May 2018

b&w

BLACK AND WHITE MAY 2018 VOLUME 26 ISSUE 8

PAGE 10

GRIEF THROUGH THEIR EYES

by Sarah Gibson & Megan Walker

b&w may

When Jay Rice ‘94 brainstormed the name of our paper in 1991, it was not because of the ink color. For the last 26 years, our mission has been to bring our audience stories from the school, community and nation, told clearly and without exaggeration--in black and white.

editorial board editor-in-chief kathryn ikeda online editor nick irwin print editor andrew maresca copy editor katelyn kempkes design editor will reiher sports editor jack lucas

cover & photo by | Megan Walker

inside look NEWS

staff writers

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obsee abbajabal, kennady anderson, ada basic, emily chambers, jacob chapline, kyle deutsch, brooklyn

FEATURE

dilley, will gavin, kara green, shabana gupta, molly hauser, taryn kauffman, jacob kim, joe kronberg, gretchen lagerblade, erina lee, abby nichol, sarah nelson, evan newcomb, ethan richards, sabrina

Briefly

08

romero, taylor siebert, brandon spraggins, kennedy stone, rachel vaughan, megan walker

fine print

04 Sleep is for the 06 Students with

weakend a salary The world according to Kayla Bousum 10 Grief through their eyes 14 1/1600: Cameron Miller ‘19

EDITORIAL

Black & White is published solely by the Johnston High School newspaper staff. It is an open fo-

16

rum. In accordance with Iowa law, students assign,

Encourage evaluations

edit material and make all decisions of content.

Editorials represent the opinion of a majority of the editorial board. Editorial and opinion pieces do

18

not necessarily reflect the opinions of the advisor, school officials or the district.

SPORTS

Out of the blue

Letters to the editor must be signed. Like all material, letters may not be libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. To write a letter to the editor, or report an error in the issue, please contact the editors at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com.

say hello

twitter: @jhsnewspaper www.jhsblackandwhite.com

BRIEFLY

Senior Challenge McKenna Natzke ‘18 stacks a pyramid of 15 cups during Senior Challenge. Teams of 12 seniors competed on May 2.

words & compiled by | Molly Hauser Photo by Molly Hauser

Photo by Julia Merrit

Living History Roger Elliott, the president for the Des Moines chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America, talks about his military service. US history classes were visited by Vietnam veterans who shared their experiences on May 5.

Jack Marren ‘18 and Lily Coleman ‘19 share their separate art pieces that come together to make a heart. Best Buddies held We Are Art in the auditorium to celebrate the achievements that have happened over the year.

Best Buddies

Senior Open Studio Lal Lungmuana ‘18 works on the nose of his clay project during open studio. Art teachers Katie Black and Emily Phillips decided to open their doors to seniors during eighth this semester.

Photo by Shabana Gupta Photo by Rachel Vaughan

Photo by Molly Hauser

Band

Natasha Dobson ‘18 presents a mug to Jason Heeren during the band concert on May 14. During the concert, seniors were recognized and then gave presents to the directors as a thank you.

04 MAY 2018 FEATURE

SLEEP IS FOR THE WEAKEND words, layout & photo | Andrew Maresca

9+

1-3

7-9

HOW MANY HOURS OF SLEEP DO YOU GET?

4-6

W

ITH A CONSTANT FLOW OF

History teacher Jessica Dowell has seen this pat-

school, extracurriculars and work,

tern in sleep deprived students, and the effect it can

it is no surprise that sleep is often

have on the classroom. Considering the work load

a student’s last thought. Some students stay awake

put onto her students by other classes, Dowell tries

until the middle of the night in order to get all of

not to assign homework that takes longer than 30 to

their assignments accomplished. However, studies

45 minutes. “Especially with an AP course, I know

have proven that these habits can have devastating

a lot of my students are taking more than one AP

effects.

course, so when I’m constructing a reading calendar

For some students this fight to stay awake is a

for example, I’m trying to be really mindful of how

normal occurrence. Lauren Gabby ‘19 typically

many pages of actual text are there, and about how

gets five hours of sleep and frequently feels tired

long would it take the average student,” Dowell said.

throughout the school day. Gabby’s involvement in

Dowell has noticed that long homework as-

extracurriculars is one the most prevalent reasons

signments and consecutive days of videos are two

for her sleep loss. She often times does not get home

instances where students seem to lose productivity.

from dance until nine, and then delves into hours

“Due to some of my students sleep levels, I general-

of homework, causing her to stay up until the early

ly cannot do two days of a video, and have them stay

hours of the morning.

awake the second day,” Dowell said. “Even if it’s real-

According to sleepfoundation.org, teenagers

ly interesting, their sleep deprivation seems to catch

should get around eight to 10 hours of sleep a night.

up with them. There then needs to be something

However, a poll taken of 203 students revealed that

to keep them accountable, so they have something

most get four to six hours of sleep. Sleep deprivation

else to focus on.”

can have negative effects including loss of productivity, or more severe cases such as sickness.

