Legendary
b&w
BLACK AND WHITE DECEMBER 2019 VOLUME 28 ISSUE 3
EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Print Editor Online Editor Design Editor Copy Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor Social Media Manager Content Manager Content Manager Ad Manager
Ada Basic Brooklyn Dilley Kylie Emery Taylor Siebert Marandah Mangra-Dutcher Joel Kellar Cameron Deroos Charlie Pattinson Liz Jones Caroline Christensen Ethan Burgett
DECEMBER When Jay Rice ‘94 brainstormed the name of our paper in 1991, it was not because of the ink color. For the last 28 years, our mission has been to bring our audience stories from the school, community and nation, told clearly and without exaggeration--in black and white. Photo Provided by Noah Gilbert
STAFF WRITERS Nolan Akins Parker Anderson Riley Anderson Payton Blahut Savannah Dennis Noah Gilbert London Heim Alex Heron Avery Heun Matthew Hickman Emily Irlbeck Teja Jetty Akshaya Kumar Zachary Kehoe Tate Larsen Ethan Le
Hank Lucas Hoa Ly Define Mansour Jay Marren Sabrina Mcguire Nathan Metzger Collin Minear Ben Pegg Leven Petersen Ainsley Proctor Ciaran Rigby Lily Simpson Ethan Ung Max Wilson Kaya Young Stella Zeng
CONTENT Photo Provided by Marandah Mangra-Dutcher
News
4 Madrigal Dragon Invitational Show Choir Preview Show “Mary Poppins” Auditions
Feature
6 Veterans Assemble 8 Locker Room Heist 10 World According to... Michael Barta 12 A Tribute to the Black & White
Profile 16 1/1700: Avery Osgard
Editorial
PAGE 6 Raichel Beierle ‘20 speaks during the Veterans Day Assembly.
LEGENDARY
18 Save the Date
Opinion
20 The Legend of ‘Ok Boomer’
Sports Johnston has been host to a number of legends. Whether it be athletic or academic, Johnston has seen its fair share of success stories. There are the legendary who serve and those we honored during our first Veterans Day Assembly. We watch as Barta and his legendary baseball team continue to contend for state titles. We cannot forget about our legendary athletes who face the spotlight and earn the right to sign for college. Finally, there are the legends closest to us from the current students who bring you this issue to the former students who have contributed to the legend of the JHS Black & White. Today, we pay tribute to all the accomplishments that come from being legendary. -Ada Basic Editor-in-Chief
22Taking Care of Business
PAGE 4 Owen Smith ‘20 plays the jester and directs the choir at Madrigal.
FINE PRINT Black & White is published solely by the Johnston High School newspaper staff. It is an open forum. In accordance with Iowa law, students assign, edit material and make all decisions of content. Editorials represent the opinion of a majority of the editorial board. Editorial and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the advisor, 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. To write a letter to the editor, or report an error in the issue, please contact the editors at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com.
@jhsnewspaper
@jhsnewspaper JHS Black and White
A
4 | News
month after the fall play, English teacher Jeremy Fitzpatick began
BRIEFLY... Words | Brooklyn Dilley & Jay Marren
MADRIGAL
auditions for the spring musical,
“Mary Poppins”. Students waited anxiously for their chance to become a star of the stage. Preparation consisted of students preparing their own 16-bar cut of a song from a musical of their choice, and performing a monologue provided by Fitzpatrick. Auditions were open, meaning that anyone could come watch and support their friends during their auditions.
Evelyn Arnita ‘21 dances and sings during the girls number with the Synergy choir.
Trinity Olson perfoming her Dramatic Interpratation during the first round.
Photo by Sierrah Mangra-Dutcher
Photo by Jay Marren
SHOW CHOIR PREVIEW SHOW
DRAGON INVITATIONAL
T
T
he Speech and Debate team
o kick off the competition season,
hosted the Dragon Invitational
show choir put on the Show Choir
on Dec. 6 and 7. The Invitational
Parent Preview Show on November
25. The choirs performed with full band, crew, and vocals, and danced in their t-shirts giving the public a sneak peek of their sets. The all-girls Bella Voce choir directed by
Heather DeBruin ’20 and Will Dreyer ‘20 sing the closing song as the entire choir lights candles around the church.
O
“MARY POPPINS” AUDITIONS
Molly Schunicht and choreographed by
by
the
Vocal
Parents’
Innovation is directed by Hannah Ryan and
and
Vocal
Music
choreographed by Randy Sage and Ellie
Department, choir put on Madrigal, a
Jordan. The students had been preparing
dinner held at The Bridge Church on Dec. 4 and
for the performance for months, anxiously
5. The focus of the dinner was seniors playing
waiting to show off what they had been
a royal court and performing a skit and choral
working on. The show choir competition
solos. Sophomores and juniors played peasants, singing and serving the audience with a fully cooked three-course meal. The meal consisted of a salad, spiced apple cider referred to as
Owen Smith ‘20 plays the Jester during the Madrigal performance. Photo by Marandah Mangra-Dutcher
Wassail, and dessert. As the dinner was served, the seniors put on a skit lead by the English teacher Jeremy Fitzpatrick. After the skit, all of the choirs joined together to sing Christmas carols such as “Silent Night”, “Carol of the Bells”, and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”.
Leah Johnston ‘20 reacting to one of the Jester’s jokes. Photo by Marandah Mangra-Dutcher
season starts in January.
in Public Forum Debate, and 28 students competed
in
Congressional
Debate.
For Speech, four students competed competed in Duo Interpretation, eight
Synergy is directed by Samantha Robilliard
students
and choergraphed by Kevin Chase. and
Association
to compete in. 18 Novice teams competed
in Dramatic Interpretation, four teams
a Johnston graduate, Cameron DeMoss.
Photo by Marandah Mangra-Dutcher
rganized
offered a number of events for participants
competed
in
Humorous
Interpretation, eight students competed in Informative Speaking, and five students Kendal Butin ‘21 performs her musical audition cut during open auditions
competed in Mixed Extemporaneous
Photo by Jay Marren
Johnston seniors.
