torch the
John F. Kennedy High School 4545 Wenig Rd. NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
“ T h e to r c h h a s b e e n pa s s e d to a n e w g e n e r at i o n ” - J o hn F. K enne dy
Break out your sunglasses, band tees, and cell-phone ‘lighters’: summer is fast approaching, which means it’s time to prepare for the season’s biggest music festivals. Torch stacks up the top contenders for the best summer ever Sto r y o n pa g e 1 0
graphic by Craig Aucutt
J F K TO R C H , A P R I L 1 6 , 2 0 1 0
Briefly
02news
PA G E B Y M I C H A E L N O R D S T RO M
Planet Walker visits On Tuesday afternoon, some students heard a speech given by John Francis who was made famous by walking across the United States and walking from the United States to the tip of South America. Francis entered the Kennedy auditorium playing his banjo and then Francis gave a speech about his journey across the United States and down to South America. The reason he walked was to try to show people that they need to take better care of the environment. Also during that time, for seventeen years he would not talk, but instead he used sign language because he didn’t like to hear people argue. Francis made his way to Kennedy after Mount Mercy College had him speak there. Mount Mercy hosted the event at Kennedy also, so as a result Kennedy did not have to pay for Francis to come in. Joan Steinmetz, Kennedy teacher, believes in what he did because Steinmetz thinks it worked for him and Francis has changed some people’s opinions on the environment. “I think its great food for thought, but I don’t think I am going to give up my car or stop talking, but I do think its great food for thought,” Steinmetz said. Steinmetz believes it was a very good speech and thought it was very interesting how someone could do all of that. “I think the students behaved great but I was worried at the beginning because there was about 200 Kennedy students there,” Steinmetz said after the speech. C a h le Correll
Annual senior survey Members of the Torch will be compiling a list of post-high school plans, beginning next Monday for their upcoming issue. A survey will be sent to all homerooms in late April, which is to be filled out accurately. The Torch only needs to gather this information once, and it will occur in the final, May issue, which is set to come out May 21. There will be one question to answer on this survey, including a box, which must be checked. The question will read: “What are your plans after high school?” Seniors may check the box for “College,” “Military,” “Work,” or “Other,” and from there they can specify. For example, under the “College” section, they will be able to choose one of the major area colleges, or write one of their own in; under “Military” the will be able to choose one of the major branches. Seniors should choose the option that describes what they will be doing for the ’10-’11 school year. If seniors are not initially given a survey, choose not to fill a survey out, or choose to fill out a blatantly false survey, they will be contacted by other means. However, without total senior participation, they cannot be realistically expected to compile a full and accurate list. Students are urged to be truthful in this survey, in order to achieve an true reading of the senior class of 2010. Emma Lehmann
Bever Park Zoo open On April 24, the Bever Park Children’s Zoo will open for the season. However this year there will be a few notable changes. “This year we (the zoo) will have baby sheep and we will be offering several programs for kids like farmer for the day and animal tracks,” said volunteerturned-employee Rebecca Welch, jr. “We also got our duck pond pump fixed so the water will look very clean.” This year students Michael Nordstrom, jr., and Welch will work for the zoo as zookeepers. “I’m really excited about getting to work at the zoo this summer. I’ve been volunteering for over a year now and working at a zoo is my definition of a perfect job.” Nordstrom said. When asked what she is looking forward to most Welch responded, “I am definitely excited about the opening of Bever Park Zoo, not only will it allow us to showcase all our cute and crazy animals, but everyone will be able to see all the hard work that we’ve put into making the zoo look great!” The zoo will be open from 10 am to 7 pm daily starting April 24. New additions to the zoo this year will include calves, piglets, and lambs. Mic h a el Nor d s troo m
photo by Asmaa Elkeurti The Last Supper. Kennedy students enjoy a meal at the Lovely Lane Church Tuesday during their lunch period. The meal changes every week.
Lovely lunches at Lovely Lane
During 4th hour lunch on Tuesdays, over 200 students march across Wenig Rd. to Lovely Lane Church and attend their weekly lunch. The Lovely Lane United Methodist Church provides these free lunches to Kennedy students during all lunch periods. What started as something small has grown over the years into a pretty large operation. “We have been doing the lunches here for about five years now. In the past two years it’s really taken off,” said Chuck Patterson, a volunteer who helps
prepare the meals. Mary Smith, another volunteer, is responsible for bringing the idea of feeding high schoolers to Lovely Lane. “I got the idea from a gentleman at St. Paul’s and I thought, ‘hey we’re next to a school, we could do that,’” Smith said. Feeding 200 hungry mouths is no easy task, but the volunteers at Lovely Lane encourage students to come. “I like the fact that the kids have a chance to come over and get out of school. It’s gotten kind of big. Were not trying converting anybody, we’re just being
A new texting ban will soon take place in Iowa restricting cell phone usage while driving. A series of laws was passed earlier this month banning cell phone usage while driving. The new ban will be effective starting July 1 in the state of Iowa. These new laws restrict anyone under the age of 18 from using a cell phone or electronic device for any reason. It also bans anyone over the age of 18 to use a cell phone to read or write a text message or email while driving. Violators of this new ban will be punished with fines ranging from $30 to $100 for being caught under these new laws. Violators of these laws that cause serious injury or abuse could be fined up to $1,000. These laws were added to get rid of distractions that could potentially cause an accident. “They need to understand that people are going to do what they want regardless of the law. The
government is sitting on an unequivocal position and accidents, phone-related or not, are indeed going to happen regardless of this law. This new law will now supercede any thought of doing something as harmless as being on your cell phone,” said Kameron Beets, sr., about the new texting ban. Violators of the new law will have to be cited for another reason aside from texting to get pulled over for texting while driving. “I guess it could go either way for me. I do text when I drive, but I do it mostly when I’m stopped at a red light. I don’t think that it will be that big of a deal,” said Troy Reynolds, jr., about the new texting laws. There will be a one year learning period for the new laws to go into effect. This learning period will be to warn violators about these laws before having them going in effect. Mo h a m m a d C h eeta n y
their friends. It has really taken on a life of it’s own,” Smith said. Members of the church donate the funding for the meals. John Mettler, jr., has been attending the weekly lunches for the past three years. “I come here because the food is really good and free. And also because my friends all come here,” Mettler said. Other responses are pretty much uniform. “I come here every week,” said Zach Winters, jr., “because the food is delicious and it’s free.” While some students who
attend the lunches belong to the Lovely Lane United Methodist Church, most do not. “We enjoy having the youth coming over and letting them know we appreciate them and love them. We don’t care about denomination. Everyone is welcome,” Patterson said. The Lovely Lane lunches will continue to take place until May 25, 2010. Students are encouraged to attend the lunches. Mic h a el Nor d s tro m
Texting ban affects teen drivers
Graphic by Craig Aucutt
J F K TO R C H , A P R I L 1 6 , 2 0 1 0
03advertisements 1550 S First Ave, Iowa City www.tspaIowaCity.com
/&& !.9 3%26)#% 7ITH 3TUDENT )$ PRESENT THIS AD TO RECEIVE A
()'(,)'(4 All services performed by supervised students. Expires 5/31/10 Code JFK
PRESENT THIS AD TO RECEIVE A
#/,/2
All services performed by supervised students. Expires 5/31/10 Code JFK
PRESENT THIS AD TO RECEIVE A
0%$)#52%
All services performed by supervised students. Expires 5/31/10 Code JFK LIMIT ONE COUPON PER VISIT
APPOINTMENTS 319.248.2958
PA G E B Y M A C K E N Z I E S H E E H Y
Advertise with the Torch! By investing in a 2010-2011 ad contract with the Torch, you’ll support award-winning student journalism and reach a readership of over 2,000. We can design an ad for you or run professional advertisements. Contact us today: E-mail: glindsay@cr.k12.ia.us Phone: 319-558-3123 Fax: 319-294-1222
www.safedriversed.com
Locally owned and operated. • Cost: only $325 • Flexible drive times. Please contact Mr. Rolwes for details. • All classes taught at Jefferson High School •
Spring/Summer Schedule Session Spring II
Class Dates April 19-May 20
Class Days & Times Mondays & Thursdays 6:00-9:00pm
Summer I
June 8-22
June 8,9,10 classes to meet from 6:00-9:00pm. June 14-22 classes to meet from 8:00-11:00am
Summer II
July 5-16
M-F 8:00-11:00am
Summer III July 19-July 30 Fall I September 13-October 14
M-F 8:00-11:00am Monday & Thursday 3:30-6:30pm
For more information please contact: Chris Rolwes Phone: 319-573-6378 e-mail: safedrivered@yahoo.com website: www.safedriversed.com
J F K TO R C H , A P R I L 1 6 , 2 0 1 0
04news
PA G E B Y DA R C E Y A LT S C H WA G E R Assembling a portfolio. Staci Bobbin, sr., works hard to put together her AP Studio Art portfolio. Bobbin conducted a survey to come up with ideas of work to put in her portfolio. Bobbin will not study for the AP Studio Art exam, unlike many other AP courses that require many hours of studying. Instead Bobbin will put together a portfolio for the AP Studio Art exam.
