b&w
BLACK AND WHITE APRIL 2018 VOLUME 26 ISSUE 7
PAGE 12
WALKING OUT, SPEAKING UP by Andrew Maresca & Sabrina Romero
b&w march
When Jay Rice ‘94 brainstormed the name of our paper in 1991, it was not because of the ink color. For the last 26 years, our mission has been to bring our audience stories from the school, community and nation, told clearly and without exaggeration--in black and white.
editorial board
editor-in-chief kathryn ikeda online editor nick irwin print editor andrew maresca copy editor katelyn kempkes design editor will reiher sports editor jack lucas
inside look NEWS
staff writers
04
obsee abbajabal, kennady anderson, ada basic, emi-
FEATURE
ly chambers, jacob chapline, kyle deutsch, brooklyn dilley, will gavin, kara green, shabana gupta, molly hauser, taryn kauffman, jacob kim, joe kronberg, gretchen lagerblade, erina lee, abby nichol, sarah nelson, evan newcomb, ethan richards, sabrina romero, taylor siebert, brandon spraggins, kennedy stone, rachel vaughan, megan walker
fine print
Briefly
06 More than a headache 08 How mental illnesses affect our teachers 10 Connecting Cultures 12 Walking out, Speaking up 16 1/1600 Max Wilson ‘20
OPINION
Black & White is published solely by the Johnston High School newspaper staff. It is an open fo-
18
rum. In accordance with Iowa law, students assign,
20
edit material and make all decisions of content. Editorials represent the opinion of a majority of
Walking the safety tightrope Make mental health checks mandatory
the editorial board. Editorial and opinion pieces do
22
not necessarily reflect the opinions of the advisor, school officials or the district. Letters to the editor must be signed. Like all
SPORTS
Conundrum of court construction
material, letters may not be libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. To write a letter to the editor, or report an error in the issue, please contact the editors at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com.
say hello
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april WAVES // DEAN LEWIS LOVELY (FEAT. KHALID) // BILLIE EILISH MEDUSA // KAILEE MORGUE TWO WEEKS // GRIZZLY BEAR SUNDAY CANDY // DONNIE TRUMPET & THE SOCIAL EXPERIMENT BEST PART (FEAT. H.E.R.) // DANIEL CAESAR THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE // BASTILLE HEART OUT // THE 1975 INTO IT // CAMILA CABELLO FRED ASTAIRE // SAN CISCO WAYS TO GO // GROUPLOVE BORN AGAIN // SAINT MOTEL MUST’VE BEEN (FEAT. DRAM) // CHROMEO WAVES // KANYE WEST
layout & photos | Kathryn Ikeda
compiled by | Kathryn Ikeda & Andrew Maresca
BRIEFLY
Co-founder, Amanda Roberts ‘19 leads students through a presentation about her club. We the People is a recently formed diversity club that focuses on promoting inclusion and encouraging students to learn about other cultures.
We The People
Haley Dostalik ‘18 and Hannah DeBruin ‘18 get ready to test their mouse trap car in the Science Olympiad competition on the campus of Coe College. The team earned third. Five Johnston teams comprised of 9-12 graders competed in 23 events.
Science Olympiad
Photo by Abby Nichol
Photo by Molly Hauser
Musical
Hanna Ferguson ‘18 sings “Belle” as she opens the show for all the fourth graders in the district. The cast had a preview of the show for the fourth graders, and used it as a chance to practice in front of a live audience before the opening night. In the vocal portion of solo ensemble Ally Andreasen ‘18 works with her judge, Leanne Freeman-Miller, in the time following her performance. “She was working with me on creating vertical space in my singing, so she was basically critiquing my performance.”
Photo by Karsten Theilen
Photo by Karsten Theilen
Solo Ensemble
Zach Abbey ‘20 warms up before he perfomed his solo. The Solo ensemble was on March 29 at JHS. “Solo Ensemble is where you go and preform a piece that you’ve been working on for a while and its either a song you sing or you play with your instrument.” Abbey explained.
Solo Ensemble Blood Drive
With stress ball in hand, Aubrey McCombs ‘19 awaits as the nurse preps the needle during student council’s spring blood drive. One hundred thirteen students registered , and 82 units were collected. Thirty-five people donated for the first time which sponsor Kari Gray called “incredible.” Photo by Gretchen Lagerblade
Photo by Gretchen Lagerblade
SPORTS SCORE TIMELINE Home
Away Boys Soccer @ Hoover on April 10
2-1 2-3
Boys Tennis
@ Southeast Polk on April 17
9-2 11-0
Girls Golf
@ North Scott on April 12
Against Van Meter on April 13
Against Urbandale on April 12
Against Urbandale on April 12
Girls Golf
@ Johnston on April 10
Postponed
5-29 Girls Tennis
Boys Tennis
2nd Place 1st Place
Boys Rugby
Boys Soccer
Against Ankeny on April 17
Boys Rugby
Against Southeast Polk on April 10
2-9 11-0
Girls Tennis
Against Southeast Polk on April 12
MORE THAN A
HEADACHE words & layout | Brooklyn Dilley & Taylor Siebert
A
S MADELINE PROUDFOOT ’20 SAT IN CLASS,
For Proudfoot, sleep has proven to be the best solution to her
a sharp pain began to stab the top of her head. It
migraines. In addition to rest, she has also tried several prescribed
was the beginning of her eighth-grade year and
medications, including Amitriptyline, Topamax, and Sumatrip-
she had no idea what was going on. Gathering her stuff, Proudfoot
tan. “Now I’m on a blood pressure medication that’s supposed to
stumbled down to the office to head home. Struggling to speak,
open up your blood vessels or something,” Proudfoot said. “So I’ve
she tried to ask the front desk lady about her coat that she left in
been on a lot of medication and this is the only one that ever
her locker. “It was cold, so I was trying to ask her if I could go get
really worked. But this one I have only been on for a week, so I
my coat and I kept saying, ‘My locker is in my coat, my locker is
don’t know.”
