January/February 2017

black& white the

January & February 2017

Domain Dilemma pg. 8&9 Road improvements for new school cause residents to lose land

$$$

STOP

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Jan/Feb. 2017

index

pg. 2

Cover | Will Reiher

STAFF

Humans of JHS: Amanda Mackey

Co-editor-in-chief

Kathryn Ikeda

Co-editor-in-chief Bryce Schulte

IN THE ISSUE

Feature editor Photo essay Angela Cai

Design editor Will Reiher

Big Give gives students chance to donate ..................................4&5

Feature

Opinion editor New clubs for the new year .....................6

Matthew Berry Teacher program not improving ..........7 “My tattoo means ‘Aparigraha’ which has a lot of meanings, but the main meaning for me is ‘let it go’. It was a yoga term and it kind of stuck with me to let go of any negative things because they’re not going to help you in life. It’s a self-help kind of thing and it’s always there to remind me to just let go.”

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

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

The paper is published nine times per school year. The paper will not publish material that is libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. The law does not require parental permission to use student quotes. Ethically, we believe students can speak for themselves. Staff editorials represent the opinion of a majority of the editorial board. Editorial and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the 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, writers an submit them in person in room 413 or email them to jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com The Black & White strives to report accurate and timely information. If you believe that an error has been published, please contact the editors at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com.

The Black & White is a member of CSPA, NSPA, Quill & Scroll and IHSPA. Recent issues of the paper earned these honors: Columbia Scholastic Press Association Silver Crown Award, National Scholastic Press Association First Class rating, Quill & Scroll Gallup Award, IHSPA state placings and sixth in the National Best of Show.

Twitter: follow @jhsnewspaper

Photo editor 1 in 1600: Aline Teixeira .........................10

Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

Staff writers Domain dilemma.............................................8&9

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

Visit our site: www.jhsblackandwhite.com

Road improvements for new school cause residents to lose land

Opinion Put it in perspective ................................11 Feminism is not a dirty word ...............12 Art class not just for artistic ..................13

Health Marijuana misconceptions ...................14

Sports Contemplating college competition ..15

Instagram: @jhsblackandwhite

current events

Jan/Feb. 2017

p.3

Jan/Feb. online

Scan to visit the online website.

2

Final grades make the final decision Fourth fire alarm shoves students outside Dragons fall to Dowling Catholic

Visit jhsblackandwhite.com for further Jan/Feb coverage.

1

3

Verbatim

$7,084.41

95-55

65 years

Amount raised for the Big Give at the time of publication

“

“

Dragons won their basketball game against Des Moines East Feb. 7, making them 12-4 this season.

“

4

Tom Brady is God.

Chirayu Shukla ‘17 reacts to the New England Patriots historic overtime win at Super Bowl LI.

Alternative facts aren’t facts, they are falsehoods.

“

Chuck Todd, in response to Kellyanne Conway’s assertions that Press Secretary Sean Spicer provided “alternative facts” about inauguration crowd sizes.

30 months Prison sentence given to a former Royal Canadian Mint worker found guilty of smuggling 22 cookie-sized pieces of gold in his rectum.

FIRE

ALARM

PULL DOWN

“

Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Sapphire Jubilee Feb. 6. The event marked 65 years of her rule, making her the longest currently reigning monarch.

Kellyanne Conway, providing evidence to defend President Trump’s travel ban. There was no Bowling Green massacre.

On a scale of 1 to 10, a solid 11.

Kevin Dial ‘18, rating his annoyance about the large number of recent fire alarms.

compiled | Bobby Bailey

“Two Iraqis came here to this country, and were the masterminds behind the Bowling Green massacre.”

“

1 2 3 4

Campus monitor joins Johnston

FIRE

ALARM

PULL DOWN

Swimming

Boys’ swim team are 2017 District Champions

High Low

Ping Pong

Students accidentally broke a ping pong table in P.E.

SOURCES; NBC , AP, MSNBC, REUTERS

photo essay

Jan/Feb. 2017 p.4

Big Give gives students chance to donate

words & layout | Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher & Hanna Tanner

The Big Give is a set of annual events hosted by Student Council to donate to a charity. This year’s charity was the Iowa Donor Network.

1

Photo by Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

2

Photo by Hanna Tanner

4 3

1 3

Published with permission by Lennie Norris

Published with permission by Abbie Craig

To start the game, Dawson Jones ‘17 and his Dowling Catholic opponent prepare to jump in order to reach the basketball. The Dragon boys lost the basketball game against Dowling 59-57 during Big Give week.

Nicole Hobson ‘17 and other Student Council members pick up a tree to decorate for Winter Formal. Winter Formal is a Sadie Hawkin’s dance held as part of the Big Give and often raises the most money.

