John F. Kennedy High School
Volume 49, Issue 5
Mar. 31, 2016
the torch
Breaking down the budget
Contents John F. Kennedy High School 4545 Wenig Rd. NE Cedar Rapids, IA, 52402 Volume 49, Issue 5
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.
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Opinion 04 Staff Editorial: A letter to Governor Branstad 05 Four years, many changes- Macy Anderson 05 A call to give a damn-Naomi Hofferber 06 Should women sign up for the draft?- John Nolan and Nathan Sheeley News 07 All for one, one for all-Jenna Anderson 07 A scholarship of honor-Colby Manley 08 The candidate craze-Olivia Haefner 09 Reacting to racism-Anna Reinhart Culture 10 It’s more than you think-Abby Donovan 12 Senior snapshots-Madeline Jamrok 13 Hydro to heroin-Naomi Hofferber Feature 16 Breaking down the budget-Elianna Novitch, Madeline Jamrok, Nathan Sheeley, Jake Corkery, and Caitlyn Fisher Profile 20 Race for One-Taylor Weiss 21 Passion for photography-Taylor Weiss 22 Feel good, look good-Taylor Weiss Sports 24 Coach leads team to state-Adam Sines 25 The concussion crisis-Gabby Olejniczak Photo 26 Spring break 2K16-John Nolan
Dedicated to Brielle Letter from the Editors This letter is dedicated to life. This letter is dedicated to a girl who was full of potential and had a great future ahead of her. All of this was tragically put to an end when she decided to take her own life, seeing no other solution. We dedicate this to Brielle. Though we did not know you personally, the impact of your loss is still felt throughout these halls. We aren’t going to lie, coming up with what to say isn’t easy. We didn’t know you and we aren’t going to pretend that we did because that isn’t fair to you, or to those who did know you. But here is what we can say. The loss of your life isn’t fair. The people that knew you can testify that you made a difference. Your life mattered. You could make them laugh and smile. You were smart, talented, and made Kennedy a greater place. What’s sad is that people are just now embracing all that you were. As a school we need to come together and embrace what each of us can bring to making Kennedy a kinder place. When we remember Brielle, take time to consider the impact you can have and the impact you want to have. If you would like to write a reply or personal message in response to this, please feel free to contact us by email at eliannan28@gmail.com or xanman925@gmail.com.
Never be afraid to reach out
National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 suicidepreventionlifeline.org
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Opinion
Staff Editorial: A letter to Governor Branstad Dear Branstad, It’s no surprise that education is one of the most powerful resources in the world. Education shapes the quality of life available for an individual, the opportunities accessible, the full potential a child is able to reach in life. When you cut funding to education, you tell every child in Iowa that their education does not matter. You tell them that you do not value their education; that in the end, it is not worth the cost. That child in class, full of untapped potential, will suffer the consequence of your decision. The entire state of Iowa will feel the consequence of your decision. Investment in the youth is investment in the future. You cannot justify that your decisions are to better the future of this state when you ignore the most vital factor: the future generation. We deny our children the opportunity they deserve to reach their full potential through education. Iowa, your children are ashamed. Ashamed their government does not believe in funding them, in supporting their potential. Ashamed they are not allotted the resources they deserve- resources available but allocated elsewhere. Ashamed of those who decided the cost of effectively educating the future generation was too high- what is our worth to you? We fill up classrooms with more children than we have desks, children packed into old outdated buildings, not enough teachers for too many students. Countless studies have proven large classrooms are ineffective; children can easily fall behind, especially those who face learning disabilities. Teachers can not effectively do their jobs, overworked and underpaid, these individuals who have chosen to educate the next generation of leaders. This is how we repay them. When you refuse to properly fund your children, you not only make it harder for them to achieve in core classes; math, science, english, history, you risk losing more than that. You lose your artists, actors, journalists, dancers, singers. Arts departments tend to see the cuts first; students can’t find passion in something they can’t get access to. That passion is never expanded upon- an artistic intelligence and talent ignored. Children disengage in school when their interests are ignored; you sabotage that potential to be great- you condemn that child to a life of mediocrity, of feeling poorly suited for a life of traditional education. How much are your children worth to you? 2.25% aid increase? My school district is the second largest in the state. This high school, John F. Kennedy, is one of the top high schools in the nation. Yet we cannot maintain excellence without the resources necessary- none of our schools can. Will we allow ourselves to accept the decline of our schools in Iowa? What do you have to explain to us, what do you have to justify? It’s a shame that words cannot match actions done by our state government. Yes, the budget is complicated. Yes, we must be mindful of our spending. However, every Iowa congress member we talked to, every one we met, said education was a priority to them. But when we don’t have the adequate funding, when we are forced to sacrifice aspects of a child’s education, how can you tell us we are the priority? Tell us, are we, the future of this state, truly your priority? Sincerely, Torch Staff
Staff Xander Riley Editor-in-Chief Elianna Novitch Editor-in-Chief Macy Anderson Photo Editor Jayden Bisson Profile Editor Abby Donovan Opinion Editor Erica Gouchee News Editor Naomi Hofferber Culture Editor Mary Liscum Ad Manager
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Gabby Olejniczak Sports Editor Jenna Anderson Staff Writer Katie Beer Staff Writer Jake Corkery Staff Writer Caitlyn Fisher Staff Writer Taya Floyd Staff Writer Avery Haefner Staff Writer Olivia Haefner Staff Writer
Madeline Jamrok Staff Writer Colby Manley Staff Writer Brooke McNeal Staff Writer John Nolan Staff Writer Anna Reinhart Staff Writer Nathan Sheeley Staff Writer Taylor Weiss Staff Writer Stacy Haynes-Moore Adviser
Four years, many changes
