The Signal June 2014

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Seniors most memorable moment

By Morgan Wooton Reporter

There have been several seniors that have made great memories Here at TJ, support here at Thomas Jefferand commitment is son. what pushes our se“My most memorable niors to do their very moment was when I best. Creating memowon the I-JAG national ries is just something speech competition to that happens along the go to D.C. and repreway. sent not only my town Seniors have had an and school, but my adventurous and mem- state as well.” said orable time throughsenior, Janette Gonout their years at this zalez. “I look forward school. TJ has around to attending college at 220 seniors, who will the University of Iowa, hopefully be starting in Iowa City and just their new journey at the meeting new people, college they wish to making new friends, attend. and starting my new

journey there,” Senior, Freddy Williams has said, “My most memorable moment was this year, the first basketball game of the year for the boys team. There was only a couple seconds left of the game and we were

down by 2 points. We knew we were either going to win it, or tie.

Coach set up this play for me to go through the baseline with 3 screens (blocks) and the best point guard in Iowa (Mike Rowell) passes it to me, I

turn around, shoot the ball, fade away, than a 3 pointer to win the game.” He later added that he thought the Mr. TJ pageant was pretty fun.

Seniors had lots of great memories centered around TJ. Most of the seniors encourage younger students to become involved and make memories of their own. TJ’s graduates will walk across the stage and be awarded with their diploma on May 31, 2014 at the Mid America Center.

Who’s on First?

By Kelsey Nelson and Megan Carroll Reporters Our culture tells us that girls and boys shouldn’t compete against each other because, depending on the sport, one gender will have an advantage over the other. Girls involved in all-male sports, like baseball, is not the norm. But one soon-to-be freshman has the intentions to change history.

Josey Starner is an eighth grader at Woodrow Wilson Middle School and is playing for TJ’s baseball team in the 2014 season.

Starner is a female, playing an all-male

Eighth-grade student Josey Starner tries to become only girl baseball player in Iowa

sport.

Starner is able to play on the baseball team because of Title IX. Title IX states that, “No person in the U.S. shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, or de-

nied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal aid.”

According to National Federation of State High School Associations, “the impact

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of Title IX has arguably been most felt in athletics through the tremendous increase in women’s and girls participa­t ion. However, just as impressive is the law’s influence in opening educational opportunities that were

previously closed to women.”

Baseball is a sport that females and males can both go out for, yet softball and baseball are two different sports. If there were a male softball team, as well as the female softball team here at TJ, Josie would have to play for the female softball team.

“I think she enjoys the sport and enjoys playing it,” said Athletic Director Jeremy Stukenholtz. “She should be treated like any other baseball player. She is a good athlete.”

First cont. on page 4

The power of the beard

By Parker Raes Reporter

Dylan Nightser lead the track team to state this year. His performance in the events brought home a total of 3 medals. Although TJ has a solid track team, there is a secret to success locked away, holding the team together.

“I couldn’t have done it without the beard,” said Nightser. This statement stands as a testament to the fact that he is one of the humblest track stars on the team. The entire team agrees with this as well.

"Our success can only be attributed to the vast power of Nightser's beard," said Eldon Warner, a fellow teammate and Nightser-to-be aspirer.

Nightser doesn’t only keep the power to himself though, he allows

teammates to get a piece of the action too.

“My phenomenal performance was due to the traditional rubbing of Nightser's beard before every race,” said Kenneth Foote, Sophomore track runner. Foote then went on to finish third place in 4x800 race, missing his best time by only one second.

“I heard rumors that when Dylan Nightser was born god sprinkled pixie dust on that chin,” said senior track runner Stephen Flanagan. Although divine

intervention is hyperbole, Nightser has managed to pull off multiple miracles.

In the 4x400 meter relay, Nightser singlebeardedly gave his team a strong start, it was only after he passed the baton that the team went on to finish fifteenth in the division. Other contributors to the success of the team include: Aaron Pierce, Zach LaCombe, Jakahi Gregory, Eldon Warner, Brian Collinson, Kenny Foote, Robert Conley, Jake Meyer and the

rest of Dylan Nightser’s body.

However, without the limiting factor of other runners Nightser was able to achieve first place in the 400 low hurdles in the 4A district.

Though this is the last meet of the season, it won’t be the last we see of the beard.

Nightser has already signed for his senior year. This means that the seniors of this year can leave assured the track team’s fate rests in Nightser’s beard.

present year is where the adventure begins.

Facing several challenges throughout the year, before one of the most important years of high school, could make or break students.

“Even though it was

hard I’m glad that it was a difficult year, I learned a lot, and it is going to make my Junior year a lot better.” said sophomore Nathaniel Thomas.

Thomas was capable of juggling advance placement classes, sports, and various issues, but he is allowing himself to learn from his mistakes. Going into his Junior year, he has goals that he is striving to accomplish in.

