April 2018
Volume 92
Issue 8
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Speech team showcases talent
From left to right: Bradly Krug, Kaitlin Ceder, Karagin Ruff, Robert Sales. Alex Lakei, Ashlynn Wiley, Raylynn Nelson, Cassy Higgins. Photo by: Cami Wagaman
Cami Wagaman Editor-in-Chief
During speech this year, many acts progressed and made it to the state competition, and musical theatre made it to all-state. Instead of a second play, the drama department put on a showcase of many acts that were performed during the speech season. On Monday, April 23, performances were put on by the Musical Theatre group, the One Act group, as well as solo performer, Patience Cave. The opening act of the night was a performance by the Musical Theatre group, who performed Sweeney Todd: A Choral Medley. The group of performers included Seniors Timmy Ginn,
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Bradley Krug, Patience Cave, Ashlynn Wiley, Raylynn Nelson, and Cassy Higgins, as well as Junior Alex Lakei. All of the performers that were involved with Musical Theatre are also a part of Thomas Jefferson’s Choir Department. “We’re all involved in show choir, concert choir, and jazz choir,” states senior Bradley Krug. “Dancing is a bit easier because we know what kind of moves to do and how words fit with them.”
During his four years at TJ, Krug has been involved in five productions. Aside from being in musical theatre, he played John in the One Act play, David and Lisa. Senior Patience Cave was the only solo performer of the night, with her individual Improv scene. Cave has been a member of the thespian troupe at TJ for most of her high school experience. The night ended with a performance from the One Act
group. The play, David and Lisa, starred Sophomore Karagin Ruff as Lisa/Muriel, and Junior Robert Sales as David. The play had a very mature theme that touched base with many issues, such as mental illness, romance, and sexual assault. During the speech season, the Musical theatre group was one of five groups chosen from 20 to perform at All-state. The one act play made it past districts and onto state, but did not receive the
ratings necessary to advance to All-state. This year, the speech season has come to an end, but it is never too late to join the speech team. Talk to Ms. Custer in room B108 for more information!
Photo story on page 2!
A promise for the future
The Pottawattamie Promise students come together from different schools. Photo provide by: Linda Huber
Reporter Kelsie Anderson digs in more about Jerfferson’s Jazz Choir having a undefeated year. Read Jefferson Jazz Choir goes undefeated.
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Golden Corral reopens and plans on changing a lot about how they are going to run things. Reporter Counrtney Jones as more imfromation. Read Golden Corral.
Page 3 Reporter Mogan Jacobson tells us about how fortnite as been getting really known over the past years now that more people know about it. Read Fortnite.
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It almost time for Celebration and other events at the Celebrate CB. Reporter Kelsie Anderson as more imfromation. Read Clebrate CB.
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Maddie Nymann Reporter As graduation for the senior class of 2018 draws near, students have become more anxious while thinking about starting college in the fall. For some students though, planning for college has become a more accessible and enjoyable experience this year, with the Pottawattamie Promise scholarship. Recipients of the scholarship
were invited to a breakfast banquet to celebrate their hard work since receiving the scholarship. “The breakfast is for all students from Pottawattamie County who have been awarded the scholarship,” states Ms. Huber, a Pottawattamie Promise advisor and teacher at TJ, “They will all be attending IWCC this year.” At the banquet, 70 students from different schools in western Iowa stood before members of not only the Council bluffs community school district, but
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members of Iowa Western Community College and announced their majors. Many people are proud of the accomplishments of these students including Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh, who was also in attendance to welcome the seniors into the next phase of their lives. Students brought along friends, family members, and even teachers to help celebrate their excitement of getting the scholarship. “The scholarship has helped
many students in a big way that have received it,” said Huber. “It’s helped most of the students become more focused and see an end goal that they can improve their life and make more out of it.” When we asked her what word of advice she would give to future Pott Promise recipients, Huber said: “They need to always try their best, go to class, and not get behind because what they do in high school follows them into college, and those habits are bad and hard to break.”
