April 2012

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Largest pie fight attempt canceled page fourteen Learn the ins and outs of disc golf page eighteen April Fools Day pranksters strike page twenty

april 2012. volume 20 issue 8. 5152780449. 6501 NW 62nd ave. johnston. iowa

9

Photo essay

4

18

Guardian law needs change You have to star somewhere

Sports

Johnston wins journalism award Newsbriefs/Stuco updates

Doubletruck

16

10/11 Explore Africa

5

TSA cheating leads to rule change More policemen added to Johnston

Feature

Health

6

Minnesota student sues school Teacher leaves district

12

Johnston resident turns 115 Student getting citizenship

Review

13

Get the scoop on greek life

14

Biggest pie fight canceled Student performs at Carnegie

18 19

Editorial 7

America can’t be the world police

Opinion 8

17

Dungeon

Know your rights Back to Besic / In Plain Sight

15

JV soccer splits Senior competes in biking Pink slime

All about disc golf Farmer’s markets

Backpage 20

Freshman tennis player

April 2012

16

News 3

the black and white

in this issue...

5

First of the month holidays

STAFF EDITORS

SUB-EDITORS

Zach Winjum

news

Ashley Enger

Zach Peterson

Paige Cramer

Kenzie Foldes

Anne Rogers

Kristine Hayes

Taylor Joens

Sarah Ross

Ryan McGrew

Monica Gagne

sports

Wes Monroe

Laura Scieszinski

Hannah Soyer

Ben Parsons

Zoe Wilson

editor-in-chief

Taylor Mithelman co-design

Evan Culbert co-design

Lauren Coffey managing

Ian Dunshee photo

Mirza Besic backpage opinion

Mallorie Goodale Sarah Margolin feature

Scott Syroka doubletruck

STAFF WRITERS

Charles Fiedler Ashley Shay

ILLUSTRATOR Lisa VanWiel

Cover photo: Paige Cramer

Cover Design: Evan Culbert

PHILOSOPHY

The Black and White is published solely by the Johnston 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. The paper is published nine times per school year. The paper will avoid material that is libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. The law does not require parental permission to use student quotes. Ethically, we believe students can speak for themselves. Staff editorials represent the opinion of a majority of the editorial board. Editorial and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the adviser, school officials or the district. Letters to the editor must be signed. Like all material, letters may not be libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. Bring letters to room 413 within one week after publication to be considered for the next issue.

The Black and White strives to report accurate and timely information. If you believe that an error has been printed, please contact the editors at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com. The Black and White is a member of CSPA, NSPA, Quill & Scroll, and IHSPA. Recent issues of the paper earned these honors: Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist, National Scholastic Press Association First Class rating, Quill & Scroll Gallup Award, IHSPA state placings and sixth in the National Best of Show.

news

the b&wp.3

april 2012

April In Photos Laura Scieszinski/BW

Monica Gagne/BW

1

Monica Gagne/BW

2 3 4

5

1

Senior Alex Smith and sophomore Robert Doan serve egg and sausage casserole on April 4. Culinary III students debuted the new program, Dragon Pit Stop, serving breakfast foods on late start Wednesdays in room 201 from 7:20 until 8:30 a.m. Most items sell for around $1.00.

2

Kelsey Acheson/The Dragon

Timber Ridge band director Josh Morgan goes through the buffet line at the Hall of Fame Banquet on April 13. Every year the banquet gives a scholarship to select students who applied. “We were interviewed for the scholarship and then they announced that both Alissa Campbell and I had received the scholarship for $10,000 ($2,500 each year), senior Elizabeth Mills said.

3

Monica Gagne/BW

Junior Jake Atkinson practices his serve during a JV boys tennis practice on April 16 before his match against Ankeny the next day. During that match he and senior Sam Wendell won one match and lost another.

4

Sophomores Jordan and Andrew Boge participate in twin day by dressing in the same outfit. “I knew twin day was coming, and I didn’t want to do something generic like dress in regular clothes. So, I thought we could do a “Men In Black” theme and wear the exact same suit,” Jordan Boge said. Twin day was held on April 11 as part of spring fling week.

5

Senior Connor Yocum stacks dice on top of a popsicle stick during Johnston After Prom on April 14.

Students could participate in all sorts of games like an obstacle course, a wrecking ball balance game, and a balloon juggling.

the b&w p.4

news

april 2012

Amendment award

JHS journalism receives the First Amendment Freedom Award

words Laura Scieszinski Johnston High School earned the national First Amend-

ment Press Freedom Award in Seattle April 12. Leslie

Shipp, the Journalism, Yearbook and Newspaper teacher, flew to Seattle to accept the award on behalf of the school.

“This award recognizes that the Johnston Community

2.

School District knows how to educate students to practice their First Amendment rights,” Shipp said, “Brainstorming

their own story ideas, making their own decisions about

what is printed, discussing what’s ethical to print and in

general running their own student publications is the best way for students to learn.”

In order to gain eligibility for the award, Shipp, the

newspaper editors seniors Lauren Coffey and Zach Winjum and the yearbook editors seniors Helen Lagerblade

and Lisa Friesth had to first answer a questionnaire. It

contained questions such as “Does your school promote and support teaching of the First Amendment through classroom instruction and activities?”

“Basically the whole process is highlighting the will-

ingness of the administration to work with the journalism

1.

Ian Dunshee/BW

3.

1. Junior Wes Monroe works on his newspaper story in third period. Monroe has been part of the newspaper staff for two years. 2. Junior Paige Cramer, freshmen Anne Rogers and sophomore Sarah Margolin write on the journalism moodle page. Newspaper and yearbook students mentor journalism students through moodle and googledocs. 3. Senior Morgan Riessen organizes senior ads for yearbook. Yearbook staff must sell ads to help fund the yearbook.

department,” Friesth said, “It allows us to truly be student-

on the freedom of press in high schools. Johnston High

school. We see it as an honor,” Kennedy yearbook advi-

necessary and newsworthy.” The second level consisted

citizen rights. The newspaper and yearbook staffs make

student journalism and they let us make a real newspa-

cipal Brent Riessen. “I think one of the things for me was

only legally but also ethically.

about what goes on with the yearbook and the newspa-

over 15 awards a year to multiple schools, advisors and

ognized. I think we let students have a voice and I think

ence for high school journalism programs that the John-

run publications and allows us to print what we feel is

School’s journalism class teaches the amendment and all

of another questionnaire filled out by the editors and prin-

sure to know their rights and responsibilities of printing not

the learning experience to talk to Ms. Shipp a little more

The Journalism Education Association (JEA) gives

sor Kara Asmussen said, “Our administrators understand

per.” Their former newspaper advisor, Gary Lindsay, is accepting the award in Seattle on Kennedy High School’s behalf.

Other recipients of the award were Francis Howell North

per,” Riessen said, “It’s great to know that we’re being rec-

students. They also host an annual national press confer-

High School and Kirkwood High School, both of Missouri,

having a voice is a very important part of learning and

ston High School yearbook and newspaper staffs attend.

that the school respects the First Amendment in regard to

The First Amendment Press Freedom Award focuses

received the award. “The award recognizes the entire

growing.”

newsbriefs & stuco updates

NB words & layout Zoe Wilson

Cedar Rapids John F. Kennedy High School also

Student council raises money for cancer

Johnston’s Big Give, a student council activity,

and Orange Glen High School of California. “This shows its student media and allows freedom of expression,” JEA awards coordinator Connie Fulkerson said.

Timber Ridge Addition Student council updates Timber Ridge elementary school has

raised $10,700 for the American Cancer Society.

been approved for funding for a new addi-

and held restaurant nights at places like Buffalo

in 2007 and became the fifth elementary

27. In years past, student council sponsored the

the new addition will allow kids to attend

year. Members decided they wanted do some-

by the school board when the school was

raisers and made Johnston’s Big Give happen.

to consider in the future if changes are need-

would have high school participation since it was

the construction will take about one year to

nior student council member Molly Thuente said.

begin the process.

Student council sold raffle tickets, baked goods

tion to the building. Timber Ridge was built

Wild Wings and Culvers from Jan. 27 to Feb.

school at Johnston. Due to over capacity,

Week of Giving and other fund raisers during the

with more spacing. This plan was approved

thing bigger, so they combined all of their fund

built. School boundaries will allow the district

“We knew we were taking a risk on whether we

ed. Four new classrooms will be added, and

something new, but it was really successful,” se-

complete. There has not been a date set to

upcoming events the details may 2 Senior challenge 2-7 Student council elections

7 p.m. in the big gym Online voting for class officers for next year — link available on JHS website

11 Seniors’ last day

Last day is May 18 for everyone else

16 Class day

7 p.m. in the big gym, open to everyone

news

the b&w p.5

april 2012

New rules implemented for TSA event RC racing words Zach Peterson layout Charles Fiedler TSA (Technology Student Association)

Three steps to check if any RC racers are cheating:

students used overpowered motors and batteries during the RC racing event during

competitions have led to new regulations for the event.

The new rules were first instituted at the

beginning of this school year. However, other than at the state meet, the host of

the competition has discretion regarding the enforcement of the rules.

These rules include bringing the car

to a judge’s desk after each race and

explaining the changes made to the car.

