November 2012

Remembering

those

November, 2012

who

SERVE the black and white. oct. 2012. volume 21 issue 4. 5152780449. 6501 NW 62nd ave. johnston, ia

index

the b&w p.2 in this issue

8

Tennis Courts

What you need to know about the renovation

Celebrate Johnston

Bringing the community together

Students share about their busy schedules and what they cut

Bullying

The Iowa Youth Congress introduces new anti-bullying law

10 11 12 13

14 15

Veterans Day Remebering those that have fought for our country

Parent-teacher conferences

Why our early outs should be used for something better

Psychology should be required We need to know how the human mind works

editors in chief Hannah Soyer Laura Scieszinski Paige Cramer design editor Kenzie Foldes sub-editors Sarah Margolin- Copy Anne Rogers- Sports Sarah Ross- Feature

Staff writers

Austin Busch Clare Farrell Niki Ferguson Monica Gagne Aaron Gray Mollie Greenwood Myles Glandorf Taylor Joens Katelyn Lunders Ethan Marshall

16

Three cheers for S.A.I.L.

17

BPA Facts

18 19

Leaders are growing who’s complaining?

What it is, where it is, how it affects you.

Coaches pushing atheletes The nitty-gritty on just how far they can go.

Tapering

How cross country and swimming prepare for competitions differently

20

Dylan Johnson represents Student rep. uses social media to gather opinions of others

PHILOSOPHY

meet the staff Editorial board

health opinion

S.A.I.L. continues despite administration disapproval

Three students created a new site to listen to music on

sports

S.A.I.L.

9

New Leaf Radio

backpage

7

An abundance of activities

Hands-on classes

feature

3 4 5 6

photo essay

opinion editorial

feature

news

[november 2012]

Courtney Mithelman Zoe Wilson Mallorie Goodale Jeremy Caracci (silhouette model)

The Black and White is published solely by the Johnston High School newspaper staff. Its goal is to inform, enlighten and entertain Johnston students. It is an open forum. In accordance with Iowa law and board policy, students assign and edit material and make all decisions of content. The paper is published ten times per school year. The paper will avoid material that is libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. The law does not require parental permission to use student quotes. Ethically, we believe students can speak for themselves. Staff editorials represent the opinion of a majority of the editorial board. Editorial and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the adviser, school officials or the district. Letters to the editor must be signed. Like all material, letters may not be libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. Bring letters to room 413 within one week after publication to be considered for the next issue.

The Black and White strives to report accurate and timely information. If you believe that an error has been printed, please contact the editors at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com. The Black and White is a member of CSPA, NSPA, Quill & Scroll, and IHSPA. Recent issues of the paper earned these honors: Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist, National Scholastic Press Association First Class rating, Quill & Scroll Gallup Award, IHSPA state placings and sixth in the National Best of Show.

Cover photos

Bottom Left: Vince Larson shakes the hands of those who watched him march the 25 mile road march called the Manchu Mile.

Top Right: Nathan Rothwell sits at his grandfather Jack Rothwells grave at Arlington Cemetery.

news

the b&w p.3

HANDS on CLASSES

layout Monica Gagne & Kenzie Foldes words Hannah Soyer & Laura Scieszinski

2.

1.

Students dive in to real life experiences with hands-on classes.

1.

Sophomore Daven Ngo laps the valve of an engine in small engines third period, which creates friction, in order to have the face and the seat create a seal so air cannot get out through the valves.

2.

Juniors Chelsea Dooley and Noah Dougherty use a scroll saw to etch names on poplar wood in order to make name plates during woodworking seventh period.

3.

Junior Sydney Sanchez works on carving a design into her project during clay fourth period. Students were expected to use 10 finishing and decorating techniques to create a piece that appeared cohesive with aesthetic qualities. “[Working on clay is] really difficult and it takes a lot of concentration,” Sanchez said. “Otherwise, it won’t turn out the way you want it to.”

4.

Sophomore Cole LaFollette sketches a hat in essentials to art third period for the still life painting project. Students used their knowledge of how mixing colors can show how light reflects off objects.

5.

Sophomore Bogdan Pankrukhin performs his oxy-fuel welding test in introduction to metals third period. The test consisted of putting two pieces of metal together by adding filler rod to the pool of melted metal. This created a weld.

Laura Scieszinski/BW

Provided/KT Menke

3.

5.

Provided/KT Menke

4.

Laura Scieszinski/BW

Laura Scieszinski/BW

news

the b&w p.4

Moving SAIL in a new direction words & layout Clare Farrell From random acts of kindness, mentoring

Rumor

S R STE

BU

m et ‘e you g words & layout Hannah Soyer

No 9 a.m. school Provided/Dragon

sessions about bullying, fundraisers, new stu-

Despite much talk of a later start time for the high school and mid-

dle schools, it will not be happening next year. Superintendent Clay

dent lunches, collecting toys, food drives and

Guthmiller said that this is because of other changes next year. “Due to

more, SAIL (Students Active in Leadership) plans

the fact that the district will be pursuing late starts or early outs for all

to make a positive impact on the school and for

schools for staff collaboration next year and other adjustments to the

the students that attended the annual retreat that

calendar, the administration believed that there would be enough issues

tookplace November 2-4.

for students and parents regarding the 2012-13 calendar,” he said.

“The main purpose of the retreat was always

BUSTED

to get kids out of their comfort zone,” retreat organizer Alicia Rollison said. “Also talking about the

issues of the building and just improving themselves overall and how a core group of kids think about each other, think about themselves, and how they treat people.”

The annual SAIL leadership retreat has been

taking place for about 15 years. SAIL is a student

led organization that was started as a way for

Senior Dalton Handel and sophomore Jennifer Birmingham participate in a discussion about their fears and regrets.

Later, they participated in trust activities.

Provided/Dragon

students to meet away from school at the Boone

books to support curriculum to go on

years administration had doubts about sending

the iPads. Teresa Francois will use

students to an activity unless the skills learned

her grant to purchase specialized

where implemented and visable at school. “I’ve

tools for Peer-Partner Art and students with special needs. Wendy Arch

challenged the kids on what is the outcome (of

Sophomore Abby Gorsche felt the retreat

lens for journalism students. Jennifer Rollings

her grant to purchase 108 electronic

treat has been the hard part. The past several

this weekend?”

will use her grant to buy a new camera and

Behrens (pictured) plans on using

Bringing back the skills learned at the re-

based on the time and money that we invest into

Five grants were given to teachers at the high school. Leslie Shipp

a system to grow indoor plants. Jane

back a new atitude to school.

the thing we’re going to see here in the building

Grants given will use her grant to buy equipment to create

YMCA, build relationships with peers and bring

SAIL),” principal Brent Riessen said. “What is

st ‘em

bu , we

will buy stage make-up and other supplies for Acting. Rhys South, Mitch

Sophomore Mark Johnson falls into sophomore Anna Rasmussen and junior Melinda Paszkiewicz’s arms in a trust activity.

Gearhart, and Josh Heyer will fund equipment to support TSA students.

CONFIRMED

reach high school.

iPads second semester

“I feel like I am best friends with everyone that

retreats. She chose to go because she wanted to

dents will indeed be getting their iPads second semester. Along with

open mind about people and not judge and if I

As a result of the retreat Lefler and other students

changed her. She attended the retreat with a

closed mind about making new friends and meeting new people.

went now,” Gorsche said. “I learned to have an didn’t know everyone [at the retreat] now I probably would have judged them at some point,” Gorsche said.

As a way of implementing some of what they

learned, Gorsche’s group plans to set up a mentoring session with fifth and sixth graders to dis-

cuss the issues of judging, bullying and cliques.