Speaking. Superintendent Laura Kacer helped judge the tournament, as did some
6 | Feature
Students and Veterans salute and stand for the National Anthem.
Jacob Gault ‘20 plays the trumpet during the Veterans Day Assembly.
Veterans actively watch the students pay tribute to them during the Veterans Day Assembly held in the gym.
into the large gym and crammed into the
because I just think it’s an important day.
bleachers. In the very center of the gym,
When it was canceled, I was disappointed for
veterans and their family members sat in
them.”
four rows of chairs. The assembly began as
Veterans Assemble
R
Words | Kaya Young Layout | Taylor Siebert Photos | Noah Gilbert
ed, white, and blue fluttered in
planned their schedules around the assembly.
the breeze; snowflakes joined the
“My parents both served in the military,”
stars and stripes. White flakes fell
gently like celebratory confetti. On a bright November morning, three inches of snow coated major roadways as veterans prepared to attend the first ever school-wide Veterans Day Assembly. The assembly was set to be held on Veterans Day at 9:15 a.m. during Advisory. Time was set aside so that every student, teacher, and staff member could attend to honor our nation’s veterans and recognize military families. Early that morning, parents and students received a notification that read, “Due to the 2 hour late start, the Veteran’s Day assembly has been cancelled. Thank you to all who have served!” A thin blanket of white obscured the American flag. Many military families had eagerly
“As military service changes these veterans, they change our society for the better. “ -Lieutenant Colonel Wisehart
Ben Pegg ‘20 said. “The only reason my dad took Veterans Day off was because of the assembly...He was looking forward to it.” The assembly was meant to provide military families an opportunity to show their littleacknowledged bravery to the entire school. Raichel Beierle ‘20 is a member of the national guard. For Beierle, The Veterans Day Assembly was an opportunity to honor both her family and her commitment. “My mom was going to come to see the ceremony. It was pretty upsetting to my whole family when they cancelled the assembly...My grandpa died in Vietnam. Every Veterans Day, we always go and visit my grandpa’s grave,” Beierle said. Counselor Julie Fulton and Principal Ryan Woods organized the Veterans Day Assembly,
Lieutenant Colonel Wisehart speaks during the Veterans Day Assembly.
In the spare moments that audience
speaker Lieutenant Colonel Jason Wisehart
members
stepped up to the podium. “When veterans
glanced around at each other, the musical
speak of what this country, The United
performances instilled a sense of patriotic
States of America, represents, they stand
familiarity. “The lyrics of our patriotic music
tall and their eyes turn misty,” Lieutenant
tell stories of the struggles of war and the
Colonel Wisehart said. “The remembrance of
pride in fighting for our freedoms,” Heeren
their brothers and sisters in arms who they
said. “When we add the beautiful sonorities
probably call family.” At that moment, an
of voices and instruments, it paints a clear
elderly man wiped a tear from his face with
picture mental image and builds a personal
the back of his hand. A second later, a student
connection to those patriotic stories.”
after attending a teacher/educator event
breathlessly whispered “damn” in the silence
at Camp Dodge. “We made a commitment
of the gym.
gazed
at
the
flag
or
even
At the end of the assembly, Woods initiated a 60-second moment of silence. A rendition
that we wanted to be more connected to our
The silence of loss was gradually filled
of Taps performed by trumpet soloists Jacob
military families and have them aware that
with music. “Our musicians are amazing and
Gault ‘20 and Kate McAlister ‘21 signified
we care,” Fulton said. “We don’t understand
I think that made it very special,” Fulton said.
the end of the minute. “Playing Taps is one
what it’s like to be in their shoes, you know,
Throughout the assembly, the Cantus and
of the biggest honors that a trumpet player
to have a family member deployed in the
Cantemus Choirs and the Wind Symphony
can receive,” said Hereen. “The tradition is
military. But we want to reach out to them and
performed traditional patriotic pieces such
that it’s played and there’s an echo to it. Jacob
let them know that the school community
as “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, “Star”, and
Gault played out front in the gym and did
cares that they are making a sacrifice for
“The National Anthem”.
the initial statement of Taps, and then Kate
their country and for us.”
Wind Symphony Director Jason Heeren
McAlister was tucked back in the hallway and
Because Fulton understood the crucial
began preparing the Wind Symphony for
purpose of the Veterans Day Assembly, it was
the assembly at the beginning of the school
As the last echo of Taps faded away,
rescheduled one week later. However, the
year. “I was disappointed only because it’s a
students filed out of the assembly. The echo
schedule change was not ideal for all military
special event,” Heeren said. “It had nothing
resounded through the gym, a glimmering
families.“Sadly, [my dad] couldn’t make it to
to do with the fact that we put time into the
tribute to America’s Veterans and their
the assembly,” Joshua Newhall ‘21 said.
rehearsal...cause that would make it about us
families. “We’ve gotten some messages
she played the echo for it.”
Many veterans were able to attend
and that day isn’t about us, it’s about honoring
from families just saying, ‘Thank you, we
the rescheduled assembly on Thursday,
the veterans. When I heard we were doing the
appreciate that you care,’” Fulton said.
November 21. At 9:15 a.m., students flooded
assembly, I was excited for that very reason
8 | Feature
Locker Room Heist
6
current number of locks bought in 2019-2020
t the beginning of the school
A
than everything being removed from his
really confused, like you stole it for a week
year, Ana Kacmarynski ‘22 had
bag, only his AirPods were gone. It did
and then you gave it back? I don’t know,
$15 stolen from her while in PE.
not appear that his bag had been searched
maybe that’s like the return system.”
The thief took the money out of her bag
through, but he knew they had been
If an item or money is stolen, it is
in the girls’ locker room, leaving it open
stolen. “It was definitely obvious, because
recommended that the person file a theft
after they left. Kacmarynski believes it was
I definitely remember-- actually I put it in
report. Often times, however, there is not
not anyone in her class. “I figure it’s not
this pocket right here,” Zhang said. “So the
much administration can do. “It’s in the
someone from our PE, because otherwise
one time, I’m not even kidding, the one
locker room, which sucks because there’s
I would’ve seen them leave, and there’s no
time I put it in this pocket, it’s stolen.”
no cameras, so the most I can do is look at
girls in the other PE classes,” Kacmarynski
the cameras outside of the doors,” Zhang
said. “So I think it was probably someone
said. “So there’s not really a whole lot you
who was just wandering the halls during passing time.” Other than that, she has no clue as to who might have taken it. Reagan Matthews was in a similar situation. Around a month ago, she and the other girls in her PE class returned to the locker room to find their bags open. “We came in from gym and all of the girls’ stuff was taken out of our bags and my wallet was on top, even though it was
Thefts in the locker rooms raise alarms.
