John F. Kennedy High School
Volume 51, Issue 1
December 21, 2017
the torch
Fight Bullying with Kindness Pg. 8
Contents John F. Kennedy High School 4545 Wenig Rd. NE Cedar Rapids, IA, 52402 Volume 51, Issue 1
News 4 The Expansion of More than a Library Sophia Jasper 5 Cougar Corners Darby Herridge 6 1, 2, 3, vs. A, B, C, Alaina Beaman 7 It’s not Easy Being Green Darby Herridge
Twitter: @KennedyTorch KennedyTorch.org Issuu.com/kennedytorch
Mission Statement The student staff and adviser are committed to producing top quality student publications, applying high standards of writing, editing, and production. These media seek to fairly serve the Kennedy High School faculty, students, and staff showing no favoritism to any particular interest, individual, or group. Final decisions about content are the responsibility of the individual editors, and the Editorial Board.
Non-Discrimination Policy It is the Torch’s policy not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age (employment only), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status (students/program only) in its educational programs and its employment practices.
Ownership The Torch publication, website, official social media, and broadcasts serve as a public forum produced by the students in Journalism-Newspaper. Student editors make content decisions consistent with the Torch Editorial Policy, Iowa Law, and ethics of journalism.
Opinion 8 Fight Bullying with Kindness Hannah Ratzer 9 The Power of One Anna Reinhart Feature 10 Would You Run, Hide, Or Fight? Leeanne Mehring-Cruz 11 Not Just A Drill Leeanne Mehring-Cruz/ Sophia Jasper Culture 12 The Holidays Have Arrived Lizzy Dennis 12-13 What’s on Students’ Christmas List? Claire Fluent 13 Ringin in the New Year Mary Shaine Devaras Sports 14 Foley’s Final Season Tyler Blattner/ Olivia Haefner 15 Pushing the Limit Tyler Blattner 15 A New “Huddle” At Kennedy Olivia Haefner 16 On The Come Up Lizzy Dennis 16 99’ Alumna School Record Holder Jamison Prull Profile 18 A Long Way From Home Mary Shaine Devaras 18 Coach gets the Concussion Claire Fluent/Olivia Haefner 19 Expressing Herself Through Makeup Jenna Anderson Photo 20-21 Kennedy Athletes in Action Anafer Millsap 22 Playtime Poppy Jamison Prull
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23 Fairytale Breakfast Jamison Prull
Letter From the Editors It may be cliche to say “new year, new me” but as 2017 comes to an end so does all of its memories, the good and the bad. So to the students and staff of Kennedy high school, let’s start the new year by changing for the better. As the Co Editors-in-Chief of the Torch we’d like to focus on bullying. I know it’s easier said than done, but it’s something that needs to be talked about. Admit it, all of us have either bullied someone or been bullied in our lifetime. Bullying is a pressing issue at Kennedy right now and as a school we hold assemblies, homeroom lectures, and even started the club Kinder
Kennedy, but is that enough? Our answer is no. It all starts with an individual. No one can prevent and stop bullying except for you. Take a moment and think: is that how I would want to be treated? Look back to when you were hurt by someone bullying you, how did that make you feel? It’s time to take a stand against bullying and eliminate the hatred in this world. Be better. Be kinder. Stop bullying at Kennedy. Spread the word. #KinderKennedy
Staff Editorial One of the most stressful things about being a student is grades. Whether it’s getting good ones or bad ones, but the worst part of it is waiting for them to load onto PowerSchool. I hate taking tests and then the teacher puts it into the gradebook a month later. It’s understandable that it might take a week to get graded, but months? The excuse teachers always use is “I have over 100 students.” Well, I have other class-
es and this C+ could really be a B+ but you haven’t put in the test or assignments I have turned in on time. Teachers shouldn’t necessarily have a deadline, but if it is a scantron test there is no excuse for it to go into the gradebook months later. Teachers complain they have a lot to grade, but they make the assignments lengthy so they shouldn’t complain about grading it. Sincerely, Torch Staff Approved by 8/9 Editorial Board Members
Torch Staff Jenna Anderson Editor-in Chief
Madylin Kircher News Editor
Jamison Prull Writer
Olivia Haefner Editor-in Chief
Tyler Blattner Sports Editor
Hannah Ratzer Writer
Darby Herridge Profile Editor
Lizzy Dennis Sports Editor
Olivia Bowden Writer
Anafer Millsap Photo Editor
Irma Dizdarevic Writer
Sophia Jasper Writer
Anna Reinhart Opinion Editor
Rebecca Greene Writer
Mary Shaine Devaras Writer
Claire Fluent Culture Editor
Alaina Beaman Writer Dr. Stacy Haynes-Moore Adviser
Leeanne Mehring-Cruz Feature Editor
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News
More Space, More Fun, More than Just a Library The library project will consist of a 13,457-square foot addition to the left side of the building, which will include two levels. The new space will also include an area dedicated for youth, named a Tween Zone, quiet spaces and study rooms, and a lower level for a storm shelter. The Hiawatha Public Library is located at 150 West Wilman St. For more information, visit www.hiawathapubliclibrary.org. Photo by Anafer Millsap.
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or the City of Hiawatha, the public library is so much more than just a place to find books. It’s a place that provides guidance, education, and a sense of community, which is what makes the expansion of the library worth the $4 million price tag. Built 20 years ago, the 8,543-square foot building was equipped for 1997, but as library director Jeaneal Weeks explained, a library’s needs change with time. “Libraries have always been in the information business and the tools of information have changed and so we now deliver things in a different way,” Weeks said. She describes the use of the internet as a tool of information and an essential resource used in their different library programs. One issue that this presents is the lack of resources the building itself has for technology. According to weeks, 55 people per day use the computers for a total average of 42 hours. The staff want to provide these tools, but because of
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a lack of outlets and space for computers, expansion and remodeling is crucial. Weeks says the library first noticed a need for expansion in 2005 when they closely examined the number of people the library served. Twelve years later this need is being fulfilled. In the late summer, the library’s plan was approved to remodel, following a vote in which 60 percent approval was needed. The library received over 70 percent. These additions address many of the libraries needs and Week’s hope is that it will help offer better help and outreach to Hiawatha. This change will open oppurtunities for more outreach programs and partnerships that will strengthen the already existing bond between people who utilize the library’s programs and the library itself. “People’s ideas of libraries don’t always change, but libraries are changing all of the time to adapt to what are community needs,” Weeks said.