“The purpose of this is so all the team members must learn something about their cars and not just play or race them,”

Paige Plaskitt/Dragon

stated a memo sent to TSA advisors.

Driving his RC car, sophomore Chase Thomas navigates from the second level of Adel DeSoto Minburn High School. Thomas and his team tied for first at this meet.

South acknowledges that the biggest

teams must point out that they believe

cheat,” Thomas said. “I had a 2.5 motor

will investigate. “If they get caught cheating,

my RC car.” The punishment for having the

Industrial Technology teacher Rhys

reason for the change was to ensure learning

and

understanding

of

the

technology being used. “Kirk Curnelus from Perry is in charge and he made the

contest more academically active,” South said. “They require members to document

changes and if they are beneficial to their car.”

While these new rules are also meant

to prevent cheating, students from other

another RC racer is cheating before judges they will get disqualified,” TSA adviser Mitch Eagles said.

Some students have been seen by

instead of a 10.5 motor but I did not use

banned motor at the time resulted in a lap taken away from the teams score.

Although some students do not like

others for motors or batteries that do not

the rule changes, Eagles believes that

school talked to a judge about sophomore

changes,” Eagles said. “The motors are

meet regulations. One student from another Chase Thomas’ RC car for having too fast of a motor before the race began. “I did not

they are for the best. “I agree with the rule more affordable and it is good so people can (join TSA).”

More officers to be added words & layout

• Motors and batteries should be checked right as the car is put on the track.

• Have the teams submit a picture of all of the team members and have their faces crossed off while they race.

• The battery change at the end of the race should be done in front of the judges and checked at the end of the race. due to the fact that there are some strin-

gent training guidelines for an individual to

even qualify to be considered,” City Council member Gerd Clabaugh said. All local

Wes Monroe

police departments, the county sheriff’s

office, and the Iowa State Patrol work to-

Additional police officers are going to

gether to keep the communities safe and

be instated in the individual departments

around the Polk County area. For John-

its officers ready.

that one new officer is sufficient.

police departments and moves on from

in crime but due to a continued effort to

own determinations,” Jensen said. “The

The process is started by the individual

ston specifically, city council has decided

there “Each department/city makes its

“The addition is not due to an increase

have 1.5 officers for every 1,000 (people)

in the population,” Officer Jessica Jensen said.

Wes Monroe/BW

Many may think that more officers are

The department looks for ways to

unneeded. “I really don’t think more cops

effectively. By taking a proactive approach

“The only time I really see them is when

ing officers to provide the best possible

our biggest worry, we don’t need more.”

serve Johnston’s expanding population

are needed,” junior Jordan Thede said.

to potential crime, the department is add-

they’re pulling someone over and if that’s

service to the community.

Departments are always looking for

ways to improve. “Additional officers add

to visibility, officer safety, and faster response times,” Jensen said.

Many steps have to be taken in or-

der to hire new officers and it can take

a while. “The process for hiring a police officer does get a bit more complicated

Johnston Police Department can make its

requests and the city council will look at community priorities and budgets in making its determinations.”

When departments hire new officers

it allows for the police department to be active in more community specialty pro-

grams and adds overall power to our police force.

the b&w p.6

news

april 2012

Student sues over privacy Minnesota student told to give up password, sues school words Taylor Joens A 12 year old girl, attending Minnewaska, Minn. schools

was allegedly forced by administration, to give up her

Facebook password at school in March. The girl, referred to as R.S., was apparently having ‘inappropriate’ online conversations with another student who was off-campus.

She was taken into an administrator’s office where she

was told she would be given detentions and other various

disciplinary actions if she did not release her password. In result of the actions of the administrators, a lawsuit was filed against the school.

The lawsuit filed claimed that the girl’s first and fourth

amendment rights were being violated, which was also backed by the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union).

The ACLU is representing R.S. in this case and supports

claims of the respondent. They issued a statement saying

Illustration/Lisa VanWiel

“Students do not shed their First Amendment rights at the

through phones and certain other devices. “In my opin-

“They don’t see the emotion. If someone were to come

the 1970s, yet schools like Minnewaska seem to have no

be involved in because of the bullying,” associate prin-

no proof. It’s out of my realm.”

school house gate. The Supreme Court ruled on that in regard for the standard.”

While some believe that the Minnewaska district went

ion, this Facebook stuff is not a good avenue for kids to

cipal Randy Klein said. “It can be such a detriment to

to me about inappropriate things on Facebook, I have Many are curious as to how far administration go

their lives.”

as far as searches and seizures. In the Johnston dis-

Johnston has taken a different approach on the matter. Al-

comes to social networking, but administration cannot

scope. If one of these two is formed, a search is allowed

on school computers, it can still be opened through phones

easy for kids to sit behind their phone because they

too far by forcing a student to give up their password,

though students and staff do not have access to Facebook and certain other devices. “In my opinion, this Facebook

To some, bullying may be a large issue when it

do a lot to enforce rules on the school grounds. “It’s very

don’t have to look the person in the face,” Klein said.

trict, there must be reasonable suspicion or reasonable

to take place. “Where there’s smoke there’s fire,” Klein said. “As long as I have a reasonable suspicion, I would have the right to search it.”

Teacher takes job close to home words Kristine Hayes

English teacher, Jane Alt-

man, will be teaching at Dallas-

Center Grimes next year. She currently teaches four English classes and is the debate and speech/forensics coach.

She applied for the job at

Dallas Center- Grimes last

spring. On April 10 Nick Ouel-

lette, principal of Dallas Center-

sen to let him know she might

of their activities,” Altman said.

take her place, including a new

would mean that all of her ex-

garten and the other is in sec-

Over the weekend of April 14

be making the move. This tracurricular positions at the high school would need to be

covered. “A teacher leaving extracurriculars is tough,” Altman said, “We had a lot of plans for

next year, that’s the hardest part.”

Altman decided to make the

One of her children is in kinder-

speech and debate coach.

ond grade. She said it would be

and 15, Altman let her speech

family. Altman has had to miss

She also began informing the

children’s activities due to con-

that she would be taking the job

and debate competitions.

spring.

the perfect opportunity for her

and debate students know.

out on watching several of her

Johnston English department

flicts with the Johnston speech

in Dallas Center- Grimes next

When Ouellette called Fri-

By Monday, Altman, was not

Grimes High School, called her

switch partially because she

day, April 13 to officially offer

ready to tell all of her students

in for an interview on April 11.

go to Dallas Center-Grimes.

Altman

Ries-

a week since she got that first

a search for a new teacher to

ing a hard time processing that

about an opening. Altman went The following day, Altman

met with principal Brent Ries-

has two children that currently

“As they get older it would be nice to be able to go to some

Altman the job, she accepted.

the news. It had been less than

sen that he will need to start

phone call and Altman was hav-

confirmed

to

Jane Altman

she won’t be there for some of

her students whom she has become very fond of.

Her new job will consist of

teaching a speech and debate

class, along with American Literature for sophomores.

editorial

april 2012

the b&w p.7

America must adopt an antiinterventionist foreign policy America has not declared war since World War II,

the largest and more recent event that has caused

dollars and have troops in about 1,000 different mili-

national security has been one of the top political is-

policy that puts the rest of the world’s problems in the

invaded two countries and began two wars, one of

Today America is known to many countries as the

favor of the war in Afghanistan. After all, 9/11 is one of

that title. Whenever there is worldly conflict, we tend to

troops on the ground after 10 years of fighting and the

ends up doing more harm than good.

53% of likely voters support the immediate withdrawal

pied with problems that do not directly concern Ameri-

to Rasmussen Reports). This statistic accurately de-

our troops are on the ground, there is a good chance

Not only are we losing too many lives from the wars,

yet we have lost over 100,000 lives, spent trillions of

large amounts of worldly conflict is 9/11. Since then,

tary bases around the world. We must abolish foreign

sues. And partially because of the tragic event, we

hands of our military.

which is still going on today. Many Americans were in

policeman of the world. And in all honesty, we deserve

the largest terrorist attacks in history. Yet we still have

get involved for one reason or another, but it usually

success of killing the man behind those attacks. Today

The first problem with a foreign policy that is occu-

from Afghanistan, while 31% are opposed (According

can interests is that our military never leaves. Once

picts how many Americans have grown war-weary.

that they will stay for many years to come. Take Japan

but the funds needed to continue them significantly

World War II, however today our armed forces remain

spent over $1.3 trillion on the wars in Afghanistan and

for example, we have not had conflict with them since

contributed to our national debt. Since 2001 we have

there. It is unnecessary to attend to countries that we

Iraq alone. This financial burden must be put to an end.

Secondly, nowhere in the Constitution does it say

the good of the world, we must think about if other

of everyone else’s problems. The best way to improve

in America. It would be unimaginable to us if other na-

tary concentrated on American soil. We should, and

Yet we do this to the rest of the world as if it is our duty.

it must be used sparingly when we need it for what it

into, but as a country we must first ask if it is the right

tary when it is distributed all over the place. Solving

choose to fight un-winnable wars and police the world,

concern. If there is worldly conflict that we must get

and whatever country it is that we invade. Sometimes

must not be something that is done for politics.

to work it out themselves. A military goal that revolves

are not at war with.

