Issue 2 2007 by Edward Rodriguez

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

hoover high school publications 4800 aurora avenue des moines ia.50310 515.242.7313 10.5.07.v41.i2

grievances.

Inside: Making spirit ofﬁcal p.2

The Rave rallies students around Hoover events

Chef boyarGirl p.3

Hussman takes the bronze

A senior story p.4

A day in the life of senior Jesse Benson

One leg to walk on p.5

Varsity baseball coach Michael Vukovich’s life changing experience took away his dream

“Independent since 1991, dead in 2007” p.6 Slow business leads Hairy Mary’s to close in the summer of 2007

New act, old play p.7

The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2007 moves to restrict citizenship by birth

$ $ $ $

Math teacher Laura Brinks writes a problem on her SMART board during class. With money from the grant, administrators are hoping to increase the use of technology in classes. It will also help teach teachers how to use the new technology.

Cha-Ching! Hoover ca$he$ in

thing,” Wheeler said. One of the main points of the plan is to introduce more college planning and advisory and the creation of career academies. Students who know or have an idea of the area they plan to go into, Wheeler said, can join career academies that focus on the subjects. Home rooms will focus more on “relevant career planning.” Harvey doesn’t think the current homeroom Emily Tow system is effective for students looking for help New Media Editor with college planning. “It’s not anything I couldn’t just go to the If senior Grant Harvey could choose, he would counselor and get,” he said. use the money from the $205,000 grant Hoover The grant is from the Smaller Learning recently received to put cushions on the auditorium Communities (SLC) program, which, according seats, paint the classrooms and fix the ceilings. to grants.gov “(promotes) academic achievement Des Moines Public Schools received a total through the planning, implementation or of $3.72 million to divide up among the district’s expansion of small, safe, and successful learning high schools. The grant amount is based on total environments in large high schools to help ensure enrollment. The larger DMPS schools, Lincoln and that all students graduate with the knowledge and East, will each receive $250,000, while North and skills necessary to make successful transitions to Roosevelt will get the same amount as Hoover. college and careers.” “Each school gave their input on what would Harvey said that while his first choices for using work with their school,” Principal Doug Wheeler the money don’t fall under the grant, he’d like the said. school to “give everyone a laptop and put little TVs Each individual school, he said, has different through the school.” needs, but most of the programs will revolve Hoover has already started the transition around increasing relevance to students, improving into the 21st century with new SMART boards technology and teacher training. and the increased use of computers for lectures, “Schools diagnose and deal with their student demonstrations and projects. population instead of a one size fits all ... kind of “It’s great to do power points, but students

DMPS gets $3.72 million, Hoover gets $205,000

aren’t interacting with technology, just seeing it,” Wheeler said. Part of the grant will be used to buy new technology like digital cameras and editing software. Hoover will be hiring two new teachers, one to coordinate the development of the career academies and other SLC programs and internships, the other to “facilitate teaching teachers how to use technology” to help with online classes, according to Wheeler. The school will also “try and get students in ‘condos,’” he said, which integrate English and social studies, and math and science. “If you’re doing an English paper, why not have a social studies topic and use it for social studies class?” Wheeler said. School board President Dick Murphy said, “This grant presents an opportunity and a challenge for the faculty at Hoover and the other Des Moines high schools. It presents badly needed resources to make our courses more rigorous, while, at the same time, making them more exciting and interesting.” For years, Wheeler said, it’s been thought that high school should just be about growing up and preparing for college. But, in his opinion, that’s not the case. “Federal and state governments are starting to realize how important high school is,” he said, “We need to reinvent high school or we’ll lose a generation of kids.”

