LH Feature Magazine

2109 2109 FEATURES 5.7.21

Iowa City High School - The Little Hawk - www.thelittlehawk.com

Student small buisnesses pg. 16

Iowa City High School - The Little Hawk - www.thelittlehawk.com

dear readers, Thank you once again for opening up my beloved features mag! I am sad to say that this is our last regular features magazine for this year. In another couple of weeks you can catch the Senior Salute from all ten of The Little Hawk’s senior editors. Personally, I have loved working on the features magazine for the last two years. From creating the page ladder to designing pages, I have enjoyed every step. It is very surreal that my time at The Little Hawk is coming to a close, but for right now I would love to present this amazing issue that was created with this year’s and next year’s features editors. From stories about ADHD and Autism to profiles of three different student-owned businesses, this issue is packed. Learn how to make my go-to buttermilk biscuits on page 14 and learn about Ramanan traditions on page six. Additionally, on page 16, we have a special spotlight on The Little Hawk’s multimedia section.

Check it out and scan the QR codes to interact with podcasts and videos from the web! Finally, I would like to shoutout next year’s features editors who have worked so hard on this issue: Aala, You have done an amazing job as features editor this year! I have loved working with you and know that you are going to do so, so well next year. Your stories are always fantastic and I know that the mag is going to be amazing next year.

Greta, I am so, so pumped to welcome you to the features team! Working on this issue with you has been so much fun and I can tell that you will do so well in features next year.

Love, love, love, Jesse Hausknecht-Brown

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table of contents 4

Laura Schwab on Autism Awareness/ Acceptance Introduction to Ramadan

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16

Spring fashion in bloom ADHD: Delayed

10

Buttermilk Biscuits

14

From the web: Lh multi-media Student small businesses: floral Envy

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6

18

Student small businesses: Jake roth Student small businesses: Two kids apparel

22

Autism

Awareness Acceptance

City High Special Education teacher and Best Buddies advisor, Laura Schwab gives insight into the meaning behind allyship

ART BY AALA BASHEIR

I

By Aala Basheir

n 2007 the United Nations declared April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day. Since then, the movement has grown exponentially, bringing light to the question of what true allyship is.

City High Special Education teacher and Best Buddies advisor, Laura Schwab, offers her insight into the subject.

“Recently, there’s been more education around neuro diversity, which is a little bit different than the initial movement that we’re all kind of used to,” Schwab explained. “There are [social media users] out there with autism who don’t want to be considered ‘disabled’, and they are proud of their autism label, and they want to be called autistic.”

Data from the CDC states that Autism

Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is four times as common among boys than girls. The 2016 report was collected across eleven states and estimated the frequency of ASD among eight year olds.

“Now, with the research that’s out, [Autism] is so broad that it’s really hard to identify everybody who could be on this spectrum. Many people, especially females are not diagnosed until later in life, which has its downfalls,” Schwab said. “Really it’s this movement where people want to be proud to be autistic, they want to normalize it.”

Controversy surrounds the previously well known identity-first language often used when referring to ASD. While some prefer the term ‘person with autism’, individuals have taken it to social media, to voice the alternative, stating that they feel

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‘autistic’ is more representative of their identity.

“They don’t want to be called a ‘person with autism’. So I guess it just comes down to, similar to pronouns for gender, is that every person is different. Every person takes in information differently in their brain,” Schwab explained. “A part of that is, they want to encourage people to see them. Their brain fires differently but they’re a person, it just makes them unique.”

