Turning Over A New Leaf

Turning over a new leaf

Volume 110, Issue 2 November 2014

North High School, 501 Holcomb Ave Des Moines, IA 50313. A public forum for student expression

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TOC THE

THE_SNAPS

Turning Over A New Leaf

Issue

News

3 the disease of misinformation by hatte kelley 'hands up don't shoot' by rachael nash

Creative_arts THE_O's_Opinions_ 4 Get Free by Cheyann Neades

5 Changing

the World, one pixel at a time by lalchaun mawia

Why you gotta be so rude? by sammi linebach

THE_sPREAD 6-7 The

Good Ol' Days: A veteran tells his life story By Reagan Clay

The Reality Shift: From ROTC to Enlisted by Jasmine Moreno

Features

8 Movies and Holiday Spirit by Kirsten Niblo Is Halloween Candy Safe or Not? by Adrianna Dedmond How old is too old for Trick-or-treating? by taj milton

9 Thanksgiving

Date Attire: Go Dressy or Go Casual by Aminah Lothi

10 A Girl's Guide: How to survive the fall & remain fabulous by Madison Houska Ameria The Beautiful by Kelsey Ambrose

Sports

11 'We don't Lose' by Austin Pitts The Role of a Student Athlete by Kyle Siberz Back on the Mats by Tanna Jones

oracle staff

COVEr design_CREDIT:

Rachael Nash

Executive Editor & Chief Storyteller – Hatte Kelley Executive Editor & Master of Design – Iliana Castillo Copy Editor- Esperanza Vargas Social Media Director – Esperanza Vargas Sports Director – Tanna Jones News Editor – Kelsey Ambrose Features Editor – Sammi Linebach Opinions Editors – Hannah Mcnichols Creative Arts Editors – Michael Xayavong Photography Editor – Taj Milton Cover Guru- Rachael Nash

PHOTO CRED: Top: Anna Stegall and Jimmy Thammathay cheer for North. (Photo Cred: Tanna jones) 2nd: A memorial lays in the middle of the street where teen Michael Brown was shot in Ferguson, Missouri. (Photo Cred: Rachael Nash) 3rd: Baby powder is released upon kickoff at the OCt. 10 homecoming game. (Photo Cred: Tanna Jones) Bottom: The Oracle wins three awards from the Iowa High school Press Association.

(Photo Cred: Ms. Dryden)

PHOTO CRED: Top: The leaves are

Reporters; Rayshawna Collier Madison Houska Ciattle Washington Moise Tuombemungu Reagan Clay Adrianna Dedmond Katheryn Demaranville

Lalchuan Mawia Jasmine Moreno Cheyann Neades Austin Pitts Kyle Siberz Ariel Wilson Kirsten Niblo Paige Hennick

falling at North High. (Photo Cred: Madison Houska) 2nd: The polar bear is photogenic. (Photo cred: Rachael Nash) 3rd: The Veteran’s Day assembly showcased North’s veterans and also ROTC cadettes. (Photo Cred: Colt Wyatt) Bottom: The North High Polar Bear captains get ready for rival game vs. East High at Williams Stadium. (Photo cred: Tanna Jones)

News

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" H A N D S UP, D ON' T SHOO T " By: Rachael Nash

On August 8, 2014, a young African American man named Michael Brown drew his last breath and said his last words. “I don’t have a gun, stop shooting!”

Ferguson, Mo. police officer Darren Wilson did not stop though. And on that same day a young man named Michael Brown drew his last breath, and died. The autopsy said Brown had bullet wounds in the hands, chest, and a fatal shot to his head.

“They [Ferguson police] don’t shoot to wound,” one young Ferguson citizen, Howard Shelton said.

“Now mind you, they don’t shoot to wound, they shoot to stop the threat.”

Shelton has been involved with protesting in his town since Brown was shot. He goes to the city meetings, and tries to stay informed on the situation.

Brown’s death struck many as racism, while according to the Ferguson police, Officer Wilson said it was self-defense. Others have another opinion on it.

“To some people it could be a race thing, because, one thing I will say is, other places and other cities I have gone to, especially the south, people are racist. Like they say ‘I’m a racist.’ It’s like: okay, I know that. I know where we stand,” Shelton said in regard to what he thinks about racism in his town and state.

“Missouri people don’t do that. Like, if they are racist they say ‘Hey!’ and give you a dirty face

when you look away.”

When he was asked about why the police officer shot Brown, he said: “I think the only way that would be just is if the police officer’s life was in danger.”

Recently after Brown died, people demanded the name of Wilson. A middle-aged woman, and citizen of Ferguson, Angelique Kidd, shared her story after his death and said, “I didn’t even get involved until the next Tuesday when Chief Jackson was going to come on TV and give us the name of Darren Wilson, and he didn’t. So I went outside and wrote ‘WHO SHOT MICAHEL BROWN’ on my car windows, and seven cop cars stopped in front of my house.”

Later Kidd said, “I’ve never even had a speeding ticket here.”

After police did not release Wilson’s name, protesting started on the corner of Caddifield, and Canfield, the streets where Brown was shot. Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and a fivesecond rule. The five-second rule was put into place to stop protesting. If a citizen stands on the street for five seconds they are immediately arrested by the closest officer and put in the Ferguson Police Department until further notice.

“There’s a distrust,” Kidd said. “There is a bigger and bigger gap between whites and blacks.”

