September 2012

September, 2012

TheTruth Behind the

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the black and white. sep. 2012. volume 21 issue 2. 5152780449. 6501 NW 62nd ave. johnston, ia

in this issue Possible increase in portables With the bond not passing for a new high school, solutions are being found for overcrowding.

Choir system revamped

Coronation not worthwile

Sports join CIML league

Changes to the choirs mean equality in teaching and learning.

Homecoming brings the school together, coronation pulls us apart.

Athletes face new competition in the new line ups.

pg. 13

pg. 15

pg. 4

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Find us on Twitter! follow us @jhsnewspaper

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index

the b&w p.2

feature (cont.)

news 3 4 5

photo essay bond did not pass - what now? news briefs i-pads become a part of school curriculum student rep on school board

feature September, 2012

editorial 11

foreign language necessary in elementary thumbs up & thumbs down

opinion 12 13

14 freshmen on varsity changes in CIML affect sports 15 boy’s xc team grows in num-

backpage 16 win Orange Leaf with puzzles!

staff

Paige Cramer

design editor Kenzie Foldes

home school students’ social

8/9 lives

feature

feedback?

August issue Backpage: Orange Leaf is located on 86th st.

Hannah Soyer Laura Scieszinski

double truck

sports

sub-editors

editors in chief

choir adjusts to new system

10 school lunch revealed

corrections editorial board

compost bin coming soon

differs across countries 6 sports Keech runs for charity

bers

petition against Dutcher waste of time 10 things dethrone the royals parking problem can be avioded

7

Sara Margolin- Copy Anne Rodgers- Sports Mallorie Goodale- Feature

Austin Busch Clare Farrell Jeremey Caracci Niki Ferguson Monica Gagne Aaron Gray Mollie Greenwood Myles Glandorf

The B&W loves feedback!

You can submit a letter to the editor in room 413. You must sign and date the writing. Like all material, letters may not be libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. We will consider them to publish!

B&W PHILOSOPHY

Taylor Joens Katelyn Lunders Ethan Marshall Courtney Mithlelman Sarah Ross Zoe Wilson

The Black and White is published solely by the Johnston High School newspaper staff.

Its goal is to inform, enlighten and entertain Johnston students. It is an open forum.

In accordance with Iowa law and board policy, students assign and edit material and make all decisions of content. The paper is published ten times per school year. The paper will avoid material that is libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. The law does not require parental permission to use student quotes. Ethically, we believe students can speak for themselves. Staff editorials represent the opinion of a majority of the editorial board. Editorial and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the adviser, school officials or the district. Letters to the editor must be signed. Like all material, letters may not be libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. Bring letters to room 413 within one week after publication to be considered for the next issue. The Black and White strives to report accurate and timely information. If you believe that an error has been printed, please contact the editors at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com.

The Black and White is a member of CSPA, NSPA, Quill & Scroll, and IHSPA. Recent issues of the paper earned these honors: Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist, National Scholastic Press Association First Class rating, Quill & Scroll Gallup Award, IHSPA state placings and sixth in the National Best of Show.

news

the b&w p.3

THE

ROCK

Students gather together for the kick off of homecoming week words, layout, and photos

1.

2.

Sophomore Ellie Marckmann coasts down the pudding slide in the relay race. Marckmann was able to get up in time and keep her team in the race for first place.

3.

Sophomore Gabby Ledesma hops towards the bucket with with a washer between her knees. Students had to take the washer and deposit it in a bucket without using their hands.

6.

3.

Zoe Wilson

Sophomores Addie Bolles and Emily Larson fight for their team during tug of war. Bolles and Larson’s team was not able to keep onto the rope and lost to the dark grey team.

5.

2.

AROUND

CLOCK

4.

1.

The Johnston High School Dance team tries to hold a balloon in between each of their stomachs while holding onto a rope above their heads in the caterpillar game.

Junior Allie Bierle tries throwing the hula hoop onto another player. The red team was not able to get all ten hula hoops onto the target in time and did not win the event.

Junior Brooke Boyer sits on a chair attempting to pop a balloon after spinning around a bat ten times.

Boyer popped the balloon after trying multiple times to sit on her chair.

4.

5.

6.

news

the b&w p.4

So many students, so little space words & layout

Hannah Soyer

This year, the graduating class is

next class. “I think the big difference is

ing sophomores number around 500. This

outside your door and there’s just all these

around 420 students. Next year, the incom-

means the high school will need to house

around 80 more students, which shakes out to be three more classes taking place every period.

With the bond referendum not passing,

plans will soon be discussed as to how to

normally the bell rings and you go to stand kids passing you and all this noise,” Smrdel

said. “In the portables, you go stand outside your door and you’re just waiting, and

then all of the sudden everybody comes together.”

There are eight classrooms in the por-

address this. While nothing is set in stone

table, and only about half are being used.

discussions still need to occur, this could

ing on at the same time, which means that

at the moment, as many meetings and mean an increase of classes using portables in the coming years, along with teachers sharing classrooms. A decision will be made by January about next school year.

Classes in the portable are usually not go-

doors can be kept open and discussions loud, without worrying about disturbing another class.

However, there are downsides to having

As of right now, portables are only being

class in a portable. “We have to walk from

English teacher Brenda Smrdel teaches

here (the portable), and I’m late everyday,”

used at the 8/9 building and Beaver Creek.

morning classes to freshman in the portable on the East side of the 8/9 building. She

believes that teaching is not that different in portables than in the building. However, there are some differences. “I would say the classrooms are a little bit smaller than

the average classroom at the high school,

but overall it’s laid out the same way, you just have to go outside the building. You get used to it,” Smrdel said.

On top of this, portables are also quieter

because passing periods are not crowded

with noisy students trying to get to their

NB

newsbriefs words Mollie Greenwood layout Kenzie Foldes

our classes down in the ninth grade wing to freshman Alex Mahanna said.

And while the portables are equipped

with an air conditioner and heater, the temperature is sometimes off, according

to freshman Dallin Russell. “It’s often a lot colder than in the rest of the school,” he said.

Principal Brent Riessen said having

more portables is not the most ideal situation, mainly because there is no where to put them at the high school. Another option

is holding classes in classrooms that are not being used during that time. This can al-

Carley receives 36 on ACT Senior Jeff Carley re-

ceived a perfect 36 on

his ACT. Roughly one

tenth of one percent of

students earn a 36. Carley gave credit to the practice tests for helping

him achieve this score. “I

just did one in either math or science for

two weeks everyday leading up to the test,” Carley said. “Then I used the explanations in the back of the book to make sure I didn’t make the same mistake on the test.”

Carley’s top three schools of choice are

Iowa State University, Washington University in St. Louis, and Iowa University. He plans to major in biochemistry.

