LH Magazine by The Little Hawk

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December 18, 2014

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LH Feature Magazine

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ADHD

in ADHD With the recent rapid increase oes everyone diagnoses, a question arises: D the disease? being diagnosed actually have

WINTER FEAST

NAVIGATING RELIGION

ONLINE SHOPPING

PREVIEW

STUDENT PROFILE Sophomore Addie Bass pushes the boundaries of theater, combining an optimistic point of view with intriguing gender fluidity.

WINTER FEAST

DRIFTING AWAY

ONLINE SHOPPING

Everyone has favorite holiday foods. Little Hawk staffers have chosen theirs for this delicious (if unconventional) winter list.

Students of four different faiths discuss the challenges of navigating religion in a less-religious nation.

As the holiday season approaches, City students join the rest of the nation in debating the relative merits of online and instore shopping.

COVER PHOTO BY CAROLINE BROWN

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FROSTY FUN HOLIDAYS WITHOUT A HOME Most of us think of the holidays as a time to relax. For some in Iowa City, that is not the case.

Quizzes, fashion, and more to keep you entertained this winter break!

TONY BALCAEN “I CAN BREAK SOME OF THE STEREOTYPES THAT YOU GUYS HAVE ABOUT THE FRENCH, OR REINFORCE THEM, BUT AT LEAST I CAN GIVE THEM SOME TRUTH.”

PHOTO BY CAROLINE BROWN

By Jonathan House Tony Balcaen came to Iowa City from the Picardie region of northern France to become a teaching assistant at the University of Iowa in 2004. He enrolled in grad school at the University in 2008, and is now a French teacher at The School That Leads. For Balcaen, teaching allows him to share his culture, which is something he really enjoys doing. “My favorite part [about teaching] is that I can teach my culture. I can break some of the stereotypes that you guys have about the French, or reinforce them, but at least I can give some truth to them,” Balcaen said. Balcaen graduated from the University of Iowa in 2011. He then moved to South Carolina for a year to teach French there. “It was tough because it was a population that did not really care for education in general, and for French even less,” Balcaen recalled. “The kids themselves just didn’t really care that much.” After a year in South Carolina, Balcaen came back to Iowa to teach French at City

High, beginning in August of 2012. He teaches French 1, 2, 3, and AP French; all levels of French except regular French 4. Balcaen says that teaching French wasn’t what he originally wanted to do. “I wanted to be an English teacher in France originally, and then I came here in ‘04. I was a French teacher at the University,” Balcaen said. “I decided that was what I wanted to do, except for high school instead of college.” Balcaen enjoys watching students grow in French over the years. “Just seeing what I give you, what you guys are able to do, is my favorite part. In the beginning, in level one and level two, you have nothing,” Balcaen said. “Oftentimes I get you guys for three or four years in a row, and seeing after a couple years what you are able to do in the language is what I really like.” Although Balcaen says he enjoys teaching and living in the United States, he still misses French culture. “I’ve always loved languages. English was my favorite subject in school, and that is what I studied in college in France. The fact that I can use English every day is something that I enjoy very much,” Balcaen said about living in the United States. “From France, I miss the

food, my culture, and just people who are more like-minded.” He also says that there are many differences between teaching in France and teaching in the U.S. In France, it is easier. “[In France],we don’t have office hours, and the students don’t come in and ask you stuff. You teach and you’re done,” Balcaen said. Although he has lived in the U.S. for 10 years, Balcaen has yet to become a citizen. “I need to check on that. I feel like if it is okay for me to be both; why not,” Balcaen said. “But I would have to give up my French citizenship. It wouldn’t be just my French citizenship; I would see it as the whole European citizenship. Being part of the EU, I have access to all those countries,” Balcaen said. “The reason I wouldn’t want to be [a U.S. citizen] is I would have to give that up.” Although Balcaen grew up in France, because he is from rural France, he can relate to growing up in Iowa. “I come from the country,” Balcaen said. “It really isn’t that different from growing up in a smaller town in Iowa.”

December 18, 2014

A WINTER FEAST

Will

and

Dominic

Everyone has favorite holiday foods. Little Hawk staffers have chosen theirs for this delicious (if unconventional) winter list.

PIZZA

CHINESE FOOD

You can’t create a giant pile of food and take a picture of it unless there are some slices of pizza involved. Interesting pizza. Special pizza.

It’s going to say somewhere on my tombstone that I really liked Chinese food. Right under the part where it says how often I ate Chinese food.

3 CHEDDAR BROCCOLI SOUP Everyone seems to hate broccoli unless it’s covered in something, like ranch, or cheese. Lots of something.