Autism Speaks is an organization with a mission statement to ‘promote solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the lifespan, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.’ Although well known, the organization has been under a lot of accusations, such as inaccurate representation within their board of directors 5..21

: Laura Schwab and failing to allocate their funds properly. dy, as a human being and not ignoring munication is a big deal because some More information on the organizations their differences, but embracing them.” people with Autism don’t communicate use of funds can be found on their webBest Buddies is an international non- verbally. Learning how to communicate site, autismspeaks.org, under 990 forms. profit organization, present in 56 coun- with somebody using whatever communi“With any orgatries. They have com- cation, they use whether it’s sign language nization you have mitted to fighting the or an A.C. device, that’s going to be a big to look at how they social, physical, and way into their world.” spend their money, economic isolation of Associate members attend parties and what message they’re individuals with in- events that add to the described high enertrying to get across, tellectual and devel- gy environment of the club. Peer buddies how they adapt to opmental disabilities are paired one-on-one with a buddy, alchange, and how (IDD). City High lowing them to form deeper connections. they adapt to difhas a Best Buddies “Just go into it with a kind and good ferent perspectives,” chapter that students heart. You should think ‘I want to be a Schwab explained. can participate in by better person, I want to be there for oth“From what I’ve seen either being an asso- ers,’” Nathalie Nunez ‘22, Best Buddies and heard, from perciate or peer buddy. leader explained. “It’s nice to have friends, LAURA SCHWAB spectives of individu“Embrace yourself and it’s just amazing to be more accepting CITY HIGH SPECIAL ED TEACHER als with autism, Auin it. Don’t be afraid in such a cruel world. You also meet the tism Speaks does not to ask questions. best people ever.” represent people’s points of view.”

Don’t be afraid to sit next to somebody For more information on allyship and Other organizations supported by who is different than you, and ask about how to become more involved within City those who do not associate with Autism their differences and then ask how you can High Best Buddies or City High Sparkles, Speaks include Autistic Self-Advocacy support them. Ask how you can be their contact Laura Schwab @schwab.laura@ioNetwork (ASAN), Autism Women’s Net- friend, talk to them,” Schwab said. “Com- wacityschools.org. work (AWN) and, Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE).

Emphasis also lies on allyship to the ASD community. Hashtags such as #autismawareness, #autismlove, and #autismpride can be seen trending across social media platforms. Schwab finds individuals such as Paige Layle, who has gained a following on TikTok by educating users on her personal ASD experience, as a substantial influence among youth and allyship.

“Allyship is not only viewing someone as a person, but is also accepting their differences,” Schwab said. “It’s not just saying ‘hi’ to somebody in the hallway, it’s truly figuring out how to be a friend and support them, just like you would any friendship. Best Buddies ABOVE: City High Paraeducator Bri Atwood [left] and Laura Schwab [right] posed comes into play because I see a lot of [peer inside the building. PHOTO BY AALA BASHEIR buddies] just getting to know [their] bud-

“Allyship is not only viewing someone as a person, but is also accepting their differences. It’s not just saying ‘hi’ to somebody in the hallway, it’s truly figuring out how to be a friend and support them,”

In Month the

of Ramadan

An Informational guide to the Islamic “Holy Month”

By Aala Basheir

Every year, Muslims gather all over the world to participate in Ramadan, also known as Ramadhan, Ramathan, or Ramzan. The tradition takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, a lunar calendar that operates in accordance with the moon phases. Because of this, the dates of Ramadan move back around eleven days each year.

During this time, participating Muslims fast from Suhur (sunrise) to Iftar (sunset), where they are unable to consume food, drinks including water, and must refrain from sexual activities. Children, the elderly, pregnant/breastfeeding, and menstruating women are not required to participate in this as it could be dangerous for their health.

Eid-al-Fitr is the holiday that follows the month of Ramadan. It begins on the tenth month and continues for approximately three days. Muslims attend Salat al-Eid, which is a large prayer, and celebrate the holiday by gathering with friends and family. Individuals must also offer Zakat, a predetermined amount of money donated to a charitable cause.

Zakat and Sawm (fasting) are two of the five pillars of Islam.

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n

Melbourne

New York

Paris

London

Average length of fasting times for Muslims worldwide during Ramadan

BELOW: Sophia Wagner ‘22 picks a bouquet of bluebells while wearing a red floral dress. Here, they’re for you!

PHOTO BY CALLISTA ROBERTSON

In blo

ABOVE: Alice Boerner ‘22 ties back her hair with a vibrant flowered scarf, carrying her things in a plain canvas tote bag. PHOTO BY CALLISTA ROBERTSON

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T

he weather is growing warmer, trees are blossoming on every street... we seem to have finally turned the corner from winter to spring. This is the season for colorful, breezy outfits paired with fun accessories, and it’s always a chance to try something new!

