March '07

One Copy Free

The Black & White

Johnston High School Student Paper

March ‘07

Vol 16 No. 7

Obama shares vision with Iowans

Dan Haight/BW

Democratic Senator Barack Obama (IL) speaks to Iowans at the Polk County Convention Center on Feb. 20. Obama is currently in second place in the democratic polls, to Senator Hillary Clinton (NY).

Iowa legislature aims for Safe Schools

BY CHRIS AJLUNI STAFF WRITER Amid worries that bullying is affecting students’ learning, state lawmakers and school official are working to crack down on the problem.

Associate principal Jerry Stratton handles the bullying problems in the high school along with fellow associate principal Randy Klein.

“We try to educate, inform and control the situation before it escalates to the point where the police need to be involved,” Stratton said. Now, the Iowa Legislature has passed new rules designed to protect bullied or harassed students even more.

The Safe Schools Bill, or the “Anti-Bullying” bill, has made waves in the Iowa Legislature primarily because of its explicit protection of homosexual students. However, the bill itself states that its purpose is to “provide all students with a safe and civil school environment in which all members of the school community are treated with dignity and respect.”

The bill’s purpose as defined in its first section is stated, “Harassing and bullying behavior can seriously disrupt the ability of school employees to maintain a safe and civil environment, and the ability of the stu-

dents to learn and succeed.”

However, in the bill, harassment and bullying are defined as the same thing, one of many strong complaints from legislators opposing the bill, and one reason Iowa Representative Walt Tomenga of Johnston voted against the bill on its second trip to the House.

Tomenga voted on the bill in the Iowa House of Representatives two times. First, he voted for the bill, but after the House sent it to the Senate, he voted against it.

The Senate removed most of the amendments added by the House.

“Amendments made the Safe Schools Bill better,” Tomenga said.

According to Tomenga, enforcing the bill in ways other than revising school policy would be difficult; however, he said that it is still “valuable as a symbol.” He also said that the bill would likely provide security for students being bullied, not because of harsher punishments but because of more attention to harassment and bullying in general.

Private schools will also have to include the bill in their policy, but would still be able to “teach that homosexuality is a sin,” Tomenga said.

Senior Abby Bowman works as an intern for Iowa Representative Scott Raecker, who represents Urbandale. Bowman’s duties in-

clude attending Raecker’s committee meetings and talking with lots of different people involved in the political process, such as other representatives and lobbyists.

According to Bowman, Raecker places most of his concern with the fiscal responsibility the legislature has by passing such an act. Bowman said, “Although the policy is there, the funding for schools to implement such a plan needs to be provided to schools as well.”

Another part of Raecker’s involvement with the Safe Schools Bill comes in the form of a rejected amendment. His amendment suggested that the bill should not only apply to minors, but also adults, more specifically public officials and political candidates. “(Representative Raecker)’s reasoning was that we should never expect our kids to follow rules we are unwilling to follow ourselves, and that strong role-modeling is one of the most effective ways to prevent bullying,” Bowman said.

According to school board president Chris Sonner, now that the Safe Schools Bill has been signed and finalized, the Iowa Association of School Boards will come up with an “example” of what the school’s policy should look like, then each school’s board members would revise the example while still adhering to the rules set down by the law.

In this issue...

Rainforest Café coming to Jordan Creek? Alex Guns Page 6 gives his take

Larissa French breaks a sweat with Tracy Van Zante

Snapshots from the State Wrestling Competition

Page 10

Page 15

B & W

Dan Haight/BW

Iowa House majority leader Kevin McCarthy reads off the schedule to the Iowa House on Mar. 7.

News..................1-3 Editorial.................4 Opinion.................5 Review...................7 Doubletruck.........8-9

Entertainment..6 & 10 Feature............11-12 Dungeon..............13 Sports.............14-15 Backpage.............16

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NEWS: what’s important February ‘06

NewsBriefs First GSA meeting

Board to vote on SRO Officer intended to make school safer

BY TINA LI STAFF WRITER

Larissa French/BW

Senior Josh Merritt smiles at a comment made by another club member.

Merritt explained to the club about the progress of civil rights legislation for gay couples, using a newspaper article as reference.

The Gay-Straight Alliance had its first meeting on Fri, Jan. 26.

“Basically it was just a celebration that we got recognized by the school board,” president senior Josh Merritt said. “We just all got acquainted with each other.”

At the meeting the members elected officers and talked about upcoming events for the club.

If students are interested in joining the GSA Club, or want to know more about it, then talk to Merritt.

Second annual art auction The art department is holding it’s second annual silent art auction.

The auction is to benefit Cystic Fibrosis.

The auction is from March 1 to 9. The artwork available to bid on is displayed in the case outside the lunchroom. Bids start at $5 and students can find the bid sheets, as well as directions to the donated artwork, in the office.

Proceeds from the auction are to find a cure for CF.

French Club gets started The French Club is a new after school activity for students who want to learn more about the French culture, get help with homework, or meet people interested in the subject.

“It doesn’t even feel like a school activity, it feels like hanging out with your friends,” junior co-founder Colleen Kinsey said.

Kinsey and her friend, junior Brianna Stone had the idea for the club and got it started. They hope to see more people join as the club becomes well known.

Corrections and Clarifications The Black and White strives to be both accurate and fair. Readers who believe the paper has printed an error should call 515-278-0449.

Compiled by staff writer Kiera Morrill

Dan Haight/BW

Officer Ray Carrington, an SRO officer, is on duty at Hoover High School.

O W KNOUR

YO HTS RIG

SRO’s can’t search you without probable cause, but they can turn you over to the school administrators, who only have to have reasonable suspicion.

Concerns about rising violence, truancies and automobile-related accidents have led the school board to look at the possiblity of stationing one School Resource Officer (SRO) for both the high school and the 8/9 building.

The primary role of an SRO is to “keep the peace.”

The SRO will be an officer from the Johnston Police Department and will be paid the standard wage of a police officer ($20.28/hr. to $24.24/hr.), and will be on duty 7:30 a.m. to 3:30.

Other duties of an SRO include advising students on legal inquiries, informing the school about law-related issues, connecting students to support services and acting as a mentor and role model.

Supporters of the SRO program believe the SRO will prevent and attend to delinquent activity more effectively than otherwise.

“Drugs and gangs are everywhere, in every school district in Iowa, and we want to keep this a safe a place as possible,” school board vice-president Ralph Young said. “(SROs) are more legally trained to handle certain things than the average instructor or administrator.”

Jan Bjurstrom, a former SRO, believes an SRO will handle problems more quickly.

“The response time is cut down considerably,” Bjurstrom said.

“Sometimes the police officers are tied up on other calls, and when the school calls for them, it may

take some time to get here.”

She also believes an SRO will improve the relationship between the Johnston Police Department and the students. “(An SRO builds) relationships with students and family in the community,” Bjurstrom said. “A police officer is there to be another support system. They can help families in need and get help for family problems.”

The SRO will also confront bullying problems and be at extracurricular activities such as school games, clubs and dances. The SRO is able to perform arrests, give police reports and teach classes about law-enforcement.

Search and seizure rights of students will stay the same.

“An administrator has more leeway in searching a student than a police officer does. A police officer has to have probable cause; an administrator has to have reasonable suspicion,” Bjurstrom said.

Mixed feelings about this decision exist.

“I have taught in school where they have had police officers, and it has always been a positive experience,” English teacher Melissa White said. “It’s nice to have an extra set of eyes to help kids feel safe and to be on the lookout for kids leaving or anyone who’s not supposed to be in the building.”

Some doubt an SRO is needed.

“Personally, I don’t think we need one,” French teacher Mary Moermond said. “I know the Johnston Police are here at times but I think it involves a very small minority of the students.”

The board met on Mon, March 12 to vote on the issue. As of press time, it had not been decided.

Failed class sits artists, athletes on the sidelines Distinguishing the

BY TOREY ROBINSON STAFF WRITER

In compliance with the newly instated “no pass, no play” academic eligibility rules, 30 students will be serving or have already served a suspension in 35 different extra-curricular activities.

Athletic director Gary Ross said the number of students has seen a dramatic increase from previous years, where three-to-five student athletes have had to sit out.

“It’s quite an increase; it may go down with adjustment,” Ross said.

According to Ross, in the past, a student must have passing marks for four classes on his or her semester report cards to participate in a sport. The new rules however, that took effect at the beginning of the academic school year, require all student-athletes in public schools to maintain at least a D- grade in all classes at the end of each semester.

The change applies to the arts aspect of extra-curricular activities as well, such as show choir, jazz band, drama and mock trial. If a student does not pass all classes, he or she must sit out for 30 school days from competition.

One group taking a hit from the new rule is the choral department.

“We had four kids in the two show choirs combine unable to compete,” choral director Jody White said. In adjustment to the change, White and the innovation choir had to use “swingers,” or people that do not dance in every song to fill in during competitions. Synergy was forced to re-block the choreography.

The consequences for failing a class are also different for the athletics aspect

versus the arts. Ross said a failing grade will result in a student’s suspension from a “show of a competitive nature,” such as contests where a group would compete for a first place award, for 30 consecutive school days. This time frame began the first day of the new semester and ended Feb. 27 at 4 p.m.

“The students may, however, participate in non-competitive showcases in which they would receive a I, II, or III rating,” Ross said.

The new rule states athletes must sit out of a “bonafide” sport for the first 20 school days of the season. Ross said a sport in which a student has gone out for in the past, and that this would not be the first season of participation, qualifies as a bonafide sport.

