December Issue by North High Oracle

The

December 2013 volume 109 issue 3

oracle two worlds ,

one service

pg. 4/5

NORTH HIGH SCHOOL 501 HOLCOMB AVE. DES MOINES, IA 50313 A PUBLIC FORUM FOR STUDENT EXPRESSION

TOC THE

DECEMBER ISSUE

THE_Snaps

THE_O'S_Opinions_ Senior Stress

pg 3 - Waughtal

pg 3 - Castillo

Good Thing youre pretty

Unfair World

pg 3 - Tuombemungu

THE_FEATURES rotc

pg 4 - Ambrose

pg 5 - McNichols/Chup

veterans

THE_spread Creative arts THE_News FOREIGN EXCHANGE COMMENTARY EDUCATION THE_LOCKER_ROOM 'WE BELIEVE..' pg 6 /7 - Waughtal

pG 8 SALEENa

pG 9 KELLEY

pg 10 - PHAM

WRESTLING PREVIEW

THE

63 STUDENTS SURVEYED

68.85% yes

oracle staff

Photo 1: ROTC wraps up the veterans day assembly

Photo 2: A closeup on a north high student’s art

Photo 2: The tinkers during the tinker tour. instagram Photo By: sammi_1111

Photo3: The flag being raised on Veterans day.

pg 5 - JONES

Do You Consider Cheetos A Chip?

POLLS

Photo 1: Devon Klinge at the veterans day assembly.

31.15% no

Executive Editor & Chief Storyteller – Chanbopha Sam Executive Editor & Master of Design – Cameron Fisher Social Media Director – Michael Pham Sports Director – Derek Young News Editor – Yolanda Perez Features Editor – Sammi Linebach Opinions Editors – Hannah McNichols Creative Arts Editors – Leah Waughtal Copy Editors – Jacob Sanderman Photography Editor – Saleena Lovan

Do you prefer ham or turkey?

45.90% Ham

54.10% Turkey

Reporters; Kolby Chup Alexander Crosby-Anderson Paige Hennick Jessie Hertz Celina Horsley Tanna Jones Aminah Lothi Alejandra Magallanes Hannah McNichols Rachael Nash Kelsey Ambrose Jesse Primrose Marina Song Brennan Whisler

Photo3: Teyontae Jenkins in the gym.

How do you eat your tacos?

29.51% 16.39% 54.10% Taco Go to meet in To you Taco middle

Chandalae Staples Moise Tuombemungu Daishon Willis LAURA ABUHL ELISHA BOARDMAN MICHAEL COLON-RAMOS WILLIE GARDNER ABBY MCGRUDER Elisha Boardman Michael Colon-Ramos

THe_O's_Opinions By: Leah Waughtal For seventeen years of my life I have been told what to do and what not to do. Just today I was told that I wasn’t allowed to walk down a certain hallway when coming back from lunch. Everyday I am confronted by authority figures who question every choice and decision I make. Where I am allowed to sit, what I should spend my money on, and who I should associate myself with. In forty-two days I will be 18. Old enough to smoke my lungs black and cover myself with tattoos. Old enough to vote, make choices on a national scale, and get married if I want to. In forty-two days I will be an adult. I have been spending my weekends painstakingly and meticulously hand crafting my college applications. Filling my brain with numbers about university student-faculty ratio, and diversity rates. I’ve been swallowing statistics about financial aid that match pie charts that don’t mean anything to me. My computer is a filling cabinet full of locations, photos of campuses, and college student’s first hand accounts of their experience. I have a stack of at least a hundred unopened letters colleges have sent me, from NYU to small community colleges in Cedar Rapids. But I haven’t opened very many of them. Because I have grades to maintain, assign-

Senior Stress ments to get done, essays to write, and calculus homework to try and wrap my brain around. I am simultaneously being thrusted into the adult world while being held captive inside the cage of adolescence. In the same day I am being told I have to get a pass from the office for being ten seconds late; but then also asked overwhelming question by teachers like “What do you plan on doing after high school?” A deadly question that leaves me in a cold sweat. It is closely followed by “What do you plan to study?” and “What colleges have you applied to?” It is a tornado that leaves me breathless. I sometimes just want to say it: I don’t know. I can feel myself being torn apart by my own

An Unfair World

By: Moise Tuombemungu

If I punch someone is it fair that he punches me back? In truth it won't be, since he might not be as strong as me. And what if I don't bleed as much as him, or vice versa, then that is unfair, since it does not equal the impact. The thing is we all tend to create standards of what is right, which opposes the laws of man and even of the most high, we justify that the evil a person commits against another person should in all righteousness be repaid the same way. This flawed corrupt system, we conceive as fair and just, is an excuse, not to be subject to law, to do evil, therefore repaying evil with evil. According to the Christian faith, they believe that God's law, the Ten Commandments is ascribed on the tablet of every man's heart, and on these we conceive what is sin “ an immoral act considered as a transgression against divine law”. It is by the Ten Commandments that most of our human laws are

