b&w
BLACK AND WHITE JAN/FEB 2020 VOLUME 28 ISSUE 4
JAN/FEB
EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Print Editor Online Editor Design Editor Copy Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor Content Manager Content Manager Ad Manager
Ada Basic Brooklyn Dilley Kylie Emery Taylor Siebert Marandah Mangra-Dutcher Joel Kellar Cameron Deroos Liz Jones Caroline Christensen Ethan Burgett
When Jay Rice ‘94 brainstormed the name of our paper in 1991, it was not because of the ink color. For the last 28 years, our mission has been to bring our audience stories from the school, community and nation, told clearly and without exaggeration--in black and white.
Photo Provided by Stefanie Dao
STAFF WRITERS Nolan Akins Parker Anderson Riley Anderson Payton Blahut Savannah Dennis Noah Gilbert Nitin Gupta London Heim Alex Heron Matthew Hickman Teja Jetty Ramayana Kazazic Akshaya Kumar Zachary Kehoe Tate Larsen Ethan Le Hank Lucas Define Mansour
Sabrina Mcguire Nathan Metzger Collin Minear TJ Olson Charlie Pattinson Ben Pegg Leven Petersen Charles Pruett Ainsley Proctor Ciaran Rigby Cadee Siebert Lily Simpson Aidan Topolinski Ethan Ung Allyah Van Wyk Kaya Young Stella Zeng
CONTENTS News
4 Scrap Metal Concert Girls’ Basketball Showzam Boys’ Basketball
Feature
6 Left At The Bus Stop 8 Up In Smoke 10 World According to... Stefanie Dao 12 The Purpose of a Paycheck
Entertainment
16 20 people, 1 Question: What is one thing you want to do before you die?
PAGE 10 Technology Specialist Stefanie Dao and her husband Michael Loven pose for a photo at their wedding.
Editorial
18 Sorry To Burst Your Bubble
EQUITY VS. EQUALITY This issue has been months in the making, done through careful planning, in depth investigating, and detailed interviewing. We would need several issues to cover every topic that falls under the theme of Equity vs Equality, so we chose a few issues to highlight in this one. Privatized bussing was put in place to help save costs but has raised the question, is it equitable? Some students are navigating through life while being financially responsible for themselves or helping out their families. Sex education is equally mandatory for all students, but is not equitable because it has exlcluded member of the LGBTQ+ community. Sometimes equity can be hard to define for people, especially those living in a bubble. The differentiation between Equity and Equality is blurry, yet we must continue to try to ensure that both are present in society. -Ada Basic Editor-in-Chief
Opinion
20 Unwrapping Sex Education
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.
Sports Editorial
22 The Termination of Dragon Nation @jhsnewspaper
@jhsnewspaper JHS Black and White
T
annual
show
choir
SHOWZAM
currently 10-7. Max Roquet ‘21 currently leads the team in points per game, as well as rebounds per game. He is averaging 11.6 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. His
up,” Innovation member Kyle Geerts ’20 said. “And how they have different game plans from choir to choir.” Centennials’
show
choir “Millennium” received second.
“Spectrum” won first, and Waukee’s
Ankeny
game highs are 21 points and 15 rebounds.
won five of their last six games, and are able to see how different choirs warm
the season 5-6 but have started favorite part of Showzam was being
At the end of the weekend,
before returning to class.
to join the band down on the gymnasium floor
the performance was over, anyone was invited
featuring Bruno Mars, and “Hello” by Adele. After
by OneRepublic, “Billionaire” by Travie McCoy
songs included, among others, “Counting Stars”
sway along to the music. Scrap Metal’s lineup of
pulling out the flashlights on their phones to
engaged during the assembly, dancing and even
Guard’s 34th Army band. Students were highly
Scrap Metal, an ensemble of the Iowa National
gymnasium for a jam-packed performance by
on Thursday, January 30th, students filled the
GIRLS BASKETBALL
he Boys Basketball team started off
T
I
nstead of going to Advisory and Dragon Time
Photo by Noah Gilbert
A member of Scrap Metal sings a solo.
Brees Proctor ‘20 drives in for a layup. Proctor came off the bench and had 2 points and one rebound. Photo by Joel Kellar
BOYS BASKETBALL
Maddie Mock ‘20 looks to pass with a Dowling Catholic player defending her. Mock scored 8 points in that game Photo by Cameron DeRoos
to catch fire as of late. They have
The “Chicago Black Hawks” celebrate after scoring a goal during Innovation’s performance. Photo by Caroline Christensen
to West Des Moines Valley.
in the semi-finals of the state championship
season than they did last year when they lost
different shows and styles. “My
students were able to view many
Because so many choirs attended,
competed.
and seven middle school groups
mixed groups, four womens’ groups,
best choirs from around the state. 17
Saturday, January 25, showcasing the
on Friday, January 24 and
competition “Showzam” was
he
Members of Scrap Metal doing a fun skit as part of their performance. Photo by Noah Gilbert
team hopes to have a better ending to the
clinched a playoff spot. The Girls Basketball
School on February 15. Currently they have
Game of the regular season is at Ankeny High
highs are 35 points and 10 assists. The final
points and 5.1 assists per game. Her game
as well as assists. Mcdermott averages 19.8
currently leads the team in points per game
search for a state title. Maya Mcdermott ‘20
team has only gotten hotter in their
sits at 18-2. After a hot start, the
he Girls Basketball team currently
T
SCRAP METAL CONCERT
Words | Staff Layout | Taylor Siebert
BRIEFLY... 4 | News
6 | Feature
Left at the Bus Stop
Words | Ada Basic Layout | Cameron DeRoos
(i.e. furthest from school receives first
to work as the Executive Director of
Some students have to give up playing
consideration).”
