May 2017

black& white the

May 2017

pg. 8/9

Grappling the concept of gun safety

pg. 12

“Stand your ground” a fatal error

Find us on Twitter! @jhsnewspaper

Read our online edition! www.jhsblackandwhite.com

Follow us on Instagram! @jhsblackandwhite

f

Like us on Facebook! JHS Black & White

May 2017 p. 2 Cover | Bryce Schulte

Humans of JHS: Kristin Hart

index STAFF

Co-editor-in-chief

Kathryn Ikeda

Co-editor-in-chief Bryce Schulte

Feature editor

Angela Cai

IN THE ISSUE Photo essay

Design editor Springing out of senior year..............4/5 Will Reiher

Opinion editor

“I’m really nervous to go to college. I’m going to Iowa next year, and I’m studying pharmacy. I’m more nervous about going there and not having my mom. I remember when I was younger my grandma lived there. We would always visit her, and she lived close to the campus, so we would have to drive through the campus to get there. I remember I always said, ‘I’m gonna go to Iowa when I get older, mom!’”

For more, visit http://jhsblackandwhite.com/humans-of-jhs

b&w philosophy The Black & White is published solely by the Johnston Senior 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 not publish 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 advisor, school officials or the district.

Letters to the editor must be signed. Like all material, letters may not be libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. To write a letter to the editor, writers an submit them in person in room 413 or email them to jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com The Black & White strives to report accurate and timely information. If you believe that an error has been published, please contact the editors at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com.

The Black & White is a member of CSPA, NSPA, Quill & Scroll and IHSPA. Recent issues of the paper earned these honors: Columbia Scholastic Press Association Silver Crown Award, National Scholastic Press Association First Class rating, Quill & Scroll Gallup Award, IHSPA state placings and third in the National Best of Show.

Matthew Berry

Photo editor

Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

Feature Fake IDs, real consequences..................6 Seized iPads situation..............................7 1/600: Andy Dizdarevic........................10

Sub-opinion editor Edin Sehic

Staff writers

Bobby Bailey Grace Ballesteros Mackenzie Beck Erin Bockenstedt Sophie Cordaro Sam Farrell Justin Gard Shabana Gupta Molly Hauser Noah Haynes Nick Irwin Katelyn Kempkes Jacob Kim Gretchen Lagerblade Mason Lillegraven Anna Losen Jack Lucas Ben Lunn Andrew Maresca Jessica McKee Sloan Meader Jaden Neely Evan Newcomb Abby Nichol Anika Schmitt Hannah Short Kennedy Stone Hanna Tanner Brooke Willis

Grappling the concept of gun safety........8 Staff participated in an intruder drill April 28 to prepare for active shooter situations

Opinion 13 reasons why not...................................11 “Stand your ground” a fatal error........12 Better to not be best................................13

Health More than meets the eye.......................14

Sports Tri to understand it.................................15

current events

May 2017

p.3

May online

Scan to visit the online website.

2

Visit jhsblackandwhite.com for further May coverage.

Milestones Won The 2017 Kentucky Derby, by Always Dreaming, a 3 year old colt ridden by John Velazqez.

Elected Emmanuel Marcon, as the next President of France. Marcon defeated Marine Le Pen in a run-off election May 7.

Stepping Down Prince Phillip, from royal duties starting in the fall. The 95 year old will still attend some public events.

Deployed to South Korea, the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) ballistic missile defense system, amid rising tensions with North Korea.

1

3

Verbatim

“

This is the single greatest witch hunt ... in American history!

-President Trump, in a tweet after Robert Mueller was appointed as a special counsel in the investigations involving Trump and Russia

Rugby The rugby team finished 6-6-1 after the substate tournament.

High

4000 Number of Delta flights canceled by overloaded phone systems after thunderstorms in Atlanta and New York.

Low

Phishing JHS was hit with a fake Google Docs phishing scam May 3.

“

4 compiled | Bobby Bailey

3,469,595

Number of retweets on a tweet by Carter Wilkerson, a 16 year old from Reno, NV, making him the owner of the most retweeted tweet and earning him free Wendy’s chicken nuggets for a year.

Mr. President, the media is not fake news.

Bob Woodward, at the White House Corespondents Dinner addressing President Trump’s criticism of the media. President Trump chose not to attend the dinner, marking the first time since 1981 that a president has not attended the annual event.

“

I wish you the best of luck...

President Trump, in a letter send to FBI Director James Comey announcing his firing on May 10.

“

There is no indication that this was an act of terrorism

“

“Seussical” takes the stage

“

Best Buddies blows away crowd with “Moonboy”

“

Assembly recognizes students, activities from the year

“

1 2 3 4

Students showcase their skills at senior challenge

-New York mayor Bill de Blasio, after Richard Rojas, a 26 year old with two DWI convictions, chased through a crowd in Times Square, injuring 22 and killing one

$9.4

Million Fine handed down to Richard Vallières, a Canadian man who was the ringleader behind the 2012 theft of 3000 tonnes of maple syrup worth $18.7 million. Vallières also faces eight years in prison.

SOURCES: WASHINGTON POST, REUTERS, CBS

May 2017

photo essay

p.4

Springing out of senior year words & layout | Mackenzie Beck & Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

Seniors were invited to take part in Senior Challenge, the painting of the handprint wall and are invited to return to their former elementary schools.

