East Scroll issue 3

ast l l rc o

Volume 86 Issue 3

March 2, 2017

“When he was taken away again it hurt even more.”

“I am my parents’ American Dream.”

-Ally Salazar

eastscroll.com

@EastScroll

-Jose Espinoza

InstaEastScroll

E L B TA S T N F E O NT O C

Pg. 7

In This Issue

“It’s okay...I’m gay”

Artists Uncorked Donald Trump’s First 100 Days

Pg. 3

What has he done so far?

Co-Editors in Chief

Robbi Boggess Elaina Rothmayer

Feature Editor Abby Folkerts

Staffers Alyssa Ayersman Yaritza Baires Lynsey Borgen Laurie Custard Elise Dowler Mason Fisher Elizabeth Flores Nicole Grove Delanie Jackson Mason Lawrence Gwendolyn Major Toni McPhee NaShay Palmer Terry Ramos

page / 2

Multimedia Editor

Anthony Arroyo Madison Stout Fallon Trenter Christopher Trevino Kyleana Whitmore Jordan Williams Mayson Williams Emilie Youngwirth

Cover

Leslie Tiengkham

Adviser

Natalie Niemeyer

Principal

Leslie Morris

DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL EQUALITY STATEMENT

The Des Moines Public Schools prohibits discrimination in educational and employment prog rams and activities based on age, race, creed, color, sex, marital status, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.

In addition, the District prohibits acts of intolerance or harassment toward employees or students that are not related to the individual’s employment or education.

ADS POLICY

Ads are available in quarter page, half page and full page sizes. Ad inquiries should be directed to Natalie Niemeyer at natalie.niemeyer@dmschools.org.

The Scroll reserves the right to reject ads deemed not in the best interest of East students. The paper is printed every four weeks by Wilcox Printing in Madrid, IA.

One student’s journey of self acceptance

Pg. 13

Showcasing artists at East LETTER POLICY The Scroll welcomes letters but reserves the right to edit for space as needed. Outside contributions are subject to the usual restrictions of libel and obscenity and must conform to general paper policy, which is available upon request. Signed commentaries represent personal opinions, not views of the staff. Also, your letter needs to include your full name and grade. Unsigned letters can not be printed. You can deliver your letter to Natalie Niemeyer in room 3060N.

NOTE: All contents are the product of the EHS newspaper production staff. Occasional stories are contributed from the Journalism Intern program.

The Scroll is a public forum for student expression.

Page Editor/Mason Lawrence

5

100

things Donald Trump wants to do in the first days Story/E. Dowler

Education

Trump has many plans for education starting with Betsy Devos as Secretary of education. One plan is to change Common Core.

Common Core is where every state is on the same playing field. As far as education goes there are many different opinions on Trump wanting to change Common Core, some good and bad. “I think he really cares for education and he is going to try his best to fix our broken education system. As for Common Core I think it’s a good idea to change it because I work in an elementary and I think that there are a lot of things that need to be fixed for the kids,” Senior Jordan Milligan said.

The Wall

Social Media

When it comes to social media and Twitter in general, Trump is very out spoken about the things he has to say and the way he feels. “What Trump doesn’t understand is that when he was a business man, he was able to say whatever he wanted to say and as an entertainer it did not matter. As the representative of the United States of America he needs to be more careful with his words and he has already been burned a couple of times. It will continue to happen and at some point, I expect that he will slow down and (it) will finally convince him that he is not doing anyone any favors,” teacher Mr. El-Baroudi said.

One of the biggest things that Donald Trump wants to do and has already started planning is making a wall on America’s southern border, cutting off Mexico from the United States. The wall is one of the biggest controversy’s of him being in office. “I feel like the wall is a bad idea because if anything him being President has divided a lot of people and the wall just makes America seem like it’s not a safe place and that we want to keep people out intentionally,” Senior Jaya Trogdon said.

ACA

All around Presidency

ACA stands for “The Affordable Care Act” which was put in action to help people who struggle, still be able to have health care. As far as we know Trump wants to repeal and replace it. “He is going to try as he promised to dismantle it completely. I think he just does not flat out care about a lot of people and plus low income people need this.

Donald Trump has shown that those are the people he is not interested in” teacher Mr. Mahler said.

Lastly, there are many things that people have concerns about in general with Trump being president due to controversy during the election. “My biggest concern is that he is not seeing the big picture, as in making the world unified. “I feel like he is more about himself and that he is not there for the people like the people need him,” Jaya Trogdon said.

Page Editor/ E. Dowler

page /3 feature

Immigraton Injustice

The story of one girl whose father was stolen from her to be sent back to Mexico. story/ G. Major 5.3 million children are living in America with undocumented parents. Among those 5 million people lives Ally Salazar, an East High sophomore, who is just like you and me. In 2004, Ally’s fifth birthday party commenced. In the crowd of joyful children stood her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Salazar. Hours passed, the sun went down, and the party started to die, until law enforcement officers crept in and seized Ally’s father, Antonio VarelaSalazar. Why? For living illegally in the United States. Ally wasn’t expecting this, and couldn’t believe this was happening. Her mother, in shock, could do nothing but watch as her loving husband, and leader was dragged away from his children.

Ally’s dad was taken when she was very young, she doesn’t remember it much, she just remembers the feeling of emptiness

from living without a father. When he came back, she never imagined it happening again. Her father and the rest of her family lived in peace for several years like every other American familia. They shopped, ate, attended sporting events, and watched movies together. When her dad was taken again last year, Ally’s world collapsed. However, she works hard to maintain her grades and make her father proud. Mr Salazar, is still awaiting deportation, until he can be sent back to Mexico he is being held in a federal prison.

“He’s a good guy,” Alex Tiengkham, Ally’s boyfriend, said. Ally spoke very highly of Mr. Salazar, and wants everyone to know that he’s a good person, and a great father.

Ally’s dad would never make it to his daughter’s first high school sporting event.

“He was taken on September

prison/ deportation

first. I remember because is was my first cheer game,” Salazar said.

Ally’s heart was broken as she faked a smile and pretended to be okay, as if immigration hadn’t just handcuffed her father.

“When he was taken away again it hurt even more,” Salazar said.

Ally wasn’t able to speak much about the most recent events. She did her best to block out that part of her life and tried her best to be strong for her family, mostly her mom.