WHERE CAN I GET SOME? OUR FAVORITE LOCAL PLACES

1. Pagliai’s 2. Taste of China 3. Panera 4. Hy-Vee 5. Jimmy Jack’s Rib Shack

6. Blackstone 7. Jimmy John’s 8. Panera 9. The Co-op 10. Starbucks 11. Fair Grounds

WINGS

RIBS

MAC ‘N’ CHEESE

B.L.T. s

You’ve probably been doing this wrong. Top German engineers have developed the most efficient technique using millions of dollars of flaming grant money. Go online and look up “how to eat wings.”

To be specific, the animal kind. We don’t identify with any region’s particulars concerning how these should be prepared. This meal was developed by a multicultural team of various faiths and beliefs.

Some people try to pass their mac off as the real thing without bread crumbs. Thankfully, the folks at Blackstone aren’t among these posers.

Mmm, sizzling bacon with sizzling lettuce and sizzling tomatoes, all topped with sizzling bread! It burns! We had trouble getting all the ingredients in one place, but then we did and… Whoa.

8 CREAMY TOMATO SOUP You’ve heard of chicken noodle soup, you know, with the bowl? This is a lot like that, but completely different, and red.

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CHEESECAKE

CHAI LATTES

WAFFLES

Cheesecakes are good cakes if you like sugar and stuff. We like them, at least. You probably should too. I mean, they’re pretty good. They have their own factory.

What are the odds that if you ask 20 people for their favorite drink, a chai latte comes up? It’s easily the healthiest drink available to teenagers, and at four dollars a pop, it’s a great deal.

We got these from Fair Grounds Coffeehouse. Waffles are good, but can get kind of bland without toppings. We like strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream. What do you like on your waffles?

FOOD

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PHOTOS BY CORA BERN-KLUG

December 18, 2014

Drifting Away

Students of different faiths discuss the challenges of navigating religion in a less-religious nation. By Nova Meurice & Sarah Smith

ART BY NOVA MEURICE

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n the eyes of the Hindu Temple of Eastern Iowa, Ani Parandkar ‘16 is considered a child. As he walks through the building doors, he follows behind his family and sits in back. He quietly watches his dad participate in the service. He knows that as the eldest son, he is expected to carry on the Hindu practices. Whether or not he will fulfill this duty, Parandkar doesn’t know. “I wouldn’t say I’m moving away from [religion]. I just, I keep it down,” Parandkar said. “I still do everything that’s required for it, but I don’t take it in. I don’t really take in what I’m doing, I just follow what everybody else is doing. I’m kind of slipping through the cracks.” Like his parents, Parandkar was born in India and brought up Hindu. Unlike his parents, however, Parandkar was raised in the United States, where religion takes a secondary role in his life. “I’m Hindu, but basically that means my parents are,” Parandkar said. “In all honesty, I’d probably call myself an atheist.” Parandkar believes in the core values of Hinduism, such as kindness, but he feels that he may just be going through the motions during services to please his parents. “Once I’m out of the house I’m probably not going to do anything religious,” Parandkar said. “But for the time being, I’m still following it.” Parandkar is just one of many Americans who

consider themselves to have “no religious affiliation”. Since the 1960s, the practice of religion in the United States has been on the decline. According to a Gallup Poll, the percentage of people surveyed who aren’t affiliated with any religion has risen from two percent in 1960, to 15 percent in 2013. A Pew Research Poll finds that among young people, the numbers are even higher, with one in four 18- to 29-year-olds identifying as unaffiliated. Yara Moustafa ‘17, like Parandkar, understands the pull to follow tradition, but she feels that as she matures her understanding of Islam has changed. “I wouldn’t say I’ve gotten more or less religious,” Moustafa said. “I don’t attend Sunday school anymore, but I would say I’m the same amount of religious. I actually know what the things mean [now],” she said. “When you’re growing up at Sunday school or praying at a mosque, you don’t really understand what the Imam, the priest, is saying. But as I grew up and learned the language more, I started to understand it.” As Moustafa learns more about her religion, she finds some aspects less agreeable than others. “[My parents] tried to implement it upon me a lot as I was growing up, but as I’m getting older, they’re realizing that I’m obviously going to have my own opinions,” Moustafa said. “My parents are very traditional-thinking. I’m very liberal and more openminded.” Although