1

6

4 photo by Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

5 Published with permission by Sierrah Mangra-Dutcher photo by Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

2

photo by Mackenzie Beck

7

Published with permission by Sierrah Mangra-Dutcher

3 Published with permission by Maddy Dolberg

photo by Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

photo essay

May 2017

p.5 2017

9 Seniors

8

last words

photos by Mackenzie Beck

Lexi Horner

photo by Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

10 “

2

5

Jake Darling ‘17 and Alex Overton ‘17 look through old class photos while visiting Wallace Elementary. Elementary schools invite seniors back before they graduate to visit with past teachers.

Before the announcement of prom king and queen, a group of students take a break from dancing. Derek Friestad ‘17 and Avery Gathercole ‘17 were the prom king and queen.

While at After Prom Mallory Thielen ‘18 attempts to hit a ball at an inflatable station. The theme of after prom was the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Students circle around a table at Wallace to look at old photos from their fifth grade year. Eleven students returned to Wallace.

6

7 8 9

11

Stefanie Stanisic places her hand on top of the number two to leave her handprint. In 2012 seniors began placing their handprints on a canvas to leave their mark at the school before they graduate.

After answering the final trivia question correctly, members of the team Navy celebrate their win at Senior Challenge. Trivia questions were based off of people, songs, movies and people in pop-culture.

Jack Gruening ‘17 waits for his judge to confirm that his cups are stacked correctly during the cup stacking event. For the event each member of a team was required to stack 15 cups in a five, four, three, two, one order then unstack them.

A group of seniors crowd around to put paint on their hands to place their handprints on a canvas. Since 2012 the canvases have hung in hallways.

”

“ photo by Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

10 11

I had fun in the PLTW program which allowed me to design robots and mess around with electronics. I plan on attending DMACC for two years and then transferring over to Iowa State’s engineering program.

”

Students take part in jousting during after prom. Many inflatable activities were brought in including jousting, baseball and an obstacle course.

Sarah Walljasper ‘17 and Taryn Knuth ‘17 attempt to move a ping-pong ball across the gym while blowing through straws.

This Senior Challenge event required two team members to move the ping-pong ball to half court and back.

Erin Glidewell

3 4

Austin Nichol ‘17 attempts to pass a Lifesaver to Jaden Kephart ‘17 using a toothpick during Senior Challenge. The objective of the event was to pass a Lifesaver from one team member to the next using only a toothpick which must remain in one’s mouth.

photo by Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

Tristan Coble

1

photo by Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

High school swimming was my favorite part of high school, I met so many new friends. I plan on swimming at the University of Iowa along with studying health sciences.

“

Track lead me to making a lot of new friends throughout high school. I loved getting to know them and watching them grow.

I will be attending DMACC for two years to study restaurant management and business.

”

May 2017

feature

p.6

Fake IDs, real consequences

IOWA

DRIVER

?

Students acquire fake identification cards (IDs) online words & layout | Gretchen Lagerblade Student A has had a couple of close calls with

with a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to

their fake ID. “There was one time I went into a

$500 and/or 30 days in jail. This will be on their

Kum & Go and the guy asked for a second form

record when they apply for a future job.

of ID,” Student A said. “I was like ‘I don’t have one’

Other punishments include the student’s driv-

then he said ‘let me go look at your license plate’

ers license being suspended, or it is possible for

so he started to go out to my car and I said ‘I’m

insurance companies to raise their rates. “Driving

with friends like I’m just visiting’ then he was super

is a privilege, not a right,” Seybert said. “They (the

sketched out and tried to keep my ID, but then I

Department of Motor Vehicles) have the power to

got it back.”

suspend your license as you are using their official

Fake IDs are many times associated with people

document illegally.”

aged 19 to 21 in college. However, some high school

Seybert has experience with fake IDs. “Yes, I

students use them also. “I like to drink occasionally

have caught numerous young people with fake

and it was so much work to try to always find some-

IDs,” Seybert said. “The most common is using an

one to buy it for me,” Student A said.

ID of a friend or relative.”

When Student A would wanted alcohol, they’d

If a person used someone else’s ID they would

have to find someone willing to buy it, and then

include the other person in their crime, and both

pay them extra.

people would be punished. The person allowing

Student A said that they got their fake ID online.

“It was kind of sketchy, like the ID came in a box

the use of the fake ID can be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

with a bunch of chopsticks in it,” Student A said.

Minors who use a fake ID to get into a bar would

The ID was taped under the chopsticks so that if

have it confiscated by a bouncer would be kicked

someone would have opened the box they would

out. Those ID’s are turned into the police for fol-

not see the ID. They got four IDs for $100, and gave

low-up. “The criminal charge will be handled in

two of them to their significant other.

juvenile court, unless you are close to 18, then you

Student A has had several close calls with the fake ID including the one at Kum & Go. When the

will be adjudicated to adult court,” Seybert said.

“Now you have to tell your parents.”

store clerk took it, the student had to convince him to give it back. Student A explained that they acted

LICENS E SMITH JOHN 1234 M JOHNS AIN ST. TON, IA 50131 D

USA IA

L No. 12345 ISS 0 1/01/2 6789 01 Class EXP C End 7 NONE 01/01/2021 Restric tions NONE Sex M DOB 0 Hgt 6 2/24/1 ’02” 996 Eyes B R

?

Average price

O

$75

College students with fake IDs

18 percent

Students with fake IDs that frequently binge drink

43 percent

Students caught using a fake ID

30 percent

IDs most easily fabricated

mad so that the store clerk would believe that it was a real one.

Another close call ocuured in Ames. “There was one time I was in Ames with [my significant other] and a guy who was over 21 years old, but the girl (store clerk) knew right away that it was fake.

