November '07

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black&white the

VOLUME 17 ISSUE 4

NOVEMBER 2007

7

REVIEW

E.L.P. teacher receives award recognition

The new Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is a great way to rock out.

Staff writer Scott Monroe breaks down the game on page seven.

515.278.0449

12 FEATURE

Senior Caitlin Larkin (left) is planning to attend a culinary institute after graduation.

Read about other specialized schools students are looking at on page 12.

6501 NW 62ND AVE

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SPORTS

JOHNSTON, IA

Take a peek at the five winter sports, including senior Michael Elming (left) and the boys’ basketball team.

Turn to page 15 for the preview.

Edwards promotes campaign

LAUREN GEHRKE staff writer The parents of junior Sam Parker, nominated Extended Learning Program (E.L.P.) instructor, Sue Cline for the Excellence in Education award.

When Cline received the letter explaining her nomination, she was surprised, and pleased.

“I was so excited,” Cline said. “I had no clue and was so happy. When they sent me the letter about the nomination, they also sent me a copy of the letter the Parkers wrote. It was nice to see those things written out and to know how much someone really cares.”

The Parkers had previously nominated teachers, and when they saw the advertisement, they decided to nominate Cline.

They filled out a nomination form and explained why she deserved the award and submitted it. Then the teachers received a letter saying they had been nominated.

“She helps them accomplish what they can and she is interested in students and they can tell,” Susan Parker said. “She is highly engaged and seems to be more patient.”

Not only parents have commented on Cline’s great teachCline ing. Her students agree as well.

“She does more than most teachers.

She multi-tasks well and gets things accomplished in a timely manner,” senior Katie Githens said.

Githens explained that Cline’s classroom is a relaxed place that serves a different purpose for each student. Some students use it as an art studio to finish a project and for others, it is just a good work environment.

It is a productive place and fairly quiet.

Cline has a good handle of what needs to be accomplished, and it gets done according to Githens.

“She has good relationships with students,” Susan Parker said. “Not so much a teacher relationship, but a friend relationship; she respects the students.”

Students and parents nominate teachers they feel help make a difference in students’ lives. Cline was nominated with around 100 other teachers, who were nominated by coworkers, parents and students.

This is an Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) event and is sponsored

by Iowa Farm Bureau, WHO radio, and KDSM Fox 17. Horizon Elementary E.L.P. instructor, Mitzi Heartherton, was the only other district teacher nominated.

The award banquet also recognized the winner and four runner ups. The winner was Blake Hammond from Merrill Middle School in Des Moines. The banquet took place on Oct. 29 at Hy-Vee Hall.

Tina Li/BW

Presidential candidate John Edwards speaks to the Des Moines community at Roosevelt High School. Special performances from Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne accompanied the campaign promotion on Nov. 20.

Reconstruction remains unsolved

BY CHELSEA NELSON

staff writer

Specified areas around Merle Hay Road have been selected for renovation, little progress has been made and some residents suspect that none will be made in the future.

The Merle Hay Redevelopment Study focused on areas around Merle Hay that could be used for potential reconstruction. Mixed Use Areas will be constructed on the areas chosen for redevelopment. Mixed Use Areas are lots that can be used as offices and residential, commercial and recreational services.

The idea for the centers first started as the Comprehensive Plan, but the recent version is called Merle Hay Corridor.

According to Community Development Director David Wilwerding, changes in policies and ordinances have been made, but there were some issues that prevented the plans from moving forward.

“Other than making changes to zoning, nothing’s really happened,” Wilwerding said. “When it started, there wasn’t enough guidance or direction, so we went back after eight years to take a look at it again.”

Johnston resident Diane Zamzow’s grew up in Johnston and her father, Ralph Keltner, was a building inspector for Johnston. Zamzow has continually

attended city meetings that discuss the hibits communities from taking property redevelopment plans. for commercial gain without the owner’s “They’ve been planning (reconstruc- consent. If the city decided to begin contion) for about 20 years,” Zamzow said. struction, Zamzow, who currently owns “I remember when it was called the Com- one of the properties being affected, prehensive Plan, but it’s had so many dif- would give her consent and sell her propferent names for the same basic plans.” erty to the city.

Abstracts made from “Personally, I’m studies over the course of willing to sell it bemany years show that sevcause I’ve got another eral areas around Merle house and I’m ready Hay are not utilized. One to retire,” Zamzow of the Community Desaid. “But people are velopment Department’s going to end up dogoals is to renovate the ing whatever they lots for more productive want, and some don’t and profitable uses. want to leave the “There’s always been place they’ve lived in the thought that (Merle for 30 years.”

Hay) isn’t living up to its Though Zamzow development potential, has planned for the though it costs more than possibility of reconmost developers are willstruction, she does ing to invest, so there is not believe that it no high development inProvided/RDG Planning & Design will happen anytime terest,” Wilwerding said.

Wilwerding This is a map of the proposed soon.

“We are looking at ways to feels that the renovaconstruction changes on Merle tion will start soon. work these things out.”

One area selected for Hay Road.

He does not believe redevelopment includes that it will happen all sections of neighborhoods at once. from NW 62nd Avenue to NW 66th Av“(Redevelopment is) going to hapenue. About 40 residential lots lie within pen in pieces,” Wilwerding said. “Somethe construction zone. The city has pre- one could come in with a proposal at any vented construction in the area because time. It could be a year, it could be 20 of a state law passed in 1999 that pro- years, but it’s going to happen.”

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B&W

Pioneer Parkway proposal sparks debate

Provided/Jim Sanders

Above is a diagram of the proposed 8 foot recreational trail for Pioneer Parkway. This trail would provide better safety precautions for residents who currently use the street to walk, run or ride bikes.

The removal of 97 trees for a recreational trail creates controversy in the community

ALLISON KANE news editor A new trail proposal for Pioneer Parkway has been issued. With the removal of trees and interference with residential property, however, it stirred debate within the community.

According to city administrator, Jim Sanders, the main concern that residents have is the removal of 97 trees. Sanders mentioned that 71 small trees, including crab-apple and scotch-pine trees and 26 foot tall trees, including silver maples, would have to be removed.

Many feel this is a concern.

“It bothers me that (the city council) will have to take out all the trees, that took 25 or more years to grow,” Green Meadows resident Jeannie Malatesta said. “Even if the trees are replaced, it will take a long time to get them back to what they are today.”

Other residents firmly believe that people visit and move to Johnston because of the landscaping.

“One of the main things Johnston has been known for is its trees,” Malatesta said. ““If (the city) decides to remove, they are defeating the purpose of what Johnston is known for,” resident Mary Gesiriech said.

Although many trees would have to be removed, Sanders mentioned that the trees that would be removed are already in poor condition.

“We would avoid cutting down as many trees as possible, but some of the trees are already in bad shape as it is,” Sanders said.

briefs

news

nb &

Corrections Clarifications

The Black and White strives to be both accurate and fair.

Readers who believe the paper has printed an error should call 515-278-0449.

Sanders also mentioned that the city council states that for every tree that is removed, another one must be replanted in its place. Sanders believes that concern over the removal of trees will not be a problem if the trail proposal is accepted, because the trees will be replaced.

Another issue that was up for debate was, whether establishing a new trail would take up the property of commercial businesses, as well as residential communities.

“I don’t understand how they are going to replace some of the trees near the town homes,” Malatesta said.

“There won’t be enough room for the sidewalk and the trees.”

On the other side of the debate, Sanders explained that the new trail would not interfere with much commercial or residential property.

“The new trail would be built on public area,” Sanders said. “Most of the property is owned by the city, and only a small percent of commercial property would be used to build the trail. It would run into some of the townhouse living at the south end of Pioneer Parkway, but it wouldn’t interfere with real yards.”

According to Sanders, if the new trail were built, conditions would be much safer and it would connect with other trails in the area.

“The trail would enable residents for a safer environment on Pioneer Parkway,” Sanders said. “Plus we would have the availability to connect the trail to other existing trails on NW 62nd Ave., beyond Iowa Public Television (IPTV) and those in Green Meadows.”

Madrigal Dinner The madrigal dinner is an important tradition for the choral program. The event will be held Dec. 5 and 6 at The Bridge on NW 62nd Ave. “Madrigal is a Johnston tradition where anyone is chorus can come out and sing holiday music for a huge audience,” vocal teacher Ted Brimeyer said Those participating in the event include concert choir, S y n e r g y, and the n i n t h g r a d e c h a m ber choir.

These students will perform a wide variety of Renaissance music.

Anyone can purchase tickets for $30, which are available in the accounting office.

With no current sidewalks on the street, users walk, run and ride bikes on the street where car traffic exists.

Some community members feel the trail would provide better safety.

“I appreciate the fact that a trail would keep people from running, riding bikes and walking in the streets,” Gesiriech said. “If (the trail) makes the environment safer, then it will be a plus for the neighborhood.”

Freshman, Brandon Miller rides his bike to school when the weather permits, and feels the trail would be a good change.

“It will be more safe, because when you’re riding your bike you won’t have to worry about if a car is riding around the bend or running on the grass and twisting your ankle.”

However, Malatesta feels that the trail won’t help much with safety.

“I personally don’t think (Pioneer Parkway) is unsafe now,” Malatesta said. “I don’t know how much use the recreational trail will get.”

The new proposed trail would be around 8 feet wide.

It would start at NW 62nd Ave. on the west side, and then continue along the south side toward Merle Hay Road where the road curves past Crown Point.

