November 2008

BLACKWHITE the black and white . october 2008 . volume 17 issue 10 . 515278044 . 96501 NW 62nd ave . johnston . iowa

one copy free

WHERE’S THE FOOD AT? Editorial page 6

Getting Prepared:

Your guide to getting into college page 9-10

Do you dare to dream? page 20

How to get your U.S. Citizenship

Reggie’s Sleepout brings students together page 5

The Dungeon: Dance, Dance page 17

page 14

page by Dwight Lykins

clarification

In the article “Police waste gas, resources, and our money” by staff writer Philip Mortens, the Black and White used a confusing calculation. Officer Kenny Agan said that the police fuel budget for 2008 was $37,000. However, the police force went over the budget by $5,000, making the total $24,000.

news

in this issue

Breakfast 3 { Senior “Reading the Screen” 4 { Election reactions Sleep Out 5 { Reggie New Goodwill

editorial

6 { The New Green

opinion

7 { Hu’s Happenin’s choices 8 { Healthy SAIL retreat

No Shave November

4

BLACK&WHITE the

STAFF 2008-2009

Stephanie Ivankovich

Kallen Kramer

Lauren Gehrke

Caroline Byrd

Haley Johnson

Julia Manning

Jeremy Mullen

Shawna Polen

Kiera Morrill

news editor

opinion editor managing editor

double truck editor backpage editor review editor

feature editor sports editor photo editor

Brittany Deal

editor in chief STAFF WRITERS Catherine Caracci, Nels Engblom, Jonathan Houp, Kevin Hu, Kelsey Kruse, Amy Lovejoy, Dwight Lykins, Kelly McGowan, Scott Monroe, Philip Mortens, Chelsea Nelson, Eric Oatts, Ben Vander Ploeg, Brennan Winget The Black and White title does not merely refer to the ink of our paper, but to the facts that we report. Our staff strives to report information to the student body in black and white.

14 { U.S. Citizenship 101 15 { Senior Pilot Profile Camaro Revamped 16{ ELP Opportunities

dungeon 18{ 19 {

doubletruck

15

feature

sports

3OH!3 Pumpkin Power Miniature Reviews

10 { Your College 11 planning guide.

12 { The Crucible 13 { Affordable meals

17{ Dance

review 9{

entertainment Witness Winter

9

Turkey Cup Fall Roundup Freshman Iceskater Officials’ at Fault?

backpage

20 { Do You Dream?

16 what we’re about

The Black and White is a publication produced solely by the newspaper staff. Its goal is to inform, enlighten and entertain the Johnston students, faculty and community. It is an open forum. In accordance with Iowa law, students assign and edit material. Publications are released monthly during the school year.

The paper will print nothing libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. The law does not require parental permission to use student quotes. Ethically, we believe students can speak for themselves.

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

Letters to the editor must be signed. Grammatical and spelling errors may be corrected and length edited. Like all material, letters may not be libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. Bring letters to room 413 within one week after publication to be considered for the next issue.

The Black and White strives to report accurate and timely information. If you believe that an error has been printed, please contact the Editor at bblosee@gmail.com or contact the school via phone at 515278-0449.

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

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NEWS

PAGE

news briefs

The board above displays all the money and shoes donated to the fund-raiser.

Shoe of hope Shoe of Hope was this year’s annual fundraiser of Advanced Placement World History.

This year they raised $2,100 and 30 pairs of shoes. History teacher Jason Jauron considered the fund-raiser a success.

“We always do better than I think,” Jauron said.

This will give 105 pairs of shoes to each of the four selected nations.

This year’s Shoe of Hope drive started by Samaritans Feet, an international organization dedicated to equipping impoverished children with shoes. They focus on this because of the diseases contracted by cuts in the feet caused by the hard labor of third world countries.

Jauron selected the Shoe of Hope drive after last years class voted for it. The fundraiser was considered a success, but Jauron would like to see competition in other schools. He suggest a competition in where the losing social studies teachers would wear the winners team colors.

Johnston is currently the only metro school with a fund-raiser for underprivileged kids around the world.

08

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New breakfast location Philip Mortens staff writer

The 2008-2009 Junior/Senior Board made the decision to change the location of the senior breakfast. The breakfast has previously been help at the Holiday Inn and the Polk County Convention Center.

Because the class of ’09 has grown out of these places, it was scheduled to be heldin the high school’s new cafeteria.

In effort to keep costs down and to encourage more participation from seniors, the board decided to have the food catered by the Johnston Nutrition Department.

“The school is (catering) it. We looked at a couple of other places but cost was a major factor,” English teacher Jill Versteeg said. “(Bruce) Hukee, (Jacqueline) Sapp and myself sat down to come up with ideas and then brought them to the Junior/Senior Board, like switching it to just an assembly or not having breakfast.”

Another one of the main factors for the change was the variability of the number of seniors that would potentially show, and that it was more than the capacity of the old sites for the breakfast.

So even though all of the 420 seniors in the class of 2009 wouldn’t attend, the board still had to prepare for them as if they would.

“It was a lot of fun. We had breakfast in the cafeteria, and then we went to the auditorium and listened to a couple of speakers.

And after that they showed the senior slide show,” Senior Kaeleigh Gebard said. “The food tasted like school food, it was good but you could tell it wasn’t catered.”

Junior Micheal Carlson, a member of the Junior/Senior Board, played an active part

Mindy Dickerson/ Dragon

Senior girls enjoy themselves at the senior breakfast by having a table thumb-war. The seniors got to spend the morning together eating breakfast before a group assembly where they got to view the senior slideshow. in the setting up of the breakfast.

“I set up stuff in the cafeteria, decorations in the morning, and the slideshow stuff afterwards.” Carlson said. The board was pleased with the overall outcome of the day.

“Yeah, it seemed to go really well, the actual breakfast went well, the food wasn’t

Reading the Screen added to meet Iowa Core Curriculum for English Ben Vander Ploeg staff writer

Pictured above is a portion of the items collected by students.

Trick or treat for canned goods Begger’s night was different for some students. Student council organized the event. of trick-or-treating for canned goods.

Students went neighborhoods looking for canned goods instead of candy, in effort to fill the Johnston/Urbandale food pantry.

Junior Carly O’Keefe was the head of the committee that organized the event. “We thought it would be a fun way for everyone to participate in trick-or-treat as well as helping out those in need,” O’Keefe said.

News briefs and photos compiled by Jon Houp

that bad and the slide show went smoothly, and I heard compared to previous years, it was a lot more organized.” Carlson said.

Carlson plans on continuing his time on the board next year as a senior.

“Once you’re on it as a junior, you get to stay on for next year and help choose who gets to be part of it next year.”

New English classes will be added to the curriculum. One of them, called Reading the Screen, is a film and literature class. According to the curriculum outline for the class, the main goal is to “build a critical vocabulary that will allow us to approach movies as artistic texts.”

The new English classes have been added to meet the requirements of the Iowa Core Curriculum.

“We’ve been rewriting our standards and benchmarks and alligning those to the ICC,” English teacher Sarah Wessling said.

According to the Iowa Department of Iowa Educaton’s website “the vision for the Iowa Core Curriculum is to ensure the success of each and every student by providing a world-class curriculum.” The new English curriculum will do this.

Photo Illustration by Kierra Morrill

“This is is the biggest shift that has happened in the English curriculum in my 10 years here,” English teacher Ed Walker said.

Walker said that it will be very similar to your normal English class in that there will be projects and analytical papers.

“It’s just that our subject will be visual rather than on the printed page,” Walker said.

Walker said that young people do not have the right vocabulary to approach a film.

They know how to approach a short story using such vocabulary as character, metaphor, simile, etc. They just do not know the elements of movies.

Most kids do not normally think too much into what they’re watching.

“I just sit down and watch it,” sophomore Jordan Zenor said.

Zenor only thinks about the movie if it is one that causes him to think, “like a Déjà vu type of movie when you do not know what’s going on.”

Sophomore Luke Bormann agrees with Zenor.

“I just watch (movies) for fun,” Bormann said. “I just watch it while the movies going on, and think about it afterwards.”

Overall, Walker said it should be a fun class. “I hope that students will see a lot of clips and full length movies that they maybe wouldn’t watch otherwise.”

NEWS

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Election stirs mixed reactions Eric Oatts

staff writer

Eric Oatts/BW

Miles Summa-Republican

“Congrats liberal friends! I still love u guys!” senior Miles Summa said in a mass message via text to all of his democratic, “Pro-bama” friends on Nov. 4. Senator John McCain had just conceded, and Barack Obama had been elected to be the 44th President of the United States of America, being the first African American to do so. History was made.

Summa felt disappointed by the results, but still hopeful. Throughout the year, Summa advocated for John McCain and the Republican party, and tried to influence his friends to follow him.

“I would say I’m pretty Republican, I support the party,” Summa said. “This year I was not a big fan of the (presidential) candidate, but I still supported him. When people would bring up the election and Obama, I would try to come back and ask questions and explain what McCain was about. It often ended in a debate. I don’t agree for Obama’s plan for the inheritance tax and the capital gain tax. I just have a bad feeling with his associations and stuff, and I don’t agree with his view on abortion and how he has voted in the past.”

Coming from a strong Christian background, Summa sided with the Republican party because of their morals and Christian beliefs. During the November Fellow Christian Athletes meeting, which was hosted at the Summa household, a guest speaker asked students what they thought were obstacles that stood in their way for being strong Christians; after an awkward silence lasting a few moments Summa ‘broke the ice’ by answering, “Liberals.”

Unlike Summa, junior Joe Payne disagreed with members of his family about the election. Payne’s father is a supporter of John McCain and the Republican party, while his mother is a Democrat and supported Barack Obama. Payne campaigned for Obama during the election by volunteering.

