November and December 2017

b&w

BLACK AND WHITE

PAGE 6

Minor in possession

by Will Reiher & Kathryn Ikeda

b&w

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

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

staff writers

inside look NEWS

obsee abbajabal, kennady anderson, ada basic, jacob

04

chapline, kyle deutsch, brooklyn dilley, kara green,

Briefs

shabana gupta, maggie hapgood, molly hauser,

FEATURE

mara jendro, katelyn jurasek, taryn kauffman, jacob kim, joe kronberg, gretchen lagerblade, abby nichol, sarah nelson, evan newcomb, sloan meader,

06

sabrina romero, brandon spraggins, kennedy stone, taryn swaim, rachel vaughan, megan walker

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

18

Reliving a rollover accident

08 Hidden behind covers 10 Minor in possession 14 1/1600: Joanne Wu

OPINION

Do not dilute depression Courtesy towards custodians

16

rum. In accordance with Iowa law, students assign,

SPORTS

edit material and make all decisions of content.

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

22

not necessarily reflect the opinions of the advisor,

20 Play by play Life beyond the lane

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.

say hello

twitter: @jhsnewspaper www.jhsblackandwhite.com

playlist

// NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2017 //

compiled | Black & White staff

04 NOV/DEC 2017 NEWS

NEWS FLASH

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

BRIAN WOODLEY> Football coach Brian

Woodley was chosen as 4A Football Coach of the Year by the Iowa Football Coaches Association.

“I am very humbled that my colleagues chose me as 4A coach of the year,” Woodley said in an email.

“I am very blessed to have great assistants and great players at Johnston and this award is a reflection of their hard work.”

The varsity team finished 8-1 this season and went to the semi-finals, losing to Dowling.

PHOTO BY KYLE DEUTSCH

PHOTO BY ANDREW MARESCA

<NO SHAVE NOVEMBER No Shave November

run it this year. Oldham

took place during the

thinks

the

last week of November

could have had better

to raise money to fight

results

Leukemia. 21 teachers

hopes for next year. “It

took part in raising mon-

went okay,” he said. “We

ey for the cause.

raised about 800 dollars,

but

fundraiser has

high

Physics teacher John

because we didn’t get the

Chai offered to have his

word out enough and

facial hair shaved in the

only did it for one week.

shape of the batman logo

Next year, we will rec-

for 25 dollars the first day

tify that and raise three

and 25 multiplied by the

times as much.”

number of days squared for any additional days.

Science teacher Dave Oldham

started

the

fundraiser and helped to

Oldham worked with Student Council to run the fundraiser.

MADRIGAL>

Madrigal is a medieval

was goofing around and

dinner with a skit put on

[I] had to just sit there and

by the choir department.

look professional at all

During the dinner, the

times.”

underclassmen serve the

Madrigal is put on to

guests and the royals, the

raise money for the choir

senior choir members.

department and is a way 18’

for the community to see

played the queen this year

Anelise

Gebard

the choir department per-

and despite the advantag-

form. The night is a com-

es to being royalty, it was

bination of a concert filled

still stressful. “This year

with Christmas songs and

there wasn’t a lot of lines

a skit throughout dinner.

I had in the script, so it

Madrigal took place

wasn’t as stressful, but [a

Nov. 29 and 30 and was

lot] of the focus is towards

sold out for both nights.

PHOTO BY JORDAN DEROOS

me and Mark (Nagel),” Gebard said. “Everybody

<STUDENTS 4 CHANGE Students 4 Change (Sources

of

Strength)

was hosted at the Goodwill

Training

Center

is compiled of 44 high in Johnston. The event school students and 16

was funded by Johnston

middle school students.

Schools, Cameron Car-

Student Well Being Co-

ico + 10 Foundation and

ordinator, Chris Wilson,

Unity Point Health.

assembled

Students

4

Change in order to address

mental

The

day

prepared

the students for future

health projects regarding men-

awareness in the school

tal health. “The Sourc-

and the community. The

es of Strength training

group participated in a

taught student leaders to

training session, lead by

bring hope, health and

Sources of Strength rep-

strength to the Johnston

resentative Emores Petty.

community,”

Wilson

participat-

said. “One of the most

ed in problem solving

amazing things I ob-

activities that provoked

served during the train-

Students

leadership

skills,

as ing was we had 60 peer

well as learning about leaders from grades 8-12 the

different

sources

of strength people exPHOTO PROVIDED BY CHRIS WILSON

perience. The training

who were completely engaged all day.”

06 NOV/DEC FEATURE

Reliving a

rollover accident

words | Evan Newcomb

layout | Kathryn Ikeda

photo illustrations | Andrew Maresca

W

HEN THE CAR STOPPED rolling, Ella Meyer ‘20 noticed how quiet it was. There

surgeon said that if we weren’t there was a

was no movement, no sound from the three

chance we could have died because we could

other sophomores in the car. “The first thing

have been ejected from the car,” Meyer said.