While some still argue that our involvement is for

that our military must be around the world taking care

counties had the foreign policy that is currently in place

our own safety and defense would be to have our mili-

tions decided to put military bases on American land.

do, have the most powerful military in the world, but

War itself is an extremely complicated topic to dig

was created for, defense. It is a less impressive mili-

thing to do before we decide to invade. When we

the problems at home first needs to be our primary

the end result is more debt, death, and problems for us

involved in, Congress and the people should back it. It

the best solution to other’s problems is allowing them

While America has been at peace before, perhaps

around defense is what America must adopt.

The editorial board votes on the opinion behind the editorial. This month’s vote was 4-1

Illustration/Lisa VanWiel

THUMBS

UP DOWN OR

BLOOD DRIVE PROM VOTING TRACK 6 P.E. YOLO DRAGON PIT STOP STUCK IN LUNCH Saving lives and eating cookies.

Online voting is too hard. Bring back advisory voting.

Eating bacon and pancakes? Best P.E. ever.

Enough already. We get it, you only live once.

Everyone loves delicious cinnamon rolls.

Open campus rules don’t apply in the cafeteria.

Letter to the Editor

In Lauren Coffey’s recent article titled

school English class. The teachers are try-

are passionate about, something that they

dividuality.

was unsatisfied with several key points in

and be able to complexly evaluate a num-

however, do a good job raising awareness

Ms. Lechtenberg. After observing sections

is a need for more active and challenging

change some things. I’ve stopped looking

“English classes not making the grade” I the arguments against the English department at Johnston. While the author and several students I have spoken with believe

that the class should be dedicated solely to

ing to get us to develop our own thoughts ber of situations. They are in the business

of teaching, not spoon feeding us an allencompassing formula for writing well.

tack on English teachers”, I beg to differ.

is about thought and what we choose to do

see what junior and senior year is about.

ing is not preparing you for your endeav-

the sense of form, but the author failed to

ey instead of its true definition. Writing is

transcribed thought. Writing is expression,

creation, individualism, and progress. As students, we usually miss the point of high

at English in terms of grades and dead-

teaching us how to write” which is true, in

ing is seemingly one that is seen through a

a grade or to score some scholarship mon-

writing assignments. That is an issue for

of ILA for a semester, I decided to try and

lines. I help lead discussion to encourage

sophomore year do a good job at actually

small window: something that is needed for

of the importance of writing in class. There

I am a teaching assistant for ILA with

teachers to deal with.

The article states that “freshmen and

the development and preparation of writing

skills, I disagree. Lauren’s definition of writ-

will be able to WRITE about. Lauren does,

Those two short years are spent on refining the ideas that we have and turning

them into polished arguments. The options

and concepts of those classes are there so students can research something they

As for the part about “not being an at-

Try telling a teacher that what they are do-

ors. They are trying but we are not listening. Colleges want our work to be original, thoughtful and dare I say, creative. Maybe

it is time that we did have a mandatory class that emphasized on creativity and in-

the development of thought. English class with it. Dare to be creative. Dare to think outside the grade book. Dare to give those

teachers a chance to actually teach instead of writing them off.

With regards,

Adam Jaschen

opinion

april 2012

Losing the last cover up words Ian Dunshee

Visiting relatives over break, going on

thing to hurt you with so much security

ever the case may be, many find them-

Safety is all that matters after all. It

a summer vacation with friends, or what-

around. It just isn’t possible, right?

selves traveling in airports. Remember

doesn’t matter that a stranger looked

you walk in to check your bags and see

your body. Security guards would NEV-

this next part because its important;

security guards, often times with guns.

Check. Next you walk through a metal

detector or body scanner as a stranger with a badge looks into your belongings

with the help of x-rays and on occasion

someone is “randomly” selected for a physical search of their person and belongings. Check. Then, before boarding, your identification is checked again, and

you remember that you are fairly certain that pilots are armed now. Check.

bothersome, and every once in awhile, something actually important fades as a fad.

security, because they aren’t human,

Examples are all around us. Look at

plain and simple. Even though, accord-

Camelbak water bottles, or Dr. Dre Beat

ing to the National Council on Foreign

headphones, or moccasins. All these things

Relations, the American Civil Liberties

are popular this year, or last year, but will

Union received over 900 complaints

probably be a fading memory by year’s end.

from travelers regarding the enhanced

The average fad on the Internet has an even

pat-down procedures which involve

shorter lifespan. Remember Rebecca Black’s introduced to the general population of

routinely involve touching of breasts,

a prison without suspicion. This means

You can say any number of imag-

or even an individual wrongfully ac-

measures” in your own mind, but in real-

ing and invasive search. But it’s for the

safety. It’s all around us, and too many

the guards, and to ensure drugs aren’t

we do without school cops that can

drugs aren’t still in prisons, and inmates

the emergency pamphlet, just to make

ined situations to justify these “security

cused can be subject to this humiliat-

on board when the plane needs to make

ity, it’s just another part of an illusion of

“safety” of other inmates, the “safety” of

would give up liberty for it. What would

smuggled into prisons isn’t it? Not that

search backpacks at will?

can’t create weapons out of materials in

sure you know what to do when you are

an emergency landing at 550 miles per hour. The cartoon people in the pam-

phlet are calm during a crash landing, I bet I would be too. The flight attendants smile, you click on your safety belt, pre-

But how far are we willing to go for

prisons, but this policy is for safety.

Just one more step in the degrada-

pare for takeoff.

safety? Many policies regarding security

notice? I wonder if they stop anything

suspicion for a search”, but there’s not a

personal liberties. What’s next? Strip

Apparently the United States Govern-

that is pushing my abilities of specula-

are vague, such as needing “reasonable

tion of the Fourth Amendment and our

clear definition of what that is.

searches allowed in schools? Perhaps

traveling 30,000 feet above ground in

ment thinks so. Deemed Constitutional

tion a little too far, but then again, what

highly motivated individual ever do any-

can now strip search anyone that will be

about the airline security today?

So how many safety features did you

bad from happening. With all the safety procedures it doesn’t matter that you’re a tube of 70% aluminum. Nor could a

by the Supreme Court on April 2, police

Fads make me flip just as quickly. Usually harmless, sometimes

that any offence, including unpaid fines,

hear the procedures as you flip through

Mirza Besic

near cult following, then fall off of our radars

buttocks, and genitals.”

Sitting down, you see the exits and

words & layout

There are many things that are fads in

ER search anyone for reasons beyond

for concealed items. These procedures

kcaB 2Besic our generation. Things that quickly gain a

through your belongings or searched

“the use of fingers and palm to search

the b&w p.8

would someone 50 years ago have said

smash hit “Friday”? Me neither.

What happens when something genuinely

important gets thrust into the limelight? Too

often, we treat it as a fad as well, even if it

has potentially drastic consequences. A perfect example is the Kony video from March.

Millions of views on YouTube, thousands of

profile picture changes, and who knows how

much was donated to Invisible Children. A very serious topic was getting the coverage it

deserved, and it did look like people actually cared about Uganda for a week. But then, sadly but predictably, interest faded as we moved on to the next fad. A few diehard supporters

still cling to the message to stop Kony, but to everyone else, Kony is just something that was cool a month ago.

I don’t know if there is a simple solution to

this attention span problem. Clearly, just having

an event or problem that is hugely important is not enough to build lasting support. If it is a by-

product of our dependence on technology, and our love of instant results (just Google it!), then

the solution may not be simple. However, if my suspicions are correct, then the problem may

truly lie with our misplaced priorities. Students put in hours working out or training for their

sport, but can’t get behind a movement to stop a warlord who abducts children. It really says something about us.

We may just be too young, too carefree

to understand that some causes deserve our

attention. Or maybe the problem is bigger,

and lies with a society that is more focused on

In Plain Sight Illustration Lisa Vanwiel

individual accomplishments and desires than

When we were kids dress up was made of too much make-up, your mom’s shoes, Now, the only thing that’s different is that the boys play too. a dress too grown up for your age.

worldly good or achievement. Either way, it may be impossible to change our mind sets, but hopefully reading this will make people think about what truly matters.

the b&w p.9

opinion

april 2012

Guardianship: There’s something missing words & layout Hannah Soyer “Incompetent.” I don’t

know the exact legal definition, and I’m not sure

the law knows either.

ly, not everyone is guaranteed these, and because of the

Strand is one of the lucky students that doesn’t have a

well-wishers.

my own decisions and other people can’t tell me what to

situation these people are in, it is easily overlooked by There are two main classes of guardians: limited and

guardian even though he has a disability. “I get to make do,” Strand said.

