b&w
BLACK AND WHITE JAN/ FEB 2019 VOLUME 27 ISSUE 4
GENERATIONS
GENERATIONS This issue of the Black & White analyzes the similarities and differences in generations. In school, teachers have seen their students and their past classmates cheat. However, the school system itself has increasingly advanced and continues to place pressure on the students. Through the ages, the American Sign Language has become more prevalent in the United States. Even the pressure on student athletes surrounding sport scholarships has increased because of the financial toll it takes to attend college. And classic movies, what has caused them to withstand time? Take a look at the past and explore into the future through the generations.
JAN & FEB 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 Andrew Maresca Print Editor Obsee Abbajabal Online Editor Ada Basic Feature Editor Taylor Siebert Story Editor Brooklyn Dilley Sports Editor Evan Newcomb
Staff Writers
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.
Say Hello
Cecilia Allemagne Parker Anderson Riley Anderson Payton Blahut Duncan Christakos Caroline Christensen Annie Culbert Cameron DeRoos Kylie Emery Kara Green Paul Heggen Elizabeth Jones Joel Kellar Akshaya Kumar Erina Lee Sophia Longo Karla Lopez Siri Mandava Marandah Mangra-Dutcher Ashley Marsh Jacob Marren JD Norris Jenna Olson Charlie Pattinson Ben Pegg Julia Richards Colt Smallwood Ben Williams
Instagram: @jhsblackandwhite Twitter: @jhsnewspaper Facebook: JHS Black and White
INSIDE LOOK
10 Advancing school, Advancing Minds
News
4 The Big Give Wrestling Show Choir
5 Girls’ Basketball Tiffs Treats Speech & Debate Boys’ Basketball
Feature
6 The Art of the A
8 The World According to: Mark Schillerstrom 10 Advancing School, Advancing Minds 14 1 in 1700: Quinn Long
Editorial
16 Acknowledging the Signs
Opinion
18 Unplug from the Social Drug
Sports
20 Committing to Competition
Arts & Entertainment 22 Connection in Classics
4 | news
BRIEFLY words & layout | Andrew Maresca
THE BIG GIVE The Big Give is an annual fundraiser held by Student Council. All funds raised were donated to Project Silence No More, a local suicide prevention organization created by alumni Marcus Miller, Luke Johnson, Tristan Coaldrake and Kelsey Caffrey. The Big Give consisted of Coin War, Winter Formal, a bake sale and a basketball raffle. Rylee Matthews ‘19 counts coins collected by Samantha Robilliard’s class. Photo by Andrew Maresca
WRESTLING The varsity wrestling team beat Des Moines North-Hoover, Jan. 31, 66-8. The meet was at Johnston. Eight matches were forfeited by Des Moines North-Hoover as a result of them not having a wrestler for the weight, making up 48 of Johnston’s 66 points.
Tyler Christenseb ‘19 and his opponent, North-Hoover’s Dalton Davis, face off. Photo by Brooklyn Dilley
SHOW CHOIR Innovation and Synergy show choirs competed at the Davenport Great River Invitational on Feb. 16. Synergy placed first in the prep division and Innovation placed first runner up in the open division. In the midst of a snowstorm, the four buses of students, chaperones and directors pulled off in Newton, and stayed the night in three different hotels. Both choirs will compete at the Heart of America competition March 9. Dana Thacker ‘19 performs the choreography of the girls number in Innovation’s show. Photo by Cecilia Allemagne
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL The girls’ basketball recently wrapped up their season with a win 65-50 win at Ankeny. The girls finished the season with a 19-2 record and ranked number one overall in the state. Nineteen is the most regular season wins in school history. The girls competed in the state tournament from Feb. 25-March 2. Macy Thompson ‘19 prepares to pass the ball at the the game against South East Polk. Photo by Evan Newcomb
TIFF’S TREATS Students can help cancer patients by donating to TIff’s Treats, a student council project. Tiff’s Treats was created by student council advisers Kari Gray and Rachel Jensen. Student Council has three collection sites at the high school. All donations are put in cancer care packages and distributed to local patients. Some items that can be donated are tissues, lotions, gum, lip balm, etc. Rylee Matthews ‘19 counts coins collected by Samantha Robilliard’s class. Photo by Andrew Maresca
SPEECH & DEBATE The speech and debate team competed at the West Iowa District Tournament hosted at Valley Southwoods. Four debate teams and three speech contestants competed. From the speech team, Morgan Alaimo ‘19 qualified in Dramatic Interpretation. Taylor Siebert ‘20 and Akshaya Kumar ‘20 made it to the sixth round, finals. The speech and debate team has one more tournament in their season. Taylor Siebert ‘20 and Akshaya Kumar ‘20 debate the affirmative side against a Valley team. Photo by Jackie Liang
BOYS’ BASKETBALL The boys’ basketball team has won their last game at Des Moines Roosevelt 76-60. The boys finished with a 15-6 record and will compete in the substate tournament to attempt to qualify for the state tournament for a second straight season. Reid Grant ‘21 goes up for a shot in a game aginst Southeast Polk. Photo by Evan Newcomb
6 | feature
C
heating on assessments has been
on, then I would say there’s some form of cheating
happening since the beginning of
that occurred.” The Spanish department was
education, and has consequently
forced to stop assigning daily homework due
created a game of cat and mouse between teachers
to the fact that so many students cheated that it
and students. The students are constantly trying
became pointless.
to invent new ways to get away with cheating,
In the days before technology, cheaters had to
and the teachers are forced to come up with ways
get creative in order to avoid getting caught. Some
to prevent it from happening. The gap between
would write things on their shoes, others used flip
generations has resulted in a change in creativity
phones, and some students would use ancient
when it comes to cheating.