“This is to prevent a one-sport athlete to ‘cut’ out of missing any games or meets for his one sport. A football player won’t be able to just pick up soccer if they have not gone out for it in the past,” Ross said.

The rule also requires that students involved in both the arts and athletics serve separate suspensions. In result, some students may be end up sitting out for 50 total days. While the state is not officially notified of which students are serving suspension, the students affected are properly informed along with coaches and parents.

“There are a lot of grey areas in this whole thing,” Ross said. “Activities are an avenue that can make a difference in a student’s future. I don’t know that we should be taking that away.”

According the Des Moines Register, 1,750 students across the state failed a class last semester and served or will serve a detention as consequence.

Difference

{arts}

UNABLE TO COMPETE Jan. 17 8 a.m. to Feb. 27 4 p.m.

INCLUDES Show choir, jazz band, mock trial and drama activities MAY PARTICIPATE In noncompetitive showcases where students receive an evaluation such as a I, II, or III rating

{athletics} UNABLE TO COMPETE First 20 school days of season REQUIRED BONAFIDE SPORT Must sit out of activity student has gone out for in the past INVOLVED IN BOTH ARTS AND ATHLETICS Must serve both suspensions, totaling 50 days

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NEWS: what’s important March ‘07

Trainer sidelined with heart problems

Mark Pierson is recovering after successful pacemaker implant

BY AUSTIN HARTSOOK STAFF WRITER The mood was somber as the girl’s varsity basketball team visited an old friend last week. Mark Pierson, who has been the head trainer here at Johnston for seven years, had a successful pacemaker surgery in February.

Junior Leah Kron described the visit as shocking and emotional. “We didn’t know what to expect,” Kron said. “We expected (Mark) to be sick, but when we saw him, no one knew how to react.”

Head coach Rich Gradoville thought the visit was a good experience for the basketball team. “The team was surprised to see what Mark had gone through health wise . . . the girls were emotional because they hated to see him struggle,” Gradoville said.

[ ] Through all of this, my faith and trust in God is even stronger than before, and I know that there is a purpose for this situation.

Rhona Pierson

Pierson was hospitalized after his heart stopped, causing him to go into cardiac arrest. Pierson’s wife Rhona Pierson was with him when Pierson went down.

“When he went into the arrest, we were at home and I called 911,” Rhona said. “He then stopped breathing, and I started CPR until the paramedics arrived. They had to shock him four times in the ambulance.”

He was then sent to Methodist Hospital where it was determined that Mark needed to under go the pacemaker surgery. A pacemaker is a device that keeps the heart beating on rhythm.

After the pacemaker surgery, tragedy struck twice when doctors found a blood clot in the trainer’s neck. This complication will require double by-pass surgery, the surgery date is to be determined, but athletic director Gary Ross expects Pierson to be back by next fall.

“Mr. Pierson is a healthy, young man

Megan Browning/Dragon

Head basketball coach Rich Gradoville tapes up senior Micah Casey before an afternoon basketball practice.

“Prevention taping is intended to protect the athletes from future injuries,” Gradoville says. This type of taping is very common, and athletes from many different sports are subject to it. who will fight back from this, and continue to work at Johnston High School after his recovery,” Ross said.

Pierson’s absence leaves the brunt of the trainer duties with the athletic coaches. In the case of girls’ basketball, the responsibility fell on assistant coaches.

“The primary taper was (Beth) Ward she also helped a lot with icing after practice,” Gradoville said. “Some of the girls liked to tape, but they weren’t used doing it that often.”

Ross says a fill-in trainer most likely will be hired. The new trainer has not been named, but he or she will be in charge of taking care of the spring and summer athletes.

“I’m meeting with a trainer tomorrow, who hopefully will take over Mark’s duties until he returns next football season,” Ross said.

Students have not forgotten about Pierson; in fact, student council set up a donation station outside the gym for

Pierson and his family during and after the boy’s basketball sub-state game on Tues. Feb. 27.

Pierson has affected coaches and athletes from almost every sport, and his hard work and dedication to this school have gone above and beyond expectation. On March 6, Pierson returned to his home where he is currently stable.

If students are interested in getting in touch with the Pierson family, please contact Ross in the athletic office.

Author to visit Johnston Public Library with students

BY JORDAN VAN ESSEN STAFF WRITER

Sonny Brewer, the author of The Poet of Tolstoy Park, will be visiting the Johnston Public Library to meet with a group of 25 selected students. English teacher Sarah Wessling, as well as other English teachers, chose the students who were going to meet Brewer. The students will meet Brewer in small groups and will have the chance to ask him questions. In addition, because the Johnston Public Library Foundation was pleased with the prospect of involving students, they donated 40 paperback copies of Brewer’s book so each participating student could have his The Poet of or her own copy.

Tolstoy Park According to Wessling she was contacted by the Johnston Public Library director Willona Goers, and she explained that they were starting a lecture series.

She also talked about ways that they could possibly get the students involved.

Goers said that Brewer’s lecture would be a first.

“This is a new experience for us,” Goers said, “and we are really pleased that the Johnston Public Library Foundation agreed to fund this special event on behalf of the library.”

Goers also explained that the library is connected to Brewer through Kolleen Taylor-Berven, a staff member who knew him personally and used to live in his hometown of Fairhope, Ala. “We contacted Sonny in October and finally settled

Students proudly hold up their new copies of the book, The Poet of Tolstoy Park by Sonny Brewer. The Johnston Public Library provided the books, and has also arranged for the students to meet Brewer.

Provided/Willona Goers

on March 27 as the date for the author event,” Goers said. “We knew that Sonny has done special student sessions at other library events throughout the country. He conducts writers’ workshops, and he has a real connection with people who aspire to write. He also appears to be a down-to-earth person, and it should be easy for high school students to relate to him.”

Goers and Wessling knew each other because Goers son, graduate Andy Goers, was in Wessling’s AP English class last year. Together, they worked to organize Brewer’s meeting with the students.

Several of the students picked by Wessling showed their excitement about meeting Brewer.

“I like how he incorporates poetry into his book,” sophomore Sarah Engstrom said. “I also like how he writes about people and all the stuff that they go through.

I think it will be cool to discuss how he got involved with

writing the book.”

Senior Jamison Osborne said that he was looking forward to meeting Brewer, “I find that his philosophy on life is really interesting, and I want to get his real life take on it,” Osborne said.

Osborne also said that he liked, “The way Brewer portrays life and death, because it’s something I’d never really thought of before.”

Wessling and Goers expressed the same anticipation towards Brewers visit. “I am hopeful that (the students) will have great questions for him.” Wessling said. “It will be a good opportunity for the students to share how they think critically about what they read. I hope it will be a discussion where students feel like they’ve made a connection with the author.”

Before his visit, the students will attend group meetings on March 8 and 14.

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OPINION: what they think March ‘07

Now playing in a hallway near you:

Nothing

Stephanie Ivankovich/BW

Sophomores at B lunch sit in front of and behind the TVs. The TVs are rarely on during lunch, when they are on it is hard to hear them.

Staff

Editor-in-Chief Mike Slusark Managing Editor Kari Dockum News Editor Larissa French Opinion Editor Sam Leahy Feature Editor Kelsey Hyde Sports Editor Bryan Lippincott Doubletruck Editor Amanda Lower Review Editor Alex Guns Backpage Editor Cicely Gordon Photo Editor Dan Haight Ideas Editor Veronica Roshek Staff Writers: Christopher Ajluni, Caroline Byrd, Emily

The new school year greeted us with large TVs hanging from the ceiling in every classroom, essential for learning. But, the unique new Life’s Good (LG) black plasma screen TVs hanging in the walls of the commons, hallway, offices and cafeteria have no connection to education.

The purposes of these TVs are to show the announcements and to expose the students to activities that are going on around the school.

When the TVs are spontaneously on, they are on all day. Some of the students glance up at them as they hustle through the crowd to go to classes in the front of the school. Other than those few seconds glance, they are seldom watched. The five minute passing period does not leave enough time to watch them.

Quite frequently the TVs are sometimes on during lunchtime. For most students, lunch is a time to re-unite with friends, discuss the weekend plans and of course, eat lunch; not watch TV. With the intense conversations going on, hearing the TVs is nearly impossible and for some they hard to see.

The locations for the TVs are inconvenient. The only students that can benefit from the TVs being on (when they are actually on) would be the study hall students in the cafeteria or the commons. The offices with the TVs are good for the few students that need to get their schedules changed or the mischievous students that have to see the principal.

The school should have spent a few extra dollars on putting the nice quality TVs

Miniature

2 1 2

In the cafeteria and commons

In the guidance office, attendance office and the main office

In the front of the main office

in the classrooms, instead of the big and bulky ones currently hanging on the wall. Or they should move the TVs that are in the weird places currently, to classrooms that really need a TV. This way the TVs can be in full use, for everyone.

OPINIONS

Thanks for the new chow, lunch staff

BY SHAWNA POLEN STAFF WRITER

Conn, Brittany Deal, Nels Engblom, Alexander Guns, Kyle Hanson, Austin Hartsook, Drew Houp, Stephanie Ivankovich, Hana Kajtazovic, Allison Kane, Thomas Lashier, Tina Li, Amy Lovejoy, Kiera Morrill, Chelsea Nelson, Shawna Polen, Lauren Profitt, Torey Robinson, Jordan Van Essen, Dawn Wilkens, Jenna Willson, Brennan Winget, Lee Yocum The Black and White is a publication produced solely by the newspaper staff. Its goal is to inform, enlighten and entertain the Johnston students, faculty and community. It is an open forum.

In accordance with Iowa law, students assign and edit material.

