West Side Story Feature Update

westsidestory update IOWA CITY WEST HIGH SCHOOL 2901 MELROSE AVE. IOWA CITY, IA 52246 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 NOVEMBER 15, 2011 WSSPAPER.COM

FEATURE STORIES WRITTEN AND DESIGNED BY THE 2011

INTRODUCTION TO

NEWSPAPER CLASS

Why the @%#!?

Swearing is something that every high school student encounters on a daily basis. So why do people use “forbidden words” so frequently?

By Aileen Norris

aileen.m.norris@gmail.com

I

t’s another boring day in the classroom. Your teacher is droning on in the usual monotone.

The girl next to you is picking at her nails idly.

The boy directly behind you is tapping his pencil on the desk to a beat. Whispers are heard coming from the back row. It seems the whole class is almost asleep.

“

Suddenly students widen their eyes in shock. Some smile, others even laugh. A few gasps are heard.

One thing is for sure: the classroom is awake now. Why did this happen? The teacher just uttered a single word, and now everyone has snapped to attention. What was so astonishing about this word? It was a swear word.

“If you’re in pain, and you say a swear word, studies have shown swearing can actually lessen the pain and duration of pain,” said Akash Borde ’15. A study conducted at Britain’s Keele University concluded that swearing can help people deal with pain. Sixtyfour college students held their hands in ice cold water, one group allowed to utter swear words and the other allowed to repeat a neutral word. The students allowed to swear were able to keep their hand in the water longer and reported less pain. Swearing to help with pain comes with a catch, however. The more you swear, the less it helps.

What about if you’re not swearing because of pain?

“It depends on context. If it’s used in great anger or as a joke I feel its okay. If there’s a point. When people just throw around swears [because] it makes them feel more [superior], then I think they’re dumb and it [shouldn’t] be used,” said Mandy Rosse ’14. Many people agree with Rosse that some swearing is okay, but when used excessively it gets to be annoying.

Opinions on Swearing 211 people were surveyed

33% of the voters said swearing is okay for students and teachers 15% said swearing is okay in moderation 39% said swearing isn’t okay for students or teachers

}

7% said it is okay for students and teachers to swear, just not when they’re around each other 6% chose a different option

Another topic for conversation is swearing in the classroom. Should teachers be allowed to swear while they are teaching a class? Should students be allowed to swear while in class?

“A teacher’s (and I put myself in that category since I work with children & youth even though it’s not in a public school setting) role is to not only teach a certain subject, but also provide a model of how a responsible adult should behave. In my opinion, a responsible adult doesn’t indicate to teenagers that it’s okay to swear in the workplace,” said Laura Kastens, a children and youth choir teacher at Saint Andrews Presbyter ian Church.

My favorite teacher swears...As long as it isn’t distracting I don’t care” -Martin Goree ’ 15

Why do we swear?

Photos from iCLIPART

“Almost everyone swears on [occasion], but if teachers or students swear a lot its really immature, annoying, and makes you look bad,” said Mariah Weston ’15.

“My favorite teacher swears...As long as it isn’t distracting I don’t care,” said Martin Goree ’15.

According to a Facebook survey, to which 211 people, including students and parents, responded to, most people said that swearing isn’t okay for students or teachers at 39%. This was followed closely by swearing is okay for both students and teachers at 33%. 15% said swearing is okay in moderation, and 7% said swearing is okay for both students and teachers as long as it’s not in front of each other. 6% chose a different answer.

Whether or not to swear, and in what situations you swear, is a personal decision, and although influenced by other people, it is ultimately up to each individual.

It is a very controversial topic, and will be one for generations to come.

Graph by Aileen Norris

Going to School Three Different Ways Three different students who went to or go to different schools other than West High were interviewed. Differences and similarities between West High and the various schools are described.

Regina High School The smells of turkey and pumpkin pie filled the air to create an aroma unique to only one holiday of the year, Thanksgiving as Katie Donovan and other members of Regina’s Key Club serve an annual free Thanksgiving feast for the local community. At Regina High School, a private high school in Iowa City, students volunteer regularly during and outside the school day, unlike West High.

Both schools have similarities too. Regina High School and West High School have similar class sizes of 20 to 30 students, students can take up to 8 classes, and electives such as art and music classes are offered.

There are also characteristics that distinguish each school. Grades with close to 70 students appear miniature to the gigantic grade sizes of nearly 500 at West. Students at Regina develop very close bonds because of small class sizes.

Photo by Alyssa McKeone

A statue in front of Regina Elementary School

“A lot of them have been going with me since preschool,” Donovan ‘12 said.

Heritage Christian School

Lilly Pypes ‘14

Lilly Pypes walked up a flight of cream colored speckled stairs as she walked to her next class. Students buzzed past her in a blur as she asked herself where am i? As she navigated through West High she found her class.

Unlike Pypes’ previous school, Heritage Christian School, West is much larger.“There were 9 kids in my grade [at Heritage],” Lilly Pypes ‘14 said. “For science and history it’d be seventh and eighth grade together.”

A big difference between West and Heritage, a private Christian school is the religious traditions. At Heritage, students attend a daily Bible class. Also, each week students went to a chapel service where they sang songs and discussed religious ideas.

Even though Pypes said she enjoyed the many fun activities at Heritage, she said she likes West even if she had a little trouble finding her classes the first day.

Visaka Vidyalaya (Vis-aka Vid-y’ all-aya) Slytherin, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw.

What does Visakha Vidyalaya, a prestigious public school in Sri Lanka have in common with Hogwarts? They both are schools that divide students into team systems. For Hogwarts it’s for the complex quidditch matches while for Visakha Vidyalaya it’s for 1 ½ month long sports competitions.

The sports competitions include activities similar to West such as marching, basketball, swimming, chess, and tennis. “I did swimming, I did the team race,[and] I was on the drill team,” said Savantha Thenuwara ‘13.

Thenuwara went to school in Sri Lanka before beginning junior high in Coralville.

Visakha Vidyalaya is an all-girls school with close to 360 kids in each grade. When asked what was most surprising to her the first day of school in Iowa, Thenuwara ‘13 said, “It was a lot smaller and I’d never had boys in my class.”

Katie Donovan ‘12 (left) and friend (right)

What do you wear to Regina?

Girls -Polo- navy blue, white or yellow -Closed toe shoe -Navy blue or khaki pants -Skorts Guys -Same as girls but not skorts

What are the clothing rules at Heritage Christian?

-Straps must be at least 3 fingers wide -Long shorts

What did you wear to Visakha Vidyalaya?

-White short sleeved dress with collar -Pleated Dress with white belt -Badge -Grades 1-2: elastic tie -Grades 3,4, and 5: longer tie -Over grade 6: actual tie

Savantha Thenuwara ‘13

-By Alyssa Mckeone

Thenuwara ‘13 (left) and friend (right)

What Do YOU Like About New Years?

Megumi Kitamoto “...New Years is a time where you can reflect on the year and what you can do better.”

Amiela Canin “You get to start fresh!”

An Old-School New Year’s Unique Traditions

by Audrey Hopewell

On New Years, do you place a tall, dark-haired, handsome man outside your door? How about eat black-eyed peas or lentils? Strange, maybe, but these are only some of the New Years traditions celebrated throughout the U.S. As the superstition has it, the first person to enter the house in the New Year should be a handsome man with money in his pocket. Blondes, redheads, and women are said to bring bad luck if they are the first to step inside.

According to an article on travelandleisure.com, actions taken on New Years day or at midnight on New Years Eve are supposed to set the tone for the year ahead. This explains the more common actions like kissing at midnight (to ensure healthy relationships), filling cupboards (for plentiful food), and paying off bills and debt (for financial stability). However, some other traditions have more rules. For example, some believe nothing should leave the house on New Years Day to guarantee that the family won’t lose things throughout the year. This rule is sometimes skirted, saying that things can go out only after something has been brought in, adding to the house before subtracting from it.

What about local traditions? Mrs. Hughes (English) says that she plays Twister and listens to The Monkeys on New Year’s.

In the southern U.S., black-eyed peas are the lucky food to eat on the holiday. Lentils, which supposedly look like coins, are another lucky food also eaten. Pork, since pigs move forward, are supposed to ensure that the eater moves forward in the new year. Chicken or turkey is bad luck, since those who partake will be sentencing themselves to ‘scratching in the dirt’ for food in the new year.

To have luck at work, do something successful (but brief) related to your job on the New Year. Make sure to pay off bills pre-New Years Day, having outstanding debt or paying it back on New Years Day ensures financial misfortune.

However you celebrate, have a good New Years to set a happy tone for the year!

Aileen Norris

“I like staying up late with my friends and running around in the snow without a coat on.”

DO YOU TEXT IN CLASS? (100 students surveyed)

NO 57%

YES 31% SOMETIM ES 12%

While the teacher is talking about their next upcoming test, some people may tune out what the teacher is saying and focus more so on their lap. No, they do not have a stain on their pants; though they may be texting.

Texting in class is a controversy because it distracts the student from learning, and it also influences other students to text as well.

However, the students say that they text because they want to keep in touch with their friends, and to keep themselves updated with what is going on.

A survey was conducted asking 100 randomly selected students if they texted in class (yes if you texted at least once a week), (see pie chart at right) 34% of the 68 surveyed texted in class. However, the majority of the people who answered, do not text in class on an everyday basis, but they text in emergencies such as times when they do not know a way to get home. Also, most of the people who don’t text in class text when it is allowed, such as before or after school, and during lunch.

Most of the people who text in class say that they text their parents or family. “I text my parents and friends who sometimes don’t remember that I am in school,” said Tiffany Danger, ’14.

“I never have the guts to try texting in class, but I glance at my phone to see if there are any text messages,” said Tia Goodman, ’15.

For teachers, it’s not the matter of making the decision whether to text or not. It is the decision of ignoring or punishing the student.

“Texting is not allowed in class,” said Andrea Harms, biology teacher.

When asked if she takes their phone away if she catches them, say said “[Yes], I’ve done this too many times.”However, Bryon Helt, a teacher from Tate High School says, “If they have good grades, I ignore. If not, I take the texter [the phone] away for the period.”

Helt believes that if the student texts in class, then the student will not achieve as much as a person who does not text.

