CR Wash Surveyor Nov.17 Issue 2

THE

SURVEYOR Volume 58

Page 11: Organic Materials

Issue 2

17 November 2014

EDITORIAL

BOARD GOOD CONTENT

editors

Bridget Williams, Editor-in-Chief Nicole Rizer, Photo Editor Avery Novak, Profiles Editor Andi Lawrence, Opinions Editor Lauren Barber, Arts and Entertainment Editor Christian Petersen, Business Manager Courtney Squires, News Editor Brandon Cullen, Sports Editor Betsy Smith, Webmaster Braxton Leonard, Broadcasting Editor

adviser

Kyle Phillips, CJE

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Bridget Williams Meet the Staff

What’s Inside// 5 News Ebola, Midterm Elections, Days vs.

Hours, A School Shooting Scare

8 Opinions Canvas, Making Wash Greener, Fresh Market, Roses and Thorns

12 Feature Organic Materials: For a Changing World

15 ProfIles Freshman Bachelor of the Month, Featured WLP Artist, The Face of Funny, Diversity Club, Sarah Altemeier Qualifies for State

17 A&E Best of CR: Coffee, West Side Story, Stress Free Playlist, Healthy Living

20 Sports Swimming Relay Record, The Giant Upset, Football Pictures, Women’s Basketball Preview

24 backpage Nicole’s Life as a Warrior

What’s Inside Bridget Williams

mission The Surveyor is established as a school-sponsored designated forum dedicated to informing and entertaining its readers.

The staff will report as fairly and well-balanced as possible. All activities and news will be covered to the best of the staff’s ability.

The Surveyor accepts the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics as the basis for good journalism.

Readers are encouraged to express their viewpoints through guest editorials. The Surveyor also welcomes letters to the editor, with these guidelines: it is not libelous or obscene, it explains the material clearly, it is not longer than 500 words, and that it is signed.

non-discrimination policy

It is the policy of the Cedar Rapids Community School District not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (employment only), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status (students/program only) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. District employees with questions or a grievance related to this policy should contact Jill Cirivello, Director of Human Resources, 319558-2421; jcirivello@cr.k12.ia.us. Students and others should contact Rhoda Shepherd, Director of Student Services, 319-5582964; rshepherd@cr.k12.ia.us. The District mailing address is 2500 Edgewood Rd NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405-1015.

affiliations Iowa High School Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association, Journalism Eduaction Association, Quill and Scroll

staff members Matthew Andersland Aaron Bissell Gunnar Bosking Emmy Buonadonna Emily Burke Reece Chadima Everett DeVaux Jack Foarde Austin Gregory

Molly Hunter Rielle Jones-Teske Madeline Knutson Emily LaGrange Kate Nash Braden Offerman-Mims Anna Rizer Addi Westpheling

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combating EBOla Addi Westpheling Staff Writer It’s been reported on every news channel. It’s been printed in every newspaper. It’s been spoken about by almost every American. It’s created many questions and controversy in America. Ebola is having a significant effect on the lives of many.

Ebola is an extremely infectious disease that was first discovered in central Africa in 1976. This past March, West Africa was hit by another outbreak of Ebola. Currently, the most devastated country is Liberia with 6,535 cases and 2,413 deaths. Ebola made its way to the United States when a traveler flew to Dallas from West Africa infected with the disease.

Ebola has only claimed one life in America so far, Thomas Duncan, the traveler from Dallas.

Few cases have arisen since, but many Americans are still scared and the government is taking serious safety protocol.

Travelers from West Africa are being quarantined at airports and five airports have been set aside for travelers from ebola affected areas, one of them being O’Hare International in Chicago only four hours away from Cedar Rapids.

In Cedar Rapids, many have been following the Ebola crisis, including many Washington students. There is a lot of

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controversy at Wash over the matter. Some believe that it is not as serious as some make it seem.

A majority of students joke about Ebola because they think it is over exaggerated.

Others speak out against the jokes. They believe that Ebola is an important matter that needs to be taken seriously. From seeing the tragedy shown in the media to reading the reports on the damage in West Africa, Abby Van Metre, ’17 is one of these students. “I think it’s important that people are aware of the sickness because it affects the people around you.

Going into an airport infected with the Ebola virus can be harmful for all the other travelers passing through,” said Van Metre.

Although Ebola is not necessarily a local issue, it is still a widely discussed topic.

The citizens of Cedar Rapids are mostly informed by social media and the news, causing some students agree that information from these sources gets blown out of proportion. “Since there is not cases reported in Iowa or no threat of Ebola, it’s unnecessary for people to freak out over something so distant from us,” said Delaney Logan, ’17.

Meanwhile, others say the media is giving the facts and rightly informing us. “At first Ebola was a huge deal to everyone, and that was partially

due to the media blowing up the situation. Now, however, many followers of the situation seem to have gotten bored and moved on. Peoples’ ignorance of the spreading of the disease could now potentially be problematic since they may not take the proper precautions,” said Claire McKinstry ’17.

Whether perceived as a serious matter or not, Ebola has made a significant impact on the United States. Many Americans including students of Washington are fascinated with this rising issue. There are still many questions to be answered and the future damage of Ebola remains a mystery.

ebola myths:

1. Ebola can be spread through the air and water 2. There are over-the-counter supplements that can prevent or cure Ebola.

