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IOWA CITY WEST HIGH SCHOOL

2901 MELROSE AVE.

IOWA CITY, IA 52246

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 JUNE 1, 2015

content

wsspaper.com/intro | june 2015 | issue 1

FEATURES

07

“Does the early bird really get the worm?”

Exploring pros and cons of early graduation

2 JUNE 2015 WSSPAPER.COM/INTRO

03

“Recipe thyme” Three foods to make with thyme and an interview with foods teacher Mrs. Green

04

“The rest of West” How West High School has changed over the years

06

“Dancing through the decades” Reflecting on the good, the bad, and the ugly of dances throughout time

10

“In with the new and out with the old” Interviews of incoming freshmen and seniors who are leaving West

12

“8:27 pm” Hard to handle opinion on where our time ends up being spent

14

“In three words...”

West High School students reflect on their school year

Recipe THYME! Food and beverage recipes that use the ingredient thyme Compiled by Asha Irani Tangy Summer-Thyme Smoothie You will need: +1 cup mixed berries +½ cup low-fat/fat-free Greek yogurt +¼ peeled lemon +4 ice cubes +½ cup milk +½ cup water* +1 tablespoon chopped lemon thyme *increase or decrease amount based on smoothie thickness preference Blend all ingredients, then pour into a glass. Top off the glass with a sprig of thyme and a lemon wedge.

If you have time over the summer, creating a small personal garden could be a great experience. Here are some personal opinions from Foods teacher Jacque Green with some culinary advice.

Zesty Thyme Vinaigrette You will need: +6 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil +1 ½ tablespoons vinegar +⅛ teaspoon dry mustard +¼ tablespoon granulated sugar +⅛ teaspoon pepper +1 teaspoon salt +2 tablespoons minced lemon thyme

Soothing Thyme Tea You will need: +1 cup boiling water +1 tablespoon honey +3 small sprigs lemon thyme Boil water, then pour into a mug/ teacup. Add the thyme and wait 2 minutes for it to infuse into the water. Drizzle in the honey.

Pour all ingredients into a bottle and shake vigorously for 1 minute.

Use as dressing for anything.

Q: Is buying organic worth the cost?

A: YES. I’m [trying to go more organic] in my house, and I’m trying to incorporate [organic foods] into my classes as well.

Q: Have you ever grown food at your home? Have you ever had a garden?

A: In the past I have had a garden. It was was a salsa garden with different salsa ingredients, like tomatoes, peppers, onions and cilantro.

Q: Any advice to people who would like to start a home garden? Any specific herbs that you think are simple to grow?

A: Basil sprouts very quickly - it’s like a little weed, except you want it to grow. Other herbs I’d recommend are mint, sage and chives, which all have multiple culinary uses. Growing your own herbs is so much cheaper than buying them in those prepackaged grocery store boxes. I say, “cook what you enjoy to cook.”

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The rest of West

The areas of West we don’t see in modern West Compiled by Bethany Schillinger

Past Floor Plans We interviewed head custodian Mike O’Connor on some of the changes around West High School over the years and this is what we learned.

“A lot of the editions [around West High] come back to the facilities and overcrowding. Imagine putting 350 people in the old music wing, it’s tough.”

Before the additional wings were added on, West High was crowded into the area right around the cafeteria. The little theater used to be the auditorium.

The freshmen wing was added onto the school in 2006. When this was added, the health office, principal’s office, and dean’s office were all moved down to the freshmen wings. Counselors stayed in the main office.

“The old health office used to be off the main office, by the gym hall, through the brown double doors on the left where there’s a file room now. There’s two bathrooms inside though since the nurse used to be there. Now [the health office] is in the freshman wing though, that’s something new.”

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For future West High plans, Mr. O’Connor said that they were planning to expand back with the cafeteria going farther back and the tennis courts moving back.

“We could add another gym and the gym could be a weight room and the weight room used for cheerleading since there are already mats in there.”

There have been other changes around West too, like room remodeling. There’s a 1968 model science room, a 1996 model, and a 2006 model, they’re been remodeled like a lot of other classrooms now. There are also areas of West that have stayed the same though, like the top library which has been the same since at least 1958 and the cafeteria from 1958.

Overall, the growth and expansion of West High is a good representation of how Iowa City has been growing over time.