2 4

Reagan Nesheim ‘19 runs the ball down the court during the Big Give basketball game. The Big Give is an event held by Student Council to allow students to raise money for a charity. This year the charity that chosen was the Iowa Donor Network.

As an emcee for the talent show, Luke Grezch ‘17 looks out to the audience between performances.

Gannon Svestka ‘17 also emceed. The talent show was held Jan. 17.

5

5

Photo by Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

Running with foam balls, Adam Stiles ‘17 plays dodgeball at Overtime. Overtime is an event held at the Johnston Evangelical Free Church, where students can go after home sporting events to play games.

photo essay

Jan/Feb. 2017

7

Published with permission by Lennie Norris

8

Photo by Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

9 6

6 8

Taryn Knuth ‘17 runs into Dowling Catholic opponent Kaitlyn Moses ‘18. The Dragon girls lost to the Dowling Catholic Maroons 53-51 on Jan 27.

Looking for a teammate, Jennah Johnson ‘18 runs down the court. The girls lost the Big Give basketball game against Dowling Catholic 53-51.

7 9

Photo by Hanna Tanner Nic Ronkar ‘17 sings and plays guitar during the talent show. Student Council holds a talent show every year. This year’s winner was Dustin Tran ‘17 after he beatboxed.

Dawson Jones ‘17 takes shot from the free throw line after a foul. The boys lost the Big Give basketball game against Dowling Catholic 59-57.

Photo by Hanna Tanner

Amount of money raised by each Big Give event Talent Show: $515.00

Coin War: $1937.58 $

$7,084.41* * At time of publication

Dodgeball Tournament: $600.00

$

$

$

$

Raffle: $460.20

Total amount raised:

p.5

$

$

$

Winter Formal: $2,500.00 $

$

$

$

$

T-shirt sales: $1,071.63 $

$

$

$

= $500

feature

Jan/Feb. 2017 p.6

New clubs for the new year

words | Justin Gard layout | Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

New clubs in the school give students chance for new experiences

Fishing Club The fishing club has two parts to it. Students can compete at a national level against other high schools or they can participate in local meetings where they can learn a variety of different things.

The club’s advisor, Justin Lewis, likes to be outdoors. That includes going fishing. “There are four bassmaster circuit tournaments in the spring for high school team,” Lewis said. “It would be a good wy to get into the college circuit and go to a college for fishing.”

The club will meet once a month and talk about protecting resources and talking with officers from the Department of Natural Resources. “We want it to be more informational and to have things that could be potential careers for members in the future,” Lewis said. allow the club Feb. 20.

Grace Carlson ‘18 and her buddy Heidi Nimmo sit in the summit cafeteria and play connect four. The Big Sister, Little Sister club meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. “The best part about the club is getting to know the girls better and being that big sister or role model for them,” Carlson said.

Politics Club

Big Sister, Little Sister Club

The school board will vote on whether or not to

The politics club was created by Lexi Rivett

Alex Dougherty ‘18 and Claire Carstens ‘18 cre-

a club to help out younger girls, they would be able

‘17 and Kathryn Ikeda ‘18. “This past election has

ated the Big Sister, Little Sister Club. The Big Sis-

to open up more,” Dougherty said. “Then maybe it

caused a lot of political debate,” Rivett said. “Kath-

ter, Little Sister Club is a new club created with a

would help them to relieve their stress.”

ryn and I thought it would be a good idea for peo-

partnership between the high school and Summit

The club allows younger students to talk about

ple to be able to talk and debate about these issues.”

for young students to connect with someone older.

things that are bothering them. “This club has

The club advisor is teacher Ben Knight. The club

Dougherty came up with the idea for the club

will meet every other Thursday from 3-4 p.m. in

after her younger sister and friend were fighting.

The club meets on the second and the fourth

Mr. Knight’s room. The club’s next official meeting

She was able to talk to her sister and said she en-

Tuesday of each month in the Summit cafeteria at

is Thursday, Feb. 23.

joyed being able to help. “I thought that if we made

3:10 p.m.

Which party do you identify with most?

Democrat

47%

Participants must have a B.A.S.S. membership in order to compete in bassmaster tournaments

The large mouth bass is one of the most popular game fish in North America

32%

Republican Independent

taught me how to be more patient,” Carstens said.