Publications are released monthly during the school year.

The paper will print nothing 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. Grammatical and spelling errors may be corrected and length edited. 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 Editor at michaeljohn48@aol.com or contact the school via phone at 515-278-0449.

The Black and White is a member of CSPA, NSPA, Quill & Scroll, and IHSPA. Recent issues of the Black and White earned these honors: Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist, National Scholastic Press Association All-American, Quill & Scroll Gallup Award, IHSPA State Champion, IHSPA First Place Photography Second Place Layout/Design and Honorable Mention Writing.

TV’s around the school

Shawna Polen/BW

Nick Johnson among the huge crowd of B lunch, stands in line to purchase his meal.

As students wait in the lunch line everyday, the line seems to be growing longer by the minute. The students wait anxiously for the new tasty entrees.

Recently, students have been given more menu choices. Some of these include, but are not limited to, Chinese chicken and the potato bar. Some of the new salad bar choices are pasta salad, tuna salad, potato salad, cole slaw and chicken salad. But we cannot forget about our old favorites like the spicy chicken sandwich, hamburgers and pasta, which we cannot get enough of.

When talking to the lunch staff, they said that they go to about two or three food shows a year, trying to grab new ideas like, the soft serve ice cream and the squeeze bottles of salad dressing. Not to mention that they talk to other districts to find out what foods they have. Even going to a restaurant helps, giving them a good idea of what is most ordered by teens. But the number one reason for the new change would be listening to our complaints and recommendations. The idea of more lunch options is one of the best yet. It gives students more to choose from so they don’t have to eat the same thing day in and day out.

The lunch staff works for us, and for that, they deserve thanks. So thanks lunch staff, for all that you do for us.

Decrease the drop time, if you will

BY BRITTANY DEAL STAFF WRITER

Students continue to drop classes up to six weeks into the semester without receiving an F. This drop time is far too long.

According to principal Bruce Hukee, the drop time was extended to six weeks so students could have a chance to evaluate their success and view their mid-progress reports.

Hukee states that this extended drop is great for students in blocked math and science classes.

However, this causes problems. Students can not add another class six weeks into the semester. Therefore, if a student drops a course late, this student would be unable to fill that period and be cheated out of a credit. If the student is working on a group project, the responsibility falls on the rest of the group when the person drops. This is unacceptable.

The drop time needs to be decreased.

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OPINION: what they think March ‘07

Styrofoam swamps lunchroom

PRO

VS.

CON

BY KELSEY HYDE FEATURE EDITOR

BY VERONICA ROSHEK IDEAS EDITOR

There are only a few occasions each year when the glorious days roll around where, when walking into the lunchroom, it can be seen filled with small Styrofoam trays. These days only come when our lunchroom’s dishwasher malfunctions and the lunchroom staff’s only resort is to feed us off of the environmentally intoxicating dishes. Yet, overall, those days are usually some of the best in the school year.

Right as you walk in you grab one of the never used, sure-to-be-clean trays, light as a feather, and start loading up the goods. After grabbing a milk and cashing in, you can sit down with the ease of knowing, once you are done gorging, your tray and its remnants can be easily disposed of.

It is as if a huge load has been lifted from the shoulders of lunchroom diners. The only requirement for cleanup is to stroll to the appropriate, non-overflowing receptacle and dump the waste.

No worries of having to sort through napkins, containers, silverware and non disposable or disposable goods at the dishwashing window; one can be at ease and simply toss it all.

Styrofoam trays allow for easy setup and easy cleanup. When the last five minutes of lunch finally come and trays still lay before the filled bellies of once hungry high schoolers, they can relax in knowing tidying up is just a toss-in-the-can away.

Walking into the lunchroom and hearing the horrible splintering sounds of dreadful Styrofoam trays, immediately you know it is not going to be a peaceful lunch. Shoving through lunch lines, forced to hear the squeaky scrapping of plastic forks on Styrofoam, is enough to make me cringe.

The simple task of plopping food on your tray becomes nearly impossible when it feels like the unreliable flimsy trays are about to snap. “You can put, like, one bagel on (the tray), then you’re done,” junior Lauren Lund said.

Carefully balancing the food throughout a tray gets very stressful. No one wants to be the person that breaks a tray by piling on too much food and helplessly watching the meal splatter, surely hitting everyone in a ten-foot radius. Lunch should be a relaxing social period for a break in the neverending school day.

Our school as a whole is a very wasteful place, and Styrofoam lunch trays are a perfect example. Each time the trays are used, we go through over one case of over 500 Styrofoam trays. These cannot be disposed of unless they are taken to a city dump.

Although with new technology Styrofoam products can be recycled, alternatives such as corn plastics are much better for the environment. Also, toxic chemicals in the trays can seep into food, which can possibly affect your health.

A school should serve as a role model for recycling and making the environment a better place, not one for ruining it. Sticking to the user-friendly, durable plastic trays would keep everyone happy.

Veronica Roshek/BW

Junior Ben Scieszinski eats a round pizza during A Lunch on March 1. Styrofoam trays were used when school was dismissed early due to the snow storm.

Commercials cause controversy

BY NELS ENGBLOM STAFF WRITER

Unlike any other football game of the year, people never turn away from the NFL title game. During commercials, some watch even more intently than they do the game. The ridiculously expensive airtime for the NFL title game commercials entertains millions each year. These commercials are meant to grab attention, to amuse and, most of all, to promote the given product. Advertisers do not intend to offend anyone.

The Snickers commercial involved two men working on a car engine. One of the

men had a Snickers bar in his mouth. The other man proceeded to bite down the other end of the bar until the two men touched mouths. Realizing that they may have just coincidentally kissed each other, the men felt the need to do something masculine. To accomplish this, each man began ripping off chest hair.

M&M’s Mars was not being homophobic when it made the Snickers commercial. It was made to demonstrate that the chocolate bar is so delicious that anyone in any situation would make an attempt to get a mouthful of it. It is more offensive that people are so sensitive and worried about political correctness than the thought that the commercial was de-

meaning towards homosexuality in some way, which it was not.

Just like M&M’s Mars, General Motor Company (GMC) had no intention of promoting suicide with its manufacturing robot commercial. Its commercial included a car manufacturing robot in the midst of a dream. In the dream, the robot had been laid off as a result of poor performance. The robot then decided to jump off a bridge. As it was preparing to jump, a group of its friends came and talked him out of it. In the process of getting off the bridge, the robot slipped and began to fall to its death. Right before it hit the water, the robot woke up from the dream and realized it had not been laid

off at all.

GMC made the commercial to show that it uses the best manufacturing methods and all other sub-standard parts will be removed. The goal of commercials is to make money and promote a given product. Companies try to be catchy clever and funny with their commercials to grab the viewers attention. An offensive message only deters potential consumers.

The Snicker bar commercial was funny, and the GMC commercial was obviously an attention-getter.

Filtering out everything that could be potentially offensive to viewers is not the answer. Doing this will only create boring programs with weak advertising.

Solo/Chewbacca for President 2008 I’ve been disappointed with the selection of candidates for president and after viewing Star Wars for the hundredth time recently I have finally decided that these dire times truly do call for desperate measures. I, Michael Jurassic Slusark, the head of the Picaresque Party, would like to formally nominate the ticket of Han Solo/Chewbacca for president and vice president.

It’s quite obvious that Mr. Solo far exceeds any candidate currently running. For example:

Death OR Glory

Michael J Slusark

Tough on Terrorism Han Solo does not put up with threats from anyone.

I ask you to remember that fateful afternoon in the cantina in Mos Eisley. Greedo, a bounty hunter, thought he had the upper hand against Mr. Solo as he aimed to collect on an unfair bounty placed by Jabba the Hutt. Mr. Solo, outsmarting and out maneuvering Greedo quickly dispatched the Rodian before he could act.

These times of terror require quick and decisive action. Mr. Solo will be committed to rooting out and eliminating terrorist threats before they are able to harm

Americans.

He served as a general in the Rebel Alliance and personally led the Attack on Endor during the Galactic Civil War. Mr. Solo is resolved to find a quick solution in Iraq and ask his diplomatic allies throughout the galaxy (including the mighty Wookies of Kashyyyk and Admiral Ackbar’s Mon Calamari) for aide in helping to fight global terrorism. In the words of Han, “Terrorists can’t be that much different from Tuskan Raiders, so I’m just going to look for the bantas and drop the bombs there. I don’t know why anyone hasn’t thought of that yet.”

Domestic Issues Mr. Solo does not really have time for girly things like health care, poverty, and disease, but if elected he will have his brother-in-law Luke Skywalker and wife Leia Organa Solo deal with these issues and they’ll probably do a really good job because they’re both really girly.

Han will be too busy flying the Millennium Falcon above the Middle East and dropping bombs on Osama.

He doesn’t care about immigration. But Han does love Mexican food (just in case you’re wondering).

Family Values Han is a loving husband and a good, noble man. He saved his wife from imprisonment and even didn’t beat

up Luke Skywalker when he was creepy and tried to hook up with her (his sister).

That being said he is in no way a wuss. Han barely ever says, “I love you,” to his wife. He only does it at really happy times. If you’re worried about Hillary Clinton being too girly, vote for Mr. Solo because he is in no way girly. Don’t even try to call him girly. He’ll shoot you in the face. Seriously. He loves guns. If elected Mr. Solo vows to kill anything that gets in his/America’s way. Like senior citizens and gravity.

Balanced Ticket Barack Obama is barely a minority at all. He didn’t even grow up in America. Therefore, he isn’t black. Han Solo is a Corellian. Have you ever met a Corellian?