Underground Tunnels What were these tunnels used for?

Molly Abraham: They provide access to some of the infrastructure for the building.

(We also heard that the janitors used to use these tunnels to more around the school while avoiding the hallways).

Why aren’t these tunnels used anymore?

Molly Abraham: They are used on rare occasion such as when we added on to the building or when we are trying to update computer networks [or other similar things].

(You need a special permit to access the tunnels since they are old and have the risk of collapsing).

How far do the tunnels go?

Molly Abraham: Not far, just under the main portion of the building (main wing, excluding the lobbies, auditorium, art hall, little theater, and the freshman wing).

How many entrances are there to the tunnels?

Molly Abraham: I’m not sure. (There’s at least one entrance that’s located in the basement near the corner of the main wing).

Fourth Floor What was the fourth floor room built for?

Molly Abraham: The staircase leads to the roof. At one time we had some science teachers who used the access for setting up a telescope. (Now blocked off and accessed only on few occasions).

Will West High School ever expand upwards and build a whole fourth floor?

Molly Abraham:Probably not. With Liberty High School opening in [an estimated] two years it is unlikely that we will have more additions to West High.

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Dancing through the decades Reflecting on the good, the bad and the ugly.

BY SHATI COOPER shaticooper@gmail.com

Dancing. Some people excel the skill, and some aren’t the best.

Practically any rhythmic move you make can be considered dancing.

Some dances, for now, let’s just call them Viral Dances, are more memorable than others. Some are easy to imitate, like the robot; while others--like the moonwalk--are near impossible. But wait, there’s more.

From The Hustle to the HokeyPokey, dancing has changed and is still changing. Let’s reflect on the good, the bad and the ugly.

Art design of professional whippers/nae-nae-ers by Angie Zirbes ‘18

The Good: The dance of the last scene of the Disney Channel Movie, High School Musical was and still is, pretty awesome. Even though the dance has no official title, we all can quickly identify and possibly join if it had been presented to us. This dance does require quite a few steps but, they’re simple.

Not only single ladies can shimmy to this dance, everyone can. The accompanied dance performed

by Beyoncé in her hit song, “Single Ladies” has been done by people of all ages and genders. Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg, two of the three members of the music group, The Lonely Island, made a rendition of the Single Ladies music video with Beyoncé herself.

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The Bad: Booty poppin’, body rockin’, and no stoppin’ anytime soon. Twerking and grinding is definitely not for everyone. It can also be a perfect way to make a total fool of yourself while sending some not so great vibes to that guy who’s been eyeing you from across the dancefloor.

I’m sorry, but what is great about placing your arms out, then placing them on your shoulders, then on your head, then on your hips?

While trying to sing a foreign song?

Nothing. The Macarena song and dance was unexpectedly, a huge ‘90s hit created by the music group, Los del Río.

The Ugly: Although this is an ugly dance, if you can successfully do it, you are really talented. There is only ONE person that I know of who can master The Worm. This is an intricate and somewhat body contorting dance which requires an abundance of strength and endurance.

Time should have warped this dance out of existence. (My puns are getting out of hand, I know) This dance includes an excessive amount of pelvic thrusts, wiggling and wobbling. It’s just, no.

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Worm?

Does the

Early Bird

REALLY Get the

Jazmyne Truesdale ‘15 pictured with Shelby Villhauer ‘15 at the 2015 Graduation Ceremony held in the Carver Hawkeye Arena

High school is typically a four year journey that allows you to find your identity. For some people, this period of time is extended due to being held back. For others, this period of time is shortened due to early graduation. This just so happened to be the case for early graduate, Jazmyne Truesdale ‘15. She graduated a trimester earlier than her class.

“It was interesting being done before all of your friends. You’re like in the middle of everything. While I’m moving into my adult life, I also have my high school life.”

When she first started high school, early graduation wasn’t her intention.

She had opens, study halls and had taken the basic required classes needed to graduate without doing full loads*.

While taking a Kirkwood course through West, she found out that she had enough credits to graduate, so she did.

Truesdale didn’t go through this process alone, she had the support and aid of her guidance counselor, Amy Kanellis, along with a couple of her teachers.

