B&W
the black and white. oct. 2013. volume 22 issue 3. 5152780449. 6501 NW 62nd ave. johnston, ia
the black and white october, 2013
Five things to do around Des Moines Visit five unique locations around Iowa’s beautiful capital city
page 6
Catching air with cyclists
Advisory suggestions
The editorial board proposes a new advisory
page 3
Students and teacher cyclists share their stories
Athletes weigh their options
Students active in sports explain advantages and disadvantages of playing multiple sports in high school
page 7
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index
the b&w p.2 layout Eileen Lagerblade
Staff
Biking through Johnston
Head Editor in Chief Laura Scieszinski
Print Editor in Chief
Learn about JHS students and staff who cycle through Johnston and about the new Johnston trail being implemented
Mollie Greenwood
Online Editors in Chief
4/5
3
Sub Design Editors Sarah Ross Zoe Wilson
Sub Editor Carly Kinning
5 Things
5 things to do around Des Moines
6
Athletes diversify their direction Students athletes begin to see the benefits and drawbacks of playing multiple sports in high school
7
Apps in Class
Feature on apps that are used in classes at JHS
Online Teasers Provided/ Laura Schwartz
SAIL does not sail
Meredith Gwennap/ BW
Rivals come together to raise cancer awareness
Vist jhsblackandwhite.com to read more
Anne Rogers
Kenzie Foldes
The benefits and negitive effects of coffee and tea
A new approach on advisory
Sports Editor Design Editor
The skinny on coffee and tea What advisory needs to be
Jeremy Caracci Mallorie Goodale
8
Staff Writers
Ellen Bennett Senad Besic Carly Campbell Sarah Caporelli Clare Farrell Myles Glandorf Aaron Grey Meredith Gwennap Medina Jusufovic Eileen Lagerblade Natalie Larimer Anna Larson Sarah Margolin Daisha McAvaddy Courtney Mithelman Elizabeth Schraeger Evan Trainer Kevin Wu
B & W Philosophy
The Black and White is published solely by the Johnston High School newspaper staff. Its goal is to inform, enlighten and entertain Johnston students. It is an open forum. In accordance with Iowa law and board policy, students assign and edit material and make all decisions of content. The paper is published ten times per school year. The paper will avoid material that is libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. The law does not require parental permission to use student quotes. Ethically, we believe students can speak for themselves. Staff editorials represent the opinion of a majority of the editorial board. Editorial and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the adviser, school officials or the district. Letters to the editor must be signed. Like all material, letters may not be libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. Bring letters to room 413 within one week after publication to be considered for the next issue. The Black and White strives to report accurate and timely information. If you believe that an error has been printed, please contact the editors at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com. The Black and White is a member of CSPA, NSPA, Quill & Scroll, and IHSPA. Recent issues of the paper earned these honors: Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist, National Scholastic Press Association First Class rating, Quill & Scroll Gallup Award, IHSPA state placings and sixth in the National Best of Show.
editorial
the b&w p.3
What advisory needs to be TheProblem
Advisory gives students a chance to bond once a week for 20 minutes. “It’s basically to help teach kids 21st
century skills but we also want to build community, build advocacy and provide students with an adult they can
go to if they have questions about anything that’s going on that’s a non-threatening environment,” advisory committee member Isaac Rodenberg said. Include start up and sometimes clean up time, and that winds up being 10-15 minutes. “There are definitely some difficulties to try to create [a sense of community] in just 20 minutes a week,” Rodenberg said. “I think it’s possible but it takes a while.” A small amount of time is not enough time to
get to know 15 students in a class, even if it is weekly. “I don’t think I’m bonding with my teacher... because we don’t do fun activities and we don’t really have the opportunity to open up,” sophomore Anna Toot said.