Gorsche’s group believes cliques start to form

around that age and cannot be changed once you Senior Reid Lefler has attended the last three

meet new people and learn more about leadership.

who attented the retreat helped students new to the school. “We have had new student lunches and

helped them around the school,” Lefler said. “Those activities you do at the retreat just teaches you to do what you think is right and take charge of it.”

In upcoming months, administration will continue

to look at the effects of SAIL to help decide if the retreat will continue.

Instructional Technology Coordinator Ann Wiley said that all stu-

getting their iPad, students will also be taking part in a Digital Learning Environment Launch Event, where they will learn how to use the iPads.

The schedule can be found online.

Students will be attending these sessions with their parents and will

be taking place after school from either 5:30-7:00 or 7:00-8:30. Stu-

dents will be expected to sign up for one of these sessions on their assigned day.

CONFIRMED

news

the b&w p.5

Renovation starts at the tennis courts

With a crack the size of the Grand Canyon, the school the renovates the courts words & layout Courtney Mithelman and Sarah Ross Courtney Mithelman/BW

Reasons for Renovation By spring, tennis players will be playing on reno-

vated tennis courts. Renovation began Oct. 31.

Girls’ tennis coach Ben Knight said it was time to

fix the courts. “The tennis courts are at a point now where they do affect your play,” Knight said.The old courts had large cracks.

The courts will get a “full depth replacement”,

which includes new asphalt, a petrimat and a new

surface of paint on top. There will also be new net posts and nets.

The cracks were dug out and covered with pet-

rimat, a flexible mat that allows room for expansion of the asphalt. The mat’s purpose is to delay the development of future cracks.

The surface will not be complete until the third

week of June 2013. “We are hoping we can get the

asphalt done this fall, and then all the new fencing up in the winter,” Knight said. “Next spring we

will put the temporary lines down. The teams will be able to practice, hopefully.”

Gum droppage has been another problem. “One

day, I walked the line of where kids walked across (when they park in the tennis court lot) and I just

picked up gum,” former boys’ tennis coach Tim Brickley said. “I picked up 102 pieces of gum.”

The final coating requires a temperature above

55 degrees for a period of time or the paint will not

adhere to the asphalt. The courts themselves will be blue with the out of bounds area green.

Because the court surface will not be finished

in time for tennis season, they plan to spray paint lines on the asphalt. There are no plans to use an alternative site.

Parking Problem Student Representative Dylan Johnson found

out quickly that the closing of the tennis court parking lot caused frustration. He tweeted about the

closing and two students expressed their unhappiness. “I realized that there would still be enough parking spaces in the parking lot to accommodate people who parked at the tennis courts,” he said.

“So I didn’t really think it was going to be that big of a deal, and I still don’t think it is that big of a deal.”

New fencing and a gate on the west side will pre-

vent students from walking across the courts. A new

sidewalk will extend from the southeast part of the

lot and connect to the road that runs along the west side of the high school.

The Numbers

70 girls

(Approximately)

go out for tennis

50 boys

(Approximately)

go out for tennis

102 pieces of gum

found on the south side of tennis court on one day

Player’s Perspective Tennis player Megan Bradley, a junior, ex-

perinced two hazards playing on the old courts: cracks and crowds.

Cracks presented problems during match play,

especially the ones on courts 1, 3 and 7. On court

1 the crack ran through the back of the service box and the ball hit it frequently. If a ball hit the crack,

and bounced wildly so as the player could not return it, the other team automatically scored the point.

Bradley felt the courts gave an unfavorable im-

pression of Johnston. “It just looks bad,” Bradley

said. “We are supposed to be a 4A school that is

good, and the courts don’t stand up to other 4A schools.”

Wayward students presented problems also. At

the beginning of practice or during the warm up before a meet, streams of students cut through the courts on their way to their cars parked in the tennis court parking lot.

Bradley would like to see more courts. “There is

no room for peers to come,” Bradley said. She said

to fit in all the players, practice has to occur in the morning and evening when little light is available.

the b&w p.6

news

CELEBRATE

Walling shows Johnston a new perspective on bringing together the community

Johnston

After the two student deaths last January, Shari

Walling, Summit PE teacher and girls’ and boys’ swim coach, felt people in the community needed to

words & layout Zoe Wilson

layout Sarah Ross

Johnston,” Walling said. “This is where you live so we want to make this a positive place.”

May pitching the idea to start Celebrate Johnston.

motivational speech at the Johnston Middle School

Johnston giving them the ability to be part of a

ally known paralympian Melissa Stockwell will give a

community to start working for things to celebrate,”

auditorium at 7 p.m.

Walling said.

Stockwell was the first female to lose a limb in

Walling’s idea led to Celebrate Johnston, a group

the Iraq War when a roadside bomb exploded in

munity together. Science teacher Sara Howe and

the army, she qualified for the Beijing Paralympics

of people who plan events to try and bring the comDrug and Violence Prevention Coordinator Chris Wilson are helping in the planning. “I see Celebrate

activities as a great way to help create connections

among community members and ensure that each young person in Johnston knows they are cared for and supported,” Wilson said.

Anybody is welcome to contribute, and become

a part of it.

Baghdad in 2004, losing her leg. After retiring from

Provided/Melissa Stockwell

more speakers, and bring more people to join. The booster club is also putting in an effort to help out.

Walling and graduate Blake Schlawin have start-

that money is part of it, you need to have it,” Walling

speaks to groups of people about perserverence.

“Through a series of pictures and videos I talk about how I lost my leg, how I recovered, and what I’ve done with my life since then,” Stockwell said.

people can donate or check on future events. “I know said, “but it’s really about engaging families and that they support each other and work together as looking at those positives that we do have.”

Anybody is welcome to become a part of the com-

The committee plans to have more events. Warm-

mittee. If you want to be a part of Celebrate Johnston,

Summit Cafeteria. Families are welcome to come

You can also check the website for any future events

make blankets, new hats, and gloves for community

In Baghdad before she was injured. She earned the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for her service.

continuing to write foundation grants to PTOs to get

and was named paralympian of the year. She now

people can come together all of the time. “You are

2004

5013C, meaning a nonprofit organization. Walling is

ed a website through Johnston Partnership where

division in the Paratriathlon World Championships

Up Johnston takes place Dec. 16 at 3:00 p.m. in the

Through the years

Johnston Partnership decided to join with Celebrate

in swimming. In 2010 and 2011 Stockwell won her

From personal experience, Walling knows that

families will come together for sports and believes

Walling started talking to Clay Guthmiller in late

The group’s first event happens Nov. 14. Nation-

be brought together in a new way. “The deaths just made me have a feeling last year that we need a

members. Soup will also be provided.

you can contact Shari Walling, or any other member. that will take place.

Melissa Stockwell’s journey as a veteran, parathlete, and speaker

2010

2012

After the Paratriathlon in Auckland, New Zealand. She recently visited there again for the Paralympic World Championship.

Provided/Melissa Stockwell

Giving a speech to share her story. She talks to the Johnston community Nov. 14 at the JMS auditorium.

Provided/Melissa Stockwell

feature

the b&w p.7

Decisions,

Decisions,

Junior Brooke Stephens practices a tilt-jump at a Tuesday morning dance team practice.

Stephens had been on the Varsity team for all three years of her high school career.

Decisions Students decide what activities to do and how to fit those into their daily schedules Junior Brooke Stephens’ parents sat her down last

words Jeremy Caracci layout Kenzie Foldes

Stitzell used to be a three-sport varsity athlete,

year and gave her a choice: band or show choir. Ste-

playing football, basketball and baseball. After long

ance of both activities along with dance class, dance

he needed to cut one of the three because the sea-

phens struggled through sophomore year to find a balteam and a full academic schedule including AP World

History. “Brooke always liked participating in almost everything she was involved in,” Carla, Stephens’ mother said. “She rarely ever wanted to quit anything.”

