& BW
Ankeny students sticky note cars Hollingsworth travels the globe How to identify a liar
five seven sixteen
the black and white
NEW THE
JOHNSTON
HIGH
SCHOOL page four
march 2012. volume 20 issue 7. 5152780449. 6501 NW 62nd ave. johnston. iowa
8/9
13
News
Double Truck
Sports
3
Photo essay
8/9
13
4
Student ideas for new high school Newsbriefs/Stuco updates
Editorial
5
Ankeny students support JHS Prom and After-Prom
7
Senior takes a shot at archery Student graduates early Teacher travels the world Student Graduates early
NCLB is poorly executed Letters to the editor
Opinion
Feature 6
10
Go clubbin’ at JHS
11
Assemblies need change Back to Besic / In Plain Sight
12
English lacks in writing Be aware of the world
March 2012
the black and white
in this issue...
5
Scanlan places third Limited track space
Review 14
Shoes fitted well Zombie burger
Health 15
What’s in our food?
Backpage 16
How to spot a liar
STAFF EDITORS
SUB-EDITORS
Zach Winjum
news
Ashley Enger
Zach Peterson
Paige Cramer
Kenzie Foldes
Anne Rogers
Kristine Hayes
Taylor Joens
Sarah Ross
Ryan McGrew
Monica Gagne
sports
Wes Monroe
Laura Scieszinski
Hannah Soyer
Ben Parsons
Zoe Wilson
editor-in-chief
Taylor Mithelman co-design
Evan Culbert co-design
Lauren Coffey managing
Ian Dunshee photo
Mirza Besic backpage opinion
Mallorie Goodale Sarah Margolin feature
Scott Syroka doubletruck
STAFF WRITERS
Charles Fiedler Ashley Shay
ILLUSTRATOR Lisa VanWiel
Cover by: Evan Culbert
Correction from the Feb. issue: We apologize for misspelling Joe Farrell’s name
PHILOSOPHY
The Black and White is published solely by the Johnston High School newspaper staff. Its goal is to inform, enlighten and entertain Johnston students. It is an open forum. In accordance with Iowa law and board policy, students assign and edit material and make all decisions of content. The paper is published nine times per school year. The paper will avoid material that is libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. The law does not require parental permission to use student quotes. Ethically, we believe students can speak for themselves. Staff editorials represent the opinion of a majority of the editorial board. Editorial and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the adviser, school officials or the district. Letters to the editor must be signed. Like all material, letters may not be libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. Bring letters to room 413 within one week after publication to be considered for the next issue. The Black and White strives to report accurate and timely information. If you believe that an error has been printed, please contact the editors at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com. The Black and White is a member of CSPA, NSPA, Quill & Scroll, and IHSPA. Recent issues of the paper earned these honors: Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist, National Scholastic Press Association First Class rating, Quill & Scroll Gallup Award, IHSPA state placings and sixth in the National Best of Show.
news
the b&wp.3
march 2012
March In Photos Zoe Wilson/BW Zoe Wilson/BW
1 Charles Fiedler/BW
2 3 4
5 1
Junior Carly Crist performs a back walkover at the Johnston’s Big Give talent show on Feb. 27. Carly was dancing to the song “Turn up the Music” by Chris Brown. Her motivation came both from her role as a student leader and being signed up by Amelia Medici.
2 Charles Fiedler/BW
Zoe Wilson/BW
Zoe Wilson/BW
Students celebrate at Best Buddies Prom held on March 3 at Merle Hay Mall. The buddies snacked on orderves, played games, sang, and danced.
3
The acappella group 12 Men Singing performs “Club Can’t Handle Me” at the show choir Spring Show on March 3. The group consisted of five seniors, three juniors, and four sophmores. “The spring show was only our second performance together, but I think we all had a lot of fun,” senior Nolan Martz said.
4
Freshman Abby Gorsche dribbles the soccer ball on Tuesday’s practice on March 13. The girls soccer team meets on Tuesday and Friday 6 a.m. in the big gym to prepare for the season.
5
A radio controlled car driven by sophmore Matthew Rahm drives off of a platform. Rahm’s team placed second overall on March 5 at the Perry TSA competition. His team competed against 13 other teams in three preliminary races (three minutes) and one final race (five minutes).
the b&w p.4
news
march 2012
Light bulb! Ideas take shape for new JHS words & layout
As a part of the process of building the
Taylor Mithelman
Auditorium
kins + Will, provided large cardboard light
new high school, set to open in the fall
Junior Laura Smalley holds
bulbs that were given to students. Stu-
of 2015, school officials formed a vision
the light bulb as Innovation
dents then took pictures with these light
group that includes students Katie Marck-
Celebrates at South East Polk
bulbs next to an item or idea they would
mann, Connor Yocum, Scott Syroka, and
after winning the competition.
like to see in the new high school.
Jon Caracci. The vision group is to come
Syroka tweeted this picture
Innovation Show Choir members at-
up with ideas for the new JHS and also
at Perkins + Will Architects,
tended a competition at S.E. Polk High
includes many community members and
“Hoping to get an amazing au-
School on Feb. 25. When they had down
teachers. In addition to the vision group
ditorium at new JHS to keep
time during the day they would wander
there will be a focus groups consisting of
our reign as grand champions
the school looking for ideas. Pictures
a larger group of students who will also
in the future!” Syroka tweeted
have also been taken at Johnston facili-
brainstorm ideas.
several photos he has taken
ties.
Perkins + Will, the architects who are
at the architects as a major
Photos are shared with the architects
designing the new high school, have given
form of communication. He
through e-mail and twitter. Each picture
Marckmann, Yocum, Syroka, and Caracci
follows each picture with a
is accompanied by a short recommenda-
a unique way to catalogue their ideas. Per-
tion or explanation of the picture.
brief description of what they are hoping to achieve.
Scott Syroka/BW
Grand Entrance
Students
in
Student Work Displays
Innovation
Standing by the display cases
stand outside of South East
outside of the cafeteria, Junior
Polk high school. One idea
Katie Marckmann holds the
is to have one defined ma-
light bulb. The idea is for the
jor entrance to the new high
new school to include ample
school. “I think a grand en-
display areas in order to dis-
trance is a reflection of our community,
our
play student work from a va-
system,
riety of classes. Art teacher
and the focus we have to-
Daniel Weiss believes it would
wards education. Since it is
benefit teachers and students
a reflection of what we are
to see what each department is
trying to do, lets make it
grand.” Senior Alyssa Beck-
newsbriefs & stuco updates
NB
Scott Syroka/BW
words & layout Taylor Joens
Scott Syroka/BW
er said.
Green room initiative
The Environmental Club has pitched the idea
Early start date retained Student council updates In similarity to this years start date, the
school board voted to start school on Aug.
ated and believe is a ‘green’ classroom,” senior
no start date that would have pleased every-
and president of the Environment Club, Molly Thuente, said.
