A Helping Hand

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HELPING

HAND What it’s like to be a counselor at West High

CONTENTS FEATURE

FOSTER PETS

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FEATURE

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Fostering animals is a huge responsibility with huge rewards, here’s a West student who does it.

SILVER CORD Getting a silver chord is a huge acheivement, read this to learn more.

PROFILES

PROFILING COUNSELORS A look into what guidance counselor does and the difficulties they face.

HUMOR

SUMMER ESSENTIALS Now that summer is almost here, learn all the essentials you need touse it to your full potential.

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West Poetry Poetry has a huge effect on people around the world, including West High.

BY ALAA ALI

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oses are red, violets are blue, sugar is Currently her favorite artist is Amy Mahsweet, and so are you. That poem, sweet moud, a Sudanese-American poet who is the as it is, is probably the epitome of what Individual World Slam Champion for her you thought was a poem back in elementary poem “Mama”. school. Ala Mohamed ‘16 did too,“I thought At the diversity school board meeting on poetry was like haikus and things like that or May 10, West High students Jillian Baker, Ala like rhymes or that it had to be on a certain Mohamed, Sara Ahmed ‘16, and Jayd Mertopic.” Later she realized that poetry could be riweather ‘17 recited a poem about diversity, more abstract and bringand that the ing light to only limit is the situation your imaginaabout it. “It tion.

[Poetry is] the freedom to express who explains why The dictionstudents who you are and what you are thinking ary definition start off as without someone coming up to you of poetry is i m m i g r ant s literary work and saying you’re infringing your rights to a country in which speare at a dis-Ala Mohamed ‘16 cial intenadvantage sity is given because they to the expression of feelings and ideas, but it don’t know English.” according to Baker. The can mean different things to different people. point of this event was to bring attention to To Ala Mohamed ‘16, this means “The freestaff because we feel like people of color are dom to express who you are and what you are being treated unfairly. thinking without someone coming up to you Monica Winterburg, a teacher in the english and saying you’re infringing your rights” and department says this about poems, “I like the to Jillian Baker ‘17, it is “another way to exability for the author to say so much with so press meaning in a low-key way and to express little and it forces readers to find meaning. yourself.” Poetry is versatile and really is what Poetry can be inspired by the most ordinary you want it to be. things.” Since poetry is a source of inspiraIn fourth grade Mohamed loved writing. Her tion for many people, Here’s my very own interest in it started with writing stories with poem to inspire you. Roses are red, violets her friends, and she would write stories about are blue, you can do anything, the only limit their crushes and make them them the male is you. character in her story, that soon branched off to her experimenting with new ways to write, and she found her passion with poetry.

DESIGN BY GRACE WANG

MAY 2015 3

FOSTER FEVER Fostering animals is a huge responsibility with huge rewards. This is a West High student who does it.

BY ALAA ALI

Spring is strays season. And with that come a ton of extra animals being found and taken to the shelter. Puppy mills, which are large scale commercial dog breeding facilities where profit is given priority before the well being of the dog also bring lots of under cared for animals to the shelter, where they may or may not be adopted. A horrible definition for a cute sounding place. Before they come to these shelters though, they can be put through terrifying conditions. Ayanna Rost ‘19, says “A lot of the dogs that we foster come from puppy mills, they keep them in horrible conditions.” Three million dogs from puppy mills are killed in shelters every year Usually they foster one dog at a time, since they have a few dogs of their own already. They have because of the lack of adoptive homes.

Rost and her family are one of 50-75 foster homes fostered dogs anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 months in the area, and they have been fostering dogs for until someone shows interest in adopting them, the sooner people show innearly two years from terest, the sooner they can Last Hope Animal Resbe adopted. “Watching how cue, whose mission is to [The most rewarding part of they come in this horrible “Save as many homeless, foster care is] watching how state and get better with abused, abandoned, hard they get better with everyeverything, like how they to place and neglected -Ayanna Rost communicate with people.”, animals that we can and Rost says when asked about then place into loving the most rewarding part of pet foster care. Fosterforever homes where they will be cherished.” They have saved a huge number of animals-more than ing pets needs patience, training, time, and love, 2000 animals since 2004, and that includes plenty especially since these dogs come with some issues of types of household pets such as dogs, cats, even and things you need to help them with, like trust issues, since many have not had a very good starts some rabbits and hamsters.

