Around Town b&w
BLACK AND WHITE OCT./ NOV. 2020 VOLUME 29 ISSUE 1
EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Print Editor Online Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor
Marandah Mangra-Dutcher Savannah Dennis Kylie Emery Joel Kellar Noah Gilbert
OCT & NOV
When Jay Rice ‘94 brainstormed the name of our paper in 1991, it was not because of the ink color. For the last 28 years, our mission has been to bring our audience stories from the school, community and nation, told clearly and without exaggeration--in black and white.
STAFF WRITERS Nolan Akins Parker Anderson Nathan Anderson Payton Blahut Audrey Bristow Thomas Center Addison Etnier Olivia Frantum Lily Fredericks Laila Hasanovic London Heim Matthew Hickman Marley Jenkins Alyvia Jensen Renee Johnson Zachary Kehoe Tate Larsen Braedon Layman Ethan Le
Abby Lehan Theron Luett Ayden Lyon Levi Manley Define Mansour Jay Marren Sabrina McGuire Alyssa Minear TJ Olson Charles Pruett-Shhillak Ciaran Rigby Tyler Roberts Tarun Srikaran Alma Suarez Edina Suljic Aidan Topolinski Jacob Weah Michael Wesseh
Photo by Sabrina McGuire
PAGE 14
Right next to Gray’s lake, you can find a small foot bridge. This bridge crosses the Raccoon River.
AROUND TOWN Johnston kids sometimes have a very skewed look at the world around them. With this issue we decided to open the eyes of the students to opportunities outside Johnston and how students are involved around the community. We took some time to recognize the vibe and feel of downtown Des Moines causing our staff members to explore downtown. We highlighted a few companies who are on the rise around the community and world as quarantine numbers spike, and we mentioned some kids who are constantly out making their voices heard outside of our school. Our students need to take some more time to get out and around town in order to get more connected with the world around them. Marandah Mangra-Dutcher Editor-in-Chief
CONTENT Feature 4 Thrifting 6 Their New Voice 10 Emerge Academy 14 The Neon Side of Des Moines Opinion 16 Fair Pay to Play 18 Fall Sports Lacked Guidance 20 Sweater Weather Mod 22 Amazon’s Rapid Rise to the Top
Photo by Sabrina McGuire
PAGE 14
In Des Moines’ Civic Center Historic District, there are a few inspirational neon signs displayed. The signs can be found on the side of Blaze Pizza’s building, and features saying such as, ‘Renew what is said’.
FINE PRINT Black & White is published solely by the Johnston High School newspaper staff. It is an open forum. In accordance with Iowa law, students assign, edit material and make all decisions of content. Editorials represent the opinion of a majority of the editorial board. Editorial and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the advisor, school officials or the district. Letters to the editor must be signed. Like all material, letters may not be libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. To write a letter to the editor, or report an error in the issue, please contact the editors at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com.
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4| feature
THRIFTING
Favorite Finds
A Trend On The Rise
Students’ favorite things they have thrifted.
In recent years, thrifting has become
the amount of resources being wasted on the
more popularized. Many young people have
clothing industry since the clothes are not
to big content creators, trends spread fast.
been hopping onto the trend. It has always
brand new.
One of the reasons thrifting became popular
been
Another popular reason many thrift
online is because of influencers, one being
friendly, and an easy way to switch up your
is because it offers different and unique styles.
Emma Chamberlain. “Yeah she’s like the one
style. However, with more exposure online,
“I probably started because I wanted to get
who really brought it back,” Evelyn Paucar ‘23
people have been able to spread the word.
something unique and kinda something that
said. As more people started to share about
was me,”Keenan McCann ‘21 said.Thrift stores
thrifting online and telling their audience
The Benefits
offer a variety of clothing that regular stores
about what they’ve found or why they like it,
Thrifting has many qualities that
will not be able to offer simply because thrift
this caused their viewers to become intrigued
draw people into the trend. One of these is
stores get clothing from all different stores
and decide to try it out themselves.
the fact that it is environmentally friendly.
and people with different styles. This allows
“I like it because it saves the environment
people to create their own sense of style and
share their finds with their friends. That
because you get secondhand clothing, so you
express themselves better.
has also helped popularize thrifting because
don’t buy new things, only old ones,” Emmy
Clothing in thrift stores is also
when people enjoy something they tried out
Doan ‘23 said. It is good for the environment
usually very affordable. “They’re cheap,
and share it with others, those people will do
because the clothes in thrift stores are being
so they’re easy to afford, lots of people can
the same.
reused, opposed to being thrown away and
afford it,” said Celina Ngo ‘23. This means
dumped into landfills after one person is
that people will not have to turn away just
Places to Thrift
done with them which could take hundreds of
because the price is too high.
