East Scroll 2023 senior issue

East Scroll East Scroll

Class of 2023

We have the right to fight for East High Our gallant team will always try To be the best team in the nation Although the odds are sometimes high Fight! Fight! We have the Black and Red tradition We’re fighting fair and square tonight We’re gonna fight, fight, fight for victory A cheer for East Fight! Fight!Dear East High you are the school for me You will always win the victory Red and Black to you we’ll be true And we will bring great honors to you Hip Hurray here’s to the Black and Red O’er the world your fame is widely spread Onward we will do or die For dear East High We have the right to fight for East High Our gallant team will always try To be the best team in the nation Although the odds are sometimes high Fight! Fight! We have the Black and tradition We’re fighting fair and square tonight We’re gonna fight, fight, fight for victory A cheer for East Fight! Fight!Dear East High you are the school for me You will always win the victory Red and Black to you we’ll be true And we will bring great honors to you Hip Hurray here’s to the Black and Red O’er the world your fame widely spread Onward we will do or die For dear East High We have the right to fight for East High Our gal lant team will always try To be the best team in the nation Although the odds are sometimes high Fight! Fight! We have the Black and Red tradition We’re fighting fair and square tonight We’re gonna fight, fight, fight for victory A cheer for East Fight! Fight!Dear East High you are the school for me You will always win the victory Red and Black to you we’ll be true And we will bring great honors to you Hip Hurray here’s to the Black and Red O’er the world your fame is widely spread Onward we will do or die For dear East High We have the right to fight for East High Our gallant team will always try To be the best team in the nation Although the odds sometimes high Fight! Fight! We have the Black and Red tradition We’re fighting fair and square tonight We’re gonna fight, fight, fight for victory A cheer for East Fight! Fight!Dear East High you are the school for me You will always win the victory Red and Black to you we’ll be true And we will bring great honors to you Hip Hur ray here’s to the Black and Red O’er the world your fame is widely spread Onward we will do or die For dear East High We have the right to fight for East High Our gallant team will always try To be the best team in nation Although the odds are sometimes high Fight! Fight! We have the Black and Red tradition We’re fighting fair and square tonight We’re gonna fight, fight, fight for victory A cheer for East Fight! Fight! Dear East High you are the school for me You will always win the victory Red and Black to you we’ll be true And we will bring great honors to you Hip Hurray here’s to the Black and Red O’er the world your fame is widely spread Onward we will do or die For dear East High We have the right to fight for East High Our gallant team will always To be the best team in the nation Although the odds are sometimes high Fight! Fight! We have the Black and tradition We’re fighting fair and square tonight We’re gonna fight, fight, fight for victory A cheer for East Fight! Fight!Dear East High you are the school for me You will always win the victory Red and Black to you we’ll be true And we will bring great honors to you Hip Hurray here’s to the Black and Red O’er the world your fame widely spread Onward we will do or die For dear East High We have the right to fight for East High Our gallant team will always try To be the best team in the nation Although the odds are sometimes high Fight! Fight! We have the Black and Red tradition We’re fighting fair and square tonight We’re gonna fight, fight, fight for victory A cheer for East Fight! Fight!Dear East High you are the school for me You will always win the victory Red and Black to you we’ll be true And we will bring great honors to you Hip Hurray here’s to the Black and Red O’er the world your fame is widely spread Onward we will do or die For dear East High We have the right to fight for East High Our gallant team will always try To be the best team in the nation Although the odds sometimes high Fight! Fight! We have the Black and Red tradition We’re fighting fair and square tonight We’re gonna fight, fight, fight for victory A cheer for East Fight! Fight!Dear East High you are the school for me You will always win the victory Red and Black to you we’ll be true And we will bring great honors to you Hip Hur

Class of 2023 Senior

Table of contents

Scroll staff

Noelle Avon

Ollie Barnes

Eliza Berglund

Sarenidy Boydston

Ronaziah Buchanan

Gracie Boley

Gabe Cook

Tysheena Davis

Laila Fisher

Oshay Franklin

Beverly Gillard

Ny’Asiah Gully

Miley Jimenez

Taylor Landers

Salu Lee

Owen Littell

Gabriella Lopez

Isabella Lovan

Keven Martinez-Lopez

Angelina McDaniel

Trinity McGee

Myles Mickle

Kendall Moss

Kirsten Pierce

Christopher Ramirez Chavez

Abigail Rice

Finn Robertson

Zander Ross

Esmeralda Saldana-Hernandez

Devyn Sam

Kaylie Shannon

Natalie Taylor

Lilliana Thomas

Dayanna Vinalay

Ebony Walton

Jaitreana White

Grace Withee

Adviser- Natalie Niemeyer- Lorenz

Princpal- Jill Versteeg

Cover/ Tysheena Davis

The one and only Christina Hernandez

Page 13

Lacy Anderson says goodbye to East High

Page 17

Class of 2023 seniors, what is one piece of advice you have before you leave?

Page 28

District Educational Equality Statement

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

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

Letter Policy

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

Ad Policy

Ads are available in quarter page, half page and full page sizes. Ad inquiries should be directed to Natalie Niemeyer at natalie niemeyerlorenz@ dmschools.org. The Scroll reserves the right to reject ads deemed not in the best interest of East students. The paper is printed by DMPS Print Services,

Back Cover/ Esmeralda Saldana-Hernandez

May 23, 2023

MDear East High School,

y name is Ebony Walton, and I am a senior here at East High School. For my last issue of the newspaper, I wanted to write a letter to say thank you East High for everything you have done for me. I know some of you might read this and say’ East is not a good school and it’s boring here; but I am here to tell you if you go to class and do what you need to do you will have fun here. Let me tell you about my experience at East High. My ninth grade year was not good at. all I would be on my phone all the time and I did not want to be at school, so I would skip class with my friends and disrespect my teachers. Overall, just get myself into a lot of trouble until a teacher pulled me to the side and told me I can do so much better than what I’m doing and he believes in me.

When I heard that I did not know what it was, I just wanted to do better so I got myself together and started doing better than what I was doing. Then after my ninth-grade year was over covid hit and I never got that tenth grade experience. However, I got my eleventh grade experience, and I was doing the same thing as I was in ninth grade like skipping, not going to class, and more.

Until I met Miss Williams and Ms. Anderson, and they were the best. They helped me out a lot during those times and they inspired me. Miss Williams is like a mom to me. She is so nice and sweet, and she just wants the best for all her students. Those two teachers made my eleventh grade so much easier for me. I also cannot forget about Mr. Farrell, he always helped me when I needed help in history class, and I never liked to listen in his class, but he always encouraged me to do my work because he knew I could do it. I just had to put my head to it. My eleventh-grade year was my favorite, now we come down to the tweth grade year.

Before I get started, I just want to give a big shout-out to Ms. Niemeyer for keeping me going. And telling me to sign up for the newspaper, the newspaper is like a family to me everyone is so nice, and we all help each other out I feel seen in the newspaper so thank you, Ms. Niemeyer. My tweth grade year was hard and first but I am do am so much better now and I am so excited to graduate and get started on my life now so I would also like to say thank you to all my teachers that helped me this year. It was a hard year and I never thought I could do it, there were many times I was going to give up. But everyone helped me and just kept encouraging me, So thank you.

I just want to give a huge shout-out to Miss Lowe, Ms. Niemeyer, Ms. Stanley, Ms. Oliver, Ms. Carter, Mr. Sporleder, Mr. Stensrud, Miss Arapovic, and Mr. Burgess. Thank you to everyone for helping me become a better person. I will miss all of you, but I will never forget what you have done for me. I appreciate all of you. All East High Students, go to class and do their best even if they do not like school make it better for you and just go to class and get things done so you can graduate and not get that talk saying you cannot graduate. Trust me, I know some people that are not going to graduate this year and I know they wish they would have gone to class and gotten things done so go to class and get your work done and become someone you know you can become. Here is a quote for you to keep in mind that will keep you going “The driving force in the quest for success and achievement. A mindset that combines discipline, strength, confidence, and ambition is a powerful mindset. This can achieve anything it sets its sights on.”

Behind

Class of 2024 struggles to graduate on time

Story/ L. Thomas Design/ L. Thomas

On March 15, 2020, DMPS students left for spring break. Then got told spring break was extended a couple of days and days turned into weeks. Little did they know, they would not return to classrooms until January 2021. This was all because of the COVID-19 Pandemic that started in March 2020. Many students were and are still being affected by it, especially when it comes to academics.

DMPS did schooling online for the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year. Then in the second semester, they switched to hybrid, then it was optional to do full in-person or full online. There were only four classes a day, each an hour and a half. Students had nine week semesters. Masks were mandatory during that year.

DMPS students that are on a regular graduation plan need 23 credits to graduate. In eight semesters, students should earn about 2.875 credits a semester. Juniors currently should have five semesters completed. This means they should have 14.375 credits. As of April 2023, 40.4 percent of district juniors (the five comprehensive high schools) have less than 14.375 credits (regardless of graduation plan). 48.9 percent of East High School juniors have less than 14.375 credits (regardless of graduation plan).

There is a difference between being off-track and at risk. Being off-track means that juniors have 12.5-15.5 credits before second semester of their junior year. Being at risk means that juniors have 12 or less credits before second semester of their junior year.

graduation plan who require fewer credits to graduate. A core graduation plan consists of only needing three social studies credits, four English credits, three mathematics credits, three sci

credits, one credit for physical education, and four electives. In total, you need 18 credits for the core graduation plan which is five less than a regular graduation plan.

Wondering why grades are tumbling? Kids are giving up on high school. There are many reasons why the pandemic affected teenagers and especially kids in their first year of high school. Some of those reasons are being stuck in a house for so long with no way to go anywhere caused some mental health struggles. Another is losing those social skills or your social skills that were already not as good, got worse.

If you ask an under-credited junior how they got into the academic position they’re in, odds are they will mention the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of their freshman year was spent behind a computer screen.

“I couldn’t learn on a computer, so I just stopped doing my schoolwork and joining the class,” junior Morgan Hamilton said.

This has turned out to have a lasting effect on her high school career.

“Ever since then I really haven’t taken high school as seriously as I should of. Now that I am a junior, I’m so far behind and there is no way I could catch up to graduate with my class,” Hamilton said. “I think if my teachers could have done more 1 on 1 time with me, I would have gotten farther than I am. I think the school should set up something that could help the students that learn better in smaller groups or 1 on 1.”

Having too many students that are under credited that must repeat classes with under classmen or take summer school to graduate, take away the support that the under classmen need creating a whole cycle of many students being under credited and at-risk or off-track to graduate. But the school now also provides night school for freshmen and sophomores to attend if they are behind.

“It affects the school in a number of ways. If you have an upper-class student that is under credited, then they need to take freshman or sophomore classes. For example, let’s say someone is uncredited in math, and they’re missing some other algebra classes, you then have to schedule them into algebra 1 or geometry, which are classes usually ninth and tenth graders would take, but then you also have to put the under credited upper class students, which now creates larger class sizes. If you have larger class sizes with not enough teachers, it can impact learning, how much teachers can support students, and that is just one impact,” Vice Principal Anthony Gianaras said.

East High School has about a 23:1 student to teacher ratio as of now. The average publicschool student to teacher ratio is 16:1.

It seems hard to help the students that don’t really want help but the kids that do want the help have many options if they are willing to put in the work.

“Students have the following options pass all

Illustration/ L. Thomas

More than just a student

Story/C. Ramirez-Chavez

You might have heard his name when he organized the We Say Gay Rally, or the number of awards he has won during academic competitions like debate or IHSSA, but when it comes to being a high schooler, there isn’t anybody who breaks the limits of being a senior than Josue Aleman.