21%

Contestants will compete in teams of two accompanied by a coach

feature

Jan/Feb. 2017

p.7

Teacher program not improving Even after government legislation created jobs to improve teaching, student growth remains stagnant words & layout | Jack Lucas In 2013, the Iowa legisla-

Cline shares a similar opinion. “This was

work with teachers, not students. “The kids

ture passed a bill increasing

a way to get some funds into the school,” she

that I talk to, they kind of have a handle on

the funding of public schools by

said. “It’s not going to the kids, which is a

it, but the average student probably doesn’t

$153 million, yet prohibiting the

problem. The teachers need help, and theo-

know any more about my job than they do

use of these funds for all but one pur-

retically, this should help.”

about a teacher’s classroom that they never

pose. This money was designed only to

Although it may be too early to tell, John-

create and pay the salaries of “instructional

ston Community School District as well as

coaches” within the state’s school districts.

had a class with,” instructional coach Thomas Griffin said.

state standardized test scores have not im-

Griffin stresses the importance of patience

Instructional coaches are former teachers

proved since the implementation of the

in the process of testing the benefits of the

who became lead teachers as a result of be-

teacher leadership program and have actu-

program. “I think right now, there are lots

ing recognized as exceptional in their field.

ally taken a slight dip.

of pockets of success, this is a really big high

These coaches now assist in planning profes-

In addition, most students do not feel as

school with a large staff, and so I think that

sional development, acting as a resource for

though the program has affected their learn-

it’s kind of a gradual progression of change,”

several other activities that, in theory, should help student achievement.

Among the several problems that exist with the newfound money allocated to instructional coaching is the strict parameters its beneficiaries must fall within in order to receive funding. “The teacher leadership dollars can only be spent on that,” princi-

“

teachers with questions and participate in

“

he said.

A proposed alternative to the instruc-

This is a really big high school with a

tional coaching program is using the money to simply hire more teachers or put teacher

large staff, and so I think that it’s kind

leaders back into the classroom. “One of the

of a gradual progression of change

things we know makes a huge difference with kids is smaller class sizes,” Cline said. “Which

- lead teacher Thomas Griffin

means we need to hire more teachers, and this money can’t be used for that.”

pal Ryan Woods said. “I can’t take teacher

ing in a positive fashion. In a Twitter poll

Despite passing through the Iowa leg-

leadership money and buy textbooks and

conducted by the Black and White, 61 per-

islature, several state senators vehemently

computers and iPads. So that’s the hard part.

cent of respondents reported that the new

attacked the bill. Each of the Johnston and

There’s money there, but it’s in a small jar

instructional coaches have had no effect on

Urbandale representatives voiced their con-

that can only be used for two or three things.”

their learning, and 22 percent reported that

cerns. “It is a $150 million waste of money,”

ELP teacher Sue Cline stresses the im-

these new positions have actually resulted

Senator Brad Zaun said.

portance of trust between the public and the

in a negative effect on their learning.

public schools. “The trust that the public has

In fact, the job flies over the

in their teachers and their public schools has

head of many students. Upon

eroded greatly over the past 15 years,” she

being asked about the pro-

said. “The money that now is tied up in this

gram, Jianna Barshinger ‘19

could have theoretically been given directly

was confused before admit-

to the districts to serve whatever needs they

ting that she had never even

felt they had.”

heard of the teacher leader-

There are both good and bad aspects to

Has instru

ctional tea

ching impa

cted your

Yes, positiv ely

ship program.

the program. “I think it’s honestly, there’s

However, most students

pros and cons to it,” Woods said. “As far as

do not interact with the

teacher leadership I think it has the ability to

instructional coaches, as

do more than has ever been done.”

their primary job is to

learning?

61% No Conducted

by the Bla ck

and White

on Twitter

17%

22%

Yes, negat ively

double truck

Jan/Feb. 2017 p.8&9

Domain dilemma

Kathy & Kelly Bast

Road improvements for new school cause residents to lose land words | Sam Farrell & Katelyn Kempkes layout | Will Reiher

Kathy Bast, whose house address is 6908 N.W.

or more on private property are offered compen-

pleted in April. As cities like Johnston continue to

on 100th Street, has lived there for almost 28 years.

sation of five hundred dollars per tree. The trees,

expand and develop properties, they first have to

Both the Basts’ and Masons’ properties are com-

in the Basts’ case, however, were partially placed on

undergo processes to acquire the land.

pletely surrounded by land owned by the City of

both their private property and Johnston’s proper-

One process is eminent domain. Eminent do-

Johnston. Bast is upset about the new high school

ty. “Even their attorney advised them that the trees

main allows the government to take private land

and believes that the City of Johnston does not care

were Johnston’s,” Cubit said. “They weren’t happy

for public purposes as long as they provide a fair about the individuals it affects, much like Mason.

about it, which I understand, I can relate to that.”

“We don’t get any say. They don’t care one bit about

Dave Cubit is the former public works director of

our feelings,” Bast said. “They care about money.

Johnston. He retired in December.

Although it is not technically eminent domain lic sometimes views any private land taken by the In Johnston, the building of the new high school N.W. 70th Avenue. Some residents gave up some of their properties to the city.

Robert Mason, who sold seven feet of land to the City of Johnston, has lived at 6600 N.W. 100th Street since May 1999. His house is situated the closest to the parking lot on the right side of the school. Mason has two grandsons who graduated

Robert Mason

To accommodate for the increase in traffic on

to consider moving but rather the fact that they

$35

own so much land. “The two-and-a half acres are

“They care about money. That’s all they care about.”