in my coat. I need to go get it,’” Proudfoot said.
Numerous home remedies can also be found online, though
After getting home, Proudfoot struggled to get rid of the pain.
there have been mixed responses as to the usefulness of them.
It wasn’t until she fell asleep that it finally stopped. She had just
“I’ve tried an ice pack before, it usually helps a little bit but never
experienced her first migraine.
makes it go away,” Proudfoot said. “I have this essential oil stuff,
After years of studying migraines, researchers, such as those
it’s like Icy Hot. I put it on my temples and on the back of my
at the Migraine Research Foundation, have determined that a
neck, cause that’s where I get pain. At first, I thought it wouldn’t
migraine is a neurological disorder associated with the nerve
help, but it actually does.”
pathways and chemicals found in the brain. Consequently, the
According to Mayo Clinic, the direct causes of migraines are
symptoms that come from a migraine are much more severe
not understood, although they do have many triggers. Hormonal
than those typically seen with a normal headache. Lasting any-
changes in women, food, drink, stress, and changes in sleep pat-
where from four to 72 hours, migraines can come with a variety
terns have been known to aggravate or trigger migraines. While
of effects. The symptoms can include but are not limited to, sharp
doctors can’t give a general cause, some people have learned what
pain, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, and sensitivity to surroundings.
their personal triggers are. “Mine are probably just hereditary be-
Despite the research, there is still much to learn about the nature
cause my mom gets them and my grandma gets them,” Gunn
of migraines.
said.
Migraines can last for several agonizing hours, but there are a
While there is still much to learn about migraines, it is clear
few things that students such as Keyshawn Gunn ‘20 have found
that they are significantly different than headaches. “Headaches,
to help relieve or reduce the pain. “Usually I just lay down, but
most of the time when I get them, I can still function and they are
when that doesn’t work I just go to the hospital and they give me
just annoying,” Proudfoot said. “But migraines are like I can’t do
fluids,” Gunn said. “They usually give me Benadryl and give me
anything and sometimes I can’t even talk or walk or anything.”
an IV and stuff like that.”
HEADACHE
OR
MIGRAINE?
Describe the pain you are experiencing
Intense, pulsing, throbbing
Mild, dull pressure
Is the pain mainly felt on only one side of your head? Yes
No
Yes
No
Are you experiencing any additional symptoms throughout your body, such as nausea, dizziness, or seeing flashing lights or blind spots? Yes You may be experiencing a migraine.
No You may be experiencing a headache.
08 APRIL 2018 FEATURE words & layout | Katelyn Kempkes JESSE DOWELL Jesse Dowell, AP Psychology teacher, has been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder in the last year. “I’ve had anxiety off and on for many years, so it didn’t really come as a surprise or anything,” Dowell said. For Dowell, he believes that his anxiety can make his job difficult. “The thing about teaching is you’re on all day, [there is] a lot of social interaction, a lot of stimulation. It’s almost like a
HOW
performance some days,” Dowell said. “If you’re feeling anxious
MENTAL ILLNESSES AFFECT OUR TEACHERS
formance. “It’s an odd thing, because on some levels, I think it
Dowell stands in front of the mental health board he puts up every year. The mental health board offers students a chance to share their mental health struggles during the psychological disorders unit. The white boards says, “How has mental health affected you health?” Photo by Katelyn Kempkes
to begin with, that arousal--that level of stimulation-- that can bring you up higher than you were to begin with.” However, Dowell also believes that it has improved his percan help,” Dowell said. “Like, the perfectionist streak and wanting to be good at everything I do, that’s probably pushed me to places I wouldn’t have (been) if I hadn’t had that drive.” To help with his anxiety, Dowell has seen a therapist off and on. “I oftentimes find that you come in and talk about your problems and it’s nice to know that [there is] someone there to reaffirm you, like, ‘No you’re not crazy for thinking this way. There’s nothing wrong with you because you’re having these thoughts or beliefs,’” Dowell said. Besides therapy, Dowell also has other ways to cope with his anxiety. “I work out a lot and I work out pretty intense. I’m not
