January Pelladium

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One third of all adults in the United States have worked in the restaurant industry at some point in their lives.

Apostolopouloses create culinary dynasty

 For the past 20 years, the Apostolopouloses have been one of the most prominent year, the sign “foreclosureâ€? has become a regular sight as small businesses close down all families associated with local dining. As these small-town entrepreneurs expand their over town. With not one, but three businesses, the Apostolopoulos seem to have uncovered chain of restaurants, they prove that small-business can not only survive in a town of their own form of economic depression kryptonite. 11,000 people; it can thrive. “We don’t stay afloat without lots of stressful 4JODF ĂŤSTU QVSDIBTJOH (FPSHF T 1J[[B BO BMSFBEZ FYJTUJOH moments, I can assure you. In the past 20-so years, pizza parlor, the Apostolopouloses have been able to I have learned what it truly feels like to be stressed; expand their business by creating two more establishments: owning a restaurant is a difficult task. Some days 8JOENJMM $BGĂ? BOE ,BMEFSB 8IJMF FNQMPZJOH PWFS are better than others, but in the end, we are always people, these three restaurants have earned their place worrying about something each week. I guess in the BNPOH UIF NPTU TPVHIU VQPO FBUFSJFT JO 1FMMB ɨFZ end, we have some very loyal customers that keep us have established their own “regularsâ€? and with the local going,â€? said Apostolopoulos. support, each restaurant has gained a permanent place &WFO XJUI UIF TUSFTT PG SVOOJOH B CVTJOFTT UIF within city bounds. Aside from the customers, much of Apostolopoulos family manages to maintain three The Apostolopoulos’s success comes from their family, who highly regarded restaurants. Under tough economic sacrificed time, money and effort to get their restaurants off PQQPTJUJPO 1FMMB T PXO GBNJMZ EJOJOH NPOPQPMZ MJWFT the ground. on. “We had worked in restaurants before, so we all had some i8F BSF KVTU CMFTTFE UP CF JO 1FMMB UIF QFPQMF IFSF BSF experience as to how a successful one should be run. When the only reason that we make it,â€? said Apostolopoulos. George’s was for sale, it felt like it was finally time for us to t.FHBO $BSE NDQFMMBEJVN!HNBJM DPN

start out, and so far, business has been good. It was really a family investment, and we all wanted it to work out. We SERVE. +VOJPS .PMMZ /FJM XBJUT PO UXP DVTUPNFST BU (FPSHF T 1J[[B all gave as much as we could for it to be successful. We try .POEBZ %FD i* IBWF XPSLFE BU CPUI ,BMEFSB BOE (FPSHF T &EJUPS T /PUF ,BMEFSB DMPTFE %FD EVF UP to just keep it simple,� said Debbie Apostolopoulos. and I have enjoyed working at both places. The Apostolopoulos family a water pipe break that caused extensive damage to "GUFS IJSJOH QFPQMF TJNQMF JT IBSEMZ UIF XPSE UP is great. They are easy to work with and get along with,� said Neil. Neil the restaurant. It is expected to reopen sometime in describe the impact that the three restaurants have had TUBSUFE Pê CVTTJOH UBCMFT BU ,BMEFSB XIFO UIF SFTUBVSBOU ÍSTU PQFOFE BOE January. on the community, especially the younger generations. DPOUJOVFE IFS XPSL XJUI UIF "QPTUPMPQPVMPT GBNJMZ BU (FPSHF T 1J[[B &YDFQU GPS ,BMEFSB UFFOBHFST BSF XJEFMZ SFHBSEFE BT VTBCMF XBJUJOH UBCMFT /FJM CFHBO XPSLJOH BU (FPSHF T 1J[[B EVSJOH UIF TVNNFS and has continued her work their to the present. employees for the Apostolopoulos family. Almost half of the staff is under 18. i.PTU PG UIF UFFOBHFST XF IJSF XPSL IBSE FWFO JG JU JT GPS NJOJNVN XBHF * UIJOL XF George’s Pizza Kaldera Windmill CafÊ should give kids their age the opportunity to get some job experience. I also think we 629 Franklin Street 1205 Washington Street 709 WashingtonStreet create a good learning environment, so that when they get in the real world, they already 641-628-2802 641-628-3339 641-621-1800 know what their employers will expect from them,� said Apostolopoulos. In the end though, with the current economic situation, how do they do it? For the past

Eliminate shopping woes, select the perfect dress with ease

Finding the perfect winter formal dress can be an exciting yet stressful experience. Not everyone finds pleasure in scouring through racks of silk, taffeta and polyester hoping to find the quintessential cocktail dress. Finding breathtaking threads can be a hard task without knowing what to look for. When choosing a dress, it’s important to consider body shape and what will look most flattering on a person’s figure while keeping in mind the current fashion trends. The bleak truth is, not all cuts look good on every body shape. There are many different body types, and there are distinct ways to dress for each type. Here are some suggestions for finding a comfortable and captivating winter formal dress. .BOZ XPNFO CFMPOH UP UIF QFBS TIBQF DBUFHPSZ Individuals classified as having a pear body shape have a narrower upper body, including a smaller bust and shoulders and a wider bottom, hips and thighs. Improving proportions is key when selecting a dress for pear-shaped girls. The ultimate goal is to find a dress that slims down the bottom half and plays up the top half. Achieve this goal by settling on a dress with a deep V neck line to draw attention upward. Another prime choice for pear-shaped women is an empire-wasted dress. These dresses usually possess flowing fabrics that have the power to smooth out the shape and create a flattering ending result. The athletic, or petite, shape refers to women with a narrow figure overall. Weight is usually evenly distributed with no disproportional elements. Girls belonging to this category should aim for dresses that accentuate the feminine characteristics of their form. Do not settle on a strapless formless dress; this will only flatten and accentuate a shapeless figure. Instead, look for necklines that will give curves and definition, such as a halter. Other options are frilly dresses with ruffles and floral patterns. Not only are these designs all the rage and essentially on every store rack for affordable prices, but they are perfect for

812 University 641-628-5285 www.central.edu

emphasizing the inner diva and will also add volume to the shape. The midsection is an area that many women struggle to keep slim. This problem is magnified for women belonging to the apple shape category. In this case, women have a broader upper body with a narrower bottom and tend to have a larger middle. Focus on shorter dresses that have a cinched area of fabric below the bust line. Dresses with interesting neck lines are also marvelous at bringing attention towards the face and neck as opposed to the midsection. These dresses will hide all of the least favorite areas and show off the best features. The most stylish dresses follow these qualifications, so finding an affordable and up to date look will be a breeze. Having a perfect hourglass figure is what most women dream about. This shape is all about the narrow waist with a lower and upper body synchronized in proportions. Needless to say, almost any style of dress will pleasantly compliment this body type. Solids, patterns and animal prints are all available to the those belonging to the hourglass category. Girls with this shape can try a plethora of stylish choices from a form fitting satin dress or an empire wasted vintage floral get up. Blessed with more curves and have a full bust and hips? Score a dress that will minimize the dominance of your curves but still show them off. The best styles for more curvy individuals are wrap dresses. These dresses have a definite form but they are not too tight and do not hug all the wrong places. Dresses that have more understated colors will have a slimming effect. Avoid choosing an overly loose or shapeless dress. These will only augment your shape and make a person appear bigger than they are. t$BSPMJOF 1IJMMJQT DQ QFMMBEJVN!HNBJM DPN t*MMVTUSBUJPO CZ &SJD .PPSF FN QFMMBEJVN!HNBJM DPN

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Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. ~ The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America

All In The Family

Learn how much one family has contributed to Pella’s businesses. p. 2

Legal Or Not?

The Pelladium looks at what’s legal, what’s not and why. p. 6-7

Student council enacts NEWS   BRIEFS new rules for school dances t5BUF (FISJH 7BO 7BSL son of Wade (math teacher) and Hillary Van Vark, was born at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 12. 5BUF XFJHIFE MCT oz. and was 20.5â€? long. t&MMJPU -FF 8JMMJBNT son of Iwan and Jessica (language arts teacher) Williams, was born at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 4. &MMJPU XFJHIFE MCT oz. and was 20â€? long. tɨF EFCBUF UFBN finished second in the Central Iowa Debate League. Seniors Andrew Sagers and Nadya Khapochkina received varsity allconference awards. JV all-conference honors went to Jake Anderson, Nathan Kooker and Shenstone Huang. tɨF QIZTJDBM FEVDBUJPO programs at Jefferson Intermediate, Pella High and Lincoln &MFNFOUBSZ XFSF DIPTFO UP CF B 1& -*'& model school through the Healthy Kids Act. t54" PĂŻDFST XFSF elected. They include junior Jake Anderson, president; junior Shaun VanWeelden, vice president; junior Cole Bogaard, secretary; sophomore Matt Wallace, sergeant at arms; and, junior Adam Gromotka, reporter. t7PMMFZCBMM DPBDI #PC Fessler was named the Central Iowa Class 3-A Volleyball Coach of the Year. tɨF OFYU CMPPE ESJWF will be March 9. The goal is to have over 200 units drawn this school year. t+PDFMZO 7BO %ZLF jvd. pelladium@gmail.com)

