December 2008

BLACKWHITE

h n S W v r c G the black and white . december 2008 . volume 17 issue 12 . 5152780449 . 6501 NW 62nd ave . johnston . iowa

one copy free

STAY IN SHAPE THIS WINTER

D Holiday Workout: Tips to get Fit p.15

Boarder Chicks p.14

Socially Unacceptable? p.13

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Foreign Language Necessary

G The Good and Bad of Track 1 p.7

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p.6

a

A Well Deserved Thank You

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page by Kallen Kramer and Eric Oatts

p.5

Brennan Winget/BW

Kiera Morrill/BW

news

Senior Stephanie Ivankovich exercising in the fitness center.

in this issue feature

A Mexican Mission to feature Alan Nagel 3 { NPR Dodging for Diabetes Josh Hansen 12 { Workaholicon seminar Breaking social norms Old weight room, where to? 13 { 4 { Update

editorial

dungeon

opinion

sports

5 { Thank you to teachers Pro-Con: the new track one 6 { Hu’s Happenin’s

doubletruck Senior Sam Parker performs a hang clean.

15 { Get fit! Workout routines

backpage 16{

8&9 { Fifth grade DARE

review Des Moines Venues

Kiera Morrill/BW

15

Foreign languages needed

7 { Student learning restricted

14 { Boarder chicks

Finding the perfect gift Jeremy Mullen/BW

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Jeremy Mullen/BW

10 { Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas Break Calender Twlight Review { 11 Book Review

12

Senior Josh Hansen consults his manager in the office at Fareway.

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10

Senior Brianne Westlake with board, ready to shred.

the

BLACK&WHITE

Dan Hunter of PlayRadioPlay! performs at House of Bricks.

STAFF 2008-2009

Stephanie Ivankovich

news editor Caroline Byrd

opinion editor Catherine Caracci

copy editor Brittany Deal

editor in chief

Kallen Kramer

double truck editor Haley Johnson

backpage editor Shawna Polen

review editor Jeremy Mullen

Lauren Gehrke

feature editor Julia Manning

sports editor Kiera Morrill

photo editor

managing editor

STAFF WRITERS: Nels Engblom, Jonathan Houp, Kevin Hu, Kelsey Kruse, Amy Lovejoy, Dwight Lykins, Kelly McGowan, Scott Monroe, Philip Mortens, Chelsea Nelson, Eric Oatts, Ben Vander Ploeg, Brennan Winget The Black and White title does not merely refer to the ink of our paper, but to the facts that we report. Our staff strives to report information to the student body in black and white.

Page by Jeremy Mullen, Managing Editor

what we’re about

The Black and White is a publication produced solely by the newspaper staff. Its goal is to inform, enlighten and entertain the Johnston students, faculty and community. It is an open forum. In accordance with Iowa law, students assign and edit material. Publications are released monthly during the school year.

The paper will print nothing 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. Grammatical and spelling errors may be corrected and length edited. 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 Editor at bblosee@gmail.com or contact the school via phone at 515278-0449.

The Black and White is a member of CSPA, NSPA, Quill & Scroll, and IHSPA. Recent issues of the Black and White earned these honors: Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist, National Scholastic Press Association All-American, Quill & Scroll Gallup Award, IHSPA State Champion, IHSPA First Place Photography Second Place Layout/ Design and Honorable Mention Writing.

NEWS

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DEC

The Chinese Association of Iowa awarded junior Kevin Hu the Youth Chinese of the Year award on Dec. 2.

Hu , who has been volunteering for the organization for a year, was selected for this award based on his Hu work with the program.

He has helped organize various holiday events, specifically the Chinese New Year celebration.

“It’s a nice feeling to know that a lot of the work you put in volunteering is appreciated,” Hu said. “I feel honored.”

Each year the Chinese Association of Iowa selects a few high school students as Chinese Youths of the Year; these students typically live in the metro area.

Hu is among several students from Johnston who have won the award, including senior Kevin Shi, who won it last year.

Upton performs in Honors Orchestra Junior Katie Upton has been selected to play in the Honor Orchestra of America (HOOA) on Nov. 13.

Upton is one of a handful of French horn players to be selected to play with the symphony.

“I didn’t expect to get in,” Upton said, “because it’s so unpredictable about how you stand up against all of the other players that are auditioning from all over the country.”

She was chosen to participate in the orchestra after sending in a Smartmusic recording of herself to the HOOA program.

She will perform two concerts with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra over a five day trip next March, where she will meet the entire symphony and perform under Larry Livingston’s baton.

staff writer

After a whirlwind of practices and auditioning, senior Alan Nagel was notified that he was selected to sing on National Public Radio. His recording will play at 4 p.m. on Jan. 31, and at 5 p.m. on Feb. 1, on a program entitled “On the Top” played on 90.1 FM. “The producers advertised that they were going to be in Des Moines for auditions and that they were looking for some Iowa students to have on the show,” Nagel said. He auditioned at the Temple of the Performing Arts, and was chosen to perform at the Hoyt Sherman Place for the recording.

What he recorded is an Italian piece called “Non Piu Andrai” from Mozart’s opera “The Marriage of Figaro.” Nagel’s voice coach, Leanne Freeman-Miller, said that this is a very spirited opera most high school students wouldn’t sing, but he could handle it.

Nagel enjoys the meaning of the song.

“In this piece, I am poking fun at a teenage boy forced to join the army after too many affairs with a host of women in the Count’s

the car, the house, it has basically been the background of our lives.”

Nagel now has a new take on NPR. “It’s fun to have a personal connection with a program that I am so familiar with,” he said.

There is nothing left for Nagel to do but listen to his piece.

“It’s relaxing now to be able to sit back and see how my piece will fit into the show,” he said, “and reflect on how it provides enjoyment to people thousands of miles away for an hour of a weekend.”

With this program played all over the country, an opera company may hear it. “The best that could happen is admittance to a school, and should that happen, I would be cordial and look into that,” Nagel said, “but the likelihood of being recruited for performance is slight, the human voice doesn’t

“I

’m glad I was nervous because nerves, when properly employed, can do nothing but heighten the impact and enjoyability of a performance.”

-Alan Nagel estate,” Nagel said. “At the same time, I am trying to reassure the young boy that he is going to be fine.”

Nagel has known this piece for about a year; he used it in a competition and won.

“Mostly, I told him to enjoy it, he could sing for a living room full of people and be as comfortable as singing in front of thousands of people.”

His sister agreed that he is confident.

“He looks forward to opportunities like this. I think my family was more nervous than he was,” sophomore Claire Nagel said.

But even with such confidence, he still got a bit nervous.

“I‘m glad I was nervous because nerves, when properly employed, do nothing but heighten the impact, and enjoyability of the performance,” Nagel said.

The Nagel family has been a fan of NPR for a long time.

Claire Nagel said, “We have been listening to it since we were little kids. It’s on in

fully mature till age 30. Operas rarely have performers below 25. A child prodigy would not be possible.”