“Theft of personal property does occur. Therefore, students need to exercise care in securing their personal belongings in both their hall and P.E. lockers. Leaving your gym bag/book bag unsecured in any way is not recommended! THE SCHOOL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF STOLEN ITEMS.” Johnston High School Parent/ Student Handbook Addendum 2019/2020
Words | Define Mansour Layout | Akshaya Kumar
in the bottom of my bag. And all my cash was gone,” Matthews said. At least $50 was taken from her wallet. “Everyone else was like, ‘Why is my bag open?’ and, ‘When did I take this out.’ So I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I should probably look to see if stuff is gone.’” Volleyball
player
Mia
Anderson
“I filed a theft report and nothing ever happened, so I don’t think we’ll ever find out.” -Raegen Matthews ‘20
can do.” Most of the time, all the victim can do is guess. Matthews understood this situation very well. “Some people had to have been complaining about it earlier in the year, like I know Karsten Theilen was saying that she wasn’t going to leave her bag in the locker room anymore because someone kept opening her lunchbox,” Matthews said. “But I just didn’t think that it was actually happening, so it has to be someone in like third period gym class but we don’t know who.” A few things can be done to prevent future thefts and protect items from thieves. “What a lot of people do, in PE especially, is that they take their bag into the actual gym or the weightlifting room,” Zhang said. “That’s what I’ve been doing
‘22 remembered the time when both
and it’s been working.”
volleyball and cross-country girls were robbed. “I personally did not get anything
About a month ago, during first period
The athletic office also offers locks for
stolen from, but there was one day I think
PE, Cadee Siebert ‘22 came back to the
$5. “I mean, if you want to you can pay for
they said, between the cross-country
locker room to find her coat missing. “It
a lock, but I would just keep your stuff with
and the volleyball girls, over $300 was
happened sometime during class, and I
you,” Siebert said. “That way if you want
stolen,” Anderson said. While the girls had
noticed it was gone when I came back
water, you have your water bottle with you
suspects, there was never an answer as to
after class to change, and my jacket was
instead of having to go to the drinking
who stole from them.
missing,” Siebert said. She filed a report
fountain or all the way back to the locker
In October, Brian Zhang ‘22 found his
after class, but nothing happened until the
room, so it has its perks and it also keeps
AirPods missing from his bag when he
week after, when the coat was returned on
your stuff safe.”
returned to the locker room. The thief had
its own. “It was sitting on the locker room
not made it particularly obvious; rather
bench like a week later. And I was really,
10 | Feature
WORLD ACCORDING TO Words | Savannah Dennis Layout | Staff Graphic | Ethan Le
give him coupons and they’re like “Hey.” It
First Time’s Not The Charm
in the same school I went to. As soon as the
the best high school baseball coach that there
was just kind of incredible, it was like he was
Barta: My first roommate was a random
last bell rang I would sprint up to her room
could be, he really cares about everybody.
roommate I got paired up with when I went
and I’d flip on the TV and sit in her room and
to Buena Vista and he went out and got drunk
watch Cubs games until the very end. We’d
Is He Too Competitive? Probably.
Barta: If I could eat Culver’s every meal of the
every single night and puked almost every
never leave school until the Cubs games
Barta: What’s really the purpose of a board
day for the rest of my life, it would be great.
night, usually on my stuff, and dropped out
ended.
game? What’s the point of playing Halo on
I’d die happy. I’d probably die early and have
of school. That was my first roommate and
a heart attack. I tell a lot of people I don’t
then I moved on to better roommates after
think I’m going to make it past 60, that I’m
that.
home.
going to die of a heart attack but whatever, on and marry someone better looking and
Barta: So I went up to Buena Vista to play
she’ll be fine.
baseball in college and I played with this cat
Bettering Others Through 6 Point Font
Brickley: I’m not sure that they changed to
stud on campus, he’s 6’4, ridiculous athlete,
[offering gluten-free buns] just for Michael,
really good looking guy, and all the girls
but I could believe it.
think he’s the best looking guy. He was two
to figure out all that kind of stuff. I did figure out that wheat is a severe allergy for me and peanuts are a severe allergy for me and I got healthier but I still had some other things
Provided by: Marilyn Barta Barta on a date in college with his now-wife Stacey Barta.
years older than me and he was showing me
off Michael.
the ropes. He was a leader and somebody I really looked up to...it turns out that [he]
Mitch Gearhart: [Talking about the Santa
ended up being my wife’s brother. I kind of
musical] I would love to see those videos.
met my wife through him...She was always
of them. Even in grade school, there was one particular play that I directed called “SOS From Santa” that Michael was Santa and it was just a hoot. He did a great job. We did the play for a fundraiser and made lots of money
dating some football player and oh my, get a
Michael Barta: I loved being involved in plays,
clue, you know, but then my senior year, her
it was one of my favorite things that I did in
junior year, we both randomly were single at
high school. Like the plays they always put on here in the spring and fall, it could be a musical or it could be some kind of murder
Provided by: London Heim Barta protecting his Culver’s meal at lunch.
mystery. I loved it because I loved being
like caffeine and strawberries, that I had to
able to be somebody crazy and somebody
cut out and I didn’t figure those out right
different from myself...I was in “Fiddler on
away in the initial test...I have a really weird
the Roof” I was in “Music Man” and I was in
diet of not being able to eat many foods but I
“Bye Bye Birdie.”
can eat Culver’s and that keeps me alive.
Riley Clark ‘20: I couldn’t really see him doing
Brickley: He’s got all this weird diet stuff
that, he’s never really expressed that to us.
right, so if we bring treats into our little teacher room, I always write on the bottom
Provided by: Marilyn Barta Barta in eigth grade performing in a play as Santa.
