b&w
BLACK AND WHITE OCTOBER 2018 VOLUME 27 ISSUE 2
FOR SURVIVORS THE
FOR THE SURVIVORS This issue of the Black & White is in dedication to all of the survivors. The survivors of cancer. The survivors of depression. The survivors of sexual assualt. As hard as it is, covering these hard hitting and close to home topics is necessary. Everyday we are surrounded by survivors, all with different battles. That’s why we decided to tell a few of their stories. The Black & White wants to provide a warning for these stories as some topics discussed may bring up unwanted memories or emotions. Along with stories from survivors you can find a plethora of other articles. The Black & White wants everybody’s voice to be heard, and you can find a few in this issue.
FINE PRINT Black & White is published solely by the Johnston High School newspaper staff. It is an open forum. In accordance with Iowa law, students assign, edit material and make all decisions of content. Editorials represent the opinion of a majority of the editorial board. Editorial and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the advisor, school officials or the district. Letters to the editor must be signed. Like all material, letters may not be libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. To write a letter to the editor, or report an error in the issue, please contact the editors at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com.
Say Hello
OCTOBER When Jay Rice ‘94 brainstormed the name of our paper in 1991, it was not because of the ink color. For the last 26 years, our mission has been to bring our audience stories from the school, community and nation, told clearly and without exaggeration--in black and white.
Editorial Board
Editor-in-chief Andrew Maresca Print Editor Obsee Abbajabal Online Editor Ada Basic Feature Editor Taylor Siebert Sports Editor Evan Newcomb Copy Editor Brooklyn Dilley
Staff Writers
Parker Anderson Riley Anderson Payton Blahut Duncan Christakos Caroline Christensen Annie Culbert Cameron DeRoos Kylie Emery Kara Green Paul Heggen Elizabeth Jones Akshaya Kumar Tate Larsen Erina Lee Morgan Lind Sophia Longo Karla Lopez Marandah Mangra-Dutcher Ashley Marsh Jacob Marren JD Norris Jenna Olson Charlie Pattinson Ben Pegg Julia Richards Colt Smallwood Ben Williams
Instagram: @jhsblackandwhite Twitter: @jhsnewspaper Facebook: JHS Black and White
INSIDE LOOK
12 Voices of Courage
News
4 Business Club Cedar Rapids @ Johnston
5 CORE voter registration French field trip Fall Play
Feature
6 Braving Breast Cancer 8 Beating Winter Blues 10 1/1700: Phuc Nguyen
Opinion
18 Exploring Other Options
20 Open Letter to Chuck Grassley 12 Voices of Courage
Editorial
16 The price of Free Speech
Arts & Entertainment 22 A Flavor for Fall
4 | news
Briefly Words By Connor Tomlinson Layout By Cameron DeRoos
CEDAR RAPIDS @ JOHNSTON Photo by Cameron DeRoos Business club was founded by Paul Zhang ’19 and Danny Ho ’19 and is sponsored by Richard Brooks. Ho came up with the idea when he found a website about how the stock market works and lets people practice using it. The way the website works is users get virtual money to invest in the stock market and allow beginners to learn about how it works. The goal of business club is for students to learn about the stock market and investing money. The meetings for the club are every other Thursday in room 611 after school.
BUSINESS CLUB Photo by Cameron DeRoos
On October 26 the varsity football team went up against the Cedar Rapids Prairie Hawks. The Dragons were 7-2 going into the game with two loses, against dowling and waukee. Johnston crushed Cedar Rapids With 28 points while Cedar Rapids had only 14. Johnston would go on to be defeated by Southeast Polk 21 to 7.
On Saturday October 20 2018 french teacher Tamara Andrews, along with french students from the middle and high school took a field trip to Omaha, NE. While there they went to various diffrent places like an art museum. Andrews has organized many other trips like this with students going to Kansas City in 2017 and Chicago in 2015.
FRENCH FIELD TRIP Photo provided by Tamara Andrews
CORE (community of racial equality) is a club dedicated to giving students a voice, and with midterms happening this November, they jumped at the opportunity to promote voter registration. During lunch in October they set up a table where students could register to vote, as well as gave information on how to register to vote. Their goal was to reach out to students eligible to vote and encourage them to register so they can exercise their right to vote and share their voice.
CORE VOTER REGISTRATION Photo by Obsee Abbajabal
FALL PLAY
Photo provided by Jordyn Cimmiyotti
The fall play, The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 performed Oct. 25 and Oct. 27. The Play was directed by Jeremy Fitzpatrick and the cast was solely student actors and actresses.
BRAVING BREAST CANCER
T
I knew it was going to be okay because it was so early, but it was a mammogram that caught it, so get your mammograms ladies, and gentlemen who have it in their family. - Lisa Horsch
he Susan G. Komen breast cancer
she saying?’ and I go ‘I have cancer,’ and my
awareness
husband just lost it.”
walk
has
created
national attention to the disease
Gray was diagnosed with stage two breast
that takes the lives of thousands of women
cancer, which included two tumors. “Stage
each year. However, breast cancer comes
2 means the breast cancer is growing, but it
much closer to Johnston than a 5k walk.
is still contained in the breast or growth has
Breast cancer is the excessive growth of
only extended to the nearby lymph nodes”
cells in the breast. Nearly one in eight women
according to the National Breast Cancer
in the United States will develop breast
Foundation.
