2012-10-26 by West Side Story

westsidestory

{pg.17-19}

IOWA CITY WEST HIGH SCHOOL

2901 MELROSE AVE.

IOWA CITY, IA 52246

WSSPAPER.COM

VOLUME 44 ISSUE 2

SEEKING SHELTER AN EXPLORATION OF HOMELESSNESS IN IOWA CITY AND AT WEST

OCTOBER 26, 2012

OCTOBER

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At the powderpuff game on Oct. 11, Mckennan Cronbough ’13 runs the ball down the field. The seniors won against the juniors 21-7 and tied the teachers 14-14.

PHOTO BY//ABBIE SKEMP

BATTLE OF THE BALLOT

The voting age can’t keep students from pitching in this November. From door-knocking to stuffing envelopes, check out how students are rallying behind each candidate.

[17-19] IN-DEPTH

SEEKING SHELTER

The West Side Story explores the misson of Shelter House Iowa City and West Students’ experiences with homelessness. Correction: The Sept. 21 edition incorrectly attributed the pullquote on page 18 to Nathan Schuchert. Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek actually made the statement.

EQUITY STATEMENT

It is the policy of the Iowa City Community School not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, martial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or socioeconomic programs, activities, or employment practices. If you believe you have (or your child has) been discriminated against or treated unjustly at your school, please contact the Equity Director, Ross Wilburn, at 509 Dubuque Street, 319-688-1000.

EDITORIAL POLICY

The West Side Story reflects the views of the staff and does not represent the school administration, faculty or student body. Guest articles may be accepted to represent an additional point of view or as a part of a collection of reader contributions. The staff will carefully scrutinize all reader submissions. All ads are subject to approval by the business staff. Those that are libelous, obscene or plainly offensive may be rejected. The West Side Story attempts to publish all letters, which must be signed, to the Editors, but may reject submissions due to space limitations, inaccuracy or poor quality. It is the responsibility of the opinion editor to verify authorship. Editors can make minor edits for the sake of clarity, length and grammatical correctness

[12] FEATURE

LIFE HACKS

They’re not just for video gamers anymore. Anyone can become a hacker with these helpful tricks to make everyday life run a little more smoothly.

[28-29]SPORTS

OFF THE RECORD

It has been a record-breaking season for diver Jacintha Thomas ’15 and cross country runner Ashlynn Yokom ’14. Find out what inspires these extraordinary athletes. Juliann Skarda Editor-in-Chief Shirley Wang Design Editor, Front/back Ed. Ashton Duncan Managing Editor Amelia Moser Copy Editor Frannie Rizzo Business Editor Hannah Merrill News Editor Pombie Silverman A &E Editor Olive Carrollhach In depth Editor, Artist Katie Mons Feature Editor Velarchana Santhana Feature Editor Blake Oetting Profiles Editor, Sports Ed. Abbie Skemp Photographer, Sports Ed. Jordan Rossen Columns Editor Brenna Deerberg Editorial Editor, News Ed. Frank Weirich Photo Editor Leela Sathyaputri Comics Editor, Artist Hannah Muellerleile Photographer, Designer Erin Weathers Photographer, Designer Amiela Canin Writer Megumi Kitamoto Writer Brittani Langland Writer Lushia Anson Writer, Designer Kaitlyn McCurdy Writer, Designer Aileen Norris Ad Designer Alyssa Mckeone Designer Tyler Voss Designer Sara Jane Whittaker Adviser Fiona Armstrong-Pavlik Web copy Editor Audrey Hopewell Web copy Editor Zora Hurst Web Editor Paul Curry Video Editor

WSS STAFF

[6-7] NEWS

COVER PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONBY//ERIN WEATHERS

what’s new on:

wsspaper.com

{DESIGN BY ZORA HURST}

PHOTO BY //AILEEN NORRIS

PHOTO BY //KAITLYN MCCURDY

PHOTO BY //ERIN WEATHERS

PHOTO BY//HANNAH MUELLERLEILE

1 - Apoorva Raikwar ’14 has a trademark

style that’s tailored-to-fit. Literally. Learn how this junior alters her own clothing and check out her DIY video for a sleek and chic ten-dollar sequined collar.

2 - Casual Vacancy, Rowling’s latest

3 - “Fornøyd Leifr Eiríksson dag!” In

belated celebration of the Norse explorer who was the first to land on what became the Americas, Graham Bly ’13 pays homage by dressing like the adventuring viking.

{

novel, is not for children. Exploring the ways that death connects prior strangers, Rowling once again leaves readers breathless.

“[Giving blood] is an interesting experience... it’s fun.” - Callum Scott ’14 Check out the blood drive interviews on our YouTube channel: WestSideStoryPaper.

4 - Be sure to check out wsspaper.

com for our ongoing photostory project, “People of Iowa City,” which features the unique personalities that make this town Iowa City.

WHETHER OR NOT YOU’LL BE TRICK-OR-TREATING, YOU’LL ENJOY THESE PHANTOM-TASTIC HALLOWEEN FACTS. } OCTOBER 2012 WEB 3

STRING TREES

{DESIGN BY SHIRLEY WANG}

Math-tastic

The West High math club took first place in the Relay Round and second on the Team Test on September 29 at Cedar Rapids Jefferson. Individuals who took first place in either the Sprint Event or in Target Questions include Elizabeth Han ’16, Harry Manaligod ’15 and Jiahua Zhang ’16.

Side

stories

For a complete list of West High winners check out wsspaper.com. COMPILED BY//BRENNA DEERBERG

@wsspaper asked West High students

How do you deal with cold weather? @kolderest:

Zach Richmond ’14

I like to pull the ol’ I’M KOLDER and then drink Sarah Kolder ’13 some Ovaltine

@m_lipman27:

hot chocolate, she’s the man and blankets

@ZswgRich:

“

“I think it is something different that you don’t see every day,” said Savannah Butler ’13. Yarn bombing does come with risks however, many times people steal or damage the weavings. The risk obviously doesn’t discourage anyone because yarn art still appears all around the city. Yarn bombing aims to entice locals by showing them how fun knitting can be.

COMPILED BY//BRITTANI LANGLAND

I was hungry, and it was hot when I started working on the ice cream cone project. My favorite aspect of the class ... perhaps it’s breaking the

glass.”

-Chetti Milavetz ’13

{

Molly Lipman ’15

Graffiti comes in many different styles, but a new type that has hit downtown Iowa City is called yarn bombing. Yarn bombing is when a person makes any sort of weaving out of yarn and hangs them on public facilities. For example, covering benches with yarn blankets, hanging crochet figures on lamp posts, and most commonly putting yarn sweaters on trees. This artwork ranges in color and style, but all of it has the unique characteristic of being made out of yarn.

COMPILED BY//JULIANN SKARDA

I wear warm clothes like a bro #brosqwad

Zach Richmond ’14

COMPILED BY//MEGUMI KITAMOTO

A CENTURY OF CINEMA

On Sept. 28, the Englert Theatre celebrated its 100th anniversary. Although it has gone through many changes since its opening, including a fire and several renovations, the Englert has constantly been a symbol of the historical and diverse culture of Iowa City.

PHOTO BY//FRANK WEIRICH

COMPILED BY//LUSHIA ANSON

The theatre was opened by William & Etta Englert

The theatre barely survived a fire, causing 125,000 in damages

Englert’s 100th anniversary

1912

1926

2012

44 37 67 Points West beat City by in the Battle of the Boot. The final score was 44-0. The last time West won the boot was in 2004.

Units of blood donated during West High’s annual blood drive sponsored by the University of Iowa Degowin Blood Center. 41 students participated.

4 NEWS OCTOBER 2012 { THE FIRST JACK-O’-LANTERNS WERE ACTUALLY MADE FROM TURNIPS.

ART COURTESY OF//CHETTI MILAVETZ

Students made the Iowa All-State Music Festival this year on Oct. 20. This annual festival held at the Iowa State includes an orchestra, choir and band. COMPILED BY//FRANNIE RIZZO

{DESIGN BY HANNAH MERRILL}

New University of Iowa clinic opens

The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics opens a new location in Coralville at the Iowa River Landing, near the Marriott. BY BRITTANI LANGLAND blangland@wsspaper.com

Many remember the traumatic events of the 2008 flood that destroyed areas all over Coralville. One of its many ruins was located between Interstate 80 and the Marriott. The University of

Iowa Hospital and Clinics saw this under-utilized area and wanted to restore its beauty again, while also benefiting the hospital immensely. Costing $72 million, the Iowa River Landing Clinic was their solution to this problem. The new facility puts a modern twist on traditional LEFT: The new University of Iowa clinic is now open at the Iowa River Landing in Coralville.

health care clinics. Their “onstageoffstage” program allows patients, family members and staff members to receive full privacy. Separate hallways for staff members and patients is the main technique used in the “onstage-offstage” program. This program is also able to prevent any confidential information from being leaked into the public by having strict security policies. Not only does the Iowa River Landing Clinic value privacy, they also value quality health care. Hiring some of the best physicians, nurses and technicians from all over the world makes this facility incomparable to the rest. “It is about making sure we have

the best and the brightest [staff] in the building,” said Dr. Rami Boutros, executive Medical Director of the Iowa River Landing. The advanced medical techniques used at the new facility also allow more comfort and care toward the patient. “Patients and their family will receive the highest quality care, improved access and an unparalleled patient experience,” said Ken Kates, the Chief Executive of the U of I Hospitals and Clinics. The Iowa River Landing Clinic illustrates the future of medicine.

