2017-11-10

WEST SI DE STO RY IOWA CITY WEST HIGH SCHOOL

2901 MELROSE AVE.

IOWA CITY, IA 52246

WSSPAPER.COM

VOLUME 50 ISSUE 2

NOVEMBER 10, 2017

VA P E N AT I O N

P H OTO F E AT U R E

ALYSON KUENNEN

Halfway through their 5K race, JV cross country runners Julie Xian ’20 and Erin Elizalde ’20 stride together in the first Early Bird Invitational at the University of Iowa Ashton Cross Country Course on Aug. 24. By the end of the season, the girls and boys cross country team went on to compete at State in Fort Dodge for the 23rd and seventh consecutive year, respectively.

CONTENTS

G OT G OAT S ?

04 16 22 30 40 46

B E YO N D T H E

COUNTER

VA P E N AT I O N

T R E N DY T E AC H E R S

CONCUSSED

WA K E U P, “ WO K E H I G H

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LETTER FROM THE

F E AT U R E 0 6 V E GA S 1 0 O N E Y E A R L AT E R 12 BE THE CHANGE 1 4 P L AC E S TO T U R N TO

PROFILES 2 0 B A L D, B O L D & B E A U T I F U L

C OV E R

E N T E RTA I N M E N T 3 2 S P I C E U P YO U R L I F E 3 4 D I G I TA L D O O R WAY S

S P O RT S 3 6 R I S I N G S TA R : M A R C U S M O R GA N ‘ 2 1 3 8 B AC K I N B L AC K 4 4 FA L L S P O RT S R E C A P

OPINION 4 8 R I G H T TO K N E E L 5 0 E D I TO R I A L P O L I C Y

EDITOR

WSS

Hello dearest readers, Congratulations on successfully making it through first trimester. As the leaves continue to fall, we must aspire to do better than letting our motivation fall as well.

High schoolers often aren’t lacking motivation but are rather distracted by the myriad of other things they could be doing with their time. A common trend for teens of our genera-

tion is vaping and in this issue we decided to look deeper into what that “juice” is all about.

Why is it so appealing? What are the health risks, if any? If there’s such a thing as a JUUL, does that mean there are DYEMUNDS too?

We got this, only 13 days until we are in food comas. My personal coma will be mashed potato induced.

Much love,

PHOTO BY NICK PRYOR COVER PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ALYSON KUENNEN COVER DESIGN BY WINGEL XUE

NINA ELKADI

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G OT G OAT S ?

The Iowa City community turns to alternatives for herbicides to combat environmental damage.

BY NATALIE KATZ

S

tanding on top of the Linn County landfill, 250 workers are busy clearing their way through invasive weeds and plants this fall. However, these aren’t your typical laborers, lugging heavy shears and saws—they don’t need special equipment to get the job done. All these workers need are their mouths.

A new trend, targeted grazing, appearing across the country over the last few years, has come to the Iowa City Community School District. Targeted grazing is controlled goat grazing that clears unwanted vegetation with little damage to the terrain and wanted plants. Goats are replacing harmful weedkillers such as herbicides and carbon dioxide-producing machinery, which emits fossil fuels and contributes to the climate change crisis.

Goats on the Go, founded in 2012, is one of the companies in Iowa that brings their goats to different locations to eat unwanted vegetation.

From landfills to residential homes to schools, these goats have been almost everywhere, coming typically three times to each location.

The goats first come in the spring after the plants grow leaves and return eight weeks later after the leaves regrow. The final visit occurs a year later in the spring, when they eat the plants one last time. This process is believed to get about 90% of the weeds killed, according to Chad Steenhoek, co-founder of Goats on the Go. While it doesn’t work as quickly as chemicals do, it gives back to the land in a way typical weedkillers can’t.

“We’re taking land that doesn’t have any value and we’re creating food from that land, [whereas] if you just use chemicals, you get no benefits from the land,” said Steenhoek. Because the goats are domestic, they can be safely used as

“ WE ’ RE TAKI NG LAN D THAT DOESN ’T HAVE ANY VALU E AN D WE ’ RE CREATI NG FOOD F ROM THAT LAN D.” - CHAD STEEN HO EK , GOATS ON TH E GO CO - FOU N DER

meat after a satisfying life of munching on leaves and weeds.

The district first heard about this trend in an advertisement on the radio. Leading up to the introduction of goats to the schools, they made sure to make the community aware through newspapers and press releases from the administrative office.

“So many people are so detached from farm life and natural wildlife that we weren’t sure if it was going to upset a lot of people,” ICCSD grounds manager Ben Grimm explained.

The first goats came in 2016 to repair revines and the effects of erosion and convert land into areas that people can use. That spring, the schools to receive them were Penn and Shimek Elementary Schools. In just three days, Penn’s once inaccessible land was ready to be converted into a grassy park.

“They totally managed all the goats, so that all the kids, both human and four-legged, were safe,” said Kristy Heffner, Principal of Penn Elementary. “The only concern we had to address was people wondering if it would hurt the goats to eat poison ivy and wild mustard. We learned from the owners that the goats are very able to handle this invasive sort of plant with no ill effects.”

After those first successful visits, Theodore Roosevelt Education Center, Lincoln Elementary and City High were next on the list for the spring of 2017, chosen because of the severity of their situations.

West High, however, isn’t on the list as of right now. There has been talk of them coming to clear the areas around the practice fields in a few years though.

This year at the education center, the grounds

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keepers got multiple calls from the school’s neighbors claiming the fence was down and the goats were on the loose, only for them to show up and find everything in place. Despite how these reports may have seemed like ways of getting rid of the goats, Grimm thinks they “weren’t out of ill intent,” but just showed that “they didn’t know exactly what they were looking at” because of how uncomfortable people they are with wildlife and nature.

Eventually, the project’s original skeptics were convinced that it wasn’t all negative. Integrated Pest Management, a program in the district that tries to find alternative methods to avoid using pesticides, is one reason for this, “[trumping] anybody who was saying anything negative about the goats,” according to Grimm.

Not only are these versatile mammals better for the environment, they also can be much safer than a human going in these areas. Goats can access areas that people can’t without risk to themselves because of their light feet and size.

“ I F IT M EAN S THAT WE ’ RE KE E PI NG TOXI N S AWAY F ROM TH E STU DE NTS AN D KI DS...

THAT ’S A WI N SITUATION FOR EVE RYBODY.” - BEN GRI M M S , ICCSD GROU N DS

The poisonous plants that could be deadly to humans are things the goats enjoy eating. For the school projects, they used the goats to eat down the vegetation so the workers can chainsaw down the unwanted plants.

“We could’ve gone in. We could’ve gotten a tractor. We could’ve bulldozed. We could’ve chewed it up with a brush mower, but we would have also been exposing our employees to ... plants that could put us in the hospital,” Grimm explained, describing the situation at Penn Elementary.

The goats are typically only at a location for around five days, eating the undesired plants quickly. They are enclosed with an electric fence, shaped into paddocks, which divide the area into a grid. The goats are kept in a specific area until everything is eaten, at which point one side of the paddock is opened for them to move to the next section.

There is no need to worry about problems with the goats either; “no matter if it’s a large job or a small job, they are checked on daily,” Steenhoek said. This is done to make sure the goats are healthy, and that the customer is getting what they want out of them.

With job sizes ranging from around 40 to 250 goats, the district’s project fell on the very small side of the spectrum at between 20-30 goats at each location.

MANAGER

However, even this ‘small’ number of goats can be overwhelming for young children at the elementary schools, especially when mixed with a running circuit of electricity. To protect the children, a seven to eight foot tall perimeter fence is put up outside of the electric fence. In addition, a tame goat is brought from site to site for the kids.

“It was weird because the [tame] goat would just follow you around like a dog. If it couldn’t find you, it’d start jumping up and down trying to look over the weeds trying to find you,” Grimm recollected with a laugh.

The district is still very selective about which schools receive goats, due to both cost and grazing season. In Iowa, grazing season is only 150 days, starting in late May. When comparing the costs of goats to the other methods that would be used, they are surprisingly similar, especially when working with steep hills. Even if the land is flat, the benefits far outweigh the negatives.

“If it means that we’re keeping toxins away from the students and kids ... that’s a win situation for everybody,” Grimm said.

Two years after this project first took shape, five schools have had goats and many childrens’ lives have been steered away from being exposed to dangerous chemicals, which can lead to many serious diseases and defects.

ICCSD has had the initiative in taking steps towards more environmental sustainability, causing the city and University of Iowa to follow in its path. “We’ve really just showed that it was viable. If you could do it at an elementary school, you can pretty much do it anywhere,” Grimm said.

ART BY ANGELA ZIRBES DESIGN BY CATHERINE JU

How ten minutes

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BY ANJALI HUYNH

I

V E

G

A S

n a matter of minutes, American history was rewritten.

America experienced its deadliest mass shooting in recent history on Oct. 1 when a gunman opened fire on a crowd attending an outdoor concert in Las Vegas, killing 59 people and wounding over 500. This came just over a year after the previous deadliest mass shooting at Pulse Nightclub, where 49 people were killed and 58 were wounded.

The concert took place across from Mandalay Bay hotel and consisted of approximately 22,000 people from around the country, including Liberty High School principal and former West High Athletic Director, Scott Kibby.

Kibby was at the music festival celebrating his 30th anniversary with his wife. He described the crowd prior to the shooting as “super relaxed” and a “festive, fun atmosphere.”

When the gunshots first rang out, Kibby initially thought it was nothing but fireworks.

“What didn’t make any sense is why there

devastated a nation. would be fireworks going off in the middle of the song,” he said. “I looked up, and there wasn’t anything, and then I [heard] that maybe one of the speakers was crackling. There was a pause after about a handful of shots, and then after that, you could tell it was an automatic weapon. It was just continuous sounds like a helicopter.”

Once it was clear their lives were in danger, Kibby’s wife pulled him to his feet, and they sprinted out of the area. They ran 1.5 miles until they arrived at the MGM Grand hotel, where they stayed until SWAT teams announced it was safe to leave.

Meanwhile, people across the country kept tabs on what was going on and responded to the violence as news outlets released information.

President Donald Trump tweeted, “My warmest condolences and sympathies to the victims and families of the terrible Las Vegas shooting. God bless you!”

Although Kibby himself has not watched many reports regarding the shooting, describing them as “almost too much,” he believes the escapees’ panic was underrepresented in the media.

“The hysteria that goes along with this is probably what wasn’t covered in the media,” Kibby

“ WE M UST TAKE TI M E TO HONO R TH E VICTI MS , BUT WORDS ALON E ARE NOT ENOUGH.” -DAVE LOEBSACK, IOWA SENATOR was just devastating. I don’t want to live in fear and feel that I can’t go to a concert or the mall … or whatever without having to worry about being shot in all those situations. It just reinforced my determination to just continue … working to provide a safer future for my kids.”

These activists also include politicians like Iowa representative, Dave Loebsack, who came out and released a statement condemning the attack soon after it happened.

“The horrific attack on innocent men and women … in Las Vegas has left me heartbroken and filled with sadness,” Loebsack’s statement said. “I join with my fellow Americans in grieving the loss of their lives and honoring the heroic actions of the first responders. We must take

“TH ERE’ S AN ELEM ENT OF FRIGHT, AN D A LOT OF DI FFERENT TH I NGS WI LL J UST SET YOU OFF WH EN YOU ’ RE I N THAT MOM ENT AN D SCARED.” -SCOTT KIBBY, LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL said. “A lot of us that got out of there … ended up hiding in a hotel, and when we were hiding, they sounded off the alarms. We thought we were safe and then the alarms go off and off we go, we start running again. There’s an element of fright, and a lot of different things will just set you off when you’re in that moment and scared.”

Following the attack, there has been a massive resurgence in the gun debate. Many pro-gun politicians and figureheads, like Fox News host Howard Kurtz, stated that this is a time of healing for the victims of this tragedy and an event of this magnitude should not be politicized.

