East Scroll senior issue 2019

The Senior Issue

Scroll

Volume 88

Issue 4

May 2019

f o e l b a t nts e t n o c page 3: Goodbye East High page 4 & 5: Your story matters page 6: Senior Daren Nguyen page 7: Making my way downtown page 8 & 9: Senior Nawal Rai page 10: Own your body page 11: The R word page 12: Q & A w/Mrs. Anderson page 13: DMPS changes for 2020 page 14: Senior Kiana Sanders page 15: Makeup 101 page 16: Women and video games page 17: Femme in STEM page 18: Sisters for Success page 19: Why blame them? page 20: Seniors of Science Bound page 21: Senior Kiara Warner page 22 & 23: It’s not funny

page 24: Senior Devonte Witherspoon page 25: Seniors of girls’ basketball page 26: Dear Mr. Allan page 27: Letter to the editor page 28: Q & A w/Mrs. Frommelt page 29: Building teacher page 30: Q & A w/Wendy page 31: Custodians at East page 32: Q & A w/Elisia Raeanne page 33: Seniors of girls’ tennis page 34 & 35: Perfect women page 36: White priviledge page 37: Senior Michaela Aunspach page 38 & 39: Consequences page 40 & 41: From then to now page 42: A goodbye to East softball page 43: ads back cover: Goodbye quotes

District Educational Equality Statement

Des Moines Public Schools prohibits discrimination in educational and employment programs and activities based on age, race, creed, color, sex, marital status, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disablility. In addition, the District prohibits acts of intolerance or harrassment toward employees or students that are not related to the individual’s employment or education.

Letter Policy

Scroll Issue 4 Volume 88 5-23-19 Co-Editors-In-Chief: Shelby Alsted Nikki Grove Mayson Williams Design Editor: Ryleigh Hayworth Feature Editor: Fabiana Centeno Staffers: Taryn Anderson McCayla Dahlberg Elise Dowler Estrella Gonzales Tayrisha Kipper Maddie Miller Cheyanne Potter Alicia Solis-Palos Fallon Trenter Ena Guerra Caballero Maria Hernandez Joselyn Hildebrand Alea Hoof Bri Riney Sawra Selema Advisor: Natalie Niemeyer-Lorenz Principal: Leslie Morris Cover: Mayson Williams

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.

Ad 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 by Wilcox Printing in Madrid, IA.

Page Editor/ R. Hayworth

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Page Editor/B. Riney

Th e B i tters wee t Tas te O f A nti-D epress ants & O t her Me ds Story/A.Solis

At first, I felt defeated that I had been prescribed to take anti-depressants once again.

I had worked so hard prior to get off them only for me to end up back at step one. But I should know better than to think this way, if anything it was a step in the right direction to ask for help again. I felt like I was losing myself again and I refused to go back into that hopeless void. I had been going to therapy and although it helped at times it could only do so much. I still had to carry the burden of these overwhelming suicidal thoughts, the voices in my head and my constant mood swings that I had to deal with every day, and they were slowly getting to me. I did my best to hide the fact that my mental health was deteriorating, I didn’t want to worry my friends, nor did I want to disappoint my parents. But soon enough my facade was slowly starting to fall apart, I would breakdown on the daily, crying my heart out trying to get rid of all the sadness inside of me but it would never work. I felt an extreme emptiness and pain inside of me that just wouldn’t go away.

I would go through periods of mania where I was so energized and hyper yet very irritable. I was almost uncontrollable; my mind would be a mess of racing thoughts causing many nights of insomnia. To periods of manic depression, where I would constantly have suicidal thoughts and breakdown crying only to lie in bed in my own self-hate surrounded by voices who at the time, I just assumed were just my thoughts being

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overly loud and aggressive. When this proved to be too much for me, I would resort to self-harm in order to at least feel something, I felt so numb and hopeless.

I was mentally exhausted with the mental gymnastics my brain would go through from being happy at one moment to being absolutely broken the next and for then for me to go back to being happy again like nothing ever happened.

I decided enough was enough and I asked for help, my parents at the time were ignorant to the concept of mental health and didn’t know what else to do, as they felt that they had done everything in their power to help me: sending me to therapy, going in and out of

force for getting off my meds in the first place.

My parents didn’t really want me to start taking meds again, they felt that it wasn’t necessary and that it was just me being hormonal and that these feelings I had were only temporary. I felt like a failure as a human being, for not being able to function properly like everyone else around me.

For some time, I tried pleasing their wishes and not be on meds but eventually it grew too much for me. I was close to my breaking point, something my parents were slowly starting to realize as I was eating less and was showing signs that I was self-harming again. They finally gave in and agreed to letting me start taking anti-depressants again. When I was prescribed my new pills, a part of me was happy because it brought me a bit of hope that things would get better soon but what first started from one pill turned to two pills and what turned to two turned to three pills, a part of me felt embarrassed that I had to take all of these pills in order for me to function as a human being. I thought all I needed was just to start my anti-depressants again but that wasn’t the case, not only was I given a new anti-depressant I was also given an anti-psychotic and as needed hospitals, having been on anti-depressants beforehand, medication for my anxiety. they just didn’t know how to help me anymore and if Did I really need all of this? That’s a question I were truly honest with myself, I didn’t know how to I would always ask myself, but eventually I saw help myself either. I threw the concept of maybe getthat myself destructive behaviors were slowly ting back on my meds in the air to see how they would but surely decreasing. I didn’t want to admit respond even though I knew they weren’t really in favor to myself that these meds were quote on quote of that idea in the past because they were my driving

“i’m closer to being better than i was yesteday.”

Page Editor/A.Solis

“Fixing me” because I was never broken to begin with, but I felt different, my mood swings lessened, I wouldn’t have those rapid ups and downs as often or as bad.

I had to go through several med adjustments in order to find what was right for me, the more they raised the dosage of my meds the more side effects I would experience. The pills I took often made me tired so staying awake throughout the day was a mission, another side effect was weight gain something I dreaded and really wasn’t looking forward to, the pills would slow down my metabolism and make me hungry all the time. All of these side effects were a sacrifice I had to make as I made my steps towards recovery again, but thankfully these side effects were temporary as my body and brain had to adjust to being back on medication.

It’s been almost a month and a half since I’ve started my pills and I can honestly say that I don’t feel as bad as I did a while ago, although I still don’t feel fully better but I’m getting there with the help of my friends and family who have been really supportive along the way. For the past month I’ve been an outpatient, which means going to the psych ward every day during school for 2 hours and receiving help from there. I have been going in and out of the hospital to get help along with other people who are just like me. There

we would have group discussions over coping skills, talk about how we felt, tell our stories, talk about our medication and what to expect from being on them and most importantly, showing that were not alone. It was an entirely different experience from the time I was an inpatient, where I stayed for a week in the hospital without being able to leave, spending nights there and only to be awakened to go to group therapy everyday with the rest of the kids.

For me I found hope and security while being on pills, they kept raising the doses until it hit the point where my mood is stabilized, and the voices turn to whispers and my thoughts have calmed. It went from 50mg to 100mg to 150mg to 200mg and now I’m at 300mg keeping in mind that highest dosage they could give me is 400mg due to my weight and age. Pills are assisting to help me feel better. There is a lot of stigma going around about being on anti-depressants and anti-psychotics, saying that only weak people would go on meds or that once you’re on them you can never go off them, which in retrospect is completely false, but for me they are something I need in order to get better again.

I’ve shown some improvement on them and although I have no idea when I’m going

to get off them, that’s something I shouldn’t worry about, if they make me feel better then so be it, maybe I’ll be off them in a year or two or maybe it’ll be a lifelong thing. But one things for sure and that’s that I’m glad I asked for help, I felt like I was drowning and I was scared that it would have gotten as bad as it was a few years prior where I was clinging to my life in a hospital bed.

It’s okay to ask for help it doesn’t mean you’re weak or that you’re “broken” if anything it takes courage to admit to yourself and others that you’re not doing well. Pills aren’t an immediate fix, they’re something you can take to help take the edge off, it’s you who has to put in the effort to get better, like going to therapy, going outside and doing something rather than just sitting alone in a dark room waiting to just magically get better.

Do what seems right for you don’t be afraid to reach out for help and especially don’t be embarrassed or ashamed of how you’re feeling because something that’s more exhausting then having a mental illness is pretending that you don’t. Although I’m still going through the recovery process, something that keeps me going is knowing that I’m closer to being better than I was yesterday. Always remember your story matters, you matter.

‘‘Your Story Matters, You Matter’’ :) page / 5

Page Editor/ A.Solis

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Story/E. Gonzalez He’s known for being one of the best dressed at prom, he’s the most outgoing and humorous of his classmates, he has friends throughout the school, he uses the world as his runway. But here’s an insight of what you might not know about senior Daren Nguyen.

How has your life changed these past years attending East?

“Junior year was a turning point in my life. I was going through a huge case that took a huge toll in my life. Led to me finally changing my hairstyle after having it the same way my whole life. Change is something that I really needed in my life after a really hard time. I finally got a job and a car so I could be independent with just about anything. Going into my senior year, I’ve never been so care free in my life. I used to care about what people thought about me everyday, and I just suddenly stopped. I am just focused on working and making my transition to college as easy as possible. Having a different mindset is something I’ve noticed I went through. It’s okay not to be the old you, you should change as you get older and if you aren’t that’s all on you,” Nguyen said.

Tell me about the different things your involved at East ?

“I am part of a few things here. Like cheerleading Orchestra, Ambassadors, yearbook, student government, and Upward Bound. I have different skills set for each of those clubs/orgs. I joined cheerleading because of my many friends on the cheer team. I tried out my junior year and got to cheer on varsity my first and second year. Cheers allows me to learn quicker as I pick up new cheers and dances fairly quickly. I’ve played the viola since 4th grade and just continued it all four years of high school. I get to relax at the end of the day and play with such an amazing group of students and get to push through the tough times of learning a difficult piece. I joined Ambassadors because I wanted to be apart of the amazing projects that they do that benefit the community. My involvement in ambassadors led me into yearbook due to Mrs. Niemeyer teaching both classes. I’ve been apart of student government since my junior year. Upward bound is where I have my time to focus on college, from applications to scholarships. Each of these clubs I get to become a leader and make things even more enjoyable with my humor and attitude,” Nguyen said.

What is something you had to face that changed you in a positive way?

“I grew up with only my mom, uncle, sister and grandma. I lived in my tiny one bedroom apartment unknowingly having my family struggling financially. My mom working from 5am. to 7:30pm. every weekday with my grandma working less hours. My uncle worked as a waiter but didn’t work much. He was the father figure in my life. He always made sure my grades were 100 percent. Everything had to be perfect and if it was 90 percent he was disappointed. That pushed me to always try my best, and that goes for everything not just my education,” Nguyen said.

“Another difficult thing I faced was finally finding my voice to speak out about my very toxic and manipulative “relationship”. Even though I was

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gaining so much support, I was extremely stressed as I still had school going on. I felt like all eyes were on me when I came to school and I had a hard time concentrating. As time passed, I was finally feeling like myself, but even better. I grew into someone who is determined and motivated to reach my goals no matter how hard it gets, I will always push myself to achieve what I know I can.”

Tell me about something your passionate about?

“I’m very passionate about self-care, I always want the best for myself not to sound cocky. I am so into fitness, making an income, beauty a, and my grades.

Everyday always doing at least 3 of those things. It does get tiring but my self motivation really pushes me to continue working out, working, studying, all while lookin good,” Nguyen said.

Tell me about your love for makeup and fashion? Is just a hobby or is it something your really passionate about?

“So I started wearing makeup around seventh grade. I had terrible skin and I looked up how I could cover it on youtube. A video popped up of this neutrogena foundation that helps clear acne. So I go to Walgreens and buy the foundation that was very very pale and had absolutely no idea how to apply or blend foundation. Everyone asked “are you wearing makeup” and I was like “yeah!!, you could tell.” As time went on I dove into the beauty community learning more about the application of each product and the different types of makeup. Along with that came fashion. My first dream job at a young age was to be a stylist. Seeing such creative prices from balmain really caught my attention to what fashion really is. Although I love beauty the beauty industry as of right now is a hobby, but down the line if opportunities rise up I wouldn’t be opposed to turning my hobby into a career!,” Nguyen said.

What is something you would tell your freshman self ?

“I would tell my freshman self to be confident in yourself and to not settle for minimum. I’m so mad that I didn’t ask to take some of the college/AP classes that East offered. Now seeing more and more sophomores taking colleges classes makes me jealous of the opportunities that I missed.

What are your plans after high school?

“I plan on going to the University of Iowa studying Mass Communications.

I think I would really have fun seeing myself in public relations as I see myself as a people person,” Nguyen said.

What are you most excited about life after high school?

“I am so excited to live on campus with my best friend Delanie Jackson! I have no idea why I’m so excited to attend college when i’m well aware of the amount of stress and tears that come with it, but I think i’m just ready for a huge change in my life. I also have a paid internship with a presidential candidate in the summer and an online college class that I’m actually pumped about, its something im really looking forward to this summer. Keeping myself busy something i didn’t know I liked doing. I think not being in school for 8 hours will really give me so much time to do even more fun and exciting things,” said Nguyen.