Shelton reflected further by saying, “We all are

human, and we all deserve to be treated fairly. No body should be able to shoot anybody, and get away with it.”

Recently, after the protesting died down a tension was visibly there between the citizens and police according to on scene reporting. Graffiti was everywhere on traffic signs, streets, grass, and bus stops.

All saying “Hands up, don’t shoot.” Or “R.I.P. Mike Brown.”

The family of Brown has been raising money for victims of police brutality.

The Brown family was not contacted when Michael Brown died, according to Shelton. “His mom didn’t know until she got off of work,” Shelton explained. “She got home and didn’t know it was her son on the street.”

He went on to say, “At the end of the day those officers just want to go home, and people in the streets just want to go home.”

Shelton said in the end it all comes down to treating others with respect and cites the traditional golden rule.

“The constant battle is going to have to stop by us pointing out and acknowledging the fact when we see something unjust. We go so far by just putting our head down and pretending like we don’t see things. That helps add to the cycle. Speak up.

I mean, because we are all the same. Treat people the way you want to be treated, and that’s what it’s

A memorial for Michael Brown lays at the scene of the Howard Shelton, resident of Ferguson, Mo, sits in front shooting in Ferguson, Mo. Photo cred: Rachael Nash of its police station. Photo cred: Rachael Nash

come down to. People don’t want to give each other with the respect that they demand,” he said.

On October 28, Police Chief Jackson said he would step down, and then, on October 30 he said he would “stay and see this through.” Which really describes how back and forth this whole thing seems is.

The shooting in Ferguson has struck up many more protests about injustice, and issues in America, and even all over the world. There was a rally held in Des Moines for Brown and the Brown family to show they were supported.

Social Media sites like Twitter and Tumblr have been turned into live action news sites for those who are involved. Citizen journalism is taking a powerful role in alerting the public on new happenings and updates.

When asked what North could do to help, Shelton said one word, “Inform.”

Getting educated about the topic and informing others. Don’t just sit and listen. Help figure out how to make the world a better place and keep this from happening again. Don’t stay silent. Get involved by opening your mouth and speaking against the problems in the system in today’s society.

When The Oracle reached out to the Ferguson Police for comment, it was turned down and redirected to a media representative via email. No reply was recieved by the time the publication was sent.

Street art around Ferguson, Mo., signal the concerns the citizens have. Photo cred: Rachael Nash

The Disease of Misinformation By: Hatte Kelley There has been a lot of speculation about Ebola since it broke out in Texas in the past month from the ridiculously to the dangerously misinformed.

In the hallways, creeping into classroom conversation, or inside poor and insensitive jokes cracked in locker rooms is the ignorance we all share about this virus.

Today: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Ebola is one of the deadliest viruses on Earth considering the mortality rate of up to 90 percent (even higher than influenza, which was similar crisis causing virus nearly 100 years ago). This is because as an article of facts by CNN explains best, “Ebola is extremely infectious but not extremely contagious. It is infectious, because an infinitesimally small amount can cause illness.”

Background: The first case of Ebola in humans was in central Africa in 1976 in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its name was after the Ebola River where it was first recognized according to the CNN Library. The largest outbreak before 2014 was the first one in 1976, claiming 431 lives out of 601 total cases. The South China Morning Post reports in their ultra-detailed info graphic that the outbreak of 2014 has claimed 729 lives out of 1,323.

How To Keep Yourself Safe: As always, washing your hands regularly, especially after contact with strange animals helps keep infection out. If coming in contact with bodily fluids, steralize your hands and seek medical assistance if interacting with Ebola-infected people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Ebola virus remains in semen for up to three months after the illness no longer affects the human host.

Why You Can Probably Chill Out: Only a person sick from Ebola can transmit the virus to another person through bodily fluids. You can’t get Ebola through food, water, or air. CNN reports, “U.S. President Barack Obama hugs Ebola survivor Nina Pham in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday, October 24. Pham, one of two Texas nurses who were diagnosed with the virus, was declared Ebola-free after being treated at a hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.” If Obama is not afraid, you don’t need to be either.

Want more information?

Check these sources: United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention A trustworthy news source, such as CNN South China Morning Post info graphic: http:// www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1565340/ebolaoutbreaks-explained

have you been to a west african country hospital that is dealing with the outbreak?

have you been exposed to someone with the virus?

have you swapped bodily fluids with someone with the virus?

stop touching other people and go to the doctor

Take this short quiz to determine if you have Ebola or if you’re being a hypochondriac. Graphic Cred: Rachael Nash

For more stories, go to Northhsoracle.com

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CREATIVE_ARTS “Get Free” Cheyann Neades Michael Xayavong

Twice a week, we hear poets spitting out words of truth and wisdom from experiences they’ve had from the world around them. Individually from their home schools to teaming up at the Des Moines Social Club, Movement 515 has impacted the lives of many students around the Des Moines Public School district. Their goal is to “work toward becoming change agents, shedding light on the impact human emotion and connection brings to the global community,” according to their website. RunDSM.org In one month’s time, Movement515 put on two performances, their first School vs. School Slam (October 3rd, 2014) which brings all the metro schools together to “compete” for bragging rights and to improve their poetry. The other event is their Share The Mic which the students’ raised money for EMBARC: Ethnic Minorities of Burma Advocacy and Research Center, which helps refugees settle into their new homes in Iowa.