Neither accident had fatalities. All ocOnly about percent of accidents cupants in 2the car Meyer was in are hadrolltheir

I said was, ‘is everyone okay’ and at first it was so quiet so I was scared that everyone was

overs, but 35 percent of accident fatalitiesthat in- I seat belts on. “I am super thankful volve rollovers. was wearing my seatbelt because the trauHEN THE CAR STOPPED Meyer has suffered psychological effects Oct. 14 around midnight, nine students ma surgeon said that if we weren’t there Meyer were involved in two rolling, separate Ella rollover acci- ‘20afterwas theaaccident andcould believes that riding in chance we have died because noticed how quiet it was.cars will never be the same for her. “I rememdents. we could have been ejected from the car,” was involving no movement, sound fromber that when I was in the ambulance on the TheThere accident Meyernooccurred Meyer said. the three other sophomores along Northwest Beaver Drive northinofthe thecar. “way toOnly the hospital I was about 2% of thinking accidents that are the rollThe first thing I said was, ‘is everyone okay’ Camp Dodge tanks. Meyer was riding in the ambulance was going to crash,” Meyer said. overs, but 35% of accident fatalities involve andwith at first it wasJohnston so quiet so I was scared backseat another student.

A “I’mrollovers. still afraid to ride in cars. Sometimes that everyone was dead,” Meyer said. second Johnston student rode in the front when I’m in the car I can still feel the impact Meyer has suffered psychological efOct. 14 driver aroundattends midnight, nine passengerOn seat.

The school in stu-and hear the sounds of the crash.” fects after the accident and riding in cars dents involved in two separate Ankeny.

Onlywere Meyer felt comfortable talking roll- The counseling department offers a prowill never be the same for her. “I rememovercrash. accidents. about the gram helpwhen people whoin experience trauma. bertothat I was the ambulance on Thedriving accident involving Meyer We were around a curve andoccurred we “Wethe have a student assistance program that’s way to the hospital I was thinking that alongtoo Northwest Beaver Drive were going fast and the driver lost north con- ofopenthe to ambulance all studentswas in Johnston Community going to crash,” Meyer Camp Dodge tanks.

Meyer was riding trol of the car,” she said. “He got freaked out inSchools and we would set up an appointment said. “ I’m still afraid to ride in cars. “Somethe backseat withwhich another and slammed the brakes isn’t Johnston what you stu-to meet therapist and they help you timesa when I’m in the car would I can still feel the dent.

A second Johnston student rode are supposed to do and we drove through a indealimpact with your trauma based concerns,” counand hear the sounds of the crash. the front passenger seat. driver at-selor Susan Baker said. utility pole and that caused the carThe to flip.”

The counseling department offers a tends school in Ankeny.

Only Meyer Meyer remained conscious during the felt Meyer justto wants to beexperience safer on program helpeveryone people who comfortable talking about the crash. accident and does not remember it that well the road now“We so fewer hers haptrauma. have accidents a student like assistance prowere driving around a curve because itWe happened so quickly.

She does and re- wepen.gram “I justthat’s want open everyone to be more to all students careful in Johnwere going fast hit andthe thecar. driver member when hertoo body “Inlost thecon-when theyCommunity are driving because were ston Schools we and we going would trolweofdidn’t the car,” she said. “He gotwere freakedso fast,” she said. “I’m just glad that we didn’t backseat have airbags so we set up an appointment to meet a therapist and slammed the brakesmy which hittingout everything and I remember head isn’thaveand alcohol involved I would’ve they would helpbecause you deal with your supposed to do and we drovebeen disappointed in myself,” Meyer said. hittingwhat the you glassare and my knee hitting the trauma based concerns,” counselor Susan a utility pole and that caused the ceilingthrough and that Baker said. to flip.” causedcar my knee Meyer just wants everyone to be safer remained conscious during the injury,” Meyer Meyer on the road now so fewer accidents like accident and does not remember it all that said. She tore her hers happen. “I just want everyone to be well because ACL, MCL and it happened so quickly. She more careful when they are driving bedoesas remember when her body hit the car. meniscus, well cause we were going so “In the backseat we didn’t have airbags so as cracking her fast,” she said. “I’m just glad that we patella.we were hitting everything and I rememdidn’t have alcohol involved because I ber my accihead hitting the glass and my knee Neither would’ve been disappointed in myself,” the ceiling and that caused my dent hitting had fataliMeyer said. injury,” Meyer said. She tore her ACL, ties. Allknee occupants and meniscus, as well as cracking her in the MCL car Meyer dead,” Meyer said.

