Roosevelt Rider Roundup September 2021

ROUGHRIDER roundup Beauty and the Baller

Volleyball

Golf, Rugby and Band

and More!!!

Winning Streak: The Football Issue

Lady Tankers Making a Splash!

The Rider Roundup The Roosevelt Roundup is published by the newspaper staff of Theodore Roosevelt High School and exists to serve as an open forum for the students, staff, administration, and community.

All state and federal laws regarding the publication of student materials shall apply, and the rider roundup will not publish materials which also fall under the guidelines established by the Des Moines Public School system, and are deemed libelous, obscene, or a material and substantial disruption to normal classroom activities.

The views expressed are not those of the Des Moines Public School faculty, staff, or administration.

All articles are researched, written, edited and designed by the staff, and are the result of editorial decisions made by the entire staff.

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Class Advisor Nicole Crawford nicolecrawford@dmschools.org

Editor-in-Chief Willem Lindstrom Assistant Editors Abigail Henry Jack Harrington Colin Murphy Staff

Benjamin Cayetano Christian Guerro Levi Hankenson Zarai Hernandez-Hernandez Maia Kissell Andrew Knapp Bianca Lennon Amalle Mantay Isabella Martinez-Conrad Isacc (Ziggy) Page Mays Perlowski Kimberlin Rosas Josie Schauls Julia Stewart Neicy Walker Zane Worley

Jump Spike Score!!

By Willem Lindstrom & Staff

T

he volleyball season has started, and the girls are off to a good start. This team has won the conference the last five years in a row. However, it is a fairly new team this year that has a lot of young talent.

There are seven starters, with four sophomores playing, and even a freshman!

Coach Mark Steinbach, for the volleyball team, has very big goals for the team.

“I am looking forward to winning the conference for the 6th year in a row and qualifying for the state tournament” said Coach Steinbach. Steinbach also mentioned the team’s biggest strengths and weaknesses.

“We are a great serving and passing team. We have a tight knit group, lots of trust within each other, we love each other.

However, we could work on attacking and blocking. We are also short in size,” said Steinbach. The coach has great confidence in the team and has lots of good words

“Best team chemistry we have had in over five years!

These kids really love one another,” -Steinbach.

“HUDDLE UP!” Here is the volleyball team huddling up after a score. They talk about roatations and who is serving next. Photographed by Jason Ickowitz

about them.

“Best team chemistry we have had in over five years! These kids really love one another,” said Steinbach. Morgan Harvey, the freshman on the team, is very excited about playing on varsity this season.

“It feels amazing and it’s definitely a huge accomplishment” said Morgan Harvey when talking about making the varsity volleyball team as a freshman.

Harvey is the right-side hitter on the team.

She is mainly focused on improving her skills, especially getting better at passing.

The team is going to Nebraska to play this weekend and she said she is excited for the trip. Because Harvey is a freshman, she has a lot to learn still.

“I would like to become more in sync with the team while playing,” said Harvey. It can be hard for a freshman to play on the varsity team. She is not only new to the

school, but she is also playing with new teammates.

“I am the libero for our team meaning I pass and dig,” said Ally Whatley. Whatley is a senior and she plays a very big role on the team. She loves the team and her coaches, and she is very excited to see how good they do the rest of the season.

She also has teammates that play big roles and have great skills.

“Another good player to watch for is our sophomore player Asialin Powell. When she’s a senior she will be unstoppable,” said Whatley. Whatley has similar goals as her coach, she wants to win the conference and go to state.

The team plays in Nebraska this weekend but has a home game against Hoover next Tuesday. It would be great to have as many students as possible there to cheer on the team!

Picture day!!This is the Varsity voleyball team taking their team pictures.

(Morgan Harvey, the freshman, is in the front).

Photographed by Jason Ickowitz

Th e

Begining Of

A

New ERA

Written By Colin Murphy

411,130,063 s e c o n d s .

6,852,167 minutes. 4,758 days

T

hat’s how long it had been since Roosevelt Football took down a suburban school.

4,758 days of Roosevelt being stuck in the perception of being “Good, but good for a DMPS school.”

4,758 days of hearing suburban students talk poorly about Roosevelt. And after a big night it’s looking like a change might be in motion.

To start off the 2021 season, Roosevelt High School blew out East High School 47-0 to start off the season right.

But they had bigger things in mind, the next week the team had a chance to

make history... They played Waukee High School, one of the powerhouses of Iowa athletics. And all the Roosevelt football team could think about was ending this miserable streak of losing to suburban schools.

137 games, that’s how many times a DMPS school had lost in a row to a suburban school. And Roosevelt was well aware of this streak.

“Our team was well aware of this long streak Roosevelt and the rest of DMPS had, and we wanted to break it, make history,” Varsity starter Jack Armstrong said.

Roosevelt Football knew the weight behind this game and knew the ripple a win this big could have on the community.

“Waukee had a lot to lose, and we knew they felt the pressure, we needed to just go out there keep our composure and treat this game like any other, we couldn’t let the pressure get

Pictures by Nicole Crawford

to us,” said Armstrong.