Provided/KT Menke

Smrdel’s fourth period freshman English class discusses their debate project. Smrdel teaches morning classes in the portable. ready be seen happening with some study

do in the past. “In the past I have always

study hall in room 400 instead of room ___,

have not been able to get into my room un-

halls. For example, Rich Gradoville has his his own. The same thing will happen with classes. “If all the math rooms are full but

we still have to teach a math class, what we have to do is find a room that’s available,”

Riessen said. “It could be 400, it could be

shared a room with another teacher and

til right before I started teaching. So now, I can be ready for the students to come in rather than trying to get ready for the lesson while they are coming into the room.”

This soon after the bond referendum

in 500, it could be in 100, or anything else

vote, it is difficult to know what will hap-

to the classroom to teach that class there.”

ing what it has already begun to do. “We

in between, and then that teacher has to go There are differing opinions about which

approach would be better. Health teacher Lacey Fulton enjoys teaching in a portable

because she does not have to move from

room to room, something she has had to

Meals From the Heartland The girls cross country team and girls

pen. For now, the district will continue dowill continue to manage our enrollment as

we have been through the use of portable

classrooms until we get a proposal that will

help us adjust it permanently,” superintendent Clay Guthmiller said.

Safety drill regulations As classes file out of the building

swim team were just two Johnston groups

during a fire drill, students follow the

the Heartland on Wednesday, Aug. 29th.

“The cards signify that a classroom is

that participated in the annual Meals From Volunteers packaged up to 2,500 meals per hour at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines, and the

organization distributes them locally and

around the world. “Our first priority is to distribute locally through the DMARC food

pantry and the Food Bank of Iowa,” executive director Dave Bradley said. “The next priority is elsewhere in the United States.”

On average, Meals From the Heartland

food feeds an average of 15,000 people

per day. With help from two Johnston athletic teams, 5,122,008 meals were packaged during this year’s effort.

person carrying red and green cards.

accounted for,” Principal Brent Riessen said. “The goal time for all of the stu-

dents to be out the building is just two

minutes. To have everyone accounted for, the goal is 10 to 15 minutes.”

Iowa schools are required to conduct

two fire drills, two storm drills, and one

lockdown drill each semester. Riessen

explained that since the high school has already had a fire drill and the smoke-

head triggered another drill by the gym,

the high school is done with fire drills for this semester.

the b&w p.5

We have an app for that

news

1:1 initiative requires schools integrate technology into learning words & layout

Ethan Marshall

With the school board’s recent decision

vices to connect to the network. Currently,

with an iPad, questions about the devices’

limits the areas in which they can be used,

to equip every student in 10th-12th grade memory capacity have risen.

On May 21, the board voted 5-1 to im-

plement the 1:1 Initiative, which is intended

to incorporate more technology into learning by giving one technological device per highschool student.

the high school has 13 access points that

but once the school is fully updated there

will be a total of 68. Another update for the school’s infrastructure will be its internal

speed, which will run 20 times faster then it does now.

The federal government has encour-

Memory for the iPads was a major issue

aged the use of technology in learning. “I

bytes. Textbook companies are making on-

Retzlaff, math teacher, said. “This will be

because the initial iPad was only 16 gigaline apps for their textbooks that consume

5.7 to 7 gigabytes of memory. The problem was resolved by choosing iPads with 32

think this is going to be inevitable,” Adam the way of doing things whether it’s this year or five years down the road.”

Students will have apps purchased by

gigabytes of total memory. Students will

the schools available for them to use but

time to save memory space. “Students

advance their learning or for entertainment.

download one chapter of each book at a will get a message when the memory gets

close to being full. The student will then have to delete some personal apps and

downloads.” Ann Wiley, Instructional Technology Coordinator said.

Another problem faced was the lack of

access points, which allows wirless de-

students will be able to purchase more to

“I think the opportunities to create, col-

Ethan Marshall/BW

Instructual Technology Coordinator Ann Wiley flips through the pages of the district homepage on her staff issued iPad. Wiley and I-pad technician Ryan Witt are in charge of getting the school staff prepared for next semester.

A major benefit from the iPads is dif-

laborate, communicate, and to research is a

ferentiating instruction. “Teachers can

Riessen said. “The opportunity for students

a lesson to better fit the students’ individu-

disposal is a huge benefit for students as

It will take time for students to adjust to

wonderful thing for our kids,” principal Brent

change the way they were going to teach

to have a large number of resources at their

al learning,” Wiley said.

well as teachers.”

the iPads as well as teachers. “Once the

newness of the iPads wear off they will be

no more of a distraction then a cell phone,” said Retzlaff.

As of now the iPads will be issued to

students in January at the beginning of

second semester. Students will need to attend a seminar on iPad use.

Student added to the school board The student representative to add input to the Board of Education will soon take position words & layout Paige Cramer This summer, the board voted and cre-

ated a position for a student representative to represent the student body to the school board.

“It will be a resource for the school board

and represent all the students,” Principal Brent Riessen said. “It’s a board position, without the voting.”

The representative will be expected to

attend all the board meetings and will also receive board information packets (except

ate Scott Syroka talked to student council

about the benefits of having a student on the board.

“There is probably two or three people

in every grade class who aspires to have a

career in politics or government. This gives them a chance to try it out,” Riessen said.

When much support came from student

council, it became something to be addressed on the school board.

“It’s a direct link to administration and

that which is confidential). They will par-

students,” Syroka said. “It’s important for

with giving their input and opinions, but

The applications for the student repre-

ticipate as any other board member would

voicing concerns.”

The student representative will be added the the school board meetings as a voice to represent the student body. year and the representative will become a

“It’s to know the student is worthy of

part of the board in the beginning of their

representing the student body- It’s not a

A 500 word essay, resume describing

The representative will soon be deter-

senior year.

popularity contest,” Riessen said.

without having the ability to have a final say.

sentative were accepted through Sep. 4.

school activities and 50 student signatures

mined, hopefully in the next few weeks of

school board has been looking at the ques-

staff, determine the student representative.

Through out the year the student will be re-

take the role as the student body repre-

For the past few years, the Johnston

tion of placing a student representative on

the school board. Last year, 2012 gradu-

Riessen, as well as other school faculty and

For future years, the applications will be

given to juniors, accepted at the end of the

are required as the application process.

sponsible for keeping their eligibility to stay on the board.

this month. The representative will then sentative as the next board meeting comes around.

feature

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Sport focus varies across globe Foreign exchange student takes notice of America’s sport heavy culture words & layout

Kenzie Foldes

America focuses heavily on athletics, and it reflects

through the incorporation of sports through our high schools. Most students here participate in a sport or an

extracurricular activity that is part of the school. In most other countries, sports are done through clubs.

“If you are in Italy, you have to do everything on your

own. You have to pay if you want to do competition and

here you can do everything through the school,” senior Lo-

athletics. “Here, the school cares more about sports, and in Italy the school doesn’t... Almost everyone here is in a sport

team or does a sport. In Italy a lot of people don’t.” Gentile said. “It is pretty common for someone not to play sports.

