the black and white. oct 2009. volume 19 issue 3. 5152780449. 6501 NW 62nd ave. johnston. iowa one copy free
ON THE COVER designed by Kallen Kramer
check us out online www.theblackandwhiteonline.com
NEWS 3
Race for the Cure
4
Study skills class
p7
10 11
Student body starts a team to help the cause New class helps improve skills
Generation Un-handy
Lack of communication in the high school
OPINION
Antidepressents
7
Dress Code
Pro vs. Con on the meds
Look at the most talented dudes
are POINTLESS! nobody likes carnations
DUNGEON
FASHION
20
Best shoe for you
14
Looking at fashion inspiration from back when
FEATURE 15
Reggie’s Sleepout
16
Good Samaritans
Pray travels to record for new musical group Kara Anderson helps animals
Drop Outs
ACT prep
8
Not sure on the change
ENTERTAINMENT Funny Internet sites
9
p18
STAFF JM KK LG
EDITORS IN CHIEF Julia Manning
17
Black&White profiling
Kallen Kramer layout
Lauren Gehrke managing
21
Boys in Brazil
22
Drew Jackson
23
Hockey
18
Isaac Laffey
24
p8
Philip Mortens opinion
Eric Oatts entertainment
Kelly McGowan fashion
Kiera Morrill photo
Purple/Gold teams prepare for swimming
Parking lot etiquette
How to act and not make people mad
i
p4
SUB-EDITORS
news
Overcoming injury
BACKPAGE
Students enjoy a break in wildlife
CC PM EO KM KM
Father and son, coach and athlete
B&W explores
Jake Perington
Catherine Caracci
Michael Stoeker
Story behind the trophy
F my life, failblog, ect. explored
p21
Gentle Giant
SPORTS
Where do they go?
is unecessary
CPR requirements
Caffeine
Dangerous addiction
DOUBLE TRUCK
Needs to be looked at
NHS fundraisers
19
Best boy singers
index
6
HEALTH
Which is the scariest of them all?
12/13 ACT profile
EDITORIAL 5
p20
p8 and 12-13 Classic horror movies
BW KK MK DL KS
Brennan Winget lifestyle
Kelsey Kruse feature
Matt Knoedel sports
Dwight Lykins online
Kyle Soyer photo
STAFF WRITERS Jon
Houp
Monisha Kumar
Michael Knoedel Alyssa Czapla Chris Caracci
Blake Schlawin
Cathleen Dutcher Ryan Smaha Mike Shi
Dahlia Gordon
Kristine Hayes
Zach Winjum
Lauren Coffey
Kevin Hu
Andy Halterman
Evan Culbert
Alex Grapp
Michael Carlson
Scott Monroe
Spencer Vasey
Ethan Meng
Liz Waller
The Black and White is published solely by the Johnston High School newspaper staff. Its goal is to inform, enlighten and entertain Johnston students. It is an open forum. In accordance with Iowa law and board policy, students assign and edit material. The paper is published nine times per school year. The paper will avoid material that is libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. The law does not require parental permission to use student quotes. Ethically, we believe students can speak for themselves. Staff editorials represent the opinion of a majority of the editorial board. Editorial and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the adviser, school officials or the district. Letters to the editor must be signed. Like all material, letters may not be libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. Bring letters to room 413 within one week after publication to be considered for the next issue. The Black and White strives to report accurate and timely information. If you believe that an error has been printed, please contact the editor at jmanning867@gmail.com. The Black and White is a member of CSPA, NSPA, Quill & Scroll, and IHSPA. Recent issues of the paper earned these honors: Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist, National Scholastic Press Association First Class rating, Quill & Scroll Gallup Award, IHSPA state placings.
news
Oct 09
p3
Horizon named Blue Ribbon School words & layout Catherine Caracci Horizon Elementary has been selected as
the first school in the district to be a Blue Ribbon
School by the U.S. Department of Education. Horizon is one of 314 schools nationwide receiving the award.
The school was nominated last fall. “Nomina-
tion is done by the state, so we don’t know exactly who it was that nominated Horizon,” Principal Tim Salmon said. “Regardless, we were very happy to be nominated.”
Each state has a different standard for the
award set by its education department. The Iowa Department of Education considers Iowa schools
based on scores on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS).
Kiera Morrill/BW
states to nominate a school if at least 40 percent
A sign inside the front doors welcomes visitors to Horizon Elementary School. Horizon is the first school in our district’s history to be selected as a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.
ground, including students with disabilities and
out an E-mail and official letter to each school.
The U.S. Department of Education also allows
of its student body is from a disadvantaged backstudents who are not proficient in English; these schools are required to dramatically improve student performance in accordance with state as-
sessment systems in order to be considered for
nomination, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s Web site.
Horizon was selected based on high ITBS
scores. “Our ITBS scores for the past five years
were over the 90th percentile nationally,” Salmon said. After school officials received the notification that Horizon had been nominated, the building’s
leadership team had to complete an application by February in order to be considered for the award.
On Sept. 15, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne
Duncan announced the winning schools and sent
NB
and fifth grades. Ottley believes that her teachers at Horizon helped prepare her for middle school
teachers to teach in a way that isn’t as beneficial to the students,” Ottley said. “At Horizon, the teach-
West Lyon HS, Inwood
ers expected a lot out of us, but in a challenging way. They didn’t baby us.”
Central Springs Elementary, Manly Earlville Elementary, Earlville
Administration is planning a school-wide cel-
ebration, which will take place Nov. 2. Salmon
and teacher Wendy Quam will travel to Washing-
Nixon Elementary, Hiawatha
ton, D.C. to attend the awards ceremony on Nov. 2-3, where they will receive a plaque and a flag to commemorate Horizon’s status as a Blue Ribbon School.
Scavenger hunt helps hungry Culver orders budget cut
Porter wins R.O.S.E. award
On Nov. 19, Student Council mem-
On Oct. 8, Governor Chet Culver ordered
Technology specialist Tom Porter was awarded the
cut for the Johnston School District is
ing. The award is given monthly to a person who
ing for canned goods to benefit
local families “We go door to door
words & layout Spencer Vasey
Resurrection School, Dubuque
and high school. “It’s easy for elementary school
bers will be going door to door ask-
news briefs
Iowa’s Blue Ribbon Schools
Senior Claire Ottley attended Horizon in fourth
for canned goods because it lets
people from our community help out others who live in Johnston,”
junior representative Jordan Adams said.
a 10 percent cut to the state budget. The about $2.5 million. The school board de-
cided that cash reserves will be used to cover the costs. The hiring of new staff
members and textbook purchases will be limited.
R.O.S.E. Award at the Oct. 12 school board meethas encouraged students to succeed. “Tom puts in countless hours of work, quietly finishing up projects so that students and staff can use the technology in meaningful ways,” Ann Wiley, who works with Porter, said.
news
Oct 09
p4
Johnston celebrates its 40th words & layout Blake Schlawin Johnston went “over the hill” as it cel-
ebrated its birthday last month. A little over
40 years ago, Johnston was nothing but cornfields and dirt roads, much like what
you would see in rural, northern Iowa today.
Now, Johnston is a busy city with an estimated population of nearly 18,000, compared to 1,460 in 1960.
According to the Johnston Historical So-
ciety, it all started back when Ezekiel Hunt
established a sawmill near Northwest Beaver Drive. A railroad ran through that area,
run by John Johnston, which brought more people to the Midwest. After Henry A. Wallace came here and started Pioneer Hi-Bred Corn Company, people came flocking in.
In 1917, Merle Hay Road was laid with
bricks from Douglas Avenue to Hyperion
Provided/Johnston Historical Society
The original Johnston High School building in 1937 located where the current fire station is.
Golf and Country Club.
“I came to Johnston in 1927, when it
was mostly cornfields,” Bob Thomas, resi-
dent and citizen of Johnston, said. “There were no stoplights or sidewalks, and some of the streets were not paved.”
After people started coming, one-room
schoolhouses and buildings began appearing. Lawson was the first elementary only school. It was built in 1958 near the site of
the one-room schoolhouses. They were lo-
cated one mile east of the current school
rently stands. It sold everything from typical
atteneded was west of Merle Hay on 62nd.
1960, the grocery store was replaced with
on N.W. 62nd Avenue. The school Thomas “I went to the same school building from
kindergarten through 12th grade,” Thomas said. “It was where the fire station is today.” That building was later demolished in 1985 once the current schools were built.
The grocery store in town, owned by
Denny Elwell, was where Walgreens cur-
food items to furniture and clothing. Around
For students seeking help with study-
ing, the guidance department has begun a study skills group.
study skills group -all skill levels
1954 and the high school attendance sec-
downtown Des Moines.
Judy Briles, a resident of Johnston since
retary for 17 years, described the changes.
-no more than ten students
what is taught:
-learning styles -study environments -study skills -organization -test taking tips
when:
-study strategies -once a week -during school -changes period each week
where: why:
-seven weeks
Baker
Her family lived in a little brown house
aters, both of which were downtown.”
post office when I got here,” Briles said.
encompasses all skill levels.
