2019-10-03

IOWA CITY WEST HIGH SCHOOL

2901 MELROSE AVE.

IOWA CITY, IA 52246

WSSPAPER.COM

VOLUME 52 ISSUE 1

OCTOBER 3, 2019

PHOTO FEATURE

FOR MORE COVERAGE, GO TO WSSPAPER.COM

OWEN AANESTAD Katherine Kouba ‘22 celebrates a point with her teammates on Tuesday, Aug. 27 during the Battle for the Spike. Kouba recorded 10 digs in the Women of Troy’s first match of the season.

CONTENTS

TRIBUTE

FOLLOW US @WSSPAPER

REMEMBERING AKRAM 4

NEWS

NEWS BRIEFS 6

Welcome back!

A lot has happened since we last chatted; if you want to get caught up on the events you missed over the summer, head over to page 6 to get briefed!

With students adapting to the updates both in the building and school wide policy, our editorial chose to tackle the debate over the new phone policy. On page 8, we discuss the attendance and tardy policy, both of which are aimed at decreasing unexcused absences.

Speaking of missing school, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg has been absent from school to advocate for climate action for the past few weeks. Due to activism like hers, many have joined the fight against climate change. This issue, our cover story takes a deeper look into Iowa City’s carbon footprint.

Stay green West High!

FEATURE UPSIDE DOWN & BACKWARDS 8 REDUCE REUSE UPCYCLE 10

PROFILES

PLAYING AT HEART STRINGS 14

COVER

UNSUSTAINABLE . 17

ENTERTAINMENT

STAFF PICKS 24 MORE THAN AN APP 26

SPORTS

NO OFF SEASON 28 THE CHRONICLES OF ANU DOKUN 30

NATALIE KATZ

STAFF LIST Owen Aanestad Fareeha Ahmad Abdul Ahmed Mohammedhalil Al-Ani Caroline Barker Sara Baroncini Paras Bassuk Aditi Borde Kiley Butcher Sarah Callanan Misha Canin Alex Carlon Caroline Chandler Carmela Cohen Suarez Alexis Dick Natalie Dunlap Maddy Ephraim

Asst. Online Sports Editor Bess Frerichs Photographer Brenda Gao Reporter Wylan Gao Yearbook Staff Kailey Gee Yearbook staff Photographer Joe Goodman Videographer Renee Gould Photographer Photographer Emma Hall Photographer Jack Harris Videographer Photo Editor Annabel Hendrickson Social Media Editor Vivien Ho Photographer Cymry Hieronymus Yearbook Staff Selina Hua Reporter Natalie Katz Yearbook Staff Edward Keen Online Managing Editor Mariam Keita Online News Editor Hanah Kitamoto Asst. Sports Editor Tosh Klever Online Copy Editor Luke Krchak Online Entertainment Editor Online Reporter Youjoo Lee Online Editor-in-chief Marta Leira Reporter Amy Liao Business Editor Abby McKeone

OPINION

SECURE YOUR PHONE 32 OVERFLOW 34

Online Feature Editor Entertainment Editor Online Reporter Designer Reporter Sports Editor Online Reporter Book Critic Artist Online Reporter Film Critic Copy Editor Feature Editor Photographer Art Editor Print Editor-in-chief Arts Editor and Critic Online Reporter Reporter Videographer Online reporter Columnist Designer News Editor Design Editor Online Graphics Editor Online Reporter

Alice Meng Jessica Moonjely Jillian Prescott Cameron Reimers Ella Rosenthal Alyssa Skala Maddy Smith Nicole Trout Sumner Wallace Jenna Wang Gwen Watson Sam Westergaard Ken Wilbur Sydney Wildes Isaac Young Xiaoyi Zhu

Reporter Managing Editor Profiles Editor Broadcast Editor-in-chief Artist Yearbook Staff Designer Humans of West High Coordinator Photographer Photographer Yearbook Staff Columns Editor Copy Editor Editorial Editor Photographer Photographer Podcaster Videographer Podcast Editor Photographer Videographer Reporter Podcaster Designer Yearbook Staff

REMEMBERING AKRAM

West pays tribute to former student Akram Mergani ‘18.

BY FAREEHA AHMAD

W

hen remembering Akram Mergani ’18, there are always certain qualities that tend to come to mind. He was funny and kind. He was passionate and caring. He was an individual who left a positive mark on everyone he met. Akram passed away due to a motorcycle accident on June 23, but his words and actions will continue to have a lasting impact on West High.

One of the many people Akram inspired was Mohammedhilal Al-Ani ’21, a close friend of his. The pair first met two years ago in PE class, and quickly connected through their shared

first language of Arabic. Akram, originally from Sudan, moved to the US from Egypt, and AlAni, originally from Iraq, moved from Turkey.

“I just came to West High, and I had no friends, nobody to talk to,” Al-Ani said. “I met [Akram] and we start talking and talking, and the next day we became close friends. [It] looked like we had known each other for a long time.”

The two became closer with each passing day, and Al-Ani came to realize how warmhearted Akram was. It was in his nature to support his friends and family, never shying away from the chance to provide helpful advice.

Akram’s virtues, strong moral compass and encouragement helped Al-Ani through the many crossroads in his life.

“He used to give me lessons at least twice a week. He’d be like, ‘Don’t go around with these people because they do bad things. Don’t do that because you’re still young. Don’t do that.

Don’t do this,’” Al-Ani said. “He’s the only one who used to do that. He’d be giving lessons for everybody: close, far, family, brothers, friends.”

The boys’ connection grew stronger when Akram’s family took a trip back to Sudan, and Al-Ani’s parents went on a vacation to Texas.

While their families were out of town, Akram invited Al-Ani to stay over at his home. In the span of a month, the pair borrowed each other’s clothes, drove each other’s vehicles, played video games, mowed the lawn, cooked their own food and had tons of laughs. Al-Ani described their relationship to be more than a friendship; the two were like brothers. To this day, Al-Ani still remembers how the little day to day activities meant so much more when Akram was around.

Amgad Mergani ’21, Akram’s younger brother, agrees that his older brother’s influence was life changing. He remembers how Akram had the ability to point out the positive sides to any situation. The two loved to play pool on Thursdays and go out to eat on Fridays, especially when Amgad was feeling upset.

Akram took care of his younger brother and carried him through the tough times in life.

“He made me laugh by surprising me,” Amgad said. “He always tried to mess around, at least just to make someone smile.”

Although Akram was quite wise in his personal interactions, he was still a young boy at heart who sought comfort. When sharing one of their most memorable moments while living together, Al-Ani described the true purpose as to why Akram wanted him to stay over while his family was out of the country.

“He [was] like ‘My house is haunted’ and then he’d be like ‘No, I just think I heard some noises’,” Al-Ani said. “Then at night he wakes me up and he would be like ‘Yo, my house is haunted for real’ and then I’d be like ‘Bro, let me sleep.’ He [slept] on the couch because I was sleeping on the other couch. He needed somebody to be there.”

Besides having fun with his brother and friends, Akram loved to customize cars and make them his own. According to Amgad, he had an entire garage dedicated to his cars. It included all sorts of items such as bumpers, suspensions, designs, wheels and a water hose. Amgad greatly wanted to follow in Akram’s footsteps.

“What I thought about the garage is that it’s my dream garage,” Amgad said. “I wanted to do what he was doing, having my own car customized and having my own garage.”

“ H E WAS J UST A R EALLY KI N D PE RSON , A R EALLY GOOD FR I E N D.” -AM I RA NASH , ELL TEACH ER

Al-Ani remembered how fond Akram was of cars and other vehicles as well, describing how Akram switched out cars frequently, at one point even owning three motorcycles. His interest in learning how to drive a stick shift increased with his affection for cars and desire to try new experiences. Before long, this dream came true, but did not turn out as expected when he and Al-Ani took a ride one day.

“The car just turned off in the middle of the street,” Al-Ani said. “I was laughing because I was like, ‘You can’t drive [this].’”

Just as Akram found joy in cars, he strove to find that same excitement in everything he did, even at work. While making pizzas at Domino’s, Akram created his own recipe, which soon became a signature treat that he could bring back home for the rest of his family to enjoy.

“When he first brought it our reaction was incredible,” Amgad said. “Because that pizza was so delicious and he put the things we liked on it, not just random things. We just fell in love with it.”

Although Akram loved to fool around and make others laugh, he had his mind set on his own personal and academic goals as well. His former English language learner teacher, Amira Nash, said he was an incredibly hard worker. She met Akram her first year teaching and described

BE H I N D TH E PHOTOS: This photo series was taken 20 hours before

Akram’s passing by his close friend Mohammedhilal Al-Ani. “In the moment I was so proud of myself as a photographer and as a real friend because those are the best pictures that I’ve taken and the best ones that Akram’s had,” Al-Ani said.

him as an old soul and an intuitive person.

“I met him his senior year and he was really focused on graduating...He would always come in and ask for help,” Nash said. “He was just a really kind person, a really good friend. He was always doing the right thing.”

Being committed to empowering his friends, Akram continuously set goals with them and was dedicated to making sure they succeeded as well. One of the goals Akram and Al-Ani set together was graduating.

According to Al-Ani, Akram told him, “We have to work together and build each other so if somebody can’t build himself by himself, I will help you and if I can’t, you will help me.”

“He was serious about it and I was like ‘Sure, I will graduate and we’ll get to be together in the same business.’ And I hope I will do this even if he passed. I want to do it,” Al-Ani said.

