Trojan Times

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

As foundations of journalism comes to an end, what better way to spend class than to read our very first print newspaper? Throughout the school year, journalism students have completed project after project and faced the treacherous rules of Indesign. Now it’s time to relax!

This issue’s cover story explores the good and bad of Greek life. To learn more about the inner workings of sororities, flip to page 7. Classes in the U.S. are ending but to learn more about French schooling and culture, flip to page 11 where writers Tia Rahmatalla and Taelim Yoon detail the experiences of students and educators in France.

As soon to be members of WSS staff, we cannot wait to see all West and it’s students has to offer in the coming years. For more information on the best place to get a refreshing summer drink, flip to page 15 and read about Scooter’s Coffee.

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EQUITY STATEMENT

It is the policy of the Iowa City Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, martial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or sociaeconomic programs, activities, or employment practices. If you believe you have (or your child has) been discriminated against or treated unjustly at your school, please contact the Equity Director, at 509 Dubuque Street, 319688-1000.

STAFF LIST

Grace Bartlett (she/her) Writer

Tia Ramatalla (she/her) Designer, Writer Shanza Sami (she/her) Designer, Writer

Taelim Yoon (she/her) Artist, Designer

FRONT COVER DESIGN BY ERINN VARGA

SHANZA SAMI

CULTURE SHOCK

BY TIA RAHMATALLA ART AND DESIGN BY TAELIM YOON AND KATHRYN LEE

We don’t even begin to realize the similarities and differences between our cultures and those surrounding us. Things that differ can range from social experiences to differing educational systems and much more. Here we explore the culture in France and compare it to our very own school. Experiencing different cultures can cause quite a shock.

A significant experience for Heather Wacha, West High French Teacher, was the experience of being able to more easily visit loved ones. “The year I spent in Paris, for the weekend I could just go to the train station, get on a train, and I would be in Holland or the Netherlands visiting friends. Or I could go to Belgium and visit friends or go to London in two and a half hours by train.” Experiences just like these can cause quite a shock when entering into a much different culture. Traveling between different towns was a known and easily accessible thing in France. “I’ve never ever needed a car when I was in France.” More forms of transportation are constantly available to pedestrians. “Utilizing public transportation was so easy and accessible there.” Notes Wacha. Katie Nodia 25’ went on the school French trip and experienced many amazing sights. “The architecture of the buildings in France - especially Paris - were absolutely gorgeous, nothing like you’d see here in the U.S.” Theres lots of beautiful sights to see and places to visit. “My favorite place to see was definitely Versailles. It was really cool to see where the king of France used to live and everything was so grand.” Nodia.

There are many more social experiences that are more regulated and encouraged in France than in the U.S. “But in France, when you get together with people, usually you invite them to your house for dinner. It’s like a cultural thing to be able to offer your friends that people care about like a really nice meal.” Wacha. A stronger sense of community is definitely highlighted in

France v.s. The U.S. In French school you are assigned a class and that class moves from class to class together, so you become very close with a specific group of people. “The French school students seemed much closer together.” Katie Nodia 25’.

The education system in different countries can possess drastic differences to those in the U.S. For starters, the relationship between parents and their students tends to differ education wise. According to 10 years of CouCou, parents tend to be more strict about school, and French teachers also coincide with that. Although this is true the French school system tends to possess less of a thrive for perfection among its students. “Nobody is perfect, and therefore no one gets an A.” (Madame Juhls West High French Teacher.) Passing tests is also generally easier with a passing grade being 50% rather than America’s standard 60% passing. There are other major differences in the French school system as well. “The biggest difference from French school and American school was the length of classes.” Nodia. Some days are dedicated to certain classes, and for those certain days some classes will be longer than others. For instance some days may have science for a few hours and other days other classes will be longer. And not every class happens every day. Although many things may differ with the education systems some things remain indifferent. “The teaching style was very similar to American school.” Nodia.

Fashion is a differing aspect as well. In France people are well known to take fashion more seriously. “With a worldwide reputation, French fashion has for more than three centuries been the vehicle of an exceptional image linked to luxury and artisanal creation.” (Ministere de la Culture.) As being well known for their fashion there tends to be different styles and ideas. “In general, all the females at the school instead of carrying backpacks, they carried purses.” Nodia. Their shoe style tends to differ as well. “So you do see tennis shoes, you see a lot less tennis shoes.”