TheSolution
Instead of dedicating a lot of small sections of school time to advisory, dedicate large chunks about once
a month. Every three hour early out should be advisory project day. Students should sign up for an advisory “project track” when they request their schedules, in a similar way that we choose tracks for P.E. One would pick
the track they would prefer, then, a group of teachers interested in that track would team up to lead it. Currently,
advisory is randomly selected. “(We should have more) games and bonding activities,” junior Gabby Ledesma
said. “I personally like more hands-on stuff where we’re talking to each other... it gets us all loose and we’re talk-
ing to each other and then we can move into a topic and start talking about other stuff.” Choosing tracks would allow everyone to have one common interest to build a relationship on. Every early out day would be project
day, and students and teachers would bond by completing these projects and, in turn, bettering the community.
State requirements
Advisory contains required pieces that would have to be adjusted in this new plan. “The career-planning
piece, the bullying harassment piece- those are the two pieces that are really going to be the big ones that are state mandated,” principal Brent Riessen said. “The other thing we need to have is... a place to do scheduling
and we do that through the advisory time.” Professionals of each topic should address bullying/harassment and
career planning. For example, a professional motivational speaker would come with an impacting speech about bullying. After these professionals speak, advisors would be encouraged to discuss the presentations with their
students the next advisory time. Set-times on Wednesday early outs or perhaps one three hour early out would
Provided/Anna Lam
Then juniors, Maren Bettis and Audrey Kaus finish tying their blanket in advisory last year. Student council set up this activity in order to provide free blankets for the Partnership Place. A new advisory track consisting of volunteer activities such as this would allow students and teachers to bond with a common goal while also helping the community and making a difference.
be set aside for scheduling and the state-required iHave a Plan.
The staff
There needs to be a member of JCSD with one job — organizing advisory. “That is honestly a bit of an is-
sue,” Rodenberg said. “If we’re planning something for the entire school and we’re trying to basically do this on a volunteer-basis, I don’t know of any other program that involves 1,200 people that is volunteer led.” Preferably
this would be a full-time position, but if it was part-time, it would need to be this employee’s one and only position with JCSD. This would provide more structure and planning to advisory if it was one person’s sole purpose.
Teachers would sign up for each track of advisory and be the leaders, but the plans would be set up and given from this new employee.
Suggested track options for advisory
Landscape
Volunteer- Hands on
or just the landscaping in general. They could plant flow-
ect each day. The projects can range from organizing a
include life science teachers, biology teachers, or any
tary personnel. Advisors could be any teachers who enjoy
Artwork
Elementary
Volunteer- Community
around the entire district. They could paint a new mural
to read to the elementary students. The advisors would
meaning there would probably be an administrator along
district. Advisors could be art teachers as well as teachers
teachers or enjoy working with elementary students. The
Students in this track would contribute to artwork
for the school or create artwork for schools throughout the that work with other schools in the district, so they could help organize the projects.
Students would tend to a school garden, swamp area,
ers, test water levels, or clean up trash. Advisors could teacher interested in spending some more time outside.
Students in this track would go to Wallace or Lawson
best be teachers who have connections with elementary students could also help tutor the students or even aspiring teachers could help teach.
Students in this track would have a specific craft or proj-
food drive to making thank you cards for veterans and miliarts and crafts and helping the community.
This track would involve students going off campus,
with the teacher advisors. The students would stay close to the school and go places like the nursing home nearby to
volunteer or go to local businesses and help pick up trash or clean up.
The editorial is an opinion held by the editorial board of the newspaper. It needs a simple majority to pass. This month’s vote was 6-0.
biking
october 2013
the b&w p.4&5
words Sarah Caporelli and Ellen Bennett layout Kenzie Foldes and Sarah Ross
Nicole Davis: The Cross- Trainer Senior Nicole Davis rolls up to Trestle trail in Madrid.
Biking through Johnston
The twenty-minute drive built up her anticipation for the
ride. While unloading the bikes from the rack behind the
citement in the community continues to rise as the project gets finalized.
“We are really excited to start construction on the
tions so as not to disrupt too many parts of NW Beaver Drive.
“We really are doing this for the community,” Mayor
ed yard. A dirt path worn overtime is the foundation of down was amazing,” Andrews said. “There was this his summer rides.
