September

B&W

Learn about the place that teaches boys, who cannot live with their families, how to live independently and the journeys of a few who have grown up there. page 6/7

t he black and white september, 2013

relationships

forever

regret

responsibility

chores love

bonds

family

experiences

Youth Homes

goals

togetherness

rewards boredom

brotherhood

learning

appreciation normal

index

[in this issue]

3 4

Fall Sports

HOMECOMING WEEK PUT

Early Bird Gets the Parking Pass

5

Growing pains

6

The road to recovery

ON PICTURES POSTED ON TWITTER DURING HOMECOMING WEEK

PICTURES WILL BE SELECTED BY THE BLACK AND WHITE STAFF AND WILL BE POSTED ON THE NEWSPAPER WEBSITE. ANY AND ALL PICTURES ARE WELCOME!

at Youth Homes of Mid-America Meet The Staff Editors in Chief

8 9

Laura Scieszinski Mollie Greenwood

Sports Editor

Anne Rogers

Textbooks kicked to the curb Is courtesy dead?

Advisory ditches Dragon TV

10

Outfit of the week

PHOTOS

#JHSBW

Design Editor Kenzie Foldes

11

backpage sports

fashion editorial opinion double truck feature news photo essay

the b&w page 2

Staff Ellen Bennett Senad Besic Carly Campbell Sarah Caporelli Jeremy Caracci Clare Farrell Myles Glandorf Aaron Grey Medina Jusufovic Carly Kinning

Eileen Lagerblade Natalie Larimer Anna Larson Sarah Margolin Daisha McAvaddy Courtney Mithelman Anne Rogers Sarah Ross Elizabeth Schraeger Evan Trainer Zoe Wilson Kevin Wu

B&W

Cross country branches out

12

If you hide it, they’ll come

Visit the Black and White website!

[JHSBLACKANDWHITE.COM]

PHILOSOPHY

The Black and White is published solely by the Johnston High School newspaper staff. Its goal is to inform, enlighten and entertain Johnston students.

It is an open forum. In accordance with Iowa law and board policy, students assign and edit material and make all decisions of content. The paper is published ten times per school year. The paper will avoid material that is libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. The law does not require parental permission to use student quotes. Ethically, we believe students can speak for themselves. Staff editorials represent the opinion of a majority of the editorial board. Editorial and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the adviser, school officials or the district. Letters to the editor must be signed.

Like all material, letters may not be libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy.

Bring letters to room 413 within one week after publication to be considered for the next issue. The Black and White strives to report accurate and timely information. If you believe that an error has been printed, please contact the editors at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com. The Black and White is a member of CSPA, NSPA, Quill & Scroll, and IHSPA. Recent issues of the paper earned these honors: Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist, National Scholastic Press Association First Class rating, Quill & Scroll Gallup Award, IHSPA state placings and sixth in the National Best of Show.

photo essay

the b&w page 3

FALL

4

SPORTS

Dragon/Clara Carlson

IN PHOTOS Fall athletes take off their seasons in the right direction. words & layout layout

Carly Kinning Zoe Wilson

1

Junior Ellie Marckmann runs out of the woods at the Walnut Ridge cross country meet. “The Johnston course is actually really fun because it’s shaded and cool to run through the woods.” Marckmann said.

2

Senior Ryan Rubin putts the ball to get it in the hole. The varsity boys’ golf team have 17 golf meets and most of them take place during the day.

3

Senior Jonathan Caracci goes to tackle an Urbandale player at home on Sept.

13. The boys’ varsity football team fell to the J-Hawks with a final score of 40-50.

4

Freshman Lexie Winnett swims the breaststroke at the home meet against Waukee. The girls’ varsity swim team was victorious against the Warriors on Sept. 3.

5

Freshman Patrick Bose strides on the Walnut Ridge cross country course. The boys’ varsity cross country team finished in first place with a perfect score of 15.

6

In an intense game of volleyball, senior Melinda Paszkiewicz saves the ball from hitting the ground. Senior Emily Hanson and junior Hayley Dotseth are both ready to go for the ball and get it over the net. The girls’ volleyball team was ranked second in the state of Iowa pre-season.

5 1

Carly Kinning/BW

2

Dragon/Tyler Fenton

3

Carly Kinning/BW

6

Dragon/Tyler Fenton

Carly Kinning/BW

news

the b&w page 4

Early bird gets the parking pass Rumor rs e t s u B

Students come before school for health class and receive a parking pass words & layout layout

Carly Campbell Sarah Ross

layout Meredith Gwennap words Meredith Gwennap & Myles Glandorf

The high school started offering early bird health to

CONFIRMED:

29 students this semester. Class begins at 7 a.m., five days a week for one semester.