In the future, Nagel plans to Erin Funk/The Dragon balance education with mu- Senior Alan Nagel plays a Scottish prince at Madrigal. This is sic by getting a one of the many vocal proformances he has done. degree in music and perforA lot of people helped in this process. “I mance, and an under grad in the social sciwant to thank the school for their flexibility,” ences.

“All the schools that I have looked into are Alan said. “Even more so, I want to thank all very different from each other. I’m not looking the people who supported me by coming to for small or large campus, or any location in the concert, wondering when they can tune particular, the only thing in common with all in, or even just asking how it went. Even of them is that they are all rigorous academi- though this program is syndicated nationcally, as well as rigorous in the in the arts,” ally, it’s the people I come into contact with that make it worthwhile.”

Alan said.

Vocal ranges The world record for greatest male vocal range, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is six octaves. This is held by Tim Storms of the United States

Alan Nagel’s vocal range is four and one half octaves with falsetto and three and one half octaves without falsetto.

Mixed Choir

Junior volunteer wins ethnic award

Kelly McGowan

Alan Nagel

news briefs

Compiled by Amy Lovejoy, staff writer

Senior to sing on national broadcast

World Record

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An average vocal range of males in our mixed choir is around three octaves. The male voice does not fully mature until around the age of 30.

`444 `444 `444 6 octaves

4.5 octaves

3 octaves

NEWS

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Seminar discussion continues One year later, school board meets again; students weigh in Brittany Deal editor in chief

Parents John Dutcher and Marty Pierce first began the discussion between parents, students, administrators and the school board regarding the freshman seminar class. One year later, the discussion continues.

“When considering what’s best for students, it’s of paramount importance that the board consider the financial, human resources and facilities impacts of the decisions it makes,” school board member Tyler Buller said.

Seminar, a ninth grade class that’s purpose is to help prepare students for high school, focuses on building character, making good choices, and developing skills.

“To me, it is still a homeroom that has been extended to a whole period, and I don’t think that is worth a credit,” Pierce said.

Yet, some students that have taken seminar do not agree either with the amount of time it took up in their freshman schedule, or with the content included.

“I would change it into like a ten-minute homeroom or something like that,” junior Amber Heller said. “You could do the same amount of stuff just in a shorter time period since we never did much in seminar at all.”

Heller also added that she would have rather taken another course in place of seminar.

In some cases, students were taken out of seminar. Junior Laura Cross said that chamber choir pulled out her and 27 other students every Tuesday and Thursday for choir practice when she was a freshman. Now, however, choir director Hannah Ryan (nee Keeling) has her own seminar for students in chamber choir.

“We just sing for a portion of the period on Tuesdays and Thursdays,” Ryan said. “Lately we have been doing more (in preparation for Madrigal), but then we have been completing all the seminar requirements as well.”

Seminar on Tuesdays and Thursdays consists of Silent Sustained Reading (SSR) and academic support. Chamber choir substitutes singing for SSR. During the second half of seminar, which is academic support, students can seek out teachers for help. All of the ninth grade teachers have academic support at the same time to make this easy for students to get help.

Currently, Mock Trial coordinator and Extended Learning Program instructor Kathy Paul uses this academic support time on Tuesdays to teach beginner Mock Trial students the basic rules and instructions. On Thursdays, she uses the time to help students with History Day research.

“I teach them how to do the different roles (for Mock Trial),” Paul said. “What I want to do for those kids that are seek-

Monday Seminar

Activity Opening doors for others Guest Speaker

Wednesday Tuesday Seminar Thursday Friday Seminar Seminar

SSR Academic Support

Seminar Write letter SSR to your role model Academic Support Current Events Handouts 1&2

Bullying Lesson #2 sample lesson plan from week of Dec. 8

Stephanie Ivankovich/BW

Teacher Tony Kruse’s seminar class free reads during SSR, silent sustained reading time, which usually occurs during Tuesdays and Thursdays for the first half of class. ing information is to be a resource for them.”

Principal Brian Carico supports the class.

“All of the research shows that the ninth grade student is the most vulnerable student in high school,” Carico said.

“If you don’t get through your ninth grade year, you are the most vulnerable to drop out.”

Freshman Tyler Stahr agreed that seminar is important.

“It really gets you thinking about how you could use these character traits in real life,” Stahr said. “I don’t know that people would think of that if they didn’t take this course.”

Other freshmen said that the class should not be required.

“I guess it’s important to learn stuff like this, but a lot of the same stuff our parents tell us anyways,” freshman R.J. McGrew said.

Freshman Ashley Enger said that the activities in the workbook, such as answering the question of “What would

you do if friends offered you alcohol?” are ineffective.

“We tell them what they want to hear but not what we feel,” Enger said.

Freshman Grant McDonald agreed that “since these are going to be read by the teachers,” students may not write the truth.

Anna Pierce, daughter of Marty Pierce (who helped begin the seminar discussion), agrees with her mother.

“I think it should be an elective because I would rather spend my time in a class that I can further my career as an adult,” Anna said. “It should be an eighth or seventh grade class because by this age I think people have already decided to drink or do drugs or be a bully.”

The school board met Dec. 8 to discuss the issue. The Academic Affairs Committee meets Dec. 22 to develop a recommendation for the board to vote on. School board president Chris Sonner said he hopes the board will vote Jan. 12.

Dodgeball tournament benefits JDRF Catherine Caracci staff writer

Student council held a dodgeball tournament Dec. 14.

Through the tournament, called Dodging Diabetes, student council raised a total of $455. The proceeds benefited the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

“We were looking for a service project to do for the holidays, and everyone at the student council meeting loved the idea,” student council adviser Chris Beguhn said.

Junior Jeff Oatts, the leader of the dodgeball committee, came up with the idea. “The idea for Dodging Diabetes just kind of popped in my noggin,” he said.

The committee worked with senior activities director

Drew Wilson.

“It started when I wanted to have an intramural dodgeball tournament in November,” Wilson said. “It was Jeff’s idea to have a dodgeball tournament in December to raise money. I figured we might as well just move the dodgeball up and combine it to be one big, giant tourney that the whole school could enjoy.”

The tournament will ultimately benefit JHS students who have diabetes. “We also have a Oatts friend (senior Josh Wenndt) with diabetes and figured he would appreciate that,” Wilson said.

“We figured we could also use him as the ‘poster child’ for the tournament.”

In order to participate in the tournament, each team paid $20 to register. Among several student teams, two teams of teachers participated as well.

Unlike at many other activities student council has sponsored, freshmen were allowed to compete, and five separate awards were given. The grand champions won a $50 gift certificate to CiCi’s Pizza. Awards were also given out for sportsmanship, MVP, best dressed, and to the toilet bowl champions, or the winners of the losers’ bracket.

Student council hopes to make the tournament an annual event that will be popular with students.

“We wanted to make this more of a Rock Around the Clock kind of hype other than just a simple intramural,” Wilson said.

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EDITORIAL

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The reason I’m here is for students, it is what I do.

Ben Knight

Teachers deserve thanks For helping students, being understanding

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timidating; even if you know the teacher is awesome, it is just awkward.