still following her religion, here is better.” Moustafa doesn’t agree its requirMoustafa’s family chose ing women to wear a hijab. to move to the United States “My parents know that if they for a better quality life, but they had forced me to do it, then I sometimes come across religious wouldn’t have actually wanted to bias that would be uncommon in do it. They were worried that I Egypt. would have resented the religion “I guess you obviously have a for making me wear something lot of stereotypes against Muslims. that I didn’t want to wear,” We used to live in New York, and Moustafa said. “I’ve seen girls at my mom told me that after 9/11, my mosque who are forced to wear when she wore her hijab, people a hijab. You can tell that they really treated her really poorly, whether didn’t want it was directly to, but it was or indirectly,” their parents’ Moustafa “I STILL DO choice. I said. “They’d EVERYTHING THAT’S guess for give her nasty REQUIRED FOR IT, BUT looks, and yell Muslims, [you wear a things at her.” I DON’T TAKE IT IN. I hijab] when Moustafa DON’T REALLY TAKE you feel like believes that you want to IN WHAT I’M DOING; stereotypes for Allah. I this can I JUST FOLLOW WHAT like feel like right cause people EVERYBODY ELSE IS now in my to drift from life, I don’t the Islamic DOING. I’M KIND OF want to do faith. MoustaSLIPPING THROUGH that.” fa can recall a Although personal story THE CRACKS.” her parents of when she understand experienced -ANI PARANDKAR ‘16 Moustafa’s discrimination religious herself. qualms, she “When I thinks they would like to see her was 11 or 12, I was at a gas station live more religiously. with my mother, and this woman “I think that my parents would saw my mother. She stuck her head definitely like it more if I was as out of her window and screamed, religious as most teenagers are in ‘Go back to your country!’ It was Egypt, but they know that’s not rejust such a weird experience for alistic. They know that as much as me. If I hadn’t been 12 at the time, they would like me to live in Egypt I probably would have yelled back, and live in a Muslim-dominated because that’s just a stupid thing to population, the educa- do to someone,” tion

December 18, 2014 7

religion at City High do you believe in god?

religious AFFILIATION

how religious are you compared to your parents?

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Moustafa said. “A lot of people are educated, though, and respect other religions. There are just some ignorant people that think that we’re terrorists, which is obviously not the case.” Even though she occasionally experiences scrutiny and judgement for her religion, Moustafa uses her faith to get through it. “I guess like with every belief system, you find support in it, like if you believe in a higher power. I guess that you can just look to that in a bad time in your life, or when you need guidance. You could pray or stuff of that sort,” she said. “Also, having a mosque in the community has definitely impacted me because you meet more people of the same religion as you. You can relate to them. You can’t really relate to most people on a religious basis at your public school.” Ayla Canin ‘17 is interested in the Jewish community and culture, but not specifically in the religion itself; she enjoys haverahs, or gatherings of Jewish community members more than religious services. “We’re sort of in a circle of less-religious Jews. I think that it’s more about that we share; we make food and we have similar values,” Canin said. “Before each [haverah], we light candles and sing a song or do an activity, and then we eat Jewish food. I like it because I like the food and I like the people. Whenever we do religious things I just sort of get disinterested.” Interactions with the Jewish community are the most important part of the religion for Canin. She remembers one instance when the community came together to help another member. “When a member of my synagogue was dying, we built her a porch because she wanted to be outside. She was too weak to go outside — she was in hospice — and she could sleep out there and rest out there so that she had peaceful last days,” Canin said. “We’re all just friends, so we help each other when we’re in need.” She believes that her synagogue provided her with a community, although not necessarily a religion. “I think that it kind of brings people together, and even though I’m not super religious, when I go to the synagogue I know most of the people there. It’s a good way to meet people with a similar background and I think that that’s

nice,” Canin said. “To a certain extent, some sort of religion, but not even religion necessarily, just some sort of community is nice to have in your life. I think that a synagogue or church, can provide that, but if you can find [community] in a place that’s not religious, I think it’s equal. I don’t think it’s about the religion. It’s about the community,” she said. While Alexander Steele ‘17 agrees that his religion gives him an opportunity to connect with others, he believes his relationship with God is also important. “I think that [religion] is good because you can get in fellowship with people, and you have a support group if you’re ever struggling with anything,” Steele said. “Being in a relationship with God, it’s nice to be able to talk to him about any issues or anything. Just having reasons for things, why things happened.” Steele is a member of a Christian church, and the son of a pastor. He feels that his parents taught him about Christianity, but didn’t force him toward religion. “They encouraged me in reading the Bible and making decisions on my own,” Steele said. “They haven’t really pushed me toward it, but they have always offered me support, and answered whatever questions I have with it. They have played a huge role in [my religion].” Steele believes that his parents would want him to remain Christian, although they

respect that his opinions sometimes diverge from theirs. “They and I have differing ideas sometimes, because there’s that generation gap, but I’d say that I stick pretty well with their beliefs. I’m with them on a lot of issues,” Steele said. “I know that they wouldn’t reject me or anything if I differed on ideas, but sometimes there are little finite differences.” While most statistics and anecdotal evidence point to an American migration away from religion, the cause of this phenomenon is still up for debate. According to the same Gallup Poll that recorded participants’ religious affiliation, the top three reasons people move away from the religion that they were raised with are disagreement about religious teachings, dissatisfaction with a local church, and just finding a new and more fulfilling religion. However, Steele believes that the change may be due to the fading of tradition, coupled with more advanced technology. “It seems like, if we’re being so advanced, that means that we don’t necessarily need these reasons for why we’re here. Because we’re pretty much proving how smart we are and that we can do things,” Steele said. “ I also think that the younger generations don’t look up to previous generations or older texts, just seeing what they believed, and they’re not passing down traditions as much.” Others, such as Moustafa think that young people may be moving away from