Each year students are faced with decisions. Stu-

sons overlapped. “You don’t get an off-season,” Stitzell

said. “When you don’t have an off-season it’s very difficult to prepare for the next sport, as well as practicing year round to get better.”

ball, instead of playing football. “A huge reason was at

“Many times you’ll get students by the time they get to

wanted to go with my post high school career,” Stitzell

high school who are burned out from whatever activity they’re in,” Loraine Wallace, mother of junior Ellie Wallace said.

Wallace has a similar story. “Ellie is one of those

said. “My parents were probably the most important

influence. They’re the ones that have gotten me into these sports.”

Even though Stitzell’s mother, Susan, did not agree

with his decision, she is still supportive.

thing she does.”

off,” Susan said. “While I did not agree with his deci-

tivities over the years and find out which ones are for

I’m his biggest fan.”

Wallace and her mother have had to prioritize ac-

the better. “I’ve had my children not go out for activities

“I fully understood Nick’s desire to have a season

much on your plate can really make your life not fun.

time for homework after school.” She chose to be in

pened to was history day. “I wanted her to do history day in 9th grade and she didn’t think she had time,”

Stephens said. “I had to choose so I would have more the varsity show choir, Innovation, this year, instead of band.

“Band and show choir combined require three class

Loraine said. “It was a long process, but we had to sit

periods per day,” Carla said. “Although Brooke didn’t

ended up not participating because of the amount of

didn’t feel she had enough time to participate fully in so

down and decide what was going to happen.” Wallace time it would take.

Junior Nick Stitzell was also faced with a choice.

In his case, it was athletics. “As a little kid everyone

want to drop any of her activities in her junior year, we

many activities and still take a challenging course load to prepare academically for college.”

Even though it was a tough decision, Stephen’s

wants to go and play for the big schools in their favorite

parents were supportive of the choice. “It was a diffi-

“But coming to terms with yourself and finding what

she chose to drop, we wouldn’t (want to) miss seeing

sport and eventually go onto the pros,” Stitzell said. you want to do outside of sports is really important.”

6:20 a.m. -Wake up 8 a.m.- School 3 p.m.- After school lifting 5:30 p.m.-Basketball practice 9 p.m.-Homework 11 p.m.- Sleep

Like Stitzell, Stephen’s choice involved her family.

“My parents want me to be in more academic classes,”

There has to be a balance.” One activity that this hap-

Ellie Wallace, Junior

sion I understand his reasons and respect his choice.

because they just did not have enough time,” Loraine

said. “I want my kids to be active, but I know that too

6:30 a.m.- Wake up 8 a.m.- School 3 p.m.- Homework 6 p.m.- Soccer practice 7 p.m.- Finish homework 11 p.m.- Sleep

the time I felt like baseball and basketball were where I

kids who dots the i’s and crosses the t’s,” Loraine, Wallace’s mother said. “She wants to do the best in every-

A day in the life of....

Stitzell decided to focus on basketball and base-

dents in high school are involved in many activities

throughout all three years and must learn to prioritize.

Kenzie Foldes/BW

discussions with coaches and family, Stitzell decided

cult choice for her,” Carla said. “No matter what activity her perform.”

Nick Stitzell, Junior 6 a.m. -Wake up 5 a.m. -Tuesday- get up 8 a.m.- School 3 p.m.- Dance (3-5 hours) 7 p.m.Monday- Show choir 11 p.m.- Homework

Brooke Stephens, Junior

feature

the b&w p.8

Taking a stand Iowa Youth Congress works to amend the Anti-Bullying Law words & layout Katelyn Lunders

How do YOU define bullying?

As president of the Iowa Youth Congress, junior Aditi Di-

bills the Congress will be lobbying to legislatures. There

The inspiration came from a story Dinakar was told about

would like to change. Currently the word ‘cyber-bullying’ is

nakar is working to amend the state law against bullying.

the 12-year-old sister of one of her Youth Congress members.

The young girl was bullied at a school in Council Bluffs

by a group of boys in her grade. They called her derogatory

names, made fun of her speech impediment and called her

fat. Her mother went to the principal to ask if her daugh-

ter could be switched out of the classes with these boys.

are three parts to the current Anti-Bullying Law that they not written anywhere in the law. They would like to add that

word and its definition, along with strengthening the policy

for dealing with bullying, and making it more detailed. Finally, they would like to amend the law so that if bullying occurs

off campus, schools will have the jurisdiction to punish the

months, until finally the superintendent stepped in and the

One of the obstacles the Iowa Youth Congress faces

when attempting to amend this law is that people may be-

in the waiting period for help she attempted suicide. “A

is not the school’s job to handle it. “Just because we can’t

have killed a child,” Dinakar said. This is just one of many examples that have fueled the Iowa Youth Congress’s passion to advocate for the bill.

The Iowa Youth Congress is a student based gov-

ernment made up of students all over the state. It was first intended for minorities, but is growing to meet all diversities. The students convene once-a-year to talk about different things in society and laws that they would like

ridicule by an individual or a group who consider them-

lieve that if bullying happens outside of the school, then it

give the student a Saturday school, doesn’t mean we can’t still contact the

parents.” Johnston Middle School principal, Brian Carico said.

The 8/9 building turns ha-

rassment and threatening outside of school to the Student

”

selves socially superior to the other.

nior Fatiha Iqbal, Iowa Youth Congress member, said.

principal was fired.

school didn’t put in the effort to stop something that could

an individual or a group for

“In a supposedly safe environment, every student should

have an equal opportunity to learn without harassment,” se-

Although the 12-year-old girl did receive help in the end,

The intentional targeting of

bully if it is affecting the victim inside school.

The principal said that the school could not do anything about the problem. The bullying continued for two or three

“

Teacher- Patrick Hennes

“

Senior- Hannah Wiles I think bullying is an

intentional harassment of

”

a person. It is irrational and cruel.

Resource Officer. If everything has been tried and the issue is still unable to

resolve itself, the issue

is then brought to the

to amend.

Polk County Mediator.

Dinakar’s idea to amend the

A mediation with an

law against bullying was pro-

agreement is done,

posed at their annual meet-

and if this does not

ing Saturday, Nov. 3,

solve the prob-

and was chosen

lem, it can go

as one of

to Juvenile court.

three

“Bullying has serious

“

Junior- Justin Winnett

long-term effects that

we need to be working to

prevent,” Carico said. “I don’t

The mental or physical

”

harassment of another human being.

want kids to suffer silently.”

To give students a chance to speak out about

their experiences, the Youth Congress has created a Facebook page called Iowa Youth Step Out Against Bullying.

They hope that if students like and comment on the page, they will help to influence the legislatures to amend the law

against bullying. “Those extreme cases shine a light

on how necessary it is to be careful about everything you say when communicating over the Internet,” Dinakar said.

“

Sophomore- Maddie MacGregor I would say bullying is when

people judge others before ac-

tually getting to know them, and

”

then treat them wrongly based on that judgement.

veterans day

the b&w p.9

Rothwell is asked to

describe his father that

as

dw

is the son of Major Jack Denni-

son Rothwell, who was killed in action

during the Vietnam war. Jack was once a

student here at Johnston. All who knew Jack

da

thought the same thing. “Jack was extremely

bright, and lots of fun. He was very gifted and

“My

talented, loved to sing, loved to fly and loved the

ings,

the

boys

of

would say ‘Mom, you’re the only

a

mother here.’ They missed not having

a father,” Osborn said. The boys no lon-

ger were able to play games, go hiking in the

hills, or water ski with their dad. Even though

the boys’ time with their father was cut short, they

.”