Senior Sanna Rasmussen also gained a new perspec-

tive on different views focusing on athletics. Rasmussen

participated in a summer college program this summer in

Antibes, France. While there, she noticed the lack of attention sports were receiving, especially the 2012 Sum-

mer Olympics. They were treated like a national holiday in America, but in France the publicity of it was noticeably

small. Rasmussen believes the difference between America’s focus on sports versus France and other European countries focus on sports is due to the different cultures.

“In France especially, they have a more laid back life-

renza Gentile said, a foreign exchange student from Biella,

style,” Rasmussen said. “If you’re talking about the majority

Gentile is currently participating in cross country and

European women is usually smaller, versus larger athletes

Provided/Sandra Kromminga

played volleyball outside of school in clubs, which is com-

culture, and foreign exchange students can bring a new

Reaching out for a high-five, Lorenza Gentile runs in the JV race at the Valley meet on Sep. 11. Gentile is a foreign exchange student from Biella, Italy and is currently running cross country. Sports are offered through clubs in Italy, not through the school.

“School begins at 8 a.m. and students leave at 1 p.m.

of such different cultures can be enlightening to both sides.

“Having sports through the school creates a sense of

Italy.

hopes to try out for the school’s dance team and play

soccer and basketball. Back in Italy, Gentile danced and mon in Europe.

to go home and have lunch. If you are in a sport it wouldn’t start until 6-8 p.m.,” Gentile said. Not offering sports

through the school may allow the focus to shy away from

of the females, they are very unathletic. The make up of a we have here in the United States.”

Sports and athletics make up a majority of America’s

perspective on the sports we play everyday. The two views

The way American schools run with school-related activi-

school pride,” Gary Ross, the athletic director, said. “It

hype of sports that most of us have come to know and love.

with a common tie.”

ties allows foreign exchange students to experience the

Race for a cause

Student marks 18th birthday by running 26.2 miles for charity

words & layout

Sarah Margolin

makes you feel apart of a group connected to the school

How to Donate: Go to firstgiving.com Give the amount you want to donate

Search “Andrew Keech” Click on the first name that comes up

Putting in his headphones and turning up his rap music,

tion for Autism Research. “To raise money I started telling

to anyone.”

training for the Chicago marathon. He runs five miles dur-

said. Keech had to raise $1,000 and so far, he has gone

run for the high school team. This will be his first marathon

Both of Keech’s parents have ran in the Chicago Mara-

one million people at the Chicago Marathon four times as

junior A.J. Keech runs down the trail by Pioneer to begin

ing the weekdays along with longer distances on the weekends, just part of the 26.2 miles of the marathon.

people, friends and parents to help with donations,” Keech past his goal and raised $1,200.

People from all 50 states and over 100 countries will run

thon more than once. “The marathon is like running with

Keech was one of the 45,000 runners chosen at random

“There are over one million people there cheering you on

the marathon on Oct. 7. It ends and begins in Grant Park.

for the marathon. “My mom signed up and didn’t so we had

to think of ways for her to get a bib (race number),” Keech

40,000 friends with the same goal,” Todd Keech said. which helps a lot.”

Keech’s parents help him out with training, even though

said. “If you raised enough money for the organization you

he prefers to run by himself. His mom rides her bike next

find an organization, runners pick from a list on the Chi-

because I can just be alone,” Keech said. “It’s 45 minutes

are running for, then you can get more people to run.” To

cago Marathon website. Keech is running for the Organiza-

to him on the longer runs to give him water. “I like to run

of just me, myself, and I time and I don’t have to answer

Keech ran cross-country in middle school, but does not

where he was not a spectator. “AJ has been one of the well as watching his mom and me run in the Minneapolis Marathon,” Todd said. “I think that this was something on

his bucket list and the timing was right.” Raising enough

money was hard. “I tell a lot of people and they say they will donate, but only one in 10 actually give money,” Keech said. “Raising money is way harder than the running part.”

Keech will run on his 18th birthday, just meeting the cut-

off by about six hours. “Running on my birthday is cool,” Keech said. “But running for something is even cooler.”

feature

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Compost bin to be placed

Environmental club is planning to contribute to the community garden by compost words & layout Courtney Mithelman

After the previous owner agreed to letting

The environmental club plans to put a

a sign in the front of the store advertising

them have a community garden, Wilson put the new addition, and people soon began

compost bin in the cafeteria. The compost

renting plots.

will be used in Bisbee Wood and Wire’s

The garden provides an opportunity for

community garden.

The environmental club will sort through

those who do not have room for a garden to

be put into the compost. “Hopefully, as the

less costly food. “Vegetables in the store

of that,” senior Courtney Norelius, environ-

ting in the time, the labor and the care, so

the waste to decide what can and cannot

grow their own vegetables. It also means

program develops, we will have to do less

are expensive, and some people enjoy put-

mental club president, said.

that’s definitely a benefit to the individuals who participate,” Wilson said.

Students will be asked to dump their

The environmental club is not sure if they

compostable items in a bin by the trash

are willing to take on the responsibility of

cans. They will have the bin in the cafeteria

taking care of their own garden plot. Right

a few days out of the week.

“We are looking for anything that a rabbit

would eat,” Norelius said. There will be a

tutorial over the compost bin in the lunchroom.

Matt Wilson, owner of Bisbee Wood and

Wire, has not built the compost pile yet, but wants to do so soon.

Courtney Mithelman/BW

The future compost bin will be placed in the community garden behind Bisbee Wood and Wire. Owner Matt Wilson has yet to put the designated area together; however, it will look something like this. the community garden.

Composting usually takes about a year

Once the composting begins taking

to be able to use for the garden. “In future

are planning on delivering the compost to

rich soil in the garden and make it a better

place, the environmental club members

years, we will be able to use the nutrient

garden,” Norelius said.

The compost will be available for anyone

that has a plot in the community garden.

“Because this was an old nursery, there

was all of this land out back,” Wilson said.

Synergy between directors

now, they are working on just providing the compost.

The responsibility to take care of the

compost will hopefully be passed down through the environmental club in the years to come.

However, the duty still remains with the

rest of the student body to actively and accurately use the bin placed in the lunchroom.

A new year and a new director brings changes to the choir system words & layout

Aaron Gray

With longtime choir director Sarah Van-

Waardhuizen leaving the district, not only

has a new teacher stepped in to take her place, there has also been some changes that have been added to the choir system as a whole.

The changes, however, are based not

solely revolved around students. “We did

on each others’ strengths,” Shepard said.

“So far it seems to be working for us quite well.”

Shepard now teaches Innovation, Con-

cert Choir and Mixed Choir, while Robilliard teaches Synergy, Chamber Choir and Women’s Concert Choir.

Junior Brianna Demoss has already

this mainly to build a program--to look at

noticed the benefits of the changes in the

billiard] and I can balance the workload,”

to the plate,” she said. “Students are being

the year and find ways that [Samantha RoEric Shepard, the head choir director said.

“It’s actually been very beneficial.”

During the process of implementing

these changes to the choirs, the ideas go

through many people beforehand to make sure they are to benefit the students.