“Whenever I was younger, (my mom) would have me stay up for elections until like three or four,” Payne said. “My dad didn’t like that too much. My mom grew up in a family of 12 and they weren’t very rich. My dad has been well off. I really like that (Obama will) bring both sides together, starting with his cabinet, to make more balanced decisions.”

When Obama begins his term in January, he will first inherent many social problems that need to be dealt with: the educational system, access to health insurance/universal health care, illegal immigration, incarceration and crime, sexuality issues (such as abortion, gay rights and gay marriage), gun control and gun rights, global warming, energy conservation, war in the middle east, drugs (legalization of certain recreational drugs), stem cell research, poverty and homelessness, and racism.

Seniors at the high school in government class participated in a survey to see who they would elect as president. Obama won in a landslide and the democratic party dominated the mock election in general. Students at Summit Middle School also participated in their own mock election survey. Obama won that as well.

Barack Obama won the election for president with both the amount of popular votes and the amount of electoral votes, earning approximately 66,602,400 votes (53%) and 364 electoral votes, to which Senator McCain earned 58,164,693 votes (46%) and 163 electoral votes. Obama’s win began to become clear after he won the “swing states” of Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida and Ohio, along with winning largely populated states New York and California.

Originally, exit-polls showed that Barack Obama was ahead, but the results of the exit polls were widely ignored. In 2004, exit-polls had shown that the Democratic candidate, John Kerry, had won the election, but in reality, Republican George W.. Bush ended up actually being re-elected. Sceptical beliefs were banished when the actual votes counted showed Obama dominating. Within a couple of hours, Senator John McCain conceded, speaking to his supporters and thanking them, while also congratulating his opponent on his historic victory. McCain said in his concession speech, “A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.”

A record high amount of people voted this year, and for a percentage of registered voters that actually voted, this year yielded the third highest amount out of any election in U.S. history. Besides the fact that a Democrat was elected to the White House, Democrats also filled the majority in Congress. In the House of Representatives, Democrats won approximately 255 seats to the 175 seats that Republicans won, and in Senate Democrats now hold a total of 57 seats, and Republicans, a total of 40 seats.

Many people like Payne’s father and Summa, have their doubts about having an dominent Democratic government. Payne says his father isn’t too extremely upset about the election results. As for Summa, as far as his thoughts on the new leader, he says, “I’ll try to support our new president because I’m not like a racist Republican or anything, and I hope and pray that he will be a good leader.”

Eric Oatts/BW

Joe Payne-Democratic

NEWS

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Reggie’s creates local awareness; fun Lauren Gehrke feature editor

Fourteen junior boys ventured out into the 28° weather for the third annual Reggie’s Sleep Out. Reggie Kelsey was a boy that grew up in the Des Moines foster care system. He was kicked out of his foster home and moved from shelter to shelter, occasionally sleeping outside. Reggie had a brain like a third grader and he suffered from hallucinations and depression. In 2001, three and a half months after moving out of the foster system, he was found dead in the Des Moines River. Reggie’s Sleep Out are in Reggie’s honor to try and prevent a similar event from happening again.

“It’s a fun event and a good way to get people in Des Moines aware of the homelessness here,” junior Ryan Francois said. “Iowa is one the states with the highest amount of homeless youth. Twelve hundred people sleep outside, in Des Moines, in December.”

Reggie’s Sleep Out is an event that takes place at the Drake Stadium. People all over gather and build shelters and collect food in honor of Reggie. Activities, music, games, and a design contest are put on.

Food is also provided.

“We collected brought 160 cans a soup,” junior Brad Kruse said.

For several of the guys, this was their second year doing Reggie’s. They worked for several days in advance planning out their shelter and collecting cardboard from metro businesses. The boys created a soup kitchen called Connie B’s Soup Kitchen.

“Last year we didn’t have a theme that connected to homeless,” Francois said. “We knew if we wanted to compete we had to connect to homeless, so a soup kitchen sounded like a good idea.”

“It’s named after Connie Bowers,” junior Ben Fincher said. “She was our freshmen study hall teacher and she was the best!”

Several of the guys went down right after school to reserve centerfield to raise their shelter. The rest of the group followed soon after with more cardboard,

Lauren Gehrke/BW

Provided/Ryan Francois

(Above) Juniors Ryan Francois (left) and Ben Fincher tape up one of their boxes on their shelter. Thirteen boys worked hard building their soup kitchen that came in first place for design. (Top Right) The guys haul cardboard over to a different tarp while sorting. (Bottom Right) The team, with their trophy stayed overnight in their boxes and woke up to snow in the morning. duct tape, and tarps. They started right away separating the cardboard. Motivation did not come right away but soon the boys were working together getting their shelter built according to plans that Francois had drawn out. The rain and 33° weather did not stop the boys from working hard.

“We worked well for the most part,” junior Justin Coaldrake said. “A couple of people broke off and did there own thing but it was ok.”

“Ryan (Francois) led it and told people

what to do and what needed to be done.

“Others had opinions and tweaks to make it better,” Fincher said. “Ryan had the idea and we all trusted that he knew what he was talking about.”

The boys hard work paid off. They got first in design, and second overall being beat out by a replica of the Statue of Liberty.

“We would have liked to win,” Coaldrake said, “but you can’t really compete with a guy that put like a 100 hours in on the Statue of Liberty.”

Francois said that after talking to the judges, they seemed to sympathize with the boys a bit.

They came out and made their shelter and just had fun with it. The people who created the Statue of Liberty had an engineer on the team that had started working about three months before.

“We should have gotten first,” Kruse said. “It’s hard to beat a guy that had prefabricated the Statue of Liberty.”

The event took place Friday, Nov. 14 until Saturday, Nov. 15.

Goodwill moves out of Westdale Center Kelly McGowan staff writer

Kierra Morill/BW

Shoppers enjoy the low prices, different selection and different site of Goodwill.

This location opened Sept. 25. Many features were added such as a three car drive through drop off canopy, and a new cash register system for quicker transactions.

A new Goodwill opened Sept. 25, on N.W. Urbandale Drive across from Super Target.

“Our business got off to a great start, and our sales continue to be strong,” Marlyn McKeen, President of Goodwill Industries, said.

Senior Nate Johnson, who visits Goodwill about every two weeks, thinks the new location is more convenient and organized, although he prefers the Ankeny location over the new and old one.

Sophomore Lauren McNeal has also visited the new location. “It looks prettier and is taken better care of, but it has a lot of grandma stuff,” McNeal said. “They had cooler stuff at the old one, but it was kind of creepy, there were dust bunnies in the corners, and they had T-shirts on the racks for like, three years.”

Johnson agreed that the older one had better inventory, “The selection of guys’

The New Location 4520 NW Urbandale Drive Open: Mon-Fri 9 a.m-9 p.m Sat-9 a.m-6 p.m Sun-12 p.m-5 p.m shirts is a lot worse,” he said. “They have a lot more women’s stuff.”

Buying at Goodwill is a cheaper, greener alternative to buying new. “Its unique,” McNeal said. “You can’t go to Yonkers and expect to buy a pair of acid wash jeans from the 80s.”

At the old Goodwill, customers experienced difficulties dropping off items in the alley behind Hy-Vee. When donating to the new location, the drop-off process is easier. “One can drive up to the canopy and our staff will receive your donation and give you a receipt,” McKeen said. “Depending upon the number of donators, it should take less than five minutes.”

The new location replaced the one on Douglas by Hy-Vee, which closed on Sept. 24.

The 65,000 square foot of the Urbandale Hy-Vee is expanding also, due to the fact that Urbandale has grown to over double the population of what it was when the store was built in 1978.

West of the old Hy-Vee, a new one will be built that is 20,000 square feet larger than the one it will be replacing.

This renovation would force the other businesses in that building to move out, forcing the Westdale Shopping Center to be demolished.

These businesses that would need to relocate or close are Linda’s Hallmark shop, Paddy’s Irish Pub, Curves, The Urbandale Cafe, Duplication Media, The Juice Company, State Farm Insurance, and the UPS Store.

The owner who has been there the longest is Linda Depue, of Linda’s Hallmark, which will have its 26th Christmas this year. “They are purchasing this property, and they want me to move,” she said.

The plan has been approved by the city council. Hy-Vee currently owns all the property.

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EDITORIAL

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The New Green Revolution With over six billion people on the planet, the number of mouths are increasing faster then global crop yield can handle. So what solutions do people and science have to offer to end this global problem? It is time for the newest style in the green revolution.

This year as fall draws to an end, all eyes will be on the global crop yield. A yield is a number farmers uses to determine how much they harvested per acre. The higher the yield, the better the harvest. But with the planet’s population overload, farmers are having a hard time meeting the required yields, leaving those in the agricultural industry scrambling to help feed the planet.

The need to feed our world’s population has long been a struggle. But recently, concerns over oil consumption, global warming, and other future global disaster have forced the problems plaguing the people of our wold today to take a backseat. Hunger is a problem right here and right now that needs to be fixed.

Luckily, people in the agriculture industry are putting massive amounts of time and money to do just that.

Currently, with the troubles in the stock market, the price of grain has continued to climb. According to Oxfam, a British-based aid group, 119 million people have now been pushed below the poverty line in the U.K. alone, and in the states poverty is at an all time high.

Hunger is a consequence of poverty and world wide hunger is something some people can not escape. But who is to blame for this, the farmers who grow our food or the consumer who buys too much and eats too little?

Farmers have made leaps to try and

feed the expanding demand by changing the way they grow food. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) were the first step in creating larger yields. This scientific advancement allowed farmers to bio-engineer crops that could survive in once hostile climates. For example, coffee beans in Brazil have been genetically modified to be resistant to disease and bad weather, increasing the yields on this cash crop and, in turn, allowing farmers to buy food for their family.