Cracking down for AP success photo by Laura Pochobradsky
AP exams are coming up fast, and students are beginning to prepare and study for them. Monday, May 3, the first AP exams will be administered and they will go all the way until May 14. The cost of one AP test is “I believe the AP exams $86. Nathan are a great check of O’Dell, teacher your knowledge for the of AP World entire year worth of History, bestudying, even though lieves that stuit doesn’t check all of dents who are taking the AP your abilities...” exams should -Nathan O’Dell, AP World review often History teacher and do group studies. O’Dell re c o m m e n d s group studies because he believes more students together will create more knowledge. “I believe the AP exams are a great check of your knowledge for the entire year worth of studying, even though it doesn’t check all of
your abilities, they are still a good thing to take,” O’Dell said. Staci Bobbin, sr., is taking AP Studio Art and AP Environmental Science. “In Studio Art we don’t really need to study, its just a lot of trying to come up with ideas to put in my portfolio. I did this by going around and giving a survey to students, so studying for AP Studio Art isn’t really studying. I just find ideas throughout the year,” Bobbin said. Unlike AP Studio Art, AP Environmental Science requires studying to do well on the exam. “When I study for Environmental Science I will study with groups. I probably won’t start studying until a week before the tests. I don’t study that much but I will probably study a lot for the AP exams,” Bobbin said. “I only study an hour tops, at a time though.” O’Dell believes taking the AP exams can help you become a better test taker, and O’Dell recommends his AP students to take
them. O’Dell has 100 AP students, of which 85 are taking exams. “I teach sophomores, and most of them haven’t taken an AP exam before, so I do recommend most of them take it for sophomore level, but some of my students I can tell have not put the time in for it, and might not be financial ly ok with it. I do tell majority of my students to take it, though.” O’Dell believes most students take their AP exams in their junior or senior year. “My classes start studying for the exams in early March, so a whole two months before the actual exam, even though we don’t study much until later in April when the students spend more time studying. We still study at least two hours a week, going back through old material from earlier in the year.” O’Dell said. SAM NORDSTROM
From the desk of Mackenzie Sheehy:
Plans for new development in Hiawatha
photo by Emma Lehmann The man in charge. Hiawatha mayor, Tom Theis, works on plans for the Tower Terrace interchange.
Plans for a Tower Terrace interchange along I-380 are now under way and awaiting final approval. The interchange is expected to cut down on the congestion at the Boyson Rd. exit, along with brining in new residential and commercial development. The main goal of the Tower Terrace interchange is to relieve traffic during rush hour along the Boyson Road exit. But along with relieving traffic, the interchange will also bring along new commercial and residential development. 350 acres have already been
annexed. 50 acres have already been bought by a developer who plans on building 100 new homes in the area. With the new residential developmental projects, the Hiawatha population is expected to increase largely and rapidly. Along with the residential development, commercial development is also expected. Tom Theis, Mayor of Hiawatha, commented on the plans. “Not factory commercial but maybe small businesses,” Theis said. Businesses are expected to move in after the interchange is
built. “We are not sure what will move in yet but we will definitely see some small businesses.” Theis said. Last year Theis and other council members went to Washington D.C. to get the plans approved. The received very positive feedback but needed to return to D.C for grant money this year. Due to a snow storm, Theis and other council members were not able to return to D.C. They are expecting to go back again next year. Along with getting the plans approved in D.C., Theis has also
been working hard in local communities to get the plans approved. “They said that this i something that should have happened 20 years ago” Theis said. This comment was made at a council meeting in Palo. The interchange, when started, is expected to take about three years to complete. The project will also cost 7 million dollars. DARCEY A LT S C H WA G E R
J F K TO R C H , A P R I L 1 6 , 2 0 1 0
What if she’s pregnant?
05advertisements You’ve always been there for her.
Wanted:
Budding Writers & Photographers!
Connect her with people who care. She can get a free test, accurate information, and nonjudgmental support. www.AidToWomen.com
701 Center Point Rd. NE $FEBS 3BQJET t
PA G E B Y M A C K E N Z I E S H E E H Y
Aid to Women Respect Answers Support
If you are interested in writing or taking photos for the Torch in the 2010-2011 school year, consult Mr. Lindsay in Rm. 70 or editorin-chief Emma Lehmann about enrolling in Journalism class or another appropriate course, then discuss with your counselor how to enroll in the Newspaper class.
- Read breaking news stories and website-exclusive features - Browse our photography galleries and purchase pictures - Search through issues digitally - Participate in interactive web content
J F K TO R C H , A P R I L 1 6 , 2 0 0 9
06news
PA G E B Y M I C H A E L N O R D S T RO M
An unconventional prom story Senior plans to attend prom with member of same sex
Suitin’ up. Edwin Jahn, sr., dresses up in the tuxedo that he plans on wearing to prom. Jahn plans on attending this year’s prom with another male. According to Mary Wilcynski, principal there are no school policies prohibiting Jahn or any gay couple, for that matter, from bringing a member of the same sex to prom. Wilcynski believes that Kennedy is a very accepting and diverse school. Jahn is still working on getting a date for prom.
A Mississippi high school became the center of the media’s attention after canceling its prom because Constance McMillen requested to bring a date of the same sex. The school’s decision was challenged in court and a judge ruled that the school district couldn’t keep the student and her date from attending prom. This ruling didn’t keep parents at the high school from keeping the student and her date from prom, however; a private prom was organized and McMillen wasn’t invited. Six hundred miles north, at Kennedy, there is little to no social stigma attached with bringing a date of the same sex to prom. Kennedy has no policies or rules that prohibit it and students feel comfortable bringing whoever they chose as their date to prom. “There is no policy [about bringing dates of the same sex to prom],” Mary Wilcynski, principal, said. “The lack of policy is the message. The only thing you have to be to go to senior prom is a senior.” Wilcynski said that in her time as principal there have been no clashes at Kennedy concerning homosexuality and prom. “It’s very much accepted,” she said. “The culture of tolerance and acceptance at this school is very strong so kids feel safe being who they are.” Edwin Jahn, sr., plans to bring
a guy to prom as his date. He has been to three school dances but has never gone with a guy. “I’ve wanted to [bring a guy to other dances], but there’s not that many gay people here. I want a guy to go to prom with me really badly.” Jahn has known that he likes guys for most of his life and came out to friends in seventh grade. He moved to Cedar Rapids from Oregon three years ago; he agrees with Wilcynski that Kennedy is very accepting of homosexuality. “Compared to southern Oregon, Kennedy is a lot more accepting. A lot less people make fun of me,” Jahn said. Jahn has no concerns about bringing a date of the same sex to prom and doesn’t think other people should be concerned, either. “What’s the difference between me bringing a guy and someone else bringing a girl?” he said. “It doesn’t affect anyone else. It’s my night.” “I don’t care what people say or think when I’m dancing with a guy,” Jahn added. “If it bothers them so much, they can go to the other side of the room.” So until prom comes around, Jahn's main focus will be the same as every other senior's: getting a date. Andrea Nemecek
J F K TO R C H , A P R I L 1 6 , 2 0 0 9
07news
Health care: fact vs. fiction The health care squabble in the House has brewed historical controversy, and many public misconceptions about the content of the bill are still floating around. With so many politicians scrambling to strengthen their party with opponent-bashing rhetoric instead of honestly explaining the facts, it can be difficult to know what’s legit and what’s just a bunch of baloney. Here’s the real deal on what is and is not truthful about the Health Care Reform Bill. FICTION: The bill allows the federal government to directly fund abortions. This is one of the many rumors aimed to horrify the public by twisting details in the bill’s text, so don’t fall for it. The bill divides private insurance premium funds from taxpayer funds, and no health care plan is required to cover abortion under it. To solidify the pro-life side, anti-abortion Congress members worked out an executive branch order that would ban the use of federal funds for abortion except in the case of rape, incest, or threat to the health of the mother. Overall, while this part of the bill doesn’t prohibit abortion, it doesn’t directly fund
it, either. FICTION: Tax-evading illegal immigrants will be able to get free health care. Nope. Though the federal government will expand Medicaid and pay 100 percent of coverage costs for the newly eligible through 2016, illegal immigrants are not qualified. FACT: Businesses will be able to cut back employee benefits. Yes, this is a legitimate concern, and the Congressional Budget Office warns Americans not to be shocked if their benefits are scaled back. Employers reserve the right to do this now, and will still be able to when the bill is passed. The CBO estimates that about 8 to 9 million people who would be covered now by employer benefits wouldn’t be by 2019. However, some Americans will actually be opened up to receiving benefits through the bill, so the net increase in individuals not covered by employer benefits would be lower. FICTION: The bill will make the deficit a lot worse.
Quite the opposite, in fact. Though health care reform would cost an estimated $940 billion over those same 10 years, the cost-effectiveness of the initiative would actually result in a deficit reduction of $143 billion. FACT: The health care reform bill is a couple of thousand pages long. The bill weighs in at a whopping 2,074 pages. An average Bible has about 1,300 pages, and a 2006 edition of Leo Tolstoy’s War & Peace had 1,475 pages. FICTION: Reform will definitely make health insurance premiums go up. There’s been a lot of disagreement as to what the initiative will do to costs, but the Congressional Budget Office estimated that those who received benefits from employers would not see a significant change in premium rates. In fact, even if people choose to purchase their own health care coverage separate from employee benefits, new subsidies will make it cost less than it would without the government action. Info provided by CBSNews.com and factcheck.org Ma c k e n z i e S h e e h y
photo provided by Torch archives Obama. In early 2007, the then-presidential candidate talked in the Kennedy main gym about issues facing candidates. Today, as President, Obama faces a new set of challenges. He recently passed the landmark health care bill, however, public support has not been high for the legislation.