Page Editor/E. Gonzalez

Making My Way Downtown To think Downtown Des Moines is the same as the rest of Des Moines is absurd. If anything, it’s different from the rest of Des Moines. From buildings so tall they look like they could reach the sky, to small and big businesses surrounding every block and the sense of adventure that lurks in the air. Downtown has a variety of things to do and things to see like the iconic Pappajohn sculpture park where you can walk around and admire the abstract art pieces and sculptures “My favorite memory has to be going to the sculpture park with my family,” junior Jimena Aguilar said.

The skywalks, where you can walk all over downtown indoors. Not to mention the Iowa historical building that’s open to the public where you can tour around and learn about the history of Iowa and the United States. Downtown is a fun hang out spot whether you’re by yourself or with friends, it has something to offer to everyone.

“I like going there its defiantly the coolest place in Iowa,” junior Jaden Blakeman said.

The many festivals and events it holds are always something to look forward to, It’s something that brings people together to celebrate and enjoy themselves. Some of the upcoming and most well-known events that are taking place soon are, the farmers market (May 4) where you can buy fresh produce, food and many other goodies from vendors. To those wanting to experience the love for diversity and culture look no further there’s Celebrasian (May 24- 25) and The Latino heritage festival (Sept. 28-29) , both festivals are filled with food, music and activities for the Asian and Hispanic cultures.

“I’ve gone to Celebrasian, you can see the diversity of the people there and the many new foods you can try it was a fun experience,” junior Estrella said.

Love is love and what better way to express that other then attending the Des Moines pride fest where you can share your love and support for the LGBTQ+ community ( June 7). If you haven’t gone downtown yet you must be living under a rock because the vibe and atmosphere is something everyone should experience. “It has an aesthetic to it, it gives off a vibe

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Story/A.Solis

Photo/@camera_man_carlos

that I don’t know how to describe but everyone just loves downtown was going to get food at Qdobas because of downtown,” junior Ashley Luvan said. the people that made it memorable,” Gonzales said.

Go and explore it not by car but rather by foot and find Looking around and entering shops and seeing what places beforehand to go check out, even if you don’t really they have to offer is always a fun experience in which know where you’re going, that’s okay too because getting lost you can find things you never thought you needed or downtown can be fun. shops you never knew existed. The infamous Raygun is a “ I do enjoy being downtown because I get to see cool well-known downtown store with a variety of things, to things but I don’t like all the hassle with closed roads and one of a kind shirts and clothing, to odd but cool knick getting lost,” junior Sara Gonzales said. knacks. If you want a throwback to the past West end You’ll be surprised by the places you’ll see and the people articular salvage is the place for you, a four-story building you’ll meet. There are so many restaurants and places to eat filled with antiques on every floor and a café, there’s no downtown with the aroma of food floating in the air you’re place like it. Domestica is a small but fun gift shop that’s sure to end up getting hungry whilst being down there. filled with unique handmade accessory’s, cards, jewelry and many more, you’re bound to find something for that special someone. Going in and out of shops is one of the best ways to spend your time downtown as you never really know what you’re going to find, “I enjoy being downtown because I feel like it’s something different from my everyday life, there are so many shops and restaurants it’s like my little piece of city,” Agular said.

Experiencing downtown can be different depending at what time of day you go, personally going when it’s dark out or right before sunset is quite a sight, sure it’s a bit more risky to go out on your own during that time so it’s always safer and more fun to go with a group of friends, but the scene of the lights turning on the once plain buildings, it turns into almost a light show like environZombie Burger is a popular place to eat downtown with ment. During this time, I highly suggest going to take a amazing shakes and burgers. picture at the most iconic spot to take photos downtown, “I love stopping by zombie burger to grab a bite to eat the red Traveler’s sign. I’m sure you’ve seen some of the with my friends and to get my favorite milk shake, the many pictures of people that have taken pictures at that chocolate cake shake,” Agular said. location, with the red umbrella glowing behind them, it’s If you need something to cool you off or need an extra a classic photo taking location for a reason. caffeine boost to get you through the day go grab some ice “It’s like the heart of Des Moines,” Gonzales said. cream or coffee from Java Joes, a little cozy artsy local coffee All you need to do is get to the parking garage that’s shop with their own roasted coffee and a great atmosphere. right next to it and there are a few entrances on each side If you’re craving Mexican food, Qdoba is a personal favorite that you can take to get up there, you can take the elevator of mine and many other for a reason they have a variety of or go up the stairs and then once you know it you’re in the Mexican cuisine to choose from burritos, to tacos to taco presence of Des Moines most recognized landmark and salads, an amazing view of downtown.

“My favorite memory downtown memory was going

It has an “ aesthetic to it, it gives off a

v i b e.”

Page Editor/ A.Solis

Nawal Rai more than just a

refugee

How senior Nawal Rai went from a Nepali refugee to a important part of the East community photo/F.Centeno

The spotlight was bright enough to blind someone, his heart was beating rapidly and pumping out of his chest. It was Nawal Rai’s freshman year, and this was his first ever time performing on stage. He could hear the audience mumbling. Once the lights turned off and the spotlight hit his face, Rai knew that this is what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Rai was born in a refugee camp in Nepal, there was a total of seven refugee camps throughout the country. Rai’s family is from Bhutan, but with Nepali heritage. In the early 1990’s the new king changed many people’s lives forever by forcing them to let go of Nepali culture and Nepali language; that’s when the genocide began. Men were getting shot, hung, and thrown into jail. Women were being raped. Homes were being burned down.

His family was forced to flee to where he was born.

“The hardest part was finding myself, adapting to the new in the culture and making friends,” Rai said. Rai believed he lived in a privileged camp.

He had a good shelter and there were not many problems with the camp. However, there was no air conditioning or heat. The houses were made of bamboo and there was clean water. He also said that the children used to throw little shows and that’s when he became slowly interested in performing.

“Theatre gave me a new life,” Rai said. Rai arrived to the United States in 2013. He described it as overwhelming but at the same time it was an exciting experience. When he arrived, he attended middle school and said that he saw no opportunities for him. He didn’t get a chance to meet new

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story/F.Centeno

kids since he just saw the same students in his ELL class. All that changed when high school came.

“I started putting myself out there and getting out of my comfort zone,” Rai said. His life changed once he joined theatre. He found that passion was hidden inside him that he didn’t know about. That passion wasn’t just about him; he met many important people along the way.

Rai feels that he has changed as a person.

He has gained more confidence and feels he has developed into the person he wants to be. Many of Rai’s friends have said that because of the type of person he has become, he has inspired them to be more confident and change into a better person.

“He changed my life by giving me an outlook on things and he made me a happy person. He is someone I will forever love for the rest of my life,” junior Damaris Nelson said. Rai states that his motivation comes from his mother who knows few English and he has described as a hard working who values the importance of family. Rai’s mom has dealt with family and relationship issues and he values the fact that she shows determination for the purpose of keeping their family close.

“I get that trait of never giving up and having mindset that things will get better from my mom,” Rai said. Rai is a person that is very actively involved at East. From being in Theater, Show Choir, IHSSA, Chamber Choir, Steppers, National Honor Society, Student Government, Link Crew, East High Cares, Rugby and Upward Bound. The reason he is so involved at East is due to the fact that he likes making people feel they belong and to also challenge himself with new experiences to find a new side to him.

“No other IHSSA has a ‘Nawal’ meaning he is one of a kind, he has flare about himself that we’re lucky to have him apart of,” English teacher Virginia Johnson said. Even though Rai has been through a lot, he has no plans to let obstacles slow him down. He will graduate on May 25th and head to college on the fall.

Rai’s plans for his next chapter in life is to go to UNI to study theatre. His goal is to come back to East to become a show choir director.

“I want to impact people’s lives in a good way and find a new side that is still hidden,” Rai said.

me how “toHeloveshowed myself and encourage myself to be who I am today.

”

-junior Rachel Nguyen

Page Editor/F.Centeno

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Page Editor/F.Centeno

OWN OWN YOUR YOUR BODY BODY Story/ M. Williams Slut, whore, hoe, skank; “She was asking for it”. Through the lens of a young woman it’s hard to determine boundaries with what is considered socially acceptable. On one hand there are those that say that being open about your sexuality and owning your body is encouraged. However, there are those that are intimidated by this or are “offended” by this notion. Because of these irrational opinions, it has confined women into a box and has objectified them in more ways than physical.

Slut shaming is any degradation or discrimination against a person involving anything from their provocative clothing, to how many people someone has slept with.

Whether a girl is a virgin or has an “exceeding” body count, they are shamed for either being prudes or shamed for being easy.

“I feel it doesn’t matter if someone is a virgin or a sex worker, what they do is none of my business and they deserve the same respect,” senior Mariah Crook said.

On social media the concept of body positivity is plastered everywhere. The idea of being unapologetically proud of one’s physical appearance and attributes

is celebrated. However when a woman actually wants to express and normalize her own sexuality in a public sense, or in photos on social media, it’s a crime.

A woman cannot merely go out with friends trying to enjoy herself without being looked at as a sexual object or something less than an actual human being. And the clothing she wears is used to justify a mans violating actions. Do you see what she’s wearing? She was asking for it. NO. If the word “yes” does not come out of a woman’s mouth then there is no consent. It’s as simple as that.

No response is not consent; wearing a certain outfit is not the go-ahead; continually harassing a woman after she has made it clear that she is not interested means NO. “I’ve experienced slut shaming many times. I think the experience that has stuck with me the most is when I asked my assaulters if I was ‘asking’ for what they had done to me. They had told me to look at what i was wearing. Over time I had been told by many that I shouldn’t have worn shorts and a crop top on that midsummer day,” Crook said.

A woman owning her sexuality does not mean she needs to be sexualized.

A woman owning

her sexuality does not mean she needs to be sexualized.

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Page Editor/ M. Williams

e Th R word

Retard: Used to refer to a person with a mental disability

no

te

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F.

How can one word build up enough anger inside of you that it makes you want to explode? How can one word cause so many mixed feelings that you don’t know how to feel? There are many words that can cause mixed emotions and some words that are controversial. One of them is the R word which is used frequently today. The big question now is where did the R word come from? The R word from came from Mental Retardation which was introduced as a medical term for people with intellectual impairments. It was at first introduced as a term by the American Association on Mental Retardation in the 1960’s then was adopted by the American Psychiatric Association.

Throughout time, the use of the R word has been used an insult to call someone slow or stupid. But what some people don’t know about using that word is that it’s an insult to people with intellectual disabilities.

“It’s beginning to be a common word that has a derogatory meaning,” special education teacher Jason Weite said. If we know that the R word is an insult to them, then why do some people still use it? People sometimes use it because they lack the knowledge of knowing how that word really means to people. They don’t understand why it can offend others. Other people might say just to seem cool, but they know that it is an insult they just don’t care.

“They joke about it with their friends and expect no conse-

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quences,” English teacher Katelyn Diiulio said.

It’s like back in history when people use to use ‘gay’ to describe something lame but today most people don’t use that phrase anymore because society has made that unacceptable and looked down upon. How come society hasn’t talked about how the R word is unacceptable?

“They’re ignorant and uneducated, they also don’t have experiences with people that struggle with mental issues,” Diiulio said. For me, my brother was born with Epilepsy which affects his brain. He can’t do normal things like every other 14-year old is able to do in their daily lives. He can’t even do simple math or even know how to tie his shoe. The thought of someone calling him the R word will trigger an angry feeling in my body that will build up and make me feel like I’m going to explode. How can someone that is lucky to be able to go on with their daily lives who are able to do ‘simple things’ that we are fortunate to do have the right to call someone who struggles to even do a simple task that word?

Society is trying to make a statement to eliminate the R-Word, In 2010, former president Barack Obama signed a law that was passed to eliminate all references of using mental retardation in the medical field and instead replace with the term mental disability and individual with an intellectual disability. It’s called the Rosa’s law which was named after a nine-year-old girl who has down syndrome. Special Olympics, Best Buddies International and supporters unite in March for the annual Spread the Word to End the Word day which is main

purpose is to stop the use of the R word. It’s to rally people to pledge to eliminate that word to make the world a more inclusive and respectful for all people. This has been annually for the past 10 years and it has been successful. However, people are still using that word especially in social media.

“I think people are using that word so much they don’t even know they’re using it. We should ask them why they use that word to make people realize what it means,” Weite said. There will be those people that say, ‘but I have the right to say whatever I want!’ Yes, you do have that right, however there are plenty of options to replace that word with. Don’t use the First Amendment as an excuse to say something. There also something called respect. Just because that word doesn’t affect you doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect others. Just because It doesn’t hurt you doesn’t mean it doesn’t offend others. Stop using the R word.

Page Editor/F.Centeno

QA &

WITH

H

MRS. ANDERSON TEACHER SPOTLIGHT

Photo / T. Anderson

ow long have you been teaching at East? This is my 12th year at East High

School.

How has east had an impact on you as a teacher?

I feel like this is my home and it is impacted me as a teacher by reminding me that I have to constantly change with my new family members that come in each year.

How has East had in impact on you as a student?

As a student, the school instilled in me a sense of belonging and a sense of community.

What is your greatest memory of East?

As a student, my greatest memory was sitting in the back parking lot which is now where the community center gym is with my friend in her car, and I met this hot guy in the car next to me who I ended up marrying. One of my favorite memories as a teacher was in 2011, I think that was the year, before our girls basketball team went to the state tournament, and we had an assembly and the electric feeling in the gymnasium, to hear all of the school pride, was amazing.

What do you like to do outside of Teaching?