However, gun control activists believe that this is the perfect time to instigate change. Gun control groups, like Moms Demand Action, have used this tragedy as proof of the need to further their efforts.

“Honestly, I was kind of in a daze for the first two days after [Vegas],” said West parent and Moms Demand Action coordinator, Rebecca Truszkowski. “I do social media, so we were on Twitter all day long following that story, sending messages out to the chapters in the state, and it

time to honor the victims, but words alone are not enough.”

Loebsack’s deputy chief-of-staff, Joe Hand, outlined Loebsack’s plan-of-action following the attack.

“Dave believes we must address the frequency of these violent acts, which is why he has supported initiatives that will help keep our communities safe while also protecting Second Amendment rights,” Hand said. “He has supported proposals to keep terrorists from buying guns, closing the gun show loophole and strengthening background checks.”

Despite this ongoing gun debate, there is a beacon of light in the darkness. When reflecting on the event, Kibby was grateful for the bravery shown by first responders that rushed to the scene.

“When we were running away, it was obvious that first responders were running towards … the gunfire,” Kibby said. “[It’s] kind of humbling and amazing that that’s their first response. They don’t always get credit for those kinds of things that they do. To me, it’s very heroic.”

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A BO UT TH E

S H OOTI N G SHOOTER:

Stephen Paddock

(BELIEVED TO HAVE ACTED ALONE)

AT MANDALAY BAY HOTEL

59 KILLED 50 0 INJURED IOWA’S

G U N L AWS

3

A N N UA L

DAY WAITING

PERIOD PERMIT RENEWAL & BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIRED

IF FIREARM IS PURCHASED FROM AN UNLICENSED SELLER,

NO

BACKGROUND CHECK NEEDED

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CANNOT BAN GUNS

A BO UT M ASS G U N

S H OOTI N GS M ASS S H OOTI N G an incident where four or more people are killed in the same relative time/place

4/5

OF THE DEADLIEST GUN SHOOTINGS IN US HISTORY

OCCURED IN THE PAST

10 YEARS 273

MASS SHOOTINGS FROM JAN. 1 OCT. 3, 2017

Source: The Gun Violence Archive

ART BY FRANCES DAI DESIGN BY CRYSTAL KIM

08

A DV E R T I S E M E N T S NOV. 10, 2017

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A DV E R T I S E M E N T S

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ONE YEAR LATER

On Nov. 8, 2016, Donald Trump was elected as the 45th president of the United States of America. Here is a collection of recent news regarding the new administration as well as major events and actions that took place in his first nine months of office.

BY JESSICA MOONJELY

“TH E U N ITE D STATES HAS G R EAT STR E N GTH A N D PATI E N CE , B UT I F IT I S FO R CE D TO D E F E N D ITS E LF O R ITS A LLI ES , WE WI LL HAVE N O CH O I CE B UT TO TOTALLY D ESTROY N O RTH

BU DG ET AN D SPE N DI NG

“ WH ETH E R WE A R E B L ACK

54 BI LLION

R E D B LOO D O F PATR I OTS ,

I N CREASE I N DE FE N SE BU DGET

33

KO R EA . ROCKET M AN [KI M JONG UN IS ON A SU I CI D E M I SS I O N FO R H I M S E LF AN D FO R HIS R EG I M E .”

-PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP

12

PE RCE NT CUT TO TH E E NVI RO N M E NTAL PROTECTI O N AG E N CY (E PA)

O R B ROWN O R WH ITE , WE ALL B LE E D TH E SAM E

WE ALL E NJ OY TH E SAM E G LO R I O U S F R E E DO M S , AN D WE ALL SA LUTE TH E SAM E G R EAT A M E R I CAN F L AG.” -PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP

O R M O RE AGE N CI ES E LI M I NATE D

Source: Politico

1.6 BI LLION Trump administration asked for $3.6 billion in the 2017-2018 budget to build around 100 miles of wall. The House Appropriations Committee approved a bill with $1.6 billion for 74 miles of fencing.

Source: ABC News

PU E RTO R ICO Trump criticizes Puerto Rican officials after Puerto Rico pleads for more federal assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. “ S U CH POO R LE A D E RS H I P

1 M I LLION Trump pledges to personally donate $1 million to Hurricane Harvey relief after the hurricane landed on Aug. 25, 2017, becoming the most expensive hurricane in the United States.

A B I LIT Y BY TH E M AYO R O F SA N J UA N , A N D OTH E RS I N PU E RTO R I CO, WH O A R E N OT A B LE TO G ET TH E I R WO R K E RS TO H E LP.”

-PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP

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TR AN SG E N DE RS

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I N TH E M I LITARY

ADVANCI NG TH E KEYSTON E XL AN D DAKOTA ACCESS PI PE LI N E These are two oil pipelines. Oil producers are expected to benefit from a quicker route for crude oil to US Gulf Coast refiners. However, Native American tribes are against the Dakota Access Pipeline stating it threatens water resources and sacred Native American sites. The Obama administration had previously rejected the Keystone XL project because of the environmental threats it posed.

TR AVE L BAN Trump enacted a controversial, partial travel ban which barred people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US temporarily for

90

BLOCKED ALL REFUGEES FO R

120

“After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgenders in the military would entail.”

-PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP

On Oct. 30, a judge in Washington blocked the proposed ban, reverting the policy to the one issued under President Obama.

NOV. 10, 2017

TWITTE R STATUSES I N TH E FI RST SIX MONTH S OF PRESI DENCY Source: twittertrumparchive.com

@ R EALDO NALDTR U M P

TWE ETE D

991

TOTAL TI M ES

46

TWE ETS M E NTI O N I N G J O BS

22 TWE ETS

M E NTI O N I N G H I LL A RY CLI NTO N

DAYS

DAYS

TR U M P R ESCI N DS DACA The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals was an immigration policy implemented by the Obama administration that allowed some minors, who had entered or remained in the US illegally, to receive a renewable period of deferred action from deportation and eligibility for a work permit. In September, the Trump administration announced that it is ending the program.

TWE ETS ABO UT O BAMACA R E

82

45

TWE ETS M E NTI O N I N G FA KE N EWS Sources: AOL & CNN

PHOTOS VIA PETER SNOOPY, WHITE HOUSE, PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS PATRICK KELLEY, GERALD NINO, TEXAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, PAX AHIMSA GETHEN, QUENTIN DOUCHET, ARMY SGT. AMBER I. SMITH & GAGE SKIDMORE UNDER CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE DESIGN BY THOMAS DUONG

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Lexi Goodale ’19 reads with a student at Weber Elementary through the PALs program.

B E T H E CHANGE

BY EMMA BRUSTKERN

I

n the corner of the hallway in the freshman wing, two groups of students converge in a classroom. Both groups are huddled around their two respective tables, scrambling to reach the game at hand: Jenga. Multiple languages can be heard throughout the room amongst laughter. Two floors down, other students bunch around bins of water to prepare white bandanas for tie-dying. In both rooms, there is an undeniable feeling of warmth. The students are independent and hands-on, genuinely dedicated to working with others. This is PALs. The basis of PALs, also known as Peer As-

sistance Leadership, is for students to build resiliency through peer mentorship. Throughout this school year, they are taking part in a class dedicated to helping out the Iowa City community and their West High peers.

“The whole idea behind PALs is to create a better school culture and climate for students who might not feel connected so they have some place or someone they can turn to,” said Mayra DeVries, adviser of the program. “Studies have proven that as long as students have more of a connection with somebody at school and have a positive peer relationship, [then] they’ll

do much better academically and socially.”

The PALs program originated in Texas in 1980 and steadily spread to other states. West High is the first school in Iowa to implement the PALs program. DeVries, a former middle school counselor, was looking for a better way to utilize her counseling skills. After seeing the PALs program work for students at her previous schools, DeVries believed PALs was just what West High needed.

Over the summer, DeVries underwent training for how to run the program, which included an overview of the curriculum and techniques for teaching students. However, the stan-

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As the first school in Iowa to implement the PALs program, both West High students and teachers have high hopes on the future of the program. dard curriculum was written in the early ’90s, leaving DeVries to modernize the program.

PALs functions as a class during the school day and has 28 mentors across two periods. Last year, a group of students were recommended by teachers to be mentors, or PALs. Once a week, each PAL meets with their assigned PALee, a West student who has been identified by the school to be in need of social, emotional or academic assistance. However, this isn’t the complete educational extent of the program. On Mondays and Fridays, students in the class generally do en-

so out of the box about how we can help West help the community,” DeVries said.

The PALs program aspires to bring positive change to West and help a variety of students. Raso hopes that through the PALs program, the students being mentored will realize they are not alone.

“The kids that we mentor, sometimes they just need somebody to talk to. This is an environment where it’s a safe space and it’s okay to talk to us about academic problems [and] personal problems,” Raso said. “I feel like it

ing to be both empowering and inspiring.

“It’s a great experience with a leadership position and … getting to know people. A lot of it is me operating outside my own comfort zone,” Bailey said.

For their first year, the program is working under the motto, “Be the Change.” DeVries hopes to expand the program to include more mentors and help more people in the future, but for now, she believes the best they can do is try and make a positive impact on West High and its surrounding areas.

“ I F E E L LI K E IT WI LL B E A R E LI E F FO R TH ES E STU D E NTS TO R E A LI Z E TH E Y A R E N OT TH E O N LY PEO PLE WH O GO TH RO U G H TH ES E STRU GG LES A N D IT ’ S SU PE R I M PO RTANT FO R TH E M TO R EALI Z E TH E Y H AVE PEO PLE TH E R E FO R TH E M .”

- BAI LEY R ASO ’18 richment activities to learn essential skills about communication. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are dedicated to community outreach. This includes visiting elementary schools, assisting students in Adaptive PE and working with ELL students.

For PAL Micah Bailey ’18, visiting elementary schools is a particularly engaging activity.

“We went to Weber to mentor specific elementary school kids ... I was supposed to be with one student but he wasn’t there so I went with a different student who was from Guatemala and didn’t speak English at all,” Bailey said. “I had to try and teach him math in Spanish, and that was a lot of fun. He was really nice, and it was fun trying to talk to him.”

Finding a connection with another person can be difficult in any situation and having a language barrier can make it even harder.

However, it doesn’t seem to be a problem for anyone in the PALs program. While working with ELL students, PAL Bailey Raso ’18 enjoys learning about different communities and languages from around the world.

“Working with the ELL kids is super great.They aren’t very good at English and they’re not in a ton of classes that you or I would be in,” Raso said.

“It’s super awesome to get to know those people as well and learn about their culture and life.”

Aside from being leaders, DeVries sees PALs as a very diverse group of people who are always willing to help Iowa City in any way possible.

“They bring so many ideas that are just

will be a relief for these students to realize they are not the only people who go through these struggles and it’s super important for them to realize they have people there for them.”

For the mentors, the program is prov-

“We want to see some change here at West as far as [being] positive in nature and helping other students,” DeVries said. “[Our goal is to] create a ripple effect of positive change.

Students love the idea of paying it forward.”

BY THE NUMBERS

2 28 56 10 0 0 +

class periods student mentors people recommended programs nationwide Source: Mayra DeVries

PHOTO BY TEYA KERNS DESIGN BY LYDIA GUO

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PLACES TO T U R N TO

Sometimes it can be hard for students to reach out for help. Whether it is a physical or mental concern, they often have no idea where to go or what to ask for. From new glasses to therapy, there are multiple resources at West for students to use.

BY CAECILIA SHOPPA

M E N TA L H E A LT H RESOURCES

FOOD PA N T R Y

For people struggling with mental illness, there are many mental health resources that can help students get therapy or medication. Twice a week, therapists Beth Houseal and Miranda Maday come to the building to give talk therapy to students who need it. In order to receive therapy, the student must get a referral from a parent or teacher, as well as parental consent to take a mental health assessment. Besides just talk therapy, a psychiatrist comes to West once a month to prescribe medication to those who don’t have access to psychiatric care in the community. The ICCSD pays for this service to those without insurance because of their citizenship status, making this initiative available to anyone.

