November/December 2021

People (noun) peo·ple | /ˈpēpel/

MeaningThe human beings that make up a culture, community, or group this population is full of diversity and uniqueness.

b&w

BLACK AND WHITE NOV./DEC. 2021 VOLUME 30 ISSUE 3

CONTENT

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When Jay Rice ‘94 brainstormed the name of our paper in 1991, it was not because of the ink color. For the last 28 years, our mission has been to bring our audience stories from the school, community and nation, told clearly and without exaggeration--in black and white.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Sports Editor Online Editor Video Editor News Brief Editor Print Editor Visual Editor Copy Editor

Noah Gilbert Nathan Anderson Laila Hasanovic Marley Jenkins Theron Luett Sabrina McGuire Alyssa Miner Catherine Reiher

MANAGERS Visual Manager Visual Manager Morality Manager

Aidan Topolinski Audrey Allen Eva Wozniczka

STAFF WRITERS Nolan Akins Jillian Blair Tatum Bremner Sofia Bristow Jordyn Butler Macy Carmichael Allison Christensen

Lily Fleming Kamryn Heron Maida Jusufovic John Kirkpatrick Van Proctor Liliana Santoyo Abigail Wharton

COVER- Marley Jenkins & Student Media Staff

Follow us on social media @JHSBlackandWhite @jhsnewspaper

@jhsnewspaper

FINE PRINT Black & White is published solely by the Johnston High School newspaper staff.

It is an open forum. In accordance with Iowa law, students assign, edit material and make all decisions of content.

Editorials represent the opinion of a majority of the editorial board. Editorial and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the advisor, school officials or the district.

Letters to the editor must be signed.

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

Meaning of Art Celebrate artistic expression on page 8

For more content scan here!

Kristin To, ‘22 Unamed Graphite

4 Briefly....

6 One Size Does Not Fit All 8 The Meaning of Art 10 More Than a Game 12 A Tribute to Those We Admire 14 Seasons Drift, Moods Shift

T

here are 7.8 billion people in our world.

3 million of which live in Iowa and about 22 thousand reside in Johnston.

But just as the huge group of 7.8 billion people consists of different colors, sizes, ideas and traditions, so does the smaller 22 thousand people who live in this relatively tiny part of the world.

Our differences are what make our school OURS. From our personal cultures, to political beliefs and personal preferences on which gas station is the best, our school is built on the differences of people.

The “People” issue highlights everyone.

With a push to get more of the student body participating in our issues, we focused on getting as many faces, familiar and unknown, published.

As the school grows bigger it can get hard to recognize all of our peers, so our new goal is to get everyone involved. This is a publication for all of us.

PEOPLE

16 Tech & Trombones 18 1-in-1800 20 Villainization of Social Media

-Noah Gilbert Editor-In-Chief of the Black & White

Scan here to see Mr. Kowalsky playing trombone!

Skip to the time 3:02

22 Shoes & Johnston Jams Go to page 16 to find out more about Kowalsky!

Briefly...

4 | Briefly

Words | Nolan Akins Layout | Lily Fleming

School Board

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Girls and Boys Basketball

A

his year’s election brought with it three open

s we roll into winter, along come winter activities such

seats on the JCSD school board with one big topic in mind, school mask mandates. There

were seven candidates total running for office with incumbents Jeanie Kerber and Justin Allen running for re-election. The five new faces running were Deb Davis, Clint Evans, Tiara Mays, Derek Tidball and

as the highly anticipated boys and girls basketball

From left to right: Clint Evans, Deb Davis, and Derek Tidball are sworn in as school board members. Photo by: Noah Gilbert.

seasons that are currently in full swing. Both teams

were highly ranked in the pre-season power ranking with the of special interest from past seasons due to both teams losing to Waukee in the championship game of the state tournament last

Lya Williams. The eventual winners of the election,

season. Senior leaders returing to the court this year include Trey

Deb Davis, Clint Evans, and Derek Tidball, who ran

Lewis ‘22, Steven Kramer ‘22, Mason Ryan ‘22 for the boys team,

as a trio and shared similar ideologies such as no

and Zoey Buchan ‘22, Anna Gossling ‘22, and Jada Gyamif ‘22 for

mask mandates and critical race theory.

the girls.

Fall Sports Recap

A

Jayden Hansen ‘22 shoots over the Urbandale defender. Photo by: Nathan Anderson.

girls team being 1st, and the boys were ranked 3rd. This season is

Wrestling

s the 2021 fall sports season comes to a close, let’s look back on all of the outcomes and successes of Dragon fall athletics. Football

and the Dragons started their

Mueller ‘22 said, “Even with some of the people I didn’t play with, like some of the defensive guys, you know, we all felt like a

season off at Lincoln High,

family rather than a team and just felt like one big family fighting for the same thing.”

As for the Cross Country team, both the boys and girls managed to make the state competition for another consecutive year. Both teams finished 4th overall.

Blake Tubbs ‘23 carries the ball against Urbandale.

Photo by: Noah Gilbert.

The boys golf team ranked 5th in the state. The team sent six athletes to the state golf competition. Calen Bishop ‘22 tied for 14th place.

H

ead coach Aaron Tecklenburg

ended the season 5-5, barely sliding into the playoffs as the 16th seed, and eventually lost to the SEP Rams. Captain Jackson

easily defeating the Railsplitters 68-12. The team roster has a lot of experience and

Kostia Tsymbal ‘23, an exchange student from Ukraine, takes on an opponent from Lincoln High School.

Photo by: Jordyn Butler.

senior leadership on the mat this season.

The team currently has 11 seniors and three returning state finalists: Jacob Helgeson

Girls swimming participated in the state championships and placed 6th

‘23, Noah Madison ‘22 and Sam Zindel ‘23.

overall. Olivia Swalley ‘23 placed 1st in the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke.

The State Wrestling Championships will

The 200 Medley Relay team was Olivia Frantum ‘23, Olivia Swalley ‘23,

take place in February at Wells Fargo

Abby Matheson ‘24, and Izzy Osborne ‘22. They placed 5th. Gianna Stasi ‘24,

Arena.