Aleman has been involved with the community of East High School social scale on a big level; where some might see him as the debate/ speech person, to others, he’s someone who’s involved with theatre, small things like golf or tennis, and to some he is an individual who’s quite intelligent. Aleman during his freshman and sophomore years wasn’t much for say, just known to a few; for golf and solving rubric cubes in a fast pace. He was still quite knowledgeable for his time. While he had an interest in many things, he still had a way to go when it came to what he wanted to do.

“My freshman year, I only did golf and track, but track got canceled, and my sophomore year I don’t believe I did any school activities at all,” Aleman said.

Going into his junior year, Aleman decided to start to get involved in many difficult academic classes relating to STEM or AP classes with some extracurricular activities, like being on the tech team for theatre, but one of those new extracurricular activities Aleman decided to try out for was debate. Now adapting to debating was no easy task, but Aleman’s hard work paid off when he won first place in a tournament after only participating for the second time. Clearly showing a talent for speech and debate, he continued to better himself throughout the 2021-2022 debate season to where he was able to snag a bid for the 2022 National Speech and Debate Tournament in Louisville, Kentucky. Even though fundraising to even go to Kentucky might have been difficult, he was able to compete among many of the best debaters in the nation, and it didn’t just stop there for debate.

As Aleman went onto his senior year, he was set out on making the most of his last year of high school. He, of course, continued with his debate career, to which he was able to win Congressional Debate State Championship at the Iowa Forensic League State Tournament and

also qualify for the 2023 National Speech and Debate Tournament in Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona. But Aleman doesn’t just do debate but many other things as well. One of the things that Aleman decided to try out for was a role in the high school musical. While he was just the person who assisted with tech and sound for theatre, he decided to audition for the musical “Heathers” for the role of J.D. Vance, in which he was able to get the part, and was able to handle while also doing debate at the same time and still achieve success in both.

“My favorite high school memories were both the closing night of the musical and winning the Congressional Debate State championship... School has been hard since I have been taking a lot of hard classes and I have been involved in a lot of things, but I have been a lot more active in extracurriculars,” Aleman said.

Even after the musical ended, he just went back to being the sound tech person for theatre, and with the debate season ending for him, he was recommended by his teachers to participate in IHSSA for the category of Spontaneous Speaking. He agreed to and managed to go to State for IHSSA for his abilities to speak on issues of the world in a short time span. After not partaking in a sport since his underclassmen year. Aleman decided to try out and be a part of the tennis team after a set of friends convinced him to join,

“I don’t think that there is a single person, but I think I’ve been most influenced by my peers,” Aleman said.

The influence of other people around Aleman made him want to really make a change in society, Aleman decided to join March for Our Lives, an organization that empower youth people to advocate for sensible gun violence prevention policies and increase their political engagement. When the Governor was introducing legislation that would limit the expression of people of the LGBTQ+ Community, Aleman help organized the We Say Gay Rally walkout that took place across Iowa to protect the laws proposed.

“Seeing a lot of my friends fighting for the rights of others has pushed me to join in that fight,” Aleman said.

In the end, East can look at Aleman as an example, an example of someone who can, even during they’re late years into high school, show that you can still have a lasting impact on what you can show off and do for your community,

“I think my success was a little bit of everything. I don’t regret any of the activities as I did and every single one helped me grow... Debate made me switch from a STEM career to wanting to do Political Science and potentially law school so that I can help people around Iowa and maybe the nation...you can never give up. It may seem hard at first but if you don’t give up you will always be able to get through it...mental health is really important, bad mental health hurt me a lot. It’s really important to maintain good mental health at the end,” Aleman said.

Story/C. Ramirez-Chavez

Josue smilling while at the Iowa state capital

Photo/J. Aleman

Josue smiling while at the Iowa state capital

Photo/J. Aleman

Irene Onayeva

She came all the way from Almaty, Kazakhstan as an exchange student to win the hearts of East High Students. She swept the stage with her outstanding performance as Heather McNamara. She helped push East along to victory in IHSSA events earlier this year. Meet Irene Onayeva, an exceptional young woman who’s showing off everything that makes East great.

Onayeva grew up in Almaty, a bustling city in the south-east of Kazakhstan. In her younger years, she was regarded as a calm and introverted girl. Almaty is a very diverse city, and She did well in school, and had a passion for learning, being particularly interested in science and languages. Despite having a lot of work and expectations put on her in school when she was young, Onayeva was able to flourish and explore herself as a child with the encouragement and support of her family.

“In my culture, family always comes first, and I think that’s why my family is very united and supportive of each other. We solve every problem together, I really like that about us,” Onayeva said.

Lightning Round

3 fast facts about Irene

1. Irene used to have a job translating English scripts to Russian so that it could be dubbed over for Russian viewers.

2. Her favorite musical genres are indie and jazz.

3. Her host family collects vintage items, including gaming consoles, board games, and lunchboxes.

When Onayeva was 14 years old, she applied to the Future Leaders Exchange program (known as FLEX). After undergoing multiple rounds of testing, she was granted a scholarship and arrived in the United States when she was 15. She was interested in living in the United States and wanted to learn about American culture while teaching others about Kazakh culture. Kazakhstan has a history of colonization, and Onayeva says she wants to keep its culture alive despite that.

Since coming to East as a junior, Onayeva has become very active in the school community. She played Heather McNamara in “Heathers” and participates in IHSSA events. The Adam’s family has hosted

explored many hobbies in the past including chess, baking, and various athletic pursuits, but music is one of the only things that has kept her interest throughout her life. She regularly records covers of songs, Onayeva also has a long-standing interest in poetry and prose, and enjoys writing her own poems and short stories.

her since her arrival, and Onayeva says she’s settled in nicely to their cozy home. Onayeva’s made a lot of friends in the U.S., and she says her favorite part of living in the U.S. has been spending time with the people she’s gotten close to.

“I wouldn’t say I have one specific [favorite memory], generally just spending time with my friends that I met here,” Onayeva said.

In her free time, Onayeva likes to write poetry and practice playing music. She’s

Onaeva’s trajectory in life has been heavily influenced by her politics. She’s deeply passionate about feminism and says that it has helped her become more confident and secure in her identity. It made her feel free from the gender roles and beauty standards that she saw around her, and let her value her female friendships more.

“I’ve loved singing my whole life and started playing instruments when I was 13. After that I started writing prose and poetry and became interested in feminism, which played a big part in who I am today,” Onayeva said.

“There aren’t enough words in the English language to describe Irene. She’s one of the most talented people I’ve ever met and watching her perform is awe-inspiring.” - sophomore Owen Littell

Story/ O. Barnes

Photo/ O. Barnes

“In my culture, family always comes first, and I think that’s why my family is very united and supportive of each other. We solve every problem together, I really like that about us.”

- Irene Onayeva

All about one of East’s most interesting students

Nick Lueder

Running to bigger and better things

You may have seen him on the track, running to the baseball field, running cross country, or swimming. You also may have seen him helping with the Scarlet Squad, or the President of National Honor Society. Meet Nick Lueder, an East High senior.

During Nick Lueder’s time at East High School, he has participated in four sports, those being cross country, swimming, track, and baseball. He has lettered in all four of the sports, and has been the team captain in all but baseball.

“Throughout this track season I’ve often thought, I am so thankful for Nick Lueder. He is reliable - he is always at practice, on time, and ready to go. He is coachable - he receives feedback and implements it. He is a leader - his teammates do what he does because they trust him. He works really hard - whether we’re at a meet or at practice

I know that Nick is giving all his effort to whatever he is asked to do. He is going to be immensely missed next track season but I’m so thankful for the impact he’s made on his teammates and the track program,” Track coach Linnea Dewaared said.

Nick Lueder is a hard worker and a great leader to his peers.

“East High School has provided a wide array of leadership opportunities outside of athletics as well,” Nick Lueder said.

Nick Lueder is the sitting president of the National Honor Society, and a member of the scarlet squad, he plays a big part in are East High community, he is very smart, he takes many classes at Central Academy, which has provided him with many connections. After he graduates, he plans on majoring in mechanical engineering.

“I am extremely grateful for the people I have been able to meet and the experiences I have had in high school, I have learned

many lessons that I will hold true for years to come,” Nick Lueder said.

Not only is Nick Lueder involved at East, but he is an involved brother as well.

“Having Nick as a brother is like having your best friend and biggest competitor all in one. On one hand you have a confidant and the other wanting to hit him with a car. He challenges me to be better along with his peers and I make him question some of his decisions. I got really lucky to have Nick as my brother to be honest, we help each other whether we realize it or not. Or even want the help. I love watching him succeed and am so proud of him and his accomplishments,” junior and Nick’s sister Mackenzie Lueder said.

Nick Lueder is a great leader, and he will be missed.

photo/C.RamirezChavez

Story/E.Berglund

Arina Tembo

Track runner Arina Tembo makes it to state at Drake University after coming in first place in the 100m dash at the state qualifiers at Waukee Northwest

On your way to your first track meet of the 2023 season. You’re sitting on the bus and only ten minutes away, then before you know it, you’re pulling up at the East High School Stadium. You gather your stuff, stand up, and walk off the bus. You’re immediately hit by the blazing sun and the cool breeze. You find a place on the grass, and you decide to make yourself comfortable. You see the runners starting to set up their blocks and start doing run offs. About two minutes later, the runners get in their blocks, and you hear the gun shoot up in the air. The runners take off and you see Arina Tembo zoom off. Learn more about this East High School senior and track star.

What kind of sports and activities are you involved in besides track?

Tembo is also involved in other sports and activities including student government, sisters for success, basketball, cross country, Scarlet Squad, poetry club, Boys and Girls Club, and IHSSA, which stands for Iowa High School Speech Association.

How long have you been involved in these sports?

Tembo has been doing sports since freshman year, but since COVID-19 happened, she didn’t get a chance to finish off her year doing sports, so once her sophomore year hit, she started doing sports. “Well, I’ve started doing sports in freshman year then it canceled because of covid so sophomore,” Tembo said.

What do you like to do outside of school?

Outside of school, Tembo likes to help volunteer at places, and she also likes to do activities and sports. Tembo also goes to church, and she also likes to volunteer to help with the “little lady Scarlets,”

Which is a group for upcoming girls that are soon to be scarlets.

What are your plans for this summer? Are you going to be getting ready for the new school year?

Next school year, Tembo is going to be in her first college year. To get ready, during this summer she’s going to be getting a job, moving out, and getting herself prepared and ready for the school year. For the summer, she plans on traveling and doing a lot of other fun things.

What college are you attending and why?

Tembo plans on going to Grand View University, so she can run track. “I want to go to Grand View University, so I can run track there,” Tembo said.

How do you feel about your high school year? Is there anything you would change why or why not?

Tembo said that she wished she cared more about her grades and payed more attention during freshman year because now she has to catch up. “I wish I payed more attention and cared about my grades and school freshman year because now I have to play catch up,” Tembo said.

Overall how would you rate your high school year and why?

During Tembo’s high school year, she feels as if Covid ruined it, so she didn’t really get to enjoy it. “Alright, Covid ruined it so it could’ve been better,” Tembo said

photo/ K. Morton

Story/T.Landers

Arina Tembo poses with her ticket after winning first place at the state qualifying meet

Khaos Palmer

Senior, Brother, friend, East high school student, athlete. These are just a few things that Khaos Palmer can be described as, But there is so much more to him. Here is some things you might not know about Khaos Palmer.

Khaos palmer grew up here in Des Moines, Iowa. He was born June 11, 2005, in Des Moines. Palmer spent most of his childhood playing back yard football with friends and family. Palmer was adopted by family memberswhen he was really young and he refers to them as mom and dad now. Palmer grew up in a big family having three siblings and growing up with his nieces and nephew.

