Challenger Issue One

INSIDE

Junk in your trunk Devil’s pitchfork Pink bouncy ball Windex...

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-pg. 3

A Day in the Life of an Athlete

Senior swimmer Becca Leﬄer shares her daily schedule

-pg. 6

CHALLENGER HOOVER PUBLICATIONS 4800 AURORA DES MOINES.IA. 50310 515.242.7313 9.26.08 V.42 I.1

Summer ﬂooding seeps into lives of students

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Tanner Buckley entertainment editor

A local skateboarder skates down a pipe at the Urbandale Skatepark. The Prinicipal River Walk skatepark is said to cost $3.5 million to build. Fundraisers are to be held in 2009 to raise a total of 60 percent of the cost of the Principal River Walk skatepark. ��

New skate parks to hit Des Moines

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Dillon Whalen Principal River Walk skate park will be) staﬀ writer one of the largest in the country.”

Des Moines is finally going to get its skate park - make that skate parks. Three new skate parks are to be built in the Des Moines metro. One will be built at 4 Mile Rec on Des Moines’ east side and another will be at Tower Park, which is located at 50th Street and Hickman Road on Des Moines’ north side. The final one will be located at the Principal River Walk downtown. Local skater and DMACC student Mike Adam believes the skateparks will have a big impact on the community. “(The parks at 4 Mile Rec and Tower Park will be) no bigger than Urbandale’s,” Adam said. “(The

Next Generation Skateshop owner Bill Diaz had similar views on the new skateparks. Diaz said that Principal River Walk would be “one of the largest (in the country)”. Diaz also mentioned that Principal River Walk would be “one of the top ones. (It will) draw the crowds.” When it comes to quality, it is hoped the new Des Moines skate parks are top notch. “Compared to Ankeny and Valley Junction, they’ll be better,” Adam said. “(The skateparks have) nice locations.” Diaz and Adam both said that 4 Mile Rec is to be monitored by web-camera. Although these new skateparks are said to be nice, they aren’t cheap to

build. Diaz said the cost to build the skatepark at Principal River Walk would cost an estimated $3.5 million. City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation Services Manager Doug Romig said that the cost to build one of the smaller parks would cost an estimated $275,000. The cost to build both Tower Park and 4 Mile Rec would cost an estimated $825,000. To pay for all of these funds, Diaz said that there will be fundraisers in 2009. The fundraisers will have to raise a total of 60 percent of the cost of the Principal River Walk skatepark, which is said to be $3.5 million to build. Diaz and Romig both agreed that the new skateparks will bring lots of tourism to Des Moines and the state of Iowa.

After the floods of 1993, Iowans hoped that a disaster this detrimental would not happen again. While most of Des Moines stayed in the clear, other areas faced the tragedy of lost homes, jobs and money. Junior Alexandria Reif was unfortunate when floodwaters took over her neighborhood. Reif ’s family was evacuated when water levels started to rise. “I live on the corner of Madison Avenue and MLK Parkway. I’m on a hill,” Reif said. While Reif didn’t lose anything in the flood, her neighbors were less fortunate. “All the houses around the corner from me are lower and got flooded,” Reif said. After the flooding was over, cleanup began. “There was sewage everywhere; it was disgusting,” Reif said. Senior Jordan Taha had to adjust this summer when floodwaters took over the neighborhood she worked in. “Although my neighborhood wasn’t affected majorly, a lot of my co-workers lived in the four-mile radius (of the river) and got it much worse,” Taha said Taha has been life-guarding for two years. When Taha found out the pool she worked at was under water, she quickly found other job options. “I, as well as my co-workers, got to do a lot of fun jobs,” Taha said. Some jobs she did over the summer included rosebush trimming, guarding the elevator at the downtown library and running concessions at Gray’s Lake. “I made about the same amount of hours as I would at Birdland (Pool) because I worked hard to find hours, but others were not lucky,” Taha said. While working hard all summer and helping out others, Taha says she benefited a lot from this experience. “The city flooding was a great chance for me to meet tons of city employees. I made lots of new friends from working at other pools in the Des Moines area,” Taha said.

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ELECTION 2008

Top 5 39nominee facts days �ll elec�on...