Human Resources, and part of her job
sports because of their need for bussing.
the
included handling the transportation of
“I used to but no, because I have to work
boundaries and are willing to pay for the
Students
who
live
within
students. Because the district has gone
and get money and if I’m playing a sport
transportation are not promised a spot
private, this was taken off of Kacer’s
then I can’t work and then I can’t have
on the bus. “I had to apply for it.,” Orville
plate. “Transporting them is a whole
the bus and I can’t afford the bus or a car,”
Kabamba ‘20 said. “There’s no promise,
other beast and to be truly good at that
Kabamba said.
like ‘We’re gonna give you a bus, but if
you need to spend the time and focus
A solution to this could be setting up
we do find an available spot on the bus,
solely on that effort,” Kacer said. “And
a route for an activities bus. “I would love
that goes on your route, then we can let
before we privatized transportation, I was
to see a bus route that takes kids to maybe
you know so you can pay for it.’”
executive director of HR and that was one
three or four stops, we need that so bad in
Trying to secure a spot on the buses
of the duties I had in addition to trying to
this district,” head wrestling coach Aaron
has proven to be a challenge for the
hire and retain teachers. So my focus was
Tecklenburg said. “And from an equity
students that need it. “I had to call them
definitely split between trying to get high
standpoint, from providing opportunities
and call them, and like okay school
quality teachers in the classroom and
for kids who need transportation, to me
started I don’t know if I take the bus or
then make sure that our transportation
that’s #1 on the list if we really want to
not,” Kabamba said. “So I had to call my
was running smoothly.”
make sure we’re providing opportunities
counselor and tell her to make sure she
The argument could be made that
for kids and opportunities for people to
gave me the right contact of the school
this improved the way the district works.
participate, that’s top of the list. Let’s figure
bus transportation manager and I had to
“I think it’s hard sometimes when school
out how we can get this bussing company
email them.”
districts try to do everything and what I
to include an activity bus.” The district’s
mean by that is what we really should
contract with Student Transportation
focus our time and attention on is being
of America expires June 30, 2021, with a
really good at educating kids,” Kacer said.
new agreement negotiation planned. “We
The lack of transportation has also
hear as teachers and coaches a lot about
proven to make sports a challenge. “It
equity and making sure we’re providing
makes them damn near impossible,”
opportunities and making sure it’s fair
Diego Perez-Celeste ‘21 said. “School
for everyone and to me that’s a huge step
activities almost assume students have
in the right direction,” Tecklenburg said.
Some students, due to language
A
yellow school bus turns the corner and heads towards school, just in time for
morning drop off. From the outside, the bus is ready to drop off its passengers and move along, but on the journey the bus drives past several students walking in the blistering Iowa winter. Why? They live too close to their school to qualify for free bussing. Every child in the United States has the right to public education. What they are not guaranteed, however, is a way of getting there. Iowa Code Chapter 285 Section 1 states that elementary students are entitled to transportation if they live more than two miles from their school, and that secondary students are only entitled to transportation if they live three miles from their school. Johnston has decided to instead put in place a one-
Cost of bussing Curently
mile rule for elementary students and a two-mile rule for secondary students. This has helped to prevent some students
$250.00
who would, quite literally, hop on the bus
Radius required for free bussing
within the boundary, but it does give
2 1
Miles for Secondary Schoolers
Mile for Elementary Schoolers
to cross the street. The distance requirement does not necessarily exclude students who live them a few more hoops to jump through. “For students living closer than the one mile elementary requirement or two mile Johnston High School requirement, paid ridership is available based on a spaceavailable, or open-seats only, basis,” Chief Financial Officer Jan Miller-Hook said in an online interview. “This means that if there are seats available on a bus route, transportation will be provided for a fee of $250 per semester. The decision for offering any available seats will be done so using a distance rubric for families
“If you drive it’s closer than if you walk because there’s no sidewalks.” -Orville Kabamba ‘20
their own means of transportation, when we don’t, it makes life a living hell. Having to leave and come back, with a car not always available, it’s not fun.” For
example,
afternoons professional
while
on
Wednesday
teachers
development
are
in
meetings,
students are told to leave the building. Several sports hold late practices so student athletes are expected to leave
barriers, have to figure out how to sign
school only to come back a couple of
up for this service by themselves. “I had
hours later. This creates problems for
to do that,” Kabamba said. “I had to figure
students without transportation. “I had to
out how to pay for it, and force them to
have a friend come pick me up on their
make sure they answered me.”
way to practice, if he wasn’t available,
Superintendent Laura Kacer used
neither was I,” Perez-Celeste said.
Scan here to read more
8 | Feature
Up In Smoke The Federal Vaping Laws Move Up to the age of 21
Words | Brooklyn Dilley Layout | Aidan Topolinski
the past few, especially with adolescents.
E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated
Whether they started using because friends
Lung Injury, or EVALI, is a newly identified,
did, because they were curious, or because it
dangerous lung disease that has been linked
just seemed cool, many teens are now finding
to vaping. According to the Center for Disease
themselves addicted. Student A began vaping
Control and Prevention, “As of February
when they were 14, but wants to stop. “My life
4, 2020, a total of 2,758 hospitalized EVALI
was stressful and my mom always smoked
cases or deaths have been reported to CDC
around me,” Student A said. “I’m in the
from all 50 states, the District of Columbia,
process of quitting now.”
and two U.S. territories (Puerto Rico and U.S.