Soldiers Stories

is what comes to mind. Jim

m e e t -

an

ah

When Jim

m

o r e

and a giant

words Paige Cramer layout Sarah Ross

enjoyed the years they had. “We had a wonderful time and a wonderful life,” Osborne said.

Only nine when his father died, John Rothwell was

Marine Corps,” said his wife, Patricia Osborne, who

the one of the oldest of his siblings. “We were a military

After he graduated in 1950, he became a figther pilot

quires many sacrifices. “Leaving your friends was proba-

later remarried.

for the Marine Corps. Not only did Jack love to fly, he was

also the best at it. He was asked to be apart of the Blue An-

gels precision flight team, which is the very best of the Navy

family,” John said. However being a military family rebly the hardest part of moving for us (the brothers). I can only imagine how the hard moves were on our mom.”

Jacks military career begun and ended when they

and Marine Corps. “I remember sitting on my Dad’s lap in

were small children, so memories are vague. “He was

runway. I remember so vividly wishing I could reach all those

said Jim. Most of the information known to them was told

the cockpit of one of the Blue Angel jets and taxiing down the

dials, buttons and instruments,” said Jim.

Jack was prepared to fly during the war. “He wanted to be in

combat, wanted to do what he was trained to do,” said Jim Roth-

well. However because of his talent, the Marine Corps saw him as

too valuable to bring into combat. After sitting behind a desk for a

while, he finally received the chance to go to Viet Nam in 1965. He

was the communications officer in what was then South Viet Nam for his first year. In January of 1966 Jack went back to Viet Nam for a

second tour. On his way back, he stopped in the Republic of the Philippines at Subic Bay, to train in the A-4 Skyhawk.

No one knows exactly what happened but during this training, his plane crashed. His plane went down March 28, 1966.

“It was devastating,” said Osborne. At

age 32, Osborne was a single mom of four young

boys. “At boy scout

always gone, flying, training or deployed here and there,” to them by their mother, reelected form their own memories or written in letters their father would write them.

Jack flew fighter jets for the Marines for 13 years and

taught fledgling Naval Aviators to fly for three years. He

was Captain at the time of death but upon dying he was promoted as Major.

In a letter to his family, Jack wrote about the plane he

flew before his crash and described it as such a great plane. “He called it the motorcycle of the sky,” John said.

“That is the other hard part of being a military family. It always happens to someone else’s family, not yours,” said John Rothwell. “The papers are filled today with articles and the TV news has stories about someone else’s dad or mom paying the price of service. Their passing leaves a hole in your heart but time passes and

the

heals.”

wound

Left: Jack (Front row, middle) with his graduating class from Flight School; Jack earned his wings at the Pensicola Naval Air Station in 1954.

Middle: Jack sits in the A-4 Skyhawk, in which he flew at Subic Bay. Although his father was very much against his only son joining the military, Jack had always wanted to serve, he felt it was his duty. Right: Jack Rothwell receives his wings from Commanding Admiral Pensacola in 1954.

Provided/Jim Rothwell

Provided/Jim Rothwell

Provided/Jim Rothwell

veterans day

the b&w p.10&11 November 2012

Honoring

Missed but never Forgotten

those who bring us

There are many men and women from our school that has served our country. Sadly we cannot commemorate alll. Nine graduates made the ultimate sacrifice in name of their country and against tyranny. They will be dearly missed.

Pvt. Lawrence Robert Evans JHS graduate 1937 U.S. Army Infantry W.W. II Killed in Action “Battle of the Bulge” January 7, 1945

It is 2006 and Brittany Marshall and

Vince Larson both walked through the halls

of Johnston High School. In just a few years

the high school sweethearts would be married, Vince would be serving overseas and

Sgt. Donald Roy Michael JHS graduate 1941 U.S. Army Air Corps Radio Operator, B24 W.W. II Killed in Action in Australia June 26, 1944

Pfc. Harlan Rex Daggett JHS graduate 1948 U.S. Army Artillery Korean War Killed in Action in Korea October 8, 1951

1st Lt. Warren Jack Edenburk JHS graduate 1935 U.S. Army Infantry W.W. II Killed in Action in Europe February 22, 1943

Brittany would be expecting their first child.

Vince Larson is an Infantryman soldier

in 4th Stryker Brigade 2nd Infantry Division, 4th Battalion 9th Infantry Regiment, HHC Company, Scout Platoon. This means

he is a shooter trained in hand-to-hand explosives and combat.

Larson was deployed to Zangabad this

past month, leaving his expecting wife at home. Some may never think of joining

the military, but Larson knows that this is something he has always wanted to do.

“Vince had always talked about joining

the military, way before I met him and long

after as well,” said Brittany. “He told me

that he felt like he needed to do his duty,

Pfc. Philip Raymond Reese

JHS graduate 1942 U.S. Marine Corps Infantry W.W. II Killed in Action on Pelelia Island, South Pacific September 27, 1949

Pfc. Harry Max Minnick

Honor

Staff Writer Ethan Marshall is related to Vincent Larson

give back and serve his country. It was

about the honor, respect and brotherhood to Vince.”

Along with basic training in the army, de-

ployed soldiers go through specific training to prepare for when they leave.

All deployed soldiers have to be certi-

fied at The National Training Center in the

Mojave Desert in California before being sent overseas. This is supposed to be a

replica of the environment and conditions

that the soldiers will confront in Afghanistan. “There are orders every morning,

and you have to ‘kill the bad guy,’” Larson said. “Every night there would be stuff blowing up so we would know what it will be like.”

At the training facilities, Afghanistan

people that were in dangerous conditions in their country were taken to America to

act as civilians so the soldiers can start to understand the language barrier and how to work with the people. “They told us if they offer you stuff you can’t say no,”

Larson said. “Give kids candy and make

friends. Soldiers work on gaining the citizens’ trust. They want the citizens to be able to provide them with information on the Taliban, not the other way around.”

With Vince’s position in the military,

overseas he will be mainly fighting on the frontline in direct combat. For security reasons we cannot disclose the exact loca-

Veterans day is a day to honor those who have and are currently surving our country.

Some students leave and serve in one of the branches of our military but are rarely achnowledged for their bravery. words Paige Cramer, Mallorie Goodale, & Ethan Marshall layout Paige Cramer & Kenzie Foldes

tion of Vince and his Platoon.

His past wrestling career gives him a

pretty big edge, with the instinct to fight and win already in him. “Vince wrestling

at Johnston High school was a big part of his life and still is today and is a passion of his,” Brittany said. “He wrestles all the

time, whether it’s with the men in his platoon for fun or to teach others who don’t have a background in it.”

Vince has learned a lot through joining

the military. “Fighting is something I’ve always enjoyed, but I’ve learned outstanding amounts of respect and discipline,” said Vince. Through the military, they

have been disciplined to not talk on the phone while you walk and you get a haircut every two weeks. But discipline goes deeper than that. “You can’t stop fighting

if your best friend in the whole world goes down,” Larson said. “You have to have

the discipline to kill the enemy, secure the area, then go help them.”

This brotherhood came from the long

months of training. “If it came down to it

we would die for each other,” Larson said.

“You wouldn’t do it for anybody but them.

You can’t go without him, and he can’t go without you.”

Even though Brittany knew being in the

military was something Vince always wanted to do, it was hard for her. “I always told him I didn’t want him to, that I didn’t know if I was strong enough to deal with that and

didn’t want him in any danger, but to be with me instead.” However, if they were to

be married, she knew she would have to accept it. “Eventually I realized that I was strong enough for it because it was for a

man I love and wanted to support, its amaz-

ing how well one can adapt to things like that.”

