b&w
PAGE 8
STEPPING OUT OF RANK
BLACK AND WHITE
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2018 VOLUME 26 ISSUE 5
by Taryn Kauffman
There’s no more class rank?
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b&w january / february
When Jay Rice ‘94 brainstormed the name of our paper in 1991, it was not because of the ink color. For the last 26 years, our mission has been to bring our audience stories from the school, community and nation, told clearly and without exaggeration--in black and white.
editorial board
editor-in-chief kathryn ikeda online editor nick irwin print editor katelyn kempkes print sub-editor andrew maresca design editor will reiher sports editor jack lucas
inside look NEWS
staff writers
04
obsee abbajabal, kennady anderson, ada basic, emi-
News flash
ly chambers, jacob chapline, kyle deutsch, brooklyn dilley, will gavin, kara green, shabana gupta, molly hauser, taryn kauffman, jacob kim, joe kronberg,
06
gretchen lagerblade, erina lee, abby nichol, sarah nelson, evan newcomb, ethan richards, sabrina romero, taylor siebert, brandon spraggins, kennedy
FEATURE
Show band traditions survive 08 Stepping out of rank 10 1/1600: Kate Salmon ‘19
stone, rachel vaughan, megan walker
OPINION
Silver Cord: all the wrong reasons 14 Cutting class rank rewards students
12
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
16
the editorial board. Editorial and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the advisor,
SPORTS
Scout Team gets assist
ENTERTAINMENT
school officials or the district. Letters to the editor must be signed. Like all
18
material, letters may not be libelous, obscene or an
Winter fashion trends
invasion of privacy. To write a letter to the editor, or report an error in the issue, please contact the editors at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com.
say hello
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playlist
// JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2018 //
OBLIVIUS / THE STROKES MY BOY / BILLIE EILISH TIME / SNOH AALEGRA WARM COFFEE (THE MARKET SONG) / ZIGGY ALBERTS CONVERSATIONS IN A DINER / DVSN WARM WINDS (FEAT. ISAIAH RASHAD) / SZA LAVENDER AND VELVET / ALINA BARAZ YES I’M CHANGING / TAME IMPALA OMG / CAMILA CABELLO LIGHTS ON / H.E.R. CONFIDENTLY LOST / SABRINA CLAUDIO HOME / HOLLOW COVES
compiled | Andrew Maresca & Kathryn Ikeda
04 Jan/Feb 2018 NEWS
News flash
Words | Kathryn Ikeda Andrew Maresca Obsee Abbajabal Emily Chambers Jenna Gilbert
The Big Give
S
tudent Council’s annual Big Give kicked
off Jan. 22 with the Coin War. The Big Give is a series of fund-raisers for a nonprofit that Student Council chooses.
Last year’s proceeds went to the Iowa Donor Network. All funds will be donated to Generation Pay It Forward, which helps Summit Middle School students in need take home food for the weekend through the Johnston Partnership. Coin War raised more than $1,950, while Winter Formal, which took place Jan. 27, brought in $2,201. Raffle tickets raised $156.51 and Superfan shirts will continue to be sold at basketball games. Lip-Sync Battle, Feb. 20, will be held in the Photo by Kathryn Ikeda
auditorium. Tickets are $3.
s
tudents participat- the four morning rounds, they aded in the 2018 Regional vanced to the double elimination Science Bowl winning the round. “Our team’s lightening fast
championship title. The team trav- cognitive speed and vast knowleled to Ames to attend with their edge in the variety of subjects was coaches Stephanie Buckingham extremely impressive,” Buckingand Kyla Burns. Science Bowl is ham said. an academic competition that tests
The team advanced from the
competitors skills in both math elimination round and was placed and science.
in the top bracket. Their first
After an undefeated record in competitor from this bracket was Ames. “This was an incredibly intense game that ended with a tie
F
or the third time in a row, the
Academic Decathlon team won regionals, beating Dowling by less than 1,000 points.
breaker overtime, which resulted
“We did not beat everybody else as well as we’d like
in our first loss,” Buckingham said.
to beat them,” sponsor Sue Cline said. “We’re working
After another win, the team had to face Ames again during the final round. “With some of the
Science Bowl Photo provided by Stephanie Buckingham
Academic Decathlon Photo provided by Sue Cline
hard to make sure we stay at second place at state.” Students won a total of 43 individual ribbons and five of ten titles.
nerves gone with our first game
Each student has 9,000 points possible at regionals
against Ames, we were able to
through nine events. The team holds study sessions
pull off a win,” Buckingham said.
every Friday to prepare for the state competition March 2 in Fort Dodge.