versions of instant messaging. MSN Messenger
Both sides also have different definitions
appeared to be a popular choice, it was released in
of what qualifies as cheating. “It changes
1999 and terminated in 2013. “I remember I had
by assignment, it changes by situation,”
a computer science class [in college] that people
Spanish teacher Peggy Fox said. “I
used to use MSN Messenger,” business teacher
would say anytime that a student
Rod Wiebers said. “That was brand new at that
is not demonstrating their own
point, there were people that would get to know
knowledge of a skill, I would
the one person who knew how to do it and during
consider it cheating. If
a test they would message that person and they
they could not do that skill or if
words | Ada Basic design | Obsee Abbajabal & Siri Mandava
would give them the answers.” Different
methods
of
cheating
require
they couldn’t
different prevention strategies. For some teachers,
reproduce
that means not giving tests on block days to
t h a t
stop the spread of answers. For others, it means
later
creating different versions of tests for different class periods. “I guess it depends on if you want to call it academic dishonesty to communicate test questions to each other, especially if there’s a day in between, like a block,” physics teacher John Chai said. “Some would say that’s just part of it
TH E A RT OF THE
A
With increasing technological advances, teachers are forced to re-evaluate their methods of cheating prevention.
because
that’s
the
teacher choosing to give a test on that day. I still think it’s academic dishonesty to tell the other class the questions so that’s why I try to change some stuff on there.” That method works well for teachers who
today, students
give written tests, but those that do not face
were not able to use their
some extra challenges. “Whether right or wrong,
watches to cheat their way through a test, which
I have where they can’t use their cell phone as a
made getting away with it even more thrilling.
calculator during my tests, because they have it
Nowadays students are running out of ideas
on their computer, they can use a calculator there,
which results in teachers having to make up
movies, people would write things on the
but then you have to go around and make sure
new methods of cheating for them. “I’ve always
bill of their hat, and to me that’s probably one of
kids don’t have multiple tabs open,” Wiebers said.
wondered what would happen if you tattooed a
the reasons why there’s a no hat rule,” Chai said.
Teachers are now forced to take extra
physics equation on yourself, it’s like ‘Well you
Students have gone to great lengths to cheat on
precautions to ensure that assessments are done
can’t tell me not to look at my tattoo’ but at that
assessments, and the ones who have fallen short
honestly. The biggest challenge they have to face
have provided teachers with interesting stories.
is technology. Many teachers have adapted a no
“I had a student in Spanish II turn in a project,
Apple Watch rule because some students were caught cheating with them. “We recently got information from another department, they heard some students talking in their class about cheating in Spanish and using their watches to do it,” Fox said. “So now you have to take your watches off. I mean we try as much as we can but we’re one person against 34 in a classroom, so it happens, we don’t see it.” Cheating
may
even
be
unintentional.
According to students, cheating has become effortless. “I really don’t do anything,” student said. “Honestly, so many people cheat that you are usually sent something without even having to ask. Often times pictures are taken of the test or answers are memorized, and then written down.” Unfortunately, all students have to pay the price when someone is caught cheating. Although some teachers do not believe that this
“We always have to think, when we create a project, when we create a speaking test, when we create a quiz, we always have to think about the cheating aspect. What could happen? How could we prevent it from occurring?”
is necessary, they do take the extra precaution. “I do think teaching upper level classes like physics and AP physics, my students tend to be
and I looked at it and I called the student over and I asked, ‘Can you tell me what these sentences mean?’,” Fox said. “They looked at it and they hung their head and said, ‘No, I don’t know what they mean,’ and I said, ‘I don’t know either because this is in Russian’. So they obviously Google Translated their entire project and selected the incorrect language to submit it in.” There are a variety of reasons as to why students cheat. Some want a good grade, others are under pressure whether from peers, parents or themselves, and some just want to see if they can get away with it. “I think that pressure for some students is so great that they feel the need to cheat,” math teacher Julie Probst said. “And maybe they think that that’s the easier way than to actually learn it, or maybe they think that no matter what they do, they’re not going to be able to get an A in the class.” If caught, many teachers prefer to deal
Peggy Fox
with cheaters behind the scenes. Usually, the punishment includes a conversation with the
pretty trustworthy,” Chai said. “Another teacher
point I would bet that you just have it memorized,
teacher followed by a type of reassessment. The
brought up that they did see a student using an
so there’d be no real point to that,” Chai said.
teacher also has the option of taking the offense
Apple Watch. So I just decided let’s eliminate the
“That’d be an interesting method to see somebody
to administration, but many hesitate to chose
problem before it becomes a problem.”
try. I wouldn’t encourage it!”
that option. “The thing is, a lot of students don’t
Many students understand the rules and bare
Some students may not be ready to commit to
know how we deal with it because it’s all behind
no hard feelings towards teachers who choose to
a tattoo of a physics equation, yet many will risk
the scenes,” Fox said. “We don’t do those things
put these necessary precautions in place. “I have
getting caught looking off of their neighbor’s test.
in front of other students. Sometimes I think kids
never been in a class where I think a teacher has
However, teachers have caught on, and started
think that kids are getting away with cheating
taken it too far,” student said.
to implement measures to curb this old method.
when really there’s a lot of things going on behind
“Common things were like what you see in
the scenes that they may not be aware of.”
Before technology was as prevalent as it is
8 | feature
Photo provided by Mark Schillerstrom
THE
WORLD
ACCORDING TO....