“We discussed the changes with admin-

istration so that we could create more of a

collaborative atmosphere and really play

choirs. “Mr. Shepard has really stepped up great leaders. All of us have equal oppor-

Aaron Gray/BW

tunities.”

Mrs. Robilliard directs the Chamber Choir in a warm-up vocal exercise to determine what section each singer should be in.

the changes, and much of the feedback

two songs and are working on a third. Mean-

year. With this dedication coupled with a

away at the rest of their set.

aged with a new director, the Johnston

Other students are also taking note of

seems to be very positive.

“Chamber choir has been going smooth-

ly,” junior Craig O’Keefe said. “It’s a new system, but its been working out.”

As of now, Innovation has completed

while, Synergy is done with one and chipping

With all these changes made, all of the

choirs are getting back into the routine to perfect everything they are working on this

fresh perspective and new ideas packChoir progam is now seeing an opportunity to grow to greater standards than those that have been set in it’s history.

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homeschooling

september 2012

Home schooling Teens talk about their homeschool experiences

words & layout Sarah Ross & Myles Glandorf

Home-schooled Celebrities

Sammy Meyer While junior Sammy Meyer enjoyed the beginning of

his home schooling career, it did not last.

“It got really boring toward the end, like in fourth

grade,” Meyer said. “There was nothing different, you just

Tim Tebow

do the same thing every day.”

Tim Tebow and his four older siblings were home-schooled kindergarten through high school.

Tebow’s parents were Christian missionaries who wanted to instill the faith into their children.

Tebow went on to attend the University of Florida, where he won two national championships and now plays in the NFL.

Meyer began home schooling in kindergarten. By the

middle of his second grade year, he had started going to PE, art, math and language arts at Horizon elementary

school. “It was awkward just coming in the middle of the school year,” Meyer said.

Do you know?

-Iowa law requires that the home-school supervisor meet with the family four times per quarter. Two of the meetings must be face to face and two of the -The majority of Johnston home-schooled students do not use school textbooks.

-Johnston currently has 19 students in the Home School Assistance Program.

-If a student is a part of the Home School Assistance Program they are not required to take ITEDS.

Provided/ Randyl Lynn Getz

schooled. Meyer’s brother Daniel was the first one to

Venus Williams At the age of four, Venus Williams began practicing tennis.

With such a rigourous schedule, Venus was home-schooled by her mother while being coached by her father. Williams finished her education at a private high school.

Zoe Wilson/BW

Sophomore Lydia Graber works on the computer with Mrs. Wessling during study hall. Graber was home-schooled up to sixth grade. While home-schooled, there were certain rules she had to follow. “We weren’t allowed to hang out with friends until we had our homeschooling done, even if was after a regular school day,” Graber said.

Randyl Lynn Getz

will be like, how much fun recess will be and are feeling

the anxiety of leaving home for the first time. Sophomore Lydia Graber has different of memories than your average kindergartner. At the age of five, her mother began home schooling her along with her little brother.

Graber was home-schooled throughout all of elemen-

tary school. Then she went part-time to a Montessori school (a school where students learn at their own pace

and are in a classroom with all ages) until eighth grade.

She then began public school full-time. “My cousins were

Daniel went to public school in first and second grade,

Computer Apps 2 at Urbandale High School. After she is

subjects,” Getz said. “In public school those connec-

it and decided to see how we liked it,” Graber said.

he had made a couple of friends at public school. “He

home-schooled classes by teaching herself her lessons

morning she gets dressed up to go to second period

and then he started being home-schooled. By that time

finished with that class she comes home and begins her

realized he was missing out,” Meyer said. “He missed his

and then finishing up her homework.

mother mainly helps teach the younger kids while Getz

sleep in and just lay on the couch,” Graber said. Her typi-

all of which are home-schooled. She has been home-

gives her a brief overview of all her lessons and then

while her mom was laying out her homework for the day.

them is that they will learn how to learn for themselves

trips during the summer. “I met my best friend through

As with public school Getz also has to take finals at

gether and my mom and her mom were best friends. So,

right or wrong but more of progression in home-school.

Graber does not regret being home-schooled as a kid.

Getz comes from a family with a total of six kids

friends at public school.”

Being in public school is very different than being

schooled since she started kindergarten. “My parents

home-schooled. “There’s much more structure in school

thought God was calling them to home-school me,” Getz

than in home-school,” Colleen said.

Colleen Meyer also thinks public school is more ben-

eficial than home schooling. “There’s a lot of great classroom experiences in public school like working in groups

and giving speeches,” Colleen said. “You really learn how to advocate for yourself. That’s a really important skill our kids have learned.”

For Graber, home schooling was a very laid back envi-

With all of Getz’s siblings being home-schooled her

ronment. “My mom was very lenient, so we could always

goes to a tutor at the beginning of each week. The tutor

cal schedule would be to wake up at 10 and eat breakfast

Getz is given her homework for the week. “Our goal for

To meet people, they would go to camps and on field

home schooling,” Graber said. “We did a day camp to-

ing after they attended a home-school conference right

the end of each semester but grading is not based on

we just became friends.”

year since then Getz’s parents have always prayed and

“It’s until I understand the material that I move onto the

“I would probably still do home schooling in elementary

LeAnn, Getz’s mother, decided to try home-school-

Sophomore Randyl Lynn Getz studies at home while her four year-old sister, Raya Mac, plays with Getz’s iPod headphones. Getz attends a home-school day at the Capitol where students tour and learn about the building.

tions are not made evident in the same way.”

and they will able to think critically,” LeAnn said.

said.

By third grade, Meyer was going to public school full-

shown the connection to him through all the different

time with us so she called up my aunt to know more about

of the group,” said Colleen Meyer, Sammy Meyer’s mom.

to public school,” Colleen said.

Provided/ Victor Daireaux

day of kindergarten. They are imagining what the teacher

home-schooled, and my mom wanted to spend more

lic school full-time. “It was a great way to get acclimated

After three months in school, Thomas Edison was not able to stay focused. His mother decided to home-school him, and helped his education be a success.

A

home all my classes all circulated around God. I am

schooling again. Finally, in fifth grade he enrolled in pub-

Thomas Edison

I

As sophomore Randyl Lynn Getz wakes up in the

stop being home-schooled. “He wanted to be more one

time. However, in fourth grade he was part-time home

Provided/Edwin Martinez

D

Y

At the age of five most kids are gearing up for their first

meetings can be over the phone.

Meyer’s siblings also did not like being home

Provided/ Jeffrey Beall

L

before their oldest child went into kindergarten. Every thought about whether to keep home schooling or enroll

their children in public school. “Every family comes to

next thing,” Getz said.

Home schooling also allows Getz to choose what

school but in middle school I would go to public school,” Graber said.

the decision differently, everyone accesses it differently,”

classes she takes. Currently Getz is taking economics,

Getz says that her relationship has grown stronger

drama, tumbling, Computer Apps 2, and classical con-

G

LeAnn said.

with God because of her being home-schooled. “At

debate, Algebra 2, literature, Latin, physical science, versations.