religion because they are more back then.” independent from their parents Others, including Steele, than previous generations. believe that moving away from “I feel like teenagers are bereligion is a mistake. coming a lot more independent as “I’d say that’s a bad thing, just they grow up, because we can have because it’s really important to beour own money, we can drive and lieve in God,” Steele said. “Because we’re a lot more independent than that gives you a sense of purpose, teens were be in the 1940s or ‘50s,” and if you don’t have that, then she said. you’re really While kind of living “SOME SORT OF Moustafa likes for nothing, being Muslim, or just for COMMUNITY IS NICE she doesn’t your daily TO HAVE IN YOUR think it’s bad pleasures.” that people are While LIFE. I THINK THAT A leaving some Steele looks SYNAGOGUE OR aspects of relito God for CHURCH CAN PROVIDE answers and gion behind. “I think his sense THAT, BUT IF YOU CAN for it’s good that of purpose, FIND [COMMUNITY] IN Parandkar has people are more opentrouble doing A PLACE THAT’S NOT minded about because RELIGIOUS, I THINK IT’S so religious he feels all EQUAL.” things,” she the explasaid. “A lot nations he of traditional needs can be -AYLA CANIN ‘17 religious found without classical stuff religious teaches that a lot of things are interpretation. frowned upon, but a lot of those “I think it’s mostly because of things are all around us.” the mythological aspect, like when For instance, Moustafa there’s a storm, it’s not because disagrees with traditional values someone is mad,” Parandkar said. regarding gay marriage. “Now we know about science and “Most Muslims believe that math. It’s hard for people to let gay marriage isn’t a thing, and that go of the old belief, even though you shouldn’t be gay. I myself don’t we have evidence that proves it think that’s true,” she said. “I guess, wrong,” Parandkar said. “It’s hard for me, I find a lot of things that I to let go of that.” don’t agree with that my parents do. I think that it’s good that we wouldn’t judge people like they would

December 18, 2014

FINDING THE BEST WAY TO SHOP By Sadie Hobbs & Lucy McGehee

ith a click of a mouse, or a grab off the shelf, holiday gifts are becoming easier and easier to purchase, either by making a quick trip to the mall, or by typing a credit card number online. But not everyone is sold on the practicalities of the virtual marketplace. “When I’m online, the vast majority of the time I don’t buy anything. I’m just looking and looking and wanting everything,” Esmé Rummelhart ‘17 said. Along with sophisticated websites, stores have developed apps that can be accessed anywhere on their mobile device. These apps can be tempting to use extensively, because they are essentially like carrying stores in your pocket. “I’m definitely addicted [to online shopping], because I can do it whenever,” Tory Yeater ‘16 said. “I can literally shop online during school.” The looming label on the teenage generation seems to be the “technology-addicted youth”. However, some teens still go to the mall to inspect the quality of the items that they are interested in, rather than just shopping online. “I prefer mall shopping or downtown shopping. When you’re shopping online, the clothes tend to look funny when they come, and you can’t try things on,” Rummelhart said. As the holiday season continues, the malls become busier, and the lines longer. “I think [the mall] needs more people working; like cashiers, or more cash registers,” Talia Rosazza ‘17 said. “Usually there aren’t enough, and there are a lot

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PHOTO BY CAROLINE BROWN

of people if it’s a busy store.” Internet to shop. When it comes to online “Right now, I’m only trying to shopping, the price of shipping is buy Christmas presents, not for a large factor. Shipping can range myself,” Yeater said. “But other anywhere from being free, to betimes it’s hard not to spend a ing more than the item itself. lot of money, because you just “It costs much more to ship type in your card number and than to just buy in-store,” Royou don’t really see the money sazza said. leaving.” Especially during the holiday Thanksgiving shopping went season, items popular online can up an estimated 24 percent, while get back-ordered, and may not Black Friday shopping went arrive on schedule. down nearly seven percent, as “When things don’t come compared to 2013. on time, it’s kind of frustrat“I think people go too crazy ing because you’re counting on on [Black Friday]; people spend something,” Rummelhart said. so much money. If you think “You can’t just go and pick it up. about it, [the price can be the It’s waiting to be delivered to same] for the same thing,” you.” Rosazza Rumsaid. melhart The feels that popularan adity of “I’M DEFINITELY vantage Black ADDICTED [TO ONLINE of shopFriday SHOPPING], BECAUSE I ping in has led person, online CAN DO IT WHENEVER, as opstores AND I CAN LITERALLY posed to to strike online, is back with SHOP ONLINE DURING that you their own SCHOOL.” are in verpossession of sion of massive -TORY YEATER ‘16 the item deals. as soon “[Cyas you ber Monpurchase day] is it. so cheap, “When I’m waiting in line, and they always have really good I just like having my items or deals,” Yeater said. “It’s basically clothes, and taking them home Black Friday without the craziand picking them up so I can use ness.” them right away,” Rummelhart This past Cyber Monday, said. consumers spent more than $2 Although people get their billion, an increase of a quarter items instantly at the mall, a of a billion over last year. common frustration is that de“I think holiday shopping can sired items may be out of stock, be really convenient to do online, not carried in the store, or out of just because a lot of times you’re stock in some sizes. purchasing a lot more things,” “There are always more Rummelhart said. clothes online,” Yeater said. “If The choice between mall you’re looking for a specific shopping and online shopping thing, it’s so much easier to find can come down to the necessity online than at a store.” of an item, and patience, even for The U.S. will spend apdiehard, in-store shoppers. proximately $327 billion online “I don’t mind waiting for in 2016, an increase of about 45 shipping, because I’ve survived percent since 2012. The boost in long enough without the items I online spending shows that many just bought,” Rummelhart said. more Americans are using the “I’ll be fine for two more days.”