3. Anyone who has come in contact with Ebola is contagious.

4. The Ebola virus cannot survive outside the body 5. Ebola is more of a threat to Americans than the flu.

Source: 6abc.com

Courtney Squires News

Midterm Election: A Fight to the Finish The Results:

Is this a wave of Republicanism? As Rachel Governor Maddow put it on election Terry Branstad 59% 664,806 night, or is this the Republican Jack Hatch 37% 419,258 takeover of the future of the US? Iowa US Senator The election came as a Joni Ernst 52% 586,921 relief to some and a shock Bruce Braley 44% 491,708 to others but this Midterm Election was definitely one House District 1 (Including Cedar for the books. The change Rapids, Dubuque, Waterloo) that was most talked about Rod Blum 51% 147,153 was the Senate becoming Pat Murphy 49% 147,153 majority Republican. The Senate changed from 53 House District 2 (Including Iowa City, Democrats (2 Independents) and 45 Republicans before the Burlington, Ottumwa) election, to 44 Democrats (2 Dave Loebsack 52% 142,566 Independents, 1 run-off) and M Miller Meeks 48% 129,157 53 Republicans. Included in the states that Republicans gained Senate seats was

Warriors React...

“I’m disappointed that Iowans chose someone as radical as Joni Ernst. It’s extremely unfortunate that our first woman to Congress won’t help advance the right of women but limit them even more.”

Dorothy Hogg, ’15, President of Washington’s Young Democrats

News Courtney Squires

Andi Lawrence Opinions Editor Iowa which brought a lot of attention to our state because Joni Ernst and Bruce Braley were tied for much of the race.

Some say this change in majority in the Senate will help the Congress to pass more bills but many think this will hurt the Congress’ productivity because with a Democrat President, it’s likely Obama will veto many bills Congress passes.

Every four years Iowa also votes on a Governor and this election Terry Branstad beat his Democratic opponent which starts his sixth term as Iowa Governor. Branstad is the longest serving state governor in history according to the Des Moines Register.

“I thought it was interesting there was a vast majority of Republicans elected.

It will be easier for the Senate and House to pass bills.”

Finbar Berry, ’16, an Independent student at Washington

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Social Media Scare She, Plagman, and later School Resource Officer Thaddieus Paiser spoke with the students until Paiser requested additional services midway through 2nd hour. Around fourth hour, after questioning students and determining that there was not a credible threat to the school, Plagman sent out a message alerting parents and spoke to the students over the announcements.

He attempted to quell the fears of the students, saying that he’d spoken with a student in communication with the person behind the account, a student who believed that there was no threat. The rest of Wash’s student body was not convinced, with one-half to two-thirds of the student body leaving campus.

Days vs. Hours Effective July 1, 2014, the Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) came to an agreement with the Iowa Legislature and the Iowa Department of Education that the school year would be counted in hours rather than days.

Although the schedule is deviating away from the traditional system, the 2014-2015 school year won’t see changes as far as the length of the school year. “We are still using the 180 day schedule and within that, 1,080 hours in the school year,” said Mary Ellen Maske, Deputy Superintendent of the CRCSD. Because of this new law, snow days and two hour delays mean longer school days to make up for the hours lost. “We will just be adding minutes [to the school day],” said Maske.

This change in plans are foreseen

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Teacher David Duer spoke about his feelings towards the situation.

“To be honest, and I probably speak for many others but I’ll only speak for myself, [I was] frustrated that we were getting so little information about it. It was hard for us to do our jobs effectively and to calm the waters in whatever way we might be able to calm them since we didn’t know anything at all,” Duer said.

Teachers didn’t receive notification from the administration until around sixth hour.

“We took every precaution to ensure the safety of our staff and students.” said Nyberg. In the end, the threat was never acted upon; many Warriors just got an early start to their weekends.

Emily LaGrange Staff Writer

to bring ease to the dismissal process bring ease to the school year and come summer. “If we miss six days others to come. of school before spring break, we will be able to add minutes to the school days afterward to make them Would you rather have shorter longer,” said Maske. days and get out of school later in the This prevents classes summer OR have longer school days from going so far into June.

With longer school days and get out earlier in the summer? comes a longer summer.

“We decided we wanted to get out before Memorial students said they Day [in future years],” said would rather have longer Maske.

Years coming up will days and get out earlier have something a little different in store. “In future calendars, we will have less school days because the students said they days will be longer,” said would rather have shorter Maske.

Q:

STUDENT POLL:

On the evening of Thursday, Nov. 6, news of an Instagram account containing explicit photos of members of Washington’s student body spread like wildfire. Rumors spread by students say the owner of the account had been ‘catfishing’ students for two years to attain the nude photos. Later that day a picture of a gun with the caption, “4th hour surprise finale” was posted, alarming both students and staff.

According to Assistant Principal Dr. Valerie Nyberg, Dr. Ralph Plagman, principal, was receiving emails expressing concern about the situation late Thursday night and when she arrived the following morning she was met by three students expressing their concern.

Betsy Smith Web Master

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In all, the CRCSD is hopeful that this new change will

days and get out later

Courtney Squires News

Staff Editorial: Canvas We believe that if Canvas is here to stay, it should be used appropriately based on the class We’ve all had to experience Washington High School’s push for virtual learning opportunities.

Whether it be through edmodo, canvas, or online courses, we’ve all had some exposure to this novel idea in the educational world. Now there is no denying that these new innovative tools provide some convenience when used properly — the question is, when and how can a teacher utilize these to make them efficient and helpful to the students, rather than being a burden or annoyance?