Speech Showcase
News
THE SIGNAL Editor-in-Chief Cami Wagaman
Copy Editor Emily Eikenberry Paginator Emily Eikenberry Cami Wagaman Staff Kelsie Anderson Madasyn Davis Morgan Jacobson Courtney Jones Maddie Nymann Adviser Rob Lindquist Phone: 712-328-6493 Facebook: CBJacketJournalism Twitter:@TJHSJournalism Web: cbjacketjournalism.com Snapchat: tjhsjournalism
The Signal is a school-sponsored publication of Thomas Jefferson High School 2501 W. Broadway Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501. The Signal’s office is located in the upper library. The Signal is printed by OH-K FASTPRINT in Omaha, NE. The Signal is a school-sponsored-publication and therefore recognizes its responsibility to stay within the boundaries that the school administrator sets. The Signal will therefore inform its readers using a high standard of morals and ethics. The Signal encourages readers to respond in the form of letters to the editor, which can be sent to room C128. The Signal’s editorial staff reserves the right to edit the letters for grammatical errors and to remove any profanity. The editors also reserve the right to exclude letters that are false in their statements or accusations. The Signal will not accept advertisements that promote activities illegal to minors. Advertising rates are available upon request.
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Musical Theatre, Solo Preformer, and The one act group preforming their acts for the last time this year. Photo by: Cami Wagaman
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Golden Corral
NEWS
The Hub
The trampoline park called the “The Hub” just opened. Photo by: Cami Wagaman
Golden Corral closed for six months will reopen. Photo by: Cami Wagaman
Courtney Jones Reporter For the past six months, the beloved restaurant Golden Corral has been out of business due to unnecessary spending, which led them to file for bankruptcy. Recently it was announced that the popular restaurant is planning on reopening the Council Bluffs location under new management. Although an exact date has not been released, it is said to be back up and running by the beginning of May. In preparation for the grand re-opening, the company plans to renovate the entire dining area and also
has plans to fix up the parking lot area. New management plans to hire anywhere from 70 to 80 new employees. Many local people have express their excitement for the re-opening. Thomas Jefferson student Jose Soria is one of the many people excited about the come back. “I think it’s pretty amazing that they are opening back up,” states Soria. “Being able to go in a weekend after a long day of homework and only having to pay one price for unlimited food is amazing.” Golden Corral hopes that under new management the restaurant will continue to be successful and have a better go at things the second time around.
Madasyn Davis Reporter Trampoline Park, ‘The Hub’, will make its big debut on May 1st. The Hub will be Council Bluffs’ first trampoline park and all-star cheer and tumbling center. The former YMCA building will be the site of the new attraction. Along with a trampoline park and the all-star cheer and tumbling center, comes a daycare and coffee shop as well.
The Hub trampoline area doesn’t just offer open bounce, it offers dodgeball, dunk hoops, jousting beams, launch lanes, and even platform trick boxes. Jump passes are available for purchase online. If under 18, a parent/guardian must fill out the waiver in order to jump. Waivers can be filled out online via http:// thehubcb.com/fly-zone-trampoline-park/ Elite Cheer Omaha has partnered with Nikki McIntosh to bring Elite Cheer to Council Bluffs. The Hub will be shared with Elite Cheer Council Bluffs. More
information about the new all-star center can be found on http://thehubcheer.com or on their facebook page ‘Elite Cheer Council Bluffs’. Coffee Shop, The Hub Grind, will provide a place for parents to sit and relax while enjoying freshly brewed coffee or a snack, rather than the ordinary concessions. There will be a live, split screen tv hung where you can see the trampoline courts or Elite Cheer’s area. Information and updates can be found online (http://thehubcb. com) or on their Facebook page, ‘The Hub’.