The day came for Roosevelt Football to try and make history. They showed up to Waukee’s stadium, seeing and hearing all the away fans chatter and trash talk, Roosevelt tried to not let it get to them. Roosevelt came out with excitement at the opportunity, they played hard, back and forth drives from each team keeping it a close game. The score at halftime, 13-3, Roosevelt.

Roughriders Head Coach, Jared Barnett, made it clear to the RoughRiders that this game was nowhere near over, and that this team needed to keep grinding and playing like they were down, Roosevelt went back out with their heads high and the spark of hope they could really do it. Roosevelt came out with some great offensive drives led by Quarterback Jamison Patton and they managed to score again.

Roosevelt defense held strong, and when the fourth quarter clock ended, fans could see the excitement on the players faces. They did it. They broke the streak.

“Being at that game will be one of my favorite memories of my high school years, seeing that game in person and seeing the streak as old as me end was very exciting,” senior at Roosevelt High School Tanner Short said.

This game held a lot of weight and the Roughriders winning gave a lot of people a memory they won’t forget.

The impact this game had gave so many students hope that a new change was to come, that money and location has nothing to do with winning football games, anyone can do it, and hopefully Roosevelt will gain the respect around the state, that they are not just good for a DMPS team, they are a good team.

UNDE

W

ho said football players can’t be pretty?! Dominique Harris, Roosevelt freshman, is living proof that statement is a myth.

Harris is a female, freshman football player here at Roosevelt High School. She loves her position as a cornerback and is confident that she contributes off and on the field.

The Future is female.

Dominique Harris, freshman football player for the Roughriders is poised and ready fo suit up and play!

You might think this girl feels like she has a disadvantage, but you’d be wrong.

“Just because I’m a girl doesn’t mean I can’t do it, or I’m not good enough but I prove to people that I can do it”, Harris said.

When Harris was little, she played football for fun but her liking for it started when she did a camp in 7th grade at Roosevelt.

RESTiMATED

By Isabell Martinez-Conrad and staff

Unfortunately, because of COVID-19 she couldn’t do 8th grade football but was ready for her freshman year to pop off.

Harris.

As a player, her favorite highlight on the field was single handedly making a tackle at the game against East High School.

“ Were a really strong team, were like family, if one of us gets in trouble then we all get in trouble that’s just how it goes”.

“It was an accomplishment,” said Harris. Harris is a mighty girl standing at five feet one and ironically her favorite color is blue. She bleeds blue like a true Roughrider.

Harris, like any other football player, is very driven and believes players should play hard just like you would in the Drake Stadium on a Friday night.

Going to the varsity Friday night football game against Waukee, Harris who was on the side lines said “I wanted to be on the side lines for the game because I wanted to be supportive and be there” said

She also explained how confident she was going into the game.

Harris explained how she was feeling towards the end of the game.

“I felt proud for the varsity team because they made history. I’m like really proud of them, they proved to the other schools that we can do it even though they said we couldn’t”, said Harris.

Harris is a big help on the field and off the field. Harris contributes in varsity games every Friday night.

Harris is a manager of the varsity team, at every game she’s on the sidelines supporting the team by words of encouragement and refilling their waters constantly

BY THE

NUMBE RS

1

Number of female football players on the 2021-22 Roosevelt football roster

2,404 Number of high school female football players in the U. S

1970 The year that Patricia Palinkas was the first female professional football player for the Orlando Panthers of the Atlantic Coast Football League

Roosevelt varsity cheerleaders calling a crowd cheer during the Rider vs Urbandale game at Drake Stadium.

Roosevelt Cheerleaders Becoming THE

By Abby Henry and Staff

The Roosevelt Rough

Best

In DMPS Mordini work together to bond their team and lay a solid foundation to build off of. Davison believes being part of a team includes making sure that everyone is seen and taken care of.

“Being a cheer captain Rider Cheerleaders are is all about knowing determined leave their your team and how mark on DMPS history. they learn, every All in a weeks’ time, the individual is different squad practices twice so each captain will and has at least one teach differently to performance. With a accommodate” said team of 26, half varsity, Ajanae Davison, senior “I think most people half junior varsity, two cheer captain don’t know how much captains, two coaches, work it (cheer) truly and new uniforms, the Davison and other is, there are so many Rider Cheer squad is senior captain Sophia different varieties of stepping up their game.

cheers we have to learn and memorize…. I think most people don’t know that it’s a lot of hard work and takes a lot of strength” said Belmina Angier, varsity cheerleader

with cheer. According to verywellfit.com approximately 66% of all catastrophic injuries beteem high school and college female athletes occur due to cheerleading accidents. Studies also While high school show cheerleading has cheer is widely resulted in one death known as sideline per year, on average, entertainment, the from 1991 to 2015. work, strength, and Even with all the scary perseverance the statistics the Rider cheerleaders put into Cheerleaders work hard it is nothing short of to produce safe and blood, sweat, and tears. engaging entertainment Rider Cheerleaders for their crowd. are constantly striving to eliminate the The Rider cheerleaders danger presented

t rd

h ac ua o C rq a M

Coach Marquardt cheered in highschool and has been a Rider cheer coach for five years.

Marquardt would love to see the team be their personal best.

Marquardt says she loves her team and could not be more proud.

will continue to practice in effort to better themselves.

Coaches and current cheerleaders say they are always looking for new people to join.

