April 2017

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April 2017

Pondering the policy pg. 8

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April 2017 p. 2 Cover | Kathryn Ikeda & Will Reiher

Humans of JHS: Ruth Thoreson

index STAFF

Co-editor-in-chief

Kathryn Ikeda

Co-editor-in-chief Bryce Schulte

Feature editor

Angela Cai

IN THE ISSUE Photo essay

Design editor Spring sporting season ........................4/5 Will Reiher

News

Opinion editor Tattoos out of the parlor ........................6

“I met my husband online. We had a date from match. com. He was my last date, thank goodness, it would be kind of awkward if it wasn’t. We have been married for 12 years, and we foster cats together. We have a foster right now, they are rather chunky and our job is to try to slim them down. We usually do anorexic cats, so we have done a couple of tube feedings. We do better with making them fat than skinny.””

For more, visit http://jhsblackandwhite.com/humans-of-jhs

b&w philosophy The Black & White is published solely by the Johnston Senior High School newspaper staff. Its goal is to inform, enlighten and entertain Johnston students. It is an open forum. In accordance with Iowa law and board policy, students assign and edit material and make all decisions of content.

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Matthew Berry

Feature Photo editor Cutting class ...............................................7

Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

Sub-opinion editor Edin Sehic

Staff writers

Bobby Bailey Grace Ballesteros Mackenzie Beck Erin Bockenstedt Sophie Cordaro Joey Dow Sam Farrell Justin Gard Shabana Gupta Molly Hauser Noah Haynes Nick Irwin Katelyn Kempkes Jacob Kim Gretchen Lagerblade Mason Lillegraven Anna Losen Jack Lucas Ben Lunn Andrew Maresca Jessica McKee Sloan Meader Jaden Neely Evan Newcomb Abby Nichol Anika Schmitt Hannah Short Kennedy Stone Hanna Tanner Brooke Willis

1 in 1600: Logan Ogden .......................10

Pondering the policy .......................................8 Varsity athletes join new sports to avoid sitting out after violating the good conduct policy Opinion Grades do not define you ......................11 No excuses for bullying .........................12 Early bird gets educated .......................13

Health Give blood, give life ...............................14

Sports Blood, sweat, rugby ................................15

current events

April 2017

p.3

April online

Scan to visit the online website.

2

Importance of sleep

Milestones Died

Emma Morano, the last known living person born before 1900.

Recalled 1.5 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles over engine defects.

Struck down

1

3

3500 Years

Age of eight mummies and numerous figurines found inside a tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt

A Texas voter ID law passed in 2011, found to be discriminatory.

Confirmed Neil Gorsuch as the 113th US Supreme Court Justice.

Acquitted Aaron Hernandaz in the double homicide of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado. Hernandaz was later found dead in his cell on April 19.

“

“

Verbatim

If you’re gong to eject a passenger, under no circumstances can it be done with unreasonable force or violence.

Lawyer Thomas Demetrio representing Dr. David Dao, a man dragged off a United flight April 9.

“

So sad to hear of the terrorist attack in Egypt.

U.S. Strongly condemns.

President Donald Trump, in a tweet April 9 responding to attacks against two Coptic churches in Egypt.

Such over-proportionate use of destruction poses long-term detriments for the environment.

Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesman in response to the US dropping the largest non-nuclear bomb in its arsenal. The attack killed 96 ISIS and Taliban fighters in caves in Afghanistan.

70+

Death toll in a Syrian gas attack against civilians in Syria. The US has attributed the attack to the government of Bashar al-Assad

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Visit jhsblackandwhite.com for further April coverage.

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Show choirs perform at end of year show

60 Number of cruise missiles fired at a Syrian airbase April 7, an attack that killed seven soldiers and nine civilians.

4 compiled | Bobby Bailey Science Olympiad A Johnston team placed third at the state competition

High Low Boys’ tennis Lost meet to Dowling Catholic 4-7 April 20.

The era of strategic patience is over.

“

After prom details announced

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1 2 3 4

Girls’ track runs well at home meet

Vice President Mike Pence, announcing the administrations new, tougher stance against North Korea SOURCES: CNN, REUTERS, CBS, NBC

April 2017

photo essay

p.4

Spring sporting season For more spring sports photos, including golf and boys’ tennis, go online to jhsblackandwhite.com

photo by Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

2

words & layout | Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

photo by Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

3

photo by Jordan DeRoos

1

4

photo by Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

photo by Kati Anderson

photo by Kati Anderson

5

photo by Kati Anderson

6

photo by Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

7 8

photo essay

April 2017

p.5

10

photo by Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

12

photo by Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

6 photo by Jordan DeRoos

1

11

During the Waukee track invitational Eric Long ‘19 begins to run as part of a relay team.

Long and his team finished with a time of 4:12.67.

2 3 4 photo by Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

9

5

Diving over an Ankeny opponent, Bryce Rowland ‘17 attempts to keep hold of the ball. The rugby team lost to Ankeny 21-0 April 14.

Julia Heil ‘19 serves to her Urbandale opponent Jackie Kaiser. Heil won the match 6-3, 6-2. Four three-set tiebreakers highlighted the meet won

by Johnston 6-5.

As opponents run towards him, Jake Ryan ‘18 attempts to keep the ball in play. The rugby team lost to Ankeny 21-0 April 14.

Caylee Garcia ‘18 attempts to regain control of the ball during a game against Dallas Center-Grimes (DC-G). The girls won the game 6-0.

