b&w BLACK AND WHITE
NEW BUILDING NEW POLICIES PAGE 6
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Look up, and maybe you’ll find solace in the sky, for mankind’s flirting with prehistoric fire, kindled this planet into becoming our funeral pyre. For our fire was wild and caught the eyes of the cold, and was fueled by paper profit from product sold, and spread through covetous hands, almost like a disease, and died only when the fire outgrew the forests and the trees. Look up, and maybe you’ll find solace in the sky. For down here, you’ll find that only ashes lie.
WILL GAVIN ‘18
b&w A U G U S T
editor-in-chief kathryn ikeda online editor nick irwin print editor katelyn kempkes feature editor angela cai photo editor andrew maresca sports editor jack lucas staff writer
molly hauser
AMY NGUYEN ‘18
SARAH NELSON ‘18 02 AUGUST 2017 INDEX
FINE PRINT
Black & 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 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 622 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.
PG 8 INSTAGRAM 08/18 Thanks
@benjaminlunn ‘18 for helping set up the new jlab. Check out room 622 the first day of school, Aug. 25.
SOCIAL MEDIA @jhsnewspaper
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JHS Black and White @jhsblackandwhite
CONTENTS 4 6 8
10
RECIPE OF THE MONTH Blueberry lemon cake FEATURE New building, new policies FEATURE Sticking to silver cord ATHLETE OF THE MONTH Drew Beazley
BLACK & WHITE ONLINE
Further coverage can be read at jhsblackandwhite.com. Stories online this month include: Summer recipes Teachers donate personal care items Virtual tour of new high school
BEHIND THE COVER
11
SPORTS Joe Nelson
Picture by Andrew Maresca and designed by Kathryn Ikeda, the cover was created on Photoshop CS6. 3
04
BLUEBERRY LEMON CAKE For the cake: 1. Create the cake according to instructions. Add the zest and juice of one lemon, and bake in two 9-inch cake pans. 2. Let cake cool completely before decorating, or frosting will melt and lose its texture. For the frosting: 1. Make a blueberry puree using 1 1/2 cups blueberries in a small saucepan. Add lemon juice and cook over medium heat, gently stirring and crushing the berries, for about ten minutes, or until it is a dark colored compote. Remove from heat. 2. Strain the puree into a small bowl, removing any blueberry skin or chunks. Make sure the puree has cooled completely before using, or this could offset the texture of the frosting. 3. Place soft butter into a large bowl and beat completely until smooth, about tw0 minutes. 4. Stir in 1/4 cup blueberry puree and beat until combined. 5. Add confectioners sugar one cup at a time, beating until completely combined after each addition on low speed. 6. After all sugar is added, add cream and salt. Beat on high speed for two minutes to make the frosting fluffy. To decorate: 1. Remove cake from pans and place the first layer onto a cake plate. Top with blueberry frosting and set second layer on top, frost completely.
YOU’LL NEED: For the cake: Ingredients for a box or favorite vanilla cake recipe Juice and zest of one lemon
For the frosting: 2 cups blueberries 2 tablespoons lemon juice 8 ounces unsalted butter (2 sticks) 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 1/2 cups confectioners sugar 1 tablespoon heavy cream
06
NEW BUILDING NEW POLICIES words | Molly Hauser layout | Kathryn Ikeda photos | Andrew Maresca
LOCKERS
COURTYARDS
Students can now use a locker on a day by
The three courtyards are open for any student
day basis. “I like it better because I never used
to use during free periods. The courtyard closest
my locker but I understand others do,” Lydia
to the lunch room can also be used for extra seat-
Stanley ‘18 said. “It [also] doesn’t waste as much
ing during lunch. “If it’s nice and it’s safe then
space having more lockers that aren’t used.”
obviously the courtyards will be open,” Woods
Students renting a locker for the year can vis-
said. “If the weather is rainy or it’s the winter time
it the main office. “Our research would say most
and it’s snowy or icy then we’ll lock [the doors].”
kids don’t [want a locker year round],” principal Ryan Woods said. “But those who do will come
CAFETERIA
to the office and we’ll assign them a locker.”