“I always try to make accommodations if the student comes in ahead of time. I’m less tolerant if it is the day of, and they want help,” Ben Knight, government teacher said.

Walking up to Mr. Knight in the hallway during a passing period, pushing away her fear, Polen explained what she would be doing that night and asked if she could come in after school to take the test. Being an early out, he said he would be leaving right after school, and that would not work, but then he asked if she had a study hall or free period to come in. She said she would be in sixth period.

“I usually help on a case by case basis. You have always been a good student, and came in ahead of time, so it was no problem,” Knight said to Polen.

Problem solved and avoided. Polen is proud to say that she got a good grade on the test, and dozed easily on the test day, mind at peace, only because she was able to negotiate ahead of time.

“Ahead of time” are the key words. Anticipating the problem and asking for help can give the teacher some leeway and more time to help you.

Mr. Knight was one example, but all teachers have done the same for their students in the past and will for the rest of their careers because it is their job, and they care.

So great job to all of you teachers who have taken the time to listen to our sap stories and care enough to help us out when we need it.

In doing so, you have gained the gift of good reputation.

“

Alicia Rollison Half the battle is coming in before hand.

Jason Jauron

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Excuses. We have all told them, and teachers have heard them all. The dog ate my homework, I do not have a computer, my printer broke, and the occasional grunt, shrug of the shoulders and mumbling something about just not doing it.

As a student, there are times when you just have to use an excuse; though most of them are probably lies, there are those few that are true, and you just need extra time to meet a deadline.

So you are left with going to your teacher for help.

The teachers can tell the difference between truth and lie, Most of them are, and it is what they should be doing.

The first day of class begins, and the teachers always say, “If there is anything you need help with, or have any questions, you know where my room is, and I will see what I can do.” Nine times out of ten, they give you their e-mail and home phone number for emergencies, so students know who can help.

Recently, senior Shawna Polen had planned to go to a midnight premiere of a movie she really wanted to see, even though it was on a school night. With her parents permission, she got a ticket weeks ahead. There was just one thing standing in her way: the government test that she had to take the next day.

Polen knew that even though she would be coming to school the next day in body, her mind would not. She would be too tired to think, let alone take a test. Her only option was to talk to her teacher to see if she could take the test a day early.

Going up to a teacher and asking for help is hard and in-

“

Most teachers are aware of whats going on, it is something we see. We want you to be successful.

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DEC

OPINION

Pro

New Track 1 curriculum sparks controversy

Stephanie Ivankovich news editor

Downward dog. Looking up at the big screen, I watched two ladies and one man do a pose that seemed impossible to do. I tried to push myself to the position, but fell. I just laid there on the mats and looked around. I saw a group of girls just laying down, taking a nap. I took a glance at the clock. Ten more minutes left of just laying. This is a pointless work out.

Then, soon after the fitness center became completed, Deb Nicholson, teacher of Track One, Individual and Personal Fitness, said most of the class time will take place in there on the machines. Good change!

Ever since then, minus Yoga Fridays, gym has been spent in the fitness center, and it benefits the student more.

Deb Nicholson said that Track One was originally designed with the fitness center in mind, on the machines. The videos were used to substitute the machines until the fitness center was done.

Rather than being forced into participating to a fitness video that only the pros on the TV can perfect, the machines offer a workout that is right for the individual, that one can customize to a speed that fits them.

When I go on the machines, I turn on my iPod to a favorite techno jam, and set the speed slow, then gradually increase it, leaving me drenched with sweat and knowing that I had such a great workout.

For me, I always wanted a gym membership. But there has been a problem: I never have time! Plus, the memberships are expensive, so working out during gym is great.

Everyone loves working out on the machines. Whenever Nicholson says to go to the fitness center, I practically get trampled by a herd of girls running to get their favorite machine first. You don’t see that when you go to Yoga Friday.

But it’s not just them. I love Track One so much that I sometimes go on days opposite of my period just to get a good workout.

The fitness center offers seven different types of machines, and they can be customized to fit the individual. The new program offers more personal time for yourself as well as a great workout.

Stephanie Ivankovich/BW

Sophomores Alexa Randle and Adela Hodzic do band exercises in thrird period track one A-Day PE. The class is now mainly in the fitness center.

Kiera Morrill/BW

Hu’s Happenin’s Kevin Hu

staff writer

Vampires are hot, not.

The universe holds many wonders. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around, does it make a noise? But please, is there anybody out there that can explain to me…

Why are vampires hot?

I myself cannot understand how one could find the mildly disturbing pictures

Brennan Winget/BW

(Left) Seniors Heidi Bibler and Ryan Birmingham run on the treadmills.

(Right) Melonie Olin practices a medicine ball routine.

of half-naked monsters with fangs embracing each other in the dark, biting each other in the necks attractive. But ever since the ever-so-explosive phenomenon known as Twilight, I just have to point out to everyone who might not see what I see: Those fangs look like they’d hurt…

Con

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Brennan Winget staff writer

As much as I love doing cardio as the next person, one month straight is a little over the top. The first two weeks working on only elliptical and treadmills was like repeatedly showing us how fast we need to walk to get to classes on time. When the new fitness center opened, Track One started working on all the cardio equipment getting a feel for it. Now, it seems like all you do is pump your legs up and down, trying not to stare at the awkward people looking directly back at you.

I chose to be in that PE class because of Pilates, kickboxing and the fabulous Yoga Fridays. Never having done any of those, and interested in what they were like, Track One is for showing us all the different ways we can work out to target certain areas of the body we want to work on. I’m pretty sure everyone knows if you want stronger legs you can do more than just run or sit on a motionless bike, pedaling as fast as you can to get nowhere. Not much motivation in that.

In over a month, we haven’t left the weight room and just recently did yoga for the first time since the fitness center was ready. It’s completely understandable that our fitness center is nicer than most high schools, and having “the biggest weight room in the state,” we should take advantage if it; however, if we wanted to be in the weight room, we would have been in that PE class in the first place.

I’m not saying I would not use any of that equipment ever again; some of us just don’t feel like getting thunder thighs because we HAVE to use the oh so great fitness center 24/7. Believe me, no matter how many different machines there are, you do the same thing on every single one.

There are two possible solutions; one is quite simply working out in the fitness center once a week and do a kickboxing or Pilates video another, and of course Yoga Fridays.

That way, we are not neglecting the magical fitness center. For a long term change, there could be another PE class added for the cardio equipment in the fitness center. We have five PE classes; why not make another random class for students to enjoy now that we have expanded our workout facilities?

Sleep deprivation is the new “thing” As we all sit here, either typing up a rough draft at 2 a.m. of a newspaper article due tomorrow, or glancing over some loser’s opinions on page 6, we can all agree as high school students: we’re tired all the time. Even as words fall upon this empty page, the whispers of my soft blanket tug me toward temptations to just collapse on my bed, to curl away from the responsibilities of everyday life and relax. But students of JHS, please heed my warning: We must get

more sleep.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m being quite the hypocrite by stating this.