ABOVE: Alice Boerner ‘22 wears a colorful patterned shawl. PHOTO BY CALLISTA ROBERTSON

LEFT: Sophia Wagner ‘22 gazes at the sky while wearing a vintage dress. PHOTO BY CALLISTA ROBERTSON

oom...

ADHD: Delayed A look into how Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has a unique affect on individuals with factors such as age and gendar in question.

*Names were changed to protect the confidentiality of students with adhd

Carlson was shocked at his level of relatability towards the indiBy Aala Basheir cators of ADHD. It wasn’t until he began reflecting on his childravis Carlson, teach- hood, that everything clicked. er at City High, can “I was just a super impulsive be found instructing and hyperactive kid, but I always various psychology did very well in school, I knew courses throughout the build- how to behave, and [what] the ing. Some may notice his high expectations were. I also didn’t energy level in class, something really act out in ways that would that dates back to his elementary get me in trouble,” Carlson exschool days, but it was not until plained. “ [Now], you get me on his junior year of college that he the playground and I will run received an official diagnosis of circles on everybody. I always ADHD. made a lot of noise, but when “I remember told to be I would go to the quiet and sit library and want “How did I get to be here, 20 down, I could to study, [then do that stuff.

I’d] realize that years of age, and nobody [It was not I just couldn’t ever said anything about until] I went do it. And so for to college, the first time, this? Again, it was weird.” that I really the game had found I had TRAVIS CARLSON changed. I wantd i f f i c u l t y,” CITY HIGH TEACHER ed to do well and Carlson said.

I found myself The Amerreally struggling,” Carlson be- ican Psychiatric Association also gan. states that ADHD is often noAfter reading the book “ADD ticed in grade school, when it can in the college student”, suggest- be disruptive to one’s learning in ed to him by a school counselor, the classroom setting. Teachers

can be included in the diagnosis focuses on developing skills to portion by writing a report or combat ADHD. While more infilling out forms that will go on dividuals solely take medication to allow a licensed physician, in than solely attend behavioral order to treatevaluate ments, the situa com“Because I got diagnosed so late, I bination ation. “ I t didn’t really know what ADHD was until of the was just two is p r o - junior high. This has kind of just be- also effound, fective. because come normal for me, nothing changed “ I I was a can still when I received my diagnosis.” person remem*MARIA w h o ber the CITY HIGH JUNIOR would f i r s t wake up in the morning and go time I took my Ritalin, I ended about my day and end up getting up going to a laundromat and half dressed, then realizing that I did my laundry, while I balhad poured myself a bowl of ce- anced my checkbook,” Carlson real and forgot about it,” Carlson explained. “Then I came home said. “It was like that was the lev- and I read 100 pages out of a el of my functioning.” book for the first time in my life As stated by the American ever and I was just blown away.

Psychiatric Association, ‘Atten- [I thought], ‘How did I function tion Deficit Hyperactivity Dis- before I found out about this?’” order, also known as ADHD Carlson said. is a common mental disorder Two City High Juniors, Raamong children and adults’. chel* and Maria*, have a lot in The National Institute of Men- common. The pair participate tal Health, classifies ADHD as a in various sports in and out of mix of hyperactivity, impulsivity school, it is no doubt that others and inattentiveness. have described them as energet“How did I get to be here, ic or outgoing in the past. The 20 years of age, and nobody ever two also received a diagnosis of said anything about this? Again, ADHD, the only difference beit was weird,” Carlson exclaimed. ing that it happened almost ten Treatments for the disorder years apart. include medication, such as Ad“Because I got diagnosed so derall, Ritalin, and Concerta, late, I didn’t really know what and behavioral treatment, which ADHD was until junior high.