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2 news

payton quinn page design

HUSKY BRIEFS Orchestra The orchestra hopes to be in for successful year of classical performances and touring as they kick oﬀ the school year. The ﬁrst concert will be Oct. 20 and the winter concert Dec. 16. Orchestra conductor Lisa Fried believes, thanks to the new block scheduling, the group “is in for an even more fun and exci�ng semester.”

StuCo StuCo is busy at work with Homecoming plans. Every Wednesday a�er school the Homecoming commi�ee has been preparing decora�ons for the dance. It’s not too late to help out. The commi�ee meets in room 125 at 2:45 every Wednesday.

Drama Lost in Yonkers, the fall play, will be presented Oct. 2-4 at 7:30. The show is $3 for students and $5 for adults. The Thespian Halloween costume party is Oct. 27. Audi�ons for the Iowa High School Speech Associa�on large group speech contest are Nov. 3 at 9 a.m. and Nov. 5 at 3 p.m.

HSAC High Schools Against Cancer is deciding on a set �me to meet every week. HSAC has a new sponsor. They are wai�ng to meet and discuss future projects. Anyone who is interested can join. For more informa�on see Jason Danielson or Payton Quinn.

Band Marching band students are rehearsing at 7 a.m. every morning. Band director Randy Hoepker said he is happy with this year’s marching band. “Marching band is going very well with one of the most diﬃcult shows we’ve had,” Hoepker said. All-State music audi�ons will take place Oct. 25. “We have 12 people audi�oning for All-State, including former All-Stater Ka�e Hawks,” Hopeker said.

Choir There will be a UNI Arts fest at Cedar Falls Oct. 5-6. Vocal Music Boosters will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 20 and Dec. 8. All-State music audi�ons at Indianola High School will be held Oct. 25.

Spanish Club The Spanish Club has been busy decora�ng the display case for Hispanic Heritage Month. They are selling last year’s t-shirts to raise money to buy new ones for this year’s club. The tshirts are $10. They are planning new projects for this year.

GSA The Gay-Straight Alliance meets every Tuesday. Anyone is welcome to join. There will be a rainbow sorbet social; the date is yet to be decided. For more informa�on, talk to Stephen Boatwright, Tran Dang or Stephanie Mondon.

09.26.08.v42.i1

Parental control �� Chloe Gamble opinion editor This year, a report card won’t be the only place parents can see students’ grades. Infinite Campus is a parentteacher conference for the 21st-century. Infinite Campus will give parents the opportunity to stay constantly in the loop with their child’s academic progress. They will have access to current grades, attendance and teachers’ comments. Gary Garth, father of senior Lacy Garth, said he supports the idea of Infinite Campus. “As long as it is used within the parameters of student privacy, I’m for anything that enhances the parent’s ability to be involved,” Gary said. This being the first year that Infinite Campus will be available, the result is yet to be determined. Gary believes that Infinite Campus will help parents with busy schedules stay involved in their student’s academic career. “I think that it’s a positive change because parents that don’t have enough time to be updated with their student’s progress would be able to access that information by just going online,” Gary said. Infinite Campus will provide a window into the academic lives of students, and will serve as a tool for more parental involvement. Gary says he intends to utilize Infinite Campus, but not depend on it. “I will probably check periodically to make sure there are no teacher’s comments that address a problem that needs to be brought to my attention,”

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Gary said. Gary feels that Infinite Campus will have a positive affect. Chemistry and biology teacher, Julie Goldman, said that in past years she hasn’t felt pressure to update grades but it is a challenging task. “Doing grades is time consuming but it gives me feedback about how students are doing and I try to contact parents if there are problems” Goldman said. This year, with parents checking updated grades daily, Goldman expects that she will have to alter her grading process. “There will probably be some pressure from parents and the administration will strongly encourage us to stay updated,” Goldman said. “I will have to find a new way to deal with late work.” Goldman appreciates when parents show interest in their student’s progress but thinks parents need to be understanding about their student’s success rate. “It’s great when parents are involved as long as they communicate with their student and are realistic about expectations,” Goldman said. As a teacher, Goldman believes that