After Ally’s father was taken from her she was left with one question: What now?

Destination

nowhere

There were a reported 11.1 million unauthorized immigrants in America as of 2014.

If an immigrant in question cannot prove citizenship they are immediately arrested and held for trial, after trial you are released or held for deportation.

5-17

18-24

25-64

65+

6%

10%

72%

13%

age of deported immigrants

photo illustration/ G. Major

Page Editor/ G. Major

page /4 feature

Photo ilustration/ E. Flores

Behind the scenes of the American dream

Story/E. Flores

East students reflect on their experiences and how they got to where they are today When Donald Trump announced his candidacy for presidency, it felt like a nightmare for the millions of immigrant families across the United States.

"I will build a wall, a great wall," Donald Trump promised during his campaign speeches.

This is just one out of the many things he's said that has offended or put fear into people who have immigrant families and people who are immigrants themselves. The wall he is referring to is the wall that he claims will be built between the United States and Mexico border. The purpose of the wall is to keep immigrants out.

On November 8, 2016, Donald Trump became the president-elect and as of today, he is the 45th president of the United States. A nightmare was turned into a reality for these families.

"I've felt scared, not just for me but for other people that are undocumented," senior Jose Espinoza said.

Jose Espinoza was born in Compton, California, to two immigrant parents. His parents are both from Mexico. Before Jose was born, they immigrated to the United States in 1990 with Jose's brother, only six months old at the time. They left because Mexico didn’t have any jobs and they barely had money. When they got to California, Jose and his family moved in with his grandpa. They lived in his grandpa's garage because of how packed his house was.

Jose's parents both worked every single day

Page Editor/ E. Flores

while Jose was under the care of his grandpa.

His parents realized how dangerous Compton was getting so they moved to Chicago, Illinois and were living in a small apartment with other family members. After a year of living there, they heard about Iowa, so they moved here. Since then, they have settled down and made Des Moines home. In 2006, his parents became residents. In 2016, 10 years later, they

“I am my parents’ American dream.”

-Jose Espinoza finally became citizens of the United States after 26 years of living here. Despite his parents struggles and the obstacles they faced, they managed to pull through to accomplish their version of the American dream, raising their children in the land of opportunity.

“I am my parents’ American dream,” Espinoza said.

Espinoza's story is not unique to him.

Many students at East have immigrant

parents or are immigrants themselves and felt worried about the election results.

"I woke up, checked my Facebook and saw that Donald Trump was our president.

I freaked out," sophomore Nawal Rai said.

Rai was born in a refugee camp in Nepal.

He was born into a life where his family didn’t have much money or a good house. All of his life he grew up in Nepal, then left Nepal when he was 12 years old to come to the United States. He left behind his friends and family, only taking all of his memories that he had from Nepal. He came here with mixed emotions and confusion. He came with questions, wondering what his future would be like.

"I thought America would be like a fairy land," Rai said.

Although it might seem easy to get used to a new life, it's not. Rai was at his lowest when he was the new kid in a country where he didn't feel at home but things started changing for the better. He started going to school, starting his journey here. He gained confidence, making friends and getting more involved. Rai joined theatre at East as a freshman. He's also apart of IHSSA and choir. Although the future seems uncertain, families are preparing for the worst but there's a few things that help them stay positive.

"I have dreams and I want to fulfill my dreams," Rai said.

page/ 5 feature

Dear people who are not Black The n-word has became very popular in our generation, but does that mean you should be saying it? story/D. Jackson

artists use the n-word in their music take offense when other people As you’re walking to class during from Kanye West to Nicki Minaj. say the N-word because other passing time, the hallways start to Jay-Z and Kanye West even have a races didn’t go through everything become very crowded and noisy. song that is titled “Niggas in Paris”. African Americans went through.

There is one large group of kids Many kids look up to rappers and if “I think that if any race is standing in the middle of the hallway. they hear a word like “nigga” being entitled to saying the n-word it would As you struggle to get around them used so freely in a song they will be be African Americans. Caucasians, you hear the word “nigga” being used more likely to use the same word. Asians & Hispanics did not go casually between friends.. Should A big question that many people through slavery and were not the ones students be using the N-word? have is if the N-word is used in a song in the systematic oppression African “Honestly I feel like lots of is it okay for other races to say it? Americans went through and still go people just say the word because through when the N-word was they think it’s cool and they originated. As for the people “I simply believe other hear others say it. Not many no race should say it then races use the n word so saying people know the history and it’s just a denial response because background behind the word,” much because lots of you can not tell someone what sophomore Jazzy Johnson said. they can and can’t do with their races want to steal black The N-word originally oppression,” Johnson said. comes from a Latin word culture. Everyone wants Many people of different meaning black. But when to “be black” but nobody races still feel uncomfortable Americans started using the wants to actually BE saying the N-word even word they changed the spelling though some people having black and go through the from negro to nigger. They used no problem using the word. this word to describe African systematic oppression...” “I don’t think anybody slaves. By the twentieth century Jazzy johnson should use the word. I just the N-word was recognized don’t like it and people get as a racist insult. The N-word offended when other people use carries so much hatred directed “It’s still racist and a derogatory it,” sophomore Shelby Cook said. towards African Americans. It’s a term. That’s like saying if a rapper Many African Americans derogatory term used to discourage uses the sentence ‘Raping young would appreciate it if other races and put down black people. children is okay’ and asking if would just stop using the N-word Throughout time, the it’s okay to say that line because completely. It’s a derogatory term N-word has become very popular it’s in a song,” Johnson said. that many people still find offensive. in the Black community as well Others question why African “I simply believe other races use as many other communities.

Americans even take offense the n word so much because lots The N-word is used frequently to a word that they use all the of races want to steal black culture. among the younger generation time. If African Americans can Everyone wants to “be black” but of all races in the United States. use the word whenever they nobody wants to actually BE black “If you walk in the hallway want why can’t anyone else? and go through the systematic on the first floor by the girls “In reality you can say whatever oppression we are,” Johnson said. bathroom that’s all I hear that and you want, you can say the truest thing Next time you want to use the F-word is used constantly,” in the world and somebody would the word “nigga” stop and sophomore Justin Hall said. be offended no matter what you say think about all the people you Rap music may be a huge reason someone will be offended,” Hall said. are offending and making feel why the word “nigga” is so popular But many African Americans uncomfortable by using that word. among young people. Many music

Page Editor/ D. Jackson

photo illustration/D. Jackson E. Rothmayer

3 were once nursery

rhymes that

racist

Monkeys 1.Little The orginal lyrics “were two little niggers layin’ in a bed “

ice 2. The cream song The lyrics once were “ nigger love a watermelon Ha! Ha! Ha!”