Outside of school I love spending

MRS. ANDERSON BY THE NUMBERS page / 12

time with my family and shopping.

I think I have a shopping problem, lol.

How do you manage family life and your teaching life.

I’m not sure I do a very good job managing family life and teaching life. I feel like I’m always tired and

My role model when I attended East High School was the graphic arts teacher named Jeff Bach. He didn’t sugarcoat anything and kept it real and I love that about him.

He also had high expectations for all of us. As a teacher I’d have to say Shawna Green is one of my

As a student, the school instilled in me a sense of belonging and a sense of community. make sure to put school work off until after my kids go to bed. And sometimes grading papers gets pushed to the back burner even after the kids go to bed so I can have time to visit my husband.

Who was your role model when you were a student at east and now that you are a teacher?

12

Years spent teaching at East.

role models because even though she’s been here for a while and knows what she’s doing, she’s always trying to find new ways to make things interesting and engaging for her students. Plus, she’s a crazy eastsider just like me.

What does being a scarlet mean to you?

Being a Scarlet means having pride in your community and in your school. Being a Scarlet means being part of the greatest Alumni Association. Being a Scarlet means being there for each other no matter what. Being a Scarlet means being respectful but standing up for what you know is right.

Tell me about your hobbies.

I don’t really have a lot of time for hobbies anymore. I love watching anime fighting and drag racing and football and softball. My time now is living vicariously through my children and all of their activities.

I love to travel. I wish I had money to travel more.

Tell me about your family.

My immediate family is me and my husband and our two kids your Riya and Rorie. I’m fortunate to have both of my parents here and still married, living on the east side.

I have three sister and fortunate to have married into an amazing family that seems to be related to half of the east side. I don’t think there’s been a year yet that I’ve worked these high school that I didn’t have a family member, either from my mom’s side, my dad’s side, or from my husband’s side.

And that’s why I love it here. This is where my peeps are and where I get to make new friends with all of my amazing students.

Story / T. Anderson

Met her husband in

1994

Has taught

2,400+ Students

Graduated in the year of

1998

Page Editor / T. Anderson

DMPS makes changes for 2020 school year New information on budget cuts, school funding and new schedules for the new school year

DMPS changes for the 2019-20 school year have left students, teachers and parents clueless and wanting answers. There are changes with scheduling due to budget cuts. These decisions being made have a big impact on how DMPS schools are going to run for students, teachers and parents for the next few years, so they need answers and they need them now.

Reactions When the news first came out about the schedule changing from A/B block to seven periods, everyone had different reactions. Some, happy for a change and others, not so happy. Just the year before, the school board announced new adjustments of times for all school levels.

Students are wondering why this new revision when there was one just last year?

“When I first heard about the new schedule, I was irritated because our schedule just had a change this year and I was confused, and I also heard that there will be less classes next year and it might affect my Central classes I’m taking next year,” sophomore Saham Salim said.

Many believe that this change will just cause more confusion and that their options are being taken away.

“I am worried because it gives students fewer opportunities to take classes and therefore effects elective classes like mine, so when fewer students get the option to sign up for electives than choices become fewer so I’m worried about that and since I believe in educational acuity and kids in other districts have more opportunities that kids in DMPS schools are getting fewer and fewer opportunities of,” Claire Orlando, French teacher at East said.

Disadvantages and Advantages Most people students have negative comments about the proposed schedule. For example, that this new schedule will take away elective options and that it is hard to go to the same classes back to back. Students are concerned about the homework. There are also some advantages of the new schedule.

“I think it’s great that kids will have shorter classes because it’s hard to focus for 90 minutes on one thing,” Orlando said. Studies show that students have a 10- to 15-minute attention span during lectures.

The school board took another approach in their reasoning and support of the change. “The current block schedule structure can mean that a teacher and student see each other only two and at best three times a week and if a student is absent that presents an even larger gap between each class time,” Elsbernd Cindy, school broad spokesperson said. Also, the schedule will be more convenient for families by having consistent school dismissal times the

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whole year.

“I kind of think we should go back to the seven blocks schedule because I like it and honestly it makes the day go by faster and I remember we had it in middle school,” junior Tyler Bernaraino said. The schedule sounds great right? But there is one huge flaw, no one has the answers to what classes are available, so don’t even bother trying to set up a schedule for next year. According to the DMPS board seven period schedules are expected to be complete early May, due to dynamics of Central Campus and Central Academy.

“The nursing class I’m supposed to take at Central might not even happen because my counselor doesn’t even know what will be available and I might need to drop some core classes to take it,” Salim said when asked about her concerns about the schedule.

The finale decision for this new schedule took some time. “That committee made a recommendation to the Superintendent last fall to make a change to a modified block schedule. The committee then took the proposal to student focus groups and high school building leaders for feedback and met with each high school’s School Leadership Team.

Some modifications were made to the original proposal to become what the Superintendent ultimately decided to use beginning with the 2019-2020 school year. The school board entrusts the Superintendent to make such decisions to achieve the expectations set by the Board,” Elsbernd said. Other districts have the same set up for their school schedule and are having much success.

School funding/Budget cuts One of the biggest problems for next year and even right now will be budget cuts and school funding. This impacts the students directly because teachers and classes are being cut. New state money available to schools was growing 3.27 percent annually until around 2010. Since then, it has dropped to 1.73 percent, according to The Des Moines Register. So, schools are basically losing money and can’t afford to keep teachers and they cut electives. “We did have to make a cut in FCS due to lower course requests in that area. However, we are able to add in art because of increased student requests,” Jill Versteeg said. The school really pays attention to what the majority of the students want.

“A lot of rules and restrictions in how that money (SSA) school districts receive from the state can be spent and last year that meant DMPS was $14 million short in funding our schools were everything we were doing to be kept the same. This year, DMPS is about $24 million short if we were to keep doing things the same. It’s against the

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law to use more money than what the schools receive.

So, the district has no choice but to look for ways to save money and not to break the law,” said Elsbernd. But Why try to fix the mistakes if the damage is already done?

Will school funding continue to decline? “Even with the slight increase schools were able to get this year from the state, we are in a situation where years of neglectful spending in education will take a long time to dig out from and provide what is needed for schools, students and teachers,” said Jill Versteeg administrator at East High School.

If we can all agree on one thing it is that school funding affects students because such great teachers that we have affection for and classes we enjoy going to are being taken away. The teachers have a big impact on the students.

“I think that it is very sad that the first thing that the state decides to cut is the education budget I don’t think it’s fair to the students. We are trying to teach the next generation of kids and I think taking away education will create a bad society,” Sarah Brankis, Geometry teacher at East said.

“I do answer a lot of questions about me being excessed, that’s the only thing that affects me as a teacher daily. But it’s not going to change the way I teach. My job is to be here for you guys and nothing’s going to change that,” Brankis said.

The effects of budget cuts are being felt by everyone, but a few teachers in particular, were excessed and will have to get new jobs next year.

The teachers mean a lot to the students and they help them get ready for the hard world. They always push the kids to be the best that they can be and honestly, they do way more than what they signed up for. The classes being cut are classes that these kids can show their creativity and would help them become a leader. I hope that DMPS can take these words in to account because these students are really are the new generation.

1%

1%

In 2000 the School Aid was In 2002 and 2003, the supplemental Since 2010 the aver- In the 2017-18 the mon1.9 billion, around 3 per- State Aid grew by 4%, which is one age growth of aid has ey being used for school centage growth of the highest points of aid rose to $3.2 billion dropped to 1.73%

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Page Editor/S.Selema

K I A N A S A N D E R S

Q

&

A look into the life of senior, KIana Sanders. A basketball lover, family girl, and overall amazing person.

Q:

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A:

I’m going to miss all my friends and seeing everyone everyday.

-Kiana Sanders

me a bit more about yourself... Family, Q: Tellfriends, where you grew up, pets etc:

Q:

A:

A:

Sanders grew up with a big family, tons of cousins, brothers, sisters, and close family friends. Sanders’ favorite memory as a kid would have to be everyone having dinner together at least three times a week.

Laughing at the dinner table, talking and just having a great time. Sanders grew up on the Southside of Des Moines but was often in West Des Moines due to some of her bestfriends going to Valley High School. Sanders mentioned that those friends from Valley and her are not very close anymore but she misses them very much, and will always see them as family. Sanders explained that as a kid, her energy was through the roof, and that a lot has changed throughout the years but that she’s sure that little girl is still in there deep down. “ Always had a smile on my face and wanted to make everyone around me laugh,” she said.

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“

What was your favorite part of being in high school here at East?

Sanders favorite part about going to East High would be the diversity. She talked about how there’s not a whole lot of judging or degrading people just a lot of goof balls trying to make the most out of being in high school. Sanders talked about how she grew up around a lot of entitled rich kids and how they see the world is a lot different than what a student here at East would see. She also said, not to bash other schools, but she wouldn’t want to go to one just for the way they see things. Very entitled, and snotty compared to kids who are in the DMPS school district.

“At East we have groups that are our friends but everyone is for the most part friendly and cool with one another, and I appreciate that a lot about our school,” Sanders said.

Q: A:

Do you have any hobbies?

A

Some of Sanders hobbies consist of playing basketball, coaching a seventh grade AAU middle school girls basketball team, and hanging out with friends and family, and making goofy memories that will last a long time. Sanders loves to spend time with family, especially close cousins because they have grown up being so close.

“Another thing I love to do is spend a lot of time with my family, we are all so close and I know they’ll always be there for me no matter what the situation is. They are my rock,” Sanders said.

Do you have anything you want to say to any teachers or underclassmen before you leave?

Sanders said she appreciates how patient the teachers are with their students, and situations that occur doing school. One thing she said she wishes could be different would be that students being more prepared for college. A note she has for underclassmen and incoming freshman would be to take high school serious and to just have fun. Go to school, get good grades and try to better yourself. Work ethic will get you far in life no matter what you are going through.

She wanted to make clear that you only live this life once, strive to be great and chase your dreams.

“To all the teachers at East High, I appreciate you guys a lot,” Sanders said.

Page Editor/S. Alsted

Makeup 101 From the prices of makeup to makeup dupes: that’s worth the price Story/ C.Potter and what’s not.

Let’s talk all things makeup, from the price ranges to brands and how makeup has evolved in the last couple years. Starting in 2013, the prices of makeup have been broken down into groups. For years it was drugstore makeup vs. high-end, but now it is drugstore, affordable, high-end, and luxury makeup. That might sound confusing to most people, but here is the break this down.

The Categories Drugstore makeup brands like Wet n Wild, Elf, Maybelline, and Milani. These brands are easily accessible at your local Walgreens, CVS, Target, and Ulta. Drugstore makeup is often affordable.

The closest Ulta is in Merle Hay Mall.

Affordable makeup brands are Morphe, Makeup Revolution, Colourpop, and Juvia’s place. These brands started online and got big over the last couple years because of social media, but now you can find these brands in select Ulta locations.

High-end makeup are brands like Anastasia Beverly Hills, Urban Decay, Tarte, and Too Faced. These are the brands that have that $20-50 price range. These brands are only to be found in department stores like Macy’s and Dillard’s, also Sephora and Ulta.

Luxury makeup are very expensive brands like Tom Ford, Dior, Hourglass, and Giorgio Armani. The price of these brands ranges from $50-100. Like high-end makeup and luxury makeup is sold in department stores and Sephora.

What’s Worth the Price?

There is this thought that if the product is more expensive is the better it must be. This is false because when you are paying $60-70 for a product you might actual be paying for the name and not the product; but that is not always the case some amazing products you

are paying the price because it is good.

A great example of a product that is super expensive but worth that price is Natasha Denona eyeshadow pallets. This brand pallet go between $129-239. But everyone who has one of these pallets and posted a review online has had nothing but good things to say about these pallets. A nice thing about Natasha Denona is they have smaller pallets that are a spin on some of their bigger pallets so you can try the shadows before you spend over 100 dollars. These smaller pallet are $25.

Dupes, Good or Bad? What is a makeup dupe? A dupe is an affordable product that is similar to a more expensive product. Makeup dupes are becoming an issue, because now it is seen has copying. Higher end brands are putting a lot of money into a product with best of the best ingredients and formula, and then a cheaper brand making the same product but for less money.

An example of a dupe that looks like it was copied is the Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer and the Elf Cosmetics Poreless Putty Primer.

The Tatcha Primer is $52 and the Elf primer is $8. They both claim to smooth out pores and preps the skin for makeup. Both primes are solids that melt into your skin, the packaging is very similar and the products look the same.

A brand that is copying other brands is Copycat Beauty. This brand will show you the exact product they are copying and show you how similar the products are and then shows the price difference.

This brand has got a lot of backlash. Online personalities have been talking about this brand and talking about how it is wrong how they are just copying and showing the original product.

Makeup is all for fun and you are beautiful with or without it.

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Page Editor/C.Potter

Women get harassed daily playing video games; On and Offline.

Story/ B. Riney Gamer girl, girl gamer, or just simply, gamer? Whatever you want to label us, believe it or not, both women and girls play video games. Us women also exist inside video games themselves. Some strong female characters include, Faith Connors (Mirror’s Edge), Jill Valentine (Resident Evil), and of course, the legend herself, Princess Zelda (Legend of Zelda).

The role as a female in and out of the gaming community is over-sexualized.