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Making spirit ofﬁcial

As a singer in Chamber Choir and Harmony, senior Stephen Crane said he knows The Rave will be able to support students like him who participate in extracurricular activities. “It’s a lot more fun to perform for people than for empty seats,” Crane said. “Especially pumped-up people.” Lovan agreed, remembering the low attendance she experienced at last year’s girls’ tennis meets. “Tennis is a sport that doesn’t get a lot of support,” she said. “It would’ve been a lot nicer to have students there supporting us.” The orchestra has their The Rave has about 25 members now, but is expected to keep growing. first concert Oct. 23 at 7 Lovan, Stites and Crane all said they were having no trouble recruiting p.m. All-state auditions people. are Oct. 20 “I’m telling people I know if they don’t join, they’re not cool,” Crane said. Stites mentioned how she thinks The Rave could change how the community views Hoover and its activities. “If you have school spirit and your school is united, you look better in the Band will be attending eyes of other schools,” she said. Valley Fest. They will Both Stites and Lovan discussed how they hope the social dynamics of the also be attending sate. school will grow and change due to The Rave. “I hope it somehow unifies the school,” Lovan said. Rave co-founder senior Katie Lovan and She, Stites Lovan all hope the club will mix different groups of people senior Amanda Fordyce cheer on their Auditions for who wouldn’t normally socialize with one another. teammates at the powderpuff game. Lovan Archristmas Twist will “I hope the club will bring all kinds of people together,” Stites said. hopes The Rave will help Hoover students be Oct. 8-10. Cast list “We’re going to get athletes going to an orchestra concert,” Lovan said. feel more support at events. The club meets will be posted on the after school on Mondays in sponsor Timm Lovan said she thinks that members of The Rave will be able to meet a Bea Rendon lot of new people that they wouldn’t otherwise cross paths with. As a Central call board outside room Pilcher’s room. 139 asap. opinion editor Academy student, she knows how difficult it can be to maintain friendships Seniors Katie Lovan, Jenny Stites, Hilary Butler, Leslie Millard and Jolie with people outside a certain group. Monroe know a good idea when they see one. The five girls decided to form “You do have to make an effort to connect with people,” she said. The Rave after hearing about a similar club at Roosevelt. A deeper aspiration Lovan has for the club is to raise Hoover’s self-esteem. “We just kind of talked about it and thought it was a good idea, and then She mentioned hearing Hoover students refer to the school as “ghetto,” we were like, ‘We should do that!’” Stites said. Guitar club is thinking especially around students from other schools. The Rave is a new organization whose goal is to get a student section at about playing during “I think a lot of people don’t have respect for Hoover, even people who go every Hoover event, including athletic events, drama productions, fine arts Entertainment tonight to Hoover,” Lovan said. concerts and academic contests. Nov. 9. They are in Stites agreed, and said she had bad-mouthed Hoover in the past, but “We wanted it to be a group of students who showed a lot of enthusiasm need of a drum set doesn’t anymore because she sees the school differently. for their school,” Lovan said. during practices. “Last year, I was like, ‘Hoover’s lame,’ but this year it’s different,” she Stites said she had that in mind when she thought of the name, The Rave. said. “Hoover’s not lame, and I’m sick of us getting all this crap. It’s not such “The meaning is ‘out of control and crazy.’ Plus it sounds cool,” Stites a bad place.” said. Lovan said she thinks school spirit is important not only to the school The club meets Mondays after school in sponsor Timm Pilcher’s itself, but it also directly affects every student who attends the school. classroom. The meetings are designed so members come in, sign up for “Your school is part of who you are,” she said. “Having school spirit is activities they want to attend and then leave. like saying, ‘Yeah, I’m proud of my school and what we do.’”

HUSKY BITES

Orchestra

The Rave rallies students around Hoover events

Band

Drama

Guitar Club

Environ -mental Club

STUCO is reviewing homecoming and seeing what can be improved for next year. Their next project is planning Entertainment Tonight Nov. 9.

Gay Straight Alliance

GSA meets every Tuesday in room 62 at 2:45. On Oct. 9 they will be having a meeting on the topic of homophobia. On Oct. 23 they will have a guest speaker who will discuss homosexuality.

Occupation: Lawyer Hometown: New York, NY Web: Join Rudy 2008

Occupation: Occupation: Military Ofﬁcer Lawyer Hometown: Hometown: Park Ridge, Alexandria, VA Ill. Web: John McCain Web: 2008 Hillary for President

Occupation: Lawyer Hometown: Chicago, Ill. Web: Barack Obama Presidential Committee

Daniel Imperato

Terry “Tee” Barkdull

Senator Barack Obama

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Senator John McCain

Student Council

Leading Presidential Candidates for the 2008 Elections Rudy Giuliani

Environmental club is looking for volunteers to help plant trees around Hoover Oct. 27. This will be an opportunity for students who want silver cord hours.