Infinite Campus will bring confusion but feels reassured that teachers, parents and students will grow accustomed to the change. “I think we’ll figure it out as we go along and we’ll work it out. I think it will have a positive impact because there will probably be fewer surprised parents,” Goldman said. “I’m guessing that there will be glitches so I hope everyone will be patient with the system while everyone is getting used to it.” Lacy Garth thinks Infinite Campus will put pressure on some students but will turn out to have a positive influence on their academic success. “It will put pressure on kids because you will always have to be doing your best; kids don’t want to get grounded or have their phone taken away,” Lacy said. Infinite Campus has been used at other local high schools like Dowling. Lacy said she hopes for the best but in the end it will still be each student’s choice if they succeed or not. “I hope it will be work, but if students don’t want to come they’re not going to,” Lacy said. “Maybe people it will change and everyone will care more about their grades.”

09.26.08.v42.i1

features 3

jessica thrane page design

Sophomore Aaron Homard and freshmen Jay Jacobson and Nick Clark prac�ce a scene from Lost in Yonkers. “I recommend the play to anyone. It has humor but is also serious,”junior Cassie Tant, who plays Grandma Kurnitz, said. Admission is $3 for students and $5 for adults. �� out for the play; there is only one senior, family. Other characters include Uncle them have a say in who their characters Louie (junior Edward Rodriguez) and Bea Rendon. become,” Cunningham said. Aunt Gertude (junior Alyssa Gourd). New drama director Chelsea. In regard to cast size, there will be This is the first fall play in decades Cunningham said there were good some differences. Most Hoover plays where freshmen have been cast, because have consisted of larger casts. reasons to select underclassmen over auditions were held at the beginning of upperclassmen. “It’s really different. The small cast the year instead of the spring. “The two main characters of the size showcases more of the actor’s Sophomore Aaron Homard thinks play are supposed to be young boys; abilities,” Homard said. that involving the underclassmen will be therefore the boys I picked had to have The play has both comedic and a benefit. a physical build to match the character serious elements. It has more of a “Different talents will be shown. along with talent. Being freshmen, they focus on wordplay, which is a literary For instance, Jay is experienced looked younger and had a physical technique in which the nature of the because he has been acting at the Des structure that was more fitting,” words used themselves becomes part of Moines Playhouse for awhile. The Cunningham said. the subject of the work. underclassmen will become more The play is about brothers Arty “I recommend the play to anyone. Thao Pham (Clark) and Jay (Jacobson), left in the experienced and expand more as they It has humor, but is also serious,” Tant health editor care of their Grandma Kurnitz (junior get older,” Homard said. said. One of the key areas that Cassie Tant) and Aunt Bella (Rendon) “I want the audience to expect to The upcoming fall play, Lost In Cunningham said she focuses on is in Yonkers, New York, while their watch a family struggle. Every family Yonkers is a seven-member cast of character exploration. father, Eddie, works as a traveling has a story that involves dysfunction, which a surprising majority are “I want to focus on the actor’s salesman to pay off debts incurred stresses, happy memorable moments, underclassmen. instincts by doing more character following the death of his wife. et cetera. This play is like looking into Three underclassmen, sophomore exploration and having them devise a picture frame of another family. Aaron Homard and freshmen Jay things on their own. I don’t want to It is a coming of age tale that focuses Hopefully the audience will both laugh Jacobson and Nick Clark, beat out on family dynamics and a dysfunctional dictate how they should act so I let and cry,” Cunningham said. many of the upperclassman that tried

Lost in Yonkers introduces new faces ��

O D A N ON G O ? O K H N C U J A WH T ALL THA’ JUNK A’ WI H T L AL R TRUNK? OU Y E D INSI

Junior Kelly Reierson

Junk found in Kelly’s trunk Large pink bouncy ball Eco friendly shopping bag Numerous rolls of toilet paper Devil’s torch missing a spike 4 stick on tattoos of disturbing images A yearbook notebook Windex A red apparatus ��

Let’s do (longer) lunch

�� Michael Roby husky life editor With the change to a block schedule, lunch also got a makeover. The whole school now eats during the same time, which is 15 minutes longer. Former school administrator and current dean of students Ben Edwards has spent the last 34 years of his life working for different schools, and has seen more than his fair share of changes in systems within schooling, and when the idea of a block schedule came up, he said he felt hesitant about the new directions concerning lunch. “At first I saw these long lines, and kids weren’t getting to eat,” Edwards said. He said on the first day of school he saw what he had predicted: the lines were long and unorganized. But as he found out, it was just because many students had forgotten their lunch numbers. Edwards said he finds the halls easier to control this year, since students having more time to spend with their friends after eating. “I’m surprised no one came up with it some time ago,” Edwards said Edwards said he finds that the new lunch system runs more smoothly. “Our kids were rushing with thirty minutes,” Edwards said, referring both to those who stayed on and left campus, and he said the new way of doing things simply works much better. Freshman Sean Bremhorst, however, has some different views on the subject. “Unorganized, man,” Bremhorst said

about the new lunch schedule. Although Bremhorst does enjoy the extra 15 minutes, eating and hanging out with his friends, he still wishes Hoover had never changed to block scheduling in the first place. “(Then) I’d still have 45-minute classes,” he said, regarding how he would change the system if he could. Bremhorst said he feels that everything except lunch has gone downhill with the introduction of block scheduling. Seniors, too, have had to get used to this change, especially the ones who typically leave campus for lunch. Leaving campus could become more hectic for students with the buses from Central Campus arriving. However, senior Dalton Jacobus said that leaving has become much easier since the new system came to be. “We have too much time for lunch,” Jacobus said. He usually leaves campus for lunch every other day, and said that it has become much easier to do so this year than last. Jacobus also said he believes the current situation works better because with every class eating at one time, no classes are interrupted by the noise in the halls. He also said he finds that everything has gotten easier with the extra time and that everything feels pretty organized. Jacobus said that if any changes are made, they will only be ones built off block scheduling, so people should get used to it because it’s going to be here for a while.

4 health

09.26.08.v42.i1

thao pham page design

Clearing the air �� Edward Rodriguez co-editor in chief Restaurants were swiped clean of hazy air July 1 by the Smoke Free Air Act, leaving both workers and customers protected from secondhand smoke. A little over two months later, customers, workers and smokers are continuing to adjust to the statewide change. Junior Jason Reichenbacher has been working at Michael’s for two years. Although the ban has not affected him personally, he said that it’s affected the restaurant. “I know in the restaurant that the business has slowed down a bit,” Reichenbacher said. “My boss isn’t too happy about it.” Reichenbacher’s boss isn’t the only one unhappy about the change. A group of bar owners called Coalition Iowa filed a lawsuit to overturn the ban and lost. Reichenbacher shares some of their views. “I don’t think the government should be allowed to control whether or not you’re allowed to smoke in a ��

restaurant,” Reichenbacher said. Others who work at restaurants, like junior Drew Davis, agree with the ban. But he can also understand how smokers would feel. “I’d feel kind of upset, but when you’re endangering others with your smoke, tough break,” Davis said. Davis’s beliefs were shared by an alliance of health, medical and consumer groups who pushed Iowa to join 29 other states that already had the ban. They believed that the ban would save lives and improve public health. According to the Des Moines Register, Gov. Chet Culver said in Apr. that the new law builds on the $1 cigarette tax increase from last year. Culver also went on to say that since last year, calls to Quitline Iowa have increased by 500 percent. But Reichenbacher doesn’t necessarily believe the ban will help smokers quit. The only change he thinks the ban has brought on is that it’s forced smokers to adapt. “I know a lot of (smokers) aren’t going to that many bars or restaurants anymore,” Reichenbacher said.

�� “I think you should be able to smoke inside a bar. It’s almost the deﬁni�on of a bar. You smoke, you drink, you party.” -senior Nathan Bickel

“I’m for the smoking ban because (before), most of the people who were around the smokers didn’t smoke, but s�ll got secondhand smoke.” -junior Cassie Tant

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09.26.08.v42.i1

sports 5

sami ricke page design

HUSKY BRIEFS Football Despite a series of losses, members of the team con�nue to think posi�vely. “We’re becoming more of a team than we were,” senior Casey Clark said. Clark said he believes there’s more to football than just a win or a loss record.

Cross country The girls’ team placed second and the boys’ placed third at Hoover’s Invita�onal Sept. 9. Several runners, including sophomores Anna Strait and Katy S�tes and junior Kayleigh Wren, placed top in top 15 at Johnston’s Invita�onal Sept. 11. Ankeny’s Invita�onal will be held at DMACC Oct. 2 at 4:30. St. Augus�ne’s Inivita�onal will be held at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park Oct. 9 at 4:30.