Heidi Flick of North Central thinks that there are both good and bad things to texting in class.

“I think that there are positives to being able to have a cell phone (such as texting students [their] homework) but when it happens in class is becomes a distraction.” Flick said.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT TEXTING IN CLASS? AILEEN NORRIS ‘15-”I think it depends on the situation, but if you are bored in class and you want to say hi to a friend, I don’t think it’s okay.”

HANNAH MERRILL ‘14-”If it’s really necessary and if nothing is going

on in the class, then it is okay.”

ALON WALD ‘15- “Instead of texting underneath the desk, we should text out above the desk because it shows that we are honest.”

LUSHIA ANSON ‘15 - “I think that times have changed, and teachers need to accept that technology is becoming a bigger part of our lives.”

ALYSSA MCKEONE ‘13- “If it for educational purposes, like forgetting something at home or getting things, then I think it is acceptable, but not for hanging out with friends.”

DON’T TEXT IN CLASS!

Wake Up, Sleepy Head!

What’s Your Sleep Number?

By Tong Yu “Sometimes in classes, I have actually had to physically hold my eyes open.”

Audrey Evans’13

Katherine Goree ‘12 “6 to 7 hours”

Catherine Staib ‘13 “4 to 5 hours”

All photos by Tong Yu

Running on three minutes of sleep and chugging coffee down his throat like a salted fish, Bobby Bo rushes to finish his AP Biology, AP US History, and AP Life-Sucks essays before the clock hits three a.m.

Bobby Bo is a fictional character, but his lack of sleep is a common trouble among students at West High.

“I’ve pulled at least two all-nighters already,” said Lauren Logsdon ’13.

For most, it’s the heap of homework that creates the mad dash against time. Elizabeth Vandenberg ’12 was only able to get an hour of sleep on a certain day this year because she had to read Hamlet. “But nobody in the class read it,” said Vandenberg, who usually gets around five hours of sleep a night. Jackson Cameron ’12 got the least amount of sleep ever—30 minutes—on the day that his AP European History third trimester project was due. “My brain was derp,” said Cameron, who fell asleep in some of his classes the next day.

For Callum Scott ’14, insomnia is the cause. Insomnia is a mental condition characterized by the inability to fall asleep easily. “I’m used to not getting enough sleep,” said Scott, who typically gets four hours of sleep each night. His doctor recommends medicine and vigorous activities before bed, but Scott prefers working or reading a book when he has a hard time falling asleep.

Whatever the reason, students have had less than positive feedback regarding the morning after. “I am perpetually tired,” said Linda Xiong ’12, who sleeps around six hours a night. Once, when Xiong almost fell asleep in her class, she looked over her shoulders and noticed that the entire row next to hers was already asleep.

Mr. Neuzil’s Advice

Chaein Jung ‘13 “10 hours”

Tips for Staying Awake:

“Coffee” -Nicole Miller ‘13 “Cold water on your head” -Ivan Ye ‘13 “Eat fruits and take a shower”-Joanne LIn ‘13

Art by Tong Yu

Gary Neuzil, who teaches psychology at West High, recommends nine and a half to ten hours of sleep each night for teenagers. Pattern is also important. “Everybody needs to have the same number of sleep everyday, but nobody does that,” said Neuzil. According to Neuzil, from puberty to age twenty two, people’s sleep pattern start to change due to change in their circadian rhythm. Difficulty concentrating, paranoia, and grumpiness are some common effects of sleep deprivation. To sleep better, Neuzil recommends using your bed only for sleeping, getting up if you can’t fall asleep after a while, and doing some relaxation technique.

Texting is off limits before bed.

The mass of sleep deprived zombies drifting through school is not only made up of students, but teachers as well.

Recently, english teacher Jeff Finn has been sleeping much less due to his new baby. “The baby has been waking up every 2 hours or so. So, he is waking up 4-5 times every night. At first I was getting up every time, but now I get up every other time. So now I am sleeping in 2-4 hour chunks,” said Finn.

Lack of sleep has affected how Finn deals with the occasional day-sleepers in his class. “I used to be more understanding when kids occasionally nodded off in class because I assumed they were working a late job or had a lot of activities on their plate (it almost never happened anyway because I am super interesting), but now I have zero tolerance for kids nodding off in class. I have often said, “Do you have a baby at home? No? Then wake up.”” said Finn.

Math teacher James Kirpes typically get six and a half hours of sleep, but the least he’s gotten this school year was three and a half hours of sleep. “I’m not proud of that,” said Kirpes. Bad days like these tend to make Kirpes more curt and snappish toward his students. “I try to catch up over the weekend, and if I don’t do that, I sometimes nap during the day,” said Kirpes.

According to Kirpes, students have fallen asleep in his class before. “When I see them start to ‘check out’, I encourage them to take a drink,” said Kirpes. He is also fine Kirpes with students standing in the back of the room during class to keep themselves awake. Kirpes recommends drinking water, chewing gum, and shifting around your seat in order to stay awake.

When West High Principal Jerry Arganbright does not get enough sleep, he needs more caffeine in the morning. “I need two cups of coffee instead of one,” said Arganbright, who usually sleeps around six hours a night.

And to combat the urge of slipping into dreamland while class is in session, Arganbright has only one advice: get more sleep.

Stress: The Good, THe Bad, and The Ugly Are the stress, late nights, busy schedules, and heavy backpacks really worth it?

BY LUSHIA ANSON

After a sports tournament runs late, you finally pull into your driveway, exhausted, at midnight. Not even bothering to change out of your sports gear, you shuffle in a zombie-like trance to your room, wake up your computer, and start typing a paper blearily, which you would have started earlier this week if you’d had the time. At some point in time, you fall asleep on your keyboard, awakening at 5 A.M. only to realize that not only you still have your math homework, social studies packet, and science lab report to do, but that you left one of the necessary textbooks at school since it wouldn’t fit into your backpack (which, by the way, is typically much greater than 10% of your total body weight).

This may seem like hyperbole, but for some high school students today, this is life as they know it.

Most students go through some type of stress sometime throughout their school career; whether it’s the pressure of finals, grades, or college applications, or if it’s just the fact that it’s impossible to do everything on their agenda in a 24-hour time span. But stress can go both ways, having both positive and negative effects. It can work as a great motivator for some, preparing them for the real world, pushing them to work hard and meet deadlines. For others, it turns them into sleep-deprived, hunchbacked zombies, some of them suffering from symptoms of depression or anxiety.

What is “Good” Stress?

Stress is what propels us forward in life. It helps to motivate people to come up with ideas, set goals, and accomplish tasks. Students can learn a lot of useful life skills from it such as time management, meeting deadlines, and working under pressure. It can also prepare students for life at college or in the workforce. “I think the pileup toward the end of the [trimester] is good and simulates real-life situations, like the end of a business quarter,” said Hannah Twitchell ’15. “I think that some of it is pointless… [but] with kids that are used to that, or kids who can handle it, it definitely helps,” Twitchell said.

Stress is one of life’s necessities. It powers us, and without it we would be forever in inertia. A certain amount of stress is even required for us to do simple tasks such as getting out of bed in the morning. After all, stress is basically a response to the demands put on the body and mind. But how much is too much?

ART BY// LUSHIA ANSON Chronic exposure to stress hormones can cause health problems; in fact, according to the Center for Disease Control, up to 90% of diseases and illnesses may be caused directly or indirectly by stress.

Some attribute the growing amount of work and busy schedules of teens nowadays to modern technology. Math teacher Karen Meyer agrees with this, and said that the amount of stress experienced by students when she was in high school was nothing compared to what it is now.

“I think stress is one of the unfortunate aspects of your generation,” said Meyer, adding that she thinks technology created a ‘go! go! go!’ effect on people’s lifestyles.

These days, information can be transmitted a lot faster with tools such as PowerSchool and the Internet, and that has caused deadlines to grow shorter and more unreasonable over the years.

It definitely varies by personality as to what sort of stress (and how much of it) is beneficial. Some work well under pressure; others tend to feel more like giving up. There are students who can handle large amounts of work at a time, but there are also students who feel overwhelmed by it and start to panic.

Meyer said she also realizes the fact that kids involved in many extracurriculars sometimes struggle to get all their homework done. For this reason, she has a special homework policy in her class. If a student was unable to complete their homework one night, they could tell her sometime before class and not be penalized, provided they complete the missing homework the next day. Meyer said she also tries to be sensitive to the fact that a lot of homework may have been assigned in other classes. “I hate it when a teacher says, ‘Oh, I only gave you an hour of homework!’” said Alex Choi ’14. “It’s like, ‘Yeah, you and six other teachers.’”

What is “Bad” Stress?

The Bottom Line?

People only have so many hours in a day to get things done. In many cases, it isn’t enough. More and more students, especially those who are involved in many activities outside of school, have had to sacrifice sleep in order to get all of their homework done. A study published in the Journal of School Health has shown that over 90% of teens aren’t getting the recommended amount of sleep on school nights, which is 9-11 hours. “There’s definitely a lot of sleep deprivation [in high school],” said Ben West ’12. Some people also start to panic when they are presented with a large amount of work to complete in a short amount of time, triggering the release of stress hormones.

There’s no doubt that stress is good for everyone... in small amounts. “If you’re taking like five million AP classes and stressing out so much that your hair starts falling, that’s a little over the line,” said Tong Yu ’13. The “line” for most people is when stress actually starts interfering with learning. “Lack of sleep has accounted for the number of dumb mistakes I do on tests,”Yu said.

Although stress can be a two-faced concept, most agree that too much of it is a bad thing. Conversely, too little of it won’t prepare you for life after school and may create a lack of motivation. After all, stress is what powers us, pushes us, and makes us work hard, but an excess of it may also be our downfall.

Tips for Overcoming Stress: •Think Positive. The next time a stressful situation happens, instead of focusing on how it can ruin your life, focus on the benefits of overcoming the challenge.

•Find a Hobby. Hobbies can be active or reflexive, or both. They can help you step away from your troubles and get back into perspective.

•Exercise. Studies have shown that, in addition to physical benefits, exercise also benefits you psychologically.

Exercise helps you clear your mind and makes you feel “grounded.”

