October 12, 2012
What Coach Hanks has to say about the football team.
The
Yarvon Russel, The New Hottest Rapper in the Midwest.
Oracle
North High School
501 Holcomb Ave
Des Moines, IA 50313
North High’s Homecoming Assembly. A public forum for student expression Follow us on Twitter: @northhighoracle Visit our website: www.northhsoracle.com We are the voice of the North High School community
The Polar Bear football team gets ready to take the field against the Hoover Huskies during the Homecoming game, a 22-21 victory. NHS plays at Johnston this Friday, Oct. 12. Photo by Casi Larsen.
“Fourth and Forever” Everyone remembers the dramatic victory over Hoover the Friday of Homecming on Sept. 7. Here is a blow-by-blow analysis of the final few plays. Trailing by seven points with just minutes to go, junior Terrence Bush threw a deep ball to the middle of the field, KJ (junior Kajuan Davenport) made a juggling catch to keep the drive going. Next, senior K.P. Hanks caught the ball on a “62 out route”; then a deep ball to Brain Heard was caught for the touchdown to make the score 20-21. Hoover was up by one point.
The team decided to go for two instead of kicking an extra point. The original play call was “Tandem Right Run, Pass, Option” but was ultimately supposed to be a pass. Bush was forced to run the ball due to the pass coverage. Bush managed to score to put the Polar Bears up, 22-21. After a defensive stand late in the game, the Polar Bears beat the Huskies, 22-21. Coach Hanks said, “I don’t like to spotlight anyone, it’s a team effort that gets things done.” “I was happy and it felt good to get my first win as a varsity starter,” said Bush.
Sophomores Andrea Guerrero and Lexie Armstrong guard the Polar Bear statue. Photo by Casi Larsen.
2
Features
McCulley has a keen eye for what works at NHS By Iliana Castillo Oracle reporter
Mr. McCulley standing in the hallway during the luch hour. Photo by Cassi Frink.
Sometimes you may see him at lunch overseeing the students vigilantly from the middle of the hallways. He stands, arms crossed, holding his walkie talkie in one hand. His bald head gleaming in the light as he listens and watches the students around him. His name is Edward McCulley. Some people know him as the ninth and tenth grade SIL (School Improvement Leader). In the two years he’s been with us, he loves North more than his seven years at Hiatt Middle School or the seven year job at Sussman Middle School in Downey, California. “I enjoy the challenge and look forward to being apart of positive transformations.” He said. Mr. McCulley is the most important person to contact when you need a schedule problem fixed. However, this isn’t all his job entitles. He “build(s) mountains of schedules” while juggling
the math and science departments. Taking care of the students might be his most important job but, “I evaluate teachers and I oversee data teams.” “He’s funny, and he likes joking around.” Says Esperanza Vargas (sophomore). “I met him once at Hiatt (Middle School), but I didn’t really get to know him until last year.” “Mr. McCulley is pleasant and he really does have a marvelously shiny head.” She says, smiling. “I like figuring out what needs to be figured out and then coming up with a successful solution,” he says. This is the attitude that got him through life. This is the attitude that allowed him to achieve his dreams and this is the attitude he wants to imprint on every person he meets. “I learned to jump through the hoops. I learned I had to still jump through them to be successful. I became proactive where I’d finish the work as soon as I got it. I didn’t worry about whether it was necessary or not. I just did it. I learned that the quicker I did it, the easier it was.”
Mr. McCulley works with students, with their teachers, and their parents because he understands. “I was a squarely freshman who doesn’t know how to sit in his feet. That kid who comes from a divorced family. That’s why I’m here. Because I had adults that believed in me and poured life into me and I had to give that back.” He honestly admits that he wasn’t always driven, “I was a wrestler and not really a good student. School was hard for me. I wasn’t a great traditional student at all but I was smart and I had great teachers that pulled the best out of me.” Light still glimmering on his smooth, bare head he glances out to the students, trying to put his thoughts into words. Finally, after what seems like an eternity in his own mind, he tells me of his favorite quote and the message he wants his students to carry with them all of their lives: “If you’re on a road that has no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere worth while.. in other words, it’s the hard things that matter. If it were easy, than, it’s irrelevant. Anybody could do it.”