First of all, the approach that many of these websites are taking, including edmodo and canvas, seems like an excellent idea. Create a platform that feels like social media but can be used as a boost to educational convenience. The tools, such as simple communication between the students, their peers, and their teachers, appears to be a great way to keep the classroom connected intellectually without being present physically. The truth of the matter: few people use the social aspects of these sites — no one wants to spend their time on a school-related website

outside of school hours.

There are many other tools that these sites created that are used effectively — or have no opening for inconvenience. The calendar, for example, is only served to benefit the students. If they were absent for school or were sleeping in class; they are able to check canvas to see what they missed. This not only helps students stay caught up on assignments, it also helps keep the structure of the class material organized.

Teachers use Canvas differently based the course they teach. At Wash, for example, Doc Jones uses Canvas in her AP Psychology class simply to provide her students with various interesting articles pertaining to class material — but does not require her students to use this. Mr. Throndson uses Canvas in his AP Computer Science class as the primary place for turning in class-work — but also allows students to handwrite their assignments in the case of a technical problem.

Now the biggest controversy with Canvas in particular is assignments or quizzes that are required to be turned in online. This is either extremely useful, or completely frustrating.

On one hand, it can help keep class-

Opinions Andi Lawrence

work organized and removes the potential for losing your homework.

On the other hand, presenting an assignment’s instructions through text can create massive ambiguity — which is a detriment to the students.

Although these sites provide several options that are useful in theory, we have to weigh the potential advantages with the inevitable problems. Canvas and many other sites that do not have strong enough servers often become inaccessible for a period of time. This is simply unacceptable; it creates more frustration for students who are trying to desperately get their work done, and for the teachers who aren’t sure if their students are trying to make an excuse for failing to complete a task, or if they are being sincere.

We believe that if Canvas is here to stay, it should be used appropriately based on the class, it should be refined to limit the potential for technical problems, and it should be made understood for the teachers that these problems do occur — and should not punish the students who fall victim to this. Canvas and other online educational sites are the next step in virtual learning for our society — we need to make sure we are using it effectively and taking advantage of this opportunity without removing the social connection that we find in our standard classroom setting.

Supported by 9/9 Editors 9

Making Wash Greener Molly Hunter Staff Writer

including the liquid which comes off the bottom of the pile. This liquid is called “compost tea”, and is also very nutritious for plants.

Compost is good for the planet, and easy to make, and— wise to this—Student Senate started a compost pile. This pile used to be situated outside Washington’s Student Senate Jessica Wilcox’s room, by the takes on many projects throughout old greenhouse, up against the the school year, all of which new wing. Recent construction, contribute to the well-being of our however, has interfered with students, school and environment. this composting process.“The Composting at Washington will construction contractors moved benefit all three and continue our the old [compost] pile, or have move to being a greener school. just made the area inaccessible. I Basically, compost is rotting haven’t accessed that area to see,” organic material. A compost pile says Student Senate adviser, Erika is where that material decays.

Derrick.

Piles are kept moist and at a Relocating the pile also proved relatively warm temperature to be difficult, because of the in order to speed up the soil other construction going on in decomposition process. Any food and around Washington. With waste can be put into compost nowhere else on campus to and some compost piles allow compost, Derrick decided to bring biodegradable plates, cups and the food waste collected from paper napkins. Large waste— school to her home to compost. such as a pumpkin or whole However, getting permission from corn cob—should be cut up into the district to let students handle smaller chunks. Once you throw the waste materials was tricky. in your materials, you sit back and “They had to make sure students let things stew. wouldn’t be handling hazardous Many gardeners use compost as materials,” Derrick says. a cheap, environmentally friendly Once permission was given, way to supply a garden with however, Senate went ahead rich nutrients. The members of with the plan. If you’ve been Student Senate are no different. watching the announcements Almost everything in a compost recently, you’ve probably noticed pile can be used for gardening, Kate Lawrence, ’17, toting a

gargantuan plastic container. This is the new compost pile—now portable.

During lunchtime, Senate members can be seen carrying the tub around encouraging students to put their food waste in. Also, Lawrence says, the tub is kept “in the cafeteria, by the trash cans, so people can put their food waste in there, instead of the garbage…

[Composting] keeps things that can be reused out of our landfills so that we can break them down and save the environment.”

Derrick then takes home the waste gathered at school, and composts it. “All of the compost that Wash can use will be moved back to the school once it has run through the appropriate bio cycles. After that, we’ll put it in the gardens, for the plants and flowers,” says Senate member, Ethan Wickham, ’17.

While this is a good plan for the time being, it’s certainly not a long-term solution. Once construction allows for it, a new on-site compost pile will be started.

Despite the obstacles construction poses, students and staff at Wash continue with life as normal. Thankfully, too, because everyone benefits from composting; it’s good for your environment, your wallet, and your beautiful gardening projects.

Photo by Bridget Williams

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Andi Lawrence Opinions

Courtney Squires News Editor

The Fresh Market opened in Cedar Rapids on October 1, replacing the K-Mart across from Lindale Mall.

I think it’s a great addition to our city. From the second I walked in, the Fresh Market was bustling with customers and stocked full of good, fresh foods.

Immediately to your right when you first walk in is the floral section, which was overflowing with festive fall décor. As you progress into the store, various stands scatter the floor.