This gives students the opportunity to have a creative outlet and do good for their community by raising money and giving to their charity of choice. Mentors Emily Lang and Kristopher Rollins are big advocates of this.

Untitled - Davonte Binion

“Daddy Issues” - Madison Cox

“Love Letter” - Ethan Anderson

Davonte Binion - School vs. School Slam a piece about writers block and maintaining motivation. (hold camera with Aurasma App to view video)

Madison Cox - Share The Mic a piece about how females crave male attention. (hold camera with Aurasma App to view video)

Ethan Anderson - Share The Mic a piece about how much he loves his girlfriend. (hold camera with Aurasma App to view video)

“This program really gives students a voice and a chance to really write about things that have been bothering them and they get to share them in a safe space.” - Melissa Daniels, North High’s mentor

Lang and Rollins started at Harding Middle School and came together to form the program. Throughout the few short years, students from DMPS high schools North, East, Hoover, Roosevelt and Lincoln became a part of the spoken word group. Now they’ve reached out to middle schools Goodrell and Meredith for future members.

Along with Movement 515, other programs such as Minorities On The Move and Urban Leadership have been created to help students improve their literacy skills and to dive more into problems of social differences and struggles.

Everyone in the program welcomes those who are interested in expressing themselves. No matter the school, the students and mentors treat everyone like they are their own and have formed a movement of expression, commitment, and awareness.

How to view the video in the picture: 1. Go to App Store 2. Search “Aurasma” and download (it’s free) 3. Go through the steps and press “skip” 4. Click on the “^” symbol while in the camera 5. Click the “Search” symbol 6. Search “NorthHighOracle” or “Movement515” 7. Go to channel and follow the page 8. Go back to camera and scan over one picture on this page

If interested in joining this program: Movement 515: Spoken Word Tuesdays, 2:45-4:15, Home High School Thursdays, 3:30-5:00, Des Moines Social Club Movement 515: Street Art Thursdays, 3:30-5:00 Des Moines Social Club

GO_TO_nORTHHSORACLE.COM_TO_READ_other_articles

Opinions

Changing the world,

5

one pixel at a time

By Lalchaun Mawia The best Friday nights are spent with friends playing Halo or Call Of Duty or whatever types of games you’re into. The virtual world has spread all over the realistic world because people enjoy it so much. Many people cannot live without video games. They make them happy. Not only that, but they make them feel comfortable with themselves, mentally and physically.

The first video game ever made was in 1947 known as the interactive electronic game. After that

in 1948, Alan Turning and Champernowne made a division in Boca Raton, Florida. chess-playing algorithm. After this, many software Video games quickly became a major new arena engineers wanted to make it a bigger game, even of popular entertainment, beginning with very more and more because they can primitive games; they quickly make it very easily from a big evolved into interactive works, The virtual screen to small screen game, and many of which now approach world has spread because of today’s technology. film in terms of their visual Now we are in the evolution of excitement. all over the PC gaming.

Video games can be easily realistic world The IBM personal computer, made on the Internet. To make commonly known as IBM PC because people a video game you need to have market is growing so quickly enough idea and design, enjoy it so much. aif good that the business-only computer not, this is why people usuhad become the largest and most ally hire software or computer important platform for computer game companies in engineers. It cost a lot of money and takes a lot of the world, and this now famously known PC game time to make it. After they are done making the was created by a team of engineers and designers game, they make tons of copies of that game to send under the direction of Don Estridge of the System around the world to make billions of dollars. Some

games are duplicates. Original games are usually sold from shops and malls.

Some PC games are so big, they need higher computer graphics and some computers do not support games. This is one of the big challenges that video games have made because it requires high technology, and it make teens and kids and even adults to buy a good enough computer, so that they can play and enjoy them.

Many people play video games in a good way, while some get addicted to their games. Video games can be used on educating children and it can make their life happy and awesome, and people can’t get away and stop playing video games. In some ways, it can be bad. In my opinion, each and every one of us are important because we do play games and we should take care of our problems not be disrupted by our games.

WHy you gotta be so rude?

By Sammi Linebach “Oh $#!% I used my debit card! Aren’t y’all still hacking people?”

This is what I hear on a daily basis. I work about 30 hours a week at Target. Yes, back around Christmas time there was hacking going on. However, once it happened, federal agencies got on the case and now it’s almost a year later. Get over yourself, if hacking was still going on, we wouldn’t have cardswipers nor would we even be open.

And the question of “is it safe to use my card here now” is very often repeated by everyone who comes through. Yes, we cashiers attempt a smile as your smart-alic-ness, but inside we want to double charge you for everything just for the comment.

The annoyance of “guests,” “members,” “customers”—— whatever they are called at work, is real. So real that we want to walk out the main doors and never come back.

However, that money game is strong, and that’s what keeps us there.

Everyone who has a job in retail can relate to the daily frustrations of the shoppers that pass by. There are those regulars that like their stuff bagged precisely as they want. There are those people who use fraudulent coupons and try to get away with it.

Graphic by: The shop-lifters and their accessories still try to steal everyday, even though the majority of stores have some form of assets protection or at least a camera in every corner.