•Laugh. Laughter may not be the best medicine, but it’s certainly an effective stress reliever. Also, learning to laugh at yourself symbolizes psychological well-being and maturity, as well as increasing self-acceptance.

Food for Thought A look at West High’s Slow Foods Club

By Amiela Canin

West High students offer you their favorite recipes...

Fried Rice

Ingredients -3 cups cooked rice -1.5 cups peas and carrots (mixed) -2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil or sesame oil -2 eggs -Green onions -a pinch of minced garlic -soy sauce to taste -salt to taste Directions: scramble eggs in a pan and set aside stir fry vegetables, garlic, and green onions until hot (only a couple minutes) add rice to pan stir together. add eggs add soy sauce and salt to taste -Rebecca Wen ’14

Lemon Cake

Slow Foods leader Bennett Thompson Used with permission of Bennett Thompson

Walk past

Mrs. Barnhouse’s room on a Friday afternoon and you will hear lively chatter, most of it about the food the students are eating: apple crisp, pumpkin bars, pickles–all homemade, of course. It’s Slow Food club, a recent addition to West High’s vast number of extracurriculars.

Bennett Thompson ’12 is the founder of West High’s Slow Food club. “I really like food, every aspect of it, so what could be cooler than being part of a group of people that are all about celebrating food and how it’s made?” Thompson said.

Slow Foods is a national movement whose goal is to promote and celebrate healthy eating, something that does not always take priority in America. Thompson was inspired to start this club because he wanted to “lead young people to make decisions that could change the way the world treats food”.

Last year, the club planted a garden at West, one of their major goals. Their crops have been served in the West High cafeteria at lunch, and they have many more delicious plans in store.

-2 sticks sweet butter, softened -2 cups sugar -3 eggs -3 cups all purpose flour -1/2 teaspoon baking soda -1/2 teaspoon salt -1 cup buttermilk -2 tablespoons grated lemon zest -2 tablespoons f lemon juice Directions: Preheat oven to 325. Grease 10-inch tube pan.

Cream butter and sugar and beat in eggs one at a time.

Mix flour, baking soda and salt.

Stir dry ingredients into egg mixture alternately with buttermilk add lemon zest and juice.

Pour batter into prepared tube pan. Set on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 65 minutes Cool cake in the pan for 10 minutes. Remove cake from pan and spread on icing at once, while cake is still hot.

Lemon Icing Ingredients -1 pound (3 1/4 cup) confectioners’ sugar -8 tablespoons (1 stick) sweet butter, softened -3 tightly packed tablespoons grated lemon zest -1/2 cup fresh lemon juice Directions: Cream together and spread on cake -Kate Miller ’14

Coconut Truffles

Ingredients -1 pound powdered sugar -1 small can angel flake coconut -1 cup chopped nuts -1/2 cup margarine -1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk Directions: Mix all ingredients. Chill about 5 hours in fridge. Roll into small balls.

Coating -1 large package of chocolate chips -1/4 cake paraffin Directions: melt in a double boiler, dip, and place on foil-lined cookie sheet to cool in the fridge.

-Aileen Norris ’15

Community Comes Together After Tragedy “It means so much to have everyone coming together to help my family and I. I feel so loved by everyone and I’m very appreciative of everyone’s kind words and actions. I couldn’t have asked to be surrounded by any better of people.”

-Richard Bryant ‘12

“I have just

been a good friend to him (Richard) to help him through this tough time; I told him if he ever needed anything I am always here for him.”

-Jaylinn Tresslar ‘12

“ Richard has always been like my brother and now more than ever my family and I have to show support for him and what he really needs.”

-Jake Gylten ‘12

I bided for a sweatshirt at the auction to help give money for the Bryant’s. It was such a great thing to

do for the family and from what I’ve heard it raised a lot of money” -Lauren Larson ‘13

On September 4th, 2011 life for the Bryant’s changed dramatically. Their house was partially burned down, but more importantly the life of a loved one was lost. A heartbroken community comes together to help the much loved Bryant family in the time of this terrible tragedy. Homecoming King, Richard Bryant, has had a huge influence on the students at West High School. He’s touched many lives with his bubbly, positive and kind personality. There is nothing more that people would rather do than to help Richard and his family through this tough time. Richard truly appreciates everything that the community has done for him and his family, “It means so much to have everyone coming together to help my family and I. I feel so loved by everyone and I’m very appreciative of everyone’s kind words and actions. I couldn’t have asked to be surrounded by any better of people.”

Many different programs and organizations have also helped the Bryant’s family.

“My church has helped raise money for my family and also with the auction, I don’t know how much money has been raised but I know it was a big success, also I have heard about a scholarship being created in my brother’s name (Raymone) that is awesome, my family and I are so blessed to have all this support.”

Profile: Richard Bryant (‘12)

Favorite Sport:

Favorite Place to Eat:

Right Jake Gylten‘12

Left Richard Bryant ‘12

money raised at auction

$10,000

Favorite Artist:

By Tatum Klein

Have a Happy New Year!

Confetti, party hats, streamers, and noisemakers abound.

It’s finally New Year’s again, so it’s time to celebrate the end of this year with family and friends and get ready to start fresh next year.

BY FIONA ARMSTRONG-PAVLIK

For most students at West, New Year’s Eve is a time to go to parties and celebrate with friends, like Tiffany Ellis ‘12 does. “I like seeing the big ball go down and just starting the new year in general,” Ellis said. Her resolutions usually involve making more friends and being nice to people.

New Year’s Day for the Gregorian calendar is not the only new year holiday students at West celebrate.

Hilah Kohen ‘14 appreciates celebrating the new year primarily because it is during winter break; however, for Kohen, Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish new year) is more important.

Rosh Hashanah happens every fall in September or October, according to the Hebrew calendar. Kohen and her family go to services and eat dinner with traditional foods, including honey cake. When asked about resolutions, she laughed. “Only if my teachers force me to,” Kohen said. o to services and eat dinner with traditional foods, including honey cake. When asked about resolu-

Why Do We Make Resolutions?

Janus (after whom January is named), a Greek god, had two faces. One was for looking back on the previous year and past and one was for to looking forward to the next year. Since Janus could also forgive people of their mistakes, New Year’s was seen as a time for people to improve themselves at the beginning of a new time.

Image from veggiefrog on Flickr

Image from Nigel Howe on Flickr

What Year Is It, Anyway? we all know it will be

2012 next year according to

the gregorian calendar, but here’s the date according to other calendars.

After the Chinese New Year, it will be

4708 It’s

.

2004

According

to

the

5772

in Ethiopia.

Hebrew

calendar,

started a few months ago.

Chinese New Year, also known as the lunar new year because it coincides with the first new moon of each year, is celebrated for fifteen days. It usually starts in late January or early February.

Rebecca Wen ‘14 celebrates the holiday with a family dinner on Chinese New Year’s Eve, which usually involves some kind of dumpling. “We cook [and] eat for a few hours,” Wen said, and some of her favorite memories come from Chinese New Year meals with her family. In addition, “[my brother and I] get ‘red packets,’ which are filled with money from relatives,” Wen said.

The first paper confetti was used on New Year’s Eve in Paris in 1881.

Before that, metal confetti was frequently used in weddings, especially in Italy.

The word ‘confetti’ literally means “little sweet” in Italian. This stems from what confetti first was: candies thrown at the bride and groom after their wedding.

image from of ADoseofShipBoy on Flickr

12/21/2012:

Apocalypse. Doomsday. Armageddon.

All names for the end of life as we know it.

BY HANNAH MUELLERLEILE hmuellerleile@gmail.com

Matthew Murry ’14

Eimile Collins ’12

What would you like

Do you believe

world ends in 2012?

end in 2012?

to do before the

the world will

Get a tan.

Hell to the no! I don’t believe movies predict the future, or the [Mayans].

What would you like

many people as possible. I love world ends in 2012? people and since civilization is going I suppose I would do a bunch to end I’d like to of dumb stuff like skydive, compile as many cliffdive, rob a bank, use all stories of people that money to do cool stuff like or from people as turn it into a book to leave behind travel and meet as possible and turn it into in case aliens find our planet.

to do before the

Brianna Swift ’15 Do you believe the

world will

What would you like

No, I do not believe the world is going to end because I believe that people simply cannot predict when the world will reach its maximum age limit.

to do before the world ends in 2012?

I would like to travel to the Australia and do what I’ve always wanted to do: scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef with my entire family.

Do you believe

Angelica Diez ’15 Do you believe

It sounds ridiculous that the world is going to end, the world will like really dramatic, but e n d i n 2 0 1 2 ? at the rate the economy is going, it does seem somewhat possible.

In my last year to .live, I would... probably do everything illeworld ends in 2012? gal and not get caught (or at least try), not have a job and basically just have fun the last year, do everything I ever wanted, like crawling into the pens for the animals at the zoo.

Whatwouldyouliketodo

before the

the world will end i n 2 0 1 2 ?

No. That’s [crap] and there’s no science behind it.

What would you like

to do before the world ends in 2012?

Hannah Abram

I’d want to move to Alaska, live with Sarah Palin, and adopt many cats [and] model my life exactly after Jenna ’14Marbles.

IMAGES//X-RAY DELTA ONE’S FLICKR

The world will end* next year on December 21st, 2012. So what do you want to accomplish before you tur n into a pile of smoldering ashes?

do you think

the world is going to end?

Elliot Young ’14

Will Code ’13

Carly Stamnes ’14

What would you like

What would you like

to do before the

to do before the world ends in 2012?

If I could do anything, no limitations… I would probably go backpacking across Europe slash swinging on vines in the Amazon.

You know, the [usual]. Oh, and I would put a penny on a train track, just to say that I defaced government property.

Do you believe

“I don’t [think] that the world is going to end next year by if it did, I would go on a bunch of random vacations to places I have always wanted to go and try a bunch of random things like skydiving.”

“Yes. At least that’s what ChaCha told me...”

Paul Ross ’13 “Hell yes.”

Dan Kauble ’13 No. I believe that if the prophesy does come true, it will not be an immediate physical end but rather the culmination of economic, environmental, and sociological factors that will tear at the seams of society, but not physically destroy it.

Emily Pitlick

the world w i ll e n d in 2012?

