BeaknEye_2_11_ISSUU
10/6/2011
3:00 PM
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Beak ‘n’ Eye
More Homecoming coverage on page 12
DISRESPECT Volume 52 Issue 2
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West High School
3505 W. Locust St. Davenport, Iowa 52804
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Friday, October 7, 2011
Taunting, name calling, violence, spreading rumors, harassing, lying, & hurting
By Krista Johnson
It’s the second day of high school and Sarah’s first time in the cafeteria at West High. Seeing all the different foods to choose from and all the people crowding into the same small area, she discovered the realization that she was no longer a middle school student. She finally found her food, made it through the line, and made a seating selection with a friend. The relief of accomplishing that maze set in but not for long. A senior boy who was sitting at a nearby table with other seniors took his milk carton, full and unopened, and threw it at Sarah. Fortunately, the milk did not open but it did still hurt her. She stuck up for herself by throwing it back at him but it didn’t change the fact that this stranger had targeted her. That was her hazing. “I felt angry that he thought that he had the right to act that way to me just because I was a freshman. He didn’t know me or my life which means he didn’t have a right to be so disrespectful towards me,” said Sarah Buffenbarger, senior. Hazing is just one form of disrespect at the high school level. Other forms of disrespect include spreading rumors, using vulgar language, and simply bumping into others without an apology. Hollywood movies have often portrayed the life of a high school student as dramatic and intense nearly every moment. While West High is not the setting of a Hollywood hit, it does have some of the very same problems with rumors and gossip. “People like to judge and have their opinions just to make themselves look ‘cool’ or ‘popular’. When [people] don’t like someone they start a nasty rumor, but what they don’t understand is how it can affect someone,” said Laren Skulte, junior. Vulgar language is often heard in the hallways. Harmful slang terms such as “slut,” “fag” and “nigger” are offensive and disturbing to many. A recent survey done by the Associated Press and MTV showed that 45 percent of the 1,355 people ages 14-24 that were surveyed were ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ offended by the word “nigger” online. The same survey revealed that 42 percent have seen that very word used online. However, the majority of those surveyed felt that the use of such terms is not offensive because it is not serious, it is only a joke. West High students also felt that such
photo illustration by Krista Johnson
Bullying is when someone repeatedly and on purpose says or does mean or hurtful things to another person who has a hard time defending himself or herself. Namecalling is a common form of disrespect.
words are not offensive. “Yes some of these words are often used but I don’t feel offended by them unless these words are directly stated at me,” said Amber Valentine, senior. Wesley McMahon, senior, feels similar and explains that when he hears such words he is not offended because he doesn’t care what people think. However, while the majority does not react harshly to the use of vulgar language, the minority is affected. “Yes it’s offensive to hear and it shows
our ignorance,” said Tony Ketelaar, senior. Bumping into others in the hall can be innocent and completely unintentional, but there are students who take offense to it when an apology is not given. “When I am walking in the halls and people just be mean mugging me and I don’t even know them. Or when somebody bump into me and don’t say excuse me. I think these two things are very disrespectful,” said Valentine. Some students are able to brush things off their shoulder like having lies spread
By Krista Johnson The ‘West High Way’ is a new addition to the anti-bullying program OLWEUS which was put in place in 2007. Rather than focusing on the negative aspects that go along with bullying, the staff at West decided to focus on the positive things people in the building can do for one another. The mission of the West High Way is “making good choices in all aspects of life, being a good citizen, striving in academics, being a good friend, classmate, and team-
mate, accepting responsibility for actions and helping others.” It is described as the way to “do business” at West. In 2007 when West became an OLWEUS trained building they started with four simple but important rules that were placed in every room of the building: ► Bullying is unacceptable ► We will assist those who are bullied ► We are an inclusive community ► If bullying occurs we will report it at school and at home
about them, being called names, or being bumped into. However, some take such actions seriously and they do affect their day and mood. “There can be serious consequences from bullying. Suicides, suicide attempts, drop outs, and retaliation,” says Jennifer O’Hare, freshman counselor. “Some kids feel the need to take drastic measures to send a message to end the bullying.” In the past school shootings and suicides have occurred directly due to excessive bullying. Other effects that are not quite as serious include withdrawing from activities and skipping classes. There are boys who go out for football and end up quitting because other boys are making fun of them, explains O’Hare. She says the same thing occurs when kids bully other kids in class; that students attendance becomes a problem for that specific class. In a survey done by the Josephson Institute of Ethics, 47 percent said they were bullied, teased, or taunted in a way that seriously upset them in the past year. O’Hare believes a big problem that comes with bullying is the loss of trust between teachers and students. She says that students who are bullied often wonder why people aren’t helping or looking out for them. However, she siad it is very hard to spot bullying if it is not reported. “No one should live in fear of being taunted or harassed. It destroys the safe climate and learning environment that all teachers try to maintain,” says Steve Lyle, language arts teacher. Surveys show that bullying is a problem and the solution comes from the student body. While teachers are already leading by example and doing their part when bullying is demonstrated in their view, each student, one by one, must do the same. “Upperclassmen don’t respect underclassmen because they think that they are better than them because they are older. Upperclassmen need to remember that they were underclassmen once and they probably didn’t like it when the upperclassmen then disrespected them. They need to think of underclassmen as people who look up to them and they should show them the respect that they want in return,” says Allison Chapman, senior. “I try to treat freshman and people I don’t know with as much respect as possible because I know what it’s like to be disrespected,” says Buffenbarger.
The ‘way’ West High does business
While school exists to provide all students with an education, the school staff feels students need to learn how to be good people as well. Helping another student with their books, holding the door open for someone, and smiling in the halls are all examples of things that support the West High Way. When students act disrespectful to others, teachers are encouraged to intervene and say, “That’s not the way we do things here.”
BeaknEye_2_11_ISSUU
10/6/2011
3:00 PM
Page 2
2 News
Beak ‘n’ Eye
Friday, October 7, 2011
‘Beauty and the Beast’ musical set for Nov. 4–6 By Erika Reed
Photo By. Erika Reed
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - Dawn Vickersand Jake Stewart practice intently for their performance on Nov. 4-6.
“He’s no monster, Gaston. You are!” says Belle from Walt Disney’s classic love story Beauty and the Beast. On Nov. 4 the drama department will bring these characters to life. The musical is based on the original Academy Award Winning animated film. The film is set around a small French village in the late 18th century. The story has been retold for centuries, with the earliest known work being by Italian author Giovan Straparalo in 1550. Director Wayne Hess chose this musical because he wanted something big to follow last year’s musical, Phantom of the Opera. Hess had to apply to get the right to this musical from Music Theatre International. “I expect my actors to work hard and create original characters with depth.” Hess said. Dawn Vickers, sophomore, is the lead playing Belle. “I was really surprised when I found out I
was lead. I’m excited to play Belle but I’m also nervous because I have to live up to playing the lead. It’s scary!” Vickers said. Jacob Stewart, junior, is playing The Beast. “When I heard I got the part of the beast my first thought was that this was going to be a large commitment. It’s also going to be tough because I’m a nice person and I have to act really mean!” Stewart said. The Beast’s costume has a prosthetic mask but that the rest is a surprise, Stewart says. Both Vickers and Stewart have been practicing a half hour each night at home, and along with the rest of the cast each night after school for two hours. The show times will be Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 5 at 2:00 p.m. (matinee) and 7:30 p.m., and on Nov. 6 at 2:00 p.m. (matinee). Tickets will be sold for $9.00 if you’re a student, $11.00 if you’re an adult and free if you’re in stage craft or a district employee.