Student council has made some changes to their school dance policies and procedures. The administration recently asked the student council to propose guidelines for school dances. The efforts were pushed by parents and students who felt the dances were promoting negative ideas. Sexually implicative and physical dancing were the main reasons for the student council to make amends towards their dance policy. “I think it will be better for the school atmosphere, but students should have more options for what they want at these events,â€? said junior Cody Lutgen. The changes not only affect the students, but the parents who chaperone as well. Chaperones now have the power to judge whether students are dancing appropriately or not. Students who are dancing inappropriately will be assessed B XBSOJOH UIFO BTLFE UP MFBWF &YBNQMFT PG JOBQQSPQSJBUF EBODFT UIBU XJMM OPU be tolerated are slam-dancing, carrying students on their backs and sexually explicit contact. These new rules will be enforced at upcoming dances including winter formal and prom. There will be a minimum of four adults at the dance, XJUI UXP PG UIFN CFJOH TUBĂŞ NFNCFST BOE MBX FOGPSDFNFOU PĂŻDFST “I think it’s the beginning to solving the problems. People will still be angry towards some of the new rules, but I believe it is a step towards promoting good morals and values in our school,â€? said student council advisor Dak Rasmussen. There are still many familiar rules, such as remaining at the dance once entering, and signing up guests. Many of these rules are common sense, such as appropriate dress, and the ban of illegal substances such as alcohol and drugs. Parties responsible for transportation should also be at the school dance site by 11:50 p.m. Normal school dances will last from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. t.JDIBFM (F NH QFMMBEJVN!HNBJM DPN

SHOT YA. Senior Nikki Burnett receives her H1N1 vaccine Dec. 18 at a clinic held in the cafeteria. “I got one [H1N1 vaccine] because I didn’t want to get sick since it’s [H1N1] is going around. It’s basic self-protection,� said Burnett. According to school nurse Brenda Versteeg, approximately 200 were vaccinated that afternoon. Vaccinations were given throughout the district EVSJOH UIBU XFFL t1IPUP CZ .JDIBFM ;FMMFS

School unveils latest budget cuts With the current economic recession tough consequences follow for schools and their students. As of late, the school district has had to make budget adjustments for the 2009-2010 school year, which involves cutting 10% from their overall budget. In order to save the district money, students who wish to sign up for any foods, arts or industrial technologies classes second semester will be charged a $15 fee per class so they can consume or keep any projects made in the classes. This charge could raise roughly $4,000 for the school. “The charge has been a concern, but it should be okay, because the foods classes give college credit. The Foods I class is six college credits, and Foods II is seven college credits. The $15 is still a lot less money than the $115 per credit hour that DMACC charges for the same class,� said family and consumer science teacher Kathy Van Norden. The extra cost has also raised a concern for possible students for these classes this upcoming semester. “I think that the charge would make me question taking the class, because of the extra cost, even though it isn’t very significant,� said junior Laura De Penning. The district will also raise admissions for concerts to mirror athletic contests. The raise in admissions could raise the

school $10,000. “The parents have already made an investment by purchasing an instrument so their child can participate in band, and now we have increased the cost for the parents to attend the concerts. I hope the increase in price doesn’t become a factor to see their child perform for the parents,� said band director Dick Redman. The district has also decided to eliminate color printing, except in absolutely necessary situations. This sacrifice could save the district roughly $2,000. “It’s fine that they took away the color printing, but I think it cuts the quality of the student’s work,� said sophomore Shaun Sokol. The district also implemented a $3 towel fee for all athletes per sport they participate in. “I think the charge is unfortunate, not just because of the budget cuts, but because it’s necessary to charge it, because we seem to lose a lot of towels throughout the year,� said math teacher and basketball coach Wade Van Vark. With all of these cuts virtually every aspect of the school district will be affected. Through all of the cuts, the district will save/cut roughly $128,000. t,FMTFZ 7BO 5BTFMM (kv.pelladium@gmail.com)

Schools reduce paper, electric use through first five months of year

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One in six overweight adolescents aged 12-19 have pre-diabetes.

Faculty Flashbacks

Diabetes takes a toll on daily life

my blood sugar gets low while I am playing sports, start I sweating and shaking. I can’t do anything because I get weak, and it’s hard to focus. I can’t hold anything because I will drop it. I have to sit down and eat something or drink something with sugar so my blood TVHBS HPFT CBDL VQ w TBJE 7BO ;BOUF The exact cause of diabetes is unclear but genetics, a person’s lifestyle, and environment factors can play key roles in the development of diabetes and the complications that result from having it. “I don’t think living with diabetes is a big deal; it’s just something I have learned to live with,� said Thomas. Diabetes can be a deadly disease, and a cure has yet to be discovered. Diabetes can cause complications like heart disease, stroke, blindness, nervous system damage, and in some cases lower limb amputations are needed. With knowledge about the latest medical therapies and approaches, as well as living a healthy lifestyle, diabetes can be well managed. “I hope someday there can be a cure so no one else has to go through what I did,� TBJE 7BO ;BOUF t,FMTFZ 7BO 5BTFMM (kv.pelladium@gmail.com)

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Diabetes can be a scary and dangerous EJTFBTF 4FOJPS .BDLFO[JF 7BO ;BOUF learned that first hand when he was initially diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. His blood sugar was so high that he could have slipped into a coma and never woken up. Junior Samantha Thomas has lived with Type 1 diabetes for a little over three years. “I first found out I had diabetes when I went to the doctor complaining about not having much energy, always drinking water, and for being very thin. The doctor did some blood work, and then we found out that I had diabetes,� said Thomas. Diabetes sufferers can’t produce insulin for themselves or their bodies don’t SFDPHOJ[F JU *OTVMJO JT JNQPSUBOU GPS UIF human body because it converts sugar, starches, and other foods into energy for the body to use. People with Type 1 diabetes need to have insulin therapy, and depending on how extreme their cases are, the insulin levels vary. “Type 1 diabetes is really a pain. I have to keep checking my blood sugar, give myself shots, and constantly be thinking about it,� said Thomas. 7BO ;BOUF T 5ZQF EJBCFUFT BOE IBT been an issue for him since the start of his freshman year. “It affects my everyday life in a lot of ways. I have to count my carbs daily with every meal I eat. I have to make sure my blood sugar is in the range the doctor wants it in so I don’t have problems later in life like losing my feet or vision. It’s really hard if I don’t know the amount of carbs in an JUFN PG GPPE UIBU * FBU w TBJE 7BO ;BOUF 7BO ;BOUF BMTP TIBSFE UIBU EJBCFUFT has affected him in more ways than just everyday life. “It definitely affects me in sports. We had cross country meet in Norwalk this year, and I went into the race with a high blood sugar. I started running, cramped up, and had a terrible race. It hurt so much to run because my blood sugar was so high. If

Type 1 (Juvenile Diabetes) t.BJOMZ BêFDUT DIJMESFO BOE ZPVOH BEVMUT t0OMZ PG QFPQMF XJUI EJBCFUFT IBWF UIJT UZQF Type 2 t.BKPSJUZ PG "NFSJDBOT IBWF UIJT UZQF tɨPTF BêFDUFE FJUIFS DBO U QSPEVDF JOTVMJO JO UIFJS bodies or cells in their body ignore the insulin that gets produced. Over time, high blood glucose levels may damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.

My grandma just taught me this recipe, and with its few ingredients and simple steps, it’s sure to become anyone’s holiday favorite. Crack the eggs into a mixing bowl and whisk until combined. Add the cake mix and use a rubber spatula to fold them together. Then, add the Cool Whip to the mixture and combine until blended together. The batter will have a thick consistency to it. Place a piece of wax paper on the counter and sift powdered sugar on top of it. Then, take a teaspoon and put a small dollop of the batter on the powdered sugar and cover it. After placing them on a baking sheet, put in the oven at 375° for 12-15 minutes. Recipe makes 30-35 cookies. Place on a cooking rack until room temperature and enjoy. t $BLF NJY PG DIPJDF t P[ PG $PPM 8IJQ

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Vander Linden, Woolery share about their lives after PHS 8FOEZ 7BOEFS-JOEFO