Cheer Photo provided by Sarah Schade
T
he cheer team traveled down to Dallas Jan. 27, for the biggest compe-
tition of the year, NCA Nationals. Teams from all over the country come to compete for the
Show Choir
Photo by Sierra Mangra- Dutcher
I
nnovation and synergy school history. “We don’t do it to win, but
title of National Champions. The team had worked hard since June practicing to perfection for the chance at champions.
continued their undefeated 2018 that was probably one of the coolest mo-
The team placed 2nd in the advanced small
season. Both show choirs compet- ments because we haven’t won that com-
high school division, the highest in Johnston
ed at the Urbandale Invitational on Feb. petition and it was our biggest competi-
history. “Honestly it was disappointing because
10. Innovation won grand champions as tion of the season,” Grace Chow ‘19 said.
we had done the best we could have both days,”
well as best vocals and best band. Isaac
Synergy continued their undefeated
Sarah Schade ‘18 said. “There was nothing else
Clark ‘19 and Amanda McGowan ‘18 both season in the prep division. At the Ur-
we could really do, it was all up to the judges
won best soloist awards for the open di- bandale invitational, Synergy won best
at that point to decide who they liked the best.”
vision.
vocals, best choreography and best band.
After placing first in the day show, In- Along with competing in the prep divinovation competed last during finals that sion, Synergy competed in finals at the night. That night it was announced that Waukee invitational placing fourth. they won best vocals along with grand champions of the competition.
As both choirs near the end of their season, they will compete at Waconia and
A Johnston show choir has never won Southeast Polk. Neither choir competed at the Urbandale Invitational, making at Waconia in previous years.
M
ichael Barta was awarded 4A Coach of the Year by 2017 Iowa High School Baseball
Coaches Association. Barta is the head coach of the high school varsity baseball team, and has
F
irefighters
found
smoke
coming from a room in the lower level of the school. The smoke
held the position for seven years. Barta has led
originated from a T-shirt maker machine that
the team to state four times, and won it twice.
malfunctioned. The machine is used by Entre-
Barta finds inspiration as a coach from his players, and their passion for baseball. “[It]
Coach of the Year Photo provided by Daily Times Herald
Fire DrillPhoto byby Obsee T-shirt Abbajabal
preneurship, a business class offered to juniors and seniors.
comes from taking a group of kids and watch-
A few minutes before the bell marking the
ing the growth and awesome changes in the
end of the day rang Feb. 7, the fire alarm went
team,” Barta said. Along with coaching base-
off. Shortly after, an announcement was made
ball, Barta also teaches accounting classes and
through the intercom that teachers needed to
video production.
help evacuate students from the school.
06 JAN/FEB 2018 FEATURE
SHOW BAND
TRADITIONS SURVIVE words | Kara Green
layout | Kathryn Ikeda
photos | Emily Chambers
D
JUST DON’T
Gould, who has played drums in show band for
throw up. These words ran through
five years, talked about another tradition that just
ON’T THROW UP.
Grant Tetmeyer’s head while he
the Innovation band does: kissing a rock. “We drink
chugged Kool-Aid Bursts. “I took six at a time,”
a lot of Kool-Aid and that’s a big tradition and we
Tetmeyer ‘18 said. “Chugged. Took another six
have a rock that is sacred to us and we kiss it,” he
and tried not to throw up. If you throw up it
said.
doesn’t count. Then I finished the last three to set the record.” The record now stands at 15. “I’m going to
all the students and the directors kiss the rock, the
drink more at Urbandale,” Tetmeyer said. “The
band fist bumps and then performs. It gives them
show band is insane.”