West starts the food drive this month By. Jessica Corbett
West High School kicked off the annual Student Hunger Food Drive with the West Hunger Hoe Down by the tennis courts on Oct. 6. An assembly during 4th block explained the importance of collecting food for the area’s needy. Also there will be an auction to win a date with a homecoming court candidate. The date will consist of a movie and pizza at West. Competition between clubs will start Monday to see who can bring the most food. The first place winner will receive a pizza party with soda; the second place winner will receive a bagel party with juice. The students donations will go to The River Bend Food Bank. From there they will ship food to 120 different food pantries, day care centers, homeless shelters, and to reha-
bilitation centers. The food bank serves 22 counties in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, Clinton, Muscatine, Scott County, Rock Island, Henry and more. Donating to the food drive doesn’t take much. Each participating high school receives a cash award for their participation in the food drive. The most needed food to be donated is canned foods like vegetables, fruits, and canned meat. They also need juice. The food bank will not accept perishable items like fresh fruit, milk, sour cream, cream cheese, things that normally go in your fridge after being bought from the store. Please do not donate pet food, clothing or soda. Each school is limited to 1,000 pounds of sugar and 1,000 pounds of flour. If each student in West High donates five cans of vegetables, two bottles of juice and two boxes of cereal, West will have 10,500
Four elected to school board
The newcomer Bill Sherwood aims for good communication By Hieu Nguyen
Davenport residents elected four new school board members on Sept. 13. Bill Sherwood was a new candidate this year and three incumbents were re-elected: Ken Krumwiede, Nikki DeFauw, and Ralph Johanson The members of the school board will guide the Davenport district for a period of four years. Sherwood won most votes with 1,484 votes (24.44 percent) out of 6,071 voters in the race. Besides working as a former member of Davenport City Council from 2000 to 2002, he is also a retired teacher in Davenport Community School District. Johanson, who is board president got re-elected with 1,104 votes (22 percent). Krumwiede had 1,371 votes or 18 percent and DeFauw with 1,125 votes (19 percent of the vote). “They are good people, I’m looking forward to working with them,” said Sherwood about the other elected members.
Photo by Hieu Nguyen
SCHOOL BOARD- Members of the new board are Bill Sherwood,
left, Patt Zamora,Richard Clewell, Superintendent Art Tate, Ralph Johanson, Nikki DeFauw, Ken Krumwiede and Larry Roberson.
Sherwood said that in order to improve the quality of education, we need to treat teachers and staffs as professionals, and respect
“
They’re good people, I’m looking forward to work with them.”
their opinions and decision-making. He also wants to engage the entire community in the education for our children. Tyla Cola,a newcomer did not win the election. She only had
929 votes or 15 percent, of total 6,071. Cola was the fifth candidate in the school board election. “I think that we’re good, but we can get better. We offer more diverse education than other district areas can offer,” Sherwood said about education in Davenport schools. “Teachers in the United States can produce the best education in the world.” Sherwood’s plan for the school district is to bring new a perspective to decision making for the board of directors and to get a better communication throughout the district.
Sophomores take tests Sophomores at West High took the PLAN test this week. The PLAN test is an ACT’s Students College Readiness Program for the 10th graders. It is similar to the ACT test, but it’s a shorter test. The schools decide when to give the test to the tenth graders. Students can sign up online or by mail. In 1987, high schools started the PLAN tests for the sophomores in high school. There are four parts in the test: English test, math test, science test, and the writing test. They’re all multiple- choice tests. The English test has 50 questions with 30 minutes to complete the test. The math test has 40 questions and 40 minutes are given to take this section. The reading test gives the sophomores 20 minutes and has 25 questions.
By Arina Russkikh
Senior Emily Thompson has been drawing since she could walk. She would draw her family, flowers, cats and trees. Now, in high school, Thompson has improved her skills and now draws people, nature and famous celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Ke$ha. “My inspiration can come from anything! Some things that inspire me are my family, friends and things around me,” said Thompson. She has taken part in art shows before and probably will take part in one again this year. Thompson has also had her pictures displayed at the Bucktown Center for the Arts. Her teachers usually comment that her art is nice and they help Emily improve. Thompson really thinks that everyone can be good at art. You just have to have a good imagination and patience. She admitted that still has a hard time drawing things without looking at a picture or still-life piece. Thompson thinks that her art style has grown a lot. She has gone from drawing unicorns and kittens, to
unicorns and kittens with details. “I love art!” said Thompson. “There are so many different styles and I really appreciate how people express themselves.” “I prefer to paint with acrylic paints because they dry fast, and I like to use charcoal when I draw in black and white,” Thompson said. Some of Thompson’s favorite artists are Claude Monet and Salvador Dali. She learns something everyday and develops her style and technique each time she picks up a paint brush. Thompson’s favorite picture that she has painted is a character from a T.V. show. “My favorite picture is of Dexter that I painted over the summer,” she said. In the future Emily wants to pursue a degree in art education. She wants to be a teacher or have art involved in her life however she can. “My friends and family really support my desire for an art career and I love that they want me to do what I love, even if it means becoming a starving artist,” said Thompson.
By Erika Reed
art by Kayla Garcia
By Hieu Nguyen
Emily Thompson explores her talent in drawing
Superintendent has new ideas
cans of vegetables, 4,200 bottles of juice, and 4,200 boxes of cereal. That gives West 18,700 things to donate, but don’t stop there keep donating. The next day bring five cans of fruits, four boxes of pasta and three boxes of mashed potatoes, and five canned meats. That will give us 10,500 cans of fruits, 10,500 canned meats, 8,400 boxes of pasta and 6,300 boxes of mashed potatoes. Add that to the 18,700 items students already donated that gives us 35,700 items to donate. It’s going on anywhere in the building. This organization was founded in 1986 by Pete Pohlmann, then the president of Lujack’s Auto Plaza.. Prizes will be awarded for schools with the most effort.
The science test has 30 questions and 25 minutes to take the test. The purpose of the PLAN test is to prepare students for the ACT test, because it covers the same subjects and gives students an estimated ACT score. It also tells the students about their academic strengths and areas that they need to improve, help the students find the careers that match their interests, and connect them with more colleges that interested in them. ACT PLAN test provides students with information about academic strengths and weaknesses. “It also helps students consider appropriate career plan,” said Marilyn Peters, head counselor. The PLAN includes tests, career interest inventory that can help find the best choices for students, and a guide that explains what their scores mean and how they can use them.
PLAN TEST- All sophomores took the pretest for ACT on Oct. 37. The test will help them make career plans and course selections.
News 3
Beak ‘n’ Eye
Friday, October 7, 2011
The new Davenport Community School District Superintendent, Arthur Tate, is one very busy man. You may have seen Mr. Tate around school recently; he has visited West three times. “I try and visit about 15 schools each week to visit with employees and visit classrooms. I keep a tally sheet to make sure that I go to all schools and don’t miss any. So far I have made 95 visits to schools, so I have been to each district school at least 3 times,” says Tate. Tate has been up to a lot lately; he has been working from a set of objectives which the Board of Education and Tate agreed upon when he first arrived. He is focusing a lot on the school district, including student achievement and closing the achievement gap; recruiting more minority employees; decreasing the number of high school dropouts; improving financial stability; marketing the district and facility planning. Out of Tate’s goals he has been working on forming committees and task forces which will help him and the district accomplish the objectives. “None of these goals will be accomplished overnight; rather, they will be ongoing throughout the school year,” Tate said. A short-range and personal objective he has is to get to know the school district and the community by reaching out and visiting places and meeting people.
Photo by Hieu Nguyen
NEW SUPERINTENDENT- Arthur Tate is the new superintendent of Davenport School District.
WARNING:
Cell phone radiation can be harmful By Erika Reed
A scientific study, done at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Berlin, reported that carrying a cell phone on a belt, or in your pocket can affect male fertility. Experts say that radiation from cell phones have a dramatic impact on the number of sperm and their swimming ability, both of which are linked to successful conception. Dr. Imre Fejes, from The University of Szegrad in Hungary, did a study on 221 men over a thirteen month period and compared the sperm of “very active” cell phone users who had their phones with them the majority of the day to men who didn’t own a cell phone. Dr. Fejes found that the men who carried their cell phones with them the majority of the day had a lower sperm count compared to the men who didn’t own a cell phone. The men that carried their phones daily had a lower concentration averaging at 59 million
sperm per milliliter of seminal fluid, compared to the men who didn’t own a phone, who averaged at 83 million sperm per milliliter of seminal fluid. In an Italian report published in the Journal of Andrology, researchers around the world have found that radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation emitted by cell phones may decrease sperm count and also damage the quality of the sperm. Another study was conducted on men who regularly carried their cell phones in their front pocket to those that didn’t. The sperm that was exposed to the cell phone radiation showed a decrease in the sperm motility (the ability of a sperm to move toward an egg.) the concentration, morphology (the size and shape of the sperm); and the viability. It’s unclear how exactly the radiation might affect the sperm, one theory suggests that when cell phones are kept in your pocket for a long period of time that the heat generated damages the sperm.
