Scroll Issue 6 by Ben Graeber

Vol. 80 Issue 6

815 E. 13th St. Des Moines, IA. 50316

Des Moines Independent Community School District

December 19, 2011

East High Scroll “For the Service of Humanity”

The debate is on: finals after winter break

Iowa Lt. Governor visits East High

Kara VanDeo Reporter

ome may say it might be easier to take finals after a long break from school. However, for others, it means the exact opposite. Winter break is one of the most hectic breaks. Rushing through stores for the holidays, and staying up for the new year countdown are definitely ways to forget what you have learned the first semester of school. “You end up forgetting what you’re supposed to know for the tests,” said sophomore Madi Delk. According to other students, forgetting what is necessary to the exams are common. Senior Johnathon Mayes thinks that studying over break is something not everyone wants to do. “Having finals after break, sucks. They expect me to study over break. It’s called ‘break’ for a reason,” said Mayes. Although students see the finals schedule as a bad idea, freshman Cynthia Hoang thinks otherwise. “I’m happy it’s after break. We get a lot of time to study. Since it’s my first year taking finals, it’s a good thing that we’ll have plenty of time to study,” said Hoang. So maybe having finals after break isn’t so bad. There will be plenty of time for studying and asking questions. Students can take advantage of the long break and week before finals to study like crazy. “I think it’s great because it gives me times to procrastinate. I study last minute anyways,” said junior Sophie Backham. Procrastination isn’t always the best way to go, but it’s probably what most students will be doing. Last minute studying is a common trait in teens. When last minute studying and finals clash, it produces chaos. Overall, having finals after winter break has its pros and cons. There are weeks with the option of studying and asking questions. It’ll be the smartest move to take advantage of it and ask questions. Many teachers are willing to help students and review for the finals the week before they have to be taken. Failure shouldn’t be in the mind while taking these exams.

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Administrator Kris Byam (left) speaks with Lt. Governor Kim Ryenolds (center) and her colleague outside an E2020 classroom during their stop at the Walker Building on December 6, 2011. Photo By: Aaron Hosman Iowa’s Lt. Governor, Kim Reynolds and Iowa’s Special Assistant to Education, Linda Fandel visited East on Dec. 6. Reynolds and the East High administrators, led by student escorts, toured around the school and observed a few classrooms. Iowa Governor, Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds have a goal of putting Iowa,

once again, at number one for the best schools in the nation. Lt. Governor Reynolds observed an ASL lab and powering reading classroom. She also was briefed on East’s reading assistance classes and the ‘Get Schooled’ attendance challenge. “I appreciated East High giving me the opportunity to visit and see how students, teachers,

and administrators are working together to raise achievement. Congratulations to East students for their success in the ‘Get Schooled’ attendance challenge,” said Lt. Governor Reynolds. Branstad and Reynolds also hosted an educational town hall meeting on Saturday, Dec. 10, at Central Campus. Reynolds also recently visited Hoyt Middle School.

The results are in for ‘Get Schooled’ Aaron Hosman News Editor

fter seven weeks of teacher nominations, celebrity wake up calls, franticly taking quizzes, and raising East’s daily attendance by three percent, East tied with Aki Kurose Middle School of Seattle. Three percent is equivalent to 60 more students attending school every day. The tie-breaker was given to Aki Kurose, leaving East as champions for the Central region. Both schools earned the highest number of points in the nation, topping out

Pep E club is diligently planning the next all school dance. The ‘Black & White Affair’ themed event will be held Feb. 11, 7:30-10:30. Save the date! Look for more information in a later issue.

at 90 points. Since Oct. 3, students have been pushed to raise overall attendance. The administration implemented rewards for classrooms with perfect attendance, rewarded students for attending school all week, and created an environment that helped students realize the importance of going to school. “I’m extremely proud of the staff and students for winning the Central Region of the Get Schooled Foundation’s Fall Attendance Challenge. Participating in the challenge united the students and community around a common goal: get all students to school so they can

succeed and graduate. This shows Des Moines that East students are on the move,” said East High Principal Steve Johns, in the official press release. As a result for winning first place in the central religion, the ‘Get Schooled Foundation’ provided East students with a Mission: Impossible red carpet themed event, giving students the opportunity to “strut their stuff ” across the red carpet. From East, roughly 1,100 staff and students were chartered on over 35 busses to Johnston’s Wynnsong Theater for a prescreening of Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol. As a requirement by East High admin-

The Briefs To students who took the PSAT: your results are now available in the counseling office, room 2033M.