“Me and Khaos were always around each other, and spent a lot of time with each other having fun and he’s really the only one I can look up to. I’ve always wanted a brother and I see him as one, he’s the only one I would tell things to and trust him with anything,” Khoas’s nephew, Monte Johnson said.

Growing up Palmer was a very active kid, playing outside almost all day in the summer or pretending to be a wrestler. He would always challenge himself of different things and tasks all the time.

“Khaos was a shy, respectful, loving child with the biggest imagination, he loved acting like he was a wrestler. He loved being outside,” Palmer’s sister Cody Freeman said.

Palmer has always had a passion for learning and gaining more knowledge. Palmer is in AP Human Geography with Mr. Klimowski here at East and is always prepared to learn something new in class.

“Khaos always comes prepared with questions and comments that enhances the learning experiences of all students. Khaos demonstrates an inquisitive nature that serves him well in learning. Khaos will often relate our learning in this class to his learning elsewhere. Khaos is a student who demonstrates a true passion for learning,” Kevin Klimowski said.

Palmer wants to study Computer Science in college and wants to extend his learning every way he can.

“In college I want to study computer science,

this was my plan because technology fascinates me. The great assistance it has become to mankind is truly something. It is only going to become more prominent over the course of our lives, so I wanted to get ahead of the curve,” Palmer said.

Everyone has a motivation to do something and Palmer motivation for college is the experience it will give him for his future.

“My main motivation for college is the journey and the experience. People always speak highly of their college days so there must be something good about it,” Palmer said.

Palmer plans to extend his education past on college. Palmer wants to attend a community college and a university.

“For post-secondary education the most likely two years at DMACC, then a four-year university after. While studying I will be building up an amateur mixed martial arts career in an attempt to go professional,” Palmer said.

After school Palmer goes to a martial arts gym and works on his techniques and works on getting better at being a fighter.

“I love the competition. All my life I’ve been a competitive person, and this gave me a new way to channel it. Also, the way the form of my body has morphed since I first started,” Palmer said.

The gym does many different things to help benefit you and your techniques.

“The usual rundown of how it goes is as follows: we get there and stretch, do a quick warm-up, work on the technique our instructor has for the day, get a sparring session in, and maybe even some cardio work after,” Palmer said.

Khaos’s parents

Story/N.Taylor photos/K.Palmer

Khaos outside of East

Khaos and his sister cody

Khaos and Monte then Khaos and Monte now

Galilea Lechuga

All about East High Schools student council president.

You may have seen her around the halls or heard about her from other people, but do you really know who student council president, Galilea Lechuga is? Here is all you need to better know Lechuga.

Lechuga is a senior at East High School. She is 18 years old and was born Nov. 14, 2004. She’s student council president and is in many sports and clubs here at East such as Science Bound, Varsity Swim, TS, Gifted and Talented, Scarlet Squad, Government and SOS. But what does she do?

“As student council president, I run the meetings, talk to adults, I have to be a leader and think on my feet especially during meetings. I have to lead groups and you know find recourses and reach out to people. I basically have a really big leadership role,” Lechuga said.

This is what her personal role is, but what is student council and what do they do?

“Student council is basically a few cabinet members and then two members from each grade, we have the president(me) the vice president, the treasure and our secretary those are the main senior cabinet members and then we have two senators from each grade,” “So far we have been coming up with events and plan things for the school like homecoming, spirit week, prom, the assemblies and we focus on making East a better place and finding things to fix around the school and stuff,” Lechuga said.

As student council president she had to have a lot of goals in mind to make East better.

“When I was running for student council president, I had a lot of goals I wanted more students to have school spirit and I

wanted to have student projects around the school like art pieces and I wanted us to be more inclusive and in general make the school nicer. I think most of those have come true, like I’ve definitely seen more school spirit especially with the contests we do, and I think our school is pretty diverse and inclusive and I run a few campaigns to keep the school clean and trying to get more trash cans outside and try to recognize janitors,” Lechuga said.

Now that you know who she is and what she does you may be wondering what will happen when she leaves, and East has a new student council president but here is a message she’s leaving behind for East’s future president.

“My advice for the next student council president would be I hope you are able to work with a good team, and I hope they actually have passion for it and that they have good leadership skills because they will learn it’s not that easy controlling a crowd and not that easy being listened to especially since we’re all the same age and they’re just kind of like ‘well who are you to tell me what to do we’re like the same age’. and I hope they don’t get too cocky about being president. You have got to stay humble and be super passionate. I do wish them the best because becoming president is one of the best things I’ve accomplished at east, and it’s been special for me,” Lechuga said.

With being student council president comes lots of struggles and stress and stress outside of school can affect the way you interact with school Lechuga has learned a lot about this within the past few years.

“100 percent a lot of stress, sorry if you’re like wanting to be president… but I want to be honest I have a lot of stress and

top 3 songs

Too Many Nights

a lot of responsibility and I feel that builds some stress because I feel like I’m kind of a big role model to not just myself but the school and outside of school. But it’s a lot of stress because I don’t want to let anyone down,” Lechuga said.

Outside of school, Lechuga still faced a lot of challenges that helped her become who she is today.

“Outside government, it has been a year already since my dad has passed away due to brain cancer and the past year has been really difficult for me and even last year when we found out he was sick it was just so hard seeing him suffer, and like all the pain of him being gone, cause I’m like a daddy’s little girl so it has hurt me a lot and it has hurt us like financially, emotionally, mentally. and it’s just so hard losing a parent especially since I was so close to him. It really took off like a lot of motivation for me and made it hard for me to go to school and want to do the work. It hurt me a lot, but my teachers have helped me a lot by making me passionate again and wanting to go to school,” Lechuga said.

Photo/GalileaLechuga

Jimenez Grupo Arriesgado

Father Strech my hand pt. 2 Kanye West

THE LIFE OF BRANDON VASQUEZ

Meet this East senior who plays soccer and is chasing a dream of owning his own business

Story/O.Franklin

Brandon Vasquez is a senior who is aspiring to chase his dreams of becoming a barber and to start his own business or become a professional soccer player. A senior in high school, he has his eyes set on the future. One of his main goals is starting his own business and becoming a professional licensed barber.

He wants to see how far he can go to pursue getting an official business license to fullfill his passion by becoming a barber.

“Just kind of just happened I never had it planned out,” Vasquez said.

Vasquez is set on being a barber but has not ruled out going to college.

“College would be on my mind if I get a scholarship,” Vasquez said.

He is going to miss the “daily interactions with my friends” when he leaves East.

East High head soccer coach Derek Lounsberry loves having Vasquez on the team.

“He is a great kid very fun to be around,” he said. Lounsberry also knows his importance on the field

“He is our glue guy and always brings great effort and communication, ”Loun-

sberry said.

Junior Aldo Camacho values Vasquez’s impact on the pitch.

“He is a really good teammate and makes the team better,” Camacho said. As for his off the field impacts, they are just as valued.

“He is easy to get along with and good to be around,” Camacho said.

Vasquez enjoys learning the ropes when it comes to being a personal business owner.

“I’ve started to learn more about it and I enjoy it and is something that I want to do in my life going forward. It wasn’t always part of the plan, it just happened,’’ Vasquez said.

Being a soccer player still remains one of his top goals in life.

“I still want to play on some level even if I can’t be a pro, it will still be a big part of my life,” Vasquez said.

Keeping his eyes open for the future and never saying never, he feels he has nothing but good plans for his future and hopes to be the best he can be at whichever route he chooses to take in his life going forward.

3 facts about Brandon

Photo/D.Caro-Rodriguez

Has loved soccer from a young age 2. Had his junior year at Lincoln 3. Missed freshman season year due to COVID-19

Prom King

Yousuf Abdulmahdi

Do you ever walk in a room and find someone talking to everyone? A person who is strong, confident, fun, loving and fulfilling. His name is Yousuf Abdulmahdi. He always brightens the room when he walks in. Some would say he is the light in the room.

“My favorite thing about East is the people, how welcoming and amazing they are,” Abdulmahdi said.

Abdulmahdi walks around with pride and loving arms. He loves making people feel included and having everyone feel like themselves.

“When I graduate, I will miss some of the teachers like Ms. Huss Steils, Mrs. Johnson and Mr. Mowitz,” Abdulmahdi said.

Abdulmahdi is involved in track, he throws discus and loves his team and is super supportive.

“My favorite thing about track was the championship, it was so fun and exciting,” Abdulmahdi said.

You might have just seen him walking around East talking to everyone. Giving handshakes to his friends or just hanging around in your classroom.

“Yousuf is loquacious, persistent and jovial. I would say he’s an enjoyment to have around,” English teacher Shawna Oliver said.

His friends are supportive and love being around him. They look up to him as a role model, someone they can always go to if they need someone.

“Yousuf is a role model, caretaker, but also

committed. Yousuf is someone you would want to have as a friend but is also very misunderstood. He has a wonderful personality and knows how to bring light to a dark room. Not only that, Yousuf is like a brother, not only to me but to this community. No one can ever say they have a bad story about Yousuf,” senior Daniel Morales said.

Abdulmahdi ran for prom king and won. He had so much support from people and friends. He was happy when he won.

“I ran for prom king because I had so much support from people telling me to run and I did. I was glad I did because I won,” Abdulmahdi said.

Outside of school he likes to work out or watch Netflix. He has two siblings, an older brother and younger sister and was born in Iraq and raised there for three years and then moved to Iowa. After Abdulmahdi graduates, he will be going to Iowa State University to study Kinesiology.

“My advice for future seniors is do not think you’ll catch up after slacking in class, it’s way more difficult,” Abdulmahdi said.

He is excited to see what the future holds for him and can’t wait till his next chapter begins.

Why did you vote Yousuf for Prom king?

Photo/Y.Abdulmahdi Story/G.Withee

Prom King

Yousuf Abdulmahdi

“I voted for Yousuf because he’s a chill dude he gets along with everyone.”

Alberto Perez-Roque

Asabella Sylavong

“I voted for Yousuf because he’s my brother, obviously I’m better suited for a royal title, but I’ll let him shine this time.”

Paulina Rojas-Sandoval

“I voted for Yousuf because he’s the man, he’s my boy.”

You may have seen her walking around in the halls, in class or in the musicals or plays at East. She is also involved in IHSSA. She’s sweet, kind, and hardworking. If you walked up to her, she would greet you and introduce herself as East High School Senior Christina Hernandez.

“My favorite thing about East High School has been being surrounded by such a welcoming community full of diverse and inclusive people,” Christina Hernandez said.

Hernandez walks around with pride and loves her school; she thinks that school is important to further your future aspirations.

“The most important part about East high school has been the teachers who care about the kids here,” Hernandez said.

Since she is involved in so many things at East the teachers have gotten to know her well as well.

“Christina is a genuine, caring and hardworking girl, I enjoy being around her,” AP English teacher Virginia Johnson said.

You may have also seen Hernandez as part of the ensemble in ‘Heathers’ and as ‘Cookie Cusack’ in ‘Rumors.’

The One The Only Christina Hernandez

Meet the East senior who never gave up on her goals.

“My favorite part about being in theatre is meeting so many new friends, we all became best friends so fast,” Hernandez said.

Her friends are also a big part of her life, and they love being around her and feeling her vibes as she talks to them.

“My favorite thing about Christina is her smile and how she cares for others. She is an extremely sweet person,” senior Regina Wasokye said.

Hernandez also ran for prom queen and won. She had so much support from all her friends and was excited to the point she cried when she became prom queen.

“Becoming prom queen is something I’ve always wanted since I was a little girl. I’ve always wanted to campaign around school and meet new people in the process,” Hernandez said.

Outside of school, she likes to hang out with her friends, volunteer or go to the library. She has eight siblings. She was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. She wants to go to college for social work or human services to become either a social worker, adoption coordinator or a case manager for

the foster care system.