“I developed close relationships with my AP U.S. teacher, Mr. Gross, and my sophomore math teacher, Mrs. Mainey. She probably was the teacher that supported me the most to do this and pursue what I wanted to do.”

Since graduating, she acquired two jobs.

One at Mellow Mushroom and the other at Younkers, both located in the Coral Ridge Mall. She works about 35 hours on average Truesdale still tries to keep in contact with her friends who are still in school.

But, reflecting on her time at West, she had some regrets.

“It wasn’t like I was barely passing, it was more like, I was just doing the bare minimum in class just to at least get a good grade. I wish I had paid attention more and retained more information because you do use it in everyday life and everyday conversation. [For instance] history comes up and I have no idea what they’re talking about because I didn’t retain it all. So I wish I would’ve tried harder.”

So it really is true, what you do learn in school, you’ll eventually use outside of school. But, to any of you possible early graduates, Truesdale has some advice.

“Have a plan, don’t graduate early and think you’re just going to lay around and not do anything, or expect to hang around your friends more because you aren’t. Even if it’s volunteering or working, just have something to do cause lying around isn’t as fun as it seems.”

Even though she graduated a trimester earlier than her peers, she walked with them during the graduation ceremony held on May 23, 2015.

But not everyone sees early graduation as a go-to option.

“For some students, for one reason or another, some students opt to graduate early. They can graduate one trimester, two trimesters early. They can graduate even up to a full year early. “ said West High guidance counselor, Greg Yoder.

It’s a little tricky if you plan on graduating a full year early, meaning, you’re going to have to take full loads (schedule) for the first two years.

According to Yoder, there have been a number of reasons of students graduating early.

Whether it’s to go abroad, work to save up money for college, or even if the student is just done with school and is ready to move on. His personal preference of graduating early all depends on the student he is helping. Depending on the student’s situation, he thinks that it’s best for some and not his first choice for others.

“I do feel like West has has a very good college preparatory curriculum and, if

you run to try to get through with that, as quick as you possibly can, you’re obviously leaving a lot of educational possibilities that you’re not even exploring.”

But, it all depends on the student’s situation. I can’t say that definitely I am for and or against it. I’m glad it’s an option for some students.”

In order to even have the possibility to graduate early, you need to have done well within your classes.

“This is not necessarily something we discuss with students who have failed multiple classes.”

Mr. Yoder’s biggest piece of advice to share is that you should make sure that you’re ready.

“I think to have a certain maturity level is helpful. If you don’t have a definitive plan for what you’re going to do in life after high school and think ‘Oh, I’ll just get a job.’

Well, that’s great, it’s always good to know, but in my mind, if you plan on going on educational purposes, like to college, you might as well stay in the flow of studying. Because the farther you get away from that, the more difficult it is to get back into that groove.”

West High Graduation Requirements To graduate, you must have completed...

- English: 60 credits - Math: 45 credits - Science: 45 credits - Social Studies: 45 credits - Physical Education (P.E.): 20 credits* - Health: 5 credits - Electives: 90 credits *P.E. credits can be waivered if student is taking a full load OR if junior/senior plans to particicpate in a sport that year

In with the

New

Current eighth grades share how they feel about their move to West High Compiled by Bethany Schillinger

Aidan Yamashita ‘19

What was your least favorite thing about junior high?

-The seventh graders are a little annoying.

What was your favorite thing about junior high?

-It’s a step up from elementary school so there is more freedom and I’m not cooped up in one room the whole day.

What are you nervous about going into high school -I’m nervous about whether or not I’m gonna get into show choir What’s something you’re excited about going into high school -I get more opportunities and I get to see all my friends that are currently freshmen

Mary Grace Longmire ‘19

What was your least favorite thing about junior high?

-I don’t like passing time there is too little time and too many students.

What was your favorite thing about junior high?

-I like my science teacher because she always makes my day fun and enjoyable.

What are you nervous about going into high school?

-[I’m nervous about] the new teachers and new classes that I have not been prepared for at junior high.

What’s something you’re excited about going into high school?

-[I’m excited about] new friends and new teachers.

Maddie Ganoe ‘19

What was your least favorite thing about junior high?

-My least favorite thing is probably all the assignments and projects.

What was your favorite thing about junior high?

-My favorite thing is the freedom and being with my friends.