Sophia Jasper
News
“Check” it out Senior Class Chose Cougar Corners information to the organizations that requested materials and want these set up.
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his project is very meaningful for me. I love the library, and I volunteer there regularly. I’ve seen how many people go through its doors every day, and I’ve seen people of all backgrounds enjoy what the library offers,” Bennett said. “To help promote the library and a love of reading is something I find pretty significant. I intend to make this project the best it can be and I know my fellow officers and NHS members feel the same way.” If the senior class meets their 50-shelf goal ahead of schedule, they intend to keep going and get more shelves out until the senior NHS students graduate in May. “I am extremely excited to finally get this project started for real,” Donahue said. “We have been planning every part of it out all summer, so it’s exciting that we will finally be able to start the whole process.” Darby Herridge
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race Herring, senior, lives in Palo and this summer she went to into the Cedar Rapids Public Library to get a library card. She was told she wasn’t allowed to receive a card from any of the Cedar Rapids metro area libraries because she lived in Palo. Residents of Palo are not allowed to receive a library card because Palo doesn’t charge its residents the part of the property tax that funds a metro library. “It really bothered me that young kids in Palo didn’t have access to the library,” Herring said. As a National Honor Society officer, she and other members plan to establish a free library in Palo. “This project is really important to me because I feel it has potential to make a big difference. Our entire class can work together to better our community.” The Cedar Rapids Library website explains more than one in four third graders in the area do not read proficiently at the end of third grade. This increases to more than one in three for low income students. Students who are not proficient are four times more likely to not graduate on time, which increases to 13 times if they are also from a low income household. This year, the senior class is partnering with the Cedar Rapids Public Library’s Take on Literacy campaign to establish “Cougar Corners.” Samantha Bennett, Karter Donahue, Grace Duffy and Grace Herring are
National Honors Society officers and in charge of the senior class project idea. “Sam Bennett and Grace Herring both wanted to do something with the library but we didn’t know exactly what we could do, so we met with the volunteer coordinators at the library and they proposed this idea and we just ran with it,” Karter Donahue, sr., said. Cougar Corners will be small book shelves filled with books distributed to businesses all around Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, and Marion. The project will impact the lower income community and children and families without access to books. “I’m extremely excited. I have high hopes for the senior service project this year. We’ve gotten an overwhelmingly positive response from our class, and NHS members seem eager to get this project running,” Sam Bennett, sr., said. “We’ve got a great group working on the project, so I think everything is in good hands.” The project will be split up into four main parts. One will be book drives, to collect books to stock. The second is fund raising, to buy books and to establish a free library in Palo. Another is outreach, to find businesses and organizations that want to house a Cougar Corner. And the last project idea is distribution, taking the shelves, books and library
News
Senior Sarah Nolting works on essay. Photo by Jamison Prull.
Standards-Based Grading 1 2 3s Better than Traditional A B Cs?
From the start, the introduction of standards-based grading has received mixed responses as to whether it’s better than the traditional grading system. Some teachers began moving toward standards-based grading as soon as they caught wind of the prospective change roughly two years ago. However for many teachers the change began this year. In this grading scale, students are assessed based on a scale of 1-4. Four means exceeding expectations. Not only are students given a score, but teachers provide feedback on areas where improvement is needed. “It’s a push from the district to have a standardized way of grading. We have to teach the standards and grade kids according to those standards,” PACT/AP coordinator Sydney Richey said. However, students sometimes feel like the new system is confusing. “For my freshman year (standards-
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based grading) wasn’t helpful because it was so new and they were still developing the system. A ‘proficient’ would go in the gradebook as 75 percent,” Haley Hansen, sr., said. Students have grown accustomed to the traditional grading system that this new change comes as a stumbling block. “Feedback can be effective for students but I think students are keen to get frustrated about it since it’s something so new and most students don’t like change and they don’t understand how this is helping them,” Hansen said. Richey says the district believes that standards-based grading encourages students to learn and not focus on their final grade. “Standards-based grading really gives you a better picture of what you actually know. And for some kids that may not be easy. In the past they may’ve been able to get by turning stuff in and not knowing
anything,” Richey said. “It puts more weight on the student to actually take some ownership for their grade and put in the work and effort to improve it,” teacher Stephanie Hendryx said. This new system proves to be a work in progress as teachers experiment with what is best fitted to their teaching method and their classes. “It’s still new for us as a district and even teachers at this school. As it becomes to be understood more, everyone’s thoughts about standards-based grading will change,” Hendryx said. For students, changes can often be met with wariness as they disturb life’s normality, but these are sometimes necessary. It’s still too early to say if this change is what Kennedy needs. “Your grade isn’t some letter or number,” Hendryx said, “it’s something that can be changed”. Alaina Beaman
News
Although the team consists of only four members, Kennedy “One of the current projects that we are looking into is paintHigh School’s Green Team has high hopes to make an impact ing the recycle bins wacky colors to draw students’ attention throughout the towards them,” school this year. Davis said. “We The Green hope that this Team was origimakes them nally started more inclined by Alison Vis, to recycle the Green Team materials that Project Coordithey would nator with the regularly just Cedar Rapids throw away.” Community Since all of School District. the members After Vis came are seniors, to the club fair they have acat Kennedy on quired knowlSep. 11, seniors edge about Spencer Davis the things the and Sydney school can imRoss decided prove on from to join and the past four become the years of being co-presidents at Kennedy. of Kennedy’s However, the Green Team. team is looking “I’ve always to expand their The Green Team members and one of the advisors, Mr. Anderson during one of their meetings. been concerned group to all grade Photo by Anafer Millsap. and aware of my levels to include environmental impacts,” Ross said,“When I realized there was a everyone’s input and get ideas that they might not have thought club being formed at Kennedy I was really excited to be a part of about. it and make a difference.” “The team gives me a sense of hope that all students, like us, During the Green Team meetings the four members, Spencan make a real difference in our communities and it has imcer Davis, Mackinzee Macho, Alexis Peterson and Sydney Ross pacted me by making me feel empowered to stand up for what I and the advisors, Mr. Anderson and Mr. Corey discuss current believe in,” Ross said. school issues, their ideas on how to fix them, and how the team The team is welcome to any students that want to join. can implement them. The team’s meetings are usually every Students interested in joining can contact any of the current other week during SMART Time. members, or either of the advisors. “Although the team is pretty new and we haven’t had very “The Green Team has showed me that there’s ways that much time to implement our ideas, I think that teacher awareeveryone, including myself, can improve their lives so that they ness about energy consumption has increased since we’ve been have less of an impact on the environment around them,” Davis on the announcements,” Davis said. “I notice more teachers said. “It’s important to me because in order to sustain a healthy closing their doors during class, turning their lights off when planet, there are steps that humans need to take, and the Green leaving the room and turning their SmartBoards off when no Team has given students the platform they need to be able to students are present.” take those steps.” One of the team’s short term goals is to win a district wide DARBY HERRIDGE competition based on energy consumption for Kennedy, which would grant them $5,000. The team’s long term goal is to decrease the number of copies teachers make and overall paper usage, decrease waste in the cafeteria and to make students and staff more aware of their impact.