W

was inpatella. had their seatbelts on. “I am super

thankful

that I was wearing my

seatbelt

be-

cause the trauma

08 NOV/DEC 2017 FEATURE

HIDDEN BEHIND COVERS

o

m

J

i

e

t

words & layout | Obsee Abbajabal

s

e

w

d

h

u

Spanish Terms to

W

HEN THEY WERE JUST

Studies in 2014, an estimated two-thirds of

nine years old, Student A,

immigrants that joined the undocumented

with a group of immigrants,

immigrant population were those who over-

walked across the sweltering desert heat to

“

stayed their visas.

reach the United States. It took them about

Student A is one of the estimated 11.3

a week to reach their destination: Iowa. At

million undocumented immigrants living

one point, they had to sleep on the desert floor knowing the risk of snakes, the significant drop in temperature, and many other factors. “I remember a lady who was pregnant and she was about to get bit by a snake,” Student

in the United States

“If [my parents] get deported, I would have to find a way to support my younger siblings.”

A said. “That was pretty scary.”

- Student B

according to Pew Research Center. With the recent changes the Trump administration has taken towards

immigration

policy, many undocumented immigrants nationwide and even here in Johnston fear

the looming risk of forceful evacuation.

During their walk, the group used cer-

The Johnston Community School Dis-

tain phrases such as “La Migra” and “La Per-

trict is not aware of any undocumented

ra” to indicate immigration officers.

students in the district. There isn’t any pol-

Although this student got here by cross-

icy regarding undocumented students in

ing the border, it is a common misconcep-

Johnston Schools. “We wouldn’t know who’s

tion how undocumented immigrants get to

documented and who’s undocumented be-

the United States. In fact, hundreds of thou-

cause we can’t ask, ‘are you here with doc-

sands of undocumented immigrants enter

umentation or not,’” Associate Superinten-

the country legally with valid visas each

dent Bruce Amendt said. “In the enrollment

year. According to the Center for Migration

process we ask for proof of residency, that

KNOW

m

m

l

u

o

It refers to immigration officers who “sniff” out people who cross the U.S.-Mexico border.

ICE

The literal meaning is “immigration” but when people cross the border they use this term to refer to immigration officers such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

Chicanos

h

m

La Perra

La Migra

p

A term used to describe Mexican-Americans, people of Mexican heritage residing in the United States.

S

s

M

s

b

C

S

t

m

i

m

t

t

h

t

h

y

t

a

you have a house or apartment or your liv-

Neither of the two countries are welcom-

ing with someone in the Johnston school

ing towards undocumented immigrants or

district. We don’t ask for immigration pa-

“chicanos,” Mexican-Americans.

pers.”

In the high school and community, Stu-

Deportation hits home to Student B,

dent A has seen the changes in people’s be-

especially when their uncle was deported

havior. “Since Trump became president, al-

ten years ago. They worry for their parents’

most everybody is like really racist now and

safety and their family’s future. “If [my par-

they follow his footsteps,” Student A said. “I

ents] get deported, I would have to find a

hear a lot of Mexican jokes like ‘beaners go

way to support my younger siblings,” Stu-

back to your country’ and stuff like that. It

dent B said. “I don’t have any other

family

here since my uncle

got

de-

ported. I would have to give up my life to help my younger siblings.”

Student

C’s

mother is a naturalized citizen

“

What is

DACA?

really pisses me off.”

According

“There’s an [increased] risk of getting deported. [Trump] took away DACA and that affected me because I was going to get that.”

- Student A

to

CNN, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was enacted in 2012 by the Obama Administration using executive action in order to give undocumented immigrants a two year protection period from deportation.

of the United States, yet she still harbors

After its creation, critics of DACA argued

fears about traveling back to Mexico in or-

that the law was unconstitutional. Recently,

der to visit family she has not seen in years.

the Trump administration repealed this bill

“She’s scared that she won’t be able to enter

during Sept. 2017.

back into the U.S.,” Student C said.

With the transition into Trump’s first

Most undocumented immigrants, like

year as president, Student A has seen some

Student B’s father, keep track of sightings of

significant changes. “There’s an [increased]

the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforce-

risk of getting deported,” Student A said.

ment (ICE). “I was invited to a quinceanera

“[Trump] took away DACA and that affected

in Ames and he was kind of iffy on taking

me because I was going to get that.”

me there,” Student B said. “He was worried

Passed by the Obama administration, it protects undocumented immigrants from deportation, allowing them to get driver’s licenses, enroll in college, and legally secure jobs.

Created in

2012

renewable, period of 2 year, protection from deportation Amount of people protected is about 724,000

Eligibility:

15

years or younger when entered the U.S.

Lived in the U.S. since

2007

or younger when 30 years the policy was enacted

Student B hopes that this administration

to go since he heard there was a lot of migra there, but the only precaution he can take is to be

Editorial Anonymity Statement will effectively change the immigration cautious

and

system and process. “Since there are more

try to drive as best as he can.”

Republican seats than Democrats [in Con-

Student A is reluctant to go back to their

gress], it’s said that Republicans can handle

home country. “Mexicans don’t like it if

it better because they are more organized,”

you’re too pale or if they know you’re from

Student B said. “They could actually give

the U.S.,” Student A said. “You get bullied

undocumented residents a chance to citizen-

and they call you [names].”

ship.”