R

A

B

E

R

the b&w p.10

feature

How the cookie crumbles

It’s 5:30 a.m. and district baker Vicki Brom starts grab-

Cafeteria cookies are a student favorite and have managed to pass health codes to keep it that way words

Laura Scieszinski

pecially on seniors’ last day when some buy trays full of

all baked goods such as cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls and

tion standards changing, the recipe could possibly change.

the famous school cookies are made.

“I don’t eat a lot of sweets. Actually, I just had [a cookie]

last week when I made them and that’s probably the first time in the last couple years,” Brom said. “It just has great flavor and it’s always a moist cookie. It’s just a great recipe

and we get a lot of compliments on it. We’ve never had any complaints about them.”

cookies and pass them around. However, with the nutri“I’m going to try to make it fit. If we can make that cookie and we can prove that it is a cookie that fits in the Healthy

Kids Act then we’ll be able to sell that cookie,” district nu-

tritionist LaRae Doll said. “But we’ll have to do a little bit of tweaking on the recipe to get that done. It’s so good the way it is that it’s hard to mess with it. We just don’t want to lose the integrity of our cookie.”

New nutritional standards

Cookie nutritional information

Calories Grades 9-12: 750-850 Saturated Fat Less than 10% of total calories Trans Fat 0 grams per serving Sodium Reduce, no set targets

Calories Saturated Fat 2.75 g Trans Fat 7.01 g Sodium 134 mg Fiber 1.57 g Carbs 26.45 g

2014: Grades 9-12 less than or equal to 1420 mg 2017: Grades 9-12 less than or equal to 1080 mg 2022: Grades 9-12 less than or equal to 740 mg

168

one cookie

THE RECIPE

825 cookies

Shortening Margarine Dry Eggs Granulated Sugar Brown Sugar Vanilla Baking Soda Salt Flour Water Chocolate Chips

13.5 cups 4 cups 10 2/3 cups 1 gallon 2 gallons 1 cup 1/2 cup 1/2 cups 4 gallons 1qt.

8 cups 3 gallons

Bake 425 degrees for eight minutes

Kenzie Foldes

The cookies are well-received by the student body, es-

bing her ingredients from the kitchen storage. In the back of the Beaver Creek kitchen there is a small bakery where

layout

Laura Scieszinski/BW

Beaver Creek kitchen manager Stuart Mauseth mixes the three gallons of chocolate chips into the batter. Mauseth and district baker Vicki Brom work as a team to bake for the entire district.

Students thoughts Logan Dean senior

“I think they are really good most of the time but some

times they are cooked bad and I hate waiting in long lines for them, so I think they are too popular.”

Dalton Handel senior

“I think their popularity is well deserved. The cookies

are normally delicious. I don’t particularly always get them; but when I do they are thoroughly enjoyed.”

Kendrick Jackson senior “We love the cookies. I don’t really know anyone who

doesn’t. People that are graduated ask me to get [school cookies] for them.”

editorial

the b&w p.11

Foreign language should be taught sooner Even if high school students were to take many years

of a foreign language, they would most likely not be able to speak as proficiently as a native. If we were to intro-

duce basic foreign language into our elementary schools,

making it easier for them to pick up and remember a new language, whereas teens and adults are producing less connections.

Students could also benefit from learning languages

students would be better able to understand the language

as exploratories in sixth and seventh grade. Spanish is al-

Middle school French teacher Tamara Andrews often

the retirement of teacher Brian Donahue in 2006. After he

and be more fluent when speaking.

used small French phrases with her son, sophomore Seth Andrews, at dinner when he was younger. She continues

to implement French now, in preparation for when the Andrews have French visitors stay at their house and their

trips to French speaking countries. Andrews said all of her

ready offered starting in sixth grade, and French was until left, his position was never replaced, taking French out of the curriculum opportunities. “I feel like we’re narrowing the scope of the kids’ learning, not expanding it like we have tried to do,” Moermond said.

Knowing a second language fluently will provide op-

children have taken French in high school.

portunities for students in the future. “Learning a foreign

yet to happen. “We have looked at elementary [foreign

ish teacher, said. With America constantly communicat-

Unfortunately, introducing foreign language earlier has

language], but haven’t implemented it,” Bruce Amendt, executive director of academic services, said. Options

have been to make the language a rotation, like the music and art classes. Having an actual class dedicated solely

language opens doors for students,” Nora Olguin, Spaning with other countries, more companies are looking to

hire bilinguals to be able to contact others in their native language.

The Hispanic population has increased by 43 percent

With the increase in individuals, Spanish is soon to be-

“So many Spanish [job] opportunities are being taken by

ing the day, such as the lunch count or days of the week,

to teaching a language to elementary students is less

in the last decade, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

of class growth in the past few years.

come the second-most predominant language in America.

reasonable now, with state budget cuts as well as the rate Mary Moermond, French teacher, has taught an adult

foreign language education class, and has introduced

elementary students to a second language. Moermond

the fluent Spanish speakers,” Moermond said.

Instead of trying to introduce a whole new class, there

said that the children were so enthusiastic about learning

should be a volunteer program that could come to the

well as their ability to remember what was being taught,

once a week for a few months. However, any volunteers

the language, and their pronunciation was incredible, as even just in a half-hour a few times a week. Young chil-

dren are still creating new neural connections everyday,

Provided/Tamara Andrews

French teacher Tamara Andrews and her son, sophomore Seth Andrews, in Montreal, Quebec.

schools and teach a small section of a language, maybe would have to have specific qualifications in order to teach elementary students.

Teachers could continue to reinforce the language dur-

along with the volunteer’s games, rhymes and songs to make learning the language initially more enjoyable for the students.

Introducing a foreign language into our elementary

students’ lives would not only allow them to become more fluent, but also provide them with the basics, if continued in high school, to more likely be hired in the future.

The editorial board votes on the opinion behind the editorial. A simple majority is needed to pass. This month’s vote was 4-0.

Thumbs UP

Thumbs DOWN

Theme Days

Slow Hallways

Village Inn

School Pictures

Monday Off After Homecoming

Truth Is...

That awkward moment when the weird-dressed people look like everyone else.

Three delicious words: free pie Wednesdays.

The best calendar planning. Ever. Finally, the (two) Jewish students have a holiday off.

The most important thing the 8/9 building could ever teach: Hallways are for moving quickly.

I smile when I’m happy. Are you making me happy? No. You’re fishing for compliments.

And anyway, the truth hurts.

opinion

the b&w p.12

Dutcher petition not Negativity fighting negativity worthwhile is not effective words & layout

Hannah Soyer

Everybody and their brother knows about school

board member John Dutcher, or have at least heard

his name at some point. Most likely, it was accompanied by some explanation of something that he’s

for one, don’t believe that the alleged harm he has done is anything to warrant the hateful response this petition has evoked.

