The Oracle December 2014/January 2015 by Ben Graeber

The oracle

The Start of Something New Issue

Volume 110, Issue 3 December 2014/January 2015

North High School 501 Holcomb Ave Des Moines, IA 50313. A public fourm for student expression

TOC

THE

THE_SNAPS

Start of Somthing New

IssUE

Creative_arts PAGE 3

Creative Faces

XAYAVONG & NEADES

THE_Features PAGE 4

Why do you do what you do?

SANNEH

PAGE 5

Q&A with Natriannah Hodge

WASHINGTON

“North... there’s a lot of good that happens

KELLEY

THE_sPREAD PAGE 6 PAGE 7

How we compare

LINEBACH

High school, leaving so soon?

WILSON & HENNICK

Opinions PAGE 8

More Than A Shade Of Color -AMBROSE Unplug From Technology, Reconnect With Your Life

PAGE 9

MCNICHOLS More Than A Number TOWEH Too Early CLAY Independently Dependent

LONG

Sports PAGE 10

Worth The Pain Ambition

PITTS HENNICK

PAGE 11

The Boys Are Back

JONES

PHOTO CRED NHS YEARBOOK NHS ORACLE

COVER_PHOTO_CREDIT: Rachael Nash Model: Lovetee Taley; Lovetee’s number one priority is to graduate from

oracle staff

North High school. You may know her by her incredible style and friendly personality. Executive Editor & Master of Design – Iliana Castillo Chief Storyteller – Hatte Kelley Copy Editor- Esperanza Vargas Social Media Director – Esperanza Vargas & Aminah Lothi Sports Director – Tanna Jones News Editor – Kelsey Ambrose Features Editor – Sammi Linebach Opinions Editors – Hannah Mcnichols Creative Arts Editors – Michael Xayavong Photography Editor – Taj Milton Cover Guru- Rachael Nash

Reporters; Rayshawna Collier Madison Houska Ciattle Washington Moise Tuombemungu Reagan Clay Adrianna Dedmond Lalchuan Mawia Jasmine Moreno Cheyann Neades Austin Pitts Kyle Siberz

Ariel Wilson Kirsten Niblo FeaturinG; Jenna Long Faith Toweh

CREATIVE_ARTS Michael Xayavong

Creative Faces

3 Cheyann Neades

Let’s take a look at nine of the countless people who are involved in the performing and fine arts at North.

Alejandra Hernandez: Senior Drawing/Painting Beginning in eighth grade, Alejandra Hernandez has pursued her passion in drawing and painting at North. She has taken many classes throughout her career she has helped her develop engaging ideas and creativity. “Art is how my ideas come to life, it’s my form of expression” Hernandez explains. She has taken different art classes here at North. Which has given Alejandra the extra practice and a new set of skills that has helped her with her art and even everyday life skills. Ever since she has expanded on her hobby, more opportunities have come her way. Many of her projects from class have been honored in art shows around the Des Moines area. “My accomplishments within my art show that hard work really does pay off, it’s also nice to know that people get to view my creativity and imagination when they see my work,” said Hernandez. With countless hours of effort and dedication, Alejandra achieved and continues to achieve many goals within her hobby and hopes to accomplish more in the future.

Nathaniel Cobb: Junior

Julio Delgadillo: Sophomore

Graphic Design

Poetry

Beginning with a small interest, Nathaniel Cobb is continuing on with Graphic Design and has created a passion for the art.

Throughout Julio Delgadillo’s three years of participating in spoken word, he has developed his passion for poetry by the many opportunities he has received by being apart of the Movement 515 program.

In the start of his high school career, he joined Intro to Graphics out of pure curiosity. After doing a few projects, his interest began to grow for this art. “Everyone’s work is different and we’re all able to be creative on our own, and that’s what makes it so enjoyable” Cobb described. After the first year of graphic design, he decided to join and continue to the advanced class to learn more about his new passion. “The past years I’ve realized that this is something I want to do in college and even as a career,” explained Nathaniel. His development in the class will soon lead him into a possible career full of different opportunities. Nathaniel’s commitment and persistence has allowed his talent to become more than just an average hobby.

Duncan Vivanh: Sophomore

Kameron James: Sophomore

Theater

Choir Duncan Vivanh has been greatly involved in his second year of Theater and just finished his fifth show. Along with that, he is in Concert and Gospel choir where he sings bass. He played main antagonist Caldwell B. Cladwell in his first musical and show, which started his NHS career. Now he’s currently in James and The Giant Peach and is working on IHSSA contest. “I enjoy being on stage and expressing myself in something that’s new and fun,” Vivanh said. The best experience for Vivanh so far is that he has found a group of people who accept and help him. “I’m surrounded by people who are encouraging and supportive of each other.” Which is why he encourages everyone and anyone to give theater a shot. Vivanh continues to work hard so he can succeed in shows and in school. So far, he’s enjoyed his time at North and with the Theater department.

