Issue 6

Giving the ﬁnger to “The Man” Culture of drug use today versus past

-pg. 4

INSIDE

Pg.2 Attempted ban not only affects adults Pg.3 Road to success Pg. 4 Proﬁle of a vegetarian Pg. 6 Gran Torino ignites Pg. 7 Unexpected help

Gracing halls, classroom

A closer look inside glass cases, classes that ﬁll them

-pg. 3

CHALLENGER HOOVER PUBLICATIONS 4800 AURORA DES MOINES.IA. 50310 515.242.7313 1.23.09 V.42 I.6

212 set to graduate

Schools work to keep dropout rate down Thao Pham health editor

The capitol building in downtown Des Moines is where the Iowa legislature meets. Some students believe that the ac�ons of the legislature has corrupt their own ac�ons. “I think when we have corrupt people in government we will be more prone to do the same corrupt things,” Good said. ��

Corrupt poli�cs leave bad impression politicians have a larger influence on

Chloe Gamble the American population than they may opinion editor think they do. Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday Dec. 9 after he was discovered to have been attempting to sell president elect Barack Obama’s former Senate seat. In addition, Blagojevich was proven to have withheld state support from the Chicago Tribune in order to have editorial writers fired who had openly criticized him. Senior Cathy DeLay said she despises politicians who lie and cheat to get ahead because they are deceiving the people who voted them into office. “I think it’s dumb because they’re voted in by the people and they’re lying to those people. They can’t really be trusted,” DeLay said. DeLay thinks having politicians who conspire to gain power or money is a sign of weak government and believes she is not the only one who views America in that light. “I think it means our government is falling apart because we don’t have a true honest government anymore,” DeLay said. “It shows other countries that all Americans are liars when we’re really not.” Government corruption has always existed but having a political scandal unfold so close to home has opened some students’ eyes to the effects of cheating in order to get ahead. Senior Kylie Good said she believes corrupt

“I think when we have corrupt people in government we will be more prone to do the same corrupt things,” Good said. Whether it’s a governor accused of auctioning off a senate seat or a student handing in a plagiarized paper, Good thinks morals are compromised in the act of cheating. “If you cheat once and get away with it, you’ll cheat again,” Good said. “Eventually you’ll get caught.” Even though she realizes cheating is wrong and often comes with a price, Good admits to feeling at times that there seems to be no other option. “It’s not good but sometimes you need to do it. When I don’t know what I’m doing on my homework I do what I have to to turn something in, but I always go back and learn what I didn’t understand,” Good said. While Good can relate to students feeling the need to cheat in order to meet a due date or get by, she thinks cheating to get ahead is a different story. “Cheating to get by is trying to not get the worst grade possible, but cheating to get ahead means you could have done more,” Good said. Though she knows reasons for cheating are many, Good thinks that most students cheat or plagiarize because they aren’t confident in their own ability to be successful in a class or

Ge�ng to know you

Secretary of Agriculture Former Gov. Tom Vilsack, D-Iowa Vilsack has experience heading gubernatorial groups on biotechnology and ethanol. He is expected to put into place a $290 billion farm bill as a ﬁrst priority.

Corrupt morals in government sets negative precedent on an assignment. “A lot of kids who aren’t doing well in a class are more likely to cheat than kids who have a solid grade,” Good said. English teacher Jennifer Shiek said that in the eight years she has been teaching she has encountered her fair share of identical test answers and plagiarized papers. She believes students feel the need to cheat because they aren’t confident in themselves or the quality of their work. “Plagiarism is high and integrity is low. The most common reason I think is laziness, second is confidence. It takes a lot of hard work to write a paper, every single word has to be something you think of,” Shiek said. Another justification for cheating that Shiek has come across is the desire some students have to make a better impression on colleges. “If students are concerned with getting into college they think more about getting ahead in life,” Shiek said. “I tell the kids, ‘I want to hear your words,’ because their words are good enough.” Shiek said she wants students to set goals and reach them, but not at the expense of their moral values. “If you really want a guilt-free success you have to do what you know you should do instead of what is easy. You have to hope that someone along the way taught you the value of right and wrong,” Shiek said.

Obama’s proposed cabinet

Secretary of Educa�on Arne Duncan Duncan has extensive experience working with disadvantaged communi�es and educa�on. He has been Chicago Public Schools CEO since 2001.

Secretary of Energy Steven Chu Chu is a former Nobel Prize winner. He stated his support for nuclear power and ‘clean coal’ technology and a focus on global warming during his Senate hearing Jan. 13.