Stephen Woolery

'PSNFS 1FMMB )JHI 4DIPPM UFBDIFST 8FOEZ 7BOEFS-JOEFO BOE 4UFQIFO 8PPMFSZ NPWFE BGUFS FJHIU ZFBST PG UFBDIJOH GPS 7BOEFS-JOEFO OJOF ZFBST GPS 8PPMFSZ #PUI XFSF NFNCFST of the English Department. Woolery also directed the school plays and was the speech DPBDI 8PPMFSZ MFGU UIF TDIPPM BGUFS UIF TDIPPM ZFBS BOE 7BOEFS -JOEFO T MFGU after the year was 2008-2009. Q: Where did you move and why? A: Woolery: “I moved to Ames because it was an opportunity to be closer and at a more equal distance to family.â€? A: 7BOEFS-JOEFO i8F NPWFE GSPN 1FMMB UP 1FLJO *MM CFDBVTF NZ IVTCBOE .BSL UPPL a job as the Controller/Director of Finance at Pekin Hospital. After he completed his Master’s of Healthcare Administration in May, he was looking for a position where he could use his new degree, and Pekin was the right fit for our family.â€? Q: How far is your new home from Pella? A: Woolery: “Ames is one hour and 20 minutes, give or take, from Pella.â€? A: 7BOEFS-JOEFO i1FLJO JT BCPVU GPVS IPVST GSPN 1FMMB w Q: What are you doing for a living now? A: Woolery: “My job assignment changed a little from year to year, but mainly I teach freshman English and two junior/senior level English classes. I am a Thespian sponsor, and I direct three shows a year plus sponsor senior one-act plays and a film festival.â€? A: 7BOEFS-JOEFO i3JHIU OPX * WF UBLFO B CSFBL GSPN UFBDIJOH BOE * N B iEPNFTUJD coordinatorâ€? (aka Stay at Home Mom). That means I spend a lot of my time cleaning up messes, reading books, playing games, refereeing squabbles, and cleaning up more messes!â€? Q: What part of Pella do you miss the most? A: Woolery: “I miss the students and staff at Pella High, plus the sense of spirituality and commitment to family in the community. I also miss the chance to know most of the TUVEFOUT JO UIF TDIPPM PO B ĂŤSTU OBNF CBTJT 0I ZFT 1FBDF -VUIFSBO $IVSDI w A: 7BOEFS-JOEFO i* NJTT MPUT PG UIJOHT BCPVU 1FMMB 0OF PG UIF UIJOHT * NJTT UIF NPTU JT UIF TFOTF PG DPNNVOJUZ 1FLJO JT BCPVU UISFF BOE B IBMG UJNFT UIF TJ[F PG 1FMMB TP JU T harder to find that small town feeling. I also miss my students and colleagues a ton - it’s been difficult going from knowing so many people and having 120 students to talk to each day to just having a four year old and one and a half year old to converse with on a daily basis.â€? Q: What part of Pella do you miss the least? A: Woolery: “What I miss the least, the lack of authentic Italian food and real Greek gyros, which I hear are NOW present since my departure. Oh, the timing. I currently live a few blocks from an Asian grocery.â€? A: 7BOEFS-JOEFO i*U T IBSE UP UIJOL PG UIJOHT XF EPO U NJTT BCPVU 1FMMB ɨF POMZ UIJOH I can really think of is that I don’t miss grading research papers, or having assignments to read every night. It’s been fun to have more time to spend with my family instead of always feeling like I have to rush back to grading or lesson planning.â€? Q: Do you ever plan on moving back to Pella? A: 8PPMFSZ i8JMM * FWFS SFUVSO 8IP LOPXT -JGF JT VOQSFEJDUBCMF * IBWF FOKPZFE TFFJOH my family more frequently since moving here.â€? A: 7BOEFS-JOEFO i*G UIF -PSE FWFS MFBET VT CBDL UP 1FMMB XF XPVME CF UISJMMFE UP SFUVSO However, if that isn’t in His plan, we’ll continue to enjoy our visits back to Tulip Time each year!â€? t.FHBO $BSE NDQFMMBEJVN!HNBJM DPN

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2324325 Teacher Jim Emmert has worked at Pella High for 30 years.

Emmert lives dynamic life; influences many As an emergency medical technician, Jim Emmert has saved countless lives. As a father, he’s brought his own children into the world; and as a teacher, Emmert adds a unique personality to the school. Born and raised in Pella, Emmert attended Central College and landed a job as a teacher in Pella in 1979. He has seen it all, the ups and the downs of school pride, the pendulum swing of substance abuse and alcohol, and Pella’s growing population. “A big cycle I have seen throughout my years at Pella is school pride. It was at its peak in the late 60’s and early 70’s, and I saw it dwindle over two decades. And I really felt bad about that, but in the last two years I believe I have seen an increase. Another difference is that Pella is growing, and more outsiders are moving to Pella and becoming more active in civil affairs. Unique conservative Dutch ideas are decreasing. I next-to-never hear any Dutch speaking anymore. The only people I can speak Dutch with are people 70 and older. I use it a lot in the ambulance with the elderly. They really enjoy that,� said Emmert.

His crinkly, faded vest is still memorable to students 20 years ago. He hasn’t changed a bit, except for his tie, which is different every single day. His technological intelligence is helpful at Pella, from decorating doors at homecoming to the sound systems in the auditorium. He is a diverse guy who enjoys learning every chance he can get. Emmert has even believed to have stumbled upon an article that leads to a machine to prevent the spreading of viruses. “I just found an article for a cure for viruses that had been found, and then the cure disappears. This is major. This machine does not cure the virus, but renders the virus incapable of reproduction. I decided to make this machine with 10 dollars and some batteries, and apparently it helps, because in all my years of teaching, I use the machine only on myself, and I have only been gone due to illness for one in a half days. I’m not going to say that it works, but so far it has helped me.� His peculiar manner and knowledge makes Emmert a very interesting man too. His favorite hobby is a club

called amateur radio, where he helps students become licensed in radio communication and to teach them how to use radio waves to track where certain things might be located. “The amateur radio thing we are doing is neat. We have two students in the high school here who are interested in radio. We are going to send helium balloons with radios to space to track the balloon, and procure the data from it with the amateur radio. We have an engineering department at Iowa State with the amateur radio club who supports this experiment,â€? said Emmert. Emmert is the father of five children, and husband to Karen. They have children ranging from ages 7 to 33, who are home-schooled by their mother. “I delivered all of my last three children ‌that’s a rush. So, now I can truthfully tell them - I brought you into this world, and I can take you out,â€? said Emmert. t.BEFMJOF .FZFS (mm.pelladium@gmail.com)

LEARN. &NNFSU IFMQT GSFTINBO .BEJTPO %PSFO EVSJOH % 7JTVBM Problem, a class that focuses on digitial graphics. i* UIJOL .S &NNFSU JT a good teacher; he’s funny and knows the students, so it makes the class enjoyable,� said Doren.

Choir, band combine talents Jazz I begins season with top honors; Jazz II follows suit to bring holiday cheer SING. Senior Ruth Yang sings a solo in the song “All I Want GPS $ISJTUNBT JT :PVw CZ .BSJBI Carey with concert choir during the holiday concert Dec. 20. “I thought the concert went well. .BSJBI $BSFZ JT POF PG NZ SPMF models, so I was glad I recieved the solo; it was a good learning experience,â€? said Yang. This annual event usually includes performances from multiple choir ensembles with cookies and cider to enjoy afterwards. This year, however, the bands joined the choir concert after thier Dec. 8 band concert was cancelled due to bad weather conditions. Both concert and symphonic band performed after a short intermission.“The band music was really fun to play,â€? said sophomore Rachel Fyfe, a member of symphonic band. “Although, it was really strange and crazy to have the choir concert right before, but it all really well and both groups did a great job.â€? t1IPUP CZ /JDPMF 4UBĂŞPSE

Upcoming Events:

Jan. 9: Honor Band SCIBA Festival, Drake University Jan. 16: *)4." 4UBUF +B[[ #BOE Contest Jan. 23: DCG Show Choir Invitational Feb. 1: State Show Choir Contest Feb. 6: West Liberty Show Choir Invitational, Central College Jazz Festival

Pella Branch

801 Broadway Street 641-628-2121

usbank.com

Member FDIC

Twenty people all relying on one another can often sound like a recipe for disaster, but within Jazz I and Jazz II, that is merely a side note. Two jazz bands are a part of the music program. Jazz I is directed by Jason Pentico; Jazz II is directed by Dick Redman. Having two jazz bands offers opportunities for multiple students to be involved with this different style of music. “Jazz Band differs in that it is has the improvisational element that concert band does not. It gives students who chose to learn how to improvise a chance UP FYQSFTT UIFJS ANVTJDBM TFMWFT .BOZ PG the technical and musical demands in jazz band are similar to concert band. You are just executing these demands in a different idiom,� said Pentico. Currently, 20 members are a part of Jazz I; 24 are in Jazz II. Students who join often express a true love for jazz. “I just really enjoy jazz music. It’s a style of music like none other. It allows you to be loose with the notes and the interpretation,� said Jazz I trombonist sophomore Jordan Baker. This passion for music fuels the ensembles throughout their season. Jazz I begins the week after marching band season is complete and runs through the

last week of April with their Carnaby Club performances. Jazz II begins in November and runs through the Carnaby Club performances. “The time commitment is always challenging. I’m a pretty busy kid, and we play some pretty technical music. I don’t always find time to work on my music outside of rehearsal, which isn’t ideal.� said Jazz I baritone saxophonist senior Todd Wegter. The main goal for these ensembles is challenging but is often found satisfying. Jazz I performs seven times throughout their season and often strives to learn new music for every festival Jazz I received first in class 3A at the SCIBA Festival Dec. 12. Jazz II performs three times during their season. “The competitions are great. They have a really high energy atmosphere, and it is great to be able to showcase all the hard work you have put into your set,� said Jazz I pianist sophomore Alex Ropes. The ensembles take pride in their work, but this pride is also reflective in their directors. “I love jazz music, so it a real treat to work on music that I love with young people and see their enjoyment in the art form,� said Pentico. t+FTTJDB 4BMQPS (js.pelladium@gmail.com)

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This past year the Kyle Korver Foundation received 600 coats for those in need.

