The_Oracle Volume 112, Issue 5, May 2017
The
FinalDays Issue
August 24, 2016
May 31,2017
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NOrth_high_school_501_holcomb_ave._des_moines,_ia_50313 A_public_forum_for_student_expression
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DMPS High School Graduation Rate Increases Cheyann Neades
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School for Rigor, Effective or Not? Breana Peterson
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New Vaccination in DMPS Kenzie Shnathorst
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Learn to Drive Megan Bohall
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Recoding the System Maluhkai Van De Boe
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Trump Bombs Middle East Twice: War or Threat? Nathaniel Thomas
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“You Can’t be What You Can’t See” Angelica Reyes
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What To Do In Des Moines (a guide) Kathleen Tran
pg.11 Seniors, What’s your Path? Harry Nguyen
pg.12 You Belong Here
Vanessa Vorasith
pg.13 “All Summer ‘17” Mya Alexander
pg.14-15 The Pillars of North High Yer Lee
pg.16 Bittersweet Goodbyes, High Expectations Madison Houska
pg.17 North Junior Prepares to Succeed in the Future Laura Christensen
pg.18-19 Coming to a New School Abbie Primrose
@NHS_Oracle
pg.20 Double Time
Jasmine Inthabounh
pg.21 High Hopes for Home Runs – Micky Roark
@NorthHighOracle Table of Contents
pg.22-23 Andrew Phillips; Road to Recovery – Kenzie Schnathorst
ADVISER: Jennifer Dryden
North High Oracle
Design: K. Schnathorst/ L. Christensen
INCREASES Each year, the Iowa Department of Education releases the data regarding graduation rates for Iowa as a whole, as well as specific districts and their numbers. Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) showed an increase from the class of 2015 to the class of 2016. In a recent article by DMPS it states, “The Class of 2016 at DMPS had a district-wide graduation rate of 81.16%, an increase of 2.84% over the previous year.” With this nearly 3 percent increase, all five DMPS high schools (Roosevelt, Lincoln, North, Hoover and East) contributed to the overall rate as each individual high school increased as well, according to DMPS and educateiowa.gov. For North, administration has taken many steps to make sure students are earning their diplomas. “The overall way we do business in Des Moines with reducing the number of suspensions for students…Trying to reduce the time kids are out of class,” Principal Michael Vukovich said. Not only did the administration create changes over the past few years regarding behavior, but also the overall environment of the school. One of the main departments within the administration that focuses on the climate and culture within North is MTSS. MTSS is the Multi-Tiered System of Support, which is a committee within the administration and staff. Vukovich describes it as “A national thing, it’s the way you encompass kids through behavior and intervention, things like that...” MTSS focuses on specific methods to ensure students have positive experiences in both academics and achievements. MTSS took part of creating the “URMYWHY” postcards that teachers gave to their students to make them feel purposeful, skinny powerpoints in ranging topics, and organized draft systems. “We’ve really been paying attention with our [North’s] MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of
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Support), the skinny period of the day where kids can get extra help, Achieve3000, those types of things that are going to help kids with reading and feel confident in school. The draft process where students can get help getting a 4 or a 3 or making up a test, or whatever it is, those things have helped. Some of those things have been done district-wide, that’s why the numbers went up,” Vukovich said. Throughout the district, teachers from each school have collaborated to ensure lessons are being taught in the same curriculum. “Teachers work together to make the scales and curriculum so that every school is teaching the same thing, the same target, pretty much at the same time. Which has really helped us because it used to be when a kid transferred from East to North, they could be at a completely different spot, learning about completely different things. Now, if you were leave here and go to East, you’re going to be around the exact same topic as the other group,” Vukovich said. “The courses we offer are more similar [to other DMPS schools] than they used to be,” Vice Principal Dr. Cheryl Modlin added. Along with forming the same lessons and curriculums throughout the high schools, DMPS has been consistently making changes to ensure students can continue to graduate with their class, and be ready for their future plans. According to DMPS, the Des Moines district has added Academic Support Labs within the Early Indicator System, starting 2009 that tracks students’ graduation progress, increased after school programs and extracurricular activities to allow students to become more connected to their schools and grow passions, and Gallup Polls through the Gallup Organization to ensure district growth and improvement plans for students. Through continuous efforts and studentfocused planning, North High School and the district as a whole plan to allow more students to earn their diplomas and tackle their individual futures.