There are those people who will only go checkout through that one person who isn’t fully there and let’s things slide by, or that person who is unusually freakishly happy all the time. Don’t forget about

the people who are always so negative to everyone and ignore their cashier. Or even those people who blow up out of nowhere threatening never to come back.....and then you see that same person your next shift and the one after that.

How about those people that are extreme couponers and they make you question whether or not what your doing is legal or not. What about those people that obnoxiously talk on their phone, screaming at their boyfriend to shut up or to their best friend about how wasted they got last night.

Have you ever noticed that some people do not understand the concept of a line? You know those people who always try and cut in line because they’re so much more important or they have to “rush somewhere else.”

For those of us that work more in the evening, we get to deal with the people that just got off their eight hour stressful job and need to buy food for

Iliana Castillo. Photo Credit: Hannah dinner or formula for their unhappy newborn. We get to take care of those people who don’t give two crackers about us and still serve them with a smile and ask them to positively take our surveys.

Whoever those people are, they probably have a great reason for being annoying, aggravating, obnoxious, stressful, etc.. But we the people who

take care of such others also have feelings. We are not self-checkouts—we are not robots—we are teenagers who work on top of doing daily schoolwork.

We have feelings, and dealing with people all day at school, only to go to work and do the same thing over and over again... it’s hard!

These are the stories of those people from our point of view. No offense to anyone if the story is about you, or if you do the things that are described.

Reader discretion is advised.

Reagan Clay, “I was working on the register towards the doors and all of a sudden, three of our managers tackled this guy. There was yelling and they wouldn’t let him get up. The cops came and it ended up being he stole a beer and pulled a knife on one of the managers while being tackled.”

Abby McGruder, a former McDonalds employee, “There was a guy who came in to order some chicken nuggets and asked for some sauce along with it.

He wanted Barbecue but we were currently all out until the truck came later that day.

And I swear the guy felt as if I just cursed his ancestors.

He was so offended and mad that we were out of BBQ. He yelled at me screaming that he didn’t want the damn chicken nuggets anymore and I told him to have a nice day.”

So you’ve heard their stories, now let me tell you about one of my most ridiculous moments at work.

The Des Moines North and Altoona Target are the only Targets in the district with an Integrated Guest Service (IGS). Meaning a few lanes are integrated with the guest service desk and they all share the same line. Yes, it’s unusual but we make it work. Or at least try to.

One time, a seventy-yearold lady tried paying off her credit card with another McNichols credit card, and we do not allow that. We only allow real money such as checks, cash, or debit cards. She throws a tantrum and throws her credit card at me, nearly missing my face.

A owner of a food venue in the mall comes to Target all the time. He was supposedly the next in line, but before I was even done with the previous person, he comes up to my lane. I ask, “were you

the next guest in line?” because I didn’t see who was next. He gets all red-faced and his anger explodes along with his voice. “Of course I was next! You calling me a liar?! I need to speak to your store manager. I come in here all the time, I know how this works!” One of my managers just happens to be ten feet away and tries to calm him down. He says he will never come back to Target because I was being incredibly rude. Yet, I see him just about every shift... He just awkwardly stays away from me and I’m totally fine with that.

When I first started working, I didn’t know where anything was and so I was hopeless when people asked about their shopping list. One time, I was walking away from the service desk about to go to my break. I hear people talking around me but nobody talking directly to me. Until I get grabbed by a guest who asks if I’m deaf. She then starts to talk to me like I’m stupid. Dragging on all her words so I can “comprehend.” “Do......you.....know........ where......I........can........find.......the.......candles.....at?”

In my very own special way, I replied, “find them yourself ” and I left for a now really needed break.

Five ways to deal with rude customers 1. Let them be right, most of the time it’s not worth the argument. (As they say, “The customer is always right.”)

2. Kill them with kindness. Thats all you can do.

3. Keep smiling.

4. Counteract the rude behavior.

Avoid responding to a customer’s rudeness with negative comments. Tell the customer you appreciate his or her honesty and you want to try to make the next experience better.

5. Remember, it’s not personal.

NAME MIDDLE_SPREAD 6 The Good Ol’ Days: A veteran tells his life story

*

By Reagan Clay “The military puts an emphasis on what you did and not who you are. It accents the importance of teamwork. Being in the navy broadened my view and interest on the world, both from the places we visited and the people you live close to while being on the ship,” Gene Clay states.

Clay was born on June 28, 1937. He was born and raised on the north side of Des Photos courtesy from Gene Clay

Moines on the First of New York Street.

Although Clay lived on the north side, he attended Tech High School, which closed in 1986, and studied auto diesel mechanics. He states that he did not partake in clubs or sports in high school because he had a part time job and worked until ten o’clock most nights.

Clay met his wife of sixty-three years when he was fourteen years old at his church. They have three sons that all attended North High School: Tom, Steve, and Brian. They also have four grandchildren, two of which attended North.

Gene Clay joined the Navy in June of 1955. “I signed up because I was dating your grandma and she had four older brothers. One joined the Marines and was in Korea during the Korean War. The other three were in their twenties and were drafted and sent to Europe.

I didn’t want my life to be interrupted when I was in my twenties so I joined the Navy. They had a program where if you joined by your eighteenth birthday, they will have you out by your twenty first birthday. I graduated in early June so I could sign up for the Navy,” Clay explains.

While being in the Navy, Clay remembers

cruising by the USS Arizona, which was sunk in the World War Two attack. The ship was too damaged to the extent that they could not save it. “It was a pretty sobering experience but worth doing.”