•
Goodwill
years to decompose. Thrifting also decreases
Spreading the Word
•
Plato’s Closet
•
The Salvation Army
•
Many Hands
•
EveryStep Giving Tree
•
Encore
more
affordable,
environmentally
Celina Ngo ‘23
Keenan McCann ’21
With millions of people looking up
Like influencers, people tend to
Emmy Doan ‘23
Evelyn Paucar ‘23
Words| Laila Hasanovic Layout| Laila Hasaonvic
Their New Voice
Senior students exercise their right to vote for the first time amid an election that has shocked America. Words and Layout | Savannah Dennis
T
his year has been a rollercoaster ride that started in January
found
choosing
his
been the lowest lower turnout out of all
then I voted for Axne, Greenfield… and I did
people who support Trump are gonna
different age groups. Young voters tend
vote for Schneider as well, the sheriff,” Chen
still support Trump, and the people who
to vote more democratic; that’s been true
said. “There’s a lot of people on the ballot, but
support Biden are gonna support Biden. I
throughout history, and so if the democratic
I voted all democratic.”
don’t think that really affected anything before and after the debate.”
party and Joe Biden can get young voters to
Chen chose her party based on her values.
show up in greater numbers that’s going to
“My parents are actually very conservative,
She found a policy that she sides with
be a big advantage to them.”
so I’m kind of an oddball out,” she said. “My
President Trump on rather than Biden. “I do
When voting, it is crucial to be educated
beliefs are always with the people who need
like that Trump is very firm in his policies
to say that 2008 when Barak Obama first
on the candidates. “We have a representative
it most, the people who need help. So, low-
with China,” Chen said. “As someone who
party
ran for president there was an extremely
democracy, not a direct democracy, so
income families, immigrants, the people who
has parents who have come from China and
are good.” Duckett
7 | in-depth
and has not slowed down
affiliation to be easy. “It’s because my parents
high level of student engagement in that
we don’t actually get input on the issues.
can’t afford to live like business owners or
understand what it’s like being there, that’s
since. The country experienced wildfires
have been Republicans, so that’s what I grew
election as well,” he said. “In 2008, it was
Our views are filtered through our elected
millionaires. I do have policies that advocate
their main concern, that the president of
in California, UFO videos from the
up doing and believing in,” he said.
for less social and economic inequality.”
the United States is not going to be strong
excitement about the possibility of an
representatives,” Hennes said. “We’re only
Pentagon, Asian giant hornets entering the
One policy in particular stands out to him.
Obama presidency, and I would say from
asking that every two, four, or six years
enough to fight China against their ability
United States, a derecho, the coronavirus
“I do not like Biden’s view on taking ARs
what I’ve seen this time around, it’s more
that you pay attention, that you are really
to wiggle out of responsibility.”
pandemic and everything that came with
and all that,” Duckett said. “I think we have
of a concern on students about a potential
focused in terms of deciding how to use
it, the upcoming presidential election, and
a right to bear arms, and I think we need
second Trump administration.”
your vote.”
everything else that happened outside of
guns for our own safety and self-defense. And
Early and absentee voting has become
There are websites and organizations
American borders.
if you have all the right requirements to be
extremely popular during this election
dedicated to providing information about
carrying or handling a gun, I think we should
due to the coronavirus pandemic. “So now,
candidates running for office. “There are
be able to.”
As if the year by itself is not crazy
we’re two weeks ahead of the election and
several different groups that attempt to
chaos as well. We have seen political
more people have already voted early
provide balanced voting guides,” Hennes
figure after political figure get infected
than voted early the entire election cycle
said. “I think one of them is called
last time around,” Hennes said. “People
VoteSmart.org. VoteSmart.org I would say
are extremely motivated to vote early.” A
is a good source of finding information
record breaking 81 million early votes have
about
been cast as of Oct 29 according to the U.S.
approach if they’re not wanting to rely on
Elections Project.
the democratic and republican parties for
enough, the election itself has brought
with COVID-19, ad after ad, flyer after flyer, and debates that resembled a high school argument in government class rather than a presidential debate. Regardless
of
party,
every
two-
or-so years Iowa is bombarded with advertisements, rallies, events, phone calls, texts, and knocks at the door as candidates start campaigning in preparation for the Iowa caucuses. All of that can be
“I am very excited to get to finally have a say in what happens in our government,” Jordan Duckett ‘21
overwhelming for a senior navigating the
candidates
in
a
balanced
their information.” Vivian Chen ‘21 thinks that voting in
“Voting is important. Anyone that can vote should go out there and vote. It’s a way to make your voice heard.”- Vivian Chen ‘21
another Trump administration. “I like that he’s transparent, but I think he’s a little bit too open about it,” Chen said. “He’s the president of the United States. He needs to have some eloquence and some grace and courtesy when it comes to talking about other political figures or international relationships because he is a global figure in the world. People do look up to him, so he needs to demonstrate that part.” Chen has already submitted her ballot. “I actually requested my ballot, and then I filled it out at home and… I personally handed it to the Polk County auditors,” she
2016 proved that polls can be misleading.
elections holds a great importance for the
said. “That was because I do have the fear
“People realize, I think, the consequences
country. “I think voting does really matter,
of having my ballot lost in the mailing
of elections maybe more so than they did in
especially in this upcoming election,” she
2016,” Hennes said. “I think to some extent
said. “I think we have seen things in the
Certain policies are important to her when
process. I know that’s very rare and that never happens, but I didn’t want that to happen at all.”
democrats and those that tend to support
past four years that do need to change.
she looks at which candidate she wants to
In watching the first debate, he did not
democrats maybe got a little complacent in
And I think that voting can definitely be
vote for. “My two non-negotiables in politics
As students grow up and more elections
political realm and preparing to vote for the first time.
The polls currently show former Vice President Biden with a substantial lead, but
the
Yet she still has some concerns about
Jordan Duckett ‘21 feels voting is a right
find it to be very moving. “Personally, I
2016. The polls going into 2016 suggested
important in showing that you care about
are the environment and race,” Chen said.
come and go, it is important for everyone
that should be exercised. “Our country’s
believe that if you went into that debate not
Hillary Clinton was going to win, she
events happening in this country.”