According to many people, Akram’s smile was one of the most prominent features about him as it lit up the room.

“He just had that positive attitude and it rubbed off on other people,” said Megan Johnson, his former world history teacher. “What impacted people around him was just that he, as an English language learner, was always putting a lot of effort into his school work. I think people saw that and it was probably motivating. It definitely motivated me.”

After graduating from high school, Akram moved to Ottumwa, Iowa and attended Indian Hills Community College. However, he still visited West to check in on his teachers. He would give them an overview of everything that had been happening in college and fill them in on his new achievements, goals and plans.

“He was really exceptional. He was one of those students that as a teacher, you never really forget. Even after he graduated he came back to visit,” said Cat Haxton, his former success center teacher. “If anyone could brighten your day, Akram could.”

PHOTOS BY MOHAMMEDHILAL AL-ANI DESIGN BY KAILEY GEE

NEWS BRIEFS Have you been living under a rock for the past five months? If the answer is yes, here is some news you may have missed.

JULY 04

Within the first four days of its release, the third season of scifi horror Netflix Original series “Stranger Things� had a record-breaking 26.4 million US viewers. During that same period, more than 40.7 million household account viewers streamed the show.

26

BY JESSICA MOONJELY

28

MAY

The boys varsity tennis team defeated Pleasant Valley with a meet score of 5-1 to win the Class 2A team tennis state championship.

This is their sixth team tennis title in the last eight years.

A fake Facebook event was created by Matty Roberts that proposed storming Area 51 on Sept. 20.

This post quickly went viral and an Area 51 festival called Alienstock was planned in place of the raid. However, the festival creators canceled the event on Sept. 11 due to poor planning.

JUNE 27

06

NEWS

OCT. 3, 2019

For the third year in a row, Theatre West put on a summer showcase. In this student-led production, 23 students performed musical numbers from 19 different shows.

AUGUST

3&4

A gunman shot and killed 22 people and injured 24 others at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas.

Within 24 hours, another mass shooting occurred in a crowded bar district in Dayton, Ohio. Ten people were killed and 27 others were injured.

05

Hong Kong protesters called for a city-wide strike to press the government to scrap the proposed Chinese extradition bill. Trains were blocked, many flights were canceled and in different parts of the city, police officers fired tear gas during protests.

As a result, the bill was withdrawn.

A record number of fires continues to destroy the Brazilian Amazon rainforest due to drought and an increase in deforestation. World leaders met during the G7 Summit and discussed the Amazon fires, offering to provide logistical and financial support. However, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro initially refused $20 million in G7 aid after a diplomatic spat with French President Macron.

26

12 The Trump administration announced plans to ban flavored e-cigarettes from the market in hopes to keep the products away from youth. This is a response to a mysterious vaping-related respiratory illness outbreak. In more than 30 states, nine people have died and around 500 have fallen ill.

14

29

Students gathered in the cafeteria during 7th period and after school to learn more about the organizations at West, promote their own clubs and join new groups.

SEPTEMBER 1

Hurricane Dorian reached Category 5 intensity and ravaged the Bahamas with 18 to 23 foot storm surges. This was the strongest tropical system to ever hit the islands. Shortly after, Dorian weakened to a Category 2, a Category 1 and an extratropical cyclone before finally dissipating near Greenland on Sept. 10.

PHOTOS BY OWEN AANESTAD, CYMRY HIERONYMUS & MADDY SMITH DESIGN BY MADDY EPHRAIM

20 West lost narrowly to Dubuque Senior 22 to 23 to conclude West High Dance Marathon’s spirit week.

The student section was decked out in gold to support the team and this year’s kid captain Lucy Roth, a ten-year-old battling cancer.

The band department sold numerous pillows, sheets and over 30 mattresses in order to raise over $5000 for the program at their first mattress fundraiser. The goal is to use the money for guest artists, clinicians and new instruments.

NEWS

OCT. 3, 2019

07

UPSIDE DOWN &

BACKWARDS FROM NEW ATTENDANCE POLICIES TO CONSTRUCTION, WEST HIGH IS IN THE MIDST OF GETTING A MAKEOVER OF ITS OWN.

BY ELLA ROSENTHAL & ISAAC YOUNG

A

s students returned from summer break, they were herded into Arganbright Auditorium for a first day school assembly.

The attitude was the same as past assemblies — bored, discontented students in every direction.

That was until Principal Gregg Shoultz opened his presentation, “7 Memes to Start the School Year” and brought everyone’s attention to a few important developments. A few of those developments, conveyed through references to movies like “Anchorman” and “The Matrix,” were a new attendance policy and grading system. Both have already proved to be somewhat controversial among students after only a few weeks in effect.

The new attendance policy sets a clear limit on the number of tardies and unexcused absences the school will tolerate. Once six unexcused absences are recorded, a student will no longer receive credit for the course they’ve missed. These absences can also be accumulated through a to-

tal of 18 tardies.

The administration has put in careful thought before putting the policies into action. There are deterrents for unexcused absences and tardies long before the limit is reached. Along the way to six unexcused absences, a student will encounter calls home, meetings with teachers and conferencing with administration.

With all of these disincentives in place, many students are frightened of getting to class late.

To add to these fears, four minute passing times and construction have made getting to class on time harder than ever. Rosalynn Frerichs ’21 believes that arriving on time is daunting enough without the added consequences.

“You can’t cut through the courtyard anymore.

And the way I got to some of my classes last year was by cutting through the courtyard and still I was almost late every day,” Frerichs said. Ethan Brandauer ’21 agrees.

“With construction, it’s a little bit challenging,

“ NOW

WE HAVE TH E TEACH E R ON TH E SI DE OF TH E STU DE NT SAYI NG, ‘ H EY, WE CAN ’T LET YOU G ET TO SIX [ABSE NCES] ,’”

-GREGG SHOU LTZ, PRI NCI PAL

08

FEATURE OCT. 3, 2019

SIGNS WARNING STUDENTS NOT TO ENTER THE COURTYARD

but I think teachers should just be lenient when they know where students are coming from,” Brandauer said.

In the past, teachers could deny a student credit for a class after three or more unexcused absences, but were not required to. The new attendance policy takes the weight of that decision away from the teacher.

“Now we have the teacher on the side of the student saying, ‘Hey, we can’t let you get to six [absences],’” Shoultz said. “So that’s a different position than saying, ‘Teacher, do you want them to lose credit?’”

The guidelines call for an exact amount of allowed missed classes in order to help the teacher advocate for the student, but also because students will have a more difficult time being successful if they are absent. According to a recent study conducted in Utah public schools by the Department of Education, chronic absentee-ism (defined as missing 10% or more of a school

THE VIEW OF THE CONSTRUCTION TAKING PLACE ON THE BACK OF THE BUILDING

year) in grades 8-12 resulted in students who were seven times more likely to drop out of high school. Last year, 12.3% of students in the ICCSD qualified as chronically absent, but with this new policy in place, the district hopes to greatly reduce that figure to meet their ultimate goal of helping students succeed.

“Obviously, you really can’t do well in school if you’re not in class regularly,” Shoultz said.

Teachers are already seeing a positive effect on attendance because of the changes and a decrease in referrals to administration because of absences.

“I’ve had excellent attendance in my classes, and I’ve [only] had the need to refer a student once,” said government and psychology teacher Gary Neuzil.

According to Neuzil, it is important to maintain consistency across the school if the policy is to have a lasting impact. To achieve this, teachers are being held accountable alongside students. Teachers are expected to take attendance every period they teach and report it to the office. If this expectation is not met, teachers are put on a list of those who haven’t been taking attendance, which is then sent out to the staff as a sort of ‘wall of shame.’

Another major change that has been made for the 2019-2020 school year is the new schoolwide grading policy. While no official grade breakdown is required of teachers, an emphasis is supposed to be placed on assessments over assignments. Assessments are any projects or exams that assess a student’s knowledge of a subject, while assignments are activities that help a student learn new material. Across the board in the social studies department, there is an 85% assessment 15% assignment split. Other depart-

ments have taken on similar grade weighting.

The purpose behind this change is to ensure that grades are reflective of a student’s proficiency in a subject and not just how many times they’ve shown up to complete assignments in class.

“Anything you do to demonstrate your knowledge, that’s an assessment. And that’s what we are saying, we want people to leave here so they can know and use the knowledge,” Shoultz said.

The second aspect of making sure students can use knowledge after high school is ensuring that they learn it in the classroom. This is why another new policy has been enacted: students who score lower than a 70% on any assessment have to retake the assessment to earn up to a 70%.

Often, students need to complete review assignments before they are provided with the opportunity to take the test again. The retake allows for students to improve their grades, but also to make sure they leave the classroom with a solid grasp on the material they were assessed over.

“The bottom line is we’re trying to eliminate F’s,” Shoultz said. “And we’re trying to do that by looking at people who score low and reteach them.”

Both of these new policies share a common goal: improving the proficiency of students by making sure they’re in class and understanding the material being taught. By making expectations clear for both students and teachers, any doubt about whether a student should be allowed credit for a class can be cast aside. For some, this creates a better learning environment but for others, there are doubts. Despite the debate, only time will tell what impact these changes will have.