3 Cheyann Neades, Co-Editor in Chief
Principal Michael Vukovich speaks to the class of 2016 at the Drake Knapp Center on May 28, 2016. Photo Credit: Oracle Staff
260 students graduated from North for the 2016-2017 school year. Photo Credit: Oracle Staff
Alumnus Morgan Dubreuil at the Drake Knapp Center on May 28, 2016 after she received her diploma. Photo Credit: Oracle Staff
Find more about DMPS and graduation rates here: http://www.dmschools.org/
Design by: C. Neades
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Breana Petersen, Reporter
This year North High was the first Des Moines public high school to become a school of Rigor school, meaning the student’s learning is being put in their own hands. The teachers are trying to feed students less information and have the students dig into their learning and figure it out on their own. As well as trying to put students in more peer groups and getting them to talk to more classmates. Teachers and students alike are still adjusting to the new way of teaching. “The idea behind rigor school, I love. It places the workload and the responsibility for education on the students . . . I know there are a lot of teachers who are becoming better teachers, because instead of just giving the information, they’re posing it so that students have to inquire and dig in and that’s fantastic,” said Cheyenne Landrith, English teacher. Most teachers love the idea behind rigor but believe that it’s a process that the school itself has to learn. Teachers, as well as students, are learning how rigor works. “Schools for rigor where we put the students in charge of their own learning and try to get the teacher out of the way. I think it’s very good in concept, I like it, but teachers need to learn how to do it to make it effective . . . But I do think when kids do the work more than the teacher it will be a good thing,” said Michael Lucht, math teacher. It’s a process that some students are having a tough time with because it’s not what they’re used to. “It’s a great idea if you have students who are ready for it, and that’s where I’m at. I don’t think our school is ready for it. Our school is learning how to get ready for rigor, but we’re not there . . . It’s a wonderful
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idea but it’s going to take some time to make it happen,” said Homer Hill, history teacher. Some parts of rigor schooling have taken effect faster than others. Students being put into groups more makes it easier for students to work in groups effectively. “I think the rigor schooling is working beause in my classroom the kids are working better. I’m able to put them in groups. When I started teaching whenever I would do groups they would be out of control, they were not able to organize very well, and I’m seeing the difference,” Heather Rosewall, health teacher, said. Because North is the first high school to become a rigor school of rigor, teachers are still learning what works and what doesn’t work. “Sometimes it’s frustrating because we’re the first school in the nation to do it the way we’re doing it. We’re writing how it’s done, so it’s kind of trail and error at this point. But all-in-all I do think it’s moving us in the right direction,” said Shannon Power, science teacher. Rigor schooling has made improvements to the way students learn and the way teachers are teaching, and even their views on teaching, but it is still a process that the school as a whole has to learn and work to achieve. “I think it’s working. I think it’s been a challenge for teachers and students to adapt to and approach learning in a different way [than] everybody’s used too. I think once teachers and students get used to it and see the benefits of it, it will be a good thing. It’s just a growing process, as all change is, and so we are struggling through it at the moment . . . I’m feeling pretty good about how my teaching is and how it’s changed or become a little bit stronger,” said Joseph Van Haecke, english teacher.
Design: B. Petersen
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NEW VACCINATION IN THE DES MOINES SCHOOL DISTRICT Kenzie Schnathorst, Editor
All students entering the eighth, and twelfth grades in the fall will have to get the vaccination.
Students won’t be allowed back into school if they don’t receive the vaccine. They also risk the chance of getting meningitis, which can be fatal, cause disability or lead to seizers.
Insurance should cover it. If not, students can get a Primary Health parent permission form signed and turn it in to the school nurse.
The vaccination is called the Meningitis Vaccine. And it prevents meningitis, which is a serious infection in your brain.
Every high school in Iowa has to require their students to get the vaccine.
Students will have to call and make an appointment with their doctor and ask to get the vaccination.
Design: K. Schnathorst
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Megan Bohall, Editor
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s high school students we are judged and mocked on our ability to drive a vehicle. For some, we are just starting out on the journey of having out freedom to drive, and for others we have been driving for several years. Either way, most high school students hate being made fun of for their driving. But that is not why I am here. I am here to talk to those of you who apparently don’t know the etiquette and responsibility of being behind the wheel. There’s a set of rules one should follow when it comes to parking lots.
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Number one, pick up your trash. It seems like it’s a very obvious request, but by the looks of the parking lot it needs a little reiteration. The parking lot looks more like a landfill most days. The janitors are not here as your clean up crew so please be respectful and throw your trash in the trashcans inside or outside of the parking lot. Number two, when you damage other peoples’ property, take responsibility. Recently there has been an outburst of students’ cars being damaged. Many complaints have been made about tires slashed, mirrors broke, and dents made in students cars. There is one simple solution to this problem; no matter how mad at someone you are, damaging their property won’t help. Now if it is an accident and you put a dent in someone’s car leave a note with your name and number.
If you flee the scene and get caught on the tapes, the consequence will be much greater than what it would have been if you had admitted to it in the first place. Number three, take turns. Don’t be greedy and not let people go in front of you. Crashes happen when people speed through intersections not bothering to look and let others who have been patiently waiting go. Accidents happen when people rush and don’t pay attention. So the best advice is to slow down in the parking lot and only go when you are sure it is safe. In the end these tips are extremely important to follow. Complying with these tips can save your car or others cars from being damaged.
