2015-02-13

westsidestory iowa iowacity citywest westhigh highschool school 2901 2901melrose melroseave. ave. iowa iowacity, city,IA IA52246 52246 wsspaper.com wsspaper.com Volume Volume46 46issue issue34 february february13, 13,2015 2015

A DEFICIENCY

IN PROFICIENCY WSS examines the differences in achievement among different groups of students.

pages 22-25

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Senior Grace Tafolla drives into the lane during the game against Cedar Rapids Kennedy on Jan. 30. She had ten points and four rebounds.

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Photo by Madie Miller

PROFILES 16-17 Feature |10-11| CONTINEnTAL COURAGE | | Pump it Up-Date WSS investigates the ramifications that the new Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act will have on the coffee shop, Pump It Up!

Abby Walling ’15, Robert Walling ’18 and science teacher Carolyn Walling have been to all seven continents. Take a look at some of their favorite memories from their trips.

ENTERTAINMENT |28-29| TAYLOR TAKEOVER

For more coverage visit

|38-39| ASPORTS look into Poms

The poms team went to Florida to compete in the national competition. See how they did, and what changes to the team they have made.

How much do you think you know about Taylor Swift? Read about students’ reactions to the famous singer.

wsspaper.com

wss staff

cover By Madie Miller

Aaron Carter Sports Editor Akash Borde Editorials Editor Allie Biscupski Writer Avery Smith Videographer Barbara Badovinac Videographer Benjamin Bliven Writer Braedyn Dochterman Artist Brittani Langland Editor-in-chief Cameron Cook Writer Chanel Vidal Photographer Claire Murray Designer Consuelo Mendoza Writer Christina Dai Writer Danetta Dobre Writer Ebony McKeever Writer Eleanor Ho Writer Eugenia Chen Assistant Design Editor Gabby Skopec Sidebar/Sports Editor Hannah Song Artist Isabelle Robles Copy Editor Jaycie Weathers Design Editor

Jiung Jung Writer Kai Gui Web Programmer Katarina Fuhrmeister Designer Katie Peplow Feature Editor Kelsey Keranen Artist, Columns/Copy Editor Lauren Knudson Profiles/Web Editor Layla Hannaford Videographer Leola Eko Writer Lexi Shaffer Writer Lily Westemeyer Designer, Writer Lushia Anson Copy/Web Editor Madie Miller Photo Editor Maggie Terry Writer Mary Mondanaro Photographer McKenna Harris Designer

2 TaBle of contents FEBRUARY 2015 wsspaper.com

Megumi Kitamoto Managing/Social Media Editor Michael Moonjely Entertainment Editor Miriam Perez Photographer Morgan Schmitt-Morris Designer Nick Deerberg Photographer Olivia Read News Editor Ryo Ohashi Designer, Writer Paige Brazina Photographer Sara Whittaker Adviser Schyler Davis Tech support Shanthi Chackalackal Artist, Writer Sharon Xiang Archivist, Circulation Manager Simran Sarin Assistant Design Editor Taylor Libby Designer Zayetzy Luna Business Editor

FEBRUARY

for more

coverage visit

wsspaper.com comic of the week Comic by Braedyn Dochterman Check out a new comic every Wednesday.

WEST HIGH SCHOOL DANCE MARATHON

Photos by Brittani Langland

Dance Marathon is an organization that supports children and their families battling pediatric cancer at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. West High held its own third annual mini Dance Marathon on Jan. 18. During the event, participants danced, listened to speakers and did other activities for 5 straight hours. In order to participate in the West High School Dance Marathon (WHSDM), each participant had to raise a minimum of 50 dollars. Other fundraising events were held throughout the year to contribute as well. WHSDM ended up raising over 67,837 dollars.

OSCAR REVIEWS WSS reviews the Academy Award nominees for best picture, including “Birdman,” “Boyhood,” “The Theory of Everything,” “The Imitation Game,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “Selma,” “Whiplash” and “American Sniper.”

Photo by Lushia Anson

Making of S.P.I.T. Comedy directors Ryan Bozer and Jenna Choi and drama directors Ryan Hansen and Olivia Sheff take you behind the scenes of Students Producing Innovative Theatre, also known as S.P.I.T. The four directors discuss the process of putting together the two student-produced plays which took place on Jan. 15 and 16.

DESIGN BY KAI GUI

Photo by Allie Biscupski

globetrotters

South African native Senéad Short ’15 kicked off the Globetrotters Club with milk tart, a traditional South African dish, and the question “What do you think of when you think of South Africa?” Globetrotters meets Thursdays at 2:30 in room 135. wsspaper.com FEBRUARY 2015 WEB 3

NEWS TWITTER TALK: COMPilED by CHristina DAI

Q: What is the weirdest Valentine’s Day gift you’ve ever received?

LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL LAWSUIT North Liberty’s new high school building could be delayed because of a lawsuit made by a homeowner.

The lawsuit was made due to the fact that the City of North Liberty wanted to run water and sewage lines through their land. The land owner is concerned, because he doesn’t want the sewer lines to disturb his land, according to Steve Murley, Super-

intendent of Schools. “The lawsuit doesn’t have anything to do with the district directly. It is between the City, and the land owner. The city would want to try to make a deal with the land owner, however if a deal can’t be made, it could delay a whole construction season, causing the school’s date to be delayed a whole year,” said Murley.

COMPilED by BENJAMIN BLIVEN

WEST ALUMNI GETS PUBLISHED

BY THE NUMBERS

On Jan. 29, Praire Lights bookstore in downtown Iowa City was graced with the presence of author Tim Johnston, an Iowa City native.

Johnston, who was a West High School graduate, is an up-and-coming novelist, having published already one novel and a collection of short stories.

Lately, however, he has been surrounded by a perpetual cloud of buzz since the release of his novel Descent.

Descent tells the story of a family and

their search for answers after the disappearance of their eighteen-yearold daughter, Caitlin, and has been reviewed by such publications as The Washington Post and Publishers Weekly. The novel has been heralded as being akin to Gone Girl and has been awarded praise by popular nonfiction author Mary Roach. To learn more about Tim Johnston and his novels, you can find his information at timjohnston.net.

COMPilED by Kelsey Keranen

COMPilED by CHRISTINA DAI

9 2 67,837

seniors selected as Presidential Scholars

snow days at press time

dollars raised at the 2015 West High School Dance Marathon

DANCE FOR HUMANITY “The event is a wonderful night of dancing and fun. Everyone in the community is invited to join us. Every year the event is a lot of fun and a fantastic opportunity for West and City to give back to our community together.”

- Molly Kuehn ’15

4 News February 2015 wsspaper.com

WEST SIDE WORD: COMPilED by MICHAEL MOONJELY

Anti-stalking (an-tee-stok-ing) (noun) The act of learning someone’s routine to systematically avoid them.

Austin: Ever since our breakup, I’ve been anti-stalking Anna.

Katie: You are so dramatic.

COMPilED by Olivia Read

Dance For Humanity is a fundraiser held by West High 1440 and City High to aid the local Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity. Tickets can be purchased in the commons the week before the event or at the door. The cost is $5 for students and $10 for adults.

When: 7-9 p.m, Feb. 15 Where: Old Brick, 26 East Market Street, Iowa City

DESIGN BY OLIVIA READ

What

in the

W

Dallas, Texas: A lock of President Abraham Lincoln’s hair was sold at an auction for $25,000.

Source: Fox News

San Francisco, California: The San Francisco zoo is selling roaches and scorpions for Valentine’s day and is suggesting that you name them after your “low-life ex.”

Source: LA Times

Florida, U.S.A: A 17-year-old was arrested after he posed as a doctor at a West Palm Beach hospital for about a month, although he never had access to patient care areas or had any contact with patients.

Source: ABC News

RLD? The United Kingdom: The world’s largest tomato is now being sold in the UK. The Gigantomo can grow up to 3 lbs and 10 inches wide, which is 11 times the size of the average tomato.

Source: Daily Mail

France: A French court has banned parents from naming their children “Nutella” after several couples tried to do so. It was stated that it would not be ‘in the best interest of the child’ to be named Nutella because of risk of abuse.

Source: BBC COMPilED by gabby skopec

Next year’s school calendar will be a little different. By law, schools must get waivers to start before the week after Labor Day, but the ICCSD has consistently used this waiver to start around mid-August and end at the start of June. However, according to Principal Jerry Arganbright, this rule appears to be changing as a result of the governor and others’ decisions that economics and tourism would be better off with a later start date. “[The state of Iowa and others] have felt that starting school in August detracts from people spending money on tourist purposes, and probably the most predominant topic on this has been the state fair,” Arganbright said.

“Now the executive director of the Department of Education, Brad Buck,

has sent a letter to all school districts stating that the waivers would no longer be automatically granted. They would only be granted under, I think the terminology was, ‘exceptional educational impact on the school district and its students.’”

However, this change won’t just affect students.

“We try to align our calendar with the University of Iowa because we have so many families connected there, in one way or another. This would make it much more disparate from the standpoint of how the calendars fit together,” Arganbright said.

Students may be excited to have the entire month of August free of school, but since school will be starting around Sept. 1, it will end around mid-June.

“My own personal presumption is that it’s going to be very difficult to get a waiver. The last day of school would be something like June 15, which is really kind of hard to process given all the things people do in June with camps and all sorts of things people have planned. It could be a real conflict, but the calendar committee, the Superintendent and the school

COMPilED by Eleanor Ho, Danetta Dobre and olivia reAd DESIGN BY MORGAN SCHMITT-MORRIS

board will be talking about this,” Arganbright said.

Although this new scheduling may conflict with many students’ and families’ plans across Iowa, it may ease the start of the school year.

“There’s always a perception that August is one of the hotter months and so the flip side of that is that we would not be in school until Sept. 1, which by then usually those heated days are behind us. The other discussion about that is that sometimes there are people who aren’t around in late August.

There’s a perception that by Sept. 1 our kids will be here ready to enter school,” Arganbright said.

As of Feb. 4, a new Senate bill called Senate Study Bill 1058 has been approved and is heading to the Iowa Senate Education Committee. It appears that this bill will be passed so individual school districts can again obtain waivers.

“The district is working on some options at this point for next year’s calendar,” Arganbright said.

“Something should be confirmed in a few weeks.”

Unconfirmed

Rumor Buster

IOWA City Community School District to start school later

wsspaper.com February 2015 NEWS 5

NEWS

ARE YOU

SAD?

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern. The West Side Story investigates what is involved in the disease and how it affects students at West.

by LAUREN KNUDSON & MAGGIE TERRY

knudson.lauren@wsspaper.com & terry.maggie@wsspaper.com SAD is more than just being “down in the blues” because of a We are all familiar with the falling lack of light. It is a serious issue temperatures in Iowa during the that affects lots of people including winter months. According to Dr. some at West.