Faith Frantum ‘25, Olivia Swalley ‘23, and Olivia Frantum ‘23 placed 6th in the 400 free relay. Faith Frantum ‘25 placed 2nd in the 500 free and 4th in 200 free. Olivia Frantum ‘23 placed 4th in the 500 Free.

T

Fall Play

his year’s fall play was the story “Radium Girls”, directed by Jeremy Fitzpatrick, an English teacher in the high school.

“Radium Girls” takes place during WWII. It starts off in factories

where young women would paint watches with radium infused paint to make the watches glow in the dark. In order to paint the watches, the girls licked the brushes to create a fine tip, eventually giving the girls radiation poisoning. That leads to the eventual problem and main story of the play. The main character, Grace Fryer (Esha Bolar ‘23) is fighting

Brooke Mattingly ‘22, Esha Bolar ‘23, and Kyle Lindeman ‘23 in “Radium Girls”.

Photo by: Jake Jordan.

for herself and fellow workers in a court trial against Arthur Roeder (Noah Martell ‘22), the paint company owner. The two act play had a successful showing both days it was performed, October 29 and 30.

W

Performing Arts

inter is a big season for performing arts. On December 1 and 2, the Choir Department put on their annual Madrigal Dinner (but without food due to COVID restrictions), directed by Hannah Ryan and Laura Grimm. A ‘madrigal’ is a fancy party in the Renaissance era with the royal king, queen and their subjects. The choir students dressed up in old Renaissance costumes and sang traditional holiday songs with a few modern pieces thrown in for flare. They also performed a short skit.

Another popular and successful activity starting up is show choir, also directed by Ryan and Grimm. There are four choirs: Sound Advice, Bella Voce, Synergy, and Innovation. Show Choir had their parent show on November 22, and their first competition is January 15 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The jazz band started their season with a concert in the auditorium on December 5. Their home showcase will be on January 29.

Noah Martell ‘22 belts “Toss the Pot” as the king of Madrigal. Photo by: Sam Mills.

6 | Feature

One Size Does Not Fit All

How Social Media Affects Body Image

S

ocial media impacts body image.

On one hand, it can be a place of

Words| Macy Carmichael Layout | Jillian Blair

right angles and editing.

Most people tend to judge others based on

tear

their appearance, instead of digging deeper

themselves down for beauty standards, while

and truly getting to know a person. “For

for others it creates a community where

young kids, I feel like people are very judgy

people celebrate what makes them uniquely

and this is more than just your image of who

beautiful. As a teenager in the 21st century,

you are,” Alyvia Moran ‘23 said. “I think in

you cannot avoid the impacts of social media-

society today it’s all about what you look like

-you just need to have the right mindset. Even

rather than your personality.”

comparison

where

people

with this mentality, it is common to struggle with body image due to social media.

This can be damaging to young kids and their views on themselves, “Kids are growing

Social media can seriously damage kids

up thinking that they have to look a certain

and teenagers’ perspective on themselves,

way,” Grant Strickler ‘23 said. Growing up,

“It can also be damaging especially as a

having access to the media, seeing these

young teenage girl even if the media isn’t

women and men on tv who are perfectly

specifically portraying that you should look

toned, and fit the body standard leads young

a certain way to be beautiful,” Mia Mattingly

people to believe that that is normal. When in

‘22 said.

reality it’s all camera magic.

As a young kid growing up, it’s hard to see

Contrary to the popular argument that

that you don’t look like other kids. “It took

social media is a negative place, many people

me a while to be comfortable with myself,”

explain how it has helped them significantly.

Emma Dummermuth ‘22 said. Particularly

“I think social media has been really good

with society now, we’ve grown up in a toxic

for that because it can show that you’re not

environment where people are constantly

alone in feeling out of place with your body,”

judging others based on what they look like

Mattingly said.

instead of their personality or what makes them unique.

“I had to learn, from a young age, that you don’t have to be one certain body type to be beautiful.”

-Mia Mattingly ‘22

Over many social media platforms, people have been participating in trends showing

On social media, it’s very easy to make

off their bodies to show that no two bodies

assumptions about people, since you are

are the same. “I think especially in the past

only seeing the best part of people’s lives.

couple years, especially TikTok has shown

Social media is a highlight reel where you

how different bodies can be beautiful,”

can put your best pictures for the world to

Mattingly said.

see. It creates an illusion that someone’s life

It can be empowering to see women and

is perfect when in reality you can only see

men celebrating their bodies and not letting

what they want you to see. In regards to body

the beauty standard affect the way they

image, social media is so posed that you’re

see themselves. “It provides a platform for

seeing the best out of probably one hundred

people to spread how their journey with body

pictures they took where they have all the

image and body positivity has helped them

so much,” Dummermuth said.

men also struggle with body image issues.

think it is.

Social media has become a place where a

Throughout the years people have expressed

No matter who you are or what you look like,

community can come together and build

the idea that men don’t have to be tall and

you can still have insecurities. “[Social media]

each other up. Social media has given people

muscular to be manly. “It would be really

can cause eating disorders or overtraining

a platform where they can begin learning to

cool to see more feminine men or masculine

because some people think they need to look

be comfortable in their own bodies. Mattingly

women represented in ads or you know on

a certain way,” Strickler said. It’s so important

said, “Taking a step out for myself and

tv,” Mattingly said. It would be a huge step

to give men the platform to discuss their

showing I don’t look like everyone else, and

in our society today to see all types of people

insecurities instead of disregarding them. “I

that’s okay. I think that’s a really great thing

represented on all different platfrom.

think just giving them a safe space to share

but it’s also scary.” Beginning your journey to

It can also be extremely damaging to young

loving yourself may be hard but it’s also the

women and men to have an unrealistic

best thing you can do.

how they feel can be incredibly beneficial,” Dummermuth said.

stereotype for them. “I think men hide their

Social media, in many ways, can be beneficial,

Both women and men struggle with body

emotions about it, a lot of guys feel like

but it can also be damaging in regards to how

image issues. “I absolutely think it applies

they have to be muscular and have abs or

we see ourselves. Society as a whole needs to

to every gender, men I feel like their issues

whatever,” Fabian Avalos ‘24 said, “I think it

come together to make sure the media can

with mental health, body positivity, and self-

affects women more but I think it’s a lot more

be a positive place for everyone. We need to

image get overlooked,” Dummermuth said.

equal than we’d like to say.” It’s easy to say

acknowledge that all bodies are different, yet

The conversation used to be centered around

that just women have the pressure to look

everybody, no matter the shape or size, is still

women, but people have brought to light that

a certain way but it’s not as clear-cut as we

equally as beautiful.