Illustration/Design: M.Bohall
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Recoding the system Maluhkai Van De Boe, Reporter Not every generation learns the same stuff the same way. Some things become irrelevant, and some things change, and needs change. So what have past generations learned that we don’t learn in school today? In the past schools weren’t even required to teach anything above general math (Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.) Only learning the basics, how does it affect students in the long run? What don’t schools teach us that we might need or want to learn? Why aren’t we taught more vital skills? In the long run, street smarts or book smarts? “It makes it so it’s tougher on us having to learn after we should have already known it. That [does not] teach us how to do our taxes or the basic skill to get a job. Because they don’t have the money to add more extra circular activities” says Kassandra Hackett, sophomore. We learn so much in school, from coloring inside the lines to solving inverse matrices, but in the long run street smarts get us further. We learn plenty of things from pure experience, such as how to act in a job interview or file taxes. In school we never learn to do simple, vital things needed for the adult world. If you decide you want to take classes to learn to drive you have to pay hundreds of dollars. Drivers ed was taken away in most schools
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due to budget cuts or the change in college requirements, but this is almost an essential skill in adult life. Schools teach us some vital skills, but in some aspects we don’t need all of the classes we are required to take, such as science. Not everyone wants to be a scientist as an adult, but yet it is a required course. Let’s fall back to elementary, cursive handwriting, a useful skill for adult life, isn’t required or in some schools isn’t even an option. Some schools don’t even teach students to read analog clocks but what do you see in most classrooms hanging on the wall? Analog clocks. Schools have limited budgets, it’s not all against the school system. Some amazing classes in the music, drama, and art departments of schools are the first to go when money problems decide to wander our way. Last year at North High School was the last year for students to enjoy graphic arts
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and graphic design at North without taking the class at Central Campus. We aren’t taught some skills because some things need to be learned through experience, times change and we no longer need certain skills. Advances in technology make some skills minimal or not needed at all. Certain things such as getting a job or applying to college need to be learned through experience. Not needing to learn certain things due to the evolutions in technology can contribute to the school system changing more advanced calculators can do crazy stuff like solve matrices or graph trig functions, making it almost pointless to learn how to solve them by hand.
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Design: Maluhkai Van De Boe
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Nathaniel Thomas, Reporter With recent news about President Donald Trump dropping the biggest bomb in history that isn’t nuclear, many of the world’s citizens have concerns. The MOAB (Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb) was dropped on ISIS controlled territory in Afghanistan. So what does this mean? It means that countries that have hated America are now on edge and ready to strike. For example, North Korea has increased the frequency of weapons testing to once a week. Now Vice President Mike Pence haa told North Korea, “Don’t test Trump.” Which really worries most people because this tells the world that America, if provoked could end up starting either a series of wars or just one war. If this happens, it could possibly be the end of the world, as we know it. Especially if in the same area, America sent just over 50 missiles prior to the MOAB dropping. America has also got a warning from Russia for attacking the Syrian government. There is a war in Syria between the Syrian Government and the Syria Rebels. ISIS has also started taking over certain parts in Syria. ISIS is a terrorist group that has taken many lives and broadcast the killings to countries worldwide. President Trump has mentioned in the past that he would end the ISIS threat. The main reason America is even intervening in the war is because most terrorist oppose, “The western world.” For example, the
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western world letting women go to school and not having them wear hijabs. Now seeing America as a threat, ISIS has started targeting American soldiers stationed in the Middle East. There was a group of soldiers that were attacked in Afghanistan, up until this point America did not know exactly where ISIS had bases. So after finding this out they decided the best course of action would be to drop the MOAB which I think was a good idea because it showed ISIS that if they don’t stop their attacks that we will take them out. Before any of the prior events happened we launched 50+ missiles at Syria following their government using deadly chemicals on innocent people. Now, Russia is allied with the Syrian government so they’re against the US attacking the Syrian government. The thing is with tensions in the world being very high any wrong move at any wrong time could lead to the end of the world. If Russia attacks America, because each of the countries have allies that have nuclear missiles that can destroy the world. After the election President Trump has went straight to work and it seems like he is making enemies with countries that we already have shaky relationships with I think he has good intentions but sometimes bad things that happened in the world happened because of good intentions.
