September Issue

black& white the

September 2016

Students put selves at risk

Find us on Twitter! @jhsnewspaper

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index

Sept. 2016 pg. 2 Cover | Bobby Bailey

STAFF

Head editor-in-chief

Kathryn Ikeda

Online editor

Bryce Schulte

Print editor

Sam Farrell

IN THE ISSUE Photo essay

Tournament of time ........................... 4&5

Feature

Opinion editor Teachers participate in summer

Matthew Berry

research.................................................... 6

Photo editor

Giving back through art .......................... 7

Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

1/1600: Natalie Poore ............................. 10

Design editor Overuse injuries Will Reiher

Staff writers Illustration | Emily Poss

b&w philosophy The Black & White is published solely by the Johnston Senior 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 nine times per school year. The paper will not publish 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 advisor, school officials or the district.

Letters to the editor must be signed. Like all material, letters may not be libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. To write a letter to the editor, writers an submit them in person in room 413 or email them to jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com The Black & White strives to report accurate and timely information. If you believe that an error has been published, please contact the editors at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com.

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

Twitter: follow @jhsnewspaper

Bobby Bailey Grace Ballesteros Mackenzie Beck Erin Bockenstedt Angela Cai Sophie Cordaro Justin Gard John Greenwood Shabana Gupta Molly Hauser Nick Irwin Katelyn Kempkes Gretchen Lagerblade Mason Lillegraven Anna Losen Jack Lucas Ben Lunn Jessica McKee Sloan Meader Abby Nichol Edin Sehic Hailey Sherman Kennedy Stone Brooke Willis Joel Woodsmall

Visit our site: www.jhsblackandwhite.com

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The Black & White looks at injuries in sports as a result of overexertion in games and practices.

Opinion Making progress on mental health ..... 11 Spread the word to end the word ....... 12 Being disabled is not a disease ............ 13

Health Losing weight, gaining confidence ..... 14

Sports Committing to a future path ............... 15

Instagram: @jhsblackandwhite

current events September online

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Sept. 2016

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Scan to visit the online website.

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Guru BBQ: Asian/ southern flavor fusion School makes change to private bussing Students learn world’s worth abroad New high school taking major steps toward completion

Visit jhsblackandwhite.com for further September coverage.

What in the world?

3 compiled | Staff

London, England Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling announced that Harambe is not a patronus in response to memes.

Grand Rapids, Michigan A 19 year old from Michigan reached a record breaking 7 feet 8 inches and is still growing.

Melbourne, Australia UGG of Australia unveiled a collaboration with Teva, an UGG/Teva sandal hybrid.

Sept. 2016

photo essay

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Tournament of time

42 teams participated in 14 relay-type games. First place was tied between teacher sponsors Lewis’ team and Howe’s team.

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words, layout & photos | Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

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Jonah Blondino ‘17 smears pudding on his face to prepare for the cheese ball toss as his team photographer, Lori Sandahl watches. Rock Around the Clock is an annual event hosted by Student Council, where 42 teams comprised of seniors, juniors and sophomores compete in 14 different events.

Adam Stiles ‘17 reaches his hand into the “Find a Golf Ball” event. Rock Around the Clock is an annual event hosted by Student Council, where 42 teams comprised of seniors, juniors and sophomores compete in 14 different events.

Ashley Wolter ‘18 rolls into somersault during the potato sack race. Rock Around the Clock is an annual event hosted by Student Council, where 42 teams comprised of seniors, juniors and sophomores compete in 14 different events.

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Morgan Wendel ‘17 uses the sprinklers on the baseball field to rinse off. Rock Around the Clock is an annual event hosted by Student Council, where 42 teams comprised of seniors, juniors and sophomores compete in 14 different events.

During the balloon popping challenge, Jack Dreyer ‘17 blows up his balloon. Rock Around the Clock is an annual event hosted

by Student Council, where 42 teams comprised of seniors, juniors and sophomores compete in 14 different events.

photo essay

Sept. 2016

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Josh Renken ‘17 prepares to throw cheese balls towards his teammate during the cheese ball toss.