good luck. “Kissing the rock has been a tradition
Show band plays for both of the school’s show
long before I worked here,” Macdonald said. “When
choirs Synergy and Innovation. Most band mem-
the accompanist went to school here [in 2013] it was
bers who play for Innovation, the varsity choir,
still a tradition.”
also play for Synergy, but not all of the members who play for Synergy play for Innovation. The auditioned bands include 30 members with the accompanist and the director. The band has to learn around 10 pieces for both show choirs. Guzzling Kool-Aid has been a band tradition
[Above] Innovation Show Band chugs Kool-Aid Burts before a competition at Urbandale High School Feb.10. Grant Tetmeyer ‘18 currently holds the record at 15.
When the band goes on stage, right before they perform, the band passes around the rock. After
New traditions start each year. “Every year there is a funny chant, or a funny joke, or a meme,” Macdonald said. “Every year there is a different oddity. I make them cookies every time I win best band.” This year’s meme is called ‘yeach.’ “He became our mascot this year,” Lauren Fergus ‘19 said.
before any members can remember. “Before every
Yeach is an rudimentary animated figure wear-
performance they drink as much Kool-Aid as they
ing a police uniform, with its hands pointed to the
can until they feel like they’re gonna vomit and
sky. “Last year was lick the bread which was a song
then they go out and play amazing it affects their
about licking bread. We [also] had brother may I
psyche,” show band director Kaily Macdonald said.
have (some) oats.”
Macdonald started directing Synergy’s show
The bands love to play loudly. While the show
band in 2013. Then in 2014, she started working
choir and audience is loud, the show band is behind
with both choirs. However, the band cannot go on
them playing louder. “I love when we perform and
stage and sightread their music. They practiced
there’s an energy and there’s a high intensity fun
three hours each Monday night starting in Octo-
and we’re all having a good time,” Macdonald said.
ber. First alone, then with the choir. “It takes about
The band won six awards last year and have won
two to three weeks to learn the music,” Jordan
five this year. They will compete in two more com-
Gould ‘19 said.
petitions at Waconia and S. E. Polk.
08 JAN/FEB 2018 FEATURE
STEPPING
OUT OF RANK Johnston eliminates class rank to aid college admissions words | Taryn Kauffman layout | Kathryn Ikeda & Taryn Kauffman photo | Andrew Maresca
class rank last year. Jill Morrill, a school board and Academic Affairs committee member, became on board with class rank being removed. “They presented us (with) lots of articles to read and what other districts are doing,” Morrill said. “So then at that standpoint we reviewed it in Academic Affairs and said ‘Yes, let’s go ahead with this, because it makes sense for our students.’” Class rank has played an important part
A
on how students are accepted into certain
JENNA
colleges for many years. For state schools,
Sokolowski ‘20 had never had a
like Iowa, Iowa State and UNI, admissions
class ranking before. When she
officers use a students’ Regent Admission
saw she was ranked 183 in the sophomore
Index (RAI) score to determine whether a
class, she did not understand why she had
student should be accepted into the school.
been ranked so low considering her high
Previously students were advised to use
GPA. “I was upset because I thought that
the ‘Primary RAI formula’ which asks for
I was better than that,” Sokolowski said. “I
the students class rank, ACT composite
didn’t feel that it accurately represented
score, cumulative GPA and the number of
who I was as a student.”
core classes the student has taken. Now that
S
A
FRESHMAN,
According to Sue Baker, one of the stu-
the school is no longer using class rank stu-
dent counselors, class rank has been in
dents are told to use the ‘Alternative RAI
place at Johnston for as long as anyone can
Formula’ which uses all the same compo-
remember. The class ranking system is for
nents as the primary formula, but students
colleges to see where a student is academ-
are not asked for their class rank.