Tryouts are held in the spring and more information will be issued closer to date.

Rider cheerleaders cannot wait to continue cheering on the football team as well as basketball and wrestling during their seasons.

Co Ca ach nn ad a

y

Coach Cannaday has been coaching Rider cheer since the 2011-12 season and was a rider cheerleader herself. Cannaday hopes to have a positive impact on every student she coaaches in addition to being a strong advocate and home to everyone.

By Jack Harrington and Staff

R

Whats New Around Velt

oosevelt High School has definitely had a lot of changes since the end of last year. There are some noticeable differences from last year; new principal, new administration, new rules and some small changes to the building.

The changes to the rules have been brought on by the new principal and administrators, so that’s kind of connection. The New parts of Roosevelt give the school a bit of a different vibe, but it’s still the same old Roosevelt in a lot of ways.

“My job is to kind of interact with the kids and make sure they’re all going to class, but more importantly make sure this is a welcome environment for all kids,” said Ronnie Lewis one of Roosevelt’s new additions.

There is also a kind of returning policy about school ID’s. “I think it takes a lot of time, I think it needs to be tweaked, I understand the purpose for it though, you know the student’s safety.

Making sure no one’s getting in the building that’s not supposed to

be, so whatever time it takes to keep kids safe I’m all for,” said Lewis.

Lewis is someone that can be found in the hallway a lot of the time, and with so many new hall monitors and people in the hallways it definitely makes it feel different from past years.

“I think they’re good rules

“Well see, I’m not allowed to leave class anymore and I show up late to my first period every single day, so that kind of makes it hard for me to like leave class,” -Margo Green considering a lot of times we have students out in the halls that aren’t doing what they need to do and like there’s people in the bathrooms and stuff. But I think it’s probably just not going to work and people are just going to end up being in the halls anyway, because every year they tell us to get out of the hallway and it’s never worked,” said junior Megan Heilskov. The new stuff going on in the halls does seem a little more serious than it has been in the past. So, who knows,

maybe it’ll work. The staff has been more consistent so it could change for the better.

“Well see, I’m not allowed to leave class anymore and I show up late to my first period every single day, so that kind of makes it hard for me to like leave class,” said sophomore Margo Green when talking about teacher reinforcing the 10 and 10 rule which aims to keep students out of the hallway for bathroom reasons or most reasons for the first and last 10 minutes of class. Green could also be talking about teachers not wanting to let people leave when they’re late.

“I think it is beneficial, there’s less stains in the hallways now,” said Green.

When it comes down to it, Roosevelt has changed a little bit since the last time everyone was here or since last year, but now that everyone is back it feels much more normal even if there’s new people working and some new rules. These changes may be really different for students that have gone here before, but they definitely could be for the best.

Megan Helskov, Lucia Randazo and Ellie Campbell taking some pics of some of Roosevelt’s new Updates

The sign in the Commons The doors outside the Commons The machines up front

The New Attendence wall by the Office

A Look Ahead: Roosevelt Football 2021

By Mays Perlowski Henry Claypool a sophomore middle linebacker getting ready for the Roosevelt vs Waukee game. Photo Cred: Nicole Crawford.

O

n August 27, the Roosevelt football team played their first game against East High School at Drake Stadium. Roosevelt won 47-0 which leads to the question, how will the rest of the season go for the Roosevelt football team.

Henry Claypool, a sophomore, student athlete that plays for the Roosevelt football team and started middle linebacker in the East vs Roosevelt game. In an interview with Claypool when asked about the team’s future performance he responded with “I feel we played great in the first game and will continue the momentum throughout the rest of the season,” Claypool said.

Claypool feels he personally did well in the East game, he recovered two fumbles and 3.5 tackles and has confidence to continue playing well.

The Roosevelt Marching Band also performed in the first game. An interview took place with marching band student Seth Rezek. Rezek felt his band performance went well and made a few comments on the football team.

play in future games he responds with, “The football team looked like they played really well. I think everyone was really excited to play after a year’s break, so they tried to make their home opener worth it, and they succeeded!”

Rezek said.

“I think they will play well, from what I’ve heard the football team is very

Yeah!

I have no doubt they will make the play-off!

GO RIDERS! -Zanders

talented this year, so hopefully we can win a decent number of games this season and maybe make it to state!” Said Rezek.

So far only good things have been said about future games for the football team. Charles Zanders spoke out about the football team and future games.

Zanders feels the football team played great in the first game having them holding East High School to zero points.

When asked how he feels the team will

“The team is on a constant quest to improve every week in hopes of making the post season. I anticipate continued hard work, them paying attention to details and effective game planning to beat every opponent.

Because they do the things I’ve listed, I expect the team to do well this entire season.” Zanders said.

“The team does several things well.

The Defense has only given up 3 points so far this season, our QB play has been outstanding, and our special teams have played a huge part in our field positioning throughout our first three games. Areas of improvement is just that... improve every week.”

Zanders said.

Zanders has no doubt the football team will make it to the playoffs this year.

In many people’s eyes the Roosevelt football team has a lot of potential to do well to do well in this season.

With the recent win against Waukee High School, which was the first time Roosevelt had beat a suburban school in 17 years. It hints at the fact the Roosevelt can have the best football season we have seen in a long time.