7 8

9 10

Emily Nyren ‘18 runs around the curve during a track meet at home. Four schools participated in the Johnston track invitational.

Hope Ung ‘20 lands during a long jump event at a home invitational.

Ung placed fifth in the event with 12 feet 3 and a half inches.

Eileen Mooran ‘17 reaches to hit the ball back towards her Urbandale opponent Macy Havran. Johnston won the tennis meet 6-5.

Jaden Jacobson ‘20 attempts to take control of the ball against a Neveda opponent. The team won against Neveda 8-0.

As opponents from Hoover surround him, Theo Nsereko ‘17 keeps control of the ball. The Dragons won the game against the Huskies 3-1.

11 12

Austin Roshek ‘18 runs around the curve at a Dowling Catholic track meet April 6. Roshek finished fifth in heat two of the 400 meter dash.

Macy Thompson ‘18 runs in front of DC-G opponent Alexa Smith to kick the ball. The girls won the game against DC-G 6-0.

April 2017

feature

p.6

Tattoos out of the parlor words & layout | Kathryn Ikeda

Done at home, students have amateur tattoos that can last a lifetime When their parents were not home one the biggest regret I have in thirty years, then night, Student A and Student B sat in Student that’s a success for me,” they said. “If my whole A’s basement and set up a tattoo station. They life is a quilt [the tattoo] is still one square of listened to music as Student B sterilized the it that exists.” materials before drawing a moonbird onto Student B discovered stick n’ poke tattoos Student A’s wrist. Student B poked a needle online. “I’ve always been super into tattoo culinto Student A’s skin, permanently etching ture from my Dad, so after I found out about the design. Then, they did their own, tattoo- stick n pokes I knew that I wanted one,” they ing “home” on their ankle. said. “I got mine to say that I’m my home. I’m Tattoos like these, often called “stick n’ poke myself and I don’t need anybody else.” tattoos” are most commonly done with a sewStudent B did research before deciding to ing needle and India ink, which is regularly get a tattoo. To sterilize materials, they used used for calligraphy or drawing. They are per- rubbing alcohol and a lighter to burn the tip manent tattoos. It is against Iowa Code §135.37 of the needle in order to remove bacteria. for a minor to obtain or for somebody to pro- “I’m like kind of crazy,” they said. “I sanitize vide a minor with a tattoo. everything I use and that I’m touching.”

The inspiration for Student A’s moonbird There are many possible health risks that was from a Shel Silvercome with stick n’ stein poem, “Where the pokes. “If a kid’s Sidewalk Ends.” Silverdoing it with a stein references a moonsewing needle There’s definitely always a risk, bird from a 1959 animatand some pen ed short, in which two but it never really seemed like a big ink, sanitation brothers go searching is generally deal to me. for a moonbird as their very low,” last childhood adventattoo art- Student A ture. “So it’s like when ist Chance your childhood ends Hoelting you start to do things on said. “But your own and you have to figure out who you that varies from person to perare,” Student A said. “In high school I’m in that son on how well they do it. I was point where I’m trying to figure out what I’m trained for a few months on sangoing to do as an adult and choosing the rest itation alone.” of my life.”

The depth of the neeStudent A also has a prism on their arm, dle is also hard for an done for aesthetic purposes. They do not amateur. “You’re dealthink they will regret their tattoos. “I think ing with millimeters it was just kind of a mark of where I am, like worth of room for a coming-of-age thing,” they said. “Even if I error,” Hoelting don’t relate to it ten years down the road it said. “If you go will always mean that that’s who I was at one too deep, a tiny point in my life, so it’s kind of like a remem- dot can turn into a brance thing of where I am.” huge splotch. If you Even if they do regret the tattoos, they be- go too shallow, the ink lieve that a regret is not the worst thing in life. won’t stay in. If you put “I think a lot of people think that they’re split together the dots too second decisions like a ‘16 and stupid’ kind of close together, you can thing, but I’ve always thought that if a tattoo is literally cut a person.”

Hepatitis B

One in three people have Hepatitis B in the world. The risk comes from dirty or reused needles.

Granuloma

Granuloma are small masses of tissue as a result of infection.

They appear as small groups of bumps on the skin.

Allergic reaction

Blowout

“

“

Risks of stick n’ poke tattoos

Some people are allergic to the ink, resulting in a reaction, such as a rash or itchiness.

If ink is placed incorrectly, it can disperse under the skin to create a blurry effect.

feature

p.7

April 2017

Cutting CLASS

Students continue to skip class despite repercussions

photo by Katelyn Kempkes

words | Katelyn Kempkes

layout | Kathryn Ikeda & Katelyn Kempkes

On the average day, 6 percent of the student

ing such a hard time at school was due to mental

policy and unfortunately if they miss any more of

body is absent. The number an spike up to 10 per-

health. “[Skipping] was kind of like (an) emotional

those classes they can be dropped from it, depen-

cent when there is a sporting event or a big field

type of withdrawal,” she said.

dent on the teacher,” Gray said.

to students skipping class.

Associate principal Jerry Stratton has spoken with students about a variety of reasons as to why they have skipped class over the years. Sometimes students skip class to study or work for another class, forget something for work or skip to hangout with friends going off campus.