A family friend of the Rosts had recommended and need to be taught to trust again, which is one fostering as a good family activity to do in free time, thing Rost says is frustrating to help the dogs with and that’s how their fostering journey started. Usu- at times, since it takes a lot of time for them to really they foster one dog at a time, since they have a gain their trust if they have had it betrayed in their past. few dogs of their own already.

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Carol Doser, an adoption manager at Last Hope Animal Rescue says that their are countless ways someone can get involved at the rescue center.

From baking dog treats, to dog walking, to caring for the dogs at their adoption events, to working at events, to handling dogs at those events, to fostering. “Get involved and try one--then it isn’t so scary to try other things.”, Doser encourages. You can visit the rescue center at its location in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to learn more.

Doser tries to make sure the person is committed to getting an animal before they let them adopt. She says people should be compassionate to these animals and realize that often shelters like Last Hope Animal Center is their last hope.

Some of the animals at the shelter have difficulty trusting people, need some training, or just need the right person to come into their lives, despite these things, Doser says that most of the dogs they have in their rescue are wonderful. “These animals deserve a second chance-- and for many of them, they are in the situation they are in because of irresponsible humans.”

She also says that many people are don’t foster because they’re afraid they won’t be able to give it up when the time comes. When this happens she tells people to tell themselves that their job is to find this pet his perfect home, and that there is another one out there that needs you.

This way people can help get as much animals to new homes as they can. Some people who foster pets do decide to adopt their foster pet. This has happened to Ayanna Rost while her family was fostering a dog named Tom, a young jack russell terrier and they ended up adopting him for their own.

These animals gain so much from foster care.

They learn how to trust again, they get trained in basic skills, and they learn social and domestic skills. Most importantly of all, they have the opportunity of getting to go to a forever home, cheesy as that sounds, because after all they have been through beforehand, it’s what they deserve.

DESIGN BY GRACE WANG

MAY 2016 5

FEATURE

SUMMER MEMORIES

BY RACHEL FALDUTO

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emories. We all have them. Some of them are amazing. Like, remember that time you had that magnificent salad. That is a good memory. However, some memories are not too great. And a lot of those not so great memories happen during the summer. Here are some of the worst summer memories.

Avery Carneol ‘19- Peed my pants at camp and everyone saw.

My family still makes fun of me to this day, eight years later.

-Aubree Klink ‘19

Emma Durian ‘19- There was a wasp in the bathroom stall and I ran out of it with my pants still down.

Aubree Klink ‘19- When I was like 6 my mom, grandparents, and I went to Aurora, IL to visit my uncle who was a student there. It was over the summer and me and the family were going to have dinner or something like that and the doors are like the ones we have at school are, really tall, and more of a window than a door. Anyways, we were heading towards the door and apparently that summer the custodians were fantabulous at cleaning windows because I couldn’t see the doors soooo.... That’s right you guessed correctly I ran face first into the glass window, door combination. My family still makes fun of me because of it to this day, eight years later.

6 MAY 2016 WSSPAPERINTRO.COM

DESIGN BY GRACE WANG

PROFILES

Guiding the Way

A look into what a guidance counselor does and the difficulties they face

of life.” Counselor Kelly Bergmann says that “mental health concerns have really risen.”

