Ryan Bartholomew’S Portfolio
reflection 1 This semester was very different to the first, not just in the way that now we’re over the hill and falling towards May and the end of the year. I mean the paper ran way better this time around. In terms of production skills, I learned how to stay awake even later without being tired, not a joke. There were many nights that I didn’t sleep writing articles that had to be done the next day. Also using the older versions of InDesign and Photoshop was interesting. Now that I know how to use them about as well as at home, next year should hopefully be a lot smoother. Still need to get good about not taking on too much work, but I have gotten a little better about not flooding myself with articles. Deadlines this semester were a lot better, we definitely have had an easier time meeting them, ignoring the May issue. I met all of my deadlines this semester, and if I didn’t, the editor it was for knew that it wasn’t going to be done ahead of time. I worked better with others in this semester than last semester. A lot more helping people with interview questions, or interviews themselves. Articles occasionally and just general encouragement when people didn’t think they could get all of it done. We always need to work as a team, because that’s the only way to get the paper out. My hope is that the editors next year agree entirely and actually follow through with checking in with all of their writers constantly and being active. Isolating themselves like this year wasn’t exactly a great plan, so next year needs to be different. I don’t think I really learned a lot about ethics, that’s all stuff that everyone knows from last semester or even previous years for the senior editors and staffers. It’s just important to not forget them, ever. To my name, I have 12 articles this semester, including the front page, which would make it 13. In a very strange way, I went from three articles, to four, and then to five by April and finally it all sort of culminated with the front page. Been here every production day from start until finish, even when I am not needed, because I let the editorial staff abuse me for everything they need. Honestly, this semester was pretty problem free. The front page I wrote was definitely the hardest, but I think that was more the topic and not as much the actual assignment. It was very broad and hard to narrow down to any one point.
reflection 2 On a technicality, the front page is the most significant thing I wrote, since that is literally the biggest and arguably the most important part of the paper. Personally however, the minimum wage article I wrote in April was my favorite of all the articles I wrote this semester, maybe all year. Originally, I did not intend to make it a very good article, not bad, but just not an amazing article. Researching the topic I ended up getting really into it, it was surprisingly complex and fascinating. Writing the article was beyond hard, it was cruel and unusual punishment. Minimum wage is a massively complex subject, especially when you bring in voter protection and having it targeted towards younger people. It started off very unorganized and just sort of bad overall. My interviews were also not great, with the adult being the worst of all. I know teachers aren’t really allowed to talk about politics in most circumstances, but dear God he gave me nothing to work with. After a little help from Julia and Brook though, it got better and by the time it was done, it flowed very well. That was what I liked the most about it, it all came together very cleanly. Of all the ones I wrote, it certainly was the most satisfying to finish. That’s a problem I have too, I never really have a moment of “this is my best article” when writing. They all seem either good enough or just really bad.
ROUGH reflection 3 HOUSE There are over 6000 homeless people in Maricopa County. A recent count indicated the numbers are up from previous years. By Logan McDade and Ryan Bartholomew staff writers
n April 1, the Urban Camping Law was revised by the 9th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals. The law was ruled to be “cruel and unusual punishment” and in violation of the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution. The ruling stated that if no space was available at public shelters, then members of the public must be allowed to sleep without fear of prosecution or arrest. What this means is homeless people will be allowed to sleep on streets if no shelter is available for them. Before the revision, Urban Camping was banned and punishable, even if no alternative shelter was available. Homeless activists protested that this was unfair. The ruling means unless there is enough shelter space for the homeless population of a city the size of Seattle or San Francisco, city officials cannot enforce anti-vagrancy laws or prohibitions against camping in public parks or sidewalks. The court is not able to force cities to build adequate shelter space or homeless housing, but it can make it unconstitutional for them to criminalize homelessness until that burden has been met.
This is the front page from May. It was always sort of a goal to write a front page article for me. It certainly wasn’t the best, but I think it turned out okay for such a hard topic.
County burdened
DS
nd shelter, in Phoenix
6,614
As most residents know, homelessness creates a burden on resources such as emergency medical assistance, hospitals, policing and more. When people do not have the means to care for themselves, they become the responsibility of the city, whether wanted or not. “When Phoenix Fire crews respond on an unknown person with an unknown illness at a bus stop or near the roadway, we ask them if there’s anything we can help them with,” said Phoenix Fire Captain Rob McDade. “While we are talking with them, we take a set of medical vital signs to see if they are dehydrated or if they need further medical care.” McDade also said that one of the agencies they work with is PHOENIX CARES, which stands for Community Action Response Engagement Services. During situations with homeless people, a trained outreach team will be sent. They take the time to build rapport and trust with people on the street, to encourage them to accept the services and resources that are offered to help end their homelessness. “It is not fair to punish them for sleeping on the streets when they have nowhere else to go,” said Jake Reit, junior.