1.

8 | Arts & Entertainment

The Meaning of Art

5.

Words | Theron Luett Layout | Audrey Allen

2.

Skylar Hansen

3.

6.

Lily Fleming

O

Kristin Rutz

Mya Peters

Isaac Fleming

Sofi Bristow

Mari Campbell

ur community is constantly filled

For some, art is utilized as a way for

limit our interpretations of what art means

with music, theater, films, fashion,

expressing and dealing with emotions. Janel

to us. “...It’s not really what art means to me,

and

make

Taylor ‘22 has used art throughout their life to

it just is me...and in that sense, it’s more than

Johnston a more creative and welcoming

design.

These

all

deal with good and bad days. “So I guess art

just art, it’s life that just kind of influences

space. For many students, art can be seen

as a whole, it’s just kind of my outlet for stress

you, and when you combine the two I think

as a path of self expression, inner creativity,

or just, you know, everyday things...I love to

that’s when art means something,” said

self discovery, or just another way to escape

put that energy into my pottery because the

Nguyen.

reality. Thanks to the creative minds of

pottery kind of goes with the emotions,” said

students, art has flourished throughout

Taylor.

Nguyen expressed his feelings over what they

Johnston and continues to branch out as we

In order to express these emotions in art,

want people to take away when looking at

find new ways to visualize our thoughts and

almost every artist has a go to medium, or

their art. “I want to make my artist statements

feelings.

favorite way of making art. These mediums

and make them think about it deeper...I also

Atlas Nguyen ‘24 spoke about making

can widely range from any material, since

want them to acknowledge that even if it is

creative connections in Johnston, and how

all it takes is a creative mind to bring these

a simple piece, that there was thought that

art has influenced their mindset for life

materials to life. A small portion of mediums

was backing it up. Because people will look

around them. “...[Art] impacted my life in

that are more commonly used include paints

at things and go ‘oh I can do that’ and it’s one

ways of viewing the world, and viewing the

such as oil or watercolor, charcoal, pastels,

of my biggest pet peeves... hypothetically, yes

thoughts of people’s minds and looking

graphite pencils, and ink. Allowing a wide

you could draw it, maybe it does look like a

into them,” said Nguyen. By being able to

range of mediums in Johnston classrooms

child piece, but at the same time you didn’t

have an environment to create art, students

helps to promote and spread creativity in

have the mindset to create that piece, nor did

can connect with each other through visual

students. “I guess my favorites [mediums]

you conceptualize it,” said Nguyen.

displays with deeper meanings. “I have a

would definitely be graphite and charcoal...

Thanks to the creative diversity students

better connection with the art teachers, but

and obviously ceramics and things like that,”

bring to Johnston, our community has been

there’s not a lot of people who really view art

said Taylor.

enriched with an expansion of what art means

like I do...So in that sense there’s also a loss,” said Nguyen.

Although art can be utilized to create a closer connection between all, that doesn’t

4.

Along with the artist’s own perspective,

1. Ellen Upper, ‘24 Marty Printmaking 2. Ace Bales, ‘24 Princess of Bird Digital 3. Janel Taylor, ‘22 Unnamed Pottery

4. Kristin To, ‘22 Unnamed Graphite 5. Atlas Nguyen, ‘24 Unnamed Charcoal 6. Grace Gan, ‘22 Mountainside Flower Field Acrylic

to us. Let us know what art means to you by following the QR code to our Google Form!

Scan here to fill out the Google Form

10 | Feature

M re Than a Game Words | Nathan Anderson Layout | Aidan Toplinski

Athletes often carry a certain stereotype

I leave. So I guess sports have been just a

Cameron Capalbo ‘23 plays baseball, and

across popular culture, commonly portrayed

thing in this house, especially football even

similar to Sheely, is looking for a chance

in movies as one-dimensional people who

though I don’t play that.

at redemption in the state championship

are overly devoted to their respective

game. Capalbo is part of the very

sport. While stereotypes can be unfair and

Q: How big of a role and what impact do

successful baseball team, winning several

exaggerated, there is truth to the level of

sports have in your life?

state championships recently. Capalbo

devotion and care athletes give to their sport.

A: Sports have a massive impact on my life,

acknowledges the time commitment sports

Why do games carry so much weight to so

like being a part of something bigger than

often tax on their athletes.

many people? What exactly do sports mean

yourself. It’s like setting a higher standard

to their athletes?

for yourself and for your team, like last year,

Q: Did [sports] affect your home life?

for soccer, we’ve never been too good of a

A: They honestly kinda did, obviously

Will Sheely ‘22 is getting ready for his senior

soccer team until this year. It’s been five

spending a lot of time doing it and then my

year on the soccer team, aiming for another

years since we made state and then last year

dad also really likes baseball so came out

run at the state title. He was part of a team

we got to the state semifinal. I remember

and played with me and stuff like that.

last year that played for a championship for

sitting in a room in the preseason setting

the first time in Johnston in decades. Sheely

goals for our team, and just going over

Q: How big of a role and what impact do

discusses what taking on a leadership role is

what we want to accomplish for the season.

sports currently have in your life?

like in sports.

That carries into life in general, more than

A: I’d say it’s a pretty big role, because of

just sports. Setting goals for school, setting

after school lifting for baseball and just

Q: Did you grow up around sports?

goals for relationships, the lessons you learn

doing a bunch of stuff every day to get

A: I did, I did, since I was about… I think

in sports just carry over to life lessons and

better… It’s a big time commitment.

my first sports experience was wrestling and

I think that’s a part of why a lot of kids do

then soccer, so I was probably about five

sports, so they can learn those important

Q: How do you think sports have challenged

when it started.

lessons and be a part of something greater

you?

than themselves.

A: I think physically and mentally it

Q: Besides just playing sports, have they

challenges me, because sometimes it feels

been around in your life?

