September 2009 by JHS BlackandWhite

Pandora and Purevolume: revolutionizing the way we listen to music

the black and white. sept 2009. volume 19 issue 2. 5152780449. 6501 NW 62nd ave. johnston. iowa one copy free

ON THE COVER designed by Kallen Kramer

check us out online www.theblackandwhiteonline.com

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p21

NEWS

Personal Music

HEALTH

Bass Pro Shop

Wessling wins award

10 11

New teachers

DOUBLE TRUCK

AP English teacher, Sarah Wessling wins statewide award. Get to know the new teachers at JHS

Announcement frustration

Lack of communication in the high school

OPINION 6

Review on the new superstore

Technology should be a priority

We need to be more elite with academics

New English classes fail

Jessica Pray big break?

Graduating early

Pray travels to record for new musical group Why it works for some, but not others

Environmental club

Wagner gets a new, ecofriendly club approved

Germs are gross

Obama speaks to students The controversy is unecessary

Substitute teachers

STAFF JM KK LG

EDITORS IN CHIEF Julia Manning

Kallen Kramer layout

Lauren Gehrke managing

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.

22 23

Rigorous training for volleyball

Swimmers’ success

Rankings improved by new strategy

Quarterback

What tyou don’t know about salt

BACKPAGE COPS

Crazy cop stories and how to deal with cops

Hunting for escape

Students enjoy a break in wildlife

Black&White profiling

Learn how to use the popular site

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Father and son, coach and athlete

Are they for you?

ENTERTAINMENT

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The Smiths

Volleyball strategy

Online classes

New pacer requirements are unrealistic

Interesting information about subs

The pacer

Brett Moffitt

SPORTS

Looking at fashion inspiration from back when

Be sanitary

Craigslist

Opinions from the opposite sex

Old trends come back

With confusing names

What tyou don’t know about salt

Taylor Kavaya uses Youtube for talents

SUB-EDITORS

CC PM EO KM KM

Catherine Caracci news

Philip Mortens opinion

Eric Oatts entertainment

Kelly McGowan fashion

Kiera Morrill photo

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

index

Academic honor lacking?

What do they notice?

FASHION 14

Sodium danger

DUNGEON

FEATURE

Laptops in school

Pandora and Pure Volume

12/13

EDITORIAL

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news

Sept 09

Wessling wins award, away she goes

Kiera Morrill/BW

“I think a teacher, in any capacity, sees the potential in others that they can’t see in themselves, and finds a way to help them become self-actualized,” Iowa Teacher of the Year Sarah Wessling said.

Iowa Teacher of the Year Sarah Wessling will be spending a year on sabbatical, teaching and learning words & layout Kelsey Kruse English teacher Sarah Wessling received a let-

ter in the mail from the department of education and did not think much of it. “I thought the letter was about a meeting I had to go to because I had been doing some work for the state,” Wessling

said. “I opened it, set it aside, and started making

dinner.” When Wessling took a better look at the

to meet with other ‘teachers of the year’ from other

the opportunity to learn, and bring that knowledge

be in D.C., where the National Teacher of the Year

will also allow her to do something else she loves,

states all over the country. In April, Wessling will

will be chosen. Wessling said in the summer she will be attending space camp, and there is also a

trip scheduled for the fall. “Leaving is the hardest

part; to leave my colleagues and students is hard,” Wessling said.

Senior Andrew Meek is currently taking AP

back to the classroom. She hopes this opportunity write. “It’s a passion,” Wessling said. “I’m hoping to do a lot of writing about stories I hear, students

I encounter and everything I learn. It’s hard to find time to write, because I’m so immersed in helping students write.”

Foldes said Wessling is dedicated to what she

letter, what she saw shocked her.

English, taught by Wessling. “I think it’s awesome

does, as well as to her students and helping them

ed for 2010 Iowa Teacher of the Year, and invited

ably 90 percent of the reason I took [AP English]

years, and enjoys it because of the opportunity to

The letter informed Wessling she was nominat-

her to apply. The application required essays, and

letters of recommendation. Wessling was one of five finalists to be interviewed, and later received a

phone call from Department of Education director

she has this opportunity,” Meek said, “but probwas because she is the teacher, so I don’t think

the experience will be what it could have been having her all year.”

so personable and outgoing that she made every-

to have her for the first semester.”

Meek said Wessling always keeps her stu-

sent the school, but also the teachers of the state

dents completely involved in what is going on in

Wessling will be on sabbatical, which means she

unique is there aren’t many rules, guidelines, or

will travel around the state to work with other high

school teachers, and prospective teachers at universities.

In January, Wessling will be traveling to Dallas

Although senior Libby Elmitt has never had

good teacher,” Foldes said. “I’m just lucky enough

ored. “I think this is a great opportunity to expand

of Iowa.” From Jan. 1, 2010 to Dec. 31, 2010,

didn’t know they could do.

Wessling as a teacher, Elmitt feels she has learned

to this year with Wessling. “I heard [Wessling] is a

my own classroom. It’s an honor to not only repre-

see kids learn, improve, grow and do things they

Senior Morgan Foldes was also looking forward

Judy Jeffrey about being selected for the award.

Wessling said she was both surprised and hon-

to succeed. Wessling has been teaching for 11

class. “One of my favorite things about her that’s

a lot from Wessling. “When we first met she was thing better. Now whenever we see each other in the hallway, we chitchat it up.” Elmitt said. “I can’t

think of anyone better for this outstanding award. She deserves it.”

Since Wessling was announced 2010 Iowa

restrictions about what you can write. It’s all about

Teacher of the Year, she said in some ways noth-

part of the reason she won.”

always am in the fall, just trying to get to know my

finding your own voice,” Meek said. “I think that’s Wessling said she is most looking forward to

ing has changed. “I am still in the same place I students,” Wessling said.

news

Sept 09

Homecoming tradition celebrates 19th year a football field, ever,” Rollison said.

words & layout Alyssa Czapla

Powder puff had not always been a vio-

lent game, though. “A major thing about

Students will be participating in Rock

the powder puff game that stood out to me

Around the Clock (RATC) for its 19th year

was when some boys dressed up in the

on Monday, Sept. 28.

cheerleaders outfits,” 1982 graduate Lisa

“RATC is the favorite, but most frustrat-

VanDenBerg said. “That was always funny,

ing tradition we do,” student council advi-

and I always wondered how they fit into

sor Chris Beghun said. “It’s a unique event,

those skirts!”

and to me, one of the most exciting things

Today, boys do not dress in the cheer-

about it is the uncertainty of not being sure

leaders’ outfits nor does the school allow

if your team has made it.”

the once-popular tradition of ‘slave trade’.

Teams are drawn at random, with se-

“I remember freshmen were auctioned

niors having priority, but with no promise of

off to seniors to raise money ,” VanDen-

being chosen. The raffle began because of

Berg said. “They were led around with

the growing number of teams.

‘chains’ and I remember one cheerleader

RATC replaced Club Olympics in 1996.

being carried around from class to class.”

Club Olympics consisted of 16 teams with 10 people per team, as opposed to RATC’s

39 teams with 12 people per team. Club

Olympics started in 1990 and was for students in clubs only.

“Club Olympics was created in order to

encourage participation in homecoming,”

teacher Alicia Rollison, who attended the high school from 1992-1996, said.

With the school growing, and many

students not in clubs, Club Olympics was rethought. “I was on student council and

was in charge of making Club Olympics ‘work better’,” Rollison said. “I looked at the clock, and thought to myself, ‘stations’, and

we can rotate around like the clock, like the oldies, not too creative.”

Provided/Matthew Courtney

Graduates Olivia Schiefelbien and Mindy Dickerson compete in the cheese ball game during last year’s Rock Around the Clock. Because of Rollison, RATC was formed,

with 24 teams having eight people per team. Also, sponsors were introduced to head the

teams. “The numbers and setup was more

manageable for our growing school,” Rollison said.

Now, RATC has the same general idea,

except more stations and different games. The competition is between three teams at each station instead of two.

While RATC is still popular, some tradi-

tions have died. “Making floats for the parade was a much bigger deal, we would

news briefs

urban-style

since 1999, to remodel and construct buildings.

If the vote was not

passed, money would have

to been used for other purposes rather than building buildings

superintendent

Governor Chet Culver, hopreduce pollution, and put

the metro area into a more modern age. The rail would

Clay Guthmiller said.

There is a planned ex-

pansion of three of the

five elementaries, Horizon, Lawson and Wallace.