-Kathy

$$$ Bast

from Johnston and wishes the new high school

really just getting a lot to handle and the taxes just

taken is skewed towards the property owner more

keep going up,” Mason said. “Someone from the

than towards the City of Johnston. When talking

district actually came and asked us if we would ever

to property owners, Cubit comes from a different

sell the house and I just told him that I might in a

perspective. “We had meetings, in the office, with

few years when the football stadium is built and he

Dr. and Mrs. Bast. We had meetings on site. We had

told me that it will be built quicker than I think.”

confrontational meetings on site,” Cubit said. “We,

Both Kathy Bast and her husband Kelly believe

all of us, were just there to do the job.”

that Johnston knew about the costs from the be-

Despite Cubit taking the approach to meet face-

ginning. Bast does not blame Johnston schools, but

to-face with homeowners, there are still miscom-

the City of Johnston. “Picking a date where very

munication issues. “There’s always misconception.

100th Street that will inevitably come with the con-

few people are going to be voting (for the refer-

There’s always people who are misinformed.” Cu-

Although Mason has had no issues with the struction of the new high school, the City of John-

endum),” Kelly Bast said. “Not having it publicized

bit said. “It’s just one of the things you deal with in

building of the school, he wishes the district would ston needed to acquire land from those who live on

about the vote, except for their supporters. They

the work that I do.”

pay more attention to the people that it may affect. the street for the roundabouts and the bike path.

kind of rigged the election to begin with.”

would have been here when they were enrolled.

44 States have passed some form of eminent domain reform

6600 N.W. 100th Street 240 feet from the high school Lived there for 18 years

The new school itself is not causing the Masons

That’s all they care about.”

government as eminent domain. required improvements to N.W. 100th Street and

44States

In Johnston, trees with a diameter of six inches

high school’s 390,000 square feet will be com-

unless the case gets taken to court, the general pub-

Months

On average it takes seven months for an eminent domain appeal to be heard

After starting construction Aug. 2014, the new forgot about the people that live around the area.”

price to the property owner.

7

6908 N.W. 100th Street 2112 feet from the high school Lived there for almost 28 years

The Basts were offered $1 for their front proper-

for us, we’re going from just corn and bean fields to

big scale and forget about the individuals,” Mason taken as they had valuable trees on the border that

ty. After they received the letter, the Basts contact-

this giant monster sitting in my backyard,” Mason

said. “I’ve had to go to the city several times and would be cut down. During the interview, Kathy

ed their lawyer, Dan Manning. Offering $1 is proce-

said. “Now there is the unknown of traffic and other

tell them that their futuristic plans are turning my Bast appeared to be on the verge of tears as she

dure to act as a placeholder for a later negotiation.

issues and I guess we’ll just have to get used to the

Cubit believes that the system of property being

Cedar Rapids received a $35 million grant to seize a hotel for a new convention center

The process is not ideal. “This is a drastic change

“The City of Johnston has the tendency to look at a The Basts were not in favor of their property being

house into a condo and then a pond and they just spoke about the process of her land being taken.

Million

change.”

1

2

Jan/Feb. 2017

feature

p.10

a r i e x i e T e n i l A 0 0 6 1 in 1 dent wa

enior, one stu s o t e r o m o h p From so

heir story

to tell t n e s o h c ly m o s rand

Lillegraven words | Mason eiher layout | Will R

Being born of two cultures can make for a difficult

transition. Aline Teixeira ‘19 was born in Brazil and lived there for 10 years before moving to America.

“I spoke Portuguese before I came here,” she said. “I didn’t really know English when I moved and I was halfway through fourth grade.”

Teixeira came to America after her mother, who works for Pioneer, was offered a position in Johnston. “My parents wanted to give us a better opportunity for learning,” she said. “They wanted us to be bilingual. It was kind of a hard move for me but eventually I learned English and made friends.”

The language barrier was a major challenge for Teixeira as well as the major differences in the schooling system. “Teachers had to explain to me how everything worked,” she said.

photo by Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

A majority of the schools in Brazil are Catholic.

It was odd for her to switch from schools that celebrated Christian holidays to a more diverse area

grade point average (GPA). “She was such a hard

that didn’t celebrate them in public schools.

worker and wanted to improve all the time,” her

When she was in fifth grade, Teixeira was given

English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher Mer-

the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to

ima Pasalic said. “It would bother her if she didn’t

attend the Junior National Young Leaders Confer-

do well.”

“

“

My parents wanted to give us a better opportunity for learning.

They wanted us to be bilingual.

-Aline Teixeira ‘19

Pasalic encourages her students to take time and to be proud of becoming bilingual. Learning how English is used in America may present difficulty for some students, but Teixeira was not discouraged.