Some common dishes in France favored by the French teachers include the baguette, coq au vin, ratatouille galette, quiche lorraine, escargots de bourgogne, onion soup and beef bourguignon, which is considered to be the national dish of France. (Waygo) “And of course I eat the croissants there, because they’re just amazing.” Croissants are a very commonly associated pastry with France, found all over France and enjoyed by many. Along with their food they tend to live different general lifestyles compared to the U.S. “I don’t know what it is about their food or how they’re eating or if it’s the increased activity. It’s just the lifestyle itself is so different and so healthy.”

“IT’S JUST THE LIFESTYLE ITSELF IS SO DIFFERENT AND SO HEALTHY.”

-THERESA JUHL, FRENCH TEACHER

Photocredits:JosieSchwartz

Photocredits:JosieSchwartz

Photo credits: Rana Saba

Photographcredits:JosieSchwartz

PREUCIL’S LEGACY

BY SHANZA SAMI DESIGN BY TAELIM YOON

A vast array of children illuminated the screen sitting before two little boys, interrupting the Captain Kangaroo program playing on Doris Preucil’s TV screen. “All of a sudden, my boys started yelling that I had to come quickly,” Preucil recalls, “...and here was this movie of a couple hundred little kids in Japan playing the Bach Double Concerto which, at that time, our kids were playing in high school.” Intrigued, Preucil explored numerous music magazines from library to library,

finally stumbling upon a teacher from Ohio, who had traveled to Japan on a grant. She reached out to the teacher, to receive more insight on his findings with the children learning music in Japan — it was then that Preucil had learned about the Suzuki Method.

The Suzuki Method is a comprehensive process used to accelerate musical development at an early age, employing the use of techniques such as facilitating music growth at an early age, listening to repertoire, and the rigorous involvement of parents. During Preucil’s time, the Suzuki Method was considered unconventional,

and often looked down upon, by the vast majority of musicians. This unorthodox approach contrasted with traditional music learning, employing the use of repetition, familiarization with the instrument before reading notes, and prioritizing student immersion in peer-based training.

While the Suzuki Method had been rejected by thousands of musicians around the world, Preucil was drawn to the educational philosophy — possibly due to the fact that Preucil herself learned music in an equally unconventional way.

From the start of her child -

hood, Preucil reflects on the impact her parents had on her musical development. Both of Preucil’s parents were musicians, with her father being a violinist, and mother a pianist. Preucil’s early exposure to music led her to begin piano lessons earlier than the age of three with her mother, a practice considered unusual at the time. “...and [my mother] started me in a very interesting way. She wrote the names of the notes on the keys of the C-scale, so I learned the alphabet and the C-scale that way, and that was a very good thing because you can train your ear…and I found out I had perfect pitch.” Perfect pitch is a phenomena that occurs when an individual can innately identify any musical note by name after hearing it, without reference to other notes — an ability that only 0.01% of people possess, according to the University of Chicago.

Perfect pitch was one of many talents Preucil possessed throughout her musical career. As Preucil progressed through her classical music development, Preucil’s parents realized that their daughter had a gift for both playing and listening to music, and was soon branded with the title of being a child prodigy.

As a result of her extraordinary ability to produce music, Preucil was granted numerous musical opportunities at an early age. Preucil would serve almost as a ‘mascot’ for the Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra, and grew up getting to know the orchestra musicians there. Preucil notes that her connection with the Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra has a multitude of advantages. “When I learned a concerto, he’d let me play it with the orchestra -- I got a lot of experience.”

At the age of 16, the minimum age at which Preucil could join the orchestra, Preucil was inducted in the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. During Preucil’s junior and senior years, the Eastman Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra accepted a few students, one of which was Preucil. “We toured up and down the East coast and played concerts all over. It was fun,” Preucil recalls.

Throughout her childhood, Preucil recalls. “I would play a con -

certo on the violin, and [my father] would accompany me on the piano. He would play a concert on the violin and I would accompany him on the piano. If we got to a hard spot that neither of us could play — of course he could play it, but if I couldn’t play the piano part — we skip it; it was a very happy way to learn. ”

son Auditorium to acquiring the Preucil School of Music main campus building. “We worked like crazy during Christmas vacation, because [the building] had not been used for years -- it was dirty. We had to refinish the floors, paint the walls, do the woodwork. My husband was up on scaffolding of the top of the auditorium, and he did this stenciling that took him a year and a half. I made the curtains with my sister.”