According to Sanders, the city council hired an engineering firm, Snyder and Associates to look over and discuss the prosed trail. Synder and Associates estimated cost to be around $300,000. The last meeting with Snyder and Associates was held on Nov. 1.

No decision has been made upon the proposal. The next meeting will be held in Dec. to discuss further.

Counselors need student volunteers Volunteers are needed for a variety of easy, short jobs.

“We need volunteers to help out with whatever and as many different things as possible,” guidance counselor Vickie Cronin said.

Students can volunteer to help out at elementary schools to pick up and deliver donations to the Clothes Closet at Crown Point to help needy families in the Des Moines area.

They can also volunteer at the district food drive come mid-November, where they will transport and sort out donations that will benefit Johnston families.

For more information see Cronin in the guidance office.

New DMACC classes In the 2008-09 year, there will be new classes offered at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), that are not outlined in the Course Selection Handbook.

“The reason they added these classes later was because there was an interest and demand for them from students,” guidance counselor Sue Baker said.

One of the new courses is business administration. A total of 17 credits that will prepare a person for business related and post-secondary opportunities.

Web page design is a course where students learn how to create a web page and software packages. There are fifteen classes for five credits each. Contact Baker in the Guidance office for more information on these new courses.

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Spring SAIL retreat Rollison and Scannell are considering the possibility of a second SAIL event held in the spring

BY JORDAN VAN ESSEN staff writer

Caitlin Larkin/Dragon

Katelyn Ingersoll learns how to safely glide on the zip line. The leadership retreat brought 241 students to the YMCA Camp in Boone. This was the 19th consecutive retreat since the first one in 1988.

After the fall leadership retreat, world history teacher, Alicia Rollison and special education teacher Dan Scannell have considered the possibility of a spring Students Active in Leadership (SAIL) event.

Rollison and Scannell are in the beginning stages of planning, “We’re not certain of this,” Rollison said. “But we want to do an event in the spring that would review some of the things that were done at the leadership retreat. The amount of participation we’re expecting in this event will likely be a small percentage of the student population. However, we are trying to think of new ways to reach the entire student population.”

Rollison brought up the idea after a staff inservice meeting on bullying and how to improve the way students treat each other. Two ideas that were brought up are to have a “leadership day” in the spring, or to do an overnight workshop at the school.

Rollison Rollison and Scannell do not plan on having the new event this year.

“The likelihood of this event happening this year is very low,” Rollison said. “We don’t want to throw something together just for the sake of doing something. We want to put something together that will be effective for the students. The event is more likely to happen next year.”

There is another reason that the event will not happen this year.

It is because, for anything to be put into place at all, there has to first be interest and approval shown by the students in having a second SAIL activity. Nothing can happen without the consent of the student body.

“It will take some students that really want to see this happen, putting in the time to plan and prepare in order for this to come to fruition,” Scannell said. “In order for this event to be realized, proposals need to be made by students that include purpose, resources needed, times, and locations (just to start). Administrative approval is needed, then it’s off to the races.”

The difference between the leadership retreat and the planned spring event, if it happens, would be the reorganization of activities for the spring event due to the time constraints of a one-day event.

The students would be mixed and would not have to stay with their group the whole time.

Rollison thinks that a possible spring event will be beneficial to the school. “(I think that we will be) reaching more students with the activities we do at the SAIL retreat,” Rollison said. “We feel that by going through with these activities, that will have a positive effect on the school.”

Come Back Little Sheba not to return STEPHANIE IVANKOVICH

review editor

Act two, scene three from Come Back Little Sheba, by William Inge, for the drama department, is now cancelled due to copyright infringement.

The scene from Come Back Little Sheba,, is a story about Doc, the main character, coming home drunk and abusing his wife. Doc got called to the county hospital

by Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) to help his alcohol problem.

After rehearsing for four weeks, publisher Samuel French Inc. called director Paul Miller and denied the students’ application to perform.

“We applied the rights to perform and the $70 royalty fee, but they denied all amateur requests,” Miller said.

Even though the drama department was willing to pay the royalty fees, as they normally do, they were still denied their requests to perform.

“Every time you go see a play or public domain, someone pays royalty fees, which is how the writer makes their money,” Miller said.

Johnston’s drama department has never encountered this before.

“I was shocked. This literally never happens at straight plays,” Miller said. “For music, this is normal. Typically, straight plays are accessible.”

Senior, Sam Han, who played the male lead of Doc, was frustrated when he heard the news.

“We already knew it was copyright,” Han said. “We just didn’t get the rights to perform it like we usually do. We usually send them the money and they give us the go. I was pretty frustrated when I found out because they didn’t give us any reason why we couldn’t perform it. They just said no. I hope they feel bad for doing that.

They informed us less than a month when we were going to go on. To me, this is not acceptable.”

Junior Cody Lenz, who played Bruce, a smaller role in the play, thought the play should be performed anyway.

“It’s not like we are going to hurt anything by doing the play,” Lenz said. “I mean, we weren’t even doing the whole play, we were just doing a single act that in no way would give anything away if they put it on Broadway. They just need to calm down and not be so strict.”

The play replacing Come Back Little Sheba is Anna Christie, by Eugene O’Neil,

Tina Li/BW

Junior Cody Lenz and senior Lauren Cordes dance during a rehearsal for Come Back Little Sheba, act two scene three, which is now replaced by Anna Christie due to copyright infringement. which will be performed in January for competition at Hoover High School.

Anna Christie is about a father and a suitor who finds out his girlfriend, Anna, is not the women they he she was. They

treat her like an object.

“It was written in the 1960’s before feminism was popular,” Miller said. “Anna has a strong scene and Eugene O’Neil has great talent in the dialogue.”

opinion

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B&W

the

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HPV

vaccine

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Women are in a raging debate about whether or not to get the possible life-saving shot called Gardasil. In the B&W staff, majority rules that the shot is crucial to keep teens protected.

The Black and White is a publication produced solely by the newspaper staff. Its goal is to inform, enlighten and entertain the Johnston students, faculty and community.

It is an open forum. In accordance with Iowa law, students assign and edit material. Publications are released monthly during the school year.

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

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

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

The Black and White strives to report accurate and timely information. If you believe that an error has been printed, please contact the Editor at karidockum@yahoo.com or contact the school via phone at 515-278-0449.

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

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Blob in the middle Remember back in forth grade having to learn the states and capitals?

What about those repetitive tests and teachers that would drill the capitals in your brain until you could recite them in your sleep?

Recently, some of the newspaper and yearbook staff went to Philadelphia to attend a national journalism convention. There, we partook in lectures and contests and got to meet and compare works with other students all over the

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10,000 women have been diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 3,700 of those women have died. One cause of this cancer is a sexually transmitted disease that is the leading cause of cervical cancer and genital warts. Although there is no cure against the Human papillomavirus (HPV), there is a way for women to protect themselves from it.

The vaccine Gardasil can prevent four different types of HPV that cause 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of genital warts. The vaccine is given in a series of three different shots, injected over a six-month period of time.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the shot does not treat pre-existing HPV infections or cancers, so it is ideally designed for girls who are not yet sexually active. Gardasil is licensed for girls and women from nine to 26 years old. Although the shot is intended for girls before they are sexually active, those who are should still get vaccinated to protect against infections.

“The earlier the shot is given, the higher efficiency it has. The earlier girls get it, the better,” gynecologist Dr. Steven Keller of the Iowa Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology said.

Cervical cancer, one side effect of HPV, is the second leading cause of death by cancer of women around the world. According to the American Cancer Society says, with early detection, cervical cancer is usually treatable. By getting the Gardasil vaccine, women can greatly reduce the risk of getting cervical cancer.

“There aren’t a lot of things we can do to prevent cancer, so women should take advantage of this opportunity;” pediatrician Dr. Ronda Enserro of Iowa Health Physicians said.

Since the vaccine is new, the length of immunity is unknown. So far, studies have followed women for five years and found that they are still protected.

Although five years might not seem like a long time, that is 1,825 days, and still counting, that women are free from those infections.

According to Enserro, the most common reason mothers resist getting their daughters vaccinated is because they do not think that their daughters are sexually active and that by getting them the vaccine they are saying sex is okay.

When asked how she responds to those mothers, Enserro said that the shot is not about promoting sex at all; it is about prevention. The younger a person is when they get HPV, the more potent the disease is, so the ideal time to get vaccinated is before the girl has been sexually exposed. It is just like any other vaccine given before an exposure to provide protection.

“We give the Hepatitis B shot to infants, and that is a disease that is spread by sexual contact. This vaccine is no different,” Enserro said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no mercury or thimerosal in the shot. After testing, the only side effect that has come about is soreness at the site of the injection, which is a common feeling after receiving most vaccinations.

“People have been saying shots are unsafe for decades. Those people said the chicken pox vaccine wasn’t safe and what good did they know. I think that Gardasil is safe and it is something I absolutely recommend,” Keller said.

HPV is a serious disease that has some major consequences. Gardasil is a clear way women can protect themselves and others from this disease.

2things

U.S. and even a few from other countries.

While there, we met a group of California students and some New Jersey people. When we told them where we were from, they asked, “Iowa?

Where’s that?”

Not knowing about different states’ teaching requirements, we could only hope that they would at least know all the states and even some of the capitals of the country that they reside in.

Apparently, the Coasts skipped that chapter.

The moral of this story?

Go to school in the Midwest, then move to the East or West coast. Everybody will think you are a genius because you are all knowing of the U.S.