She just looked at it then threw it on the counter and said ‘these are fake’ and I was like how do you know, you didn’t even look at it?”

Lieutenant Dave Seybert, a Des Moines policeman, said punishments for fake IDs are strict.

“There is a trickle-down effect that most don’t think of,” he said. He explained that there are many different consquences for the severity of the crime.

Students caught with a fake ID can be charged

Hardest to copy Easiest to copy

SOURCE: PACIFIC STANDARD

feature

May

Seized iPads situation

Every year, a small percentage of students get their iPads taken away for various reasons words, layout and illustration | Angela Cai

ing in rvice cart, Facetim en’t on the self se ar at th em Ch l res. s sitting in Genera inappropriate pictu Zach Bohall ‘17 wa class, and having , ist ial ec thout sp gy cu lo s very diffi lt wi ently techno ll said school wa ha istry when sudd Bo of t ou e es m e old tim when d in. “He pulled st brings back th ju “It . ad Ryan Witt, walke iP s hi dn’t have ed my iPad ing,” he said. “I di ld me that he need oks were a big th chemistry, and to bo xt te ” w, ro or m to have all the work ve back to me by I needed, I didn’t at th r pe and that he’d ha pa y m e dle.” was no mor y sources, or moo t it back but there had already, or m I Bohall said. “I go at th ay aw en tak taken away hall got his iPad has had his iPad Facetime on it.” Bo Noah Cornett ‘18 ter and like cetiming in class. of second semes fa s ng ni wa he gin e be us e ca th be since I is not rer him. “At times ber of students be challenging fo n ca it The specific num ll, ha Bo n dents,” he ry Stratto nd my fellow stu ciate principal Jer e I’m falling behi lik corded, but asso el fe s g nt de stu 15 ere they are doin ber to be around t is in a class wh et rn Co If estimates the num . id sa e the teacher I can tell ar he will either ask our kids as far as s, of ad t iP os th “M wi . ar ng hi ye a somet riate ways,” gets home. nology in approp look at it when he using their tech for a print copy or at getting Cornett thinks th spite challenges, Stratton said.

De y in ay aw neficial. “It actuall get an iPad taken away has been be en tak Many things can ad iP s hi ss, rsaid. Co during cla ssed in class,” he too many movies me be more focu s cluding watching lp he s ce ades an rb stu more, and his gr ages, causing di that he’s learned ks in th inappropriate im tt ne , ns taken away municatio appropriate com rnett got his iPad Co g. in ov pr with airdrop, in im are strates bad ail exchange with ything that demon inappropriate em an of e us and generally an ca be on mon reas p. The most com digital citizenshi another student. is berents were very an iPads taken away eir th t ge s nt ll, and Cornett’s pa de ha Bo th that stu Bo ire commun . “They we riate pictures and s were taken away cause of inapprop gry that their iPad ruple of weeks,” Co on me the first co rd ha cations. ty et pr is e e , ther ient becaus I ’s iPad is removed ey were more len th y, wl lo “S .

Before a student id sa nett ministration sion between ad rk done.” usually a discus was getting my wo of rs lo se un s iPad back, co d an , teachers t is not getting hi et rn Co w, no of staff. Many times As ersation. he shows more im cluded in the conv bject to change if su is at the student are in th t bu en in ts tak sociate pr e that an iPad ge pends on what (as de all “It t. en The amount of tim em prov se. The iPad rnett said. each individual ca Klein decides,” Co y) nd Ra away varies with al cip in day, to led him to anywhere from a the actions which s et gr re t et rn can be taken away Co ce to “If I had the chan iPad taken away. s hi ng definitely. tti ge ad iP . d his hall has never ha n, I would,” he said For example, Bo that whole situatio do re s Hi . ys digital da od s to be go than three to four just wants student n tto ra taken away more St r fo e times e mistakes, but en away at least fiv e belief is kids mak tru ur “O . ns iPad has been tak ize cit illegal movies, and streaming e moment.” wa tc hi ng it’s also a teachabl ay pl , ad iP s hi g tin not upda apps ing games from

p.7

May 2017

double truck

p.8&9

Grappling the concept of gun safety Staff participated in an intruder drill April 28 to prepare for active shooter situations variety of situations to make said situ-

[having kids take part] would be a good thing, some

Hanna Ferguson ‘18 believes that it was good for

teachers have already determined that if somebody

kids might find it disturbing, I’ll admit I was kind of

the first drill to be staff only because they needed to

came in their room, they would be shielding [their

Student Resource Officer James Slack

nervous, I wasn’t scared but amped up in the same

know what to do. “However I do feel that students

students] with their body. We have already accepted

helped plan and coordinate the event. “I

way I was amped up before a football game, maybe

should at least, if not participate in another drill, at

that that is part of our role.”

in that case you make it voluntary (to participate).”

least get some sort of information about what to do

ations flow more smoothly.”

am a member of the JHS crisis team,” he April all

28,

Johnston

High

school

said. “During the drill I was a responding JPD officer coming through a door to help stop the situation.”