“So far, one candidate, Biden, has advocated
who is eligible to use their voice. “Voting is
fought for a lot of years to have the chance
knowing what to vote for, you got nothing
was the clear favorite in the polls. So, for
Her process for picking which candidate
for improving social change in race and
the most fundamental act that we have as
to vote and have a say in our government,
from it,” Duckett said. “I mean, it supported a
democrats that sat out 2016 maybe because
to vote for entailed extra time and effort.
environmental change for the world. Trump
citizens,” Hennes said. “We don’t ask much
and so I thought it was my right to take
few things that I believe in, but it didn’t really
they thought that Hillary was a shoe-in,
“I basically researched their policies,” Chen
has not, especially in last night’s debate. He
of our citizens. We don’t require people
upon voting,” he said.
help or not help in any way.”
they’ve seen now what the consequences of
said. “All of the Democratic candidates
kind of failed to prove that he would care for
to serve in the military, we don’t require
not voting are.”
and
either of those policies.”
people to volunteer, the only thing that we
for
Duckett plans to vote in person. “I’m going
president, Duckett made note of the
to go in person and write on the card, but I
Gen Z has the opportunity to make
policies that you can easily find online. So,
Chen felt that the debates would not
really require is that you follow the law.
positive impact President Trump has
don’t believe in mailing in your vote,” he said.
When
determining
his
vote
the
Republican
candidates
have
an impact on the election. “Going back
researching those to see if those policies
impact voters’ choice of who to mark on their
And there are some really tremendous
teaching,
through history to the 26th amendment
line up with my personal beliefs of what
ballot. “I think the debates were interesting
privileges that come along with being a
business, and Trump is good for him,” he
Government teacher Patrick Hennes has
that lowered the voting age to 18, there was
can better this country definitely helped
to watch just to give an idea of how that
U.S. citizen, so I would say that voting more
said. “He’s really helped the economy in
sensed changes in student engagement during
a temporary spike in the number of young
with deciding who I would vote for.”
candidate would be in office for the next four
so than a right, voting should be viewed as
many different ways to help it grow, and
elections. “There’s a higher level of student
voters that voted and it’s been down ever
She stuck with her party. “I voted for
years, but I don’t think they really changed
a responsibility.”
done a lot of things for our country that
engagement in this election cycle, but I have
since,” Hennes said. “Young voters have
Biden for the presidential candidate, and
much about political views,” she said. “The
had on his family. “My dad owns a small
Throughout
his
time
Bachelor’s degree- 74.2%
E T O
BILLION
Advanced degree- 80.3%
Percentage of total campaign spending by party affiliation.
Other- 7%
Information provided by the U.S. Census Bureau
35-
53.1%
60.2%
Did not like the candidates or campaign issues
7%- Other Split
Top 5
Bottom 5
Washington D.C.- 74.3%
Hawaii- 47.3%
Information provided by the U.S. Census Bureau
Official Ballot
4%- Split R/D or D/R 42%- Straight Democratic Ticket 38%- Straight Republican Ticket
Minor Party
Democrats
2016 Voter Turnout by State
Maine- 72.7%
Too busy, conflicting schedule
Other reason
43%- Straight Democratic Ticket
2020 Iowa Mail Ballots Requested by Party
No Party Affiliation
Information provided by the U.S. Elections Project.
2020 Eligible Voters By Generation and Race Gen Z
Not interested
Illness or disability
4%- Split R/D or D/R
Republicans
Top 5 Reasons for Not Voting in 2016
Official Ballot
Information provided by the Pew Research Center.
Information provided by the U.S. Census Bureau
1 2 3 4 5
6%- Other Split
35%- Straight Republican Ticket
Information provided by the Center for Responsive Politics.
70.9%
66.6%
11%- Not Sure/Refused
9%- Not Sure/Refused
65+
45-
64
4
4
44
25-3
22% of the money has been from small-dollar donations. Smalldollar donations accounted for 14% of the money in 2016 and are donations of $200 or less.
Democrat- 54%
High school graduate- 51.5%
2016 Voter Turnout by Age
43.0%
Types of tickets for the current presidential and House/Senate races
Estimated amount of total money that will be spent on congressional and presidential campaigns during this cycle. In the last election cycle, $6.5 billion was spent.
Some college or associate’s degree- 63.3%
18-2
10.8
Voting Plans by Type of Ticket
HOUSE
Less than 9th grade- 31.7%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma- 35.3%
Political Spending
SENATE
2016 Voter Turnout by Education
Republican- 49%
8 | in-depth
Millenial
Gen X
Boomer
Silent
West Virginia- 50.8%
Wisconsin- 70.5%
Tennessee- 54.0%
Colorado- 69.5%
New Mexico- 54.8%
New Hampshire- 69.0%
Texas- 55.7%
Information provided by the U.S. Census Bureau
White Information provided by the Pew Research Center.
Hispanic
Black
Asian
Other
Ninja Warriors Of Des Moines The inspiring story behind the fun, alternative workout. Words | Charles Pruett-Shillak Layout | Charles Pruett-Shilak and Savannah Dennis Photo by Charles Pruett-Shillak
in the region; Needless to say, I found out
off their skills in a new type of physical
that my gift was really not as a gymnast, my
competition. With a lengthy and successful
gift was coaching.”
gymnastics
Warrior
a shot. Emerge Academy offers children’s
With this mentality in mind, Johnson
seemed like a refreshing new platform for
classes throughout the day, ranging from
could only go up, and the progress of Emerge
guys like Spencer Johnson to showcase their
preschool to high school level children for
Academy has been concrete evidence of this.
amazing abilities. “I came from a gymnastics
both gymnastics and Ninja Warrior.
