October 23, 2015

John F. Kennedy High School

Volume 49, Issue 2

Oct. 23, 2015

the torch

I can do anything you can do Elianna Novitch and Jayden Bisson//Page 12

Students have a say Nathan Sheeley//Page 05

Student spotlight

Gabby Olejniczak//Page 09

Autumn’s in the air Macy Anderson//Page 16

Contents Opinion John F. Kennedy High School 4545 Wenig Rd. NE Cedar Rapids, IA, 52402 Volume 49, Issue 2

04 The political push-Jayden Bisson 05 Staff Editorial: Don’t be defined by your gender

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 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 the ethics of journalism.

05 Students have a say-Nathan Sheeley News 06 Living all-in-Gabby Olejniczak 07 From 80 to 60 in one year-Brooke McNeal and Madeline Jamrok Culture 08 Fall fun-Naomi Hofferber and Colby Manley 09 Student spotlight-Gabby Olejniczak 10 A slice of CR-Naomi Hofferber Feature 12 I can do anything you can do-Elianna Novitch

Xander Riley Editor-in-Chief Elianna Novitch Editor-in-Chief Macy Anderson Photo Editor Abby Donovan Opinion Editor Erica Gouchee News Editor Naomi Hofferber Culture Editor Gabby Olejniczak Sports Editor Jayden Bisson Staff Writer Mary Liscum Staff Writer Colby Manley Staff Writer John Nolan Staff Writer Madeline Jamrok Contributor Brooke McNeal Contributor Nathan Sheeley Contributor Stacy Haynes-Moore Adviser 2|

and Jayden Bisson Photo 16 Autumn’s in the air-Macy Anderson Sports 18 Let’s get physical-John Nolan 19 Empowering across the world-Abby Donovan

Letters from the Editors Kennedy offers a fantastic selection of electives to its students.

Classes that go beyond the core requirements of an educational institute are both a good way to expand your education and a nice way to make your day a little more interesting.

The problem is, something is getting in the way of students being able to get the full benefit of these classes: gym.

The state’s mandated gym requirement that every student take a semester of gym per year is a major inconvenience to students who would like to be focusing on academics. There are only so many class periods in a day, and when one of those is required to be physical education, your options become more and more limited.

One place this has hit especially close to home for me has been here at the Torch. Kennedy is full of talented and creative writers, people who would do very well on our staff and who have expressed interest in joining. Unfortunately, many of them aren’t able to make time for the class, and it’s almost always for the same reason: having to take a gym class eliminates the only time they would have had to take Torch.

I’m not saying gym isn’t important, or that it’s not a good idea.

What I am saying is that this is an academic institution, and physical or athletic pursuits should not be allowed to get in the way of students learning as much as they can.

We have become too desensitized to guns. We have gotten used to hearing that another person was killed today in a shooting at said place, at said time.

How is this okay? How is it okay to so easily shake off the deaths of so many innocent people?

Too many people are dying due to gun violence today, whether it’s in a school shooting or some other situation. Guns are being used much too often to cause chaos and massive tragedy all over the nation. It needs to stop.

Many of you can recall the most recent shooting that took place here in the United States. It was a school shooting at a community college in Oregon.

I want you to recall what your reaction was when you heard the news of the shooting. Did you say something along the lines of “oh how sad” but then continue on with your day?

I probably did the same thing and that’s the problem. We have become too comfortable with guns and the destruction that they cause.

Something needs to be done to combat this issue. We must stop overlooking the harm that guns can cause. So let’s be the ones to fight this.

Let’s stop letting guns be so easy for people to get their hands on. Let’s limit what types of guns and ammunition people can have. Let’s stop innocent people from dying due to violence caused by guns.

Let’s be the generation that uses their voice to advocate for the people who can’t because they have already lost their lives to gun violence. Let’s get control of guns.

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Opinion

The push for politics

Graphic from creative commons.

R

ecently, several of the nation’s top candidates for presidency have scheduled visits to Cedar Rapids. These candidates include Marco Rubio, Ben Carson, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, John Kasich and Jeb Bush.