Health teacher Jackie Sapp went to associate prin-

Poetry club starts this fall

cipal Jerry Stratton with the idea. Her concern was

Senior Andrew Mills wants to begin a poetry club. “Po-

that students were not taking health as sophomores

etry is a way to clear your head, and a form of expression,”

because of schedule conflicts. She thinks it is critical

Mills said. He has enjoyed poetry for a long time, begin-

that students discuss the skills and issues she talks

ning in ELP. With the help of staff sponsor Ed Walker, the

about in class as sophomores.

paperwork is done and submitted. Mills will have a meeting

“I think it needs to be all or nothing,” Sapp said. “I

with the administration before the school board receives the

think if you have all sophomores you can treat it one

papers to approve the club. “Anyone is welcome to come

way versus if you had all juniors you can have a little

read, write and discuss their poetry,” Mills said. If the board

more adult conversations.”

approves the club, it will meet for the first time on either

Students who participate in early bird health re-

ceive a parking pass and can leave after seventh pe-

Sept. 17 or Oct. 1.

7:45. “Class starts at seven but everyone tries to get

Sophomore Megan Aspengren drinks coffee in early bird health class. The class starts at 7 a.m. every morning and is now available for scheduling of the 2014-15 year.

omore Julia Beswick said.

There is even a waiting list.

High school giving school permits

currently were not enrolled in health. If a student did

Stratton is considering trying it with other classes such

to acquire new school permits. “More and more students

pushed off to their junior or senior year. “My schedule

“I love getting done earlier,” Beswick said. “I like

associate principal Randy Klein said. The school is trying to

riod. The length of the class is the same as a regular

period. Class starts at 7 a.m. and gets dismissed at there by 6:55 so we can get dismissed at 7:40,” sophStratton first offered the class to sophomores who

With the amount of success the class has had,

BUSTED: The high school will not sign off on the papers needed

not have room for health as sophomore the class was

as a history or science class.

are parking at city hall, and it is making it hard for the city,”

was full,” sophomore Morgan Stutzman said. “I have

having the extra time to do homework this way I’m not

find a solution to allow as many kids as possible to drive to

I didn’t have room for health.” Then, the class was of-

ter seventh period she usually stays after and does

two blocked math classes this year and show choir so

up as late.” Even though Beswick can go home af-

fered to all sophomores.

homework because participates in sports but if it is an

Nineteen out of the 29 students still take an eighth

period, making for a nine-period day. “It makes for

school. It is unknown when a solution will be found.

CONFIRMED:

early out day she goes home

“Early bird classes for next year is something we

a really long day,” sophomore Sage Hassel said. “It

are going to be talking about at upcoming meetings,”

at 7 a.m., but you really start to feel it by eighth period.”

working out. “These kids are ready to go, their fired up

Thirty students signed up for the class next semester.

ers would like to have an early bird class.”

doesn’t seem that bad when you’re sitting in the class

Stratton said. Sapp is also happy with how the class is

The level of interest in the class surprised Stratton.

and they’re fun,” Sapp said. “I think a few other teach-

Wednesday study sessions held Wednesday after school study help is offered for

required classes. Students may also do makeups for quizzes and tests if the teacher approves.

“We had a number of associates who had free time on

early dismissal days,” associate principal Jerry Stratton

said. “So this was a way for us to provide support that the

JHinS ss g pa

park

associates could give.”

There is usually two associates assigned to the differ-

ent core areas.

Students can peer-tutor in a room on Wednesday,

fulfilling an obligation for their silver chord hours. “Right

now I have two students who have asked to (peer tutor),” Stratton said. “But we are looking for more.”

feature

the b&w page 5

Growing Pains “I don’t think students are able to get as in depth as an education experience.”

words Ellen Bennett layout Sarah Ross & Zoe Wilson

With a larger student body that is continuing to grow, the school faces problems.

English teacher, Kelly Thompson

“Choir is the worst.

We have 117 students in one room so we had to move into the auditorium. We don’t’ even take attendance because we don’t have time for it.”

junior, Mikayla Foster

THE PROBLEM:

Lunch

Lunch times are when students can truly see the crowding problems.

C lunch, the smallest lunch of about 170 students, includes only the blocked math classes. While A and B lunch are near capacity of about 500+ students per lunch.

Associate Principal Jerry Stratton has been able to create artificial blocked classes in the past. When doing so, Stratton would group students in one class, and have all of them then go to the same class the next period, following the C lunch time schedule, creating another “blocked class”. This could remove nearly 60 students from the very crowded A and B lunches and seat them in C lunch.

Stratton attempted to recreate the system again this year, but due to several computer errors in the saving process, the artificial blocks were lost too many times, too close to the first day of school to recreate them.

Principal Brent Riessen sees the addition of a fourth lunch as a possibility if lunches get more crowded but hopes this is not needed.

THE PROBLEM:

Staffing

The largest obstacle for solving the crowding issues is staffing.

Class sizes are preferred to be 25 students, but are now more frequently about 31 students.

In order to cut down on these larger class sizes, more staff needs to be hired for more classes to be taught.

But in a school with a limited number of rooms, staff can not be added as easily as thought.

This year, almost all teaching departments are sharing rooms and moving classrooms during the school day.

Even though more teachers are needed to create smaller class sizes, there are no classrooms to put them into.

