& BW
School bans a student-made t-shirt Ron Paul appeals to the youth Substitute rock climbs
four thirteen fifteen
the black and white
PEACE.
LOVE . LOINCLOTH.
Forey Fest raises money for custodian, local icon
fourteen
jan. 2012. volume 20 issue 5. 5152780449. 6501 NW 62nd ave. johnston. iowa
News
Double Truck
3
Photo essay
8/9
4
Administration bans T-shirts
5
Newsbriefs/Stuco updates Program promotes healthy living School adopts Google program
6
Relive the past month through photos How one student took on T-shirts and a cause
Plans for new high school iPads to be in classroom
7
Raising awareness
Anti-texting law should be repealed
New change to finals
Learning more about transgender community
Finals before break are better
10
14
Forey Fest
15
Bouska climbs on
FAFSA needs revision
Federal student aid should be expanded
Opinion 12
What the community is doing to help What he does in his free time
Ron Paul recieves the young vote Back to Besic Backpage Athletes on probation
Athletes doing sport for wrong reason
16
In plain sight
New strategies to make the season its best
January 2012
Texting and Driving
Feature
Teachers and students utalize technology
Boys and Girls Basketball
13
Editorial
11
Sports
15
the black and white
in this issue...
11
7
Post-high school plans
Some students unique college plans
STAFF EDITORS
SUB-EDITORS
Zach Winjum
news
Ashley Enger
Zach Peterson
Paige Cramer
Kenzie Foldes
Anne Rogers
Kristine Hayes
Taylor Joens
Sarah Ross
editor-in-chief
Taylor Mithelman co-design
Evan Culbert co-design
Lauren Coffey managing
Ian Dunshee photo
Mirza Besic backpage opinion
Mallorie Goodale Sarah Margolin
STAFF WRITERS
Ryan McGrew Monica Gagne
sports
Wes Monroe
Laura Scieszinski
Hannah Soyer
Ben Parsons
Zoe Wilson
feature
Scott Syroka doubletruck
Ashley Shay
ILLUSTRATOR Lisa VanWiel
On the cover: photo by Ian Dunshee
Correction from the Dec. issue: It was said that Rick Santorum is an Evalgelical Christian. He is a Catholic.
PHILOSOPHY
The Black and White is published solely by the Johnston High School newspaper staff. Its goal is to inform, enlighten and entertain Johnston students. It is an open forum. In accordance with Iowa law and board policy, students assign and edit material and make all decisions of content. The paper is published nine times per school year. The paper will avoid material that is libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. The law does not require parental permission to use student quotes. Ethically, we believe students can speak for themselves. Staff editorials represent the opinion of a majority of the editorial board. Editorial and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the adviser, 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. Bring letters to room 413 within one week after publication to be considered for the next issue. The Black and White strives to report accurate and timely information. If you believe that an error has been printed, please contact the editors at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com. The Black and White is a member of CSPA, NSPA, Quill & Scroll, and IHSPA. Recent issues of the paper earned these honors: Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist, National Scholastic Press Association First Class rating, Quill & Scroll Gallup Award, IHSPA state placings and sixth in the National Best of Show.
news
the b&wp.3
jan 2012
Januaryin photos Taylor Mithelman/BW
1 Zoe Wilson/BW
Monica Gagne/BW
2 3 4
5 1
Innovation seniors Erika Gebard and Lisa Friesth perform the song Johnny B. Goode at the exhibition round during the Showzam competition held at JHS on Jan. 21. Urbandale placed first and Ankeny recieved second. Innovation was unable to place because the event was hosted at Johnston.
2 Zoe Wilson/BW
Presidential candidate, Rick Santorum meets senior Kerigan Thompson and family at the 2012 Republican Caucus held at Summit Middle School on Jan. 3. The original result put Santorum in second place, but a recent recount put Santorum Mitt Romney.
Ashley Shay/BW
3
Students Drew Cubit and Austin Stiles, both sophomores, sang in this years Mixed Choir Pop Concert on Thursday, Jan. 19. “I thought the concert was a lot of fun for everyone. It was a good chance to display some talent and overall just have a good time. The root beer floats were a nice way to finish it off,� said Cubit.
4
Junior Kenzie Johnson spends time with Rooster, a black mixed breed, at the Animal Rescue League (ARL). Johnson does everything from walking the dogs to introducing them to possible adopters as she works toward her Silver Cord.
5
Junior Zack Robinson competes against an Ankeny opponent at the wrestling meet Jan. 12. The competition ended with a score of Ankeny 45 to Johnston 28. This month the wrestling team is supporting the world hunger cause with their Take Down Hunger Drive at meets.
the b&w p.4
news
jan 2012
T-shirt banned from game and school words & layout A
student-made
Zach Winjum T-shirt
was
not
that the administration got involved. “It was
allowed to be worn to the Johnston vs.
a little bit expected after the reaction to
Urbandale basketball game on Friday Jan.
the sign, I kinda saw it coming,” Morrissey
27. Students are also prohibited by the
said. Although the school has banned
administration from wearing the shirt to
wearing the shirt, Morrissey plans on
school. However $150 of the profits from
making more if enough students still want
the shirt sales were donated to the Iowa
them. “If there is still a demand for them, I
Cancer Research Center to go along with
will make more,” Morrissey said.
Johnston’s Big Give.
Morrissey had not been handing out
Senior Tyler Morrissey created the shirt
the shirts prior to administration talking to
in reaction to an incident at the first meeting
him about the matter, but he had collected
between Johnston and Urbandale. He had
the money for the 106 shirts during the
brought a homemade sign to the basketball
school days. Once he received the order
game that was hosted at Urbandale on Dec.
from Broken Arrow however, he handed
22. The sign read “Urbandale: Keeping
out the shirts at Plaza Mexico on Thursday
the ugly girls out of Johnston since 1916,”
Jan. 26 because the administration would
which is now the message on the banned
shirts. The sign was taken from him by a Johnston administrator because of a no
sign policy at athletic events. Soon after, Morrissey began thinking of other ways to announce the message without breaking
athletic activity rules. “And I thought why not put it on a shirt,” Morrissey said.
Morrissey originally created a fan page
on Facebook with the shirt design and the question attached “Should I make this?” He
did not invite anyone to the fan page but let
word of mouth spread the message. Over
100 people gave him positive feedback
about the shirt design, so he decided to make it.
Before ordering the shirts, Morrissey
began collecting money from students on
newsbriefs & stuco updates
NB
words & layout Sarah Ross
not allow him to do so on school grounds.
Zach Winjum/BW
While handing out the shirts to those that
Senior Tyler Morrissey loads 126 T-shirts into his truck from Broken Arrow. Originally the shirts were meant to be worn at the Basketball game on Friday Jan. 27, but the administration banned them from being worn to the event and school.
pre-ordered, he also sold the remaining 20 in the first eight minutes of conducting business.