What would you like

to do before the world ends in 2012?

Gosh. I wish I could just quit school and spend my days watching movies and hanging out with my friends and just having a great time enjoy-

poll:

I don’t think [the world] is going to end. I think’12 the people who believe its going to end are crazy.

do you think the

world is going to end in 2012?

O f 2 3 8 We s t S t u d e n t s asked

84% said No. 6.3% said Yes. Absolutely. ing [the] days! But my 7.5% said Possibly. mom would make 2.1% said Haven’t Decided. me go to school. But I’d spend as much as the time I could just living.

2.1%

1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.0

7.5% 6.3%

PHOTOS AND GRAPH//HANNAH MUELLERLEILE

*

Though I’m sure we’d all love for the world to end December 21st,

it would (unforunately) probably mean the deaths of all of us.

Which would be unforunate.

And we’d miss Christmas.

No one wants to miss Christmas.

84%

DEDICATION

TO Teaching

By Velarchana Santhana Velarch9123@gmail.com It’s Monday morning, students file into room 226 to face matrices, systems of equations, and the quadratic formula. It may sound dreary, but it is in fact far from it. Students are greeted with smiles from Linda Muhly in her, at first, unfamiliar accent. The lesson begins, Muhly calls on students and answers questions, keeping the class focused. Students leave the room satisfied with what they have accomplished.

After teaching math at West High for 30 years, Muhly will be retiring this year. Muhly said, “I have a great time with students, but I want to retire on a high note.”

Muhly’s love for math derived from the logic and beauty of the structure of math, but most importantly she enjoys the opportunity of being able to work with students. “I love teaching students, seeing them get excited and learn,” Muhly said.

Muhly’s began liking math in junior high school, living in New York. “It was very different, much more restrictive,” said Muhly. When she attended college at the University of Michigan, at the age of 16, she took all the math classes she could take.

Once Muhly graduated, she taught at a college in Memphis and a high school in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Later coming to Iowa to teach at Mt. Mercy University and Coe College. Then she taught at Northwest Junior High for five years until finally coming to teach at West High.

She chose West because of its location and because she liked teaching more content to more advanced students. “I thought West was a great school and still think so,” said Muhly.

During class Muhly cracked jokes ranging from “[She’s] allergic to [her] math teacher,” after a student repeatedly sneezed, to “You’re not supposed to kick your mom,” after she observed a student’s new boot. Emily Starman ’14 said, “She always tells it like it is.”

Photo by Velarchana Santhana

Linda Muhly assists Hannah Merrill ‘14 with her math assignment.

Photo by Velarchana Santhana

Muhly’s teaching skills have also earned her respect. Michael Clement ’14 said, “(Muhly) expects that if you don’t know the answer you will ask.” Clement also said, “Mrs. Muhly will teach to the class, [as far as] the pace.” She welcomes questions and is willing to assist any student who needs the help. Aileen Norris ‘15 agreed, she said, “...she doesn’t just call on one person and she makes sure you understand.”

As far as after retiring, Muhly has many things on her agenda including reading, traveling, and going to math conferences. She says she will also practice her piano, which she has been playing since a child. She will have more time to spend with her dogs Tristen and Lucia. She will also have time to visit her children, both of whom do not live in Iowa.

Muhly said, “[I will] miss [my] students and colleagues.” Muhly’s teaching ability and friendly manner has impacted many students throughout the years. Not only impacting students, but leaving a lasting impression on West as a whole.

“I have a great

time with

students!”

Photos by Velarchana Santhana

“She makes [math] easy...and “She’s really energetic..if you she has a fun personality” don’t know the answer,

she doesn’t make you feel bad.”

Savantha Thenuwara ‘13 Alex Choi ‘14

“She is a very humorous teacher. I enjoy being in class with her.

Eleni Katz ‘14

can’t get

ENOUGH

BY KAITLYN MCCURDY

Unless people have decided to live under a rock, it’s no secret that 2011 brought about the end of the Harry Potter franchise. However, 2011 also saw the creation of West High’s Quidditch club, almost as if the students had summoned it by yelling “Accio Quidditch!” from the rooftop. With the exclusion of magic broomsticks and flying balls, students at West may be wondering what exactly goes on at Quidditch meetings. Club members share their personal insight and shed light on unanswered questions.

Q: How would you explain Quidditch to someone who has never heard of it?

Emily Culver, ’14: Basically, people run around on brooms, try to score goals through hula hoops with balls, throw kick balls at each other [to] stop a goal, and chase the Snitch and get their sock.

Q: Why did you get involved with the club?

Mandy Rosse, ’14: I got involved because the series had just ended. Harry Potter is pretty much my entire childhood, and this was a way to continue the magic.

Katie Mons, ’14: I really like Harry Potter, and secondly because it just seemed really cool. Plus, one of my friends [is] in charge of it, so I wanted to support her.

EC: Because my friends started it.

Q: What’s your favorite position to play?

MR: I like to play Keeper because I have asthma and it’s easier on my lungs.

EC: I like to play Beater because you get to throw balls at people.

KM: I really like Chaser, because you get to do a lot.You’re the one running around the field, trying to throw the Quaffle into the hoops. But I also like Beater because you get to throw things at people.

Q: What’s it like to be part of West High Quidditch? What’s your favorite part of being involved with Quidditch?

MR: Best part is being with people who are as obsessed or more obsessed with Harry Potter than I am. I just like hanging with these awesome people, playing the world’s most awesome sport. No big deal.

EC: It’s just a lot of fun to be with the people involved. There’s lots of laughter and goofing off. Best part is the fun people.

KM: [I like to] meet other people that are interested in the same thing.

Q: What typically goes on at Quidditch meetings/practices?

MR: At Quidditch practice, we play Quidditch. It’s kind of self explanatory.

EC: We talk about Harry Potter a lot, play Quidditch, and plan ways to fundraise for t-shirts. [We plan] how to get more people involved.

Q: How can people succeed when playing Quidditch?

MR: Having fun, enjoying the sport and the friends, just trying their best, and loving all the Harry Potter nerdiness flying around.

EC: Just enjoy yourself. Everyone is still learning, so it doesn’t matter if you mess up. It’s not too difficult once you get the hang of it.

KM: It’s a kind of complicated game, so you have to make sure you understand everything. I think that’s the biggest thing, because there are so many complicated rules behind it.

Q: Why should people join Quidditch?

MR: People should join because it’s a lot of fun and Harry Potter is just the greatest thing ever.

“It’s something I always

look forward to.”

- Katie Mons

QUIDDITCH, A HISTORY EC: Because you can meet new people, it’s really fun, and you get exercise as a bonus. Plus Harry Potter is awesome.

KM: It’s something I always look forward to, so I think other people would look forward to it, too.

Q: Are there any negatives in being involved with Quidditch that potential new members should be aware of?

KM: As a team, we really need more people to show up, because there are times where hardly anyone shows up and it’s really hard to get a game going. So, I think that’d be a negative, just people.

Q: What would you tell someone who was on the fence about joining Quidditch?

KM: I think it’s just another great way of getting involved, another extracurricular thing you can do.

There’s a lot of really cool people you can meet.

MR: We are totally awesome people doing a really awesome thing. It’s fun, not too competitive and it’s about the love of the sport and Harry Potter more than anything. So, if you feel like you’ll suck, it doesn’t matter because you’re there and being awesome and trying.

Even if there are no more Harry Potter books to be read or midnight movie premieres to attend, the magic of Harry Potter is still going strong, through things like West’s Quidditch club. If you’re interested in joining, or you just want more information, the club meetings are in room 109 on Thursdays after school, and practices are held at Willow Creek Park.

PHOTOS BY // KAITLYN MCCURDY

top photo (left to right): Emily Culver, Sophie McClatchey ’14, Mandy Rosse second photo: Kate Noel ’14, Mandy Rosse third photo: Kalee Waldron ’14 (not a Quidditch club member), Mandy Rosse bottom photo: Kate Noel, Mandy Rosse, Emily Culver

1997 Harry Potter and the

Philosopher’s Stone is released,

marking the introduction of Quidditch.

2005

Muggle Quidditch begins as intramural league at Middle bury College in Vermont.

2007

Intercollegiate Quidditch Association is established.

2008

14 schools participate in IQA’s Quidditch World Cup.

2010

Intercollegiate Quidditch Association changes their name to International Quidditch Association and becomes a registered nonprofit organization.

2010 46 teams, or 757 athletes,

compete at the 4th annual

Quidditch World Cup. Quidditch

teams are divided into 3 types:

high school, collegiate, and community. The World

Cup names a college and a high

school champion.

By: Gage Van Dyke

The Evolution of Fashion: A rollercoaster ride through the past decades fashion trends.

Women were loosening their belts in the 60s.

Literally. The over-blouse became more fashionable and the waistline dropped, in contrast to the 50s tight upper body and high waistline for pants and skirts.

70s

Perms for men? Indeed.

During the 80s, the fashion began a detour through new experimental fashion, which included faded, mauled jeans, crazy hair, THE MULLET, and well, the whole “head-banging” scene began to take place everywhere.

The Trends Over The Ages

60s Nylon was one of the few fabrics after the economy’s expansion after World War II that became incredibly popular due to it’s dripdry capabilities.

50s

In the years between 1970 and 1980, a new force of nature had strangled society. The disco era, where platform boots and bellbottoms became a commodity.

80s

90s Elvis would be proud. During the 1990s, the generations living in it adopted sideburns thanks to popular shows such as 90210. Oh, and don’t forget the bleached hair.

Fashion provides a true unity for humanity, a statement that is molded and shaped into whatever we want. Through its highs and lows, it’s a piece of art constantly in the making. Fashion’s history stretches so far that not all people have the fortune of witnessing some of the classics such as the poodle skirts and Hawaiian shirts from the 50s, or the miniskirts and go go boots of the 60s, and the notorious track suits of the 70s. And seeing how timely fashion is, who better to talk about it to than the West High teachers?

History teacher Megan Johnson said that while she was in high school, class of 2005, that the trend was the bigger the better.

“Bell bottoms and big jeans were a big trend,” she said. “Whatever was the trend, everybody followed it.”