The school would prefer to hire full time teachers, but the budget does not allow for it.

The solution to this problem has been hiring part-time teachers, but full time teachers are what is needed.

Zoe Wilson/BW

THE EFFECT:

Larger classes English teacher Kelly Thompson’s classes have increased from about 21 to 26 students in some classes from last school year. Currently, her largest is classes are her DMACC speech classes. For an advanced level class like this, Thompson says the class should be about 20 students in order to get through everything in the class.

Because this class is a presentation class, all students must present. When classes have more students, speeches take up a lot more class time to cover.

Thompson has had to cut out one of the required speeches for the class, a demonstration speech, because there is just no time for it.

“I don’t think students are able to get as in depth as an education experience,” Thompson said.

When the class will give their first speeches second quarter, Thompson is worried about how much downtime students will have because she predicts that some speeches could take seven class days to finish.

Thompson is also concerned for when it comes time to grading essays.

It takes her about 45 minutes per essay in order to effectively grade each essay.

This year, she will have to grade about 16 more essays which will take longer to give feedback back to the students.

Students sit in the commons due to the overcrowding in the cafeteria during A lunch.

THE EFFECT:

Portable teacher The effects of a more crowded school on business teacher Tim Brickley have caused him to teach in five different classrooms for the six classes that he teaches.

“I feel like a student,” Brickley said.

With the constant moving of classrooms, Brickley said it is often hard for students to find him. This causes problems when a student needs to make up a test or talk to Brickley because they can not just go to his room.

“I feel bad in other peoples’ rooms,” Brickley said “I’m on their turf.”

Brickley has found that the iPads make this situation much easier.

Having Moodle, he does not have to print off papers and carry them around to every class.

Brickley brings his backpack with him to every class as a substitute for not having a desk.

He has even added a drawing from one of his kids to the backpack using safety pins to attach it. “Everything I need is all in the backpack,” Brickley said.

the b&w page

youth homes

september 2013

The

Youth Homes helps adolescentsturntheirlifearoundand preparethemtoliveindependently.

to

Road Recovery at Youth Homes of Mid-America

words & layout Kenzie Foldes

How the staff helps

A different atmosphere

the years, but it’s good to know that there is still a place at the corner of Merle Hay Rd and Beaver Av that is safe for kids.”

Tony Pohlman wrote this in an

email he sent to Youth Homes of MidAmerica. Pohlman, who attended

Youth Homes from 1979 to 1981, intended for the email to be read by

residents living on the campus. He wanted them to realize that life would get better for them.

“It’s not necessary for me to know

what [the current Youth Boys] (have)

gone through, or what their problems are, to know that where they are now

is probably the best possible place

for them to be — they don’t know it,”

Pohlman said. “They might never ac-

tually discover it. So I thought I’d try to point it out to them in a non-threatening, non-invasive way, letting them know that it doesn’t matter why they

are there, or what they have done in

the past, that Mike (Arndt) and his gang will take care of them if they only open up and let them.”

The current Youth Homes Director

his residency and continues to stay in touch with him.

The email continues with kind

words of encouragement to current

Youth Home boys and reveals Pohlman’s appreciation for the program, including its staff members. Youth Homes programs help boys turn their lives around, just like it did for him.

Pohlman referred to Youth Homes

Youth Homes, founded in 1943 by

Hulburt Ross, provides hope for adolescents who have been involved with criminal activity or have experienced harmful family issues.

Like most kids who attend Youth

Homes, Pohlman’s residency there was due to a sad series of events.

At a young age, Pohlman basically

had the responsibility of taking care of

his three younger siblings. Eventually,

all four were put into foster care. They became separated. “My mindset back then was that it was all my fault, that

had I tried harder, I could have kept our family together,” Pohlman said.

He was 10 at the time.

The staff at Youth Homes focuses

“When I got there, I thought I was

on each individual who attends and

there with boys who had run-ins with

Most residents who live at Youth

misplaced,” Pohlman said. “I was

the law for drugs, breaking and entering, and auto theft.” At the time, Pohl-

man had no criminal record and spent the first two weeks in complete soli-

His behavior was not uncommon.

Mike Arndt helped Pohlman during

Over the next three years, Pohl-

“Our kids don’t really like being here

foster home. He battled depression

until they realize they are here to

tion at 13. As a depressed teenager,

Sam Huisinga, a resident of Youth

specializes goals that fit his needs.

Homes see it as a home rather than a treatment facility. Bonds made between the staff and residents resemble that of a family.

“The staff were oddly maternal fig-

ures,” Huisinga said. “There was one staff, Rebecca, that everyone called

man hopped from foster home to

at times and don’t really like our staff

and was eventually put up for adop-

help,” Arndt said.