There seems to only be three types of video games. Overly and unnecessarily violent shooters, puzzles, or over sexualized, female protagonist led games. When you picture a video gamer, who or what do you imagine? You either picture a teenage boy or an older man. Why? Because females aren’t represented in the community positively. For example, the Dead Or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball series. This series within a series takes the once strong and powerful women of Dead Or Alive and throws them onto an island owned by the only male character in the game. Gameplay consists of mini-games and, well, volleyball.

The goal is to win the games and gamble at the island casino to earn money to buy ‘barely-there’ swimsuits. On the other hand,

Video game fun facts Page / 16 / Opinion

there are plenty of strong, good role model characters. Take Samus Aran from the Metroid series. In the original 1986 game, no gender was directly given but everyone assumed that Samus was a male. Well, if the game was completed in under five hours, they were revealed to be a young woman.

Samus Aran is an ex-soldier turned bounty hunter; Sorry boys, your princess is in

“Don’t wish it was easier; Wish you were better” -Chief, Animal Crossing another castle.

‘Don’t wish it was easier, wish you were better’ (Chief, Animal Crossing). The role of a woman, whether it be on or offline, is a major struggle. Many women have received harassment, sexual assault threats and even death threats. Some get it if they even remotely show interest in the hobby.

The type of harassment women face is

Ghostbusters: The Video Game (2009) has voice acting from all four of the original cast members.

more violent than the normal video game insults. We are constantly told to ‘get back in the kitchen’ and that ‘girls aren’t supposed to play video games’. Others receive ‘ When I think gamer chick, I think of big, fat, nasty --’ and ‘Shut your mouth girl, before I put my -- in it’. Female Youtube Gamers have it even worse. The comment sections and twitter making it even easier for predominantly male watchers to leave absolutely hateful and crude remarks.

Female Twitch streamers receive the same amount of hatred, if not more. Twitch is a live-streaming video platform where people can live-stream them playing video games. The term “twitch thot” is a sexist term that refers to any girl on twitch based on her looks. Kaitlyn, otherwise known as Amouranth on twitch, has experienced this type of name-calling.

“I believe everyone should be able to play.

They’re fun, and that’s what they’re there for,” junior, Shaun Edmonds said.

Being a woman in the gaming community is a rough job. Everytime you log on, you have to worry about being harassed. It shouldn’t be like that. Afterall, us women are gaining popularity in the community.

You should show us some respect.

Henry Cavill almost missed the call for Superman because he was playing “World of Warcraft”

Goldeneye 007 for N64 only had 9 developers on the team, and 8 of them had never worked on video games before.

Page Editor/B. Riney

Femme in STEM

Men may dominate the field but women play an important part story/ N. Grove

Only 35 percent of Bachelor’s degrees acquired in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields are held by women. And women made up less than 25 percent of people that have occupations in the field. While these percentages have increased over the years, they are still very low.

The push to get women involved STEM started roughly 30 years ago but became a bigger topic in 2001.

This raises the question, if there is such a big push for women to have STEM careers, why are there still so few employed in those fields?

Part of this is because of the stereotype that men are better than women in math and science, it lowers self-esteem in young girls, deterring them from moving forward in a career that involves both subjects.

“It is important for women to be in STEM field jobs because this field are highly represented by men and employers want the diversity.

They want female input and they need it,” senior Nayeli Nazarit said.

Many historical breakthroughs in science wouldn’t have been possible without women in the field. Women such as Marie Curie and Vera Rubin who made many scientific advance-

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ments. For example, Curie discovered Radium and Polonium and many other discoveries in chemistry and physics.

“I think it’s important for women to join the STEM field because right now we make up just a small part of a huge picture. Women are capable of so much and I think it’s important for them to be just as involved in the STEM field as men are,” senior Haley Young said.

A lot of getting involved takes some guidance and encouragement. Without role models or someone else influential in their life girls can be discouraged.

“Mr. Walljasper encouraged me to sign up for AP Computer Science Principles during my sophomore year. So, then I took the class my junior year. Then I heard of Pi515 and joined it. Pi515 is a coding club and overall I liked coding and learning how to make an app and websites was fun,” Nazarit said.

The only way to help other girls get involved is by getting involved. There are multiple ways to get involved such as signing up for a computer science or participating in after school clubs.

“Engaging, relevant STEM education is changing the lives of students across Iowa,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said.

How to increase the number of girls in STEM Providing teachers with more engaging and relatable STEM curriculum

Increase the number of STEM role models Create inclusive classrooms and workplaces that value female opinions

Page Editor/N. Grove

Illustration/ S. Selema

SISTERSFORSUCCESS

story/ S. Selema

“

You say I dream too big; I say you dream too small.” This is a motto that Sisters for Success say before every meeting. The primary focus of Sisters for Success is to assist girls with enhancing their skills in the areas of creating positive attitudes and improving self-esteem and social skills. Sisters for success has over 20 girls in the club.

Why was this club formed and what is the outcome? “The club was formed 20 years ago by Ruth Ann Gaines, a former teacher at East, Twila Woods and couple of other African American women.

They saw the need for African American girls to be uplifted and to feel empowered. They wanted girls to be empowered personally and of course academically,” said Jacqueline Stewart, former sisters for success member. This club gives black girls a place they can be outspoken and where they can also acknowledge other girls like themselves. “Sisters for success was formed to help black girls be successful and help them be on the right path, so they can be the best they can,” said Damaris Nelson, Junior at East High School and President of S4S. It can be very harsh on black girls and this club guides the girls and helps enhance their beauty and embrace their culture. “I want people to understand that’s S4S is an empowerment and yes, its focus is on African American females, but we welcome everybody,” said Stewart.

What do you want people to know about sisters for success? “The real goal was to not only uplift girls but to make sure we are connected to community partners. Also, to expose young African American girls about the different professions that are out there. We would set up partners from the links and different organizations,” said Stewart. The club provides so much for the colored girls there. “As the sponsor at East I want people to know that S4S helps empower young women of color to be their best selves and find a place to belong and grow,” said Antonia Valadez, organizer of S4S. “Sisters for

success is not only about taking field trips instead it’s mainly about us creating a bond with other colored girls,” said Destiny Chea, a member of S4S club. This organization also gets the girls ready for college and helps them have a head start for the future ahead of them. Sisters for success takes a trip to “All make me a world” every year to help the girls get facts about college. At this trip they learn how to work in business, finance and art. They listen to speakers that tell them their experiences and how you can overcome anything.

“ I am a queen, I am

beautiful, I am so good they cannot ignore me.”

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What are the disadvantages that black girls face in society? Even though this club really embraces blackness and joy, there are far more problems that it can’t help with. Being a black girl comes with a lot of struggles. “When you’re a girl you are underestimated, and people always say you can’t do that because you are a girl, but you definitely can’t do it if you are a black girl. They also try to dumb things down for you because you look like you aren’t educated,” said Nelson. It’s already hard enough being a girl in this man powered world but being black puts more weight on your shoulders. “We are stereotyped at school a lot, for example 'oh she’s loud because she’s black or she’s so ratchet and ghetto' we’re just put down and don’t have much worth and it’s hard if you are trying to be successful in this society,” said Nelson. "When I did the Iowa assessments, I always scored in the 90+ percentile for

science, math, English etc. But I never identified as Gifted and talented, and I wonder why?” said Stewart. "When I was an eighth grader, that was the first time they started allowing middle school students to attend Central Campus. Out of all the 15 students that were picked only one girl was colored,” said Stewart. According to an article by Maura Cheeks, “You can’t be what you can’t see.” These are the famous words by Marian Wright Edelman and they are as much true for children dreaming of becoming rocket scientists or astronauts as they are for black women climbing the corporate ladder. This shows that girls of colors mind set changes as they grow.

According to Maura Cheeks, statements made by black woman in a group discussion are also least likely to be correctly attributed compared to black men, white women, and white men. Black women in leadership positions are also more likely to be criticized or punished when making mistakes on the job.

What advice do you have for black girls struggling with the burden or problems of be black?

“Honestly, I would say to be yourself and don’t change for other people. Try your best and don’t let their words bring you down because you are obviously the best,” said Iqro Yussuf, a member of S4S. You were put on this earth for a reason and that reason was to be a queen and inspire others,” said Kosha Shaddin, a member of S4S. “I can do anything and everything if I put my mind to it,” Nelson said.

“You're always going to be a statistic, it’s up to you if you are going to be a negative or positive statistic.

Are you going to contribute positively or negatively to our society?” said Stewart. “Remember there is only one race, and that is the human race. So, if we see each other as humans than you won’t see yourself as less than or better than. But instead see each other as humans,” said Stewart.

Page Editor/S.Selema

Picture illustration/T. Kipper

WHY BLAME THEM?!

Victims are constantly blamed for getting sexually assaulted, but why?

Story by/ T. Kipper

One in five women will be raped at some point in their lives. As a woman, I’m so tired of hearing “maybe it wouldn’t have happened if she didn’t dress like a hoe,” Or “why didn’t she come out sooner?

It’s been years.” Women are blamed every day for getting raped like it is their fault.

Women don’t come out right away because maybe they’re still traumatized over their situation or they get tired of people not believing them or criticizing them for being themselves. A woman should not get raped because of the clothes she wears, no matter how revealing they are.

Women that have been raped are generally looked at as more vulnerable or weak, which makes them easier targets. Being identified as an easy target is being too skinny, being unconscious from alcohol or drugs or being extremely young and they can’t defend themselves. Rape isn’t something a woman can control of so why make fun of a woman or women who have been raped?

“Rape is the most under-reported crime; 63 percent of sexual assaults are not reported to police,” according to The National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Rape is the most under-reported crime because of how bad victims are criticized, judged and blamed for their own rape, as if they asked to be raped. Think about growing up in the 50’s-90’s era, women didn’t come out as rape victims because of how scared they were due to being threatened, or still having nightmares about this event that changed their lives.

Now, it’s 2019 and women are still coming out from long ago because they’re no longer afraid of the what ifs and they’ve dealt with the situations and gotten their own help to keep going. These women are letting other girls know that they’re not alone in these types of situations.

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To stop this issue from happening, we need to start coming together to take down rapists and support the victims if they come out about these situations instead of degrading, and blaming the victim, so other women/girls will come out about rape if they were raped. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is a program that can help walk you through what happened.

RAINN

About the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline

Need Help- Call (800)656-HOPE to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provided.

How can it help you? Call the hot-line if you need to talk about what happened Local resources that can assist with your next steps toward healing and recovery Referrals for long term support in your area Information about the laws in your community Basic information about medical concerns

Is it confidential? The National Sexual Assault Hot-line is a safe, confidential service. When you call the hot-line, only the first six numbers of the phone number are used to route the call, and your complete phone number is never stored in our system. Most states do have laws that require local staff to contact authorities in certain situations, like if there is a child or vulnerable adult who is in danger.

Page Editor/T. Kipper

phot

os/E

.Gue

“I AM A SENIOR EDITION SCIENCE BOUND SCHOLAR” Katie Aguayo is 18 years old. Aguayo’s family is a family of five, she has two younger sisters and her family is very supportive. Aguayo has been involved in orchestra, Link Crew, tennis, and Al Exito. Aguayo has decided to go to Iowa State University and major in Biology. Aguayo will miss the diversity that East High has. Also, Aguayo will miss her friends due to them going separate ways and the teachers she got close with.

Noor Ahemed is 19 years old. Ahemed’s family is from Africa and a family of five. Ahemed lives in a single parent household and has two older sisters. Ahemed has been involved in soccer, Upward Bound, Link Crew, and Science Bound throughout his years at East. Ahemed will miss the Tuesday pancakes and the friendly administrators and people here at East.

Gavin Crippen is 18 years old. Crippen has been involved in wrestling, football, track, and Science Bound all throughout his years at East.

Crippen has five brothers and three sisters who all live in Cedar Rapids with his mother. Crippen used to live with his grandparents and now he has moved out on his own. Crippen has decided to go to Iowa State University and major in Computer engineering. Crippen will miss the family like community from East.

Alex Cuevas-Rosas is 18 years old. He has participated in soccer for two years and science bound for four years. Cuevas-Rosas has decided to go to Iowa State University and is undecided but will major in something with Engineering.

Kimberly DeAvila is 17 years old. DeAvila has one older brother that didn’t continue school and her mother is a single mother. DeAvila’s mother owns an insurance company and works in a lawyer office. She has been in many different activities for East such as Science Bound, varsity soccer for four years, Scarlet Squad, Des Moines FFA, and volunteers around the community.

DeAvila has decided to go to Iowa State University and is majoring in Animal Science. DeAvila will miss the diverse community that East has and feeling comfortable in her classes due to

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mostly men being in her major.

Karen Delgado is 18 years old. She has been in many different activities at East such as Science Bound, Tennis for two years, and Al Exito for four years. Delgado decided to go to Iowa State University for Animal Science.

Elizabeth Flores is 18 years old. Flores’ family is very supportive and motivating and her family is the reason why she wants to get a higher education. Flores has been involved in cheer, National Honor Society, yearbook, Student Government, Link Crew, and Science Bound. Flores has decided to go to Iowa State University and major in Biology on the Pre-Med track. Flores will miss her friends that made school fun seeing them every day.

“NOTHING LESS THAN SUCCESS”

Caren Fuentes is 18 years old. She has been in many different activities for East such as Science Bound, girls' soccer, debate, and FFA. She has decided to go to Iowa State University and majoring in Global Resources.