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ver the past four years, there have been many changes that I have watched happen and been a part of. I am leaving a Kennedy High School that is very different than the one I walked into. It has been interesting to be a part of a senior class that has seen countless changes and adapted to new things each year. Goodbye Dr. W, hello Mr. Kline. Dr. W was a legend, a principal that would be hard to compete with. She knew every kid’s name, even mine as a freshman. Mr. Kline had some huge shoes to fill, and I think he has done a tremendous job. He hasn’t tried to change the policies and way our school is run, and he tried to make the transition as smooth as possible. From his social media presence to his support for athletics and the fine arts, Mr. Kline has impressed me, and I think he will continue to do a great job as our principal. Snow days mean making up hours, not days. Long gone are the weeks full of two hour delays that kids wouldn’t have to make up in June. As much as I loved the extra time to sleep in, I can’t deny the fact that this change was for the better. Some weeks in February when a big storm rolled in we would have three two hour delays a week. That is an entire day of learning that students would miss out on, and six hours of curriculum that teachers would need to cut. We have learned our ABC’s, now we are prepared for SMART lunch. Oh SMART lunch, how you’ve changed my life. Of course I enjoyed the Pizza Hut and Subway filled days of ABCD lunch, having an hour to eat and do homework has helped me greatly. As a student athlete, it has allowed for me to finish my schoolwork during lunch, and be able to focus on my games at night. Despite the students who take advantage of this extra hour to do useless things and cause trouble, I personally appreciate SMART lunch more than the average student. SMART lunch has been one of the best changes I have witnessed at Kennedy. Out with trimesters, in with semesters. As one of the last school districts still on trimesters last year, I was happy to hear that we were to switch to semesters for my senior year. Because most universities are on semesters, the transition next year should be easier after one year of semesters in high school. Although having finals with more content is a drag, I think the preparation to college is more important to me and will ultimately benefit my future. So you’re welcome, Kennedy, that this senior class was the guinea pigs for several big changes. Although at times change can be hard, I wouldn’t have Kennedy High School be any other way. Macy Anderson
A call to give a damn T
here’s a strong plague spreading throughout Kennedy, and maybe even throughout the entire new generation. This plague is the plague of not giving a damn- of not taking important things seriously, whether because it’s too difficult to deal with or it is a conscious choice. The fact of the matter is this: a fourteen year old girl at our school took her own life because of bullying. When the news broke, it held an impact on all Kennedy students, to some extent at least, to know that we lost one of our own. But when we bring an assembly together to discuss bullying, a cause in the tragic suicide, some seemed to not take it seriously. The idea of such an assembly was a solid one; proactive, looking at the future of KHS, but was doomed to never really reach its full potential- because it’s a joke to some students. It seems kids don’t care about talking about bullying- if you aren’t bullied, the understanding is that it doesn’t affect you at all. What do we take seriously, if losing a young girl, a Kennedy Cougar, isn’t enough to get us to sit and actually listen during an assembly- to get us to actually think about the consequences of our own decisions. But some decide to remain apathetic. This is not unique to this school, this generation, even this country. But when we refuse to care even in our very community, our very school, we fall victim to the ability to ignore what it means to be human, what it means to care about each other, even if simply to the extent of wanting to keep someone around. Shame on you, those who showed disrespect at the assembly, those who wouldn’t give the time of day to talk about an issue that, while yes, we did learn in fourth grade, is still prominent in our society, in our school. No, you don’t have to mourn, or feel something powerful. Perhaps you aren’t an active bully, maybe you heard nothing new at this assembly. But don’t you dare disregard this, disregard these victims, these young people who face bullying everyday, who feel alone, who feel like ending their lives. I won’t pretend I knew Brielle. To do so would be disrespectful. But I do know Kennedy High School. I know we have the capability to be cruel, to be ignorant, to not give a damn about anything not immediate in our lives. But on the other hand, we have all the more capability to be compassionate, to be kind, to care, to be human. We will never be a cliche hold-hands-and-sing-Kumbaya school; it won’t happen. But can we consider for just a moment that maybe we truly can become a kinder Kennedy? Can we consider taking a moment to think about our daily actions, our daily lives, and the consequences of such? This is dedicated to Brielle, and all the Kennedy Cougars who are bullied, or have attempted or committed suicide due to bullying.
Naomi Hofferber
Pages by Abby Donovan | 5
Opinion
Should women sign up for the draft?
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he United States is the greatest nation that mankind has ever witnessed. We possess an advanced infrastructure that builds the foundation for a sophisticated society highlighted by a welldeveloped education system, one of the most stable governments in the world, and a general public that strives to achieve success. We hold the power of being one of the most persuasive nations on the planet, and seek to exercise that power in attempts to make the world a better place. However, even with the amount of power we hold as a country, we still do not require women to sign up for the draft. Allow me to be clear and concise with my belief, women deserve to be in combat; women also deserve the right to be required to sign up for the draft, otherwise known as selective service. For those who are unaware, every male citizen in the United States must, by law, sign up for the draft when they reach the age of 18, as per the Selective Service Act, signed into law in 1917. This has long been a part of our history, and preceded the ability for women to vote. Furthermore, women have only recently been allowed to be involved in active combat. It only makes sense then that we amend this law, extending the requirements to our female counterparts. Fortunately, we find ourselves as majority members of an egalitarian society, one in which men and women are considered equal and thus held in the same regard. However, we refuse to require women to enter the draft. Previous exemptions that prevented women from entering the draft have now ceased. They are all citizens of the United States, and should be required to gain access to the Selective Service. There are no extraneous requirements that would exempt women, therefore it only seems logical and ultimately equal that women become introduced to the draft system. If women are truly equal to men, and if feminists truly want to be considered in the same regard as men, to rid themselves of a social stigma that seems to persist into our modern society defined by tolerance, then they will support the nationalized extension of the Selective Service Act to women. Our military has shed the skin of conflict in relation to females in active combat. It is now time for our politicians to shed the skin of conflict in relation to females in the selective service. It is time to bring revolutionary change to an unused and overlooked system. It is time to bring ultimate equality to a society that has strived for egalitarianism for decades. It is time to require evenhandedness. It is time for women to join the selective service. It is time to achieve the fairness and impartiality that we, as a 21st society, have yearned for.
