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�� Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press or of the right of the people to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances

HOOVER PUBLICATIONS 4800 AURORA DES MOINES.IA. 50310 515.242.7313 1.29.10 V.43 I.6 WWW.HOOVERCHALLENGER.COM

Academic interven�onist steps in as “VP” �� BY TANNER BUCKLEY ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Students trudge through snow on their way out of school. The six snow days have caused ﬁnals to be pushed back and the school board to look at alterna�ve methods of making up the missed days. “You just have to be able to be ﬂexible and ready to change plans last minute. Roll with the punches and just go with it,” Welchans said,”. business and technology teacher Jacob Welchans said. ��

As the snow comes fast, �� schools slow down  BY ALEKSANDRA VUJICIC SPORTS EDITOR

As the snow piles up from a record setting season, the snow days add on as well, causing a delay for finals and a longer wait to get out of school for the summer. With the winter season starting with a series of snow storms and below zero temperatures, the district has already canceled six school days which may be added on to the end of the second semester. Sophomore Alma Zilic believes that concentrating in class will be harder as the weather warms up, and as students are making up snow days during the summer. “Everyone’s going to be thinking about having fun and not really thinking about school (on those extra days). In the past, we’ve done pretty much nothing, just sat around and talked,” Zilic said. Senior Ashley Foreman, on the other hand, says to keep the snow days coming. “It feels phenomenal because as a senior I don’t have to make them (snow days) up at the end of the year. They (underclassmen) will probably be antsy because they just want to get out of school,” Foreman said. Business and technology teacher

5

The school board is offering a survey to alternative ways of making days.Go to www.dmps.k12.ia.us to take the survey. up the snow storyboard.

Jacob Welchans believes that focus is always a problem as students stay in school for an extended time into the summer. “It’s harder to get kids engaged than earlier in the year. It can cause more unsettled classrooms. But hopefully by the time we get there, we will accept the 14th (of June) as the last day. We’ve got to make sure we give students enough work because more free time causes more problems,” Welchans said. The finals schedule has been pushed back close to two weeks throughout the whole district, giving students more time to prepare and review. “I like the new finals schedule because I’m a procrastinator so it gives me more time to study. But some people work their butts of the week before finals, and now they might forget before next week,” Foreman said. Welchans agrees with the change because it balances the two semesters out. To accommodate the changes, he’s had to stretch his last units out and shuffle his lesson plans. “You just have to be able to be flexible and ready to change plans last minute. Roll with the punches and just go with it,” Welchans said. Though summertime may not be

the best time for concentration, extremely low temperatures may not prove otherwise. “It’s kind of hard to concentrate when I’m freezing my butt off. Our school is cheap, and can’t turn up the heat,” Foreman said. Welchans agrees that with cold temperatures comes decreased productivity. “When I’m teaching a computer class, students’ hands get cold when they’re typing. Really cold days makes kids not want to do their work, at least in my computer classes,” Welchans said. As for the period of time following the canceled school days, some students may need more time to get into the swing of things. “I kind of get off my sleep schedule. For the days off, I sleep until noon or one and go to bed late. Then when I’m supposed to go to bed early on school nights, I can’t sleep,” Foreman said. Zilic agrees that extreme winter weather affects students negatively in the classroom. “You’re lazy and you just want to lay in bed and be warm all day. You don’t want to work,” Zilic said.

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1. What is it? P.E.O.P.E.L PE is a gym class that makes accommodations for students who have special needs, who are matched up with partners helping them socialize and participate in activities.

2. What am i

Do i get the same amount of credit as regular P.E.?

Participate fully, be present, dress out, learn as much about different activities and games, get to know your partner as well as others and make a new friend.

Yes, 1 semester = .25 credit.

expected to do?

Not often does one man take on the duties of being an academic interventionist, varsity baseball coach, assistant athletic director and fill in “Vice Principal”. Starting the second semester of his third year, Mike Vukovich was appointed by Principal Doug Wheeler to fill in for Janine Schochenmaier during her leave. “Mr. Wheeler felt that it would be the least disruptive to the environment to have me fill in for her,” Vukovich said. Vukovich recieved his master’s in administration in late 2009 and has enjoyed his new role inside the office. “I’ve handled it pretty well, in fact, I know this is what I want to do for a living,” Vukovich said. Since taking Schochenmaier’s place in November, Vukovich hasn’t had to go through any tough experiences. “I’m yet to have a bad experience as VP, there’s a good new experience every day,” Vukovich said. Working with kids to better their futures has benefitted Vukovich and students from all over the Des Moines area. “Although there are different challenges every day, it’s great to work with kids and help them to better themselves for the future,” Vukovich said. After graduating college, Vukovich had a goal to become a full time VP. “The fact I know it’s what I want to do is a verification of how seriously I take this job,” Vukovich said While trying to get her final high school year’s into gear, Senior Iesha Quinn found herself visiting Schochenmaier’s office on a regular basis her Junior year. “It’s weird to not have her here, but Vukovich has worked wonder’s filling the seat,” Quinn said.