Selena Garcia is 17 years old. Garcia’s family is a family of seven, she has two sisters an older and a younger. She also has two younger brothers. Garcia has been involved in Tennis, Science Bound, Soccer in 10 tenth grade, and Link Crew.

Garcia decided to go to Iowa School of Beauty in Urbandale Iowa and major in Cosmetology.

Garcia will miss the teachers she made close bonds with at East.

Jissel Gomez-Torres is 18 years old. GomezTorres has two sisters, her younger sister is also in Science Bound. Gomez-Torres has been

story/E.Guerra

involved in Science Bound, soccer, swimming, and Link Crew. Gomez-Torres has decided to go to Iowa State University and major in Computer Science. Gomez-Torres will miss the prep rallies and football games here at East.

Arissa McGregor is 18 years old. McGregor lives with both parents and has two older brothers that go to Iowa State University and a younger sister who is also in Science Bound. McGregor was involved in Science Bound, Upward Bound, Cheerleading, Link Crew, Volleyball, National Honor society, and Metro Kids. McGregor decided to go to Iowa State University and major in kinesiology and Health on the Pre-Med Track.

McGregor will miss being in high school and all the high school activities.

Wendy Murillo-Camarena is 18 years old.

Murillo-Camarena has a very supportive family who wants to see her succeed in life. MurilloCamarena mother and older sister are her role models to go and get higher education. MurrilloCamarena has been involved in Science Bound, Soccer, sescaramuza, and Chamber Orchestra.

Murrillo-Camarena has decided to go to Iowa State University and major in Animal Science.

Murrillo-Camarena will miss the diversity that East has due to going in a new environment in Ames because you don’t see that much ethnicity.

Ethan Ochoa is 18 years old. Ochoa’s parents are supportive, and his family is separated but it’s a big family. Ochoa has been involved in Science Bound, ACES, and PI 515. Ochoa has decided to go to Iowa State University and major in Software Engineering. Ochoa will miss his friends that are going separate ways.

Kiara Warner is 17 years old. Warner lives with her mother and her little sisters. Warner has two older sisters and has half siblings, but they don’t live with her. Warner has been involved in Science Bound, Dream to Teach, and Movement 515. Warner has decided to go to the University of Iowa and major in Elementary Education.

Warner will miss the connection she has with some of the teachers here at East.

Page Editor/E.Guerra

rra

Photo// Russhaun, founder of New Division Productions

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Granny always told me… you can’t have a drink until you finish your food.// Somehow I could never finish my food// Never choke down the taste of regret// Family cookouts and birthday parties bring sorrow// I was always a picky eater// Beans and Mac and cheese were my go to// Grandma’s house was never my safe haven// Hoping my mom would pick me up before dinner time// Food chewed and spit into napkin.// Plate upside down in the trash can// Oh what would I do for that food now// Summer barbecue and birthday bash// Prayer circle to bless this food// Always ended in let’s eat// If you asked me what black joy was… I would tell you// Black joy be backyard barbecue// Be family reunion// Black joy be good potato salad// Grandma’s Mac and cheese// Black joy be gospel on a Sunday morning// Be blaring music while cleaning// Granny always told me… you can’t have a drink until you finish your food// Somehow I could never finish my food// Never choke down the taste of regret// I regret not visiting more// You have lived in the same house my entire life// But somehow I could never bring myself to visit// To face my childhood// If you asked 5 year old me what black joy was...// I would have told you that I didn’t

know// I didn’t know that Black joy be sleepovers at granny’s house with cousins// Be the room in granny’s house that no one goes in// Black joy be candy during a Sunday service// Be talking to family members for hours after that service// Black joy be beautiful// Be unbothered// Black joy be bold Be bright// Be sun kissed melanin// Black joy is making it home before streetlights// Is drinking water out of hose in the summertime// Black joy be curls// Be a crown of kinky coils covered in coconut oil// Black joy is wearing your blackness with pride// Because black joy knows no color// I used to believe that I would never know what black joy was// that I wasn’t black enough for the experience// I was always envious of those who were blacker than me// I thought joy liked them better// I never knew that black joy was right in front of me// I am 17 and I’m just learning that black joy has been a part of me since childhood.// That black joy was present at every family reunion// That Black joy was the thing that made our hips move to soulful music// I’m learning that black joy can be found in the simplest things// I now know that black joy can be found in me// Poem//K.Warner

Page Editor/M.Dahlberg

story/R. Hayworth

The struggle is in style

“I’m going to kill myself.” “Oh my gosh, just shoot me now.” “Slitting my wrists.” “K-M-S.” These things are so easy to hear. Walking through the hallways at school, sitting in a boring classroom, or stressing over large amounts homework, these comments, almost always jokes, seem to be coming out of our mouths left and right.

“A suicide joke is a joke about harming yourself,” junior Christina Tillotson said.

“When suicide is used as hyberbole (to exaggerate) it actually takes the seriousness away from the issue by making it sound like people who attempt are overexaggerating,” teacher Jennifer Medina said.

“I’m gonna kill myself.” We hear it all the time.

It has become a reflex for any situation that is inconvenient. Whether or not a person actually intends to hurt themself, these jokes imply violent tendencies and self devaluation. Tillotson struggles with depression and anxiety herself, yet still makes suicide jokes. She has reduced the amount of suicide jokes she makes because she realized that it is hard to tell when a person is serious or not.

“Sometimes I just say it to let it go, just to say what I have in my mind “I’m gonna kill myself ” and sometimes I wish I really could. It’s not a positive way or a good way to express yourself, but it has been a slang,” senior Nawal Rai said.

Thinking of suicide as a slang furthers the idea that it is not something to be taken seriously. It implies that making suicide jokes is cool, and in a sense it is. There is a common trope among high schoolers and people in general that one’s validity comes from the struggle they face. Everyone is racing to be the one with the least sleep, the most on their plate, the owner of the biggest burden.

The struggle is in style.

“People think that people who go through mental health that they’re looking for attention.

It’s really not that. Just try to talk to them. Just

Page Editor/ R. Hayworth

Photo Illustrations/ R. Hayworth

because it isn’t funny. If someone mentions suicide, it’s my job to pull them aside and a) see if there is something going on with them and b) let them know that they could be perceived as insensitive,” Medina said.

For people who are not struggling with mental health and suicidal thoughts, there is no good reason to make these suicide jokes.

Whatever our reason may be, is making this kind of comment the most effective way to deal with the things that drive us to joke about suicide? Doing your homework, or using your time efficiently will significantly decrease your problem.

It seems as though facing burdens head on will bring the realization that a mountain of homework, a tight schedule, or any other stress doesn’t require a threat of suicide, serious or not.

“Students can take accountability and when it’s happening they could be like ‘hey maybe we should rely more on other coping mechanisms than just this one.’ You have to take accountability for yourself,” Tillotson said.

By getting rid of phrases such as “I’m gonna kill myself ”, “shoot me” and “K-M-S”, we can reduce any potential stigma and emphasize that suicidal jokes and thoughts should be taken seriously. It can be hard to tell when a person is no longer joking, so why not stop the idea that suicide was ever a joke?

“To people who go through mental health and depression and stuff: you are not alone. Find someone who you feel safe and comfortable to talk with. I talk to my counselor, my cousins, my close friends, who I feel comfortable with and who I trust,” Rai said.

saying hi to someone can make their day so much better,” Rai said.

“People make suicide jokes because they’re the social norm, or because they use it as a coping mechanism,” sophomore Liana Sampson said.

For people struggling with mental health, making suicide jokes can be seen as a way of coping.

The humor or light these jokes bring to the issue can be what a person needs to stay alive. These people have high tolerance for suicide jokes and triggers. The effect of suicide jokes depends heavily on the person though.

“Sometimes it can make people feel like they can’t open up about their own problems cause it’s seen as a joke,” Sampson said.

By making jokes about suicide, people struggling with mental illness can turn their problems into something unrealistic: a joke. This can help some, but it can be detrimental to others. Joking about suicide normalizes it, making these jokes a part of a bigger issue, being suicide contagion.

The US Department of Health and Human Services defines suicide contagion as “the exposure to suicide or suicidal behaviors within one’s family, one’s peer group, or through media reports of suicide which can result in an increase in suicide and suicidal behaviors”.

“For me, if I joke about wanting to die, the idea of actually dying becomes something that is less likely to happen,” Sampson said.

For people who struggle with mental illness and suicidal thoughts, there are other ways to cope. Journaling, and talking to someone you trust can help people have an outlet for negative thoughts. Making suicide jokes may be a widely used coping mechanism, but it can be hard to tell whether a person it serious or not. The commonality of suicide jokes makes strict attention to the body language of the person making jokes necessary.

“I don’t think there are suicide jokes

“

To people who go through mental health and depression and stuff: you are not alone.”

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Dev ntae Withersp

How did it feel having three different basketball coaches?

Did you have a favorite meal growing up?

“It was a lot because you take a certain amount of time getting used to one, then come back and it’s a different one but it was also cool at the same time because I got to learn a lot of different things about basketball from each one,” Devontae said

“I ate everything I didn’t just like one thing, but now if I have a choice to eat something its bacon”, he said.

Do you plan on continuing your basketball career?

Yes, I’m going to Marshalltown Community College to play basketball”, Witherspoon said.

“Me and my sister used to play fight all the time. She would tackle me and pin me down and one time she did it in the kitchen and she grabbed a piece of pizza and started slapping me in the face,” Witherspoon said.

What teachers did you grow a bond or relationship with at East?

What are some things you do on your free time?

“Ms. Jackson, she was the first teacher that made me do work. He doesn’t work here anymore but Mr. El-Baroudi, he was just a cool dude, and Mr.Rudisill, I had him freshman and sophomore year and even now I don’t have a class with him, but I’ll walk up to the fourth floor to say what’s up to him, he’s just nice,” Devontae said.

“I go to the gym to play basketball or I go to the studio. I make music sometimes and if I’m not writing rap it’ll be poetry”, Devontae said.

What are some things you like about East?

“Aside from being a good player when he became eligible, he became one of the leading scorers and had a huge impact on the court, but he also was a leader during the season and was that positive voice of the team,” coach Trent Smith said

“East siders just have that vibe to them it’s weird. We’re humble,” he said.

What are some of your family traditions?

“Every Saturday me my mom and my sister put on old-school music and dance around the house.” Witherspoon said.

What was your environment like growing up?

“I was adopted when I was five but everything before that was in and out. It was a struggle,” Devontae said.

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n Senior Devontae Witherspoon

What was your funniest memory as a kid?

Has Devontae had any type of impact on the basketball team this year?

What would you say is Devontaes biggest characteristic ?

“He’s really caring, down to earth and a goofball sometimes. He talks to everybody, he’s just funny when you talk to him you just can’t help but to laugh,” Smith said.

D E PreV Game O Playlist N 1. EMINEM- TILL I COLLAPSE T GATESA 2. KEVIN IMAGINE THAT E

RODDY RICH-EV-

’S 3. ERY SEASON

4. J COLE- ATM Page Editor/A.Hoof

Photo/ A. Jones

Seniors pictured: Justice Ross, Melynn Phillips, Jada Powell, Morgan Graves, Marissa Anderson,Mia Elliot, Jacie Stephenson,Tatiana Hodges Johnson,and Rachelle Smith. Seniors not pictured:MaKya Rucker.

The senior dominated varsity team is parting ways

Story/ A. Hoof

East High School is predominantly known for their girls basketball program coached by Sam Powell. The 2018-19 girls Varsity team had nine seniors. This school year, the Varsity Girls managed to earn an 15-8 record.

Their last past three season records were 13-10 in 201718; 10-12 in 2016-17; 13-9 in 2015-16, and they were conference champs two years in a row. GO EAST! The seniors include: Melynn Phillips, Morgan Graves, Justice Ross, Tatiana Hodges-Johnson, Jada Powell, Jacie Stephenson, MaKya Rucker, Marisa Anderson, Mia Elliot, and Rachelle Smith. This year this senior dominated team had set very high expectations for themselves.

“The goal was to go crazy our last year and the main goal was to win state,” Senior Justice Ross said.

Unfortunately, two of the players MaKya Rucker and Mia Elliot hurt themselves before the season and couldn’t play.

“I was upset because it was the last time, I was going to be able to play with the girls,” senior Mia Elliot said.

These seniors have left a legacy at East High School that will never be forgotten. The former varsity team made a huge impact on the school’s name, even amongst the metro schools within the city of Des Moines. They were a very interesting team to watch. No matter what, they always remembered to have fun despite if they were

losing. The bond these girls had on the court was inseparable.

“Making sure you’re keeping your team mates focused on and off the court is also a big part of keeping your team on track,” senior Jacie Stephenson said.

The memories for this team have been endless, since they have spent the last four years together. They were such an inspiration and like big sisters to the younger players.

“Our nine seniors led the team to a consecutive conference title and a 15-8 record. They will surely be missed and we wish them the very best.”

“Next year is going to be way different,” sophomore Kyrsten Colton said.

More than half of the varsity team will be gone next season; therefore, it will be a huge change to the program. There is a lot of pressure on the other upcoming varsity players to be as good as the former team some

of the girls say. The Varsity team had many different varieties of talent.

“They were the craziest people I’ve ever met when they’re together. They always had good energy and kept the locker room and court,” said freshman Lyric Sellers.