This dilemma continued to puzzle Preucil, as she considered ways to foster musical development with her own children, which fueled her curiosity for the Suzuki Method. Growing up learning music solo, Preucil was determined to utilize a peer-based educational philosophy — something the Suzuki Method strongly advocated for.

Shinichi Suzuki’s visit to Iowa in 1969 marked the start of Preucil’s legacy spanning over multiple decades. Suzuki felt compelled to spread the Suzuki philosophy to smaller towns, and shared his exceptional pedagogy with classical music teachers in Iowa. Preucil used her experiences with Suzuki to build on her own knowledge, not only to teach her children, but to educate her community. Preucil decided to share her love for music with her community through establishing a music school in Iowa City, using Suzuki’s philosophies to nurture the youth and develop numerous classical ensembles, otherwise known as Preucil School of Music.

Founding Preucil School of Music presented many challenges. Preucil recalls the strenuous labor required to establish aspects of the school, from painting the walls of Wil -

Ultimately, Preucil’s efforts paid off. “We opened up [the school] in January of ‘75.” Preucil’s legacy continues to stand to this day, instructing students in violin, viola, cello, bass, piano, flute, and harp. Be it her passion for music or dedication to bring music to the community, Doris Preucil continues to hold a substantial impact on the

“IT WAS A LABOR OF LOVE.”

-DORIS PREUCIL, MUSICAL EDUCATOR

“THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THE WAY I WAS TAUGHT IS I DIDN’T HAVE ANY PEERS.”

-DORIS PREUCIL, MUSICAL EDUCATOR

RUSH

BY GRACE BARTLETT, TIA RAHMATALLA, SHANZA SAMI DESIGN BY TAELIM YOON

Kappa Kappa Gamma. Alpha Phi. Chi Omega. These assortments of Greek letters may seem random, but hold deeper significance than one may expect. Greek life, particularly sorority life, is an integral part of college life for many University of Iowa students — often consisting of large houses, rich culture, and vast communities. While many sororities continue to foster a sense of community through

connecting students while providing housing, there are many other aspects of sorority life that the majority overlook — from the secrecy with social media to restrictions with relationships.

Sorority culture is comprised of a large group of women living within the same large occupancy.

Greek life is designed to aid undergraduates seeking a comfortable living space, while also strengthening connections between students.

Cultural norms within sororities entail

various activities, even dating back to events prior to entering the sorority. A 4-round initiation process, or rush, occurs prior to entering a sorority, and details a comprehensive look into determining whether the PNM, or Potential New Member, is qualified to become a part of the sorority.

It should be cautioned that traditions shouldn’t be confused with rituals, although there are some aspects of it integrated within Greek life. Angela Nyunt, a third-year Uni -

versity of Iowa student on a Human Physiology track and president of the UIowa Panhellenic Council, runs through the initiation process for prospective sorority members. Nyunt notes that traditions within sorority life aren’t as hardcore as some picture it to be. “It’s not like we have rituals, which are just ceremonies that are special to each chapter. It’s secretive, but there are some ritualistic components there during preference round, so they just get to see a little bit more of the chapter.”

Many report that the various traditions can lead to an increased sense of community and connections. Nyunt notes that connections and networking were a big consideration for her when joining the sorority. “I initially wanted to join because I heard about the professional development opportunities. I wanted to meet more people who are in pre-med who can give me advice, or network with people, because I’m going to med school and am very career driven.” Later, Nyunt transitioned to enjoying aspects of her sorority for the life-long friendships. “After I joined, I was like, ‘I actually get along with these people really well.’ I formed a lot of close friendships.”