made. Why then do bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people? It is simple. Bad things also happen to bad people, and good things happen to good people, they all walk the vain path of misery and prosperity, logically “we all bear the seed of suffering, wicked or righteous, prosperous or poor, strong or weak, suffering is impartial ”-unknown. Many may be clothed with physical pleasures, yet they run dry inside each day to a point of self-destruction, and there are those who's joy reaches further than the horizons, and yet poverty strikes at their weakest, as to provide less. Here is a true saying: “The world is unfair”. And in some sense, it is fair that it is unfair. If any day the world becomes fair, evil will break the bars of justice lurking through the streets of the world. Madness will ravish the whole world to injustice and dark deeds never imagined. Laws will be created and abolished by man, everyone will live by their own standard of what is right, justice will lose her right to judge evil, in every way all would be equal, and all would perish.

“Here is a true saying: “The world is unfair”. And in some sense, it is fair that it is unfair.”

seams. I know I have passions, dreams, aspirations. I know what I think I want to study. But asking me to make choices about my future, decisions that will set me down a certain track for the rest of my life isn’t fair. Being young means constantly being reminded by my superiors that I have so much to learn. It means being undermined constantly and being questioned because of my choices. My maturity is questioned every day, no matter what I do. So why now? Why after seventeen years of being told I am ‘just a kid’, am I now allowed to make such drastic and insane choices about my future? I’m not asking the

question because I’m not ready. I swear I would never complain. What I know is that this process is crippling. It is the kind of pressure you crack under. I just have to tell myself to take a deep breath. That this, and graduation isn’t the end. It’s something else entirely – it is just the beginning. And there is something beautiful about that – so don’t give up yet. Don’t let yourself drown. You have to drop the negative experiences at the door, because you can’t carry it with you – you can’t let them bury you. This process will be overwhelming, I promise you that. But what I also promise is that you have an arsenal of people, teachers, friends and family who have been through the same long distance run. And they will be cheering for you at the finish line.

It’s a Good Thing You’re Pretty

By: Iliana Castillo

There has always been a division between people we consider "smart" and, frankly, "stupid." We think these two words are about how well people do in school, their grades, and their rank. It makes sense when we've been taught about how important doing well in school was. Because of this, a warped definition of intelligence has been spread. Students aren't the only ones labeling themselves, and others, dumb. There are parents and teachers thinking that an "F" equals eternal failure. Something sinking, difficult to float up from. But school shouldn't be about getting the highest grades or doing better than everyone else. It should be about improving on the things you like and are interested in. Unfortunately, school is nothing like this. While there are parts of the school day that aren't bad, people are still forced to sit in 82 minute long classes learning about things they'll

forget in less than a year. We were taught that the connotation of both "smart" and "stupid" has definite boundaries starting with programs like Gifted and Talented and 4.0 averages. "Stupid" as a definition for a person, is unrealistic. Even though people have been using it for as long as the word was invented, no person is actually stupid. Not understanding material doesn't mean you're dumb, it just means you don't understand it. Or you really hate it with a burning passion. The problem is not that people are stupid. The problem is that people tend to judge others without knowing them. It happens frequently, but it's wrong. There is a lot of pressure to have A's in classes and high grade point averages, but there are a lot of smart people that don't have good grades. Everybody at North is brilliant, just because their transcript is not full of A's doesn't mean that they are any less smart or capable of achieving great things. They deserve respect, because they are going to accomplish great things in different ways.

“But school shouldn’t be about getting the highest grades or doing better than everyone else. It should be about improving on the things you like and are interested in.”

Two worlds,

one service

Members of ROTC posed for this photo during a break in their game of snow football. The experiened members of ROTC particiapted in the team building activity. Photo by Hannah McNichols.

Changing Polar Bears’ lives since 1981 By: Kelsey Ambrose The ROTC program at North these past few years has added more to the “bigger picture” than ever before. With more than 100 students and just two instructors, it’s important to understand what’s really going on behind just the structure, discipline and uniforms. Being in ROTC isn’t just a class, it’s much more than a class. You’re being taught life skills that will help you in the long run. You learn things more structured, and how to be more mature in situations. “The best part of ROTC is seeing everybody come together from the beginning to the end of the year and seeing how my classmates are becoming better people. It makes me work harder in my classes because I know I’m a role model to other cadets,” senior Alexis Armstrong said. Before some students became a part of the ROTC program, they didn’t have the best mind-set. They were trouble makers, didn’t get along well in school, there wasn’t enough discipline in their lives. Others joined ROTC because their parents were involved in high school. Some have joined because they want to stay in shape, have a career in the mili-

tary or are looking to challenge themselves. Many in the ROTC program have said that ROTC can and will change you as a person, as long as you put the effort in as well. The major discipline is enough to change a person that skips classes, into a well rounded, on time, and well mannered student. Sergeant Michael Gettler has been working at North High School for 13 years, and he couldn’t think of any better job that he would want to do. “The tools we give them, they take them to every classroom everyday. They learn, they learn to be successful & those little things that help them be a better student,” Gettler said. Students aren’t just learning inside a normal classroom being lead by a normal instructor, which also makes ROTC a unique program. They’ll be taken to new environments, class will be taught anywhere. As long as the students are interested. The structure of this class makes ROTC an extremely unique program. Instead of being lead by a teacher, students are being lead by another student, Lucas McNichols. McNichols is a Commanding Officer to the ROTC classroom. He got the position by giving his all to