Annie Belding ’15 says she Fiedorowicz, warm temperatures experiences SAD in the late aren’t the only thing lacking in summer and winter. winter as one out of “It is definitely 20 teens deal with a something that affects me decrease in mood due both during the summer to Seasonal Affective and during the winter Disorder. like deep into the months Seasonal Affective of both; normally like Disorder, or SAD, is late July, early August a depressive disorder that impacts people Annie Belding ’15 and then January and February.” generally in the fall and SAD often affects school winter, according to Dr. Fiedorowicz, a professor and performance.

“In draining one’s energy, interest researcher at the University of and motivation, depression can Iowa, “SAD is a major depressive disorder that follows a seasonal make it more difficult, sometimes pattern in its onset and course, much more difficult, to complete typically with symptoms present in daily activities and engage with others. Those with depression winter.”

“A Major Depressive Disorder often report feeling a need to is a medical syndrome or cluster push themselves hard to complete or symptoms that tend to occur activities and may limit their together, potentially impacting activities to only the most essential mood, motivation, interest, activities of each day,” Fiedorowicz appetite, energy and sleep. This said.

Belding experiences the lack of syndrome tends to be persistent motivation first hand. and can impact one’s ability to “In the winter [I have] a really function in relationships, school, hard time getting out of bed in or work,” said Dr. Fiedorowicz.

WHAT IS SAD?

6 NEWS FEBRUARY 2015 wsspaper.com

the morning, especially when it is dark outside and the days feel that much shorter,” she said, “That’s something that really gets to me and I feel very unmotivated.”

SAD can also lead to a lack of

interest in activities and reluctance to engage socially with others, causing people who suffer from it to isolate themselves. This can put a strain on relationships and make it more difficult for a person to seek

sYMPTOMS Difficulty focusing on things Loss of interest in activities Sleeping too much or too little Sudden change in weight or appetite Thinking about death or suicide Feeling sad for no identifiable reason for more than two weeks Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness Avoiding social situations or isolating oneself DESIGN BY SIMRAN SARIN

treatment. Another reason many people don’t seek treatment is because they think they should just be able to shake it off. However, it is

general sadness that those without depression experience,” Fiedorowicz said. Belding thinks that more people need to be

““S.A.D is a major depressive disorder that follows a seasonal pattern in its onset and course, typically with symptoms present -Dr. Fiedorowicz in winter.”” depression and should not be taken lightly.

“Major depression is no more likely to be shaken off than any other medical condition. It’s not like shaking off the more

informed about SAD in order to seek treatment.

“I think a lot more people suffer from it [SAD] because people don’t even know they could be suffering from it,” she said.

pOSSIBLE tREATMENTS Light box therapy

This is a box that produces a light similar to sunlight.

Treatment typically consists of sitting in front of it for about an hour a day.

It is considered the safest and most effective treatment for SAD.

Antidepressants

These can be used for regular depression as well and must be prescribed by a doctor.

They are generally effective, though it can take time to get a correct dosage.

There are more side effects associated with antidepressants than other forms of treatment.

Therapy

Generally successful in treating SAD, but usually used along with some other form of treatment to be effective.

This usually involves a regular appointment to talk with a licenced therapist.

Fast Facts SAD accounts for about 20 percent of depression cases The farther away from the equator you live, the higher your risk of developing SAD

The highest risk group is women between the ages 15 and 55 The worst months are generally January and February Light box therapy is considered one of the most effective medical treatments with the least side effects Sources: mayoclinic.org, webmd.com, nlm.nih.gov When people do seek treatment, there are several different options.

“There exist a variety of treatments for depression, including ‘talk therapy’ or psychotherapy, education and support, nutritional therapy, exercise, and medications.

Each treatment works for some, but not all, who receive it and approximately doubles the

likelihood of recovering from the depression,” Fiedorowicz said. It is very important to seek treatment.

Belding has tried several techniques to try to improve her symptoms. “Waking up in the morning, I try to play … cheerful music and get up slowly, but [I] turn on lots of lights to really wake me up,” she said.

THINK YOU HAVE S.A.D.?

SAD and major depression disorder are treatable illnesses with the correct treatment. “If these symptoms are impacting the quality of your life or your function, talk with a trusted adult and consider seeking treatment,” recommends Fiedorowicz. “If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, please encourage them to reach out for help and to seek one of these effective treatments.

Depression is a serious illness that can impact function, sometimes dramatically, and working with

someone who can make a clinical assessment, provide any necessary treatments and monitor the effects of various treatments is useful.”

Belding also recommends trying to keep everything in perspective.

“Tell yourself that there is an end to it. We’re really fortunate because we live in a place where the seasons change,” she said. “Don’t feel like you’re stuck and just keep working … because there will always be a good outcome if you work hard and don’t slack off.”

wsspaper.com FEBRUARY 2015 NEWS 7

PROFILES

1 2000

in

Daniel Burgess ’18

by AVERY SMITH

smith.avery@wsspaper.com We all have physical features that catch the eye of strangers. Daniel Burgess ’18 has a more unique one.

“When I was 9, I happened to be in my dad’s university class and saw one of his students with this rat tail. I thought it looked pretty cool and I’ve had it ever since.”

But there’s a lot more to Burgess than a hairstyle. Like many, he is driven to compete in the activities he does, starting with music.

“I predominantly play three instruments: violin, piano and recently I picked up the guitar.” Burgess has played violin for 8 years, piano for 10 years, and started playing guitar in the past couple years. He plays violin in concert orchestra and plays guitar with the Jazz Ensemble.

“I’ve been in four competitions and

8 PROFILES february 2015 wsspaper.com

placed well in all of them,” Burgess said. “I’ve competed once for violin and three times for piano.” Burgess placed first in a competition hosted by the Iowa State Fair and second place in the National Star Artist competition on piano, along with a few honorable mentions in smaller competitions.

Burgess doesn’t find motivation to improve and compete through his peers, teachers, or parents, but rather through himself.

“I’m motivated by wanting to improve and commit myself as much as possible to what I enjoy.”

Striving for self-improvement reaches out further in Burgess’ life. He recently won the DuPont Challenge, a national mail-in competition hosted

by DuPont, a U.S. based chemical company.

“I was just looking around for contests to enter and stumbled upon this one,” Burgess said. “I wrote a

couple essays, submitted them, [and] ended up winning.”

After the contest, Burgess was approached to use his essays to help write an article for Encyclopedia Britannica.

“Now, DuPont is providing a mentorship program for me to work with a few professors from University of Michigan and University of Washington to help research my ideas.” Burgess could not disclose the topic of his articles and work.

When he’s not working with scientists, Burgess likes spending his family vacation time snowboarding, skiing, and surfing “Every other summer family and I plan go surfing. My favorite places to surf have been South Carolina and Florida.”

For more on Burgess, check wsspaper.com.

PHOTOS BY PAIGE BRAZINA DESIGN BY BARBARA BADOVINAC

Mohamed Nour ’17

by cameron cook

cook.cameron@wsspaper.com When Noelle Jung ’17 moved back to the United States from Korea at the beginning of middle school, she was excited.

“I just wanted to experience new things, a new environment,” Jung said. “And I liked the whole idea of America, a free country [where] you don’t have to study that much.”

Though she was born here in Iowa, Jung and her family moved to Seoul, South Korea when she was only five years old, where she started school.

Elementary school in Korea is similar to that in the U.S., but the more advanced schooling is different; the grading system in Korean middle and high schools is based more heavily on test scores than it is here in Iowa. The food served at school is also very different compared to that in Korea.

“School lunch is much better in Korea than here. The first time I came here I thought the school lunch was awesome because they were giving out what in Korea is considered ‘bad’, like snacks, so I [thought], ‘Awesome, I don’t have to eat healthy food,’” Jung said.

“But after a couple weeks I started growing sick of it.”

Although Jung has moved to and from Korea twice, she hasn’t moved as much as the rest of her immediate family, who have moved yet again back to Korea while she stays here to finish high school. Jung is currently living with another family, a suggestion

made by one of her mother’s close friends.

“The mom is an acquaintance of my mom. My mom’s really close friend introduced her and said maybe it’s a good idea for [me] to live there,” Jung said. “She’s really nice, and she tries really hard to make it a good environment. She always asks me what I’m studying, or if I need anything, or brings me snacks.”

Despite the challenges of living away from her family, Jung has lots of support from her friends.

“She’s doing well. I mean, if I did it, I’d probably be missing my family a lot. She seems fine so far,” said Sarah Chou ’16, Jung’s friend.

“I know she’s probably going to be missing her family, which will be hard, what with calling and the time difference and finding time to communicate with them.”

Jung does miss her family.

However, she manages to keep a positive attitude.

“Whenever people [ask me] if I’m sad that my family’s not here, I say that I don’t really have time to grieve over that, with all the work I have,” Jung said. “But, before I go to sleep, I think of them a lot, and I do get sad.”

Jung will likely be visiting Korea as frequently as she can, though she doesn’t want to move back.

“It’s a good place to have fun, but it’s not a good place for me to thrive because they have a lot of conservative ideas,” Jung said.

“They’re not very open about differences; they want unity, and that’s not really my thing.”

by jiung jung

jung.jiung@wsspaper.com It’s a hot summer day. People are at the pool, traveling or just kicking back and enjoying summer vacation. However, for Mohamed Nour ’17, the ideal destination for the day is the Iowa City skatepark. Upon his arrival at the skatepark, confused looks are exchanged across the skatepark due to Nour’s relatively “preppy” outfit. The hesitance to accept the out-of-the-ordinary skateboarder are soon resolved after they see Nour skate.

“People usually don’t think I skate because of the way I dress,” Nour said.

Although he does not dress like his fellow skateboarders, he holds his own at the park.

“At West, many people consider me the best skateboarder for my age,” Nour said.

Nour’s passion to start skateboarding began during the summer of 2011, where he first saw a video clip of Rodney Mullen, a professional skateboarder.

“I saw one of his videos and thought, ‘Wow! That’s pretty cool.’ Then my friends Demitri and Stanley and I decided to start skating,” Nour said. “I got a cheap skateboard from Walmart, then after that I just fell in love with it.”

His passion for skateboarding has developed and his hard work has paid off. During the summer of 2013, Nour competed in the “Free-For-All” skate competition in Richmond, Virginia and

received third place in the advanced division.

“It was really fun,” Nour said.

“I got a free deck, which is the wooden part of the board, a pair of Adidas skateboarding shoes and a shirt.”

During his years of skating, Nour has only faced one big injury.

“I fractured my ankle one time skating this stair step. From then, I’ve been taking it easier,” Nour said. “Recently, however, I’ve been getting back into the more dangerous stuff.”