Take, for example, Bruce Beghun’s: “John Dutcher is

done to make people mad. Such as saying that Eng-

a BULLY who utilizes his position as a board member to

National Teacher of the Year. Or calling for an audit

tors and teachers. It’s time to put a stop to wasting time,

lish teacher Sarah Wessling didn’t deserve to be the

on the district. Or submiting more than 400 pages

of emails to the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board as evidence that district employees were using their school email for past campaigning and other personal issues.

So yes, you’ve probably heard of him, and the

harass and intimidate other board members, administra-

money, effort and emotion. Let’s stop looking over our shoulder wondering where and when the next attack is coming from and start look(ing) forward to support the

outstanding students, staff and leadership of the Johnston School District.”

Or Jason Wilson’s: “It is time for this guy to go. His

negativity that some hold against him probably then

personal agendas and attacks have no business in our

whole lot of negativity towards someone that’s often

stock. If you want proof just go out to the (D)es (M)oines

transferred to you. Which, in the end, creates a accused of being “too negative.”

Recently, some people in the community started

a petition on Change.org to remove Dutcher from the school board. 349 signatures have thus far been collected. According to the petition, Dutcher has violated the School Board Code of Ethics, number 202.1, and specifically these points: •

Accept office as a board member as a means

•

Take official actions only in public sessions.

• •

(R)egister website. People actually look for stories involving him and (J)ohnston and his comments left for the world to see. It(‘)s a joke and not a good one.”

And lastly, Lisa Selover’s: “I’m tired of him wasting

funds on his personal witch hunts. Enough is enough.

We need someone positive and productive on the board.”

A bully? In all capitalized letters? Really? And if

of unselfish service.

Johnston has indeed become a “laughing stock” due to

Recognize that the strength of the school

this petition makes us? It certainly doesn’t elevate our

board is as a board, not as individuals.

Delegate authority to the chief school administrator as the board executive and confine board action to policy making, planning, and

•

district. Because of him we have become a laughing

appraisal.

Dutcher’s complaints, has anyone stopped to think what

position. As for witch hunts, maybe this petition is one.

The solution itself is so clear that it’s kind of a shame

everyone is ignoring it. Vote! If you will not be 18 by the time the election occurs, urge your parents to vote.

The next school board elections occur in September

Preserve the obligation of having controver-

of 2013, and by the time any of this petition stuff actually

Many of the signatures have been accompanied

board election, only 2,086 people showed up to vote,

sial issues presented fairly and without bias.

by comments (which are online), some of which were read aloud at the Aug. 27 board meeting. I

don’t have the authority to say whether or not Dutcher has indeed violated these points, but if he has, I,

happens, it will be that time anyway. In the 2011 school compared to the approximate 21,000 registered voters in the school district.

If you’re so determined to get Dutcher off the school

board, be a responsible citizen and vote.

10 1

ten things

to do on your weekends (that are legal) words & layout Paige Cramer

learn to swing dance

wordslesson & layout Get a swing dancing at the Madhat Ballroom in West Des Moines for $2 on Thursdays. Its’ not the weekend,

but everyone needs to learn. Let’s change up the school dances a bit!

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

star gazing

Go to Walmart and buy an inflatable kiddie pool. Fill it with

pillows and blankets and grab some snacks. Now you and your friends have the coolest backyard ever.

balloon painting

Fill up balloons with paint, tie the ends and tape them to

white piece of papers. Tape needles onto darts and throw

them to pop the balloons! (Yes, this is from “Princess Diaries,” but you know you have all wanted to do it.)

scavenger hunt

Write up a crazy scavenger hunt with your friends where you do crazy tasks and pick up random things from all

around town. Divide up into two teams and the first team to accomplish all the tasks wins!

drive-in movies

Drive to Newton (trucks work best) and watch a movie

under the stars. Make sure to bring popcorn! The theater is located at 4074 Highway F48 West Newton, IA.

enjoy the outdoors

Apple orchards. Pumpkin patches. Bonfires. Fishing.

Nature walks. Camp outs. Bubbles. Fly a kite. Chalk the drive-way. These things are fun. Try them.

cake off

Make your own rendition of Cake Boss with your friends.

It’s a win-win situation. The “winner” gets bragging rights, and everyone gets cake.

gramps and grams

Spend an evening with the grandparents. Make dinnner

with Grandma and listen to the stories about their teenage years. They always have the coolest stories. (And they make the best cookies)

fruit ninja

Real life fruit ninja. Lots of old fruit, a tarp and a samurai

sword (or anything that cuts fruit) always makes for a fun time. More points for the coolest ninja move.

Hannah Soyer/BW

Todd Keech reads comments written on the petition against Dutcher at the school board meeting on Aug. 27 while Jeff Smaha and the board listen.

art center

The Iowa Artists Print Show begins Oct. 5. Ena Adjimovski, 2012 graduate, has a print in the show of the tables in the art room. Check it out.

opinion

the b&w p.13

Time for new tradition

Coronation does not jive with meaning of homecoming

words & layout Katelyn Lunders

time and effort putting coronation together?

Homecoming court is a tradition. It is an

As the secretary of student council, I

have had my fair share of tallying votes for

honor because it shows that you are well

get at least one vote. So what makes one

dents, coronation is a great experience,

We have a great school made of great

benefit the rest of the school? It doesn’t. In

homecoming court. Bunches of students

liked by your peers. And for those 10 stu-

student better than another? I couldn’t say.

but how does having a homecoming court

people, and for a week we forget that, be-

fact, it does not have much of an impact on

cause of a silly tradition.

school at all.

Homecoming. The tradition started at the

don’t know if it’s a necessary thing either,”

the alumni back for a home game as a way

king and queen are thought to be such a

“I don’t know that it’s a bad thing, but I

Since 1911, schools have celebrated

University of Missouri, when they invited

principal Brent Riessen said. Homecoming

to sell more tickets.

big deal, but they do not actually have any

Homecoming

means

bringing

“duties” to their school.

the

The best parts of homecoming week are

school together. We dress up all week, play

games at Rock Around the Clock, support

Claire Sevenich/Dragon

These are great activities that include everyone, unlike coronation. Singling out stu-

The girls’ volleyball team works on their section of the sidewalk painting. Sidewalk painting is one of the great activities that involves the students during homecoming week.

our school together — it has the opposite

positives and negatives of coronation. “I’m

together as Dragons,” she said.

“If you aren’t part of it, then it doesn’t

said. “It’s only good for one person.” She

10 percent from the junior and sophomore

Marckmann said. As a member of her

the court more attention, instead of includ-

year. Students voted online on their own

School in Kansas, she experienced the

tion. “Let’s continue to find ways to bring us

the football team, and all dance together.

dents solely for popularity does not bring effect.

still sad I didn’t get homecoming queen,”she

mean much,” guidance secretary Sarah

feels that coronation gives the people on

homecoming court at Junction City High

ing everyone in the homecoming celebra-

Get on the right bus words & layout Austin Busch Every morning students climb in their

cars to go to school. We complain about the traffic, whine about the inconvenient

parking spots and attempt to avoid causing

I still ride the bus frequently. I have to

I can drive to school, but I choose to use

ride the bus home on my free afternoons. my parking pass only when I need to. It has never been a problem.