Check out the East High Scroll Facebook page and tag yourself in the ‘Get Schooled Red Carpet Affair’ photos!

istrators, students must have had perfect attendance (no unexcused absences) from Monday, Dec. 5 to Friday, Dec. 16, the date of the celebration. “It’s pretty incredible to win against all of the other schools and it’s a good prize too. The whole school gets a day off,” said sophomore Nickie Nguyen. This January, East will once again take part in a challenge sponsored by the ‘Get Schooled Foundation.’ This time the challenge will focus on enabling students for success in college. Photos of the event can be found on our webstite and our Facebook page.

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Congratulations to the Debate team. At a recent tournament in Okoboji, many of the Debate team members walked away with armfuls of awards.

A&E

December 19, 2011 / Page Editor : Katelyn Worple

Grease puts on a great show to all audience members Katelyn Worple Co-Editor-in-Chief

ou get all excited for the “Grease” play that is put on by some of your East High friends. As you walk into the school, an usher is standing there directing you to the auditorium of East High School. Standing in line, wait what line? After you get your ticket, you walk into the auditorium, full of people chattering about the play, directed by teacher Jamaal Allen. You find your spot and all of the sudden the lights go off and the show is starting. “I’m in drama class and I’ve never been to a play before, but this play has so far met my expectations and it’s put together really good,” said junior Sydney Vestal. The “Grease” play opened on Thu, Dec. 1, and was put on every night at 7p.m. through Sat, Dec. 3. Going to the play seemed to be on everyone’s to-do list. The cast took the play

seriously, and with the direction of Allen, the play blew the crowd away. “The most important part was that the cast looked like they were having fun and enjoying each other,” government teacher Paul Ruby said. The cast included students from all grade levels. A crowd favorite was the character Betty Rizzo, played by Gillian Randall. “I got all my energy from the crowd,” said Randall. “The crowd just hooped and hollered.” The singers of the play, both male or female, sang like there was no tomorrow. They sang songs from the Grease movie, such as: “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee”, “Greased Lightning”, “You’re The One That I Want”, and “We Go Together.” Beyond the singers, there was a chorus that consisted of cheerleaders, jocks, nerds, cool cats, kittens, and other students of Rydell High School. “The best part was the actual dancing on stage and connecting with the crowd,” said senior Yeltsin Rodriguez, who played Danny Zuko. “The worst part was learning it all

Cast members from the play Grease listen to Doody, played by junior Jake Biegger, sing the song “Those Magic Changes”. It was one of many songs that were performed in the play Grease. and putting in so much hard work in play practice.” Besides all of the on-stage performers, there was a fantastic pit orchestra. The piano player was teacher Jennifer Luft, the drummer was junior Matt Lawler. The orchestra also included the bass, which was played by senior Anna Flickinger, and two saxophone players: sophomore Maddie Delk along with senior Sadie Woods. To keep everything running as smooth as possible, there was also a running crew, lighting crew, and a costume designer. “I was asked by Scott Davis (band instructor for EHS) to play the drums for the play “Grease”, it was really fun,” said junior Matt

Lawler. One of the only flaws about the play was the sound system. This isn’t really the performer’s fault because East High doesn’t even have a sound system for the performing arts department. For the play, Hoyt Middle School donated their sound system so that “Grease” could at least be a little better. “The sound system could have been better but, that doesn’t influence my view of the play as a whole,” said Ruby. After the play was over, the crowd went home with happy faces and the urge to actually watch the movie Grease, which premiered in 1978. As for the next play in the spring at East, the bar is set.