3. Eenie, meenie, Miney, Mo The orginal lyrics are “ Eenie, meenie, minie mo catch a nigger by the toe, if he hollers let him go, eenie, meenie, mine mo.”

page /6 opinion

It’s okay...

Story/ M. Fisher

I’m gay

One students journey of self acceptance

Growing up, I never once thought I was gay. It was always frustrating when people told me I was gay. I never understood what characteristic of my actions made them think I was gay. Gay was not a reality in my little sheltered world. My household was divided on the gay topic.

My mother did not have any issues with being gay.

My stepdad on the other hand, at the time, did not agree with it. So, since it was that way, I think it encouraged my mom to be closed minded about it. These circumstances made being gay a nonoption for me. I moved on.

It’s the summer before high school and I’m sitting with my three best friends at Teachout while the hot July summer sun beats down us. Three tall, toned, beautiful, brown, hair guys walk by while all my girlfriends stared. Of course, I sit there and wait patiently feeling frustrated until they move on. As we get into the water, I sit and wonder why I felt upset. The entire time we were swimming, I was very quiet and reserved but on the inside I was going crazy. I didn’t know why I felt so mad.

That is when I realized I was different. That is when I realized I am not a regular teenaged boy.

After a couple of weeks of trying to wrap my head around the pool situation, I texted my four best friends at the time in a group chat, discussing regular fourteen-year-old drama, when I asked them what their thoughts were about the gay community. I was sheltered about the gay community, but not intentionally.

Two of my friends had no experience with the LGBTQ community, but the other two did not have any issues with it. This helped me realize if there is something different about me, I would be able to get through it.

My freshman and sophomore years of high school, it bothered me that I didn’t understand the feeling I was having for boys, but the feeling for girls was different. With boys, I felt uncomfortable, insecure, different, ashamed. But when I was around girls, I felt happy, safe, secure, loved, respected… myself. These two years were difficult for sure. I talked to boys and girls, trying to figure out if I liked both, one, or the other. All the boys I was interested were gay. All the girls I was interested in weren’t the kind of girls I was friends with and weren’t exactly good influences.

During my junior year of high school, I started admitting to my closest friends and younger family that I was gay, but I also included I was still confused, I may have still liked girls. It felt good to get it out but I still felt I had to watch who I included into my other life. May 26, 2016 was the day I officially came to terms with my sexuality. I was walking to my car after having a long day at school, when my phone went off as it was my stepmom texting me. She asked me who was the kid who commented on my photo on Facebook after updating my profile picture. I told her it was just a friend of a friend, and she told me I was lying. I told her that I was serious, but she preceded to tell me that I can come out when I am ready. In that moment, I was terrified, and irritated that she was trying to force me to come out. I was thinking, I might as well tell her, but I haven’t even told my own mother yet, and I don’t want to break her heart.

So, I knew I couldn’t get out of this one, so I told her I was gay, but I didn’t like labels. At that moment, I admitted that I officially liked boys, to an adult. I told her I talked to other guys before, but I never knew how I felt so the relationship never grew. I asked her to keep this information to herself, as it wasn’t officially out and opened to everyone else. It felt good to admit it to her that I was gay, but for some reason, letting go of the fact that I liked girls was still bothering me.

Late in June of 2016 my stepmom told my mom I was gay, without my approval. My mom never confronted me about it because she did not want to hurt my feelings. Things changed when she texted me on July 1, 2016 and asked me why I didn’t come out to her, but I came out to my stepmom? I ignored her because I didn’t know what to say. I felt betrayed by telling her to my deepest ‘secret’ and was angry because I wanted to tell my mom, but I didn’t

Now that I know my own mother accepted me, I could tell the world.

Page Editor/ M. Fisher

want to have the feeling of disappointment.

After two days of avoiding my mom, I finally told her I was coming over to talk to her about something. You know that feeling you had when you were a kid and you did something super bad, and you must face your consequences? That was the feeling I had when I walked through my mom’s front door. We chatted for a while about different topics before I had to break the ice. I said I needed to tell her something. I sat there and stared at her for a few minutes. Then the feeling of pressure throughout my whole body started to take hostage of me and I blurted out “I’m gay!

And I’ve known for a while!” She looked at me like I complimented her. My own mother sat across from me at the old wooden table in the middle of her dining room smiling, gave me hug and said she already knew, and she accepted it a long time ago. She told me she will love me no matter what my sexual preference is. It made me feel so happy, and relieved. Now that I know my own mother accepted me, I could tell the world, and that’s what I did.

I drove to my cousin’s house with excitement, ready to tell them, for the first time. I walked into the door, sat at the dining room table with my three cousins ready to play Cards Against Humanity when I told them I need to tell them something. All three of them sat there, worried as if I was going to tell them the world is ending. I said “I don’t know if guys knew or not, it may be a shocker, but I am gay.” They all sat there with their mouths dropped. One of them blurted out, “That’s it?” the other one shouted, “Mason, we knew!” It felt amazing knowing they loved me for me, and they were so accepting!

Eventually, I hope the world will be 100 percent accepting of the LGBTQ community.

When my children’s children have children, being gay won’t even be a big deal. Coming out to my friends and family, was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I do not know what I would have done if I did not have someone to confide to. I know it may seem scary, but accepting who I was allowed me to be who I want to be and be confident about it. Coming out I can do my eyebrows; I can wear scarves or shawls and no one questions me, because I am confident. This journey is worth it.

page /7 feature

photo/J. O’Brien

photo/J. O’Brien

photo/M. Lawrence

Joyce O’Brien was born in 1924 and has seen the world change throughout her life. Left: O’Brien poses for a photo in 1942, around 17 years old. Middle: O’Brien in January of 2017, age 92. Right: O’Brien poses for a photo in 1941, 16 years old.