Outside her passion for learning, Teixeira loves to surf. “My entire family lives in Brazil, so every Christmas we go there to surf and catch up,” she said.

Teixeira remembers surfing once and was surprised when she felt a searing pain on her lower leg.

A jellyfish had stung her. “It was extremely painful,” she said. A lifeguard was able to ease the pain apply-

ence. Other students between fifth and seventh

Both Brazil and the United States are federal republics.

The United States has a drinking age of 21 while Brazil’s drinking age is only 18.

ing vinegar to the stung area.

grade from around the world attended. When she

Percussion is another love of her’s. In Brazil, stu-

came back from the trip, she was excited to put all

dents must learn music outside of school. Teixeira

that she had learned to use.

currently participates in drum line and has partici-

Her father Mauro Teixeira started putting his

pated in marching band, show band and jazz band.

daughter in piano lessons when she was four, and

“Music is a universal language,” she said. “It’s easy

it greatly helped her throughout school. She started

to communicate through and it makes people feel a

reading at a young age and has maintained a 4.0

variety of emotions.”

Brazil’s literacy rate is 92.59 percent, higher than the United States’ 86 percent.

SOURCE: FINDTHEDATA.COM

editorial

Jan/Feb. 2017

Put it in perspective Taking a walk in someone

with,” Jaschen said. “Howev-

else’s shoes is something we

er, he was constantly blessing

have all heard. It means to un-

them, loving them and treating

derstand someone else’s perspective. While this is applicable to

them with dignity.”

Hobson also agrees that Chris-

many situations, one clear example

tians are compelled to be loving

is the division between the Christian

and forgiving to everyone, regard-

and the LGBT community. Chris-

less of what someone else believes.

tians find that homosexuality is a sin,

“Jesus called us to be the most loving

and are strongly against it. This results

people on the earth, and he talked to

in opposition to same sex marriage.

the lowest of the low in that commu-

This can create resentment from some

nity,” Hobson said. She quickly points

parts of the LGBT+ community, which

out that her point is not to be taken out of

results in Christians being viewed nega-

context. “Not that the LGBT community is

tively. While both sides need to improve

on that level by any means. But if you think

on being tolerant of each other, Christians

that way I don’t know why you would think

have far much more to improve on.

When you look at what Christians need to

that way or why you won’t even talk to them.”

While the attitudes of some Christians

change, the biggest problem is rejecting ho-

need to change, the LGBT+ community has to

mosexuality as a sin. Regardless if it is a sin or

change as well. Because of the people who are

not, Nicole Hobson ‘17 points out that the Bible

openly against the LGBT+ community, many

tells Christians that all sin is equal. “Me lying

Christians find themselves being labeled as

to my friend that I think she looks great, when

homophobic or judgemental. Hobson has seen

in reality I think she looks awful, is the same as

many people automatically assume that, because

murdering someone in the Christian spectrum,”

of her beliefs, she is anti LGBT+. “Just like how

Hobson said.

I do not want to label people in the LGBT com-

This idea of sin being equal is something that chemistry teacher Matthew Jaschen believes.

While he respects someone’s belief that homosex-

munity, I do not want people to label me,” Hobson said. She is right, you cannot fight fire with fire.

Both sides need to respect and work with each

uality is a sin, he challenges fellow Christians that

other. This starts with talking to each other and not

they are no different. “If you think homosexuality is

immediately dismissing the other side as incorrect of

a sin you ought to be looking in mirror because you

inferior. Hobson agrees. ““If you immediately come

are doing something that somewhere in the Bible

back at someone with ‘no, you’re wrong’ you stop the

says is a sin,” Jaschen said. Jaschen believes that re-

conversation all together.”

gardless of what your flaw is, everyone is equally relying on salvation, and that no one person is different.

Another example is in the Bible itself. John 8: 1-11 sets a scene where a women is about to be stoned for

Neither side has to agree with each other. Christians do not have to agree with homosexuality just as LGBT+ people do not have to agree with Christianity. However, both sides need to be tolerant and respectful.

committing adultery. As Jesus approaches he tells the

Christians should strive to be supporting and loving

crowd “Let any one of you who is without sin be the

of everyone. The Bible suggests that Christians are called

first to throw a stone at her.” The most important figure

to be inclusive and not exclusive. However, if Jaschen and

in Christianity is reminding everyone that they should

Hobson taught us anything, it is that for every Christian

remain humble and loving.

who is loudly speaking out against the LGBT+ commu-

For many Christians, not being above other people

nity, there is at least one Christian who is willing to love

means being loving to everyone, even if they do not

and respect for who you are. Keeping both perspectives in

agree. “Even Jesus had people he did not always agree

mind is the first step in walking in someone else’s shoes.