Many people wonder how the court decides who is

Just the other week

full. If you have a limited guardian, that person can only

ing over their will with

agree with before. However, if you have a full guardian,

tough calls,” Kenyon said. “A treating physician or psy-

adult can make, the (full) guardian can make,” Kenyon

the person is, and if the person has the ability to agree

ing their own decisions can sometimes be overridden be-

can’t participate.” In the end, though, it’s still up to the

There are some checks and balances involved. “The

thing about the disability, what the individual is able to do

make certain decisions and do certain things that you

“incompetent” and who is not. “Some of these are really

that person has complete power. “Any decision that any

chiatrist would give a report as to what their evaluation of

said. This means that a person who is capable of mak-

to the guardianship, or is the person so impaired they

cause of a piece of paper says they can’t do it.

judge. This means that a person who may not know any-

pass away. My mom quickly objected, saying something

guardian’s power is derived from the court, and the judge

mentally and physically, relies on a few reports to make a

her own decisions. She doesn’t need a guardian.” Their

things they can automatically do and then get approved

However, as an individual with disabilities myself, I see

my parents were go-

their attorney, Greg

Kenyon, who special-

with peoa

physi-

izes in dealing with issues

ple with disabilities. Because I have

cal disability, he had assumed that I would

be assigned a legal guardian if my parents were ever to

has to approve what they’ve done.” Kenyon said, “Some

decision that impacts the rest of someone’s life.

later. Things that are more serious, like elective surgery,

instances where people who have disabilities have their

proved before they occur.”

keep this from happening, but there are too many things

ing severity. For some of them, it is obvious that they

son with the disability could be taken advantage of. “They

because they are unable to communicate.

said.

Eighteen is a magical age for most people because

may have a mental condition that is not as severe. Many

if a perfect solution exists at all. I do know for sure that

some states. More importantly, though, they can make

education classes impair their ability to learn at the same

need without giving up rights that they deserve. No one,

their ability to make their own decisions. Senior Teddy

needs to work to change this.

along the lines of “Hannah can think for herself and make lawyer, I believe, felt terrible. My mom assured him it was fine since he didn’t know; and there’s the point. He didn’t

know. Like most other people, he had made a complete assumption.

According to USLegal.com, a guardianship is a “legal

relationship created when a person or institution named in a will or assigned by the court to take care of minor children or incompetent adults.”

they can get a tattoo, buy cigarettes, even gamble in their own decisions about legal things. All of these things

are basic rights guaranteed by certain laws. Unfortunate-

or any other sort of treatment, typically have to be ap-

rights overlooked. Having a full guardian is supposed to

I have many friends with various disabilities of vary-

that could go wrong, and too many ways where the per-

are unable to communicate their own decisions merely

(people with disabilities) get walked all over a lot,” Strand

But then there are the not-so-obvious people, who

This is a tough situation with an even tougher solution,

of the conditions that put our fellow students in special

there needs to be a way for people to get the care they

pace of students in general classes, but does not impair

no one, is silent, though many are not heard. Someone

High expectations for high school jobs words & layout

Kristine Hayes

Searching for a job is going to be tough,

P.E. instructor Brian Woodley started out

but don’t make it harder by being picky. You

his career as a bus boy at Bonanza. “Kids

job with awesome hours, oh, and flexibility.

school,” Woodley said, “They are mainly

are not going to get a great-paying, perfect First of all, you don’t have a high school

diploma and you have no experience. Also, you are in high school, so you can only work a few hours a week, and after school hours at that, which means that all the bet-

shouldn’t expect top of the line jobs in high

trying to earn spending money.” This is the time in your life that you are getting experience, not a job you will have for the next twenty years.

“I worked in a factory making hog rigs

ter-paying nine to five jobs won’t work for

and curry combs,” ELP/AP Psychology in-

a good paying job, you have nothing that a

rience at all can prepare a person for their

you. Stop whining about how you can’t find

good paying job wants at this point in your

Illustration/Lisa VanWiel

and work successfully under someone, are

waiting room of life and it’s hard not to get

“My first job was working as a custodian

sional field you want to be in, but declining

structor, Sue Cline said. “Any type of expe-

all things employers look for.

next step.” Cline also said that she learned

at my small, rural high school, Starmont

learned more about what type of profession

Lechtenberg said. “Some of my friends

Starting off in the bottom of the work-

windows and cleaning lockers, but hey, I

about you as a worker. The ability to work

minimum wage at the time, so I was happy.”

anxious and just want to get into the profeslesser jobs will do nothing to help you ac-

many valuable people skills as well as

HS for the summer,” English teacher Kate

she wanted to have.

thought it was funny that I was washing

McDonald’s and getting all greasy or at

route or a restaurant, the future jobs you

force also shows a lot of positive things

was earning $5.50/hour, and that was over

you should do. It’s what millions of teens all

type of job you had, at least you had one.

your way up, the ability to follow directions

As the saying goes, high school is the

life. “My first job was as a paperboy. It’s aw-

ful hard to be picky if you have no experience,” principal Brent Riessen said.

It’s okay that your first job is a paper

look at will decline you because of what

complish those goals.

So, don’t worry about working at the

the mall endlessly folding clothes. It’s what over the country do.

]

the b&w p.10&11 april 2012

Events in Africa prove close to home Most students have heard about Africa: either through school, media, maybe a foreign exchange student. There are the stereotypes of poverty, disease and hunger, most of which are true. So why act like Africa is in some far away place, when we could truly educate ourselves to help?

Mission trip brings gratefulness This past September, 4.2 million meals were

sometimes it’s nice to get something in return

a meals along with about 130 other Johnston stu-

someone. Toms is one of the best known compa-

TOMS

er some food for children halfway across the world,

pens after the meals have been packed.

11 countries in Africa.

This March, I had the opportunity to see what hap-

try in need. They give all over the world, including

I have always been interested in missions. Fi-

There is also a non-profit organization called

nally, asking persistently paid off. My dad told me it

know what to expect. Being on a seven hour plane

ride to Frankfurt, Germany, 10 hour flight to Johannesburg, and a three hour van ride to Mokopane

gave me a lot of time to wonder, and to prepare for

handing out the Meals from the Heartland food to

Africare

their effect is mainly short-term. One of the main

ensure they know just how much God loves them and how they can know Him.

Paige Cramer

malia (it was glorified in the film “Black Hawk Down”). Since

Peru, where they teach women to crotchet. The

women can then use that skill to get a job, where hats Krotchet Kids sell are all made from these So now you can have that warm fuzzy feeling that

match donations to Save the Children, dollar for dollar, up to $1 million. Website: savethechildren.org.

are still taking place in neighboring countries.

layout Kenzie Foldes

Kony’s face would be spread all over cities. A group of

students came together after seeing the video, originally After finding out about Invisible Children’s less-than-

help.

that address the real problems, not trying to solve a

effectively left Uganda, but unconfirmed attacks

words Lauren Coffey, Paige Cramer, Ben Parsons

an event called “Cover the Night” where posters with

Somalia.

rather than Uganda itself. As of now, the LRA has

are known by everyone. The video proposed to have

Congo,” Sandoval said. “We wanted to donate to places

force, albeit in countries surrounding Uganda,

donations be directed here, they’ll be even more ef-

sense of the celebrities that are revered, but ones who

the name of al-Shabaab, that control a large part of southern

and 15 years ago, but the LRA is still a present

has saved over 12 million lives in 2010 alone. Should

The end of the informative video urged viewers to

spread the video and to make Kony “famous.” Not in the

fecta of Africa in need like Rwanda, Uganda and the

Today, conflict is not as extreme as it was 10

and other areas that are troubled. The organization

make) it was able to bring an important issue to light.

established, but there are still insurgent forces, a group by

were discriminated against.

to improve water cleanliness, sanitation, education,

integrity (such as donating 32 cents for every dollar they

“Basically now our focus is giving resources to the tri-

the Ugandan government on the grounds that they

towards programs that work with children in Africa

fective given that DC entertainment has agreed to

]

Although Invisible Children, the organization that re-

leased the video, has been criticized for its questionable

sions are based off of science and technology) has been

group headed by the Acholi people, who fought

trustworthy organization. 90% of each dollar goes

reached over 80 million views.

One student in the group is senior Clara Sandoval.

The LRA grew out of a larger militant resistance

ment and developing safer communities. Africare

he has taken from their homes. The video has now

Today, a technocratic government (one in which deci-

groups such as the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

main goals, Africare helps with women empower-

and corruption into Africa by using an army of children

have been major factors in the high death toll, estimated to

and rebel factions for more than two decades by

against and treating HIV/AIDS. In addition to these

about a man named Joseph Kony that has instilled fear

ethical tactics, they decided to focus on other ways to

Uganda has been ravaged by civil unrest

production, water sanitation, and safeguarding

took the internet by storm. The 30 minute video tells

to plan a Johnston “Cover the Night.”

be near half a million since 1991.

women. You can also buy t-shirts and accessories.

March 5, 2012, “KONY 2012” was released and quickly

1991, a civil war has been raging throughout the country, centered at the capital, Mogadishu. Starvation and genocide

they can make money to better themselves. The

Founded in 1963, Save the Children is another

Save the Children

sewing and farming. Our most important goal is to

One of the more publicized conflicts is taking place in So-

tinent. Website: Africare.org.

pel. All kinds of missions trips are beneficial, but

jobs throughout the Limpopo through construction,

however, the government leans towards a private-market,

works in 36 different countries throughout the con-

people of Mokopane and share with them the Gos-

fect of their work. We worked on giving people

come to agree upon socialist policy) and federalism. Today, more capitalist-minded type of economic system.

Almost everyone has seen “the Kony video.” On

]

Democratic-Socialist ideals (in which the people have

Africare goes towards helping improve agricultural

The purpose of the trip was to put hope into the

focuses of the ministry is to see the long-term ef-

in 1991, the Ethiopian government was reworked around

there, more than 90% of each dollar donated to

kid licked their plate clean and stuffed their cheeks

ing meals.

Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front, assumed power

One of the most reputable organizations out

all the kids. At the pre-school we went to, every

you have all the way back in Des Moines packag-

Soviet Union. When a new coalition group, the Ethiopian

shirt or shoes.

One of the coolest experiences for me was

kids you hear of makes you realize the importance

was in power, they received extensive aid from the then-

you did something good, while also wearing a new

what was about to come.

with rice. Finally putting a face to all the hungry

with democratic ideals. During the time in which the Derg

Krochet Kids. The company travels to Uganda and

Krotchet Kids

As we were planning out the details, I didn’t

trol of the government and established a new government

ery time you buy a pair of shoes or sunglasses, a

it’s hard to really know the effect that you have.

to be going to Limpopo, South Africa.

until early 1991, when a coalition of rebel groups took con-

nies that give back when you buy something. Ev-

pair of shoes or glasses will be donated to a coun-

was official; my sister, my dad and I were all going

This plunged Ethiopia into civil strife for more than 15 years,

besides the warm fuzzy feeling that you helped

in the Student Challenge and went to go package

Students create group to raise awareness

overthrown by a Marxist militant regime known as the Derg.

While donating money to a cause is great,

from the Heartland in Hy-vee Hall. I participated

dents. When you’re in Des Moines, putting togeth-

On November 28, 1974, the monarchy of Ethiopia was

Give back.

packaged at the Annual Hunger Fight for Meals

africa

problem that doesn’t exist anymore.” (The Kony 2012 video largely focused on the LRA, which has not been

prominent in Africa since the early 1990’s.) “We really want to try to focus less on publicity, since awareness

has already been raised, and more on funds.” The group is currently trying to get approved by Principal Brent Riessen to become a club.

The group hopes to have events like bake sales in

the future to help create revenue. There is also an event

called Aquapalooza, which has local bands perform and raise money for clean drinking water in Africa.

With all the problems going on in Africa, the group is

just trying to raise funds to help. “I think we as children

who come from privileged backgrounds, when we hear of people less fortunate than us, are motivated to share our experiences.”

the b&w p.12

feature

april 2012

Manfredini has milestone birthday words & layout Sarah Ross and Kenzie Foldes

Kristine Hayes/BW

Bishop Drumm resident celebrates 115th birthday It was like any other birthday party someone

cranked control, then somebody would be

about older times, eating cake, taking pictures.

Momma would be out there dancing with all

would have, family members were reminiscing

The only thing that was contrary to other birthday parties was that Dina Manfredini, the

the fellows,” Logli said

Growing up, Manfredini taught her kids

respect, tolerance, and responsibility. Logli

115.

certain time, we always were 10 minutes early.

was not turning 10, 25, or even 50, but rather Manfredini was born in Emilia-Romagna,

Italy, on April 4, 1897. In 1920, at the age of

said, “If our parents told us to come home by a We thought so much of our parents.”

At the age of 90, Manfredini was still

23, Manfredini boarded a boat to the United

working by cleaning houses. She did not tell

had come back to get her. “She was a very

they might think she was too old to work.

States with her new husband, Riccardo, who

strong and courageous woman to leave her

her employers about her age in the fear that To date she is the world’s second oldest

home because she knew she was never going

person behind Besse Cooper, who is an

daughter, Enes Logli said. When Riccardo

known as a super centenarian having reached

to come back to Italy,” Manfredini’s youngest

and Dina reached America, they settled down in a mining camp on the south side of Des

Moines where they both learned the language

(although Dina now mainly just speaks her native tongue) and became American citizens.

On the weekends, Dina enjoyed a break

from providing for her four children by dancing

estimated nine months older. Manfredini is

Kristine Hayes/BW

the age of 110. She now lives at Bishop Drumm Retirement Home on Merle Hay Road, having

moved there at the age of 110. Manfredini

uses a walker to get around, and has to have her food blended with only a few bottom teeth left.

At 115, Manfredini still has the same values

with fellow coal mining families. “On Saturday

she was taught as a child and has had her

somebody would play music with a hand

and her friends,” said Logli.

nights, everybody would get together and

Family and friends enjoy talking and celebrating Dina Manfredini’s 115th birthday on April 4 at Bishop Drumm Retirement Home. Manfredini has four children (1 deceased), seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great grandchildren. She spent her earlier years in a coal mining camp on the south part of Des Moines. “It was more of a simple life, but a wonderful life,” Manfredini’s youngest daughter, Enes Logli said.

on the accordion playing Italian songs and

person whose birthday was being celebrated,

entire life. “She cherishes her family, her faith,

Dina Manfredini received a letter from Barack Obama congratulating her on her birthday including his actual signature. Manfredini is one of the 30 oldest people ever recorded.

Kristine Hayes/BW

Manfredini celebrates her 115th birthday with family and friends which included cards, cake and ice cream.

In her younger years she enjoyed growing a garden filled with tomatoes, green beans, apples and pears which would be served at dinner.

Cooper pursues citizenship Senior seeks citizenship amidst college preparation Most seniors have the standard set of things to worry

about: graduation party, prom, college, final tests. Senior Phoebe Cooper must also juggle the stress of another kind of test — the United States Citizenship test.

Cooper has been living in America since she was seven

years old, and considers herself an average American teenager, without the status of citizen. She is currently

classified as a permanent resident of the US, and a citizen of Australia. The rest of her family are citizens of Australia, except for her father, who has dual citizenship in Scotland

and Australia. Though she may not hold the title of citizen, she feels more like an American than an Australian.

However, without the title of citizen, she has restrictions.

“It was a hassle applying for college,” Cooper said. “I

had to send (colleges) a copy of my green card because

words & layout Mirza Besic

they thought I was a refugee.” Cooper plans to attend Iowa State University next fall.

Cooper has not yet begun the process of citizenship,

but plans to begin it this summer. “With me going off to college, we just want to get it out of the way,” Cooper said.

The process of becoming a citizen has several steps.

Anyone interested in becoming a citizen must submit an application, attend an interview, take a civics and English

Provided by/Phoebe Cooper

complete. This means that Cooper might not be a citizen

Senior Phoebe Cooper and her brother Matthew Cooper feed wild king parrots at Queen Mary’s Fall in Australia. Cooper plans to keep her Australian citizenship.

She cannot vote in elections, and that is one of the main

were ever to happen to one of my parents, the government

test, and then swear allegiance to the United States. The

whole process can take from five months to two years to until well into college.

reasons she wants to become a citizen. Another drawback

is the potential repossession of property. “If something

can take half of everything we own,” Cooper said. “If you are not a citizen, they can just do that.”

feature

april 2012

Going Greek? ΔTΔ

the b&w p.13

words & layout

about joining sororities and fraternities.

Family Ties

ΔΔΔ Katie Lashier

Thomas Thatcher Johnston graduates share their experiences Fraternity: Delta Tau Delta

Taylor Mithelman

Sorority: Delta Delta Delta

Greek Week Experience Iowa State freshman and 2011 graduate,

Katie Lashier is a part of the sorority Delta

For some, choosing join a fraternity is a

Delta Delta. Her love for the Greek community

family affair. Thomas Thatcher, a 2011 graduate, joined Delta Tau Delta. “My dad was actu-

ally in the same fraternity as me when he went to Iowa State,” Thatcher said.

After talking with his dad, who was presi-

dent of Delta Tau Delta in 1983-84, Thatch-

er decided to go to “Greek Getaway”. For a weekend during Greek Week, high school se-

is based in her passion for being involved in

John Thatcher, center, is Thomas Thatcher’s dad.

His father was president of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. His involvement with Delta Tau Delta influenced Thomas’ decision to join.

something outside herself. As a part of being in a sorority members participate in a variety

of philanthropies and raise money and aware-

ness for various causes.

A core event of these activities is Greek

Week. “Greek Week was easily one of the best

niors go from house to house checking out the

weeks of my life.” Lashier said. Greek Week

Because his dad was Delta Tau Delta

and fraternities and also a chance to partici-

a term for those who join the same fraternity/

Each sorority is paired with a fraternity to

Greek System to see how interested they are.

provides ongoing activities for the sororities

Thatcher became a legacy member. Legacy is

pate in events such as cleaning up campus.

sorority as their parents. This gave him an ad-

compete in all activities with. “We were paired

you have kind of a preference over the other

said. “Our pairing was also really fun, we made

Thatcher also choose Delta Tau Delta

house.” A variety of competitions from through-

vantage during rush. “You still have to rush but

with Farmhouse (Fraternity) guys,” Lashier

guys,” Thatcher said.

great friends with a lot of the men in Farm-

based on qualities of the fraternity in compari-

Thatcher poses for a picture along with other members of his fraternity before a formal during homecoming week. The formal is one of many activities going on during homecoming.

son to others. “They are all kind of different,” Thatcher said, “It opens up opportunities and new friends.”

Thatcher said that when choosing a frater-

nity/sorority that people should be open-minded. “There really is something for everyone, it’s a good way to get involved,” Thatcher said.

How many students go greek?