Choir

Big voiced and bubbly is what describes Kameron James who is in his second year of theater. Along with theater, he is involved in choir where he sings bass. His favorite thing about participating in theater are the musicals. He’s played the minor role of Hot Blades Harry (Urinetown) to main role of Gomez Addams (The Addams Family). “It really brought everyone together as a family and raised the expectations for everyone,” is the best moment James experienced in Urinetown. “Honestly, I’d be in jail or worse without theater.” James explained how theater has impacted his life and shows how the high expectations of the department can push students. With this impact, he would love to see people get involved and try new things out, “it can change your life for the good.”

Marcos Hernandez: Sophomore

Jasmine Moreno: Sophomore

Band

Play Production

At North, he’s in Concert and Jazz band under the direction of Dave Brown. Hernandez is also involved in theater, where he has done four shows (two musicals and two stage plays). His favorite play was Urinetown, where he played the minor character of BillyBoyBill. “Playing an instrument is just really cool, the music we get is always fun,” Hernandez said. Currently, he is learning the music for Drake Honor Band, a program that brings students from different schools to play together in an ensemble at Drake University. Which he was selected to participate in and is pushing North’s band program into the community. “Just go for it,” Hernandez said to encourage anyone who wants to play an instrument or to just try new things.

Delgadillo’s performances have ranged from small poetry slams to performing for the governor. He has spread his wise words throughout Iowa and continues to work hard. “Don’t be scared to speak up, we need the truth in our community” Delgadillo advices his peers to step up and get involved. As he gets more involved in the poetry world, it has helped him express himself, his beliefs and feelings and has allowed him to teach others to do the same. He continues to grow knowledge and develops more values within his passion that will open many doors throughout the upcoming years.

Rebekah Ostermann: Senior Theater

Choir, Play Production Rebekah Ostermann has had a great career in and out of North. She pursues all things performing arts and continues to work through her last year at North. From her eight shows at North to Mary Poppins at The Playhouse, she is no stranger to the stage. Along with her theater career, she has gone to Iowa All-State for choir, she was the first in several years to make it from North. Aside from performing, she enjoys having the opportunity to watch fellow theater departments from other schools, “It’s very interesting to see what other actors from different schools can do,” Ostermann commented. These activities have shown her what she’s good at and how to work hard. The arts are very important to her life and says, “it has helped me with my schoolwork and has pushed me to work hard.” “Be open minded and open to correction, this really is a family that allows you to work with different people,” says Ostermann who would like to see people get involved with theater or choir.

He ends with “It’s a good day to be a polar bear.”

Drama With five years of experience, Marcos Hernandez has been playing the saxophone since the fifth grade. And is still enthusiastic about it since the first day he started.

“It allows me to speak the truth for my community and inspire the youth to do the same” Delgadillo said.

Being a new addition to the tech crew here at North, Jasmine Moreno found an interest in behind-the-scenes action. Although she has a small amount of experience, Moreno has gained many skills and continues to develop new ideas. “Tech theater gives me a different perspective of being backstage, instead of being on stage” Moreno said. In the start of her first year, Jasmine was involved in the fall musical The Addams Family which involved new state of the art tech equipment. With the musical being a big production she was up for the challenge. Moreno learned how to do spotlight for the show and how to use the light and sound system. This system includes a new light board, monitors and two spotlights. With the many hours of training and rehearsal, she has gained skills that she’ll apply to future shows she hopes to continue to do this for the rest of her high school career.

Meghan Garrett-Brown: Junior Play Production

Band Meghan Garrett has been seen as the drum major of North’s band, but enjoys working behind the scenes of shows. She is the main lightboard technician of North’s new auditorium and is thrilled with what she gets to work with. During her time here at North, she has always been behindthe-scenes, learning the ropes of the theater’s system of lights and sound. Along with that, she likes to do set design to bring the stage to life for the actors. “Even though I stress out, I’ve gotten a new set of skills and I’ve met a bunch of people.” Garrett said about her time in the theater department. She was thrilled to be the first person to learn and use the system. For The Addam’s Family, she had over 200 light cues that featured a multi-light system that ranged from blue to red colors. “Take time to learn your stuff and be dedicated,” is advice she gives to everyone.

Photo Credit: Michael Xayavong

GO_TO_nORTHHSORACLE.COM_TO_READ_other_articles

Features Why do you do what you do?

Teachers tell us their motivation for teaching every day Everyone has a purpose, including teachers. What is a purpose you may ask? It’s a sense of motivation towards a goal, a career, or a relationship. You may battle challenges along the way, but the purpose remains the same. That’s why teachers are great motivators because they care and are willing to make a sacrifice when it comes to education and building a solid foundation towards this evolving generation.