“[The group] is open to any student, [the
guidance department] made announce-
ments, [we] got recommendations from teachers, and [we] got phone calls,” Baker said. There is a limit on the number of peo-
semester.
The group was formed based on feed-
the sophomores, study skills was one of the also requests for a group from parents and teachers.
The group meets during school, causing
conflict for some students. Some students
how to make them:
-write info on note cards -only main points -no details -write info in own words
everyone’s schedule.
-use pictures and diagrams
school because of the difficulty to fit into The study skills group meets once a
lasts seven weeks and is taught by coun-
group and no late entrances are accepted.
-one skill taught by the group
study. The group cannot meet outside of
This semester, seven students are in the
-teachers, parents also
cram cards what:
do not want to miss class to learn how to
week during the school day. The period
-guidance office
-feedback from sophomores
Students may sign up for the group next
ple. In order to keep a small group dynamic, the group is limited to ten students.
said. “There were really only two movie the-
Always procrastinating? Doing poorly on tests? Never getting your homework done on time? The guidance department has a group for you.
top vote getters,” Baker said. There were
or Sue Baker said. Study skills
“I remember we had to go downtown
to the Ingersoll Theater for movies,” Briles
study skills, especially with
strategies,” guidance counsel-
entertainment was either in homes or in
“There was really only a gas station and
back from students. “Last year, we surveyed
taking tests and note taking
Back in the 1960s, before Johnston
became incorporated, the only source of
“The idea behind the group
was to assist students with
who: -anyone can join
right next to where the interstate is now.
the fast-growing chain, Hy-Vee.
Studying how to study words & layout Mike Shi
on Merle Hay Road, in front of QuikTrip,
they meet changes each week. The group selors Stephanie Guthrie and Baker.
how to use them:
-always have them on hand -study them during downtime
editorial
Oct 09
Rudimentary skills are extinct Students not proficient with everyday tools The final bell rings. As students bundle up to face the
Now this is not to say those other skills are not important,
harsh winter day, senior Caleb Wagner is right there in the
that is far from the truth. Skills like being able to change a
hurries out to his car and to his dismay finds his back right
know at the current stage in your life. It is not until you are
midst of it all. Taking that initial step into the cold, Wagner tire has sprung a leak.
This problem has a simple solution, change the tire. But
unfortunately there is an immense obstacle blocking Wagner from his goal. He has not the slightest clue how to jack up a vehicle or change a tire.
Is Wagner so different from the rest of the student body?
tire or being able to fix a leaky sink may seem useless to faced with a moment when you will need one of these skills that you will understand their true importance. And when
the time comes that you happen upon a situation that requires these skills, you will be very happy if you know how to utilize them.
This knowledge can and will save you lots of time and
How many of you would be comfortable to go outside right
money to be able to fix that pesky sink yourself, rather than
it with another? Then, from there be willing to take a risk
your over-friendly neighbor who is willing to lend his skills
now, elevate your car with a jack, take off a tire and replace
and go for a nice drive up and down I-35 to test out your handy work.
The majority of students will not be jumping up and
being forced to call a local plumber or even, God forbid, on the sole condition you listen to his stories of the good ‘ole days with nothing but smiles and nods while he works.
If that scenario does not work for you, try to imagine
down for a chance at this opportunity due to the fact they
getting a flat tire while driving to work one day, if you knew
on their car. To keep the record straight, there are those
in no time.
probably do not even know where the spare tire is located who are perfectly capable and comfortable doing such a
how to change it yourself, you would be back on the road
But if you are like Wagner, you would be forced to wait
task, but they are becoming a dying breed.
until someone who was willing to offer a helping hand did
changing a tire and broaden our specifications to include
might even be forced to call a car repair company to come
And when we decide to change our project from just
all sorts of rudimentary handy skills, such as basic car repair, plumbing, or even electrical work. Doing this shrinks
just that. And in the event that such help never came, you do it for you, for a large fee of course.
So the next time you decide to hop on your computer,
the list of the applicable to near nothing.
take the time to think that there might be other skills worth
as Windows ’98, they are continually replaced by the newer
never know, you might just get lucky and find a resource
The fact is, these handy skills are becoming as outdated
and seemingly more applicable skills of our time. The bulk of these can be found orbiting around the computer technol-
ogy category. These new skills can range anywhere from writing complex new programs for a computer to just being able to log on to one and search the web for a photo.
This change in skill distribution can be attributed to
many things, the biggest being the simple fact that this certain genre of skills, ones of the technological nature, have become so much more applicable to our daily lives.
learning. Go out and ask a parent for some wisdom, you
filled with endless amounts of knowledge pertaining to fixing that faucet or changing that tire.
If you strike out there, hope is not lost, you can always
use that magical mastery of the Internet you possess to ask for guidance. When it comes down to it, what would you rather be able to do, look up
ber online, or fix that pesky
a plumbers numsink yourself?
p5
Oct 09
opinion
p6
Antidepressants evoke mixed emotions Life on Antidepressants
Not worth the temporary fix
words Lauren Gehrke
words Kallen Kramer
Tears streamed down my face, makeup all over the
The majority of people at some point in their life go
place. Sobs ripped through my chest. I could not breathe
through what they may describe as depression or anxiety.
ing up at the ceiling as she came over and asked me the
More students than I ever imagined are taking antide-
because I was crying so hard. I lay on my mom’s bed, look-
But to complement these low times are the high times.
question I was dreading. “Are you taking your medicine?”
pressants regularly. A decision to take this type of medica-
when I did not take my medicine and sometimes thought I
not only a dangerous decision, it is the wrong one, in most
No excuse was going to be good enough. She hated it
did it on purpose, which I would never do. If I just stopped taking it, it could potentially cause serious side effects.
tion is inarguably a risky one. I would argue that it this is cases.
What people do not understand before taking these
“No, I keep forgetting,” I said, preparing for her to get
pleasure pills is that while initially they seem to pull you
Mom just smiled at me. “Lauren, that’s why you feel like
confusion, panic, thoughts of suicide, insomnia, nervous-
mad.
this! I know you.”
Anger at myself flooded me. This could have been
solved if I had just taken my medicine.
through a tough time, they have side effects. Drowsiness,
ness and agitation, and weight gain are some of the most commonly reported ones.
What a great deal of antidepressant users are actually
I have been taking an antidepressant for over a year
experiencing is “normal” sadness, “situational” sadness
with it caused me to feel depressed. My mom suggested
once or twice a month for no longer than a couple days
because of chronic back pain. The restrictions that came an antidepressant.
After a little bit of pushing, I decided to take the medi-
cine especially when my doctor agreed with my mom. Not only do I have chronic back pain, I have a rare problem that
affects my autonomic nervous system. Because of that, my brain does not correctly release the right chemicals which
or grief. “Normal” sadness would be feeling down or blue without a significant disruption of daily life. This is not a
reason for antidepressants. Support of family and friends, social activity and other proactive tactics help to control this
depression. Antidepressants can cause unnecessary problems in situations like these.
“Situational” or “reactive” sadness is the result of a life
causes depression.
event, change, transition or stressor. Sometimes a medical
ing an antidepressant were the side effects. Some people
these situations are the same as depression, but they will
One thing my mom and I talked about when I began tak-
experience suicidal thoughts, and that was something I would never thought I would experience. But it was not like that for me. I had those thoughts.
When I would be upset or hormonal or fighting with my
problem may trigger this kind of depression. Symptoms in
ease or decline with different treatment, or even on their own. This should be treated with counseling, psychotherapy, family and social support.
Many researchers believe that an imbalance of neu-
parents, if I were alone, I would find myself thinking. I would
rotransmitters are what cause depression, however levels
take my life. Crashing my car was out of the question to me
(selective serotonin re uptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (sero-
often think of how, if things got bad enough, how I would
because then we would lose the car. Stabbing or shooting
myself was out because I did not want to make a mess. I
wanted to provide the least amount of inconvenience for anyone.
of serotonin in the living brain cannot be measured. SSRIs
tonin and norepinephrine re uptake inhibitors) seem to get rid of symptoms of depression, but researchers are still not completely certain of how they work.
Instead of taking medications, it is healthier to make be-
These thoughts were because of the medicine. I am
havioral changes that improve quality of life in the long run.
causes me to have these thoughts, and even though I have
sants. A recent research study done at the University of
not suicidal, the medicine I take because of my problem them, I would never follow through with them.
Since this summer, I have not had thoughts like this as
much. There is not really a reason for this according to Philip Fischer, M.D. but I believe it is because I have learned how to better control my thoughts.
Despite all that I have been through with antidepres-
sants, I still feel they are a good thing. When I am taking
Exercise lifts emotions as well or better than antidepresTexas at Austin shows that 40 minutes of exercise has an
immediate effect on mood. Not only will this improve mental health, it increases physical health including sleep.