Nour’s biggest desire is to go to a prestigious skating camp, Camp Woodward, and raise his skateboarding level to its highest potential. His biggest overall goal as a skateboarder is to be able to ollie a twelve-set stair.

“I went to the camp three years ago, but I didn’t take it seriously back then,” Nour said. “I really want to go back and actually be serious, compete and just get better.”

Above all, Nour loves the individuality of the sport.

“I really feel that during skateboarding you become one with the board,” said Nour. “You can just be yourself and don’t ever have to worry about depending on others.”

Outside of skateboarding, Nour enjoys cruising around on his cruiser board, playing trombone and hanging out with his friends. “[Mohamed] is a funny guy,” said Connor Hird ’17. “He’s really fun to be around and is probably one of the best skateboarders I know.”

Noelle Jung ’17

wsspaper.com February 2015 Profiles 9

around the

profiles

world

with the wallings COMPilED by megumi kitamoto

Cambodia and Laos, Asia

Science teacher Carolyn Walling and her children, Abby Walling ’15 and Robert Walling ’18 have traveled to all seven continents. WSS asked them about their experiences traveling around the world.

Galápagos, Ecuador, South America

“

photos COURTESY OF the wallings

10 profiles february 2014 wsspaper.com

This picture was from the Galápagos, when we went hiking up the island so we could see out across the Galápagos.

It was really cool.”

-Robert Walling ’18

“My favorite travel memory was the first time we stepped onto Antarctica, because we had to kiss the ground to make it official, and that was pretty fun to know that I have officially been to seven continents.”-Abby Walling ’15

africa

Antarctica Table Mountain, South Africa Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria

Germany, Europe

“I thought Australia was going to be flat and gray, but it was very mountainous and colorful, and there was so much life there.”

-Carolyn Walling

Australia

DESIGN BY eugenia Chen

FEATURE STUDENTS REACT:

WINTER STORM

After eleven inches of snow, students enjoyed their second cancellation this school year on Monday, Feb. 2. The ICCSD canceled school five times last year, so there is still a chance of snowfall or dangerously cold temperatures this current season. Some students are elated that the ground is covered, while others are impatiently waiting for warmer weather; but most will agree that there are few things more beautiful than the world outside right now.

“The way the snow collects on every little branch is so picturesque. It’s not fun to drive in, but it’s fun to look at.”

-Nada Ibrahim ‘16

“The storm was so crazy; the snow just kept coming.

The snow is so pretty for taking photos. It’s freezing, but you’re not out there for too long.”

-Taylor Kass‘16 12 feature FEBRUARY 2015 wsspaper.com

“The roads were so bad it seemed

like the people who clear the roads took the day off.”

-Tyler Herring ‘15

“It’s so cold out, but so pretty. It’s not too bad with the sun.”

-Megan Herring ‘18

SOCIAL MEDIA

BLIZZARD #WSSWINTER

design/compiled/photos by madie miller

Students take to social media to express their excitement on the storm and share photos.

wsspaper.com february 2015 feature 13

14 Ads FEBRUARY 2015 wsspaper.com

MISSED

CONNECTIONS In honor of Valentine’s Day, WSS asked students about their unsaid feelings.

Pining over you in our previous classes together; it was the highlight of my day to get to talk to you because your quiet demeanor, yet friendly smile drew me to you. Maybe I’ll get the courage to ask you out or something, I mean, it’s senior year, who knows!

You make going to work a lot better; you're so funny and sweet. Wish it were me you were flirting with instead of the other girls. We should hang out sometime :)

Yo GTC gurl yo dank bottom fine as the seven seas.

You are dashing in sweats, head to toe. My spotter in gym, to and fro.

Can we go on a date? Or is that a no? :( XOXO Quadzilla <3

Hey there, boy. You watch Hannah Montana?

Because you remind me of Hottie Lomattie (with a swimmers body) and I would love to take a dive with you. Hmu in SPANISH sometime ;)

COMPilED by Christina Dai AND Kelsey Keranen DESIGN BY MORGAN SCHMITT-MORRIS

You didn't insta my homecoming proposal. It's been 4 months, but some wounds never heal. My only question is... why?

I see you every day in class... The way you handle that flask, the way you rock those goggles, the way you boil that water. It turns my hot plate 0-10 real fast. I think we’d have a lot of chemistry together (AP of course).

If only I could talk to you without knocking over a beaker...

wsspaper.com FEBRUARY 2015 FEATURE 15

P UM ITUP!

P

by Allie biscupski and Danetta dobre biscupski.allie@wsspaper.com dobre.danetta@wsspaper.com 16 feature february 2015 wsspaper.com

DESIGN BY KATARINA FUHRMEISTER

West High’s coffee shop, Pump It Up!, was recently hit with the new restrictions of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.

THE ACT If you drink Pump It Up!’s iced coffee to caffeinate for the school day, you’ll need to head to the shop before 8 a.m. Due to Michelle Obama’s newly enacted Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, Pump It Up! is no longer permitted to sell iced coffee. This is the first in a number of restrictions the new act will implement, according to employee Kiana Wilson ’15.

“Eventually, we aren’t going to be able to sell anything that has a certain amount of sugar in it.

So we’re [phasing out unhealthy foods], starting with iced coffee.

We won’t be able to sell hot cocoa, skinny pop [or] suckers,” Wilson said. “They [The Iowa City Community School District] a list of requirements. The food [inspectors] are coming in March to inspect the school and if anything is off then the district has to pay a fine until they change it.”

Business teacher and Pump It Up! CEO and founder Diane Fickel assures that the changes will

Kiana Wilson ’15

be limited to the product line.

“Nothing will change except what we’re making,” Fickel said. “I’ve already noticed that in the last few days our revenue stream has stayed the same, so it’s not affecting our revenue. Kids are adjusting as we are and so is the faculty,” Fickel said.

Pump It Up! is now serving daily treats such as crispy rice treats in order to stay in compliance with the new guidelines.

While the coffee shop will not be as affected as originally thought, employee Kylie Fahrenkrug ’15 still finds the changes irritating.

“It’s just frustrating for us because it’s not like [Pump it Up! is] a bad thing. It’s a neat experience to work in here and it’s frustrating when people try to take it away from us,” Fahrenkrug said.

Pump It Up! regular Jaxon Klosterman ’17 also does not like the new changes.

“First, I was disappointed, because in the middle of the day I

Kylie Fahrenkrug ’15

look forward to a little something different than water. I understand the act, but kids are going to eat bad food no matter what; they’ll just find a different way to get it,” Klosterman said. “It will benefit the health of West High, but the money used to support [the Business Partners of America] will have to be found elsewhere instead of being raised at our own school.”

The shop had humble beginnings since its start in 2010 and has grown since.

“Five years ago … I noticed that there was a need for a service like [the coffee shop] at school. Any business starts because there [is] a niche to fill and I was noticing that a lot of kids were bringing Java House and Starbucks coffee to class ... So I wrote a business plan and I got some funding from Dr. Arganbright for start-up costs, a small amount of money in support of the plan, and kicked off the coffee shop,” Fickel said. “It really

Diane Fickel, Business Teacher

started because there was a need… to provide students and business students an opportunity to see what it’s like to run a business firsthand.”

When Erin Taber ’15 first started working in Pump It Up! as a sophomore, the shop did not sell iced coffee.

“It was basically just hot chocolate,” Taber said. “The daily treats were sort of a thing, but not to the extent that they are now and we just didn’t have that much variety of product. It’s really grown a lot in that aspect, but also just the way it’s seen throughout the school has definitely grown as well. It’s a much bigger deal.”

For the time being, you’ll have to leave a little earlier for iced coffee.

However, according to Wilson, you won’t have to worry about the operation shutting down.

“We won’t close. We will not close.”

Erin Taber ’15

Jaxon Klosterman ’17

PUmp it up! By the numbers

The Restrictions The Healthy, Huger-Free Kids will also affect the foods offered by the school district. They will phase foods out, with some being cut by July 1, 2015. Will your school lunch favorties be cut?

Bagels (whole grain)

COMPilED by allie biscupski

$2 $10 21 $210 $1500 75%

Price of one iced coffee

If you were to buy an iced coffee every day from Pump It Up!, how much of a National BPA trip would you pay for? WSS investigates.

To buy a week’s worth of iced coffee weeks into the school year (at the time of publication) spent on iced coffee since the beginning of the school year

Salveo Southwest Ranch and Tomato Basil Flavored Baked Potato Crisps Whole Grain Choc. Chip Muffins

average cost of a BPA national convention for one student

so...one student who buys an iced coffee every day has paid for of a student’s total cost of one BPA Nationals trip

COMPilED by ALLIE BISCUPSKI

wsspaper.com february 2015 feature 17

FEATURE

THE FIRST TIME I.....

Based on the YouTube-popular “My First Time” tag, the WSS gave underclassmen example-questions of firsts and were asked to share one of their most bizarre autobiographical stories. Here are some of their best answers.

Kevin Hanson ’17 “I had fourth-period American studies with this girl, and my friends encouraged me to ask her to homecoming. But, they all gave me bad ideas of how to ask her” said Kevin Hanson ’17. Some of those ideas involved having friends with t-shirts that collectively spelled “homecoming” while Hanson would be wearing a shirt with a question mark on it, or even put 10,000 dollars in a briefcase. Hanson later turns to his sister for help. When asked, she replied, “You should bake her a cake.

What girl could say ‘no’ to a cake?”

“So,” Hanson said, “we got this Funfetti cake mix, made the cake, then made yellow homemade frosting, and in white wrote “Homecoming 2K13” on top of all of it with a question mark in the middle.”

Hopeful, Hanson had the cake made and was ready to win the girl over.

“My friend went into a class to grab her, but she came out of the class with five of her friends,” Hanson said. Still, that didn’t stop him. “And so I asked her if she wanted to go to homecoming. I remember the words coming out of her mouth - the biggest frown on her face - and her saying that she was going with her friends,” Hanson said.

But then, the unexpected happened.

“She was still going to take the cake,” Hanson said. “And just as she was about to, [my friend] grabs the cake, yells ‘no!’ and runs to his locker!”

One could say that Hanson’s friend stole the show; but he definitly stole the cake.

18 feature february 2015 wsspaper.com

DESIGN BY TAYLOR LIBBY

Sarah Ahmed ’17

Hirsche Henstrom ’17

“It was summer in Texas, and that day we were having a barbecue. I was playing in the streets on my Barbie bike, [wearing my] pink shorts and matching pink Barbie shirt,” said Sarah Ahmed ’17.

Her father insisted upon helping her learn how to ride a bike that day.

“I was trying to show off to my little cousin - she kind of looks up to me. My father helped me ride around in the streets, making sure I wouldn’t fall, but then we were going downhill,” Ahmed said.

Ahmed began to pick up speed, soon near-flying down the hill.