Didn’t think so. It’s that big of a minority. Not to mention Chewbacca. Chewbacca is a Wookie. He’s had to face constant persecution for his Wookieness. Because of this, Chewbacca vows to lower the cost of prescription hair care products for all Americans. He understands how expensive shampoo can get.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this column, send emails to michaeljohn48@aol.com

6

B &W Burn down the rainforest (cafe) ENTERTAINMENT: what’s happening March ‘07

BY ALEX GUNS REVIEW EDITOR

I opened the paper some years ago and read the headline “New Mall to be named Jordan Creek” I noted the litany of stores and like every other Iowan, breathed a sigh of relief. “Yes, finally culture has come to Iowa,” I thought. “Yes, now we can be pulled out the stone age of honest work known as ‘farming.’” With Forever 21, Cheesecake Factory and a much better Spencer’s, we can finally act like our East and West Coast brothers, and shun the losers of bordering states, i.e. Kansas, Wisconsin (big time losers) and Nebraska. A blanket of hope in the form of a Town Center, the 21st century Pantheon. But with something so beautiful as a concrete fortress, evil creeps in between the cracks.

The latest buzz of the rumor mill is of a Rainforest Café coming to our Metropolitan Mecca. Stop; don’t throw down the paper in glee, here my plea. Rainforest Café is the greatest farce, the greatest stain on American culture, the greatest miscarriage of beauty since Crystal Pepsi way back in ‘92. But that kind of thought isn’t raised much, the silent majority beats around the bush when it comes to the Rainforest Café.

If you’ve never been to this restaurant, sharpen a pencil and shove it in your ear; it’s the same basic concept.

I’ve been there 12 times, each time a dagger in my heart.

The idea is good enough: a theme restaurant, because we don’t have enough of those. I assure you, the talking “mother tree” wears on you after . . . 34 seconds. You get the unique chance to sit in a dark room, with fake leaves in your face and various animatronic birds squawking their beautiful rainforest ballads.

When you look at the menu, overpriced is an understatement, but no one seems to mind. “Well, the price has to go into all that crazy crap on the wall” is the mentality. Can’t say I agree, they don’t have to pay for electricity, because there are no lights. They’ve got about a pound of fake vines, and some papier mâché monkeys for good measure. Sure, they have exotic fish, but the fish must have to find a way to feed themselves or something because there is always a pile of “sleeping” ones at the top that moms have to explain away.

To forget about paying through the mouth for a Dinosaur shaped chicken wing, there’s a gift shop . . . PERFECT. What better way to forget your money woes at

Tuki, one of the many brilliant characters of the Rainforest Cafe. A restaurant based on various endurance tests.

the table by blowing the rest of your wallet on a spoon with a gorilla at the tip. It should be noted though; they have a nice collection of shot glasses, goes good with the bar they have. Oh the memories of seeing the depressed working man sipping on a “Blue-bird Berry Blast” at the bar as the staff screams for cover every 10 minutes because of the rain storm (Audio tape of thunder/ birds’ screeching turned up 4 decibels) that’s coming in fast.

What kind of message are we sending to the little children of America? That the poor representation of the cafe is what the actual Rainforest is like? They’re going to go to South American and expect the 5th grade diorama gone haywire that they remember back home.

This will just be one of the thousands of lies we sell our children, take “Spring Water” in bottles for example. I

I’ve never gotten a tattoo

BY MEGAN BROWNING GUEST WRITER As I sped brazenly down NW 86th street at 7:05 on a Friday night, already late for my appointment, one word loops through my brain, torturing me in a way only musicals have in the past: hepatitis. However, I do not turn and run; I continue to break multiple traffic laws (who’s idea was the stop sign anyway?) attempting to speed my journey towards what I expect to be my impending doom.

Now, make no mistake, this bore the unique trademark of one of my ridiculious ideas . . . well, partially my idea. Over the summer, after a long day of eagerly awaiting customers at Party America, my former employers, my sister and I decided moving was too great a hassle and that our time would be best spent lounging in the basement. As per usual, we found nothing enjoyable in our 200-and-some-odd-number channels, so we watched Tattoo Stories, Fuse’s lame attempt at marketing some of the crazies that make up their fan base, specifically those with a penchant for body art. To make a long and exponentially boring tale short, within three hours I excitedly shook on a promise to get a tattoo with my sister Annemarie (which would be her fourth) on my 18th birthday. After nearly two weeks of bickering, we settled on a cupcake tramp stamp. I could not tell you why if my life depended on it. I cite sleep deprivation as a major influence on the decision.

So, at 7:30 on a Friday night, Joshua Bowers, tattoo artist extraordinaire, transferred a stencil onto the small of my back. Next, I sat sideways on the festive burnt orange chair, as directed, clinging to a freshly plastic wrapped pillow. The staff of Sacred Skin attempted to fetch me a chair to prop my legs on; unfortunately my feet appeared destined to dangle, as at least nine inches separated my feet from the chair. All to soon, the fun began.

The first 15 minutes equated to pure hell. It felt as if a serrated knife slowly and painstakingly removedeach layer of skin off my back. My sister, the self-proclaimed

Felicia Hoover/Dragon

My wonderful tattoo graces my lower back. veteran of the tattoo world, had described it as “sticking your hand in a thorn bush;” yeah, maybe if the thorn bush brandished a chain saw. My legs shook wildly, prompting Josh to ask me multiple times if I needed anything. As I did not want to be shown up by the rather large grandpa-like man on my left, giggling with delight as the needle danced along his skin, I responded the room seemed cold, thus providing a craft lie to explain the shivering and save my pride. As an added bonus, each time my left leg shook, my knee made a fairly heinous popping sound. Smooth, I know.

As I neared the half-hour mark, my legs went numb, which stopped the awkward twitching. Within a few moments of the numbness setting in, I decided to take a nap. I was tired, the staff had abandoned their quest for an insightful reason behind the cupcake, the grandpalike man was continuously attempting to catch my eye; sleep’s appeal ranked similarly to that of a million dollars at that point. Other than the occasional stab of pain when the needle ventured across my spine, the process became fairly painless by this time, so I went with the compulsion and dozed off.

Grandpa-man woke me about 20 minutes later. The process completed, Josh attempted to get my attention

remember the first time I tired actual fresh mountain spring water, it tasted like death. That company just lied about a basic element, but the café is lying about an entire ecosystem.

The only use of the Rainforest Café is to go once, and be reminded how beautiful it is to go home to a family that loves you. Good to visit, not to be in your town. Because the only thing worse than a bad idea (Rainforest Café) is it’s devoted followers (out-of-towners).

Don’t taint the beauty of the Jordan Creek Town Center with the Rainforest Café, how else will our big city brothers respect us? We are already in hot water with the cosmo-countries of Europe with this whole Iraq thing. At this point, only an elite shopping center will gain their respect. Burn down the Rainforest.

for quite a while before passing the responsibility to Grandpa. I tried to stand, only to have to be rescued by my sister from a harsh meeting with the linoleum by when my knees buckled. Grandpa guffawed appropriately.

When I could finally walk again, I hobbled the five steps to the mirror and gazed upon my now artistic lower back. There it was: my cupcake.

Now, as this point, I will admit to making one enormous mistake in this process: I drove. Do not, for the love of God, drive yourself in the event a tattoo is in your future. I thought I had experienced the ultimate level of pain during the initial inking portion of the evening, but I was sorely mistaken. Driving home afterwords clearly won the pain infliction contest. I now exactly how a machete in the back would feel.

In the days following, I complied with a majority of the safety precautions Josh spelled out for me, including wearing the incredibly fashionable plastic wrap bandage Josh provided for 24 hours. I expected a fancy gauze pad bandage reminiscent of the days following my golf club-induced stitches, so I mildly shock set in when Josh the tattoo man crossed the room brandishing rolls of plastic wrap and masking tape. Josh also instructed I engage in the avoidance of water for a week. This called for the fashioning of my own version of the Josh Bowers Bandage whenever I felt a shower to be necessary.

Moving while excessively taped now ranks fairly high on my list of useless skills.

I next entered and journeyed through the scabbing portion of the aftermath of being inked. Rather than dwell on the itchiness, puffiness and general unattractiveness of this stage, I will make a suggestion for all those who will later experience this: do not participate in the crunches portion of gym class. It will be innormousluy painful and you will regret it.

My overall opinion remains cautiously positive. I enjoy my cupcake immensely, but I suppose the real test will be 60 years form now. What will I say when my asinine grandchildren catch a glimpse of my sick tat?

Will it fall along the lines of, “Well, kids, Nana was a stupid kid,” or will it be more like, “Let me tell you, Nana had some fun times back in the day!” I hope it’s the latter.

7

REVIEW: what’s new March ‘07

Neon Bible

B &W This month in....

film history

The Gospel of Arcade Fire

BY MICHAEL J. SLUSARK EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Montreal’s Arcade Fire exploded on to the indie music scene with their first full length album Funeral in 2005, an effort that landed them at or near the top of many reviewers’ yearly best of lists and on the front cover of Time magazine with a bold headline, reading, “Canada’s Most Intriguing Rock Band.”

With this kind of hype behind them, their follow-up album Neon Bible, which the band produced themselves, debuted on Mar. 6 to high expectations and does not disappoint.

The album kicks off with “Black Mirror” and displays a wall of sound approach with multiple instruments contributing to a haunting song of selfreflection and death. The seven member band has made this kind of instrumental variation a trademark and the huge sound they create on Neon Bible displays that they are clearly taking full advantage of their now large studio budget.