Photo by Edi Turcinhodzic
COLORFUL ART- Emily Thompson painted this eye-catching painting of a tree.
Senior Class president Hayley Allen tells goals
By Arina Russkikh Why did you decide to be a senior class president? I decided to be a senior class president because I loved being junior class president last year. I really enjoyed planning Prom. Why did you enjoy it? Prom was really fun to plan because there was a wide variety of a theme to pick from, and when we did pick the theme we could pick the details. Is it interesting for you? It is very interesting, because it can be very stressful at times. Do you have any challenges in being a senior class president? The biggest challenge is probably trying to find a time that all the officers can meet. What is your ability? As a senior officer we have the ability to design the senior shirts and plan the senior picnic we have at the end of the year. Photo by Erin Pershall Who influenced you to run? My mom influenced me to become Junior and Senior class president. Because she is on the band parents board as vice president. She is always organized and on always on time with all her work! What do you like to do in your free time? I really don’t have any free time with all the activities I am involved with, so the only free time I have is to do my homework. In what other school activities you take part? I play volleyball; I am drum major for the WHS band. What is your career plan? For my career plan in the future I want to go into the medical field, but I am not sure what for yet.
The smiling bear is returned
By Allie Sisler
Many West High students seemed happy that the wooden bear was returned to its owner two days after being stolen on Sept. 13. The carving waves to passersby on Locust Street about a block east of school. “I like the bear. When it’s decorated, it’s kind of nice,” said Paige Daily, senior. “I like how it is decorated when we have games and for the holidays,” says Amanda Beauchamp, English teacher. The six-foot tall bear has been on the corner of Locust and Clark streets since 2008. It replaced an older bear that rotted and fell. “We get money for and cards for the bear every year,” says Gail Braet, the owner. “The bear is like one of my children and when it went missing it killed me,” said Braet. “Three very strong college boys with a truck were outside, and then the next morning it was gone,” said Braet. “They did it for a prank. They said they were sorry and didn’t realize how much
Photo by Hieu Nguyen
GIVING BACK- The stolen bear was returned by some college students.
it meant to people,” Braet said Many look forward to seeing it wave as they pass by. During Christmas it is dressed as Santa and during May it wears a red West graduation cap and gown.
BeaknEye_2_11_ISSUU
10/6/2011
3:01 PM
Page 3
4 Trends
GHOST STORIES
Beak ‘n’ Eye
Friday, October 7, 2011
Students tell paranormal tales
Hallucination or Reality?
By Kelsey Ralfs
Photo By S. Lyle
You’re walking up the stairs from your basement and you feel the presence of someone watching you from behind. Your pace speeds up to a sprint and the only thing on your mind is getting upstairs alive. You reach the top step and you take a moment to catch your breath and make sure nobody saw you. We all have an interest in the paranormal, but is it all real or not? People everywhere have had an encounter with ghosts, but sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between reality and imagination. “I didn’t actually see a ghost,” says senior Austin Wulf,“but I could feel it. The heat was on, but a cold blast of air blew through my house. Then the lights flickered.” Another student, Brooklyn Kohl, describes her paranormal experience: “Two years ago on Halloween, I saw a ghost with my ex-boyfriend. We hit it with his truck in the Annie Whittenmyer cemetery. It was just us and his three friends. We were just driving on the side roads in the cemetery and then the truck started shaking as if we had hit something. When we finally pulled out into the light, we didn’t notice anything except for a HUGE hand print on the window. We all measured our hands but they were too small to have made the print. We had just washed the truck the night before we went so I’m a strong believer in ghosts.” There are over 60 documented haunted locations in just Iowa. A lot of colleges like Coe College, The University of Northern Iowa, The University of Iowa, St. Ambrose University, and even Palmer College in
Davenport have had happenings of the paranormal sort. For example, two of the dorm rooms in Iowa City are said to be haunted by three girls who committed suicide together over a mutual lover. “I was a little creeped out when I first heard about what happened in Currier Hall” said Jessica Ralfs, a former resident of Currier Hall. “It was hard enough moving out of my house and into a strange building, but then I had to worry about ghosts, too!” While many people are believers in the paranormal, there are a few others that find more scientific reasoning behind occurrences. Andrew Weise, a senior at West High, states: “Quite simply, ghosts are no more than phantom images also known as mirages or in some cases hallucinations. There are no sorts of undead spirits hanging around to haunt the living. I would have noticed…” Another explanation for the paranormal is electrical fields. According to Tracy V. Wilson, a skeptic of the paranormal, “Some paranormal investigators think that a change in an electrical field is proof of a supernatural presence—that the ghosts create the field. I believe that electrical fields have the ability to interact with the human brain, causing hallucinations, dizziness, or other neurological symptoms. Electrical stimulation to the angular gyrus of the brain, for example, can cause the sensation of someone behind you.” Ghosts are always going to be intriguing to us because they are unable to be proven existent or non existent. So the next time you feel someone watching you from behind, you can decide whether it’s a ghost or just your angular gyrus acting up.
Ghost Hunters!
Who ya’ gonna call?
We’re all familiar with the three funny guys that have a niche for ghost busting; but today more people are taking an interest in the paranormal. Ghost hunting is the process of capturing a paranormal presence for evidence. And no one is better at it than the protagonist of the hit show on the Travel Channel “Ghost Adventures,” Zak Bagans. Not only does he have big muscles and cute hair, but he’s also fearless. His job includes going to a haunted place and staying the night with just his two other crew members, Nick Groff, and Aaron Goodwin. He then starts his night of terror with his infamous line: ‘Can you handle the lockdown?’ To begin with, you need a reason to become a ghost hunter. Whether it’s a simple interest in the paranormal or a past experience, you need some sort of motivation. Bagans explains his reasoning, “My name is Zak Bagans. I never believed in ghosts until I came face to face with one. So I set out on quest to capture what I once saw onto video.” Second, some people believe that there are two types of spirits: residual spirits and demons. Residual were once human and are simply repeating their deaths. They are generally harmless and are just trying
To advertise in the Nov. 4 issue, call 563 386-5500 ext. 161
to find a way to “cross over.” Demons, on the other hand, were never human and tend to be very bad news. Never use Ouija board, tarot cards, or try to hold a séance with a demon unless you know what you are doing, some psychics caution. There are quite a few things one would need for a ghost hunt. Evidence of a spirit can be caught through things like a 35mm camera, digital camera, or video camera. More importantly an electronic voice phenomenon or “EVP” is required. An EVP captures a ghost voice in a way that an actual conversation in possible. When doing a ghost hunt, there are a few ways to get rid of a spirit. Some religious approaches involve the sprinkling holy water, sprinkling blessed salt, or simply saying a prayer. There are two other approaches: painting your house red or hanging garlic around your house. These two methods are a little strange and haven’t been proven to work as well as the religious methods. “Ghosts are a metaphor for memory and remembrance and metaphorically connect our world to the world we cannot know about,” said paranormal expert Leslie What in her blog in June 2002. Now that you know all there is to know about ghost hunting, can you handle the lockdown?
AAAA Driving School
Classes held at West High
3:15 - 5:15 p.m. Room 102
563 332-6941
Steve Verdon, instructor
4adrivingschool.com
Bonfires are a great way to socialize By Edvin Turcinhodzic
Bonfires are a great way to socialize and warm your friends up. They are popular among high school students, especially on the autumn nights. “Bonfires are always a good time. I like roastin’ marshmallows in the fire and then making smores,” explains senior, Devonne Brown. Also, there can be fun activities to take part in at some bonfires. “The last time I Photos by S. Lyle went to a bonfire, we got a TOASTY - Family gather around a campbunch of people to play basfire to roast marshmallows for fun. ketball in the dark,” added Brown.
Halloween parades are entertaining
By Edvin Turcinhodzic
The annual Davenport Halloween parade will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 31 in Downtown Davenport. The parade starts at 3rd and Brady streets and heads west to Scott Street. From there, it turns south to 2nd Street and heads east to Iowa Street, where it ends. The judges’ stand will be at 2nd and Harrison streets. There are a variety of fascinating floats to gaze at usually ones of cartoon characters. “The best part you always remember is sipping on steaming hot chocolate while judging all the floats,” said junior Laren Skulte.