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Nathan Sheeley
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ntegration of sexes in combat roles is a big issue right now. There is a strong push from the Chiefs of Staff to put women into combat, and I can see why, equality is good. No one should be excluded from a group for reasons they can’t control. But in my mind, and in the minds of most of the members of the military, integrating women into combat positions is an unnecessary risk to the lives of our troops and here is why. There is no military basis for this change. All evidence has shown that mixed gender units perform worse than all male units. If you applied this to any other aspect of the military, the decision would be clear. If the Chiefs of staff wanted to issue a new weapon to all soldiers but it made them less affective, the obvious thing to do is stop the change, stay the same, and keep our boys safe. In a study conducted by the Marine Corps, they found that all male units performed better than mixed units in all, but two of 134 tasks used to measure their combat abilities. The same study also stated that women tend to have more issues than when it comes to carrying heavy loads over long distances and that they are more easily injured. If a new rifle is tested and loses to the old rifle in 132 of 134 categories, and is more likely to break down, would you want to make the switch? General John Kelly recently said that the sole purpose for change in the military should be to make units more lethal, I find it very hard to argue with that logic. Such a small percentage of women in the military even meet the physical requirements to qualify for the training. A very small number of them want to switch their job. I choose to put national security and the lives of our troops ahead of the small handful of people who might get their feelings hurt. It’s worth mentioning that women can still fight, just not in infantry or Special Forces jobs. There are many jobs in the military that allow you to fight the enemy. They are roles that are considered equalizers because physical strength is not an aspect of the job. For example, women are allowed to be combat pilots. Why rush this? There is no danger if we don’t but there is a chance for negative affects if we do. If America was under attack and we were running out of men or if we were actually invaded I would understand why there would be such a push for this; but right now, America is good. Most of the military doesn’t want this change and they have given good reasons why. We should listen to our troops. After all, they’re the ones who are putting their lives on the line. John Nolan
News
All for ONE, ONE for all
Every year Kennedy High School has a contest called the “Penny Wars,” where each homeroom is challenged to raise the most money for the ONE Campaign by bringing in coins. “The ONE Campaign at Kennedy High School is basically an organization or campaign to raise money to fight hunger in the world in particular developing countries,” faculty sponsor, Dan Carolin said. Several different fundraisers are planned throughout the year to bring more awareness to the campaign and to continue helping those in need. “For the past few years our money has been going to help support a foundation called Kids Against Hunger which packages special meals to send to places where starvation is an issue,” Carolin said. The Kids Against Hunger foundation ships their meals to over 60 different countries by connecting with humanitarian organizations all over the world. Since the start of the foundation with the assistance from thousands of volunteers, they have helped give over 200 million meals to families. “The meals are specially formulated for people who are fighting starvation and we try to bring them back from that,” Carolin, said. Students can get more involved by contacting Mr. Carolin to get information on when the next events are. “You can go to the food nights we have at various restaurants, participate in the Penny Wars, and helping package on packaging day,” Sam Eltze, sr., said. Sam Eltze is the vice president of the campaign. The ONE Campaign is a growing organization that has been going on for over seven years at Kennedy. “The campaign teaches kids here at Kennedy that they can make a difference by getting involved in different fundraisers that will benefit people who are in dire need of food,” Carolin said. The purpose for the campaign is simply to reduce the number of hungry children around the world. “Our overall goal is to help defeat hunger,” Eltze said. Jenna Anderson
A Scholarship of Honor
Kennedy Students package food for the ONE campaign
The Medal of Honor is the highest military honor that can be awarded to someone, and it has been over 40 years since a living person has been awarded that medal. Staff Sergeant Sal Guinta is that honorable man to break that trend. On Oct. 25, 2007 in Afghanistan, Guinta portrayed his act of bravery and obedience, but unfortunately still lost the lives of two other brave soldiers. Guinta grew up in Cedar Rapids and is a Kennedy graduate. In honor of Guinta and his accomplishments, a scholarship was created. The Sal Guinta scholarship nominates a student from Kennedy seeking a career in criminal law or the in military. The scholarship also honors just two of many soldiers that have lost their lives overseas. Guinta is an American hero, who served eight years in the United States Army and earned multiple medals other than the Medal of Honor. The Guinta Scholarship is a great opportunity for young students planning on going to college for criminal law, but the scholarship isn’t just handed out to anyone. There are three students from the senior class nominated each year by any teacher at random and the student doesn’t know they were nominated until the three are chosen. Guinta himself will choose who he believes deserves the scholarship the most. Senior Austin Bailey recently found out that he was nominated for the scholarship and he was astonished. Bailey is planning to attend Iowa State University next year, pursuing a degree in criminal justice with a possibility of joining the Air Force ROTC and serving after college. “I’m honored to even be nominated for this award, it has helped me decide my future at college and it would be an honor to meet Sal Guinta himself,” Bailey said. Daheun Kim was nominated and won the scholarship last year as a senior. She decided to major in humanities at the University of Northern Iowa. “If I receive the scholarship I think I’ll be in shock more than anything,” Bailey said. “College is expensive so it will definitely be helpful towards my tuition.” Colby Manley
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News
The Candidate Craze