67.5% OF STUDENTS LIKE THE NEW ATTENDANCE/TARDY POLICY 83 RESPONSES

98.1% OF STUDENTS DISLIKE THE SHORTER PASSING TIME 104 RESPONSES

“ANYTH I NG YOU DO TO DE MON STR ATE YOU R KNOWLE DG E , THAT’S AN ASSESM E NT.” -GREGG SHOU LTZ, PRI NCI PAL

65.6% OF STUDENTS DISLIKE THE NEW RETAKE POLICY 93 RESPONSES

PHOTOS BY GWEN WATSON DESIGN BY ELLA ROSENTHAL

FEATURE OCT. 3, 2019

09

REDUCE REUSE UPCYCLE Fast fashion is polluting the earth at a rapid rate. Thrifting is a rising trend working to help the fashion industry become more sustainable.

BY ALICE MENG

2

,700 liters of water. Enough for you to drink for two and a half years. But instead of quenching your thirst, that water goes straight to your new pair of Forever 21 jeans, already embellished with a hole. Fast fashion, clothing produced at rapid speeds to keep up with the latest trends, is continuing to dominate the fashion industry, claiming the place of the second largest polluter in the world.

Fast fashion lives up to its name, with companies like Zara releasing 500 new designs weekly. This comes with a hefty price: cheaply made clothing produced in sweatshops. According to World Resources Institute, the average consumer today is purchasing 60% more items of clothing compared to 2000 but is keeping each item for only half as long.

Rachel Podhajsky ’21 purchased from fast fashion stores frequently until she became aware of the impact it had on the environment.

“In junior high, I got a lot of clothes at Forever 21. I don’t do that anymore because, first of all, their clothes falls apart,” Podhajsky said. “Then

10

FEATURE

OCT. 3, 2019

“

“ TH E N I REALIZ E D THAT TH EY ’ RE MAKI NG

ALL TH ESE CLOTH ES, WE ’ RE G ETTI NG RI D OF ALL TH ESE CLOTH ES, WE ’ RE GOI NG TH ROUG H IT SO FAST, AN D THAT ’S N OT GOOD.”

- R ACH E L PODHAJSK Y ‘21

I realized that they’re making all these clothes, we’re getting rid of all these clothes, we’re going through it so fast, and that’s not good.”

According to UN Environment, this rapid cycle leads to an average of one garbage truck load of clothing being emptied into landfills every second. Since most clothing made by the fast fashion industry is made from polyester and other synthetic materials, it does not biodegrade and continues to build up over time.

Additionally, microplastics from washing these garments permanently plague the ocean. Laundry machines stress out the fibers in the clothing, which cause them to shed and enter the water supply. A recent study by Frontiers in Marine Science found that animals from the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean, had microplastic in their stomachs.

However, a new trend challenging unsustainable fashion is also on the rise: thrifting. Shopping at thrift stores, stores that sell secondhand items, prevents a lot of clothing from reaching landfills as quickly.

Cortnie Widen opened White Rabbit in 2006, a boutique that carries locally made goods and vintage items, in hopes of encouraging people to buy used or homemade pieces. Widen believes that thrifting can help reduce clothing waste. “[I think others should thrift] because if you can reuse something that’s already made that will end up in the dump, that’s great. There are limited resources,” Widen said.

Not only does thrifting protect the environment, but for many, it can also be a unique endeavor. Since she was young, Claudia Chia ’20 has enjoyed thrifting.

“I just thought it was really fun to find cool, unique things at Goodwill or [other thrift stores.] You wouldn’t find those things at Target or anywhere, so [thrifting] would be a fun experience,” Chia said.

Widen agrees, enjoying the originality thrifting can help bring to your look. “[Thrift stores and resale shops] to me are much more interesting to shop at since they have more unique pieces,” she said. “Plus, when you buy something thrifted, you know no one will be wearing the same thing.”

Though thrifting is becoming more popular, the clothing industry is still producing most of their apparel in ways that harm the planet. This will continue as long as people still buy these products. However, fast fashion cannot last, as it continues to take away from the limited amount of resources and pollutes to a point of no return.

“I hope that the bigger companies like your H&M, your Forever 21, they start to realize that their business is not ethical. Their business is not sustainable. They might be making money, but at the end of the day, so much of that money is going into clothes that people don’t wear very often,” Podhjasky said. “We should focus on getting stuff that will last a while so we don’t have to throw it away.”

Fast fashion stores to avoid Forever 21 Urban Outfitters Missguided Fashion Nova Victoria’s Secret Hollister Topshop

Instead, try

Thrift stores: Plato’s Closet Goodwill Crowded Closet Stuff Etc Poshmark (online)

Sustainable brands Reformation Everlane Alternative Apparel Athleta Patagonia DESIGN & ART BY SELINA HUA

FEATURE OCT. 3, 2019

11

FRESH FACED FACULTY West’s new faculty can be found everywhere, from the guidance office to the temps. With interests varying from cycling to soft circuitry, this bunch is bringing their skills and talents into this school year.

BY NATALIE DUNLAP & JESSICA MOONJELY

Q: Do you have a hidden talent or something about you students wouldn’t know?

A: “I was a Scottish Highlander in college and that was at the same time that the first President Bush was elected president.

I marched in the inaugural parade in Washington DC and I carried the Iowa flag.”

-LISA GOODWIN, FINANCIAL SECRETARY

Q: What was your least favorite class in high school?

A: “Art. I hate to draw. I’m very bad at drawing. I was good at math, science and sports, but art was my least favorite. I was looking at my friends and I could tell how they were drawing flowers and people.

But my flowers were sticks and my people were also sticks with circles. They were shapes instead of people.”

-HANAN RAHMATALLAH, MATH

Q: When did you know you wanted to go into education?

A: “It was my senior year of college, and I was failing out of college. I took a semester off, or dropped out rather, and I went traveling on a road trip through the western United States. And when I was in Portland, Oregon one night, it dawned on me. I started talking about teaching to someone I had met. I got really fired up about it, and I realized ‘Oh, I really want to be a teacher.’ It was at that exact moment.”

-ASHLEY LORSUNG, SPANISH

12

PROFILES OCT. 3, 2019

DESIGN BY XIAOYI ZHU

Q: What is next on your ‘to watch’ list?

A: “I’m looking forward to the next series of ‘The Crown,’ I like that show. I’m really looking forward to the next series of ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.’ [My daughter] Lucy [Polyak ‘19] and I watch that one together, its great. It’s on Amazon Prime.”

- AMY SUNDERMANN, GUIDANCE SECRETARY

Q: What is a hidden talent you have?

A: “I can sew electronics and make e-textiles… it’s called soft circuitry.”

-CAROLINA KAUFMAN, IJAG SPECIALIST

Q: What’s a favorite memory you have?

A: “My grandma taught me to play the violin during my childhood. Thinking about my weekly lessons with her gives me a happy, warm feeling.”

-CHRISTY WEITZ, ELL Q: What is your hidden talent?

A: “I occasionally sing with a jazz band called the Sugar Daddies based out of Cedar Falls. I’ve sung pretty regularly with them for about eight years.”

-SARA KLOSTERBOER, SPECIAL ED Q: What is a rule you broke in high school?

Q: What is a fact about you students wouldn’t know?

A: “A fashion rule? I plucked my eyebrows too much.”

A: “I’m a cyclist. I really like biking… I’ve done RAGBRAI, and I did part of Jingle Cross.”

-BRIAN BRANDSMEIER, SPECIAL ED

-ROCIO MERRILL, SECRETARY

Q: What is a dream job of yours outside of working in education?

A: “If I got to work wherever I wanted it would be awesome to work in a monkey sanctuary where I’m working with primates.”

-GLORIA JONES, ATTENDENCE SECRETARY PROFILES

PHOTOS BY MADELINE SMITH

OCT. 3, 2019

13

PLAYING AT

HEART

STRINGS Prodigies are rare to come across. But at just 15, former West student Katya Moeller has already won international competitions and performs all across the world with her violin at her side.

BY JENNA WANG

T

he instant the bow makes its final arc across the violin, roaring applause and a standing ovation thunders the stage. Whether in a retirement home or a stage in Italy, this is the life of Katya Moeller ’22, a young professional violinist. Making the decision to take online courses this year and leave West, she has since replaced textbooks with concerts and competitions on a global scale.

It all began when Moeller started out at the Preucil School of Music with a starter cardboard box violin. She quickly flew through her training books until she finished them all, moving on to harder repertoire. From then on, she began to perform and compete around her community, garnering her reputation as a child prodigy.

Her first big opportunity came when William Jones, former conductor of the University of Iowa Symphony Orchestra, invited her to perform as a soloist for her orchestral debut.

“It was amazing,” Moeller said. “It’s humbling to stand in front of a bunch of people who are willing to play with you.”

Jones, who has watched Moeller develop as a violinist since she started, vividly recalls the performance. “She had her piece flawlessly memorized, and her performance was excellent. The orchestra players were impressed,” Jones said.

Even as Moeller’s career began to take off, however, she didn’t always love the violin wholeheartedly.

“I didn’t really like the violin until a couple years ago. I just didn’t want to practice. I didn’t like playing because my mom wanted me to,” Moeller said.

The wake-up call wouldn’t fully hit her until she participated in the Bowdoin International

14

PROFILE OCT. 3, 2019

Music Festival in Maine.

“I used to think 'It’s okay, I can miss a couple notes. I don’t really care.' [The festival] was the first time I really got exposed to people who were really intensely pursuing their instrument ... so [seeing] that really motivated me,” Moeller said.