GRACE WANG Recently, several frustrations have arisen for coungrawa@icstudents.org selors. Kanellis says that “cell phones and all they can do” are the most frustrating part of her job. She says “It saddens me to see so many students looking at their phones rather than at each other. I think [this] Guidance counselors are a constant presence in generation is missing out on critical communication our school. Many students look to them as a source skills.” Counselors are also frustrated by how students of help. However, many other students don’t know are using the resources available to them. “I think much about them, despite all that they do. “The the most frustrating thing is making sure students are main role [of a counselor] is to help students meeting their teachers (and us) halfway. Every adult with any academic, social, or emotional needs that in the building is willing to do whatever they can to they may have,” says West counselor Kay DiLeo. help ensure student success, but there are times where Counselors also try to conthe adults seem to be working nect with teachers in the harder than the student,” says building as well. Counselor Bergmann. In addition, DiLeo Amy Kanellis says “Helping says she is frustrated by stustudents process their future dents who don’t take advantage plans and make healthy deof the help that is available to cisions are also key compothem. nents of my j o b.”

Another major problem In order to be a guidance has appeared as well. At West, -Kelly Bergmann counselor, Kanellis says it has become more difficult that characteristics like pato help students with all the tience, acceptance, and tolerissues they have.

The Ameriance are key. This is important can School Counselor Assoto helping students as much as possible. “Every ciation recommends a ratio of 1 counselor to 250 day I learn something new from the students with students. However, this ratio is much higher at West whom I work; being more cognizant of their lives High. DiLeo says “We each have about four hundred and stories outside of school has helped me be a students. It is way too high.” Bergmann supports this, better counselor,” says Kanellis. saying the ratio at West ranges from 350 to 1 up to Students come to counsellors with many per500 to 1 students. This has negative effects on both sonal, social, and academic issues. They include the counselors and their students. “We do everything issues with grades, scheduling, college apwe can to get to know each one of our students on plications, friends and family, anxiety, and depresa personal level, but sometimes this proves difficult,” sion. Recently, Kanellis says “There is definitely an Bergmann says. DiLeo also says this high numincrease in issues relating to social media. We are ber makes it difficult to meet with students on an also seeing an increase in students that are feeling individual basis.

“Many times we have to rely on an increase in anxiety relating to the pressures the other students, parents, or teachers communicat-

“Seeing students successful... is the best part”

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KELLY BERGMANn

Amy Kanellis

ing with us first before we are aware that a student is having an issue,” she says. “It would be nice to be able to be more proactive than reactive.” Kanellis says this poses a barrier to helping students apply for colleges.

“It can be difficult to establish a personal relationship with students,” says Kanellis. “it’s easier to write a letter [of recommendation] if we really know the students!”

Bergmann believes the only way this problem can be solved is to for schools to have more funding in order to provide more funding. “Adult to student ratios are obviously a problem across the board in schools,” she says. The good news is that we all love what we do, so we’re always taking the extra time to go the extra mile.”

This is reflected in how the counselors feel about their jobs. DiLeo says that the most rewarding part of the job is seeing students graduate. “Seeing students be successful, in whatever way that means to them, is the best part,” says Bergmann.

Kanellis says “The most rewarding part is when students who struggled realize how great they are and the gifts they have to offer to themselves and to the world. When they feel a connection to school or learning and it enhances their life, it’s a great feeling!”

Design by ALAA ALI

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Photos by RACHEL FALDUTO

WSS Intro 2016

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Volunteering is a part of life for many students at West. Students volunteer for a variety of reasons.

The top reasons include concerns for animal welfare, hunger, and homelessness. 71% of young volunteers agreed with that statement “I believe I can make a difference in my community,” and their importance can definitely be seen.

Lily Meng ’19 is volunteering at an inpatient unit at the UI Hospitals and Clinics. Like many other teenage volunteers, she does so to make a difference in the community. “I volunteer because I like to help people and give back to the community. I also like meeting new people through volunteering,” says Meng. Her job involves interacting with patients. “My main jobs are to help patients feel more comfortable,” says Meng. “I get the patients food, water, blankets, and I spend time with them. I also walk around the hospital with them, and help discharge them from the hospital.”

Besides helping the hospital’s patients, Meng believes

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Volunteering is a popular activity for many teenagers that helps them far down the road. Here is a student who balances volunteering with life’s other activities.

her volunteering has helped her as a person.