Q: Can you elaborate on that and detail how

like it’s just hard to do… you have to put in

A: Yeah, so… I grew up watching football,

you’ve grown as a person?

a lot of effort to do well. Overall, it really

big Packers fan I guess. I guess that my first

A: Sports have challenged me personally

helps you out.

real attachment to sports was like watching

to take a stance like a leadership role, and

the Packers play and then branching out

to encourage the people around you and

Aidan George ‘23 plays football and runs

into other sports like baseball and watching

come together as a team. I guess that’s the

track, and had a productive football season

the Cubs.

challenging part, getting the whole team

in 2021. Looking to take up a leadership role

on board to achieve the same goal and it’s

next season, George details the physical

Q: Was that a thing for your family?

more than just that. It’s pushing each other

aspects of sports and the training involved

A: It’s mainly just me and my dad, it’s good

to do that too, it’s being accountable and

with them.

family time. It’s just part of the culture in

stuff like that, showing up to workouts on

the family too. It’s kinda unspoken that I

time, showing up to practice on time. If you

Q: Did you grow up around sports?

have to be there for kickoff for Hawkeye

don’t get enough minutes in a game, it’s not

A: I grew up around sports, my family kinda,

games. I mean it’s not like I want to miss

complaining, it’s minding your own business

we’re a family that does sports. My mom and

a game, but like if I do my dad gets a little

and working harder and asking questions

dad played in college and stuff so it’s kinda

quiet about it, like when I miss or when

why instead of complaining.

preached: ‘just do sports, it never hurts.’

Q: How big of a role and what impact do

that confidence back. I guess sometimes it’s

sure. Injuries have, and it takes a lot of time

sports have in your life?

challenging mentally to stay in it and stay

and effort to be good at what you do. Even

A: Sports have a huge impact in my life. I’ve

tough.

challenges like being down in a game, just the rough patches like that. Bouncing back

played sports since I was in third grade with football, I played basketball for as long as

Q: In all the ways sports have challenged

from those difficulties can really change you

I can remember and I think I started very

you, do you think that’s forced you to grow

into the best you can be.

young with that. So I would say sports are

as a person?

very prevalent, it’s all I do.

A: Yeah for sure, I think it’s taught me how

Q: Can you speak more to the mental aspect

to deal with obstacles and how to solve

of how basketball has challenged you?

problems for sure.

A: Mentally, basketball has challenged me

Q: Do you think sports have challenged you?

A: Yeah, for sure.

in a lot of ways. A lot of days you’re feeling

Q: Could you detail that?

Q: You’ve talked a lot about volleyball, but

lazy, you don’t want to get up and go put the

A: For sure just lifting, getting in the

you said you play soccer too. Can you talk a

extra time in to get better. But people could

weight room pushes my body. Track, with

little about that, has it had a different impact

pass you up. There’s a saying, whenever

endurance… and a lot of my sports are

than volleyball at all?

you’re not in the gym, there’s someone else

running and things like that.

A: Soccer’s kind of my second sport, so I

in the gym working and you don’t want to

don’t take it as seriously. I played school

get passed up as a basketball player. I would

Q: Do you think sports have helped you

soccer last year on the varsity team. I didn’t

say that mentally, even if you don’t want to

grow as a person?

play a lot, but I kind of used it as a way to

put in the work that day, just get the grit to

A: I think for sure, they’ve helped me be a

meet new people, make new friends, and

go out and do it.

little more social with people just because

socialize.

Q: How do you think those challenges have

I’m around guys all the time. Bonding with teammates and stuff.

Trey Lewis ‘23 will not be done with

helped you grow as a person?

basketball after this year. Yet another player

A: No matter how bad you don’t want to do

Molly Trachta ‘23 plays volleyball, and soccer

looking to rebound after a loss in the state

something, you know it’s gonna help you in

in the off-season. Trachta played varsity as

championship, Lewis and his team are

the future. It’s the long run. You don’t feel

a freshman, and has been a key player for

currently trying to navigate through the

like doing it that day, but that’s gonna help

Johnston for all three of her seasons. Trachta

start of his senior season. Lewis talks about

you over the long run.

explains the understated emotional and

preparation and practice habits, as well as

mental aspect of athletics.

future plans and what basketball means to

Q: You said you want to do [basketball] in

him.

your future, is there a balance in your plans

Q: How big of a role do you think sports

for the future or are you all-in?

have had in your life?

Q: Do you think that’s had an effect on the

A: I’m all in for basketball. If I didn’t achieve

A: Sports have had a huge role in my life,

person you are now?

my goal of making it to the NBA, another

they’ve kind of consumed my life almost.

A: Yeah, I think I’ve built a lot of character

thing I would want to do is commentary

They’ve taught me a lot about friendships

through the sports I’ve played. Growing up

within basketball. You see the dudes on First

and how to develop relationships and have

in a sports family, both my parents played

Take and all that, the sports analysts.

just helped with overall mental growth too.

basketball and they’ve helped turn me into

Q: When you say consumed, that almost has

the person I am today through growing up

Q: Do you think it would be fair to say that

a negative connotation, do you think there’s

around sports.

sports are everything for you?

A: Sports are definitely almost everything

been any bad with all that?

A: I don’t think it’s necessarily bad, just

Q: How big of a role do you think sports

for me. Obviously family, friends, and my

sometimes it’s a lot. It’s a lot of practice, a

have in your life?

faith in God comes first, but then sports.

lot of hours, a lot of work. A lot of losses and

A: I think sports have a really big role in

heartbreak too is also incorporated into that.

my life because that’s what I want to do. I’ve received a couple of college scholarships

Q: Can you speak more to that? What are

to play basketball after high school at the

some ways sports have challenged you?

college level. Sports have been almost my

A: For example, in our state game against

entire life. I put a lot of time and effort into

Liberty for the quarterfinals, we won the first

it and I’m very passionate about it.

set and then lost the next two. Going into the fourth there was a lack of confidence in our

Q: Do you think sports have challenged you?

team. It’s hard to regain momentum and get

A: Sports have definitely challenged me for

12 | Arts & Entertainment

A Tribute to Those We Admire Words & Layout | Noah Gilbert

E

veryone has a person who made an impact on their life. This person may be a family member, a friend, or even a public figure. This person can affect everyday decisions and attitudes towards other individuals or situations.