The club decided to try out the “green room”
idea first on elementary schools, but it is not certain when the High School will adopt the
program. “The purpose is to teach the kids all
about being green and having a greener school
district,” Thuente said. Any class that decides to participate will receive a poster designed by the Environmental Club that includes the list of all the tasks it takes to be a “green classroom.”
should be for every department in the school.”
of a “green room.” “Basically it’s a classroom that tries to do all the things from a list that we cre-
doing, “Those exhibition pieces
16 as the start date for next year. “There was one, but I felt Aug. 16 provided more pros and fewer cons than any of the other op-
tions available,” school board member Greg
Dockum said. The mid-week start date will again arrange for finals before winter break
upcoming events the details march 12 School board meeting
april 4 Community blood 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. drive
and for second semester to be completed prior to Memorial Day. “My personal preference is to establish some consistency in our
start dates going forward in order to provide
scheduling stability for the families in our district,” Dockum said.
6 p.m. at the Administrative Resource Center.
9 School board meeting
in the gym foyer at JHS. Sign up in Beguhn’s room or www. bloodcenterofiowa. org.
6 p.m. at the Administrative Resource Center.
news
march 2012
the b&w p.5
Ankeny students support Johnston with messages words & layout
Laura Scieszinski
Junior Jake Atkinson walks to his car to
sticky notes on the mirrors of cars, the girls
yellow sticky note saying, “You are beau-
who they were from. When Dowling sticky-
go home Friday Feb. 24 and sees a little
realized that the sticky notes didn’t specify
tiful” stuck to his driver’s side mirror. “To
noted Ankeny, there was no way to tell
be honest, I thought I was special,” Jake
who or what school sticky-noted. The girls
Atkinson said, “I thought I was the only one
only learned by asking the school police
who got one.”
officers where the sticky-noters were from.
Atkinson later went home and looked
So quickly, with pencil, the girls wrote a
on Facebook to see about five people
heart symbol AHS on the back of each
with comments and posts about the sticky
of the sticky-notes. The girls have not re-
notes they found on their cars. Almost ev-
ceived feedback other than a few emails
ery car was stuck with a note.
from teachers, including Johnston Middle
During sixth period, seniors Kaylea
School principal, Brian Carico.
Carico, Chelsea Gerhardt, Erin Kaiser, and
The girls plan to create a Random Acts
freshman, Kourtni Carico, all from Ankeny
of Kindness Club, or RAK for short. The
putting the notes on the cars. They missed
noting cars, to not only schools but also
School District went around the parking lot
club would perform acts, such as sticky-
lunch and three periods of school. All of them were excused from class to do so.
Lisa Friesth/Dragon
middle and high school because of the re-
Ankeny High School senior Chelsea Gerhardt sticks a message on a car in the tennis court parking lot. Gerhardt and three others stuck the notes on Friday, Feb. 24.
and Spenser Nelson on Jan. 29. Cameron
schools were making banners,” Kaylea
looked up all these quotes and basically
Dowling Catholic High School had
we could do something that doesn’t have
kind of wrote them out,” Gerhardt said,
The group of girls chose Johnston’s
cent deaths of Cameron Carico on Jan. 28, Carico was Kaylea and Kourtni’s cousin.
anonymously sticky-noted one lot of the Ankeny High School parking lot after they lost Dyamond Ott, an Ankeny senior, on Dec. 11, 2011. “We were thinking we could
make a banner, but then we thought all the
Prom
Carico said, “We were just like well maybe
to do with it but more just like something to make people cheerful.”
Over three days during class about 700
sticky notes were given a phrase. There
were about 50 different phrases in all. “I
we started on one stack each and we just “We did them in our classes so people
would ask us and be like ‘oh, I wanna write some’ and we got all these different sayings.”
After-Prom
merly known as Veterans’ Auditorium. It was held at Hy-Vee Hall last year but the change
was made because “It’s really hard to book a venue that is the right size for us,” Prom
Committee sponsor Kyla Burns said. “Last
year was too big, this year will be the perfect fit for the students.”
In order to set up for prom, the prom com-
mittee has driven to the event center to take
pictures of the venue multiple times. Then
they use the pictures to decide on how to decorate the event.
As well as having prom at a different loca-
tion, the Coronation Ceremony will be held at the dance instead of during an assembly.
keny High School’s assistant principal, Lisa Hill, encourages this idea.
Hill, Brian Carico, and Brent Riessen
were contacted beforehand to give per-
mission. “All of the community support that has been given to our school, our students and especially our family has just absolutely been phenomenal,” Brian Carico
said. “The support has made a huge difference and allowed that healing process to happen. We need to heal and stuff like this helps that.”
Compiled by: Zach Winjum
Breakdown of the Prom ticket $1,800 goes to the photogra-
Prom will be held at the Community
Choice Credit Union Convention Center for-
Before getting out of the car to put the
places like grocery store parking lots. An-
• Will be held at the high school from 12-5 a.m. • Games include “Minute to Win It,” casino, ping pong, an inflatable, money machine, Xbox Kinect tournament, and Karaoke • Sidney Storm, the hypnotist, will perform (different from last year) • Parent volunteers put everything together
pher Deena Byrd as part of her contract with the school.
$4,500 will cover the facilities
cost, tables, and lighting rental.
$700 is used for picture frames
for seniors when they leave the dance.
$700 will fund the DJ. $250 will cover the catering of
cookies and water. It will also cover the catering staff.
*The rest of the money is used for the class day ceremony
the b&w p.6
feature
march 2012
Trail takes on targets
Student headed to national archery competition
words Laura Scieszinski layout Evan Culbert Pulling back her right arm, senior Sammi Trail aims at
the target set-up in the back of their family-owned store,
Crown Trophy. Her black and orange custom arrow, to match with her custom bow, flies in the air to hit the target in a yellow ring. Ten points. Her personal archery coach
Spenser Bretsch watches and says, “Good. Do it again,” and Trail sets her bow up for another shot.
Trail received her first bow only three months ago. It
was a hunting bow, so she could shoot with her dad and
uncle. She heard about the archery team at school and
decided to try it out. “I wasn’t really in a sport,” Trail said, “It was just kind of something to pick up and it turned out I liked it enough to keep going.”
Trail decided she wanted to further her training when
Bretsch came by Crown Trophy and invited Trail to his Lost
Arrows Archery School. He also offered Trail free lessons,
which led to him making her custom bow and arrows. “If you wanted to start learning how to shoot archery you call me and I bring everything you need to shoot,” Bretsch said,
“You purchase nothing. Lessons are free. So you can decide if you like archery before you go and buy a bow and
Laura Scieszinski/BW
The archery team coach Dave Beason is happy that
Senior Sammi Trail aims her bow in a private shooting session while her trainer Spenser Bretsch and sister Sarah Trail watch. The sessions occur weekly in the family store Crown Trophy.
buy the arrows and spend all that money.”
Trail is going beyond the team for archery training. “I think
it’s great that she’s going out and seeking extra help that
She also placed second in the Nebraska State Indoor 3D
be welcome at Lost Arrows Archery School. “It’s a really
that’s good for us because she brings that knowledge back
claims to be nervous but she sure doesn’t show it,” Beason
if I do poorly. I’m still trying to get over that. When I don’t
way because I’m certainly no expert,” Beason said. “And to our club.”
Trail has caught attention in the past year as a new fe-
male shooter. She recently won the Midwest Sectionals in the adult female class and has eligibility to go to nationals.