everything that he did, learning how to handle certain situations and showing respect to everyone. His job as a commanding officer is planning for events, volunteer opportunities, showing leadership in every class, and becoming a positive role model to the cadets. “Sometimes, I feel like my life would be easier if I wasn’t the Commanding Officer but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I like the responsibility and the pressure to get stuff done and when I mess up, I like to own up to it and get myself tightened up a bit. I like to see myself excel above my peers and being in the leadership role I am, it gives me the opportunity every day,” McNichols said. Another very crucial part of the ROTC program for the past year and a half is Major Sean Quinlan. Since he’s been at North he feels the best part of being here is getting the opportunity to shape young minds and prepare them for the challenges they may face in the next chapter of their lives. Even though the program is already put together extremely well, there’s still room for more changes. “Before you can make a change, I believe you must

know where you’ve been to know where you’re going,” Quinlan said. “My vision for every cadet here in the ROTC program, is that their experience is one of the best experiences of their life,” he said. Quinlan is quick to give credit to Bob McCarthy and George Jackson who laid the foundation for the program over the past few decades. Former North High principal Matt Smith says that the ROTC program is one of the best programs that can be implemented into a school, because it provides a way for students to keep their GPA up, learn discipline, more structure, it keeps them in school as well. “Something other schools don’t have is an ROTC program like North does, and that’s one thing that could be changed, you’d see a bigger change in students for sure,” Smith said. “This (program) is stellar. In terms of what it offers kids and communities, I wouldn’t compare anything to even be close to what this program has. That’s why it’s so great,” Smith added.

VeteranS day

A Day of honor

As ROTC cadets lined the hallway, veterans walked through with their loved ones, getting the “welcome back” many never got before. Veterans Day is a day to honor those living and deceased that had the honor and courage to serve our country. On the morning of November 9 as the staff and students await in the auditorium where they are side by side with countless years of service and sacrifices. With multiple branches of the armed forces represented, North showed honor, respect, and remembrance for those that have enlisted in the past and in the present. Presented by North’s very own ROTC program, this assembly was very well put together. It featured multiple key speakers from ROTC and our own principal, Mike Vukovich.

After Alexis Armstrong read the meanings of each fold of the American flag, it was presented by Dakota Mattos to Joe Benda. who was a tech Sergeant in the Air Force for 20 years. Benda served in France, England, Korea, and Vietnam. He received the flag because he was the oldest veteran in attendance that day. “Being a marine, When asked what once a marine, him made want always a marine.” to enlist Benda said, -P.j Pins “Nothing, I just wanted to be there.” As could be expected, for those in ROTC this assembly struck close to the heart. A prime example

would be Cadet Sergeant Major Megan Russell who has seen many members of her family enter the service. In her own words, the most important one was Jim Russell. As Megan herself said of him, “You have shown me what it means to be a true soldier. You have been the greatest mentor of all and I love you.” I think every veteran that was here at North that day, could agree with P.J Pins when he said what made him proud of serving his country “Being a Marine, once a Marine always a Marine.” The strongest speech was given by the Cadet Private Anya Young, a freshman and of the lowest rank present. She embodied all of all the feelings felt by those present when she said, “Today we are here to state that what they do has not gone unnoticed.”

Veterans Day Assembly youtube.com/NorthHighOracle

“Why Did you join ROTC?” Spencer Smith

DakoTa Mattos

“What I want to do in the future is join the Marines and this is preperation.”

“I like the enviornment and how it’s like a big family.”

Lucas McNichols

Warren Krieg

“Helps better my life and teach me skills.”

“In the end, I learn a lot more than just sitting in a math class. I learn everyday skills that I could use in any field.”

(Sophomore)

(Senior)

(Sophomore)

Anya Young (Freshman)

“It really helps me get my grades up and it also helps me be a better person.”

The_Spread

Outlining Our Art Department

Senior My Nguyen has this painting of hers adorning DC Smith’s wall. Photo by Hatte Kelley.

Junior Ebony Greene created a piece depicting animals and nature. Photo by Hatte Kelley.

Junior Levi Banda has a piece infusing nature and the human nature. Photo by Hatte Kelley.

Junior Breonna Harris’s stipple drawing of the Joker. Photo by Hatte Kelley.