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It’s not Easy Being Green
Opinion
Fight Bullying With Kindness
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hen I think of bullying in a school setting, my mind always goes to the same cliché image. A short boy, one who is considered different by his peers, walks head down and shoulders hunched, hoping to go by undetected, and then BANG. He’s slammed into the lockers by a tall popular boy, one with a smirk on his face and a letterman’s jacket on his back. Papers and notebooks go flying as he stands there looming over the boy sprawled on the cold tiles of a high school hallway. Maybe I’ve been too immersed in pop culture, but I would bet several others have this same image ingrained in their brain. Because of this, it’s easy to dismiss the question of whether or not bullying exists here at Kennedy. According to this scenario, it clearly doesn’t. I’ve never seen an upperclassmen slam a scrawny freshman into the lockers, it just doesn’t happen here. But because we never see this image doesn’t mean bullying isn’t a problem at Kennedy. I hear the phrase “bullying isn’t really a problem at Kennedy” almost every time the topic is brought up. Dismissal is always the resounding opinion when bullying is the subject of conversation. However, bullying does exist at Ken-
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nedy. I’ve seen it and I’ve heard about it happening. What’s scary about the kind of bullying I see at Kennedy is that it isn’t obvious. There’s no grand spectacle with papers flying across a hallway and loud jeers from bullies and bystanders. Today’s bullying is done hiding behind phone screens. Unless you’re paying attention and thinking about your actions and the ones of those around you, it’s hard to recognize the bullying that happens in this building. This type of bullying is not always acknowledged because not everyone sees the bully attack their victim. When a bully can harass anonymously without an audience it’s harder for their victim to defend themselves. There’s no one there to back them up. Today’s bullying is so personal and targeted, it’s hard to notice, but just because you don’t see something every day doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Another common thing people grapple with in regards to bullying, is a solution. How to stop bullying and how to support those affected by it. I see an easy solution: act with kindness. Kennedy could easily become a kinder place if before people opened their mouths or started to act, everyone asked themselves a question. Does this act promote kindness? If the answer is no don’t participate in that act. It’s so easy to make the world a better and kinder place by taking only a
second to evaluate our actions before they are taken. If you don’t act in an unkind way to begin with, it’s impossible for your actions to progress to bullying. Kinder Kennedy is striving to fight bullying at Kennedy with kindness. “No one knows quite how to stop [bullying].” Cass Gutierrez, a Kinder Kennedy Officer, said. Nevertheless, Kinder Kennedy fights to make an impact on students. They meet every Wednesday during SMART Time to discuss and plan on how to make Kennedy a kinder place. “Our goal for this year was to do the little things,” Gutierrez said, “We know that us as students can’t knock out bullying altogether but we think that if we do just one little thing for one person or a bunch of people then that one person’s day is made better and they feel better.” These simple acts of kindness are what could make Kennedy a kinder place. Simply wanting to act in a kinder way will discourage bullying. If students come together to show that bullying will not be tolerated, and let kindness prevail, this issue could be easier to fight. “I think it would be really nice to see everyone at Kennedy just be one big family,” Gutierrez said. Before you act, ask. Does this act promote kindness? Hannah Ratzer
Top 4 Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season: 1: Ring Bells for the Red Kettle Campaign with the Salvation Army outside local grocery stores. 2: Adopt an angel by picking up an angel off a tree at several local stores/restaurants. This would help give gifts to those that can’t afford them. Kirk Smalley, father of bullying victim Ty Smalley, spoke to the Kennedy High School student body about the story of his son’s suicide and bullying prevention. He was joined by the closest friends and family of Brielle Thompson, former Kennedy student, and victim of both bullying and suicide. Stand for the Silent (SFTS) is an international organization dedicated to bullying and suicide prevention. SFTS has been recognized by several strongly influential in the lives of people young and old. Former president and first lady Barack and Michelle Obama, Justin Bieber, and Lady Gaga have all stood for the silent with the Smalley family to fight bullying. Photo by Ashlynn Greer.
3. Volunteer at a soup kitchen. Serving food to the less fortunate is a huge help for companies that aid the homeless. 4. Donate items at Riverview Center for children and adults who have been affected by sexual abuse.