PHOTO BY//ERIN WEATHERS

Iowa City high schools receive IHSPA awards Iowa City High and West High both receive many awards at the Iowa High School Press Association conference on Oct. 17. BY ASHTON DUNCAN

aduncan@wsspaper.com

The annual Iowa High School Press Association conference drew Iowa journalism students, advisers and experts to the Iowa Memorial Union downtown. Students participated in sessions dedicated to anything from writing about video games to transitioning to college journalism. Both City High’s Little Hawk and West High’s West Side Story garnered awards at the event in both On-the-Spot contests and Sweepstakes awards. The IHSPA awarded the WSS with two sweepstakes awards on Oct. 17, first place Writing and second place Graphics for large schools. Sweepstakes contests judged ’11-’12 school year issues from both publications. Staffers from both sides also landed awards in IHSPA On-the-Spot contests. From the WSS, Pombie

Silverman ’13 tied for first in the copy-editing category, Olive Carollhach ’13 and Leela Sathyaputri ’14 placed first and second respectively in editorial cartooning and Erin Weathers ’13 grabbed an honorable mention for photography. The Little Hawk’s Cassie Wassink took first for news writing. “The WSS staffers never fail to impress me with their enthusiasm for and dedication to everything journalism. These awards are a great testament to their drive and inventiveness,” said Sara Whittaker, adviser of the WSS. The WSS and the Little Hawk are also a national Pacemaker finalists, of which winners will be announced at the National Scholastic Press Association conference on Nov. 18.

RIGHT: Journalism students from various high schools in Iowa gathered at the IMU on Oct. 17 for the Iowa High School Press Association Converence. PHOTO BY//ERIN WEATHERS

SAMHAINOPHOBIA IS THE FEAR OF HALLOWEEN. } OCTOBER 2012 NEWS 5

E T O V

Election connection

The 2012 Presidential Election is almost here, marked by countless political ads and telephone polls (not to mention debates). As candidates vie for remaining undecided votes on the national level, the direction the election actually takes often depends on local forces, including here, at West High.

PHOTO BY//HANNAH MUELLERLEILE

Voter canvass folders are prepared for Obama for America volunteers at the Democratic headquarters in Coralville.

“

[I’ve seen] all ages [volunteering] …

PHOTO BY//HANNAH MUELLERLEILE

Lauren Knudson ’15 assembles folders for voter canvassing at the Coralville Democratic office. BY AMELIA MOSER AND JORDAN ROSSEN

amoser@wsspaper.com jrossen@wsspaper.com

olunteers for political campaigns are in charge of a lot of different things. Phone calls, spreading the word about events, working to get out the vote, informing people of early voting - all to help their candidate get elected. Yasmin Elgaali ’13 is one of these volunteers, working for Obama for America. “We visit undecided voters and try to convince them to vote for our candidate,” she said. Elgaali enjoys volunteering, which

is part of the reason she got involved. “I just came from Dubai, and you can’t [campaign] over there,” she said. “It seemed like a good opportunity to meet people … there are people who go here [at West] who I wouldn’t know if I hadn’t volunteered.” A wide variety of people volunteer for campaigns. “[I’ve seen] all ages [volunteering] … 7-year-olds with their mother all the way to 80-year-olds. I can’t think of a dominant age group,” Elgaali said. “Some people put in weekdays, but I just volunteer on weekends because I take AP classes. Even an hour or two makes a difference.” Elgaali says she thinks it’s important for students to get involved in the political process. “If you don’t get involved at this age, it’s hard later, and it’s good to be educated … it’s a lot, the whole

7-year-olds

with their mother

process, and it’s better to start young. Young people have a lot of energy,” she said. Lauren Knudson ’15 is another volunteer for Obama for America. She agrees students need to play a role in the election. “We can’t vote, but this is going to affect us a lot more than other people … especially with healthcare and women’s rights … it’s going to affect me a lot so I want to get involved,” she said. “My dad [volunteered] … I knew I wanted to volunteer, so I signed up for a fellowship opportunity - it keeps me volunteering because you have to volunteer at least eight hours a week.” Connor Schueler ’14, a volunteer for the Romney campaign, agrees on the importance of volunteering.

all the way to

80-year-olds.” -Yasmin Elgaali ’ 13 “Volunteering is great for young adults who can’t vote, but still want to have an influence,” he said. “Age doesn’t matter ... The people there are super accommodating.” However, motives for volunteering aren’t confined to societal benefits. Schueler revealed additional reasons for his efforts. “They give you all kinds of stuff: hats, sunglasses, bumper stickers, even Chick-fil-A,” he said. The general election affects students beyond just volun-

6 NEWS OCTOBER 2012 { BOSTON, MASS., HOLDS THE RECORD FOR THE MOST JACK-O’-LANTERNS LIT AT ONCE: 30,128.

by thenumbers

{DESIGN BY HANNAH MUELLERLEILE}

National polls have been charting the course of the upcoming presidential election for months. In light of this, the WSS polled West High to see where students’ political affiliations lie, and what their views of the candidates’ education policies are.

Stein Other 1% 1% 8% Johnson

*Percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding

Romney

What party do you think has the most effective education policies?

34% 66% No Yes

1260 students surveyed

Other

65%

12%

24%

Has a presidential candidate’s education policies affected who you are supporting in the upcoming 2012 election?

Republican

Obama

63%

Democrat

What candidate are you supporting for the 2012 presidential election? 1246 students surveyed

963 students surveyed

-teer work - it influences their classroom interactions as well. “We talk … building-wide about

24%

COMPILED BY//AMELIA MOSER

being aware we have students from all across the political spectrum, all walks of life, all across the globe. There’s no rule against talking politics, especially in a government class,” said Brady Shutt, an AP Government teacher at West. Shutt said there are limits to what teachers can do politically at school. “There are state laws [prohibiting] using your resources for direct advocacy ... You can’t use [the] LEFT: Teacher Brady Shutt leads a discussion about presidential debates in 2nd period in an AP Government class at West. PHOTO BY// HANNAH MUELLERLEILE

space, phone, [or] computer [at said. “If I put up campaign posters, school] to make calls for candidates I would never put one up without or to write political letters,” he said. representing the others … I’m hyHe added that aside from these limitations, it’s up to the teachers to decide whether they want to share their political beliefs with their students. “My deeply held belief is a ...I’ve had concerns from government or social stud- parents in the same week [that] ies teacher should not do that … I try to structure the classroom so we’re analytical, and I’m neutral, and [I] try to create lessons where students are absolutely free to express their views,” he said. -Brady Shutt, “A woman from Azerbaijan [was] in seventh [hour] AP Government a couple weeks ago … she teacher said, ‘We have a moral duty to be involved in the state’ … and I thought, ‘gosh, what a cool, powerful message.’” per-vigilant about it, [because] that Shutt explained that, despite his [neutral] classroom works the best.” was sure to press attempts at neutrality, sometimes Shutt important message. parents and students are con- an cerned about bias in the classroom. “Voting is one of your most basic “I’ve had concerns from parents in forms of participation. A highthe same week [that] I’m too con- er level of education results in a servative and too liberal … we have higher likelihood to vote. [It] ina great community, so when you creases the likelihood people unhave a conversation with people derstand their vote counts. People and you can show you have bal- don’t understand how big an efance, people are reasonable,” Shutt fect this has on their lives,” he said.

“

I’m too conservative

and too liberal.”

THE LARGEST PUMPKIN EVER GROWN WAS 1,811 POUNDS. } OCTOBER 2012 NEWS 7

ICCSD prepares for the future

RUMOR BUSTER

BY HANNAH MERRILL

Forbidden stroll

{DESIGN BY HANNAH MERRILL}

While the ICCSD School Board remains undecided about many things, they do have some plans for the future. hmerrill@wsspaper.com

Redistricting, a new high school, facility updates, equality in the schools: all examples of the many problems looming over the Iowa City Community School District’s head. And with so many propositions and ideas being thrown around—what to do with SILO (School Infrastructure Local Option) funds, for example—it’s enough to give anyone a headache. However, Superintendent Steve Murley announced at the school board meeting on Oct. 16 that the school board will come forward to the voters with a revenue purpose statement on Feb. 5. As Murley said in a recent opinion article in the Iowa City PressCitizen, “Approval of this new revenue purpose statement expedites the district’s goal of meeting facility needs and undertaking capital improvements in the most effective

and efficient manner possible.” In the school board meeting, he made clear that in order to put this together, the district needs to know what should be updated in the schools, and the voters must be in it together. “There’s a great need for communication throughout the community,” Murley said. Murley also addressed the issue of the constant growth in the schools at the meeting, along with the assistant superintendents, who presented on the class sizes at West High School and Iowa City High School. The results showed that West generally has larger classes than City, but both schools now have fewer classes with over 30 students. John Macatee, a parent on the east-side, pointed out that, unlike West, City is not yet at maximum capacity, and thus, before a new high school is built, other schools

should be given attention. Many parents argued that it is important that there is a focus on equality, meaning that many schools need to be upgraded to give everyone the chance to learn in a comfortable and adequate environment. And on top of the many things to be considered before building a new high school, there is the issue of the increase in spending with a new school. Although the financial position of the school district has improved this year, there already has been a spending increase because of Borlaug Elementary School. Finally, Murley explained that the SILO funds are not sufficient enough to follow through with all of the district’s plans. Therefore, it is necessary that the district reassess its physical needs in order to move forward with a revenue purpose statement and provide Iowa City schools with good educational opportunities.

WHATIN THE WORLD? United Kingdom

United States

A Maryland boy aged 15 recently created a new test for pancreatic cancer that is both faster and more accurate than all tests created previously. This test utilizes carbon nanotubes to detect a protein associated with the disease.

A university professor in England was arrested for keying several cars on his street. The academic was caught due to the fact that many of the words scratched into the paint of several luxury vehicles were over three syllables, and lacked the usual crude language of vandals.