“The year after that I had my first two boys
background where you do 100, 100, 100, 100,
However, when the sun goes down, Emerge
graduate from high school and receive full
and 100 of each individual skill so that you
also offers a nightly adult class on Mondays,
scholarships,” Johnson said. “Now I know I
knew the odds of you hitting that routine
Wednesdays and Fridays led by Johnson’s
haven’t done this for as long as many, but that
when you raise your hand to start was very
infectious positivity and motivation. Ranging
aside, I don’t believe there’s many coaches
high,” Johnson said. “You knew what you were
from veteran rock climbers to first-time
out there that have 100% of their graduating
doing. You were calculated. Ninja Warrior
athletes to athletes in their 50’s, any member
students receive college scholarships.”
was the opposite. It was so much different,
can join the class. One regular attendee of
which I loved, I needed that.”
the nightly adult classes is 56 year-old Bill
With this massive level of success, Johnson
background,
Ninja
also noted that he gave massive credit to
With the dreams of opening his own
Crist. Crist has been coming to Emerge for
the kids who come through his gymnastics
gymnastics gym in the future, it seemed as
a little over two years. Crist has proven his
program for being able to put in the work
if a Ninja Warrior tack on was a guarantee.
athleticism in completing physical feats that
and bring the heat when it matters most.
Johnson had reached out to a handful of
Emerge Academy has also racked up state,
gyms that were booming, gyms that were
regional and national titles in gymnastics,
just starting, gyms that had failed, and
with Johnson being able to lead those within
analyzed every detail of their programs and
his gym to great success.
environments to mold the perfect template to
The massive change from athlete to coach
be able to train in. “What it really came down
has helped Johnson realize his true potential in
to was every place had different philosophies,
coaching within the gymnastics community.
it wasn’t anything cohesive, nothing that was
“I had gone from being in the limelight, all
spelled out that said ‘Do this, and you’ll be
attention on me, to being behind the scenes,
successful,’” Johnson said.
and it was terrifying to me,” Johnson said. “I
At that point, it became a matter of
thought, what am I doing with my life? I was
creating an environment that could match
n mid-March of 2020, headlines
fitness centers having begun to open back
Having risen through the ranks in
like, man, I’m gonna fully commit to this,
the high paced positivity of Johnson to help
around the nation announced the
up, one “gym” has gained more traction than
gymnastics in his youth, Johnson was on top
and see where it takes me, and that’s where
others succeed. “We’re gonna come in and
abrupt and terrifying quarantine
many more.
of the boys gymnastics program. However,
it took off. I thought, man, I have more joy
highlight the potential of every person that
I
due to the recent pandemic finally making
Emerge Academy, based off Interstate
several months later, the program was cut.
doing that, than I ever did as an athlete.”
walks in that door, whether they’re expecting
solid ground in the USA. Coronavirus had
141 in Grimes, Iowa, reopened in June of this
Combined with a rough home life and no
With this intoxicatingly positive attitude and
it or not; I just decided we’re gonna create an
cancelled plans for months to come, as
year on their two year anniversary. Opened in
program to continue his dream in, Johnson
mentality, not just towards sports but life as
environment where people can thrive, and
citizens around the nation, sick and well,
2018 by Spencer Johnson, a life-long gymnast
moved away at the age of 14. “Over the years
a whole, Johnson has become one of the best
people wanna be a part of,” Johnson said.
were advised to quarantine themselves at
and former chairman for USA gymnastics
I lived with between 10 and 13 host families
gymnastics coaches in the state.
“And it can be an escape from all the other
home. While each individual had a different
for Iowa, Johnson was set on making sure
(in) 5 different states,” Johnson said. Through
With such a great interest in calisthenics,
response, most businesses had to temporarily
Emerge Academy was not going to be like
continuous hard work, Johnson had reached
an exercise movement commonly used in
shut their doors to wait out the newly found
any other gym. “I wanna go into a place and
the Olympic training center for gymnastics
gymnastics to achieve bodily fitness, and
In a period of two years, Emerge Academy
virus outbreak. Months passed, and numbers
feel hyped up. I wanna go into a place and
at the age of 19, being the youngest in the
grace of movement, the game was flipped
has attracted all different kinds of people
continued
activities
feel success,” Johnson said. “I wanna go into a
facility by 6 years. After working for years
upside down when American Ninja Warrior
from all different corners of life. Old and
around the nation became rare occurrences.
place where I am motivated by other people,
and years, Johnson had come close but had
came to fruition. “When Ninja Warrior came
young, unfit and fit, experienced or simply
Businesses, stores, and restaurants were
people who wanna be pushed and dare to
not reached the Olympic team.
around, it was like such a breath of fresh
a beginner, Johnson has not turned down a
forced to endure CDC mandates and even
to dig deep enough to find their fullest
single pair of hands willing to give the course
shut their doors for good.
potential.”
to
spike;
normal
11 | in-depth
However, what would seem like a gigantic
air,” Johnson said. “It was just an incredible
detriment to most athletes careers, Johnson
feeling of no repetition, and there was no
However, one activity that put a large
Growing up, Johnson had no reason
continued to move forward and took up
rhyme or reason to it. It was literally that
spike in people’s current and future plans
to give this enthusiasm towards life and
coaching at a local gym in Iowa. “I had
the best guys could fall, guys could slip into
was gyms being shut down around the
provide this attitude towards wanting to
the fastest growing boys program in the
higher rankings, it was anybody’s game.”
nation. For months, working out at the gym
better those around him, but his story is one
region within the first year,” Johnson said.