cancer, according to breastcancer.org. Within
Following her diagnosis, Gray started
that statistic lie science teacher Lisa Horsch,
16 rounds of chemotherapy. The first four
and foreign language teacher Kari Gray. Both
rounds were nicknamed ‘red devil’ due to the
teachers were diagnosed with some form of
intense side effects experienced, including
breast cancer, causing a toll on their health
hair loss. The chemotherapy sessions could
and their life forever.
last anywhere from five to nine hours. “They
Gray developed breast cancer in 2013. She
come in with a hazmat suit, and then put
had recently started working at the high
something into your veins that they can’t
school when she had this discovery. Gray had
even touch, kind of scary,” Gray said.
been in a fitness class, when a punching bag
After completing chemotherapy, Gray was
swung back and hit her. After the incident
left with scar tissue where her tumors once
she was checking the bruised area and
were. She followed her chemotherapy with
discovered a lump. “They checked it out, they
16 weeks of radiation treatment. The cancer
didn’t think it was anything but she goes ‘you
treatment process lasted around a year in
know, just in case I’m going to send you over
total for Gray. However, she still has to take
to have a mammogram,’” Gray said.
shots every three months for 10 years from
After
inconclusive
results
from
her
mammogram, Gray was then sent to have a
not
all
experiences
with
breast cancer are comparable. Horsch was
sound waves to identify abnormalities in the
diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma in Situ
body’s tissue. After waiting some time, Gray
(DCIS) in 2016. “DCIS is a non-invasive cancer
received a phone call with the results of her
where abnormal cells have been found in the
sonogram, revealing she had breast cancer.
lining of the breast milk duct,” according
“I think time just stood still,” Gray said. “I
to National Breast Cancer Foundation. “The
was sitting on my couch, my husband was
atypical cells have not spread outside of the
sitting next to me, and she had just told me,
ducts into the surrounding breast tissue.”
words & layout | Andrew Maresca
200
However,
sonogram. A sonogram uses high frequency
and he was like ‘what’s she saying? What’s
Tiff’s Treats has provided over packages to cancer treatment centers
the end of her radiation.
55
Most breast cancer cases are found in women
older than
55
The tumor was found during Horsch’s
1in 8 women will develop
breast cancer
annual mammogram. “I knew it was going
Another way to determine breast cancer is
turned it into a more relatable learning
to be okay because it was so early, but it was
to have genetic testing done. Many patients
experience for her students. “I think it has
a mammogram that caught it, so get your
with breast cancer undergo genetic testing in
given me a story to share with my students
mammograms ladies, and gentlemen who
order to see if the carry the gene, and have
when we do the cancer unit in Biology,”
have it in their family,” Horsch said. “It’s
a higher chance of passing it on to children.
Horsch said. “Of course I also can bring
super important that you get tested.”
As genetic testing can help determine
in my mom and dad, my dad doesn’t have
Horsch’s tumor was surgically removed.
likelihood of having cancer, it is not always
cancer at the moment but my mom does. I
After the procedure, Horsch went through
a foolproof method. “I was always told that
think it helps for the kids to buy into, ‘this
radiation as a precautionary measure. She
you never really had to worry about it unless
affects everybody.’”
was placed on a five year drug following
it’s in your family,” Gray said. “The woman
After seeing the impact breast cancer has
radiation in order to block estrogen from coming in contact with any cancer cells that may still be in the area. “It was a really easy process, no chemo,” Horsch said. “I didn’t have to do any of that because it hadn’t spread, like I said it was really tiny. Surgery was the biggest thing.” Although her treatment
on millions of people’s lives,
“The scariest thing was how young I was, and just five years previously I had almost died having my son. So, then five years later to find out I had cancer, I was pretty mad at the world. Like why does this keep happening to me?”
was a quick process, it still affected
aspects
of
- Kari Gray
her
everyday life. “I was at
Gray wanted to give to those most in need. Tiff’s Treats is a program implemented by Gray after her neighbor lost her battle to cancer, and is carried out through student council. Laura’s Little Bit of Comfort was later added on to the name in honor of science teacher Rachel Jensen’s mother, who lost her battle with cancer. Tiff’s Treats
works
donations
to
from
collect students
home and I couldn’t exercise, I didn’t even
that did my genetics said it’s more common
to compile packages with necessities for
want to be in the car because everytime
for women that have never had any family
cancer patients, such as lotions or socks.
I moved it hurt,” Horsch said. “I think it
history with it to get it.”
The packages are distributed to the three
bothered me more to be gone from school.”
With the raising number of cancer cases,
A mammogram is one of the easiest
the science department found it important
ways to check for breast cancer, even when
to address such a prevalent topic. In biology,
With thousands of diagnoses every year,
it is in early development. “I knew it was
students have a whole unit about cancer
breast cancer has proven to create a big
going to be okay because it was so early, but
and the toll it has on the people involved.
impact on many lives. There are simple
it was a mammogram that caught it, so get
Students examine fake patients in order to
actions such as mammograms or self
your mammograms ladies, and gentlemen
learn about various forms of cancer.
examinations to try and stop the cancer
who have it in their family,” Horsch said.
Horsch has taken her experience and
major cancer treatment centers in Des Moines.
from growing too large.