Austin Busch/BW

spots for students. One hundred and nine

said we do not have enough seats for every

to school week. This is where students

permits, and every parking spot we build

For some reason, that has never been an

students are on the wait list for parking takes away from the few remaining practice

ing. This tradition could be a second night

of Rock Around the Clock, so that all the teams get in, or even something that we have never tried before, like a flash mob.

That way when people ask why this activity is set in place, we will be able to tell them exactly why.

If students rode the bus instead of driving, entire rows would be empty in the parking lot.

such excuse, yet drive anyway.

school to drive each day. That same

The school is running out of parking

Let’s start a new tradition, one that

embodies the real meaning of homecom-

do sports or activities if they ride the bus to

carpool to school for morning activities and

7:30 in the morning.

than tradition, it has no real value.

652 students registered for buses 852 parking permit requests 670 parking spots

Students need to utilize the bus system.

convenience of self-transportation leads

convenience has also led to headaches at

can give a reason to do something other

The simple solution for our parking woes

partly to solve our parking situation.

school. However, many students have no

half the student population of the high

on their own, why do we spend so much

essence, the new school would be built

themselves home.

but most students choose not to. The

time. If students do not care enough to vote

that we can add on to this building. In

Most students complain that they cannot

We could easily ride the buses instead,

classes voted for homecoming court last

fields left, and makes it even more unlikely

an accident. Every afternoon, the daily

migration begins again as students drive

About 22 percent of the senior class and

the ones that involve more people. If no one

Mike Volz, the director of transportation,

high school student to use the bus system. issue.

Every spring, the school hosts a carpool

“carpooling” as well?

If students really care about limiting their

who drive to school together, instead of

impact on the environment and not wasting

But aren’t the students riding the bus

the bus.

separately, are rewarded with small prizes.

fuel and parking spaces, they should ride

sports

the b&w p.14

Freshening up the sports

My experience playing varsity volleyball as a freshman

Adam Johanson runs varsity cross country as a freshman

g varsity volleyI would be playin When I learned surprised. It’s I was pleasantly , an m sh fre a ball as as a freshman. ing to be pulled up not a common th Emily Parker, was then-senior on titi pe m co y M during preseason 2011. We battled who graduated in y thought I had er spot. I honestl ck blo le idd m e for th L I earned the en she tore her AC no chance, but wh starting spot. varsity is infreshmen playing Katrina Fey/Dragon The probability of I asked varsity out why this is, e ur fig To g. sin e Junior Adam Johanson finishes strong in crea at he thought th Rick Brooks, wh the Johnston home meet on Sept. 6. Jovolleyball coach, ypla choose the coaches I know t os hanson finished 12th overall and was the “M s. wa e caus chance e team the best th e giv seventh runner to finish from Johnston. ll wi el fe o ers that they ooks said. “I als Br ,” on as se nt rre to win in the cu est a great deal seeing families inv e ar think that we The reason freshmen rarely development.” into youth sports ey on m d an e e of tim th e nc rie pe play or start at varsity level is ex e soon going to More players ar preall yb lle vo due to the fact it is a physig rin For example, du same thing I did. ad gr h ht eig cal sport, and when you’re a four summer, three or season this past ity. “I rs va d an freshman you’re usually not JV th to practice wi e ers were pulled up th at e lik it’s physically mature enough what get a picture of wanted them to ders lea r tte be to handle or withstand the be t igh so that they m high school level rry wo es im et blows that occur during a som ” Brooks said. “I at their own level, other th wi ly on football game. The only reay pla s young athlete that our talented of t ar e th t los son I would ever consider ’ve in clubs and they talented players r.” tte be em bringing up a freshman would th nd ou make those ar y knowing how to sit en int e th r be to fill a need at the vary prepare you fo Nothing can reall going lly cia pe sity level. The freshman has to es , ch at h school m and speed of a hig en sm las rc pe be head and shoulders better tly up e right into a mos from eighth grad n isoca an m sh than the upper classman to fre ly is, being the on game. Besides th ol. start ahead of them. The role scho lly at the middle late you, especia ity had rs va e er freshmen play is to learn not wh e tim n recall a For instance, I ca an m sh fre ly on only the playbook, but learn e me day. Being th to dress up on ga ely fanm tre ex how to practice at the high an in s this rule, I wa required to follow pt ke le op Pe y. school level. esda a regular old Tu cy outfit for just ?’ Evening ar we s wa I t the heck asking about ‘wha on, and it t what was going ou ed ur fig le op tually pe ard. was kind of awkw this don’t take nces like these However, experie a freshman on benefits of being away the amazing m, getting e high school gy th in ing tic ac Pr varsity. against some of seys and playing nice non-t-shirt jer e it worthte definitely mad sta e th in ls gir ~Head football coach, the best

“ ”

while. benefits in the a freshman has as ity rs va ing Play r the rest of your o prepares you fo present, but it als e for the fue certainly prepar “W . er re ca ol ho high sc rs r, talented playe sure our younge ture by making they need,” d and trained as ge en all ch g ttin are ge words & layout Taylor Joens Brooks said.

Brian Woodley

words

Competing is pa rt of human natu re. Ever since the beginning of mankind, human s have been com peting machines which has becom e something that humans encoun ter almost everyd ay. And with the creation of compe tition came the fo rmation of a winner or a looser.

Of course, exce pt in the case of tie. And that is wh a at happened in Ad am Johanson’s freshman year.

Johanson, a jun ior, ran varsity cr oss country as a freshman. He and David Rice were the only tw freshmen on the o team that year.

“It was scary, we thought ‘Oh crap we’re gonna get killed in this race ,’” Johanson said.

“We thought we were gonna get dead last, but othe r times it was reall y fun cause we knew we were dif ferent from everyo ne else.”

Johanson felt aw kward at the be ginning of the season. “At the beginning I don’t th ink [the team] respected Dave and I very much, bu t after the first couple of meets, they respected us an d we got really close as a unit.”

Johanson ran six va rsity meets as a freshman.

As the season pr ogressed the lea ders of the varsity team started to bring the team clo ser. “We had a lot of older kids lik e Drew Jackson an d LJ Lipscome pushing us,” Joha nson said. Even th ou gh the team got close, there was still some co nfl icts within the varsity lineup. “D uring our confer ence meet, I wa running varsity,” s Johanson said.

“I tied a senior for the same tim e.” The senior ra n in the JV race so there was no way to tell who th e faster runner was. They then ha d to go to school and decide who would run at sta te. Johanson did n’t make the cut.

“Adam had three more opportunities to run at state,” Matthew Jasche n, then-assistan t and current he ad coach said. “I think we made the right ch oic e.