“

��

“

Why should i join?

How can i switch to PEOPEL P.E.?

“I look at the class as an opportunity for mentors to get to know kids with certain needs. It’s like Best Buddies; it breaks down barriers and that fear factor and uneasiness is gone,” Grandquist said.

Gym classes are held second block on green days. If you have regular PE that same period you can easily transfer, by talking to your counselor or special education teacher Cindy Grandquist. If your regular gym class is during another period, talk to your counselor about getting a schedule change. All mentors must be approved by Grandquist, but there is hardly ever a rejection. ��

2 news

District enters into a purchasing freeze

NEWS NEWS BRIEFS

Mock trial prepares for compe��on BY JASON REICHENBACHER

The students in mock trial have a murder case in their hands. The students have to act as a�orneys and witnesses. One of the advisors, Sarah Hamilton, says that they have been learning the case since the beginning of the year. “Mock trial is where students are given a legal case that they must act out,” Hamilton said The students have only one compe��on Mar. 1. Hamilton says that the team researches the themes, learn the characters and work on asking the right ques�ons. “I think that we will do great; they’ve learned a lot since the beginning of the year,” Hamilton said.

�� BY JASON REICHENBACHER FEATURES EDITOR

G

GSA members a�end rally to support gay marriage BY KIRA HERRON

On Jan. 12 senior Stephen Boatwright set up and a�ended a rally for lesbian, gay, transgender, allied (LGBTA) youth regarding the support of same-sex marriage at the capitol. The event was originally hosted by an�-LGBTA organiza�ons “LUV (Let Us Vote) Iowa” and the “IFPC (Iowa Family Policy Center)”, but supporters of same sex marriage and LGTB rights in general s�ll showed up to both Boatwright’s rally and One Iowa’s (the largest LGTB advocacy group in the Midwest) rally to prove their presence in our community.

Drama department advances 14 out of 15 acts to state speech contest BY AN LE

The drama department kicked oﬀ the year with Iowa High School Speech Associa�on (IHSSA) speech contest. They are currently prac�cing for state which is being held Feb. 6 at Ankeny. This is freshman Kris�na Ryan’s ﬁrst �me in speech contest. “I’m really excited to see if I can make it to All-State,” Ryan said.

A valen�ne that sings BY EDWARD RODRIGUEZ

For the past ﬁve years the choir department has been oﬀering Singing Valen�nes. This fundraising event allows people to buy their loved ones a unique gi� while suppor�ng the vocal departm department. Valen�nes sell at $15 within the school and $25 if the choir has to travel out of school. Valen�nes will be delivered Feb. 12. For more informa�on talk to voice director Anna Wolf or a choir student.

Challenger correc�on BY CHALLENGER STAFF

A cross country photo on sports page ﬁve in issue four (11.13.09) was incorrectly attributed to Mark Clark. The correct photographer is Beth Atchison. The Challenger sincerely regrets the error.

1.29.10 v.43 i6

payton quinn page design

�� /��

�� The following numbers pertaining to district, state and na�onal educa�onal budgets have been accumulated to show the sta�s�cs on educa�onal spending.

�� million will be cut across the board �� district jobs are at risk of being terminated. has been cut from Des Moines Public Schools over the last nine �� million years. available from Race to the Top �� million (RTT) for districts par�cipa�ng. increase in educa�on spending � percent asked for by Governor Chet Culver. spent on educa�on per year in the �� billion United States. rank in the country for amount spent �� state per pupil (roughly $7,00). �� : ��

overnor Chet Culver has mandated an across the board budget cut of 10 percent from the original budget issued for the fiscal year of 2010. For the district this means a $17.5 million cut. The majority of the money will be coming from the State Foundation Aid, which is the money used to fund public schools. Now the next fiscal year appears to be even worse, with 300 jobs on the chopping block and a $33 million cut leaving classrooms with less money than they have ever had. What this means for the school is that anything that needs to be purchased must be approved by Principal Doug Wheeler. Wheeler has been instructed to only approve what is necessary for education at the school. Vocal music director Anna Wolf has not been completely affected by the freeze but explains that her department is lucky. “I have purchased what we needed up to this point; we will see as we get closer to contest,” Wolf said. The choir department is not able to purchase new music, so Wolf is now forced to borrow music or use what is in the vocal music library. “There might be things that we can’t do which we have normally done in the past,” Wolf said. The department must now resort to fundraising for anything extra such as accompaniment fees and videotaping and sound technicians for concerts. Wolf does take an optimistic approach to the tough times however. “I don’t think it has affected education quality yet, I think it just makes teachers have to be more creative,” Wolf said. Librarian Pam Pilcher has also spent the majority of the library’s budget during the summer and fall, and like the rest of the school, the money she does have left needs approval to be spent. “Hoover’s library has an average copyright date of 1993 which is somewhat lower than other schools, especially some of the suburban schools, but for Des Moines our school has a nice library,” Pilcher said. Pilcher plans as every year to go through the books, weed the older ones out and move in updated books, which according to her is nothing out of the ordinary. Director of community relations Leigh McGivern has regrettably come to terms with the budget cuts. “Any cuts always affect education, last year was three percent. This year was 10 percent. Over the past nine years we have had $55 million in cuts which had not affected the classroom, but now we are looking at scenarios that may affect them; it’s not something that we want to do,” Mcgivern said. Pilcher Agrees with McGivern. “We just have to bear it; we don’t have much control,” Pilcher said.

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features

jason reichenbacher page design

Preparing to compete

3

�� BY ALEKSANDRA VUJICIC SPORTS EDITOR

After receiving 14 division I ratings at districts drama participants are in full force preparing for Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) speech state contest. Participants are in their final week rehearsing before state Feb. 6 The categories- mime work, choral reading, reader’s theatre, improvisation, musical theatre, ensemble acting and a one act play- all have specific guidelines and areas of focus, whether it is character development, effective speaking or creativity. Coach Billy Kirby is directing the one act play, group improvisation and ensemble acting making this his third year coaching. He has high expectations for all IHSSA participants. “I expect that they (participants) take it seriously and try to grow and put on good theater, regardless of judges’ ratings. I want them to take risks and try something new and have a lot of fun in the process,” Kirby said. With only a short preparation time, groups prepare for judging with several rehearsals a week. Depending on the category, rehearsals consist of specific techniques whether it is physical exploration in mime, line memorization, blending as an ensemble for choral reading or learning how to think on the spot with improvisation. Drama director and IHSSA coach Chelsea Cunningham enjoys the one- on- one time she gets with small groups to work on the quality of the performance. “I want students to get comfortable enough to think outside of the box and really push to develop their

characters. You’ve got to perform what’s honest for you and that character,” Cunningham said. Depending on the score given by the judges, participants can excel to the next level of competition, potentially making it to the highest honor of All-State. “All-State is exciting because you get recognition of a job well done in someone’s opinion. Some people get trapped in the mind set of competition. And if your goal is to win, you’re not going to do as well as if your goal was doing the best you could do, despite what other people say,” Cunningham said. Sophomore Jay Jacobson made it to All- State his freshman year, with his musical theater group. “I like finally being able to perform in front of the judges because it’s what we’ve been rehearsing for. I get nervous, but it’s always good to have a professional’s view on your acting. And you’ve got to take their constructive criticism because it’ll make you better in the future,” Jacobson said. This year Jacobson is working on his role as the bad guy in the one act play from The Kentucky Cycle and rehearsing music from Little Women for musical theater. “I think about what the character’s thinking, by the script. The point of acting is to know their personality and exactly what they’re thinking,” Jacobson said. This is sophomore Katie Steingrabe’s first year participating in speech contest. She works alongside Jacobson in the one act, and is working on an action packed group mime. “It’s a lot of fun to work with my group. It betters my acting talent and broadens my horizons,” Steingrabe said.

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Senior John Preston and sophomore Ka�e Steingrabe act out the last scene in the one act play from The Kentucky Cycle during a rehearsal before districts at North High School. IHSSA speech contest involves a variety of acts including improv, mime and choral reading. �� Steingrabe feels that her group has the drive and commitment to make it to All-State. “I just want to overall become a better actress,” Steingrabe said. Cunningham pushes participants to discover something new, and not be scared to try different categories. “The feeling of accomplishment is so much greater when you didn’t think you could do it,” Cunningham said. By participating in IHSSA speech contest, Kirby believes that students can learn self confidence, public speaking and communication skills. The real rewards are shown when students use what they learn and apply it to the world of theater. “I could care less what we get from judges; to put on good theater and give the best performance-that’s what we work for,” Kirby said.