While attending some of these talks, interviews, and meet and greets, it has come to my attention that there are very few students participating in the events. With the fate of our nation in such a precarious position, it is extremely important that every eligible citizen participate and maintain an awareness of all of their potential leaders.

However when I walked into the Iowa Accelerator Center on Wednesday, I immediately realized that I was going to stand out in the small crowd that was gathering, as no other students had arrived. It was undeniable that I looked out of place amongst the reporters and elderly couples that were accumulating in the Center’s main room.

It was also clear that I was the only one under the age of 60. It wasn’t until the event was about to start when two teenagers finally walked in.

Even then, the ratio was overwhelming in favor of the elderly population.

In fact, I only saw three Kennedy students at all of the events combined. In a school with over 1800 students, this means that not even one percent of the student body is actively taking advantage of the opportunities available to them.

The most interesting thing to me was that a year ago, I wouldn’t have wanted to go to a political talk either. Politics are not something that most teens find exciting or even slightly worthwhile, yet in reality, there is much more to the world of politics than meets the eye.

Many well-known people attend these events, and although they may not be pop stars or talk show hosts, they have influenced our country in numerous important ways.

For example, former member of the House of Representatives and

the Senate, Democrat Tim Penny made an appearance at John Kasich’s speaking event. Iowa State Representative Mary Ann Hanusa, who is endorsing Kasich, was also present at the event. While the names Hanusa and Penny may not ring any bells, meeting both of these figures was an honor and was an incredibly unique experience.

The candidates themselves are also famous, which contributes to the sense that it is worthwhile to attend political events. Whether you like the candidate or not, a picture with someone who is going to be our future president is something that many people would travel miles to get, and by attending these free events you can get one at no charge.

The issues that are discussed at these events are also interesting and extremely relevant to the problems we are facing currently and will face in the near future.

Intense conversations on security threats from North Korea, China, and Russia were had at Rubio’s National Security Forum and his Town Hall. The conversation also drifted onto that topic at Kasich’s Town Hall.

Issues that directly affect students were also frequently discussed when both Republican candidates analyzed plans for student loans and education beyond high school. At the end of the events, attendees were allowed to go up and briefly speak with the candidates about specific issues that concerned them, and were also able to get a quick handshake, autograph, or a picture.

Essentially, the atmosphere at these events is extremely exhilarating and it is impossible to leave without having learned about conflicts of the nation that had previously not even occurred to you.

While your individual vote may not seem like it will have an impact on the results of the election, it is still important for everyone to make informed decisions about the future. Visits from candidates provide once-in-a-lifetime opportunities when it comes to gaining the necessary information in order to do so.

Jayden Bisson

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Staff Editorial: Don’t be defined by your gender The Torch staff editorial is a topic important to the students of Ken- or not they have a Y chromosome. nedy. This editorial represents our student editorial board’s opinion.

The world would certainly be a lot simpler if everything worked like an episode of I Love Lucy. But the problem is, people don’t Stereotyping permeates our daily lives. Our natural and often work like that. Not every guy is a football star, not every girl is an involuntary reaction to the world around us is to generalize and amazing cook, and that’s a good thing. make assumptions about the people we interact with. The problem Take Kennedy High School, for example. We have a widely diwith allowing stereotypes to gain prominence on a societal scale is verse student body of both men and women who are enormously that over time, a stereotype can become so accepted that it can be talented in varying areas of life. Athletes, artists, singers, dancdifficult for anyone to break it. ers, writers, gamers, the list goes on and on. Many of these people Gender-based stereotypes are among the most prominent, and have chosen not to let their gender dictate what they can and canthe most controversial. Some hold that men and women should fit not do. into clearly defined, non-overlapping roles in society. Men should We at the Torch believe this should be encouraged. Don’t let peoplay sports and make the money; women should be homemakers ple’s perceptions of what your gender’s ability hold you back from and raise the kids. Everyone falls into a non-debatable, non-nego- doing what you’re good at or what you love. tiable position in society right from birth, based solely on whether

Students should have a say C

ensorship. This issue plagues journalists, reporters, and writers around the world. A censor is “an official who examines material that is about to be released, such as books, movies, news, and art, and suppresses any parts that are considered obscene or politically unacceptable.” This bone of contention was brought to my mind following an assignment I was given in my journalism class. We were to read specific articles and determine whether student media should or could be censored. Following this, I began researching specific Supreme Court cases that involve expression in schools, such as Tinker and Hazelwood.