There was really no better way to put it.
became a myth, and people were forced to
of perseverance and greatness. “The vision
“The second year, I had one of the top boys’
In Ninja Warrior, new competitors could
find alternatives at home and around town
started with just gymnastics because that was
programs in the region. This was a gym in
come out of nowhere and it also gave a
with other choices. However, with gyms and
my life for 17 years,” Johnson said.
Ankeny., I had the number one boys program
platform to these talented athletes to show
crap outside those doors, and then you just find the right people.”
Micah Skinner attempts to scale the 15 foot warped wall, which is a half foot taller than the wall on American Ninja Warrior. Photo by Charles Pruett-Shillak
12 | in-depth a majority of people 20 or 30 years younger than him could never do. “The tv show course
would say the gym and rock climbing, it was
problems when it came to putting the place
like almost an escape from reality to me,”
together. “The rule of thumb is start small; As
Glad said. “Whenever (there) was a hard time,
it grows and becomes financially stable, you
it helped me a lot mentally.”
expand, but I knew if we were gonna come
got me interested, so (I) just happened to do
It is a near guarantee everyone in
in, we had to come in hot,” Johnson said. “We
a Google search for ninja gyms in my area
Emerge’s adult class could concur with this
were gonna come in different than the rest of
and landed at Emerge, which is right in my
statement, along with the likes of Ryan
the gyms, we were gonna come in bigger, we
back door,” Crist said. “I’m still trying to gain
Freidhoff ‘21. “It’s kind of been a good break
were gonna come in fresh, we wanted a fresh
interest in more of my peer group, but it’s
for me because most of my life has kind of
look, and we wanted people saying ‘This is not
difficult to find people who want to do this in
been more on the mental side between the
just a chalky gym bag, this is an experience.’”
their 50’s,” Crist said.
classes,” said Freidhoff. “So it’s just nice to
Along with the ongoing pandemic, Emerge
However, the age gap does not phase
know that after my classes get over, that I
has made sure to keep not only the gym-
anyone in the nightly class. “Everyone is so
can release all my physical stuff; There’s no
goers, but staff and anyone who may enter as
positive and upbeat and encouraging and it’s
downside to it, everything is just a benefit.
well. “We upped our cleaning substantially,
just like a little family and it’s nice to see new
You’re making yourself feel better and you’re
and other than that, we wanted people to feel
people come in and take a shot at it, and I
making yourself bigger at the same time, it’s
comfortable coming in, whether in masks or
hope the group grows,” Crist said.
a win-win.”
not, and we’ve given that opportunity for all
With the encouragement of Johnson
Along with those early and far in their careers,
many
adults
of our employees,” Johnson said. “What we’ve
being able to trickle down on everyone
educational
call
really found out is that people are ready to
within the group, there is never a negative
Emerge home as well. Daniel Potter suffered
get back, and the craziest part is since we’ve
moment in class. Crist also made an amazing
a devastating back injury while playing
re-opened, we haven’t had one case, not one.
point in how Emerge Academy has become
soccer in high school, which took his athletic
We’ve had several people tested, I’ve had staff
an important aspect of his life. “I just think
career out of the picture for quite some time.
tested, not one case has come back positive,”.
maybe more for someone in my stage of life,
Once he heard of Emerge Academy, Potter
Making sure the facilities are constantly
it just is something to help you keep living,”
came over to join the late night crew and
sanitized as well as offering mask options
Crist said. “It’s like, ‘okay, I’m not just sitting
has found his place in the Emerge family.
allows for an anti COVID environment to
around, doing regular stuff, I’m active with
“(It) helps with stress, anxiety, getting your
keep its patrons safe and protected around
people, I’m active with younger people who
mind off everything,” Potter said. “(There’s)
the clock.
accept me for who I am. It’s just the positive
good people, fun competition, I don’t like
With the start of the gym, momentum
atmosphere, and you just can’t get past it.
working out in gyms and stuff because I like
came slow, as a new development in a Grimes
Everybody is happy to be there, and see each
more of the competitive side. Whenever I see
area wasn’t an all too popular territory just
other and try new things and encourage one
people doing things I can’t do, it pushes me
yet, but with time, Emerge grew larger with
another.”
more to be able to do that. So it gets my mind
each passing month.
Emerge’s late night class has become a
more off the things I’m worrying about and
One of the base principles established by
family, with a recurring crowd attending
puts it more towards what I’m doing at the
Emerge Academy is the vision of creating an
every week and continuously getting better
moment.”
environment unlike any other where anyone
alongside one another. Emerge Academy
One of the great things about Emerge
can come in and learn to thrive and achieve
allowed Ethan Glad, a rock climber of
is the constant encouragement. Potter has
excellence in whatever physical barriers they
roughly 5 years, a platform to improve his
described how the supportive environment
may overcome, and Johnson is well aware
already impressive calisthenics skills. “I think
has been beneficial to his athletic advances.
of how the vision is so beautifully spread
9th grade, that’s when I could do 2 pull-ups,”
“[The environment is not overly competitive]
throughout the facility. Nowadays, opening
Glad said. “I can do a lot more now thanks to
to the point where it’s ‘I’m gonna do better
spots in Emerge Academy don’t frequently
rock climbing. I wasn’t always strong and I
than you’, it’s ‘Since I can do this better than
see the light of day. “We have waiting lists
still have a long way to go.”