Modern day fashion is evolving monthly, with a new trend rising up ever so often that the mainstream media publicizes it and puts its “everybody-whose-somebody-needs-it” stamp on it. Unlike fantasized modern fashion that is shown in movies of past times that believe it will all look robotic or bland and simple (i.e. Blade Runner), society is ticking back it’s fashion clock to the 50’s, 60’s and even 70’s. On the contrary, Mrs. Witthoft, English teacher, told that we shouldn’t tick our clocks back too much.

How ‘Bout Them Trends: Then and Now

Before bug-eyed glasses, there were the cat-eye glasses that were increasingly popular during the 1950s and 60s.

Like the “cat” glasses, modern day aviators are increasingly popular but the occasional fashionista who showcase a pair of cat eye glasses is not alien.

“We wore scrunchies, ripped tshirts, and leg warmers ,” Witthoft said. “The 80’s didn’t exactly have longevity.”

But with today’s fashion, we are not so much concerned about making NEW statements, but remembering the great icons of the past centuries, like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe or even movies like Grease.

What is even more relevant nowadays is the hipster trend, where taking advice from classic 70’s clothing and putting a modern twist on it is nothing new but is also inspired and unique.

With current fashion recycling ideas of the past, will we, in some way, keep regressing away from new fashion or keep never-before-scene ideas from coming to life?

“I think there is more acceptance, diversity, and more options to choose from (in fashion),” Witthoft said.

The Moon Boots that were first pioneered in the 70s were greatly publicized during the 80s.

Present day UGGs are the equivelant of the 80s Moon Boots. UGGs were actually made to be in-house shoes.

Accompanied with the flannel look, the Dr. Marten’s shoes of the 90s were popular among men,

Sperrys, a boat shoe that has really come into style in the last 2 years has taken the mantle as one of the most popular unisex shoes in the past few years.

With society’s incredible creativeness, fashion’s dignity is guaranteed to keep its hold on humanity’s unity.

“Go out for all different activities, you’ll regret it if you don’t,” Alex Grady `14

“If it c an be done l ater, d o it late r,” M atthew

Murry

`14

Are You tI ng tha

n thi i a m one “The ou need to y think e school is ances. Lil h surviv ce. Take c e said it en av confid couldn’t h e Wayn ter!” et any b Kobi

se `14

Ree

“Living up to other peoples expectations” “I was Scott Woodhouse’s little sister” Cyndy Woodhouse, English 10

Surviving?

By: Alyssa Hancock

You sit solmnly, staring at the pile of textbooks in front of you, wondering how much more of this you can take before you crack.

West High students are creeping up on the half way point of the school year. Lost in the midst of tests and homework,Trojans are being slowly overthrown by the overwhelming academic system.

After getting some input on surviving high school from our peers. The students interviewed shared what single piece of advice they would give to the freshmen class to keep them going and to make high school a more enjoyable place to be. As well as advice, they were asked what one thing they need to survive high school, other then the general school supplies. wMany students seem to be at their boiling point. The advantage of upperclassmen is strictly experience. Hopefully these tips will help freshmen to make it through. Not only are some students struggling to stay focused, but teachers are near the middle of their school year also. Hear what some West High teachers struggled with when they were in high school.

What Were Their Struggles?

“[I need] my iPod and friends,”

ed] e n u “[Yo d set of o a go s,” d frien 14

Bailey Bowman `14

h`

N

urt K k ic

“It ge ts better !”

Kate T

horne

`14

“Do all your homework because it could make or break your grade at the end,” “A plan, if you know what “[You need] an after school you want or you have goals activity and a in mind it helps,”

smile,”

Paul Curry `14

Sofia Mendoza `14

“I had a hard time focusing in school. I had a lack of motivation”

“Social acceptence”

“Participating in sports and trying to keep up my studies”

Scott Jaspersen, Social Studies

David Rosenthal, Spanish

Steve Erhen, Geometry

By Megan Jans

W

Top Customers at The Mill eating dinner in the restaurant’s main dining area.

Right Customer and staff member sitting and standing at the bar.

hen you first step inside, the scent of freshly baked pizza immediately wraps around you, and you can hear an Elton John song playing softly from the old-fashioned jukebox in the corner.

Toward the back of the room, behind a door, you can hear the muffled sound of applause and cheers, signaling that there’s a concert going on in the lower level tonight.

And maybe it’s the antique decorations, or the warm lighting, or the fact that the room barely seems large enough to be a restaurant, but the whole place just seems sort of cozy and welcoming.

Welcome to The Mill, a fifty-year old restaurant in downtown Iowa City.

Located on East Burlington, The Mill is a restaurant and bar with a goal “to keep The Mill a special place in Iowa City” and “be a place where excellent people serve excellent food and drinks at a fair price,” according to the restaurant’s website. The restaurant offers pasta, sandwiches, and several kinds of homemade pizzas with several flavors including Taco and Chicken Alfredo.

In June of 2003, the owners of The Mill closed the restaurant. However, those who The Mill had been important to were upset, claiming that The Mill was one of the few restaurants left in Iowa City that was unique or wasn’t part of a chain. Less than two months later, The Mill reopened.

The Mill attracts many performers and hosts concerts played by groups ranging from popular musicians to local unsigned artists.

“The music venue is the best in Iowa City,” one customer said.

In addition to the music, customers commented on what they like best about The Mill.

“The people and the staff,” said Hope Jenkins, a college student who visits The Mill three to four times each week and is close friends with many of The Mill’s employees. Jenkins appreciates other aspects of the restaurant too, including the nighttime atmosphere and the fact that “people who tramp around in high heels don’t come here.”

[

[

The Mill pizza Iowa City

Two male customers claimed that they liked the “ambiance” and atmosphere of the restaurant. “As a bar, it’s a lot quieter,” one of them said. “If I was single, this is a place I’d come to pick up chicks,” the other said.

Several other customers agreed that the overall feel and atmosphere of the restaurant was what they liked about it. “[It’s] very cozy, very comfortable,” one customer said.

“I like the atmosphere a lot. And the music. They bring a lot of good music here. I also like the wood.

And the walls.”

-James, a Mill customer

WHAT’S ON THE MENU? Chicken Curried Salad Sndwich

Mixture of lightly curried chicken, tomato, aioli, minced apple, aromatic vegetables and spices with field greens.

While customers like several aspects of The Mill, they also believe that it has some imperfections.

“It’s not the best place during the day,” Jenkins said, going on to say that the bar sometimes felt a little dreary during the morning and afternoon hours—it’s painted a dark red, after all, and most of the customers don’t arrive until later in the evening.

In addition, customers commented that the focus on the customer isn’t always the best.

“Sometimes the service is kinda slow,” one customer said.

Despite its flaws, The Mill is a unique restaurant with a unique atmosphere, unique food, a unique history, and unique music. And because of this, it is an iconic Iowa City restaurant.

These are some of The Mill’s more distinguishing dishes.

The Peckinpah Pizza

Black bean base with chicken, jalapeños, red onion, red pepper, fresh tomato, cumin and mozzarella.

Mill Lasagna

Homemade Italian sausage lasagna layered with seasoned ricotta cheese and a rich pear tomato sauce.

The Classic Calzone

Homemade Italian sausage, pepperoni, mushroom, and onion with a seasoned ricotta filling.

“This holiday gives me the chance to show the world that I’m [Batman.]”

“My girlfriend and I will be matching”

What Inspires You?

Costume Overview Her costume is made out of her own creations, just putting different items together.

When asked what she wanted to be for Halloween, Payton Knight 13’ simply stated “Batman“ with pride.

He’s the greatest hero ever.” Her costume is made out of her own creations, just putting different items together. But everyone knows Batman can’t be without its trusty sidekick Robin. Knight’s BFF Averi Bryant 14’will be by her side, as a trusty should be. Her favorite part of Halloween is trick-or-treating and purchasing snickers. “This holiday gives me the chance to show the world that I’m [Batman.]”

What Inspires You?

Costume Overview His costume differs from his daily because he dresses casual and laidback.

Well, I love Spiderman. I always say I am Spidey.. Well, because I am! :D

“ I usually dress casual, so this character’s unique dress style will be fun to be in.”

What Inspires You?

Costume Overview His costume will be made of his own creations, clothing from his closet to look similar to those of Mr. Chow.

Brandyn Koogler ’12 dressed as the most common costume seen at West High 101 Dalmations, but his has a spin on it. “My girlfriend and I will be matching”His costume-look differs because he dresses casual and laidback. When asked on his favorite part of Halloween. “It’s when people try to attempt to scare me.”

While interviewing Alec Zamora ’14 I couldn’t stop laughing. His costume, Mr. Chow from Hangover, was so similar to his personality. I could definitely see.his normal look is dressing casual.

His costume will will be made of his own creations, clothing from his closet to look similar to those of Mr. Chow.

His favorite part of Halloween has to be Kit Kats, and dressing different. “ I usually dress casual, so this character’s unique dress style will be fun to be in.”

What Inspires You?

Costume Overview Her costume consists of a spiderman shirt and skinny jeans. Her own little version of Spider-Man.

Chadler Myers 15’is a one of a kind girl. Not only is her style different and unique, her costume is her own creation. When asked her fav part of it all.”My favorite part of Halloween is the weather. It’s so cold and the leaves are crinkling under your cheap tailored costume.”Everything is just really pretty that time of year” Her daily look is mixed with a little punk,rock.cutie Composed of skinny jeans, t-shirts.

“Hot topic is where I shop.”

STARVING FOR LESS We’ve all heard about it, in health and personal development classes, we’ve used the words “anorexic” and “bulimic” as adjectives to describe skinny girls, not really understanding the complexity of the words we were saying, not knowing that eating disorders are the most deadly of all mental illnesses, and aren’t limited to just anorexia and bulimia. “[I can’t stand] how people don’t see [eating disorders] as a mental illness, which is what they really are,” said Hannah*, ‘15, a diagnosed anorexic with bulimic tendencies, who is currently receiving out-patient treatment.

The physical effects of eating disorders can be obvious with severely underweight sufferers, although usually you can’t pick a disordered person out of a crowd. A person with EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified) usually has a fluctuating or maintained weight. “In a year, I’ve lost 100 pounds, and gained 90 of that back,” said a blogger in Tumblr’s “thinspo” community with diagnosed EDNOS. “I lost 30 pounds. “I had starved all my muscle away, my bones stuck out in a disgusting way [...] I looked sick,” said Hannah.