Students were not allowed to participate in the

in the circumstances,” Ferguson said.

drill, and were required to leave the building before

There were four simulations that took place. Dur-

sounds between drills. Administration played all of

Slack thinks the drill was helpful in giving teach-

the staff commenced. “There is a process that needs

ing the first, Cline was the teacher in the scenario

the drills before their debriefing on Monday so staff could hear the differences.

part

ers experience dealing with tense situations. “I be-

to be followed and we are not at the point in the

while other staff played the role of students. Cline’s

lieve the drill was successful. The staff have an in-

process to involve students,” Slack said. “It would

immediate reaction as the teacher during the simu-

ensure the safety

valuable insight to this type of an event and the

be beneficial (to involve students) and if the teach-

of future students.

process that goes along with this type of situation.”

ers are going to lead their students in an exercise, it

the

“ac-

The high school is not the only school that has

makes sense they would have the knowledge need

shooter”

drill,

taken part in this training. Other schools in the

to do so first. Allowing them to answer the students’ questions and concerns during the drill.”

Deemed tive

took

Johnston staff were

Johnston district have taken similar training rou-

a part of various ac-

tines into their own hands, including Johnston

There have been and will be debriefings with

tive shooter scenarios,

Middle School, Summit Middle School, as well as

school staff and the police department after drills

learning the details of

several elementaries have all ran similar scenarios.

take place. “After we get through this training we’ll

potential situations they could be put in, should a active shooter be in the building.

A core component of the drill is the Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate (ALICE) program.

“We’ve been working for a number of years with this program to implement it in every aspect of emergency scenarios, from tornadoes, fires, and now active shooters,” Jerry Stratton said. “It’s a near culmination of what we want happening during each of these kinds of scenarios, we’re going to continue to

One of the issues the staff ran into during the drill was that staff did not know the difference in

in a new drill to

staff

“

have to take a look at how do we continue ongoing

I think I left with a better appreciation for the protocols that we should be doing if this type of horrible thing were to happen -teacher Jesse Dowell

”

awareness training, whether it’s with new teachers

“

lation was to shut the lights off, part of the current

All scenarios ran had similar set ups, the teachers would role-play as students and teachers, going about their business and then the simulation would

We had staff who were incredibly anxious, like crying, almost, before it even started out of concern about what was going to happen -teacher Sue Cline

or whether we do [tabletop exercises],” Assistant su-

”

begin. The detail that changed was the placement of the shooter in the school so that teachers could hear where the shooter was located. Based on this teachers would need to make the decision on whether or not to run, or barricade their rooms.

During the drill, they shot off blanks. “The first thing they did before anything else was they took a gun and fired it, filled with blanks, and went around the school and fired it a bunch of times so we could

training. “I didn’t tell anyone to call (911). People fig-

see what it sounds like in different places,” Cline

Tabletop exercises are essentially brainstorming

ured out they needed to barricade the door because

said. “I’ve never heard a gun go off, so that was a re-

sessions for staff, and in this case, will pertain to the

it wasn’t locked, but I didn’t tell them to do that,”

ally good experience for me.”

drills and possible intruder scenarios.

Cline said. “But it was dark then so people couldn’t

perintendent Bruce Amendt said.

Teacher Sue Cline believes that some of the staff thought the drill was more intense than they thought it would be. “We had staff who were in-

see what they were doing.”

She also didn’t think to check the area to evacuate after the intruder left the area.

The issues began almost as soon as the simulations started. Sometimes the fired shots couldn’t be heard clearly in the classrooms, even from the same hallway. Then it would turn into determining the

work on it to see on how can we can make this better

The remaining elementary schools who have not

credibly anxious, like crying, almost, before it even

However, Cline believes she would have act-

and make our schools safer.”

participated in the drill will finish up in late June.

started out of concern about what was going to hap-

ed differently if she was directing a class of stu-

pendent on the individual’s answer to the next ques-

pen,” Cline said.

dents, not teachers. “Given that it was a room full

tion “Is it safe to run?”

proximity of the shots, and the next action was de-

ALICE is not a catch-all, step-by-step protocol

Teacher Jesse Dowell also thinks the drill was ben-

either, Stratton explains. “[Drills] causes people to

eficial. “I think I left with a better appreciation for

Because of this, she believes not all students

of grown-ups, I’m not sure that it was a fair test of

Especially in a simulation, it is hard to determine

stop and reflect on what’s happening, in terms of

the protocols that we should be doing if this type of

should be required to participate in a drill similar

what I would do if I were in charge of kid,” Cline

what is a part of the drill. In one instance, the fire

ALICE we looked at what worked and what didn’t,

horrible thing were to happen, I’m in a better place

what staff did. “I think it could be way more than

said. “I do think most teachers have pondered what

alarm went off, creating confusion. However, spon-

and we’re trying to adapt ALICE to apply to a wider

now than I was before,” Dowell said. “I think that

some people are ready to deal with,” she said.

would happen, and I think, pretty much all of [the]

taneous events mimic what can actually happen.

For every one person killed by guns, two more are injured.

There are about 270 million civilian firearms in the United States.

The number of background checks increased from 8.5 million in 2000 to 23 million in 2015.

words | Edin Sehic & Katelyn Kempkes layout | Will Reiher, Katelyn Kempkes & Kathryn Ikeda

As of Feb 2016, there were 50 mass murders or attempted mass murders at a school since Columbine.

81% of school shootings occurred with someone information that the attacker was thinking about or planning the shooting.

Background check and purchase Leave store with gun Find an employee

+5 +5

Pick a gun

+5 +5

+40

Enter store

May 2017

p.10

Andy Dizdarev ic

feature

1 in 1600

From sophomore to senior, one student was randomly chosen to tell their story words & layout | Evan Newcomb Walking onto the soccer field Andy Dizdarevic ‘18 begins to feel alive as the match starts and he and his teammates get ready to compete. “I love playing together with my teammates, playing as a team instead of as individuals,” Dizdarevic said.