�� UPCOMING DATES: Feb. 6

State at Ankeny.

Feb. 9

Showcase at Hoover Feb. 9 at 7:30- Contest acts perform in various rooms throughout Hoover.

Feb. 20

All state at Iowa State University.

SHOWCASE THESPIAN AUCTION: During the showcase Feb. 9 there will be a thespian silent auc�on oﬀering services such as baby si�ng, baking, and cleaning. Services start at just $25 and all proceeds beneﬁt the drama department. ��

4 health

damage

BRAIN

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School associate Tracey Eddy has a daughter that has a brain injury. Taylor Eddy has Cerebral Palsy which affects the Cerebral Cortex in the brain. She has had it since birth. “My daughter had gastroschisis surgery on her abdomen at birth during the surgery. There was a brief moment where she couldn’t breathe and that’s how she got it,” Eddy said. Eddy says that her daughter has no pain and that she is very happy. “It’s mild and we are very blessed; she continues to show improvement every day,” Eddy said. There is no cure for her daughter’s injury and she thinks it would be good if they knew more about her injury. “Everything is a lot harder; just getting dressed is a challenge,” Eddy said. Sophomore Michael Bredbeck also has a brain injury. “I have to work a lot harder,” Bredbeck said. Michael has had this injury for eight years and he has lost some of the activities that he likes to do. “I can’t skateboard anymore,” Bredbeck said. Bredbeck has had three surgeries and because of them he has two belly buttons. “I have headaches every now and then,” Bredbeck said.

1

2

Two girls were born to the same mother, on the same day, at the same �me, in the same month and year and yet they’re not twins. How can this be?

4 5

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health

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The health of a teenager’s brain plays an important role in everything they do such as thinking, feeling, remembering, working and playing. Just like exercising, there are ways to keep the brain fit and healthy. 1. Stay physically ac�ve: Exercise helps maintain good blood flow to the brain and encourages new cells to develop. Students can find simple ways to increase their exercise rou�ne such as parking at the end of the parking lot, taking the stairs, etc.

Alcohol aﬀects a number of diﬀerent parts of the brain, but generally it contracts brain �ssue and depresses the nervous system. Alcohol also kills brain cells which can not regenerate. Excessive drinking over a long period of �me can cause problems with cogni�on and memory.

3. Stay socially ac�ve: Social ac�vi�es such as volunteering and joining school clubs can help reduce stress levels.

A few factors that inﬂuence to what extent alcohol aﬀects the brain:

4. Stay mentally ac�ve: Mentally s�mula�ng ac�vi�es can help strengthen brain cells.

6

What occurs once in every minute, twice in every moment, yet never in a thousand years?

Is it correct that seven and ﬁve is thirteen or seven and ﬁve are thirteen?

7

8

W W W. H O OV E R C H A L L E N G E R .C O M

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Read Blogs. Check out Photos. Watch Videos.

alcohol

BRAIN

2. Follow a brain-healthy diet: Research has shown that high cholesterol can contribute to brain cell damage. Diets that contain dark vegetables and fruits which contain an�oxidants can help protect brain cells.

A girl who was just learning to drive went down a oneway street in the wrong direc�on, but didn’t break the law. How come?

3

�� How can you throw a ball as hard as you can and have it come back to you, even if it doesn’t bounce oﬀ anything? There is nothing a�ached to it, and no one else catches or throws it back to you.

TEENAGE BRAIN

An accident le� sophomore Michael Bredbeck with half a brain. The brain is the main part of the nervous system which sends signals to the rest of the body, and without which the body can’t correctly func�on. KIRA HERRON PHOTO

quiz

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BRAIN

1.29.10 v.43 i6

an le page design

If it were two hours later, it would be half as long un�l midnight as it would be if it were an hour later. What �me is it now? I have two US coins totaling 55 cents. One is not a nickel. What are the coins?

What mathema�cal symbol can be placed between 5 and 9, to get a number greater than 5 and smaller than 9?

-Age -Level of Educa�on -Gender -Family History -Consistency of Consump�on -Years of Drinking and Age

C ALCULATE A

YOUR NSWERS

1. Throw the ball straight up in the air. 2. The two girls are two in a set of triplets. 3. She was walking. 4. The le�er M. 5. Adding 7 to 5 makes 12, not 13. 6. 9 p.m. 7. Only ONE of the coins is not a nickel. One is a ﬁ�y cent piece, the other is a nickel. 8. A decimal point.