Jan. 17 during the school day. Once 106 something that is offensive or that would
To go along with Johnston’s Big Give,
students paid him in advance, he placed disrupt the school day it would not be
Morrissey decided to donate $150 to the
The make cost for each shirt was $7.44. said. Stratton also noted that the shirt
to donate because it seemed like the right
the order with Broken Arrow for 126 shirts. allowed,” assistant principal Jerry Stratton
Iowa Cancer Research Center. “I decided
Morrissey charged $12 for those that paid would fall under the category regarding
thing to do,” Morrissey said. He chose to do
in advance and $15 for those that bought freedom of expression in the Parent/
so after Student Council representatives
Student handbook which states, “Student
them after he placed the order.
spoke with each Advisory classroom about
Once administration caught wind of expression shall not, in the judgment
all of the planned fund-raising activities.
what Morrissey was doing, it reprimanded of the administration, encourage the
While some deem the message on the
him on the basis of selling goods on school breaking of laws, cause a defamation of
shirt as offensive, there is even a demand
shirt from being worn during the school harassing messages.”
that even Urbandale people have bought
property. Administration also banned the persons, be obscene, indecent, or contain day, or at the basketball game. “If it is
Jimmy John’s gets robbed An armed robbery occurred at the Jimmy John’s near Merle Hay Mall Mon. Jan. 2 at 8 p.m. The employees working at the time were forced to lay face down on the floor by the robber wielding a handgun. A cash box with $100 in it was stolen. No one was injured. A police K9 unit found the box but could not track down the robber. Police do not have any suspects. Business at Jimmy John’s went on as normal the next day. “Since there was no one injured business would continue as regular,” said corporate rep Cindy Hues. After the robbery, Jimmy John’s has not made any major safety changes. “We have gone over what employees should do if this ever happens again but we have not made any changes to make things more safe,” Hues said.
at Urbandale for them. “The best part is
Morrissey admits that it was no surprise
the shirt,” Morrissey said.
Student council updates — Johnston’s Big Give upcoming events the details upcoming events the details february
february
Jan 30Feb 3
Johnston’s Big Give (JBG) coin war to beat cancer during 2nd hour classes
Bring donations to beat cancer and help your class win pancake breakfast tickets.
6
JBG restaurant night at Culver’s from 4-9 p.m.
Eat at Culver’s on 86th St. and Plum Dr. and a portion of customers’ bills will go to JBG.
1
JBG restaurant day at Merle Hay Road Buffalo Wild Wings allday
Mention you’re with JBG and they’ll donate 10% of your bill to beat cancer.
8
JBG student/staff pancake breakfast in front of the cafeteria from 7:20 a.m. – 8:20 a.m.
$5 for UNLIMITED pancakes! The Johnston Kiwanis Club will be serving up the best pancakes you’ve ever had!
5
JBG student/staff dodgeball intramural @ 1 p.m. in big gym
Come bring your throwing arms and see who the champion is, all while helping JBG. Teams of 10. $5 per player. Sign-up in Beguhn’s.
13 School board
meeting at the Administrative Resource Center @ 6 p.m.
If you haven’t heard the grand total raised from all the JBG events, you can find out at this school board meeting.
news
jan 2012
the b&w p.5
Program encourages wellness words & layout Paige Cramer
An independent study covering fitness and
ipes and other ideas to help them. Beason will
healthy living class, worth half a credit, began this
also help the students out with ideas and tips. “I
wellness has been added to the curriculum. A
soon utilize Facebook so other teachers can
semester.
want the students to know that they’re not in this
The healthy living option is neither a P.E. or
health class. It is all anonymous and the stu-
alone,” Beason said.
The class looks at the aerobic capacity test
dents never actually meet in a classroom. All the
and the body composition test, which are both
Dave Beason, P.E. teacher and instructor of this
dents fail both tests, they are eligible to take the
The only time the students are able to meet is
tests, are not able to take it.
choose to take.
took a childhood obesity class last year. He re-
about living a healthy lifestyle. “We should try to
gram tests were sent home. “[The class] was a
ier product,” Beason said. “We focus so much of
relevant.,” Beason said.
the physical person. We know that childhood obe-
demic Services, then recommended it as an inde-
betes; at 15, you should be in the best shape of
students. To meet qualifications, the study must
Students send emails to Beason of what they
istrative approval. Amendt said they built a struc-
diet and daily physical activity so Beason can
it on a student-by-student course. “If we have a
students in the study can join only by invitation.
part of the fitness gram tests taken in P.E. If stu-
course, communicates with them through e-mail.
course. Those who pass one or both of those
through occasional field trips, in which they may
The idea for the course started when Beason
The reason for the class is to inform students
alized there was no follow up when the fitness
educate our young people and produce a health-
good way to tie in fitness testing, to make it more
our education on math, science, etc., We ignore
Dr. Bruce Amendt, Executive Director of Aca-
sity has a direct link to heart disease, cancer, dia-
pendent study because is not open to any or all
your life, and many are not.”
take 90 hours to complete and must have admin-
are doing to live a healthier life. They track their
ture of the independent study, but customized
monitor it. He also sends the students tips, rec-
physical education class with students that are
concerned about future issues of their health
and want to look at how they can combine physical fitness, diet and research on how to have a
healthier lifestyle with a teacher willing to work on a on a on to one business, I’m supportive of that concept,” Amendt said.
During Christmas break, the fitness gram
letters were sent out to parents, explaining the
independent study. Students had until Jan. 3 to decide if they were going to take it.
There were about 150 students that were eli-
gible to take the class. Five students decided to sign up. “Our goal is to not make super models
or Mr. Universe, but to move from unhealthy to healthy.” Beason said.
Johnston is the only district to have been able
to offer this class, as other districts have tried but failed. “There’s gonna be other districts wanting to know how we did it,” Beason said.
At the end of the semester, the students will
retake the fitness tests to see if they have im-
proved their fitness level. The class is set up so that the students won’t have to retake the class
again, but they will remember the things they learned for the rest of their lives.
Zach Winjum/BW
School transitions to google school words & layout Anne Rogers
Google has chosen the high school as a Google Apps
for a long time, and now other teachers are starting to use
have a Google account where they are able to use many
can use to keep the students supervised in their work,”
for Education School. This means students and teachers Google services including Gmail and Google Docs.
Using these services allows the school to monitor stu-
dents’ accounts for viruses and contacts. Ann Wiley, In-
the service. “Google Docs is a very collaborative tool we English teacher Wendy Arch said. “It’s basically an Internet locker for all your stuff.”