KARI DOCKUM editor in chief BRITTANY DEAL managing editor ALLISON KANE news editor VERONICA ROSHEK opinion editor STEPH IVANKOVICH review editor TOREY ROBINSON feature editor JENNA WILLSON double truck editor LEE YOCUM sports editor CICELY GORDON back page editor LAUREN PROFFITT design editor

AMY LOVEJOY design editor CAROLINE BYRD ideas editor TINA LI photo editor

staff writers:

Erik Anderson, Nels Engblom, Lauren Gehrke, Kyle Hanson, Austin Hartsook, Kurt Houp, Haley Johnson, Hana Kajtazovic, Kallen Kramer, Thomas Lashier, Bryan Lippincott, Michael Lunn, Dwight Lykins, Julia Manning, Scott Monroe, Kiera Morrill, Philip Mortens, Chelsea Nelson, Shawna Polen, Jordan Van Essen, Ben Vander Ploeg, Brennan Winget

that we care about this month Having fun and making money

The school’s money problems reside with students and staff. We find that as we go through those long four years, the administration keeps complaining about the lack of money. There are some simple solutions to help fix this problem.

Some ideas include: costume days, sweet theme days and hats.

Remember Hat Day in elementary school? Students paid a dollar and wore a hat on that day. Everybody wanted to wear a hat, so everyone would pay.

That same rule could be applied today.

Not only could the school make money, but they could collect more money for helpful programs like UNICEF, Shoes That Fit and the Canned Food Drive.

Students and teachers could pay $1 for a hat day, or bring in five cans and wear a costume on Halloween. Teachers could pay $1 to bring back jean day.

Students that donate a clothing item or a pair of decent shoes during Homecoming week could wear PJ’s or togas (worn appropriately).

This is a great solution that will someday lead us to peace and self-determination in our schools.

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opinion

5

Send-off stirs emotions

my

In my

Shoes

Veronica Roshek

Dull dances deserve more pep

Veronica Roshek/BW

Mindy Dickerson/Dragon

Veronica Roshek/BW

Veronica Roshek/BW

(Left) Fans cheer on the boys’ basketball team at their first home game against East. Basketball is one of the sports which has received a send-off assembly in the past. (Top right) Senior Tim Clay plays his saxophone while supporting the boys’ basketball team.

(Middle right) Juniors Alyssa Cook and Tiffany Camp encourage fellow classmates at a recent pep assembly. (Bottom right) Fans anticipate the basket at the boys’ game. Basketball is one of the more popular school-sponsored team sports.

Assembly spikes negative reactions from individual sports Julia Manning staff writer Upon entering the gym that Wednesday morning and watching the volleyball girls get honored and recognized before their game at state, one could not help to think, why just them? Qualifying for state is an incredible accomplishment and deserves recognition and support, but why take 20 minutes out of the school day to honor them when boys’ golf, girls’ cross country and girls’ swimming and diving achieved the same accomplishment, with no special assembly to their name.

“I think it’s great that they made it, but it’s just frustrating when all the other sports work just as hard, and it’s frustrating when some people get recognition and others don’t,” senior Sammy McConeghey said.

McConeghey was a member of the girls’ cross-country team which placed fourth at state.

Swimmer Anna Kurns had some of the same feelings. “I was distraught and wondering why we didn’t get an assembly

when it’s such a big deal and we typically make it every year, “Kurns said.

It is not just sports either. Why does mock trial, for example, not get a send off assembly before their state competition?

As I began to ponder a solution to this situation I realized exactly what the problem was. It is difficult to know where to draw the line, whether it is an issue of taking up class time, recognizing team versus individual sports, and so on.

I do not have an answer.

Neither does athletic director Gary Ross. “It’s frustrating to decide when and when not to have an assembly, and I don’t have an answer to the time issue and the issue of recognizing everyone equally,” Ross said.

For the volleyball send-off assembly, the reason it occurred was simple. “I don’t know what is best. The real reason we had the assembly was because we had it last year,” Ross said. “(I’m) not saying that’s a good reason, but we did it. It’s meant to be a positive thing and I don’t know if it’s worth doing if it’s going to make others feel negatively.”

Another reason as to why the assembly occurred was because the game was that day, where as swimming and cross country takes place on weekends.

There have also been send-off assemblies for girls’ and boys’ basketball teams, most recently two years ago when they both made state.

The main issue is really deciding when and when not to have these assemblies, while still keeping things as fair and equal as possible. “I don’t want anyone to feel unimportant, and there will definitely be discussion as to if we’re going to have something, or maybe have nothing at all,” Ross said.

Understand that fingers need not be pointed, and putting the blame on administration is unnecessary. Do what you can to promote your sport and make it known what you and your team have accomplished and others will take note.

Quite possibly the solution could be making a special committee that works with Ross and other members of administration to figure this problem out. Or maybe student council takes charge.

A solution I do not have. Do you?

Planning dates, dresses, hair and nail appointments, dinner reservations, and groups are all stressful factors of the prom and homecoming dances. However, picking dates and dresses is much simpler and laid back for the Winter Formal dance than the traditional, more popular high school dances.

This seems like the ideal dance to be attending to me, but I have to admit that I have never gone to any other dance besides homecoming and prom. Why? Everyone has their excuses, not many tend to give up their Saturday night for a school dance.

This year is the one to start some new traditions to go along with homecoming and prom. Along with other dances, I have already made plans to attend Winter Formal this coming February. I guarantee it will be a Saturday night well spent too.

Everyone always likes to complain that senior Chris Hill, also known as DJ Chill, was not the DJ for prom last year. However, if everyone likes his events so much, they should go support it at these less popular dances.

Hill was the DJ at the Sadie Hawkins dance last year, but the event didn’t get the most positive feedback because of the poor attendance.

If more people came to dances like these, one could become the new homecoming without all the preparation behind it. Just throw on a pair of jeans, get your friends together, and head out to the gym.

When dances do come around, it is always a nice break from the usual Saturday night events for me and my friends. If we took advantage of the other lesser-known ones throughout the year, we could be having a lot of fun while supporting the school. The only reason we, or anyone else, has not gotten around to participating in these activities is because of pure laziness.

I have gone with the crowd and not put any thought into it, because no one else ever seems to go. However, it would be a pleasant change to see more students supporting the school and being involved in safe high school activities. They aren’t always boring, they can be as fun as you make them.

Student council has the great opportunity to plan these dances every year, but has had a little bit of trouble in the marketing aspect. The best way to market this, though, is to get students to commit to going, which would get more students to come out year after year. Instead of dreading having to try to drag out their friends to these dances, student council members could enjoy the planning, like for homecoming, and get the payoff of watching a well-planned event be positively recognized.

Instead of pointing fingers at the not so effective programs and events run by the school, such as these school dances, someone could step up and try to change them.

Having better all-around dances would be appreciated by most students in our school that usually attend school events. Also, more students might show an interest with how casual they would be. The only way to make a change is to help be the change you want to see.

opinion

6

Coffee Talk

vol. 3 Don’t eat yellow snow

BY KURT HOUP staff writer In recent years, especially the last decade, we have seen a change of phrases like “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year,” changed to the overall general phrase, “Happy holidays.” In school, “winter break” is used so as not to offend non-Christians.

According to principal Bruce Hukee, it is called this on the school calendar, so as not to offend people who are not religious in the district.

It was as long ago as seventh grade when the push first started popping up around here, but it was only last year when I first really felt its communist bite. This is when the epidemic of political correctness really hit me with its furious blow.

I was working on an opinion column for the May issue of The Black & White, the very publication that this column runs in, and was forced to change the term “Christmas Break” to the term “Winter Break.” I was saddened and disappointed when this happened, knowing that in article that I was writing, I was being forced to use stupid phrases against my will.

My right to freedom of expression had been taken away by not only the higher ups of our paper, but also from the web of manure that’s been spun by the folks that run the show in modern public education.

There is no clause in the United States’ Constitution actually stating a “separation of church and state,” despite what you’ve been told for years and years. This is an invisible rule that has been worked into the brains of an unsuspecting public.

There is, however, freedom of religion and freedom of speech, both of which are outlined in the first amendment. Government doesn’t have the say, and no government institution has the right to tell me or anybody else, to say or use politically correct terms.

It doesn’t make sense, that liberals, quick to try and stop anybody from being “offended,” would turn on a holiday that appears to glorify a bloated fictional character in a red suit more than it actually glorifies the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus, whether you are a Christian or not, really did exist. Santa Clause, as commonly depicted, doesn’t exist, except in shopping malls.

If the Christmas haters on the left want to not offend somebody, the term “happy holidays” isn’t a solution.

First off, holiday means “holy day,” but what “holy day” are you referring to? Whose holidays are holy? Are you referring to all celebrations during this time to be holy?

Simply, this term just doesn’t do what it’s supposed to do, which is cover every person’s holiday. Not every celebration this time of year is holy to everybody, unless you are crazy. The term in today’s perspective is one that helps week-minded liberals feel good about themselves.

The cure to the whole thing isn’t as elusive as it seems. If you want to wish people a happy holy day, figure out what their holy day is and wish them greetings according to it, skip the politically correct nonsense.

If you have Christian friends or know a person who is a Christian, wish them Merry Christmas; if you have a Jewish friend or know somebody who is Jewish, wish them happy Hanukkah; and the same with other more bizarre religions, like Islam and Hinduism among others.