Photo by VilliscaHouseMurders.com
BAD VIBES - The Villisca House in Villisca, Iowa, is the site of eight axe murders and is said to still be haunted by the murdered victims.
FRIENDLY MONSTER - A volunteer dressed up as a monster passes out candy at one of the annual Davenport Halloween parades. This year’s parade will be held at 7 p.m. on Oct. 31.
Carving pumpkins is a very creative activity. Be sure to choose a large pumpkin. The larger the pumpkin, the easier it is to carve. Avoid any pumpkins with bruises or moldy stems as they will spoil much faster. Pumpkins with a lighter color tend to be softer and easier to carve. Pumpkin patches are a cherished family tradition. Featuring quality pumpkins, wagons and hayrack rides. “They are so fun! It’s so exciting to go and pick your own pumpkins and the hayrack rides are always a blast!” said junior Andy Bierl. This year, in the QC area, there will be a few pumpkin patches such as the Buffalo Pumpkin Patch located on 1500 Front Street, Pride of the Wapsi, located on 14600 305th St, Long Grove, Iowa.
PERFECT MATCH - Jayden Garcia holds his giant pumpkin that he found at the Stones Apple Barn in East Moline.
On a dark October night, it is great to go haunted housing with a bunch of your friends. Within the Quad Cities, are the Jaycees Haunted House, Terror at Skellington Manor, Fright on 5th, Feargrounds Haunted Grandstand, and The Factory of Fear. “Haunted housing is so freakin’ scary that me and my group almost got kicked out because we were running around screaming too much,” said junior Mylinda Tach. “In
‘The X-Factor’ is ‘X’treme
After leaving American Idol, Simon Cowell is back to prime time with a talent search show of his own, The X Factor. He’s back and he brought another familiar face, Paula Abdul to help along with the judging. Joining Paula and Simon is music agent L.A. Reid and the fourth slot is filled with various judges at different times. The show is pretty similar to American Idol. A few things that are different are the age of audition. You can be 12 and above for The X Factor where as in American Idol you have to be 16. Also, the next stages differ in how they will group the singers. So far, the talent has been exceptional; however, hopefully more talent is discovered along the way. Catch the show Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 7 p.m. on FOX.
By Edvin Turcinhodzic
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By Edvin Turcinhodzic
Based on a true story, Moneyball is a movie for anybody who has ever dreamed of taking on the system. Brad Pitt stars as Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland A's and the guy who assembles the team his own way. The onetime jock teams with Ivy League grad Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) in an unlikely partnership, recruiting bargain players that the scouts call flawed, but all of whom have an ability to get on base, score runs, and win games. They take on the challenge of recruiting players in a strictly statistical approach. The acting was top of line. Pitt gave a glimpse of youth with the nomination of a worthy part and Jonah Hill is working up to what everyone knows his full potential can be. Overall, Moneyball shows that it’s more than baseball; it’s a protest, one that challenges old traditions with new techniques and disregards all of the naysayers.
Your voice can be heard.
Pumpkins–a main part of Halloween
Haunted Houses are open for fun
‘Moneyball’ message hits a homer
REVIEWS
By Kelsey Ralfs
October brings many festivities
Leisure 5
Beak ‘n’ Eye
Friday, September 9, 2011
By Edvin Turcinhodzic
the end though, it was definitely super fun!” There are plenty of scare tactics used in haunted houses. “Chainsaws scare me the most at haunted houses, cause you’re always scared they’re going to come to close,” said junior Andre Scales. Junior Robert Guile had a different opinion. “Elevators are the only thing that scare me! They freak me out because its such a small space, and they’re even scarier at haunted houses!”
‘On the Front Line’ fills you in
This non-fictional book talks about military life during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The author, Tom Neven, is a former Marine served seven years as an M-60 machine gunner and a U.S. embassy guard in Africa and Europe. The demands of military life can be hard to believe. Soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines face pressures and temptations that civilians will never know. Fortunately, here is help from someone who has been there. Tom Neven uses examples from history and wisdom of the Bible to help guide in him through military life. If you’re the type of person who like to hear of the events and scenarios of life at war. This book is one you should definitely pick up.
By Hieu Nguyen
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6 Focus
Focus 7
Beak ‘n’ Eye
Technology hurts U.S. post offices
Beak ‘n’ Eye
Friday, October 7, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
By Bethany Puetsch
Facing a $2 billion deficit last year, it is clear the postal service is not doing well. As many as 3,700 post offices may be closing as soon as early January, according to the Washington post. Recently sales and revenue have dramatically declined, and the postal service is looking for new ways to cut costs. Last year alone the postal service lost $8.5 billion and it’s expected to lose even more this year unless things change. One of the main reasons the postal service isn’t profiting is the internet and new technology. People can use a number of ways to communicate online and its faster, cheaper and more easily accessed. Closing post offices means thousands of people will loose their jobs. The postal serv-
ice has already cut over 110,000 jobs since 2008 to reduce costs by nearly $11 billion. By the end of fall its projected that 4,500 postal workers will loose their jobs, according to ABCNews.com Before they can close any post office it must be evaluated. A large majority of the offices being evaluated make less than $27,500 a year and only have enough customers to keep them busy less than two hours a day. The amount of mail being sent has dropped from $103.7 billion in 2001 to only $78.2 billion in 2010. The biggest drop was in first class mail, which is essential for revenue. More and more people are using online to pay their bills and stay in contact with their family and friends. People would rather text, e-mail or chat online than write a letter and send it in
the mail. “It’s a shame and the end of an era,” said . David Kintigh, language arts teacher. The postal service also plans to stop mail delivery on Saturdays. Switching to mail delivery only 5 days a week will save around $3 billion annually. On Sept. 19 President Obama gave his support for the plan for 5 day delivery. Obama proposed that the post office should be allowed to raise postage rates and sell non postal items “The company is taking the necessary steps to put us back on the road to longevity,” said Davenport Postmaster Anthony Harris. “Our company is going through a lot of changes, we are doing our best to adapt and keep up with the needs of the public.”
Love letters are a lost cause
By Bethany Puetsch
photos by Bethany Puetsch
Communication changes lives Communicating with other people used to mean sending letters and cards through the mail and getting no response until weeks later. There weren’t answering machines to leave messages for people when they didn’t answer, and the only way to call somepne in there was an emergency was to use a payphone. Today technology is the center of some people’s lives. We have smart cars to take us places efficiently, smart phones so that we can surf the internet no matter where we are, and interactive whiteboards for the classroom. Technology has transformed the way we communicate and function in many ways, and not even 40 years ago, none of these devices even existed. Computers were a big step in the world of technology. When computers
were first invented in the 1960’s they weren’t as complex like the ones we know. Early computers didn’t use chips or monitors and they were a lot bigger than the ones we have now. “The first computer I ever saw was humongous,” said Mary Vinyard of Davenport. “Davenport schools had one in the 60’s that covered an area larger than West’s gym, it consisted of gigantic metal boxes with blinking lights and it couldn’t perform half of the tasks we easily perform today on a handheld device.” Smaller more affordable personal computers allowed people to connect to a vast information base of ideas and people. People have gone from emailing friends and family to posting blogs and videos to the world. The effects that computers had on jobs were huge. Some people thought that computers would improve work-
places, but others feared that they would replace most jobs. “When computers first came into the workplace, only the government and large corporations had them. Congressman Al Gore made the internet available to everyone,” said Vinyard. “Many people were also afraid that their jobs were being replaced by computers but instead, the internet and computers created jobs with a whole different field of expertise.” A lot of people use modern technology every day, and without it, their lives wouldn’t be the same. “I had gone my whole lifetime making phone calls using a big wooden box phone with a crank on the side to now having a mobile phone that is capable of not just calling people but taking pictures, sending text messages, getting on the internet, and waking me up in
the morning. 50 years ago all of these things were never even heard of, nobody thought that technology would advance as much as it did,” said Vinyard Technology has rapidly changed in the last 50 years and it is expected to keep on advancing. The most advanced technology right now will soon become old news when newer and better things are created. “We have computers to connect us to the internet, high definition television, blue ray players, microwave ovens, and so much more,” said Vinyard. “But the latest and greatest device you buy today could be replaced with something new tomorrow.” “Thanks to modern technology, the science fiction of yesterday has become today’s reality,” said Vinyard.