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2.19.21

OF ALL INDIVIDUALS WITH ADHD, 77% RECIEVE TREATMENT

BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT AND MEDICATION

MEDICATION ALONE

BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT ALONE

Data from Health conditions among children under age 18, United States, years 1997–1999 through 2016–2018

14.6%, or about 15/100 boys have recieved an ADHD diagnosis

6.9%, or about 7/100 girls have recieved an ADHD diagnosis

high. This has kind of just be- school a lot of kids would make come normal for me,” Maria ex- fun of me because I could clearly plained “Nothing changed when not focus.”

I received my diagnosis.”

Tim* ‘22, was suspected to According to the Center of have ADHD after struggling to Disease Control and Prevention, apply himself in his eight grade while the number of overall math class. He then began the ADHD diagnosis in children has diagnostic process and eventureached over six million, boys are more “If I broke my arm, and didn’t put a cast on it, you would think than twice as likely as girls to something was wrong with me,” Carlson explained. “Well again, receive a diag- you have a mix up of brain chemicals, and that pill in the mornnosis.

“I’ve al- ing, can regulate them. It’s not gonna make you smarter, it’s not ways felt like I’ve had a hard gonna change your personality, it’s just going to enable you to time focus- maintain a focus and to function on the playing field like everying, especially body else does.” when reading,” Rachel said.

TRAVIS CARLSON “In elementary CITY HIGH TEACHER

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ally began taking medication to help him focus. He took three different medications throughout the course of two years and then stopped all together because of the side effects.

“No ADHD medication I’ve taken has really helped me in school. It’s made me more closed in and quiet. Instead of my focus changing all the time, it would stay on one thing, but it wasn’t always schoolwork. The first thing that caught my attention would be the main thing I was focused on for the entire day.

So it did help me focus, but it didn’t help me focus on the right things.”

The most commonly reported side effects of medication consist of sleep problems, decreased appetite and weight loss.

“A lot of medicine was ex-

tended release, which means that they would last the entire day. I ended up losing a lot of weight, and stopped eating. I felt awful all the time and I needed to stop,” Tim explained. “I decided that I could just try and make an effort outside of the medicine to get better study habits. I’m doing better than I was back then, but it’s still a struggle.”

Tim is not alone. In spite of the success felt by some in terms of medication, side effects and stigma are two factors that can heavily affect an individual with ADHD. “If I broke my arm, and didn’t put a cast on it, you would think something was wrong with me,” Carlson explained. “Well again, you have a mix up of brain chemicals, and that pill in the morning, can regulate them. It’s

not gonna make you smarter, it’s not gonna change your personality, it’s just going to enable you to maintain a focus and to function on the playing field like everybody else does.”

The controversy that surrounds medications such as Adderall, are derived from fears that a dependency will develop.

Most medications fit into the stimulant category and work by altering the release or reuptake of numerous neurotransmitters.

“If you took my medication, and did not have ADHD, it’s going to do the exact opposite. It’s going to be like speed and make you feel jittery or fired up and you’ll have difficulty concentrating, which is again some reason why it can be abused.” Carlson pointed out.

The National Resource Cen-

ter on ADHD (CHADD), is supported by the CDC and offers resources such as an ADHD Helpline that operates every weekday 1 p.m.-5 p.m. and can be reached at 1-866-200-8098.

Further information can be found on The National Resource Center on ADHD’s website. “[It’s important] that people are more aware of the impact, and of what [ADHD] looks like. It doesn’t cause a kid to be a ‘bad kid’, and it doesn’t mean that they can’t learn and be successful,” Carlson stated. “It just means that they need a little help staying focused and making a little less noise during the day.”

ART BY DYLAN MICHEALSON

Buttermilk biscuits Ingredients

By Jesse Hausknecht-Brown

T

hese buttery, flavorful buttermilk biscuits are the perfect accessory to any meal. Flaky layers are created by carefully kneading the dough and folding cold butter shards into the flour mixture. Rich undertones of butter are cut by the sharp flavor of buttermilk to create the perfect biscuit. For me, these buttermilk biscuits have been a go-to for any potluck, party, holiday, or even a weekday dinner that needs something special. These biscuits are best served warm; I would recommend eating them with butter, honey, or ham.