Swimming

A Hoover freshman football player runs the ball during the freshmen game at Indianola Aug. 29. Several players from all the football squads were forced to sit out while the team visited Indianola because of grades. “This is a new year,” cheerleader junior Mariah Goodson said. “No more slacking.” ��

No pass, no play Jessica Thrane features editor

In the past, athletes have had to set a good example for other students at Hoover by getting passing grades. The rules for athletes indicate that if an athlete fails a class, they have to sit out for thirty days. When an athlete fails they are put in what is called “academic probation.” Athletes that have to sit out thirty days have to follow some rules. One is they have to finish off the season with the team. They also have to maintain passing grades and remain an active member of the team, which means going to all the practices. Things are going to be different this year. The rules will be the same but they will be checking grades before the six week grading periods are up. This is meant to help athletes get their grades up before they fail and have to sit out for thirty days. The activities director

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will work with all students involved in activities. Coach and gym teacher John Means said he will be involved in enforcing the “no pass, no play” rule this year. “(I will be) the middle man between students and coaching staff by identifying students who need help,” Means said. Student athletes who need help will get tutoring. “Participating in activities is a privilege. If a student wants to participate in an extracurricular activity, they have to be passing,” Means said. Cheerleader junior Mariah Goodson has been involved in cheerleading for three years and has had to sit out games her freshman, sophomore, and junior years because of grades. “It sucks because I had to watch them on the sidelines and couldn’t

cheer,” Goodson said. Although the rules are tough on her as an athlete, Goodson said she understands. “It’s somewhat fair. They want us to look good. They want teams to look and be successful,” Goodson said. “They want us to do better and get an education. Everything else is a privilege.” Goodson thinks athletes might not be the only ones dealing with the consequences of bad grades. She said the results might affect the whole school. “Some of the good athletes are failing so they can’t play and the teams do bad,” Goodson said. Staff are hoping this new system will help students before they fail. “This is a new year,” Goodson said. “No more slacking.”

A Day in the Life of... Prac�ce Day

Becca Leﬄer

5 a.m.>Wake up 5:30 a.m.-6 a.m.>Practice (swim 3,000 yards) 6:30a.m.> Breakfast 7:40 a.m.-2:35 p.m.> School 10:51a.m.> Lunch 2:40 p.m.> Snack and Homework 3:15 p.m.-5:30 p.m.> Practice (swim 5,000-6,000 yards) 6:30 p.m.> Snack and Homework 7 p.m.> Dinner 7:45 p.m> Homework 9 p.m.> Sleep (Consumes 3,500 calories a day)

Swimmer

Meet Day

6 a.m.> Wake up 7 a.m.> Team breakfast 7:40 a.m.-2:35 p.m.> School 10:51 a.m.> Lunch 2:40 p.m.> Homework 4:30 p.m.> Warm-ups (swim 2,000 yards) 5:30-7:30 p.m.> Swim meet 8:00 p.m.> Dinner 8:45 p.m.> Homework 10 p.m.> Sleep (Consumes 4,000 calories a day)

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In the wake of a successful U.S. Olympic season, the Marlins swim team chose an inspira�onal quote from gold medalist Michael Phelps to represent their 2008 season. “You can’t put a limit on anything, the more you dream the further you go,” is printed on the back of each girl’s sweatshirt. They will wear these team sweatshirts to the North Invite.

Golf Boys’ golf has a conference Oct. 2. Loca�on for conference is to be decided. District tournament will be Oct. 7. State tournament will be Oct. 10 and 11.

Volleyball The girls started oﬀ the season with a tough match vs. Johnston, last year’s state champs. Their next match-up is tomorrow at SE Polk High School against the Rams. Sept. 30 the girls are oﬀ to East for a conference match against the Scarlets. Freshmen and JV are both at 6 p.m.; varsity starts at 7:30 p.m.