Not to sound like I’m bragging, but sleep eludes me more than most of the students around me. I cannot stand the next sophomore who complains about how she went to bed exhausted at 11 o’ clock, seeing how I have yet to get to bed before midnight for the past month perhaps. So if you’re about to complain about your 8 hours of sleep, do it away from an-

gry, sleep-deprived Asians.

The consequences of for putting up with our wanna-be-insomnia my snoozing ansurpasses any benefit tics. Especially we could receive Mr. Kinder and for staying up so Mr. Smith; I late. Our school sincerely apolgrades go ogize, sirs. down, our Trust me stuhealth is dents, makhurt, and ing up for lost for what Illustration/Yiming Qin sleep in class benefit? is not the way to go. EspeAs a side note, I’d like to cially in Smith’s class. Seripersonally apologize to all ously, bad idea. my teachers for making up sleep in their classes, and

OPINION

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Cambio necesita nuevos estudios en otro lenguaje

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Change requires new studies in another language Sara Reed

guest writer

Change is inevitable. It is a cause and effect relationship.

When one thing changes, something else usually changes.

It may be time to make another change in high school requirements.

In 2006, a change was made to increase the number of classes that were required for students graduating in 2010 and beyond. A unit of science, math and an elective were added. The changes to math and science were made to go along with the State of Iowa graduation requirements.

The addition of a unit of an elective was determined by the district, but adding a unit of a foreign language was not discussed.

Many students haven’t taken a foreign language in their high school experience. Freshman Savanna Polen is one of these students that believes a foreign language at this point in life is useless. Polen said that the only reason she would need to use a foreign language would be if she was going to go to another country. Polen doesn’t believe that a foreign language is needed in her career as an author.

High school is used to get you ready for college, and taking a foreign language could help you. The main colleges in Iowa (including Iowa, Iowa State and University of Northern Iowa) have been using the RAI (Regent Admission Index) for admission. Having years of foreign language will raise your RAI, giving you a better chance of getting accepted into one of these universities. Iowa and Iowa State already require two years of foreign language to be accepted into most areas of the university. At Iowa State, if you took two years in high school, you would only have to take one year in college

to graduate. UNI doesn’t require you to take any years of foreign language in high school, but if you took three years in high school that would be sufficient for you to graduate from college. In one way or another, taking a foreign language in high school would help you get admitted or graduate from a university in Iowa.

“High school is now used as preparation for the international work force,” Spanish teacher Alice Bullard said. The work force in the United States has also changed throughout the years. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 8.99 percent of the population was Hispanic in 1990, but the percentage increased to 12.5 percent in 2000. This was an increase of about 13,000 Hispanic people in our population.

This data only looks at people that primarily speak Spanish.

You could also look at other nationalities that speak different languages. If Americans knew another language, we could better lead and communicate with the other nationalities around us.

A concern from the district of requiring a foreign language could be the fact that all students can’t pass it. Many students have some learning difficulties, and a foreign language may be too difficult for them. Principal Bruce Hukee said that teachers can easily provide accommodations in the classes students are required to take (math, science, etc.) Foreign languages may be harder to provide the best options for all students. However, Bullard said she had three students with special requirements go through Spanish I, and one of these students continued on through Spanish III with some extra help from the teacher. This extra help consisted of shorter assignments that accommodated the student’s need. For example, if the student couldn’t hear or talk very well, Bullard would give them assignments that had to do with writing.

The lack of foreign language teachers could also be a concern, but we have ten teachers (three French and seven Spanish teachers) within the middle and high schools. I believe this amount of teachers is sufficient to serve all students at least one year of a foreign language. Bullard said that she has about three open seats in all of her classes and even has up to 10 seats in one class. These seats could ultimately be filled by students who don’t have a year of foreign language in their schedule yet.

Change always comes with obstacles. Obstacles of

Kiera Morrill/BW

Students in fifth hour spanish with Nora Olguin work on an over-head assignment.

having a foreign language required would be the fulfillment of every student’s needs and the availability of teachers. As Bullard has shown, with extra help and guidance, students can complete at least one year of a foreign language, maybe more. Change can always be made for the better. By requiring a foreign language, it could make our school more diverse and allow us to be able to lead and communicate better with the others around us.

Students’ education affected by having multiple student teachers Ben Vander Ploeg staff writer

The point of school is to learn and be challenged, but being the test dummy for three different student teachers makes this a little difficult. I know that teachers need a place to practice and get used to being in front of a room full of kids, but they should be a little more spread out. It is not the quality of the student teachers that is the problem, it is the quantity.

This semester I had student teachers in Myths and Legends, Algebra 2 and U.S. History. They were not bad teachers, but I think the fact that they did not have as much experience as the actual teacher says something about the quality of education I received.

It seems that the more experience a teacher has, the better they are. They know what works and what does not. They also know how to interact with the kids and how kids learn best.

Student teachers need a chance to get in front of a classroom, and I am glad that we offer that opportunity to them. I do not think we should stop opening our doors to them, but I think we could do this in a way that still allows the students to have a good education. One approach to this might be al-

lowing the normal teacher to still have a part in the teaching experience.

Math teacher Rick Brooks taught Algebra 2 when student teacher Helen Hogan was teaching another class.

Not only did this give Hogan a chance to be in front of more students, but it gave the class a chance to learn from someone who had been teaching for longer. This can also help people who have a different learning style than they way the student teacher teaches.

“Brooks is more organized (than Hogan),” junior Nicole Postel said. “He does not have to keep looking back at lesson plans.”

Postel thinks that Brooks was better at applying the material to everyday life. “I Illustration/ don’t think I learned as much (as I could Ryan Francios have).” She thinks that it seemed like the student teacher was just pushed into the

system instead of being gradually worked in.

Brooks said that if he were to change anything about how the student teaching program works, he would have them here for the whole year. The first semester, they could observe, and the second semester, they could teach. This would be a great way to deal with the issue. It would allow the student teacher time to learn how that class works, and it would also ease the transition into the student teacher teaching full time.

Principal Bruce Hukee says that the role of the advising teacher is meant to be more of just a monitor, and the student teacher is the one that should be leading the class.

“The student teacher needs a full experience in as a practicing teacher,” Hukee said.

Hukee wants them to do all the practices that a teacher does. Some of these practices include going to meetings, attending parent teacher conferences and other things that teachers are required to do.

Overall, it is not the fact that we have student teachers that is the problem; it is that some students have multiple.

Administration could find a way to shuffle the students around so that they do not have too many student teachers at one time, or they could have the advising teacher continue teaching off and on while the student teacher teaches.

D ARE 08

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Living a Drug Free Life

The B&W reports from the inside of the program that shapes perspectives on high school and promotes a proactive outlook for the future

education

e s u b a resistance

Walking into the office at the entrance of Timber Ridge Elementary, I announced that I was visiting from the high school and that I was writing a story about the D.A.R.E. program. Upon saying this a boy sitting in the corner asked, “High school?”

I reply, “Yep!” He then continued to ask in an almost serious tone, “High School Musical?”

I’m going to assume that was a joke, however this reminded me of the reason I was writing such a story. The fifth grade D.A.R.E. program educates students on another extreme to counteract the glorified high school image that much of the media presents to them, and it presents it in an appropriate manor.