Jennifer Dryden, Journalism, Newspaper and English teacher “I think it’s to show students that even during the most challenging years of your life, somebody understands and gets it. I do what I do because I feel like high schoolers are the people that need supportive, upbeat, kinda-crazysometimes people because life is serious enough. If I can be that one crazy teacher, positive force in their day, then that’s enough.” - by: Gunyanee Xayyarath

Angela Greaves, Family Consumer Science teacher “Just the students what they go through, and there is so much of what they go through, the changing from a child to an adult just helping bold that generation, it’s just important and I think that everyone should take the time to get to know people and help the people cause our world would be a lot better.” - by: Noemy Salgado

Cheyanne Hayes, English teacher “There are not a lot of jobs when you go home that you feel good about what you do, I feel that with teaching. It is frustrating, mentally draining, I mean watching a kid that wouldn’t graduate unless you walk with them every step of the way. They may have a bad life, school is a safe place to them.” - by: Somerle Rhiner

Karen Height, History and Sociology teacher “I’m always striving to help students ”get it” in my classes. When that light bulb comes on and some one says “I get it” then I feel like I am on cloud nine! I do what I do because I really love the kids.” - by: Alexis Barnes

Des Moines, Iowa

“I definitely recommend living on campus – that’s where all the exciting and really fun stuff happens!” – Aly Merschman

Learn more at Melissa Daniels, English and AP Language and Composition teacher “I think it’s important to have people who are really good role models. Good teachers are very important because it’s basically the future of America. So we need to have people who are really passionate and who really care about what they do. Especially with technology growing as quickly as it is. We need to be able to teach the kids to think in different ways and to be creative and speak their minds.” - by: Aurianna French

one of our vIsIt Days Winter visit Day

Monday, January 19

admitted student Days fri-sat, March 6-7

Dwight C. Smith, Art teacher “It’s different everyday and it’s fun, challenging. It’s not so easy that I don’t have to think about it. It’s a struggle some days. It just kind of cruises through and everybody’s doing what they’re doing and I get to enjoy them being creative and what not.” - by: Mariama Sanneh

Scan to hear more about what Aly has to say about her Grand View experience.

5 Q & A with Natriannah Hodge

Features

By Ciattle Washington With the desire to help out in generosity, without expecting attention, Natriannah Hodge received an award for all her time at the Grubb YMCA in Des Moines, IA. How old are you? “15” What grade are you in? “10th” When did you start going to the Grubb YMCA? “When I was younger, I would go to their programs.” What motivated you to start volunteering at the YMCA? “When I went Mr. Rick, who works there, would always ask me to help out and I always agreed when I could.” What does your volunteer work consist of? “A little bit of everything. I help with the kids; I clean up, help in the team room, and serve meals during family night.” Are there any specific hours you commit to volunteering? “Not really, it’s just anytime I go over there and they need help I give my time.” How do you balance school, friends, volunteering, and time for yourself? “Well school really isn’t a issue, and my friends are usually hanging around the YMCA so they don’t mind that I’m hanging out, and I don’t need time for myself when I’m thinking of others.”

From whom in your family do you believe built the need give back in your heart? “My father. He will help anyone in need, no matter what it costs him and I admire that. Did you know you we’re receiving a trophy for your service? “I did, I received the award at the Marriott hotel downtown. It was really nice, my family was there and I made my mom proud which felt good.” Can you see yourself making your volunteering into a job at the YMCA? “Yes, actually they are in the process of hiring me, I just need to get my work permit.” If you could volunteer for any organization in the world what would it be? “Probably a daycare, because I love kids and would like to be a pediatrician one day.”

Natriannah Hodge holding her Youth Volunteer of the Year award from YMCA. Photo credit to Arletrice Thomas Photo from YMCA website.

“North...there’s a lot of good that happens.” By Hatte Kelley

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world,” Cape Town, South Africa’s, Desmond Tutu said. Our North High Charles Mercer would agree. North High School’s community school coordinator is Charles Mercer. His office is tucked away between the nurse’s office and the Intervention Center. He has been the lead in charge for the Pink & Silver Cord initiative at North. At other schools this program is just called The Silver Cord Program; which is nationally recognized. Mercer explained why he is the head of the program and how ours is a little different, “All my counterparts at other high school also do the pink and silver cord. Well, theirs is just silver, ours is pink and silver.” According to Mercer, we are the last Des Moines Public School to adopt the program. When asked why we’re so late in joining, Mercer said, “Probably because it wasn’t a district movement, and it wasn’t solidified what the requirements would be. I think since the ROTC, the National Honor Society, a lot of the sports teams, and a lot of the different clubs do volunteer hours it was time to recognize all those folks in a unified effort.” The more socioeconomic reasons behind our jumping on the bandwagon are, “It’s nice to have different articles, or things about them, that show the other sides of North, the other sides of Des Moines Public Schools, because there’s a lot of good that happens.” Mercer also offered a practical purpose for the program. “It’s a nationally recognized program and

YOU

How Do Get The Pink & Silver Cord?

1. “Volunteering, it shows a side you don’t necessarily see in the different classes that they sit in…it shows good heart, good character.” -Mercer

so kids can put them on their college applications and resumes,” he said. And finally, Mercer provides the passionate point to the program is that, “Volunteering, it shows a side you don’t necessarily see in the different classes that they sit in…it shows good heart, good character. It shows that people are humble and willing to give back to those less fortunate or give back to causes that they have a real push for.”

When asked where kids can go Mercer said, “Places you can go [are] almost limitless. Non-profit agencies, there’s a lot of stuff happening in and around the school. Non-profit agencies, there’s so many just right up the street from north high school up on sixth avenue. Elementary schools have little reading programs.” Considering the grey areas of volunteer hours he said, “The process of familiarizing students on what

VOLUNTEER

SENIOR=30 HOURS JUNIOR=60 HOURS SOPHOMORE=90 HOURS FESHMEN=120 HOURS

is and isn’t okay will be worked out on a case by case basis.” Mercer revealed what volunteering he holds close to his heart and he revealed, “I volunteer coach for an AAU basketball league that I started. I do that probably four times a week and on the weekends working with the kids.” AAU stands for Amateur Athletic Union, which is the largest non-profit volunteer sports organization in the United States.