Some sources that are interviewed about controversial and difficult topics choose to remain anonymous. The editorial board has made the decision to allow the anonymity of certain students in order to attain these unique perspectives. If you have any questions about this policy you can contact the editorial board at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com.

10 NOV/DEC 2017 FEATURE

MINOR IN POSSESSION

words & layout | Kathryn Ikeda & Will Reiher

photos | Andrew Maresca

12 NOV/DEC FEATURE

S

TUDENT A WAS IN THE BASEMENT of a house party with around 70 other high school students. Through the com-

motion of the party, they heard somebody shout “cops” down the stairway. “We all freaked out, a crowd pushed up the stairs and some people ran out a window,” Student A said. “One of my friends ran up the stairs, opened the door, saw the cop, slammed the door, grabbed his shoes and jumped off the deck and over a fence.”

While some were ran away or hid, Student B chose to stay. “[The cops] took us back downstairs, lined us up and breathalyzed each one of us,” they said. “I blew 0.0 (percent) and had to wait for my parents to come get me.”

Student A choose to run. “I didn’t even know who was hosting the party,” they said. “I just remember someone yelling ‘cops’ down the stairs and everybody made for the back window. I knew there was no way I was getting out of that window and my shoes were upstairs. So I thought, if I get caught, I may as well get my shoes back.”

They ran to get their shoes, saw the police entering through the front door, and ran out the back door.

The police department is not necessarily concerned with students at parties unless there is illegal behavior like described above. “When the person(s) at the party start engaging in illegal behavior for their age or in general, we are required to address those societal concerns,” School Resource Officer James Slack said in an email. “Not only because they are violating a state law but also for the safety of the person involved in the illegal behavior.”

The most common charge students face after being caught drinking alcohol is Minor in Possession of Alcohol, a simple misdemeanor. Depending on circumstances, they could also face Public Intoxication charges.

Once a month, Student B attends parties at Val

“

WE ALL FREAKED OUT, A CROWD PUSHED UP THE STAIRS AND SOME PEOPLE RAN OUT A WINDOW. -Student A

Air Ballroom in West Des Moines. “Val Air parties

things where a few bad apples ruin it for the

have a DJ and a dance floor, everyone’s dancing

bunch,” Green said. “At the end of the day, when

and hanging out, but at a house party it’s more

you have 1,500 people, and you maybe have 10

chill and you’re like sitting on a couch hanging

that come in and can’t get in because they’re

with your friends,” they said. “Every single Val Air

drunk, that’s a very very small percentage.”

party I’ve been to the cops have shown up.”

Green believes that students are going to drink

Val Air Ballroom takes measures to have po-

no matter what. “They’re spending their Friday

lice at their events. For most events, there will be

night, Saturday night, coming to Val Air after

one security officer hired for every estimated 100

drinking or sitting on their friends couch in their

people, as well as off-duty West Des Moines po-

basement drinking,” he said.

lice officers. For a sold out show, they’ll hire four.

Green also manages 515 Alive, a music festival

“If it’s a hip hop show, or a show with a younger

mainly held in August. He attributes much of the

crowd who might show up who might have been

underage partying to music influences. “What I

“

drinking in the parking lot, we’ll increase security,” Counter Manager Dan Green said.

Only one show at Val Air was recently shut down by police. Oct. 20, Sub Sonic Social held a Halloween party. Their eventbrite page advertises it as “Iowa’s WILDEST party,” with go-go dancers, a laser show, bubble machines and confetti cannons.

Underage

really think is a problem is a lot of these artists and these big rappers

I WAS GOING BACK AND FORTH TO THE DOOR A LOT AND AT ANY GIVEN TIME THERE WAS ONE OR TWO KIDS WAITING FOR THEIR PARENTS

-Val Air Ballroom Counter Manager Dan Green

drinking

and electronic artists, are really promoting drug use,” he said. “It seems like just partying in general for younger kids is becoming a normal thing. I think the climate of music is just so different and the partying that comes with it is so different than it was when we were kids.”

He believes that ev-

occurred backstage, causing the whole event to be

ery venue has the same problem, not just Val Air.

closed early. “They told them to stop, took all their

When he worked at Wooly’s in downtown Des

alcohol, and went back there and still saw the bot-

Moines, they had sometimes had attendees leave

tles,” Green said. “So, it’s one of those things where

in ambulances. “Wherever there’s shows, there’s

they kind of shot themselves in the foot with that

going to be those kind of instances,” Green said.

one. It was on them, they were warned, and then it got shut down.”