Rock Around the Clock is an annual event hosted by Student Council, where 42 teams comprised of seniors, juniors and sophomores compete in 14 different events.

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History teacher and team sponsor, Jerry Kinder, coaches Arik Logsdon ‘18 during the tug of war event.

Rock Around the Clock is an annual event hosted by Student Council, where 42 teams comprised of seniors, juniors and sophomores compete in 14 different events.

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As his teammates toss hula hoops towards him, Jack Dreyer ‘17 sits with a helmet on. Rock Around the Clock is an annual event hosted by Student Council, where 42 teams comprised of seniors, juniors and sophomores compete in 14 different events.

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Ashley Miller ‘17 hops back to her team during the sack race. Rock Around the Clock is an annual event hosted by Student Council, where 42 teams comprised of seniors, juniors and sophomores compete in 14 different events.

Sept. 2016

feature

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Teachers make progress in summer research This summer, chemistry teacher Dave Oldham worked with colleagues to develop a new form of chemotherapy. Math and computer science teacher Justin Lewis, through a grant with Iowa State University (ISU) worked for NASA. “The first week I was doing ten hour days just reading research articles, drowning, wondering what it all meant and finally it clicked,” Oldham said. “I went to talk to the man in charge to tell him I finally understood it. He said calmly, ‘Good, now go do it.’”

Oldham heeded those words and dove into his work. This amounted to modifying a strain of doxorubicin, a form of chemotherapy that has proven to be successful. When doxorubicin is injected into the cell, it bear hugs the DNA, preventing it from reproducing. The problem is that it also kills everything.

Confronted with this, Oldham and

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It was just a little surprising that college kids didn’t know stuff my classes are doing right now.

-Dave Oldham

his colleagues had come to an impasse.

The drug would need to only have an effect on the colon and surrounding areas and nothing else, with this the answer came in the form of classical digestion. They put it in a small fatty cell that would break down in the stomach.

The idea worked and the doxorubi-

layout | Emily Poss

cin, released in controlled doses, was only being exposed to the stomach and colon. The chemotherapy was able to be tamed. With drugs like this, the chemotherapy side effects are decreased greatly.

Testing of the drug will continue to get rid of any potential downsides before it is released to the general public but its discovery is still a step forward for those who are afflicted by that which has taken so many.

Oldham was shocked during his time there to discover that some of his colleagues did not know the basics of Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry. “It was just a little surprising that college kids didn’t know stuff my classes are doing right now,” he said.

With Oldham working in his respective field, Lewis’ job was to help a group of undergraduate and graduate students through a research process. This was done through an Iowa State program. Lewis’ role was to guide them through the experiment. He also assisted with design problem solving and the technology side of the program.

The NASA grant was to develop a cognitive assistant which creates a process for any potential flight issue. The grant allowed Lewis to test students under a flight simulator.

The computer provided them with detailed information about the airplane including the fuel load and how much fuel they had to the nearest airport, capacity and where they are in the air, so if they were to run into a problem they had a procedure to land safely. “NASA wanted to take it a step further and work on deep space mis-

sions which meant stepping away from a procedure so when it hits the fan, what do we do if an unanticipated event happens,” Lewis said. “We had to think about all the possibilities of what could potentially happen and how can we write a program that’s going to assist the pilot or a copilot.”

Lewis’ grant worked on the decision mak-

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words | Sam Farrell & Edin Sehic

Even in our greatest failures, it normally drives something better.

-Justin Lewis

ing process by working with people who deal with psychology to figure out how the human brain works and how it makes decisions. After researching, they ended up experimenting and creating an app that walks pilots through making a better decision. Because pilots in space have a huge disconnect of time and communication, they worked on not having a pilot trust the system too much and have it make a decision for them or not trust it so they do not think the system could help.