American Party State: Nevada

Libertarian Party Occupation: Businessman State: Florida

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Chef

BoyarGirl Junior Ericka Hussman took the bronze in a national cooking contest

Sami Rickie sports editor Junior Ericka Hussman participated in the Family Career Community Leaders of America Nationals (FCCLA) in Anaheim, CA, this summer. Hussman is in her second year of culinary arts at Central Academy. For three periods a day Hussman spends her time in a class learning to cook. “We do a lot of book work, we learn about other cultures and their food,” Hussman said. In order to qualify for nationals Hussman and her two teammates, Janell Nicholson and Elle Ploessl, had to win the in school competition and then state. “We practiced every Saturday for two months leading up to the competition,” Hussman said. In preparation for their competitions her team also job shadowed different chefs at Prairie Meadows, The Marriot, Flemmings and Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC). State was held in April at DMACC, taking ﬁrst place Hussman and her team competed against other teams from Waukee, Davenport and other teams from Central. They made a meal of

payton quinn page design Halibut, Balsamic vinaigrette salad, rice pilaf and homemade strawberry short cake for desert. “We try to split it up I would do deserts then someone would so the salads and someone would do the main course,” Hussman said. After winning state, the team went to Nationals July 7 for eight days. Her team earned $1500 by doing car washes and bake sales to pay for their trip. “There was one day of competition. You go in a room with seven teams, cook for an hour, three courses,” Hussman said. The team prepared pita vegetable salad, bundt cake with chocolate caramel sauce and chicken with vegetables. The teams are judged on taste, presentation, teamwork and how well they use the food. “If you cut a strawberry, they want you to use the whole strawberry,” Hussman said. There is only a 2 X 3-foot space to cook in with one burner. Half an hour is given to plan the meal and one hour is given to cook it. 90 points or higher is rewarded a gold medal, 70 and higher gets a silver medal, lower than that receives a bronze medal. This year only three gold medals were given out, Hussman’s team received a silver medal. Hussman plans on participating in state and hopefully nationals again in 2008. “I think this year will be better. We had two ﬁrst years last year, this year we will have two second years,” Hussman said. Hussman wants to take the skills she has learned at Central and make a career in culinary arts. “I want to go to Le Cordon Bleu in Minnesota or the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). If we win nationals I’ll get a scholarship to CIA,” Hussman said.

                                  Junior Ericka Hussman cuts onions in her  culinary class at Central Academy. Hussman  and her team went to Anaheim California over  the summer to participate in the Family Career 

Community Leaders of America Nationals. They took third place. RICKIE PHOTO

Ericka s favorite recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

1 c. butter 1/2 c. sugar 1/2 c. brown sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp. soda 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. vanilla 2 c. ﬂour 1 or 2 c. chocolate chips Cream together ﬁrst 7 ingredients. Add remaining ingredients. Drop by spoonfuls on greased cookie sheet or spread in cake pan for bars. Bake at 350 to 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.