Our D.A.R.E. program offers kids a chance to interact and learn about serious matters such as peer pressure, drugs, and alcohol in a fun way that gets them involved. On one particular day that I visited Timber Ridge for D.A.R.E., the kids were taking turns watching each other wear drunk goggles. The student wearing the goggles would count as high as they could while balancing on one foot and the whole class was watching, laughing and raising their hand for the next turn. Officer Rich Kirkeby has been teaching every fifth grade class in Johnston the D.A.R.E. curriculum for eight years.

Luckily, those of us who were involved in D.A.R.E. got to experience some preparation for the life in high school that we live every day.

These kids, who are still learning about the dangers of peer pressure, alcohol, and drugs

two winners of an essay contest in the D.A.R.E. program

These are the essays as written by the students. No corrections have been made by the B&W staff.

Hi, my name is Jacob Cooper and I’ve got one goal in life. If I do drugs it will kill my dream. I would also be at risk of dying or becoming very ill. My dream is to become a facial plastic surgeon. That might sound a little odd, but when I had plastic surgery on my nose I realized that it is important to help people. So when I think about choosing drugs over my dreams it gives me the chills.

Right now I’m a very lucky kid, I get good grades; I have nice and humorous friends. I’ve not yet been asked to smoke or do drugs. I’m still holding on to the dreams.

There is one thing I do carefully, and that is picking my friends. I do that because if I trust a friend (not just a peer), I know that I can trust him to not deal or offer me anything that would get me in trouble.

You might think I am over reacting, but I know people who have had a dream and ruined it by using drugs. I know the consequences, and they’re not pretty. That is Jacob Cooper why it is so important to me that I do the right things in Timber Ridge life. I mean, how would you feel if you had huge dream and ruined it by doing something so stupid like drugs?

Just a tip, but if you know somebody who did something wrong, you should think of ways in which your own actions could have helped create a story that ends with a happy ending.

Photos by Kallen Kramer/BW

like we did, are becoming ready for Summit and the high school in years to come. “I don’t really feel scared because of the information that I’m learning in D.A.R.E.,” fifth grader Jessica Battani said. “I actually feel more prepared and confident.”

While the program is settling the nerves of some students, some are becoming even more anxious for the transition. Jacob Newcomb, an aspiring professional athlete from Mrs. Amy Dickkut’s fifth grade class said, “It makes me nervous that my friends might start to do drugs or smoke and would pressure me to try it. Sports are my thing, and in high school drugs or alco-

D.A.R.E. of America Mission Statement: Teaching students good decision making skills to help them lead safe and healthy lives

hol could keep me from being able to do that.”

During the D.A.R.E. graduation, the principal of Timber Ridge, Cheryl Henkenius, presented a book called, If I Were in Charge of the World.

“It’s about time for all of you to take charge of your world,” Henkenius said to the fifth grade

compiled by:Kallen Kramer(double-truck editor) and Caroline Byrd(opinion editor)

Caroline Byrd/BW

(Left)Fifth graders at Timber Ridge Elementary graduate after finishing the D.A.R.E. program. The graduation took place on December 8. (Above right) Students try on drunk goggles while their peers watch and wait their turn. This is one of the activities that get the D.A.R.E. participants actively involved in the program. graduating class.

A few students from the high school have visited the elementary schools upon the request of Officer Kenny Agan to talk about what high school is like and to have the students ask them questions about the choices we have to make in high school. Junior Jessica Pray said, “I was surprised at the questions that some kids asked; it kind of caught me off guard.

Kids asked questions like ‘How expensive are drugs?’ and ‘Do you do drugs and drink with your parents?’”

Upon asking the kids how they saw high school students acting in the community, I was encouraged to hear mostly positive responses.

“I feel like I only see the kids in the high school doing the right thing, I never see them get in trouble.” Newcomb said. “But Officer Kirkeby tells us about the number of people that try drugs really early, like eighth grade, and

I believe him.”

We don’t realize the difference it makes when we go out of our way to invest in the kids at the schools that we may have attended as fifth graders. “I really liked it when the football players came into our classes to talk to us. I see the people at the high school helping out a lot around the community,” fifth grader Jessica Battani said. While it was encouraging to hear that kids see us helping out around the community, I realized the importance of being proactive in getting involved more. By setting the example for them they become less intimidated and are more comfortable with the idea of growing up in Johnston schools.

Next year the program will continue but will be slightly changed and called “Code 411.” It will include information on internet bullying and safety as well as other revisions to the old curriculum.

I, Nathan Wanderscheid, will be living a drug-free life by not smoking cigarettes. Smoking can cause bad breath and yellow teeth and cigarettes contain Tar. Tar can ruin your lungs and cause cancer. Cigarettes have more than 4,000 chemicals that can kill you. It also contains Nicotine. Nicotine is stuff in cigarettes that makes it addictive.

I will also not do illegal drugs. Some illegal drugs are Marijuana, Cocaine, and Inhalants. They can all kill you.

Marijuana is a drug that is also known as pot and weed.

Marijuana is not just illegal in the United States. It is also illegal in many other countries too. Marijuana is made from the hemp plant. Marijuana can cause you to lose brain cells.

The chances of getting cancer from Marijuana are 50 to 70% higher than with tobacco smoking.

Cocaine is from a plant in South America. It is a white powder that people use to snort or inject in them. Some other names for Cocaine are snow and blow. Cocaine is Nathan Wanderscheid so addictive that it makes people go above crazy by losing their job and family.

Beaver Creek Inhalants are found in many places such as households or even businesses. Inhalants can give you serious headaches because people breathe them in. Some other names for Inhalants are rush or poppers.

I will also not drink Alcohol. Alcohol is type of drink located all around the world.

Some types of Alcohol are beer, wine, and liquor. It is also called booze. Some of its side effects are dizziness, lack of sleep, vomiting and slurred speech. It can cause damage to your liver and brain. If you drink this substance under the age of twentyone, you will go to jail.

These drugs and drinks I learned about through D.A.R.E. and the D.A.R.E. website are all so very bad for you. D.A.R.E stands for drug abuse resistance education.

If you someday encounter a situation with a friend that wants you to do drugs, just simply say no. If they keep asking you to do drugs ignore them or give them some excuses not to do drugs. If you don’t have excuses then lie. If you do not do drugs, you will have a guaranteed better life.

ENTERTAINMENT

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Let loose ~~ winter break BYOB: Bring your own bucket at Wynnsong on Tuesdays.

Special to Black & White

Twilight hits silver screen Shawna Polen review editor

A-

The lights dim, and the packed theater, filled with excited chatter, quiets in anticipation. The screen flickers to life, and the seated patrons are bombarded with previews for 20 minutes before they can see what most of them have been waiting for since 2005: the movie premiere of Twilight.

Twilight is the first book in the series of four, going on five, written by Stephenie Meyer. All the books were on the bestseller lists, and all have captured readers with their timeless tale of forbidden love between the lion and lamb.

When fans heard that there was going to be a movie, there was mass chaos.

