BettGrowl Feb. 2015

The Growl

Bettendorf High School

Friday, Feb. 6, 2015

Vol. 51 Issue 4

(Left to right) Samuel Hayles, Christine Vincent, Tilor Meyer, Lindsey Sheldon, Cole Harksen, and Zack Malchodi practice choreography for spring musical “Mary Poppins.” Photo Credit: Jordan Raso.

‘Mary Poppins’ sets the stage for spring musical

by Alex Connor Newspaper Co-Editor

O

n Thurs., April 9, 2015, the BHS theatre will be opening its curtains to a musical that’s been in print, theatre and film. BHS will be the first high school in Iowa to gain the rights to “Mary Poppins” and perform the musical.

Starting as an eight part book series by P.L. Travers, published between 1934 to 1988, “Mary Poppins” was adapted into film in 1964 by Walt Disney. The musical was then adapted in 2004 after years of P.L. Travers refusing to sell the rights. Travers insisted on only English-born writers to put the books to stage.

The musical, revolving around Mary Poppins, the magical nanny who saves the Banks family, centralizes at No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane.

From then, Mary, the kids, George, Winifred, and Bert, the main characters of the musical, go on a drastic adventure, in which Mary attempts to save the family from not believing in themselves.

The BHS production is set to have Eleanor Stamper as Mary Poppins, Alex Packard as Bert, Ali Girsch and Nathan Hutchinson as Jane and Michael, the kids, Max Robnett as George, and Emily Tinsman as Winifred.

“Everyone who got a part is incredibly talented,” Stamper said.

Meeting every day after school for rehearsal, rehearsal usually lasts till five, but as the show date grows nearer, those in “Mary Poppins” will find themselves mostly at school.

“What am I not nervous about?” Stamper said. “I’m afraid that I’ll go to hit a note and actually not hit it.”

Stamper, being involved in theatre since about first grade, got her first role as a page in “The Phantom Tollbooth.”

Her involvements at BHS include several one acts: “Anything Goes,” “By Candlelight,” “How to succeed in business without really trying,” “Rumours,” “The Rabbit Hole,” and now “Mary Poppins.”

“I play the maid Mrs. Brill, minor character but I’m surprised I received it as a freshman,” Halle Fish, 15, said.

Fish has been active in theatre since she was little, but this will be her first production through the high school.

“I’m really excited to see it all come together, because [in the musical] broken things fix themselves, people fly, and I’m excited to see the kids faces,” Stamper said.

To counter that, Fish is most nervous about the fact that “Mary may fall.”

Receiving the license to allow the actors

to use a harness, Stamper and possibly four others, are set to fly on stage.

With the new performing arts center (PAC) being built in 2013 seating can handle, at least, 800 people: this means a chance for more people to see the musical over the course of four days.

“I hope it’s a full house. It is a popular show and I hope that there will be large crowds and to see lots of kids and adults who were born in the generation [of Mary Poppins,]” Stamper said.

The show times include April 9- 11, 7 p.m. and April 12, 1 p.m.

“Once you see the show there is something about it, something special and something anyone could take away from,” Stamper said.

“Come see the show!”

Students prepare for ‘Battle of the Bridges’

by Rachel Griggs Staff Reporter

T

he Battle of the Bridges is today at the Putnam Museum in Davenport. This annual competition gives students a chance to show off their engineering skills.

Dan Drexler’s engineering problems class has entered the contest to create bridges from popsicle sticks and wooden dowels. Juniors and seniors have the opportunity to put their problem solving skills to the test.

Ashleigh Johanson said, “The class is

made up of a series of challenges to test your problem solving skills and then there are three competitions hosted by the Quad City Engineering and Science Council. If you place high enough at each event you can receive a scholarship from the council.

The first competition is bridge building on Feb. 6, 2015,, so we are practicing to gain experience and knowledge in order to do better in the actual competition.”

The class is fairly popular among students.

Senior Zack Mouw said, “My favorite part about the class is probably that you can

just work at your own pace. It’s less intense than a math or science class, but you still have problems to solve. Mr. Drexler does a really good job of advising us when we need it, but for the most part he just lets us figure it out for ourselves and that’s actually a really good learning experience.

It makes you think and really strains your problem solving skills.”

People join the class for different reasons.

Johanson said, “ I joined the class because I’m planning on pursuing a career in civil engineering. I also like the class

structure and the idea that we are working for a scholarship, not just a grade. It’s very motivating.”

Dustin King said, “ I joined the class because I enjoy being given an objective and then designing and creating something that would cover our objective. I am excited for the upcoming competition, but also I am worried that we won’t finish our bridge in the time frame we are given because our first bridge wasn’t finished on time and we were forced to rush some parts.”

02 Opinion Feb. 6, 2015

The Growl Editorial

The

S

NARL

According to adweek.com, Facebook

has over 1.28 billion monthly active users, Google+ has 540 million monthly active users, and Twitter has 255 million monthly active users, and Instagram is following closely with over 200 million monthly active users.

Social media is more powerful than it has ever been. People use the Internet to interact, research, play games, and even learn.

So, with the ability to go online through smart phones, laptops, iPads, TVs, iPods, and even watches, many may find themselves on the Internet at social events, family dinners, work, and at times that they should be socializing in the real world.

According to jeffbullas.org, Americans spend, on average, 16 minutes every hour on social media, and 72 percent of all Internet users have some sort of social media account. And 18-29 year olds have an 89 percent usage on the media.

