East High Scroll, issue 1 by Ben Graeber

Vol. 80 Issue 1

815 E. 13th St. Des Moines, IA. 50317

Des Moines Independent Community School District

September 2, 2011

East High Scroll “For the Service of Humanity”

New principal comes in with a plan Lindsey Smith & Katelyn Worple Co-Editors-in-Chief

Mr. Johns has been a busy guy since he got the position as the EHS principal. The boards in his office are filled with notes and plans for East. He also said that the boards in the meeting room next to his office were filled as well. Photo by Kara VanDeo.

What is Mr. Johns’ plan? Reading Scores: Students that did not do well on their reading test last year for the ITEDs is being placed in a reading class during advisory. Johns has 55 teachers teaching the reading classes and the teacher to student ratio is 1:8. Right now freshmen are not involved with this change, but Johns has asked colleges to send any student teachers willing to help so that they can be taught how to teach the reading program to help the freshmen. Attendence: Johns wants to raise the percentage of attendence to 90% instead of the 88% it is now. (The state average is 95%). One of his ideas to do this is the Rewards & Recognition Program. All students that are at school on time for a week get their name put into a weekly drawing for a chance to win an ipod, bike, or any of the other items in the drawing. So far $1500 has been raised for the program.

rom being the pilot of his own plane, to running over 20 marathons, to being the principal of EHS, Steve Johns is ready to take charge of the flight and chase after the challenges that he is faced with this year. “I was ecstatic when I got the job here at East. I’m really excited for the year,” said Johns. Johns was born and raised in Colo, Iowa. He graduated from Iowa State with a BS in industrial education, a Certificate of Advanced Studies, and a Master’s degree in educational administration. He has two children, Brian and Stacia, who both graduated from The University Of Iowa. Johns’ wife passed away five years ago from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. After Johns graduated from Iowa State, he went on to become a teacher and coach at Jefferson High School for seven years. He then had his first principal job in his hometown Colo, Iowa. He worked as a principal there for three years. Johns also worked in Williamsburg for 18 years. Before working for East, Johns worked as North High School’s vice principal and activities director. During the summer, Johns flew executive secretary Diane Fleming out to the East Girls’ Softball state tournament. “I really want to try and make some changes this year, starting with the freshmen class,” said Johns. There are four major things that Johns

Mr. Johns’ plane is hangered in Ames just a few miles from is home. He flew it up to Fort Dodge for the girls’ softball state tournament with Mrs. Fleming. Photo courtesy of Diane Fleming. wants to change this school year. One of those would be the dress code. For the girls, there are no shorts shorter than your thumb length, must have at least three finger wide tank tops and no cut off shirts. For the guys, no sagging pants past four fingers from your waist and also no cut off shirts. Johns would like to raise the attendance by two percent, from 88 to 90-percent. One out of four freshmen students is under credited and Johns wants to make sure they stay on track to graduate. “He’s such a caring guy and he actually has a plan,” said social studies teacher

David Mahler. East High’s new principal is excited to take on the biggest 9-12 school in Iowa. Johns is aware of the challenge of the new changes he’s bringing, but what he’s trying to do is better students for their future. He wants EHS students, even beyond high school, to be productive citizens. To do this, he would like to teach students characteristics of a good citizen and how to work in a team. Johns is more than excited to be facing these challenges and he feels he’s has the experience to do it.

Pictured right is Mr. Johns marathon board of photos and medals he’s recieved from the marathons. Johns says he’s participated in almost 20 marathons. Photo by Kara VanDeo.

Above, Mr. Johns meets with newspaper staff member, junior Carlos SilvaTrejo. Mr. Johns has been very willing to meet with the staff and make time for interviews. Photo by Kara VanDeo.

Student Government: Meetings have started. The first one was Aug. 30. Positions have been filled, the theme for the Homecoming dance and the days of spirit week have also been decided. If you would like to help design tickets, decorate for the dance, or help with public relationtions come to the meetings every Tuesday in Mr. El-Baroudi’s room 3059M or contact Lily VanGundy or Gillian Randall.

What’s happening at East High??? Activites, groups, and sports are already starting up! Find out how you can get involved.

IHSSA: IHSSA is a drama/speech group and is a year long activity that needs true dedication because of competition. It is open to all grade levels. If you are interested in joining go see Mrs. Johnson in room 2074M. They also have individuals competition.

National Honor Society: Meetings will start up next week, Wednesday Sep. 7. Since there is no advisories anymore, meetings will be held before and after school in Mr. Koch’s room 2084C. before school at 7:10 and after school at 2:45. For any further information contact Mr. Koch or senior Lindsey Smith.