talking about like going for a walk. I work out pretty strenuously and I do my best to get at least seven hours of sleep at night,” he said. If Dowell does not do these things he notices his anxiety gets worse. “If someone talks to me and they have anxiety that’s one of the first things that I’m going to [ask], ‘Are you getting enough sleep? Are you taking care of your body?’” He also takes medicine in the event of a panic attack. “I don’t take it very often. I’d say on average it’d be once or twice a month I need it, but it’s not something I take regularly,” Dowell said. “Part of that is because the drugs are very habit-forming and I go out of my way to take it only when I really, really need it.” During the Abnormal Psychology unit, Dowell has some students talk to him about whether he thinks they should seek help. “I do get a few students every year that come talk to me and [say], ‘I haven’t been diagnosed but this is what I’m feeling’ and I don’t claim to be a therapist or anything but I do encourage them to seek out the help that they need,” he said. “So that’s always an interesting dynamic in this unit.” Dowell encourages those who think they may have a mental health problem to seek help. “If you need the help, go get it. Enough people in this school have been close to someone who’s had struggles with it that hopefully [with the] stigma we can just keep chipping at it and breaking it down and normalizing the seeking out of help,” Dowell said. He created the mental health board to encourage those to seek help by normalizing it. “I think we’re getting better with that and with my generation it was very rarely that you would consider going to the doctor and seeking out that help. Especially guys,” he said. “I tried to find specific ones like athletes and coaches like guys in my classes, like, ‘Oh, I know who that is and if they can do it I can seek out that help if I need to.’’”
SUE CLINE
History teacher Sue Cline is always very bubbly in class. She has been diagnosed with depression but that does not affect her positive outlook. Photo by Katelyn Kempkes To help with minimizing the side effects Cline has switched medications to find what works best. “I’ve maybe been on five different types. I’m back now on the one that I started with and I’m not happy having to take it,” she said. “It supports three different neurotransmitters and if I miss even two days of medication I go into withdrawal. It just scares me to think that it’s working that hard but I guess it’s a good sign that it’s doing its job.” Even though Cline takes her medicine to help her to get sleep, it prevents her from getting quality sleep. “Most of the medications I’ve taken over time impact REM sleep and I can’t
Sue Cline, ELP and AP World History teacher, has been di-
REM when I’m on them,” Cline said. “The REM thing has been
agnosed with depression. “My primary symptom is that I don’t
the most difficult side effect to deal with the whole time. No mat-
sleep,” Cline said. “I can’t turn my head off and so I was diag-
ter what I was taking I was always having to adjust that.”
nosed about 20 (or) 21 years ago because of that. Since then, I
Because her medicine is so heavy-duty, Cline is planning to
guess you would call it the stress of life. I mean my life is easier
change medications over the summer but this creates other dif-
now than it was then but I feel the stress differently now. I have
ficulties. “The biggest challenge I’ve had since I’ve been diag-
now noticed that there’s definitely a mood component to it.”
nosed and medicated is that when I switch medications it makes
To cope with her depression, Cline maintains a positive out-
me sick,” Cline said. “It always makes me sick, no matter what
look no matter what. “I do have to do a whole lot of self-talk to
medication I’m switching. The symptom may be different but
make sure that I have my attitude in check,” she said. “Focusing
the transition process is always hard. It’s harder to teach nau-
on things that are going wrong is the worst possible thing I can
seous than it is to teach tired.”
do. That is why I have always have a cheerful exterior even if I may not be feeling particularly cheerful on the inside.”
Even when she makes a switch there is never a guarantee that the medicine she is switching to will be worth the tradeoff. “One
Cline is also on medication to help her to sleep. “If I don’t take
switch I tried to make, the new medication just made me cry
my meds I don’t sleep,” she said. “The medication has been very
like a baby,” Cline said. “I wasn’t even like sad, I wasn’t upset at
effective. The question has always been how much side effect am
anything but I would just cry anyway. That was a good sign that
I willing to deal with to make it effective.”
that medication was not good for me.”
010 APRIL 2018 FEATURE
T
CONNECTING CULTURES words & layout | Taryn Kauffman
HE SEPTEMBER AFTER GRADUATING
tion seemed to be a major barrier while trying to
from high school Jillian Gabby moved to
connect with the family they were staying with.
France. Gabby took French in high school
“I didn’t know what was going on most of the
and fell in love with the language immediately
time,” Bhar said. “I’m the kind of person that likes
“One of my goals in life is to speak French fluently,”
to know what’s going on, so that was frustrating.”
Gabby said. “There is no better way to do it then immersing yourself in the country where the language
Bhar ish
was
one
of
the
14
Span-
students
who
traveled
to
Spain.
is spoken, as well as immersion in the culture.”
The French students faced similar problems.
Gabey is currently living with a host fami-
“My host student couldn’t speak a lot of English,
ly in the middle of Paris, France. She was able
and I couldn’t speak a lot of French,” Kara Fagan
to find her family through an au pair website.
‘19 said. “So communication was very difficult.”