Open enrollment for class of 2014
Is Earth Day overrated? photo by Elise Krivit
Kennedy Teacher thinks Earth day is too much of a hype On April 22, classes and organizations will be enjoying themselves in Mother Nature planting trees and picking up trash because it’s Earth Day. But Bob Young, earth science and AP Environmental Science teacher, shares his ideas about Earth Day being celebrated everyday. “Plant a tree once but then other 364 days I act in a way that’s contradictory to the spirit of Earth Day” Young said. He would rather take the other 364 days to help out the environment than just one day a year that is specifically dedicated to helping out the environment. It is necessary to plant 3 billion acres of trees each year to offset the net effect of the estimated 6 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide and the number of trees cut annually. “I’d rather have 70 influenced students making small changes that will add up to more than just one tree planted, [on Earth Day]” Young said. For Young, it is difficult for him to come with projects on Earth Day because the spirit of Earth Day is carried out everyday in class. “I really wish it was a different time of year, like after the AP exam, when we could really try to organize something bigger,” Young said. Earth Day normally occurs towards the end of April. This is the busiest time of year for many AP classes due to the AP exams. Although Young’s class has not done any largescale projects for Earth Day, every year a few students
go on the announcements to help raise awareness. Young plans on having his class do the same thing again this year Along with the announcements to raise awareness, Young has a few possible ideas for an Earth Day activity for his class. Each student in the class would bring in an item that they no longer have any interest in. They still should be in working condition. The students wrap up their items and bring them into class. Then in class the students would have a white elephant sort gift exchange. Although this activity is not the “traditional” Earth Day activity, it is still a way to help out the environment. Re-gifting items that people no longer have interest in allows unwanted items find new homes instead of ending up in landfills. Young had more non-traditional ways to help out the environment. “You might be too young to vote, but you can vote with your money,” Young said. People have the power of being consumers. We can vote with our money by buying products that we approve and by not buying products that we disapprove of. Many students here at Kennedy are too young to vote. But everyone has the power to vote with their money. There are also a few ways to help out the environment right here at Kennedy. Recycle white paper instead of throwing it in the trash. Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees, 79 gallons of oil, and 7,000 gallons of water. Stop buying and drinking bottled water. Bottled water produces up to 1.5 million tons of plastic waste per year. The plastic requires up to 47 million gallons of oil per year to be produced. “Bottled water is the devil,” Young Said. Da r c e y A lt s c h wa g g e r
PA G E B Y M I C H A E L N O R D S T RO M
photo provided by Torch archives
After being at the center of the redistricting debate for years because its overpopulation, Kennedy will enroll only 384 freshman next year, according to Dr. Mary Wilcynski, principal. The class of 2014 is the smallest class to enter Kennedy in recent years. Kennedy’s class of 2014 is also about the same size as the classes of 2014 at Washington and Jefferson High Schools. This is the first time in recent years that the incoming classes at all three high schools have been similar sizes. Because of the small incoming
:
class, Kennedy’s open enrollment and permit programs will extend to next year. Open enrollment and permits were accepted this year after the school district decided not to allow permits into Kennedy during the 2007-2008 school year. Superintendent Dr. Dave Benson committed to study school boundaries next year. Andrea Nemecek
graphic by Craig Aucutt
J F K TO R C H , A P R I L 1 6 , 2 0 1 0
the
torch
F r i d ay, a p r i l 1 6 , 2 0 1 0 John F. Kennedy High School 4545 Wenig Rd. NE Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
08 editorial
PA G E B Y E M M A L E H M A N N
The Torch’s opinion
Push for strength in AP courses hurts journalism program, students The benefits of taking AP classes are apparent: challenging coursework, rigorous curriculum, and the opportunity to earn college credit and prepare for secondary education in general. And our administration hasn’t exactly been gentle when cramming the glory of AP down our throats at every waking moment. However, when AP courses interfere with a student’s schedule and extracurricular activities, the negative aspects arise. This could not be better exemplified than with the issue that is occurring in the Kennedy journalism department presently. A number of our staffers have been forced to choose between taking an AP class or taking third hour Newspaper; many of these classes are not offered at any other time of the day, and it is not practical for students to take these challenging classes as independent study credits. Also, we have had students who have decided to pursue AP success over their responsibilities with
the newspaper, opting out of being in the Torch class. While students can still fulfill photography and writing assignments and not be enrolled in the class, our paper suffers without the vital communication time that comes with being in third hour every day. It’s very difficult to assign content and keep an awardwinning high school newspaper great when we don’t get the opportunity to work with our talented staffers on a daily basis. Has the splendor of taking AP credits become such a priority that students have sacrificed their participation in the fantastic educational experience that is student journalism? No, students don’t get a 5.0 GPA or college credit when they’re on the newspaper staff, but journalism is a phenomenal exercise in responsibility and teamwork, creating better writers, photographers, and leaders (not to mention that it also looks great on college and scholarship applications). It’s truly a shame to see gifted student journalists unable
photo by Abby Gilman AP. Students in Joe Benedict’s AP U.S. History class take notes. to participate in the publication process just to get that one extra GPA point. The Torch editorial board encourages the administration to ease up on the harsh AP emphasis. Yes, AP classes have some benefits, but when
students feel like they have to quit other activities to achieve AP success, there’s a problem. Let’s encourage students to be well-rounded individuals who pursue leadership and take responsibility; AP isn’t always the way.
Tech troubles Wake up: update twitter. Get home from school: update Twitter. An hour later: threehour stalkbook (Facebook stalking) session. Ten o’clock emerges and you realize you have yet to start that AP World packet that’s due tomorrow. Facebook is a place to keep in touch with friends that have moved away or people you don’t often get to see, but we seem to
be consuming more and more time mindlessly clicking through pages and pages of profiles and photos. Though you may feel that that first of the morning tweet was necessary, let’s face it: it was not. Is it really that crucial to log into your account as you are out to eat with family or spending time with friends? Networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter lack
normal face-to-face, social interaction. It is important to seek face-to-face interaction with someone to understand facial expressions, body language and social cues. When you write on someone’s wall, you don’t witness how he or she really reacts. Instead of keeping up a wallto-wall with everyday friends, talk on the phone; yes, your phone does more than text, or go meet them somewhere to talk and spend time together. Rather than wasting away your time creeping on Facebook profiles, why not go outside? Take a walk or go for a run to get
some (most likely) much-needed exercise. Or sit down, crack open a book...and read! Or, just to be a bit crazy, maybe you could finish that homework you know you have piling up on your table. Whatever you choose to do, choose to do something that excludes the technological time wasters. I challenge you to go without the Facebook and Twitter updates for a week. If this seems impossible, limit your “creeping” sessions to just fifteen minutes per day.
The politics of the Tea Party Senior staffer becomes rattled by national swing to the right I was originally disgusted by the Tea Party’s hostile and confrontational nature, but as soon as I heard that their recent efforts to “After all, politics is protest health insurance rereally just a game won form included by those who can yell vandalizing ‘no’ the loudest...” congressional offices, threatening members of Congress and marching around with pictures of President Obama wearing a swastika, my view completely
changed. I even decided to join these brave patriots in their crusade for Freedom. The Tea Party’s main purpose is to respond to the government’s actions in a controlled and rational manner. The mainstream liberal media, however, wrongly implies that the Tea Party’s real purpose is to oppose decisions made by members of the Democratic Party in the most insensible and offensive way possible (I know this because the rightwing media told me so). The Tea
Party has been instrumental in speaking out against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. One of the biggest criticisms of the Tea Party is that they don’t propose their own solutions to the problems our country faces. I don’t think this is big deal, though. After all, politics is really just a game won by those who can yell “no” the loudest and it’s not like we really need plans to produce strong policy. People also criticize the Tea Party for their negativity, but these people don’t understand that the members of the Tea Party are realistic, not negative. They are smart enough to realize that our country is never going
Facts on the Tea Party movement The Tea Party movement was founded in 2009, partially in response to the ’09 economic stimulus plan and the ’08 economic bailouts. This political movement promotes fiscal conservatism. The name “Tea Party” is a reference to the 1773 Boston Tea Party. If you wish to become involved with this political organization, you can find more information on their official website, www.teapartypatriots.org, or by viewing their Facebook, Twitter or MySpace pages. to improve, so we should stop wasting our time trying. They also understand that trying to make things better will destroy our government, which has prevailed through a civil war, two world wars, a civil rights movement and countless economic downturns. I've decided to leave the
political party that has fought for the middle class in a thoughtful, civilized manner for a party that is fighting for a vague idea in a violent, angry, illogical manner. If you still doubt the Tea Party, ask yourself: “How's that hopey, changey thing working for you?”