59 Tomahawk Missiles Who: Trump What: Trump launches 59 Tomahawk missiles When: April 6, 2017 at 3:40 a.m. Syrian Time Where: Syria Why: Syrian Goverment used chemical weapons on citizens Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb: Who: Trump What: Dropped MOAB on Afghanistan When: April 13, 2017 at 7:32 Afghanistan Time Where: Afghanistan Why: Destroy an ISIS hideout
Graphic: J. Inthabounh / Design: N. Thomas
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Students’ Thoughts: What Representaton Means to Me? “When I think of represenation I think of supporting others and their beliefs” -Senior, Ana Gama
Angelica Reyes, Editor Media has a big influence and gives people an idea of how to perceive the world around them. According to Affinity Magazine, “Cartoons for example are watched and enjoyed by many. The bright imagery and animation draws the attention of anyone and can be very influential.” Cartoon Network has been on TVs since 1992, the animation channel famous for its beloved shows such as, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, Dexter’s Laboratory, Ed, Edd n Eddy and many more have been enjoyed by many generations. The network has a large number of fans, with numbers growing even more as young children gain interest. Aware of their influence, Cartoon Network has been a channel that has put its great popularity to good use in recent years. It has made efforts to show diversity and representation within their shows. An example of this is a show called “We Bare Bears” created by an Asian American named Daniel Chong. The show is about three brother bears awkwardly attempting to find their place in a civilized society. The show was first criticized because some thought the main characters were treated unfairly. The creator explained that “the unmotivated poor treatment of the bears in the show was more of a way for him to show the audience his own experience as an AsianAmerican and an allegory for what it feels like to be a minority in America,” according to Cartoon Brew. A show such as this one that demonstrates
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how minorities are sometimes treated in America allows children to learn and better understand the importance of respecting diversity and the importance of representation. Although the show’s diversity is subtle it still gives the full effect and shows the importance of how media can influence. According to Pediatrics & Child Health, “the effect that media has on children and youth can have a profound impact that can ripple throughout their lives.” It’s important to reinforce change within art and media. To not allow gender and racial stereotypes to affect people, because often the uses of these stereotypes are “ways people evaluate themselves and can impact the self esteem and development.” The need for representation is more than ever. The feeling that comes when you see something of yourself, in art or media that you identify with is like recognizing something deep within you that only you could see before. Representation has the power to show our own potential, whether that’s in big moments of triumph at the Oscars or in small moments that remind us that we are not alone in our experiences showing we are more then what we are typically seen as. Putting representation in cartoons is just one step forward in encouraging diversity and representation. It’s important to recognize everyone individuality as well as respect everyone’s color, race, nationality or anything and everything that makes up who they are. Although it will take time to change the systematic underrepresentation in media the encouragement at young age to see people who look like you on screens will encourage many to embrace who everything that makes them who they are.
Photo Credit: Angelica Reyes
“Representation to me is self expression” -Junior, Tre’ Vawn Jarrett
Photo Credit: Angelica Reyes
“Representation means diversity and inclusion” -Senior, Marisela Aguilar
Photo Credit: Angelica Reyes
“How you act and talk to people around you” - Senior, Calvonta Stallings
Photo Credit: Angelica Reyes
Design: A. Reyes
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Need something to do? Here’s a personal, curated guide of inexpensive, fun ideas to do here in the Des Moines area.
Make a trip to your local thrift shop. Goodwill has endless to browse through and you never know what you may end up spotting. In fact, many of people’s unique pieces were found while thrifting.
Grab a sketchbook and pencil. Mess around with different art styles. Sketching isn’t meant to be perfect - have fun with it. If you want to mess with color, an alternative could be painting. Unlike sketching, there are a lot of types to choose from- watercolor, oil, acrylic, etc. Each are used for different styles.
6345 SE 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50320
Films are wonderful and can instantly cure boredom so why not go see or create your own. You don’t necessarily need to have a fancy camera, use your phone or an old camera. Get creative! Find inspiration from your favorite films.
1404 22nd St, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Don’t listen to what others may say, reading can be fun. Find a genre that interests you and you will be bound to find a book you genuinely enjoy.
3. Go Downtown Make a trip downtown. There’s plenty to do and it’s typically a popular place to hang out. Go to a restaurant. Or if it’s a nice day out, walk around and enjoy the scenery.
10201 University Ave, Clive, IA 50325 300 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309 Features
Image Credit: Wikipedia
Design: K.Tran
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What’s your path? •
Harry Nguyen, Editor Every year at North High School students are working to create their schedules for the following year. Crafting their schedules to the way that they see fit. Filling their days with classes ranging from sewing, AP human geography, JROTC or even creative writing. Most students base their decision-making on classes when considering required credits while others may even look at it as towards their potential careers after high school. But what about the seniors who will no longer follow the same schedules as the underclassmen after graduation? Students after graduation are at the pinnacle of their lives, where decisions affect their careers directly. After high school, most students plan to attend higher education to study a field where they see themselves working in the coming future. Some other students may go straight into the workforce or in other cases, the military. Many students at North are doing just that. Seniors like Aaron Teachout, Edidth Lozano, and Akai Thiphavong all have different paths after graduation day. “The first thing I’m going to do after high school is join the Marine Corps as an MOS
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69.7 percent of 2016 high school graduates were enrolled in colleges or universities (Federal Bureau Of Labor Statistics) 51 percent of students who decided not to go to college had jobs (http://kscequinox.com)
0311 (rifleman),” Aaron Teachout said. But that is not his only plan: Teachout anticipates that after his four to eight year service he would like to attend college for political sciences and hopefully run for congress starting at the local government. “College isn’t the only route. Find a goal that you want in life through different experiences and try different things in high school,” Teachout said. Edidth Lozano, on the other hand plans to go straight to work after graduation. “I need to help my family out since we’re a big family,” Lozano said. Considering that she is the second oldest bilingual sibling in her family, she plans to work at Nationwide or a bank. Having not worked all her life, Lozano’s family supports her decision so that she can gain experience to pursue greater success in life. “I always wanted to work in an office and since I know English and Spanish, it makes it easier for me to work. I don’t really like school and the thought of starting all over again,” Edidth said. On the thought of graduation, Edidth personally expressed, “It’s mixed emotions...I am kind of scared. Since I never worked it’s kind of hard. It’s gonna start a new lifestyle, a
As of 2008, 84,758 males and 15,680 females who are in between the ages of 18-19 serve in the military (nces.ed.gov)
new routine. It’s gonna be different.” Finally, Akai Thiphavong, who plans to attend higher education at DMACC in Ankeny, IA to study film production. He knows that he does not want a break in education. “I still want to learn something new every day whether it’s school related or not,” Thiphavong said. His family encourages him to do what makes him happy. His desire is to become the third person in his family to attend college. “I would like to thank my mother. She didn’t get the experience to go to college or graduate high school and I think me getting the opportunity makes her happy.” His main goal is to become a professional YouTuber, creating content. He wants to create inspirational documentaries to “push people who don’t feel good enough for the world to become good enough for the world.” Notably, there is not a set path that any student after high school has to follow. The diversity of everyone’s lives is what brings different ideas and change to society as a whole. Whether you decide to go to the military, work or college, no one is above anybody else; we are all unique on how we want to pursue our lives for the good of the future and these students are just the few.