Homes emphasize learning responsi-

Pohlman struggled finding a new fam-

Homes from June of 2012 to May of

how each resident received an allow-

Homes and eventually was admitted

“It reminded me a lot of a prison

ily. He was court ordered into Group

2013, expressed the same behavior.

into Youth Homes.

minus the bars,” Huisinga said. Ad-

Youth Homes not a sentence

for any unfamiliar environment. Many

to Youth Homes, he will be interviewed

to previous facilities — an average

for kids who want to succeed,” Arndt

having

that you are not sentenced here. The

so it forces you to read a lot. I think I

termined 100% by how well you do.”

and also “War and Peace” the first

justing was uncomfortable, as it is

If an adolescent has been referred

who attend Youth Homes have been

upon entering the system. “We look

of six. “At first it was really odd, not

said. “The first thing we say to them is

said. “There’s nothing really on T.V.

length of time that you stay here is de-

knocked out “Crime and Punishment”

Many programs in Iowa are deter-

mined by a certain amount of time,

much

freedom,”

Huisinga

two months I was there.”

Arndt, who was a new resident

but at Youth Homes it’s determined

counselor when Pohlman first arrived,

progression towards accomplishing

death,” Arndt said about when he

resident’s stay is four to five months,

Arndt’s sociology professor when he

kids back on their feet no matter what

he look into the job.

by specific goals and the individual’s

helped him adjust. “I was scared to

the goals. The average length of a

first starting working at Youth Homes.

and staff at Youth Homes strive to get

was a senior in college recommended

their current condition is.

LOT Program. This program teaches

passenger van that has the Youth

arrived at Youth Homes around two

prepare them to for the Independent

Huisnga believes that students don’t

same in both, but a difference be-

other student, Youth Home boys fol-

have locks,” Hickle said. Having locks

go to school, do homework, and do

sign of privacy and trust that must be

thing’. You’re just living with a bunch

setting.

ity,” Huisinga said.

dependent Living program. Hickle

years ago. He is currently living in Sargent, one of the independent living buildings on campus.

The Independent Living program

is one of six programs or services.

Currently where Hickle is staying (also referred to as Clustered Living) is where teenagers ages 16 to 18 live.

tude in his room.

“To All: Times have changed over

of Youth Homes, is a part of the In-

her Mom.”

Counselors and workers at Youth

bility and liability. Pohlman described

ance that corresponded with how well he obeyed the rules. “We received

points for such things as brushing

our teeth, cleaning our rooms, being

‘nice’ basically,” Pohlman said. Residents spent time doing chores, such as taking care of the miniature garden Youth Homes had at the time, as well

as shoveling the walks, assisting the cook and mowing. “Typical teenager chores,” Pohlman said.

Learning to be independent

Residents at Youth Homes are not

only being treated for their specific

“They pretty much teach you all the

tween the two is that in Sargent, we

low the same systematic routine; they

on the resident’s doors represents a

chores. “It’s not what you call a ‘bad

gained, just like in any other family

of other dudes in a supervised facil-

The other part of campus is called

Where they are now Huisinga was greatly impacted by

independent or pre-independent pro-

and the art teacher Daniel Weiss.

works on skills that you don’t neces-

time,” Huisinga said. Huisinga plans

help kids out. You have strict groups

creative writing or journalism.

they try to teach you specific skills.

keta sometime in October and enroll

they try to teach you how to live in-

spring. The past five years, Hickle has

know to live on your own. Whether it’s

plans to major in it.

paying bills.”

truck driver, logging over 2.6 million

be eligible to live in any of the build-

city in the lower 48 states and has

to live independently, he enters a a

man was deemed “Medically Ineli-

Adult Living) in which Youth Homes

driving career to be a licensed tutor

olds who were previously part of the

the Veteran’s Assistance Program in

adulthood.

es computer skills and remedial read-

regular maintenance on your house and what not.”

Hickle found a job and cooks and

pays for much of his living expenses.

“Yeah, I’d say I’m a pretty good cook,” Hickle said. Preparing his own meals,

“[Students are] learning the same things that we are teaching our kids, but [students are] learning from [their] parents in a less formal manner.”

Mike Arndt

Director of Youth Homes like his favorite, Old Man Goulash, is

one of the many skills Youth Homes has taught its residents in order to prepare for adulthood.

“[Students are] learning the same

things that we are teaching our kids,

Arndt said. “[Students] may not even

home due to harmful environments,

skills.”

dependent Living Program.

ing where residents in the pre-inde-

Cole Hickle, a 17-year-old resident

view him in a negative way. Like any

writing job applications, cooking, just

Hickle said. “Like job hunting and

ly how to act like an adult,” Huisnga

so they are then entered into the In-

Living Program. “The rooms are the

Residential Treatment. This is where

but [students are] learning from [their]

said. Most residents cannot return

Homes logo on it,” Huisinga said.

skills you need to live on your own,”

problem but raised in order to live on

their own. “They taught me essential-

10 Youth Home boys the skills that

parents in a less formal manner,”

realize [they’re] being taught these

Next to Sargent is the Ross build-

pendent living, also known as the PI-

45 boys live who are not a part of any

his journalism teacher Leslie Shipp

gram. “[The Residential Treatment]