The Fresh Market has everything

• No Shave November • Undefeated Football Teams • Psychedelic Mixtape • 1989- Taylor Swift • Canned Food • Drive • • Leadership Retreat • McWherter • • Thanksgiving Break •

from a candy stand, to a salad bar, to a seafood bar, and even a stand designated for nothing but olives! In the very center of the store is a large kiosk where you can buy cheese, a sandwich, or even a dinner madeto-go. The back wall of the market is split between the meat section and the baked goods section. The baked goods department is filled with everything from decadent slices of cake, to gourmet cupcakes, to cookies. Although some may assume the Fresh Market only contains fresh, organic products, I was surprised to discover that its shelves are stocked with big-name brands like Gatorade and Coca-Cola. And as you make your way around the store, you’ll be pleased to see that the frozen section boasts an entire wall of pints of gelato.

The Fresh Market isn’t limited to just food either. There is an entire

• • • • • • West Side Story New Hunger Games Movie Jovon’s Announcements Alex From Target

Opinions Andi Lawrence

• • • •

aisle dedicated to a variety of cleaning supplies, including unbleached paper towels, something I never knew existed. The Fresh Market also sells a variety of health and body care products. As if the market needed anything else to offer, it markets a variety of dog food as well.

As you come to the completion of a loop around the market, you’ll discover an impressive wine and spirits section just to the right of the check out. Finally, the checkout lines embody what, to me, felt like an actual market, with a wooden canopy hanging over top all the lanes. The Fresh Market’s small dining café and its handicap accessible checkout lines are two more aspects that put the cherry on top. My first visit to the Fresh Market was a major success and I suggest that everyone check it out for themselves soon!

Photo by Jade Mass

Dark at 5 P.M. Finals Ebola Musical Practice Joni Freezing Hallways Republican Majority Senate & House Taylor Swift CD Jock Lot After School Giants Beat Royals

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ORGANIC MATERIALS FOR A CHANGING WORLD

Photo by Bridget Williams

Bridget Williams Editor-in-Chief

Organic Matter 101 Life is garbage. At least, 72 percent of it is. significant withdrawal of organics from our trash, and According to the U.S. Composting Council, that’s the in turn eliminate waste as a major source of methane. approximate percentage of public waste flow coming This idea of mass movement in connection to Wash’s into landfills that’s organic. When organic materials kindling relationship with its waste, this idea of (food, yard trimmings, wood waste, paper products) abandoning habitual thinking; these are the organic decompose naturally the carbon dioxide they emit materials for initiating substantial change in the midst has little impact on global climate change compared of a fast approaching, global crossroads. to the carbon emissions produced by burning fossil fuels, but when those organic materials are dumped in So Long, and Thanks for all the Help a landfill they become the third largest source of King Carbon’s next in line: Methane. Left to decay in an 2009, Copenhagen — At the United Nations anaerobic environment, organic matter in a landfill is Climate Change Conference, 114 nations (including broken down until carbon is converted and released the United States, China, Russia, and India) agreed as methane, which does have an impact on global to the Copenhagen Accord, meaning they agreed climate change. to, well, pretty much nothing. The Copenhagen Wash’s new move to compost won’t save the Accord is a non-binding agreement pledging targets world, in fact the U.S. Environmental Protection to keep global temperatures from increasing more Agency (EPA) calculates that as a portion of than 2 degrees Celsius above what they were preemissions, waste only accounts for 1.9 percent, but industry. Looking beyond the Accord’s lack of legal where that percentage may be small, 72 percent is commitment, and even looking beyond NASA’s high. Say everyone made the same move as Wash Goddard Institute for Space Studies’ findings that to compost rather than waste, it would make a show temperatures have already increased .8 degrees

Feature Bridget Williams

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...island nations under water; coastlands flooded: the eastern United States, Brazil, the Netherlands, New York...\\

“severe,” “pervasive,”. The report is just the beginning of a new wave of environmentalist confidence, where “human influence on the climate system is clear and recent anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases are the highest in history,” as stated in the report. But this environmental certainty comes in the face of a ticking clock. The report came with a warning: by 21oo fossil fuels need to be phased out, or we’re going to be locked in. But was the IPCC being generous? According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) World Energy Outlook Report of 2011, there was a 50 percent chance to limit temperature from going beyond the 2 degrees Celsius target, which required getting carbon emissions under control no later than 2017. The thing that’s troubling about that is the IEA also came out with a report stating by 2017, coal will come close to surpassing oil as the world’s top energy source. 2017 or 2100, the door’s about to close.

Celsius since America got itself hopped-up on coal, what does a world 2 degrees Celsius warmer look like?

According to a report by The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, it doesn’t look good.

Projections include 20 percent declines in water availability for many regions; heat extremes; reduced crop production and production losses in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia; substantial coral reef loss; and nonlinear tipping points, meaning disastrous series of events put into motion by a relatively small disruption in a current system, the big ones: West Antarctic ice sheet disintegration that Superprez could lead to faster sea-level rise; and large-scale Amazon dieback, which is bad for ecosystems, rivers, President Obama has taken a lot of heat the past agriculture, and energy production, which just adds to couple of weeks, well, the past couple of terms global warming and puts more stress on continents.

According to the report, these are best case scenarios, actually. Anyone who comes into office is going to take some political backlash, but America gets so because as of now it appears the world’s on a one wrapped up in the screaming heads of news broadcast way trip to Planet Earth: 4 degrees Celsius warmer, and the nation’s political divide we hardly talk about with serious repercussions. Projections include what the president’s doing right, which is making an island nations under water; coastlands flooded: the overdue first move in ending our relationship with northeastern United States, Brazil, the Netherlands, carbon, starting with the words ‘it’s not me, it’s you.”