While the purpose of the law change is
Virgin Islands). Sixty-four deaths have been
n December 21, 2019, Jacque Heggen
O
product – including cigarettes, cigars and
to stop those younger than 21 from buying
confirmed in 28 states and the District of
‘21 was working her regular shift at
e-cigarettes – to anyone under 21.”
tobacco products, there is no way to be
Columbia.”
cigars,
certain that products are not being obtained
While these health effects are becoming
people out, a girl came through her line
cigarettes, e-cigarettes contain nicotine, a
illegally. Student B, who is currently a senior
more and more apparent, they are not
wanting to buy nicotine patches. She looked
highly
Adolescents
and whose identity is being kept anonymous,
necessarily discouraging teens from vaping.
young, so Heggen asked to see her I.D.
and young adults are more susceptible to
has been vaping since they were a freshman.
“Some of them do concern me,” Student C
before allowing her to buy the patches. The
addiction as their brains are still developing
While the law change has made it more
said. “But right now I’m not worried about
girl was 20 years old. “She was buying these
- raising the legal age to buy tobacco can
inconvenient to get products to vape, it has
them because I know I’ll quit in the future.”
nicotine patches to try to get off of nicotine,
reduce the risk of addiction. According to
not necessarily discouraged them. “I had
In other cases, it seems that adolescents
but I couldn’t sell it to her because she was
Tobacco Free Kids, “National data show that
plugs for other things too,” Student B said.
may still be oblivious to the health concerns,
under 21,” Heggen said. “Now we just have all
about 95 percent of adult smokers begin
“Now they just get me both.”
or are just choosing to ignore them. “I just
these kids that are addicted and they can’t do
smoking before they turn 21. The ages of 18
It seems that a majority of individuals
don’t think about them that much,” Student
anything. I was like, ‘I’m so sorry, I can’t do
to 21 are also a critical period when many
who are now underage have gotten a fake I.D.
B said. “I haven’t really been personally
anything. I can’t sell this to you.’”
smokers move from experimental smoking
or ask those who are 21 or older to buy them
affected.”
According to the U.S. Food & Drug
to regular, daily use. While less than half
products. “I still [get stuff from] my manager
Administration, “On December 20, 2019, the
of adult smokers (46 percent) become daily
at work,” Student A said. “It’s not that hard.”
President signed legislation to amend the
smokers before age 18, four out of five do so
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and
before they turn 21.
a grocery store. As she was checking
Tobacco
products,
addictive
including
substance.
A
grandfather
clause
is
a
statistic provided by FDA
clause
that exempts certain people from legal
raise the federal minimum age of sale of
While the use of vapes and other
requirements that affect their previous rights,
tobacco products from 18 to 21 years. It is
e-cigarettes has been around for many years,
privileges, or practices. In the 1980s, when the
now illegal for a retailer to sell any tobacco
the idea has gained a lot of popularity over
legal drinking age was raised from 18 to 21 across the US, a grandfather clause was put into place allowing those who could drink under the old law to continue doing so. No such clause was put into place with the same restriction now placed on tobacco products. “I
“I’ve been trying to quit for about a month. It’s hard to see friends do it and being kinda stuck.” - Student A
5
think it’s only fair that people who turned 18 before should be grandfathered in,” Student C said. “It’s unfair to allow someone a right
2,758
As vaping is becoming more popular
hospitalizations as of February 4, 2020, have resulted due to the use of e-cigarettes or vape products
among teens, numerous negative health
statistic provided by CDC
and then take it away once they make a law. If they were able to do it before the law, they still should be.”
effects have begun to present themselves.
million middle and high school students used e-cigarettes in 2019
10 | Feature Kool-Aid Shenanigans
>The World According to...
Dao: “This was actually at Urbandale, a long time
ago, so nobody we know here in this building. We got in a work ticket that said, ‘my keyboard is not working,’ like my laptop keyboard isn’t working. And we were like, ‘oh, okay, did anything happen recently? Was it plugged in funny? Did you spill something on it?’ And they were like, ‘no, nothing happened. It just stopped working.’ So, we go and get it and when we pick it up, it is stained pink with like, Kool-Aid. There has clearly been juice or Kool-Aid or something that was spilled on this computer. And it was like, that would be why it’s not working.”
“Knocking on the Sky”
Dao: “A friend of mine and I have an indie-comic
S
T
F
E D
N
A A
I
E
O
book that we’re working on. We actually just finished three issues and we’re writing the scripts for the next three. I spend a lot of time doing that outside work. … The title of it is “Knocking on the Sky” and maybe like other comic books it actually started as a Dungeons and Dragons campaign. So, my friends and I had this campaign that ran for years, I dunno, like, two or three years. We had really done a lot of exploring in this world and playing around with these characters. And I think from the beginning, my friend, and at that time we had a third girl working with us named Emily,we always kind of envisioned it as being this novel length story that could be told.”
Dao’s Co-Writer,Taylor Carlson: “The comic
Words | Sabrina McGuire Layout | Marandah Mangra-Dutcher and Cadee Siebert Photos | Stefanie Dao Computer Guru
The Gal at iPad HQ
computer guru, and, because she is right next door to me, we see a lot of each other.”
as a systems analyst at the AEA and then also with districts. So she just happened to hear that a position opened up for the [Johnston] high school. And at that time, I was still kind of job hunting, as is the millennial experience. And so, she wrote to me and she was like, ‘Hey, isn’t this exactly what you were doing at Urbandale?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, that does sound exactly like what I was doing at Urbandale.’ So I just applied. I really enjoy working here. It is an environment where I get to keep learning new stuff.
Ruth Thoreson: “So, Stefanie is our iPad and
Stefanie Dao:
“I just have always really enjoyed computers, and I’ve never really thought of it as work, because I like it so much. I don’t know that, if you were to ask me as a young kid, ‘do you want to grow up to work on computers’, I just wouldn’t think of it as work, maybe. Like, even now, it’s work and I understand it’s a really important function, but I also I just have a lot of fun.”