Shoot in the adult female bowhunter freestyle class. “She said. “It wouldn’t surprise me if five years from now we hear Sammi Trail’s one of the top shooters in the state.”
Trail plans to continue archery throughout her entire life.
She can attend competitions at all ages and will always
Early graduation Johnston School Board approves senior student the opportunity to graduate early
words Kristine Hayes & Ashley Shay second semester senior classes. “It’s a lot A lot changed for graduate Ethan Meng,
all within a very short time. He went from
being a student in high school to a student in college, all in about two weeks. “It was super stressful to say the least, I only had like 16 days though, so I didn’t have time to decompress and get lazy,” Meng said.
The process began around this time last
year. After spring break Meng met with his
counselors and fixed his schedule to take
easier than you’d think,” Meng said. After that he wrote to the principal for permission. “My letter was about a paragraph long
and basically said who I was and that I
wanted to graduate to go to UNI.” He then met with Hukee in person. “[Hukee] wanted to make sure I had a plan, that I wasn’t going to sit around and do nothing,” Meng
said. He graduated Dec. 22, 2011, and headed straight for UNI, where he had already been accepted earlier in the year. He
mental sport,” Trail said. “I realized I can’t beat myself up
do good I kind of get in my head like ‘oh, gosh I suck right
now.’ So then I shoot even worse. I’ve learned that I need to get over that. Shoot a bad arrow, get over it and shoot another arrow. “
Interested in graduating early? 1. Meet with your counselor (Junior year) to discuss and adjust schedule. 2. Write to the principal by Aug. 15, include reason. 3. Get school board approval. 4. Double up on English and PE, take government, and make sure to have enough credits. has currently been at UNI for a little over
early, Meng gives the advice to be 100 per-
“I never disliked high school but if I had to
thing is if you have any doubts,” Meng
two months and he doesn’t regret a thing. compare, I’d graduate early again, high
school and college are totally different atmospheres,” Meng said.
One thing he regrets was not having as
much fun junior year because he had to focus on all of the extra classes.
To anyone who is considering graduating
cent sure it’s the right choice. “The good said, “you can always stop everything and
not graduate early.” He will be back to walk across the stage with the class of 2012
during graduation so he does not miss the cap and gown opportunity. This is an option many early graduates take so they can still enjoy graduation.
feature
march 2012
the b&w p.7
Hollingsworth travels world words & layout
Many of us have dabbled in travel, either across the
ed, he will go off on random tangents.” Ellerman said. “(His
as Spanish teacher Gerald Hollingsworth. He has visited
Hollingsworth also has a natural knack for languages. “I
country or to other countries. Few have travelled as much
stories) are like a mini history lesson.”
36 different countries in the Americas, Europe, and North-
pick up languages quickly,” Hollingsworth said. “But I lose
there,” Hollingsworth said. “I enjoy the people, food, and
his travels, but he also finds himself learning from students,
ern Africa, for a multitude of reasons. “I travel because it’s drink of other countries.”
Hollingsworth uses his stories to connect with students
in his classes. Senior Kaitlyn Ellerman has Hollingsworth
for AP Spanish. “At the mention of any country he has visit-
it just as fast without practice.” Not only does he learn from when the opportunity presents itself. He is fluent in Spanish
and English, with a working knowledge of several others, including Bosnian and, the one he claims to speak best — “Wife.”
Vacationing in Croatia, Hollingsworth takes in the som-
man at his house, long after the war had ended. Fields
Hollingsworth is the people. He has met all sorts of people
land mines. “This long after the war, there is still a lot to be
ber sight of bombed out buildings. A big part of travelling for on his travels.
Just one example is a man from Croatia who had to
upon fields were still roped off, warning visitors of potential done,” Hollingsworth said.
Part of the experience of traveling for Hollingsworth is
leave everything behind when the war started there. The
being able to educate himself to the cultures of other coun-
he got a call from a friend in town, warning him to get out.
from,” Hollingsworth said. “It gives us something in com-
man had just returned and finished building his home when The war had begun in the main city, and was moving up
toward the man’s house. In 2010, Hollingsworth visited the
tries. “I try to travel to the countries that my students are mon. I’m willing to risk time and money to build a better rapport with my students.”
Plenty of people go to Mexico at some point in their
and understanding the extent of their intelligence has truly
past, he has taken students on trips to Mexico practically
to chart the movement of the plants and do complex math-
lives, but few go for the reasons Hollingsworth does. In the every year. Those have ended due to the drug violence
engulfing the country. Even so, his memories and trav-
humbled Hollingsworth. He marvels at the Mayan’s ability ematics without any of the technology available today.
Hollingsworth tries to be the best ambassador to the
els of the region are plentiful. He has visited the Aztecan
countries he visits as possible. He is curious to how the
“When you travel to (the ruins in Mexico),” Hollingsworth
time, he is conscious of the fact that they are very similar
and Mayan ruins in Mexico several times in his lifetime.
said, “you step back about 800 years.” Seeing the pyramids
people is these foreign countries view him. At the same to him in many ways, and that fact is one he won’t forget.
Meyer chooses military While many students spent Valentine’s Day exchanging
educated,” Emma said. “I was aware of things they don’t
being sworn into the army. On June 5, she will be starting
Besides this, Meyer also looks forward to the benefits,
carnations and candy, senior Emma Meyer spent the day
a lesser known aspect of being in the army. Financially,
training as an Integrated Family of Test Equipment Opera-
mom, Susan Meyer, agrees. “When I joined the guard, I
tor/Maintainer, putting her in charge of keeping her unit’s technology up and running.
There are many different jobs one can have once in the
army; Emma chose this one because it interested her the
most. “I like math and science, and usually it’s just guys,
didn’t join for the college benefits, I joined for community service. But once I got in, I realized what a great thing it
was,” Susan said. The army helped to pay for 75% of Susan’s schooling.
Emma Meyer and fellow military joinee, Jessie Reid, do pushups in Meyer’s yard.
only over a two month period. “People will probably say I
have to be willing to live with,” Susan said. “When Emma
so sure of myself I know I made the right decision, no mat-
asked her if she was sure, she said, ‘You know what, mom,
Many contributing factors helped Meyer decide to join.
should have thought about it longer,” Meyer said. “But I feel
saw what positive experiences they had. This also allowed
her to see the reality of army life. “Growing up, I was more
Provided/Emma Meyer
Meyer and her family feel like Meyer joining the army is
the right decision, even though the thought process was
Plenty of her family members have been involved, and she
Hannah Soyer
the army can help members afford an education. Meyer’s
so this way I won’t be stuck around a bunch of catty girls,” Emma said.
words & layout
just say on the commercials.”
her basic training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. After ten weeks of this, she will travel to Virginia to complete her
Mirza Besic
ter what anyone says.”
“She is making an adult decision that she is going to
decided she was going to join, she called me and when I
sometimes you have to suck it up and take the bad with the good.’ Sometimes, you have to give to get.”
the b&w p.8&9
s b u Cl
uncovered
Whether you are starting your own club or involved in other clubs, check out all you need to know here. layout
Kenzie Foldes
Climbing towards a club words
clubs
march 2012
Lauren Coffey
Group of students try to turn a hobby into a school club Most clubs seem to have always been around, but they
Lacrosse
crosses over
Take a crack at words
Two students take on unique sport; hopes develop for club Sophomore Jack Kapustka arrives at his lacrosse practice
to see some of his teammates and closest friends. Kapustka
started playing lacrosse a year ago, after a friend told him about it. “I had watched the sport on T.V, and knew it was huge in the East Coast, so I decided to try it,” Kapustka said.