New York, Los Angeles, massive areas of South Obama has proposed two history-in-the-making EPA and Southeast Asia; extreme weather; and insane regulations that would make for dramatic change in heat waves everywhere except for Antarctica. Did I the coal-biz: it would force the nation’s power plants mention the ice sheets disintegrating? to reduce carbon emissions by about a third and Present Day: New Words stop any more from being built. If the new rules are maintained and followed, the Administration says the U.S. would be on the road to meeting the presidential It’s happening. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently released its Climate targets set in 2009: to eliminate U.S. greenhouse gas emission levels 17 percent by 2020, and 83 percent Change 2014 Synthesis Report, and something set by 2050 (relative to the levels of 2006), but Obama’s it apart from its reports in the past: the wording. pretty much fighting this battle alone. Which brings “Limiting climate change would require substantial me to my next subchapter. and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,” said the report. Words like “irreversible,”

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Bridget Williams Feature

From the mind of Bree: Potrayal of Charles and David Koch

Sums of Koch Family Member Individual Contributions:

$10,400 to Joni Ernst $33,800 to Cory Gardner $31,200 to Steve Daines $10,400 to Thom Tillis Sums of Koch Industries Inc. PAC Contributions:

$5,000 to Joni Ernst $2,600 to Cory Gardner $9,000 to Steve Daines $5,000 to Thom Tillis Figure 1: Due to Koch associated think tanks, like Citizens for Prosperity and The Heartland Institute, this doesn’t even come close to the amounts candidtes received from the Kochs.

Bree Linville

Perfect Timing “The claim that global warming is caused by man-made emissions is simply untrue and not based on sound science,” said Senator James Inhofe, author of The Greatest Hoax: How Global Warming Conspiracy Threatens Your Future, and also soon-to-be chair of the Environmental and Public Works Committee.

This new wave of carbon counterculture is met with another.

One much bigger, and much more financially compensated for.

The Koch Brothers, owners of multibillion-dollar conglomerate, Koch Industries Inc., dealing with petroleum, chemicals, energy, and apparently politics, are at it again in their latest installment of The Koch Brothers and the GOP: An Intimate Affair. On Nov. 4, 2014, Republicans gained seven seats in the senate, winning them majority

A Koch-Addiction

in both parts of Congress. The new seats are held

by Joni Ernst, Iowa; Cory Gardner, Colorado; Tom Cotton, Arkansas; Steve Daines, Montana; Mike Rounds, South Dakota; Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia; and Thom Tillis, North Carolina. Out of this list of seven fresh senators, the half that had candidate summaries filed under the Federal Election Commission (FEC), (summaries of Tom Cotton, Mike Rounds, and Shelley Moore Capito were not filed), were financially backed by the Koch Brothers. (See Figure 1).

So what are we looking at here?

For the first time the president is launching environmental regulations to be enacted that could spark international change and America elects a Republican Congress. A congress in which

Feature Bridget Williams

passing the Keystone XL Pipeline, an expansion of pipeline that would carry Canadian tar sands oil to America, is at the top of their agenda.; a congress led

by Senator Mitch McConnell, whose home state, Kentucky, is a major producer of coal; and a congress supercharged by the Koch Brothers, who make a living off emissions and want to strip the EPA. Serious, substantial change lies ahead, whether it’s a war on coal or islands under water. It’s too late to go green. It’s time to get progressive. Time for highrisk activism and an organized movement. And it starts here. In the U.S., where telling developing countries to lay off the coal would be like a drug-addict parent telling their kid not to end up like them.

At Wash, with food waste bins: decaying banana peels and carrot shreds turning back into the earth.

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The Face of Funny Anna Rizer Staff Writer

You may see him bust a move in the varsity show choir Momentum or sing out in the musical “West Side Story,” but something that Washington student Harrison Shaffer, ’16, really excels in is the Forest Drive Improv Company (FDIC).

Ever since Shaffer has been a little kid he has been involved in theatre and grew up doing improv with his mother for fun, which lead him wanting to do it at Wash when he said, “After seeing shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway and other comedy shows that were improv, I knew it was funny and I wanted to be apart of it.”

The FDIC consists of a variety of

bits the actors take part in, one being Buzz or Bell, something that fellow improv member Colin Glandon, ‘15, described as a game where Shaffer is in control of what goes on and uses his comedic timing to change or adjust the scene that’s being played out more for his entertainment, which ultimately gets laughs out of the audience as well.

Although what we see is all fun and games, there are certain challenges that these members have to overcome. When asked about the difficulties they face, Shaffer said, “Generally, it’s developing a group mind, [as in] developing a sense of partnership with your fellow actors so that if one person goes to an uncertain place everyone else in the scene knows exactly where they are going and can continue the story cohesively.”

This being Shaffer’s third year in improv, he hopes to take it to new levels as it becomes

more independent and primarily student run. He has become the new face of improv, announcing rehearsals and show dates on the announcements. Glandon said, “Harrison fits into the role as more a leader and communicator because of his growing talent and ultimate popularity. He has grown so much as an improver and that has benefitted him as an actor and spokesperson.”

The goal for the FDIC is that it will continue to grow into something stronger in the years to come with help from Shaffer and fellow members, and be just as popular, if not more, as some of the other clubs here at Wash.

