November Pelladium

November 23, 2010 | Volume 23, Issue 3 Moments Districts Realigned, p. 5in Oz p. 12

Inside Districts Realigned, p. 5 Your

Mind pp. 6-7

Donny Blom:

58 years of Dutch football tradition Budget cuts revive familiar p. 5 Marching Band tunes, p. 4

Students define their ideal superintendent Everyone gets a voice. That’s what the school board, teachers and students hope to see in the process of selecting the new superintendent to replace the incumbent, Mark Wittmer, who announced his retirement in October.

Both teachers and students met with a hiring company called The Else Group to determine what qualities they viewed as important for potential superintendent candidates. Then the hiring company presented their findings to the school board.

“I enjoy being part of the process because it shows that we have a strong school district in place and that we aren’t going to be settling for anything less than what we want,” said Ashlee Whittington, board advisory council member, teacher and athletic coach.

Essentially, Else Group links superintendents with perspective schools that desire their offered skills for their district.

“Though this process is expensive, it’s more efficient because they usually have more connections. They’re doing some of our footwork because they’re narrowing down the selection of candidates from about 100 to five or six,” said teacher, faculty council member and district leadership team member Kathy Van Norden.

Students appreciate being included in the process as well, since it awards them the rare chance to voice their opinion in a pertinent district decision.

“I thought it was important that the students got to help choose the person who influences their academic life most,” said senior student council member Tricia Wisniewski.

See: Superintendent, p. 2

CONCLUSION. Senior quarterback Teag Klyn embraces assistant coach Brian Huddle after Pella’s 26-14 fall to Solon in the semi-final round of state championships on Nov. 15. The game marked the end of the Pella’s single-loss season record, and the final team experience for the class of 2011 players. The seniors have relinquished only 6 of 40 games record across three seasons, and is the only class in school history to have seen three Unidome appearences, with two semi-finalist titles in 2008 and 2010, as well as one state runner-up title in 2009. •Photo by Molly Neil

Farewell PEase: 5-day fitness proposed for 2011 Students next year may find themselves deciding between three physical education options. The change (still waiting approval as of Nov.1) will eliminate year-long P.E. as an alternative to a semester of personal fitness. In its place will be two new semester options, both of which involve gym on a daily basis.

The plan, proposed by curriculum director Lowell Ernst and Principal Eric Nelson, promises to offer students more variety. Personal Fitness will still be around for students who prefer working at their own pace. “Lifetime Sports” and “Group Fitness” will be the new, group-style classes.

“There are three ways to look at [P.E.].

“Personal Fit” will still be around for those who like to work alone. For those who like to play games, Lifetime Sports will be a group class focused on playing different sports and games,” said Nelson. “For those who like to work out, Group Fitness will be offered. It’s more focused on working out and exercising, but includes group motivation some prefer.”

For those students wishing to maintain physical activity year long, a second

option entitled “Group Fitness 2” would be offered. This option bears a similarity to “Personal Fitness B”, considering it requires a prerequisite (Group Fitness 1), and would act as an extension on to the curriculum. Students would be expected to act more as leaders in activities, but the curriculum would still be that of a group oriented class. Both Group Fitness and Lifetime Sports would contain structures similar to their predecessor, including testing, effort points and make-up work.

Several other reasons were included in the decision to redefine physical education. The classes would be daily, so students may earn the fitness credit required for graduation in one semester, instead off requiring two semesters like the current year-long P.E. course. This would free up a period for students to take other classes during the off semester. As Nelson pointed out, it also would make scheduling easier for counselors and teachers.

The change would also create a more consistent schedule for students to work out. As in its current state, the physical education 11 and 12 options meet only twice a week for class.

“It just isn’t enough.” Said Nelson in

regards to the current year long P.E. schedule. “The proposed change would give students more of a workout.”

The P.E. department also plays an important role in prepping for and leading the curriculum.

“At first I was a little hesitant about it [the change],” said P.E. teacher Corey Thorson, “I like the system as it is, and there is no evidence [the change] it will be better. Now though, I think it’ll be new and interesting.”

Iowa code allows the district the authority to determine its own P.E. program at the high school level. Where as the middle and elementary schools are required to follow state dictated teaching curriculum’s.The switch comes simply as the decision by Ernst and Nelson. However, it may come as a result of the school’s new participation in Pe4Life, a program that promotes better physical activity in schools. The organization’s vision, “All children embrace wellness for life,” is exemplified in the class name “Lifetime sports.”

The switch has yet to be approved.

•Adam Gromotka (apg.pelladium@gmail.com)

Page Editor: Kelsey Van Tasell

Novermber 23, 2010

PCM technology evolves in hopes of preparing students for future success “The number one benefit of information technology is that it empowers people to do what they want to do. It lets people be creative. It lets people be productive. It lets people learn things they didn’t think they could learn before, and so in a sense it is all about potential.”

This quote from Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer of Microsoft Corporation, may as well be the new motto for PrairieCity Monroe schools and their attitude for their foreseeable future.

At the beginning of the school year, a host of new technology advancements were introduced to PCM students: LCD projectors, additional software, and Mac servers to replace the dated ones. The most noteworthy change, however, was the introduction of MacBook laptops. All 6th-12th grade students at PCM Middle and High Schools were issued their own personal laptop. Which means than 680 computers were purchased and issued for the sudents. With costs totalling $250,000 per year, money used to pay for this is being taken out of PEPEL and LOST (Local Option Sales Tax) funds, while the actual cost to students is only adds up to $20 assessment each year.

The addition of laptops have certainly brought about new changes for the school’s technology usage, teaching styles were altered to cater to the availability of the new sources.

“We’ve taken the curriculum and revamped it,” said PCM biology teacher Kristen Smith. “[There have been] super simple incorporations into everyday lifejust typing up notes rather than writing notes-any way [students] can use their computers. Even email, I email reminders and use Twitter to give homework assignments.”

First suggested by the superintendent Jane Babcock, the procedure to issue students laptops involved many steps.

“It was a long process.

We sent teams out to see what things were going to be like. Once they came back, we shared that information with the school board.

They discussed it for a couple of months, a n d

•Photo by Marielle Gaiser

then they decided, after we shared more information and had some logistics down, that they would have a vote. They passed that vote. The next step was getting Apple in here to configure the school as far as wireless ports. They figured what we would need to make it all happen. Once we did that, it took some time to draw up contracts with Apple. It’s a four year lease to own. We also had to come up with all our user information and rules for all our students. All those contracts had to be drafted and taken care of and that was kind of time consuming,” said PCM Principal Scott Bridges.

Despite the lengthy process, response to the additional technology has been overwhelmingly positive. “[The laptops] make homework a lot easier because we have more applications to access. It makes learning more fun, and if you don’t know an answer, you can find a website that will help you understand it more,” said freshman Lucas Rains.

Senior Josh Fosenburg echoed these thoughts.

“I can use the internet a lot more freely.

It’s a lot more hands on instead of using books, which makes it a lot more fun to learn for me. It’s nice to have your own computer so you get used to it for college.”

This is really what the project is all about: equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in areas of higher education to hopefully improve their futures.

“We wanted to do a better job of preparing our students with 21st Century skills. The motivation is that our students will be ahead of a lot of school districts, at least technology-wise. They’re going to leave here with the knowledge of how to incorporate computers in their work, at school, in college. They can collaborate.

Here, they collaborate in teams on projects all the time. They’re already going to have that knowledge instead of going to college and going ‘What? We’ve never done this.’

So our kids are going to know this,” said Bridges.

Creativity. Productivity. Potential. All the things that Steve Ballmer believed technology would produce are happening within PCM. “I think we are moving with society. When kids go to college, they are going to be required to use these kinds of technology.

We will be enabling them to be on par with what society is going to be demanding of them. Whether they are going to college, community college, or the workforce, they are now going to have these 21st Century skills that society is requiring of them,” said Smith.

•Jocelyn Van Dyke (jvd.pelladium@gmail.com)

Briefly Speaking ...

CELEBRATE! 14 Journalism students attneded the JEA/NSPA national conference

in Kansas City, MO Nov. 11- 14. The students participated in write off compitions and won 5 awards. Honorable mention awards went to juniors Blake Lanser, Madeline Meyer, seniors Brittany Hanna and Kelsey Van Tasell. Senior Eric Moore recieved an excellency award as well. Advisor, Ann Visser, also took home an award from the conference, the Carl Towley Award. Visser’s award is the highest award given by the journalism education association. She was given the award for her outstanding contributions to scholastic journalism and exemplary work to improve journalism education. •Photo submitted •Faith Christina Schulte was born to math teacher Matt Schulte and his wife Carol Nov. 5 at 12:21 p.m. at the University of Iowa Hospital. She was 16.75 in. and weighed in at 4 lbs. and 14 oz.