By doing this, you’ll accomplish your goal and show yourself to be a much more of a perfectionist who actually cares about people, and less of a sloppy government worshiping communist, the latter being something that too many people are these days. Just remember, there wouldn’t be “winter break” without Christmas This month, our two thumbs up award goes to Tamara Scott, Iowa president of the organization Concerned Women for America, who now has a radio show on KSPZ 940 AM on Saturday mornings at 8 a.m. Tamara, you are truly an example to follow, you truly fight on the side of good. God Bless You!

B&W

Sunlight supplements health Worldwide vitamin D deficiency requires sun exposure KARI DOCKUM

editor in chief Spending 20 minutes outside in the sun or 10 minutes in a tanning bed, as it turns out, may not be as harmful as the public has been led to believe. The $35 billion sunscreen industry has left people equating tanning to smoking.

Vitamin D deficiency is rising worldwide, and recent studies have disproved the theories that ultraviolet (UV) exposure is dangerous and unnecessary. Exposure to UV rays is the primary source for vitamin D, a vitamin that can greatly reduce the risks of many forms of cancer and other diseases, as well as the common cold and flu.

For years, vitamin C has been used to combat colds. However, doctors at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, New York, discovered that this is not the correct treatment for the virus.

The findings, published in the journal Epidemiology and Infection, state that vitamin D triggers peptides in the body that attack bacteria, fungi and viruses. “Vitamin D supplementation, particularly with higher doses, may protect against the typical winter cold and flu,” the authors write.

Vitamin D has also been found to lower cancer rates. Researchers at the University of California-San Diego found that vitamin D could lower the risk of breast, ovarian and colon cancers, among others. Other diseases and conditions, such as osteoporosis, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis and heart diseases, have also been linked to vitamin D deficiency.

Scientists have found that cancer rates are higher in places like the northeastern United States and northerly areas of the world, where sunlight is less of a commodity than in regions closer to the equator.

In a March 2007 study by Norwegian scientists, geographic location and UV exposure were linked to lung cancer in Norway. The department of Radiation Biology at the Institute for Cancer Research in Oslo discovered that lung cancer rates are lower among Norwegians living in higher UV regions. Fur-

The truth on Vitamin D: Recommended daily amount:

1,000-2,000 IU

Fortified multivitamin:

400 IU

Sun exposure for 10 minutes:

3,000 IU

Worldwide insufficiency:

1 billion people

Information provided by www. sunshinevitamin.org.

Amy Lovejoy/BW

Tanning beds, like this Royal Sun bed at Classic Tan, provide vitamin D. This vitamin can greatly reduce the risks of many forms of cancer and other diseases.

ther, researchers found that there was “an approximately 15% lower case of fatality for young male patients diagnosed during autumn versus winter” in regards to lung cancer patients.

Indoor tanning is the best artificial means for obtaining the recommended daily amount of vitamin D. As overexposure to UV radiation can lead to premature aging of the skin and forms of skin cancer, an abuse of tanning beds is inadvisable. However, as leading vitamin D expert Dr. Michael Holick has said, too much UV exposure can be dangerous, but the side effects of too little sunlight are much more consequential.

A study headed by Holick discovered that indoor tanners had higher vitamin D concentrations than non-tanners. The report concluded that “the regular use

of a tanning bed that emits vitamin Dproducing ultraviolet radiation…may have a benefit for the skeleton.”

The vitamin D insufficiency epidemic is widely ignored by health care professionals, in turn leading to a lack of knowledge on the topic by the public. With the numerous health risks that accompany vitamin D deficiency, more needs to be done to educate people not only in the U.S. but in other countries as well. This education needs to include the facts about the best way to obtain UV radiation and vitamin D: through a controlled amount of time in the sun or a tanning bed.

“It is smarter to tan indoors because there is a controlled amount of sunlight exposure and you can get vitamin D,” Donald Novak, owner of the Clive Visual Impact Hair & Tanning, said.

Gardasil promotes sexual promiscuity JESSICA GEHRKE

guest writer

Cancer is a scary diagnosis for everyone. Now a new vaccination is available against a virus that causes some cervical cancers.

Of course, no one wants cancer and Gehrke most would do anything to prevent it.

However, as a parent of a young teenage daughter, we have decided to not have our daughter receive the vaccination.

In our research of this vaccination, we discovered that it is very costly— about $180 per shot for a series of three bringing the total to $540—far exceeding most childhood vaccination costs. Although our private health insurance covers this vaccination, there were still other factors to consider.

Since this vaccination has only been approved since July 2006, there are many unknowns. Like any vaccination, there are risks associated with the shot itself. We feel these should not be tak-

en lightly, and more research needs to be done on this vaccination to ensure its safety for our daughter.

We feel that this alone is enough to make the decision. However, the biggest reason for our decision not to have this vaccination administered to her is that there has not been enough research to prove that a booster would not be likely.

In our research, we have discovered that the window of protection that this vaccination would provide may only be four years.

Here is where the rubber meets the road for us as parents: while our daughter is living at home and our relationship with her is built on mutual respect and trust, we know that our daughter has made a promise to sexual purity to God. We decided to allow the decision to get this vaccination to be made by her when she turns 18.

Her risk of contracting HPV while she is not sexually active is zero, so right now she does not need the protection the vaccination provides. We know in our hearts that her sincere desire is to stay sexually pure, saving herself for her husband inside marriage only.

We also know that we have, at this point in our relationship with her, no reason to believe by her past or current behaviors or attitudes that she would stray from her convictions. Therefore, we have no reason to give her the vaccination.

While HPV is certainly a virus to contend with, and one that has potentially devastating affects, our daughter’s own convictions are enough.

Based on her upbringing, these will go going much farther to protect her than this vaccination.

Her commitment to abstinence is far more powerful against these deadly strains of HPV. This vaccination offers her nothing right now but potential health risks from the vaccination itself.

When she turns 18 and can make the decision for herself of what to put into her body, we will support whatever decision she makes.

As a parent, we would encourage that once she becomes sexually active, inside her marriage vows only, to consider and research the benefits of the vaccination. We trust at that time research will be more conclusive and the decision will be hers to make.

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review

Guitar Hero still rockin’

7

The BookWorm

SCOTT MONROE

staff writer

Activision has recently released the third installment of the Guitar Hero series, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

Judging from the outrageous profits, they are not quite finished yet. And why would they be? Sales are still ranging in the millions, and the game will never get old.

Maybe it is the concept of physically playing a (plastic) guitar. For those who could not play a guitar if their life depended on it, hitting those tiny little notes efficiently could be very addicting. Or maybe it is the phenomenal music provided that allows one to rock out while playing. Whatever the factor is, gamers around the world are mesmerized by the concept this game introduces to the world of technology and music.

When placed under a microscope, Legends is not much different from the other Heroes. The notes are still the same colors, there is still the classic Star Power, and the overall format has not changed much over the years. Too bad, because the pointless jokes one must endure while waiting to play songs are getting old.

The authors have yet to produce a song that is not up to par, but do not give them too much credit. All they have to do is look back on Billboard ratings for various rock songs and incorporate the highest rated selections into the game.

There is a positive change though. A new feature has been added that allows the “guitarist” to challenge a multitude of other gamers on Xbox Live (six million users expected by June 2007). The only problem is that you have to be a member to play online, and that is an entirely different and complex story.

BY: Shawna Polen

Politically Correct Bedtime Stories:

Scott Monroe/BW

Playing head-to-head, sophomores Bryce Johnson (left) and Jordan Thompson play the new Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. The game is the third installment of the popular Guitar Hero series, and broke the $100 million mark in just seven days.

The cost of Xbox Live differs, depending on your interests. There are packages of one month, three months, and twelve months, $7.99, $19.99, and $59.99 respectively. But that is just to play on Live, which does not include the game or the system, totaling about $499.97, depending on the type of console purchased.

Honestly, the Heroes are too similar.

But after playing for a while, one would realize it does not matter how close they are to being the same; the games are flat out addicting. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock gets a 4.5 out of 5, but the same goes for the other chapters of the series.

You just cannot go wrong. It’s music.

American Gangster pushes powder to a new high MICHAEL LUNN staff writer Kerosene, a cigar, and six rounds from a nine millimeter is all American Gangster needed to get started at a high, literally, from which it never crashes.

Based on a true story, American Gangster fulfills any movie buff’s appetite.

It has action, suspense, comedy and a strong sense of family ties. Aside from the fact that the opening scene had nothing to do with the next 30 minutes, the film that portrays the life and times of Frank Lucas seems to roll along as smoothly as the “Blue Magic” he sells. “Blue Magic” is 100 percent pure heroine.

Not getting too far away from the movie, American Gangster, in a nutshell, is a story of passion, hustling, a new market, and an extremely talented individual.

Denzel Washington plays the role of Frank Lucas, a middle aged man growing up in Harlem in 1968. It seems like a very fitting role for such an actor that has portrayed a hard knock life in titles such as Training Day, Man on Fire and The Inside Man. Lucas starts out as the lowly driver of a famous gangster named Bumpy Johnson. It is not long into the movie before Johnson dies and Lucas assumes the role of his late mentor. It is in that moment Lucas decides he is going to get the money owed to Johnson one way or another.

The most important part of what Lucas does is the intriguing business tactics.

Determined to put himself on top, he develops an advanced market of drug trafficking by buying the purest heroine the streets had ever seen and hustling it for half the price. Much like Lil’ Wayne and Master P, Lucas’ drive is simple: “ Get money, hustle women.”