As well as observing sleep deprivation in students, Dowell experiences the same situation. With

Sleep deprivation has a variety of effects on a stu-

having to balance her family life with at home work,

dent’s ability to participate efficiently in school. Stu-

Dowell is often times forced to run on as low as four

dents that consistently do not get enough sleep may

hours of sleep. “Having small children I personally

feel tired during school and risk falling asleep in

refuse to do any school work if I can avoid it until

class. “Sleep deprivation can noticeably affect peo-

my kids go to bed, so they get the personal undivid-

ple’s performance, including their ability to think

ed parental attention,” Dowell said. “Which means

clearly, react quickly, and form memories,” the Na-

I’m not starting work until 8:00 or 9:00, and if there’s

tional Institute of Child Health and Human Devel-

three or four hours of work that puts me to be at

opment stated. “Sleep deprivation also affects mood,

somewhere between 11:00 and midnight and I get

leading to irritability; problems with relationships,

up at five.”

especially for children and teenagers.”

Sleep deprivation in high school students has

Joy Mielke ‘19 is another example of a student

been observed across the nation. That is why Chi-

not getting proper sleep. With a busy schedule con-

cago Public Schools are implementing new ideas in

sisting of school and late nights working at the

ways of combating student disengagement due to

Des Moines Playhouse, the only free time Mielke

sleep deprivation. Different solutions such as push-

receives is in the middle of the night. While most

ing back testing times in the morning, nap centers,

students would not be able to function properly on

and brighter lights are being discussed.

the low amount of sleep Mielke gets, she finds it to

While it may not be the most important item on

be her best option. “Really early morning between

some students’ lists, sleep has proven to be crucial

midnight and five in the morning is when I’m usu-

for development and general health. Going to sleep

ally at my best because I’m also majorly introverted

early can often result in better productivity the next

so the only time I get time to myself is at night,”

day, rather than staying up late to study for a test or

Mielke said.

finish an assignment.

06 MAY 2018 FEATURE

STUDENTS WITH A $ALARY words | Ada Basic

layout | Andrew Maresca & Erina Lee

R

Parul Srivastava

ETURNING FROM HER TRIP TO IN- miss the time she lost. “I would consider henna

dia, Parul Srivastava ‘19 brought with something I do in my free time because I love her a new passion for henna. Henna talking to people, I love networking and doing

(also referred to as Mehndi) is a dye used to cre- henna, of course,” Srivastava said. “So that kind ate elaborate designs on the skin, often used in of falls into my free time, because it’s just kind special occasions. Srivastava was constantly be- of something I really, really, enjoy, and it’s really ing told to use what she was passionate about nice that it works out that way.” to make a living, and she had finally found

Srivastava’s ability to continue with her busi-

it. In order to get her business off of the ness after high school depends on her access to ground, Srivastava began with develop- Indian stores, which is where she buys her henna ing her networking and communication materials. Learning from personal experience, skills. “My dad is a really prominent pho- she’d advise other students looking to start their tographer in the Indian community, so he own business to focus on networking. “Definitely kind of spread the word about my services have connections and if you don’t have connecthrough his connections,” Srivastava said. tions, make connections. Don’t be afraid to reach Her family was excited when she showed out to people that you don’t know and ask them,” an incentive to regularly do henna. She does not Srivastava said.

Photo by: Andrew Maresca

Life of Us

M

ANY STUDENTS COULD NEVER

a lot of time into their business, figuring out

imagine taking a $3,000 chance

numbers, working on designs, building up

on their dreams, yet Seth Jones

their social media presence, and developing a

‘20, Jaden Jacobson ‘20 and Kenny Tran ‘18 did.

large market of customers within the school.

Jones and Jacobson had always had the idea to

They owe part of their success to the support

start a clothing line in the back of their heads.

of their families and friends, “They love the

They started working on getting their business

idea of it just as much as we do,” Jones said.

off of the ground about five months ago. Need-

They plan on continuing their business for as

ing a designer, Jacobson took to Snapchat to see

long as they can and are not letting the fear of

if anyone was interested, Tran responded. After

failure hold them back. The advice they would

taking a graphic sound animation class, Tran was

give to other students trying to start their own

inspired to start designing. “I’ve always been ar-

businesses would be, “Invest in yourself, don’t

tistic my whole life,” he said. “I never really want-

let other people overcome your goals. I mean if

ed to do anything else in the future besides art.”

you have a goal, might as well go for it. It’s like,

They have already invested around $3,000 into

who cares what other people think,” Jones said.

the business and are in the process of getting a trademark. Jones, Jacobson, and Tran have put

Photo by: Julia Merritt

Erin Lamberty

D

ING. AS ERIN LAMBERTY ‘18 HEARS a member market. While running a busithe timer go off and opens the oven ness can be a lot of hard work, Lamberdoor, the smell of freshly baked cup- ty has not let her business interfere

cakes fills the kitchen. That smell has filled her with her school work. kitchen for four years now, as Lamberty has made cupcakes for her self-run business.