Sorority alumna Ann Saba recalls how a sense of community was fostered within her sorority. “I met my best friends in the sorority. I was very introverted and shy in college, so I was able it was a place for me to meet new friends.” Saba suggests that the numerous social activities offered within sororities, from formals to volunteering and even movie nights, foster new bonds while also benefiting the university. In addition to the numerous social activities, partying and rave culture within Greek life is one aspect often frowned upon. Rave culture surfaces deeper than a simply dancing -- ranging from drinking to substance use among other activities. Partying within sororities often gets messy when upon involvement with fraternities. Alcohol abuse, done illegally and underage, is a prevalent practice within Greek life. According to a study completed by Harvard University, four out of five fraternity and sorority members are binge drinkers, compared to the two out of five college students that are binge drinkers. Binge drinking and alcohol abuse have a number of effects, contributing to accidents, sexual assaults, numerous emergency room visits, and even deaths.

`Surprisingly, the sense of community within Greek life can be an active

cause of alcohol abuse. Peer pressure is one insurmountable factor in developing binge drinking habits, with college students feeling obligated to partake in activities that their friends are also doing. Constantly being surrounded by peers that binge drink makes it difficult for students to avoid doing so as well.

Hazing is another aspect of Greek life often overlooked. This unofficial part of the initiation process puts the desire of PNMs to join Greek life to the test, through reckless, and often dangerous tasks, with previous hazing incidents including heavy intoxication, physical violence, and pressure to steal. A common misconception is that hazing differs in frequency between sororities and fraternities, however, experts suggest that women are hazed as often as men, but in less violent ways.

In 2017, a University of Iowa freshman part of the Sigma Chi fraternity died from alcohol poisoning during a formal event. This incident led to the eventual implementation of restrictions and regulations for social events across the University of Iowa’s Greek system. The following academic year, suspected violations of alcohol and substance abuse led to the suspension of nearly a dozen of the university’s Greek chapters — potentially linked back to being a part of the hazing rituals that occur within fraternities and sororities.

Aside from the most prevalent substance abuse — alcohol abuse — there are numerous other forms of substance abuse that occur within Greek life. The Orlando

Recovery Center reports that members within fraternities and sororities undergo accelerated and increased addiction to cigarettes, marijuana, ecstasy, and other drugs. Parties and large gatherings within the Greek system encourage the widespread dealing of drugs and substances. These substance addictions, however, aren’t as extensive as binge drinking habits within the Greek chapters. Numerous studies report that the premature use of substances within college Greek life contributes to substance use disorders in adulthood, displaying significantly higher rates of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and marijuana abuse compared to their non-member counterparts. This creates a multitude of obstacles regarding job opportunities, career success, and the overall quality of life for Greek life alumni.

In addition to substance abuse, sexual assault reports continue to increase along with the rise of partying culture within sororities and fraternities. One pivotal sexual assault incident occurred within the University of Iowa’s Phi Gamma Delta chapter, where two brothers allegedly engaged in nonconsensual intercourse with a woman, followed by the pair recording the attack and sharing images and a video on social media. This incident coined the title ‘FIJI’, named after the fraternity where the assault occurred, sparking rage and active protests against the assault. The FIJI incident ultimately led to a widespread social movement across the entire campus, inspiring the advocacy of sexual assault victims and increasing awareness. The lawsuit filed against FIJI states that the chapter is fostering ‘a culture of alcohol abuse, underage alcohol consumption, and sexual harassment’.

Sorority and fraternity relations are also a critical aspect of Greek life. While many sororities and fraternities join hands on conducting initiatives and joining organizations, romantic relationships may be among the many pursuits between sororities and fraternities.

Sorority and fraternity mem -

bers can undergo a matching process, which determines couples for date nights. Processes such as these fuel the potential for romantic relationship development, through creating couples for formals and date nights.

One common tradition between sororities and fraternities is the selection of a sweetheart. A fraternity sweetheart is one sorority sister chosen by a fraternity’s members to serve as the chapter’s ‘female face’, granted extensive privilege, adoration, and respect. In other words, the fraternity sweetheart is the ideal Greek life representative elected by fraternity members. To determine the fraternity sweetheart, many sororities implement rigorous competition periods with fraternities judging the competition. While this competition between sorority sisters may seem friendly, it holds deeper significance than expected.

According to the Center for Discover in Eating Disorder Treatment, joining sororities are shown to be linked to devastating self perception effects with regards to self esteem, body image dissatisfaction, and eating disorders. Studies have shown that 23-32% of females on college campuses have an eating disorder, and has been shown to have a correlation with joining sororities. This has a potential association

with peer pressure and comparison within sororities, which has detrimental physical and physiological effects on females.