Through this continuous and interesting process, I was able to not only solidify my previous platforms, but form new opinions that assist me in writing this article.

I’m going to be blunt. I do not believe student media should be censored at all, barring a case of inappropriate language, promotion of illegal activity or actions that violate school or district policies. The Tinker standard stems from a 1969 case in Des Moines when students were suspended for wearing black arm bands to protest the Vietnam War. The case decision allows students the freedom of expression as long as this expression does not “materially or substantially disrupt normal school activity.”

The 1988 Hazelwood case upset the Tinker standard. The Supreme Court decided a school could censor student media if the potential problem related to teaching concerns, even if the student media was established as a public forum for students to express themselves. Hazelwood said school censorship of student media would be acceptable if the school administration believed there was good reason to do so.

In Iowa, however, legislators specifically passed laws stronger than the Tinker standard. This means administrators are not to prevent students

publishing potentially controversial ideas simply due to the “fear of reaction”, which is not reason enough to withdraw a story from publication and distribution.

I strongly believe that students should not be forced to change their writing or inhibit their creativity simply because their opinions or interpretations may be offensive, unpopular, or unorthodox. It is unacceptable to hinder or obstruct a student’s voice. Doing so creates an environment where a student is afraid or discouraged from truly expressing him or herself. Students should not have to suppress how we feel or what we believe in because it is an unpopular idea. We are taught to express ourselves, but if we share an unpopular or different opinion from peers or teachers, we may be ridiculed or prevented from elaborating. Students should not give up First Amendment rights because we walk through school doors. Schools that practice censoring student media (fortunately not ours) will not only cause more problems between administrators and students but fuels conflict.

In various countries, and even in some U.S. schools, this article might not only be discouraged, but outlawed. We, as students, should not tolerate being censored simply because we are young and have controversial ideas. We are this country’s future and to make a change and keep improving our world, we all must share our views, uniting the similarities while simultaneously tolerating differences. In closing, I ask that we not only respect students’ opinions, but respect students’ right as a public forum to share, publish, and distribute information among fellow students.

Nathan Sheeley

Pages by Abby Donovan | 5

News

Living all-in Many may question what a former gang member could tell students that would be of any value to them. Odds are they have not met Ron Gruber.

Gruber, a convicted felon and a former Sons of Silence gang member, redeemed through Christ, recently moved to Cedar Rapids to further his mission to help young people and help individuals who have experienced trouble in their lives.

Gruber’s hope is that teenagers learn from his mistakes, and as a result, are able to avoid the experiences he had. Gruber travels the state of Iowa to speak to young people. He has spoken to groups ranging from the Kennedy Men’s Varsity basketball team, which he spoke to in September, to the Iowa Hawkeye Football team, which he actively works with.

If you ask Gruber, he would tell you that he wasn’t raised in a home, he was raised in a house by an alcoholic father who would assault his mother daily.

“She would say ‘will you protect me? Do you love me?’ and I said ‘yeah’ and she said ‘then you’ll protect me’,” Gruber said.

“Later on I could hear her out there being strangled and beat and I was scared, but I went through the fear because I had gave my word, Gruber continued. “I was all in to go out there and he would beat me and grab me and he would press his face against mine, and say you’re stupid, you’re ugly, I hate you and then he would knock me out. He would do this every night and I know he figured he’d won but I figured I did because I fought the fear and I worked through it and gave all in.”

When he was 13, Gruber’s parents divorced and his mother moved down the street from a motorcycle gang which became his family. Gruber “prospected” his way into the gang at the age of 18 and two years later he was arrested and put in the state penitentiary.

Gruber describes his actions in prison as extremely violent, prejudiced and ugly.

“I got more hatred being confined and I got cut, beat and I stabbed several people and also beat up correctional officers,” Gruber said.