6-8 correct answers: You are abnormally brilliant and have a strong brain. 3-5 correct answers: You’re like the average teenager. Your brain is on the right track. 0-2 correct answers: Your brain needs to be worked out more o�en. �� : ��.��.��, ��://��.��.��.��

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sports

aleksandra vujicic page design Senior Josh Johnson and Chris Bemisdarfer play defense against Dowling. They won the Dowling game 46-44, adding another win to their thenundefeated season with new head coach Courtney Henderson. “He’s actually a really good coach. He knows what he’s talking about and he’s got us winning games,” Johnson said. ��

New coach, new season, new friendships �� BY MICHAEL ROBY OPINION EDITOR

This marks coach Courtney Henderson’s first year as boys basketball coach. With the legacy of his predecessor Charles Zanders, Henderson has a championship winning reputation to live up to. However, while playing an almost undefeated season and spending some time with his players, Henderson has felt more and more confident with his team on the court. “I think at first they were kind of reluctant to accept me. Zanders did so much for them and they knew him better,” Henderson said. Since then, after spending some time in work outs and games together, the players have started to bond with their new coach. “I just want us to be the best team we can possibly be,” Henderson said. Sophomore Dwight Sistrunk Jr. felt uneasy about getting a new coach and knew the team wouldn’t immodestly enjoy a new coach.

“People didn’t warm up to him, they didn’t want to listen to him,” Sistrunk said. Sistrunk now looks forward to spending more time with Henderson, and to future seasons. “Next year’s going to be even better than this year,” Sistrunk said. Henderson is also thinking about next season. He hopes to lead his team during summer training and hopes that will bring them all closer as a team. “We want to keep up what coach Zanders had before I got here, spending time with the team, working out together and in the summer we’ll all be playing, lifting weights, everything,” Henderson said. Senior Josh Johnson has also enjoyed Henderson since his arrival. “He’s actually a really good coach. He knows what he’s talking about and he’s got us winning games,” Johnson said. The basketball team is hoping to keep a powerful record and maintain bonds between one another. “We’re taking it game by game. I want to see where we go,” Henderson said.

10-1 Season

W 46-41

Dowling CatholicW 4 Lincoln

W 46-44

W 51-37

Marshalltown

W 58-51

East

W 64-32

Ankeny

W 40-33

North

W 62-53

O�umwa

W 54-33

Mason City

W 59-34

Roosevelt

W 59-48

Southeast Polk

BY JASON REICHENBACHER

Varsity basketball coach Courtney Henderson has the team winning ball games. It has been a few years since the varsity team has seen a similar season. “Obviously when you win a ball game, things are going well; we just have to con�nue doing the things that we are doing,” Henderson said. This is Henderson’s ﬁrst year coaching at Hoover and he has the team at a 10-1 record. Henderson is implemen�ng the skills that he has been taught as a player. “Not being here last year all I did was implement the things that have been successful for me. We will just con�nue to improve and everything else will take care of itself,” Henderson said.

Cheerleaders end season with unity BY TANNER BUCKLEY

The run-down of the season’s almost undefeated scores at �me of press Score Opponent

Valley

SPORTS SPORTS BRIEFS BRIEFS BRIEFS Road to victory

5

L 54-56

Team gets back on winning track

Senior cheerleaders have found themselves ge�ng along be�er a�er each prac�ce. Senior Mariah Goodson has been cheering since 2006, and says the chemistry between the squad is be�er than it was in previous years. “This year has been fun, we have seniority and everyone’s ge�ng a long a lot be�er,” Goodson said. The cheerleaders will ﬁnish out their year in the state basketball tournament in February.

Swimmers taper for conference and districts BY ALEKSANDRA VUJICIC

The boys swim team is preparing for the conference meet tomorrow, the loca�on is at Roosevelt. Next week varsity swimmers will move on with districts, the loca�on is yet to be announced. The team held a successful invite Jan. 9. Ten teams were there, though the invite was not scored. “I’m looking forward to taper because I want to see our �me drops, and (there’s) less work and more �me to relax,” senior Nick Hestbech said.

Compe��on mo�vates bowlers BY TANNER BUCKLEY

Senior Quincy King (far le�) is shoo�ng to score against Dowling. Coach Courtney Henderson (middle) gathers the team for a game plan. Junior Chris Bemisdarfer (above) blocks a Dowling player.