Over 48 million Americans live in homes that lack nutritious meals or any meals at all. When a student can meet the basic needs of everyday life, they will perform better in school. Because of this, many schools now feature a food pantry.

Melissa Nies and Mayra DeVries started West’s food pantry last year in order to help students in Success Center who reached out to them. From there, the pantry only grew, taking up a wall of cabinets in DeVries’s room. All of the food donations are supported by volunteers, alongside proceeds from prom and homecoming. The pantry is located in DeVries’s room, where she is available 4th and 7th periods. This service is open to anyone in need of food at home.

TA X I SERVICE Living far away from West not only affects sleep schedules, but it also stops students from participating in extracurricular activities. This year, the district decided to help out. West now has a partnership with Yellow Cab, meaning students are able to get a ride home from any club or sport practice if they live in the Alexander Elementary School area. To get help from this service, you can go to the guidance office and ask for the Student Family Advocates. This organization works with students and their families to improve their achievements and success.

They can help schedule a taxi to pick up students from West to get students home safely from after school activities, no questions asked.

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EYE GLASSES

H E A LT H Y KID CLINIC

Being able to see properly in class is important and now students have a way to receive help. If a student lacks insurance because of their citizenship status, they are able to go to McDonald Optical in Sycamore Mall. If a student does have insurance, they can be referred to Looking Glass in Coralville. There, the students will receive free eye exams as well as free prescriptions and frames. Afterwards, students will get free checkups every year and new prescriptions as needed.

Students can self-refer themselves to the Student Family Associates if they are in need of this service.

Similar to the mental health resources, the Healthy Kid Clinic, established in 2007, helps to further serve the mental health needs of uninsured, underinsured or underserved students.

By helping kids through age 21, students can receive different types of therapy, primary health checkups, sports physicals, immunizations and medication completely free of charge. The clinics are located at Northwest Junior High, Southeast Junior High, as well as City High. They are open for three half-days a week for primary health care services and are open during mornings each week for psychiatric health services.

TEMPORARY HOUSING Whether a student is living in a shelter along with their family or staying with a friend until their family can find a place of their own, West High’s Student Family Associates are able to help.

Students considered homeless are able to receive free bus passes, new clothing and shoes, free lunch and breakfast at school, and free school supplies. This initiative is available thanks to the Mckinney Vento Act, which protects the access of resources for students in temporary housing.

If in need of this service, familes can contact the guidance office in order to sign up.

ART BY ANGELA ZIRBES DESIGN BY THOMAS DUONG

16

PROFILE

NOV. 10, 2017

BEHIND THE COUNTER Sometimes it feels like a drudge waiting in line for lunch, until that one person behind the counter cheers you up with their smile and greeting. As you enjoy your lunch and get back to your daily routine, you forget that there might be a story behind that smile. In addition to all the great food West’s lunch staff provides, each member also brings their own unique personalities and perspectives to the school community. Here are three members of our lunch staff whose smiles you won’t forget the next time you amble through the lunch line.

PHOTOS BY TEYA KERNS DESIGN BY FRANCES DAI

17

PROFILE

NOV. 10, 2017

KANDI KLEIN West graduate Kandi Klein returns as an employee 26 years after receiving her diploma in pursuit of her love for cooking and kids.

BY ANNA BROWN

I

n its 50 years of existence, thousands of students have impacted West High. However, one 1981 West graduate, Kandi Klein, continues to leave her mark by nourishing the minds of the student body.

Klein’s passion for food and baking started when she was young and was mainly influenced by her family. This passion first stemmed from her grandmother and mother, who taught her how to cook as soon as she could look over the kitchen countertop. Following this introduction, Klein’s father further inspired her dedication to the kitchen when she was 7 years old.

“My dad was into restaurant management [at Pizza Hut], … that’s where my food interest came from,” Klein said. “My dad built [Pizza Hut] and ran that. He was the cook and my mom was the waitress, so I grew up around food.”

Not only did the restaurant expose her to a culinary environment, but it served as a way for her parents to teach her “dedication and appreciation for a good job.”

These values stuck with her as she followed in her parents’ culinary footsteps by working at Hy-Vee after graduation.

Klein then moved on to create a home daycare, which she ran for 23 years. Because of this, Klein was required to take nutrition classes for preparing food. This continued her food experience background before coming to West.

However, due to a change in the bus route to Klein’s home, many daycare children were unable to continue attending. Klein searched for an alternative that would allow her to continue her original passion for food while still being around kids. This brought her back to West, where Klein was able to form new bonds with her co-workers.

“While working at West High can be stressful some days, I work with an amazing group of people. They are my work family and we sing, joke and laugh to relieve all the stress ... teamwork is the best way,” Klein said.

Klein does her best to pass on this positivity to students, as she makes it her personal mission to talk to as many students as she can.

“My most prized interaction to date was a student that gave me a note thanking me for being kind every day and saying to her, ‘Have a great day.’ This brought tears to my eyes that I made a difference in her day by those simple words,” Klein said.

Even if not always voiced, many students appreciate Klein’s kindness.

“She often makes conversation as I get my food,” said Breno Sader ’19. “It feels nice because I know she actually likes her job and that she cares about the students at the school.”

Despite Klein’s positive impact and passion for feeding the students, she has struggled with her own food intake.

“My health is a constant struggle due to the fact I have Crohn’s Disease. I have to be very aware of everything I eat. It is a constant struggle, both emotionally and physically, but I’m thankful every day I am able to work,” Klein said.

Crohn’s Disease occurs in the digestive tract and, when triggered by certain foods, can result in fatigue and abdominal pain. Despite this condition, Klein continues to work hard and remains grateful for everything she has.

“My plans for the future are to continue to work at West High for as long as my health will allow. I will continue to prepare foods to nourish the minds of all the students,” Klein said.

Now surrounded by a newfound work family, Klein is able to maintain both her passions: her love for food and her desire to interact with kids. “[You] kids are great and I love your smiles,” Klein said. “That’s the most important thing to my day, so if I can make you guys smile, that’s great.”

HEA SALA D OF D DE PT.

“ MY M OST PRIZ E D I NTE R ACTI O N TO DATE WAS A STU DE NT THAT GAVE M E A N OTE THAN K I N G M E FO R B E I N G K I N D EVE RY DAY.” - KAN D I KLEI N , H EAD O F SALAD D EPT.

18

PROFILE

NOV. 10, 2017

JULIE PETERSON With a love for waiting tables in her childhood, kitchen manager Julie Peterson had no trouble determining her future career and, with God’s support, overcame the difficulties that came along the way.

BY JENNA WANG

T

hroughout her childhood, all kitchen manager Julie Peterson wanted was something to believe in.

When she was young, Peterson explored the Baptist, Methodist and Catholic Church, as well as Bible School. Through religion, Peterson developed a close relationship with God, whose presence accompanied her everywhere from her athletic career in high school to the happiest day of her life giving birth to her children.

Early on, she was involved in swimming, gymnastics and basketball. Given her talent, she was quickly noticed.

“A coach said that my [athletic] talent was really good, and he told me to stick and go with it.

But my friends went out for cheerleading and I decided to go out for it too,” Peterson said.

“That’s a regret of mine. I really wish I would have stuck with the sports.”

After figuring out that cheerleading was not what she loved, she decided to set her heart on being a waitress instead of being involved in athletics. What started as a simple job with a friend at a small hometown restaurant would forever change her life.

Peterson’s passion for food grew, and she progressed from small restaurants to higher chains.

Being at Village Inn was especially defining, as she worked there for seven years and spent much time building close relationships with customers.

“I would know [customer] orders by heart, and they loved it,” Peterson said. “When I left [for good], I cried so hard because they brought me all these gifts. I was close with everyone.”

Despite the bittersweetness, she left to get married and start a new life in Iowa City. It was her next job at Giovanni’s where she got the huge opportunity to work as manager—but there was a problem. With having kids, Peterson believed that being manager would not give her enough time to take care of them. As a result, she was forced to apply for new jobs, which came with its own set of challenges.

“I had a really hard time finding a job. I didn’t think it would be that hard,” Peterson said. “I was praying for something physically and mentally challenging and where you could wear a uniform.”

God answered her prayer exactly as she wanted, with a kitchen manager position at West. It seemed at that point on, her relationship with God would only get stronger.

However, her enthusiasm was short lived. Soon after getting her new job, she received news that just recently, her close sister-in-law Nancy died of breast cancer as she looked forward to being a mother.

“The person that would have been the best mother, goes to church all the time and does everything right ends up losing her life to cancer after 20 years of battle,” Peterson said. “Times like that will rock your faith.”

However, during tough times, Peterson strengthens herself by looking to her older brother Doug as a leader and role model.

“We’re both really hard working and he’s always been my idol. I’m a lot like him in ways of making sure that I show up on time, show up to work, and always have a good attitude,” Peterson said. “He really makes me strive to focus and do the best that I can.”

Throughout all the trials and successes of life, Peterson has found a supportive community among the kitchen. Despite current challenges in and out, she has committed to never give up on God. “You always have to believe,” she said. “You can never lose your faith all the way.”

KITC MAN HEN AGE R

“ I WOU LD K N OW O R DE RS BY H EART, AN D TH EY LOVE D IT. WH E N I LE FT, I CRI E D SO HAR D B ECAU SE ... I WAS CLOSE WITH EVE RYO N E .”

- J U LI E PETE RSO N , KITCH EN MANAGE R

19

PROFILE

NOV. 10, 2017

ZACH LOVE Even with his family’s help and support, food assistant Zach Love struggled in school. Although things weren’t always easy, Love was determined to overcome those challenges.

BY PRATEEK RAIKWAR

F

ood Assistant and self-proclaimed “lunch lady,” Zach Love was, rather fittingly, born into a very loving and supportive family.

Both of Love’s grandfathers were pastors, meaning his parents were expected to attend a Baptist college. Because of the college’s emphasis on obeying strict religious guidelines, they both agreed to leave the college in order to marry, have children and pursue a more compassionate following of their religion.

“If there was tension or if there was ever a conflict, we would come together and we would resolve it. [We were] a very strong family,” Love said. “That comes from my parents’ strong religious beliefs. They’re just very loving.”

Love and his family expressed this love by spending their early years doing family-oriented activities together such as cooking and hosting foreign exchange students. For Love specifically, a more daunting regular activity he faced was learning the alphabet with the help of his mom.

“My mom spent hours and hours trying to teach me the alphabet, and to this day I’d still probably mess up,” Love said.

Eventually, this became a serious problem for Love in high school. Knowing his dad was dyslexic and seeing his grades drop, Love was confident of his own dyslexia. This only furthered his personal troubles.

“I’ve always struggled with depression,” Love said. “I was always the kid who knew I wasn’t stupid, but everyone thought I was.”

Feeling this, Love was determined to overcome his learning struggles. Eventually he discovered during his senior year of high school that he

would have to memorize concepts.

With this new strategy, Love began his college education at Kirkwood Community College.

There, he found a lot more success and was rewarded with admission to the Dean’s List and a 4.0 GPA. The latter, however, declined when his dad died during his second year of college.

“I just couldn’t bear to continue because my education and my father are very linked,” Love said. “I just had to stop after my father’s death even though I was really close to finishing …

I knew I could perform better, [but] I was just skipping class.”

In addition to quitting school and trying to manage his own depression, Love had to take care of his devastated mother. “[My parents] were finally able to focus on themselves, and then my dad died,” Love said.

“My mom feels like he was taken away right as she got to know him, and I felt the same way.”

Seeing his heightened depression and stress, Love’s siblings helped take care of their mother.

With this additional help, Love used his extra time to work and to play video games.

As time healed Love’s family’s wounds after losing their father, Love moved out of his mom’s house with his wife and got a job in the school district. In working with West’s lunch staff, not only does Love get the chance to further his interest in cooking, but he is also surrounded by a friendly community––a community he loves.