“I would tell future seniors to go out of your comfort zone and make the effort to talk to as many people as you can. Be outgoing and most importantly, be yourself. It sounds so cliché, but it is so true. When you are authentically you, everything else works out in the end,” Hernandez said.

She cannot wait to see what the future holds for her and is so ready for her journey outside of high school.

Prom Queen Christina Hernandez

Why did you vote for Christina for prom queen?

“Seeing

Photos/A. Stoutenberg Photography

Story/G.Withee

Photo/R. Hernandez

Photo/H.Williams

how motivated she was and her dedication to campaigning is what proved to me she deserved to be prom queen.”

Asabella Sylavong

“Christina is very pretty, outgoing, strong, inviting and motivated. All things a good prom queen endures.”

Rojila Subba

Senior Scroll Staff

Have you ever wondered who’s worked on the Scroll through the pandemic, virtual

learning, and a shooting? The senior Scroll staff have persevered through it all.

Ny’AsiahGully

What is your favorite part about Scroll and why?

“My favorite part about Scroll is how I’m able to express myself and the unconditional love and support I’ve received while being in the class. Everyone has a great vibe and I love the articles I cover,” senior Ny’Asiah Gully said.

What’s your best advice for new Scroll members?

“I’d say choose topics you are passionate about and don’t be afraid to express your emotions!

The Scroll members are very supportive so don’t be afraid to express yourself and try new things. Don’t just stick to a how-to or Q&A articles, do a podcast or a personal narrative. Open up Illustrator or Photoshop. Have fun with design. The sky’s the limit in Scroll. Take advantage,” she said.

Do you plan on going to college? If so, what for?

“I plan on attending DMACC for two years after high school and hopefully get a job at the airport. Then, I want to move out of state. I’m hoping to move to North Carolina to become a travel nurse,” she said.

Gracie Withee

Has your Scroll experience changed your plans for the future?

“Yeah, it has. Before I joined any classes with Mrs. Niemeyer, I never wanted to do Journalism. I just thought, oh your writing you know. It’s actually really impactful if you think about it,” she said.

What’s your best advice for new Scroll members?

“I would just say don’t stress about it. Do what you think is important to people, and what you would actually want to write about,” she said.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of school and why?

“I like to go hangout with friends just because its like a letdown of the day. You just get to relax with your friends and have fun,” she said.

EbonyWalton

Tell me about Ms. Niemeyer. How has she helped you?

“Ms. Niemeyer has helped me a lot. She has helped me since I first started journalism. She has always told me that I could do so much better than what I was doing and so she was helping me out a lot. Then I ended up coming to newspaper and she started helping me even more. She was a big help to me,” she said.

What’s your best advice for new Scroll members?

“All you got to do is try your best and ask for help if you do need it because a lot of people will help you in here,” she said.

Who’s your favorite music artist?

“I’d say right now, Brent Faiyaz,” she said.

Pierce

Do you plan on going to college? If so, what for?

“Yes. I plan on going to Iowa State for criminal justice. I’m really excited for it,” she said.

What’s your best advice for new Scroll members?

“Don’t procrastinate. It really screws up your flow with everything,” she said.

Tell me about you.

“I feel like I’m really quiet. I really like to work hard and get stuff done,” she said.

3 Things the senior Scroll staffers have worked through

Story/S. Boydston

Yearbook editors closed final chapter

You may have passed by room 3060N during seventh period to see a loud and hardworking class of 35 students. Working on the yearbook that will keep memories forever. The 2023 yearbook editors are saying their goodbyes soon and starting a new chapter of their life.

Selena Gonzalez is a senior at East High School. Gonzalez is from Des Moines, Iowa and grew up on the East side. Gonzalez is involved in IHSSA, tennis, Dream to Teach, Science Bound, yearbook editor and chief. Since Gonzalez stated her time at East, “it was pretty great, I got involved in a lot of things pretty late, but I’m glad I got involved in all that I did because they were all really fun, especially yearbook,” Gonzalez said. The changes Gonzalez would like to see at East are currently in motion and happening. These changes are the things that she wanted to see for East when she first came here. “We’re becoming more inclusive. A lot more people are going out and making changes, advocating for it. I would like to see that continue for East,” Gonzalez said. Gonzalez has been shaped by East, “East really taught me you can be your authentic self and you don’t have to worry about what other people think. Everyone here is all vastly different, no one cares or makes fun of them for it,” Gonzalez said. Gonzalez is attending Iowa State University, she is majoring in biology secondary education, with a minor in Spanish. She plans to come back and work hopefully for East, but if not the Des Moines district. Gonzalez’s advice to other students, “things do get rough, classes will suck and you may not like all your teachers, but you just got to stick it out, pass those classes. Those four years go by fast, take advantage of every moment, every day, every activity,” Gonzalez said.

Brenda Moreno is a senior at East High School. Moreno is from Chicago, Illinois and grew up in Chicago until the beginning of middle school when she moved to Des Moines, Iowa. Moreno is involved in tennis, Scarlet Squad, editor and chief in yearbook and is in theatre as she played in “Heathers.” “I really meet a lot of new people and friends, especially through theatre,” Moreno said. Moreno would like to see more participation at events for East. “As a senior I really didn’t get the chance to because of COVID-19, I would definitely like to see people more involved,” Moreno said. Moreno expressed that yearbook helped shape her as a person because she struggled with communication with others. “I feel like it really builds those communication skills that you need for jobs and your future,” Moreno said. Moreno plans on attending two years of DMACC, before transferring to Iowa State University, majoring in criminal justice. Moreno’s advice to students is to get involved. “It’s very fun and nice to look back in the future, even now as a senior,” Moreno said.

Samuel Wagner is a senior at East High School. Wagner is from Des Moines and grew up here. Wagner is involved in cross country, swimming, tennis and Scarlet Squad at East. I asked Wagner what his time at East was like and he responded, “My time at east was good, boring at times. Some people are nice,” Wagner said. Wagner would like to see some changes at East, “I would like to see them enforce kids in the hallways more often and stop letting it get by,” Wagner said. Wagner expressed that East shaped him because he can now interact with anybody or talk to anyone now. “Taught me to be civil,” Wagner said. Wagner plans on attending Iowa State University, majoring in engineering/mechanical. Wagner’s advice to students attending East, “Go to class and get all a’s, it’s really not that hard,” Wagner said.

G.Lopez

Mrs. Weller’s East history

Mrs. Weller has been at East High school for 22 years. She was here four years as a student, five years as a teacher assistant and 13 years as a teacher. Over the years, Mrs. Weller has taught a bunch of classes such as metals 1, metals 2, graphics and 3d art. But sadly, many students don’t know who Mrs. Weller is and what she does for East. Ever since she was younger, Mrs. Weller has always loved East High School and has had lots of school spirit over the years. As a student, Mrs. Weller didn’t really participate in any activities such as sports, band, etc. but she has always supported East. For example, she would make posters for different events such as prom and other dances. One thing Mrs. Weller wants to change about East is our pride. Over the years, she’s noticed that we have a lot less school spirit and a lot less people proud of going to East and she wants this to change.

“Nobody’s proud of where we go…. Pride is a sin but there’s still liking and appreciating where you’re from and that’s how I think of pride, and I think if you’re proud of something you take good care of it,” Weller said.

Mrs. Weller’s favorite thing about East is the traditions. Traditions are a big part of East

culture and many of them are slipping away. Mrs. Weller wants to see the traditions come back because if they go away the building would only be a building and not a place with a big history.

“It needs to grow back up; it’s starting to fade away and if the traditions fade away at that point, I’ll only love the building and that’s weird,” Weller said.

Mrs. Wellers’ favorite memory as a student is being the first student to letter in art and only in art. For example, students could get letters for football than art or a letter for band than art, but Mrs. Weller was the first student to get a letter for just art.

“My art teacher and the principal made it, so I lettered in art, I have a letter but it’s an art letter instead of an academic letter or sports letter and that was exciting for me,” Weller said.

As a teacher Mrs. Wellers favorite memory is seeing her old students outside of school doing good. She likes being able to catch up with them and see how they’re doing. “I have one student who we call our bonus daughter, she’s in our Christmas picture and she comes to our stuff,” Weller said. Over the years, Mrs. Weller has done so much for East as an alumnus and as a teacher.

Many students have lots of respect for her such as Tristyn Emery. Emery had Mrs. Weller for two classes while at East High school (metals 1, metals 2). Over time Emery has made many memories in his metal classes.

“The tray that I made when it was first being made just giving its shape,” Emery said.

Many of East High schools’ staff and teachers have great relationships with Mrs. Weller as well. One of these teachers is Warren Brown. Mr. Brown has known Mrs. Weller for 16 years but has taught with Mrs. Weller for eight years. At Goodrill Middle School, Mr. Brown taught Mrs. Weller’s son so even before East they were friends. While at East, Mr. Brown and Mrs. Weller have made many memories together.

“As far as working making sure the equipment is working and learning how to make new equipment things like that is fun to work through together,” Brown said.

Over the years Mrs. Weller has made many memories and helped many students make memories and will do the same for years to come. East High School will always respect Mrs. Weller for the many things she has done for the students and the school.

Mrs. Weller’s East time line

Weller was a student Weller was a teacher associate in the shop

Weller left East and got her teaching degree, and worked a few other jobs

Weller came back to East and taught photo and art

Story/G.Cook

Photos/G.Cook

Weller moved back into the shop

Lacy Anderson says goodbye to East High

story/ J.White

You walk into 3030S at East High School, and are immediately greeted with a bright smile and a charismatic comment. The room is filled with life as students chat and check out the plan for the day’s class. But, this is something that students won’t experience next year, as long time East teacher and alumni Lacy Anderson will be leaving East High School at the end of the school year.

Not only does Anderson teach at East, she is involved in the prom committee, plans senior breakfast and develops close relationships with her students and their families. She loves all of these aspects of her job, but there is one aspect she doesn’t.

“To be honest, the new curriculum that the district purchased for the English classes was a big factor in deciding to leave teaching. There is a big disconnect between the people making decisions at the district level and the students/teachers in DMPS. I feel as though the money the district is spending on curriculum that

does not foster high student achievement could be used for a number of things to improve the safety, culture, climate and community within DMPS,” Anderson said.

Anderson cares about her students a lot, just as much as they care for her.

“She is different from other teachers because she doesn’t just teach her class, she cares about each of her students and takes the time to get to know them and checks on how they are doing. She is a very sweet person and is very understandable when it comes to having problems in your life and she is going through a lot outside of schools but always has a big smile on her face and has high energy no matter what,” junior Tabby Hochmuth said.

Now that Anderson will be leaving, she will have so much more time for the other factors within her life that are very important to her like her family.

“I have two children. My son Uriah is 12 and my daughter Rorie is 10. They are

night and day from one another. My son loves gaming, football, and eating. He is like a sponge when it comes to memorizing facts. He randomly tells me sports facts and facts about different recipes he reads about. He loves cooking and will probably be a sportscaster one day or a chef. My daughter loves playing softball, shopping, and spending time with her friends. She is my social butterfly that makes Tik Toks and acts embarrassed to be with me most of the time,” Anderson said

While she has her own family and is raising her two children through their childhood, she too had her own childhood with lots a great memories.

“My childhood was typical to most people. I grew up on the east side of DSM with my parents and two sisters. When I was almost 10, my younger sister was born and stole the role of the baby of the family,” Anderson said.

Some of Anderson’s best memories were made with her family at the racetrack.

“I spent many years watching my dad drag race in Eddyville, Iowa. As we got older and had our own interests, us girls played tournament softball, so mom traveled with us around the state to play ball,” Anderson said.

Anderson was born and raised on the east side, and she loves it. She represents her east side pride all day everyday.

