘Tis I, your opinions! As of right now, I am absolutely fuming and/or rejoicing about one of the topics that were addressed in this issue. I am becoming rather disquieted, because you are shutting me inside your head, and to be honest, I’m extremely claustrophobic, so please, for the sake of your ego, and for the sake of any student who may benefit from your opinion (believe me, it can happen!), write a letter to the editor, detailing just how irritated and/or over-joyed I am.

All letters should be 300 words or less, and there’s a good chance that it will shortened if it’s too long. Don’t forget to include your name and grade in your letter. Just drop them off in Room 161, and staff will kindly take care of the rest!

Beak ‘n’ Eye

Editors-in-chief

News editors

Faces editor Focus editors

Sports editors Leisure editor Voice editors Trend editors Artist Adviser

Erin Pershall Krista Johnson Hieu Nguyen Erika Reed Allie Sisler Jessica Corbertt Arina Russkikh Bethany Puetsch Blake Rees Sydney Fetters Sebastian Roe Edi Turcinhodzic Haley Benisch Logan Allen Vicki Gomez Kelsey Ralfs Emily Thumann Sami Mills Steve Lyle

The Beak ‘n’ Eye serves the West High student body by informing, investigating, and interpreting events which concern students. It also provides an open forum for its diverse readership.

The school board grants student editors the First Amendment right to determine the coverage and content of their pages. The adviser’s role is to teach and advise the staff so that it can follow responsible journalistic practices.

Readers are encouraged to submit letters to Room 161.

Letters should be 300 words or less and should be signed.

We reserve the right to edit the letters for length.

Unsigned editorials represent the consensus of the student editorial board and not necessarily the views of the adviser, administration, or Davenport Community School District.

The Beak ‘n’ Eye is published eight times a year from 3505 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA 52804.

Member of Iowa High School Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association, and Quill & Scroll International Honor Society.

Friday, September 9, 2011

dim view

Voice 11

Beak ‘n’ Eye

NASA launchings go commercial

Michelle Obama saves all the calories for herself

Art by Sami Mills

First it was the rule “no fries would be served on Wednesday. Then it was the ice cream, the cookies and the fried chips.

One by one the foods that used to be available to us are disappearing because Michelle Obama’s Healthy Food Campaign.

Her intentions are good, Sami Mills being as the point of this campaign is to provide students with healthy alternatives and to lower the

number of overweight children in the U.S. But is she taking it too far?

Firstly I am not against health food and her campaign; however, I dislike her actions, mainly because I’ve noticed that at lunch our food choices are almost cut in half day to day.

We have less sides to choose from.

Some days we have mashed potatoes, if potatoes become unhealthy? They’re a great energizing carbohydrate. But mashed potatoes aren’t the worst. The worst is what they’re chosen to replace the fries with sweet potato tots. Sweet

potatoes shouldn’t be served in tot form.

If it’s healthy have it tastey.

It goes beyond our school and if it follows through could affect all America. A part of the Healthy Kids and Healthy food campaign wants to classify overfeeding children as abuse. Michelle’s campaign wants to take obese kids away from their families. To me, that is taking it way too far. I could understand issuing those families to diet counseling or even sending the kids away to a dietary camp, but taking them from home is not good for their well-being.

‘Quite frankly, Scarlet, it puts the lotion in the basket, or it gets the hose again’ “You’re a Wizard, Harry!” Most of us probably remember when we saw the first Harry Potter film. Just as memorable are the elegant dinosaurs in “Jurassic Park”, and the a d o r a b l e Hobbits in Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Some may ask themSean selves: “Where Dobbins do ‘they’ find inspiration for such timeless and inspirational films?” The answer, simply put, is Literature. Many of the films and television shows we know and love are adapted from books and stories.

It was only a year or so ago that I discovered, with much awe, that the world’s most beloved spy, James Bond, was not simply a film character, but instead his origins lie within Ian Fleming’s mystery novels starring the suave super spy, which were wrote in the 1950’s. I was similarly amazed when I discovered the writings of pulp author Robert E. Howard, the creator of “Conan the Barbarian” (which is about to get another film reboot, starring Jason Momoa and Ron Perlman).