By Leah Waughtal

If I asked you about creative arts at North you might think of the theater program, or maybe you might recall the thriving choir program that has put down serious roots. However, you might not know that tucked away in the northwest wing of the building - all forms of art are growing. To talk specifically, the block seven and eight drawing program has given birth to a lot of beautiful expressions. These two classes are taught by DC Smith, a fellow who’s quirks make him the perfect art teacher. “He helps me work on value and he pushes me to make me do more and inspires me,” junior Breonna Harris said. Junior Autumn Klootwyk said, “He brings me out of my comfort zone, something I hate and need.” Something Smith does that makes his art programs at North so successful is his ability to push his students. “He pushes me a lot, to do better, but he also lets me express myself. He has taught me a lot and is my favorite teacher,” said senior Savannah Van De Boe. Students are prompted with a course curriculum that centers around free drawing. Students are given specific assignments, and guidelines. The latest project was a stipple drawing, which is composed of dots, a meticulous but impressive concept. Students are also driven by the honor of creating something worthy of being showed in an art show. The students have also been prompted to create their own sketchbooks, and even dabble in painting. They also have been been offered the option to work with oil pastels. Smith allows a wide variety of mediums for students to work with. “The class (Drawing II) is perfect, and there are no

Paint brushes. Photos by Rachael Nash.

Senior Taylor McDaniel works on her stipple in DC Smith’s art class. Photo by Hatte Kelley.

Paint palletes. Photo by Rachael Nash.

improvements necessary,” Harris said. Students attempt to express emotions as well, something that can be hard to manage. Harris touches on this issue, “What inspires me most in my joker drawing is my audience, and the evil feeling my joker is portraying.” Klootwyk bouncing off the concept of inspiration also, “Honestly, not one single thing inspires me. I see something or a thought comes, and then my art takes off. Although Imagine Dragons song ‘Demons’ has been my most recent inspiration,” she said. “I really like painting people, in my most recent painting, I was inspired by a picture I found on the internet of a model with lots of special effects,” Van De Boe said. “I liked the way you could see her collar bones and her disinterest.” The students of North High School are a rare breed. They are creative, brilliant and innovative. They tackle difficult concepts and still keep themselves motivated to create, and pursue art. Because of the atmosphere Smith provides, students are allowed to express themselves. Because of this combination, of dedication, talent, and a creative atmosphere, the art program at North has blossomed. Students look forward to their time spent in the classroom, and inside the pages of a sketchbook. Instead of the fine arts being just another credit requirement, it instead has provided a healthy outlet for students to explore, and express themselves. North students have a channel that as been cultivated inside of this building, something that has crafted their own hands into not only instruments, but also masterpieces.

Classes Taught By : DC Smith Intro to 2D & 3D Art Photography Drawing & Painting

Senior Savannah Van De Boe, a senior, painting in 8th block. Photo by Hatte Kelley.

DC Smith guides his student artist, Savannah Van De Boe in developing her painting. Photo by Hatte Kelley.

A stipple drawing of an eyeball reflection of impending doom created by junior Autumn Klootwyk. Photo by Hatte Kelley.

the_O's_NEWS

The Foreign & International students at North High School Malak Mohammed Yemen Q: Was it hard to get into the program? “Yeah, it was really hard because when you apply for it. I applied for it, just for luck. There were more than 300 students that applied for that scholarship, but

Miriam Hanna Egypt

Q:Was it hard to get into the program? “It was hard, you have to pass to a lot a processes to come here. I went through three camps, all of them were for selection, an English test, a pressure test, interviews and home visits. It took me about a year.” Q: How do you like north so far? “I like North, actually I believe if I go to any other school, I’d like it too. Because the education system is totally

different, it’s more good.” Q: Why did you choose to study in the U.S? Was it a choice? “It was kind of a choice, because this program, like my organization school AFS ( AmericanField Service), it’s mostly between Muslims, Arabians, countries and U.S, so they can tell the Americans that not all Muslims are terrorist after 9/11. So, this is like the big deal about exchanging to the U.S. Like, but there is other countries choices; Italy, Mexico, and Germany.”

Edna David Liberia

Kanthida Sudlerd Thailand

Q: Was it hard to get into the exchange program? “Have to get a slip test.” -hard Q: Why did you choose to study in the U.S? “Different choices, interview with English teachers.” Q: How do you like North so far? “Easier.” Q: How does your school system work back home? “Thailand has 9 blocks, depends on school days.” Q: Do you have to wear uniforms? “Have to wear uniforms and tie hair back.” Q: Do you get homesick? “Yes.” Q: What’s your first impression of the US? “Free speech, at Thailand you

have to be respectful.” Q: If you can tell Americans one thing about your culture, what would it be? “You have to bow and be respectful.” Q: What’s the biggest struggle in the U.S? “Troubles- Vocabulary, accent and people don’t understand me.” Q: Do you like it better here or at home? why? “I like it better here than my home.” “It’s free and more freedom.” “my friends I can talk to many people every time and grade.” Q: Has America changed you? How? “Yes, I can do everything more now.”