ically compared to other students in the school. In high achieving districts, like Johnston, having anything below a 3.1 (GPA) can result in a lower class rank. The members of the Academic Affairs committee were approached by school administration asking to consider removing
As of next year the district has decided
to eliminate the ranking system for high school students. This decision was made after the idea was presented in front of the entire school board. The board voted 7-0 in favor of repealing class rank. “Hopefully it’ll allow students to take more electives, maybe take some stress off our students,” Morrill said. “I think it sends a message to our students and our community that we want everybody to achieve and to be recognized.” Baker also found that removing class rank will be beneficial for students. “We were finding that students would shy away from academically challenging classes because they didn’t want their GPA to be impacted, making their class rank drop,” Baker said. Educators are not the only ones noticing that students are taking easier classes to benefit their class rank. Lexi Cahill ‘20 believes that eliminating class rank will give students more reason to push themselves in classes. “If kids can take the AP courses and push themselves without having to worry about class rank, there will be more people taking the harder classes,” Cahill said. “It will be a great thing [to remove class rank] because students will want to push themselves because they don’t have the pressure of class rank.”
For students applying to colleges, class rank has played a large part in their acceptance. Nika Silkin ‘19 was accepted into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as a junior. While applying to MIT, Silkin was asked for her GPA and class rank. “Class rank helps when schools aren’t sure of what to make of a schools grades,” Silkin said. “At Johnston a lot of people have A’s in a lot of classes, so they look at class rank to see who’s in more AP classes. It’s also about showing colleges that you are a valuable person on their campus. Getting a couple of B’s won’t make you any less valuable. It’s about how you handle those B’s and why you got them.” Silkin also believes that it’s important for students to know that a bad grade does not define them, and that it will not matter in five years. “Freshman year I would worry about having an A- or B, because I stressed about keeping my grade point up,” Silkin said. “But after I got accepted [to MIT] and looking back at high school it was a lot less about the grade I got, but about the skills I got from taking the class and showing the colleges I had put as much work into it as I could.”
10 JAN/FEB 2018 1/1600
1/1600 : KATE SALMON ‘19 FROM SOPHOMORE TO SENIOR, ONE STUDENT WAS RANDOMLY CHOSEN TO TELL THEIR STORY words | Brooklyn Dilley
layout | Erina Lee
1/1600 [Page 14] Photos of Salmon’s record collection. [Above] Kate Salmon places “A Rush of Blood to the Head” by Coldplay into her record player.
T
HE SUN SHINED THROUGH THE
gret buying.”
windows of the white Altima, as 14-year-
From old shops to Barnes & Noble, Salmon tries
old Kate Salmon ‘19 eagerly sifted
to get more records any chance she gets. “For birth-
through the box of vinyl records. Wiping dust off the
days and holidays and stuff, I like to ask for newer
covers, she shouted out the names of the bands she
ones because they’re more expensive,” Salmon said.
came across to her dad. The two spent the whole ride
“If they’re older, I go to record shops around Des
home separating out the ones they liked, as Salmon
Moines. It’s basically wherever I can find a record
worked to contain her excitement.
shop. I’ll go to small towns on trips or something,
After finding an ad for free records on Craigslist,
and I’ll see a record shop and go in. For the choir trip
Salmon begged her dad to make the 30 minute drive
last year, we went to Nashville, and I got a record at
to the old man’s house, worried that someone would
one of the shops. But usually for the newer ones, I’ll
beat her to them. But as they pulled into the drive-
go to Barnes & Noble, or [I] can find them on Ebay.”
way, Salmon sighed with relief as she saw the box sitting on the front porch, untouched.
Along with collecting records, Salmon participates in show choir, which has opened her up to new
Salmon’s interest in records began after finding
genres of music, and helps her collection to grow.
old favorites of her mom’s. Her collection only grew
“In 8th grade, for our first show choir song, we had
from there on, currently adding up to 65 album re-
‘Harder to Breathe’, which is on the album Songs
cords, and a box full of records with single songs.
About Jane,” Salmon said. “And ever since then, I’ve
At prices of up to $30 per record, this has been an
been obsessed with Maroon 5. So I wanted that re-
expensive interest for her. “My grandma bought me
cord for the longest time, but they were limited edi-
an Amazon gift card, and I spent the entire thing on
tion, so they were like $200. And then they came out
a record player,” Salmon said. “I’ve dropped so much
with more, but I didn’t know, so my mom ended up
money on these, but this is the one thing I don’t re-
surprising me as a gift. I was so happy.”