Through pitting sorority sisters against one another, a sense of flawed self perception is created. Numerous sorority members indicate that upon joining sororities, body dysmorphia and insecurity increases. In a study completed about the sorority rush process, women who participated in the rush had a higher level of body image disturbance compared to those who chose not to rush. Researchers of the study also report that, “…becoming a member of a sorority has the potential to exacerbate these variables further,” with newly inducted sorority members also showing higher levels of body shame, even in the following month after the rush process has ended.

Additionally, sorority members constantly undergo sexualization from fraternities, being held to a higher standard in comparison to their male counterparts. Numerous sorority members around the nation note that the basis of the Greek system is fundamentally flawed, operating under the fact that fraternities hold power, while sororities are tokenized and objectified. Sam Mason, student at San Diego State, notes that “the entire system is structured to treat women as a commodity.”

Sororities in the past were not vastly different to how they are now. University of Iowa sorority alumna Ann Saba shares about her experiences with the changes throughout her time in her sorority. Sororities from the past also offered many social opportunities and experiences. “Mostly, the sorority was about social opportunities.” Saba notes the fact that she was constantly surrounded by friends, and fostered her relationships with them through the many activities offered there, including roller-skate parties, talent shows, and parties with affiliated fraternities. Charity events were also implemented. “There was one big charity event every year we organized,” Saba recalls. There were also weekly meetings with organized leadership positions, including president, treasurer, secretary, and more. Similarities even stretch to the con -

cept of interacting with nearby fraternity chapters and throwing conjoined parties.

Saba notes that different roles presented themselves in the sorority. Sorority member roles were allocated into 2 groups: pledge moms and pledge daughters, or representatives for people in the class above you and below you. These representatives served as life mentors, similar to that of an older sister, which allowed social aspects of the sorority to prevail. Although many positive aspects were highlighted throughout Saba’s experience, there were some negative experiences throughout. The rushing process was known to feel like a toxic tradition for Saba. “It felt cold and unwelcoming.” The process consisted of talking to the freshmen for about three minutes and forcing you to make direct judgements about them, which Saba notes wasn’t an accurate representation of an individual. “Sometimes, it takes a while to get to know people.”

Many students at West High also hold mixed feelings about becoming involved with Greek life. Lydia Evans ‘26 believes that sororities practice too many outdated traditions. “[Sororities] are old-fashioned and a little archaic. At times, they enforce ideas and values that aren’t applicable to modern-day times, like the division of men and women.” This contrasts with Abhi Ashwath ‘26, who finds the networking aspects valuable. “[Benefits include] the social networking and connections that you could make, to help with future life opportunities.”

Regardless of whether one decides to join a sorority for the social opportunities or financial benefits, there are multiple facets of Greek life to consider, be it the partying culture, community involvement, or initiation process. By the words of Angela Nyunt, “I get to meet and interact with a lot of strong, empowering women every single day. I have a lot of cool opportunities just from the people that I get to meet.”

InfographbyGraceBartlett

WEST AT UI

BY GRACE BARTLETT AND SHANZA SAMI DESIGN BY TAELIM YOON

2.1 miles — a seven-minute drive to the University of Iowa from West High — so close that students at West could walk to the UIowa campus. The close proximity of a university is not an advantage many high school students receive, so West High students make the most of it. Many students volunteer and conduct scientific research at the university, taking advantage of the accessibility to high-end equipment and resources to solve problems and aid patients. The university offers many pre-college programs, allowing advanced high school students take college classes at the University of Iowa and count the credits, be it in mathematics or science, in addition to facilitating high school volunteering and research opportunities through providing numerous tools, programs, and resources. Students with an interest in the medical or research fields can interact with patients and gain access to unique equipment. Aviva Fraer ’23 details her rigorous lab work at the university, “I helped gather data. I was also in charge of a couple of experiments, so I carried out the experiments and synthesized the data.” Michael Lee ’24 conducted research at a university lab during the summer. “[My research] is about breast cancer cells, specifically triple negative breast cancer, which is a very serious subtype of breast cancer. Using these cells, I analyzed the effects of diet on cancer cell health.” Adam Salem ’26 is another West student that conducted independent research at the Salem Research Laboratory. “My research was on biodegradable particles; it’s a little bubble that contains a drug. Instead of having to do booster shots, [the drug] will do a release over time, eliminating the need for repeat vaccines.”