“It makes me happy to know kids have someone that knows them. … I live my life in a way so I can maximize the time with the people I love,” Love said. “This job enables that, and I love it.”

FOOD T N A T S I S AS

“ IT MAK ES M E HAPPY TO K N OW K I DS HAVE SO M EO N E THAT K N OWS TH E M ... I LIVE LI F E I N A WAY SO I CAN MA X I M IZ E TH E TI M E WITH TH E PEO PLE I LOVE .”

- ZACH LOVE , FOO D ASSI STANT

20

PROFILES NOV. 10, 2017

21

PROFILES

NOV. 10, 2017

BY ABBIE CALLAHAN

F

or many of us, our hair is a fun and easy manner of expression, a way to convey our personalities to others before we say a word. However, for many years, Caroline Young ’19 used her hair as a shield. Her armor of waist-long, silky brown hair weighed her down from ever feeling like her truest self.

What she thought was a strong, unbreakable barrier, protecting her from society’s hate and judgment, became her own enemy. An internal war with depression and anxiety began.

“ IT WAS LI B E R ATI N G, IT F E LT LI K E F R E E DO M , IT WAS A STATE M E NT TO MYSE LF. I COU LD B E CO N F I DE NT N O MATTE R H OW I LOO K E D.” -CAROLINE YOUNG Caroline was homeschooled until seventh grade. At home, she never wore makeup and her hair was a second thought. After starting public school, the pressure to compare herself to others grew. She began wearing makeup every day to conform herself to what she thought being beautiful meant. Along with this, she fixated on her hair and it became her defining feature.

“It’s just a stereotype. Women who are beautiful have long hair and that’s what guys are attracted to,” Caroline said “I would fit in by doing what everyone else was doing and that was having long hair.”

It was also at this time when Caroline began to feel more depressed and anxious than ever before.

“The transition from homeschooling to public school wasn’t the easiest. Everyone had friends they had known since kindergarten, peers they grew up with. It was really difficult to make friends. I began to do anything to make myself stand out or feel better,” Caroline said.

She started to notice her dwindling self-confidence and found it difficult to dig herself out of this hole of self-deprecation. She felt as

though she couldn’t tell her newfound friends about these feelings, in fear of scaring them off.

She didn’t want to tell her mom and worry her either, because it was unclear how serious her mental illness was. Feeling completely isolated, she strived to find a way to make herself happier. So she decided to embrace her unconventional side and redefine herself by changing her hair.

In eighth grade, the first chop was made. Her hair stylist is her sister Natalie Young ’20. With help from friends along the way, Natalie has cut, colored and shaved Caroline’s head with no prior knowledge on cutting or styling human hair.

“My only hair cutting experience is on our family goats,” Natalie said.

Caroline cut her hair from waist to shoulder length. Though she made a change that seemed substantial, she felt unchanged. Then Caroline began to explore the world of hair coloring.

She bleached her hair, dyed it purple, and tried bangs and even shorter cuts. Finally, at the end of summer 2017, she shaved her head.

“It was liberating, it felt like freedom. It was a statement to myself. I could be confident no matter how I looked,” Caroline said.

Caroline isn’t Natalie’s only client. Their mom, Susan, has had a shaved head for over twenty years and has been an inspiration throughout Caroline’s hair journey. Though Susan has had short hair for most of her life, she was wary of Caroline shaving her hair.

“ TRYI N G TO I M PR ESS PEO PLE I S SU PE R OVE R R ATE D.” -CAROLINE YOUNG “When [Caroline] told me that she wanted to shave her head, I had some reservations. I just wanted to make sure she was comfortable standing out, but in the end it’s just hair. It will grow back, and it’s a harmless way to express yourself,” Susan said.

Since shaving her head, Caroline has experienced some instances of uncommon treatment.

She has noticed strange looks from women on the streets of downtown Iowa City, and people often ask to feel her head. Caroline has also ex-

perienced a decline in cat-calling and a loss of male attention in general.

“I think men expect me to be intimidating.

People have also assumed that I was a feminist or a lesbian. Again, these are just stereotypes,” Caroline said.

Despite the new social interactions, Caroline is thrilled to have made this change. She has acquired a confidence that everyone can see, but more importantly, she can feel this inside and out.

Caroline has been on this path of finding herself since seventh grade. Recently, she has been opening herself up to new opportunities and experiences by joining many groups here at West High, one being COLORS.

“ YOU R PHYS I CAL APPEAR AN CE I S N OT TH E E N D ALL B E ALL TO WH O YOU AR E . J U ST DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO B ECAU SE WO M E N WI LL E M POWE R OTH E R WO M E N . IT ’S AS S I M PLE AS THAT.” -CAROLINE YOUNG “High school really is the place to find yourself and try things out. You have so much freedom. There are just so many people that you are sure to find someone you will click with.

So, trying to impress people is super overrated,” Caroline said.

Overall, she has spent more time focusing on what she truly feels and wants from her life.

Her hair has just been one step in the process of unlocking her inner self.

“Your physical appearance is not the end all be all to who you are,” Caroline said. “Just do what you want to do because women will empower other women, it’s as simple as that.”

ART BY ANGELA ZIRBES PHOTO BY ALLIE SCHMITT-MORRIS DESIGN BY SELINA HUA

VAPE NATION THE STORY OF A NEW CULTURAL PHENOMENON.

BY LAUREN KATZ & WINGEL XUE

DISCLAIMER: THE PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS USED FOR THIS STORY WERE STAGED. ALL MODELS PHOTOGRAPHED ARE OVER 18 AND ARE NOT STUDENTS AT WEST HIGH.

“IF YOU’RE WITH YOUR GROUP OF FRIENDS, SOMEONE’S BOUND TO HAVE ONE.”

“T

oday I saw my friend blowing vape at me when we passed each other in the hall,” said Reese*, a student at West.

Reese is only one of many who are a part of a new trend among teenagers: vaping.

Once known only as a device to quit smoking, e-cigarettes have now made their way into the mainstream and spawned their own subculture.

“People talk about what juice they’re getting, which vape—JUUL or Sourin—they’re using, what flavor pods [they use], tricks for most effectively charging [their vape], if they’re going to put a sticker on it,” said Kerry, another student at West. “These conversations draw people together.”

Whether it’s through memes or just walking down the hallway, vaping has become a pervasive part of young people’s culture.

“In social events ... you see people [vaping] or if you’re with your group of friends, someone’s bound to have one,” Reese said.

Because e-cigarettes allow more smoke to be held in the lungs than other forms of smoking, the ability to do smoke tricks are a part of the widespread appeal of vapes, according to Jamie, a student at West. However, Jamie feels that the

social aspect of vaping is a non-factor.

“I do [sometimes] vape with my friends, but it’s not like we all get together to vape. It’s not the same as weed,” Jamie said. “You just hear about it and see it on social media. It’s everywhere but at the same time not made to be some big thing.”

One specific brand of e-cigarettes, JUUL, has seen an explosion in popularity. The company has seen a 94 percent sales growth since 2016,

have older friends of age buy vapes or e-juice for her or obtain them through websites which didn’t require age authentication.

“With e-cigarettes, they’re not illegal so you don’t need to have that fear—like if you smoke weed—of getting caught. It’s more of ‘Oh, I have to be 18 to buy it,’” Reese said.

This mindset is common among students that vape; according to Kerry, vaping is far less stigmatized than other forms of smoking.

“If you go downtown you’ll see people vaping casually,” Reese said. “Especially where we live, Iowa City, [we’re] so close to downtown and we’re so exposed to the college town and environment.”

Reese ascribes some of the new popularity of vaping to trying to stay up with what’s new and cool, yet the ubiquity of vaping has made some students feel as though there are fewer consequences to smoking e-cigarettes.

“I feel like teachers would just say ‘What’re you doing?’” Reese said. “Or if they do know what a vape is, they’d probably just be like, ‘You can’t do that.’”

Although the use of e-cigarettes is legal for anyone over 18, West High Principal Gregg

“WE’RE SO EXPOSED TO THE COLLEGE TOWN AND ENVIRONMENT.” according to Business Insider.

“Vaping has become very popular and ever since I got a JUUL, everyone has wanted one or will want to use someone’s at a party to be cool,” Kerry said.

According to Reese, part of the popularity of JUULs has to do with their accessibility, both financially and physically, with each pack costing around $15.

Despite laws prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, students still have an easy time accessing them. Kerry found that she could simply

*All sources in this story have been given aliases, as they chose to remain anonymous.

DESIGN BY WINGEL XUE

HEALTH RISKS

T

he promise of safe, harmless nicotine delivery without the carcinogenic byproducts from regular cigarettes is a major reason why teenagers are turning to e-cigarettes.

However, studies show that e-cigarettes are not as harmless as advertised.

The key to vaping is the e-liquid that is drawn through an e-cigarette. Manufacturers dissolve flavorings, and usually nicotine, into this solvent. In most cases, this solvent is known as food-grade, which means that it should be safe enough to eat. But that rating is meaningless if

This in turn creates cramps and aches, which can impact athletic performance in particular, since athletes depend on a steady flow of oxygen.

In addition to health concerns, new studies have shown that e-cigarettes may produce chemical toxins.

Hugo Destaillats is a chemist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California who discovered that e-cigarettes produce cancer-causing vapors, including formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. In Destaillats’ study, he explained

“THIS CHEMICAL ... MAY SCAR AIR SACS AND NARROW AIRWAYS.” - DR. ALEJANDRO COMELLAS the solvent is inhaled into the lungs, not ingested into the stomach, where it can be broken down.

According to University of Iowa pulmonologist Dr. Alejandro Comellas, diacetyl, a chemical compound that causes lung damage, is found in many e-cigarette flavors.

“E-cigarette users are now directly inhaling this chemical into their lungs, which may scar air sacs and narrow airways, leading to chronic respiratory failure,” Comellas said.

This lung disease, known as “popcorn lung,” has serious asthma-like symptoms, which can cause build-ups of carbon dioxide in the body.

Shoultz clarifies that West’s policy against the use of drugs on school grounds covers all nicotine delivery systems, including e-cigarettes.

“Nicotine, as far as I understand, whether it’s a cigarette or a vape, is still not legal for minors to have … We would confiscate the vaping material and then make a decision as to what would be done,” Shoultz said. “What I tell students who use [nicotine] is to make sure they are aware that [nicotine] products are designed to be addictive ... The school will offer them help to get off of nicotine and find a healthy replacement habit.”

Yet the perception remains among some high schoolers that e-cigarettes are a healthy alternative to smoking, as the health effects have not been thoroughly researched. “Even people that don’t drink or smoke still vape or aren’t against it,” Kerry said.

“I don’t think there’s [a health concern] just because the level of nicotine is so low … It’s not nearly as bad as you consider it, especially [compared to] other tobacco products,” Reese said. “E-cigarettes are more geared toward … steering [adults] away from actually smoking cigarettes. Teenagers probably think, ‘Well since it’s not nearly as bad, we can do it too.’”

PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS BY ALYSON KUENNEN

that as a person inhales, some of the solvent flows through the e-cigarette and passes over hot metal coils, vaporizing the e-liquid into a gas.

By reusing the same device and setting it at varying voltage levels, Destaillats said the liquid evaporated faster as more heat poured into the e-cigarette. At a point, the liquid couldn’t get hotter and no longer vaporized, breaking down and forming toxic chemicals.

In addition to effects from potential chemical toxins, a study from Brown University recently discovered that prolonged exposure to nicotine

VAPING FAST FACTS 2.8 BILLION DOLLAR MARKET FOR E-CIGARETTES

50

PERCENT OR MORE OF VAPE JUICES CONTAIN FORMALDEHYDE

16 PERCENT OF HIGH SCHOOLERS HAVE USED AN E-CIGARETTE IN THE LAST 30 DAYS, ON AVERAGE

60 PERCENT OF CIGARETTE SMOKERS ALSO USE E-CIGARETTES Sources: The Washington Post and CDC

may be linked to an increased risk for atherosclerosis, or a hardening of the arteries that can cause heart attacks.