Lamberty has managed to stay on top of things due to the support of her

Lamberty started off baking cakes, but then de- friends and family. Her family buys her cided she needed a change. “I realized that it’s real- ingredients for her, and her friends enjoy ly hard and you have to be an artist, and I can’t do taste testing new flavors. She plans to conthat,” Lamberty said. “So I started baking cupcakes tinue with her business after high school. because it’s quite a bit easier.”

She is majoring in business administration at

She started selling her cupcakes for $2 after her Colorado State and hopes to one day open up her

Photo by: Erina Lee

boss at Climb Iowa asked her to sell her cupcakes at own cupcake bakery in Colorado.

J

ORDAN GOULD ’19 LOOKED

Balmer is very appreciative of his fami-

around and realized that he didn’t

ly’s support. “They were really supportive.

have anything to write with. Luck-

I think it was good for them since I could

ily, his friend Jesse Balmer ‘18 had a pen

be making money other ways than just get-

he made himself that Gould could borrow.

Balmer started making pens six years ago, after his dad taught him and encouraged him to start selling them at markets and festivals. Balmer has invested a lot of time into building his business and hopes to conPhoto by: Erina Lee

Jesse Balmer

tinue with it once he’s in college.

Kiersten Bahr

A

LL IT TOOK WAS AN EPISODE OF

ting a regular job.”

He sometimes finds it hard to find a balance between his schoolwork and his business. “I try and get schoolwork done first,” he said. “Then I’ll try and do as much business stuff that I can on the side, so it’s hard trying to get them balancing but just trying to make the most of the time.”

it’s like on the weekends and in the

“Cupcake Wars” for Kiersten Bahr summer, it’s not too much of a hasto get inspired to start her own cupcake sle because I can do it on the week-

business. “I basically asked my mom if I could get end,” she said. “But if it’s during some money to get business cards and then I just the week, while they’re baking I do sent them out to family and friends and my parent’s homework.” coworkers, and it kind of just started from there,” Bahr said.

How long she decides to continue baking and selling cupcakes de-

The time she commits to her business depends pends on the other opportunities she is on the size and frequency of her orders, a big or- given. ”I would like to cause it’s a hobby der could take her five to six hours. She once had for me, but I don’t see it as my only career to make 25 dozen cupcakes for a Best Buddies party. in the future,” Bahr said.

Finding the balance between school and her busi-

She often looks to her friends and fam-

ness was not a big problem for Bahr, “Considering ily to make sure that her product is good.

Photo by:

08 MAY 2018 FEATURE

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO...

SMALL TOWN INFLUENCE: Bousum: At the time I thought it was the best place on the planet.

Tim Brickley (Business Teacher): I think she graduated with 14 people, and she wasn’t the homecoming queen. I wonder what that’s about. We should dive into that sometime, we should really get into why that happened.

words, photo & layout | Obsee Abbajabal

Lydia Fine (younger sister): Kayla was always very popular and

FOR THOSE WHO KNOW HER, KAYLA BOUSUM IS A CREATURE OF HABIT. HOWEVER, THIS AVID DORITO FAN AND FINANCIAL LIT RAPPER, KBO$$ HAS QUITE A FEW TRICKS UP HER SLEEVE.

Jessica Fine (oldest sister): It was so small that it was almost like

well-liked, by the teachers and adults and kids, too!

we were a big celebrity couple. Instead of Brangelina, we were just called the Fine Sisters. Everyone knew everything in our town so we were always being talked about.

THE FINE SISTERS: Brickley: Her maiden name is Fine, and so she is one of four girls.

And so, Fine girl stories are some of my favorites of all time.

L. Fine: My poor father. He just wanted a boy and instead got four girls.

Bousum: For years I’ve joked that you can have a reality show based on me and my sisters.

L. Fine: When we got birthday money from our grandparents, the rest of us would blow it on candy and random crap. Kayla would save hers, because she had some big purchase in mind that she wanted, and she was willing to delay gratification for what she really wanted. So it’s no surprise she is teaching financial literacy. She’s been financially

KAYLA BOUSUM

literate since grade school, I’d say.