When recovering from an eating disorder, the two main treatment techniques are in patient and out patient treatment. Out patient is coming and going from treatment, treatment including therapy sessions and partial medical observation. In patient treatment is a live-in treatment center where the disordered live at the center for round-the-clock observation for weeks or even months.

“In-patient treatment is so stressful. They wake you up at all hours to take your vitals [...] it’s really not fun,” said Jennifer* , ‘13, a recovered anorexic. Full “cures” for eating disorders can take years to a lifetime, and eating disorders kill 20% of those diagnosed, through health complications or suicide.

In recent years, an epidemic of (mainly) young women have been involved in the “pro-ana” community; short for pro-anorexia. “Pro-ana” is mimicking the symptoms of eating disorders, usually anorexia and bulimia, for weight loss purposes, and (usually starving oneself and justifying it by calling it “anorexia”, thinking of eating disorders as diets, not mental illnesses. “Pro-ana is like saying you’re schizophrenic so people will look at you funny,” said Hannah.

“Pro-ana” has not only led to health complications for those involved, but it has also led to complications in treatment centers with doctors being unable to properly treat true eating disorders because of having to deal with “treating” those participating in pro-ana behaviors, who generally have issues with simply not liking their bodies. In treatment centers, doctors become preoccupied with assuring the “patients” they’re “beautiful”, and “good people”, while people who suffer from actual eating disorders don’t center all of their attention on body image.

The daily life of someone with an eating disorder is a lot different than what one would expect. “My whole life revolved around food, the scale, and my body. I didn’t want to see anyone, just the number on the scale go down,” said Jennifer.

In the height of Hannah’s disorder, it was wake up, work out, avoid food, avoid people, avoid the world. “I didn’t want to deal with anyone. I felt like I didn’t deserve social interactions and [I thought] I disgusted the world,” said Hannah on how her disorder changed her daily life.

What a lot of people don’t understand is that although eating disorders manifest themselves in the department of weight and wanting to be thin, eating disorders go much deeper than simply thinking that you’re fat. “[Eating] isn’t that simple. Eating couldn’t fix the real, underlying problem,” said Hannah*. Often times eating disorders are paired with depression, suicidal thoughts, cutting, Bipolar disorder, and various other mental illnesses, not just the desire to be thin.

“It’s about control,” said Lisa*, ‘14, whose sister suffered from bulimia is 2009, but has since recovered, “I just remember she looked so frail and breakable.”

In one person’s lifetime, an estimated 50,000 people will die from eating disorders. Only 10% of people with eating disorders receive treatment and fully recover. Eating disorders remain the deadliest of all mental illnesses. If you know someone struggling with disordered behavior, or you are yourself, please seek help. “Trust me, get out while you can, I wish I could have,” said Hannah* *=name has been changed.

by Lilly Reitz

photo by win-with-thin.tumblr.com

Eating Disorders

BED - Binge eating disorder. Characterized by eating mass amounts of food in a short period of time, on a semi-regular basis.

Anorexia-The inability to consume food in a safe

and healthy manner. Including but not limited to purging, excessive starvation and excessive exercise. Diagnosed by loss of mensturation for 3+ month, less than 18.5 BMI, and anorexic tendencies.

Bulimia - The disorder of starving, binging and purging

in a cycle. Including but not limited to purging, excessive exercise, binging. Diagnosed by excessive purging underweight to healthy BMI, rotted teeth and raw asophogus, loss of muscle tissue.

EDNOS

-Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

Having unhealthy eating habits, usually a compilation of BED, bulimia and anorexia. Including but not limited to binging, purging, excessive exercise, starvation, while having a healthy bodyweight.

ORTHOREXIA- A disorder in which a person eats

normally, but obsesses over calories and nutritional information as an OCD characteristic. Usually a part of recovery for anroexia and bulimia.

Common Misconceptions

-A disordered person can eat regularlary if they wanted -An anorexic person just needs a burger -If you have an eating disorder, you’re really fat or really skinny -Everyone with Binge Eating Disorder is fat -Everyone with anorexia is an Abercrombie size 0 -Bulimics puke up everything they eat -Eating disorders are all about food and weight -Eating disorders are a girl thing -If you’re disordered, you never eat and exercise all day -

The Social King Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and Google+ if you’re under the age 18 I’m sure you know that they are all social networks. A social network is a place where you can chat with friends, share photos and memories to love ones, share your thoughts, and have good time on the web. Did you know 55% of teenagers use social networks sites? But there so many social networks but which one is truly the best? Before we can answer that question we should learn some of the pros and cons of the top social networks today Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and Google+.

Facebook was created by Mark Zurkerberg on February 4, 2004. As of July 2011 Facebook has over 800 million users, it has more users than any other social network. Facebook is open to anybody who at the age of 13 or older.

Pros: You have the ability to catch up with old friends and reconnect with them.

You can keep in touch with friends no matter how far you are physically.

You can keep friends and family members updated on what happening in your life.

It’s the biggest social network.

Cons: The pictures you post can be misused.

You will get bombarded with unwanted friend requests from many unknown people.

Your family members and friends will able to snoop around on what happening in your life at all times.

Twitter enables it users to send, and read textbased posts, known as “tweets”. Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey. Twitter rapidly gained worldwide popularity, with 200 million users as of 2011. It’s one of the most popular social network rights behind Facebook.

Pros: It’s easy to make to new contacts and expand your social circle beyond your friends.

“Tweets”, enjoyed by your followers are often rebroadcasted as re-tweets.

Twitter is also good for business like marketing.

You can keep up with your favorite’s celebrities.

Cons: Twitter has limit of 140 characters you can post as a “tweet”.

Twitter is smaller than Facebook.

Twitter can be narcissistic.

MySpace is a social networking service owned

by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin

Google+ is one of the newer social networks it launched on June 28, 2011 Facebook vs Twitter but only allow for people who was invited to join. But on September 20, Facebook and Twit2011 was open to anybody over the ter are the big two in MySpace is a social networking service owned age of 18. Google+ was created by of social networking so

by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin course Google. Google+ already has i decied to interview Timberlake. MySpace launched in August 2003 over 40 million users as of October students that use faceit’s one of the older social network. MySpace 2011. book and twitter. users have declined steadily, as of August 2011 Pros: Twitter MySpace has over 33 million users.

It’s clean, it’s easy to use, and it’s not Quentin Bindermen Pros: cluttered.

14” You can add all sorts of things to MySpace proGoogle+ has a friend list feature that “I use Twiiter because files. allows it users to sort their friends and its legit, no spams and MySpace is a big network so there a lot of people family into circles. easy to get caught up you can find.

Google+ plus has a feature call with people” MySpace has music and videos you can add to “Hangout” that allow it users to video your site for fee. chats with up to 10 people.

Kerrigan Schatz 14” Cons: “ I use Twitter because There are many things you can do with your Cons: I get free stuff ” MySpace profiles but some options are harder to For now Google+ is only open to find than others. people over the age of 18.

Facebook You may get a lot of people trying to add you Google+ can be noisy.

Imani Williams 15” to their friend list. If you don’t want anybody to Google+ doesn’t have a search engine “I use Facebook to send you messages this could be become a big that allows it users to find the content connect with people.” bother. that their friends are uploading.

There are some slow times when uploading high Daniel Smith 15” graphic pages.

“Facebook is the only I survey over 200 students 95% of them have a social network account network I’m on.” and 5% of them didn’t. I also asked them, what social network do they use? 81% of students chose Facebook as there social network. Twitter got 15% of the votes. Google+ and Myspace didn’t get any votes.

Other social networks got 4% of the votes. The last questions I ask was how long do their on a social network account? 72% said under 30 mins. 26% use their social network account 30 mins to 1 hour. 2% use their account 1 hour to 2 hours.

It look like Facebook is the social network king.

Let’s See How Far We’ve Come Twelve years. That’s how long it’s been. Twelve years since we’ve won the State Championships.

Every year we get closer and closer to it again almost to the point where we can taste it, but first lets take a look at our triumphant team: The West High Trojans. Brian Sauser has been West’s football coach for the past four years along with assistant coach Garrett Hartwig who has been continuously working with the team with three full off-seasons of conditioning getting them ready for this season.

“This group is more confident,” says Sauser, who attributes the team’s confidence, along with their speed and determination, to the improvements we’ve seen in this season, “They are really making sure that all their hard work is paying off ”.Though as Coaches Sauser and Hartwig try to be flexible and really work with the team to figure out what they do best, “The players are on the same page as us [...] they know what they need to do and that makes the biggest difference” says Hartwig, but the players are not new to this. They know the game.

Both Hartwig and Sauser agree that our football team works well together. The players are committed to the game as well as each other while still being able to enjoy themselves and it definitely shows “Offensively and Defensively we are much better this year than we’ve been the last three

2008-2009

2009-2010

Total= 105 Avg= 11.6 Record= 0-9

Total= 189 Avg= 18.9 Record= 3-7

“The Offense is more balanced than it has been in the past”

HOW DO YOU THINK

THE FOOTBALL

TEAM IMPROVED? Photos by//Jessica Duling Evan Weinschenk ‘12

Jessica Shull ‘12

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Photo Courtesy of Adam Canady

Our number one strength is that we are a good team in the sense that we work well together [and] we believe in eachother

}

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If you’re not confident in your own players [then] I don’t think you should probably coach if you don’t think your players can do great things

years” says Sauser. Hartwig recognizes it too saying that the offense and defense have “improved steadily together, [...] when one does well so does the other and when one struggles the other picks it up” says Hartwig. “They’ve put in a lot of work, they are invested in the program [...], and we’ve got good leadership, [athletes] that are competitive and who want to win” says Hartwig.

Overall both coaches are positive and are invested in the team “I don’t know what the point would be if you’re not confident in your own players [...] I don’t think you should probably coach if you don’t think your players can do great things” says Sauser. Both coaches would agree and say that they have accomplished their goals for the season and Sauser claims that you should set goals that are reasonable for the team. Some of the goals set were to win conference, division, the playoff game, and to beat City. Well we achieved most of them so the coaches would say that they have improved “we’ve succeeded, but we’re not done yet, we’re not satisfied” says Hartwig.