Photos taken at various Republican rallies throughout Iowa. Photos by Nathan Sheeley This year’s political race can be described as despicable, hilarious, or even the best one yet, but many can agree the candidates this year are very interesting. Along with these different candidates comes the increase of people getting involved in the upcoming election. “There have been record amounts of people showing up for caucuses, especially first time caucus-goers. I think our generation is a lot more politically involved than generations before us because of how big this election is. We all kind of have our own opinions and that’s made this election gigantic,” Quinton McGovern, sr., said. With the presidential election coming up in the next year there have been caucuses, primaries, debates with both parties, and polls to show what the leading numbers are for each candidate in every state, nationwide. In Iowa, the caucuses are simply local party meetings where registered Republicans and Democrats come together and discuss the candidates and then vote for the candidate of choice for their party’s nomination. “I think Iowa influences voters who don’t know where they’re going to go. If you’re somebody who’s not really involved in the process and you read the polls you might be influenced. I think Trump leading the field for as long as he has, brings a lot of undecided Republicans in, so they just say he’s going to be the guy let’s just vote,” George Anderson, Kennedy teacher said. This year, people have strong opinions about each candidate, especially the more popular ones like Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. “I think Donald Trump is unfit to become president because he’s not saying anything. I don’t have a problem with a business man going in and shaking up the establishment, but I think he has let himself be attached to white nationalism and stuff like that. I don’t like demigods, people that play on fear and people who play on insecurities. He’s totally hammering it at the middle age white person who feels like the country is completely
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different than it was 20 years ago. I don’t think everything he says is off necessarily, but I don’t want my president making the joke references like he did at the last debate. I’ve been Republican most my life and I think that debate showed the lowest form of the party,” Anderson said. Many Republicans have a specific candidate they favor the most. “Marco Rubio is my favorite. I like his gun control policy and basically all of his economic policies. Hillary Clinton in my opinion is a criminal and belongs in jail, and I think Donald Trump is an outspoken, arrogant racist, and he should not be the front runner or president. I don’t think either of them should be the president or the nominees,” McGovern said. Many from both parties struggle to fully support one candidate over the other. “My first thought is that I feel like we should be able to do better in a nation of 350 million and I don’t love any of these candidates, but it’s been a really interesting race. Both parties are kind of at odds with themselves and what they want to represent. I don’t really support a lot of where Trump is coming from, but I like the fact that he shaking the Republican establishment up big time and making them confront some things that they’ve let slide for years,” Anderson said. Certain qualities of a candidate can either attract voters or push them farther away. “When candidates start pandering and flip-flopping, that really exposes them. I like transparency in candidates. I like when a candidate puts themselves out there, and you can’t question where they’re at,” Anderson said. Olivia Haefner
News
Reacting to Racism Racism has been a key issue covered by the media ever since the fatal shooting in Ferguson, MO in 2014. Now universities and high schools across the country are fighting to keep racism off their campuses. At some schools, the ones who are taking action are students and at others the administration is doing the talking. In Seattle, WA students created a petition describing exactly what is needed at the school to eliminate racism. The petition was created by undergrad and graduate students along with alumni and community supporters who feel that university officials aren’t reaching adequate standards on the fight against racism. “I would say I agree 100% with the students in Seattle,” Ryann Jensen, sr., said. Jensen thinks the students in Seattle are doing the right thing by stepping up and bringing the campus issue to attention. The petition makes frequent references to the insensitivity of how students and faculty react to racism, and also how the university isn’t taking necessary action against the controversial conflict that has spread throughout the country. To Jensen, the administration should have taken immediate action a long time ago. She praises the students for stepping up, but doesn’t think it should come to that. “I absolutely think the administration should listen to the petition; listen to the people,” Jensen said. The current petition is getting feedback day by day from people all around the country who either protest or support the thoughts the students have. “Blessings to you for being the brave ones, a unified voice that clearly outlines concerns and desired steps to be taken,” one supporter said. But some are protesting the petition, saying there is no evidence that defend their argument against racism. The comments protesting the petition were far outnumbered by those who congratulated the students on taking a stand. Jensen says there should be more people at schools and universities making these petitions if the administration doesn’t step up to the task of eliminating racism across the country. At some universities, the administra-
tion is taking the reins on a new plan for change. Brown University has proposed a $100 million anti-racism plan that would change how diversity is seen and handled on campus. After the plan was announced, the faculty took feedback from students, alumni, and community members about what was included in the pricey, but well desired proposal. There have been proposals from the school about minority groups before, but minor changes were made and caused little impact on students. The current proposal from Brown University was influenced by a group of minority students that united on campus and expressed anger and frustration with their life at Brown. They argued the university doesn’t hold those accountable to racism, sexism, and a host of other issues. Most of the students who spoke were upset with the way the university has handled how racism is dealt with and the fact that there was racism on campus in the first place. “Overall, I think Kennedy has a good community,” Jensen said. She hasn’t seen racism first hand at Kennedy, but has heard about it. “As a country, we need to step up,” Jensen said. Regardless if it was students or faculty taking a stand against racism, both of their arguments are clear, racism needs to end, and it needs to end now. Anna Reinhart