Currently, approximately 212 seniors are expected to graduate this year, which is a relatively small senior class. Graduation requirements have been increased, which are based on credits. To graduate, a student needs 23 credits and passing grades of at least D’s or higher. Principal Doug Wheeler stressed the importance of making sure a student is up to par in credits. “There are kids even in tenth grade that we are checking to see that are behind in credits,” Wheeler said. During the past year, reports actually showed Hoover being close to having the second highest graduation rate in the state of Iowa, just behind Roosevelt High School. According to www.dmps. k12.ia.us, the graduation rate is 78 percent. Although graduation rates are considerably above average compared to national standards, the faculty and administrators continue to help students succeed. One of the main reasons for dropping out of high school is a lack of motivation and engagement in school. Counselor Barbara Campbell expressed her observations on students who have come to her about dropping out of school. “Lack of motivation in school connects to falling behind. Poor attendance is the biggest problem. Poor attendance lets you fall behind and makes you want to give up,” Campbell said. Senior Viana Nguyen thinks that although the faculty should have a significant impact in motivating students to reach higher, it is the student that is most accountable for their decisions. “Teachers can only do so much with a student. It has to be a student that applies themselves. A teacher can only take it so far,” Nguyen said. The implementation of block scheduling has been effective in terms of student engagement and dropout rates. More class time and freedom to exercise creativity in classrooms have been significant factors. “The ways schools were intentionally set up were more like an assembly line. That system is efficient,” Wheeler said. “We only have so many students and so many staff because education is set up like that. It’s more impersonal and students don’t feel like teachers talk to them as much or care about them. Block scheduling helps. The relationships and quality of time to see them for has increased,” Wheeler said. Commerce—Gov. Bill Richardson, D-NM, withdrew Defense—Current Defense Secretary Robert Gates Health & Human Services—Former Sen. Tom Daschle, D-SD Homeland Security—Gov. Janet Napolitano, D-AZ Housing & Urban Development—Shaun Donovan Interior—Sen. Ken Salazar, D-CO Jus�ce—Eric Holder Labor—Rep. Hilda Solis, D-CA State—Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY Transporta�on—Rep. Ray LaHood, R-IL Treasury—Timothy Geithner ��: �� , �� , ��

2 news

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NEWS BRIEFS

Jazz band fes�val March 7 The State Jazz Fest is March 7. The ﬁrst performance is at 7 a.m. and the fes�val con�nues throughout the day. All of the Des Moines schools will be par�cipa�ng. Other schools within a two-hour radius of Hoover will also be par�cipa�ng. The State Jazz Fest will be held at Meredith and Hoover. Performances will take place in the band room, orchestra room, and other rooms that can hold the ﬁ�y-person bands schools will be bringing.

Symbolic gay marriage ban creates conversa�on

��

�� Payton Quinn news editor

Drama par�cipants to showcase contest work IHSSA rehearsals began in late December. Students from around the state have been working on choral reading, radio broadcas�ng, readers’ theatre, and other categories to make it to All-State. Sophomore Aaron Homard has been part of the Hoover drama department for two years. “I have a goal to make it to All-State three �mes,” Homard said. Districts will be held Jan. 24, state compe��on will be held Feb. 7, and All-State takes place on Feb. 21.

School board looks ahead to new year The school board is making plans for next year, and in the economy’s fragile state, some changes are ahead. The board is looking to the legisla�on for funding, developing a new budget for next year and staﬃng the school buildings, as well as developing new programs to suit the students. Vice Principal Janine Schochenmaier feels a li�le hesitant about next year, but is conﬁdent things will work themselves out. “In tough budget constraint �mes, it is extremely important that a school board team works together to plan and provide for the needs of the district students,” Schochenmaier said.

The state legislature decided to discuss banning gay marriage, but Sioux City wanted to make its symbolic opposition known. Iowa is one of the many states that has a pride network. There is a pride parade in the middle of fall which Hoover students and adults attended. Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) president Stephen Boatwright participated in the parade and said he thinks the ban is ridiculous. “I’ll be damned if someone tells me who to love because I was born this way,” Boatwright said. When protests take place many signs gay rights supporters display say, “Love is love, no matter what gender.” People that agree with the ban often make signs that display “gay love is a sin” or “marriage should be between a man and a woman.” In November 2008 California citizens voted to passed ban gay marriage. A pastor from a San Diego church was more than pleased according to www.nytimes.com. “It was a great victory. I saw the people just rise up,” said Rev. James

Garlow. A Florida pastor commented on the ubiquity of homosexuality in popular culture, also according to the New York Times. “It’s almost like an obligation to have a homosexual couple in every TV show these days,” Florida pastor Rev. Joel Hunter said. Boatwright said he believes having parents of the same sex do not harm a child and can help him or her. “In reality there are loads of benefits to same gender parents; the child typically won’t grow up with gender boundaries and stereotypes to household chores and roles,” Boatwright said. “They are almost always accepting of alternative lifestyles.” Another argument made by the opponents of gay marriage is that it could lead to legalization of more intense actions. “I think it’s funny when people immediately connect homosexuality with bestiality. It makes you wonder who the real crazy people are,” Boatwright said.