Consequences in school for drinking off school grounds or outside of school events are limited to

At a party Dec. 9, Val Air management empha-

athletes who signed the good conduct policy. “It’s

sized that no underage drinking would be tolerat-

really funny how that stuff works,” Associate Prin-

ed. At the door, they checked each person to see

cipal Randy Klein said. “The more you’re involved

if they were visibly intoxicated. “We try to take all

in, the more trouble you could potentially be in.

the proper precautions, we can’t stop everything

Which typically, the more you’re involved in, the

of course, unless you have one security guard for

less likely you are to go do that stuff.”

every person, which isn’t possible,” Green said.

If at a game, administrators will have the stu-

“So, I was going back and forth to the door a lot

dent pulled aside and checked. “Kids think they

and at any given time there was one or two kids

can cover it up, but they can’t,” Klein said. “You

waiting for their parents because they came in,

can’t cover up alcohol.”

they were noticeably drunk, and then they have to call their parents.”

If students are caught under the influence of alcohol at school or at a school event like a foot-

For the most part, however, people attend-

ball game, the student will be suspended and

ing the event were responsible. “It’s one of those

banned from future events. “I think the main thing is, we want to keep students safe,” Klein said.

14 NOV/DEC 2017 1/1600

1/1600 : JOANNE WU â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;20 FROM SOPHOMORE TO SENIOR, ONE STUDENT WAS RANDOMLY CHOSEN TO TELL THEIR STORY words | Mara Jendro

layout | Kathryn Ikeda

[Above] Joanne Wu at her art teacher’s studio drawing a scene from nature. Wu copied over from a picture her teacher, Mary Muller, chose for her. Using pastels, her favorite artistic tool, she shaded in and colored. [Side] These paintings are some of Joanne’s favorite pieces, a cityscape of Chicago and a leopard.

M

AKING MONEY AS A TEEN-

and a build team, and a design team and we

ager mostly consists of min-

have to each work on our part,” she said.

imum wage jobs. Joanne Wu

Wu is part of the design team.

‘20, however, has found a source of income

Core classes and strong education is val-

from her art. “I entered in the Iowa State

ued by Wu and her family. “My parents, ob-

Fair and got first in the youth division,” she

viously we’re Asian,” Wu said. “Asians aren’t

said. “[The paintings] were both for sale, I

really big on art and music, so they’re really

sold them for like $300, because the frames

focused on getting a good job and a well

themselves cost like $100 or so.” She entered

paid one. That’s first priority.”

paintings of a cityscape of Chicago and a bunch of irises.

Many of Wu’s paintings focus on the out-

Her mother declined an interview, but mentioned that Joanne has always been interesting.

doors. “I’ve been working on a lot of land-

Joanne’s art teacher, Mary Muller, en-

scapes, so like mountains, trees, and water-

courages young people to go into art for a

falls and stuff like that,” she said. “And I’ve

career. “They have to work really hard at it.

also been drawing animals and nature. But

It’s hard to make money,” Muller said.

recently I’ve been getting back to rural type of painting.”

Wu is involved with the Robotics team.

The club is based off of region, kids are involved from many metro schools. They then compete against different regions.

Muller has been teaching Joanne for two to three years and Wu is one of many students. The classes and one-on-one lessons take place in Muller’s home.

Muller has one thing for Wu and other artists to remember. “My daughter’s teacher

Wu uses her artistic eye for computer

told her that there are three kinds of artists,

building in an effort to connect creativity

those with talent, those with drive, and those

and mathematics by designing robots and

with both,” Muller said. “There are a lot with

using them to compete. “We have different

talent, there are some with drive and there

teams, so we have a programming team,

are few with both.”

16 NOV/DEC 2017 OPINION

DO NOT DILUTE DEPRESSION Learning the difference between sad and depressed may be more important than thought

W

words & layout | Andrew Maresca

3.9 percent of adults meet the criteria for a bipolar disorder in their lifetime

E OFTENTIMES FORGET

where sadness can quickly be replaced

the impact that our words

by another emotion easily. “Depression

can have on others. Espe-

is mental illness, where sadness is a basic

cially when these words are already in

everyday emotion,” Grace Doan ‘19 said.

our everyday vocabulary. However, that

“I feel like they’ve been dumbed down

does not mean we should just ignore

to mean the same thing and they’re real-

what we say. Words like ‘depressed’ and

ly not because depression is serious and

‘anxiety’ have become all too familiar

sadness is temporary.”

with our daily language.

By using the word depressed in re-

Mental health is a large problem in

place of sad, it takes away from the

the United States, especially when one

severity of depression and the results

out of four teenagers are affected by

it can have. “Pop culture has made it

6.7 percent

anxiety disorders. Using words like de-

acceptable to joke about things like

pressed and anxious does not help re-

hanging ourselves or killing ourselves,

duce this number. By including these

and then somebody actually does it,” JD

words in everyday vocabulary, it can

Norris ‘19 said.

of the U.S. adult population is effected by depression

make those suffering from mental ill-

Anxiety is another mental illness

ness seem as if their condition is invalid.

that falls victim to this. Many people

Depression and sadness are not the

feel anxious about large stresses in their

25.1 percent of teenagers are effected by anxiety disorders

6.8 percent of the U.S. population is affected by a social anxiety disorder

“

same thing, and should not be used inter-

lives. Yet, feeling anxious does not al-

changeably. Sadness is an emotion sim-

ways result in having anxiety. “Saying

ilar to happiness, anger and love.