Where we are & where we’ve been Step into yesterday and see where we’ve been on the big topics of today Story/ M. Lawrence As high school students in 2017 our lives are dominated by two things: politics and school. Okay, these might not always be the most interesting topics today, but what if it was 1941? We can look at what life might have been like through the romanticized lens of TV and film, but imagine if we were actually there? Enter Joyce O’Brien: a 92 year old spitfire who has lived through eight different wars and almost a century of changes.

Politics

Since the recent presidential election on Nov. 8, 2016, the United States has been in a sort of political downward spiral. Democrats and Republicans both have their own reasons to disagree with President Trump’s views, but according to O’Brien she has never seen a divide to this caliber in her entire life. Even after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor and being thrown into World War II, Americans didn’t protest the war, nor did they cower in fear.

“We had such pride in being American that [we thought], ‘You don’t do this to us, so we’re going to take you to the cleaners,” O’Brien said. “we’re not going to let this happen again.”

Additionally, in the 1930’s and 1940’s, people didn’t rely on the government to provide health care (such as the Affordable Care Act) or welfare, even during worst of the Great Depression.

Many families (including O’Brien’s) would travel from town to town to find jobs, resulting in her attending nine different schools before she eventually graduated from Oskaloosa High School. O’Brien recalls one week where the only thing there was to eat was spaghetti - no sauce, no cheese - just spaghetti. But that was okay and actually normal. “Let me put it this way, nobody expected that much of the government ever...

You were responsible for your own person.”

All about

1941

FDR Bacon Japan $850 Disney was the president

$0.59 for a pound of

Page Editor/ M. Lawrence

attacked Pearl Harbor

A new car cost

premiered “Dumbo”

School

This year’s graduating class has been told that going to college is an absolute necessity in order to succeed in life, but in 1941 it was the exact opposite. “Those who went to college were the dentist’s son and the doctor’s son,” O’Brien said matter of factly. “People had too many hard times [during the Depression] to even think about going to college.” The norm at the time was for students to graduate from high school and immediately enter the workforce (while only making around $0.10/hr) or go into the military. Similar to some which are offered today, courses were designed to prepare students for successful careers. O’Brien credits her adulthood success to a business course she took while attending Oskaloosa High School where students were taught how to do basic accounting and business etiquette.

Outside of school there wasn’t much free time. Students devoted their time to their schoolwork, outside jobs, chores, and getting their clothes ready for the next day. School dances were also very popular among students, and rather than dancing to the Top 40 hits, kids would do dances like the Jitterbug while socializing with friends.

page /8 feature

Growing into a

SCARLET

How students change throughout high school story/ E. Youngwirth

Being squished in crowded halls filled with unfamiliar faces, nerves running through your body, scared about what will happen during your day, being considered the ‘newbie’. Walking into high school for the first time can be frightening.

No freshman truly knows who they are yet, but are guaranteed to leave a difference person.

“I want to become more open minded and become a better person,” ninth grader Breanna Howard said.

High school is a journey that impacts everyone one way or another.

Freshman Breanna Howard is just beginning hers. While at East, Howard wants to be more acceptive with the people around her and remain getting straight A’s. During her first semester of high school, Howard has already tried

many new things such as Volleyball and played softball for East in the summer. These are just the small new changes that will lead to bigger differences in the end.

“I definitely felt accepted. They boosted the ability to be confident in yourself. I didn’t down myself. I didn’t feel that from anyone in the building,” Senior Nic Graziano said.

Coming close to the end of Nic Grazianos High School career, he knows just who he is.

After years of trying to figure himself out, Graziano says junior year really helped him mature into the person he is today. Even as early middle school he has always enjoyed musicals and plays.

During his freshman year he watched East’s production of “High School Musical” and was

inspired. It wasn’t until his sophomore year that he actually got to participate in an East High musical but has every year since.

With the openness and help of East High School, Graziano has gained confidence and now never doubts to express himself.

“I’ve seen students I had as freshman then again as seniors and their personalities are different.

They’ve came out of their shell. They’ve really identified who they are as a person.” FCS teacher Ms. O’Connor said.

O’Connor’s fun and bubbly personality helps her create strong relationships with her students.

Her understanding of teenagers makes her an easy adult to approach.

Over her time at East she has seen many students turn into grown ups and find their individuality.

She gets to watch teens develop relationships and test their values and beliefs which shapes them into their new self. O’Connor believes that some of the most significant changes between freshman and senior year is the maturity of students and time management skills that they have learned. During a students time is High School countless challenges and changes will occur, and teachers at East just like Ms. O’Connor are there to watch them all.

“It’s a time for complete metamorphosis of your life, you start as a caterpillar and leave here as a butterfly with who you are as a person,” O’Connor said.

Senior Nic Graziano

A timeline of Graziano’s high school experiences

2013

Graziano gets inspired to began doing plays.

Nov. 14, 2013

Nic Graziano starts high school career at East High School.

Aug. 22, 2013 Page Editor/ E. Youngwirth

First High School profermence.

May 2, 2014

Nominated Winter Formal Ice King.

Feb. 11, 2017

2017 page /9 feature

“That’s all he does is crac k jokes, he ha s jokes for day s,” junior Lance Dixon.

iagnosis

er d of canc e g a t n e Perc

Multiple a Myelom

18%

Leukemia

35%

a Lymphom

47%

The weight of one word Learn the journey of East High’s own on his journey through being diagnosed with life-threatening disease

Jeff Hall sat on a hospital bed as his doctor walked in. “You have been diagnosed with Myeloma Cancer,” his doctor said.

The minute Hall heard the word cancer his heart sunk, head spinning and his body turned completely dumb. As the doctor explained this isn’t the end, it was only the beginning. He began to feel the numbness all over again as many questions spiraled through his mind about his family, his job, and even the need to the empty the sawdust bins in his classroom. Mr. Hall a woodshop teacher at East High was diagnosed with cancer during April 2016. That day in April, his journey had began.

“It was very scary because you don’t know exactly what is going to happen and you now have this conscience that this isn’t just something you hear about, its part of your life, its reality,” son and student, Justin Hall said.

Scared and worried are the top two words people think of when they hear the word cancer. Mr. Hall not only felt the words, he is now experiencing life as a cancer patient. Life is now moving one step at a time, never knowing what is going to happen next because anything could happen. Hall has been at work consistently since his diagnosis.