Mark Schillerstrom SOCIABLE BUT NOT SOCIAL Katelyn Winkler (‘19): He’s really kind. He genuinely cares about his students. Ed Walker (English Teacher): We talk about everything. We talk about English, and there’s a wonderful book in our profession, it’s by a guy named Peter Elbow. Funny name. And it’s called “What is English?”. And basically, it comes to the conclusion that
TO THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW HIM, MARK SCHILLERSTROM SEEMS LIKE A STOIC, THOUGHTFUL ENGLISH TEACHER. BUT A CLOSER LOOK REVEALS A WHIMSICAL, CREATIVE SIDE. words | Brooklyn Dilley design | Payton Blahut
the difference between English and other professions is that our content is everything. So we have students working on English with sports content, gender content, creative content. So because English teachers have content that essentially is everything, Mr. Schillerstrom and I talk about politics, we talk about travel, we talk about art, we talk about creative writing. He and I are members together in a creative writing group. You name it, we’ve talked about it. Schillerstrom: While I would characterize myself as sociable, I’m not highly social. Walker: He and his wife have been guests in my home several times. Schillerstrom: No, [other teachers and I] don’t hang out.
much traveling as we’d like, and as we hit retirement, we’d like to do more traveling.
KINO THE CLOWN Schillerstrom: There are certain things that my wife just tolerates. And she tolerated that. I got her to do it one time, but she didn’t really enjoy it very much so she didn’t do it after that, which was okay. I don’t think it embarrasses her; she’s more
Walker: I think Mr. Schillerstrom has a very active mind, and wants to see different places, just like I do. So we share that interest and passion. Schillerstrom: We went to Alaska two summers
apt to tell people that I do it than I am.
ago, and that was a really nice trip because it was
Walker: I was surprised, but then I was able to
back to.
see Mr. Schillerstrom entertain as Kino, at a child’s party. And I realized how that illustrates something about him, which is that he’s so creative, and really is just a born performer. Which one wouldn’t know if one didn’t know him. Schillerstrom: It started 33 or 34 years ago...at that time, the clowning in churches was a pretty popular kind of thing... It just was really an interesting experience. And after the service, I went up to the minister and asked if, next time they did this, if they did it again, I could participate. Kristi Miller (English Teacher): It was kind of surprising to me, because he kind of puts on a serious demeanor. But the more you talk to him and get to know him, the more you see the side of the whimsical...Kino came to my daughter’s third birthday party, and it was really awesome. So it’s been really cool to see that. Schillerstrom: Just like everything else, you think there isn’t much to it, and then once you get beneath the surface of it, there are all kinds of layers and things. Of skills and information and things that go beyond your imagination. Walker: It was interesting because I answered the door at the party, and he was already in character. And he never stepped out of character the entire
a part of the country that we’ll probably never get
Winkler: He told me about his trip to Alaska, and that was really cool. He seemed really invested in Alaska. (laughs)
NALI Schillerstrom: The current dog is a year-and-ahalf old now. She is a miniature goldendoodle, so she’s about 32 pounds. She is highly active and not necessarily very obedient at this point in time. Her name is Nali, short for Denali, we got her the summer that we went to Alaska. We were debating names all the time, so we just decided to name her after the mountain. Laura Paul (‘20): The first time I remember him talking about his dog, I missed the beginning of the story and I honestly thought he was telling us a story about one of his kids’ first night home from the hospital. That was until I heard him say she was talking and walking around, and I was like, “Hold up, what kind of superhuman baby is this?” Precious Pate (‘20): We watched a livestream of his puppy at some sort of doggy daycare one time and it was the cutest thing ever.
RETIREMENT Schillerstrom: Before Thanksgiving, to be honest, I sat down Sunday morning and I had five sets of essays to do. And I had to plan between
time he was there. And it was so fascinating.
Thanksgiving and Christmas for the next six sets
TRAVELING
but I never got to the five, and it just occurred to
Schillerstrom: [My wife and I] haven’t done as
of essays to come in. And I got my six sets of plans me that maybe 42 years of that was enough. Walker: I’m very happy for him, and I’m very sad for myself and for my department, and for the school.
Schillerstrom: While I still enjoy it, you kind of see the signs. It’s time. And sometimes I have a hard time walking away from things when I should, and as I get older, I’m like, okay, it’s not always bad to walk away from things. It’s just time to walk away. Miller: He’s got some big plans for what he wants to do when he retires, so I’m really happy for him. I’m really sad for myself, and I’m sad for our department...He’s someone that I go to a lot for guidance, he always has resources to help. If I need something for class, he’ll say, like, ‘Oh, I have this great short story you should try, have you thought about doing this?’ He’s helpful that way as a teacher, but he also will like give you lunch money if you forget your lunch money, and everytime I have a baby, he gives me a book to read with my kids that we love, he’s just great to have. And I think that it’s going to be really not the same without him. Walker: I think that Mr. Schillerstrom is the wisest teacher that I have ever known, he’s a man who has taught me more about teaching English than I think any colleague ever has. It’s just going to be a very different situation with him not here.
10 | in-depth
ADVANCING SCHOOL, ADVANCING MINDS Compared to in the past, schools are offering and students are taking more advanced classes.
words | Kylie Emery and Annie Culbert design | Julia Richards photo | Andrew Maresca
M
arcus Miller ‘15 was one of
Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics,
many students who decided
AP Computer Science, AP Biology, AP
Social studies courses that are not AP
to
Environmental Science, AP Chemistry, and
include Topics of History taken in ninth
AP Physics.
grade, World Studies, United States History,
take
an
abundance
of
advanced classes in high school. For Miller,
Explorations, and Digital Storytelling.
and many others, trying to balance those
AP Psychology is another advanced course
American Government, and Principles of
advanced classes with other activities such
that students can take as well. Some students
Economics. In addition, there are many
as sports, music, jobs and a social life was
are also given the option to join the Extended
different elective courses that students can
difficult. “My junior year, I way overextended
Learning Program, more commonly known
choose from.
myself,” Miller said. “I remember I would go
as ELP.
to marching band at 7 a.m., then go to school.