By Blake Rees One of the top ways to communicate in today’s society is through the internet. Google is trying to once again challenge Facebook’s networking site with a service called Google +. Google has created a system that’s based on the concept of circles, such as taking your baseball team and dragging them into a circle called “baseball,” you can share parts of yourself with only that circle. There’s also a new feature called “hangouts,” which allows for a no hassle video chatting with up to 10 people
at a time. They can be public, so anyone can see one in their stream and join in. Another big opponent to Google + is “sparks”, which gives you a constant feed of stuff you’re really into, and shares it with friends. You can click on any of the images you want, and add it to your interests. Once you choose your interests, you will be able to see a link to each of them under your profile picture, anytime you want to see what is going on in the world, that is related to your interest, click on it and you will get a page filled with news, posts, and
information. Google + is trying to solve the ageold problem of what to do when you’re friended by your mom. Google promises that organizing your online life into circles will actually help you to loosen up. Facebook also allows users to do the same with an option called groups, yet some users claim it to be very clumsy to manage. Many social services have tried and failed to get users to create groups. A lot of people say they like Google + better than Facebook.
“Yes I like Google+ better; I think it has a lot of cool features.” said Kristopher Burney, junior. “Yes, I do think Google + is better. The hangouts and huddles are sweet; in a huddle you can talk you as many people as you want. It’s really cool, just not a lot of people have one yet,” said Evan Felix, junior. But some still disagree, liking Facebook more. “No I do not think Google + is better because I have no friends yet and circles have no point,” said Garrett Anderson, sophomore.
By Emily Thumann
Google + strives to outdo Facebook
Communication Inventions 1456 Printing press mass produces the bible
1854-1860 the pony express is established
1865 telegraph becomes form long distance communication
1919 radio is formed
1876 Alexander Grahm Bell invents the telephone
1927 television is released to the public
1950 75% of lines are party lines
One of the oldest methods of showing affection is writing a love letter. We see them in movies we read about them in books and in greeting cards we hear them in songs and poetry but none of these can compare to the way it feels to actually receive one. As technology advances writing letters is becoming a dying art people would rather text, call, email or instant message each other, than take the time to sit down to write about how they feel. Only 40 years ago letters were a main form of communication, especially for people who had loved ones in the war. “The letters were all we had it was our way of staying in love,” said local woman Linda Schumacher from Davenport, Iowa. “When Gene (her husband) was away at Okinawa (during the Vietnam War) we got one chance to speak
By Emily Thumann
Saturday delivery may be cut.
most beautiful mushy cute sweet things and not worry about sounding weird or stupid,” Linda explains. Although it’s possible to say and send these things over the phone or online, it’s just not the same feeling. When her husband was away at the war Linda would send him a letter every day. She would wait in anticipation for his letter to arrive in her mailbox, sometimes having to wait for days and weeks because they came in bundles. Love letters are always so romantic though they can just be cute sweet little messages. “My granddaughter used to leave le little notes in my lunchbox saying I love you or have a good day,” tells Pat Ricketts. “It not only made me feel special but reminded me how luck I am also how much I love her in return,” adds Ricketts.
The professionalism of teachers on Facebook
By Bethany Puetsch
About 90 percent of teens in the United States own at least one social networking site account to keep in touch with their family friends and lately even their teachers. It is becoming more common for teachers to friend their students on Facebook and other online websites as a way to communicate with their students. However, Missouri passed a law that would prohibit teachers from using websites that allow “exclusive access” to their students. The law was supposed to take effect Aug. 28, but shortly before it could take place the Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA) managed to get the law put on hold. The MSTA claimed that the law was unconstitutional and violated teachers’ First Amendment rights. The hold will expire Feb. 20, 2012, and a trial will be held sometime before then to decide whether or not the law really is unconstitutional or not. The law started out as part of a much larger law that was made for teachers who have sexually abused students. The law is to keep them from being able to resign quietly after sexually abusing students. The
1968 computer mouse is creatred
1951 video tape recorder is invented
on the phone and it was expensive,” Linda added. Sending letters was the most practical way to communicate. “Love letters are fine and sweet but its not really about the letter it’s the feelings and emotions behind the words that make it so special I think,” said Hayley Schutte junior. “I actually wrote a love letter to my girlfriend I love her so much that it seemed like the perfect way to how much she means to me,” said junior Austin Hodges “I love you more than the sun is hot, the stars are beautiful and a fat kid loves cake,” Hodges told his loved one. Writing a letter can sometimes be an easier way to express your feelings than by speaking. “Sometimes you can’t say your feelings out loud its just too hard, writing to someone can be much easier,” says Linda. “When you love someone you can write the
Internet use grows rapidly in 1990s
1979 cell phones invented
1969 arpnet and vcr are invented
law states that the school districts must inform other school districts of the teachers’ actions and clearly state why the teacher was fired and or resigned. The Davenport school district does not have a policy prohibiting teachers and students from communicating on Facebook. “I don’t think that its right for someone to tell teachers or other public workers that they can’t use social networking sites. Social networking like Linkledon, Facebook, Twitter etc. has become a very useful tool in the professional world and as professionals, we shuld be able to regulate appropriate behavior on these sites. It is sad that other people using these sites can ruin it for everyone,” says vocal music teacher Tyler Finley. “I try not to add students unless they have already graduated.” “I feel the same way about students and teachers being friends on Facebook as the way I feel about babies playing with rattlesnakes–neither wants to hurt each other but it can lead to problems,” said social
1995 dvd is invented
1990 world wide web http www and html are created
studies teacher Jeff Hermiston. “Teachers need to tread lightly when it comes to things like students and Facebook. Some won’t friend students at all. I have, but only when the student approaches me,” said language arts teacher David Kintigh. “When I ran speech and
debate club I would friend students more often because it helped us coordinate,” Kintigh adds. “I feel like teachers should be able to be friends with students online to a certain point, I have them blocked from all my statuses and wall posts,” said sophmor Hannah Fandel. The part of the law about teachers being unable to use Facebook was originally created to set clearer boundaries between the teachers and students. “It just shouldn’t happen, why would
2004 facebook is popular
2000 iPod is invented
art by Kayla Garcia
2006 twitter is invented
2005 youtube is invented
you want to be friends with a 35-year-old man?” questions social studies teacher Aaron Cousins. One Missouri teacher leading a protest is named Christina Thomas. She says that the law is so broad that it prevents her from communicating with her own child online. Most West students don’t share posts with their teachers. “The only teacher I’m even friends with on Facebook is someone I know because their a family friend,” said sophomore Nick Almasi. “Instead of limiting our right to use these websites the policy should restrict only the interaction between students and their teachers,” says Spanish teacher Stephanie Hansen. To counteract the mistakes made in the first law, the Missouri senate has now passed Senate Bill 1, which requires individual school districts to create their own policy on student-teacher communications. The policy will have to prevent any improper communications between students and teachers. The bill requires all local school districts to write their policy by March 1, 2012.
2008 i pad
2007 Kindle is invented
2011 kindle fire and google plus invented
The average teenager spends 31 hours a week on the internet but about 40 years ago the internet didn’t even exist. In 1957 the Soviets launched the first Sputnik, thus beating the United States into space. In response the United States decided they needed to bump up their technology. To do that, twelve years later the Arpanet was created. It was a project to develop a military research network which became the world’s first computer network. In those days, no one had PCs. The computer was a gigantic, fragile box in a climate controlled room with a lot of cables poking out to work as what we now know as a keyboard. When internet was first invented it was more like texting. There were no pictures or hyperlinks; it involved messaging to other people around the world. Around 1994 a program called Netscape was created, it was the dominant internet browser of the time in terms of usage but soon lost most of that to Internet Explorer. In 1990 the internet was responsible for 1% of the communication between people, by 2000 this had grown to 51%, and by 2007 more than 97% of all communication was carried over the internet, according to www.livinginternet. com.
poll
Do you have these at home?