Gruber was released from prison where he learned that his gang had merged into a larger, more dangerous gang, Sons of Silence. Gruber was able to work his way up to the role of the lead enforcer for the entire gang composed of around 500 men.

Years later, with the knowledge that the federal government was after him, Gruber found himself in the woods with a .44 magnum pointed at his head ready to pull the trigger and emerged committed to turning his life to Christ and turned himself in to the federal government.

Gruber was charged with racketeering and murder in the second degree and sentenced to 50 years in prison. While in prison, Gruber continued to follow the calling he heard in the woods. His growing faith and willingness to help other prisoners see their value allowed Gruber the opportunity to be released after serving only 19 years.

Gruber plans to expand his outreach through the Kennedy community and hopes that more students and sports teams will be interested in working with him.

“I just want people to understand that people can change,” Gruber said.

EXTRA INFO: Read Ron’s complete story and how he is helping Kennedy students at www.kennedytorch.org and to contact Ron go to www.essentialinstruction.org

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Gabby Olejniczak

From 80 to 60 in one year Daily time for tutorials and lunch reduced to an hour

D

on’t let the rumors fool you. SMART lunch can be taken at any time. There is no "two year contract” stating Kennedy High School must keep SMART lunch. “That's why we have an advisory homeroom schedule,” principal Jason Kline said.

“Students Maximizing Achievements, Relationships, and Time” -- known to students as SMART lunch -- started in August 2014.

This year, SMART lunch was reduced from the previous 80 minutes to 60 minutes, and is split into two tutorials. Tutorial A is held from 11:43 a.m. to 12:17 p.m., and Tutorial B is held from 12:22 to 12:52 p.m.

During this time, students are free to eat lunch, study, go to tutorials, attend speaker/visitor events, and participate in school intramurals or clubs. Juniors and seniors have the option to leave campus during tutorial time, as long as their grades allow.

Teachers offer the tutorials in their classrooms and these tutorials alternate different days of the week. During tutorials, teachers might choose to reteach class material, give extra time for students to do work, or provide extra instruction.

Previously, students' classes were 50 minutes each with the 80-minute SMART lunch. This year, with the 60 minute SMART

lunch, classes change to 52 minutes, which “allows us to preserve class time while not restricting or reducing SMART lunch time or tutorial time that significantly,” Kline said.

Jackson Foley,so., agrees with the decision to change the timing. “I liked ABCD lunch better because I ate lunch earlier and I didn’t just waste an hour of my day.”

Other students have different views. Some who participate in sports or after school activities say that they might not get as much homework done as they did last year when they had more time at school.

Sydney Hayden,sr., is concerned with the reduction in SMART lunch tutorial time. She has a lot of work to do on top of her school activities. “I’ll have to spend more time doing homework outside of school.”

Kennedy originally modeled its plan after a high school that set aside 60 minutes for SMART Lunch. “And we (originally) did 80 minutes because we were mainly concerned about the cafeteria lines,” Kline said. “We would've started with 60 minutes if we had tested it and saw that all students could make it through the lunch line.”

“I’ll have to spend more time doing homework outside of school.”

-Sydney Hayden

Brooke Mcneal and madeline jamrok

Pages by Erica Gouchee | 7

Culture

Fall Fun

Play this classic Game of bingo to find local fall fun in the Cedar Rapids Area. Cut out the leaves at the bottom to use as token pieces.

Visit Screams Acres at Bloomsbury Farm in Atkins for their haunted attractions Admission: $20 VIP Admission: $35

Apple-pick at Allen’s Orchard in Marion, and be sure to try some fresh apple cider, homemade caramel, and various baked treats

Rock out at a concert featuring Shinedown, Breaking Benjamin, and Sevendust at the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Cedar Rapids General Admission: $42.50

Trick or Treat for Unicef October 31. Keep up with Key Club for more information

Spend a night out at Theater Cedar Rapids for their Studio Improv Series November 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m., and November 15 at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets: $15

Catch the classic film Halloween playing at Galaxy 16 Cinema Thursday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m.