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Korver Foundation provides aid with two organizations After six years in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers and now the Utah Jazz, 1999 Pella High graduate Kyle Korver has shared his good fortune with others via the work of his foundation. With the help of his brother Klayton, a new t-shirt line aimed to help underprivileged youth just made its debut. Korver answered the following questions from the Pelladium. What inspired you to help underprivileged youth?

I thought she did an incredible job.

Where did the name Seer come from?

My dad came up with it when we were first dreaming up with company. We were throwing out ideas, and he said “seer.” A seer is a visionary or a prophet, someone who gives pictures or images for social change. So here, our images are the shirts. We have tried to give different images of our themes. Then, the social change that hopefully comes about is through the money that the shirts raise.

How did the designs come about?

In my family I’ve had many examples of people trying to make a difference in the communities they live in. I guess there wasn’t really an inspiration; it’s just what you do if you’re able to.

Is there anything you receive from the children you give back to?

Kids deserve to enjoy being a kid, to be taken care of, to smile as much as possible, to help them feel that way absolutely makes you feel good inside. But anything that we do isn’t done for reward. We have been placed in a situation where we can be helpful, so we try.

Why did you choose the words “courage, honor, knowledge” for your shirts?

It seems like a lot of peoples’ definitions of these words have been twisted over time and it is rubbing off on kids these days. Our hope is that through the different programs we start, the true meanings of these words would be seen by the kids we work with and then give them a visual of what they truly mean as they move forward in life.

How did you come up with the sayings? A friend of mine, Deborah McHenry, wrote them out for us. I was having a hard time putting my thoughts into words, and so I shared them with her one day, and she came back a week later with them all written out.

One of my old roomates in Philadelphia started his own design company a couple years ago. We gave him different ideas or images that we liked, basically defining

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To donate to the Kyle Korver Foundation, visit their website, www.kylekorverfoundation.com. To buy a t-shirt go to www.seerclothing.com what we wanted each shirt to represent, and then from there they started creating designs. They would shoot them to us, we would say what we liked or didn’t like, and we kept following that process till we ended up with what we have today.

How much of the money will go to your foundation to benefit the youth from Seer?

When you buy a Seer t-shirt, the money you spend will first cover the costs of the shirt, then the rest will go into our foundation to support our causes. We are not making any money off this. The entire purpose of Seer is so that we don’t have to do fundraisers so we can focus all of our energy on the projects at hand.

How can people help contribute to your cause?

Buy a t-shirt!! :) And spread the word! You are also able to donate online at www.

kylekor verfoundation. com. Buy the shirts and hey, you might as well get a cool shirt in return for your help!

Who is helping you with your project?

We have had lots of help starting this project. Klayton [Korver] is the pointman for everything that goes on in the foundation. He is in charge of the shirts, the websites, overseeing all projects in Salt Lake City, and everything and anything else that comes up. A friend of mine in Philly, Adam Bruckner, runs the kids programs in Philly. His entire heart is in that neighborhood. He is known and respected throughout that entire community. Then finally in Omaha, it’s basically my friends from college, the same guys I played poker with freshman year, and now their wives, along with several old college teammates, help put together our golf tournament every summer. Also, my parents serve as an incredible source of wisdom for everything. We have basically started two different companies with zero experience, so we need lots of it!

What benefits do you see by participating in the golf outing

Jock Talk

Name: Senior Matt Dowie Position: Point guard Background: Began playing AAU in fifth grade. Reaction: “The season has started off great! We have taken huge strides toward where we can be. We are good now so I am excited to see our finished project because we are going to be really good.” said Dowie.

Name: Senior Zach Stough Background: Began wrestling as a freshman Reaction: “I’ve done pretty well so far and had some tough matches this year. The team is doing fine. We finally have a 103 pounder for the first time in 6 years which is exciting. I’m looking forward to districts this year,” said Stough.

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benefiting the Boys and Girls Club in Omaha?

I just think that the Boys and Girls Club is an amazing organization. We have tried to find different causes within their organization every year to help out with, whether it be travel vans or whatever they need. We just believe in the organization and enjoy being able to help out. It also serves as a reunion of sorts for myself and old teammates as everyone comes back every summer to help out. The combination of both turn it into a really fun weekend.

What is the nonprofit construction group helping build?

Basically, we have a fulltime general contractor who is able to go to low income families or single mom’s homes and fix whatever is needed. We have put on new roofs, fixed floors, created custom cabinets, whatever is needed.

What changes do the children see through your Foundation?

I hope they just get to enjoy being a kid and are helped in creating their own personal foundation for going forward. t"EEJF 4NJUI (as.pelladium@gmail.com)

Name: Senior Courtney Kelderman Position: Guard Background: Started playing AAU in fourth grade. Reaction: “This season has been awesome already. We work hard every time we step on the court and have won big games! I can’t wait to see us progress and get better!” said Kelderman.

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Students take on the needle, tattoos are on the rise with notarized parental consent. Missouri’s law does not even state a minimal age for receiving a tattoo, so it is assumed under the statue that there is not one, although the individual shop owner and tattoo artist can set age limits and deny service to anyone. The most surprising thing about tattoos may be the lack of requirements for the individual tattoo artists. Artists who have received their licenses before the first of this year need to meet no educational requirements, not even a GED or diploma. They don’t even have to take a course or prove their abilities in the art. All they must do is apply for a permit to practice and pay the annual $75 fee. Changes in legislation have just been passed by the Iowa Department of Public Health, in which new artists applying for permits must have a diploma or GED so they have at least a basic

math and science background. Even though students may be of legal age to receive tattoos, parental influence remains a major factor. Many parents view tattoos as art; some even possess them. Others find them to be sacrilegious or even shoddy. “It was actually my mom’s idea [to get a tattoo] as a birthday present. My parents all have tattoos and see it as an art form, as do I. I decided to get my life verse Phillipians 3:714 because God used it to give me perseverance and hope in my parents’ divorce, and when people see it, it gives me the chance to share my story. It’s also a reminder for me of what I live for and live by because Jesus saved me out of the pits of depression and hopelessness,” said senior Madison Vander Well. Though some students have found ways around the Iowa law, others waited to get their tattoo until they

reached the legal age. Nevertheless, parental support remains to be an important factor in the student’s decision. “My parents were very supportive of my decision [to get a tattoo]. It wasn’t their idea, but they knew my heart, what I was going through and trusted me so they fully blessed my decision. I didn’t do the spontaneous thing, I instead waited six months after my 18th birthday to get it done. In fact, I never thought I’d get a tattoo, but over the summer God gave me Psalm 143:8-10 as a daily prayer and promise. It’s not a cliché verse that people memorize, but a spoken word from God. After I saw a friend get a tattoo on his wrist, I thought it was cool and decided to get it written there in Hebrew,” said senior Ben Fessler. !Andrea Huffman (ah.pelladium@gmail.com)

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See if you can match each person to their tattoo!

A. 2.

B. 3.

C. 4.

D. 5.

E.

1. Senior Andrea Huffman, 2. Advisor Ann Visser, 3. Junior Michelle Musgrove, 4. Junior Travis Ewing, 5. Senior Madison VanderWell

An ancient art form that dates back over 5,000 years, tattoos have not only gained heightened recognition due to some students getting them, but also due to the controversy surrounding them. Though the current Iowa legislation, regarding who may get and give tattoos, has not changed in over 20 years, students have not only found ways around the age limit, but also their parents’ ideas about tattoos. Current Iowa legislation requires the recipient to be at least 18 years old, with parental permission subsequently not necessary. However, in regards to the client, other than not having any transmittable diseases or blood disorders or being mentally impaired, those are nearly all the requirements. So, how have students received tattoos under the age of 18? Laws in neighboring Missouri and Minnesota allow for minors (those under the age of 18) to be tattooed