Treatments A-
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiation
BEATING WINTER
BLUES words | Morgan Lind layout & photos | Payton Blahut
A
s fall comes to an end
include:
therapy,
United States, SAD is estimated to affect
and winter creeps up,
psychotherapy, and vitamin D. Common
10 million Americans and another 10 to 20
seasonal
depression
medications for SAD are selective serotonin
percent are mildly affected. The onset ages
might be a concern for some students and
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs are used as
for SAD are commonly between ages 18
staff. Being informed is a necessary step for
antidepressants and they work by targeting
and 30.
those who believe they might be suffering,
serotonin in the brain and making them
are suffering, and know those who are
more available. Light therapy requires one to
many Americans affected by
suffering from seasonal depression.
medication,
light
Grace Chow ‘19 is one of the
sit in front of a light box, which filters out
SAD. Chow has suffered
Mayo Clinic states Seasonal Affective
ultraviolet rays, for 20 to 60 minutes in the
from SAD for the past
Disorder (SAD), more commonly known as
morning. Cognitive behavioural therapy is a
year and it commonly
seasonal depression, “is a type of depression
type of psychotherapy that includes replacing
affects
that’s related to changes in seasons.” SAD’s
negative thoughts with positive ones. Lastly,
the
winter
symptoms include fatigue, hopelessness,
vitamin D helps replace vitamins that are
“I
am
social withdrawal, and depression.
acquired from the sun. Although, studies
who can get easily
have shown that vitamin D may have little to
overwhelmed… When
no positive effects on those with SAD.
I get overwhelmed I
The starting and ending points can vary, but SAD typically begins in the late fall and
her
during months. someone
early winter and fades away in the spring
Often times, major depression is confused
or summer. “Seasonal depression will come
with seasonal depression. “major depression
anything,”
around every year, it’s like clockwork,” school
is not something you can necessarily predict
Chow
therapist Amy Ziegenhorn said.
whereas SAD is every year around the same
include school work and her job
time.” Ziegenhorn said.
which can heavily contribute to
SAD can be helped or cured with four major types of treatments. These treatments
According to Psychology Today, in the
don’t feel like doing said
Chow her
said. triggers
the severity of SAD. When she
begins to feel poorly, Chow said she becomes
just helps to take the edge off by giving you
much as she would have liked. “It was more
more introverted.
enough oomph to do the things you need
of a distraction than a treatment,” Chow said.
To treat these symptoms, she regularly and
sees
a
takes
therapist
Prozac
for
medication. Fluoxetine, more
commonly
known as Prozac, helps
treat
an
array of mental health
issues
such as OCD, panic disorder, and depression. Medication
and want to do.”
SAD has impacted the relationship Chow
“I do little things for myself and I’m
has with her parents. “[It has] become more
trying to work on taking time for myself,”
tense because I had a hard time expressing
“You have to know that it’s ok to talk to someone, which sounds very cliché, but it’s true.”
is one of the
what I was feeling,” Chow said. Chow has advice for those struggling. “You have to know that it’s ok to talk to someone, which sounds very cliché, but it’s true.” This piece of advice is something all people should take into account, even those that don’t have mental health issues. Ziegenhorn
also
believes
talking
to
friends is a good way to let off steam. “Having a supporting system outside of therapy helps too,” Ziegenhorn said.
treatment
Lastly,
Ziegenhorn
advises
students
o p t i o n s
Chow said. “I also know I can talk to my
suffering from SAD to find small changes
for
friends because I have a really good support
that can make a difference. “get outside, be
system there.”
active, go to the gym, and make sure your
SAD.
“Medication magic,”
Although lightbox therapy can help many
Ziegenhorn said. “It
people with SAD, it did not help Chow as
is
not
vitamin D is up,” Ziegenhorn said. “Sunlight is one of the key factors in SAD.”
10 | feature
1/1700 1/1700 ::
PHUC NGUYEN ‘20
FROM SOPHOMORE TO SENIOR, ONE STUDENT WAS RANDOMLY CHOSEN TO TELL THEIR STORY words | Parker Anderson
layout | Erina Lee
A
s the sun was rising, ten-year-old
en’s sophomore year, he got crossed while
Phuc Nguyen ‘20 woke up and
trying to shoot from across the court which
opinion, was the transportation and the way
walked along the ocean with his
caused his ankle to fracture. “It was real-
the people talk. In Vietnam most people ride
father. Whether it was a quick jog or a long
ly hard,” Nguyen said. “I had to sit out of
motorcycles or bikes around, and there are
walk they saw trash all along the beach.
games and watch people do what I wanted
very little cars. The city life in Vietnam is
“This is gross,” Nguyen said to his dad as
to do.” He spent a few months recovering
generally similar to the way Iowans would
they picked up trash from the warm sand.
and later found out that his mother did not
spend a city day. “Yeah, we would play video
When Nguyen moved from Vietnam his life
want him to play basketball anymore. Now,
games, or bike to the park, or go to the mov-
drastically changed.
Nguyen is too busy working and lifting for
ies,” Nguyen said.
After his family relocated to Iowa, he was sorrowful because he missed his friends
football to even play basketball. The different school systems was one of
The biggest cultural differences, in his
Even though coming to Johnston gave Nguyen new opportunities, he misses a lot of
from Vietnam, but he was also very elated
the biggest changes for Nguyen to encoun-
aspects about Vietnam. As much as he misses
for the opportunities that he knew he would
ter when going from Vietnam to Johnston to
living in Vietnam and those long, morning
get from being in the United States. Being
East and then back to Johnston. In Viet-
ocean walks, he does not miss the trash that
in Johnston has given Nguyen the chance to
nam he would arrive at school around six
he would have to pick up by the shore. “It
be involved with sports, weight-lifting, and
forty-five, and would not change classrooms
was not clean, but it was not terribly dirty
cooking, which are just a few of the many
until the end of the school day. The teachers
water. The shore though, the shore was full
things he is passionate about.
would rotate around classrooms instead of
of trash, and we would have to pick up a lot
the students. After school, he would relax
of it on our beach walks.”