they picked only 13. Yeah, you can tell it was hard, but for me because I was already studying in that institute on that scholarship.” Q: How do you like North so far? “Well, I like the teachers, the classes I picked, and the thing about teenagers, students would make friendship very good.” Q: Why did you choose to study in the U.S? “Because it’s a good opportunity to be in an exchange student program and go to a foreign country and like exchange your culture and do something new, experience fun. Q: Is the school work harder or easier here to what you studied at home? “I think it’s a little easier. Sometimes it’s confusing, sometimes it’s easier, sometimes it’s harder. Back home, when you take a test,

the teachers will tell you specific stuff to memorize. And here the good thing about the test is that you can retake them. Back home you can’t retake any test.” I just feel like its kinda different. Q: How does your school system work back home? Is it free? Do you have to wear uniforms? “You’re in this class with a group of people and the teacher comes to the class, also you don’t get to pick any of the classes. Yeah, I have to wear uniforms.” Q: Do you ever get homesick? “Yes, in the beginning I did but now, not anymore.” Q: What’s your first impression of the U.S? “Everything here is different. That I’m going to have fun! I always heard about the U.S, and I didn’t know that I’ll be in Iowa, but then I’ve been told. Very interesting

and excited.” Q: What are the likes/ dislikes of the U.S? “I like that nobody cares about what people do, you just can do everything you want. I (don’t) dislike anything, so far.” Q: If you can tell Americans one thing about your culture, what would it be? “So here’s the thing, my host family don’t know anything about my country. And they ask me do you have cars, do you have internet, and mostly about the technology. So, I’ll probably tell them that it’s the same. The hijabs, from the religion. Q: What’s the biggest struggle in the U.S? “Being fat, because I eat too much.” Q: Do you like it better here or at home? Why?

“Yeah, I like it here. But I will not stay here for the rest of my life without my family, if I had my family, I’ll stay. If you’re in a foreign country, even though you like it, and you still miss your home country. Q: Has America changed you? How? “Yes, even though I really didn’t recognize this thing but my friends would tell me. Like, back home they take the veil thing very strict. I don’t wear it at home, but I wear the veil to school.” Q: If you can go back, do you see yourself here? “Not really, I haven’t really thought I never be here.”

Q: Is the school work harder or easier here to what you studied at home? “Easier; at home you have to take Chemistry, Physics, Biology, geography, history, English, French and Arabic. All, every year. So, this year, the ability for me to choose my own subjects is better than taking everything at once.” Q: How does your school system work back home? Is it free? Do you have to wear uniforms? “It’s free like in local schools, like North is a public school here. Schools over there is like this but subjects will be taken in Arabic. But my school is a private school, so we pay more than the public schools. Like, the public schools subjects are teached in Arabic. But private schools teach subjects in English and it’s like $10,000 per year. It’s also the same education system here. We have to wear uniforms, I wore it since kindergarten until now.” Q: Do you ever get homesick? “Yeah, of course.” Q: What’s your first impression of the U.S?

“There’s no first impression. But like the first impression when it get into Iowa, people are kind (of) friendly, they like welcome people. So that’s whats good.” Q: What are the likes/ dislikes of the U.S? “Maybe likes because people have more freedom, like they can do whatever they want and it could also be a dislike at the same time. As this may hurt somebody in front of you, so it’s like weapons. Weapons has two parts, can give you your own freedom/ comfort zone and you can also hurt somebody in front of you. I mean in more freedom, like I can go to school without an uniform and can even have my cellphone at school. At home, I can’t take my cellphone with me.” Q: If you can tell Americans one thing about your culture, what would it be? “I wanna say that Egypt, people there don’t bring camels to school and we don’t live in the pyramids. And some of the traditions over there that really made a big part of the culture. And Muslims are

not terrorists. I’m not Muslim but when you live with them. Like, when I came here I didn’t expect to find a lot of girls wearing hijab but over there you find them everywhere. They’re more than Christians, so you’ll find them everywhere and they’re really good. Some people pretend to be Muslims, but they’re not. They are but they try to get everything in trouble; everyone in trouble with each other. So that’s what makes the deal.” Q: What’s the biggest struggle in the U.S? “Just making friends or leaving my friends because it’s not easy to get your friends in a year or the first of the year.” Q: Do you like it better here or at home? Why? “I like it here for the year, but I don’t like to leave my country for the rest of my life. Yeah, of course I like over there.” Q: Has America changed you? How? “Yeah, I guessed it change me because it was like in some parts I learn more about it. So, my

expectations about it wasn’t the same as before. If I expect something, now is it the same or it changed? It changed me, because I’m here and get it changed and more experience. So, everything I meet or everyone I met has changed me.” Q: If you can go back, do you see yourself here? “I don’t know, but this opportunity comes once. Because I can go through this program again except after two years I’ll be graduated from highschool. So, it came once and it’s not easy but first you get excited. Step by step you get more afraid to leave home because everything became more seriously. But when you travel, you’re like starting your life over in a year. So that’s something good. And maybe it won’t happend again because if I came here again for college or something, I won’t be sitting with host family and go like here. I’ll be just a student going to college. This experience is very good.”