Death By Culver’s Tim Brickley: So we get [to Culver’s] and they
fun to win. Winning is fun.
baseball from the time he could watch it.
out my allergies and got allergy tested, tried
in every high school play, had leads in some
the board game.” No, it’s not fun to play. It’s
He Knew From the Beginning
Barta: Long story short, I was trying to figure
he is a really good actor and singer. He was
people are like “Oh yeah, it’s so fun to play
would run to the television and hit it until
we’ll figure it out. I’m sure my wife will move
“Don’t Eat, You Will Die”
Barta’s Mom Marilyn Barta: Believe it or not,
really anything? The point is to win. Some
I had something else on the television, he I would turn it to the Cubs. The kid loved
named Nick Ginapp...Nick was like kind of a
Michael Barta: The Musical
360? Or what’s the point of participating in Marilyn Barta: When he was two years old, if
of it “Barta don’t eat, you will die.”
the right time. Marilyn Barta: He mentioned that he had started dating somebody and then the next thing I knew he was bringing her home and introducing her to me. And several weeks later, he came home and said to me, “She’s the one for me.” I think he knew from the very beginning.
#1 Fan at Two Years Old Barta: I remember every day of school, I knew the game was starting and my mom taught
Barta: I was a pretty average college baseball
Marilyn Barta: He’s very competitive. Even when we’d play games on holidays when he came home, man he does not like to lose.
player. I loved the game, but I was pretty
Barta: My sister always wanted to play Pretty
average athletically. I was a short, stubby little
Pretty Princess when she was a little kid and
guy. I wasn’t this great athlete., but I loved the
it was pretty embarrassing because you had
game and I loved to work at the game and
to wear earrings and necklaces and stuff like
I loved the developmental process. My last
that. But I found a way to win. I was never
year or two up at college I really developed as
going to let my sister understand that she
a player because I had a couple good coaches
can beat me in something. So if I had to wear
that taught me new things and I wanted to
the crown and I had to wear the earrings, I
have the opportunity to affect other people.
would, because I wanted to win.
Gearhart: I would describe him as very very
Brickley: He’s the worst. He’s always trying
passionate about baseball and passionate
to get a group of guys together to play
about building relationships with the players.
basketball, to do whatever to the point where
Brickley: He is the most detailed oriented
everybody has been hurt from this. I don’t know if Dejong can walk right now because
when it comes to that baseball stuff. You
of some basketball a while ago with Barta.
should see one of his practice plans. One, he
Everything is so intense.
uses six point font, so it’s the smallest font and it’s all capitals, and it’s all centered text
Dale Dejong: Barta kind of brings the worst
which just drives me nuts. I didn’t realize his
out of me. I’m sick and tired of losing to
level of detail until I was in [our shared office]
Purdue [Barta].
once over the summer and he comes in and he’s got a laminator, I’m like “What are you doing?” He would make these little cards for his outfielders and it would have how to play each player on the other team’s roster. That level of detail, for every game, and there are 40 games in a season. Josh Newhall ‘21: As a coach he’s kind, but when it matters he will get after them. He just wants to see them succeed. Clark: He always tries to motivate us to do better, always wants us to strive for greatness, wants us to be competitive. I think that he’s
Provided by: Marilyn Barta Barta and his senior teammates on the baseball team at Buena Vista.
12 | in-depth
A Tribute to the Words | Ada Basic & Kylie Emery Layout | Marandah Mangra-Dutcher & Alex Heron
b&w
BLACK AND WHITE
Kate Lichter
Kelly McGowan
Staff Writer Photographer Online Editor
Staff Writer Fashion Editor Design Editor
The J-Lab Kid
The Register
I’ve found any skill you develop in
I’ve worked at the Des Moines Register
newspaper has the ability transfer to
since the spring of 2016. As a digital
what you are doing in the work world
producer, I edit stories for print and
or college. As a J-lab kid, you learn how
online, promote our content on social
to work on a strict deadline, how to
media platforms, work with reporters and
interview properly, unknowingly how
editors on long term projects and more.
to network, and write. They have all collectively given me the ability to excel
The Little Red Wagon
within internships, specifically one I just
I spent so many hours in the J-lab in high
finished with a publicist.
school. Distribution days were the best,
Suitcase Record Player
though. We got to see our hard work pay off and cart the papers around the school
I spent about 90% of my time in the lab
and community. The ink-stained hands
so wow there’s a lot, but late nights were
were worth it. Do you guys still cart the
definitely my favorite. The memory that
papers around the school in a red wagon?
stands out the most, because it shows how annoying I was, was when I brought in
Deadlines
my suitcase record player so some other
It’s a big task to keep everything moving
editors I could listen to the 1975’s “I Like It
and get the paper out on deadline.
When You Sleep for You Are So Beautiful
Deadlines are key in journalism and in
Yet So Unaware of It” record on it. I still
life. Don’t procrastinate!
have that record but I can happily say I still don’t own that suitcase record player.
Listen A principle of journalism is that everyone has a story and we’re better when we listen to the stories of those around us. I think that’s important for everyone to remember.
Andrew Maresca Staff Writer Photo Editor Copy Editor Editor-In-Cheif
The Trash Photos So we were doing our first themed magazine
and
the
theme
was
Consumption. The in-depth story for that issue was about the food waste produced from the lunch room. It felt pretty obvious that we had to see the actual trash, but we talked through a lot of different options. Originally we thought about just showing kids throwing away their trash or take a picture of the trash can in the lunch room, but it didn’t feel good enough. So I emailed the janitor and set up a time to hopefully dump out a bag of trash. I brought Obsee [Abbajabal ‘19] and Ada [Basic ‘20] and when we got there he handed us gloves and shovels. He laid out this big blue tarp right outside behind the lunch room and started pouring out trash bags. I think we poured maybe 4 or 5 bags worth of trash. So we start moving around the trash and taking pictures and it was definitely the weirdest photoshoot I’ve had. Then when we were done we just shoveled it into the dumpster. It was probably one of the most fun things I did during the newspaper period because who else gets to say they’ve done that?