Grant Bousum (husband): She is very good with her money. Actually our money is in separate accounts, but I seem to pay anytime we go out to eat? Just recently I finally convinced her that she didn’t need to reconcile her checking account. I think she is still doing it but not daily or weekly like she used to.

J. Fine: I always wish I could be more like her and then I see a cool new pair of shoes and give that up real fast!

Bousum: [My older sister is] the one that’s really irresponsible with her money so in financial literacy I talk about her a lot, and she

FOOD HABITS: Angela Feldman (Spanish Teacher): We eat lunch together everyday. She’s a very picky eater. Every single day, she eats Doritos, apple with caramel and carrots. In fact in the summer, sometimes we go to the pool and eat lunch [there]. She’ll pack the same lunch for herself.

She used to add a cupcake to that and she switched that out for carrots.

She got rid of the cupcake when she got pregnant the first time. Her daughter is almost 10, so for 10 years her lunch has not changed once.

IOWA STATE FAIR: L. Fine: Kayla [Bousum] is a machine at the Iowa State Fair.

knows it. She was at a work Christmas party for her job and one of my

Peggy Fox (Spanish Teacher): She is the biggest fan of the Iowa

students happened to be at the party because her mom worked with

State Fair that I have ever met in my entire life. She goes every single

my sister and was hosting it. The student of mine figured out that she

day of the fair. She offers guided tours of the fair to all of her friends

was my sister and was like ‘you’re Mrs. Bousum’s sister! The one that’s

because she knows where everything is at. All the best rides, all the

really bad with her money!’

best shows, all the best places to eat. She was a super big fan of push-

Bousum (talking about her youngest sister): ‘Do you know what I could do with that money on your ring finger? I could do a lot to my house [with that] money.’

HOME IMPROVEMENT: L. Fine: Kayla is kind of a perfectionist, okay, she’s definitely a perfectionist. She plans ahead and does it right the first time. She’s a measure twice, cut once kind of girl.

J. Fine: Her love is never ending, meaning just when you think that her

ing the school date back, the start day back, so she could attend the Iowa State Fair. The Iowa State Fair is life for Mrs. Bousum.

[Feldman and Gray are standing next to her as people walk to their first period class] Feldman: She once missed going to a wedding that her husband was in to go to the Iowa State Fair.

Kari Gray (Foreign Language Teacher): Has anybody spoken about either her Disney trips or her food?

house looks perfect she suddenly somehow decides that an entire room

Feldman: I talked about her food.

needs to be redone. Nothing is beyond her skills she will take a class

Gray: Planning a Disney trip, Kayla Bousum told me that she laid out

and learn it if she needs to. She learned to cut and lay tile floors at

the entire thing. So I think she sent me 25 to 30 links of all the things

Home Depot. She even signs her kids up for projects there on Saturdays.

that she’d done: her daily plans, and where they ate everyday like down

Brickley: I’ve never met anybody who’s more into home improvement

to a science. I remember one day complaining when we got back that

but doesn’t let her husband do any of the home improvement. She

‘Man, some people just had their kids out till midnight and their kids

always has a home improvement project going. She’ll be like ‘Oh,

hated it.’ And she goes, ‘I do that every time.’

whaddya do this weekend? I ripped out the entire kitchen and put in a

[Laughter from Fox]

new one.’

Bousum: This weekend, my husband and I put together a gazebo that

Gray: And she goes, ‘My kids are out there until midnight watching that

goes on our back porch. I was cussing my dad because he wasn’t there

parade cause I’m going to see it.’

to help me because he’s so handy and my husband is so not handy. We

Fox: Same with the Iowa State Fair. Her children are there until like

made it through, we’re still married.

G. Bousum: She doesn’t stop until the jobs is done, me not so much, but often I don’t have a choice.

L. Fine: We have been fetching tools for our dad since we could toddle.

“Go get a nine-sixteenths box-end wrench, and hustle!” He’d instruct and we’d comply. So I think that’s where it comes from. We were never told that girls shouldn’t play with power tools.

four in the morning. Not really, but for a very long time.

Gray: Although this leads us to ask, what does she eat at the Iowa State Fair?

Fox: I think she brings out her Doritos and carrots. [collective laughter] Gray: Maybe some apple dip.