HOW MUCH WE SPEND

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ART BY NOVA MEURICE

Holidays Without a Home Most of us think of the holidays as a time to relax. For some in Iowa City, that is not the case. By Caroline Brown

ozy fireplaces, snow falling outside the window, and familiar holiday movies displayed on a flat screen T.V. are what most people visualize when they think of the holiday season. But for some people, the holiday season doesn’t mean a break or time to relax with family; they are just trying to get by. Doug Lestina works in the attendance office at City High to make the lives of kids without a home a little more manageable. He has discovered that the holiday season is especially disheartening. “By the time they get to high school, a lot of the kids that I’ve talked to have come to the realization that getting something for Christmas is not something that happens,” Lestina said. “And they’re used to it, which is sad. Gifts are a big part of the holidays, and family time doesn’t happen for most of them.” Watching the holiday shoppers stroll through downtown can be difficult, but these kids have bigger worries. Living without a home also has its effects on other aspects of these students’ lives, often meaning that getting to school in the morning a challenge. “Normally, I take care of attendance,” Lestina said. “Attendance is often an issue with homeless students, and that’s my key role: keeping track of that and making sure that if students aren’t here, we figure out why, and figure out what we can do to get them here more often.” City High student John* and

his family recently moved from Chicago to a shelter in Iowa City. His mother was able to find a job, and they were able to move out. “We used to live in the shelter, when we first came out here. My mom was struggling, and we were in DVIP for a few weeks,” John said. “Then we moved to Lakeside.” The DVIP (Domestic Violence Intervention Program) provides help and support to single parents, mostly women, who are trying to get out of abusive relationships. “I have a single mom,” John said. “My dad left when I was two, and I don’t really know what happened.” Single parents, a lack of affordable housing, and underemployment (employed but unable to make an adequate salary to raise a family) are three of the biggest contributors of poverty in America. John recognizes all of these factors as contributors to situations like his. “It was a last minute thing,” John said. “My mom’s brother was living out here, and we thought we were going to stay with him, but he ended up moving to California. That’s why we were in the shelter.” Although it’s not the same as living in a home, John found the shelter to be a positive experience. “In the shelter, they helped us out a lot; they provided us with clothes and the necessities,” he said. “It was really helpful.” Lestina has found helpful contacts at the shelter. “If a kid is in a shelter, they

have a contact that encourages communication between social services, and the shelter,” Lestina said. “We will know if they’re staying in the shelter, or if they aren’t returning at night.” John found living in a place with so many people to be strange. “It wasn’t really crowded, but there was a good number of people,” he said. “From time to time people were loud; snoring or waking up early, which made it hard to sleep. I felt safe, though.” Eventually, with assistance from the shelter, John and his family were able to move out and get establish their footing. For them, the time spent in the shelter is proof that being homeless doesn’t always mean living on the streets: it applies to anyone who does not have their own street address. “I don’t know of any kids who are living on the street as of right now. They are either sheltered or living with another family,” Lestina said. Even for these kids, as winter settles in, getting to and from

school can be difficult. “Using public transportation, as it gets colder, is dangerous,” Lestina said. “Especially when it starts to fall into negative degrees.” Lestina has also found that cold weather can negatively affect attendance for these students. “If they don’t have the right clothes and jackets for the winter, they are less likely to come to school. They’re not going to want to come outside, because it’s cold,” Lestina said. “They don’t have the ability to jump into a warm car and ride to school, and then to jump out and walk right into the building. For them it may mean standing and waiting at the bus stop, or walking. They may make the decision not to come, if that’s the case.” Unfortunately, skipping school only makes life tougher in the long run. Lestina believes that his job is to get every student to school as often as possible. “When you are homeless, or are living in a shelter, school becomes a lot less important. The