Cooks.com recipe

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aSENIOR’S

story

A day in the life of senior Jesse Benson Edward Rodriguez entertainment editor Senior Jesse Benson’s Thursday began with a stuffy nose, a hairstyling decision and a short walk to school. At 17 years old, Benson does not have a permit and much less a driver’s license. She does have, however, a schedule packed with core classes. Overruling her schedule are three science classes: bio II with Eric Hall, advanced physics with Beth Zavala, and advanced chemistry with, yet again, Hall. “I’m into science,” Benson said, “and so I wanted to take as many sciences as Hoover offered.” The rest of her schedule includes fundamentals of speech with Sarah Hamilton, calculus with Laura Brincks, Government with Steve Koch, and AP English literature with Nic Jackson. With so many classes on her schedule, Benson has one thing to say to the underclassmen, “You shouldn’t take really hard classes senior year because you’re always busy doing homework.” But there is more than just homework and classes packed into Benson’s Senior Jesse Benson concentrates during a biology II experiment. Benson was making schedule. She also happens to be in art, French and comic book club. antibiotic resistant bacteria. Its one of three science classes that she takes. RODRIGUIZE PHOTO “I’m also co-president of enviro club and philosophy club,” Benson said. On Thursday, Benson attended art club with Sam Kyker, one of her best friends besides Elizabeth Hewitt and her boyfriend Joseph Broich. “I share a sense of humor with them,” Benson said. “I think that’s the thing that really makes us close.” Benson doodled with Kyker during most of art club that day, but she says that they’re going to be very busy this year. “The drama department asked us (the art club) to do some things for them and we’re supposed to do a food mural for the cafeteria,” Benson said. Driver Education For YOU! After art club, Benson walked all the way back home and attempted to do some of her homework. About an hour and a half later, she left for yet another Classes held at Deerfield Crossing normal event in her life: work. 2741 100th Street, Urbandale Benson has been working at Beaverdale Estates for the last five months. She wanted the job because it’s near her house. Oct 22 thru Nov 28, 2007 (DFC0720) “It’s a really awesome job,” Benson said. “The people are cool and the 6:00 to 8:30 PM M, W schedule is really flexible.” Oct 23 thru Nov 28, 2007 (DFC0721) Among the people at her work is Richard Bracket. “He’s this really cool old guy that writes jokes on napkins and gives them 6:00 to 8:30 PM T, Th to workers. He gives everyone their walkers, too,” Benson said. After two hours of work, Benson walked back home. Three days later, she Classes at Urbandale High School remembers that she forgot to do something that day. Oct 29 thru Dec 13, 2007 (URB0704) “I don’t think I ate dinner on Thursday,” Benson said. “My family was too 6:15 to 8:45 PM M, Th lazy to cook and I wasn’t hungry.” Benson lives with her step-dad Dave Ellison, her mother Perrie Sanders, and her brother David Ellison. Her biological father and mother were never Class at Brody Middle School married. (LIN0733) “He was an alcoholic,” Benson said. “He walked out on us when I was Oct 29 thru Dec 13 2007 four. I used to see him a lot, but I haven’t seen him for a few months.” 6:15 to 8:45 PM M, Th Benson believes that the reason they don’t see each other is because her father doesn’t want to be a part of her life. For more information log on to the web Despite some arguments Benson says that she gets along well with her family. at www.drivetek.com or call Drive Tek at “Well, we occasionally fight,” Benson said, “but that’s because I’m a 515.327.1500 teenager and they’re parents and my brother is eight. Of course there’s going to be fights.” What Benson loves most about her family is that they all know how to forgive each other in the end. Benson ended her Thursday by finishing her homework, talking to her boyfriend Broich for two hours and, “falling asleep before I hit the pillow.”

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Boys and girls both have a conference meet at Roosevelt Oct.9 at 4:30 and a regional meet on Oct. 18.

Girls Swimming Senior night is Tuesday Oct. 9 vs.East at home. The meet starts at 5:30. They have a conference meet Thursday, Oct. 18 at North starting at 4:30.

Volleyball Wednesday, Oct. 7 is the state tournament. Time and location is unknown. JV has games Oct. 9 at East and Oct. 16 at Ottumwa.

Football

Tonight they play Newton at home. Oct. 12 they play Sioux City away. Senior night is Oct. 19 against North. Oct. 29 they play at Roosevelt.

Cheerleading

Hoover cheerleaders continue to practice 46 hours per week and are preparing for the basketball season.

Boys Basketball

Boys basketball will be lifting weights MondayThursday after school. Running started Oct. 1.

Varsity baseball coach Michael Vukovich’s life changing experience took away his dream