The editorial is an opinion held by the editorial board of the newspaper. It needs a simple majority to pass. This month’s vote was 6-0.

p.11

Jan/Feb. 2017

opinion

p.12

I recently read a few articles interviewing some

Feminism

female celebrities that rubbed me the wrong way.

They stated things like “I’m not a feminist because I love men,” actress Shailene Woodley said.

This is obviously not what feminism is about.

is not a dirty word

The interviewer in this article gives some push back with questions, but Woodley keeps a firm stance on her inaccurate definition of feminism. “I think the idea of ‘raise women to power, take the men away from the power’ is never going to work out because you need balance,” she had said.

This is a clear example of her misunderstanding of the movement. It isn’t about taking down men.

It’s about advocating for equality.

words & layout | Anna Losen

There are many types of feminism. What Woodley is basing her view on is the radical feminists, the ones that don’t deserve to called themselves that.

They aren’t feminists, they are misandrists. This false definition of feminism has grown out of these non-feminist’s hatred of men.

Radical feminism is what causes celebrities such as Kelly Clarkson to not identify with the word feminist because “that’s too strong.” When people

and being a woman because they

hear the word feminist, their knee jerk reaction is

all overlap and reinforce each other.

“man hater” and “female supremacist.” “There’s a

We cannot assume that all feminists are

stigma against feminism because only the femi-

middle class, mentally healthy, straight, white

nists with radical behavior get public attention,”

women whose only experience of oppression is

Michael Gedden ‘17 said. “If you openly say you’re

from being a women.

a feminist then you decrease the stigma.”

We have to consider that if we want women

Sadly, this stigma isn’t something we can easily

and men to be equal, we must consider wom-

break. There will always be people in any move-

en of color, queer women, disabled women, all

ment that push it to the extreme. That’s why what

women, into fixing these issues for it to become a

starts as a peaceful protest can end as a riot.

reality. That means if we want black women and

It’s often asked why the movement is called feminism if it is about equality. The main point of

white men to be equal, we not only have to consider sexism but also racism.

feminism is generally to raise women to the level

Personally, I identify as an intersectional femi-

men are at, so they aren’t looked at as inferior, but

nist. I know I am a white woman living a com-

it is also about femininity in general. It is often seen

fortable life in America and I have more privilege

that masculinity is superior to femininity, and this

than most people, but that doesn’t mean I can’t

is where men’s stereotypes come into play.

advocate for women who are struggling in other

This “war on boys” teaches men that they can-

areas of the country and around the world.

not be emotional, they cannot cry, etc. Men are

Even in America, women of color are still suf-

often looked down upon for these things because

fering from systematic and social racial injustice

they are labeled as a feminine thing. Feminism

and 11 percent of all hate crimes are directed at

advocates for not only women, but femininity in

trans women. I use my voice to speak for those

general and therefore men’s ability to be feminine.

that cannot speak for themselves.

“Feminism is about all equal rights, not just women’s rights,” Grace Chow ‘19 said.

Do you identify as a feminist?

I’ve heard many people utter the phrase, “I’m not a feminist, I’m an egalitarian.” Egalitarianism

Over time, as feminism has branched out

is, “a belief in human equality especially with re-

into different types, intersectional feminism has

spect to social, political, and economic affairs.” All

sprouted. Intersectional feminism deals not only

egalitarians are, by default, feminists.

with gender inequality, but racism, transphobia,

Female celebrities have a large following of im-

homophobia and all forms of oppression and dis-

pressionable young girls who look up to them. As

crimination. It is the view that women experience

young as they are, they’ll believe almost anything

oppression in varying configurations and in vary-

they’re told. It’s up to us to educate ourselves and

ing degrees of intensity.

each other on what the reality of the situation is.

For example, a queer black women’s experiences

Feminism is not about hating men, or being supe-

cannot be separated into being queer, being black,

rior to men. It’s about equality in all aspects of life.

Out of a poll conducted by the Black and White on Twitter, 65% said yes

opinion

p.13

Jan/Feb. 2017

Art class not just for the artistic Taking an art class is crucial for students’ mental well-being and health words, layout & photo | Bryce Schulte Up until this year, I was

of us,” Black said.

one of those people that al-

People are mixing creativity with skill when say-

ways told myself I wasn’t cre-

ing this. “Everybody has a creative part of them,”

ative. I never wanted to try an

Black said. “Your skills can be taught.”

art class in fear of failing. De-

Students who are taking multiple Advanced

spite that, I decided to give it

Placement (AP) classes should especially consider

an art class a shot and took

taking an art class.

Photo Art I first semester.

I took one AP class, AP World History, my soph-

Looking back, it may have

omore year and that alone was enough to blow my

been one of the best decisions

stress levels through the roof. Creating art not only

of my high school career.