VE 90th A
one part we were riding on, that there was a cliff side
The trail neared completion; it just needed a stand- to my right and a drop off to my left. It was definitely a
of Johnston Paula Dierenfeld said. “What we did was go
out feature. Andrews decided on a rock garden (portion rush.”
out and ask the community what they wanted us to do
of a trail that is rocks pieced together in the middle of a
and what we got was a reasonable response to build a
trail to ride over and do tricks).
trail along Beaver.”
While in the process of making the rock garden,
In response to the trail being built, a Facebook page
Andrews uncovered the remains of a small tractor snowplow. The rusted slip of metal was exactly what he
features regular updates of meeting times and progress.
needed to complete the other side of his bridge.
Junior Seth Andrews jumps off his bike to bring it over a fallen tree while crossing his homemade bridge.
project and that makes us happy to be doing it,” Schmitz said.
On-Street Route Recreational Routes Sidewalks
prove to be beneficial. “I don’t think I’ve been doing it
hooks Johnston and Madrid. “My favorite part of the
long enough to see a big change yet, but it’s helping,”
ride is the bridge,” Davis said. Davis usually hates
Schmitz hopes this trail bridges the community. “The
to the bridge he made, that spans over a creek, and
trail will be a safer way for people in that are in that area
Terry Hatfield: TheCommuter
get around and will eventually connect us to the NeilSmith trail,” Schmitz said.
ve
eav
ri er D
teacher Terry Hatfield makes his way to school through the use of the Johnston and Des Moines bike trails.
Hatfield began riding a few years ago as a way to get
in some more fitness and to work off the stresses from work and his daily life. He also estimates that through his riding, he saves about three dollars everyday.
“I wanted to move away from relying on fossil fuels
to get to work,” Hatfield said.
and have had a snapping turtle in the middle of the path
Andrews used to ride daily on the trail in the summer
during my ride,” Hatfield said.
but has not been on it very much lately because poison
Hatfield leaves his house at about 6:30 in the morn-
ivy has sprung up around the trail. “I used to ride all day
ing to allow him time to get ready for the day once he
and then get poison ivy so I would take a break for the
arrives.
“When I come to school in the morning, it’s dark a lot
The mini bike trail is up and running in at the An-
of times,” Hatfield said “It makes me feel safe to know
drews’ equipped with turns, ramps, bridges and a rock
that there are familiar faces on the trail with you and
garden. The trail is great practice for times when An-
able to assist you if anything went wrong.”
drews gets to ride in more exotic places.
The trail Andrews’ built prepared him for “the real
Cruising down the trail on his bike, ninth grade
“I have had deer run in front of me, run beside me,
installed the new ramp.
He enjoys seeing other people in the community
Sarah Caporelli/BW
Davis said.
bridges because they make her nervous. “The bridge
have occurred.
week and then go again,” Andrews said.
NW Beaver Drive
She and her father frequent the Trestle trail that
Davis said. The rides are tough but the payoff may
gest fear is running into a wild animal, but no accidents
it was all the way out,” Andrews said. He took the plow
Davis started cycling to better her swimming abilities
Swimming is Davis’ main sport and she has been
times has seemed frightening to Hatfield and his big-
a portion of the (plow) edge and just kept digging until
“We go eight miles down and then we turn around
swimming about 10 years.
Riding on a trail alone early in the morning some-
“I was just digging around for rocks and uncovered
B NW
NW
Junior Seth Andrews rides through the forest beind his house on his dirt trail.
bridge is considered a standout feature according to
but found she enjoyed it. “It’s sometimes a challenge,”
project. The trail snakes through Andrews’ lightly-wood- was really steep so it was hard to get up, but the ride
“The community is showing a lot of support for the
year and plan on completing it in eight different sec-
the many trails throughout Iowa to cross-train for swim-
and go eight miles back,” Davis said.