Payton Quinn features editor Baseball coach, Assistant varsity football coach and Special Ed teacher Michael Vukovich had a life changing experience that he won’t ever forget. “I had just got done playing a wooden bat baseball game and was on my way to Lake Raven to hang out and go boating with some of my buddies,” Vukovich said. “We went boating and I fell out of my inter-tube so my friend circled around to come back and get me, that one day changed my life. “The propeller hit my leg and took a big chunk out of them. I reached down and I felt bone, “Vukovich said. “I was just focusing on (breathe in breathe out) so I stayed calm,” Vukovich said. My friends pulled me out of the water and one of my friends wrapped a towel around my leg which basically saved my life. “Before the accident I had a dream to play pro baseball. I had talked to scouts and it was a possibility that I could play pro baseball in my future,” Vukovich said. “It took two hours to get to the hospital,” Vukovich said “They saved my right leg but my left leg had to be amputated. I now walk on a prosthetic leg,” Vukovich said. Vukovich may have a prosthetic leg but he hasn’t given up on his love for baseball. Vukovich coaches the baseball team here at Hoover. “I grew up around the game, I just love it,” Vukovich said. Vukovich hasn’t given up his love for baseball just yet. “Yes in a way my dream of playing is gone, but coaching the team here at Hoover is making it come true in a way,” Vukovich said. “I don’t care if people stare at me,” Vukovich said. “The funny thing is it’s just another leg, I walk on it, people stare. Whatever, let them stare. If I spent my whole life caring about what people thought or said about me I wouldn’t have time to do the things I want to do,” Vukovich said. “Some people joke around about it, but I really don’t care it doesn’t hurt my feelings so say what you want to say, I accept and I live my life that’s all that matters,” said Vukovich “In a way I’m glad it happened. Yes, baseball was a big part of my life, but now my life is raising my two beautiful daughters and being with my beautiful wife. If the accident wouldn’t have happened I would probably be in another state playing baseball and wouldn’t have my wife or kids,” Vukovich said. “Also if that wouldn’t have happened I wouldn’t be teaching Special Ed or coaching baseball and football. One thing I always tell my players is ‘Be true to yourself don’t do things because other people want you to. Just do it because you love doing it,’” Vukovich said. Vukovich doesn’t mind talking about his accident if they have questions. “I don’t get annoyed id be more than glad to explain if they are curious,” Vukovich said. “I’m going to live my life and be happy with my wife and kids and with my coaching and teaching,” Vukovich said. “Even though that day was horrible, I’m just going to live my life,” Vukovich said.

Charlie Mcinroy

Cross Country

One leg to walk on

ATHLETEofTHEissue

HUSKY BITES

Varsity coach Michael Vukovich sits at his computer during a Challenger interview with Payton Quinn. This is his second year as varsity baseball coach. He had an accident that changed his whole future. GATES PHOTO

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Age: 16 Weight: 145 Height: 5’10” Year: Sophomore Sport: Golf, bowling and tennis

Mcinroy hasn’t gotten any awards, other than his hole in one at practice, but he hopes to in the future. “It was unbelievable,” Mcinroy said. “It was my ﬁrst one ever.” “(I need to) work on a lot because I’m not that good yet,” Mcinroy said. On a scale from one to ten he rates himself a six.

D AR

His parents are very supportive of his golf Sophomore Charlie Mcinroy has been playing golf for about six years. His dad and his uncle got playing. Mcinroy hopes to play in college. Mcinroy hopes to play golf long after college also. him into playing golf. “I want to play golf for my whole life, because “My dad used to be really good,” Mcinroy said. I’m really good,” Mcinroy said. “I played when I was younger and it just took off from there.”

BIO

E R U

ALYSSA VOGEL SIDEBAR

‘ ’ entertainment 6

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hairy mary’s little bits

Independent since 1991, dead in 2007

Slow buisiness leads Hairy Mary’s to close in the summer of 2007

Tanner Buckley staff writer Local punk rock and metal artists have been left to practice minus a major venue. Hairy Mary’s recently shut down and has left many musicians and rock enthusiasts disappointed. A bar called The Dublin will replace Hairy Mary’s and will be a place for Drake students and other locals to dine, hangout, and watch games. Owner of The Dublin, Tom Baldwin said that the change was for the best. “I guess we won’t ﬁnd out until we open, but we’re hoping it’s for the best,” Baldwin said. The bar is expected to draw a large group of college partiers and is set to open within the next couple of weeks. Some Hoover students, including junior Shaun Knapp, think that it was a horrible choice to get rid of one of Des Moines’ few rock clubs. “I enjoyed going to Hairy Mary’s with my buds,” Knapp said. Several bands including The Smashing Pumpkins, Dave Matthew’s Band, and Des Moines’ own Slipknot got the ball rolling at Hairy Mary’s. Brian Lee, former front man of local punk band The Mutts and bassist of another Des Moines’ punk group Wheel Bite, said that Hairy Mary’s was a place for underground music to thrive and a welcoming spot for rockers to be themselves.