Eating healthy, protein-rich foods increases levels of
tryptophan in the body, the amino acid from which serotonin is made. (Read p. 19 for Caffeine’s influence on mood.)
Physical and mental dependence on a drug of any kind
my medicine, I feel like my normal self. Without it, I would
is serious, but antidepressants in particular can control
the side effects.
Taking them often causes more problems than it helps.
be a mess and am glad I am taking this medicine despite
mood by flat-lining them and not allowing peaks in emotion.
opinion
Oct 09
p7
Addressing the dress code words & layout Kristine Hayes I walk down the halls of the school,
the outfit itself is degrading?
guys, I do not know why you would want
be bigger, but not this big. Of all the things
why the students, both boys and girls, dress
waddle around like a penguin just to keep
to be shocked just watching other students
gle person in school dresses questionably,
completely lost and in awe. I knew it would
I expected when moving, I did not expect file down the halls. As I get to homeroom
on the first day and receive the handbook I immediately flip it open to the index looking
Now I am starting to understand exactly
the way they do. Not to say that every sinbut there clearly needs to be a few more rules defining what is appropriate.
That problem would be solved if the
to have your pants down so you have to them up, and for what? So everyone else can see your boxers? I understand that, in
both cases, your clothing choices are dictated by fashion.
This is where the school should get a
for the thing that had been bothering me all
school made some kind of standard that
bit more proactive. Staff should not be the
Moving from Ogallala, Nebraska, a small
pal Bruce Hukee explained how he deals
be more than a sentence or two on what
morning. Dress code.
town of 5,000 people, I expected some differences. My school had roughly 400 students grades 9-12. The teachers and principal saw more students, leaving less room
every single person had to follow. Princi-
with student dress. “I try to look at who the student is, and then what they are wearing, and how they are wearing it,” Hukee said.
When students are pulled into the office,
for dress code violations. Here, however,
they can say they did not know the rules
there still needs to be specific rules so stu-
think it was appropriate. If no one can de-
my grade alone has 400 students. But, dents know what is expected.
So, I sit down and look for the student
dress section and what do I find? Hardly
then the principal can only say he did not
or ethnic group are prohibited. Yes, those
are good reasons to ban a shirt but what if
rules then, when a problem arose, administrator’s could have the student refer to the handbook.
Being from a small town naturally I
all we had to do was follow a set of guide-
ing. Other girls agree, “Contrary to popular
aimed towards any specific gender, sexual,
an administrator’s. If students knew the
It does not matter how cute a pair of
what is too much and what is okay?
gans and pictures on clothes. T-shirts that ages, slogans, or diagrams that could be
propriate could be completely different from
would see things a little differently. At my
shorts are, if you are walking down the hall-
have possibly offensive or degrading im-
is “appropriate.” One students’ idea of ap-
fine “appropriate” then how do we know
anything. A simple paragraph and list toward the back of the book about the slo-
fashion police either; however, there should
way pulling on them, it is not very appealbelief, [shorts that look like] denim bikini
bottoms do not count as shorts,” senior
school the dress code was pretty relaxed, lines. We had five simple rules, the five B’s. All an outfit had to do was cover the “B’s” to
be wearable. It had to cover the back, butt, boobs, bra, and belly button.
Most students do well with a few rules
Megahan Batterson said.
and it would provide some kind of specif-
leave something to their imagination. And
means.
Ladies, please, as a credit to our gender,
ics on what exactly the word appropriate
Kristine Hayes/BW
Carnations sales wilt: NHS needs new fundraiser words & layout Kyle Soyer Honor always comes at
a price. Hard work. Dedication. Sacrifice. And $32?
When I put my name in
for National Honor Society
(NHS), I was prepared to
take my turn peddling carnations. I was not prepared
for the requirements about said peddling.
According to the carna-
tion sales info sheet given to each member, “EACH
PERSON MUST TURN IN
A MINIMUM OF $16. Ever try to sell carnations? It is
not lucrative. (If you do not sell your carnations, you
are still responsible for turning in $16.)” Double that by
adding in Valentine’s Day sales and it totals $32.
This sounds like an en-
trance fee. If being inducted into NHS is indeed an honor
and a privilege, why should members have to pay?
“The goal of the carnation
sales is to raise money for
indirectly being required to
sponsor Sue Baker said.
does not seem fair. What
scholarships,” former NHS Essentially, NHS members are being required to make a donation for someone
pay for my graduation? This are non-members paying for their diploma?
While making the $32
else’s education. Making
required may be the only
So what happens if a mem-
ey, those who do not sell
donations implies choice. ber decides not to pay?
“It’s considered a fine,”
Baker said. “They would not receive their diploma until all fines are paid.”
Wait a minute. By being
inducted into an academic
honor society, am I now
New Fundraising Ideas
way to collect enough mon-
caramel apples
kleenex
powdered drink mixes
should not have to empty
Instead of
Individualized
Powered
their own pockets. A new
delivering
packets of
lemonade
fundraiser
carnations,
tissues. Be-
or any flavor
needs to be found.
how about
cause paper
you choose.
Maybe something with
delivering
towels are
All you need
food. Carnations would sell
apples with
no fun on the
is a water
much better if they were
caramel?
nose.
bottle.
edible.
Yum.
desperately
Oct 09
opinion
Act on the ACT: Prep seminars do little
p8
words & layout Kevin Hu review math skills that the ACT will cover.
Just a few weeks ago, I
had the lovely opportunity to partici-
Supposedly.
dinners, and Polaroid moments it of-
identify as of right now. First and foremost,
tunity.”
help kids on the ACT. That is 25 percent of
entire weekend to stay locked inside
the school will only offer help with one, that
dates of SATs, ACTs, and upcoming
one or two points, if you are lucky. Another
playing a little bit of Xbox on the side, it
a task for a few seminars, specifically two
does too little for ACT preparation.
should look into teaching these kids test-
pate in Homecoming and the dances,
fers. Heavy emphasis on the “oppor-
just covering math does not adequately
Instead, I took the time during the
your total score! If out of the four sections,
my office, brooding over lurking test
can only improve your composite score by
college applications. And while I was
issue is that covering all of “math” is too big
occurred to me that our school district
seminars before a test. The administration
It is true that many students have
taking strategies, that will actually improve
little worry or bother to raise his or her score. Many people
Instead of practicing on the ACT-provided booklets, look into studying test taking strategies in books published by Kaplan, Princeton Review, Barrons, etc. These will offer helpful strategies that will help struggling students excel more than repetition of problems.
performance on all four tests.
Many of the issues that arise during the
understand that standardized
ACT test comes from poor use of time, lack
college admission and that
be prevented if test-taking skills had been
tests are only one aspect of
of focus, careless issues, things that could
test scores do not mean that
covered.
are many students striving to
would not only benefit the ACT but other
30 to be applicable for scholarships and
What the school is doing currently is inad-
gious schools. To address this, the school
tier schools are not getting the support and
much. Kevin Hu/BW
There are several key issues that I can
Nevertheless,
there
Helping kids develop test taking skills
get the required ACT score of
tests, such as MIALTs, ITEDs, and SATs.
certainly set their targets for more presti-
equate. Those kids looking to go to higher
offers preparation seminars that help kids
opportunities they very well may need.
New state law adds CPR requirement for schools How to perform CPR
words & layout Catherine Caracci
(cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
Imagine pulling over to the side of the road after wit-
People who are not certified in CPR should follow these guidelines when faced with an emergency.
nessing a car accident. You see that one of the victims is
not responding, and you know they need help. But do you
1. Call 911.
know how to help him?
If the patient is unresponsive, call 911. The operator can help you perform CPR.
Most students here, unless they are lifeguards, do not
know how to help. However, starting this year, students will
2. Pump.
be required to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in health class. This new requirement will be very beneficial to students.
The new requirement is actually a state law, the Healthy
Kids Act, and was established on May 13, 2008, although
it was not implemented until July 1, 2009. According to the Iowa Department of Education’s Web site, the law requires students in public school to complete a course in CPR that
would allow them to become certified before they graduate, although students are not required to actually receive a certificate.
The new law also requires students to spend at least
two hours each week in physical activity, whether it is dur-
Provided/Dragon
Check for a pulse. If there is no pulse, position your hands in the center of the patient’s chest and firmly push down two inches. Continue pumping until professional assistance arrives.
P.E. teacher Dave Beason grades sophomore Maggie Ingham as she performs CPR during training for health class. Beginning with the class of 2012, graduates will be required to be trained in how to perform CPR.
today, it would have been more beneficial to have been
ing P.E., school activities, or non-school activities. Nutri-
ministration should have been proactive and added a CPR
tional guidelines are also being established under the law.
While the Healthy Kids Act is valuable to education
Source: depts.washington.edu/learnCPR
passed much earlier. CPR training should have always
been a part of the graduation requirement. Johnston adtraining unit to health classes long before it was s required to by state law.