There are many possible explanations as changed
to why school is more accelerated today, one
Then right after school, cross country, and
drastically in the sense of which classes are
being that people want to stand out. “I think it
then right after cross country, I would go
required and considered “advanced”. “High
just keeps getting more accelerated because
right to show choir which started at 6 p.m.
school yes, is very different than it was when I
everyone starts taking more APs or doing
and didn’t end until 10 p.m.” Miller would
was in school,” social studies and ELP teacher
more extracurriculars to set themselves apart
then go home and complete his homework
Sue Cline said. “But I think that difference is
from everyone else,” Angela Cai ‘19 said.
until late at night and sometimes, the early
reflected in the entire system, not just high
“Then everyone starts doing that and the bar
hours of the morning.
school. Because I know what I was expected
just keeps getting raised.” Cai believes that
to do in first grade is now the bare minimum
taking a large amount of advanced classes
Recently, more students have been taking classes that used to be taken later in their school career. More advanced and AP classes are being offered today compared to in the past. “Over the past decade, the number of students who graduate from high school having taken rigorous AP courses has nearly doubled,” according to the College Board. Some causes for this trend include cultural and societal competition. Accelerated classes are being offered to students as early as middle school. In sixth or seventh grade, depending on how advanced the student is, Compacted Math is offered to those that want to advance their math as much as possible. Accelerated Science and
However,
high
school
has
“The pressure to get
is not necessarily healthy, however. “I’ve
high grades, it’s not
good on anyone’s mental health,” Cai said. “I
healthy. People have
of advanced classes and is like ‘yeah, I’m fine
different goals, people have different resources
definitely learned a lot, but I don’t think it’s don’t know a single person who takes a bunch mentally.’ It is a lot, they’re all difficult and the work adds up.” Anjali Dhawan ‘19, believes that the reason for pressure to take advanced classes
available to them, and
comes from various sources, including varied
people have different
to take advanced classes is] probably because
motivations in life.” Marcus Miller ‘15
cultural and societal standards.“[The pressure of world competition, because I know my dad is from India, and he would have taken the math I’m taking now in middle school,
Advanced Language Arts are classes offered
in kindergarten now. They’re expected to be
that was just a normal thing for them to do,”
to willing eighth grade students. Unlike the
reading before they’re out of kindergarten!
Dhawan said. “I guess that we’re just trying to
other core classes, an accelerated history
That just blows my mind!”
catch up to their standards and move faster
course is not offered until 10th grade, where they get the option to take AP World History.
The non AP science courses include
and faster with each grade. When it comes to
chemistry,
the whole accelerated students thing, parents
There is a wide variety of AP and advanced
Environmental Science, physics, and electives
always want to be like, ‘oh, my kid’s smart,
courses that students can take at the high
such as Zoology, Botany, and Forensic Science.
let’s make them do smarter things because
school.
For
foreign
language,
Physical
Science,
biology,
students
There are math classes that are not AP,
they’re smarter than all the other kids.’ There
can take AP Spanish or AP French after
such as Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II,
will be parents that complain that their kids
completing Spanish or French 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Trigonometry and Topics, and Pre Calculus.
not taking algebra in fifth grade.”
English and history courses available
English courses that are not AP include
Cline believes that the competition can
include AP World History, AP US History,
Freshman English, Integrated Language
benefit students with more opportunity.“I
Advanced
Arts,
Arts, and any of the Frameworks courses.
think the options are wider, and you can go a
AP Language and Composition, and AP
There are also Capstone English courses
lot further.” Cline said.
Literature and Composition.
that are available to seniors and are more
Another possible explanation is simply
advanced or intensively focused. Capstone
that the world is accelerating in general.“I
courses include Advanced Speech, Creative
think
Integrated
Language
In the science and math departments, students can choose from classes such as AP
it
has
accelerated
just
because
12 | in-depth
everything around us is becoming so accelerated
anyway,”
Johnston
There are advantages and disadvantages
a lot of negative things, particularly when it
alumni
to taking a lot of advanced classes at once.
comes to mental health.”
Madison Symber ‘14 said. “In order to keep
One disadvantage is the amount of stress that
Miller also experienced the stress and
up with how fast everything is changing, we
some students feel or have felt in the past.
pressure to do well. “It was definitely an
have to accelerate our education. It can be
“Junior year was definitely hard because I
unsustainable way of living,” Miller said.
bad, though, because it puts a lot more stress
had a lot going on, and with dual enrollment
“I was stressed out and I was miserable. I
on students.”
classes, there’s a lot of pressure to do well,”
accomplished a lot, but at the end of the day,
Miller believes that despite what many
Cai said. “With other classes, if you do badly,
it didn’t matter. Those experiences, while
students say, people do use what they learn
it impacts your high school GPA, but if you
great, I don’t think were worth sacrificing my
in high school. “There’s no doubt in my mind
do badly in the dual enrollment course, you
well being or my mental health.”
that whether it’s direct or indirect, I have
hurt your high school GPA and your college
utilized skills that I’ve acquired while in high
GPA.”
Another
disadvantage
is
that
some
students felt like they were not learning and
school,” he said. “I do use AP Psych a lot, and
Miller is also a Johnston alumni and
retaining as much as they could have. “I know
I do use Calculus sometimes. In terms of life
co-founder of Project Silence No More,
for me, personally, I just memorize things for
skills, that’s partly my fault because I never
a
to
the test and that’s good enough,” Cai said.
took any of those classes, so I didn’t learn
destigmatizing the conversation surrounding
“Which is definitely bad because grades just
those in high school.”
nonprofit
organization
dedicated
mental health. He feels that there are both
perpetuate that culture of ‘you need to do
However, some of the methods and
advantages and disadvantages to these
whatever it takes to get this grade.’ The actual
studying habits that are taught or picked up by
societal changes. “In one sense, it’s good
learning then doesn’t matter.”
high school students are unhealthy and cause
for students who are looking for more
Symber agreed that society is very focused
problems later in life. “I didn’t remember
opportunities to challenge themselves, but
on the grades themselves. “I think, ideally,
anything from high school, because I had
in a way, it creates an unhealthy culture of
society wants us to retain the knowledge, but
so much going on.” Symber said. “I would
competition,” Miller said.