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7

Permit misuse gives faulty security to young drivers

There exists a moment in the life of every adolescent, somewhere between the ages of 14 and 16, which is accompanied by a freeing sensation. It is this moment when waking up to catch the bus becomes an obsolete effort. It is this moment when they realize the next time they take seat in a car, they will find themselves behind the wheel, unaccompanied. It is this moment when they are handed their longawaited school permit. Issued through the Iowa Department of Transportation and authorized by the school district, the minors’ school license (MSL) was originally the product of a joint effort to enable farming students with morning and evening chores to commute to and from the farm without being hampered by bus schedules. Today, the MSL endows all student drivers with the freedom to venture strictly between their home and school during a 17-hour

timeframe. Whereas this single-route limitation is publicly recognized, the abuse of the freedom has become just as eminent as more and more underage drivers can be sighted navigating the streets beyond their school routes. “I was driving to pick up some friends and I couldn’t really see well. I backed up to turn around and went into a ditch. A cop came, and saw that I was on my school permit. I got a $120 fine, they took away my permit, and I couldn’t get my license for six months,” said sophomore Sam Nelson. Drivers like Nelson oftentimes justify their defiance of the MSL’s restrictions by citing the obscurity of the MSL law itself. Interpretation over which route a student may take to school is not, and cannot be, clarified by Iowa Code Section 321.194, which leaves “the most direct and accessible route” to be defined by the driver. Also, the statute neither condones nor

Creatine use explodes in athletics Doctors and nutritionists seem to have a swaying perspective on what should be deemed healthy or “safe” for the public. It seems that society is perpetually bombarded with new information from doctors and researches regarding health claims involved with food leaving individuals confused on what is ‘healthy’. Teens knowingly engage in behavior that is risky and dangerous to their health, however, many might subject themselves to danger without even realizing it. A popular product becoming more prevalent among teens is creatine, a compound involved with the production of energy in the body. It is believed to have a wealth of benefits on athletic performance. Creatine is made naturally in the body by amino acids and is also found in small amounts in red meats and fish. However, most of it is eliminated once the meat is cooked. Creatine supplements are available in capsule or powder form and are sold at health food stores or online. The prices range from $10-$50. Creatine is a hot topic in the athletic world because of its effects on the body. Research suggests that creatine may provide some benefit in improving performance in highintensity, short-duration activities such as weight lifting and sprinting. Creatine increases production of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, an energy source for muscles during brief, explosive periods of activity. It has not been banned by any athletic associations, but many question the ethics behind a substance that potentially enhances athletic performance. Some believe that creatine may serve as a gateway to

other substances to increase athletic performance that are illegal. “I think taking creatine intensifies your workout. No other supplement has the same effect on your body that is legal. The main thing it does is make you gain weight through muscle,” said senior Jordan Youngman. Youngman has taken creatine for years and believes the supplement offers positive and noticeable effects. Some believe that taking creatine supplements will result in harmful side effects. Many are becoming more aware and concerned with the possible effects of artificially engineered substances on the body. On the other side of the spectrum, some think that purchasing creatine in supplement form is a waste of money. The fact is, not enough research has been conducted on artificial substances, including creatine, to either endorse or discourage it. Extensive research on the substance has not been conducted, but no severe side effects correlate with the substance. Stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, muscle cramps and weight gain are the common side effects of creatine. However, high doses of creatine could potentially injure the kidneys, liver and heart. “I use creatine because it makes me stronger. I use it in season, during summer training and now I am starting to use it again. I definitely notice a difference in my maxes when I use it. I don’t notice any other side effects; if anything it puts me in a good mood,” said senior Matt Meyers. t$BSPMJOF 1IJMMJQT (cp.pelladium@gmail.com)

prohibits driving to gas stations or carrying passengers on an MSL. The DOT recognizes the haziness of the law, and attempts to address any questions on its webpage. However, it also sees the MSL as a generous student tool with limitations that can be responsibly interpreted without transgressions. “If you draw a straight line from your house to your school, the roads that fall nearest to it are simply the ones you should take,” stated Scott Falb, a DOT researcher and driver safety analyst. “(For their safety), we advise that students adhere to the rules of using a direct path.” The school district concurs with the DOT’s view of the minors’ school license. “I would encourage kids to be careful as they may lose the privilege if they abuse it. If abused, sooner or later, someone will make an issue of it. There are many states that are much more restrictive than we are,” said superintendent Mark Wittmer,

who signs a waiver for each student’s MSL. According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, about 3,500 adolescents aging 15 to 19 were killed in car accidents last year alone, and 350,000 teenagers of the same age group were treated in emergency rooms with accidentrelated injuries. The organization also notes in their study that “crash risk is particularly high during the first year that teenagers are eligible to drive.” Falb’s numbers agree, showing that a school license holder is 11 times more likely to be involved in an accident than a learner’s permit holder of the same age. Falb also pointed out that the risk for passengers is greatly elevated. “Research tells us that by carrying passengers, you have a greater risk of injury, and a greater temptation to break the rules,” he said. t/BUIBO ,PPLFS (nk.pelladium@gmail.com)

IDosers I-Dosers are a growing underground trend among many teens, and in recent years, the trend has emerged here. Touted by many as “audio drugs,” I-Dosers have gained popularity due to the fact that they are technically legal, as they are nothing more than audio files. So, what’s the science behind these alleged audio drugs? They are scientifically known as “binaural beats,” and it works like this: different beats are played into each ear, and the brain naturally creates an inaudible third beat which causes certain proteins within the brain, creating a variety of effects similar to those produced by taking psychotropic substances. Over the past few years, many students have tried I-Dosers, including junior Patrick MacCready. “I-Dosers have different effects on everybody. You have to be open to the experience, if you want to spend your evening rolling around on the ground in just your pants. Peyote I-Doser was crazy,” said MacCready. Despite doubts raised by skeptics of the product’s effectiveness, many still attest to the potency of I-Dosers. One such advocate is 2009 graduate Aaron Frederick. “I-Dosers are interesting in that they’re not dangerous so long as you don’t make them dangerous. Personally, I’ve tried ‘Lucid Dream,’ and it’s helped me learn to lucid dream all by myself, which I love. The risky doses are the ones that simulate drugs that can seriously screw with your head. I tried Hand of God for only two minutes, and I couldn’t take it,” said Frederick. t3BOJFS 8PSTUFMM (rw.pelladium@gmail.com)

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America’s intelligence falters As the days grow shorter and the weather colder, 2009 draws to a close. Looking back, the past year was full of bizarre and shocking news stories, including the likes of Balloon Boy, Octomom, Jon and Kate Gosselin and Tiger Wood’s recent affairs. 2009 burst at the seams with stories like these, depicting a media system that placed great attention on pulpy stories with little to no actual impact on the daily life of average Americans. While such behavior from our nation’s news outlets is disturbing, even more disturbing is what their programming says about the viewers. 2009 demonstrates just how far America’s interests have fallen. News stations exist for only one purpose: to inform their viewers about what they want to know about and sometimes what they need to know. Naturally, these stations only gain viewers by showing them what they want to see, forcing news stations to change their programming to the shifting desires of their viewers. When you look at the programming that currently pervades most major news stations, you’ll most likely see stories about celebrities and strange, once-in-acentury occurrences  that, when all things are considered, have little to no effect on the viewer. This means that viewers really aren’t concerned about true issues, but

instead are only concerned with news that shocks and entertains. While this sad revelation paints a startling reality for the majority of citizens, it also directly impacts people who want to view real news and the nation. Hard hitting news is more and more difficult to come by as news stations cater to the whims of the majority of news viewers, creating a vacuum of ignorance and misinformation. Since these viewers don’t pay attention to real news and current events, they can’t make educated decisions on important issues. This doesn’t stop people making decisions however, making the lack of proper information very dangerous for the health of the nation. Going into the new year we all have to wonder if the media circus of 2009 will continue on its disturbing trend downwards. If so, it only spells out disaster for the American television viewer as dumb news only serves to incite ignorance in its viewers by distracting them from the real issues. Tell the news outlets that the age of self indulgent television is over with a simple press of your remote’s power button. Turn the mindless news off for good. t"OESFX 4BHFST (sagers.pelladium@gmail.com)

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In the December issue of the Pelladium, Connor Naaden’s name was spelled incorrectly. The Pelladium staff sincerely apologizes for this error.

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In 2008, tabloids offered Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie 12 million dollars for photos of their twins.