Design: H. Nguyen
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Vanessa Vorasith, Reporter Des Moines Public Schools has became the most diverse school district in Iowa acoording to unitedway.org. Many people would vote North High School as probably one of the most, if not most, diverse high schools. According to Niche.com, North High School is ranked #7 in ‘2017 most diverse public schools in Iowa’ out of 210. Enrollment in North has also grown from 986 in 2010 to over 1,200 students in 2012-13 school year. As of 2016, Former President Obama set the worldwide refugee ceiling at 85,000 but ever since 1975, Iowa has always had a long history with welcoming refugees. In 1975, Governer Robert Ray established a task forced to resettle 1,200 Tai Dam refugees displaced by the Vietnam war, which then continued its commitment to refugees each year. In 2015, refugees from 14 different nations came to Iowa. Over the past 5 years, Iowa has welcomed over 3,000 new refugees with over half of them coming from Burma. The Burmese
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and Bhutanese have been coming to Iowa for many years and the Burmese have languished for years in refugees camps without access to jobs or outside assistance. Many of these refugees from all around the world that have come to Iowa, and have turned to North High School for education. North High School has been recognized as a turnaround school over the past years. A turnaround school is a school that produces significant gains in achievment within two years and prepares the school for the longer process of transformation into a high-performance organization. North has also been recognized for making enormous strides in its efforts to prepare a diverse student population for success. North has the total minority enrollment of 69 percent which is more than the state average of 22 percent. Des Moines Public Schools sent out a message to issue a statement in support of immigrant and refugee students in response to Donald Trump’s executive order to suspend entry of all refugees for 120 days. All Des Moines Public Schools including North sends a message to immigrant students letting them know, you are
welcomed and belong here. North had recently started having meetings called ‘Know Your Rights’. “These meetings are created by the ELL Department for the Latino community to help them know and understand their rights as immigrants in this country regardless of their status.” said Adrift Manzanom, Bilingual Community Outreach Worker. “‘Know Your Rights’ is giving us the idea to inform the community about the things we could do to prepare and how to create a plan to protect themselves and their family in case an event can happen; to inform them about their rights, and also to provide them with immigration services and resources that are available for them” said Manzanom. These meetings have been done at Weeks Middle School, as well as Hoover, East and North High School. This is a great learning experience and letting our refugee and immigrant students families know that they are safe, North welcomes all, and you belong here.
Design: V. Vorasith
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ne Landrith yen This is , En e h Landrith’s last semester of grad school and will be teaching the new class Intro to Spoken Word next year at North.
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summer Baring plans on coaching varsity football players and boys basketball in between his small vacations to Texas and Colorado.
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iel Arroyo, P br Arroyo plans to hold high school football camps along with coaching the players.
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Daniels, En ssa g li i l e Daniels will spend her summer bonding with her toddler Ophelia and plans to come back next year to teach English 3 and AP Lang.
a Miller eres Miller , Math Th will be spending her summer with her two puppies, Milo the wiener dog, and Sunny the German sheppard. She will also be working at a part-time job to help with her upcoming wedding.
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Mya Alexander, Editor
s, I-JAG Co kin ns n u Over the Je summer Jenkins will be one of the chaperones for the Costa Rica class trip. After the trip, he will be the director of a summer program where they go somewhere every day.
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We asked the North High staff what their plans are for the upcoming summer and what new classes they plan to teach for the next school year.
by Gilson, P.E . Kir Since Gilson did not coach high school football this year for the first time in 33 years, his summer is full of time for him to work on home projects and go on a Motorcycle trip around the East Coast.