Guthmiller said there will

be no need for high school expansion until 2013.

seven-foot dragon created in 1995.

While float building is not as popular,

powder puff football has returned.

Only back for five years, the powder

puff game had been banned for ‘being too rough.’ “Girls were clothes-lining each other, and I remember the athletic director saying he had never heard so much cussing on

posed 278 projects seeking

ing to lessen congestion,

used as it has been used

with signs, nothing as creative as Rollison’s

works for the Des Moines

Voters approve use of penny tax

years. This money would be

people in cars throwing candy or walking

broad support for such an

force of leaders, including

in $40 million in the next 20

Now the homecoming parade is merely

high-

speed rail might be in the

words Jon Houp

This tax is expected to bring

lison said.

are also the classic ones. Coronation has

always had the ten person court, with attendants from each grade. The king and

queen have also always been presented with memorabilia from the sports teams.

Week-long activities have also been

popular, such as dress up days and special activities around the building, with the week always ending with a pep assembly for that night’s game.

“School spirit has changed since I was

in high school,” Beghun said. “I do miss

the tradition of it, because win or lose you

should be proud of your school and show

spirit. Have fun, laugh, be silly, but be positive; that’s all homecoming is really about.”

High speed rail possibility

area. It is led by a main

Voters passed a 1 cent local option tax Sept. 8.

work on floats for two weeks or more,” Rol-

Even with the unique traditions there

idea; forty states have pro$102 billion in federal funding. In addition to the $8 billion in federal economic-

stimulus funding, The state has set aside 3 million to try to match the federal funds.

“They want to know were

go to the Quad Cities to the

serious about rail,” Kerri Jo-

then go to Iowa City. Then

for the Iowa Environmen-

station in Davenport and head to Des Monies then hopefully Omaha.

head

Directly

towards linking

hannsen, a policy advocate tal Law and Policy Center (ELPC) said.

would be from an Obama

emissions. It is planned to

in nine mid-west states to

make better public trans-

omy by providing jobs and

be for all 65 million people

more cost efficient for com-

be connected by this high-

muters. There has been

A high speed rail train in Chicago combines efficiency with speed by running on a dieselelectric drive, it can reach up to 79 mph.

The ultimate goal would

key areas in the Mid-west

to Chicago, making the trip

Provided/Richard Harnish

speed rail plan. The money

led congressional fund to portation that is also energy efficient, there by reducing

also be an aid to the econhelping people travel to the Chicago area cheaper.

editorial

Sept 09

Improve school wide communication memory, to remember those announce-

that cannot receive texts, the announce-

the school Web site, the page that comes

for the Blood Drive in the nurses office!

run by the board. This is unacceptable and

area for them or possibly even e-mailed to

almost always on a computer at least once

colliding with those too focused on their

more involved, organized student body. We

In fact, all students could be e-mailed

utes and read about the upcoming events.

ning into, announcements such as these,

In this day in age, there are ways to

wished. That would take only a few clicks of

during the day at school, they can still check

go to the attendance office are bellowed

then our school is doing now. Almost ev-

whole school, both students and parents,

online but to get them you have to navigate

While getting to their next class on time

ting or Internet or both. The school should

people. They can save them to their inbox

quently undated. Things on the announce-

ed to see these important announcements

dents. We need to send out mass texts to

Another way to get things such as an-

When we finally see the announcements, it

Rock Around the Clock sheets due Tues-

day. Register for the ACT by Friday. Sign up

ments, you might get a glance at as you

ments should be posted in a well accessed

up first on most computers. Students are

As I careen down the crowded hall way,

is hindering the opportunity for us to be a

those students.

a day and that way they could take two min-

phones to worry about who they are run-

need to better our communication.

the announcements on a daily basis if they

Even if the students do not get a computer

and the 20 various students that need to

communicate with people in better ways

a button. Mass e-mails can be sent to the

the Web site at home. Announcements are

across the intercom for us to remember.

eryone has a cell phone capable with tex-

and then they can be a regular reminder for

through several pages that are not fre-

is enough of a task for most, we are expect-

consider texting important things to the stu-

and have them accessible at all times.

ments talk about events going on today.

on the TVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, or if you have a photogenic

the students that can receive them. Those

nouncements out would be to post them on

is often too late and the event has already happened, without so much as a warning

as to what was coming up. Students need more warning, that way they can take care

of their after school things before the day of.

All around the school, you notice the

nice TVs in the hallway, cafeteria, and classrooms, but yet those TVs are hardly ever on. One can only assume the amount

of money the district spent on those high

definition TVs, you think they would want to

use them as much as possible. But yet they remain dark in the classrooms.

If the announcements were on in class-

rooms as students came into class, it would

give them yet another chance to see the important information. The only kids that might

miss the announcements are those that are running from their government class to their

math class and scoot into class right before the bell rings.

English teacher Mark Schillerstrom al-

ways has the announcements on after the

bell rings eighth period. This is a great idea

giving his students yet another chance to see the announcements that we are not given much of a chance to see. Good idea, Mr. Schillerstrom!

Announcements must be better commu-

nicated and in our age of technology there

is no reason for us not to know what is going on.

Kiera Morrill/BW

Guidance office secretary Mrs. Smith announces names on the intercom during passing periods.

opinion

Sept 09

Laptop learning: Personal lap tops could be a powerful tool words & layout Dwight Lykins Walk into a college lecture and the first thing you

So lets examine why the district might be so skeptical to

see are students feverishly typing away on their lap-

let students have lap tops in school. The first thing would

kids struggling to keep up with a power point or forget-

on the computer itself. You could have some explicit mu-

tops. Yet walk into a class at our school, and you see ting to write down important points a teacher suggests.

It’s 2009 and the concept of pen and paper have been

replaced by keyboard and laptop. Yet because of current district policy students don’t have the option to

use lap tops in school despite advantages they may

be the lack of control they would have over any content

Yet iPods with the exact same music are allowed in the building.

Another problem is access to Web sites that may be

building technology director Tom Porter said.

for up to five people) by Verizon and Sprint, a student could

This means until the policy is revised. If you want

tight until the new policy is approved and in place.

The thing is, a laptop could facilitate a student’s

learning by expediting their note taking, or ending the “my printer didn’t work” excuse. And there are plenty of applications for sale to help you even more. Such

as the iWork bundle from Apple which has applications for power points, research papers, and spreadsheets, and they all come with templates to help you make your paper the best it can be.

This Apple program is equivalent to Microsoft Word but comes with templates and makes amazing finished projects.

doesn’t want your laptop to be going from class to class.

blocked in the network filter. With a laptop connect card

to use your laptop in class you’re going to have to sit

iWork ‘09 - Apple store/online

sic which may not be school appropriate, thus the school

bring.

“The current policy is going before the board,” Our

TOP APPS

to help you get your school on

iStudiez Pro - iTunes This iPhone or iPod Touch App. is a great way to keep track of any course all assignments and tests, its $2.99 on iTunes.

from AT&T or the new mi-fi (which basically is a wi-fi hotspot access the EDGE network or the faster 3G network, much

like on a iPhone or other smartphone . By using one of these devices a student could access Web sites the school doesn’t want you using, i.e. Youtube, Facebook, or Twitter (if you’re cool like that). But an iPhone allows me to have

access to those sites in school and during passing periods

when I’m able to have my phone out in, and I usually do log into Facebook see what my friends are doing or maybe

take a few quizzes. Yet I’m not made to get my phone ap-

proved by the school nor is someone with a phone that doesn’t allow access to the internet.

“While I see lap tops as useful learning tools, my fear is

that students don’t need another distraction in the classroom and neither do teachers,” Associate Principle Randy Klein said.

So let’s be honest there is always a way around some-

thing. Even though the lap tops could have a great learning

advantage the negative drawbacks are what is keeping the administration from allowing them in the school. I think a process of approval based on class load, the actual classes you are taking. And some sort of punishment policy that

could restrict your access. This would force the student to implement some sort of self control and realize its possible to go ten minutes without changing your status. No ones news feed needs that, plus you can focus on your notes.