“Probably one of my biggest goals is to make sure I don’t fall behind in any classes

and do all of my AP and CE homework,” said Thomas.

While students similar to Nathaniel focus there awaiting year on academics, others turn their attention to athletics. Not only do they face various situations, but their goals are somewhat alike.

“I plan on achieving my goals by working very hard in school and getting my credits for my college classes.” said sophomore Stephanie Hand.

By taking the extra step at achieving their school work, Thomas,

SENIOR PRANKS

By Angela Gardner Reporter It is always been a tradition at TJ for seniors to pull a prank within there last week of their senior year at the school. But It is ending in May, and people are beginning to wonder what it will be or if it will happen.

Senior Christopher Barnhart has attended TJ all four years and has seen plenty of pranks.

“The one last year, tying blow up dolls, was lame, and genaric the one before that, some guy spent a good amount of money on bouncy balls and dropped them from the 3rd floor.” These pranks seemed boring to Barnhart as he went on with, “It was creative but not funny”.

Seniors seem to be focusing more on school than the traditions like “Senior skip day” or “The senior prank”.

There is a plan for the “Senior skip day”, but no senior pranks have been rumored. So watch out for the seniors to pop out!

Sophmores going into junior year

By Megan Carroll Reporter

All around TJ, students are constantly buzzing about the following year that awaits them. Whether it involves sports, activities or academics, this

Megan Carrol, sophmore snd future junior

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Hand, and other student athletes work hard to finish off half of their high school career.

As each individual takes the next step towards the next grade, it is expected to put in more effort and time towards their school work and activities.

Developing throughout high school has a huge part of grade level.

Going from sophomore to junior year has just as much responsibility as the previous grades increasing.

High school job opps

By Morgan Wooton

By Alejandro Vieyra

When in high school, student’s main concerns are getting their work done and getting good grades. But for other students, having a job is another priority that they are very focused on.

Obtaining a job in high school can be helpful in many different ways. One of the biggest aspects of a job is the money. Another is having more experience with all around areas for future jobs, once the students are done with schooling.

“I got a job at subway to pay for the gas in my car so my parents didn’t have to,” said senior Nathan Kesselberg.

Also dealing with school and a job may be difficult, Kesselberg

No, you’re wrong

stated, “...if your employer knows you go to school they are usually pretty good about making sure school is your first priority.”

References from adults allow students to experience the real world and the skills needed to do it right.

Teachers are some of the people that can have great advice for students going into the

work industry.

“Knowing how to interview, dress properly, eye contact, be prepared for your answers, and have good references available, especially if you don’t have experience.” said Business teacher Mrs. Denise Hoag.

Then continued to say once you have the job, “Make sure it’s a place you really want

to work at, also make sure that the hours fit your life. - and make sure you have a way to get there,” said Hoag.

A job is one of the first steps for preparing one’s future. Students need to gain the initiative to look and work for skills they will use in the real world.

Good luck to seniors and underclassmen looking for jobs!

Even though he is new to this school, the math teacher Jeffrey Daugherty, most would agree that he is already well established. His name unfortunately, has not been established very well.

Daugherty has had his name spelled wrong in almost every award or recognition he has been given this year.

Along with the “Teacher of the Week” award given to him by Swarm TV, and in the year book.

Daugherty says he “doesn’t really care.”

He later added that “honestly it makes me laugh. I know nobody does it on purpose so I sorta gave up on trying to correct them.”

So, has an apology from TJHS to Daugherty, We’ll try to not spell your name so wrong next year.

room for improvement.

Criticism is welcomed if it makes our story better.

This is the easy part, then we have to come up with our lead, which grabs the reader’s attention. It might be one of the hardest parts of writing a story. If the lead does not interest readers, there is no point in writing the

story. The varieties of writers in our class come up with many different dilemmas that we all try and work out.

Then we set up the interviews, when we set up the interviews we typically ask experts in the fields that apply to the article in which we are writing. We tend to get both student and teachers involved in the

story. With their quotes they are contributing to our process writing the story, we all try and form our story around the quotes.

With all this hard work that the newspaper staff goes through, it always feels good getting the newspaper complete, even if its a little late, our audience will be entertained.

We would like to thank our whole Signal staff, especially to our editors Kelsi Thurman, and Isabella Moore who have both now graduated. Also our journalism adviser Rob Linquist for not only educating us, but for being there and helping with complications we have had and will continue to have.

HyVee, where students at Thomas Jefferson are employed.

The routines of The Signal’s reporters: First hand By Alejandro Vieyra, Angela Gardner, and Parker Raes Reporters

The daily routine of a reporter for the Signal is not as easy as it sounds. It takes a lot of time, hard work, and dedication.

The first couple days of a trimester or after we publish a newspaper we brain storm story ideas on the board.