These numbers, as large as they are, have become a new way for businesses to

Social media and today The Internet displays both negative and positive effects on society

communicate with customers, schools to connect with students, and individuals to connect more in general.

But, with the world connecting in exponential ways, are we becoming less connected to the reality in front of us?

Joy Kelly, associate principal at BHS, oversees the curriculum of language arts, social studies, student services, and the health center. Along with working closely with students through discipline, Kelly oversees the master schedule, safety, and student council.

Kelly also helps run the BHS Instagram account, BettHSPride, the BHS twitter accounts, @u_bett, and @bettparentpride among others.

“I really try to use the @u_bett account, it takes the most amount of time. I like to celebrate announcements, such as daily cancellations, advisory schedules, positive experiences, and acknowledge collective accomplishments,” Kelly said.

The students, knowing that Kelly is the main advisor of @u_bett, may see it

as a way to virtually communicate with administration.

“They took ‘Frozen’ characters and put our [administration] heads on it. They know I’m the one to post things,” Kelly said.

The student who posted the picture was hoping for the school district to have a snow day when the temperatures were in the negatives.

Students are able to communicate with the school through a hashtag called #bettpride. The tweets with the hashtag are shown across the TVs on campus. The TVs can be found in the commons and in central locker bays.

Students, however, often abuse the hashtag through “quote tweeting,” inappropriate tweets made by students.

“Out of the 1,500 students we have, perhaps there has only been four instances [where a student misbehaved],” Kelly said. “To me, if a student’s going to be a knuckle-head, we have a responsibility to talk to students. A little immaturity is part of being a teenager.”

During the 2012-13 school year, BHS introduced iPads to the students. These devices are to be used in the classrooms to help the students learn, the teachers teach, and to enhance education as a whole.

BHS has even bought apps for the iPads,

such as iMovie and Goodnotes.

“Twitter, social media, Instagram can be positive. But I have a question, how are you growing your mind?” Kelly said. “How are you using social media to grow your mind, to grow your heart, and to grow your skills?”

Students notoriously use the iPads to be off task.

“It opened up the whole world to them. For a lot of kids, it was more of a toy than a tool, different way for them to be off task,” Kelly said.

Kelly compared a student playing a game on the iPad to a student doodling in class and noting that there was no difference because in both scenarios the student is off task.

So, although the Internet can be a tool to connect, learn, and know, social media is often misused and abused in modern society.

Instead of a phone call, a simple tweet is sent out saying “who wants to hang?”

The whole world is suspended by the grasp that it has on our society.

“Everybody wants to be acknowledged. I think people work very hard around here. Our kids [BHS students] work hard for everything they earn,” Kelly said.

A letter from your editors...

by Brett Gaydos and Alex Connor Newspaper Editors

From your editors...

Wow, can you believe it? I mean, honestly, four Growls under our belts already, two left, and for you freshman out there, at least 18 issues that are just begging to be read by you in the future. But, here’s the kicker, we won’t be editors forever, and with our senior year almost conquered, we need someone to take over.

Writing, editing, and designing the Growl has been a blast, and I hope that you, our readers, have enjoyed reading them as much as we’ve liked writing them.

It’s a job that is not always rewarding, but accomplishing. And we love it, no doubt.

So that is why, in the spirit of filling space, we would like to propose a few reasons to become a part of our amazing, creative, cat-loving, sleepy, newspaper staff.

We love food. When our great earth was once created by whatever mystical being/ evolution bearing creature or force out there, it decided to grace us humble humans with a need to eat. This need to eat foods of all

Everyone has a passion, and for those in this classroom, we’re all here to share our passion-writing, photography, design. Seeing the Growl come together from brainstorm to print is something that makes even a humble person proud.

You have Ms. King as an adviser. She’s tough, but we love her. Need I say more?

If you need to take a nap, we have a cat couch and blankets. Everyone has their off days, even us editors. And since we know that our staff can tend to stay up pretty late working hard to find the perfect headline, the great attention getter, the superb story, we want to make your stay with the Growl staff is as comfortable as possible.

I mean, we won’t even blink an eye if you decide to build a nest under one of the desks. You do you.

In conclusion, we hope that whether you’re finishing your last year of high

kinds, for example, desserts, candy, more dessert, and most importantly, bagels, has been welcomed in our Publications class.

Room D100 has been home to many, many candy bar wrappers and leftover lunches.

And we wouldn’t have it any other way.

You get to meet amazing people.

Being apart of the newspaper staff not only includes the opportunity to have your work published, but it also allows for opportunities to meet people you otherwise never would have talked to.

And not only do you Editors: Brett Gaydos, Alex Connor get to meet these cool Reporters and Photographers: Melissa people, you get to ask Weinstein, Ellie Stamper, Fritzy Swearingen, them questions and get to Annette Schneider, Olivia Teach, Rachel Griggs. know them! If you like to Freelance Photographers: Emily Kidwell, go above and beyond, you Jordan Raso. can even take pictures of Columnist: Alex Connor. them, and sometimes even bettgrowl.com Editor: Hannah Chin, with them.

Adviser: Connie King.

You get to meet amazing Mascot: Newsie people times two. Bottom line is this, not to toot our own horns, but the people The Growl is a member of the Iowa High School that congress in this room Press Association (IHSPA) and the Journalism Education Association. every day during third block are some of the Visit us at bettgrowl.com. greatest people we have “Like” us on Facebook (bettmedia). ever met.

school, or just starting, that the Growl has made a positive impact on your school day, if only six times a year.

It’s been a blast, and we hope you enjoy this issue! (Along with the next two, please read them.)