Honors without honor: Honor roll needs reconsidering and refinement words & layout Kevin Hu From time to time, while I am playing online poker or

checking fantasy football when AP Physics and AP Biol-

down to the office as soon as my name had been called

make NHS more “honorable.”

as the academic letter just has no meaning to me.

should be what it says it is, an honor. Promoting a sense

over the speakers. However, something as easy to get

There are 287 names printed in the Academic Let-

ogy bore me oh-so-much, I reach into my drawer to get

ter Awards Ceremony Program. I counted my class and

so, I stumble across the five honor roll certificates I cur-

academic letter in the 2008-2009 year.

a candy bar or two, since I am secretly anorexic. In doing

rently possess, collecting dust and wrinkles, never seeing

determined that approximately 30% of our class won an

Cut that number in half. I would even argue taking that

the light of day.

number and dividing it by 10. Top 3% is definitely pretty

er you might ask? Surely you would want to frame these to

chase one of those bumper stickers that say, “My

What are these honor roll certificates doing in your draw-

display to your family, friends, and neighbors about how successful, smart, and intuitive you are?

No, and here is why. Johnston honor roll is pathetic, and

elite. One day, your parents just might be able to purkids are on the Honor Roll!” and be proud of displaying it on their bumpers.

Society (NHS) needs to find another way to

a ceremony with three hundred or so students getting the

out of the senior class is useless. The sheer

same piece of paper, I might as well go to the DOT and

watch the patrons take tickets from the dispenser. The office has been calling my name to come collect my award

for the past two weeks, along with the other 50 kids that neglected to attend such a pointless ceremony.

If my academic letter was something more honorable,

or harder to attain, like a varsity tennis letter, I would go

of elitism in the intelligent would only further promote an

actual sense of accomplishment and success. Many students would most likely work harder to achieve or con-

tinue to hold onto an actual award worth mentioning. I certainly do not feel honored at all at this point. Maybe

I’ll stop by the office to pick up my certificate and letter tomorrow… my drawer could use another useless paper to fill up the void left by my late night munching on candy bars.

Another issue is that National Honors

the academic letter awards are such a waste of time. I am

not saying that a 3.75 GPA is bad, but if I wanted to go to

I might sound like a total jerk right now, but honor roll

be more selective. Picking out 100 students

size of NHS is both a hassle to manage during

meetings. Fortunately, the perfect solution is within

our reach: limit our numbers, and include juniors. Juniors

will be able to have a year’s experience before being able

to run for officer positions, and will have valuable experience. Also, this way will offer more connections between

the grade levels and promote more school unity, and also

The lamp of learning

opinion

Sept 09

New English curriculum, grade not met words & layout Michael Knoedel

Why wasn’t this explained to the students?

suasion were almost the same.”

Keep in mind that the classes aren’t the ex-

For seven years, the English curriculum

along with all other seniors, was under the

mentally similar,” English teacher Ed Walk-

they are very similar.

Iowa mandated the Iowa Core Curriculum

es were just that, new. I read all the course

Legends became Heroic Men and Wom-

changed; I just think that students should

view revealed gaps in some of the courses,

tion of similar classes from last year] and

Mind and Advanced Composition became

the new classes in general. For instance,

riculum. The English department imple-

class] we were talking about an article

no clue what was happening.

lacy” in one of my responses.

student body, it only represented about

I had learned that term and I

it would inevitably affect. Even then, those

Advanced Composition. After

that they were actually choosing. The real

the classes of Advanced-

degree of uncertainty almost every student

Power

“It was crap,” senior Ryan Bower said. “I,

has remained unchanged until the State of

impression that all of the new English class-

to review the English department. The re-

descriptions [where there wasn’t any men-

which called for change in the entire cur-

decided to take Power of Persuasion. [In

mented the reforms while the students had

where I used the term “logical fal-

While there was some surveying of the

“Some classes from last year are funda-

er said. For instance, last years Myths and

en, Creative Writing became The Creative

Power of Per-

The teacher asked me where

suasion.

act same classes with a different name, but I don’t mind that the curriculum has

have been more aware of the changes and Working It Out, one of the new English

classes, isn’t even accepted as an English credit by the NCAA, which means you may not have enough English credits to gain admission to most colleges if you take it.

“We were informed about the same

250 students of the thousands of students

told him that I learned it from

amount as the students,” guidance coun-

students had little to no idea of the classes

hearing that, he told me that

er] came into my office, it was the first time

problem with the English curriculum is the

Composition

faced coming into their classes this year.

P e r -

and

selor Stephanie Guthrie said. “When [BowI heard about any similar classes from last

year.” With little to no help from the course selection handbook and with the people

who are supposed to be informing students uninformed, there was no way for anyone to

Last year, students chose their English

classes from two pools of classes: read-

be prepared for their new English classes.

integration in every class,”

lish curriculum will be more available for

Wessling said. “Each class

Power of Persuasion was Advanced Com-

contains five elements:

tween cross-country and homework from

viewing, and listening. With

had no free time as it was without the extra

Hopefully information on the new Eng-

ing and writing. “Instead, we use English

teacher

students next semester. Had I known that

Sarah

in the new curriculum

position, I would have stayed away. Be-

reading, writing, speaking,

my four AP classes this year, I would have

these class reforms, teachers

are more apt to get together to

Eric Anderson ‘11

hour to two hours of homework a night from

Power of Persuasion. I wish I would have known.

help each other. It’s different.”

Wash your hands. Easy. Simple. Effective. words & layout Philip Mortens

soap, it just seems pathetic.

Cough, cough, sneeze, sneeze, and another cough for

hand washing. But not enough of us heed their warning.

good measure. These are wondrous melodies of the bel-

Every public rest room in America has signs advocating After H1N1 emerged last year, the message about

lowing from the choir of sickness.

hand washing was repeated even louder.

and the flu are beginning to spread.

so-called “super flu”. You will see news stories on the ev-

sickness, but the most crucial technique has been neglect-

sneeze. Teachers are constantly reminding students that

It is the art of hand washing, and it is seemingly getting

watch out for the public drinking fountains because you can

In a study performed by the American Journal of Infec-

We have even seen the effects in a recent Public Ser-

It is getting to that time of year when the common cold

Everywhere you look, you can see the effects of this

There are many ways to help control this onslaught of

ery major news network telling about the proper way to

ed despite the wide spread knowledge of its ancient art.

hand washing is a key component to quelling disease, or to

washed down the drain.

know what little nasties they may hide.

tion Control, students flunked when it came to washing

vice Announcement (PSA) released by the Obama admin-

males polled in the survey washed their hands after us-

explaining the benefit of sneezing into your arm and wash-

males 48 percent washed their hands, and 8 percent used

But the question that must be asked is should it really

their hands after a trip to the rest room. 58 percent of fe-

istration starring Sesame Street’s lovable character, Elmo,

ing the bathroom. 33 percent of that group used soap. For

ing your hands frequently.

Philip Mortens/BW

A second floor rest room, vacant of all students take an international health crisis to make people realize the value in washing hands?

Take the time, it is easy, it is quick, and it is just plain

gross not to. And it could help prevent an H1N1 outbreak.

opinion

Sept 09

Kiera Morrill/BW

President Obama speaks to the public at DMACC, earlier this month the President addressed students in our country.

Controversy steals from education words & layout Kiera Morrill President Obama’s speech to students

received unnecessary coverage considering the topic’s simplicity.

His speech at Wakefield High School

focused on student achievement. Controversy among the public turned a positive message into communal dispute.

Obama is a great speaker for this topic,

he (as president) has more influence than

other national figures.

of school because you object to Obama’s

are bothersome. No story interviewed stu-

even school officials are great common in-

thoughtless censorship. Such action from

If they did, student’s perspective was ei-

Political representatives, parents and

fluences for students. Some expressed op-

position to Obama’s speech with a boycott. As Americans we are entitled to peacefully

protest a subject, when we personally dis-

words is not justified protesting, it is

common influences sends the wrong mes-

ther not revealed, or poorly communicated.

excuses to skip class.

not publicity.

sage to students, especially kids looking for

The media wasted no time covering this

agree.

subject. Bias is unfortunate, but expected

cott Obama’s speech, and choose to turn

articles, newspapers, and other objective

Influences mentioned above may boy-

their TV off. Pulling children from a day

dents.

from personal blogs and columns. Online resources lacking adequate resources

Obama’s words were intended for students, Common influences who opposed this

speech had no right to pull kids from class. Let the children advocate for themselves.

Consider our action practice for when

we end up like our influences.

Pacer sets pace for health and fitness Pacer and fitness tests not designed to punish, but encourage and educate words & layout Andy Halterman The requirements for running the in-

famous pacer test this year have gone

up, and summoned forth a groundswell of complaints and groans about having to put

more effort into P.E. And by more effort this means having to put in any effort whatsoever.

The pacer, for those who do not know, is

the fitness test that requires students to run

back and forth over a set distance to the cadence of beeps being played.