Kerli’s making a come back Myer’s mixtape; a brilliant Brianna Boner

start to a promising career

Courtney Custard

one who has gone through a lot and has so much potential in the music industry, she Literacy Editor does not get as much attention from the erli Koiv is a young music press as she should. artist who has not been given Many say she rips off of Lady Gaga’s look as much credit as she deserves. and rips off of Ke$ha’s music. Let’s face it, One day at a sleepover me and Kerli is herself, she came before Gaga and a friend stumbled onto Kerli Ke$ha, and is nothing like either of those and soon after, Kerli became my music herotwo. She doesn’t wear a bucket of glitter and ine. Ever since she doesn’t smoke that moment I weed when writhave not been ing her songs. If able to stay away forced to choose from her music. a favorite of the Kerli is twenty music industry it four and comes would most defifrom Elva, Esnitely be Kerli. tonia. Elva is a Kerli’s style of place that many music is pop, elecpeople have not tro, dance, and heard about, but alternative rock. it is in Europe. Most people prefer Kerli may to listen to her pop seem like old and electro music. news but she’s When listening to coming back like 24 year old singer Kerli Koiv sings for an audience. her music, you can whiplash. Kerli She sings pop and dance songs mostly, such as “Army feel yourself drift has had many of Love”. She is originally from Elva, Estonia. away. Many find let downs in her solace in her music music career from losing contest to losing and escape through her words. her signers. She has such a broad backKerli’s first album was released in 2008 ground. When Koiv was four, the Soviet ocand is titled Love Is Dead. Kerli is signed to cupation ended in her country. Her mother Island Def Jam Music Group. She is curwas a social worker and her father was a car rently working on her second album in which mechanic. Her parents never got along and the album name has not been released, and they split as soon as Koiv turned sixteen. the album was supposed to come out the fall At the age of sixteen she made a big of 2011. There has been no word on what decision by dropping out of high school is taking so long for the album to come out. to pursue her career in music. In her song It has been said by Kerli that she is done Super girl, Kerli expresses her feelings about recording. Hold onto your seats because the her parents’ abusive relationship. For someshows just getting started.

Do I Breathe,” (originally by Mario) and “Here Without You,” (originally by Three Opinions Editor Doors Down.) oots: Something that is an origin The song that came after were even more or source, an underlying basis, the emotional, and inspirational. Track nine paid essential core. a tribute to his mother and the struggles she November 28, a day that senior had while raising Myers and his siblings . Cole Myers will never forget. The day The Issues range from financial struggles to not Roots dropped; his first mixtape ever. The having a father around. This was the best Roots is composed of nine songs and one song on the mixtape and can easily be comhilarious intro tune pared to Drake’s, “Look called “No Shave You’ve Done,” off The root of a tree is the What November.” of his new album Take beginning of life for that Care. As a supporting fan, I bought my tree. The roots mixtape “She’s literally the only very own copy of the person who has been is the beginning of life for there for me through mixtape. Expectations were low; but Myers my music. That’s how I everything,” said was not deterred. Myers. “The song named my mixtape. “I think it was rewas easy to write; I senior Cole Myers ally good and if he just described what sticks with it, he will it was like growing go somewhere,” senior Rene Senecaut said up in our home.” about Myer’s mixtape. Of course the mixtape ended with the Myers has a few of his songs on Soundtrack that matched the title of his mixtape: cloud.com, but the mixtape had many more The Roots. Another good song with a solid surprises in store for me, including songs like beat, and good verses. “Summertime Girl,” which was produced “The root of a tree is the beginning of entirely by Myers and his manager Skyler life for that tree. The roots mixtape is the Prenosil, a senior at Lincoln. beginning of life for my music,” said Myers. “That song (Summertime Girl) was prob“That’s how I named my mixtape.” ably my most favorite song to record because Keep a look out for Myer’s next mixtape it was so upbeat and fun to rap,” said Myers. which is scheduled to be out on New Years The best songs are the last four songs of and will be free of charge. his mixtape most definitely. Tracks seven and “I just got a new microphone too, so I’m eight were both heartfelt love tunes spawning hoping this mixtape is going to be even betfrom other hit love songs including “How ter,” said Myers.

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opinions

Issue 6 / Page Editor : Courtney Custard & Chris Johnson

Throwing clichés out of the window

Chris Johnson Reporter

liché: an expression, idea, or element of an artistic work which has been overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect. People see the word and seem to avoid it as much as possible. Being cliché is bad. It means you’re generic, you’re plain, and you’re dull. When people avoid it, though, it has quite a different effect than you’d expect. Scenesters, preps, goths, hipsters, gangsters, guidos, juggalos, and there’s so many more to choose from. People try to change how they look or act and many turn to groups like these, but are they really solving the problem? Worrying about being cliché

and joining a group of “weird” people to make sure you’re not doesn’t make any sense. The entire issue of identity and being cliché revolves around that same definition. Has your style been overused? Do you have a meaning? Or are you just a stereotypical kid who nobody pays attention to? Worrying about things like this is pointless though, because there isn’t any certain way to make sure you’re ‘new and exciting!’ If you choose to straighten your hair, dye it black, and start listening to screamo, so what? Now you’re an emo, or a goth, or a scenester. Maybe you’ll go bleach blonde and shop at Aeropostalé or Hollister. It’s the same situation. No matter what you do or where you go, probability states that someone has already been there, done that, and bought the tshirt. So why bother wasting your time finding a “special” identity? None of the listed groups are any more original than the first person who did it, and they’re likely long dead. Dying your hair, changing where you shop, and revamping your taste in music, doesn’t change a thing about you. It’s just another coat of paint on top of what you