Like many gay rights activists, sophomore Logan Sanders argues that love is love no matter what gender it is, whether its two women or two men. “Love is love no matter what gender the love may be; it shouldn’t matter if it’s two men or two women,” Sanders said. Sophomore Rachel Hewitt also supports gay marriage. “People should be able to marry whoever they want,” Hewitt said. Although Sioux City’s opposition is only symbolic, it has kept the conversation on gay marriage going. “(The ban occurred) because people are narrow minded and think it’s a sin and blah blah blah,” Sanders said. Whether someone is for or against gay marriage, everyone has an opinion. Sanders said that she thinks gay marriage will eventually be legalized, because society continues to increase its tolerance over time. “I say that we as a society used to frown upon interracial marriage,” Sanders said. “We eventually got over that.”

California opposes, Maine proposes Proposition 8, proposed in California, eliminates rights of same-sex couples to marry. The state of Maine proposed a bill Jan. 14 about legalizing same-sex marriage. New Hampshire Representative Jim Splaine said, “I think it is important to make our civil unions have full marriage equality with the word ‘marriage’ so that it is clear that we do not discriminate and that we welcome same-gendered couples.” �� : ��.��

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features 3

jessica thrane page design

Gracing halls, classroom A closer look inside those glass cases and the classses that ﬁll them Michael Roby back page editor Art can be a subject that helps students cope with their ideas and emotions, express themselves, and liven up the halls. Art teacher Jerry Goodrich’s art classes are learning to do all of the above. Goodrich has been teaching art for 38 years and teaches 3D design and art one and two. Goodrich is impressed with his classes, the students seem dedicated. His students also seem to be able to keep up with some of his more obscure assignments. “We’re studying texture, we’re making cereal boxes with it,” Goodrich said. Goodrich likes the glass cases in the halls because it helps promote the arts, and if students see what’s going on in the class, they’ll often feel more interested and want to be part of the class. The contents of the glass cases in the hallways are decided on by Goodrich and his fellow art teachers. It usually depends on the projects in his and the photography classes. There are six cases, and when need be, the class whose projects take up more space or is more recent takes up the majority of the space. Sophomore Rachel Hewitt hasn’t taken an art class since seventh grade, but Goodrich isn’t disappointing her. “I like the assignments he gives

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[ voice YOUR opinion Send us a le�er to the editor Drop your 250 word le�er to the editor in the Challenger box in the library or submit it online via our new website website.

because he teaches us how to do it and helps a lot,” Hewitt said. Hewitt enjoys her classes because a lot of projects can be done in or with groups, which allows her to get help and support from her friends during class. Hewitt likes the idea of the cases because it’s like a showcasing of their assignments and it gives students a chance to show off their pride. Earlier in the year, the class has studied blind contour, which is drawing without looking at the page, shape and form and water colors. Freshman Bakr Brown is also taking Goodrich’s classes and has taken art every year since elementary school. “It lets me express myself,” Brown said, shrugging. Brown feels what goes in the glass case is more up to the students and how hard they work than the teacher’s decisions. While Brown likes Goodrich’s assignments, he was hesitant about his teaching techniques. “He lets the students kind of teach themselves,” Brown said, after a few seconds of thought and consideration. Both Hewitt and Brown agree that while Goodrich’s techniques seem questionable at times, they manage to bring out the best in the students and their work. While neither of them plans to major in art in their future, they both feel it brings out their creative spirit, which they say not a lot of classes manage to do. “Anyone can be creative; it’s their choice,” Brown said.

A student’s road to success

7

Goals of the ELL program

Story of an English language learner

To educate limited English proﬁcient students to the same rigorous standards as all students in the school district.

Joanna Welter front page editor

To teach the English language, including listening, speaking, reading and wri�ng skills.