“It’s one of the most rewarding things to play and enjoy the games with your teammates.”

Dizdarevic is all about soccer. He began to love soccer to an even greater level once high school started. “One of the best experiences in my life is high school soccer and doing my best for the team,” Dizdarevic said.

Dizdarevic has played soccer since he was very young and his father, Meho Dizdarevic, remembers watching him while he was growing up. “I remember seeing Andy play as a kid. Over the years he’s developed into something I’m proud of.”

Dizdarevic’s brother Elvis Dizdarevic is another

Andy Dizdarevic ‘18 plays rushes to steal the ball from an Urbandale J-Hawks opponent.

key reason for his love of soccer as he taught him how to play at a young age. “When I was a little kid

work has had an influence on the whole team. “He

us all up and gave us more motivation for the rest

my brother taught me how to play and I always

keeps the team lively and he always wants to work,

of the match.” However they went down 2-1 after

wanted to follow in his footsteps,” Dizdarevic said.

his work ethic is huge,” Hammans said. “He pushes

two quick response goals from Valley but fought to

“He was a big teacher and a role model and made

the guys each and every day to become better and

finish the game at 2-2. “We battled back to equalize

me a better person and help me improve in soccer.”

that is one of the things I appreciate about him.”

late on,” Dizdarevic said.

Dizdarevic is a Junior Varsity ( JV) A soccer player

Hammans also believes he has some of the oth-

Dizdarevic is not just about playing soccer for

but is hoping that he can live up to his older broth-

er key attributes to become a good soccer player.

his personal successes though he is all about team

er, who played varsity. “My brother played varsity

“He has a very positive at-

soccer here at Johnston so I’m just trying to be like

titude,” Hammans said.

him,” Dizdarevic said.

Meho remembers how hard Dizdarevic worked

“

Dizdarevic has had some memorable

moments

play

”

Over the year, he’s developed into something I’m proud of.

and

he

thought

team play was especially evident in the match against

Valley.

“Later

to be like his brother. “His brother played varsity

while playing soccer, but

his junior and senior so Andy has worked so hard

one sticks out above the

to get to his level by working hard,” Meho said. “I’ve

rest. “One of my favorite

always told him to work hard on something to get

games was this year at our

better at it and he does. He is a hardworking kid.”

first game against Valley at Valley,” Dizdarevic said.

Teamwork is one of his favorite parts about

Another inspiration of Dizdarevic is his cur-

It proved to be one of the team’s toughest games

playing soccer and a key and is a huge part of his

rent JV A coach Evan Hammans. “My coach for JV

ending in a draw. “We knew Valley was going to be

love for soccer. “I love playing together with my

A, Evan Hammans, is an excellent coach and he

the toughest game we had all year,” Dizdarevic said.

teammates, playing as a team instead as individu-

has taught me a lot throughout this season,” Diz-

It started off with a quick goal from Johnston. “It

darevic said. “He has been a good guidance for me

was such a good start, we scored in the first min-

Throughout Dizdarevic’s career he has followed

throughout the season.”

ute and we were hyped up,” Dizdarevic said. “The

in his brother’s footsteps but now he is ready to

first-minute goal was such an energizer it brought

step out of his shadow and carve his own path.

Coach Hammans believes that Andy’s ability to

-father Meho Dizdarevic

on we focused more on playing as a team and getting goals as a team,” Dizdarevic said.

als it just makes it so much more enjoyable.”

editorial

May 2017

p.11

13 reasons why not The popular TV show is more harmful than viewers think There is a new Netflix show swarming the In-

While others can contribute to de-

ernet called “13 Reasons Why.” The show is based

pression it is ultimately the person’s

on a book of the same name by Jay Asher and is

choice. “Somebody who commits

causing a lot of controversy about its depiction of

suicide is making a choice,” Ziegen-

mental health and the effects the images have on

horn said. No one killed Hannah

viewers. Blaming and lack of accuracy are a few of

Baker, Hannah Baker killed herself.

the many issues. It’s bringing about the conversa-

The show does not encourage

tion of suicide, but doing more harm than good.

The show does not follow any of the recommen-

those who need help to seek it out.

It is discouraging. When Hannah

dations for safe portrayal of suicide provided by

expresses key warning signs of suicidal thoughts

the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

to Kevin Porter, the school counselor, he is of no

(AFSP). On their important points for covering sui-

help to her. “It’s a bad representation of counseling

cide, one listed is, “risk of additional suicides in-

staff,” Carico said. “She has telltale signs of it which

creases when the story explicitly describes the sui-

any trained counselor would know and notice.”

cide method, uses graphic images, sensationalizes

Additionally, a character named Skye who has

or glamorizes death.” Seeing another’s suicide can

self-harm scars, tells Clay that self-harm is “what

provide a method to those with suicidal ideation.

you do instead of killing yourself.” Promoting self

This is often called a copycat suicide. Hannah’s sui-

harm as a coping mechanism is unacceptable. No

cide was shown in gory detail, with closeups of the act that continue until the time of death. Seeing something like this could push someone over the edge to make the decision to take their own

“

one should ever be en-

Ultimately, everybody makes their choices, somebody who commits suicide is making a choice.

”

-therapist Amy Ziegenhorn

life. This scene it is not

couraged to hurt them-

For every

there are

suicide

attempts

1

25

selves. Those struggling need to find a safe, nonviolent way to deal with their pain.