This is a tribute to the people who help us thrive and succeed in our everyday lives. Through words of encouragement or their courageous actions, we acknowledge and show

gratitude for all they do and how they affect us.

Seeing who people admire and why is one of the most effective ways to get to know a person. It shows what they value, how they view the world, and who they want to be.

Take a moment and acknowledge the people you admire. Show your appreciation and think about how they affect your everyday life.

Christopher Siewert, Science Teacher

“I would say, and I just thought about this, I admire my two sisters. They are strong females and are very successful in their careers and work hard all the way through their careers. And when you talk to them, they also care about the people they work with and bring them along the way.”

Olivia Inman, Senior “I really admire my dad. My dad and I have always been really close. I think he’s a hard worker, and I think he’s a really good person, and he pushes me to be a good person too. He usually makes it [her days] better. He’s really funny so he usually makes me laugh at some point in a day, and he also supports me in my training and school work.”

Nang Aung, Junior

“I’d say my dad because our family had a tough time this year because my mom was sick. They [her parents] mostly spent time at the Iowa City hospital, but my dad managed to take care of my mom on the other hand. He would come over every weekend to check up on me and my sister.”

Neville Mulamba, Sophomore

“I admire my mom because she has been standing with me in difficult times, and, you know, times when I was really down and sick, she was there while my dad was not even in town. She deserves my admiration. She always gives me good tips of life and helps me work on my dreams and pushes me to do what I really like. That kind of stuff makes me keep going and not give up.”

14 | Commentary

Seasons Drift, Moods Shift Words | Allison Christensen Layout | Van Proctor

every minute because you are so immensely

Proudfoot affirms this ‘trend’ to be harmful.

depressed there is nothing else you can

“Self diagnosing just really puts a bad rap on

think about. It’s not just being sad. Sad and

people that do have depression and makes it

depressed are worlds apart.”

a lot harder for them to get help.”

The discussion surrounding mental health

While lots of people have no issue discussing

has changed drastically in the past couple of

their mental health, there are still those who

years. A once hushed topic with countless

struggle to ask for help when they need it.

stigmas is now being normalized throughout

“I feel like men especially have a harder

society, resulting in a growing movement

time talking about it, there’s a sense of

hoping to shed light on the importance of mental health.

But with a more accepting community, many people carelessly throw around official mental illness terms any time they start feeling nervous or sad.

Nguyen and Proudfoot both find society’s outlook on mental health damaging to those with actual diagnosed mental illnesses. “I think we do talk about our mental health,

W

but I think a lot of people have misused

e’ve reached the point in the

changes with the weather. “Once it gets

health. Atlas Nguyen ‘24 describes one way he

year where trees have become

colder, oftentimes it’s really cloudy, and gray

manages his diagnosed clinical depression.

barren with the exception of

and awful and disgusting outside. All I want

“I think a lot of people, and not just me, use

a few leafy stragglers that cling onto the

to do is come home from school and sit under

sleep as a coping mechanism. Sleep is kind

branches. The pumpkin spice latte has lost

a bunch of blankets and read a book, watch

of like a time machine and you can just skip

all its spice, and people refuse to break out

Netflix, or Facetime my friends.”

through the day when you’re not feeling it.”

their hats and mittens - regardless if they

Eswar continued, “I can’t do any of that

Nguyen is not alone. Hillside reported that

had to scrape their car from a morning frost.

because I have piles of homework and then

on average those with diagnosed SAD sleep

Many look disparagingly out their windows

I just have no motivation to do any of it, so

2.5 hours more than in the summer months,

and mutter about how they just ‘can’t believe

then I just end up procrastinating and then I

and those with the winter blues sleep 1.7

it’s dark by 5.’ As the season drifts from picked

don’t get things turned in.”

hours more.

over pumpkin patches to the blustery winter,

Psychology teacher Jesse Dowell notes

According to the American Psychiatric

many may notice a decline in their mental

several reasons for declining mental health

Association, SAD is more severe than the

health. If this applies to you, chances are

in colder months. “Just the actual lack of

regular winter blues, with intense depressive

plenty of JHS staff and students are in the

sunlight can lead to depression. We do

symptoms that can interfere with daily

same boat.

get vitamin D from the sun, and vitamin

functioning. Some symptoms include appetite

D deficiencies can lead to depression-like

changes, oversleeping and frequent feelings

symptoms.”

of guilt and worthlessness. “SAD can be

Both students and teachers alike find themselves losing motivation to complete quality work or to go to extracurricular

Dowell also mentions how work tends

effectively treated in several ways, including

activities as the winter approaches. Some

to pile up this time of year, leaving many

light therapy, antidepressant medications,

may be clinically diagnosed with Seasonal

people feeling burnt out and in need of a

talk therapy or some combination of these.”

Affective Disorder (SAD) while others may

break. “When you add that in with the lack

Sierra Proudfoot ‘23 has diagnosed clinical

just be experiencing the more common

of sunlight, being less active and sitting in

depression, and differentiates SAD from

winter blues. Unlike SAD, the winter blues

desks and chairs as opposed to being outside

the winter blues. “I think everybody’s

will usually come and go in waves with the

in the summer, it all kinda contributes to

mood changes when the seasons change,

most intense depressive episodes occurring

depression,” Dowell said.

it’s just a natural process. But with seasonal

during stressful events.

Akshara Eswar ‘24 finds that her attitude

There are many different coping mechanisms used to boost one’s mental

affectiveness disorder, it’s different.”

Proudfoot added, “It’s everyday, struggling,

mental health and just start thinking of it as a trend, using actual mental health words to their convenience even though they actually

“All year round I’m still depressed, but when it starts getting colder, and it starts getting darker sooner in the day...I start getting more sad.”

-Sierra Proudfoot ‘23

vulnerability to opening up and letting people know that you’re not doing okay,” Dowell said.

According to Mental Health America, “Men are much more likely to accept help when there is a chance for reciprocity – that is, when they perceive an opportunity to help the other person in return. This wards off the feeling of “weakness” that is often associated with asking for help.”