14 | in-depth
Anne Rogers Staff Writer Sports Editor Editor-In-Chief
Matthew Putney
Covering MLB Writing for the Black and White gave
Photographer
me my first lessons in interviewing, writing on deadline, being meticulous
Julia Manning
Evan Newcomb
Sports Editor Editor-In-Chief
Staff Writer Sports Editor
in fact-checking -- all the stuff I do today covering the St. Louis Cardinals for MLB.
The J-lab
The Winning Shot
Skills
The Totem Pole
com. I interview players, managers, front
As a young staff member on newspaper,
Anyone who has spent any time in the
The [Girls State Basketball game] was out
Thinking back on it now, I think generally
office executives every day. I write on
I was kind of on the bottom of the
J-lab knows that it is such a welcoming
of reach and the coach put the starters
it was just having the freedom to create
deadline every day. I have to be accurate
totem pole so I had to do a little bit of
space and a safe haven where they can
on the bench and they were desetroyed.
the paper, go after the stories we thought
in my reporting with every story I write
everything. I kind of fell in love with
freely express their thoughts without fear
As soon as they sat down they started
were interesting and taking pride in the
or any time I go on TV or radio.
photography that first year.
of judgement. I always really appreciated
breaking down and crying. I saw an
knowing that I had that space to go to in
oppurtunity for a great shot so I moved
high school.
myself and set up an angle to get all
product we put out. It’s pretty cliché, but those years were crucial to my passion for
Teamwork
A Lot Of Yelling
journalism and setting me on the path to
We wouldn’t have gotten anything
It was very adult. Looking at how the
becoming a full-time journalist.
produced had it not been for a lot of
structure was of the class. It really
Skills
a really heartbreaking moment because
people helping out. All of the editors
Right now my title is a communications
you see a group of players that work so
Late Nights
prepared me for a real newsroom, there’s
and staff members came together to get
a lot of yelling. There’s a lot of fighting,
manager, so I’m managing people. I
hard and to see them not reach their
I just remember how much fun those late
this paper out because we believed in it
a lot of bantering back and forth, a lot of
was also a producer, and managing so
goals is pretty sad. I was just really trying
nights were when we were producing the
and our work. We helped each other out
fun.
many people with so many personalities.
to capture the true emotion of the shot, of
newspaper. We would order Jimmy Johns
because balancing school and the paper
Having the foundation from being an
the sadness and despair they had.
or pizza and set to work trying to make
was a lot.
editor and learning those communication
our deadline. I was always stressed, but
five starters in the shot. I thought it was
Talking To Adults
skills and learning how to work as a
I feel like newspaper and yearbook
team are skills that I definitely still use
taught me to work with people that were
today. Obviously my writing skills have
different than me, different ages, and
improved
forced me to get out and talk to adults
in high school, but Shipp does such a
a lot.
good job teaching you those skills of
those were the nights that I became close
The Weed Story
friends with people on the staff. Someone
I also learned that if you believe in a story,
would always say something hilarious
go after it. Even if it pisses some people
and we would start laughing and get off
off (read: the weed story). Journalism
track, and then Shipp would come yell
is important now more than ever. The
at us to get our stuff done because she
Black and White was my first taste of just
wanted to go home.
how important journalism is.
The Nintendo
Most Memorable
Shipp
I’m not sure if Shipp wants me to tell
The Big Leagues
you but we actually had a Nintendo and
The 2008 Iowa Caucuses were going on
One of my favorite stories we did was an
She’s the best. She was my first mentor,
a couch. We actually, on deadlines and
while I was on staff for the Black and
investigative story about students who
and as much as I’ve said that the Black &
stuff when people were getting done,
White, and because I had a press pass, I
smoke weed. I think we did one about
White is the reason I went to college for
people used to actually get done with
got to cover the candidates just like CNN
Adderall too, actually. But the weed one
journalism, it’s really Shipp. She believed
their work and then get to play Nintendo
and that was a really cool opportunity
was crazy; the writers and I, as the Editor-
in me, challenged me, let me freak out
and hang out and help other students
that a lot of students around the country
In-Chief, had to be so careful about not
about the smallest of things even though
work on their stories and things like that
and in Iowa don’t have.
revealing our sources, making sure we
she knew that whatever it was really
so it was actually probably a more fun
absolutely everything correct, all that.
wasn’t that big of a deal. She always had
environment, newsroom that was still
We knew there would be some backlash
and has my back, and she was one of the
getting a lot of work done rather than
from the administration (and there was),
first people I told when I got the job I
but we thought it was an important story
have now.
(and it was). I learned a lot from that story.
substantially
since
being
interviewing and storytelling.
what it is in real life.
17 | profile
FROM SOPHOMORE TO SENIOR, ONE STUDENT WAS RANDOMLY CHOSEN TO TELL THEIR STORY.
a song. “Sometimes I’ll write how I want the
guess I’ve enjoyed that the most. It still sticks
beats or something with the song,” Osgard
with me. I love 80s music and stuff.” Her
said. “I’ve done a garage band before, but it
parents have told her that her favorite song
didn’t turn out that good.” Right now, she is
as a child was “Dancing Queen” by Abba.
practicing creating the music with the lyrics so she can improve them.
Back when Osgard was in choir, she enjoyed solos. However, they are not as
So far, Osgard has not shared her music
important to her now. “Getting solos is good,”
with other people, but she is thinking about
Osgard said. “They’re fun, but now that I’m a
the possibility. “Maybe I’ll work my way
little bit older, I’m like, ‘Nah, I’ll pass.’ Being
toward sharing them with my family,”
in front of a group, like a crowd of people.
Osgard said. “Maybe someday I’ll share them,
Dang. It’s hard.”
I wouldn’t say to the world, maybe like social
Osgard has also played basketball and
media … Maybe I’ll share a poem that I
felt that same pressure of being in front of a crowd. “I mean, it’s the same thing in
F
or Avery Osgard ‘22, songwriting is a form of expression. Rather than journaling, she pours her thoughts
and emotions into her songs. “[It is] kinda like venting a little bit,” Osgard said. Osgard has always liked to sing and dance, so songwriting was as a natural progression into her love of music. “I never thought I would write songs,” Osgard said. “But I don’t know if they’re good or not.” She did not set out to write music, it just happened. “I started when like a few years ago, [lyrics] started
“When there’s something in my mind and I feel like I should write it down, I just do it. Or, I write my feelings about something.”
popping up in my head,” Osgard said. “So I
-Avery Osgard
just wrote it down on a piece of paper. And I just kept going.”