Her family had two children and a baby. Gabby
While Fox was in college she got the chance to
says she has bonded with her host family and be-
study abroad, and stay with a host family. “I found
lieve that she will continue to stay in touch with
that I learned much more by staying with a host
them after she comes back to the United states.
family than I would if I just stayed with other Amer-
Over spring break, 32 French and Spanish
icans in an apartment,” she said. “I spoke much
students left the United States and traveled to
more Spanish and learned more common phras-
France and Spain. Among many different ac-
es, and learned more about the everyday life cul-
tivities such as visiting local restaurants, muse-
ture, rather than the culture you see in museums.”
ums, and taking tours of historical sites, the stu-
According to Fox, living abroad is something a
dents got to spend five days with a host family.
student should do if given the chance. “My advice
Staying with a host family is very common
is do it,” she said. “It’s an experience that you’ll nev-
for students who travel abroad. The students get
er forget. No matter the goods, the bads, no matter
exposed to the day to day life in a different cul-
what happens it’s something that you’re going to
ture. “Everyday things that I do here, they do
learn from, its something thats going to change the
very differently in Spain,” Kiersten Bhar ‘19 said.
course of your life, and in my opinion change your
Peggy Fox, a Spanish teacher and one of the
life for the good. It’s always good to step outside of
chaperones for the Spain trip, found that the stu-
your comfort zone, which is something everyone will
dents had to overcome barriers when it came to
have to do when they live with a different family. It’s
the house stays. “At first it’s nerve wracking be-
good to experience a different way of life, it allows
cause you have to stay with a family that you don’t
you to see the differences and similarities between
know, and you have to live in their house and fol-
cultures and families and people. It’s really eye open-
low their routines, which are probably different
ing, and I think it’s one of the most important ways
from your family’s,” she said. “Then you add on top
to expand our minds and lead us down paths in the
of that the cultural differences, and the language
future that we may have never considered before.”
differences and when you’re learning a language
Though the house stays for the foreign language
that’s a big obstacle that you have to overcome.”
students were not as extensive as becoming a foreign
For the foreign language students conversa-
exchange student, a connection with the host family
was made regardless. “Something that struck me
a lot changed,” she said. “Like most high school-
the most was that almost everybody said was that
ers I was occupied with my things and he was oc-
they had created a life long relationship or friend-
cupied with his things. He would eat dinner with
ship with the family or certain member of the fam-
us most nights, and sometimes he would cook us
ily, and they felt that they could stay connected,”
dinner. It was almost like having another broth-
she said. “Which to me is very important because not only do they make the social connection but they make the connection to the language and the culture” While some students may choose to study abroad for a period of time, others will get to host a student in their home
“
er, he was very kind and helpful, and we connected well.”
I remember going downstairs and he had poured cereal on a plate and was drizzling milk over it
-Anna Janni ‘20
While hosting Sam, Janni was able to recall memories from the first few week he stayed with them. “I remember the first day he was at our house,” Janni said. “I remember going downstairs and he had poured
for a semester or two. Anna Janni’ ‘20’s family host-
cereal on a plate, and he was
ed a student from China two years ago. The Janni
drizzling milk over it with a fork in his hand.”
family wasn’t specifically looking for a host stu-
Janni and her family was also able to form a
dent, but offered to take Sam in when they found
connection with Sam. “He still texts us on our
out through their cousin that he was looking for a
birthdays, he even texted my grandma on her
permanent home for him while he was in the states.
birthday. We’ve talked to him a couple times,
To Janni, nothing seemed different from what
and face timed him a couple times. Last year
it had been before, other than there was another
he even came back to our house for Christmas
person in their house. “During the first week not
break, and spent all of Christmas break with us.”
12 APRIL 2018 IN DEPTH
WALKING OUT T
he Columbine High School massacre occurred April 20, 1999. Since Columbine there have been numerous school
shootings, including the recent school shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. School walkouts and protests have erupted around the nation after the Parkland shooting. Two national walkouts have previously been organized in opposition of the current gun laws and policies. Along with walkouts, many organizations have orchestrated protests at state capitals. Women’s March and March for Our Lives are two large organizations at the front of these demonstrations. March for Our Lives was created by the student survivors of the Parkland shooting. The organization has hosted protests already regarding the gun violence against students. “We cannot allow one more child to be shot at school,” the March for Our Lives website states. “We cannot allow one more teacher to make a choice to jump in front of an assault rifle to save the lives of students.” Jaedyn Brockway ‘19 and Abby Headington ‘19 were two student leaders who helped bring the movement to Johnston. A previous national walkout was held March 14, one month after the Parkland shooting. As Johnston was on spring break during the first walkout, Brockway and Headington organized for Johnston to participate in the walkout held April 20.