Sincerely, Alex Connor and Brett Gaydos

Growl Staff The Growl accepts all signed Letters to the Editor by the student body. Letters may be edited for length, grammar, and clarity.

Letters may be dropped off in D100, journalism lab or emailed to bhsgrowl@gmail.com.

Use your smart phone or iPad to visit our website!

Feb. 6, 2014

Opinion

03

Feminism: Not a dirty word

by Alex Connor Newspaper Co-Editor

A

h, just imagine it, a matriarchal society built on burned bras and the remnants of men that we, women, forced into submission through years of “man-hating” and ‘women are better’ signs that reinforced and liberated our rights as inferior human beings.

That’s feminism… right? Wrong.

Very, very wrong.

Although the idea of not wearing a bra seems liberating and natural, and not having to shave armpit hair seems to make the daily shower routine a lot easier, being a feminist does not make anyone a dirty hippy from the ‘70’s; being a feminist makes someone an activist for equal human rights.

A feminist can be anyone. They come in all shapes and forms. Big, small, black, white, male, female, anyone can be a feminist, armpit hair or not.

Feminism, as legally defined, is the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men. Seems fair enough.

All women want is to be looked at and treated as equals, so why has this war between the genders been going on for hundreds of years?

“I believe that men and women are the same. I have no bias, no double standard, I am not a ‘man-hater,’” senior Jenn Campbell, 17, said.

Obviously, men and women are not capable of the same things. There are some things that are physically impossible for both sexes, but the idea that one gender is superior than the other turns back the wheel on years of evolution.

“I’m definitely a feminist. I like helping

people be more comfy with themselves, [feminism is] not only for women…

I’m a feminist for the human race, I’m a humanist,” junior Frankie Ballard, 17, said.

Since seventh grade, Ballard has been outed as pansexual, by her definition, someone who is not binary and is open to not just the male and female sexes but transgenders and others as well.

“People are cool,” Ballard said.

Ballard is active in the feminist community through blogging and even through attending a feminist rock camp in Minneapolis called “Girls Rock and Roll Retreat” or “Grrr.”

The camp “Grrr” is for female musicians who work towards body positivity, writing skills, and at the end of the camp, they

“Spotify-ing” difference

by Fritzy Swearingen Staff Reporter

I

n the midst of all the music apps like Pandora, Soundcloud, iTunes, and iTube, there is one that is gaining the attention it finally deserves after four years.

Spotify is an application on both a phone and computer that allows people to virtually stream any song available on the market. Users can stream Spotify’s catalog online with a phone or computer with advertisements.

Premium users get the same access to songs and can stream both offline and online. Subscriber’s music is also of better quality than those of the free membership.

The mobile app is only available on the premium plan as well.

Additionally, users can create and publish their own playlist and follow their favorite artists.

Artists also release and publish playlists to show their fans what music they’re listening to. The application offers music discovery tools. The tools allow listeners to find artists and playlist similar to the music

their liking thus giving them a personalized experience.

Besides offering several ways to find new music, Spotify collaborates with artist to release albums or songs exclusively on the platform. Some artists release their music earlier on Spotify than they do iTunes.

As of January 2015, there are more than 60 million users and 15 million subscribers to Spotify. Several students here at Bettendorf are users of Spotify and have several positive things to say.

Clayton Shepherd, freshman, said, “I love Spotify because it’s free music and I can do what I want.”

He also mentioned it was nice to have a choice of all the music he wanted.

Zachary Lane said, “I basically am a dictator in a country of music. Spotify had a deal for 99 cents, I got three months of premium subscription. It was cool.”

Both students said they loved utilizing all the new genres and playlists to choose from. A few students here at Bettendorf are starting a new trend. Only time will tell is Spotify makes a name for itself here in the future.

perform empowering songs that they wrote.

“Nothing’s better than seeing seven year olds saying ‘Yeah, I love myself,’” Ballard said.

Ballard is planning on being a camp counselor there this summer.

With many working towards the idea of gender equality, especially starting at a young age, the root of where gender inequality begins could be sourced from many different opinions.

“We need to focus on the media, such as movies, TV shows. There are not enough women, and if there are, they are sexually objectified, not as many roles or dialogue,” Campbell said.

“Congress has almost no women. The population views women as weaker, more emotional, women have been given a negative connotation,” Campbell said.

Because of the lack of women involved with Congress, only 101, decisions that should be up to women, such as abortion and birth control are debated among an 80 percent Catholic and Protestant affiliation, according to pewforum.org.

Ballard has a different view on gender

inequality.

“I think guys are scared of women being powerful. People [in general] are scared of being empowered by who they are,” she said.

So, although home-making and submission is a wonderful choice for many, it is not a woman’s one responsibility or destiny.

“Being a girl has never been a weird thing to me, being a girl is so great,” Ballard said.

There are “feminazi’s” out there; a “feminazi” being a woman whose goal is to make males feel less equal, but to associate a certain few with a whole culture is as close-minded as segregation.

“We, as a whole, oppress men emotionally. [Boys,] you can cry, showing emotion is strength--we’re partners,” Campbell said.

Bottom line, feminism should not being something that should be turned away from, it is a movement towards the equality of the sexes. Matriarchy or patriarchy, we were all made the same.

“Don’t be scared to call yourself a feminist,” Ballard said.