Coach Keith Hanks brings experience and passion to the sidelines By Kenya Willams Oracle reporter It was a pretty nice experience getting to interview the new head football coach at North High School, Keith Hanks Sr. I’ve known about Hanks and have seen him around. We have had a few conversations here and there, but interviewing him helped me get to know him better. Hanks lives on the north side of Des Moines, close to North High School. We started the interview off by asking a basic question: “What is something you like to do with your free time? He simply answered,“Spend time with my sons.” He went on and told me that he’s always liked football and he started playing when he was in seventh grade. He also said that he played football and baseball in college at Lindenwood University and Westmar University. He’s been a football coach since 1999; one of his main goals this year is “to improve knowledge of the game (football) and to install discipline.” His football team last year at Sioux City North made the playoffs. He has many plans to turn North around. Coach Hanks
decided to become a football coach to give back to the community. At the game against Hoover, they ran the two-minute offense that determined the game, allowing North to take the win. Hanks was proud of the team as a whole and he doesn’t spotlight anyone, it’s the team that makes the game. He also explained that football is like being in the classroom. It’s all about hard work and effort and in order to succeed you have to show up. Being in the classroom and on the field everyday does make a difference. He says, playfully, that he has more football players show up more often closer to game days. For example, Thursdays and Fridays are when he has the majority of his players there. Hanks used to be a Juvenile Court officer. He is no longer pursuing that career and he has given that up because of the fact he switched schools. Hanks states that being a football coach is “harder than it looks” and he hopes to change things around in this program. The Polar Bears finish their season with two more games: they play at Johnston tonight (Friday, Oct. 12) and they host Ankeny to finish the season on Oct. 19.
“...it’s all about hard work and effort...”
Coach Keith Hanks talks to players on the sidelines during the game versus Roosevelt. North lost the game 35-7. Photo by Cassi Frink
Check out our website for more stories! Bookmark it!
www.northhsoracle.com Academic decathlon, Raygun t-shirt company, New parking lot...
3
Features
Russell the rapper can’t be seen, only heard
Alice in Wonderland dazzles audience
Camo Gang, a local rap group, has Polar Bear tie your music? YR – Hotnewhiphop.com ; Soundcloud. com ; Datpiff.com Q: If you could sign with a record label, who North High School students, did you would you sign with? know that you are walking the hallways YR - Most definitely, Interscope. If you with someone that could soon be one of want to do things your way, and get things the hottest rappers in the Midwest? right, that’s the place. He may not look the part with the body Q: The beat or lyrics, which is more imporof a sophomore, all of 115 pounds, standtant? ing at 5’8 counting his tallest strand of hair YR - The lyrics are more important to me, in his afro. because you can give a good message on a Have you ever heard the quote “Don’t horrible beat. If people can relate to your judge a book by it’s cover.”? Yarvon “Vonlyrics, they will continue to follow you nie Splurge” Russell is a prime example of throughout your career. the quote. I went on to question Splurge in Q: When did you discover you had talent? an interview to find out what made him YR - I think I’ve always had talent, but I the rapper he is today. knew I had talent when fans started supporting me. SM: How did you come up with your stage Q: Do you have a master plan for when you name? make it big? YR - My friends call me Vonnie, then I YR – Yeah, don’t forget my roots, and give added Splurge because I like spending back to whoever helped me. money. Q: What is your philosophy towards work? SM: Where are you from? YR - I love what I do, which is rap. I beYR - Des Moines, Iowa lieve in myself, and my music. SM: What persuaded you to become a rapQ: What irritates you about other rappers? per? YR - To many rapYR - I’ve always pers talk about things loved music since they’ve never done. I was a little boy. Be yourself, and speak I grew up on rap the truth. music, and I’ve alQ: Are you rapping for ways wanted to be fun or for a career? in the rap industry. YR - I started out rapQ: Are you in a ping for fun, but I’m group? If so, name actually looking into the members. making it a career. YR - I’m C.E.O. of Q: Describe your work Camo Gang, a loethic... cal rap group from YR - I grind hard at Des Moines. We what I do, and conare well known stantly work in the throughout the studio day and night metro high schools to perfect my craft. in Des Moines. Senior Yarvon Russell hopes to become the Q: What advice would The members are next big rapper. photo by Casi Larsen you give the next guy Big Rico, Swish, trying