The new cafeteria doubles as a commons
The locks are simpler than others, only re-
during non-lunch periods. It has plenty of seating
quiring a letter and a number that the student
for everyone during lunch and the courtyard right
themselves set after they open it. Students can
next to it offers extra seating during nice days. Stu-
choose their own code for the lock by choosing
dents will be able to either put their bags down
the number and letter they want, then closing
in a spot before going through the line or take
the door and turning the lock to the locked posi-
their bags with them. This year, however, food will
tion and scrambling the numbers and letters. The
not be allowed outside of the designated eating
lock will reset after the locker is reopened. “You
areas. “Even if someone orders lunch or brings a
can use a locker for a day, half a day or even a
lunch box we’re still going to ask them to go to
period,” Woods said. “Once you open it back up
the cafeteria.” Woods said. This rule however does
it’s available for someone else to use it later.”
not pertain to snacks for advisory or other classes.
VIRTUAL SUB
OPEN CAMPUS
Virtual sub was trialled last year as a sub look-
This year juniors will have open campus
ing after a class or two while the students worked
along with seniors. “The open campus is a priv-
on assignments set by the teacher. This year how-
ilege,” Woods said. “If you’re failing all your
ever students will be able to choose where they go
classes or behind in your credits, we’re prob-
when their teacher is gone. Students can do this by
ably going to send you to a study hall.” The
signing into infinite campus and selecting where
main reason for this was so that teachers would
they will be for that class period. “We’ll have des-
have more time to help students. “I would rath-
ignated areas where students can be.” Woods said.
er have a math teacher available to help kids
When students sign in and pick, infinite campus
with math than supervising a study hall which
creates a roster that can be accessed by the cam-
might have no kids who need help,” Woods said.
pus monitors. “If kids start abusing it, skipping out and doing something different then they’ll get a traditional sub next time,” Woods said. “I’m hoping that it shows our students that we can trust them to use their time wisely [and] to be responsible.”
BY THE NUMBERS
600 lockers auditorium seats
1200
4500 stadium seats gym seats 2500 1000 parking spots
08
STICKING TO
SILVER CORD
words & photos | Katelyn Kempkes
layout | Katelyn Kempkes & Kathryn Ikeda
During the 2015-2016 school year, students in Sil-
With about a quarter of the school being in
ver Cord were able to turn in their hours throughout
silver cord, and one sponsor for the extracurric-
the school year, as long as the hours were from that
ular, the paperwork can be overwhelming. “Origi-
year. The 2016-2017 school year, however, was differ-
nally, I allowed [time] to be more extended. I was
ent as students could only turn in their completed
changing the rules and in the end, it was cost-
hours during the semester they were completed.
ing me paperwork time and effort,” Beguhn said.
Chris Beguhn, the Silver Cord sponsor, believes
According to the rules for Silver Cord, forms
that it is beneficial for her when it comes to paper-
were supposed to be turned in every month instead
work and students so that they are pressured to get
of throughout the year or within the semester. “In
their hours turned in. “There have been many times
terms of going back to more [time for forms to be
when kids (say), ‘Well I can’t get that document in
turned in], instead of requiring that every month
anymore because the person no longer works there
you need to turn in your hours, like the paperwork
to sign off on the hours.’ If you’re only leaving it
says, I changed it to [semesters],” Beguhn said.
a couple months, before you try to get in a signa-
Ally Andreasen ‘18 tried to turn in some of
ture, that’s less likely to be an issue,” Beguhn said.
her first semester hours during second semester
Ultimately, Beguhn believes that the system
during the 2016-2017 school year and was unable
created a better turnout for students in turning
to, because of the new way the system was work-
in their hours, and benefitted her, making it bet-
ing. Andreasen is no longer in Silver Cord because
ter for everyone in the end. “There were just quite
she didn’t have enough hours by the end of her ju-
a few things that kind of came into play with
nior year. She recieved an email on the last day of
it and it was just easier. Aside from a few peo-
school that she was nine hours short of the 25 re-
ple not reading and following the instructions,
quired during the school year, and was unable to
from my standpoint, the paperwork was a lot bet-
turn in hours to make it up on such short notice,
ter and easier for me to manage,” Beguhn said.
resulting in her being dropped from the program.