Yield: 6-8 biscuits

Recipe from Rick Rodgers’ cookbook, “Comfort Food”

PHOTOS BY JESSE HAUSKNECHT-BROWN

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All-purpose flour - 1 cup Cake flour - 1 cup Baking powder - 2 teaspoon Baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt - 1/2 Unsalted butter - 6 tablespoons, chilled Buttermilk - 3/4 cup

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Directions Preheat the oven to 400 F. Have ready an ungreased rimmed baking sheet. In a bowl, sift together the all-purpose and cake flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cut the butter into tablespoons and scatter over the flower mixture. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut the butter into the flour mixture just until the mixture forms coarse crumbs the size of peas. Add the buttermilk and stir just until the dough comes together. Knead the dough a few times in a bowl. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Using a light touch, pat out the dough into a round ¾ inch thick. Using a 2 ½ inch round biscuit cutter or cookie cutter, cut out as many rounds as possible. Place them 1 inch apart on the baking sheet. Gather up the dough scrapes, pat them out again, cut out more dough rounds, and add them to the baking sheet. Bake the biscuits until they have risen and are golden brown, 18-20 minutes. Serve hot with butter and honey, if desired.

From the web:

LH Multimedia Explore The Little Hawk’s best videos and podcasts

Construction Update Video

By Kate Kueter

See the latest changes in the City High construction project

ABOVE: Rachel Meehan ‘21, who plays Ms. Honey, sings “My House.” PHOTO BY SOPHIE WAGNER

Matilda Showcase Podcast

By Sophie Wagner

ABOVE: Construction workers build the new City High dome. PHOTO BY KATE KUETER

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Student Voices Podcast

By Shoshie Hemley and Jesse Hausknecht-Brown

Little Hawk editors discuss news literacy, censorship, and journalism

ART BY ROSE FLORES RUBIO

FilmScene & COVID-19 Video

By Haileigh Steffen

ART BY HAILEIGH STEFFENO

STUDENT OWNED Businesses 14 The Little Hawk - FEATURES 18

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Floral Envy

F

By Greta Stanier

loral Envy is a brand that sells everything from earrings to self-defense sets, using resin and molds to preserve items of nature into creations. Penelope Wilkins ‘21 started their business, Floral Envy, in May of 2020, months after the COVID-19 pandemic began.

“Originally, I started messing around with making jewelry since I lost my job due to COVID,” Wilkins said. “My old job eliminated my position, meaning that I had no money to save for things like books for college, but I also didn’t have a way to donate to the causes that I really cared about.”

Wilkins’s Instagram for Floral Envy is full of colorful florals and nature, showing off their most recent items for sale.

“I’ve had a garden for about five years now, and that’s what inspires most of my jewelry,” Wilkins said. “I grow all of my own flowers, and I love preserving them into little pieces of art.”

Wilkins makes a variety of items, using materials like resin, flowers, charms, polymer clay pieces, and other supplies.

“I’ve made tons of different things, at the moment it’s mostly earrings,” Wilkins said. “In the past, I’ve made combs, paint palettes, paintings, trays, and then coming up is my favorite, resin blocks of preserved bouquets.”

Wilkins runs an Etsy shop and Instagram account where they sell their items. They also do custom orders, working with the customer to create something unique, such as personalized wedding earrings.

“I love working on custom orders and making something one of a kind for someone,” Wilkins said. “I’m a huge people person, so getting that interaction instead of selling regular pre-made items will always be the thing that I enjoy the most.”

Throughout the nine months

that they have been running their business, Wilkins has expanded Floral Envy past Etsy and social media.

“I’ve done a few fairs and markets, and those have all been much more successful than I thought they would be,” Wilkins said. “Unfortunately with Covid, it’s been really hard to do a lot of them, so most of my business has to stay online. However, this summer I’ll have a booth at the Cedar Rapids Farmers market that I will share with my mom’s business, and I will do a few other fairs and shows throughout the year.”

In addition to local markets and fairs, Wilkins’ items and services are available at one of Iowa City’s local businesses.