to become a Lotto and I. rapper? Q: What separates you from any other rapYR - Be original, be confident in yourself, per out here? and take it serious if you have a real pasYR - I’m original and I have my own style. sion for music. Everyone in camo gang has their own Q: Give me a quick freestyle about North style, thats why we’re unique. High School. Q: When can we look for a mixtape from YR - “Shout out to Sekou and shout out to Vonnie Splurge? my team. Shout out to North High, and we YR – I have an upcoming mixtape called steady rockin’ green.” “Back From Vacation”. Q: BET or MTV? Q: Lyrical wise, what was your best song? YR - BET! Why? Q: BET Awards or VMA’s or The Grammy’s? YR – It’s hard for me to decide, I have so YR - I’ve always wanted to perform on the many lyrically expressive songs. Just tune BET awards. into the upcoming mixtape, and the public can be the judge of this one. Q: Is there a place were we can download By Sekou Mtayari Oracle reporter
Top photo: Taylor McDaniel, the Queen of Hearts, and Michael Xayavong, the King, perform a scene from Alice in Wonderland. At right: Andrew Jero (a fish) and Rebekah Ostermann (Alice) talk about an invitation to see the queen. Photos by Derek Young
Foreign exchange student feels right at home at DM North by Jerson Valenzuela Oracle reporter
is very different from here,” she answers after I ask her about the differences between school here in the States, to school Being 6467 miles away from home, in Kazakhstan. you would think that 16 year-old senior In Kazakhstan you are with the same at North High, Aleksandra Klevakova, group of students every step of the way. would be home sick and ready to leave Through grade school you are taught the the states to go back to her home country basics such as math and english. After near the southern border of Russia and passing the exams, you go to middle just north west of China. school, then high school. There are 18 Klevakova arrived courses that are in Des Moines, Iowa, recommended to on August 17th from be taken as a high her home country of school student if Kazakhstan (proyou plan on atnounced: kuh-zahktending a univerSTAHN). I asked her sity. about her reaction Even with these to being in America 18 courses, Klevaand during the time kova had to take she has spent here exams for the Fuand her host family, ture Leaders ExAleksandra (Sasha) Klevakova busy with biology. she tells me, “I feel change Program like I should belong She will be at NHS until late May. Photo by in order for her to Iliana Castillo. here.” study in America I proceed by askfor a year. ing her how she viewed America before “I am really lucky to be here,” she says. traveling here, she spoke about her and She has yet to run into an aggressive her friends’ love of America. American, and says everyone is really “Most teenagers in Kazakhstan & Russia nice. love America, [my friends are] like ‘Oh my god! Its America!... Most of them buy clothes from here [ in theUnited States]... Its very popular, everybody loves Americans. But I don’t know about adults, but all my friends [are] like, ‘Ooh! -Ninth largest country by land area Its America! Its so cool!’”
Three quick facts about Kazakhstan
Commonly known as Sasha, Klevakova participates in swimming which she doesn’t have back at the school in her home country. “The education system
-Lake Balkhash is one of the world’s largest lakes. -The meaning of “kasakh”has been translated as “free independent nomad.”
Features Affection, fondness, passion, desire, love by Tyler Lowe Oracle reporter Love is something everyone has experienced. As Plato, the famous Greek philospher once said, “Love is a serious mental disease.” Mahatma Ghandi had a different take. He said, “Where there is love, there is life.” Here are ten tips to help your love life here at NHS.
1. Trust each other 2. Communicate with each other 3. Respect each other 4. Be yourself 5. Love them for who they are and not for how they look 6. Give each other their space 7. Try to understand each other 8. Be loyal to each other 9. Forgive the small things 10. Accept that you may have different opinions on things and don’t make a big deal about it
What’s your bio?
4
Introducing the 2012-2013 Oracle staff
Those little things that bother all of us By Casi Larsen and Laura Abuhl We all have the ability to get annoyed with our fellow students. The things they say, the things they do. From senior to freshman, everyone has a fault. Sometimes even teachers. Our number one is stealing your stuff. Why do you ask, beacause then you have to go get new things that you have already spent your money on...while they got your possessions for free.
12. People wearing matching clothes 11. Not flushing the toilet 10. Slow walkers 9. Making out in the hallway 8. Clumps of people in the hallway 7. Food and drink on the floor 6. Online drama 5. Relationship drama 4. Staring 3. Scream talk in the hallway 2. People bring food and refuse to share 1. Stealing your possessions
The newspaper staff is hard at work at becoming a lean, mean, article-writing machine. Allow us to introduce ourselves.