04

Feb. 6, 2015

TOP 8SONGS OF Opinion

by Fritzy Swearingen Staff Reporter

1. “Seasons (Waiting On You)” - Future Islands Baltimore’s Future Islands brought an alarming amount of creativeness this year with “Seasons (Waiting on You).” Whether you heard it from the notorious Letterman Show performance or on satellite radio, it’s a song worth remembering.

With its playful bass lines and recorder backed melodies, the song frequently switches from a throwback ‘80s ballad to an powerful guitar driven bridge.

Lead singer Samuel Herring’s voice switches from light to dark periodically within the song, giving it two cheerfully melancholic moods. The lyrics are simple, conveying the story about being fed up with the antics of a woman. “Seasons” is a great song that helps us move on from whatever we have troubles with in a year or a lifetime.

2. “Mr. Noah” - Panda Bear This year, Noah Lennox, formerly known as Panda Bear, stepped away from Animal Collective to release “Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper.” In his first single for the album, “Mr. Noah” delivers a muffled bass line and guitar melody which brings a strong presence for the entire song. Panda Bear’s “Beach Boys” falsetto shines a summer light even for song that was released in the winter.

The lyrics are reverbed over the catchy melodies are something worth noting. The song was a great preview to the album that was much anticipated during the year and makes the listener wanting more.

3. “Digital Witness” - St. Vincent Grimes was definitely not the only

female artist to bring good pop music to the year of 2014.

Multi-Instrumentalist St. Vincent released “Digital Witness” to preview her breakout album. She sings about the accurate representation that society uses social media to glorify individuals and to seek the approval of others. “Digital Witness” is used to show that individuals are dependent on how others think of them.

The rhythm and melodies consist of analog horns and sporadic guitar strikes. St. Vincent’s pop vocals compliment the song perfectly and makes the song stick in the listener’s head. Even with its joyous tones, it still has lyrics that convey a message about how social media is affects people.

“Digital Witness” is a catchy song with a great message worth listening to.

4. “Club Goin’ Up on a Tuesday” (feat.

Drake) - iLoveMakonnen After listening to this song, no one can determine whether Drake and Atlanta rapper iLoveMakkonen are singing or rapping. It’s a different style that the year of 2014 wasn’t used to compared to the hooks and beats from the violently motivated drill music scene.

Drake and Makkonen emphasize that they are too busy recording in the studio on the weekends, and therefore must go to the club during the week. Despite lyrics that are hard to take seriously, the songproduced Sonny Digital provides no kicks but a bassline and hi-hats that makes the song simply original. “Tuesday” is a great song that is catchy and a remarkable hit making pop song.

5. “Put Your Number In My Phone” Ariel Pink “Put Your Number In My Phone” was an odd leading single from Ariel Pink’s new

album “Pom Pom.” However, it was a song that offered a different sound.

The lyrics convey the struggle of taking care of a disabled family member while trying to maintain a love life. When several girls reject him, he points out they suffer the same struggle when guys reject them in the same way.

The song sounds like it was pulled straight out of the seventies and gives off a nostalgic feeling. The song, along with its creativity, is catchy and simple. The song also samples an actual voicemail the artist received from a girl with whom he had a past relationship, further giving the song credibility. “Put Your Number In My Phone” is a great song for late nights and relaxing.

6. “Girl” - Jamie XX Most high schoolers are familiar with the band The XX. With hit songs like “Crystalised” and “Intro,” it’s hard to forget the legacy the British trio had left on the 2010s. Jamie XX, percussionist of The XX, took time in 2014 to make a name for himself.

In the song “Girl,” Jamie showcases what he can do on his own. The song goes back and forth with eerily elongated synth pads and samples from interviews with London hip hop artists. The song also has backing voiced melodies and deep basslines. It is successful in bringing a new sound that is not common from his previous songs and is a great highlight of Jamie’s solo career.

7. “Never Catch Me” - (feat. Kendrick Lamar) Kendrick Lamar has been in the dark for the past year until releasing the single “Never Catch Me” with electronic producer Flying Lotus. Flying Lotus is known for producing songs for Mac Miller,

lead singer for Radiohead, Thom Yorke, and Odd Future. Kendrick Lamar has a different collaboration than those of Flying Lotus’ past.

The song is a jazz song made entirely out of a computer programming, organic in its rhythm and beats. However, at first glance, it does not sound like an electronic song but an acoustic song made with real instruments.

Kendrick also adapts a new style in the song and puts the same effort and lyrical creativity. “Never Catch Me” is a song that is fun to listen to and highlights a new style Kendrick is bringing to his records.

8. “Attak” (feat. Danny Brown) - Rustie Producer Rustie rose to popularity this year among artists like Hudson Mohawke and CVRCHES in the recent wave of Scottish electronic music. Rustie teamed up with Detroit rapper Danny Brown to create “Attak.”

As years go by, it has become more and more common to see hip hop artists collaborate with electronic producers. In this case, it works great. Danny Brown spits rhymes over the sharp synths and staggered beats. The two almost compete to have the biggest impact on the song and it results in having a fantastic result. Rustie and Danny Brown’s collaboration is a hit and great song that explores two genres with great contrast.

How to get through winter

by Melissa Weinstein Staff Reporter

“It’s hilarious,” senior Sarah Francisco

said of Iowa winters.

“One year the conditions are extremely brutal, and the next year the snow and ice are hardly an issue,” Francisco said.

Senior Megan Fleming agrees and notes that the weather can be very snowy with temperatures in the negative range one day, while the thermometer can read above freezing with no ice or snow to be seen the next.

Junior Charlyn Moss is in the midst of her first winter in Iowa having recently moved from Germany.