2010-2011

2011-2012

Total= 187 Avg= 18.7 Record= 4-6

Total= 493 Avg= 41 Record= 9-3

“The Offense executed plays better and the defense did a better job at controlling and stopping the other team”

“In the past they’ve always had playmakers but, this year they are coming together better as a team” Sawyer Smith ‘12

Ghost Of Holidays Past

By Stephon Berry

Christmas Christmas is a bit of a different story because Catholicism is such a hugely recognized force throughout the world. This allows for more peoples knowledge of what may be the biggest holiday in Christianity and Catholicism, but still how much do we really know of it’s origins.

Jamie Ellis of the University of Iowa ‘12 believes that we get Christmas from the birth of Jesus, though she was hesitant to say that was the only thing that influences the modern traditions of Christmas, such as the Christmas tree .

“Trying to bring nature into our homes because in the winter everything seems so dead and dormant,” she says, and then strugs “but I’m not sure why we put lights on it.”

Lizann Bolinger of Case Western Reserve University ‘83 was a bit more confident in her answer, telling of her searches for information as a child and her 18 long years of devotion to that Sunday ceremony.

“I celebrate it mostly because it’s a christian holiday.” she says, “it’s supposed to be the day Christ was born.” when asked about the origin of it’s traditions she didn’t have much to say about the Christmas tree but she did say this about Santa “Santa Clause is definitely a pagan figure, based on Saint Nickolas. Who. I believe, was Norwegian.” she says, and then she laughs “And he really did bring you coal if you were bad. He was a very judgemental person.”

Stu Mullins of the University of Iowa ‘89 that’s it’s a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. He not sure if [the story] was altered by all its retellings. As of today’s rendition of the archaic holiday he’s not so sure.

Wi

When asked abou Solstice, they did than that it’s “The tion of the harve of daylight, at le they had lots of s

“We had a wi inner animal and was pretty aweso

“My mom and dad always used We didn’t unders

H

Jamie believes th the Mexican cele the wicken celeb took it and made

Stu doesn’t really than it was a paga

Lizann believes t saints day which spirits come out

Jamie

What’s your favorite holiday?

“My friend made up a “Student Fliff Day”. It’s where you get your student loans and you can finally afford to go out and buy groceries, and go to the movies...ect, But my favorite holiday is Halloween”.

Lizann

What’s your favorite holiday?

“Hmm. I kinda like it when there isn’t a holiday, and a Mayday.” she says it’s because it’s the only holiday whe

How many holidays can you name?

Thanksgivings Day, Halloween, Christmas, St.Patricks Day, Easter Day, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Labor day, My birthday (he he), Memorial Day, Winter and Summer Solstice, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Columbus Day, Spring Break (woo hoo), 4th of July, Talk like a Pirate Day.

How many holidays can you name?

Christmas, Hannukah, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Pr Day, Cinco De Mayo, My birthday (he he), Memorial Flag day, Queen Victoria Day, Labor Day, My brother Columbas Day, Canadian Thanksgiving, V.E Day, All S Sunday.

inter Solstice

ut the holidays original predecessor, The Winter dn’t have as much to say about it’s origin other e celebration of your inner animal it’s a celebraest.” (Jamie), or that it has “the shortest amount east in the northern hemisphere.”(Lizann), but stories.

inter solstice party last year. We dresses as our d went out and howled at the moon [partied]. It ome” says Jamie.

dad got married on the winter solstice, and my to say it was because it has the longest night. stand that when we were little.” laughs Lizann.

Samhain because of Halloween’s ancient roots planted in it. I felt it was necessary to ask about the Festival of Samhain.

Jamie was the ⅓ who knew of Halloween’s relativity to he festival of Samhain an ancient Celtic Celebration of the harvest which is held from October 31- November 1 for some, and Chiefly on November 1st for others. Though when the Irish migrated here they brought their customs of the agricultural seasons with them and thus was born Halloween.

Atraditional Samhain Chant.

Halloween

hat the American Halloween is an adaptation of ebration De Les Mortes (Day of The Dead), and bration of the harvest ,but that we Americans e it into the Halloween we know today.

y know the specifics of Halloweens origin other an thing.

that it’s a pagan holiday which is related to all is one day after the night when all the other (Halloween).

a lot of hype”Lizann laughs, “but when i was a kid I used to love en you can give without thought of recognition or reward.

residents Day, Valentine Day, St.Patricks Day, Easter Day, May l day, The Ide’s of March, D day, Canada day, Independence day, rs birthday (ha ha), Passover, Ramadan, Thanksgiving, Sukaj, Saints Day, Advent, Three Kings Day, Epiphany, Good Friday, Palm

A year of beauty. A year of plenty.

A year of planting. A year of harvest.

A year of forests. A year of healing.

A year of vision. A year of passion.

A year of rebirth.

This year may we renew the earth.

This year may we renew the earth.

Let it begin with each step we take.

And let it begin with each change we make.

And let it begin with each chain we break.

And let it begin every time we awake.

http://cognidissidence.blogspot.com/2010/10/ Stu

What’s your favorite holiday?

“Christmas Eve and Christmas. Making gifts and we make lots of food and watch movies. It’s great when It’s the middle of winter, and there’s nowhere to go.You’re forced to stay inside, and everyone has to take a deep breath.”

How many holidays can you name?

New Years, Christmas, Presidents Day, Halloween, Labor day, July 4th, Columbus Day, Hannukah, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Thanksgivings Day, Flag Day, Veterans Day, May day, Cinco De Mayo, Canadian Thanksgivings, Marti Gras.

The Unknown Killer...

Cyberbullying DOES effect you

Think about this: The girl you see in P.E.? The one who stands alone. The one who gets laughed at.Your best

According to Harford County Examiner perturbing cyberbullying statistics: friend writes her messages on Facebook threatening her life, daily. The guy you sit next to in math? Your boyfriend -Around half of teens have been the victims of Cyberbullying spreads on the Internet he is gay and has STD’s. Cyberbullying doesn’t effect you? Think again...

-Only 1 in 10 teens tell a parent of guardian that they are a victim of Cyberbullying -Fewer than 1 in 5 Cyberbullying incidents are reported to law enforcement When asked how West High handles Cyberbullying, here were some responses: -1 in 10 adolescents or teens have had embarrassing or damaging pictures taken of themselves without their permission, often using cell phone cameras “Technically, there isn’t anything that West can actually do. Since it is off campus, but gossip... We all do it, but -About 1 in 5 teens have posted or sent sexually suggestive or nude pictures of there isn’t much they can do,” said Lilly Reitz ‘15 themselves to others “I’ve never had a personal encounter with Cyberbullying, but i don’t think West High really knows what to do -Girls are somewhat more likely than boys to be involved in Cyberbullying about it,” said Sarah Williams ‘14 Cyberbullying and Technology are increasing at a rapid pace, so if you know of “West High doesn’t handle it too well, they take Cyberbullying just as serious as psychical bullying,” said anyone who has harassed someone or is being harassed, tell a supervisor or an adult Krischen Roberston ‘15 because if they can help, why can’t you?

Cyberbullying is a hackneyed phrase meaning, using the Internet and other sources related, to harm and disrupt peace in a repetitive and hostile comportment. Among teens, cyberbullying is a very popular revenge mechanism. Bullying without computers usually took place at school or other areas where people and kids can play, hangout, or loiter; today cyberbullying can take place day or night at anytime.

Another habitual term that has evolved is “cyberbullicide,” meaning, suicide indirectly or directly influenced by experiences with online aggression. Many teens between the ages of 13-17 have online social networking accounts they check frequently. Cyberbullying can cause anxiety, depression, and even suicide. Once posted on the Internet, posts and comments may never disappear from the Internet... Cyberbullying can appear in many different forms, such as: -Sending crude, mean, and rude comments by messaging, text, etc.

-Spreading rumors -Posting deleterious (harmful) or admonish messages on networking sites or web pages -Stealing a person’s account information to send destructive messages to others -To beguile and impersonate someone else to hurt another person -Taking harsh and unflattering photos of another person and spreading it through text messaging, chat, or posting it on a Website -Sexting or sending out sexually suggestive photographs of another person Surprising? Yeah, too bad this actually happens, everyday, and many children face ridicule, everyday.

A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE The lack of technology was enough to change classroom experience as “some of the computation took much more time,” Muhly said.

There is no denying the fact that humans are becoming more and more advanced in technology, and students often come across people from an older generation struggling to keep up with the changes.

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

“It was difficult [to learn the new technology], because I was not raised with it,” Muhly said, “I think some of [the technology has required students to use their minds] in a different way; more emphasis on story problems—before students can use technology, they have to understand how it is used.”

ANOTHER CHANGE? We are constantly seeing changes in our technology—new kinds of phones, computers, apps, cameras-you name it, are released constantly. Include West High School in this race for more advanced technology, as it is considering the various kinds of updates for its classrooms.

Photo by Hannah Merrill

What Would We Do Without Technology?

Photo by Hannah Merrill

TOO MUCH?

NO TECHNOLOGY? Linda Muhly, an Algebra II Honors teacher at West High School, described this world with ease, as it was a reality to her when she was a student in the same classes that West High students are in now.

A LITTLE EXTRA

The recent death of Steve Jobs serves as a reminder of the vast strides humans have made technologically in a very short period of time; Muhly did not have the choice to graph functions and take the square roots of numbers with a TI-Nspire calculator.

“We were much better at computation,” said Muhly.

Although there were no calculators in class, students could use slide rules as well as special charts and tables. Slide rules were ruler-like devices used to multiply and divide large numbers, as well as complete logarithms. Aside from math class, students used encyclopedias. And not the online encyclopedias that students use now—large books filled with knowledge.

a. Never b. Sometimes c. A lot d. Constantly

If you answered c or d, you are not alone; the temptation for using a calculator can be great.

What about an online translator, or websites instead of books?

a. Never b. Sometimes c. A lot d. Constantly

If you answered c or d to the questions above, going to school the way many of our teachers and parents did would be pretty different.