“Some people misconstrue the harmful nature of nicotine,” Alsop said. “It’s not the cancer-causing part of smoking but [nicotine] does cause constriction of the arteries, which can lead to high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes and other problems of blood flow.”

However, Dr. Barry London, cardiologist at

since the early 2000s, it’s difficult to place full trust in research regarding health effects. Dr. Benjamin Alsop, a gastroenterologist at the University of Iowa, said that although he hasn’t had to worry much about the rise in e-cigarettes from a digestive standpoint, his biggest concern about vaping is the potential for long-term lung exposure to components in the e-liquid.

“Does this potentially cause scarring or other

“WE HAVE ALMOST 50 YEARS OF DATA ON SMOKING BUT LESS THAN 10 ON VAPING.” - DR. BARRY LONDON the University of Iowa, said that although some studies show exposure to nicotine affects cardiac physiology, there’s almost no data on the risk of young adults who only use e-cigarettes.

“We have almost 50 years of data on smoking but less than 10 on vaping,” London said. “We won’t know for decades whether the conclusions from the data on blocked arteries is correct, because blocked arteries take decades to develop.”

Because e-cigarettes have only been around

inability for the fragile alveoli in the lungs to absorb oxygen?” Alsop said. “Unfortunately, we won’t know for sure for several years. It may be 20 to 30 years before we can intelligently comment on the effects of these chemicals on the lungs.”

Still, as the usage of e-cigarettes among teenagers rises, the potential for negative health impacts remains a risk that may not be fully understood for years to come.

EDITORIAL POLICY Sources may wish to have their names withheld from a particular story, and some may have valid reasons for this. The Editorial Board will decide on a case by case basis whether anonymity may be granted to protect the source. The Board recognizes that a high school is a very confined community of young people, and that some topics, while important to the community, may involve public embarrassment and official sanctions if names are printed.

Once anonymity is granted, the Board must stand behind its decision, whatever the pressure.

This, therefore, is a weighty decision.

“IT MAY BE 20-30 YEARS BEFORE WE CAN INTELLIGENTLY COMMENT ON THE EFFECTS OF THESE CHEMICALS ON THE LUNGS.” - DR. ALEJANDRO COMELLAS

28

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E N T E R TA I N M E N T NOV. 10, 2017

Y TRENDY

TEACHERS West Side Story: How would you describe your style?

Darci Witthoft: I don’t think I have a set style

because it just changes from day to day. I don’t honestly put a lot of thought into it; it often depends on my mood. My daughter is starting to influence me and raid my closet. It’s interesting to have my daughter who’s 11 weigh-in on some of my decisions. I don’t think she has a similar taste to mine; hers is more conservative.

WSS: What was your style like back in high

school?

DW: It was always different from other kids. I didn’t fit in that way. My friends would sometimes comment things like, “How’d you come up with that?” I can never say one word to describe my style and I think that’s what’s so unique about it. I don’t fit into a category.

Two of West High’s most fashionable teachers give insights on their senses of style.

BY LUCY POLYAK

“J U ST B E YOU RSE LF. I TH I N K CO M FO RT I S I M PO RTANT. I F YOU ’ R E N OT CO M FO RTAB LE WEAR I N G [SO M ETH I N G] , I TH I N K THAT SH OWS.”

“ YOU CAN GO CH EAP O N SH O ES BUT I SPE N D A LITTLE MORE ON SH O ES. IT CAN JAZZ U P AN OUTF IT AN D TH EY L AST A LO N G TI M E .”

WITTHOFT

WSS: What does expressing yourself through

clothing mean to you?

DW: It’s just fun. It brings me joy. Some days are hit or miss but in my mind it just means something I enjoy. I get inspiration from the people I’m around and just try to take inspiration from that. It’s kind of a fun distraction at times.

WSS: Who or what do you take inspiration

from in the ways you dress?

DW: I have an eclectic taste. I think I have to give credit to my mom because when I was growing up, she always had this unique sense of style. It was the ’70s and she was out there and would just do whatever. She would make our clothes, so I had some pretty funky ones growing up.

31

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

NOV. 10, 2017

West Side Story: Who or what are some of

your fashion inspirations?

Dominic Iannone: I don’t really have any individuals in particular. I just kind of evolved my wardrobe over the years. I like to get things that are flexible for dressing up or dressing down so I can wear them at school or on the weekends.

WSS: How would you describe your style?

DI: [My style is] professional-casual, I guess.

I don’t like branding on clothes so I try to buy things without [that]. Lots of button downs and chinos and jackets.

WSS: Have there been any trends that you’ve

really liked or disliked?

DI: I don’t really pay that much attention to trends because most of the stuff I get I would consider classic things that don’t really go out of style. The cut of pants changes a lot from like really baggy or way too skinny, so I think no matter what the trend is it’s good to just aim for the middle.

“ WH E N I STARTE D TEACH I N G I WAS PR ETT Y YOU N G, I TH OUG HT THAT I F I DR ESSE D M O R E PRO F ESS I O NALLY IT WOU LD H E LP WITH TH E PE RCE PTI O N THAT I WAS AN ACTUAL G ROWN - U P.”

WSS: What can you tell me about how you dressed in high school?

DI: I didn’t dress well at all. I came from like a desert town and so there was a very specific dress code year round. Lots of jean shorts and boardshorts and t-shirts. Everyone wore that basically all year, regardless of the season. In college I wasn’t a very good dresser either, but nobody cares that much in college either. It was really only when I started working that I started caring about the way I dressed.

IANNONE A PHOTOS BY MADDI SHINALL

DESIGN BY MEGAN BOLAND

32

E N T E R TA I N M E N T NOV. 10, 2017

up s p i c e UP SPICE

YOUR LIFE

BY LUKE REYNOLDS

Want to spice up traditional fall drinks like cider and hot chocolate?

Here are fun twists on some of the comforting seasonal beverages you love.

Candy Corn Punch

A new experiment awaits! Bring together these three beverages to create a fruity punch and channel this iconic fall candy.

I N GR E D I E N TS

Ice cubes 1/3 part yellow sports drink 1/3 part orange soda 1/3 part lemonade

D I R E CT I O N S 1. Fill a glass with ice.

2. Pour the sports drink until a third of the glass has been filled.

3. Pour the orange soda on top of the ice and sports drinks. Your glass should be two-thirds of the way filled.

4. Slowly pour the lemonade for the finishing touch.

PHOTOS BY OLIVIA DACHTLER DESIGN BY LYDIA GUO

Sources: High Heels & Grill, Domestically Blissful & Tidy Mom

33

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

NOV. 10, 2017

Apple Cider Floats

A reinvention of the classic root beer float that’s the perfect way to embrace fall.

I N GR E D I E N TS Sparkling apple cider Fresh apple cider Vanilla ice cream Whipped cream

Apple slices Ground cinnamon Caramel syrup

D I R E CT I O N S 1. Scoop ice cream into a cup and pour equal parts sparkling apple cider and fresh apple cider over it.

2. Top with whipped cream, an apple slice, a sprinkle of ground cinnamon and a drizzle of caramel syrup.

Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa

Hot chocolate with white chocolate and a hint of delicious pumpkin spice flavor.

I N G R E D I E N TS 1 1/2 cups milk Pinch of sea salt 1/2 cup pumpkin puree 1/2 tsp vanilla extract Pinch of ground cloves Whipped cream 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice 2 ounces roughly chopped white chocolate

D I R E CT I O N S

1. Combine milk, pumpkin puree and spices in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until it simmers.

2. Remove from heat and add white chocolate. Reserve some chocolate for the garnish.

3. Pour liquid into mugs. Top with whipped cream, a few chocolate shavings and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

34

E N T E R TA I N M E N T NOV. 10, 2017

DIGITAL DOORWAYS

BY GEORGE LIU

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL MOLLY ABRAHAM “I’ve left [my phone] at a restaurant not too long ago, and so I used Find My Phone and went back and got it. That app is very nice.”

Would you have rather lost your phone or your credit card?

“Probably [my] phone, it’s just a mess when someone finds my credit card and tries to use it. Although, I’ve lost my credit card too.”

“A thing we do in my family is that one of my daughters will take a selfie of what they are doing right [then] and then all of us have to do [the same].”

Most used app: Google Maps Facebook

Camera

Settings

App Store

Photos

Reminders

Pandora

Weather

Google

Flashlight

Home

Mail

Calendar

Wallet

Google Cal...

Messages

Google Maps

“When people are on their devices in meetings and such, my internal reaction is that if you’re that busy then don’t come to this meeting.

Go take care of what you have to take care of.”

Have you been listening to podcasts?

“I listened to all of Serial last year, and I listened to the Moth, an NPR show in which they tell stories, and they sort of workshop the story to see how to tell it the best. Serial was my favorite though, it’s really good.”

Favorite emoji?

“Purple Heart. If my daughters are in a situation where it’s really awkward, you send a purple heart to the family and have them call you.”

“I have Pandora, I listen to a bunch of different stations… Here’s my age, Elton John, you know, old stuff.”

What are the cities listed in your weather app?

“Iowa City; Houston, I got a daughter there; Seattle, got a daughter there, Denver, got a daughter there; Ames, where my mom is; and Walker, Minnesota, where we have a cabin.”

Twitter

WhatsApp

ICCSD Mail

Phone

“I have 236 contacts in my phone. Many of them, such as Walgreens, I don’t call very often anymore.”

35

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

NOV. 10, 2017

One administrator and one student offer a look inside their phones.

STUDENT DEVIN NOLTE ‘18

Safari

Calendar

Photos

Camera

TV

Maps

Weather

Wallet

Notes

Reminders

Clock

Stocks

iTunes Store

App Store

Settings

Home

Utilities

Social

Contacts

Pandora

Pancheros

Fantasy

Snapchat

YouTube

Mail

HotSchedules

Messages

Music

What are default apps that you never use?

“There are a couple of them. I never use Wallet, I just keep my real wallet.

There’s an Apple TV app just sitting there. I don’t care about stocks [either].”

What’s an app that you waste the most time on?

“Recently, it’s been Fantasy Football. Every time I have a second, I will check my lineup. I have three opens, and I’ll check my lineup and look at new players, look at scores from last week [during them].”

What is your favorite Youtube channel?

“My favorite channel is John Oliver because he presents good news in a fun way.”

“I hardly use social media. I have Instagram and Facebook, but I haven’t opened Facebook in probably six months. I check Instagram every now and then. Never opened Twitter. I have Reddit, I use Reddit a good amount of time.”

“I lost [my phone] at school freshman year in my biology class. I kinda freaked out but didn’t worry about it [too much]. I went back to [the classroom] and checked at the end of the day and [my phone] was still there.”

Is there anything special or significant about your lock screen photo?

“My lock screen is me and my girlfriend Arielle Comellas at a Chicago Cubs playoff game from earlier in the fall. The game was just a great atmosphere. It was a National League Division Series playoff game and the Cubs won 2-1 over the Washington Nationals.

It was just a great time in a great place with her mom and my brother. And I’m a huge Cubs fan.”

“[I have] 250 contacts, a good number of them gave me their phone number directly. I bet you the rest of them I added from group chats.”

Favorite type of music?

“Classic rock; my favorite band is Pink Floyd.”

DESIGN BY TYLER THOMASSON

36

SPORTS

NOV. 10, 2017

RISING STAR

Freshman Marcus Morgan has participated in football and basketball from the beginning of his elementary school days. Now he follows in his siblings’ footsteps as a West athlete.

37

SPORTS

NOV. 10, 2017

Q&A

BY REAGAN HART West Side Story: When did you start playing football?

Marcus Morgan: I started flag football in the first grade.

WSS: Why did you choose to play football?

MM: Mostly because my brother played it. I was introduced to it early.

WSS: What is one of your fondest memories of football?

MM: My first one would probably be when I was in fourth grade. It was the first time I played in the UNI-Dome. That was the first big place I’ve ever played. Then this year it’s been really fun, because we are sort of changing the culture. We have a freshman and sophomore team, so it’s fun being able to get closer with everybody.