What are you nervous about going into high school?

-I’m nervous about presentations that I’ll have to do because I really don’t like those and all the big tests that I don’t have to take now.

What’s something you’re excited about going into high school?

-I’m excited to meet new people in my classes and to make some new friends.

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Out with the

Old

Recent graduates from West High share how they feel about their move to college Zach Armstrong ‘15

What was your least favorite thing about high school?

-I really enjoyed being apart of the student body and the atmosphere that West has.

What was your favorite thing about high school?

-Probably the back parking lot. Its so unorganized and people don’t know how park, which makes it a nightmare to get out of.

What’s some advice you’d give to incoming freshmen?

-Just cross your t’s and dot your i’s and mind your P’s and Q’s. Also, don’t create herds in the middle of the hallway, it’s dumb and annoying. Also there is no need to yell. Just simmer down and it’ll all be okay.

If you’re going to college, where are you going?

-I will be attending UNI next fall for Athletic Training.

Again if you’re going to college, what are you excited about?

-Going to the sporting events and having fun.

Timothy Kelly ‘15

What was your least favorite thing about high school?

-My favorite thing about high school was definitely the massive amount of opportunities I had.

What was your favorite thing about high school?

-My least favorite thing about high school was the extremely competitive nature. I loved always feeling driven to do better, but it got so extreme at some times, especially academically.

What’s some advice you’d give to incoming freshmen?

-The advice I would give to a freshman is this: You do you. It sounds super trite, but I really think it’s important. Don’t feel too pressured by others to take certain classes or to be or not be in certain clubs. You do you, but don’t be afraid to branch out.

If you’re going to college, where are you going?

-I will be going to St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN next year.

Again if you’re going to college, what are you excited about?

-I’m really looking forward to having a sense of independence while being able to visit home some.

Jared Donovan ‘15

What was your least favorite thing about high school?

-My favorite thing was being able to see all of my good friends.

What was your favorite thing about high school?

-The least favorite thing was probably the school lunch options.

What’s some advice you’d give to incoming freshmen?

-I’m excited to make a lot of friends including teachers, but remember who your closest ones are.

If you’re going to college, where are you going?

-I’m going to Kirkwood for one year and then going to Iowa State for mechanical engineering.

Again if you’re going to college, what are you excited about?

-I’m most excited about getting to leave home and live on my own.

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Compiled by Asha Irani

Past hours in 7th grade world geography, current soul crushing Sunday nights, and my future with a menial 9 to 5 office job I get this overwhelming feeling of dread around 8:27 p.m. every Sunday night, right before the sun sets. It’s like a fist is slowly squeezing my chest - I try to ignore it but that just proves impossible. Over the past few years I’ve pinpointed the source of that feeling. I like to call it my ‘Oh-NO-it’s-Monday-morrow-and-I-have-the-entire-WEEK-ahead-of-me-before-another-weekend-excuseme-while-I-try-not-to-cry’ mentality. Why do I dread the week ahead? Because I know that for seven hours each day I will sit in mind-numbingly boring classes, re-learning (well, ‘learning’ as in memorizing) the same stuff as the day before, which I will end up dumping as soon as the unit test is over. What a collossal waste of time - why couldn’t I be spending that time doing productive things I actually enjoy? What ever happened to that saying, “Live each moment as if it were your last?” I really hope my last moment isn’t going to be spent being lectured to about the the cosine of 135 degrees or the importance of metaphors in ancient Greek literature.

According to Dr. Alan Zimmerman, a speaker with many degrees from the Universities of Minnesota and Wisconsin, “You can never get more time, and you can never recapture the time you’ve spent.” I’m in agreement with Dr. Zimmerman - I believe there is absolutely nothing that is more valuable than time. I have big dreams of achieving great things in the future, so I know each moment not spent working towards those dreams is a step toward setting into a menial 9 to 5 office job in a crowded city taking the subway every morning and dreading the next day because Okay, I’m getting ahead of myself. It probably won’t come to that. The point is that I can never replace moments of time. I can replace money, items - heck, I’ve even replaced friends when my family has moved to different cities. Every day people find new loves after breakups. But no matter how hard I try, I cannot turn back the clock and regain minutes I’ve lost dozing off in 7th grade World Geography. And neither can you. So, when asked, “What is the most valuable thing on Earth?” there is only one answer that should come to mind Time.