About 28 percent of seniors participate in Silver Cord.
Marie Johnson ‘19 and Sophie Van Zee ‘19 scoop ice cream and top it off with whipped cream for a Horizon elementary student. Horizon Elementary hosted an ice cream social Aug. 22 to celebrate coming back to school.
08
STICKING TO
SILVER CORD
words & photos | Katelyn Kempkes
layout | Katelyn Kempkes & Kathryn Ikeda
During the 2015-2016 school year, students in Sil-
With about a quarter of the school being in
ver Cord were able to turn in their hours throughout
silver cord, and one sponsor for the extracurric-
the school year, as long as the hours were from that
ular, the paperwork can be overwhelming. “Origi-
year. The 2016-2017 school year, however, was differ-
nally, I allowed [time] to be more extended. I was
ent as students could only turn in their completed
changing the rules and in the end, it was cost-
hours during the semester they were completed.
ing me paperwork time and effort,” Beguhn said.
Chris Beguhn, the Silver Cord sponsor, believes
According to the rules for Silver Cord, forms
that it is beneficial for her when it comes to paper-
were supposed to be turned in every month instead
work and students so that they are pressured to get
of throughout the year or within the semester. “In
their hours turned in. “There have been many times
terms of going back to more [time for forms to be
when kids (say), ‘Well I can’t get that document in
turned in], instead of requiring that every month
anymore because the person no longer works there
you need to turn in your hours, like the paperwork
to sign off on the hours.’ If you’re only leaving it
says, I changed it to [semesters],” Beguhn said.
a couple months, before you try to get in a signa-
An anonymous student tried to turn in some of
ture, that’s less likely to be an issue,” Beguhn said.
their first semester hours during second semester
Ultimately, Beguhn believes that the system
during the 2016-2017 school year and was unable
created a better turnout for students in turning
to, because of the new way the system was work-
in their hours, and benefitted her, making it bet-
ing. The student is no longer in Silver Cord because
ter for everyone in the end. “There were just quite
they didn’t have enough hours by the end of their
a few things that kind of came into play with
junior year. They recieved an email on the last day
it and it was just easier. Aside from a few peo-
of school that they were nine hours short of the 25
ple not reading and following the instructions,
required during the school year, and were unable
from my standpoint, the paperwork was a lot bet-
to turn in hours to make it up on such short notice,
ter and easier for me to manage,” Beguhn said.
resulting in them being dropped from the program.
About 28 percent of seniors participate in Silver Cord.
Marie Johnson ‘19 and Sophie Van Zee ‘19 scoop ice cream and top it off with whipped cream for a Horizon elementary student. Horizon Elementary hosted an ice cream social Aug. 22 to celebrate coming back to school.
Sophie Van Zee ‘19, Marie Johnson ‘19 and Marah Schmitz ‘19 volunteer by making ice cream sundaes. Horizon Elementary hosted an ice cream social Aug. 22 for its students.
Lots of students have been working on their sil-
for Silver Cord. “I think it’s very important be-
ver cord hours over the summer through a variety
cause people have stuff that they do during
of activites such as volunteering at the Science Cen-
the school year where they’re always busy
ter of Iowa or hosting the Drum Corps International
and it’s hard to get in the hours,” Altier said.
event. Students may use this volunteer time to get
He believes that without summer hours be-
them caught up on time from the previous school
ing an option, it might be too hard for peo-
year to fulfill their 50 hours, or get ahead by 25 hours
ple to get there required 50 hours per year
for the upcoming school year. “Probably 40 percent
in when they are dedicated to other things.
of the students in Silver Cord, have their hours com-
Hannah Decker ‘19 does not think she would be
pleted during the school year. All of them,” Beguhn
able to participate in Silver Cord if she was unable to
said. “So those 40 (percent) don’t need summer.”
get hours during the summer. “I find it pretty import-
For those who haven’t already fulfilled their
ant to get as much done this summer, so that next
50 hours, they can work during the summer to
summer I can get more done for senior year, since you
meet requirements. “When the program was set
don’t get the summer after senior year,” Decker said.
up one of the goals is to be a lifelong volunteer,
Working ahead on hours can prove to be benefi-
so not just during the summer when you poten-
cial for seniors especially since they won’t have the
tially have a lot more free time,” Beguhn said.
summer after, and have to turn their hours in mid-
“That’s where the division (came in), you had to
April to ensure the symbol for being in Silver Cord
do 25 during the school year when it was tough.
will appear next to their name for the graduation
At least 25 when it’s tough. But that so you could,
programs. “[Seniors] should, but not as many do.
kind of, catch up and makeup during the summer.”