09editorial Emphasis on ITED tests J F K TO R C H , A P R I L 1 6 , 2 0 1 0
PA G E B Y E M M A L E H M A N N
Staffer questions relevance of No Child Left Behind On April 4, the Cedar Rapids Gazette published their annual report on Eastern Iowa students’ performances, which is a summary of how every school in the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City Corridor performed on standardized tests from ’07-’09. But are these results a truly accurate depiction? The Gazette compares schools’ core totals with the rest of the schools in Iowa. Iowa is ranked ninth in education according to the Morgan Quitno Press (’06-’07). To put it in perspective, comparing Iowa schools only to other Iowa schools is like comparing only the top five NBA teams. The 52-28 Utah Jazz don’t look as good when you only compare them to the 61-20
Cleveland Cavaliers. But when you compare them to the entire league, their 52-28 looks mighty impressive against the 15-65 Timberwolves. The same applies for schools. In ’09, Wright Elementary School ranked in the 24th percentile compared to other Iowa schools. But compared to every other school in the nation, Wright soars to the 71st percentile, an increase of 47 per cent. And the same goes for middle schools. Roosevelt Middle School leaped from the 16th to the 48th percentile, an increase of 32 percent. So the stats the Gazette publishes can be a little misleading. Why is there so much emphasis on the standardized tests anyway? The answer is simple:
because under the No Child Left Behind Act, schools would be punished for poor test scores. So in response, states drastically lowered their testing standards to give the appearance that their students were succeeding. Dr. Wilcynski, principal, explains the process of how schools are graded, and what options the schools have. “They made a list of the 35 least effective schools in Iowa [according to the ITEDs],” Dr. Wilcynski said. “There are four options for the superintendent of one of the bottom schools, and all of them are negative. They involve re-organizing staff. Every one of the 35 schools would not be in the bottom if they were in another state. They wouldn’t be anywhere near. In Iowa, the ITBS and ITEDs are the only indicators used, which isn’t the case in other states.” Standardized testing isn’t, and never will be, an accurate depiction of how well schools and
teachers are preparing students for jobs. Too many students don’t take it seriously. A school should not have to fire teachers because some kids would rather make pictures with the bubbles than take the test. And how can we blame them? During the ITEDs, most teachers continue their classes as normal. That means homework and testing. Are we really going to expect students to go to bed early to be well-rested for the ITEDs when they have a project due the next day. Colleges put more emphasis on our GPAs than on our ITED scores. On top of that, No Child Left Behind doesn’t allow schools much flexibility for students with special needs. Only two percent of all the students in the district can be exempted from taking the ITEDs. “Once you take the kids out who are in very severe mental programs, just about everyone else is required,” Wilcynski said.
“We have very few kids on the alternative program. It’s always seemed crazy to me. Those accommodations can’t be enough for some kids with learning disabilities. It can be a Standardized testhorrendously ing isn’t, and never frustrating experience.” will be, an accurate Continued depiction of how well emphasis on schools and teachers standardized testing will are preparing stueventually lead dents for jobs. to teachers teaching for the tests. This will cause big problems, especially in elementary schools where students need to be building their educational foundations. Our government needs to adopt policies that will steer us back on course. They need to allow schools to be more flexible with their teaching, by allowing the teachers some freedom to best prepare their students for the future.
The science of overcoming awkward silences Top ten surefire ways to create an awkward silence
10
“Hey.” “Hey, What’s up?” “Oh not much, how ’bout you?” “Not much.” (Insert awkward silence here.) “Ummm. Okay.” “Yep.” (Insert another awkward silence here.) Let’s face it, our society is plagued with awkward silences. Everyday millions of Americans suffer from situations similar to the one above. And with health care reaching the top of Obama’s agenda, the push for awkward silence legislature has declined. That’s why I have assembled a short guide to help you avoid or get through awkward silences. To avoid the dreaded silence of awkwardness, you have a couple of options. First of all
you can simply keep the conversation going. Keep asking questions and make sure the talking doesn’t stop. You can also throw in filler noises, like “Soooo,” “Mmmmmmmm,” and “Okayyyyy.” But, often times this doesn’t work, and the dreaded silence sets in. Instead of panicking, just relax. You can get out of it. One option is simply to ask a random question and break the silence. Possible buzz questions include, “How did you do on that math test?” “What is your mother’s maiden name?” or something more specific like “What is the average wing speed velocity of an African Swallow?” Questions like these are a great way to end the awkwardness. Another way to end the silence is to simply run away. Whenever you sense an awkward silence coming on, simply
Mention an outrageously radical political view that has absolutely nothing to do with the conversation at hand. Pretend you are living in a musical, and spontaneously burst into song – however, try really hard to look like you are actually trying to impress people with your singing ability and boldness, when in fact no one will find you charming or talented at all. Bring up a totally insignificant news event from the past: “So how ‘bout that OJ trial, eh?” Make a really, really weird noise, and apologize for it incessantly. “You know, you could be a department store model. Probably. Part-time, maybe. I mean, don’t quit your day job or anything, but still.” Say with a straight face: “Actually, I believe Jersey Shore is a fascinating
9 8 7 6
take off sprinting in the other direction. The silence should be over, unless the other person chases you and initiates another
examination of the socioeconomic, aesthetic, and sexual youth zeitgeist of the country’s eastern seaboard. Snooki is undoubtedly one of the great contemporary heroines, a regular Austen angstmuffin, wouldn’t you agree?” Just start fist pumping.
5 4
Pull out a bag of Oreos and commence eating, not offering any to your conversation mates, just staring intently at them. (This is also a great way to be universally hated.) Be Tiger Woods.
3 2 1
Claim to hate Panchero’s.
Pretend to answer your phone: “I’m sorry, I have to take this call. My colorectal exam results came back – get lucky, Kentucky!” M a cken z i e S heeh y
awkward silence. And if all else fails, just start clapping or screaming loudly. Doing this usually makes you
look like a fool, so it is advised that you save this as a trump card, only for extreme silences.
Theories of 2012 destruction Student refutes fears surrounding world-demise predictions The countdown is on. If the Mayans and Nostradamus are correct, when the countdown’s over in December 2012, the world will end. In truth, it probably won’t. The Mayan calendar just ends in that month, and Nostradamus only predicted a big change in
the world. To me, that doesn’t seem like a very scary future. Big changes may be good. Hopefully it’s a big change for the better. Maybe nuclear fusion will be achieved rather than nuclear war. Maybe we will find life on another planet rather than them finding us. As for the Mayans,
they probably just figured it was stupid to make a calendar so far into the future. There are plenty of crazy theories out there that we ignore, but for some reason, we seem to love 2012 doomsday ones. I’ll just make a calendar, base it in astronomical movements, and pick a random date to end it. Does that mean that the world will end on that day? I think it would be hard to know if I picked a day 3000 years in the future.
Honestly, we shouldn’t worry too much about if the 2012 prophecies will come true. It’s going to happen whether we want it to or not. That said, why worry? Let’s party! If we’re all going to be dead in two years anyway, who cares what we do? ACT, SAT, I’m not going to do them. I don’t need to, because the world’s going to end in 2 years. Screw college, right? Well, no, because just like Y2K, 2012 will likely come and go without incidence. Who are
these ancient people to know what will happen? Honestly, we shouldn’t Unless they worry too much about had some sort of diif the 2010 prophecies vine knowlwill come true. It’s going edge, they to happen whether we are wrong. want it to nor not. That Therefore we must said, why worry? Let’s worry about party! what is more likely to happen: life as usual.
J F K TO R C H , A P R I L 1 6 , 2 0 1 0
10 summer
PA G E B Y M A C K E N Z I E S H E E H Y information compiled by Mackenzie Sheehy graphics by Craig Aucutt
[LOLLAPALOOZA]
Grant Park, Chicago, IL, August 6-8, $215 three-day pass Featuring: The Strokes, Lady Gaga, Soundgarden, Arcade Fire, Phoenix, Green Day Lolla is one of the most well-known and popular music festivals, attracting thousands of attendees each year to the beautiful and perfectly accommodating Grant Park. It’s also a reasonable driving distance for Kennedy students.
[SASQUATCH!]
The Gorge Amphitheatre, George, WA, May 29-31, $70 per day, $170 threeday pass Featuring: My Morning Jacket, Vampire Weekend, Broken Social Scene, OK Go, Deadmau5, Aziz Ansari If you’re going to be in the murky woods of the Pacific Northwest in late May, watch out for Sasquatch!…well, the music festival, at least. Beautiful atmosphere, even better music, and affordable ticket prices? It’s one monster of a festival.
[BONNAROO]
Manchester, TN, June 10-13, about $250 for 4-day pass Featuring: Kings of Leon, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Weezer, Dave Matthews Band Get ready to get dirty, because this huge festival is full of mud, fun, and rock ‘n roll. It’s a bit pricier than other festivals, and a considerable distance for Kennedy students to drive, but remember that you’re paying for 4 days of awesome music and a great experience.
[PITCHFORK]
Union Park, Chicago, IL, July 16-18, $40 per day Featuring: LCD Soundsystem, Pavement, Modest Mouse, Wolf Parade, Beach House, Girls, Surfer Blood, the Smith Westerns This intimate festival features an eclectic lineup of alternative rock, all situated in the beautiful Union Park. Its relative proximity to Cedar Rapids, charming setting, and reasonably priced tickets make for fun and function alike.