“We lived in the same house on E 22nd throughout my school years, which allowed me to attend EHS. I am a proud Scarlet Alumni. I met my husband while walking the halls at dear ole’ East High,” Anderson said

“I am thankful for my time and experiences at East High School and never thought I’d be leaving before retirement. Unless I won the lottery, I am not sure about my future endeavors but will continue to support EHS as an alumni. Red and black to you I will be true,” Anderson said.

A

Vicki Bonnett Vicki Bonnett

Whether you have a bad headache or a bloody nose, you know exactly where to go, the school nurse. After working At East for over 20 years and as a school nurse for over 30, East High’s beloved nurse is retiring take a moment to read about her journey at East. “Honestly I’ve lost track of the time but over 20 years,” Bonnet said.

Nurse Bonnett already has an idea of what she plans to do with her time after retirement

“I’m going to join a pickleball team and spend a lot of time with my grandchildren and family. I have a daughter in Denver, a son on the West coast, and a daughter in Nebraska. I’ll do some traveling and I might even come back as a substitute teacher sometimes to just help out teachers in getting there planning time,” Bonnet said.

Nurse Bonnett loves to be outside and around family and friends when she’s not working.

“I love to read. I’m in book clubs and I like to eat, so I’m also in a dinner group. I like going to the YMCA and love bicycling plus just spending time with friends and family and I love going to the national parks and hiking,” Bonnett said

There are many memories that she’s made along the way and she appreciates all of them.

“The memories I’ve made here just getting to know the incredible staff and students we have here and just the supportive environment between the teachers and staff and friends that I’ve made along the way,” Bonnett said.

If Nurse Bonnett wasn’t a Nurse, she would have become a park ranger. “I would say yes, but I would also would have loved to be a park ranger at a national park or go to law school,” shes aid Nurse

Bonnet describes herself as passionate and extroverted.

“I would say I’m an extrovert, I like being with people, and I’m also passionate about workers’ rights.” Nurse Bonnets goal is to just make it to retirement

“My goal is to make it to June when I can retire and then get ready for the next phase of my life.,” Bonnett said.

Nurse Bonnet’s Five favorite activities

Nurse Bonnet’s Five favorite activities

1. Hiking

1. Hiking

2. Reading

2. Reading

3. Eating

3. Eating

4. Time with family

4. Time with family

5. Bike rides

5. Bike rides

Thank you to all the staff and students at East High School for the memories and keep working for the service of humanity “

You may have heard someone around you talk about wanting to become a CNA and may have wondered what that may be. CNAs are nursing assistants who help nurses with patients and other things that might need to be done. If you’re curious about what other things CNAs do or how to become one, read this article to find out much more

What is a CNA?

A CNA or also known as a certified nursing assistant, helps patients with activities of daily living and other healthcare needs under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). CNAs are also commonly referred to as a Patient Care Assistant (PCA), or a Nurse’s Aide.

“I wanted to take CAN classes because it is the first step to becoming a nurse. You are able to learn as you care for residents and patients. I have always been the type of person who wants to take care of people. I somewhat enjoy it, but sometimes it can be a burden,” East Junior and Licensed CNA Nasya Phoenix said.

How do I become a CNA?

Certified nursing assistants must complete a state-approved training program. CNA programs are generally found at local community colleges, high schools, vocational or technical schools, or local hospitals. There are two different levels of CNA classes you will need to take, there’s the basic class, and with just that class you can work in nursing homes, but there is an advanced class which allows you to work in hospitals. To work in a hospital, you must complete both the basic and advanced classes.

“I take CNA classes at Southridge DMACC, these classes go from 7:40a.m. - 9:40a.m., With the instructor Val Brand. I want to work in a hospital as a CNA to get more experience

before becoming a RN,” East High School CNA student Luz Espinoza- Rios said. What are clinicals?

Clinicals are a training that you must complete to successfully become a CNA. It is also a mandatory part of the CNA classes in almost all states. These clinicals can just start off as eight hour shifts, and you must have anywhere between 16 to 100 hours of total training with residents and/or patients. By doing these clinicals you are putting the knowledge you have learn while in class and are putting it to practice in real life.

“As I was training it was required to have hours of clinicals. I visited Prairie Vista Village, Kenny-Brook and another recreational facility, I worked eight-hour shifts where I was supervised in providing my assistance with residents ADL,” Phoenix said.

How to grow from a CNA

Some people will use their knowledge as a CNA to bridge the gap to further their career and become an LPN or RN. A large number of CNAs are already in a nursing school program and use this career as a chance to learn more about the healthcare world and gain additional real-world application and knowledge. Others become a CNA in order to determine if they want to continue to the next step in their healthcare journey.

Word Bank

LPN- Licensed Practical Nurse

RN- Registered nurse

CNA- Certified Nursing Assistant

PCA- patient care assistant

Sarai

Ramirez

Ramirez was born in Ludington, Michigan and raised in Iowa but her and her family are from Zacatecas, Mexico.

“I live with my mom, dad, two sisters, and one brother. We don’t really have time to spend together but we try to all be together. We all love to dance,”Ramirez said.

Some personal info about her is that she currently has a job at Walmart. At East, the only club she’s in is Latinos in Action, also known as LIA. After school, you can find her helping at Knock-and-Drop after school on Wednesdays helping provide meals for those in need. Her hobbies consist of eating, sleeping, and dancing.

“One of my favorite places to visit is somewhere outside like places with a nice view like maybe MacRae park and Michigan where my grandparents live,” Ramirez said.

One of her plans after graduating is attending college.

“I’m going to DMACC, I’m going for nursing or teacher, I don’t know which one yet,” Ramirez said.

Just like most people, Ramirez also has dreams of her own. Something she wants to accomplish in her life is having a job and owning her own home.

“My dream job is nursing but honestly anything that has to do with little kids,” Ramirez said.

Friends are very important to Ramirez. Her friends have many ways to describe her.

“I would describe her as outgoing and fun,” junior Yeimi Barajas-Munoz said.

She also values hanging out with her friends.

“I enjoy spending time with her she’s a great person to work with we had CNA together she’s a great leader, she would always find a way to get work done and done well,” Barajas-Munoz said.

She’s accountable, kind, passionate, considerate, and friendly. These are just some of the words that can be used to describe her.

Story/ E. Saldana-Hernandez

Photo credits/ I. Valdez

Kayte Yaw

My first impression of Kayte was someone who genuinely enjoys life and is a really positive person” East High soccer coach Eli Roberts said.

Yaw started playing soccer in her eighth-grade year. She was exited for this season to start, but sad that this is her last season with the Scarlets. Yaw is always ready to improve and take her soccer skills to the next level for her team and herself. She is consistently on time to practice and games with a positive attitude that always boosts the team’s spirit. Yaw expresses that when she’s not playing soccer or lifting, she’s wrestling.

Coach Giboo sees great things for Yaw’s future because of her determination. Yaw started wrestling because she was always strong, and her friends encouraged her to try it. She improved so much through the years because she always wanted to improve and be better.

She committed to the Grandview University women’s wrestling program where she will be studying engineering. During her time at East High School, she was able to be a part of the first Des Moines Public Schools girl’s wrestling team. She explained that this season was not what she had expected her senior year and wished for a better ending to her senior season. Although this was not her ideal season, she is excited to continue and grow at Grandview.

“I joined the national guard, so I’ll be there In the summer and I’ll be doing that for the next six years on the weekend and 2 weeks out of the summer,” Yaw said.

Yaw became interested in being a part of the national guard because of the benefits and she knew it would set her up well for the future. It In 10 years, Yaw sees herself in her first home having a good job and possibly reapplying to the National guard.

“Kayte always wants to know more, and I always pick on her because she asks so many questions but that is because she actually wants to learn” East High wrestling coach James Giboo said.

Story/ L.Fisher

Photo/ L.Hird

Yaw.

senior Wo K H r s oP

Have you ever wondered what you’re going to do with your life after high school? Without a proper plan, you could be left feeling worried, unsure, or even stressed thinking about what you want to do with your life. But worry no further, with the help of senior workshop, you will be leaving high school feeling prepared and ready for life in college.

What is senior workshop?

Senior workshop is a place for seniors to start their post-secondary plan. This could include colleges, trade schools, or jobs. If you are wondering where senior workshop is, it should be found with your counselor, in the counseling office near the red wall and benches on the second floor of the main building. They are open to any seniors on Wednesday during first and eighth period.

“Senior workshop basically started as a time for students to start their post-secondary plan for their college, trade school, jobs, or any other post-secondary plan after high school,” counselor Ryan Bracken said.

“It helped me prepare by getting my scholarship due and college, and it helps getting due of the things I would have to do outside school alone,” senior Falis Aden said.

Senior workshop is also known for inviting employers from programs and companies. These employers have helped students get an idea of what types of jobs are out there and if they should apply to these companies. There are also lots of scholarships that senior workshop can help with and even military recruitment.

“When we have guest come, they are available for the students; able to help the upperclassmen, and eventually help the lower class men,” Bracken said.

If you are a junior or going to be a junior, you can also participate in junior workshop. In junior workshop, the counselors help you decide what career you want to pursue. This will help you prepare for senior workshop, and guarantee you get your desired career.

“It helped me get information that let me narrow down my choices of what I wanted to do after high school, this helped me make sure that when I came to the senior workshops the next year, I would know what to spend my time on,” senior Moises GonzalezGarcia said.

Questions for the Counselors and Seniors about Senior Workshop.

Will senior workshop continue next year?

“Yes absolutely, there will be senior workshops and junior workshops open,” Bracken said. This means that if you are going to be a senior or junior next year, senior workshop and junior workshop will be open for you.

“I like the environment there because I know a lot of the seniors there so it’s pretty comfortable and the counselors as well,” senior Aaron Luong said.

How has senior workshop helped seniors prepare for college?

“I definitely think it’s helped create a routine during school, to help students prepare for programs, and also invite employers to come to east,” Bracken said.

“Senior workshop has helped me know more about the thing I like and what I would like to be in the future. When I first started going to Senior workshop, I didn’t know what I would like to choose for my career or what college would be best for me to go to, and now I know and have learned more about the opportunities that we have as a student’s, we just need to go for it,” senior Antonia Alvarado Amaya said.

“I like senior workshop because it really helped me find out what kind of college I want to go to and to help with my FASFA, it also helped me know what I wanted to do after high school and to prepare myself financially,” senior Alberto Perez-Roque Jr. said.

How and when did the senior workshop start?

“Senior workshop started last year because students didn’t have the face-to-face interaction to help with college, finical aid, scholarships, or jobs. Students really benefited from senior workshop, and we choose to continue it,” Bracken said.

Do you recommend senior workshops?

“I highly recommend going to senior workshops because they are helpful to everyone even if you’re not going to college, they can help you find the right path for you like trade school, military recruitment, or even a job path directly after high school,” senior Kinsley Kain said.

“I do recommend the workshop 100 percent because it a place where you find other seniors who need the same help as you and it gives you time to work on applications that you need help filling out it is really helpful since the resources you need are just all around you in one place,” senior Galilea Lechuga-Barragan said.

“Something I like about senior workshop is that I’m able to be with friends and have the help from the counselors to apply to colleges/universities to be able to go and be able to pick the right college/ university,” senior Johana Pena-Olivares said.

Story/Salu Lee

Science Bound

Science Bound seniors are awarded full tuition scholarships to Iowa State University. The nine-year program starts the summer before their eighth-grade year and lasts until students graduate from college. They receive fully paid tuition for all ASTEM degrees in exchange for their work and dedication to the program.

story/B.Gillard

Kareyna Holmes

“My favorite memory from Science Bound was when the freshman at ISU came back to East. Their presentations were informative, and I enjoyed hearing from them. Science bound has shaped me into who I am, it helped me find my career path and prepared me for college. After high school I plan to go to Iowa State and major in Biology Secondary Education,” Holmes said.