“It undermines
in reality, it’s more focused on the grades,”
memorize what I needed for the test, purge it,
the purpose of school because it’s no longer
Symber said. “To get into Iowa State, the
then get rid of it. By the time I got to college,
about learning the material as much as you
first thing you have to submit is a transcript
I was just relearning stuff I learned in high
can. It’s about getting the GPA that you
showing your grades. You don’t get in on
school. I should have been ready, but I was
want. It also causes folks including myself to
your knowledge, you get in on your grades
so overwhelmed by everything I had to do.”
overextend themselves, and that comes with
from school. They look at the grades before
Advanced Pathways Offered at JHS SCIENCE
9
Biology
10
Chemistry
MATH
9
Geometry
10
Alg. 2/Trig Pre-Calc
the person.”
wouldn’t say it stressed me out too much,
because you go your entire life thinking
There are other disadvantages to a heavy
but now as I’m involved in more activities, it
‘things should be easy for me.’”
course load as well. “I think when you take
definitely gets to be a little much at times,”
advanced classes, you can get conditioned to
Kloewer said.
Cai encourages students involved in accelerated programs or taking AP classes
think you’re above everyone else,” Symber
Taking ELP at such a young age does
to be careful with the amount of work they
said. “If they’re already an advanced student,
have advantages. For example, these students
are demanding from themselves. “Don’t take
but they can’t handle some AP class, they
get priority when it comes to selecting their
on more than you can handle,” Cai said. “Try
might think ‘why am I such an idiot?’”
classes. However, there are also disadvantages.
to do things because you enjoy them. Life is
Despite the disadvantages, there are advantages to taking these advanced classes, such as the benefits that it has to the brain.“I know I probably won’t use a lot of the stuff I learn, but Mr. Brooks, the calculus teacher, said ‘even if you won’t use calculus, it’s like weight lifting for your brain,’” Cai said. ELP is another option for students who want to accelerate. Students can be enrolled in the Extended Learning Program as early as elementary school. “I think in third grade of
a lot more fun when you enjoy the things
“I did not care as much as
you’re doing.”
I should’ve about learning,
remember to care for themselves.“Take care
but rather I was too
Symber encourages these students to of yourself, watch your mental health, study hard, and figure out your studying style
concerned about winning
early,” she said.
this competition of grades”
much pressure on themselves as he did. “Try
Marcus Miller ‘15
Miller also hopes students do not put as not to overextend yourself,” he said. “That temptation is going to be extremely high. One
elementary school was when I started going
“You make all these kids feel special,” Cai
of the biggest things that I’ve taken away as
out of class to do different classes,” Kloewer
said. “We had this mentality for a really long
I look back, is you’re not going to remember
said. “I took a test at the end of second grade,
time. Then most of us never really tried
the things you learned in your classes. What
and they pulled some people out of it. Then
throughout most of school because things
you will remember are the friendships that
they just asked me if I wanted to and I said
were easy. Once you get to high school, that
you make. You will remember the memories
‘sure, why not?’”
doesn’t work anymore. A lot of us never
that you have with your friends. You won’t
Although usually minor, Kloewer does
learned actual work ethic. Everyone just has
remember the school stuff, so cherish the
get stressed balancing ELP with other
a hard time, and things aren’t easy anymore.
memories that you have with your friends.”
extracurriculars she is involved in. “I
That makes you feel like you’re a failure
11 11
Physics
AB Calc BC Calc
12 12
Any AP or Electives
AP Stats Comp Sci
*Order of classes shown are part of most common advanced pathway
1/1700:
QUINN LONG
FROM SOPHOMORE TO SENIOR, ONE STUDENT WAS RANDOMLY CHOSEN TO TELL THEIR STORY words | Elizabeth Jones layouts & photo | Erina Lee
O
ne morning, Quinn Long ‘20 goes to visit the offices. His associate brings him down and
opens the door for him. As he travels through the offices, he happily greets everyone he meets. This is a typical day for Long. “He likes to talk to other [people],” Diane Davis ‘21 said. “He really does like saying hi.” Later in the day, Long might visit the library to say hi to librarian Ruth Thoreson. Long cannot see, but he has learned to recognize his friends by their voices. “He’s blind, but he can hear very well,” special education teacher Heather Menke said. “So he is always listening to what’s going on around.” Long can be shy, but he enjoys
Quinn Long plays with the parachutes during the Summer Games.
having conversations and making jokes. For fun, Long enjoys listening to stories
on point every time.” When a song is playing,
partner if she wanted a fishy stamp or a dead
and watching videos. Some of his favorites
Long will bob his head and bounce to the
fishy stamp. Long was sitting next to them
are hockey and cartoons. When asked if he
beat of the music.
and overheard the question. “And Quinn just
likes hockey, Long exclaimed, “Yes!” For cartoons his favorite is “Franklin.”
His favorite classes are Peer PE and Peer Art. Last semester Davis was his partner for
bursts out, ‘Dead fishy,’” Davis said. “That was pretty funny.”