There are some that do, but I would say less than 50
The division and ability to split the 50 hours
percent don’t work ahead on [hours],” Beguhn said.
between the school year and summer has proved
If hours surpass the 50 required for the previ-
beneficial to many students in Silver Cord.
ous school year and 25 for the upcoming school
Tom Altier ‘18 believes that summer hours
year, the hours will go into an extras column.
are crucial for him being able to fulfill his hours
Summer hours are due by the end of August.
10
ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
DREW BEAZLEY
words & layout | Angela Cai
Photo by Andrew Maresca
Many high school athletes like varsity base-
his talent to the team. “He’s one of our most vo-
ball player Drew Beazley ‘18 dream of winning
cal guys on the field and he brings great ener-
a state title. July 29, Beazley’s dream became a
gy and great passion to the field,” Barta said.
reality. “My best memory is winning the state ti-
“His competitive drive is definitely the thing he
tle and being around the guys and playing the
brings to the team more than anything else.”
game,” Beazley said. “It was really fun to hang
Barta’s best memory of Beazley is from an away
out with those seniors and go out with a bang.”
game against Ottumwa when Beazley was a sopho-
Beazley has been playing baseball since the age
more. It was a very intense game with a large crowd.
of 7 when he first asked his parents if he could join.
“We were in a battle,” Barta said. “I think they threw
“I fell in love with the game and just kept playing
at [Drew] that night and intentionally hit him,” Barta
every since,” he said. “It just makes me feel happy
said. “I think he got spit on by a kid on the other team.”
and excited to just get another day of baseball in.”
Despite everything going on around him, Beaz-
Varsity baseball coach Michael Barta says Bea-
ley kept his cool. “He just didn’t back down,” Barta
zley’s passion for baseball is very evident. “I think
said. “He was super vocal that night and just that
everybody [on the team is] devoted but there’s still
fire, that competitive edge was the best it’s ever
another level,” Barta said. “There’s an obsession
been and he almost drove our team to a win that
level that makes you great and I think he’s pretty
night. I’ll never forget it because I got on the bus
obsessed and because of his obsession with want-
that night and told him ‘I wish everybody would
ing to be great, he’s getting better and better.”
play with that kind of edge that you played with that
Barta says that Beazley brings a lot more than
night’. He was just the best player on the field that
night. He was the man, there was nobody better.” Along with the many highs Beazley has had in his baseball career, there have been some lows like when he broke his foot last season and was out for 12 games. “It sucked but it was nice to see other guys on the team get opportunities and win without me,” Beazley said. Barta said that Beazley’s injury was a big loss for the team, but because of Beazley’s passion for baseball, it was far more devastating for Beazley himself. “The day [Drew’s foot] actually broke he could barely walk and I had to force him to stay out of the game because he wanted the trainer to tape it up even though the trainer was saying ‘go get x-rays at the hospital’ and [Drew]
MEET NEW ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
was like ‘tape it up I want to play’,” Barta said.
JOE NELSON
The weeks following Beazley’s injury, he continued to ask if he could come back to play in games even though he was in a boot and crutches. Barta said that Beazley was supposed to sit out for four
words & photo | Jack Lucas
weeks, which would have put him out the whole season, but he ended coming back after two. “I
After 22 years at Johnston, the high school
think he lied to me about how much pain he was
bid farewell to former Athletic Director Gary
actually in, but he played through a broken foot
Ross. As the new school year begins, Joe Nel-
the whole post season for us this year on the way
son was welcomed to the dragon community.
to the state title,” Barta said. “That shows his edge.”