Oct 09
FMyLife words & layout Kelsey Kruse & Alyssa Czapla
]
[
entertainment THE WEB SITE THE BOOK FACEBOOK TWITTER
p9
It all started when a couple of guys in France started chatting about their daily grievances online. Their chats then turned into a forum, and in January 2008 it became a blog. Interest in the blog grew rapidly, and the decision was made to make an official Web site, FmyLife.com. The founders began to realize that day-to-day sucky life experiences are something all individuals, all around the world, have in common.
FML Facebook Info
Website: http://www.fmylife.com Company Overview: Fmylife.com is a weird and wonderful addition to the Web. It’s a collection of everyday anecdotes and stories likely to happen to anyone and everyone, sent to us exclusively by our users, which we then publish on the site. This is a space where you can let it all out and unwind by sharing the little things that screw with your day, and maybe realize that you are not alone in experiencing day to day crap. Posts start with 'Today' and end with 'FML'. The site is meant to be fun to read and can be enjoyed on a daily basis. Mission: To make you laugh.
“Today I crashed my mom’s twomonth-old van. I am now grounded for the rest of the summer. FML.” Sophomore Abby Dusen
“Today I was complaining about smokers to a stranger. His friend offered him a cigarette. He accepted. FML.”
“Today it was raining so I ran inside. Unfortunately, I got there by shattering a glass door. FML.” Senior Laura Cross
Sophomore Scott Syroka
entertainment
Oct 09
p10
(classic)
Horror movies words Eric Oatts and Dahlia Gordon layout Eric Oatts
If one fancies themself as a horror flick “fanatic”, then they by-golly better have seen these classic thrillers. Cinematically speaking, the following movies were the first of their kind, and have been
re-done dozens of times, whether that be in movies based on their theme’s, or movies based precisely on the same plot, but no remakes can, or have topped these originals.
Scary movies:
watch them
provieded/Stanley Kubrik Collecton
provided/Everett Collection
provided/trutv.com
provided/alstarpl.com
THE SHINING-
THE EXCORCIST-
(the original)TEXAS
the dreams of thousands. Though the idea of a haunted
The first is the idea of mixing religion with horror. Many
up to today’s standards the plot of this story makes up for it.
Red Rum anyone? Yet another old time movie still haunting hotel seems to be stereotypical for a horror flick, this movie is anything but average. Its unique use of film techniques
adds much of the disturbing feelings toward the film, but the real horror comes from the plot itself. In the beginning
you learn about a young boy and his imaginary friend, Tony.
The imaginary friend seems to be normal and harmless,
but through the story you realize that Tony is anything but normal, instead a warning sign of what is to come. A family, including mom, dad, and a young boy, move into an old haunted hotel for a job the dad took. Just when it seems all
This movie becomes a classic horror for a few reasons.
people feel as though religion is one constant, safe thing in their lives. So when a mother loses their daughter to being
possessed by the devil, you can believe it strikes terror in many peoples minds. When Regan, a young girl, starts acting different and all medical options have failed, her mother
calls to a priest for help. The priest believes Regan is being possessed by the devil. Throughout the movie the priest
and mother desperately fight for Regan’s soul before it is too late.
-Gordon
is going well, the father of the family turns into a physiologically deranged character that no one can predict. -Gordon Most cliches about scary movies come from “The Shining.” The twins standing at the end of the hallway, the crazy ax-
bearing killer chase scene, the little boy talking to ghosts.
The opening scene to the movie uses simplicity and overall, plain eeriness not found in most thrillers made today.
Knowing the fact that there are isolated hotels like this setting create a scary illusion in one’s head that a scenario like the plot of this movie could happen to anyone. Especially those who work a lot (watch the movie if that makes no sense).
Related Movies:
“Silence of the Lambs” “Hannibal” “Halloween”
-Oatts
Putat nim vullandigna commy nonsequat lortion venim ali-
quat, volobore tation henisim acipis exer si te diam accumThis movie scared the be-jebus out of me. Given the san eugait ate magna consecte consequatue ex eum nim time period it was made it makes the special effects semiillummy niSequat. Dui tin utetuerilit adigna accum nulput cheesey, the movie has several scary moments including a lum ver sis nonsequam, qui et dolobore tat. Tue ming exlittle, demented/possessed girl’s head turning 360 degrees. ercipisse mod dolorper adio odion ut eugiam vel eugait inci The most memorable scene, however, was when the girl tate modio delit nostin henim zzriuscin venissequam, quat crawls down a flight of stairs backwards “crabwalk”-style. in eu facipsuscil do consequat lor illa am nonumsan henis (The producers hired a gymnast to perform this scene,) niam quismolorer alis adit iuscilla facin veliquat. Duis nos which is basically “fast-forwarded” to add to the spin-chillnismod molutpatem autat, veliquis nibh ea ing effect. I would say that this movie is one of the scariest ever made, and contains the most memorable scenes. -Oatts
Related Movies:
“The Unborn” “The Excorcism of Emily Rose” “Paranormal Activity”
CHAINSAW MASSACRE
Although this movie doesn’t have the brutal goriness to live
The story starts out with five teenagers picking up a hitch-
hiker on a old Texas road. When the hick-hiker laughs hysterically after cutting his hand then procedes to stab at one
of the teens, they drop him off at the nearest gas station. After dropping him off they think their problems with him
are over, but they have only just begun. While out in the country they decide to visit their deceased grandfather’s old house, but instead end up at a nearby farmhouse. At the farmhouse they reunite with the hitch-hiker from earlier that day and realize he and his family are much crazier
than they originally assumed. The cannibalism and goriness of the movie icreate no doubt as to why it’s a classic. -Gordon The most frightening part about the original “Texas Chain-
saw Massacre” doesn’t exist on film. It’s technically not shown in the movie, rather it is imagined differently by anyone who watches it. The villain in this movie kills every one
of the main characters, but the worst part is one never actually views any type of raunchy torture scene; one hears
screams, and is aware of what is happening, but we are never shown what is taking place. This creates literally no
sense of closure and one is left never wanting to travel through rural Texas on an isolated back-road, ever.
Related Movies:
“House of 1000 Corpses” “Last House on the Left”
-Oatts
entertainment
Oct 09
p11
A review W of guy singers
Are these guys angels? Nope, just talented, giving musicians. ith huge sums of money and international fame, what’s a man to
do? Support charities and causes, of course. With the world watch-
ing, celebrities are under pressure to act pretty and be at least not a total
jerk. But some of them go beyond society’s expectations and actually act
with good intentions
proactively in selfless service of those perhaps a bit less fortunate. These
gentlemen are many, and it would be impossible to give them all the recognition they deserve. Here are just a few.
words Alex Grapp
layout Eric Oatts
Justin Timberlake. Winning six Grammys and two Emmys, Timberlake is a force to be reckoned with in the popular world. Once a member of *NSYNC, appearing on Saturday Night Live with Andy Samberg, and enjoyig a healthy acting career, Timberlake is known to a huge audience, and he uses that to others’ advantage. Besides bringing the obligatory “sexy back,” Timberlake is known for his various acts of charity. On his Australian tour, he donated a hefty sum (100,000 Aussie dollars) to Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors organization. Timberlake was honored by the Grammy Association with an award for his humanitarian work in Tennessee. His environmental efforts have not gone unnoticed either; his European tour was the most environmentally friendly tour in history.
provided/Daragh Mc Donagh
Serj Tankian. You may know him from the popular band System of a Down, but lead singer Tankian’s off doing his own thing now. His
2007 album Elect the Dead was his solo debut, and has achieved success. Tankian keeps up System’s notorious antiwar message and adds his own spin on things, in his personal life and his new music. He is a vegetarian and with Rage
Against the Machine drummer Tom Morello has formed the Axis of Justice, a non-profit organization of musicians, fans, and some political organizations to fight for social justice.
Moby. Richard Melville Hall took up the name of Moby due to a
supposed relation to Hermann Melville, author of Moby
provided/Nick Harvey
Dick. Moby sings and plays the keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, and the drums, and has experimented with everything
Twenty-one of this country singer’s singles have hit number
from deep house techno to soft rock. But his career was
one, and the man has won three Grammys among other
awards. Besides being one of the country titans of our time,
provided/moby.com
McGraw has poured his Southern soul into giving back to
his album Play crystallized this feel, landing movie and advertisement deals left and right. You may recognize his
the world. When Katrina destroyed New Orleans, McGraw
song “Honey” from the movie “Holes,” or the iconic “Ex-
was there, aiding in the recovery efforts. He is also involved
treme Ways,” featured in the “Bourne” movies. Moby is a
with the American Red Cross, and gives many charity con-
vegan and donates lots of his time and funds to various
certs benefiting others, once giving proceeds to relieve
charities, such as MoveOn and the Humane Society.
families of sailors who died in a terrorist attack.
