2016
Issue 6
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Journalism Staff These are farewell letters to the seniors on our Journalism staff, who have always been there to help us through everything. First off, congratulations! You have made it through your four years of high school. Thank you for teaching me new things the past two years. I remember being the only freshman to walk into newspaper trimester two, everybody knew everyone and it was the scariest thing to do. I want to say thank you for welcoming me in and acting as if I have been in there for a few years. You all have taught us so much. -Adriana Ibarra Because of you seniors, this Journalism group has become better. You all changed me for the better, no matter how insignificant our conversations have seemed. You are all such great individuals, and thank you for being a part of my first year of newspaper. Thank you for helping to shape me into the person I am today, and will continue to be. I’m so proud of all of you, and I hope all of your dreams in life come true. - Cami Wagaman Getting to be a part of this hardworking group has been an amazing experience. All of you have helped me so much and I’m entirely grateful for it. Working with you has made me a bet-
Volume 91
Farewell seniors
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Back from left to right, Dylan Harold, Jordan McAlpine, Rob Lindquist, Tiana Larsen. Front from left to right, Morgan Hanslip, Adrianna Ibarra, and Morgan Barth. Journalism Staff, photo credits - Dean Showers.
ter writer and a better person. Thank you so much for all that you’ve done. Take care and have fun. - Morgan Hanslip Thank you for teaching me all of the things that you have, it has helped me become better not only in the Journalism room, but outside of it all also. I’m so lucky to have been able to grow up with all of you. It’s nice to watch someone chase their dreams, because as I watch you chase yours, you’re teaching me
to chase mine. You have made everyone, including myself, so proud. I wish for college to treat all of you right, and I hope that you don’t forget us little people and come to visit! -Morgan Barth Thank you for being so cool for my first year in newspaper. It was so much fun with you guys in here and I have learned a lot from you. I hope you guys do great in college and have success wherever you go. -Dylan Harold Thanks for treating me the
way you guys did and making my first year of newspaper an enjoyable one. It was really fun to be in this class with you guys and I learned a lot from this year. Best of luck in college and throughout the rest of your life. Thanks for everything this year! -Jordan McAlpine Thank you so much for being apart of my life. Having you in this class was amazing. I’m so glad I got to enjoy a class with all of you. Thank you guys so much for help-
ing me as a writer and also as in an dividual. You all have grown into wonderful people. It’s sad that you guys will be leaving us here soon. I remember when I first met you all last year, just crazy that time flies by fast. I hope you all enjoy your lives outside of high school. I’m so proud I have seen you all grow and develop into such amazing people.Thank you and congrats to you all!! - Tiana Larsen We are going to miss you!
Moving on up Cami Wagaman Reporter
Senior year is something that each student is looking forward to their whole high school careers. Senior year comes with all of the privileges, such as getting short days, and even getting let out of school early for graduation. There are many expectations for senior year, being the end of one chapter of your life, and the start of a new one. Senior year is by far the most exciting year of high school. “Senior year was probably one of my favorites,” Koury Stewart, TJ Senior said. “It became one of the biggest parts of my life, it was where I finally started to find myself.” However, school is not the only thing the adult life throws people’s way. After school deci-
TJ senior Koury Stewart, filling out forms in the commons. Photo taken by Cami Wagaman.
sions like, college and full-time jobs will be among the decisions that seniors will have to make. “It’s scary but I am ready, I know it’s going to be worth it,” Stewart stated. Entering Senior year as a former Junior may be scary, because of all the responsibilities and
leadership roles that come with graduating. All of high school is spent preparing students for graduation, but underclassmen feel pressured in their years prior to the last year of high school. “Being a senior next year makes me nervous, but it makes
feel relieved,” said TJ junior, Sarah Rinner. Rinner says that she is excited for senior year, but she is nervous for the work that will pile up. She isn’t sure what she wants to do yet, and she knows that soon she will have to make the decision. “What am I going to do?
See you in the Fall! Page 1
Where am I going to college?” said Rinner. “This is a mid-youth crisis.” Senior year brings stress at the beginning and the end, but the outcome is gratifying. Congratulations to the graduating class of 2016, and good luck to the class of 2017!
Summer Agility Dylan Harold Reporter
For all the Thomas Jefferson students and athletes looking to improve yourself or just stay in shape for the summer there are going to be agilities outside of TJ at the practice football field, starting June 13th. The agilities are held Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. It will start at 7am and end at 10am. On Wednesday’s they start at 8am and last until 10am. The program is going to being ran by August Manz. Free Sports Physicals will be at TJHS on July 28th from 5:30-8pm!