Picturerd above are Roosevelt’s Lady Tankers at their first meets of the season.

The Lady Tankers Make a Comeback!!

E

arly morning exercise, exciting traditions, and everyday practices are three concepts that help build the Roosevelt Swim Team, the Lady Tankers.

“Our practices vary from day to day.

We have two practices per day- morning and afterschool. Some days we have weights or yoga in the morning and other days we swim.

Morning practices range from one hour to one and a half hours depending on the day. We swim for two hours after school every day. On Saturdays we have long morning practices in which we have drylands, swim, and do yoga,” said Senior Olivia Vald.

Vald has been swimming for the team for four years. On the team, seniors are offered the position of being a team captain.

“Being a captain is a lot of work, but it is fun! The captains oversee many things including planning team events, creating apparel,

“It was tough to have our season cut short last year. We were getting into good shape for the season, and it was hard to be cut off from that progress,’ said senior Olivia Vald.

By Maia Kissell and Staff

sending out communication, and being a role model at practice,” said Vald.

Last year, the team was only able to swim in one home meet due to Covid restrictions. Luckily, they were able to win the meet.

“It was tough to have our season cut short last year. We were getting into good shape for the season, and it was hard to be cut off from that progress.

I was mostly sad for the seniors who deserved a season and so desperately wanted to compete,” said Vald.

This year, the team will be welcoming new freshman swimmers, and sophomores will be able to swim in a numerous amount of meets.

When asked about traditions the team

has, sophomore Maria Mordini said she enjoys, “All of the new friends I’ve made and having deck breakfasts on meet mornings and team dinners”.

“The Lady Tankers have lots of fun team traditions. Some of my favorites are team dinners, deck breakfasts, cheers at meets, and big fish/ little fish pairings. Swim season is exhausting at times but having fun with my teammates keeps me going during the hard times of the season, and our traditions are a lot of fun,” said Vald.

At the end of the season, the team will race to earn a spot at state. Vald believes the best way to achieve this is through consistency in practice and meets. “The thing I will miss most about swimming is my teammates. Over the past four years I’ve made some incredible memories with my teammates. I’ll miss swimming alongside such strong, smart, funny, and resilient young women,” said Vald.

TRHS Dance Team

By Maia Kissell and Staff

A

s they step onto the field, they can feel their hearts beating through their chest. The crowd is screaming, and the lights are blinding as they wait for the music to start. Freshman and sophomores are eager to start their first performance, and juniors and seniors can’t wait to be back on the field again. The Roosevelt dance team is back for the 2021-2022 school year and is bigger and better then ever.

“Roosevelt dance team first started out at as a club just for fun. Since then, we have transformed the dance team into a program for competitive and noncompetitive dancers”, said Head Coach Antonia Mihalovich.

The team consists of dancers, or people who just want to perform from all grades. This team grew about twice the size it was before.

This is Mihalovich’s second official year as head coach.

“I have been choreographing for Roosevelt Dance Team since 2017, was assistant coach in 2019, and was just hired as head coach in 2020. I have been dancing since the age of 5 and started competing at 11. I have been choreographing since I was 14, captain of my high school dance team, and choreographed our lyrical routine that placed 5th at the ISDTA competition”, said Mihalovich. She also coaches for Devine Dancers, a competitive studio close to Roosevelt, where she has won many awards for the pieces she’s choreographed.

Last year, the team couldn’t perform or compete due to Covid restrictions.

This year however they have

performed twice and made a good impression amongst fellow classmates.

“My favorite part about dance team is the team we have built!”, said Freshman Jordan Formaro. The team practices about three or four days a week. These practices help prepare them for their performances. “As a coach, I make sure everyone on the team is 100% prepared before we have a performance. We practice four times a week to insure there are no mishaps when the team competes”, said Mihalovich.

Many students were able to see the dance team perform for the first time at the football scrimmage games prior to the first day of school and again at a pep rally for the first home game of the year.

“I love performing for pep rallies and football games, it can be nerve-racking at times, but the crowd

always supports us either way!”, said senior Clare Sweeney. Sweeney has been on the dance team for all 4 years.

“People can see the dance team perform at pep rallies, the ISDTA competition in December, other local regional competitions and at upcoming basketball half time games.”, said Mihalovich. The team also has multiple dances that they will be performing at the different venues.

Along with dancing, the team also has fundraisers and different team bonding activities. Recently, they had a car wash and made over $1,000 for the team.

“One of my favorite dance team memories is when we all have a big sleepover before state and get ready together in the morning then go out for breakfast before a long day of competing!”, said Sweeney. These

Roosevelt Dance Team’s first perfomance was during the Blue and White football scrimmage. They perfomred during half time.

Takes the Stage

fundraisers and traditions can help bring the team together, especially since they have so many new underclassmen this year.

of 2019, and they only hope to go up from here.

farewell to the team following their state performance.