“Obviously I can’t implement deep space missions into my life, but it gave me different perspectives on how to approach students’ struggles,” Lewis said. “The frustration and the learning that came from it was the most valuable thing that happened to my team because it showed that even in our greatest failures, it normally drives something better.”

feature

Sept. 2016

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Marren displays one of his favorite paintings. This piece of artwork was displayed at the Iowa State Fair. Marren prefers abstract painting over other mediums such as sculpture or sketching. Photo by Jack Lucas

Marren holds his artwork from MD Anderson. His design is called “Bold Flowers” and was printed onto a variety of products.

Photo by Jack Lucas

Giving back through art words & layout | Jack Lucas

Abstract art is his primary angle in painting.

Artistic design is something Marren would love to pursue in the future. “When I get older, I hope to be a singer-songwriter and album cover designer, and design my own albums,” he said.

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At the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Jack Marren ‘18 facilitates healing every day. Not through surgeries, research or medication; but through art.

In 2013 Marren, along with his family, paid a six week visit to MD Anderson in Houston Texas for radiation therapy on a tumor behind his optic nerve. While he was there, Marren frequented the art therapist through the Children’s Art Project, a nonprofit which serves to sell products with art on them in order to fund the art therapy program at MD Anderson. After a successful surgery, Marren submitted the art he had created into the program. Months later, he learned that his art had been one of the few selected for the project.

Marren has always had an affection for abstract. “Different designs express different emotions, like zigzag lines can be expressed like madness,” Marren said. “I feel very passionate about art. I love just drawing and doing art which is something I love, to cheer me up.”

I feel very passionate about art. I love just drawing and doing art, which is something I love, to cheer me up.

-Jack Marren ‘18

The process for selecting art is steady and rewarding. First, projects are created during art classes offered by the hospital. Each week there is a special theme for the art that is being created such as flowers, Halloween or Christmas.

Afterward, children are encouraged to submit

their artwork to the Children’s Art Project.

The teachers select a few pieces that have potential to sell well to the public. A board of members decides the final designs to be printed. The profits from the product sales fuel the MD Anderson art classes.

“What’s great is that it’s a full circle process,” project manager Derrick Wilturner said.

As soon as art is printed into sample products, the designer gets a delivery in the mail. “It was kind of a surprise,” Marren’s father Marty said. “It was maybe three or four months later we had a package on our front door with a bunch of samples in it of his artwork on what they were doing.”

Marren’s artwork was placed on note cards, note paper, phone cases and tumbler mugs.

After his work was selected, he was given $200 in exchange for his art. “It actually feels really good, because not many people can say that they are a professional artist,” Marren said.

“So it actually feels really good and it feels cool.”

Sept. 2016

overuse injuries

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Students put selves at risk Student-athletes attempt to push through overexertion in sports words & layout | Kathryn Ikeda & Jessica McKee

Photos by Kathryn Ikeda, Ben Lunn & Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

Twenty minutes before her first cross country meet freshman year, Mackenzie Laughlin ‘18 realized she could not run the race. She could barely move her hip to walk, let alone run. It was not the first time her hip ached but previously she thought it was only sore.

“I went up to my coach and was like ‘my hip hurts so bad,” she said. “‘He told me I wasn’t allowed to run in the meet and I just cried.”

Laughlin has received three overuse injuries from cross country and track. Overuse injuries, or injuries as a result of overexertion, are common in many sports. “I really just want to ignore it and tell myself it’s just a pain and that it’ll go away,” Laughlin said. “Then I’ll realize that it’s been two months since it started hurting and I should probably do something about it.”

When she realizes she may need medical attention, Laughlin does not hesitate to go to her coaches. “They definitely want to make sure that we’re always healthy and not injured,” she said. “They’ll definitely start to take action the moment I say something is hurting.”

As common as overuse injuries are, there is no one set way to prevent them. “There’s no magical answer,” athletic director Gary Ross said. “But there’s got to be communication and honesty about when (an athlete’s) body is there, they’ve got to back off a little bit.”