On the opening weekend, Twilight brought in $129.5 million, joining the ranks of Batman and Titanic and other top movies on the list of top sellers.

Anytime a popular book becomes a movie, fans become hypercritical of every aspect. Twilight was no exception.

Being that there was a long time between the book and the movie, everyone had already formed their own vision of the characters, and did not want to be disappointed.

There was even a protest against actor Robert Pattinson who picked to play Edward. I had similar feelings until I saw

The BookWorm

Keeper of the Winds Jenna Solitaire

B

BY: Shawna Polen The word solitaire makes most people think of singular and alone; few think of the budding series known as Daughter of Destiny. Keeper of the Winds is the beginning of the four-book saga.

Keeper of the Winds begins with the death of Jenna Solitaire's grandfather and last known relative. Left alone with few friends, her world starts to crumble.

Exploring her grandfather's attic, Jenna discovers a strange board covered in symbols and markings. Unbeknownst to her, it holds the feared but sought-out power to control winds and air, and she its Keeper. With this strange discovery, enemies pop out of the woodwork and will do anything to get their hands on the board, even if it means killing for it.

Faced with death and the board of winds now missing, Jenna must join forces with a young man she both fears and is drawn to in order to get the board back; and so begins their journey.

the movie, at which I decided that I would not have had any other actor fill the roll.

There were bound to be some changes. Some bothered me, but for the most part they fit the book well.

One key thing that still haunts me is when Bella drops an apple and Edward kicks it in the air like a hackie sack and catches it in his palms, simulating the cover of Twilight.

THAT NEVER HAPPENS! On a different note, the music chosen for Twilight was perfect, fitting the story; it has taken first place in my CD player for weeks. Highlights include “Decode” from Paramore working with the story line connecting it, and “Supermassive Black Hole” from Muse, which was played during the Cullens’ baseball game, giving it the real feel.

In general, there have been only minor complaints against the movie, and some they are justified, but I still stand firm that between Summit Entertainment and Stephenie Meyer, they brought my favorite book to life and have pleased a diehard fan.

Movie makers are starting the script for New Moon, the next chapter in Bella and Edward's life, and can expect it in the next year and a half.

Breaking Dawn is scheduled to release in 2013; we will get a movie for each book. Twilight fans have forever to wait.

Jenna Solitaire is not only the main character of the series, but the author. This fact makes the books stand out among fiction books. Not often do you see authors use their name in the book, let alone become the main character.

The book now takes the form of a journal, reflecting everything through Jenna's eyes. The only time Solitaire strays from this is the beginning of each chapter when readers get to see an exchange between two enemies keeping tabs on Jenna.

The fast paced Keeper of the Winds moves from the opening chapter of the series to its close in the span of a week. With 236 pages, readers can easily finish this book in an afternoon because they will not want to put it down.

Speeding through the pages, readers want to make sure that they have the next books ready because Solitaire ends each book in what feels like mid-chapter, with the next book picking up where the last one ended.

Perhaps the series was written as one book, then split into four, one part for each element: Keeper of the Winds, Keeper of the Waters, Keeper of the Flames and Keeper of the Earth.

So grab a blanket, curl up on the couch and begin the journey with Jenna Solitaire.

JHS Book Club is always wanting members, if you are interested, check out our Wiki: Jreads.pbwiki.com For questions, comments or feedback, e-mail me at Batty_forlife@yahoo.com

Curl up with a warm blanket and read a good book.

Go play in the snow and build an awesome snowman.

Rent movies and watch them with good friends.

Pig out on junk food, it’s holiday break.

Take a bunch of pictures and start a photo book.

Sleep the mornings away, get up for lunch.

Do homework at the last possible moment.

FEATURE

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Thirty Hours, Twenty Six Miles, One Man. DWIGHT LYKINS staff writer

Senior Josh Hansen juggles work and school, all while training for a marathon.

Senior Josh Hansen sits at the loading dock awaiting the first morning truck to arrive at the Urbandale Fareway. He’s been up since 4 a.m. and still has a few more hours at work, followed by a few at school, plus his daily run, oh, and keeping up on his social life.

In eighth grade, Hansen started his parttime job at Fareway to earn money. Now he is Snack Distribution Manager.

“I spend most of my time in produce, but one time on break my assistant manager and I thought of a job title for a resume I had to do for co-op work class,” Hansen joked. “I spend about two hours a week ordering up the snacks, so we made that title, plus it sounds better than produce worker.”

Hansen works 30-40 hours each week. He said school always comes first and his job

second. As for his social life, “We’re closed on Sunday, so that free day helps,” Hansen said. “I have to notify (Fareway) one and a half weeks beforehand, so when I get called about hanging with friends at the last minute, it sucks because I miss out on movies and just chilling.”

On top of his normal teenage struggle with work, school and friends, Hansen is currently training to run a marathon.

“My assistant manager asked me to do a marathon,” Hansen said. “He said he would help me train, [and now] we run about once a week together, and we both run on our own for at least two to three hours.”

Working not only compensates Hansen for his time, it has also helped him gain some great values. “Work has made me punctual, and it forces me to be accountable to others

Hansen start his day at school.

Hansen unloads the first of the trucks to arrive at Fareway

around me,” he said.

According to a Louisiana State University study on the pros and cons of working as a teen, Hansen falls into a category known as the middle teen years. This category is characterized as being a peak time of exploration in a teen’s life. Teens now begin to steer away from past interests and discover new opportunities.

The study also shows this time is the beginning for teens to be able to think about the future and start to make realistic plans.

Working 30 hours a week may not be for everyone, but studies show working as a teen can have some beneficial effects on a teen’s life and future. Statistics from the National Consumers League estimate that 70-80 percent of teens have held a job during high school.

His “work” day is over.

He starts on his evening run to train for the marathon.

Is back at work for his final shift of the day.

By eleven, he is in bed ready to start the whole thing over.

The wake up call.

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5:00

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Noon

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Annual trips to Mexico provide insight about foreign lives Senior Samy Meyer takes annual beneficial trip down south SCOTT MONROE staff writer

If one were to venture through the hallways of JHS, that person would be exposed to an abundance of talent. Students sing, dance and play their hearts out, all because they love doing what they do best. One girl in particular has a variety of talents. She is funny, personable, bold, and considers talking a profession. Her name is Samy Meyer, and she has been portraying these traits her entire life, but not only in the United States.

Almost on a yearly basis, Meyer and her family have made a trip down to Mexico.

The annual trips started when she was three years old and have continued up until now, her senior year. Every trip is complete with different surprises, experiences and life lessons. Meyer is able to bring back a bit more knowledge about the hardship that is Mexico each year.

Mexican citizens are constantly criticized for illegally immigrating to the United States.

Many Americans view this act as an attempt to steal jobs normally fulfilled by a U.S. resident.

“What if we switched positions for a day?

What if Americans had to work normal jobs

in Mexico for a day? We wouldn’t survive,” Meyer said. “Down there, it’s so hot they don’t even want to work. Up in the northern part of the United States, it’s cool, and working conditions are feasible.”