“They were my favorite teachers of all

sarily know,” Hickle said. “They try to

to attend Iowa University and major in

over [in Residential Treatment] where

Hickle plans to move to Maquo-

Over here [in Independent Living]

in Clinton Community College in the

dependently, skills that you need to

had an interest in auto mechanics and

doing laundry, household things, or

For 25 years, Pohlman was a road

Once a resident is 18, he will not

miles. He drove through every major

ings on campus. If he is not prepared

been on every major highway. Pohl-

program called PAL (Preparation for

gible” last November so he traded his

will continue to help any 18-21-year-

and mentor to displaced veterans for

program to further prepare them for

Union Grove, WI. He currently teach-

Going to school

Like any other teenager, resi-

dents of Youth Homes attend school

ing and math to homeless veterans.

Youth Homes continues to help

Relationships made through Youth

whether it be at the school located on

Homes are that of a family and skills

Huisnga attended JHS for the 2012-

though its been a very long time since

in 2013. While attending, he felt as

and the YMCA Boys Group Home as

student even though his background

world I travel,” Pohlman writes in his

wouldn’t have known [that I lived at

staff, believe in the teachers, believe

in Big Bertha, which is this big eight-

ly, believe in yourself!”

campus or at Johnston High School.

learned there last a lifetime. “Even

2013 school year and graduated

I lived there, I still consider Johnston

though he was the same as any other

“Home Base” no matter where in the

was different than most. “People

email to Youth Homes. “Believe in the

Youth Homes] if they didn’t pick us up

in your counselor and most important-

opinion

the b&w page 8

Textbooks kicked to the curb

Natalie Larimer/BW

words & layout Natalie Larimer iPads have entered the building. Supposedly, they

make us “more organized” and “more efficient.” I’m not so sure. Hate me if you wish, but I gotta say it. iHate iPads.

Studies show that digital screens give us headaches

and eye problems. They also mess with our sleep. “The idea is that the light receptors in your eyes trigger this

message in your brain that it’s daytime, it’s time to wake

life to get off games and pay attention.”

Students are expected to be responsible enough to

use iPads for education. The problem with that is that

we are teenagers. Responsible isn’t in the job description. “I think everybody knows that everybody plays

games on them in class,” junior Shuda Jarboe said.

“That’s just an accepted fact of having iPads.”

Because of this, teachers have to teach differently

up,” social studies and psychology teacher Tom Griffin

to keep us on task. “There are more babysitting things I

lights alerts the mind and kind of simulates the idea of

While there are a disciplinary actions teachers can

said. “Staring into a bright light or being around bright

first light in the morning and so what ends up happening is it’s hard to slow your mind back down.”

Another disadvantage is that it is impossible to stay

current. Even though we started using the iPads in

January, there are new ones that are better and brighter.

And obviously there is the distraction issue. “We

didn’t put too many restrictions on games because

we want the students to take ownership of their learning and their learning time,” Instructional Technology

need to do,” Griffin said.

take if they catch students playing games in class.

have to write it down and writing it more than once helps you remember it.”

iPads are just difficult. We have to clean the screen

However, most us have mastered changing from games

(but don’t take it out of the case!) so it doesn’t get abso-

cessfully waste time and learn nothing.

and if we forget then it makes it incredibly complicated

“Now we do notes on the iPad rather than me printing

“Ugh I forgot to charge my textbook!” and then not be

to notes when the teacher walks by, allowing us to suc-

lutely disgusting. We also need to charge it every night

A good thing about iPads is that we are going green.

to work in class. I never used to go to class and be like

out all the packets and having (students) take notes on there,” math teacher Julie Probst said.

able to participate.

I have managed to dodge around the iPads all year

But notebooks and worksheets can be recycled. And

so far. I always use my notebooks rather than Good-

We now have GoodNotes and online textbooks. Our

allowed to take a textbook home from the class set for

Coordinator, Ann Wiley said. “When they graduate, they

textbooks are reused each year.

Notes and I always have my textbooks with me. I was

schooling or in a job setting. Making good judgements

notes have turned into highlights and it just does not

AP Stats. There are other options than iPads. Other

as nobody is going to be telling them in their job later in

paper textbook,” junior Emily Wenger said, “You actually

I’m not quite sure why we switched in the first place.

will be managing their time, whether continuing their

about when to do recreational games will be important

work for some of us. “You can’t just highlight things in a

Is courtesy dead? words & layout Aaron Gray On one of my few excursions outside of the relative

schools still have textbooks, and they are doing just fine.

I considered this. Thinking back to past occasions

where this might be applicable, I remember times

when men concede places in line or seats to women,

or perhaps even just offered polite smiles when pass-

safety of my computer room, I took a trip to the library.

ing a girl in the hallway, not giving it a second thought;

reading material, I make my way toward the exit and I

to cast glances and giggle to themselves. Not too long

time in Ankeny. After a quick, awkward moment of play-

even expected, of men. But when most men employ

go game, I reach out and open the door for her with a

act of being polite can be taken in wildly different ways

however, is the kind that screams “What is this guy try-

Times have indeed changed since then, but that

After a few hours of loading up on a fairly good fill of

the girl, however, would scamper to the nearest friend

find my way blocked by a girl I used to know from my

ago, these kinds of actions would be considered normal,

ing the “who is going to cut in front of whom” stop-and-

pick up lines beginning mostly with “Ay, gurl,” the simple

polite, if sheepish, smile. The look I receive in return,

than it might have half a century ago.

ing to do?”