[WARPED TOUR]
Apr. 9-Aug. 15, Prices vary Featuring: Alkaline Trio, All-American Rejects, Dropkick Murphys, NeverShoutNever, Motion City Soundtrack The most famous punk festival of all time comes back with a bang, corrupting a city near you this summer. Better yet, it’s a festival on wheels – which means you’ve got plenty of opportunities to catch it.
[MUSIC FESTIVAL PLANNING GUIDE]
- Do your homework. Choose a festival that best suits your budget and driving limit. Try to focus on these aspects over which festivals feature your favorite bands; you’re likely to have an equally good time no matter which you attend (and if your bank account isn’t drained). - Get your tickets now. Shop around on various ticket sites to find the best deals. Remember: the later you wait, the more you’ll have to pay. - Find out where you’re going to stay. Camping? Get info on the festival’s accommodations. Not into roughing it? Book your hotel as soon as possible, as rates soar and rooms fill up around festival time. - Buy your fan gear ahead of time. Band t-shirts and other merchandise are usually really expensive at festivals, so you’ll save a lot of money by stocking up prematurely. - Have fun, be safe, and enjoy the music!
J F K TO R C H , A P R I L 2 6 , 2 0 1 0
11photo
PA G E B Y E L I S E K R I V I T
Dandy daffodils. (above) Torch photographers go to ground level to get a closer look at spring in action. photo by Abby Gilman Pretty in purple. (right) A single flower blooms on a tree on the Brucemore Grounds in downtown Cedar Rapids. photo by Abby Gilman
Antique. Flowers start to sprout near an antique park bench at Brucemore. photo by Abby Gilman
Open Petals. Flowers color the Brucemore landscape as the weather warms and spring approaches. photo by Elise Krivit
Budding beauties. (below) As spring begins, buds start to appear, painting their trees photo by Elise Krivit.
J F K TO R C H , A P R I L 1 6 , 2 0 1 0
12profile
PA G E B Y J O N AT H A N C H A D I C K
Once homeschooled, now Kennedy Student reflects on her public school experience and compares it to home
After moving to Cedar Rapids, Briana Larson, sr., decided to try something new. For the first time, she was going to public school for a class. She has lived in ten houses in five states. Iowa is the “ I am glad to be current stop in her adventure. Larson is takat Kennedy High ing a few classes, includSchool. I am ex- ing Japanese II, Concert cited to come to Choir, and Botany. “The best thing about school to meet Kennedy is the people and new people the opportunities. I have and learn new met people that I never things, but I do would have at home. I am really involved in singing miss spending and speech. I am happy the day with my to be involved with a probrothers and gram like this. The people are great and the teachers sister.” are too,” Larson said. -Briana Larson, sr. Larson is planning on going to Kirkwood and then transferring to a four-year college so she can follow her dream: theater. Before coming to Kennedy, Larson was homeschooled with her older sister and two younger brothers. “You get really close to your family. Your parents are
the teachers and your brothers and sisters are your classmates. They end up becoming your good friends because you spend lots of time with them. People always come over to my house and ask why my siblings and I don’t fight. The answer is being homeschooled,” Larson said. There are other positives of homeschooling. For example, students can go at their own pace. “Many times my siblings and I were a grade ahead in school because we learned at our own pace, not the pace of the whole class,” Larson said. Homeschooling also has created challenges for students. “It is really up to the parents about homeschooling. It may be religion, but there also can be other situations that cause children to be homeschooled,” Mary Wilcynski, principal, said. There are currently 13 students that come to Kennedy part-time. There are another 37 in the Kennedy zone that are strictly homeschooled. “Kennedy is a great learning and social atmosphere for kids to learn much needed skills for the rest of their lives,” Wilcynski
said. There was a recent survey done by Ray Moore, professor at the University of Southern California. Moore surveyed over 7,000 adults who had been homeschooled and compared them against their more traditionally educated peers. 95 percent of homeschoolers had an adequate comprehension of politics and government, compared to 65 percent of U.S. adults. 88 percent of high school graduates are members of organizations (community groups, church, or professional organizations) compared to 50 percent of U.S. adults. Significantly, 76 percent of homeschool graduates voted in a national or state election within the past five years, compared to 29 percent of similar U.S. adults. In Larson’s situation there were positives and negatives. In her mind, the positives outweighed the negatives. “I am glad to be at Kennedy High School. I am excited to come to school to meet new people and learn new things, but I do miss spending the day with my brothers and sister.” J o n at h a n C h a d i c k
photo by Laura Pochobradsky Working. Briana Larson, sr., works on her Japanese during class. Larson used to be a full time homeschool student, but in the last couple years her parents have let her take classes at Kennedy as a part-time student.
J F K TO R C H , A P R I L 1 6 , 2 0 0 9
13profile
From friend to roommate As the year winds up, seniors at Kennedy have some very big decisions to be making. Between prom, graduation parties, and coming up with the actual enrollment in a college, the question of who you’ll spend your entire first year of school with seems like a daunting question. Senior boys Zach Parsons and Zach Luck and senior girls Trisha Hinke and Morgan Weigel have decided to become college roommates. Both pairs of students have decided to call the University of Northern Iowa “home” next fall. Considering the size of a dorm room is about the same as mom and dad’s walk in closet, the thought of having a person you don’t get along with sharing that space with you is something students don’t want to think about. Rumors and stories surface about best friends turned all-out enemies by the end of their first year living together. Students from the University of Iowa just recently gave a presentation called “Life After High School” here at Kennedy. The University of Iowa students all
photos by Elise Krivit Rooming. Left: Zach Luck, sr., and Zach Parsons, sr., play basketball together. Right: Trisha Hinke, sr., and Morgan Weigel, sr., talk in the hallway. Both pairs of friends will be rooming together in college this fall. strongly encouraged freshmen NOT to room with their best friends. According to them, drama can ensue and all hell could break loose simply by not cleaning your own dishes. Let’s face it, all friends have their tiffs and scuffles, but to
photo courtesy of Miranda Arends Posing. Miranda Arends, Language Arts teacher, poses for a picture with author Tim O’Brien.
O’Brien’s books. Then he talked about two of his stories, The Things They Carried and On the Rainy River. He then read Ambush out loud and answered about four questions from the audience. There were approximately 200 people in attendance. When he was done, it was announced that he would be signing copies of the books. They zoomed over to the other side of the temple for the signing, making sure to apologize to people and explain that they had a four hour drive back home and needed to get to the front of the line. Many people were very impressed with the fact they came
Ghosh money prizes provide students with financial incentives to succeed on AP exams Three years ago, Chirantan Ghosh, an oncologist from India, first decided to help Cedar Rapids high school students by financially contributing to the cost of their Advanced Placement exams and giving prizes for success. And today, the progam is still going strong. Ghosh believes the prizes and money for the AP exams will help students. He has seen it help in India; it made better schools and it also made students work harder because they have something to work towards “I am encouraging students to do well in school, and also to encourage them to take the AP exams. The prizes will hopefully affect their decision, and also make them want to do well on the tests,” Ghosh said. Ghosh wants these exams to do three things. He wants to help the students get college credits, scholarships, and make America a
smarter country. “In India the government has provided excellent schools and has given the students such a great education. It has made India a smarter and a more technological country. So I would like to do something to encourage students in America to follow the lead of India,” Ghosh said. Ben Haas, sr., is taking AP Statistics, Spanish, Economics, Literature, and Government. Haas believes that Ghosh’s AP rewards program will not encourage students very much. “I’m not particularly sure it makes kids want to take the AP exams, because you have to do well on the AP exam to be rewarded. A student takes the AP exam because they think they’re going to good in it. I think the rewards provided by Ghosh are less of a motivation,” Haas said. Ryan Dusil, sr., is taking four AP exams. He believes that Ghosh
is helping a lot of students who can’t afford the tests. “I think it helps people with lower income and could encourage the students to do well on the AP exams,” Dusil said. Dan Carolin, AP Japanese teacher, doesn’t know Dr. Ghosh personally, but believes what he is doing is great, “I think he is doing a great thing, it should encourage students, and I believe it is a great idea.” Carolin said. Although there may be differing opinions on the rewards, those who receive them are very happy and thankful to Ghosh. Furthermore, Ghosh hopes this will encourage many more students to take the exams. Sam Nordstrom
all that way to see O’Brien. “I talked to O’Brien and told him that for eight years I have assigned a writing project based on his book The Things They Carried. I also told him that book was one of my main texts for my 30-page English paper on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for college,” Arends said. Arends and Wheeler also told him they drove four hours to see him, and said it was so nice to finally meet him. Arends said O’Brien very much appreciated that she teaches the novel, and was impressed with the research paper information and their four-hour drive. They exchanged e-mail addresses, he
signed three of her books, and she got her picture taken with him. This was a special event to Arends because she got to meet her favorite author. “You know, some people get excited about meeting celebrities; I get excited about meeting my favorite author. That’s why I’m an L.A. teacher,” Arends said. It only took them three hours and 40 minutes to get home. Even though the round-trip took eight hours, Arends said it was worth it. This was a once-ina- lifetime opportunity. J o n at h a n C h a d i c k
not room together? On the other end of the spectrum, Michael Hager, Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs at the University of Iowa, has nothing against friends being roommates. “I think friends being
roommates can be great if they communicate,” Hager said, “but communication is key.” Seniors Parsons, Luck, Hinke and Weigel decided to take the plunge into college life together. Parsons and Luck claim to be friends since the fourth grade. Both met in elementary school while attending Hiawatha. Both sets of parents have also remained close friends through out the years. “We were both talking to each other,” says Luck. “When I heard Zach was going to UNI and I decided then I wanted to room with him.” Luck was contemplating between the University of Iowa and UNI until he heard long-time best friend Parsons was planning to attend UNI. This scenario is echoed for senior girls, Weigel and Hinke. “Well we were shopping and talking about college and where we wanted to go,” Weigel said. “When we both found out that we were going to UNI, we decided at that moment to be roommates!” Weigel responded after hearing about the possibility of things
not working out, “I’m not really worried about losing her as a friend. We are really different so I think we’ll complement each other but it could really go either way.” Whatever the future brings, roommates-to-be are both enthusiastic on what next fall has to “I think friends offer. “I’m really being roommates excited,” Parsons can be great if said. He is also confident that they communitheir room is go- cate, but commuing to be the place nication is key.” to be. “I’m just most -Michael Hager, Asexcited about liv- sistant Vice President ing on our own of Student Affairs and meeting new people,” Weigel at the University of Iowa. said. With or without any problems next school year, we are to keep in mind that we wouldn’t be who we are today without the friends that have always been there. Morgan Guge
Working. Jacqueline Smith, jr., poses by the Rockwell Collins sign. At Rockwell Collins, Kennedy students have the opportunity to work at the largest employer in Cedar Rapids. This will give them an increased chance at getting a future job. Rockwell is glad that high school students are wanting to start early because they are the future of the company. photo by Asmaa Elkeurti.