Q: Was it hard to get in the program? “No, last year I was and exchange and now I’m an international exchange for 2 years.” Q: How do you like North so far? “Its hard to get noticed. Last year I went to a smaller school, but this year I’m getting used to it. Everyone is nice.” Q: Why did you choose to study in the U.S? “I wanted to try something new, it was like my first choice. US or Germany. I chose US, because I speak English”

Q: Is the school work harder or easier here to what you studied at home? “Easier” more subjects at home. Take big subjects at the same time.” Q: How does your school system work back home? “Same, you have to pass to able to graduate school.” “You just have to pay school fees. You have to wear uniforms.” Q: Have you ever gotten homesick? “Yes, many times.” Q: What’s your first impression of

the U.S? “Like it’s a free state, back at home you can’t say anything to your parents.” Q: If you can tell Americans one thing about your culture, what would it be? “Back home, we appreciate what we have, the kids here like throw their lunch away.” Q: What’s the biggest struggle in the U.S? “Last year trying to fit in, I spoke english but(Americans) speakv very fast but I’m getting used to it.”

Q: Do you like it better here or at home? “I like it better here, thats why I came back. The school system is the best, but here we move around and go to different teachers .” Q: Has America changed you? Why? How? “Yes, I was shy and now I’m not shy to walk up to people.” Q: If you can go back, do you see yourself here, right now? “I wasn’t thinking about to come but if it wasn’t for the lady it changed.”

Commentary

United We Stand

Do Central Academy students have a better advantage in education? Hatte Kelley Creative Arts Assistant

You know those Central Academy nerds? Those kids who are barely at this school, always carrying obese backpacks, and their faces buried in textbooks 24/7? I sure do, because I am one. At the end of the day we all take the same letter tests: ACT, SAT, PSAT, and AP. The question is, is it fair for the accelerated and advanced students to be more prepared for tests every kid in the district has the option to take? Well, if highly beneficial resources can easily be integrated into the curriculum of home schools, all schools except Central Academy, then it is not even reasonable to have this inequality in educational resources. How did you prepare for the ACTs, SATs, AP tests, and PSATs? Ever since 8th grade I have been taking quizzes and tests over a miniature textbook, Word Within The Word, from the required English courses at Central Academy. This book explores the meanings behind stems of words, and eventually the stems become difficult words made up of the stems which are important on letter tests. I have been conditioned for four years before taking the PSATs and still there were some words on the PSATs I was not completely familiar with. A month before the PSATs my English class focused on grammar and specifically familiarized us with the questions which would be on the test. Without these resources I don’t know how anyone would have

faced these tests. If you asked a North High student how they began their research papers, they might say they would visit the North High library. The library which has no real librarian. A library without enough books of merit to count on a single hand. If you asked a Central Academy student, they could tell you about the magnificent new library they have or the Iowa AEA database they have had access to since before high school. Although, shouldn’t an Iowa High School level resource be known and made available to more than just our magnet school? North High’s Vice Principal, Mr. McCulley commented referring to Word within The Word, “From my end, it’s simply we were never aware of this resource.” This seems to be a grave lack of communication between our district’s schools which should have the same goal: educate the Des Moines youth the best we can. I don’t understand why these wonderful resources would be kept hidden like a secret. Many might say the kids from home schools would never take these weekly quizzes over a hundred words and stems a week. Of course I agree that Central Academy is the place for accelerated learning and high intensity education, but the way those great resources are taught do not have to be identical in the home schools they just have to be equal.

Everyone taking the same test and especially coming from the same district should have had the same opportunities for success on a letter test. My focus on the example of Word Within The Word and the PSATs is just the most recent and blatant inequality I have seen. When it comes down to it, we probably couldn’t afford these textbooks for every student to have like they do at Central Academy, but there is a whole lot of things the more affluent schools in the district can afford and we can’t. Why does society persist on perpetuating our poverty? I believe the old system of additional school funding through property taxes is not as fair as we are made to believe. I understand moving to a nicer area where the school’s are better and wanting to have your property taxes towards your child’s school exclusively. Just open your mind and try to understand me a moment. A public school system is for the good of educating the youth living within the district lines. The youth of the poorer areas already have worries about having to work harder than the next kid because they have much further to climb up in socioeconomic status to be what many consider “well off ” or “successful”. Numerous worries, earning scholarships for financial aide, facing and disproving prejudices daily, and most likely caring for younger siblings during hours which could otherwise be used for

“This system is failing and we need a reboot. We can be brilliant and fantastic again: only if we work together, for the benefit of each other”

studies. With all of these added and constant stresses why would we also limit their resources? If all the property taxes within the state of Iowa was summed and divided between all the schools everyone in the district might be able to afford some much needed textbooks and educators. Even better, no child would feel less than another or better than another because of where they came from. Education has been aching for reform for a long time now. Our nation has fallen so far in its education standards and achievements. This system is failing and we need a reboot, and we can be brilliant and fantastic again: only if we work together, for the benefit of each other, and for a better future than what it seems to be at the moment. The first step, is definitely better communication to spread the great resources and strategies already being put to use. Maybe the next step could be reforming our public school financing to create more equality across our community. Franklin put it best: “United we stand, divided we fall”

Central Academy Motto “The Pursuit of Excellence” Students: Approx. 1,000 Established: 1985

the locker room Winter is finally here and so are North High winter sports. In this edition of the Oracle's Locker Room We have

Pin for the win, Polar Bowlers, and We believe...