United States

In the future, the first responders to natural disasters will be ... roaches? At North Carolina State University, researchers have outfitted these bionic bugs with backpacks, electrical antennas and a hijacked nervous system, creating miniature, remote control rescue bugs.

COMPILED BY//BRENNA DEERBERG

India

Farmers in India are now growing “bhut jolokia,” the world’s hottest pepper, to be used as a weapon of war. Apparently, if an aerosol of the pepper enters a terrorist hideout, those inside will become senseless and drop all weapons.

Recently, West High P.E. teachers were informed that they would no longer be able to take students off campus for walks. According to vice principal Molly Abraham, the reason for this new rule is that the school needs parent permission to take students off campus. “We have a beautiful big campus and a track,” said Abraham. From now on, this campus will be the venue for any walks.

CONFIRMED Police Patrol Students have been speculating about frequent police appearances on the West High campus recently. According to Nathan Price there is no cause for alarm. “We don’t feel insecure or overwhelmed in any way,” Price said of West High’s security staff. Price called the recent spike in police sightings unfortunate but coincidental, and added that there will not be an increased police presence on campus in the future.

busted COMPILED BY//BRENNA DEERBERG

8 NEWS OCTOBER 2012 { HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONS IN HONG KONG ARE KNOWN AS YUE LAN, OR THE FESTIVAL OF THE HUNGRY GHOSTS.

{DESIGN BY OLIVE CARROLLHACH}

WE DIDN'T START THE FIRE

BY OLIVE CARROLLHACH ocarrollhach@wsspaper.com ART BY//JAEHO LEE

With powerful forces on both sides of the law, many West students are forced to explore their definition of morality and decide whether to fight or embrace their darkest impulses.

““

e] t [

uth mentality o y

KEPMP SKEESM BIEBBI AB/A BY/B/ Y/ TO OTO HOH

P P

s a child, the word “mischief ” typically means swiping a cookie before dinner or venturing too far down the block without asking. As children grow, however, a parent’s watchful gaze has less and less power. With each birthday, young people have more freedom and therefore more opportunities to stray from the lawful path, frequently experimenting with alcohol, drugs and vandalism. According to a study conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, illegal drug use in teenagers is growing. Substance abuse increased in people twelve and older from 2008 to 2010, and is predicted to continue to rise in the future. More synthetic drugs such as the recently engineered 2c series and the outbreak of “synthetic marijuana” on the market have lead to a broader and more affordable breadth of drugs for teenagers. Illegal activities such as underage drinking, drug use and vandalism are quite prevalent in young adults today, frequently used as a way to celebrate on special occasions. “Drugs are largely social, [so] if you’re feeling good and you’re with other people, that’s how drugs get tied into [celebrating],” James* said.

{DESIGN BY ASHTON DUNCAN}

moment.” e h ewell ’13

Dr. Jatin Vaidya is a neurologist in the Department of Psychology at the University of Iowa, specializing in the development of the human brain. He has conducted many studies on adolescent minds, the most current being a study of adolescents with alcoholic parents. According to Vaidya, exploration of all sorts is common in adolescents, and can even be healthy. “People focus more on the negative aspect of impulsivity, but there is a positive side of these behaviors as well. Teenagers have a lot more exploring of the world to do. You never know your capacity in terms of many things including athletics if you don’t try. Risk taking allows [young] people to push their limits.” Though impulsive behavior can ultimately yield negative results, the emotional “response to risky behavior” can be instantly gratifying, according to Vaidya. This inquisitive mentality can lead students into dangerous situations if left unchecked. The phrase “peer pressure” may be cliché, but Vaidya says there are numerous studies conducted on fraternity members showing that young people tend to emulate their peers.

li means a lot of people

t J n ex

James began spray painting build- form to society and how [things ings regularly in the eighth grade. have] always been. People don’t While he had a background in want to obey authority just because more conventional art forms, some they’re told to, they want to do of his friends opened his eyes to the things in a different way,” he said. world of graffiti. Parents, teachers and law en“I probably wouldn’t have begun forcement officials alike struggle without them. I suppose that while with ways to prevent risky behavthey influenced me a lot, I wouldn’t ior in young people. While laws say they pressured me. I was al- and rules deter some people from ready using spray paints for art, just dangerous activities, many feel that not on buildings,” if they are careful, he said. their chances of While James getting caught are says he might quite slim. have eventually “I think the madiscovered grafjority of people fiti without them, who get caught his friends “proare caught due to vided the means a lack of caution. and opportunity.” I think there’s a According to -Dr. Jatin Vaidya minority of peoVaidya, teenagers ple who are as and young adults cautious as anyare particularly susceptible to poor one [but still get into trouble]. So decision-making, partly because there’s a small amount of luck [to the brain is not yet fully developed avoiding problems with the law], at this age. but it’s mostly common sense,” Alex Jewell ’13 believes that part James said. of the “youth mentality means that There have been many programs a lot of people live in the moment” attempting to slow drug use and without considering the conse- illegal activity in teenagers, inquences. cluding the Just Say No campaign. “Poor choices draw [people] in. A Vaidya, however, disagrees with big part of it is not wanting to con- the tactic of teaching young peo-

“

Risk taking allows [young] people to push their limits.”

ple about drug use and it’s effects. Showing students what common illicit substances are like “opens their eyes to drug use rather than preventing it. I’m not saying that parents shouldn’t tell their kids not to do drugs, it’s simply that clear guidelines may not be enough,” Vaidya said. With so many opportunities to engage in illegal activities of all sorts, the strongest deterrents for many young people are the guidelines they set for themselves. While many teens want to obey moral law, their definition of sin can vary somewhat. Some students believe that morality is an internal system that “affects who you are and how you react to things more than someone telling you not to,” Jewell said. While James thinks that morality is important, he feels that to be truly immoral or sinful, an action must hurt someone else. He believes that illegal activities are viewed as wrong “because it comes down to the idea of good and bad, right and wrong which are ambiguous terms. People don’t stop to ask what these words mean or to consider what’s wrong with [things that are illegal].”

LIFE HACKS {DESIGN BY TYLER VOSS}

Little inconveniences hassle everyday life and consume minutes of precious time. The WSS has tips to not only make your life easier, but also more effective. B

E BI

Sick of getting your fingers milky and your milk finger-y? Hold oreos with a fork to dip.

PHO

COMPILED BY// ASHTON DUNCAN

Want that pastry to look perfect? Cut the corner off a plastic bag for a quick icing bag. Sweet!

Mirror too steamy after a shower? Get out of hot water by using a hairdryer to defog it.

Need the cookbook at hand for easy reference? Use a pants hanger to attach the cookbook to your cabinets.

Too many dishes and too little time? Use a muffin tin to serve condiments.

Ice cream too hard to scoop? Cut ice cream with a knife to serve. 12 FEATURE OCTOBER 2012 { IN 1962, THE COUNT DRACULA SOCIETY WAS FOUNDED BY DR. DONALD A. REED.

EAT THIS

PHOTOS BY//SHIRLEY WANG

{DESIGN BY SHIRLEY WANG}

NOT THAT

The West Side Story asked Karla Schmidt, Registered Dietician (R.D.), Nutritional Consultant, to give her take on some popular after-school snacks and meals.With her help, we’ve compiled a list of foods to avoid and some healthy alternatives that are sure to satisfy your cravings. COMPILED BY//BRENNA DEERBERG

THIS

MULTIGRAIN CHIPS & SALSA This healthier option is sure to assuage your taste buds’ desire for Mexican-inspired cuisine while still making Schmidt’s list of approved snacking foods. The salsa is a good way to pad this snack with veggies, making you less likely to gorge on an entire bag of chips [even if they are multigrain].

THIS

HALF OF A FROZEN BANANA WITH PEANUT BUTTER This tasty snack is a great way to still have your peanut butter fix without subjecting your body to a copious amount of sugar. An added bonus: stick a banana in the freezer the night before for an instant snack the next day.

THIS

POPCORN

This alternative is a healthy way to indulge in a quick, tasty bite to eat without flooding your body with unnatural additives and tons of sugar. We recommend popping your own kernels so you can watch how much you’re eating and limit the use of butter.

NOT THAT BURRITO

“Burritos ... are a nutritionist’s nightmare because they are exceptionally high in calories, fat, carbohydrates and sodium – plus … very low in protein. ... It’s important to consider how much food you consume at one time, and [the nutritional statistics of said food]. This type of meal is certain to contribute to poor health and possibly weight gain – even in teens.”

NOT THAT CANDY BAR

“[Candy bars] are loaded with sugar, bad fats, artificial colorants, artificial preservatives and void of any nourishment. But, we all love chocolate and sweets. The key is to have them as a special treat. ... For that occasional treat, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are, by far, the least harmful from an ingredients perspective. Of course, it still packs a huge amount of sugar.”

NOT THAT POP TART

“Ideally, snacks should increase energy, improve mental cognition and provide health-building nutrients. Sadly, Pop-Tarts fail miserably. It is the complete antithesis of a “healthy” snack. In fact, not only is it a perfect example of an ‘empty calories’ snack, it also contains many artificial ingredients shown to contribute to major illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and obesity.”