With a determined mindset, she grew to love the violin and to intensely pursue an education beyond local offerings. After receiving a scholarship to the prestigious academy at the Music Institute of Chicago in 2018, she would travel to Chicago every weekend to study with 30 other students and her world-renowned teacher, Almita Vamos, before returning back to Iowa for school.

At the start of the 2019-20 school year, Moeller had planned to attend West High. However, from interacting with academy friends and dedicating herself to her soloist career over time, she made the momentous decision to drop out of public high school and enroll in online schooling after careful consideration.

“I kind of only went to school for socializing and I started this year thinking that I’m only going to take easy classes. Then I realized I went to school to see my friends and all my friends were taking AP classes. I wouldn’t be with them anyway,” Moeller said. “I wanted enough time to practice. I think you could get so much more accomplished if you just do it yourself with a computer so you don‘t have to spend seven hours a day in school.”

Moeller further justified her decision by establishing her goals and the time that she needs to invest in them.

“At the academy, everyone’s a musician so you can relate. I feel like you go to school and people don’t really understand what you do, taking it for granted that it takes hours. There’s so many times where I’ve had to say to friends, 'No, I can’t go to Pancheros cause I have to practice,'” Moeller said. “I don’t really mind because that’s my future. Everyone at the academy’s experienced the same thing. I kind of figured out that you know what — high school isn’t really the most import-

UNIVERSITY OF INDIANA ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL

ant thing.”

What’s more important for Moeller is the performances she gets to play across the world, having recently completed a two-week tour of five concerts in Brazil. One specific performance at a university in Natal left an impact.

“They had this really cool thing where I got to meet some of the kids in the orchestra program.

They’re basic level [and] some of them don’t even start playing until 17. If you think about the standards in Brazil, people aren’t exposed to classical music,” Moeller said. “I played for them and it was really cool. They asked questions afterwards and we had conversations about music.”

In this upcoming year, she’s traveling to Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand to perform, but not alone. Her mother, world-renowned pianist Ksenia Nosikova, has not only given her the opportunities to tour but also serves as her accompanist, forming an official duo called The Avita Duo. “I think a duo [name] is very important, because that’s how people identify you, not by your individual names,” Nosikova said. “We were thinking about what’s true for us and Avita in Italian means lifetime. Whatever happens, we’re partners for life.”

Nosikova believes that by performing globally together, the duo is able to experience different cultures and broaden the music experience for everyone.

“People invite my mom back to the same houses that she’s played before and she says ‘Hey, I have a duo now with my daughter.’ She’s trying to promote it so that I can experience more concerts and recording,” Moeller said. “She’s my mom, and she’s supported me through everything. She’s the reason I do what I do.”

While Moeller’s playing may seem effortless on stage, there’s much more that goes on behind closed curtains. From long hours of practice to the nerves, she’s experienced it all.

“Whenever I get frustrated I stop and usually throw something. Or I scream or throw my pencil because you can’t just sit and let frustration build up,” Moeller said. “[Violin practicing] shouldn’t be effortless.”

Even when performers put hours to prepare themselves, mistakes are unavoidable at times.

“A couple months ago I played and was getting really shaky. It was super scary, and I didn’t feel DESIGN BY VIVIEN HO PHOTOS BY CAROLINE BARKER

REPERTOIRE

200 300

PIECES

CURRENTLY ATTENDING

FAVORITE PIECES

7

CONCERTI

LONGEST PIECE

30

MINUTES

good. Halfway through the concert I started crying and I had to take a break. I was so overwhelmed,” Moeller said. “I just have to keep in mind that people who are listening aren’t listening for you to make mistakes, they’re just listening as a whole to enjoy.”

The stress of a performer’s life further emphasizes the need for relaxation, which is why Moeller organizes her own schedule.

“My mom is a musician so she understands that constant pressure doesn’t work. You have to figure out what you want to do for yourself,” Moeller said.

The road of a musician is a personal endeavor and that’s exactly what Nosikova believes in.

“There is no ending for personal growth. Every

musician, even when they accomplish and reach one point, there’s another point and experience they don’t have yet,” Nosikova said.

At the end of it all, through a whirlwind of emotions, Moeller doesn’t forget the key elements that drive her performances.

“If you work hard, you can get technique and intonation perfect. You can have fast fingers, but without the passion you don’t make music. You just play notes,” Moeller said. “It’s kind of a mentality where everything you do, do for a reason.

Think about what you’re doing and really put

- Sibelius Violin Concerto - Hubay "Fantasie Brilliante" - Ernst “The Last Rose of Summer”

your heart in it.”

Moeller directly focuses her violin playing on impacting others and how it ultimately comes to define her.

“It’s so nice to hear after a concert when someone comes up to me and they say that my playing made them cry. It’s kind of validating, like I’m doing it right. People care,” Moeller said.

“Violin is my life, you know? I think of the violin and think of me. I pick it up and it’s natural. I don’t have to think about it.”

Nosikova agrees with the same sentiment, reflecting on the years she’s spent playing with Moeller. “[This journey] has been very rewarding because she’s growing so fast. She’s a fantastic, wonderful musician. It’s been a long trip to come to this as partners,” Nosikova said. “As a mom and a musician, I just want her to be satisfied with what she does. I want her to make a living and at the same time not feel that it is just a job but something she loves.”

Through college, touring and beyond, Moeller wants to inspire others for the rest of her life.

“After [the Brazil] tour, everyone was just so nice and after you play they just come up to you and shake your hand and say the sweetest things and I just can’t stop smiling,” Moeller said. “It’s so rewarding and worth it. All the crying, all the pain, the lack of sleep — it’s just worth it.”

WITHOUT TH E PASSION YOU DON ’T MAKE M USIC. YOU J UST PLAY NOTES." - KATYA MOELLE R ‘22

PROFILE OCT. 3, 2019

15

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

16

ADVERTISEMENTS

OCT. 3, 2019

U N S U S TA I N A B L E .

Examining the actions the ICCSD and the Iowa City community are taking to combat climate change.

F

BY ANNABEL HENDRICKSON, NATALIE KATZ & MARTA LEIRA ROM A BIRDS-EYE VIEW, the earth appears to be dead.

What was once green is now brown; what was once frozen is now melted. Trees can no longer survive in the extreme temperatures, glaciers have completely melted and half of Florida is underwater. As uninhabitable as Earth may seem, you are still alive, and so are the 300 million refugees all around the world that have had to evacuate their homes due to rising sea levels. This is no dystopian world. According to NASA, this is our future.

Discussions around climate change have become increasingly tense in recent years. Some still deny its existence, while others

argue that the effects of it will be irreversible in 18 months.

With all of this uncertainty comes an immense amount of debate. But the facts are indisputable. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Organization, animals are going extinct at an alarming rate and the US just faced its hottest summer yet.

As concerns over climate change rise, Iowa City and the school district have taken a number of measures to reduce their contribution to the issue, but many believe there is still more to be done.

Consequences of Cows B LAZING FIRES IN THE AMAZON RAINFOREST are putting vast areas of unique ecosystems at risk, and some say this destruction is all because of cows. With the Amazon in flames, a question is being raised over whether cattle farmers are to blame.

After all, it is no secret that farmers and ranchers have been burning down large sections of the Amazon for years to raise livestock. With methane levels soaring in recent years, many have questioned whether eating meat is worth the price of an increasingly warming world.

For the ICCSD, the answer to that question is yes. Alison Demory, Nutrition Services Director for the school district, is in charge of overseeing all aspects of the department, from recipe planning to meal production.

“I’m not sure at what point environmental reasons would ever become the sole decider of the menu,” Demory said. “I don’t anticipate that it would, quite frankly, because if I don’t serve any kids, if [the majority don’t] want the plant-based options, then I’m not really doing my job. I need to make sure that all kids eat.”

Out of all the foods consumed in the United States, beef has the second largest carbon footprint, emitting 6.61 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) per serving. According to Demory, beef is served 13-15 times in a six-week period throughout the 27 schools in the district. Last year, the district used 31,278 pounds of beef, meaning the ICCSD was responsible for over 500,000 pounds of CO2 emissions.

The issue goes much deeper than whether the ICCSD has the financial capacity to replace meat with other alternatives, like tofu.

The real barrier to executing a change this drastic is the federal government. Because the menu must comply with guidelines set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), eliminating or reducing meat options is difficult.

“The very first thing we have to do is make sure that we meet our federal guidance, because if we don’t, we’re not following our rules,” Demory said.

When the controversial Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act was implemented in 2010, school lunches saw something akin to a makeover. The food pyramid was replaced with MyPlate, a plate with recommended serving sizes for each food group. The importance of consuming fruits and vegetables rose, as did the protein intake. For school lunches, protein sources are most commonly presented in the form of meat.

For many students, the change may have gone unnoticed if not for the sudden absence of chocolate milk or the increase in mandatory vegetables. For school administrators, this marked a shift from local to national control over school lunches.

Despite strict restrictions regarding protein sources, Demory is optimistic that the current meal plan can still make a difference.

“In this kind of supersize-society that we have, it’s important that we teach kids what a portion size should look like, for health, but also for the footprint that we leave,” Demory said.

For her, it’s all about educating the next generation on how to consume consciously. While many schools around the country protested the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act upon its implementation, Demory took it as an opportunity to make lunch menus the best they could be.