Nguyen has been weight-lifting since eighth grade. He would lift two to three
for an hour or two, and then eat dinner. His
times a week. But soon after he started lifting
mother loved cooking cultural Vietnamese
and everything about it. Although he misses
at Johnston, he moved to East High School
meals, that she still makes to this day. After
his friends, the city, being by the ocean, he
because of his parents’ jobs. He continued
eating dinner he would have to pay extra
now enjoys cooking and working at HyVee,
to lift weights and tried out for the football
money to go and study with his teacher out-
playing sports, and lifting weights. Three
team. He made the team at East, and al-
side of school hours. Almost every student
things he could not do in Vietnam. “And
though he was good at football, Nguyen was
in his class would go and visit his teacher be-
the best thing is,” Nguyen said, “my mom
much more passionate about basketball, and
cause if they did not attend the study session
still loves to cook Vietnamese food, so some
weight-lifting.
the teacher would treat them differently.
nights during dinner time it still feels like I
East was not very different from Johnston.
am there!”
In the middle of a game during Nguy-
He has overall come to love Johnston
VOICES COURAGE of
Words | Brookyn Dilley & Annie Culbert Photo & Layout | Ada Basic
The following story contains mentions of sexual violence and assault, please take this into consideration before reading.
E
T
he Johnston graduate’s boyfriend
legally she cannot give consent,” Cline said.
had just broken up with her.
“If she is drunk, even if she says yes, it is not
Emotionally vulnerable, she went
okay.” In both the student and Cline’s cases,
to hang out with a friend, not knowing that
they clearly did not give consent, but their
they had two different ideas of what that
assaulters continued anyways.
meant. In the middle of talking, he began to
As the #MeToo movement gained traction
touch her. The college student immediately
last year, many famous politicians, celebrities,
began refusing, telling him, ‘I don’t want
and other well known figures stepped
to do that.’ But he didn’t care. Pushing her
forward to speak about their experiences.
down, he forced her to perform oral sex on
With this came a debate on the validity of
him. This was the student’s third time being
some of the claims made. “The percentage
sexually assaulted. She left afterwards,
of people who lie about sexual assault for
knowing she would have to deal with the
personal gain is super super super low,” the
lasting effects her experiences would have
student said. “And the percentage of people
on her.
who are sexually assaulted is way higher. States
So it’s always way more likely, and I get the
Department of Justice, sexual assault is any
whole ‘innocent until proven guilty’ thing,
“nonconsensual sexual act proscribed by
but this has personally happened to me, so
Federal, tribal, or State law, including when
it feels different. I just want to believe them
the victim lacks capacity to consent.” In
for it, even though that’s not how the court
other words, it is any sexual act that is not
system works. Like, that somebody would do
consented to by all parties involved.
that to you and no one would believe that that
According
to
the
United
Teacher Sue Cline is a sexual assault
happened, because it affects you so much.”
survivor as well. While she was able to
Being sexually assaulted can have many
fight her assaulter off, the experience has
lasting effects on survivors. Some develop
still affected her life. “[My date] definitely
posttraumatic stress disorder following the
tried to insist that it was going to continue
event, while others have varying symptoms.
further than I intended it to,” Cline said. “I
It is also completely possible for survivors
did finally have to knee him hard in the
to cope with it and move on, with the event
groin and fight him off, and go back to my
having little impact on their lives. School
dorm by myself. I don’t think at the time
therapist
I realized how much danger I was actually
students for various reasons, including
in. I was incredibly naive, it never struck me
those who have been sexually assaulted. “It’s
that if I had been unsuccessful, that I was in
an individual thing, it’s very different for
physical danger. Once I had to walk back by
different people,” Ziegenhorn said. “However,
myself it started to register.”
in general, what you’ll see is hypervigilance,
Amy
Ziegenhorn
works
with
As people are becoming more aware of
people will startle easily, they will be aware
sexual assault in and around their lives,
of their surroundings, they may withdraw
there have been questions as to what consent
a little bit, they may have trouble focusing,
is and what is considered consent. “You get
trouble concentrating, trouble trusting, their
into a situation you can’t stop, or I think a
personal relationships will kinda fall apart a
lot of people don’t, especially guys, don’t
little bit.”
understand that if a girl is compromised,
BY THE
NUMBERS Every
98
Seconds
an American is sexually asssaulted.
Every
8 15 1 71
Minutes
that victim is a child.
in
women
in
men
will be sexually assaulted iat some point in their lives. www.nsvrc.org
In Cline’s case, the assault didn’t affect her
I mean, we all feel pretty invulnerable until we’re not anymore. -Sue Cline
much at the time. She told her roommate what happened that night, and then moved on. “At the time I didn’t think it was that big a deal,” Cline said. “I was stupid enough to not realize the danger I was in. I will tell you I never went out with a guy and then parked with him out in the parking lot a mile away from the dorm again. I did not do that again.