12 JAN/FEB 2018 OPINION
silver cord ALL THE WRONG REASONS words | Will Gavin & Sarah Nelson layout | Sarah Nelson
Students Enrolled
2018
The numbers decrease each year as students that don’t fulfill the requirements get dropped.
Sophomores: 227 Juniors: 181 Seniors: 131
S
INCE IT’S INSTALLMENT BY THE 2011 Johnston High School Student Council, the Silver Cord program has
distinguished students who went above expectations to improve their community through at least 150 hours of volunteering, commemorated by a silver cord to be worn around their collar during graduation. The intended purpose of this award was to encourage other students to strive to give back to the community that played a major role in their upbringing. Everyone benefits from a strong and healthy community; I doubt any will argue this fact. However in its attempts to encourage students to volunteer, Silver Cord became for many an activity about individual gain. It is not required to take part in Silver Cord
to volunteer, it is only required for those who
kind of my therapy. It’s given me humbling
wish to prove they did it. And consequently,
experiences more than anything.”
alongside things such as course load, G.P.A.,
Unlike groups and organizations, Silver
class rank (rest in peace), and ACT scores,
Cord is a program, so it doesn’t hold meet-
Silver Cord has created another platform for
ings. Without this group activity, students
competition among students. For many, vol-
lack the opportunity to connect with other
unteering is no longer about bettering the
members to share new experiences. Instead,
community, but rather about bettering them-
they are left alone to reflect on the work they
selves in the eyes of those handing out schol-
have accomplished. Students who volunteer
arships and college acceptance letters.
just for the cord could be reminded of the pos-
“
Silver Cord applies immense pressure for students to volunteer just to help themselves
look
better.
Because the purpose of the program is to achieve recognition, it removes the internal motivation to volunteer altruistically. Silver Cord, in essence, is a program about
itive impacts of volunteering. The required paperwork
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEES AREN’T GOING TO KNOW OR UNDERSTAND THE REASONS WHY YOU MIGHT NOT BE A PART OF SILVER CORD. THEY ARE JUST GOING TO KNOW YOU AREN’T A PART OF IT.”
community.
- Student A
Yet, within Silver Cord itself, there is hardly
have
does
questions
such as “how has this
experience
influenced
your
life and how were you helpful?” but without
holding
discussions, question can
lead
closed
any asked to
a
feedback
loop.
a trace of a community of its own. By joining
If there were group meetings, Silver Cord
the students of Silver Cord together, the pro-
could act as its own supervisor, watching over
gram could actively combat the disengaged
their members and keeping them focused on
volunteering.
what volunteering is really about: the com-
Many students have amazing experiences
munity.
that should be shared and learned from. These
The Silver Cord program is a cornerstone
experiences could even go so far to encourage
for much of the volunteering that students do.
those struggling to find the motivation to vol-
But Silver Cord, a program about helping the
unteer. But with no platform to present their
community, needs a community of its own.
stories, they often go unheard.
By holding even the occasional meeting or
Libbie Smith ‘18 went to volunteer at the
sending out a newsletter to tell their stories,
Animal Rescue League (ARL) when having a
members could encourage their fellow stu-
bad day. She planned to spend an hour there,
dents to seek their own motivations in volun-
but started and did not want to leave. “One
teering instead of relying on rewards. Silver
of the dogs I went to play with just blindly
Cord could become a program not just about
trusted me,” she said. “He made my day better
getting kids volunteering today, but volun-
within minutes. I realized that the ARL was
teering tomorrow and throughout their lives.
14 JAN/FEB 2018 EDITORIAL
CUTTING CLASS RANK REWARDS STUDENTS
Contrary to some students’ worries, lack of class rank will prove beneficial 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 6-0. To contact the editorial board, please email us at jhsblackandwhite.com or visit us in room 622.
245.