“Unfortunately, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act was an initiative of Michelle Obama. I say ‘unfortunately’ because it became a political piece,” she said. “It shouldn’t be political. How can you find fault with serving fruits and veggies to kids?”

“ I f w e d o n’t m a k e a c o n s c i o u s e ffo r t to change in a p o s i t i v e w a y, o u r world will continue to change in a n e g a t i v e w a y. ” -Abbie Callahan ‘20

The Earth has lost 502,000 square miles of forest between 1990 and 2016 according to the World Bank.

Beef emits

Cheese emits

Po r k e m i t s

Chicken emits

6.61 2.45 1.72 1.26 pounds of carbon dioxide ( C O 2) p e r s e r v i n g . ( 4 o z ) Source: University of Michigan

According to National Geographic, about 17% of the Amazon rainforest has been destroyed over the past 50 years.

PHOTOS BY PARAS BASSUK & ADITI BORDE DESIGN BY BRENDA GAO

In 2018, the ICCSD used 31,278 pounds o f b e e f, w h i c h amounts to over 500,000 pounds of CO2 emissions.

Source: Alison Demory

One way that students at West have been trying to combat the negative effects of beef consumption is by changing their diet.

One of these students is Annelies Knight ’21. She has been a pescatarian for over a year, meaning she eats fish but not other meat.

“Before, I really didn’t eat that much meat,” Knight said. “And if I did, it was locally sourced, just because I wanted to support local farmers.”

From potato chips and cookies to salads and pre-wrapped sandwiches, West appears to have a wide range of food options available for students during lunch. However, beneath the surface, a surplus of beef products can make it difficult for students like Knight to find options at West.

“They do serve a lot of meat to the point where it’s hard to find even pescatarian options,” Knight said. “A lot of the pre-made sandwiches don’t have options without meat in them.”

For the past three years, Abbie Callahan ’20 has been vegan, meaning she does not consume animal products. Originally, she made the switch due to the empathy she felt for animals, but she soon recognized the positive environmental and health impacts of an animal product-free diet.

“If we don’t make a conscious effort to change in a positive way, our world will continue to change in a negative way. There’s no denying that,” Callahan said. “There’s going to be a point where it’s irreversible.”

Another concern facing West is the waste that comes from meals, something that the ICCSD has been trying to pay attention to in recent years.

“We are always mindful of packaging and plastic in our lunches,” Demory said. “We never use styrofoam. On our recent disposable bid we included compostable and recyclable items so we have these items available.”

In addition to limiting packaging, the school district donates some of the excess food to organizations such as the Salvation Army or Table to Table.

“We try hard to not overproduce, so we donate at the end of the week,” Demory said.

A Climate Crisis T

HE IOWA CITY CITY COUNCIL voted to declare a climate crisis on Aug. 6. The council has challenged the city to curb the effects of climate change by adopting a strict plan consisting of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 and attempting to get to net zero emissions by 2050.

“We want to play our role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions enough to avoid serious, long-term damage to human life or other life on Earth. That’s the big picture,” said Iowa City Mayor Jim Throgmorton.

Though the plan may sound simple, Throgmorton knows that the issue requires a more complex solution.

“I think a key step is not to simply rely on math, saying, ‘Okay, in order to achieve our goal, we need a 45% reduction,’” Throgmorton said. “Instead, [we need] to ask the diverse public what matters most to them.”

According to Throgmorton, the answer to this question lies in finances. Since the most effective ways to combat the climate crisis involve expensive investments like the installation of solar panels or better heating and cooling systems, the city is trying to find avenues to financially incentivize people in a way that benefits both the environment and their incomes.

“Some people might worry about the affordability of housing, which in part is directly related to the cost of utilities, like getting gas for heating, electricity, better conditions and so on,” Throgmorton said. “People might be very interested in reducing the amount of money they’re spending on utilities.”

One significant step that Iowa City is taking towards achieving their goals is the formation of a new Climate Action Coalition.

The group will focus on advising citizens about what steps can be taken to combat climate change, as well as trying to get the public engaged in the plan.

“I think it’s really important not to rivet your attention on how bad things can be, but to instead focus on the opportunities created by the need to avoid those damages,” Throgmorton said. “If we face a climate crisis, we should respond as if it were a crisis.”

Climate Crisis Plan outline P ro j e c t s i n c l u d e : I n c r e a s i n g e n e rg y e ff i c i e n c y i n businesses and new buildings Increasing the use of public transit systems and employee commuter o pt i o n s C o n d u c t i n g a s t u d y o n e n e rg y g e n e r a t i o n f ro m l a n d f i l l m e t h a n e Developing an outreach plan to connect with vulnerable populations Encouraging a plant-rich diet C r e a t i n g f u n d i n g fo r c o m m u n i t y wide climate action

Source: The Iowa City Press-Citizen

“If we face a climate crisis, we should respond as if it were a crisis.”

- J i m Th ro g m o r t o n , Iowa City Mayor Another route the city is taking to become more sustainable involves transportation. With the implementation of a bike share program in the next year, Iowa City is working towards fulfilling the part of the climate action plan that calls for shifting 55% of transportation to sustainable options.

Transportation Director Darian Nagle-Gamm headed this partnership with Gotcha Mobility, a transportation company.

The bike share program will provide electric-assisted bikes located at convenient locations throughout the downtown area.

While this new addition could incentivize people to choose more sustainable options and provide them with easier access to those options, the bike share program alone will not have the capacity to eliminate all emissions due to the inevitable use of cars.

4.6 metric tons is the average amount of CO2 that a single vehicle emits each year as stated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. At West High alone, 436 students have registered their vehicles for the school year. However, some of the West community opt to trade in their four wheels for two by eliminating the use of a car.

West science teacher Jeffery Conner initially began riding his bike to school because he didn’t own a car but has continued to bike instead in an effort to become more environmentally-conscious.

“I’ve now been teaching for seven years. And I could get myself a car, but I have chosen not to,” Conner said. “I think that it’s good to have the exercise, and it’s good to help the planet.”

Conner rides his bike year-round, from 90 degree heat to snow storms. Even when the weather is too dangerous to bike in, he utilizes public transportation all in an effort to reduce his carbon footprint as much as possible.

“I have a feeling that things are going to get a bit harder in the future as a result of climate change. I want to look back and know that I made choices that didn’t affect things as negatively as what some people did,” Conner said. “I know, though, that regardless of the fact that I bike, I’m still contributing to the climate change problem. The way that all of us live, our lives are not sustainable.”

F

H o m e g ro w n

OR MANY, 2012 proved to be a massive breakthrough in the grocery shopping world as the bulk-buying, super-sized Costco warehouse made its way to Coralville. But for local and organic shoppers, the arrival was a nightmare.

Stores like Costco that source from all over the world contribute to a massive carbon footprint. Like many businesses, most large corporations are owned by shareholders. Since shareholders generally don’t all live in one area, money produced by Costco does not return to one singular community.

For this reason, Erin McCuskey, the customer service lead at New Pioneer Food Co-op, believes that shopping at stores which provide locally-produced products is crucial to investing in community businesses.

A single vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons on average per year, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

“I realized a long time ago that protecting the food shed is a really important part of our mission,” McCuskey said. “Protecting the food shed means providing a store so people can sell their local goods.”

New Pioneer has played an active role in the Iowa City area for over 40 years, providing a place where people can buy locally sourced products. A common misbelief is that organic products are superior to local ones, resulting in many people disregarding products unless they possess the highly coveted “Certified Organic” label.

According to the USDA, becoming a certified organic producer is a process that typically takes at least three years and thousands of dollars—something that is not always feasible for small farmers.

“It is more important to be a marketplace for local goods over a marketplace for organic goods,” said McCuskey, noting that a

I

lot of the products they sell are organic, even though they may not be certified.

“I think there are a lot of people around town who want to ensure that we can feed our families from some of the richest soil from west of the Nile,” McCuskey said. “And mostly, we’re using the soil for soda and gasoline and to send it somewhere else.”

With stores in the area offering comparable goods at a cheaper cost, consumers are faced with a dilemma: buy the inexpensive products, or support the sustainability of the community. For those who choose to shop at stores like New Pioneer, they are making the decision to pay a price that reflects the fruits of its labor.

“Our pricing reflects the reality of what it costs to eat whole food,” McCuskey said. “It’s cool that you want to get your case of avocados at Costco for 99 cents apiece. I totally get it— I would want that too, myself. But that isn’t actually sustainable because avocados are farmed far away, and [the low price] is being subsidized by poor labor practices.”

The Grinnell Heritage Farm, a small farm owned by Andrew Dunham and his family in Grinnell, Iowa, sells their products at New Pioneer and other locations in the area. From their perspective, factors like poor labor practices are detrimental for farmers like themselves who can’t compete with the low costs associated with unsustainable methods.

“One of the downsides to just looking at the checkout cost of food, like at Trader Joe’s or Costco, is that there’s so many external costs that are either subsidized by taxpayer money, pollution that is being emitted that is not being accounted for or health effects that aren’t even being accounted for,” Dunham said.

In the end, the mission for the New Pioneer’s of the world is to support the community, but in a time where it has become all too easy to buy from businesses that outsource from all over the world, this has proven to be challenging.

“What’s important for the future of food production is on a state level perpetuating monetizing healthy soil and then rewarding people for staying here and making food,” McCuskey said.

Avoiding commercial products at all costs is not a reality, but McCuskey still believes that people should be making as much of an effort as they can afford.