After every minute of running, the ca-

dence gets faster, increasing the difficulty

of the running. The pacer (and other fitness

tests) are designed by the Cooper Institute out of Texas, and studied for results at Iowa

State University under the direction of Dr.

my health, but I never would have guessed

The pacer test, in addition to the others,

It’s ridiculous that students are fine with

Gregory Welk.

that at 45 I would have a heart attack.”

is based on national averages. The passing

P.E. until they actually have to apply them-

scores for the pacer this year rose because the national averages for the test rose.

selves.

I can understand the argument if the

Students complaining about this should

scores were rigged to make the students

you, they’re there to help them find out how

national averages, and perfectly in the

need to work on to stay healthy.

plete.

son said. “They have 20/20 when it comes

laps, girls age 15-16 is 32. Boys ages 16-

seem to see the future.”

and older should shoot for 42. Boys above

get over it. The tests aren’t there to punish

have to try harder, but they aren’t. They’re

healthy you are and let you know what you

range for many students to be able to com-

“I don’t think that students get it,” Bea-

to looking at the present, but they can’t

Beason had a heart attack during class in

the ‘07-‘08 school year when fencing with a

student. “I’ve always been conscious about

The healthy score for boys age 15 is 51

17 should aim for 61 laps, and girls aged 17 the age of 17 should attempt 72 laps.

Its really not that hard, just stop com-

plaining and go run your laps.

Meredith Batz/Dragon

Sophomores Justin Nicollette and Greg Shultz sprint forward as the pacer test continues. The pacer is one of a few fitness tests taken by students in P.E.

> Sept 09

welcome to entertainment

baby+kids

bikes

boats

beauty+hlth

cars+trucks

books

lost+found

business

cell phones

computer

free

clothes+acc

collectibles

furniture

cody walkup

general

farm+garden

jewelry

rvs

materials

electronics

garage sale

motorcycles

sporting

emily mentzer

FAQ

Started using craigslist: 9 months ago

video gaming

tools

Bought:

toys+games

wanted

household

photo+video

beauty

creative

zach vander

event

ploeg

farm+garden

skill’d trade

financial

software

legal

sm biz ads

lessons

talon jendro

therapeutic

travel/vac

labor/move

Sold: iPod Nano

therapeutic

pets

“The weirdest thing I’ve seen on craigslist is dogs for free.”

volunteers

politics

craigslist

layout Dahlia Gordon & Eric Oatts

words Dahlia Gordon & Alex Grapp

You know the crazy stories. You know you can buy stuff on it. You know you want to learn more about it. Craigslist at its most basic is a gigantic classifieds, much like the newspaper, but covering more than 450 cities worldwide. It doesn’t matter what you are looking for; craigslist has got it somewhere. Four features from the site really stand out and will come in handy for a budding entrepreneur, or really anyone looking for anything.

1 2

Advertise.

Probably the most used feature on craigslist, this is the one you hear about. Classified ads can range from “single male looking for stable relationship” to “couch for cheap” or “dead moose for free.” Tip: most ads can be posted free.

Started using craigslist: 2 years ago Bought: iPod touch accessories Sold: TV “”

Discuss. A little-known part of craigslist is

the massive forum community. If you’re interested in it, chances are there’s a forum for it. There are forums for almost everything: ecology, philosophy, vegans, writing, jobs. Thousands of separate threads make up each forum, creating hugely varying conversations. Tip: some forums can only be viewed and posted in once registered on craigslist.com.

Search.

Tired of driving around the streets looking for “help wanted” signs? A few clicks is all it takes. Simply find your city on craigslist, and click the job category that you’re interested in. Employers post all sorts of jobs, even non-profit opportunities. Tip: search for jobs in the category ETC. These are miscellaneous opportunities that don’t fit in elsewhere.

Sold: TV “I always like to look through the for sale items to see the crazy things people are selling.”

Started using craigslist: 3 months ago Bought: camo clothing Sold: Total Gym and piano “I sell stuff for my parents on craigslist and they give me 10% of the profit.”

Peruse. Just looking around on craigslist

can provide endless entertainment: strange conversations, hilarious pranks, and senseless things for sale. With the abundance of content, you are bound to find something funny or interesting. Look at stuff you are interested in or things you wish you could afford. Tip: check out the “best-of-craigslist” link on the site; the funny and strange abound.

Started using craigslist: 2 years ago Bought: TV

real estate

tickets

entertainment

Sept 09

Personal online music

p10

words Eric Oatts & Andy Halterman layout Eric Oatts

If one heard that a group of trained professionals was work-

In a day where social networking sites like MySpace and

ing on location to analyze and categorize subjects on a basis

Facebook are almost required to stay in the know with your

was a group of scientists working hard at NASA or in a biol-

focuses on your favorite bands. PureVolume, a site created

of up to 400 special characteristics, he or she might think it ogy lab. Nope. These trained professional are musicians, and they are working on the Music Genome Project, otherwise known as Pandora.

friends, it only makes sense that a Web site would exist that

in 2003 is focused around the music, rather than friends like competitors MySpace and Facebook.

MySpace and Facebook both allow users to add bands and

The Music Genome Project was started in 2000 to bring

friends to their “friends” list, but PureVolume does this in a

songs based on a keyword (artist, song, album, genre, etc.)

a “favorite bands” section and friends into your “friends” list.

music people love to an online radio. This radio will play that the user searches for.

Pandora tags the Music Genome Project as “the most so-

phisticated taxonomy of musical information ever collected.”

Hired musicians, all with degrees in music performance, pedagogy, or writing, listen to thousands of songs and break them down. The songs are broken down by their musical “D. N. A.” and matched up with songs that share similar attributes. Rock

simpler and more organized way by separating the artists into

This encourages the users to find more bands that they like,

exposing them to more bands and different styles of music. The Web site also has a music player that allows you to add

favorite songs from your bands. This allows you to listen to the bands you discovered on PureVolume while web surfing, without having to stay on the site.

PureVolume is a great site for finding new and emerging tal-

songs have around 150 characteristics, hip-hop songs have

ent, hosting literally thousands of unsigned bands. A few bands

Aside from being a useful Internet radio, Pandora can be

Some of them are Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco and The

around 200, and jazz and classical songs 300 to 400.

downloaded as an iPod or phone application. As long as a wi-

fi or other Internet connection can be made, listeners can essentially listen to thousands of songs for free, anywhere they

claim they got most of their major exposure from PureVolume.

Scene Aesthetic. The fact that the Web site encourages users to find new bands is great for the bands that sign up as well.

Although PureVolume focuses more on bands, it’s also

choose to go. Although Pandora is free to listen to, it does

good at connecting people. Say you’re on a page of one of

exact song they listen to. Also, songs can be skipped, but only

that shows all of the other people that have added them as a

have some restrictions. Listeners cannot actually pick what up to six times an hour.

your favorite bands; you can simply scroll down to the section favorite band. You can then add them to your friends list, and

start chatting away. It’s also great for getting current friends

into broadening their music tastes as well, or just in case you want to show them the “next great band” that you found.

The site is entirely free if you want to set up a basic user

account, or a basic band account. However, if bands want to,

they can pay a monthly subscription to the site to get the ability

october

to be featured on the front page of the Web site.

1 Mutemath

6&7 Wicked

8 Owl City

17 The Nadas

18 UFO

19 Keller Williams

9 Miley Cyrus

10 ACDC

13&14 Wicked

15 JHS Choral Concert

Dates to remember

People’s Court 8 pm

People’s Court 9 pm ------------

DSM Civic Center

People’s Court 6 pm

House of Bricks 5 pm

People’s Court

8 pm ----------State Marching IMT Des Moines Waukee HS Marathon

Wells Fargo Arena 7 pm

22 Daughtry

Hilton Coliseum 7:30 pm

Wells Fargo Arena 7:30 pm

23 Relient K People’s Court 7 pm

DSM Civic Center

JHS Auditorium 7:30 pm

review

Sept 09

p11

Bass pro shop hits the target

The new Bass Pro Shop, located in Altoona, opened its doors on Aug. 26 to hundreds of eager customers. The 145,000-square foot store features a restaurant, bowling alley, and an abundance of merchandise. It’s sure to become Iowa’s next big tourist attraction.

words Spencer Vasey and Michael Carlson layout Eric Oatts

Rachel Beierschmitt ‘11

The Food

Glancing at the menu deciding what to eat at Uncle Bucks Fish Bowl

and Grill, a restaurant with a bowling alley attached, I was shocked. The menu had absolutely no fish at all, even though sitting in the restaurant you are surrounded by fish everywhere. With fish on the walls, not on the menu, Uncle Bucks just ends up being another burger joint. With mainly

burgers and sandwiches as menu items. The burgers were mediocre, and the portions weren’t huge. That seems odd for a store that is a fishersdream-come true. Uncle Bucks is also the only restaurant in the BassPro Shop chain of restaurants without fish.