Kapustka is on the only boys traveling team in Iowa. The
high school boys, all from different schools, play for a league in Nebraska called the Nebraska High School Lacrosse
League. Kapustka’s team travels to Omaha almost every weekend, and sometimes teams from Minnesota and Kansas travel to Iowa and play against the boys.
Kapustka plays football along with lacrosse, but enjoys la-
crosse more. He says the two sports can be alike, but also very different. “Whenever I want to throw football around, all I have to do is call some guys over. When I want to play la-
crosse though, I have to have all my team get together. It’s just an unique sport,” Kapustka said.
Freshman Puja Sookram is also a lacrosse player. She
have not always been. A group of students is currently try-
plays for a club in Norwalk. She was introduced to the game
ich originally thought of starting the club because “I usually
ways watched the women lacrosse teams in England play,
Sevenich said. “I figure if I like this so much, why not ex-
time,” Sookram said.
ing to get a rock climbing club passed. Junior Claire Seven-
in fourth grade when she lived in Seattle, Washington. “I al-
climb with a bunch of older people and had a bunch of fun,”
and I thought it was a sport that I would love to play for a long
pose others to it?”
Because Sookram is only on a club lacrosse team, she
The group is made up of six members, with four of them
doesn’t get much competition from other teams. “It’s more of
Mirza Besic, junior Claire Sevenich, and sophomores Kate
tion,” Sookram said. “I love playing it for fun, but there are
league at Climb Iowa that has high school students from
tournaments,” Sookram said. Her wish may come true. This
working at Climb Iowa: seniors Ben Parsons, Luke Miles,
a personal sport that’s about having fun rather than competi-
Fjelstad and Kelsey Acheson. The club is also part of a
times when I wish we could play more games and compete in
Des Moines that compete.
summer, Sookram’s coach may sign the club up for a tourna-
Currently the club is trying to find a sponsor. They also
have to create rules to abide by, like a club constitution, which the girls are in the process of writing.
Eventually they hope to be passed and become a club.
“Getting started is the hard part,” Acheson said. “After that
ment in Kansas, where she played in high school.
Both Kapustka and Sookram agree Johnston should have
a lacrosse team. “I’ve actually thought about that, I definitely think that would be a great idea,” Kapustka said.
Sookram said it’s a great way to meet new people, as well
we just want people to join so it can continue.”
as expanding one’s horizons in athletics. “It’s a unique game,
it is easy to get involved with it. Each member goes at least
would make the game more popular, which would be really
Acheson said. “We (Fjelstad and I) try to go every day, but
popularity, it is an exciting sport.
Although rock climbing is not something that is common,
and it might encourage other schools to have a team. That
two-to-three times a week. “It’s really easy to get addicted,”
cool,” Sookram said. Although the game does not have much
we have really busy schedules.”
“It’s hard and challenging, but it’s a lot of fun.” Miles said. The club hopes to get passed by the end of the school
year.
“I always tell people it’s football with a weapon,” Kapustka
said.
these clubs
Anne Rogers
How to start your own clubs
1
Wanna start your own club? Here’s how! Come up with an
idea that would be plausible as a club.
2
Meet with principal
Brent Riessen to discuss why you would like to start the club.
3
words
Sarah Ross
A look at some clubs that have not made their way to JHS, yet.
S.E. Polk Future Farmers of America
Ankeny High School Open Mic Night
S.E. Polk High School offers Future Farmers of Amer-
Open Mic Night started at Ankeny High School six
ica or FFA. FFA is a national youth organization with the
years ago. It gives students the chance to showcase
goal of making a difference in the lives of students by
their talent whether they range from solo musical acts
teaching leadership, and career paths in agriculture.
to dramatic skits.
FFA members meet every month along with being
“I have always been a big supporter of the fine arts
programs in the school,” club sponsor and Ankeny high school librarian Tom Honz said. “It started with a handful of guys and their friends sitting in the library with
guitars. We pulled up comfortable chairs and cheered them on. It has grown quite a bit with full bands performing now.”
Provided/Southeast Polk HS
S.E. Polk High School student Brooke Micheal gives iron shots to a pig under the supervision of Dr. Gene Hoy at the Iowa State Fair. The FFA chapter at S.E. Polk cares for a cow herd and takes it to the state fair where the cows give birth with the help of students.
The school holds four shows a year which take
place in the media center with 12-25 acts in each show.
Fill out a packet
containing: a summary
Valley High School Mime Club as “The Baker’s Dozen Mime Troupe.”
sible events that may
mores, juniors, and seniors who audition to be selected
of the club and pos-
4
5
proved.
cow herd (23 head) year-round and bringing them to the fair ready to give birth,” FFA adviser, Matthew Eddy said.
The FFA chapter at SEP started in 1964. The program
presently has over 250 members involved.
1967 when a group of kids saw mimes at Roosevelt and decided to start up a club here at Valley,” President and senior of the troupe, Maddy Baker said. “There were 13
of them who were interested in starting up a mime club,
and assign officer
and (hopefully!) get ap-
advanced animal science class is tasked with caring for a
into the troupe each year. “Our mime troupe began in
Find a sponsor,
the Board of Education,
ect at the Iowa State Fair is a year-round activity and my
The troupe includes 13 members made up of sopho-
take place.
Present the idea to
throughout the year. “Our Animal Learning Center proj-
Students in Valley High School’s Mime Club are know
of the club, the purpose
positions.
offered over 75 activities or contests to participate in
thus, the Baker’s Dozen.”
The mimes perform two shows per year, and also do
Provided/Valley HS
Valley seniors Maddy Baker and Jocey Coffman perform in “Closing” in the troupe’s Fall Nite show. The troupe meets up every Sunday night of the year to collaborate on ideas for future mime skits for the fall and spring show.
“roadshows” for elementary schools and festivals.
The two shows for the community are held in the fall
and the spring where the mimes start preparing about two weeks in advance. “Kids usually sit on the floor and
hoot and holler the whole time,” Baker said. “It’s fun to see how quickly the troupe puts together a show on stage in about a week.”
The next show is March 29 at 7:30 p.m in Valley High
School auditorium.
Provided/Valley HS
Valley High School senior Conner VandeVenter portrays the character of ‘Casper’ in the troupe’s “Fall Nite” show. The troupe also holds a show in the spring, both of which are very rigourous in preparation.
the b&w p.10
editorial
march 2012
NCLB: good concept, bad execution The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) has been under
of schools, could be cut and teachers fired for not meet-
Obama administration has developed a waiver that would
no rubric, nothing to assist state governments in fixing the
scrutiny ever since it was signed into law. However, the modify the too stringent rules of the act. Eleven states have
already been granted the waiver and 26 states, plus Washington DC and including Iowa, have applied for the waiver.