“My least favorite thing about winter here is walking out of the house every morning and momentarily dying,” Moss said.

Fleming fears black ice and treacherous driving conditions because “people forget how to drive.”

Francisco agrees and recommends that people take it slow when driving and leave earlier than usual on blizzardy days.

“The worst part about winter is the driving conditions along with the fact that you have to wear so many layers of clothing which makes you feel like a pumpkin,” Francisco said.

Senior Logan Mohr feels that winter break is the best part of the cold months because Christmas is his favorite holiday.

Holidays are the reason for Moss’

“After we built what we thought was a snowman, we shouted for my mom to come and see our creation,” Francisco said. distress as she dreads Valentine’s Day. “February is the worst month because everyone is exhausted, and the snow looks gross. It feels like winter will never end,” Francisco said.

Mohr survives the winter “with a jacket.”

When the weather grows frightful, Mohr stays inside. Moss sports her bubble jacket and infinity scarf and wearing Ugg boots.

“It’s basic, but it’s necessary,” Moss said.

“I couldn’t get through the winter without chapstick, warm gloves, a scarf and fuzzy socks,” Francisco said.

With cold temperatures comes snow days which are a personal favorite for Fleming who prefers to spend her days off drinking hot chocolate and watching sappy movies.

“I spend my snow days cuddled in my bed with my computer and watch ‘One Tree Hill’,” Moss said.

Mohr likes the days off because he can sleep in, but the extra snow means that he has to tend to various chores such as shoveling the driveway.

“Thankfully, I avoid winter chores because my dad is afraid that I will hurt myself if I attempt to shovel the snow,” Moss said.

To combat the extreme temperatures, Fleming drinks hot chocolate and tea while Moss enjoys chocolate shakes from Whitey’s.

As a Whitey’s employee, Mohr encourages people to come out and get ice cream despite the cold weather.

“Whitey’s is good no matter what season,” Mohr said.

Looking back, Francisco remembers her first winter in America after moving to Iowa from Brazil.

My dad, sister and I wanted to make a snowman, but we didn’t know how. We ended up making a mountain of snow and sticking a Barbie doll head on the top of the pile of snow,” Francisco said.

Despite Iowa’s harsh winters, Fleming is thankful for the milder days.

“At least winters in Iowa are less brutal than winters in Alaska,” Fleming said.

Mohr discourages anyone from coming to Iowa between the months of December and February.

“It’s just icy miserableness,” Moss said.

“Why would anyone choose to come to Iowa during the wintertime?” Francisco said. “Don’t visit. Just don’t.”

Feb. 6, 2014

Opinion

05

meet THE GROWL staff

better than sophomore Annette.

Rachel and Ellie answered the same way about their first day of high school: they were anxious.

Both Damaris and Rachel are dog lovers, but Ashley said, “Cats are the best; I love them 1000 percent.” (Adviser Connie King agrees with Ashley!)

Brett and Rachel are both night owls. Brett said he goes to bed about “Midnight?... Depends on the day.”

What really binds the publications staff together, though, is a passion for reporting, writing and designing. The staff interviews sources for stories anytime they can find the sources, which could be early in the morning or late at night.

Some of the best writing the staff produces is in the wee small hours of the morning (a former editor wrote all the editorials about 2 a.m.). Yearbook design is available online, so staffers work on the yearbook at home as well as at school.

And, of course, the staff is excited when every issue of the Growl comes out, when bettgrowl.com is updated, and when the yearbook finally appears in August.

The publications staff will always do its best job for the students of BHS.

by Rachel Griggs Staff Reporter

W

hen it comes to the Growl and yearbook staff, there is a lot you should know about us. starting with the staff size: 11.

Alex Connor and Brett Gaydos are newspaper editors; Haidyn Hank and Ashley Hertter are yearbook editors. The rest of our staff is Olivia Teach, Melissa Weinstein, Ellie Stamper, Damaris Stroker, Fritzy Swearingen, Annette Schneider, Hannah Chin, and me, Rachel Griggs. We thought we’d share a few fun tidbits about us.

Alex and Brett have one thing in common, which is what they think of their futures--they both expect to be successful in 10 years.

Alex and Brett prefer pencils to pens, just like Ashley, who prefers mechanical pencils to pens, just like Haidyn.

Olivia prefers the iPhone over Android but Alex likes Android, and Fritzy prefers the LG Cosmos II. Fritzy and Hannah prefer nonfiction to fiction writing.

From a list of five 2005 throwback songs, “She Will be Loved,” “Drop it Like it’s Hot,” “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “Hollaback Girl,” and “Breakaway,” Chin and Melissa both thought that “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani is the number one choice. A close second is “She Will be

Loved” by Maroon 5, which Annette also likes. This was a popular song with Ellie and Damaris too.

Meninism: Friend or foe?

by Hannah Chin Staff Reporter The newest craze on Twitter is Meninism: parody tweets mocking feminism. Meninist accounts prove that young generations of women cannot request equality without oppressed white men making everything about themselves.

Although many men see the Meninism Twitter accounts as a rise up against the tyrannical rule of the modern feminist, the tweets are extremely ignorant and quite honestly crude. The account ignites discussion on social media about what counts as “appropriate comebacks” in the situations between feminism versus meninism.

Most of the tweets jab at double standards like, “Why can’t men get out of a traffic violation?” or “My under-sixfoot friend needs just as much love as your fat friend” (challenging the “size does not matter” theory). Account holders also use the friend zone to support their claims. Not only are these remarks absurd, but they make men look even more idiotic than they already seem to be.