Granted, I don’t have a particularly good repertoire

when it comes to social contact, much less with the

fairer sex, but the encounter nonetheless struck me as

odd in a way I couldn’t quite explain until I saw a poster later that week that seemed to perfectly encapsulate

what I felt. In it, a plain red background surrounds the

doesn’t mean we should forget the better parts of our

past in favor of whatever new way of “picking up chicks” there might be. All girls are not incapable of recognizing simple politeness, but there is definitely a large majority that seem to make this mistake.

At the risk of sounding like a crotchety old man, I

might point an all-encompassing accusatory finger to pop culture. The norm for interaction between sexes

has devolved from the simple relationships of the age of “I Love Lucy” to the one-night stands and racy jokes in shows like “Two and a Half Men”.

Whether it be the excessive use of expletives in mod-

ern music, or Miss Cyrus strutting half-naked around the VMA stage “twerking,” even the most die-hard hipster

has to admit that we’ve definitely crossed the line into vulgarity somewhere in the past couple of decades.

Perhaps these influences, among hundreds of thou-

sands of others, are what have transformed the simple act of politeness into a kind of come-on today.

Just remember- the next time a pale, nerdy kid holds

silhouette of a well-dressed man toting a cane and tip-

the door for you, your response shouldn’t be a look that

rare that it has begun to be mistaken as flirting.”

passing it on would be more than enough.

ping a hat, with the caption “Politeness has become so

screams “I have a boyfriend.” A smile, thank you, and

editorial

the b&w page 9

Advisory ditches Dragon TV Students will have to view Dragon TV on their own time There is one day that everyone looks forward to —

Wednesday. Wednesday means early outs, only two more

days until the weekend, and advisory. Everyone knows what advisory means — Dragon TV. Well, at least it did.

Each Wednesday last year, there would be a buzz go-

ing around after advisory. Everyone was talking about

what had been done on Dragon TV that week. Whether it

Sarah Margolin/BW

was segments like “Pros. Vs. Joes”, where average guys

Shelby Costello practices interviewing senior Bailee Nelson during third hour video production. The crew of Dragon TV is currently planning their newest episode of Dragon TV that should be out in a few weeks.

tried to challenge the pros of practically every sport, or the

school raps, where they raved about school topics like bosco sticks, Dragon TV started conversations, laughs and

bonding in advisory classes. Conversations, laughs and

bonding that will not happen anymore as a result of Dragon TV not being shown in advisory.

It has been decided that advisory will be showing Drag-

on TV in moderation or hardly ever at all. “We will not have

Dragon TV be in competition with what we do in advisory,”

principal Brent Riessen said. “We’re trying to figure out ways for them to co-exist.”

Here’s a question that lingers on everyone’s mind, what

There are more than 50 students in the video production course. These students will not get their work dis-

played in front of the whole school. “I wouldn’t have joined Dragon TV if I hadn’t seen it last year and saw how much

fun they had and how much people liked it,” senior Adam Logsdon said. Without Dragon TV getting out to the pub-

lic, no one will want to join Dragon TV. There are certain tasks that are state required that

There has to be some compromise. A way that

Dragon TV can still be shown while incorporating the

things we must talk about that are state required.

“We would like to make Dragon TV more profes-

sional,” Barta said. “We had such great creativity last year, and we just want to do a couple things to make the show more like the news.”

If there is an equal balance of silliness and in-

formation, Dragon TV could be a great advocate to

portunity for each student to work with an adult on some

will now take the place of Dragon TV. “There is no other class I would stop the school for 30 minutes to watch what

Isaac Rodenberg said. “Some of these could include plan-

for AP Bio.”

bullying and planning for our future are not keeping

exactly is advisory? “One of the goals is to provide the opthings we would consider non-academic, “ math teacher ning for the future as well as giving each student a teacher

that they can go to for anything in a non-threatening environment.” Rodenberg is a member of an advisory com-

mittee that helps choose the curriculum for advisory each year.

Currently, ways of getting Dragon TV out to the public

are being sorted out and decided upon. Michael Barta is the supervisor for Dragon TV and he is excited about the

they’re doing in class,” Riessen said. “We don’t do that AP Bio is not Dragon TV. The difference between the two is that video production thrives on receiving feedback

from peers. Getting that feedback and working off it is part of the class. No one but some AP Bio students would seri-

Students will have to take the time to watch Dragon

TV on their own. But who really has the time? “I think those who are interested in it or know someone in it will watch it,”

social studies and ELP teacher Sue Cline said. However, Cline had doubts that students have the time to watch it.

students will actually listen and not tune out.