8.(99+*-$.&/$(6 As citizens of the United States, one of the everyday duties impressed on us is to obey laws. Without the general public following the the rule of law, society can not function in a civilized manner. Laws denote the difference between complete anarchy and modern society. This does not mean, however, that laws should be followed blindly. The Pelladium staff advocates that people should follow laws, but should also question the validity of existing and proposed laws as well and take legal action according to their beliefs, when necessary. Throughout history, social progress has only come from people questioning the limits and bounds of what society deems is acceptable. The United States itself is a testimony to this attitude towards the rule of law. If not for the founding fathers of the American Revolution questioning the authority of the English monarchy, our nation wouldn’t exist. Numerous other freedoms that large portions of the American population enjoy wouldn’t exist. The struggles of cultural icons, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Mohandas Gandhi, and Henry Thoreau, were all based on the principle of questioning the status quo and its laws, creating rights for all people regardless of gender, age, or ethnicity. Without pioneers using this ideology, many minority groups within our country, such as women and African Americans, would be severely disadvantaged. While the Pelladium staff encourages questioning the law, we no in way advocate breaking existing laws. Illegal activity for the purpose of crime is reprehensible, and breaking the law in protest only serves to undermine efforts to change the law. One of the few paths to positive change is peaceful and legal protest, making examination of the law, and active protest against it a duty and privilege for citizens everywhere. The staff voted 12-2 in favor of this position

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What are your thoughts on the media reporting entertainment stories over educational ones? “I think entertainment stories are pointless. They are just gossip with no real meaning. Educational stories provide us with information about issues that allow us to take a stand and make our own viewpoints.â€? -Senior Jacob Van Steenwyk. “It seems like the media isn’t for information anymore. It’s evolved to be more entertainment and gossip.â€? -Junior Laura DePenning. “I think human interest stories are important to get people watching the news. There are also stories that effect people’s lives that should be reported.â€? -Sophomore Jenn Jansen. “I think the media gets too hung up on exploiting people’s lives and trying to interest people with things that aren’t informative. I feel the job of the media is to relay information and not give biased viewpoints.â€? -Freshman Daniel Langenfeld. “The entertaining stories. Who cares about the other stuff? The educational stories are important, but it’s more entertaining to watch the other stuff.â€? - Junior Sarah Ferguson “The educational news stories. The celebrity stories are more entertaining, but there’s not a lot of worthwhile information in them, and you can’t learn much from them.â€? -Freshman Kenny DuPrĂŠ “The educational news stories. We should be more against celebrities, like the whole Tiger Woods situation. We should get rid of that and have more informational news stories, but that won’t ever happen.â€? - Senior Chris Meyers t+PDFMZO 7BO %ZLF (jvd.pelladium@gmail.com),

Pelladium Staff Executive Editors: Andrea Huffman, Caroline Phillips, Andrew Sagers Page Editors/Reporters: Morgan Anderson, Megan Card, Liz Core, Michael Ge, Andrea Huffman, Nathan Kooker, Eric Moore, Caroline Phillips, Andrew Sagers, Addie Smith, Kelsey Van Tasell, Ranier Worstell Photographers: Ben Muller Cartoonists: Michael Ge, Eric Moore Reporters: Heidi Gritters, Jakub Martisovits, Madeline Meyer, Benji McElroy, Ben Muller, Jessica Salpor, Jocelyn Van Dyke, Shaun Van Weelden, Alexis Zwank Adviser: Ann Visser The Pelladium is a monthly tabloid produced by the high school journalism department to serve as an informative, educational and entertaining communications media and to provide an open GPSVN UP TUVEFOUT BOE SFBEFST t-FUUFST UP UIF &EJUPST BSF XFMDPNF BOE FODPVSBHFE ɨFTF MFUUFST NVTU CF TJHOFE BOE TIPVME JO OP XBZ CF MJCFMPVT JSSFTQPOTJCMF PS PCTDFOF -FUUFST NVTU IBWF WFSJÍFE facts and should deal with issues. The Pelladium reserves the right to edit grammatical errors, libelous content or length due to the space limitations. Letters may be brought to Room 201 or sent to 1FMMB $PNNVOJUZ )JHI 4DIPPM #PY 1FMMB *" tɨF 1FMMBEJVN XJMM TUSJWF UP EFMJWFS JOGPSNBUJPO JO B GBJS BOE USVUIGVM NBOOFS ɨF 1FMMBEJVN XJMM GVODUJPO JO BDDPSE XJUI BMM BQQMJDBCMF MBXT CPUI JO SFHBSE UP UIF SJHIUT BOE SFTUSJDUJPOT PG KPVSOBMJTN tɨF WJFXT FYQSFTTFE JO UIJT QVCMJDBUJPO BSF UIPTF PG UIF JOEJWJEVBM XSJUFS BOE OPU OFDFTTBSJMZ UIPTF PG UIF 1FMMB $PNNVOJUZ )JHI School Administration or the Pella Community Schools Board of Education. The Pelladium will make retractions in the event of errors made in the content of printed stories. Retractions will be QSJOUFE JO UIF JTTVF JNNFEJBUFMZ GPMMPXJOH UIF JTTVF DPOUBJOJOH UIF FSSPST tɨF 1FMMBEJVN JT B NFNCFS PG UIF *PXB )JHI 4DIPPM 1SFTT "TTPDJBUJPO

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According to the New York Times, one-third of resolutions don’t last until the end of January.

Liz Core (ec.pelladium@gmail.com)

Like a Parachute It’s almost comical how often I hear students complain about writing assignments. Let’s be honest, there’s nothing more frightening than hearing a teacher say that you have five pages due by Monday. But why is it that the most dreaded assignment is the essay? I mean, it’s not like students are at a loss for words most of the time. Even though students are able to create essays and other written assignments that are coherent and legible enough to generate good grades, I’ve come to the conclusion that we don’t really have the ability to write anymore. This isn’t an uncommmon assumption. Writing, instead of being the stimulating and interesting experience it should be (like a good conversation), is just an assignment that will be handed back to you complete with heavy underlining and critique. I don’t believe in red pens. Writing should be free from the bounds of clerical errors and free from the ever-present burden of spelling mistakes. How can there be freedom in thought and speech if there is no freedom in writing? Even as I am writing this, I am thinking to myself of all of the proper ways I should be rereading and revising. We have been brought up to outline and impress rather than truly think. But isn’t free thought why the written language was developed? It was not created to be critiqued, but to be created without force or without fear. A love for real writing should exist in every student, but instead there is just a sense of gloom, an overwhelming sense of deadlines and the weight of a rubric. Instead of creative impulse and immediate creation of new words, students can barely form a coherent sentence without reading it countless times again, trying to revise it to make it the best it could possibly be. In doing this, all of the reality of the sentence is stripped away.

When I read, I want to read something that was created with thought on the actual subject, not on the “big six traits of writing.� I don’t want to sit and critique while I read another student’s work, I want to be able to enjoy and question, to revel and learn about what they have composed. Writing used to be so easy for me. That was before I went to high school. I could literally sit for hours with a notebook in my hands, just writing. Even now, when I look back on what I wrote, I still believe that the words that I wrote as a child and an uneducated pre-teen were the most beautiful words that I have written in my life. This is because I had never been told what words to use when beginning or ending a sentence. Nor had I been told what constituted a proper use of an adjective, or the best way to utilize a pronoun. It wasn’t until recently that I realized how much substance my writing had lost. While learning grammar and proper English, I truly and dearly loved it. I loved being able to edit my own work and knowing the errors that made reading the paper less fluent and more confusing. But now, I realize that this is the only honest way to write. To be completely truthful, before starting this column I was three-fourths through writing one on a completely different subject. I was reading, revising, checking, editing for quite awhile, until I finally realized that it sucked. I didn’t want to reread it again. I knew what I wanted to say, but I simply wasn’t saying it. That was the problem, not my grammatical errors. So, I am proud to say that I have not reread this piece of writing once since I began it. Because of this, I guess I won’t really know if this one sucks or not, but I do know that it was extremely fun to write...and extremely truthful.

"#$%$&% ! Nathan Kooker (nk.pelladium@gmail.com)

Reading is Dangerous December was cold, and as the frigid temperature of my basement seemed to perpetually decline, I fell into a nightly practice of swaddling myself with the warmth of an electric blanket. Within this cocoon, I am comfortably thawed by the invisible current flowing throughout the bedding around my unconscious body. It feels great, and I have slept well. However, I’ve been raised with this presumption that, in most circumstances, moving electricity and human bodies don’t quite coincide, so my recent skepticism that developed for the safety of the blanket was only natural. I consulted my personal guru, Wikipedia. Shockingly enough, an AC current of 110 volts, 0.06 amps is capable of inducing ventricular fibrillation if routed into a human’s chest. The tag on this bedding reveals its potent power of 120 volts, 1.5 amps. My electric blanket can stop my heart. But, it still feels great, and I still sleep well. Personally, I don’t know anyone who has actually nodded off in the warmth of an electric blanket but awakened in the cold solitude of the grave. The theoretic potential of this product doesn’t faze me, nor does it deter the thousands of other Americans who continue to sleep under electric blankets. In the same sense, we still drive our cars (statistically acclaimed to be caskets on wheels) and ingest medicines derived from chemicals we can’t even pronounce. With this understanding, we can begin to see the oblique bounds of our society’s trust. Who sewed my blanket, soldered its wires, and deemed it safe? I could not give you a name, but I still have entrusted this blue-collar worker with my healthily beating heart, and I posses a baseless belief that they have manufactured my blanket to be completely shock-proof. Similarly, you

have never met the person who installed your air bags, but you still must have faith in their diligence as you slide a snowcovered road. We inadvertently endow these faceless men and women the full control of our safety and well-being. They live miles away, and we know nothing of them, of their personalities, or of their credentials. Accept this: We simply trust these strangers. Don’t blow this observation off as irrational, irrelevant and unfounded quite yet; give me a few more sentences to shed light on its significance. Inside this school and around this town we can find other human beings. Throughout our coexistence, we have interacted with them, observed them, and come to know them as our neighbors. Mere proximity implies a friendly unity among us. We are acquainted with these people, so it is assumable that we would trust them just as we do those anonymous factory workers, right? Our actions are pointing the opposite way. We brainstorm cunning passwords to secure our digital territory because we refuse to entrust our privacy to our families or coworkers. We opt park our locked vehicles in those far off spaces as to evade incompetent door-openers prone to scuffing the finishes on our cars. Call yourself a nun and claim you trust everyone, but as for the rest of us, why are we so insecure? See the paradox? We refuse lend trust to our fellows in even the smallest amounts. We will eventually see the repercussions of such a cynical philosophy. In the words of twentieth century thinker Dr. Frank Crane, “You may be deceived if you trust too much, but you will live in torment if you do not trust enough.