When students do skip class, it can vary as to how the situation is addressed. “What we want to

“

A.P. Psychology teacher Jesse Dowell commu-

I have more things I want to pursue in life than just being a flunked high school dropout.

“

trip, but some of these absences, though, are due

-Tyler Blanchard ‘18

see happening is teachers to have conversations with kids,” Stratton said.

However when students miss multiple classes or even full school days repeatedly, have parents calling the school, or police officers catching students off-campus, the case goes straight to administration. “We know that absenteeism is an issue here, and that’s why we’ve moved to the system as far as parents are called, every time a student misses a class, at the end of the day,” Stratton said.

Some students need the aid of the school to graduate, which is one of the school’s main concerns. “We have students that are independent and truly are having to self-support,” Stratton said.

The school then tries to figure out how to assist the student further. “We look at each individual’s situation and say how can the school help support making sure the student is able to function and pass their classes, things like that,” he said.

Tyler Blanchard ‘18 used to skip a lot of her classes, causing her to be behind for graduating on time. “I failed a lot of my classes because I decided to skip,” Blanchard said. “I just didn’t know what was going on.”

Blanchard had a job that would have her working until 2 a.m., which would affect her attendance.

“I was late almost every single day to first period, for weeks straight,” she said.

One of the main reasons Blanchard was hav-

nicates with students when they skip, believing it helps him to build relationships with his students.

“I think having a relationship with the student helps with [skipping] too,” Dowell said. “If a student starts missing class it’s something that a teacher should try to do something about.”

Psychologically, humans prefer to do only what is needed. “People want to get away with doing as little as possible to reach their goals,” Dowell said.

However, skipping can still have a negative ef-

Blanchard did not originally talk to the guidance counselors about what was going on in her life because she did not feel like she was getting the type of support she needed. Blanchard no longer skips because she wants to graduate and become a nurse.

She is now in Plato, a class offered to help students earn credit to graduate on time. “I’d rather get this done as fast as possible and not have to redo

fect on their overall grade. “Some students might come back and say, ‘Well, you know I missed a day or two a week, and I got a B,’ or something, but I would say, ‘What if you didn’t miss? What if you went?’” he said.

Have you ever skipped a class?

anything,” Blanchard said. “I have more things I

27%

want to pursue in life than just being a flunked high

No

school dropout.”

Spanish teacher Kari Gray finds skipping to be disrespectful, especially on test days. “I do understand that as high school students sometimes things just happen and emotions are happening and sometimes they maybe need to go and just do their thing and I understand,” Gray said. “I want to treat them like adults.”

Gray becomes concerned when students begin to make a habit out of skipping. “I have a student who right now that a couple of [their teachers] have actually talked because the skipping has gotten so bad and that anywhere from 15 to 20 classes missed this semester,” Gray said. “We all started getting very concerned after noticing the numbers.”

When teachers get together to help a student, they get help from administration. “We work with Mr. Klein and we come up with an attendance

information from a Twitter poll of 204 students

73%

Yes

Over six million students missed 15 days of school or more in the 2013-14 school year, which is about one in every seven students. information from Department of Education

April 2017

Pondering the policy Comparing codes

“

Because the participants represent the school community of Johnston in extracurricular activities, they are expected to adhere to even more stringent and demanding behavior codes than non-participating students.

”

Johnston Community School District

“

Any student, whose conduct either in or out of school, is such as to make him or her unworthy to represent the Urbandale Community School District shall be declared ineligible to participate in co-curricular activities by the administration.

”

Urbandale Community School District

“

double truck

p.8&9

These students serve as representatives of our district to their peers, to the public within our district and to other school districts. Because of the responsibility inherent in representing the West Des Moines Community School District, a higher level of conduct is demanded of those students than is expected of the general student population.

”

West Des Moines Community Schools

Varsity athletes join new sports to avoid sitting out after violating the good conduct policy

The seemingly universal high school good con-

ation or not, there’s certain expectations that they

cy, they should lose their privileges.”

duct policy states that any student who participates

must abide by,” Ross said. “If they don’t do that then

Barta is also against students joining another

in specified extracurricular activities is prohibited

it doesn’t count and the punishment would apply to

activity to avoid sitting out of their main activity,

from possessing, using, transporting, controlling or

the next activity.”

words | Nick Irwin & Sophie Cordaro layout | Kathryn Ikeda

with another coach or even an athletic director or district administrator to get this figured out because it’s not right.”

doubting the effectiveness of the good conduct pol-

Coaches also believe that the level of commit-

transmitting tobacco, alcohol, etc. at any time dur-

Ross does not necessarily see joining a new sport

icy in these instances. “I think it’s really only a pun-

ment is not necessarily equal between various sports

ing their high school career. If a student violates this

after violating the policy as a bad thing. “If a student

ishment if they have to sit out of a sport they are

and individual teams. “Sitting out for the fourth or

policy, it can lead to many various consequences

chooses to go out for a new activity that they have

passionate about,” Barta said.

fifth [ junior varsity] team in a sport they have never

such as being suspended or expelled from their ac-

never been out for before, they are going to gain a

tivity. “A critical thing to know is that the student

lot of benefit from it,” Ross said.

must begin and end that activity in good standing,” Activities Director Gary Ross said.

Ross and a committee of students, coaches, parents and teachers rewrote the good conduct policy last year due to it becoming outdated.

“

You are not learning a lesson, you are just going into another activity to avoid sitting out of what you love.