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LL classes, also known as English Language Learning classes are designed to help students taking And stop by our site to English as a second language learn the see if you’re there language. These classes are gueared toward giving students the time to translate and understand the material. www.hooverchallenger.com Junior Habibo Abdi has been taking ELL classes since she came here as a freshman. She said that the classes have helped her a lot. “Well I came here and I only understood a little,” Abdi said. “Then I started learning the language and it Brian Christian Dick Christian helped me a lot. The language is key here.” Although Abdi said she does not mind living in America, she misses her Brian Christian Brian Dick Christian Dick Christian 6721 Douglas Christian Avenue Sales 515-270-8030 home. Abdi and her family moved to Des Moines, Iowa 50322 Fax 515-270-8056 Brian Christian West of Merle Hay at 68th America after living in a refugee camp Christian for 13 years due to being chased out www.christianphoto.biz of Somalia by the war and her fathers death. 6721 Douglas Avenue 6721 Douglas Avenue “Somalia, our country has a lot of Sales 515-270-8030 Sales 515-270-8030 war,” Abdi said. “My dad got killed and Des Moines, Iowa 50322 Des Moines, Iowa 50322 Christian Brian Dick Christian Fax 515-270-8056 Fax 515-270-8056 6721 Douglas Avenue Christian Brian went to a refugee camp.” Dick Christian West of Merle Hay at 68th West of Merle Hay atwe 68th 30 Abdi and her family then chose to Des Moines, Iowa 50322 6 move to America to have a better life. West ofwww.christianphoto.biz Merle Hay at 68th www.christianphoto.biz “The life in the refugee camp was too difficult because everyone had to www.christianphoto.biz go there we couldn’t stay in 6721because Douglas Avenue Sales 515-270-80306721 Douglas Avenue Somalia,” Abdi Iowa said.50322 Des Moines, Sales 515-270-8030 Fax 515-270-8056 Des Moines, Iowa 50322 Abdi that Hay she at is 68th glad she got to Westsaid of Merle Fax 515-270-8056 take West of Merle Hay at 68ththe ELL classes here. “It would have been harder without www.christianphoto.biz these classes,” Abdi said. www.christianphoto.biz Math teacher Josh Griffith began

Christian Photo

Sophomore Rachel Hewi� works on an art project.Hewi� says she enjoys classes because of the projects.“I like the assignments he gives us because he teaches us how to do it and helps alot,”Hewi� said. ��

Christian Photo Christian Photo ristian Photo Christian Christian PhotoPhoto

teaching ELL classes this year. He said he thinks ELL classes are helpful to students with English as their second language. “They’re for the student that has trouble understanding the language,” Griffith said. Griffith said that it helps Abdi learn the material at her own pace. “I think it gives her what she needs to make those translations possible,” Griffith said. Griffith said the students in ELL classes are also more driven to learn than other students. “A lot of them come from countries where education is a privilege,” Griffith said. “And because of that, education and money mean a little bit more to them.” There are many teachers called aids who sit in the ELL classes with the students and translate for them as necessary. Griffith was chosen to teach these classes, but said that he would have volunteered to teach them anyway. “I already know and have a relationship with many of the students,” Griffith said. “I really enjoy teaching these classes and now that I’ve got them I’d like to continue teaching them for many years to come.” Griffith also said that Hoover offers more ELL classes than most surrounding schools. “I think it gives them more opportunities to receive the support that they need,” Griffith said.

To provide students with an opportunity to progress academically with their peer group by using tutor assistance in their ﬁrst language. To foster posi�ve a�tudes toward school and posi�ve self-concepts. To assist students in understanding and func�oning within American society. To promote pride in the students’ cultural and linguis�c backgrounds. To involve families and community leaders in the educa�onal process in order to make educa�on a coopera�ve eﬀort between home and school. ��: ��://��.��.�12.��.��/��/7��.��

“Somalia, our country has a lot of war. My dad got killed and we went to a refugee camp. ” -Junior Habibo Abdi

4 health

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Giving the ﬁnger to “the man”

�� Dillon Whalen staﬀ writer

Drug culture in the United States is changing day to day. Drugs are a part of popular culture today. Back in the ‘60s and ‘70s, drugs like marijuana and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) were a few of the most popular drugs during this time. They were also a part of major controversy due to their legal status. “I think it’s become a pretty big problem,” history teacher Jason Danielson said. Danielson also feels that while it is a big problem, he doesn’t feel that it’s a new problem. Drugs have been the center of controversy ever since the early 1900s, but it wasn’t until the ‘60s that they became a part of popular culture. Back in the ‘60s, marijuana and LSD were some of the major drugs that were used in the American drug culture. Peyote, mescaline and psilocybin (“magic mushrooms”) were also popular at the time. Psychedelic groups like the Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Doors and Jefferson Airplane helped pioneer psychedelic music and psychedelic drug use. One of the major psychedelic drug activists and a major part of the drug culture was Timothy Leary. Leary first experimented with psychedelics while on a trip to Mexico. As the ‘60s came to a close, and the ‘70s came, marijuana usage increased. The powerful drug heroin also came into the picture.