Vince hopes he will be able to come

home to see the birth of their baby. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed,” he said. Vince

was also able to take an ultrasound picture with him to Afghanistan. “He keeps it in his wallet next to my picture and a letter I wrote

him to read on the plane ride,” Brittany said.

The few days before Vince Larson left

for deployment were not wasted. “We pack

up all our stuff, spend as much time to-

gether, and say our goodbyes at the airport.

Then she goes home and I go away.”

JHS graduate 1942 U.S. Army Infantry W.W. II Killed in Action in Italy March 12, 1944 Sgt. Donald W. Jeffrey

Middle school Spanish teacher Shamus Gordon spent

84 hours straight interrogating the man who threw a gre-

different groups were.”

TV shows, movies and video games all give people a

nade at his truck and injured two of his soldiers.

false description of the reality of military interrogations.

through Afghanastan to the same place for a meeting

in there and screaming and being a tough guy,” Gordon

the truck in front of Gordon and his teammate caught the

a source you had to spend 12 to 24 hours preparing. It’s

Gordons truck and another truck were all driving

“It’s not like you see on TV where it’s all about running

later in the day. Suddenly a man had thrown a grenade in

said. “For every hour that you talk to a prisoner or talk to

grenade with his bare hands. As he was about to throw

nothing like the video game.”

street and realized the only thing to do was the hold the

little details of the person they are interrogating. “In inter-

soldier lost three of his fingers and the other soldier in the

gestures, eye movement patterns, word choice and

“The part that was crazy was while this was going on,

Before Gordon ever even thought of joining the mili-

it back outside the truck, he noticed kids playing in the

Interrogaters jobs’ are more about focusing on the

grenade tightly to himself. When the grenade went off the

rogation training we learned how to read body language

truck lost half of both of his legs.

things like that,” Gordon said.

the local authorities had caught the individual that threw

tary, he worked as an engineer for Amtrak driving trains.

who had to interrogate him for the next few days,” said

duty one day and I decided to go check out the recruiter

Gordon then had to spend four days interrogating the

the army if you can give me a bunch of money for college,

the grenade into my teammate’s truck and I’m the one

“I hated that job (Amtrak),” Gordon said. “I was on jury

Gordon.

because I wanted to go to college. I said ‘Look I’ll go to

man that threw the grenade and find out why he did it,

what do I got to do?’”

what he did and what was going on.

Even though his past Spanish grades would prove

“I had to keep my calm and not do the wrong things

otherwise, after taking a test with the army, the results

hours of my life because it was 84 hours straight with little

Spanish all through high school,” Gordon said. “I was a

then do it all again.”

that day, and within two weeks he had quit his job and

that you hear about,” Gordon said. “It was the longest 84

said Gordon would make a good interrogator. “I failed

half an hour breaks to take a nap and get refueled and

D student if I was lucky.” Gordon signed up for the army

Soldiers that share those traumatic instances, have

a special kind of bond. “It’s kind of like an unwritten rule;

joined the army.

Upon finishing his contract to eight years of service,

you just know that you’re there for each other.” For his

Gordon was ready to go back in. “I was getting ready

acts of heroism and merit in the combat zone.

school for me while I was in Afghanistan and I had gotten

with and question human intelligence sources and inter-

you start school in three months.’”

service Gordon was awarded the Bronze Star medal for

to re-enlist and my sister in-law had actually applied to

Gordon’s job as an interrogator required him to meet

accepted,” Gordon said. “She’s like ‘You gotta come back

rogate prisoners of war.

In the army Gordon realized that it is easy to get

“I worked on a two-person team,” Gordon said. “Just

caught up in the little things in life. “You just learn a differ-

and the different villages. We would meet with warlords

things in America. We really do have it a lot better than

people who might actually know where the Taliban and

things.”

the two of us in the middle of Afghanistan in the cities

ent respect and a different level of excitement for the little

and different city officials, militia people, local residents,

we give credit. We complain about the most meaningless

Gordon (middle, back row) and his team at one of the local villages talking to a tribal chief and visiting with his children.

JHS graduate 1934 U.S. Army Air Corps W.W. II Killed in Action in England

Capt. Daniel Whitten JHS graduate 1999 Company Commander 82nd Airborne Division Killed in Action February 2, 2010 Zabul Province, Afghanistan

The little things

Provided/Brittany Larson

Vince Larson waits in formation during basic training.

Provided/Brittany Larson

Vince and Brittany enjoy the Iowa State fair while Vince is on leave.

Provided/Brittany Larson

Vince (far top right) and others in basic training enjoy UFC fighter Tito Ortiz when he visited the soldiers.

Provided/Shamus Gordon

One of the weapons caches Gordon and his team found from their interrogations.

Provided/Shamus Gordon

veterans day

the b&w p.12

Students give JHS students write notes to

thanks

the troops to show apreciation

feature

the b&w p.13

Turning Over a New Leaf We all love Facebook and Twitter, but there are other alternatives to your “sneaky” mid-class Internet breaks-and one is student made words & layout Aaron Gray Creating a website from scratch

flash game sites went down. I created my

any site is an incredibly complex string

games there so we could keep playing.” The

can be enormously confusing; behind

own site and embedded the code for the

of HTML coding, which is the code that

hobby stuck.

programs it and tells it what to do. Se-

The group marketed the New Leaf site by

nior Jarid Ingebrand, however, speaks

hanging posters on the message boards and

He and two of his fellow classmates,

by administration due to rules pertaining to

the Internet “language” quite fluently.

by fountains, most of which got taken down

seniors Kyle Gansemer and Dakota

student permissions. “There are still a few

Jackson are making a radio site.

left,” Ingebrand said, “and we’ve even got a

The site plays alternative and indie

whole 19 likes on Facebook.”

music with a little rock mixed in. “Just

Though fees are about $10 per month to

kind of a nice station that you can lis-

maintain the site’s domain, the group is not

They started talking about it last

time thing,” Ingebrand said. “We haven’t re-

ten to as you work,” Gansemer said.

in it for the money. “Its more of just a free

May. “We came up with the idea at

ally encountered too many problems, but we

the end of last year and we got the

don’t really think much about donations.”

ball rolling at the beginning of August,”

Regardless of time or monetary con-

Jackson said.

cerns, the group has been working together

Each of the three has a specific job.

on the site for enough time that they are al-

“Jared is in charge of the web tech

From top to bottom: Jarid Ingebrand, Kyle Gansemer and Dakota Jackson.

stuff, I’m in charge of the art and music, and Dakota is kind of the voice of

most ready to launch. “We’re thinking it will

be fully launched before the end of the year, but we’re still kind of in a phase of active

reason,” Gansemer said. “We’ve been from the ground-up with HTML coding. brainstorming,” Ingebrand said. “It is up now, making some really good progress.”

Though it can be a tiring task, this is but there are just some finishing touches to The site is now in the midst of its not his first time doing this kind of site add.” finishing touches, and the trio is hop- creating.

With hand-drawn, original art and a myring that they can get a good amount of listeners when the site launches.

“I’ve been making sites for about iad of indie songs playing through the day, five years now,” Ingebrand said. “It New Leaf Radio is set to give your iPod a run

The trio is making the site inde- started in about seventh grade when for it’s money. You can start listening today pendently, with Ingebrand building it some of me and my friend’s favorite at www.newleafradio.com.

Above: The home page for New Leaf Radio- from here you can listen to the station, see the latest news, or chime in with the community.

SUBSTITUE SITES Great sites don’t have to be social networks; try some of these alternatives.