Because of their hard work individually in school and on the court many of the girls will have a free ride to college. Ross has a full ride attending Minnesota for basketball. Elliot has a full ride to South Dakota state for softball. Morgan Graves will be attending Iowa state to continue her studies in chemical engineering. Melynn Phillips wants to major in either kinesiology or exercise science to become a physical therapist. She also wants to play soccer in college. Rachelle Smith is attending Marshalltown Community College to study criminal justice to become a K9 officer or S.W.A.T. Stephenson has a two-year ride to Iowa Central for basketball and wants to be an x-ray technician. Marisa Anderson’s going to attend Creighton University and major in journalism/ communications on a pre-law track. Tatianna Hodges- Johnson is undecided but will be continuing her academic and athletic career. MaKya Rucker’s attending DMACC to major being a physical therapist assistant.

Jada Powell wants to major in early childhood education and plans on going D1 and earn her Master’s degree.

EAST THOUGHTFUL AMBITIOUS

INTELLIGENT

EN

D

TE

RT AIN

ING

HILARIOUS

SUPPORTIVE

OPEN-MINDED S M A R T

INSPIRING

EXCEPTING

RESPECTFUL

TAL ENT E

DETERMINED

words that describe Scarlet girls basketball seniors page / 25

Page Editor/ A. Hoof

Bri

Lynette

Tanner

Rachel

Whytnie

Dear Mr. Allan,

Lynsey

A final goodbye from the seniors in theatre.

Bri- Thank you for making me feel apart of something and making my life better.

Lynette- Thank you for creating a supportive place and putting up with my stupid actions.

Albert- Thank you for making these last four years a journey I will remember forever.

Tahzhae- You’ve given me the wisdom a father teaches their chidren. You’re one of the only male influences in my life that has made such an impact. Thank you.

Tanner- Thanks for getting me out of football.

Rachel- Thank you for helping me discover my passion and my purpose in life.

Thank you for creating a safe place for everyone to grow and discover ourselves.

Mayson- The impact you have made in my life is one that I will forever be in your debt for. I promise that someday I’ll pay you back for everything you’ve done for me. Thank you for your wisdom and passion that you so effortlessly give.

Whyt- Thank you for creating this supportive place/family for all of us. I am forever grateful.

Anto- You helped me find my passion and watched me grow into a better performer. If it wasn’t for our theatre department I wouldn’t have found this family.

Lynsey- You allowed me to grow my confidence.

Logan- Thank you... For everything.

Nawal- Thank you for giving me purpose to let me be alive again.

Albert

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TahZhae

Mayson

Antonesia

Logan Page Editor/M. Williams

Nawal

A Letter To The Editor Dear East High Staff,

Dream to Teach is a program that was started by Des Moines Public Schools to support students who want to go into the education field. The aim of the program is to better represent the DMPS student body through its staff. Though there is a focus on students of color, the program is open to everyone interested in going into this field. Dream to Teach offers opportunities for students to learn more about the education field through field trips, job shadowing, and assists students with applying for college. There are also scholarship opportunities. Each year Dream to Teach students also work on social justice campaigns. This year, the group focused on white privilege and how that affects kids of color at school. This letter is the result of that campaign. We hope to continue to discuss and problem-solve the issues brought up in this letter into the next school year.

If students are interested in joining Dream to Teach for the 2019-2020 school year, please see Ms. Dake in room 1060M.

Most of the time we feel welcomed and included at East. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes in your classrooms or the hallways we feel unwanted and targeted. There have been moments where we don’t feel like we are a part of your class.

For instance, calling on white students first makes us feel that you assume we are less intelligent than our white peers. Sometimes we feel that you have lower academic expectations for us. Don’t assume that we have an IEP or a behavior disorder based on the color of our skin. These actions make us feel disrespected. We want to be challenged as well. We want to feel included in your lessons. We want to read books that have characters that look like us, and we want to learn about our histories as well. We are tired of white-washed curriculums.

In the hallways there have been countless occasions where we have felt singled out when we are asked for passes or told to go to class before our white classmates.

When we are loud in the hall we do not mean to be disrespectful or disruptive, please understand that because historically our voices have not been heard, we have had to raise them in order to find our place in society and to get our seat at the table.

Please don’t make assumptions about us. Just because we wear certain colors, it doesn’t mean we are in a gang. Just because we have our hoods up, it doesn’t mean we are bad kids. Just because we have curly hair, that doesn’t mean you can touch it. Don’t assume we speak another language because our skin is brown. Don’t assume that we are ELL because our skin is brown. Don’t assume that we are good at sports because our skin is brown. Don’t assume that we are undocumented because our skin is brown. Don’t assume.

Here are some suggestions to make us feel included and valued at East: instead of making assumptions, take the time to get to know us. Talk to us about our lives outside of school and share stories about yourself with us. Learn how to pronounce our names correctly. Don’t talk at us, talk to us. When writing your lesson plans, make them relevant to ALL your students. And if you don’t know what to include that would interest us or be relatable to us, ask us. In the hallways, when asking us to go to class, consider your approach. Don’t assume we are skipping; ask first as we may have an open block. And if we haven’t made it to class yet, offer to be our pass.

You are our role models. It may not seem like it, but we look up to you. You are teaching the next generation. You are shaping the future, and we’re counting on you.

Every student, every chance, every day, ~Dream to Teach – East High School

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Page Editor/B. Riney

Kerri Frommelt

Story/N. Grove

photo/N. Grove

Wife, mom, teacher, runner, bulldog mom. These are all things that describe Kerri Frommelt and after 24 years at East, she’s saying goodbye Q: What are your best memories here at East?

A: “Too many great memories. Honestly,

Q: Why are you resigning Q: Tell me about yourself, and what do you plan to do your hobbies, your family, next? and anything else you wish

I have been blessed. The most meaningful are former students letting me know how much my classes meant to them, changed their view of science, prepared them well for post-secondary work, or even those that developed a passion for whatever class it was they took with me. I am also honored to work with awesome the staff at East.”

A: After being at East 24 years, Frommelt A: When she’s not teaching, Frommelt plans to go on new adventures, face new

Q: What are your best memories here at East?

Q: Anything else you would like to say?

A: “My advice is stay interested, up-to

date, and excited about what you teach and how you teach, this definitely shows and makes a difference.”

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challenges, and possibly get another degree.

She’s going to continue to enjoy teaching future teachers at DMACC and maybe even take some classes herself to continue to better herself while doing that.

loves hanging out with her close family. She also enjoys a variety of other things which include, going to the gym, reading, running, drinking coffee, gardening, and being with her bulldog.

A: Frommelt leaves East with a senti-

mental message. “Thank you, East staff, students, and families, for all you have done for me. I have had the honor to work with and to teach 1000’s of students in my long career here and I hope I have made a difference.”

Page Editor/N. Grove

photo/ M. Hernandez

Kylea Tackett

Zach McClelland

The importance of good relatioships between students and teachers story/ M. Hernandez

Y

ou walk through the classroom door and are greeted by a smiling teacher who calls you by your name and asks about your day, you instantly feel happier and like you are welcome and accepted in that class. The room is bright and homey, an atmosphere that you have looked forward to all day. The teacher talks to you and knows you; they are someone you want to be around and want to talk to. This describes what a good relationship between a student and teacher feels like and how it can impact someone’s day. But this is not the case with some students and teachers.

Imagine walking into a class and the teacher automatically ignores you and you do the same. The teacher never asks about you as a person and they only care about you as a student. The class may become a burden to go to. This is the impact of a bad relationship between a student and a teacher, this is why it is important for students to have good relationships with their teachers and vice versa.

“I spend more time in my classroom than sleeping,” teacher Elizabeth Bullock said.

A large portion of our weekdays are spent at school, so it is hard to not like the class or teacher you have. Getting to know both the students and teachers around you leads to a more positive environment for others. Having these good relationships does not only include saying ‘Hi’ when you see each other, but it also includes asking about each other’s day and caring about the answer.

“I’m surrounded by students, why wouldn’t I want to get to know them?” Bullock said.

The relationships between students and teachers may not always be social, but that can impact a student’s education and the academics of others.

“Relationships are the foundation of an effective classroom and

it’s hard to work with anybody without having a positive relationship,” teacher Zach McClelland said.

Academics are the most impacted by these teacher/student interactions. Students pay more attention to teachers they like, and teachers teach better when they are surrounded by students who care and are invested, which is a result of good relationships. The impact on education is especially evident when students skip classes because they do not like the teacher.

“I would rather have a teacher that is nice, so I wouldn’t feel scared to ask them questions if I don’t understand something,” sophomore Meeah Ochoa said.

But what should these relationships look like?

McClelland, an East High U.S. history teacher, is very passionate about the relationships he has with his students because he knows how important they are to his students’ education and whether they enjoy the class/school. This is shown before his class even starts as he stands outside of his door greeting students by name and asking about their day. “(McClelland) is kind of like a friend more than a teacher sometimes,” Ochoa said.

At the beginning of class, he has his students take a survey consisting of questions about their day, favorite things, and if they are prepared for the class ahead. Throughout the class period he checks in on students, has conversations with them and cares about what they have to say, this is shown through his constant excitement to listen.

“East has great kids and if you don’t get to know any of their stories then this job is going to be hard,” McClelland said.

It is important to remember to be open-minded and accepting when going into a class whether you are a student or a teacher.

“Be more understanding of each person’s situation outside of the classroom,” senior Joana Rivera said

“East has great kids and if you don’t get to know any of their stories, then this job is going to be hard.”

page / 29 / Opinion

Page Editor/M. Hernandez

Q&With A Wendy

Murillo-Camarena

photo/E.Guerra Story/E.Guerra

Wendy Murillo Camarena has the biggest and brightest smile, when you see her you can’t help but smile right back at her. She’s a Senior at East.

She’s a Science Bound Student and a former soccer player for East. Murillo Camarena loves horses and has a big passion for soccer. She started playing soccer at a really young age, playing since her freshman year for East. Let’s get to know more about Murrillo Camarena and her past years playing soccer.

Who influences you to play soccer?

“Well I am the currently the oldest sibling in my household. My older brother and sister are gone to college. My younger brother loves soccer and horses just like me. My parents came straight from Mexico. They are very proud of me for being in so many activities. Both of my parents didn’t go to college, so it’s a big deal for my siblings and I go to college.”

What did you gain for being in the EHS girls soccer team?

Tell me a little bit about your family...

Are there any hobbies you do outside of soccer?

“I ride horses, I’m also in Chamber Orchestra, I play the violin, and sescaramuza, a Mexican traditional sport.”

Who pushes you to push yourself towards your goals?

“My sister and my mom push me towards my goals.

My mom and sister are always there to help and keeps me going no matter what. My sister is already in college and has been through it.”

Are you going to college? If so, what college are you going and what do you plan majoring in?

“I’m going to Iowa State University and I am majoring in Animal Science. I chose to major in Animal Science because currently I am taking an animal science class at Central and the class shows us there is more options than just becoming a vet.”

What would you say to your freshman self ?

“Take more classes with animal science and interact more with the animals.”

When did you start playing soccer?

“I started playing soccer since I was nine, I always watched my dad play.”

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“My dad, he always played when he was younger, and he was going to get signed but he couldn’t because of my mom, she was pregnant. He was very passionate of the sport and still is to this day.”

How were all your years playing in the EHS girls soccer team?

“It was fun, especially playing JV because it’s not competitive like varsity. Freshman year, I played on freshman, JV, and the varsity team. It was good and fun.”

“I gained friends. It’s true, once you join a club or sport you do gain friends. Also, being associated with others, especially when you guys aren’t on the same level. Also, being in a sport it keeps you very busy.”

3 Facts about

Wendy 1:She

Loves

Horses

Why did you decide to stop playing soccer for your final year here at East High School?

“I am a senior, I want to focus more on my grades and work. Soccer isn’t going to pay the bills especially for college. Basically, I am not 100 percent committed, it’s not fair for the team.”

How did you balance school, soccer, and different activities at the same time?

“Time management. Lining up your schedule. After morning work outs, I would go talk to my teachers and get the help I needed. Also, if I were to talk to a teacher or get help on something, I didn’t understand I would do it between the early out schedule, before and after practice, or during lunch time. When I would leave early for soccer, I would talk to my teachers beforehand to know what I would be missing. Do not commit to it if you aren’t committed. It will keep you busy. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

Will you be playing soccer in the future?

“Yes, because I still have the passion for the sport.

Even if I don’t have time for it right now. I will always want to play.”

2: She’s a

Science Bound Student 3: She

Loves

Soccer

Page Editor/E. Guerra

Custodians at East

An inside look at who keeps East looking great

Story/ J. Hildebrand

Photo/ J. Hildebrand

You see them when you’re walking in the hallways, when you eat lunch, and when you leave at the end of the day. They do so much for everybody here at East High, yet they do not seem to get the appreciation they deserve.

These are East custodians.

“Every work day the district’s 236 custodians clean and prepare over 6 million square feet of school space for the next day. While the work the custodians do is often behind the scenes, it is very meaningful to the learning that is occurring in the district’s buildings,” director of DMPS custodial services Bryan McEvoy said.

The type of people that throw their trash all over the school are the same type of people that don’t care to think about our custodians when they are working hard to keep our school clean and nice.

“I’ve been here at East for 12 years. I did clean for a company and it was a part-time job before I started here.