“I looked behind me and my dad had let go of the bike! So, I freaked out.”

But then, Ahmed’s logical thinking kicked in.

“I thought, ‘Well, I’m going to fall any ways, so I might as well just do it’...and so I tipped over and fell.”

The price she paid: a scraped knee, ruined matchingpink Barbie shirt, and a headache from hitting her head on a car tire.

“I didn’t talk to my dad for two days,”

Although many know Hirsche Henstrom ’17 for his abilities on the basketball court, Henstrom is also an active volunteer. Henstrom and his father travelled to Guatemala in the fall of 2013. Henstrom’s father, Douglas is a plastic surgeon at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and visits Guatemala annually for service work.

“My dad decided to take me to Guatemala to help him and the other surgeons on the trip. During the day I would assist the surgeons by handing them instruments and organizing patient information on the computer.”

Henstrom saw firsthand the positive effect he made in the Latin American country.

“It was really cool to see a third world country and the effects of the surgeries.

The main surgeries performed were Microtia, which is where a surgeon sculpts an ear with cartilage from the rib. Another surgery that my dad performed a lot was cleft lip surgery.

“The coolest part of the whole experience was seeing the joy that patients had after their operation.”

As for Henstrom’s future in medicine, he is unsure.

“I have thought about being a doctor. It is definitely not an easy task. I am the first child in my family, so I saw all the school my dad had to go to.” Henstrom said.

Henstrom hopes he will return to Guatemala soon.

“My dad took my younger brother to Guatemala this past September. I think he will take all of my siblings over the next couple of years. I can’t wait to go back.”

Ahmed said jokingly.

PHOTOS BY BRITTANI LANGLAND AND MIRIAM PEREZ COMPilED by Caleb thurman and michael moonjely

wsspaper.com February 2015 Feature19

no

no

Was it about a snow day?

yes

Have you ever tweeted at @iowacityschools?

no

#FTK

yes

no

Are you excited about the new bathrooms?

yes

Have you ever accidentally twinned with a teacher?

Have you ever unironically said “West High Best High?”

STA

Does it take you more than 30 minutes to get out of the parking lot?

yes

no

Did you attend WHSDM?

only because of conformity pressure

Have you attended a school dance?

E

ER H T R

ti me so

no

Do you eat lunch on the floor?

r neve

yes

Design by Brittani Langland

s me

yes

no

yes

Have you ever said “hello” to Dr. Arganbright?

often

How often do you attend sporting events?

COMPilED by Avery Smith and Kelsey keranen

How “West High” are you?

no

yes

yes

Have you ever purchased something from Pump it Up?

no

yes

no

Pump it Up ice coffee literally runs through my veins.

yes

yes

yes

Have you seen a Theater West play or musical?

no

Have you snuck food into the library?

no

Have you ever skipped a pep assembly?

no

Practically Arganbright

yes

Do you pick up your trash at lunch?

yes

Excellence is your tradition

Do you pay attention during advisory announcments?

2 kool 2 kare

no

NEVER! DOWN WITH CONSUMERISM AND INFLATED PRICES!

yes, the WSS staff puts in a lot of work, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m thankful for the sevice they have done for this community

Do you own West High swag?

yes

no

Do you even go here?

no

Do you read every issue of the West Side Story?

no

Have you ever purchased a monster cookie at lunch?

yes, there are no other reasons

PHOTO BY MADIE MILLER

a deficiency in

proficiency

BY AKASH BORDE

borde.akash@wsspaper.com

AND

BY SHANTHI CHACKALACKAL shanthichackalackal@gmail.com

DESIGN BY JAYCIE WEATHERS

“I believe I go to one of the best high schools in the nation, and if there is an achievement gap, then that just contradicts our title.”-Fatima Saeed ’15

Welcome to West High, Where Excellence iS a Tradition (and capitalization is arbitrary.) It is only at the “Best Public High School in Iowa” that musicians have to audition just to qualify for the AllState audition list, that athletes are expected to four-peat at State in basketball and that mathletes don’t have space to display all the trophies they win.

But the #1 ranking doesn’t mean that all the students at West are excelling in class. In fact, some groups of students are performing significantly worse than others. Niche.com’s ranking is based on collecting survey results and averaging standardized test scores. The ranking is, after all, an average— meaning that the scores of poorly performing students can be balanced out by the scores of students who excel. According to studies, this is exactly what is happening at West. … as a public education system, it is something we need to deal with.”

African-American woman can get an A. But for a white student sitting The statistics are staggering: just next to me, it’s expected to [the over 90% of Caucasian students different stories, different teachers] that [the student] is going at West were proficient in math struggles to get an A anyway. Therefore, and reading, while about 55% of The road to academic success is they’re singling me out as an African-Americans were. From not the same for all students. How African-American. Yes, I agree, an economic standpoint, it doesn’t well a student does in you should push people to be more look much better: school is not a simple successful, but it’s just dumb to me about 65% of students function of how much because you’re singling me out.” on free and reduced work he or she puts in.

Amin Elkhalifa ’15 agrees that lunch were deemed Family background, bias occurs. “There is a different proficient, compared socioeconomic status expectation for African-Americans to 85%, the average and race all play a part in from teachers, which has an of all West students determining a student’s important effect on students … who took the Iowa Jeff Conner, science success. it’s kind of like a self-fulfilling Assessments. This data, teacher “My family prophecy.” from seniors taking the moved here These racial exam in 2013 (who attended West from Africa, and we expectations are for at least two years) is the most don’t have the same sometimes a barrier to recent evidence of an achievement resources as people who entry for students. gap that exists nationwide. lived here their whole “When you walk into “The data actually doesn’t lives,” said Fatima Saeed an AP class, you won’t surprise me that much,” said Jeff ’15. “Personally, I have many AfricanMacKenzie Novotny see Conner, physics and chemistry faced racism at West Americans. This might ‘15 teacher.

“This phenomenon High. Some teachers cause them to feel happens all over the country ... we don’t mean to, some teachers do. If uncomfortable and not want to should look at it in our community I get an A on a test, I get a “good take them since they don’t fit in. and see how we can fight against it job” because it’s a surprise that an Stereotypes make people start to believe that they can’t succeed and they eventually give up on themselves. Their expectations are way lower,” said Wala Siddig ’18. of African-Americans However, Siddig noted that are proficient in math race should not be examined in

Black, White, Rich and Poor

55%

*

and reading

Data is from seniors at West High taking the Iowa Assessments in 2013

94%

of Caucasians are proficient in math and reading

isolation.

“Race is a big barrier, but it’s also important to consider socioeconomic status,” she said.

“For example, wealthy people can send their children to educational camps in the summer, while the poor can’t afford it.”

“My parents have definitely “[The achievement gap] is an based therapy and connects at-risk emphasized that doing well in issue that admins need to work on,” students with resources. West High school is very important, especially said Saeed. “ I believe I go to one of also offers an academic coaching if I want to have options the best high schools in program, where administrators, as to what I chose to the nation, and if there counselors and teachers work with do in the future,” said is an achievement gap, students to help them on a weekly Amy Yan ’17. “But I then that just contradicts basis. feel like I put a lot more our title.”

Too little, too late? pressure on myself than West High However, many people believe my parents administrators that educators Do high incomes do on me.” are at work should address the Kai Trepka ‘15 bring high scores?

B y addressing this achievement gap at encouraging disparity. its inception, which is Indeed, race is closely success in school—or “We have a lot of much before students linked to socioeconomic not doing so—parents programs to support atever set foot on West status (SES).

The can greatly influence risk kids,” said assistant High’s campus.

National Center for their children. principal Molly Abraham.

“The achievement gap Education Statistics Amin Elkhalifa ‘15 Yiwen Gao ‘17 “My upbringing is “We don’t target a racial exists before students reports that Africanthe biggest thing that’s group, but we have a lot start kindergarten.

American children influenced my mindset,” of programs for kids that Incoming five-year are three times more said Yiwen Gao ’17. are at risk. Every Monday, olds have different likely to live in poverty “Even in elementary we have a meeting of 20 reading levels and than their Caucasian school, my parents had support staff, guidance different mathematical counterparts. Although high expectations.” counselors, people from backgrounds.

This correlation does not However, success is AEA, special ed teachers gap exists pre-public imply causation, the data not determined by any and myself, where we talk education,” said Molly Abraham, shows that students of one factor. about support we can put assistant principal Conner.

“Dealing Amy Yan ‘17 high SES seem to have “I think officially I’m in place for individual with [the gap] is an advantage, perhaps from the bottom of the kids who are referred to as something that should because their parents are able to medium [socioeconomic status],” having any kind of special happen early, with free afford tools that enhance learning. said MacKenzie Novotny ’15. issue, any kind of barrier.” preschools and extra “I absolutely consider myself Nonetheless, Novotny has been Abraham says West help for people who are privileged,” said Kai Trepka ’16. successful in school.

High identifies atstruggling and come “Economically, my parents make “As long as I do my homework risk students by those from low-affluence enough money to throw to summer as soon as I get home from school meeting at least 3 of the backgrounds.” camps for my brother and me. then it gets done.” Novotny said. following risk factors: Studies do show that Fatima Saeed ’15 Academically, I always had a ton “It doesn’t matter where you come attendance, proficiency it is in the early years of books and strategy-based games from, just study hard and pay on Iowa Assessments, of childhood that around me at home.” attention in class.” failing grades and office referrals. much brain development takes Money is not the only advantage.

However, West High’s size can place, but inequalities at this stage Many families of high SES have Administrative assistance make it difficult to provide support are not irreversible. college graduates who emphasize for all students. “Sometimes I look Addressing the Although students from all ranges the importance of education. at that list and think, ‘Wow, that achievement gap could in turn of the racial and socioeconomic “The encouragement from kid has four risk factors, and I don’t address the societal injustice that my parents to choose which spectrum achieve success in high even know who they are,” Abraham caused it in the first place. Said school, nearly all of them agree that academic subjects to focus on and said.

Conner, “If we could equalize this lawmakers and district officials unrelenting support for this choice In addition, West High has a achievement gap, we could equalize need to reduce the systemic acts as a powerful motivation to student and family advocate, Jamie the income disparity that exists disparities. perform well,” Trepka said.

Schneider, who coordinates school- between these groups.”

87% of students overall are proficient in math and reading

64%$ of students on free or reduced lunch are proficient in math and reading

INFOGRAPHICS BY JAYCIE WEATHERS

*

Data on Asian, Hispanic, Native American and Multi-Racial students was too small to be statistically significant (fewer than 31 students in each category took the test)

ENTERTAINMENT

BRINGING IT BACK

WINTER FASHION

STEPPING BACK IN TIME

VESTS

Vests have made a comeback in 2015 after becoming popular in the mid-1900s and declining in the 1970s. Many students at West are enjoying this warm trend.