HALLOWEEN WAS MADE IN ONLY 21 DAYS IN 1978 ON A VERY LIMITED BUDGET. } OCTOBER 2012 FEATURE 13

This American Life {DESIGN BY LUSHIA ANSON}

BY ALYSSA MCKEONE

amckeone@wsspaper.com

Most students find it difficult to be away from their friends and family for a week, let alone an entire school year. Laura Willmann is doing just that. She is staying with Alex Jewell ’13 and Will Jewell ’14 and their family this school year. “My family is great here. Here I do so much more [activities] with my family. In Germany I didn’t do so much,” said Willmann. Germany and the United States have very different school systems. A shining example is the class schedule. “We have a different schedule every day [in Germany] … we have twelve classes every week.” Also, students don’t go to a high school based on

“

My family is great here. Here I do so much more with my family.” -Laura Willmann where they live or where they want to go in Germany. “After the elementary school we have three schools we can go to. It depends on the teacher’s recommendation. You can always improve and change [schools],” she said. The class selection is wider in Iowa than in Germany. Students in Germany don’t have much input for their class selections. “You can just choose between the language ... You can choose if you want another language or a science. [The idea of limited classes in Germany] is unfortunate. I’d like to choose.” Willman says the most difficult experience when she first arrived in the United States was speaking English. “I always had to question [what I was saying]. It got bet-

ter and better. I understand most [words] now.” Despite a language barrier, Willmann has been open to trying new things. This Fall, she joined the West High girl’s cross country team. “It was pretty amazing when I joined the cross country team; we [practice] three hours every day.” According to Willmann, sports do not play a large role in German culture. “After school I just did my homework and went out with friends,” she said. Food is another big change for Willmann. She said that breakfast in the United States was a pleasant surprise. “In Germany we always had bread with meat on it. Here we sometimes have bacon, eggs and a warm breakfast ... it’s pretty amazing. I like that.” Similar to other European countries, most people in Germany have lunch as their largest meal of the day rather than dinner. Willmann says it is difficult to choose her favorite experience so far in Iowa. “Paintballing is so cool,” she said.

PHOTO BY//ABBIE SKEMP PHOTO USED WITH PERMISSION FROM//LAURA WILLMANN

ABOVE: Willmann poses in the art hallway. RIGHT: Willmann hurries through the rain in front of the Lübecker Tor in Lübecker, Germany.

Food

Laura’s Favorites: Store

Banana Bread

Restaurant

Activity

HuHot Francesca’s

Paintball

ART BY//LEELA SATHYAPUTRI

14 PROFILES OCTOBER 2012 {BOTH SALEM, MASS. AND ANOKA, MINN. ARE THE SELF-PROCLAIMED HALLOWEEN CAPITALS OF THE WORLD.

{DESIGN BY VELARCHANA SANTHANA}

For the love of language

Alec Zamora ’14 has a verbal advantage BY CEECEE SHENG AND AMIELA CANIN WSS intern acanin@wsspaper.com

The average student at Iowa City West High School studies less than one complete world language. Alec Zamora ’14 has studied three and speaks more. “I just really love learning languages,” Zamora said. Zamora completed Spanish IV his sophomore year and now takes German III and is beginning to learn French. Zamora was raised in a Mexican-Korean family and speaks Spanish at home, but it wasn’t until high school that Zamora discovered his talent for languages. He dabbled in several other activities in junior high, including track and field, basketball and clarinet. “I played the recorder in elementary school, but that doesn’t really count,” Zamora said. “I could play … ‘Hot Cross Buns.’ That was my favorite.” What Zamora lacks in musical skill he makes up for in linguistic talent. German is his favorite class, although at first he was a bit intimidated by the prospect of going into a higher-level class at a younger age. Despite his nerves, Zamora had fun and thanks to hilarious classmates and teachers, German class now one of the most cherished hours of his day. As for how he is able to keep up with all the different tongues, Zamora confided that he does a lot of summer work-- making use of

his break from school to learn even more. This motivation was the main reason that he was able to move so quickly to advanced language classes. He skipped the first level of German thanks to the generous tutoring of a teacher during his study hall, who taught him the entire curriculum in little more than a month. He just began French in level one, but he hopes to move up soon. With two more years of high school and a full life ahead of him, Zamora has already started to think about what he wants to do in the future. He plans to continue with his language studies and find a job that employs his linguistic skills. He has thought about being a translator but also has prospects of being a language teacher. “I wouldn’t want to teach junior high or high school, though. I was thinking more of teaching at a college level because when you’re paying for your classes, you’ll take them seriously,” Zamora said. As for his own college studies, “I’m not sure, but I’m going to try to take as many language classes as possible,” he said. Zamora already has more than five years worth of language studies under his belt. At times, Zamora said it gets difficult to keep studying and learning. “If you stop using it, you’ll end up forgetting it,” Zamora warned. And he certainly does practice what he preaches. Despite his busy schedule, Zamora finds enough time to keep up his talent. FOR MORE OF THIS ARTICLE GO TO WSSPAPER.COM

PHOTO BY//FRANK WEIRICH

15 PROFILE OCTOBER 2012 { HALLOWEEN IS THE SECOND HIGHEST GROSSING COMMERCIAL HOLIDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.

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Seeking

Shelter

PHOTOS BY//FRANK WEIRICH

Cooks prepare zucchini for dinner at the Iowa City Shelter House on October 17. The Shelter House serves as a home for members of the community for up to 90 days at a time. The process of helping families get back on their feet is “a never ending proccess,” said Mark Sertterh, Overseer of Opperations.

fter the final bell rings, after jazz band is over, after the last touchdown, most students go home. But it isn’t always that simple. In fact, the Iowa City Community School District considers 471 students to be homeless, according to the district’s Homeless Liaison, Stephanie Van Housen. However, the district’s definition of what constitutes a “home” differs from what many students believe. “If your parents kick you out or you leave home and you go live with your boyfriend, you might not consider yourself homeless, but the Department of Education would if your name wasn’t on the lease and you had no one acting as your guardian,” Van Housen said. Van Housen said the same assumption is made “if a friend allows you to sleep on their couch for a few weeks, but then you need to move on to another sofa.” One such student is Zora Hurst

’13, who spent two and a half years living with her aunt before transitioning into a permanent housing situation. “We didn’t have a home address to register me with [for school],” Hurst said. “After elementary school, we lived with my aunt so that … my mom could save up money to put a down payment on the house … [She knew] that would give her a leg up in the long run and she didn’t worry about her pride.” Hurst said her experience gave her a better understanding of how people act in difficult situations. The school district has a number of programs set up to aid students like Hurst and their families that are in temporary housing situations. “We have Family Resource Centers or Mental Health Case Managers in all the schools, and these folks are able to assist families with getting their lives back on track with the least disruption to the students’ education,” Van Housen said. It’s the job of Jennifer Schnider,

the Mental Health Case Manager at West, to provide basic needs and make known the support the district can offer to students deemed homeless. “I might call [homeless students]

“

Homelessness can be one of the biggest stressors

a student encounters.”

-Stephanie Van Housen, Homeless Liaison in and ask about school supplies. I’ll ask, ‘Do you have a backpack? A winter coat? I can figure out how to get you one,’” Schnider said. “If a

student is deemed homeless, they qualify for free and reduced lunch for the whole year, regardless of how their situation changes.” Schnider said that the support that West and the district can offer extends far beyond basic, immediate needs. Students are assisted in seeking tutoring and as well as transportation and health care. One such program is Family Systems, which provides on-site family-based therapy during the school day. “[Students] can go once a week during an open hour or study hall to talk about all the stressors they are having,” Schneider said, explaining that Family Systems is a program in partnership with the Iowa City Community School District that provides services to children and adults with a variety of behavioral and mental health needs. Additionally, the district works

{DESIGN BY OLIVE CARROLLHACH}

Fast stats The Iowa City shelter can house up to people at once.

The percentage of Iowans suffering from food insecurity

Food Stamps

12 % RIGHT: An organizational shelf provides children staying at the Iowa City Homeless Shelter with a place to keep school supplies throughout their stay. TOP LEFT: A man reads in the Shelter House common room. BOTTOM LEFT: Overseer of Opporations Mark Sertterh walks through a woman’s dormitory. A typical room is equipped with around 30 beds, but there exist special rooms with fewer people. with local shelters such as the Iowa City Shelter House and the Crisis Center of Johnson County to aid families with school-aged children. “Shelter staff have been known to call me in the morning … with requests for assisting a new student who arrived during the night,” Van Housen said. District employees also have a set of long term goals for the students and families they aid. “The ultimate goal of the school is to keep that student in their home school … because everything else is currently disrupted in their life, so school shouldn’t have to be,” Schnider said. Van Housen also emphasized the importance of keeping students in their home schools. “We know that every school change sets a student back, on average, four to six months, and that homelessness can be one of the biggest stressors a student encounters,” Van Housen said. However, many common miscon-

ceptions delay students from coming forward and receiving aid. “Many people mistakenly think homelessness is neglect and their children could be removed by the Department of Human Services because they don’t have a home. This is not true … Many people are not aware of the supports that school districts can provide because they have never been in this situation before,” Van Housen said. Additionally, a number of stereotypes often keep students and families in the shadows due to the fear of others discovering their situations. Van Housen believes that informing others is the most effective way to remove the stigma attached to homelessness. “I believe assumptions are easily challenged as soon as we have an honest conversation with someone in this situation. Think about how this could happen to you without the privileges and resources your parents have for you,” Van Housen

said. Hurst agreed that assumptions surrounding homelessness should be questioned. “I think a lot of the stigma facing people in these situations is that they’re irresponsible or don’t make good financial decisions. Frankly, it’s not true,” Hurst said. There exists a network of school administrators and community members ready to help homeless students find success in school, as well as other aspects of their lives. “Our goal for students in temporary housing situations is that barriers to learning be removed so that these students can have equal access to the free and appropriate public education our district provides,” Van Housen said. “We don’t have money to pay rent and deposits, but are able to use district money to help students in temporary housing situations be successful in school, which is the responsibility of schools.”