SPEAKING UP
layout & Photos | Andrew Maresca words | Andrew Maresca & Sabrina Romero
Students participated in the walkout at 10:00
‘enough is enough’ were sold to students want-
a.m., lasting 17 minutes. Each minute was repre-
ing to participate. They also hosted a sign making
sentative of a student killed in the Parkland shoot-
event at the public library April 18. Both students
ing. “We’re walking out because we want to feel
have received support from their peers. “I’ve only
safe at school and administration needs to recog-
felt good feedback from my friends, and they’ve
nize the amount of students that don’t feel safe
all been on board with telling their friends about
and something needs to change,” Brockway said. Many
students
are unable to vote, meaning many must rely on protests and walkouts
in
order
to express political disagreement or ad-
“
it,” Brockway said. Along with obtain-
I THINK THAT STUDENTS WERE TIRED OF BEING SILENCED AND DEPENDING ON REPRESENTATIVES THAT THEY CAN’T VOTE FOR TO PROTECT THEM.
vocacy. “Since most
-Abby Headington ‘19
high school student
ing student support, much of the process had involved talking with
administration.
Brockway and Headington met with administrators on multiple occasions, in order to make sure that the event would be safe
are under 18, it means that they can’t vote, and
and organized. “The students came about it the
the subject of school shootings directly impacts
right way and talked to us as student leaders,” prin-
students,” Abby Headington ‘19 said. “I think that
cipal Ryan Woods said. “We basically just listened
students were tired of being silenced and depend-
to their plan and we asked what they wanted to do.”
ing on representatives that they can’t vote for to
The main concern expressed by administra-
protect them; which they are not because of the
tion was the safety of students. “When we’re in
crazy amount of mass shootings.”
the building we have locked doors, we feel pretty
Brockway and Headington created multiple
safe, but once we get outside that brings in a lot of
outlets for students to get involved, including
unknown,” Woods said. “Now I’m not dealing with
t-shirts and event pages online. T-shirts stating
just my students and my staff, I’m dealing with
75% of surveyed adults believe that gun control laws should be stricter as of Feb. 28.
54% of surveyed adults strongly favor banning assault-style weapons as of Feb. 28.
54%
75%
81% of surveyed adults strongly favor requiring background checks for all gun buyers as of Feb. 28.
81%
source | NPR
what’s out here in the community.”
walkout in fear of punishment from potential col-
The Johnston Police Department was informed about
leges. However, many colleges and universities have
the walkout, in order to ensure the safety of the students.
come out with statements regarding their choice
Teachers with planning periods were also utilized to su-
of whether or not to punish potential students who
pervise the event.
participate in walkouts. The University of Iowa and
“
Iowa State University have
Parents and teachers were informed April 9 in an email from superintendent Corey Lunn that all participation would be voluntary, and class procedures would continue as normal.“Please note that student participation for any approved expressive activity will be strictly voluntary - the expectation will
I HOPE THAT THIS PASSION AND DRIVE STUDENTS HAVE DOESN’T END NOW. I HOPE IT DOESN’T STOP AND THAT THEY HAVE A VOICE IN A BIGGER MOVEMENT.
be that learning in classes
-Jerry Stratton
may be assigned for supervision as needed,” Lunn said.
Twitter. “The University of Iowa respects the right to peacefully protest,” a tweet from the University of Iowa states. “Admission to UI will not be negatively affected for prospective students participating in non-violent activism.” A similar statement was is-
continues for those who do not attend, will require parent permission and that staff
both issued statements on
sued by Iowa State University. After multiple steps of organization and clarifi-
While administration decided to not interfere with
cation between student body and administration,
student participation, teachers were not allowed to par-
students walked out on April 20. “I Hope that this
ticipate in the walkout. School policy disables teachers
passion and drive students have doesn’t end now, as-
from leaving their position while teaching. Teachers are
sociate principal Jerry Stratton said. “I hope it doesn’t
also supposed to remain neutral regarding their political
stop and that they have a voice in a bigger move-
views during school opperation.
ment.”
Many students were hesitant in participating in the
16 APRIL 2018 1/1600
1/1600 : MAX WILSON ‘20
FROM SOPHOMORE TO SENIOR, ONE STUDENT WAS RANDOMLY CHOSEN TO TELL THEIR STORY words | Erina Lee
layout | Will Reiher
D
OWN IN WAUKEE, 15-YEAR-OLD MAX WILSON
aren’t that experienced handling guns, like they aren’t always
’20 began setting up his gun for some skeet shooting
the safest so you really got to teach them to be safe and stuff,”
with his friends. The first disc flew out of the house
Wilson said. “Sometimes they’ll even outshoot some of the varsi-
(the structure where targets eject out of) and a few seconds later,
ty people and that’s always a little bit intimidating.”
exploded into pieces in the air. He hit his first target in the round.
While the middle schoolers can be pressuring, Wilson said the
He continued shooting and by the end of two rounds, he hit
whole team is still like a family. “I feel like definitely the entry
a consecutive score of 23/25 discs, the highest score he’d ever ob-
level ones really admire us and aspire to be like us,” he said. “But
tained.