Regardless of who you are, it’s okay to ask for help. It takes more strength to recognize you’re struggling than continuing to silently suffer.

might not be feeling that way,” said Nguyen.

Our mental health is more fragile in the

“I think that the over exaggeration of

winter months, like an icicle on the brink

mental health has definitely brought those

of shattering into a million pieces. But in

who do have mental health down in a sense,

time, the sun will return and melt the slushy

and I think that needs to change for how we

brown snow off the sidewalks, revealing

view mental health, and just be more aware

the promising signs of spring. But in the

of how we use words like anxiety, depression,

meantime, take it day by day and be gracious

or OCD. Cause some people are like ‘I’m so

with yourself and others, because we’re all

OCD,’ but they’re really just perfectionists

fighting our own battles, even if it’s hard to

which is completely different.”

tell behind all of our warm winter layers.

16 | Feature

Trombones and Tech

T

he high school has more than 1,800

school district, saying, “I fully intended to be

students, and each student has

a professional musician.”

Words | Tatum Bremner Layout | John Kirkpatrick, Tatum Bremner, and Audrey Allen

Despite this dream, Kowalsky returned to his

hope in finding it. After paying a visit to iPad

a school iPad. With this privilege comes, of

high school district of Urbandale to work in

HQ and consulting with Mr. Kowalsky, the

course, technological difficulties. Combating

the technology department after graduating

iPad was found in no time. Nate stated his

these issues is our superhero, Mr. Brandon

college, and then moved to the Johnston

appreciation in fewer words than Tallman

Kowalsky.

district in January of 2021. Even though music

saying, “He, like, helped me track it.”

Mr. Kowalsky works with the district as a

is not Kowalsky’s current career, he still

As expected, while working in iPad HQ, Mr.

Technology Specialist and tackles many

finds joy playing the trombone frequently.

Kowalsky has students come in with broken

technological issues on a day-to-day basis.

Recently, Kowalsky played trombone in the

screens. This is a regular occurrence and a

Although a study done by Asurion found

Des Moines Playhouse orchestra pit for the

very easy fix. He speaks on the matter saying,

that 80% of Americans feel frustration with

2021 production of “Cabaret”.

“If someone has a broken screen, they come

thinks of these issues as fun, unique challenges. He often has students or staff request help on issues he’s never seen, and this requires him to take a new approach and try something he has never done before.

Kowalsky ’s Choices Sweet

Sour

Horror Comedy

Night

Day

Dogs

Hulu

Cats

Netflix

Classic Modern

Kowalsky. Nate lost his iPad, and had lost

the privilege of having access to

technology on a day-to-day basis, Kowalsky

Mr. Brandon Kowalsky fixes problems one iPad at a time

Nate Kelly ‘24 also needed help from

When this happened recently, he described it with enthusiasm, stating, “I’d never done that before, that was fun.” This attitude changes a dreaded trip to iPad HQ into a positive experience.

Although Kowalsky seems like Einstein

see me. I’ll move their data off their iPad to a

“I’d never done that before, that was fun.”

- Mr. Brandon Kowalsky

new one, and then, as far as the actual billing goes, I’ll just send them to accounting.”

Working in a building on a daily basis that has nearly two-thousand teenagers, all with district provided technology, is a hard job. Mr. Kowalsky thinks of each issue he’s presented with in a positive, matter-of-fact type of way and describes his job saying, “Some of it’s easy, some of it’s not.”

Sure, working in iPad HQ requires excellent technology skills. However, more so, it

to all of us non-tech-savvy individuals, he

Students know Mr. Kowalsky as our tech

requires a type of enthusiastic mindset that

hasn’t always wanted to go into this field. Mr.

guy, who helps us with an array of seemingly

few have. No matter how complex the issue,

Kowalsky played the trombone throughout

unsolvable technology issues. Owen Tallman

Kowalsky sees the beauty in each day being

high school and even graduated from Iowa

‘24 recently had an issue where he was unable

unique stating, “Everyday is a little different.”

State with a music degree. In addition,

to connect to the building’s WiFi and also to

All of us, despite what profession we plan on

Kowalsky played trombone in the Iowa State

any of the Moodle pages. He received help

going into, can learn from Mr. Kowalsky and

orchestra during his sophomore and junior

from Mr. Kowalsky and stated his gratitude,

how he views individual challenges that he

years.

saying, “I tried for a while, and then they said

must combat daily. Next time you experience

After joining the ISU orchestra, Kowalsky

I should go down to iPad HQ, and Kowalsky

an issue that seems unsolvable, take a deep

had a new outlook on his post-college

helped me out. It was pretty cool. He got it

breath and shift your mindset to one that

lifestyle. He did not plan on working in a

figured out really fast.”

views problems as a fun challenge.

18 | Feature

1 in 1800

From sophomores to seniors, one student was randomly chosen to tell their story.

Words & Photos | Maida Jusufovic Layout | Catherine Reiher Layout Assistants | Marley Jenkins, Sabrina McGuire

F

or Claire Moorman ‘24, the sibling

that’s when we started going into our own

but he used to do football and basketball. Joel

experience looks a bit different from

classes and being separated from each other

is into video games and stuff like that,” said

the majority of people. Moorman is a

and being like ‘I can have these hobbies that

Moorman.

triplet, alongside brothers Joel Moorman ‘24

they don’t have to have,” said Moorman.

Though Moorman may not share similar

Childhood pictures of Claire and her brothers. Photos are courtesy of Cary Moorman.

said Moorman.

home improvement get a blue ribbon, and

children. “I’m doing all the FCS kids classes

and Zach Moorman ‘24. “We would always be

Despite their closeness, the only thing that

interests with her brothers, she does share

For 4-H, Moorman makes arts and crafts

it went to the 4-H building. I also made

right now to see if it’s something I want,”

in a group... I grew up with two best friends

Moorman has in common with her brothers

interests with other members of her family.

projects, which then go through a judging

homemade dog treats which got a red

said Moorman.

because they were always there for me,” said

“I got into sewing because my grandma

process. “You bring projects you make to the

ribbon,” said Moorman.