“If you have the chance to be in science bound, take it! Even if you don’t want to go to school for ASTEM, it is a helpful program to prepare for college and gives you good opportunities and experiences regardless,” Holmes said.

Amare Lee

“My favorite Science Bound memory was having to follow a college student around and going to his class. It helped me get a sense of what college would look like for me. My plan is to go to college and study business so I can learn how to start one of my own,” Lee said.

Nathan Reyes

“One of my favorite memories from Science Bound was the upperclassmen trip to a pumpkin patch in Mitchellville. I loved it because it gave us the chance to grow closer, share advice, have fun, and eat tons of hotdogs. I feel that Science Bound has not only helped me get the chance to do something like that but also helped me find my community and friends. Science Bound has also given me the chance to help shape my career goals with trips and shadow days. All in all, Science Bound has given me more much than a scholarship. After high school, my plan is to attend ISU, I’ve already accepted admissions and begun the housing process.

During the summer my goal is to apply for the MercyOne EMT program and gain skills and knowledge as well as money to save up. I plan to attend for 4 years and get my bachelors in Kinesiology,” Reyes said.

Nallely Fuentes-Chavas

“My favorite memory from science bound would be shadow day. On shadow day we go on campus and spend a day with someone in the profession we’re interested in. This year I had the opportunity to join women in business,” Fuentes-Chavas said.

“Science Bound is like a family and people you can trust. The way it has impacted me is in the way it showed me how to be a better person inside school and out of school it has also taught me many things and has prepared me for college. My plans are to attend Iowa State University and major in accounting and become a realtor on the side,” Fuentes-Chavas said.

Selena Gonzalez

“My favorite memory would have to be when we all came together as a junior class and made a send-off gift basket for Mrs. Fitz. I feel it truly showed how much we care and can come together when need be. After high school my plans are to attend Iowa State University and major in Biology Secondary education with a minor in Spanish,” Gonzalez said.

“Science Bound is a wonderful program that sets high standards and goals for students, further preparing them for the future that has offered me so many opportunities. Thanks Science bound!” Gonzalez said.

Design/B.Gillard

Photo/N.Dorr

story/M. Jimenez Scroll staff

Daniela Velasco Posada

While most 18-year-old girls are scrolling through Pinterest looking for dorm room inspo, East High senior Daniela Velasco Posada is planning her departure to the Air Force

Velasco Posada’s dream to join the Air Force started when she joined ROTC. This dream began early on while she was attending Garton Elementary and Hiatt Middle School. She has always been a fast learner and patient when teaching others.

“I’ve always had the interest of joining ROTC, but I never had the guts to,” Velasco Posada said.

ROTC is a program for Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. It’s a journey where you develop skills to become an officer in the military. You learn discipline, leadership and even self-confidence. Getting out of your comfort zone is always scary but worth it

“It’s just like being a police officer but you know, in the Air Force,” Velasco Posada said.

In the Air Force, she will be doing security forces.

“If you join ROTC it doesn’t mean you’ll be in the military,” she said. Joining this program doesn’t mean you have set your life to fight for this country, it can simply be just doing something good for yourself. Outside of East, she works at Michaels, the arts & crafts store in West Des Moines.

“She always makes me laugh and cares about the people she loves,”

senior Isabella Apolonio said.

Apolonio is Velasco Posada’s best friend, and they’ve known each other for a long time. She fully supports Velasco Posada’s transition and process to the Air Force. Apolonio describes her as funny, thoughtful, creative and adventurous.

“I chose creative because she makes things like blankets and she likes to take care of plants,” Apolonio said.

In general, Velasco Posada is beauty, inside and out. She is loving and puts others before her. She is also a middle child. Her older sister has a nine month baby, which makes her a recent aunt.

“She’s really cute and she does not bother at all,” Velasco Posada said.

She and her sisters are only two to three years apart. Her parents are great, loving people and they are all very close. They go on lots of road trips and spend time together as a family. All these incredible traits make her an amazing candidate for ROTC, for a friend, a sister or simply a decent human being.

EhlayKler Soe

2023 class vice president, volleyball player, friend, sister, achiever, varsity volleyball captain. These are all things that East High School senior EhlayKler Soe is as a person and what she has done and achieved throughout her years at East.

There may be a few things about Soe that you may not know about her.

“At home there is my parents, me and my older brother and sister, we are very family orientated and we have lots of cookouts during the summer I which love,” Soe said.

She likes to play the guitar and piano outside of school but she is very involved.

“Soe is a well-organized and smart. She participates in the meetings and tries to find solutions she is a good problem solver or coming up with ideas,” senior Galilea Lechuga said.

representers for each class than we have the public student gov where anyone can attend. The Cabinet creates the agendas they come up with the plan of events for the year that students want, they are responsible for communicating student opinions to administration about a variety of different things,” communtiy schools coordinator Madeline Cano said.

“Ehlay is wEll-organizEd and smart. shE participatEs in thE mEEtings and triEs to find solutions. shE is a good problEm solvEr or coming up with idEas.”

Soe is the vice president shes on senior cabinet she was elected so she works with the class president Galilea, she makes agendas and manage meetings and give out tasks for people to do.

Since freshman year, Soe has been involved in volleyball and now as a senior, she was picked to be her classes vice president.

“Working with Ehlay can have its up and downs. It is a good thing because I get to have a second view on ideas and options. I rely on her sometimes when I am not able to attend the meetings and I know she tries her best. She always has random ideas that are different, which is nice. It is hard to communicate with each other with our busy schedules,”Lechuga said.

Being vice president can be hard. Most people don’t know what student goverment does.

“It’s a group of students that are managed by senior cabinet so there are four of them and then we have class senators. There are two elected

“It’s very fun to see your ideas become a good product for school and I enjoy seeing the students having fun at these events but with school being difficult rn feel like being in this committee does add more to your routine and we have to learn to organize and plan which is the hard part,” Soe said.

To be class president and do the tasks they need to do, it can be hard.

“It’s very fun to see your ideas become a good product for school and I enjoy seeing the students having fun at these events but with school being difficult right now feel like being in this committee does add more to your routine and we have to learn to organize and plan which is the hard part,”Soe said.

- galilEa lEchuga

Photo/E.Soe

Photo/E.Soe

Photo/E.Soe

Photo/E.Soe

Story/N.Avon

President

Booster Club Jeremy Kline

Meet the Boosters

Kline is a father of 3 boys

Carter Kline

He graduated from East in 2020 and is now attending college at the University of Iowa.

Caden Kline

He graduated from East in 2022 and is now attending college at Kirkwood Community College.

Cale Kline

He is currently a Junior at East High School.

Did you know that there is a group of adults that either are alumni or have students at East or both, who help with projects to improve East behind the scenes? These adults feel strongly about Scarlets pride and strive to make things better. They are strong, confident, prideful, vibrant and they just radiate positive energy. This is the East High School Booster Club.

There would not be a post prom without them. They plan everything, all the entertainment, food, location, and decorations. They do it all, they try to make it as fun as possible for the students.

“We used to do all of the booster stuff together but just this year we separated post prom from everything else, but we are still the same people in both,” boosters club president Jeremy Kline said.

Kline has been a part of the boosters for 17 years and just became the president this year after the last one stepped down. It was a small group of people.

“I wanted to join because I wanted to be involved in my children’s school,” Kline said.

They are looking for more people to join and have pride in East. They just want everyone to get involved.

“In my opinion, we don’t do enough, if we had more involvement from people we

could do more. The students here deserve it. We have ten people show up, if we are lucky,” Kline said.

This group of adults love just helping East students and love making a difference for them.

“My favorite part of helping the boosters was all of us coming together as a team to brainstorm and create a night to remember for the kiddos at post prom,” post prom helper Candi Withee said.

The boosters also help the athletes manage their funds for the athletics teams so they can be at their best. They try to make sure the teams succeed by having money to pay for what they need. They want to make sure the teams look their best, so they feel proud on the fields and have pride for the East community.

“We do fund raisers to raise money for supplies, uniforms, equipment and trips,” Kline said.

They meet on Wednesdays to go over budgets for sports and when it’s that time of the year they also plan post prom, and they just want to make sure East students get what they deserve.

Photo/Boosters Story/G.Withee

BYE BYE BIG E

An update on the attempt to change East’s mascot

EHS In 2023: EHS IN 2024:

As you walk through the hallways of East High School, instead of a mascot painting the halls, you see big bold red E’s everywhere. For over a decade, East has had no physical representation of the Scarlets. This year, a group of East students has been working together to acquire a new mascot. With options ranging from knights to birds, this is a big mission for the East Ambassadors that will hopefully be accomplished by next year, but where are they currently with this process?

For over a decade, East High School has had no mascot. This year, a group of East students has been working together to acquire a new mascot, this is something never done before in DMPS and a process totally new. So many factors go into changing the mascot like getting the input from students, teachers, and alumni then submitting the data to the district to create the mascot. Hopefully East High School will have a mascot in 2025.

“I think having a mascot will bring a new light to East,” junior Kate Acosta said.

East High Scarlets are very prideful, donning their colors, contributing to school spirit whenever needed, and bringing energy to the student section. A mascot would boost school morale. When given a proper mascot said mascot will be tasked with duties of performing at assemblies and games, for instance cheer and band events and visit East feeder

schools. Having a mascot is critical to forming an identity for the school and the goal is to have the mascot by next year.

“It’s going to take a at least a couple of years,” junior Tabitha Hochmuth said.

Everybody’s opinion is considered in this process. From alumni to soon to be Scarlets, everybody’s thought counts. Currently they’re in the early stages of this process. In late 2022 there was a survey on infinite campus asking for the student’s perspective. The survey asked questions

Community school’s coordinator Madeline Cano said.

Another aspect of having a school mascot is the mascot being involved with the community. Once East gets a mascot, the mascot will be heavily involved with our feeder schools like Hiatt, Hoyt, Goodrell, and Weeks. East ambassadors showing up to their school events and raising school spirit for upcoming East Scarlets and helping with transitions going from middle school to East. Students can also gain silver cord hours for being the mascot.

“Were trying to pass on school spirt to our future Scarlets,” Acosta said.

like what students want the mascot to be and do they even want a mascot? Now that all that data is collected the East High School Ambassadors are now working to get the teachers perspective along with the community and alumni and sending them out to district. Once all the opinions are collected, they will be working with the district and their graphic team to set vision for all the mascot options, and eventually the mascot will be chosen.

“This is a new process completely.”

School spirt is something the Scarlets pride themselves on. Participating in themed days and attending sporting events has the East High Scarlets in a chokehold having a mascot will only boost that. The poll that took place on infinite campus showed feedback telling us 82 precent of students who took the survey said YES they definitely want East to have a mascot. 92 precent of students who took the survey said a mascot would have a positive impact at East. The following words were chosen by students as characteristics that Scarlets represent strong, trustworthy, tough, hardworking and supportive.

“I think a mascot will only benefit us as a community and make us feel like a real school.,” sophomore Xavian Ounlokham said.

story/ I.Lovan

illistration/I.Lovan

“I think having a mascot will bring a new light to East.”

-Kate Acosta, junior

Class of 2023 seniors, what is one piece of advice you have before you leave?

Anwsers:

Josue Aleman - “Don’t skip class.”

Alexanderia Christenson - “Don’t let yourself start skipping, it’s addicting.”

Samantha Conyers - “Work extra hard your first two years. It’s hard to get your GPA up if it starts low.”

Andrew Decker - “Be in class, stay caught up on grades.”

Elijah Dittmer - “Don’t ever give up, keep pushing to your goals in life and school.”

Kendell Fuller - “My advice I would like to give to everyone is to keep moving forward. Many of us lose sight of what we valued. Remember what drives you forward, and march towards your goals without looking back.”