Cellphone
89%
Computer
72%
iPod/Mp3
70%
Laptop
57%
Internet
45%
Netflix
34%
iPad
11%
Kindle
7%
SOURCE: Beak ’n’ Eye survey of 140 students
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8 Sports
Beak ‘n’ Eye
Friday, October 7, 2011
Sports 9
Football team struggles for win
Beak ‘n’ Eye
Friday, October 7, 2011
By Sebastian Roe
Photo by Sydney Fetters
MEDITATION - Jerry Marsh’s class does their tree poses in the YMCA gym. The class is mostly full of young freshman, many of them have never experienced yoga but seem to be having fun. Marsh believes that yoga is a great way to become healtier by lowering blood pressure, increasing flexibility, and improving balance.
Teacher starts yoga class to help his students
By Sydney Fetters
Some students this year are relieving their stress and getting an exercise while doing it. Jerry Marsh, a gym and health teacher started a yoga class. Marsh said that, “the class is mostly 9th graders, it’s a part of their 9th grade curriculum.” Marsh explained that yoga “lowers blood pressure, increases flexibility, improves balance and coordination, and can relieve stress.” Yoga is a great way to get exercise and can benefit many students, he said, “but it’s not for everybody.” Marsh has some personal reasons for teaching this class. “Twelve years ago I had a heart attack here at West, I
Cross country places 3rd in city meet
saw an “Oprah” show with Rodney Yee and thought kids could benefit from doing it and it lowers my blood pressure,” said Marsh. This class is taught in the mat room downstairs by the weight room. How are the students reacting to this new class? The students do take this class seriously, he said. “Some have approached me, many of them are self-motivated.” Originating in India thousands of years ago, yoga relieves stress for millions of people. Yoga is seen as a spiritual practice with much focus on meditation. Also it is seen as a health and wellness exercise. It has become a very popular method ofphysical exercise and meditation. It can be practiced by anybody. It just isn’t usually recom-
Zumba is the new ‘it’ exercise because it’s healthy and fun By Sydney Fetters
A. J. Ortega places third against North and Central By Krista Johnson
The cross country team participated in the city meet at Credit Island on Thursday, Sept. 29. The varsity boys and girls took third in the meet. “We’re putting in a lot more miles and tempo runs,” said Coach Marty Leal. “We’re working a lot harder this year.” However Leal does say they need to be more consistent on races. He explains that they’ll have a good race one week and not the same time the next. “We need to run consistently week in and week out.” Placers in the meet include Taylor Osbourne, junior, who won the girls varsity meet. She now has second place of all time on the cross country stats board. AJ Ortega, junior took third place in the varsity meet with Nic Bacus, senior taking seventh. Brianka Morgan took second place in the junior varsity girls meet. Rane Nichol, sophomore on the boys freshman/sophomore meet and took first place on the cross country stats board. Ceci Adamski took first in the girls freshman/sophomore meet.
Photos by Krista Johnson
ABOVE- A.J. Ortega runs in the city meet. BELOW- Ortega and Nic Bacus take third and seventh places, respectively. Cross Country Meets
October 13: MAC (North Scott host) at Scott. Co. Park at 3:30 p.m. October 20: District at TBA October 29: State meet at Ft. Dodge at TBA
mended for children under 16 years of age, according to the American Yoga Association, because their bodies nervous and glandular systems are still growing, and the effect of Yoga exercises on these systems may interfere with natural growth. Yoga does still help children though. it helps them to relax, concentrate, and reduce impulsiveness. It is easier to deal with stressful events as they get older. It helps with strength and endurance. It is great for back problems as well. “Most students enjoy it, a few of them don’t. It’s not for everyone,” said Marsh. This could be a great experience for students and can benefit them in many ways.
Latin beats fill the room as a group of women jump and dance to the music. Zumba has become very popular in fitness and dancing. In this exercise dance, Latin music gets everybody going. It is part dance and part aerobics. Zumba can be for any age. It is a fun way to burn calories. Students at West have also had fun participating in Zumba. “I started Zumba because I heard it was really fun and up beat! I love working out when you can have fun while doing it,” said Hayley Allen, senior. This workout is said to burn around 900 calories in just one class. “After Zumba I feel really good because I worked out and I also feel really tired because it’s a real intense workout!” said Allen. The term “Zumba” is Colombian slang meaning to buzz like a bee or to move fast, according to CNN Health. That definition is perfect for this exercise dance, because it takes every muscle in your body and works to strengthen it. Zumba was accidentally founded by Alberto “Beto” Perez, who is a celebrity fitness trainer. He went into class one day and forgot his regular aerobic music, so he used Latin tapes from his car and figured out it would be perfect for fitness, according to CNN Health. After the origin in the 1990’s, Zumba was brought to the United States in 1999. Zumba applies dance moves from salsa, cumbia, meringue, rumba, mambo, belly dance, flamenco, samba, tango, reggatone and hip hop, according to a Zumba instructor in Springfield, NJ, Melissa Marcketta. It is said that Zumba has many positive reactions, even if you don’t like to dance.
When your doing Zumba, you don’t feel like you are just trying to burn calories, it’s not like a chore while your doing it, according to Marcketta. There are an estimated 4 million Zumba enthusiasts and 25,000 instructors in 40 countries, according to WebMD. Zumba has four or five steps in one song and you just repeat, but it can be hard to keep up with at first. Exercise physiologist Nicole Gunning said on WebMD, “As with any cardiovascular workout, the benefits of Zumba can include calorie burn, increased aerobic threshold, more stamina, increased bone density, improved balance and muscle tone, less body fat, and lower blood pressure.” In many YMCA’s, Zumba is becoming the most popular exercise offered at the facilities. Allen encourages people to join Zumba. “It’s really fun and a really good way to stay in shape or lose weight!” If you’re not comfortable enough dancing in a big group of people, there are videos you can buy to do in your own comfort in home. There are even video games for on the Wii or the Kinect. If you are looking for a place to go to Zumba, almost every YMCA has Zumba fitness classes. Classes started in September. During the fall the West YMCA has morning Zumba classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 910 am. The “Y” also has Zumba night classes on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Zumba is getting more popular all over the world. It is said to be very easy to get started in Zumba. Make sure you wear proper attire to protect from injury, and just feel the music and have fun!
Photo by Blake Rees
HOLD ‘EM BACK - The Falcons struggle to keep up in the game against North Scott.
Volleyball team works to improve
By Sebastian Roe
After six losses, the volleyball team is working together for the first win of the season. The Sept. 27 meet at North Scott resulted in a loss, with match scores of 14-25, 1025, and 16-25. The team is currently 06 in MAC meets. Head coach, Verne Keeney, believes that the key to winning is, “all of the little details that I say they should do and having fun.” Keeney believes that some outstanding players are “Savanna Bramstedt, who is third in conference, Samie Belz, who is our leading killer (A killer is like a spike, only it cannot be
volleyed and results in a point), and Brianna Bellman is a very good setter.” The next game is against Clinton here at West. “The Clinton team is a team we can beat if we play our best. We need to keep the pressure on them and not on us,” Keeney said. As a whole, the girls are becoming more of a team. “The girls are connecting better as a team, they are more comfortable with each other now than they were in the beginning because in the beginning you’re not sure who you will have in different positions,” Keeney said. “We’ve gotten better at working as a team,” junior Heather Davis said. “I’m expecting us to get better as a team and to try hard for the whole game, not just half of it.”
On Sept. 29, the Falcon football team battled North Scott. “Our goals were to give up no more than 200 yards, force 3 or more turnovers, and prevent plays of 20 or more yards,” said coach Jeremy Mosier. However, the Falcons lost to the Lancers 44-0. The biggest play for the falcons was a pass from Shawn Simmons to Skylar Moore for a gain of over 30 yards. This play was followed by another pass to Phil Poell, a gain of over 10 yards, but then the clock ran out. They did not meet the goals they set for defense. At the end of the first quarter, the game was tied at 00. “The effort level was very high in the first half,” Mosier said. “But after the first touchdown in the sec-
ond half, it dropped significantly.” “At the end of the day, it’s about who tried the hardest,” said assistant coach Gene Belz. “It’s all about effort.” “We need to do a better job of selecting plays,” says junior quarterback Tyler Lightner, “our lineman see it all and know where the holes are.” The Sept. 22 game was against the Assumption Knights, a loss of 55-0. This week the Falcons gear up to take on Central High School. To prepare for this, new plays have been added to the playbook and more film has been viewed. “We need to work extra hard to beat Central this week,” says Lightner. “They are a tough team and one of our biggest rivals.” The Falcons are currently 0-6.