In this situation, the power is truly vested in the decisions community members choose to make.

“You get to vote three times a day at least. So every time you spend money on something, you’re saying that you approve of everything that goes into that product,” Dunham said. “So if you don’t want to have confinement hogs, then you have to stop buying confinement hog products.”

I o w a C i t y St r i k e s B a c k N THE MIDST of political turmoil over refusal to take action on climate change, over four million people particpated in a strike, inspired by the voice of a 16-year-old girl. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has taken the lead in organizing protests, gaining the attention she believes climate change deserves.

Joining 4,500 other locations around the world, Iowa City took part in this strike on Sept. 20, with demonstrators marching out of their respective schools or jobs and meeting on the Pentacrest.

The protest is a part of the global Fridays for Future movement

where students combat inaction on climate change by leaving their school in protest.

For many, the high turnout is a reassurance. 76-year-old Miriam Kashia from Grannies for Change has been dedicated to fighting climate change her whole life.

“There’s only so much a person can do, and I’ve done everything I can think of … so to [the young people] I say thank you.

And we’ve got your back.”

TRY NOT TO LOOK HERE. (HARD, ISN’T IT?)

IF YOU WANT YOUR

ADVERTISEMENT TO APPEAR HERE, EMAIL

WESTSIDESTORY@GMAIL.COM

DON’T HAVE AN AD?

WE’LL DESIGN ONE FOR YOU! OUR ADVERTISING CONTRACT IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

WSSPAPER.COM/ADS

BUY A YEARBOOK HERE

22

ADVERTISEMENTS

OCT. 3, 2019

ORDER BY JAN. 21, 2020

HEY SENIORS! SUBMIT YOUR SENIOR PHOTOS ONLINE TO THE 2020 TROJAN EPIC YEARBOOK

BY JAN. 21, 2020.

HOW?

Go to images.jostens.com Your User ID is 413913679 Complete the relevant information about the photo, upload and submit it on or before Jan. 21, 2020.

REQUIREMENTS

Photos must be vertical.

The senior’s face should be the focal point.

No distracting background, props, text, numbers or visible photographer name.

It is not necessary for a professional photographer to take the photo, but your photo needs to be high resolution (300 DPI).

This is different than in previous years. Seniors do not need to print off photos for yearbook submission.

QUESTIONS? Contact Sara Whittaker, yearbook adviser Whittaker.Sarajane@iowacityschools.org

ADVERTISEMENTS OCT. 3, 2019

23

STAFF PICKS

Looking for some new and fun things to spice up your daily routine? WSS staffers have you covered with plenty of recommendations for their favorite places, tips and entertainment.

COMPILED BY MISHA CANIN & NATALIE DUNLAP ART BY CAMERON REIMERS DESIGN BY KAILEY GEE & XIAOYI ZHU

RESTAURANTS Dumpling Darling

“They serve the best dumplings in the IC area. No matter what kind of day I’ve had just the thought of getting a quick bite at DD instantly makes me happy. I would eat there everyday if I could. They have reasonable prices, everything is made to order and they are a zero waste restaurant.”

-Gwen Watson ’21, photographer

Maestro Empanadas

24

ENTERTAINMENT OCT. 3, 2019

“It’s a small Argentinian empanada business on the Coralville strip and their empanadas are amazing. Every time I go in to get empanadas for dinner, the guy makes them fresh for us. It’s a really friendly business and the empanadas are so delicious. My favorites are the cheese or breakfast empanadas.”

-Caroline Barker ’22, photographer

MUSIC “Lover” by Taylor Swift.

“When I was 7-years-old, I danced to ‘You Belong with Me’ on repeat and memorized the Love Story’s lyrics to a T. For my 8th birthday I got her ‘Fearless’ album CD and played it on constant replay. Although I’ve strayed away in her warming-up to pop music, ‘Lover’ brings me back to her sweet, country songs: songs that I loved and still do.”

-Brenda Gao ‘21, Print Entertainment Editor

PODCASTS “Serial”

“The author, Sarah Keonig, is brilliant. The novelistic-feel of the podcast is wonderful. I love how both the listener and the author have to constantly question whether or not the sources are telling the truth. It makes you feel more involved in the story.”

-Marta Leira ‘21, Print News Editor

STUDY TIPS Be the Teacher!

“Set stuffed animals up in your room and teach them the lesson you need to know.

Talk out loud when you do this!”

-Cameron Reimers ‘22, artist

Forest App

“Use the forest app/get off your phone, get some good lyric-less tunes going, and keep in mind your goals in order to stay motivated.”

-Vivien Ho ‘21, Print Feature Editor

ENTERTAINMENT OCT. 3, 2019

25

MORE THAN AN APP A look into social media’s latest fashion craze and its impact on female students.

BY SUMNER WALLACE

T

he soul-crushing sound of a Hydro Flask crashing against the worn tile floor sets off a chorus of “sksksks*” and “and I oop’s” that echo around an otherwise silent classroom.

These are the exclamations of a “VSCO girl.”

In the past few months, the concept of “VSCO girls” has become increasingly popular. Characterized by their oversized shirts, Birkenstocks, multiple scrunchies and their infamous Hydro Flasks, they have taken over not only the internet, but daily life as well.

They get their name from VSCO, a photo editing and sharing app that hides likes, comments and followers to alleviate the stress of traditional social media. This easy-going app blends seamlessly into the easy-going style associated with it. For some, however, this fashion trend has become a source of frustration and isolation.

Most recently, the term has become a catchall category for anyone sporting an accessory related to the style. The class of 2023 has been dubbed the ‘VSCO class,’ and they are bearing the brunt of this label. Gabrielle Burns ’23, despite having a fashion sense far from the oversized shirts of VSCO, is frustrated by this pigeonholing.

“I hate that it has become this thing where if you have one thing from [the trend] then you’re automatically a VSCO girl,” Burns said. “That’s

not how things work.”

TikTok, a popular video sharing app, has become the epicenter for mocking this craze.

Users can see multiple iterations of a now commonplace sketch. A girl decked out in friendship bracelets shames the viewer for using a single-use plastic water bottle and offers up handfuls of her extra scrunchies and oversized shirts, all while periodically letting out a “sksksks.”

The characterization in these TikToks is not so much a reflection of those who wear the style, as it is an exaggeration.

“There’s that whole thing of then everything a girl does, they get made fun of for it,” Burns said. “Can’t girls just like what they like?”

Katherine Yacopucci ’20, who can be seen on occasion wearing Birkenstocks and oversized shirts, shares the same sentiment.

“I think it’s kind of stupid to generalize a bunch of girls who happen to like the same thing. It’s just an app, I don’t think it should be a personality trait,” Yacopucci said.

This is not the first time a trend has been equated with a personality. Emos, goths and others have all been subject to stereotypes and generalizations. However, the VSCO craze is unique due to its connection with social media. This trend doesn’t stop at the school door.

TikTok, VSCO and other social media sites put

steady pressure on teenagers to join in.

Millennials and Generation Z are often said to have FOMO (the fear of missing out), defined

by Google Dictionary as an “anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on a social media website.” It is this fear and the constant media exposure that contributes to the spread of trends like this one.

All trends come and go, but the urge to fit in remains the same. “It definitely makes you feel lonely when you see everybody else dressing a certain way, and you’re just kind of alone.

Everybody else is having fun in the pool, and

“

I TH I N K IT’S KI N D OF STU PI D TO G E N E R ALIZE A BU NCH OF G I R LS WHO HAPPE N TO LI KE TH E SAM E TH I NG."

- KATH E RI N E YACOPUCCI ’20 you’re just like the kid on the chair,” Burns said.

Walking the halls of West, it is clear how pervasive “VSCO girl” culture is. However, there are some like Burns who, despite the pressure, are content with their personal style and believe subscribing to such a mainstream look could mean the loss of individuality.

“If you see the same thing [on] 15 girls, then you don’t really know who they are other than their name and [that] they like… water.”

26

ENTERTAINMENT OCT. 3, 2019

*this is the laugh of a “VSCO girl” derived from the sound of the plural of Hydro Flask: Hydro Flasks

When yo n eed to tie your hair uup you use... a. Nothing.

I let it hang loose . b. A scrunc hie, of course! c. Just a regula r old pony tail ho lder.

Yo u ’re p c t ic a ll y d ie d ra t in g ! ra hydrate? H o w d o y o u a. With wa ter, duh. b. My Redb ubble sticker cove red Hydro Flask, sksksks! c. Joke's on you, I never hydra te.

your How do you like shirts to fit? shirt. a. I dunno, like a to b. The closer it is tter! my knees the be my c. I’d like it to be size, please.

HOW VSCO GIRL ARE YOU? into If you bump th e hallway in ne o e som you say…

. a. Excuse me b. And I oopc. Ope, sorry.

Mostly A’s: You couldn’t care less about trends. Social media is the bane of the internet in your eyes. Quite frankly, you don’t even know what a “VSCO girl” is.

DESIGN BY YOUJOO LEE ART BY YOUJOO LEE, CAMERON REIMERS & SELENA HUA

When someone says “Save the turtles!” you… a. Sadly acknowledge the plight of marine wildlife. b. Whip out your metal straw. c. Become the next Greta Thunberg.