“BY THE TIME THEY GET TO HIGH SCHOOL, A LOT OF THE KIDS THAT I’VE TALKED TO HAVE COME TO THE REALIZATION THAT GETTING SOMETHING FOR CHRISTMAS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS.” -DOUG LESTINA

*Names have been changed to protect privacy

December 18, 2014

basic needs aren’t met, so it’s hard to get to school,” Lestina said. “My job is to try and get their basic needs met, so they can get here and be successful.” How exactly can a student receive help? Most of the homeless students at City High are selfidentified, and it’s not always easy to ask for support. “I keep it to myself,” John said. “I don’t tell my friends.” Lestina finds that students are often reluctant to ask for help, because they are worried about the judgements of others. “The kids don’t want to be identified. Especially as a highschooler, as an adolescent, they just want to fit in, and be here,” Bacon said. “Some of them don’t want anybody to know; some of

them you’d have no idea,” he said. Although confiding in other people can be hard, Cece* has found the faculty at City High to be of much assistance. Like John, she moved to Iowa City recently, and is living with her aunt. “My aunt is struggling to pay my way to get on the bus, so I go to the guidance office, and get the 31 day bus cards,” Cece said. Even with the assistance from the guidance office, being left outside during the winter to wait for public transportation services can be problematic. “I have to wait for the bus, and it takes a long time to come,” she said. “It’s really cold in the mornings. I’ve gotten sick because of that; I just recently got over a cold.”

Getting home from school presents the same problem. “Sometimes I get a ride home from my best friend and her mom, but sometimes I have to take the bus,” Cece said. After Cece moved, she faced problems beyond transportation to and from school. She was separated from part of her family, due to certain circumstances of the move. “I live with my aunt, and it’s only me and her,” she said. “My sister was going to live with us, too, but then my brothers came out here, so now I just live with my aunt. [This is so] it wouldn’t be so hard for my mom until she can get back on her feet. I have my own room, but at the same time, I want to be with my sisters and brothers.”

Being apart from family during the holiday season is not ideal, but Cece would like to make this Christmas as normal as possible. “We do a tree, but I don’t get as much stuff as I normally would, because it’s hard to get the bills paid right now,” she said. “But I am very grateful for the stuff that I do get.” Even in her arduous situation, Cece is still a believer that it is more important to give than to get. “There are other kids out there in bad predicaments-worse than mine,” she said. “People can maybe donate food and warm clothes, or anything they can possibly donate to help others, they know they’ve got someone on their side.”

Homelessness in the United States

INFOGRAPHIC BY OLIVIA PARROTT

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December 18, 2014 15

Life on Stage 20 Little Hawk Feature Magazine

A profile of sophomore addie bass

Addie Bass pushes the boundaries of theater, combining an optimistic point of view with intriguing gender fluidity. By Nina Dang

rembling from behind the curtain, her palms are slick as excitement wells in her veins, and a heady sense of nervousness throbs in her abdomen. She wonders to herself, “Why do I do this?” before stepping out from stage right. The anxiety she felt only a few moments ago melts away, and her question is answered as she finds her way beneath blinding spotlights. Addie Bass ‘17 breathes in the world of theatre, delving into both City High and community drama programs. “To be able to tell someone else’s story in front of hundreds of people is just amazing,” Bass said. “It’s scarier standing on the side of the stage right before you go on than it is actually performing. When you really get into it you just lose yourself in the character, or the music, or the dancing.” While her wistful passion is prevalent among many fresh faced actors her age, there is a stark difference between Bass and most high schoolers. She is known for taking on unconventional roles in her acting career, pushing the boundaries of theatre by playing both male and female characters. “I think there’s a lot more room when you’re playing a guy to just fool around and do what you want,” Bass said. “It’s an ironic portrayal of how you view the opposite gender. It’s always been a lot of fun because, from what I’ve observed, when girls are in theatre it tends to be a lot more competi-

tive than when guys are in theatre.” Bass began her acting career at a young age. “In sixth grade I was a lost boy in Peter Pan at City High. A couple Young Footlighter shows later, I was in a show called Blackbird,” she said. Bass also appeared in Oliver!, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and, of course, The Diviners. Now in her second year of high school, Bass encourages students to get involved in the many programs that City High offers, although she was herself hesitant to join during her freshman year. “I didn’t really get involved in anything first tri of my freshman year,” Bass said. “The biggest advice I could give to anyone in high school is to get involved, because life truly does begin outside of your comfort zone. If you had told me in middle school that I would be friends with the people I am with now, I would say, ‘No, I’ll stay with my little group,’ but branching out has really widened my view on high school.” Her plans for the year are simple. “Next is just keeping a cool head on things and focusing on school work,” she said. Beyond high school, her goals are somewhat more complex. “I’d like to be happy and successful. I really want to get some place in life. I don’t want to stay in Iowa, even though it is a wonderful place. I’d like to go out and see the world, and really experience life through other people’s perspectives, as well as my own.” PHOTOS BY KIERRA ZAPF