Duck boots, Birkenstock sandals and New Balance sneakers are just a few of the reaprearing trends of shoes that are stepping their way back through the doors of West High.

Annie Peterson ’16 Bennett Luethje ’15

Hannah Kim ’16

Megan Donahoe ’15

Avery Kout ’16

Grant Shreves ’16

Nate Kelsay ’16

Katie Lipes ’15

Lauren Steege ’16

LEATHER

AND FUR

FLANNEL Flannel is coming back into

Leather everything is making its way back into West High. Leather boots, jackets, pants and even skirts are hot trends in 2015. But it doesn’t stop there. The faux fur trend is also making a comeback.

style, and it can be seen everywhere in the form of shirts and scarves.

Rachel Weeks ’16

Courtney Fitzharris ’16

Harry Manaligod ’15

Abbie Moore ’16 Belle Parker ‘18

26 Entertainment FebRuary 2015 wsspaper.com

DESIGN AND PHOTOS BY McKENNA HARRIS

wsspaper.com FEBRUARY 2015 ADS 27

ENTERTAINMENT

STUDENTS REACT:

TAYLOR SWIFT

Being the youngest Grammy award winner for Album of Year and becoming the first artist since the Beatles to have three consecutive studio albums be number one on the Billboard Top 100 is none other than Taylor Swift herself.

From the age of 13, Taylor Swift already knew she wanted to pursue a career as a singer and songwriter. Moving all the way to Nashville with hopes of getting signed by a record label as a

country singer, she signed with the independent label, Big Machine Records one year later. She released her first self-titled debut album, Taylor Swift in 2006, making her one of the youngest country music stars in history. As the years went by, Swift started growing with her music and took a dramatic shift from country to pop. Her fifth album, 1989, was released in 2014. Today, Swift has won seven Grammy Awards, 12 Billboard

Awards, 11 Country Music Association Awards and seven Country Music Awards.

Swift has gone as far as inviting hundreds of fans into her homes around the world for exclusive “listening parties.” Swift even called up a group of fans to dance with her in her new music video for “Shake It Off.”

COMPilED by consuelo mendoza

COUNTRY TO POP In recent years, long-time dedicated fans and newbies alike have found that Taylor Swift has transitioned from country to pop. This dramatic break from her starting point in music has gone anything but unnoticed.

COMPilED by ebony mckeever

“I like her pop songs a lot, but I also like her first country songs from when she first started off. I think it’s really cool that she changed into pop because it shows how she’s creative and trying to be different than everybody else.” -Bailey Speraw ’16

“She switches genres whenever the last one is fading out in popularity or becoming obsolete. She takes what’s popular and makes it her own with her girl-next-door charm and relatability.

It’s impressive.” -Megan Jans ’15

No music on spotify COMPilED by morgan Schmitt-Morris and michael moonjely

“It shouldn’t be about the money, it should be about the music, so she should keep it on Spotify.” -Amy Yan ’17

“My favorite album of hers is 1989.

I just really like it because it’s her most pop-ish one and I like her pop style better than her country style.”

-Lily Lucas ’17

“I like Taylor Swift so I think it should be on Spotify.” -Sara Branson ’15

“Personally, I think releasing music on Spotify makes fans want to buy an album. I love Taylor Swift, but I don’t agree with her decision to take her albums off Spotify.”

-De’Ja Bunyan ‘16

28 ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2015 wsspaper.com

DESIGN BY Katie Peplow

complete

E I T F I W S R MAJO

the

lyrics with

40

Science teacher Doug Herman and English teacher Cyndy Woodhouse

Anderson has a total of Taylor Swift merchandise items.

In 2007, Bailey Anderson ’16 got her first Taylor Swift CD. Since then, she has developed into a Taylor Swift mega fan.

“In 2007 my mom got me her first CD for Easter, and I started listening to it. I also went to the Red Tour in Des Moines in 2013,” she said.

Swifties and music critics alike were buzzing when they heard that Taylor Swift went from a country singer to a pop singer, however, Anderson thinks otherwise.

“I’m not surprised she went full-on pop, because as an artist you need to evolve and try new things and satisfy your audience,” Anderson

said.

Anderson prefers more of her country-pop music, but she still remains an avid fan.

“When ‘Shake it Off ’ was released, I thought the whole album was going to be like that, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. 1989 is the perfect album,” she said. Her favorite song is “All Too Well.” “I like it because it tells like a story and it’s sad, but I think it’s beautiful how the lyrics are written,” Anderson said.

She already has tickets for the 1989 tour this October.

COMPilED by Benjamin bliven

By the numbers

1.287

COMPilED by consuelo mendoza

million copies of 1989 sold in its first week

7 2011 2 Grammy awards

she was named Billboard’s woman of the year

world tours

COMPilED by ebony mckeever and megumi kitamoto

I knew you were trouble

by Taylor Swift WSS: Saw you there and I thought oh my god Look at that face, you look like my next Herman: Puppy WSS: But I keep Herman: Moving WSS: Can’t stop, won’t stop moving Cause I knew you were Herman: There WSS: When you walked in, So shame on me now Now I’m lying on the cold hard Herman: Ground

you belong With me

by Taylor Swift Cyndy Woodhouse WSS: You’re on the phone with your WOODHOUSE: Rash doctor WSS: I’m in the room, it’s a WOODHOUSE: Stalker moment WSS: But she wears WOODHOUSE: Short-shorts WSS: Dreaming about the day when you WOODHOUSE: Cut the cord

wss

album review on wsspaper.com

wsspaper.com February 2015 Entertainment 29

ENTERTAINMENT

BIKE THEMED RESTAURANT OPENS IN IOWA CITY

by ISABELLE ROBLES

robles.isabelle@wsspaper.com The restaurant Ride, on the corner of Iowa Ave and Dodge St. in downtown Iowa City, opened in mid-December. The cycling-themed restaurant is adorned with vintage bicycles alongside wood and tin decorations to create a rustic yet contemporary atmosphere. I stopped by at one on a Saturday for breakfast, as it serves it until two on the weekends. The restaurant was comfortably full, with a few tables available, but conversation from the diners happily bounced off the wall. My party of three had the option to wait for ten minutes for a booth or sit immediately at a high table, so we decided to sit at a high table.

Upon the waitress’s suggestions, we chose to order the french toast ($8.95) and veggie benedict ($8.95). The French

toast consisted of three thickly-cut slices of moist brioche bread with crispy edges, warm blueberries that burst in your mouth, crunchy slivered almonds, warm maple syrup and frothy whipped cream to top it off. The whole dish was sweet, delicious, but quite rich in the good way— the way that fills you up, then makes you come back for more ten minutes later.

The veggie benedict wa s fresh and very light, especially for a benedict, but very satisfying. The pile of arugula atop the English muffin was crisp and bright and the thick slices of avocado were soft and ripe— both a nice surprise for the middle of winter. The poached egg was cooked perfectly and the richness hollandaise was mild enough to keep the whole plate fresh and pull it all together. The “potato of the day” that accompanied the dish were slightly undercooked, to the

ALL FALLS DOWN KANYE WEST

All Falls Down is one of my favorite older Kanye songs. I really like the background guitar chords as well as the bass in this song.

EARNED IT’S THE WEEKND

I really love “Earned it’s” unique jazzy orchestral instrumental and how well it fits in with the Weeknd’s vocals.

HARU HARU BIG BANG

I first heard “Haru Haru” back in 2010 and it introduced me to the world of K-pop. I really like the simple yet beautiful piano bassline in this song.

PYRAMIDS FRANK OCEAN

Frank Ocean … Enough said. compiled by lushia anson

30 entertainment february 2015 wsspaper.com

VEGGIE BENEDICT ($8.95)

FRENCH TOAST ($8.95)

point where the center was raw, but the rest of the dish more than made up for it.

Overall, I enjoyed my dining experience at Ride. I would recommend it to anyone wanting classic American comfort food with a modern twist. The menu provides enough variety to please any diner of any preference, while the atmosphere creates a comfortable vibe to chat with friends and spend your time eating such a comforting, delicious meal.

STUDENT MIXTAPE

JOSH CHEN ‘15

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

KATE GYLTEN

but I wanted to focus on women, it just evolved into what I thought would look good on the page. I think it’s important to embrace whatever figure you have. That’s why I had her being bald, because it’s not the normal definition of beautiful, but I think it’s one of my most beautiful pieces. I really wanted to explore color and design and what makes a person happy or calm; that’s what the colors were about.”

COMPilED by ebony mckeever

DEQUAN COATS

Kate Gylten ’15 has been focusing her art around the topic of beauty in women. Her art portrays the fact that it is important to embrace your own unique beauty no matter what.

“My concentration is focusing on what makes a person unique and different and how there are multiple layers to people […] because I work with mixed media and I like to use textures and all kinds of paper along with different kinds of paint and ink, basically whatever I can put on the page. It changes and evolves a lot,

photos by nick deerberg

West Side Story : How would you describe your style?

Dequan Coats: It’s hard to describe.

It’s not completely a skater because I don’t only skate, and since I make music it opens my mind to other things. I like what I like really, so I can’t really describe how it is.

WSS: Where do you get your fashion inspiration?

DC: My friends and a lot of music artists I listen to.

WSS: Where do you shop around the area?

DESIGN BY GABBY SKOPEC

DC: I go to Ragstock sometimes, and if not Ragstock, I’ll go into Zumiez if it’s just some shoes.

Other than that I usually shop online.

WSS: Where do you shop online?

DC: I have a couple favorites, like 8 and 9 and Mighty Healthy.

WSS: How does your life influence your style?

DC: At first, I was limited to what I wore because of how my mindset was and I felt like I could only be stuck on one person, but ever since

I started making music and talk- DC: They have to realize that the ing to more people and being only thing that matters is them more social, I opened my mind to when it really comes down to it. other things and that’s what really They shouldn’t let other people led me to be like I can really do influence something they do, anything I want and dress how I because it doesn’t really matter to want without being judged. the other person, it only matters to them. They just have to realize that WSS: What are some other the only thing that really matters activities you do?

DC: I make beats, write, record. in life is them and what makes that person happy.

Me and my friend are working ona clothing line for our music. compiled by nick deerberg WSS: What do you suggest to people trying to find their style? wsspaper.com february 2015 entertainment 31

ENTERTAINMENT

PH OTO CO Y

URTES

OF BEC KY MI YER

DESIGN BY RYO OHASHI

32 entertainment FEBRUARY 2015 wsspaper.com

ME

Good Time Company and their show, “Together We Stand” has received attention for its moving storyline. WSS interviews GTC soloists Annika Johannsen ’15 and Noah Tiegs ’16.