As well as having mental repercussions to cope with, being sexual assaulted can greatly affect relationships for survivors. “It can affect your relationships with people at home, because sometimes people don’t believe,” Ziegenhorn said. “And if somebody doesn’t believe [you], all of a sudden you have this extra trust issue. And then with peers, if it’s a girl who’s experienced this, any person who is of the same gender as the person who assaulted them, that is going to create stress for them, and that’s why it’s important to get help and have support, to be able to kinda get past all of that.” The student has felt many of these effects, and they have changed how she lives each day. “I think that that happening has definitely affected how sexually active I’ve been my whole life, because I’m scared of it happening again,” the student said. “I definitely feel like I don’t talk to men as much as I used to. When I walk anywhere, by myself, even in daylight on campus, I am afraid of what a guy will say to me, or if he’ll look at me a certain way. I was, recently, in the parking lot of my apartment, I got catcalled. And that made it even worse, because I was like, I can’t go anywhere. Not even the parking lot of my own home, and not be bothered by a guy who thinks it’s his job to objectify me. So I’m very wary of going anywhere and seeing a man. Because I don’t know if he’s a decent human being or not.”
It is really interesting to think that although I could verbalize at the time the level of danger I was in, and it could have been so bad, it did not dramatically change my behavior at the time.” There is no ‘right’ way to respond to being sexually assaulted. The survivor’s experience could drastically change their life, like the student, or they could move on relatively quickly, like Cline. Though both reactions are equally common, survivors who have trouble coping have numerous options for help, including multiple types of therapy. “And sometimes it’s not talking,” Ziegenhorn said. “Sometimes we do it through pictures. Sometimes we do it through artwork. Sometimes, well you can do it however somebody feels like they need to. I’ve seen people, I have a colleague, Ashley over at the middle school, who, her specialty, she’s a licensed dance therapist. And so she has worked through trauma with people through movement. And so, I mean, you can do it in a lot of different ways; it depends on what’s going to be meaningful for that person, because that’s what matters.” For certain people, therapy is not enough to help them cope. Nurse practitioner January Kim has worked with people diagnosed with PTSD, whether it be from sexual assault or other causes. “You go in initially with a therapist, and then if the therapist determines your symptoms are not going to resolve with straightforward therapy, or that they’re
severe enough that you need to be addressed
for the assaulter based on their answers. “First
with medicine, then they come to me,” Kim of all, people are like, ‘you shouldn’t have been said. “I’m kind of many layers in there.” drinking,’” the student said. “Well, maybe he Kim went on to explain that recommended shouldn’t have raped me. There’s plenty of modes of treatment for PTSD are classified people who drink and don’t get raped because as antidepressants, but they are a certain type of it. That’s not valid to just say, you shouldn’t that work to calm the anxiety.
have been drinking because then you wouldn’t
In some cases, even reaching the point that have been raped. Maybe that’s the case, but I they can begin to cope is a challenge. “I guess wouldn’t have been raped if somebody didn’t I haven’t really coped,” the student said.
rape me.” When talking about sexual assault, male survivors are commonly left out. Many feel
First of all, it’s really hard to articulate that. To tell somebody that that’s happened to you. And then to understand that you can still go on and be okay. -Amy Ziegenhorn
that they will be ridiculed for sharing their experience, because it is often taught that men are supposed to be tough and superior to women. The idea that a woman could take advantage of a man in such a way is relatively unheard of. However, every sexual assault survivor, regardless of gender, has the right to be heard. “I think it’s very possible, that they know that if they come forward, most guys will say, ‘oh geez you’re so lucky, what are you complaining about?’”, Cline said. “And girls will think, ‘what a baby.’ I don’t think guys would get much sympathy at all from either sex if they came forward and said they were a survivor of physical violence or being sexually
“I still, I just told my mom about it, and it
assaulted by a female.” Cline does not agree
happened like a year ago. And I just told
with this mindset, but knows male survivors
my mom about it, because I didn’t want to
who did not speak up for these reasons.
tell her. Cause when it happens, you’re like
Whatever the situation for the survivor, and
embarrassed about it. Like you don’t want to
however they choose to cope with what they
tell people, because it feels like you’ve done
went through, they need to know that they
something wrong. But just starting to tell
are not alone. “You’re not the only person that
people about it, that kind of is a way of coping,
this has happened to,” the student said. “And
just to actually be open about, ‘that happened
that’s not to make it less of a big deal, it’s just
to me.’”
like a solidarity kind of thing. Like this has
Victim blaming is another problem when
happened to other people, and other people
it comes to sexual assault. Survivors are
know how you’re feeling. And there will come
constantly asked what they were wearing,
a time when you will feel comfortable to tell
if they were drinking, or if they led their
somebody. And it might not be very soon, but
attacker on. It often seems that the assault can
it will happen eventually, and that is the most
be justified
relieving thing ever.”
SE CAU
16 | editorial
TIO
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of the newspaper and is a col-
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U A C E S U S D R O W R U O Y H IT
I
n the year 2018, it is not uncom-
mon to wake up to notifications and news stories of beloved celebrities being criticized and slandered for a controversial tweet or an offensive remark made in an interview. While anger is usually the first emotion felt by the public, it is soon followed by disappointment. But before long, the disappointment is put aside as the public greedily accepts a perfectly unproblematic apology made by the celebrity at fault, or rather their publicist.