Many times, overexertion injuries are not simply a result of working too hard but from working out too frequently. “Working hard, to me, is different than overuse of the body,” Ross said. “The weight room and the conditioning that is going on in there is different than a person who is going to do their workout here, then going elsewhere and doing another workout.”

Ross believes that in many cases, injuries as a result of overexertion come from a lack of communication between coaches and athletes. Some players participate on both school and club teams, resulting in multiple workouts.

If players are not honest with their coaches, their workouts may not be adjusted to better suit their needs. “When students are involved with the school type then we know and recognize what they’re involved with,” he said. “Our coaches can work together and recognize what they’re doing for workouts. The challenge comes in when we have students that are involved in outside activities.”

Some athletes may also not want to admit their bodies cannot safely handle the strenuous amounts of exercise. “I think sometimes it’s fear of what it could result in,” Ross said. “Not saying that’s going to be the case, but fear of somebody else who’s been there all the time maybe doing all the workouts will take their place.”

Coaches must take the dedication and work habits of a player into account, further complicating the issue. “The challenge is that you’ve got two kids who are viewed as equally, and

“Students don’t want to let down any of their coaches so they go and they work their hardest and suddenly things happen.”

-athletic director Gary Ross

you’ve got one who is coming to everything and all the workouts and doing all that,” Ross said.

“It puts the coach in a little awkward position to determine who is and isn’t [going to play].”

Ultimately, the goal of a coach is to help the team to fulfill their potential. “With coaches, what we’re doing here in our school program is really looking at how players can be the best they can be,” Ross said.

In order to maximize the performance of players, an emphasis in off-season training has become more prominent. “There is a lot more pressure being put on athletes to perform than there has been in the past,” Noah Janssen ‘18 said. “Athletic seasons have be-

come all year long commitments. It comes down to athletes and even their parents to know when it has become too much and to think about how their bodies can be affected in the long run.”

Janssen was injured from football practice however he does not think it was a result of overexertion. “There have been plenty of times when I am tired and might be pushing myself too far,” he said. “But that is the athlete’s responsibility to know what is coming up and how they should take care of their bodies.”

Ross understands the importance of maintaining skills but also recognizes the need for athletes to rest. “It’s a challenge when you’re seeing these year long activities,” he said. “Kids need a break for their body.”

Janssen feels as though coaches are mostly aware of players’ physical limits. “I think the Johnston coaches for the most part of doing a really good job of understanding when there has been too much going on or if a player needs to slow down,” he said.

Most common injuries in sports

2.5 million kids under the age of 18 suffer from an overuse injury every year

Information provided by rushortho.com

17% of all injuries are shoulder related

Back pain accounts for about 16% of all injuries

200,000 athletes tear their ACL every year

Sept. 2016

feature

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Natalie Poore ‘17 has been involved in dance for nine years.

“When I was little I had to dance, I hated it so I quit,” she said.

Poore started dancing when she was five, but struggled with stage fright. “I was very shy when I was little and I would love dance class until it came time to perform at recitals where everyone was staring at me,” Poore said. “Recitals were performed right in the dance studio so all the parents were right there and I got scared.”

Poore would throw herself on the ground, cover her face and tell everyone to stop looking at her. She quit dancing and took up horseback riding. In the end, her newfound hobby would take her

From sophomore to senior, one student was randomly chosen to tell their story words | Nick Irwin and Mason Lillegraven layout | Emily Poss

Natalie Poore

right back to dance. “We had a horse named George and he took off on me and I didn’t like that so I quit,” Poore said. “I went to Dance Vision instead of my old studio and I fell in love with it.”

It wasn’t until Poore was selected by a choreographer to be in his dance that she realized her potential.

Poore was part of Johnston’s dance team her freshman year and joined again this year. While dancing with Dance Vision, Poore travelled to many places. She’s had jobs in Las Vegas, Las Angeles (L.A.), Utah and Chicago. She travels annually to Monsters of Hip Hop, a dance convention in L.A., which includes a weekend of practice, followed by tryouts for a showcase.