Mostly B’s: Congratulations! It’s confirmed. You are a “VSCO girl”. You love the turtles, staying hydrated with your Hydro Flask and are a huge fan of wrist accessories.

gent You feel the ur hat’s W ! st po need to d your preferre platform? e a. I never feel th post. urgent need to way! b. VSCO all the ess. c. Instagram, I gu

Mostly C’s: You use social media, but you don’t follow the trends.

The environment matters to you. Unlike some, however, you don’t feel the need to let everyone know.

ENTERNTAINMENT OCT. 3, 2019

27

TELLIS

WH

3

NO OFF

SEASON A decrease in sports participation numbers due to the opening of Liberty in 2017 has led to a rise in multisport athletes at West High.

BY CAROLINE CHANDLER & HANAH KITAMOTO

I

t was the golden era of West High athletics.

From 2010 to 2014, ‘Dynasty High’ won 19 state championships across 10 different sports, including seven in the 2011-2012 season alone. In 2015, the ICCSD voted to open a High School, forever changing the landscape of one of

28

SPORTS OCT. 3, 2019

the state’s most accomplished athletic programs.

After one high school turned into two, the impact on West was not entirely positive.

“We have fewer students in the building, which means that we have fewer students to draw from,” said West High athletic director Craig Huegel.

Declined student numbers in the classroom also affected numbers in the athletic fields. With less athletes on every team, the remaining athletes have to perform an increasing amount of tasks within the team. With the football team needing athletes for both offense and defense, many players find themselves doing both, where they used to specialize in one.

On the other hand, having less enrollments can open doors for some athletes. “If there are fewer enrollments, there’s also more opportunities to participate on the varsity team,” said head swim coach Byron Butler. Along with being able to participate on a varsity team, the athletes will get more coaching from the head coaches, who could provide them with better feedback.

Head boys track and field coach Travis Craig has noticed a difference between athletes who

“

A KI D I S LI KE A SALAD —J UST ON E I NG R E DI E NT I S PLE NTY BLAN D. HOWEVE R , AS YOU ADD EACH I NG R E DI E NT, EACH E N HANCES TH E E NTI R E SALAD WITHOUT BE I NG E NTI R E LY BLE N DE D O R LOSI NG ITS I N DIVI DUAL VALU E .”

-TR AVI S CR AIG, BOYS TR ACK AN D FI ELD COACH

3

PHOTOS BY ALYSSA SKALA DESIGN BY AMY LIAO

participate in multiple sports and those who choose to specialize.

“You see very little drop off from season to season, year to year, since they are involved in multi-directional movements throughout the entire year,” Craig said.

Craig encourages athletes to pursue multiple sports to be more well rounded.

“A kid is like a salad — just one ingredient is plenty bland. However, as you add each ingredient, each enhances the entire salad without being entirely blended or losing its individual value,” said Craig.

According to Stack, a sports and athlete lifestyle magazine and website, multi-sport athletes have a lower chance of becoming injured because they train with a variety of muscles while practicing different sports. This prevents the athlete from overusing one specific part of their muscles, which could cause an injury.

Since the athlete is exposed to many different team environments, they are able to become familiar with the team aspect.

“Playing multiple sports has always given me an opportunity to get better throughout the

whole year,” said Mason Applegate ’22, a football, wrestling and track athlete. “It has taught me discipline, how to work hard and what it’s like to be part of a team.”

Matayia Tellis ’21 started playing basketball around first grade and picked up track starting in sixth grade. “I started playing multiple sports because it’s super fun and I love competing with people; with playing multiple sports you have multiple competitions,” Tellis said.

One benefit to playing multiple sports is that athletes are able to expand their skills as an allaround athlete. “When I played volleyball it helped with my hops in basketball and jumping over the hurdles. Now that I’m in cross country, it helps with my conditioning,” Tellis said.

In addition to these benefits, Huegel also encourages more students to be multi-sport athletes. “Many of our best athletes that have come through Iowa City West are multi-sport athletes,” Huegel said. “They’re kids who maybe basketball’s their favorite sport but they also run track and they’re good at both. But you can still have a lot of success and help your teammates in another sport.”

COMPILED BY HANAH KITAMOKO

LAST SCHOOL YEAR...

652 471

149 28

4

students participated in athletics (including cheer and dance)

were one sport athletes

were two sport athletes were three sport athletes

were four sport athletes SPORTS OCT. 3, 2019

29

THE CHRONICLES OF

OUR HERO ARRIVES IN SUBURBAN IOWA CITY, MOLDED BY YEARS OF PERUSAL AND TRAVEL. HOPING TO FIND SANCTUM, HE PREPARES TO ASSIMILATE INTO A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL AS HE BATTLES EVIL CLANDESTINELY.

BY JOEY GOODMAN

30

SPORTS

OCT. 3, 2019

T

his is the story of a young boy who could climb as quick as he could read. A boy who could play just as well in the band as he could on Friday nights. The story of new friends and new schools. This is the story of Anu Dokun ’20.

As a youth growing up on the east coast, the wide-eyed Anu would flip through page after page of DC and Marvel comics, fascinated by the juxtaposed dynamic of heroes and villains. His favorite superhero, Batman, parallels the dark and mysterious appearance that Anu presents to the outside world.

Anu brought a complicated past with him into the West High weight room in June, where he first started working out with the football team.

The secret identity that Anu keeps hidden from his peers has been forged by years of social unfamiliarity.

Classmates and teammates may view Anu as soft-spoken and docile, but he wasn’t always that way. Moving to three different states in the past

ten years has made genuine friendships hard to find, and as a result, it became difficult for Anu to open up when the future seemed so uncertain.

“He was a really bubbly person. He was a very out-there child,” said Anu’s younger sister Mayowa Dokun ’22. “He became more quiet as we moved, though, because we’ve left people behind.”

At times, the energetic Anu could become a handful for his parents, Tunde and Adeola. At ten months old, Anu crawled out of his crib and broke his collarbone. At five years old, Anu could throw a tight spiral twenty yards while playing catch with Tunde. “[He was] very active, always climbing something or jumping off something or running,” Tunde said. “He’s got the scars to support that.”

Anu was a natural athlete growing up, but could never establish himself in one sport on any given team. Despite playing basketball and taking tennis lessons, Anu ultimately stopped

playing competitive sports by the time he was seven.

It was during this time that Anu fell in love with reading. Nonfiction, mysteries, graphic novels; the young Anu would fill his brain with any available knowledge he could get his hands on. Tunde estimates Anu was reading 100 books a year by the time he was ten years old.

“He’s really into comic books, but before the comic books he was reading everything,” Tunde said. “It was nice to discover that you could borrow books from the library and didn’t have to buy them,” said Tunde, jokingly.

Over the years, Anu’s knowledge on a vast array of subjects would grow alongside his stature.

Before he entered high school Anu had shot up to six feet tall and was beginning to pack on muscle to his lengthy frame.

The local high school football coaches started taking notice of the towering bookworm roaming the middle school hallways and began recruiting Anu to play on the JV team.

Anu, feared by quarterbacks across eastern Iowa for his exceptional pass-rush ability and tackling prowess, was once too afraid to even step onto a football field.

“In middle school, I played band; I played the clarinet,” Anu said. “I was always kind of scared to play football, especially with older guys.”

After his father and the high school coach convinced him to join the team as an eighth grader, Anu began developing his coordination and technique from his position at defensive end.

By his sophomore year, Anu was seeing playing time with the varsity squad. Ironically, the physicality Anu once feared has become his favorite aspect of the game.

“My favorite part is hitting guys,” Anu said.

“That’s the main reason why I picked defensive end, because almost every single play you’re going for the quarterback. You’re always there to make tackles.”

While Anu’s ability to make tackles for the Trojans has been well received by his coaches and peers, making personal connections remains an entirely separate obstacle. The green and gold uniform serves as the mask that has allowed Anu to stay involved without being forced to reveal his true personality.

Despite his shyness, Anu’s teammates and coaches have been working on breaking down the barrier that has followed Anu since his first move out of North Carolina. Defensive coordinator Tyler Meade reported not hearing Anu speak for the first six weeks of practice, but his teammates and coaches have observed some of his bubbly personality rising to the surface as of late.

“I think he’s opened up a little bit to everyone on the team which is pretty normal,” said Ali Alwahdani ’20, who plays on the defensive line with Anu. “He’s a real funny dude, he’s always making other people laugh.”

The family-like sense of community that exists within the West High football program has cer-

tainly eased the process of transferring for Anu. “Definitely football helps with making friends.

In the summer, you meet them and come to school already sort of established,” Anu said.

“I was kind of surprised, most people aren’t so open. It was definitely really cool that they opened me up.”

Regardless of his quiet nature, the football team envisions Anu leading the defensive group by the season’s end. Anu’s work ethic and quiet leadership were displayed during offseason workouts, and he was eventually voted one of the six team leaders by his peers despite rarely being vocal on the field.

“Anu has been a welcomed surprise. He’s being able to hold the edge and not let anything get outside of him,” Meade said. “He’s very physical so it’s good to have that presence.”

Developing into a capable leader is certainly high on Anu’s priority list, but he is also remaining focused on his future career aspirations. Anu has had his sights set on becoming a mechanical engineer for the past couple of years and has enlisted in Dominic Audia’s Principles of Engineering class to enhance his problem solving and critical thinking skills.

“For him to be taking an engineering class and doing athletics; obviously he’s got good time management skills,” Audia said. “That also says something about his work ethic; being able to balance the two is no easy feat.”

In the classroom and on the football field, it seems as though Anu has finally found a place to call home aside from his superhero hideout.