Meninist accounts also use memes and Vines to verbally ridicule women. They create memes using pictures from imaging websites and write snarky comments within the borders to misrepresent what is

being shown. Vines are also constructed using the video application and most often record women doing “basic” things like getting Starbucks coffee or shopping at Forever 21.

As consequence for this immature behavior, meninism has outraged and confused several famous online critics, both male and female. The commenters see the #meninism tweets on social media as an embarrassment to the male populace and believe that it can be difficult to determine ones voice of reason through an iPhone keyboard.

To clear the air, I am a believer in the power of feminism; however, I can understand why some double standards can create problems between men and women. I think both sides should realize that there are numerous advantages and disadvantages to being a male or a female; We just have to deal with and respect those norms.

The big question is: Is meninism an actual movement or just a joke? After all, British news sources report that there are “difficulties to being a man in the 21st century.”

Annette and Rachel both describe “senioritis” as “checked out,” although senior Rachel understands the concept

From left to right and top to bottom: Hannah Chin, Annette Schneider, Ashley Hertter, Melissa Weinstein, Fritzy Swearingen, Alex Connor, Brett Gaydos, Olivia Teach, Haidyn Hank, Rachel Griggs, Ellie Stamper, Damaris Stroker.

January in review

by Hannah Chin Staff Reporter

#JeSuisCharlie On Jan. 7, eight employees from the French satirical newspaper, Charlie Hebdo, and two national police officers were murdered by ISIS supporters. The gunmen had several assault rifles and also wounded 11 others before escaping by car.

The Charlie Hebdo attracted international attention for its depictions of Muhammad, the founder of Islam. Another gunman also took hostages at a French kosher supermarket. Three of the terrorists and four hostages were killed before police intervention. The attacks are the deadliest acts of terrorism in France since the 1961 train bombing. The remaining staff of the Charlie Hebdo will continue to produce the publication, with plans for a print run of 1 million copies of the next issue. On Jan. 11, over two million people, including 40 world leaders gathered for a national rally to honor the victims and their families. #Boston2024 The United States Olympic Committee selected Boston, Massachusetts, as its partner to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games. Although it is early in the overall bidding process, Boston recognizes the opportunity and will continue to work closely with the government, business community, USOC, and the citizens of Boston.

Air Asia Flight 8501 On Dec. 28, AirAsia Flight 8501 crashed into the Java Sea. There were 162 fatalities and 29 identified bodies have been found. The aircraft’s black box, a flight data recorder, was found and will allow Indonesian officials to further investigate.

Colorado NAACP Explosion On Jan. 6, an explosion occurred outside of a Colorado Springs NAACP chapter.

The FBI claims that the explosive device detonated next to a gas can against the exterior wall of the chapter building and a local hair salon. The gas did not ignite, but it did leave severe charring on the building foundation. Although the NAACP does not know if the organization was the target, the FBI continues to investigate persons of interest and a motive.

2015 Golden Globe Awards On Jan. 11, The Hollywood Foreign Press Association presented the 72 annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles.

Comical divas, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler co-hosted the show. The pair dazzled the audiences with their references to North Korean leader, Kim Jong-Un and the Bill Cosby sex scandal. The most memorable award winners include: “Boyhood” - Best Drama Motion Picture, Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Motion Picture Amy Adams (Big Eyes), Best Actor in a Drama TV series - Kevin Spacey (House of Cards), and Best Animated Feature - “How to Train Your Dragon 2.”

06

Feb. 6, 2015

Student Spotlight

Melissa Trepa, her journey of remission

by Alex Connor Newspaper Co-Editor

F

or senior Melissa Trepa, 18, high school became a time period that would forever shape her thoughts, actions, and in the long run, her future for the better, even through what seemed like the worst of times.

Melissa, planning to attend the University of Iowa through the honors program next fall, a HyVee employee of almost two years, and a lover of movies, music, and theatre, seems like the typical teenager. Trepa, however, is anything but.

In April of her freshman year, Melissa was rushed to an Iowa City hospital after being pulled out of musical rehearsal by her parents. Being known to always get sick, Melissa thought she had another infection, or maybe it was her asthma.

Little did she know that the small lump on her neck would not only change her life tremendously, but impact her friends, family, and way of thinking.

“My mom was crying and my step dad was in serious mode, we drove to Iowa City not knowing anything,” Melanie Trepa, 18, said. When the Trepas arrived, they found themselves in the oncology unit of the hospital.

“Melissa and I had no idea what oncology meant,” Melanie said. Melissa was to be diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Luckily, Melissa’s cancer had an 80 percent survival rate.

(Far Left) Melissa Trepa after being diagnosed. The Build-A-Bears are from the theatre department during the musical ‘Anything Goes.’ (Middle) Trepa during treatments. (Far right) A selfie Trepa took after being in remission for about two years.

“I stayed the night and had to wait a week and a half for the biopsy results. It was the longest week of my life,” Melissa said. “When you think cancer, you think fatal.”

Being twins, and besides Melissa’s trip to France this past summer, Melanie and Melissa had never spent more than two days apart from each other their whole lives, which made it even harder for the Trepa sisters to imagine a life without the other.

“Total breakdown,” Melanie explained about her reaction to Melissa’s diagnosis.

“Nothing mattered more than her [Melissa].

Our entire family was affected.”

Melissa, after being diagnosed, continued

Trevor Snodgrass

by Alex Connor Newspaper Co-Editor

W

hen he was six years old, Trevor Snodgrass began building computers.