Graphic courtesy of Creative Commons
Pages by Erica Gouchee | 9
Culture
It’s More Than You Think A look at human trafficking across the nation and here in Cedar Rapids
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According to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center the number of human trafficking cases increases each year. In 2015 the NHTRC responded to 21,947 calls and 5,544 human trafficking cases were reported. Human trafficking doesn’t only refer to sex trafficking , it can also include labor trafficking. In 2015 4,684 of the victims were women and 574 were men. In the United States, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 defines sex trafficking as: “the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purposes of a commercial sex act, in which the commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age.” California is the state with highest number of human trafficking cases, last year 979 cases were reported. The most common places that sex traffickers sell their victims are along major highways this includes rest stops and truck stops. One of most highly populated highways runs right through Iowa; Interstate 80. One organization based in Cedar Rapids is Cedar Rapids Gives: End Human Trafficking. It is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization. The group’s focus is directed in two ways, first by reaching students and parents, and second by continuing medical education training throughout the medical community. The Founder of the group is Lenchen Raeside, who decided to start the organization because of the lack of knowledge about human trafficking in our community. Raeside told multiple people about human
trafficking around Cedar Rapids, but no one would believe her. The new president of the Cedar Rapids Gives organization is Teresa Davidson, she began in August 2015 since then she has branched out and worked with survivors along with visiting the Foundation 2 shelter to talk to kids at risk of becoming victims of human trafficking. The organization currently has 11 board members and is made up of subcommittees with another 30 volunteers. “One way that human trafficking survivors can come to us is through our website, we also work with the local police and DHS,” Davidson said. The organization recently applied for a grant through the government to help with more counseling, ways to find jobs and shelters for the victims to go to. Kennedy recently started their own group called, Students against Human Trafficking. Ms. Osborn will be the advisor of the group. They had the first meeting Feb 16. They encourage others to come to the meetings. According to the International Labor Organization, human trafficking generates over $150 billion in illegal profits each year. Human trafficking happens all over the world including, China, Uganda, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Haiti, Brazil and Bangladesh, which is the most famous for human trafficking . With more awareness and recognition, human trafficking can come to an end. The most important thing is to get the word out and help make kids, teens and young adults aware of this organization right here in Cedar Rapids and organizations all around the world.
Abby Donovan
Culture
Between 100,000300,000 U.S. children are enslaved in sex trafficking each year
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Pages by Naomi Hofferber | 11
Senior Snapshots KHS Seniors reflect on where
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they went for senior photos
“My favorite thing about my senior photos was the background options. The backgrounds in my photos were different and eye catching,” Brady Gibson, sr., said.
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Culture
“We offer cutting edge senior portraits that is fashion inspired with no limits on outfits. Senior pictures is an important part of your life. We offer unique backgrounds and products that our customers love that are modern and stylish. What makes us unique. We love animals. Pets are welcome to your senior session,” - Fusion Edge Photography.
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“John made the sessions enjoyable with his funny personality,” Morgan Petsche, sr., said.
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“To remove proofs from the studio you are charged a nonrefundable $250.00 deposit. In addition to the deposit; it is $90.00 for only a studio session, $95.00 for an outdoor session, and $145.00 for both a studio and outdoor session,” - Windsong Photography.
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“I really enjoyed taking pictures around downtown Cedar Rapids, the outdoors made for not only a pretty scene but a great time,” Hailey Schultz, sr., said.
”Book your session in June and receive $150 credit toward your order, Book your session in July and receive a $100 gift card toward your order,” - Studio U Photography.
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“Jill did a great job with my pictures and I had a great time with the photoshoot on the farm,” Alec Hanson, sr., said. “Pricing for senior pictures I keep pretty simple. It is $500 ($250 due when you book, and $250 due at the time of the session) $400 of that is credited toward the seniors order purchases. Prior to the session we set aside some time to discuss what interests the senior has, activities they are involved in and simply just who they are. This way when they have their senior session it is totally tailored to them,” - Jill Marie Photography.
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Madeline Jamrok
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A look at perscription pills, the increase of heroin in Eastern Culture Iowa, and what is being done to counteract it.
Hydro To Heroin