“Our goal this year is to place and hopefully take home 1st at state. It “At first it was a lot of peowas also my goal to grow and ple only knowing some strengthen the team as it “Our goal people and staying has been pretty small in in little groups the past and that goal this year is to because that’s the was already met!”, place and only the people says Sweeney. they knew… hopefully take home But we have all The dance team 1st at state,” Said allows anyone to come together in the past month try out for the team, senior Clare or two and really regardless of their Sweeney. become a team.”, dance said Formaro. The team experience. The team is also has a family system. then separated into a spirit squad This means each (non-competitive) and a competition senior has a family of underclassmen. squad. Going into this year, Coach Mihalovich was introduced to both In December, the dance team will sophomore and freshman dancers. bring competition squad routines, as well as some solo routines from “Being a freshman on the seniors and competitive team is pretty underclassmen. nerve-racking but very exciting and fun!”, Formaro said. “This is such a “Something to add is that the great, Roosevelt dance team is ready to supportive, and loving team which go win state baby!”, said Formaro. is why I’m glad I got to join”. The The team has placed 5th overall as seniors however will be saying

“Roosevelt dance team will always have a special place in my heart! It has by far been the most fun activity I have done at Roosevelt!”, said Sweeney.

Stop

The

Spread

By Christian Guerrero and staff

sooner” said, junior, Dominic Wade.

And getting the vaccine could be the first step to normality.

“The only way to stop the virus from continuing to reproduce and mutate is to stop people from getting infected, which is done through vaccinations” said, science teacher, Angie Alzheimer.

Students haven’t been able to experience a full normal school year since 2019. This can affect students in many ways including having a hard time socializing. Many students are afraid to get the vaccine because of the side etting the Covid 19 vaccine can be effects that come with it, but the pros from a hard decision, but protecting others and getting the vaccine heavily outweigh the cons. being caring is what is most important.

People who are out in public and “I do recommend people get the don’t have the vaccine put “The only way to stop vaccine because of multiple themselves and others at risk the virus from continuing to covid cases being near me and because they can be getting reproduce and mutate is to stop having the vaccine prevented people from getting infected, which me from getting covid” said, or spreading the virus. is done through vaccinations” junior, Lukas Pollmann.

-science teacher,

Getting the vaccine Angie Alzheimer. now as we are in another Getting the vaccine makes covid outbreak could save many it far less likely for someone to people’s lives. Community members get covid. That’s why it is important who don’t have the vaccine can get the for everyone to be vaccinated. Where can vaccine now at no cost. Many people want to students get the vaccine? There are several get back to normal life and having a full high of places in the Des Moines area to get school experience. vaccinated some of them include Walgreens,

MercyOne clinics, Unity Point Health clinics,

“It’s pretty important to get the vaccine HyVee, CVS Pharmacy, Etc. because then hopefully Covid can be over

Pictured above is a Covid-19 vaccine, Over half of the U.S population is still unvaccinated.

G

Students

M

Masking Up In School

arch 2020 is when Covid-19 spread to Iowa, and we did not finish the rest of the school year at Roosevelt. The 2020-2021 school year was weird for everyone because students did online learning for first semester and then some students did hybrid for the rest of the year.

In the beginning of 2021-2022 school year, Roosevelt students could choose to wear masks. Some students wore masks because they did not want covid and some do not wear them because they don’t want to, or don’t care.

“I wear a Judge Robert Pratt issued a restraining mask because order blocking Kim Reynolds law I want to keep banning schools from requiring my friends masks. Starting September 15th DMPS and family students are required to wear masks in safe, I think Samountry siblings Tila and Cain awkwardly mask school. Urbandale becoming the first others should up in a roosevelt hallway before eating lunch. suburban school district to require wear masks masks. too because the delta variant is stronger hospitalized from it but I have and spreads faster than Covid.”

“I wear a mask because I don’t heard of people who have, I know said Roosevelt freshman Tila want anyone or any students to that it can hurt people, but I’m Samountry. feel scared and I don’t want anyone not super concerned about it for to feel scared in my classroom my age group. Especially because “My distant relatives have had because then they can’t learn.” adults have had the opportunity Covid and If you’re feeling ill Amling said. to be vaccinated and some kids in any way just stay home.” said haven’t, I will be happy the day samountry.

“I believe it’s a personal choice, you we can go back to normal.” said have to weigh what makes sense for Amling.

“I’m happy to be back, I’m not you and your family and the people super worried about Covid, I you care about.” said Amling. understand if other people are but I’m just not very afraid of it.”

“My sister had Covid but she was

By Josie Schauls and Roosevelt Spanish teacher, Stacy not super sick, I do not personally staff Amling said. know anyone who has been

Among the Stars?

Photo Sourced from nasa.gov

Not Roosevelt

By Levi Hankenson, staff

For students browsing

and of their physical and chemical properties.” The topic is broad and can lead to many career paths for students interested in learning more about the universe. So why doesn’t Roosevelt offer any astronomy classes?

the outdated course catalog—which is on the Des Moines Public Schools website—it may come as a shock that Roosevelt does not have many of the classes that DMPS claims to offer. One such class is a science elective about the “It was just a matter topic of astronomy. of funding,” said Christopher Sosnowski, According to the Merriam- Applied Physics teacher. “[Roosevelt] lost a Christopher Sosnowski, Applied Phys- Webster dictionary, ics teacher, is pictured above. He is astronomy is “the study of science teacher and never instructing his third period class. objects and matter outside replaced that teacher, the earth’s atmosphere so [Roosevelt] was down

a position, meaning we could not teach everything we wanted to teach.” But according to Sosnowski, astronomy was not the only science elective to get the axe.