Rumor has it that Anu is currently developing a robotic arm and mechanical leg implants to boost his speed and durability. If you happen to see a mysterious figure tackling crime late at night in Iowa City, don’t be afraid to acknowledge Anu with a simple wave or casual greeting.

Unless you’re an opposing quarterback. Then you should turn and run.

“MY FAVORITE PART IS HIT T IN G GUYS, THAT ’S THE MAIN REASON WHY I PICKED DEFENSIVE END, BECAUSE ALMOST EVERY SIN GLE PLAY YOU ’RE GOIN G FOR THE QUARTERBACK. YOU ’RE ALWAYS THERE TO MAKE TACKLES.” -AN U DOKUN ‘20

PHOTOS BY PARAS BASSUK ART BY SELINA HUA & CAMERON REIMERS DESIGN BY SELINA HUA

SPORTS

OCT. 3, 2019

31

SECURE YOUR PHONE The Editorial Board takes a stance on the zero-tolerance phone policy.

32

EDITORIAL OCT. 3, 2019

“Secure your phone.”

I

t was those three words that released a rush of controversy at the start of the school year.

According to the school’s new strict phone policy, students must keep all phones away and out of sight at all times, without exception.

When students don’t follow the new policy, teachers are strongly encouraged to write referrals and send phones to a cell phone jail, a series of locked compartments along a wall in the guidance and main offices. This is all in an effort to keep students actively engaged and communicative in class, as well as combatting excessive and distracting use of phones in school.

However, many students have questioned the policy’s long-term effectiveness and the general atmospheric change among the student body. If the district maintains a strict phone policy, will students be able to further develop self-responsibility? This question further comes into play with classes that incorporate cell phone use and students who have finished all their work.

To pinpoint a stance, the Editorial Board has decided to propose the following question: Should the ICCSD maintain its zero-tolerance phone policy or should teachers be allowed to set their own policy?

The Editorial Board voted 20-2 in favor of teachers being allowed to set their own policy.

In this era of technology, students should first be able to develop self-responsibility when it comes to phone usage, deeming when it’s appropriate to use it and when not to. This exercise of responsibility, which is a useful skill for students to foster themselves, transfers into after-school time and graduation. The new phone policy assumes automatically that students cannot be responsible for themselves and are not mature enough to know when it is an appropriate time to use phones. Students can also learn to personally reward or incentivize themselves with their phones, using it after they have finished their inclass work.

However, when some students are in need of

regulation with their phone usage, the teachers should step in only at their discretion without the ICCSD implementing its zero-tolerance phone policy.

Ever since the controversial policy was first announced, the atmosphere around phones has drastically changed, with the language almost demonizing the phone in an authoritarian tone as a malice instead of a potentially helpful tool. Teachers, whether they want to or not, have been strongly enforced to use referral forms when possible and to even send phones to the jails. Students can no longer have their phones out on a desk and as a result, the policy restricts students who finish their school work by not giving them the personal decision to use SHOULD THE

TEACHERS OR ICCSD SET THE PHONE POLICY?

20 - 02 their phones or not. It only serves to group all students together and not see that each student learns and functions differently.

The policy has made an enemy of the cell phone when its use is inevitable and ever-growing in present day life and school. Different classes call for different amounts of technological involvement. In language classes, students should be able to look up words and definitions.

In interactive classes, phones and devices are needed to access Quizlet, Pear Deck and various other learning apps. They’re always needed for group project collaboration and communication. Some students even work more productively with music playing. Whatever the use is, the teacher should be able to set the tone for how their classes are run and how phones are used.

Every classroom environment is different, and

just as some teachers allow students to eat food in their classes and not others, the same should go with regulating cell phones and other devices. If they choose to do so, teachers should be able to use referrals and cell phone jails, but it shouldn’t be a requirement that they enforce those measures. Phones can ultimately be a distraction, but they are also a huge resource if used in the correct ways.

It’s also inevitable that no matter what rules the ICCSD sets, students will always find a way to circumvent them, whether by using a phone under the cover of a desk or using Wi-Fi-less data to access blocked apps like Snapchat.

There’s a general standard that the more someone tells another that they can’t do something, the more they do it. It applies to the zero-tolerance cell phone policy at hand, and the policy in general can’t be strictly enforced because not all teachers are as strict as the policy requires them to be. A better solution to keep students less distracted is to have students foster good relationships with their teachers and as a result, they will better respect the cellphone policies that their teachers set. In that way, students are able to have closer bonds with their teachers, learn in more productive ways, continue to teach themselves responsibility and realize in the end that there are rewards for the work they do in-class. While there are students who openly disrespect their teachers and classmates by using their devices unproductively, that’s when teachers should be able to use the additional resources the policy lays out for those specific students only, like individual meetings and cell phone jails, but only at teacher discretion and not by a mandatory standard. The policy shouldn’t punish many of the students who have learned to use their devices responsibly at the expense of others who haven’t learned yet.

Only by removing the zero-tolerance policy and having teachers set their own standards will students become more self-sufficient and create a positive difference in the district-wide negative atmosphere about cell phones.

ART & DESIGN BY VIVIEN HO

EDITORIAL OCT. 3, 2019

33

OVERFLO

W

In recent years, class sizes at West have grown dramatically. French teacher Theresa Juhl shares her take on the effects of these numbers on teaching and learning.

BY THERESA JUHL

I

have always enjoyed larger classes. When there is a healthy group of 25 to 30 students, we all benefit from the many perspectives, styles of work and examples of French. This year, however, West High has a class size much higher than the norm. Accommodating over 30 kids in a class is something we are used to, but getting used to seeing over 35 kids in a class is a challenge. As class sizes increase, learning, homework and assessments require change as well.

Every classroom has a pulse. It is the rhythm of routine, questions, explanations and the meeting of needs. When there are a large number of students the pulse quickens: more kids, more needs, more demands and more competition for the teacher’s attention.

We are not in a one-size-fits-all type of working space. Learning, growing and personalities vary differently in a school setting. Some students love getting lost or hidden in the back of the room. They can come in, do their work and leave unnoticed. The anonymity is a blanket that they can hide behind.

In the very same space, some students need to be noticed, but they can be (and very often are) intimidated with big classes. They hesitate to speak up in front of a large group; there are too many students they don’t know and these students do not want to risk being wrong in front of a large group. This makes presentations and

34

OPINION OCT. 3, 2019

discussions a source of anxiety for students, and it is worrisome to think, but asking questions becomes a source of anxiety as well. Students in this situation have a tough time advocating for themselves and competing for the teacher’s attention.

Large class sizes make it very difficult to approach a teacher for help or ask anything; it is much more difficult to create a working relationship with students when there are so many in the room. I have noticed that it is a challenge to make eye contact with multiple kids in a class; it’s a challenge to spend a personalized moment with each student and ask how they are doing.

Having a moment outside of the curriculum or a lesson to ask a student how they are doing makes kids feel like a teacher knows them or cares about them not only as a student but as a person. These moments are vital to a healthy, working relationship in a classroom, especially when learning requires taking risks. A student who feels known and supported will more readily take a risk than one who doesn’t.

It is really challenging to find the time and the personal and emotional resources to meet the needs of students, make connections and execute the curriculum with large groups. It is not impossible, but I am finding it is not necessarily accomplished in a way I find satisfactory. I wonder how many kids feel the same way.

DESIGN & ART BY SELINA HUA

FOR MORE COVERAGE, GO TO WSSPAPER.COM

PHOTO FEATURE

PARAS BASSUK Signage from anti-LGBTQ protestors of Iowa City Pride is blocked from view by large umbrellas of the attendants of the festival and celebration.

The peaceful censorship of hateful signs is evidence of the Iowa City community’s spirit of acceptance even in the face of hatred.

THE PERFECT PLAYLIST As homecoming comes rolling around the corner, WSS compiled students’ ideal homecoming songs and music. Here are a few songs that would make a perfect homecoming playlist for students around the school. “‘Before I Let You Go’ by Beyoncé IT’S BEYONCÉ! Why shouldn’t you play our queen?” -Mayasa Hamid ‘23

“‘All girls are the same’ by Juice World. It’s a fun song for the gentleman to relate to.”

-Jada Newson ‘21

“A waltz. Nothing spec ific, just a waltz.

I want to show off my dancing skills.”

-Andrew Blake ‘20

“‘Mia’ by Bad Bunny and Drake, because I feel like it is necessary to represent all cultures, including Latinx. I feel as though if West high prides itself on celebrating diversity then it should celebrate the second largest minority as well not just majorities at West high.”

-Miriam Aguirre ‘21

COMPILED BY FAREEHA AHMAD ART & DESIGN BY MADDY EPHRAIM

“‘Stacy’s Mom’ by Fountains of Wayne.

It is a good song to scream to.”

-McKenna Proud ‘21

“‘Sweet Victory’ by David Glen Eisley and Bob Kulick. As a tribute to the creator of Spongebob, David Hillenburg.”

-Tony Wang ‘22

“‘Truth Hurts’ by Lizzo. It empowers women and is an overall BOP.” -Asha Sandhu ‘20

“‘Old T o Nas X wn Road’ b y Lil THIS S . WE JUST N O -Thom NG IT’S GOEED as Pie O rce ‘2 D.” 2

“‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ by Queen. Because it’s Queen, that is all the reason you need.”

-Guinevere Eilderts ‘20