These are temporary

feelings

that may switch throughout

the

day. Depression is a mental illness where

chemical

imbalances in the

anxiety’ can be

Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain, while sadness is a feeling that can change just like happiness can.

-Amy Ziegenhorn

really

frustrat-

ing to somebody who is dealing with that problem,” Ally Andreasen 18’ said.

“That test didn’t give you anxi-

brain affect the way you feel, act and

ety, it may have made you anxious, but

think. By using depression in replace of

there’s a difference in that.”

sadness, it creates the stigma that these are the same thing.

aada.org

‘that test gave me

Depression affects all parts of life,

As somebody that has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Andreasen has dealt with this problem

“

firsthand. “I have ADHD and it really bugs me when somebody is feeling a little squirrelly and they say ‘I’m so ADD,’”

“Saying you have so much anxiety over a project due tomorrow is not the same as somebody who deals with anxiety everyday.”

Andreasen said. “I think it is the same situation for depression and anxiety.”

Receiving validation for mental illness is already a problem people suffering with these illnesses face. They are often told that it is just a phase or they are just sad. Mental illness is not a phase and should not be compared to emotions that are always changing.

The stigma behind mental health will never get better if people keep throwing these words around like they are nothing. These are big words with

-Grace Doan ‘19

big meanings, and should be used in correct context. With the immense amount of those who suffer from mental illness,

get out of bed.”

the student body and how people think

it is crucial to watch what you say, or

Organizations such as Students 4

about it and to recognize you don’t know

else that number will continue to go up.

Change (Sources of Strength) are poten-

what somebody is going through so you

A lack of knowledge is most com-

tial solutions to this problem. Awareness

shouldn’t just throw around words,” An-

monly why these words are used in the

is the best way to inform others about

dreasen said.

wrong context. “People will use the word

the severity of these mental illnesses. “I

The casual use of these words cre-

‘bipolar’ to express a shift in emotion,

think groups like Students 4 Change will

ate many negative effects, especially

where bipolar disorder is much more

help get rid of the stigma associated with

for those who suffer from these mental

complex than that,” therapist Amy Zie-

mental health,” guidance counselor Lisa

illnesses. This problem can be fixed as

genhorn said. “People with bipolar disor-

Boge said.

easily as using an alternative word, such

der will feel on top of the world for a few

Students are already making strides

as ‘nervous’ or ‘upset.’ If we want to im-

weeks and have incredible ideas and mo-

to bring more awareness to mental

prove the mental health of our school

tivation, and then have a very low point

health. “I do still think that it’s import-

and society, we have to look not only

for awhile where they struggle to even

ant and a change that needs to happen in

into our actions, but also our words.

Areas of emotional stimulation The difference between depression and sadness is mentally and physically noticable. Areas of blue represent the feeling of deactivated emotion. Areas of red represent the most stimulation felt. infographic | Andrew Maresca

Source: Huffington Post U.K.

Sadness

Depression

18 NOV/DEC 2017 EDITORIAL

COURTESY TOWARDS CUSTODIANS

E

VERY DAY STUDENTS

school clean.

leave heaps of trash in the

Tamara Andrews, French teacher

cafeteria following break-

and B lunch supervisor, is happy that

fast and lunch. Teachers, hall moni-

a lot of kids do what they’re supposed

tors, lunch ladies, custodians or other

to. “I’d say a majority of our students

support staff are the ones left with

pick up after themselves, throw away

cleaning up the mess. Part of their job

their stuff and are very good,” An-

descriptions may be to help keep this

drews said. “I would say 95 percent

school clean, but it wouldn’t be nec-

of our students do, which is the good

essary for them to do if we picked up

news.”

after ourselves.

Students who leave their trash

However some students choose otherwise.

laying around the school are not

Andrews is frustrated with the stu-

only making our school something

dents that leave their stuff out and

not worthy of pride, but they are dis-

finds it very disrespectful. “There’s

respecting its support staff as well.

just a few bad apples who leave their

Students can do better to respect the

stuff out and don’t want to pick up

staff, especially custodians.

after themselves, and I want to say to

The majority of students at John-

them, ‘do you think that you’re better

ston do a good job with keeping the

than everyone else and that you don’t

[Left] Mark cleans one of the culinary classrooms so it will be ready for students to use the next day. Mark works the night shift from 3:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.

have to clean up after yourself?’” An-

the moves made during the summer

drews said.

to show appreciation for the great job

Damage to the property is common and frustrating. “[The student

that they had done in such a short amount of time.

council poster slots] are getting torn

As students, we are doing a fair job

off the wall and I had one down there

at keeping the school clean and show-

today that had chewing gum stuffed

ing appreciation towards our custo-

inside of it,” custodian Jim Callison

dians. Nonetheless, we can do better.

said. “I had several of them that had

Purposely trashing the bathrooms or

been pulled off the wall or broken.”

leaving garbage behind is not only

Gum is also found around the

disrespectful to this new building but

school in lots of places besides the

also places more of a burden on al-

trash, such as in the carpet.

ready busy staff.