Prep Choir/ Show Choir: Attention all 9th grade students! There are still opportunities available for you to participate in Prep Choir or the 9th grade show choir. You will receive elective credit for both groups. See Ms.Squires in room 2000C before or after school as soon as possible if you are interested in being a part of either group this year.

features

September 2, 2011 / Page Editor : Katelyn Worple

Photos courtesy of senior Julia Sigmund.

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World is e h t n i the e r E he

Pose with an East High Scroll anywhere you go and be apart of ‘Where in the World is the East High Scroll.’ Turn your photos into Room 200W. Junior Aaron Hosman poses with a wood carving at the Iowa State Fair, 2011.

he Iowa State Fair (ISF) comes every year and people just keep on coming. In fact, this year they broke last year’s attendance record which was 967,381. This year they had 1,090,959 people attend. One big event that happened at the ISF was the Ejection Seat was stuck in mid-air with two people on the ride. The funny thing is that the two stuck only received their money back. This year at the fair, they served fried butter. This was what everyone was talking about; it even made national news!

Senior Tereasa Clair visits the ISF with her sister. She poses above in front of the Sky Glider gate at the Iowa State Fair, 2011.

September 2, 2011 / Page Editor : Courtney Custard

Kara VanDeo

Chris Johnson

Reporter

ast High’s recent changes have been a controversial topic in our hallways, especially about the freshmen moving up to East High’s main building. Whether they’re against it or with it, everyone has something to say. Is the change really a good thing? Freshmen getting lost, upperclassmen getting irritated from the constant crowd, it simply is chaos. However, I think it’s a great idea because if you like it or not, freshmen are a part of East High. Freshmen’s combining with the upperclassmen is a great way for them to grow up and mature, rather than be immature with their own age group; and this goes both ways! It’s a great way to meet new people and get a feel for high school. Having freshmen isolated at the Walker Building will make it seem as if they are at a whole different school rather than being a student at East High School. The Walker Building may be a comfort zone for freshmen, but they need to get out of their comfort zone every once in a while. Being at the Walker Building for an entire also keeps you ‘out of the loop’. Not only are you excluded from certain events and clubs, you also don’t know what’s going on up at the main building. You aren’t updated on news that is happening there and it’s just not right. People are saying ‘Oh, I’ve been there for a year, they can suck it up and be there for a year too’ but really, how did you feel at the Walker Building? You weren’t really a part of East High; you were a part of ‘The 9th Grade Academy’.

hat has the administration done? The main building was full enough last year, yet even more students have been poured more into the mix. Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against freshmen or bringing the student body together, but this is freaking insanity. Hallways are completely clogged with massive amounts of students, and ordering lunch at McDonald’s has become physically impossible due to the new crowd making the lines even longer. This isn’t The solution was never to change the setup, but I guess they couldn’t see it since there wasn’t a problem in the first place. There was no need for a solution at all. The freshmen were fine down in the Walker Building. I know because I was one of them not long ago. With this new setup though, the administration has created a traffic jam in every major hallway and four different lunch periods that overlap and collide. No really, who came up with this? All I wanted out of high school was the freedom to purchase a McChicken and a chocolate shake for lunch. Now I can barely escape the building in time to buy them. Have you tried running back to class and eating food all at once? Choking isn’t fun and neither is the new freshman system. But hey, at least I have an empty Walker Building to type angry letters at them from. Either find a real solution, Ms. Superintendent, or change things back to the way they’re supposed to be.

East space becomes minimal

East changes proves successful

Opinions

2011-2012 EHS changes

• Freshmen are part of the main building this year. • The Walker Building accompanies 16 teachers and the E2020 program. • Our new principal, Mr. Steve Johns.

EAST HIGH SCROLL

The Scroll is published every three weeks during the school year except holidays for the DM Independent Community School District by the students in the journalism program at East High School. Subscriptions are $5 per year and address changes should be sent to East High Publications, 815 E. 13th, Des Moines, Iowa, 50316. The paper is printed by Wilcox Printing in Madrid, Iowa. 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 Scroll welcomes letters but reserves the right to edit for space as required. All contents are the product of the EHS newspaper production staff. Occasional stories are contributions from the journalism intern program. Outside contributions are subject to the usual restrictions of libel and obscenity and must conform to general paper policy, which is available upon request. Unsigned letters can not be printed. Signed commentaries represent personal opinions, not views of the staff.

District Educational

Equity Statement

The Des Moines Public Schools 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.