1/1700:
AVERY OSGARD Words | Liz Jones Layout | Payton Blahut Photo | Ada Basic
Though she does not have a plan for her
basketball because we’re still in front of people,” Osgard said. “I feel like I’m getting secretly judged for how I’m playing. I would always get nervous before the game like, ‘What if I’m gonna mess up?’” Osgard may enjoy the stage, but she also enjoys her time on the court. She played basketball seventh grade through ninth grade. “I thought it was fun,” Osgard said. “I liked making new friends. And just learning how to do that sport.” For Osgard, the sport was more about having fun than winning the game. However, for a lot of her coaches and teammates, they would get competitive and prioritize winning the game. “[One of my coaches] would never put us in,” Osgard said. “I just wish they would still put us in for the game, like it’s not really
wrote.”
songs, Osgard is excited to write more. “When
Osgard also enjoys theater, both on stage
there’s something in my mind and I feel like I
and behind the scenes. “I want to be a singer
should write it down, I just do it,” Osgard said.
or an actress,” Osgard said. “If I go to college,
“Or, I write my feelings about something.”
I don’t know what I’m going to do. Being a
While Osgard mainly writes pop music,
singer and actress was always my dream.”
she does not necessarily have a set writing
This year she is thinking about trying
strategy. “I kind of write in a poem way, or
out for one of the school performances or
sometimes I’ll just write it how I envision it
joining the stage crew so she can help with
in my mind,” Osgard said.
the performance.
Sometimes Osgard will write how she
When Osgard was about five, she began to
wants the music to work with the lyrics.
love singing. “My parents would always turn
Writing lyrics is only the first part of creating
on some throwbacks,” Osgard said. “And I
all about winning. It’s just for fun, right?” A lot of her teammates were focused on climbing the ranks and being put on the higher teams. “A lot of people are like talking about like, ‘I need to get on JV1, JV2,’” Osgard said. “I’m like why does it matter though?” She even knew a teammate that made varsity, but quit because of the intense demands from being in varsity.
Maya McDermott ‘20. University of Northern Iowa, basketball. McDermott has racked up 1,251 points, 238 rebounds, 322 assists, and 154 steals in the past 4 years.
Maddie Mock ‘20. Western Illinois University, basketball. Mock totaled 579 points, 462 rebounds, 172 assists, 106 steals, and 48 blocks in the past 4 years.
Kendall Nead ‘20. University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin, basketball. Nead has scored 449 points, 97 assists, 199 rebounds, 53 steals and 14 blocks.
Jaden Mueller ‘20. South Dakota State University, football. Mueller ended with 10 solo tackles, 17 total tackles, 6 TFL’s, and 3 sacks.
Save The Date The editorial is an opinion held by the editorial board of the newspaper and is a collaboration of the board. It needs a simple majority to pass. This month’s vote was 9-1.
Austin Nanke ‘20. University of Minnesota, Mankado, football. Nanke played reciever on the football team for the past 2 years. He caught 15 balls for 91 yards and a touchdown.
S
igning
Day
is
Jaxon Kaster ‘20. St. Bonaventure University, swimming. Kaster in the 2019-2020 season swam the 100/200 butterfly, 200/500 freestyle, and 200/400 individual medley.
a
nationally
Taylor Sedivec ‘20. North Western Missouri State University, golf. Sedivec averages 42 strokes on a 9-hole course, and 86 strokes on an 18-hole course.
day
and small college athletes. However,
is
because they do not have a place other
major college athletes deserve to sign
significant for each and every
than their home to sign their letter of
their letters on their designated day at
intent.
school if they wish.
recognized
event
that
Division 1 and Division 2 athlete. There are a handful of nationally
recognition
on
their
signing
The athletic department does host
Other high schools around the
designated signing days, mostly in the
one large mock signing in early May. “I
greater Des Moines area have different
fall and winter, that are determined
know we have one that is like a mock
ways of getting it done. Some schools,
by the National Collegiate Athletic
signing in the spring, but I honestly
such as Ankeny Centennial, have the
Association (NCAA). The specific date
could not tell you why we don’t have
signing day for athletes individually
that an athlete signs a letter of intent is
one for individual sports,” Mueller said.
and set up everything for the signee.
determined by what sport the athlete will
The mock signing day takes place after
The parents of the signee call and
play in college. It is a tradition at many
many athletes have already signed. And
make arrangements ahead of time. “It
high schools for the athletes signing
while it does include everyone, a day for
is time consuming, but we really enjoy
to sign at their school, on Signing Day.
each sport could too.
celebrating with our student athletes,”
“Signing is a big commitment,” South
Dave Williams, father of Peyton
Dakota State football commit Jaden
Williams ‘19 appreciated the mock
Mueller ‘20 said. “It locks us in to where
signing day. “It was nice, but we could
Dave Williams likes this idea. “I think
we’re going to college.”