Music is also a big part of his life. His
part of the class. Since Long is blind, they
Right now in Peer Art, the class is making
favorite genres of music are current music,
mostly focused on tactile art. Focusing on
paper mache animal masks. Long and his
rock, and country. “He likes to listen to
textures and and other senses allows Long to
partner, Skylar Robinson ‘20, are making an
different music,” Menke said. “He’ll have
participate in class with his friends. One thing
elephant mask. “He really likes art,” Robinson
the choices throughout the day, you know
he enjoys is the sponges they use to paint
said. “He likes touching a lot of the art work.
country or rock.” He also likes to play piano
with. “Not necessarily to do the art with you,
He likes helping out.”
in his free time.
but he will just hold them,” Davis said. “It‘s
“You can put on any music and he will just dance in his wheelchair,” Davis said. “He is
just the texture of it.” One time in Peer Art, Davis asked another
Quinn Long works on his art project during seventh period Peer Art class.
Long’s painting of a tree, with help from special education teacher Heather Menke.
When Long has a break, he enjoys snacking on popcorn and orange soda.
16 | editorial
A
S 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.
L
ACKNOWLEDGING THE SIGNS
I
n our nation, whether it be on a grand scale
fill-in bubble sheets and lengthy multiple choice
like the United States, or on a small scale
questions can become very tedious after a certain
like Johnston, Iowa, it is not uncommon to
amount of time and discourage an interest in
hear many mindless complaints and remarks be
learning. However, less of a standardized test and
made about our school system or the Common
more of an interactive conversation, ASL learning
Core curriculum. Ranging from the rigidity of
would most likely be much more enjoyable for
classes to the unfairness of grades, students from
students and teachers alike. Lisa Noe, a sponsor
all over have expressed a common dislike in our
of the ASL Club, confirms this idea. “I think it’s
current school system. But, in this age of making
much easier to learn from a teacher as opposed
progressive changes to class options and grading
to a book, so you can see the movement and place
practices, new and previously overlooked classes
of your hands,” Noe said. “It really would be all
should be considered for some attention. Among
communication instead of paper and pencil.”
these changes, one in particular stands out: ASL
Regardless of student interest and unique
(American Sign Language) should be offered as a
teaching styles, learning ASL could prove very
class in schools.
beneficial for students in their future careers or
ASL, while not as commonly spoken in the
livelihoods. Not only in teaching or interpreting,
United States as Spanish or French, is still the
as ASL provides a whole range of opportunities in
sixth most spoken language in the United States.
terms of communicating with others, including
The option to learn such a prevalent and useful
careers in healthcare or encounters with different
language should be at least offered to students in
groups of people who may be deaf or hearing-
this country, and could even help those new to this
impaired. “It’s not a handicap, it’s a way of life,” Noe
country and still in the process of learning English.
said. “I think anytime you can learn more about
“It’s a less overwhelming approach to getting that
someone’s culture or their language and be able to
foreign language credit for students who may
communicate and bring them in so they don’t feel
already be bilingual, trilingual, and come and be
like an outsider, it would be a good thing.”
expected to learn either Spanish or French,” Anna
Overall, the benefits of ASL should be enough
Janni ‘20, the student leader of ASL Club, said. “We
to have some sort of representation in schools,
could offer this, which could supplement their
and, as student interest is certainly apparent (given
English learning.”
many students would jump at the chance to learn
For as long as public education has existed,
it in place of Spanish or French), it should be at
student interests have been given little regard in
least offered to those students. If this is not to be,
deciding what classes are taught at schools. High
there are many affordable programs in the Des
school in particular is the most opportune time to
Moines area that offer ASL courses, and there is
explore such interests. Instead of demanding that
currently an ASL club at the high school open to all
students learn either Spanish or French, which,
students interested in learning the language. But, if
a lot of the time, prove especially futile in their
offering ASL as a class is taken into consideration,
use in the real world, students should have the
the time to offer it is now, when students’ young
opportunity to be fully engaged in a course that
minds are still developing and still apt to learning
teaches ASL, a language that allows those who
other languages. “The sooner that you start with
learn it to communicate in the simplest ways with
foreign language, the better off you are and the
the deaf or hearing-impaired.
more interest there is going to be learning in that
An interesting feature of an ASL class would be the lessons and the exams. Standardized testing,
language and continuing to grow in those areas,” Noe said.
18 | opinion
UNPLUG FROM THE SOCIAL DRUG words | Riley Anderson design | Andrew Maresca
For a daily diary visit jhsblackandwhite.com
S
elena Reese ‘21 wakes up to her
audience member. It has also perpetuated the
In the last 24 hours, Johnson was on Snapchat
beeping alarm and rolls out of
anxiety that accompanies some people’s fear
for four hours and 16 minutes.
bed, ready to start her day. She gets
of missing out.
Johnson has two accounts on Instagram,
ready for school, surprised at how quickly she
Many social media users fall into the
a main account and a spam, one of which
moves with no distractions. Not once does
endless cycle of scrolling, but they are not to
she posts on daily. “Only the friends that I
she stop to check her phone, and before she
be blamed. Social media platforms such as
talk to constantly and family would be able
knows it, she is out the door, feeling refreshed
Instagram are specifically designed to have
to contact me over text, call and Facetime,”
and ready to face the day.
an endless scrolling feature. This allows for
Johnson said. “I feel like a part of me would
“After I got them, I used them for like a month. They had the shininess that happens when you get something new, and then eventually the shininess of the new thing dulled, and I didn’t want it anymore.” Katelyn Jurasek A social media detox, or a social media
users to continue looking at posts from the
be gone [without social media].” A social
cleanse, is when an individual abandons
people they follow while simultaneously
media cleanse would be out of character for
all forms of social media for a set period of
losing track of time. Before they know it,
Johnson. “People would think I got in trouble
time. One popular reason people go on social
users have put in hours of screen time on
because I’m always on my phone, or people
media detoxes is to improve their overall
these apps.
would think I’m ignoring them.”
mood; it is easy to feel competitive among
To Katie Johnson ‘21, anything that can
peers as to who posts the most pictures with
be used to communicate with other people
has witnessed firsthand how social
School therapist Amy Ziegenhorn
their friends, or simply who has more friends.
is considered social media, including texting.
media affects people of all ages.