Without this GMO, a bad year of weather could have caused a poor yield and forced families to go hungry.

The problem is that up until only a few years ago, GMO’s were seen as a negative. Unsure on how the biologically changed crop would affect the human population, country after country banned the planting of them. After natural disasters, strife, subsidies and other yield killers, who knows how many people could have been saved from starvation by eating GMO crops.

Once crops are grown, the exportation of that crop must occur. High export numbers in a country show agriculture growth. In China and India this is just now the case, in 2005 China’s exports were greater then its imports by a few million tons. Compared to the start of the agriculture boom in 1975 were imports were 10 million tons greater then exports.

In places like Africa, where they should be growing three times the amount of food they are, yet have the highest starvation percentage in the world, are relaying more and more on imported foods. According to the same 2005 records from the Food and Agriculture Organization, Africa imported more then 80 million tons of food, compared to only a 20 million ton export load.

The last phase of moving to a new agriculture world economy is education, and that starts here at home. Recently at Johnston elementary schools teachers and students began a unit on the life cycle and included in this unit was a lesson on agriculture, harvesting to be exact Kendra Elliott, Horizon Elementary, who was rased on a farm in Iowa was frustrated by the lack of knowledge her class had on agriculture.

“I wanted to show [my students] that Iowa helps feeds the world and we provide a lot more then they realize.”

Education needs to start at this level, so kids can educate themselves on what farming is and how to be conscious consumers. Science is moving us closer to solving this crisis but if over consumption and poor trade habits continue we will get no where fast, leaving millions hungry.

Where Is The Food?

Strife Overpopulation Natural Disaster (i.e. flood etc.)

YOU ARE HERE

Global Food Supply Global Population

Farmers are to blame for the lack of food.

The Ag Myths.

We don’t have room to grow While farmable land in the world seems scarce, in all actuality we have an overabundance. In starving third world nations all over sub Saharan Africa only about 17% of the available 2.7 billion acres is being farmed. But Africa is not the only country struggling to use all available land. To the right is an outline of the waste of land, around the world. India who has only .51 billion acres (seminally small amount compared to others) is farming over 77% of that land. The amount of food which could be yield from these lands would drastically cut the number of the starving.

The fact is farmers are yielding more then ever, but the population is growing bigger then ever. The consumer is the one who is to blame for the lack of food. Exports in the US are indeed less then the imports, due to our farmers. But in Europe over 200 million tons of products were imported in 2005. Over consumption and waste of food is the biggest contributor to the food shortage. Places like Africa who are in dire need of food are relying more and more on imported foods but don’t have the money to buy enough for its population.

Planted Crops

Sub-Saharan Africa 17% 2.7 billion acres

Total Farmable Land

USA 49% .88 billion acres

India Central/South America

14%

77% .51 billion acres

1980

Africa

USA

CHINA

Exports Imports

2.5 billion acres

1960

Global Imports and Exports

2000

2010

2020

OPINION

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No Shave November Caroline Byrd

No thanks!

opinion editor

Jeremy Mullen

Yes please!

managing editor

Throughout the high school there are many different religions, races and passions among students, but there is one common interest most people can agree on: high school students care about their appearance. When getting ready for school, most student’s routines consist of showering, brushing their teeth, maybe even do something with their hair. One thing that has taken a back seat for many men this month is shaving their facial hair.

No-shave-November is something that has been around the high school crowd for many years. It is a month where boys have an excuse to let what appears as pre-pubescent ‘fuzz’ emerge from their chins and checks, and those who are fortunate enough to grow a full on beard, or even mustache.

For some it’s a month too look a little more rough, and others a chance to “be a real man.”

But what if girls were to do this? What if you walked into 4th period gym and noticed the girls were starting to look more like woolly mammoths in their purple gym shorts, than beach babes. Sure, it’s just a big joke, it’s boys having fun, but it’s also really poor hygiene, and honestly, just gross. No girl wants a guy that isn’t well groomed and thinks growing peach fuzz on his face is attractive.

So boys, if a girl tells you this month that your mustache is looking a little disgusting, don’t mock or make fun of her for being too girly. Put yourself in their shoes and consider shaving. If they had legs full of fur, you’d be turned-off too.

Women are always quick to point out the struggles and hardships of growing up as a girl. However, one of the biggest disappointments for a growing boy is the constant teasing and ridicule we receive for our lack of ability to grow a thick moustache.

During No Shave November, one does not have to worry about being teased for having pathetic facial hair, because every other guy looks equally pathetic. Girls talk about how appalling No Shave November is, but I will be happy to refute all common arguments.

The first common argument is that No Shave November is dumb. However, a quick look in history will show that some of the smartest men in history were well bearded, like Albert Einstein. Secondly, a girl will always point out how immature everyone is that participates in the event. If you think about it however, we are trying to further our maturity by trying to advance ourselves into manhood that much earlier. Finally, girls have a problem with it because it is gross. However, many religions follow the basic principal of no shave November, although they do it through their whole lives. Girls should think about that before they call a bearded man disgusting, you could offend him.

No shave November is every father’s dream as well. I can still remember Christmas in eighth grade when I got my electric shaver. My dad was grinning ear to ear as he watched me power it up to shave my peach fuzz off for the first time. Girls should understand, a thick layer of facial hair is the pride of every man, and we only get it one month a year.

Hairy Heroics

Junior Lucas Dunshee 1) When did you first start shaving?

Sixth grade. I was growing scraggalies and it started to look bad. I started out with an electric shaver and then I moved on to regular, it was a much nicer feeling on my face after I shaved.

Junior Nick Evans 1) When did you first start shaving?

Sixth grade, I had the mustache thing going on and I figured it was time to go.

2) Do people make fun of your facial hair?

2) Do people make fun of your facial hair?

Yes, several people have. Amish, Honest Abe, and the bearded one are some common names. I don’t mind and I think I look better with facial hair than without though.

3) Why did you decide to grow a beard?

No, not many people can grow a lot of facial hair and they wish they could.

Dunshee

I think I look older and I like that. I look a lot more immature without the beard, although I couldn’t really tell you now because I’ve had it for one and a half years.

Hu’s Happenin’s Kevin Hu

staff writer

Ingenuity meets gratitude Two issues ago, I wrote about the injustices of hardto-get cheese and how the cafeteria should do something about it.

I realized that a lot of my writing has lashed out and attacked people and ideas.

So for this edition of Hu’s Happenin’s, I decided to be positive and uplifting, optimistic and happy, and I applaud the cafeteria in fixing the cheese situation and being bright about it.

Their fix was ingenious; a simple alternating pattern from left-to-right enables easy extraction and less tearing. I cannot emphasize how grateful I am that I can create my sandwiches in peace.

On a side note, the new trays are groovy. I am ecstatic that my regular five entree pizza purchases can be secure on my tray and not face dangers of falling off flimsy Styrofoam trays.

3) Why did you decide to grow a beard?

Evans

‘Cause I don’t have to spend time shaving. It’s rather time consuming and annoying.

Crocs need to be eaten by crocodiles; never digested Upon sitting down at my usual table down at the Burger King on 86th, I take a moment to savor the flavor of my double stacker and fries. It’s a day like any other, where the mayhem of the life of a typical teenager meets “unmeetable” deadlines and scheduling, and miraculously I find time out of the day to spend a good 15 minutes with the regulars of my stomach.

Unfortunately, my day went from bad, to worse.

Not only did my stupid double stacker come out as a muddled pile of crud, but in walks a hideously

unattractive man, sweating profusely from his armpits.

His shirt clearly was not fit to be worn by a man his size, and just by the way his mouth sagged, just above the numerous chins below it, I knew he could fit a semi truck in his mouth.

Oh, and he was wearing...

BRIGHT ORANGE CROCS. Seriously? I can see little kids in elementary school wearing them. I can see them being worn down at the beach on a hot summer day. I can see them being

Illustration/Yiming Qin

worn in and around the house.

However, for the love of God, please don’t wear them in public. It’s for the best, for you, me, and the burger which sat unsettled in my stomach after.

Crocs are responsible for

a series of incidents involving little children and escalators. Children’s feet are being eaten up by escalators and lawsuits are being filed for $7 million dollars.

They’re just hideous. Do the world a favor and boil your Crocs, and eat them.

OPINION

8

PAGE

08

NOV

The price of one’s healthiness This instead of That

Haley Johnson backpage editor

People spend excessive amounts of money on things like shoes, clothes, and gaming equipment. “I spent 250 dollars on a coat from J-Crew,” Senior Hannah Emmerson said. It is ridiculous this money is spent on material things but barely any of it on food.

When it comes to health, a little more care should be taken.

Fast food might taste good and be inexpensive, but it is far from healthy. According to organicfoodinfo.net, it is packed with artificial flavoring, artificial colors, and a plethora of sugars. Over time it has become more appealing to eat foods that are smooth textured and pure looking; an example would be white bread versus wheat. In order to achieve this look, the minerals are taken out of the food to smooth it out and give it that soft texture.

Then added back in at the end, the food becomes “enriched” or “fortified” with these things. It is harder for our bodies to absorb these added in minerals causing us to experience crashes of energy and mood swings.

One of the reasons that junk food is less expensive is because it is made in bulk.

They are produced and packaged all together, which, overall, is cheaper for the manufacturer, causing the prices to be lower. According to grist.org, organic foods are more expensive because the supply is less in demand. Also organic farmers do not use herbicides so they have to weed and farm the food more carefully. Organic may be costlier but it

< Haley Johnson/BW

According to organicfoodinfo.net, experts firmly believe that eating organic fruits and vegetables are healthier, more nutritious and taste better. is a small price to pay for a healthier future.

According the book Skinny Bitch, factoryfarmed cattle and chickens are force fed hormones, antibiotics, pesticides and steroids.