Heroin is one of three drugs that is derived from the poppy plant. The other two are morphine and opium. While opium and heroin are illegal, morphine is legal, to some extent. As the ‘80s came, so did new, harder drugs. Cocaine became a major drug used in the ‘80s drug culture. The ‘80s also had the “drug wars” and the cocaine trade, as depicted in movies like Blow, Scarface and documentaries like Cocaine Cowboys. In the late ‘80s, people started to use a smokeable form of cocaine: crack cocaine. Crack cocaine started what would soon be known as the “crack epidemic.” Methamphetamine became a major drug used in the drug culture during the ‘90s. The ‘90s also had musical groups that would influence the drug culture forever. In the early ‘90s, rap group Cypress Hill had hits like I Wanna Get High and Hits From The Bong, songs that talked about and promoted marijuana usage. Rap/rock group Kottonmouth Kings also had songs that talked about and promoted the use of marijuana. In modern days, people grow marijuana on their own. People also lace drugs more often today, compared to back in the day. People who grow marijuana also have the ability to control the amount of THC, something people couldn’t do back in the ‘60s and ‘70s. “It seems that, although recreationally, it seems more prevalent,” Danielson said. “I think you see more acceptance (today).” Senior Jaime Sandoval also feels that drugs have changed since they became popular. “There’s original drugs, but they’ve evolved,” Sandoval said. “(Drugs today are) more controlled, people aren’t trying crazy stuff.” Sandoval also feels that it is more prevalent. “It’s easier to distribute,” Sandoval said. “More people accept it.” History teacher Phil Carlson has a more in-depth view on the drug culture. “Many of the drugs are more potent (today),” Carlson said.

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“Marijuana is more potent now. (It’s) stronger, (there’s) more medicinal value.” Carlson also said that the drug culture today is about business, compared to back in the day, when it was just a recreational thing for people. “Drugs probably aren’t as safe today as they were,” Carlson said. “...(There

are) more overdoses today.” Studies have shown that mixing drugs with other drugs can be deadly. Even though the consequences may be deadly, people still mix drugs. People have been mixing drugs since the ‘60s. “Using drugs was like giving the finger to the establishment,” Carlson said.

Overdosing

on over the counter drugs ��

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Proﬁle of a �� vegetarian �� Tanner Buckley entertainment writer Vegetarianism has become more popular than ever in the U.S. over the past century. Typical vegetarians consume more dairy products than the average American due to lack of protein and iron, but eggs are excluded from the typical diet. Junior Carolyn Thorn has been a vegetarian for over a year. Thorn recalls the first time she stopped eating meat. “I’d been thinking about going veggie for a while. Eventually I didn’t like the taste of meat anymore,” Thorn said. Thorn said that changing her eating habits wasn’t easy at first. “The first time I tried I got sick, but my second try was easy,” Thorn said. Thorn didn’t let her eating habits get in the way of her social life. “None of my friends cared about my choice, some actually thought it was cool,” Thorn said. Thorn has found many alternatives to eating meat. “I eat veggie burgers, and lots of fruits and vegetables,” Thorn said.

According to www.primusweb.com, there are many different types of vegetarians including vegans, lactovegetarians and lacto-ova vegetarians. www.primusweb.com states that there are many common pros to becoming a vegetarian. Health affects vary, but usually have a good impact on anyone’s health including lower saturated fat levels, cholesterol and animal protein. Thorn believes that being a vegetarian makes people much healthier by making them pay more attention to what foods they buy. “It’s much healthier and makes you watch what you eat,” Thorn said. Thorn’s parents weren’t originally for Carolyn’s idea. “My parents weren’t happy, but they didn’t stop me. They told me it’s my body and my choice,” Thorn said. Sophomore Aaron Homard has dealt with two vegetarians throughout his 15 years. While Homard’s friend has turned to vegetarianism, his sister has also been a vegan all of her life. “It was weird. When she lived here you’d go to the freezer and find weird foods, like Boca burgers,” Homard said.

Directions on Tylenol and other over the counter drugs should always be followed unless otherwise directed by a physician. An overdose of Tylenol can induce a liver failure, and it takes a long time for the medicine to reach all the way through the body’s system. If suspicions arise that an overdose of any drug has occurred, seek medical care. Pain relievers should not be

taken too often. If dependence on an over the counter drug like Tylenol occurs, consult a physician about some kind of stress reliever or an alternative drug choice. An excessive amount of Tylenol can cause liver failure and even death. If an overdose of a drug like Tylenol occurs as a suicide attempt, seek professional help and emergency medical care as soon as possible.

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sports 5

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Wrestlers endure challenges

SPORTS BRIEFS Pin heads The bowling team won their ﬁrst game against Roosevelt Jan. 8. Junior Michael Bell has played on the team for two years now. “We beat Roosevelt by like 300 pins,” Bell said. The team will play against Roosevelt again Monday at Plaza Lanes, and Tuesday they will play O�umwa at Plaza.