“Being at school is important to me. I missed my students, my friends and family at East. I worked days I shouldn’t have just because I wanted to be at East,” Hall said.

Being a teacher at East, he has been involved in being a football coach, helping students learn how much potential they have in woodshop and Partners for progress which helps fund special events and trips for East. Going back to a regular schedule was crucial for Hall because he wanted to show the people around him at work and at home that his life wasn’t going to change because of his cancer. Not only is Hall a teacher but also a father to his children who attend East. East is a place very important to him. When ma

elo

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ulti

fM to ite atio o h r W an ic Afr

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y le M

first diagnosed his sons were in the middle of rugby season and he was trying be with them as much as possible.

“I think everyone is basically just hopeful that he goes without complication. It is a very serious procedure and people are just worried for him,” executive secretary Diane Fleming said.

Mr. Hall has Multiple Myeloma which causes the blood to form clots through his body and inside the bones. The treatments Hall has done so far are taking medication to thin his blood, many different kinds of chemical therapy, as well as chemo pills, shot and IV drips in attempt to kill the cancer. In the past couple of weeks he has spent three afternoons a week getting labs and chemo. Hall is now going through a stem cell transplant in Omaha, Nebraska. In the beginning 70 percent of his marrow cells were cancerous and now chemo has reduced that number to 5 percent.

These treatments haven’t been easy for Hall or his family.

“My dad used to be this brick wall that would support everything and help everyone but now you have to watch him and make sure you do things that he can’t,” Justin said.

Having someone close to you with cancer impacts life tremendously. Because his cancer is in his blood, he can become sick very easily and could even cause death because his body isn’t strong enough to fight the infection. Hall now has to wear gloves and a mask to cover his mouth to keep away the germs.

At home his family has to keep the house very clean to keep him safe. Things are slowly but surely changing, and the people around the Hall’s have hope he is going to overcome this tragedy.

“Hope is the most important element you can convey. Hope is gaining remission, hope is finding a cure, hope is getting your life back or finishing this life with hope of a new beginning,” Hall said.

Story / T. McPhee “He has ta ught me how to do a lot of woo dworking an d he has taught me to work ha rd,” senior Jak e Lusk said.

page editor/ T. McPhee

page /11 feature

Misunderstood

How the media and outsiders portray East High Story/ A. Folkerts

FANTASY Photos/K.Whitmore Photo Illustrations/A.Folkerts

REALITY Pictured and illustrated above in black and white are stereotypes “outsiders” think of EHS. Illustrated below in color is what EHS is truly about.

Fighters, bright, trashy, passionate, and uneducated. What on earth do all of these very different words have in common? They are all stereotypes of East High School. Chances are, you’ve heard one of these comments when you tell someone that you attend East. Why are these the words that come to mind when people think of East? What can we do to change it? Well, there really is no crystal clear answer to either of those questions.

“Oh you go to East?,” they say as there is clearly a sneer forming on their face. Nothing upsets me more than when people on the outside judge East just based upon what the news says of us. That news station who judges us as being “fighters” chooses to interview a student who is clearly skipping class, as a primary source for their story. That one student tends to be arrogant on the issue at hand, and absolutely does not represent the thousands of other students inside the school getting an education. If the media took the time to come inside and find a credible source, people would understand that East is not just a school full of “trashy and uneducated” youth. I am aware that the people get their daily news through the

Page Editor/ A. Folkerts

media, and the media sometimes depicts us in a bad light, but what’s on the news does not make the school as a whole “bad”. If we are on the news, most of the time it’s because someone was acting out of line and did something they shouldn’t. Yes, there are troubled kids that attend East, and yes East does have its problems, but doesn’t every school have these same issues? Every school has students who skip class, and students who cause some trouble here and there. No school is perfect.

There is something every school has to work on, but why does East’s flaws seem to be the only school’s broadcasted in the media? There are lots of good that should take the place of all the bad.

What about all of the times East does something positive? Like when we hold canned food drives for the hungry people in Des Moines, or when the Scarlet Ambassadors raise funds to donate items to the Blank Children’s hospital or the YESS shelter? That side of East never gets publicized or shown on the news. There are so many great things that are happening at East, but yet somehow the news of a recent fight overshadows all of that. Over 2,500 kids in the Des Moines area attend East High, 180 days a year for four

years, to get an education and graduate in hopes to be successful in the future. Since East is the largest 9-12 high school in Iowa, we have people from multiple races, and diverse cultures, all from a variety of different areas in the world. East has a ton of diversity. Students that go to East get a very different type of education as we are not just learning academics, but we are learning each other’s differences and learning about the world as a whole. That is pretty remarkable. How do you think they feel when someone says a snide comment about the school that they take pride in?

They feel pretty crappy let me tell you.

How can we change the way people look at East? Easy, but complex, we need to be model students. We need to stop fights on school property, and we need to stop doing things that make people look at East in a negative way. Pick up your trash. Use simple manners like please and thank you. Watch your language. Show pride. All of those things that were listed are all very simple, but they go a long way. Lets all work together to make East High School the pride of Des Moines.

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Showcasing the arts and artists at East High

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What Is Love?

“Baby don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me, no more.”

Story/M. Williams

“Love is commiting yourself to someone. Love can be many things, but between people it’s a commitment to one another with the desire of having their best interest at heart.”

Tom Syferd, age 69 “Even when you aren’t happy with another person you still want to see them succeed.

No matter how wrong they’ve done, you still try to see the intentions behind the actions.

It’s putting your feelings aside to try and understand the way they work and accept them for exactly who they are and who they want to become. You feel excited for the future they have in store the way you are about your own.”

Merrissa Peacock, age 17 “Love is this feeling.. It’s hard to explain. You look at that one person and you get that feeling; hearing their name gives you butterflies I guess. Love is difficult.”

Devin Walker, age 15

Page Editor/ M. Williams

“My definition of love is that a boy and a female, or boy and boy, or whoever you’re in love with; you two can come together and depend on eachother through good times and bad times.

You two have that connection thatyou don’t feel with no one else. You honestly love them.”

Tahzhae Burton, age 16 “Love is more than just a feeling; it is a commitment between people.