Sophomore Morgan Jensen enjoys all of the services
structional Technology Coordinator, has worked to set up
Google provides, especially Gmail. “It’s really attached to
email addresses to students and set policies for the group,”
said. “It’s easier to email teachers questions and assign-
the program. “Google Apps is a way to distribute school Wiley said. Because everyone is on the same format, it is uniform, which is one of the program’s benefits.
Gaining experience with using technology is another
benefit. “We are starting to use Google more often now in
order to move forward with technology, along with one-on one-computing,” principal Brent Riessen said.
The Google Apps for Education is free to the school.
Teachers are now starting to train some students with
the program. “We decided to start at semester so we would
have all the names and information correct,” Riessen said. The English Department has been using Google Docs
Google Docs, which is like my savior basically,” Jensen ments now.” Previously, it was difficult to find teachers’
emails. It did not help that teachers’ emails had different
formats depending on such factors as the year when they began employment with the district.
Some students however are in disagreement with the
addition. “I don’t want teachers to require it. To me it’s unnecessary,” senior Catherine Erb said.
Senior Shane Abbott notices some negative aspects to
the program but is overall supportive. “The only thing that I don’t like is there is not as many things as Microsoft Word,” Abbott said. “But I’m lazy, it’s easy and simple.”
Guidance counselor Stephanie Guthrie participates in a Moodle course Jan. 24. The school is implemeting the use of Google Apps in combination with Moodle.
the b&w p.6
news
jan 2012
Community to vote on new school words & layout
School Board Unveils its Plans with the Community in Mind As Johnston continues to expand, class
sizes are reaching numbers that many be-
what they believe the school should entail.
Superintendent Clay Guthmiller believes
lieve will be too big for our current build-
they will play a large roll in determining the
429, the class of 2016 is projected to push
individuals from our staff at the current high
ings. While this year’s senior class size is
500 by the time they reach twelfth grade.
Pending a community vote, the board has
scheduled a bond referendum for a new
final product. “(The workshops) will include
school, students, parents, and members of the community.” Guthmiller said.
Guthmiller, along with school board
high school for Sept. 11 of this year.
members Jill Morrill, Greg Dockum, and
district will begin holding community work-
Environment Committee. This committee
Starting in late Feb. of this year, the
shops to allow the people of Johnston to voice their opinions, concerns, and ideas regarding the construction of the new high school.
Eighth grader David Korkow was very
RJ McGrew
Julie Walter, make up the district’s Physical
was created especially for these types of projects and is in charge of facilitating and
overseeing the operations as well as considering input for the new plans.
Once the school is built, the current high
excited when he learned that his class
school will be remodeled and used as an
new school. “I think it’s cool that I get to be
eighth and ninth building will be refurbished
Taylor Mithelman/BW
eighth and ninth grade building. The current
The land the district purchased for the new school is located off of 100th Street to the north of 62nd Street.
and used as an additional elementary
100th street and north of 62nd street.
class size at the younger grades.
the district turned to FRK Construction, a lo-
cramped, but only in some classes.”
square footage of 335,000, and will have
has been working with the school district for
the new high school, these workshops are
commodate 1850 students. The lot on which
ever, FRK has partnered with Perkins and
rectly west of the current high school off of
out of Chicago.
would be the first group of seniors in the in the high school my brother is in right now
and the new school.” Korkow said. Korkow noted that he didn’t notice how abnormally
large his class is. “I sometimes feel like it’s As part of the early stages of the creating
intended to provide community members with an effective way to share their input for
With the basics in motion, the board has
For the construction of the new building,
already set important dates regarding the
The building will have an approximated
cal Firm based out of West Des Moines that
After the conclusions of the workshops
enough classroom space and faculty to ac-
20 years. For this project in particular how-
the school will be constructed is located di-
Will, a private construction company based
school in reaction to the drastic increase in
upcoming events in the overall process.
scheduled for next month, FRK plans to begin construction of the new building in the Spring of 2013. With faculty instated, the first semester of classes in the new school will begin in the fall of 2015.
iPad program aims to enhance learning cedure, narrating as I go,” Mead said. “That way during
dissections, instead of spending my time providing instruc-
words & layout Wes Monroe
tions to each group. I am able to ask more questions and
IPads are now being used in various classrooms
push them to think deeper and make more connections
throughout the district.
between the dissection and our content.”
This past summer a group of district staff looked into the
Junior Elle Scott enjoys using the iPads. “It’s really easy
possibility of a technology pilot program and chose iPads.
if we don’t know what to do because we have video right
“The goal of the program is to see what impact iPad and
there,” she said. “It’s less stressful and helps (Dustin) Mead
their apps can have on learning,” Instructional Technology
get around to everyone.”
Coordinator Ann Wiley said.
Teachers applied for the use of four iPads each. “We
began with 40 teachers and then added additional iPads to
IPads can also help student learning outside the class-
Carly Crist/Dragon
and work with iPad tools. “Many teachers like the apps that
Seniors Alex Swafford and Brian Turner dissect a cat in order to identify its muscles during an anatomy lab. The ipads will help teach dissections more efficently.
ley said.
section aid in Anatomy and Physiology. “I used the iPad
include a total of 46 teachers and 23 administrators,” Wiley said. They learned how to set up the iPads, download apps
are available for the content areas and specific skills,” WiScience teacher Dustin Mead used the Ipads as a dis-
to make a video of myself performing the dissection pro-
room. “Apps such as “screen chomp” allow me to take a picture then put labels and arrows on the picture,” Mead
said. “That way the students can have electronic copies of pictures of their dissection to study outside of class.”
Teachers are continuously researching new apps and
new ways to incorporate them into their classroom. “In the
little time that I have used them, I would consider them a success,” Mead said.
sports
jan 2012
the b&w p.7
Mallorie Goodale/BW
Senior Kristin Riley shoots for two points at the game against Southeast Polk on Jan. 13.
Play styles get facelifts Zoe Wilson/BW
Girls develop new ‘read and react’ offensive style Girls’ basketball has changed the way its plays offense this season. Instead of having
planned and practiced plays, each player must read the opponent and react. “We try to
work on a lot of driving to the basket when closely guarded,” girls’ basketball coach, Rich Gradoville said. “From there, being able to shoot it or pass it.”
Although this new style of play is harder for other teams to scout, it is also harder to
teach and learn. “We’ve had times that it has been very successful but the difficulty is being consistent with it,” Gradoville said. Because it relies on the skills of all five offensive players, it can be difficult to execute in scoring situations.
The main focus in practice has been learning to read the opponent and react. “(Gra-
doville) gives us stat sheets so we know who the shooters are,” senior Kim Thomas said. “That will help us to get out on defense and we also know who is good at free throws so we know not to foul them.”
Young boys team moves away from guard-oriented plays; focus on team chemistry, ‘box toughness’ Practicing offense and defense drills, sophomore Jay Knuth works one on one with new
teammates in hopes of building up the teams chemistry along with skills. With new faces
on the boys’ varsity basketball team means more people that have never played together. “Last year we would try to feed the ball to whoever has the hot hand,” Knuth said. “This
year we have been really relaying on defense because our offense is {not} here.”
Last year the team had a more guard-oriented style of playing. They have had new
plays for the guards after three quality ones graduated last year.
One of the drills the boys have been working on to improve offense is what coach
Bobby Sandquist calls “box toughness.”
“He has a box tapped in our lane and we have to try to keep our offense from getting
For three-year varsity senior Sara Reed, beginning a new style of play was a big adjust-
in {the tape}” junior Spencer Moser said. The team’s offense has improved greatly from
Reed said. “It’s more of a way of playing. It seems like this offense uses the strengths of
When playing S.E. Polk for the first time the tram lost by two points. The second time
ment. “This offense has more movement and continuously going instead of set offenses,”
its first practice.
everyone as a team.” It is more fast-paced with fewer plays. “I think at first it was hard
it won by 20 points.
derstand what’s going on on the court.”
getting the team used to playing together. “From when we first practiced it was frustrating
said. “Sometimes they like the freedom of it, sometimes they have a difficult time with it.”
points we are still rough but it just takes time a practice before it all comes together.”
because it was completely different,” Reed said. “But now we can see the plays and unGradoville’s opinion about the offense is mixed. “I think [the players] like it,” Gradoville
Not only have the drills helped the team with its game play but they have worked on
because we were so use to having that one person we could rely on,” Knuth said. “Some
words: Mallorie Goodale & Sarah Margolin, layout: Evan Culbert
the b&w p.8&9
gender identity
jan 2012
Born this way
Taking an in-depth look at the facts, the community, and what it’s like to be a transgendered person in a slowlyaccepting world
Perfect strangers. The people we walk around everyday
but don’t say a word to. We think we know them, and they
might think they know us. Even though some may think that
outward appearance doesn’t matter, it can mean a lot to someone who is just starting to become their true self. What
those strangers in the hall think, what the world thinks, is suddenly all it takes to make you feel at home.
Senior Sarina Waters may not be familiar to many. Per-
haps you only know her as the red-headed new girl in the hall, and that’s exactly how she wants you to know her. The new girl. This is because from an early age Sarina (born “Ian”) knew she was a woman, but the rest of the world,
even her parents and friends, only saw her as how she was
born, a boy. “Since my earliest memories I can remember knowing that I was a girl, but people were dressing me as
middle of my freshman year as bisexual, and then as trans-
gendered in the middle of my sophomore year,” Waters said. “I had a sense that it was her. It was permanent, it was
real, and it wasn’t a phase,” Dawn said. “Probably because
leading up to when she came out there were a lot of issues. She was getting into trouble, she was arrested for mischief;
there was a lot of butting heads with me and with her dad and there was a lot of distance and a lot of stress. But when
she came out, she came out to me first, and I felt that I was meeting my child for the first time. It was something, maybe
god, maybe the universe, but a lot of walls fell down, and she just allowed me in… I felt very relieved that she decided
to share and not suffer because there had been a lot of suffering. It was pretty intense.”
Despite complete support from her mother, what Waters
male,” Waters said. “I can remember my dad getting kind of
believed to be a step forward in her life was received nega-
off playing dolls with the neighbor girl. I was very secretive
dad didn’t talk for about three years, and if we did it was
mad that I didn’t want to play catch with him and that I was
about the whole gender identity thing from when I was a little kid because my parents really didn’t enjoy that sort of thing.”
Despite these feelings, Waters’ family wasn’t oblivious
to their daughter’s inner conflict. Her mother, Dawn Waters,
knew there was something different about her daughter, she just didn’t know what. “Everyday before school, she would
throw a horrendous fit about wearing pants, so we switched
to sweat pants,” Dawn said. “It’s a sort of hind sight. You look back (at things like that) and realize, oh, that’s what she was dealing with then.”
It was certainly a time of struggle as Waters spent her
youth hiding her true self. At first she tried to fit her lifestyle to the gender given to her at birth and be one of the guys,
but that didn’t last,” My gender identity has always been female. I was always a woman even when I was out on the trails on an ATV with friends trying to fit in,” Waters said.
Soon enough, the truth started coming out. “One day my
parents came home and I was dressed as a female doing a
load of all female laundry that was my secret female clothes
tively, and some of her worst fears came out. “Me and my arguing,” Waters said. The situation only escalated over time as she went through the long process (not counting pa-
perwork) of legally changing her name, getting her parents’
written permission to begin transitioning to her new gender
role as a female with hormone therapy, and even finding
doctors and other needed officials that would support her (in writing) and prescribe for her.
Being in high school and starting transition was enough
to go through for Waters in her home, Perry, Iowa. Although
according to Waters, the town has a large LGBT (Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community, her new role was
not well accepted among her friends either, and the situa-
tion began to take a bad turn. “I would get a lot of disrespect when I tried to talk to someone in Perry. Not so much in the
hallways but in classrooms, just little bits of teasing, but it
wore on me,” Waters said. “When my last two friends were saying, ‘People are saying some (messed up) things, I can’t
quite handle being seen around you,’ that was the breaking point.”
On that note, Waters decided that her friends in Perry
stash, wearing a wig that I had somehow gotten my hands
couldn’t let go of the image they had of her as a boy from
to just relax and be myself. That freaked them out,” Waters
LGBT community beyond her school, Waters eventually
on, and I just took that time that they were away from me said. After that instance, she started to truly begin embrac-
ing the person she always knew she was. “I came out the
their childhood. Finding support in the more accepting
found Johnston High School. Despite the hour-long drive
and numerous speeding tickets to get to school on time,
Waters decided it was the place for her. “Johnston had the
most regular meeting GSA… I figured it could be a place
“People’s gender identity, orientation and assigned birth sex are three different things.” The low down on hormones
where the activism community was big and I could maybe
•
Before surgery can happen, people must take hor-
I knew I would be respected, and that really worked out,”
•
Hormones can be taken in a pill form or injected
find some support. I just wanted to go somewhere where Waters said.
•
brought into her life, both at school and at home, better
•
Although there were difficulties that Waters’ choice had
times eventually emerged. “We are each on our own jour-
•
ney of acceptance,” Dawn said. “For me it was ok, this is it,
we go forward. For my husband, it was more painful. In the first year, he struggled for quite a bit but then he educated himself, now he is very accepting. He addresses her as his
mones for one to two years.
Testosterone is taken for male characteristics, estrogen for female characteristics.
Hormones take about 10 days to kick in
It takes at least one to two years to completely change your body
The low down on surgery
The community Although Iowa isn’t known for its liberal nature, Des Moines is very supportive of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender) community.
Each summer Des Moines puts on one of the best known
LGBT festivals, Pridefest. Pridefest is a weekend-long event that includes a street party, a show with muscial exhibitions and performances and a parade.
There are also centers for people who are LGBT and need support:
Gay & Lesbian Resource Center
daughter because he realizes that she still enjoys fishing,
•
Live for at least one year full-time in the new gender
of her as our son. Her brother has been hearing a few things
•
Gain a recommendation of a psychiatrist that surgery
(515) 277-7884 3839 Merle Hay Rd Ste 227 Des Moines, IA 50310
‘Who cares about what they think, this is my sister now’.”
•
Gain the recommendation of a psychologist or thera-
GLBT Task Force
es she came somewhere she knew she could just live life
•
and a lot of the other things she used to do when we thought from his friends, but he brushes the bad things off and says,
Looking back, Waters is glad that despite the challeng-
as herself. “I kind of always was a woman, it’s just people
seeing me as a woman that was the problem. I was more
role (called Real Life Training or RLT)
is not contrary to the mental health of the patient. pist after an appropriate series of sessions.
Engage in hormone therapy for at least one year
(which can be simultaneous with the full-time experience)
stressed out about what my life would become if I was to
come out,” Waters says. Although there are still plenty of obstacles ahead, Waters is thankful for the place she finds herself in now, “I wasn’t really being treated like a woman
back in Perry, but in Johnston I am. Everyone here calls me Sarina.”
“I was born this way. I didn’t just decide it one day.”
(515) 243-1221 777 3rd St Des Moines, IA 50309
Iowa law regarding transgender people Although transgender people’s gender roles and gender
identities do not match up (see sidebar), they are able to use single-sex facilities such as restrooms and locker rooms according to their gender identity, not their gender role. This
means if there was a boy transitioning to a girl, she would be able to use the girls’ bathroom.
Iowa law states “It is still legal in Iowa for businesses to
maintain gender-segregated restrooms. The new law does require, however, that individuals are permitted to access
Society’s Preconceptions
Today, people are born into a society with certain preconceptions of how they should act according to their sex: whether they should play with dolls or cars, be agressive or shy, even when a baby is born a color is assigned based on the sex. With transgender people, though, what soceity expects of them and what they fell inside do not match up.
gender role:
has this thing in it that says you have to let people use the
The pattern of masculine or feminine behavior of an individual as defined by a particular culture.
restroom which coincides with their gender identity,” Waters said. “When I got to Johnston, the principle kind of begged
gender identity:
me to use the guys restroom or the unisex restrooms in the
A person’s inner sense of being male or female. With transgender people, their gender role and gender identity do not match up.
those restrooms in accordance with their gender identity,
rather than their assigned sex at birth. “The Iowa code of law
school.” Eventually Mr. Riessan worked it out and Sarina now uses the girls bathroom.
complied by Lauren Coffey and Ian Dunshee
the b&w p.10
editorial
jan 2012
Improve FAFSA: Extend Financial Aid to a greater population of students The cost of college continues to rise and along with
will not be able to pay for college out of pocket. Those
to scholarships, students typically find out what fed-
ceive any aid from the government. However those in
it, the worries of those who must pay for it. In addition
eral aid they are eligible for by filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Federal aid
for lower income student is consistently present but lacking when it comes to the middle class. Federal aid
in the upper middle and upper class typically do not rethe solid middle to lower middle class are being overlooked and should have the option for federal financial aid in addition to the lower class.
While lower income students have the opportunity
should be extended to middle class in order to ensure
of receiving federal loans from the government, the
Any senior considering post-secondary plans should
of pocket usually end up taking bank loans. While this
the ability to continue their education.
fill out the FAFSA. The FAFSA analyzes the financial situation of both the student and the parents. Based on
this information, the government decides what kind of financial aid should be given to the student, if any. Federal Student Aid then notifies students as to what kind of aid they will receive. This can be seen through work
middle income students that are not able to pay out supports private institutions, the lower class gets a leg up because the federal loans only have to be paid back
10 years after one completes their schooling. Bank loans however, many times must start to be paid back immediately, and also have larger interest rates.
Although middle class students or families may
study, loans, grants, and scholarships. All aid given by
have good credit, they may not be able to get a loan
By basing financial aid on need, almost all money
mediately. This lack of support for the middle class al-
the government is based purely on income level.
and aid is given to those in the lowest economic stand-
ing. This is completely reasonable in theory considering the lower income students are the ones that need
because they cannot afford to start paying it back im-
lows the gap between upper and lower classes as they
are squeezed out of the middle to one side or the other. Support should continue to be given to the lower
the most help getting to college. However, we must
income students. In addition however, allowing more
ered in need of financial aid from the government but
would be beneficial.
consider the middle class student who is not consid-
than only low-income families to receive federal loans
The editorial board votes on the opinion behind the editorial. A simple majority is needed to pass. This month’s vote was 5-3
opinion
jan 2012
the b&w p.11
A generation inspired by liberty Ron Paul’s libertarian philosophy strikes a chord with young voters words & layout
Zach Winjum
The fascination with liberty sparked the founding of
its boundaries. Almost every law we hear about prohib-
ceeded in taking it away. Today young people in par-
erty. The No Child Left Behind Act has lessened our ed-
America. Since then, many have attempted and suc-
ticular are clinging to the principle that our founders fought tirelessly for. The leader of the movement is none other than Ron Paul.
It seems somewhat odd that a 76 year-old Con-
gressman has so much support from young people. If you look at his message however, it is a completely dif-
ferent story. We are growing up in a time when so much is micro-managed, and the government can’t keep their hands out of everyone else’s business. Ron Paul
its us from doing something rather than promoting libucation system by taking power from the local schools and giving it to the federal government, the health care
law forces us to buy something that we may not want, and the Patriot Act allows the government to spy on us. All of these laws are examples of the ever-increasing
power of the federal government. Paul’s supporters are aware of this and realize that the assault on liberty must end.
In recent years we have seen the national debt sky-
seems to be the only candidate on either side of the isle
rocket. Both parties are to blame, and the burden will
the restoration of the Constitution.
about it. Ron Paul is the only candidate that has pro-
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul speaks to Johnston caucus goers on behalf of his father Ron Paul.
While Republicans traditionally are well-known for mak-
Senior political poll
that truly stands up for the rights of the individual and
We see this with Paul’s stances on eliminating the
federal income tax, abolishing the Department of Edu-
cation, revoking the federal drug laws, and getting our military out of the rest of the world. While some tend to
believe that it is the government’s duty to monitor what individuals do in their home and what other countries do on their own turf, many young people realize that
conflicts are avoided and prosperity is the result of less regulation.
Students from both sides of the spectrum have come
out in droves by caucusing for Paul. Former registered Democrat, senior Luke Miles supports Paul because “I don’t believe the government state or federal should
over-step their boundaries,” Miles said. “He doesn’t
push all the policies that all of the other candidates do.” The list is endless of the government over-stepping
be placed on our generation if something is not done
posed drastic spending cuts to our federal government.
ing these cuts, Paul is the lone candidate with a plan to cut $1 trillion dollars in his first year of office.
While some may argue that more government is bet-
ter, take a look around. Many European countries are
collapsing because of the government’s heavy involve-
cause they were “too big to fail”. It seems when govern-
ment meddles in places it was not specifically meant to do so in the Constitution, the end results are not pretty.
Perhaps the biggest reason that Ron Paul is attract-
ing young people from all sides of the political spectrum is that freedom is popular.
words & layout
Mirza Besic
of people every day, of every race and
much less dramatic.
The truth is, race makes only a negligible
Dahl’s grocery store, and I deal with plenty
1
Undecided Undecided
20
Romney Romney
10 34
Paul Paul 0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
A poll was taken from 106 seniors. Each vote represents either someone that voted in the caucus or said that they would support the candidate or one of the other chioces.
enough laws to change the people.
people shouldn’t be excluded just because
sometimes. If “yhu gonna spel or talk lyke
the same time, certain races shouldn’t get a
It doesn’t even matter what race you are
dis”, you won’t be hired. At that point, it has less to do with what race someone is, and
more with the fact that English is no longer being used.
Yes, it is unfair that African Americans
they are black. It makes perfect sense. At whole bunch of free money for college just because they are a certain race. That is just
as much a form of racism as one race being favored for a job.
All that is left to change now is the attitude
people have. Now, that’s easier said than
customer is.
a large amount of that is because of rac-
values, combined with influence from the
same, but I hardly even notice what race a I realize that this isn’t the case for
of legislative and social changes, it has
isn’t any way to stop that. The government
I present a personal example of how
Bachmann Bachmann
and Hispanics are disproportionately ar-
everyone, and it never will be. There will
been reduced significantly.
3
creed. Not only do I treat everyone the
difference anymore. Racism still exists, I do not deny that. However, by a combination
Perry Perry
17
seas, and bailed out countless private institutions be-
reflecting on how far we have come since
farther we have yet to go. But the truth is
1
Democrats Disinterested
federal government has spent trillions of dollars over-
little importance race makes. I work at
the age of segregation, and how much
3
Gingrich Gingrich
17
Martin Luther King Jr. Day was a few
weeks ago, and it is a day reserved for
Santorum Santorum
ment in economic activity. Even we are guilty of it. Our Uninterested Democrats
kcaB2Besic
Race: It’s just on the surface
Taylor Mithelman/BW
always be people who are racist, but there
can pass as many laws as it wants trying to get rid of discrimination, but you can’t pass
rested compared with Caucasians. Yes, ism. But much of that could be changed by a change in behavior from all parties involved.
No race deserves special treatment.
White people shouldn’t be preferred for
jobs just because they are white. Black
done. Racism is a by-product of family media and social interactions. Make friends with someone of a different race or belief,
if only to expand your horizons. As long as there are different races, there will be some
form of racism present. I don’t think racism can be completely erased. But we’ve made progress. Let’s make some more.
the b&w p.12
opinion
jan 2012
All the wrong reasons words & layout
Mirza Besic
Sports are a big part of high school for some kids. When
they look back in 30 years, all they will really remember
is their homecoming football game, or their last wrestling meet. Being this dedicated to a sport is generally not a bad
thing. The problem arises when athletes get into trouble, either academic or otherwise, and suddenly can’t participate in that which they love most.
The solution some turn to is to join a sport in which they
have never compete in to clear that suspension. While the guilty party might see this as a perfect solution, those doing
the other sport for the right reasons might disagree. Espe-
cially in sports that require the coach to focus a lot of time on training new kids, like soccer. Most practices involve a lot of small group stuff, and if even one person is just there to fill space, it ruins it for everyone else.
Gary Ross, athletic director, does not see this as posing
a problem.
“(Students) can go out, but they actually have to be
involved. They have to start and finish the sport in good standing,” Ross said.
Some coaches don’t see it as a big deal. Junior varsity
Illustration/Austin Smoldt-Saenz
men’s soccer coach Russ Fortune is one of these. “I tell
whether athletes burn off suspensions by participating in
issue. If a freshman with the desire to play is pitted against
they are not a distraction,” Fortune said.
was what to do with these athletes. For sports like cross-
the spot on the team? Both Fortune and Brickley struggle
former assistant men’s tennis coach, is among them.
very big difference. Everybody can run, so nobody loses
students who have a strike that they can play, as long as
sports they had never played. The problem for coaches
Other coaches that are truly bothered by it. Tim Brickley,
country, the number of athletes involved does not make a
“I don’t like being used,” Brickley said. “It is unfortunate
playing time.
your ability to participate in a sport you care about. And if
Most coaches talked to did not seem to care about
cer, what to do with athletes that are not committed is a big
your lesson by sitting on the bench.
that you can use one sport to get into another.”
But for sports with limited spots, such as tennis or soc-
a semi-skilled senior who is there to clear a strike, who gets with this decision.
The best solution? Don’t do something that jeopardizes
you decide to anyway? Face the consequences and learn
Even on Facebook, Johnston keeps it classy.
In Plain Sight Illustration Lisa Vanwiel
Let’s play find all the illegal substances. (Hint: there are 19)
As attractive as your duck face is, I think the combover makes the picture.
Mirror, mirror on the wall, I’m the most attractive playa of them all.
opinion
jan 2012
Two laws too many
the b&w p.13 Extra anti-texting law needs repealing
words Lauren Coffey Driving down the road, sophomore Taylor Kilstrom tends
to look at the oncoming traffic: a person speeds by eating a McDonald’s burger, another texting, another putting on some mascara, another singing along to a pop song. Out of all those distractions, only the person texting would have gotten pulled over.
In the summer of 2010, Iowa passed a law banning tex-
ting while driving, with fines being enforced June 2011. A fine for texting while driving is about $30, with it being up to $1,000 if it causes an accident.
The problem with this is, while someone is being pulled
over for responding with a single word message, some other drivers continue on their way doing even worse distracted driving.
Part of the reason everyone is so freaked out about “the
dangers of texting and driving” is because the media has made a sensational story out of it. Oh, look, the fun-loving
teenager sends a quick text to her boyfriend right before smashing into a tree. It makes for a pretty good visual.
When people text and drive, there are aware they are
doing something that is distracting so they tend to be more
alert. If you are just having a conversation with a friend, it’s easy to forget that you’re driving and become distracted. “When I text and drive, I’ll look up every couple seconds,”
sophomore Taylor Kilstrom “But when I change a radio station I’ll just be like ‘Oh I don’t like this song’ and focus on that, and I’ve veered over the road before.”
According to a University of Michigan study, it was found
that talking to a passenger held the same risk as using your phone while driving. Now with about 100% of the driving
population having driven another person with them at one
Illustration/Lisa VanWiel
Thousands of people are distracted every day from things other than texting. Listening to music, having friends in the car and eating all are just as dangerous as texting. time or another, that means that almost every driver has
been at the same risk as someone who texts. I don’t think there are going to be laws that ban driving someone else;
why is there one banning something that leads to the same results?
Texting and driving is just another fad that people get
worked up about; remember H1N1 disease and how everyone was worried about that? The problem with this is, an unnecessary law was passed. Unless someone proposes
to pass a law that will make all distractions illegal (good
luck enforcing that one) the law specifically calling out texting while driving needs to be repealed.
The Numbers
Everyone’s seen the stats showing how many were killed due to texting, but what else is distracting people while driving?
Eating.................................................70% of drivers Putting on makeup...3% of female drivers (about 2.8 million) Talking to passenger.....................81% of all drivers Changing radio..............................19% of all drivers Dealing with children....................19% of all drivers Looking for things outside car....23% of all drivers Looking for things inside car.......14% of all drivers Daydreaming...................................5% of all drivers
The real reason behind our love for finals before break words & layout Scott Syroka What a senior year treat. Having semes-
ter finals before Christmas break is something I never thought I would see during my time here. Fortunately the administration, building staffs, and school board members
were willing to experiment with the cur-
rent schedule to see if it improved student achievement at all. This decision was made
of course with the understanding that the old schedule could just as easily be brought back the next year. While no final decisions
have been made yet in regards to next
year’s calendar as the district collects data and survey from district stakeholders (in-
cluding students), it is worth noting some of the benefits it has provided.
First, I cannot even begin to describe what
a glorious feeling it is to have no homework over break. Waking up on those mornings
with no homework or projects looming in the back of my mind was truly pleasing.
No more procrastinating on the large projects and assignments that every teacher
seemed to assign during the final days before break.
Additionally, it also seems to be easier to
study for finals and get in that mood when
there is not a large break right before them. “I would not have done well on [January] finals. I think I did so much better than I would have done,” said senior Amelia
Medici. Most students prefer having finals before break. According to school district data the vast majority, 83%, of students hold this view.
While semester final scores did not drop
off compared to previous years, they did not increase either. This would seem to render mute the point of starting school
earlier in order to accommodate semester finals before break since there is no apparent educational benefit to date.
Rather, I think it’s because having finals
issue. Students vastly prefer finals before
break. Maybe instead then, a traditional
However, this perhaps leads to a different
break, but their scores have not gone up. Why no correlation? I believe it is because
they don’t prefer having finals before break because they necessarily perform better.
before break means no homework over
school calendar with finals after break will
still placate the masses as long as a strict no-homework policy is maintained over the winter break period.
the b&w p.14
feature
jan 2012
Provided/Lori Williams
Forey fest honors local icon Surrounded by runners, 61 year-old high school cus-
wouldn’t hurt a fly,” an event organizer, Lori Williams, said.
neared the end of his 4.5 mile run, people all around moti-
him.” The fest took place downtown starting at 10 a.m. with
months ago, people were not sure if he would ever be able
run a 5K (about three miles) or 4.5 miles. From noon to 6
co-emcee of Forey Fest, John Bush said. “I’ve been run-
ended with a concert and silent auction from 8 p.m.- 1 a.m.
Forey Fest took place on Saturday, Jan. 14 to celebrate
Chris Siewert, a participant in the run said, “When you see
bills. The bills were a result of Jacobson’s extensive sur-
Jacobson has always caught people’s attention with his
todian Forey Jacobson approached the finish line. As he
“We just wanted to make a statement that we care about
vated him to ‘just keep going’. It’s hard to believe just two
a “Barefoot Benefit” run that gave runners the option to
to walk again, much less run. “He beat me [in the race],”
p.m. bands played live music during a bar crawl. The night
ning and keeping in shape and he dusted me. It was great.”
“A lot of runners have crossed his path,” science teacher
the recovery of Jacobson and help out with his medical
a guy in a loincloth it sticks in your mind and makes it fun.”
gery and hospital stay. On Nov. 6 he was severely beaten
quirky running-style — barefoot in a kilt. “I try to give to
on Court Avenue. He continues to recover from the incident
return,” Jacobson said. “There were so many people that
Jacobson is well-known in the Metro and his friends
Part of the festival included a bar crawl, going to dif-
to the point of unconsciousness at Johnny’s Hall of Fame
others and inspire them and it turns out I get the same in
and plans on returning to work as soon as he fully recovers.
helped put this together, I was amazed by it.”
were supportive. “Jacobson’s a peaceful person and
ferent bars on foot. Jacobson went through all four bars
words Laura Scieszinski layout Kenzie Foldes Evan Culbert
dancing at every one of them. “He [Jacobson] was there
and he was dancing up a storm,” Williams said, “I think it
was a very touching and overwhelming day for him and he didn’t want to miss a single minute of it.”
All proceeds from the fest went toward Jacobson’s med-
ical bills. The total is yet to be determined. Approximately 300 people paid to run the race. At $25 each, that adds up to $6,875. People who did purchase a race admission
(that included the bar crawl and concert) could join the bar
crawl for $12 and the concert for $12 in advance or $15 at the door. The Full Court Press donated a percentage of all food and drink sales from 12-6 p.m. that day. There were also donations in an auction and raffle.
“I can’t thank them enough,” Jacobson said. “It’s just
amazing to know there are such wonderful people out
there, people I don’t even really know just there to help people in need.
Peace. Love. Loincloth.
Provided/John Bosley
The t-shirt will have a cut out of Forey’s face (to the left) and the logo “Peace. Love. Loincloth.” will be displayed underneath
Why?
Creators of Forey Fest came up with the idea of a Forey inspired t-shirt and the designers at Raygun made it into a reality.
Where?
What?
Who?
Wear the face of a champion!
You can purchase the t-shirts by going to Raygun (400 East Locust St.) and chose the size and color. Typically orders are ready by the nect day
100% of the profits from purchasing a t-shirt will go towards Foey’s medical bill.
feature
jan 2012
BOULDER than most
the b&w p.15
substitute overcomes fear of heights, takes to rock climbing On a sky-clear day, Andrew Bouska climbs
Cathedral Spires in Custer State Park. Using a
traditional technique, brother-in-law, Ryan Williams, belays Bouska from below. At 175 feet
the ground and constantly communicating with your partner. “I was hugging the wall and shaking,” Bouska said.
The Johnston government faculty and stu-
up on the rock, Bouska moves his right hand
dents welcomed Bouska as a substitute teach-
a higher rock sticking out, Bouska prepares to
he subbed for the first time, ever. Even though
into a crack in the rock. Lifting his left leg to secure his gear into the next clip, until he slips. Snap.
“I fell back and my heard my fingers snap.
er during the first semester of school, where
Bouska climbs the rocks with confidence, teaching Johnston kids was another story.
“I was more scared to teach this new class
With my hand still stuck, I knew something was
than falling while rock climbing.” Bouska said.
of applying copious amounts of tape, I yelled
or 50 feet, I have to trust what I’m doing and I
broken,” Bouska said. “After a few minutes
down, “climbing,” to which Ryan yelled, “climb on” and up I went.”
“I look at it like this: whether I fall from 900 feet don’t have that fear [of getting hurt].”
Coming to school the following Monday of
Now a rock climbing enthusiast, Bouska
the injury, students of Bouska may have no-
introduced to the hobby by Williams, a National
displaced. While whiteboard markers were not
first started climbing eight years ago. He was Outdoor Leadership School teacher of rock climbing. That is when Bouska decided it was time to overcome his immense fear of heights.
“Before I started [rock climbing] I was terri-
ticed the taped fingers which were broken and
forgiving to Bouska, the injury the current sub-
stitute teacher sustained is just a small roadblock in his rock climbing hobby.
“At some point I had to trust myself, the
fied of heights,” Bouska said. “I wanted to over-
gear, and most importantly, the person I was
the payoff would be that I could go places and
risk,” Bouska said. “I learned to appreciate the
come my initial fear of heights because I knew see things most people couldn’t.”
Bouska’s first time climbing, in Wyoming,
climbing with. You have to take a calculated process.”
This summer, Bouska plans to go to Zion
was an experience he will not forget. After ap-
National Park in Utah. Until then, Bouska will
quickly that climbers must be alert of sur-
hand. He has no plans to stop climbing, as long
proaching Williams to teach him, he learned
roundings, like knowing he was 50 feet from
take physical therapy to regain strength in his as he’s physically capable of the activity.
Provided/Andrew Bouska
1 2 3 1. Devil’s Tower, Wyoming 2. Bouska tapes broken hand 3. Bouska hangs out on ledge
Provided/Andrew Bouska
Provided/Andrew Bouska
Provided/Andrew Bouska
words Ashley Enger layout Evan Culbert
jan 2012
At the end of the last school year, senior
Ashlee Lee decided that college wasn’t in
her future. Running her own daycare, how-
ever, was. After graduating, Lee plans to get a full time job at Angeli Cristiana Childcare, the day care where she is currently employed. “I love being able to take care of
kids and help them get through their day,” she said.
college is quite simple: “I just want to be done with school.” While her mom was not entirely thrilled with this plan, Lee was insistent. “Eventu-
ally, I want to have my own
in-home daycare.” As for
making enough money to sup-
port herself, she figures it will all
work out for the best. “I just want to live life as it goes,” Lee said.
Leaving options open
Not all students commit to a single ca-
reer straight out of high school. Junior Alex
Kaptain believes that finding happiness in
life is more important than following a set path. Kaptain is going to do what makes
him happy. This means applying not only for music programs at several colleges, but considering a specialty school for welding,
trying to become a construction foreman, and going to pilot school. Kaptain, who
plays guitar and trumpet, is also considerBen Parsons/BW
Junior Alex Kaptain plays the guitar after Jazz Band. Guitar has been a passion of Kaptain’s for several years.
Planting a future Senior Jacob Henderson is following
an unorthodox career path. After he graduates, Henderson is going to take half-a-year
ing starting or joining a band. “I wouldn’t be in it for the money though,” he said.
For him, entertaining several options
is far better than committing to a four-year
school. “If I wanted my life to get more boring, I would go to school for four more years and get an engineering degree.”
have a favorite plant because each one is its own world of unique qualities.” Henderson did not always
off to save up money. Then, it’s off to Des
want to be an herbalist. “It
to study a two-year program in botany. “Af-
right thing,” Henderson
Moines Area Community College (DMACC) ter that, I’m going into an apprenticeship for homeopathic medicine. It has to do with
how plants affect the body, through ingestion, skin contact, or other ways,” Henderson said. Part of Henderson’s joy in growing
plants comes from an interest in the variety found in the plant kingdom. “I don’t really
took me forever to find the said. At first, he wanted to be an artist, for the emo-
hopes to be selected into a dance school as soon as she graduates, her
top choice being Pacific Northwest
Ballet, which is based in Seattle. “Right
now I am going to different cities and
auditioning for [different dance schools’]
summer programs,” she said. “It’s a school,
but there’s no math, science or reading or
any of that. You’re taking different dance class-
es and you also get to work with a company and understudy their parts.” To help
her dream
take flight, she to
plans
graduate
this year. “Age is
everything and youth is
everything in the dance world
especially. I can always go back to col-
lege - I can go if I’m 80 years old if I want
to, but I can’t dance when I’m 80 years old,” Campbell said.
The dance of life Instead of taking classes at a local
university, 2012 graduate Kenzie McClure has taken this year to refine her skills as a dancer, her desired profession. This has included practicing ballet technique at her dance studio, Dance Vision, and travelling to
dance conventions twice-a-month to get special instruction from different performers. “This is what I enjoy most because it is when you
are able to combine your pas-
sion with all your hard work and
training,” McClure said. “I always
come home feeling so enlightened.”
Her plans for next year are not yet set in stone, but
tional outlet it provided.
she would like to go to a dance conservatory and soon
son found his passion in bota-
York. “I want to one day have my own company and cho-
Eventually, though, Hender-
ny. “I really enjoy growing plants,” Henderson said.
ell
Her reasoning for not going to
it further and make it my career.” She
pb
Caring for kids
layout Taylor Mithelman
dad always knew that I wanted to take
am
words Hannah Soyer & Ben Parsons
sessed with ballet, and my mom and
eC
Alternate post-secondary plans
Maddee Campbell, a junior, has the
same dream. “I’ve always been ob-
after join a company or attend a dance college in New reograph, inspire, and share all that I have to offer as I feel I have been given a passion as a gift and I am willing to do all that it takes to live it out,” McClure said.
dd e
Everything
A dream to dance
Ma
is not
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the b&w p.16