At the age of eight, he taught himself his first programming language: since then, at the age of 16, he has taught himself 12 different programming languages.

Born in Rockford, Illinois., Snodgrass attended Catholic school till the fourth grade, where he then moved to Amsterdam, Netherlands till seventh grade, he, then, moved to Bettendorf for the remainder of middle school. Since then, Snodgrass moved back to Rockford his freshman year, and is now a sophomore at BHS. “I knew a lot about a game, and they [Disney] asked if I wanted to help. I learned Python, and built patches--which are weak areas in a game that gets credit card information,” Snodgrass said.

Since he was 14 years old, Snodgrass has been working for Disney Interactive Studios/ Virtual Reality Studios, a job that, most of his coworkers begin in their late 20’s.

Starting off in customer service, Snodgrass real time chatted with agents who got hacked, he then would have to trace back their information to at least a year to solve the problem.

After that, Snodgrass began working on the game development of ToonTown.

ToonTown was a massive multiplayer online role-playing game, which launched in 2003. ToonTown was cancelled in 2013.

“ToonTown shut down because of the ratio,” Snodgrass said. “They had shifted focus to new people, and the old players had nothing to do.”

After ToonTown shut down, Snodgrass kept his job with Disney and now works in network systems and administration. To be able to do this, Snodgrass had to get a

college certificate that he obtained through online classes at South New Hampshire University.

He has been taking classes for about a year and a half and is almost completed with those required.

“I learned a lot more about structure,” Snodgrass said.

On top of Snodgrass’s job with Disney, Snodgrass anonymously writes articles on anonhq.com, an anonymous news source.

Taking Tech Internship this semester, Snodgrass is currently building a server.

“Log into a game, what do you think it’s hosted off of?” Snodgrass said.

A server is a computer program that runs to serve the requests of specific programs and clients. For ToonTown, Snodgrass built https://github.com/Astron/Astron, and also http://sourceforge.net/projects/loic/.

Following his high school career, Snodgrass plans to get a master’s degree in computer sciences at Devry University in Chicago. Snodgrass would also like to join the Air Force and hopes to work in the military for about 20 years, preferably at the Pentagon, where he would then retire.

“It’s a lot of stress,” Snodgrass said.

His shifts start at 1 a.m. and go to 4 a.m. making the idea of sleep a dream for Snodgrass. It also creates less time to have a social life. Snodgrass found a loophole, however, and usually skypes friends while working.

With an estimated $40,000-$50,000 worth of equipment in his basement, Snodgrass has a four desktop setup on computers that he had built himself.

“I’m very organized.”

with school, started chemotherapy and made the journey back and forth between the Quad Cities and Iowa City, often.

“Cancer doesn’t mean you’re going to die,” Melissa said.

Melissa went through four months of chemotherapy, five blood transfusions, and radiation from April of her freshman year till October of her sophomore year. Since then, Melissa has been in remission.

“It opened my eyes, I know it’s super cliche but I see life in a different way, different things are important,” Melissa said.

“School is important but health comes first,” continued Melissa.

With Melissa’s diagnosis came many unexpected new friends and memories, both good and bad.

“As I was leaving Melissa, I saw a girl run out of a room in tears. I was grateful for our situation and saddened for theirs.

That could have been me and the person in their [the hospital room] could have been Melissa,” Melanie said.

Melissa, now involved in anything

theatre including tech, crew, one acts, thespian society, and props, along with National Honor Society, her church, show choir crew, concert choir, and a French club called W.R.A.P, has plenty on her plate, but can somehow manage it all.

“Everything is precious, get over little things, take advantage of things, it’s gonna be okay,” Melissa said.

Described by her sister as “caring, empathetic, and responsible,” Melissa admires her mom and can attribute her strength to this woman.

“For any parent it’s hard to watch your child go through that [cancer], I couldn’t have gotten through it without her,” Melissa said, “I hope I can love my kids someday as much as she loves us.”

For now, Melissa must wait five years of being in remission until she is considered officially cancer-free, but with college on the table, a possible degree in English in the future, a family to strongly support her, and a new love for shorter hair, Melissa is capable of anything the world could throw at her.

“You have to have the right mindset,” Melissa said.

Levin Leesemann

by Alex Connor Newspaper Co-Editor

Leesemann hangs out with sister in in Braunschweig, Germany, a couple of days before Christmas.

S

ophomore Levin Leesemann, 14, moved to Bettendorf four weeks into the 14-15 school year. With years of cultural diversity on his hands, Leesemann grew up in not just different states, but countries, as well.

Born in Lower Saxony, Germany, Leesemann moved to Louisiana for two to three years, then to Brazil, back to Germany, and finally to Bettendorf.

“I moved to America and to Brazil for Dad’s job, and moved back to Germany with my sister, mom, and our dog,” Leesemann said.

Leesemann’s favorite place to live, overall, was Germany because of his friends.

Being bilingual, Leesemann can speak German, American, and took Spanish for three years. Leesemann lost his ability to speak Portuguese.

“I play soccer, drum, and animate,” Leesemann said. Leesemann animates because, “Every guy wants to make a video game.”

Leesemann has played soccer ever since he could remember, and hopes to try out for Bettendorf’s team this spring. Leesemann has been drumming since about four years ago.

“You do whatever you want,” Leesemann said about animating. Leesemann accredits his animating skills to the help Google and Youtube.

Contrasting from his German school, Leesemann is not used to Bettendorf’s block scheduling, compared to his old, all year, day one and day two schedule.