There are some topics that are not important to Meyer. She doesn’t care who is going to end up winning the Super Bowl. But when it comes to people disrespecting Mexico and its inhabitants, Meyer steps in quickly. She even goes as far as to say the country is a better place to live than America. “(Mexicans are) very open people, you know,” Meyer said. “They don’t care if you’re a different skin color, or Spanish or Italian or whatever. They are just very open, friendly people.”

Meyer has visited Chicago and says that if you are white, you are singled out in some areas. “In Mexico, I’ve never had that,” she said.

Over the many visits down to Mexico, Meyer has been on various adventures.

Her and her family met a tour guide when Meyer was young, and have kept in touch ever since. They go out to dinner and hang out whenever the family travels down. They met a waitress at a restaurant, and instantly became friends. The Meyer family took the waitress and her family out to dinner the next night. At a later time, they realized that the waitress’s children had never met a foreign person before.

Even though the Meyer family thoroughly

Provided/Samy Meyer

A kindergarten class in Mexico sings a song. “We were trying to sing with them, but we didn’t know Spanish,” Meyer said. Meyer and her family sometimes visit schools during their visits. enjoys their visits down south, financing the trip is never a walk in the park.

“We save our money all year long, so that we can go on these trips, so that we can help these people,” Meyer said. “For the longest time we didn’t have cable (because) we save every penny and nickel and dime, and it all goes into a jar.”

The entire family goes along with the “fundraising” so that they can reap the benefits in the end.

“We recycle cans like there is no tomorrow,” Meyer said.

Next time you are watching the news, and developing negative opinions towards Mexican citizens jumping the border, stop and think. Reassess the situation, and look at it from a different point of view, if only for a moment. If that does not help, find Meyer in the hallway sometime, and ask about her opinion. She would be the first to tell someone that they can ask anytime.

FEATURE

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Sociology students do the socially unaccepted LAUREN GEHRKE feature editor

KELSEY KRUSE staff writer

Walking through the mall, you can count on seeing a young couple pushing their baby in a stroller, older ladies getting their mall walking done and a group of girls running in and out of stores. What you do not expect to see is a group of teenagers playing duck-duck-goose in the middle of the hall. But the students in sociology are doing things just like this. They are breaking the social norms.

“This does a great job of showing students about how our behavior is affected by unwritten rules,” sociology teacher Kelly Coleman said.

Students are given an assignment to go to a public place and do something that does not seem socially acceptable.

Crazy behavior is discouraged. They are given some ideas, but creativity is part of the project, so students are encouraged to think of their own ideas. The student’s task is simply to see how people respond to them.

“I went to a bank and asked this lady how many times she’s been married,” junior Steve Williams said. “She said that was an inappropriate question to ask a woman.”

Williams then went to the front of the bank and asked for $10. The bankers laughed and asked why he had asked that lady that question. He just told them he did not know.

Coleman has been doing this project for 14 years, and she has seen several unique, good projects. Her favorite one was when some students went into Von Maur at Valley West Mall and started playing the piano, terribly. They ended up being escorted out of the mall but got the whole thing on video to share with the rest of the class.

This year she really enjoyed a project by senior Tyler Smith. Smith was reading a magazine in Barnes and Noble in Jordan Creek Mall. All of the sudden he just fell over face down on the floor. People walking by came back to look and see what was going on.

“People don’t want to do anything that may get them laughed or stared at,” Coleman said. However, that is exactly what students experienced.

Juniors Brianna Gerke, Jayde Cherkas, Morgan Foldes, Kayla Ward and senior Zach Jensen went to Jordan Creek to play duck-duck-goose in the middle of the hall.

“Kayla’s face turned red while we were playing and people stopped and watched from the second floor,” Devons said.

Another group also went to Jordan Creek. Juniors Krista Shoeman, Austin Polson, Ben Warrick and Ben Cigan went on Dec. 6. Warrick and Cigan were along as witnesses, a requirement for the project to prove that it was completed.

“My idea was for Austin to put a pillow in his stomach so he would look like he was prego and go to a maternity store,” Shoeman said. “But he didn’t like that idea so I told him to

Lauren Gehrke/BW

Juniors Austin Polson and Krista Shoeman laugh as they create a bridge for people to go under at the mall. They were working on their breaking social norms and were trying to get people to go under the bridge. When people did, they cheered for them. come up with something better.”

“We got to the mall and we went into Dillards and I decided to act like a mannequin,” Shoeman said. “Little kids would look back and smile and laugh at me.”

The group got the whole thing on tape .

In a crowded hallway in Jordan Creek, Polson and Shoeman made a bridge with their arms, like people do at sporting events for athletes to run through.

Shoeman said some people actually went under the bridge, and so Shoeman and Polson cheered. Others just gave them funny looks, and a woman stopped to explain to her little kid that they were doing what people do at soccer games.

Coleman thought the Shoeman and Polson’s project was

an interesting one. Coleman wondered how people would have responded had an older person done the same thing.

Coleman brought this up in class and the students had a discussion on how this may have changed reactions. They came to the conclusion that the people witnessing the project may have thought the teens were just being goofy.

While this project can be fun, it is also educational. It is done to help teach students about the rules that we follow that do not even exist. By breaking them, students get to see how society conforms. They learn that people care so much about what others think that they are afraid to be themselves.

“It shows that something so simple, that isn’t against the law, is such a big deal,” Williams said. “People freak out.”

The Black & White break the norm We writers, Kelsey Kruse and Lauren Gehrke, decided it would be fun to do our own breaking social norms project. We needed one more person to take pictures, so sophomore Faisal Alabsi came with us. Here’s what we learned...

Walking by the play place, we decided it looked like fun. We did not get many reactions from anyone walking by or in the play place, so we decided to try something else.

If you are curious, Auntie Anne’s does not have ice cream. When we asked, the lady said there was some next door, but we told her we did not like that kind.

She just stared at us.

Faisal called us up, and we grabbed this guy, shoved the phone in his hand and told him the phone was for him. He said he did not know Faisal, gave the phone back and walked away.

Dancing around in Von Maur seemed like a good idea. We sang because we had no music. While we tried not to laugh, people on the escalator kept looking to watch us.

We started in Younkers with Faisal laying on the bed. He pushed a button on a fart machine when people walked by and got some funny looks and a few chuckles.

DUNGEON

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Bringing sass to the world of extreme sports. junior sara stucker

senior brianne westlake

Q: What made you first want to snowboard?

Q: What made you first want to board?

A: My parents got me a snowboarding lesson at Sleepy Hollow for my birthday when I was around 13, and I have just kept doing it ever since.

A: I’ve been going to Colorado with my family every year since I was like 8. I was so used to skiing and being on the mountain with boarders it made me want to try it. So when I was like 14 I decided I wanted to try it while the rest of my family skied.

Q: Are you any good at snowboarding?

A: Well, I can get down the hill without killing myself. I don’t try to pull gnarly moves on purpose, just by accident.

Q: Where do you go to board?

A: We have a cabin in Winter Park, Colorado, and we go there every spring break since I was 8 excluding this year cause I’m gonna be partying up in Mexico!