The

show

portrays

Hannah as dramatic and attention-seeking

and

even true to the book which the series is based on.

never addresses her underlying mental illness. It

In the novel, Hannah swallows a handful of pills.

does not address mental illness at all, which is a ma-

Schools across the country have seen a rise in

jor component in the issue. Suicide is not a direct

students affected by depression and self harm.

result of bullying, harassment, sexual assault, etc. It

Therapist Amy Ziegenhorn has not had anyone

is much more complex. “It would be really hard to

come to her about the show, but her colleagues

look at a suicide and say that absolutely no, there

have. “It’s important that we talk about those

was no mental illness happening,” Ziegenhorn said.

things, but sometimes it’s detrimental to have the

The number one case of suicide is untreated

images in your head without context and under-

depression and research suggests that 90 percent

standing to process it,” she said.

of people who have died by suicide experienced

Another suggestion from AFSP is to avoid de-

mental disorders and/or substance abuse. “It’s not

scriptions of suicide notes. The entire show is based

a representation of what suicide and depression re-

on exploring the tapes Hannah has left behind,

ally is,” Carico said.

which are her suicide notes. The tapes are used

Yes, depression and suicide are things we need

to place the blame on everyone who has wronged

to talk about, but being cautious of how it is por-

her. It’s portraying suicide as the ultimate revenge,

trayed does not mean it is being swept under the

placing guilt and the weight of someone’s death on

rug. The way we talk about these situations can ei-

another’s shoulders, a burden that will follow them

ther encourage those struggling to get help or in-

forever. “One of the biggest things they preach to

crease the likelihood of another lost life. “You can

people who have lost people to suicide is the idea

be a positive force in this world or a negative force,”

that there’s no one to blame for this person com-

Ziegenhorn said. “Be aware of the impact you have

pleting (suicide),” Kate Carico ‘17 said.

somebody else’s life.”

157,000 people age 10-24 receive medical care for self inflicted injuries

High school students are

5 times

more likely to have suicidal thoughts after being exposed to a classmate’s suicide

Source: CNN

The editorial is an opinion held by the editorial board of the newspaper. It needs a simple majority to pass. This month’s vote was 6-1.

May 2017

opinion

p.12

“Stand your ground” a fatal error

Iowa’s new reckless law will only endanger lives, not save them

words & layout | Bryce Schulte When 14 year old Trayvan Martin was shot and

reasonable force only being necessary when the

killed by George Zimmerman, lawyers used Flori-

person “believes” it is such. While a court would

da’s Stand-Your-Ground law to protect him. While

decide whether or not a person’s use of a firearm in

good in theory, giving any regular citizen to power

defense was justifiable or not, the lack of specifica-

of judging life and death without any training is

tion in the bill’s text is concerning.

The Stand-Your-Ground provision in Iowa 33-17

vote,

receiv-

ing support from both Republicans and some Democrats. The provision allows for people to use deadly force anywhere if they believe such force is necessary to avoid injury or risk to

“

sense, I just don’t think letting us play God is the way. “No human should be in fear of their life,”

“

a

information from The JAMA Network

While the right to protect ourselves is common

just asking for issues to rise. passed the Senate with

Effect of Stand Your Ground laws

Isabelle Thomassee ‘17

Shooting a gun might be

said. “Especially if they

fun, but it’s not a necessity.

should be able to de-

-Addi Seybert ‘17

one’s life or safety. Even

have a firearm. They fend themselves.”

Across the country, 17 percent of whiteon-black

homicides have been found

if fleeing were possible,

”reasonable”

justifiable

only 1 percent of black-on-white “reasonable” ho-

actions with their firearm can be ruled unjustifiable

micides have been found justifiable. This racial

in court, but this is opening doors that it should

bias in the legal system would negatively affect a

not be.

select group of people in the country even more than they already are.

Gun Safety are worried about what effects this

A good guy with a gun can stop a bad guy with a

law will have. When looking at states like Florida,

gun, but that argument is outdated and irrelevant.

the studies that have been done show the future

Instead, we should be pushing towards more ex-

doesn’t look so bright.

tensive background checks to ensure that indi-

Currently 28 states have these laws in place.

viduals obtaining guns are not going to be a pub-

Since these have been signed into law, justifiable

lic danger. “Law enforcement has a right to carry,”

homicides have increased across the country by

Seybert said. “But I don’t think citizens should be

eight percent. But the definition of “justifiable” is

able to carry guns.”

very vague. “There’s just not any guidelines,” Addi

For as long as I can remember, the right to bear arms has always been an overused and unoriginal

Seybert ‘17 said.

in homicides

31.6% in firearm-related homicides

but

an individual could use deadly force. Yes, people’s

Like myself, organizations such as Iowans for

24.4%

Page 18 of House File 517 mentions the provi-

argument. The Second Amendment was written in

sion and describes

a time when the weapons were used took 10 sec-

600

in annual criminal homicides

17%

of white people fatally shooting black people found justifiable

onds to reload after each shot, not when magazines consisting of 10 bullets can be shot one-afteranother. “Shooting a gun might be fun, but it’s not a necessity,” Seybert said.

Stand-Your-Ground laws across the country are an attempt to protect citizens, but inside of encouraging more violence, we should pave the way to reduce gun violence in all aspects. “We’re not taking away guns, we’re just making it harder for bad guys to get the guns,” Seybert said.