I would do the same thing now if it happened again.” Johanson had similar feelings about th e decision. “At fir it was disappoint st ing, because I ho nestly wanted to run,” Johanson said. “But once I realized that it’d be his last chan ce at state, I jus t got over it. It jus pushed me hard t er for the next ye ar.”

Johanson struggle d with injuries his sophomore year, but has ran varsity so far this se as on. “It was way different runn ing my freshman ye ar than running this year,” Johans on said. “I didn’t ge t to run with my friends, just Dave , and now I get to ru n with all my friends everyday .” Johanson hope s to remain on th varsity lineup. Fr e eshman or not, he must compete fo his varsity spot ev r ery race.

Jeremy Caracci

sports

the b&w p.15

A League of their

OWN words & layout

Monica Gagne

football, volleyball, baseball, softball, cross country, track, tennis, swimming, diving In the past year the CIML (Central Iowa Metropolitan

Because of the new conferences there will now be a

League) has made some drastic changes to the sports

separate Metro Conference meet, and a CIC varsity meet

line ups. In the new CIML conferences, all sports, includ-

and for each of these there will be a separate JV meet.

ing football and volleyball, are facing new and tough

This allows one larger conference champion at the varsity

competition.

level and still allows for all of the JV participants. Girls “The reason that the CIML realignment was discussed swimming, boys swimming, girls track and field, and boys was the addition of the Ankeny Centennial (High School) track and field all will have these two new meets. into the league,” Gary Ross, athletic director, said. “Once

Last year, swimming attended one championship

Provided/Shari Warrick

(Above) Freshman, Brittany Martin swims the 100 butterfly at the Ames Invitational. Before each meet the swim and diving team sing the song Faith by George Michael to pump themselves up together as a team. the year. “These changes are just a new experience the athletic directors are giving us. We know they don’t see it as a negative thing, they see that varsity gets three meets

we knew that we needed to look at the addition, the

meet as a whole team: the conference meet. From there,

league said maybe this is a time to look at the overall

specific varsity swimmers went on to swim regionals,

alignment of the league and see if it makes sense for

and those who qualified went on to State. “Having both

changes.”

new team separation. “Usually it’s all one meet and it’s

varsity and JV in one meet was a big team experience.

fun ’cause it’s JV’s last meet and we get to cheer them on

The guys used to have fun shaving each others heads

conferences – the Metro and the Central Iowa Confer-

and focus on them. But this year it’s broken up and we

and stuff, but now we have to figure out how to bond

ence, or the CIC. Johnston is included in the Central

aren't even going to be able to go watch them because

and have fun as a team when competing in two separate

conference. Within the CIC there are three divisions:

we have to practice and get ready for regionals and

meets,” coach Shari Walling said.

state,” senior Victoria Trost said.

After discussion, the league decided to create two

Northern, Western and Eastern. Johnston is a part of the

After the CIML changes the varsity conference meet

in their season and that’s great,” Walling said.

However, some students are not enthused about the

Due to the CIML realignment the swim team is not only

Western division along with Dowling Catholic, Urbandale

became a large event where they now face eleven teams

and Valley). The Metro conference is one single division

facing new competition this year, but also adapting to find

including Ames, Ankeny, Dowling and Valley. The JV team

including: East, Hoover, Lincoln, North, Roosevelt, Indi-

new ways to bond as one team. “It’s crucial that we just

only faces two teams: Dowling and Valley. The conference

anola and Ottumwa. Things like maintaining rivals, travel,

keep being unified and being encouraging and focused,”

meet used to be a smaller event focused mainly on the JV

Trost said. “We know no matter our team will always be

and number of levels all were factored into the groupings. swimmers because it was their last and biggest meet of

there.”

An eXCess of boys words & layout

Clare Farrell

Boys cross country team captain and senior Tyson

Wieland walks into the foyer outside the big gym excited

to see the number of cross country participants increase every day.

Even though the increase in numbers may call for a

new coach, the atmosphere is what draws many people to

ing team three coaches would be very beneficial,” Wieland said.

Athletic Director Gary Ross agrees. “The growth in the

boys cross country program has been outstanding,” he said.

Several other school sports have growth very similar

the sport. “Kids are wanting to be a part of something their

to the boys cross country program. Boys swimming has

more because of the ‘brother like’ atmosphere.”

The staffing plan for a new coach will occur this January

friends are in,” Wieland said. “I envision us growing even “Sometimes it gets overwhelming with so many team-

mates, but I think that it makes our team a lot better,” soph-

as many athletes as cross country, but it has five coaches. along with all other staffing needs.

“It could be beneficial for our program, but we would

omore Josh Borwick said. 75 boys run for the team this

want to make sure we have someone that stands for the

With the popularity of the sport, some feel it may be

around,” head coach Matt Jaschen said. “I feel like we have

year. Last year it was 59.

helpful to have another coach. “We do have the captains to

help aid the coaches, but in order to handle the ever grow-

Zoe Wilson/BW

Sophomore Josh Borwick participates in the home meet at Walnut Ridge Park.

Process for adding another coach 1. Each year every administrative team from each school in the district prepares a staff plan for the upcoming year- including new faculty.

2. These plans are then presented to the central office.

same principles and philosophies that our program is built

3. The central office prepares an overall plan that is presented to the Board of Education for approval.

something pretty special and we want to keep it that way.”

4. The hiring and contracting proccess begins for any approved new staff by the board.

backpage

the b&w p.16

The first person to come in to the journalism lab with a correct, complete puzzle (crossword, spot the difference, or sudoku) wins three free ounces to Orange Leaf. Starts Tuesday, Sept. 18, at 2:55 p.m. Limit one win per person.

NIGDPDU DESLI Across 1. What English teacher teaches morning classes to the freshman in the portables?

4. What website is the petition to remove John Dutcher on?

8. Who was the other freshman who ran on varsity with Adam Johanson?

9. Who creates the overall plan for the addition of a new faculty member and presents it to the board?

11. Where did Sanna Rasmussen go for for a summer college program?

13. What type of school did sophomore Lydia Graber go to after elementary school but before eighth grade?

14. The environmental club is looking for any type of food a _____ would eat to go in the compost bin.

Down 1. Mrs. Robilliard is the new director of what show choir?

GEG SOTS SUDGEJ GOHMONCIME UTG FO WRA

2.What school was added to the CIML conference to begin discussion about realignment?

3. What school has the bakery that makes the school’s cookies?

4. Where is AJ Keechs’ marathon going to be held?

5. The ____________ population has grown 43 percent in the last decade.

6. Approximately how many students receive a 36 on the ACT? 7. The new iPads will have 32 ____________ 10. In what state was the homecoming tradition started?

12. How many student signatures are required in the application process in order to be considered as a student representative on the school board?

*Spaces included in crossword. Clues come from articles in the Black and White.

Spot the seven differences 8 9

3

5

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8 5

2

1

9

6

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7

4 5

1 2

8

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3 6

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8 9

1 9

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2 2

9

2 7

4

compiled by Anne Rogers & Mallorie Goodale