• hairy marys opened in the early 90’s as a punk and metal club

Local punk band The Mutts, lead singer Brian Lee, guitarist Frank Schwartzetauber, bassist Josh Cooper, and drummer Matt Mutt, played shows at Hairy Mary’s on a regular bassis. The venue was a popular spot for the underground music scene in Des Moines. Lee believes the reason it went out of buisiness was due to a lack of support. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRIAN LEE “Hairy Mary’s was a place for rockers to really express themselves and come together,” Lee said. “Just like every other group of kids, whether it be jocks or skaters or artsy kids, they need a place to congregate and to be with people just like them, and that’s what Hairy Mary’s was.” Some students, including sophomore Brian Wheels, think the decision to shut down Hairy Mary’s was influenced by the area of town, the Drake area. “College kids just wanna get out and party,” Wheels said. Gus Ramirez, who booked entertainment for Hairy Mary’s, worked there five out of the seven years the club was in business. He wasn’t working there for the last two years for the downfall of the venue, but thinks a depletion of support was the cause. “There really was a lack of interest in the underground music scene,” Ramirez said. Lee also believes that a dwindling group of supporters is to blame for the demise of Hairy Mary’s. “The underground music scene is going to die,” Lee said. “Hairy Mary’s closing is just one more nail in the coffin.

• slipknot played many of their first shows at the venue • hosted local and regional acts regularly • was one of the few punk bar in the metro area • closed in midsummer of 2007 due to lack of support

BUCKLEY SIDEBAR

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New act, old play

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The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2007 moves to restrict citizenship by birth

GOTTL ILLUSTRATION

According to The Des Moines Register and The Center for Immigration Studies, more than three percent of births in Iowa are to illegal immigrant mothers. A new act in Congress is working hard to make those births illegal. The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2007 is the latest and by far the most radical proposal to solve the current, so-called “immigration problem.” Under this Act, children would only qualify for citizenship if their parent is a U.S. citizen, actively serving in the military or a permanent resident in the U.S. Proponents of immigration reform took it to a whole other level when they suggested The Birthright Citizenship Act. Their focus was shifted from attacking illegal immigrants to attacking those who should rightfully and legally be named citizens. If the mother of a baby born in the United States is an illegal immigrant, then the baby would also be illegal—or atleast according to the Act they would. The innocent baby would then be

Hoover High School Publications, 4800 Aurora Avenue Des Moines, IA 50312 515.242.7313

categorized as a criminal—a criminal at only one day old. Talk about outrageous. Another outrageous fact is that by suggesting that babies born to illegal immigrants shouldn’t become citizens, the act goes against the fourteenth amendment. Therefore the act would only work if a constitutional amendment was created to take away the rights guaranteed by the very ﬁrst sentence of the fourteenth amendment that states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.” The constitution is based on American values and was created to give citizens their rights, not take them away. The only reason that this country has thrived is because of the rights entrusted to American citizens. And to take away any of the rights protected by the constitution is completely

The Challenger staff voted 12-0 for this editorial

The Act is the wrong way to solve America’s immigration issues.

It has come to my attention that there are several parents and students that think that the cheerleaders do not do anything but cheer at games. The cheerleaders felt it was necessary to let all know just some of the things that they do. For Hoover  Work the ICubs games during the summer to be able to purchase items to give out to the fans for free and to purchase items to decorate the stadium for homecoming.  Participate in car rally at homecoming  Every other year host Car Bashing at our expense for homecoming  Host Husky Pups and Junior Huskies for young ladies interested in becoming cheerleaders someday  Bake cookies for girls and boys basketball and football camps  Work at AAU basketball games  Work baseball concessions when needed  Try to be at all school events, whether participating, being a fan, or cheering the Huskies on For cheerleaders  During football season, practice four to six hours per week as well as cheer games  During basketball season, practice two to four hours per week and cheer four to eight hours at games  Spend majority of summer at practices, an average of ﬁve hours per week,

over the top, unjust and un-American. A constitutional amendment is not the way to solve the immigration problem. Neither The Birthright Citizenship Act nor any other suggestion to solve the immigration problem has ever been logical or completely agreed upon by the majority of people. And the reason for that is because there isn’t a problem. The fact that this country was founded by immigrants can not be avoided. Immigrants deserved to be in this country hundreds of years ago and they still deserve to be in this country today. Whether they go through the arduous process of coming here legally or the risky and life-threatening process of coming here illegally is besides the matter. Many illegal immigrants in this country, in Iowa and at Hoover crossed the border knowing full well that their lives were at stake. To risk their own lives and the lives of their families just to be in this country is proof enough that they have a true American heart and that they are just as much citizens as any one else. But even so, critics will still argue that there is a severe illegal immigration problem and to that there is only one little word that can be said: amnesty.