The Clinton team is a team we can beat if we play our best. We need to keep the pressure on them and not on us”
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Boys golf strives for success
Senior Profile
By Sebastian Roe
Erica Jennings Cross Country
Photo by Sebastian Roe
While running, what is something you often think about? Dying. Why do you participate in cross country? To have nice legs. What is the longest distance you have ever ran? 9 miles. What is your favorite thing about the sport? We can talk and run simultaneously. What is your least favorite thing about the sport? Shin splints and cold weather.
The boys golf team is currently rated last in the MAC. The team’s record is currently 4-72. The team’s most recent tournament was the two-day MAC Tournament at Kewanee Dunes on September 23 and 24. The golfers finished 10th place with a score of 758. The best score this year is an 86 at the Assumption Invitational, and was made by senior Blake Wolfe. When asked about the team’s goals, Wolf said “[Our goals are] to improve both with our golf scores and our position in the MAC.” “We have been practicing everyday working on chipping, putting, and our golf swing,” Wolf said.
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Photo by Krista Johnson
BLOCK IT--Hannah Bellman and Kelsey Ehrecke jump to set the ball in the sophomore game against Clinton.
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“Some meets are duals while others can have as many as 15 teams there. Out of those six to eight players you take your four lowest scores,” said coach Chad Wolf. “Those scores are compared to the other team’s four lowest scores, so we could go to a tournament and beat three teams, but lose to the other 11.” There are 25 boys on the team–three seniors, one junior and 21 sophomores and freshmen. The team holds practice at Emeis Golf Course, which is also their home course for meets. The team’s final meet was on Oct. 4, a district meet. The majority of the team is fairly inexperienced, and is made primarily of underclassmen. “We are a very young team,” says Wolf. “We need to play in more summer tournaments.”
We are a very young team. We need to play in more summer tournaments.
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10 Editorials
Beak ‘n’ Eye
our view
Friday, October 7, 2011
Protecting the United States after 9/11
Art by Kayla Garcia
Teachers on networking sites
All of the students at West High have a Facebook. So do many of the teachers. But does that make it right to add teachers as your friend? Missouri proposed a law this year that restricts teachers’ use of networking sites and contacting their students. Law officials felt or still feel it is wrong for teachers to contact students on networking sites like Facebook. This bill was also supposed to prohibit teachers from texting,, e-mailing or any website contact. "It kind of assumes all teachers are guilty, and that is not the message we need," said Christopher Wright, a thirdgrade teacher in Rolla, Mo., to Yahoo! News. This bill was never passed. The social networking restrictions were part of a broader law that was proposed after an Associated Press investigation found 87 Missouri teachers had lost their licenses between 2001 and 2005 because of sexual misconduct, some of which involved exchanging explicit online messages with students, according to The Huffington Post. Prohibiting teachers from contacting students on social networks is an overreaction. Teachers and students contacting over social media have many advan-
tages. Contacting teachers online doesn’t have to be exchanging explicit messages. Students might have a paper due, but aren’t able to turn it in till we have finished typing it, so they e-mail the paper to our teacher. Teachers could also use Facebook to their advantage and the student’s advantage. Sometimes when students have a big project, they forget the due date; teachers could just put a calendar up of all of the tests, projects, and homework assignments that are due. Students tend to hop on a computer and get on Facebook once they get home. Students spend time on Facebook at least once a day; it’s an easy way to contact us. We find out when parties, school events and many other things are just from Facebook; which would make it easier for a teacher to get a hold of us from there too. No matter how people look at it, there will be good things and bad things. We should look at the good things and not just assume that it’ll lead to something bad. Another advantage is that all of the clubs in the school have to have teachers there to at least supervise; some teachers
are even in charge, Sometimes students need to get a hold of the advisor for certain things. Facebook helps this in a big way. When you do well on a test, don’t you like when someone says good job? If we were friends with our teachers, they could say things like that on our wall. Also showing the whole world knows that you did well. There are teacher guidelines, which they all have to follow. They say that there should be no sexual contact between students and teachers. It doesn’t say anything about not being allowed to be friends with their students on Facebook. The Code of Ethics for Educators says that teachers are supposed to protect students not harm them. If there was a problem with a teacher making sexual advances towards a student, the student would be able to report it very easily. The evidence would be right on the social network. Not many teachers would risk their whole career, for a kid. Sometimes people should look at the bright side, instead of the dark side. Most of the time there are more things on the bright side.
Obama’s not so stimulus package Obama is trying to introduce yet another job care stimulus even after all of the other job care stimuli have all failed. According to useconomy.about.com, Obama will spend about $787 billion in taxpayer money while also lowering investment interest rates. He proposes spending $288 billion on tax cuts, $224 billion on extending unemployment, education, and health care; and $275 billion for job creation. All of this money could be lost. According to gov. republicans,
Obama should stop talking about creating jobs and do it. He won’t allow a Boeing company to create jobs in South Carolina. Less than 20 percent of jobs made will be government jobs while the rest would be engineering, accounting, nursing, and information technology. Democrats think Obama should go through with the stimulus so they can get the tax cuts, while also following whatever Obama says with a strong like for it. Back in 2009 Obama passed a stimu-
lus plan, which failed, making 4 million people lose their jobs, 10 percent unemployed the highest since 1945. Since then the rate decreased to about 9 percent. We believe that this bill is not a good idea. This is because the government would be spending money they do not have. We also don’t want the U.S. to lose a lot of money and jobs again; we don’t want to end up in a situation like we did before. We are told to learn from our mistakes, not repeat them.
What did you think of homecoming?
“I did not like homecoming because I did not want to be there.”
- Amber Hamm senior
“I liked homecoming because it was fun and the music was better.”
- Rayce Clay junior
“Homecoming was really fun because I hung out with all my friends.”
- Avionna Lewis-Tot sophomore
Since 9/11 the United States has toughened security measures, but the big question is the United States safer? When George W. Bush was in office he and his colleagues created the Department of Homeland Security. This department protects the border from terrorist attacks. Congress also passed the Patriot Act. This act is to deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world. Because of the drastic security change after 9/11, former. Since 9/11 the National Security Agency (NSA) has been conducting a massive and illegal program to wiretap the phone calls and emails of millions of ordinary Americans without warrants, hoping to discover terrorists by sifting through the mounds of data using computers, said the SSD Project. A little over half of the U.S. feels as if they are not as safe as they could be. According to U.S. News and World Report poll, 47.1 percent said yes, while 52.9 percent said no. According to Newsweek, the U.S. has spent $3.2 trillion since 9/11. All of these costs have been for security, federal emergency funds, federal intelligence, and federal homeland security and for the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Twin Towers fall There have been over 40 foiled domestic plots against the U.S. They vary from building, transportation, assassination plots, and plots to aid Al Qaeda. Considering how many plots there have been to harm the U.S., the government has protected us well. After 9/11 the U.S. has killed more than 12 people involved with Al Qaeda. We have also captured about four. The biggest accomplishment, from what we as high school students can remember, was at the end of the last school year when U.S. forces killed Al Qaeda’s leader, Osama bin Laden. However Al Qaeda will have another leader and they will want to destroy the U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Tuesday said that the U.S. mission in Afghanistan has made good progress and has significantly weakened the Taliban. Government officials are wanting Al Qaeda and the Taliban out of Afghanistan for good; they want the Afghans to rule their country by themselves. With all of these projects and issues happening, the U.S. is slowly becoming safer. No matter what, the threat of terrorism will remain.
Beak ‘n’ Eye
Editors-in-chief News editors
Faces editor Focus editors
Sports editors Leisure editor Voice editors Trend editors Artists
Adviser
“I thought it was fun because of the music and friends.”
-Chris Johnson freshman
Compiled by Allie Sisler and Erin Pershall
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 Kelsey Ralfs Emily Thumann Sami Mills Kayla Garcia 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, October 7, 2011
dim view
Beak ‘n’ Eye
Is it body art? Or is it body harm?