Spencer Vasey/BW

Even though the food was mediocre, the service was awesome, even

with a twenty-six minute wait for food. The waitresses were always there trying to tend to our needs. Even with the wait, our waitress made sure that

The Feeling

the waitresses’ apparel can be a bit distracting for some of the customers.

did not expect much. However walking into Bass Pro Shop was like

accentuate their best features and distracting from the service.

were walking in the middle of the wilderness, complete with a gigantic

my burger was cooked to medium-well. Although service was excellent, They wear “betty boop” shorts, and a skin tight polo that doesn’t always

The Fun

The main attraction that Bass Pro Shop advertised was their 12-lane

bowling alley. The scenery, based on an underwater adventure, included painted fish on the lanes and ball dispensers shaped like a shark’s gaping

mouth. Although the wait was 30 minutes, the pricing was fairly reasonable

at $20 for an hour of bowling and unlimited players. The store

also featured a laser arcade, which consisted of a bunch of guns and an outdoors scene full of targets to shoot

at. Every once in a while, music would begin playing,

and the scenery would begin waving in all directions,

indicating that a target had been hit. Although NASCAR does

not seem to fit into the hunting or fishing category, the store did offer a

couple of NASCAR racing games. Judging by the lack of customers using the games, they were not a big hit.

Do not go out of your way to go to the entertainment part of the store,

however if you are looking for a place to go bowling or shoot at some targets, the Bass Pro Shop offers a nice environment at reasonable prices.

When I was told I would be going to a hunting and fishing store, I

walking into another world. The whole store made you feel like you waterfall and a pair of life-size moose fighting above you.

The multiple aquariums were interesting, but the real sight was

the gigantic diorama that wrapped around most of the store. A mural was painted along the walls of the entrance hall and at various locations the mural became three-dimensional. Multiple full-sized stuffed

animals, including bison, birds, and moose, protrude from the wall on grassy platforms. Motionless birds took flight just feet above the heads

of shoppers and multiple times turning a corner would lead to a quite startling encounter with a raccoon or mountain lion, ready to pounce.

The whole store gave the feeling of being in an accomplished taxidermy museum. Whether you are an outdoors man or not, the atmosphere that Bass Pro Shop creates makes a trip to the store a must.

impression double-truck

Sept 09

p12/13

make an

for the guys

Slouched posture, snap. Designer jeans, snap. Tan skin, snap. Gelled hair, snap. In a tenth of a second, a brain

takes a Polaroid, or a first impression. First impressions can be made from a distance, a smile is said to travel 50 meters.

Do not underestimate the power of a first impression. Studies have shown that a 1/10 of a second is enough time

to form an opinion that is not drastically different than one from a first meeting with no time constraint.

Appearance is important. Clothing is undoubtedly one of the first things people take notice of. Choosing your style is an opportunity to show off who you are! Don’t waste the opportunity. Be unique, be you. Girls and guys are naturally going to notice different parts of the world around them. When it comes to noticing

for the girls

other people, girls have a better perception of the thoughts and feelings of others. They are also more intuitive when observing people, guys are less perceptive that way. Guys think more systematically than girls. Their communication and people-reading skills are not as pronounced as girls’. This is why girls often calculate directions more easily by landmarks, and guys are more map and direction oriented. So, girls, it may not be as important to dress expensively to impress a guy as it would be to impress female peers. For girls and guys it is important to show a natural look, to be comfortable so that a positive first impression

Senior Preet Dhugga “I think that it’s OK to look relaxed once in a while, but try to look nice when the occasion calls for it.”

Senior Libby Elmitt “Lets start with the pants! Pull them up! Guys need to respect the girls, if the girls try to dress modestly, then the guys should too.”

is made.

Dressing the part means something completely different for a guy than for a girl. It’s more acceptable for a guy to get up, shower, throw a T-shirt and shorts on and go to school. However, this doesn’t mean that it is acceptable to not care about appearance. Whether we like it or not, our peers take notice. They form an opinion based upon wardrobe, because it is how we have chosen to present ourselves. So, if a guy in a sport wears basketball shorts, T-shirts and tennis shoes most days, that accurately portrays who he is. Girls like a well-dressed guy, but a guy that tries too hard is not necessarily attractive to most girls. Guys are not expected to spend hours on their hair in the morning, however hygiene is still important. Naturally females notice appearance and are better “people-readers” than guys. Studies have shown that this has a lot to do with the genetic makeup of females. It may be more of a challenge for a guy to make a good impression on a girl than a girl to make a good impression on a guy.

Junior Carlee Sabus “When guys wear really low jeans, it looks hard to move in. I would rather them dress comfortably.”

words Kallen Kramer layout Kallen Kramer and Kelly McGowan

A first impression for a girl has a lot of components, for instance; hair color, hair style, clothing brand, clothing coverage, glasses or contacts, heavy makeup or none at all. Each choice portrays a different image. What is most important is dressing the part that is you. A guy notices different parts of a girl’s image than a female peer would. Guys like a girl that is confident being herself, not one who wears the most expensive jeans or has a fresh manicure. Girls are more conscious of their own appearance and the appearance of the girls around them than guys are of themselves and the guys around them. As a result, much of the name brand clothing that girls wear is to impress other girls around them and to gain some sort of social status. Dressing to impress is not about the money spent, it is about the effort and ingenuity.

BLACK AND WHITE SURVEY Students from four random homerooms of sophomores, juniors and seniors were given surveys with the following questions about the opposite gender. Here is what the results showed.

Sophomore Matt Zinselmeier

“Girls really should not worry about their image so much because, honestly, half the time I don’t even pay attention to what they’re wearing.”

Senior Jordan Thompson

“It’s not attractive when girls wear short short skirts, especially when they don’t have the body for it. But trying too hard to look modest is weird. A happy medium is ideal.”

Junior Dane Van Brocklin

“I would rather talk to somebody who is happy at school than someone who is grumpy because they got up at 5:30 to get ready.”

fashion

Sept 09

p14

what goes around...

Walking into a store like Forever 21 you are immediately hit with many styles that flow together to create a modern

edge. Looking around you would notice bright neon colors, retro skinny jeans, floral patterns and leather handbags. Like wise going into it’s mellowed out sister store, Heritage 1981, one would notice more relaxed, whimsical fashions for both

men and women. Stores like Forever 21 and Heritage are staple examples of haut couture from decades past reappear-

...comes around

ing with a modern feel to them. In essence our decade is a mixture of all these classic fashions from the times of our parents, grandparents, and even great grandparents.

40’s

50’s Victorian design, bows, artsy styles, and dainty jewelry dominated the scene of this decade. Forvever 21 has a large line of retro vintage jewelry, like these 50’s earings for $2.80.

70’s

words and layout Kelly Mcgowan & Monisha Kumar

The styles of this decade consisted of plastic beads, bold whimsical and floral designs, over sized bangles, and giant cuffs. These styles are seen in a line of bracelets availible at Forever 21 for $5.80 each.

60’s

Styles of the sixties embodied the revolutionary mindset people carried throughout this decade. Ethnic pieces, hippie jewelry, giant pendants and multi-strand necklaces were worn. “I tend to lean more towards the sixties look,” senior Hannah Palmer said.“My closet consists of clothes from mostly Urban Outfitters.”

Feathered hairstyles, The Brady Bunch, shag carpet and disco. Among these fads, young people of the seventies showed their fun loving attutudes by wearing blingy, bejeweled fashions, lots of floral, and funky accesories. The bell-bottom jeans of this decade are seen today as wide leg pants, for a modern twist.

Leah Kacere ‘10

Hann

ah Pa

lmer ‘

80’s

Josh DeLanoit ‘11

This punk rock decade saw boom boxes rubik’s cubes, the first Transformers comics, and full length music videos. Neon colors and acrylic jewelry were huge for fashion. The eighties inspired styles that junior Josh Delaniot wears. “I think it is fun to dress like this, I like bright colors with a lot of contrast,” he said.

Info/Articlesbase.com/retro-fashion-jewery

feature

PRAY ON HER WAY

Sept 09

p15

The view of Croatia from Pray’s flat. “It’s absolutely gorgeous,” Pray said. “It’s like Italy except it’s an island.”