Jefferson jazz choir goes undefeated A Letter to the Editor Discrimination: Not Just Something You Learn in American History
Jazz choir preforming at the Hall of Fame. Photo by: Cami Wagaman
Kelsie Anderson Reporter In the 2017-18 school year, Thomas Jefferson’s jazz and show choirs have improved tremendously by earning a winning streak this season. Looking back through the years, it’s clear that students have improved their skills immensely, and continue to prove themselves at many competitions. “I’ve been extremely proud of them this year,” states Travis Walker, TJ’s choir director, “They don’t complain and they work extremely hard.” When asked on what he loves
most about show and jazz choir Walker stated, “The energy and the adrenaline right before a show, it’s really fun.” TJ’s jazz choir won first place against five other competing schools at an event hosted at Iowa Western Community College. TJ also earned first place at the Western Iowa Tech jazz competition. “They have won first place at every competition,” Walker boasts. “They are an amazing group of singers.” During a competition at the University of South Dakota, both jazz choir and show choir won first place, surprising many people with the outcome.
Senior Ashlynn Wiley is a singer for both jazz and show choir. Wiley received an Outstanding Soloist Award during the last Jazz Choir competition. “It took me a second to realize it,” Wiley states, “But then I thought, oh, that’s me!” When questioned on what her favourite competition was she exclaimed, “The Sioux City East Competition!” TJ made a great outcome of winnings through the 2017-2018 school year shocking lots of people with their winning streak from Jazz Choir. Congratulations to Mr. Walker, Show choir and Jazz choir on their successful competition season!
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America has always prided itself in its slogan ‘America: land of the free’, but this nation was built on the bones of discrimination which still haunts us today. Now we may try and deny this issue because it’s 2018 and we should live in a world where people are seen as equals, but unfortunately that still isn’t the case. Prejudice and discrimination still applies to many people in America today. The United States owes its success to the system of racial discrimination which it was founded on. Sure we have outlawed slavery and segregation, but when discrimination is so embedded into our heritage it doesn’t dissipate easy. Recent events in the news prove this. Nikolas Cruz shot thirty-four high school students killing half of them, but when police arrived they apprehended him without shooting. Stephen Clark was suspected of vandalizing cars in a Sacramento neighborhood. When police arrived to apprehend him he was in his grandparents’ backyard holding a cellphone. In a video released from the officer’s body cam you can hear the officers tell him to put
his hands up once before shooting several rounds that would eventually kill Stephen Clark. Clark was unarmed. Unfortunately the difference between these apprehensions is a racial issue, because our justice system has an unjust bias that race is linked to criminal behavior. The bitter truth is that this country was built by discriminating others to establish a power that still controls the country today, and that power is what allows discrimination like this to continue. Yes this country has made amazing progress in trying to mend the wounds discrimination has made, but we have not eliminated discrimination completely. We must become aware of discrimination so that we can stop it. Racial discrimination is just one aspects of this curse that plagues our country. So many individuals face discrimination over thing such as race, gender, sexuality, and so on, and so we must aid those who face this battle, because discrimination does exist in this country, but each person has the power to change that. Karagin Ruff, Council Bluffs
NEWS
Face of the month: Alondra Ruano Emily Eikenberry Reporter Junior Alondra Ruano is a transfer student from Lewis Central. She is also more than meets the eye when it comes to boxing. Ruano started boxing last year, but she has been participating in activities like boxing since her earlier years. Ruano got into boxing in order to stay active after the basketball and volleyball seasons ended, and she didn’t want to just stay home or get into trouble. “It keeps me in a good place, not a bad place,” States Ruano. Boxing has been a family tradition for Ruano, but that’s not the reason she’s interested in it,
Junior Alondra Ruano has a little known secret alter-ego. Photo by: Emily Eikebnerry
she says. “What got me interested in boxing was it got me active,”
Ruano said, “It helps you get motivated and it gives you a workout.”