They are given these to buff them up to produce more meat from one animal. Another reason is to protect from infection of the diseases in the over crowded farms where they are being raised. All of these lovely supplements are leaving residue in your meat; which can contribute to weight gain. Next time you enjoy a hamburger, think of all the pesticides and hormones you are putting into your body. Not saying that you have to be a vegetarian, but try to look for meat that is being produced locally rather than in a large industry. Smaller or local farms’ meat will have less hormones and other things because they are not looking to produce mass amounts of it.

Although organic food is the healthiest

kind found, the price can add up quickly.

Here are easy ways to buy cheap healthy alternatives. By buying fruit and vegetables in season the prices will be lower. Not to mention by buying fresh food, it enriches the body with numerous vitamins and minerals.

Drink water instead of pop, add lemons or other fruits to spice up the bland taste. If you are not a huge water fan, try juices with little sugar and a high percentage of actual fruit juice. Pack a lunch or cook at home. It might not look as “cool” but wait and see who is laughing when your wallet is full and are fabulously healthier looking.

Not only is organic food good for personal health, but it is healthier for the environment. Organic fruits and vegetables are not sprayed with harmful chemicals, leaving the soil uncontaminated and pollution free. By not using chemicals it the ozone layer is not being damaged either.

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SAIL retreat proves to be beneficial Scott Monroe staff writer

Provided/Alma Jovancevic

There are various statistics that colleges look at to determine admission or rejection.

The idea in a sense is to separate success from failure. If a student looks like they will succeed in the real world, welcome to college. Unfortunately one of the most important traits to becoming a successful adult is leadership. Some others are courage, commitment, and chemistry. There are no numbers that measure those.

If it were up to me, attending the fall SAIL Leadership Retreat would be a graduation requirement. Never in my life have I ever witnessed the bond participants share at the YMCA camp in Boone. It is mind-blowing, staggering, and remarkable all in one.

To ask me to illustrate the magic present at the camp would be asking me complete an impossible task. I hope my point is getting across, but because there are likely still doubters, I’ll provide examples.

Leadership. When one signs up to participate in the retreat, a decision must be made: the blue form, or the yellow one (colors may vary). The yellow form designates the stu-

dent as a participant. This means that one will be involved in a small group like everyone else. The blue form designates the student as a leader. This means that one will be the leader of a small-group, and is forced to have control at all times. This teaches the student valuable skills for upcoming challenges in life. Leaders range from seniors to sophomores, who lead students as much as two years older than themselves.

Courage. On Saturday night, the last night of the retreat, there is a segment referred to as “candlelight.” The entire group gathers in a large room. The lights are turned out and a chair with a spotlight shining directly upon it is placed in front of the group. Students then one-by-one walk up to the chair, and talk. Talks consist of a variety of things, from past experiences and advice for underclassmen to bad decisions and regrets. People get up there and cry their hearts out all for one goal: to help others. Talking is optional, and it takes an insane amount of courage to get up in front of everyone and admit mistakes or just to public speak in the first place. If it sounds easy, it is most definitely not.

Commitment. Before students leave for Boone, they are divided into predetermined

small groups. These groups are together majority of the weekend, focusing on different aspects of the retreat in order to strengthen their overall leadership skills for the future.

The experience is only worth it if every single group member commits to the experience.

One must believe that what is learned will truly be used during everyday encounters.

Chemistry. Throughout the retreat, groups of about 12 students get together four or five times to create a skit. Songs are provided, and the students are required to choreograph a routine. The skits are performed on the last night of the weekend, and a panel of judges determine the best skit. The whole point of the get-togethers is to become closer with people you don’t really know. You must form a type of chemistry with group members in order to have success with the skits.

If it weren’t for the cost, I would raise the topic up in a school board meeting: require at least one trip out to Boone for SAIL in order to graduate. Like I said before, it is literally impossible to describe the benefits of this trip in a newspaper story. The only way to truly understand is to experience it for yourself. I’m not recruiting, just trying desperately to spread the word.

REVIEW

9

PAGE

3OH!3 Brings numbers to DSM Band from Boulder, CO comes to Des Moines on tour at People’s Court. photo editor

These hilarious shorts spawned a ten episode contract on Comedy Central. In the shorts, the boys go on various adventures in the woods, to a pizza parlor, and out on the street singing music. Never will these boys in suits disappoint, as Stella is a life-changing show. The show is written and stars Michael Showalter, Michael Ian Black, and David Wain. Wain also directed and starred with Black and Showalter in the hilarious movie Wet, Hot, American Summer.

A+

Kiera Morrill/BW

Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte of 3OH!3 electrify the crowd with their animated sound. The show was held November 3 at People’s Court.

They jump and dance over one another for their own amusement, which was great until Foreman started to break-dance. Don’t get me wrong, seeing anyone break-dance can be funny, especially if all they can do is a poor coffee grinder and maybe a six-step.

Later in the show there were more special effects, but nothing I hadn’t seen before. My overall attitude towards the show was that I enjoyed myself. I was mildly impressed but found that the band’s uniqueness is more innovative rather than talent.

pumpkin power

}

We sat two hungry men down to decide what type of pumpkin pie would make their stomach’s happy. The tester’s were unaware of the origin of each pie to keep the results fair and accurate.

Make the perfect pumpkin pie Crust-

Buy pre made frozen or refrigerated 9” pie crust from local grocery store. Or use your own recipe.

Filling-

- One 16 oz. can of pumpkin - 1 1/2 tsps. Cinnamon - 1/2 tsp. Ginger - 1/2 tsp. Nutmeg - 1/2 tsp. Cloves - 1/2 tsp. all spice - 1/2 tsp. salt Whisk the eggs and sugar together; whisk in other ingredients. Carefully pour in pie shell.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes than 350 degrees at 30 minutes.

provided/stellaworld.com

OTHER SHORTS YOU SUCK AT PHOTOSHOP

www.youtube.com/watch?V=U_X5uR7VC4M

A funny way to learn photoshop

Finding the Best Pumpkin Pie to chomp down this holiday season

{

Shows that keep you procrastinating into the wee hours of the night

www.collegehumor.com/tag:stella

Indescribable bass starts a crunk sound coming from the speakers. Punk influenced screams add to the full effect with back-up electronics to tie the song together. Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte make up the band 3oh!3. You can see the chemistry between the two as they cross each other on stage and perform small dance combinations and flips in front of the audience. Their sound is a mix of electronic dance music and hiphop beats, with pop inspiration thrown in.

No lights or special effects were used at the beginning of the set. Even without those perks 3oh!3 knows how to put on a decent show. The first few songs they played I had never heard but they kept my attention without trying. Their natural stage presence is enough to get twenty crowds riled up.

Foreman raps most of the lyrics, while Motte takes care of back up. They compliment each other by sharing center stage and constantly moving. Foreman and Motte’s connection is clearly an advantage.

managing editor

Internet shorts STELLA

Kiera MorrIll

Jeremy Mullen

08

NOV

LIAM SHOW

B+

www.liamshow.com

From the Creator of Shoes

B-

PLANET UNICORN

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQJDlura7G4

Unicorns living in harmony

B

CLARK AND MICHAEL www.clarkandmichael.com

Stars Michael Cera from Juno

Mayday Parade at People’s

Chris Dockum‘11 Dan Berry‘10

Sara Lee-

The Sara Lee pie was found most visually appealing to sophomore Chris Dockum, with the perfect amount of orange color. The taste lacked however.

“It was overly spice-tastic, it also had a weird after-taste,” Dockum said.

Homemade-

B-

The winner for Dockum on the homemade pie was the crust.

“It didn’t taste as packaged; the taste was also more pumpkin-y than the Village Inn Pie,” Dockum said. “I might have to get a pie from here for my next family gathering.”

Village Inn-

A-

Dockum found the Village Inn pie the worst tasting, and also at the high price of $2.99 a slice, that it is nothing special.

“It was okay, more bland than the others and not as much flavor and kick as the others either,” Dockum said.

C

B-

Sara Lee-

The Sara Lee Pie looked the most appealing to junior Dan Berry. Berry found the pie not as good as the Village Inn one however.

“It tastes store bought, it might not be as fresh and was probably in a freezer,” Berry said.

Homemade-

C+

The Homemade pie was Berry’s least favorite.

“It has too much pumpkin taste, I might be a pumpkin (wuss) though,” Berry said. “If you’re into a really pumpkin-y pies, it was a good pie.”

Village Inn-

C-

Berry guessed correctly for all the pies.

However, he did say the Village Inn pie tasted like a pumpkin pie from Baker’s Square.

“This pie is definitely a pie I would let my own family eat,” Berry said.

Story and design by Jeremy Mullen, Managing Editor. Recipe provided by Lisa Mullen, Mother.

A-

B+

Walking into the line for the Mayday Parade concert at People’s court, one might think they are waiting in line for a non-conformist convention of some sort, the farther up the stairs one ventured, the more and more it felt like one was walking into a Hot Topic store. The show featured mostly bands signed to Fearless records: Every Avenue, The Maine, and headliners, Mayday Parade. (Local band, Finding the Warren, opened.) The first three bands to perform were the epitome of average pop punk bands, using both unoriginal lyrics and instrument parts. Mayday Parade was by far the best band there, causing the crowd to push, mosh, and crowd-surf. Their poetically crafted lyrics, high energy, and lovely harmonies were well executed and pretty much saved a would-be otherwise awful concert that smelled a lot like teen spirit.

Shorts by Jeremy Mullen, Managing Editor. Concert review /picture by Eric Oatts, Staff Writer.

checklist Junior Year

Senior Year END OF NOVEMBER Submitted applications to colleges you’re interested in. BE AWARE OF DEADLINES! Get financial aid if different from the FAFSA Be registered to take ACT/SAT if you haven’t already taken it Have visited at least top three schools

DECEMBER/JANUARY Finalize grant/scholarship applications Stay focused on school. Don’t let senioritus impact your admittance into your desired college!