Pin for the win By Tanna Jones Unseen and never spoken of, there are a group of guys who work hard for what they love. These North-Hoover wrestlers have no off season. Between cutting and maintaining their weight, especially coming up on the holidays and all the food that comes along, it can’t be easy. Josh Rattray (sophomore) North High wrestling Captain, has been wrestling since he was eight years old. He started off at East Junior Wrestling Club and instantly made a connection. “If I win, I win. If I lose, I still win. Meaning even if I lose I still win because I learned from what I did wrong,” He told me. Just in his freshman year he went 22-10 which is one of the best numbers on the team. His goal for this season is to get to state with a winning team. He weighs 122 pounds and is planning on cutting down to 113, gradually moving to 106 before districts. “I will make it to state this year, I will do whatever it takes.” Says Rattray. His drive for this sport has improved along with his confidence. Austin Castillo, a senior at Hoover High School has been wrestling at North since his sophomore year. His goal for this season is to make it to state since this is his last year. Castillo has been in the gym working out all off-season to get ready to make his goals a reality. “Wrestling is six minutes of pain but, a lifetime of experience,” Castillo said. He is planning on wrestling at 220 lbs. and now weighs 208 lbs. His biggest disappointment through his high school career is he’s always getting hurt. He was

to state after taking third place at last years districts, barely losing and failing to qualify for state. “Wrestling helps you in every aspect of your life,” Foley said. He went 19-6 last year also one of the highest scores on the team. He is planning to wrestle at 195 lbs. and currently weighs 208 lbs. Geno Hildreth has been coaching North High Wrestling for 14 years and is planning on staying. “I stayed at North because it is my school, I went here when I was a teen and graduated in 1996.” Hildreth said. He has also has been wrestling since he was in third grade without taking a single year off. “My goal for this season is to bring some ‘moe bandy’ and win a bunch of dual meets. We also want to have a handful of state wrestling tournament qualifiers,” says Geno. He is ready for this season and hoping this will be North-Hoover’s big break.

Josh Rattray attempts to Pin down an Ankeny wrestler. unable to participate in district’s last season due to a fractured ankle at conferences. He has

"If I win, I win. If I lose, I still win. Meaning even if I lose I still win because I learned from what I did wrong,"

been hit with five other injuries throughout the past two years. Matt Foley is also a senior at Hoover and wrestles for NorthHoover. His goal for this season is to make it

POLAR BOWLERS North High bowling team prepares for a new season and new challenges It’s not the most popular and not the most talked about, but deep in the depths of Merle Hay Mall there is a team. The North High Bowling Team The Boys and Girls upcoming season is looking very bright with 8 new boys and 5 new girls. The

Numbers have increased by about 2 or 3 students this season compared to the last. More players can backfire but in this case it’s great. “Having more players has a positive output. There are more players so its more fun and adds more competition for Varsity spots,” Mrs. Dvorak told me. This is her 6th year as the Girl’s head coach. “I think we have a lot of potential. Some of the new

bowlers are making very fast progress and hopefully we have a great season.” With new bowlers and more numbers will see if these players are bound for victories and having a good time doing it. The varsity girls won their first meet of the year by over 200 pins; they defeated Ankeny High School on Dec. 3.

Kolby Chup bowls the second ball of his frame.

From Left to Right: #4 Sekou Mtayari, #5 Teyontae Jenkins, #34 Samuel Williams Jr, #11 Terrance Bush Jr. dressed in the team’s new uniforms.

“

"We Believe..."

Basketball Preview:”15 players, 6 coaches, 1 team, 1 family, A long lasting brotherhood.” Story and Picture by Michael Pham I... I Believe... I Believe That... I Believe That We... I Believe That We Will Win...” A chant most commonly heard before the tip-off of a basketball game. The intensity of the crowd’s roar, the in game suspense brought to you by games that come down to the last second. This is something the students of North High look forward to every year. Every day at the sound of the bell at 11:20 a.m, students scramble to the gym as Coach Chad Ryan brings out the basketballs. If you sit in the gym, all you can hear are the sounds of balls bouncing and feel the competitive atmosphere of the pick-up games being played. The North High Boy’s Varsity team has taken a turn in the past couple years. Just this past February, the boys were down four points coming into halftime in the second round of sub-state against the Ankeny Hawks. In the final 16 minutes, each team would make their runs and battle it out, but the Hawks would come out on top. The heartbreaking loss ended the Bear’s incredible season and finishing 13-10, the Polar Bears started five juniors last year, who will all be returning with a hungry attitude. The boys increased their wins by seven from the previous ‘11-12 basketball season. Returning scoring leader, Terrance Bush Jr., now in his senior year, feels that there is a lot of pressure on the Polar Bears. “There’s a lot of expectations for us, the bar is set high. People feel we are the team to beat,” Bush said. “To win, we need to make sacrifices. The coaches made sacrifices opening up the gym, spending more time with us rather their families. They are preparing us for what is to come and the next level,” Bush said. Sam Williams Jr. has a confidence level through the roof. With that level, he has blocked shots of some of the top post players in the state. Williams, a senior, believes that the North High Polar Bear team will make a run. “If there is a possibility for us to go to state and win, it will greatly help North. North needs a winning culture, and what I believe is that