Clay also took a trip to Sydney, Australia.

“The people were so glad to see us that they stopped a buddy and I and took us home to have dinner. That guy then wrote a letter to his wife about how he enjoyed meeting us.

They really believed the Japanese would have invaded them but the American’s presence stopped it.”

He remembers going to the Philippines and it being very hot all day. They had to be at work by six in the morning and didn’t get off until two in the morning. After working all day, the men would go to the beach and try to cool off “One of the activities we used to do at night was project and watch movies on the ship,” Clay explains. “We would trade the movies with other ships once we were done with them.”

Gene Clay joined the Navy in June and was discharged in May, three years later.

After coming home, Clay moved back to

Des Moines and continued growing his family.

He tried making a living off selling sports cars.

“I wasn’t going to be happy working as an auto mechanic, which is what I studied in high school.”

Clay decided to go to Grand View Junior College for two years while maintaining a part-time job. After the two years was up, Clay went to Drake University but had to drop out to get a full-time job because of their newborn baby, Brian Clay.

Following the birth of their newborn, Clay had many jobs like delivering milk to retail stores and selling sports cars. Eventually, Clay found a job at two insurance companies as an under writer. He stayed there until he retired as being a part owner of the company.

“I was very fortunate to have a couple fellows that believed in me and taught me the ways of the business. I saw it scroll from eight employees to a total of fifty.”

Today, Clay likes to travel, read mystery novels, follow up on the Hawkeyes on the Internet, and go to their football and basketball games. Clay also is a former member of the North High Booster Club and still supports his grandchild, me, who attends North today.

7

Middle_SPREAD

The Reality Shift: From ROTC to Enlisted

By Jasmine Moreno

There are a lot of things a student could do after graduation. Some continue their education by going off to college. Some go right into the work force to help their family with the bills. Others go into the Military.

There are multiple reasons to enroll into the Military: to serve your country or to pay for college, for example. Whatever that reason may be, do the students actually know what they’re getting themselves into? Sure, they had some training from ROTC but it’s not the same as the actual enlistment.

What would a person expect the Military to be like?

“I expect being in the Marines to be sort of easy since I’ve already been through ROTC but still challenging in some ways,” said Edgar Varela, a sophomore in ROTC, planning to join the Marines after graduation.

The students of ROTC and the veterans from military past come together at the 2014 Veteran’s Day assembly Nov. 7. Photo cred: Reagan Clay, Tanna Jones, Colt Wyatt

No matter the training from ROTC it doesn’t compare to the actual thing.

“It’s a real shock when you get there, cause everything you do has an exact purpose behind it. It’s really shocking, I expected it to be really fast and just being able to go right though it. Takes a lot longer than you think,” said Alexis Armstrong, graduate of the 2014 North High School class who’s experienced what it’s actually like to be a Marine.

You must have dedication and both mental and physical strength to handle everything the Military throws at you.

Even though being a Marine isn’t the easiest career to pursue, what pushes people to join?

“Gunny and Major always told me that if you really want something it’s supposed to scare you.

You’re supposed to want to back out. That’s how you know deep inside that you’re going to succeed,”

Armstrong said after her recap on how she thought about backing out.

There might be people who want you to join the Military, but the only person who can push you into it is yourself.

“My motivation is to make my family proud. I don’t want to be like my dad, I want to actually do something with my life,” said Varela.

Whether or not a person decides to enlist in the Military in high school or later in life, a lot of thought is put into it.

The emotions felt by not only the enlistee but also their family and friends matter. People advise not to just enlist because you feel like it. Put thought into it, what will come out of it and why you’re enlisting.

Features

8

Was it a trick or a treat this

Halloween??

Movies and Holiday Spirit

By Kirsten Niblo

Halloween just passed and the scary movie frenzy is coming to an end. Year round movies are made and watched; but why is it that we watch a majority of horror movies around a certain time of the year?

Something about the cold chilling weather that’s coming in that gets you in the mood to watch those thrillers. A lot of people like being scared. It’s the unknown, the surprise and suspense that we are looking for when we sit down and watch them. Those movies that get the hair on the back of your neck to stand up, or to check over your shoulder when you get in the car to leave afterwards.

The newest scary movie that had everyone talking is “Annabelle,” theaters were packed when the suspenseful movie first came out. Many times while this movie was rolling did I look over and see tons of people covering their faces, jumping, and even hearing them scream. In one case, a women sitting next to us had thrown her popcorn. It is this, that attracts fear seekers to movies like this.

With more holidays coming around the corner more movies are being played to go along with the holiday spirit. Thanksgiving is a holiday that gathers families together. In the Thanksgiving movies there is always a big gettogether that happens and the turkey gets burned and the family gets in a big fight; it becomes a big disaster. Yet somehow it always seems to work out when it looks like there is no hope left.

Movies enforce the idea of family and holiday spirit. One of the childhood favorites for Christmas is “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” In this movie, the grinch doesn’t like Christmas and finds it sickening that everyone is happy and cheerful. In order to “ stop this madness,” he decides that he must take the food and presents. On Christmas Eve he does exactly that, but come morning he finds that they still have their spirit.

Whether it’s Christmas, Halloween, and even thanksgiving, any holiday is a big day. Many people celebrate with loved ones. That’s really what they are about: to be with family and friends and show off your spirit.