It does not discriminate in who it kills, how it kills, when it kills. It can cause death by only one exposure to it. It can ruin lives; users are addicted to it for life. This is heroin, and has been on the rise in Cedar Rapids since the late 2000s. Addiction to heroin can begin in the most unsuspecting of places: inside the average household. Many users experiment with opioid painkillers, such as Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, and Fentanyl, prescribed for pain typically following major surgeries or severe injury. If an individual is addicted to opioid pain pills, they are 40 times more likely to be addicted to heroin than the average individual, according to the CRPD. Users can develop a tolerance for opioids, and may ingest more to seek the same high, which can lead to experimentation with heroin; which provides a more intense high than prescribed pills. “In the 80s, Oxycontin became a big drug, and they said it was not an addictive drug at the time,” Alan Fear, Cedar Rapids Police Officer, said. Fear is the head of an initiative for the slowing and prevention of heroin across Eastern Iowa, and is in charge of Linn, Johnson, Blackhawk, and Dubuque counties. In 2011 the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that 4.2 million Americans over the age of 12 had tried heroin. It is estimated that out of the 4.2 million, 966,000 have or will become addicted. “The heroin nowadays is much more potent,” Fear said, “Back in the 70s and 80s, it was 4 to 10 percent pure heroin, now it’s in the 90s (percent). People are taking it for the first time and they are dying right away.” The abuse and abundance of prescription pain pills is where Fear plans to focus on amongst young adults and parents. Various states have proposed or enacted bills to decrease the rate at which such pills are prescribed. “We’re getting doctors prescribing a lot of opioid medications: Hydrocodone, Vicodin, Oxycontin, in overabundance. Now people are getting addicted to these prescriptions,” Fear said. “If you go to the doctor and you get a prescribed hydrocodone, you’ll get a month’s supply. That’s a lot. Typically people use maybe a week’s worth,” Fear said, “They have this medication sitting in their cabinets,what that does is it opens up the possibility for kids that are curious about these opioid medications.” Fear encourages those prescribed strong opioid medications to get rid of them when no longer necessary, and to bring them to prescription pill drop boxes, located throughout the city and at Cedar Rapids police stations. Kennedy Resource Officer Aaron Leisinger believes that while Kennedy has had incidents involving prescription pills, it is dealt with diligently throughout the school. “Kennedy definitely hits it head on. They are supportive, and request the drug dogs come in all the time. When I come forward with information about certain students, the staff is very diligent about helping me look into that stuff,” Leisinger said. Fear plans to lead discussions in various Eastern Iowa high schools in order to counteract the use of opioids and prevent the use of heroin amongst young adults. Naomi Hofferber
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Graphic by Nathan Sheeley and Caitlyn Fisher
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Feature
Rallying for representation
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fter several students from the Cedar Rapids Community School District went to the Capital in Des Moines to lobby for higher funding for education, a student union was formed in order to speak out in a unified voice against budget cuts. The students recognized that they could make a real impact if they got organized and that their opinions mattered and needed to be advocated for. "We are pushing for increased education funding because we want to maintain our extracurricular activities and not see our class sizes get bigger and bigger due to teaching cuts," Student Union President Kyle Scheer said. "We are also advocating for student representation on school boards. Right now we're working with the CRCSD to get some sort of student representation on our school board." Scheer was among the group of students who initially went and lobbied at the Capital. "I think it worked well. Khadidja Elkeurti, sr., advocates for student voices while talking to Cedar Falls They opened up lines of dialogue with us afterwards students about starting their own union. Photo by Naomi Hofferber. about student representation so I'm glad that [lobbying] ing their message and advocating for what they believe in. One was effective," Scheer said. Students like Scheer are frustrated by the news of budgets cuts message that Scheer personally wants to spread is directed to Governor Branstad specifically. that are being made in the upcoming school year. "Again and "Coming from a student's perspective, it is essential that eduagain every year our State is at a surplus in revenue, not countcation is funded at a proper level and seeing this lack of funding our emergency funds, and yet we still don't fund education ing shows us, the students, that you undervalue our education at a proper level. We are seeing the real impact it is having now," and don't see it as an important thing to invest in; that it isn't Scheer said. Teachers, administrators, and “There is progress to be made. That is why important to invest in us," Scheer said. other staff members in the school we formed the student union so that we "By doing that you are providing the incentive for people to not care about district are feeling frustration too can continue those efforts to make a real their education because you are showover the lack of funding for educalegislative impact.� ing that you don't care." tion. One of these members includes The student union plans to continue -Kyle Scheer, sr. Superintendent Brad Buck. what it started in Des Moines and "A lot of this [budget cuts], this hopes to make a definite impact. "There is progress to be made. year in particular, goes back to decisions made over the last That is why we formed the student union so that we can continfew years by the legislators and governor," Buck said. "They've ue those efforts to make a real legislative impact," Scheer said. already decided where to spend this money two or three sessions If you are interested in getting involved with the student ago and now it's creating an amplified problem in the current union and the fight for your education, you can find more inforsession." mation below. Buck commented that he believes it is a number of factors that Student union meetings are held every Mon. during A tutorial have led to the current situation of funding, or lack there of, for in Mr. Evans room (Room 163). You can find out more about education along with decisions that were previously made over what you can personally do and upcoming events that they will the last five to six years. be holding at the meetings. When asked about his opinion on the student union, Buck You can also visit their website at iowastudentunion.org for replied that was aware of the group and interested in working more information on how to get involved under the 'What You with them in the future. "When I was superintendent in another Can Do' tab. Make sure to follow their twitter @IAStudentUnion district I had a student advisory board and I would like to start or the local Kennedy group twitter @jfkstudentunion for upthat here," Buck said. "That would be an area I would like to dates. further explore so that we could get that student voice in the conversation." Elianna Novitch It is interest and support like Buck is offering that is helping encourage the student union to continue their efforts in spread-
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Infographic by Madeline Jamrok And Jake Corkery
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F
Do you have the TIME?