Transforming junior Seth Andrews’ five acre back- deal”. This summer while staying with his brother in
million and is expected to be complete some time in
The plan that is set that was approved in Aug. of this
Iowa Public Televison.
yard into a personal biking trail became a summer long Montana, Andrews rode on a more challenging trail. “It
named ‘Friends of Beaver Trail’ was created. The page
2015.
keeping to tradition. Then they are off.
ming.
trail,” Parks Director of Johnston John Schmitz said. The long asked for trail has an estimated cost at $2.6
itself is really really cool,” Davis said. The Trestle trail
Davis has recently joined her father in biking through
The New Beaver Trail new trail in Johnston along NW Beaver Drive and ex-
car. Once situated she turns to her father waiting, “Are your feet hooked in the pedals,” Davis’ father asked,
Seth Andrews: The Adrenaline Rider
In March this year the budget was approved for the
Senior Nicole Daivs
being active on the trails during his rides and is now
seeing some of the same faces every day, giving him a sense of security. Although, Hatfield doesn’t see many students on the trails in the morning.
“I think we have this idea that we have to have a car
and the car is a social status thing and if you ride a bike to school you are poor or not cool,” Hatfield said.
Over the summer, Hatfield traveled to Colorado and
enjoyed the atmosphere relating to riding your bike.
“Riding your bike is the cool thing to do and your
bike is what identifies your social status there,” Hatfield said.
Hatfield commutes to school on his bike almost ev-
ery day that it doesn’t rain and when the temperature is above 25 degrees. He figures that he saves about
three dollars every day that he rides his bike. The com-
mute takes him about 20 minutes in comparison to the 12 minute car ride.
“At the end of the week I look back at how many
miles I rode, there is a sense of accomplishment when I am motivated to get up and ride my bike to school,” Hatfield said.
health
the b&w p.6
The skinny on coffee and tea coffee
with Urbandale dietitian Heather Illg
Between coffee and tea, which one is considered healthier?
People use coffee and caffeine as their energy when they really just need to be eating healthy food. Food provides energy and if we’re eating regular meals and making healthy choices then you’re going to get your energy from food rather than caffeine, which is only going to last for a short time.
Boosts “regulatory T-cells” which boost the immune system
5
May reduce risk of heart disease due to antioxidants
5 things to do around
Des Moines
words & layout Clare Farrell
3
top
negative effects of
tea
3
top
tea
top
Green tea fights prostate cancer tumor cells
Things
“[I like tea because] it’s refreshing and it doesn’t make you as thirsty. With tea, some have lots of antioxidants and some are really good at flushing your system.” Liera Bender, junior
I know [green coffee is] popular right now, but there’s not really research to back it up. It’s not something, as a dietetic professional, I’m recommending. There isn’t a body of research to make any recommendations from.
Oftentimes, people forget to consider the calories that they’re getting from the coffee. Here again it goes back to when we’re adding in the sugars and the syrups.
3
“I like the taste and the extra pick-me-up of coffee. I get the iced vanilla coffee [from Starbucks].” Blake Singbush, senior
tea
What’s your take on the recent green coffee craze?
What is the biggest misconception about coffee?
health benefits of
coffee
What is a more natural source of energy than coffee or tea?
Tea [is healthier] because there’s possibly more research talking about the teas. And in our society we tend to muck up the coffee with sweeteners and syrups and they can be higher in caffeine. Whereas (with) the teas there are a lot more flavors to choose from and there’s a lot more options for drinking tea without getting the calories and the excessive added sugar.
health
benefits of
3
coffee
Qand Aabout coffee and tea
“I’m sure the little bit of caffeine gives me a boost in the morning. I think I just like the warmness of it. I don’t know why that should wake me up, but I’m in the habit and it’s comforting and it’s a nice way to start my morning.” Alicia Rollison, social studies teacher
top
A dietitian’s view on tea and coffee
coffee
words Mollie Greenwood layout Sarah Ross
Mug shots
negative effects of
May contain fluoride which can be harmful to health
Makes you more awake and alert
Causes dehydration
Contains aluminum which in large quantities can cause Alzheimer’s disease
Helps lower risk of type two diabetes
Regular coffee drinkers may go through “withdrawal” if they do not get their coffee
Can stain your teeth
Drinking four cups a day or more may reduce risk of depression
Heartburn and acid reflux can be caused by coffee
Downtown Farmers’ Market
Des Moines Art Center
Wooly’s
by Iowans and support the local food market. You
rose garden. Here you can take a look at the Three
place for you. It is a small place to
breakfast burritos to cinnamon sugar almonds.