It is something that constantly changes, but lasts forever. It’s patient. It does not envy or boast. It is not easily angered. It always protects, trusts, hopes and perserveres. You can gain nothing without love.”

Kaela-Mae Morgan, age 25

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Do your thing

Story/F.Trenter

How to be okay with being alone You know how things are nowadays, you either see someone in a relationship, see someone stressing, or see someone completely doing them. Yes I said it. Doing them.

As in, being a free bird, careless and completely worrying about them and being a better person.

Everybody wants to be in a relationship, myself being guilty, but why? Why cant we just learn how to do our own thing?

What does it even mean to do our own thing?

“To do me means, to do things I enjoy doing, I never wait around for a man to do something for me and I’ve never held myself back, if I want to do something I do it on my own terms.

I was living with an ex a year ago and we broke up, I bought a house and a car, finished getting my masters degree, you just have to do it for yourself,” teacher, Ms.Oconnor said.

People often use the phrase “You can’t love someone until you learn to love yourself.” Lately the meaning of this statement has shined light on me. I used to always roll my eyes and brush it off, but it actually makes sense. Instead of being hung-up on why people don’t want to be with us, we should be with ourselves. We don’t need anyone to do things for us, we

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don’t need to be so relationship crazy.

There is plenty of reasons why we should do our own thing. Doing you is time to yourself. There’s no way you can be with somebody else until you learn how to be with yourself. You need to learn more things about yourself. When you find yourself, you open yourself up more to finding somebody who actually deserves to know all the great things you’ll find out about yourself.

Would you rather pretend to be okay or be alone? A lot of the time when you’re trying to find a significant other, or are going through things with somebody, you just don’t want to be alone and have to focus on yourself, you can’t pretend to be okay all of the time. We need to learn to be alone, so it wont hurt as much in the future. Frankly, sometimes relationships do not work out & we just have to deal with it. If we don’t learn to do our own thing as were young, were going to grow up and never be okay with being single. Better to learn now than later.

We settle. If you never take the

time to do things for ourself, we will find ourselves settling for anything/anyone that will come around and give us attention. Its all about finding your self worth and realizing what you deserve.

All of these are good reasons as to why we just need to step back and realize doing our own thing is okay. We need to love and respect ourselves, learn more about ourselves, before we can ever expect someone to love, respect, learn, or do things for us.

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Goals for the girls

Girls soccer lacking in support and funds

Photo / N. DeLaCruz

Girls varsity soccer player Wendy Murillo jumps over rival opponent as the soccer players are fighting to get control of the ball. “Girls are as competitive as boys,” soccer parent Kristina Garcia said.

The coach is yelling at you; shouts of encouragement come from the sidelines.

Your teammates are lined up on the bench, standing on their feet cheering, you can feel the energy, the mud sticking to your cleats, the wind hitting your face and the protest in your muscles as you sprint. You look towards the ball, running along with your teammates.

It’s the perfect day for a game as the sun shines down on you, the only thing missing is the audience in the stands. This is an East High girls’ soccer game. In 2014-2015, 74,738 people showed up to watch the men’s soccer FIFA world cup finals whilst 53,341 people showed up to watch the woman’s soccer FIFA world cup finals. But when it comes to sports at East High School, the funding is based on “needs and wants” as Athletic Director Lyle Fedders puts it. East does not have enough money to support the needs every sport at East demands, so they focus on the needs of the team. However, if small amounts of people show up to each game, it can be hard to raise money to fulfill the needs of the team. The East

High Girls Soccer team is based on JV and Varsity teams; the varsity team practices on the football field on artificial turf, while the JV team practices on the small soccer fields in the back that are shared with the boys soccer team and sometimes the Hiatt middle

“Come to our games.”

-Taylor Baker school soccer teams. However, during track meets it causes problems because there is no space left to practice with. This makes the girls team to have to travel down the road to Grandview College in order to continue with practice. Even when the practice conditions and space is sorted out, the team spends hour practicing all over the place for games, even when only family members show up.

Soccer equipment prices:

“Not very many people show up to girls’ soccer games,” Varsity soccer player, Taylor Baker said.

Baker, along with many other players feel that more people should show up to the girls’ soccer game to improve the amount of funding we get along with the environment and feeling of the game.

“I think people look at any sport as a boy thing and that’s why they don’t show up very often when girls have games,” Baker said.

People seem to associate sports to being a boy thing not something for girls to try.

“More people follow boys sports,” teacher and mom of soccer player, Kristina Garcia said.

Like multiple other parents and players, she notices the gap between boys and girls sports.

When asked about the girls soccer team, “I think we’re better,” Garcia said.

Overall, boys and girls both deserve the same equipment and attendance for their games, girls games are as, if not more competitive than the boys games. Anyone is welcome to come to girls soccer games or join the girls soccer team at East High School.

(The first soccer practice is March 20).

Soccer ball: $40+

Soccer cleats: $75+

Soccer net: $100+

Soccer uniform: $40+

Page Editor/ L. Borgen

Page /16 Sports

Fun in the sun

How to land the summer job of your dreams

Photo/ Chris Trevino Taken while on duty, an assitant manger, Ben Morret(not pictured), had given me his phone to take care of while he went to help someone on top of Kokomo(pictured right). Little did he know we, Brody, Krystal and the bouncer, had taken about 100 pictures on his phone. story/C. Trevino

If you have nothing to do over the summer, you’re sick of airconditioning, and are abnormally pale, look no further than the Bay, the best place to work as a lifeguard. Have you ever heard your parents tell you, “Chris, your hair is too long and you never do anything around the house, get a job”? Cause I know I have. Luckily for you, you’ve got a great option.. Adventureland/ AdventureBay has one of the highest employment rates. Pretty much anyone and everyone who applies there, gets hired.

Here are four benefits from working at the Bay. 1. Get some sun. One of the biggest pros of working at the Bay is the

sun. Yes, the sun can be dangerous and give you skin cancer, but if you're careful and apply several layers of sunscreen, you will get the coolest tan ever. Take for example the picture above, look how tan am I! "My nose was sunburnt for like, two months after summer," employee Cobey Myers said. It took me about two weeks to get that perfect penny bronze, but also keep in mind I already have a darker complexion than most so if you have a lighter complexion, it might take you a little longer.