One person. One person is all it takes to start a domino effect crashing down on those who rape, sexually harass or abuse. One person is all it takes to start a national conversation and social movement to put sexual harassment on the map. Harvey Weinstein was first only accused by one woman. One woman that turned into two, into three. Then it was one dozen, then two, and now almost five dozen women had accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct. The bravery of that one woman was enough to make another woman speak out. And out of nowhere, a long chain of women abused by Harvey Weinstein was only growing by the day. When Aly Raisman spoke out against former U.S. Olympic Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar first, Simone Biles did after her. Now 130 women have accused Nassar of sexual abuse. Nassar pleaded guilty to seven counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, landing him with a 60 year prison sentence. The scariest thing is how reluctant victims can be to speak out
about what happened to them. Allegations against Larry Nassar date back to 1997. Those victims have been silent for 20 years. If not for Raisman, Nassar would still be working his field. Matt Lauer was fired as co-host of NBC’s “Today”, after he was accused of sexual harassment by multiple women. The stories shared by the women he harassed have been brutally detailed, hard to read, and undeniably inappropriate. How many other prominent or highly praised people have committed sexual misconduct but whose victims have remained silent? How long until the next scandal sweeps the media There is power in the first voice. The first voice to speak out against a predator harassing and abusing numerous victims. From what the patterns have shown. One voice will, in all likelihood, pave the path for more.
Anna Reinhart
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The Power of One
Feature
Would You Run, Hide, or
Fight?
On Nov. 27, Kennedy High School had their first lock down of the 20172018 school year. Students went to their homerooms and watched a video called “Run. Hide. Fight.” before starting the drill. “Communication and having a plan is always important, because we can’t predict what it will be like and it won’t happen exactly like the lock down drills,” Teacher Alison Gardner said. However, On Nov. 15, 2017, these lock down drills were beneficial for the Students watching the “Run. Hide. Fight” video before the lock down drill begins. Rancho Tehama Elementary School in California. The shooter wasn’t able to Photo by Anafer Millsap break into the school and no students or makes sure they take deep breathes and to staff were injured nor killed. The school the video as did the rest of Kennedy sturemain quiet. heard the gunshots nearby and quickly dents and Gibney went into depth with initiated their lock down. her students about each part (Run, hide, or fight). Gibney thinks the best thing for Leeanne Mehring-Cruz “The school and teachers do the best them to do would be to run out their door we can to keep students aware. I brief my if it is safe. students before of what the drill will be “For some the hardest part, if this was like and state expectations,” Gardner said. a real situation, for my students would be Kennedy’s drill began with an intercom not understanding and question what’s announcement from administrators tellhappening, because there is no time for a ing teachers to secure classrooms. Teachlong explanation. I would have to be firm ers were supposed to lock doors, quiet with them and tell them to just run,” said students, and turn off lights. Gibney. At Kennedy (a buildingof about 1,800 students) some may approach the drill with a different understanding. For Kennedy students with Intellectual and Development Disabilities (IDD), it is important that they understand it is just practice. “I explain the importance of the drill and why we are practicing it and help give them a plan so they can be thinking about what they would do in a real situation,” Special Education Teacher, Mary Gibney said. Gibney’s students with IDD watched
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Gibney helped the students practice hiding and barricading the classroom door, but also told her students that they would use the back door if it was safe to run out. Gibney made clear to her students that they only need to worry about themselves, because it is her job to worry about everyone else. “I would pick some up and take them with me if I had to,” Gibney said. It can make the IDD students anxious, even during just practices, but Gibney reassures them and makes sure they know what is going on before and after. She also
Hide: Students practice taking cover. Photo by Sophia Jasper
Not Just a Drill T
(Left to right) Sophomores Elizabeth Janus, Mackenzie Joseph, and Kelsey Jaeger huddled in classroom corner. Photo by Sophia Jasper
Map of school shootings in the United States since 2013. Photo by EveryTown.org “Until we do a real, scary, on the spot drill that is unannounced to faculty and to students, I don’t know that you can truly simulate an emergency,” AP European History teacher Heather Zwanziger said. Even in situations where the procedures are followed correctly, students’ attitude towards the effectiveness can determine how helpful they are in the long run. Zwanziger identified this as something which she has seen with some of her students. She described this type of reaction to the drill as “going through the motions.” “We need to experience the drills but at the same time not create a sense of fear,” Anatomy and Physiology t eacher Craig Mallicoat said. Mallicoat has not received any concern from students about their safety at school, but other teachers have. “In all of my classes the students have been very focused and attentive [during the drills],” Mallicoat said. Mallicoat thinks that the drills are more important for teachers, because they need to be able to act quickly and responsibly to make decisions that keep students safe. Teachers need to be able to make split-second decisions. “Students in our classrooms are top priority. The drills allow us to think of questions and look at scenarios that will help us make the decisions needed,” Mallicoat said. A drill can still be stressful to Mallicoat and make students uneasy, especially in the moment when the officers try to open the door. The questions that wonder through Mallicoat’s mind is “How would I respond? How would my students respond? How would I respond if a student panics in that moment?” “These are important thought to have though, they allow you to think through possibilities,” Mallicoat said. Founded by EveryTown, Americans are 25 percent more likely to be killed by a gun than any other developed country. Leeanne Mehring-Cruz and sophia jasper
KennedyTorch.org
here have been 266 school shootings in the United States since 2013 founded by Every Town. Four of the 266 shootings have been in Iowa. The closest one to home for Kennedy students was the Jefferson High School shooting in 2016. “I don’t think that these drills are being taken seriously, because everyone knows they are fake. They don’t think that it could ever happen to them, even though it could very well happen. These things can take place just about anywhere,” Curtis Ratzer, so. said. Shelby Tigges, jr. feels that students wouldn’t take lockdowns seriously as younger kids, but as students have gotten older mass shootings have been occurring and are now taking the drills seriously. “I am just now grasping the reality that it can happen to anybody,” Tigges said. There are two opinions about lockdowns between students and teachers, the drills are important and taken seriously; the drills aren’t important and not taken seriously.