Visit Palisades state park to experience the changing season and local Iowa beauty

Belt it out at the Kennedy show choir premire concert set to take place November 12

By Colby Manley and Naomi Hofferber

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Pick up a Pumpkin Spice Latte, Graham Latte, and other seasonal drinks returning to your local Starbucks store

Student Spotlight: Culture Allie Ernster

By Gabby Olejniczak

Q: When did your passion for art begin?

A: I started taking art more seriously in 6th grade. I had always enjoyed doing it but it wasn’t until I got to middle school that I realized that it was something I wanted to pursue.

Q: Would you agree with the common belief that people are born good at art or bad at art?

A: I don’t agree with that because I wasn’t always great at art. It’s just like anything else, it takes practice. I would recommend that you go for it. Take classes, try it.

Q: What have you done to further your art skills?

A: I had an internship at the ceramics center this summer and I would help out with classes and help make new clay out of old stuff that was too dry and glazing kids projects and just stuff like loading and unloading kilns. I’ve also taken art classes throughout my entire high school career which has definitely helped.

Q: How are you using your artistic abilities to help others?

A: I was approached by someone who was interested in starting an art program for the residents at Higley Mansion, which is a nursing home where my grandma lives, and she asked me if I would help teach the classes. I think it will be really cool to be able to help them learn something new and be able to see how their art improves from class-to-class.

Q: What is your biggest dream for your art career?

Painting by Allie Ernster. Ernster won first place in the New Bo Next Generation Art Contest with her work, and currently takes senior photos For students.

A: My biggest dream is to own my own art gallery and be in charge of what art is shown in the gallery. Otherwise I think it would be cool to be a private art collector and have my own little gallery at my house.

Pages by Naomi Hofferber | 9

Culture Specialty: The Zoey: Pepperoni, ham, sausage, mushrooms, black olives, green peppers, onions, and extra cheese The Zookie: Cookie pizza with ice cream, chocolate, and whipped cream Torch Ranking: 9/10 Cost: $2.50 a Slice, $12.25 for a small new York style, $14.25 for a small Chicago Location: 690 10TH ST. MARION

A Slice of CR

Cappy’s (3.9 mi from Kennedy)

(2.2 mi from Kennedy)

10 | Page by Naomi Hofferber

(5.2 mi from Kennedy)

Specialty: The Cappy: Sausage, ham, pepperoni, mushroom, green pepper, and onion Torch Ranking: 8/10 Cost: $12 for the smallest New York or Chicago, doesn’t sell per slice Location: 7037 C Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids

Specialty: Detroit Deep Dish Style Pizzas Torch Ranking: 6/10 Cost: $12.49 for small Chicago and Detroit style Location: 3234 Center Point Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids

Hy-Vee

Zoey’s Pizza

Tomaso’s (1.7 mi from Kennedy)

Specialty: Offers Variety of different pizzas ready made Torch Ranking: 6/10 Cost: $1.50 A Slice.

Location: 5050 Edgewood Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids

Ads

Page by Gabby Olejniczak | 5

Feature

I can do anythin

12 | Photos provided by Maddie Prull (top left), Zach Amsler (top right), Jacob Hutchins (bottom left), and Lily Wood (bottom right, #55).

hing you can do

By Elianna Novitch and Jayden Bisson

Pages by Elianna Novitch | 13

Feature

Lily Wood, fr.

W

hen people look out on the football field and see the rows of players as they hustle at practice, they would never suspect that there was a girl bulked out with the rest of the team in her football pads. But this year on Kennedy’s freshmen football team Lily Wood can be found out on the field along with the rest of her male teammates.

She is currently the only girl involved in the football program at Kennedy.

Wood started playing football in seventh grade at Regis Middle School.

“I’ve been playing it [football] since I was a little kid,” Wood said. “I grew up with the sport and I loved it so I decided to play.”

Wood plays left and right guard, as well as safety for Kennedy. Wood doesn’t feel like being the only girl on the male-dominated team hinders her.

“They just treat me like I’m another teammate. I have to try just

as hard as any other player,” Wood said. “The coaches treat me like all the other guys. I do everything a normal football player would do.”