Ankeny Centennial Activities Director Scott Garvis said.
have done that on the regular signing
it’s a really important day, and I wish
at
day as well,” Williams said. Peyton
that we could have done something like
Johnston, athletes have to fend for
signed his letter of intent at his dining
that.”
themselves when it comes to their actual
room table when he signed to play
There are currently eight students
signing day. They are invited to attend a
baseball for the University of Iowa last
at Johnston that are going to or have
mock signing day near the end of the
year.
signed. There may be a few more later
Under
the
current
process
year that recognizes students attending
One
aspect
that
the
athletic
this year.
minor colleges, but it only serves as a
department likes about the current
photo op for D1 and D2 athletes, as they
signing
that
Jaxon Kaster ‘20 recently signed his
have nothing to sign. This mock day
musicians are able to participate in the
letter of intent. “I wish I could have
completely misses the point of signing
mock signing. “With the diverse set of
signed here, at school,” Kaster said.
a national letter of intent: signing it.
interests that kids have in our building,
The reason it is called Signing
The letter of intent is a binding
process
is
the
fact
Saint Bonaventure swimming signee
I think we really need to be intentional
Day is because athletes actually sign
where
and honor all of those,” Activities
something. Let’s get out the backdrop
an athlete will play their sport in
Director Joe Nelson said. Yet, musicians
with the school’s name and the table
college. Traditionally, signees sign the
do not actually sign anything.
on the actual day and celebrate our D1
agreement
18 | editorial
Brooklyn Mckee ‘20. University of Iowa, track and field and cross country. For track and field in 20182019, Mckee ran the 1500 meter in 4:43.47 and the 3000 meter in 10:20.55.
that
determines
letter of intent at their school with
Similarly, athletes that play at a
and D2 athletes signing their letters of
a table, tablecloth and a backdrop
Division 3 or National Association
intent. They have put in hours of hard
with the school’s name on it. Parents,
of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
work to earn this opportunity. They
teammates, peers and coaches are often
schools do not sign a letter of intent
deserve at least that much.
in attendance. Currently, celebrated
either.
athletes
at
Johnston
go
without
By all means, recognize musicians
O
The Legend of
20 | Opinion
T
he
Boomers
yelled
at
the
Millenials, who then yelled at
telling them that they are ruining everything, so they have decided to fight back.
Words | Parker Anderson Layout | Marandah Mangra-Dutcher
Elijah Daniel also contributed to the success
about Boomer Sooners as in the Oklahoma
education
of the term. He replied to hate comments
Sooners.” Oh Jen.
said. “I would never say it in a disrespectful
Millennial
teachers
feel
teacher
Katherine
Allbritten
Generation Z, but then apologized
‘Boomer’ refers to Baby Boomers, or
from people of the Boomer age by using the
differently;
manner. I know it is meant to be offensive,
because they are capable of having empathy,
people born after World War II during the
It is no secret that the younger generations
term “Ok Boomer”. He recently came out
probably because of the age gap between the
but it is okay to say it when you are being
but then turned around and made Boomers
baby boom. “Ok Boomer” has become the
are big fans of nihilistic humor. They have to
with a remix of the song and merchandise
two generations. “I feel like in my personal
funny.”
a meme. Caught up? No? It all started with
proper response when someone who looks
be, as without it they are forced to deal with
focusing on the words, “Ok Boomer”.
life, I have really good circles of people, but
Every generation causes problems for the
the older generations yelling at the younger
or acts over the age of 65, yells at a member
the dystopian reality boomers created for
I was recently at a football game and,
my students put me in my place,” Spanish
others, and there is no getting around that. No
generations for not being as successful or
of the younger generation, particularly
them. Boomers screwed up the economy so
during the game, I was spacing out, as a
teacher Chelsea Stone said. “Anytime I say
matter what we try, do not expect to see Baby
smart as they claimed they were at that age.
Millennials or Gen Z.
badly that the younger generations will be
normal Gen Z would. An older lady behind
something, I think, ‘Oh yeah I’m cool’ and all
Boomers holding hands with Millennials
The younger generations pulled out their
Boomers know what they are doing
lucky if they are ever able to buy a house.
me started yelling at me for not standing up
my students say stuff along the lines of, ‘You
and Gen Z, singing kumbaya. Gen Z may
secret weapon to fight back -- they made
and are experts at provoking the younger
“Well I was married with children and owned
for a veteran from World War II. I honestly
are absolutely not.’ They make me feel really
or may not call older people Boomers with
Boomers a meme. The younger generations
generations. A majority of the younger
a house by the time I was 25!” Sure Jan, you
had no idea what was happening and I stood
uncool. They do make me feel very happy
a negative attitude, and Boomers may talk
are fed up with older generations, and finally
generations get upset when Boomers say
up as fast as I could. For the rest of the game,
when they think I’m 24 years old though.”
about Millennials in a negative way, however
someone said it. “Ok Boomer.”
things along the lines of “Why so much
whenever she or her husband would make
There are not many Gen Z teachers, since
we all share the same world. No matter the
offensive comments towards the players or
the oldest Gen Z was born in 1996. Only a few
problems caused, it is now all of our jobs to
team, I would respond with “Ok Boomer.” She
Gen Z work at the school. “As a joke, I say ‘Ok
fix them.
began to mock me so I played the song “OK
Boomer’ to my parents all the time,” special
The phrase is used all over social media,
brunch?”, “Avocado toast?”, “Why is it taking
and has been trending millions of times on
so long to start a family?”, “Why can’t they
almost every social media platform including
have eight children?”, “Why do they not have
Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. The young
any money?”, “Why are you always on that
people of social media are tired of Boomers
dang phone?” And those are just off the top of my head. After putting up with this for years, Millennials and Gen Z have had enough. Millenials feel like they finally have some form of comeback when boomers are negative. Gen Z is a little too preoccupied battling the climate crisis or fighting for gun control to pay attention to Carol’s half lucid ramblings, but when they do, they hear the same complaints over and over. Whenever the word “Millenial” comes out of a Boomer’s mouth, it is rarely followed by something positive. One of the main reasons the term has become so popular is the fact that it gives Millenials
“I am very aware of the viral situation of “Ok Boomer”. It is a situation where you blame old people for everything.” - Chelsea Stone
BOOMER!” The opening lyrics happen to be “old ladies suck.” That got her to leave me alone. Being old does not earn you respect, being a decent human does. Contrary to what Boomers want everyone to believe, they are not a fantastic myth. There are even some Boomers around the school. While students have noticed older substitutes and older associates, the only real Boomer teacher left is health teacher Jackie Sapp. The term “Ok Boomer” is meant to be aggressive and offensive. Sapp does believe it is offensive, but does not let it get to her head. “It doesn’t really bother me, because I deal in real time, not-past time,” Sapp said. “So I think that Millennials are the ones who probably feel like the Boomers are always in past time. So, personally, it doesn’t offend me.” Most Generation X teachers feel the same way. They believe working with kids helps
a comeback to the grouchy Boomers. A Boomer’s favorite
can thank inflation for you cheap houses,
them stay up to date with the newest trends
pastime is bullying millennials
does that mean that Millennials and Gen Zers
and memes. “I don’t know if working with
for simply existing. Why are
can thank you for their student debt?