Dao’s Husband, Michael Lovan: “I’m always
impressed by how Stefanie is able to balance her work with both IT and her side projects, including the comic. We’re both pretty tech-savvy, so it’s good knowing exactly what she’s talking about when we have those “How was your day?” conversations! I feel that I’ve learned a lot more from her about technology in general.”
Dao: “My dad works at the AEA, my aunt works
Phuc Nguyen: “She helped me out a lot in my IT
major, and also in here, in the iPad HQ and others. Personally, she helped me out a lot in school stuff and she’s got a lot of effect there on me. I feel more comfortable with her and to help out a lot with things I need in this senior year.”
Thoreson: “She comes and tells me stories about when she did tech as a student for Urbandale, and I also like when she starts off with, ‘Did I ever tell you the story about--’. Because some of her stories are just hilarious.”
is a really important part of our lives. Stef and I have been friends for about a decade now, and the comic (or it storyline) has been with us from the very beginning. As we have grown as people, the story has grown as well. Many of the story beats in the comic are things that have happened over the course of our friendship.”
Lovan: “She also has a lot to talk about with the
comic, and it’s very interesting to see those ideas turn into real progress in the physical book. It truly is her pet project, for sure! These things also show how she truly is a master of many skills, and even if they’re not related to one another, Stefanie puts her all into everything she does.”
A Rollercoaster Ride
Lovan: “I’d describe Stefanie as hard-working,
persistent, creative, and talented in all that she does. It’s absolutely amazing to see what can come up with for a solution to any given problem, and her dedication to making sure things are done correctly is admirable. In addition, she loves a good challenge - even if it means learning a completely new skill set or topic.”
Carlson: “Being friends with her is like being
strapped into the chair of the roller coaster tick-tickticking up the first big hill. You get the impression something big and inevitable is going to happen. 90% exciting, 10% terrifying.”
Thoreson: “She’s quiet, but has this wonderful, dry
sense of humor. She is pretty good with a snarky comeback, which I like. … She has such an incredible mind for that, like, ‘how can we do these cool things?’”
Stefanie Dao posing for her friend for in art class in 2014.
Dao and her bridemaids dabbing for a photo at her wedding in 2018.
Dao and her team for the book “Knocking on the Sky” selling items at Anime Recharge in 2018.
Dao: “I did have a really good third grade teacher
Ellie and Evelyn
It’s The Little Things
there was a roadside zoo in Iowa that got shut down. So, they rescued over a hundred rats. We were like, ‘oh, you know, we’ve kind of been thinking about getting rats, so let’s go check it out.’ And so we did, and we got a cage and we got all the stuff, and we went and we have two rats. Their names are Ellie and Evelyn [Evelyn has since passed]. Those are the names the shelter gave them and my husband just really liked them, so they just stuck.”
college. She’s a great person.”
who told me that, if you’re bored, you need to find something for yourself to do. I don’t know how great that advice is, but, actually, it kind of carries me through now. Like, when I’m feeling bored, I’m like, ‘well, I need to find something new to pick up.’”
For The Love Of Anime and Cosplay
Dao: “I was in anime club. I was actually vice-
president of anime club, it’s been a really long time. So, that was in high school. I wasn’t in anime club in college, but I was in cosplay club. It’s just a bunch of very creative, kinda wacky people to hang out with every week.”
Lovan: “Stefanie and I met 10 years ago at Iowa
State University. We were part of similar clubs - she was in the cosplay club, and I was in the anime club. We only saw each other in passing when both clubs hosted collaborative group gatherings, but we were later formally introduced to one another through a mutual friend.”
Atypical Wedding
Dao: “I got married in 2018, in the summer. It
was very interesting because, for both me and my husband, we both come from Asian families. So, there was a lot of--we’re both Asian, but, we’re different kinds of Asian--so there were a lot of different traditions that we were bringing in. In the photo, I’m wearing the traditional Vietnamese dress. It’s called Ao Dai. So, that was a thing that I really, really wanted to do just because I think they’re super pretty, and most of the weddings I’ve been to have been Vietnamese weddings.”
Lovan: “We had an atypical wedding - somewhat
traditional, but also with our own twists. It was hot, humid, and windy that day, so she likes giving me a hard time about me and the groomsmen sweating to death in 3-piece suits while she and the bridesmaids were just fine in their dresses! The reception also became an impromptu karaoke session, and we also enjoyed “Rickrolling” guests by adding Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” to our playlist.”
Dao: “I don’t know if you’ve heard in the news, but
Lovan: “Since they’re nocturnal, we try to spend our last hour or so of our evenings playing with them to further get them accustomed to their new homes. Sometimes that means getting them used to walking up our arms and sitting on our shoulders! It’s been a fun experience.”
Nguyen: “She’s a good mentor, I would say, for my Carlson: “I’ve also learned a lot from Stef. When
I get back home from working or hanging out with Stef, I want to keep trying my best to be the best person I can be. So that’s the highest compliment I can give.”
Thoreson: “I send students to her if it is something
that I can’t help with, and, if she is gone, I try to help where I can. Sometimes we both get distracted, and she’ll just come in here and we just sit and chit-chat.”
Lovan: “I think some of the best stories I have would be the small things. We take a lot of stock in the
smaller moments, because they’re what make us who we are.” Dao in 1991 playing on an old modeled Mac.