Wood encourages other girls to try out other male-dominated sports or activities.

“It doesn’t mean that it is only for guys,” Wood said.

Football is just one activity that girls are starting to get involved in even though it has been maledominated in the past. Wrestling has also seen an increase in interest of girls in recent years.

“Since football is dominated by guys and because they are the dominate gender around the world, that can cause girls to shy away from it and other sports,” Wood said.

Some final words that Wood had to encourage not only girls but anyone who is questioning whether they should join a gender dominated sport was, “If you feel like your heart is in the game, you should play it.”

“They just treat me like I’m another teammate.”

-Lily Wood

Zach Amsler, sr.

V

olleyball has always been a part of Zach Amsler’s life.

He remembers his older sister playing. He also recalls his entire family playing at Volley’s over the years. But it wasn’t until about four years ago that Amsler began to play the sport seriously.

He immediately faced some boundaries. Kennedy does not have a male volleyball team.“Don’t let people tell you that you can’t do something just because you are the ‘wrong’ gender. Amsler had to search outside of the school in order to find a team to play on and was fortunate enough to find what he was looking for in Hiawatha.

“I got lucky. Coach Doug Palmer started a club team last year, it’s called Adrenaline,” Amsler said.

The team is mainly made up of girls but there is a guy team that practices with them. This year Amsler’s team will have around five male members.

As the club has around 100 members, Amsler and the four other male members represent a significant minority. Therefore, in order to play, they will have to compete against Prairie’s male team.

However, with so few members they still may not even be able to form an entire team. Despite this, Amsler plans on continuing to practice with the small team.

Amsler has also started looking at some colleges that offer men’s volleyball programs. He has mainly looked into Mount Mercy and Loras College, but plans on checking out some other universities as well.

Aside from playing on the local team, he attended the USA Volleyball High Performance Championships in Des Moines.

“The best kids from every region go and play at this tournament,” Amsler said. “I was the first guy ever from Kennedy to make it.”

Amsler hopes that his success in volleyball can inspire others to go out of their comfort zone and try new things, and hopes that his involvement in the sport shows others that gender shouldn’t define what a person can do.

“Don’t let people tell you that you can’t do something just because you are the ‘wrong’ gender. If people think that it’s weird just ignore them and keep doing you.” Amsler said.

“Don’t let people tell you that you can’t do something just because you are the ‘wrong’ gender.”

-Zach Amsler

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My Jacob Hutchins, sr. gender W doesn’t define what I can do hen marching band performs, it is easy to see the mix of genders amongst all the sections. However when color guard takes the field to perform, Jacob Hutchins stands out amongst all his fellow performers as the only male.

Hutchins, who joined his sophomore year, is the only guy currently involved in color guard.

“Even though I’m the only guy in Kennedy’s color guard, I see other guys in other schools’ guards and it’s always really cool,” Hutchins says.

Color guard has primarily been dominated by girls for many years, but Hutchins enjoys breaking the gender barrier he feels has formed within the activity.

“I don’t think your gender should ever stop you from doing something,” Hutchins said. “Just because something may be dominated by the opposite gender, doesn’t mean you should feel like you’re not allowed to join or participate. Joining and breaking the gender barrier feels really cool, and its [color guard] lots of fun.”

Hutchins doesn’t feel that there is any kind of challenges he faces in being the only guy in color guard. “I guess some people might feel a bit intimidated being around 13 girls,” Hutchins said.

This year is Hutchins’ final year of color guard. He hopes to see more guys join color guard after he graduates this year.

“Being the only guy in color guard isn’t as awkward as it sounds. It’s a lot of fun still and just because I’m a guy doesn’t mean anything feels different,” Hutchins said.

Maddie Prull, so.

B

efore she had even entered the foyer of Kennedy High School, Maddie Prull had started to break the gender-based boundaries that had unintentionally formed.

School policies are not exclusive, but the stereotypes that exist in today’s society do not necessarily encourage young girls to play football or join the wrestling team. Therefore, when she joined Kennedy's trap club as an eighth grader, she was simultaneously challenging the image that would typically have formed at the mention of a trap shooter.