Tim McGraw.
spawned from the ambient electronica scene in clubs and
provided/Rick Diamond
fashion
happy feet
Oct 09
Click clack. Slap. Thud. The sounds of our steps fill the halls as heels, flip flops, and
tennis shoes take you on average 10,000 steps everyday. You walk from your car to the school, from class to class, at work, at home, and anywhere else you may go. Add this to
running around in sports and other activities, and without the right shoes, sooner or later you will be feeling the pain.
Your foot is aligned with muscles, ligaments, tendons, and 25 percent of the bones in
words and layout Kelly Mcgowan
5 tips from Steve Bobenhouse owner of Fitness Sports athletic store
*
the human body, which is 52 bones. These groups of parts work together to form a flexible arch that distributes your body weight evenly and helps you adapt to various surfaces with each step.
In a lifetime, an average person will have walked far enough to circle the world, four
times! And with this complicated part of the body taking all the stress from these steps, the wrong level of support, wrong size shoe, or worn out shoes can affect your knees, hips and back.
A huge number of shoes we see are flip-flops: a flat piece of material attached to your
foot with straps. If you have not noticed pain in your feet already, you should know these
shoes are terrible for your feet. The Black and White found some alternative choices and tips that will make a noticeable difference in the pain you may be feeling from flip flops and other flat footwear.
p14
*
Picking out athletic shoes based on appearance is a big mistake. I realize this is a factor, but pay more attention to the fit. For sport shoes, most of the time from a season to a season and a half, shoes will be shot, and need replaced.
*
Just thirty minutes of activity will make your feet swell one half to a full shoe size, remember this when picking out a shoe.
*
Heels are the worst thing for your feet. (Limit the time you spend in them)
*
Arch supports can be added to flats, and other casual footwear.
Find your perfect athletic shoes Step in a bowl of water, then on a large paper bag. Choose the picture below that your imprint looks most like to determine the last you should look for. The last is what the inner part of your foot looks like as a result of arch size, how your weight is distributed and other factors. When looking for athletic shoes, the bottom of the shoe and the bottom of your foot should be as similar in shape as possible. All brands carry shoes for each foot type. Some examples are listed to get you started.
Semi curved last try: brooks adrenaline
Straight last try: new balance 1123
Curved last try: nike streak
feature
Oct 09
p15
words & layout Michael Knoedel
Ben Cigan
Alex Grieve
“It’s like lincoln logs “It looks big on paon steroids.” per but in real life, I’m just blown away by it.”
Ryan Francois
“It’s more than just building a cool box, it’s about making a difference in the community.”
“This ain’t your Grandma’s Fort” Ryan Francois and his team, the Los Toros Blancos, competed in Reggie’s Sleep Out for the third year in a row, the last time the team will be together. This time, they pulled out all the stops. “This has become a bigger project then any of us could have ever imagined,” Francois said. “The last two years we pretty much just showed up on the day of with a bunch of cardboard and no idea what we were doing, but this time it has been a two-month-long project. This time, we’re here to win.” There are two parts to Reggie’s Sleep Out: the fort-building contest and the fundraising contest. For the first time in Reggie’s Sleep Out history, a team won them both, and that team was The Los Toros Blancos. With the help of a variety of donations, sponsorships, and T-shirt sales, they successfully surpassed their initial $5,000 goal, and came in with a final total of approximately $13,000. Reggie’s Sleep Out as a whole raised a total of $93, 986 in donations.
Design Features
Length- Stretches over 40 ft. long from wing to wing. Height- Reaches heights of over 15 ft. on the atrium. Domes- Five domes with one having an 8 ft. diameter. Two Story Sections- At ends of wings for extra room. Size- Includes over 440 square feet of livable space. Sliding doors- Sliding doors between wings for heat. Skylights- Interior skylights to have natural lighting. Bunk Beds- Sets of cardboard bunk beds in wings.
Preparation
Once they decided on making the Capitol Building, Francois got to work on the designs using AutoDesk Inventor, which he had been using for three years in his engineering classes. “It was difficult because while there were four identical beams per frame, each one had to be designed differently because they each fit into specific notches,” he said.
Practice
They had a major problem with framing support when they started building so they decided to use the thick tubing that carpets come in. “We used a lot of power tools,” Francois said. “I don’t think that many people would associate power tools with cardboard, but these tubes were thick. It was very labor intensive.”
Preparation
Francois spent a couple days researching cardboard domes when he came across geodesic domes at desertdomes.com. A geodesic dome is an arrangement of polygons, in this case triangles, that approximates a true sphere. He used the Web site’s dome dimension calculator and got the ratios of lengths of the triangles and the dome map, pictured on the left. “I actually had to do some trig and pre-calc to solve some of the measurements,” Francois said.
Practice
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Members
Luke Ausenhus Tyler Bradley Luke Bubeck Ben Cigan Justin Coaldrake Ben Fincher Matt Gonner Alex Grieve Justin Handel Ben Jacobson Brad Kruse Jake Perington Matt Rose Alex Schultz Malte Schwafferts Andy Verhasselt Ben Warrick J.B. Williams
Meet the Team
Justin Coldrake said enthusiastically about the cardboard capitol building the Los Toros Blancos built for Reggie’s Sleep Out.
Leader
• Ryan Francois
Using giant 6x6 sheets of cardboard, the team got to measuring, drawing and cutting all 300 squares they needed for the five geodesic domes. When all the triangles were cut, they worked together to put it all together. “I would hold the triangles while someone else would tape them together while yet another one or two people hold the dome while even another person checks the dome diagram. Teamwork,” Francois said.
feature
Oct 09
Kara saves kitty A busy street is no boundary for a brave animal lover words & layout Monisha Kumar It was just another day for junior Kara
tion of being the guy who helps every-
headed to her home because she was sick.
one out with the little things he does. Out
Suddenly she stopped right in the middle of
of habit he opens doors, picks up trash,
the road and got out as a few cars started
and does a lot of things that categorize
to build up behind her. Some of the cars
as common courtesy. “I don’t know, I
blocked the street so that on coming traffic
just see it as being nice and just helping
would not hit her.
people out if they need it,” Davidson
“I was just going to my dad’s house and
said. He pointed out that he’s never
I saw this little kitten about the size of my
pushy but makes sure that if someone
palm, and I had to just stop and help it be-
needs help they are helped. He credits
cause that’s just how I am!” Anderson said.
his mom, Marcy, for some of the things
The kitten was not easy to help because it
he has learned. “When we were grow-
was innocently chasing a leaf without real-
ing up my mom just taught us to, you
izing the fate it would have had if she had
Anderson, an animal lover, has two
dogs and a few cats herself and could not
bare the thought of leaving the injured kit-
Monisha Kumar/BW
After recovering the kitty, Anderson took it to this Animal Rescue League (ARL) of Iowa headquarters. The ARL is located on SE 14th Street in Des Moines.
ten on its own. Noticing that the kitten had a
cut on its side from days earlier she rushed it to the nearest vet. With out any sort of
supplies to aid the little kitten in her car, An-
derson had to drive with it on her lap the whole way.
“...I just see it as being nice and helping people out...” Junior Blake Davidson has a reputa-
Anderson as she was driving on 86th St.
not stopped to help.
p16
“ When I got there the people at the vet
“I had no other choice, so I took it all the
said they couldn’t do much because it was
way to the ARL in a box,” Anderson said.
Having a lot of animals already at her house
since she left it to the care of the Animal
not my cat; it was a stray,” Anderson said. Anderson could not keep the stray kitten.
She has not seen or heard about the kitten
know, open doors and stuff like that for everyone and after that it just became a habit.” Davidson also mentioned his admiration of his older brother Rex, a 2007 graduate. “ I saw [Rex] helping
people all the time and I just thought it
was really cool! Seeing the way people
acted towards him made me want to do the same.”
Rescue League.
Gillaspy deals with dropping out words Liz Waller layout Lauren Gehrke Dropping out... Some flinch when they
hear the words, knowing they could never
though.
Before you are 16 you cannot drop out.
do that to their future.
The state has decided that you are not ma-
1.2 million students drop out every year.
hit 16 you can drop out, but only with paren-
Others make that decision to do so. Over Johnston dropout Gage Gillaspy is one
of these students. “I didn’t need school.
Everything will work out in the end. I’m not worried,” Gillaspy said.
While dropping out can have bonuses
tal consent. Also, a meeting with your prin-
theft auto,” Gillaspy said. “And when they
help you decide if this will be a good deci-
getting my GED instead, I took it.”
cipal and guidance counselor is required to sion for you.
“My parents were okay with it,” Gillaspy
While making it big, traveling the world,
After turning 18 one can drop out at any
for me than going to another school,”
rocking out in your band is everyone’s ideal
point without consent. Studies have shown
the reality.
come back to get their GED.