Art by Sami Mills
Lots of people today have body art. By body art I mean tattoos, piercings, gauges, bars, you name it; that can be done to the human body. But is it okay to have so many tattoos and piercings that you look like a human tattoo parlor? Sebastian I don’t Roe believe that people should have a lot of body art. A pierced ear or a tattoo is fine, but I draw the line at sleeve tattoos and enormous gauges in people’s ears. It looks very unprofessional
when you appear at a job interview with a face full of piercings in the most peculiar areas. Employers will automatically think that you are some sort of degenerate or troublemaker if you have more metal than you do skin. It’s like they say, “image is everything.” I personally wouldn’t mind having a tattoo, but it wouldn’t be something outrageous or something offensive. And I definitely would not have it anywhere where an employer would see it and pass judgment. On top of that, a lot of tattoos have a personal meaning that others wouldn’t understand, so why advertise it?
People have pierced every part of the body, ears, nose, eyebrows, lips; just about anywhere with loose skin has been pierced. The same is true with tattoos. Now someone can walk into a tattoo parlor and get a tattoo literally anywhere they want, and of anything they want. So what’s next? Are we going to have massive holes in our body that show off soft tissue? I don’t want to know what the next way to destroy the body is. At this point, the only reason to get body art done is to use as a conversation piece. I think it is time for people to grow up and realize that they are covering their bodies with unprofessional art.
Hundreds of years ago, farmers invented cowbells so that they couldn’t lose their cows. Believe it or not, this is a form of tracking. Tracking things happens everywherefarms, school, the government, even in your pets. But, has tracking gone too far? Erin Many pet Pershall owners insert humane tracking devices into their animals when they are young. This prevents them from loosing or having their pet stolen. Cell phones are even personal security trackers. Parents can know where you are whenever. Tracking devices can be great, but I think that the government’s new version of tracking is going a little too far. The government has developed new ways on tracking people. The past few years they have managed to bring up tracking prisoners, it may be good to know where they are, but isn’t that an invasion of privacy? Apparently not. According to democra-
cynow.com, the government has come up with a tracking system to track everyday people like you and me. The tracking system is called Radio Frequency Identification Device. The RFIDs are tiny computer chips that are good for tracking items at long distances. Major companies and corporations are working on installing RFIDs on many products stored in stores. With RFID, everything that you buy will be numbered. The government will have records on everything that you have bought. That even includes the things you wear. Since the things that you buy are in a computer system, they can track you everyday through the things you wear and interact with everyday. I personally don’t like the idea
that people will be able to tell where my personal belongings and I are at any time. Within the next ten years, WalMart, Target, Kraft, and the Untied States Postal Services products will be apart of the tracking market, stated democracynow.com The government has gone way too far. Just picture it, a world with now privacy. Does this make the 14th amendment (The right to privacy) obsolete? If they are already tracking us now and can insert the microchips into animals, what’s next? Placing microchips into humans? Things like this make me feel as if we’re a small communist country. Do we really want America to become like that?
Tracking ‘cows’ with more than just bells
Good work
Letters
I think that you guys do a great job on writing stories. The articles you write really get people’s attention. There are many things people would like to hear, like maybe write how Facebook is changing and how people are switching from Facebook to Google+. You could also write about students and their personal lives like who they’re dating or who is whose best friend. People, like me, like to read about stories like that. I hope this helps you on your progression to writing more great articles! -Maryssa Thorndyke junior
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See this big empty space above? This is where your letter to the editor should be. 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!
Voice 11
A ‘Nerd’ by any other name
Superhero day! Twin day! Western day! …Dressing like those who are fashion impaired day? Everyone around the school, many teachers included, called this sprit week Thursday as Nerd day, but by looking at the posters on the walls or listening to the announcements, no one would find this phrase. We aren’t allowed to use the term Nerd day, and for fear we will upset someone by the term. Rachel Instead, we Willhoite usually say Ugly Betty/Steve Urkle day. Is this a case of the school stopping harassment or of political correctness run rampant? Often, any “bullying” that occurs on this day are just joking comments by friends saying the one who dressed up was already a nerd and didn’t need to dress up. I don’t see too many people being offended by the old term.
Nerd day is mixed in with Superhero, Twin, and Western day. Is Superhero day a day to undermine childhood dreams? On twin day are we making fun of twins? On Western day, are the people from the city making fun of farm kids? No! We do these things because some of us admire superheroes, cowboys, wish we had twins, or that we were smarter. For some, it’s just fun to dress up! The student body isn’t going out of their way to offend supposed ‘nerds’. We’re just playing for the week. If I’m wrong, and there are people who are offended by this, changing the name of the day won’t fix it. It’s still referred to as Nerd day by most people and it still has the same meaning. I don’t know how many people are bullied on this day, but I believe if the problem is non-existent, we should be able to call it what it is- Nerd day. If I’ve been oblivious to a major issue and smart people get bullied, I believe we should get rid of the day all together. The day has the same concept, no matter what it’s called. The question is, is there an issue or isn’t there?
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10/6/2011
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spirit
12 Trends
H O M E C O M I N G
By Allie Sisler
Shyanne Salidino, senior, was crowned homecoming queen at the bonfire by last year’s queen Lindsey Strittmater on Sept. 15 at the football field. The 300 people who attended cheered as she walked up to get the crown. Wearing a black and gray dress, she had a huge smile on her face. The crown was presented to her by Hannah Cousins and Nolan Moiser. Prinicipal Nancy Jacobsen gave her a huge hug. The bonfire had a nice warm feeling and everyone seemed like they were having a good time. There was a skit about the planets fighting between emcees Jennifer O’Hare and Michael Lawler to fit the theme “When Worlds Collide.” Then there was another Alex Scott was a body guard who tackled someone stealing the envelope announcing the homecoming queen. On Friday the 16th we had our homecoming game against North high school. The dance on Sept. 17 was
held at the river center, everyone said it was a lot of fun, “I had a lot of fun, I danced a lot, and I kind of liked the music,” said Ashley Vanwinkle. “We sold 913 tickets this Year,” said Jodi Zimmerman, student senate advisor. There was also the car rally where the first place winner won the best for performing arts, Welding won for most spirited, Green house won for most homecoming decorations, and for door prizes they won gum. We also had Tug of War and each team had to have 8-10 people on a team. “Vocational welding won against the faculty,” said Zimmerman. The week of Sept. 12th- 16, 2011 we had the West High spirit week for Homecoming. There was a super hero day, twin day, western day, steve erlke/ugly betty day, and lastly spirit day. Although there were lots of activities, some students wish that there are more activities to participate in next year. “Hopefully next year we will have more new things for us to do
QUEEN OF THE YEAR - Senior Shyanne Saladino was crowned homecoming queen at the bonfire on Sept. 15. Shyanne is in varsity basketball, varsity softball, National Honor Society, and is president of Student Senate. Parents Steve and Joy Saladino watched as their youngest daughter won by the vote of her school.
Beak ‘n’ Eye
Friday, October 7, 2011
Photo by Hieu Nguyen
TUG HARDER: Team members struggle to pull their opponents into a pile of pudding at the tug of war contest on Sept. 13 at the band field. Leading the effort are Colten Paustian, left, Laken Fluegel, Tyler Wells, Jacob Tracy, Taylor Bruce, and Michael Olson.
Photo by Erin Pershall
SKIT: The emcees for the bonfire dressed up for the homecoming theme“When Worlds Collide.” Counselor Jennifer O’Hare portrayed Planet West and assistant principal Mike Lawler played Planet North.
Photo by Erin Pershall
BURN BABY BURN: Over 200 students circle around the bonfire on Sept. 15. Queen Shyanne Salidino lit the fire, with everyone hoping for a victory against North at the homecoming game.
Photo by Heiu Nguyen
Photo by Erin Pershall
Senior, Sami Mills, dresses as an Incredable for...
SUPER HERO DAY
Sophomore Hannah Fandel and freshman Molly Petrzelka wear matching shirts for...
TWIN DAY
HOMECOMING COURT: Homecoming court sports colorful dresses after the presentation assembly. .From left to right: Amanda Coffman, Erika Reed, Katie Hoeper, Krista Johnson, Samantha Belz,Mallory Moore, Emily Thompson, Sara Moritz, Haley Allen, Brianna Bellman, Sara Dorton and Shyanne Salidino.
Sophomore Tyler Cooksy sports his cowboy hat and shirt for...
WESTERN DAY
Sophomore Andre Menard wears mismatched colors for...
STEVE ERKLE/ UGLY BETTY DAY
Sophomore Josie Miller dressed for...
CRAZY RED & WHITE DAY