Prull never felt as if she were given unequal treatment, but she could not deny that she was part of an overwhelming minority.

There were only six girls on the entire team. Prull was also the youngest; still 13 at the time. While she may have seemed slightly out-of-place, she did not question her decision to join, and she is glad that she did.

Prull had been thinking about trying trap shooting for quite some time, as she had family members who were already participating in the club.

"My dad was one of the coaches, and my brothers were already members, so I decided that I would try," Prull said.

She quickly realized that she stood out, not only because of gender. She rapidly caught on to the techniques used in trap shooting, and of the four girls that went to state, Prull scored the highest. "I shot and hit 91 out of 100 targets," Prull said.

Her score was exceptional when compared with the boys’ scores. The highest score overall was only five points above her own.

Prull believes that her success in trap shooting is something that can be seen by many as an inspiration to those who are considering trying something new. She believes that gender should not hold someone back and wants to encourage other girls to try out for trap club because “it is a genuinely fun experience.”

Pages by Elianna Novitch | 15

Photo

A petting zoo is just one of the many activities offered at Bart’s Farm and pumpkin patch.

Photo by Colby Manley

Photo by Erica Gouchee Leaves begin to change color at Pleasant Creek State Park.

Photo provided by Connor Christophersen Students carved the mascots of their favorite sports teams into pumpkins.

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Autumn’s in the air

Picking out pumpkins at Burt’s farm is a popular fall activity.

Photo by Colby Manley

Holly Hasenbank, sr., and Zach DeMaris, sr., spent the day at Pumpkin Patch Pizzazz.

Photo provided by Holly Hasenbank

Pages by Macy Anderson | 17

Sports

Let’s get physical Photo by John Nolan

Performance PE class more than doubles in size

F

or eight hours a day, the Kennedy weight room and wrestling room are packed.

There are currently eight periods with 90 students in each period.

The performance PE class, started in 2012, is an alternative to the standard gym class. Even from the beginning the demand to get into the class was high.

“When we first started it was me basically in the mornings, so it was two early birds through 4th hour and Coach Pakk had it in 5th and 6th, but it was capped at 45,” Coach Tim Lewis said.

Lewis is the head strength coach at Kennedy High School and has decades of experience. He is also in charge of the Performance PE class.

“There were a lot of kids that really needed to be in the class but they couldn’t get in,” Lewis said.

What originally started as a way for athletes to lift during the day has grown to immense sizes.

“I was trying to think of ways how can I make this work because people weren’t getting in,” Lewis said, “This year we were able to, and thankfully, the administration allowed us to do this, have both coach Pakk and I go on.”

Many changes have been made to adjust to the massive demand for this class. For example, in past years Lewis taught the

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class from 6 a.m. to 4th hour and Pakkebier The coaches believe that the students puttaught the class for 5th and 6th hour. This ting in lots of hard work is paying off, as the year both coaches run the class from 1st Kennedy fall athletic teams are doing very hour to 6th hour, and Lewis still runs the 6 well this season. a.m. and 6:45 a.m. classes.

“I would like to say that the success we’ve “We’re both on and we can offer it to more had this year, with this senior class, I’d like kids all day long, where before it was limited to think that the performance PE has had to 45, we can now offer it to 90,” Coach Curt something to do with it,” Lewis said.

Pakkebier said. Pak“Having the ability “I think it has grown in kebier is the Kennedy to lift and work out men’s track coach and popularity because people are five days a week, esruns the Performance sentially year round, seeing the benefits of it.”

PE class with Lewis. it’s gotta help,” Lewis -Curt Pakkebier Lucas Berry is a sesaid. nior football player “It’s really helped who has been in the class all four years. out in our sports,” Berry said. Football is “I would say it’s gotten a lot bigger, people undefeated through six games, volleyball is have understood that it really benefits you conference champion, and women’s swimand they hear about the class,” Berry said. ming has only lost one dual meet.

“I think it has grown in popularity be- With continued growth in the class, Lewis cause people are seeing the benefits of it,” is optimistic about the future of Kennedy Pakkebier said. athletics.