That’s the minimum score a student has to have for the Regent’s Admissions Index (RAI)
Johnston will not provide class rank. Now, just a student’s ACT score, GPA, and core classes will be factored into their admissions.
in order to be given automatic admission to the
Removing class rank will also simplify sched-
University of Iowa, Iowa State University, or
uling. “If you’re trying to achieve a certain class
University of Northern Iowa.
rank, maybe you’ll limit your classes,” school
The RAI is a mathematical formula that de-
board member Jill Morrill said. “There’s kind of
termines our futures. (1 x Percentile class rank)
a formula if you think about it, so this way, by
+ (2 x ACT composite score) + (20 x Cumula-
eliminating the class rank it’ll hopefully open it
tive GPA) + (5 x Number of years of high school
up so these students can take more electives and
courses completed in the core subject areas).
try those things.”
While the RAI is an easy method for Iowa
By not including class rank in college admis-
universities to calculate admissions for their
sions, students will be able to take the classes
70,000-some students, it includes a factor that
they want to without fearing the repercussions
pits students against each other: class rank. It’s
it might have on rank, and opens up admissions
an ancient high school tradition, but yet it still
for students applying to private schools. A top
factors into our college admissions.
10 percent here is not necessarily equivalent to
Not anymore. After a 7-0 vote by the school
a top percentage at Urbandale or Dallas Cen-
board, beginning in the 2018/2019 school year,
ter-Grimes, and is a poor comparison of achievement statewide or even nationally--and universities know that. Because class rank is only used to compare students among each other, a high GPA is more indicative of that student’s performance, even if they have an average class rank. By removing rank, students no longer have to stress if their grades stack up against their peers. At Johnston especially, where being in the top 50 percent means almost straight As and Bs, it will be extremely beneficial to students that class rank is not used. We will now be viewed only according to our own achievements, rather than being compared against others.
16 JAN/FEB 2018 SPORTS
SCOUT TEAM GETS AN ASSIST words | Jack Lucas layout | Will Reiher
upperclassmen as years past so we don’t have the numbers on the varsity roster right now,” Jilek said. “We needed to find a way to be able to challenge the girls in practice and thought
P
RACTICING
Mitch Hanson ‘18 matches against Brooke McKee ‘20 during a scout team scrimmage. The scout team has helped the girls’ varsity basketball team prepare for their season. Photo by Jack Lucas
CHAD JILEK
“ Coach
If our opponent has a good point guard then the boy that can handle and distribute the ball the best is going to be that person during practice. If there is a great shooter then whichever boy is the best shooter will play that spot. If they have tall posts then the tallest boys will then take those spots.
bringing in some boys to practice against
AGAINST
THE
would be beneficial.”
freshman team is a little dif-
After dozens of joint practices and hours
ferent than playing against the
spent scrimmaging, the Oakmore Oaks, now
number one recruit in the nation. When
named “Scout Team,” have a 8-1 record, while
eight girls went out for varsity basketball,
the girls’ basketball team tied the school re-
the team lacked enough players on the
cord for most regular season wins.
court to hold a remotely competitive scrim-
Practices are set up in a unique style, in
mage without losing chemistry amongst
which the boys will discuss how to best mim-
their starting five. The young team hit a
ic the playing style of whichever team the
wall, unable to prepare for athletic, deter-
girls are preparing to play against. “He runs
mined opponents.
us through plays that the other team runs,
Similarly, the Oakmore Oaks, a light-
how they play, and how they want us to chal-
heartedly dedicated all-male YMCA basket-
lenge the girls team in specific ways,” Scout
ball team, lacked hope to improve upon a
Team member Waleed Yual '18 said. “It’s like
4-6 record last season. The YMCA league is
‘this team is really good at shooting threes’
often referred to as the Church Ball League
so we have to spread the floor and knock
and is open to any student not on their
down shots.”
school’s basketball team.
The preparation even becomes as specif-
Last fall, the Oakmore Oaks’ team cap-
ic as assigning different roles to different
tain Logan Swaim ‘18 was contacted by girls’
Scout Team players. “We develop a scout on
basketball coach Chad Jilek with an unfa-
our opponents, we just look at their players’
miliar request. He asked if they would be
skills and match them up to the boys’ skill
willing to scrimmage his team a few times
set,” Jilek said. “If our opponent has a good
a week. “This year we are not as deep with
point guard, then the boy that can handle
and distribute the ball the best is going to be
be effective against the boys in practice the
to the best teams in the state, so I think it’s
that person during practice.”
girls need to be able to execute well because
working out for them too.”