There is also free admission.
Historic Valley Junction
Historic East Village
can get right up close to the stage.
Junction is the Des Moines Theatrical Shop. Since
it is beginning to become cold outside visit the
ones at huge arenas because you’re
get all of your masks, face paint, hats, costumes
skating. You can also check out the unique shops.
just more intimate that way,” junior Aly
One can purchase hand crafted goods made
can try delicious foods from mango on a stick to
One of the most popular businesses in Valley
Spend an afternoon taking a stroll through the
Cairns sculpture which is one of three in the nation.
Check out the Historic East Village. Since
If you love concerts, Wooly’s is the
go to for concerts. If you arrive early
enough before the concerts start you “The concerts are way more fun than
Halloween is just around the corner come here to
Brenton Skating Plaza and have a fun evening of
so close to the stage and I guess it’s
and more.
One being Found Things, which has one of a kind
Bowen said.
vintage decorations and more.
sports
the b&w p.7
Athletes diversify their direction
words Anne Rogers
layout Zoe Wilson
Senior Nick Stitzell takes advantage of the three days
between the end of baseball season and the start of
football season. He knows he will not be able to get that
Nick Stitzell SENIOR Macall Campbell JUNIOR baseball, football, basketball, track&field gymnastics
offseason again for at least a year. “Those three days
were basically me sitting on the couch wondering what to do with my life,” Stitzell said.
Stitzell is one of many athletes who play more than
one sport in high school. He is a varsity athlete in football, basketball, track and field, and baseball. “I guess I have
just stuck with those four, and it’s been hard to give them up,” Stitzell said. “They’ve pretty much become part of who I am.”
According to Iowa High School Athletic Association,
there are many benefits to playing multiple sports. One of those is that multiple sport students show improved
athletic performance. Cross training leads to becoming
a well-rounded athlete, better leadership and teamwork skills, and better mental development. It also makes it
easier for multiple-sport athletes to pick up on new skills. Head baseball coach Michael Barta agrees. “There is
no training that I can give an athlete that is going to be
better than them running, jumping, cutting, every day at a sport, in a practice,” Barta said. “Kids are young, they’re
Anne Rogers/BW
Provided/Feriagrafix
Taylor Joens SENIOR volleyball, basketball, track&field
16 and 17 years old, and their bodies are in great shape to be able to do all the things coaches ask them to do.” Senior Taylor Joens, another multiple-sport athlete,
sees the advantages of playing volleyball, basketball, and track and field. “Basketball helps me transition to track
because a lot of track athletes don’t do anything during
the winter, and I’m running all the time during basketball,” Joens said. Even though the transition from volleyball to
basketball can be difficult, Joens has learned to adjust to
it. “You just have to switch your focus from sport to sport, and I’m pretty used to it by now,” Joens said.
Anne Rogers/BW
There are disadvantages as well. “When I’m in a sport
I don’t get to go to preseason practices for the next sport,” Stitzell said. “It frustrates me that there are other kids that
are able to put in much more effort than I am for that sport during preseason.”
Barta, however, knows playing multiple sports will pay
off in the end. “I know a share of college coaches,” Barta
said. “And one of the first questions we get asked as head coaches is, ‘What other sports do they play? Are they a well rounded athlete?’ A college coach wants to take a
good athlete and develop them into a baseball, basketball, football player. They don’t want a kid who has just done baseball all his life, who has reached his peak, and is probably done growing.”
Playing in more than one sport has prepared athletes
for college in more than one way. “I think playing in more than one sport at a time is a good preparation for what
college is like because there will be some nights where
you have to stay up late studying,” Joens said. “I’ve done
Despite the disadvantages, Campbell thinks the
that before, like when I get home late from a practice, and
advantages outweigh the disadvantages for her. “To me,
Junior Macall Campbell only participates in gymnas-
athletic needs, gymnastics is all I need.” She knows that
I know what to do and what works for me.”
tics, and she notices the advantages and disadvantages of specializing in one sport. “Gymnastics is one of those sports that you can’t really slack off in,” Campbell said.