you, I’m gonna show you how to do it,’” Potter
now, all the time. We try to keep classes open,
said.
but part of it is staffing too. I wanna deliver a
Everyone has flocked to Emerge for their own reasons, whether it simply be for fun, to
Building such an environment not only
great product, I don’t wanna just open classes
stay in shape, or find themselves trying to
comes with forming great relationships
and put people in,” Johnson said. “So what
reach an athletic peak, Emerge is an amazing
amongst one’s peers, but a solid facility to
it really came down to is that God gave me
environment to achieve goals. The positive
house the family known as Emerge. With the
a dream and a strong work ethic. Family,
environment also doubles as a complete
Grimes area continuing to expand with new
friends and great people are what made that
escape from the outside world and gives these
development, Spencer Johnson found the
dream a reality. They are what made the
people a chance to be able to focus on simply
perfect facility to begin Emerge Academy.
dream worth pursuing. So dream on...I dare
the next obstacle ahead of them. “Mentally, I
However the facility was the least of the
ya.”
Spencer Johnson climbs up the campus board, a series of increasingly small grips. The board focuses on improving grip strength and muscle endurance. Photo by Charles Pruett-Shillak
Spencer Johnson flies through the air on a wooden ring attached to the ceiling. A crash pad awaits his landing on the other side. Photo by Charles Pruett-Shillak
Spencer Johnson braces to swing to a wingnut, a sideways-swinging structure. The obstacle incorporates a small space to grip, as well as shifting your momentum sideways, adding variety to a challenging series of obstacles. Photo by Charles Pruett-Shillak
The Neon Side of Des Moines
15 | feature
Splash Seafood Bar and Grill can be found on East Locust Street in downtown Des Moines. The bar and grill features bright
Words and Photos | Sabrina McGuire Layout | Savannah Dennis
neon signs all over the building.
The Angry Goldfish is a pub and eatery on SW 9th Street in Des Moines. The pub features a few neon signs on the outside of the building.
Drake Diner is a 50s themed diner located in the Drake neighborhood. The diner originally opened in 1987 and has been popular ever since.
In Des Moines East Village, there are a few neon signs displayed in the window of Zombie Burger + Drink Lab. The fast food restaurant follows a post-apocalyptic theme.
Splash Seafood Bar and Grill also features an ‘oyster bar’ neon sign on the side of the Drake Diner is a 50s themed diner located in the Drake neighborhood. The diner originally opened in 1987 and has been popular ever since.
building.
16| opinion
Fair Pay For Play Words| Joel Kellar Layout| Joel Kellar
I
n January 2019 the Duke Blue Devils took the court against their bitter rivals, the North Carolina Tar Heels. This was one of the most highly anticipated regular season college basketball games of recent years. This game, which was sold out and had the average ticket cost over $1000 dollars, featured basketball phenom Zion Williamson. Zion was a once in a generation talent that already had millions upon millions of dollars all locked up if he was able to make it through the season without a career ending injury. During the game Zion made a cut and busted his shoe and his knee on the same play. The basketball world went into shock and prayed that he would be able to make a full recovery. Williamson, who could’ve skipped the NCAA and gone straight to the NBA, nearly lost his future as an athlete and tens of millions of dollars. If not for the NCAA rules that state that a collegiate athlete cannot earn money of their name and likeness or get paid by the university. If this rule was not in effect players like Zion and Trevor Lawrence would be able to make millions of dollars through endorsement deals while in college and in some cases right after they graduate high school. Injuries happen in nearly every college sports game and when athletes need medical care it is usually paid for by their parents or their own insurance. In this case they are treated as professionals or adults, but they can’t earn money off their name because they’re amateurs. The old empowered commissioners of the NCAA and each Conference need to know that it is one or the other. These players and their families can’t be held accountable for paying for treating injuries when the players can not earn
money for the sport they play. Some people say that they should get a job and have an income, but then they would be disqualified from competing as that would be against the rules. If these athletes are supposed to treat the sport they play as a profession then why shouldn’t they be able to sign endorsement deals or sign and sell their own memorabilia. A great number of college athletes don’t come from a million dollar mansion with
This is an example of what the cover for a new NCAA Basketball video game. These were extremely popular until Electronic Arts was forced to stop making them.
access to anything they ask for. Many come from crowded homes where they just barely scrape by and sometimes go to sleep hungry. Their athletic ability is their entire families way out of poverty. What happens if they suffer a tragic injury that cuts their career short. They would have to pay the medical bills and then possibly for college as sometimes if you can’t play anymore you won’t be kept on the scholarship. This forces many athletes in this situation to drop out and what hope they once had for being able to live comfortably is gone and now they are in deeper debt. This would not just benefit players either. The legendary NCAA video games would be able to make a comeback. These are wildly popular among college fans. They were canceled in 2013 because Electronic Arts had to settle a lawsuit with college athletes who thought they shold be able to earn money off the game. If players were allowed to earn money off of their name this game would be able to make a comeback and hundreds of thousands college sports fans would rejoice. While many states are already on their way to pass the Fair Pay For Play act, some senators disagree with this act. Some say that if the athletes can earn money off sponsorships then they should be taxed on their scholarship money. If this happened most athletes would likely still seek endorsement deals and sponsorships because they will still make more money than they are currently. If the NCAA and the State Governments pass the fair pay to play act, where these athletes can earn money off their name and likeness these athletes would be able to have a back up plan where if their career is cut short or just miss out on being professional they are able to land on their feet.