Poore has already been awarded scholarships from dancing as well as multiple job offers related to dance. She’s an assistant at Infinity Dance Project and has even been an extra in an HTC commercial after a director of a competition in Utah recommended her. “It was shot at the same high school that High School Musical was shot at,” Poore said. “It was a dance battle between the mean kids and the nerdy kids.”

Poore does have a few negative thoughts on dance. “It’s kind of turned into a popularity and political kind of thing,” Poore said. “Before the audition starts you go up to them, they look at your headshot and ask you how many followers you have on Instagram. The first time I went out to L.A. they contacted me to try out for the Zendaya tour and I made it into the top 20 but they only chose kids under 12 years old.”

Poore has found a future with dance. “I want to do this after I graduate,” she said. “I first realized this when I was at the audition for Zendaya’s tour. I really liked the atmosphere, and the competitiveness really clicked with me.”

Poore’s parents have some worries about Natalie’s future career due to the nontraditional and competitive nature of the industry. “She has formed relationships with many in the industry and has a strong work ethic,” Poore’s mother, Laura Latella-Poore said. “We support her in pursuing her dream, but as parents, we also want her to have a Plan B in case of an injury or anything that would stop her dance career.”

Both Mumm and Latella-Poore agree that the hardest obstacle for Poore will not be a lack of skill but instead Poore failing to realize her true potential. “The hardest thing that Natalie has had to overcome is believing that she was capable of being a star,” Mumm said. “Everyone who has ever met her, watched her perform or seen her in class knows that she is capable of being a star we were all just waiting for Natalie to realize it.”

editorial

Sept. 2016

p.11

Illustration | Shabana Gupta

Making

progress on

mental health

New measures taken to give students support show promise to be effective

photo by Katelyn Kempkes

Therapist hopes to aid mental health words | Katelyn Kempkes and Abby Nichol Visit online to read the full story

Underneath the stairwell nearest the tennis court doors is an office in which the school’s new therapist Amy Ziegenhorn works.

Up until this year, the high school did not have a in school therapist available for in school sessions. “As school counselors, we have a lot of different responsibilities,” Erica Stablum, one of the counselors said. “Due to time constraints, we aren’t able to provide weekly therapy sessions to students.”

Administration has recently been trying valiantly to support students with depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses. Many students have been unsatisfied with their efforts, however new resources are available that we believe show undeniable promise.

With the tragedies that struck our school, the need for apparent and obvious support for students has never been more essential. Finally, our school is working efficiently to improve the lives of students and providing opportunities for us to learn how to find the help we need.

Recently, therapist Amy Ziegenhorn was hired as a way to provide another resource to help students feel welcome, cared for and accepted. Ziegenhorn is a full-time school therapist who has been working with schools for three years and has been learning and working with mental health patients for over 19 years.

This outcome has been years in the making, with people of the Johnston Partnership, a youth mentor program, joining together to figure out how to help students the most.

Chris Wilson, a director of the Johnston Partnership, described what happens in the meetings. “[We are] talking about ways to educate parents, staff and students in regards to mental health,” she said. “Those sorts of things.”

It is not just the school administration that deserves recognition for their efforts.

Students 4 Change was formed last year and

held many sessions called Week of Wellness in the auditorium. The Week of Wellness gave information about how students can help fellow students and themselves.

The student leaders also shared personal stories about why they would join Students 4 Change. Senior Reyno Davis participated in one of the sessions. “I have had friends and family members suffer from different levels of mental health and I wanted to, and did, learn ways to help them out no matter the situation,” Davis said.

Even though Students 4 Change talked to over 400 students during their event last year, some people don’t think that was enough. “I think they try but it doesn’t work,” Josie Lies ‘18 said. “They have counselors all the time to talk. I just don’t think they (students) actually go.”

Clubs and activities such as Catalyst, Gay/ Straight Alliance and Sparkle Squad are effective in providing a group of support.

While administration has created programs and courses that are leading to our desired result, there’s still work to do to increase student participation. With such a sensitive issue like mental health, even just publicizing these great opportunities is a good way to start. For some students, admitting to their parents or guardians they may need assistance is a large hurdle. Going through the school not only provides an ample support system but makes that process smoother.