Once in a lifetime experience for Kennedy teacher After driving eight hours for a book signing, Miranda Arends, Language Arts teacher, was a little bit tired on Apr. 9. The book signing by author Tim O’Brien took place at Unity Temple in Oak Park, Ill., the night before. Katie Wheeler, jr., joined her for the trip. It took them four hours and 50 minutes to get there. They had to take an I-80 bridge detour, and also got stuck in construction traffic near Aurora. Although they arrived 45 minutes late, they didn’t miss much. O’Brien was reading a letter written to him about a woman who became closer to her father as a result of the two of them reading
PA G E B Y J O N AT H A N C H A D I C K
A job for the future Some students at Kennedy are fortunate in that they already have their summer jobs all figured out. Thanks to Rockwell Collins, Alex Niebuhr, jr., Kim Sorsby, sr., Christina Goeddel, sr., and several other Kennedy students all have ongoing year-round employment. Rockwell Collins, one of the largest employers in the area, not only offers part-time summer employment to high school students, but also year-round employment to a select few high school students. “This is a great experience for my future career, and is a lot better than most other jobs that high school students have,” Niebuhr said. As for Niebuhr’s job responsibilities, he does computer programming, as well as testing and writing codes. He was introduced to this job by someone who went to his church, who works at Rockwell. The interview process for Niebuhr consisted of filling out an application. This was followed by an interview and a tour of Rockwell Collins. “As far as future career plans, I think if companies see I interned at Rockwell, it will
look impressive. Also, Rockwell will be more apt to hire me once I get out of college,” Niebuhr said. Intern Kim Sorsby was introduced to her position by Deb Snook, who urged her to give it a shot. “What I like about Rockwell is that it is an actual work experience, and you can see if this is the type of work you actually want to do,” Sorsby said. Currently, Sorsby is helping build a computer for the U.S. Army to be used to update military equipment. Like real engineers at Rockwell, each student has a mid-year review and a year-end review. These reviews inform them of how they are performing, and also as to what areas they need to work on. Rather than being graded on homework, papers and projects, the students are evaluated based on their performance in their intern positions. “What I like about Rockwell is the flexibility they allow me to have in my schedule,” Goeddel said. Rockwell even allows leaves of absences. Goeddel now has a leave of absence from Rockwell because of sports-related activities. Her job is to proof read engineers’
projects for spelling and grammar errors. Rockwell plans for students to work about ten hours per week during the school year. In the summer they suggest that students work thirty hours per week. Interns not only get paid well for the time they work at Rockwell, but get excellent, practical work experience. Whether they have an interest in working full- “What I like time for about Rockwell Rockwell after col- is that it is an aclege or de- tual work expecide that rience, and you Rockwell is not for can see if this is t h e m , the type of work each inyou actually tern will have expe- want to do.” rienced a -Kim Sorsby, sr. corporate working environment. Getting that experience is hard enough for college students, let alone for high school students like these three interns. Allie Sindlinger
The prettiest fun and unique prom flowers come from Peck’s
Wrist Corsages Arm Spirals Boutonniers Hairpieces Special orders welcome!
Peck’s Flower Shop 3990 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE
393-5565
www.pecksflorist.com Growing with the Cedar Rapids area since 1956.
Got ideas? We want to hear them! Submit story ideas for the Torch by talking to Mr. Lindsay in Rm. 70 or Editorin-Chief Emma Lehmann.
J F K TO R C H , A P R I L 1 6 , 2 0 1 0
14entertainment
Behind the lens
PA G E B Y A B B Y G I L M A N
Young videographer explores future career, makes influential connections
Action. Ben Fiedler, sr., focuses as he films an assembly. photo by Laura Pochobradsky
Mixing. Ben Fiedler, sr., cuts and mixes video and sound at Rausch Productions. photo by Abby Gilman
Through Kennedy’s halls you see the people that you’ve come to recognize; the stand out athletes, the drama department’s funny guy, show choir’s best singer, but then you have Ben Fiedler, sr., who is hidden by the crowd but runs the show, literally. Running a camera since the seventh grade, Fiedler has likely been at more of your games, shows, and plays than most of your parents. Through the lens of the camera he is himself and is way ahead of a game, excelling in an unforgiving industry. Torch: What is your selfdescribed job title? Fiedler: “I am an editor/camera guy/producer.” T: When did you get started in video and doing what you do? F: “I started in seventh grade. I took a class from a guy at my church. I kept working with different companies, and eventually I landed a job with Rausch Productions.” Rausch Productions is a nationally renowned video production company that is responsible for
thousands of seamless, award winning events. They work with big companies such as AEGON USA and Rockwell Collins. T: You have an internship already, yes? When? And where? F: “I have an ‘internship’ with Rausch Productions. It started in the summer of 2008. I had done one show with the company, and really liked the fit I had with them, but the owner, Ron Rausch, was busy with clients. I didn’t give up, and kept e-mailing, and calling him, and eventually he gave in, letting me be the ‘shop intern’. After doing that for a summer, school started up, leaving me with not much time. “The next summer, I came back, but with more editing experience this time. At first I was still the office intern, but they had me doing simple computer tasks. After they saw that I could fumble my way through things, they kept giving me more and more editing projects. This time, I kept working through the school year, and have
gained much more experience.” T: Does doing this cause a lot of stress? Or is it something you have always enjoyed? F: “I can’t say this job is stress free, ’cause it is far from it. This job will have me going from event to event one after another with no breaks. It is not unusual for me to work 60 workweeks, with days with 22 hours of work. But I love camera work. There is never a dull moment. There is always something new to learn, or something new and crazy to do.” T: Have your parents always supported you? F: “Very much so. I have a room in my house dedicated to all the toys that come with this industry. When I first got into the business and started having my own clients, [my parents] bought me a new computer. While I have replaced this computer with newer and better equipment, that computer is how I got my start. My mom has been my manager/ financial officer, helping me decide when would be the best time
to upgrade equipment, etc.” T: Where do you find inspiration? F: “I don’t have one place. If I can’t figure out something, I’ll usually stop, and go mountain biking, or road riding. It usually clears my mind and lets me think about it in a different light. If that doesn’t work, I’ll call coworkers, or friends and ask them.” T: What is your goal in life? F: “I have quite a few goals in life. I would like to eventually get on an NBC Olympic video crew, or a Discovery, National Geographic, or extreme sports video crew. It would be awesome to travel the world, mixing backpacking, camping, and videography.” Fiedler concludes that he wants to always continue to be a part of this industry. “If you want a job with a lot of glamour and money, get on the other side of the camera. It’s a lot of hard work and sometimes for not very much money. If you work hard, and be aggressive about everything you do, you will win.” *introduction and questioning by Morgan Guge
What to expect from the annual ONE Night concert
ONE
Kennedy’s annual ONE Night concert kicks off at 6:00 p.m. tonight in the Kennedy Black Box. Donations will be accepted; all proceeds will go to the ONE Campaign in their joint effort with Kids Against Hunger to end world hunger. Kennedy students, as well as a select few staff members, will perform the acts for the night. Following is the line-up for the 2010 ONE Night:
The Tuners Mike Schultz Ashley Brennan Andrea Traeger Rick Nees
Collin Mullholland
Funky Munks Paul Bradford Lars Lee Lucas Jack Camden Griffith
Lars Lee & Ellen Bardsley
Stephanie Lindo & Josh Siegel
Caitlin Magee, Nick Arceo, & Tanner Munson
Mike Schultz Shadow Evans Michael Pattinson
Rachel Dean
Blake Nelson
Josh Payne
Coast
String Cheese Sean McQuade Rick Nees
information by Abby Gilman, Rachel Gilman
graphic by Craig Aucutt, information by Abby Gilman
J F K TO R C H , A P R I L 1 6 , 2 0 1 0
Text
15advertisements
to 61399 and win $500!