really are. “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail,” was once said by Ralph Waldo Emerson, a famous essayist, lecturer, and poet, who lead the transcendental movement in the mid-19th century. This movement focused on individuality, nature, and becoming one with your inner self. Looking at this single quote shows that the question of the identity has always been around. This is everyone’s struggle and apparently nobody has found a solution. In my mind, the solution itself is to do just what Emerson was talking about. Take a look at yourself. Does everyone do what you do? Are you really doing what the “you” inside of you would do? If not, remove the layers of paint. The path could already have been traveled, but that doesn’t really matter. If you’re worried about being interesting and new, stop. It’s not about being interesting or new, it’s about being YOU. So go back to the beginning of the trail. Pick a path that feels right to you, however worn it may be, and walk it with your head held high.

Substitute respect uncommon in school

Karla Hernandez Reporter

hy is it that every time there’s a substitute teacher, students feel the need to act out? There’s always that one boy or girl in class looking for attention, thinking the only way to get it is by mouthing off. What’s the point of that, to earn respect and admiration from a handful of peers that won’t even remember that incident by the end of the day, let alone remember your name? The only thing you accomplish from that is detention or ISS

and a teacher who won’t be able to stand you. These students not only ruin it for themselves, but for their classmates as well. I certainly dislike listening to some poseur bad ass bitch and moan about how the teacher or sub did something that they can’t live up to their ohso-perfect standards. In one incident, a student was promptly escorted out of class after berating the substitute teacher, ridiculing her accent, and refusing to do anything. This all happened after the student was asked why they didn’t have a late pass. The students are not all to blame however; it’s some of the teachers as well. There are some teachers here, believe it or

not, that run out of patience and snap on the students. One teacher went as far as to yell “You are not retarded! Sit down!” to a student who kept standing up. This caused uproar in the class and lead to even more arguing and yelling from the teacher and students. These days, students and teachers seem to be disrespecting each other more and more. What once were friendly mentor/mentee relationships, have now turned into what seems like a game of “how can I royally piss the teacher off today” and “how can I punish these students to get them to behave”. It’s the teachers’ jobs to teach us things, but it’s our responsibility to want to learn them and all the disrespect going around needs to stop. It’ll make everyone’s jobs a lot easier.

‘Get Schooled’ success

Winter weather meltdown

We, the Scroll staff, would like to give two giant thumbs up to Mr. Byam and Mr. Johns, along with the rest of our EHS administrators. Without their guidance and relentless effort, ‘Get Schooled’ would not have been possible. Their constant effort put into the challenge has really shown the student body how much they care about the future success of East High. We would also like to give a thumbs up to the “Red Carpet Affair” that we had last Friday. The assembly, the red carpet, and the movie were all extremely fun and an exciting prize for our school’s hard work. As a challenge to you, the Scroll staff urges you to thank our administrators and continue the increase in attendance.

We, the Scroll staff, give a thumbs down to the weather. There are two main reasons why we are upset with the recent December weather. The first reason pertains to the seniors. Seniors do not have to make up snow days at the end of the year, with the exception of having over ten snow days. Then, seniors do have to make up every day over ten snow days. Who wouldn’t want a snow day that you don’t have to make up?! The second reason is that we really want to have a white Christmas in Iowa. Who wants to look out the window Christmas morning while opening their presents and see dead grass? We want to make snow angels, build snowmen, and go sledding on our winter break! It just can’t be done with this current weather we’ve been having this year. The snow miser is seriously letting us down this year.

STAFF

Co-Editors in Chief Lindsey Smith Katelyn Worple

Staff Members Riley Bacon Copy Editor

Aaron Hosman News Editor

Brianna Boner Literacy Editor

Chris Johnson Reporter

Courtney Custard Opinions Editor

Erika Kommavongsa Reporter

Hailey Galloway Reporter

Jackie Khamma Reporter

Jazmine Heard Reporter

Kara VanDeo Reporter

Karla Hernandez Reporter

Stephenie Gabriel Community Editor

Taylor Bougher Features Editor

Principal Steve Johns

Adviser Ben Graeber

The Scroll is a public forum for student expression.

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 Ben Graeber or Natalie Niemeyer in room 207W. NOTE: All contents are the product of the EHS newspaper production staff. Occasional stories are contributed from the Journalism Intern program.

ADS POLICY Ads are $4 per column inch and are available by calling (515) 242-7729 on school days from 7-3 p.m. The Scroll reserves the right to reject ads deemed not in the best interest of East students. The paper is printed every 3 weeks by Wilcox Printing in Madrid, IA.

DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL EQUITY STATEMENT

T h e D e s M o i n e s P u b l i c S ch o o l s prohibits discrimination in educational and employment programs and activities 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.

WE ARE MEMBERS OF THESE GROUPS:

Features

December 19, 2011 / Page Editor : Lindsey Smith

Cozy coffee shops for keeping warm this winter, studying Newest coffee shop to come to des moines

riving down MLK Pkwy on a dark Saturday night, it’s the first thing you notice before reaching the busy street of Ingersoll. The illuminating retro light draws your eyes towards the windows of the coffee shop filled with young people studying, mingling, and playing games while sipping a coke out of the classic glass bottles or even better, warming up with a dolled up cup of coffee. Smokey Row is a warm, cozy, corner shop filled with all sorts of goodies from sandwiches, cake, cappuccinos, frappuccinos, and hot chocolate to keep us all warm this winter season. It’s a modern structure with a very vintage twist. The cold drinks are all in the classic bottles, old signs hang on the walls, and the chairs, stools, and tables have a ‘50s look to them. The brick structure, wood paneled floor, and basement ceiling look give it the feeling that anyone belongs here, no matter what you do, where you live, or who are – everyone can feel at home here. Thought it is the chilly season, (although there’s no snow), my favorite things on the menu is their ice cream options. With the warmth

of the building and the chill of the ice cream it all balances out. My absolute personal favorite is the Reese’s Sundae. The menu includes a variety of food items including: all sorts of sandwiches from PB&J and BLT to smoked ham croissant and egg sandwiches and they all come with kettle chips. A plus for students staying in Des Moines going to DMACC or Drake or students looking to go to Central College in Pella, there’s a Smokey Row in both places. It’s a small chain so they’re only in three different locations. The third is in Pleasantville, IA.

ADDRESS: 1910 Cottage Grove, Des Moines HOURS: Mon.-Thu. 6am-10pm; Fri. 6pm-11pm; Sat. 7am-11pm; Sun 7:30am-10pm

:Mars Cafe

A place for everyonE; Aliens and Earthlings alike

n i v e r s i t y Av e n u e stretches from Pleasant Hill to Windsor Heights, but he most traveled section of that road for us East High students is the stretch that goes through the eastside to Pleasant Hill. Let’s go the opposite direction for once this winter. Let’s go towards Drake University. Laptops, headphones, and coffee cups are everywhere. Seating for yourself, you and a friend or a whole group to mingle or study. This coffee shop is nestled in the so called “Dog Town district” of Des Moines is Mars Cafe. Well traveled buy high school and college students and surrounded by one-of-akind shops, it’s a common place for live entertainment by local artists, food of all sorts, and the perfect studying place is Mars

Cafe. Booths, tables, and couches allow you to study in the most comfortable way for you. Sure, you can study a home the same way, but hiss gets you out of the house, away from distractions like TV and video games, and you may encounter some other advantages. Being so close to a university m e a n s t o n s o f s t u d e n t s, which also means tutors to help students. From personal experience, there are tutors that have sessions at coffee shops. There are bulletin boards on the walls of Mars Cafe that may lead you to being able to contact a tutor. T his shop also has live entertainment from local artists so be sure to check them out on twitter at @marscafe or their website www.marscafe.net.

ADDRESS: 2318 University Avenue, Des Moines HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 6:30am-10pm; Sat.-Sun. 7:30am-10pm

Java Joes: home to the oldest coffee roaster in Des Moines

Warm Menu Items: Drinks

Coffee to go (8-20oz.)...$1.20-2.00 Espresso....................................$1.50 Cappuccino...............................$2.50 Cafe Latte.................................$2.50 Cafe Mocha..............................$3.00 (Others: hot tea, hot chocolate)

Food

edged into one of the many downtown strips of business and restaurants near Court Avenue is the old fashioned and vintage coffee shop – Java Joes. Upon walking in, you’re immediately hit with the sent of coffee and the sight of a huge coffee roaster, old, vintage coffee pots and coffee related signs. There’s no java house that knows what they’re doing better than this place. And there’s not place like it since it’s locally owned and not part of a chain of shops. While yes, it is a java house, that doesn’t mean it just has great coffee. It has a wide variety of drinks warm and cold and all sorts of food items from classic favorites like PB&J’s and grilled cheese sandwiches (which I recommend – they’re delicious!)

to vegetarian specials and Indian dishes. It’s a very quiet coffee shop. It never gets louder than a low rumble. The front is more for those people that just want to stop in, get a coffee, chat, and leave. It’s the back that’s cozier and dimmer that puts you in a comfortable yet focused mood to study. With a variety of seating and lighting, you’ll definitely find your spot that you’ll be coming back to every time to step through the doors. A very good studying place indeed, this java house also has great live entertainment – and it’s usually free! They have anyone from local artist to major bands like Switchfoot perform. You can check their website www. javajoescoffeehouse.com/shop/ or follow them on twitter at @ Javajoescoffee for finding out who is performing and when.