In order to shine like the powder he sells, Lucas hooks up with Nate, a “cous-

Modern Tales for Our Life & Times

in” in Vietnam. Nate sets up the connections and is the unofficial middle-man of the movie. In a world with such an unstable army and alleged theories of drug use in the armed forces, Lucas sees this as a first class ticket. As one can expect, Lucas, after what seems like half the movie, gets the “Blue Magic” into the U.S. and onto the streets. That is essentially when the movie begins, and only in a short thirty-eight minutes.

The downside of this film is the fact that everything moves at a snail’s pace. It is hard to believe a movie partially based on Lucas’ inevitable capture did not even have the detective find his name until half the movie is already over.

A Vietnamese dealer that Lucas meets up with puts it best when he says, “Quitting while your ahead isn’t the same as quitting.” The directors should have taken this idea and ran with it.

Other vital information is how Lucas’ wife freaks out and how T.I. (who really should not be acting. Let’s be serious, did anyone else see ATL?) does not amount to the baseball potential viewers are originally led to believe.

Aside from T.I.’s acting skills, there has never been a mafia movie of this caliber.

There is no Sicilian family in this movie this is straight American.

As any great movie should have an amazing leading role, Washington gives a knockout performance. From his stone cold facials to his clutch drug references, Washington mesmerizes viewers as he works along side Russell Crowe to deliver a tag team no one has seen since the DGeneration X and Triple H. As a drug hustling movie, it is on a level with several popular favorites. Not to be confused with one of the most popular though, American Gangster holds a candle to BLOW, but that is about it.

American Gangster did it big, covering new angles such as famous events: Ali vs.

Frasier, Nixon’s withdrawal from Vietnam, and so on.

But if you can look as far back as Johnny Depp’s drug hustling movie, BLOW, they are essentially the same movie.

Both are extremely long, both deal with a mother either calling the cops or hitting them, family problems, struggling to keep business and the missus separate, a determined detective hunting down their every move, and eventually both characters end up in jail.

Ultimately, American Gangster falls shy of legendary with an unoriginal Hollywood ending, but is surely an Oscar contender with lead roles belonging to Washington and Crowe. Grab your crew, maybe a club soda if it feels good at the time, and spend the $9 it costs at Wynsong to watch one of the greatest drug trafficking movies in years. Ya dig?

Happy November! Hope you enjoy.

This month I am featuring Politically Correct Bedtime Stories: Modern Tales for Our Life and Times by James Finn Garner.

This hilarious comedy topped the charts for 65 weeks in 1994. For those of us who cannot do math, that’s one year, one week and six days.

Garner has taken the fairy tales we grew up with, like The Three Little Pigs, Cinderella, Snow White and many other stories, and twisted them to fit the times.

There are many things to love about this book. Garner uses great vocabulary, such as ideological, manifest destiny, imperialistic, condescendingly and so many more, that make his work flow.

This book plays on the question, what if? What if the wolf were to die in The Three Little Pigs? What if Snow White and the wicked Stepmother became friends?

What if the three bears ate Goldilocks?

Garner has placed all the happenings of real life in his book: the big bad wolf dying from eating to many fatty foods, Goldilocks becoming an evil scientists, sexist ideas thrown out by the seven dwarfs, and letters of protest to the United Nations written by The Three Little Pigs.

Readers will laugh at all the humor, like when the pigs fight back against the wolf for taking their homes and land, when Red Riding Hood and the wolf team up against the woodsmen that came to save the grandmother and her, and so on.

Readers will be sad when they finish reading this book. But before they start bawling, there are three other books that continue Garner’s twisting of stories: like Once Upon a More Enlightened Time: More Politically Correct Bedtime Stories and Politically Correct Holiday Stories. All are bound to be great books.

With only 79 pages, Politically Correct Bedtime Stories is a quick and easy read.

You can get it at any bookstore, and it will only cost readers around $6, about the same as school lunch for three days.

Tip

When reading a book you hate, based on the length, read so many pages into it. This gives it time to unfold and snag your attention.

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

doubletruck

8&9

get your game on

B&W

Top 5 Best selling

Video Games of our time

1.

Pokemon Red, Blue, and Green versions

2. Super Mario Bro’s 3

3.

5.

18 million 16 million

The Sims

4.

20.08 million

14.75 million

Nintendogs

Pokemon Gold and Silver

14.1 million

The idea of the video game took off in the late 1970s. As a craze that spread worldwide from the United States to Europe to Japan, it engulfed the minds of many teenagers and adults alike. After a brief collapse in 1983, the video game had its rebirth in 1985, when it morphed from a mere pastime to a $10 billion industry.

Student is world class gamer AMY LOVEJOY design editor Pressing the power button and strapping on his headset, senior Jonathan Holt fires up his Xbox 360 for a game of NCAA Football.

Over the past few years, Holt has been honing his technique in NCAA Football the game, enough to today be ranked 42nd in NCAA Football 2007 and first in NCAA Football overall worldwide.

“I think being ranked that high in anything is pretty impressive,” senior Nick Hinkle said.

Hinkle, a friend of Holt, says the two usually game together on the weekends.

Holt Holt plays NCAA Football on Xbox Live, which he subscribes to for $50 a year. Holt has two accounts, one for him and one intended for his older brother. He plays on both accounts.

NCAA Football is a game in which a player selects a college team

?

what’s your system

and controls the teams plays and players while playing another college team. Players can game against each other or a computer if they are playing solo. Holt likes to play as his favorite college team, Nebraska.

The game also allows the player to select plays for the team. Holt uses the University of Florida playbook. His favorite plays are option and flank; he rarely uses running plays.

Holt’s Xbox 360 is equipped with a headset, which allows him to play and talk with gamers from all over the world. He mainly plays with his friends from school, but he has also played with gamers from England.

Holt attributes his success mostly to watching actually football games on TV. “I just watched a lot of college football, so I knew how to play,” Holt said.

Although it helps to know the game of football to master this pastime, Holt does not feel it correlates to the real thing.

“I don’t think playing the game makes you any better at actual football,” Holt said.

Holt only games for about a half hour each day, although the amount of time he spends playing fluctuates depending on the day.

“He really doesn’t play as much as people think he does,” Hinkle said.

Holt also enjoys the challenge of video games. He purposely chooses teams that have bad records, in order to make it harder to beat the other team.

“I think its more of a challenge to pick bad teams,” Holt said. “It’s a little bit harder when you’re a worse team than them.”

As a gamer, Holt also has his competitive side. He is sometimes prone to frustration when a game is not going his way.

“He likes to trash talk when he gets mad,” Hinkle said.

As far as the benefits of gaming are concerned, Holt feels that other activities are also needed in addition to gaming.

“You still need to have other activities, like sports outside of school,” Holt said.

Holt, who mainly likes to game with his friends, also enjoys playing the Halo series and Call of Duty.

The Nintendo Wii was released in 2006 and was the fifth video game console released by Nintendo. The wireless “Wii remote” functions as the controller, and with motion-sensitive technology allows players to swing a sword, throw a punch or drive a car with a flick of the wrist instead of pushing a button. In 2007, it was declared the current sales leader of seventh-generation consoles.

Not just for students PHILIP MORTENS staff writer To all the people who think kids are the only ones who play video games, that’s wrong. There are many adults who game even now. In our building, there are still teachers who love doing what so many kids do.

They love to game.

“It was probably when I saved up to buy a regular Nintendo in 1989,” science teacher Ben Herman said, when asked about what started him gaming. Eighteen years later, he is still gaming.

“I like first person and strategy games, like Oblivion, the Hitman series, and Call of Duty,” Herman said. He tries to limit his gaming time to about three hours a week.

Walker Math teacher Adam Retzlaff has been gaming for about 20 years. Retzlaff mainly plays role-playing, real time strategy and sports games, and Guitar Hero. Like Herman, he tries to limit his gaming time, and plays around six hours a week in the evenings. Retzlaff’s wife isn’t into video games.

“She’s not a big fan, but she knows it’s something that I like to do,” Retzlaff said. Retzlaff started gaming in high school because his friend had six computers in his garage all hooked up together and they would spend an entire day just gaming.

Vocal teacher Ted Brimeyer started gaming when he was in first grade. One of Brimeyer’s friends had a Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) which they would play. That got him hooked, and that Christmas he asked for and received an NES. “There was a time when my uncle came over and brought me Mario 3. It seemed like I played it all day,” Brimeyer recalled. Now a newly wed, Brimeyer tries to limit his gaming to one night a week.

“When we were dating, she used to hate (the games),” Brimeyer said. He is hoping he can change that by convincing his wife that they need a Nintendo Wii. English teacher Ed Walker began gaming as a child.

“Some of my friends had gaming systems and I fell in love with them and wanted one of my own,” Walker said. Walker generally plays real time strategy games and massive multi player online role-playing games (MMORPGs). His current interest is Vanguard: Saga of Heroes.

“Vanguard is an online role playing game, and I play with a group of online gaming friends who share similar gaming interests,” Walker said.

Walker has been gaming for a long time and has had many memorable moments.

“I suppose hunting Rancors on a planet called Dathomir with my Star Wars Galaxies friends (is a good memory),” Walker said. “We had a big group of people, and we were all getting along really well, and it was just a great, fun evening.”

The Play Station was released by Sony Computer Entertainment in 1994. It was revised into a slimmer model, the Play Station 2 (pictured), which has a library that contains over 1,400 games.

The Play Station 3 was released in 2006 and is compatible with games from both previous models. It is currently the only video game console to sell over 100 million units.