”

-football coach Brian Woodley

“I don’t know that the good conduct policy is

Football coach Brian Woodley stresses the importance of following the good conduct policy to his

done before just turns it into a slap on the wrist,” Barta said.

Ross also believes that

team each season. Despite this, he still has to deal

While there is no easy fix to prevent this issue,

it would be ineffective

with at least one student violating the good conduct

Woodley believes that there should be further dis-

to punish a student who

policy each year, causing him to lose trust in the stu-

cussion.

violated the policy after

dent. “Trust is a big thing with me,” Woodley said.

thing that needs to

the end of a season nearly

“Football is the ultimate team sport where you need

be looked at fur-

a year later. “It doesn’t

everybody on board to be successful.”

ther. We need

“It’s

some-

make sense that a student

Trust is something Woodley believes students

can join a new activity

can earn back. After applying extra condition-

doing

but be forced to sit out

ing or changing the player’s position on the team,

to

of their preferred activ-

Woodley presents opportunities for the students to

i n v o l v e d ,”

ity when the season rolls

redeem themselves. “If somebody messes up and

Wo o d l e y

around again,” Ross said.

they pay their dues, that’s that,” Woodley said. “You

said.

“Are

have to give them a second chance and something

there

classes

to work for.”

that help or is

perfect, and I don’t believe that a perfect policy ex-

According to an anonymous athlete who violated

ists. If it did, everyone would have the same policy,”

the good conduct policy then proceeded to join a

Ross said.

to ask if we are justice

everyone

new activity, an occurrence like this is not always

Woodley doubts the effectiveness of the good

After violating the policy, students have the op-

common. “(The loophole) isn’t exploited, no,” Stu-

conduct policy while students are allowed to sit out

can do to help them

tion of joining a new activity after being removed

dent B said. “For (sit outs) to count you have to make

of new activities. “You are not learning a lesson, you

more effectively?”

from their previous activity. “(Before the incident)

it to every practice and be present for everything. I

are just going into an-

I had been thinking about playing soccer, [ junior

remember someone going out for a new sport but

other activity to avoid sit-

varsity B-team], because it seems fun. Honestly, it’s

they skipped practices so it just didn’t work for them

ting out of what you love,”

about half (my interest in soccer) and half (wanting

and they had to sit out of their main sport as well.”

Woodley said.

to deal with the sit outs sooner),” Student A said.

Breaking the good conduct policy can not only

Both Barta and Wood-

“

If they aren’t in there every day giving everything they’ve got then they should just be removed from the team.

The first time offense of violating the policy con-

expel students from their activity, but also loses the

ley have advise to deal

sists of, under the honesty provision, no participa-

trust and relationships built through participation.

with this situation as a

tion in the next 10 percent of in-season activities

“When a student violates the good conduct policy

coach. “I let students and

and required counseling as determined by school

I lose a lot of trust in them, regardless of if they

coaches know that if they

administration. If the incident is not reported with-

decide to go out for another activity again,” varsity

aren’t in there every day

in two days, the student cannot participate in 20

baseball coach Michael Barta said. “It’s one thing to

giving everything they’ve

percent of in-season activities.

get around the good conduct policy, it’s one thing to

got, then they should just

earn my trust back.”

be removed from the team,” Barta said.

The athletic office does not record the number

there anything we

”

-baseball coach Michael Barta

of good conduct violations that occur in the district.

Barta has never had to remove someone from a

Woodley shares Barta’s concern of students not

“I probably should because it might be something

team, but has had experience with student athletes

being fully dedicated to these new activities, or not

interesting to note,” Ross said. “That way we can see

violating the policy. “I haven’t always played kids

be willing to put in the necessary work. “If a student

what the numbers are prior to the policy change

right when they come off the good conduct policy.

is coming out for my sport so they can buy their

and after the policy change.”

There’s a policy in writing because there has to be,

time, I’m going to hold them accountable to be at

Some students choose to join another sport to

but each coach has their own personal policy too,

every practice, every meeting, every lift,” Woodley

avoid having to sit out in their preferred activity.

and that’s trust,” Barta said. “I view extracurriculars

said. “There won’t be any picking and choosing or a

“Whether students are taking advantage of the situ-

as a privilege. If they violate the good conduct poli-

few days here and there, or there will be a discussion

April 2017

feature

p.10

LOGAN OGDEN 1 in 1600

From sophomore to senior, one student was randomly chosen to tell their story words & layout | Hanna Tanner

photo by Kathryn Ikeda

Logan Ogden ‘19 was in Missouri visiting his hear myself think that’s how loud the frogs were,”

While walking, he turned his flashlight slightly to

grandfather when he decided to go on a walk and Ogden said.

the left and saw two pairs of eyes. He ran until he

came across a fork in the road. “I moved my flash-

With the noise, he decided to cross the river,

reached a bridge. There, he found his grandfather

light and saw the glint of two sets of eyes, and I just which resulted in him falling in. Ogden began

who had been looking for him. It was then 11 p.m.

bolt for about a mile,” he said.

hearing noises again. He believed the noises were

Ogden’s father, Jeff Ogden, was very concerned

Around noon that day, Ogden told his grandfa- wolves but later he found out that they were coy-

after he heard what had happened to Logan. “As

ther he would be back before dinner. As Ogden set otes. “I was like ‘do I have anything to defend my-

a parent your first worry is about your kid’s safe-

out on his walk, he realized that it was very muddy self with?’” Ogden said.

ty, so that was my first thought and concern,” Jeff

due to the rain from the day before. “I didn’t re-

Ogden decided to pick up a nearby bottle that

said. Then, Jeff became very furious because his

ally care at the beginning because I thought ‘oh I he had found on the ground and broke it. Final-

son had put himself in a dangerous situation, and

will just turn back home if I really (don’t) like it’,” ly, Ogden realized that continuing down the side

realized that it could be a good teachable mo-

Ogden said.

of the river was a bad

ment. “Lastly you want to figure out how to pre-

idea and decided to go

vent it in the future,” he said.