As for Shaffer, he is looking at acting as a career, leaning towards Second City in Chicago as a great department for comedy and improv.

FDIC’s next improv show is Dec. 18, the Thursday before winter break!

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Avery Novak Profiles

Dramatic Drawings from Drew Avery Novak Profiles Editor

and is currently taking Drawing 1.

Four out of his four submissions to WLP were accepted to the issue, he is even featured on their poster, and for a good reason. His eerie drawings are done with simple black pen, giving the feeling of a children’s book, but depict a much more twisted picture.

He has “considered taking his art further,” while in college, “maybe minoring in some kind of art, or at least joining art club.” He accredits his creativity to his mother, who “used to paint and draw in high school.”

The most recent WLP issue, Dark and Twisted, featured a new artist that many were surprised to see. Senior Drew Lefebre has always doodled and considered himself an artistic person, but started seriously drawing in middle school. High school has opened up more opportunities for Lefebre to explore his creative side

Freshman Bachelor of the Month: Nolan Cavanaugh

Emily Burke Staff Writer To all of the lovely ladies out there in search of their “one and only,” the five-foot-ten, blue-eyed, blondie Nolan Cavanaugh may be the one for you. This particular bachelor is involved in numerous activities outside of school, among those are football and show choir. However, he spends most of his time playing baseball.

Nolan is primarily a

pitcher, and a great one at that.

When asked what he looks for in a girl, Nolan replied with, “someone who is nice and who

Profiles Avery Novak

can keep the conversation going.”

Nolan’s ideal date would be going to a movie, and he says that the genre doesn’t matter to him, but that whatever the girl wants, works for him!

So if you are into sports and know how to keep a conversation going, you may be in luck because bachelor of the month, Nolan Cavanaugh, is single and ready to mingle.

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New Club Covers Diversity Matthew Andersland Staff Writer Washington High School is an extremely diverse school. We have many different ways of expressing our diversity: the CDO retreat or the food fair near the end of the year, to name a few..

A new way of showing our school’s diversity is the Diversity Club. This club spends its meetings discussing the diversity of the school and trying different ethnic types of food.

“We spread diversity and try all kinds of ethnic foods,” stated Charlie Schweiger, ’17, vice president of the club.

The president of the club is

Kate Nash Staff Writer

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Running from State Photo by Anna Rizer

M

ost athletes dream of qualifying for state by their senior year. Sarah Altemeier, ’18, did it the first trimester of her freshmen year of high school. Altemeier was the only women’s cross country runner to qualify for the state meet this season.

“It’s exciting being a freshman on the varsity team, I didn’t know what to expect,” Altemeier explained. “I placed 7th at a qualifying race and said ‘wow I could really go to state’.

After that I placed 5th when I was supposed to only get 6th.” But, in the end Altemeier didn’t even end up running at the state meet.

Altemeier’s club soccer team was playing for the state championship the same weekend as the state cross country meet. She decided to play

Joi Johnson, ’15. Johnson and Schweiger decided to create the club after a Spirit Session, when Dr. Plagman asked them about different ways they could express the school’s diversity, and the idea for the club

just came to them.

All races are welcome to join as the club would like to express its diversity. They will be meeting on Fridays throughout the year.

At the meetings you can expect to discuss your cultural heritage and traditions as well as try out lots of different delicious foods that you might not normally eat.

The club was created near the end of September They are looking for all new members who think they could have an interesting input to the discussions, or students who might just come for the food.

with her soccer team instead of compete in her race. “I would rather hurt myself by not running instead of hurt my team by not playing with them.” Altemeier said.

It was a hard decision. In the end

she picked soccer. It was a good decision considering her soccer team won the state championship.

Altemeier got into running in middle school when she was the first one to finish running the mile in gym class. “My teacher convinced me to go out for track where I placed first at the City Meet. In 8th grade I decided to join cross country.” She’s been running ever since. “There are pros to both of them. I have more fun at soccer but I could be better at running.”

But Altemeier couldn’t decide which one she liked better. “I guess you could say it’s a tie.”

Altemeier knows she made the right choice by picking soccer over cross county. She plans on competing in both of these sports throughout her high school career.

Avery Novak Profiles

Madeline Knutson Staff Writer The task of determining Cedar Rapids’ finest coffee shop was a difficult one. After sipping a variety of cups, conversing with a few esteemed coffee connoisseurs, and lounging amidst the aromas of freshly ground coffee beans of a few local establishments, I have come to a consensus.

Perhaps it was the fact that their iced mocha was the first cold coffee beverage I genuinely enjoyed. Or maybe it was the way that every employee seems genuinely kind and I have yet to find something on the menu that was not to my liking.

With great pleasure, I hereby deem Brewhemia the best coffee shop in Cedar Rapids.

With a relaxed, yet simultaneously bubbly vibe, Brewhemia is a one of a kind, top notch café that you can’t help but find positively alluring. The location couldn’t be better, on the main street of the prospering NewBo area, Brewhemia is placed among a variety of fine businesses.

Brewhemia was previously known as “Brewed Café” prior to being bought by new owners, who renovated slightly, but not too drastically. The interior design of the coffee shop can be described as “very modern, but then there’s a lot of reclaimed stuff that we had from Brewed Café. When they first opened up they had a lot of refined wood. And then also the big windows in front create a lot of natural light, so I think that’s kind of soothing ,” said barista Elliott Lewis ’15. Brewed Café lovers were still welcomed into a familiar setting when they entered the revamped café, now christened with the hip, clever name: Brewhemia. The play on words references the part of town that the café is located, officially called New Bohemia.