Join the Mobile Sweepstakes and receive weekly texts featuring trivia, polls and facts about safer sex or no sex. You’ll be entered to win weekly prizes and a $500 grand prize. More details at .
PA G E B Y M A C K E N Z I E S H E E H Y
J F K TO R C H , A P R I L 1 6 , 2 0 1 0
Shape Ups Two words: safety hazard. The bottom of the Shape Ups shoe is rounded instead of flat. This can cause balance problems and or twisted ankles. “How many sprained ankles do you think we are going to see with those things?” Dr. Kellen said. Runners often times get pains in their knees and back from
High heels Although fashionable, high heels are not functional by any means. While walking in heels, all the weight is put on the bottom of part of the foot. The pad of fat on the bottom of the foot can wear out over time. It can not be
Tennis shoes Tennis shoes are the best type of shoe that a person can buy because they are good for your feet and back. Some tennis shoes are better than others. A good arch support is the most important thing to look for when buying a tennis shoe. “The best way to find a good shoe is to actually put your hand in it and look for the little lump in there, the arch
16health
running on bumpy roads. Now add the bumpy roads to the bottom of your feet and will feel the same effects: pain in the knees, hips, and back. A shoe needs to have a nice and solid bottom to provide a lot of support. Shoes should not rock around. “There is no research out there yet; that’s just my opinion,” Dr. Kellen said.
fixed or replaced once it’s shot. In addition, high heels elevate the foot at an angle. This causes the calf muscle to shorten while walking. Because this muscle is attached to the thigh muscle, the thigh muscle can also shorten. The shortening of these muscles tightens the quads and hamstrings. “Over time, it [wearing heels] will destroy the bones and the padding in your foot.” The best compromise is to wear a pair of low high heels. They aren’t the best, but they are better than five inch pumps with no support.
support,” Dr. Kellen said. Buy a shoe that fits your needs. For example, if you are flatfooted, then buy inserts with a nice high arch. If you are person who already has high arches, then buy a shoe that has a small arch support. Make sure that you have the right size. They should fit nice and tight. A non-fitting tennis shoe can lead to arthritis and hip injuries down the road. photos by Asmaa Elkeurti
PA G E B Y A L L I S O N K I N D I G
Flats Often referred to as “ballet flats” or “Egyptian sandals,” flats are fashionably dysfunctional. Flats are just about as bad as flip flops. They offer no support, which can cause flat feet and an assortment of consequential problems. However, the closed
design of the ballet flats can allow a person to slip in a pair of inserts for arch support. When buying flats, place your hand on the sole of the shoe to feel for arch support. Be sure that the shoe has a nice tight fit so your foot does not slide all over the place while you walk.
Barefoot We may not think about it, but walking around the house barefoot can be harmful to the foot. Walking around barefoot provides a person with no support at all. Without proper support, arches can flatten. “Once you lose that arch, you never get it back,” Dr. Kellen said. Our bodies are actually made really well and strong. It’s just a matter of taking care of them.
Sitting on your feet and legs can also lead to injuries because it cuts off blood flow. The effects are not immediate, but it catches up with time. “Everything works from the ground up. If you don’t have good support on your feet it can cause ankle pain, knee pain, hip pain. So it can really lead to a lot of problems,” Dr. Kellen said. Buy a separate pair of shoes that can be worn inside the house; it’s the best preventative solution. around.
Flip Flops Although the popular, warm weather trend, flip flops are not the shoes to wear day in and day out. Flip flops offer no support. After about one week, flip flops lose the air in the cushion of the sole. This, in effect, is like walking on concrete. The is no shock absorber, so repetitive use can causing swelling of the feet.
“[Flip flops] with the cute little strap between the toes are not good. Get ones with a wide strap across your toes,” Dr. Kellen said. Flip flops with the thin strap between the toes cause a person to walk irregular with every step. A person’s foot should be nice and secure in a shoe. So look for the ones with the wider strap going across the toes.
D a r c e y A lt s c h wa g e r graphic by Craig Aucutt
17advertisements
J F K TO R C H , A P R I L 1 6 , 2 0 1 0
)YHPZL *V a catering company
PA G E B Y M A C K E N Z I E S H E E H Y
Local Sonic Drive-Ins support Kennedy Torch.
Book your graduation party today 319.364.1705 2874 Mt. Vernon Rd. Cedar Rapids
www.BraiseCompany.com .HQQHG\ $G LQGG
30
You Have Questions...We Have Answers. Check us out Wednesdays from 4pm to 6pm! You can walk-in for services including STD & HIV testing, birth control, pregnancy testing & options counseling. Our educators are on site to listen to and answer your questions! Planned Parenthood provides non-judgemental services and information so you can manage your health. You may even qualify for FREE or discounted services. We are here to help! Get what you need in a place just for you!
Cedar Rapids Health Center
3425 1st Avenue SE _ (319) 363-8572 _ www.ppeci.org _ facebook.com/ppeci
Wanted:
Student business and advertising executives! If you are interested in helping manage business and advertising for the Torch in the 20102011 school year, consult Mr. Lindsay in Rm. 70 or managing editor Mackenzie Sheehy about enrolling in Journalism class or another appropriate course, then discuss with your counselor how to enroll in the Newspaper class.
J F K TO R C H , A P R I L 1 6 , 2 0 1 0
Shifty. Matt Shannon, so., shifts through the Debuque Hempsted defense during the Kennedy, Debuque Hempsted soccer game.This is Shannon’s second year as a varsity member. Kennedy won their season and home opener 2-0. The Cougars were preseason ranked number seven in the state and have moved their ranking up to number four, with an undefeated record of 3-0. The Cougar team hopes to continue their winning streak and improve on their last year’s performance, in which they only lost two games. photo by Abby Gilman
18sports
PA G E B Y A B B Y G I L M A N & R I L E Y G A L B R A I T H
Focus. Laura Boenish, sr., focus on the ball before she hits the ball during tennis practice. Boenish has been on varsity for three years. She plays number four for the talented team. The team lost their top two players from last year’s team, which placed third in the state tournament. photo by Asmaa Elkeurti
Header. (above) McKenna Feltes, sr., goes for a header against a Jefferson opponent. The girls lost in a tightly contested penalty kick shootout. The girls have started the season 1-1, coming off of winning the state championship. They are currently ranked number two in the state. photo by Abby Gilman Going for goal. (right) Ben Haas, sr., takes the ball to the goal during the Kennedy, Dubuque Hempstead game last Thursday. Haas is in his third year on the varsity team. The Cougars next home game is scheduled for Tuesday, April 20 versus the Waterloo East Trojans. Freshsoph kicks off at 5:15, followed by Varsity at 7:00photo by Abby Gilman
Smashing. Jeff Damisch, sr., smashes his serve during the Kennedy, Waterloo West tennis meet. Kennedy won the meet 5-3, and was helped with a win by Damisch at number one singles. Damisch won in a super tiebreak. The Cougar tennis team has started off the year with a 2-0 record. photo by Abby Gilman
J F K TO R C H , A P R I L 1 6 , 2 0 1 0
Boys’ soccer
The Kennedy boys’ soccer team kicked off their 2010 season ready to play. The Cougar team has started off strong with a 3-0 start to the season. After coming off a season where they were the MVC Conference Champions, and having a lot of returning players from last season coming back, the Cougar team is expecting to have a great season. The Cougar team only let in six goals last year, and only lost two games last season. The team started practicing in the middle of March and has been working hard. The team was seventh preseason rankings and are currently ranked at number four. They started off their season with a preseason scrimmage, which is a 40 minute game; they beat Linn Mar 3-0. The team is looking to win state this season. “Our goal as team this season is to win state, it’s been our goal from the start of the season,” Ben Haas, sr., said. Coach Steve Robertson is also looking forward to having a strong season. “We’re looking strong this year; we should win the title this season,” Robertson said. Although this season has been strong for the team, there are still a few things the team needs to work on. “Getting used to playing with everyone, and just getting it right playing with each other is probably one of the things we need to work on,” Zach Pape, sr., said. “We’re a good team, but I think we need to focus and just stay on track when we’re playing,” Haas said. The Cougar men have been a strong defensive team, and are looking good on defense. “There’s not much we need to work on, but scoring offensively is one thing we need to work on,” Robertson said. Even though the season just started, the Cougar boys’ soccer team looks promising and looks strong and ready to play the season out. Each step just gets the team closer to their goal of winning state this
19sports Upcoming home games for soccer Boys: Tuesday April 20th, 7:00 Saturday May 1st, 8:00 Saturday May 1st, 12:00 Girls: Thursday April 15th, 7:00 Tuesday April 27th, 7:00 Tuesday May 11th, 7:00 * All games listed are located at the Kennedy Soccer Field
year. M o h a mm a d C h e e ta n y
PA G E B Y A L E X B U S B E E & R I L E Y G A L B R A I T H
photo by Abby Gilman Speed. Shauna Happel, jr., uses her speed to dribble the ball past an opponent during the Kennedy-Jefferson game. The Cougars lost in a thrilling PK shootout. Leaping. Nick Bruns, jr., jumps up and heads the ball during the KennedyDubuque Hempstead game on Thursday. The Cougars won the game 2-0 in the opening game of the season. Since then, the Kennedy team has gone 3-0 and is ranked number four in the state. photo by Abby Gilman
Girls’ soccer