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity... Disorder? By Anton Buri

decade ago, attention deficit 2009-10 school year to the 2013disorders were a rarity. Today, 14 school year, the percentage of ADHD is the most common students in the ICCSD diagnosed psychiatric illness in America’s with ADHD has almost doubled, youth. from 3.9 percent to 7.2 percent. The number of kids being The rise in diagnoses has been diagnosed with ADHD is on the observed by district faculty. rise. According to the Centers for “Definitely I have [noticed],” Disease Control and Prevention, Jen BarbouRoske, ICCSD school approxinurse, said. mately 6.4 “But it could “IT COULD BE THAT million, or be that 11 percent, [ADHD] has ADHD HAS BEEN of children been there THERE BEFORE ages four before, and to 17 had more cases AND MORE CASES, been diagare just being ARE JUST BEING nosed with diagnosed DIAGNOSED NOW.” now.” ADHD as of Barbou2011. This Roske’s theory -JEN BARBOUROSKE number is a falls right into 50 percent the national leap from discussion just a decade ago, and today, it of why the number of diagnoses seems that struggling to focus is rising. Are we simply better at could even be the norm. identifying ADHD? Are diagnoses “When I was younger, everyone being handed out too liberally? would notice that I had it,” Eddy Could it be that our brains are Galstad ‘16 said. “But now everyactually changing? one’s like, ‘Oh, you have ADHD?’” Take a line that many teenagThis increase can be observed ers can say they’ve heard: “I can’t on a local scale as well. From the focus. I think I have ADHD”. This

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is self-diagnosis. It are unofficial, and are only meant may seem like an to be a ‘general guide’, their effects overreaction, but are not insignificant. They increase really, for somethe number people reporting one who is they have ADHD, and send more not especially people to the doctor’s office to get knowledgeofficial tests. able about the The fact that ADHD tests may symptoms of not be thorough enough falls right ADHD, and even for someone in line with inaccurate diagnowho is, having trouble focusing sis. Doctors are diagnosing and seems like a sure symptom of prescribing medication too freely. ADHD. This idea of self-diagnosis Some students who have taken the is something that could be contest themselves believe that these tributing to tests could the overall even be faked increase in in order to “I HONESTLY THINK children receive a with ADHD. diagnosis. YOU CAN LIE YOUR “I think “I honestWAY THROUGH [THE we’re overly think you TESTS FOR ADHD].” diagnosing can lie your ourselves, if way through that makes [the tests for -MICHAEL MARTIN ‘16 ADHD],” sense,” Galstad said. Michael Mar“Mentally tin ‘16 said. you’re like “Or a kid ‘I can’t focus today, I must have who’s seven years old, who might ADHD,’ using it as an excuse.” not know any better, could say A simple Google search will something like ‘I’m having trouble present you with endless online focusing.’ Then they might be diADHD tests. Although these tests agnosed with ADHD, when really

ADHD in the ICCSD

didn’t have to go through any testing. “I was kind of loud in school, but I never really noticed anything else. I was just kind of told to take medicine, really,” Matthew said. About a year ago, Matthew stopped taking his medicine. “I stopped taking those [medications] by my own choice. I just decided I didn’t really need to anymore,” he said. “I’ve always told my doctor that I couldn’t really tell the difference [when I didn’t take my meds], and I was never really doing any different in school when I didn’t.” Although not proven, some research has pointed to genetics as a primary cause of ADHD. That may indicate that Matthew’s diagnosis was not entirely unjust—it’s more an example of jumping to conclusions, when they might not be accurate. Studies have shown that genetics aren’t the only factor in the presence of ADHD. One of the suspects is technology. The introduction of new technology has a direct correlation with the increasing number of ADHD diagnoses.

A study by the American Acadcontrast with the pace at which emy of Pediatrics indicates that students do other things, such as kids who spend more time looking learning in school. at screens have more trouble pay“I have no definitive proof of ing attention for longer periods of anything. I have suspicions that time than their peers who spend there is some technology that kids less time spend more time with looking at,” BartechnolbouRoske said. “I THINK THAT ogy. “Whether it be a “I T.V. screen or a [TECHNOLOGY] IS think video game, the KIND OF AN ISSUE that image changes RIGHT NOW IN OUR [techat such a rapid nology] rate that you’re GENERATION. WE’RE is kind constantly resetALWAYS IN FRONT of an isting. It’s constant sue right interaction that OF SCREENS THAT now in way, as opposed ARE CONSTANTLY our gento when you’re CHANGING.” eration. looking at a page We’re alof book —it’s ways in there, it’s not -EDDY GALSTAD ‘16 front of changing, and screens you’re moving that are and controlling constantly changing,” Galstad said. the pace.” “There’s always something to do, While some see technology as and then as soon as something a possible cause of ADHD, others gets boring, we don’t want to do it think it could actually be a remedy anymore.” for the disorder. Video games and Fast-paced technology may T.V. release a pleasure-causing