Buzzfeed

Cracked

The Daily What

Rooted firmly in the digital world, if there is something going on in the Internet, you can probably find it on Buzzfeed. Buzzfeed dredges up the latest news on such topics as technology, social media crazes, and more. (www.buzzfeed.com)

With the slogan “America’s only humor and video site, since 1958,” cracked.com is filled with the latest videos, trends, and news from the world.

The articles cover a broad range of subjects like politics and technology, and updates go on throughout the day. (www.cracked.com)

An unpredictable site, but in the best way: posts are added throughout the day, ranging from mindless fun to fresh and in-depth views on very real and topical issues of the present. For a quick laugh, this is a good site to visit. (thedailywhat.cheezburger.com)

editorial

the b&w p.14

Conflicts with conferences They way they are right now, conferences are not as effective as they should be. Changes should be made to the process of conferences to see more benefits for students.

Problem In the old days before the Internet and Infinite Cam-

pus, parent/teacher conferences had a purpose. Many times parents arrived to conferences not knowing students’ grades and attendance until they walked in the building and were handed a paper report card.

Conferences were simple back then. Teachers talked

about specific assignments and whether or not all work had been handed in.

Principal Brent Riessen remembers. “When I was a

little one, back in 1971 they were a big part of school,”

he said. “Parent teacher conferences have always been kind of a way for parents to visit with teachers about how their kids are doing in school.”

Now parents (and students) can use Infinite Campus

to check a grade and attendance and see what assignments are missing. This information is available 24/7.

Thus, the way conferences have been conducted is

obsolete.

“With Infinite Campus and email, I think waiting for

a ‘special day’ to conference is not necessary,” science

teacher Chris Beguhn said. Having Infinite Campus as a way for parents to check grades on a daily basis also

gives them the ability to contact the teacher immediately when a problem is detected.

The fact of the matter is that conferences communi-

cate little to no new information. “I just think that in this day in age, when a parent has a question, they ask right

away,” Riessen said. “They don’t want to wait until Oct. 25 or 27 to find out the information.”

The way the conferences have been presented time

and time again is that parents will go to their child’s school, learn about their child’s grade that they already knew about previous to the conference, and then they

proceed to leave. “When I go in to talk to my kids’ teachers about their grades, I already know what the grades

are, I know what assignments are missing; I have all of that information,” Riessen said.

Cindy Judas, mother of junior Amanda Judas, thinks

conferences need to change. “The open setting of the

Solutions conferences in classrooms or the library is less conductive to a private conversation,” she said. Although the time that teachers and parents do spend together can be valuable, it may not be enough time to get things

communicated that need to be. “There are lines to wait to talk with teachers, and you don’t know how long you

1

Discussion among teachers about

what does and does not need to be

communicated needs to occur. What should a teacher say to the parent

those child has an A in the class and

will actually have with someone,” Judas said. “It can be

has all assignments in? What about the

behind you, waiting for your spot.”

cated on Infinite Campus.

student’s performance is not communi-

nerve-racking when you know there are 10 other parents Judas also added that in elementary school, confer-

ences are more helpful compared to the ones in high

school. “At the elementary level, the student spends

most of their day with one or two teachers and we feel it’s very important to come in and talk with them,” Ju-

das said. “Those conferences are more private, and you have a specific time set up just for you.”

2

Another factor to consider is there are no parent/

Students need to talk to their teach-

ers — and not between classes or

during class. They need to set up appointments before and after school.

Just like they will do with their bosses

in the workplace. Just like they will do

teacher conferences at college, community college, in

in college with their professors. “Stu-

the military or in the world outside high school.

dents should talk to their teachers any-

Riessen thinks conferences can have value for par-

time they have concerns,” Beguhn said.

ents. “[Conferences] are kind of the one-time a semester

“They should care about their grades

where parents come in and say OK is everything the

and take the initiative to meet with their

way we’re getting it told (to us), and if it’s not, then a par-

teachers and come up with strategies

ent can step in and help out,” Riessen said.

to do better.”

He also said the basic structure of them — they are

held during an afternoon and two evening and parents visit with teachers when they are available, not at pre-

set times ­— is hard to change. “Teachers have anywhere from 150-170 kids,” Riessen said. “So if they had to meet with each child at a designated time, you can do the math. One-hundred seventy times five minutes,

3

Teachers and parents need to encourage students to attend conferences.

This is a good transition between

the elementary conferences where

that’s a lot of time to try to set up.”

the students normally do not attend

could be tweaked.

sors cannot legally discuss grades

ers need to talk in private, but the student can be dis-

adult student. And who could imagine

The conversation must then center around what

conferences to college where profes-

Sure there are some times when parents and teach-

with parents without the consent of the

missed from the meeting if this happens.

It makes sense. Conferences are about the perfor-

mance of the student. The student needs to be there.

The editorial board votes on the opinion behind the editorial. A simple majority is needed to pass. This month’s vote was 4-0.

bringing mom to a workplace meeting with a boss?

opinion

the b&w p.15

Get psyched about psych

Why Intro to Psych should be required

words & layout Hannah Soyer In this past year, many things have happened. The Occupy

Wall Street movement. The hype of Joseph Kony. The continued drug wars in Mexico. The bombings and killings across the

world in response to civil unrest. It could be said that most of the

conflicts happening in the world arise from some sort of miscommunication and misunderstanding of our supposed enemies.

Obviously, other factors are involved, but a better idea of how

the human mind works probably would not hurt. Based off the

graduation requirements decided by our local Board of Education, students are expected to graduate with a knowledge of math, science, English, and social studies. While these subjects

are of value, it is ironic that we are being armed with an understanding of how all of these things work in a world full of people without being taught about people.

If we leave this building without a basic understanding of

what makes humans tick, how can we be expect to use the other

knowledge? In a world where fragile human relations threaten to spark disagreements, learning the basics of psychology is ex-

tremely important, and this could be taken care of by requiring a semester of Intro to Psych to graduate.

Last year, I took AP Psychology. It was by far my favorite

class because everything I learned I could somehow apply to my

life. When this happens, content suddenly becomes valuable.

AP Psychology and world studies teacher Jesse Dowell agrees.

“I would say psychology more than any other class is applicable to every students’ life,” he said. “Everything that we talk about you can relate to your everyday experience.”

This is because for the rest of our lives, we will be dealing

with other people, whether that be our parents, colleagues,

friends, or eventually our children. Things learned in psychology will never go to waste.

Intro to Psych and world studies teacher Thomas Griffin also

believes this. In the last unit of his class, social psychology, he

talks about relationships, conformity, and social norms. “I think that’s really applicable to (students),” he said. “The people they sit with, the people they talk to in the hallways, the teams and

clubs they join, a lot of that has to do with conformity and fitting

in.” Oftentimes, even a basic understanding of other people in society can lead to acceptance and better communication.

Knowing how the human mind responds to stressful situa-

tions and how psychologists help their clients through this, it is

more likely that students who take psychology will be able to deal with self-defeating behaviors in a healthy manner. “One of

the first things we try to communicate in the Abnormal Psychol-

ogy section is that every behavior that eventually gets labeled a disorder is just an exaggeration of a behavior that all people already have,” ELP and AP Psychology teacher Sue Cline said.

As outlined by Executive Director of Academic Services

Bruce Amendt, if a semester of Intro to Psych were required, it would be put under the social studies category.

Right now, the state requires high schools to teach a

Intro to Psych curriculum unit1Approaches to Psych Gain an understanding of what

psychology is and what potential careers are in the field, along with basic methods of research.

unit2 The Life Span

Learn about maturation and development from birth to death.

Understand more about relating to other people who are at different stages in their lives.

unit3 Workings of the Mind

Know the states of consciousness and why sleep is important.