Aside from enabling student researchers to tackle a variety of scientific issues, students at West have also used the volunteering and research opportunities to prepare themselves for future endeavors and college preparations. Volunteering enables students to interact with University faculty, getting to know professors who can help answer research questions and help with the Volunteering and conducting research at the university isn’t only convenient as a result of the proximity, but also because of the numerous types of volunteer and research opportunities, with an easy application process.

“I chose the university because they have a pretty good system down in place, and everything is well organized. I knew that I’d be comfortable there,” Fraer notes.

Gaining experience to these amenities firsthand also helps students develop certain life skills that will be useful to them in the future. “I’ve had to put myself out of my comfort zone so much, to the point where I feel like I’m a completely different person, and it’s really helped develop my social skills,” explains Micheal Lee ’24, a junior at West who has conducted research at one of the university labs. “[Volunteering] has helped my people skills a lot because I’ve had to interact with a lot of patients. It also inspired me to be an EMT, so right now I’m taking the classes for that,” Aviva Fraer ’23 recalls.

Getting involved at the University of Iowa isn’t as daunting of a task as expected. Through simply reaching out to a professor, students can gain access to labs. “Look into the field that you’re interested in researching, find someone that’s the head of the department, and send them a quick email. I guarantee that they will probably respond and tell you exactly how to set up your meeting,” Salem suggests.

Many students form close bonds with the professors they work with, helping them develop their research skills or discover new career paths. “I got to know my professor pretty well. I expressed interest in what the professor was doing, because she reached out to me and said, ‘Hey, would you be interested in helping me volunteer and spreading cultural awareness?’ I was like, ‘Yeah, that sounds pretty neat.’” Lee recalls.

All information on how to volunteer and conduct research is easily accessible on the university website. The systems at the university make it easy to obtain college credit that otherwise might have been very expensive by accepting courses from a local community college ad by offering college preparatory classes/camps available to all. To read more about volunteering opportunities and the University of Iowa, go to their website uiowa.edu. The ready access to the University of Iowa’s multitude of programs can often be an overlooked opportunity for many West students. “Use your resources. If you have people around you that have done it, reach out to them. If you know any teachers that know something about it, reach out to them,” Lee suggests. The unique opportunities that arise because of the University of Iowa’s proximity should be utilized by students at West to its full extent.

GN TE THE F GHT

BY GRACE BARTLETT ART & DESIGN BY TAELIM YOON

On March 22, 2023, Kim Reynolds passed Senate File 482, a bill that bans trans youth from using the bathrooms or changing rooms that align with their gender identity. Bills like this one have been proposed in past years but failed to gain support in the Iowa Capital. But this year Republican lawmakers have focused on LGBTQ-related issues. Also banning gender-affirming care for minors effective immediately, giving transgender kids 6 months to taper off medication. Republicans in support of the bill claim it is needed to protect the privacy of students who might feel uncomfortable sharing facilities with transgender peers. Opposers of the bill argue there have been no issues with transgender students using bathrooms that align with their gender and that the bill is harmful and puts trans

students at risk of bullying and harassment.

Many West students are already being affected by this bill, explaining that it has made them late to classes and uncomfortable using the restroom while at school.

“..and then walk all the way back. I mean, I used to do that and I was tardy every day. I couldn’t get to class on time. And I felt like that wasn’t fair.” says Rowan James ‘25. Both students and staff have already expressed concern for trans students and their access to safe bathrooms due to fear of harassment. “I remember being in high school and having a lot of people around me be nervous to use the bathroom at school. A lot of people would just avoid it altogether” Says Dulce Escorcia, an educator at West ``I had friends who did use the bathroom even if it was kind of dangerous for them, like they would get harassed at times. And I’m worried about that coming back. I’m just scared for students who might have to face those reactions.” Harassment of trans students is not a new issue

“I’M NOT WALKING ALL THE WAY ACROSS SCHOOL, TO USE THE GENDERNEUTRAL ONE”

-ROWAN JAMES ‘25

for schools as 75.1% of Trans students report feeling unsafe in school because of their gender identity. Many opposers of Senate file 482 fear that this number may increase as trans students are forced to use different bathrooms.