2. Work with friends Something I hear a lot from people who don’t like their job is that their co workers suck. Not

Page Editor/ C. Trevino

at the Bay! Like I said earlier, AdventureLand has one of the highest employment rates and if both you and your friend apply, both of you will most likely get the job. "I feel like I am more productive and feel incentivized to go to work more than just money," employee Johnny Hill said. And if you apply as a lifeguard, AdventureLand will pay for your course, and if you pass it, you automatically get the job. And what's better than working with your friends, getting paid a good hourly amount and getting a great tan? Nothing!

3. Having a cool boss Most employees at their jobs share one of many

Photo/ Chris Trevino Here am I guarding Kokomo Kove at the beginning of the day. Kokomo is where all the little kids like to run as fast as they possibly can and then biff it and complain that its wet and slippery.

things they dislike, the boss. Sometimes the boss is annoying, or has really, really dumb rules that make absolutely no sense. At the Bay, the boss, Alex Bishop is the coolest person you'll ever meet. Alex has been working at the waterpark for eight years. He's super understanding and cooperative. If you need a day off and you ask for it within enough time, you'll get the day. Just like how he's really lenient, he's also very professional.

"I want people to work there because the more people who are there, the safer it is for everyone first and employee alike," Bishop said. When it comes time to work and be serious, he's there to lead you through.

4. Free admission What's cooler than ice? Getting in for free Monday through Thursday and paying half price Friday through Sunday at the best amusement park in the state of Iowa! And not only that, you can also get your friends in for half the price of a regular ticket, which is normally $50. "I got in for free at the park", employee Kaitlin Martin said. So pretty much the best deal you could possibly get.

So go online and apply to be a lifeguard. More than likely, you'll get the job.

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Hurdles

Hiccups

A review on the Melanie Martinez songs that got me through trouble, and all of it’s synonyms Story/J.Williams Most known for dealing with serious topics in an upbeat way, Melanie Martinez is an American singer, songwriter, music video director, and photographer, who is able to help direct her own music videos and imagine her own costumes. She first participated in, The Voice in 2012 singing, Britney Spears’ “Toxic”, and made it to the top six before being eliminated. Although elimination was a discouraging experience to go through, she began to work independently on her music. She was able to produce her first single, “Dollhouse” through heavy support from her fan base, and not long after signed to Atlantic records. Martinez describes her sound as, “very dark and honest” with “hip hop/trap inspired beats using creepy nostalgic childlike sounds such as baby pianos, music boxes, and toys”. - Mania, Greg (19 April 2014), creem magazine. Her music mainly deals with the protagonist of her album, “Cry Baby,” as she discusses themes of family disputes, body image, romance, and coming-of-age: all things that she’s dealt with in the past.

“Someone’s turning the handle to the faucet in your eyes,”

this is how Martinez describes what it’s like to have no control over the tears that escape you.

If you get emotional very easily then you know that it’s really hard to know when you’re going to cry. and what over; you could be in the middle of class, ot walking down the hall when all of a sudden your emotions get ahold of you.

I know what it’s like too, but for me, it’s mostly when I’m lying in bed and trying to sleep. I close my eyes and all of a sudden, instead of shutting down, my brain begins to think about all of the bad things that I’ve experienced. I can relate to how emotional that Melanie was as a child and it’s really helpful to hear that somebody else has gone through your struggles. .

Photo Illustration/J.Williams

“Pacify her, she’s getting on my nerves.

You don’t love her;

stop lying with those words.”

“And loving her seems tiring, so boy, just love me, down, down.”

“Chasing after you is like a fairytale, But I feel like I’m glued on tight In her song, “Carousel,” Melanie makes it sound like we’re in a carnival by incorporating carnival music and using lyrics such

as, “it’s all fun and games,” and “we’re a freakshow.” In an interview, Martinez described the meaning of the song as, “My falling in love and being stuck on the same ride and trying to grab them, but I never reach them.” Sometimes love can feel like a game: you’re just making moves and trying to play all of the right peices but you never seem to win. The first thing that usually comes to mind when you hear about fighting for love is relationships, but when I hear it, I not only think of couples but I also think about family. In the past, I was in three different homes throughout the years and I really started to feel like a peice in some game.

This song makes me think about how I was on this ride for years and now I’m finally off of the “Carousel.”

to this carousel,”

Page Editor/J.Williams

page /18 Review

Photo/im-fancy-and-sad.tumblr. com

“Pacify Her,” begins with a music box melody; and what better introduction to use when you’re talking about shutting someone up. In this song, Martinez is in love with a guy, referred to as “Blue Boy,” but “Blue boy” is currently in a relationship with another girl, whom She refers to as, “Basic Bitch.”

This tune is all about Melanie trying to free the one she loves from his current relationship with someone that he doesn’t particularily care for. When listening to this song, and/or watching the music video, it can be seen, and heard, that “Blue Boy” loves Melanie as well. ‘So why is he with somebody else?’ we ask.

Well, alot of us are going through a similar experience: maybe you really like someone, but they’re with somebody else and you don’t want to break up a relationship, or maybe you just don’t know what to do about the whole situation in general. Look no further than this song for help through your messy situation. It sucks to to like somebody that you can’t have, boy or girl. You have to physically see them hold hands, walk with, and kiss somebody else while you’re stuck imaging yourself in their partners shoes. I’ve been there before as well. One too many times have I seen that guy walk around with her while I thought, ‘I wonder what it feels like to be her,’ and when I couldn’t get those thoughts out of my head, I really just tried to remember that if it’s meant to be then it will happen, but if it isn’t, then something better will soon come my way, and you should too.

Photo/gallery4idols.tumblr.com

Story/ T.Ramos

People are being labeled everyday. This is an issue that has caused problems for this generation. Making teens feel persured and forced into labels that don’t define them.

Imagine you’re walking around a big crowd and no one knows who you are. You have a sign on your forehead with a label on it. And everyone just knows you by your label, maybe sexuality, race, or cliques. And that label only scratches the surface of who you really are.

So many people feel this way.

Feeling like they have no way to remove that sign with the label. It’s so hard to show who you really are when people only see you as one thing.

The definition of label is “ a small piece of paper, fabric, plastic, or similar material attached to an object and giving information about it.” You are not an object someone can just put a label on.