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Culture
Karma Coffee Café: More than just coffee
Karma Coffee Café doesn’t look like much from the outside, it’s just another brick building amongst another strip mall along another busy street. But inside, Karma is full of personality and the delicious aromas of home cooked food and coffee beans. What stood out to me about Karma Coffee was true genuine flavor of the food. I expected the food to taste decent, but wasn’t bracing myself for anything special. Instead, it tasted like the food had been made from scratch with fresh ingredients. I ordered the pick two lunch, with a cup of Home Coming Chili and half of The Good Egg sandwich. Both were full of tangible flavor and were just the right amount of food for me. I appreciated that their serving size wasn’t obnoxious, and instead a decent and fair amount of food.
While I paid $9.61, it was well worth it for the quality of the food I received. I also appreciated how Karma was a unique local Pick 2 Lunch with Home Coming Chili business. The coffee shop and the Good Egg Sandwich. Photo by had a variety of seating and Hannah Ratzer. fun wall decorations, making it a great place to hang out and chat, with the sounds of coffee house music playing in the background. As someone with dietary restrictions, it was also nice to see that they offered several vegan, gluten free, and dairy free options. I highly recommend Karma Coffee and I can’t wait to go back for more delicious food. Hannah Ratzer
Me Gusta Tacos From the service, to the food, to the bill, I loved almost every moment of eating at Caucho. I first heard about it from my sister, who insisted I make the trip downtown as soon as possible. She went there for dinner with some Al Pastor tacos were a favorite at friends and ever since has Caucho. The restaurant is located been pestering me to go. at 1202 3rd St SE in the New Bo Finally giving in, my mom district of Cedar Rapids. and I found our way to the NewBo area on a Saturday night. It wasn’t busy, but it definitely deserves to be packed all of the time. It started with immediate service to a table toward the back. The renovated building was beautiful inside, and I couldn’t wait to sit down. The table was big enough for two meals, but too small for our appetizer with them. I decided to order a drink from the menu called Aqua Fresca. My waitress said it was a drink with seasonal fruit juices, and that at this time it was mostly grapefruit and orange juice. When I got it, I drank every ounce. The infused freshness and
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fruits in the water was really good and worth every penny. We also learned that Caucho is a “farm-to-table” restaurant, meaning that everything you order is fresh from a specific farm and doesn’t go through any distributors or stores before the restaurant receives it. Caucho is partnered with Cobble Hill Eatery and Dispensary, a more popular farm-to-table restaurant in Cedar Rapids. Our appetizer included the choice of three different salsas to go along with homemade tortilla chips. We ordered the salsa verde, black bean and corn salsa, and a much spicier option. All three were good but I don’t like spicy-- so I left the last one for my mom. I ordered the Al Pastor tacos for my main course. These were two small handmade tacos on a tortilla with pineapple, pork, and onions. These two tacos were the best tacos I’ve ever had. I couldn’t get enough of them. For two orders of tacos, an appetizer, and two specialty drinks, the bill came to $29.50, which was a really good price for all the food and drinks we got. Overall, Caucho is an outstanding restaurant that deserves more attention than what it’s got. I think Caucho could be one of the most popular restaurants in Cedar Rapids if people gave it a chance. Anna Reinhart
2017 + 1 = 2018
The Holidays Ringing in the Arrive New Year 10 Kennedy students and “Meeting up on Christmas day with all my family.” ~Kailey Mccary, fr. “Making cookies for santa but ending up eating them myself.” ~Cale Krawford, sr. “My grandma’s homemade cinnamon rolls.” ~Rylee Fellmer, jr. “A big Christmas breakfast with all my family.” ~Camryn Jeffords, sr. “Baking cookies with my grandma and sister every year.” ~Carly Fox, so. “Opening presents for sure.” ~Cael Knox, fr. “White elephant gift exchange.” ~Shelby Cook, sr. “My family and I get together and we all eat together.” ~Michael Bryant, jr. “Eating with the whole family.” ~Lizzie Frost, jr. “Spending time with each side of my family.” ~Jeramie Reohlk, sr.
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inter break starts on Friday, Dec. 22 and classes resume on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Students are feeling really excited to celebrate New Year’s Eve with their family and friends.
I gather around the bonfire to share stories.” Tawil says sharing stories about the best memories of the year is “special” for her family. Family members tell stories of when they spent time together, which makes everyone feel emotional.
“New Year’s Eve is a very important holiday for me, because it’s a time when my Mackenzie Pattridge, jr., family and I are all together,” describes New Year’s Eve as Raafa Elsheikh, fr., said. “My “festive” because she celfamily and I like to keep New ebrates it with the people she Year’s Eve special, we usually loves. They do a lot of fun achave various decorations such tivities together, such as have as confetti, sleepovers with streamers, friends, pre“I have a big famand balpare and cook loons.” ily and we aren’t festive food, and watch the together all the Elsheikh’s ball drop with time, so spending family likes her family and New Year’s Eve to go all out friends. with them every for New Year’s Eve. “My dad always year makes me They decorate makes fourhappy.” their entire cheese fettuchouse every cine and we year. have sparkling juice in a fancy glass for all Freshman Shefa’a Tawil and the kids,” Pattridge said. her family always prepare food in the evening because Pattridge and her siblings she celebrates with most of celebrate New Year’s Eve with her family at night. Then they their friends during the day, have their New Year’s Eve dinand later on they spend time ner at her house with everytogether with their family. one there. “I love celebrating New Year’s “I have a big family and we Eve because it’s a fun holiday aren’t together all the time, and I’m surrounded with the so spending New Year’s Eve people I love,” Pattridge said. with them every year makes me happy,” Tawil said. “After having dinner, my family and Mary Shaine Devaras
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their Holiday Traditions
Sports
Foley’s Final Season In Jackson Foley’s senior year, he is looking back on the past three years of his athletics at Kennedy.
Jackson Foley at the line for his second free throw against Linn-Mar. Photo by Lizzie Frost.