University of Iowa Undergrad Men in Fraternities: 8% Undergrad Women in Sororities: 12% Number of Fraternities: 17 Number of Sororities: 18

Iowa State University Undergrad Men in Fraternities: 14% Undergrad Women in Sororities: 17% Number of Fraternities: 31 Number of Sororities: 16

ΠBΦ

war are added up to determine who wins. “We won the whole event which was amazing,” Lashier said. “We received first place in community service, spirit, and lip syncing, so we won three of the five big categories.”

By the end of the week they were able to

raise over $90,000 for Iowa Special Olympics

and clean up all of campus. “Sometimes the Greek life can get a bad rep but we really do a lot of great things for the community and I am

Rachel Beierschmitt Sorority: Phi Beta Phi

out the week such as lip syncing and tug of

so fortunate to be a part of it,” Lashier said.

All About Rush

Rachel Beierschmitt, a 2011 graduate decisions in such a short time,” Beierschmitt ever feel like I don’t have anyone to go to for

who attends the University of Iowa, is a part said. “It’s just a lot of information to take in help with anything, even my classes,” Beierof the sorority Phi Beta Phi. As a part of mak- and make decisions on.” ing her decision on what sorority to join Beierschmitt participated in Rush Week.

schmitt said. “There is a sense of belonging

She chose Phi Beta Phi based on her in- within the Greek community which is always

teractions with the girls in the sorority, “One nice to have whereever you are, especially at

Over the course of two weekends she vis- of the girls I talked to everyday turned out to such a big university.”

ited each house on campus for a half hour be my big, which is a sophomore that is basi-

There are aspects to the Greek system

each. Beierschmitt then choose which hous- cally like your mentor. She is honestly one of that can be hard to adjust to. “Sometimes it es she wanted to go back to and each house my best friends,” Beierschmitt said. selected those they wanted to come back.

is overwhelming when you have midterms

One of the biggest advantages she has and lots of homework and you still have to

“It was a really overwhelming process meet- found to belonging to a group like a soror- go to your volunteer hours or a philanthropy ing so many people and making such big ity is the relationships she builds. “I never event,” Beierschmitt said.

the b&w p.14

april 2012

Record attempt falls short The World’s Largest Custard Pie Fight

feature words & layout Charles Fiedler

What went down with our own world record

was scheduled for April 11, 2012, but the event was canceled after less than one-

1

third of the projected students signed up for the event.

Senior Sam Sparland planned the

event on Facebook months before the it

was scheduled to occur. “Like three-hundred ninety people said they’d take part,

2

but less than one-hundred signed up for it,” Sparland said.

The amount of cream required was

one issue that Sparland faced when setting up the event. “We originally planned

on having Hy-Vee sponsor it, but they

said they didn’t want to waste food,” senior Ben Smith said. “That’s why we decided to go with shaving cream instead.”

Clean up would also be easier with

Charles Fiedler/BW Others think that this sheds light

shaving cream. “Sam said we could just

on a new social occurrence. “I think it

just wash most of it away,” Smith said.

thing in social media,” junior Randy

the cancelation and lack of support shown

to actually following through, they don’t

opportunity for our class to leave behind

Sparland got the idea for the event

versity.

According to the Drake Newsroom,

turn on the sprinklers and that they would

shows how people will commit to any-

Greg Larson, vice president of the Drake

Many students are disappointed by

Coyle said, “But when it comes down

president-elect said, “This is unreal. We

by the students. “It seemed like a good

have the (guts) to go through with it.”

a legacy. It’s a shame we didn’t get to do

when the record was unofficially bro-

it,” senior Megan Olson said.

ken by 684 participants at Drake Uni-

3

Student Activity Board and student body literally spent about six months planning

this and working with people and figuring what we wanted to do and how we were

4

Record breaking application First, you must send in a request for breaking the record. This can be done through a letter or through the Guinness World Record website.

Second, you pay for a committee to review your application. This can be done through a less expensive 4-6 week decision, or a more expensive 1-2 week decision.

Once the application has been approved, you need to pay for a representative from the organization to come to wherever you are breaking the record.

Lastly, you must attempt the record-breaking feat.

going to do it and it all came together perfectly.”

Sophomore sings at Carnegie

The acoustics were amazing.”

words Paige Cramer

Kyla and the choir also had the opportu-

The National Honor Performance Series

had its annual performance, consisting of

nity to go sightseeing in New York. “I went

Kyla Grau, a sophomore, was invited to

got a bus tour of lower Manhattan, went

a choir, orchestra and a band, last month.

to see ‘Wicked,’ shopped in Times Square,

participate in the choir.

to ground zero and toured the Rockefeller Plaza,” Grau said.

Grau has been around music her en-

Being in the choir gave Grau an experi-

tire life. She has been playing piano since she was five and has been in the school

ence she could have never had elsewhere.

Waardhuizen, the Select Treble Clef Choir,

Grau said. “Just being in Carnegie Hall was

very strong reader, and a good leader in

trip and is still able to keep those friend-

choir and band since sixth grade. Mrs. Van

“The performance was my favorite part,”

has Grau in her class every day. “She is a

awesome.” She met many people on the

her section,” VanWaardhuizen said.

After participating in Opus Honor Choir,

Grau received a letter from the National Honor Performance Series asking her to audition for their choir. Grau worked with

Provided/Kyla Grau

Kyla Grau stands in front of Rockefeller Plaza with three friends she met who were also in the honor choir. Although her favorite part of the trip was performing, she enjoyed many of the sightseeing opportunities.

Months Later, Grau found out she had

her ninth grade choir teacher and vocal

nation to come together for a few days to

of her singing and sent it in to the choir.

New York City. The students are directed by trip to New York to sing in Carnegie Hall. “I

finds elite high school students across the

in front of professional music programs

coach, Hannah Ryan, and recorded a tape

rehearse and perform at Carnegie Hall in made the choir and was preparing for her

The National Honor Performance Series

many well-known conductors and perform actually thought it would be bigger,” Grau

said. “It was gold and red, very majestic.

ships. “I had a chaperon group of 14 girls

from the Midwest so we can still keep in touch.”

Grau enjoys singing solo and in choirs,

but there is something special about sing-

ing in a choir for her, especially one that performs in Carnegie Hall. “I love music in

general, but I like how in a choir it’s more

like teamwork,” Grau said. “You have to work together more.”

dungeon

april 2012

the b&w p.15

Bender brings skill to the court words & layout

Sarah Margolin

Picking up a tennis racket for the first time at eight

years old, Liera Bender is introduced to the tennis world.

Age Eight

Bender started playing tennis when her family was

looking for a fitness club to join. “One of the fitness clubs

First started tennis

we went to had a bubble, and they said I couldn’t go into

the bubble unless I played tennis,” Bender said. “So I

Six months later

started playing tennis.”

First Tournament

Bender started off at Aspen at first playing only for

recreational reasons. Instead of starting off in group lessons, she did private lessons twice a week. As the

months went on, Bender started getting more into it and wanted to start playing in tournaments.

“My first tournament I played in was six months after

I started playing,” Bender said. “I was supposed to be

Seventh grade

to play in the future division which is the lowest USTA

Leave school for tennis

in the novice division but I accidentally got signed up

group (United States Tennis Association). I lost both my matches, and I didn’t know how to score or call the balls

Summer before eighth grade

out so I let the people I was playing do it all for me.”

USTA cam in Atlanta

After playing in her first tournament, Bender wanted

to keep playing. She and her father would go and watch

people play tennis, that she could learn the rules of the

Summer before freshman year

Bender said.

First pro tournament

game. “I learned how to keep score from Mario tennis.”

In seventh grade Bender was home schooled to

accommodate her tennis playing. She would leave

First semester freshman year

school after lunch to go and play tennis. She was home

Kansas City USTA training center

schooled in language and social studies, and took math and science at school.“I would train with a boy from Roo-

sevelt who was doing the same thing,” Bender said. “On

Wednesdays Valley kids would get out early so I would play with them too.”

Now

In the summer of eighth grade, Bender went to a

Playing high school tennis Varsity number one

USTA camp in Atlanta to continue playing tennis. “I was

invited to a high performance camp to hit in front of Martin Blackman (who is the senior director for talent identification and development for the USTA.)” Bender said.

Bender’s first pro tournament was the summer before

her freshman year. Bender was signed as an amateur at

the time. Bender won her first match and lost her second

Anna Lam/Dragon

one to a girl who was ranked 900 in the world. At the time, Bender had no official ranking.

Bender also missed her first semester of her fresh-

member at Seven Flags, and Marico Stinson who is the

training center. “I miss it but I go back on weekends,”

Along with being a staff member McCollom has

man year to travel to Kansas City to train at the USTA

Drake assistant tennis coach.

Bender said. “I get to train with a girl who is top 10 in

played in the semi-pro level which is the lowest rank-

One of the problems with Bender practicing tennis is

played at Depaul college on a Division I scholarship.

tennis team. “You go so long with it being an individual

event,” Bender said. “It’s fun to be in a team atmosphere all doing the things that you love.”

After high school Bender is hoping to get a Division

the nation.”

ing in the WTA (women’s tennis association). She also

I scholarship for tennis in college, and her dream is to

finding someone to play with. “It was easy when you’re

“Bender is defiantly a power player,” McCollom said.

when a Friday night football game sounds better,” Bender

Right now she hits with Marina McCollom who is a staff

Bender is now playing number one on the varsity

ten to find someone, but now it’s harder.” Bender said.