Photo/Design: M. Alexander
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16 Madison Houska, Co-Editor in Chief
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s many know, and to the few who do not, North’s activities director OJ Sinclair has been with us for the past two years. From changing participation rates, developing feeder programs, to raising his now 9-year-old daughter, many changes have came to his life. One of which, being his decision to resign from his current position at North High School. “I want to be able to spend more time with my daughter and my family. She’s at a time where she’s involved in a lot of activities and I want to be able to go a watch her grow up,” he said. Although this may be concerning for North’s sports and activities, Sinclair said that “there will be a seamless transition and we will make sure that our programs don’t miss a beat with the new AD.” For many juniors and seniors, the last two years being involved with activities have been the best experience in all four years. They know they are not alone when they say that they have generally felt cared about. It has been made clear to activities and sports based on actions, that Sinclair values an equal balance between the both.
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Speaking of a balance, there is a share of traits that would be expected out of the new AD. A few of those including: energy, equitability, and loyalty. Sinclair hopes “they put in the time and generally care about the programs” as he does. In many ways, Sinclair has learned a lot of things from being an activities director. “I have learned patience, how to multi-task, how to prioritize and definitely how to be a better relationship builder,” Sinclair said. His new path will give him the time he needs. He is taking a position that is still tied to Des Moines Public Schools. His new position is called Community Education Coordinator. Sinclair will be working with facility scheduling and coordinating youth, adult and family programs. The position will not be as fast paced as his current one, but he is looking forward to it. To be an activities director “it has to be the right time of your life and you got to have support,” Sinclair said. Even though he is taking a new path, Sinclair still has hopes for the activities
and sports at North. “I hope we continue to grow our feeder system so we can be competitive at the high school level and also continue to upgrade our facilities.” Sinclair is feeling bittersweet about leaving, but wants to leave North with these thoughts. “I appreciate my time at North; I’ll always be a polar bear. I’m extremely proud of the accomplishments we’ve had while I was here and I wish everyone the best.”
It’s been like 7th Heaven and he will be greatly missed. -Terri Buban
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Mr. Sinclair has brought two years of organization, direction and tremendous fundraising. He did a great job and he will be missed. -Gregory Holland
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Terri Buban, North’s activities secretary and OJ Sinclair, activities director, have been close friends and colleauges since he began two years ago. Photo Credit: Colt Wyatt (2016)
Working with OJ has been a great experience. I coached OJ when he was in high school and I had the opportunity to coach him in baseball and basketball when he was a freshman at Lincoln. We wish him nothing but the best as he moves to the next professional chapter of his career. He did a lot of awesome things while he was at North. -Chad Ryan
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Design: M. Houska
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To Succeed in the Future Laura Christensen, Editor Have you ever wondered what it would be like to make state education decisions for your school and other schools impacted by that board? Robert Nishimwe, a junior at North, is a student representative for the State Board of Education. Getting started with the Board was with the help of a teacher at North, the gifted and t a lente d consultant Anthony Voss. “My mentor Rob has been a great help in my life. He always motivates me to try new things, to keep on fighting when I feel like I have no fight left in me, and he always gives me the support that I need to do what I need to in order to succeed,” Nishimwe said. Being a part of the Board comes with responsibilities such as having a student perspective in the conversation. He currently is a part of the Every Student Succeeds Act sub-committee. Which is a law and an accountibility system and see how the state can offer support to students who need it. “I now have access to the individuals who get to make the decisions, which impact the direction of education in Iowa,” he said. Nishimwe wanted to make a difference on issues he saw in the education system and have a student voice heard. He wants to be able to address an issue they may not be aware of. “I wanted to be a part of the board since I saw it as an opportunity to be able to have an outlet to bring forth issues and concerns that I had experienced while in this educa-
tion system, and ones that my peers had also experienced,” he said. While being on the Board of Education, he can have a voice and discuss different topics as they’re talking about them and contribute his personal perspective. Being at the meetings comes with great experiences and he can hear about situations before anyone else knows about them and have a say in something that will come in effect later. “I get to hear and learn about different policies and future policies to come that will affect the education system in Iowa. It’s a great way to really learn as to what things are being done to better the education system in Iowa, and you get to also see as to the struggles that come with trying to implement policy with a limited budget,” Nishimwe said. He believes because North is such a diverse school that it helped him in the application process and gave him background experiences he got chosen for the position. At this point he is looking at Georgetown University for college. Continuing after high school he wants to go straight to college and get involved in something with policy advocacy, which is to make laws that people want and to make sure they get published and laws are made what people want them to be. “I want to go there cause first it’s in D.C. and I would love to have that experience of being that close to the Capital and all the different sights and monuments that are there. I also want to be away from home the first years out high school, since I want to be able to explore the world that’s outside of Iowa and get to learn new things,” he said.
“My motivation is my faith, and my vision for a better world whether that be in my community, family and this country.”
All About Robert:
Activities he’s involved in: C.O.R.E. (Community of Racial Equity), Track and Field, Science Bound and National Honors Society Five AP Classes: AP Environmental Science, AP Comparative Government, AP Calculus AB, AP U.S. Government and AP Language & Composition.