The Obama administration saw a need to offer relief
when a majority of schools did not meet the standards in
ing the standards. NCLB offers guidelines, but no plan,
educational system. Because of that we have students in some states competing at an unbelievably high standards and other states that lowered what they consider proficient to be in order to maintain funding.
So, NCLB effectively pushed schools to lower their
the Act. NCLB says that each school should have a 95%
standards just in order to keep funding. Sure, they didn’t
that typically have lower test scores (special education,
ers are an excellent option.
proficiency rate amongst students, especially in subgroups
English language learners, low income persons, and those
mean to, but that’s what happened. Which is why the waivIowa did the right thing by applying for the waiver. It al-
of minority race/ethnicity). This is too strict. When a law
lows schools to focus on college readiness, design educa-
of a school be proficient it becomes unrealistic. Also the
and allows teachers and schools to make education more
mandating that 95 out of every 100 students in every area term “proficient” is unclear in the wording of the Act as to
what exactly the definition is. They placed a number on “proficiency rates” but left everything else up to the state and local governments.
If the educational system were made up of robots who
could be rewired for optimum proficiency and a 95% pro-
ficiency rate then this plan would have been perfect, how-
ever; it’s not. The education system is made up of real
tion programs based on the needs of their specific students,
individualized. This is helping fix the biggest problem with
the NCLB Act: it’s impossible to have individualized education based on standardized testing. The waiver allows
schools to use other measures to assess students beyond the ITBS or ITED scores. In order to have a mainstream par that everyone must meet would mean Congress writing the curriculum, which isn’t going to happen.
Kristine Hayes/BW
No matter how hard the government tries, it is impos-
teachers and real students. Not every single student on
sible to make every single person, or even 95% of peo-
percent gap isn’t enough. NCLB left a mess for states to fix
waiver is a temporary solution to a flawed law and poor
every level across the board can be proficient, and a five
and heightened the pressure by adding that federal funding
ple, proficient, especially by differing state standards. The execution of that law.
Junior Seth Daughhetee and seniors Alex Cordes and Ali Allison make a paper model of the length of the digestive system for Anatomy & Physiology. Every class, from the elementary level all the way through upper level high school has been affected by NCLB.
The editorial board votes on the opinion behind the editorial. A simple majority is needed to pass. This month’s vote was 7-1
In response to: Students support underage drinking bill
Letters to the Editor
In response to: Walgreens discriminates against students
For every tenth grader and up, I believe we have ex-
the bingeing is still going up. Again, it comes down to
Dear Editor:
mandated class, the government’s view of alcohol. We
exploited drug. To change this, I feel that looking for ex-
thoughtful article about Walgreens’ limits on the number of
For example, in France the minimum age for the pur-
ness, Zach declared that: “Racial discrimination is basically
perienced the schools and, since health is a government learned that drinking is bad forever. You will be nothing if you ever resort to drinking. Abstinence from it is the best
the attitude. Alcohol is turning from a casual drink to an amples in other countries will be beneficial.
In the February 2012 issue, Zach Winjum wrote a
students in its store. In his attempt to illustrate this unfair-
way and only way. On and on and on this went while we
chasing, not drinking, of alcohol has been 18. This may
In a certain sense, I think this attitude is exactly why
years of wine at the family table. Wine is an essential
assure Zach that he is wrong. Sadly, racial discrimination
sumed in a reasonable manner. Case and point? Many
rest of the country. I hear it from clients who are still sub-
dawdled around asking why we were taking this class.
we are taking such a class. After reading last months
article “Students Support Underage Drinking Bill” you can see the statistics involved with drinking, driving, and how it still is a very prominent problem with underage
persons. Going even further, half of all fatalities on the road is due to underage drinking.
seem a little irresponsible but what preceded this was part of French culture, so it was respected and con-
French start drinking young but don’t overdo it, treating it as any other drink in the idea that it should be respected, not chugged down to get drunk.
What can we take from the French model to change
So you have to ask, how do we fix it? I believe the
our own attitudes? I feel that our drinking laws are spot
many teenagers treat it as forbidden fruit, to them its
them. Restricting the purchase of alcohol to age twenty-
answer is changing the attitude of drinking. Currently, that allows them to skirt the rules and feel a little freer from parents, teachers and the world. I think this outlook
towards drinking creates an attitude that prompts use and abuse.
So what I think our system is doing well in terms of
attitude is bringing total alcohol consumption down, but
on as they are, we just need to change how we follow
dead.”
I am a civil rights attorney living in Johnston and I can
and harassment are alive and well throughout Iowa and the jected to the notorious “n word” in the workplace. I hear it
from my brother in law, a doctor who complains about Mexicans having so many babies. I hear it from my realtor, who
told me, “The only good [native of India is a dead Indian.” I know racism is alive and well because black students are suspended from school at twice the rate of white students.
Racism is generally more subtle than it used to be. Neg-
one instead of age eighteen prevents seniors buying
ative stereotypes about people of color are so pervasive in
harder. However, the fact that teenagers still can drink
types without even thinking twice.
alcohol for underclassman, making consumption alone with their parents creates an area where they can learn
how to respect the drink. It’s just parents have to take
advantage of this to actually change their teens attitude. From: Issac Laffy
our society that we make decisions based on those stereoYours truly,
FIEDLER & TIMMER, P.L.L.C. Paige Fiedler
march 2012 opinion the b&w p.11 kcaB 2Besic Recognition needs reform words & layout
words & layout
Ian Dunshee
Who doesn’t like getting recognized? A
almost the entire school is gyrating with
games on skates, and other things to get
tem.
Droker said. Naturally, the recognition
pat on the back after a home run in little
frustration? Talk about an ineffective sys-
demic work, or just someone saying they
So what is there to do to keep the
league, winning an award for your acaappreciate you. You can pretend like you’re
entertainment going after the jazz band
(and I for one tend to do just that in those
assembly? Well at the moment there isn’t
old feels good. So when we assemble for
Athletic Director Gary Ross and
too good for it, like you didn’t do much,
stops playing five minutes into the
situations) but everyone knows it just plain
much to be honest.
the recognition of our fellow students, why
Principal Brent Riessen both agree that the
depraved annoyance?
students. Lets save the argument about
to be and are just too polite, but there are
necessary for another time and say for
dispersed throughout the crowd with
the school. So the real question becomes,
thing, depending on your perspective, is
New and fresh ideas would be warm-
kids to come,” Principal secretary Anne
of students plays a part, but Principal John Bacon emcees with gusto rivaling
that of our counselor Curt Larkin. “Two years ago, Mr. Bacon started, and the assemblies began getting better,” Droker said.