Compiled by Jenna Willson, Doubletruck Editor; Amy Lovejoy, Design Editor; and Philip Mortens, Staff Writer

The Xbox 360 was created by the Microsoft Corporatioin and was developed in coordination with IBM, ATI and SiS. It is compatible with Xbox Live, which allows players to compete with other gamers worldwide. It is the successor to the Xbox (pictured), and as of Sept. 30, 2007, has sold 13.4 million units worldwide.

entertainment

10

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compiled by: lauren proffitt design editor

Molly Larson ‘08

Matthew Courtney‘09

Why it’s her favorite:

Why it’s his favorite:

Dylan Perkins ‘10

Hannah Emmerson ‘09

It’s my favorite because it makes me feel special inside. Every day I wear it, I feel like a new person.

It’s just animals, I love it!

Why it’s his favorite:

It’s funny and it’s got Elmo on it.

It’s original. And I like how it has a picture of Hannah on it because she’s the coolest person I know.

Why it’s her favorite:

It was really cheap, like $2, and it’s really soft. It has no design on it, so no one can be like, “Oh, dude, you’re lame.” And I’m not in the army, but I’m pretty fly.

high school BRITTANY DEAL managing editor

Survival101

bl

oo

m

It began with a simple “hello.” I did not know her; she did not know me. And yet, Halloween. The 3-D glasses merely acted as the accessory to top off the entertainin the short time she was in America, she influenced my life. ment for the night.

The “she” I speak of is Konomi, a Japanese exchange student who lived with me Then came Monday, the day Konomi followed me to school. Suddenly, she was for four days this October. Every year, sensei (Japanese teacher Sachiko Murphy) the center of attention and I was swimming in the surrounding spotlight. Her shy provides the opportunity for her students to host other students tendencies magnified as teachers and students alike asked her from schools in Japan. When sensei informed the Japanese I and question after question. She frequented her electronic translaII students that she needed more host families, I volunteered. tor during Spanish class. She sent me the occasional puzzled The language barrier worried me, seeing as I knew very little Foreign exchange programs are a wonlook as she attempted to decode my Advanced Placement (AP) Japanese. However, I lucked out. Konomi spoke English quite derful way to learn about the lifestyle U.S. History textbook. well and understood the majority of what I said around her. and culture of people around the world.

Tuesday morning found us at the airport with my mother. It Whenever she did not know a word and my failure at charades was time to say goodbye. As a parting gift, Konomi gave me her became clear, she would whip out her electronic translator and my petty hand ges- yukata, or a casual form of kimono worn at festivals and summer events. I hugged her. tures would halt as understanding dawned on her face.

I hugged her friends. Moments later, they were gone.

Normal life took a pause. Rather than spending my weekend relaxing, enjoying Unfortunately, Konomi was only here for a short of time. By the time we became a good read, or sleeping over at a friend’s house, I joined Konomi in exploring Des comfortable with one another, she was packing her bags. Although four days is not Moines. We began our journey Friday night by sitting with the marching band at the nearly enough to experience everything an exchange program has to offer, I advise last home football game of the season. This excited her, for she had never seen football other students to take advantage of any opportunity of hosting a student from another before. I notified her every time Johnston scored, and she smiled in response, tolerat- country. Konomi did not only teach me about her lifestyle and culture. She taught me ing the chilly Iowa weather. to appreciate the little things in life.

Our journey continued on Saturday with a stop at the farmer’s market, shopping The French department offers a similar program for French II, III, IV, and AP at Jordan Creek Mall, and seeing The Nightmare Before Christmas 3-D. The Japanese students. Every other year, these students have the opportunity to host students from exchange students had a strong love for Disney; the host students craved everything France. On the alternate years, they can visit France during spring break.

lesson3:

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FEATURE

11

Retired teacher finds peace in art KIERA MORRILL staff writer

A white canvas lies on the floor, ready to be covered with layers of bright hues and brush strokes filled with mystery. A lady with her blond hair cut in a short pixie walks around the sheet of white, piercing it with her artistic eyes as she pictures the finished piece.

Former speech teacher Marilyn Tews-Middleton has embraced her new passion, art.

“I knew I was going to retire, and I knew I had to find something to keep me busy. I was just ready to get to the next chapter in my life,” Middleton said.

“There’s just so much out there. Part of it is you do something for 33 years, I think you’re at a stage in your life when you’re ready to take chances.”

Middleton picked up a paintbrush for the first time about two years ago. She found the strokes and colors a release to her everyday stress.

“I saw her wind down,” Rick, her husband, said. “She was relaxed, and when she started to take frustrations out from the day it became her outlet.”

“You just find things you want to do in your spare time. Painting really was a sort of surprise,” Middleton said.

The new obsession sparked more than a hobby. She now sells and shows her paintings. Middleton’s paintings are available at the gallery of East Village Books. She had 17 there originally, she already sold two. Middleton sells her paintings to anyone interested, including, neighbors, friends and people who walk in her door.

“Anything is for sale because I can always paint something else,” she said.

“I’ve had people walk in and say, ‘Boy, I really like that! I wish I had something like that in my house.’ By the end of the night, it’ll be gone and I’ll just paint something else the next day.”

In her art room, where all of her creations are produced, Middleton has boxes full of smaller framed paintings.

There are 25 paintings in total, Middleton

Provided/Marilyn Middleton

Retired speech teacher Marilyn Tews-Middleton painted these three pieces. donated all of them to the Festival of Trees. Middleton has previously donated anywhere from five to ten paintings to different organizations in the Des Moines area. She gave a three-canvas-in one, triptych, abstract, outdoors scene to the Des Moines Ballet.

Middleton’s style is abstract. She uses any canvas size and prefers acrylic paint to make her pictures. Each one with its own scene, she gives her artwork themes, textures, and color.

“It was just where my interest and talent was, I was never the person who liked the art that was terribly realistic,” Middleton said.

Teri Wood owns East Village Books, and she asked Middleton to show her paintings.

Wood supports 11 artists in her gallery.

She found Middleton through relations close to the family. Wood says the people who see Middleton’s work enjoy it. Wood chose Middleton’s work because of how unique it is.

“It’s hard to get your artwork into galleries. Anywhere that you can share what you do and anywhere that you can get feedback is great,” Middleton said.

Middleton’s family and friends support her new pleasure.

“It’s neat how someone can look at something, and just see different things in it,” Jane Altman, speech teacher said.

“Its so nice to see someone love what they do. She loved teaching, but she’s just very serious about (art).”

Altman recently bought one painting from Middleton, but expects another for her husband. He fights in Afghanistan

right now, and Middleton has agreed to paint a picture for when he comes home.

“It’s going to be a kind of painting to show all of the good things in life,” Altman said. “When he comes back, he’ll be happy to see his family. He will get to meet and see his son again, and get reacquainted with his daughter. It will be all of the things he’s thankful for.”

Middleton prepares ideas for all of her paintings before she makes them.

“The pathway you take to get to the end result is what I like best. All the little things you have to do to it and all the different steps that take you to the end result,” Middleton said.

“A person always needs reasons to grow, and unless you challenge yourself with something, it’s hard to make that step to grow,” Middleton said.

Camos protects, serves community BRYAN LIPPINCOTT staff writer Senior Josh Camos climbed in through the back door of a minivan and scurried toward the front. Camos then tried to calm the woman. “I asked how she was doing, and tried to assess her situation.

She had a broken wrist,” Camos said.

This was all part of his job as a volunteer firefighter for the Johnston Fire Department.

Camos got the job at the beginning of the school year, but according to his father, Mark, this has been on Josh’s mind for several years. “He used to talk about it in middle school,” Mark said.

“He started talking about it about a year ago, but the motto ‘Protect and Serve’ has always stuck with him since he was little,” Josh’s mother, Cheryl Camos, said. “He’s always really wanted to make a difference.”

The job requires Josh to be 18, so prior to his birthday on Oct. 11, he worked strictly as a volunteer at the station getting to know the other guys and his way around. When he turned 18, he was able to join the department, and works as a paid on call. This means that he is paid for the calls that he answers. Josh receives $6.20 per call.

“We’ve had other high school kids, but it’s been awhile,” full time firefighter Shawn Benberg said. “He just comes when he’s available, or when he has

Senior Josh Camos rolls the hoses on fire engine 3930. Camos has been working at the fire station since the beginning of school, and is now a volunteer firefighter. According to full time firefighter Shawn Bengerg, Camos helps with the fire safety training for children at the elementary schools.

Bryan Lippincott/BW

time.”

Josh now carries a beeper with him to answer the calls. Depending on the nature of the call, he will decide whether or not to stay at school. “For a fire or rescue, call I’ll leave, but if it’s a medical (call) I will most likely not leave,” Josh said.

English Teacher Sarah Moore has Josh in class. Moore was aware that Josh was a volunteer firefighter, and his beeper has gone off in her class. “I just let him leave, and he’s really good at making up work,” Moore said. “We’ve have an understand-

ing that fire fighting is more important.”

During Career Day, a situation arose.

“The person speaking and I both had our beepers go off, and had to decide to stay or leave,” Josh said.

They decided to stay because the Grimes Fire Department also answered the call. “They had all the personnel they needed,” Josh said.

According to Mark and Cheryl, they were not concerned about Josh becoming a firefighter. “I think he’s got it in his blood,” Mark said. “He has always en-

joyed helping others.”

“I knew it would be a perfect fit, and it has been,” Cheryl said. “(Since he became a firefighter,) he pops in and out of the house, and we hear the beeper going off quite a bit,” Mark said.