“T
hroughout high school, sports haven’t been easy for me,” Jackson Foley, sr., said. “I’ve had to work through struggles.” Sickness, injury, and loss of a family member are just a few things student-athlete Jackson Foley has struggled with during his athletic career at Kennedy. “My junior year during track season, my grandma passed away and the next day I had to run at the district track meet to try to qualify for state,” Foley said. Foley did not qualify for state during his junior year track season because he was knocked down by a fan crossing the track in the middle of the race. “It was pretty tough for me to deal with that after knowing there was nothing I could have done better,” Foley said. “I just wanted to get better and hope nothing like that ever happens again.” Foley is involved in extracurriculars at Kennedy including cross country, basketball, track, and academic decathlon. ”Sports are something that keeps me busy and has taught me life lessons,” Foley said“Like how to be a great teammate and how to work hard.”
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During Foley’s sophomore basketball season, he had mono and a concussion at the same time. Later that year, during track season, he had the flu. “One of my biggest accomplishments was being able to get to state in basketball last year and play at the well,” Foley said, “Getting back to state in Cross Country for the first time since 06 or 05 and placing 9th of 16 at state was another big accomplishment.” Along with being a multisport athlete, Foley has taken up leadership positions at Kennedy. “I’m involved in the academic decathlon and I run the Jungle account and the Kennedy barstool account on Twitter,” Foley said. Foley finished the 2016-2017 men’s basketball season with 218 points and 73 assists in 26 games played. Foley also finished with a respectable free throw percentage of 89.1 percent. “My goal is to play basketball in college,” Foley said, “I’m not sure of which school, but I’m thinking of Upper Iowa, Coe College, or Simpson as options.” Tyler Blattner and Olivia Haefner
A New “Huddle” at Kennedy Coaches and Athletes for Christ
A fellowship of Christian athletes, “huddle group” will be Student leaders help plan regular meetings, and work with starting this fall at Kennedy High School and everyone is welfacility sponsors throughout the year. come to join. “Mr. Stecker and Mr. Hoyer stepped up and are the facility “I’m excited to see what this year brings. I’ve never been in sponsors this year, along with the student leaders including me, FCA before, but I’ve heard really good Parker Maxwell, Reese Manternach and things about the huddle groups and how it others,” Pecinovsky said. “I think the purpose of FCA is helps students and athletes,” Rylee Ervin, FCA uses camps, ministry to coaches to strengthen students and jr., said. and the community, and dynamic proFCA has a specific purpose and has been grams on college, high school and, middle coaches faith and help them working with coaches and young people school campuses. connect more as people.” since 1954. “FCA tries to connect students and “I think the purpose of FCA is to coaches through sports. FCA wants to find Allison Pecinovsky strengthen students and coaches faith a common goal in students, athletes, and and help them connect more as people,” coaches to worship Christ,” Ervin said. Allison Pecinovsky, sr., said. FCA focus is to make an impact on An FCA “huddle” is a group of students who come together on interdenominational, school-based, Christian sports ministry in a regular basis to talk about, big issues and to study God’s word. America. These are student-led meetings with facility support. There are “Having other people in your school environment to lean on over 7000 huddle groups around the country, including many in and talk about big issues with is really important and can impact eastern Iowa. you in ways you don’t even realize,” Ervin said, “I think this is a “Students can join the group, but other facility members help big step for Kennedy students to grow strong in their faith and out, all clubs at Kennedy must have a sponsor,” Ervin said. have other people to lean on at Kennedy.” olivia Haefner
Men’s Wrestling Pushing the Limit
Cael Knox uses an under arm move to try to keep his opponent from escaping. Knox ended the match against Cedar Rapids Jefferson on Nov. 30 with a pin in the third round. For information about the team’s upcoming meets, check out the Kennedy Activities wrestling calendar. Picture by Camber Ostwinkle. “I’m looking forward to going to tournaments with the guys this year,” Parker said. “Everyone is connecting on a whole new level this year and getting along really well.” Tyler Blattner
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“The coaches work with me everyday, either instructing me with a certain move or wrestling me in live matches to give me better conditioning,” Cael Knox, fr., said. Knox is in his first year as a wrestler at Kennedy and he will be wrestling at 182 pounds for Varsity. “I feel very at home even though this is only my first year,” Knox said. “In the wrestling room everyone treats each other with respect and people are there for me if I need specific help with a move.” Every day the varsity wrestlers have a two-hour practice after school where they help to push each other to get better. “Every practice I just remind myself of my goals and how I want to test myself against the best of this sport and see how I stack up,” Knox said. The team has a wide variety of returning and new varsity wrestlers this year already having chemistry at practice. The wrestlers have a pin chain that they wear at tournaments when they get a pin against their opponent. “It’s really motivates us to get pins because you feel really cool being able to wear it after a win,” Cade Parker, so., said. “When it comes down to it we all have the same goal, get to The Well.” Wells Fargo Arena (The Well) is where the state wrestling tournament is held each year in Des Moines. Parker is wrestling at 195 pounds this year and it will be his second year as a varsity wrestler at Kennedy.
Sports
Kennedy Women’s Basketball ‘On the Come Up’ Ray has been playing basketball for 7 years and is ready to get back on the court with fellow sophomore teammate, Sadie Powell. Powell plays wing or 2nd guard and has been playing for 11 years. Powell was a starter on last year’s varsity team with a record of 6-17. “I think we will have a betBoth Ray and Powell are returning ter season than last year and varsity, although Ray was out with an we will have a lot of fun,” injury due to soccer last year. Powell said. Sadie Powell guarding a player from Iowa City West “I took their stats, I was more like a Photo by Cassie Lehmann. Kennedy has started out the manager,” Ray said. 2017-2018 season with 2 wins, Ray tore her ACL during a club soccer one against Waterloo East and game last year preventing her from playing basketball. one against Center Point. They play Cedar Falls in one of their “I’m recovering from my injury really well. The physical therapy final games on Friday, January 26. took forever and it was really hard some days but I got through “If we play together as a team, I think we will have a good it and was really excited to play this season,” Ray said. chance,” Ray said.