I’m not even saying that it is a matter of
is that mushy feel-good vibe replaced with
main point of assemblies is to recognize
a lack of personality at Johnston, because
Either you are one of them or you want
whether or not recognition of students is
it that you can look up videos on Youtube
always those students that are perfectly
now that recognition is in fact beneficial to
we know we have plenty of that. So how is of City High assemblies and feel the camaraderie through the screen when at
Johnston you can see the boredom on the
their wittiest insults at the ready. The sad
are we doing it in the right way?
that they end up taking the main stage.
ly accepted, but Ross has noted that
minutes, and occur every three months.
appreciate them because I do, and I’m
students, staff, or even among Student
and City High. It’s not the people, it’s not
doesn’t mind saying what they feel; its
in the area,” Ross said, “but they do
With teachers and students alike aware
Though it seems we have exhausted
I’m not going to pretend like I don’t really
no new ideas have been suggested by
truly glad that a part of the student body
Council. “We’ve talked to other schools
democracy at its best.
things similar to us.”
of the pointlessness of these assemblies,
all of our resources for inspiration,
When a ‘yes’ from a few higher ups gets
looking far enough. City High School in
one asked for, why is it that nothing has
had quite a few flying principals, Sumo
why is it that nothing has been done yet?
perhaps it is simply a question of not
new furniture for the commons that no
Iowa City seems to have it down. “We’ve
changed about these assemblies while
wrestlers,
bicycle
races,
basketball
faces of half of the student body?
Assemblies at City High last 50
That is the difference between Johnston the ideas, it’s not the funding; we simply don’t try hard enough. The fear of losing
class time due to assemblies is rampant, and it is stopping us from being able to
express ourselves as a student body. Let’s hope this idea is heard loud and clear because I’m running out of witty things to yell.
Mirza Besic
The trouble with tanning
As another winter comes to a close,
thoughts drift towards the approaching spring
season. A glorious time where the sun is warm and the shorts and T-shirts come out of the
closet. Spring break is in sight, and almost everyone has some plans for it. If you are the type of person who goes somewhere cold for
spring break, maybe to enjoy one last week
of snowboarding or skiing, then this article
is not for you. However, if you are someone who heads somewhere hot, and have already started tanning to “get ready,” then read on.
What is the point of tanning before going
to a spring break resort? That is like eating a burger to get ready for dinner. If you are about
to head to Cancun, or Florida, or anywhere
hot, then you will probably be getting some
sun while you’re there. Your skin is not like an oven; it should not need to be pre-heated.
The fact is that tanning in a booth even
once makes your risk of skin cancer jump through the roof. The reason for that is tanning beds give off somewhere in the neighborhood
of five times the amount of ultra-violet A (UVA) rays that the sun lets off. That’s the one that
penetrates deep into your skin, versus UVB rays, which generally don’t get past your top
Paige Plaskitt/Dragon
few layers of skin. The worst part is that UVA rays don’t affect your tan very much; they just cause damage to nerves and blood vessels.
Copying other people’s ideas doesn’t make you creative, and using a hair dryer doesn’t make you talented.
“But Mirza, tanning gives me my vitamin D!
I need to tan to get my vitamins!” Good thing that milk, fish, and actual sunlight also have vitamin D. Unless you actually avoid the sun or
always wear long-sleeved clothing, you most likely don’t have a deficiency. If getting vitamin D is important to you, then take a multivitamin.
They have chewy ones now, so eating them is
way easier than tanning, and it doesn’t require a monthly membership.
A spray tan is not a good substitute. Most of
the results look less human and more Oompa Loompa, and it can wash off after three or so
showers. If it washes off in patches, then you
In Plain Sight Illustration Lisa Vanwiel
look that much worse.
Skip the tan. If you need to leather your skin
to feel pretty, then you probably have bigger
I saw this on Facebook, and I thought So I made one, and now I ‘m creit was pretty creative... ative, too! Illustration/Lisa Vanwiel
issues than pale skin. Being the least orange
person on spring break will not be the end of your world. Melanoma, on the other hand, very well could be.
the b&w p.12
opinion
march 2012
English classes not making the grade words & layout Lauren Coffey As I make yet another poster for an Eng-
ture, only for their specific final test.
lish class, it seems more like the explorato-
Students also need to take on some of
ry classes we had to take at Summit and
the responsibility. If there is a paper to write
less like classes supposed to teach high
and there is the option to revise, revise it.
Please write a paper.
school students core writing skills. High school students, who in just a few months will have to be prepared to take college
Teachers can only help so much if certain students do not want to put the time and effort in.
I didn’t practice this.
English classes. As a soon-to-graduate senior, I personally don’t feel prepared at all
In college classes, not just in English
classes, you are expected to know how to
for what I have in store.
write a multitude of different essays. Every
Freshman and sophomore year do a
subject involves some kind of writing, so
good job actually teaching us how to write.
it’s impossible to just skate by with the little
Then we seem to skip straight to learn-
knowledge you have.
ing about more isolated things like how to
I’m not saying that all we need to do is
make movies or about different cultures.
write papers for classes. Students would
skills that were actually taught to us at one
would not want to grade them. “It’s a fal-
There is no time to practice these writing
get sick of writing them, and teachers
point in time.
The Iowa Department of Education
sets
standards for how much classes
are supposed to write. They say to “Write
routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and
shorter time frames (a single sitting or a
day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.” This is very broad, but
the way I interpret it is that classes need to write short assignments every few days
like a reflection of a class novel, as well as have bigger term papers for longer periods
of time. This is not being done with almost any of the classes.
lacy that people see reading as reading a The curriculum has gotten increasingly
making posters to showcase what we have
full book, or speaking as just giving a full
Nyberg graduated in 1998, “We did a fair
Posters are an entirely new problem as
“In class writing assignments are every bit
for art class. English is a mandatory class
While this is fine, I think there needs to
“learned.”
speech,” English teacher Ed Walker said.
amount of writing, we got into the philoso-
well. I’m all for being creative, but save it
as useful as essays.”
prepared for college.”
that needs to teach more than how to make
be a balance between writing papers non-
less writing-based over the years. Dr. Wes
phy of books,” Nyberg said. “I definitely felt I have taken a broad range of English
classes, hoping I find something that will
things look appealing.
While this is not an attack on the Eng-
stop and just discussing heroic men and women.
What needs to happen is students need
give me some sort of knowledge I can use
lish teachers (they personally do not get to
unless you are taking AP Lit or Power of
it is a questioning of our English curriculum.
teachers will simply tell students to write
classes like AP Lit, the classes do not seem
minutes we are allotted in English class to
in the future. What I have found out is that
Persuasion, formerly Advanced Comp,
students are stuck learning about an isolated topic usually by discussion circles or
choose what standards they need to meet)
to write more, end of story. While some
With the exception of a few college-prep
in their free time, why not just use the 45
concerned at all for preparing us for the fu-
do so?
Be a citizen, not just an individual words & layout
RJ McGrew
On Feb. 15, I found myself on the east side of Des
Lite. After they had established that I wasn’t a terrorist, It
I got in my car that I remembered that night was the night
was there was justified: kids aren’t usually interested in
Moines after having worked that night. But it wasn’t until that the Vice President of China, Xi Jinping, was landing in our fair city. I thought to myself, this was a man who in six
months was going to be the leader of over a billion people.
How many other opportunities would I have to see a for-
occurred to me that perhaps their confusion as to why I things like this.
Systematically, it seems that high school students be-
come more and more disinterested with things that won’t
Illustration/Lisa VanWiel
directly or immediately affect them in some obvious way.
and furthermore proud of the fact that the future leader of
Parked outside the private exit of Des Moines Interna-
interests and try to participate in as many activities as pos-
the only event of this nature.
spread about the airstrip. Just before he landed in the most
cupied for the majority of the time with practices, rehears-
provide our contributions as citizens. We should be jump-
informed.
going on around us, whether it’s happening in Des Moines
eign dignitary of such grandeur?
tional, I awaited his arrival. Law enforcement vehicles were
inconceivably massive airplane I had ever seen, some
Feds crossed the street and shined a flashlight in my face. “What’re you doing, son?” The shorter one asked me.