The editorial is an opinion held by the editorial board of the newspaper. It needs a simple majority to pass. This month’s vote was 6-0.

Sept. 2016

opinion

p.12

Spread the

has become apparent that many other students do not share the same values and they do not understand the disrespect behind this word.

English teacher Mark Schillerstrom remembers the “r-word” being used as a teenager. “At that point in time, people with mental disabilities, even adults, were routinely labeled as retarded,” Schillerstrom said. “People had very limited intellectual abilities, so it could be used as an insult but it also had a legitimate labeling practice.”

He believes the word is about as popular now guest writer | Hannah Short compared to when he was younger, however it held layout | Kathryn Ikeda more legitimate uses back then rather than in the negative context that it is predominantly used in Hearing the word “retarded” used as an insult today. “I think this is the bigger issue to be honest, astounds me time after time. Around 15 percent it’s not that word, or any particular word, it’s why of the population worldwide -- some 785 million do we feel so compelled to have names to call peopeople -- has a significant physical or mental disple,” Schillerstrom said. “Why is it that I need some ability, including about five percent of children. sort of insulting term to refer to someone by?”

With this being said, why does our generation Bigger change is on the horizon. We must stop find it acceptable to use terms and insults that labeling individuals in general but for the time bepersonally attack these disabled individuals? ing I am just trying to take action, one word at a time.

Degrading comments in this generation are Without recognition of the issue this word thrown around at an alarming rate, most lackholds in negative contexts, nothing will change. ing in regards to sensitivity. This trend of usYouth especially need to make a step towards ing the “r-word” in an inappropriate manner improving this issue because if the trend continhas become a new normal for our generation, a ues towards younger generachange that is not only untions, the issue will never end. ethical, but unacceptable.

One group of youth fight“Retarded” is a word to ing for change is the Best Buddescribe someone who is Why do we feel so comdies program. Caroline Ludmentally slow. This is a pelled to have names to call wig ‘17, vice president, has a medical word that spread to slang and today is conpeople? Why is it that I need sister Kathryn, who has Down Syndrome. “We don’t focus sidered very insulting and some sort of insulting term to on name calling as a whole, inappropriate. The widebut instead using people first spread usage and context refer to someone by? language, so not defining a of the word has evolved for person based on a disabilthe worse over the years.

-Mark Schillerstrom ity,” Ludwig said. “We are go1895 marks the first reing to have another campaign cord of the term “retardnext March for ‘spread the word to end the ed” in the context of a developmental delay, word,’ participating in the national movement.” and at the time it was not considered derogaSome actions are being made to fix the probtory. Unfortunately, times began to change and lem in higher powers as well, such as how Presby the 1960s this word became used as an inident Barack Obama signed a bill known as sult. The word changed from a technical mediRosa’s Law in October 2010. This law required cal term to a word interchangeable for “stupid.” terms such as “mental retardation” to be banned Sadly, the change stuck throughout the years. from federal records, and instead replaced The way I was raised drives me to fight for with terms such as “an intellectual disability.” change. My parents never tolerated insults such Next time you hear this word being used don’t as these to be used in our house, so when I went to stay silent. Instead, remind them to “spread the school I brought these values with me. My mothword to end the word,” a simple saying reminder, who happens to be a middle school teacher ing users of the r-word to spread awareness for and has spent plenty of time with disabled stuthis issue. Staying quiet is not the solution. It is dents, has seen the kids affected personally by time for change, and silence never brings change. these insults. Unfortunately, through the years it

word to end the word

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opinion

Sept. 2016

p.13

Being disabled is not a disease The experience I’ve had with the special needs program will last forever

words & layout | Hailey Sherman Students make microwave french toast in a mug. They cook every Wednesday and Friday morning. Photo by Hailey Sherman

Meet room 200 Meet Room 200

This is Becky Scoles. She is 19 years old and loves to go shopping with her aunt.