“We used to have forensics, astronomy, anatomy and physiology, and even zoology.”

in the topic are interested in astronomy.

“It seems a bit problematic,” said Aidan Dow, freshman, when asked about the closure of the astronomy class. Dow also wanted to add “please bring back the astronomy class. It sounds very interesting.”

“The best thing you can This information is do is speak to your troubling because many students are interested counselors and show in taking these science interest in the class,” electives. One such student -Sosnowski-

is Elliot Chen, a senior, who finds enjoyment in learning about astronomy. “[Astronomy] helps us understand the universe we live in, as well as our past,” said Chen. Not only students already invested

So, what can be done to bring back science electives? “The best thing you can do is speak to your counselors and show interest in the class, and they might bring back [astronomy],” The image to the left captures Elliot Chen. She is a senior at Roosevelt who is interested in STEM--especially computer programing and mathematics.

The image to the right, sourced from nasa.gov, is titled “Moon - North Pole.” It is an image of our own moon, which can easlily be observed by a telescope.

said Sosnowski Science electives can be essential to the health of a school, and Roosevelt has a lack of these electives. In a recent poll, eighteen out of twenty-six students at Roosevelt showed interest in taking astronomy as a class, especially if it was offered as a science credit.

If astronomy sounds interesting, speak to your counselor. Only showing direct interest in the class can bring back these science electives that are important to the variety and strength of the Roosevelt science department. In addition, you can go to the NASA website to learn more about astronomy at nasa. gov.

FEELING THE

PRESSURE

By Julia Stuart and Staff

Y

our hands begin to shake as your heart rate quickens. You feel as if your heart is about to beat out of your chest, as you run every play and every practice through your mind thinking of how to play the perfect game.

Most high school athletes feel this way before a game, experiencing performance anxiety. Throughout the various sports at Roosevelt many ITS UP! Olivia Seemann, sophomore on varsity digs the ball up and keep athletes experience sports the play going. Atlantic goes on to defeat the roughriders 3-1 set match anxiety. with intense rallies. Photo cred: Maya Lint

“Being a sophomore starting on varsity comes with anxiety and pressure. I’m always worried about my performance or am I going to let my teammates down, but I think that anxiety comes with any sport and being able to cope with is something any athlete should be able to do. I always try to remember that I am not just playing for myself but also for my teammates,” said Olivia Seemann, sophomore, varsity

volleyball.

Seemann has struggled with performanceanxiety with volleyball since she started volleyball at the age of nine.

Seemann learned how to cope with her anxiety by watching Victoria Garrick’s YouTube videos to help her build her mental strength.

“Volleyball is a game of mistakes so that is why it takes

a lot of mental toughness.

What helps me is to think about my teammates while I am playing the game. I am going to be there for them when they screw up and then they are going to be there for me when I screw up. That is why it is so important to build a great relationship with your teammates not just off the court but also on the court.

It also helps me a lot to listen to Victoria Garrick as well

because she was a D1 libero at USC and she struggled with anxiety and depression while Bing a volleyball player,” said Seemann.

“I get anxiety all the time.

I mean I’m the only girl on the football team, and I am throwing myself on the field with people who are bigger than me. It’s hard before a game because I start overthinking about how to be the best on the field, but once I get out there all worries fade away and I just play the game I love. I grew with football in my family so I never new anything else and I love it because it not only allows me to challenge myself on the field, but it forces me to do well in school,” said Dominique Harris, freshman, football.

Performance anxiety is perfectly normal and nothing to be ashamed of for athletes struggling to get it under control. Ways you can control your anxiety is acknowledge TOUCHDOWN. Dominique Harris huddles up with Roosevelt football and normalize feelings of before the Blue and White Scrimmage. Varsity with the win against JV in anxiety. Once you acknowledge the Blue and White Scrimmage. Photo cred: Roosevelt Yearbook the anxiety make a game plan.

“Being Concentration is one of the first a sophomore starting things to go when someone on varsity comes with anxiety is under pressure. Help your and pressure. I’m always worried about student-athlete develop a game my performance or am I going to let my plan and help him or her stick teammates down, but I think that anxiety with it during the game. Keep comes with any sport and being able to cope with is something any athlete should be able to it short no more than three do. I always try to remember that I am not technical items or strategies. just playing for myself but also for my You can find more tips at teammates, “said Olivia Seemann, Hopkinsallchildren.org. sophomore, varsity.

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great season

By Zarai Hernandez and staff

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Picture Credit - Nicole Crawford

T

he buzzer sounds and the scoreboard is at 47 – 0 the Roosevelt football team did it, they beat East High School. To the game they were expecting to win, but East High School students didn’t think they would. The first game of the season was off to a great start.

Both senior Jonathan Rojas and junior Jaekwon Bradley said they had a good and fun game.

“With every new job there are some learning curves and growing pains, but this is exactly where I want to be and what I want to be doing so it has been great so far,” said new Head Coach Jared Barnett.

“It helps having a great group of players, coaches, administrators, and community to be in,” said Barnett.