Besides exquisitely capturing that “perfect coffee shop feel,” Brewhemia can justifiably boast about their coffee quality.

Their most popular drinks are lattes: from iced lattes to caramel lattes, Brewhemia’s lattes are highly recommended. Not only do they have simply divine coffee, but Brewhemia’s coffee is considered fair trade which means that the producers are paid with fair wages.

Now, don’t get carried away and pull a Buddy the Elf and burst into Brewhemia shouting “You did it, congratulations! Cedar Rapids’ best cup of coffee!” I mean, true, an award this prestigious given by a writer for none other than the Washington Surveyor, is quite an honor. If by chance Brewhemia does not fully satisfy your coffee cravings, there are plenty of other great coffee shops to wander into: Brewed Awakenings, The Blue Strawberry, The Early Bird, Coffeesmith’s, and the ever so convenient and speedy Starbucks.

So coffee lovers of Cedar Rapids, have no fear, that perfect cup of java is never far away.

LOCATION: Address: 1101 3rd St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

A&E Lauren Barber

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Aaron Bissell Staff Writer Two groups. 1950s. West side. All this is taking place right here in the Washington auditorium in the production of West Side Story.

Producing this musical is proving to be more of a challenge for the drama department this year than it has been in the past, one of these challenges is the construction going on right outside the auditorium. Kara Sulzer, one of three choreographers and the assistant costumer, says, “The construction has caused several challenges because we have no scene shop, no little theater, no costume shop and only half a large props room.”

To further the urban feel, the show is being done with a set design that consists of scaffolding, leaving everything very open and exposed. “We are doing this production entirely without curtains,” lead sound technician Bryan Cline said.

With this stage choice, cast and crew will be seated, inert, on the sides of the stage. Both Sulzer and Cline said, “this will require great focus of our backstage crew and actors not on stage to not be distracting.”

Along with the actors and crew being exposed on stage, the pit orchestra is also being put on scaffolding on stage.

This is the first time they have been on stage since the school’s production of Chicago. This is a very difficult artistic choice to pull off. Cline explains that from a tech standpoint it is a challenge because, “The orientation may lead to instrumental sound bleeding into our vocal and area mics.”

The other large challenge to the pit being on stage is, with the director being behind the actors, it is much harder to give the actors cues.

Despite the challenges posed by the school’s current construction, they are still striving for that authentic feel.

Photo by Lauren Barber

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Lauren Barber A&E

“When making choices about what you eat, the thing to remember is that all foods can fit “

Everyday as a teenage student in the United States, we make the choice on what we would like to eat. Walking through the aisles of the grocery store the multi-colored packages of all of our favorite junk foods jump out to us while the healthiest foods collect dust and go unchosen. .

Amy Jones, psychology of eating When thinking of most teens daily instructor at Mt.Mercy University diets, pop, carb loaded breakfast and AP psychology teacher at Wash said “Organic foods are the best to foods, and junk foods would consist eat, anything that’s whole and non- of most of it with the occasional salad or apple. One of the main processed is definitely your best bet, anything that’s not in a box or concerns of all of these types of foods is the hidden sugars. In the package is a good choice.” Fruits past few months the dangers of and vegetables are the first thing processed sugars have really started that come to mind when thinking of these whole foods but there are to be brought to life. “Sugar is more addictive than most drugs on the so many ways to make them that there’s no way they could be boring. market,” said Jones, “There are tons Also, meats and cheeses would also of adverse health effects and it is linked to weight gain and cavities. fall into this category with tons of different options to make these White bread is full of sugar.”

Food doesn’t only affect your main food groups the majority of weight though, “What you eat your diet which cut out a lot of the unnecessary things. Kimberly affects everything about your life, your sleep, memory, alertness, Proctor, registered dietitian at the energy, mood, appearance(skin, Mt.Vernon Road Hy-Vee added, “Now we have ‘MyPlate’ in place hair, weight) is all affected by of the food pyramid. It is composed what you eat, it’s so important” said Jones. Similarly, Proctor said of ¼ fruit, ¼ vegetable, ¼ grains, “Food affects your entire life. The ¼ protein and a serving of dairy. right amount of sleep plus a well This balance represents an ideal balanced diet and physical activity meal.” makes your life so much better.

When making choices about what you eat, the thing to remember is that all foods can fit.

There is a time and place for everything and it’s all about balance and moderation with eating.” If you’re reevaluating all of your eating choices as I was after learning all of this, don’t fret, we have some new ideas for snacks just for you.

Proctor pitched some great ideas to us, “At Hy-Vee we have a special recipe called a banana dog (whole grain tortilla with a banana and peanut butter). Other good snack choices would be cheese and whole grain crackers or a fruit and yogurt parfait.”

Finally, I asked these two what the most important things to know about health were and there was some very distinct advice, “The more you get processed sugar out of your diet the better whole foods taste and the less you will crave the foods that aren’t good for you,” said Jones. Overall, healthy eating and overall health is important for students.