hormone called dopamine. It is the same hormone that is in drugs prescribed to kids with ADHD, to stimulate the brain and make the individual more attentive. Regardless of the reasons the numbers of diagnoses are increasing, the trend is concerning to many. “I do think it’s a problem — I think I could have been diagnosed wrongly,” Matthew said. “When you do diagnose people who don’t actually have it, it skews the numbers and makes ADHD seem like not as big of a problem. It makes it way more common than it needs to be, and sort of lessens the actual issue,” he said. Galstad experienced problems with the perception of ADHD as less severe and more common when it came to standardized testing. “I got re-tested [for ADHD] again this year, and they submitted it to the College Board,” she said. “The College Board was said, ‘Sorry, you can’t have testing accommodations. Before that, it was the test from when I was 10 or 11, when it was ‘bad’ enough that I

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don’t receive adequate accommodations for learning disabilities may be at a disadvantage when it comes time for college applications. “The way it is right now, if you don’t do well on tests or if you don’t do well in school, then you don’t get into your dream college,” Galstad said. Another consequence of overdiagnosis is the increasing number of patients receiving possibly harmful drugs. Because they are so new, the long term effects of the drugs commonly prescribed for ADHD are unknown. “The woman that diagnosed me was like, ‘We don’t know the long term effects of this yet’,” Galstad said. “She warned us, which I thought was really great.” Still, medication is necessary for many, and that’s why it’s important to prescribe it only to those who really need it. “ADHD is not just having a short attention span. There’s more to go along with it,” Galstad said. “Being medicated for me is kind of a necessity in terms of being able to learn and being able to do well on tests.” To avoid the inaccuracies sometimes present in other types of learning disability assessments, in-person observation sessions are sometimes implemented. “That’s one of the things that the school has sometimes done,” BarbouRoske said. “They’ll bring in somebody to observe kids in a classroom where parents have requested and that person will look at the kid that they’re supposed to look at , but also at another random kid in the class. They’ll do a percentage. So this kid was on task 90 percent of the time where the other kid was only on task 30 percent of the time.” In response to increasing recognition of shortening attention spans in children and young people, schools are taking action in a number of ways. In the ICCSD, the P.E. department has recently implemented an activity called ‘brain breaks’. “Kids will sit for part of math class, then maybe part way through they’ll get up and do some jumping jacks,” BarbouRoske said. “So if it’s just a ‘wiggly’ thing, it helps kids focus more. They just started doing it in the last couple years. We’ve found some really big success with that, making sure kids get adequate mobility and movement during class. That’s why recess is such an important thing for the little kids.” Strategies like these that get kids mobile during school are designed help students who struggle with paying attention for longer periods of time. As for the challenge of distinguishing students who have trouble paying attention, from students who actually have ADHD, doctors and teachers alike still struggle with interpreting the rising number of diagnoses. “It needs to be looked at. Absolutely,” BarbouRoske said. “It’s the idea that every kids’ needs need to be met. You have to look at the core group of kids. If every kindergartner has ADHD, then we’re not diagnosing properly. You have to take time and make sure it’s an attention issue and not other things.”

ADHD in the United States Average age of diagnosis

Age when symptoms typically appear

Children aged four to 17 diagnosed with ADHD

3-6 6.4 million

Increase in diagnoses every year between 1997 and 2006

High school boys who have been diagnosed with ADHD

3% 1 in 5

ART BY CORA BERN-KLUG & ANTON BURI SOURCES: THE CDC AND HEALTHLINE.COM

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WINTER FUN FOR EVERYONE Quizzes, fashion, and more! By Arielle Soemadi

PHOTOS BY CAROLINE BROWN

The classic “boots and a sweater” combo is always popular come winter. While it’s cute, it can get a little boring. Lauren O’Brien ‘16 shows us how she likes to dress this time of year, featuring some downtown purchases and a lot from online. “I shop mostly online now,” O’Brien said. “It’s much more convenient, and there is a lot more variety of store and clothing options.” O’Brien dresses to stay both warm and stylish all winter long. “You can always tie an outfit and an accessory together,” O’Brien said. “In the winter, I like to use scarves. I prefer knit scarves because they keep you so much warmer.”

For more winter fashion tips, check out the winter boot guide on thelittlehawk.com! December 18, 2014 21

Everyone (okay, not everyone) loves a good ugly sweater. Here are a few of our favorite styles. From left to right: the Cozy Cardigan; the Subtle (read: manly) Sweater; the Traditional; and, finally, the All-Out Holiday-Loving, Wow-This-Is-Kind-Of-Heavy Mega-Sweater. Choose your favorite and get into the holiday spirit!

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A HOLIDAY GAME A few tic-tac-toe boards to keep you entertained over this winter break.

December 18, 2014

LITTLE HAWK FEATURE MAGAZINE