Q: What is your absolute favorite part about snowboarding?

A: Just going really fast down a hill without killing myself.

Q: What would be the Sara Stucker one thing you would change about it if you could?

Q: Do you go anywhere Brianne Westlake else to board?

A. I used to go snowboarding at Sleepy Hollow when I first started out to get used to the small hills before I shredded up in Colorado. This year I think we are going to try and get to Minnesota since we’re not going for spring break.

A: When you go on the edge and start flipping down the mountain and kill yourself.

Q: Where do you go to snowboard?

A: My grandparents live in Minnesota so when I visit there me and my dad and my sister try to get out to Wild Mountain or Afton Alps.

Q. Are you any good at boarding?

A: There’s room for improvement but I believe I’m pretty solid. I would maybe like to learn some jumps and do some tricks.

Q: What is your favorite and least favorite part about snowboarding?

A: My favorite part is just going down the hill really fast without killing myself. My least favorite part is when I go on the edge of my board and start flipping down the mountain.

Q: What do you like most about boarding?

A: It’s a laid back sport but you still get a lot of work out from it and its really challenging so you feel good when you can do it well.

four things: From Austin Carlisle becoming a pro snowboarder

Photos by Nels Engblom/BW

1.

Beginners shouldn’t buy their own boards. It’s better to rent a board for a while until you are comfortable.

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2.

When turning, it is important to keep your weight on your back foot. With weight on your back foot, rotate your hips to guide the board.

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3.

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It’s important to dress warm. Wear warm clothes, but you still want to be able to move. Make sure your boots are comfortable.

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4.

Don’t be afraid to fall. Falling is part of the process, and that happens to everyone.

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SPORTS

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‘Tis the season to get fit!

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Ways to work off holiday weight and get healthy, NOW! With obesity rates in teens skyrocketing, it is essential for our generation to turn those rates around. This is especially important during the holidays, when the average person gains 2-3 pounds. A big part of being healthy is performing the exercising and getting your minutes of cardio in. So put down the fork and back away from that second helping; it’s time to get fit!

The Basics

[Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Brian Lutter helped us develop a beginner’s workout.]

Upper/Lower Back

Lower Body

(engage “big” leg muscles) (where you’re pulling)

Core (+abs)

(where you’re pushing)

(engage core muscles)

push-ups 1 set, max reps.

row with bands 1 set, 10 reps

lunges 1 set, 10 reps

Upper Body

push-ups on stability ball.

all photos, Kiera Morrill/BW

Tips to avoid the extra holiday pounds Tips from Paige Waehner on Ask.com

1.

2.

Tips from the trainers “Don’t do things half way; continue to challenge yourself even if you can’t see the results right away.”

“If you’re not sweating... step it up! You need to do a well rounded workout every week, engaging all muscle groups; don’t do full body every time you work out.”

++ Cardio[ Lutter

[

]

Megan Knight, Fitness Director at Hyperion Field Club, and CSCS Brian Lutter provide fitness insight.

“Make sure to stretch.

Flexibility is very crucial in staying fit and keeping your body healthy.”

Knight

Knight

3.

“Work out for at least 20 minutes a day at an elevated heart rate in order to get a good cardio workout.”

Knight

]

Between 25 to 40 minutes several times a week is recommended.

Climb!

Run!

Swim!

Eat Slow.

Try to chew your food slowly and enjoy the flavors.

When you do this, it will allow your brain time to tell you that you are full, which takes 20 minutes. This will help avoid overeating and weight gain.

Don’t Skip Meals.

Skipping breakfast, or lunch, so you can eat double the amount for your holiday meal will lead to massive weight gain. Skipping a meal will keep your metabolism low, which makes you more susceptible to weight gain.

Treat your “holiday feast” day like any other one, and eat normal meal sizes; you will be less likely to overeat during your main meal.

Sleep.

Lack of sleep inhibits concentration and makes us less efficient and more irritable, which nobody wants, especially during the holiday season. So this break, don’t deplete yourself from sleep because of stress or overactivity; make sure you are getting a minimum of eight hours a night.

eat after 8 p.m.

4. Don’t Try to eat any meals or snacks before 8 p.m., unless you plan on being awake for six more hours. When you eat late at night, it causes you to gain weight because it doesn’t give your body the chance to burn it off. When you “need” to eat, go for fruits, vegetables, yogurt, tuna or other good snacks that will help your body stay in fatburning mode.

Don’t confuse hunger with thirst.

5. Most people confuse hunger with dehydration; usually drinking a glass of water will take care of your food craving. According to the National Institute of Health, the recommended amount of water is 1/2 to one gallon a day.

Don’t confuse this as a way to skip a meal or to drink water in substitution of eating; it can just fufill your temptation for awhile. @ Climb Iowa Miehe Dr, Grimes.

@ any area gym! or our fitness center.

@ Summit 6.30-8.15 M,W,F.

Compiled by Julia Manning, Sports Editor, and Amy Lovejoy, Staff Writer

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Gift of Giving affordable holiday gifts for everyone

To: Bo

ir l fr G / d n e y fr i

ie nd

1/4 lb. of tea

Around $10 at Teavana, depending on the type.

They have various kinds of tea to choose from that all do different things.

Colorful scarf Champion sweatpants $19.99 at Target. Give your boy something cozy to wear while lounging around.

$9.50 at Wet Seal Give your girl a colored scarf to match her winter coat.

Pack of note Quesadilla maker To: Be s t $19.99 at Target. A frie n fun, easy way to make d a quick snack.

iTunes card

$15 at Target. This present is a good way to satisfy all kinds of tastes in music.

iPod car charger/player $18.89 at Target.

This gift allows for playing music and charging iPods in a car.

Make your own: “I make oatmeal raisin cookies for my grandma every year. She loves it because this is the only time of year she gets them.”

Magazine subscription Prices vary per magazine.

It’s a gift that will last all year. Plus, there are usually holiday specials offered to lower prices.

To: Mom/Dad

Charging station

cards

$29.99 at Target.

Helps keep things all in one place.

$2.19 for a 100 pack at Office Depot.

Write out your favorite recipes so your parents know exactly what to cook.

Disc golf disc

$9.98-19.99 at Daydreams.

Offers a fun summer or springtime activity for when the temperature warms up.

funky poster

To: Brother/Sister

$10 at Spencers. These add color and style to a room.

concert ticket

$8-25 at iowatix.com.

Numerous genres and settings for shows offer many different types of fun experiences.

m compiled by Haley Johnson (backpage editor) and Eric Oatts (staff writer)

home-made gifts are usually cheaper, unique, and more sentimental.

“I made a blanket for my boss’s baby. It’s really soft; it has ribbons flipped over so the baby can feel different textures.”

-Senior Colleen Shannon -Junior Anne Fleming

“I made a toggle bracelet for my friend. It took about an hour to make. It was way cheaper and I got to decide exactly how it looked.”

“I made a plaque for my mom and step dad’s wedding. It meant more than buying something because I actually made it. ”

-Senior Shelby Brose

-Junior Austin Finley