Josh plans to attend college and continue his career as a firefighter. He will most likely attend Kirkwood college in Iowa City and major in fire science. “I’m thinking I want to do this for the rest of my life,” Josh said.

12

Your t c e p Mother Res

feature

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Norris breaks blindness’ barriers Senior adjusts, achieves despite genetic eye condition TOREY ROBINSON feature editor

Going Green for the Team CICELY GORDON backpage editor With a 5-5 record, the Philadelphia Eagles do not have a winning season, but they are definitely setting the record as the greenest NFL team on the field. The team has started “Go Green” as an effort for them and its fans to be environmentally friendly.

Traffic, trash, material consumption, energy and water use are all factors that have huge environmental impact on game day. Because of this impact, the Eagles started using there game days as an opportunity for education and awareness on how to keep our world as clean as it can be. Their slogan, “Go Green,” not only ties into recycling, but has also become a well-known rallying cry throughout the stands for the forest green and silver team.

Even if the fans do not realize it, they are doing there part just by buying tickets to the game. According to ABC News, 40 tons of recycled paper is printed on each year for tickets and programs. Those overpriced drinks you have to have when you get to the game are also a great investment in doing your part in saving the environment. Each one imprinted with the “Greenware” logo will disintegrate in 50 days instead of three years because they are made of corn-based material instead of regular plastic. The 38 cheerleaders glittering in green and silver also make a difference by waving pompoms composed of recyclable materials.

The Eagles are not only making a difference inside the stadium. On Nov. 2 they partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to further their “Go Green” efforts. They now have plans to creates an Eagle’s Forest at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Penn. The park will give the community walking trails and access to the Delaware riverfront. It will also provide a slip marina on the Delaware River, hiking trails, picnic facilities, boat launching ramps and a pool.

The Eagles Forest will also benefit from another new aspect in the GO GREEN campaign: GO ZERO. This is a program where the Eagles commit to replacing the carbon emissions from away-game travel by planting trees in the Eagle’s Forest. According to the Philadelphia Eagles web site, they will emit approximately 327 tons of CO2, traveling more than 9,000 miles in the air and over 340 miles by bus. To replenish the air they are polluting with travel the Eagles will plant 850 trees.

As a huge contributor to our planet’s pollution problem, the Philadelphia Eagles have started a legacy of taking responsibility for the waste caused by entertainment.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this column, send emails to swizzles17@hotmail.com.

Provided/Eric Norris

“

Senior Eric Norris concentrates while perfecting various tae kwon do movements on a punching bag in his home. Norris began the martial art in September 2003 and earned his black belt in January. He must wait three years before he can move up in rankings.

My sight does not affect tae kwon do. I am expected to perform just as well, if not better, than every other student. I am expected to be able to perform at the level which my rank suggests, if not better. I did not really have to make any changes in practice, compared to what other students did.

”

-Eric Norris

Crouching over in attempt to halt his panting and whipping the sweat dripping from his forehead, senior Eric Norris’ face was decorated with a smile when he realized his test was complete. A week later, he was notified that he achieved his goal and now possessed a tae kwon do black belt. Such an accomplishment is an especially proud moment for Norris, who is legally blind.

“I was happy because I knew I had achieved this rank without failing a single test and because of the hard work I had put into all my classes,” Norris said.

Norris suffers from an eye condition called aniridia. “It’s a Greek term meaning that I do no have an iris,” he said. “This causes my eye to be photophobic, meaning that it is light-sensitive.”

According to the International Aniridia Network, the genetic impairment affects more than two million Americans from birth.

Everyday life is directly affected by Norris’ lack of sight. Simple schoolwork requires modification in order for completion.

“At school I use a computer called a ‘Braille Note,’ ” he said. “This machine has the ability to perform many functions of a PC.” Norris also uses a closed circuit television to enlarge images of an object or assignment so he can read it. “Sometimes I slow the class asking for help or my equipment malfunctions,” Norris said.

His lack of sight has not stopped Norris from participating in other activities. He began tae kwon do training at Breese Family in September 2003 and earned a black belt in January. “I believe that any true style of tae kwon do optimizes the laws of physics,” he said.

Since he began his training, Norris’ practice schedule has fluctuated from seven to nine classes a week. Despite his impairment, Norris fully competes in tournaments without modification. His instructor, Tony Breese, said Norris is right on track with the program and minimal adjustments have been needed. “He’s moved fast and has really learned to be patient,” Breese said.

In addition to being a student, Norris is an instructor for his martial arts center.

“While teaching, an instructor who is fully aware of the class may not only learn more about his or her students, but also about himself or herself, and even tae kwon do in general,” he said.

Breese strongly believes Norris is doing a superior job. “We always say the best students make the best instructors, and (Eric)’s a great instructor.”

Specialized schools, talents CAROLINE BYRD

ideas editor

Caitlin Larkin sits in a desk back in elementary school, dreaming about how see will become the next greatest chef.

She will fly to France, and prepare dinner for everyone in her own little bistro on rue principale, and then read all the raving reviews about her elegance and courtesy in the daily paper...

The school bell rings, announcing the end of the day, bringing Larkin back to reality. She runs to the bus and anxiously sits in the rubber seat until she returns home. As the bus stops in front of her house, she walks to the door and turns the knob, expecting the smell of cookies to overflow her senses, but it does not. So young Larkin goes to the kitchen, grabs all the ingredients to bake a batch of homemade cookies, and begins to cook.

The French Pastry School in Chicago, the Culinary Institute of America and the French Culinary Institute, both in New York, are all schools Larkin has thought about attending. She is currently taking Food Prep 1 at DMACC and has applied to the French Culinary Institute in New York. Her mom suggested cooking school

when she was in middle school, and Larkin decided it was a good idea.

“My grandma cooks, my mom cooks, so I have grown up cooking” Larkin said.

Students are now taking their hobbies, and trying to pursue them to become life long careers, but it is not all fun at games.

Aaron Meyer, junior, has been debating whether to attend a specialized school or a state school. He has narrowed it down to two schools where he could study film production: Chapman University College in Orange, California, and Full Sail in Orlando.

“It is something I have grown up doing and it is really fun to do and make people laugh,” Meyer said.

Although Meyer enjoys making films, he is not sure that is what he would like his profession to be.

“It is something to do for fun, but I have other interests,” Meyer said.

Specialized colleges offer a way for students to take a passion or hobby, and turn in it to something that they can do for the rest of their live.

“If I went to a normal college, I wouldn’t have the specialized training I need,” Larkin said. “Going to a specialized school will give me more hands-on experience and keep me focused.”

Caroline Byrd/BW

Senior Caitlin Larkin carefully cuts chicken during Food Prep 1 at DMACC in Ankeny. Larkin enrolled in this class at the beginning of the year to prepare for attending a culinary institute in the fall of 2008.

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13

DUNGEON

Lindsay Fredrickson

Lindsay Fredrickson made second chair for Iowa’s All-State Orchestra.

junior

What is All-State?

All-State is a competition in which musicians from all over Iowa compete to be in honor ensembles. Patrick Kearney, the band teacher, said that this is the highest honor for a high school band student.

The contestants receive two statechosen songs in July, pick a solo to play, and memorize 12 scales. They then audition for chair placements. Once contestants get their placements, they begin to practice.“You practice probably close to eight hours every day, for three days,” Fredrickson said.

They performed Saturday, Nov. 17.

Other All-Staters: Sophomore Kevin Hu

Violin

Sophomore Katie Upton

French Horn

Junior Garret Manuel

Bass Clarinet

Why participate in All-State?

“You get to play really difficult music,” Fredrickson said. “It’s really competitive, so it gives you a reason to work harder.”

Fredrickson also thinks it is fun being with all of her friends and playing music at the same time.

All-State Vocalists: Sophomore Molly Schunicht Sophomore Ryan Bower Junior Alan Nagel Junior Allison Kane Junior Betsy Pilkington Senior Derek Furrow Senior J.R. Gray Senior Brad Halbersma Senior Audrey Henning Senior Ellie Sams Senior Lauren Kacere Senior Chris Cline

compiled by Ben Vander Ploeg staff writer

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Season Overlap

Multi-sport athletes are affected by similar seasons NELS ENGBLOM staff writer By mid-October, football season is in full stride.

While the team is practicing, varsity player Travis Merritt’s mind is elsewhere.

While he spends his afternoons on the turf, he knows his other team is on ice. He misses a majority of early hockey practices as a result of football.

Merritt is one of the several student athletes that participate in sports with overlapping seasons; in his case, football and ice hockey. Athletes that participate in overlapping sports often miss the first practices of their later sport.

Other athletes have had to cut celebration time short.

While Kate Nielsen was playing for a state volleyball title earlier this fall, several of her basketball teammates were beginning practice. “It’s really hard when you have

October 26

November 5

Varsity football ends

Girls’ basketball starts

October 8 Hockey practice starts

missed practice and then have to go into a basketball game and use what the rest of the team learned,” Nielsen said.

Despite missing practice time, teammates are very supportive towards their highly active athletes. “Everyone is really understanding about missing the time, but it helps that I’m not the only football player on the team” Merritt said.

Teammates are not the only ones lending support though. Many parents encourage their students to be very active. “My parents support me to do as many sports as I can. Being busy keeps me out of trouble too,” junior football and basketball player Tyler Kubik said.

According to Kubik, coaches are also understanding, however they prefer that you get their consent before practicing a second sport.

“I am very pro-multi-sport and support my athletes to do as much as they want,” football coach Brian Woodley said. “I do want them at football practice during football season though.”