Is Halloween candy safe or not?

Halloween candy gets more dangerous each year This is evident by parents having to check their children’s candy after trick-or-treating because of hazardous things being put inside their favorite candy.

In the late 1970 and 80’s, hospital’s used to have free x-rays on beggar’s night for children’s candy to be checked for any sharp objects or needle holes.

Due to hospital expenses they no longer offer x-rays or the checking of children’s candy, so parents have to be more aware of the area they are taking their children to and the candy they are receiving.

For instance, in today’s society people in different states such as Colorado, who recently legalized recreational marijuana, are lacing candy, pop and the like with marijuana, according to an ABC News segment. If people are lacing candy with drugs the question arises, what else would they do in order to harm children?

By Adrianna Dedmond

Many people think if adults are not there to supervise their children when trick-or-treating, they should make sure they are going to neighborhoods or houses they know so they won’t have to worry about their child’s candy.

Ronald Clark O’Brien was called “the candy man” or “the man who stole Halloween” because, in 1974 he poisoned his eight-year-old son Timothy with potassium cyanide by putting it in his Pixy Stix. That same night he put the same thing in his daughter’s candy and in three other neighborhood children’s candy to cover it up, but his son later died. Because the other children did not eat the candy O’Brien gave them, they survived. O’Brien did this to his own child to get health insurance money, so imagine what people would do to anyone.

Speaking of horrible things happening on Hallow’s Eve, Denine Taylor, English teacher, referenced the night before Halloween being known as “Devil’s Night”.

Taylor, growing up in in Detroit, Mich., said “Devil’s Night” was about young teenagers going out and egging houses, cars, catching things on fire, leaving rotten vegetables on door steps, or even leaving flaming bags of animal feces. Nobody would go outside that night because it was too dangerous.

Devil’s Night started back in the 1930’s and escalated through out the mid-to-late 1980’s with 500 to 800 fires in three days and nights a year before Halloween.

Throughout the 1990’s Devil’s Night started slowly declining in crimes by having night watch on Oct. 29-31. They called this Angel’s Night but after Rosa Parks was killed it stopped for a while but it began to start back up afterwards.

Halloween can be a fun night for people but parents are best advised to be informed and watchful of children and the dangers around them because based on history, Halloween can be a night of treats, but also tricks.

How old is too old to trick-or treat?

By: Taj Milton

Chandalae Staples, junior

“18 because you’re not a kid anymore.”

Photo cred: Sammi Linebach

All Photos Cred: Taj Milton

Connor Nason, junior

“50 because there is no age limit on trick-or-treating. I don’t think there is any age limit.”

“18 because you’re officially an adult.”

“13. After that, if a group of teens come to my door, I just think, ‘what are you guys doing?’”

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Features

Thanksgiving Date attire:

9

Go Dressy or Go Casual By: Aminah Lothi It’s about that time where you bring the “baes” around your family. This could be scary, this could be exciting or it could be normal but this is also another excuse to look cute!

Duh. You should always, always go above and beyond to impress your significant other’s family because it isn’t just their parents anymore, it’s the whole sha-bang; grandparents, aunts, uncles, long lost fifth cousins. Don’t freak out though. Just be cool and be cute, they’ll love you!

This isn’t a time to wear jeans and a t-shirt. Your man might love you in t-shirts, sweatpants and no make up but that isn’t the case right now. We’re trying to get his grandma to love you and bake you her amazing cookies.

There are three ways you can go about this.

Casual wear: You can be casual but cute, throw on a pair of leggings with a cute plain long sleeve and nice printed scarf! If you go the casual route, you can always accessorize. A nice pair of earrings with a watch compliments casual outfits really well.

You can also curl your hair or do something new with it and it’ll look good. It would look like you’re actually trying (which you are).

Casual but dressy: You can always pull a dressy but casual look. You can throw on a cami with a skater skirt and a cardigan to keep yourself warm.

You can also throw on a pair of tights under your skirt so you aren’t showing too much skin. (You know older people don’t like our clothing styles nowadays).

Now for the guys, I know that getting dressed is something hard for you guys to do. It seems to me like matching and looking nice is such a challenge for you gentlemen.

Let’s start off with casual.

You can always go with a nice pair of dark jeans with a nice sweater, not like your most comfortable, broken-in hoodie, but like a knitted pull over. You would look more put together and more presentable.

You want to impress her grandparents. You want to be the sweet little boy that they’d want to invite over again.

Casual but dressy: Being casual dressy is probably the way I would want my date to come over for dinner! You can just throw on a pair of nice jeans (of course) and a nice plain button up to jazz it up a little bit. You’ll more than likely win their hearts with this outfit. You’ll look innocent and as cute as you can be! Grandma is going to love you!

Don’t forget to have fun! Don’t put up a front for her/his family! Just be yourself and not too much of yourself, if you know what I mean! Make yourself look good, while you look good! Enjoy your date!

Casual

Senior Trey Warrick shows off his casual swagger.

Photo cred: Aminah Lothi

Senior Cassie Harington struts her stuff on a sunny day.

Photo cred: Sammi Linebach

Casual but dressy

Win a $15 gift card to Target!

How? How? How? 1.