•Four speech student participants placed at the Iowa State Thespian Festival. The students were seniors Adam Gromotka, Jake Anderson, Tori Gensch and Shaun Van Weelden.

•TSA students are selling their Tulip Time stand to pay for their membership as a state and national organization. If you are interested in purchasing the stand, it is available on Craigslist.

•A free clinic for Tdap vaccinations will be given to all students on Monday, Dec. 13. The vaccination includes tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough).

•Jillian Sagers (jillian.sagers@pella.k12. ia.us)

Superintendent (Continued from page 1) Though the students and district leadership teams had different ideas about the perfect candidate, both agreed that unquestionable integrity was a must for perspective candidates.

Students believed a firm commitment to being accessible and approachable was important as well as personal drive, maturity and consistency. They also thought it was essential to weigh all major decisions on how it would impact students, follow through with decisions and have the skills to ensure a safe, efficient and effective learning environment.

“I liked being involved in the process because it gives students the ability to shape who leads us, the school and the community to a new level of awesomeness,” said junior student council member Austin Davis.

The district leadership team believed unquestionable integrity, communication skills, experience within the teaching field, experiences with finance administration and the awareness of politics outside of school grounds were important qualities for a possible candidate.

“This process is a good opportunity to involve people within the community on this decision. It’s not just one person making the hiring choice. I think it’s important to have a lot of input from many different areas,” said Van Norden.

The replacement candidate must be hired by February 2011, and they will be in charge of the district starting July 1st. Interviews for the position will begin around mid January.

•Kelsey Van Tasell (kv.pelladium@gmail.com)

Page Editor: Maddy Scholten

November 23, 2010

Former student places top 15 in statewide pageant A top 15 finish in the Miss Iowa USA Pageant in Ames in October has led Nikki Sikkema, a 2008 graduate, on a crusade for the future.

Sikkema assures that she will not give up and will attempt the competition again next year.

“I will definitely compete again next year. I’m not going down without a fight. I am going to compete until I win or get to be too old to compete, which would be 26,” said Sikkema.

Her favorite quote “Never give up on your dreams because anything is possible!” is fueling her future attempts to become

Miss Iowa.

Sikkema said she cherished receiving the opportunity to compete and grow as a person, as well as form new friendships.

“I had the time of my life competing in the Miss Iowa U.S.A. competition.

It was such an amazing opportunity that I can hardly put it in words. The competition was an absolute blast. I met so many wonderful girls and came out with many new friends.

I will forever cherish this opportunity, and I will have memories that will last me a lifetime,” said Sikkema.

• Kelsey Van Tasell (kv.peladium@gmail.com)

Steps to becoming Miss Iowa 1. “First, we had to apply online, there were over 400 applicants. Then judges go through

a process and select the few that they think will do the job. The Miss Iowa USA division had 26 contestants that they chose.”

2. “After you are selected, there is an application that you get in the mail. Then, you start the process of raising money and gaining sponsors to help you with funding.”

3. “The day of the pageant we had interviews which counted towards one-third of our overall score. I was asked personal questions, accomplishments/honors, activities, my favorite charity, hobbies, ambitions in my life and many others.”

4. “After a five-hour dress rehearsal the modeling competition started. We [the candidates] came out in an introduction dress to introduce ourselves.”

5. “I then competed in swimsuit and then competed in evening gown. Swimsuit counts as one-third of the overall score, and evening gown counts as the last onethird of the overall score.”

6. “I got ready for introductions again Sunday; all 26 girls did this, then the judges cut the group down to the top 15.”

•Photo Submitted

• Kelsey Van Tasell (kv.pelladium@gmail.com)

GLBT group organizes, seeks to combat sexual discrimination In wake of the publicized death of Tyler Clementi, a Rutgers University student who committed suicide Sept. 22 after being harassed by fellow classmates about his homosexuality, America has begun to recognize a disheartening reality. Across the nation, gay and lesbian adolescents are falling victim to bullying.

Junior Alexandra Martin is a self-proclaimed activist against homosexual persecution. Having moved from Arizona only six months ago, she finds Pella no anomaly in a countrywide trend.

“Pella’s very small, very conservative, very Christian; I kind of expected that everyone would be wholesome, but that’s often not the case,” she said. “Just because it’s a small town, and people aren’t openly gay doesn’t mean there aren’t gays here.

There is so much bullying. People use derogatory terms all of the time. Just today, someone called me a ‘dyke’ to my face.”

To combat the discrimination she observes, Martin is establishing a local chapter of the Gay-Straight Alliance, an activist group devoted to supporting bullied students, protesting persecution, and opening the public eye to the real-life harassment toward homosexuals and bisexuals.

“The Gay-Straight Alliance is something this school needs,” Martin said. “People are afraid of who they are and what their image is at school. [At least one student in the past] was so upset and terrified about all the bullying he went through he had to drop out, he just didn’t come back. School shouldn’t be a scary place.”

She reiterates that harassment to such an extent is precisely what leads to suicide cases like Clementi’s, citing the suicide hotline homepage, which displays an en-

tire article on gay suicide.

Statistics for Martin’s case have existed for over a decade. A 1999 study published in Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine found that high school homosexuals were 3.41 times more likely to report a suicide attempt than their heterosexual schoolmates. The report also found that many of the high school students interviewed admitted to having “missed school because they felt ‘unsafe.’”

Martin has already registered her group with parent organization GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), which will be able to provide support for legal issues and other logistical problems, and has secured the faculty sponsorship of senior dean Mark Core.

“Schools should be free from harassment and prejudice based on sexual orientation...and I do think that our school has a small problem with this. Notice the name of the group is Gay-Straight Alliance, not the Gay Activist Organization. This isn’t about promoting a homosexual agenda, but about promoting tolerance,” said Core.

Having posted flyers around the building, Martin is now in the process of rallying student participation.

“I’m not going to go out on my own trying to get people to sign a petition because that’s just a recipe to get my [butt] kicked,” she said. “I’m in the advertising stage. I need to get the word out to a broad range, and then try to gather the people who are really interested in making this work.”

The first Gay-Straight Alliance meeting is scheduled for the week of Nov. 22.

•Nathan Kooker (nk.pelladium@gmail.com)

Page Editor: Jocelyn Van Dyke

November 23, 2010

Tulip Royalty reign, embodying 74-year tradition

Senior Karissa Schaudt

member Sue Youngman.

Once nominated, the girls are given the option of participation. They are sent a letter of acceptance, and returning the acceptance form by the set date confirms participation.

“I wanted to be a part of this process because it honestly just sounds fun, and I know it’s something that I will remember forever. I thought it would be a great honor to represent the community of Pella and learn a lot while doing so,” said Karissa Shaudt, senior at Pella Community and 2011 Tulip Court finalist.

The participating candidates’ pictures are placed in the Pella Chronicle, and the public again votes for their top three choices. After counting the ballots, the final 12 are announced and featured in the Chronicle.

The final 12 girls have three weeks to prepare for the Queen’s Announcement Party, where the court is to be determined.

They are judged in multiple areas, including poise, personality, voice and appearance. Judges also take into account stage presence, listening skills, and handling of mistakes. Preparation for this event can be time consuming, but manageable.

“It’s taking more time out of my normal life than I thought it would, but it’s not so much that it’s completely

Senior Tricia Wisniewski

overwhelming,” said Rachel Greving, senior at Pella Community and 2011 Tulip Court finalist.

The

judges use a 1-10 rating scale. The top five highest scores make the court, and the highest of the five scores is crowned queen.

There is no requirement for the court to contain both Pella Community High and Pella Christian High girls, although there is no record of a court solely from one of the schools.

“The girls are looked at individually. We ask the

Senior Leah Engelbrecht

Growing up in Pella, most young girls dream of one day being on the Tulip Time Court. The court consists of young women who represent Pella - models of good character and ambassadors of the town’s values. Many know the faces of the court, but few know the process and rich tradition of the Tulip Time Court.

Pella’s first Tulip Queen was Leonora (Hettinga) Gaass. Gaass was a senior at Central College, and great

granddaughter of Dominie Scholte.

She was nominated to be queen by popular vote, though

the four royal court members had not been added yet.

“Aunt Nonie [Gaass] was a woman who was very cultured and polite.

She had old world mannerisms, and she always did the right thing. It’s important that Tulip queens can promote our town, and I think she set the standard for future queens,” said Debbie Sunderman, great-niece of Gaass.

Becoming nominated for the Tulip Court is an easily attained task, though there are specific requirements that must be met.

“The nominee must be 17 by May 1. They have to live within the Pella School District, with a parent or legal guardian. They must be a senior at either high schools [Pella Community or Pella Christian] or within the home school program.

They must be unmarried.

It takes one vote from a person who lives in the school district and is at least 17 years old to get nominated,” said Steering Committee

Senior Rachel Greving

Senior Tricia Wisniewski was selected as the 2011 Royal Tulip Queen at the Queen’s Announcement Party Nov. 9. Royal Court members include seniors Leah Engelbrecht, Rachel Greving, Karissa Schaudt and Pella Christian senior Kristi Van Wyk. “I’m really excited for this coming year, getting to know all the girls on the Court and getting to represent Pella together,” said Wisniewski.

judges to stay impartial; whether they do or not is hard to say. This is the reason why we have 36-40 judges,”said Youngman.

The Tulip Court has been an activity of enjoyment for those who have participated in it throughout the years. The memories and experiences made by the women in past and recent years are unforgettable.

“Being on the Tulip Time Court was not only fun, but also allowed me to grow as a young woman. It taught me how to balance my time and speak in front of large groups of people, as well as develop new and lasting friendships,” said Jill (Van Zee) Vande Weerd, 1987 court member.

•Maddy Scholten (maddys.pelladium@ gmail.com) •Photos by Marielle Gaiser

Students demonstrate healthy habits for conscientious lifestyle With the activation of PE4Life, health concious lunches have begun to play a major role in the life of students. To make their meals even more health-orientated, some bring their own lunch, and some are vegetarians. Others just eliminate unnecessary foods.

Junior Bailey VandeWeerd brings her own lunch everyday.

“I’m a really picky eater and I didn’t like the school’s food. I realized there was no point in having my parents pay for lunch that I’d barely eat. Also, since I’m in sports, I wanted more food to fuel up for practice.

Also, I’m allergic to eggs, so that puts a limit on what I eat,” said VandeWeerd.

When VandeWeerd brings lunch, it usually consists of yogurt, a sandwich and veggie straws. “[Veggie straws] are actually very good!

I don’t have to worry about making my own lunch because my mom makes them,” said VandeWeerd.

Even though this may not be a life long commitment for her, she is sure that she will continue to bring her own lunch for now.

“[This isn’t a life long commitment for me] because I don’t plan on staying in high school all my life, but I’m sure I’ll bring my own lunch to work when I’m older,” said VandeWeerd.

The benefits of bringing a lunch are plentiful. According to kidshealth.org, these include being able to control the portion size, the variety of foods, the money that’s being saved and the lasting energy.

Another student who strives for a healthier lifestyle is senior Mariah VandeLune. VandeLune has been a vegetarian for two and a half years. She became one because she felt that animals were not being treated humanely.

“I became a vegetarian because of the inhumane treatment of animals. During this year, I have been bringing a lunch of high protein foods to repair my muscles and to counteract by not eating meat,” said VandeLune.

Being a vegetarian has high benefits.

According to associatedcontent.com, vegetarianism prevents Type 2 diabetes, increases energy levels and lowers blood

pressure. VandeLune thinks it will benefit her health tremendously.

“This will greatly benefit my health.

If you consume the right foods in a vegetarian diet, you can be leaner,” said VandeLune.

VandeLune is not the only person in her family who is a vegetarian.Her sister, Amelia, is one and her mom is a flexitarian, which means that she only eats meat two to three times per week.

After high school, VandeLune will continue being a vegetarian.

Yet another student who has a healthy eating habit is sophomore Evan Jones. Jones has not had a can of pop for almost 11 years.

“When I was little, I was really scared of getting cavities; the dentist told me pop

was terrible for your body and teeth. So, I decided never to drink it,” said Jones.

Another reason why Jones doesn’t drink pop is because he is in cross-country.

“I’m in cross-country and track. We are told not to drink it. So, I like that I’m already treating my body the way we’re supposed to in season,” said Jones.

Jones is the only one in his family who does this.

Jones’s mother, English teacher Suzi Jones drinks one Diet Coke a day.

This will be a life long commitment for Jones.

“Less sugar, no crash.

It’s just healthy. I figure the less crap I put in my body, the better,” said Evan.

•Kayla Da (kd.pelladium@gmail.com) •Graphic by Micah Zeimetz

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Brom Auto Service & Sales, Inc. 819 Broadway St. Pella, IA 50219 628-1700

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Digital Solutions Inc. 809 West 8th St. Pella, IA 50219 628-0088

Page Editor: Madeline Meyer

P P

November 23, 2010

From team member to super fan, Blom epitomizes ...

ella

Sitting in the stands at almost every home football game for the past 58 years, former graduate Don Blom is a starling example of what it means to be a true fan.

From joining the team as a sophomore in 1949 to now watching his grandson embrace the game as he once did, Blom’s passion for little Dutch football has transformed from a role as the water boy to a lifelong support.

Though Blom was born in town, by the time he reached first grade at Lincoln Elementary, he, along with with the rest of his family, moved to a small farm just north of Pella. Growing up there, Blom felt there was a semblance of separation between students in regards to whether they were from a farm or from town.

“It was just kind of a local stereotype, where the farm kids kind of stayed to themselves and vice-versa. Maybe it just had to do with more common interests between kids of a certain lifestyle, but looking back, it was kind of isolating. To go to high school and be branded as a Junior Caitie Hones

ride

certain kind of people; it was a challenge to meet anyone new. Thank goodness for football. It gave me a chance to broaden my friendships; I guess you could say. On the field, we were all just a bunch of guys, no labels, no stereotypes,” said Blom.

At the time when Blom first joined the team, he had little interest in the sport.

Starting as a water boy, Blom soon realized his love for the game. By his junior year, he joined the squad, and continued to play as a senior. While Blom admits that they only won about one game during the two seasons he was involved, it didn’t matter. What he gained instead of a trophy came in the form of a lifelong respect for the game and camaraderie that ensued because of it.

“You can’t imagine we were a very good team by just looking at my size. We did terribly, but in the end, I’m glad I got to be apart of the program. It gives me some perspective when I see the team play now, and I can really appreciate how great a job the athletic department has done since I

was there,” said Blom.

Times have considerably changed since Blom first participated in football. High school football has gone from a hobby to one of the most popular interscholastic sports across the nation. After the years of “three yards and a cloud of dust” were over, major power programs, that include both strong running and passing games, have emerged. Preseason preparation has intensified to include specialized training in speed, agility and weightlifting months before the actual season begins. Uniforms have changed, padding has increased but Blom still maintains that one aspect of the game remains the same; the fans.

“They may be a bit rowdier than in my day, but the Pella High fans are incredible.

Even when the driving got to be two, three hours long, when I showed up to the game, I was surprised to see so much support,” said Blom.

While Blom repeatedly compliments the athletic department for all the work it has put into making the district a “3A

athletic powerhouse,” he downplays his own commitment to the team. With 58 years invested in watching Friday night football, Blom has been to at least 350 games. Whether he is sitting in the stands with his wife or standing outside the fence with his son, he has maintained a constant presence within the community fan base and is a pointed example of what dedication really looks like. To attend a sporting event, no matter the weather, no matter how far, Blom’s only constituent to whether he comes to watch is the effort and mindset the team plays with.

“I like people who are successful, no matter if they are a doctor, teacher, student.

I don’t mean they have to be going out and winning big awards, I mean, I admire the people who go out and try with the will to do the best they can. As long as I know the team is going out there every game and playing to win, I’ll be there with my Pella High cap and sweatshirt, cheering them on,” said Blom.

•Megan Card (mcpelladium@gmail.com)

Club soccer teams finish season strong in DM league

STATE SUCCESS

Junior Zach Buchheit

Cross country girls, 3rd at state; cross country boys, 6th at state. Volleyball to state. Football to state.

CELEBRATE. Seniors Brooke Fessler, Makenzie Vander Molen and Kelsi Rempe celebrate after winning a game in the state tournament. The girls made history by being the first team to win a game at state. They fell to Sioux City Heelan 3-2 in a five-game match. “It was great to be able to play all five games ... we have great team unity,” said Fessler.

•Photo by Mandy DeMeulenaere PASSION. Seniors Teag Klyn and Spencer Boeyink console each other after the loss to Solon at the UNIDome in the state semi-finals.“It was a tough loss, but we fought the whole game, we always stayed together,” said Boeyink. The Dutch posted an 12-1 record on the season. •Photo by Molly Neil

PRIDE. #15 Don Blom poses with Pella football players from 58 years ago •Photo, 1952 Duchess Yearbook

While fall sports are typically dominated by Friday night football games, boisterous cross country finish lines, and rowdy volleyball games; for soccer players, fall sports means club soccer.

The Pella Soccer Club U19 teams had successful seasons this fall, finishing 6-2 in coed, with both losses coming against rival Knoxville. This record was good enough to earn the team an unofficial second place.

The girls’ team finished 5-0-2 and finished first in their division for the second straight year. Both teams competed in the Greater Des Moines Junior Soccer League’s U19 division.

“The club season went really well. We didn’t start the season out with a win, but we figured out what we needed to improve on. We won almost all of our games after that and had a good season,” said senior Alex De Jong.

The teams, coached by Mark Howard and Kevin Manecke, consisted of players from a variety of grade levels. Most had played with each other before, either in summer tournaments or in the high school season.

However, for a few incoming freshmen, the club experience was their first experience.

“It was a great experience with the upperclassmen.

They were a lot of fun and really encouraging. I think the practices together really helped the team,” said freshman Ben Atkins.

The club soccer experience differs in a number of ways from school soccer. The club team practiced an average of once a week, and practices consisted of fewer drills and more scrimmages. Also, games

are played on Sundays, contrasting the weekday schedule of school soccer. Although registration fees and the costs of jerseys are a part of club soccer, players enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere.

“It’s a much less competitive atmosphere in club soccer. We focus much more on individual development and having fun, which is a nice change from the more competitive school season. It’s nice to have a much less regimented practice,” said junior Shenstone Huang.

For the girls, the club season functioned as a way to stay in shape and develop skills with a different group of players. “[We] get to play with all of the grades, but in high school we’re kind of mixed up by grade level. Playing club soccer allowed all the girls to keep up their skills and keep in better shape for the high school season,” said sophomore Allie DeMeulenaere.

The coed team’s final game was played against Knoxville at the Pella Soccer Complex Oct. 24. The team was shut out in a 2-0 loss with Knoxville, being led by outstanding play from their keeper.

“I felt like we had the edge going into that last game, but their keeper really just dominated us. It was certainly physical, but playing Knoxville you don’t expect any less. Hopefully once the school season arrives we can show that we’re truly the better team. I’ll be looking forward to those match ups and play with a little chip on my shoulder,” said junior Benji McElroy.

•Jake Anderson (ja.pelladium@gmail.com)

Fareway Stores Inc. 2010 Washington St. Pella, IA 50219 628-9995

Leighton State Bank 900 Washington St., Box 6 Pella, IA 50219 628-1566

Pella Nail Salon 604 Liberty St. Suite 129 Pella, IA 50219 628-1104

Recker Dental Care 2114 Washington St. Pella, IA 50219 628-1604

Silver Lining 733 Franklin St. Pella, IA 50219 628-3650

Genesis Healthy Living www.GenesisHealthyLiving.com 628-1031

Midtown Tire Company 109 E. Oskaloosa St. Pella, IA 50219 641-628-1072

Pella Pets Veterinary Clinic 411 Oskaloosa St. Pella, IA 50219 620-8880

Red Rock Chiropractic Center, P.C. 1400 Fifield Rd. Pella, IA 50219 628-9991

Sports Page Grill 1111 W. 16th St. Pella, IA 50219 620-1149

Holiday Inn Express 2508 Bos Landen Drive Pella, IA 50219 628-4853

MidWestOne Bank 700 Main St. Suite 100 Pella, IA 50219 628-4356

Precision Pulley, Inc. 300 S.E. 14th St. Pella, IA 50219 628-3115

Royal Amsterdam Hotel 705 East First St. Pella, IA 50219 620-8400

Sports Page Sporting Goods 1562 Washington St. Pella, IA 50219 628-4999

Stravers True Value/ Radio Shack/ U.S. Cellular 818 Main St. Pella, IA 50219 628-3330 TD&T Financial Group, P.C., CPA’s 606 Franklin St. Pella, IA 50219 628-9411 TK Concrete 1608 Fifield Rd. Pella, IA 50219 628-4590

November 23, 2010

Page Editors: Megan Card, Jessica Salpor

Through the looking glass:

Teen recounts her struggle with depression

“Why don’t you draw how you feel,”

•Graphic by Marielle Gaiser

my counselor instructed, handing me a paper and pencil.

But that’s it, I don’t feel anything, I thought while staring at the blank white sheet.

I handed it back to her, setting the pencil down. “Um, I don’t think you understand the activity,” she told me slowly like I was stupid.

But she is the one who doesn’t understand. She expects that if I talk about it, it will be better. If I take medicine, it will be better.

But they don’t understand that if I do all that, the problem will still be there. The problem being, I don’t feel anything.

Many teens suffer from depression, but there are many types and everyone handles it differently. I had situational depression which means something caused my depression. Lots of people think depression is when you’re extremely sad, but that is an

understatement. For me it was not being able to get out of bed in the morning, staying cooped up in my house and barely ever talking. I would look at my loved ones who were hurt and worried about me and not care. I was numb.

“I can tell you have a lot of anger building up inside you,” my counselor often told me. That’s the funny thing about counselors; they think they know you, they think they understand you, they think they can solve all your problems. They can’t. I didn’t talk much during sessions, which meant she asked more questions than I answered.

I wasn’t fond of the idea of paying a stranger to listen to my problems. Since I wasn’t “accepting” the counseling and not getting better, they started talking about medication for me.

They acted as though I were crazy. But no, no way was I going on medicine. The thought of going on medicine made me angry. I stopped, though. This foreign emotion, anger, was so weird to feel. But at least it was a feeling, and if this was the only thing I could feel, it’s better than nothing.

But is anger a step forward or back?

“Just splatter the paint on the wall.” my counselor handed me the paint bottle. “Get out all those feelings; you could make a stick figure, or a tree.” Her smile was so reassuring but I still didn’t trust her. I looked at the blank white tarp just like the white sheet of paper. I was getting impatient.

Why wouldn’t they believe me? Every second I was losing everything, my friends, my family and myself. I didn’t want to hurt anyone, but I was. I just wanted to be normal again so I took my counselor’s advice for once. I needed a way to release all my anger.As though it were fate, we had an assignment in English that we could write about anything. It was like the story was writing itself. In the story I told about a girl who went into depression without knowing what to do. After writing it, I felt a bit happy. I ended up getting an ‘A’ on the story and felt a little confident. I did not all of a sudden feel better, no, this took months to get over. I started actually talking to other people, I went out to dinner with my family, I started to write how I felt just to get out the feelings I had started to form, and soon became some-what like myself again.

The truth is, I will never be ‘myself’ again, and I have learned to accept that. But, that doesn’t mean I will always be depressed; it means I will be a better person. I know I put down counseling a lot, but the truth is, in the end, counseling helped me a lot. At the beginning, I wasn’t ready and the counselor I had wasn’t the best one for me. For me, getting through depression was a lot easier with support from family and friends who understand my past, accept me now and believe in my future.

•Anonymous

Coping with stress is one of the tasks that many people face every day.

Whether it’s at home, school or work, it can happen to anyone.

People face stress in a wide range of ways, usually without even realizing what they are doing. Managing this stress takes time, effort and consideration.

School Managing stress in school can be a hard thing to do because of many factors. Schoolwork may be overwhelming if you cannot get around to finishing assignments. Make sure to set realistic goals when choosing classes beforehand and allotting time to finish your daily work. The worst way to cope with school stress is procrastination. Students tend to procrastinate to avoid their troubles until they find themselves trapped in a heap of homework. Using a planner and doing homework in small portions can slowly curb procrastination.

Student/Peer Peers are also influential to stress levels. It could help to hang out with caring friends to alleviate stress. Fellow students may also play negative roles as a stressor in life. Avoid people who can be identified as the roots of stressful feelings. The wrong way to deal with peers is withdrawal and venting. The best way is to either talk it out with the person, or talking with a trusted adult, who may help to address the issue.

Outside Stress is often felt outside of school in extracurriculars, home and work.

Students are encouraged to participate in activities outside of school which will force them to start balancing their schedule, a challenging problem.

Planning ahead to what extracurriculars you are participating in is helpful in creating a manageable schedule. Work is also very similar to school. A good way to keep stress from happening at work is to get to know your co-workers. It is much easier to work with friends than strangers. Try to create a home environment that is stress relieving by establishing good relationships with family members. Taking alone time to manage hobbies is a great way to endure stress.

•Graphic by Shaun Sokol

SOURCE: Web MD

•Michael Ge(mg.pelladium@gmail.com)

Program promotes students embracing Moxie to gain self-confidence

For a more in-depth review of how the mind can affect learning, go to pelladium.com •Graphic by Micah Zeimetz (mz.pelladium@gmail.com)

The brainiac. The nice girl. The jock. The rebellious one. High school is filled with labels. Moxie, a group put on by ladies from Pella Corporation is trying to break through undesirable labels that are put on girls, and help them create self confidence.

Moxie was created last year by a group of ladies at Pella Corporation. They put on meetings with girls in the high school in the spring of last school year, and have started them up again this fall. A major focal point of the Moxie is to talk to girls about confidence.

“A person must first know herself and then be confident in her uniqueness.

Everyone has a special purpose, gifts and abilities – to make your mark on your life and the world, each of us be “comfortable in our own skin.” Our confidence in ourselves helps us be more successful and joy-filled – this is where you really show your moxie because moxie is about determination, confidence in us says, ‘I am going to do this, and it will be great, no matter who says I can’t accomplish it,” said Pella Corporation Moxie representative Jenny Sharp.

Confidence is a state of mind. How a girl sees herself and others is a result of the confidence that rests within in her own mind.

“Confidence can be impacted by an individual’s mental health and it is about being in (or choosing to be in) an environment where people care about you, support you, encourage you and challenge you. It is also about being open-minded to see and accept that we are each important – especially in forming our own futures,” said Sharp.

“When you are confident it enhances everything you do in life and how others

see you. We are encouraging confidence as a way of causing an infectious feeling so the inner shine be seen in everyone,” said Pella Corporation representative Stacy Scheepers.

The Pella Corporation representatives decided to start up the group Moxie because they wanted to inspire the next generation of girls.

“We are each, as women, passionate about helping the next generation of young women know themselves better, identify their unique strengths, feel pride for who they are as individuals and empower them to impact their own futures. Moxie, was thus formed with the desire to partner with parents and the schools in the mentoring of Pella area young women in 9-12th grades,” said Sharp.

Junior Jessica Salpor is on the student Moxie committee. During the meetings, Salpor gives input on what points should be covered in the meetings, and how best to advertise to the girls of the high school to get them to come to the meetings.

“I am a part of the group because Moxie has a great message of taking pride in one’s individuality. Each girl has numerous opportunities and Moxie helps remind us that so much is out there if one wishes to take it,” said Salpor.

A big part of a Moxie meetings is to discuss different images and the labels that are created for girls in high school, both by themselves and their peers.

“I know a large portion of the female population at PHS can sometimes struggle with self-image. Being a junior I haven’t figured everything out by any means, but I’ve at least gotten a little closer to discovering who I want to be and where I’m going. I’d like every girl to achieve that and focus on the attributes that make her wonderfully unique, not the flaws she thinks she sees,” said Salpor.

Having confidence is an important factor in a student’s life, according to guidance couselor Teresa Thompson. “[Students] have become somewhat self sufficient before they head out of high school and onto their next venture, job or college, they will need to be able to advocate for themselves,” said Thompson.

Students involved in the Moxie meetings agree that confidence plays a big role in high school.

“I think going to Moxie meetings will give girls more confidence. The women from Pella Corporation put so much time and thought into their program. They try to help each girl see that although she is different from the girl sitting next to her, that that’s alright. Each person has qualities that make them irreplaceable and when one accepts that life becomes a lot more fun. Breaking down the self doubts could instantly give each girl new confidence in who she is,” said Salpor.

Differences are what makes every girl who they are. Moxie is an organization with the purpose of showing girls that the things that make them different are not negatives, but are positives. From there, the girls are encouraged to make their own unique label for themselves.

“I love that Moxie is an example of how different women own who they are. There is only one of each of us and I feel we sometimes forget this and end up comparing ourselves to others. The women at Pella Corporation, who are all highly successful yet very different, act as an image for high school girls while presenting great ideas concerning individuality, confidence, and perspective, tools that could help any

girl achieve her dreams,” said Salpor.

Each of the women from Pella Corporation putting on Moxie has successfully completed her own high school experiences, and they want to share their insight with current high school girls.

“Getting gals together with other ladies who have gone through high school and made it...with ups and downs, but have made it through and will continue to make it in life because of what they know now and what they want to share with high school gals is a benefit to whoever will come and take in their insight,” said Thompson.

•Taylor Rennich(tr.pelladium@gmail.com)

•Graphic Submitted

Page Editor: Benji McElroy

November 23, 2010

Editorial Cartoon

Eric Moore (em.pelladium@gmail.com)

Alt. News “Hang them,” Uganda paper demands

Staff Editorial Burst social bubbles, reach out In high school, it is very easy for someone to get caught outside cliques and social circles that seem to drive teen life. When students find themselves on the outside looking in, they may begin to feel strange or abnormal. In some cases, these feelings can have disastrous consequences.

Recent events at area high schools and at Rutgers University have alerted us to the importance of speaking up. If someone is

•Illustration by Marielle Gaiser

acting depressed or different in any way, make sure you talk to them to figure out what is wrong.

Simply showing you care can go a long way in altering that person’s life and future. Greet people in the hallways. Pick someone you would not normally pick as a partner in English class. Invite a student sitting by themselves at lunch to join you at your table. Simple, easy things can make people feel involved.

The same thing can be said if you are the one having difficulties. Talk to someone who can help you. There are parents, teachers, counselors and friends all very willing to help deal with any difficulties one may be having. You can not get that assistance if you keep your feelings to yourself. There are people out there that care about you. The worst thing you can do is keep these feelings bottled up.

At the same time, only talk to people you can trust. The student body we have here is very strong and as a staff we feel there are students out there that will support you if you need them to.

That does not mean that everyone can help you. Just because this community has become much stronger over recent months does not mean there still are not people who are going to attempt to bring you down. Whether this person belittles you face to face or hides securely behind a computer screen, you can’t let them affect you. Sometimes just simply ignoring people is not going to be enough.

Seek help and tell someone.

If you cannot fix the problem on your own, it is more important now than ever to communicate to someone who can. It can be life saving.

(The Pelladium staff voted 18-0 in favor of this editorial)

“100 Pictures of Uganda’s Top Homos” ran across the headline of Rolling Stone, a small town newspaper in Kempala, Uganda. Each picture was accompanied with a name and address, while a bright yellow banner across the front page read, “Hang Them.”

While homophobia already runs rampant in a majority of African countries, in a startling attempt to eliminate all homosexuals in Africa, this Ugandan newspaper has violated the basic principles and ethics of every respectable publication. The Oct. 9 paper printed unsupported, and quite frankly ridiculous, claims that an unknown and fatal disease was attacking homosexuals in Uganda, and these same homosexuals were recruiting a million children by raiding schools. It’s a scientifically recognized fact that sexual orientation is heavily genetically linked, so to say that gays are recruiting children to produce more gays is a completely nonsensical and fabricated allegation.

In forgoing journalism’s first obligation to telling the truth, Rolling Stone - not the American magazine - has destroyed its credibility, while endangering the innocent lives of every suspected homosexual in Uganda.

Aside from the slanderous and unethical c o n d u c t produced by this paper, and the terror that has ensued for numerous Ugandans, what is truly frightening is the brutal intolerance that allowed this story to be published in the first place.

Condemnation over homosexuality in Africa isn’t necessarily a secret, with several countries implementing sanctions for perceived homosexual activity. In Uganda itself, a bill was introduced just last year that would impose the death penalty and life imprisonment for so called homosexual acts. This particular legislation was written after a visit by leaders of the US Conservative Christian Ministries, which promotes therapy that they believe allows gays to change their sexual orientation.

Though lawmakers have been wary to endorse this “Anti-Homosexuality” legislation, no one has made an effort to shut down the bill.

Not only has the Ugandan government failed to respond to the blatant belittlement of its own people, but it has ignored the libelous content of its media and failed to hold the paper accountable for its reckless behavior, which has resulted in four assaults and countless Ugandans being forced into hiding. Though the government Media Council did cease publishing of the paper, they did so because of its lack of registration, not because of its content. Within weeks, the paper will be back to publishing lies, and the number of hate crimes will continue to increase throughout the nation.

All personal responsibility has therefore been thrown out the window, while the continued harassment and persecution of gays will escalate to the point where so called vigilante justice will become the final solution.

In a country poisoned by their own ignorance, the Ugandan people will suffer at the hands of a nation, possibly even a world, that believes that homosexuality is a disease in need of a cure.

•Megan Card (mcpelladium@gmail.com)

“...what is frightening is the brutal intolerance”

Pelladium Staff Executive Editors: Megan Card, Nathan Kooker, Eric Moore, Kelsey Van Tasell Page Editors/Reporters: Tiffany Carter, Michael Ge, Benji McElroy, Madeline Meyer, Taylor Rennich, Jessica Salpor, Maddy Scholten, Jocelyn Van Dyke Visuals: Marielle Gaiser, Eric Moore, Jillian Sagers, Mitch Shepperd, Micah Zeimetz Reporters: Nick Dorman, Mark Dykstra, Adam Gromotka, Evan Jones, Sarah Muller, Shaun Sokol, Haley Sytsma, Whittney Reinier 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 forum to students and readers. •Letters to the Editors are welcome and encouraged. These letters must be signed and should, in no way, be libelous, irresponsible or obscene. Letters must have verified 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 Pella Community High School, Box 486, Pella, IA 50219. •The Pelladium will strive to deliver information in a fair and truthful manner. The Pelladium will function in accord with all applicable laws, both in regard to the rights and restrictions of journalism. •The views expressed in this publication are those of the individual writer and not necessarily those of the Pella Community High 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 printed in the issue immediately following the issue containing the errors. •The Pelladium is a member of the Iowa High School Press Association.

Page Editor: Eric Moore November, 23 2010

Brink of Sagacity Eric Moore (em.pelladium@gmail.com)

For several years now, society has explored the idea of alcoholism and addiction to smoking being caused by genetics. Scientific studies have shown that the risks of these addictions are increased when other family members are heavy users of either substance, and in the case of tobacco, may have a greater risk of cancer as well. Most scientists have also agreed that the risk is increased not only by genetic factors, but by environmental factors, and that the two can often coincide.

The point to all this research? For scientists, results interest them or may console their curiosity on the subject. For people afflicted by these addictions, it’s just an excuse, another reason to not feel as bad about the fact that they haven’t quit yet. It’s a ticket out of having to be responsible for their own poor decisions.

Not to sound like an M. Night Shymalan movie, but this seems to be a growing trend in America in more areas than just these two.

People will try to blame any of their mistakes, shortcomings, or errors on different things, both genetic and environmental. Some have abusive parents, or they grow up poor, or with a single parent. Some have diseases and conditions that prevent them from doing certain things.

Certainly, there are legitimate excuses for things not being done correctly.

I am not saying that environmental influence, like child abuse, have no effect on a child’s emotional state and future life; they will certainly have an effect. But there is a point in

life when you have to look past your shortcomings that you can’t control and do the best you can do anyway.

There should never be a point when problems become “cards” to play whenever things appear too difficult.

In multiple aspects of life, there are times when challenging and pushing yourself is necessary, and though it may be easier to blame some other cause, it’s not reputable. Stick to your guns, and be able to admit your faults. It will help you in the long run, whether it’s in your daily life, your relationships with your friends and family, or with your professional life.

People will respect you for taking responsibility for your decisions.

We’re all born and raised in different situations. Each of our lives has pros and cons, some more severe than others. Some things we simply can’t control; however, the ability to overcome and work past our limitations makes us stronger.

So, is alcoholism genetic? Possibly.

Are some environmental elements part of the cause as well? Most certainly. But, much of life is about choices, and the choice to start using such substances is one that can affect a person’s life heavily. The consequences of that choice and the blame for the initial use of the substance should, without a doubt, fall upon the person in question.

“Stick to your guns, and be able to admit your faults. People will respect you for taking responsibility for your decisions.”

•Illustrations by Eric Moore

ACTION REACTION

Reading Is Dangerous Nathan Kooker (nk.pelladium@gmail.com)

Adjacent my computer monitor and half-buried in useless desktop clutter is a bare manila envelope, the kind specially made for concealing secret wonders, and within it, a wad of bills so thick I can hardly clutch it with a single hand. Three-hundred sixteen dollars and thirty-five cents. I’ve counted three times.

I’m a teenager with a four-hour workweek and a 10-gallon gas tank, a triple digit sum is something nearly unfathomable to me.

That’s the kind of money that drug lords stow in empty violin cases, that Depression-era geriatrics hoard between their mattresses. For so much wealth to rest on my desk as I peck away at these keys – it’s almost a fantasy.

A product of my entrepreneurship in the fashion trade, the specifics on how the dough wound up there are irrelevant; regardless, I’ve developed a mighty fondness for it. I can hardly type a paragraph without permitting myself a peek at the bundle of greenbacks. I can’t help but thumb through the bills and oblige myself with the company of Honest Abe and Andrew Jackson’s unyielding faces. Call me Scrooge, but with all of this cash at my fingertips, I’ve become addicted to its touch, the grimy grain of well-worn paper currency.

I’ll admit, my account thus far is lousing with hyperbole. But, hopefully you’ve begun to unearth my underlying aim, because I am speaking for all of us. I am no anomaly. We’re all acquainted with that marked sensation of opening our wallets to find a ten or a twenty or maybe even a fifty. It’s is a feeling of authority and achievement, and it is a feeling unmatched. The peculiar thing is, that welcomed high comes not from the value, but from the currency.

Allow me to explain with another example from my frugal life: on this same desk, nestled beneath my ma-

nila money cache is a sheaf of official looking papers, each covered with dense typeset and grayed by a thick caking of dust – my bank statement.

My mom, hoping to see the slightest glimmer of financial responsibility in me, printed the 16-page document back in July. At least I was green-minded enough to refrain from immediately throwing the thing away. I’m sure there are startling statistics yet hidden somewhere in that fiscal gibberish, but the fact is, they’re just typed numerals, mere dots on a piece of paper.

Maybe my interest has skyrocketed in the last four months; maybe I’ve become a millionaire minor. I’m really not concerned. That bank statement simply doesn’t mesmerize me like an envelope full of hard cash.

It wouldn’t anybody. Our preference is still in paper. This country has the capability to maintain an entirely electronic economy, one free of ATM’s and muggings, of germ-infested checks and burdensome coinage. But, we’re all in love with the dollar bill.

We know well these bills we worship are nothing more than bills. They’re mass-produced on glorified copy machines; one could Xerox construction paper and turn out something just as valuable. What we’ve fallen victim to is their intoxicating symbolism. Just think; in America, paper bills are heralded icons of prosperity, yet to mankind they are fruitless. The dollar note to a half-naked, bizarrely-pierced, Amazonian tribesman is but a sheet of toilet paper.

Do I propose we burn the money, or revert to some primitive system of good-trading? Certainly not. I just want to open your eyes. Realize how much devotion you, and I, and the rest of this nation have poured into something that isn’t even worth its weight in paper. This is unhealthy.

In the Prarie-City Monroe school district, the high schoolers were issued personal laptops at the beginning of the year. These are intended for homework, studying and other school related uses. There might be a few holes in this plan, such as making sure the laptops are used for school purposes like they are intended. However, this might be exactly what the students need.

•Tiffany Carter (tc.pelladium@gmail.com)

Do you believe that laptops for students would be a good idea?

“It would be easier to get things done at school and home. Also we wouldn’t have to deal with a hectic library.”

-Freshman TeeJay VerMeer

“This would be great because there are people without a computer at home and now you don’t have to worry about computers in the library being filled up.”

-Sophomore Brooke Kirby

“This sounds like a pretty good idea. Then students don’t have the problem of being limited to the school for projects like Imovies.”

“If we could afford it with the new budget, it would be interesting to see how it would work. But I don’t think that technology should completely take over the classroom.”

-Junior Jared Alcorn -Senior Diane Pham

Page Editor: Tiffany Carter

Shop. Boots in Downtown Pella?

T h e s e boots were made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll Where? do this winter.

Winter’s “hottest” Uptown at the square accessory is back from snow boots to cowboy boots, Why? and everything in Everyone will love your between.

Strolling new boots! down the streets of Pella, there are more options for boot-browsing than most residents would imagine. Boots are literally everywhere, so the shopper must limit the search for the perfect pair.

I entered the Cornerstone Boutique, on a mission to find some boots. The first thought that came to my mind was higher fashion, the boutique catering primarily to women who crave designer brands. The place doesn’t disappoint. Upon arrival, I spotted my first culprit. The boots were short boots, with gold-like scales as the whole outer layer of the boot. They were young looking and very hip. If I could have forked up the cash, I would have bought them on the spot. As for comfort, they weren’t

At a glance...

anything special, and they kind of slid across the floor when I walked in them. The gold diva-like boots were Zigi-girl brand, from designers who used to construct designs for Steve Madden- definitely fashion forward.

Although the Cornerstone does not offer too much of a boot selection, all the boots are designer brands.

They have three different styles of the Zigi-girl brand; primarily short boots. The store also offers a riding boot style in brown and lace-up rain boots.

Satisfied with my boot examination there, I walked further down Franklin Street, shuddering in the brisk and windy weather. I came upon Brown’s Shoe Fit, and I was astonished at the ample selection the shoe store offered.

From Uggs to Earth shoes, there was so much variety. Not only was I surprised at the collection, but the service of the salespersons was overwhelming, in a positive way. I walked in, and the salesperson immediately rushed to help me. I explained how I was from the Pelladium. A tad bit of confusion ensued when the lady rushed to find the store owner, saying that I was looking to try on a “Palladium” boot. A coincidence, there is a brand with the same name of our publication.

This place had it all, fashion boots, warm and fuzzy boots, hunting boots, boots galore. I was struck with awe over the amount of boots I could try on. One boot that I tried on remains clear in my memory.

They were meant for snow and rain, with the ability to keep your feet warm in -20 degrees Fahrenheit. (Explained to me by the salespersons of course) They were rubber on the bottom, were surprisingly comfortable, and had a softer exterior with colorful floral designs on the upper half of the boot. The brand of the boot was Bogs, a brand name a favorite among outdoor wear.

This winter, don’t even bother taking a trip to Des Moines to find a perfect pair.

Pella’s Historic downtown offers an abundance of boot styles, both male and female, short and long; anything you desire. Save some gas, and spend some money in town. I can assure you will not be disappointed.

•Madeline Meyer (mm.pelladium@gmail.com)

•Illustration by Jillian Sagers

Watch. “What’s Eating You”

Buy. Apple iPad

Buying the Apple iPad is a major undertaking for most casual computer and iPod users. They must first get past the large price tag ($499-$829), and then they must figure out whether they actually need an iPad more than an iPod Touch What? Apple’s or an iPhone. Is the iPad worth its price?

To begin the inspection of the iPad, one must look newest gadget at the exterior from a cosmetic standpoint. The iPad is a little bit smaller than a laptop monitor. The iPad has five physical buttons: the sleep/wake button, Why? the screen rotation lock switch, the two volume It’s the fastest buttons and the home button. Two ports, which the charging/computer connection port and touch-based device are the headphone jack, are included on the iPad. The bottom of the iPad also has a speaker. Holding the iPad is odd, because upon physically seeing the iPad, one would think it to be heavier than it really is.

The one word that describes the iPad’s software is straightforward. Any application on the iPad is easily understood and navigated because of the simplistic design and high resolution screen. This design is very similar to the iPod Touch and iPhone operating systems, but the iPad’s operating system is much faster and more responsive. The iPad also loads web pages and YouTube videos very quickly over the Wi-Fi connection.

Buyers also have an option of purchasing an additional cellular data plan for the iPad so that it can connect to the internet from almost anywhere.

Another word that aptly describes the software is fast. Startup and shutdown times on the iPad showed that Apple wasn’t joking about their claims that the iPad is the fastest touch-based device. Every application, including Safari (internet) and YouTube, starts up instantly and continues loading items while the application runs.

One questionable feature of the iPad is the onscreen keyboard. It is not nearly as big, as a •Illustration by Jillian Sagers standard Apple keyboard found on today’s Macs.

It becomes slightly awkward to type on with no physical buttons to feel, but just as users get used to the iPhone keyboard, users will probably get used to the iPad keyboard.

Is the iPad worth the cost? Are the speed and functionality justification for the money?

Or should buyers wait for the next version of the iPad? •Mark Dykstra (md.pelladium@gmail.com)

At a glance...

Anorexia, bulimia and binge eating are just a few of the many eating disorders that affect an estimated 10 million Americans. “What’s Eating You” is a six-episode event on the E! television network that tells the truth about food, What? A new fear and obsession. six-episode event on E!

The show first aired Oct. 13. Each onehour episode features a different pateint and a defferent story. By taking a look into the world Why? of 12 brave people and the emotional journey they have to take, the dangers of eating disorders Take a look into the are revealed. The medical experts featured give world of eating disorders advice and support to help patients recover from their illness. These men and women are compelled to do things that they did not know that they were capable of doing.

From bizarre OCD-related rituals to extreme habits, these real-life stories will come as a shock to many. One episode features a woman who eats chalk, another a woman who will gorge on anything from paper towels to magazines in her sleep. Other stories include a man who eats an entire pack of gum rather than a meal, a man who believes food is “dirty” and only eats if he is wearing gloves as well as a woman who involuntarily binges on trash.

The show is rated PG-13, which is understandable. Some material in the show could be considered unsuitable for younger individuals. People are shown consuming large amounts of laxatives and other diet pills, along with purging. Yelling, screaming and crying is a common result of the therapy sessions patients attend. Foul language is present, but bleeped out completely. In some episodes, partial nudity occurs, though it is only meant to show the person’s struggles getting dressed in the morning. However, there is nothing way out there in terms of vulgarity.

With the support of others, “What’s Eating You” shows how people make sacrifices and find the strength to change.

Putting themselves in situations they never dreamed were possible, they discover the one thing they need to overcome their battle: hope.

•Haley Sytsma (hs.pelladium@gmail.com)

At a glance...

•illustration by Jillian Sagers

Subway 714 Liberty/412 E. Oskaloosa Pella, IA 50219 628-8923, 628-3054

TRIUMPH Martial Arts 308 S.E. 97th St. Pella, IA 50219 (866) 648-8480

Dr. Gregory Vannucci, D.D.S, P.C. 2601 Washington St. Pella, IA 50219 628-2011

Work Systems Rehab. & Fitness 308 SE 9th St. Pella, IA 50219 621-0230

Taco John’s 911 West 16th Street Pella, IA 50219 628-8818

Ulrich Ford-Lincoln-Mercury 1130 West 16th Street Pella, IA 50219 628-2184

Vander Ploeg Bakery 711 Franklin St. Pella, IA 50219 628-2293

Kathy Kooyman, Realtor, Home Realty 641-416-0182

Tri-County Vet 650 Hwy T-14 Pella, IA 50219 628-4040

Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home 615 West First St. Pella, IA 50219 628-2540

Vermeer Sales & Service 661 Highway T14 Pella, IA 50219 628-2000

Garden Chapel Funeral Home 1301 Main St. Pella, IA 50219 628-2430

Green Supporters...

Applebee’s, 1600 Washington St., 620-8646 Bos Landen Golf Club, 2411 Bos Landen Dr., 628-4625 Braafhart’s BP Amoco, 834 Washinton St., 628-2474 Central Cellular, 1530 Washington St., 628-9520 Century 21, 808 Main St., 628-1921 Comfort Inn & Suites, 910 West 16th St., 621-1421 Dutch Meadows Landscaping, 100 1/2 Vermeer Rd., 628-4450 Eyecare Partners, 823 Franklin St., 628-9225 Jansen’s Decorating & Kitchens, 614 Franklin St., 628-4247 Leighton Processed Meats, 227 Otley St., Leighton, 626-3211 Nick’s Greenhouse & Floral Shop, 219 Oskaloosa St., 628-2230 Oriental Express, 706 Main, 620-1199 Pella Implement Company, 655 Hwy. T-14, 628-2131 Pella Printing Co., 1190 West 16th, 628-4941

Page Editor: Michael Ge

November 23, 2010

High School Hazard • Jillian Sagers

(bmc.pelladium@gmail.com)

School’s Hurt Locker Recently, the National Football League started upping player fines for devastating hits, and even threatened suspensions. NFL players are notoriously known as sissies (right?), but the school should take a page from the their book and do something about the number of potentially harmful things we face on a daily basis. Since when is a soccer mom more dangerous than Ray Lewis charging full speed at you? Well, since soccer moms starting dropping their kids off at school. It’s not just limited to soccer moms either; threats are everywhere.

Beware.

Mommy Minivan Meltdowns...

Let’s kick this off with the biggest threat to everyone’s well being: moms.

It’s inevitable that around every school, moms will be dropping off their precious little angels left and right, and there’s nothing wrong with that wholesome American image. Except those moms, are, without a doubt, the worst drivers, ever. They put blood, sweat and tears into dropping their preciouses off, and they’ll sacrifice whatever it takes to make sure their spawns arrive at school right on time.

Even if that means sacrificing someone else’s car or someone else’s precious little angel. These mothers are the worst possible combination behind the wheel, something like a 14-year-old just learning to drive and a speed junkie rolled into one atrocious driving machine. All that means for us is that soccer moms pose the single greatest threat to our health out of anything imaginable. I know, personally, that the mere sight of a minivan is worse than a cross between being water-boarded and watching the WNBA. The solution?

No woman over 30 who has popped one or more kids out of the oven can drive. It’s simple as that. Plus, that means when I go to Dixie Chicks concerts, parking will be easy to find. It’s a win-win situation.

Out of Sync, Bag Lag...

The next looming threat? It’s none other than overly-packed backpacks. I know, I know, you just want to carry all your stuff around and always have your hamster’s ashes by your side (R.I.P. Lance ‘01. Yeah, Lance was my favorite NSYNC member, so what?) and your whole collection of Pogs and Lionel Richie’s discography, but you don’t need it. I promise. It’s nearly impossible to avoid being jacked by a big ol’ backpack, whether it’s in the middle

of the hallway or going up the stairs.

The stairs are an especially dangerous situation as the fat bag just nails you right in the kisser. A close second comes when someone abnormally short has filled their bag to the brim, and you just get walloped in the family jewels.

Girls, trust me, it isn’t pleasant and has been equated to giving birth, so enough said. It would be incredibly difficult to regulate bag dimensions and weight, so I’m putting the responsibility on you, the noble reader, to remove this threat from the hallways and stairwells that we hold so dear to our hearts. Use this simple test to see if your bag is potentially detrimental to everyone’s health: put your bag on your back and get on a scale.

If you weigh anywhere near as much as Aretha Franklin, then you can’t, in good conscience, wear that bag anywhere near living and breathing people.

Banshees of the Intercom...

Music Mondays are the last emissary of danger, and they have more than deserved their place. This year, the screechy music hasn’t been ringing out every Monday like last year, but I fear it’ll gain consistency as the year progresses.

If you’re a person who likes listening to random music from 2006 or from some Disney movie that came out before we were born, then maybe you like Music Mondays. However, in addition to the sub-par music selection, the music is blasted through the intercom for some reason, and it sounds like the quality of music you would download if you went back to the 1800’s. We all know the iTunes Store wasn’t quite as nice back in the 1800’s, so yeah, if you’re going to blast cliché music at least blast audible cliché music. If I wanted to hear Coldplay blasted through a sketchy intercom, I might as well go scratch my nails on a chalkboard to the beat of Viva La Vida.

Coldplay sucks. Anyway, the fix for this hazard is more than obvious. Stop Music Mondays.

The school clearly needs to mimic the NFL in this instance and do something about these things that will sooner or later turn into widespread student destruction. The NFL can keep Ben Roethlisberger, but the school needs jack their stance on potentially devastating things and apply it as soon as possible.

Please. Pretty please?

Green Supporters (Cont.)

Prudential First of Pella Realty, 601 Franklin, 628-9840 Sadler Sign & Design, 203 SE 16th Street, 628-9889 Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating, Inc., 914 West 8th, 628-3621 Van Maanen, Sietstra & Meyer, P.C., 705 Main, 628-3737 Van Maanen Seed & Chemical, 2073 Eaton Ave., Leighton, 626-3471 Windmill Cafe, 709 Franklin, 621-1800 Windmill Mall Antiques & Collectibles, 637 Franklin Street, 628-1095 Wait! There’s even more!

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www.pelladium.com Always a new issue New design coming soon...

Fish & Sheps • Mitch Shepperd

•Illustration by Eric Moore

All Aboard!

The Lazy Train

This month we’re talking about the most annoying form of laziness in the world: environmental laziness. Nothing irks us more than someone who is too lazy to spend five seconds to be more eco-friendly.

Adam- I can’t stand it when people are lazy about being green. You have no idea how frustrating it is to see someone throw away a plastic bottle or a can when they could just walk ten feet to recycle it.

Jake- Yeah, it’s like they need a recycling bin constantly within reach to even consider doing something for the environment.

Adam- In addition, I can’t get over the people who leave lights on in their house all day.

Jake- Agreed. It’s just plain stupid to leave on a light that you’re not using when you could turn it off with the flip of a switch. I’ve even heard of people with iPhone apps that turn off their lights.

Adam- It’s getting easier and easier to be eco-friendly every day, but people just ignore it. I’ll admit to falling asleep during a nice shower and wasting water every now and then, but at least I try to re-use plastic bottles and recycle when I can.

Jake- I guess, in the end, it’s all about responsibility. Unless people start giving at least a little effort, we’re going to have to keep reusing and recycling by ourselves.

• Jake Anderson (ja.pelladium@gmail.com) •Adam Gromotka (apg.pelladium@gmail.com)

We Want to Help Supporters...

Beek’s Barber Shop, 733 Main Street, 628-1981 Best of Thymes, 615 Franklin Street, 628-3332 Bob’s Automotive, 1007 Washington Street, 628-1553 The Boutique of Pella, 626 Franklin Street, 621-1155 Brown’s Shoe Fit Co., 721 Franklin Street, 628-2251 Cabinet Design of Pella, 812 Washington Street, 628-8393 Cammie’s Place, 804 East 1st Street, 628-1222 Classic Aviation, 501 W. 15th Street, 628-9393 Concrete Closet, 313 Oskaloosa Street, 628-3535 Cook & Son Agency, 700 Main St. Suite 103, 628-4904 Cornerstone, 619 Franklin Street, 628-8707 Crown Pharmacy, 802 Washington Street, 628-1612 The Cutting Edge, 600 Franklin St., 628-4871 Dairy Queen, 408 Oskaloosa St., 628-2301 D&D Pump, 202 SE 14th St., 628-3585 De Ruiter Lawn Equipment, 604 Oskaloosa Street, 628-1583 Doug’s 4-Wheelers, 1211 E. Highway 163, 628-2755 Expressions by Design, 904 Washington Street, 628-1696 Fire It Up Ceramics, 605 Franklin Street, 628-1252 The Galerie of Pella, 626 Franklin Street, 628-8200 Heritage Lace Inc., 408 SE 9th Street, 628-4949 Home Realty, 1212 Washington Street, 628-4282

Iowa Bike & Fitness, 814 Main Street, 628-1373 Iowa Dermatology - Dr. Jennifer Palmer, 2605 Washington, 620-9119 KNIA/KRLS Radio Station, 700 Main Street, Suite 211, 628-9494 Kuyper’s Music, 704 Washington Street, 621-1116 Monarch’s Restaurant & Lounge, 705 E 1st Street, 628-1633 Pella Engraving, 1811 Washington Street, 628-2791 Pella Insurance Services-Paul Bowers, 808 Washington Street, 628-9235 Plumb Supply Company, 208 SE 9th Street, 620-1406 Remnants Funky Junque, 619 Franklin Street, 628-4800 STC Tire & Exhaust, 815 W. 10th Street, 628-3153 Sunnyslope Greenhouse, 1621 Highway 163, Leighton, 626-3702 Sunrise Manufactured Mobile Home Community, 314 Sunrise Street, 628-4482 TD & T Financial Group, P.C., CPA’s, 606 Franklin Street, 628-9411 Tom’s Collision Center, 200 SE 16th Street, 628-3644 Tony’s Auto Parts, 509 E. Oskaloosa Street, 628-3-991 Topaz Styling Salon, 815 Broadway Street, 628-3501 Town Crier, LTD, 810 East 1st Street, 628-1130 Van Berkum Appliance, 822 Main Street, 628-4000 Van Den Berg’s LTD, 624 Franklin Street, 628-2533 Vande Lune Fabrics, 701 Franklin Street, 628-3350 Dr. Kurt Vander Ploeg, 615 Washington St., 628-2222 Zylstra Welding, 201 SE 14th Street, 628-3920

Page Editor: Taylor Rennich

November 23, 2010

“The Wizard of Oz” comes to life on PHS Stage

•Senior Ben Palmer (Professor Marvel)

•Freshman Sydney Swanson (Wicked Witch)

•Sophomore Tim Seo (Nikko, flying monkey)

•Freshman Tristan Miedema and Tom Palmer (Crows)

•Junior Kelly Anderson (Glinda)

•Photos by Seth Vander Horst

The classic came to life Nov. 4 as two months of practice culminated with a first performance for middle school students. Three nights of performances followed.

PERFORM. Dorothy (junior Hanna Martin) pleads with her neighbor Mrs. Gulch to leave her dog Toto alone. Martin’s schedule during the months leading up to the play not only involved play practices but also practices for cross country. “The play was a really fun and challenging experience. I really learned to manage my time with going from the play, to cross country and back to the play. But, it was all worth it in the end and I had so much fun making new friends and being able to perform with them,” said Martin. •Photo by Marielle Gaiser

OFF TO OZ. Seniors Jacob Martin, Jake Anderson, Luke Vande Haar and junior Hanna Martin link arms as they perform during “The Wizard of Oz” during the final dress rehearsal. The four sang “We’re Off to See the Wizard” together. J. Martin

played the role of Tin Man. Anderson played the scarecrow and Vande Haar played the lion. “We all learned new things about each other and developed friendships that we still have today,” said J. Martin. •Photos by Marielle Gaiser

PRIMP. Junior Joella Gerber ties a bow on Toto as she sings in the ‘City of Oz’ scene. Gerber played Aunt Em, as well as smaller supporting roles, such as a citizen of Oz. “The play was really fun. The friendships we made will last forever. Our ‘family’ will always be close. The best couple of parts were our nicknames and definitely our handshake,” said Gerber. •Photo

by Marielle Gaiser

--FUN FACTS--

90 members were involved in ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ from grades 2-12.

Ten additional students worked on coordinating the play’s tech support.

Costume coordinating took approximately two months; practices started the first week of school.

A normal practice lasted two hours, until dress rehearsals started.

Main characters practiced five times per week.

The chorus members practiced one to two times every week.

An audition was held for dogs for the part of Toto.’ Toto’s real name is Lucy. Her ‘parents’ are the ehrhardts.

“It had many opportunities for various parts, both singing and non-singing. I have always wanted to direct the ‘Wizard of Oz.’ It just looks fun,” said Director Michelle Chaplin A green screen is put to use five times throughout the play for the part when the wizard is behind the curtain.

A ‘yellow brick road’ was purchased for the play. Other props include a lift made to look like an air balloon for the Wizard.

The set was worked on every Saturday for two months by students and parents.

Thirty main character parts and five choruses needed to be covered.

An estimated 1,700 people attended the play; Saturday was the biggest evening.