�� Katlin Perkins staﬀ writer

Caleb Emerson

The training for wrestling isn’t easier than other sports. With rules to learn and weight goals to meet, some find themselves hitting the gym more often. Senior Michael Cooper said that wrestling presents him with a lot of challenges. “It can be hard at times. I just concentrate on my diet and exercise a lot. Sometimes I just want to eat everything though, but with wrestling I can’t,” Cooper said Wrestlers have proven that hard work is definitely the key to success. The team has won over 20 dual meets, two tournaments and are now nine to one. Meeting weight goals is one of the most important parts of wrestling because if players don’t meet their certain weight they can’t compete. Coach Jason Lampe said that weight restrictions for wrestling are strict. “Even if you’re one-tenth of a pound over you don’t get to wrestle,” Lampe said. Players cannot go below seven percent body fat, as set by the state. The state has put a lot of restrictions on wrestling due to some extreme measures wrestlers were taking to make their goal, including not eating for three to four days before the meet and even purging right before the weigh-ins. The state has set the standard that players are only suppose to lose two and a half pounds a week.

Pu�ng in over�me

Senior Michael Cooper wrestles an opponent from at the Saydel Invita�onal on Jan. 4. “It can be hard at �mes. I just concentrate on my diet and exercise a lot,” Cooper said of his wrestling career. �� Cooper said his teachers and “By having set weight goals it teaches wrestling friends are like his brother; kids responsibility that they can use in players said they push him to do his best later life,” Lampe said. at everything. The most extreme thing junior Although having practice every day Andrew Lamb has done before his meet takes up homework time, the block was running stairs for an hour and then schedule makes it easier to juggle doing an intense workout. He has never wrestling and schoolwork. Lamb said been disqualified from a meet. that he likes to keep wrestling and The team also pushes themselves off school separate because it makes it the mat. With grades affecting whether easier to stay on top of things. or not students get to wrestle, classes Even though the team has improved are taken seriously. Lampe does a daily they’re still lacking fan support. Ever check of students’ grades to make sure since the program combined into the his wrestlers are keeping up on their North/Hoover team, the fans in the schoolwork. In the Des Moines Public stands have diminished, leaving only a Schools, if a player isn’t passing classes small group of kids. they have to sit out for 30 days. “With only one home meet left “(Lampe tells us) it’s a student athlete we would love to get a huge Hoover for a reason, the student comes first,” crowd,” Lampe said. Lamb said.

Athlete of the Issue Age: 18 Weight: 150 Height: 5’9 Year: Senior Sport: Baseball

big in the classroom. He has won academic awards as well as athle�c awards, including leading his Li�le League team to victory. “I helped my Li�le League team win championship when I was around 15 years old,” Emerson said.

Bio

Senior Caleb Emerson has been a baseball All-Star since he was eight years old. He was inspired by his dad and his favorite baseball player Carlos Zambrano. He has played baseball for around a decade. He started his baseball career by joining Beaverdale Li�le League.

Awards

Not only is Emerson an athle�c star, but he also studies

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Future

Emerson plans on going to college a�er gradua�on this spring. He’s hoping to get a full academic scholarship, because he’s not planning on going for baseball. Emerson plans on maintaining his 4.0 GPA and enjoying his senior year. “I’m just hoping I can help my team this year and make our goal of going to state,” Emerson said. “Go, Husky baseball!”

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The boys basketball team is prac�cing Monday through Saturday. During weekdays when they have regular prac�ce, prac�ce starts a�er school at 5 p.m. On Saturdays, prac�ce is from 10 a.m. to noon. On weekdays that they have games, they have a walk around 2:50, where they prac�ce their moves and plays. Games usually start at 7 p.m. on weekdays.

Race for the ﬁnish Last night the boys swimming team went head to head against the Lincoln Railspli�ers. They are racing into the end of their season with a steady prac�ce schedule in order to prepare for the Iowa boys swimming state meet. The Huskies will be swimming in the Des Moines Metro Conference meet Sat. Jan. 31. Qualiﬁers will swim the next week at districts Sat. Feb. 7.

Looking for an upset The girls play East tonight at home. This is their second mee�ng with the Lady Scarlets. “It will be a tough ba�le, but we would love to upset them,” senior Ka�e Zenz said. The team has worked through their issues from the beginning of the season and has high hopes for sub-state. “By the �me sub-state comes around we’ll be ready for sure,” Zenz said.