Grilled Cheese.........................$6.75 Quesadillas.................................$6.75 Oatmeal.....................................$3.25 Bagel..........................................$2.25 Cookies......................................$1.50 ADDRESS: 214 4th Street, DSM. HOURS: Mon.-Thu. 6:30am-11pm; Fri.-Sat. 6:30am- midnight; Sun. 6:30am-10pm

Smokey Row, Java Joes, and Mars Cafe are all Wifi Hotspots, so you can take a laptop and still have internet. It’s just another reason these places are great places to study.

More coffee shops in Des Moines Caribou Coffee

3220 Ingersoll Ave.

Gong Fu Tea 414 E. 6th St.

Village Bean 305 E. 5th St.

Grounds for Celebration 2645 Beaver Ave.

Zanzibar’s Coffee Adventure 2723 Ingersoll

Photo Credit: Lindsey Smith Articles by Lindsey Smith

Features

Issue 6 / Page Editor :Stephenie Gabriel/ Karla Hernandez

Celebrating the Holidays in different religions Jackie Khamma Reporter

hough winter may bring people down, it does mean that the holidays are coming around. Everyone pretty much knows about Christmas, Santa Claus, egg nog, presents, and all that good stuff. However what about the other holidays people celebrate? Christmas is celebrated for the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. In Spain, Christmas starts on Dec. 25 to Jan. 6 and the people of Spain never eat Christmas dinner before midnight on Christmas Eve. In Japan, Christmas is somewhat like Valentine’s Day, if you’re not spending it with your family then you are spending it with your significant other. Kentucky Fried Chicken is popular to eat during Christmas in Japan. Besides New Years, Christmas is the most celebrated holiday around the world. However Christmas being one of the most popular holidays doesn’t make it the only holiday celebrated during the winter season. Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday in celebration of re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the victory of the Maccabean Revolt. During the Hanukkah celebration

families light one candle everyday for eight days and place them on the a menorah (a candle holder), representing the eight days the olive oil kept burning on the menorah lit by their Jewish ancestors during the Maccabean Revolt. Fried foods are eaten during Hanukkah, an example being a deep fried potato pancake called levivot. During Hanukkah, families pray, people play with a four-sided spinning top called a dreidel, and children receive eight days of presents. Kwanzaa originating from the 1960s African-American movement; it is a holiday for African-Americans celebrating their African heritage and culture. During Kwanzaa people light one candle for seven days, each candle representing a different meaning. Mediation and studying is part of the Kwanzaa celebration. They study Nguzu Saba which means “Seven principles of African Heritage” in an African language called Swahili. The first candle lit is Umoja which means unity, the second candle Kuchijagulia representing self determination, Ujima is collective work and responsibility, Ujimma is family, Nia is purpose, Kummba is creativity, and the last candle to be lit is Imani meaning faith. What all three holidays have in common is that they all hold significant meanings. Each holiday initially brings family and friends closer together to appreciate to what one has.

Christmas

-Most celebrated holiday around the world -Celebrated for commemoration of birth of Jesus Christ -In Spain Christmas starts on Dec. 26- Jan. 6 -In Japan Kentucky Fried Chicken is popular to eat during Christmas

Hanukkah

-In celebration of the Temple in Jerusalem after the victory of the Maccabean Revolt -Families light one candle everyday for eight days and place on menorah - A dreidel is a four sided spinning top, played with during Hanukkah -Fried foods are eaten during Hanukkah

Kwanzaa

-Originated from the 1960s; African-American movement -Light one candle, each day for seven days, each representing a different meaning -Celebrated the African heritage and culture -Meditation and studying is part of Kwanzaa