“Right now, I’m working with Beno’s Flowers downtown to preserve client’s wedding bouquets,” Wilkins explained. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do ever since I started making things with resin, and I’m so happy with what we’ve done so far. I’m also currently working to sell my pressed flower and butterfly earrings at both Wilson’s Apple Orchard and White Rabbit downtown.”

While Wilkins’s business has been successfully branching out online and in the community, Wilkins explained that occasionally their young age has caused some challenges.

“I do get quite a bit of imposter syndrome, especially at in-person events,” Wilkins said. “People tend to think that I’m older than I actually am, so I often feel an added sense of pressure that I’m not good enough compared to the other artists around me.”

Wilkins began Floral Envy with an aim to give back to the community. Nine months later, they are still able to donate and support local causes.

“I always save any cash from local orders to go towards homelessness in Iowa City, and then I do a lot of mutual aid/crowdfunding requests. We were recently able to raise $100 to go towards rent for a woman of color to help her get back on her feet,” Wilkins said.

To find Floral Envy, check out their Instagram, @floralenvy, or find them on Etsy @FloralEnvyCo.

ABOVE: Two of Roth’s stained glass pieces are displayed. PHOTO BY JAKE ROTH

Stained Glass

Michael Close, a City High art teach- glass pieces at home, Roth worked with er who leads the glass classes, noticed how Close to make sure that he had all the glass great Roth’s art was and encouraged him to he needed. do more.

“There was a woman who ran a stained “Stained glass came really naturally for glass studio out of her basement and she Jake, he has been really was moving out of state good at it ever since the and didn’t want to take “Stained glass came really any of it with her, so beginning,” Close said.

“I made sure to let him naturally for Jake, he has been she gave us a big glass

By Jesse Hausknecht-Brown know that he was good donation,” Close said. at it…and then he kept really good at it ever since the “And so I called Jake uring his freshman year, Jake Roth ‘22 making work and it was I made him help beginning. I made sure to let and decided to take a glass class in the art just beautiful.” me move stuff, and I badepartment at City High. He chose to When in-person him know that he was good at sically paid him in glass. take the class because it seemed fun; school ended last spring That’s not something we two years later he is selling his stained glass and quarantine started, it…and then he kept making do with all our students artwork on Instagram. What started as a Roth was left with extra work and it was just beautiful.” but Jake’s so nice. Such hobby turned into a full-fledged business. time on his hands and a nice guy.”

“While I was doing [the glass art class] started making more MICHAEL CLOSE Roth explained sophomore year, I was just getting into it stained glass pieces as a CITY HIGH ART TEACHER that he is thankful for on my own and at my house,” Roth said. “I hobby.

Close’s help and hasn’t started getting supplies, they’re kind of ex“I started making stuff as a hobby during had much trouble finding glass to use. He pensive so I gradually started getting stuff, the summer when I didn’t have school to do, has been able to find the rest of the materials and then expanding in my garage.” and during quarantines,” Roth said. he needs online.

Roth started learning how to make stained It was during this time that Roth start“[Close’s help has] been nice, but I also glass pieces when he was ed an Instagram page to buy [glass] at craft stores or there’s a couple of taking glass classes at City sell his artwork. The ac- local people in town that sell it,” Roth said.

High. Then, after making “I’ve always liked getting into count’s handle is @the_ The process of making a stained glass piece around $100 at the City different hobbies and stuff, stained_glass_guy and the begins with creating a template on paper that High art show, he became post is dated June 2, shows where the different glass pieces will more motivated to sell and I just haven’t found a first 2020. go, and how they will align with each other. more of his work.

“I’ve always liked get- Close describes this as the “blueprint” for the hobby that I’ve gotten into in “People told me that ting into different hobbies project. Using that guide, an artist will cut my stuff was good and quite a while.” and stuff, and I just hav- pieces of glass to fit the template. that motivated me too, en’t found a hobby that “We trace [the template] onto a heavier JAKE ROTH and then some people I’ve gotten into in quite paper that’s a little more water-resistant, and CITY HIGH JUNIOR asked me to make them a while,” Roth said. “As then we cut out each of the pieces, glue them something and they were a kid, I was into paper folding and origami onto our glass and take a glass cutter and cut like, ‘How much?’ and I was like, ‘Okay, I stuff and then some other phases with other out the pieces,” Close said. mean, I’ll just give it to you, but if you want things. It was kind of a hobby that I started Next, the pieces of glass need to be to pay for it, that’s fine.’ And then I was like, at school and then I got into it on my own.” smoothed out, because, as Roth explains, ‘Okay maybe I could actually sell this stuff,” When he was beginning to make stained cutting glass will leave an unwanted jagged Roth said.

D

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The stained glass making process

By Jake Roth

1 2 3 4

Find or make a design/pattern, and cut out the shapes.

Pick out your glass colors and glue the shapes onto the glass.

Cut and grind the glass.

Clean the glass pieces off, if needed.

5

Apply copper foil to the edges of the glass, and make sure all edges are smooth and that the tape is stuck to the glass nicely.

6

Position your foiled glass pieces where you want them to be for the final product, and apply flux.

This helps the solder (liquid lead/ tin) stick to the pieces.

7

Now it’s time to solder! Carefully melt the solder with your soldering iron onto the positioned glass pieces. Go over any lines again that you are unsatisfied with and make them smoother.

8

Once you’re done soldering, attach loops to wherever you’d like to hang your piece from. You can also add a frame, but this is optional.

9

Clean your piece off with soap and water, and you’re done!

edge. The grinders that smooth the glass are essentially glass files that spin very quickly in order to smooth down the edges.

“After you cut the glass out, you’re gonna want to grind the edges, so it’s nice and smooth,” Roth said. “Because when you cut glass, it’s not perfectly smooth after you are breaking it.”

The next step is to place a special foil tape on the edges of the glass pieces. This helps the solder, which is the melted metal that holds the glass pieces together, stick to the glass. After soldering, the piece is cleaned and is then finished.

Roth has made many different stained glass projects and estimates that he has sold 20-30 pieces between the art show and his Instagram account. “[Selling on Instagram is] pretty easy, as I thought it would be,” Roth said. “Some people just come to me whenever they want and we’ll work out something that they like or they’ll tell me what they want. Then we come up with a design and then talk prices.”

Delivery has also been relatively easy for him, since he is flexible in terms of how he gets his products to his buyers.

“I’ll deliver things, or people pick them up, or I’ll give people stuff at school, so it’s been easier than I thought,” Roth said.

Prices vary by the size of the piece, but most of Roth’s pieces sell for $10-30, which is relatively cheap for stained glass.

“The smallest ones [sell for] below $10 probably, and then I think the most I’ve sold one for is $50,” Roth said. “If you go online, usually stained glass stuff is super expensive.

I try not to charge too much because I like doing it and I don’t want to turn people away just because of the price.”

Roth isn’t completely sure what the future of his stained glass business looks like, but he knows he wants to continue making art.

“I’ve thought about maybe making it a small side job or something where I can make a little extra money,” Roth said. “But mostly it’s something just for me to do and have fun.”

ABOVE: A part of a stained glass birch tree. PHOTO BY JAKE ROTH

TwoKids Apparel

S

By Greta Stanier

crolling through Instagram, one might come across the page of TwoKidsApparel, a business recently started by two City High students, Soumaila Sanogo ‘23 and Shamar Benton ‘23. With a vision of supporting social justice and helping the community, Sanogo and Benton started selling their shirts in honor of Black History Month.

“We wanted something different on the back of our shirts to show what we’re about,” Sanogo said. “We came up with a lady with an afro that symbolizes Black Lives Matter. It shows how strong the afro can be.”

Sanogo and Benton began their business around two months ago, since then, they have sold T-shirts to Iowa City, Coralville, Des Moines and Chicago.

“We branched off how we used to do [business], we were always cutting grass and shoveling snow. We’ve always been entrepreneurs by heart. We said, ‘look, can we do it?’”

Sanogo said.

Shamar’s brother, Byron Benton ‘21, played a part in pushing the two towards their goals of starting this business. “[My brother] really helped us [when starting out] because he motivated us,” Benton said. “I feel like he didn’t really want to be part of it because he wasn’t sure how it was gonna go, but he always really told us that we should put our idea on a shirt.”

Along with support from family, Sanogo and Benton sought out guidance from Andre Wright, a fashion activist and co-founder of the Iowa City based brand, Humanize My Hoodie. Andre Wright gave the two advice about starting their own business.

To supporters of the brand, TwoKidsApparel is more than just a T-shirt selling business. Sanogo and Benton are committed to helping their community in numerous ways, such as giving back to the homeless.

“We just want to help,” Benton said.

“When people buy TwoKidsApparel, they’re helping other people. When they buy, it gives us [resources] that we could give back to the homeless. It helps us and it helps the homeless.”

Using the platform they have gained from starting their business, they are looking towards doing more, such as a food drive.

ABOVE: Sonago and Benton help the homeless by donating a free shirt. PHOTO COURTESY OF SOUMAILA SANOGO AND SHAMAR BENTON

“We don’t want to just be worrying about media. selling clothes,” Sanogo said. “We want to “I feel like we create a better audience be helping people, with school, clothes, and being in high school,” Benton said. “Peofood. We were also planning on setting up a ple will want to buy from TwoKidsApparel food drive this summer to help out people because of our story behind it. It’s so legit who can afford to eat at home.” and authentic, that people can relate to [the Sanogo and Benton are both sophomores brand].” in high school, an age Overall, City that has created both “I feel like we create a better audi- High has helped obstacles and opporTwoKidsApparel take tunities. While nav- ence being in high school,” Benton off and branch into igating those chal- said. “People will want to buy from new places. lenges, some aspects “City High is a TwoKidsApparel because of our very powerful place. of balancing high school with their can do anything story behind it. It’s so legit and We business have been we put our mind to. difficult. authentic, that people can relate to I believe that using “Sometimes it City High, we can re[the brand].” would be stressful beally go far with this,” cause we both played Sanogo said.

SHAMAR BENTON CITY HIGH SOPHOMORE basketball. It would Within the combe hard to drop off munity of City High, shirts for teachers because of practice, but we AJ Leman, a business teacher, has supported always make a way for it,” Benton said.

TwoKidsApparel in giving the two encourOn the other hand, they have enjoyed agement. Leman can also be spotted sporting the connections and communication that a shirt.

City High has brought to their brand. Many “I have Soumaila in class and he told me students and teachers have supported it, by about the idea,” Leman explained. “In fact, purchasing shirts and following their social he has told me about numerous business

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ideas. It’s always exciting to see students take initiative and be creative with ideas.”

Leman explained that he enjoys supporting student businesses and fostering their creativity.

“I love the logo and the font used for the initial Black Lives Matter T-shirt. It’s wonderful to see students produce something and make social justice a foundational element of the brand,” Leman said.

Starting the brand has also allowed Sanogo and Benton to become closer with the community around them.

“Our favorite part has been meeting new people,” Benton said. “Recently, I’ve

met so many people that I never thought I would ever speak to. We build so many connections and I feel like that’s going to help the business in the long run.”

Sanogo and Benton are happy with how far their business has come in the past four months. After their first batch of t-shirts sold out, they restocked with the addition of sweatshirts that sold within an hour.

Both the T-shirts and sweatshirts feature the brand’s trademark logo that symbolizes the Black Lives Matter movement.

“What the world is going through right now, we feel like Black Lives Matter shirts would go well with the environment in our

school.” Benton said.

Looking towards the future, Sonago and Benton are planning a summer themed clothing drop, as well as working to expand and reach more people through their business.

“Within the next six months, we want to be a business where people could shop from a whole another state,” Benton said.

“We want to be a global business, with our restock we’re planning on like going a little farther out into the world.”

To purchase from TwoKidsApparel, contact the business on their Instagram, @ TwoKidsApparel.

ABOVE: Sonago (left) poses with Steve Tygrett (right) wearing TwoKidsApparel’s Black Lives Matter shirt. PHOTO COURTESY OF SOUMAILA SANOGO AND SHAMAR BENTON

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