In addition to the instruments, Arcade Fire stays true to their French Canadian roots as the vocals intertwine English and French much like some of the songs on their last album.

Lead vocalist Win Butler is lost amongst the instruments in “Black Mirror” and they blend together to create one foreboding force.

In contrast, the next track, “Keep the Car Running” begins with a very catchy drum beat and it continues to create an upbeat tune that seems intentionally made to start dance parties at their supposedly amazing live shows.

“Black Wave/Bad Vibrations” a song about a woman in Haiti, similar to the song “Haiti” on their last album, speaks of the hardships faced by those in the impoverished nation. Also, like the other song, Butler’s wife and band mate Régine Chassagne takes over the majority vocal responsibilities, for at least the first half of the song. However, while her voice, if

“Old Friends”

history lesson by Alexander S.G. Guns Dearest Martin Scorsese,

Neon Bible, the sophomore album by indie rockers The Arcade Fire, released March 6th not remarkable, was pleasant on the last album, in this song it is sort of hard to bear. The song seems somewhat stumbling while she sings but it is drawn together as Butler takes over the vocals.

The messages on the album cannot be overlooked in songs such as “Antichrist Television Blues” and “Windowstill.”

In the former, Butler discusses the idea of God in America, as a means to obtaining financial success and how it fits in His image, it even comes complete with 9/11 imagery as Butler sings, “No I don’t wanna work in a building downtown. I don’t know what I’m gonna do.

‘Cause the planes keep crashing always two by two.”

The latter laments the over stimulation

and claustrophobia of life in America.

Butler repeats the phrase “Don’t wanna. . . ” with endings ranging from “. . . hear the noises on TV” to “. . . fight in a holy war.”

Neon Bible is an intricate album with interesting arrangements and enigmatic lyrics. However, in all this depth the band does lose some of the pure listening enjoyment present on their first album.

There isn’t an equivalent to the addictive tune of “Rebellion (Lies)” or “Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) on Neon Bible.

Due to this, Neon Bible, while a very good album, is not the gem that Funeral was, but it is promising that the band continues to try to break new ground in their musical arrangements and lyricism.

Salsarita’s brings lukewarm results

BY ANDREW S. HOUP STAFF WRITER

I sat down at my table with a wrapped up burrito and a large serving of chips, with an intensely spicy salsa.

Mounted on the wall near the ceiling was an LCD TV with a crystal clear picture, making the experience a time to watch TV and eat at the same time. Could it get better than that? Probably.

Salsarita’s offers many different options for many different tastes. For around $7.50, you can get a medium sized burrito, coffee and a large serving of chips.

Ordering is a little similar to that of ordering at McDonald’s. You order what you want from a billboardlike menu. Salsarita’s offers some unique qualities to fast food, one of these, according to employee Monica Coons, is the fact that they make all three varieties of the their salsa fresh every morning.

Ordering begins with a selection of the tortilla shell, the original grain based, but also tomato and spinach based torti-

<<The fresh cantina known as Salsarita’s. The store is located at the corner of Merle Hay and Northwest Johnston drive.

llas. Next comes some rice, beans and either chicken, beef or chopped vegetables, such as zucchini, on the tortilla. The final step is the salsa, which you can get mild, medium or hot. Take a hint, don’t order the hottest salsa, that’s stuff’s bad news.

Salsarita’s food overall is a good meal, and they have many different selections of food on their menu. They seriously need to go back to the drawing board on

the process of making these “burritos” and what they put in them.

They are too expensive and sloppily made. All in all it was filling, more so than your average American fast food restaurant. Other disadvantages are its limited Drew Houp/BW number of attendants, only two to three at a time, making their service slow.

Salsarita’s offers a mostly friendly and clean environment with an artistically friendly design to their interior. In all fairness, the food tastes all right, it has good flavor, and the coffee is good. Salsarita’s gets a 75% grading. This would fall in the ranking of a C. Average.

Yes, I did hear about your Oscar!

That is so great! I’m not going to lie; I was doubting Departed could go all the way for best picture. But you could have filmed yourself taking a nap and it still would deserve best director. I mean, they skipped you over with Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, The Aviator and then to cap it all off Gangs of New York.

To answer your question, no I don’t think you gave a poor speech, not that I’ve heard a real memorable one in years. You’re just used to giving speeches two-plus hours long on those DVD commentaries of yours. And, yes, I really do think you would have benefited from pointing out that even the rap group “Three 6 Mafia” won an Oscar before you.

I was glad to see our old friends Francis, Steven and George up there with you, but George looked pretty down. I know Steven and Francis were joking about them winning best director and him not, but it seemed to really hurt old George. I mean, in the long-term scope of it all, Star Wars has become more significant than its best picture opponent Annie Hall in ’77 And Revenge of the Sith is way better than Crash, but most films have that claim to fame.

Speaking of lack of best director, now that you’re on the other side it’s time to award your favorite young director; Wes Anderson. Why The Royal Tenenbaums lost, I’ll never know. It’s so amazing how the young generation of filmmakers and fanatics think he is the messiah, but the current old man reviewers and the academy thinks of him as a joke. I think I’m starting to see that “Changing of the Guard” Bob Dylan’s preaches about. Oh, on Dylan — are you still unsure on making a sequel documentary to No Direction Home? Because I’m still sure Dylan’s basement tapes era in ’67 is excellent fodder for your skill with music on film.

Thinking on it, The Departed seems a lot like Dylan’s new album; Modern Times.

The sound of the album, the revolutionary classic sound deep in the tracks. He took his thin-wild-mercury sound and let it ferment for 40 years. Just like The Departed, with motifs that are such basic staples of The Golden Age with a delivery years ahead of your contemporaries.

When you two showed up on the scene, you were so ahead of the times that now you’ve lapped yourselves. Both of you look back to American roots, to show us the road ahead.

Not much has been happening here, a few big time snow storms. I haven’t seen very many movies lately. I caught Marie Antoinette a couple months back, now that’s a biopic, WOW. And then a few weeks ago I hit-up Smokin’ Aces. That movie is proof that a feature length music video is a lot crappier than is sounds.

But I’m sure we can discuss that later when you come by.

Well, that’s all for this time around.

Update me on your Franklin Roosevelt film with Leo, working out I hope/ no doubt. And be sure not to let that Oscar go to your head.

Your inside man,

Alexander S.G. Guns

DOUBLETRUCK: what’s the scoop March ‘07

Sophomore Jenny Ajluni makes stir-fry for dinner. Ajluni has had only one major mess-up in the kitchen, when she was making a cookie dough volcano for a science project and ended up lighting it on fire.

Kaitlyn’s Favorite Pot Stickers

Junior Kaitlyn O’Toole

The Last ing Taste

B &W Zach’s Favorite Peanut Butter Fudge

Sophomore Zach Bruce

8&9

Instead of mowing the lawn or baby sitting, sophomore Jenny Ajluni found a different way to make money.

“My parents don’t get home from work until later, so they offered me money, sort of like an allowance, if I cooked in the afternoon,” Ajluni said. “I get paid 15 dollars per week, as long as I cook at least twice.”

According to Ajluni, she is the one who plans the meals. “It’s just part of the job,” she said.

Another part of the job is doing the grocery shopping. “My parents used to do it, but now that I can drive, I do. They still pay for the food, though.”

The only cooking class Ajluni has ever taken is Family and Consumer Science, which she took in ninth grade. According to Ajluni, it was different than a cooking class because more emphasis was placed on sewing. “I would take another one (cooking class), but my schedule is pretty full,” Ajluni said.

According to Ajluni, desserts are her favorite dishes to make.

“They’re fun to decorate, and you don’t have to work with raw meat and stuff,” she said. “My favorite ones to make are the tarts with fruit on top.”

When Ajluni runs into the dilemma of not having an ingredient, she just improvises. “If we don’t have something, I just find something else to use instead,” Ajluni said. This happened to her when she was making banana bread. After running out of sugar, she used Splenda and brown sugar. According to Ajluni, it still turned out pretty good.

The thought of cooking in the afternoon for an allowance also led to some competition between Ajluni and her older brother Chris, a senior.

“He wanted to make money too, so my parents gave him one night and me the next,” Ajluni said.

On one of his nights, Chris baked a strawberry-rhubarb pie.

Instead of leaving it in the pie tin, he took it out and set it on cookie sheet. The pie ended up burning.

“We still ate it though,” Chris said.

Although she loves cooking, and has found a more exciting way to make money through it, Ajluni doesn’t think becoming a professional chef is in her future.

“I don’t think I’m good enough to be a chef,” Ajluni said. It’s more of a hobby.”

Ruth’s Favorite Chicken Spaghetti

Teacher Ruth Hamilton

Hobby turns into easy money opportunity for sophomore

10

March ‘07

Y

MAKE OVER

our body

>>>

B &W

ENTERTAINMENT: what’s happening

Contact info Personal

(515) 402-3760 vanzante05@hotmail.com

Anytime Fitness 8805 Chambery Blvd.

Johnston, IA 50131 (515) 334-3488

In a nation where obesity remains a growing health epidemic, it is more important than ever to focus on health and personal fitness. In order to achieve or maintain a healthy weight, exercise is a necessary regiment.

Personal trainer Tracy Van Zante, who trains at Anytime Fitness, shows how to tone legs, arms and abdominal muscles.

Push ups

Triceps, chest

Bring yourself into the standard push-up position, your hands a little over shoulder width apart.

Keeping your back straight, lower yourself to the floor and back up.

Do three sets of 12 reps.

1

2

3

>>>

Crunch series Abs

>>>

Dips

Triceps

Using a step, chair or bed, sit down.