LL

TOGETHER WE STAND

Photo COurtesy of becky millmeyer West and City show choirs came together at City High School to perform their shows on Jan. 7 at the Dollars for Scholars event.

stage at this year’s show. Soloist Annika Johannsen ’15 says that the moonjely.michael@wsspaper.com show has been long in the works.

“Our choreographer, Kevin West High’s show choirs have entertained audiences with their Chase, said he has been wanting to powerhouse vocals, innovative do this show for years,” Johannsen choreography and striking said. “Apparently, this was the year.”

The show is centered costumes for years. This around a boy, played by year is no different; Noah Tiegs ’16. however, West High’s “I play a boy who has varsity show choir, been bullied for some Good Time Company, time; hopelessly abused is trying something new. by his peers,” Tiegs Encouraging their peers said. “Throughout the to support one another, GTC incorporates a Annika Johannsen ’15 show my character goes from a person who is powerful message into their performance. The growing afraid to go to school every day, to issue of bullying has taken center a person with this pent-up anger,

BY MICHAEL MOONJELY

to someone who slightly distrusts the kindness he’s shown, and finally part of the company with all the friends in the world.”

The show has received praise from judges, as well as other show choirs around the midwest.

“We have gotten emails from other schools telling us that our show has made them shed a lot of tears,” said Zane Larson ’15, a member of GTC. Good Time Company has competed in two competitions so far, receiving fifth place at both.

“We aren’t focused on scores this year. Our main goal is getting our message across,” Johannsen said.

Tiegs agrees that the powerful

message is more important than scores.

“What I w a n t everyone to take a w a y from the show is feeling like they Noah Tiegs ’16 have a voice. A voice to stop the injustice they see in their own lives.” Tiegs said.

You can check out both of the show choirs at their last show of the season, the Spring Swing Show on March 1.

wsspaper.com Feburary 2015 Entertainment 33

SPORTS

Seniors Blake Moser and Mitch Yoerger participate in warm-up exercises with the team on Feb. 9 as coach Mark Reiland looks on. photos by madie miller

WRESTLING COACH:

MARK REILAND After a life of wrestling, Mark Reiland turned to coaching at West High and recently obtained the 400th win of his career after 15 years of coaching.

time All-American at the University of Iowa.

Since his own personal success, Reiland has lexi.shaffer123@gmail.com dedicated his time to teaching other high school aving a career goal of 400 wins is students. Reiland has been the head coach at no small feat, as only nine other West since 1999. With his help, the Trojans have coaches in Iowa have gotten to ex- flourished, gaining five state dual meet titles, two perience it. Iowa City traditional team state titles, 10 Mississippi Valley Conference titles, 13 MVC West High’s wrestling coach Mark Reiland, although very happy about dual titles, 22 state champions, 80 place winners and 127 state qualifiers. the victories, remains humble.

“I was just gratified that we won. It Reiland credits all of his success to the didn’t matter if it was the 400th or the hard working athletes and coaches.

“A lot of it’s just the kids and fourth. Any time we go into a competition the goal is to win. It was a good the sport of the program [and] night; we wrestled well to get the two Coach Mark Reiland the coaching staff. There’s a lot that goes into the sport; it’s obvivictories to put it at 400,” said Reiland.

Reiland is no stranger to the wresously not just me,” Reiland said.

For Reiland, wrestling is not tling world. After qualifying for state four times the number of wins. as a high school student in Eagle Grove, he went about on to become a national champion and a two “Working with kids [is the best part]. It

by lexi shaffer

H

34 Sports february 2015 wsspaper.com

changes each and every year and we get a different set of kids and a different set of backgrounds [and] commitment level and you got to adapt to it. In the long run, you hope you’re helping them become better people and really that’s what it’s all about,” Reiland said. “One of the things we preach is work hard and good things will happen, and hopefully throughout their wrestler lives they continue to work hard and good things will happen to them.”

It is this work ethic that helps Reiland make such huge achievements in wrestling possible.

Reiland has achieved the third highest winning percentage in state history with match results consisting of 400-69-1 (as of Jan. 29).

With the end of the season approaching Reiland has high expectations for his team.“Our goal is to qualify for state and get as many kids to the state tournament as we can,” Reiland said.

DESIGN BY SHARON XIANG

wsspaper.com February 2015 Ads 35

ENTERTAINMENT BOWLING photoS by nICK DEERBERG LEFT: Eric Vidhamali ’15 completes a spare against Jefferson on Friday Feb. 6 at Colonial Lanes. RIGHT: Jordan Tiegs ’17 sets up to bowl against his Jefferson opponents.

DESIGN BY ISABELLE ROBLES

BOYS SWIMMING

PHOTOS by MCKENNA harris ABOVE: Noah Bruns ’17 at swim practice Feb. 9 getting ready to do a backstroke start in preparation for state. RIGHT: Matt Anderson ‘15 at swim practice Feb. 9 practicing his breaststroke for the upcoming state meet Saturday.

36 SPORTS FEBRUARY 2015 wsspaper.com

BASKETBALL

PhotoS by MADIE MILLER LEFT: UNI women’s basketball recruit Mikaela Morgan ’15 had 18 points on Feb. 3 against Mt. Pleasant. The Women of Troy defeated Mt. Pleasant 68-38. She is pictured here at the Kennedy game. RIGHT: Coach Steve Bergman makes the team do exercises during practice for 12 missed layups during the Xavier game on Feb. 3. The team won 76-56. At press time the boys varsity basketball team is undefeated and ranked first in the state.

“We know with our talent that we can get far. Our effort has been struggling in practice and it shows in the games. In the first half we can come off to slow starts.”

-Alex Henderson ‘16

WRESTLING

photoS by MIRIAM PEREZ LEFT: Will Laverman ’18 prepares for a match against Cedar-Rapids Prairie Feb. 5. BELOW: Guy Snow ’18 cheers on his teammates during =the match.

wsspaper.com FEBRUARY 2015 SPORTS 37

SPORTS The three team captains seniors, Eva Mysnyk, Rylee Villhauer, and Gretchen Elmer in the peak of a split jump.

POMS

DOMINATION

PHOTOS BY CHANEL VIDAL

38 sports february 2015 wsspaper.com

DESIGN BY LILY WESTEMEYER

by cHANEL VIDAL AND SHARON XIANG chanelsmita@gmail.com sxxiang16@gmail.com

T

he dancers on West High Varsity Poms recently went to Orlando, Florida for the National Dance Team Competition. The dancers on this team are able to take their emotions and talents and make art from coordinated movements. Not only are they able to do well on the competition Eva Mysnyk ’15 floor, but they are good at pumping up crowds at football and basketball games.

Is dance a sport or an art?

“I think dance is an art. It definitely requires you to be fit and athletic, but the performances are much different than a football or basketball game. We dance for others’ enjoyment and not to win a game. [Although] competition is a big part of dance teams and studios, the main purpose of dance is to entertain much like an art,” said senior captain Eva Mysnyk ’15.

West High Varsity Poms dancers dance at football and basketball games, hold dance clinics to teach their style of dance and practice every day, which has led them to success this season.

They go to an elite dance camp every summer, where they are able to qualify for the National Dance Team Championships depending on how they place in their pom routine. This last summer, they placed third in pom at camp which

qualified them for the championships. Varsity teams must compete to get into preliminaries and then finals, where they compete for the championship. “[The dance team] works from February to February to perform for four minutes at nationals,” Gretchen Elmer ’15 said.

They also practice every day for three to eight hours. A typical practice begins with conditioning such as running, sit-ups and pushups.

“We first practice pom [dancing] ...and clean it to make sure we all match. Then we switch to jazz, which is a completely different style and work more on the style,” Mysnyk said.

The team practices two dances every season: jazz and pom.

Pom dancing is an Gretchen Elmer ’15 intense, high-energy style of dance. It generally consists of a kickline and multiple turn combinations. This type of dance aims to pump up the crowd, rather than making them feel an emotional connection.

Judges look for sharpness and precision of each movement, turn and jump for this dance.

The other type of dance is jazz, where emotions are released and expressed through swift movements of a dancer’s body. Jazz is a more emotion filled style of dance, not only for the dancers but the crowd, too. The dancers should be able to be sharp while making the viewers feel

WHVP practices their kickline formations at the peak of their kick at practice.

whichever emotion they are trying to convey.

This year, WHVP’s jazz dance is to the song Hallelujah.

“Our jazz dance is dedicated to Austin Schroeder, who has had a huge impact on us,” Mysnyk said.

Connecting with viewers is something the dancers greatly value.

“It’s been great to be able to touch people in the crowd [through dance] because it’s not just about us. There’s meaning behind everything we’re doing and we’re able to show people,” Elmer said.

Three members who have had a lot of experience with the crowd are senior captains Elmer, Mysnyk and Rylee Villhauer ’15, who are passionate about leading their team, but not only when it comes to dancing.

“We know everything before everyone else does and we get the chance to surprise people on the Rylee Villhauer ’15 team,” Elmer said.

Over their high school careers, the three believe they have improved individually.

“I’ve learned a lot about discipline and hard work. If you want something, you have to work for it [otherwise] it won’t just happen,” said Villhauer said.

wsspaper.com february 2015 sports 39

SPORTS

JOIN THE CLUB (YOU MIGHT HAVE TO) Conor Zielinski ’17 believes that playing club increases the chances of an athlete performing carter.aaron@wsspaper.com well at the highest level possible. eko.leola@wsspaper.com “Playing [club sports] allows us [as players], to The student section supports athletes that sport stay in the best form we can until high school green and gold, but would they recognize the season comes around.” Zielinski said.

Zielinski plays for the Iowa Soccer Club (ISC), school stars in their club uniforms? Club sports allow athletes to keep and according to Zielinski the teams for both practicing their sport club and school consist of similar players.

“I know for soccer, a lot of the guys that of choice in all seasons.

Jessie Harder ’16, are on the school team are on the same starting pitcher for club team.” Zielinski said, “This makes the softball team, it easier [for club players] when school believes that being season comes around because we know in a club sport gives how to play together.”

Some students who participate in a Emily Halverson ’17 an advantage to an club sport know that there is a specific athlete.

“Club sports have club they need to play for in order to be numerous advantages. You are able to stay on adequately prepared for the high school top of your game, [play] year-round and also team. One example of this is Emily Halverson get to meet a lot of new people that you don’t ’17.

“You have to play in the right club. If you’re in a necessarily go to school with,” Harder said.

Harder pitched a complete 13-inning shutout good club, you’ll [have a better experience] and last year for her team, which can be attributed get training from more educated coaches,” she to her work ethic. During the season, Harder said.

Another benefit of being part of a club sport is practices three hours on off-days and practices one hour before games, not including her that it can increase the chance of being scouted practices in club sports with the Southeast Iowa for a college team.

“If you’re on a club team that goes to a larger tournament, you’ll likely get more attention from scouts,” said Halverson. “ [Club and school sports] teach Volleyball player Madi Ford you different things. They give ’17 has a similar experience.