Cheerleading The varsity squad competed at the Westdale Mall Compe��on in Cedar Rapids on Aug. 23. Their next compe��on is in Fort Dodge on Oct. 26. It’s their last compe��on before state, which is held Nov. 1 at Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

Game dates GolfOct. 2- To be announced VolleyballSept. 27- @SE Polk (V) Sept. 30- @East SwimmingSept. 27- @North Sept. 30- @East Oct. 7- @North FootballOct. 3- @East Oct. 10- Homecoming vs. Lincoln Cross CountryOct. 2- @DMACC Oct. 9- @Sleepy Hollow �� /��

6 entertainment

09.26.08.v42.i1

tanner buckley page design

Twilight phenom spreads

Thao Pham health editor

The new book series Twilight has taken readers by storm. Readers said what makes the story dis�guishable is its portrayal and involvement of vampires. The ﬁrst three books of the series have sold 8 million copies. HILLARY OLSON ILLUSTRATION

Twilight, a vampire-based fantasy/ romance/horror series by Stephenie Meyer, has become a huge phenomenon and frenzy among teenage girls. Freshman Heaven Slye is one of the numerous teenagers who have taken an obsession to the popular series. “I got hooked at the bookstore while I was actually looking for Cirque Du Freak books, but I picked it up out of curiosity and thought, ‘Oh my god, I’m in love with this book!’” Slye said. The series is about a teenage girl named Isabella Swan who moves into a new town, and finds her life turned upside-down when she falls in love with a vampire named Edward Cullen. Readers said what makes the series distinguishable is its portrayal and involvement of vampires. Freshman Sagila Cadick said she approves of the portrayal of vampires in the series. “The vampires in these books are not shown as the typical bad and scary vampire that is commonly stereotyped,” Cadick said.

An upcoming film adaptation of the first Twilight book is set to be released on Nov. 21. Robert Pattinson, who played the role of Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is set to appear as Edward Cullen. The upcoming movie is garnering both anticipation and mixed reactions. “I’m excited! I will go to the midnight showing,” Slye said. On the other hand, freshman Alex Woods is having mixed thoughts regarding the film. “I’m not too thrilled about the actors who were chosen for the film,” Woods said. The series has brought upon hard core fanaticism that even goes along the lines of acting like a vampire or dreaming about falling in love with a vampire. “After I read Twilight, I pretended I was a vampire for half an hour. I tackled my friend Stephanie and accidentally bit her ear to the point where her blood went into my mouth,” Cadick said. Even though Twilight usually appeals to teenage girls due to its core love story, it has also branched out and reached some males. “I am the only male that I know that likes Twilight, Woods said. Stephenie Meyer is expected to come with another book called Midnight Sun, which will be told from Edward’s point of view. At this point, the Twilight hysteria and phenomenon appears like it will continue for awhile.

CelebrityLook-Alike

Look-Alike? ? ?

Sophomore Anna Strait disagrees that she looks like U.S. Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson

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I don’t think we look as much alike as people say, but my friends think we act alike because we’re both determined. - Sophomore Anna Strait�

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09.26.08.v42.i01

opinion 7

chloe gamble page design

RESPECT, ﬁnd out what it means to me

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CHALLENGER ��

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Many things that are wrong with high schools today come down to one word: respect. Not only teachers but also students get disrespected in so many ways, whether it’s for being a different race, religion, sexual orientation or wearing different clothes. Being disrespected for such things as where you’re from or what color you are should not be taken lightly. Being bullied for your sexual orientation is also downright disrespectful. Whether you’re gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered, you shouldn’t be subject to bullying and discrimination. Everyone should be treated as a person, regardless of who you choose to be. GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) is an organization that brings students and teachers together to study the topic of a bond that should be formed between students and faculty regarding sexual orientation in schools. Information is presented on the things that should and shouldn’t be said, like “that’s gay.” Not only is it disrespectful but it may offend people in many different ways, especially if you’re of a different sexual orientation. The group is also informed on safe sex and takes part in the gay pride parade and many other activities. Many web sites have been set up to stop bullying and to have discussions

Publica�on dates for 2008-2009:

about bullying. A web site called www. stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov is trying to stop bullying and prevent it from happening by giving tips on how to stop it or what to do if you witness bullying. The website also explains what bullying actually is and how to tell if you’re a bully. Another feature this web site has is “Ask the Experts.” Students are allowed to ask any question, expecting advice back or maybe just a simple

The Challenger staﬀ voted 12-0 for this editorial Students need to respect all their peers, no ma�er how they are diﬀerent

answer back on what to do if you or someone you know is getting bullied. Verbally harassing someone is bullying. Making fun of someone for dressing a certain way or being different for some reason is also bullying. Harassing someone for their sexual orientation or race may lead to a hate crime and for that reason consequences are more extreme. It all comes down to respecting each other no matter what. If everyone took the time to say one nice thing to someone every day, some people would soon find out being nice is easier than taking the time to figure out how to put someone down or make them feel bad because you don’t agree with what they do or who they want to be.