It seems that recently more than ever, adaptations from print to film are at a rise. A few years ago we saw Isaac Asimov’s “I Robot” hit the big screen, starring Will Smith, and more recently, the third popular film adaptation of Richard Matheson’s “I Am Legend,” starring the same well known actor. It

was “I Am Legend”, and the film adaptations of Stephen King stories, that got me hooked on reading the books on which films were based.

I adore film adaptations, because it brings fantastic tales to younger generations, such as my own. When I was little, I loved Disney’s “Jungle Book” and “Tarzan”. Little did I know that those were two of the most famous adventure tales of all time!

Nowadays, it seems that a film adaptation is what really brings a fiction writer the most money. To me, I find it highly unfortunate that our generation doesn’t read nearly as much as generations past, but I find it to be very good that other mediums bring them the tales, to inspire them to read the originals.

With recent success of Charlaine Harris’ “Sookie Stackhouse/’True Blood’ Chronicles”, Stephanie Myer’s “Twilight Saga”, and J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series, it is horribly hard to deny that the film industry certainly helps the literary market.

An issue I have come across, however, is a movie hardly following a book, or in some people’s opinion, ruining the story! A perfect example is the legacy of the aforementioned James Bond series. Twelve books were published by the author Ian Fleming, yet twenty-one movies have been made. The movies themselves have little to do with the stories of the same name (for example, the ties between “Casino Royale” and “Quantum of Solace” wouldn’t exist due to a completely new subplot further

explaining an important occurrence in the first tale) and eventually took on a life of their own, where many people of our generation are unbeknownst to the existence of the stories.

Another issue relating to the above, is when you are reading a book for an English class, that has been made into a movie (or three, depending). Our teachers tend to become broken records about “actually read the story, don’t watch the movie”. I fully understand the temptation to cut corners in classes, but this is one place I would recommend not doing this.

An exemplary example of this is “Fast Food Nation”. I saw this film long before I took Mrs. Zimmerman’s honors American History class, and as soon as I started reading it, I found that she was completely correct (despite my initial thought: “Oh, she’s just saying that.”), the movie turned basic elements of a nonfiction book into a fictional dramedy! It’s truly amazing, the creative freedoms some screenwriters and directors take.

Movies are great, but to me, literature is more important. As James Russell Lowell once said, “Books are the bees which carry the quickening pollen from one to another mind.” Most of us enjoy film more than reading, but I truly hope you may find the one movie that intrigues you so much, that you find the book and read it (for without the book, the movie would have never been made!). You may find, as I did, that the book can be much better than the movie.

NAY- Driving in the school parking lot is hazardous. When students walk into the parking lot, they have to look around for a place to cross, because cars drive like maniacs.

Student drivers need to be more considerate of other students walking in the parking lot.

NAY- For homecoming this year Student Senate is playing songs at lunch to raise money for decorations. If you like a song then you

can pay to hear it or not.

The songs they are playing are old and not many people like them.

It tends to annoy students and make us not want to donate. Songs such as: Forever Young and Body Language. Student Senate should play new songs that we like, and can dance too.

our ID’s during classes. We still need them to get into school events, and get lunch.

YAY- The school board has been very nice when giving us earlier outs, from the heat. The school board is doing this, because the weather got to 100 degrees on September first and second.

By next year all West will have air conditioning; meaning no more earlier outs.

YAY or NAY

YAY- Many students this year are happy that we do not have to wear

The US government has stopped funding of the NASA space programs. The government didn’t have enough money for it since it cost about $450 million.

The program is now funded by commercial businesses and wealthy people who pay for NASA. The US government should reconsider the funding for the NASA space programs. If there is a major discovery; now it’s thanks to the commercial businesses and people who are now funding it. Personally I would like it to be our own country to be the one responsible for the discovery.

According to Logan Allen www.thespacerreview.com, for every $1 that is spent on NASA’s budget $98 is spent on its social programs. People wanted to take away the NASA’s budget and give it the social programs. According to www.universetoday.com how can the president cut off the NASA program even when American citizens spend more money on pizza than NASA’s budget?

We don’t need some budget programs or we could just minimize their budget just a bit. One program for example would be the one where the government tries to interfere with the food schools are feeding students.

The government could also stop the worthless advertising.

We still need to reach for the stars, to learn more about us and our world.