12 MAY 2018 FEATURE

GRIEF THROUGH THEIR EYES words | Megan Walker & Sarah Gibson layout | Kennady Anderson & Andrew Maresca

Drawing by: Fiona Andersen

Drawing by: Kennady Anderson

G

RIEF. DEEP SORROW, ESPECIALLY CAUSed

Danielle Pippert has experienced grief from a differ-

by someone’s death. A sorrow that many stu-

ent perspective than students. Being a teacher and having

dents and staff have experienced throughout

to address the topic can be difficult, especially when it’s

their lives. Arik Logson ‘18 recounts this feeling after los-

the loss of a student and having to confront students af-

ing his close friend T.J. Sandstoe during his sophomore

terwards. “It’s awful, for sure,”Pippert said. “It’s a conver-

year of high school. “I would describe it as a physical

sation you don’t ever want to have to have for losing any

pain,” Logson said. “It’s kind of like always there. Some-

young person.”

times it’s worse and other times I think it is a little bit

Just like the loss of a student is difficult for students,

worse because I wasn’t really prepared for it. I had this

its difficult for teachers as well, and can be isolating. “I

feeling that I could have done something to change or affect it because, you know [we] were good friends and I was one of the last people to see him alive the day before. It makes it feel like a broken heart, like you are actually broken inside.”

Casey Hodson ‘17 had similar sentiments labeling the pain as both physical and emo-

“

mean I’m an emotional person but in front of kids I think I would try

IT MAKES IT FEEL LIKE A BROKEN HEART, LIKE YOU ARE ACTUALLY BROKEN INSIDE.

-Arik Logson ‘18

to come off a little bit stronger, but inside I was an emotional wreck, a rollercoaster for sure,” Pippert said.

“We’ve all lost somebody, and we can relate to that but honestly no one can relate to a teacher’s job, and knowing how it feels to lose a student, not even my husband.

He has a very good idea what the

tional. “It is definitely both,” Hodson said. “Most definite-

teaching profession is because he’s

ly. Mentally, obviously you miss the person who is gone

been my husband for so long, but he still doesn’t truly

and you have to deal with a lot of feelings. Physically,

know what a teacher deals with day in and day out, and

sometimes just that mental aspect, there would be times

would never have to have a conversation like that.”

that I would be shaking or you know get angry, or you cry obviously.”

Even though time can heal the after effects of losing a loved one, it can still have strong effects later in life. “I

Both Rocky Dhabolt ‘17 and Jagger Vairo ‘17 lost their

think we’ve all gone through something like that where

close friend Trevor Churchill during their sophomore

even a year later you find yourself thinking about it and

year of high school, just one year ago. Dhabolt agrees

you still get just as emotional, and you kind of grieve all

that grief is both physical and mental. “It didn’t really hit

over again,” Pippert said.

you right away. Right after I figured out I called like him

Even after two years, Logson continues to notice the

[Vairo] and a couple other buddies to ask them what was

grieving process in his day to day life. “I would say ev-

wrong,” Dhabolt said. “Then after that it just hit you and

eryday I feel it,” Logson said. “When I feel like I’m not

it is the type of grief that will keep you up.

giving something my all I feel like he [Sandstoe] would

be disappointed or I feel like I’m failing him because I’m here and he’s not. I feel like he deserves my all, even if it’s not relevant to him at all.”

Vairo also still feels the effects of grief, but has some positivity that comes along with it. “Some things I still can’t do. Even when I play a simple video game that I used to play with him I just keep thinking about him,” Vairo said. “I’ll still play the game because it is good memories but like even some music, it is hard for me to listen to

Drawing by: Kennady Anderson

because that was what he listened to. It also makes me happy.”

just need to come in to vent, cry, laugh I’m here to sup-

Hodson shares the responsibility she feels after the

port,” Boge said. “Usually I talk about the stages of grief

loss of her father. “I have a little brother and you know

because it is a roller coaster and not linear, and you can

if your parents aren’t really around the older sibling kind

kind of go in and out of multiple stages.”

of ends up stepping in and filling in part of that role,”

There is no cut and dry way to deal grief. The expe-

Hodson said. “And I often times feel a lot of that respon-

rience depends on the individual, yet one thing is clear

sibility, make sure he’s on the right track because my dad

sharing grievances with others can lessen the burden of

was so much about that. About us being successful and

losing a loved one. Everyone learns to accept what they

putting our best foot forward.”

went through differently. “A few months go by and I’m

The school offers many resources to help students and

still shocked, I don’t get it,” Vairo said. “I just don’t un-

staff deal with grief, including programs as well as the

derstand why. I have all these questions. As time has gone

counseling staff. “We’ve got our student assistance pro-

by and the year has past I just learned that I have to start

gram which is free for students, you just call a number

accepting it. I just say that the hardest part about grief in

and can get in,” guidance counselor Lisa Boge said. “It’s

my opinion is just accepting it.”

through Unity Point. We do partner with Hamilton’s fu-

Many agree that the healing process takes time, and

neral home because they have a grief academy there so

even after you’ve healed it’s something that’s never going to go away. “It gets better as time goes on but, you know no matter how much time has past you never really get over it because your parents are such an integral part of your life,” Hodson said.