Design: L. Christensen
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Abbie Primrose, Reporter
Logo Credit: DM Harding
Transitioning to a new school is always difficult especially if it has four new grade levels and a lot of other eighth graders coming from different school, branching into one. It can be intimidating at first but now as you have gone to North for a while, you can see you were probably worried for no reason. Eighth graders from Harding Middle School were asked questions for a survey inquiring how excited they were for high school and what they were most worried about. Over 30 said they were excited, but more than 70 out of 114 surveys said they weren’t looking forward to it. When asked what they were worried about many said, classes, other students, and teachers, but the response that was given the most was
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Logo Credit: DM North
grades and homework. A majority of the students said they were most excited for the sports they are now able to play and also were excited to take different forms of science, art, and math. One student named Angel Duong, an eighth grader from Harding Middle School, said she is excited for Japanese. “Not only am I excited to learn the language but I am also excited to learn about the culture,” Duong said. Some eighth graders also said they were excited to meet new students and make new relationships. Several also said they were excited for an open lunch as well as experiencing a new environment of learning. All of us have experienced many different emotions going through
high school from being a freshman all the way to a senior, and based on these surveys there is a lot that can be worried about. There are many different worries, fears and things that maybe no one is quite too sure about. For example, what classes to take, what the teachers are going to be like or how hard the work is going to be. These surveys have given many perspectives from students and each one has a different hope, worry or fear. Eighth graders face an enormous change when coming to high school and there is alot that changes from middle school to high school or at least eighth graders think that everything in their world will change but soon they will find out their worries are all in their heads.
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79 out of 114 share what they 98 out of 114 share what clubs are excited about they want to be in
Most Excited
Clubs
Chior 8/98
People 25/79 Band 9/98
Sports 36/79
Drama 13/98
69 out of 114 share what they are least excited about
Least Excited Classes 19/69 Homework 20/69 Longer Days 20/69
Central Campus 4/79
Classes Excited To Take B
Yearbook/ 13/98 Newspaper
Biggest Change Personally
ROTC 11/98
1.Japanese 1. Shop 2. Science 2. English 3. Art
Friends
e im
Other: dance and cheerleading
Grades y lity a n so r pe
4.Cooking
ib ilit
et fre
Japanese 18/98
Re sp on s
ss Le
4. Math
3. Design
Cooking 29/98
Homework
New enviroment
A
Speech 2/98
More responsibility 15/69
Attention Span
Open Lunch 20/79
Design: A.Primrose
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Justyne Crawford
Jasmine Inthabounh, Managing Editor Hitting the age 16 is like hitting the jackpot for a high school student in need of some cash. Application after application, it is essential for a high school student to obtain a job for various reasons. Combatting an already busy schedule, it is difficult to have a job but the majority of students take on the challenge. One major reason students typically try to get a job as soon as possible is to help out their family financially. Majority of North High students qualify for free and reduced lunch due to financial obligations. Another reason students get a job is just to get some extra cash. As we get older, we find that we are more prone to buying pretty much everything we see, especially when that first check rolls in. Whether it’s to get a new pair of shoes or saving up for college, a job is a must. A job is simply important during this time, because it’s the age when independence is a major factor in a high schooler’s life. It’s when we are able to get behind the wheel and see what the world has to offer. To be able to acquire money and budget or spend it is a new step in independence. Money’s the motivation and once we get ahold of it, we get hungry for more.
Crawford is a junior and has been at Walgeens for nine months. “I started working at Walgreens for extra money and get the little stuff I needed without asking my parents. I honestly spend my check as soon as you get it so, I don’t know how to save effectively but I need to learn before I become a freshman in college.”
Cesar Marfal
Marfal is a senior and has been working at QuikTrip for two years. “Originally I got the job just for extra cash. I wanted money to spend on clothes, food, car parts. Just extra stuff. I’ve learned how fast I can burn through money and it’s important to have a backup fund in case if something bad happens you will have something to fall back on.” Russell is a senior and has been working at Walmart for three months. “I wanted a little bit of spending money, as well as picking some slack around the house. I learned that it’s easier to save your money when you work for it. Before I was working again, any amount of money I acquired, I would just blow through. Now that I work hard and long for my money, I tend to save a lot more than I did before.”
Logo Credit to companies Features
Settles is a senior and has been at Flix Brewhouse for about two months. “I got a job because I have to pay for college while I’m in college since I’m going to beauty school. I have to help my mom to pay so she isn’t doing it by herself. I learned saving money is important because in the long run something can come up and you will have to take care of it.”
Photo/Design: J.Inthabounh
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Senior baseball members alongside sponsor, Bill Blank.