Miranda Kerr is 18 years old. She likes to go swimming.

This is Mpwanga Ntambwe. He is 18 years old and likes to socialize.

Molly Martin loves to sing and dance. She is 19 years old.

Erin Gardner is 19 years old and she loves to tease Hedgepeth.

Isabel Henderson is 20 years old. She likes to do puzzles.

This is Mason Marek. He is 21 years old and enjoys playing on his iPad.

Working with some amazing people is such a riveting experience and inspiring. I’ve had the opportunity to work with room 200 for almost a year now. The teachers along with the students are so much fun to be around. The students have compassion to learn and associate themselves with the other students in the classroom. Sallie Hedgepeth, who teaches in room 200, is wonderful at what she does.

The high school has a very good special needs program. The teachers work with their colleages to create a nice classroom environment for the students. The students adore their teachers as much as the teachers adore them. “I think there are very good people doing very good things, but there is always room for improvement,” Hedgepeth said.

Along with Hedgepeth there are quite a few other teachers. There’s Heather Menke, Heath Pattschull and Mariette Nikolai. Each room has a different level of needs. “You don’t become a Special Education teacher for the money, no teacher does,” Hedgepeth said.

The students in all of the special needs rooms are much smarter than many people think. They have class just like we do. They write out their schedule each day. They start out with watching the weather on the news.

From this, they go to the snapshot of the weekly forecast and do numbers and letters.

They have cooking days, also. Cooking teaches them skills such as reading the recipe, finding the utensils needed and grabbing the food

from the room that they need to cook the meal.

The friendships somebody can make with them is out of this world. By being with them for a year, I know every single one of their ticks. I know what makes them happy, sad and sometimes even angry. I could write a book on every one of them.

Last year, I got the opportunity to meet Lucas May. At first, he was a little bit nervous to talk to me. Our friendship began with him telling me a few things that he likes. Those favorite things were chicken strips, grilled cheese, ice cream and Sonic. Mustangs are his favorite car and that is about all you will hear him say.

Once he started to get really comfortable with me, he would move out of his seat in the front of the class and come sit with me where I was sitting.

He would always want to act silly and goof off. I always got daily hugs from him. Sadly, he graduated at the end of last year. I got pretty close to his family over the year so luckily I still get to see him quite a bit. I take him to Sonic and get him chicken strips, fries and vanilla ice cream.

Things like that make it worth it. Even just short talks in the hallways or a high five is all it takes to make some of the students’ days.

The way I see it, they are doing just as well as we are. They study, work hard and try to be social like we all do. Being disabled is not a disease, it is simply a way that makes their lives just a little bit different than ours.

Sept. 2016

p.14

health

Losing weight, gaining confidence Two students explain their weight loss and the impact the transformation can have words & layout | Sophie Cordaro & Brooke Willis Body image is a common anxiety in adreally supportive and commented a lot.” olescents and always has been. The media According to Statista, overall memhas worked hard to produce unattainable bership in fitness centers from 2000 body images, which hurts the way teens to 2016 across America have skyrocklook at themselves and reduces their coneted from 32 million to 55 million. fidence drastically. This can lead to unAshley Wolter ‘18 participated in a simihealthy and unsafe ways of losing weight. lar ten week program that included food However, there are safe and healthy ways logs and working out every morning. for teenagers to lose and keep off weight.

Wolter’s parents acted as a support system.

Bryce Rowland ‘17 has recently gone through “(They) did the program with me,” Wolter a dramatic weight loss transformation. “I said. “They would give me my schedule was overweight for wrestling, so I needed to for the day and gave me that extra push.” cut weight so I could wrestle,” Rowland said.

She thinks having people with her helped “I did it in like two her get through to three weeks, and the experience. dropped about 45 “I’m a strong bepounds overall, but liever in doing evno real set goal.” erything by myHis main reason self,” Wolter said. that drove him for “But having somelosing weight was one there to help football.