“My club goes to Power you an opportunity to play difLeague, which is in Illinois, ferent styles and with different and there are a lot of scouts there,” she said. players.”

-Alex Henderson ‘16 Alex Henderson ’16 also travels frequently for basketball, on the Iowa Barnstormers.

All-Stars.

“I get more attention from scouts because I am “I usually get more attention from colleges playing club,” Harder said. “But if we make it to playing against better players, who usually draw more scouts there,” he said. state, scouts really pay attention to that as well.”

by AARON CARTER AND LEOLA EKO

40 SPORTS FEBRUARY 2015 wsspaper.com

According to Henderson, it is also advantageous to play both to gain different perspectives on the game. “ [Club and school sports] teach you different thing,.” Henderson said. “They give you an opportunity to play different styles and with different players.”

Heelah Nadler ’16, forward for the West girls soccer team and the Iowa Soccer Club, enjoys

“I’ve really grown up with my teamates.”

-Heelah Nadler ’16

her time playing both on her club team and the West team, but for very different reasons.

“The West team has a short season, and I still get close to my team, and club is a long-term team. I’ve really grown up with my teammates,” Nadler said.

Kevin Delaney ’15, practices twice a week with his club team and five times a week during the school season, but he believes that practice alone isn’t sufficient.

“In my opinion, you Kevin DeLaney ’15 can practice as much as you want, but if you aren’t out there on the field in a game, you aren’t doing everything you can do get better,” Delaney said.

According to Delaney, school sports are more important.

“With school sports, I feel like it has a bigger impact on the community,” Delaney said. “It serves more of a purpose to us as players.”

Delaney believes, along with his teammates, that when athletes play for something more meaningful, they will play harder for that cause.

DESIGN BY CLAIRE MURRAY

“If you aren’t out there on the field in a game you aren’t doing everything you can to get -Kevin DeLaney ’15

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

17 d’ r Fo

Jessie

Hard er ’

16

VS CLUB SPORTS

Ma di

better.”

PHOTOS BY CHANEL VIDAL

“Playing [club sports] allow us [as players], to stay in the best form we can until High School season comes around.” -Conor Zielinski ‘17 wsspaper.com February 2015 sPORTS 41

OPINION

quality of life

Fat-Free Birthdays WSS reacts to the ICCSD’s attempt to remove treats from classrooms.

Local classrooms might be without the sugary frostings and sprinkles of birthday treats next school year. The Iowa City Community School District is seeking community feedback about two proposals involving bringing treats to school to implement for the 2015-2016 school year.

Proposal 1: Celebrate non-food celebrations in the form of games, stickers or show-and-tell activities.

Proposal 2: Celebrate once a month with every student having a birthday that month. Food would be allowed; however, it would have to be fresh fruits and vegetables, packaged foods with clearly-labeled ingredients or foods that meet specific nutrition qualifications of the district Wellness Policy.

Regardless of what the Board decides, the proposal would

not affect cold lunches. It would instead change the way birthdays are celebrated in the classroom. The Board’s goal is to limit the frequent interruptions to the school day for birthday celebrations and make the options for food at school healthier by removing treats such as brownies, cookies and cupcakes.

The main office of each school would be responsible for screening snacks brought to school to share with others. The district hopes that this change in policy will help the schools partner with the Iowa City Blue Zones Project, a well-being initiative aimed at improving the health of citizens.

The Board will be voting this month and encourages community involvement in the selection of one of the proposals. The WSS editorial board offers insight in the selection.

We applaud the district’s efforts to encourage students to make healthier decisions. However, we feel that under the suggested proposals, students will resent the restrictions instead of learn from them. Instead, we propose that the district provides each individual student with either the option of bringing in a game or book to share with the class or bringing in a healthy snack on his/her birthday.

We believe that it is beneficial to students to have these breaks in their school day. Taking a pause from learning to interact with classmates will help the students form better relationships with their peers.

Having something special to look forward to will help the students to be more excited and possibly engaged during the school day.

It may be difficult for some families to adhere to the strict guidelines. In that case, students would have the ability to celebrate on their birthday without food.

Either way, each student will have one day out of the year to feel special. Students will learn to be responsible for their choices only if they are given the freedom to make the choices on their own. It is vital for the district to educate the students on why it is important to make healthy diet choices. Proper education, more than restrictions, will have a profound impact on future choices of each student.

Which proposal do you think would be best for students?

8-8

WSS editorial board voted to combine elements from both proposals.

index:

A binary judgement of life in 2015 Valentine’s Day

The most lovable thing about this day is that it’s on a weekend this year, so I don’t have to witness any teenage courtship rituals.

+1110

Friday the 13th Whether you think this day is unlucky or not, you’re right.

-1101

Longer Summers Thank you, tourism lobby, for ensuring that the summer of 2015 will be the longest summer ever.

+1111

MLK Day I have a dream. I have a dream that one year, in the true spirit of equality, every weekend will be a three day weekend.

-11

Iced Coffee Trying to keep us from our sugary happiness? Thanks, Obama.

-1011

total:

There are only 10 types of people-those who get this column and those who don’t.

+10

Art by BRAEDYN DOCHTERMAN

42 opinion February 2015 wsspaper.com

Compiled/design by akash borde

WSS editorial board Aaron Carter Akash Borde Brittani Langland Consuelo Mendoza Chanel Vidal Isabelle Robles Jaycie Weathers Katie Peplow Kelsey Keranen Lauren Knudson Lushia Anson Madie Miller Megumi Kitamoto Michael Moonjely Nick Deerberg Sharon Xiang Equity Statement

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

Wake me up when september begins

WSS offers advice about policy that would delay the start of the school year Ah yes, summertime. Although beloved by students and teachers, it ends all too soon in midAugust each year. Well, maybe not for long. In the past, the State Legislature consistently granted Iowa a waiver for permission to start schools before Labor Day; however, the 2015-2016 school year may be a little different.

Although starting schools after Labor Day may increase State Fair revenue and tourism, the West Side Story thinks differently.

School until mid-June? This just won’t fly. After a long, cold winter and spring, students are antsy with anticipation of warm summer days, soaking up the sun at local pools and forgetting the stress of math and group projects.

If school is extended into June, that means more hot days for us in school taking finals. In August, the heat is difficult to deal with, but we don’t have to take final exams in that weather as we would if the end date were extended.

Similar to finals, AP tests are always in May. With less time before the exams, teachers and students will have to pick up the already fast-paced curriculum or leave things out, both undesirable for enhancing learning. This sends a message to the students from the legislature that education isn’t as important as tourism. Is this an accurate representation of the priorities Iowa has for education? We don’t think so.

With unpredictable Iowa winters, it isn’t far-fetched to assume the district could add a week to our school year with cancellations.

Soon, mid-June would turn into late-June and the summer would become even shorter. Maybe this isn’t a pressing issue, but something that does misalign is the way the Iowa City community coordinates itself to the University’s schedule.

A later start may cause problems for employees of the U of I who are also parents. Summer camps are also another concern for students.

Many activities, which start in early June, would have to be canceled.

What the WSS proposes the district does to combat the possible lack of waiver is to count hours instead of school days. By adding ten minutes to each school day, we could earn ourselves at least a week or more of summer in June. Although there is a new law expected to pass that grants school districts the power to choose their own start date, this is the best option and we have faith that legislators will make the choice that is suited for the state.

Do you think starting school after labor day is a good idea?

6-10

WSS editorial board voted against the proposal.

Editorial Policy

The West Side Story reflects the views of the staff and does not represent the school administration, faculty or student body. Guest articles may be accepted to represent an additional point of view or as a part of a collection of reader contributions. The staff will carefully scrutinize all reader submissions.

All ads are subject to approval by the business staff. Those that are libelous, obscene or plainly offensive may be rejected. The West Side Story attempts to publish all letters, which must be signed, to the Editors, but may reject submissions due to space limitations, inaccuracy or poor quality. It is the responsibility of the opinion editor to verify authorship. Editors can make minor edits for the sake of clarity, length and grammatical correctness.

ART by Kelsey Keranen

wsspaper.com February 2015 opinion 43

OPINION

by chanel vidal

vidal.chanel@wsspaper.com

I

spend more than eight hours of my homework-packed week dancing. My dance studio is basically my second home, and dancing is one of my biggest passions.

You’d think dance lessons would make me more coordinated, and for most people they do. Key word: most. I’ve never been like most people in my age group, which is nice; uniqueness sets each individual apart from others. But, in this case, my ‘uniqueness’ does not set me apart in a preferable way.

You may think I have grace and fluency in my walking. Well, you thought wrong.

My biggest worry when I went on my first date was not how good I smelled, or how my hair looked, but being able to make certain that I don’t trip over my own foot while walking.

The ridiculous thing is I am able to complete multiple complex combinations on my tippy toes in satin shoes in my studio. Satin shoes. Perhaps since I am wearing shoes with an outer satin layer and am on my tippy toes I am more focused on looking graceful and not falling over. But, walking is

photos by paige brazina

A DANCER’S STRUGGLE WITH WALKING

BRING BACK THE DESSERTS

not something that I should have to think so much about, it should just be natural to walk without constantly falling.

Dancing has caused me to walk with a bit of a turn out, but to blame my clumsiness on the fact that I’ve taken multiple dance classes is ridiculous.

Not only do I walk with a turn out, but I find it impossible to walk in a straight line. It just doesn’t happen. I could blame this on the fact that walking in a straight line during a dance is not likely, as it’s not the prettiest way to move from spot to spot. But once again, walking should be natural.

These problems can cause a lot of danger. Step one inch to the right with your left foot, and you end up tripping over your misplaced foot; next thing you know, you’ve face planted.

This was one of the conversations during my first date that was going well up until this moment. *I trip over my own feet, and fall all the way to the ground* “Did you just trip over your own foot?”

“Yes, I did. I’ll just get this out there now, this is actually a normal thing for me...”

I would consider walking classes, but the thought of those makes me cringe.

My life’s journey contains many falls (literally), but getting back up just makes me stronger (bruises don’t hurt that badly anymore). So, if you are a dancer who is not good at walking, don’t feel bad. I’m right there with ya.

e the people of the United States of America love to pretend to be healthy.

We make (and break) our New Year’s resolutions to exercise, sign Blue Zone pledges and force fruits and vegetables upon every student at lunch. No other country talks so much about diet and exercise, and yet the U. S. is one of the most nutritionally deficient developed nations in the world. In this time of crisis, the schools have searched for a scapegoat, something to blame, and they have found it in sweets.

Not long ago, my mom received an email from my younger brother’s teacher. It contained a request that he bring something healthy for his birthday, instead of the usual cupcakes or cookies.