This generation has been divided into two different views on labels. Some people are forcing other people into a label and others are forcing themselves into labels. I believe labels are putting people in boxes that only society can comprehend.

If you are someone who is confused about their sexuality and is trying so hard to find a label for yourself, Don’t! Don’t try so hard. Take your time. You

have your whole life ahead of you to completely understand everything, when the time is right the answer will come. Not only can’t people force labels on you, don’t force labels on to yourself. Some people are afraid to come out because they don’t just want to be remembered by their sexuality but as who they are as a person. And people who already are out, people would put them under stereotypes like gay people are all very feminine, loud, and into makeup. And lesbians being into sports and all of them have short hair and wear boy’s clothes. Guess what world? They are all people who have the same feelings and thoughts like all of us. We are not all different. Everyone can like what they like, or who they like without people just forcing them into stereotypes and labels.

You have no control over your race. You can change your religion, culture, or lifestyle but your race will always be your biggest label. It’s not something you can hide, it’s the first thing people see when they first meet you. Stereotyping races can come out offending them. Not all Asians are super smart. Not

Definition: A small piece of paper, fabric, plastic, or similar material attached to an object and giving information about it.

Page Editor/ T. Ramos

all Hispanics are illegal. And not all Muslims are terrorists.

“I have been stereotyped as the ‘typical Asian with small eyes’. It makes me feel more Asian but I don’t know if that’s good or bad,” sophomore Daren Nguyen said.

The basic labels and stereotypes are that cheerleaders are dumb and can only be girls.

And football players are masculine and can only be a boy. Choir kids are feminine and theatre kids are dramatic. And all emos cut and are suicidal. Theses are labels that has always been around because it’s what people expect.

“Of course, I have been called emo. It made me feel awkward and very uncomfortable,” sophomore Jessica Coos Hernandez said.

People labeling others will never stop. It’s like bullying, people will always bully, there is nothing we can do to make it completely go away, but we can help improve it. It will always be something we can’t change. I’m writing this so people can now double think when they see someone. I want people to know that what they see is not everything a person is.

“I feel like everyone labels other people, it’s a common thing that everyone does,” Nguyen said.

THINGS PEOPLE WOULD WANT TO SAY TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LABELED THEM -”I wish that they would know that I’m doing better then them”- Darem Nguyen

-”I don’t really care because it doesn’t really bother me anymore it really doesn’t like it doesn’t bother me anymore, it’s whatever”- Jessica Hernandez

-” I’m my own person and I’m much happier then you will ever be”Nyandeng Lual

Urban Dictionary: Something you put on jars.

Not on people

page /19 opinion

Photo Credit/E. Rothmyer

Here’s the story of how the emotional scars overwhelmed me until they became physical Story/ K. Whitmore

Thanksgiving ended with nine cop cars an ambulance and a firetruck.

How ironic is it that the day you are supposed to be thankful is the day you could have lost it all? My cousin has schizophrenia and had a mental breakdown which caused him to try and kill my grandma and three little cousins. This caused my grandma to have a stroke a week later. Long story short there were seven people staying in a threebedroom apartment with two people in wheelchairs. This is why I decided to cut.

Naturally the chaos would send me running for comfort. I was searching for love. At that moment love was a four letter word with each letter representing a happy memory. Love was safe. Now those letters are scars with each scar representing the memory that couldn’t last.

For two years I thought off and on about some boy being my solace, but actually he was my destruction. We tried again and again. I couldn’t get him out of my head. I won’t deny it; I was in love. With my world falling apart I saw that love as a beacon of light guiding me to safety. That light didn’t lead me to safety, it led to more destruction. Now I found myself alone in the back of a cop car all because the boy in possession of my heart was keeping it safe in his pocket, next to the marijuana he held just as close. As he ran away he dropped my heart along the way, scattering the pieces. My hero was now my villain. My protector was now another scar on my thigh.

As if the tower of emotions wasn’t high enough to topple over, there were still people building behind my back. The two people still in my corner were my best friends. From sleeping with my brother and vandalizing my car they had their hands full. How stupid of me to think they took the knife out of my hand to save me, when in reality they

just wanted to reposition it in my back.

Since Thanksgiving I haven’t had a chance to breathe. I’ve been suffocating myself with the emotions. I have been trapped in my own misery. What better way to escape than with a blade? I had always told myself I would never self-harm. But there I was just sitting on the floor in the bathroom. I was so numb. I couldn’t even feel the cold tile. I found some hair clippers and opened them up. The moment the blade touched my thigh I felt it. The cold metal, the sharp edge. I had to keep going. If this was the only thing I could feel I couldn’t just let it go. Every time I’d start to bleed I would make another cut. Maybe if I cut deep enough the feeling will come back. Ultimately cutting was something I could control. I chose how deep to go, I chose how long to make the scar, I chose when to stop. No one else could hurt me if I was the one causing the pain. I went on to self-harm two more times, resulting in over 20 scars on my thighs. The problem is it didn’t last. Even though I put away the blade I was still being stabbed shame.

Do I regret self harming? No. Yes, I still feel ashamed when I get out of the shower and look in the mirror. And hell yeah I still shake to the core at the thought of summer approaching and not being able to wear shorts anymore. But I wholeheartedly stand by my decision to cut. Because that same decision lead me to stop. I subconsciously chose my thighs not my wrists. I didn’t realize how deep I had or had not went. I had so many opportunities to completely shut it all off. It would take less than 5 seconds to make those two little cuts. To find a vain and just let it all out. I didn’t. I talked about it instead.

Here’s the part where I ride off into the sunset on a white horse. Nope. Or is it the part where I wake up with a smile and birds

Page Editor/ K. Whitmore

help me get dressed? Not that one either.

Here’s the part where I tell you some days it’s hard. There are still mornings where I wake up and struggle to find motivation to move. There are still times when I cry because I’m overwhelmed. Changing medication and making a safety plan doesn’t mean everything’s fixed. Cutting back work hours and see my therapist more often doesn’t equal me being “okay.” I’m still struggling. But that means I’m still breathing.

SOLVED

Problems

by cutting:

Temporary release of

pain

CREATED

Problems by cutting:

Fear of shorts - Fear of blades -

- Awkward quick clothes changing

no one can see the scars - New found shame when I so

look at my self in the mirror

hurt

- The in my moms eyes when I use anything sharp

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