The football team is a big, united family in which Rojas has said he enjoys the environment because it feels like a family different than other sports he has played.

Bradley also enjoys being on the football team because he gets to do what he loves with the people he loves.

To do good and become successful there are always things that come with it that could be worked on.

“This will be an exciting season because we have a great group of leadership from our seniors and juniors and a lot of guys who are hungry to win and have been working their tails off to put themselves and out program in a position to be successful. And it is because of those guys and their drive to bring their peers along that will propel us into the successful program that we can be and that we will be,” said Barnett.

“Learning the game of football as a team especially with not having a full season last year but our guys are locked in focused trusting the process and giving us 100 percent every day which is what we ask and expect from them,” said Barnett.

“We need to work on building the culture for the freshmen they are very undisciplined,” said Rojas.

Picture Credit - Nicole Crawford

The ultimate goal the football team has for this season is to win the state championship but, on the way to achieving that goal Barnett wants the team to have a 2.8 team GPA. The coaches want to push the team to be good on and off the field. Barnett also wants to have no behavioral issues in school.

“We want our guys to focus on what's best for the team as opposed to what they think is funny,” said Barnett.

“I want to be the first ones to do it,” said Bradley.

“We’re looking to make history,” said Rojas.

The football team did, they beat Waukee 19 – 3, which was a big win for Roosevelt.

As for the upcoming games, the teams wants everyone to come out and be at the games to support and cheer them on.

“It gives us motivation to do better,” said Rojas.

The game Rojas, Bradley, and the team were looking forward to was the game against Waukee that was on September 3rd because it had been 13 years since a Des Moines Public School beat a suburban school and 17 years since Roosevelt beat a suburban school.

Football Game Themes 9/24 @ Ankeny Pajama Party 10/1 @ Drake vs. NHS (HOCO) Rider Pride 10/8 @Marshalltown Pink Out 10/15 @Drake vs.

SCEHS Remembrance Night

Picture Credit - Nicole Crawford

10/22 @Valley Halloween costumes

don’t

Ruck with

By Bianca Lennon

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o pads, no protection, just play.

This year Roosevelt”s rugby season will be like no other. After winning state last year and a massive boost of rugby players this year, the team is amped up and ready to take home another trophy.

In past years, it has been tough to bring out girls for rugby.

“It’s a sport that many people don’t know about and is physically demanding, but I think the secret is out about how much fun not only the sport is, but also how supportive and fun the girls on the team are”, said Head Coach Ryan Gray.

The main goal for the team this year is to repeat as state champions.

“I think if the girls continue working as

me State Champs 2021 (Spring). The girls pose with their trophy after winning State for last year’s school season.

Photocred: trhsgirlsrugby

“Its the perfect mix of fun, hard work, friendship, and winning that keeps the kids coming back”, said Gray. a singular unit and support each other as they have so far”, said Gray. Players new and old are doing their part as members of the team, “veteran leaders are welcoming in the new girls and coaching them up, while new players are willing to learn and work hard every day”, said Gray.

One of these veteran leaders is senior Sophia Macro, who has been on the team for three years now. Macro’s decision to play rugby was sparked through social media.

“I saw some girls post about it on Instagram and I thought it looked fun and decided to join”, said Macro. The energy this team radiates is unmatchable.

Biggest Practice Yet. 22 girls showed up on the front lawn for practice on September 1. Photocred: Ryan Gray

“The best thing about being on the team is the atmosphere. My teammates are always happy to be at practice and everyone is so nice and funny”, said Macro.

Last year because of Covid, there was a chance the season would be cancelled,

luckily the season just got moved to spring instead of fall.

“We have the biggest team we’ve ever had and hopefully we’ll win state”, said Macro. After senior year, Macro plans on continuing her rugby journey in college.

When speaking of accomplishments, Coach Gray mentions they have sent multiple girls to college for rugby.

Apart from this, the team has so many achievements that “Its tough to say the greatest accomplishment because the team has done so much the past three years”, said Gray. Among these accomplishments are “Winning state twice, finishing runner-up once, winning the award for Coaches Association Leadership Award (the first time a team has won instead of a single player), and ranking top 20 program in the nation”, said Gray.

Although winning is quite a perk, there is more to consider when coaching high school rugby.

“As coaches our goals are simple, we want to provide the best experience possible for each athlete and create an environment that is inclusive and fun!”, said Gray. All of this is necessary to create team chemistry, which is debatably one of the most important things a team needs to be successful. Its proof that winning and chemistry go hand in hand, “It’s the perfect mix of fun, hard work, friendship, and winning that keeps the kids coming back”.

ARE

HALL

Monitors USEFUL?

Food. Hall monitors eating in the alumni room. Eight hall mointors.

Roosevelt High School designedto

By Kimberlin Rosas and Staff

be a few stranglers this year, but not as badly as it once was.

securing our building and ensuring hold 1,000 students now holds over students getting to class.” School 2,000. With only having four hallway Coordinator, Mrs. Thomason, said.