“No one on my team, including me, does anything besides gymnastics because we have to really focus on the sport.” Campbell has been doing gymnastics since she was
gymnastics is my sport,” Campbell said. “To fulfill my own every person is different. “I know some people really did have to pick between two sports, so maybe doing one
sport is holding them back,” Campbell said. “But for me, gymnastics is my sport, and I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.”
Even though Barta believes playing multiple sports is
little, and has only tried one other sport, softball, for two
beneficial to most athletes, he understands the other side.
something happens and I wouldn’t be able to do gymnas-
sports,” Barta said. “If you decided to do one sport, the
years. “Gymnastics is all I know,” Campbell said. “So if
tics anymore, it would be hard for me to find something
else to participate in. I honestly don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t do gymnastics.”
“At Johnston, the coaches have great backgrounds in their coaches would be able to put a plan together to help you
become athletic, get stronger, all those things. It just takes so much devotion.”
backpage
the b&w p.8
MyFitnessPal MyFitness Pal is an app that is used in health
classes to keep track of students’ food intake. It
tracks calories, fat, fiber and sodium in foods. It also logs exercise, and give you an estimate of calories burned during exercise.
“We don’t use it as a weight loss plan at all, we
just want students to know what they’re putting into their body,” health teacher Lacey Fulton said.
UberSense UberSense is an app that is currently
used in Track 4, and could also be used in
other PE classes.
“We [the PE department] think that Uber-
frame-by-frame viewing options. This helps
students see their mistakes so they are able to correct them.
There are also drawing tools that can be
Sense could help students better learn the
used to highlight and circle what is being
class,” P.E. teacher Brian Lutter said.
the angles of your body parts or limbs are
physical skills that we want you to learn in UberSense shows students their cor-
rect form for various activities. Students can
recorded. Angle features that can measure also available.
record themselves lifting to analyze their technique.
Different features include a coach-
ing review that has slow motion and
DropBox
DropBox is essentially
a flashdrive over the Internet.
APPS in class
Band director Patrick Kearney uses
DropBox as a way to get large media files out to his students quickly, since large
amounts of audio and video do not send through email.
DropBox also helps save time and
money when it comes to showing the
marching band students their performance.
the students have 24/7 access to the audio and video,” Kearney said.
Sending out videos through DropBox also
helps the marching band students by allowing them to see their show differently.
“Video on DropBox allows the students
have the ability to see what it looks like from where the audience sees it.”
“We used to have to burn a bunch of CDs
words Courtney Mithelman layout Zoe Wilson
Socrative is an application that can be
used as a formative assessment for teachers.
Teachers can set up “virtual classrooms”
and send out quizzes to students. After the
“The feature that is the most important is
the ability to get graphical results from student feedback immediately,” social studies teacher Jeremy Yenger said.
Socrative allows teachers to show stu-
dents their answers anonymously, so they
ments that teachers send out.
themselves to other students.
Students can take these assessments at
their own pace.
Your picks
Socrative
students log into these “classrooms”, they are allowed to access different assess-
Kahn Academy
or show it to everyone all at one time. This way,
can see where they are at, and compare It also helps teachers figure out what
subjects they need to re-cover in class.
Turnitin
“It checks for the percentage of direct quotes “It has videos of things that “You can plug in data and the in your paper. As a genyou have learned in the past. app graphs it for you. It also eral rule, you want 25-30 During the beginning of pregives you the equations of the percent to be direct calc, you have to go back lines. It also has built in cenquotes, and it gives you to a lot of Algebra 2 and sors that helps you graph the that number. It helps to Trig, so I watched videos to velocity, position and accelcheck to for plagiarism refresh my memory.” Megan Buckallew, eration of certain objects.” Stephanie Mark Schillerstrom, issues.” junior Graham, junior teacher
Graphical