Selena Gonzalez - “Take advantage of the opportunities you’re offered, and appreciate every moment. You only get four short years here, make the most of em.”

Zackary Heilman - “Nobody cares about your middling dance videos. You can sit in a classroom for 45 minutes just fine. Basically, just my own passive aggressive way of saying go to class.”

Christina Hernandez - “Be outgoing and push yourself to talk to everyone. It’s not as scary as you think.”

Carter Hexamer - “Join everything, the things you do for school outside of class is what makes high school worth it.”

Karen Jones - “No matter how small the dream is, it is still yours and you are in control. Be the you that will make you happy, not the you that makes others happy.”

Nate Langlinais - “Have fun with school, make good friends, don’t screw around until all your works done, just have fun with school, don’t let it be your whole life.”

Galilea Lechuga-Barragan - “Have the most fun and try new things, don’t care about other people, it goes so fast so enjoy it while it lasts.”

Aaron Luong - “Cherish those around you.”

Matthew Mila - “Stay true to yourself. Character attracts good people around you.”

Brenda Moreno - “Always think of your future because it will motivate you to do better.”

Dillon Russell - “All I would like to say is go to class or you’ll regret it later.”

Delanee Stuve - “Don’t be scared to ask questions. It makes you look better if you are the one who asks the question.”

Evelyn Utterback - “Find things that you enjoy, surround yourself with people who make you better, join clubs, pay attention but don’t make school your life, don’t be afraid live a little.”

Samual Wagner - “Go to class.”

Gracie Withee - “Don’t slack. Be on top of all of your work. It’s better for you in the long run. Also, be yourself. Don’t let people drag you down!”

Story/C. Ramirez-Chavez

Photo/C. Ramirez-Chavez

The west-side entrance

The East High School emblem

The north-side entrance

Delanee Stuve

Our senior student

East High, Simpson College, dance, golf, and Menchie’s. All these things are what the senior, Delanee Stuve, is involved in.

Pierce

Dance Golf

Stuve is a current senior at East, who is on the way to graduation. After she graduates, she is moving on to Simpson College, where she has already been accepted. While preparing for all of this, she is also working at Menchie’s.

“I hate it (Menchie’s), as of now I am looking for a new job,” Stuve said.

At the moment, Stuve has looked at many colleges, but she has found that Simpson College is the one.

“Out of all of the colleges I applied to, Simpson was the cheapest,” Stuve said.

These four years have been long for many seniors. Being the last group to remember life at school before COVID and then coming back afterwards. Many students have noticed that there were changes, not only have the rules changed, but also the atmosphere within the school.

In these four years, Stuve has had many teachers. One of them being Mr. Sporleder. He is the Economy and AP Government teacher. Spoerleder is a favorite apon many, from being laid back to efficiently teaching his students.

Stuve has a long life ahead of her. While it may bring many challenges, Stuve is up for these difficult obstacles.

“This year, compared to our freshman year, I feel that the atmosphere has changed a lot. It might be because I’m used to it now, compared to being a freshman. However, I think many things changed because of COVID,” Stuve said.

Story/K.

Simpson College

East High School

Headphone & Earbud Reviews

To find the best for you

Fun Facts

1. The first earbuds were made in 1891 by Ernest Mercadier. The biggest evolvement with these earbuds happened in the 1980s. However these mainly developed in the 1950s, along with hearing aids.

2. The first over-ear headphones were the Koss SP-3. These were created by John Koss who is a jazz musician

From $100 Apple earbuds to cheap dollar store finds and all the Amazon options in between. Throughout my 18 years, I have gone through too many earbuds to count. While there have been many bad experiences, there have also been a few good ones. Follow this guide to pick the best earbuds for you and your budget.

There are millions and millions of options when it comes to wanting a pair of headphones or earbuds.

Review 1: Dollar store earbuds

Cost: $1

Rating: 1/5

The sound quality for these was not particularly good, and the fitting was all right, but they did not last exceedingly long. I would not recommend getting these for the long term, maybe if you are in a pinch and need a quick pair of earbuds. Overall, it got the job done.

Review 2: Skullcandy headphones

Cost: $18

Rating: 3/5

The sound quality was fairly good, compared to the dollar store earbuds, and the fitting was great. Although the wire for the headphones did not last very long.

Review 3: Luxmo

Cost: $20

Rating: 5/5

I loved these headphones so much. The sound quality was great, and the fitting was good. I recommend these to everyone wanting Bluetooth headphones, they are affordable and excellent quality. These lasted for over a year.

Review 4: Bomaker Bluetooth earbuds

Cost: $50

Rating: 2/5

The sound quality was good, and the fitting was even better. I would have gotten another pair if it were not for how little these lasted. I do not recommend these to anybody due to how much they cost and how long they lasted.

Review 5: Amazon Echo earbuds

Cost: $100

Rating: 5/5

Everything about these earbuds is great, the sound, the fitting, and the amount of time that they have already lasted. These earbuds are fantastic, and I recommend them to anybody willing to spend a bit on a pair of wireless earbuds.

Trans kids and gender dysphoria

Gender dysphoria and the way trans kids are treated in society is very upsetting and it needs to be helped

According to thetrevorproject.org, ”Transgender youth reported significantly increased rates of depression, suicidality, and victimization compared to their cisgender peers.”

The way that transgender youth is treated is alarming. Every day, transgender youth are looked down upon. People think that they are confused or corrupt, but this is all wrong. Studies have been conducted on how most trans youth who transition when they are young, still identify as the gender they transitioned to (Trans Youth Project) and many face gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria is when kids (mainly trans kids along with many others) feel extremely disconnected from the body they are in. They despise their sexual anatomy and often, have a very strong desire to be the opposite gender or be treated like the opposite gender. According to childmind.org, “When they (trans kids) are unable to be accepted as the gender they feel they are, or are bullied or victimized, they are at a high risk for depression and anxiety, as well as self-harm or suicidality.” A study of transgender teens found that more than 50 percent of transgender males and almost 30% of transgender females reported attempting suicide (childmind.org). This needs to be stopped.

As a trans kid myself, this makes me extremely upset. I have had experience with gender dysphoria, and it is a horrible feeling. You feel upset, like you won't ever be seen as the gender you want, disconnected from your body and mind, and just horrible overall. Gender dysphoria is something that trans kids experience in their own time, but it is made worse by the treatment they face. While I haven’t had the experience of being bullied or put down yet for being trans, it is still a huge issue that many transgender kids alike go through. I don’t see why people feel the need to treat kids like this. There is no reason to put people down because they feel unlike their biological self, if they’re happy it shouldn’t matter. You don’t need to share your opinions especially if they are going to hurt someone mentally or even physically. It’s not even just kids that treat trans youth this way, adults do it too and that is completely not okay. It’s expected that kids would do this to other kids because kids are just very judgmental but with adults, it’s less forgivable. Don’t get me wrong, even kids doing this to others is wrong, but kids learn more from their parents’ behaviors than anyone else. I think that if you

can have a kid and treat them normally then you should be able to treat a trans kid the same. Just because they decide that they feel better as the other gender, doesn’t mean that they are any different than a normal kid. We think the same, act the same, eat the same, even breathe the same, just because we decide that we don’t fit as our biological gender doesn’t mean that we are any different.

Transgender youth has more of an issue with gender dysphoria because of some laws and bills that are set in place in certain areas like a bill that bans healthcare workers from prescribing puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgery to minors. Any minor who was already going through this process had 180 days to end their treatment. Then a bill that bans transgender kids from using the bathrooms and locker rooms in grades K-12 that follow what they identify as and making them have to get parental consent to ask for a separate bathroom or locker room, these bills that were signed in March of 2023 and put in effect immediately, being put in place just here in Iowa. These make it harder for transgender youth to transition and feel more like the gender they know they are compared to the gender they are told they are supposed to be. Sometimes though, the pressure of people not seeing them as the gender they feel and identify as makes the situation feel even worse. The saddest thing is that most of the people who say, think, and decide these things, especially the laws, are people who don’t want to open their minds to the changing times that are happening everywhere around the world. They are still stuck on how everything else used to be and don’t want to realize that as time goes on, the world changes that.

You can't change people, but my solution to this issue is to teach everyone about transgender people. Teach them what trans people go through, teach them the history behind trans people, teach them why trans people change themselves, even hanging out or getting to know a trans kid could help you to see how there is no difference. It might not make much sense but the only way to change the way people think is to teach them. People need to be made aware of all that trans kids go through. In my opinion I think that maybe if they are taught how all this works, people will use compassion and logic to treat trans kids the same as any other kids because we are no different than any other.

What gives you a sense of belonging at East?

Maria Burleson

Building relationships is a good place to start. Consider our Restorative and Safety Coordinators (RSC) here at East High School. All RSCs, Matt, Molly, and Maria, dedicate their time and energy to helping students build healthy relationships, as well as ensure a safe learning community at East High. They all have their unique skill sets, but for our reading, we’ll dive into learning more about Maria Burleson.

Picture this...You get called down to the main office and you don’t know why. They point you to a small room where you sit face to face with RCS, Maria Burleson. She is a direct person and, while loving, she gets straight to the point regarding your attendance, grades, behavior and needed help. Burleson dishes out tough love; she makes sure you know that she is here to help and support you through your struggles. This is an experience many students in the East community have been through with Burleson.

She is known to most students as Ms. Maria. She is determined, attentive, inspiring, in control, but full of love. She’ll almost feel like a second mother to a lot of East students. Having kids of her own makes her more experienced than

other teachers because she knows the “phases”, or the changes kids go through during their school years. There are many students and coworkers here at East that connect with Burleson daily and they are comfortable enough to be vulnerable with her.

“She is not afraid to go deep into the recesses of a person’s heart,” East High School Associate Principal, Steven Leib said. Burleson is an immigrant of 30 years, born and raised in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. She arrived to the United States in 1992.

It has been five years since she has gone to the Dominican Republic. Most of her relatives live down there. Her trip was cancelled because of the pandemic.

“Right before Covid I was going,” Burleson said. When she does visit, she usually stays with her mother.

She has three adult children, two boys and a girl.

Burleson is considered to be someone you can count on, someone you can go to for advice.

“Yeah, I would,” freshman Nayeli Camarillo said. Camarillo is someone you will constantly see in Burleson’s office, holding her accountable for her actions and helping her meet her potential. She

describes her as kind, persistent, and funny. “Kinda mean but in a responsible way,” Camarillo said.

Although she is new to East, Burleson has become a proud Scarlet.

“For the first assembly last semester, she went down to Ms. Wellers room to dye her hair and put east stickers on her face,” freshman Alejandra Castillio, Trejo said.

Leib describes Burleson as passionate, empathetic, relentless and zealous. They are more than just coworkers, they are great friends. They count on each other and make an outstanding team. Both have a relationship with God and connected on that as well. Burleson is always on the go, keeping herself busy.

“Go go go all day long,” Leib said.

Burleson is always full of energy, always puts a smile on people’s faces and works hard at becoming a committed Scarlet and brings East spirit everyday.

“Yeah, everyday,” East campus monitor, Dontez Adair said.

Burleson and Adair are very close coworkers. Adair sees how Burleson relates to her students because of her background and the fact that she is bilingual like many East students.

“She can relate to a lot of kids because she speaks Spanish,” Adair said.

“She is not afraid to go deep into the recesses of a person’s heart.”

-East High School Associate Principal Steven Leib

Story/M. Jimenez

Photo/M. Jimenez

Madi Williams

Meet the coach of East’s color guard since 2015 and learn what makes her so great, before she leaves for good

You’re sitting out on the bleachers of Williams Stadium on a cool Friday night, and it is officially halftime. You see the band getting in place on the sideline and next to them, you see the color guard but, who’s that walking up to them? That’s the color guard coach, Madi Williams, preparing the color guard for yet another great performance. She may be leaving this year but before she does, you need to know some background on who this amazing coach is.