Logan Swaim has often been tasked with
they can’t just beat them with athleticism.”
Swaim agrees. “The past couple of
mirroring individual players, especially
While Taryn Knuth ‘17 filled that void
church league seasons, this isn’t something
Dowling Catholic Phenom Kaitlyn Clark.
throughout her years on the team, the boys
they did, but I guess it’s kind of payed off,”
“(Dowling) has a sophomore who played
have compensated for her absence. “Prac-
he said. “The girls started with their best
on the U.S. National Team, and she won a
ticing against boys helped because instead
start in school history before break.”
gold medal,” he said. “That was one of the
of Taryn blocking everyone during prac-
The two teams have grown close through
toughest matchups they’ve had this year, so
tice, Logan Swaim does,” Macy Thompson
practices. “In the beginning, they weren’t
I was Kaitlyn Clarke. Anytime a three was
‘19 said. “Some of them are a lot taller than
really aggressive with us, but now if you
possible to get off, I was putting it up.”
most of us and can jump high, so we’ve re-
come to one of our practices, it looks like a
ally had to work to finish shots in the lane
really intense live-game,” Yual said. “We’ve
against them.”
become friends where they like playing us
Due to biology, male basketball teams are often considered to be faster and taller than their female counterparts. Similarly to
Results speak for themselves, as both
how a swimmer might wear a drag-suit, or a
teams have been playing more efficiently.
Through competing against one another,
pitcher may throw weighted balls, the girls’
“It’s definitely beneficial both ways, because
they have slowly become each other’s big-
basketball team scrimmaging against boys
last year we had trouble getting chemistry
gest supporters. “They’re all the most fun
makes regular games easier. “We like to play
down and getting started because we played
people to play against, and they come to our
fast and having some male athletes practic-
like once a week every Saturday,” Yual said.
team dinners and almost all of our games,
ing with us pushes our players to play at a
“Playing with the girls got our chemistry
and we watch their church-ball games,
speed that our opponents don’t necessarily
going and its helped us get to our 8-1 record.
so it’s kind of like we’re all one big team,”
like to play at,” Coach Jilek said. “Also, to
For the girls, they’ve only lost twice I think,
Thompson said.
and we like playing them, so it’s pretty fun.”
STYLE -Facilitator
STYLE
CIML COUNTERPART
-3-Point Specialist
DeeDee Pryor Urbandale
CIML COUNTERPART
-Facilitator
Megan Meyer Mason City
LUKE PERMAN ‘19
STYLE
Point Guard
-Athlete CIML COUNTERPART
MITCH HANSON ‘18 STYLE
WALEED YUAL ‘18
Shooting Guard
Zoe Young WD Valley
Small Forward
-Shooter CIML COUNTERPART
STYLE
Kaitlin Clark Dowling Catholic
-Big Man CIML COUNTERPART
LOGAN SWAIM ‘18
QUINN SWAIM ‘18
Power Forward
Center
Justice Ross DM East
22 JAN/FEB JAN/FEB2018 2018ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT 18
CHAMPION
Fashion trends come and go, but rarely does a trend make a comeback as big as Champion has. As the 90s nostalgia continues to influence todays fashion choices, it is really no surprise that the brand, nearing its 100th
RUGBY SHIRTS
year, continues to make history by reinvent-
Remember rugby shirts? They were a sta-
ing itself yet again. The brand has evolved
ple piece for years, and universally viewed
from being sold in Walmart to now being
as the uniform for preppy school kids, the
seen as a staple item of street-wear fashion.
stereotype is especially reinforced if the col-
One key element involves attention grab-
lar is popped. However, as the 90s continue
bing collections with a wide range of col-
to make a comeback in pop culture, our at-
laborators, which help to show the brand’s
tention has been pulled back to the rugby
versatility. Champion offers a variety of
shirt, which has undergone quite the make-
sweatshirts, short and long sleeve shirts and
over while it was away. Various brands such as Patagonia, Polo Ralph, and J. Crew have re-introduced the trend.