Prac�ce makes perfect The wrestling team has stepped up their game this season, winning over two tournaments and over 20 dual meets. With one more home game le� Jan. 22, coach Jason Lampe said he hopes to get a crowd. Students can watch their team against Lincoln, or visit them every day at prac�ce from 3:30 to 5:30 at North.

Game dates Girls and Boys BasketballJan. 23 vs. East Jan. 27 vs. Indianola Jan. 30 vs. North Feb. 3 vs. Ft. Dodge Feb. 6 @Ottumwa Feb. 10 @Waukee WrestlingJan. 27 @Boundurant Jan. 29 @East Jan. 31 @COlfax Feb. 6 Confrence @Ames BowlingJan. 26 vs Roosevelt Jan. 27 vs Ottumwa Feb. 10 vs Valley Boys SwimmingJan. 31 Confrence meet @Roosevelt Feb. 7 Districts Feb. 14 State

6 entertainment

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Gran Torino ignites �� Bea Rendon co-editor in chief “Hmong girls fit in better here,” Sue tells Walt. “The girls go to college and the boys go to jail.” They are next-door neighbors in a once-affluent Detroit neighborhood. Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) is a cantankerous, racist old Korean War veteran who deals with neighborhood problems like gang violence with a long rifle and more than a few choice racial slurs. Walt’s most prized possession is his green 1972 Gran Torino, which he built himself when he worked on the Ford assembly line. After he catches Sue’s nerdy younger brother, Thao (Bee Vang) stealing the car, Sue (Ahney Her) quickly interferes, forcing Thao to work for Walt to repair the dishonor done to the family’s name. Thao is a shy kid, pressured into stealing the car as initiation into a Hmong gang. “He can’t stick up for himself, so the gang would be there to back him up,” Sonny Vue, who plays the gangleader, said. “Becoming a gang was really so they could protect each other from other gangs in the neighborhood. Eastwood, at 78 years old, is perfect for the juicy role of Walt and plays “grouchy old man turned surrogate father” to a T. But almost more interesting than Eastwood’s dual acting and directing is the casting of Hmong actors in Hmong roles.

GRAN TORINO

Nerdy teenager Thao (Bee Vang) struggles as Hmong gangleader “Smokie” (Sonny Vue) and his gang members surround him. Thao’s friendship with older white neighbor Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) creates resentment between Thao and the neighborhood gang. “Becoming a gang was really so they could protect each other from other gangs in the neighborhood,” Vue said.

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Hmong immigrants, who originate from Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, began arriving in the United States in 1975 after allying with the U.S. in the Secret War. But very few movies exist that feature Hmong characters, actors or plot lines, which is why Hmong actor Wa Yang, from Eastwood’s Letters from Iwo Jima told Asian Week he hopes Gran Torino might change that. “Maybe later,” Yang said, “a movie can be made that tells the story of how we ended up in the U.S.”

Vang and Her, who are both actually Hmong, are incredible, especially as both make their screen debut in this film. Vang’s Thao is believably naïve, and his mentor/mentee relationship with Walt is full of enough light moments that it doesn’t even come close to corny. As Thao, Sue and their family slowly befriend the prejudiced Walt, his own family, by contrast, is portrayed as selfish and materialistic. While I appreciated that this hinted that Walt loves his neighbors more than his family, I thought the family

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was too exaggerated, especially his granddaughter (Dreama Walker). Her character relied too heavily on overused devices to stereotype teenagers, like the bare midriff and an obsession with texting. In one contrived scene, she asks Walt who he is going to give the Gran Torino to when he “like, dies.” This didn’t take away much from my overall enjoyment of the film, though. The story is moving but not clichéd, the leading cast is terrific and the twist ending sends a beautiful message about peace and acceptance.

Truman Syndrome scares �� Truman syndrome is the disorder which researchers have dubbed people who are disillusioned and convinced that their lives are secretly playing out on a reality TV show. The name of the disorder comes from 1998 movie, The Truman Show, which stars Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank. He leads a merrily uneven�ul life un�l he realizes his friends and family are actors, his seaside town is a TV soundstage and every moment of his life has been broadcast. This disorder underscores the inﬂuence pop culture and media have on mental condi�ons. Ian Gold, a philosophy and psychology professor at McGill University in Montreal who has researched the ma�er with his brother, suggests reality TV and the Web, with their ability to make strangers into in�mates, may compound psychological pressure on people who have underlying problems dealing with others.

television series in a prequel to the series that took televisions by storm.