“I think volunteering has helped me,” she says.

“Meeting new people has helped me open up, because I have to talk to patients and nurses when I volunteer.”

Other than developing character traits, volunteering helps a volunteer in the future. Volunteering looks appealing on college applications. It shows engagement in the community and time development skills, both useful things for employers.

It provides valuable first hand knowledge and experiences as well. Meng says “I plan on going into a career in the medical field, so volunteering at the hospital has helped me see what doctors and nurses do in a hospital environment.” Meng sees volunteering as helpful to her in both the present and the future.

I volunteer because I like to help people and give back to the community.

-Lilly Meng ‘19

VOLUNTEERING FACTS Young people are 66% more likely to find volunteer oppurtunities by talking to other people than by going online

The midwest came in 3rd for most amount of volunteering teens

Private high school students are 25% more likely to have volunteered than public school students

The top five reasons young people volunteer: 1.

Animal welfare 2.

Hunger 3.

Homelessness 4.

The environment Percentage of young people who volunteer to fulfill a requirement at school: 22.1% of middle school students 33.6% of high school students 28% of college students Compiled by Grace Wang

Lemoade with a twist As summer draws nearer, it’s time to enjoy a nice freshing glass of lemonade to beat the hot summer heat. But not just your typical lemonade. Here I have four d e l i c i o u s takes on the classic lemonade, giving you more ways to enjoy.

Handful of raspberries (blended, juiced, or muddled) 3 peaches (blended or juiced)

Start with.....

11/2 cups lemon juice

1 cup fresh mint leaves

1/4 cup sugar

2 cups sparkling water

1 fluid oz. simple syrup

5 cups water Then add.....

Sparkling Mint Lemonade

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Raspber Peach Lemona

1 can frozen pink lemonade contrate 1 carton raspberry sherbet 2 liters seltzer water with lemon added

1 cup sugar 1/2 cup lemon juice

Pink Lemonade Sherbet Punch

7 springs lavender 1/2 cup lime juice 2 tbsp. honey

rry

ade

Lavender Lemondade

PHOTOS BY RACHEL FALDUTO

COMPILED BY ALAA ALI

Design by Alaa Ali

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ow that summer is almost here, and ending with its arrival is the stress of the school year, we can’t wait to countdown the days till its arrival. Summer is the easy life, the apple of our eyes, the major success of the school year. Since those days are just around the corner, you have to be ready, so I’m here to help you figure out the summer essentials you need.

Sunscreen is the real deal, because desperately searching up sunburn remedies on google a few days before school starts because of that red, painful, peeling sunburn you got can not be an option.

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Major key here, sunglasses are the most basic of the summer essentials. Is it even summer without these? You tell me. You have many shapes to choose from, like round, square, aviator, feline, butterfly, oversized, the possibilities are endless, so choose wisely...

With a camera, you can take pictures of all the fun summer adventures you had to reminisce on while in class when school starts. Also, this is a perfect time to brush up on photography skills, because those could come in handy during your next family reunion. Try not to spend all of your time behind the camera though!

m u S Essentials

BY ALAA ALI The kids down the street selling it have got it right, lemonade is a definite summer essential, after all, what's summer without it, it's the perfect mix between sweet and sour, tangy and perfectly mellow. It’s truly summer in a glass, liquid summer, summer condensed, yeah you get the drift.

Who wants to have a swarm of mosquitos suck their blood while enjoying an evening picnic, and wake up the next morning with itchy bumps all over their skin?

Nobody, that’s who. Make sure to pick up a bottle of bug spray next time you're at the store to save yourself the pain.

The last thing you need for summer is… you. It seems obvious but summer time is about enjoying yourself in the moment, or catching up on all the sleep you missed out on during the school year, depending on how you look at it.

Either way, don’t forget to do all you can to make your summer worthwhile and unforgettable.

DESIGN BY ALAA ALI