I feel like the older ones that have been doing it for a year, we’re
Wilson has been participating in competitive skeet shooting
more like equals. We’re one big team rather than separate mid-
since 7th grade, but he was introduced to the sport at 10-years-old
dle school, junior varsity, and varsity teams. We all interact and
after seeing a friend do it. After being taught first by an uncle
practice together.”
who shot competitively, he joined the Des Moines Clay Crushers, organized and coached by Guy Thomas. In his spare time, he’ll go out and shoot with his family and friends. His uncle did it competitively, while his grandpa and all of his grandpa’s brothers do it for fun. Wilson’s mother, Chris Wilson, noticed skeet shooting was something Max and his grandfather could bond over. “My dad, Max’s grandpa, has always had guns, and it’s something he and Max kind of had in common, which was liking to shoot,”
“
Wilson is currently on the varsity team and practices every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. His shotgun cost about $2,000,
It was pretty exciting, like it was something that I’ve done before, but I haven’t done it competitively.
-Max Wilson ‘20
which he got on sale. “They can cost up to $10,000 because they’re really high end,” Wilson said. “It’s not what you would normally see at Scheels or something.” Now that Wilson is about to start considering plans for after high school, he has researched several colleges that may provide skeet shooting teams. Although, it has been proving difficult. “I’m looking around at colleges, but most colleges don’t have teams; they have clubs,” he said.
Wilson said. “It was pretty exciting, like it was something that
“The colleges that have teams are really selective so I probably
I’ve done before, but I haven’t done it competitively. Plus, I was
wouldn’t get on one of those teams. So I might like to just keep
pretty good at it when I started so it was exciting to see potential
doing it as a hobby.”
for the future.”
After watching Wilson participate in the sport, Chris thinks
His interest in skeet shooting also encouraged him to help
it is a great fit for him. “I think it’s awesome that he found it,”
with the beginning middle schoolers on the team. Wilson start-
Wilson said. “He’s good at it. I think it’s kind of a unique thing. I
ed assisting last year, but he believes that it can have its intense
applaud him for sticking with it even though it’s not something
moments. “It can be kind of scary at times because a lot of them
that everybody does.”
Max Wilson standing in front of the skeet field he competes on. Photo by Will Reiher
Wilson disassembles his gun to clean it. Photo by Will Reiher
18 APRIL 2018 EDITORIAL
WALKING THE SAFETY TIGHTROPE A
s teachers have begun to talk to their students
but I feel like active shooter drills with student participa-
more and more about what happens during
tion is taking it to an extreme,” Katelyn Winkler 19’ said.
active shooter trainings, A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lock-
“Just personally for me, I just couldn’t bring that type of
down, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate), a question has been
energy into where I’m learning.”
posed by many students and teachers. Why aren’t we in-
The concern about the severity of the situation on stu-
cluding students in active shooter drills? Students need to
dents is shared by the administration as well. “It’s always
be aware of what to do in the event of an active shooter,
difficult because these things can cause traumatic situa-
just like teachers do. A conversation has been started about
tions, even for staff,” Lunn said.
including students in active shooter drills, but unfortunate-
Teacher Sarah Hottle finds student awareness to be a
ly, including students in active shooter drills is more of a
priority of hers. “I definitely agree that you guys need be
difficult decision than some may expect.
more informed and that does fall on us as the teachers, that
Superintendent Dr. Corey Lunn is involved in the diffi-
we need to go over in our classrooms what we need to do,”
cult decision of deciding whether or not students should be
Hottle said. “Just so that you guys are aware of what to do
involved in these drills. “It’s a tightrope balancing safety
and what not to do.”
and awareness, [especially] with how everybody thinks they
This is very important. Students need to be informed
would like that wrapped together because everyone has a
on what consequences their actions can have and what to
different opinion,” Lunn said.
do for everyone’s best interest. We personally have heard
Many students and staff have different opinions and
many students claim they would run to their cars and leave
concerns on the way this should be addressed. “I want to be
in the event of a school shooting. This is an action that
safe and I want to know what I would do in those situations,
could put many in harm, causing many to be trapped in their cars and block emergency vehicles. The advocacy for students being made aware of the active shooter drill comes with a possibility of severe drawbacks. “There are mixed opinions on doing that with kids, in some cases the shooter is a student, so it shows them what you are going to do. It is very complicated to work through all those issues,” Lunn said.
The editorial is an opinion held by the editorial board of the newspaper and is a collaboration of the board. It needs a simple majority to pass. This month’s vote was 4-2. To contact the editorial board, please email us at jhsblackandwhite.com or visit us in room 622.
It poses too much of a risk to include students in ac-
another building.”
tive shooter drills. Potentially training a school shooter to
A week after the school shooting in Parkland Florida,
our emergency response drills would be devastating to the
Director of Media Relations for Ames School District Eric
safety of our students.