“I just thought I’d watch,” I said while squinting at his Mag
However, high school is the time when we develop our
sible to become a well-rounded individual. We may be oc-
als, and clubs, leaving little time to become active and But our aim should not be that of a well-rounded individ-
ual, but rather a well-rounded citizen. We should be aware,
China is a fan of our agricultural advancements. This is not In general, we miss a variety of opportunities to publicly
ing at every chance we get to learn more about what is
or half way across the world. If there’s a small leak in the ship, eventually everyone sinks.
sports
march 2012
the b&w p.13
Scanlan places third at state words & layout Wes Monroe
“I broke the school career win record
Joe Scanlan has been at the top of the
right before my third place match during
finished his career by placing third at the
Scanlan said. “During my third place match
Scanlan’s passion for wrestling began
reer, I pinned the guy and broke the school
and I were little, we would wrestle around
Scanlan has been to state for three con-
wrestling scene for the past four years and
consolation semi-finals this year at state,”
state meet.
and the last match of my high school ca-
when he was in second grade. “When Jake
season pin record with 28.”
a lot,” Scanlan said. “Our parents decided
secutive years but this year it was person-
hurt each other or the house.”
year and last chance to win,” Scanlan said.
been fortunate to have a brother, sopho-
get third.”
that we needed some rules so we wouldn’t
al. “I was nervous because it was my last
Throughout high school, Scanlan has
“When I lost I knew I had to come back and
more Jake Scanlan, big into wrestling to
Over the years Scanlan has become a
practice and share the mat with. “It’s really cool having a brother close to my size who
wrestles, because I always have a workout partner,” Scanlan said.
He put in a lot of time and effort over
the years to get where he is today. “Joe is tough, works hard and is always willing to do the extra work,” Jake Scanlan said.
Along with all the time put in for wres-
tling, Scanlan has participated in tourna-
ments across the United States. “Tour-
naments are fun because you get to see
Provided/Katie Holcomb
Senior Joe Scanlan wrestles with Mt. Pleasant junior Colton Aplara during the state meet. Scanlan placed third in the 220 lb. weight class. people from other states who you don’t
and broken many records throughout his
Year round wrestling has also played
consistently and worked hard towards
usually wrestle,” Scanlan said.
a large role in immediate success. “Year
round wrestling gives me a chance to get two seasons worth of wrestling in the time everyone else gets one,” Scanlan said.
Scanlan has accomplished many things
role model for his peers. “He was a great
team leader and would never let you quit,”
Junior Sam Shade said. “He made the team and the wrestlers around him better.”
His coaches also had high praise for
four year career. “Joe came to practice
Scanlan. “He was a dedicated student ath-
his goals,” Varsity wrestling coach Aaron
last couple of seasons,” Tecklenburg said.
reer win record at 143, the career pin re-
level but has not made his decision yet. He
with 28.
Iowa State.
Tecklenburg said. Scanlan holds the cacord with 80 and the season pin record
lete and certainly the MVP of our team the Scanlan plans to wrestle at the college
has it narrowed down to Grand View and
Track crowding causes collisions words & layout Mallorie Goodale After warming up in the halls of the
Although most sports would not be able
school, all 70 girl and 135 boy athletes out
to share a mutual facility, with track it does
around the football field in order to com-
“Having the boys practice with us on
for track manage to squeeze onto the turf
not make a difference.
plete their workouts. With four grades of
the track doesn’t hurt or help,” junior Carly
lieve that it becomes difficult to practice.
years. “It’s interesting watching the guys do
clair said. “Sometimes the girls will be run-
We have to switch times hurdling so (track
the guys will also be running but the oppo-
coach so he can figure out the times we
boys and girls sharing the track, some be-
Crist said. Crist has ran hurdles for three
“It’s confusing,” sophomore Lydia Sin-
hurdles because they do them differently.
ning and trying to get our best times, but
coach) Beason will talk to the guys hurdle
site way and we will all just collide. It’s like
can run.”
a train wreck.”
“Usually there’s a few people who are
doing fast workouts or cooling down so we get out of each other’s way,” senior Alex
Peterson said. “I do distance so I get out of the sprinters ways and the sprinters get out of our way.”
With 12 meets in the season, it works
out to have 70 runners.
“We can still get a lot into the meets,”
girls’ coach Chris Siewart said. “When it
Mallorie Goodale/BW
After school, girls track runners lunge as a warm-up before practice. This spring, there are 70 girls and 135 boys out for track. Only three weeks in to the season,
Siewart has already noticed the good
gets to April, we have two meets a week
things going on.
the meets.”
ers with lifting in the fitness center and their
for three weeks. We stagger who goes into
“Our girls, 9th-12th are really hard work-
workouts and I know those are easy things for them to cut out,” Siewart said.
“The thing I look forward to is the per-
formance on our last three meets,” Siewart said. “Conference, District and State.”
the b&w p.14
feature
march 2012
If The Shoe Fits
words & layout Monica Gagne
Shoe stores use different tactics to find the right running shoe for the customer
Fitness Sports
1 2
When treating a customer at Fitness Sports, employees begin with
whether or not they are a beginner to running. If not, they will keep them
with their current shoe but if this is a new hobby then they will begin analyzing the type of shoe needed for the customer’s foot.
Next, the employee will have the customer walk barefoot in the store to assess three different things: whether or not they are flat footed or have high arches, whether they walk feet turned in, feet turned out, or in line with their knee, and whether they are “knock-kneed” or if they are slightly bowlegged. All of these help narrow down a shoe type for them.
3
After the assessment, the employee will give the customer two or three
different types of shoes from the seven brands carried. Each shoe is one of three types of shoe: cushioned shoe, stability, or motion control. While wearing a shoe, the customer will run in the back hallway to make sure that the shoe is correctly fitted. This also ensures that there is nothing
irritating to the customer in the shoe. For example, maybe the shoe rubs
4
up on the side of the foot.
After the customer has chosen their favorite of the shoes and made
sure that they are happy with the fit and feel of the shoe, they are advised to do a full workout/run in the shoes to make sure they continue to hold
Kyle’s Bikes The first step to purchasing running shoes in the new running depart-
ment at Kyle’s Bikes is running on a treadmill at a speed of five mph for
at least five seconds. Meanwhile, the employee is recording the customer’s feet with a video camera on a shelf directly behind the runner. The camera is hooked up to a laptop that saves the recording.
Next, the employee will watch the recording in slow motion going at
about half the speed the runner was actually going in order to decide how much the customer “pronates”, or the tendency of the weight of the foot to shift toward the inside of the foot.
Much like Fitness Sports, Kyle’s Bikes sells three main types of
shoes: neutral- for someone who does not pronate, stability- for moderate pronaters, and motion control- for severe pronaters, flatfooted or heavier
people. After finding how much you pronate and which group you fit into,
2 3
Kyle’s gives you four or five different brands or models of shoes to try
from that category. With each shoe you are advised to run on the tread-
mill again while they record to make sure it feels good on your foot and to check that it has cut your pronation.