Student Sound Oﬀ

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Do you think Hoover students have enough resect for their peers?

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Sami Ricke

I’ve been looking forward to many things that come along with being a senior: senior board, homecoming, prom, release periods, block scheduling. But there is one thing I’m dreading about senior year. I still have to take gym. Every senior class before this class was not required to take at least a semester of it every year. Why did it have to start with us? I, along with about 260 other seniors, have been taking physical education since kindergarten. Is it really necessary for me to have to suffer another year? I can honestly say I have accomplished nothing by being in P.E. If someone walked into the gym during class they would probably mistake the class for a social gathering. No one dresses, no one participates, and no one cares to be there. I don’t think actually having to take gym is the problem; the problem I have with gym is

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INMYOPINION...

chief photographer

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the way it works at Hoover. First off, we have to dress in those repulsive locker rooms. I can’t count all the times I’ve jumped on the bench to escape a mouse running through the locker bays. And I refuse to even set foot in that bathroom. There is rarely any soap in the soap dispensers, or the soap dispenser doesn’t work at all. Which means anyone coming out of there probably did not wash their hands properly after using the restroom. I don’t even want to imagine what is growing in the back where I think about how there used to be showers once upon a time. Second, I haven’t gotten through one gym period without some idiot coming in the gym from the student center interrupting the few people doing their best to participate. Seriously, don’t they have anything better to do then come in the gym, since we’re all required to take it anyway? Wait your turn. If you’re going to skip school, go somewhere, don’t stay at school. Some of us truly try to participate and make gym somewhat productive, but that is literally impossible with all of the ignorant interruptions. Third, I’ve had my four semesters! I’ve put in my time, not including all of the physical fitness I encounter all on my own. With six hours of practice and conditioning for competitive cheerleading every week, plus the nights I spend on the treadmill at Aspen,

I think I’m good. I really don’t need to be wasting my time in gym, when technically I’ve done the time. And last, isn’t there another way I could take gym? Last year I was told I could do contract P.E., where my time outside of school being active would count for gym credit. But when I mentioned it this year I was told the school got rid of it. Why? I think it’s a great idea. It would give me an open block to fill with another class, and encourage me to work out even more since I would be getting credit for it. The Gym God, or whoever decided I have to be stuck in gym class another semester, should seriously consider having a contract P.E., even if it was only for seniors or athletes. I do give credit to the brave gym teachers. And I truly mean brave. I physically and emotionally could not put up with the kind of behavior they have to deal with on a daily basis. Kudos. The way gym is at Hoover is not their fault. It is ours, the students. The locker room situation, all us, and our refusal to put trash in a trash can. Idiots interrupting class, all us. Being required to take four years of gym, well, not us, but I guess there’s nothing that can be done, so suck it up. If every single student put a little more effort into gym it probably wouldn’t be so bad. But if second semester I walk into gym and nothing has changed, I might not graduate.

• august 21-orienta�on • september 26-homecoming • october 17 • november 7 • november 9 • wednesday, november 26thanksgiving • december 19-winter break • january 23-semester 2 • february 13-black history month • march 6-spring break • april 3 • thursday, april 24-prom • may 15-gradua�on • thursday, april 24-drake relays subscrip�on rates $10/year

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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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photo essay 8

09.26.08.v42.i1

michael roby page design

It’s all a blur

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Clockwise, from top le�: A fes�val ride turns students upside down. Senior Emily Harmon makes a face with her french fries. Junior John Preston goes out for a pass during a frisbee game in the late a�ernoon. Junior Sydney Johnson calls to her friends a�er exi�ng a fes�val ride. ��

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