WSS: Do you prefer football or basketball?

MM: I have had the most fun playing football this year just because it’s the highest level I have ever played at. … Now it’s challenging and I like a challenge. It’s a lot more fun this year. I used to be able to just do everything myself, and I sort figured things out this year.

I have to [be a] leader and be able to lead my teammates.

WSS: When did you start playing basketball?

MM: When I was in kindergarten, I played on a [recreation] league.

WSS: What is one of your fondest memory of basketball?

MM: We went down to Las Vegas [for a bas-

ketball tournament]. I went [for the] second time last summer. It was really fun, because all my family was there. I got to spend time with them and spend time with my teammates. We ended up doing pretty well in the tournament so it was really fun.

WSS: How has your older brother, Jeremy Morgan ’13, playing basketball influenced you?

MM: He did so well, and I feel like I could do just as well. He has always supported that, and he has always helped me get better and give me advice.

WSS: What advice has your brother given you that has helped?

MM: That school has to come first. That I can’t do what I want sports-wise if I don’t do it in the classroom first.

WSS: Do you feel pressure to follow in your sibling’s footsteps?

MM: Yes, knowing and seeing how far they have gotten. But no, because I know what I am capable of that I am able to get just as far as them.

WSS: What are your basketball goals past high school?

MM: Well I haven’t thought about it a lot.

Hopefully I can get a couple Division I basketball scholarships. [I want to] go play college somewhere [for] basketball or even football.

WITH JEREMY MORGAN ’13 WSS: Do you see any of yourself in Marcus?

JM: Yeah, I would say the one thing I see the most in him of me is his competitiveness. We are always competing whether it’s playing video games, shooting hoops, or playing board games. He is a very competitive kid and I think he got some of that from me.

WSS: Do you have a favorite sports memory that is with Marcus?

JM: Maybe not a specific one, but I remember when I was in high school, we used to go out in the backyard and put our pads on together. When he was in junior high, teaching him how to tackle and play catch. Just doing that kind of stuff with our neighborhood friends.

PHOTOS BY KARA WAGENKNECHT & ALLIE SCHMITT-MORRIS DESIGN BY SELINA HUA

38

SPORTS

NOV. 10, 2017

BACK IN BLACK

Although West’s switch to black jerseys may have seemed sudden, many months of planning behind the scenes had to be put in to make them a reality.

BY WILL CONRAD

O

n Sept. 1, West High football took on Muscatine and donned a new color: black. In an all-new departure from the typical forest green and white, the alternative look caught the gaze of both students and spectators. In the weeks to follow, the volleyball team followed suit. Although the reveal appeared seamless, many months of planning had to go into the project to make it a reality.

According to Athletic Director Craig Huegel, uniforms are usually ordered six months in advance to avoid shipping mistakes, and these were no different. At the end of the last school year, the volleyball and football teams were on schedule for new uniforms and football coach Garrett Hartwig expressed an idea for alternate

“ I TH I N K IT I S A N EW TH I NG FO R TH E TEAM TO SHOW OFF. IT G IVES YOU A LITTLE EXTR A CON FI DE NCE WH E N YOU FE E L LI KE YOU LOO K G R EAT.” -SCOTT SANDERS, HEAD VOLLEYBALL COACH

uniforms that had been floating around his mind for a while.

“You just watch different schools and what they do over the years; alternate uniforms have become part of the game. There wasn’t anything significant as far as design is concerned. We’d been talking about it a couple years ago, and it takes a while to get it going,” Hartwig said.

In late June, when new volleyball coach Scott Sanders was hired, the decision was made to bring this design to volleyball as well.

While entertaining possible designs, Huegel considered a few essential criteria. “[First], we want it to represent the school well, and I think [the new uniforms] do that. [Second], we want our kids looking sharp. I always want to incorporate the school colors,” Huegel

39

SPORTS

NOV. 1O, 2017

NEW UNIFORMS TIM ELINE PLACING THE ORDER MAY 2017

The coaching staff and Athletic Director Craig Huegel agree on the designs for the new football uniforms and place an order.

DESIGN APPROVED JUNE 2017

The volleyball team gets their new black design approved.

UNIFORMS DELIVERED AUGUST 2017

The new uniforms arrive and are distributed to the football and volleyball teams.

LEFT: Evan Flitz ‘18 poses for a profile shot after filming for a football hype video on Friday, Oct. 6. The hype video and others can be viewed on Twitter.com/wssathletics and Instagram.com/wsspaper.

ABOVE: Katie Severt ‘19 gets ready to serve the volleyball to Jefferson on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017.

said. “We’re likely not going to wear a uniform that has absolutely no school colors involved in it, but I think being a little bit creative and out of the box is all right. I usually leave that up to our coaching staff. I’m certainly not a fashion expert, but I want our kids to look good.”

“I think that black is about as crazy as we will get,” Sanders agreed. “It’s pretty limiting in a conference as large as ours, with so many differ-

“I think it is a new thing for the team to show off. It gives you a little extra confidence when you feel like you look great,” Sanders said.

In addition to flashiness, the uniforms were also a cost-effective choice in football’s case.

Rather than getting new sets, the team can now mix and match different parts of the black uniforms with the existing uniforms to create a look that appears unique and prevents wear.

“ I F IT’S SOM ETH I NG WH E R E O R DE R I NG AN ALTE R NATE U N I FO R M G ETS TH E M EXCITE D TO PLAY, THAT’S G R EAT.”

PHOTOS BY KARA WAGENKNECHT ART BY FRANCES DAI DESIGN BY CRYSTAL KIM

-CRAIG HUEGEL, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

ent school colors, to try different colors.”

Alternate uniforms have been a growing phenomenon for years, mostly at the college level.

Different schools attempt to be formidable in every aspect, including looks. Some critics of alternate uniforms mention that clothing can detract from the focus of a team. On the other hand, others point to uniform changes as a motivator for a team to rally around.

Overall, the introduction of the black uniforms has gone smoothly, exciting players and fans as the alternate uniforms comes to West.

“I think it can be something that excites kids about being part of the football team or being part of the volleyball team. Ultimately, we still have to do the work. If it’s something where ordering an alternate uniform gets them excited to play, that’s great too,” Huegel said.

40

SPORTS

CON CUSS ED NOV. 10, 2017

BY ELLIE GRETTER & DENIZ INCE

ART BY ANGIE ZIRBES DESIGN BY JENNA ZENG

41

SPORTS

NOV. 10, 2017

As concussions have become more common throughout the past decade, West Side Story investigates the effect they can have on student-athletes and how treatment of concussions is advancing.

EFFECTS AND PROTOCOL

“The REAP protocol is the concussion management for the education side of recovery. The protocol stands for remove or Most students and athletes know the com- reduce, educate, adjust or accommodate, mon symptoms of a concussion: headache, or pace. It reduces the amount school work dizziness and confusion. But what many that piles up after a concussion when a kid don’t know are the feelings of debilitation and misses school, allowing them rest time darkness one experienes during a concussion. while they are returning from a concussion,” Cheerleader Ella Gibson ’18 stated that she West High athletic trainer Sheila Stiles said.

The SCAT5 is the most common test fell to the ground and just sat there for a second and that everything was just dark after used to diagnose a concussion on the sidegetting her concussion. Football player Makhi lines. But, the SCAT5 is a lot more effecHalvorsen ’20 described a similar experience. tive if there is a neurocognitive baseline to Gibson continued to cheer while Halvorsen compare to. This can be done by the athsat out for the rest of his football practice. letic trainer and does not require a docGrace Miler ’19 illustrated lesser-grade tor to diagnose or treat an athlete, accordsymptoms when she first received her con- ing to University of Iowa pediatric sports cussion, but reflecting on the injury made medicine specialist Andrew Peterson.

“I don’t her change mind being her opinthe one to ions of it.

“CONCUSSIONS ARE DIAGNOSED manage the “I did not concussion, [pass out],

BY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS. IT'S but also if I stayed NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN someone is standing up really havand I was TAKE AN MRI SCAN OF. IT GOES ing some able to kind

BY WHAT DO WE SEE AS THE lingering of compresymptoms MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND hend what or really was hapWHAT DO PEOPLE REPORT TO struggling pening, but US HOW THEY'RE FEELING AFTER and I can’t I could not get a hansee very A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INCIDENT.” dle on it, well,” Mil- SHEILA STILES, ATHLETIC TRAINER that’s when er said. “It I really try made me to push realize how easy it is to get a concussion and how much for [University of Iowa Sports Medicine] it can affect you. When I used to hear that for the Concussion Clinic,” Stiles said.

Not only was the effect of a concuspeople got a concussion I thought that they just had a headache, but no. It hurts real- sion immediate on these athletes’ abilily bad, and it is something pretty serious.” ty to practice and compete, it also affected After an athlete has suffered a concussion, them in the classroom. At first, Halvorsthere is a strict protocol that must be fol- en did not take a concussion test or know lowed to ensure that there are no further the culprit of his symptoms. This led to a damages. The protocol begins 24 hours af- drop in his ability to perform well in class.

“It was kind of hard remembering stuff ter the symptoms have completely dissipated. The two protocols that are most preva- for school, but it’s slowly starting to come lent at West are the REAP and SCAT5 test. back,” Halvorsen said roughly two weeks

TE R M S TO

KNOW CONCUSSION injury caused by a rapid acceleration or deceleration of the brain, causing chemical changes in brain and damaging neurons

Traumatic CTE (Chronic Encephalopathy)

pathological condition involving degeneration of brain from repetitive microscopic injuries, such as microscopic hemorrhages

SCAT5

a series of tests used to help determine if there is a concussion and to help with the recovery process

IMPACT

TESTING a test athletes take once before the season starts and gives a baseline of short term memory and reaction time

42

SPORTS

NOV. 10, 2017

BY TH E

N U M BE RS

8.4%

of injuries diagnosed in the 2006-07 school year were concussions

24.8% of injuries in the 2016-17 school year were concussions

after first diagnosed. “My grades most definitely dropped for a little bit because [I] didn’t really know what was happening.”

Now, teachers are emailed to fill them in on the brain injury their student is experiencing. Just as athletes undergo a return to play protocol, the cognitive delays may promote a similar return to learning time period, which is usually within three weeks according the American Academy of Pediatrics.

“Return to learn is the concept behind [students returning to school],” University of Iowa neurologist Mark Granner said.

“It’s not something that coaches and trainers only have to know about, it’s something that teachers have to broadly be aware of too.”

The timeframe of a conccusion’s effects in the brain vary widely based on the person. Dr. Peterson states that the average duration of symptoms is eight days. The best data is in high school boys where 95 percent of people are healed by the one month mark and 99.5 percent of people are healed by the six month mark.

At West High, athletes can expect to be sitting out for at least five days following diagnosis. This is because it will take this long to go through protocol to be ready to compete, but for many it takes longer than this.

Stiles says that on average, athletes will not practice for a week to two weeks. He added that there are cases that are a lot longer while there are others right at the five days.

IMPACT TESTING Before the start of their seasons, seven teams participate in ImPACT test-

18.1% 32.9% 14.8%

of boys soccer injuries are concussions of girls soccer injuries are concussions more girls soccer injuries were concussions than boys

Source: National High School Sports-Related Injury Surveillance Study

ing. This test is performed to esatablish a baseline to see if an athlete suffers a concussion during their season.

“Our contact sport athletes—[girls and boys] basketball, football, wrestling and [girls and boys] soccer—do ImPACT testing. It’s based solely on their performance alone; it’s not compared to anybody else. If their scores are similar or better to the scores they took at the baseline then we know their brain is most likely ready to return to to activity,” Stiles said.

This year, the volleyball team has also been added to the list of teams that take the test. This baseline has become almost vital to diagnosing and recovering from concussions since there has never been a quantifiable method available before.