Logson agrees that you never really reach the sense of life from before the loss of someone close, and it takes time. “I don’t think I’ve ever really reached it, but after you are able to accept and realize that it is not your fault, that he is happier now, it gets easier everyday,” Logson said.

“I would just say talk to someone, whether it is a parent or a sibling or a friend or a teacher, whoever,” Logson said.

“Anyone that you feel comfortable with. Stereotypically speaking, guys don’t really talk about how they feel and that’s just a mistake because you’re a hell of a lot worse off if you don’t talk about how you feel.”

Rex Haugland also was affected by the loss of Churchill, and reveals what helped him through the grief. “I would say put your trust in your friends. Fill your time up, don’t think about it. And get closer to your buddies and hopefully it doesn’t happen again,” Haugland said.

Hodson suggests that students don’t keep their sorrows to themselves. “Don’t let it consume you, Hodson said. “I made the mistake of not talking to anyone about it. Even when people would ask me about it. Even when people asked me if I was okay. I just kind of pushed it away, and that was a big mistake because I didn’t deal with very well on my own. Nobody does.”

Boge recommends honoring lose that are gone. “Talk to somebody, I know I kind of sound like a broken record, but just be aware of the stages of grief and give yourself that grace and forgiveness just to mourn them, but also to think of them and honor them anyway,” Boge said.

Each person’s grieving process is different and can manifest itself through multiple different mediums. “I guess kind of what I said to all my classes too it’s just different for everybody, you can’t put a box or a definition on how you’re going to react or anything like that, so just respect the process,” Pippert said. “It sucks but I usually say time heals a little bit but it never truly goes away.”

Grief is something all people go through without a choice. Students and staff alike agree it’s something that takes time to go through, and if you’re going through grief, don’t be afraid to reach out for help from friends, family, or other resources that the school has made available.

Drawing by: Alex Hindman

14 MAY 2018 1/1600

1/1600 : CAMERON MILLER ‘19

FROM SOPHOMORE TO SENIOR, ONE STUDENT WAS RANDOMLY CHOSEN TO TELL THEIR STORY words & layout | Brooklyn Dilley & Taylor Siebert

W

ents insist. “I try to stay good in my mom’s eyes. Cause she’s like,

ceeded to get out his instruments. Recording on his

‘you have to get good grades, you have to go to college,’ the usual.”

computer, he sat down in front of his drums and played for a bit.

While Miller doesn’t make music for a profit, he has had several

He finally moved to sitting at his desk, opened a synthesizer, and

songs bought by other artists. “I’ve probably made less than $500

began to get to work. Messing around until he heard something

on my beats,” Miller said. “I mainly just make them for people. But

that caught his ear, his song continued to build. Some drums here,

if it’s someone I don’t know, I’m like, alright give me money.”

ith a cup of coffee in hand, Cameron Miller ‘19 walked

Nevertheless, Miller tries to stay on track in school, as his par-

into his studio. He set the coffee on his desk and pro-

a little bass there. Deciding whether to leave space for vocals, or

Although Miller began writing on his own, he eventually be-

make it a fully instrumental track. Before long, Miller was happy

came a member of Tha Füt, a group created by his dad. “They

with his finished work. He made sure it was all saved, took a swig

started that when I was like 14, I didn’t even know they were doing

of his now-cold coffee, and was onto the next song.

that,” Miller said. “My dad had just gotten into hip hop, and I didn’t

Miller has been writing music since his freshman year, though he didn’t get serious about it until last year. Although he began just messing around on an audio program, his interests, and talents, quickly grew. “At first I started off on my computer. And I

really like hip hop or rap, but then I started listening to old school hip hop, and jazz, and R&B, and it led me into everything else.”

Miller works pro-bono with the group writing songs. “For the group, I do it for passion, so I don’t get paid,” Miller said.

didn’t know how to play the keyboard, I knew how to play guitar,

This summer Miller also has the chance to take his music be-

but I was avoiding it cause I wasn’t very good,” Miller said. “Even-

yond state lines, as he will be going on tour with the group. “I think

tually I got into using my computer, and I started to understand

we’re going to Omaha, Chicago, somewhere in California,” Miller

music theory, which is the basis of how people make music. And

said. “I don’t really know all the specifics.”

I was like, okay, I can use my knowledge from my guitar, and I knew how to drum a little bit cause I was into it when I was little, and so I put together all these pieces from my life.”