There are dozens of thoughts that come in and out of room C128 (the journalism room) everyday.

Once we are content with the story ideas we have come up with, the reporters decide which writer will have the best time writing which story. We all try to help each other out because there is always

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The Signal’s story idea board

Summer speed and agility programs By Morgan Wooton

As the school year comes to an end once again, student athletes are already working on their fall sports and fitness.

Over the summer, starting on Monday, June 9th, 7:30 a.m, Thomas Jefferson will start their summer speed and agility workout program.

This year is going to be a little bit different from other past summers. For the first six weeks, coaches from Accelerare Omaha will be here at TJ operating the first hour of the three hour program.

They will be working on speed and agility in all student athletes.

Also, this year is different on mondays.

Thank to Hy-vee, there will be free breakfast provided to any kid that shows up the the sum-

New hopes with a new grading system By Derrick Johnson and Parker Raes Reporters

The Council Bluffs Community School District just informed staff and students about a new grading system that will take effect next year.

Now, being gone from class can and will affect your grade point average (GPA).

The new rule is that if a student misses ten or more days of one class, the teacher has the option of changing the students grade to a

mer program, and stay for all of the workout.

The workouts for the summer program are a little different this year as well. This year the workouts will start at 7:30 a.m, and end around 10:45. Also, it will not just be 2 different groups anymore. From 7:30 to 8:45, every athlete will be participating in the speed and agility workout. At 8:45 to 9:45 boys will be lifting weights while female athletes can work on fall sports such as cross country on Mondays and Wednesdays, along with basketball on Tuesday and Thursdays. At 9:45 to 10:45, girls will start weight lifting, and boys will have the chance to practice in such sports as cross country and football on Mondays and Wednesdays, while basketball and wres-

tling are on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“I’m hoping all kinds of kids come out over the summer and participate. It does a lot for the school and the students.” said head football coach, Mark Puev.

Coach Puev is the main instructor behind all the summer agility programs, so he has decided to work with head softball coach, Shannon Stussie. “It’s important from young female athletes to become stronger and more agile for their sports” says Stussie.

“Therefore the softball team will be apart of the summer agility program.” she later added.

The summer weight, agility, and speed program is six week long, and will end on the 17th of July, and is open to any athletes, or TJ students.

pass/fail. If then able to pass, the highest grade the student could get is a D. This change is an attempt to lower the amount of skipping and to help kids receive the education provided to them.

Other changes includes that teachers of the same subject departments (like math or science) can now change the weight of practices and performances as long as every teacher agrees and the performances are weighted more. If no agreement can be made then the scale will result in 70% performances, 30% practice. Most students

dislike how much a test can influence their final grade and next year, a teacher will have the ability to change that.

Also, a performance will only be able to be redone once and a one point reduction will be taken from all retakes.

Plus, there will be no retakes for practices.

It’s obvious that some students aren’t taking classes as serious as they should be. Receiving an education is one of the best opportunities teenagers have and it’s going to waste too often. There will more information about this change over the a summer and as the next school year starts.

First

cont. from page 1 Josey the first female athlete to try and play baseball at TJ in recent history.

Madison Sapienza is a freshman at Abraham Lincoln High School, and this summer is her second season playing for AL softball. But, Sapienza grew up playing baseball with boys.

Her eighth grade year, she decided to play softball for AL. “I don’t really have a future in baseball,” said Sapienza. “I have a better chance of getting a scholarship for softball.”

After switching gears, Sapienza became the catcher for AL’s varsity team.

There are other girls participating in traditionally male sports in the metro area, and are

being recognized for doing well.

Haley and Hannah Thiele are sisters who are on the boy’s golf team at Wahoo Bishop Neumann, a Catholic high school in Nebraska. Haley is a Junior and has qualified for State for three years, winning Districts last year. The younger sister, Hannah, decided to follow Haley’s footsteps and succeed in qualifying for State.

The Thiele sisters are thought to be the first female siblings to be a part of a boy’s golf team in Nebraska.

TJ’s first freshman baseball game is May 30, 2014. We will continue with this story over the summer, and have a followup next fall.

Freshman moving up to sophmore

experience to finally move up from being a lower classmen.

For a Freshmen to go up a grade it’ll be different for them. There will be new teachers, new hallways, and a new setting. I have so much to look forward to as a Freshmen moving up.

For a Freshmen to move up a grade you have to wonder if some of us upcoming sophomores will pick on the upcoming freshmen of next year as we were picked on.

Although the future holds more challanges and opprotunities, moving on to sophmore year will be a blast.

Drake Neal Reporter For a Freshmen to move up a grade is a relief. Freshmen are always getting made fun of, or picked on by upper classmen.

Now our first year of high school is finally coming to end. When the freshmen move up to a sophomore.

I think it will be a great

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 room C128. The Signal is printed

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