“Concussions are diagnosed by signs and symptoms. It’s not something that you can take an MRI scan of. It goes bywhat we see as the medical professionals and what people report to us on how they’re feeling after a traumatic brain incident. So the test gives us tangible data to go off of how the kid is progressing or not progressing and how they feel immediately after having an episode,” Stiles said.

However, Gibson believes that she received lesser quality treatment due to the fact that cheerleading does not participate in ImPACT testing.

“It felt a little different just because there wasn’t much structure to how I went through things. I’d heard from all my friends [on the football team] they do testing before the season even starts to compare it to if they get [a concussion] during the season. So, there’s nothing to compare my scores to.

It’s all based on how I feel and so I was just basically going off nothing,” Gibson said.

Since the number of concussions has increased, Stiles believes that ImPACT testing should be extended to the cheerleading team as well.

“The research is showing a high incidence of concussions in the sport of cheerleading and especially when we have the competitive cheer where they’re doing more tumbling,” Stiles said.

Although ImPACT Testing is a positive step to finally solving the mystery of concussions, there are also some drawbacks to using this test.

“The ImPACT [Test] is a double edged sword. You can do really well on your baseline and then never get back to that,” Stiles said.

DAMAGES TO BRAIN FUNCTION

A few areas of the brain can be pinpointed as promoting the most symptoms.

Specifically, global cerebral dysfunction can cause several other parts of this organ to be injured, according to Peterson.

“Your brain sits inside your skull in some fluid. When you hit your head, your brain can slam against the skull where it hit or it can also go backwards in [a] whiplash effect. There can also be some sort of shearing, like spinning,” said Stiles.

As the control center of the body, it can cause numerous other organs to malfunction, especially those located near the head and neck.

“Your occipital lobe is in the very back and controls your eyes. So that’s where you

43

SPORTS

NOV. 10, 2017

might [have] double vision problems in general and the light bothering you,” Stiles said.

This makes it more common for athletes to experience blackouts and issues pertaining to vision upon injury, such as those that Halvorsen did.

“I just felt really slow and I blacked out, which scared me because I kind of lost my breath and came back. Everything was darker,” he said.

KNOWING THE EFFECTS

Despite knowing the dangers of concussions, Dr. Granner allowed his son, Alex Granner ’18, to play football in sixth grade.

“We considered it pretty carefully. We understood there was risk of traumatic brain injury, including concussion risk. In fact, one of the kids he played basketball with at that time had already had a concussion earlier in fifth grade when he was playing tackle football,” Dr. Granner said.

“Behind the scenes, his mom and I were hoping he did not really go farther than that and that’s what ended up happening,” he said.

In line with his parents’ beliefs, Alex decided after one year that he did not enjoy the sport and chose to stop playing.

“They sort of steered me away from it because it’s not the best sport to play long-term.

I didn’t like it either because … I only touched the ball like once per game,” Alex said.

Although Dr. Granner did not want his son to play the sport, he has held season tickets to Iowa football for twenty-five years.

“I cringe when I see players getting hit with the ball. I cringe when I see them going down on the turf,” he said. “It’s tough, knowing what the risks are to the brain and the nervous system. It’s a little bit conflicting.”

MOST COMMONLY REPORTED SYMPTOMS

40.1% HEADACHE 15.3%

DIZZINESS

8.6%

CONFUSION

6.4%

AMNESIA

3.9%

LOSS OF

CONSCIOUSNESS

Source: Journal of Athletic Training

FUTURE OF SPORTS

Since chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) was discovered in the early 2000s, knowledge on the subject has slowly begun to accumulate. However, it was not until the movie “Concussion” was released in late 2015 that the public began to worry about the condition.

Though it has been known for over a decade, there are still comparatively little known facts about CTE. Additionally, most of the research has been done on the brains of former professional football and hockey play-

ers, discluding many age groups and athletes.

“The brains that have been examined so far are people who’ve played professional football, but every professional football player played high school football and played college football, too, so it’s really not known if there’s a certain risk win-

dow or if stopping at a certain age reduces your risk or not,” Dr. Granner said.

The lack of evidence of a correlation between this condition and high school athletes may resolve in coming years, but for now students look to their diagnoses as signs of whether to continue participation in their sport.

“It also made me a lot more cautious about high school cheer and how unsafe it is, because in all my three years of cheering, no one has ever gotten injured [as much],” Gibson said. “It’s been the first two months [and I have had] head-neck injuries, which shouldn’t be happening so that makes me a little nervous.”

Halvorsen, having never suffered a serious injury from football, was taken off guard when he was diagnosed with a concussion. Now back to playing, he takes safety into account when tackling.

“Now I’m just a little more cautious. I’m a little more safe with the way I hit people, because I didn’t like having a concussion, so I don’t want to give someone [one] even if it’s an accident,” he said.

Even before diagnosis, Halvorsen clashed with his mother on their opinions of football.

“She always tells me that later on in life, people are just going to stop playing because they’re going to realize how bad of a sport it is [due to the] injuries. It’s not going to stop me [though],” he said. “Personally I feel safe enough because it wasn’t a huge concussion. I feel like maybe if it was my second concussion or third then maybe I’d be more scared about it, might take a break for a year or something like that, [but] I feel like it’s very hard to get one. You don’t just get one from a little hit; it takes a big hit to get one.”

While having experienced this risk, Halvorsen still has a passion for the sport, driving him to keep playing after having experienced the head trauma.

“It’s my favorite thing to do,” he said.

“I’m just going to keep going until I’m going to have to stop at some point but I’m just going to keep going.”

Dr. Granner, as a parent having experienced his son playing football, believes he members the demographic that may ultimately decide the fate of high-concussion sports.

“It’s impossible to make football a completely safe sport, but the reality is soccer isn’t a safe sport and basketball isn’t completely a safe sport either,” he said. “If the sport faces an uncertain future, in my opinion it’s going to be in the hands of parents who either let their kids play or not.”

`

`

44

SPORTS

NOV. 10, 2017

FALL SPORTS

RECAP

As fall sports come to a close, WSS looks back on some of the highlights from each team’s season. *ALL STATS AS OF NOV. 1, 2017

COMPILED BY WILL CONRAD

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY ALYSON KUENNEN & DENIZ INCE PHOTOS BY SEAN BROWN & KARA WAGENKNECHT DESIGN BY JUNHEE LEE

VOLLEYBALL 1285 DIGS 295 BLOCKS 22-16 RECORD

COLBY GREENE ’18 300 KILLS

LEFT ABOVE: Colby Greene ’18 spikes the ball against City High on Tuesday, Sept. 5.

LEFT BELOW: The offensive team huddles before a play against Cedar Rapids Washington on Friday, Oct. 27.

FOOTBALL 6.1 YARDS/CARRY 2368 YARDS PASSING 2180 YARDS RUSHING 42 SOLO TACKLES FOR LOSS 27 PASSING TOUCHDOWNS 33 RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS 9 DEFENSIVE INTERCEPTIONS

`

45

GOLF

SPORTS

NOV. 10, 2017

178.65 COMBINED (9 & 18)

AVERAGE TOP 4 PLAYERS TOTAL SCORE *ADJUSTED BY COURSE RATING RIGHT ABOVE: Kyle Spence ’19 tees off on the first hole at Brown Deer Golf Course.

RIGHT BELOW: Jennifer Du ’18 practices her freestyle on Oct. 22, 2017.

`

SWIMMING

TOP 6

IN THE 400Y FREESTYLE RELAY

AURORA ROGHAIR ’21 TOP 6 IN 500Y FREESTYLE

AUSTYN GOODALE ’20 1ST STATE DIVING QUALIFIER IN THREE YEARS WITH SCORE OF 372.50 `

CROSS COUNTRY

10TH

PLACE TEAM AT STATE

TOP 4 RUNNERS UNDER17:00 GIRLS

5TH

BOYS

PLACE TEAM AT STATE

BAILEY NOCK ’18 2ND PLACE INDIVIDUAL RUNNER

LEFT: Bailey Nock ’18 sprints to the finish line, winning and setting a new course record of 18:18 on Thursday, Sept. 7. RIGHT: Kolby Greiner ’19 finishes first, running a time of 16:07 at districts to help West qualify for the state meet.

46

OPINION

NOV. 10, 2017

WAKE UP,

“WOKE” HIGH

GUEST COLUMN BY EMILY BUCK ’19

M

y mother cried every day for weeks after the election. She told me it shattered her world; she didn’t understand how she couldn’t see it coming. “How could this happen?” was the question that racked her mind.

My mother is a white woman from Texas. She is an inspiring teacher and a passionate violist.

Through music she met and married my father, a Korean-American from California.

I am biracial; sometimes I pass for white, other times I don’t. I find it depends on people and situations. My brother has my same background, yet passes as white more than I do. Despite living in a family of different racial experiences, we never talked about race.

My mother is curious, always searching for answers; after the initial shock of Trump’s election and an on-point Facebook post about White privilege and systemic racism, she went to the library and checked out “Witnessing Whiteness”

by Shelly Tochluk. She desperately wanted to understand how the election could’ve happened in the world she lived in.

That was the beginning of her painful, frustrating, life-changing journey of becoming woke.

You might think those words are an exaggeration, but if anything, they don’t truly convey the magnitude of the changes I’ve witnessed.

My mother continued to cry, but now it was for a different reason. She was newly shattered, not her world. The world had always been bro-

ken; she just hadn’t seen it. It wasn’t, “How could this happen?” It was outright betrayal. Through constant reading, she saw her education had failed her. Her teachers had failed her. America had failed her and she quickly realized this was nothing new for people of color. The American system has been perfected over the years to hide injustices and dismiss anyone who draws attention to them. As the drive for justice consumed my mother, it swept me up, too.

Re-examining your life is hard when you realize you’ve been part of the problem. Trying to dissect every racism-laced thought that goes through your head is emotionally and mentally draining. It causes overwhelming guilt, but my mother pointed out that guilt is necessary. It might keep us up at night, but it also keeps us thinking, “What am I going to do tomorrow to amend my mistakes?”

I should clarify: mistakes aren’t always blatant acts of racism. Racism can manifest in small ways. But whether you’re aware of it or not, those micro-aggressions still hurt your friends, peers and community.

AM E R I CA HAD FAI LE D [MY M OTH E R] AN D SH E Q U I CK LY REALIZ E D TH I S WAS N OTH I N G N EW FO R PEO PLE O F CO LO R .

When I saw the “West High Woke High” shirts, I had to speak out. Being woke is being aware of how the systems of oppressions (racism being the most salient) affect all aspects of society and daily life. Achieving it can be a mind-altering, sometimes lifelong process. How could people think that buying a shirt could replace all the mental restructuring that it involves? Buying a shirt was an easy way to brand yourself as an anti-racist without doing the actual work.

Some people bought the shirts because they found it funny. But when we look at what we’re laughing at—the ignorance so deeply entwined in society—is there anything humorous about it? When we dismiss the word “woke” as a meme and buy a shirt instead of wading through the morass of our own racism, not only are we ignorant, but we belittle the hard work that people like my mother do every day.

When I was first given the opportunity to write this article, my first three drafts insulted everyone and everything and ended up nowhere.

When my mother read them, she said, “You’re raging at the world but not actually doing anything.”

I remembered when she used to come home raging every day. Towards the end of her first month of fury, she told us, “Becoming woke is like the stages of grief. I’m in the anger stage, but I won’t be like this all the time. This process will help me to be more productive with all this emotion.” And then she went back to fuming. Later, she would say, “Don’t let go of your anger, your sadness or your disgust, because you should be all of that, but you need to use it to make a difference.” And that’s what she did.

A year later, she’s running five book clubs teaching white people about their privilege. She’s involved in a university task force dedicated to combatting racism, and teaching her students, my brother and me what she learns from her non-stop research.

This article came from my mother’s productive influence in hopes it will push me through my anger stage and push you into yours.

So here I am, calmer, more empathetic, trying to reach you and inspire you with an amazing woman and her difficult, incredible, necessary process of becoming woke. It’s challenging, turning what you thought you knew inside out and shedding any naiveté about America. It can be frustrating being awake in a world of sleepwalkers. It’s not just buying a t-shirt, but taking the next step and understanding the words that are so easily turned into a façade.