I put my video up, I didn’t know what would happen.” Pray says the bond between the other girl

is not fabricated. “Even when we’re all away at

home, we still text each other,” Pray said. “We really are friends.”

Croatia

After they met, the girls went to Croatia for two

Senior Jessica Pray in Croatia. She stayed there during August with the girls in her music group Moda.

Lucy, 18, Hana, 18, and Jessica Pray make up the pop group, Moda, which means fashion or style in Italian.

weeks to record four original songs. Pray’s parents were not on the trip. “It was kind of weird, going

overseas by myself,” Pray said. “But I navigated

through an airport all by myself, so it’s a start!” The girls’ manager wanted them to bond while in Croa-

words Lauren Coffey layout Kallen Kramer

tia. “We all had to get along, and wanted to get

Senior Jessica Pray walks into the high school,

and Web sites that all discussed his career, which

along, so we were just lucky we did right away,”

stead, she will travel to London in October to pur-

rtney. Everything I could find indicated that he has

we stayed at one of their flats all by ourselves and

Meeting the Manager

School

knowing she will not be attending this year. Insue another interest — singing. “I honestly have

no idea how long I’ll be over there, so I can’t go to school,” Pray said. “It wasn’t really a choice.”

includes working with Elton John and Paul McCa-

Pray said. “Hana’s family is famous in Croatia, so

a solid reputation, so we were reassured.”

just had the run of it. It was really fun.”

Pray met her manager, who cannot be named,

Pray will finish her high school classes on-

The Beginning

in June at the Plaza Hotel. “After I sang one song

line through Brigham Young University. Johnston

year at Johnston as class president. A video of

for sure,” Pray said. She is also working with

ston graduate next May. She will still participate

Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and on songs

council meetings, just not as an officer. She wants

working on this project for like, years,” Pray said.

myself as a student,” Pray said. “I’m still going to

The Other Girls

on applying to Iowa colleges but does not want

Pray assumed she would finish her senior

her singing, posted on YouTube by her father,

Jim, would soon change that. A man who saw the

video e-mailed Pray and her parents in January claiming to be a manager. He wanted to meet her in New York City to have her record a demo song.

“After we looked him up, and figured out it wasn’t a scam, he was kind of a big deal,” Pray said. She

for him, he decided that I would be in the group

will accept all the credits, so she will be a John-

Gary Langan, a sound engineer, who worked on

in Johnston activities including going to student

with Michael Jackson and Billy Idol. “They’ve been

to walk in the graduation ceremony. “I still see

“So to be apart of this is really cool.”

be around, I’m not going to disappear. Pray plans

Moda, the group’s name, includes Hana, 18,

to major in music performance. “I can’t really see

most nervous about meeting them,” Pray said.

she said. “[I can see myself] more of like what I’m

before either, so we all just clicked right away.”

how though.”

did not expect anything out of posting the video. “I

from Croatia, and Lucy, 18, from London. “I was

myself singing opera on a stage with a company,”

magician’s assistant,” Pray said. “I think that diver-

“Neither of them has ever done anything like this

doing now. I want to be involved in music some-

have videos of me singing, dancing, even being a sity was what he liked about me.”

The Decision

The girls were discovered in different ways.

More to Come

“I keep having to remind myself that this may

Jim thought Jessica had talent. “After looking

Lucy had a formal audition. Pray was meant to

than anything I could find outside full-time profes-

Hana sang the song that was sent to Pray. The

reminding myself that it could. It’s so unreal to me.”

sing. Pray doesn’t feel as if she’s less deserving to

ready done so many cool things,” she said. “Like I

audition.

not going to school, but doing all the fun stuff? To

around on YouTube, I felt her singing was better sionals opera,” he said. “It was still a shock when

that message arrived less than two weeks after posting the videos.”

Worried about the legitimacy of the manager,

Jim did research. “I found books, magazine articles, newspaper accounts, interviews, videos

get a tape that had a demo song she could learn.

not work out,” Pray said. “But I also have to keep

producers put Hana in the group after hearing her

Pray does not regret missing senior year. “I’ve al-

be in the group because she didn’t have a formal

have connections now, and I’m a part of this. Plus

“The only difference is when Lucy auditioned,

she knew what could happen” Pray said. “When

me this is the coolest senior year ever.”

All photos provided by Jessica Pray

feature

Sept 09

p16

Early graduation attracts students is enrolled in the restaurant and hotel man-

words and layout Catherine Caracci

agement program. “I had originally planned

to attend college in Phoenix, but circumstances did not allow for that, so I am in-

Graduate Sara Salvini makes her way

stead attending college closer to home,”

across the stage at the commencement

Salvini said.

ceremony at Knapp Center, gazing out at

Salvini hopes to use her degree to help

her fellow graduates, while the classmates

her open her own Italian restaurant.

year later watched from the crowd.

complete high school early. “Graduating

she thought she would be graduating with a

Salvini does not regret her decision to

The idea of graduating early first came

early has allowed me to start my secondary

to Salvini during her sophomore year; how-

education that much sooner,” Salvini said.

ever, she didn’t make a decision until the

While Liljedahl has not decided exactly

second semester of her junior year. “I only

what she will be doing after graduation, she

needed a few more credits to complete my

hopes to someday attend college in Califor-

stay at Johnston, so I took the big step,” Salvini said.

Provided/Dragon

ered graduating (early) this summer when

Principal Bruce Hukee congratulates graduate Michelle Ness after she receives her diploma at graduation in May. While Ness did not graduate early, many other students have been taking advantage of the opportunity.

“I guess I’d thought about it before but nev-

pensive if I don’t.”

to start my career as soon as possible.”

around July.”

talked to her counselor and then set up a

Salvini moved around some of her class-

ing early was to save money. “The sooner I

set up, I went in with my mom and my coun-

Junior Noelle Liljedahl is currently plan-

ning to graduate a semester early. “I considmy mom mentioned it to me,” Liljedahl said. er thought of it as an actual possibility until

Liljedahl’s primary reason for graduat-

leave for California (for college), the sooner

I can establish residency and pay less for

college,” Liljedahl said. “It will be crazy ex-

In order to graduate early, Salvini first

meeting with the principal. “Once that was

selor and basically stated my reasoning for wanting to graduate early,” Salvini said.

Salvini based her decision on “a passion

Once she got the principal’s approval,

es to make sure she would graduate with enough credits.

Since she graduated in May, Salvini has

been attending college at Des Moines Area

Community College (DMACC), where she

nia. “Otherwise, I might stay here and work,

maybe take a few college courses to save

some money, then head to California when I normally would have,” she said.

When she graduates, Liljedahl is excited

to begin a new stage of her life. “Part of the reason for graduating early was just wanting to be on my own and finally start head-

ing down a new path,” Liljedahl said. “I’ve lived in Iowa my whole life and I’m looking forward to something different. I love how

California is the complete opposite of Iowa: warm weather, beaches, traffic and just the craziness of it all.”

School board green lights green club words and layout Cathleen Dutcher

Environmental Clubs are an idea that

have already taken root at other high

That plastic bottle of Gatorade you drank

at lunch may now be making its way to the recycling bin instead of the landfill.

schools in the metro area and around the country.

Valley High School started an environ-

On Aug. 24 the Board of Education ap-

mental club in 2006, according to Brady

club. Taking the club from idea to action is

club’s projects ranged from picking up

senior Caleb Wagner. His first order of busi-

with their club has been making sure there

environmentally friendly and getting them

ership when the seniors graduate. “I did

Sept. 10 and drew about 50 students. “I

Environmental Club this year because all

caring about this,” Wagner said.

underclassmen interested in it. However,

recycling bins in each classroom to collect

they wanted to get it going again,” Johnson

high school currently recycles paper, it

A small group of students from Waukee

goal has been to bring awareness to our school,” Gustafson said. They did so by announcing green tips over the intercom, doing crafts with the students during Earth Week, and

proved the formation of an environmental

Johnson, the club’s faculty adviser. The

a tall order for club founder and president,

trash, to starting a prairie. The challenge

ness: getting people excited about being

are underclassmen ready to take on lead-

has considered him-

involved. The club held its first meeting on

not think that we were going to have the

mentalist since eighth grade

was worried about people showing up and

the members were seniors, and I had no

The club’s initial project is to place green

today I had a couple girls come in and say

plastic bottles for recycling. Although the

said.

had no recycling system for plastic bottles.