Print FAFSA pre-application worsheet(www. fafsa.ed.gov) the ACT, to take ed ne they ts Studen st) before nsists College Te co an T ic C A er m e (A college. Th ing, scican enter rts: English, read tal of pa a e are to of four math. Ther Seventy-five of s career goals . ence, and counselor to discus 60 for tions asked meet with school 215 ques s are for English, other C an on sts through classes the questi for reading, and choose E explore intere math, 40 nce. Some students rtion po ie L take ACT! lege fairs 40 for sc e optional writing itional b sites and visit col d th ad e k an ta s st P explore college We to co h ic h w T, aid options of the AC e.

C learn about financial k ke the $15 to ta good idea to ta way, rship opportunities de That take advantage lea K .

It is a ar ye colleges re senior n applying and pplications from top ACT befo L request brochures/a begi ts n ca en ud t St the studen pted to colleges. ce T more getting ac to take the AC igher h ed e w th lo are al accept ; colleges than once score.

Photos Juniors Kylie Kinsey and Nate Ostiguy provided by Kallen Kramer. U of I Capitol Building photo provided by Kelsey Kramer. Cap and gown photo of Thomas Lashier and Lauren Lund provided

by Thomas Lashier. Iowa State photos of Olivia Diehl(Junior), Kendra Greenfield(Junior), Kaeleigh Gebard(Senior), and Taylor Martz(Senior) provided

by Olivia Diehl.

Compiled by: Brittany Deal(Editor-in-chief) Kallen Kramer(Double-Truck Editor)

ICAN

ICAN is a very useful tool when it comes to preparing for college. Calling a representative from ICAN and visiting the website would be extremely beneficial for both students and parents. To find any help with financial aid, choosing the right college, sending applications, ICAN knows all. Because it is an Iowa college access network, it can give a lot of specific guidance.

Students must fil FAFSA, o r Free A l out a Federal pplication S for t u d e nt Aid, applying be f student or financial aid fore be filled loans. A FAFSA and following out as soon as can t documen lected: ts are c he ol1. Social Security Number 2. driver’s license 3. 2008 W-2 Forms and other records of money earned 4. 2008 Federal Income Tax Return.

5. Parents´ 2008 Federal Income Tax return (if you are a dependent student) 6. 2007 untaxed income records 7. current bank statements 8. current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond and other investment records 9. alien registration or permanent resident card (if you are not a U.S. citizen) provided by FAFSA.ed.gov

“The process is rather complicated. I would definitely contact ICAN if you need help (filling out forms).”

-Guidance secretary Shannon Smith

counselor’s advice

COLLEGE

GO

STATE

“Is the school a good f it for you? Because it’s your life. You have got to f igure out what you want to do in life. There are various routes and options towards an education.”

Sue Baker

“Is it too late to say ‘start early?’ All of my advice actually stems from that.

Well, thought-out choices now help alleviate stress later and may also afford more opportunities.”

Audrey Bell

Do something. Doing nothing and waiting for it to happen is the biggest mistake. Even if you make a mistake, at least you are doing something and moving forward with your life.

Curt Larkin

“Make sure you visit a variety of colleges to find the one that is best for you.”

Stephanie Guthrie

ENTERTAINMENT

12

PAGE

Scientific Answers Stupid Questions

If a cat always lands on its feet, and buttered bread always lands butter-side down, what would happen if you tied buttered bread on top of a cat butterside up?

“

08

NOV

Witness Winter 23-28

Dec.

Event: Monty Python’s

Spamalot Business:Civic Canter Time: Varies Admission: Varies

Phone: 515-246-2300

? ??

Jane Behrens

Well according to these two principles, the cat would land on its feet and immediately roll over and smear butter on the floor, then roll back over to lick the butter off the floor. There by adhering to both principles simultaneously.

The BookWorm The Crucible

A-

Arther Miller

BY: Shawna Polen A severe test, also known as a crucible was used as the main focal point of The Crucible a play by Arther Miller. Set to make us step back in hysterical situations and really see what we are doing as a society to point fingers and discriminate.

This play is a cruel retelling of one of the worst events in American history, the Salem Witch trials.

Miller wrote The Crucible using what few facts were known about the happenings in Salem. Though some facts are true, readers need to remember that this is a play and as such, written to entertain and tell a story. Miller explained what was true, and what were his changes in a solitary page, at the beginning of the play.

Readers are brought into the scene when Salem lies in chaos and confusion. A handful of girls in the town have fallen ill, and townspeople point to witchcraft as the cause.

When some of the girls confess to worshiping the devil and dancing in the woods conjuring spirits, the authorities steps in and arrest all involved and accused.

In the span of a week, about 30 women are jailed and waiting to be tried. Some, even

All photos provided by/ Joan Marcus

”

though innocent, are pleading guilty, willing to face jail time rather then the noose. The ones that confess survive by swearing themselves to God, while the ones that do not, die at the scaffold.

In the trials, townspeople rise up to point fingers at their kinsmen out of spite and revenge.

The accusations are ridiculous, but when everyone says the same thing, who are you going to believe, the townspeople, or the accused?

As mentioned above, this occurs out of a time in history that we are not proud of, showing just how cruel human beings can be to one another.

That said, The Crucible is well written. Miller has made history come to life, and created a play in which tells the facts, but shows readers can understand. Like showing some of the accusations made, like “seeing them flying” or “crying and screaming when they hear the lords name”.

The Character’s are the main attraction. As written by Miller, the names are real and their roles in the play are historically correct. The ages and number of accused were a few of the changes Miller made. But never the less, they are believable and ring true the message of what monstrosity occurred in Salem.

The English department was dead on in choosing The Crucible as a pilot book. It not only sheds light on a dark point in our history, but also plays to the students in the fact that its a play rather than a book, giving them another kind of read.

Miller’s Crucible connects to the present as well as the past. Like when we persecuted Communists and now we turn to do the same thing to Muslims.

For questions, comments or feedback, e-mail me at Batty_forlife@yahoo.com

* *

*

d

To Do List Date: Event: Dec. 4-7 Jingle Bell Bash

http://www.seedesmoines.com 515-953-BELL Dec.

12-14 Ballet Des Moines “The Nutcracker” http://www.seedesmoines.com 515-440-1177

Dec. 7

“ISU Holiday Festival” http://www.center.iastate.edu/ 515-294-3347

Dec. 5-7

“A Christmas Carol”

12-14 http://www.center.iastate.edu/

Dec. 5

The Nadas “Silent Night VI” http://desmoines.metromix.com

Dec. 3

515-294-3347 515-244-0507

Hinder, Trapt, Rev. Theory

515-223-6152

http://www.lazer1033.com/

Dec. 22 Scrooge Jazzed up Like the Dickens http://desmoines.metromix.com

515-244-0507

Dec. All Scrooge Jazzed up Like the Dickens http://orchestrate-mgmt.com/

515-288-4700

Compiled by: SHAWNA POLEN review editor

ENTERTAINMENT

13

PAGE

$

Meals for Deal When most people think of meals at various sit-down restaurants, they think of expensive dining, but not all dining is expensive. Across and around the Des Moines area there are several places to eat, with great deals.

Steak Texas Roadhouse 6oz. Sirloin

Pasta Texas Roadhouse

$7.99

$4.99

Pizza

Hamburgers

Casey’s General Store Large Pizza

Red Robin Gourmet Cheeseburger $8.79

$11.99

A single topping pizza which one could chose from ten toppings, is homemade and can be to-go also.

It is a classic cheeseburger with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, mayonnaise, and pickle relish sauce. All gourmet burgers are served with unlimited portion of fries.

Brickhouse Cafe

Buffet Happy Joe’s Lunch Buffet

Breakfast

$6.89

The all you can eat buffet is served Monday thru Friday from 11am-2pm. Items include chicken tenders, macaroni, corn dogs, salad and a variety of pizza.

$5.50

The number six is two eggs, two pancakes and a choice of meat (bacon or sausage).

Happy Joe’s

Spaghetti Works Original Pasta

With a choice that is one of four types of pasta, the Original comes with red sauce and free refills of pasta.

The 6oz. is served with two sides and is part of the 10 dinners for $7.99. It is Monday thru Thursday from 4-6pm.

Brickhouse Cafe #6

08

NOV

Happy Joe’s

Page and all photos by Stephanie Ivankovich, news editor

Casey’s General Store

FEATURE

14

PAGE

08

NOV

Getting your U.S. citizenship 101 Students explain how their families become U.S. citizens and the processes they go through to live here.

feature editor

NAME

PERMANENT RESIDENT CARD Alabsi, Faisal A# 07584XXX Birthdate Category 08/1992 Country of Birth Jordan

E28

Sex: M

Card Expires Resident Since 11/04/08

C1USXXXXXXXXXXXXX WAC XXXXXXXXXTSF<< XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX<<<<<<<<<<<<b

ALABSI<< FAISAL<SAMIR<<<<<<<<<< Lauren Gehrke/BW

THIS SAMPLE GREEN card is what a real one may look like. Green cards

are not actually green in color. Each individual in a family receives their own personal card. This gives them residence for about 10 years and they are allowed to travel in and out of the country like a normal citizen.

getting your green card

1.

2.

STEP

Apply for your visa. Depending on your requirements choose from visiting, work, or student visa. Immediate family can be included on your visa.

STEP

Apply for a green card after being here awhile. » ÎÄÊĩǺ ¹º¸Á¾Ãº¹ ¶ ¼ÇººÃ ¸¶Ç¹ ¶É IJÇÈÉ ÌÄÇÀ in an under served area, an area in need of certain jobs.

3.

If you meet all the requirements, send your application to the consulate of the country and set a interview with the U.S. ambassador of your country.