I didn’t just learn how to take bet-

reduces stress levels in the body; it also improves cognitive abilities, memory and attention.

ter and more interesting photos, but I

So much focus has to go into creating a piece.

learned how to better cope with my stress

It’s like a skill that needs practice to improve. “You

and anxiety. Part of it is the raw form of

have to center yourself to center the clay,” teacher

expression art entails and being able to

Emily Phillips tells her students.

physically express that. “It’s a matter of

It makes sense. People can’t work at the pottery

getting your emotions out in a concrete

wheel ridden with anger. They have to be calm

form,” art teacher Katie Black said.

to make the precise movements to prop-

Verbal expression hasn’t al-

erly shape the clay. This anomaly is

ways worked for me, and too

called “flow.”

often dark feelings stuck in my

Flow is when individuals

head. Since I began to experiment with photography and express myself through that, I have other means of expressing those emotions and keeping them from bottling up.

are so immersed on what

26% No

At first, I struggled in the class, as most

Do you think art classes are beneficial to student well-being?

Pruitt. After a while, I started to come out of

are not thinking of any-

74% Yes

would expect me too since I haven’t taken an art class since seventh grade with Connie

they are doing that they

else does. “It’s about maintaining that piece

and rids the mind of “All

I find this to be true when I

we do things rather than simply doing them.

they have something to offer the world no one

that

Phillips said.

As we grow up, we focus too much on how

people simply saying “I’m not good enough,” when

state

performance

to completely go away,”

being creative enough” is a complete fallacy.

We lose touch with that part of us, leading too many

increases

the stress of your life has

my shell. I learned that the argument of “not

that creativity we all have.

meditative

other distractions.

information from a Twitter poll of 195 students

Art is not a test of skill but an act of expressing

thing else. It’s a near-

pick up my camera and start shooting. Art has given me a new chance to express myself and do so while having fun. “You’re creating something that has never existed before,” Black said.

Take a chance on art. The opportunity to create something beautiful is inside all of us.

health

Jan/Feb. 2017 p.14

Marijuana misconceptions

words | Grace Ballesteros layout | Will Reiher

Marijuana is a heavy subject that is

rebound effect, and while it relieves anxi-

often debated on, whether it is between

ety and depression temporarily, the long

politicians or students. While students

term damage to your brain will do more

might not be extremely uneducated,

harm than good. “Because [marijuana]

there are many misconceptions sur-

is in the system for so long it’s hard to

rounding marijuana, making some

retrain the brain,” Wilson said.

arguments less legitimate.

Misconception 3: Smoking marijuana is safer than smoking cigarettes Misconception 1: Medical marijuana’s benefits outweigh its risks

As of 2016, 1.2 Million people in the United States legally use medical marijuana

Heavy Marijuana use is linked to lower satisfaction with life

to a cigarette,” Wilson said, “When per-

including treating nausea and epilepsy,

ception of harm goes down, use typically

but there are downsides as well. Ronald

goes up.”

Herman, a Clinical Pharmacy specialist

It’s common knowledge that tobacco

at the University of Iowa, believes that

is harmful to you, but many people are

some may benefit from medical mari-

under the impression that marijuana is

juana but there are too many downsides.

safer because it is “all natural”. Marijua-

“We need to be cautious about widely

na has become increasingly less natural

making marijuana available to every-

since the 60s and 70s. Marijuana now, is

one,” Herman said, “A lot of research is

spliced with other drugs and chemicals

still being done, but there are not many

to create a better high. “They are equally

medical disorders that are successfully

dangerous from the perspective of when

treated with Cannabis.”

smoked both produce cancer carcinogens which can lead to cancer,” Herman

Misconception 2: Marijuana works as an anti-depressant and anxiety reliever have similar reasoning behind why they

One blunt can be as harmful as five cigarettes

Sources: ProCon.org, National Institue on Drug Abuse, Fox News

more dangerous when comparing a joint

Medical marijuana does have benefits,

Many students who smoke marijuana

Marijuana was involved in 376,467 emergency room visits in 2009

“It’s a really dangerous misconception because we’re talking about 11 times

said.

Misconception 4: Marijuana is not and addictive drug

do it. “I smoke to help calm my anxiety,”

Many people believe that the drug

Student A said. Student B also smokes

is not addictive, however this claim has

for a self medicating reason, “I have re-

been proven to be inaccurate. Marijua-

ally bad depression and I wanted to feel

na has become the number one reason

something new,” Student B said.

teens enter drug addiction treatments.