“Yes, I definitely have seen some monitors the past year and increasing Many adults at Roosevelt, including difference. We still make some up to eight hallway monitors this Mrs. Thomason, are very grateful adjustments on the fly, but the year students in the hallways have for having eight hall monitors. standard rules are really working decreased. Hallway monitors that They get the students to class and out.” Coach, Rich Borgos, said. have been here for years are grateful are very understanding with any Coach Borgos includes how the for having more help with students. student’s situation. They build great “The teachers got a big role in helping out relationships with the Campus monitor, Nathan the students to find a routine to be better students and help them Evans, is one of the hall along the way. students” monitors that has worked Coach Borgos here for a while, he is a “The past years I would husband, father, and dog owner to a be in the hallway and it would take teachers have a big role with chocolate lab named Addi. forever to get to my other class…no helping students and making sure one would care and some people still they become the best version of “Working at TRHS is great. There is do that, but it’s getting less and less themselves. never a day that is exactly the same. everyday…the administrators are on I love the ability to have intelligent Lupe Thomason, school coordinator, you about it.” senior Jasmine Fuentes, and meaningful conversations with has worked at Roosevelt for eight said. students. It is always an adventure years and was asked what her Students are getting to their classes here.” thoughts on the increased hall Campus Monitor, Mr. Evans, said. more this year then they have in the monitors. past years. Having more hall monitors The past years, the halls were is a smart move for a school that has “I love it. I think its really beneficial crowded, noisy, filled with clusters of to ensure that there are monitors over 2,000 students. kids skipping their classes. There may

e n o y r e v E Loves Lunch a Bunch Written by Ben Cayetano

L

unch is one of the most important meals of the day. It isn’t as important as breakfast, of course, but still necessary. When students are asked, “What’s your favorite subject?” how often does one hear “lunch”? This is mainly because students just hate every other subject that much, but students being hungry factors into this as well.

Students may have trouble deciding what to pick for lunch, so perhaps this article can give everyone some inspiration.

What could be easier than having to carry around food from home? Why, eating what is already at school, of course. It isn’t that simple, however, as the school doesn’t offer the same options for lunch every day, so there is a chance that something may not suit your tastes. If you bring food from home, you will always get to choose what you eat to match your preferences, but this also requires obtaining the food on your own and carrying it around all day.

Now, it was said that there are two options for lunch, but that was a lie.

Legends say that if someone has a means of transportation, they can leave the school temporarily and search for lunch anywhere they wish

(if it’s close enough to school). One may immediately think “McDonald’s!

McDonald’s!”, which is a viable option unless individuals desire ice cream. Luckily, the McDonald’s close to Merrill also happens to be near a Casey’s, which has some form of ice cream, however there is also a Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and a Pizza Hut. If one heads down Crocker Street there is a Papa Johns if one prefers that.

Wish to be daring and go someplace a bit farther? It may take all of lunch to get back, but the food could be worth it. About 8 minutes away on Grand Avenue near 4th street is a Dairy Queen for a better ice cream experience than McDonald’s or Casey’s. If somehow, someone finds a way to go somewhere 16 minutes away and not miss class, head down Merle Hay and near Northwest Johnston Drive, you’ll find a Sonic for all sorts of foodstuff.

Having lots of options can be very intimidating, especially when deciding what to eat. Sometimes a person just needs a second opinion to help get an idea of what to look for. Hopefully getting insight from others could help everyone get an idea of what to eat for lunch.

Or maybe you didn’t have trouble deciding at all and just wanted to read about food, that’s okay too.

Eating lunch is especially important for having energy for the rest of the day, so never forget to eat

To the left is a Apple Crisp Macchiato From Starbucks, Below is a bar graph of the votes i got for “Best Fall Flavor”

The Flavors of Fall

By Neicy Walker and Staff

A

pple pie, Caramel Apples.

Pumpkin Spice. Apple Cider.

Gingerbread. Just by reading these, you can smell all the assorted flavors, sugars, and spices. These are flavors that are most reintroduced in the fall.

You see companies like Starbucks now bringing back their famous fall drinks like the Pumpkin Spice Latte, Gingerbread Frappuccino’s, etc. The reason why they are out in this season is because of the fact that it’s the only time that pumpkins and apples are in season. Hence why you see so many events like Pumpkin patches and Apple orchards popping up!

After doing some more research and tasting, here’s what

was discovered about these famous fall flavors.

Pumpkin SpicePumpkin spice was first introduced in 1675 when it was called “Pumpkin Pye”. The spice blend originally consisted of cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg, and cloves. Pumpkins were/are a prominent crop in the Americas, then when you add the spices, you get pumpkin spice.

GingerbreadGingerbread dates all the way back to Ancient Egypt and Greek who used it for ceremonial reasons.

In the 11th century, gingerbread showed up in Europe because of Crusaders bringing back ginger.

Eventually, after experimenting with different spice and flavor combinations, it became affordable and caught on.

Apple CiderThe are two types of cider.

Regular cider and hard cider. Apple cider goes back around 50 million years ago back the first apple trees began fruiting. All apple cider is, is pressed apples. The difference between hard cider and regular cider is that hard cider has alcohol in it.

RecommendationsPumpkin Spice Frappe ~Starbucks Apple Crisp Macchiato (stir it up a little bit) ~Starbucks Half Hazelnut, Half Pumpkin Spice iced latte ~Mcdonalds

1 Wordsearch 2 0 Roundup 2

By Jack Harrington and Staff

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