“She makes me work hard when we play.”

eventually play in the pros. “You go through these phases said. “I’ve missed a lot of events to play tennis, but in the end I know it will all be worth it.”

sports Record turnout: JV soccer splits in two the b&w p.16

words & layout

april 2012

Anne Rogers

For the first time ever, the boys junior varsity

soccer team has split into two teams, JV-A and

JV-B. The past two years, more than 100 boys

went out for the spring sport. “I think we had

enough players to do it the last couple of years, but we didn’t have another coach,” varsity coach

Heath Weeks said. This year, however, there is a volunteer coach, Nick White, to help, so the former coaches jumped on the opportunity.

Russ Fortune, the coach of JV-A, has coached

soccer at Johnston for 11 years, and there has never been a decrease in the number of soccer

players. “As the school district grows, more kids

come and want to play soccer,” Fortune said.

“As coaches, that’s exciting, however it can be stressful splitting the teams up.”

Fortune said things have been going well at

practice. “There is more attention on the boys, rather than last year where we had to have differ-

ent practice schedules for the different teams,” Fortune said. “JV-B has a full-time coach, so we can focus more on the individual and their skills.”

The game schedule for JV had to be switched

around as well. JV-A has 15 games and JV-B has eight. Valley and Ankeny are the only schools

that have two JV teams, so coaches have had

to pick what schools they wanted which JV team to play. “Fortunately, there are a lot of schools

that want to add games to their JV and freshmen schedules, so we have been able to get a good

number of games for all the teams without much hassle,” Weeks said.

Junior Tyler Smaha is on the JV-A team this

year. “I like (the JV setup) a lot because the prac-

tices are less crowded and we get more stuff done this year than last,” Smaha said.

Smaha sees the disadvantages of splitting

up as well. Because practice schedules are dif-

ferent, he doesn’t get to meet the new players,

like the freshmen. No freshmen are on JV, and only two are on varsity. “We try to keep most

freshmen together because it builds team spirit,” Fortune said. “Because of the talent we have as

well, it is not needed to bring up freshmen to the JV team.”

Although sometimes having many people

out for a sport can bring challenges, the good outweighs the bad for Fortune. “I’m really

happy about the number of boys out this year,

Fortune said. “It’s good to know that they want to

be active in a sport that helps them academically

Anne Rogers/BW

Sophomore Noah Beebe makes a fast break in the JV-B game against Valley on Thursday, April 12. Valley won the game 1-0 with 1:42 left in the game. “It was a very good game, I enjoyed watching it,” JV-A coach Russ Fortune said.

and socially.”

Senior cyclist prepares to race words

Ashley Enger

Perry’s social life isn’t hindered from cycling, al-

As many seniors get ready for their last weeks of

though he is riding everyday. “I’ve been doing it for so

Literally, Perry is training towards the upcoming

don’t have a curfew on weeknights,” Perry said. “ If I

rial Day weekend in May.

night before.”

avid dedication to the sport of cycling. After partici-

his agenda. This might require him to miss school on

high school, Perry Leysens is on a different route.

long and I can still manage my social life, because I

season of competitive cycling, starting over Memo-

don’t have a race the next day, I can still go out the Between the practices, Perry has to fit the races into

Many students have recognized Perry for his

pating in the 2008 RAGBRAI, he expressed to his parents that it was something he was interested in.

Ashley Enger/BW

some Thursdays and Fridays for traveling.

“He’s definitely one of our junior success stories,

with Catron during RAGBRAI, Perry pursued cy-

Senior Perry Leysens practices curves as a part of his training. Practices are either with a cyclist group or on his own. His new RACC team uniform is shown above.

who helped ease me onto the team,” Perry said.

ing, which vary during the week.

team at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado and

Perry said, “intervals train your muscle groups and I do

continue to improve and mature in both these areas

After finishing homework, he goes out to train until

tron said. As for right now, Perry is training as a part of

Perry then contacted Randy Catron, director of Perry’s former race team, DMOS-RDMB. After meeting

Nancy Leysens, was just the start. “[Perry] and I joined the DMOS race team together and his love

of cycling evolved. He just got better much faster than me” Nancy Leysens said.

To this day, Perry is regimented in his daily train-

on making another success story this summer with his major race, Tour de l’Abitibi, in Quebec, Canada.

Perry has been accepted into the Varsity Cycling

cling. “I talked with Randy and then started DMOS, Joining DMOS-RDMB Race Team with his mom,

but his story isn’t finished yet,” Catron said. Perry plans

“What I do depends on what I want to practice for,”

is planning on attending in the fall of 2012. “He will

a lot of endurance rides, which are 70+ miles.”

over the next four years while racing in college,” Ca-

7:00 or 8:00 p.m. At that point, all he feels like doing is

his new team, Race Against Chilhood Cancer (RACC)

eating and relaxing.

presented by Geargrinder.

the b&w p.17

health

april 2012

Behind the Beef

The truth behind “pink slime” and what you really need to know about what you’re eating

words & layout

Hot dogs: hated by nutritionists and vegans alike, many take that first bite knowing that the ingredients that go into one sausage link are better left unsaid. Society has long accepted hot dogs the way they are, inside and out.

What it is Commonly known as pink slime, lean finely textured beef (LFTB) is a meat filler that is made from slaughterhouse trimmings. The trimmings are sent through a centrifuge in order to separate the beef from fat. To decrease the chances of E. Coli or any sort of pathogenic bacteria, the final product is exposed to ammonium hydroxide. The result: beef that is 97% lean and safe to eat.

The practice of processing LFTB has been around for almost 22 years, and is very common amongst beef suppliers. So common, LFTB typically made up 10% of all beef sold. That’s a total of 1.5 million additional cows the country would have to come up with in order to contradict all the LFTB in ground beef.

The media When the media outbreak of pink slime occurred, many customers felt appalled and frightened because beef was what Tom Hobt, Hy-vee’s vice president of perishables, would call a “trusted product”.

“When customers found out about [LFTB], they were taken aback because they didn’t know what it was.” Hobt said. He believes what scared customers most was the lack of knowledge that they had about this product.

What we’re buying With LFTB being such an extensive part of ground beef, many customers question why products containing it aren’t labeled.

“The reason why is because it’s redundant,” Hobt said. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) generalizes products containing LFTB as safe.

The USDA cannot identify the cartons containing LFTB as it is beef and doesn’t require separate identification.

At our school Here at JHS, our food supply does not indicate if it contains LFTB or not. “We use

Kenzie Foldes

Behind the

Name

Kenzie Foldes/BW

A hamburger from the school cafeteria. The school serves both meat products that do and do not have LFTB. a number of different vendors for beef - one of them is USDA beef purchased for schools,” Director of Nutrition Services, LaRae Doll said.

“Some vendors use LFTB and some do not.

LFTB is not labeled on the case packages.”

The FDA recently allowed voluntary labeling for any manufacturers of beef as well as giving schools the option to opt out of having LFTB in their beef. For the district, no attempt to remove LFTB out of the school lunch menus has been made.

“All USDA beef purchased for schools meets very high food safety standards and undergoes strict pathogen testing,” Doll said.

“We are fortunate in the U.S. to have a very good meat inspection program run by the USDA; we likely have the safest food supply in the world.”

The real deal The media outbreak of LFTB shocked the public into thinking that LFTB was harmful because of the ammonium hydroxide. However, ammonium hydroxide occurs naturally in all proteins people consume. It is in both animals and plants. It is widely used in everyday cooking. This can include cheese to baking powder to chocolate.

“Food processing isn’t pretty,” Hobt said.

The demand for the food industry to be completely transparent is a possibility, but the truth may be harder to accept than people thought.

How did the name “pink slime” come to be?

The term pink slime is referred to what is formally known as lean finely textured beef, or LFTB. The unappetizing phrase “pink slime” originated from Dr. Gerald Zirnstein, who was at the time microbiologist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Zirnstein had e-mailed a fellow college about LFTB after it was approved by the USDA. In his e-mail he wrote his objections towards allowing LFTB to be label-free. He considered LFTB as “pink slime.” After the email was released to the press due to the Freedom of Information Act, the term pink slime was featured in an investigative article by the New York Times.

The popularity of the article caused a frenzy. The name pink slime was here to stay.

the b&w p.18

april 2012

entertainment

Disc Golfing

The Relaxing Revolution in Leisure Sports words & layout

RJ McGrew

Disc Golfing, Discing, Frisbee Golfing, Frolfing. A sport so versatile fittingly has many names. Disc

golfing, similar to regular golf, is a sport in which the competitor flings plastic discs using as few tosses as possible towards a metal, chain-linked basket instead of hitting a ball towards a hole using as few strokes as possible. Similar to using different clubs for different distances while golfing,

one uses different types of specifically engineered discs for different distances from the basket.

The most frequently used disc golf courses in the Des Moines metro area are found at Grand View,

the Lennox office buildings, and the Walnut Ridge recreation area north of Johnston. Walnut Ridge hosts many professional and semi-professional disc golfing tournaments in which players from all over the Midwest gather to compete. Whether you’re a pro, a beginner, or just looking for someProvided/John Timmons

thing to do to enjoy the spring weather, discing could be the sport for you.