12 | in-depth
R
ent, car payments, grocery bills, and medical expenses. The things that adults have to worry about and high
schoolers have plenty of time to prepare for. Except that they do not. There are plenty of students around school that have to financially take care of themselves, and there are several students who do not know what that is like. Financial Literacy is a class that is required for graduation and teaches students how to manage their hard earned money. “I think teaching it in high school is just really helping set our students up for success going into their future,” Financial Literacy teacher Lexi Shafer said. “They can take what they learn now.
The Purpose of a Paycheck Words | Ada Basic & Kylie Emery Layout | Ainsley Proctor Research Assistants | Nitin Gupta & Ramayana Kazazic
Being an adult is not far away and I think some students forget that.” Joining the workforce is quite common in high school, some do it for fun and others do it out of necessity. Typically students spend their high school years saving up for a new car or to get a head start on college tuition. The lessons from Financial literacy take effect for some students as soon as they step into the classroom.“I’ve worked with some students that don’t live with their parents and they legitimately have to become an adult,” Shafer said. “They are working through a budget, creating a budget, looking at their income and looking at their expenses making sure that every dollar has a place. They have to be very particular about that.” Instead of being able to enjoy high school like their affluent peers, they are forced to spend their time ensuring they have a place to live. Managing money can be the difference between success and failure and is something that many believe is a life skill. “I think [understanding finances] can be the difference between success and failure in life,” Financial
“I know they say that money doesn’t equal happiness, but if you don’t know how to manage your money, and you are spending like crazy and not paying attention to bills and not paying bills on time and accumulating all this debt, you will just spiral into this disaster of stress that will cause so many problems that I feel like would make you a very unhappy person.” -Lexi Shafer
Literacy teacher Kayla Bousum said. “You can leave here and be the smartest kid ever and become a doctor or lawyer or some big time job that makes a lot of money, but if you don’t know how to manage your debt, manage your income, you could still be a failure and end up with a miserable life.” Finding a job can be a hard process, creating a resume, sending it out, and making it through the interview process. Students jump through several hoops just to gain employment. One hoop that many students in the high school do not have to worry about is transportation to and from work. Not every student has access to a car so they use public transportation when available or they walk. “I got hired the day after the interview and it’s close to my apartment and I’d rather not walk a hundred and four minutes from my apartment to McDonald’s, because it is a fifty four minute walk there, and fifty four minute walk back, which is really exhausting,” Brendon Grotjohn ‘20 said. Learning how to budget his money has helped
Grotjohn
make
sound
financial
decisions and has given him skills he will be using throughout his life. “Now I’m not buying things that I really want or really don’t need, I mainly just buy like food,” Grotjohn said. “I try to pay my phone bill on time and my apartment bill, and that’s all.” Adults are often asked how they balance their work life and their home life because they are the ones associated with the big responsibilities. Once they clock out they have to go home, take care of their children, cook dinner, do the laundry, maybe pay a bill or two before they go to bed and do it all over again the next day. The reality is that some students face similar situations. “Yes it is [hard to balance school and work sometimes],” Emelyne Nyamahirwe ‘20
14 | in-depth
It’s kind of hard, but I try to do my best because after this year, I’m going to be in college too. I try to help him right now so that he can save money for later when I’m gone.” -Emelyne Nyamahirwe ‘20
said. “It’s hard because you don’t have time
to school. As covered in “Left at the Bus
to study, do your homework, sleep, relax. It’s
Stop”, elementary students who live more
also not hard because if you know why you’re
than one mile away from their school and
doing it.”
secondary students who live more than
ELL teacher Amy Brinker works with many
two miles away from their school qualify
of these students and is very proud of their
for free bussing by the district. Students
work ethics. “All my students are English
who do not qualify for free bussing
learners so they’re working, essentially, a full
because they live within the boundaries
day here at school and, if you can imagine
established by the district have to pay $250
how hard it is, going through high school
for their spot on the bus. If a student has
when English is your second language and
a sibling that also needs bussing, a family
then they’re going and working sometimes
would be spending $1,000 per school year
five hours after school, six hours after school,”
for transportation for just two kids. Some
Brinker said. “Essentially, they almost have
students have to pay these bussing fees
like two full-time jobs, so they’re very hard-
themselves. “I have to work and get money in the school support themselves and
working kids.”
and if I’m playing a sport then I can’t work learned how to be an adult at a younger
Some students not only financially take
and then I can’t have the bus and I can’t
age than most. The idea of “Johnston
care of themselves, but they also help support
afford the bus or a car,” Orville Kabamba
Privilege” maybe accurate for some of
their families. “My dad pays bills for the
‘20 said. If a student qualifies for free and
the student body but most do not fit into
house, so I try to give him money for wifi,
reduced lunch, their transportation fee that stereotype. People work hard for their
lights, stuff like that,” Nyamahirwe said. “I
may be less.
also pay for my dad’s car insurance.”
Not everyone in the building has
Students who do not have their own means
the capability to spend money on their
of transportation may rely on the bus to get
wants and not thier needs. Some people
earning in this building just like everyone outside of this school.
2 0 20 PEOPLE 1 QUESTION What do you want to do before you die?
Words | Taylor Siebert Layout | Payton Blahut
TRAVEL
“The one thing I want to do before I die is travel to somewhere in Asia. I think that would be really cool.” -Damion Landreth ‘21 “I would like to go to Ireland before I die. “ -Taryn Kauffman ‘20
“One thing I want to do before I die is raft the Grand Canyon.” -English Teacher Aaron Eldridge
“Before I die I probably want to go on a backpacking trip through Europe”. -Emma Renaud ‘20
“Before I die, I would like to go to Dubai. It kinda rhymes.” -Princess Pate ‘20
“Death freaks me out big time so this is a hard question. I would like to travel a lot with my wife. I would like to go to the six inhabited continents to explore and just have experiences. That’s my goal.” -Instructional Coach Thomas Griffin
17 | Entertainment
SKY DIVING?