Understand how to get on a healthy sleep schedule.

unit4 Learning & Cognitive Processes

Comprehend how behavior is learned and how memory works.

Realize how you learn and practice taking advantage of this.

year of U.S. history and government. The rest of the

history classes we are required to take are decided

by the local Board of Education. This includes a semester of Topics of History as a freshman, and a year

of world studies/AP World History as a sophomore.

Besides this, we are taught the history of our country

just about every other year since kindergarten, and while

unit5 Personality & Individuality Gain intrapersonal skills by studying different theories of personality development and how people make decisions.

some of this is useful, it is to the point of overkill. We could

easily replace the semester of Topics with Intro to Psychology. A semester of Intro to Psych as a freshman would also help to bridge the gap between the health

class we take in eighth grade and the health class

we take as sophomores by presenting students with

a look at the mental health side of things.

As technology continues to grow, communication be-

tween people will continue to change. However, the ability to

communicate in an effective way will remain just as important.

It is paramount that we understand from a young age how our

minds and others’ minds work, or else we will continue to blun-

der and make mistakes that can cost money, stature, and even lives. A better tomorrow begins with a better understanding.

Illustration/Tyler Fenton

unit6 Abnormal Psychology

Study the breakdown of the mind, disease, and treatment. Learn how to relate to other people with such disorders, such as depression and anxiety.

unit7 Social Psychology

Understand relationships, conformity, and social norms.

Recognize patterns in peoples’ behavior and realize what sort of norms people are following.

opinion

the b&w p.16

LEAD or not TO LEAD

To

words & layout Monica Gagne Trevor McCauley jumps off the ziplining tower at the Boone Y camp on the SAIL retreat Nov. 2. Students participated in activities at the Y camp like ziplining, team building, kickball, rock climbing, and rope courses.

Laura Schwartz/Dragon

Everyone acts as a leader on a daily basis. SAIL trains students on topics in all categories to bring back tighter knit students and better role models.

In life, everyone is a leader. Whether it is helping someone in a class they do

an issue that we can take note of,” Riessen said. “The thing I keep trying to say

not understand or bringing the new kid to a party in town. Leadership is the act

is wrap this around some work, wrap this around an issue, wrap this around an

or ability to lead or direct a person or group.

idea or concept that we really want to see change at JHS.”

Due to recent changes in the popularity of SAIL, or the Students Active

But if SAIL’s soul purpose is to build leadership how do you base that around

In Leadership club, administrators are choosing to judge SAIL and its ef-

a certain topic? How does a leader lead in only one thing? Instead could we look into certain topics, multiple instead of one, and discover ways to fix it or de-

fectiveness the wrong way.

For 15 years Johnston has been holding a leadership retreat in Boone

crease its existence at school? Take bullying for example. We could build leaders

for the Students Active In Leadership club. Members spend a weekend

who think only about killing out bullying at Johnston. Or, we could learn ways to

at the Y camp participating in activities that help develop and ad-

prevent bullying and at the same time be learning to deal with drinking and drugs

vance leadership skills. The candlelight activity, where students have

and other things all happening at school.

the opportunity to be open and share personal experiences and

Now how do you judge whether or not SAIL is doing its job in teaching leader-

other members have a chance to support, is a personal favorite of

ship? How do you judge whether someone is a good leader? Is it by the activities

junior Shelby Fechner.

they did on the retreat and whether or not they bring it back and try to do similar

“The purpose of SAIL is to learn leadership skills through

things at school? According to Riessen, a leader in school is either using their

team-building activities. The goal as a whole is to make role

powers for good or evil. “You’re leadership doesn’t come from whether you’re a

models and leaders in this movement that we are working

sophomore, junior or senior. Your leadership comes from where you are in your

on to make the school a better environment,” Fechner said.

friend group, where you’re at with your current activities or events and how you

The students are expected to bring back the skills they

demonstrate leadership in that group,” Riessen said.

learn from the retreat to school and help teach their peers

Usually there are two types of leaders: there are leaders who go through every

how to also be better leaders by way of example. Some

day using opportunities to build up themselves and others around them and use

people believe SAIL members come back, and for

leadership for good reasons and to influence people in good ways. Then there

about a week show some effects of the retreat and

are leaders who use leadership as a way to be on top by breaking other people

then it is done. Because of a drop in popularity of

down and influencing them to do things that hurt them or can ruin their reputa-

the club, principal Brent Riessen and other admin-

tion.

istrators have been forced to reevaluate SAIL and

In my eyes, if we want to build the good kind of leaders at school, then SAIL

whether or not it is setting appropriate goals and

is on the right track. By building a strong group of kids who can help their friends

reaching them.

“What I challenge the group to do is come up with a way in which we’re going to see a very intentional emphasis that is being placed on

and people around them to make good choices then we are well on our way to creating a better Johnston.

health

the b&w p.17

The Truth

Revealed Knowing the facts of this substance can help improve your understanding and possibly your health. words Kenzie Foldes

DANGEROUS

ILLUSIONS

MYTH: REALITY

The line between the truth and myths behind BPA has become lost. Know the facts and basics of this substance that can help improve your understanding and possibly your health.

A harmful amount of BPA infects food if stored in polycarbonate food containers.

Studies have shown that the amount of BPA that can infect food and beverages from polycarbonate food containers are well below the safety standards, set by government regulatory agencies around the world.

words Niki Ferguson layout

“What is

Kenzie Foldes

MYTH: REALITY

BPA?”

As prevalent as water bottles are, very few students

actually know what the little ‘BPA Free’ label that can be

a phone interview.

Contrary to popular belief, it has been proven that BPA

found on one actually means.

is not dangerous in the small doses that humans are ex-

polycarbonate plastic, which is clear, strong, shatter-proof,

been proven not to be harmful? “Canada issued a state-

BPA to be a “toxic substance.” It can be found in baby bot-

tomer demand we had to remove it even though there is

and water bottles, of course.

microwave or heat the bottle,” Barbara said. Even though

and Kor removed the chemical from their bottles. “I would

would not have decreased if they continued to use the

BPA, or Bisphenol A, is a component used in making

posed to, so why would companies remove BPA if it has

heat-resistant and lightweight. In 2010, Canada declared

ment saying that our bottles contained BPA, and by cus-

tles, canned foods, CDs, some food and drink packaging,

no real risk of absorbing the chemicals unless you were to

Water bottle companies Camelbak, Nalgene, Tritan,

it was by customer demand, Barbara also said that sales

say we removed [the BPA] three or four years ago,” Bar-

Q&A

polycarbonate plastic.

bara, customer service representative for Nalgene, said in

Students share thier knowledge about BPA.

“Like on Camelbaks, right?”

-Jacqui Galang, Sophomore

“The stuff in plastic?”

-Kendall Staley, Sophomore

BPA exposure from sales receipts can pose health risks.

Receipts made from thermal paper may contain low levels of BPA. However, studies show that BPA can not be readily absorbed through the skin.

BPA accumulates in

MYTH: the human body.

REALITY

Several studies have shown that the little amount of BPA that may be ingested during normal daily activities is converted to biologically inactive metabolites, which is typically eliminated from the human body within 24 hours.

MYTH: BPA causes cancer.

REALITY “I have no idea,” -Amanda Witt, Junior

In 2008, a European Union risk assessment took place, and after extensive research it has been concluded that “BPA does not possess any significant carcinogenic potential.”

words Myles Glandorf layout Kenzie Foldes

? sports

the b&w p.18

How far is

Coaches and students share their view on discipline in sports

too far

The firing of Des Moines Lincoln High School foot-

time. The consequences would probably be more se-

ment on an athlete has people talking about forms of

the best way for coaches to react is to listen. “You al-

ball coach Tom Mihalovich for using physical punishdiscipline used by some coaches.