this team, with the senior leadership and support Returning starter, senior Teyontae Jenkins, expects final season of their high school career. Throughout Story & Pictures by Michael Pham from the coaches, we can bring back that winning to do something that the Polar Bears have not done the Summer, Coach Ryan would have the gym open culture,” Williams said. in many years. Return to the State Tournament. “Yes for the boys to work on shooting, dribbling, post moves and much more. In a series of Summer league To Williams, this team, this season isn’t just about and no that there’s pressure for us to be good with games at Valley High School and various tournathem, but the community. It’s about bringing the all five starters being seniors. We as a team expect us community up with us. Williams had this to say to work hard and be good together as a whole, but ments across the Midwest, the boys would finish about a comment from an outside source, “We will other teams in the metro expects us to be the same their Summer season, 35-6. Many of the boys would have our ups and downs, we will come into schools old North High team. All we have to worry about is also play on AAU teams such as Kingdom Hoops, with everything against us but we’re a band of brothourselves. We can only beat ourselves,” Jenkins said. F3 Fire, Iowa Elite, and many more. Giving them ers. The only thing beating us are ourselves. We have He is looking to do whatever is needed for his team no end to basketball, and living up to the phrase, to stay together, we can’t give up.” to win, “With work outs and open gym, it helps us “Basketball Never Stops”. Returning starter, senior with more than basketball, As of September 1, Iowapreps.rival.com put the Sekou Mtayari, suffered a such as keeping in shape, North High Polar Bears as one of the top teams fracture in his hand, midway improving our game, and in the preseason ranking for the 4A Division. As through last season. He would “A championship doesn’t just keeping a competitive mind for Coach Ryan, “I’m glad we’ve made some turns not return until the first round consist of a team and a coach, set when we step on to that and strides to the positive. I’ve never looked at the of Sub-state against rival East hardwood floor. That all starts rankings or worried about it but it is nice that the but the school, the fan-base, with our Coach, opening the High. Mtayari believes that boys are being recognized for their hard work.”Along there will be a run at state, no with the Polar Bears are five other teams; defending and the community in which gym for us.” doubt. With strong confidence, Coach Ryan has been a part champion Iowa City West, Dubuque Senior, Ankeny the athletes come from. It of the North basketball prohe and his teammates have Centennial, Des Moines Hoover, and Bettendorf. been working hard to get to gram for 6-7 years. Formerly 3 out of the 5 teams listed made a run at the State starts with ALL of US” that point. “Since my freshman known as “Coach” by students Tournament. Expectations for each team are set year, we were the younger kids and his athletes throughout the high. -Sam Williams Jr. looking up to the seniors, we school. Coach Ryan has seen The boys are off to a hot start with wins in Ft. were the little guys. This year the improvement over the years Dodge and at home against Johnston, East and Urit’s all us. We have to be leadand it has been progressing bandale. #5 Jenkins, put a show on in Ft. Dodge with ers and our leadership is there, our chemistry has to be a successful program. “The first thing we got 24 points before fouling out in the fourth. A critical improved,” Mtayari said. circled is a Metro Conference Championship, that defensive play made by #4 Mtayari, sealed the game, Mtayari was a part of the 2010 freshman team that will end up leading to our ultimate goal, a State run,” 68-60. Without Jay Knuth, the Dragons came in with went 18-3 and won the Metro Conference Title for Said Coach Ryan. His team and coaching staff runs a game plan to stop Jenkins and Bush. That would the freshman. That team would break the record for with the motto, “One game at a time”. Focusing on not happen as Jenkins, Bush, and Williams put up most wins since the 1999 freshman team. Today, in what is in front of the team rather than focusing on double digit numbers to beat Johnston, 59-52. With the 2013-2014 season, those student-athletes are the something that will come with time. “You can’t have a 28 point lead coming into halftime, the Scarlets leaders of the team. “Expectations are as far you go, goals without steps. The step is one game at a time. would fight and bring the lead down to two. Bush people set the bar high for us. We’re mostly seniors Our season goals will come throughout the season,” would hit a critical three to slow the Scarlets down and that’s what they expect. As a team, as a whole, Ryan said. and give us the lead as the final seconds passed, 78we will work together but individually, we need to The team has been preparing for the ‘13-’14 season 71. The Bears would be down as much as 20 points do what we need to do to win,” Mtayari said about since the lost to Ankeny last February. Coach Ryan in the game against Urbandale, but would fight the pressure brought from other teams, coaches, and had the Bears in work outs and open gym getting back in the second half. 34 points by Jenkins and 18 college scouts looking at the Polar Bears. ready for the upcoming season, and for most, the points by Bush would win us the game, 72-63.

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