Moorman.

is an amazing seamstress. She wanted to

county fair and they get judged. I’ve done the

Alongside arts and crafts, Moorman takes

English. “Right now, English is my favorite

teach someone and I wanted to learn,” said

tree skirt for that one,” said Moorman. She’s

an interest in baking. “I got into baking just

subject. I like reading and doing all that

Moorman.

also made homemade dog treats, license

because it seemed like fun and I tried it out

stuff, so being able to do that in class is

plate hangings, and play settings.

and I liked it so I kept doing it,” said Moorman.

fun,” said Moorman. She’s also involved in

When it comes to triplets, the similarities come to mind before the differences do.

In school, Moorman takes a liking to

Moorman’s mom played on the stereotype

Moorman and her grandma meet over

of similarities by dressing Moorman and

the summers, and whenever else they can,

Even as a newcomer to 4-H, Moorman

The FCS electives at the high school are

student council and band, where she plays

to sew together. “Each time we meet, we

was recognized for her creative work. “Two

helping Moorman explore her hobbies and

the clarinet. “I love playing the clarinet. It’s

make something different... I bond with my

years ago, I had a place setting go to the 4-H

interests. “I’m doing Culinary next semester,

pretty easy to march with and it’s pretty

grandma a lot through it,” said Moorman.

building, and that was my first year in 4-H,”

which I’ve been wanting to do for a while now

easy to play,” said Moorman.

They’ve previously made clothing for a doll,

said Moorman.

so I hope I like it,” said Moorman.

her brothers in the same clothing when they were kids. “My mom would have my brothers wear matching clothes, and I would wear something else that compliments their colors or something,” said Moorman.

Since birth, Moorman and her brothers

“I grew up with two best friends because they were always

have had a special bond, and have always

in the night, we would somehow all get into one person’s crib… We would all wanna be

This sewing tradition has strengthened the bond between Moorman and her grandma.

there for me.”

been extremely close. “When we were babies, our mom would leave us all in our cribs and

a tree skirt, aprons, and more.

More of her projects have been awarded

Other FCS electives are also helping

with ribbons as years passed “At the county

Moorman decide her future, as she explores

isn’t defined by just being a triplet. “I’m my

fair this year, I had a license plate sign for

the idea of working in a field that involves

own person too, but yeah, there’s them.”

“I’ve gotten to get to know my grandma

-Claire Moorman ’24

by each other a lot,” said Moorman.

more, because I never really saw her too often. I grew my relationship with her a lot,” said Moorman.

Moorman predicts that this sewing tradition

The inseparable bond between Moorman

will continue for years, so the project

and her brothers was only reinforced as they

possibilities are endless. “I definitely think

grew older. “We always did things as a

we’ll keep doing it. I like it a lot and it’s a

group… My mom had a wagon that all 3

is their birthday. “We’re so different. You

really good life skill to have,” said Moorman.

of us would sit in and that’s how we went

couldn’t tell we were siblings if you just

Moorman is also involved in 4-H, which

places,” said Moorman.

looked at our personalities,” said Moorman.

is a youth development organization where

While

art,

kids and teens complete hands-on learning

a more mature age, their parents worked to

crafting, and baking, her brothers have

projects in specific areas to better themselves

make sure that they felt differentiated from

interests that are completely different from

and their community. “It’s kinda like scouts

one another. “2nd grade is when I started

her own, and from each other’s. “Zach is

but you don’t go on campouts and you do

feeling most different from them because

interested in sports. He’s doing baseball now,

community service projects. It’s pretty fun,”

When Moorman and her brothers reached

Through all these avenues, Claire Moorman has crafted her identity, and she

Moorman’s

hobbies

include

Claire Moorman

20 | Editorial

Villainization of social Media 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. The aproval vote was 8-0 Layout | Noah Gilbert

S

ocial media is a controversial topic in today’s society. Generation Z is the first

generation to grow up with it. For most of us checking social media is as instinctive as tying a shoe, maybe easier. A study from the Pew Research Center found that 98% of Americans regularly use social media. It has been a part of our lives since elementary or middle school, almost becoming a necessity in our society.

The world, however, continues to question whether or not social media positively contributes to our lives. For those of us participating in the social media community, we understand that it can’t be put into a category of good or evil.

Social media is a tool that was designed to be used how the user chooses. “I don’t think social media is something that’s all bad or all good,” says business teacher Tim Brickley.

“I can learn from it, and teach students how businesses can interact with their customers, and how musicians can interact with their fans. Instead of having a third person, whether that’s the media, I think social media has allowed people to interact with each other in a new way.”

Social media has evolved into a new form of communication we’ve never seen before. It’s direct, and you can reach out to whoever and receive an instant response. It’s allowing us to share our ideas in an immediate way.

Brickley continues on to express the advantages of fast communication. “You could tweet at somebody or you could make a connection to somebody that inspires you.

You could reach out to one of those travel bloggers or fitness creators and say, ‘Hey I find this really intriguing, tell me about this’,” said Brickley. “And they might personally get

because of that. They don’t necessarily know what they’re hating. That’s what’s frustrating to me. It’s like you didn’t grow up in a back to you. But with social media, Youtube

generation where you had social media. It’s

for example, I see so many cool things that

okay to see the issues in it, but they should

I never would have seen before. I wouldn’t

be giving us grace. This is our generation

have that concept in my head, I can ride my

and this is how we communicate. Obviously,

bike across Colorado or whatever interests

the negative impacts of social media are very

me. ‘Cause there’s positives that way for

seen but it’s impactful for a reason. As much

students, they can see things and be inspired

hate as it gets, there’s also some positive

by things.”

attributes to it.”

Our goal on social media should be to

Social media is not one or the other. It can’t

share our ideas and encourage other people.

be defined as right or wrong. We all use it in

The meaning of social media can be different

such different ways, and we should continue

to every individual. That’s why we keep it

to search for new passions and hobbies on the

around, to share and encounter new ideas.

internet.

“I feel like social media takes up a lot of

Maren continues by saying, “Also TikTok

time and even me not having TikTok, it still

is fun because you get to do different things,

takes up a lot of time like when I’m with friends,” said Ella O’Brien ‘24. “It’s just a constant topic and it’s a lot of time that you could be spending doing other stuff.” We’ve all experienced the time suck, the hours-long endless scroll of content. Spending a lot of time on social media can be draining if we don’t manage our usage.