Now, put your hands next to your body.

Step forward and lower yourself, keeping your legs and back straight.

Do three sets of 15 reps.

>>>

This is a series of three crunches, increasing difficulty with each.

1. Lay down, with knees bent, hands behind your head, elbows up and it up.

2. Now, maintaining the same basic position, move your knees up off the ground, forming a 90-degree angle, and continue sit-up move.

3. Finally, move your legs straight up in the air, and do the crunches.

Do three sets of 10 crunches for each posture.

>>>

Side lunges

Split squats

Stand straight, then, taking as big a step as you can, lunge out to the side.

Your back can bend slightly forward, if necessary, but keep your back as straight as you possibly can.

Do two sets of 15 for each leg.

Get in lunge position.

With your back straight, drop your back knees, and then come back up.

Do three sets of 15 for each leg.

Thighs

>>>

Compiled by News Editor Larissa French All photos by Larissa French

Glutes, quads

Ball leg curls Hamstrings

Begin by laying down with your heels on the ball.

Use your heels to curl the exercise ball in toward you, and lift your hips at the same time.

Do three sets of 12 reps.

B &W 11 Bjurstrom provides insight on prior Police FEATURE: what people are doing March ‘07

Life

BY ALLISON KANE STAFF WRITER Breaking up fights, writing parking tickets and patrolling halls are a few of the endless jobs campus monitor Deb Bjurstrom takes up every school day.

Her past experience has helped with this job in many ways. For 15 years, Bjurstrom was an undercover police officer employed at the Des Moines Police Station.

As a young child, becoming a police officer never crossed Bjurstrom’s mind.

“I wanted to be a teacher and a coach,” Bjurstrom said.

However, by the time she graduated high school, the thought of becoming a police officer seemed very rewarding: saving lives and helping people.

“It’s always changing and challenging,” Bjurstrom said.

According to Bjurstrom, applying for the job at the Des Moines Police Station was a piece of cake. She had to pass several tests including academic and physical tests, a polygraph (lie-detector test) and drug and vision screening.

“The physical stuff was easy since I’ve always been an athlete,” Bjurstrom said.

Today, job requirements for police officer positions are rigorous. In addition to tests, applicants must receive a minimum of 16 college credit hours.

During her 15 years at the Des Moines Police Station, Bjurstrom worked undercover drug busts, traffic patrol and other emergency situations. Her favorite job was being involved in undercover drug busts because of the adrenaline rush.

“Anytime there were drugs there were guns, the chance of being caught, jumped or killed,” Bjurstrom said.

Although kicking doors down and looking for drug possession increased adrenaline and intensity for Bjurstrom, the situations were potentially dangerous and life threatening.

“You always have to be on your toes and be cautious,” Bjurstrom said. “The bottom line is you want to go home at the end of the night.”

According to Bjurstrom one experience on the job jumped out at her as the most life-threatening: a drug street rip (or drug bust).

The situation involved Bjurstrom and her partner, working on an undercover drug bust. When they arrived at the drug house, the two hand-cuffed the man who had drugs on him and set him in the back seat of the police car.

Thinking everything had already been taken care of, another man approached the window and elaborated on the situation, and that’s when Bjurstrom and her partner realized the man in the back seat carried a loaded gun.

“Police officers have a sixth sense,” Bjurstrom said. “I wanted to leave right away, but my partner didn’t.”

Knowing they needed to stay calm and use their training and instinct to help them, Bjurstrom and her partner retrieved the gun before it was fired.

After 15 years of dedication to police work, Bjurstrom was forced out of the job on account of six injuries including three knee injuries and a shoulder, back and neck injury.

“It was an awesome job. I wish I was still doing it,” Bjurstrom said.

Having all these injuries, though, did not stop her from doing what she loved most: working with kids.

Dan Haight/BW

Campus monitor Deb Bjurstrom writes a parking ticket during sixth period on March 8. Prior to being monitor, Bjurstrom served as a police officer for the Des Moines Police Station and worked with students at Hoover High School.

For the first five years after she left the station, Bjurstrom worked at Hoover High School establishing relationships with students and their families. She learned about their lives and had an understanding of what they went through each day.

The following two years she was employed at Johnston Middle School as a study hall teacher and now currently works at the high school as “campus monitor.”

According to boys’ cross country coach and physical education teacher Dave Beason, her job closely resembles that of a secret agent.

“She’s the female equivalent of James Bond,” Beason said.

Bjurstrom continues to work with students and

their families and enjoys providing safety and security for them while keeping them on track and in order.

“She tries to keep kids in class, and if they aren’t in class she escorts them to class,” sophomore Michael Friesth said.

Life as an undercover police officer and high school campus monitor has taught Bjurstrom many important life lessons. One of the lessons is to be cynical and suspicious and use it in a positive way.

“Unfortunately, no one wants to deal with society’s garbage, but someone’s got to do it,” Bjurstrom said.

By having Bjurstrom at the high school, she has used her background experience, insights and compassion to help students succeed and achieve their best.

Lockerswith personality A close look at some

LOCKER

the

LOCKER next to locker

LOCKER

2 116

Where does this student put their goods?

unique lockers

LOCKER

Chips Galore: a midday snack.

Ancient lockers near the Industrial tech rooms have taken a beating.

Onion breath? Stop by this locker for a quick fix.

12

FEATURE: what people are doing March ‘07

B &W

Disney World delights Weaver

BY KARI DOCKUM MANAGING EDITOR Peering through the huge aquarium in the Living Seas Pavilion at EPCOT, Abby Weaver waved as Disney World guests filed by and gazed at the sea creatures.

Weaver, a junior, and her family were taking part in the Aqua Sea Tour not as spectators, but as snorkelers involved in the exhibit.

The 2004 vacation was one of the 15 trips Weaver has taken to Walt Disney World in her lifetime. She first traveled to the amusement park when she was two years old. Since then, Weaver has been to Disney World once a year, usually in June.

“Our trips vary in length, but it is normally about a week long,” Weaver said.

Weaver has always gone to Disney World with her family; however, some other guests have traveled along in recent years.

“Ever since 2000, my aunt, uncle and cousins have joined my family,” Weaver said. “Then, the last two years, my sister’s boyfriend has joined us.”

Upon arriving in Orlando on the first day, the family does not normally go to a Disney park, according to Weaver. “We will lounge around the pool, go to Downtown Disney, which is a shopping area or go mini-golfing,” she said.

The rest of the trip consists of visiting a Disney World park in the morning, a break at the resort in the middle of the day and a return to a park later in the afternoon.

“EPCOT, MGM and Magic Kingdom are where we spend a vast majority of our time,” Weaver said.

Some of Weaver’s favorite memories include taking private firework cruises, parasailing and going on a Segway tour around Disney World.

According to Weaver, it is difficult to choose a favorite park. “Picking a favorite park is like picking your favorite child,” she said. “Each park has its own unique characteristics, and to choose one over another is difficult. Each offers you something different.”

The Weavers have never visited other Orlando attractions on their trips.

“We always talk about doing something else besides Disney World when we are in Orlando, but yet once we get there, we don’t want to take time away from the Disney experience,” Weaver said. “I love the fact that for seven days, we never leave Disney property.”

This June, Weaver will be taking her boyfriend, 2006 graduate Dustin Van Zee, on the trip, the first time she

Provided/Abby Weaver

The waves crashing over her, Abby Weaver acts as a participant in a behind the scenes look at how movies are made. The demonstration took place at MGM Studios in Walt Disney World, and involved 500 gallons of water. Weaver described it as her “30 seconds of fame.” has brought a friend along.

“He has never been to Disney World,” Weaver said.

“He knows what a large role Disney plays in my life and he constantly hears me talking about it. After going, he will have a better understanding on what I am talking about and why I love it so much.”

Weaver expects that, in the future, Disney World will still play an important role in her life and vacation plans.

She also has plans to incorporate the park into a big event in her life.

“I dream of a Disney World wedding with Mickey and Minnie Mouse attending my reception,” Weaver said.

Although she is unsure if she will continue to attend Disney world once a year, Weaver is excited to introduce the park to others.

“Most of all, I look forward to someday sharing the Disney magic with my own family,” she said. “It is amazing that as soon as we arrive home from our Disney trip, I am already looking forward to the next one.”

Pictured from left to right: Cody Phelps, Ashley Weaver, Abby Weaver, Carol Weaver, and Mark Weaver.

Middleton gathers dresses for dances

BY BRENNAN WINGET STAFF WRITER

Brennan Winget/BW

Marilyn Middleton sorts through dresses that are available to students. Middleton stayed late after school Wed., March 7 so girls could come in and try on dresses.

Every year of high school, girls spend hundreds of dollars on dresses, mainly on two occasions: homecoming and prom. Each girl knows when she buys the dress, she will only want to wear it once.

After, it is assumed that the dress will be put in a closet, good for nothing but gathering dust.

No one can justify throwing it away because of the cost. But, no one wants to wear the same dress twice.

At some point, the dress might get moved, like when the girl leaves her parents’ home, or when she wants to show her daughter what she wore to her high school dances. Unfortunately, that is the only time it may get out of the closet after the big dance.

However, there is now another option, a better choice than throwing the dress away or letting it gather dust.

Speech teacher Marilyn Middleton is offering to gather formal dresses which will then be given to other high school girls who may not be able to afford a special occasion dress on their own.

According to Middleton, the idea started as somewhat of a joke.

“In my class I was talking to a couple of students about how expensive the dresses were, and I remembered my own daughter’s dress was very expensive and she only wore it once. Jokingly, I said ‘wouldn’t it be nice if the dresses could be

donated and, for a very low price, be shared with others,” Middleton said.