While this sort of apologetic
behavior is predictable and expected in Hollywood, in the real world, most offensive remarks are not met with an immediate apology. Of course citizens of the United States do have the right to say whatever they feel, whenever they like, and of course they should use this privilege to express their thoughts and opinions. But once the argument takes a turn and becomes a way to bully or target a specific person or group of people, the speaker should be held accountable.
Over the past year or so, there have
been several offensive tweets and remarks made by celebrities that have come to light, no matter how recently the tweet or remark was made. Makeup artist and youtuber James Charles, Riverdale actor Charles Melton, and actress and comedian Roseanne Barr are just a few who have come under fire for making insensitive comments within the last year or so, all via Twitter. While the reputations of these people may be forever tarnished for some, their careers are usually able to continue on without issue after sending out a mediocre, unoriginal apology. Of course it is good to be apologetic in these
situations, but citizens of the United States
Parul Srivastava ‘19 co-founded C.O.R.E.,
do have the right to say whatever they feel.
Community of Racial Equity, a program that
However, in the real world, that is, the world
educates students on the impact of words,
that exists beyond Hollywood, most offen-
specifically those targeted towards students
sive remarks are not met with an instant
of color. The program does a weekly activity
apology.
called discourse, in which students offer
While scrolling through social media, it
their perspectives on current event issues.
is predictable one should find at least one
“And, honestly that’s the biggest thing
comment to fuel some anger in them or
that I’ve seen change people’s perspectives
others around them. Social media seems to
because there are a lot of things that can be
have become a place in which people have
brushed off if you only come from a single
taken to abusing their First Amendment
perspective,” Srivastava said. “But, when you
rights, turning to bullying and harassment
see how it impacts other people because of
instead of having constructive arguments
their background, then it kind of can change
and discussions, and they don’t have masses
your perspective on the entire event.”
of fans and followers to call them out on
When offensive comments are made
their behavior.
through social media, people are often quick
It is important that citizens are able to
to attack the speaker and make them out
express their free thoughts, but once the line
to be irredeemable. But, there are ways in
gets crossed and the argument turns into
which people can redeem themselves and
bullying or targeting a specific group of peo-
better their understanding of the impact of
ple, the speaker should be held accountable,
their words and actions. “I think the answer
even if that accountability is simply calling
is education,” Srivastava said. “If you can
someone out when bullying or just plain
educate yourself and understand the impact
rudeness is expressed.
that your words have made, and of the ac-
Associate principal Jerry Stratton deals with
tions you’ve done, and actually comprehend
offensive and threatening comments made
that, then I think you’re 100 percent redeem-
by students on a regular basis. While many
able.” While Roseanne Barr may have lost
students who make these comments like to
her job due her offensive remarks, that is not
claim “free speech” to support their state-
always the most practical or necessary ac-
ments, Stratton refutes that claim. “When
tion. Working to educate oneself, or joining
you’re talking about freedom of speech with-
a club like C.O.R.E., could potentially solve
in a school, you have to understand that we
the massive bullying and harassment issue
have a captive audience,” Stratton said. “You
that is currently abundant on social media.
have to be here as a student, so therefore
But, as long as the First Amendment exists,
there are limits to your free speech because
people will always make insensitive or offen-
you can’t create a situation where I don’t
sive remarks. That is why it is important that
feel like I can be safe, and have access to a
we as a society should not allow bullying
free and appropriate education. When those
or harassment to go unnoticed, whether on
things start to happen, then there’s limits on
social media or in real life.
your free speech that you do have.”
S D R O W R U O UTION WITH Y
USE CAUTION
18 | opinion
EXPLORING
OTHER OPTIONS words | Elizabeth Jones layout | Andrew Maresca
In many apprenticeships, employers will even provide a stipend during the training. These options are widely overlooked.
AN ABUNDANCE OF OPENING
W
about what they are going to do after high school, they
In addition, college is really expensive. Some people stay in debt for over a decade. By electing to skip college and train in skilled labor, students can save themselves hundreds
A common misconception is that good
of thousands of dollars of debt. In the end
jobs are not available without a college
trade workers might earn just as much as
degree. They could not be more wrong. “In
college graduate, once the cost of tuition
fact right now probably the biggest job group
is subtracted from the college graduate’s
is going to be coming out of a certificate or a
payroll.
two-year training program,” counselor Susan
hen most students are asked
THE COST OF COLLEGE
Baker said. Skilled labor is in short supply so job opportunities
College can also be really difficult for many students. Many students end up
are
commonly
dropping out of college, but they are still left
available.
with college debt. “Many times, students who
give a blank stare and say, “college,” maybe
“There’s a huge demand for welders in this
might struggle in a comprehensive school
they even name a specific college. For these
country,” Industrial Tech teacher Mitch
and being in classes pretty much eight hours
students, it does not occur to them that
Eagles said. “They’re like 400,000 welders
a day find that they’re ok learning about
there are other worthwhile options besides
short.”
something and being in a classroom if it’s
college. Students know that the options such
After a welding apprenticeship, job-
something that they enjoy,” said Baker. “So
as construction workers or plumbers are
seekers will have no problem finding a job.
you are looking at programs that are more
there, but they are more likely to be told
This is true for most skilled labor. In fact,
hands on and programs that are maybe not
they will be a construction worker if they do
college graduates often can’t find a job after
going to be four years.”
not do well in school than to be told it is a
college. “You could choose [a degree] you’re
worthwhile career, often discouraging people
interested in, but when you get into that field
from pursuing these career paths.
there’s no options and you can’t find a job,”
“When you think of a plumber, you think of a negative image: someone who’s unclogging
a
toilet,”
business
teacher
Kristine Volesky said. “But with all that new
welding student Benjamin Lawit ‘19 said.