Photo Courtesy Of Wikipedia Photo Courtesy Of Wikimedia

A&E Lauren Barber

Lauren Barber A&E Editor

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Women’s Basketball Preview

It won’t be easy. expected to be two of the top players In the words of Coach Frank Howthis year. The players and coaches ell, the Warriors 2014-15 women’s are looking at a situation where they basketball team will be replacing will get better over the season and two of the best players in the history figure out who’s gonna contribute. of the program. Dani Franklin and “We have a lot of different goals Aleena Hobbs carried this team to this year. First we want to get better an 18-5 record last year as one of today and prepare for the next game. the better duos in the Warriors hisAfter we do that we want to win the tory. Franklin averaged 22.3 points conference and then look at other per game and Hobbs averaged 16.4 goals like that. But for now we’re respectively. They also combined for just preparing for what’s ahead of 12.4 rebounds per game. This team will have to answer a lot of questions this year, but the main one is how they will fill the void left from these two players.

The remaining players are planning for how to replace the duo.

“You can’t really replace them, but this year we’re expecting more of a team effort. A lot of people will score and that will give us the best chance to win,” said Lilly Hartman, ’15.

Last years team depended very heavily on it’s seniors but Kandis O’Donnell, ’15 and Anne Visser, ’16 contributed last year and are Photo by Brandon Cullen

Amy Faulkner Coaching Freshmen Basketball Brandon Cullen Sports Editor

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Amy Faulkner, a Wash security guard, head coach of the varsity volleyball team, last year began coaching one of the freshman womens basketball team, in which the team went undefeated. Faulkner said what she is looking forward to this season is getting to know different girls in different sports.

Frank Howell, a social studies teacher and varsity womens

Reece Chadima Staff Writer

us.”

The team this year will likely depend on Courtney Squires, ’15, Lilly Hartman, ’15, Allie Semrau, ’15, and Joniqua Clark, ’16 to play alongside O’Donnell and Visser.

Though the team is relatively inexperienced, there are some talented players and this team has the ability to be just as good as last year’s team.

basketball coach at Washington.

Howell picked Faulkner for the position because, “she was a multi-sport athlete when she attended Xavier, and she does a great job at coaching volleyball and she works inside the building,” said Howell.

“She’s a great coach, a great person, and we are lucky to have her here at Washington,” Howell said about Faulkner.

Brandon Cullen Sports Editor

Sports

Football: Washington vs. Clinton

Top photo: Number nine, Jared Thorson ’15 is seen tacking a Clinton player.

Bottom left photo: Number 15, TJ Vogel, ’16, is running along the sideline with the football.

Bottom right photo: Number 25, Nick Nassif, ’16, fumbled the ball and a Clinton player is going after the fumbled ball.

All photos by Rielle Jones-Teske

Sports Brandon Cullen Sports Editor

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New Record

Anna Rizer Staff Writer

Gunnar Bosking Staff Writer

These girls have been working hard for this every since Photo courtesy of Jennifer Sievers Aug. 2, at the very Washington High beginning of the School is known for a season. With only ¾ lot of different things, of a second behind the and one of those is it’s current record they selection of talented were taking no chances. athletes. Particularly, a “Before the race we group of girl swimmers always have a tradiwho were looking for tion were we fill up the the chance to break the Wash pool water, so records. when we go to away Medley relay team meets we have a water made up of Kaitlyn bottle with the Wash Nemickas, ’16, Logan water and dump it on Eckhart, ’16, Caitour heads to calm us lin Sievers, ’18, and down and that really Lauren Havertape, ’18, helps and pumps us attempted on Saturday, up,” Nemickas said Nov. 8, to break the reIn the end, that ¾ of cord that was currently a second wouldn’t matset at 1:52.57. ter as they blew out the Having memorized record by 2.43 seconds, the record, Nemickas setting the new record was prepared as she at 1:50.14 seconds. said, “I’ve been honThese four girls will all eslty just trying to return in the years to make my swim perfect come, and seeing their for my leg of the relay, names up on the wall but also just trying beside the pool may not to get nervous just give them that extra so I don’t choke or confidence and motianything. [I’m] trying vation to take it to the to stay calm and tell next level. myself that there are no worries.”

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The Giant Upset

hand, were an underdog team that was in last place five years ago.

Manager Ned Yost used to use a fake name at Oh, so close.

Starbucks to avoid being They amazed, they con- heckled in public. They quered, and they captivated led the majors in stolen the world. The Kansas bases and had a mediocre City Royals, victims of the pitching staff. They fought longest playoff drought in tooth and nail to getp to the American sports history, series and they battled that were just that close to win- hard to the end. ning their first World Series “We fought to the last since 1985. Their dreams out, which is only fitting of a Cinderella season was for the way our club has spoiled by a powerhouse been all season long,” RoySan Francisco Giants Team als pitcher James Shields that won its third World told MLB.com reporter Series in the last five years. Dick Kaegel.

Starting pitcher Madison The Giants have started Bumgarner took home the to establish a reputation as series MVP Award. a budding dynasty.

It was the most unlikely “Great players and great combination of teams. teams have the abilities to Even though both got in rise to the occasion,” Githrough the Wild Card, the ants manager Bruce Bochy Giants were built on power said, “We did just that.” and stellar pitching. Their It’s not every year that team was loaded with the sports world sees a experienced veterans who championship a unlikely had World Series experiand exciting as this one. ence.

Hopefully, there are many The Royals on the other more to come.

Brandon Cullen Sports Editor Sports

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The Warrior Varsity Football Team was undefeated during the regular season and are in the playoffs as of press time. The freshman and and sophomore football teams finished their season undefeated.

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