For more stories, go to Northhsoracle.com

MIDDLE_SPREAD

6 Story and infographic by: Sammi Linebach “USnews.com” reviewed a little more than 31,000 U.S. public schools for the annual report on the Best High Schools in the United States. That number then was revised to 19,411-which is the total number of public high schools across the country that had high enough 12th-grade enrollment and sufficient data from the 2011-2012 school year to be eligible for the rankings. 98 of those high schools were from our very own home sweet home—Iowa—which has one of the highest high school graduation rates in the nation. Built into Iowa’s state curriculum are lessons to provide students with “21st Century Skills,” which include civic, financial, health and technology literacy, as well as employment skills, according to the Iowa Department of Education. However, the number one best high school in Iowa is still number 708 out of the 19,400 high schools reviewed. Iowa’s top-ranked high school is located in the Cedar Rapids Community School District, which is roughly 130 miles from the state capital of Des Moines. The two closest schools that made the list are both 8.4 driving miles away from North— Johnston and then Valley. Now, in the DMPS school district, there are seven schools not including Lincoln RAILS Academy, Central Academy and Central Campus. Of the seven, is our very own North High School. No, North is not nationally ranked on this report. However, we are moving on up not only on the outside, but the inside. In addition to the countless improvements in the school’s outside skeleton, the new administration has set its eyes on raising the bar in the classroom by looking at new innovative teaching methods.

If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, You have to keep moving forward. -MLK Jr. You must be the change you wish to see in the world. -Ghandi

Middle_SPREAD

Abby McGruder

Senior Abby McGruder is planning on graduating early and starting her life with giving her brain a break from school first. She will start back up this fall at DMACC and eventually either move to a mechanic schooling program to work on cars or go into cosmetology. Q: What do you plan to do after high school? “When I graduate high school I plan to start working full time and save enough money to move into an apartment with my lovely dog.” Q: What went through your mind when you decided to graduate early? “When I decided to graduate early, all I could think was there was no way I would slack off like freshman year. I was a senior and needed to get more serious about my schoolwork. I was excited that I would be the first in my family to graduate early.” Q: How does your family and/or loved ones feel about you graduating early? “My family/friends are all very proud of me for sitting down and deciding this. They are happy that I have such confidence in myself.” Q: If you go to college what do you want to focus on? “I plan to go to DMACC and get the core classes like English and Math out of the way as quick as possible and after that I plan to go into either a Mechanic schooling program to work on cars like my father, or to go into Cosmetology.” Q: What motivated you to graduate early? “Nothing really motivated me. I figured to just get it done and over with.” Q: Do you believe graduating early is the right decision? “Yes I do. I want to prove to people that with the right thoughts in your head that you can become successful. And I want to prove to my family while being the first female McGruder in North High, that I can not only graduate, but graduate early.” Q: Are you proud of yourself and why? “I’m actually pretty proud of myself because two years ago, all that was in the back of my head was that I would be a super senior. And now I’m graduating early. It’s pretty exciting stuff.”

Sam McClain

Story by Ariel Wilson

Story by Ariel Wilson Sam McClain is a Senior here at North High School who has decided to take the opportunity of graduating early into his hands. Through tremendous hard work and serious dedication, he has decided to leave us this January to take a break from school before starting back up at DMACC after walking across the stage and gaining his well-earned diploma. Q: What went through your mind when you decided to graduate early? “I was thinking that I was going to have more free time and that I finally made it with my education.” Q: How does your family/loved ones feel about you graduating early? “My family is happy that I am graduating high school. They are really proud of me.” Q: Do you plan on going to college? “I plan on going to ITT Tech and DMACC.” Q: Once in college, what do you plan to focus on? “I want to focus on getting my degree in computer science.” Q: What motivated you to graduate early? “Being able to do my own thing and the thought of being able to move out.” Q: Do you believe graduating early is the right decision? “It was difficult to get to where I am, just for the fact that I was never really good in school. I do think it’s a good decision, some people want to stay to be with friends and I want to leave so I can be with both my family and friends, but still go to college and maintain a job.” Q: What teachers have helped you along your journey? “I had most of my teachers behind me all the way to help me learn and to do better in school.” Q: Are you proud of yourself? “I’m very proud of myself, I’m glad to see where I’ve come from when I was a freshman, and having a higher education makes me happy for myself.”