We ignored it, of course, and sent some double chocolate brownies.

Call it rebellion, but in reality it was an act of kindness. My thirdgrade self would have gagged at the very idea of birthday broccoli (I still do, in fact. Vegetables at lunch and dinner are all very nice, but to serve them for dessert goes against reason, nature and humanity).

There seems to be an idea that, in order to be healthy, people must forgo everything sweet; that the brownies at lunch should be replaced with low-fat oat cookies and that second-graders should only snack on processed baby carrots. Not only is this ridiculous, it is ineffective and hypocritical. By removing the chocolate and forcing vegetables on students, the school thinks it can claim to be “healthy.”

44 opinion february 2015 wsspaper.com

by shanthi chackalackal chackalackal.shanthi@wsspaper.com

W

In reality, much of the food offered at school lunch is just as bad for you as any brownie.

School lunch is typically made with ingredients such as margarine (which is filled with trans fats and is much worse for you than real butter), American cheese (which doesn’t even contain real milk, and is an insult to the name of cheese) and other processed foods.

They’re filled with fat and (horror of horrors) empty calories. Adding a fruit or vegetable that most students don’t even eat doesn’t change that (let us now take a moment of silence to honor the 500 oranges thrown away every day in the lunch room). Unless the school wants to start paying for more nutritious lunches— which is not likely to happen— what right have they to request healthy snacks instead of cake or cookies?

The solution to health issues in the United States is not to deprive children of the stuff that makes life sweet. The fact is, desserts in moderation are not bad for you. In some of the healthiest areas in the world, such as the Mediterranean, people have a little chocolate every day. In America, where desserts in school are becoming more and more heavily regulated, health issues and obesity continue to increase.

The pursuit of health is a noble one, but it does not make the removal of desserts necessary, especially if the real problems—unhealthy meals— are not addressed. I hold this truth to be self evident: that all students are endowed with inalienable rights and that among them is the right to enjoy cupcakes.

For those of you who wish to exercise your rights, I will be posting easy but delicious dessert recipes on wsspaper.com.

THE SHREK SOUNDTRACK hard to complete, You can start simple, By listening to “The Circle of Life” on repeat, Because, once the NAAAAA SEVENYAAA hits, You know this life is pretty sweet.

by brittani langland

langland.brittani@wsspaper.com

I

am invested in the idea of positive thinking, An idea where everyone finds a silver lining, Just imagine a place where you no longer have to hear, People constantly talking about what they hate, What if all that negativity would disappear?

But don’t fret my dear friend, Switching your outlook is not

As only with positive thinking You’ll find the will to get you through It’ll be easier to wake up Knowing the negativity withdrew.

Next, it’s also key that you learn to love the, Passionate and wonderful person you call “me.”

Take care of yourself, hydrate yourself, and Treat yourself, please, And NEVER be ashamed of taking millions of selfies.

Buy a rad planner, get in the zone.

On the track to being positive and content, Being kind to others is an important segment, Because it’s easy to forget, That everyone has a story, Everyone’s cried, or felt insignificant, No one’s life is only glory.

Stop focusing on a person’s bad traits, Strive to find some you admire.

And always remember that your kindness, Can spread around others like wildfire.

Carry snacks for YOURSELF, everywhere you go, And “like” your own social media posts, Because you’re the coolest person you know.

Participate in memes, take some time alone, Clean your room, mind and body

Flood people with compliments, Look them in the eye, Listen to them intentionally, Talk to those who are shy, And as an icebreaker, Discuss hairless bears, or legless pugs!

And never be the first one, To let go of a hug.

Starting today, right now, this minute, this instant Strive to think and act positively, NEVER say “I can’t” Focus on doing this, don’t slack or EVER look back, And if all else fails, Listen to the Shrek soundtrack.

others like it, began to show up through out my news feed, over and over again.

I caved and give the article a read, expecting a huge overreaction to an extremely irrelevant proposal (It’s the internet, after all). To my horror, this was not some neckbeard freaking out about something miniscule. This was huge. At the time, SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect Intellectual Property Act), seeming well and good from their titles, gave the Justice Department the power to shut down any website at the whim of an owner of IP (intellectual property), from as small as a startup to as large as CNN. There was no real process involved, just a notice you’ve infringed copyrighted material (which in the eyes of this law, could have included any form of search engine, namely Google), a time frame to remove said material, then a website takedown.

It was a blatant attack on freedom of speech. But the internet

would not stand for this atrocity.

“Call your senator! Call your congressmen! Email them, write to them, contact them in as many forms you can think of and make them hear you out,” screamed each nerd. It was beautiful. A group of people so well known for their shittiness came together in order to save the platform in which they can continue to be little shitty assholes, and more. On January 20, 2012, the internet won as lawmakers shelved the proposed bill after hearing millions of their voters threaten their vote in the next election cycle should they pass this bill.

We celebrated in the only way we knew how, by going straight back to pictures of cats, sharing extremely politically biased articles on Facebook, and feeding internet trolls, and it was awful. But it was also great. I had never seen a group of people so apt at hating each other come together to save the space in which they do so. Because that’s really all the internet is to a

You’ll become aware of the little things, Like when your favorite sweatshirt is clean, Or opening the internet and not seeing Bing, Oh it is truly amazing what this world can bring, When you no longer care, About the words that used to sting.

NET NEUTRALITY

W

inter of 2011, blistering cold.

Many a little nerd sits at his computer, hiding from the frost, browsing the internet, being happy. One little boy plays a nifty game on pbskids. org. A high schooler works on college essays. A middle schooler discovers reddit and watches their life disintegrate around them into procrastination.

But one day, these children of the tech happen across this post, whether on Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, or Reddit: “Lawmakers introduce SOPA and PIPA. The end of the internet as we know it?”

As a 13-year-old at the time, I definitely would describe myself a child of the tech, and after stumbling onto this link that seemed rather click-baity, I decided to move onto the next cat picture.

“There’s nothing they could do to destroy the internet, it’s beyond that point,” I thought to myself. But after a while, the post, and many DESIGN BY KELSEY KERANEN

by avery smith

smith.avery@wsspaper.com majority of people: a place to put out your ideas and let others see and react to them. To me, that’s all it needs to be.

The issue of Net Neutrality has come up more and more since 2012; with nameless rebirths of SOPA and PIPA and international trade agreements like CISPA, even today the fight for internet fast lanes by internet service providers threatens our beautiful beast.

You may just see it as an issue for neckbeards and not for super hip you, but it really does affect us all.

Keep your eyes and mouth open, children of the tech.

wsspaper.com february 2015 opinion 45

HUMOR THE RELATIONSHIP OF AMERICANS AND GERMANS

Many people have been using false words onto other people with different p e r s on a l it i e s .

Multiple people around the world, including Americans, stereotyped German civilians who were still members of the National Socialist Movement, also known as the Nazis. This cartoon shows that stereotypes are false and wrongful.

cartoon BY BRAEDYN DOCHTERMAN

REVOLUTIONARY #MENINISM MOVEMENT SEEKS TO GIVE A VOICE TO OPPRESSED MEN

by LUSHIA ANSON

anson.lushia@wsspaper.com “#JeSuisCharlie” isn’t the only revolutionary hashtag that has been advocating for freedom recently. There is another hashtag making its rounds on Twitter that tackles an issue that is perhaps of the greatest importance today: the oppression of men, particularly by feminists who claim to fight for equality, but in reality are plotting to take over the world and get rid of or ignore all men, whom they all see as sub-human.

“Feminists are evil in every way,” said Andy Manley, a proud self-identifying “meninist.”

“They are incredibly sexist and racist. For example, they keep on targeting white men by acknowledging the ‘existence’ of ‘white male

complete

the

lyrics with Jean Morsch Math teacher

privilege.’ How dare they stereotype me as having ‘privilege’ and try to use that as an excuse to take power away from me? Feminists are dangerous to our future, and we men must rise against the oppression and fight for our basic rights.”

Some examples of these “basic rights,” according to Manley, are having the right to catcall women on the street, being able to hit women and not having to suffer the grueling oppression of being called derogatory terms such as “privileged” or “misogynistic.”

Just as not all feminists are women, not all meninists are men.

“I know all about feminism. All feminists are radical feminists, and every single one of them has the exact same, super-radical beliefs. And they all stereotype men, and I am

uptown funk by mark ronson and bruno mars WSS: Got chucks on with Saint Laurent / Gotta kiss myself moRSCH: To heal the pain WSS: I’m too hot / Call a MORSCH: West high Trojan fan

46 humor february 2015 wsspaper.com

sugar maroon 5

so above stereotyping people,” said Connie Fuzed, a 20-year-old female college student.

“They’re all like bitter crazy girls on Tumblr, and Tumblr is a super-reliable source for getting the ‘true’ definition of feminism and totally the only place where ‘feminism’ even happens.”

Fuzed believes the main goal of meninism should be to fight feminism.

“Like, how dare those feminists start fights with men and complain about ‘oppression’ and stuff? I’m a meninist because I want to be seen as the opposite of that,” Fuzed said.

“I’m, like, so above those whiney people who complain and want social change and stuff like that. I’m chill! I’m fun! I love men!” *This is a satire and is not meant to be percieved as factual.

WSS: When I’m without you, I’m in MORSCH: Math heaven WSS: Sugar! Yes please! Won’t you come and MORSCH: Hold my hand

i know i’m not the only one sam smith

WSS: You and me we made a MORSCH: Pact WSS: You say I’m crazy / ‘Cause you don’t think I know MORSCH: The quadratic formula

COMPilED by megumi kitamoto DESIGN BY MEGUMI KITAMOTO

“This is my racecar mouse.

I got it as a gift from my mother-in-law, and every time I look at it, I feel a burst of joy.”

-Dave McNair, spanish teacher PHOTOS BY MARY MONDANARO

PRIZED POSSESSIONS “This is Prison Mike, from my favorite show ever, ‘The Office.’” -Lizzie Burns ’18

“I take my phone with me everywhere I go, and I would be in trouble if I didn’t have it. That makes it really important to me.”

-Austin Geasland ‘18

“This is my album of Billy Joel’s ‘The Stranger.’ I got it from a close family friend for my birthday. She got the album when it was first released in 1977, so I think it’s pretty rad.”

-Julie Watkins ‘17

DESIGN BY MARY MONDANARO

47

ANSWERS: 1. Sra. Seidel holding doll. 2. Mrs. Barnhouse lamb switches shoulders.

3. Mr. Frese holding elephant. 4. Ms. Secrist holding pen. 5. Mrs. Nigg showering Mr. Bach. 6. Mrs. Kanellis holding pipeter. 7. Mrs. Kanellis sunglasses flipped up.

photos by chanel vidal DESIGN BY JAYCIE WEATHERS

Look carefully to spot the six differences between the photos.

difference

spotthe