Smidt told KCCI the school would start including stu-
Safety and awareness are not the only factors to consid-
dents in A.L.I.C.E. training. Superintendent Dr. Tim Taylor
er before including students in active shooter drills. “An-
has been hesitat to include students in an active shooter
other concern I would have in terms of having students
drill. “Our position has been over the last few years that
involved would be the level of seriousness that would be applied,” Hennes said. “ If you are involving the
we didn’t want to start including kids because we were really so afraid of the traumatic reaction that
entire student body there would be an increased
might happen,” Taylor said. “You know
likelihood that there would be students who
you have special needs kids, and oth-
would not take it all that serious and that would
ers who have anxiety issues, and we
diminish the value of it.”
just didn’t know how they’d react, so
If we were to include students in active
we thought let’s just not put them
shooter drills there would need to be a
through that. Our discussion after the
discussion about the seriousness of the drill. We have observed how students behave during oth-
Parkland shooting was maybe we should involve kids.” Even though this announce-
er drills such as fire and tornado drills and very few stu-
ment came only a week after the Parkland shooting,
dents take them seriously. Active shooter drills are not and
the decision to include students in the active shooter drill
should not become a joke.
had been discussed beforehand.
The authenticity of the drill was also a concern for some.
Ames already has teachers participating in A.L.I.C.E.
“I think the more authentic the better,” Hottle said. “I think
training, just as Johnston does. Officer Nick Schieffer, the
that the fact that they made it as real as possible was the
Ames SRO (student resource officer) gave more insight on
most eye-opening (experience), if we would have done it
what happens during those drills and how involved the po-
with a bullhorn or a tag team whatever we don’t get the
lice department. Blank rounds are used to allow teachers to
realistic feel of it. I mean there were teachers in the room,
be able to distinguish gunfire from other loud noises that
where I died, where it like took your breath away. That
may occur in the school. “We then expect them to then fall
doesn’t happen if it’s not authentic and then you don’t take
into their training that they know from A.L.I.C.E,” Schief-
it as seriously.”
fer said. He said multiple officers, mostly acting in plain
Even though we are talking about the possibility of how
clothes, and an officer dressed as the bad guy
hard it could be on students, it has been extremely diffi-
would be part of the drill. Schieffer also
cult for some of the teachers who have participated. “You
mentioned that the drill would look
have to understand the people that work in schools love
different for students than it does for
their kids and they care,” Lunn said. “It’s very emotional for
teachers which is something that the
them to think of something that could harm the purpose
Johnston School District is looking
of their job or themselves. I have been in these drills, you
at doing as well.
can see people go ‘Oh god this could happen.’ Teachers care about their students.”
While we cannot be certain about the future of student in-
Associate superintendent Bruce Amendt believes it can be difficult for some teachers to participate in these drills.
volvement in active shooter drills, students can take steps to protect themselves and their
“Our staff not only have relationships with
fellow students. Amendt’s advice is pertinent. If you see
you guys as individuals, but many of our
something, say something. “For students to be caring and
staff also have kids in one of our build-
concerned about their fellow students, whether it’s through
ings,” Amendt said. “They are dealing
Students for Success, mental health focus, or any other fo-
with it both as an employee and as
cus, to feel comfortable that hey, this is our school, we need
a parent going, ‘Wow this could be
to say something,” Amendt said.
a kid in this building or my kid in
20 APRIL 2018 OPINION
MAKE MENTAL HEALTH CHECKS MANDATORY layout | Kathryn Ikeda
words | Evan Newcomb
Mental Health is a serious problem in the United
Student A ended up having a poor experience, how-
States and around the world. With more people suffer-
ever, because of the way counselors acted when they
ing from mental health issues every day, we need to
saw her scores. “When they saw my scores they rushed
find a way that we can identify people who have these
me out of the library and starting asking questions
issues without causing panic.
like ‘do you have a therapist?,’ ‘did anything traumatic
We have a test that can identify students stress
happen to you recently?’,” Student A said. “I felt kind
levels called the SDQ, or the Strengths and Difficul-
of uncomfortable when I was talking to my counselor
ties Questionnaire. Counselor Lisa Boge thinks that
and I think it would’ve been more comfortable if I talk-
we should make the survey required. “I wish we could
ed to the counselors with my parents.”
screen everybody because everybody has to go get a physical checkup and mental health screening is just a physical check up for your brain,” she said.
Student A felt as if they were different from other students. The worst part of a mental health problem is the
The questionnaire covers multiple different prob-
negative stigma around it. Mental health problems do
lems that the mind can have. “The survey screens quite
not make you different from other people and we need
a bit such as emotional distress, anxious thoughts, pos-
to remove that stigma or more problems like Student
sible depression and also some things that interfere
A’s could occur. “The general protocol for anyone who
with everyday life,” Boge said.
screens medium to high risk is that they have a debrief
I agree that we should have the test required be-
meeting and then we call home,” Boge said.
cause it would provide major benefits it can’t become
While protocol was followed, I don’t think this pro-
required because of school board guidelines, however
tocol is correct because talking to a counselor by your-
students have to get parent permission if under 18 to
self can be scary for students, especially if they scored
take the test.
medium to high risk. If I was in that situation I would
This needs to be changed because this question-
want to have my parents by my side because I would
naire can provide key insight on a student’s problems
open up more. If the school first talked to parents and
and what they can do to solve those problems such
scheduled a meeting, I believe more could be done for
as talk to a therapist or just telling someone what is
students because they would share more of their prob-
stressing them out. With it not being mandatory, stu-
lems.
dents could believe that their parents think they are
This test could provide so much help for students
crazy. If everyone took the test, no one would think
if done right by the school district and I truly believe
that because everyone around them has to take it too
that it could help end the mental health stigma that
and it could help a student that is struggling a lot.
we have in our school district. The change we need
Student A got the help they needed from the ques-
is to make this test mandatory so that students don’t
tionnaire. “I didn’t think I had serious problem, but it
have to feel like they have a problem when they are
opened my eyes to a problem I did have,” they said.
stressed, anxious or struggling.