1%

of black people fatally shooting white people found justifiable

opinion

May 2017

Better to not be best words & layout | Kathyn Ikeda

illustration | Julia Martell

As a little girl, I dreamed about Harvard.

the future will be my present,” Will Gavin ‘18

My dad went on a business trip to Boston,

said. “So I often try to find a balance in better-

came back with a sweatshirt and I was hooked.

ing both present and future, and my choice in

I did everything I could until I stopped and

classes reflect that.”

thought, “What am I really doing this all for?”

And while making a large salary in the

All my senior friends told me that junior

future is a responsible goal to have, a 2010

year was the worst. They weren’t wrong. First

Princeton University study found that after

semester was especially gruesome as I juggled

reaching a financially secure level of income,

four A.P. classes, an internship, volunteering, a

increased funds did not increase happiness.

job, church and work for an organization.

To avoid burnout, students need to serious-

By October, it took a serious toll on both

ly consider why they are taking the classes that

my mental and physical health. I fell asleep

they are. Spoiler alert: not all of those A.P.s are

in almost every class, even the ones I enjoyed.

because you’re genuinely interested, no matter

I had bags under my eyes and at times, my

how much you try to convince yourself that.

hands would begin to shake as a result of too

Even if you want to go to Harvard to become

much coffee. While driving, I would let my

a neurosurgeon, ask yourself if one more A.P.

eyes drift shut while at a stoplight only to jerk

class will really mean the difference between

awake when I realized what happened.

an acceptance or a rejection. If it does--you’re

However, I brought it all on myself. I didn’t

already screwed.

have to take four A.P. classes. I didn’t have to

Just because you’re smart enough, just be-

do the internship, or keep working at my job.

cause you can, doesn’t necessarily mean you

For some reason, I had this idea in my brain

should. That’s something I wish I would have

that the busier I was, the more things I did,

considered. “I know how rough it can be to

somehow made me better. I felt this need to

work until 10 (p.m.) on a regular basis, then

prove that I’m smart, that I could handle a rig-

stay up until 12 (a.m.) just to make up for some

orous workload. Now, in May, I don’t feel par-

deficit of joy that you missed out on,” Gavin

ticularly more fulfilled.

said. “Not to mention the days you don’t have

Part of that is because I overloaded myself

time for that.”

with things I didn’t always care about. Two of

I don’t want to be a neurosurgeon. I don’t

the A.P. classes I took were because that is what

know exactly what I want to do, but I won’t

the expectation is for colleges I plan to apply

need an Ivy League school for it. Being ex-

to. I probably would have enjoyed other elec-

hausted and hating life is not worth the po-

tives more, even though they wouldn’t have

tential pay off of being rich or famous, which

boosted my G.P.A. “I believe that the present

in the end statistically doesn’t result in signifi-

shouldn’t be undervalued but I also know that

cantly more happiness.

p.13

May 2017

health

p.14

More than meets the eye Athletes workout in their freetime to stay active words | Justin Gard layout | Noah Haynes Any weekday after school, students can expect that Ajmaeen Iqbal ‘17 or Luke Grezch ‘17 will more than likely be in the fitness center.

Iqbal decided against track after his freshman year, and needed a way to stay in shape. Grezch wanted to get in better shape for football. Both started body building.

Iqbal regularly lifts four times a week and maxes out once a month. “I do it for myself and to look good,” Iqbal said.

He eats relatively healthy and stays hydrated, drinking about a gallon of water a day. His main workout routine is to lift a weight lower than his max but then do more repetitions of that weight.

More reps with a lighter weight helps to build endurance and strength with less stress on the

photo by Justin Gard

body, than just going every day and trying to max out. Each day Iqbal takes protein, amino acids, fish oil, multivitamins and creatine to help him stay

Ajmaeen benches after school May 17. Ajmaeen frequently stays after school to work on his max and techniques.

healthy and build muscle.

Creatine builds muscle mass and improves ex-

adrenaline rush was crazy.”

ercise performance. It helps speed up the growth

In power-lifting competitions, contestants

of muscle. Fish oil and exercise are used to help to

see who can lift the most in three different areas:

lower triglyceride levels in the blood. High levels

bench, squat and dead lift. Competitors start train-

of triglyceride can lead to coronary artery disease,

ing about 12 weeks before. People rotate what they

heart disease and stroke. Amino acids help build

lift. One day they bench, the next they squat and

which

can

help build muscle and body structure.

Grezch works out six days a week and uses Sundays as stretching days. “It is super important to drain out as much lactic acid as you can so you don’t feel as sore,” he said.

“

after that, dead lift. The

“

proteins,

I slammed the bar back onto the rack. The adrenaline rush was crazy.

-Luke Grezch ‘17

repeat it twice in a week.

Athletic trainer Chris Wiedman believes that body building is a positive way to stay in shape.

He said athletes should

Breakfast: oatmeal and eggs

make sure to hit all of

Lunch: Chicken and rice with a side of broccoli.

their

muscles.

“Many

athletes will hit the main

er lifter so his diet needs to replace calories. He

all of the smaller groups and often end up getting

also makes sure he eats enough of the basic food

hurt,” Weidman said.

groups. He competes in power-lifting competi-

It is important to get all of the nutrients need-

tions. “At first I was just doing it to do it to stay in

ed and to stay hydrated and get a good amount of

shape,” Grezch said.

sleep each night. Without the correct nutrients and

Grezch continued to compete, and then finally he hit his best in a competition. “I squatted 535

Routine

cycle starts over and they

muscle groups but not

Grzech is a pow-

Iqbal’s

hydration the body will slowly start to breakdown which could lead to injury.

pounds in a competition which was my best and

Each day Iqbal does a different workout routine

when I was done I slammed the bar back onto the

that covers one of the smaller muscle groups. “I do

rack and was jumping up and down,” he said. “The

my main lifts, my abs and everything,” Iqbal said.