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Nov. 30

Senior Milton Grady shows off his fall fashion. Photo cred: Rachael Nash

Sophomore Cheyanne Neades jumps into style. Photo cred: Sammi Linebach

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Features

10

A Girls Guide:

How to survive the fall and remain fabulous By: Madison Houska Seasons are changing and fall has arrived. Leaves are falling, skies are duller, and the days are colder.

You know the drill. The high waisted shorts and crop tops find their place in the back of your closet and the sweaters, leggings, jeans, scarves, and boots find their way to the front.

Just because its getting cold doesn’t mean you have to look any less fabulous. You can look your best in your fall clothes too! CALLING ALL CARDIGANS! It’s time for you to work your magic.

Cardigans are a great accessory instead of a hoodie and skinny jeans.

Scarves are a simple way of saying, “I look cute and I’m not cold”. Who knew that cloth could make even the simplest outfits look cute; while adding texture and pattern?

Don’t let the leaves “rain” on your parade. Warm up your style starting with your makeup. Shades of browns, greens, and beige can help warm up any look.

Wearing warm colors brings out the “fall look” too. Deep maroon red, dark olive green, chocolate brown, and rusty orange are all warm colors that make you look more “in season”.

Neon’s are a big no-no for fall. Leave the blinding pinks, yellows, and oranges in your closet for the sake of everyone’s eyes. Summer is gone; the neon’s should be too.

Wearing knee high boots, arm candy (such as chunky bracelets, bangles), mid finger rings, boots socks, and statement necklaces are a plus. Even better you can find them all at Forever 21.

For nail polish, colors such as deep wine (dark purples and reds), olive green, nude, and dark browns.

Basically, fall is no reason to panic. With this guide, looking great in cooler weather just got easier, enjoy!

America The Beautiful The journey here was a long one, but it was a never forgetting experiece. From Tanzania, to Kenya, To England, through New York, and landing here in Des Moines.

years ago from Kenya.

It’s hard to think about up and leaving a house you grew up in, with all the memories and times set in one place. Imagine waking up one morning leaving family, friends, and your belongings to start over thousands of miles away in a completely different enviroment and culture. Fully knowing you may never return.

“I went from a place where there was no lights or electricity to Kenya, England, and New York who had it all, my favorite was England though. It was beautiful, the buildings, the culture, everything was great,” Kwizera said.

There’s a lot of war in Kenya, which is why many make the hard decision to come to the United States.

Many students here at North High know this same feeling.

Kwizera has had several great accomplishments his time here, one being number 7 out of his senior class, as well as bringing home to north a regional championship for ROTC.

By: Kelsey Ambrose

One in particular, Imani Kwizera. Kwizera, who is a senior has been here for 6 years. He was born in Kigoma, Tanzania.

Kigoma, Tanzania is in the contient of Africa, it’s nearly 8000 miles by flying alone to Iowa.

Imani came for a better education. In Kigoma, there are shortages of classrooms which leads to less educational opportunities. From an online source, it states in some cases the classrooms are filled way over capacity. In one 45 capacity classroom there are as many as 100 children filling the seats.

“ I take 5 AP classes, each one of them helps me do something I know I’ll need after high school, I’m saving money and time,” Kwizera said.

He plans to go to Iowa State to study aerospace engineering, then signing a two year military contract.

But career wise, an architect - to design airplanes, “I want to see something come alive. Not just for it to be a design, but an actual thing people can use,” Kwizera said.

Kwizera isn’t the only one thats come from far away to start over. Junior Kaltumo Rashid came 5

Kenya is a little over 8000 miles as well, Rashid came with her mom, sister and step brother.

“It was hard, you face a lot of problems. You have to find translators, transportation, you really have to work hard,” Rashid said.

Both Kwizera and Rashid have made it clear how hard it was to learn English. It’s also said that English is the hardest language to have to learn.

Kaltumo Rashid

“If I had the chance, I wouldn’t go back. t like everything here, in Kenya lots of people aren’t free.

There’s a lot of war and violence. In America it’s the complete opposite. Everything is good here,” Rashid said.

Traveling thousands of miles away to live takes a lot. It’s hard work, and lots of struggles come out of it, but in the end the result shows it’s worth it. As well as opportunities. These two are proof that opportunities given here make a tremendous change.

Imani Kwizera

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Sports

“We don’t lose”

By: Austin Pitts

Ben Hayes, creation of team Love and the known saying “We dont lose.”

Photo cred: Austin Pitts

In a family full of athletes, with sports ranging anywhere from softball to golf; comes Ben Hayes, the basketball player. Ben Hayes has played basketball for seven years. For a little less then half of his life he has spent time on a basketball court.

Hayes likes to play for his school. He chooses not to play AAU basketball in the summers, and instead stays close and represents his school.

North is a place his family calls home. His brother and sister walked these halls, and his mom is an active member of the Booster Club.

When Ben finished 8th grade, he had a decision to make. Where did he want to go? Did he want to follow his family and head to North? Or maybe open enroll somewhere else, maybe enter a basketball program more prestigious then the Polar Bears?

“Coach Ryan thinks of others before he even considers himself. He pushes me to my full potential, not only as a player, but as a person,” said Hayes when asked about his head coach.

Last year, Hayes was definitely rewarded for stick-

ing with the Polar Bears. North went 20-3, and was as high as 4th in state rankings at one time.