22 APRIL 2018 SPORTS
L
A S T
then you have three years of sun and rain and all
y e a r ,
those things before you even get to use it, then
Maianne
you’ve taken three years worth of life out of the
Aldrich
‘19
heard a rumor
use of those,” Dominguez said. “So, that’s why we were waiting until the last year to do it.”
that the tennis courts
Hogan was excited for the new courts. “I know
would not be available to play on in the spring
we didn’t necessarily need them because the
for the 2018 season. She officially learned that the
courts we have right now are fine, but it was more
tennis courts would not be done during the first
of a space issue,” Hogan said. The girls and boys’
girls’ tennis meeting this year. “Our coach said
tennis team have to share the tennis courts lo-
she didn’t know why the courts couldn’t be used
cated at the middle school. The two teams switch
in the spring or why they weren’t being fixed,”
every other week between early practices, right
Aldrich said. “[The coach] just [knew] that we
after-school and late practices from 5 to 7 p.m.
wouldn’t be able to use the courts in the spring.”
Aldrich believes the new courts were vital for
Nathan Hogan ‘18 has been on the tennis team
time management. “Every other week either the
since his freshman year. “I kind of noticed that
boys or the girls lose 10-15 minutes of practice a
they weren’t surfaced and none of the nets were
day,” Aldrich said. This time is lost since the ten-
up or anything,” Hogan said. “The first tennis
nis team needs to drive themselves to the middle
meeting in February, they told us we weren’t go-
school right after school for early practices. “With
ing to use the new courts this year because they
such a short season and only about two weeks of
screwed them up, I was disappointed because I
practice before we start competing, losing this
was expecting fresh new courts my senior year.”
time matters.”
Originally, the ten tennis courts out by the
Recently, a meeting was scheduled between
football field were included in the design process
Johnston representatives and Stahl Construc-
of the new high school. This was approximate-
tions regarding the time line for when the tennis
ly six years ago in 2012. David Dominguez is the
courts would be completed. Johnston administra-
project manager over the whole construction
tors were willing to let the Black & White , but
process of the high school and has been work-
unfortunately Stahl Constructions denied the
ing for Stahl Construction for about 3 years. “The
Black & White to sit in during the meeting. Later,
goal was to get it done last summer,” Dominguez
the Black & White was informed by Dominguez
said. “We started construction four years ago. We
that the meeting was postponed.
didn’t want to build the tennis courts at that time
There is still more to be done with the con-
because that’s three years where they are out
struction of the courts. “We need to prepare the
there not being used.”
asphalt surfacing. We’re going to grind it and
Dominguez was concerned about the time
smooth it out a little bit in some areas,” Domin-
period in between the finalized construction and
guez said. The project manager estimated that
the use of the courts. “Everything has a life ex-
this part would be done in May.
pectancy, so when you put the surfacing on and
Once that is finished, Stahl Construction must
wait for a certain amount of time before applying the green surfacing. “We have to wait 28 days before we can apply the surfacing,” said Dominguez. “So then we’ll apply the surfacing which will take a week and we’ll do all the lines.” However, the construction for the courts was delayed due to weather. “The goal was to get it done last summer,” said Dominguez. “We’ve had an extremely wet year and a year that got colder sooner than was expected so that’s why the surfacing was not able to be put on.” Aldrich is upset with the lack of transparency. “Accidents happen, I get that, but why the accident isn’t being fixed has not been told to us,” Aldrich said. “I feel like if I understood why things aren’t or can’t be done I wouldn’t be as upset about the situation.” Hogan feels as though the courts have been forgotten. “I mean, I know tennis isn’t necessarily a bigger sport that brings in money for the school or anything, but it seems like it was forgotten and it took so long compared to everything else,” Hogan said. “It was the last thing they worried about. They waited until the last minute and then they screwed it up. Now we don’t get to use it this year. That’s one of the more unfair things. I get putting it off for the tennis season, but if you’re going to put it off do it right.” Dominguez believes Stahl Construction and the district have a good relationship. “It was just a decision that had to be made whether more money is spent to get them done at that time because of the weather delays or wait till this year once the weather gets warm again and finish,” Dominguez said. Johnston chose to wait.
C ONUNDRUM OF COURT CONSTRUCTION word & photos | Obsee Abbajabal layout | Kathryn Ikeda
BLAST FROM THE PAST words & layout | Ada Basic
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