MANUAL LABOR
LOOKING AT OTHER OPTIONS Even if students can afford college, it does
Another reason people generally choose
not necessarily mean it is the right option.
construction, they need plumbers and they
college over other options is because of the
The focus of college from schools and peers
just don’t have enough people. So you could
stigma against blue-collar work. “There’s
make students and parents forget about
be making around $52,000 each year after
a certain segment that is [encouraged to
other options. “I personally think that one of
you go through the training.”
explore trade school] but parents, counselors,
the biggest problems is that the school itself
teachers, tend to push everyone towards
doesn’t promote other options,” Operations
college and the idea that other options are
Director of Central Iowa Works Soneeta
kind of lesser,” South said.
Mangra-Dutcher said. “They only say, ‘this
EARNING MONEY Many people go to college because they say they will not be able to earn much money otherwise. However, this is not necessarily true. “Many of the best paying jobs in the Midwest don’t require a four-year degree, they’re technical jobs,” industrial tech teacher Rhys South said. And yes some jobs, such as volunteer options in the Peace Corps will only receive a stipend, which is a small amount of money to live on. However, the majority of jobs that do not require a college degree, are jobs such as plumbers, welders, construction workers, etc. These types of jobs pay well and the training costs are minimal or paid for by the employer.
Blue-collar work often involves a lot of
college is coming’ or ‘we need to prepare
manual labor. However, this does not have
you for college.’ So it’s really hard for kids to
to be a bad thing. Many people like hands-
think about things differently when that’s all
on tasks and do not mind the manual labor.
they hear. A lot of parents fall into that too.”
“[Welding is] rigorous, It’s hard, there’s a lot
“Every parents dream is that their child
of practice, I’d say half of them actually enjoy
goes to college and gets a four-year degree
it,” Eagles said. “If you like if you can make
and become a doctor or lawyer,” said
some money.”
South. However this can not be a reality for
If students do good in school, they are
everyone and society needs to do a better job
expected to go to college, but it is not always
of encouraging students to explore options
a good option. “My parents were both honor
outside of college. Skilled labor is not inferior
students, so they were putting pressure on
to to a college degree.
me to get good grades, so I can go to college, but I don’t really want to go to college to be honest,” Lawit said.
Open Letter to 20 | opinion
Chuck Grassley words l Obsee Abbajabal
layout
l Julia Richards
Revised version of letter sent to Senator Chuck Grassley on Sept. 29 The Honorable Chuck Grassley Chairman, Judiciary Committee United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510
M
y name is Obsee Abbajabal and I am a high
the duty to ensure Dr. Ford was thoroughly heard. You
school student that lives in Johnston, IA. Even
abandoned your duty and pushed through a vote when
though I am not eligible to vote, I am sending
members on both sides pleaded for a delay once again.
you my concerns as a constituent and resident of Iowa.
Shame on you. As a senator, your job is to listen to the
Mr. Chairman, you had a tremendous weight on your
people and represent them based on their concerns.
shoulders during the judiciary hearings. As I watched the
Ultimately, you have not effectively represented my
hearings live from home and at school, I could see the
state. The hearings displayed how Washington has
amount of stress you were experiencing.
changed you. Not once did I see a glimmer of “Iowa nice”
Judge Brett Kavanaugh, the Trump administration’s
in you. In fact, you have tarnished my state’s name with
nominee for the Supreme Court, has had multiple sexual
the way you have acted throughout the hearings. Iowa
assault and harassment allegations reported against him.
is barely recognized by national media outlets except
Is there not another qualified person for this job? Why
during caucus season. However, you brought news media
must this Supreme Court vacancy be filled by a person
slander to our state’s name.
who has multiple sexual assault allegations against them?
The hearings displayed how you lack the ability to
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford was the first survivor to come
listen, a key trait for a United States senator. Are you
forward months before Kavanaugh was even picked as the
discriminatory with who you listen to Senator? It appears
nominee. In fact, the Trump administration announced a
that you could not fathom to hear your colleagues across
list of 25 judges that they were narrowing down to fill the
the aisle, Dr. Ford, and other sexual assault survivors.
Supreme Court vacancy. Dr. Ford felt it was her civic duty
Where does this selective listening end?
to come forward and she deserves nothing less than the
I write this for the survivors because as a minority living
utmost respect and sympathy for her bravery.
in America I am tired of not having my voice heard.
Mr. Chairman, before the confirmation hearings even
There is no way for me to trust the process when I will
began, the National Archives, which holds many records
never be picked up by selective hearing radars held by
about Kavanaugh’s time working as a staff secretary for
people who have too much power. When you failed to
the Bush administration, informed the committee that
listen to Dr. Ford, you silenced millions of sexual assault
it could not collect all of the documents requested in a
survivors and told them that their voice is not worthy.
timely manner. This accounts for 35 months of records
A position on the Supreme Court is a lifetime
that the committee did not review; 35 months that were
appointment that can have a tremendous leverage on
carelessly pushed aside.
American lives. And a man like Brett Kavanaugh should
Many of your colleagues pleaded with you for more time,
not be able to step foot near the Supreme Court without
especially in light of the 42,000 pages of documents the
extreme vetting and an FBI investigation done on him.