“ DO N ’T LET GO O F YOU R AN G E R , YOU R SADN ESS O R YOU R D I SGU ST, B ECAU SE YOU SH OU LD B E ALL O F THAT, BUT YOU N E E D TO U SE IT TO MAK E A D I F F E R E N CE .”

- ELIZAB ETH OAKES True activism is a choice and a responsibility that falls on everybody. You must actively seek information and you cannot turn away from the injustices riddled throughout everyday life. If you choose to be apathetic, however, you help perpetuate an insidious system that takes innocent lives every day.

PHOTO BY PAREEN MHATRE DESIGN BY CATHERINE JU

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OPINION

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RIGHT TO KNEEL From NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick to Clear Creek Amana receiver Darius Moore, athletes are taking a knee to protest police brutality and racial injustice.

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F

ootball fields have recently become forums for political debate after President Donald Trump criticized players who kneel during the National Anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice.

Football player Colin Kaepernick was not the first, and he definitely won’t be the last, to violate many fans’ wish that athletes stick to sports. But his situation and desire to speak his mind are reminders of the scope of the First Amendment. The West Side Story editorial board voted 17-0 that athletes have the undeniable right to exercise free speech by not participating in the National Anthem, as guaranteed under the Constitution.

Since America’s beginning, there has been intense debate about the nation’s dedication to liberty and human equality. Because most of those who founded this country owned slaves, their project to establish a nation dedicated to liberty seems far from genuine. It should come as no surprise, then, that a little over 200 years later, many take issue with showing pride in a flag that doesn’t wholly represent the principles upon which it was created.

In Kaepernick’s own words to NFL Media in 2016, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To

me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.”

A common grievance with the protests is that kneeling before the flag might seem like an affront to those in the military who lost their lives. However, it’s not Betsy Ross, the national anthem or even the United States itself that athletes like Colin Kaepernick are protesting, but the racial injustice

SHOULD ATHLETES HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNEEL?

17 0 THE WSS EDITORIAL BOARD VOTED IN SUPPORT OF KNEELING. left unresolved in our country.

Another complaint is that many just want to watch the game, devoid of politics. However, athletes have always been political.

Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who raised their fists in what was viewed as a black power salute during the national anthem at the 1968 Summer Olympics, are just one

“ I AM N OT GO I N G TO STAN D U P TO SH OW PRI DE I N A F LAG FO R A COU NTRY THAT O PPR ESSES B L ACK PEO PLE AN D PEO PLE O F CO LO R . TO M E , TH I S I S B I GG E R THAN FOOTBALL AN D IT WOU LD B E SE LF I SH O N MY PART TO LOO K TH E OTH E R WAY.” - CO LI N

KAEPE R N I CK

example.

However, it hasn’t been until the advent of social media and sports coverage that athletes were able to explain themselves so directly to their fans. Where previous generations of athletes worked hard to ingratiate themselves with the American mainstream, today’s athletes possess a freedom when it comes to utilizing new platforms to speak their minds, taking political stances and acting directly.

Additionally, others believe the right to free speech is protected from government oppression but not private sector scrutiny; when an athlete puts on their uniform and steps onto the field, the argument is that they’re no longer simply an individual protester, but an employee representing an organization. Because athletes are on payroll, many believe that the protesting at work shows a lack of focus and dedication to the job.

This is not the first time that the issue of freedom to protest in the workplace has come up. Earlier this year, Google came under scrutiny when it fired an engineer who circulated a memo in the workplace criticizing Google’s diversity initiatives. While the company claimed that the engineer violated its code of conduct, he claimed he was being wrongfully punished for expressing his opinion.

Although the Constitution only limits the government’s ability to suppress speech in the public sector, there is some ambiguity to where and how people working in the private sector are allowed to protest.

Because the NFL is a private sector entity, the playing field is considered an athlete’s workplace. Although some may argue that professional athletes are therefore not guaranteed that they won’t lose their jobs for protesting before a game, the NFL’s rulebook doesn’t require players to stand for the anthem. Instead, it says athletes must be on the sideline during the song and “should” stand for it. “Should” leaves ambiguity in the rule and has sparked heated debate

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OPINION

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over the connotation: Does “should” mean it’s the expectation of athletes? And is the expectation enforced with or without punishment? While these are questions that are just now being addressed, the most obvious answer is that “should” does not mean “must.”

al Anthem. If not, you’re fired. Find something else to do.”

But by making those who seek alternative platforms to protest the focus of national contempt, Trump and those like the CCA student initiated debate about whether those who kneel should be allowed to play.

TH E R E ’S M O R E TO SPO RTS THAN TH E J E RSEY, TH E U N I FO R M O R TH E H E LM ET. MANY I N D IVI DUALS HAVE SO M ETH I N G THAT N E E DS TO B E H EAR D, PARTI CU LAR LY I N TH I S TI M E O F D IVI S IVE N ESS. High school athletes are, however, guaranteed the right to peaceably protest on school property. Part of this is because public schools are public sector entities and therefore must guarantee certain parts of freedom of speech. Although public schools have their own practices for handling protest situations, kneeling on the playing field in no way constitutes a distraction or problem to maintaining a safe, orderly school environment conducive to learning, a requirement set forth by the Supreme Court.

High school students like Clear Creek Amana’s Darius Moore have recognized this fundamental right to the freedom of expression. Moore, who knelt during the national anthem on Oct. 6 before a home football game, gained national attention after a photo caption on Snapchat surfaced from a fellow CCA student, reading, “kick this f------ ni---- off the football team like honestly who the f--- kneels for the national anthem.”

President Donald Trump seemed to echo the anti-free speech part of this sentiment, recently tweeting, “If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL...he or she should not be allowed to disrespect our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the Nation-

app averaged 8.2 million unique devices and 1.8 billion minutes per month in 2016.

These numbers don’t include those that read sports updates from ESPN and other news outlets, as well as those that follow athletes on social media. The bottom line is that these protests are far-reaching, and the message we take away from these protests therefore lies on our ability to interpret and discuss the meaning of kneeling.

Athletes using a different ground for making their voices heard should not be something that divides people. There’s more to sports than the jersey, the uniform or the helmet. Many individuals have something that needs to be heard, particularly in this time of divisiveness. People should see athletes taking a stand, or a kneel, on the playing field for what it is: an attempt to pull our national fabric together to inspire national conversations and create social change.

But punishment for kneeling during the national anthem underscores Kaepernick’s very point about racial oppression and divisiveness in the U.S. In an interview with KCRG,

BY TH E Darius Moore said he didn’t know know that the photo would go viral, but that he thought it was a good thing that people know what’s going on now. The racist attack on social media was exactly the kind of thing Moore said he’s fighting against. “That’s why I plan on doing it again,” he said. High schoolers across the state have joined him with their own protests.

In mid October, 13 members of the Ames High School marching band walked off the field during “The Star Spangled Banner” to try to highlight inequality.

Many wonder how effective protesting on the field really is and how many people it reaches. According to ESPN’s fact sheet, streaming through WatchESPN and the ESPN

N U M BE RS

13

8.2 1.8

members of the Ames High School marching band walked off the field during “The Star Spangled Banner” to try to highlight inequality million unique devices streaming through WatchESPN and the ESPN app billion minutes per month streaming through WatchESPN and the ESPN app in 2016 Source: kcrg.com & espn.com

ART BY ANGELA ZIRBES DESIGN BY MEGAN BOLAND

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WEST SIDE STORY STAFF *editorial board member

Ivan Badovinac Megan Boland Sean Brown Anna Brown Emma Brustkern* Abbie Callahan Grace Christopher Carmela Cohen Suarez Will Conrad Olivia Dachtler Frances Dai Jessica Doyle Thomas Duong Natalie Dunlap Nina Elkadi* Eman Elsheikh Ting Gao Ethan Goers* Ellie Gretter* Lydia Guo Reagan Hart Selina Hua Anjali Huynh Deniz Ince* Catherine Ju* Fatima Kammona Razan Karar Lauren Katz* Natalie Katz Teya Kerns Crystal Kim Alyson Kuennen*

Photographer and Videographer Designer Photographer Reporter Print Entertainment Editor Reporter Videographer Reporter Reporter Photographer Designer Reporter Designer Reporter Print Editor-in-Chief and Anchor Videographer Reporter Sports Producer Sports Editor Designer and Ad Designer Distribution Manager and Reporter Designer Reporter Assistant Sports Editor Design Editor Reporter Reporter Print Copy Editor and Editorials Editor Reporter Photographer Designer and Videographer News Editor and Photographer

Junhee Lee* George Liu Pareen Mhatre* Jessica Moonjely Lucy Polyak Ian Prescott Nick Pryor* Prateek Raikwar* Luke Reynolds* Kristina Rosebrook* Allie Schmitt-Morris* Fenna Semken* Maddi Shinall Caecillia Shoppa Sophie Stephens* Shawn Thacker* Samalya Thenuwara* Tyler Thomasson Mary Vander Weg Kara Wagenknecht Jenna Wang Mason Wang* Harry Westergaard Ken Wilbur Wingel Xue* Hae-Joo Yoon Jenna Zeng Angela Zirbes* Sara Whittaker

Business Manager and Print Copy Editor Reporter Photo Editor and Online Managing Editor Reporter Reporter Distribution Manager and WesTV Livestream Sports Correspondent and Reporter Anchor, Feature and News Producer Profiles Editor Anchor, Online Copy Editor and Reporter Online Entertainment Editor Social Media Editor Online Editor-in Chief Photographer Reporter Online Feature Editor Print Feature Editor and Print Managing Editor Broadcast Editor-in-Chief Designer Reporter Photographer Reporter Video Copy Editor Film Critic and Reporter Reporter Designer and Columns Editor Videographer Designer Art Editor Adviser

EQUITY STATEMENT

EDITORIAL POLICY

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, activites, 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, Kingsley Botchway, at 509 Dubuque Street, 319-688-1000.

Please contact westsidestorypaper@gmail.com for questions or comments.

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. 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.

For our full editorial policy visit: wsspaper.com/policy

DESIGN BY LYDIA GUO

P H OTO F E AT U R E C O N T I N U E D

DESIGN BY CATHERINE JU

On Oct. 21, the West High FTC robotics team, Trobotix 8696, participated in their first competition of the 2017-18 season. There were many teams that competed and West High scored 5 out of 10 possible ranking points. The robotics team is looking to mimic their success from last year, when they were only one step away from going to the World Championship.

IVAN BADOVINAC

Which fall candy are you?

S TA R T Is fall your favorite season?

Ye s

BY CAECILIA SHOPPA

No

Which meme?

Do you like fall flavors?

Ye s

No

Have you been t o W i l s o n’s y e t this year?

Which shoes?

Which TV show?

The O ff i c e W h i c h Ta y l o r Swift are you?

Te n n i s shoes

Boots

Which snack?

St ra n g e r Things

Hot Cheetos Candy Corn You are a classic, old-fashioned fall lover. You love the definitive fall staples: colorful leaves, cool air and of course sweater weather!

No

Ye s

Thoughts on pumpkin spice l a tt e s ?

Sour Patc h Ki d s

Caramel A p pl e Pe e p s You are original.

You totally know that the norm is overrated. Besides, the old Peeps can’t come to the phone right now.

Caramel A p p l e Tw i z z l e r s You are a daredevil.

From wearing new trends to trying weird food, you are always seeking adventure.

Pumpkin Spice M&Ms You. Love. Pumpkin.

Spice. Whether it’s a warm latte from Starbucks or in a delicious chocolatey sweet, you just can’t get enough!

Pumpkin R e e s e’s You don’t get the hype with fall flavors. But even though you think fall is overrated, you try to make an effort to show the fall spirit.

PHOTOS VIA KOKA SEXTON, MARCIN WICHARY & MAKAIYLA WILLIS UNDER CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE DESIGN BY CATHERINE JU