This constant competitiveness can quickly
“If I wasn’t on social media, I would want
“I think that social media is
lead to anxiety and/or depression.
it more,” Johnson said. She actively uses
very influential in people in
Social media is often seen as a large
Snapchat, Instagram, Reddit, and Facebook.
general, not just teenagers,”
popularity contest, and anyone with an
In the past 10 days, she spent an average of 10
Ziegenhorn said. “I can
account and a wifi connection serves as an
hours and 30 minutes on her phone each day.
see a lot of adults who
TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SOCIAL MEDIA CLEANSE • Where to start • Reflect on how much you currently use social media • Accountability • Tell your friends and family about your new goals decision to delete Snapchat. She considers
can’t get their noses out of their phones.” She believes that social media plays a
social media any form of app that you can
heavy role in self esteem and self confidence,
see other people’s life on. “It causes a lot
as well as how teenagers view friendships.
of problems and I didn’t feel like it was
“Teenagers derive their self esteem from
benefiting me anymore. I think it was hurting
social media, they derive their understanding
me more than anything,” Reese said.
of how they fit into the world,” Ziegenhorn
Katelyn Jurasek ‘20 considers social media
• Find Alternatives • Find other activites to consumer your new freetime
to be any app or website that allows someone
said. A detox from social media gives people
to share their life with people, whether that
permission to live in the present. Instead
would be with friends, family, or random
of taking a picture of the sun setting, and
people. Jurasek witnessed her friends using
captioning it with something like #blessed,
social media, which contributed to her
people on a detox allow themselves to be
wanting to use it as well. “All of my friends
present and enjoy what is happening right in
had it, it seemed like the majority of people
front of them. They have no need for likes or
had it, and I wanted it too,” Jurasek said.
followers, so they feel no obligation to
Social media has not had a big impact on Jurasek’s life. The few apps she does have, she
share that moment. Reese has several social
does not use that often. “After I got them,
media accounts, but
sure, I used them for like a month. They
made
had the shininess that happens when you
the
• Set limits • Set time limits on apps, or delete them all together
get something new, and then eventually the shininess of the new thing dulled, and I didn’t
• Start small • Do not completely cut all social media all at once
want it anymore.” She
uses
Snapchat
in
moderation,
and refrains from scrolling aimlessly on Instagram. “Some people are addicted to social media, but there is definitely a way to have it in your life. You just have to be self aware.”
• Reprioritize • See where you would rather spend your time
20 | sports
Committing to
Competition B
ecoming a scholarship athlete is not easy. It takes hours of hard work and dedication. Athletes have
to deal with the pressure of going through the difficult world of college recruiting. Head baseball coach Michael Barta has learned all about the scholarship world in his coaching years. “The scholarship world is a cutthroat business that you throw a 17-yearold kid into and luckily for them they have us coaches and their parents to help them through the process,” coach Barta said. “A lot of schools will offer 20 scholarships when they only have 15 and cut the five that aren’t good enough and just tell them to find somewhere new to go.” Coach Barta believes that the University of Iowa is the gold standard for recruiting as he has had almost no troubles with them. A big reason for that is University of Iowa Athletic Director (AD) Gary Barta (no relation to coach Barta) plays a big role in Iowa’s recruiting process. “The pressures of a highly-recruited young person are significant and the same no matter what school is recruiting them,” AD Barta said. “To help them we try to be fully transparent and encourage prospects to include their support system in the process.” Coach Barta believes there are more external pressures to recruiting than internal pressures. “I don’t think there is internal
words | Evan Newcob design | Payton Blahut
pressure for athletes from us coaches or their teammates, however; kids have a lot of
The average athletic scholarship pays for $10,500
Only four sports can get full rides which are football, men and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball.
1988-89 it cost $17,010 for a private four-year degree which increased to $35,830 in 2018-19.
Around 2% of students get sports scholarships
external pressure from social media, friends
have been huge supporters of me and have
McDermott has felt the burden of the
from other schools and college coaches,”
not forced me into anything,” Coleman said.
recruiting process. “I had a lot of pressure
coach Barta said. “When you are playing
“Coach (Brian) Woodley and coach (Rod)
going into games because any college
in front of college coaches that is pressure
Wiebers made things easier by talking to
recruiter could be watching,” McDermott
because they only see you in those couple
the coaches at NDSU (North Dakota State
said. “However, it helps because two of
moments and they judge how you handle
University) and allowing me to focus on the
my biggest supporters are my friends
yourself and how you perform.”
high school season.”
Maddie (Mock ‘20) and Regan (Nesheim
Anthony Coleman ‘19 knows all about the pressures of being recruited because he is
“The scholarship world is a
‘19) who I have been playing basketball with since first grade. It really helps to
cutthroat business that you
play with them.”
camp, North Dakota State was giving out
throw a 17-year-old kid into
pressure of being recruited is the pressure
four scholarships to defensive backs and two
and luckily for them they have
to go NCAA Division I. “I believe that
us coaches and their parents
go Division I and I don’t understand it,
going to North Dakota State next year to play football. “During the summer after a football
had already committed that night,” Coleman said. “I felt pressured to commit then and there.” He did not end up committing that night and he decided to push it off until after his last high school season. “Being recruited was a pressuring situation, but I tried to focus
Coach Barta believes the greatest
there is this terrible pressure on kids to
to help them through the
because what is the point if you aren’t
process,”
don’t you go somewhere where you can
Michael Barta
trying to go pro,” coach Barta said. “Why get on the field and have a coach that loves you as a player and person and you
on it after the season so I could focus on
Maya McDermott ‘20 has been dealing
playing well during the season,” Coleman
with the recruiting process for quite a while.
said. “I don’t think the recruiting process
“In seventh or eighth grade I was invited
McDermott has found the perfect
ever affected my high school performance
up to camp at UNI (University of Northern
school for her though. “I love the coaches,
though.”