Middleton then approached Family and Consumer Science teacher Ruth Hamilton, who also agreed it would be a good idea. After, she created posters requesting formal dress donations be brought to room 420.

Middleton is apprehensive as to how many dresses the idea will bring in.

“This is the first time we have tried this, so we don’t really know how many dresses we are going to get or if we will even have people that want to buy them,” Middleton said. “I wish we had a lot more dresses than we have at this point in time.”

However, Middleton can see why she has not received many dresses.

“I understand why girls wouldn’t just want to give their dresses away,” Middleton said. “It’s hard to convince teenagers to give away something that they loved at one time. They may think they will use it again.”

Middleton is worried about girls not coming to try on dresses.

“We are also concerned that girls will be too embarrassed to come in and try dresses on,” Middleton said. “I hope that isn’t the case; however, everyone should be able to buy a dress for prom, regardless of whether they have a lot of money to spend on something new.”

Girls who either want to continue to donate a dress or try on a dress after the March 7 and 8 try-on sessions should contact Middleton as soon as possible.

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complied by: Torey Robinson Hana Kajtazovic

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Stefan Adams Senior

ready After watching his step-father race sprint cars weekend after weekend, ten year old Stefan Adams quickly developed an interest in racing.

“I just always thought it looked like a lot of fun,” Adams, now a senior, said. Rather than competing with cars like his step-dad, Adams decided to race dirtbikes, also known as motocross. “I wanted to race on a track with jumps, it looked exciting,” Adams said.

The new passion did not come cheap. “Racing is really expensive,” Adams said. “Bikes alone can be anywhere from $2000 to $6500.”

Adams earned a sponsorship with Struthers Brothers, a local motosport retail and machanic shop, to help with the expenses.

Set

In season, Adams is away most weekends racing on tracks across the state, primarily in Indianola, Winterset, and Sully.

Motocross racing is a family event for Adams. His brother, Spencer Chrismore, 13, also races dirtbikes.

Adams said most racers get their families involved.

Adams enjoys the atomosphere.

“My favorite part of this whole thing is the racing and just camping out,” Adams said.

According to Adams, racing is seperated into classes based on the bike sizes used. He rides a Kawaski kx250f, a four-stoke bike.

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Senior Stefan Adams pops a wheelie in a motocross competition last year. Adams has been racing dirtbikes in contests across the state since he was ten years old.

FREESTYLE: Style of riding in which riders perform tricks over jumps on vertical ramps and dirt tracks.

KICKER: A short jump with a sharp angle to the ground on the launch. Kicker jumps often buck riders over the bars.

The ride has not always been smooth for Adams. He suffered several setbacks from serious accidents and injuries in competition. In 2003, Adams crashed during a race and flipped himself over the handlebars.

“Another time, during a race, my bike landed on me and I broke a shoulder blade and five ribs,” he said. In 2006 alone, Adams broke his ankle and suffered a concussion on two seperate occasions. “It’s rough,” he said. “But its my life.”

WHIP: freestyle trick in which the rider lays the bike flat horizontally in the air and then brings it back up for the landing.

14

SPORTS: what the athletes play October ‘06

B &W

MARCH MADNESS 5 Likely to Upset

Odds-maker

1. Vermont 2. Winthrop 3. Gonzaga 4. Oral Roberts 5. Wright State

Kansas [5:1]

5 Likely to be Upset

Georgetown [25:1]

Ohio State [8:1]

North Carolina [10:1] Florida [15:1]

Southern Illinois [35:1]

1. Duke 2. Air Force 3. Oregon 4. Notre Dame 5. Nevada

Butler [50:1]

Gonzaga [100:1] Penn: [500:1]

Niagara [1000:1]

What to look for going into the NCAA tournament

BY KYLE HANSON STAFF WRITER

Sixty-five teams make up the tournament. Teams are seeded from 1 to 16 based on their record. There are four regions, each of which has a 1-16 seed. These combine to form a four-sectioned bracket. The winner of each section plays the winner from the section vertical of them; this is called the final four.

The winner of the two games plays in the championship game. The winner of the Sun Belt and SWAC play each other for the right to get annihilated by a number No. 1 seed, which gives 65 teams. A 16 seed has never beaten a No. 1 seed.

If a team loses once, they are out. The champion will have to go 6-0 in the tournament. The winner of each conference tournament gets an automatic bid. The rest of the open spots are filled with at-large teams. These are teams that did well enough in the regular season to go to the tournament.

The number No. 1 title has jumped around so much

this year it’s almost impossible to choose a clear frontrunner going into the tourney. There are, however, some teams that have been more consistent than others throughout the season.

Teams coming in on hot streaks build momentum and have a better chance of doing well. A team like Florida has not only dropped to a possible No. 2 seed, but also lost momentum and has teams questioning how good it really is after dropping one to Vanderbilt as well as LSU. A team like Ohio State has a better chance coming off a big win over Wisconsin and a unanimous number one ranking. North Carolina won the ACC regular season outright and will have the number one seed in the ACC tourney, which will give it an edge going into the big dance.

Conference tournaments play a big role in seeding for the tournament. Since teams want as high of seed as possible, doing well in the conference tournament is crucial. However, the conference tournament is still most important for bubble teams, such as the San Diego State Aztecs, who went 21-9 in the regular season. Since

their record might not be good enough to get an at-large bid, they may have to win their conference tournament in order to steal a bid. For a team that is a lock for the tournament, such as Kansas, the conference tourney could decide whether or not they deserve a No. 1 seed or not.

Teams that will have a clear disadvantage are ones that stumble towards the end of the season. This may cause them to do poorly going into the conference tournament and hurt their overall seed. Teams want a higher seed, but certain seeds give them clear disadvantages.

If a team ends up with a 4 seed and wins in the first round, it will likely have to face a 5 seed followed by a No. 1 seed and is likely to get knocked out early. The key to doing well in the post season is finishing the season strong and getting a good seed.

Look for Kansas to make a big run this year after getting upset and embarrassed two years in a row. It was upset by Bradley last year, and Bucknell the year before, so it will want to show that it is for real this year. Having a No. 1 seed will give it the confidence it needs to make it easily to the elite eight.

Hall of Fame still in progress

BY THOMAS LASHIER STAFF WRITER The idea of creating an athletic Hall of Fame to honor past athletes has been in the works for over two decades. “The idea was brought up before I was here,” athletic director Gary Ross said. “Probably about 12 to 15 years.”

The concept was a group effort. “The (original) plan was a combination of discussion amongst coaches and Jim Mahoney when he was the athletic director here,” Ross said.

However, several obstacles have stood in the way of the Hall of Fame being realized. Picking the location of the Hall, finding pictures of all the athletes and inducting them have all complicated the process.

“When you don’t know all the athletes, it’s hard to know where their pictures are,” Ross said. “Do you take the photos from current athletes and just list the names of earlier athletes? It’s hard to decide.”

Creating a Hall of Fame has proven to be a time-consuming project. Tracking down former athletes and finding statistics from past seasons takes effort. “We need to make it a priority and set aside time (to do it). It is not something we can do in 10 minutes,” Ross said. “The history takes longer.”

Different organizations have tried to tackle the challenge of creating the Hall of Fame. No formal committee has been assigned to the project, so the work has fallen into the hands of interested parties and volunteers. “Several groups have entertained the idea. Following through with the plan has been a problem,” Ross said. “Student council tried it four years ago. Lately, the Johnston Booster Club was working on the design. Unfortunately, they left it and it kind of got stuck there.”

At Valley High School in West Des Moines, the Hall

of Fame has been a source of athletic pride since 1973.

According to Valley athletic director Steve Duncan, a committee was put together to plan and design the Hall.

“The committee included the current athletic director in 1972, coaches, and an administrator from the district,” Duncan said.

The committee decided on everything from size of the pictures to the location of the Hall. According to Duncan, the Valley Booster Club also took an active role. “Our Booster Club provides a very nice medallion, signifying (the athlete’s) Hall of Fame honor,” Duncan said. “We try to present these at an assembly or at halftimes of our games during the winter season.”

At Johnston, location is still a major question. Currently, the school does not have an ideal place for the Hall. “Right now it depends on the new lobby, but we won’t have that for two years,” Ross said. “Maybe its something we just need to do, and then move it when the new lobby is complete.”

Despite these obstructions, the Hall of Fame has taken small steps forward. According to Ross, the criteria for selecting athletes have been created. Some former athletes have already been determined based on the chosen criteria.

The goal of creating the Hall of Fame is to increase pride in the Johnston athletic program. “The purpose would be to recognize outstanding achievements of individuals that have been accomplished through our past athletic teams,” Ross said. “It would showcase outstanding athletes through the years.”

Valley displays athletes from all eras of their athletic program, including athletes from last year. “There are 304 pictures on our current Athletic Hall of Fame,” Duncan said. “Some of those are team pictures that represent many athletes. I would estimate that we have over 1,700 student-athletes honored.”

According to Duncan, many schools from around

Thomas Lashier/BW

Trophy cases throughout the school are currently the only showcase of athletic pride at JHS. The Hall of Fame would be designed to honor the long tradition of Dragon athletics. the state have come to Valley to get ideas for their own Halls. Currently, every school in the Central Division of the CIML athletic conference has an athletic Hall of Fame, except Johnston. Students can help bring a Hall of Fame to JHS. “Any student help would be great,” Ross said. “The problem is it’s tough because students come and go.”

There is no projected completion date for the Hall of Fame. The design still depends upon location, athletes’ pictures and what group will be able to put in the time and follow through on the plan. According to Ross, funding is not the main concern.