Blankets for teens and giving back to the community Stephenie Gabriel Community Editor

iving back and doing things for others; it’s what has been repeated to us ever since we were little, and what has been imprinted into our minds for years. Mrs. Hebert follows this guideline every year by sewing things for children in need. Senior Joycelin Calderon and junior Daisy Solorzano pose as they “I think it is very im- deliver the blankets to the St. Joseph Shelter on December 12. portant for students to Photo by: Deann Hebert help the community. The students feel like they are coordinated the project. Calderon will be doing something very worthwhile and receiving a $2,000 scholarship in honor of much needed,” said Mrs. Hebert. Katherine Helms, an East High graduate. Hebert allows students to be a part of Calderon chose to give the blankets to St. the experience along with her. Anyone Joseph’s; this is the only family shelter in can take part in these “Saturday Sewing” Des Moines. get-togethers. Hebert gives extra credit Hebert and about 25 students got tofor students who are in her class and gether on November 19 from 9 a.m. – 12 come in and help sew. Students who need a.m. and sewed fleece blankets for teen community service hours can use this girls at St. Joseph’s. The blankets were two as the perfect opportunity to serve the layers, and large enough to fit on a twin community. Also anyone is welcome who bed. The blankets were delivered to St. wants to come in and sew for the cause. Joseph’s Shelter on December 12. This year, senior, Joycelin Calderon

Get involved, give back! Giving back is something that should always be done. There are many chances to give back throughout the year, but especially around the holidays. Take time out of your busy schedules to do a good thing for someone else. 1) Ronald McDonald House You can collect pop tabs and donate them to Ronald McDonald House, the pop tabs pay for families stay at the house while their sick children are in the hospital. Volunteering for many different things are also available. 2) The Pet Project Midwest This organization works to make sure that pets are in homes with people that love them, and take care of them. To help this charity you can give private donations or sponsors. 3) Meals from the Heartland People volunteer to package meals for delivery around the world to places that have hunger as a risk factor. Millions of meals have been sent to countries such as Haiti, Jamaica, and Israel. You can help put these meals together to be sent to different countries. 4) Youth Emergency Services & Shelter A program that is a safe place for children to go there and bring their families together. You can volunteer your time by spending time with the children.

Feature

December 19, 2011 / Page Editor : Jackie Khamma & Erika Kommavongsa

Remembering the 90s What do you remember Karla Hernandez Reporter

or most of us currently living our teen years, remembering the decade we were born in is somewhat difficult. We were either too young or too naive to pay close attention to the revolutionary wonders the 90s brought us. The start of that decade brought us newer technology, newer for ms of entertainment, fashion, and most importantly: music. In the year 1990, Motorola launched the first mobile phone using digital technology. These new phones were small and easy to handle unlike in the previous decades when cell phones were expensive, clunky, and brick sized. Other “new” technology included Palm Pilots and digital cameras along. The 90s were an innovative age that many had previously seen as unimaginable. Medical science also

made great achievements. Scientists cloned the first mammal (a sheep named Dolly) and the Human Genome Project was born. As technology and science continued to improve throughout the decade, so did music. Rappers like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tupac, Notorious BIG and Puffy developed a new style of rap called “gangsta rap” rapping about violence, drug use and the police. Another music style in production was Bubblegum Pop. It showcased simple, infectious melodies and bouncy tunes. Artists like Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, NSYNC, and 98 Degrees gained great fame through this style. However, the biggest genre of the early 90s was definitely rock. In 1991, an alternative rock band from Seattle named Nirvana quickly changed how people saw rock music and thus a new genre was born: grunge. Grunge rock took the 90’s by storm and Nirvana’s front man Kurt Cobain was credited as the “Father of Alternative Rock”. Nirvana paved the way for other grunge rock bands to be recognized such as Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Smashing Pumpkins, and Stone Temple Pilots. As grunge overtook the music charts, it also took over the runways. Fashion designers began hiring skinnier models advertising plain

most from when you were a kid in the 90s?

clothing and little to no makeup, giving them a waif look. The “Heroin Chic” look, started by Kate Moss, accentuated the models’ gaunt features, messy hair and sweaty look. Grunge continued to be popular until Kurt Cobain’s suicide in 1994. The grunge movement slowed... as did the style. Anna Wintour, the editor and chief of Vogue, threatened fashion designers that if they kept designing unglamorous looks, they wouldn’t be photographed in the magazine at all. They all complied and grunge was then “killed”, butt the 90s were still viewed as the “antifashion” decade, rebelling against the expensive and flashy trends of the previous years. Flashy fashion was instead replaced with more casual and comfortable clothes, or simply copied from a favorite musician or a favorite show. Fans of the show “Friends” copied “The Rachel” hair do from Jennifer Aniston’s character and Marilyn Manson fans copied the Goth look. Whether it was fashion, music or technology, the decade of the 90s brought us many improvements. Without the inventions from back then, we wouldn’t be nearly as advanced tech wise today, rock music wouldn’t be as awesome and fashion... well we could’ve done without the heroin look.