“They me made a big difwanted me to ference. It’s nice lose weight so I to have someone could be quicker to be able to push on my feet,” he you more than Ashley Wolter’s before and after pictures. said. “I can move you push yourself.” faster, and as a A major key to guard I pull a lot, so I can pull quicker.” her success came from her method of moRowland was not alone on his weight tivation. “(My parents and I) all put in a loss journey. His primary goal may have jar how much we wanna lose by week five, been to improve his performance in footweek ten, and then we added like an incenball, but his wrestling coach pressed him tive for it,” Wolter said. “At week five we can on it too, along with the rest of the wresget a new pair of shoes, and week ten we tling team. “I didn’t eat for a while, I can get a new pair of leggings and so on.” only ate clementines, mints, and drank Through the journey wasn’t easy, Woltwater, sort of like a cleanse,” he said. er believes anyone can accomplish their Losing weight has helped Rowland begoals. “If you really put the time and efcome more active overall. “I feel a lot better fort into it and say, ‘I’m going to do this’ now that it is over, I move more and have and stick with a plan, you can really acmore fun,” he said. “My friends have been complish just about anything,” she said.

Gym membership costs

$99 per month

Powerlife Yoga

$15 per visit

Kosama

Aspen

$99 per month

sports

Sept. 2016

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Committing to a future path Athletes decide on playing college sports early

words & layout | Justin Gard

Standard path for athletes looking to be recruited

Ninth grade

Students should begin planning a courseload to meet National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) standards.

They may also attend training camps to improve skills and gain exposure.

Senior year can be a stressful time for many students. They have to think about graduating and what they want to do after high school. Many top athletes have piles of mail from colleges. For some athletes, comson, mitting to a college before senior year can if they help reduce the stress of school and athletics. have had Brooke Wilmes ‘17 committed to the Unimany offers from big versity of Missouri her sophomore year of schools, they have checked high school to play softball. “Once I had comout schools and if their mind is mitted I was able to have more fun with it and set then that’s what they will do,” was able to enjoy softball more,” Wilmes said. athletic director Gary Ross said. “It alIn the off-season of her sophomore year she lows the student to be more free mindtore her ACL and was very worried she would ed and have less things to worry about.” not be able to make it back for the season.

Although it can relieve stress and “When I was able to provide some secuplay again it was big rity, there are things sigh of relief and then to consider for athletes [Committing early] allows the to get accepted into the when applying early. university of Missouri Financial aid opporstudent to be more free minded was a bonus,” she said. tunities are limited. Apand have less things to worry plying early also puts Taryn Knuth ‘17 about. committed to Florpressure on students ida State Univerwho might not have ex-Gary Ross sity her junior year plored all of their opto play indoor and tions. “I still had to work beach volleyball. “Committing early didn’t hard and do well in school but I was able really change how I played, but it defito sit back more in softball,” Wilmes said. nitely took the pressure off because I know The early application process helps to where I’m going to college,” Knuth said. relieve stress but financial aid opportuKnuth also plays basketball and had to nities become more limited and there is choose what sport she wanted to pursue still some pressure to get good grades. in the future. “Basketball offered another Once an athlete decides to attend a certhing to do and helped me to improve my tain college, they have to sign a national letskills like jumping for volleyball,” she said. ter of intent. The letter of intent confirms Many student athletes are starting to comthat the player is going to go to that unimit earlier and earlier. “It’s all based on the perversity and binds them to that decision.

Athletes should begin research on programs and contact coaches to show interest.

Tenth grade

Eleventh grade

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“

Student-athletes must dedicate time to improving their academic GPA and statistics in their chosen sport.

Twelfth grade

Students should have their list of potential schools narrowed and have established relationships with those coaches.

Information from College Sports Scholarships

Sept. 2016

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Not that great for the big

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You can buy cough syrup without Codeine

You can buy tobacco products.

All eligible males ages 18-25 must register with selective service.

Your criminal record becomes permanent.

You can pawn an item.

Common misconceptions:

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You can get a loan or payday advance.

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You cannot buy a lottery ticket or gamble until you are 21.