High School got an environmental club

tied bottles in the green bins.

was one of the three founders. “Our main

Wagner advises students to toss their emp-

started in 2008. Senior Alex Gustafson

doing

projects

large

through-

out the year.

Wagner says he

self to be an environ-

when he joined Greenpeace, an

organization that exposes threats to the

environment and finds solutions. He practices at home what he preaches at school.

Faisal Alabsi/Dragon

The Wagner family features solar panels,

Wagner ‘10

they pack their groceries in reusable bags,

ner said.

products. “This is a global movement, but

club’s faculty adviser. The club meets every

a compost pile, high efficiency lighting,

your own backyard and community,” Wag-

and use environmentally safe cleaning

Science teacher, Dustin Mead, is the

you also have to look at what’s going on in

other Thursday in room 204 at 3 pm.

feature

Sept 09

p17

Searching for Long-Term Subs words and layout Kyle Soyer The invasion of the long-term substitutes has begun.

Of course, not every-

With five teachers pregnant and one already on maternity

one finds a replacement so

come from? One can’t simply flip over a rock and find a

tenberg went on maternity

leave, this isn’t surprising. But where do the substitutes substitute teacher hiding underneath.

Substitute selection begins with finding substitutes in-

terested in long term assignments. “Our goal is to put the best subs in those positions based on teacher needs and qualifications,” Bruce Hukee, principal, said. While the final decisions rest with Hukee, teachers do have some control over who will be teaching their classes.

“I was asked if I had preferences, and I said I’d love

someone with plenty of experience, if possible!” Kate Lechtenberg, English teacher said. Special education teacher

Melissa Johnson actually got to choose her sub. After talking with Hukee, he agreed that Pam Brown would be a

easily. The first time Lech-

leave, while teaching in New Canaan, Connecticut, this was especially difficult. “The school had a hard time

finding a sub before I left,”

Lechtenberg said. “There was actually a temporary

sub for a week and then another sub for eight weeks, and then the temporary sub again.”

According to Wessling,

good fit.

the biggest challenge is find-

her substitute chosen, Wendy Haight. Haight was selected

to work independently from

Sarah VanWaardhuizen, choir director, also already has

because she used to teach choir at the middle school, so she already knows how things work. “If I didn’t have her, I would be quite nervous,” VanWaardhuizen said. “I even emailed her before I told my mother [that I was pregnant].”

ing someone who is willing

Kyle Soyer/BW

Sarah VanWaardhuizen, choir director, instructs Katie Davis and Kendra Greenfeild after school. Wendy Haight has already been choosen as her long-term sub.

be taking a one-year sabbatical for her Teacher of the Year

the normal teacher. Right now, however, the biggest is-

award. This creates an interesting situation surrounding

needs a super-long-term substitute.

sub for English must meet the AP and dual enrollment qual-

sue is not that Wessling needs a long term substitute. She

In addition to taking maternity leave, Wessling will also

Wessling’s AP Literature and Composition. “The long term ifications,” Hukee said. “If needed, we would advertise.”

Online Classes Cause Concern Two students take classes online to make up for missed time in the classroom words & layout Mike Shi The Internet has never been so useful. Where once it

was only for the technological elite, it now can be used

A wide variety of classes are offered online at Brigham Young University.

Provided/BYU

by anyone. Almost anything can be done online; you can

cause Johnston offered the same classes. All the materials

work at their own pace, though they still must finish home-

music and TV shows and much more. In fact, you can even

final was sent to Johnston and proctored by a guidance

not slowed down by others.

instantly chat with someone from around the globe, stream take a college or high school class online.

“Last summer I took Geometry and Spanish II online,”

junior Rosemarie Freymark said.

However, not just anyone can decide to take an online

class. “[Taking a high school class online] is an option only for students with extenuating circumstances,” guidance

counselor Sue Baker said. Extenuating circumstances include missing school due to illness.

Freymark was one of those students; she missed a lot

of school her sophomore year because she was sick. The district recommended Freymark take classes from Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah. She was required to pay

$125 per session, as the courses were not covered under

the Post Secondary Enrollment Options Act (PSEO) be-

including homework and tests were conducted online. The

counselor. But just because the classes were online, it did not mean they were any easier.

“It’s a lot harder taking classes online than in a class-

room,” Freymark said. “Teaching yourself the concepts [in

Geometry] is a lot harder than in school where you have a teacher who already knows everything.”

The high amount of self-discipline needed is one of the

reasons many students do not take classes online Baker said. Students miss out on lectures, discussions and on

being able to work and study with their peers. However

daunting this may seem, some students are still willing to take online classes.

“I would take online classes again,” Freymark said.

Online classes have benefits. Students taking them can

work within a certain time limit. Those who learn faster are

Senior Jessica Pray will be taking classes online this

year at BYU. Pray will be traveling, making it impossible for

her to attend Johnston. She will take an advanced English class, a government class and an aerobics course to get the credits that she needs to graduate.

“I’m really excited [to take an online class],” Pray said.

“I’ve always been in a school system; it’s my first time taking an online course.” Unlike with Freymark, Pray will be

using textbooks that she ordered. Also, her tests will not

be online and guidance counselor Stephanie Guthrie must proctor them. Though she is excited, Pray recognizes the problems that she may face in taking classes online.

“Not everyone can do it; I don’t even know if I can do it.”

Pray said.

feature

Sept 09

p18

Hunting for solace, not the kill

Students enjoy an escape from the daily rush of life

are still leaves on the tree, you can watch

words and layout Kristine Hayes

ing and when to get ready.”

the branches for movement,” Jackson said.

“That’s when you know [a squirrel] is comMost of the hunt, however, revolves

6 a.m. Junior Drew Jackson is half-sit-

around waiting and patience but when the

beautiful morning outside in the fresh air he

body goes into a sensory overload. Palms

time comes to shoot, hearts pound, and the

ting half-standing next to a tree in brush. A

get damp with sweat while the hunter tries

has been waiting all week to get to. Now he

to focus on the target. “There’s an adrena-

is doing just that. Waiting. The fog has not

line rush while you’re hunting, especially

lifted yet so trying to find it seems almost

with squirrels because squirrels are more

impossible. Suddenly, he hears something.

tricky and fast,” Francois said. “But any

Is that it? He holds his breath in anticipa-

hunt gives you an adrenalin rush. If the

tion and slowly starts to raise his gun, just

hunt goes well it feels like an accomplish-

in case. A squirrel pops into his sight. He lifts his gun to its shooting position while a bead of sweat starts to form at his temple. Aim for it. This is his perfect morning.

Provided/Brad Kruse

Senior Luke Ausenhus waits patiently for a squirrel when hunting with senior Brad Kruse on Thursday, Sep. 17.

For Jackson, hunting is not just for the

talked about or well-known, many people

around until we find some [rabbits].”

time with the family too. If I get [an animal]

friend introduced them. “I remember the

to hide behind while waiting for the prey to

years old with my dad, but I’ve been hunt-

No matter where they hide, all hunters

kill. “It’s more of a getaway thing, spending

then that’s just a bonus,” Jackson said. Rabbit and squirrel hunting has been a lifelong pastime that Jackson and his entire family is involved in.

To other students, like senior Brad Kruse,

small game hunting is a new sport.”It’s just exciting, hunting small game, and they taste good, that’s my favorite thing,” Kruse said.

Since small game hunting is not often

get into it because a family member or

A blind is something that can be put up

first time I shot a squirrel, I was around 7

come around and not notice the hunter.

ing since I was about five because my dad

must remain quiet as to not scare away the

them, “ Jackson said.

and listen for the sounds of squirrels,” se-

trip is not very hard to do.

ward silence but more of a calming one.”

nior Luke Ausenhus said. “We just walk

different techniques they employ. “If there

and grandpa liked to hunt so I went with

prey. “We usually walk through the trees

Getting ready for a small game hunting

nior Ryan Francois. “It’s not really an awk-

“We don’t use a blind or anything,” se-

The hunters of these animals also have

ment.” The thrill and excitement of the hunt only lasts moments at a time so, for most

people, just being outdoors is relaxing and refreshing.

At the end of the hunt some people

choose to take their kill home and cook it it. “We usually eat the meat and then salt the furs for about a week before we hang them up,” Kruse said. The sport is a great way

to get people out of their houses and into

a quiet environment away from the hustle and rush of a normal day. It is a getaway

from the busy and crazy life most people are used to.

Kavaya channels talents

{

words and layout Lauren Gehrke Everyone has a story. And we want to tell it. Each month we 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 sophomoreTaylor Kavaya, and she too has a story to tell.