Dragon TV is something we all love and all con-

connection alive. Keep Dragon TV in advisory.

Think of this situation. The dance team and the cheer-

TV.

will also be able to be viewed on YouTube as well.

we incorporate these topics into Dragon TV, more

leaders stop the school for at least 30 minutes to an hour to show their school routines on assembly days. That cuts

to be able to watch it whenever and wherever because we

will always have a quality product to watch.” The episodes

students engaged and actually paying attention. If

nect to. Without it being an active presence in our

sory. “We want Dragon TV to be accessible to students’ Ipads at all times,” Barta said. “We want every kid at JHS

requirements as well. The endless slideshows about

ously be interested in AP Bio.

into necessary academic time. Maybe we can just record the routines and put them online and then people can

new ways Dragon TV will be showcased outside of advi-

get information out to the students and fulfill state

watch the assembly on their own time, just like Dragon Dragon TV and assemblies share a common goal.

They bring our school together to make it feel like we are

one big family. Without either of these, we would not feel as connected to one another. Advisory is a time for us to

bond as classmates, and for us to bond with our advisors.

Dragon TV played a vital role in that bonding and without it here the bond will not be as strong.

school week, the connection will go away. Keep the

D.T.V Look for this logo and check out Dragon TV on the JHS App

#JHSOOTW

the b&w page 10

#

JHSOOTW

Johnston High School Outfit of the Week

Boots: Target $25.00

photo by: Kenzie Foldes

Shirt: Target $17.99

Pants: Target $9.00

Dress: Urban Outfitters $15.00

Shoes: Wet Seal $25.00 photo by: Daisha McAvaddy

Shirt: Target $10.00 (package of four)

# Robert Doan, senior

# Kaleb Farnham, sophomore

photo by: Carly Kinning

Skirt: Forvever 21 $22.00

Vest: Target $20.00

# Carlyn Waetke, junior

Skirt: Forvever 21 $11.80

Shirt: Forvever 21 $15.00

# Abigail Hallman, senior

# Alyson Bowen, junior

Shirt: Forvever 21 $9.80

Layout Kenzie Foldes

Pants: Dillard’s $30.00

Necklace: Dry Goods $20.00

# Hannah Downey, senior

words Daisha McAvaddy & Mallorie Goodale

The Black&White introduces Outfit of the Week. Outfit of the Week will feature one person per week on www. jhsblackandwhite.com. Winners can be chosen on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook by hashtagging #JHSOOTW which translates to Johnston High School Outfit of the Week.

Dress: Dry Goods $37.00

Shoes: Zumiez $50.00 photo by: Mallorie Goodale

photo by: Mallorie Goodale

photo by: Daisha McAvaddy

Check out jhsblackandwhite.com each week for more!

sports

b&w page 11 thewords & layout Johnny Depp

Cross Country

Branches Out Eighth grader Elizabeth Fjelstad warms up around the track before her workout on Aug. 13.

Fjelstad was one of the eighth graders who attended the high school team cross country camp in the summer.

Girls start to leave legacy When head girls’ cross country coach Pat-

rick Hennes was a high school senior and team captain of his cross country team at Sartell High

School in Sartell, Minnesota, he found the list of seventh and eighth grade boys that had signed

up for the upcoming season of cross country.

He asked the boys to come and run at practices

about two to three times a week over the summer.

Eventually some of these middle school runners won a state title. He called this “leaving a legacy.”

This year, Hennes encourages the girls’ cross

country team to leave their own legacy.

“In high school we’re concerned about having

our own group of friends and our own experiences,” Hennes said. “When we start thinking about

the larger world around us and making connections with those younger groups of kids, hopefully

we start setting examples for them and helping them out on their path.”

Senior Kate Fjelstad sees why Hennes want-

ed to include the eighth graders in practices and

team bonding activities. “A lot of times when you

get to high school sports, people kind of start to pick and choose the sports they want to be in,”

Fjelstad said. “I think if we get the eighth grad-

ers interested in cross country early then they will

most likely pick cross country when they get to high school.”

Last spring when Hennes acquired the list of

eighth grade girls that had signed up for cross

country, he handed the list to the team captains.

The captains contacted some of the girls to include them in practice over the summer.

Between lifting, two-a-days, and longer mile-

age, the high school practices were a change for the eighth graders and took some getting used to.

“The longer mileage was probably the hardest

part to adjust to,” eighth grader Payton McClure said. “After a couple weeks of practicing though I was able to get a good pace and keep up.”

Hennes wanted to help eighth graders adjust

to the transition between middle school and high

school. “I think from a coach’s perspective they kind of have a better idea of how we do things at

the high school level,” Hennes said. “That tran-

sition between eighth grade and ninth grade in terms of sports can be kind of tough, so hopefully that transition is a little bit smoother for them.”

The high school girls’ team tries to incorporate

the eighth graders into their team activities.