And Papa John’s Triple Cheese Pizza.

(But that’s not really the point.)

12 WSSPAPER.COM JUNE 2015

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What’s your opinion on the value of time?

“Time is precious because I have no time to do this Bio homework. I don’t have enough hours in the day to sleep and get all my stuff done.”

Mackenzie Voigt ’17.

“I guess I would say [that] time is very valuable - we only have so long here and we should make every moment count.”

Jonathan Neese ’16.

“Time goes by really slow - unless it’s in the morning and you’re trying to get all your homework done before the bell rings.”

Morgan Saylor ’17.

The top 10 most valuable things in the world (based on two surveys found on Yahoo Answers). Where does time stack up?

1. Self 2. Family/Other People

“Don’t waste a second of your life, because one second lost is a second you’ll never get back.”

Sam Sunderland ’19.

3. Life 4. Peace/Love 5. Nature “I think that time is more valuable than most high schoolers understand.

High school goes by so fast and we have to try to slow down and enjoy it while it lasts.”

Kailin Lust ’16.

6. Time 7. Health 8. God 9. Liberty 10. Riches

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“Three more years.”

-Xavier Dove El ‘18

“Stressful, but amazing.”

-Angie Zirbes ‘18

"Super duper swaggy."

-Jacob Nishimura ‘16

“Personal growth, difficult.”

-Hannah Femino ‘16

"Very eye opening."

-Daniel Machlab ‘15

"I mean, decent."

-Nathan Hinkley ‘18

"Exciting, stressful, fun."

-Hannah Schillinger ‘16

“Busy procrastinating, netflix.”

“Challenging, unforgettable, memorable.”

-Lauren Knudson ‘15 -Consuelo Mendoza ‘16

"Stressful, eventful, busy."

-Lauren Gray ‘16

"Up and down."

-Drew Graves ‘18

“Oh God, no.”

-Tyrek Allen ‘15

“Struggle is real.”

-Ala Mohamed ‘17 "Different, I guess."

-Yousif Ibrahim ‘17

"Friends, stress and fun."

-Charlie Code ‘17

“Long as hell.”

-Layla Siddig ‘15

“Tiring, fun, over.”

-Minu Song ‘15

"Good, excellent, fine."

-Ryan Mercado ‘18

"Its been gnarly."

-Brennon Keen ‘18

"Interesting crazy swell" -Ricky Rodriguez ‘16

"Dom is life."

-David Wang ‘17

In three words...

West High students describe their overall year.

BY SHATI COOPER

shaticooper@gmail.com

"Inspirational, difficult, gratifying."

-Mazin Mohamedali ‘18 "We're above that."

-D'tresean Burge ‘15

"I don't know."

-Jennifer Du ‘18 "It's been splendid" -Zaccary Curtiss ‘15

“Fast, stressful, ugghgh.” "Let it be."

-Ryan Ruckdashel ‘15 -Amin Elkhalifa ‘15 "Work, fun, friends!"

-Ike Barrash ‘16

“Bye, farewell, adios.”

-Sarah Lee ‘15 “Interesting, fascinating, fun.”

-Alex Andersen ‘17

“Can’t end sooner.”

-Kaitlyn Bernhard ‘15 "Riveting, interesting, lovely."

-Ana Crespo ‘18

“Crazy, funny, sad.”

-Bianca Gilliams ‘17

“Why so serious?”

-Dillon Doyle ‘18 "Good, I guess."

-Patrick Link ‘15

"It's been great."

-Jake Davis ‘18 "Boring stressful dramatic.”

-Sandra Amouzou ‘15

"I don't know."

-Kaz Smith ‘15

"Fast, fun, loud."

-Alexa Oleson ‘16

"Fun, emotional, dramatic."

-Janesha Rush ‘17

"Melancholic, huge, memorable."

-David Ryu ‘15 "Interesting, fun, awkward."

-Josey Gale ‘18

"New, fun, challenging."

-Daniel Neese ‘18

"Awesome, dramatic, unbelievable."

-Clayton Moore ‘18 “Not so serious.”

-Bailey O’Brien ‘15

"Hectic, exciting, stressful."

-Corrinne Warnke ‘16