Summer Sports Schedules Varsity Baseball June 4th @ Missouri Valley June 10th vs AL June 18-19 Tournament @TJ June 20th @ AL June 21st vs AL Varsity Softball June 4th @ Missouri Valley June 7th @ Sioux City June 8th @ St. Albert June 10th @ Van Buren, Keosuqua June 11th @ Riverside, Oakland
Sports Tennis Wrap-Up
Editor-in-Chief Derrick Johnson Copy Editor Ana Aguilar
Jordan McAlpine Reporter Tennis was a big part of TJ Athletics, more and more stars from other sports around the school had started playing. Although tennis has come to an end, the players worked hard to bring many positives to the season. The boys tennis team consists of 10 Juniors, three Sophomores, and two Freshman. Tennis varsity member Jayden Steele was asked why he played tennis, he replied saying, “I play tennis because it’s a fun game and I like the competition.” Their team is made up of three Seniors, two Juniors, five
Paginator Angela Gardner
Sophomores, and eight Freshmen. Senior’s Sydney Clark and Beth Olson went to regionals together for doubles tennis and won 1 of their 2 matches. They won the first round but lost the second against Urbandale. The final record for girls tennis was 3-8-1. Boys tennis finished 5th at Districts their doubles went 1-2 and singles went 0-2. The regular season record was 3-7 their 3 wins coming from Sioux City West, Sioux City east, and Audubon. They had a total of 43 match wins this season.
Photographers Andrew Cameron Nick Mitchell Staff Morgan Barth Megan Carroll Morgan Hanslip Dylan Harold Adriana Ibarra Cody Kinney Tiana Larsen Jordon McAlpine Cami Wagaman 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 room C128. The Signal is printed by OH-K FASTPRINT in Omaha, NE. The Signal is a schoolsponsored-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.
NSPA Member Publication IHSPA Member Publication
Tj senior, Sydney Clark, at Thomas Jefferson on tennis court Photo credits - Nick Mitchell.
Protecting kids in the sun
Attractions to visit Morgan Hanslip Reporter
During the summer, everyone wants to have some fun. Places such as Coco Keys water resort, Wisconsin Dells, Great Wolf Lodge, and Adventureland are great for killing boredom. However, there is one amusement park that is hitting the headlines. Adventureland is making new plans to tear down the fan favorite Log Ride. They’re giving thrill seekers something new, the ride will be known as “The Monster.” It will have ten moments of airtime and will cross the existing Sky Ride eight times to give the riders of both coasters a bit of a surprise.
Tiana Larsen Reporter During the hot summer months, it is important for kids to protect their skin from harmful rays. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, about 80 percent of a person’s lifetime sun exposure is acquired by age 18. With just one blistering sunburn, it can double the risk of getting Melanoma. The sun’s rays are strongest between 11am and 3pm, even if it is cloudy there is a possibility of sunburn. However, try to avoid using tanning beds, it causes the risk of skin cancer to increase. Too much sun exposure can cause severe sunburns including blisters, sickness, shivering and fever. In the long term, too much sun exposure can cause early aging of the skin which can also lead to skin cancer. However, It doesn’t take long for the sun to absorb vitamin D. Repeated unprotected exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression, and skin cancer.
THE SIGNAL
This ride will definitely be a sight to see at 2,500 feet long with a top speed of 65 miles per hour. ‘The Monster’ will also include a 133foot vertical lift hill followed by a 101 degree drop. Many coaster-lovers are thrilled for this new attraction to hit the park this June. Thousands of LED lights were added to the ride to follow the park’s existing color scheme. ‘The Monster’ will also be visible from the nearby Interstate I-80. Though fans of the Log Ride will be sad to see it replaced, there will be a new opportunity for ‘The Monster’ to become the new favorite attraction.
My Top 10 List
Outgoing Editor-in-Chief shares his top stories from this school year. Sun tan lotion Photo taken by Morgan Barth.
Kids spend most of their lifetime exposed to the sun before age 18, so it is important to make sure people know sun safety. Taking the right precautions can greatly reduce the chance of skin cancer. Make sure when buying a sunscreen you know what kind
you should be buying. Everyone’s skin type is different and if you possibly buy the wrong one it either won’t work, or you could have a certain reaction. Be sure to stay safe and if you’re out in the sun that you use a sunscreen fit for you skin. Don’t forget to have a great summer!
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Derrick Johnson Reporter
“Views” Review - May 2016 “President Obama visits Omaha” - Jan 2016 “Didn’t see the Signs” - Nov 2015 “Ernie Rodriguez wins the Gates Millennium Scholarship” - Apr 2016 “CB Relays a memorable night for jackets head coach” - Apr 2016 “I will never forget my skin color”- Dec 2015 “Raise.me becomes new trend with microscholarships” - Mar 2016 “BLink and you’re connected” - Nov 2015 “Super Tuesday” - Feb 2016 “The secret life of an American teacher” - May