Many Republican supporters of the bill feel the new law is needed to protect other students’ privacy, but many students worry the bill will only cause confusion and discomfort.

“...And I feel like every time I’m in there alone for whatever reason somebody looks at me kind of weird. Like you shouldn’t be in here. You’re a guy.” says Rowan James ‘25, a trans student at West High. Trans students across the country have

spoken and protested against these kinds of bills, explaining that there is no ill will as some Republicans claim. “I wish that people understood that it’s not like trans students using the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity isn’t malicious at all, kids just want to pee.” explains Dulce Escorcia. With the rise of anti-trans and LGBTQ+ legislature, many are worried that harmful bills like Senate File 482 will become more common and more aggressive. In order to combat this, students and educators are pushing for more education in schools and access to more gender-neutral bathrooms to support trans students. On top of this, protests and petitions to enact change and protect trans youth are gaining more traction on social media. As for students at West, supporting our peers and continuing to fight for change has never been more important.

“I’M NOT A GIRL. I DON’T SOUND LIKE ONE. ” -ROWAN JAMES ‘25

BY TIA RAHMATALLA DESIGN BY TAELIM YOON

Scooter’s Coffee, founded in Nebraska, 1998 by Don and Linda Eckles is a thriving Coffee chain that has recently spread its roots to the Coralville area, only 10 minutes away from our very own school. The menu extends from coffees to smoothies to waffle sandwiches and includes its very own secret menu. We decided to compare the range of food prices, tastes, and locations with many of our local coffee shops.

We started by comparing Java House’s Power Plant energy drinks to Scooter’s SCOOOT! EnergyTM. At Java, we tried one of the most popular drinks, the Infrared Power Plant, and compared it to Scooter’s SCOOOT! Raspberry energy drink. The infrared posed for more sour and sweet undertones, presumably from the passionfruit and açai within the ingredients. Contrastly, the raspberry drink felt sweeter, tasting less tart. Both hold powerful flavors and are highly recommendable. In comparison, the Infrared had a better aesthetic and overall look, with a beautiful bright red from the tart cherry. They had similar tastes, but the sweetness of the raspberry drink was overwhelming at times. While both were very delicious, if you’re into more of a sweet and sour taste, we would definitely recommend the Infrared. If you have more of a sweet tooth, the Raspberry energy drink is the way to go.

Our next review was Scooter’s signature drink, the Iced Caramelicious, their most featured menu item, and compared it to the Iced Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks. Scooter’s Iced Caramelicious had a very subtle coffee taste, the beans had a sort of

burned-after taste. The caramel taste was also pretty subtle, but it was quite refreshing and had a sweet background. The Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato had a much sweeter and caramel taste. The coffee taste was slightly stronger and had a more natural flavor. They both overall possess sweet undertones and are both a very refreshing drink to enjoy.

Next, we compared pricing. Scooter’s SCOOOT! ENERGY INFUSIONS are $6.75 for a small, and Java’s infrared is $5.60. (INFLATION) While Java only has one size, for cheaper you get about the same amount of product as the Scooter’s energy drink. Scooter’s Caramelicious is $5.45 for a small iced version. This similarly compares to Starbucks’ Iced Caramel Macchiato, which is $3.65 for the tall size (small). The Caramel Macchiato holds less contents, but is a good amount cheaper. To compare, a Venti from Starbucks (24 oz) is $4.75, holding much more content and is cheaper than Scooter’s small drink.

Location tends to be a determining factor in where one goes to grab a drink or a pastry. Java and Starbucks are both conveniently located next to well known and populated school districts. Java is just a five minute walk from West High School. This makes it a very close and convenient place to grab lunch from, especially for younger students, or just students in general who can’t drive or don’t have a car. Starbucks is very conveniently stationed right next to Northwest, a middle school in Coralville, Iowa. This makes it a great place for students to go to after school. It is also next to the tennis courts and baseball field so if people feel the need to grab a drink then it’s very convenient and useful. While Scooter’s poses great items, its location is very inconvenient.

Overall, we have some final notes. A positive of Scooter’s was the wide variety of flavors available and their quick service. Some negative aspects would have to be the coffee’s more subtle flavor, location and pricing.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE!