b&w
BLACK AND WHITE MARCH 2021 VOLUME 29 ISSUE 5
All About
FOOD
EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Print Editor Online Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor
Marandah Mangra-Dutcher Savannah Dennis Kylie Emery Joel Kellar Noah Gilbert
MARCH
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.
STAFF WRITERS Nolan Akins Parker Anderson Nathan Anderson Addison Etnier Lily Fredericks Laila Hasanovic London Heim Matthew Hickmen Marley Jenkins Renee Johnson Tate Larsen Abby Lehan
Theron Luett Ayden Lyon Levi Manley Jay Marren Sabrina McGuire Alyssa Minear Charles Pruett-Shhillak Tyler Roberts Tarun Srikaran Edina Suljic Aidan Topolinski Michael Wesseh
Photo by London Heim
PAGE 8 ALL ABOUT FOOD It has been a long year. We are at the point where everyone is just tired and unmotivated, so we decided to keep this month’s issue short and sweet. Thinking of light hearted topics that were entertaining and enticing a bunch of food reviews were pitched. After I mentioned the idea of having a food theme everything there after that was pitched had something to do with food. We learned a lot about the styling of food for photos and illustrations however we also gained some basic skills like actually learning to cook food. Bon Appetit! Editor-in-Chief Marandah
CONTENT Photo by Marandah Mangra-Dutcher
Cover Marandah Mangra-Dutcher
4 Just a Taste 6 Recipes with Memories 8 Bobalicious 10 Barriers to Water 12 Shamrock Shake 13 Steak and Shake 14 What Happened to the Weight 16 Food Styling
PAGE 6
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.
@jhsnewspaper
@jhsnewspaper
Follow us on social media for more content
Commentary | 4
aste Just a
Because some of them were just awful
The B&W staff pitched the food theme idea. Somebody mentioned French fries and mayo. That lead to this weird foods spread.
Bratwurst Jelly Sandwich This was not great. The
Crab Rangoon with M&M’s
bratwurst came from Fareway and the grape
Ranch, Peanut Butter and Bacon Sandwich
This was interesting, but also was not terrible. The M&M’s with the fired bread part of the crab rangoon was kind of bland, but when the imitation crab combined with the M&M’s, it was an interesting, chocolaty, meaty mix. A more fresh, warm rangoon might help.
jelly from Smucker’s all piled on a bun. No idea if it was supposed to have a bun, but bratwursts need buns. Maybe a different type of sausage would make this better.
Actually, I did not know what to think of this one. It was pretty good. I put all my ingredients on a toasted English muffin bread. The bacon and peanut butter mixed amazingly and the ranch wasn’t really noticeable. Not too bad, but I can not say that I will ever eat it again.
Cinnamon Roll Topped With Chilli
Tomato Soup and Rice Krispies
This was pretty good actually,
I was optimistic about this one
with the sweet icing on the
because I love Rice Krispies, but I
cinnamon roll. It mixed well
have a burning hatred for tomato
with the chilli. What might make
soup. It is so disgusting. So I thought
this a lot better is if we made
I would try this because we needed
some homemade cinnamon rolls
a few that were just completely out
from Snoop Dogg's cookbook
there. This didn’t go well because
and then had Grandma make
when taking the picture I left the
some of her delicious chilli. And
treat in the soup too long and it
give it a retry.
turned into a soggy paste on top like soggy cereal. I can’t turn you away from this enough. Completely barf.
Grapes With Lemon Juice This one is pretty self explanatory, and I loved it. Some people said to do it with frozen grapes which I eat all the time by themselves. Putting the lemon on the frozen grapes almost made them like a natural Sour Patch Kid. It’s super tart at the beginning. Then the sweetness of the grape hits. This is one I will continue to eat.
6 | feature
Recipes With
Memories
Words | Tarun Srikaran Layout | Marandah Mangra-Dutcher
Eshaan Chandani ‘23
T
he speech and debate team wanted lemon bars. It was decided that Eshaan Chandani ‘23 was going to
make them. The recipe came from his mom. “I’m not sure where she found it but I really enjoy them,” he said. Chandani had to adjust the recipe for the vegan team member. “It is really hard to make the crust vegan because the ingredients have to change,” he said. He has made the recipe quite a few times. “The most fun thing about desserts is definitely making them for me,” he said. “Eating them with friends is also up there.”
Raya Denisov ‘22
Bria Cox ‘21
fter emigrating from Russia, Raya
A
Russia and that’s why I enjoy it so much,”
Denisov ‘22 and her family have kept
Denisov said. However, not all has remained
their Russian identity amidst the
the same when it is remade in the U.S. “My
stirring pot of cultures that is the U.S. Their
mom told me that when she moved here, the
classic recipe of Borscht or beet soup, is just
ot all recipes have to be in a family
N
believed that they found the recipe online,
for years for them to count as a
but it was a completely original family
classic family recipe. The Cox
recipe,” Cox said. “What makes it better
family’s Southwest White Chicken Chili
than normal chilis is that it is different
type of produce found in groceries was much
stands testament to this. Created within the
every time when she is making it.” Cox
one example of their rich heritage. Borscht is
different than back home,” she said. “Because
last few years for a friendly chili contest, it
said her mom has made many alterations
one of the most common Russian staples that
of that, she has changed the original recipe a
now is famous within the family. Bria Cox’s
to the recipe over the years to make it even
is known all around the country. Denisov’s
bit.” This does not change her opinion on the
dad wanted to enter his workplace’s chili
better. She wants to learn to make it. “I’d
grandmother makes it for her every summer
dish though. “Borscht will always remain my
competition. Her dad, who works at IMT
like my mom to teach me how to make
she visits and she plans on passing down the
favorite type of soup regardless.”
Insurance, enlisted his wife as the chili
it even though I will never be as good as
developer. “It was so good that his coworkers
her.”
recipe. “It makes me feel like I’m back in
Bobalicious
When Katrina Nguyen’22 heard that Ocha Bubble Tea and Dessert Cafe on University
Words | London Heim Layout | Savannah Dennis
the Brown Sugar Milk Tea. Milk foam is
always been a sucker for tea, no matter what
poured on the top of the beverage and then
The Ocha Bubble Tea & Dessert Cafe is located on the corner of Univarsity Ave and 73rd St in Windsor Heights. The shop opened in September of 2020 by Aom Meesangkaew, a native of Thailand, after missing the drink when she moved to Iowa for college.
passion fruit flavor, and I enjoy the texture of it.” Others like 8 Degrees near Drake
form it takes,” Nguyen said. “When I heard
sprinkled with brown sugar all over the top.
University. Caitlynn Tran ‘22 usually orders
that Ocha was hiring, I thought it would be a
“The fun part is when we caramelize the
a black lychee tea with lychee jelly because
perfect opportunity to work around tea and
sugar on top with a blow torch,” Nguyen
black tea is bitter and the jelly sweetens the
share what I enjoy with others.”
said. “It never fails to remind me of creme
drink more.
different names such as bubble tea and
Tapioca pearls are sweet, honey-flavored balls that sit at the bottom of boba drinks. Some drinks have fruit jellies at the bottom instead.
Nguyen’s favorite drink to make is
Avenue was hiring, she applied. “I have
Usually called Boba tea, it also goes by
Milk Tea is the basis of boba. It is a mixture of assorted milk and tea such as jasmine tea, green tea, matcha tea, etc.
9 | Feature
been a part of my culture.”
brulee, and I always enjoy seeing the sugar turn golden.”
To save money, she sometimes makes boba at home but likes it with friends. “Bubble tea is more of a late night drink
tapioca pearl tea. Boba tea originated in
The most common type of Boba drink
Taiwan in the early 1980s, its purpose to
is the Hokkaido Milk Tea. “Despite being
even though it’s caffeinated,” she said. “The
entice children with fruit-flavored teas. Most
a favorite among our regulars, no one
best part of bubble tea is the company, and
boba tea is made by combining tea with fruit
can ever seem to pronounce this drink
it’s a fun date.”
and shaking it up. Then, the tapioca pearls
correctly,” Nguyen said. The black tea is
were introduced, and it was called bubble tea
creamy with hints of coconut and caramel.
to 8 Degree on early out Wednesdays. “I
because there were bubbles on the top and
“To me, this drink is sickly sweet and tastes
always go with my friend group or with my
bottom of the drink.
a bit like candy, but don’t let that stop you
girlfriend,” he said. “It’s one of those things
from trying it!” she said. “You can always
that’s a lot better to do with friends.”
Nguyen always knew about bubble tea. “Being Vietnamese, bubble tea has always been a part of my life,” she said. “From
decrease the sugar level.” Passionfruit black tea with aloe vera
Ajdin Hasanic ‘21 travels with friends
Hasanic likes the Thai milk tea with black tapioca balls. “I really like eating the
Vietnamese restaurants selling blended
jelly is Nguyen’s favorite to drink. It’s sweet
tapioca balls,” he said. “It’s kind of just fun
versions to Bubbly, the first boba tea shop
and tart with hints of peach and pineapple
in a way, the drink is always tasty, but those
to sell milk tea in Des Moines, I have
making it sweet and the tea provides
make it a lot more fun. It’s pretty much
always enjoyed it. I wouldn’t say a person
tartness. “Aloe vera is my favorite addition
always a good time for boba.”
introduced it to me, but rather, it’s always
to the drink,” she said. “It absorbs all the
The 8 Degrees Ice Cream & Boba shop is located off of 30th St and between University Ave and Forest Ave in Des Moines near the Drake University campus. It sells smoothies, assorted kinds of bubble tea, snacks and ice cream.
10 | editorial
Barriers of Water
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 4-1.
O
ur bodies are made up of 75%
not allowed to have bottles, and the only
drink water during the day because no one
of water. Drinking water makes
times you could drink water was after recess
else is doing it.”
everyone feel good and healthy.
or after PE. So the fact you kids can have
Some kids just ignore all the rules, like
When we were younger we were told to
bottles is fantastic, but it does make it a little
the ones who wear their masks below their
drink at least eight glasses a day. Water is
different with the masks. At the same time
noses, and they just drink water in the
essential to us functioning during the day
I feel like kids should be able to drink their
classroom. This is dangerous to the school
and school is making it much harder to have
water in class. If you can pull your mask
because the more students who pull down
access to it.
down for thirty seconds, I think you would
their masks during class, the more students
be okay, as long as you do it properly.”
who will get quarantined. At risk people at
With COVID-19 and being required to wear masks at school, a problem arose.
Along with making drinking from water
school could catch COVID from students
Back in first semester, kids would pull down
bottles more difficult, they also made it
taking down their masks to drink water. “I
their masks to drink from a water bottle.
impossible for students who do not have
feel like if my twelve year old can wear his
Now students are forced to go stand in
water bottles to get water during the school
mask properly and I have seen kids younger
the empty hallway in order to drink water.
than that wear their masks properly, that
This change occurred due to too many
my high school students can wear them
students being quarantined because other
properly,” Gray said. “They are just doing it
students would pull their masks down in
to defy, or they think that science is wrong,
class to drink water. This change obviously
or, and I hate saying it, but they just do
helped the school get COVID-19 numbers
not care about other people. I know that
down, but along with that, students stopped
sounds really extreme but I wear my mask
drinking water during the school day. It is
to protect my parents. I wear my mask to
an unnecessary rule and people are tired of
protect my child. I wear my mask to protect
it. “I actually do not think it is necessary,” Spanish teacher Kari Gray said. “Unless a kid is eating every day in class and at that point they are not really learning. For the most part my kids are really good about sneaking their food under their masks, they wash their hands and use hand sanitizer. The biggest thing for me is them not wearing the mask properly. If they are wearing it under their nose that is a way bigger deal for me than them eating and drinking for that few seconds here and there.” Students need water. Water has proven to increase brain function and energy levels, and with this barrier the school has put on kids, they do not have as much energy and have decreased brain function throughout the school day. Teachers do not think students are drinking enough water. “[Kids are] most definitely not, [drinking enough water],” Gray said. “But from when I was in school it is much better. We were
day. They taped up the water fountains for COVID-19 related reasons, but if everyone was drinking out if it normally, we as a school should still have access to those. I have never met anyone in my life who puts their mouth on a water fountain, and I believe it was unnecessary to close those off from the student body. Leaving in the middle of class to take one to two sips of water makes students anxious and also some feel like it is not even worth it to go and drink water for all the effort it takes to even use your water bottle. Students who are less mobile due to injuries or disabilities also struggle with leaving the classroom. “I’d say it is difficult,” Lexi Gorsh ‘21 said. “With COVID, having to follow the rule of going into the hallway to drink water made it much more difficult. Especially because I could not walk for a while so it was very inconvenient to go into the hallway or anything. It is also just hard to remember to
my students because I do not know if I am sick or not and for me it is a really easy thing to do.” When we were on the hybrid schedule us students were all spaced out enough that we were actually more than six feet apart and students could drink from water bottles in their seats. When one student got COVID-19 and had been drinking water in class, there is a good chance that nobody else in that class would have to quarantine. High school students are mature enough to take their mask down for less than 30 seconds to drink some water and stay hydrated at school. “Some people are in support of the changes and some aren’t,” Gorsh said. “I would just say if students are not allowed to drink in class, then neither should teachers. Or if the teachers are allowed to, then students should be as well.”
12 | Mod
Shamrock Shake 8 | Feature
13 | Opinion
Nutritional Value (or lack there of) - The Size Large Shake is 800 Calories - The Saturated fat is 67% of your daily value(13g) - Contains48% of the daily value Carbohydrytes (133 g) - 103 g of sugar
So what is this all American minty charm? The answer, a top selling shake at the largest franchise on Earth. McDonald’s. Since the Shamrock Shake was first introduced in 1970, 60 million have been sold. Who’s to blame for their massive sales number? The world may never know. According to a very reliable instagram poll, 64% of respondents said they disliked the shake.
More Facts - It dates all the way back to 1970, and became available again in 1912. - It originated as the, “St. Patrick’s Day Green Shake” consisting of vanilla and lemon-lime sherbet.
Steak and Shake Layout, Words & Photos | Jay Marren pened on January 11th 2021, people
O
with american cheese, bacon, diced and
all around the Des Moines area
fried onions, and Steak ‘n Shake’s own
finally have the chance to eat
sweet ‘n smoky BBQ sauce. I chose fries and
Steak ‘n Shake without driving all the way
a kit kat shake along with the burger. The
to Iowa City. Located a couple miles away
burger had the perfect even amount of ev-
from the Jordan Creek Town Center. Steak
ery ingredient that was featured in the reci-
‘N Shake has attracted tons of business and
pe. It featured a savory and sweet combina-
attention for it being a personal favorite
tion with the cheese BBQ sauce and patty.
burger spot to many. Even though it has
Then also adding in a kick with the onions.
nothing but hype and rave reviews around
The fries however wer a bit soggy, with
it, many complaints were aimed at the
little to no flavoring in which I ate them
burger spot for its lack of having all the
with ketchup just to add a bit of something.
normal items like chili mac and other cult
While I was busy trying the other items on
favorite items. As someone who has never
their menu I also had the Vanilla Kit Kat
eaten Steak ‘n Shake before it opened in
shake. This is truly where Steak ‘n Shake
Des Moines. It was a wonderful experience
shines with the prefect mixture of the Kit
to say that I waited in a thirty minute line
Kats in the shake. As well as having an
when others waited for an hour to an hour
amazingly sweet base of the vanilla shake,
and a half. Even though it was not the most
with the perfect consistency and thickness
fun experience, as long as you had friends
to it. All around I enjoyed most of what I
with you, you could find ways to pass the
ate at the new burger spot featured in West
time. The food however is the true impor-
Des Moines. I would highly recommend
tance of this article. I tried the Steak ‘n
anyone who has the time and energy to
Shake Western BBQ ‘n Bacon Steakburger
head over there yourself and indulge in the
‘n Fries. The burger features a steak patty
rich flavors of their food.
What Happens to the
15 | Commentary
Weight 6
every one
Only a couple more pounds to go
145 still
2
se o l o t
ctice a r p e r o f e b Workout s on t a e h sw t i w Run
145
da y
y
Try n ot to yell a t
gr un
to go
at bre akf ast to
th no
.8
lbs aw ay
On ly e
hen it comes to wrestling,
roughly only three or four pounds, but
eating breakfast, not eating until weigh-
every
matters.
other years, I have had to hold down
ins Thursday night, and wearing lots of
pound
Wrestling is a sport that
10+ pounds over quite the timespan of
clothes to practice and workouts to get
requires discipline, toughness, and grit
the season. In a normal wrestling week,
the last four to six pounds off to be safe
not only on the mat but within everyday
meets typically occur on Thursday nights
for Thursday.
life. With 14 weight classes ranging from
and Saturday mornings. These are the
The mental and physical wear that
106 pounds all the way up to 285 pounds,
two allotted times required for wrestlers
comes with cutting weight can influence
every wrestler finds their way to fit into
to meet their designated weight class.
not only your wrestling life but also your
and manage a specific weight for the
For myself, I am not afraid to admit
everyday life. Drastically minimizing
season. For myself, I have found triumph
that my wrestling diet can be quite
food and water intake, as well as
and failure at six different weight classes,
unhealthy during a majority of the weeks.
continuing the brutal grind of wrestling
ranging from 113 pounds to 145 pounds.
Typically, a smart wrestler will begin a
practice, drops patience to an all-time low
diet several weeks to months before the
during the season. I’ve been known not
Being one of the most physically
e ar
just
145
lbs ov er
.3
W
u Yo
so clo se
Words | Charles Pruett-Shillak Layout | Savannah Dennis
and mentally demanding sports as it
to speak to people for several days while
is, you need every advantage you can
cutting weight because of the toll it takes
get on the mat. The strength, skill,
on your body.
speed, conditioning, grit and weight
Trying to find solace while cutting
can be the deciding factor in a close
weight can be extremely difficult, but
wrestling match, and size can mean a
in the end, it’s all for the purpose of
big difference in that. Personally, I have
being able to compete. Wrestling is one
wrestled opponents roughly a foot taller
of the only sports where you can’t rely
or quite a few inches shorter than myself
on teammates to pick up your slack.
and found victory both ways.
It is you, against one other person, and
However, what comes with that, is
the better man wins. The toughness and
wanting to take the advantage to be as
grit are built during the weight cutting
small as you possibly can. Wrestlers have
process, but competition is unlike any
pretty simple and core philosophies. One
other in wrestling.
that can ring true as universal for almost
Not only is wrestling a fun and great
every good wrestler is to weigh as light as
experience, but it also can teach you
you can to wrestle the smallest opponent
season begins to healthily keep off the
so many lessons that are foreign in a
you can. With constant sweating during
weight in order to maintain a weight
classroom setting. To be able to learn
practice, conditioning, and even matches,
class. On the other side of the spectrum is
from your losses, forgive yourself when
anyone can find it is not hard to shave
not eating several days before weigh-ins
you don’t come out on top or make a
off a few pounds in sweat during practice,
and running for miles on miles in several
mistake, improve each and every day
but these pounds do not come off without
layers of clothing.
are things that are not easily learned
hard work.
An
unhealthy
week
starts
with
through tests and grades. Wrestling is
Wrestling is a dedication that requires
typically eating normally on Monday
one of the greatest classrooms, but like
not only hard work in the wrestling
and Tuesday alongside normal workouts
any lesson, it requires hard work and
room but it becomes a lifestyle as well.
with wrestling and extra workouts
commitment. To come onto the mat
Some years, I have found myself blessed
outside of practice to get a few pounds
requires toughness, but toughness is
to not have to cut a whole lot of weight,
down. Wednesday typically consists of
built by coming onto the mat.
Food Styling Words and Layout | Marandah Mangra-Dutcher
A Bi!are tru"
T
his milkshake is fake. When taking this photo I did not actually use any milk or contents that one would find in an actually milkshake. I actually used mashed potatoes.
When actually trying to take a photo of a milkshake, many have
found that the contents melt too quickly to actually capture what they were aiming for. This is actually an issue with a lot of food photography and any time one is trying to capture any type of food. Food stylists, people who work taking photos of food and other food advertising, have resorted to using hacks to get the effect or look they want. For example, I used mashed potatoes instead of an actual milkshake due to the rate an actual milkshake melts. However, mashed potatoes also hold the add ins like the chocoate and carmel in place leaving for a more astetically pleasing photo. Most food advertising and photos do not use the actual food for the image. Some similar hacks that are often used are like paininting a turkey for the cooked affect, or using a tampon in coffee to show creamer in the cup. The next time an advertisement appears on a billboard or magazine be cautious because it could be fake.