Staff:

Editors-in-chief / Katelyn Worple & Lindsey Smith Head Copy Editor / Riley Bacon Section Editors/ Brianna Boner, Taylor Bougher, Courtney Custard, Stephenie Gabriel, Aaron Hosman, Carlos Silva-Trejo, Julie Khanthavongsa Writers & Designers / Teresa Clair, Erika Kommavongsa, Jazmine Heard, Kara VanDeo,Chris Johnson, Karla Hernandez, Jackie Khamma, Lucero Vasquez, Hailey Galloway Adviser / Ben Graeber Principal / Steve Johns

Letters To The Editor

Care to write to us? Deliver your letter/concern to Mr. Graeber’s box in the office or drop it off at room 207W. Letters can also be mailed to: EHS Publications, 815 E. 13th, Des Moines, IA, 50316. Letters should include the writer’s full name and contact phone number (cell is fine). Content may be edited for purposes of clarity and space.

• Every student (including freshmen) have open campus.

• There are now 4 lunches instead of 3. • IDs are now required to enter classrooms and the library.

It’s something some people have joked about, others have dreamt about it and on Sept. 12, it finally becomes a reality: East High Daycare. It’s a place where EHS students can take their infants and toddlers to be cared for while they attend school during the day. The benefits to one of school’s newest additions are numerous. The daycare will provide girls with children a chance to continue their education whereas in most cases before, they would have dropped out. Not only is it more cost efficient ($175 a week) than a center based daycare provider ($300 a week), EHS students can rest assured that their child is being cared for by a responsible adults who has experience watching children. What more could you need? The solution to every teenage parent’s worries lies within the walls of the Walker Building.

The EHS daycare is a mistake. How does this make our school look? No other school in the Des Moines Public School District has a daycare, so why do we? We are not the only school with numerous teen pregnancies. The daycare being an option for EHS students shows students who don’t have children that it is ok to have one because of the ease of taking them to the school daycare. It also makes the mother or father not have to care for their child like most teenage parents have to learn how to do. There are probably numerous familes who applied for the daycare, and only 12 of those girls will have their child admitted due to the lack of room and supervision that will be provided. If you want to have a child, that is your decision, but nobody should have the option to go to school and have a child at the same time and to do it with such ease.

Sports

September 2, 2011 / Page Editor : Riley Bacon

East High girls victorious again

Riley Bacon

Head Copy & Sports Editor

ip-hop diva Beyoncé Knowles has recently reminded every young woman that girls are in charge with her hit song, “Run the World (Girls).” It’s essentially the same story here at East. The Scarlets have become the only 4A school in the state of Iowa to win a state title in girls’ basketball and softball in the same year. Head Coach Bob Ligouri’s softball team finished their season with a very impressive record of 39-5, with exceptional play coming in the postseason. The girls took down Ft. Dodge in the opening round of the tourney, 12-2, and

blew past Pleasant Valley in the semi-finals, 10-0. The team set a state tournament record scoring 28 runs in three games. “We had a great regular season, and our players had set the goal from our very first day of practice of our season to not only get to the state tournament, but win this year,” said Ligouri. The Scarlet’s softball girls defeated Ankeny in the championship game, 6-3, in Ft. Dodge on July 22. The Scarlets were led by All Tournament Team Captain, Ashley Prettyman, and 4A Pitcher of the Year, Riley Fisher. Also earning spots on the alltournament team were EHS alums Taylor Allgeier and Stacie Brown. “My favorite moment was definitely

watching Ashley (Prettyman) turn the double play to win the game. It felt so good to finally redeem ourselves,” said senior Riley Fisher, who was on the championship runner-up team last year. After returning home with the state championship trophy, the team was congratulated during a ceremony in the East High Community Center. Speakers included Head Coach Bob Ligouri, Activities Director Ric Powell, and girls’ basketball coach Sam Powell. However, the recognition ceremony was not the only perk included. The team received a free steak dinner courtesy of Hy-Vee, and was also recognized at a school board meeting. “The moment was so surreal. The feelings I had that day were amazing. No one will

Alum Ashley Prettyman is called safe as she slides into home. The Scarlets defeated Pleasant Valley 10-0 in the semi-finals.

Photos courtesy of Ben Graeber.

really understand until they feel it,” said Prettyman. Looking toward next season, the Scarlet’s graduated four seniors, all of whom are playing college softball, and will return nine seniors back onto the field next summer (six are returning starters). Currently the softball players are participating in fall-ball, and will continue to work-out and condition through the winter. “We have a chance to do something special; go back to back. Saying we want to go back to back is one thing, but our returning team must start now. I am really excited to see who emerges as our leaders, and how much each of them works in the off-season,” said Ligouri.

Senior Janie Smith takes a hack. She played third base and pitched for the Scarlets.