Girls basketball has struggled the past few years but is ‘on the come up’ this year. Seniors and team captians Olivia Hellweg and Tessa Steffen will lead the very young team consisting of 4 underclassmen along with senior Hailey Dolphin. The underclassmen include freshmen Mya Fitzpatrick and Tae Barrett and sophomores Sadie Powell and Camryn Ray.
Lizzy Dennis
’99 Alumna Still Claims Discus Record Her drive came from within and her grit developed from playing with her cousins - all boys. “Sports are just in me,” Larrimore said. Sports also helped Larrimore adjust to a big school from her small middle school, Isaac Newton Christian Academy. “Coming out of a smaller middle school, sports were a way for me to connect and get to know people,” Larrimore said. Devin Larrimore (Devin Achenbach when she graduated from Kennedy in 1999) was a multi-sport athlete. Larrimore played softball, volleyball, and threw shot put and discus. “I feel that it’s important for students to get to experience multiple sports like I did,” Larrimore said. Larrimore played first base on her softball team that went to state her senior year. Although they did not win, it was a great accomplishment for her and her team. “Going to state was so much fun! We were the underdogs. No one expected us to make it, but we did!” Larrimore said. Volleyball was Larrimore’ fall sport of choice. “The varsity team that year had been together for three years and were very talented. Sitting with them and practicing with them was such an awesome learning experience,” Larrimore said.
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Larrimore played sports all year-round, but she was strongest in the shot put and discus rings. “I threw varsity shot put all four years, went to state all four years. I was stronger at shot for so long, it wasn’t until my junior year that everything clicked with disc,” Larrimore said. Larrimore didn’t throw over 80 feet until her junior year. “One day, it just clicked,” Larrimore said. In the spring of 1999, Larrimore broke the school record for the first time at Kingston Stadium, and then again at Prairie with a toss of 137 feet and 10 inches. “I can’t remember much of the details other than being in utter shock that it actually happened,” Larrimore said. Besides technology advances, life at Kennedy isn’t much different from when Larrimore was there. She loved pep assemblies and hated the parking situation. “I think the atmosphere at Kennedy was fun and a positive environment,” Larrimore said. Today, Larrimore is married with four kids. Her advice to Kenney students now is to “be good, have fun, and treasure the memories, because life flies by.” Jaimison Prull
Women’s Swim Season Recap with Ivan Sanchez After his first year coaching the women’s swim team here at Kennedy, Ivan Sanchez gives an inside look on what it’s like to work with the girls. “The girls were amazing, what I found most unique about this team is how close they are and how they support each other in practice and outside of practice,” Sanchez said. A few years back Sanchez was head coach of the Iowa City High girls swim team. This year Sanchez noticed the different traditions between Kennedy’s team and Iowa City High’s. These differences varied from doing a cheer at the start of practice, to the sister gifts the girls give each other towards the end of the season. Since coach Ross exited the pool in 2016, Sanchez is trying to get the team stronger than ever. “There’s always going to be change, we are just picking up where we left off last season,” Sanchez said. “To also contribute to what wasn’t there before.” Sanchez thinks a new coach can change a lot, some may not like the change and others will. “I’m proud of these girls, it’s hard to adapt to change its not easy. They seemed to carry on and adapt quickly,” Sanchez said. Since the beginning of the season, Sanchez believes the girls improved with times, technique, and became closer. “This season was a success, we had girls getting best times,” Sanchez said. “Even some of the girls reached their personal goals. Overall it was a good season.”
Swimming and Diving coaches from left to right: Sam Raiche, Leslie Nelson, Ivan Sanchez, Jody Peterson and Amanda Jacobsen. Photo by Rebecca Greene. Next season Sanchez wants to have the varsity and junior varsity squads practice together once or twice a week to get the teams closer. He also wants to incorporate Spanish music into their daily workouts. Coach Sanchez can’t wait for next year, to get better in certain areas, and to pick up where they left off. Rebecca Greene
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Cougar Spotlight A Long Way From Home
Roberta Prats, a foreign exchange student Prats was having a hard time speaking English from Valencia, Spain wanted to live in America at first but now the communication is getting to meet new people, learn more about the culbetter. ture, and have an experience of what America is “The hardest part is the language. The school like. is great in America, but I want to go to college in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is approximately 4,617 Spain because it’d be easier,” Prats said. miles away from Valencia, Spain. With that, Prats will be switching host families in Decemcomes a few differences in Roberta’s everyday ber and March. Right now, she lives with her host life. parents Patti and Kyle, and her host sisters, Alena “Kennedy is very different than my school in and Evelyn. Spain. In Iowa, you have classes with different “I’m having a great time so far and I’ve made people,” Prats said. “In Spain, we always have so many friends. People at Kennedy are very classes with the same people.” friendly and nice,” Prats said. At Kennedy there are many activities that stuPrats will be spending a year in Iowa and return dents can be involved in. In Spain, there are only home to Valencia, Spain in June. activities outside of school. Prats was involved “My favorite memories so far are the football in volleyball this fall, and is currently involved in games, playing volleyball, and when I went to my basketball, theater, and journalism at Kennedy. first homecoming dance,” Prats said. “The school is better in America because there are a lot of clubs and sports that you can join Mary Shaine Devaras & and the classes are easier,” Prats said. “There are Olivia Haefner 10 subjects in Spain, but in Kennedy there are only 7 subjects.” Roberta Prats posing for a photo in Downtown, Cedar Rapids. Photo by Evelyn Kunz.