When I was interviewed, they said this is the type of person we’re looking for, so whatever job you have you have to do it the best you can,” East High custodian Victor Ruacho said.

Students recognize the hard work they do to ensure our school looks good and we can learn in a clean environment.

“They do a good job picking up after the kids who are not responsible for themselves. Usually, I never have trash with me but if I’m walking in the hallways and I see something I will pick it up,” sophomore Alejandro Camacho said.

East custodians enjoy their job. They make friends with other staff, coworkers and students.

“I like working here because growing up I didn’t have brothers or sisters. I always wondered what it’s like to have someone ask you “how do I do this?” I become friends with some students. I feel like I was put in this position not only to be a worker but to share. No matter what color, poor or rich. From the first day to today, I feel the love of the students. It doesn’t matter if I’m Mexican or if I speak good English. I am very comfortable here,” Ruacho said.

Custodians are thankful of the students here so let’s make them feel the appreciation in return.

“I always like to tell students that whatever they do,

sometimes they have bad days, or they don’t want to go to school, just live your life and positive good things will come with time, I’ve been in times where I’m in a difficult situation. For instance, when my wife was sick and dying students came to see her. A teacher brought food to my house. Whatever you do, do it with your heart. One thing I always say is that it doesn’t matter who you are I always try to respect you and give you a smile,” Ruacho said.

Students who litter or do not use facilities respectfully don’t take into consideration who has to clean up after them now.

“Not everybody that comes to school has a good home, so I don’t like to judge because I don’t know how they live. I have positive attitude, it doesn’t make me mad.

One thing they told me when I first came in, they told me students will leave a lot of trash. I learn to be positive,” Ruacho said.

What most of these students don’t think about is that our custodians are people too, not just employees who are here to clean up after them.

Whatever you do, do it with your heart. One thing I always say is that it doesn’t matter who you are I always try to respect you and give you a smile.”

Vic Ruacho said.

“I have a daughter and I baby sit her dog; we play football he plays as my linebacker and we get ice cream and I take him for rides, and I have a granddaughter she doesn’t hold still so in the summertime we ride bikes and get ice cream too. I like to sometimes read and watch football. Other times I do things like work on my own house like remodeling,” Ruacho said.

Working at East you develop friendships with the people you work with.

“At this point I think they are more than just coworkers. We go out to watch football and I go eat at their

Victor Ruacho

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Victor has been at East for 12 years.

He goes to watch football with his coworkers.

house. I didn’t have brothers or sisters, so they are more of a family to me,” Ruacho said.

There are many common misunderstandings about the job of a custodian. It’s much more than just picking up trash.

“The biggest misconception in my eyes is that the custodians only job is to clean. The scope of the work our custodians do reaches far beyond cleaning. While cleaning is a key element to their jobs, our custodians are responsible for many different things such as: preparing for events and activities, troubleshooting building systems issues and submitting work repair request, ordering and maintaining an inventory of supplies and equipment, monitoring and maintaining swimming pool chemicals, snow removal, and much more. Basically, the custodian is the eyes and ears of the building,” McEvoy said.

Students and staff can teach classes efficiently in their clean classrooms thanks to our custodians. They are happy knowing how much their work helps us. They do us such big favors by lifting weight off our shoulders. We don’t have to worry about making sure our learning environments are clean because they do it for us.

“Being sure that all of our spaces are clean, safe and school ready each day is critical. Students and teachers have more than enough things that can cause stress throughout the day to deal with, the spaces they occupy shouldn’t be one of them,” McEvoy said.

Simple things like dumping your lunch trays, throwing away gum wrappers and using bathrooms and drinking fountains correctly can make our custodians days so much easier.

“I think it’s important to use facilities like the bathroom correctly and not mess around. It’s important to greet them (custodians) and tell them they’re doing a good job. I feel like people don’t treat them fairly,” Camacho said.

The work our custodians do here at East is what people first see when they walk in our building.

“An old saying, if everybody does a little then nobody has to do a lot. When people enter our building, their work helps reflect our school. It gives people first impressions,” Graphic arts teacher Richard Bright said.

Victor enjoys spending time with his family, especially his granddaughter.

When he’s not busy with her, he reads and likes to work on his own home.

Page Editor/ J. Hildebrand

WITH RAEANNE & Q ELISIA

A

Story/ T. Kipper

Have you ever been super stressed cause deadlines are a week away and you’re on the fence of not getting your grades up?

You’re not alone meet East High senior Elisia Raeanne and how she deals with this stressful month of May.

What is your most stressful months of the year?

March- May is the most stressful months because that’s when you should be getting all your grades up and meeting deadlines.

How do you manage all the things you have to do?

After I get off work, I go straight home and do school work.

What advice would you give an incoming freshman?

Work really hard your freshman & sophomore year so you can have open blocks.

What’s your most memorable high school moment?

I don’t have one. I didn’t go to prom, any homecoming dances, and any winter formals.

What’s something you wished the school would’ve taught you?

Things you can actually use in the real world.

What are your plans after high school?

I start La James Beauty School in November.

What are 4 words that described your high school experience?

1. Stressful 2. Slow 3. Uneventful 4. Ordinary

Page / 32

Photo by/ T.Kipper

Page Editor/T. Kipper

The Seniors in EHS Girls Tennis Story/ M.hernandez

Sita Budathoki

Sita Budathoki is a second year East High tennis player who has been involved in Link Crew, Upward Bound, and National Honor Society. Budathoki’s best memory of tennis was when she won her first match with Katie. She is excited to attend Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and study something relating to pre-medicine, but she is sad to leave some of her friends and teachers from East behind.

Selena Garcia is on the East girls’ varsity tennis team, which she started her junior year. “I really like the bond the team has. Everyone is just super nice, and they are comfortable to be around,” Garcia said. Garcia has been a part of Science Bound since her freshman year, and she started Link Crew last year. Garcia also played East soccer her 10th grade year. After she graduates, she plans to attend the Iowa School of Beauty to study cosmetology.

Selena Garcia

Kaitlin Anousis

Kaitlin Anousis is a junior varsity doubles player for East. “My favorite thing (about tennis) is that you just come out and no matter if you win or lose you have a fun time,” Anousis said. Anousis has been involved in East tennis for two years along with Speech and Debate. A is excited to graduate high school, continue her career, and get a job in the marine biology field. She plans on going to the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida and continuing her studies in marine biology, oceanography, and nautical studies.

Susana Penate is a varsity singles and doubles player on the East High Girls tennis team and has been playing on this team for the past four years. Penate’s favorite part about tennis has been the practices. “(My favorite part about tennis is) the practices that are fun because whenever everyone is enjoying themselves it makes things more memorable,” Penate said. Other than tennis, Penate has been involved in the Scarlet Chapter of the National Honor Society and the East High student government. After graduation, she plans to go to the Des Moines Area Community College for a vet tech program that lasts two years, after that she wants to start her own practice.

Rachel Reidburn is a varsity singles and doubles play of the East High tennis team and she has played on this team since her freshman year. Though, Reidburn has been playing since she was five years old. “My favorite thing about tennis is just bonding with whoever I play with partner wise and like bonding with the team,” Reidburn said. She has been involved in softball, tennis, theatre, show choir, chamber choir, hand bells, NHS, and IHSSA. Reidburn plans to attend Minnesota State in Mankato, Minnesota for musical theatre and communication disorders.

Susana Penate

Rachel Reidburn

East High tennis player, Naudya Chhuon, is ending her first year of tennis this spring and is going to miss her friends when she leaves for college. “My favorite memory is just hanging out with all the girls,” Chhuon said. With her time at East High she played rugby and participated in one play. After Chhuon graduates she plans to attend the University of Iowa to double major in biochemistry and pre-dental.

Hager Ibrahim page / 33

Naudya Chhuon

Hager Ibrahim has been playing tennis for East High School since her junior year. “My favorite thing about tennis is how easygoing everyone is and how we bond together as a family,” Ibrahim said. Other than tennis, which she has played for two years, Ibrahim has been involved in cross country, speech and debate, tennis, track and field, and the academic Decathlon. After she graduates, she plans to attend the University of Iowa to study pre-medicine.

Page Editor / M. Hernandez

Society’s perfect woman

Photo/A.Solis

page / 34

Women are judged about their appearance and actions on a daily and never seem to be perfect enough.

N

Story/E.Gonzalez

o one told us it would be this hard to be a women in our society. That you had to have the perfect body. You had to be skinny, but not too skinny, either. You had to be careful about what you wear because if you don’t show enough you’re boring but if you do, you’re a ‘slut’. Oh and let’s not forget, you have to smile, but not talk too much to get the guys attention.

Society wants to make us into this unmakeable perfect girl that will never exist. We are judged by our appearance to the way we are everyday. Women are judged 10x more than boys. Being a women is already hard enough today.

“Everyone has expectations for you and judges you for your appearance”, junior Mayela Chaidez Lopez said.

Women are ‘sluts’ if they have the same body count as guys. They are slut shamed while guys are praised and seen as Gods. Yet if they don’t give enough they are boring, lame, uptight and try to act hard to get.

Woman are manipulated to be this one perfect women.

Beautiful women with beautiful faces, beauty marks, skin and curves are Photoshopped to look “right”. Women Photoshop themselves to look prettier and ignore their beauty that they already have so that the society could be happy. 5 percent of woman in America actually have the body portrayed in American media according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders. Only 5% and the others are being edited to

look like that 5 percent.

“They want women to be this ideal figure”, junior Daniela Gama said.

Famous yoga teacher Jessamyn Stanley is criticized on a daily for what she does and what she wears because of the way she looks like. Yet, she ignores those hate comments and loves herself for her and isn’t afraid to show it.

According to society not all women can wear tight clothes if it is not right for your body type or show as much skin as other thinner girls. If you have curves and big breast you must not wear tight clothes or dress sexy because it is just “not appropriate for your body type”. Women can’t wear makeup without be told “ that’s a little too much” “ you’re way prettier natural”.

Growing up many women have heard that red lipstick just makes women look ‘trashy’.

That is what young girls are being taught today. Woman are told they have to dress a certain way to not get too much attention or so they won’t get as judged because that is just the world we live in.

Women shouldn’t be expected to look as this image and be told what they should and shouldn’t say, what they should and shouldn’t wear and be told what they should look like. Not all women can look like the ladies from Cardi B’s “Twerk” music video or the Victoria Secret models. We are our own kind of woman and we are our own kind of perfect.

“They want women to be this ideal figure”

Page Editor/E.Gonzalez

“

“

Being perfect means to me embracing your flaws and accepting yourself

- Fabiana Centeno

Page Editor/E.Gonzalez

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Photo/E.Gonzalez

Photo/ M. Dahlberg

White Privilege Is to “inherent advantages possessed by a white person based on their race in a society characterized by racial inequality and injustice”.

Story/ M. Dahlberg

With East having 2,124 students all in one building, things are usually crazy around here. East is known for its bad reputation, having fights during school, but no one tackles the inside fight that students have. Race is not a big topic in this high school, but it’s an important one. 36 percent of East’s student identify as Hispanic, 34 percent of kids at East are white, 11 percent of the kids are African American, and 8 percent are Asian.

With white kids being the second most majority race at East, it sure seems like there is a lot more of them then what there really is at East. White people have different privilege’s no matter where you go.

“White privilege is being able to be stopped for a traffic violation without having to worry you’re going to back to your kids.

It isn’t being afraid of not seeing your family again. It is doing whatever the fuck you want to do without any serious punishment, federal wise, state wise, and court wise, “junior Andrea Perez said.

Many people think that white people and people of color have the same privilege. But, the do not. A person of color has more troubles in certain settings like work, school, and most everyday activities. They have problems at work because their name could be ‘Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar” or ‘ Kiari Kendrell Cephus’ and that person would have a longer wait to get a job because his/her name wasn’t ‘Brittney’ or ‘Noah’.

“So personally, I feel like I have white privilege but mostly mine is like white passing privilege. So, I know I have what people would say a blacker name, but since I look so light, I’m able to have a job some people there’s a lot of white people at my job there are very few people of color. So, I feel like when my boss looked at me in the interview and heard all these things, and I kind of sound like as a white person or something. I feel like that gives me a little more privilege than people who are darker than me”, senior Kiara Warner said.

page/36

Most white people do not believe that white privilege exists. They go around thinking that they have the same rights as any other person walking down the street. But on the other side some people do realize that they do have different privileges then other people have. White privilege has many different forms when in use. When white privilege is being use it’s never a good time for anybody it hurts more people than it does any good.

“I’m not that type of person. I don’t remember a time I’ve experienced it or used it in school. I’ve never really been in an experience that it is happening,” senior Arminda Neppl said.

Examples of privilege 1. People of color’s behavior is closely monitored.

2.Prices of hair product is more expesive for someone of color rather then someone who isnt of color.

3.Non colored people have more privilege when it comes to the work force.

4. When white people are charged with a crime their jail sentence is lessend then a person of colored person 5. White people get to learn about their own history in schools unlike a colored person

Page editor/ M.Dahlberg

Michaela Aunspach

This East senior says goodbye to high school story/ M. Miller Senior Michaela Aunspach is 18 years old. She is a sister daughter, friend and athlete. Aunspach is a daughter to her mom Tara and her dad, John she also has a sister, Samantha. As a family they love to hang out together at home or at the park. Aunspach also loves to take trips with her family to Florida or go on cruises.