Is there such thing as too much technology? Do you find yourself pulling your calculator out because you are too lazy to figure a simple problem out?

BY HANNAH MERRILL Imagine a world without a computer available at your fingertips—or the use of a calculator when you forget how to divide simple numbers. And what about the inability to let all your friends know that you just ate a sandwich, via Twitter or Facebook? Or being able to quickly translate a sentence in your foreign language homework on an online translator?

Scary, isn’t it? Surprisingly enough, this world existed not too long ago.

West High School librarian Jim Walden discussed the fact that Iowa City High School already has multiple Smart Boards and document projectors. West High will need to find out how City High likes the new technology before using funding to update its own technology.

How much do you rely on your calculator for simple problems?

Sophie Shoultz ’14, admitted to using her calculator unnecessarily: “I do that all the time,” said Shoultz.

“I think the emphasis has changed” -Linda Muhly

Slide rules were used up until the invention of the calculator. They could do some of the same things

Imagine going from our time back to Muhly’s time—how would you handle that?

“It would be harder than it is now—a lot of people would struggle,” Shoultz said.

From slide rules to calculators, books to Nooks, and encyclopedias to the Internet, we have come a long way since the era of our teachers and parents, technologically and perhaps in the way we use our brains.

calculators can do, however they looked like a ruler with a sliding cursor.

Good Boost out of the Winter Blues Ice Skating- If not on a frozen lake like they did in the olden days then at your local Coral Ridge Mall ice arena. For then after you have a safe skating experience with your friends you can go and warm up by shopping.

Hula Party- Can’t go to Hawaii over winter break? Then bring Hawaii to Iowa, in your own house. Decorate the room with cheap tropical decorations and lais for your guest. Play tropical music with having the cute fruit drinks with the little umbrellas as well.

Spa Day- To be on the affordable side look online for natural facial mask that you can find the ingredients in your own kitchen.

Invite friends to join along in the fun, and don’t be afraid to try it out too guys, real men do facials.

Girls like guys with soft

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, and since we’ve no place to go, Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! Even with those happy holiday songs and joyful snow we don’t always get that ho-ho-ho feeling all the time during the winter season. With the winter weather heading our direction it is most likely that people seem to be feeling low, to a point of almost depressed.

That is normally called seasonal depression for it is when a person is feeling sad, tired, excluded from friends and family,or even simply depressed during this certain time of year. 10-20% more people face this depression during the winter time as stated by Cleveland Clinic. Reasons why it is so high in the winter is for the cold,early dark nights and mainly on the lack of activities during this season compared to summer. That is when instead of the basic ideas such as working out or even having a 100 watt bulb lit directly right on your face as high school students we need more fun activities to do to survive the long winters we have here in Iowa. These ideas can help you get through the winter weather to boost your mood from the winter blues.

By Cat Rebelskey

Fort Building- just like when you were little building a fort not only outside with snow but with all your sheets and blankets in your own living room. With a group of friends you can split into two teams and make it a competition to see who can make the most creative fort in a certain time limit. Let the battle begin!

Movie Night In- One day when its too cold to go outside, bring everyone into a warm house, with warm hot chocolate, popcorn and cookies while you cozy on up on in a warm couch. Not by oneself either with family, friends or even a crush..for a day in with your favorite movies always makes a cold day better.

Hibernation- Even after all these activities don’t be afraid to grab a good book and get nice and cozy in your warm bed and get some well deserve sleep.

They don’t call it hibernation this time of year for nothing.

Where is your favorite place to go sledding at?

“North Ridge Park” Jordan Barber ‘14

“Lincoln Elementary.” Amy Schey ‘13

“Coralville Central Elementary.”

CJ Drew ‘12

Invisible Heros

By Brittani Langland

You see them everyday, but do you really see them? The West High janitors are there cleaning up messes every day, but we don’t really notice. Well here is your chance to get to know them; so you can reconize them.

Ron Melsha

Mike O’Connor

One of the hardest people to track down is Ron Melsha who works the day shift. Melsha feels the day job is much harder than the night job because there isn’t a student during the night. He has been at West for six years and likes to relax in his free time. His advice to the students at West is, “Enjoy high school while you can, because life is hard after it.”

If your looking for the head custodian head to Mike O’Connor. He works during the day but sometimes more. “It’s like my second home,” O’Connor said referring to his busy schedule. He has worked at West for 14 years day and night, but he prefers the day. In his free time O’Connor likes to watch the Hawkeyes and coach his kid’s sports teams.

Guess Which fact matches the janitor

Nathan Lepic

Only 10 years out of high school Nathan Lepic can relate to many students. “I see myself in them,” said Lepic. Being only 27 years old Lepic tries to maintain a clean and secure environment for students and staff.

In his free time Lepic does schoolwork and spends time with friends and family. Lepic does mostly routine maintenance and sports events. The only thing he wants to warn West about is to “Don’t touch the glass.”

FACTS OF JANITORs fact 1 Went to West High fact 2 Has a bipolar dog

A

B

C

fact 3 Went to City High School

Donnie Biengar

Steve Cole

Ben Waterburry

If you want to talk to someone who has been at West the longest talk to Donnie Biengar. He has been at West High for 21 years as a custodian working the night shift. Making the building look clean is his main priority, but in his free time he likes to hunt, fish, and spend time with his family. Biengar helps out with many after school events. When asked about West, Biengar said,” Its like a family here.”

Working in Denver, Colorado, in the medical field was Steve Cole. Now recently moved back to Iowa to be closer to his 6 grown children and his two grandchildren, has been working nights. He has only been here eight months, and isn’t suprised with the job.

Working the night is harder for Cole because Cole said,”I am a morning person.” In his free time Cole likes to

ride his bike. His overall impressin of the job is that, “It gives you time to think,”

When your reading the Press Citizen stop and look for one of your custodians Ben Waterburry’s monthly column. Waterburry is a City High graduate who tries to provide a clean and safe place for visiting people.

Waterburry has been at West High and Van Allen elementary. Saying the only difference he felt was, “West High is a more academic school,” His favorite part of the job is helping students out. “It’s fulfilling,” Waterburry said.

Brian Donohoe

Edy Trigueros

Dario Santos

Working in the freshman wing in the middle shift is Brian Donohoe. Brian enjoys his job and isn’t surprised by it. In his free time Brian likes to spend time with his friends and family, and go to school.

He works hard and his goal is to keep the school clean.

If you asked him what his pet peeve is he would say, “teachers tracking mudd in .”

If you have played basketball, vollleyball, or just ike to hang out in the gym you have probably seen Edy Trigueros. Trigeros works after school and helps with sport events. He trys to keep the school clean and works hard with his job.

“The basketball and volleyball is good at West,” said Trigueros. One of Trigueros’s weird experiences was that he has seen shadows in the library at night.

Dario Santos enjoys his job. Working on the top floor after school Santos says “I prefer the stairs to clean.” In his free time Santos likes to listen to music; mostly soft rock.

Even though he doesn’t speak english well he likes music in english. His last comment for West High was, “Congratulations!”

Referring to the success West High has.

Answers 1. b 2.a 3.c

Practice Safe...

Personal Views of Sexting:

“I think it is dis custing, and I think that anyone who thinks that it is morally correct is idiotic.”

-Chandler Myers ‘15

“It doesn’t even seem that anyone’s doing anything about it [Sextubg if it’s so illegal.” Dionna April ‘13

send message Inbox (1) Sent (1) Drafts

The pose? Is slutty. The photo? A little too racy. The send-y? A cute boy or girl.Yout reputation?... Is ruined.

They say a picture’s worth a thousand words. This one’s worth a million.

Sexting is a new common slang word meaning too, use some form of technology, whether it be Facebook or cellular devices, to distribute pictures or videos, or text messages of sexually charged natures. So in a nutshell, to send exposed photos, or sexual texts or messages from one person to another.Sexting is the new problem with updated technology, although not everyone feels that way.

Although sexting may seem like a shocking new problem that many schools don’t face, it’s there. And many teens see sexting as an easy fix if they are willing to be sexually active, without all the trauma (physical, emotional, and mental,) that sex gives. The truth of sexting is that there are some serious consequences. For one, sexting is illegal in various states, although some states take it more seriously than others. Another reason is that you don’t know where your photos may end up. It could be sent to other people or even end up somewhere on the Internet, which will stay on there forever.

Ashley Blair ‘13 has been through it. “It made me feel weird, like I had no control over it.” Said Blair. Her ex boyfriend has been sending her sext messages for the past year, even after they broke up and he found a new girlfriend. “[I feel] kind of guilty, like I did something wrong... I feel bad for the other person, because I wouldn’t want it happening to me,” said Blair. Her and his current girlfriend are close friends, and her friend knows all about it, yet does nothing. She didn’t even know that it is illegal in some states, including Iowa. Her overall opinion on the entire matter isn’t high. “It’s wrong. If people really want to show off their genitals, they can do it behind closed doors.” Said Blair.

Sext?...

Another photo.

Dionna April ‘13 didn’t even know that it was that serious. “[...] It doesn’t even seem that anyone’s doing anything about it [sexting] if it’s so illegal.” Said April.

Her views are that what happens over the Internet will always stay over the Internet. When I brought up Ashley’s case, “I think the boy wants a type of control over the girl [Ashley.]” Said April. She also thinks that boys play a huge advantage in the game of sexting, by manipulating the girl. “If she tells somebody [...] He can put that back on her.”

Jail time is available as a sort of punishment. If you are 18 years or older, and you have an underage boyfriend or girlfriend, and you send a racy photo of your companion off to one of your friends you can face jail time, or can be put onto a sex offenders list.

Not to mention the consequences that don’t deal with the law or law enforcements There are reports of teenagers committing suicide over a nude or semi-nude photo getting leaked at their school or to their friends or even their family members. Not to mention the fact that Hollywood stars, like Vanessa Hudgens, who have sent nude photos to their partners and had it leaked to the press. Which makes sexting seem cool because famous people do it as well.

Now to most of you, it’s probably just a harmless carefree technology based way to flirt, but to others it can be their own personal death sentence. It’s also considered child pornography if you are under the age of 18, which is very much illegal.

Contact the authorities, parentals, school supervisors, or a teen help hotline.

Ashley Blair ‘13