Cameron Van

dy

��

Athlete of the issue

Age: 15 Height: 5’8” Sport: Bowling Year: Sophomore

Bio

Van Gundy began bowling at the age of ﬁve. His family’s love for the sport got him started. “ I was at the bowling alley two days a�er I was born,” Van Gundy said.

The bowling season has yet to see a victory for boys bowlers. Senior Niki McClain has bowled at Hoover since 2006 and has seen a bright side to the losses this season. “Our compe��on’s ge�ng stronger, we’re also a lot more consistent with our scores than last year,” McClain said. The boys bowling team was defeated by less than 10 pins vs. Lincoln earlier in the season, which mo�vated the team to work harder. “We prac�ce two or three �mes a week, three games each prac�ce,” McClain said.

Game dates

Goals

Individually, Van Gundy hopes to go professional by ge�ng schools with bowling teams to look at him. His team goal is to make it to State.

nts

e Accomplishm

Van Gundy got a bronze in the city tournament and the Iowa Games and received a silver in the Youth Olympics last year. His top score is a 297.

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Varsity Boys & Girls Basketball Jan. 29 @ North Feb. 2 @ Fort Dodge Feb. 5 against O�umwa @ Hoover Feb. 9 against Waukee @ Hoover Boys Swimming Jan. 30 Conference @ Roosevelt Feb. 6 Districts Loca�on TBA Bowling Feb. 9 against Valley @ Plaza Lanes Wrestling Jan. 30 Colfax-Mingo Tourney @ Colfax Feb. 2 @ Bondurant Feb. 5 Conference @ Ames

6 entertainment

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tanner buckley page design

��

The Ugly Truth

Avatar

Inglourious Basterds

Transformers 2 was a box office hit from opening night. A�er the first movie came out in 2007, fans craved for more. The cast featured sex symbol Megan Fox and former Boy Meets World star Shia Labeouf. Labeouf made did his first big picture role in Holes in 2003

About: The Ugly Truth was a charming roman�c-comedy that told the tale of two famous t.v. analyst trying to make it big in their business. Abby Richter (Katherine Heigl) ﬁnds that his show is obscene, and puts up a huge ﬁght against his words. Costar Gerald Butler put on a great performance.

About: Avatar was a late 2009 release that took viewers by storm. The movie was oﬀered in 3D and has blown minds of cri�cs. The movie tells the story of a paraplegic marine dispatched to a moon on an odd mission. Lead actors include Stephen Lang, Jake Sully, and Sigourney Weaver.

MOVIE TRIVIA: • This ﬁlm’s release date coincides with the 25 year anniversary of Transformers (1984).

MOVIE TRIVIA: • The movie was shipped through theaters under the name “Helpful Advice”.

MOVIE TRIVIA: • As of December 2009, with an alleged budget of $280,000,000, it’s one of the most expensive movies ever made.

About: Inglourious Basterds stood up to its talk, and proved that Brad Pi� is s�ll one of the most elite actors in the biz. The movie tells the story of a group of JewishAmerican soldiers known as “The Basterds.” They are chosen to scare people in the third Reich and cut the scalps oﬀ of Nazi’s. The ﬁlm was nominated for 4 golden globes. MOVIE TRIVIA: • Quen�n Taran�no worked on the script for almost a decade.

Transformers 2

About:

• Close to the end of ﬁlming, Shia LaBeouf hit a prop and injured his eye. The injury required seven s�tches and the doctor said that he had come an

• A�er wrestling with the jello twins, Gerard Butler ad-libbed the line “I can s�ll taste you. You know what I mean.”

CD REVIEW Wolfmother “Cosmic Egg”

inch from death

BY TANNER BUCKLEY ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

�� Wolfmother�� Wolfmother �� Wolfmother�� Wolfmother�� Wolfmother.�� Cosmic Egg�� California Queen��

�� New Moon Rising�� Wolfmother’s�� In the Morning�� Wolfmother’s�� Wolfmother�� Wolfmother��

Buy this CD at Target on sale for $9.99

• Seeing the character of Gollum in Lord of the Rings convinced director James Cameron that CGI eﬀects had progressed enough to make this ﬁlm.

• Quen�n Taran�no quoted that he’ll never reveal the meaning behind the misspelled �tle. TANNER BUCKLEY SIDEBAR SOURCE:WWW.IMDB.COM

www.hooverchallenger.com

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opinion

michael roby page design

staff editorial

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High school may leave you unprepared

CHALLENGER ��

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personal column

Finding my place by michael roby opinion editor

I’d call the life I’ve lived an independent one. Even when I was in elementary school and had lots of friends and lots to do, I never needed anyone else if I couldn’t have them. I could play on playgrounds alone, watch movies alone and do class projects intended for two people alone. Even around my friends I sometimes preferred that. As life went on, I got into middle school and most of my friends ended up moving away. I still had friends, but no one who got me and understood me like the people I knew before. I tried not to let it bother me too much.