“It’s not a cost thing,” he said. “We want to get it done sooner rather than later. When it’s done, we want it done right.”

B &W 15 Photo essay: State wrestling 2007 SPORTS: what the athletes play February ‘06

Right: Junior Josh South forces his opponent Beau Gill into the mat at Wells Fargo. South beat Gill, a freshman at Sioux City North. South qualified for state for the third consecutive year.

Below: Senior Eric Reese grapples senior Evan Shaw of Iowa City West.

Reese won the match, and placed fourth at the tournament. Reese had to withdraw from his final match because of injury.

Senior Ricky Rodriguez also placed eighth at 119.

photos: Dan Haight/BW

Left: Freshman Alex Richards falls to the mat in his match with sophomore Nick Sand of Waterloo West. Richards lost his match, but his brother, senior Adam Richards, placed seventh.

Marriage date trumps Titleist job offer Science teacher Brad Jacobson turned down his “dream job” to get married on time

BY BRYAN LIPPINCOTT SPORTS EDITOR Science teacher Brad Jacobson was working a job at Golf Galaxy two years out of college when he got a lead for a job with Titleist. Jacobson said that at the time it would have been his dream job.

However, Jacobson opted not to take the job because of the travel that he would have had to do. “I would have gone south in the winter and north in the summer,” Jacobson said.

The job would have had him going to different golf courses to collect and analyze data from Titleist’s line of equipment. Jacobson would have gone to the driving range with a laptop and launch monitor. He would have collected results from different clubs, shafts and balls at the range. Jacobson would then have been responsible for sending the results off to the club designers, and then giving suggestions to improve clubs and balls that weren’t performing well.

Titleist also wouldn’t have given Jacobson the time to get married on May 26, 2001. “I wouldn’t have had time off or vacation time (to get married),” Jacobson said.

According to Jacobson, this was a decision made jointly with his fiancé, now wife, Brooke Jacobson. “We talked about it in great detail, and eventually, it (what) came down to, it was not the right situa-

Scott Sauber/Dragon

Junior Mark Anderson hits an iron during a JV meet in 2005. Jacobson helps coach the JV team as well as the varsity. tion for both of us,” Jacobson said.

According to Brooke, who works as a registrar for the Ankeny school district: “I suppose we would have considered changing our wedding plans if necessary.

We (I) never really considered it. A job is not the most important thing in life.”

Jacobson said that it was a positive thing to turn down the job because he

is happy where he is. According to him, there were no negatives to turning the job down. “I’m happy . . . I don’t dwell on what could have been.”

If he had taken the job, Jacobson wouldn’t be living in Iowa. “I would be on the east coast or west coast.”

Brooke was on the same page. “Who knows how our life would be different?

Every decision you make in life influences your future, even if you don’t realize it.

There is no right or wrong, it just depends upon what is right for you at the time . . .

I am happy with our lives now, where we live and what we are doing, so I think life works out the way it’s supposed to be.”

Jacobson had several positives to turning the job down. “I love teaching science, and I enjoy the opportunity to help high school students gain an appreciation for science,” jacobson said. “I enjoy watching them grow and mature.”

He is not sure what lies in store for him in the future, as far a designing clubs. “I do not know what the future holds, but I am happy with my current job right now.”

Jacobson, who didn’t pick up the sport of golf until his senior year in high school, is now an assistant varsity coach. He said that up until his senior year, the his involvement with another expensive sport, hockey, prevented him from playing golf.

Jacobson is also the freshman/varsity assistant on the boys’ golf team. Jacobson said that he enjoys his coaching position.

“Jacobson is really hard on the freshman, like he makes them do push-ups when they three putt,” senior, varstity golfer Jordan Olson said.” He’s a nice guy overall though.”

Jacobson and his wife now have one child, William, 2, who goes by Will. They are expecting their second child in sometime in May.

16

BACKPAGE: what’s fun

LifE (in the city) March ‘07

We are exposed to fast-paced, glamorous city life all the time in places like movies and TV shows. Is city life really like this? What part of city life doesn’t get represented in the media? And what makes the city so amazing? Four JHS students who have lived in a major city tell us about city life beyond the tourist attractions.

B &W

chicago

detroit

seattle

los angeles

Brie Bumpus’s mom met her stepfather while on a cruise. He was from Iowa and she lived in Hoffman Estates, a suburb of Chicago, but they hit it off so well that they got married. The Bumpus family decided to start a new life in Marshalltown.

“Everything moves so fast there. Here it’s a lot slower,” Bumpus said. She described life in Chicago as being very fast-paced. She enjoyed shopping at the mall about ten minutes away from her house, and she explained that Brie Bumpus Marshalltown doesn’t have a mall, which was a big adjustment for her. Weekend activities also included going downtown and visiting museums.

Bumpus also noticed some differences between the people that live in Chicago and those that live in Iowa.

“Driving is different, everyone is cut-throat,” said Bumpus. “Here they’re a lot nicer and considerate.” Having a self-centered attitude is much more common in Chicago, while she described the people here as being much more laid-back.

Bumpus’s family moved to Marshalltown when she was in the seventh grade. They didn’t move to Johnston until she was going to be a sophomore.

“We had a house fire in Marshalltown,” said Bumpus. That is what inspired their move to Johnston. Bumpus’s mother thought Marshalltown was too small for her and wanted to move to a bigger city.

Bumpus enjoys living in Johnston because of the friends she has made.

But she also misses the commotion of the big city and having “something to do all of the time.”

I miss a lot of things from Chicago,” Bumpus said. “But I don’t regret moving here.”

Although Seattle is known for it’s constant rainy days, sophomore Chelsea Nelson reflects on her great experience living in the big city atmosphere. “I loved it because of the crowdedness and closeness of the city,” Nelson said. “Everything was right there for you.”

According to Nelson, her family moved from Seattle six years ago during the Christmas holiday. “It sucked moving (during Christmas) because it was the first time I was completely away from the home I grew up in.” Nelson said. The Chelsea Nelson decision to move to Iowa was purely based on Nelson’s parents’ jobs.

“My mom was in the mortgage business, but she was pretty unhappy,” Nelson said. “So my uncle offered to sell my parents a McDonald’s store in Iowa so they could run it together and have more time for family.” So, her parents accepted the generous offer and moved to Johnston. Today, her parents own two McDonald’s stores within the Des Moines area.

When arriving to Johnston, Nelson underwent a few adjustments, such as attending a public school. “I was used to private schools in Seattle,” Nelson said. “I went to Evergreen Christian School, and we had to dress up every Tuesday for a program called Chapel. There’s nothing like that here, but I prefer it that way.” According to Nelson, Chapel is basically a large mass that took place during school, where lectures were held for the students.

“The biggest difference for me was the friendliness of Seattle,” Nelson said. “When I came to Johnston, there wasn’t that sense of closeness like Seattle had. I miss the rain and the big city vibe.”

Since moving from Detroit, Michigan three years ago, Megan Browning has experienced a series of adjustments in Johnston.

Browning was involved in a much different high school atmosphere in Detroit. “There were five different middle schools which fed three different high schools, but all the schools were still under the same district,” Browning said. “It was weird because within the high schools there was rivalries.”

According to Browning, she ended up atMegan Browning tending a different high school from her own sister. “We had a ‘lottery’ system which took place before the school year began, and basically it was your chance to go to whichever high school you really wanted to go, regardless of what district you lived in.” Browning said.

The three high schools within the district are Harrison High School, North Farmington High School and Farmington High School. “I was in the Harrison district, but my parents put me in the lottery because they didn’t want me to go there. If I didn’t get switched, then my parents were going to put me in the private Catholic school, but I got lucky and attended Farmington High School.”

According to Browning, North Farmington High School was the “rich kid’s” school and Harrison was usually the school that many students wanted to get out of, due to the constant violence problem. “Right when I started high school, a new vice principal was put in Harrison,” Browning said. “But she didn’t do a good job of controlling and organizing the school, it was basically taken over by gangs.”

“The values (between Johnston and Detroit) are completely different, there was a lot more diversity and there were more places to hangout at (in Detroit),” Browning said. According to Browning, every group of friends has their own place to hangout in downtown Detroit. “It’s a lot easier to entertain yourself in Detroit,” Browning said.

For senior Phil Evans, weather was the biggest change in his move from the big city to Iowa. “When we first moved I was like ‘no’,” Evans said. “I wasn’t used to having to wear jeans when I walked outside.”

Evans’ family moved from Los Angeles, California, in 2003 in hopes of getting away from the big city life.

“Iowa is a good place to be close to family,” Evans said.

Although Evans’ adjustment has been easy for him, a major difference between the two places was the school buildings. Especially the school’s indoor setting compared to the outdoor campus of his old school, Phil Evans where each class was in a separate building and sidewalks were used to walk from class to class. Lunch was eaten in an outdoor cafeteria, although there was also an indoor cafeteria for cold or rainy days.

The school’s open campus also presented some safety issues. “Sometimes there would be policemen chasing a person and the person would just run through the open campus,” Evans said.

The attitude of people is also different in the two cities. “In Iowa, people are more friendly and in big cities people watch their own backs a lot more.”

One of Evans’ most missed memories from his previous home was being with his friends. “There was a big mountain that my friends and I would get on (on our bikes) and see how far we could go down it with our eyes closed,” Evans said. “It was pretty intense and funny because a lot of guys fell down a lot,” Evans said.

Compiled by Amanda Lower (Backpage Editor), Lauren Profitt, Amy Lovejoy and Emily

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