or the upcoming 2016-2017 school year the CRCSD is changing the school day schedule. The main changes include an added 20 minutes to the school day which allows for seven class periods, and early dismissal Fridays at 1:30. Another transition in the schedule is aligning the first, second, sixth, and seventh periods with Jefferson and Washington High School. In between those four periods will be lunch and some form of intervention time. This intervention time could be SMART lunch or some other type of learning opportunity. “I don’t believe having an early dismissal every Friday will be very beneficial because I will be going to personal development meetings where we as teachers have been doing the same thing for the last six to seven years. The meetings are not useful and very boring,” Teacher Craig Mallicoat said. The district proposed schedule changes before they decided early dismissals on Fridays would be the best fit. First, the plan was to continue releasing students early on Wednesdays. That was adjusted to a late start every Monday morning. “Late starts on Mondays would be better for me as it would allow for me to get more sleep after the weekend,” Tessa Steffen, so., said. Although some students don’t prefer the new schedule, other
students are thrilled with the early dismissals on Friday. “I think I’m really going to like the early outs on Fridays next year because after a whole week of school, it’s nice to have a break,” Noah Foege, jr., said. Other changes include a 7:50 a.m. to 3 p.m. day. “The lengthening of the school day is quite modest. The start is a few minutes sooner and the extension of the day is pretty slight as well,” Mike Moran, Kennedy parent, said. “If it were up to me to decide the schedule, I believe students would learn better later in the day. My kids have not been early risers so I tend to think 9 a.m. would be the best time to begin a school day and things would finish up around 4 p.m..” Seven classes will be preferable to some students and helpful with their sleep schedule. “I like how early bird academic classes aren’t an option anymore because I can fill up my schedule without having to wake up earlier,” Steffen said. The new schedule changes will be quite a shift for some people and for others it will be to their benefit. Madeline Jamrok And Jake Corkery
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Profile
20%
Five Kennedy students are finding ways to benefit their community while engaging their own passions for their perspectives class
Race for One K
ate Nus, jr., Reece Linder, sr., and Dane Popenhagen, jr. are hosting a 5k road race for their 20% project. While planning this race, their number one goal has been to raise money to help starving kids from around the world get packaged foods. They share this goal with the “ONE Campaign.” “We are teaming up with the ONE Campaign, so all of our proceeds will go to the campaign,” said Nus. The project has benefited all of the students working on it, and has taught them how to deal with real life experiences. “This project has taught me and the other students how to communicate with people of higher authority.”, said Nus. “We had to talk with the city clerk of Cedar Rapids and the Cedar Rapids Police Department for help with blocking off roads and help during the race.” Planning this race has also helped the students learn how to take something that they are passionate about, and turn it into something that can benefit others. “Kate and I do cross country and track, so it’s nice to be able to do what I love and help for a good cause,” said Linder. Overall, Nus and Linder believe that the 20% project is a great way to help the community and should be shared with many other students. “It’s an amazing experience when you’re helping other and get to do the things you enjoy at the same time. It is meaningful and makes me feel good about myself,” said Linder. “I feel so lucky be able to do what I love and help others at the same time,” said Nus. Taylor Weiss
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Profile
This photo is of Ellie’s father, who has grown very close to one man in particular, who had been sleeping in a porta potty. The man has since found a job, and has significantly improved his situation. Ellie has also helped him to get involved in HAACAP. Due to confidentiality issues regarding her project, Ellie could not disclose a photo of the man that her and her father have been working with. Photo provided by Ellie Klein.
Passion for photography “Photography has always been my passion,” said Ellie Klein, sr. Klein is preparing a photo project to raise money for the homeless in Cedar Rapids. At first Klein wasn’t sure what to do for the project, but it all came together when she decided to combine the two things that she enjoys. “I work at a food pantry at Metro Catholic Outreach and I have my own photography business, so I was excited when I decided to put the two things together to make my project.”, said Klein. Klein likes the fact that she can do the things that she loves and use it as a gradef for a class. She has always loved making others feel good, and this project has allowed her to dedicate even more time to helping others. “I really like helping others in ways that make them feel good. This project is also rewarding when I do things for others because I get to use my love for photography with it,” said Klein. Taylor Weiss
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Profile
Feel Good, Look Good Alexi Edmonds is taking her passion for makeup and putting it to good use by putting makeup on cancer patients at St. Lukes hospital. Her goal is to help them get through a difficult time by making them feel beautiful. “Research has shown that if cancer and ill patients look good they have a better chance of getting well sooner,” said Alexi Edmonds, sr. In Edmonds’ 20% project, she is visiting St. Luke’s hospital. She calls it the “Look good feel good” project. Edmond’s visits cancer patients and does their make up to make them feel better about themselves. Edmonds’ inspiration for the project was her mom, who had Non- Hodgkin’s Lymphoma disease. “My mom would always look in the mirror and not like what she saw.”, said Edmonds., sr. Edmonds thinks that this project has been a great experience and believes that it is already helping her in many ways. She is very interested in make-up and is becoming much better at it. This project is also
helping her to feel like a better person. “Being able to help others gain more confidence in themselves is a nice feeling and it makes them have a more positive attitude,” said Edmonds. Edmonds goes to St. Luke’s once a month and her last visit was Tuesday, March 8. This experience has opened Edmonds’ eyes to some tough aspects of reality and she recommends this project to everyone. “Whenever you get a chance to do something good for your community or do something nice, take the opportunity. You will feel so much better about yourself,” said Edmonds.
Alexi practicing her makeup skills on Alex Bibbs, sr. Photo taken by Jayden Bisson.
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Sports
Coach leads team to state
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he Cedar Rapids High School Roughriders Hockey junior varsity team won 4th place at state tournament in Ames on March 6. And maybe it could be because they have skilled players, or are just very talented, but assistant coach Jerry Herb thinks the team’s success is due to a different factor. “This team has talent, but because they’ve accepted each other,” Herb said. They support each other. There are a lot of individuals with good character on this team, “that’s from the top of the roster to the bottom of the roster.” Herb thinks a strength for the JV team is that they keep perspective about what they do and games they win. Kennedy High School students that are team members include juniors Tyler Burgess, Ian Carlson, Cooper Johnson; and freshmen Ryan Carlson and Adam Sines. Herb coaches more than 20 area high school players who participate in the Roughriders Hockey Club. Herb coaches more than 20 area high school players who participate in the Roughriders Hockey Club. Herb believes that success of the team comes from team members’ actions to each be a good person and at the same time give a full effort 100 percent of the time. Honesty, staying true to one’s self, and hard work are important for students’ success, he said. “I believe that there are challenges in life that are put there for you to overcome, so I think you should never get down about a challenge.” One of the challenges Herb’s student JV recently faced was a losing streak of four games at the beginning of the season in November.