However, he decided to continue on his walk and make a loop while wandering around some country roads.

When

Ogden

hit

around mile four his shoes were caked in mud

“

As a parent your first worry is about your kid’s safety, so that was my first thought and concern.

back to the way he had

-Jeff Ogden

his hand in case some-

and it was very hard for him to move his legs. As

”

come from.

He finally reached the fork in the road and headed back down it. He kept the bottle in thing happened. As he continued walking he

he continued on, he used Google Maps to navi- heard police sirens. The cops approached him and gate his way around the roads. “I figured out that asked him to drop the bottle. They took his inforGoogle Maps is not always the most reliable source mation and asked what he was doing. After a brief to be using,” Ogden said.

explanation, the cops had asked him to empty his

While he navigated his way, he came to a fork pockets. After emptying them, they asked him if in the road. Ogden was suppose to take a left but at some point he had matches with him. Ogden all it led to was a forest, so he decided to go right said no, and the cops left. Later, Ogden found out instead. After awhile, he realized he should have that there had been arson in the area and the cops gone left so he decided to go back.

As Ogden returned to the fork where he should

believed it could have been him.

Ogden continued on his way back home and at

have taken a left, he realized the road had been this point, the sun set and it was it was pitch dark. completely submerged under water. He assumed “I cannot describe the fear of thinking there’s that it would be okay to walk alongside the river something coming for you but you can’t see anyand continue his walk. As he walked farther, he thing,” Ogden said. started hearing noises. The closer he got to the

With that thought, he decided to pull out the

noise, he realized that it was frogs. “I couldn’t even flashlight on his phone and continue walking.

photo by Kathryn Ikeda

editorial

April 2017

p.11

Grades do not

define you With A.P. exams and finals approaching in the near distance, grades are about to be on the minds of many students.

Grades are often a significant cause of stress.

“I honestly have about three anxiety attacks each week because of my grades,” Mackenzie Jackson ‘19 said. “At least once a month I’ll get yelled at for having lower grades like a C or a B- or a B+.”

Because of outside pressure from parents, teachers, and in some cases students themselves, a letter grade will often take priority over other things like whether or not the student is actually learning. “Some people hold you up to a standard

Illustration | Shabana Gu

pta

letter that you need to earn, but they don’t take into account that every class and every teacher is different,” Aline Teixeira ‘19 said.

“

When we define ourselves by only one aspect of our lives, we limit our potential and ignore the majority of our character, personality, skills and talents.

-Amy Ziegenhorn

”

Grades can be important for the future. For students looking to go to college, grades partially de-

her. She was worried about her grade. “I said ‘well

versation about grades, they need to be careful not

I don’t think less of you as a person because you

to say that grades do not matter. “We work really

didn’t do this very well’, and she seemed relieved,”

hard to maintain our grades and then after a test of

Schillerstrom said. “She was not a grade on that as-

something, [teachers] will tell us grades don’t mat-

signment. She’s a real living human being.”

ter,” Parul Srivastava ‘19 said. “Then we’re kind just

When students allow grades to define them, it is

sitting there like, ‘You’re telling us this but we just

very bad for their mental health. “When we define

worked so hard to get a good grade.’ It doesn’t make

ourselves by only one aspect of our lives, we limit

us feel good.”

our potential and ignore the majority of our character, personality, skills, and talents,” therapist Amy Ziegenhorn said. “It is important to define yourself through more than one aspect of your life.”

termine which colleges the student is eligible for,

The idea that grades define students is some-

scholarship opportunities and many other things

thing fundamentally wrong with our society. There

beyond high school.

is no easy solution, but there are many steps that

Although grades can be a motivator for some

can be taken in the right direction.

students to learn, many times internal and external

Something that can very easily be accomplished

pressures will lead students to think that they are

is that there needs to be more conversations about

defined by their grades.

grades and what they represent. Teachers can help

Language arts teacher Mark Schillerstrom has

dispel thoughts that grades are what define a per-

seen instances in class where students have felt like

son by talking about it in class. Many students truly

they were defined by their grades.

believe that grades are a factor which defines them,

Recently, one of Schillerstrom’s students came to talk to him about an essay that was not written very well because it had been a busy week for

and they would benefit to hear that they are not defined by their grades.

However, if teachers are going to have this con-

“

Some people hold you up to a standard letter that you need to earn, but they don’t take into account that every class and every teacher is different.

-Aline Teixeira ‘19

”

It is important to emphasize that grades do not define a person.

It will take a long time to convince students that they aren’t defined by their grades, and it will take an even longer time to convince their parents, but starting with teachers, and classroom conversation, steps can be taken in the right direction.

The editorial is an opinion held by the editorial board of the newspaper. It needs a simple majority to pass. This month’s vote was 7-0.