The class is open to everyone, not just “[The senior] class is the most commitathletes. ted class that I’ve ever had just to working “This class is for everyone. Initially there out,” Lewis said. “You got a lot of guys in was a misconception that it was just for [the senior] class that just live in the weight football players, but everyone can take it,” room…they never miss and I think that’s Lewis said. a huge message to be sent to the lower There is a substantial time commitment levels.” for the lifting coaches.

John Nolan “I’m here 11 to 12 hours a day, which most of it is spent working on something related to strength training,” Lewis said.

Empowering across the world Graphic from Creative Commons

S

urprise one. A phone call.

Head volleyball coach Michelle Goodall was first contacted in midAugust by Sports United an organization within the United States Embassy. Goodall was recommended by her mentor John Kessel from USA Volleyball to travel to the Philippines to offer clinics to athletes and coaches. The trip’s purpose was to promote empowerment through the sport of volleyball.

“When I first read the proposal I was very intrigued,” Goodall said. “I love coaching, and I am passionate about people in general so sharing my passion with others around the world was something I found really appealing.”

Goodall traveled with one other Sport Envoy, a coach from Arizona. The two traveled to Manila and to Cebu City and worked together running coaching and volleyball clinics to around 750 youth and young adult physical education coaches. One clinic took place at Marillac Hills, a home for females rescued from the sex trafficking industry.

Another was held at the University of San Carlos in Cebu. Participants were from conflicted regions within the Philippines.

Other clinics were held in the impoverished area of Laguna and another at Asilo de San Vicente de Paul, an orphanage in Manila.

Goodall said the children that she worked with are almost all facing disadvantages.

Some were low income, others were orphans or were rescued from sexual abuse situations, and some were in trouble with the law. She was amazed when she saw the children’s faces light up when they mas-

Volleyball Coach Michelle Goodall takes her passion to the Philippines. tered a skill in one of her volleyball clinics. I have learned to be grateful in everything.

Surprise two. She had no idea the things I forget sometimes how great we have it.... she saw would have an everlasting impact. and I just feel humbled,” Goodall said. “On “These kids have nothing. Their gyms the way to the gyms we would pass the are cement pavilions. Their net was often streets of these kids’ homes and you would times a simple rope. It was 100 degrees. often see full families sleeping in the street They ate rice every meal. They wore sandals gutters and children just playing with nothor their donated Tom’s shoes...and they ing, but a homemade ball and they are just didn’t ever complain,” she said. “They were happy.” so grateful for this attention and this train- Surprise three. Goodall’s varsity volleying opportunity that they would send us ball team was waiting at the Eastern Iowa home each night with hugs and high fives Airport for her return Oct. 4. and they begged us to visit again. It was “Before I left they (the team) knew what heart-wrenching and heart-warming. I will I was off to do, and they supported it fully,” never forget them.”

Goodall said. “They even sent me handmade Months ago Goodall hadn’t even heard cards where they wrote their own words of of the Sports Envoy empowerment and program. Something “I forget sometimes how great encouragement.” inside of Goodall told When she stepped we have it....and I just feel her that she should off the plane her playhumbled.” get a passport incase ers greeted her with a -Michelle Goodall the chance to travel 12 foot sign that said, was ever given to her.

“Welcome Home.”

She had nothing planned, but then the op“We’ve got a lot of leadership, they all get portunity came and she was ready. “It was along, I’m going miss the instant chemistry a God thing I’m sure,” Goodall said. She that this particular group provides whether hadn’t imagined going overseas to coach, they’re a role player or a superstar on the but she felt as if she was being led in that team. They all get along and that really direction. makes that part of coaching interesting.’

At first there were some questions for Goodall’s team has seen nothing but wins Goodall, like the date of her trip, but in this season. The Cougars are undefeated in the end when it was decided, it worked their conference with seven victories. Their for her and she received the blessing from win streak led the team to being the conferher team, bosses and family she took the ence champions for the first time in Kenchance and went on the trip of a life time. nedy history.

“I was raised in a home where we often Abby Donovan noted our position of gratefulness, but this experience has made an impact on me and

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