Some of the things that Aunspach is involved in is Special Olympics, Ambassadors, she has been a volleyball manager. When you ask Aunspach how people would describe her, she would say someone who is always friendly and always loves to motivate everyone around her .

“I try to get them to work and not say negative things,” Aunspach said.

Aunspach is also hearing impaired but never lets that stop her Michaela is someone that always lights up the room. Aunspach always enjoyed the positive environment and the great students and teachers she has worked with she also loved competing in the Special Olympics.

“My favorite part of Special Olympics is hanging out with friends and making new friends,” Aunspach said.

One teacher that had a great impact in her life is Mrs. Niemeyer. Niemeyer always has a positive smile and gave lots of support to Aunspach about her future. After Aunspach graduates in a few days, she plans on going to Project SEARCH, where Aunspach will learn life skills and learn about being employed after high school.

Saying goodbye to East High School will be a new step but to when saying goodbye to East Aunspach said “Thank you, you have taught me so much and I can’t even begin to explain the good friendships and experiences I have had.”

page / 37

Page Editor/M.Miller

CONSEQUENCES

More and more, it seems like students can get away with anything they want. Find out how this affects other members of the East community.

of no consequences

story/ R. Hayworth

page / 38

On Wednesday, March 27, a police officer confronted a group of students hanging around the DART Central Station. One student refused to leave, and an argument broke out, prompting the officer to detain the student. The students then surrounded the officer and attempted to assault him, one reaching for the officer’s gun. Three students ended up being arrested, and charged with trespassing and interference with official actions.

This is not the only incident of students acting out against the law.

On Wednesday, December 14th, 2014, five East High students left school during lunch to rob Tradesmen Community Credit Union. One student dropped off three, who went into the bank. The fifth student picked them up. All five were charged with first degree robbery.

Jail time for this crime ranges from five to 25 years. Incidents like these can be attributed to the lack of consequences at school by some.

“I feel like our school is more of a community center than an institution of education.

I don’t think that’s what a school should look like,” English teacher Mrs. Shawna Green said.

At any time during the day, students can be seen wandering the hallways of East High. This is a result of inadequate methods for getting kids to class and keeping kids in class. Along with classes required to graduate, East offers a variety of AP classes, electives, sports, clubs, and activities. The opportunities available to students are far and wide, but more and more they are seen as optional. Students do not take advantage of the opportunities they get here.

“It’s been a downward spiral.

What has become normal is not conducive to learning,” Green said.

It is not abnormal for students to come to class 20 or more minutes late or miss entire blocks of class a day. This results in low grades and low numbers of students actually in class. When these students do finally decide to come to class, it means

minutes of wasted time for the students who understand the material already, because backtracking will likely occur to help the skippers and late-comers.

“Negative behavior of classmates makes it hard to focus, especially if it draws the attention of the teachers as well and makes the class stop,” sophomore Marissa Thompson said.

“There’s very little incentive to engage. You have to simply want it.

You have to show up to school and really want to engage in your education. There are very few scaffolds to support that,” Green said.

Students are responsible for their own learning, however, the actions of students who do not care about school affect those who do negatively. Teachers spend class period after class period trying to keep students on track and focused, which can be grating on the kids who already behave. It can decrease their drive to succeed in class. In some cases, students who previously fo-

“I rarely have the kind of conflicts with students in my own classroom that I do in the hallway. They know that I care about about them and that I respect them,” Green said.

Students trust people that they know, and that is difficult in a school with 2,163 students and 300+ staff members. There are many staff members who have very strong relationships with students, only, it is hard to build these relationships when students do not come to class in the first place.

“It’s a small portion of our population, but I think that’s what changes what normal. That becomes perceived as a greater number of our students than it is,” Green said.

Teachers spend a lot of class time trying to keep students on track, which cuts out of time spent on teaching. Teachers often struggle to get the attention of students in their class, and it’s even harder in the hallway. According to Green, students hesitate to listen to adults that they do not know.

I don’t think respect should be given away, it has to be earned; however, I think the opening gambit should be respect until you prove me otherwise cused well to adopt the behaviors of their classmates, seeing as they will be reprimanded anyway. Teachers witness most of the disrespectful behavior outside of their classrooms “From a human point of view, I’ve been told things I can go do to myself, I get told off so many times a day when I go through the hallways and do my job of trying to get people to class. It’s never an angry aggressive stance from me, but it gets blatantly ignored. Sometimes I think I’m invisible,” Green said.

Teachers are people too, believe it or not. Students react with their emotions on their sleeve. Teachers are affected by the things students say, but they can’t react in the way that students often do, because they could face consequences in their jobs.

“I think all I would like in my interactions with teenagers I don’t know is to give me the first 30 seconds, assume that I’m a nice person who has your best interest at heart, and I might know something” Green said.

Green still believes that respect needs to be earned. Similar to how those accused of a crime are innocent until proven guilty, people should be respected until they prove they don’t deserve it.

“I don’t think respect should be given away, it has to be earned; however, I think the opening gambit should be respect until you prove me otherwise,” Green said.

For some students, giving respect doesn’t come easy, especially to law enforcement. Many students have experienced the arrest of a

Page Editor/R. Hayworth

not work if students do not take responsibility for the things they say and do. This frees students from the liability of their actions.

“I can report it, and nine times out of ten nothing happens, so that doesn’t feel like a good use of my time. Or they end up arrested and that doesn’t feel good either. I’m struggling to know how to do right

Teachers aren’t a threat, whereas law enforcement could be, which is unfortunate tive interactions with police” School Resource Officer Trudy Simonson said. Simonson is at East every day and helps with things from violent conflicts to students’ personal issues.

The cons of having police involved in schools are far and few between. The presence of law enforcement in schools can promote good perceptions of police officers, among other things. It gives the school another resource to enforce good behaviors, and worse case scenario, it provides protection from students who get out of control.

“I wouldn’t want law enforcement to be our only took in the toolbox. Corrective actions: you’ve broken something, you need to fix it,” Green said.

Most of the time, a student can do or say something and never have to apologize for their actions. Restorative discipline is something that teachers at East talk about frequently and have been trained on. It does

by students,” Green said.

“Teachers aren’t a threat, whereas law enforcement could be, which is unfortunate. That’s where I take pride in building relationships with students, even if I arrest them. 9/10, they’re not mad at me for taking them to jail, but they can respect me because they know that I have a job to do,” Simonson said.

Very rarely do people get to build relationships with police in the way students can at school. More and more, police officers are associated with brutality and unjustified actions than they are with the positive influences they have in the community.

“There’s a lot of times where kids will give me a hug, even if I’m taking them to jail. They feel apologetic that they’ve disappointed me, which is good, because they know that I care,” Simonson said.

Accountability is an important factor in how a student acts at school. The presence of law enforcement is that accountability

SIDEBARSIDEBARSIDEBARSIDEBAR

STEPS OF A JUVENILE ARREST page / 39

1. Police Interaction, which results in one of three things: -a warning is issued -the minor is detained -the minor is referred to juvenile courts

for some students. For others, accountability comes with a teacher to whom they have a connection. Students, however, can be the biggest source if accountability.

“Students can help each other through not allowing their friends to behave badly and reminding others of expectations. Classes who work as a team create a strong bond that leads to a more enjoyable experience,” Thompson said.

Setting an example for peers is really important. There are a variety of negative influences to be found in today’s society, so being a positive influence at school is important. In many classes and activities, the passion of the people involved is what encourages others to show up and participate. Now, it can be hard to be passionate about Algebra or Chemistry, but showing up and participating can help make the class productive and enjoyable for all.

“My AP Lang class has students that are all willing to learn and behave, this class is one of my favorite classes because everyone is engaged and we all work as a team,” Thompson said.

Students realize that the perception of the school is up to them.

Getting involved in the community can be helpful when trying to improve the reputation of the school, even if it’s as simple as cleaning up trash outside.

“The police aren’t called to the good things, they’re called to the bad things. The news isn’t gonna know about the good things. Getting involved with the community is one way to show the good in East High.

If a group of kids went over and cleaned up that west lot, that would be a good representation of East,” Simonson said.

2. Juvenile Courts: minors do not have a right to trial by jury, so this trial occurs only in front of a judge.

Proceedings can be formal or informal.

Pictured above is Mrs. Ginger Johnson’s eighth block AP Lang class. “Eighth block AP Lang and Comp is an awesome group that knows how to have fun and how to buckle down for work. They all care about their learning and character,” Johnson said.

parent, or the fear of unjust accusations. This does not, however, justify disrespect.

“Involving the law, it allows me to build relationships with people, and that goes back to I get to see these kids everyday and become a familiar face. It helps them see the police department in a positive light, when they may have only had nega-

photos/ R. Hayworth

Formal proceedings have many outcomes. One, the minor enters a plea agreement. Two, the judge can divert the case while the minor finishes a recommended program. Three, involves an adjudicary hearing, which is criminal court for kids. If the minor is deemed a delinquent, a disposition hearing happens to determine the punishment.

Informal proceedings include but are not limited to: stern lecture, repaying victim for damages, community service, counseling, and probation.

Page Editor/R. Hayworth

From then...

My favorite memories are the long bus rides to softball games

Kennedy Anderson My sophomore year when I played Seaweed in “Hairspray”

Albert Jones page / 40

When I got to take part in “RENT” surrounded by some of my closest friends

Tanner Tillotson Probably just playing sports and creating bonds with my teammates and coaches.

Marisa Anderson Page Editor/M. Miller

to now!

When I got to go to Chicago for the journalism conference

Danielle O’Connor Making it to state for shot put

Caleb James page / 41

When I got all conference in cross country. This was a big accomplishment for me

Donnie carpentar During my senior year dance camp. I made All American and got to grow closer with my team

Arminda Neppl Page Editor/M. Miller

After six years of playing in the East High Softball program, I say goodbye.

story/E. Dowler

I’ve always been told that the end of high school is bittersweet. Sweet because it means we’ve survived high school, but bitter because, after the excitement of prom and graduation parties, the life that we’ve known drastically changes as we go off on our various journeys. Among the bitterness, there lies a goodbye that may be one of the hardest to say, the one we say to our sports teams. It’s finally the end of my senior year, there are going to be a lot of lasts as well as firsts and I can’t lie when I say that there were times when I complained about having to head to practice every day after school.

And then, of course, there was always some stupid drill that would drive me insane and that would make me question why I spent all of my free time stepping in front of line drives and taking a pitch to the arm like a champ. I know that when the day for me to lace up my cleats and step out the field with my team for the last time comes, I’ll miss it.

Softball to me is very different from other sports because we don’t have school during summer, so we spend up to 3 to 4 hours a day together throughout the whole summer and spring practicing. And by the end of it, we pretty much become a family.

I started playing softball when I was five years old, it has been over 13 years now. As I approach the last season of softball with my high school team I begin to realize how much I’ve learned through not only the game but through my teammates as well. I’ve realized that when you join a sports team, you join a family. No matter how much these people know about you, they just automatically have your back for everything and become the ones you can count on. There is just a sense of relief when the team brings you in as one of their own. This is true even more so on a softball team because of how much time we spend together. Another thing

I have realized is how much I still have to learn as well as things I wish to say. If I were to say something it would be this. Firstly to my teammates, as athletes, we are trained to give everything we have to our sport, to never give up, to always go the extra mile. The training we were taught far surpasses the field. It follows the lives of every athlete and is what makes the fabric of a team the special bond that it is. As we get older we learn that sports aren’t all about winning and losing. I’d rather lose every

I WOULD RATHER LOSE EVERY GAME I’VE EVER PLAYED WITH MY TEAMMATES THAN WIN EVERY GAME WITH SOME STRANGERS WEARING THE SAME JERSEY AS ME game I’ve ever played with my teammates than win every game with some strangers wearing the same jersey as me. I’m glad to have learned that lesson because it’s taught me that nothing is as important as the people you surround yourself with. All that being said, I want to thank all of my teammates I’ve ever had but especially a special group of girls

who played a huge part in making me who I am today on and off the softball field. Thank You for laughing with me, crying with me, sweating with me, complaining with me and working with me, thank you for making me who I am today. Thank You for those pre-game bus rides and also the after game bus rides while we rock out to Miley Cyrus “Party in the U.S.A” or T-Pain “Apple Bottom Jeans” those are memories I’ll never forget.

And secondly, to my coach. Let me start off by saying thank you for spending your free time being my coach over the years. I know you don’t have to be here but you want to because you love the game. You want to install your knowledge on us so maybe one day we can go and pass the knowledge on to someone else. There are probably tons of other things you could be doing instead of running practice but you make the sacrifice, and that means a lot to everyone if we don’t show it. Lastly, thank you for running me to death, so not only am I physically healthier but I know that I always have a little more left in me. I can’t tell you the amount of practices that have been just running. It wasn’t even the type of fun running games you play at school, no, instead it was just running up and down the field for the whole practice. All athletes know that the worst words to hear are “get on the line,” because you know you’re screwed. Even when I know my body is done, there is no possible way it can go on and all I want to do is quit, but I know I have to keep pushing. To me, the list of thank yous and goodbyes go on and on and there is so much more I would love to say. But I’ll end with this, I’m going to miss the amazing memories I have made with my team but I am excited for what is yet to come. One thing I know for sure though is that I will not have as strong of a bond as I’ve had with my high school teammates in the future.

t e l r a c S a s y a w l a , t e l r a c Once a S page / 42

Page Editor/E. Dowler

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