Senior Jeff Pavelka prepares for his drive on hole 8 of the Walnut Ridge course.

Player Info

Favorite Course: Walnut Ridge Strengths: Driving Throws: Backhand(L)/ Forehand(R) Favorite Disc: Innova Valkyrie

Lucas Wittman ‘12

Provided/John Timmons

Favorite Course: Walnut Ridge Strengths: Putting/Driving Throws: Backhand(R) Favorite Disc: Discraft Nuke

Terminology

Pin: A common term used to describe the metal basket to which one throws his or her disc.

Driver: A disc designed specifically to be thrown long distances.

Mid-Range: A disc designed specifically to be thrown distances of approximately 25 to 75 feet.

Jeff Pavelka ‘12

Favorite Course: Ames Strengths: Driving Throws: Backhand(R)/ Forehand(R) Favorite Disc: Innova Shark

Putter: A disc designed specifically to be thrown with distances of approximately 25 feet or shorter from the pin.

Backhand: Style of throwing in which the disc is thrown across body, similar to the typical frisbee throw.

Forehand: Style of throwing in which the disc is thrown from the side of the body, similar to a side arm pitch in baseball.

Heizer: A throw that is released at a 45 degree angle, used to curve the disc around obstacles.

Zach Vander Ploeg ‘12

Favorite Course: Walnut Ridge Strengths: Driving Throws: Backhand(R) Favorite Disc: Discraft Surge Michael Kinning 13’

Senior Brandon Korkow putts for par on hole 7 of the Walnut Ridge course.

Anheizer: A reverse heizer, used to curve in the opposite direction.

Overstable: A term used to describe a disc with the tendency to fade left.

Understable: A term used to describe a disc with the tendency to fade right.

Stable: A term used to describe a disc that, if thrown properly, should not fade in either direction.

the b&w p.19

entertainment

april 2012

Farmers’ market season begins Where to go around the Des Moines metro area for fresh food, fun, and more words & layout Scott Syroka

Des Moines Farmers’ Market

When looking for a taste of the big city life in Johnston’s

own backyard, look no further than the Downtown Des Moines farmers’ market.

This market regularly draws around 18,000 people each

Saturday from May through October with its 200+ vendors and variety of goods. Last year saw a record crowd of more than 30,000 people on the opening day.

Senior Aly Vukelich prefers the Des Moines Farmers’

Market because, “There are more stands with things that

aren’t food and you can find some pretty interesting things

Provided/Judy Anderson

A steady stream of customers peruse the row of vendors at the Johnston farmers’ market. Each Tuesday the Johnston Lions Club hosts the market in the parking lot of the Johnston City Hall.

and so successful that it has not only expanded its regular

Valley Junction Farmers’ Market Johnston Farmers’ Market

ket held in November and December.

Des Moines, the Valley Junction Farmers’ Market features

home, head on over to the Johnston Farmers’ Market. “The

wheels as your choice of transportation. There is a trail be-

plants and flowers, arts and crafts, and more.

there will be fresh and delicious produce as well as other

there,” Vukelich said. The market is nationally recognized

season, but expanded its indoor downtown farmers’ marIf the weather is nice, one may want to consider two

hind the main Pioneer Hi-Bred campus that winds its way

Located in the historic Valley Junction district of West

over 100 vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods,

Sophomore Jordan Boge frequents the market. “I have

If you are short on time or looking for a market closer to

weather has been so favorable for early crops this year, favorite market items,” said organizer Judy Anderson.

When the market opens on May 22, specialty items

along the Des Moines River and takes bikers straight into

been going there since I was a kid,” Boge said. “It’s a small

bike valet is available for riders from 7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

best kettle corn around.”

corn, eggs, and breads will be available among other mar-

valet also offers an air pump and tire changing workshops.

sic in the Junction”, which is held from 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

pies and cakes.

the Market program. This collaborative effort between

through Sept. 27.

said. “I really feel like I am doing my part to help the local

Moines Area Religious Council, and the Downtown farm-

p.m. during the summer with free shuttle service available

month to a free performance by the Johnston Station Jazz

market to area food pantries.

each night receive a $5 voucher to be used during the

The Johnston Lions Club sponsors the market and

the heart of downtown, a 10-15 mile one-way trek. A free at the Second and Court Avenue parking ramp. The bike

While shopping, one can participate in the Meals from

First Federal Savings Bank of Iowa, Hope Ministries, Des ers’ market allows patrons to donate fresh food from the This market is open every Saturday on Court Avenue

downtown starting the first Saturday in May until the last Saturday in October from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

town feel with local shops and food to offer, plus it has the

such as homemade fudge, barbecue, honey, nuts, kettle

While at the market, one can stop nearby to catch “Mu-

ket staples such as fresh picked fruits and vegetables, and

at Railroad Park. “Music in the Junction” runs from May 3 This market is open every Thursday from 4:00 - 8:00

“I like all the friendly people around,” senior Ellie Minor

Johnston economy.” Patrons will also be treated once a

from Hillside Elementary School. The first 200 vehicles

Band.

farmers’ market at street vendors and participating district

uses proceeds for the Residential Tree Program, which

found at www.valleyjunction.com.

market is open every Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

merchants. Specific opening and closing dates can be

Farmers’ market tips 1 3 4 2

has planted trees in the Johnston community. The farmers’

BYOB (bring your own bag)

Try something new

Don’t forget the cooler

Rock the casual wear

Instead of getting a separate bag for each individual purchase, bring your own reusable shopping bags and look modern while helping to save the planet.

Nearly every farmer’s market sells refrigerated produce these days, such as fresh eggs, meats, cheeses, milk, and more.

Bring a cooler and forget about spoiled goods.

Some of the food found at farmer’s market will probably be brand new to you. Try it. Ask the farmers what it is and they will probably share the best way to prepare it.

Farmers’ markets are held rain or shine. They aren’t a fashion show, so don’t be afraid to pull out the basketball shorts and tank top and head to the market.

the b&w p.20

backpage

april 2012

A P R I L Fool’s!

History of April Fool’s Day

April Fool’s and May Day stories

April Fool’s day was first started in

France in 1582 when the calendar was reformed by Charles IX. The new Gregorian

calendar was introduced and New Year’s Day changed to Jan. 1 instead of April 1.

Some people had not heard about the

Max Culbert 15’

change because of the slow communica-

tion and learned about it several years later.

Other people just ignored the new change and continued to celebrate the new year on

April 1. These people were called “fools”

and the general public ridiculed them by sending them on “fools’ errands,” inviting

them to nonexistent parties and playing

Science teacher Matt Jaschen

other practical jokes. These jokes became

“I replaced the frosting in Oreos with white toothpaste. Two of my friends ate them and ate it and their facial expression was really funny, but they said they didn’t want to make me feel bad so they ate it.”

“I put a bottle of clear soap in the front of my classroom so people put it on their hands thinking it’s hand sanitizer. They get this funny look on their face because the soap makes their hands all bubbly and slippery.”

known as “poisson d’avril” or “April fish” because young naive fish are easily caught.

“When my sisters and I take them to people who have pets, we always include a basket for the pet.

For example, if they have a dog, we fill a basked with dog treats, ditto for cats, etc. I’ve jumped fences before to catch somebody.”

Over time, this harassment became a custom of prank playing on the first day of April

and each country has their own spin on the silly holiday.

History of

MA Y DAY How May Day began Everybody remembers May Day as the

time when kids would run around and give

each other baskets filled with candy and

leave it on the doorsteps of their neighbors.

They would then ring the doorbell and run

Kaitlyn Aldrich 12’

away from the door to not get caught.

In countries like Britain and Germany,

Many do not realize how long the history

they will cut down a tree and decorate it

ebrate it.

pole. They use it to dance and sing around

of it is and how many other countries celMay Day started out because of a

change in the calendar. At the time, May

with ribbons and flowers and call it the Mayduring May Day.

In England the Puritans were able to

1 was considered to be the first day of

abolish May Day for a short amount of time.

of spring.

ing, and drinking that came along with the

and each region took on their own style

to an idol. Eventually though May Day was

Back then, most countries considered

The most famous tradition in America is

summer because Feb. 1 was the first day

They did not agree with the dancing, sing-

This holiday slowly started to spread

holiday along with comparing the Maypole

of it and started to create new traditions.

restored in England.

May Day a religious holiday. Because

the May Day basket. This came from the

it to be the day of Virgin Mary. They will

and twigs on each other’s doorsteps to sig-

May is Mary’s month, people consider

idea of people leaving baskets of flowers

crown a girl as the “May Queen” and she

nify spring.

town.

origins vary throughout history.

will symbolize Mary in parades around

However you celebrate May Day, the

Top 6 April Fool’s jokes

1 2 3 4 5 6

1. Cup some water in

your hand and pretend

to sneeze on the back of someone’s head.

2. Put plastic wrap

around the door frame of a commonly used door.

3. Hard boil all the eggs in the carton and place

them back in the refrigerator.

4. Fill someone’s hair-

dryer with baby powder.

5. Leave cryptic notes

warning someone of an

impending prank then do nothing all day.

6. Rubber band the

sprayer on the kitchen sink into the “on” position.