April 2017

opinion

p.12

No excuses for bullying

Words are hurtful and talking about appearance can severely impact a person’s expression guest writer | Chantelle Foster

layout | Will Reiher & Kathryn Ikeda

If you have ever been

because of how much they disliked me. I felt as if I

bullied whether it’s for ap-

could do nothing to stop it. If I blocked them they

pearance, religion, sexual

would make a new account and continue the over-

orientation, personality or

bearing tormenting texts. That’s when I finally let

backstory, you know the

other people get involved and my bully started to

whole “sticks and stones

back off, and eventually vanished all together.

may break my bones but

No one should ever have to go through the pain

words will never hurt me”

that I did just because of how they present them-

mantra is simply not true.

selves. Everybody needs to know that they can

I’m not just saying this because that’s what we have

wear as much makeup as they want, and they can

been taught our whole lives, I’m saying it because

wear outfits that are outgoing. If people are judging

I have had my own bully, and I know even if you

them for it they need to stand up for themselves

are one of the strongest people, they still get to you

and prove that they can wear whatever they want

and break you down over time.

and they shouldn’t be scared to do so. “Makeup

According to Youth Charity

Rathbone,

56 percent of young women say they were personally bullied either verbally, physically or online because of their appearance.

I too would’ve been

“

is definitely a positive thing. I think of it as

My first instinct was to not respond and go on with my life, but for some reason that text would not get out of my head.

”

in that percentage of

a form of art. People feel

more

confident

with makeup on,” Morgan Wolfe ‘19 said.

According to More Beauty, 62 percent of girls do not think they are pretty enough for

girls for the exact same reason. About four months

our society’s standards, but when they put makeup

ago, around Thanksgiving, I logged onto Snapchat.

on, it is a whole different story. Girls need to be

As I opened it up someone had followed me, so

able to feel confident in their own skin and if that

of course, I added them back. Around five minutes

means putting a lot of makeup on then that’s what

after I had added them back, I got a snapchat from

they should do, but that doesn’t mean people need

them. I quickly opened it up. As I read it, my heart

to harass them for it.

dropped. The snapchat consisted of a hate mes-

Keep encouraging people to quit bullying. Be-

sage targeting my looks, and how the anonymous

fore any other person starts harassing another

person hated the way I wore my makeup and the

person for their eyeliner being too thick, or their

way I dressed. My first instinct was to not respond

eyeshadow being too eccentric, we need to take a

and go on with my life, but for some reason that

step back.

text would not get out of my head.

Friends helped me through my bullying experi-

My bully kept sending these messages about

ence. My friends were always there for me, making

once every week. It was getting to the point where

me feel loved. That’s exactly what we, the bystand-

I would cry myself to sleep some nights because

ers, need to do. Always be there for and support

of how much they had hurt me. It even escalated

people who are being bullied. While these sound

to the point where they had threatened to hurt me

cliché, they are simple ways to end bullying.

1 out of 4

1 out of 5

students will be abused by another youth

admit to being a bully or doing some “bullying”

43%

fear harassment in the bathroom at school Information from US Department of Education

Every 7 minutes a child is bullied

opinion

p.13

April 2017 words & layout | Gretchen Lagerblade illustration | Anna Losen

1 1 10 1 2 1 9 8

7

6

5

4

2 3

and band, and that is why I could not take health as a sophomore. I also wanted to take journalism and newspaper. These courses are only offered once or a couple of periods each day. In addition, I have all the regular classes like math and science and a foreign language.

Thus, my scheduling mess. With an Early Bird Health class, I could have fit in nine courses in one semester.

Early Bird gets educated

Sapp pointed out Early Bird allows students who might need to work after school or who have other activities a flexible schedule. “If students took Early Bird then (in the past) they were done after seventh period,” health teacher Jackie Sapp said. “They got their eight classes in and then they could go home.”

When it was first offered, administration used an incentive to entice students to take it. Sophomores who took the course received an automatic parking pass.

However, the school stopped this practice when the new high school construction began. “With the new school

Coming to Johnston was already difficult for Alex Dougherty ‘17 and complications like a health class did not make it any easier. “I transferred my sophomore year to Johnston and wasn’t put in a health class, and at my previous school it wasn’t a requirement,” Dougherty said. “So somehow that meant I had to take it sec-

12 1

7 6

ond semester senior year which kinda sucks.”

2 5

11 10 9 8

12 1

7 6

we are hopefully going to have enough parking spots for

2

5

everyone,” Stratton said. “But then that leaves us with not having any incentives to give.”

3 4

Without this incentive, the class cannot and did not continue to exist. An alternative way to create demand

12 is advertising it to the student for Early Bird1Health 1

The high school used to offer a class before school

3 4

when it was time for me to3sign up for classes, I didn’t

8

7:00 a.m. every day for a semester and went to about

know where to sign up for4it so I couldn’t take it. If stu-

classes into their schedule.

clined to sign up.

After two years, administration eliminated the op-

Administration should advertise the possibility of

tion due to lack of interest. “We needed about 25 stu-

Early Bird Health better. When I was a freshman I had

dents to sign up and only about 15 did,” associate prin-

no idea how to sign up for classes, let alone one that was

cipal Jerry Stratton said. For the class to be resurrected,

not on the infinite campus registration form. There was

at least 25 students must show interest. However, stu-

no way of telling people that I was interested. I did not

dents do not know it could be an option because the

realize that trying to figure out my schedule would be

school does not advertise the possibility.

so difficult.