You cannot just decide to drop out
People that are thinking about or have
dropped usually have a worthy reason.
said. “They thought it was a better decision
way to drop out of school, it is not usually
program yet.”
ture enough to make the decision. After you
for some, many think they would not outweigh the disadvantages.
on getting my GED, I just haven’t done the
that a majority of students that dropout Gillaspy plans to do the same. “I plan
“I was already on probation for grand
gave me the option of quitting school and Race is a big factor that contributes to
drop outs. Black and Hispanic youth are more likely to drop out than whites.
“School just wasn’t for me,” Gillaspy
said. “I skipped a lot.”
To help with this problem, schools are
trying to come with more options to help students who wish to drop out by helping them catch up with their work.
Kiera Morrill/BW
High school drop out Gage Gillaspy pursues his passion of auto mechanics.
feature
Oct 09
Get to know
p16
Jake Perington
[
]
With over 1000+ students attending our school, it’s impossible to know everybody. Each month the B&W will randomly select a student from a class list we have and use a calculator to generate a random number, coinciding with a student. This month’s student was senior Jake Perington, get to know him!
words & layout Julia Manning
W
B&
iz
qu
Kiera Morrill/BW
Kiera Morrill/BW
Jake Perington shows his funny side along with his love for sports, kids, and his friends. Saturday morning. It’s 9 am and Jake
are something that are very important in my
and authority,” senior Ryan Francois said.
He meanders downstairs and is greeted by
big part of me enjoying life.” He has played
is a hard working, level headed leader. You
mon rolls, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Af-
play, as a mid fielder for the high school
always fun to be around,” Coaldrake said.
Perington rolls out of his queen size bed.
life,” Perington said. “They contribute to a
the scent of his mom’s homemade cinna-
soccer since he was six and continues to
ter stepping outside to breathe in the crisp
team.
ors around him, he decides to take his lab
cels and is his sport of choice. “When I’m
to tailgate, and watch some Cyclone foot-
helps me let go of things and is an outlet
gets back into town and meets up with his
better, Perington said. “It helps me to feel
ite movies, “The Hangover.” This is a day of
Both this season and last, he has been
fall air, witnessing the leaves changing col-
Although cross country is where he ex-
Senior Justin Coaldrake agrees. “Jake
he can be a comedian. “The funniest thing
“He also has a very good sense of how far
bunch of families got together for a murder
he can push different individuals with out discouraging or putting too much pressure
running, it’s just a really good feeling, it
ball. In order to make the day complete he
for when I’m stressed and helps me think
working with young kids; he helps coach a
friends to relax and watch one of his favor-
accomplished.”
forward to fatherhood someday.
perfection for Perington.
chosen by the team to be the captain by
tight knit group of friends. “As a friend Jake
nior enjoy watching football and supporting
describes as relaxed and encouraging.
said. “You never know what to expect from
ing sports are also a huge part of his life,
time. And he never loses his temper or con-
demonstrating a leadership style that he
the Cyclones and Chicago Bears, play-
“Jake leads by example 100 percent of the
through cross country and soccer. “Sports
trol, which validates his leadership position
When with his friends, Perington feels
would never catch him slacking off yet he is
Molly for a walk. He then heads up to Ames
Not only does the 6’2” easygoing se-
Francois describes him as, “thoughtful,
caring, and likeable.”
on them.”
Along with sports, Perington also enjoys
youth soccer team, and says he also looks Another important part of his life, are his
is always entertaining, yet calm,” Coaldrake him be it ghosting in the mall or arguing
with 10-year-olds about who would win in a fight, a taco or a grilled cheese sandwich.”
Jake has ever done is last New Years a
mystery dinner. Jake was given the character of Poindexter Milton, super nerd,”
Coaldrake said. “The entire night he was dressed in a collared shirt with a plastic
pocket protector, jeans that were too small, socks and sandals, and glasses tapped together in the middle. Also at one point in
the evening his character had to propose to
another character, who just so happened to being played by one of our friends 40 yearold mom.”
Next year he will most likely be major-
ing in accounting or physical therapy, at an undecided in-state school.
feature
Oct 09
Laffey lengthens legacy words Lauren Coffey layout Kallen Kramer
Lauren Coffey/BW
As Isaac Laffey enters the Blank Park
He makes about $40 per hour. “I actually
Zoo, he is anxious. He is holding dulled
get paid a lot for the amount that I do, but
definitely nervous, because I was afraid
Laffey said.
Laffey said.
ing juggling as a job. “First off I’m not very
“I always tell a really cheesy joke,” Laffey
but not for the world. I wouldn’t be able to
knives, but they still have a point. “I was
that I might drop them [on the audience],” He does have a quick fix for his nerves.
said. “My best one is that ‘My best trick is dropping things.’ ”
He was getting ready to perform for dis-
abled and handicapped children. This is a
I don’t do it enough to take place of a job,”
He says he is against the idea of hav-
good,” Laffey said. “I’m good for Johnston, make any real money doing it.”
Although Laffey enjoys juggling he still
has a long way to go.
Nick says that while Laffey may not be
typical job for sophomore Laffey, who has
the best, he has a good reason. “I don’t
he was 13. He started off with a cascade
gling as I have, but he seems to have a lot
been juggling knives, clubs and balls since
think he’s taken as much of a liking to jug-
and gradually worked himself to harder
of other hobbies that water down his time.”
cascade],” he said.
does not interfere with his extracurriculars,
erations. “I started juggling in college,” Lon
wrestling. “I balance a lot, with schoolwork
er did, so it was just natural that [Isaac] did
wants to try and take as many opportunities
Laffey looks up to his brother, Nick
what if I do that,” Laffey said. “It’s just one
best juggler I know,” Laffey said. “He’s just
Nick is supportive in all of his brother’s
tricks. “It took about two hours[to learn a
Laffey still plans on juggling as long as it
Juggling had been in the family for gen-
which include football, marching band, and
Laffey, Isaac’s father, said. “Then his broth-
and after school activities,” Laffey said. He
too.”
as possible. “It’s just like what if I do this,
Laffey, as a juggling role model. “He’s the
more thing off the list.”
really good, like to a professional level.”
activities. “I’m glad that he’s involved in so
he did not get there easily. “Considering I
right for him.” Laffey hopes to improve jug-
Nick is proud of his skill level but says
many other things so he can find what’s
practice about 20 times more than [my dad
gling over time.
pointed if I wasn’t [one of the best jugglers
er,” Laffey said. “But it’s something to do,
and Isaac],” Nick said. “I’d be pretty disapin the Des Moines area].”
Both Nick and Isaac are in a juggling
organization called Des Moines Juggling
“I know I can’t be as good as my broth-
sometimes I’ll just walk around with three balls in my pocket, just in case.”
Both Lon and Nick support Laffey. “I
Club, (DMJC), which occasionally gives
hope he continues, it’s a great sport,” Lon
times, and the zoo,” Laffey said.
until it’s not fun for him anymore.”
him jobs. “I’ve juggled at libraries multiple
Juggling terms.
said. Nick agrees, “I hope [Isaac] does it
cascade: juggling pat-
tern in which the object are thrown from left to right in a clockwise pattern
orbit: when a ball follows
another ball in a circuar motion
u-ball: throwing from hand to hand in a u-pattern
rubenstein’s revenge: orbit with a u-ball
flourishes: swinging a club around your hand
mills mess: a three ball
juggling pattern, although it can be done with four or five balls. Its a cascade with the hands moving underneath.
p18
health
Oct 09
Caffeine
p19 Joe Payne‘10
The number of 18-to-24-year-olds who drink coffee daily has doubled from 16 to 31 percent
according to a featured story in “U.S. News & World Report” in 2007. Many of us look to sodas,
Consuming caffeine: 2 Years
coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages as soon as we get up in the morning. Maybe it’s because you spent all night studying and need something to
“I started using caffeine products because school was getting hectic and I needed it to help get all my stuff done. It’s a good way to stay focused and help yourself out when you have a ton of stuff to do.”
wake you up for that early test. Maybe you just like the taste or feel better after drinking a few gulps. No matter what the reason, each generation is consuming more and more caffeine to get through the day.
But is caffeine addictive? Research has stated that regular use of
Morgan Meyer‘11
caffeine does cause mild physical dependence. Anyone who stops
taking caffeine after regularly having the drug in their system will
experience symptoms of withdrawal for a day or more. Caffeine does
not have the severe withdrawal that more powerful drugs or alcohol
have. For this reason, most experts don’t consider caffeine dependence as an addiction.
Caffeine abuse is a growing concern for our generation and simply
knowing the facts, or being aware for how much you take can help pre-
vent you from becoming more and more dependent on the most widely-
Consuming caffeine: 3 Years
used drug in the nation.
“I have a diet Mountain Dew every morning. that’s all we have at my house to drink so I’m just used to drinking it now. Also it helps get me up for morning band practices, well most of the time.”
Pros Cons
Decrease fatigue and speed up reaction time
Increase your reactions to daily stress
Improve memory, mental function and short-term memory
Boost risk of heart disease Daily consumptions of soft drinks lower bone density in women. (not men)
Drinking coffee may help prevent type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s and liver disease, and even liver cancer.