Mihalovich and one of his assistant coaches were

fired Oct. 9 after being put on administrative leave in

vere if it’s the third time than if it’s the first.” Ross said

ways want to talk with the student, and see what happened,” Ross said.

Also, it is important for coaches to know their ath-

August. It started when one of his athletes skipped a

letes, because every athlete is different. “An example

Lincoln football team. When Mihalovich learned this,

running back; their punishments shouldn’t be the same

game and posted comments on Twitter insulting the he made the student read his comments out loud to the team. Later, Mihalovich punished the sophomore

by making him run 25 to 30 minutes. The students family filed a complaint with the school district.

Athletic director Gary Ross said common sense

needs to be used when coaches punish athletes. “We don’t have any set rules,” Ross said. “Everything depends on a number of factors, like if this is the first

would be like punishing an offensive lineman versus a because they have different athletic ability,” Ross said.

Sophomore Brady Harper has been punished by

a coach. “[I] would do sprints, and some live wrestling (minute-long matches) as punishment.” However

Harper is not against coaches punishing their athletes.

“I don’t think there’s a workout we shouldn’t be able

to do (as punishment) because it makes us stronger,” Harper said.

Football

Coaches’

Input

he would run 10 lengths of the floor in one minute, and do ‘stud drills’ where he would push a wooden block

with a towel wrapped around it across the gym. Smith believes that punishment is important, up to a point.

“If you do something wrong you have to make up for

it somehow,” Smith said. “[Any punishment] should be

allowed except to a point where people are passing out or throwing up.”

The biggest step to preventing a Lincoln situation is

communicating up front about what the coaches expec-

tations are for their athletes. “Make them aware of the potential consequences of their actions,” Ross said.

Ross thinks coaches should be able to use physical

punishments like running for discipline. “Yes, as long as its reasonable,” Ross said. “But just to embarrass and humiliate a kid, that’s unacceptable.”

Brain Woodley

Wrestling

Aaron Tecklenburg

For Woodley, communication is the

When a wrestler skips practice, the

an athlete. At the start of the season

burg communicates with the athlete’s

most important thing when disciplining he gives the players’ parents the team handbook before their son can play.

“This deals with parent problems,”

Woodley said. Next Woodley talks

with the players about the difference between excused and unexcused

absences. When a student is absent

Different ways coaches here handle physical punishment during in-season

Senior Grant Smith has a similar view. In basketball

or late the first time he gets a warning

and has to run a little. “No over the top running though,” Woodley said. The

second time he is late the run will be

doubled and he will have less playing time. The third time he will sit out of a game. “If he is absent again, I’m usually going to get rid of him,” Woodley said.

first thing that happens is that Tecklenparents. The discipline that follows could be suspension of the athlete

Basketball

Bobby Sandquist

There are many different ways of punishment in basketball. For the varsity, it can involve running. “Maybe 10-15

minutes,” junior Adam Johanson said.

“We mostly do sprints though, nothing

from matches or competitions, depend- horrible.” However most punishments ing on the severity of the infraction.

in basketball consist of losing a starting

“The team might have some extra con- position, reduced playing time, or havditioning as a form of discipline, but it’s ing someone dress in someone else’s done with common sense and safety

of the athletes being our number one

place for games. “We do not believe in kicking players off the team,” Sanquist

priority,” Tecklenburg said. For Tecklen- said. “As coaches we are in the busiburg, the biggest thing he wants from

ness of developing players, and even

learn something. “Discipline should

men of good character. It is difficult to

disciplining his athletes is for them to

be a teaching tool,” Tecklenburg said.

“The athlete should walk away having learned something.”

more importantly developing young

assist a young man if we dismiss him from our program.”

sports

the b&w p.19

Swim Team

Sophomore Jordyn Kleve runs at the state meet Oct. 27. The team placed third overall and Kleve placed 11th individually.

Cross Country

Sophomore Morgan Woods prepares

herself for the regional meet by starting

what swimmers call “taper week.” “Taper

week helps to rest our bodies so we can

go out explosively at the big meets like regionals and state,” Woods said. “It helps us to be faster at those meets.”

The purpose of tapering is to adapt and

maintain performance capacity. “Tapering

for a swimmer is resting the muscles, allowing the body to recover from the stress

of the season, and to be explosive when

it is called upon,” swim coach Shari Walling said.

The swimmer must rest, keep stress

low, stay positive, believe in oneself, keep

perfect form, and maintain a healthy diet to see the desired results of tapering. “We taper in order for the athlete to peak and

have their best time at the focused meet,” Walling said.

One of the most important facets of ta-

pering is rest.

Good

nutrition

is

also

important

throughout the whole season, but especially during taper. The week before the

important meet swimmers eat a high protein diet during the first half of the week, and a high intake of carbs the second half.

“When they’ve depleted that energy

Provided/Dragon

Easy Does

It

Sports teams used the technique of tapering to prepare themselves for competition to come

words Mollie Greenwood & Anne Rogers layout Kenzie Foldes

Instead of tapering the week before a

big meet, the boys’ cross country team

spends the time following the theme of ‘being each other’s wingmen.’ Coach

Matt Jaschen derived this theme from the movie “Top Gun.” “The whole idea

was that when we go into battle (run a big race like state), our top guys need to stick together and not drop off,” Jaschen

said. “A true wingman stays with whomever he is flying with, he does not fall back under any circumstances.”

The boys’ and girls’ cross country

teams use the word “prime” instead

of “taper.” “For us, the word tapering is more of a negative term because it sounds like we aren’t working as hard,”

Jaschen said. Priming involves keeping

the mileage consistent while incorporating speed work.

Girls’ coach Patrick Hennes prefers

priming also. “My experience is my athletes run their best when they are work-

ing their hardest,” he said. “If you take it easy for a week, you’ll lose the mental

[carbs], they often feel sluggish in the wa-

edge that come with hard training.”

thing they usually do easily,” Walling said.

pect of priming called visualization. “We

introduce carbs back into their diet, plus

place going,” Jaschen said. “They all laid

cally and mentally prepared.

them through the race while they had

For the first time Jaschen used an as-

ter, like it takes more work to do the same

Toward the end the week when swimmers

turned the lights out with just the fire-

the extra rest, they become more physi-

on the floor on their backs and I talked their eyes closed.”

While resting and maintaining a healthy

Runners are instructed to eat healthy

diet, swimmers also have to believe ta-

and from all food groups throughout the

pering will result in their highest potential.

whole season, and most importantly dur-

“Trusting in tapering is big, ­— when the

ing the end of their season. “There is

mind believes, the body achieves,” Wall-

a quote from one of my favorite books

ing said.

Junior Carmen Vajgrt dives into the water during taper week Oct. 30. This particular drill worked on building up initial momentum to keep the swimmer going faster during the race.

about running that says, ‘If the furnace is hot enough, anything will burn,’ meaning

that if you’re working out enough, then you just need calories,” Hennes said.

Anne Rogers/BW

backpage

the b&w p.20

O T Y A W T N E S E R P E R hnson o J n la y D e iv t senta l media Student Repre ia c o s ia v s t n e stud reaches out to zie Foldes usch words Austin B

Dylan Johnson has been the student representative on the school board for three meetings so far, offering new insight on issues affecting the student body. Kenzie Foldes/BW

“I try to limit my comments to topics

that

the and

concern students

that

I

have

an

informed opinion about.”

- Dylan Johnson

On Oct. 15, Johnson sent out an e-mail to all high school students, refering them to his student representative Twitter and Facebook pages. He says the Twitter page has received more response so far, such as this post about having finals before winter break.

layout Ken

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