Iowa) and during my freshman year UNI
I love the environment, I love the school
can play four years on a team and love the entire experience.”
Having people for support is one of the
started recruiting me,” McDermott said. “The
and I know a lot of kids who are going
ways that many coaches recommend players
pressure was there because I was wondering
there,” McDermott said. “UNI is my
to alleviate pressure. “We encourage kids to
if this is where I was going to end up and if I
home.”
include their parents in on the recruiting
was going to like the coaches.”
Coleman also found his perfect fit at
process and we try to help kids by attending
Coach Barta thinks recruiting that early is
North Dakota State. “I love the coaches
the National Baseball clinic and talking to
out of hand. “Recruiters have to make earlier
and I liked Fargo because it reminded
college coaches to help them out,” coach
and earlier decisions by projecting where
me of Des Moines,” Coleman said. “I felt
Barta said.
15-year-old kids are going to be as seniors
like I had a better connection to NDSU’s
because if they don’t another team will beat
coaches because it seemed like they cared
them to it,” coach Barta said.
more than other coaches.”’
Coleman has involved his support system greatly in his recruiting process. “My parents
22 | arts & entertainment
CONNECTIONS IN CLASSICS words | Colt Smallwood
Credit: Metro Gold Mayer
The Wizard of Oz
Credit: 20th Century Fox
Star Wars IV a New Hope
design | Cameron DeRoos
Credit: Universal Studios
Back To the Future
Lifetime Gross
Lifetime Gross
Lifetime Gross
Year Released
Year Released
Year Released
Rotten Tomatoes Rating
Rotten Tomatoes Rating
Rotten Tomatoes Rating
$25,739,442
Aug. 5, 1939
98%
$775,398,007
May 25, 1977
93%
$381,109,762
July 3, 1985
96%
E
veryone knows about “classic” movies; from hearing about them from our parents and grandparents to English teacher Ed Walker’s classes on Reading the Screen and Digital Storytelling, most students have at least a grasp of what movies are considered classics. But what actually makes a movie a classic? Is there some set of characteristics or commonalities that pushes movies like “The Wizard of Oz”, “Star Wars”, and “Back to the Future” into pop culture immortality? First up, the student side. It seems that a sizeable portion of the student body has seen at least one of the three movies mentioned before, and several have ideas on why they’ve held up the way they have. Cole Meyer ‘20 has a theory that has to do with story types going back to ancient times. “I believe that it has to do with archetypal story structure; the same kind you see in Ancient Greek plays like ‘The Iliad’ and stuff like that. These same elements are reused again and again and again because as humans it just appeals to us.” Along with the aspects of reusable story structures, he thinks that part of the reason is how each movie is so character-centered. With “The Wizard of Oz”, each character has their own goals and flaws, but they are simple enough that they don’t distract from the main story of getting Dorothy home. Chris Jordan ‘21 also thinks that both “Star Wars” and “Back to the Future” hold up, with quite different reasonings. With “Star Wars”, personal preferences start coming in, simply stating “ ‘Star Wars’ is probably the best known movie franchise.” With “Back to the Future”, he thinks the relatability comes from the teenage leads. Towards the opposite end of the generation gap, there is Reading
the Screen teacher Ed Walker with a connection between all three, “The three films you selected … are, even though they’re dated in some ways, they have these universal themes that pretty much everybody keys into.” Along with that, he posits that the direction of each of them is so well controlled that there are no boring moments. More specifically on “The Wizard of Oz” he says, “ ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is as close to a perfect movie I know, based on the fact that there’s not a single part that I wish would hurry up and be over so we could get to a better part.” With all three, their simplicity works in their favor. “Star Wars” follows The Hero’s Journey archetype almost to the letter, but people still love it. “The Wizard of Oz” is about wanting to return home, “Back to the Future” about wanting to change the past, and people all relate to those concepts. Librarian Sally Corcoran has a differing opinion on why “Star Wars” has stayed as relevant as it has, but it’s less nostalgic and more commercial. “The fact that they kept making sequels and sequels kind of kept it fresh in everyone’s mind.” With the other two movies, the mood swings back to messages and ideals from both “The Wizard of Oz” and “Back to the Future”. With “The Wizard of Oz”, the classic values and the messages about family draw in everyone, and with “Back to the Future”, the retro styles plus the predictions of our current future from the 1980s is great to look back on. From what it seems, all three films have simple common traits that most people can connect with. All of them follow storytelling devices that have been used for thousands of years already, and will be used for thousands more. They may be predictable sometimes, but have lasted for this long and will continue to.
DRAGON SCHOLARSHIP FUND ANNUAL AUCTION
Join us Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the West Des Moines Sheraton for a casual night of fun, food, and fine auction items!
6:30-10:30 p.m.
Attire: Casual...Wear your Johnston colors or other casual gear! Silent & Live Auctions | Hors d'oevres | Music & Entertainment
Register Online at dragonsf.org
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The Woods Beier Henderson Group at Morgan Stanley 505 Market Street, Suite 300 West Des Moines, IA 50266 515-224-9195 www.morganstanleyfa.com/woodsbeierhenderson
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MECH
BC006 CRC 2327404 12/18 CS 9438839 12/18
JOB INFORMATION 9438839 / 604536990
PROJ. NO.:
JOB NAME:
WM Mkt Byrnes WBH group LocAd
TRIM SIZE: FINISHED SIZE: BLEED: POST-PROD.:
SPECIFICATIONS 7.666" × 2.333"
7.666” × 2.333” NA
NOTES Dupe and update 8761883