471

The ICCSD reported homeless students in 2011.

Percentage of Iowa’s homeless population under 18*

55% *according to a 2005 survey

Mind over (gray) matter

{DESIGN BY VELARCHANA SANTHANA}

The WSS talks to students and teachers about the ins-and-outs of memorization, from the retention of information to the loss of it. BY KAITLYN MCCURDY kmccurdy@wsspaper.com

The entirety of our high school career depends on memory, from vocabulary words for English to theories for science. Some students have sneaky ways to memorize things, and others are working to regain certain knowledge. So, what’s the story behind memorization? NICK PEARCE ’13 Nick Pearce ’13 knows historical figures, all the state capitals and he knows that the queen termite can lay 3,600 eggs in an hour. His memory seems to work best with random facts, and if you give him a topic, he seems to always have at least one fact for you. “It’s usually helpful in supplemental knowledge,” said Pearce. Although it seems like school would be a breeze for Pearce, there is a drawback for him. “[My memory] doesn’t usually work with a lot of things, like math and AP History, but random things will stick there. I actually have to study and focus hard, otherwise it’s pretty easy just to remember something that I pick up.” Pearce has a thought for students to keep in mind as they try to find their perfect method. “There is no right or wrong way to learn.” YANNIK ENCARNAÇÃO ’14 At show choir practice early this month, Yannik Encarnação ’14 experienced a brain lapse that caused him to temporarily lose his memory. “A mind lapse usually happens in the front of your brain, where it causes headaches and sometimes a migraine. I had a really rare occurrence where it happened in the back of my brain and it caused severe amnesia. I couldn’t remember anything; why I was at West High, who was trying to talk to me, [and] I didn’t remember my choir teacher that was trying to figure out what was wrong,” said Encarnação. After being checked over by doctors and getting medication, Encarnação is still gaining back his memory. “The next day pretty much everything was back, but there’s still a few things that are a little iffy, but I’m not

sure. It’s hard to tell. But I think I’m pretty good now, it’s been [a couple] weeks since it happened,” he said. Encarnação’s doctors warned him that there are some things he might not ever remember, as his brain is subconsciously shutting them out. For example, Encarnação doesn’t remember getting the concussion, as his brain may be blocking out the pain. Even though his memory has been mostly restored, there are things that are complete blanks to him that he may never regain. Encarnação’s lapse was caused by stress, possibly from his load of schoolwork and tons of extracurricular activities. Encarnação also had a concussion a week or two prior after colliding with another soccer teammate that wasn’t properly checked. Those two things combined to cause the lapse to occur. “It was definitely something scary.”

ways a student could possibly learn. “I try to do lots of different things. I’ll do hands-on tasks, I will make sure I have visual representation or I’ll write things down when we’re going over things. I will try to put fun and music and some of that kind of stuff into my teaching,” said Shishonee Hughes, a chemistry teacher at West. Hughes even took classes and read books about teaching with the different ways of learning in mind. If students seem to be having difficulty understanding

certain concepts, Hughes will meet with them one-on-one to discuss what different techniques would be best for them. She also uses tips, like jumping jacks, in class to keep her students engaged, since retaining information is easier when students are fully alert. “It’s no different than clothing. You have to have different clothing to fit people, you have different teaching modalities to reach and connect with those learners,” she said.

LINDSAY ANDERSON ’13 Lindsay Anderson ’13 has synesthesia, which is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as “the production of a sense impression relating to one sense or part of the body by stimulation of another sense or part of the body.” For her, she sees things in colors. “Growing up, I would draw everything with its color. I realized I was different when we read A Mango-Shaped Space in sixth grade. I’d thought it was normal for everyone else to associate things with colors,” said Anderson. She said that the advantage to synesthesia is spelling. “I can just see the colors, so I know the letters better. Each letter has its own color, so it helps me remember the order.” It also comes in handy with math, where she can remember colors in a certain pattern for a specific formula. Synesthesia also helps her differentiate between languages, depending on the word. “In English, I see ‘sister’ as pink and red, but ‘hermana’ is purple and green; it just depends on the letters.” TEACHERS’ PERSPECTIVES Teachers have to find ways to accommodate for all the different

ART BY//LEELA SATHYAPUTRI

MITT ROMNEY’S QUOTE, “I LOVE PBS, I LOVE BIG BIRD,” HAS INSPIRED RECORD SALES OF BIG BIRD COSTUMES. } OCTOBER 2012 FEATURE 21

the reader Kalee Waldron’14

{DESIGN BY POMBIE SILVERMAN}

the

Mothership

BY MARTIN LEICHT & ISLA NEAL

rts

“It’s so hilarious. It’s technically about teen pregnancy, but it downplays it a lot which is good because I don’t like serious books.”

the West Side Story arts & entertainment section

fashion at West: Paige Brazina ’16

PHOTO BY//FRANK WEIRICH COMPILED BY//BLAKE OETTING

The Court of the Air BY STEPHEN HUNT

“This is a very intriguing novel in that it’s almost steampunk in plot; if you like complicated politics I would recommend this book.”

One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd BY JIM FERGUS

“It’s a historic novel; it took something that almost happened in history and wrote what could have happened. I couldn’t put it down.”

PHOTO BY//HANNAH MUELLERLEILE

BY MEGUMI KITAMOTO

mkitamoto@wsspaper.com

In a flowy maxi skirt matched with combat boots, Paige Brazina ’16 struts the halls of West. According to Brazina, her “casual nouveau hipster” style represents herself and is not meant to impress others. However, Brazina’s fashion stems outside of the school hallways; in fact, out of the country. “Sometimes my friend in Paris gives me ideas and advice on fashion, but I usually just try to wear my own style,” Brazina said. “We also discuss fashion together and talk about items that are cute and items that go together.” Brazina’s clothes aren’t just

a fashion statement; they also contain memories. “I usually get my clothes at random shops and stores when I travel so I can remember places I have been ... including Rome, Los Angeles, Istanbul and Paris,” she said. According to Brazina, the most memorable fashion item she owns is a necklace from the Vatican in Rome. “[The necklace] has a charm with the shape of a dove on it. I really like it because it is significant to the Vatican and I thought it was pretty,” Brazina said.

UPCOMING EVENTS The Hush Sound

David Sedaris

10.27.2012--6:30 P.M--BLUE MOOSE TAP HOUSE

Come see The Hush Sound perform songs from their new album Goodbye Blues. Tickets are $15.

Third Annual Blues & Boogie Woogie Piano Stomp 11.03.2012--8:00 GLERT THEATRE

P.M--EN-

The preeminent blues band will perform at Iowa City’s most historic theatre. Tickets are $30.

11.07.2012--8:00P.PM.--IMU

David Sedaris, the popular satirist and humor writer will be speaking in downtown Iowa City. Come laugh and enjoy the show. Tickets are $46.15.

Manchester Orchestra 11.09.2012--8:00P.PM.--IMU

The Atlanta-native rock group will bring their lush, melodic alternative sound to Iowa City for all to enjoy. Tickets are $29.80. COMPILED BY//BLAKE OETTING

22 A&E OCTOBER 2012} STEPHEN CLARKE HOLDS THE RECORD FOR THE WORLD’S FASTEST PUMPKIN CARVING TIME: 24.03 SECONDS.

“

photo of the month

When I was a kid ... I would spend hours outside in the Fall ... just looking up at the clouds and try to find shapes in them. I like the way the trees made a frame for the pretty clouds; it’s fun to find the beauty in [nature]. ” -Hannah Lidral ’14 CD REVIEW

Come of Age

artist of the month

Jaeho Lee ’14

BY THE VACCINES

{DESIGN BY POMBIE SILVERMAN}

PHOTO BY//HANNAH LIDRAL

ARTS NEWS

Students prepare for All-State BY MEGUMI KITAMOTO

mkitamoto@wsspaper.com

BY POMBIE SILVERMAN

psilverman@wsspaper.com

Despite naming their album Come of Age, the Vaccines haven’t grown up at all: continuing their guitar-infused, upbeat vibe from their debut album, the Vaccines combine bittersweet lyrics with riffheavy melodies throughout the 40-minute CD. On “No Hope,” frontman Justin Young sings, “There’s no hope and it’s hard to come of age,” as a man who is “twenty-four and young and bored.” “Teenage Icon” brings back the infectious, toe-tapping type of tune only last heard in bands like the Strokes or Libertines; “All in Vain” resembles the happygo-lucky mood of the Beatles’ “She Loves You,” channeling acoustics and Young’s nostalgically sweet plea. After 2011’s What Did You Expect From the Vaccines?, the Vaccines return with a decent sophomore album sure to please everyone’s ear.

“

I drew this after a dream. The most important element in art is how unique it can be. People become honest in their dreams.” -Jaeho Lee ’14

On October 20, prospective All-Staters headed to Fairfield, Iowa to audition for the AllState band, choir and orchestra. All-State Devin Hedlund ’14 claimed she was nervous for auditions, even for the third time. “I guess it’s kind of good to be nervous,” Hedlund said. “Since I have homework, I’m not practicing as much as I should, but when I do practice, [it’s] for about an hour.” Though the process may be rigorous, getting into All-State is a different experience for everybody. “I’m not really nervous [about getting in] and [auditions are] so much fun,” said Zane Larson ’15, a tenor who made the AllState choir last year as a freshman. Eleni Katz ’14, a two-time AllStater bassoonist, agrees that All-State is a unique experience. “Everybody is so focused on practicing their own instruments at the auditions … when the list of people that make it in come out, people surround the list, screaming and crying. It is definitely an interesting experience,” Katz said.