“I want to jump off an airplane.” -Dita Musinovic ‘20
“I want to go bungee jumping.” -Noah Ness ‘21
“I want to skydive off a mountain naked.” -Amar Dupanovic ‘21
“I want to go skydiving without a parachute.” -Mason Thies ‘21
I want to go skydiving off a mountain.
-Will Lucas ‘21
“I’d probably actually want to try going in a wingsuit and jumping off a cliff and seeing what that is like.” -Karson Kleve ‘20 “Actually, I probably would want to skydive.” -Brock Beckman ‘20
STRANGE
FAME
“Probably be Tik Tok famous or any social media platform famous.” -Nedim Smajic ‘20
“I want to be a famous soundcloud rapper.” -Brady Hovey ‘21
“Oh yes! I want to win a state championship for basketball and it is going to happen. Mark my words.” -Brees Proctor ‘20
“Do something that is kind of cool.” -Daniel Lehman ‘22
“I want to rob a bank. It’d be fun.” -Nikita Deymich ‘21
“I want to eat a burrito the size of my face.” -Chase McLaren ‘21
“Commit tax fraud I guess. Just once.” -Adisa Ganic ‘21
To watch the full video on our website scan the QR code
18 | editorial
rr So
B u bble r u o Y
yT o Burst
The editorial is an opinion held by the editorial board of the newspaper and is a collaboration of the board. It needs a simple majority to pass. This month’s vote was 9-0.
I
n an $81 million dollar building,
slideshow cycles through images of students
is the first of our socioeconomic privileges.
housing 1,800 students, each with
with
collaborating,
“The idea of iPads is a very privileged concept,
own school-issued iPad, privilege
disabled students beaming widely, and blue-
because it’s the assumption that everyone can
student body aren’t
collar workers operating.
go home to a power source and Wi-Fi and be
very
able to do their homework on time,” Matthew
thoseproblems,” Ding said.
lurks around every corner. These privileges
differing
ethnicities
false norm that we believe in. from other representative
school
Finding a simple solution to a multifaceted
districts,
bubble is difficult. To understand every facet
had
conversations
of the issue and include as many perspectives
understanding
perception,
as possible, we have to start with one, being
understanding what we were doing, what
introspective and understanding what our
we were thinking, being self-aware, and
privileges are, two, evaluating how our
of
we
create a bubble of safety around us. Our
These situations can occur in Johnston,
bubble at Johnston is easy to fall back on
but problematically, none of the pictures
because the norms, traditions and viewpoints
are actually of Johnston; they are simply
Privilege is also evident by the number
within it seem to be tried and tested. Yet, it
stock images, cherry-picked to portray an
of students with AirPods and conversations
On Dec. 6, 2019, during a basketball game
understanding how our actions can be
idealistic version of our desired self-image.
of spring break trips to Cabo. “It’s an
against Des Moines North High School,
privilege affects our world view and those
can also hinder our ability to grow beyond
perceived by others,” principal Ryan Woods
Administration cites the high quality of the
unnecessary purchase, but every time I walk
some Johnston students held a white bed
around us, and three, having direct discourse
the traditions and norms we simply accept
said. “A lot of it was just reflection and
photos as the reason for their use. “When you
down the hallway, every single person is on
sheet with the word “RAT” on it and wore
with our peers. Having candid conversations
to be true. “If you’ve only ever grown up in
learning and setting some goals to do better
put information out there, you want really
their third pair of AirPods, because they lost
masks of President Donald Trump’s face.
about the privileges within our school is the
Johnston and if you’ve only ever attended
in the future.”
good photos to go with that,” Kacer said. “We
the first two,” Precious Maryah Pate ‘20 said.
Media reported on the perceived racism,
first step to recognizing that our bubble exists;
really great facilities that are not 100 years
The controversy at North was a wake-up
old, you just don’t know what you don’t
probably couldn’t duplicate that with our
“There’s two levels. There’s the bourgeoisie
linking the bed sheet to comments made by
call for us to reflect on our environment and
know,” superintendent Laura Kacer said.
students without taking quite a bit of time.”
and the poor people. The bourgeoisie have
Trump in which he called the 63% African-
its resulting advantages. While students may
Living in Johnston is not necessarily any
Ding ‘20 said.
Recently, the pressing real-world impacts of our bubble materialized.
around
solutions will follow after first recognizing the issue.
Johnston
While the desire to have high-grade
the AirPods, and us with strings are garbage.”
American populated Baltimore “rat infested”.
not have intended anything truly malicious
images is valid, the implications behind
Not every student has AirPods or is traveling
Some were upset by students likening the
fault of our own, but it is our responsibility to
district and community encompass is
by their actions, outsiders still had negative
those images create equally valid concerns.
out of the country, but there are enough
predominantly African-American team to
understand how the Johnston bubble impacts
difficult from the inside looking out; from
perceptions. The bubble we have at Johnston
Portraying Johnston as a completely diverse
students with those characteristics that we
rats. After the event, the students involved
us and expand beyond its constraints.
the outside looking in though, the bubble
distorted our views of how free our speech
spans a number of matters.
community with a perfectly happy student
perceive Johnston to be overwhelmingly
defended their actions on Twitter; overall,
is and blinded us to the consequences that
body is a misrepresentation.
wealthy. “Issues, like poverty, don’t seem like
they intended to support a Johnston player,
would follow. Even apart from free speech,
not antagonize North players.
the overwhelming privileges in our bubble
Understanding
what
the
For one, race. The first glimpse of Johnston’s community is through the
The bubble also spans the idea of
problems among the student body, since
district website. At the top of the page, a
socioeconomic status. The 1:1 iPad system
the people who are very prominent in the
The district handled the matter privately. “When we became aware of other perceptions
revolving around race and finances create a
Scan here for more
20 | Opinion
Sex
UNWRAPPING EDUCATION
Words | Liz Jones & TJ Olson Layout | Taylor Siebert & Allyah Van Wyk young man said that a woman loses her value to future partners by having sex with other men,”
14-19. Teachers and administrators consistently say that they teach abstinence to protect students from
Lashier said. “When that disagreement turned to the fact that the statement wasn’t applied to guys,
life-long consequences, but it has not been proven to be as helpful as desired.
it was stated that guys love sex so much that it’s different.”