With whichever shoe feels best, customers are advised to do a work-
out in the shoes to make sure they feel right, and if not, to come back and
Braiiinss...ahem, burgers up.
1
get checked out to make sure they can address the problems.
words
4
Ben Parsons
If there’s one thing to set Zombie
and an exquisite truffle mayonnaise. Al-
joint around, it’s the unique combination
I haven’t come face-to-mouth with a burg-
Burger apart from every other burger
though some of the options seem bizarre,
of atmosphere and catering that has
er I dislike.
endeared Zombie Burger to so many
Although it’s easy to become lost in
people. Music, food, right down to the
the tasting extravaganza, the art adorning
Offering both sit-down and take-
tion as well. Attempting to tell the story of
menus, Zombie Burger has it all.
Zombie Burger’s walls deserves atten-
out options, Zombie Burger is a great
the zombie apocalypse, the art is locally
choice even if one can’t afford to wait in
drawn and full of references to downtown
line (you will almost always be standing
Des Moines. It serves to more fully im-
for at least 10 or 15 minutes to get a
merse you in the concept behind Zombie
table). Either way, there will be getting
Burger.
sweet deliciousness involved.
If you opt for a sit-down booth, it
Paige Plaskitt/Dragon
People may decry the price, and this
The Walking Ched is one of the many unique burgers at Zombie Burger.
is understandable (a burger, drink, and
they offer will definitely give some en-
ter entirely. After a reasonable wait (usually
Dead Moines (Zombie Burger even injects
cially when comparing to the prices of
about the zombie apocalypse, the
of their 21 delightful burgers. Ranging from
into the names of their burgers). The Walk-
Zombie Burger establishes itself as a
everyone will find something to their liking.
Now, the food itself is another mat-
satisfying were the Walking Ched and the
won’t feel like a long wait. The menus tertainment. Featuring “news” stories
not more than 20 minutes), they’ll deliver one
menus are just another way in which
the classic to the downright exotic, almost
place that is truly unique.
Personally, the two I found to be the most
its unique brand of humor and personality ing Ched has all the traditional fixin’s of a
burger, but uses fried macaroni and cheese patties for buns. The more traditional Dead
Moines has prosciutto ham, gouda cheese,
fries can break $10 pretty easily), espeother burger places like B-bop’s and Mc-
Donald’s. But if you stop and think about
what’s being served, the price is more than reasonable. Zombie Burger is easily
Des Moines’ best place for a unique and satisfying burger-going experience.
health
march 2012 the b&w p.15
W
ith obesity rates at an all time high, businesses have taken steps to reverse the 13 percent increase in childhood obesity since 1980. A federal law, that will be finalized in later 2012, will require companies with more than 20 restaurants to clearly display the caloric content of food. Then, other nutritional facts would be made readily available upon request, for example: fat, cholesterol, sodium, sugars, and total protein would be available in print at the location but not necessarily on the menus. (www.fda.gov) The law, a part of the Health Care Reform Law of 2010, does not include companies that dedicate less than half of their floor space to food sales. This would include places such as movie theaters, bowling alleys and bars. While this law applies to businesses, it does not require schools to post food information and LaRae Doll, Director of Nutritional Services, said she knows of no school that does. But if it would help our students then it will be no problem. Already, the school posts the caloric content online.
at
Lunch
“There isn’t a healthy option everyday in the lunchroom. Basically it’s either salad or something really unhealthy.”
Catherine Erb ‘12
“I would read the nutrition labels [at lunch]. I’m a vegetarian and there’s not a lot of options at lunch.”
Sarah Thimmisch ‘13
CAN
“It personally doesn’t affect me, but I’m sure other people care.”
STOMACH THE
Johnny Walsh ‘14
TRUTH
Restaurants are following the trend, and law, to post nutritional facts on their menus.
Businesses such as Panera Bread have already taken action towards it, presenting the calorie count beside each menu item. Being the first company to make this change in March of 2010, other companies are beginning to do so as well.
Philly CheeseSteak Serving Size: 1 sandwich Calories: 505 Sodium: 1,131(mg) Protein: 26.8 (g) Carbs: 58.3 (g) Total Fat: 18.45 (g)
Healthier
Boe Stoebner
“ words & layout
Putting up nutritional labels is no big deal. It would benefit the kids and would be very easy. The utensils that we use to serve the food are pre-portioned, unless kids grab whatever they want. This would help kids know how much a serving size is.
Ashley Enger & Zach Peterson
”
Ham Sandwich
Serving Size: 1 sandwich Calories: 190 Sodium: 587 (mg) Protein: 11.27 (g) Carbs: 26.2 (g) Total Fat: 2.75 (g)
the b&w p.16
march 2012
how to spot a
LIAR
People lie. From the time we are babies
to the day we die, humans deceive each
by Evan Culbert
a day-to-day basis.
Lying expert Pamela Meyer says people
other all the time. Babies will cry, pause to
get lied to their face anywhere from 10 to
for attention. At the age of one, humans
may be lies to protect peoples feelings, or
see who is coming, and begin crying again
learn concealment. Two-years-olds can
bluff and by age five have learned to downright lie and manipulate using cuteness and
flattery. At age nine we learn the cover up,
and the lying only continues from there. Col-
lege students lie to their mothers one out of every five interactions, and once we enter
the workforce, we are surrounded by lies on
backpage
200 times each day. While some of these
harmless white lies, many of them are not.
We get deceived more than we realize; people not trained in recognizing lies spot de-
ception only 54 percent of the time. Though impossible to prevent being lied to, there are ways to recognize when someone is ly-
ing. Keep in mind that these indicators are only red flags, not proof of deception.
facial cues
• When truthful, facial expressions will synch with gestures. If a person pounds his fist on the table, and then shows anger, he is most likely being deceptive. • Micro-expressions, lasting 1/25th of a second reveal a person’s true emotions. • Masking other emotions with a smile is common when lying. A genuine smile has involuntary wrinkles around the eyes. • Liars make excessive eye-contact to compensate for the limited eye-contact myth.
speech cues • Repeating a question entirely is often used to buy time for people to come up with a lie to tell in response to the question. • When in denial, liars avoid contractions (‘did not’ as opposed to didn’t), as well as confuse pronouns, causing speech to sound less natural. • Liars use phrases like “honestly,” “I swear,” and “to tell you the truth” more often. • When being truthful, people tend to become offensive when accused of something. Liars will become defensive and lower their voice. • While telling a story, liars tend to overcomplicate and dwell on unimportant parts, when being truthful we skip to the more important parts.
body hot spots • The head has a tendency to contradict our speech when we lie. If someone says she did something, but her head is shaking, she probably didn’t do that thing. • When under pressure, people tend to touch the face much more often, as well as the back of the neck. It may not mean they are lying, but it increases when lying. • Contrary to popular belief, liars tend to remain awkwardly still and limit hand and arm movement when telling a lie. • Barriers are a common way liars distance themselves when under pressure. Whether a table or glass of water, try to remove any possible separators.
Information from liespotting.com