One of the problems multi-sport athletes face is finding time for school work. With such a busy schedule all the time, it can be difficult to find extra time. “I really have to work hard and focus to make sure I can get everything done,” Merritt said.

Some athletes enjoy being very busy. “I think I do better in school because I know if I don’t get stuff done in class I won’t have time later,” Nielsen said.

One thing that the majority can agree on, however, is that they do not want to change what they do. “I play two sports because I want to and I have fun,” Kubik said.

November 10 State volleyball ends

November 12 Boys’ basketball starts

Returning state champions face loss With high hopes for second state championship, competition cheerleading squad is upset JENNA WILLSON double truck editor As the returning state champions, the last thing that the varsity football cheerleading squad expected was to not place in the state competition.

After receiving the judge’s scorecard, multiple reasons were cited for the disappointing results.

According to senior co-captain Jordain Skarphol, the pyramid at the end of the routine was illegal. Other miscommunications between the coaches and the squad also caused points to be docked.

“There were multiple rules added to the rule book and the coaches didn’t know about them, so we didn’t either,” Skarphol said. “Like we had to use props (signs or pom-poms) and some other very unnecessary rules.”

The disappointing finish came after six months of preparation, with three or four two-hour practices per week, in addition to cheering at the football games.

Practices were held at the high school and the Urbandale Gymnastics Center, where the squad took advantage of more equipment to improve on stunting and tumbling. They also hired Omaha-based Elite Cheer Coach Lance Stoltenberg to choreograph the routine.

According to Skarphol, Stoltenberg advised coaches Kim Lane and Lisa Boge to check and make sure all stunts were legal in Iowa.

“We thought everything was legal and

Division 4A State Cheerleading Results

Tina Li/BW

From left to right, senior Alex Swanson, sophomore Courtney Kimble, and senior Natalie Cunningham cheer at the girls’ basketball game against East on Nov. 27. All three were members of the varsity football cheerleading squad. would hit,” junior Abbey Nelson said.

“The coaches went to the (state) rule meeting and said everything was fine.”

For the squad, the hardest part was entering the competition with confidence and leaving it empty-handed.

“I thought we had it in the bag,” Skar-

phol said.

“It’s obviously disappointing,” Nelson said. “I just hope we do better next year.”

When asked about the state competition, coaches Lane and Boge did not respond.

1 Davenport Assumption 2 Pleasant Valley 3 Cedar Falls 4 Waukee 5 Ames Held at Veteran’s Auditorium Saturday, Nov. 3 Information provided by Iowa Cheerleading Coaches Association

sports

PREVIEW

By Austin Hartsook and Lee Yocum

(Boys’ Basketball)

- Head Coach : Bobby Sandquist

- 2006-07 Record : 16-7 (Lost in Substate final)

- Key Returning Players : Evan Summa, Sr.

Michael Elming, Sr.

Trent Fisher, Sr.

Kyle Sievers, Sr. Tyler Smith, Jr.

“

- Head Coach : Shari Walling - 2006-07 Record : 7-1 (18th in the State meet)

(Seven state qualifiers)

- Key Returning Members : We would like to win the conference,

Rex Davidson, Sr. go undefeated in dual meets including

Charlie Thuente, Sr. beating Valley, and place in the top 10

Blake Johnson, So.

“

as a team in the State Meet.

Shari Walling

“

We have much more depth than last year, and I expect we will have a much more consistent offense.

Rich Gradoville

(Wrestling)

- Head Coach : Mark Schillerstrom

- 2006-07 Record : 3-5 (Seven State Qualifiers) - Key Returning Members : Josh South, Sr.

Josiah South, Jr.

Alex Richards, So.

“

We are wrestling a lot and working on technique. While there is never enough time before the first meet, it is time for some competition to see how we are progressing.

Mark Schillerstrom

(Boys’ and Girls’ Bowling)

(Boys’ Swimming)

“

- Head Coach : Rich Gradoville - 2006-07 Record : 11-13 - Key Returning Players : Leslie Ware, Sr.

Laura Hilby, Sr.

Katelyn Sunde, Jr.

Photos provided by: Antonio Rodriguez, Matthew Courtney, Kiley Dewhurst

- Head Coach : Jeremy Yenger

- 2006-07 Record : Boys (5-10, Lost in Substate)

Girls (12-4, Third in State)

- Key Returning Members : Jerrid Michener, Jr.

Jordan Thompson, So.

Britta Pohlman, So. Both teams have great potential to

Sarah Blank, Jr.

“

do great things if they keep their focus and put in the hard work.

Vickie Borich

“

“

We will expect our team to play with great effort, exhibit a great attitude, and grow together as a strong and united ‘team’ in every sense of the word.

Bobby Sandquist

(Girls’ Basketball)

“

Winter

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Girls seek to switch senior night Eyeing the court, senior Leslie Ware plays in a game against Indianola last year. Ware and fellow seniors on the basketball team are looking to change their senior night from a non-conference Tuesday game to a Friday contest against Dowling.

THOMAS LASHIER

staff writer

Members of the girls’ basketball team want more recognition for their senior night ceremony than the team has received in years past.

“The whole point of senior night is to be recognized,” Maggie Thilges, a senior on the team, said. “Having it on a Friday would bring more people there to see us.”

In the past, senior night has always been the last home game of the season. This year, that would fall on a Tuesday night against Des Moines North.

“Some of us senior girls don’t like that our senior night is being played on a Tuesday night,” senior guard Leslie Ware said.

There are several reasons that some seniors would like to change the date of senior night.

One of those reasons is the lower attendance of Tuesday night games.

“I personally don’t want senior night on a Tuesday when we play North,” Lauren Lund, a senior forward, said. “Nobody will show up on a Tuesday.”

Lund The alternative that most of the senior girls want is to switch senior night to the Friday before the North game.

The team plays Dowling Catholic on that night.

“If we would change it, we would have a lot more people there to support us and recognize us,” Leah Kron, a seKron nior forward, said. “But it would also mean that it won’t be our actual last home game, and there is a chance that not all of the seniors would even get to play against Dowling.”

“I want senior night to be our last Friday home game against Dowling,” Thilges said. “A lot of people normally come because it is usually a good game and they are in

Sammy McConeghey/Dragon

our conference.”

Other members of the team feel the same way. “Dowling is a big rival, so there will be a lot more fans there and we will get more recognition,” Lund said.

However, not everybody on the team wants to switch the date.

“Some girls want to change it and other girls like how it is,” Ware said. “The advantages would be that people would be more likely to come on Friday than on Tuesday against North.”

Athletic Director Gary Ross says there would be problems to work around in order to make the switch happen.

“The tradition has been to recognize the seniors on their last home game,” Ross said. “Since I have an activity already planned for between games on that Friday versus Dowling, that (switch) would complicate things.”

Dowling against Johnston has become a more heated

rivalry in basketball during the past few years, and the girls would like to capitalize on that energy to celebrate their seniors’ careers.

“There would be a better atmosphere,” Thilges said of the Friday game.

However, the Dowling game is a double-header, meaning the varsity boys would play after the girls game.

Ross is afraid this might take some of the spotlight from senior night.

“This would delay even longer the start of the varsity boys’ game and take away a little from the senior night, since another high profile activity will be occurring,” Ross said.

Most important to the girls, however, is that they get the appreciation they deserve for their efforts on the floor.

“I just think it would be lame to have senior night when there’s nobody there except parents to see it,” Lund said.

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B&W

Your Cause Support

To Write Love on Her Arms DWIGHT LYKINS

staff writer

Renee was 19 years old; buzzed with coke, pot, and pills; awake for 36 hours and counting. Checking into a stint at a rehab center was by far one of the hardest things she could ever do. With the help of herself, family, and friends, she had realized her problem, and began to make an effort to fix it. As her evaluation began, a nurse found cuts on her wrists. The center had no detox and said she was too big of a risk, therefore denying her entry into the facility.

Jamie Tworkowski, a friend, took her in and became her hospital, helping her, healing her, writing ‘love’ on her arms, not cuts. In 2006, Tworkowski wrote a story for Alternative Press Magazine, detailing the story of how he raised money by selling shirts to help pay for a facility that would let her in.

As sales of the shirts grew, a movement was born. To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) is the name they chose for a variety of reasons. When Tworkowski went to a video shoot in Los Angeles with one of his friends, he saw Joaquin Phoenix, who refused to hire an assistant. Instead, he wrote his daily plans on his arms. As Jamie went though a hard time at home, he wrote ‘love’ on his arm to reminded him to live with love.

With Jamie’s ties to the music industry, the movement gained ground as bands wore the shirts at their shows. This summer, during the Vans Warped Tour, a tour highlighting rock music that tours the country, To Write Love On Her Arms was given with a tent in the non-profit section. With spots on TV shows and in magazines, and by word of mouth, the movement continues to grow.

Renee is currently sober and has been since her time in rehab for both drugs, alcohol and cutting. She lives in Orlando and continues to help TWLOHA. Shirts and hoodies are available online at TWLOHA.com.

They range in price from $15-38. A list of bands that sell merchandise at shows can be found on the TWLOHA web site.

n

Jessica Pray sports her “To Write Love On Her Arms” T-shirt that she got at the concert Life Light in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, over Labor Day weekend.

Breast Cancer

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The Cause- The shirts you buy at a events go to help for research and education on breast cancer.

Compiled by Cicely Gordon, backpage editor and Dwight Lykins, staff writer.

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