Nelson graduated from the University of North-
Beazley has since committed to South Dako-
ern Iowa before becoming a teacher and coach at
ta University, a division 1 school. The coach of
Earlham. “It was tiny K-12 school district where
the university’s baseball team reached out to Bea-
everyone had to pitch in to make things work,”
zley over spring break and Beazley went to tour
Nelson said. “I remember coaching football, bas-
the university. “I really liked the coaching staff
ketball, track, supervising the weight room, and
and the facilities and the town,” Beazley said.
even driving the school bus to lower level events.”
Beazley says the chance to play baseball at South
After serving as a teacher in West Des Moines,
Dakota University is a dream come true. “Since
a principal at Southeast Polk and an adminis-
I was a kid I wanted to play baseball in college at
trator in the Des Moines Public Schools, he is
an elite level,” he said. “It feels like a big accom-
glad to be at Johnston. “I’m 110 percent a Drag-
plishment to me and I’m excited for what comes.”
on right now and I can’t wait to watch our student athletes perform and compete,” Nelson said. In addition to a career dedicated to Iowa’s public schools, Nelson possesses a unique background in sports, illustrating his passion for athletics. He has competed in, coached and even officiated many activities including football, basketball, track and baseball. Despite all of these experiences, Nelson claims that his one of his fondest memories is being an umpire for the Iowa Cubs. “I’ve had the opportunity to Beazley sprints to the base during a game against West Des Moines Valley last year. Photo by Jordan DeRoos
umpire over 100 Iowa Cubs games with some really special players like Jake Arrieta, Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant,” Nelson said. “All that’s in the past now, next summer I’m looking forward to watching our Johnston High School softball and baseball teams dominate in the [Central Iowa Metropolitan League].”
EXPLORING CULTURE
BEYOND JOHNSTON
words & layout | Andrew Maresca
Kate Snyder ‘18 and 14 other students from around
While some students were at home relaxing this
the United States were flown out to Thailand by the
summer, Jesse Balmer ‘18 went on a mission trip to
Experiment in International Living. The program
the Dominican Republic. Balmer left with 20 oth-
is designed to send students to foreign countries to
ers from his youth group July 9, and came back
learn about subjects ranging from communications to
July 16. While there, the group built a church in a
religion. “I experienced such a wide range of environ-
remote village and ran a vacation bible school for
ments that were all so different than Johnston,” Sny-
nearly 400 kids. “There were a few favorite parts of
der said. “I know that being away encouraged me to
the trip, but my favorite were talking in Spanish to
explore and learn more than I ever have in Johnston.”
all the kids we met, sharing my testimony and vis-
Within Snyder’s month long stay, she met ele-
iting the waterfalls and rainforest,” Balmer said.
phants, host
stayed families,
two
This was his second
zip-lined,
time visiting the Domin-
with
ate Thai food, and vis-
ican
ited
described
Buddhist
temples.
Republic. the
Balmer mission
trip as eye opening. He
Photo provided by Kate Snyder
was able to witness the positivity that the people emit, even while living in extreme poverty. Photo provided by Jesse Balmer
This
summer
Anna
Xiang ‘18 visited her father halfway across the world. spent
Xiang travelled to two cit-
nearly three weeks in Ugan-
ies in China, Chengdu and
da. Aller went with her mis-
Hefei. She spent the first
sion team from Saylorville
three weeks in Chengdu,
Church to help children in
the city where her parents
Emily
Aller
‘19
grew up. The three weeks
orphanages. The trip was a humbling experience for Aller, and made her want
was spent visiting family and seeing tourist sights.
to become a missionary in the future. “The people
The rest of her trip to China was spent at the Uni-
there are so humble and full of joy,” Aller said.
versity of Science in Technology of China. Her dad
“Here in the United States, including Johnston,
is a professor at the university and she was able to
we’re so focused on ourselves and it’s exhausting.
work for the plant biology lab while there. “Over-
It was amazing to see these people constantly smil-
all, my favorite part was the lab work because it was
ing and loving on our team and their community.”
something that I had never done before,” Xiang
Photo provided by Emily Aller
said. “It was really interesting to work hands on and see what was actually going on behind the scenes.” Photo provided by Anna Xiang