There are many ways to compare yourself to other people, but social media shouldn’t make you feel worse about yourself. On Instagram for example, it is easy to cross the line between browsing

Brickley_Tim

“I don’t think social media is something that’s all bad or all good.”

and stalking due to the plethora of constant content.

try different recipes, give you different ideas,

In the end, it is not healthy

and it’s just a form of entertainment. At the

to envy people on the internet.

end of the day, it’s healthy in a nutshell. I

The love for social media

think it’s fun. I keep doing it cause I enjoy

comes because it provides

seeing people interact with @Dudewithsign.

that window that allows

Johnston. I keep doing it because I find

us to see into our peers’

enjoyment in interacting with other people.”

lives. We just as easily

Social media is an effective way to

forget that our peers

communicate with the outside world. A place

are

their

where people can be inspired by other people

accounts just as we do. We

and share their stories to learn about the

can portray ourselves however

world around us. Social media opens doors to

cultivating

we want, even if it’s unrealistic.

“I think it gets too much hate for the

creative outlets past generations did not have access to.

wrong reasons,” said Maren Rasmussen ‘22. “I

We can’t control the negative aspects of

think that’s what’s frustrating to the younger

social media, but we can control how it

generations when [older generations] don’t

affects us by learning to take advantage of its

understand [social media], so they just hate it

positive attributes.

22 | Arts & Entertainment

x

Words & Layout | Sabrina McGuire

Johnston Jams

shoes.of.jhs.com/

Shoes of JHS Home

Men

Women

Kids

Accessories

cool shoes|

These Shoes Were Made For Walking The people and their shoes.

Will Anderson ( 2022 )

Aarushi Gupta ( 2023 )

Will Anderson ‘22 has a pair of Nike Blazer Mid ‘77 ‘Indigo’ Sneakers. “I kind of impulse bought these,” Anderson said. “I bought them because they look interesting and I thought it was funny that I’m color blind and they’re called Indigos but I can’t see the color purple.” The shoes have an embroidered Indigofera Tinctoria, and have the scientific name, part of use and habitat printed on the heel. Anderson had a few reasons for buying the shoes. “Bre [Anderson’s girlfriend] thought they were cool,” Anderson said. “They’re made of sustainable materials so that was cool. And they were only like a hundred bucks with my first responder discount.”

Aarushi Gupta ‘23 wears Vans Pro version. “I bought the Pro versions because I skateboard and my first pair got ripped up really bad, really quick,” Gupta said. “It’s been two years now and they’re absolutely, completely ripped up.” Gupta’s Vans have various holes and damage from her skateboarding. “Tears. There’s a whole hole. This is so burnt, I burnt it down from skateboarding.”

Gupta still has something special about her shoes.

“One day I got really bored of the lacing pattern because they’re high tops so they take forever to lace and unlace,” Gupta said. “I searched up ways to lace them and I found this cool star thing on a website, so I put those on.” Gupta has a love-hate relationship with her shoes, stating that, “Satan himself wouldn’t wear these shoes.”

Kidan Girma ( 2022 )

Matteo Lokmic ( 2023 )

Kidan Girma ‘22 has a pair of Drillmasters shoes from her time in marching band. Uniquely, Girma’s shoes are painted a gold color for marching band. “We did paint them before our senior night show. It was a senior activity,” Girma said. “These are the shoes I’ve had since sophomore year,” Girma said. “They’ve been here for three years, three seasons of marching band.”

The pair of shoes are sentimental to Girma, and carry a significant meaning. “It’s really cool that they lasted this long and they are kind of a symbol of our time here,” Girma said. “The fact that they’ve always been here since day one. I’ve never changed them.”

Matteo Lokmic ‘23 has Dr. Martens shoes. The shoes were bought at the Mall of America. “I’ve actually had my eye on those shoes for a literal, I think an entire year,” Lokmic said. “I drew sketches of those shoes and outfit ideas I had. And then when I saw them at the mall I was like, ‘this is destiny, I have to get it’.” The idea of the shoes originated from an art class. “[The teacher] told us to sketch our shoes...I went online...and sketched them...They are sort of my going out shoes...Only on special occasions. I wear them when I’m going out with friends and stuff.” The Dr. Martens hold are special to Lokmic. “It’s kind of been in the making for a long time...They are near and dear to my heart.”

Benjamin Poe ( 2024 ) Benjamin Poe ‘24 wears Vans as well. “They are high tops and they have a cool design on each side,” Poe said. The shoes are black hightops, with colorful embroidery on each side with the company’s slogan, ‘Off The Wall’. Poe shows his unique identity in his Vans. “Because they are kind of vibrant and they help me express myself a little bit,” Poe said. It is important to Poe to have meaningful shoes. Because of the meaning of the shoes to Poe, he wears them often. “I wear them probably most weeks, probably three out of five days at least,” Poe said.

Alise Grady ( 2024 ) Alise Grady ‘24 wears a pair of very popular shoes.

“They are Nike Air Force 1s,” Grady said. Grady’s shoes are completely white leather that were made for durability. Grady doesn’t wear the Air Force 1s everyday. “Not everyday,” Grady said.

“Probably, half the week.” Grady chose to buy the shoes because, “Everyone has them.”

Periods - Not the Punctuation Mark!

Words | Abigail Wharton

W

hat do you think of when you hear the word ‘period?’ Zoey Buchan ‘22 says, “Umm the punctuation? Just kidding. I don’t know, once a month, time of the month.” Similarly, Alex Wear ‘23 states, “I think of punctuation.” All humor aside, menstruation carries a stigma that prevents people from having conversations about periods. Nancy Guah ‘23 addresses the simpler side of the stigma saying, “If a bloodstain comes, you don’t talk about it.” Laura Thangi ‘24, a period advocate, describes the general population saying, “They’re still afraid to be talking about it.” So let’s talk about it.

Scan here to read the whole article

“Girls having periods, like a natural thing that girls experience.”

-Heidi Nimmo ‘23

“A lot of the male teachers, they’re always like, ‘can you wait a little bit?’ And it’s like, ‘not really.’”

-Laura Thangi ‘25

“I feel a little awkward trying to hide it [a tampon] when I walk out the door.”

-Zoey Buchan ‘22