400
Caffeine per serving (milligrams)
Consuming caffeine: since college “I didn’t start drinking coffee for any benefits, I drink it for the taste. I don’t feel any side effects if I don’t have it or if I have a lot. And I’m an American gosh darn it and that’s what we do.”
357
300
280
200
160
144
100 0
Patrick Hennes
Withdrawal symptoms include: headache, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, depressed mood and difficulty concentrating.
80 8.4 oz
16 oz
23.5 oz
16 oz
22 oz
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines Caffeine Intoxication as a clinical syndrome.
Information compiled by Brennan Winget and Andy Haltermen
dungeon
Oct 09
p20
[THE GENTLE GIANT]
Michael Stoeker
]
words Chris Caracci layout Kelly McGowan “I’m not afraid of nothing ‘cuz I’m ‘da man!” Standing at 6 feet 5 inches, weighing in at 291 pounds, it’s
not hard to believe. Senior Michael Stoeker’s a gentle giant, though, always playing pranks and trying to inject humor on the field. If he’s not stealing his teammates’ keys during practice, he’s hiding their helmets. “Everyone always knows it’s him,” senior Jordan Thompson said.
He never fails to be unique. “He comes up with a slogan for each week of the season, like ‘we’re going to
shine light on the Black Raiders’ (Sioux City East’s mascot),” senior teammate Travis Merritt said.
Even off the field, Stoeker enjoys joking around with his teammates. “At team camp two years ago at North-
west Missouri State University, took the empty pizza boxes from dinner and put them outside peoples doors, all while laughing hysterically,” senior Alex Recker said.
Stoeker hasn’t always just been a football player either. “I used to be a fast swimmer in all four competi-
tive strokes when I was in elementary school. I swam for the Urbandale Sharks with Duane Hatfield and John Temple, “ Stoeker said.
Stoeker started playing tackle football in seventh grade, and began his varsity career during his junior year.
But will Stoeker be hanging up his cleats for good after this season? He’s still unsure whether he will play ball in college or concentrate on his major, which will be either biochemistry or chemistry.
Whether his football career is over or not, he’ll leave behind a legacy of funny stories, like the time he came
to practice with just his pads and no jersey, or the way he eats salmon salad sandwiches everyday at lunch.
And what about the way he performed the Ice Cream and Cake dance after each victory? The list goes on and on…
]
Michael Stoeker Alex Peichl/The
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sports
Oct 09
pg21
Sophomores strike in Brazil words Zach Winjum layout Lauren Gehrke Dribbling the white and black ball across
the grassy field in the diverse town of Belohorizonte, Tyler Nuemann kicks the ball
past the anxiously awaiting faces of the
Brazilian professionals. He sent the ball into the net, declaring a tie game. Josh Dicken
and Nuemann defended American soccer
in the foreign land of Brazil. Both sophomores and both varsity starters, Nuemann and Dicken competed against some of the
youngest and best soccer professionals in the South American town.
Preparation
Dicken was surprised to find out his na-
tive Brazilian soccer coach Marcelo Serrano
was inviting his whole 15-year-old Olympic Development Program (ODP) team to play professional soccer teams in Brazil.
“I was very excited and I thought it would
be one of the most fun things I’d do in my life,” Dicken said.
The ODP league consists of the best
soccer players in Iowa. Dicken and Nuemann had to try out for the teams that are
divided based on age. Most of the play-
provided/Bart Casey
ers on their ODP team took part in the two-
Top Left- Josh Dicken beats out a Brazilian player in a game. Top Right- The team huddles up to listen to coach Marcelo Serrano. Bottom Left- Tyler Neumann battles the Brazil players. Bottom Right- Neumann goes in for the shot against the professional team.
week trip. Nuemann along with a few others from an older age group were recruited from their ODP team to compete as well.
Dicken and Nuemann played a team from a club that Serrano played on at their age.
Because of Serrano connections to other Brazilian coaches, the team was able to make the trip to South America.
Games
They spent a total of two weeks in Brazil.
During this time they played seven games.
Culture
pared to football or baseball in America.
to hang out with some of the Brazilian play-
one sport while in Brazil kids only play soc-
Nuemann and Dicken also got a chance
“When you buy things there it is always
weird because there is no change, it’s usu-
ed to live with their team in the same com-
“Most of the time you barter with them.”
before a game.
Next Year
Belohorizonte is a poverty stricken town
their entire trip playing soccer. Serrano
and trying to improve. As they prepare for
firsthand. The majority of the houses were
taking them to repel down the mountains.
mind the skills they’ve learned from play-
space, placed close together behind walls
backwards down the mountains. Another
Brazil.
rugged area of Belohorizonte was an area
nessed were the kites that Brazilians flew.
because we’ll have more team chemistry
200 kites flying,” Dicken said.
mann said.
clubhouses.
“It was difficult to understand them
sometimes because of their accent but
sional teams that were paid to play.
Dicken said.
“We got destroyed by some of the pro
ences through purchases.
cer,” Nuemann said.
ers. They spent time at the professional’s
The ODP team went 4-3. The three they lost were to 16 year-old Brazilian profes-
“Most kids in America play more than
They also experienced cultural differ-
they were cool and we all had a great time,”
The Brazilian professionals are obligat-
plex along with practicing four times a-day
Nuemann and Dicken did not spend
ally one dollar or fifty cents,” Nuemann said.
They are always working on their skills
teams,” Dicken said. The closest loss of the
which Dicken and Neumann witnessed
gave them a taste of Brazilian culture by
the upcoming season they still keep in
both of the ODP’s team goals. He consid-
small rundown shacks with little living
They used bungee chords while jumping
ing against the soccer players they met in
on the hilly mountainous terrain. The less
popular hobby Dicken and Nuemann wit-
“Hopefully we’ll improve from last year
for monumental houses of the wealthy.
“You would go to a park and you would see
three had a score of 3-2. Nuemann scored ers himself lucky to have scored at all,
“The pace of the game was a lot faster
than what we were used to and made it more of a challenge,” Nuemann said.
In Brazil, soccer is life. It could be com-
than what we started with last year,” Nue-
sports
Oct 09
Runner works towards second wind
p22
Front runner Drew Jackson works towards a recovery and the chance to run in the district cross country meet. words & layout Michael Carlson
what it was finally,” he said.
Jackson was immediately placed in a
boot and constrained to using a hand bike “Let’s ask God to give us strength, and
and upper-body lifting. In addition, he went
that us, and the teams running along with
to the Summit Middle School pool where he
Junior Drew Jackson leads the cross
his fitness and stamina. After three more
meet Sept. 10. He suffered a stress frac-
in an air cast, which has allowed him to use
us will have no injuries, Amen.”
jogged laps in two of the lanes to keep up
country team in prayer prior to the home
long weeks of waiting, Jackson was placed
ture but was able to finish the meet in sec-
the stationary bike and run once a week.
ond place with a time of 17:01.
Going from 50 miles a week to about one
Jackson had to be carried from the fin-
was not so ideal. “It hasn’t been as bad as
was enough pain in my leg that I couldn’t
“I have taken it for what I have been given,
ish line back to camp after the race. “There
I thought it was going to be, “ Jackson said.
even put my right leg on the ground or any
to lead and still be apart of the team.”
everywhere and I couldn’t take any steps.
Ben Jacobson, Jackson is one of the cap-
weight on it,” Jackson said. “The pain was
There were sharp pains that shot through my leg when there was weight on it.”
Along with seniors Jake Perington, and
tains.
Through his hard work in the last two
Jackson’s stress facture occurred in his
weeks, Jackson has been able to make a
too much training. Throughout the summer
Prior to the meet he was mentally prepared
varied, but some weeks I ran more than
anxious. My goal is to run well and finish,
miles a week on average. I ran everyday
Jackson said. “I want to do as best as my
Two long weeks after the race, Jackson
run, I don’t think I will do that badly be-
lower tibia as a result of over exertion from
comeback and ran at districts on Oct. 26.
he ran a total of 430 miles. “The weeks
to race. “I am not really nervous, I’m more
others,” Jackson said. “In August I ran 50
I don’t know how good I’ll be able to do,”
I could.”
body will physically allow me to do. If I do
was told his prognosis of a stress fracture.
cause running is a very mental sport, I’m
on the other hand I was relieved that I knew
pain.”
“I was hoping it wasn’t a stress fracture, but
OVERTIME
pretty tough, so I think I can get through the
What is better than spending Friday
Panthers? A couple thousand more fans.
ons have won this season with double the
for everyone’s favorite team: their own high
pretty good football team. Last year, after
say we would have two lossses. Maybe.
field, players will do anything to win. High
ber three in the state rankings. This year,
nights at the football stadium, screaming school? With the lights beating down on the
Yet another quality column by Scott Monroe
Kiera Morrill/BW
Junior Drew Jackson cycles on a stationary bike in the fitness center. He has been rehabilitating from the stress fracture he suffered in a September meet.
school football is so passionate for so many people. At least it’s supposed to be.