One group of individuals that specifically needs more inclusive sex education is LGBTQ+ students,
She had a friend in the class who she knew was sexually active and was aware of how the
often being ignored completely. Gay, lesbian, and trans individuals are not provided any trustworthy
discussion could hurt her. “I understand the need to let every voice be heard in discussion,” Lashier
guidelines for safe sex. They are forced to resort to whatever online resources they can find or shaky
said. “But when we start discussing the value of a person … that is so damaging and dangerous.”
advice from friends. This can lead to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and to
Because many reasons for abstinence are religious-based, schools should refrain from only or mainly teaching abstinence. Not all students will
physical or emotional damage. Even when schools advertise that they provide LGBTQ+ inclusive sex education, they often leave
share the same beliefs and it is unconstitutional and irresponsible of schools to only teach according to one demographic’s beliefs. The school needs to include explanations on how to safely have sex in
out members of the community. They typically focus on the stereotypical “gay people.” Which basically means gay, lesbian, and trans individuals to the larger community. However, asexual,
various situations, including when one is seeking to become pregnant and when one is not. In order to avoid unwanted pregnancies, the school needs to provide education on various forms of contraceptives for various individuals
aromantic, pansexual, bisexual, nonbinary, genderfluid, agender and other identities are all important as well. One example of how exclusion can severely affect the mental health of students is that of
and couples. “So we were not educated about contraception, or consent, or what like a healthy interaction looks like,” DeBruin said. “We were given a website, and [my teacher] basically said,
asexual students. Being asexual means that an individual has no sexual attraction to anyone of any gender. Not knowing that asexuality exists, many individuals feel broken and hopeless.
‘Here, if you want to know about contraception, you can paste this guy into Google and have fun.’” This indifference to adequately teaching about contraceptives is inherently dangerous for
Students need to see themselves represented in the classroom. They are likely to feel more at ease with themselves and more connected to their community. It will also foster understanding and
In recent years, the health program has added
that the sex education program has. Sex education programs are often biased or lacking in substance.
curriculum on rape, but it is startlingly misguided. All the health classes show
They have failed to change with the population and with the times.
the documentary “The Hunting Ground.” It talks about the prevelance of rape on college campuses
Currently, Math/Science K-12 Coordinator Dr. Jyll Johnson Miner and Student Well Being
and the problems prosecueting rapists. Despite the fact that much of the information is outdated, it was made in 2015, and the fact that many have criticized its accuracy and objectiveness, it has
Coordinator Chris Wilson are working on updating the curriculum with health teachers Jackie Sapp, Destiny Willer and Daniel Mennen. While it is encouraging that the district is working on making
continued to be shown in the health classes. “I honestly cannot comprehend the intention of showing this to high school students other than to scare young women away from college campuses,”
steps towards a more inclusive sex education program, it is important that they add all of the relevant topics into sex education as well as navigating them compassionately.
Ellie Lashier ‘22 said. It also has a more severe message being sublimely taught to students. “It almost implies that if you rape someone, nothing will be done,”
in the school’s sex education program. “I want to see less conversation about whether you have sex and more conversation about what to do if you
Lashier said. Because of the intense focus on the amount of rape cases in which the rapist is never or only lightly punished, the documentary only conveys despair for female students and a level of
happen to be in that situation,” DeBruin said. “I would just like to see more basics of how to safely have sex.” Most individuals are going to have sex at
knowledge to male students that they could get away with rape. The school needs to talk about rape and sexual asault. However, this is not the right way. It should
some point. Even if someone decides to wait until marriage, they are going to have sex with their spouse. It is still important for them to know how to have safe sex and to avoid conception if they
be addressed more compassionately, especially considering that some students may have been or known someone that has been sexually assaulted. They should provide resources and knowledge on
are not currently wanting a child. Lack of this knowledge can lead to married couples having problems in their marriage, college and sex lives. Other individuals are not going to wait until
students. Lack of education on contraceptives leads to increases in teenage pregnancies. In the article “Abstinence-Only Education and Teen Pregnancy Rates: Why We Need Comprehensive Sex
acceptance of LGBTQ+ students in both teachers and students. In order to avoid another generation being negatively impacted by lack of awareness about basic sex education, schools need to adopt inclusive,
how to stay safe and who to contact if students are ever in that situation. They can’t just say, “Sexual assault happens and it sucks. Deal with it.” This scenario highlights many of the issues
marriage or even to graduate high school. That is okay too. Their choices are valid and no less respectable. These individuals deserve just as much knowledge about how to be safe as any other
Education in the U.S” by Kathrin F. Stanger-Hall and David W. Hall, they report surprisingly stark statistics about schools that teach abstinence until marriage. Schools that cover abstinence as part
scientific, and helpful programs that teach safe sex to everyone. “Because they say that they’re preparing us for the real world in this place, well in the real world, we’re gonna have sex,” DeBruin
student. Currently, the school has some issues with how they frame sex in the classroom. Lashier has had a few specific scenarios in her health class. “[One]
of a comprehensive curriculum averaged 56.36 teen pregnancies, while schools that stress abstinence until marriage averaged 73.24 teen pregnancies, per 1000 girls from ages
Heather DeBruin ‘20 envisions certain changes
said. “Congratulations.”