Yasmin Gonzales

Yazmin Gonzalez, Senior at North High School, will be finishing her senior year faster than expected. As one of the early graduates, she will be graduating in January of 2015. Even though she will be done in January, she will still be able to walk with her class in May. Graduating early does have its upside and downside advantages and disadvantages, but that does not stop Yazmin from graduating early and achieving her goals in life. You may think, ‘how can there be downsides with graduating early?’ but Yazmin tells all the downsides for her with graduating early. Q: What are some downsides of graduating early for you? “The downsides for me are that I’m going to miss the rest of the pep rally’s at school, and I don’t get to see the whole school cheer on the basketball team. I also won’t see my classmates anymore and even though I don’t talk to them, those were people that I either went to elementary or middle school with. Another downside is that I won’t get anymore extra credits as I would be taking the second semester, so that sucks.” Q: Is the process of graduating early stressful? “It’s kind of stressful for me because I have to take classes online in order to make up credits for me not taking second semester. Also, I don’t get any release periods because my schedule is so full since I have to take other classes that will fill in for second semester.” Q: What are some plus sides of graduating early? “Some plus side advantages of graduating early are that I get a couple of months off of school before starting college in August. Also, I can get a job and start saving money for books and all those kinds of things.” Q: What are some plans you have for yourself in the future? “In the future I hope to have my bachelors degree in interpretation and translating. I hope to be married with two kids and have my own house and nice car. If I like college, I will go back and study to become a probation officer.” Story by Paige Hennick

Opinions

MoRe Than a shade of coloR

By: Kelsey Ambrose When the topics of Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown, and now the most recent Eric Garner come up, I often find myself fighting a heavy argument. My beliefs are strong, and I refuse to let myself just fall back when someone says something like, “You don’t understand, you’re white.” That’s very true, I’m white, it’s also true I don’t, and never will understand the feeling of what African Americans have felt before. At the same time, a shade of color shouldn’t be the reason I can’t speak on what is obvious. The verdict of the Ferguson trial left me feeling a certain anger I wasn’t able to express, not only anger, but hurt. The night the verdict had been read, riots, protests, looting, all of it had started happening immediately and here I was, trying to process how to react. Wondering how to speak and comprehend how the United States is made out to have this perfect justice system, but the most obvious crimes are

Graphic by Rachel Nash

receiving no punishment, and families are receiving not one inch of justice. The country that’s supposed to be the promise land, has turned into the kill someone of color and get away with murder land. Where’s the justice in that?

I’ve always been taught to be proud of who I am, but recently I’ve been second guessing that. Why should I be so proud to be white, or an American in that matter when the world I’m living in is like this? Race is a main piece in all of these cases; all of the men killed were black murdered by someone

of the opposite race. None of which have been charged. W.E.B. Du Bois, a man recognized for his social goals once said, “A system cannot fail those it was never meant to protect.” I’ve never fully understood that sentence until I sat down and thought about all of these cases. African Americans will never be seen the same, no matter the generation or situation there will never be enough justice to justify for everything that’s happened or even will happen. There’s no chapter in a textbook, or words from a teacher on a lesson in a history class to make it right. If it was the other way around, a black man killing d a white man he’d never see or feel sun beat down on his body again. Disagree with me? Go right ahead, you won’t be the first, third or twentieth. On August 28th, 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. made the “I have a dream” speech and said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” 51 years ago this was his dream. If you think about it, nothing has really changed since then. Except a few rights here and there, the racism still exists, the judgment still exists, America is still the same as it was 51 years ago just with more technology. I worry for the next few generations. I worry for when I have children what will I tell them when they ask questions? How will I explain to them why they’re looked at differently, or followed in a store when they’re with their friends? I hope by then I won’t need to. I hope for things to actually be different, and for a pigment of your skin color to not determine how the justice system applies to you.

Photo taken at site of Michael Brown’s death; Photo taken by Rachel Nash

Unplug fRom technology, Reconnect with youR life

By: Jenna Long

Technology is a great advancement for our world. But are we slowly letting it take over? Are we spending more time wrapped up in our phones than our lives in the real world? People don’t realize how much time they’re actually spending on their technology anymore. According to the Washington Post, teens spend seven and a half hours on technology. That is about one third of your day. What a waste! When is the last time you actually paid attention to everything that was going on in class? Let’s be real. It’s no question our grades reflect that. We’ve just become brain dead to the fact that technology doesn’t matter as much as your real life does. Trust me, which retweeted picture of food could have waited. When I was a child, I would never be at home. I would spend endless hours outside with my friends

riding our bikes and finding new things around the neighborhood and causing a ruckus. But now, you rarely see children out playing like you used to. They’re all cooped up inside their homes, iPads in

“We’ve become so involved with social media that we can chat for hours, but we’re strangers in person.” their laps, and TVs playing in the background. We’ve become so involved with social media

that we can chat for hours, but we’re strangers in person. We can have 400 friends on Facebook, yet none of them really know who we are. We all just live in a world of self-promotion, self-interest and self-image. We are more concerned about our reputation on social media than our actual person. What’s really heartbreaking is the fact that people don’t talk to one another for the fear of looking insane. I don’t know how many times I’ve shut down my phone just to reopen it not even five seconds later. We all just need to learn how to shut down our phones and coexist with one another. I’m not saying you should stop using social media, I’m just saying you need to find a balance, make sure that you’re living life in the moment and not living it through a screen. Disconnect from your need to be heard and defined, go out and live life the real way.