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already dealing with an overwhelming load of schedules, students and concerned parents. College mentors would be able to complete the task that counselors may not have the time or patience to complete. The final step is to eliminate the mentality that educators only have to get students to graduate and that after that they’ll be someone else’s problem. This is obviously much easier said than done. However it is the most important step in giving students the power to succeed. Of course, there will always be students who want to make a name for themselves. There will always be students wanting to know what they have to do after high school to accomplish that. And up to this point there has always been a certain disregard for these students. Although college isn’t for everyone, these students need to know that they can talk to someone and get the help and information they’re craving for. With the current system in place, this hasn’t been happening. In order to improve the futures of all students, administrators must look over this system and instill new methods of dealing with the growing number of students looking at their futures. In the meantime seniors will continue to sit silently and wonder what they got out of high school and if what they got was enough to take them to their dreams.

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any certain individual’s fault. Three counselors ear the end of a turbulent four are each responsible for the lives of nearly four year education seniors sit silently, hundred students, administrators are faced wondering what they got out of high with daily disciplinary situations and school. teachers are overwhelmed by Some would say they The Challenger staﬀ papers, grading and parents. gained friends that will But these unlucky last them a lifetime. voted 9-0 circumstances leave students Others would say for this editorial at a devastatingly downright they became better disadvantage that could easily people and even more High school should do more be avoided. students would say The class of 2012, for to prepare students for their they learned a great example, has been provided deal about themselves. futures opportunities that were But unfortunately an never available to former overwhelming majority classes. Not only has the GEAR UP program of seniors instead focus on what they didn’t helped students succeed in high school, it get from high school: the tools to succeed in has provided all sophomores with sufficient college. resources and individuals within the school Since freshman year counselors, teachers to help answer their questions and concerns and administrators are diligent about helping regarding high school, college and beyond. students pass their classes. But when it A college preparatory course open to all comes to questions about college, students students within the school would be the first are unacceptably met with door-in-the-face step toward helping students understand the answers. confusing road to college. There would always The sad truth is that students are left be a teacher that every student would know with very few adults in the school willing they could talk to about their future, solving a to take the time to answer their questions lot of the confusion that students face. thoroughly. The problem is that not enough A second step toward giving students the students have access to these adults and are left with unanswered questions that could have tools to succeed beyond high school would be to provide each student interested with a determined their success in life. college mentor. This would relieve an immense This situation, however, isn’t necessarily amount of stress from counselors who are

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I didn’t feel like it was just the cast and crew who were hanging around my house; they were friends, dozens of friends and people who I was sharing my life with. It was an extraordinary feeling.

After all I could still do everything I’d done before. I hadn’t needed my friends before that and I could fend for myself then too. Then came my years of getting bullied. I’ve been overweight for as long as I can remember and true to those stories from elementary school, I got picked on for it. What’s more, with preferring solitude to being around the people who weren’t quite good friends, I was assaulted with all kinds of other junk. That I had no friends, that I was gay and that I was just insane. No one should have to put up with that stuff. My first year of high school wasn’t much better. I was going through the motions every single day. I just kept telling myself, “sooner or later, things are going to get better.” So I just waited. This last year though, my life turned around completely. I was asked to the school homecoming dance by a very cute girl I’d been developing a friendship with and soon we started going out. She invited me into her circle of friends. From watching her spend time with them, along with spending time with them and her myself, I began to see what it means to be a friend to someone. If I was sad or defeated before, I just curled up and cried and cried. My only condolence was from my dog, Sadie. I never talked to anyone about what was wrong with

my life. Now I felt surrounded by people who would listen to me if I went to them and realized a lot of them had been around me all along. She inspired me so much. Before I knew it, I was looking through my mom’s old address books and searching for all the old friends from preschool and elementary school, and we were talking again, years later. Later still I ended up hosting two cast parties after school plays. I didn’t feel like it was just the cast and crew, who were hanging around my house and they were friends, dozens of friends and people who I was sharing my life with. It was an extraordinary feeling. I was finally done waiting for my life to get better, now it was just too amazing. Every day feels like it’s worth feeling in its entirety, surrounded by all the friends I had all along. I still believe independence is a very important thing, but I also now see that it doesn’t have to be how I live and I don’t need to be all alone. There was someone there for me, a girl who would pick me back up whenever my spirit feel and tell me I mattered to someone when no one else could make me believe it. I don’t want to be alone anymore. Deep down I think everyone wants to need someone and be needed by someone. She helped me find my place.