White House released regarding Kavanaugh just hours
Due to past mistakes by the committee you reside on,
before the confirmation hearings began. Mr. Chairman,
we already have a Supreme Court justice that has faced
you failed to recognize your colleagues pleas.
similar accusations.
The method in which the Senate Judiciary Committee
Please stop looking through your partisan lens, Mr.
handled her allegation was shameful and unprecedented.
Chairman. Believing in survivors of sexual assault is not
As chairman and a member of this committee, you had
a partisan issue. I hope you know that.
Sincerely,
Wash and thoroughly dry the apples. Press and secure a lollipop stick into the top of each apple. Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Place the caramels in a medium saucepan set over medium-low heat. Add the heavy cream and cook the caramels, stirring occasionally, until they melt and the mixture is smooth. Reduce the heat to low. Dip each of the apples into the caramel mixture, shaking off any excess and scraping any caramel off the bottoms of the apples. Roll the apples in your preferred toppings then place them on the lined baking sheet. Refrigerate the apples for 15 minutes or until the caramel has firmed up. Store the apples in the fridge until ready to serve.
Ca
Ingredients: 8 Granny Smith apples, 4 bags soft caramels (Werther’s Original 4.51 oz), 3 tbsp. heavy cream, assorted toppings, 8 lollipop sticks
yA d n
pples
A Taste
Ingredients: 3 cups whole milk, 1 cup canned pumpkin purée, 1 tsp pumpkin spice, 1/8 tsp salt,1 tsp pure vanilla extract, 6 oz. white chocolate, whipped cream, cinnamon or pumpkin spice for dusting Add the milk, pumpkin purée, pumpkin spice, salt and vanilla to a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture is simmering, about 4-5 minutes. Do not boil. Remove from heat and add white chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream and dust with cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.
Spice Hot C n i h pk
te ola oc
Pu m
photos, food | A
Ingredients: 1 cup Flour, 1 tsp. Baking Powder, ½ tsp. Baking soda, ¼ tsp. Salt, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, slightly beaten, 1 cup pumpkin, ½ cup oil
Pumpkin
Combine first six ingredients. Combine eggs, pumpkin, oil and add. Mix well. Bake in a 9x13 pan that has been greased and floured. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until done. (Makes 32 bars).
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Ba r
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients: 3 oz cream cheese, ¾ stick margarine, 1 tsp. milk, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar Combine all ingredients and spread on bars.
e of Fall Mini A
, words & layout | Taylor Siebert Ada Basic
Pies e l pp Ingredients: 2 pie store-bought crusts, 2 and 1/2 cups chopped apples, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tbsp. flour, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg Roll the pie crusts out to 1/8” thickness on a lightly floured surface. Using a 3.5-inch cup, cut out 12 circles from the pie crusts. Place each circle of pie crust in each spot of a 12-count muffin pan. Gently press the dough down and around the sides, making sure the dough fits snuggly in the muffin pan. Put any leftover pie crust dough and the muffin pan in the refrigerator. In a large mixing bowl, mix the remaining ingredients until fully combined. Take the muffin pan from the refrigerator and evenly distribute the apple pie filling. Place any extra pie dough from the refrigerator on the tops of the pies as desired. Bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes or until the pie crust is lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes before placing the pies on a wire rack to finish cooling.
SHEAR
ATTRACTIONS
HAIR SALON 4351 Hubbell Ave. Des Moines, IA
515-537-9480
Senior Tributes
Showcase your senior in the 2019 yearbook
$
$60 check made out to Johnston HS Yearbook or cash. Pay to accounting office.
YEARBOOK SENIOR HEADSHOTS
DUE NOV. 19 Format The photo should be a vertical head and shoulders shot with a solid, dark (black, brown, navy, dark gray) background. Avoid walls and fences.
@
Submission
Head size should be similar to Email 1 MB photo to the example. Include the entire JHSeniors@ head and some background. johnston.k12.ia.us Avoid halos effects around the All schools have different head. requirements, so make sure to Crop just below the shoulders
Outside photos will not be across the chest. accepted because an outdoor background is rarely solid.
tell your photographer ours.
School photos taken in August will used unless No other part of the body should be included such as a photo meeting these Digital photos via email are hands, arms, torso or whole guidelines is submitted before preferred. the deadline. body shots. Save the photo as a jpg and Do not include other people, Thanks for helping us continue send it as an attachment. animals, sports equipment, the tradition of creating Make the file about 1 MB. chairs, slides, cars, scarves, quality yearbooks. hats, money, weapons, or any
Name the file like this: last other objects in the photo. name_ first name jpg.
Email questions to Leslie Shipp at lshipp@ johnston. Avoid any printing on the photo k12.ia.us. Please submit The photo can be black and like the graduating year or a photos to above email. white or color. The yearbook name. is in color.
11.19 November 19 is the
deadline, or until sold out.
Composition
3
1= 9=63+4 34+ 7 3+ + 1=3 5- 2 8= 7 48 5 =1
53+
MA+thnasium
Email photos and message to
JHSeniors@johnston.k12.ia.us
MORE COVERAGE ONLINE AT
JHSBLACKANDWHITE.COM
The Math Learning Center
2810 SE Grimes Blvd, #200 Johnston-Grimes@Mathnasium.com
319-939-3789