After a perfect undefeated season ended with a state championship for the Kennedy Cougars, the talented and influential seniors went off to college, accomplishing the goal which few get to feel. “Last season was a dream season. We went undefeated, won state, played quality soccer, and got a national ranking. That made a perfect season,” Homer Screws, head coach, said. But even after all of that success, the team still has another title on their mind. “It’s going to be a lot harder this year. Now that we’ve achieved it we have to be eager to get it back. We’re not satisfied with one,” Shauna Happel, jr., said. With the talented senior class leaving, they have left six open starting spots to fill. And with the injury of Liz Frerichs, jr., that leaves another vacant spot to fill. These are just some of the contributing factors to a shaky start to the season. So far the team has started with a 1-1 record, with both games going into penalty kicks to decide the game, with the first game against Muscatine taking 12 rounds to end compared to the usual five round competition. In the second game the Cougars took their first loss since the 2008 state championship game to a talented Jefferson team. “I think we have had a confidence issue to start the season. We haven’t come out with confidence, and our leadership has been lacking. But I guess we made it exciting,” McKenna Feltes, sr., said. But rest assured that the team has been woken up from their early struggles. “It [the games] was definitely a wake up call. We knew going into the games we were a little behind with rough practice situations, but that’s no excuse. We need to show up ready to play no matter what adversities we’re facing,” Happel said. Although the team is focused on winning a state title, Coach Screws is taking a slightly different approach. “We just need to improve, play our game and play to our ability and just see what happens and we will be fine,” Screws said. Riley Galbraith
Spring sports preview Boys’ tennis
The mens’ varsity tennis team has started the season off with a new head coach, and missing a key player, Joey White. Jeff Damisch, sr, is ranked number one for varsity tennis. Damisch has been participating in tennis tournaments since he was 8 years old. He has been on varsity for all 4 years of high school, and wants to finish his high school career by going to state. “Our team seems to be rounding up in good shape. I feel like we have a good chance at state, because both our experience and our depth,” Damisch, said. But with the unexpected departure of former number one player Joey White, there is no doubt the road to a state title will be much tougher. “We know it will be tough in some matches missing Joey, we still think we can win state without him this year, and have made this our goal,” Damisch said. The team has also received a new coach in Craig Bova after Jim Loomis resigned as head coach. “I didn’t really know what to expect when we switched coaches from last year, but Coach Bova’s experience seems to be helping us prepare for our matches. We have a more organized schedule and we seem to be working on things during practice, which we haven’t exactly been doing in the past,” Damisch said. Jeff Damisch believes Linn-Mar and Washington will be the most challenging teams this season. “We are going to play each match one at a time,” Bova said. Coach Bova believes the team needs to improve mostly on their focus. “We are working on our focus, and each player needs to work on certain little issues.” Bova said. Coach Bova believes they could possibly win state this year, if all the pieces fall into place correctly. “I don’t know how big of a factor missing Joey will be but I know it will play a factor in our team,” Bova said. Sam Nordstrom
Smashing. Jackie Pedersen, jr., hits a backhand during practice at the Kennedy high school courts. Pedersen has been on varsity for three years. The team is hoping to have another great year and improve on the third place finish from last year.
photo by Abby Gilman Slice. Jeff Damisch, sr., slices a backhand during Kennedy’s meet against Waterloo West.
photo by Asmaa Ellkeurti
Upcoming home meets for tennis Boys: Tuesday April 20th, 4:00 Saturday April 24th, 9:00 Saturday April 24th, 1:00 Girls: Saturday April 17th, 9:00 Saturday April 17th, 1:00 Tuesday, April 27th, 4:00 *All meets listed are located at the Kennedy tennis courts
Girls’ tennis
The Kennedy girls’ tennis team has kicked off their season without some key senior players from last year. Joe Benedict, head coach, says the team is still trying to improve from last year, in which they received third in the state tournament but have lost their two top players. “This is the third straight year that we lost our top two players so we are used to filling in slots and as long as we have good depth on the team we will be all right,” Benedict said. The team is not built on one or two players but they are built on total team depth. Benedict is counting on the fact that they can accomplish some great things. “Anytime you have girls that are talented and willing to work hard, you look forward to the upcoming season,” Benedict said. There are forty-two ninth and tenth graders out for the freshmen and sophomore team and there are forty-eight girls on the junior and senior team. There is a total of ninety girls out for tennis right now and one of the hardest things for him is getting all the girls enough time on the court to practice. “The other hard part is to order all of the clothing. That is my least favorite part,” Jackie Pedersen said. Pedersen, jr., says the team is determined to do well. However the team needs to work on overcoming the doubt other people have about the team losing some key seniors last year. Pedersen does believe the coaching staff is good this year and the coaches are a lot of fun to hang around with and they are both very good coaches. Pedersen is confident about the upcoming season, but struggles to stay as confident when the tennis meets occur. “Its good to have so many girls that went out for the tennis team this year but it is hard to fit everyone on the court,” Pedersen said. The talented Cougar girls’ team is working hard, and a great season is likely on the way. Cahle Co rre ll
20sports Hang time heroes J F K TO R C H , A P R I L 1 6 , 2 0 1 0
PA G E B Y A L E X B U S B E E & R I L E Y G A L B R A I T H
Ollie. Trevor Hyatt, jr., gets tricky at a local park in downtown Cedar Rapids.
How to talk like a Sk8er
Skateboarding juniors sharpen their talents Kennedy students Domanick Dominguez, jr., and Trevor Hyatt, jr., are pursuing their love of skateboarding by keeping a low profile, but flying high. “I just like riding,” Dominguez said. “It gives me a really good feeling and is a lot of fun.”
“What I like about skateboarding is that it isn’t always a competitive sport. It is an art, and everyone has their own style, tricks, and can customize the sport to their liking.” -Trevor Hyatt, jr. Dominguez has been skateboarding for over ten years. He said he skates as much as possible. “I skateboard all over town, not just at one specific place,” Dominguez said. “I just always find new places where I can test myself and my skills.” His best, and scariest, skill is skating rails, because of how dangerous it can be.
“If you want to be good at your skills, you have to practice all of the time, and really want it,” Dominguez said. Hyatt is also a huge proponent of his sport. He has been skateboarding for three years. When not skateboarding in Cedar Rapids, he travels to Davenport to ride new spots. Hyatt’s idea of a great time is spending an afternoon skateboarding with friends. “What I like about skateboarding is that it isn’t always a competitive sport,” Hyatt said. “It is an art, and everyone has their own style, tricks, and can customize the sport to their liking.” “While skateboarders are sometimes stereotyped as bad people or drug addicts, this is not true,” Hyatt said. “Those stereotypes do not apply to me. Some people call this an extreme sport, but it really isn’t. We have less injuries than most other sports.” Since there are no organized groups or skateboarding competitions in the Cedar Rapids area, skateboarders need to travel outside the area in order to compete. Because this can be
expensive, Dominguez secured a sponsor, Extreme Sports, to finance him. He liked having Extreme Sports as his sponsor and it worked out well until t h e c o m pany went out of business last year. He is now looking for another sponsor. He has sent his resumé information to Thrasher, a big skateboarding magazine, in hopes that they will sponsor him. Once he improves his skills, he plans to send video tapes of himself to other potential sponsors. Besides helping with travel expenses, sponsors provide skateboarders with skateboards, clothing, and all the various gear that is needed to compete. But with or without a Stairs. (left) Trevor Hyatt, jr., soars over a set of stairs in downtown Cedar Rapids near the Tree of Five Seasons sculpture. Hyatt is passionate about skateboarding, but dislikes the negative stereotypes that accompany the sport. Tricky. (right) Trevor Hyatt, jr., practices his skills near the Cedar River. He believes the concerns over skateboarding injuries are exaggerated. “Some people call this an extreme sport, but it really isn’t,” Hyatt said. “We have less injuries than most other sports.”
sponsor, Dominguez will continue skateboarding. “I always go out and make of it what I can of it when I compete,” Dominguez said. Allie Sindlinger Airborne. John McCandless, jr., showcases his talents by launching off a set of stairs in downtown Cedar Rapids last Saturday. McCandless enjoys skating with Trevor Hyatt, jr., and Domanick Dominguez, jr.
• Backside- skating so your back faces the direction you’re headed. • Bail- to jump off the board to prevent injury. • Focus- snapping the skateboard into two pieces. Can be on purpose in frustration. • Frontside- skating so your front faces the direction you’re headed. • Griptape- sandpaperlike material with a sticky back. Applied to the skateboard to add traction. • Heelflip- a trick performed by flipping the board with the heel. • Kickflip- a trick performed by flipping the board by making a kicking motion. • Lip- the top edge of a ramp. • Manual- called a wheelie most of the time. Where you skate with the front wheels in the air. • Nose- the front of the skateboard. • Slam- a hard fall. It tends to end with injury. • Tail- the end opposite of the nose. photos by Elise Krivit and Gail Gilman