Opinions

MoRe than a numbeR

four years at, and a major that is going to be what I do for the rest of my life. When fall of 2015 comes around, I’ll most likely be applying to colleges. Though I am not a fan of high school, I feel that it is a comfort zone. It’s the same monotonous routine for four years but at least I know what to expect. College signals a new chapter in my life. That excites and terrifies me at the same time. As a student taking three AP classes, I am already stressing about finals, and it’s still a month away. I’m wondering how I’m going to regurgitate

was true. In high school these days it’s always about what grade do you have, high or low? What’s your GPA? What did you get on the ACT? How high did you get on your test? Education is important, so most people say, and I couldn’t agree more. However, the evolution of education has changed greatly from its origins. I have heard many people think along a similar line of thought as this: elementary school is preparation for middle school; middle school is preparation for high school; high school the ultimate determination for college. College seems to be the end all be all,

at the same time, wondering how my participation grade will compare to the person’s next to me. I am not a number. I am not my GPA, my ACT score, or my class rank. I am an individual who wants to be known as more than a number. I am a junior trying my best, giving it my all. And I don’t think I could do much more while balancing three AP classes, a job, being an editor on the newspaper, and a staff member of MCJROTC here at North High School. It’s tough enough being a seventeenyear-old girl let alone juggling everything else. Let’s face it; education has become less about

the final door that reveals a happy, successful and financially sound life. Education has transformed into a competition, much of which I have personally experienced. I have found myself peer editing another student’s paper and thinking about how my own essay rivals theirs. While I converse in class discussions I am

learning and more about competition. I am, too, very guilty of seeing school as a competition that I must come out on top in, but after many steamy showers spent contemplating life’s issues, I have decided to try and stress less about my grades and simply enjoy the experience as a whole.

By: Hannah McNichols If you are like most upperclassmen, you are receiving countless letters from colleges in the mail every day. For me, this started happening about two months ago. One day some letters came and ever since then I get at least three a day. Emails, letters, phone calls, the whole nine yards. All these letters pretty much say the same thing: “You show great potential and are accomplished, motivated and unique. We are so thrilled to contact you... etc.” Then, they have a website to go to take a quiz about if such and such college is right for you. If each letter says the same thing, how do I know that they are sincere? These letters I assume are just mass-produced and sent out to thousands of high schoolers. These letters make me feel like nothing more than just any average student. All I can think is, I am a junior trying to pass my AP classes I am taking in high school. How am I suppose to pick a college I want to spend the next

Photo taken by Hannah McNichols everything I’ve learned to rewrite notes and make flash cards for round one of finals. Before my statistics test the other day, I was taking my last few moments not studying like I should have, but on Twitter. Someone had tweeted, “You are more than a number.” The more I thought about it the more I realized it

Too EARly

By: Faith Toweh Hey, you! Yeah, you. Are you tired from being awake since five o’clock in the morning? The cause of not being able to pay attention in class can be blamed on the school days starting too early. Most schools in the country start at eight o’clock in the morning. North High School starts at 7:40 making it even worse for us. Forcing us to wake up at 6 or even earlier to get ready for school. If you’re up before the sun, then you know there is a big problem. No one should be up before the sun. Sleep is fuel for the brain and body. Just how you put fuel in your car to make it run. That’s how the body needs fuel to run properly and that fuel is sleep. It provides us with the energy we need to tackle life tasks. The average teen has six hours of school, then sports and extracurricular activities, then dinner and homework, which take up your whole night.

Eight to ten hours of sleep each night is what a teen should have to be healthy. But reaching this requirement is almost impossible when students have to be awake at five o’clock, ready to repeat their busy day all over again. Dr. Cora Breuner, an Adolescent Medicine specialist, at Seattle Children Hospital says, “Teenagers are getting six to seven hours of sleep a night and they need eight to ten.” Sleep deprivation is a very serious issue. Lack of sufficient sleep causes humans to be less alert. Simple life task become harder. Many students drive to school. So being overtired can cause a driver to be less observant to what’s going on around them. Studies at National Medical Center in Washington D.C found that lack of sleep in teenager increases the risk of traffic accident. Every year sleep deprivation causes at least 40,000 car accidents, according to National Medical Center (NMC) in Washington D.C. Even if students are able to get to school alive, they’ll be lucky if they can stay awake. In 2006, the NMC found that 28 percent of students admitted to falling asleep during school. Just staying awake in class means students will learn more, according to the national medical center in Washington, D.C. Getting enough sleep is necessary for us because our brains and bodies need energy to take on life demanding tasks. Moving the school’s start time to at least an hour later will give students the extra sleep time we need. “Grades will go up because teens that get more sleep do better academically, which better standardized test scores and better quality of life,” Owens says. You’re still awake, Right!? Don’t fall asleep on me!

“If you’re up before the sun, then you know there is a big problem. No one should be up before the sun.”