Sophomore staff members Iliana Castillo: I love writing and reading and people with a good sense of humor. Sammi Linebach: NHS Sophomore/ Packers/ Libra/ Taken/ (; Jessica Petersen: *North High Cheerleader :D Marina Song:NHS/Sophmore/Class of 2015(: Gayla Taylor: I’m not your average teen artist, i’m making a name for myself and proving my brand. go bears!
Junior staff members Laura Abuhl: Sixteen; Junior; Volleyball & Cheer. 2014, Class of SW4G Ana Berta: #short #soccer #shyatfirst I’m cool to talk to Stasha Botts: You have a lot of followers on Twitter but I have them in real life. Cameron Fisher: Tacos, Cats, Star Wars and music are my life. Cassi Frink: I’m pretty awesome Jeresa Glover: I am 16 and that’s all you need to know (: Mario Juarez: 16, Junior, North High Polar Bears. Jets/Celtic Nation Dakota Lupkes-Heim: Opinionated. Samantha Phengsy: 16, junior, Livin’ that Bum Life!
Chanbopha Sam: 16/ c.o. 2014/ 515/ 030810 <3 Jake Sanderman: Don’t touch me, I’m famous. If you follow, keep your distance. Javier Solis, Jr.: Javi, 16, junior, Polar Bears, goal keeper Brennan Whisler: Brennan. The leap year kid Kenya Williams:16, #junior #polarbearnation #singing #classof2014 #WhoopiG
Senior staff members Shantell Cortez: #Senior #TeamTrack #TeamBasketball #TeamBeautiful #TeamCancer #TeamMiamiHeat #TeamStudentAthlete #TeamNoSleep Magnum Greenman: I’m a senior at North High class of 2013. I like to hunt and fish. Jessica Jensen: #17 #Swimmer #Violinist #NHPolarBear #Dreamer Casi Larsen: C-Funk. 17. Senior. HorseRider. #Takenn ((: Tyler Lowe: Tyler, 17, senior, stubborn, slow paced, and fun, I’m highly curious, but I’m not a cat, I’m a fox. =^.^= Sekou Mtayari: “He is the greatest reporter alive.” -Sekou Mtayari Christian Rundle: The Cake is a lie! Antonio Tello: Only God can Judge me, 17, class of 2013 Jerson Valenzuela: Jerson. 16. I like to eat and sleep with a side of internet. I need a life. D; Newspaper class meets every A-day during block 3 in room 2434 red.
! T I K O O YEARB High school only happens once. Don’t leave your memories behind! 2013 yearbook = $42 Pay by cash or check in the office or Ms. Gertsen’s room, 2426. Buy yours today!
P A R K I N G LO T [N E W V S O LD ] By: Laura Abuhl Samantha Phengsy Chanbopha Sam There has been lots of complants about the new parking lot, yet there has been some good things said as well. We interviewed students and teachers and asked them to list pros and cons of the new parking lot vs the old parking lot. Here’s what was said:
New Lot
SARA CATHI (Junior)
PRO“It’s more organized, and pretty. There are trees too. I like trees, they’re cool.” CON“I don’t like the poles. I feel like I’ll hit them. Other than that, it’s good.”
New Lot
PRO“I like how everything looks pretty and professional.”
Old Lot
PRO“I like how we could park at an angle. Not perpendicular.
CON“I didn’t like all the raggitty potholes. They were really ugly.” parking and its more crowded.”
SHANTELL CONCORTEZ “I don’t like the pependicular (Senior)
Old Lot
PRO“I like how it was bigger than the newer one we have.” CON“I didn’t like all the potholes. I also felt like there was no organization. There were cars coming from all directions. I thought I’d get hit”
MR. SMITH
New Lot
Old Lot
New Lot
Old Lot
PROPROLooks great, no potholes, more A lot larger. greenery and landscaping. CONCONOld, lot’s of potholes Less parking spaces.
(Principal) PROPRO“The sidewalks and trees are “Nothing.” nice. Its all very first class and CONprofessional.” “Oh lord, there were holes and CONthere was grass growing in the “There really isnt anything bad MR. sidewalks. It was horrible.” about it. All that needs to be GILSON (Teacher/Coach) fixed is the grass, but it’ll grow.