Chris Wilson, the Student Well-Being

“We know it’s addictive because these

coordinator, has extensive experience

kids are meeting the criteria of needing

with marijuana use and students.“Some

these treatments.” Wilson said. Marijua-

people use because they don’t like how

na addiction occurs in 9 percent of all

they’re feeling.” However the drug has a

that use it.

sports

Jan/Feb. 2017

p.15

Contemplating college competition Athletic scholarships play different roles in determining a student-athlete’s future

words | Kathryn Ikeda & Evan Newcomb For many high school athletes, choosing

layout | Kathryn Ikeda

photos | Ben Lunn

oritized before scholarships. She was offered

what university or college to attend depends

scholarships at different colleges, but decided

on scholarships offered to the athlete. “For me

not to accept them. “I didn’t want the money

I was looking at which [college] would offer me

that a school offered me to get in the way of

the most,” Patrick Bose ‘17 said.

which school I wanted to go to,” Poss said.

Bose placed first at the Iowa Cross Country

Her decision was impacted by her sib-

State Championship 4A Boys’ meet. He was

lings’ experiences, as both played competitive

considering offers from Boise State University

sports in college. “I ended up talking to my sis-

and Iowa State University (ISU), but decided

ter some more and then coming to the

to attend ISU because he considered it to be a

conclusion I didn’t want to run in col-

better fit for his goals. “It came down to which

lege,” she said. “Too competitive, too

school would balance my academics and ath-

much stress.”

letics,” he said.

Poss does not believe she will quit

Many times, a student’s decision does not

running altogether. “If I wanted to

only depend on the athletic team or scholar-

run in college I’d have to do track

ships offered. “A student has a really focused

which I don’t necessarily enjoy,”

want to be and what they want to accomplish,” volleyball coach Rick Brooks said. “So they’ve already picked out a few schools that will allow them to get those goals in terms of

“

“

agenda of what they

I didn’t want the money that a school offered me to get in the way of which school I wanted to go to.

- Emily Poss ‘17

she “I

said. enjoy

running c o m petitively b u t only to an

a degree, so that was more important than go-

extent. Once I learned to

ing somewhere else, even for free.”

run for fun and for myself

The decision can also vary depending on

it got a lot better.”

what the family’s financial situation is like. “For

For students who choose

some whose financial situation is a challenge,

to continue, scholarships

the scholarship may be high on the list,” Uni-

can have impact. “It pro-

versity of Iowa Athletic Director Gary Barta

vides a sense of accom-

said in an email interview. “For another family

plishment and pride to

for whom money is not as critical, other fac-

earn a scholarship,” Barta

tors like style of coach and level of institution,

said. “It’s recognition of

may play a bigger role.”

years of hard work athleti-

For Emily Poss ‘17, academic goals were pri-

Funding given to athletes by the NCAA

cally and academically.”

Top three sports funding was spent on in 2010-2011 (millions) 11.24

3.68

150,000 athletes awarded scholarships annually

Percent of high school athletes awarded scholarships for college Two percent

Athletes awarded scholarships

$2.7 billion awarded by the NCAA annually

All high school athletes 4.03

All statistics provided by NCAA

Football

Men’s basketball

Women’s basketball

98 percent

Jan/Feb. 2017

back page

p.16

B E

Seniors share their favorite places to go grab lunch

words & layout | Jessica McKee & Anika Schmitt

Subway Senior Molly Darvos likes going to Subway over her lunch break. “I like going to Subway because it is different,” Davros said. Even though Subway is a little farther away, it still makes a great spot for healthy and fast lunch.

Spicy Italian - Footlong $6.00 BLT - Footlong $6.00 Cookie - $0.65

Jimmy John’s Located on Merle Hay Road, Jimmy John’s is a top pick for many high school students over their lunch break. Senior Sofia Nelson likes going to Jimmy John’s because it is simple. She usually gets a Slim 4. Senior Kamryn Carmichael likes going to Jimmy John’s because it is cheap and close to school. She usually gets the veggie sandwich, which she says a lot of people don’t usually get.

Slim 4 - $3.99 #4 Turkey Tom $5.49 J.J.B.L.T. - $5.49

Panera Panera is a very popular spot for Johnston students whether they are going over their lunch break or another time. Senior Riley Chartier is one of the many students that go to Panera for lunch. “I like going there because it’s close and they have good food,” Chartier said. “Panera is a great place to grab a quick bite any time of day. Panera offers a variety of foods, from pastries to smoothies, and soups to sandwiches or salads.

McDonald’s McDonald’s is often overlooked by students when they are thinking of places to go get lunch. However, senior Katie Grimes remembered it and still likes to go there for lunch. “It’s close and cheap, and that makes it easy to go to,” Grimes says. McDonald’s

Cinnamon Crunch Bagel - $1.39 Broccoli Cheddar Soup - $5.49 Mac and Cheese - $7.99 Bacon Turkey Bravo Sandwich - $8.09

offers many food items, from a burger and fries to a wrap or salad.

Big Mac - $3.99 Chicken McNuggets - 10 piece $4.49 Ranch Chicken Snack Wrap - $1.59 French Fries - Large $1.89