MICHAEL ROBY SIDEBAR

THAO PHAM SIDEBAR SOURCE: HUFFIINGTONPOST.COM

www.hooverchallenger.com

opinion 7

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CHALLENGER

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Unexpected help �� Some of the many problems of the world today are environmental problems. Not only problems on land but also in the air and in the ocean. It doesn’t take much to know the main cause of the problem: humans. Humans have destroyed much of the habitats that many animals used to live in. Also there are ozone wholes that are human caused. Because of all the harm done, the last few

Hairspray companies aren’t the only generations have been considered the worst companies that have come up with “green” caretakers of the environment. products. But this generation is a lot less ignorant It is not uncommon to see labels on tuna about the harm and dangers to the cans that inform the public that they don’t environment. Many people have also raised catch dolphins with their fishing nets. awareness through protesting and getting Many makeup companies also promote all the facts out there. their products by saying that they don’t test Thanks to the environmentally conscious on animals. Many other companies that defend companies have come up with animal rights, such The Challenger staﬀ new, creative and eco friendly as PETA, who raise products such as air awareness to the voted 13-0 fresheners, and bathroom damage humans are for this editorial and kitchen cleaners. Car doing to animals who have come and their environments, Companies with ‘green’ companies, up with electric cars, haven’t this generation is now slowing and decreasing products are helping the fallen behind on the new trend. the damage done environment. These are a few of the to the planet. products that companies now Companies make offer for the environmentally products that are in demand by the public conscious consumer. so they are not far behind on this new Thanks to companies who are making an environmentally conscious trend. effort to help out, and who are doing a Before, having hair glued down with better job of supplying the public with “green” hairspray was what was in. Now having products, consumers have more opportunities hairspray that doesn’t harm the ozone layer is to help slow the effects of global warming. the new thing.

Student Sound Oﬀ

“

Do you think the companies ‘going green’ will make a difference?

”

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Chloe

Gamble opinion editor

�� It’s Monday morning and one of the cruel first few days of winter. A student is walking into school at 7:40 a.m. after it snowed profusely the night before. They have spent the better part of their morning scraping and warming their car in what felt like arctic temperatures. After the tedious ride to school, where spinning and sliding cars can be seen at every corner, they are wishing to be inside a 21st century building complete with the miracle of indoor heating. Upon entering the front doors they head straight for their locker where they dump their backpack and dig out their necessary

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IN MY OPINION... materials. A few acquaintances pass by where the small talk mainly focuses on the relentless winter weather and their desires to go back to sleep. The student knows the final bell will ring in a few minutes and they need to pick up the pace if they want to be on time. They collect their things and slam the locker door, but they dare not leave their winter coat because this student knows better than to go into an 83 minute class unprepared. Yes, I know better. All over the school, students like myself can be seen wearing multiple layers of clothing in a classroom where coats are usually prohibited. Lately winter coats with big furry hats have not been a distraction in learning environments but instead a necessity. I doubt that faculty members have not noticed their students’ fingers turn into icicles as they write papers or work on assignments. Cold classrooms do not encourage success, they encourage hibernation. Students and teachers alike have, on many occasions, commented on the low indoor temperatures but have still been forced to work in the same conditions day in and day out. The rule is that the temperature must be 68 degrees in the classroom and 65 degrees in the hallways. I refuse to believe that I can

be wearing a sweatshirt and a winter coat in a classroom that is sitting pretty at 68 degrees and still be cold. High school should not require a dress code of numerous sweatshirts and coats. Every degree warmer the school district allows the building to be heated means spending big bucks. Raising the temperature, even slightly, would unfortunately cost more money than the school is provided with. But what will the cost be if students are not able to stay focused or engaged because of cold rooms? The cost is too high. There are many ways that schools could save money in order to pay for better indoor heating. Utilities such as vending machines, mini refrigerators, coffee machines and microwaves require large amounts of energy and money. A mini fridge may be convenient but when it is the same temperature as the classroom a teacher educates students in, it is doing a disservice. The bottom line is students should feel comfortable at school; they should worry about an upcoming test, not how cold their next class will be. I have lost track of how many times I have been told to just “dress warmer.” Well, a girl only owns so many sweatshirts.

�� Publica�on dates for 2008-2009: • august 21-orienta�on • september 26-homecoming • october 15 • november 7 • wednesday, november 26thanksgiving • december 19-winter break • january 23-semester 2 • february 13black history month • march 6-spring break • april 3 • thursday, april 24-prom/ drake relays • may 15-gradua�on subscrip�on rates $10/year

Ad rates for 2007-2008: 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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photo essay 8

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The varsity and sophomore teams at home against the O�umwa Wildcats Jan 9. Clockwise from top le�: Senior Reggie White and a Wildcat look up. Senior De’Ambre Zanders looks from between two Wildcats. Senior Ty Crawford clutches the ball. Head sophomore coach Jamal Crawford talks with the team during a huddle. ��

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1.23.09.v42.i6

Sweet victory ��

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