Cheerleading sponsor upset about lack of recognition

and camp for one week For the community  Stuff plastic eggs for Beaverdale Easter Egg Hunt  Participate in Beaverdale Fall Fest parade  Help with National Night Out for Meredith Neighborhood Association  Help with neighborhood clean up for Meredith Neighborhood Association  Cheer on participants at Cancer Walk at Camp Dodge  Cheer at dinner given for participants of Cancer Run in downtown Des Moines  Participate in Canstruction every year, erect a structure with donated cans that are later given to Iowa Food Bank

co-editors Christine Attey Rachael Stern features Payton Quinn opinion Bea Rendon information Joanna Welter entertainment Edward Rodriguez sports Sam Ricke design Sam Kyker illustrator Aaron Gottl chief photographer Laura Gates new media editor Emily Tow staff writers Tanner Buckley, Alyssa Vogel, Dillon Whalen adviser Timm Pilcher, CJE timm.pilcher@dmps.k12.ia.us principal Dr. Doug Wheeler printer Wilcox Printing

Publication dates for 2006-2007: • august 23-orientation • thursday, september 20-fall fest • october 5-fall break • october 26-halloween • november 9 • wednesday, november 21thanksgiving • wednesday, december 19winter break • monday, january 14-semester 2 • february 8-black history month • february 22-black history month • march 7-spring break • march 28 • april 11-prom • thursday, april 24-drake relays • may 0 • may 23-commencement subscription rates $10/year

Ad rates for 2006-2007: 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 bottom 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.

These are just a few of the things that the Hoover cheerleaders participate in, not to mention being one of the groups that are ambassadors for Hoover High School. The cheerleaders pride themselves on being supportive and proud of the Huskies, and work to reﬂect that at other schools and in the community. Cheer along with your cheerleaders and support them while they support our Huskies! Andrea Eustice Parent of Alum from 2004 and 2006 Cheer Coach PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

information 8 10.05.07.v41.i2 Student Sound ��

joanna welter page design

We are family:I got all my brothers and sisters with me HUSKY BITES

Do you believe that all people born in the United States should be citizens?

Freshman Graham Dawson

Play

Oct. 4 through 6th, the Prodigious Snob will be presented to us by the Hoover drama department, directed by Catie Miller.

Above: The senior class cheers “08” at the homecoming assembly Sept. 28. Below left: Seniors Stephen Crane, Brianna Landis and London Davis encourage their classmates as the seniors rush the gymnasium ﬂoor. Below right: Senior Chase Anderson holds up the spirit stick for the winning senior class. HALL PHOTOS

Debate

The Hoover debate faces off tonight against Ft. Dodge away.

“Yea, because they’re born in the U.S.A.”

Early Out

On Wednesday, Oct. 10, classes will follow the early dismissal schedule to give teachers time to prepare for parentteacher conferences. Classes are dismissed at 1:05 p.m.

Sophomore Jodici Bennett “If everybody is treated equal then they should all be considered citizens.”

Confer -ences

Junior Rolando Pocasangre “They should be considered citizens, they were born here so they should have the same rights as everyone else that was born here.”

Senior Laurah Mwirichia “If you’re born in America you should be considered a citizen because you have no other country to have citizenship for.”

Husky Hunt ACORN APPLE BIRD MIGRATION BLOWING LEAVES BLUSTERY DAY CANNING CHESTNUTS CHILLY COLD CROPS EQUINOX FALL FARMING FEAST FROST HALLOWEEN HARVEST HAYSTACK HICKORY NUTS LONGER NIGHTS

PIE PUMPKIN RAKE RED LEAVES SCARECROW SCHOOL SEASON SEPTEMBER SHORTER DAYS SQUASH SWEET POTATOES THANKSGIVING TURKEY WINDY YELLOW LEAVES

NOVEMBER OCTOBER ORANGE LEAVES PUZZLE FROM HTTP://WWW.PUZZLES.CA/WORDSEARCH.HTML

Parent-teacher conferences will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 10, and from 12:15 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 11. Conferences will be held in the large gym.

School’s Out

There will be no classes held on Oct 11 and Oct. 12.

Concerts Local psychodelic blues band Radio Moscow will be playing an all ages show at The House of Bricks Oct. 13 at 9 p.m.