18| Editrial
Fall Sports Lacked Guidance Fall sports lacked the guidance they needed from IHSAA and IHSGAU.
(Right) Jack Rutz ‘22 throws the ball during the game. Rutz lead the team to a 3-5 record including a upset against #1 Dowling Catholic. (Left) Yohana Yual ‘21 wins the conference meet. Yual was the top runner for a top ten team in the state.
(Right) Bella Heikes ‘21 runs during the conference meet. Heikes was the top runner for girls during their state championship year. (Left) Ava Smithson ‘24 waits for a ball during a game. Volleyball had a good year in the midst of the pandemic going 19-15.
The editorial is an opinion held by the editorial board of the newspaper and is a collaboration of the board. It needs a simple majority to pass. This month’s vote was 5-0.
T
he Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) have not handled things well during the global pandemic. They have been very strict about eligibility and very loose in teams listening to the guidelines. Whether it be forcing students who moved from another state to sit out their sport, to being inconsistent in between sports, or to rarely enforcing the guidelines that they set in July. When the country shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many athletes in the Class of 2021 were left wondering if they would be able to play their senior year. When the time came for the IHSAA to determine whether or not it was safe to play, they decided to have fall sports, however many states did the opposite. The decision to play fall sports led many seniors, mainly those who played football, from other states to pick up their lives and move to Iowa so they could finish out their high school career and get scholarships to go to D-1 schools. As a state there were a few elite players and many lesser known players fighting for a chance to go D-1. The lesser known athletes were able to play with little to no problems, but the stars that moved had to undergo many stressful weeks wondering
if they would even be able to play. The Johnston Athletic Director, Josh Tobey said, “It’s challenging for families having to make a really tough decision about what to do in the times that we are living in.” Arland Bruce ‘21 IV of Ankeny, moved from a Kansas City suburb and had to sit out nearly half the year because his siblings did not move with him. The IHSAA claims that he has dual residency living in both Ankeny and Kansas City. Bruce has not traveled back to Kansas City since he moved at the start of the season. This should have been enough to let him play as this is what nearly everyone else in the country did. The IHSAA ruled him ineligible when he thought he was following all the rules. He appealed in what was an unnecessarily long process and took weeks to be completed. The IHSAA even disqualified another player in what seemed like an attempt to prove their point. Tobey said, “They [Appeals] are time consuming, they are expensive, and they are emotional for all the parties involved.” These student athletes who just wanted a chance to play during their senior year were left with a lot of pressure and anxiety because of the appeals that had to be made to make their transfer worth it. The other player was an Elite 11 quarterback
from Colorado who went to Valley. He had no problems with the transfer until the Bruce situation gained national attention. They finally reversed their decision after thousands of complaints came in including from 2020 Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes tweeted, “Let my man @abruceiv play! Kid wants to play his senior year of football why stop him?!? @IHSAA”. The thing is these athletes should have never had to wait to play. They made sure they had followed the rules, but apparently since they were star athletes it was different, and they were not able to play. On the IHSAA website it says under guidelines, “Students in a district not offering the sport may open enroll to another district and would be immediately eligible to participate in that sport. In such a situation, students who open enroll would be ineligible for varsity competition in all sports which their home district offers. As per 36.15(4) (a)”. This makes it look like the athletes that tranferred from other states should’ve been able to play. This would have brought more national attention to Iowa high school football as there would have been an even better pool of athletes playing in Iowa. In the summer before the seasons started
they came out with guidelines for each sport. They left mandating some or all of these guidelines up to each school. Due to the increase in cases and quarantines, the IHSAA and IGHSAU should have considered mandating masks especially for indoor sports as they were at a higher risk for the virus to spread. In addition they had many guidelines to follow but did not implement them well. In the guidelines they do not tell athletes in close contact sports that they have to wear a mask. In a time when going back to school made the cases skyrocket an outbreak was unavoidable. To counter this they should have mandated wearing a mask while competing as that would have limited the exposure. These rules are not keeping people safe especially in football where they are in close contact with other players for the majority of the game. At Johnston we saw this multiple times during the season. In the early part of the season the freshman football team had to quarantine, because someone on the team got the virus and the team was not wearing masks in practice. The same thing happened for the varsity football team at the last game of the year. Luckily they did not have to miss any games as their season was over.
When they made the guidelines they left the majority of it up to individual conferences and districts. Josh Tobey said “That would [athletes wearing masks while competing] be an individual, district decision and I’ll be honest we are trending to wearing them full time.” This is what the IHSAA and IGHSAU should have said from the beginning and not leave it up to schools to make the right choice. In the midst of all this the sport that was affected the most was the cross country teams even though they were the second safest sport, only behind boys golf. Many of the JV meets were limited to a very small number of runners from each school. For some meets this was up to the owners of the location where the meet was held. Even though this wasn’t entirely the fault of the IHSAA and the IGHSAU they did not have many solutions for schools that held their own meet to have the ful teams run. When the individual school had to decide how many runners from each team would be allowed, they were never given a guideline of what amount would make it more risky for the athletes. They did a bad job of helping these runners have meets even though they allowed the freshman and JV teams of other, higher risk sports to play.