Once Alondra transferred she met Alexis Tatum, who also attends Thomas Jefferson and
May 11th and end on May 19th. For the 14th year, Council Bluffs will hold Barbeque in the Bluffs at their permanent location, Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park. The barbeque will be held May 11th-12th. Many BBQ lovers will attend to eat the best tasting BBQ around town. Keeping Council Bluffs clean is a big part of a welcoming com-
munity. The 2018 Clean Sweep will be held May 15th at Bayliss Park. Anyone who wants to volunteer are encouraged to be at the park between 5-5:30pm to register. The Celebrate CB parade will take place at 10:30am on May 19th. The parade route is centered around the Bayliss Park area. Following the parade will be
food, fun, and entertainment at the carnival! A selfie contest is also happening to win a family season pass to the Council Bluffs pools. The selfie contest started April 28th and runs until May 19. Take a selfie at the Iowa West Fieldhouse, any Celebrate CB event, Veridian Credit Union, Rivers Edge Pavillion, Gale
Celebrate CB Kelsie Anderson Reporter Each year, the city of Council Bluffs comes together for a string of entertaining events that citizens can participate in. The Celebrate CB events will begin on
Fortnite
ENTERTAINMENT
recommended her to South Omaha's DG's Boxing Club. “I feel furious, I don’t wanna mess up,” Ruano says, “You have to do the moves the right way, so you win the fight.” With boxing and her getting stronger she says, “Knowing how to fight you know what to do in emergencies.” For more information about the boxing club you can go to their facebook page South Omaha DG’s Boxing Club.
Wickersham Athletic Complex, Charles E. Lakin YMCA, any Council Bluffs School or with a person who you look up to as a leader and post on twitter, instagram (must be public), or on the Celebrate CB Facebook page with the hashtag #LearningLaunchingLeading Make sure to check http:// www.celebratecb.com for more
Local Concerts Stir Cove is going to be holding the concerts people are dying to see Photo by: Madasyn Davis
Morgan Jacobson Reporter In the past year, battle royale games have gained a ton of popularity. The spike in involvement with such games started with games such as The Culling, Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds, and H1Z1 King of the Kill. All games that have 100 player lobbies and have you pitted up against them alone, or with a team. Fortnite is another game that does the same thing, but when it debuted in 2011 it wasn’t considered a battle royale game. Like H1Z1 it started out more as a survival game where you hold out against infected monsters, but as of right now they are focusing on their own take of a battle royale. As of right now, Fortnite and PUBG are the most popular
Madasyn Davis Reporter A hard win to get in fortnite was achieved with barely any health. Photo provide by: Brandon Schuemann
games on the battle royale market. PUBG is very realistic and offers amazing graphics, whereas Fortnite is a free to play game with more cartoonish graphics and a building system. There are many arguments over which game is the best, one side says PUBG but, PUBG is losing its players more and more everyday. Fortnite is still gaining players, and runs smooth on all consoles and on pc, PUBG was recently released on Xbox One, and it
cannot run properly. Textures don’t load in completely and connection issues continue to occur. New updates continue to pour out such as the meteor that is rumored to be taking out a part of the map known as “Tilted Towers” and new weapons and new game modes every weekend. More people join the trend and try to get their victory royale everyday, try it out yourself if you haven’t already; on Xbox One, Playstation 4, iOS, or PC for free.
Summer is just around the corner, which means more concerts and live entertainment. Omaha has many concerts and venues to enjoy live entertainment. The Centurylink Center hosts many events and concerts including Kevin Hart (May 17), Imagine Dragons (June 24), Luke Bryan (August 2), and Justin Timberlake (December 8). You can find tickets and more information on Ticketmaster or Centurylink online. Jake Miller will be performing at The Waiting Room on May 5th. Omaha will be his 15th stop on his new ‘Hit and Run’ tour.
Flatbush Zombies will be performing at the Sokol Auditorium on May 7. On July 14, A$AP Ferg will be performing. Tickets for Flatbush Zombies can be found on https://thegloriousdead.com/pages/vacation-inhell & tickets for A$AP Ferg can be found on http://www.asapferg. com/tour/. Migos will be kicking off the summer at Stir Cove on May 26th. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster online and are going quick. If you’re looking for a free concert, Loessfest will be hosting Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Loessfest will take place May 26th at Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park. More concerts will be announced later. Stay updated on dates via social media.
Even more stories online! Visit bit.ly/SignalNews Page 4