Before a workout Ajmaeen drinks a protein shake.

Ajmaeen’s workout includes Monday: back and biceps Tuesday: legs Wendnesday: chest Thursday: legs Friday: shoulders

sports

May 2017

Tri to

p.15

understand it

words | Hanna Tanner layout | Jessica McKee

Last fall Paige Horner ‘20 crammed swimming and cross country races into one season. Participating in more than one sport at the same time is nothing new for her. She has been a triathlete since she was eight years old. “Every good race and every bad race, it is always fun,” Horner said. “The experience of it all is the best part.”

Horner discovered triathlons through her sister Lexi Horner ‘17. While attending a friend’s birth-

Lindsey Batkiewicz ‘19 rounds the corner on her bike at Z3 triathlon training. Batkiewicz discovered triathlons when she was nine years old, and has continued to do them ever since. Photo by Hanna Tanner

day party, who was a participant in triathlons, Lexi met the coach and founder of Z3 Triathlon team

Ensign developed a love for triathlons due to a

Jenny Weber. Weber told Lexi that she should try

Hy-Vee triathletes commercial she saw on TV and

out. At this time their dad was traveling a lot and

has been a part of Z3 for two years.

when Lexi wanted to join Paige had no choice but

Ensign likes the character development. “They

to go with her. Paige decided to try out as well, and

teach us how to not only be great athletes in the

they both made it.

sport but live a well-rounded life outside of it as

Lexi no longer competes in triathlons. “As much

well,” she said.

as I loved doing triathlons, I decided to quit to fo-

Horner likes the companionship of her team-

cus on swimming,” she said. However, she hopes to

mates. “They are like my second family. We are to-

do one more race before she heads off to college.

gether all the time and it is fun traveling with them

Along with all the races comes the busy sched-

to all of the racing and training camps,” Paige said.

ules of training. Most training is three to four hours

The team typically races between four to seven

a day whether it is swimming with a swim team,

times a year and with most races, they usually have

open-water swim practice with the tri team, biking

a favorite race course. Horner’s favorite race course

with Z3 or running on your own or for the track

is Monroe, Washington, due to the “beautiful scen-

and cross country team.

ery” and flat course. Ensign agrees. “Everything

During winter, most of training takes place downtown at the Wellmark YMCA. Summer train-

750 meters

about Washington is amazing and experiencing it with Z3 was even better,” she said.

ing takes place at variety of places including Gray’s

However, for Ensign, this race was not all that

Lake or Racoon River Park for swimming and run-

perfect. This was her first wetsuit legal race. When

ning and Water Works Park for biking.

the water temperature is below 78 degrees athletes

Today there are roughly 115 athletes apart of Z3

may wear wetsuits. When it is between 78.1 and 83.9

all over the midwest. Three of the 115 attend John-

degrees, athletes may still wear wetsuits but are not

ston and they are Paige Horner, Lindsey Batkie-

eligible for any awards.

wicz ‘19 and Lilian Ensign ‘20.

Distances for junior athletes in a triathlon

20 kilometers

The problem occurred while exiting the water,

Batkiewicz started competitive swimming when

heading to the transition between swimming and

she was five years old. She would also ride her

biking. She realized that someone had tucked the

mountain bike alongside her dad while he went on

string attached to the zipper all the way down to

long runs and would run all the time during other

the inside of the wetsuit when they helped her zip

sports such as soccer, basketball and lacrosse. Her

up the back. She could not unzip the zipper, and

parents signed her up for a triathlon around age

could not locate the end of the string. Finally, she

nine. “I joined Z3 after my first Hy-Vee Triathlon

had an official help her. She said it was one of her

in Chicago when I saw a group of kids that looked

worst races.

to be a part of a team having a good time,” she said.

All three plan on continuing triathlons. “I really

The family had just moved to Des Moines, and

enjoy them, the atmosphere and you get to go all

many of the Z3 team members lived in there.

over the world competing,” Batkiewicz said.

5 kilometers

May 2017

back page

p.16

Saying g

dbye Johnston High words & layout | Jack Lucas & Ben Lunn

to

Students share the places they will miss most next year as the transition to the new high school begins

The Drum-line Cave

The Rafters/Auditorium

The go to place for sneaky extremists. Located above the auditorium backstage, for ages students have wandered up to these parts seaking adventure. “It’s a huge adventure to an unexplored world,” Ben Smlatic ‘17 said. “It’s like the movie ‘The Gallows.’” This location is by far the most risky to travel to, due to government classes and locked doors. That requires people to find creative ways to get up and about inside.

Smlatic also stated that he gives tours for $5.

The Library A classic location in JHS, perfectly placed in the middle of the school. Students come here to study, relax, sleep, check out books, or to even skip class. “I like the library because its easy to relax and study,” Chandler Heiser ‘18 said. The library is a beloved monument of the school and will be missed by many when we transfer over to the new high school.

Originally intended for a percussion storage room, the famed space in between the band rooms has quickly become a phenomenon among members of the drum-line. They view it as a fantastic venue for practicing, as well as relaxing.

“Only drum-line is allowed in there,” Spencer Wolfe ‘17 said. “I am definitely upset that the upcoming drum-lines won’t get to experience the greatness of the cave.”