Despite only starting two years ago, Miller has quickly developed a knack for writing his music. “I’ll fill it up with all the stuff that I want. It just comes to me,” Miller said. “I’m not trying to sound pretentious about it, it just comes out of my brain. I hear melodies that I want, and I’m like how can

“

Throughout the tour, Miller will be on stage running the turntables for the group.

I WAS LIKE (EXPLETIVE) IT, I’LL BE LIKE A LITTLE WEIRD RAPPER DUDE. AND THEN I REALIZED I SUCK AT RAPPING.

-Cameron Miller ‘19

I replicate that. And there’s not a lot of people who can take it from their head and put it on a piece of paper, or a computer.”

As a writer, Miller looks up to other musicians and their various styles. Miller listens to Tyler the Creator, Nujabes, and J Dilla, among others, but one of his favorite producers is Meltycanon. “His music’s really unique,” Miller said. “Like the sound of it is bells, and high beautiful chords. It’s really soft, there’s a lot of pads. But he still has like a hip hop sound.”

Miller does a majority of his writing in his studio, which is in an old paint fac-

tory that his dad renovated with two other people. “They turned it into a studio space, they’re putting up walls and stuff,” Miller

While Miller is not always sure what direction his songs are

said. “It used to just be an open area, and now it’s coming together.

going in, he doesn’t let that set him back. “Everyday I write like

I painted like half of that building by hand, we all were in there

five songs,” Miller said. “I just sit down, and I play a few melodies,

working our (butts) off, trying to make it look good.”

and I’m like that sounds good, that sounds good, and I’ll just build off that, and I’ll think, is this working, is this not, and if it’s not working, I’ll go on to the next one. Because I don’t want to block up any ideas, so as soon as it’s fading away and I don’t really know where I’m going with it, I just kinda move on to the next project.”

Balancing his musical passion and school has not always been

They plan to rent out studio space in the factory, which they have named the Barnum Factory. “Right now, through the hallways, they’re having people come in and do graffiti, it’s all over the walls and leads you down the hallway,” Miller said. “It’s supposed to be very artsy. I just think it’s awesome, everybody is pitching in and adding their own thing to it.”

easy for Miller. “I’ve lost a lot of homework assignments, a lot of

It isn’t clear what Miller’s future in music will be, but that

grades to music,” Miller said. “I just would rather make music. It’s

doesn’t bother him. “If this works out for me, if it doesn’t who

really tempting cause my music presents a future for me, so I’m

cares, I’m still gonna keep doing this,” Miller said. “Entertaining

like why do I need to worry about school when I could maybe be

people, making people feel better, I just want to do that.”

really good at this.”

16 APRIL 2018 EDITORIAL

Quotes are not those of students pictured, but rather anonymous students from Sarah Hottle’s survey over a world trade simulation.

ENCOURAGE EVALUATIONS

The editorial is an opinion held by the editorial board of the newspaper and is a collaboration of the board. It needs a simple majority to pass. This month’s vote was 6-0. To contact the editorial board, please email us at jhsblackandwhite.com or visit us in room 622.

W

E ALL KNOW WHICH CLASS-

us reconstruct our approach to deadlines. We

es suck. Word passes down from

learned what assignments people dreaded, and

older siblings, friends or upper-

how we as editors could help them better.

classmen complaining in the hallways. Year

Social studies teacher Sarah Hottle gives

after year, it seems like nothing changes: the

evaluations for major projects and last semester

same classes we tell sophomores not to take are

gave one to her whole American Government

the same ones we were warned of ourselves. It

class. “I really do take them seriously because

doesn’t have to be this way. Class evaluations are

my students are the ones who are actually tak-

a simple, effective tool to get feedback from stu-

ing the classes and doing the work and the proj-

dents about what works and what doesn’t. What

ects,” she said. “I think you have to constantly

assignments do we think are tedious? Should

change to meet the needs of the students that

there be more instruction or less?

you have.”

This isn’t to say that we do not have excel-

Hottle found that for the most part, students

lent teachers. Many have won awards, includ-

take the surveys seriously. As it is her second

ing math teacher Rick Brooks’ 2015 Presidential

year teaching, and first year at Johnston, she

Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teach-

found the evaluations to be helpful. She plans

ing, and in 2010, language arts teacher Sarah

to continue to give them even as she gets more

Brown Wessling was named National Teacher of

experience. “I get bored really easily and so I’m

the Year. 52.4 percent of teachers in the district

always trying to change up what I’m doing and I

have advanced degrees (compared to Urbandale

like always having things to do, and so I see my

Community School District with 27.7 percent or

class constantly evolving and hopefully through

Des Moines Public Schools with 43.3 percent.)

that it’s getting better every year,” Hottle said. “I

However, there is always possibility to im-

like to have work to be done and change things

prove. Even the most experienced teachers can

and have them better fit the class that I’m work-

get stuck doing the same thing year after year,

ing with.”