ADULT-ORIENTED COSTUMES ACCOUNT FOR OVER HALF OF HALLOWEEN COSTUME SALES. } OCTOBER2012 A&E 23

{DESIGN BY POMBIE SILVERMAN}

THE

ON ARTS

IDAN NADLER ’16

BY POMBIE SILVERMAN

psilverman@wsspaper.com

When we hear the word “DJ,” most of us envision a man in an animal-shaped headpiece [possibly that of a mouse] manning a set of turntables, staging a party for thousands. However, a smallerscale version of this scene [excluding costume] can be found in Iowa City, with Idan Nadler ’16 as the DJ. “When I first walk [into the room], the crowd doesn’t know what to think when a 14-year-old kid with braces walks up on stage,” Nadler said. “But once I get on the mic … they start cheering my name.” Nadler became interested with DJing at the age of ten. “I remember just watching a video on YouTube of some DJ dictating a large party, and I was like, ‘I want to be that guy who can make

or break a party,’” Nadler said. With this newfound interest, Nadler began to experiment on his computer, hoping to teach himself how to DJ. “I didn’t know what to do at first. There was no one there to specifically teach me how to [DJ], so I had to figure it out on my own,” Nadler said. “I would press random buttons and see what sounded good.” After listening to tracks by Arak, Kraze and AM, Nadler saved up for a $3000 DJ system and began to create his own music. “I love [how DJs] are able to treat a crowd. If a DJ can’t get up on the mic and pump up the crowd, they’re worthless,” Nadler said. “DJing is like directing a party. When I think about it, if the DJ sucks, the party sucks. Unless the crowd just really sucks … It’s [less about] the actual music and more about how much you can pump

up the crowd. DJing in a bar is like playing with little kids. You have to keep playing with them, otherwise they will just pass out and fall asleep.” Since his first DJ gig [controlling the music at a family friend’s party], Nadler has DJed at spectacles from weddings to high school dances [specifically Cedar Rapids Washington High School and Solon High School’s homecoming dances] through the Iowa City company Unique Events. Nadler also DJs at the Blue Moose Taphouse and Union Bar once a month. Under the moniker DJ Baron, [an acronym for Bitches Are Ragin’ on Nadlers. “People kept asking me what my name meant … so I came up with an acronym for it”] Nadler performs most of his music live. “After a Hawkeye game, [at my gig] the music’s going loud, and I’ll

24 A&E OCTOBER 2012 { IN ENGLAND, WHITE CATS ARE BELIEVED TO BE BAD LUCK .

yell ‘Go Iowa City, what’s up?’… and the crowd goes crazy. But sometimes I’ll use other words instead.” Nadler grins. “When I get creative, I’ll record my voice and scratch it at a set. I have this one recording where I yell … and then let the bass drop.” According to Nadler, his biggest motivation is the audience. “One thing that keeps me going is when the crowd reacts to my songs ... I love seeing outrageous people jump while the bass drops and the stage vibrates under me. The fog machine whitens the whole room; you cannot see anything but the flashing lights and lasers cutting through the fog,” Nadler said. “I hope that someday I’ll DJ at a music festival with 80,000 people in the crowd.” TO CHECK OUT NADLER’S BEATS GO TO WSSPAPER.COM PHOTO BY//ERIN WEATHERS

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“I believe that we just won” is a cheer Trojans have heard countless, but never too many, times this fall. With the football team finishing undefeated for the first time since 1999, volleyball crushing City 3-0 and cross country runners, both boys and girls, consistently finishing in the top ten at meets, it’s been proven the Trojan Nation is still almighty. In swimming alone, recordbreakers have smashed their own records, proving the limit to success does not exist. The golf team had four members

PHOTO BY//ERIN WEATHERS

PHOTO BY//FRANK WEIRICH

receive state recognition: Noah Federici ’15 got first team allconference, JD Goodfellow ’16 got second team all-conference and Dominic Muzzin ’13 and Tyler Whitehead ’14 received honorable mentions. With regionals and State approaching, it’s time to break out your fleece-lined green and gold gear, because as intensity rises, the temperature drops, and you’ll want to be along for the ride.

ABOVE: Gliding through the water at practice, Meredith Cullen ’14, Sarah Ritchie ’15 and Eveline Dowling ’15 use kickboards to improve their kick speed and technique. BOTTOM LEFT: Keeping pace with each other, seniors Bailey Wetherell and Isaac Jensen hang with the lead pack at their home meet. The team finished first overall. BOTTOM CENTER: Up against a City middle blocker, Laynie Whitehead ’15 tips the ball over her opponent’s fingertips. BOTTOM RIGHT: From the rough, Noah Federici ’15 aligns his chip in a triangular meet Sept. 29 against CR Xavier and Waterloo West. The team finished second with 173 points.

COMPILED BY//ERIN WEATHERS PHOTO USED WTIH PERMISSION FROM// TEDDIE FEDERICI

26 SPORTS OCT. 2012 { BOBBING FOR APPLES STARTED WITH A ROMAN HARVEST FESTIVAL HONORING THE GODDESS OF FRUIT TREES.

LEFT: Varsity quaterback Nate Boland ’14 passes the ball downfield. The Trojans achieved their first undefeated season in the 21st century. Before this year the most recent 8-0 record was held in 1999. BELOW: In the second set against City High, Toni Martins ’14 goes for the kill. The Women of Troy entered the gym as the underdogs and left with possession of The Spike after sweeping the Little Hawks 3-0.

PHOTO BY//ERIN WEATHERS

PHOTO BY//ABBIE SKEMP

ABOVE: In a cluster, Pombie Silverman ’13, Molly Leveille ’13, Maria Burtch ’15 and Emmie Skopec ’14 approach the halfway point of the race. The team finished in second place at their home meet. LEFT: Lining up his putt, Sam Scott ’13 hopes to sink his shot in a dual meet against CR Washington on Sept. 27. The Trojans prevailed over the Warriors.

PHOTO USED WITH PERMISSION FROM//LINDA SCOTT PHOTO BY//ABBIE SKEMP

PHOTO BY//ERIN WEATHERS

ABOVE: Propelling themselves down the hill, Wynton Karanja ’14, Chris Thomas ’13 and Joseph Malanson ’13 use their momentum to push into the second mile. LEFT: Racing toward the goal line, Reid Bonner ’13 blocks a tackle by a City High player. The Trojans beat the Little Hawks 44-0 on October 5 to win the Battle of the Boot for the first time since 2004.

HALLOWEEN IS THOUGHT TO HAVE ORIGINATED AROUND 4000 B.C. } OCT. 2012 SPORTS 27

PHOTO by//ERIN WEATHERS

Born to run After years of injury, Ashlynn Yokom â&#x20AC;&#x2122;14 gets back on her feet By POMBIE SILVERMAN psilverman@wsspaper.com

e’ve all run the junior high mile and experienced the same symptoms: the racing heart, frazzled muscles and the battle for mental sanity. In 10 minutes, the pain is gone. But for Ashlynn Yokom ’14, the pain lies deeper. Past the fatigue, personal struggles have allowed Yokom to learn how to push through and succeed in cross country. In eighth grade, Yokom was diagnosed with Sever’s disease, a condition where the heel bone grows faster than the foot muscle. Yokom continued to practice, believing it was just growing pains. But when Yokom visited the sports medicine clinic, she was put on crutches and a boot for two months. “[The injury] reminded me how hard it was that I couldn’t be a part of team,” Yokom said. Unable to participate, Yokom decided to quit the track team. Despite her frustration, she learned about running, just in time for freshman season to begin. But with injuries, Yokom said she “couldn’t even complete the workouts.” During her first high school track season, numerous MRIs and X-rays along with physical therapy confirmed that Yokom had a stress reaction, hairline fractures on her shins that were only a small fraction away from a stress fracture. “I knew my MRI results weren’t going to turn out well,” Yokom said. “At a team dinner, my mom told me that according to the MRI, I had to stop running … I had to tell Coach [Mike Parker] I couldn’t run for -Ashlynn the rest of the season, which was the hardest thing I had ever done. “Being on the team, but not being able to go on runs and having to do strength training by myself was hard … It was hard to even explain to everyone why I couldn’t run. I still wanted to compete with the team, go to meets, feel like I was part of the team,” Yokom said. “I don’t know why I love to run. It can be stressful at times, but I get so much out of it … I love the atmosphere. It’s

“

just a stress reliever, being around people who care about you makes you feel good about yourself.” After a year of injury, Yokom spent the summer reflecting and recovering. “It was such a long process; I just wanted to be done with my injury, but it seemed like there wasn’t enough Advil to fix the problem,” Yokom said. “Obviously, I wasn’t going to give up … All the friends I’d made, the good environment I was in and just the idea of quitting made me keep going.” Yokom blossomed in her 2012 track season. At her first meet of the season, Yokom qualified in the 3000m for the Drake Relays, a nationally-recognized track and field meet held in Des Moines. After crossing the finish line in first place, Yokom claimed, “I couldn’t believe myself. All that recovery, that wait was finally starting to pay off.” Yokom placed fifth. While Yokom considers her mother to be her biggest fan, she was unable to attend most of her cross-country meets during the 2012 season because she was expecting a child. On Sept. 1, Brooklyn Lilliann McClanahan, Yokom’s half-sister, was born at 5.5 pounds and six weeks premature. Brooklyn and Yokom’s mother lived in the prenatal intensive care unit for two weeks, where Brooklyn was put on oxygen, feeding tubes and received blood transfusions. During “the busiest part of the season,” Yokom visited her sister on a daily someYokom ’14 basis, times spending the night. “Obviously, the birth put a lot of extra weight on my family. It was stressful knowing my sister was in such a critical condition,” Yokom said. “When my mom wasn’t at the meets, neither was my biggest fan … but before a race, I would just think ‘If my week-old sister can fight through her life, then a 16-year-old can run a 4k.’” Despite stress at home, Yokom produced a number two ranking in the Iowa high school girls’ class

If my week-old sister can fight through her life, a 16-year-old can run a 4k.”