Some damage to the property is

Taking one minute to clear your

accidental but a lot of it is not. Ter-

table after lunch can help staff. “The

ry Young is a custodian at the high

less of the stuff we have to do, the

school. “Sometimes we still have prob-

more of that extra stuff we can get

lems with toilets getting plugged with

done,” Young said. “There’s always

banana peels and now you know that’s

some kind of dusting to do, there’s

on purpose,” Young said.

always some windows getting over-

From the administrative side, John-

looked. Some areas don’t even get

ston finds ways to show their appreci-

touched because we don’t get to

ation towards its custodians through-

them.”

out the district.

There was a party held for the custodians across the district following

Always try to say thanks to a custodian you run into. It makes all of the difference.

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

[Above] Fatima Ikeljic disinfects tables in a classroom.

Ikeljic would like less stuff to be damaged around the school. “The building is new and if we appreciate it, the students need to appreciate it too,” Ikejic said.

14.82

The national average hourly pay for custodians working at elementary and secondary schools

16.09

The hourly starting pay for custodians in the Urbandale Community School District The hourly starting pay for custodi-

17.39 ans in the Des Moines Community School District

19.22

The hourly starting pay for custodians working in the Johnston Community School District

20 NOV/DEC 2017 SPORTS

PLAY BY PLAY

AS WINTER ACTIVITIES BEGIN, THE BLACK & WHITE ASKED COACHES OF EACH SPORT FOR PLAYERS STANDING OUT IN PRACTICES OR GAMES words and layout | Jack Lucas & Kathryn Ikeda

WHAT THEIR TEAMMATE SAID

“

Jenna is so funny and she makes the game a

lot more fun and she’s always positive and a good leader.

-MAYA MCDERMOTT ‘20

JENNAH JOHNSON ‘18

BASKETBALL

94

points

through six games.

PHOTO: KATHRYN IKEDA

CAMDEN VANDER ZWAAG ‘18

BASKETBALL

WHAT THEY SAID

Averages

19

“

Everyday in practice I try push everyone

else to try and improve their game and they are doing the same to me. Even though we are playing really well right now, we have so much

Points per game

through 5 games

more room for improvement and I feel like this team can do something special in these playoffs this year.

-CAMDEN VANDER ZWAAG ‘18

PHOTO: JACK LUCAS

WHAT THEIR COACH SAID

“

Zach has steadily improved each season. He

has demonstrated great senior leadership this past

WRESTLING

ZACH PRICE ‘18

Number of takedowns through week one

off season and has prepared well for his senior campaign. He has also committed to wrestle at the NCAA Division One Level next year, where he will attend Big 12 member South Dakota State.

-AARON TECKLENBURG

For

45

Against 0 PHOTO: JORDAN DEROOS

BOWLING

JESSICA SNYDER ‘18

“

WHAT THEIR COACH SAID

247

Jessica has a great work ethic. She has worked

very hard on and off season for what she has earned bowling along side many other talented bowlers. She is a mentor to new comers to the team offering in-

pins

struction and assistance. As a coach, I see her high

highest game this season

school career as a small part of a life long passion to the sport of bowling.

-XAN TAYLOR

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JESSICA SNYDER

BOWLING

WHAT THEY SAID

“

Its going pretty good right now. It could go

better for me but it not.

-AIDAN COOLEY ‘18

AIDAN COOLEY ‘18

1787

total knocked down through 10 games

pins

SWIMMING

GRANT LAIR ‘18

PHOTO: KYLE DEUTSCH

WHAT THEIR TEAMMATE SAID

48.7

seconds

on the 100 yard Freestyle

“

Grant is a hard worker, and I think that is go-

ing to pay off for him at the end of the season.

PHOTO: KATHRYN IKEDA

DANCE TEAM

WHAT THEY SAID

“

Through dance team I’ve learned the impor-

tance of teamwork and commitment. In dance, every person is being watched and is therefore important, so you can’t get by with slacking off. You’re only as strong as your weakest team member.