so if students hate it, then they hate the class ev-

It is important that the surveys are only

ery year as well. Creating at least one class eval-

used by teachers to improve their classes, not

uation a semester, even if only three questions

as a measure of teacher performance--there are

long, has the ability to break the tradition of a

other methods for that, like checking to see if

class’ annual terribleness. “I’m not aware of any

purpose statements are displayed. If class evalu-

building-wide plans or policies for class feedback

ations were used in teacher performance review,

or surveys, I know a lot of individual teachers do

results could be skewed by a student disliking

them but there’s not anything that I’m aware of,”

the subject, not necessarily the teaching.

instructional coach Thomas Griffin said. “I think

While evaluations are common at the col-

when you think about learning, a key aspect of

lege level, here they are rare, and so there ex-

learning is feedback, and so opportunities for

ists a lack of opportunity for students to voice

teachers to get feedback could be valuable.”

our opinions about the classes we take. A few

First semester in newspaper, we gave a survey to staff writers, and the responses helped

students may not give helpful responses, but it’s worth trying at least once.

20 MAY 2018 SPORTS

OUT OF THE BLUE words | Evan Newcomb

T

layout | Will Reiher

HE DRAKE RELAYS IS ONE of the most prestigious track and field events in the country so to qualify for these events in high school means that you are one of the best athletes in your event. This year, the track teams had 21 athletes compete 11 boys and ten girls in the Drake Relays. The girls qualified in the 3000, 4x100, 4x400, 4x800, and the 1500. The boys qualified in the discus, 800, 1600, 3200, 4x100, 4x800, and the Distance Medley Relay.

Jake Dieleman ‘19 finished 13th in the discus with a throw of 150’11”. Tom Altier ‘18 finished seventh in the 3200 with a time of 9:30. Jessica McKee ‘18 and Brooke McKee ‘20 finished ninth and tenth in the 3000 with times of 10:26 and 10:29 respectively.

The boys’ distance medley relay finished 14th with a time of 3:37. Joe Schaefer finished fifth in the 800 with a time of 1:58.

The boys’ 4x100 finished eighth with a time of 43.90 seconds, the third straight time the boys 4x100 has qualified for Drake and only one other Iowa team has done this.

The girls’ 4x100 ran a time of 51.93 seconds while the girls 4x400 ran a time 4:06.

The boys 4x800 finished fourth with a time of 7:59 and the girls 4x800 finished fifth with a time of 9:39. Altier and Sam Schmitz ‘20 ran in the 1600 finishing fourth and 13th respectively with times of 4:19.36 which is a new school record and 4:26. Jessica ‘18 and Brooke McKee ‘20 finished 11th and 13th in the 1500 with times of 4:49 and 4:50.

Sisters Jessica McKee ‘18 and Brooke McKee ‘20 have one of the most unique experiences at the Drake Relays being able to run together in three different races: the 3000, the 1500, and the 4x800. It’s not a competeition for them however.

“We like it because we don’t see don’t consider it as a another competitor, it is more of a closer teammate,” Jessica said.

They believe it helps them. “I think of it as an advantage,” Brooke said.

This is the last time they get to run together as Jessica is graduating but they got to run together at Drake one last time.

Tom Altier ‘18 came into the season with big goals and throughout this season he has been able to hit those goals and it all lead to the moment at Drake in the 1600 when Alitier broke the school record which was previously held by Patrick Bose ‘17 with a time of 4:19.36. Altier went on to finish seventh overall in the event and make his mark in the Johnston Track record books.

Joe Schaefer ‘19 came into the Drake 800 ranked 16th in the state and not considered a contender but by time the race was over, Schaefer was fifth in the state with a time of 1:58 and goes into state as a serious contender for a podium spot. With another year to compete, Schaefer could be a force to be reckoned with in the 800 next year as well.

THROWBACK THURSDAY words & layout | Katelyn Kempkes

March 2012 Construction workers expanding the building are injured in an explosioin.

The explosion and resulting fire was caused by screws being cut near a flammable material.

August 2007 Timber Ridge opens as Johnston’s fifth elementary school.

April 2012 Students sit out during recess at Summit to protest the alleged gender bias regarding volleyball net usage. As part of the protest, students brought lunch from home, wrote 50/50 on their wrists, planked and refused to go in after recess and sang Kumbaya on the grass.

October 2017 The Dark Overlord makes threats to students causing the district to close for a day.

August 2017 The new high school open for the start of the 20172018 school year.

September 2014 Homecoming revelers strew tp and lanyards about the high school campus. Police get involved as school property is destructed and vandalized.