Sca
nB elo
wt
oR
ead
Mo
re
The Termination of Dragon Nation
The editorial is an opinion held by the editorial board of the newspaper and is a collaboration of the board. It needs a simple majority to pass. This month’s vote was 9-0.
t is time for @DragonNation1 on
I
used by these students as a wall to hide
and
Twitter to end. What was once a fun
behind and harrass people because of its
through the fact that Student A tweeted
school spirit booster that tweeted out
anonymity. The things said through this
at @DragonNation1 and was met with
what to wear to various sporting events
account would never be uttered in real
harassment from the @BarstoolJTOWN
and to show up and support the school has
life. @DragonNation1 has become a base
account. The @BarstoolJTOWN Twitter
now turned into a front for bullying and
for cyber bullying.
account has since been deleted.
@BarstoolJTOWN
is
evident
harassment. I am calling for the account
One example happened Dec. 6 before
to be deleted or for ownership to be passed
the basketball game with North. Dragon
@DragonNation1 to support the school,
on to student council officials who would
Nation tweeted that the game would
they were blocked by @DragonNation1
be able to use the platform appropriately
be a “rat out” for the student section.
and were harassed via direct messages
and responsibly to represent the whole
That Tweet was soon deleted. Later,
as well. Student A provided the Black
student body.
at the game a bed sheet with the word
and White with images of the direct
“RAT” on it was displayed towards the
messages they received. The Black
Community
basketball court while a North player was
and White determined some of the
School District, but in reality it appears
attempting a free throw. Then, someone
messages were too inflammatory to
that the administration and the holders
put on a Trump mask. Administration
print.
of the account meet a lot about tweets.
quickly took the bed sheet down, but the
Another student who also did not
Whenever something offensive or meant
damage was already done. The thought
want to be identified, Student B, had a
to attack somebody is tweeted by
of some was that this was in reference
similar experience.
@DragonNation1, it is gone within the day.
to the President’s comments made in
Student B said to @DragonNation1,
If you read between the lines, it is easy to
2019 calling Baltimore, a racially diverse
“I just don’t understand why you guys
see that there is damage control 24/7.
The account has long been “not affiliated”
with
Johnston
After Student A tweeted at
city, rat infested. North took this as a
are blatantly disrespectful to other
has
racist attack, considering their school
people in our school, administration,
official
is approximately 77% non-white. In the
and other districts. This account is
Johnston Athletics account only has 29
following days, it was covered by the
essentially being used to bully people.”
more followers than that. The official
local news and talked about heavily
@DragonNation1 responded with “If
Johnston
District
on social media. Johnston was getting
this is what society considers ‘bullying’
account only has about 4,000. The Dragon
called the “racist school” by people in
then we got a rough life ahead.”
Nation Twitter account is a platform for
the Des Moines metro area.
Currently, about
2,600
@DragonNation1 followers.
Community
The
School
When Student B referenced the
the district and high school that holds
Public assumption is after being
bullying of Student A, @DragonNation1
immense power. That power is something
called to the office by administration to
responded with “If you think we’re
that has been abused.
discuss the events that occurred at the
bullying [Student A] u need to do your
No longer are the days where there was
game, some of the operators of @Dragon
research… Y’all need to stop being so
clarity of who was running the account.
Nation1 tweeted from a burner account
soft like the admin.”
For years, the students who ran the account
@BarstoolJTOWN that they would be
were listed in the bio. That brought a sense
boycotting the basketball games and not
people
of accountability to those running it to
attending them anymore.
tweeted at a wrestler from Ankeny
@DragonNation1 also tweets at from
other
schools.
They
show the school in a good light and be
Student A, who did not want to be
leaders of our student section. Nowadays,
identified, tweeted at @DragonNation1
no one is listed in the account bio. If you
to show up to the games, support the kids
While all of this drama is going on,
asked kids around the school who ran the
on the court, and quit making this about
we lose sight of why Dragon Nation
account, they would likely be able to spit
themselves.
@BarstoolJTOWN
was created in the first place--to build
out a list of names. The account is run by a
twitter account proceeded to tweet at
school spirit and bring positivity to the
group of students, but the entirety of that
Student A to cut their hair. The direct
sports and activities at our school.
group is unknown. @DragonNation1 is
correlation between @DragonNation1
The
Names have been blacked out to keep them anonymous.
Centennial to “go back to Skankeny.” That tweet has since been deleted.
Barstool JTOWN Tweets screenshotted from WHOTV website.
23 | Sports Editorial
McDonald s ®
101 SE Gateway Dr, Grimes,IA 50111 515.261.0999
TEENS
Proudly representing West Bend Mutual Insurance Company
HAVE
for all of your personal insurance needs.
RIGHTS TOO!
With West Bend’s Home and Highway”, you get one policy with one bill and one deductible for your home, condo, vehicle, boat, motorcycle, snowmobile, and umbrella. Jim Christensen, Managing Partner Director - Insurance Direct Dial (515) 309-1598 • Office (515) 225-1712, ext. 403 Cell (515) 661-8592 • Fox (515) 225-1749 jim@thefortress.net
www.thefortress.net
FIEDLER LAW FIRM 8831 Windor Parkway, Johnston, IA 50131
Contact: 515.254.1999
2894 106th Street, Suite 120 • Urbandale, IA 50322 • 515-225.