Plot Twist: Coach gets the Concussion One of the most common injuries in sports nowadays are concussions, not only in athletes but in coaches too. Kennedy volleyball assistant coach of 21 years, and math teacher of 23 years, Tim Johnson, developed a severe concussion on March 25th, 2017. “I was coaching 12u volleyball and I went to turn in my line up, as I turned around a player served a ball into my right eye, not very hard but I immediately saw what everyone calls ‘stars’,” Johnson said. Johnson was coaching his 12-year-old daughter’s club volleyball team in Des Moines when he was hit. “My wife drove the family home which was probably the safest thing to do after I finished the day coaching,” Johnson said. “The next day as I was going to church, I noticed my eyes were light sensitive.” Johnson went to school on Monday and only lasted a couple hours. He was experiencing a massive headache that quickly turned into a severe migraine. “I was in and out of teaching for the rest of March and some of April,” Johnson said. “After Easter I taught for a full week and did really well.” The weekend after teaching a full week, he coached his daughter’s softball team. During the softball game, Johnson got dehydrated which caused his migraine to come back.
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“It was a hot day plus the softball girls were cheering, and it got to the point where the stress of all that kind of did me in,” Johnson said. Coach Tim Johnson during the 2015 State volleyball Johnmatch. Photo by Naomi Hofferber. son has had quite the journey with his concussion, but is now officially back teaching doing as much as he can. He was cleared for all of his concussion symptoms and now just deals with post-concussion symptoms on a daily basis. “The hardest part was never knowing how long it would last, it’s not like a broken bone where they tell you exactly how long it would be,” Johnson said. “A concussion has no time frame.” Claire Fluent & Olivia Haefner
Ferin Bergen Expressing Herself Through Makeup We may know her as a singer and actress, but another a quicker and more efficient way for people to contact skill of senior Ferin Bergen’s has been brought into light Bergen. recently; her ability to do makeup. “I love to do makeup every chance I get so the more “I’ve always kind of been interested in makeup since people that see the makeup I have done, the more opI was little,” Bergen said. “I got really interested in it in portunities I get,” Bergen said. middle school.” Bergen first used her skills on her friends for school In seventh grade, Bergen’s love for dances, which helped more and more makeup grew as she wore winged eyepeople acknowledge her work. liner almost everyday. “I decided I should start charging “I love to do makeup because I use a lot of my own makeup,” “It took a lot of practice,” Bergen every chance I get said. “I would watch YouTube videos in Bergen said. “Then I started doing it for so the more people middle school. It was just trial and error people’s senior pictures.” that see the makeup I until I got it right.” Bergen has done makeup for photoghave done, the more Bergen now purchases new makeup rapher Alisabeth Von Presley’s studio, opportunities I get.” or utensils at least once a week, and is and also various musicals and plays here even considering making tutorial videos at Kennedy. Ferin Bergen herself. While her next step may not be set “For me it’s a tool that I use to express in stone, Bergen’s love for makeup will myself,” Bergen said. surely stay with her in the future. Last spring Bergen started an Insta“I had a plan for a while to go to Caligram account to showcase her makeup (@ferinmua), and fornia and go to Cinema Makeup School, but that might it has gained a lot of attention. change,” Bergen said. “I wanted to not only track my progress but also be Bergen’s advice for those who want to learn how to able to show other people the different looks I do,” Ber- do makeup would be to practice as much as possible, gen said. because that’s the only way to get better. As she gained followers on Instagram, her business “I like that people can wear it however they want to increased as well. The use of social media has allowed wear it and there’s no rules with it,” Bergen said.
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Jenna Anderson
Three of Bergen’s favorite makeup looks. Photos by Ferin Bergen.
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Cougar Nation suits up in pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Photo by Anafer Millsap.
On top, the women’s swim team placed 24th in the state meet. Photo by Craig Petersen.
The Kennedy Men’s Cross Country Team placed 9th in the state meet. Photo by Natalie McAllister.
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Alex Stone, sr., kicks in another field goal for the Cougars on 10/13. Photo by Anafer Millsap.
“We’re very excited for the success of the team in the years to come.” Briana McLaughlin ,jr. said. Photo by Natalie McAllister.
Kennedy Athletes in Action
Photo
The Kennedy Men’s Bowling Team started off their season on 11/21 going against Xavier. (Photo by Liah Anderson.
Cody Spiegelhalther, fr., preparing for the 50 yard backstroke for the 200 yard medley relay with a backstroke start. Photo by Rebecca Greene. Cameron Jones, jr., wrestles up against Jefferson. Photo by Jaelynn Hauschild.
Jackson Foley, sr., playing against Linn-Mar on 11/30. The cougs came down with a score of 44-59. Photo by Lizzie Frost.
For more information on scheduling and locations, head over to the Kennedy website. http://kenn.cr.k12. ia.us/ The sophomore volleyball team finished the season off with a record of 8-10-1. Photo by Ellie Pins.
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Camryn Ray, so., playing against the Trojans where the ladies came out on top. Photo by Cassie Lehnann.
Photo
All photos by Jamison Prull
Playtime Poppy
The Lion King Junior
was Kennedy’s performing arts students’ yearly Playtime Poppy show. The show opened on Thursday, Nov. 20 and the curtains closed Saturday afternoon. The wise Rafiki was played by Jaeda Hernandez, sr. Raelyn Stecker, so., played Nola, a friend of Simba.
“Kennedy High School puts on one Playtime Poppy show each year, and the impact it leaves is tremendous — sometimes in unexpected ways. The show is a great opportunity to become closer with family, or friends, and according to the actors and the audience, is a great way to create bonds.” - Raelyn Stecker
Xander Hodge, sr., as Simba, in a heated confrontation with Scar (Carson Uthe, jr.).
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Noah Loehr, so., lifts Julia Schulte, jr., in their rendition of “Can You Feel The Love Tonight.”
Fairy Tale Breakfast
The characters performed classic Disney numbers and the kids gathered around to enjoy the production.
Contently watching the final act of the morning.
Ferin Bergen, sr., receiving a hug from a little princess.
The black box was transformed into a magical ballroom for the kids to dance under the disco ball. The girls loved the beauty boutique, where they could get a princess makeover.
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Kennedy hosted its annual Fairy Tale Breakfast on Oct. 14 . Kennedy students turned Kennedy’s cafeteria, halls, and black box into a Disney wonderland. The were invited to come eat a royal breakfast, partake in activities and games, and dance their hearts out.
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