When Hayes first played for North, they weren’t the best team around. But this last season the Polar Bears earned the respect of every team around. They not only showed that they wouldn’t back down to suburb opponents. They showed the whole state that it is possible for a city school to succeed. Ben Hayes played a big role on that team last year.

The success of Ben Hayes isn’t just limited to the basketball court.

On top of sports, he maintains a 3.30 GPA. He takes advantage of AP classes that are offered. When asked to describe being a student athlete, he replied with only one word, “Difficult.”

The new basketball season is approaching quickly. Many people feel that the program will drop off and can’t maintain what they accomplished last year.

“We will prove a lot of people wrong, nobody expected anything last year either, right?” Hayes said.

The Role of a Student Athlete

11 Volleyball Recap North Vs. Marshalltown/ 3-0 loss North Vs. SEP/ 2-0 loss North Vs. Indianola / 2-0 loss North Vs. Lincoln / 2-0 loss North Vs. East / 3-2 win North Vs. Jefferson / 2-0 loss North Vs. Valley / 2-0 loss North Vs. Waukee / 2-0 loss North Vs. Ames / 3-0 loss North Vs. Lincoln / 3-0 loss North Vs. Iowa City West / 2-0 loss North Vs. Roosevelt / 2-0 loss North Vs. SEP / 2-0 loss North Vs. Hoover / 2-1 loss North Vs. Roosevelt / 3-0 loss North Vs. Boone / 2-0 loss North Vs. Eddyville / 2-0 loss North Vs. Carlisle / 2-0 loss North Vs. Indianola / 3-0 loss North Vs. Ottumwa / 3-0 loss North Vs. East/ 3-0 loss North Vs. Hoover / 3-0 win North Vs. Hoover / 3-1 loss North Vs. Ames / 3-0 loss

Kyle Siberz balancing school and basketball. Photo Cred: Tanna Jones

By: Kyle Siberz What is a student-athlete? A student-athlete is someone who is enrolled in a school and participates in an organized competitive sport. When being a student-athlete you have two roles that you need to balance out, being a student first then an athlete second. There’s a big reason it goes STUDENT-athlete because without your academics you will not find yourself competing in that sport. In order to compete in athletics you can’t be receiving F’s in classes and doing nothing about it to improve.

If that’s the case, you would not be playing that year.

First comes first and every student-athlete needs to realize competing in sports is nothing but a privilege. Not many people are as talented as you are at the sport and would love to be in your shoes so take nothing for granted and expose your talent as much

as you can. Adversity will come as an athlete and it’s how you react to that adversity. How will you react when you have that one bad practice or play? Will you dwell on it or move onto the next play and make an immediate impact?

A lot of that will show your heart and how much you wanted it. Composure is another huge key to being a successful student-athlete. You HAVE to stay composed at all times no matter the situation.

You always got to remember every move you make represents not just you but also your whole school and team.

Effort is another expected thing from you day in and day out of school and practice. If you slack off in practice you will do the same when game time comes. Some players don’t realize it but when you’re competing and being observed by coaches it is very obvious when one player has the desire to succeed

more than the other. Without a determination to be as good as you can, you will struggle and find yourself slipping up more often because somebody else will want it more than you will. Playing in competitive sports can also get to your head sometimes.

When you have put so much work into one thing and at times do not see it paying off, that’s where you find out what you have got in you and if your going to give it up or keep going at it. Everyday is a new day for you as an athlete and a chance for you to prove why you should be out there.

You can find out a lot about yourself when competing in a sport also, there’s nothing ever negative about playing a sport. You’re learning many life skills while also having fun with your teammates. Some of the greatest memories people will have is from competing in sports with your childhood friends.

The Polar Bears firing up for there game. Photo cred: Jolena Le

Football Recap North Vs. Lincoln / 39-0 loss East Vs. North / 51-18 loss Hoover Vs. North / 43-0 loss North Vs. Ankeny / 63-0 loss Johnston Vs. North / 45-0 loss Lewis Central Vs. North / 56-0 loss North Vs. Roosevelt / 51-0 loss Sioux City East Vs. North / 63-0 loss North Vs. Dowling / 77-7 loss

Back on the Mats By: Tanna Jones Wrestling season is just around the corner. With off-season workouts scheduled, the wrestling room seems to be empty.

None of the wrestlers seem to know what’s going on and have no idea where there coach seems to be.

Coach Geno Hildreth resigned from his position three weeks before wrestling season starts. When questioned, Athletic Director Brian Tate explained sadly the reasoning behind this dealt with his personal life.

“Having two kids takes up a lot of time, while having a whole group of young adults working to perfect something we share a common interest in also takes a lot of time,” said Hildreth.

After the many years of coaching he will be missed.

It’s been a long and exhausting off-season for these boys, with a new coach coming in a lot of things are bound to change.

With only one wrestler making it to state last year

and many on the rise, the North-Hoover wrestling team is on an uphill climb.

Josh Rattray, junior at North, is the head captain for his team and has many goals for this season.

“I don’t care what happens throughout the seasons I just want more wins,” said Rattray.

He led last year with the most pins and has always been seen as a leader. He is hoping to stay at weight class 120 and to make it to state. Rattray has 56 career wins.

“Wrestling has been a part of my life and it always will be. We might not get attention from the school but the only fans I need are the ones that’s been supporting me since day one,” he said.

Meshach, Shadrach and Chase williams, varsity are ready for this season. Photo Cred: Tanna Jones

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