4.

If the interview with the ambassador goes well and they feel that youíre not lying, you will receive your green card to the U.S.

STEP

STEP

Sophomore, Faisal Alabsi moved to the U.S. in 2000. His family has been working on getting their permanent residence to the United States, and Alabsi is considering getting his citizenship this December.

For people born in the United States, they have it easy. They automatically become a U.S. citizen, even if their parents are not citizens. Others not born in the U.S. must go through a series of tests and applications in order to become something most U.S. citizens did nothing to work for.

Becoming a citizen of the United States is a harder process for some people than others. Faisal Alabsi was born in Saudi Arabia, but his parents were originally from Jordan, making him Jordanian. In his younger years he moved back and forth between Saudi Arabia and Jordan. He even lived in Egypt for a little bit.

“We moved around a lot, flipping back and forth between Saudi Arabia and Jordan,” Alabsi said. “It just depended on where my parent were going to work.”

When Alabsi was seven, his family moved to the U.S. when his dad decided to change jobs. He lived in New York for a little bit, and then New Jersey for a few years before moving to Iowa. Alabsi’s family came here on a work visa via his dad.

His entire family is dependents on that visa. They are allowed to be dependants because they are immediate family. If a child is under 18 then they are automatically included as a dependant of their parents. If a child is over 18 but unmarried, they too are included as a dependant.

Often times, immigrants apply for a working or student visa first, but they are hard to get. The easiest visa to get is a visiting visa and that is what a lot of families have to resort to. Since 2001 it has been harder to get a visa and in 2003 new laws were installed to prevent another 9/11 event.

Once immigrants get their visa they work for their green card.

That makes them permanent residents of the U.S. After four to five years, residents can then apply for their citizenship. This usually

includes an immigration test. Right now the Alabsi’s are working to get their green card for the U.S. A green card gives a person the same rights as a U.S. citizen.

They can leave and return to the U.S., have a job, study, and still keep their citizenship to their native country. Once a green card has been obtained, people can apply for U.S. citizenship. Green cards are not actually green in color and they do not mean citizenship. Green cards are only issued for a certain amount of time, like 10 years, not for a lifetime.

The Alabsi family received their green card on Nov. 5.

“Now we just have to meet with the U.S. prime minister in Jordan to make sure we’re good for the green card,” Alabsi said.

Alabsi and his four siblings are assured of their citizenship under the citizenship of their parents. They are not required to take the test because the kids are dependent under their family. The family is traveling to Jordan over Winter Break to meet with the prime minister and spend some time with family.

In the event that the prime minister won’t give Alabsi’s family the green card, they have become permanent residents of Canada, even though they have never lived in Canada. It is easier to get a U.S. green card if you have the association with Canada. The Alabsi’s made sure that regardless of what happens with their meeting, they can live in the U.S. still.

“My parents have really thought this out,” Alabsi said.

Alabsi is considering getting his U.S. citizenship . The rest of his family is probably not going to get theirs. The U.S. may just extend Alabsi citizenship because he is a dependant and he has lived in the U.S. most of his life. If he doesn’t get the citizenship, he will still get his green card and at a later date he can apply for his citizenship, but he will have to take the INS citizenship test.

Could you pass the INS immigration test?

See if you can pass these sample questions from the immigration test and get you citizenship.

1. Who is the vice-president of the United States today?

2. What is the Constitution?

3. What are the three branches of our government?

4. What are the duties of Congress?

5. What is the judiciary branch of our government?

6. Who is the current governor of your state?

7. Who becomes President of the United States if the President and the vice-president should die?

8. Why did the Pilgrims come to America?

9. Who wrote the Star-Spangled Banner?

10. What did the Emancipation Declaration do? questions and answers taken from the INS citizenship test 1) Dick Cheney, 2) The supreme law of the land, 3) Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary, 4) To make laws, 5) The Supreme Court, 6) Chet Culver, 7) Speaker of the House of Representative, 8) For religious freedom, 9) Francis Scott Key, 10) Freed many slaves

LAUREN GEHRKE

FEATURE

15

PAGE

08

NOV

Senior strives for piloting success AMY LOVEJOY staff writer Heavy wind and pouring rain blanket the already gloomy skies as senior Jake Forrester prepares for his descent on a flight back from Omaha.

With decreasing visibility and increasing storm conditions, Forrester and his passenger grow nervous, when, at one moment, the entire cockpit goes black.

With the electricity shorted, radio communication was out of the question and Forrester was forced to act quickly.

Turning off the controls, his heart fluttered as he again Forrester switched them back on, relieved by the sudden illumination of the cabin, and, with the crisis alleviated, was able to land safely.

Forrester began his ascent as a pilot when he was 12 years old.

Showing an immense interest in aviation, he joined the Civil Air Patrol, which is similar to the Boy Scouts for those interested in aviation. This program is no longer exists in the Des Moines area.

Coming from a military family, Forrester has always been interest in flying.

“My grandpa was a jet engine mechanic, and he took me to a lot of aviation museums,” Forrester said. “I’ve pretty much been around it my whole life.”

Forrester first started by learning to use the controls.

He practiced with an instructor while learning to use tools in the cockpit to operate the plan during flight, as well as takeoff and landing.

After receiving his initial instruction, he was able to begin

{

}

“It’s hours upon hours of boredom, mixed in with seconds of terror.”

logging hours of actual flight.

He began practicing in single engine and piston planes. Forrester continued to earn ratings as his career as a pilot grew. He became qualified to fly in bad weather and earned his student pilot license when he was 15.

“You earn ratings and grow more qualified as you go along,” Forrester said. “A big milestone is your instrument rating.”

An instrument rating allows a pilot to fly in weather with reduced visibilities such as rain, low clouds, or heavy haze. It also gives pilots additional instruction in meteorology and solo flight.

Pilots are required to have this rating in order to fly about 18,000 feet. “(Piloting) is routine,” Forrester said. “If you don’t fly by the book bad things happen.”

Forrester has since earned his private license, meaning he can fly a plane solo. In order for him to earn this, the young pilot had to gain experience in multiengine

planes, and has logged 12,000 hours of flight.

He is currently working on his commercial license, which will allow him to fly passengers.

Forrester flies a Cessna Citation X, which is the fastest civilian aircraft, weighing in at about 22,000 pounds. This type of aircraft is most often used by corporate businesses.

He gets access to these planes from the Des Moines International Airport, about once a month in order to build hours.

“I used to fly about two to three times a week after school, but now it’s more like once a month or whenever I have time,” Forrester said. ‘I’m trying to make time for my senior year.”

Forrester most basic license

cost about $5,000. Each additional rating is nearly $1,000. He has not felt an immense financial burden, though, because he has been able to use planes, rented from friends, at a discount rate.

Over the years, Forrester has accumulated 2,000 hours of solo flight and has reached his highest altitude at 41,000 feet, where his longest, most grueling flight lasted 15 hours.

“Your (butt) just goes numb for like three days,” Forrester said.

Forrester had once planned to join the military after graduation.

‘I already has a job lined up, and they were going to help pay for college,” Forrester said.

To be a military pilot, a person must have 20/40 uncorrected vision, which he did not have.

After failing his vision test, joining the military was no longer an option.

He now wants to continue his training for his commercial pilot’s license Daytona Beach, FL. while also attending school.

Eventually, the budding pilot plans to work for a major airline or a large corporation if that doesn’t pan out.

One thing he has discovered is how piloting has had different effects on him.

“After you’ve been flying for a while, you discover that it’s kind of boring,” Forrester said. “It’s hours upon hours of boredom, mixed in with seconds of terror.”

LicenseRequirements Student Pilot at least 14 year old, pass two Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) exams, testing knowledge and practical application Recreational Pilot at least 17 years old, 30 hours of flight practice and training (three solo), pass two FAA exams Private Pilot at least 17 years old, at least 40 hours of flight (ten solo, 20 with an instructor), pass two FAA exams Commercial Pilot at least 18 years old, have at least a private pilot license, at least 150 hours of flight pass two FAA exams

FEATURE

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Junior rebuilds car with father NELS ENGBLOM staff writer

In the back of his grandfather’s auto body shop, junior Ben Warrick looked up and saw a rusted-out old Chevrolet Camaro. Warrick, who was twelve at the time, was immediately overcome by a feeling of excitement about how cool the car could look someday. However, he knew it would take a great amount of work to rebuild the car.

About two weeks later, he came home to see that his father had bought the old car.

Warrick’s family has a history with cars. His grandfather has owned a small body shop for much of his life and his father has worked in various areas of the car business. He started his career working in auto body repair before he moved to car sales. Currently he works in the vehicle insurance industry.

“We have put a lot of time into that car,” Warrick said, “more than I can count.”

Warrick and his father began working on the car shortly after acquiring it. Together they rebuilt most of the body of the car.

“I did a lot of sanding on the car and I painted part of it too,” Warrick said.

His father worked on removing parts and replacing them. Some of the parts of the body also needed to be welded. Warrick did the less complicated work like mudding and sanding the body. They also repainted the car. Warrick did part of the hood but said his father did most of the rest of the car since his father had more experience.

Mudding is the process of putting on a smooth putty like substance to smooth and mesh parts of the body.

After getting the car when he was in seventh grade, Warrick started driving it his freshman year on a school permit.

“Buying the car was not really planned since I came home one day and it was there,”

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he said.

The inside of the car has also been repaired. Warrick said that the dashboard has all new gauges. The seats are still the originals although they have been thoroughly cleaned and refurbished. “(The car) has new carpet since I got it for Christmas last year,” Warrick said.

Warrick also said that it had little purpose at his grandfather’s shop since it was just sitting there rusting out.

The car, which was manufactured in 1973, still has a stock engine.