Independently Dependent

By: Reagan Clay Suppose we don’t need other people to make us fully happy in our own lives. What kind of world would we live in? Would we all be as happy as we were before? Would we get along with one another? Join hands and sing Kumbaya? No. The truth is we couldn’t last a day without depending on someone for something, anything. Humans crave attention. We want someone to love us. Someone to be thinking of us. Someone to go out of their way to make us happy. Because the reality of it all is we can’t handle this crazy game of life by ourselves. We need human interaction in our lives. Whether that is with family, friends, coworkers, teachers, or even our peers. What I’m trying to say is, it is okay to have people in your life that make you happy, just be

aware of that person and their intentions of staying in your life. What happens when they decide to leave? You’re left with yourself. You’re left with all of your own thoughts. You’re left with what ifs. You’re left with the emptiness they just brought upon you. Every so often you have to get yourself up and dust yourself off. Share your thoughts with someone, everyone perhaps! Stop thinking about those what ifs because they are over. You’re never going to get over something if you keep thinking about what you should have changed when it is too late. And lastly, fill that empty hole with happiness you have brought yourself. Maybe it’s from high hopes and even higher expectations but our generation is depending too much on others. We lack the competitive edge to get up and do something ourselves. We expect things to be handed to us, one of those things being our happiness. Why depend on someone else when his or her significance in your life is questionable? The quote, “I’m on a roller coaster that only goes up,” has often been said in my life. I disagree with it. My roller coaster doesn’t just go up. It has many loops and downfalls. Sometimes my roller coaster is bumpy. Sometimes it can be a terrifying fall. Sometimes you just want to scream out. Sometimes all you can do is close your eyes and hope it’s over soon. But other times it can be the easiest ride of your life; like a minor hill. It’s up to you to decide who will be beside you during this ride. They may make it a little more bearable. Be aware of who’s in your life and who intends on staying in your life. That individual can make the ride worthwhile.

“My roller coaster doesn’t just go up. It has many loops and downfalls. Sometimes my roller coaster is bumpy. Sometimes it can be a terrifying fall. Sometimes you just want to scream out.”

Sports

Worth The pain

By: Austin Pitts “Wrestling season is here.” But does anyone ever say it that way? With the great success of our basketball team in recent years, the wrestlers are often shadowed. They are often not thought of as much, fighting for popularity amongst the basketball players. The little known fact is that the wrestlers have been good for a long time. Even when the basketball team was in the trenches, rebuilding slowly. The likes of Brian Warren and Jordan Jones kept the wrestling program held high, breaking school records and winning state championships along the way.

Josh Rattray Q: How long have you been wrestling? A: “For as long as I can remember, my parents started me out as soon as I was big enough.” Q: Do you play any other sports? If so what separates wrestling compared to the other ones? A: “I play football, but for me football relies a lot on the people around you, whereas in wrestling if I put it through my head that I can win, I will, because it is just me. Nobody else.” Q: Do you have any advice for people that want to wrestle that have never tried to before? A: “Come to practice man. That’s the main thing. You might not agree with all the conditioning or

Q. If you had to describe your sport in one word, what would that be? A: “Grind, because without the everyday grind, you aren’t making it anywhere in this sport.” Q: Who is the biggest influence on your life? A: “My dad. He’s always there. He always will support me. Even when I have to cut weight and I’m struggling he’s there. He pushes me to excel at everything that I do.” Q: How does it feel to be a wrestler? A: “Its actually pretty painful, but I honestly wouldn’t change it for the world. I mean unlike any other sport it’s not just a compramise you have to make during a practice or a game. You have to eat healthy if you can even eat at all, run if you’re over weight. It’s a strict sport and you have to play by the guide lines” Q: Can you describe being a student athlete in one word? A: “Difficult, because of the stress of being a student, having so much homework along with being so physically tired

By: Paige Hennick It’s a Monday or Thursday afternoon, you’re anxious and nervous. The uniform is on, shoes slipped on, and the bowling ball is out on the ball rack, ready. Ready to begin with the bowling meet and come out on top from all of the other varsity girls, come out on top in the state. The mangers or owner of the bowling center begins explaining the rules of the meet, your heart starts beating fast, excited and eager to begin. The national anthem starts, your nerves start kicking in fully, you try to remain calm, you know it’s time. “You now have two practice balls to throw on each set of lanes!” You hear the machines come on, it’s almost game time. You hear the explosion of sounds as the ball hits the lanes and as the ball hits the pins. The sounds differing from a strike and not a strike. This is what you have led up to, the time that will see if all the practice has paid off.

December 4th, meet against osceola 4:00pm start time December 15th, meet against Newton 3:00pm start time December 18th, meet against Hoover, 3:30pm start time January 6th, meet against East, 3:30pm start time January 8th, meet against Valley, 3:30pm start time January 12th, meet against Urbandale, 3:30pm start time January 15th, meet against Lincoln, 3:45pm start time January 20th, meet against Marshalltown, 3:45pm start time January 26th, meet against Ottumwa, 3:30pm start time January 29th, meet against Roosevelt, 3:15pm start time February 5th, Conference meet, 2:00pm start time February 17th, District meet

Q: How long have you been wrestling? A: “I have been wrestling for about 8 years. I know I started young but if I would have started even earlier I feel I would have a greater advantage now.” Q: Who is the favorite coach that you have worked with?