}

YouTube. Everyone knows what it is and

they can have a lot of fun making random,

But Kavaya and her friend Madison Mc-

The movies the girls make are funny

most people have watched a video or two.

fun movies.

Gee, from Dowling High School, do more

and they often do them to songs. They use

“We used to watch YouTube videos,”

all together. The movies are fast moving

twice the normal amount of dishwashing

camera with the record function and then

girls moving quickly such as in a flip book.

water and bubbles all over her kitchen. The

Not many people know that Kavaya

faces.

pan to try and clean up the massive mess.

is Kavaya and McGee trying to clean up

month and they take three to four hours to

Screen shot of one of Kavaya and McGee’s YouTube videos.

than watch, they make their own videos.

rapid clips and photos and then put them

Kavaya said. “We decided to kind of copy

pictures that gives the appearance of the

detergent in the diswasher and it spit out

put their movies together using iMovie.

Kavaya and McGee currently have nine

They make all different kinds of poses and

girls used lots of towels, a broom, and dust-

does this and it is a way for her to be a little

one, one time.”

videos on their channel, xcrashproductionsx.

Kavaya and McGee do not get to see

each other too often and they found that

One movie, titled “Afternoon Mishap”

a mess Kavaya accidently made. She put

They usually do about one movie a

put together. The girls use a point and shoot

crazy.

“I’m normally shy,” Kavaya said.

When people see the movies, they see

a different side of Kavaya.

health

Sept 09

p19

Provided/Red Lobster

GOOD Red Lobster Salmon

265 calories

320 mg sodium

Na BAD salt gone

The element, more commonly known as salt, is in almost everything we eat, although essential for our good 22.989 health, most don’t realize it’s harmful effects when over consumed. words Liz Waller

layout Julia Manning

Craving some fruit loops? Bet you didn’t

cereals, bacon, macaroni and cheese,

know it contains more sodium than most

ketchup, and waffles.

in packaged foods that we eat every day.

to high blood pressure, kidney disease,

dangerous in large amounts. The aver-

symptoms don’t show up until something

cereals. 80 percent of the U.S.’s sodium is Sodium is not horrible for you; it’s just

Consuming too much sodium can lead

and even strokes later in life. Often

age teen should eat no more 1,500mg of

dangerous happens like a heart attack.

eat a bowl of soup.

sodium that you’re consuming turns into

as much sodium as recommended. A lot of

burn off.

even that salty like diet sodas, cakes,

to function. It’s found naturally in your

sodium. You over consume that when you The average teen eats over three times

it comes from processed foods that aren’t

If you’re not staying active, the extra

fat molecules making it harder for you to The human body does need some salt

body, it’s even found in your blood.

Sodium helps regulate the body’s wa-

ter balance. It also influences the contraction and relaxation of muscles.

Though the advice seems obvious like

exercise daily, eat healthy, and watch the sodium content of the food you’re eating, there is more too it then that.

Watch how much salt you’re adding to

your meals because most foods already contain enough salt of it.

Continue to eat fresh foods rather then

processed foods. Also, try to stay away

from the extreme sodium items like potato chips and french fries.

Some labels can trick you by advertis-

ing their whole grains and organic ingredients like whole grain bagels or baked

Lays. Look at the nutritional guide on the

label and make sure it is true to its advertisement.

Sodium keeps your body functioning,

but many people don’t realize that they only need a small amount.

BAD Panera Bread

Broccoli Cheddar Soup 1540 mg sodium

290 calories

Liz Waller/BW

sports

Sept 09

p21

Father and Son, Coach and Athlete Nick Smith’s coach is also his father

them,” Smith said.

any preferential treatment and coaches

words and layout Matt Knoedel

golf and basketball coach, but sometimes

said, Smith does like some of the benefits

dad is in at any given time.

Steve Smith, teaches math, and is his golf

is being a parent and when

coach.

It is hard to imagine what it would be

like to have a parent over your shoulder

“It’s tough to know when he

he is being a coach,” Nick

them just like any other player. That being of being a coach and a parent.

“I enjoy getting to spend

Varsity Golf Squad

said.

Though it may seem

Alex Wendell Nick Smith Collin Businius Grant Smith Kyle Skinner Eric Welter

time with my boys,” Smith said.

Although family time

is important, when it

comes to golf practice,

all the time, and most teens would not

like having a parent

Nick’s. Fortunately, Nick’s father has been

would be a nightmare,

they have both gotten used to it. “We’ve

problems with his dad being the

since basketball [first] grade,” Smith said.“It

even improved the team dynamics and the

regardless of who they are in order to help

“I actually don’t mind having my dad as

believes that the golf team has a chance

be able to handle a situation similar to

around you all the time

coaching him for almost his whole life and

Nick has not had any major

been around each other coaching–wise

coach of the golf team. In fact, it has

just seems normal.”

Smith family is better off because of it.

From the time he was young, Nick watched

the coach,” Nick said. “It helps me when he

When he reached high school, he made it

what is expected of me.”

Grant, is also on the varsity team. Smith

of Nick’s parent and coach. Smith has been

but he never forced it on them. “Whether

past six years and treats this year’s team

Nick’s love of golf evolved over time.

his father play and grew up around golf.

knows how I play and when I know exactly

his goal is clear.

“On the golf course,

it’s always coach first,

parent

said.

second,”

Smith

Smith treats all his athletes the same,

them improve as golfers and people. He to be just as good as anyone by the time districts rolls around.

“I know I have some kids that can

Steve Smith comes from the perspective

improve and they are starting to believe

played before either of his sons were born,

the coach of the boys’ golf team for the

team can play to their potential, then Nick’s

they decided to do it [golf] or not was up to

no differently. He does not give his sons

onto the varsity squad. Smith’s other son,

Nick Smith golfing at a home meet at Jester Park on Sept. 16th.

he has difficulty knowing which mode his

Teachers. Parents. Coaches. For senior

Nick Smith, the three collide. His father,

Provided/Smith family

Nick has grown up with his father as a

how good they can be,” Smith said. If the last season with his father as coach could be an incredible one.

Volleyball team adapts to new strategies words and layout Ryan Smaha Last year the average height for a vol-

leyball starter was 5 foot 10 inches. This

ish,” Cameron said.

To overcome the lack of experience

year, the team has an average starter of

on the squad, the team strategy has also

team take on a completely different look go-

has been a bigger emphasis on being ag-

In today’s game of volleyball, having

ter ball control, defensively oriented team.

However, assistant coach Lacey Corcoran

been more of an emphasis on placing shots

Varsity Volleyball Roster Name

Height

Morgan Campbell Cassie Curtis Corrin Larkin Sarah Cleveland Andi Cameron Jess Mozga Sara Stucker Morgen Roshek Tory Knuth Kristen Howe Morgan Foldes Emily Parker Abbey Westemeyer

5’8” 5’8” 5’7” 6’1” 6’0” 5’6” 5’5” 5’4” 6’3” 5’6” 5’8” 6’2” 5’9”

about 5 foot 7 inches which has made the

changed. Coach Rick Brooks said there

ing into this season.

gressive off the serve and becoming a bet-

height in the front is a huge advantage.

Junior Corrin Larkin said there has also

said that having girls that can jump high

and being smart.

able to use some of our girl’s size to our

advantages they have is team chemistry.

Conditioning is also a key factor in to-

ball since sixth grade together and over the

conditioning and has to be able to run the

rate the juniors onto the team. Senior Mor-

size, the players agreed that in the end,

Cameron feels the difficult practices and

like last year’s team because they are such

ways be the ones with the edge. “The good

end. “The conditioning at the end of prac-

fighting or bickering on the court because

hitting, but the really good teams are scrap-

game we know we have the energy to fin-

Although the team may be lacking in

can negate that advantage. “We have been

The team feels that one of the biggest

advantage,” Corcoran said.

The seniors have been playing club volley-

day’s game. The team has done difficult

summer the team had bonding to incorpo-

mile in under seven minutes. Senior Andi

gan Foldes said the team chemistry is a lot

players who hustle and are smart will al-

summer runs will help the team out in the

good friends off the court. “There isn’t any

teams are obviously good at passing and

tice is hard, but once it gets to the fifth

we are friends off of it,” Foldes said.

py and aggressive and once they make the play they are smart,” Foldes said.

Kyle Soyer/BW

Juniors Kristen Howe and Tory Knuth block a shot during the team’s game against Ames on Sept. 8.