The repairs made have been strictly bodywork so far. Warrick and his father plan to work on the engine over the winter when he is not driving it. Plans for the winter include mostly work on the gears.

Warrick said however as more of a long-term goal they planned to replace the transmission and make it a five-speed manual. As to when that will happen, he was unsure.

(Above) The front end of Warrick’s Camaro after the repairs were made.

(To left) Junior Ben Warrick’s 1973 Chevrolet Camaro sits in his garage after the first step of painting. It would later be painted blue with white racing stripes.

Photos provided/Ben Warrick

ELP program offers educational opportunities to all grades CATHERINE CARACCI staff writer

When you walk into the ELP classroom, you may think that the students are messing around. However, each is working on an individual project. “Kids get a chance to pursue an interest they have,” high school ELP teacher Sue Cline said.

“Typically, ELP programming serves 3-5% of the students,” elementary ELP teacher Mitzi Hetherton said. “In Johnston, it is more like 10-15% identified, but then I see a lot more students than that during the school year because teachers recommend I look at a student, or some students pre-test out of math chapters and come to me for a session.”

The ELP mission statement says that the program has “a responsibility to provide educational programming which will respond to the unique needs of students and maximize their potential.” Staff members determine a student’s needs by examining their “potential, accomplishments, and performances over time,” according to the ELP handbook.

In kindergarten through seventh grade, students who participate in the program are identified first by classroom teachers. The ELP handbook says, “Multiple examples of high quality products, initiative to complete extensions, and thought process are used (to identify students).”

After a student is nominated, the ELP staff asks parents to give examples of their child’s talent. The staff then observes

the nominated students and examines their ITBS (Iowa Tests of Basic Skills) and MIALT (Mid-Iowa Achievement Level Tests) scores. Other tests and records from previous schools are examined, as well as out-of-level tests.

ELP students may also have the opportunity to take accelerated curriculum classes. Senior Ethan Nutter was first in the ELP program when he was in fourth grade. “I was in a fifth grade history class where we learned about the Mayan Empire,” he said.

In grades 8-12, students are identified based on “general intellectual ability or aptitude in all subjects, ability in a particular subject, ITBS/ITED (Iowa Tests of Educational Development) scores or MIALT scores above the 90th percentile, and strong classroom performance,” according to the handbook.

Cline said that to identify a student for high school ELP, she needs “evidence of high performance or potential for performance in an academic area.”

In high school ELP class, students create and evaluate individual projects. Group activities are also offered throughout the semester.

Nutter believes the ELP program has been beneficial to his academic success. “(I’ve learned) that you can’t wait until the last minute,” he said. “I learned more research skills that I ever would have learned in high school in seventh grade.”

Kiera Morrill/BW

Senior Sam Parker and junior Ryan Bower participate in a group activity during 7th hour ELP. In high school ELP class, students pursue individual projects over the course of a semester. Topics range from preparation for the ACT to baking.

[]

DUNGEON

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dance,dance “

compiled by, julia manning (sports editor) & caroline byrd (opinion editor.) photos by kiera morrill

important about dance

2. competition

“Instructors and teachers are extremely hard on dancers, Pray said.

They’re challenging us to do better, but you have to take it in stride and know that what they’re saying is wanting to help you not hurt you.”

“The whole ballet worldis SO competitive, there are so many people all going for the same goal.

If you want to make it, you have to really want it and get under the right instruction and know what’s good.”

”

-Jessica Pray ‘10

When thinking of physically strenuous sports that demand grueling workouts, one will typically think of football, running, wrestling etc. However, intensive forms of dance can lend itself to meet the criteria as well.

Junior Jessica Pray has been dancing since around the age of 8, and is now involved in class for about 9 hours a week. In styles ranging from tap, ballet, Pointe, jazz, modern, and hip-hop, she’s learned it all. In addition, she’s now involved in her studio’s (Pointe Academy of Ballet and Dance) of West Des Moines, company. In order to be apart of the company you must be enrolled in at least 6 classes a week.

For girls who are truly serious about dance, joining a company is a must. The end goal for most is to join a professional company while getting paid to dance. In the process, not only does one have to take numerous classes a week, but intensives during the summer are recommended. An intensive, like the name, is an ‘intense’ couple of weeks during the summer, where you literally dance from 8am to 10pm. Pray attended a Broadway theater and dance intensive this summer in Santa Fe, NM. “It really opened my eyes to the amount of people who are dedicated to that kind of dance, it was a good experience but it helped streamline my ideas of what kind of dance I want to do,” Pray said.

As all dancers will testify to, dancing is more than just girls in tutu’s twirling around, dance also teaches valuable lessons. “My dance teacher always says, you come here and forget about all outside problems, (dancing) is my safe haven, a bunch of different girls come together from different schools, I see it as my way to express myself and a relief from all of my problems, plus it’s good exercise,” Pray said Exercise is not the only thing dancing teaches.

“Dance has taught me to stay organized and has helped me with time management,” Curiel said.

For those who want to dance in college, it’s a matter of contacting the school and attending the tryout for the instructors (in order to receive a scholarship.) For Curiel and Pray, dancing professionally is not their goal. “I think I might take a few classes but I don’t want to dance professionally,” Curiel said.

Pray wants to focus on academics in college. “I did (dance) in high school and it might be over for me and take up something different, I’m not willing to have it be a career, the competition is tough and you have to really want it, “Pray said.

four things: 1. pressure from instructors

I think there’s a lot of bad reputation that dancers get, because of the recital part of it, My teachers have tried to establish a respect within the community, we don’t have recitals, it’s so much more than turning, and spinning, it takes patience, tolerance and pain.

3. sacrifice “You have to be able to sacrifice so much.

Time with your friends, different extracurricular activities (Pray had to quit show choir,) and it’s also a sacrifice financially, it gets to cost a lot of money, each class is 13 dollars, and that adds up.”

4.passion

“It’s something that I can do to take my mind off the stress of school and other things” Curiel said. “There are always those days when it’s something I really love to do, but I feel like singing is more of a passion for me, it all depends on my day.”

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08-09 Des Moines Capitals

Capitals Last year the Capitals had a record of 25 wins, 8 loses, 1 tie and 2 loses in overtime. In the Turkey Cup, the Capitals lost to the Oakleafs 4-1.

This year the Turkey Cup is Nov. 25 at Buccaneer Arena.

The Capitals are looking forward to the game this year for many reasons.

“We have our whole D [defense] returning including both goalies,” sophomore Tyler Efnor said. “Also not a lot of people graduated last year so most of the team is returning.”

The Capitals have got off to a good start, especially winning all three games the weekend of Nov. 14-16. “Someone has to step in to fill that place,” Efnor said.

W

Tiffany Camp

“ e started cheering for the Caps our freshman or sophomore year because we had friends on the team and needed something to do Friday nights!”

SPORTS

08-09 Des Moines Oakleafs

TurkeyCup

Oakleafs

11 11 10 11 12 11 11 9

Provided by Portraits by Deena

The Oakleafs were the State Tournament Champions last year, as well as the two pervious years. Their home arena is Metro Ice Sports Faculty, but every year the Oakleafs play their long time rivals at Buccaneer Arena. This is the first game of the year that the two rivals play each other.

Both teams draft players from schools all over the central area creating a local fan base which makes the rivalry greater. Oakleafs have had major success these recent years beating the Capitals in nearly every game they play them.

However this year the Oakleafs will have a difficult time getting players to step up and be lead the team like graduate Troy DuBay once did.

Players from Johnston

Austin Clements Travis Merritt Tyler Efnor Derek Temple Mathew Bunting Guy Newberry Ryan Betters Dillion Temple

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11 Kovin Benziger 12 Connor Wegner 10 Ryan Quesnell

I

“ had friends on the Oakleafs and I wanted to cheer them on. At games the crowd, the music, and the fights are more exciting than any other sport.”

Azra Feriz

Past Varsity State Champions 08 Oakleafs 07 Oakleafs 06 Oakleafs Capitals 05 04 Capitals

Compiled by Brennan Winget (staff writer)

Big Hits&sports bits

(1)

Swimming&Diving

(3)

Justin McCormick ‘09

Compiled by Julia manning(sports editor) Justin picture= Allison Coy/dragon. cheer picture= Amanda Gabbert/Portraits by Deena.

Fall state‘08

(4)

G/B XC

The team placed 8th in the state meet.

Meredith Luksetich placed 5th in the 50m freestyle and 4th in the 100m freestyle.

Other qualifiers included, Janelle Galang Steph Ferguson, and Hannah Dankbar.

In the diving meet Taylor Erwine placed 6th and Dahlia Gordon finished 10th, out of the 36 divers total that competed in the meet.

The girls ran to a 4th place finish at the state meet on Nov. 1. Junior Anna Belner was the top finisher in 19th place, sophomore Brittany Trow came 20th with a time of 15.11. The boys team qualified two runners for state. Sophomore Drew Jackson beat the all-time Johnston record. Sophomore Jon Houp also ran at the meet and got the 5th best all-time record.

Volleyball

Football

The girls held the 1st place ranking for a majority of their season. They finished 2nd in the state tournament with a loss to Ankeny in the championship. Seniors Kari Queck and Abby Sonner were named to the All-Tournament team. Kari Queck also ranked first in assists throughout the tournament with 124.

The boys landed a birth to the state tournament for the first time since 2003. Although they lost to Dowling Catholic, they ended the season 8-3.

1st team all conference members include,Justin Amick, Duane Hatfield, Jonathan Nelson, Aaron Shultz &Greg Larpenter. 2nd team, Jake Baumgarter, Blake Skartvedt, Keaton Schuck, Travis Merritt & Derek Temple.