Homelessness and poverty
3,188 2019
WHENRY MILAND
3,426
Homelessness and poverty are inextricably linked, with poor people frequently unable to pay for housing, health care, and education. The working poor are essentially an accident, illness, or paycheck away from living on the streets. An annual report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development showed that in the past year the number of homeless people in Phoenix has increased by over 10 percent. One theory is this was the result of stagnant wages, rising rents and deep cuts. The report also stated that 40 percent of homeless people are unsheltered.
The opinion I wrote for Sports in February. It was a cool topic, at least I think so. I did get a lot of flak for it, but I guess that’s sort of par for the course when it comes to opinion pieces.
continued on page 2
This article on safe zones from InDepth in April. This article was horribly difficult to write and I enjoyed the challenge it presented, even if I did end up repeating a lot of stuff paragraph to paragraph. Tackling a topic so important and volatile is something I enjoy, mainly because of a random flood of dopamine when I see people arguing over a piece that I wrote. Sort of sociopathic but I like writing about stuff like this.
tear sheets February
march
april
ROUGH HOUSE
THE
PRESS
The newspaper of Cactus Shadows High School in Cave Creek, Arizona May, 17, 2019
There are over 6000 homeless people in Maricopa County. A recent count indicated the numbers are up from previous years.
vol. 10, no. 8
By Logan McDade and Ryan Bartholomew staff writers
n April 1, the Urban Camping Law was revised by the 9th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals. The law was ruled to be “cruel and unusual punishment” and in violation of the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution. The ruling stated that if no space was available at public shelters, then members of the public must be allowed to sleep without fear of prosecution or arrest. What this means is homeless people will be allowed to sleep on streets if no shelter is available for them. Before the revision, Urban Camping was banned and punishable, even if no alternative shelter was available. Homeless activists protested that this was unfair. The ruling means unless there is enough shelter space for the homeless population of a city the size of Seattle or San Francisco, city officials cannot enforce anti-vagrancy laws or prohibitions against camping in public parks or sidewalks. The court is not able to force cities to build adequate shelter space or homeless housing, but it can make it unconstitutional for them to criminalize homelessness until that burden has been met.
INSIDE IMPORTANCE OF NOVELS As administration contemplates limiting novels taught in English classes, the editorial staff discusses why this would be detrimental to developing critical thinking skills. See story on page 5
THE TOP TEN
The top ten grade point averages for the class of 2019 have been reported. Check out who received the best reports in the senior section.
County burdened
See story on page 14
DESIGN FOR NEW LIVING EXPERIENCES Seniors are headed off to college, and some freshmen will be living in dorms. Morgan Reimer breaks down dorm necessities and how to design a room that feels like home. See story on page 19
ONE OF THOUSANDS
of those who can not find shelter, rests in Herberger Park in Phoenix
4GEORGE HAZLETT
The Maricopa Continuum of Care of the Maricopa Association of Governments indicate that, as of the Point-in-Time survey on January 21, there are increasing numbers of unsheltered homeless in the county
Unsheltered 48%
5,918
5,361
5,702
6,298
6,614
5,605
Homelessness and poverty
4,865
4,342
4,056
3,546
3,680
3,426
1,053
1,289
1,646
2,059
2,618
3,188
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
May
WHENRY MILAND
Sheltered 52%
As most residents know, homelessness creates a burden on resources such as emergency medical assistance, hospitals, policing and more. When people do not have the means to care for themselves, they become the responsibility of the city, whether wanted or not. “When Phoenix Fire crews respond on an unknown person with an unknown illness at a bus stop or near the roadway, we ask them if there’s anything we can help them with,” said Phoenix Fire Captain Rob McDade. “While we are talking with them, we take a set of medical vital signs to see if they are dehydrated or if they need further medical care.” McDade also said that one of the agencies they work with is PHOENIX CARES, which stands for Community Action Response Engagement Services. During situations with homeless people, a trained outreach team will be sent. They take the time to build rapport and trust with people on the street, to encourage them to accept the services and resources that are offered to help end their homelessness. “It is not fair to punish them for sleeping on the streets when they have nowhere else to go,” said Jake Reit, junior.
Homelessness and poverty are inextricably linked, with poor people frequently unable to pay for housing, health care, and education. The working poor are essentially an accident, illness, or paycheck away from living on the streets. An annual report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development showed that in the past year the number of homeless people in Phoenix has increased by over 10 percent. One theory is this was the result of stagnant wages, rising rents and deep cuts. The report also stated that 40 percent of homeless people are unsheltered. continued on page 2