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“We had to find our team identity,” Herb said. “Once everybody realized, ‘I have to do my job because my teammates, they are relying on me to take on my responsibility,’ then they can come in and take care of their responsibilities. We really started clicking.” As a coach, one of Herb’s jobs is to help students find their place on a team to understand their individual importance to the team. Another of his jobs as coach is to help players mature as adults. He tries to teach student players to reach their goals, whether in a sports or academic, or job environment. “Just helping them grow as people.” He might have had a little help learning how to teach these concepts as a parent to his own four kids. And in the parenting process, he found a new passion for coaching. “I saw how much of an impact hockey had on my son’s life,” Herb said. “When I saw how much it impacted my son’s life as far as growing up and being mature, the friendships that he built, basically how much he matured as an individual, and how much it helped him to grow, then I wanted to be part of that.” This is one reason he decided to become a coach. However, being a coach for a traveling hockey team also has its downsides. Herb has given up a lot of time with his wife because the time he must spend at the arena or traveling. He also has missed a little bit of time away from his children and today misses out on some time spent with grandchildren. Even with all the frustrations and absences, but “it’s still worth it.” Adam Sines
Sports
The concussion crisis Concussions can be invisible, but their impact is substantial
When one decides to participate in a sport, particularly, a con- impacts of them gave me aggression and messed up my sleeping tact sport, they run the risk of injuring themselves in one way or patterns. I’d always feel like I wanted to sleep even at times when it another. Sports injuries are taken very seriously, today more than wouldn’t make sense, like practices or lifting I would feel drained.” ever, with more and more young people partaking in athletic ac- Groth stressed that it is important to limit blows to the head as tivities at ages younger than ever before. much as possible in order to prevent concussions. If a concussion Some injuries commonly obtained in sports, such as a broken is suffered, though, there are several steps that need to be taken arm or a sprained ankle, are visibly evident and fairly easy to di- immediately. agnose. “If determined an athlete has a concussion the absolute first But what happens when an athlete gets an injury that you can’t thing to be done is removal from the sport,” Groth said. “Evalusee just by looking at them? Concussions are one of the most com- ation and re assessments are needed to determine if a referral mon injuries that occur among athletes, and if not treated, they is needed to the ER. It is very important that the athlete refrain can negatively impact you for the rest of your life. from any physical activity and limited cognitive/mental stimulaA concussion is a brain injury. According the CDC, concussions tion to allow the brain to heal.” are caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that causes Some athletes may attempt to return to their sports prematurethe head and brain to move rapidly back and “If determined an athlete has ly, but this is not safe for the athlete. forth. This sudden movement can cause the “If an athlete with a concussion continues brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, a concussion the absolute first to participate or returns to sport while still stretching and damaging the brain cells and thing to be done is removal from symptomatic or too soon a range of things creating chemical changes in the brain. could happen like symptoms continuing to the sport.” Lynn Groth has been Kennedy’s head ath-Lynn Groth, Athletic Trainer be present for a longer duration, a permaletic trainer for 15 years, and during her nent issue of symptom(s), post concussive time at Kennedy, she estimates that she has seen an average of 10 syndrome, to a second impact syndrome,” Groth said. “Second concussions per year. This year alone, Groth has dealt with seven impact syndrome is caused from a second impact during the time student-athletes that have suffered concussions. frame in which symptoms are present or full recovery hasn’t ocWhile the concussions Groth sees most often occur to athletes curred which can result in permanent, significant brain injury and participating in football, soccer, and wrestling, she has seen ath- death.” letes obtain concussions from volleyball, basketball, softball, and After sports related concussions, the focus typically seems to be baseball as well. on when the athlete can return to participating in their sport, but “Concussions can range from easy to difficult to diagnose as another question that needs to be addressed is how soon the stusome you can see things like balance issues, glazed over eyes, dent can expect their brain to be fully functioning for school and painful expression/posture, and slow reactions. Questioning the work that it demands. According to Athletic Director Aaron them about symptoms and cognitive questions can show any of Stecker, next year the school will be implementing a program to the many symptoms related to concussion along with decreased help teachers to know “if you’ve got a student who’s got a concognitive performance,” Groth said. “The less of these signs and cussion, here are some things that might impact them and how symptoms present makes diagnosing a concussion harder and they’re going to fit back into a classroom.” harder as with some concussions may only have symptoms like Before a Kennedy student can participate in athletics, they and headache, dizziness, or visual problems (ex blurriness) that I can’t their parents are required to sign a form indicating that they have see or objectively test and must rely on the athlete answering received information regarding concussions in high school sports. questions regarding those type of symptoms honestly.” For more information go to www.cdc.gov/Concussion. Todd Gusta, sr., has suffered multiple concussions while participating in sports, and experienced many of the aforementioned Gabby Olejniczak symptoms. “My first one was 8th grade year and my second one was sophomore year,” Gusta said. “The second one was way worse and the
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Photo
Spring break 2K16
Noah Gloede, fr., went on a trip to Colorado. Photo provided by Noah Gloede.
Several members of the senior class went to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Photo provided by Sydney Hayden.
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Mackenzie Hill, jr., Abby Hill, and Halle Hill, fr., went on vacation to Florida. Photo provided by Halle Hill.
Mason Jacobs, sr., Morgan Zebuhr, sr., Hunter Matthews, Sara Brandenburg, sr., Zach Demaris, sr., and Holly Hasenbank, sr., went to the Wisconsin Dells over spring break. Photo provided by Holly Hasenbank.
Lauren Vaske, jr., Karlynn Fifield, jr., Gabbie Meyer, jr., Hailey Dolphin, so., and Lauryn Vaske, fr., went to Universal Studios. Photo provided by Karlynn Fifield.
Background from Creative Commons
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