-EMILY BATTANI ‘18

EMILY BATTANI ‘18

4

years

on the varsity dance team PHOTO: JACK LUCAS

-SCOTT LAIR ‘18

22 NOV/DEC 2017 SPORTS

LIFE BEYOND THE LANE

words & photos | Rachel Vaughan The team rests between sets at practice on the first day of Thanksgiving break. Both JV and Varsity defeated Valley at their last meet on December 12th.

layout | Will Reiher

A

T SEVEN O’CLOCK IN THE MORN-

on the team is bonding with the other swimmers.

ing on the first day of Thanksgiving

“We mess around with each other a lot,” Overton

break, most of the students and staff

said. “That’s the most fun thing about the team.”

of the high school are still sleeping soundly, but

According to Overton, the other swimmers

shouting and yelling echoed through the halls

like to push each other’s limits, but are careful

of Summit Middle School as members of the

not to cross any lines. He said that if it seems

men’s swim team thundered through, flailing

like a person does not seem to think that a joke is

their arms in the air and hollering like cavemen.

funny, then the other guys stop right away.

While half of the team swam in the pool, the

When Overton was a freshman, he wanted to

other half was running laps around the inside of

quit the team after the first week, but the friends

Summit Middle School. The workout turned into

he had made on the team are the reason he

a race.

stayed. Now in his third year on the team, he is

The second group of runners would yell and cheer for the members of the first group that

glad he made the decision to stay. “Workouts are hell, but the guys are fun,” Overton said.

they wanted to finish first. The enthusiasm car-

Dawson Craig ‘19 feels that being around the

ried over into the gym where the team moved to

team has nothing but benefits. “I think it’s be-

do conditioning exercises.

cause of the bond we have,” Craig said. “When

Many of the swimmers said that they enjoyed practicing over breaks more than they enjoy

I’m around the others, I just naturally get more energized and ready to go.”

practicing on school days. The jokes and the

A lot of the energizing comes from the lock-

time spent with their teammates is the best part

er room pep talks that the upperclassmen of the

about being on the team. However, breaks are

team give before each meet. For Garrett Karazija

when the best team bonding happens.

‘21, huddling up for a pep talk has made a big

Tyler Overton’s ‘19 favorite part about being

impression on him. “We just all get pumped and

(Left) Sam Farrell ‘18 , Luke Mullen ‘20 and Lucas Clayton’21 run during a dryland portion of their practice. The swimmers typically do out of the pool workouts during weekend and winterbreak practices.

“

(Right) Aaron Brown ‘18 squats with a medball while on a balancing ball as part of a circut workout. Because Summit does not have a weight room the team resorts to body weight and medball exercises.

It’s really important to us that they are not selfish, yet very focused on what the team can do.

-Shari Walling

motivate each other,” Karazija said. “I don’t re- each other up.”

member ever doing that when I swam for Blaze.”

One of the main focuses for the team is swim-

Craig thinks the pep talks are weird, yet pro- ming for the team and not just themselves. Al-

vide fun and helpful motivation. He vividly re- though swimmers are placed within their race, members a pep talk from one of his first years on the score reflects the effort of the team as a the team. “One year, we were swimming against whole. “It’s really important to us that they are Dowling (Catholic), and I don’t know how, but not selfish yet very focused on what the team can they got ahold of a basketball t-shirt from Dow- do,” Walling said. ling, and the senior class of that year ripped it apart before we went out,” Craig said.

Another traditional activity of the swim team is a water-polo game that occurs every Christmas

The pre-meet huddles are all different, de- Eve. Instead of a normal practice, the team inpending on who the team is facing, but they al- vites back all of the alumni of the team, and they ways end by yelling and motivating each other.

play a large, intense game of water-polo followed

Shari Walling, the head coach, talks to the by a French-toast breakfast. team before each meet, but leaves to let the se-

The alumni, occasionally joined by the fresh-

niors take over after she finishes. “Before they man, play against the current swim team. “I swim, I go through how close the meet will be, think that breaks are the best time to be swimhow tough it will be,” Walling said. “I tell them ming,” Overton said. “You don’t want to miss the that we’ve got to race hard to get our points, and breaks because even though they are hard and then I leave and let the seniors talk. I’m not sure you’ve got to get up really early in the morning, what the seniors say, but they know how to fire it’s really fun and you’ll definitely enjoy it.”

HOLIDAY TREATS

COOKIES

- 1 cup of butter - 1 cup of powdered sugar - 1/4 cup of white sugar - 2 eggs well beaten - 1 cup of oil - 2 tsp. of vanilla - 1 tsp. cream of tarter - 1 tsp. of baking soda - 5 1/4 cups of flour

words & layout | Katelyn Jurasek

1. Mix liquid ingredients and sugars 2. Combine flour and baking soda 3. Slowly mix and add to first mixture 4. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight 5. Roll into balls, and then in sugar 6. Put on pan and press down 7. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes on an ungreased pan

TRUFFLES - 8 oz of cream cheese - 1 package of Oreos (any flavor) - 1 package of almond bark 1. Soften cream cheese 2. Crush Oreos 3. Mix together 4. Roll into balls and place onto a pan with wax paper 5. Put in fridge to set 6. Melt almond bark and dip 7. Put on wax paper to dry and put in fridge