They were very relaxed with the guidelines in other sports too. In volleyball it is stated as wearing a mask is permissible. The argument could be made that the masks should have been made mandatory for the safety of both teams. They play inside so the virus is easier to spread since it is in a confined space. Even if the athletes wore them, they were not required to have the mask on the right way. They were able to pull it down underneath their chin during the game so the mask did nothing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. They mandated masks for the spectators, but why did they not mandate masks for the athletes. If watching a game was not safe without a mask then why would playing the game be safe without a mask. They did a good job in creating guidelines and ideas to keep athletes safe, but what good does it do when it is not enforced. The IHSAA had at least three months to devise a plan for each sport and ended up with a bunch of good guidelines that were not made mandated as they should have for the safety of the athletes. They needed to tell school districts that they had to follow those specific guidelines for the safety of their athletes instead of just encouraging them to follow the guidelines.
20 | Opinion
What also makes sweaters versatile is that there are so many types. Some people do not like super heavy sweaters, and some dislike the feel of loose, lightweight sweaters. But the variety is almost unlimited, such as knitted sweaters and crewnecks. And depending on the brand, they can be very affordable. Also, anyone regardless of gender, age, religion, and colour can wear a sweater and enjoy it while looking good. This is another reason still warm. It is super easy to style. Putting
why I have such strong opinions about them.
it with a simple pair of blue skinny jean is
I know that I like to wear sweaters when
my favorite way to do so! I do not want
I’m working out or because I woke up late,
Living in Iowa brings us many interesting
Sweater Weather
to stand out because of my outfits. I want
but those same sweaters can be worn for
experiences concerning the weather. Iowa
Words | Noah Gilbert Layout | Payton Blahut
my personality to stand out. Most Tommy
weather is constantly inconsistent, random
sweaters are perfect for this.
lows and highs in the same week. Even snow
Besides keeping you warm, sweaters are
in early October like we have had this year.
versatile. You can wear them for so many
But no matter how cold it gets, a cute and fun
different occasions. You can wear a sweater
sweater will keep you warm while looking
to bed and then style it with nice pants for
stylish and presentable in any social situation.
a cute business casual outfit. They are good for both cool and cold weather. The fall and winter although similar, have a 20º-30ºF difference in temperature, and sweaters work amazingly well for both seasons. Even during most summer nights when it is drastically
I
cooler than the day, a warm sweater is always
’m always hot.
Despite that, I still wear sweatshirts. Maybe
my heart! Some may argue that the cold is
When the summer heat comes
not in 90º weather, but if it is cool enough
annoying and inconvenient, but I personally
tearing through our state, what can
to where I would be slightly okay, I take the
think it gives us a chance to cover up, and the
opportunity.
glory of layers is they can be removed, so you
we do? Open a window possibly, maybe turn on the air conditioning.
When we got that cold front in September,
can cool off!
This summer, there was not anywhere to
I was absolutely elated because I could wear
go. No beaches. No pools. You cannot go to
sweaters and not sweat and be judged by the
Tommy Hilfiger sweaters are my favorite.
Adventureland. Being forced on walks by
general public or my family. That is why I
I have so many of them but my favorite is a
your parents and tanning in the back yard
enjoy fall so much. I can wear the sweaters I
sweatshirt that is grey and has a small logo.
was possibly the closest thing to spending
love so much. So, for me, colder temperatures
It is not a very heavyweight sweater but is
time outside I got most of the summer. But
are ideal. There are so many things one can
when I was out, I was absolutely boiling,
do to stay warm such as wearing layers
completely bombarded with full body sweat,
and drinking a warm beverage. That is
throbbing heat, headache and so much more.
why sweater weather is so near and dear to
a great choice.
photoshoots. I love how festive sweaters can be as well.
Sweaters are also versatile because they
There is nothing more fun then an ugly
can be paired with anything. Almost 90% of
Christmas sweater. With fun reindeer or a
the time you can put a random sweater with a
funky Santa, what is not to love? Going out
random pair of pants and make it look either
to a family get together wearing a jingling
decent or genuinely good.
sweater on Dec. 25 is such a treasured
You can just wear it untucked and have a
memory. But sweaters are not exclusive to
baggy look or tuck it in and cinch with a belt.
Christmas. In Iowa, we can have some pretty
A lot of people like to wear them with
chilly Halloweens. A huge orange jacklanter
sweat pants and leggings and it may be
sweater is iconic and a cute fall coloured
comfortable and even sometimes cute.
sweater is perfect for a family Thanksgiving
Matching with a skirt or cute accessories is a
meal.
glamorous way to spice up your look.
different holidays!.
They can be festive for so many
22 | Mod
Layout| Payton Blahut
Amazon.com
amazon.com/
s Rapid Rise to the Top
5
Most searched for items on Amazon are... One day shipping used to be a luxury. Now, Amazon is making it the new normal for its over 150 million prime subscribers. The fastest shipping is now available on more than 10 million products across the country with no minimum purchase required. Amazon now controls 54% of the e-commerce market.
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5- T8 by Mark Di Survero. The vibrant red, bold design, and large size grabs the attention of people passing by. 4-In the Morning by Sir Anthony Caro. I absolutely love the power that this sculpture emits, it emits strength and perseverance. It is inspiring honestly. 3- Nomade by Jaume Plensa. This one is one of the most commonly known sculptures in the park. It also happens to be one of the biggest and has captured the attention of many. 2- Spider by Louise B. Eight long legs, and a
5 4
twisted ball at the top. The spider sculpture used to scare me, but over time I have developed a respect for it and now it is one of my favorites, I definitely recommend visiting it. 1- Thinker on a rock. The thinker on a rock is my favorite sculpture in the entire park. It is a rabbit with a long, lanky, and humanoid form. It is normally the first piece of art I visit, and the last.
Layout| Marandah Mangra-Dutcher Words| Abby Lehan
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