kids improves my street cred, or coolness,”
they surprised that Millennials
TikTok has been one of the main sources
Chemistry teacher Jennifer Lehman said.
are fighting back? Boomers have
of hype for the phrase, Peter Kuli and Jedwill
“But it definitely keeps me young at times. It
decided to make an enemy out of
wrote a song called “OK BOOMER!”. The
makes me realize how out of it I am when
Millenials, and Gen Z has picked
song paints Boomers as racist fascists with
they say stuff like ‘Hey Boomer’, or whatever
a side.
bad hair. Twitter influencer and Youtuber
it is called. At first I thought they were talking
22 | sports
Ta k i n g C a r e of Business
Words | Taylor Siebert Layout | Joel Kellar a game, players thrive off a large and loud student section. Basketball player Maya
he student section is empty, the
competing during a high-stakes game comes
McDermott ‘20 is one of those players. “I
turf untouched by cleats, and the
almost naturally. “Once the first play is over
think that the student section is a huge
stadium completely silent. It is
with, usually it’s like, okay now I can drain
component to our game,” McDermott said. “I
three hours before gametime. Running back
everything else beside what’s going on
think it helps us fire up. I think it gives us
Jordan Rusch ‘20 sits in the locker room by
around the game,” Rusch said. “I don’t really
energy and just having all of that support is
himself in his usual spot, headphones in and
know how it works, it just happens.”
really helpful.”
T
beats turned up. He goes through his usual
Football Coach Tony Kruse notices that
For the players, the student section can
routine. Three laps around the locker room.
his players take a couple plays to get into the
truly alter the nature of the game. “It’s
Then going outside, Rusch does two laps
right mindset for games. “Once you get those
a big help ‘cause without the crowd, the
around the football field followed by some
first few snaps in on a Friday night, it just
environment’s different,” Rusch said. “It’s
laps inside the field. Running complete, he
turns into a game like any other week,” Kruse
kinda like you don’t want to be playing
heads back into the locker room to wait.
said. “And guys are able to settle in. There’s
football in a quiet room. You don’t want to
Before he knows it, Rusch is taking the field
always that start of the game where it’s just
be the only ones talking. It’s a big impact in
as the music plays and hundreds of spectators
a matter of getting over the game jitters and
my opinion.”
cheer loudly.
our routines and the different things we have
Some people would find it intimidating to
in place usually help players do that and
have peers watching every move in a game.
they’ve always been able to perform to their
However, Crandell embraces the opportunity,
ability.”
especially with the thrilling environment of
This past year, the athletic teams made multiple
state
tournament
appearances.
Performing at these levels, student-athletes are often placed in the spotlight and have to
Baseball pitcher Nick Crandell ‘20 has
state tournaments. “It’s something to look
handle the pressure of competing in front of
a similar habit of drowning out the noise
forward to,” Crandell said. “It’s something to
large crowds in high stakes situations. While
during high-stakes games. “My thoughts are
have a goal. And once you’re there, just live
athletes face these conditions, coaches and
completely on the game,” Crandell said. “I
it up. Just soak it all in because there is a lot
several strategies help athletes prepare for
don’t pay attention to my teammates or the
to soak in.”
the road to a championship.
fans at all. I’m just mentally prepared for
When facing the pressure of playing in football games, focus is key. For Rusch,
Aleah Tenpas ‘21 Photo by Joel Kellar
Bella Hiekes ‘21 Photo by Joel Kellar
Jordan Rush ‘20 Photo by Cameron DeRoos
what I’m about to go do.” Although concentration helps during
However, the attention comes with some additional consequences, as athletes also have to be conscious of what they do outside their
“
Routines are a big thing to help with nerves and what players perceive as pressure and how they handle it. I think a big thing for us is having an established routine that makes it just like any other game.
“
- Football Coach Tony Kruse
Nick Crandall ‘20 Photo provided by Nick Crandalll
Maya McDermott ‘20 Photo by Evan Newcomb
sport as well. For the girls’ basketball team
is the fact that there is enough pressure,
that means having team meetings where
there’s enough intensity there to begin with
the coaches remind them of the importance
that as coaches our goal needs to be to bring
of having good conduct off the court as
that down so that the athlete is able to give
well. “A lot of people are watching you on
their best possible performance,” Hennes
the court, but off the court you don’t know
said. “Usually, what that means is clearing
who’s watching,” McDermott said. “Coaches,
away as much of that pressure and intensity
kids looking up to you and I know that little
as possible and just letting them relax and
girls come to our games. And just to think
focus.”
anyone could be watching so you have to
For girls’ cross country, this year’s state
be appropriate with what you do, what you
competition came with the added pressure
say, how you act, and what you put on social
of redemption after breaking their state
media.”
championship streak in 2018. Bella Heikes ’21 guidance
noticed this impact even in practice. “We were
beyond just how to play on gameday, their
Although
coaches
provide
just so relieved to have it back,” Heikes said.
role can be even more crucial when it comes
“And we worked really hard throughout the
time for athletes to compete. Cross country
season. We had multiple morning practices a
runner Aleah Tenpas ‘22 appreciates the
week. Our mileage went up a lot. And so we
encouragement she gets from her coaches
did a lot more to insure that we would get it
before a race. “They just tell us that we’ve
this year.”
had a really good week of training and just
Hennes attributes the championship title
like where we are in the race, don’t get down
to his athlete’s drive and work throughout
on yourself if you’re not where you want to
the season. “Most of the pressure I think is
be,” Tenpas said. “Just react to that and always
internally generated and so that’s where if we
push harder or speed up or whatever you
keep our focus on what we have been doing
have to do.”
all along throughout the season, then we
Cross country coach Patrick Hennes
already know we can do it,” Hennes said. “And
makes it a goal to calm his runners in stressful
so then it’s just a matter of that consistency in
situations. “I think the most important aspect
showing up and taking care of business.”
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