“I remember Nirvana.” -freshmen Lauren Cokayne

“I liked watching Digimon.” -junior True Wheeldon

The Best of the 90s s TV Show ja Turtles

in Teenage Mutant Nrn Life Rocko’s Mode Dawson’s Creek 90210 Full House Animaniacs ly Dog rd a w o C e th e g ra u o C Beavis & Butthead ce Guy Bill Nye: The Scien Friends Boy Meets World Saved By The Bell

Music Boys II Men

Nirvana Backstreet Boys Britney Spears Spice Girls Aerosmith U2 Will Smith Aaliyah

“I used to watch Rugrats.” -senior Sadie Woods

Toys/Games

Tamagotchi Game Boy Color Furby Nintendo N64 Power Rangers Polly Pocket Skip It Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Beanie Babies

Sports

Issue 6 / Page Editor : Riley Bacon

Managers Vance, Fabray keep EHS athletics afloat Erika Kommavongsa Reporter

magine having to spend an extra two to three hours after school, picking up dirty towels, filling up water bottles, and listening to coaches yell. Fun right? That is what sports managers have to go through every day for the duration of the season. At every wrestling meet, senior Jessie Vance is there, ready to help. She is a manager for the varsity boys’ wrestling team; this is her second year as manager. Vance was encourage by a friend her junior year to become manager. She loved the environment and has formed a bond with the wrestlers, so she decided to continue being manager this year. It also keeps her very busy during the winter season. “We’re like a family; I mess with them (wrestlers), they mess with me,” said Vance. Maintaining weight class is one of the main focuses during the wrestling season. You must be in a certain weight class in order to wrestle. Many of the wrestlers feel the pressure to watch their weight when meets and tournaments are coming up. Trying to keep weight isn’t an easy thing, because it comes

with a lot of stress. Another sports manager is junior Eva Fabray; she is one of the managers for the varsity girls’ basketball team. She has been a manager for a year. Fabray heard about the job from her senior Heather Fulford. Fabray couldn’t play volleyball because of her wrist, so she decided to volunteer and become a manager. As manager, Fabray cleans the locker rooms, fills water bottles, washes and hangs uniforms, and also travels to away games with all the equipment. “We do everything behind the scenes, basically. It’s harder than people think,” said Fabray. Fabray had the opportunity to travel with the girls’ basketball team on their road to a state championship just a year ago. She enjoyed the bonding experience and all the support the community gave to the girls; she also liked seeing the girls win the title they deserved. Being manager is a time consuming job. When the team has meets/games that start first thing in the morning on the weekends, the managers are up first thing in the morning with them. Vance and Fabray are at every wrestling meet, tournament, practice and bus rides.

Scarlet Sp tlight

** Fill up water bottles for the player’s practices and on game days.

** Get ice for the players if they get

hurt. ** Carry all of the equipment to away games and have everything ready for home games. ** Run errands for the coaches.

BEHIND THE SCENES: WINTER MANAGERS

Junior Jayde Murray - Wrestling Manager - “I like meeting the wrestlers and making new friends.” - “Going to all of the meets and tournaments keeps you very busy throughout the winter, and I like that.” - “The only thing that sucks is the smell, but you get used to it.”

Senior Tajia Taylor - Girls’ Basketball Manager - “Some of the upside to being the manager is getting into the games free, seeing what happens behind the scenes, and seeing the girls grow and get better.” - “I used to play basketball and I couldn’t leave my friends. I didn’t want to actually play, but I love the

Things that managers do for the team

** The players laundry, such as their uniforms and warm-up outfits.

atmosphere.” - “Besides being a manager, I am involved in softball and I’m going to play golf this year. I just love being MidAmerican Energy is allied with East in a business partnership. Once a month they proudly sponsor this recognition of EHS achievement.

Yearbooks make a terrific present this time of year! 1. Bring a check for $60 to the EHS bookkeeper in the main office. 2. Use a credit card to buy one on-line from home! www. YearbookOrderCenter. com Once at the website, put in order #8093. Next, just click on “Buy a Yearbook”

Look for the next issue of the Scroll, coming out on Jan. 27, 2012. See you next year!

around team events.”

December 19, 2011 / Page Editor : Brianna Boner & Hailey Galloway

Literacy

Photo by: Jacob Anderson

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Artwork by: Brianna Boner adi Delk

Photo by: M

Photo by: Bad

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Photo by: Amber Fernandez We want your submissions! Contact our Facebook page if you have poetry or art you would like to have published. You can also have a teacher contact the Journalism Department to send submissions electronically.