{DESIGN BY KATIE MONS}

PHOTO BY//ERIN WEATHERS

ABOVE: Finishing strong, Ashlynn Yokom ’14 sprints down the chute at the end of West’s home meet. She finished first overall and with a new meet record. 4A rankings in her junior cross country season. But, according to Yokom, it’s still hard to grasp how much competition there is. “I treat each competitor like they’re the number one ranked girl; I always want to do my very best,” she said. Yokom has broken five school course records. On Oct. 11, Yokom ran her PR, placing first and being awarded M.V.C. Cross Country Athlete of the Year. The following week, she became the regional champion.

“It was so great being able to transition back into running and being successful at the same time. My hard work was actually paying off,” Yokom said. With a new sister at home, Yokom has found the perfect balance between life and athletics. “She can’t talk back to me [like my mother],” Yokom laughed. “But I’ve always wanted a sister. She’s more than a sister, she’s a miracle baby and she’s helped me learn from all the troubles I’ve been through.”

THE VILLAGE HALLOWEEN PARADE IN NEW YORK CITY INCLUDES OVER 50,000 PARTICIPANTS. } OCTOBER 2012 SPORTS 29

Golden season, green turf PHOTO BY//ABBIE SKEMP

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PHOTO BY//FRANK WEIRICH

This year has been the lucky 13th season for Trojan football. Finishing with a 9-0 record for the first time in 13 years and recapturing the coveted bronze Boot from City High, the team has truly proven they have nine lives. “It’s a great accomplishment, for our seniors especially,” said head coach Brian Sauser. “Any time you get over a milestone like this it’s really exciting.” Halloween and play-offs lurk around the corner as the WSS goes to press. The Trojans played Waterloo West on Wednesday. “Now it’s one and done for every team that goes out there and plays … We can’t get to game five unless we get game one,” Sauser said. PHOTO BY//FRANK WEIRICH

PHOTO BY//HANNAH MUELLERLEILE

TOP: Carrying a City High player on his back, Devin Raffensperger ’11 charges down field. The Trojans achieved the victory against the Little Hawks for the first time in eight years. MIDDLE LEFT: Escaping the pocket, Nate Bolland ’14 makes a dash past the Jayhawk defense. West swept CR Jefferson 63-14. BOTTOM LEFT: West celebrates their win over City 44-0, regaining the boot on Oct. 5. RIGHT: West senior Dondre Alexander battles a Jefferson defender for possession of the ball. Plays like these were a large contribution to the West win over the Jayhawks Oct. 19. 30 SPORTS OCTOBER 2012 { SCARECROWS, POPULAR HALLOWEEN FIXTURES, SYMBOLIZE THE ANCIENT AGRICULTURAL ROOTS OF THE HOLIDAY.

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Dear Mama, I’m a freshman and I got my first B. I’m worried my high school career, college acceptance, GPA and life have all been flushed down the toilet! What should I do? -F for Effort* BY MAMA HURST Zora Hurst’s mother

Dear F for Effort, Don’t sweat – you’re adjusting to a new school surrounded by new people, teachers and other activities. However, don’t follow a path

of ‘what if ’s’ into talk of being a failure and flushing your future down the toilet. As a freshman you will have time to improve your grades and review/change/review your future and post-high school education. In the meantime, this “B” is one of many grades you will receive

during your high school education. Remember- I love you and you’re the best and the smartest student EVER! Mama

*letter is fake, advice is real.

West side effects

No.

Number of Bing ads

Enjoyment of Iowa Assessments

Monthly mama

Likelihood of using Bing

COMPILED BY//ASHTON DUNCAN

I’m king of the world!

Help!

Grade: 9

‘MERICA!

ART BY//LEELA SATHYAPUTRI

Your interest My interest Likelihood of in politics in cats either watching C-SPAN

FOR MORE WEBCOMICS, CHECK WSSPAPER.COM EVERY WEDNESDAY THE FIRST BATCH OF CANDY APPLES SOLD FOR FIVE CENTS EACH IN 1908. } OCTOBER 2012 HUMOR 31

{DESIGN BY BRENNA DEERBERG}

Corporal classrooms With the new law in Texas allowing corporal punishment in classrooms, the West Side Story takes a stance against physical discipline in schools. There are those kids in every class mouthy, irreverent and unmotivated. Perhaps they sleep through class, or make snide remarks about other teachers, even going so far as to bring hallway gossip into class discussion. The way teachers deal with disruptive students is often reflective of the way the teachers themselves were reared. Are these students ignored, or confronted? Do they get called out for their behavior? In Texas and Delaware, none of these options are appropriate. Being one of 19 states that allows corporal punishment in schools, Texas is in support of that verse in Proverbs, “Spare the rod, and spoil the child.” Taylor Santos, a fifteenyear-old student in Springtown, TX, experienced firsthand the humiliation of a spanking. Santos came home that night with a bruised rear end that burned so badly, she had to sleep on her side. The only flaw this mother saw with the marks left on her daughter’s body was that they were administered by a male teacher. Review of the corporal punishment policy came about because Anna Jorgensen, the mother of a ninety-five pound cross country runner, had her daughter come home with blistered

buttocks. worse. All teachers are not created Choosing to have her daughter be equal; parents wouldn’t let any spanked in lieu of undergoing a two stranger from off the street discipline day in-school suspension, Jorgensen’s their child, so why are they rallying experience singlehandedly changed around these faceless administrators her view on corporal punishment. whose anger and frustration in the heat Claiming that the connotation between of the moment causes reformation of opposite-sex students and teachers in behavior out of fear, not out of maturity the corporal punishment position can or responsibility. have negative sexual effects, the Texas Delaware, meanwhile, has taken the lawmakers are opposite stance, not going about protecting this situation so Should corporal punish- children by putting fervently so as ment be allowed in classlimitations on to stifle them. rooms? the physical Senate bill 234 force that can has outlawed be used on spanking, disobedient claiming that students. any act that Instead, they results in The WSS editorial board voted against have decided physical pain is corporal punishment in schools. that the tantamount to appropriate way child abuse. The to counter the bill does many abuse that would have Child Protective good things, like protecting pregnant Services at the house of a parent who women from having their pregnancies left the same marks on their child at unknowingly terminated, and closing home, is to have a teacher of the gender many loopholes in cases of negligence. of the child present at the time of the But in the long run, is one minor spanking. spanking worth up to a year in prison? Seeking to purge the abuse of Parents would, effectively, be left educators, Texas has taken a volatile without a mode in which to correct situation and made it unbelievably their children.

2-14

The clause “in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of the child” implies that even verbal correction would be classified under child abuse. Are parents who take their children to the bathroom in order to “have a conversation” about their temper tantrums the same as those decrepit individuals who beat their children into a bloody pulp? Finding a medium between two polar extremes is what the WSS hopes we all can do. If your child was about to run into a busy intersection, distracted by some toy, you would engage in what the Delaware statute would classify as abuse by yelling at your child with force and urgency. Discipline is a matter that is between parents and their children. Like the choice of which schools to go to, or which vegetables to eat, it is a private matter that should not be tampered with when abuse is not present. If parents are allowed to punish their children at home, they theoretically won’t need to be punished at school; they’ll be able to take the values they learned from spankings and reprimandations to each class, being attentive students, and responsible citizens.

2012-2013 Editorial Board Olive Carrollhach Brenna Deerberg Ashton Duncan Zora Hurst Alyssa Mckeone Katie Mons Amelia Moser Blake Oetting

Jordan Rossen Pombie Silverman Juliann Skarda Abbie Skemp Shirley Wang Frank Weirich Fiona ArmstrongPavlik

ART BY//LEELA SATHYAPUTRI

32 OPINION OCTOBER 2012

Politics at work

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With the presidential campaign heating up, how far is too far when it comes to defending your preferred candidate?

On October 8, Westgate Resorts CEO David Siegal sent an email to his employees, writing “If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, as our current president plans, I will have no choice but to reduce the size of this company.” Siegel is claiming that voting for Obama could mean voting for the end of their jobs. This type of warning is not illegal or even unprecedented. In August, Murray Energy Century’s coal mine in Ohio required all workers to attend a rally held for Mitt Romney. Attendance was mandatory, even though pay was docked. While people attempt to influence each other’s ballot choices, bosses at companies should not cross that line. Over the past four years, under the Obama Administration, Siegal claimed that the company was “doing the best we’ve done in our history,” in an interview with

Bloomberg Businessweek. This success was due partly the extension of the Bush Tax cuts, a result of the Obama Administration and bipartisan communication. Siegal should not force the idea that one candidate can lead to the country’s demise and allow the diversity of ideologies to coexist. Not long after Siegal’s email, the Koch Industries mailed out packets with “thoughtful editorials,” all leaning right and all promoting Romney. The packets included a letter that warned employees that “many of our more than 50,000 U.S. employees and contractors may suffer the consequences” if “certain” candidates were elected. Around the same time, SG Software Solutions Chief Executive Officer Arthur Allen sent an email asking employees to help out the company and give them “one more chance to stay independent by voting in a new President and administration

on November 6.” All the companies that have sent out these statements are private shareholder companies, meaning they don’t need to worry about losing any public support. While bosses claim they’re not going to fire people for voting for Obama, employees may feel obligated to vote for Romney to ensure that they won’t lose their jobs. This obligation is more than a threat to employees - it’s a threat to representative democracy.

Should employers be allowed to indirectly threaten employees to influence how they vote?