FUR JACKETS
As the temperature outside continues to drop, the faux fur jackets continue to be a closet staple. The trend has always been associated with socialites and glamorous grandmothers, but now the switch to faux fur has made the trend more accessible to everyday people. More affordable brands like Forever 21 have stocked the piece in stores, allowing for fur jackets to make an appearance in everyday wear. Coming in all sorts of styles, patterns, and prices, you no longer have to wait until you make your first million dollars or reach the wonderful age of 60 before finally being able to rock a faux fur jacket.
thicker jackets for winter days. Stores like Urban Outfitters and Pacsun have recently started selling the pricey sweatshirt brand.
words | Ada Basic model | Amanda Roberts photos & layout | Andrew Maresca
BOHEMIAN
The bohemian trend has cycled through fashion many times, and is on the rise again. Bohemia is the westernmost region of Czech Republic. Bohemian style is based around an artistic and casual lifestyle. Because the boho style has come back so often, it has naturally gone through many phases. Currently, new designers have decided to dress up the trend by adding bold new colors and textures. The style is normally
VELVET
popular during the warmer seasons, but has The velvet trend has been revived yet again, been dominating every winter fashion mag- and it’s currently capturing the hearts of
MUSTARD YELLOW
azine spread with a new sophisticated twist both hipsters and high-end fashion brands on the laid back style.
alike. Many may associate velvet with the
Colors are one of the fastest changing trends
high fashion world, however it has become
in fashion, and mustard yellow has recently
an everyday piece you can see at school or
taken the fashion industry by storm. The col-
on the runway. Bold colored velvet certain-
or offers a less abrasive version than normal
ly made its presence known during New
yellow, better for everyday wear. With a bold
York Fashion Week. However, the fabric is
look and warm tones, mustard yellow offers a
currently undergoing a casual revolution.
staple item to any outfit. With colors continu-
More mainstream brands such as American
ously coming in and out of fashion, mustard
Eagle or Hollister are producing everything
yellow offers options for all seasons. Whether
from sweaters to dresses with the fabric. Just
in high fashion or local style, mustard yellow
take a look around, there is without a doubt
has created a more colorful palette for any
no shortage of people who have already
outfit.
jumped on the velvet bandwagon.
ADIDAS SHOES
Several years deep into the trend of the old school Stan Smith sneakers, it’s hard to believe that the now very popular shoes, used to be thought of as weird. The shoes originally made their debut in the 1960s, and by 1988 had sold so many pairs that they earned a spot in the “Guinness Book of World Records.” In 2012, Adidas took the shoes off the market, only to slowly reintroduce them in 2013, demand was high and the shoes have now become a staple in everyone’s closet. The shoes have returned in various forms like Superstars and Gazelles, offering different materials for new looks. Adidas Superstars offer a tradition black on white look, while Gazelles come in a variety of suede looks. These shoes are a popular piece with its popularity going up as new versions of the shoe emerges.
TRENDY TREATS
Posts of açai bowls, bubble tea and rolled ice cream are all over Instagram. These restaurants are so popular, we decided to go out and try the foods ourselves. layout | Sarah Gibson & Gretchen Lagerblade photos | Andrew Maresca
Açaí Bowls
Big Açai Bowl is a charming place for a quick bite. Customers have the option to start their bowl off with oats or açai, a tasty berry flavored sherbet. From there customers can choose from a variety of healthy ingredients such as coconut, berries and cacao nibs to top off the bowl. 1711 SW Plaza Pkwy, Ankeny, IA 50023
Bubble Tea This delightful Bubbly Tea House is a great place for all the tea lovers out there. The menu provides a variety of teas, including the popular milk tea, that is a delicious mixture of milk and your choice of flavoring and classic tea. Tapioca pearls, also referred to as boba, are a common addition. Bubbly also includes smoothies on the menu for individuals that don’t like tea. 2312 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311
Rolled Ice Cream Sweet Swirls Rolled Ice Cream is a picturesque place with a unique twist to a classic sweet treat, the ice cream is rolled. The ice cream is more than divine looks for it is heavenly to taste. Customers choose their flavor and toppings that are combined as the ice cream is made in front of them. The ice cream is then rolled into swirls that are topped off with whip cream and a cherry. 303 SW School St, Ankeny, IA 50023