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Beak ‘n’ Eye

Friday, September 9, 2011

Health vs. Beauty

A bronzed look today may harm you later

By Kelsey Ralfs

Photo by Kelsey Ralfs

HOT! - Vinny Cannavo, senior, gets his “tan on” to maintain his italian stallion body. ;)

All girls have heard the phrase “it hurts to be beautiful” while they’re getting their hair done for prom or when their mascara brush stabs them in the eye. Unfortunately, a lot of people are unaware of the health risks that come along with being beautiful.

Beauty has many controversial topics included with it, but tanning is at the top of the list. Tanning has a lot of benefits, but it has even more negative effects.

Being tan makes people look good.

Muscles are more defined on a tan body and a tan body is a thinner looking body.

“I looked healthy, I looked like 10 pounds skinnier, and it started to make me look at my body in a different way,” said Kelly Osbourne in an article entitled “Self Esteem.”

Not only does tanning make you look good, but it makes you feel good too. If a patient is depressed, a doctor will sometimes “prescribe” them to a session at a tanning salon. Vitamin D is beneficial to the human body and in the middle of winter it’s sometimes hard to obtain enough of it.

On the other hand, tanning is absolutely awful for your skin. More than 11,700

people die from skin cancer every year.

There are three types of skin cancer: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squemous Cell Carcinoma, and Malignant Melanoma. All of these are caused by too much ultraviolet radiation. Tanning beds work solely on radiation.

“I don’t go tanning anymore because Obama put a 10 percent tax on it,” said Snooki from MTV’s Jersey Shore. The

“

It started to make me look at my body in a different way.”

real reason for her cease in tanning was because she had had an intervention with The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Senior Vice President, Dr. Deborah S. Sarnoff.

We all think “it won’t happen to me,” but according to the Skin Cancer Foundation: indoor tanners are 74 percent more likely to develop melanoma skin cancer than non-tanners. We all want to be beautiful, but we also need to be aware of the lasting effects of what we’re doing to our bodies.

Types of Skin Cancer

Name Description

Basal Responsible for 75% of all Cell skin cancers. Grows very Carcinoma slowly. Appears as small, shiny bump-mainly those areas exposed to the sun.

Occurs most often on lightskinned people.

Squamous Responsible for about 20% of Cell all skin cancers. Scaly patchCarcinoma es of skin appear on face, ears, lips, and mouth. Occurs most on light-skinned poeple.

Malignant Responsible for 4% of all skin Melanoma cancers. Starts in the melanocytes-cells that produce pigment in the skin.

Begins as a mole-turns into cancer. Spreads quickly.

History of fashion and beauty

By Kelsey Ralfs

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the beholder’s tastes are forever changing. Over centuries, or even weeks, what’s “trending” is always altering.

In the 1700’s, beauty was the opposite or what it is today: plump and pale. If a person were wealthy, there would be no reason to be outside, resulting in pasty-white skin. There was also a very apparent separation between the upper and lower classes. While the upper classes wore extravagant dresses, the less fortunate wore rags.

Moving forward a few years, the 50’s were a time of

rock-and-roll and blues. Women wore more makeup and started wearing more revealing dresses.

The 80’s were all about the hair. And the aviator glasses, of course. Women started wearing even more makeup and being thin was definitely popular.

Today, the thinner and tanner someone is, the better.

Name-brands like Hollister and American Eagle are chic, while wearing 1700’s extravagant dresses is just plain weird.

Fashion does more than just make us look “hot”. It expresses our individuality and our culture over hundreds of years. Beauty is an immense part of our history.

Life Magazine

OH LA LA - A flapper girl from the 1950’s wears a colorful and short dress.

Quake hits U.S.

Hair Centric.com

GO BIG - Anna Nicole Smith shows off big hair from the 80’s.

By Emily Thumann

It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.

The most recent earthquake happened in Virginia on August 23rd with a magnitude of 5.8, causing a few minor injuries and little damage to buildings. It was one of the biggest earthquakes Virginia has ever had, with tremors reported in Detroit and New York City.

The biggest earthquake in the world was in Chile in 1960 with a magnitude of 9.5, according to earthquake.usgs.gov.

Ritzi Reruns

1621 W. Locust St. Davnport, IA 52804

563 345-6181

PARKING LOCATED IN REAR OF BUILDING

Life Magazine

BLING BLING - In the 1700’s, Queen Elizabeth struts her stuff with an extravagant dress and tons of jewelry.

Hollister

BEACH BOD - Hollister models show off today’s cool style.