How effective is your New Year’s resolution? Reaction: Action The ringing in of the New Year not only brought good tidings and great cheer, but also brought the implementation of New Year’s resolutions. How effective are New Year’s resolutions? Are they even worth making? According to the “New York Times,�

“I think it depends on the resolution. I do, however, think most of them are bogus because you always say you’re going to do something, like go on a diet, and then end up stuffing yourself two weeks later.� Freshman Kelli Rozendaal

“I think it’s a good way to start something you can stick with for the entire year and not give up.� Sophomore Zach Hopkins

one-third of resolutions don’t even last until the end of January. Though some students are nearly religious in the keeping of their resolutions, others find them to be nothing NPSF UIBO RVBDLFSZ t"OESFB )VêNBO BI QFMMBEJVN!HNBJM DPN

“I set them every year! I think it’s interesting to see what I have and haven’t done by the end of the year. I even tape my goals to my calendar.� Junior Rachel Greving

“I think a lot of them start with good intentions, but they normally don’t get followed through with.� Senior Conner Kelderman

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The DeVries Light Display is home to about 55,000 bulbs.

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The holiday season brings joy, laughter and traditions, like decorating Christmas trees and putting twinkling Christmas lights on houses. For most, putting up lights is a hassle that takes all morning, but for Pella resident John DeVries, this ,-'&.$ A model of a town process takes four weeks. made completely out of lights. Every December, to get into the holiday spirit, ,-"/".$Old Highway 163 ,-0.$ Mr. DeVries announced my family and I take a drive down old Highway 163 to see DeVries’ light display. We turn into the that this is his last year. lane, windows rolled down, the cold winter breeze drifting through the car, and gaze at the lights enchanting the night sky. The wooden structures that stretch over 2.5 acres create a replica of the Vriesland village in the Netherlands where DeVries grew up. This display includes a church, lighthouse, draw bridge, and a replica of his childhood home. The Dutch heritage apparent in the display makes this attraction uniquely Pella. The pond that covers much of the yard reflects the scene, adding dimension to the display as the lights appear to twinkle and dance in the water. The Dutch heritage and extravagance of the display is incomparable. The whole experience is very peaceful with sacred Christmas music playing the background. The detail and time DeVries committed to this project is evident and gives the display an extra awe-factor. With Dutch children ice-skating, many angels that appear to be floating across the yard and all of the trees sparkling with light, the whole scene is given a life of its own. Driving down that lane is like entering an entirely different world, where you can slow down and appreciate the holiday season. If you’ve never gone to this light display, I highly recommend going once before its permanent closure. After 17 years of setting up the display, DeVries is retiring from this job due to his health. Those who come to see this display will leave in awe of the devotion of one man who spent a month to bring Christmas cheer to others. Visit pelladium.com for pictures and videos relating to the John DeVries light display. t .PSHBO "OEFSTPO NB QFMMBEJVN!HNBJM DPN

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MERRY AND BRIGHT. John DeVries and his wife, Birdie, have been putting up their annual light display for 18 years. He builds his displays by hand, modeling each design based on a town in Vriesland, Netherlands where he spent his childhood. The light display contains replicas of a drawbridge, church and a windmill, along with a pond in the center of the yard adjacent to a forrest of110 trees wrapped in lights. 2009 was DeVries’ last ZFBS QVUUJOH VQ UIF MJHIU EJTQMBZ JOEFQFOEFOUMZ t1IPUP CZ +BDPC .BSUJO

12# Tour of Homes

Being a part of over 1,500 touring spectators walking through four beautiful homes is the basic concept behind the Tour of Homes. Each home has its own design and unique way of decoration appealing to all styles. The tour escorts people around Pella in order to sample some of the ,-'&.$ A formal tour of houses beautiful homes in the community, decorated by adorned in Christmas decorations UIF NFNCFST PG UIF (BSEFO $MVC &BDI IPVTF T ,-"*.$Early December, anually decorations differed. They ranged from traditional ,-"/".$ In and around the holiday to elegant and modern themes. Community Approaching the first house I was greeted by a friendly worker and entered the Bradley home which was a contemporary styled ranch with an PQFO DPODFQU NZ GBWPSJUF QBSU PG UIF IPNF XBT iɨF (SJODIw TUZMFE CBTFNFOU The next home I went through was owned by the Posthumas and it was large and traditional one with rich colors and atmosphere. A renovated house owned by the Terpstras was next. The homeowners kept the older charm, with modern touches in the kitchen. My favorite piece in the home was the mantle made out of a restored piano. The last home I visited was charming and homey with a retro kitchen, cozy living room, and lively decorations to make it interesting. Homeowner Mary Hulst and the garden club incorporated Hulst’s cats into the space with appealing, feline-themed decor. During the tour I presented questions and received commentary on each of the homes. Both the homeowners and the garden club members answered my questions thoroughly and provided interesting details about the homes that a visitor wouldn’t have otherwise recognized. Overall, the real prize was the beauty of the homes themselves. The Tour of Homes wouldn’t be possible without all of the dedication and countless hours of work put in by volunteers and the hospitality of the homeowners opening up their homes to be viewed. The one negative aspect I came across was that I had to relearn my parallel parking skills. t"EEJF 4NJUI BT QFMMBEJVN!HNBJM DPN

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,'&+-#$A Christmas Story

Every one of us has had gifts we have demanded, wished and asked Santa for. Ralphie in A Christmas Story dreamed of a Daisy Brand Red Ryder repeating BB carbine with a compass mounted on the stock, even with the risk of ,-'&. A classic shooting his eye out. Christmas film So goes the story of little Ralphie, the boy who ,-"/". Rent or buy it at a store desperately wanted a Red Ryder BB gun to save his near you! family from any nasty, striped villains who might ,-0.$ It will put you in the find their way over his fence. But, unsuccessfully holiday spirit, even after the holidays trying to convince the world that a gun is the are over. perfect gift is not the only thing troubling him. Fights with bullies at school, letting words slip around the Old Man, and a workaholic Santa whose elves pop the kids on through like an assembly line, without so much as a, “Were you a good little boy this year?� added to poor Ralphie’s yuletide troubles. The Old Man, his father, is ever-attempting to get the turkey, has the religion “Oldsmobile,� and is a proficient user of profanity, especially when trying to fix that darn furnace. Ralphie’s quirky mother is an enthusiastic worrywort, and his little brother, like little brothers always are, is forever in the way. Like every good Christmas movies, a happy sappy ending is sure to come. While I wasn’t exactly on the edge of my seat wondering if Ralphie gets what he wants like every other kid seemed to, I found the surprise someone had in store for him at the end warming my heart. If you’re like me and are one of the few Americans who had never seen this movie, grab a bowl of popcorn, a friend, and a Snuggie and settle down to enjoy what could be one of the cutest, wittiest, most tastefully cheesy Christmas movies around. But be careful! You might shoot your eye out. t)FJEJ (SJUUFST IH QFMMBEJVN!HNBJM DPN

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We all know that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. It has parties for hosting, marshmallows for roasting... Anyway, for those of you that can’t bear parting with Christmas yet another year, our advice will help you get past the post-holiday blues. t First of all, don’t wait to break out the Christmas carols until after Thanksgiving. Instead, keep those classics on your playlist all year long. t Everyone loves the feeling of waking up to freshly fallen snow. So, when the snow is gone, all you have to do is fake it. Sprinkle some outside of your window and paint your windows with a few snowflakes and snowmen to bring you that extra cheer to the morning. t .JTT ZPVS USFF :PV EPO U IBWF UP +VTU HP UP UIF TUPSF BOE CVZ BO BSUJĂŤDJBM USFF PO sale (because they will be). Of course, if you’re not the fake-tree kind of person, keep your real one up all year. Even if it starts to wilt, the Christmas spirit never will. t We’re not going to tell you to wait to open your Christmas presents. Instead, we !"#$"%&'($)"*+%,'(#-)./,'0"#12"$%,'34.."#56"%,'#*+'7")5284$%, As the sparkling snow flutters down to the ground outside my window, I can say that suggest that you take your favorite household appliance, like a blender or whisk, and UIJT QBTU ZFBS IBT HPOF CZ GBTUFS UIBO B KFU QMBOF GBTUFS UIBO UIF TQFFE PG TPVOE GBTUFS UIBO XSBQ JU JO IPMJEBZ XSBQQJOH QBQFS ɨFO TFU JU VOEFS ZPVS BSUJĂŤDJBM $ISJTUNBT USFF wait a few hours, and open it up. Surprise! Thanks Santa! light speed. Buzz-light year fast, which is fast. Mr. Banakook and I have remained busy with our four high-school students. They have t Make sure you don’t leave tradition behind. Leave sugar cookies and milk out each KVTU CFFO TP PDDVQJFE BU UIFJS TNBTI NPVUI TDIPPM 1FMMB )JHI XIP XJOT JO FWFSZUIJOH night for Santa Claus. Remember, December 24 isn’t the only day of the year he gets midnight cravings for cookies and milk. we haven’t had any time to send out this letter, which is the reason it’s a “New Yearsâ€? letter instead of a Christmas letter. ɨF CBCZ JO UIF GBNJMZ GSFTINBO 0MJWJB IBT IBE B XPOEFSGVM UJNF BEKVTUJOH UP IFS t.PSHBO "OEFSTPO NB QFMMBEJVN!HNBJM DPN

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UFBN TIF XBT POF PG UIF HJSMT NJOE ZPV XIP NBEF UIF UFBN (PMMZ KFFQFST XF XFSF      so nervous about our little sunshine until we found out that every other girl made it also. Unfortunately, Olivia occasionally gets trampled in the high school hallways due to the fact that she’s a freshman and a girl and can’t seem to put one foot in front of the other fast enough before the seniors get angry and plow right through the poor thing. Oh well, maybe she’ll learn how to walk next year. 0VS TPQIPNPSF .BSJFMMF EFDJEFE UP SVO DSPTT DPVOUSZ GPS UIF ĂŤSTU UJNF FWFS BOE * DPVMEO U CFMJFWF NZ FZFT XIFO * TBX IFS DSPTT UIF ĂŤOJTI MJOF PG IFS ĂŤSTU SBDF * UIPVHIU TIF was about to die. Well, you should have seen her face. I almost called an ambulance, but then she managed to croak the word, “Water,â€? and I decided that she was going to live. Marielle is a very spirited girl, and she likes to flaunt her school spirit, especially during homecoming week. One day she woke up and was talking in this strange accent and had all this funky make-up on her face. When I asked her what the heck she was wearing, Dear Dating Gurus, TIF KVTU SFQMJFE XJUI BO BOOPZFE MPPL PO IFS GBDF i.BI NBI * N HPJO HIFUUP UPEBZ w It’s that time of the year again. Yep, Christmas. Since this holiday is my Despite my confusion, she walked out the door and didn’t look back. That’s our Marielle specialty, I should know the perfect gift to get the misses. She’s been complaining for you. something awful lately about how I’m gone all the time, and I want to make it up to her. Oh, the little football player Nick. You should have seen him in his little football uniform But, how many snow globes and fur mittens does one woman need? The elves have been PVU UIFSF PO UIF ĂŤFME 8FMM TPSU PG )F KVTU TUPPE UIFSF XBUDIJOH NPTU PG UIF UJNF no help, and I was hoping you could step in and give me some of your expert advice. "OZXBZT IF T .S 3FDFJWFS PVU UIFSF PO UIBU ĂŤFME "T B KVOJPS IF DBVHIU UISFF QBTTFT * --Santa Claus Might Not Be Coming To Town think that should be a school record. Three passes! He was the only reason we went to the dome this year, let me tell you. Without him we would have lost a huge asset to our team. Dear Santa Claus MNBCTT Basketball season started, and my little Nicky hasn’t even missed a shot yet. THAT’S where Since we have always managed to be on your ‘Nice List,’ we don’t believe we’ll IF SFBMMZ FYDFMT IF T MJLF UIF OFYU -F#SPO +BNFT -JUUMF /JDL JT KVTU B MJUUMF TXFFUIFBSU &WFO fail you now. First off, it’s not the the gift, but the spirit of Christmas that counts. Let though some of his friends say he’s socially awkward because he writes awkward columns Mrs. Claus know how much you truly care about her. Whether it’s a gorgeous new red BU UIJT XFCTJUF BU TDIPPM * KVTU UIJOL IF T TQFDJBM dress or a dinner to let her know how special she is to you. A gift’s love goes only as far as “BUBBA SCORES YET ANOTHER TOUCHDOWN!â€? We’re proudest of our oldest the price tag, but something as simple as an honest “I love you,â€? is priceless. TPO .BUU PS #VCCB BT TPNF QFPQMF DBMM IJN 'VOOZ TUPSZ IF XBT KVTU TVDI B NBNNPUI Have yourself a merry little Christmas. baby when he was little. Not that he isn’t mammoth now, but even the Des Moines --The Dating Gurus Register had to print a story about the big boy. He is such a hunk of a kid; he even dated t+PDFMZO 7BO %ZLF KWE QFMMBEJVN!HNBJM DPN

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State 3A Football Championships! Although we didn’t win the game, he still destroyed a DPVQMF HVZT PO UIF ÍFME MJLF IF EPFT FWFSZ HBNF %JE * NFOUJPO UIBU IF was in the Des Moines Register? Bubba isn’t the only name his friends call him. He has multiple nicknames. My favorite is Meathead; it KVTU NBLFT NF HJHHMF FWFSZ UJNF * IFBS JU * EPO U OFDFTTBSJMZ know why they call him that; maybe its because he likes my pulled pork BBQ sandwiches. Love, Mrs. Banakook tMadeline Meyer HystErical by Eric Moore (em.pelladium@gmail.com) (mm.pelladium@gmail.com)

Comichael by Michael Ge (mg.pelladium@gmail.com)

Wow, a student at the University of Connecticut found a letter written by Thomas Jefferson from 1808.

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New Year’s is the oldest holiday to be celebrated, first being observed over 4,000 years ago.

Happy Holidays Students stay busy during break, December celebrating the holidays.

CELEBRATION. Spanish teacher Paloma Soria and her daughter, senior Maria MateKodjo, celebrate Epiphany during the Christmas season. Epiphany and Christmas share similarities as they are each a Christian holiday and celebrate the manifestation of Christ. Epiphany is celebrated Jan. 6, the day they open presents. Instead of stockings, children put shoes on their doorsteps or window sills for the Three Kings to fill with gifts. Traditionally, a cake is made with a small figurine inside; whoever gets the figurine is said to have good MVDL GPS UIF ZFBS t1IPUP submitted

SERENADE. Seniors Andy Vander Broek and Richie Bales rock out while playing Rock Band during Matt Meyers’ New Year’s Eve party. Vander Broek, along with Meyers and senior Aaron Mason, created their own band, Big Pecs Boss, while sitting in Meyers’ basement. “We created it because we were bored and wanted to create a new rock movement,� TBJE 7BOEFS #SPFL t1IPUP submitted

CAROL. Seniors Sydney Doty and Jared Gerber carol with the Madrigals during the Pella Tour of Stores in November. This group of 16 spread holiday cheer across the community and region during the Christmas season by caroling at nursing homes, Rotary events, the hospital ,and even the Mall of America. “Madrigals was so fun, but also really difficult. It was hard to direct the first time while everyone was walking, but everyone seemed to enjoy our perforNBODFT w TBJE (FSCFS t1IPUP by Hannah Vollmar

PROSPERITY. Sophomore Jessica Salpor celebrates the New Year by taking part in a Guatemalan tradition. In this tradition, the participant eats 12 grapes. The grapes symbolize prosperity, and one is consumed for each month of the year in order to hopefully have prosperity for the entire new year. “Every year it’s really neat to partake in this tradition because it’s something my dad holds dear to him due to his childhood in Guatemala,� said Salpor. t1IPUP TVCNJUUFE

SAVORY. Junior Leah Engelbrecht and Micah Nieboer, Pella Christian, work on their gingerbread house. Each year, Leah and her sisters compete to have the best house. This year they worked for seven hours on their houses. “When I was younger, I thought it was kind of tedious, but now that I’m older, it’s more competitive and a GVO UIJOH UP EP XJUI NZ TJTUFST w TBJE &OHFMCSFDIU t1IPUP TVCNJUUFE

BEAMING. Sophomore Madeline Meyer interviews John DeVries about his annual light display. A Soundslides presentation was created by the web staff featuring DeVries and his Dutch village. “Interviewing Mr. DeVries was a fascinating experience. He was very kind; his hard work and dedication is admirable,� TBJE .FZFS t1IPUP CZ +BDPC .BSUJO

SINTERKLAAS. Tulip Queen Heidi Schulte, senior, along with her royal court make an appearance during the annual Sinterklaas parade held on Nov. 28. This was the royalty’s first official appearance since being chosen. “It was such a fun day, and God CMFTTFE VT XJUI CFBVUJGVM XFBUIFS w TBJE 4DIVMUF t1IPUP TVCNJUUFE

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Did you know...? °Condoms only reduce your risk of getting HIV by 85 %.

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