I am almost a senior, and I have not taken Health yet

Administrators and Sapp have both said that they are

because my schedule has been full. Taking it as a senior

interested in offering Early Bird as an option again. So if

is not super exciting because the school considers it a

you are a freshman now and Early Bird sounds interest-

class for sophomores. None of my peers will be in my

with sophomores. This is what Dougherty noticed. “It only sucks because I don’t think people realize how

1 1big 2 of a maturity difference there is between 15 and 10 1 17-year-olds,” 1 she said.

9 Another advantage in offering Early Bird Health af2 8 fects3 those of us with full schedules. I am in both choir 7 6 5 4

7

dents were aware of 6 the5 option they might be more in-

7:40 a.m. This option allowed students to fit more

able talking about some of the topics covered in health

2

cause my older brother took it when it was offered. But 9

started called Early Bird Health. The class started at

class, so let’s just say it might not be the most comfort-

1

body. The only 10 reason I knew about Early Bird was be-

10

9 8

7

11 12

6

5

ing to you, this is a good time to be hearing about this.

1

4

You just finished signing up for classes and its still be-

2 fore school starts next year, so if you are interested in it then you can go talk to a teacher or administration and 3 see what they can do.

If you know that you are going to be taking a lot of classes, and don’t want to be a senior surrounded by 15-year-olds, then you can take Early Bird and not have to take it as an upperclassmen.

11 10 9 8

12

7 6

April 2017

health

p.14

Give blood, give life

When low on blood, LifeServe hosts blood drives to boost their supply words | Bryce Schulte layout | Jess McKee Jaedyn Brockway ‘19 sat waiting for her turn to

days with their second old-

donate blood. This is her first year donating blood.

est child thanks to constant

“If six minutes and 21 seconds with a needle in my

blood transfusions. “If it

arm means I can save at least one person, I’m hap-

wasn’t for those blood do-

py,” she said.

nations, she might’ve only

Each year Student Council hosts the blood drive

lived two days,” Jeff said. “Those extra days are ex-

with LifeServe Blood Center based in Des Moines.

tremely valuable to us. We got to see a little bit of

Earlier in the year, news circulated they were reach-

her personality come out.”

ing low levels of blood due to winter weather and a spike in seasonal illness.

After seeing what donating blood can do for others, the Robilliards began to donate blood as often

Lauren Bellis ‘17 prepares for her blood to be drawn. Approximately 120 students donated blood. Photo by Mackenzie Beck available to him, his last few years would’ve looked a lot different.”

For the second time in their history, they opened

as they could. “I’ve never been a person that gave

Brockway’s mother also suffered from cancer.

donation centers on a Sunday in hopes to get more

blood prior to this,” Jeff said. “We try to give as of-

“She needed blood transfusions and I know how

blood. Besides in winter, LifeServe representative

ten as you can.”

much she needed those to live another day,” she

months when schools are not hosting blood drives and during the holiday season.

LifeServe has been hosting blood drives at Johnston since 1989, collecting over 2,355 units of blood.

“Your one donation is saving up to three hospital patient’s lives,” Panzi said. “Seventy percent of the population will need blood at some point during their life, so donating helps pay it forward.”

A majority of the blood LifeServe collects goes

said. “Although she did pass away, I still want to

“

Had he not had those platelets available to him, his last few years would’ve looked a lot different.

“

Rachel Panzi said they also see a decline in summer

- band director Jeff Robilliard

towards cancer patients, but also benefits trauma victims, transplant patients and newborn babies.

Band director Jeff Robilliard and choir director Samantha Robilliard have personal experience.

Their daughter Aubrey was born April 15, 2010, with Group B Streptococcus (GBS), a septic infec-

Jeff donates platelets. After a friend at a previous school district was diagnosed and battled cancer, the treatment they underwent was very taxing on the body.

help people in those situations.”

According to American Red Cross’s website, 13.6 million units of blood are collected in the average year. Despite the large number, someone in the United States needs blood every two seconds. Red cells lasts for 42 days, plasma can be frozen for up to a year and platelets are good for five days. “The need to collect blood daily ensures we have enough of each type,” Panzi said.

In order for the hospitals LifeServe supplies to have proper amounts of blood, they need to collect about 3,000 units of blood a week. Mercy in Des Moines uses about 400 units in one week alone.

This blood gives parents like the Robilliards more time with their children or can help trauma

tion that is especially severe in newborns. Annu-

Many cancer patients are left needing blood

or cancer patients. “A lot of these people that get

ally, there are 7,600 cases of GBS in newborns and

transfusions, sometimes platelet transfusions spe-

these blood donations don’t always survive, but

1/20 result in death.

cifically. “That really makes a huge impact of peo-

they’ve been given another chance,” Jeff said. “Ev-

ple’s lives,” Jeff said. “Had he not had those platelets

ery donation has a huge impact.”

However, the Robilliards were able to have six

70% of people will need blood at some point during their life

124

HOSPITAL

hospitals are supplied by LifeServe

28

years LifeServe has been doing the blood drive at Johnston

sports

April 2017

Blood, sweat, rugby

p.15

words | Edin Sehic layout | Brooke Willis

Science teacher Dave Oldham and social studies

teacher Thomas Griffin were driven by a passion to make rugby a popular sport. In March, they created the Johnston High School Rugby Club. “Rugby has to be played by your friends, people you wouldn’t mind hanging out with,” Oldham said. “[ Junior varsity B] soccer would not be as popular as it is if it didn’t have some really cool people on it. I’m trying to do the same thing with rugby.”