Madi Williams grew up right here in Des Moines. She attended high school here at East and went to Grand View University for college. She is very proud to be an alum of both these schools.

“I’m a proud Eastsider for life,” Williams said.

Williams started coaching color guard at East in the summer of 2015. Williams originally didn’t know that she wanted to be the coach for color guard until she was asked to. She had stayed involved with color guard since she graduated, and her sister was assistant coach. Color guard was something that Williams always enjoyed, and she knew that she never wanted to leave it behind. Coaching was something that Williams was exceptional at and that never went unnoticed, especially by her assistant coach, Kennedy.

“There’s not just one moment where Madi has said something but more of her constant optimism, exceptional leadership, and empathy that will always stick with me,” Kennedy Kennedy said.

Williams’s favorite part of her career was meeting different and talented young adults and unlocking that talent through color guard. She thinks that it is very rewarding to watch her team prove how awesome they are when doing even the simplest things. She especially enjoys watching the confi-

dence her team gains and knowing that color guard helped with that experience.

“My girl Madi is a very good coach because she knows how to push you to make you better. She won’t let you give up, ever,” sophomore Jay Johnson said.

Other than being an amazing coach, she is also an amazing mother to her two children, Ruth and Franklin. Coaching and being a mother is hard, but Williams doesn’t see it that way. She sees it as gaining patience, flexibility, and maturity. Being a mother has helped her in coaching and vice versa. There have been many challenges she has gone through while coaching and being a mother, but her biggest challenge has been childcare. When she first had her daughter, she would bring her to practice, but it was very distracting. Challenges like timing and scheduling were also something that made coaching and motherhood harder, but Williams always persevered.

“Ultimately, that’s why I’ve decided to step away.

I would like to have more time with my kids as they grow up and get involved in their own activities,” Williams said.

Something that Williams likes doing in her free time when not coaching is just enjoying the time. She fills her schedule up so much that when she has that free time, she just sits and does nothing, which she really enjoys. Some hobbies that Williams has are crocheting, which is something she is recently learning, reading, cooking, and she really enjoys scrolling through TikTok for an hour or two. A goal that Williams has is to learn at least one TikTok dance which she is still working on. Despite all these hobbies, color guard is and will always be her favorite.

“Madi has dedicated so much time and so many years turning color guard into a fun filled and inviting program for anyone who wants to show school spirit with a little extra sparkle. I hope East High never forgets all she’s done,” Kennedy said.

Williams at the Iowa State Dance and Drill Team Association (ISDTA) solo and group competition, her first year coaching

Coach Madi’s top 3 quotes during practices

Story/M. Mickle

Photo/M. Williams

A new chApter in eAst high BAseBAll heAd coAch Justin denhAm tAkes the leAd

After 27 years of coaching, East baseball head coach Brain Luft has retired and the new coach, Justin Denham, has stepped up. Denham has many goals for both the team and his players.

Where have you previously coached?

“I’ve coached most of our current East High players through their youth development system at Grandview Little League. A lot of my coaching experience comes from some of those younger age levels. Some of the first kids that I started coaching when they were seven, eight and nine years old are now sophomores and juniors,” Denham said.

Did you play any baseball growing up?

“I made the East high baseball team as a sophomore and was on the varsity team, sophomore, junior and senior year and graduated in 2006. So, I played for Coach Luft for three of those years,” Denham said.

What inspired you to coach?

“I’m a baseball lifer, baseball’s just always been one of my things. I started coaching when my son was three or four years old at Grandview Little League. So, I’ve coached him for the last 10 years,” Denham said.

What are your goals?

“Competition-wise, I think we could win our conference this year. I think that we should immediately be competitive against Lincoln, Roosevelt, Hoover, North, and all the rest of the schools in our conference. And I think if you asked any of our varsity team, they’d be right on board with me on that one,” Denham said.

How important is having a good relationship with your players to you?

“That’s the only important thing, right? As a coach, as a leader, if I can’t relate to you and create those relationships and create that trust and that bond with my players. You know, you just don’t get the production …. And so, creating those relationships day one was the most important thing during Little League and so now we get to step in and just continue strengthening those relationships and it’s going to show. From the production on the baseball field, I can’t wait for Monday to show everybody what the new squad looks like,” Denham said.

team

Illustration/T. Davis

“Rumors”

An East High School production

Did you get to see Rumors and want a flashback on some of the highlights? Or perhaps you didn’t get to see it and want to take a look on what you missed, either way here is some breathtaking photos of East High Schools production of Rumors and a description an what it’s all about.

Rumors is a play originally from 1988 created by Neil Simon. The story starts when Ken and Chris Gorman visit their friend Charley Brock, the deputy mayor, and his wife for their tenth anniversary. However, when they arrive, the house is sealed shut and there are no servants inside. Charley had apparently tried to shoot himself beforehand, missing his head and hitting his ear instead because he was high on valium. The story takes off from there with lots of people showing up doing various different part activities and towards the end of play is when what he had done was revealed.

Cast List

Evelyn Utterback as Chris

Gorman

Nathaniel Langinlas as Ken

Gorman

Karlie Flam as Claire Ganz

Carter Hexamer as Leonard

Ganz

Christina Hernandez as Cookie

Cusack

Santiago Melendez Lopez as Ermie Cusack

Samantha Conyers as Cassie

Cooper

Kendell Fuller as Glenn Cooper

Owen Littell, Cody Rangel, Zander Ross as Officer Welch

Robert Thacker, Owen Littell, Cody Rangel as Officer Pudney

Hanna Faught as Myra Brock

TECH CREW

Lights - Mia Dank, Hannah

Dank, Owen Littell, Cody

Rangel

Sound- Josue Aleman, Christopher Ranmirez Chavez

“The production went amazing. Everyone worked so hard, I’m going to miss the seniors.”

- Jamaal Allan

Skating around East

Around East High School, skateboards have been appearing but not on the loose, in the arms of people. The weather is becoming warm and the concrete waves are calling.

Name: Jojo Smith

Grade: 11th

Skating for: Three years.

The reason Smith. got into skating was because it was an escape for him.

“An opportunity to calm down and get away,” Smith said.

The reason Smith keeps skating is because its fun, and it helps with many skills

“Skating has helped me get around more, helped lose weight, and better coordination,” Smith said.

Skateboards are something that a lot of skaters break via tricks and just the natural wear of the board.

When asked how many skateboards he has gone through, he replied with a quick five.

When Smith has nothing to do during the winter, when he’s unable to skate, he skates inside, goes to indoor skateparks, and goes down stairs, “But don’t do that one that hurts,” Smith said

“Everyone should give a form of skating a try, being able to skate would be very beneficial and if you think about it the accidents of running and skating are pretty much the same,” Smith said.

Skater: Landon Green Grade: 10

Skating for: Two years

The reason Green got into skating was just as a hobby and something to do with friends, friends seem to let Green keep skating because what lets him keep skating is also friends. When Green cannot skate what he does is snowboarding

The amount of skateboards Green has gone through is three

The way skating has impacted Green is “getting me out of the house, and gets me to do things with just going out and having fun,” Green said.

Story / Z. Ross

Photos / Z. Ross

Ron Hardy

Hardy Skateboard Company

Looking into getting into skating yourself? Meet Ron Hardy, the friendly face behind the counter and the owner of Hardy Skate Company located in the Valley West Mall.

Hardy has been infatuated with skating since he was eight years old. When his neighbor rode past him and did an ollie, his fascination started and he immediately picked up a skateboard from either a garage sale or from any friend with an old board.

“It’s my passion, my DNA,” Hardy said. Hardy’s favorite thing about skating is that it can be something he can practice alone or with others, it’s a fun sport for him and it’s hard because of how skaters change their mindset to be in-tune with the skateboard.

“It's hard to be comfortable, it's more of being an object on a board,” Hardy said.

Hardy tore his ACL at the start of the year, and as of the interview, he had been off his skateboard for three months, which is the longest he had been without skating.

“I hope to be back on [skating] within the next 60 days,” Hardy said Hardy had wanted to own a skate shop since age 12, to show is passion for his lifestyle, and meet all these different skaters,

“I had friends who made fun of me, but when I left the school it was just me… and it became a culture,” Hardy said

How the community has impacted Hardy is greatly, with the feeling of a moth to a flame. Hardy felt like it was a calling, the want for a local skate shop and a skate team

of his own.

“I felt like there was a calling from the community for a new lane… I saw all these different sports with their own teams and the scene was growing… I wasn’t capitalizing, I just wanted to show representation,” Hardy said. Hardy describes the community as very wide open.

“Some people are just jumping on the bandwagon, but its bringing in so many people and theres so many other groups in it,” Hardy said Hardy’s advice to people getting into skating is to be willing.

“If you’re not willing to fall down and get hurt, this isn’t the lane you want… you have to be willing to eat crap,” Hardy said.

“Its being compelely comfortable ”

- Ron Hardy

photo/ Z. Ross

Story/ Z. Ross

What you can do over the summer as a teen (Car Edition)

Standing outside on the fresh summer green grass, feeling the breezy wind drifting through the trees. You look up towards the clouds and notice how wonderful the weather is today. You ponder, what should I do this summer? This short guide will help you find out what you should do this summer.

Don’t

1. Have a water, gun/balloon fight with your friends. This fun activity can refresh you during the hot and humid summer air.

2. Sunbathe in your backyard. This activity might not be active but is a nice activity to get a nice tan and relax after a long day. This activity can also be at a local park, or even at your friend’s house.

3. Learn new skills like cooking, or drawing. This activity can allow you to learn something that you can use throughout life.

4. Play a card game or board game. This activity does not require internet and is a good game to bond with your family or friends. A card game I recommend is Cards against Humanity: Family Edition; It is a party game made to make you and others laugh until your mouths feels numb. It can be played with two+ people and the point of the game is to pick the most hilarious card that fits into a chosen sentence. There are multiple versions like the original Cards against Humanity, but the Cards against Humanity: Family Edition is recommended for ages eight+. A board game I recommend is called Clue, which is a perfect game for solving the mystery of a cold murder. There has been a character who has been mysteriously murdered, and you must find who killed them, what they were murdered with, and where were when they were murdered. It is a skillful game and can be very rewarding once you figure who is the murderer, it could even be you.

Have

1. Visit the Des Moines Art Center. If you can drive, this place is full of beautiful art pieces that are free to see. The open hours are from 10 AM- 7 PM on Fridays, 10 AM- 4 PM on Saturday and Sunday, 11 AM- 4 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and closed on Mondays. It is open to all ages, but children must be at least accompanied by an adult.

2. If you need money, you can work at the Iowa State Fair. The weather may be hot, but many people make decent money by working at the Iowa State Fair. If you want to apply before the fair is open, you can scan the QR code to the right. -------> If that doesn’t work, this is the link:

https://www.iowastatefair.org/ about/employment/seasonalapplication-form.

3. Go stargazing. This activity is a nice activity to do with your family, friends, or anyone special that you have in your life. If you are lucky, maybe there is a chance you’ll see a shooting star. A good place to go stargazing in Iowa could be at Lake Sugema, which has a beautiful overview of the lake and stars.

Draken Falls

Des Moines Art Center

S u m m e r B i n g o

G.Lopez

hiking farmers market hang out with friends sleep tie-dye shirts

beach biking

strawberry picking creek walking movie night

pjs to the movie theaters

summer playlist have a picnic

F r e e

lake watch the sunset

baking cookies

travel go for a walk

drive-in skating

mini golfing

vist the local zoos

bowling hang out with family

Once a Scarlet, forever a Scarlet