North’s Baseball Team makes a bond of promise
Micky Roark, Reporter
Baseball isn’t what North is best known for. Season after season, loss after loss, takes a toll on most team’s spirits, but not ours. Rather than being discouraged, it motivates us. It teaches us not to turn our backs on one another when mistakes are made, to not put blame on any one player or position, it builds our team’s character. To further our team’s bond, this year the seniors set out to Kansas City, to see the Negro League Baseball Museum and to watch the Kansas City Royals play the Orioles. The trip, landing on mother’s day, was a time of fun for the team but also a time for concentration. Knowledge doesn’t always come from the classroom, it can also come from your team, friends and family. This is something that this year’s seniors learned during their trip to Kansas City. The trip, lasting two days, included: a tour of the Negro Baseball Museum, a professional MLB game where the Royals won against the Orioles, and the best barbeque of their lives. Being Sponsored by both the Iowa Cubs Baseball team and from North High Alumni, Bill Blank, the trip’s cost came out just under $2500. But to Bill Blank the money was well spent. During the trip, Blank told the seniors, “I didn’t really learn much from the traditional school setting, that’s not where my knowledge came from. It came from my friends, coaches and teammates. I think that’s the reason why I
Sports
really did it. I am about to be inducted into the North High Alumni and I feel like I have to live up to that, and leave my legacy through you guys.” Blank has been a part of the team for most of the senior’s careers. Coming to most of the games, you can hear Blank encouraging the team from the sidelines. Although he couldn’t make it to last year’s Woodward-Granger game, where the team broke their 140 game losing streak, he sent a video to the head coach before the game to play for the team. The players said it was his belief and unique humor that inspired them to play their hardest. During their visit to the Negro League Baseball Museum, they got the chance to meet Adam Jones and discuss how race has impacted their baseball careers. Joe Frazier believes that the team faces more criticism for being a
Senior, Kameron Russell inside the dugout within the NLBM.
diverse team, but he has learned to ignore the hatred and still enjoys the game of baseball. Senior, four year starter Kameron Russell explains, “The purpose of going on the trip to me, was to bond and become better leaders of the 2017 baseball team”. He continued saying, “I feel that the trip showed me just how fortunate I am to play baseball with the people I play with. This experience made me appreciate going through many hard times with the same group of people, because it shaped us into who we are today. And through this experience I was able to come a little closer with my brothers of the baseball team”. Design/Photo: M.Roark
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SPORTS: Baseball, Football, Track AGE FOR EACH SPORT: Nine, Fourteen, Fourteen GRADE: Twelfth COLLEGE HE’LL BE ATTENDING: Iowa Central Community College
Photo Credit: Micky Roark
Photo Credit: Kenzie Schnathorst Photo Credit: Micky Roark
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Photo Credit: Micky Roark
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e Kenzie Schnathorst, Editor
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ndrew Phillips, senior at North High School, has been playing sports ever since he was nine years old. Even though he hasn’t always liked sports, he now can’t imagine his life without them. Now with having a leg surgery, he might not be able to play for around six months. “I didn’t like any sports; I didn’t want anything to do with them. I just wanted to stay home all day and play video games,” he said. His stepdad made him join baseball when he was nine and he ended up really enjoying it and decided to try other sports too. Phillips said his inspiration is his former football coach, Coach Quinlan at North High School. “He’s always there for people, always there for me.” Phillips said Phillips first knew there was something wrong in late March. He went to a walk-in clinic to get his knee looked at because he was unable to fully straighten it. They told him all he had done was strain his quad and he would be back to normal in a week. Turns out there was a bigger issue happening. The next day he went to a trainer who told him, “Dude, if you can’t straighten your knee, there’s something wrong.” Phillips went to an orthopedic doctor who told him he had an OCD (Osteochondritis Dissecans) lesion, and he would have to get surgery. Part of his knee broke off and messed up the blood flow, which is why he was unable to straighten his knee. They had used four screws to fasten the broken piece onto the rest of his knee. If he would have waited to get the surgery, he might not have been able
to play sports ever again. “I was shocked. I was sitting on the hospital bed when he told me I’d need surgery and I thought he was joking. It was like I was in a dream. I was sad,” Phillips said. Phillips was put into Physical therapy (PT) the day after his surgery. “They just grabbed my leg and threw it onto the table because I
always messaging me, telling me that they miss me. I’ll still be there for them. Even though I won’t be able to play with them, I’ll still be there supporting them. I just really wanted to finish my senior year out strong with my team,” he said. Phillips loves the sports he plays and the people he plays them with. They are his family. Even though he can’t play alongside them for his final year, he will be in the stands and dugout cheering them on and being there to support them like they have done for him through his process of healing. Phillips wants his supporters to know he appreciates them, “Shout out to my coaches, I love them and my teammates. They are all big supporters and will always be family.”
“To my coaches, I love them, and my teammates. They are all big supporters and will always be family.” couldn’t lift it up,” he said. He has to ice his knee every day and has to use his Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) machine, which bends his knee for him repeatedly. He has to use his CPM machine for about six to eight hours a day, for two months. “I also have PT every day, I haven’t missed a day, and I don’t plan on missing a day of it,” Phillips stated. Phillips plans on playing football in college and running track to keep in shape. His knee surgery should have a very little to no effect on his college opportunities. “As long as I do my PT and knee work at home, I’ll be back. I might not play freshman year, but it all depends on how I’m feeling,” he said. The doctor told Phillips that they are going to get his knee back to where it was. Then after that, make it even stronger so there will be almost no chance for it to get hurt again. “They say if I do everything I’m supposed to, I’ll come back stronger than before.” Phillips said. Because of his surgery he is unable to participate in sports his senior year. “Sometimes I feel like I let the team down, but they are
Design: K. Schnathorst
by Nathaniel Cobb (2016)