4-12

The WSS editorial board voted against employers exercising such an influence over their employees’ votes.

Expanding for success

As overcrowding problems continue expanding, talk of a third high school is becoming more common. Stopping for a quick chat with another student in the hall shouldn’t cause a fuss, but it does at West High. These quick stops hold up traffic for all students as they try to reach other classes during the fiveminute passing time. The enrollment at West High has increased over the last few years, leading to several problems. Students face crowded hallways, and several classes are held in the three temporaries outside to compensate for the lack of space in the main building. Most noticeably, many classes are bursting at the seams with class sizes of up to 35 students. Class sizes at West exceed Iowa’s average of 22.2 students per class, as well as the national average of 21 students per class according to the Ames Chamber of Commerce. As

a result, students who are struggling may not get the individual attention needed during class. To remedy these problems, boundaries have been changed so that some students who would have previously gone to West High will now go to City High. In addition, juniors and seniors can opt for an early bird schedule (7:10 AM to 1:19 PM), which allows for less hall congestion in the afternoon. However, these changes have only made a dent in West’s overinflated student population. So far, the school board has proposed the idea of building a third high school, and is currently in the process of determining how it would be funded. The current proposed idea is to borrow up to $100 million that the district predicts they will be able to

pay back in the future. The West Side Story staff believes that it is more beneficial to expand West and City High than build a third high school. With expansion, students can keep the opportunities that come with an established school while receiving more individual attention.

Should the school district build a third high school rather than expand West and City High?

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The WSS editorial board voted against the construction of a third high school.

QUALITY of life

INDEX OCTOBER

Halloween October 31 is a magical day. Halloween is the one day where I can fully embrace my inner nerd and party it up with my fellow superheroes. Kapow! plus 3

Comfort food Chili, hot chocolate and pies, oh my! I’m pretty sure I just drooled on the homework that I’m actively not doing.

plus 5

Football ending Firstly, I would love to congratulate the Trojans on an undefeated season! However, I think the rest of the band would agree that there’s been enough marching for this year.

plus 2

End of first trimester When Paul Breitbach announced during advisory that there were 20 days left in this tri, I was ecstatic. That is, until I realized this is only the first of three trimesters. minus 9

Taking a break We are quickly approaching that beautiful time of year where we will often go weeks on end without attending school five days in a row.

plus 10

Total: plus 11 COMPILED BY//BRENNA DEERBERG

OPINION OCTOBER 2012 33

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Conservative crowd-out BY KATIE MONS

kmons@wsspaper.com

’m thoroughly sick of it. I hear it pretty much every day. “Stupid Republicans.” “Conservatives are idiots.” “You have to be crazy to support Romney.” I can’t take it anymore. I hate going to school and hearing how Republicans are unintelligent or stupid, or how being conservative is bad. It also angers me that when I mention to someone that I’m

Republican, they act like I just killed five people. Why? Why is being Republican bad? Just because we don’t share the same opinions, that means I’m wrong? People have different opinions on everything. Only in a perfect world would everyone see eye to eye. But this isn’t a perfect world, and people aren’t going to agree. That shouldn’t mean that we should hate on each other. I have hidden so many posts on Facebook, and even unfriended people, because the things they posted were so full of hatred and I would become livid just reading what they wrote. It’s perfectly fine if you don’t agree with someone, or a group of people, but writing or saying awful things about them is not going to

make them like you or agree with you. At all. I lose so much respect for people who behave like that. And no, I’m not saying everyone is like that. I have several friends who know I’m Republican and they respect my opinions. And I appreciate that so much. It’s the people who don’t know how to respect others’ opinions that I can’t tolerate. I have no problem with people being Democrats, that’s not the point. My whole reason for even deciding to write this column is because there are some people out there who don’t know how to respect other people’s opinions, and something needs to be said. I don’t have a problem with people saying “Yay Obama!” or “Democrats are awesome!” That’s their opinion. Fine. But if you

don’t have anything nice to say, keep your mouth closed. We live in one of the most liberal counties in America. It’s difficult and sometimes uncomfortable to stand by what you believe here when you’re conservative. Over the years, I’ve actually become stronger in what I believe in. So much trash has been thrown my way about Republicans and conservatives that I’ve learned to stand by what I say, and it’s made me stronger. Yes, it still hurts when I see or hear awful things. No one should hear nonsense about what they believe in, liberals or conservatives. I just hope one day that we can stop hating on one another, and learn to respect both sides of the story.

soiled t-shirt and aghast, pulled me away from the stranger with humiliation. As I grew older, my desire to become a dog faded, but one canine characteristic I acquired stuck. I did not learn how to bark [though sometimes I wish I were Eliza Thornberry], but rather, liked to smell things. Not items hazardous to one’s health, like glue, local flaming landfills or the occasional rear-end, but familiar scents: the congested air of my neighbor’s disorganized living room, a sweat-infused track jersey and my sister’s worn-out pillowcase. The scent of Indian food and spices reminds me of spending Saturdays with my best friend; the aroma of Portuguese paella helps me envision my grandmother’s cramped Porto townhouse. Inhaling the crisp, autumn air brings back memories of relaxing cross country runs, but also surfaces clichés relating to crisp, autumn air. To my

friends, I smell like dirty clothes and dog hair. I could go on, really. While puzzled looks arise every time I request to take a whiff of my classmate’s granola bar or my teammate’s deodorant, my closest friends have grown accustomed to my habit. Now, they simply hand over their lunch sacks before they even take a bite. Nonetheless, no matter how putrid or delightful the scent, I smell most objects in order to preserve a memory. I want to match the scent of my friend’s striped sweatshirt with his humble face and my classmate’s lunch with her love of rice milk, hoping that in the future I can pair these things together. But honestly, it’s pretty difficult to smell rice milk. Especially during flu season.

Common scents BY POMBIE SILVERMAN

psilverman@wsspaper.com

canning the frenzied playground, I observed kindergartners spastically scurrying around like rabies-infected raccoons, pretending to be various animals. To my left, a superstitious black cat scaled the monkey bars; on my right, an ambitious dragon huffed his Flaming Hot Cheetos-breath into the air [an ill-attempt at breathing fire, if you ask me]. Overactive imaginations are abundant, if not inherent in children and like every other child, I was just as bizarre. As an adventurous 5-year-old, I 34 OPINION OCTOBER 2012

would climb trees with the other boys, simultaneously screeching what sounded like the vocals of an unedited Rihanna track and distorting my face until I resembled a monkey. Over time, I had assumed the role of an Animorphs protagonist and believed that I had the power to shape-shift into a primate. However, my dreams were crushed when my teacher barked at me to climb down from the tree, and I was a lowly human again. Within a year, my interests changed. My career plans no longer included being a fulltime resident of the Jane Goodall Institute and subsequently, I desired to become a dog. I took tips from my own pets and as a curious and rather peculiar kindergartners, I almost smelled the stench escaping from an old man’s rear-end in an airport. At the last moment, my older sister grabbed me by the collar of my

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Spreading the word BY BRITTANI LANGLAND blangland@wsspaper.com

he Best Buddies program at West biked in the University of Iowa Homecoming Parade, campaigning to end the use of the word “retard”. Best Buddies also regularly assists with West High’s recycling program and volunteers at soup suppers. Their busy schedule also includes making screenprint t-shirts, selling spirit towels and attending cycling class. This program isn’t all work, however. Weekend activities like going to movies and sporting events bring this group closer together. “It’s an excellent program because it has increased the connection students have with each other,” said Steve Merkle, adviser of Best Buddies. Top: Before embarking on the route, past and present members gather for a silly group photo. Left: Making a practice loop, Quinn Terrill ’13 and Ali Brownsberger ’16 test out their wheels.

Right: Waving to the crowd and cameras, Mike Schupp ’13 leads the pack of buddies. Below: At the first turn of the parade, Best Buddies impress onlookers with their novelty bikes.

{DESIGN BY HANNAH MUELLERLEILE} PHOTOS BY//ERIN WEATHERS

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What does your palm say about you? Need an ice breaker? Palm reading is used for predicting people’s personalities and lifestyles.Whether or not you believe in the art of fortune-telling, put yourself out there and grab someone’s hand, because after reading this you’ll be (almost) a professional palm reader. COMPILED BY//SHIRLEY WANG PHOTO BY//HANNAH MUELLERLEILE

Head line This line reflects your way of thinking and how you see things in life, intellectually and philosophically. A straight line shows that you might be more of a logical thinker, while a more curved line means you’re an outsidethe-box, creative thinker. If your line is wavier, then you have a shorter attention span, whereas a deep, long line means you are clear minded. If your head line is short, you most likely favor physical accomplishments over mental ones.A separation between your head line and your life line shows that you have an adventurous attitude towards life.

Heart line This line represents your level of emotional stability and romantic outlook. Usually, if this line is deeply set in your palm, it means you will have a very passionate love life. If it’s lighter, however, you will mostly like have more peaceful relationships that will be less dramatic. Now look at the pattern of this line. A wavy heart line indicates that you will have many relationships and lovers, and a broken line means that you’ll have some kind of heartbreak in the future.

Life line Thumb If your thumb is very bendy, then typically you will be more adaptable to changes in your life.The lack of flexibility in your thumb usually says that you are more set in your ways and have very strong opinions.

This line predicts how long you will live and the quality of lifestyle you’ll have. As you would think, a longer line means you’ll have a longer life, and vice versa with a shorter line. However, if your line is short, you can still have a fulfilling and impactful life if the line is deeply set in your palm. Many breaks in your life line show that you may face many injuries or health issues. This may correlate with the placement of your life line; if the line runs near the thumb, then you are often worn-out .