�� Publica�on dates for 2009-2010: • august 27-orienta�on • september 25-homecoming • october 9 • october 30 • november 13 • wednesday, november25november25 Thanksgiving • december 18 • tuesday january 29 29second semester • february 12 • february 26 • march 10-spring break • april 9 • thursday, april 22-drake relays • may 14-commencement • may 28 subscrip�on rates $10/year

Ad rates for 2009-2010: 1/16 page (2.5” x 2.75”) $25 1/8 page (5” x 2.75”) $45 1/4 page (5” x 5.75”) $80 1/2 page (10” x 5.75”) $130 full page (10” x 11.75”) $230 banner (10” x 1.75”) $80 (across bo�om of page) The CHALLENGER is published by the newspaper staff of Herbert Hoover High School, and exists to serve as an open forum for the students, faculty, staff, administration and community. All state and federal laws regarding the publication of student materials shall apply, and the CHALLENGER will not publish materials which also fall under the guidelines established by the Des Moines Public School system, and are deemed libelous, obscene or a material and substantial disruption to normal classroom activities. The views expressed are not those of Des Moines Public Schools, faculty, staff or administration. All articles are researched, written, edited and designed by the staff, and are the result of editorial decisions made by the entire staff. Any student, faculty, staff, or community member wishing to contribute materials will need to submit copy within deadline restrictions; however, final publication is at the discretion of staff. Letters to the editor are encouraged, and must be 250 words or less in length and signed; letters may be edited for length, grammar, spelling, etc. Every attempt will be made to verify the authenticity of the author, and no anonymous letters will be published. Advertising will be accepted for all products or services that are legal for minors to possess or utilize. Advertisers wishing to reserve publication space should call 242-7313 and leave a message.

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{THE CHALLENGER BOARD} } Events Calendar }

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 6 4 5 1 2 7 3 B/G BB Ft Dodge(H) Band Boost 6pm IHSMA State Jazz Choir

10/JV/V B/G BB @Ft. Dodge

February

Husky Pups Sign ups& prac�ce 6-7:30 pm

10/ JV/V/B/G BB O�umwa(H)

Publica�on ad sales

ISU Honor Band @Ames

JV/V Wr @Bondurant

V Wr Conf @Ames

8 9 B/G BB @Waukee

9 B/G BB 120 minute dismiss @O�umwa

9 10/JV/V/ B/G BB Waukee(H)

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10

9 B/G BB @Roosevelt

Husky Pups 4:30-6 pm

IHSSA Show case 7:30pm

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B Sw District IHSSA Large Group State @Ankeny ISU Honor Band @Ames

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10/JV/B B/G BB B Sw State Roosevelt(H) Cheer V Wr District performance 1/2 �me Challenger issue 7 Singing comes out Valen�nes

Winter Formal

Le� to right: Students dance at the Winter Formal Jan. 23. Chardonay Wilson, Maria Goodson, unknown and Kylie Van Houten hang out on the dance ﬂoor. Sophomore Sierra Goodson, seniors Mariah Goodson, Basil Venard, Annie Bach and Keri O’Tool dance together. Winter Formal was held at the Polk County Conven�on Center. ��

3 places to go Spaghe� Works

Spaghe� works is locate d in the Court Avenue District downtow remodeled party rooms n. Newly accommodate large groups. This is the per fect dinner spot to go to bef moderate prices and delore prom with icious food.

1 game to play

Civic Cente r

The Civic events plaCyenter has a variety o Runt of th ing throughout th f great through Fee li�er will be playine month. presente b. 21. Frog and To g today Prize winndinFeb. 20. Finally thead will be Pulitzer Country wil g show August: Osa l be perform ge ed Feb. 23-2 8.

ille Mew21s2 Vaudevew s located at

eM The Vaudevillfeaturing a number of nue Fourth St is nds this month. The vehave talented baadas last night and will Maya had The N re Fire Feb.20, Veil of r Feb. Backyard Tid The Gates of Slumbe Feb. 18 an 26

Wanted: le�ers to the editor

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Sudoku

7 5 2 1 2 76 4 4 45 32 8 3 2 94 6 2 78 31 8 5 63 98 3 8 92 9

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ISU Honor Choir @Ames

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