The Live Wire: Finding Space

The Live Wire Liberty High School 1400 Dubuque Street NE North Liberty. Iowa. 52317 Volume 2 Issue 1 November 2018

FINDING

SPACE

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear readers, A great deal of growth and development has occurred in our journalism department over the course of a year. Last year, our newspaper and yearbook were combined between two class periods with numerous people who had no prior experience. With only a few having taken an introductory journalism class, creating the first publications came with plenty of difficulties and growing pains. As this year came around, the newspaper and yearbook were split into separate class periods, leaving newspaper with only eleven members. As we are still a new school with a young staff, we are continuing to learn and mature with each obstacle thrown in our path. The Live Wire strives to be a publication that is all inclusive: covering all events about Liberty. In doing so, we are in the process of also creating an online newspaper site to keep our readers updated more regularly. Needless to say, we are doing this with a small, young staff. And due to a recent move to another state, our staff has also been reduced to ten members. We will miss you, Hayley, and continue to appreciate all you did to help start up the first ever Liberty paper.

And to all our readers and sponsors, thank you for supporting The Live Wire.

Yours truly,

Grace Brusegaard

MEET THE STAFF

Kaylee Berns reporter

Abby Fowler copy editor

Tessa Miller reporter

Grace Brusegaard editor-in-chief

Kaylee Deisbeck head photographer

Hayley Iglecias reporter

Razan Karar design editor

Piper Koski managing editor

Hannah Siems reporter

Carley Spading reporter

Haley Wojo business manager

04

NEWS 04 - FINDING SPACE 08 - ACADEMIC SUPPORT 12 - A BLANK CANVAS 16 - NEW FACILITIES

22

PROFILES 22 - DIGGING INTO

ROOTS 24 - LIVING WITH REFLECTIONS

C O N T E N TS

28 - A HOME AWAY

FROM HOME

COMMUNITY

34

34 - SECRETS OF SERVICE 36 - A DIFFERENT WORLD

ENTERTAINMENT

42

42 - FEELING FALL? 43 - STUDENT ARTWORK

04 NEWS // THE LIVE WIRE

DESIGNED BY GRACE BRUSEGAARD

MAKING SPACE In the 2018-2019 school year, students and teachers of Liberty High School have been feeling some growing pains concerning the hallways, parking lots, and the building itself.

BY HALEY WOJO AND HANNAH SIEMS

STUDENT BODY

body was noticeable to both staff and students, even before the first day of school.

“It was definitely way more crowded. haos arises at Liberty High Scott Kibby, Principal of Liberty High.

School on August 23rd at Liberty High’s current capacity is only I was here for freshman orientation 8:50 am. Teachers watch 1000 students. With 950 students and and just the freshman in the hallways, you could tell it was going to be really as the students rush to fill up every 64 teachers, it is a pretty full school. crowded this school year,” explained space of the previously empty parking Liberty is quickly approaching max Dylan Schmidt, senior. lot and rush into the school, causing capacity. The growth of the student Other students noted the increased the empty hallways to become crowds throughout the hallways and significantly more crowded.

I’d much rather be commons.

Stretching from roughly 700 Rylie Baldes, sophomore, said, “The in a place that’s students to approximately 950, first day of school was really crowded, Liberty’s student body increased a growing, than be in especially the main staircase.” considerable amount from 2017-2018 By walking through the halls or a place that’s kind to the 2018-2019 school year. watching the students bustle by, “It’s a hair below what I thought it of dying. the packed atmosphere can be very would be. I thought it was going to be SCOTT KIBBY overwhelming. a thousand and we’re at 953,” said Principal “It feels like you’re [being] smashed together,” said Ada Gallegos, freshman.

Even though there is a plan to add onto the building, this solution won’t be implemented until the 2019-2020 school year, assuming the project goes as planned.

The student body will increase even more next year, causing future growing pains, until the new addition is completed.

C

“

”

2017-2018 FRESHMEN

300 SOPHOMORES 288 JUNIORS 114 SENIORS 41 2018-2019 FRESHMEN

288 SOPHOMORES 290 JUNIORS 267 SENIORS 99

AVERAGE NUMBER OF SCHOOL LUNCHES SOLD DAILY 2018-2019

535

NOVEMBER 2018 //NEWS 05

# of current parking spots

740 student lot: teacher lot: side lot: far lot:

IS THE PARKING LOT IS IT HARD TO GET DANGEROUS? OUT OF THE PARKING LOT?

142 136 118 305 41.7%

39.3% 39.9%

# of future parking spots

1125

23.6%

19%

Student survey conducted regarding the school’s parking lot

PARKING LOT

W

ith the extensive increase in the student population came a large number of additional student drivers.

On the first day of school, the number of available parking spots slowly started dwindling. With all of the sports construction happening for the facilities, supplies used for the construction are stored in the far lot thus decreasing access to a number of spots.

Once construction is done, another 305 parking spots will allow for enough spots for registered cars. Until then, finding a place to park will be difficult, forcing many to park in the teacher’s parking lot.

Similarly, Schmidt said, “I come to school at 8:15 just to get a good spot.”

But Schmidt also has Kirkwood classes that he leaves school to attend

36.5%

in the afternoon. Many students who have morning Kirkwood classes continue to complain that there are never any parking spots for them in any of the main parking lots.

Baldes has to park in the teacher’s lot because of the unavailable parking spots in the student parking lots once she arrives.

I don’t drive to “ school, but the crowded parking lots still effects me.

ADA GALLEGOS Freshman

”

Students aren’t the only ones that are affected by this. Teachers are also now having to search for spots because of the lack of space.

Many teachers are learning that to get a spot, they need to arrive early.

Most teachers arrive at 7:45-8:00 now, so most are able to find an available space in the teacher’s parking lot, but the teachers who can’t show up early have a hard time finding a spot.

Not only is finding a parking space hard but leaving the parking lot can be just as unorganized.

Students rush out of classes, down the hallway, and out the door just to beat everyone to their car and leave before the influx of traffic.

Leaving the parking lot takes quite a bit of time.

“Things get backed up and it takes about 10 minutes just to get out of the lot because of the number of kids out there,” said Piper Koski, junior.

06 NEWS // THE LIVE WIRE

STAFF CHANGES ENGLISH

WORLD LANGUAGE SECRETARIES Mrs. Echols Mrs. Ungs

Deb Wagnar Jan Schneider

SCIENCE

COUNSELORS

MATH

Mr. Phipps Mr. Shott

Mr. Feurbach Mrs. DeVries Mrs. Shomshor

LIBRARY

SOCIAL STUDIES

Mrs. Kouri Sarah Horning Mr. Davis

ART

Ms. Yocius

Mr. Pink

4 - 6

T

ke y FULL T I M E PART T I M E

PE

# OF TEACHERS GETTING ADDED NEXT YEAR

TEACHERS

Mr. Kelley Mr. Eilers Mrs. Nigg

he incoming addition of new students came with a demand for more teachers.

A variety of teachers were hired in every department, from English to Art. “They staffed us on 950 kids and we have 953, so we did pretty good,” expressed Kibby.

While some teachers came from Iowa City West High

School, others came from an assortment of other schools. There were also some teachers who went from part-time to full-time to compensate for the growth of Liberty.

As Liberty High continues to add new students every year from the various junior highs, Liberty may continue to hire more staff depending on

STUDENT TO TEACHER RATIO

1

r e h c a e t s t n e d u st

14

how many more students are added each year.

“Liberty will have to hire more staff next year, whatever our number of kids is at next year.

We’ll have to hire probably everywhere,” responded Kibby.

ADDITIONS

T

o accommodate for the rising numbers of students, the school had to add more lockers throughout various hallways as well.

“There were 99 lockers added this year and altogether it comes to 1,001,” said Bryan Donohoe, head custodian of Liberty.

The Iowa Prison Industries built and installed the lockers in the Art and Music wing which are the E-hallways and D-hallways. Seeing that not everyone uses their locker, some found it a waste to keep adding more.

“I don’t think there needs to be more lockers. I believe there should be a debate or option for the students to decide if they want to use their lockers,” said Baldes.

According to Donohoe, this was not

NOVEMBER 2018 //NEWS 07 the end of a locker addition.

“I think we will have to add even more lockers because they are adding phase three, which is the addition going on the east side of the school but if the kids don’t want the lockers then they will have to figure it out,” said Donohoe.

Phase 3: As of 2018-2019 Liberty High School’s capacity is 1000 students. Therefore, the district plans to start the addition onto Liberty for the future Bolts this May. “Where the academic wing is, where it makes a U shape, we’re going to close it off and make it a square. That will add up to 21 classrooms which are 500 more seats. The classrooms will be a mix of different departments depending

NUMBER OF LOCKERS TO CURRENT BE ADDED IN 2019-2020 LOCKERS

1,001 500

on what we need when the year comes around,” said Kibby. “That’s what we call phase three. As part of phase three, we will get another parking lot out there on the other side of construction.”

Students think that phase three will be helpful with the school not being as crowded, but also help direct parking and to spread it out more.

Schmidt says, even though he won’t be here to experience the addition of the building, “It’s definitely going to help the school. I feel like it’ll help direct traffic over there.”

Gallegos agrees with Schmidt. Even though she doesn’t drive yet, the thought of the new addition excites her as well.

“I feel like it would be a lot easier for people to get around and that the school is going to be bigger, it’s exciting,”said Gallegos.

08 NEWS // THE LIVE WIRE

DESIGNED BY GRACE BRUSEGAARD

LIBERTY TIME S by grace brusegaard

ixth period is over, but no one stirs except for the occasional cough or

sniffle.

Pencils keep writing, keys continue clicking, and soft murmurs spread throughout the room.

With twenty-five minutes until seventh period, students hurry to finish their homework or do some last minute studying.

This becomes routine each day of the week except for Thursday when seventh period proceeds directly after sixth to compensate for a shortened school day.

This time is supposed to be dedicated for make up work and extra teacher assistance.

Advance one year later and that has all changed.

Now on Monday and Friday students sit through almost hour-long class periods, whereas classes throughout the middle of the week fly by due to a shortened schedule to allow an hour for the new Liberty Time.

There’s enough time to take tests, makeup labs, and finish most homework.

Academic Focus Time was introduced last year as a twenty- five minute time period of work time everyday after sixth period except for Thursdays.

This year, Liberty’s staff and administration worked with the Instructional Leadership Team, ILT, and decided to transition into a new system titled ‘Liberty Time’.

“

There [were] a lot of really good things happening obviously, but we knew we could do better.

”

BRADY SHUTT social studies teacher

It is held two days a week, Tuesday and Wednesday, for fifty-five minutes to conserve instructional time for teachers.

“There [were] a lot of really good things happening obvious-

ACADEMIC SUPPORT The Live Wire explores how new adjustments to academic hours, including the addition of Liberty Time, affect students and staff.

ly, but we knew we could do better. We felt that this was an area where we could make some adjustments, which were smart based on data, that would improve the experience and achievement of students,” said Brady Shutt, Social Studies teacher and member of the ILT. “The vision at Liberty [was] that people [could] collaborate really effectively together, and now they have time to do that.”

Last year the ILT, made up of teachers, counselors, staff and administration, met every Wednesday to discuss the development of the school.

As the year progressed, data from grades, attendance, and feedback found AFT to be ineffective in not providing enough time to finish work and meet with teachers. This caused many students to not do any school work and instead be on their phones or socialize.

With these complications in mind they started brainstorming possible changes.

“As we were talking about

Students anonymously stated their feelings about Liberty Time vs AFT.

MONDAY & FRIDAY “I believe people need a good start to their week and Liberty Time should be on Monday’s. Also, people would likely use it more on Friday’s because they don’t want any homework over the weekend.”

AFT DIFFERENCES 25 MIN

AFT

after 6th period flexi-sched attendance

LIBERTY TIME 50 MIN

after 7th period powerschool attendance

AFT last year, we weren’t very satisfied with how it was going,” said Principal Scott Kibby. “We did it the way we did because we had some teachers we were sharing with West High and we wanted to align our day with [them]. So we just copied what they did. Now we got to live with it a year and decide if this is what we want to do.”

During the summer, Kibby attended the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Conference, where advanced sessions were held for school psychologists and other educational professionals interested in improving the needs of their schools.

While at the conference, Kibby met with the principal of Clear Creek Amana and discussed their schools’ homerooms.

After the meeting among assistant principals Justin Colbert and Emily O’Donnell, the principal of CCA, and Kibby, the ILT formulated Liberty Time and ran it by Matt Degner, the assistant superintendent of the ICCSD. Instead of simply assigning

NOVEMBER 2018 //NEWS 09

homerooms based off of last names, Kibby went through and hand-picked the students in each Liberty Time based off of a few factors.

“Every Liberty Time kid is in a class with a teacher they have already,” said Kibby. “My goal is for them to have a relationship with that staff member. The second piece is that I have tried to spread the grade levels across as well. … I thought maybe on a chance some of those [older students] could help the [younger students] and they’re sitting in the room together already.

That was a way for older kids to support younger kids.”

In attempts to support students who are struggling, the National Honor Society is offering tutoring each trimester. Members signed up to tutor for different subjects and interested students will be able to receive help when needed.

Another way teachers are utilizing the full hour is through teacher supervised group study sessions before a test or quiz.

Since every teacher has a Liberty Time, they are available

NOT HELPFUL

IT’S LONGER

“Liberty Time is not helpful when you don’t have homework and you can’t leave early so you’re just sitting there doing nothing.”

“I feel like I can actually get stuff done during Liberty Time because it’s longer. A lot of times during AFT I’d just think ‘eh, it’s not worth it to start working on something’ because it just wasn’t enough time.”

10 NEWS // THE LIVE WIRE

to students for the whole hour.

“If you’re in study hall, most times you don’t have access to your teachers since your teachers are working unless you luck out,” said Mr. Kibby. “With Liberty Time nobody is teaching so everybody has access to all their teachers during that time.”

One of the main issues with last years AFT was the short time period. With AFT being twenty-five minutes long, it only provided enough time for teachers to meet with a few students. In addition, there was insufficient time to take tests or makeup any required science labs.

“Last year with AFT, by the time you took attendance and settled down it was almost time to go,” said science teacher Nate Oswald. “Now I have time to go around to talk to kids and it’s nice, I don’t feel rushed.”

A survey done of 180 sophomores, juniors, and seniors who attended Liberty last year, found that most preferred Liberty Time to AFT because they felt it benefited them academically.

Many mentioned it was not worth it to get out their homework or try and make up work during AFT since it was such a brief time period.

With Liberty Time being fifty

minutes long, students now have more time to finish homework assignments, ask questions to teachers, make up labs, and review missed material.

As many students are involved in time-consuming extracurricular activities, finishing homework at school can prove beneficial in a few ways.

“

[Liberty Time has] given me a good chunk of time where I can just focus, get a lot of my homework done and talk to teachers if I need to.

”

CALEB SCHILLINGER sophomore

“[Liberty Time has] given me a good chunk of time where I can just focus, get a lot of my homework done and talk to teachers if I need to,” said Caleb Schillinger, sophomore. “It gives me a lot more free time after [cross country] so I can get to bed earlier and do other things.”

Another benefit to Liberty Time is that it provides a study hall for students who do not have the room to fit one in their schedule.

It is a good amount of time to complete any assigned homework and ask teachers for additional help.

“Students I asked said Liberty Time is beneficial to them because a lot of them have a full schedule and had always wanted to have a study hall but couldn’t fit it in. They appreciated having a big block of time in school they can use to do work, get their homework done and go to teachers to make up tests,” said Shutt.

Although Liberty Time is mainly preserved for students academic learning, the ILT is allowing a new change in hopes of furthering Liberty’s core value of belonging.

The first and third Wednesday of the month are on a club rotation allowing clubs to meet during school hours in hopes to allow more students to get involved and feel they belong at Liberty.

An incentive was also put in place for juniors and seniors who have 7th open. If the students are in good academic standing (no D’s or F’s) they are allowed to opt out of Liberty Time with parental approval.

Though Liberty Time seems to thus far be benefiting Liberty students, data and time will tell how it will affect the students academically in the long run.

SIT THERE

VERY BENEFICIAL

“AFT provided me enough time to get a head start on my homework, but with Liberty Time I end up finishing my work and then I just have to sit there for another 30 minutes.”

“The change from AFT to Liberty Time was the right choice. Having more time to work during school is very beneficial for a person who doesn’t have a study hall and has after school activities that take up the evening.”

NOVEMBER 2018 //ADS 11

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A

BLANK

CANVAS A LOOK AT LIBERTY HIGH’S ONGOING INITIATIVE TO INTEGRATE INTO A SINGLE LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

BY ABBY FOWLER

C

anvas and Google Classroom are two different online learning management systems. They act as hubs for digital class materials, pushing students further into the future of education with the Internet. Though both are fundamentally the same, their differences in structure have caused a divide in student and teacher opinions.

Unlike Google Classroom, however, Canvas is not free. In fact, the ICCSD pays per-student for students to use Canvas. And while teachers at City and West High are required to use Canvas as their learning management system, Liberty’s teachers are still split between the two. This was Principal Scott Kibby’s doing, as he felt that allowing teachers to choose between the two platforms would help them to better adjust into Liberty’s starting years. However, it will not be long before Liberty teachers will be required to use Canvas as well, and not everyone is happy about it.

“To me, Google Classroom is just more user-friendly,” said Malyssa Oblander, a Spanish teacher. “I think it integrates better [with our schools] because we use Googleeverything.”

Similarly, Dr. Nicholas Borchert, an English teacher, believes that the structure of Google Classroom is better fitting for a high school environment. “[Google] Classroom is set up timewise so the newest thing is always on the top whereas Canvas is hierarchical. And I think that because we meet every day in high school, the way Google Classroom is set up makes more sense,” said Borchert.

NOVEMBER 2018 //NEWS 13 “I can just pump something to the top and say ‘go to Google Classroom,’ and whatever is facing you there is probably what I want you to find.”

However, Google Classroom is not without its faults. For one, the lack of categorical organization can make finding old resources for accumulative tests such as AP exams a tedious task for students.

Beau Leavenworth, sophomore, is familiar to this struggle.

“BECAUSE WE MEET EVERYDAY IN HIGH SCHOOL, THE WAY GOOGLE CLASSROOM IS SET UP MAKES MORE SENSE.” -Nicholas Borchert

“You really have to scroll down and down and down if you’re trying to find something, especially if your teacher uses Google Classroom a lot,” said Leavenworth.

And while Melissa Nies of the Social Studies department likes how responsive Google is to people’s feedback, she dislikes

how often changes are made to the platform.

“Because it changes so often from year to year, teachers have to reteach [themselves] the platform,” said Nies.

There may also be issues with the platform that are deeper than what meets the eye, which is why Borchert is concerned about the ethicality of using free platforms like Google Classroom.

“Google is collecting data from anything students upload and post there, and that may not be a problem for [students], but it makes me nervous as an educator that we don’t know exactly how Google is using all that data,” said Borchert.

“Canvas at least is an enclosed entity and they’re not selling your info.”

Canvas, being a platform the school district pays to use, has many more features than Google Classroom. On Canvas teachers can administer quizzes, host discussion threads, and sort their resources and assignments into modules for students to easily find later. Canvas is also used at the University of Iowa, making the transition into college easy for students who choose to attend that school.

Having used Canvas as both a high school teacher and as a student in his Master’s program, Brad Borrison of the English

55% 45%

of Liberty teachers use Google Classroom

of Liberty teachers use Canvas

...according to a staff survey conducted by Principal Kibby

14 NEWS // THE LIVE WIRE department feels comfortable using Canvas to its fullest capabilities.

“I’m way more organized with it now after having classes and seeing how professors organize their materials,” said Borrison.

Not everyone finds Canvas’ multitude of features to be a good

“I AM SO CONFUSED [BY CANVAS], I DON’T EVEN KNOW HOW TO ARTICULATE MY CONFUSION.” -Kathryn Jacobson thing, however. Some people find the basics to be hard enough. For English teacher Kathryn Jacobson, the lack of user-friendliness has made her stay far away from the platform entirely. Canvas remains confusing for her despite her attempts to learn how to use it with YouTube tutorials.

“I find it to be very complicated and cumbersome,” said Jacobson.

“It’s just such a different setup. I mean, I am so confused [by] it, I don’t even know how to articulate my confusion.”

While teacher usage between Google Classroom and Canvas is close to evenly divided, it’s the students of Liberty High that have to deal with the results of that rift.

Having their class materials divided between the two platforms is more annoying for some students than others.

“I find it’s kind of confusing and I

DESIGNBYBYRAZAN ABBY FOWLER DESIGN KARAR

wish they would make up their minds. It’s not terribly inconvenient as long as you memorize which [teacher uses] which,” said Leavenworth.

Stefania George, senior, shares the same sentiments.

“It’s very annoying [to] not [have] the same way to access and turn in all of my work,” said George.

Luckily for students who are irritated by the divide, Liberty will soon join West and City in a Canvas-only school environment.

Although Kibby does not regret giving teachers the inital option to choose between the two platforms, the goal is for all teachers to be using Canvas by next school year.

One of the most prominent factors fueling a complete transition into Canvas is the fact that it costs money to use.

“If teachers aren’t all using Canvas and we’re paying for it on a per-kid basis, we’re not getting the full value of it,” said Kibby.

Leavenworth feels the same way about the issue.

“If we are wasting money, then I feel like that’s something that should be fixed… We are a school district that’s very fortunate [to have] a lot of money,” said Leavenworth. “We paid for it for a reason so I feel like we should just suck it up and deal with it.”

George thinks it would be better if we used Google Classroom and spent the Canvas-money on something else entirely.

“I want to be able to spend our money on something that everyone will like and use, and obviously not everyone can be happy about everything, but spending money on useless things is useless,” said George. George would rather that

the school district uses this money to fund more impactful things such as increased assistance to low income students.

Naturally, teachers who dislike Canvas are far from happy about the future of the platform in Liberty.

“I hope this change does not go into practice until after I retire, so just hold that thought for 10 years,” said Jacobson.

Leavenworth believes that the general negative attitude towards Canvas is a result of lack of exposure to the platform.

“I just think a lot of the reason people don’t like it is because it’s different from what they’re used to.

And I mean, change is hard, and it’s not a great degree better, so I understand why people don’t immediately want to change their ways,” said Leavenworth.

But Jacobson argues that lack of exposure is not the issue.

“I know people who have used it a long time and they’ve all said, ‘no, Google is easier,’” said Jacobson.

A full transition into Canvas will

“WE PAID FOR [CANVAS] FOR A REASON SO I FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD JUST SUCK IT UP AND DEAL WITH IT.”

-Beau Leavenworth, 10

require patience and effort from both students and teachers. For teachers who are not familiar with

NOVEMBER 2018 //NEWS 15 Canvas, time must be spent learning the program. To help teachers learn how to use Canvas, the school district has provided multiple optional workshops, most of which were during professional development days.

However, these aren’t necessarily helpful to all teachers.

“One hour in a crowded room with a bunch of other people who don’t get it,” said Jacobson, describing her experience attending the workshops.

As a self-proclaimed slow learner of technology, Jacobson said she would only be able to learn Canvas with 1-on-1 help where she can learn at her own pace.

Though no workshop will be provided for students, students must also become familiar with Canvas in order to be successful with their classes.

Overall, the long-term effect of transitioning completely into Canvas “might just make a few small things take a few less seconds,” according to Leavenworth. Change can be scary, especially when any mistakes made will potentially impact the education of students.

“As a teacher myself, as the son of a mom who’s a teacher and a person who has a brother who’s a teacher, I know that teachers are often times very resistant to change because we have something that’s worked for a duration of time,” said Borrison.

“Changing anything is difficult, but I hope that teachers [are] flexible and adaptable.”

Not everybody will be happy when Liberty inevitably shifts into Canvas, and that is to be expected.

But whether we use Canvas or Google Classroom, the future of education will continue to expand using these platforms for many years to come.

16 NEWS // THE LIVE WIRE

DESIGN BY RAZAN KARAR

CONSTRUCTING NEW

LEGACIES

BY KAYLEE BERNS

E

xcitement builds as you turn into the parking lot, but finding a spot to park is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

Stadium lights shine brightly through the night. Dots of purple cover the bleachers and all you can hear is the deafening roars from the crowd.

Reporters and photographers line the field that hadn’t been there a few months prior.

One bleacher at a time, progress is being made on Liberty’s new outdoor sports facilities.

Hundreds were in attendance for the grand opening of Liberty’s football stadium on September 14th, making it a hot spot for both students and other members of the North Liberty community.

Liberty’s Football stadium was ranked as one of the top 10 in the state by the Des Moines Register.

The Register describes how the field has first class amenities such as a shock pad, a concussion pad that

WHILE SOME OF LIBERTY’S ATHLETIC FIELDS ARE COMPLETE, OTHERS ARE STILL BEING CONSTRUCTED.

helps reduce the force of impact players have with the field.

“I think obviously it’s a drawing card for people to move to our area.

I think right now it’s really just the facilities are designed to meet our needs as we continue to grow,” said Athletic Director Mike Morrison.“It is important for us to have a Friday night football event to establish and have a sense of community.”

The grand opening of the stadium was a purple out game and drew a big crowd. The game’s theme was organized by the Liberty Difference Makers club to raise awareness for children who are battling diseases.

Having such a big crowd left football players with mixed feelings.

“I was nervous just playing in front of that many people, but it was a really cool experience,” said Varsity Quarterback Drake Woody, junior.

Although the football field is complete, the soccer field, baseball and softball diamonds, and tennis courts are

TIMELINE

BASEBALL FIELD

HOME BLEACHERS

still in construction.

According to Morrison, all of the future practice fields will have advanced features that separate them from other facilities.

“The soccer field will have a special sand capped field designed specifically for only soccer, so that’s a nice feature that a lot of people don’t have the luxury of,” said Morrison.

A sand capped field is a field constructed on top of a sand

“I think obviously it’s a drawing card for people to move to our area. I think right now it’s really just the facilities are designed to meet our needs as we continue to grow.”

-MIKE MORRISON

BOX OFFICE

NOVEMBER 2018 //NEWS 17 surface, allowing for better drainage.

The baseball and softball fields will have lights for night games. The athletic department is also working on getting lights for the soccer field.

In the past, not having a field at Liberty has been an obstacle for teams trying to practice.

Softball coach Jeff Kelley stated, “It made it very challenging for the girls

to have to drive to practice and then pack up and then drive to another field to finish practice.”

Baseball coach Tom Cronk agreed that transporting a team from one location to another was very difficult, although his team did a great job with this task.

Both coaches said they are looking forward to the completion of the

facilities. When everything is in one place, running a practice won’t be such a challenge.

The anticipated date for completion of all other outdoor sports facilities was October 15th. However, due to weather complications and the amount of rain this fall, this date has been pushed back.

Facilities Quick Stats SEATING

GROUND BREAKING

1500 3000

FEBRUARY 26

visitor

home

BUDGET

2018

$12-$14 MILLION TURF INSTALLATION JULY 17, 2018

BOLT ON TURF

SCOREBOARD INSTALLATION AUGUST 21, 2018

SCOREBOARD

COMPLETED ATHLETIC FACILITIES

18 ADS // THE LIVE WIRE

Open Year Round!

Find Us At Two Locations!

25 E Cherry St, North Liberty, IA 52317 811 S 1st Ave, Iowa City, IA 52245

(319) 665-2249 (319) 354-1981

NOVEMBER 2018 //ADS 19

Hours

Services Available Small Engine Repair Welding Service Calls Oil Changes Tune Ups Brakes Steering Suspension Diagnostics Electrical Exhaust Shocks/Struts

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20 ADS // THE LIVE WIRE

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NOVEMBER 2018 //ADS 21

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22 PROFILES // THE LIVE WIRE

DESIGNED BY PIPER KOSKI

DIGGING INTO ROOTS

Mikey Gwenigale is a first generation American.

He is Puerto Rican, Kenyan, and American. Mikey had the chance to visit Kenya, where his dad is from, to meet relatives that were previously strangers to him.

IOWA

KENYA

BY PIPER KOSKI

T

his past summer, Mikey Gwenigale, sophomore, anticipated the month of August would be jam-packed with preseason football practices and training.

However, it was replaced with a surprise trip to Kenya. While it was originally planned for July, due to extenuating circumstances, the trip was pushed back to August.

Throughout the trip, Gwenigale was able to experience where his dad, Mike, was raised, and meet cousins and other extended family members he had never met before.

An excursion of this magnitude took an abundance of planning before stepping foot on the plane. First, the father/ son duo had to make sure they were up to date on all immunizations recommended by the CDC. Two weeks before leaving they had to start taking malaria medications which

they continued taking during their entire stay. As they got closer to leaving, excitement built up in Gwenigale.

“I was really excited to see family because I have five cousins that are there,” said Gwenigale.

They had a thrilling month ahead of them and he was eager to make new memories, gain new experiences, and create new lifelong connections with family he had yet to meet.

Throughout the trip, missing preseason football stayed in the back of his mind. It was his sophomore season and a time to show his skills to the coaches, but he was missing his chance to do so.

Gweningale’s emotions towards the trip were mixed initially but once he stepped foot in Kenya, his mindset changed.

After 20 hours of travel for Gwenigale and Mike, they finally arrived in Kenya.

“

[My] goal is to get him to explore the world while we can offer it to him because we don’t know how many more opportunities he will have once he is done being in high school with us.

Carmen Gwenigale

”

Happy to be at their final destination and close to family, they started their month-long vacation.

At first, Gwenigale experienced a bit of culture shock. Everything he read about Kenya was becoming reality; new people, new styles, and new forms of communication. All of it was hard to digest at first.

To top it off, Gwenigale is also a very picky eater according to both of his

NOVEMBER 2018 //PROFILES 23 parents, so new foods were difficult for him to get used to. Carmen Gwenigale, his mom and Spanish teacher at Liberty, had tried to prepare him Kenyan dishes in the months before their trip so he knew what to expect.

However, the adjustments still proved to be challenging.

Gwenigale and Mike had other obstacles to overcome once they arrived.

In Kenya, it can be difficult to access electricity, use the phone, find clean water and clean toilet facilities.

Things they took for granted in Iowa were now daily challenges. Apprehension of what to do if someone got sick was also in the back of their minds.

A reputable hospital was not always close by but after putting aside their worries and adjusting to the new culture, they were ready for adventure.

The first week they went on a safari to Tsavo National Park.

“This park is famous because of the man-eating lions during the construction of the Mombasa-Nairobi rail line,” said Mike.

The story of this National Park is

represented in the movie The Ghosts and the Darkness. During this time, Gwenigale and Mike also visited the Kenyan coast.

Staying in resorts, going on safaris, and exploring new land was the “touristy” part of the vacation for them.

After their mini-vacation, they were able to spend time and reconnect with family.

During the last two weeks, Gwenigale

“

Someday I would really like to go to Italy. My parents are taking a trip next year to Spain, London, and back to Kenya. I won’t be going on this one but maybe in the future.”

”

Mikey Gwenigale

and Mike stayed at Mike’s family farm.

During this time Gwenigale was able to see the boarding school where Mike attended, when he was young, and the church where Mike was baptized.

It was a special time for both of them.

Gwenigale now had images to place with stories he had heard growing up.

“Seeing the boarding school was really cool because my favorite animal is a monkey and they had monkeys there,” said Gwenigale. “They were just running around everywhere. I would totally like to come to Liberty if we had monkeys.”

Kenya Fast Facts...

Main Export: Tea

Named after Mt. Kenya Population:

43.5 Million

This trip was a life-changing experience. He had grown up visiting Puerto Rico, where his mom is from, but in his 15 years, he had only heard of where his dad had grown up.

Now he has traveled to where both of his parents are from and can comprehend on a deeper level how their lives were shaped because of where they were raised and who they were raised by. He appreciates that his parents have made traveling a priority in his life.

“Someday I would really like to go to Italy. My parents are taking a trip next year to Spain, London, and back to Kenya. I won’t be going on this one but maybe in the future,” stated Gwenigale. “[My] goal is to get him to explore the world while we can offer it to him because we don’t know how many more opportunities he will have once he is done being in high school with us,” Carmen explained.

Learning about his culture has opened Gwenigales eyes to the world beyond Iowa and given him a sense of belonging to where his family originated from.

NationFacts.Net

8171

Official Languages: Swahili Miles Away and English

LIVING WITH

SNOITCELFER

REFLECTIONS

24 PROFILES // THE LIVE WIRE

BY HAYLEY IGLECIAS

As of this school year, Liberty High has a total of 21 pairs of twins in attendance.

Being born a twin is uncommon and a bit different from having a regular sibling.

Growing up, twins share everything from clothes, to rooms, and even friends.

However, real-life twins can be far from the stereotypes depicted in modern media.

Not all twins are “joined by the hip” or can “read each other’s minds,” and not all of the twins at Liberty abide by these generalizations either.

DESIGN BY RAZAN KARAR

Connor and Derek Ward Juniors

“I

was born a minute before my twin. My twin was supposed to be born first but I pushed him out of the way, I’ve heard,” said Connor Ward.

Connor and his identical twin brother Derek Ward, juniors, are very close and enjoy each other’s company.

“We have exactly the same personality. Nobody in our family has the same type of humor as we do and that is how we bond,” said Derek.

“The good thing about being a twin is that your twin is your best friend. You connect and relate to your twin the most,” said Connor.

As kids, the twins sometimes dressed in similar or identical outfits. Derek recalls a day when he and his brother wore the same clothes to school and confused all of their teachers and classmates.

Although their names still get mixed up, Connor believes their identifiable differences are more profound than when they were younger. “[Connor] always has the ability to make me laugh on a whim and I don’t have that ability myself, and honestly that is why I love him so much,” said Derek.

“Despite how hard it is sometimes, at this point there is no way I can be separated from my twin,” said Connor.

NOVEMBER 2018 //PROFILES 25

B

eing a twin is one thing, but being a triplet is a whole other experience. Ashlyn, Ethan, and Gavin Keeney, freshmen, are triplets. The three of them have gotten many shocked reactions when they have told people they are triplets as well as a few obvious questions.

Josie and Lily Anderson Seniors

“A person would ask one of us ‘when is your birthday?’ and then ask the other one ‘when is your birthday?’” said Ashlyn.

Though they agree to share their things, that doesn’t stop them from arguing a lot. Arguments aside, the triplets have a lot of fun with each other and enjoy being together during cross country competitions.

“While we are racing and cheer each other on, we also encourage each other whenever we have a race and just be there for each other,” said Ethan.

M

Ethan’s favorite sibling memory is when he was attempting to scale a fence with the help of Gavin.

Gavin was pushing him up and over but when he let go, Ethan fell and sprained his neck.

ost people think of twins as being similar in personality and inseparable, but for seniors Josie and Lily Anderson, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

“Ethan is fast, he is very fun to be around, but is very easy to make mad,” said Gavin.

To Lily and Josie, having a twin is just like having a regular sibling that is closer in age.

“I think the good things about being twins is we make friends easily... If one has a friend, you are friends with that friend [too],” said Lily. “Also, you are never alone I guess, so if we have to go on a vacation and you go with your family and people are like ‘oh I want to bring a friend,’ we at least have each other.”

Most who know them agree that Josie and Lily are two completely different people.

They’re never around each other, they both do not like doing things together, and they celebrate their birthdays on different days.

Moreover, they can imagine being separated from each other.

“We are completely different,” said Lily.

“Josie is more girly, into more girly things and is in dance. I play sports, I like wearing comfy, sporty clothes and [play] basketball and soccer.”

Gavin, Ashlyn, and Ethan Keeney Freshmen

Josie and Lily are indeed different than your stereotypical twins.

26 PROFILES // THE LIVE WIRE

A

lison and Eric Colony, freshmen, are twins of the opposite genders. Eric is 19 minutes older than Alison and they are both the youngest in their family. Although Alison and Eric think that being a twin is annoying and “can suck at times,” they are still close to each other.

“I like how I can rely on him for stuff. He’s just a good friend and a good person to talk to and we’re close like that,” said Alison.

Eric and Alison are not only different in genders but are also different personality wise.

Eric is more sociable and involved in a lot more sports than his sister who is more shy and quiet. Sometimes they know what each other are thinking without having to say anything.

Unlike most sets of twins, Eric and Alison never get mixed up. In fact, most people don’t realize they’re twins at first and are surprised when they find out.

Being close, they can’t imagine being separated from each other. For example, Eric gets lonely and bored when he is apart from his sister.

“I like to just hang out and talk because there is always something new to talk about whenever we do hang out together,” said Eric.

Alison and Eric like to support each other when it comes to sporting events. Eric is involved in cross country and Alison enjoyed being there to cheer him on. When Alison was in volleyball, Eric would go to her tournaments to cheer her on to do her best.

Alison and Eric Colony Freshmen

Emma and Olivia Hall Sophomores

S

ophomores Emma and Olivia Hall are identical twins. Although some people have figured out how to tell them apart, learning their differences is not an easy task for everyone.

“Our sixth grade teacher had a lot of trouble telling us apart so she memorized our names by where we sat,” said Olivia. “One day we both switched where we sat and our friends knew so they were all laughing. She never figured it out but it was so good.”

Because they are identical, it’s not uncommon for one to be called by the other’s name.

“I get called Emma all the time,” said Olivia.

Emma’s favorite thing about Olivia is that she’s always happy. It doesn’t take much for Olivia to cheer her up whenever she has a bad day.

“I can’t really do anything by myself, it makes me nervous to do things by myself.” said Emma.

While the Hall sisters cannot read each other’s minds, they can sometimes guess what the other is thinking due to having spent so much time together.

NOVEMBER 2018 //PROFILES 27

M

y name is Hayley Iglecias. I am a junior and have a twin sister, Moira Iglecias. Moria and I are very close and stick together the majority of the time. We joke around and mess with each other almost every single day. Although we both enjoy being twins, we agree that the experience is not without downsides.

“Doing everything together is great, you have someone to enjoy it with but at the same time you just want your own space,” said Moira.

We also have to share a room, which is a bit annoying, but it can be fun at the same time.

Though Moira and I are very close, we have completely different personalities. “I’d say our personalities are split. Hayley is more goofy and outgoing and I am more shy, quiet and it can be hard to talk to people,” said Moira.

Moira is someone who balances me out. At times, I can be very silly, even during the times when we need to be straight-laced.

Moira is a serious person who helps me read the mood of the situation.

Growing up, Moria and I have gone to seven different schools, and soon we will be transferring yet again. To have to start over meeting people and making friends is

always a big challenge, but because we have each other we don’t feel completely alone.

“I think I would be different if I did not have a twin,” said Moira. “I would be lonely.

I would be more quiet and shy. I wouldn’t have the confidence that I have when I am with Hayley and I wouldn’t have the strength I have if she weren’t here.”

Every time my sister and I transfer we help each other meet new people.

We both make friends in our separate classes and then we meet each other’s friends. Because of that, we are able to meet many great people.

Hayley and Moira Iglecias Juniors

28 PROFILES // THE LIVE WIRE

DESIGN BY RAZAN KARAR

A HOME AWAY FROM HOME

BY RAZAN KARAR

A

fter a normal day at school, high school senior Ifada Auzan walks the short distance from the bus stop to her home and goes up to her room.

Before going downstairs to prepare the traditional Indonesian dish of Indo-mei, she tosses her backpack near her bed like a second habit developed after years of repeating a routine.

In reality, the 17-year-old exchange student has lived here for a mere two months, but the relationships she’s developed with her host family and friends suggest otherwise.

soon afterwards.

As a participant of the YES program, Auzan acts as an ambassador for Indonesia. For many of the people she’s met, Auzan is the first Indonesian person they know. Auzan prides herself in her role as a representative for her country, answering all questions about her life, culture, and religion.

As part of her stay in the United States, Auzan is living with a host family, consisting

“It’s like she’s always been a part of the family,” Dhuha Tawil, Auzan’s host mother, said.

Auzan grew up in Palembang, a city located in the province of South Sumatra in Indonesia. She chose to be an exchange student three years ago and began the lengthy application process Ifada Auzan posing with the flag of Indonesia.

Picture taken by Razan Karar

A look at the journeys of Ifada Auzan and Lavinia Wu, two exchange students spending their academic year at Liberty. of two parents and a younger brother.

Auzan hopes to work with children in the future, with a dream of ultimately working for UNICEF, the United Nation Children’s Fund. Having a younger sibling only reinforced her hopes, and helped prepare her for a future in that field.

“Having a little brother increased my communication with kids,” Auzan said. “In Indonesia I didn’t have any little brothers or sisters. I was the youngest, so I didn’t have a lot of communication with babies.”

NOVEMBER 2018 //PROFILES 29 Dhuha Tawil, Auzan’s host mother, knew she wanted to host exchange students years ago when she befriended an Indonesian exchange student she had met through her mosque. She noticed the student was having a hard time

“Just hearing her stories and how her day went is the highlight of my day... Liberty High is very lucky to have her”

-DHUHA TAWIL during Ramadan, an Islamic month consisting of increased faith and fasting. She vowed that in the future she would make sure she would host students and that regardless of their religion. As fate would have it, when Tawil decided to host a student a few months ago, she was matched with Auzan, a Muslim-Indonesian high school student much like the one she had met years ago.

Auzan is always eager to teach others about her home and its culture. As a requirement of the YES program, she will have presentations about Indonesian traditions in each of her classes and is currently in the process of preparing for these presentations. In her physical education class she will introduce her classmates to Indonesian sports and games, and in her art class she will wear and present traditional Indonesian attire.

Auzan hopes that through these presentations she will be able to share a piece of her culture with her peers.

TERMS TO KNOW

Living away from family is not a new experience for Auzan. She attended Definitions for important terms a boarding school and lived in a used throughout this article. dorm for her first year of high school and had grown accustomed to going Exchange student long periods of time without seeing family. But being away from her A student from one country refriends in Indonesia has been hard, ceived into an institution in another country, where they usually and so has adjusting to the cooler spend the academic year learning weather. However, Auzan is still about the language and culture. excited for the new experiences that come with the new weather. She is Host family especially looking forward to seeing A host family is a family that volunteers to take care of snow for the first time. students. An exchange Auzan believes that being an exchange student is assigned to stay with exchange student has given her their host family throughout their opportunities to learn about new stay in the target country as a things that she would otherwise not member of that family. have had the ability to learn about.

IRIS “[I became an exchange student] because I wanted to see the world, IRIS stands for Iowa Resource for International Service. “Through have a new culture, and have a new several grant programs, IRIS experience,” said Auzan. “Because brings students, journalists, if you stay in your country, you do business people, educators, and leaders to Iowa not learn about [new things]. Here, government from Africa, Central and Eastern I learn something new everyday. It’s Europe, and Asia. Our mission really fun and you can learn about isto promote international understanding, development, and new experiences.” peace.”Source: iris-center.org Auzan believes it’s important to keep an open mind when learning Education First (EF) about different cultures.

An exchange program that “America and Indonesia have real- connecs students with host families ly really different cultures,” said Au- across the world and helps them zan. “If you learn about the culture, begin their year abroad. you can not have bad judgment.”

She also had the chance to meet Culture Shock other exchange students participatThe feeling of disorientation ing in IRIS. experienced by someone who is “I wanted to have a connection suddenly subjected to an unfamilwith the world because exchange iar culture, way of life, or set of students in Iowa are not just from In- attitudes. donesia, but many countries,” said Auzan. “So if I have a good relation- YES Kennedy Lugar Program ship with them I will have a global reA program to connect students lationship. Now, I have friends from from Muslim-majority countries to the United States as a way to Jordan, Turkey, and America.” strengthen diplomatic relations.

30 PROFILES // THE LIVE WIRE

LAVINIA (YU-YEN) WU

Imagine spending a year in a sations with her sister. foreign country with a new family Now 15, Wu is experiencing her attending a new school and learnown adventures as an exchange ing a different language. What student at Liberty. She hopes to get would you miss most? For Lavinia the most out of her experience by Wu, the thing she misses most from being active at school. She was her home country of Taiwan is the a team manager for the football traditional food. Her transition from team and joined a girls’ club called the flavourful island food to the G!World. hamburgers and hotdogs common Her desire for immersion in this to Americans new lifestyle is not has been diffulimited to school. From cult.

“Here, everyone sleeps watching Friday night Wu is part at like 9 o’clock. In Tai- football games to of Education going to church with wan, that’s early. We First (EF), an her host family each international have night markets, so if Sunday, Wu is living organization you’re hungry you can the “typical American that connects come out to eat somelife”. exchange thing, and they still have Wu hopes that her students with time in the U.S. will host families. shops open.” improve her English.

-LAVINIA WU After completIn fact, her desire to ing an indepth learn English was the application, she was chosen to be main reason she chose to become one of the 115 Taiwanese exan exchange student. As for the change students studying in various future, she hopes her experience countries across Europe and North America. She started applying to be an exchange student a year ago and received a scholarship from the Taiwanese government covering half of the expenses.

Listening to her older sister speak about her adventures during a year abroad in Texas, the then 13-yearold Lavinia Wu knew she wanted to be an exchange student.

“She said studying abroad was a dream,” Wu said, recalling converLavinia Wu displaying the flag of Taiwan on her chromebook.

as an exchange student will open opportunities for colleges as she starts to consider going to a university abroad.

BY THE NUMBERS Statistics about exchange students in Liberty and around the world.

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3

2

1

115

NOVEMBER 2018 //ADS 31

32 ADS // THE LIVE WIRE

NOVEMBER 2018 //ADS 33

34 COMMUNITY // THE LIVE WIRE

DESIGN BY CARLEY SPADING

THE SECRETS OF SERVICE

Learn how Liberty High’s most successful philanthropists put in the hours.

By Carley Spading

G

raduation day has finally arrived. Of the students walking across the stage, how many will have a silver cord hanging around their neck? How many will have met their requirements for National Honor Society? How many will have earned that scholarship?

Volunteering is a gateway of opportunities to help in one’s college future, from gaining experience in certain fields, making a difference in the community, and making those college applications look pretty.

Many students, however, are never able take the leap into service, or perhaps just don’t know where to start.

“I think sometimes it’s difficult for students to come up and ask about opportunities,” said Jennifer Naughton, guidance counselor. “There are students out there that would like to do these things but just aren’t aware of where to go and how to ask and find out about the opportunities.”

200 hours of service and the meeting several of requirements are required

Sierra Suiter, junior, playing with a child on a mission trip with her church.

for silver cord, and even more are often required for scholarships focused on community service.

“If you at least find one or two hours out of your week every week, then it’ll add up,” said Grace Crimmins, junior.

“200 hours seems like a lot but it adds up really quick.”

Crimmins spends much of her free time volunteering at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital as well as leading Liberty High’s volunteer club, INSHOC. INSHOC stands for INteract Students Helping Our Community and provides easy access for students wanting to find service opportunities.

The club also makes time for crafts and gifts to send to the needy.

“We meet once a month so it isn’t really a time commitment and you

don’t have to volunteer for everything,” said Crimmins. “We have a Google Classroom and you can sign up for what you can go to but you don’t have to go to everything.”

The club, which is advised by Peggy Dolson, English teacher, has hosted the 5th Ward Saints, Rotary Club, Iowa City Compassion, and many others with possibilities for service.

With only one in ten students actively submitting hours for silver cord, INSHOC could be the answer many students are looking for to finally start filling out those purple sheets.

“If you really look you can find about anything,” said Sierra Suiter, junior.

“Really all the opportunities are all around you, you just kind of have to look for them.”

NOVEMBER 2018 //COMMUNITY 35

Liberty High’s INSHOC club serving food at Iowa City Compassion.

Suiter is a seasoned volunteer and has spent a lot of her free time during the summer and school year racking up hours for silver cord.

“I’ve volunteered at the University of Iowa hospital, at my church’s youth group and then, because I’m in NHS, I’ve worked with the [Big] White House, serving food to kids over the summer,” said Suiter.

National Honor Society requires a total of fifteen volunteer hours, twelve

of which need to be through the school.

Service is a core principle of the program, and is said to build character and leadership skills.

“My biggest recommendation is to find something that you like. I say that with careers as well,” said Naughton. “I’d say think about what you’re interested in and see if there’s a volunteer opportunity there.”

There are many options for specialized service hours that can

pertain to certain careers including volunteering at hospitals, museums, nursing homes, and animal shelters.

“I tell students that if you think you’re wanting to have a career in a hospital, go volunteer there for a day to see what it looks like. It’s not like Grey’s Anatomy,” said Naughton.

More and more sources are becoming available in addition to INSHOC for finding service options, especially in the counselor’s office.

“One thing that we want to let students know is there are times when we just get random opportunities that just kind of get told to us by community members,” said Naughton. “So just be looking at certain areas where we advertise, and those would be on the counseling website, [and] we now have a monthly S’More that students can sign up for and a Twitter.”

While it might not seem appealing to all, service opportunities are not just a chore to get done for graduation. They are, for many, quite fulfilling.

“I was always born an outgoing person who just loved being around people and helping people. And it might sound really generic but when I help people I just feel better about myself,” said Suiter.

With a student population of 944, only 96 have hours turned in for silver cord; barely more than ten percent.

For students who still don’t quite know where to start with volunteering, there is an abundance of ways to take those first steps into service.

A Different 36 COMMUNITY// THE LIVE WIRE

DESIGNED BY GRACE BRUSEGAARD

Mrs. Secrist, Liberty science teacher, her son Keian, and Bowen Gryp, sophomores, went on a mission trip to Gonaives, Haiti. There they submerged themselves in a ‘different world’ that is only a plane ride away.

By KAYLEE DEISBECK

Secrist and Keian have traveled to Haiti to run a bible camp, help find employment for Haitians, and ndividuals at our high school are update the school facilities. This changing our world, one action was the first trip for Bowen. at a time. As of 2013, 80% of Haiti first came to Mrs. Secrist’s Haitians live in extreme poverty attention in 2010. Woodly Jeune, a After the 2010 earthquake in the student of Mrs. Sercist from West Caribbean, millions of Haitians High School, courageously asked homes were in ruins, greatly contrib- Mrs. Secrist for help. His mother, uting to this high poverty rate. Mrs. brother, and grandmother were livSecrist, a Liberty science teacher, ing in Haiti when the earthquake hit stepped up to help those affected in and for three days, he had no idea if Haiti. She now encourages students his family was alive or safe. and faculty to do the same.

“In that process, I knew there was From August 1st, through August something bigger at play. Something 8th, Mrs. Secrist, Keian Secrist, and really calling me to do something Bowen Gryp embarked on a mission more than just sit back,” said Mrs. trip through One Nation Education Secrist about helping Woodly Jeune to help kids and families in Haiti. and his family.

For the last seven years Mrs. After finally getting into contact

I

with his family, Jeune confirmed that they were okay; however, his grandmother’s house was destroyed.

Six months later, Mrs. Secrist had

“

In that process, I knew there was something bigger at play. Something really calling me to do something more than just sit back,”

MRS. SECRIST

”

raised enough money to travel to Haiti and build Jeune’s grandmother a new house.

“I came back and knew that somehow I wanted to connect my two worlds,” said Mrs. Secrist, referring

World to Haiti and her love for education.

She wanted to show her students that for many people throughout the world, life isn’t at all like what we have here in the United States.

After praying about finding a way to merge her two passions, Mrs. Secrist started One Nation Education.

One Nation Education collaborates with Mission Starfish Haiti to plan mission trips to Haiti. They run a faith based camp for a school in Gonaives, Haiti that serves more than 400 kids. Mrs. Secrist launched a campaign in 2014 to raise money for the school. She raised $60,000 to add a second floor to the building.

Since then, she also has run a medical clinic, dentist clinic, and helped with construction projects.

Secrist is very passionate about em-

Mrs. Secrist, Liberty science teacher, reading with students at the school in Haiti.

ploying Haitians in these projects.

“My ultimate goal is to provide hope. Not just hope for them, but hope for us too,” expressed Secrist.

Keian Secrist has been going to Haiti with his mom since the beginning. At just ten years old, he visited Gonaives, Haiti with his mom and several of her students. Keian grew up with many of the kids in Haiti and Mrs. Secrist can’t imagine going on these trips to Haiti without him.

“Once I started to think about it, I really wanted to do something to help other people,” said Keian.

Keian’s favorite moment from this year’s trip was at the end of the camp when all the kids danced on stage. “[After being in an environment with so much poverty] It makes me want to do everything I can to give back,” said Keian.

On top of leading teams of 26 to 36 people, Mrs. Secrist also had to balance taking care of her own children. A Haitian woman by the name of Timadame took Kasen, Mrs. Secrist’s youngest son, under her wing.

“She is the most beautiful women I have ever met, because she completely took it upon herself to act like his [Kasen’s] mom.” said Mrs. Secrist.

Sadly, Haiti’s lack of medical technology and certified caregivers, resulted in Timadame’s death.

This winter will be the two year anniversary of her passing.

“Sitting here it’s really hard. Here

NOVEMBER 2018//COMMUNITY 37

Gonaives, Haiti

Keian Secrist, sophmore, and Jeff, his sponsor brother. is this women who’s absolutely amazing, who I know, who I’ve hugged, and who has taken care of my child and there was nothing we could do.” said Mrs. Secrist.

“

My ultimate goal is to provide hope. Not just hope for them, but hope for us too.

MRS. SECRIST

”

Bowen Gryp went on his first mission trip in August of 2018. His sister, Breeyn Gryp, 2018 Liberty graduate, urged him to go with her to Haiti since she had gone many years before.

“I was excited, but I was a little nervous because I didn’t know what it was or what was happening,” said Bowen. His most memorable moment on his Haiti trip was meeting

38 COMMUNITY // THE LIVE WIRE

“happy

Everyone there is so , and they have nothing. Over here we have pretty much everything we need or want and we’re not [happy].

BOWEN GRYP sophomore

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the kids for the first time.

“I think I changed a lot,” said Bowen.“It put a whole new perspective on everything.” Bowen plans to go back to Gonaives, Haiti in the future.

Gonaives, Haiti is an important place to Mrs. Secrist, Keian, and now Bowen. They receive no profit out of these trips-only the opportunity to bridge communities.

While many think Haiti is just a country of ruins and poverty stricken people, according to Bowen that is not the case.

“Everyone there is so happy, and they have nothing,” said Bowen.

“Over here we have pretty much everything we need or want and we’re not [happy].”

QUICK FACTS Population: 10,646,714 Unemployment rate: 40.6% Literacy rate: 60.7% 1 in 50 Haitians are affected with HIV/AIDS Only 40% of the population has access to basic health care 80% of nationals live below the poverty line 50% of children do not attend school 30% of the population is considered food insecure

Bowen Gryp and Keian Secrist, sophomores, giving a student at the school in Haiti a Bolts t-shirt.

80% of teachers have not recieved pre-service training SOURCE: CNN & THEFACTFILE

NOVEMBER 2018 //ADS 39

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40 ADS // THE LIVE WIRE

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42 ENTERTAINMENT// THE LIVE WIRE

FEELING FALL?

>> Colony

Explore these local hotspots to get into the autumn spirit.

As the air gets chillier and the cold weather starts slipping in, the drinks get hotter. Capanna sells Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Hot Apple Cider to help warm you up. Deanna Meiburg, sophomore, goes to Capanna a few times a month and takes advantage of the peaceful study environment.

“I go about twice a month and I just got the caramel corn iced coffee, it’s a seasonal drink," said Meiburg. "I like to go to study and get my work done. It’s quiet so it’s easy to focus.”

Stop in to get a seasonal fall drink, gelato, or a baked good and enjoy the friendly company to study or get some work done in the stress-free environment.

Capanna

Pumpkin Patch

Heyn's >>

Come out to this well-known ice cream shop and get a taste of their numerous ice cream flavors.

Make sure to try their seasonal fall flavors; pumpkin pie, cinnamon, or oatmeal cream pie. Cathy Cooper, sophomore, goes to Heyn’s similar to others she knows.

“I like the ice cream," said Cooper. "It’s really good, and the workers are nice. I get Kara’s Kreation."

Open year-round, Heyn’s is a popular destination for everyone in the family. Stop by between 12:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to enjoy some sweet treats and maybe even see some Bolts working behind the counter.

BY TESSA MILLER

>>Wilson's Apple Orchard

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The Colony Pumpkin patch provides an array of family fun activities. Visitors can buy pumpkins, meet the Colony family, go through the corn maze, and enjoy the fall weather.

According to Dominic Ehrman, junior, the pumpkin patch is a great spot to engage with friends and family.

“It’s a great time to hang out with friends and enjoy having a fun time," said Ehrman. "I love doing that. You always run into someone new and it’s great.”

Not only does the pumpkin patch offer many activities throughout the month of October but they are also having a 5k fun run through the maze on Saturday, November 3rd, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If you’re looking for some exercise and would like to support some local North Liberty business owners, sign up for Miles In The Maze 5K. The Colony Pumpkin Patch is a great pick for this fall season providing a taste of country in the city.

DESIGN BY GRACE BRUSEGAARD

Apple cider slushies, donuts, apple turnovers, and caramel apples are just some of the delicious foods offered at Wilson’s, which are made with their own home grown apples.

Samantha Harvey, freshman, can attest to good times at Wilson’s.

“When I was younger I used to go there with my family, every year...we [got] as many apples as we possibly could.

Basically, we [tried] to completely fill our bucket and we make apple pie with my family. It was super fun,” said Harvey.

The Apple Orchard provides an opportunity for a day out with the family to enjoy some fall fun. Come take a ride on the tractor, pick apples and pumpkins, take pictures, and grab some merchandise.

NOV //ENTERTAINMENT 43

STUDENT ARTWORK A combination of artwork from black and white drawing classes and personal works made on students’ own time.

COMPILED AND DESIGNED BY CARLEY SPADING

Olivia Heid, Sophomore

Tryton Tran, Junior Josiane Houndanon, Sophomore

Jude Archer, Freshman

Piper Schoon, Sophomore

BINGO: AUTUMN EDITION Cross off all the things you’ve done this Halloween season. Compete with friends to see who can check off the most squares.

Put up cobweb decorations

Watched “Halloween-town”

Ate Danced the monster mash pumpkin-shaped

Made caramel apples

Seen a dog wearing a pumpkin costume

Gone to a haunted house

Drank apple cider

Watched Halloweenthemed TV episodes

Gone on a hay ride

Roasted pumpkin seeds

Made a Halloween playlist on Spotify Gone through a corn maze

candy corn

FREE SPACE

Jumped into a pile of leaves Ate pumpkin pie

Carved a pumpkin

Made a

Wore Halloween costume socks to school

Pet a black cat Checked out a spooky book

Built a Went Halloween applegingerbread picking house Ordered a Attended a pumpkin-spice “trunk-or-treat” latte