“We did a lot of team bonding things our first

week of practice like tie dying shirts and water bal-

Boys’ team largest in state

The boys’ cross country team is the largest it has ever

loon fights,” junior and team captain Jordyn Kleve

been in school history, and the largest in Iowa. “Right

Alive (Nutrition) after practice, and do things out-

coach Matt Jaschen said. “You have to recruit in our sport

said. “We invited them to do extra stuff like go to

now we have 88 kids in the program,” head cross country

side of practice with us so they felt like they’re part

because it’s not something glorified on TV.”

of the team.”

The large number of runners is due to the cross coun-

Some runners remember how hard it was to

try team recruiting new members by word of mouth.

“When I was a freshman I felt a little intimidated

where the high school boys run with some of the middle

adjust to a high school sport.

Recruiting also happens through a buddy program

because I had never met many of [the high school

school boys. “They do some runs one-on-one and cheer

feel a lot more welcome and outgoing and know

that even though cross country isn’t the most glorified

runners] before, but I think [the eighth graders] will

them on at a couple meets just to show the younger ones

everyone on the team a lot better,” sophomore

sport on TV, its a pretty awesome sport,” Jaschen said.

High school runners give advice about items

MacGregor as a buddy. “At first we did get to know you

“I think it’s good for both the team and for (the

As the season progressed, the buddies partnered about

Anna Toot said.

Last year, junior Josh Borwick had freshman Alex

other than running.

stuff, and just learned everyone’s names,” Borwick said.

eighth graders) to make older friends, because

every two weeks.

take and different things about coming into high

said. The program helps middle school runners learn what

now they will ask us questions about classes to school,” Fjelstad said. “They just have some people to look up to.”

Kleve knows running with the eighth graders

will also benefit the high school team. “The middle

“[Josh] just pushed me to do my best,” MacGregor

high school sports are like.

Allowing middle school athletes see the team chemis-

try is important as well.

Before school starts, most of the cross country team

school team is going to be really good as a team

gathers in Jaschen’s room before school. “That’s where

when they join in the next few years because they

classroom allows the runners to be together out of prac-

make our team stronger,” Kleve said.

worry about what people think,” Jaschen said.

become state qualifiers or even state title winners.

istry. “The varsity guys care about the other guys, and

nitely benefit me in the upcoming years,” McClure

they’re all one unit,” Jaschen said. “The fact that not only

times with all the advice and tips the high school

opportunity to get better at competing makes cross coun-

this year, and it will also bring our team together

we go to hang out,” Borwick said. The atmosphere of the

will already be initiated into the group and will

tice. “It’s just a place where you can be yourself and not

Hennes hopes that in the future these girls will

Inter-team relationships are important to team chem-

“Practicing with the high school girls will defi-

even though you’re a new guy or a guy that’s not as fast,

said. “I think I’ll just keep getting better and better

everybody is a part of the team, but everybody has the

girls have given me.”

try the sport that it is.”

the b&w page 12

If you hide it, they will come Geocaching is a recreational activity where people use a GPS and geographical coordinates to find a hidden treasure. The containers that the treasure is kept in vary from the size of a pencil eraser to a big treasure chest. Sometimes they are very obviously hidden in the open and sometimes they are very camouflaged and difficult to find.

layout Sarah Ross words Mollie Greenwood

Avid geocacher Dale Woods finds and logs a geocache located in the inside of a light pole in Clive.

Mollie Greenwood/BW

N W

E S

History of Geocaching Geocaching was founded in May of 2000

Meet a geocacher

after President Clinton allowed GPS satel-

lites to be used for recreational uses. Shortly after GPS satellites were open for public use, founder of geocaching Dave Ulmer

came up with the first geocache, then called

“GPS Great American Stash Hunt”, that was

a black bucket with trinkets in Oregon. From there, other people found Ulmer’s cache and then created their own. The name “GPS

Stash Hunt” came with a negative connotation so it was changed to geocaching.

Geocaching: ‘geo’ means Earth and

‘cache’ is a French word that means a hiding place someone would use to temporarily store items.

Learn the lingo Geocaching: A worldwide treasure hunt.

With a GPS coordinates and some SWAG, Dale Woods, Geocaching extrordinaire

anyone at any age can have fun doing it.

-ranked top 75 for USA

BYOP: Bring Your Own Pen/Pencil. Some-

-cached in every county in Iowa

cache if it’s a small cache that doesn’t have

-placed over 200 geocaches

Muggle: A non-geocacher

rather than a phone to geocache. The

you take from caches and leave in caches

signal whereas the GPS uses a satellite

around to different caches

-#1 in Iowa for most found geocaches

Cache: Shortened version of geocache

-over 25,000 finds

times this is written in the description of the

-cached in 40 of 50 states

something to write with.

Best advice to a beginner: Use a GPS

SWAG: Stuff We All Get: the little trinket toys

phone uses cell towers to triangulate the

Travel bug: trackable device that travels

which is much more accurate. You can buy a cheap one for about $100 and it is worth the money. It saves time and unneeded frustration in the end.