(2)

(3)

Boy’s Golf

The boys placed 4th in the state tournament. Senior Mike Slavin finished 4th individually with a final score of 150. Also seniors Dain Opland finished with a final score of 165, and Justin McCormick with 166. Junior Nick Smith, and sophomores Corey Schaefer, and Eric Welter also contributed to the team score.

(5) (6)

Cheerleading/Dance Team The cheerleaders placed 5th in the state competition this year. Captains of the team were seniors Niki Feaster, Allie Wilmore and Abbey Nelson. “I thought we did really well, but part of our pyramid was illegal so we got 20 pts. doc’d, but we all thought we did really good,” Niki Feaster said. Dance team competes in their state competition the weekend of Dec.5

(6)

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Teel balances skating with school KELSEY KRUSE staff writer

Freshman Amanda Teel flies through the air and lands her most difficult combination jump, the double-lutz double-loop.

After the music stops the empty air is filled with applause from the crowd. Teel feels a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment after performing on the ice.

Eight years earlier, first grade teacher Gail Arnold walked through her classroom at Wallace Elementary handing out learn-to-skate flyers. The flyer, ignored by most, was taken home by Teel. She showed the flyer to her parents and although they didn’t know much about figure skating, they thought it would be a great opportunity for her.

Now at age 14, Teel skates in about eight competitions per year. Her most recent competition was held in Ames on Nov. 1. Teel received a gold medal in all three categories: spins, jumps, and short program.

“When you go to a competition, there is usually a sheet with the skaters’ names listed in order of when they compete. The order is completely random,” Teel said. “Everyone gets time to warm-up until their name is called.” Teel said the judges base scores on quality of jumps and spins and whether the skater falls or not.

Regionals was held on Oct. 14 in Richfield, MN. The competition consisted of skaters from five or six different states in the Midwest. Teel placed eight out of 16. “(Amanda’s) strengths are that she has a great personality on the ice and she has a good feel for the music,” Mandy Safely, Teel’s coach, said. “(Amanda) is a happy-go-lucky person and she likes to work hard so that makes coaching her easy.”

“My biggest challenge right now is I’m working on a jump. It’s called a double axel. You jump in the air and spin two and a half times,” Teel said.

Karen Teel, mother of Amanda Teel, said this jump is difficult because all jumps take off backwards except for the axel.

0:00 “

Overtime

When players give everything, you can’t ask any more...

”

- Coach Luis Aragones

Yet another quality column by Scott Monroe

Officials at fault for losses?

Johnston: 25. Dowling: 32. Game over. I glance at the scoreboard once, twice, then a third and final time. Scenarios begin to swirl in my head, as they tend to after every close loss. What if this, what if that. Maybe this, or possibly that. I close my eyes and watch replays of the controversial plays throughout the game. This process is a habit no matter what the sport or level of play is, but regardless one question always arises: What if the refereeing had been more proficient? What then?

The question always baffles me. I always ask myself, what if a certain play had gone the other way during the game? There are

Tips from

Teel

Balancing school to skating Skating should be planned around homework.

Too much homework means no skating.

Kiera Morrill/BW

Teel skates across the ice at the Metro Ice Arena.

Teel was practicing from 6:30 to 7 am on Tuesday November 3.

“Every time she goes up in a double jump, I kind of gasp for air wondering whether she will land it or not,” Karen said.

“You can tell if a jump is clean from the marks on the ice.”

Amanda and her coach go back and look at the marks on the ice to see if she has landed the jump correctly.

When Amanda falls she gets bruises but that’s about it.

“I actually probably fall down more than a person that has never skated before,” Amanda said. Skating is also hard on Amanda’s knees, because it involves pushing off with her legs a lot.

Teel practices figure skating six or seven days a week, sometimes before and after school. Skating takes up a lot of Teel’s time but Karen Teel, mother of Amanda Teel, says school comes first.

days after big games when all I hear is people complaining about the officiating jobs.

But nothing is worse than cheering in the stands and overhearing a student yelling at refs. I’d list my top five comical chants, but all five involve profanity, sexual references, or both.

While walking to the car after the Johnston game, I started thinking about the burning question. In this case, the controversial play was a field goal. Dowling kicked a field goal to make it an eight-point game, but the kick was questionable. The ball sailed high over the left goal post, almost directly above it. So close that it was possibly to the left of it, therefore making it no good. Normally, there are two referees positioned below the right and left posts, so as to clarify the spot of the ball. But in this situation there was only a single zebra, standing right smack in the middle of the field goal. He signaled a made field goal, but could not have possibly determined that correctly from where he was standing.

Johnston went on to tie the game, stop Dowling, and get the ball back in a tied game. On the third play of their drive, the team fumbled the ball, giving Dowling the field position needed to win the game. Let the speculations fly. If the field goal attempt was unsuccessful, Johnston would theoretically have had the ball with the lead and very

Getting started If skating is something that interests you, get group lessons. Or practice on your own during public skate. “(Amanda) is mostly an A student,” Karen said. “I actually think skating enhances her school work because she has to organize her time. She knows that if she doesn’t do well in school, she doesn’t skate. I like (that she skates) because she wants to do it and it makes her really happy. I think skating teaches her a lot of great life lessons.”

Amanda skates not for the life lessons, but because she really enjoys it. “I have made a lot of friends from skating,” Amanda said. “A lot of movies make the competition seem head to head, but (my competitors and I) are all really good friends. We cheer for each other and support each other.”

“I do plan on skating for a long time. A lot of the people I skate with are older now and have turned to coaching. I think that is something I would enjoy.” Amanda said.

little time remaining. Does the fault belong to the refs for not being prepared to assess the field goal? Arguments could be made for both sides, and I love debates.

Fault to the zebras: Yes. If the field goal were more accurately judged, it would have changed the entire scheme of the game. After scoring and stopping Dowling, Johnston could have easily run out the time instead of having a sense of urgency and attempting to drive the ball down field for a score. Even if a first down were not produced, the Maroons would have a slim chance at covering majority of the field in the amount of time remaining. Therefore the game was indeed decided by a judgmental call by the referees.

Fault to the zebras: No. Anything can happen, as is the case more than ever in this game. Even if the field goal was no good, Johnston isn’t automatically guaranteed the same results as were produced when the kick was good. The field position would have been different, along with the mind set of the 22 players on the field. If Johnston did end up scoring, they may not have gotten the two-point conversion, making it less than a three-point game. If the Dragons converted the two points, Dowling might not have been stopped. If they were stopped, Johnston might have fumbled again. Keep in mind that the fumble was on a running play, which is the type of play used to run out the

clock. Therefore, the game was not possibly decided by that one kick.

There is one last thing that needs to be said, and every fan in America needs to read this. Whether or not a game is truly decided by the officiating, one thing is for certain: it doesn’t even remotely matter! Spectators can whine and complain all they want; nothing will change. It’s not like the Iowa High School Sports Association is going to review game tape and change the outcome of the contest because of one mistake made by human officials. The only option teams have is to put the loss behind them, and get back out there next week and snag a win. Or in Johnston and now Dowling’s case, start plotting for next season, because you have a little more than a week until the next game.

Out Of Bounds This will only happen once every 30 years, so prepare to be stunned. This edition of “out of bounds” is dedicated to the Iowa Hawkeye football team. Yes folks, the same team that couldn’t defeat Northwestern, Pittsburgh, or Illinois has finally done something right. If you couldn’t tell, Iowa is not one of my favorite teams. But because they beat Penn State (then third in the nation), Texas now has an extremely good chance at playing in the National Championship in Miami. Thank you Iowa, you may now resume losing.

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Do You Dare to Dream?

What’s with dreams?

Whenever a person falls asleep, their brain goes through several sleep stages. The deepest, most intense part of the sleep cycle is REM stage. During this state there are endless possibilies of things to dream about and what a dream will consist of. Here are the top six most common dream themes that pretty much everybody will have at some point in their lifetime.

1

Naked dreams-You’re naked!! And in a public place.

This is a symbol of vulnerabilty and high anxiety in real life. It could also represent a want to fit into society.

2

Flying dreams- Flying/floating above a landscape/area. In flying dreams you can control what you do and where you go. This dream symbolizes a high sense well-being in real life and you’re in control of everything.

3

Falling dreams- In these, one is falling from a high location. This dream symbolizes a loss of control in a situation in your real life. This dream occurs if things aren’t going the way you would like them to go.

4 5 6

Teeth dreams- In teeth dreams, a person might dream about themselves losing their teeth, or their teeth breaking and falling out. This is a symbol of a fear of growing older and losing one’s good looks or youthful appearance.

Chase dreams-These consist of one being chased by a person, monster, animal, etc. This symbolizes anxiety and high pressure in one’s real life.

Test/Exam dreams- Consists of taking a test thats really hard and that one is not prepared for. This symbolizes high anxiety and stress about a situation. info provided by www.dreammoods.com

What do you dream?

Courtney Lappin ‘ 10

Patricia Miller ‘ 10

“I have dreams where I am getting chased all the time. I am usually running through a series of back yards and hiding because I’m getting chased by police.”

“Once I had a dream where I was driving in my car, and the breaks wouldn’t work. So I just kept driving and driving and I couldn’t stop.”

Matt Murray ‘ 09

Libby Elmitt ‘ 10

“I had a dream where I’m running through the city of Agrabah (from Aladdin) in nothing but green shamrock boxers and I’m being chased and then I fall off of a cliff.”

“I had a dream that my teacher was pregnant and then I told her the next day about the dream I had. And she said that she actually was pregnant.”

o Compiled by Eric Oatts [staff writer] and Haley Johnson [backpage editor]

Kyler Gifford ‘10 “I had a dream that I died in a snow drift and then I was in a room filled with everything that I valued in life, and then I walk towards a door with light coming out.”

Reed Siems ‘11 “ I dreamed that I woke up in a library, and I looked up at myself, and I was a librarian. I was embarassed because I didn’t know where any books were.”