The players have the passion, but it
doesn’t extend much farther than that at Johnston. Week after week opposing stu-
dent sections make us look pathetic. And at
Over the years, we have become a
mauling S.E.P, the Dragons rose to num-
after blowing out Hoover, we hit sixth in the state. Last time I checked, Permian doesn’t get much better than that. So we have the talent, no question about that. What about the facilities?
A couple years back when the bond was
away games, the crowds make our home
passed to start remodeling the district, the
not a Friday night football game. Read “Fri-
was the football field. When compared to
crowds look like a week night soccer game,
day Night Lights.” If you are lazy, watch the
movie. Compare Permian football to Johnston football. The differences may seem ridiculous, but when you break it down, what do we need to play at the caliber of the
first thing built wasn’t the new schools. It
attendance per game? If I had to guess, I’d We should have beaten Marshalltown in the first place, so picture that game with double
the fans. And the Urbandale score was mis-
leading. The game was always close. What would have happened if the entire school hadn’t skipped the game to attend an overrated concert by an overrated band? Ankeny was not good, should have beaten them,
and who knows what will happen against Dowling.
People in this town need to understand
other high schools, Johnston has one of
the significance of a crowd. I understand
aren’t a factor. What’s missing? Thousands
ing for 20,000 fans. I’m asking for a fourth
the best stadiums in the state. So facilities of dedicated, hungry fans.
How many more games could the Drag-
that football is life in Texas, and I’m not askof that. Think Valley vs. Dowling. If they can do it, why can’t we?
sports
Oct 09
p23
Hockey players vote to stay separate Coach John Burns of the Gold team
words & layout Ryan Smaha
agreed. “This is a league where the kids come to win, but to also play and have fun,” Burns said. “We may be more competitive
When senior Matt Rose first ran into se-
if we combined, but that would defeat the
nior Jordan Costello, he thought it would
purpose of the league.”
be an ordinary conversation. Little did he
Last season, the two different teams ex-
know, he would hear a rumor that could po-
perienced two very different results.
tentially affect the two hockey teams in the
The Gold team finished in a school re-
league for which he plays.
cord third place in the regular season as
“When I first heard the rumors about the
well as in the playoffs, but graduated six
teams combining, I was mad,” junior Jacob
seniors.
Hjelmaas said.
The Purple team finished eighth place
The Des Moines Youth Hockey Associa-
in the regular season and seventh in the
tion high school league first started in 2003,
when Johnston was only represented by one team. For the past three years there
have been two teams, Purple and Gold, because of a surplus of players. Players come
not only from Johnston, but other metro
Kyle Soyer/BW
Senior Matt Rose attempts to score on Jacob Kellow, a junior from East High School, during the Gold team’s Oct. 18 practice. swer of no, with hardly anyone in favor.
surfacing when the coaching staff sent out
maas said, was less playing time for ev-
an e-mail at the end of the season to try and gauge interest.
The players sent back a resounding an-
Purple team struggled last year, senior cap-
tain Dwight Lykins expects big things from his team this year. “I know that we are going for first (place). I’m not trying to have a big
schools that do not have teams.
Rumors of the teams combining began
playoffs, but only lost one senior. While the
only a couple lines, as opposed to five or
head or anything, but I expect nothing but
Junior Alex Hjelmaas offered a different
“I think we should be a very good team this
teams level of play goes up because they
Both teams play all games at the Metro
six if we combined,” Hjelmaas said.
the best from this year’s team,” Lykins said.
eryone.
point, saying that with more ice time both
year.”
get a lot more ice time because there are
get more practice and have a closer team.
Ice Arena in Urbandale.
The reason for their disapproval, Hjel-
“When we have two smaller teams, we
Every trophy tells a tale Students don’t know the story behind some of our school’s greatest trophies. It is my job to find them. first round of the tournament, then Cedar
words & layout Matt Knoedel They say a picture says a thousand
words. If that is true, than a trophy is a
thousand pictures. Every trophy represents the hard work and dedication of a team
that spent hours each week training and
putting their hearts into what they did. Unfortunately, hundreds of students pass by these trophies every day, and never give them a second thought. I realized
Iowa City West was at hand. The game was a clash of titans, with each team having a player that would eventually play in the NFL. We had Quinn Sypniewski who eventually went to play for the Baltimore Ravens. Iowa
The 2000 boy’s basketball team.
kicker for the San Diego Chargers. The
with a 14-point lead. It was a disappointing
the Iowa Hawkeye’s kicker and is now the stage was set for a showdown.
Athletic director Gary Ross remembers
we want future students to look back at
attended and bought tickets,” Ross said. “It
decided to get the story behind just one of
were a huge amount of people who was a big deal.”
As the game started, it was a fairly
these trophies. This is the tale of the 2000
even match. Students watched in eager
Johnston was on a hot streak that year.
rang, Nate Kaeding gave Iowa City West
boy’s basketball team.
The team made it to state for the first time
since we became a 4A school. One by one, opponents fell. First Marshalltown in the
Matt Knoedel/BW
City West had Nate Kaeding, who became
the atmosphere around the school. “There
our achievements and remember them. I
In 2000, the boy’s basketball team went to the state tournament and took home the runner-up trophy.
Finally the championship match against
that it is important that we look back at the achievements of our past teams because
Matt Knoedel/BW
Rapids Kennedy in the second round.
anticipation. As the third quarter buzzer
the lead, by sinking a three-pointer. As the fourth quarter began, Iowa City West started
to kick things into gear and ended the game
loss for Johnston, but the team put their
hearts into that game and played it the best they could.
They received the 2000 state runners-
up trophy that sits in the trophy case by
the gym doors. One thing that is for sure, the athletes involved in that game: Quinn
Sypniewski, Andy Sundblad, Kyle Mertz, Steve Rude, and Ryan Johnson remember the trophy they received for their efforts. The
least we could do is stop for a few seconds and admire at the trophy they worked so hard to earn.
backpage
Oct 09
PARKING LOT tidbits and info Here’s a list of things you shouldn’t do in the parking lot
p24 The parking lot. We’ve all seen the driver who tries to look
cool by peeling out, blasting their stock speakers, honking at the freshman who happen to be in their way. Everyone
can take into account some important parking lot pointers
to learn how to NOT look like a jerk, but more importantly prevent the use of anyone as speed bumps.
words Evan Culbert and Eric Oatts layout Eric Oatts
(It annoys your peers)
Safe driving is never frowned upon. People won’t judge anoth-
er for following basic traffic laws. However, they will judge some one if that person drives like a pissed off teenager (given that
might in fact be your current status), so don’t put others safety at risk because you want to show others that you are the coolest person ever to walk the earth.
Justin Nicolet ‘12
- Don’t peel out.
- Don’t go more than 10 mph. - Don’t blare loud music.
- Look before you turn or change directions. There is almost always someone traveling in a direction perpendicular to you.
- Don’t congregate in the middle of the parking lot. - Don’t park in staff parking.
Jenna Devens ‘10
“The bad part about park-
“So many people speed,
ing on the back road is
and they are only worried
how long it takes to walk
about themselves, and
to the high school, usu-
not looking for anyone
ally 10 minutes in good
else. They’re just trying
weather.”
to look cool but they’re really not.”
- Let some one in front of you go if they are trying to turn. After all, everyone will be in that same situation at some point..
- Wear your seat belt.
- Safety first is the bomb diggity. (Don’t drive over anybody)
Approximately 40-50 students park on the street alongside Walgreens For many of the 200 students who were denied parking passes, the back road, located just behind the Walgreens,
has served as an extended parking lot. Last year, approxi-
mately 15 students used the back road to park. This year, due to the large number of students left without passes,
Charlie Hagget ‘12
Lincoln Eppard ‘11
“No one should turn up
“I hate it when people
their stereo if they don’t
try to look cool by rev-
have after market speak-
ving their engines and
ers, especially if they
trying to do burnouts or
don’t have good music.”
doughnuts, they just look stupid.”
40-50 students have been using the back road on average each day, not including the students who park at City Hall.
Around 200 were denied parking tags this year Before you complain that you weren’t chosen for a parking pass this year, or whine about the amount of open spaces left in the
lot each day, take into account the amount of parking passes that
Alex Hawks ‘11
were handed out this year. Currently, our school has given out
Maddie Morris ‘11
140 more passes then we have capacity for in the parking lot.
“I think younger students
“People think they can
That means, that if everyone decided to drive one day, 140 stu-
who
activities
text and drive or do two
dents would be left without a place to park. More parking passes
should be given parking
things at once, when in
will continue to be issued throughout the year, as the lot is moni-
passes, I hated having
reality, it’s just danger-
tored to see how many spaces are left open on average, and
to wait for parents to pick
ous, you can’t multi-task
temporary passes are given to students who participate in an
me up after sports.”
when your driving.”
in-season sport.
(Do not duplicate)
are
in