Josh Rattray and Chase Williams duing a wrestle off. Photo Credit: Tanna Jones

Your two practice balls are done on each set of lanes, it’s time, it’s game time. The nagging nail biting begins, your nervousness begins to show. Your palms are sweating, you’re shaking. The words of your teammates and coach don’t help you calm down any. You waited all day for this moment, to come out and shine and make your teammates and coach proud of you. Show your opponents what you have brought to the table. The feeling of being able to show all of your hard work through your bowling, your score. Watch that feeling come out from your coach, your teammates, and the crowd cheering you on from doing well. The satisfaction feeling of knocking down all the pins and picking up that spare you have always had troubles getting. “It only takes a simple step, a single step that will bring great feeling. As you reach out aiming towards your target, as you release, a part of you follows. In hopes that it was a good enough throw, as the pins drop in unison you release the breath you didn’t know you were holding.” -A.H. That feeling

Girls/boys bowling schedule

Chase Williams

A: “Gene Hildreth, he was the varsity coach when I first came to North and although I already knew how to wrestle some, he taught me so much with my work ethic that made me into what I am today.” Q: Do you have any advice for people that want to wrestle? A: “Work hard. Wrestling is not easy. There isn’t a way around cutting weight. There are not any of your teammates having your back. It’s you and the other guy out on the mat. That’s it. There is no one else.” Q: What is the biggest challenge with cutting weight? A: “I hate to say it like this, but I’m basically starving myself. I can eat barely anything. I have to run so much more to just lose a few pounds. Are you unhappy with your weight? You should wrestle.” Q: Can you describe being a student athlete in one word? A: “Difficult, because of the stress of being a student. We all have homework and tests and stuff. But then you add on being physically tired after practice. Then most days I have to head to work. It definitely isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.” There were hours of work, day after day beating on their craft. Sweat and blood taken into account, not everyone survived the offseason. Not everyone has what it takes but those that remain, they aren’t just here to be ordinary. They have one mission in mind and that’s to make it to the state tournament. For wrestlers theres only one choice, only one option. To thrive.

work, but it all pays off in the end. Trust me.” Q: What is your favorite thing about wrestling? A: “I’m going to be honest… I love the sensation I get when I slam somebody on their neck.”

Ambition

after practice. Then most evenings, heading off to work. It definitely isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.”

Sports

The Boys Are Back By: Tanna Jones It’s coming up to the 2014-2015 season of North High Basketball and the Bears Den is filled with chaos, also filled with curiosity. Questions like, are we even going to be good? Are flying around the halls after last season’s success and devastating loss against SEP ending the journey short for the seniors. They’ve brought hope for the future polar bears and opened the eyes to many who’ve doubted us along the way. Ending the season 21-3, being conference champs and having the best season since 1992 they have big shoes to fill this coming season. Ben Hayes has been playing basketball for seven years. He’s had an outstanding basketball career with starting his freshman year and being apart of the varsity team. He was recognized by the CIML, won honorable mention and academic awards. Trey Warrick has been playing basketball since he was in fifth grade and was also apart of the limelight last year. This being his senior year he is looking at different colleges and hopes to play football. After being injured since summer from an ACL injury and not being able to play football, he is ready to be back out on the court.

Senior Neico Greene, has been playing basketball since the third grade and is also undecided on a college but is certain on walking on to a basketball team that fits him. When he was younger he had a mentor at Valley who used to play basketball that took him under his wing. Also that tended to have a huge impact on his future career. Greene has played on varsity since his freshman year, was spotted by the CIML and won honorable mention all conference for the last three seasons. Last but not least the great and powerful Coach Ryan, he has made a huge impact on the North High Basketball team. He has coached basketball for 18 years and counting. This is his eighth year at north. “I started because I don’t only enjoy helping in the game of basketball, but in the game of life,” says Ryan. “One of the best moments for the coaching staff last year was to watch the crowds’ involvements of the student section to the adult section. This year’s team has worked hard to make a name for them selves! We promise to play a fun fast pace game that is exciting to watch! Go Polar Bears!” a letter from coach himself. On that note, the boys have a long journey ahead of them. With the bear’s fans behind them, through pain and achievement nothing will ever be too bad. For the basketball boys reading this, good luck this season. Last but not least, let go bears!

Basketball schedule & Bears Den themes

1/6 7:45 @North Vs. Ottumwa/ Theme: Country Club 1/9 7:45 @North Vs. Dowling Catholic/ Theme: Hawaiian Out 1/13 7:45 @North Vs. Hoover/ Theme: Western Out 1/16 7:45 @North Vs. East/ Theme: ‘Merica Out 1/20 7:45 @Urbandale Vs. Urbandale/ Theme: Black Out 1/27 7:45 @North Vs. Lincoln/ Theme: Costume Out 1/30 7:45 @Roosevelt Vs. Roosevelt/ Theme: White Out 2/3 7:45 @North Vs. Indianola/ Theme: Superhero 2/6 7:45 @EvansMS Vs. Ottumwa/ Theme: Spirit Out 2/10 7:45 @AnkenyHS Vs. Ankeny/ Theme: Camo Out 2/13 7:45 @Hoover Vs Hoover/ Theme: Pink & Red/ Valentines 2/17 7:45 @Valley Vs. Valley/ Theme: Neon Out Ben Hayes practices shooting before the first game agaisnt Ames. 2/20 7:45 @North Vs. Marshalltown(SENIOR NIGHT)Theme: Spitit Out Photo Cred: Colt Wyatt

#FacesBehindTheOracle