The club is currently the largest high school rugby team in the state, consisting of 23 members.

Rugby is a sport played with two teams of 15 with an allowance of seven players in reserves. The object of the game is to run, pass, evade and eventually make it to the opponent’s endzone. Only sideways passes are allowed and timeouts are nonexistent. A lot of game flow is based around the scrum. The scrum is a huddle exclusive to rugby, where after minor infractions teams will meet and

Crowding around coach Dave Oldham, the rugby team awaits their match against Valley March 31. , Oldham gave a pep talk to energize the team. Photo by Edin Sehic

attempt to gain control of the ball.

“

We all have a screw loose somewhere and that makes us perfect for rugby.

”

-science teacher Dave Oldham

off the field, and tells me one thing. You can’t tackle

running you do.”

like that.”

Grzech believes students who may not know if

While that may sound violent, Oldham sees it as

they should join the rugby club should learn more

a net positive in his life. He hopes to finds kids that

about it. “If you’re still hesitant, then come on out

share that resolve.

to a practice or a game,” Grzech said. “You’ll be able

Oldham already has plans to expand further

to judge for yourself and see that it’s a lot of fun.”

Since rugby is a contact-heavy sport, many foot-

hoping to have a junior varsity and varsity team

Oldham agreed. “We have rough weekends, but

ball players have taken an interest. During an inter-

next year composed of 15 student athletes on each.

we know what we’re doing wrong, and it’s only

view with several team members, Bryce Rowland

The lookout for any kids willing to get on the field

been three weeks,” Oldham said. “I’m so excited

‘17 admitted that he went out for rugby because

and get their aggression out will not be as trying as

about where we can go from here running on a

he gets to “hit people and knock them down.” The

once thought.

3-2-1 record so far. You’ve seen us out there, we’re

team cheered, sharing the belief.

Some people are are hesitant about going out

one of the most athletic, we just make stupid mis-

While that makes rugby sound like a dangerous

for rugby. “Try it out, you don’t know until you

takes,” Oldham said. “We’ve got good kids. We all

sport, its an overall safer sport than football when

try it,” Rowland said. “The physical contact in this

have a screw loose somewhere and that makes us

comparing injuries and overall damage. “Everyone

game is a lot of fun, you won’t even notice all the

perfect for rugby.”

is aware that we’re not wearing pads,” Luke Grzech ‘17 said. “Plus, in football you lead with your head, so all that force is on your head, where in rugby our force is distributed.”

Grzech joined rugby to have a sport to play in the spring. “I didn’t have anything to do during the spring season,” Grzech said. “Weightlifting, I’ve al-

American Football versus Rugby Helmet Mouth guard

ready been there, done that.”

Oldham reflected on what rugby has meant to him. “Rugby has always been a big part of my life,” Oldham said. “When I first started playing rugby back in Germany, my first real scrimmage, facing off against a massive red-headed British guy, [6-foot-4-inches], 230 pounds, and I went to tackle him, he stiff arms me, and broke my face immediately. He picks me up, apologizes and carries me

Shoulder/chest padding Leg padding

No helmet Mouth guard Shoulder/Collarbone Padding

Time

Limit Two 40-minute halves with a 10-minute half-time

Four 15-minute quarters, with a half-time intermission after the second quarter

April 2017

back page

p.16

SUSHI S

Y GOOD words & layout | Bryce Schulte

Traveling to four different locations, the Black & White set out to find the best sushi in the Des Moines area

Visual Appeal: 4/5

Flavor: 3/5

Visual Appeal: 4/5

Flavor: 4.5/5

Freshness: 4/5

Durability: 2.5/5

Freshness: 4/5

Durability: 5/5

Total: 13.5/20

Total: 17.5/20

Wasabi Chi was the first place I ever had sushi. Despite some

I was thoroughly surprised by Cool Basil. Its prices fall in be-

rolls only being around five dollars, the quality of the rolls are

tween Wasabi Chi and Akebono 515 depending on the roll. I

good. Normally the sushi tastes good for its price, but I found

tried their Spider roll, a favorite of mine, and it was great. The

myself finding them a bit bland. It wasn’t the best of the four,

crab was nicely cooked and the sauce went well with the dish.

but I’ll definitely go back.

I haven’t been to this restaurant before, but would go again.

Visual Appeal: 4/5 Freshness: 3/5

Flavor: 1/5 Durability: 2/5

Total: 10/20

Visual Appeal: 3.5/5 Freshness: 5/5

Flavor: 4.5/5 Durability: 3.5/5

Total: 16.5/20

New to Johnston and one of the lowest priced of the four at

Akebono 515 was the most expensive of all the restaurants,

about five dollars for a roll, Sushi A Go Go wasn’t my favorite.

with their rolls ranging 8-16 dollars. It was my favorite restau-

The preparation was nice, the venue wasn’t bad and it didn’t

rant for the atmosphere, and the sushi was just as good. The

fall apart. The taste, or lack thereof, in the sushi was disheart-

Cupid roll was delicious and exceeded my expectations. Prom

ening. Will not return.

groups should consider coming here to eat.