“You either had good or bad teachers, it was a private school, only 300 people, and it was Pre-K through 12th,” Leesemann said.

Currently, Leesemann is involved with band, but hopes to take Tech Internship in the future.

Feb. 6, 2015

Features

07

Speech, debate team goes unrecognized

by Alex Connor Newspaper Co-Editor

F

or 18 weekends of the year, the speech and debate team load up the car, head west, head east, head anywhere, to compete in tournaments across Iowa.

Meeting from anywhere to twice or even five times a week after school, the speech and debate season lasts from September to June, on average.

Joseph Rankin, English, and Sarah Michaelson, Science, advise the team and have been doing so for an upward of four years. The team, itself, has been around for almost 50 years.

“Mr. Casas reached out to me and told me about the position, my high school friends did it, and I was a political science minor so it connected to my interests,” Michaelson said.

Rankin got involved with the speech and debate team through an interest of it in high school along with teaching the class at Bettendorf.

Competing in debates such as Lincoln-

Douglas (LD), which is one vs. one, along with Public Forum (PF), which is two vs. two, the speech and debate team have won awards, trophies, and have competed in nationals since 2000.

“I picked a club that I thought was interesting,” sophomore Adejoke Mason said.

Mason, moving from D.C., joined speech and debate at the beginning of her freshman year.

“The team is a lot of fun, you get to meet people and travel,” Mason said.

With a lenient schedule, speech and debate members meet when needed based on agendas and individual help.

“You learn a lot of topics you’d never think would come up,” Mason said, “helpful for knowledge for school.”

Currently, the speech and debate team is debating “on balance, economic globalization benefits worldwide poverty reduction,” which is a PF event. LD’s topic is that “just governments ought to require that employers pay a living wage.”

Before every debate, each team must be able to prepare both sides of the forum,

and be able to prepare counter arguments candidly.

An LD round lasts for 40 minutes and a PF round lasts 30 minutes.

During the debate, the team affirming the argument gives three speeches and the team negating the topic is allowed two speeches.

In between the two speeches occurs crossexamination between the teams.

“I like working with kids who are generally interested about learning. I feel like its less me teaching a student, but us learning together and collaborating,” Michaelson said.

Having been to Dallas, Salt Lake City, and Indianapolis, the speech and debate team provides students with an experience to travel, speak publicly, and debate at tournaments and nationals.

Speech and debate, also, helps individuals grow as students. “[Speech and debate] has helped with presentations, grades… writing is a lot easier and English and history,” Mason said.

“It’s nice to have accomplishments, winning looks good, and to have those

FCCLA off to great start

by Annette Shneider Staff Reporter

“F

amily Career Community Leaders of America is a good way to mix community service and fun,” Kaylin Kuhn said.

FCCLA is led by Amanda Halfman and Elizabeth Kieffer who strive to make a difference in the community and around the school.

“It is a youth based organization that

promotes personal growth and leadership through family and consumer sciences,” Halfman said.

FCCLA meets on the third Thursday of every month in Kieffer’s classroom at 7:30.

“We talk about our upcoming events and plans, play games, and eat doughnuts,” Kuhn said.

Kuhn, sophomore, wanted to join a club that would not interfere with her busy schedule.

“It is an easy club to join because it is not a huge time commitment, but you’re still giving back to the community,” Kuhn said.

The student president of FCCLA, Alissa Lira, found out about the club the first day of school when Kieffer talked about it in advisory. After going to the first meeting she knew she wanted to be president.

“I’ve already done a lot of community service and I really wanted to be involved with a club that the main focus is community service,” Lira said.

Being a new club, it is taking a little bit of time to figure everything out, but they have been planning many upcoming events.

“We are planning a trip to visit the animal sanctuary to provide chores and upkeep for the animals and update their Facebook page and website. We are also planning a coffee drive for the women’s shelter because that is the number one thing they request. Coffee keeps them awake to be able to look after their children and it also keeps them warm,” Halfman said.

The coffee drive goes until the end of February. Their goal is to get 50 pounds of coffee by having students and teachers donating money or coffee.

Some of the past activities that have been keeping them busy include: carving pumpkins, making cookies for assisted living patients and making caramel apples.

FCCLA is not only in Bettendorf, but nationwide. They hold competitions called STAR events, which stands for, Students Taking Action for Recognition. The current national project is called FCCLA at the Table.

The goal is to “make families stronger one meal at a time.” As a new club Bettendorf FCCLA has not competed regionally or nationally yet.

“FCCLA is a group with members from all grades and we would love if more people joined,” Lira said.

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under your belt looks good,” Mason said.

Not known to many, the speech events are mainly dramatic interpretations.

“Speech events range from limited preparation events that require extensive knowledge of current events to dramatic and humorous interpretation, which challenge students to find powerful moments in literature and recreate them for an audience,” according to speechanddebate.org.

“Helps with research skills, thinking on your feet, public speaking, and provides skills beyond practice in class,” Michaelson said about joining speech and debate.

Teacher spotlight: McDaniel

by Annette Schneider Staff Reporter

Photo Credit: http://bhs.bettendorf.k12.ia.us/Teachers/Ms_ McDaniel/010EC077-0119ED4B.0/ Jennifer%20McDaniel1.jpg

What do you teach? I teach honor sophomore English and intrapersonal.

Tell me about your family? I have three sons; Max is 19, Ben is 17, and Zach is 15.

I married a very nice man who made me a better version of myself. His name is Jeff, but I call him Atticus.

Do you have any pets? My family has three dogs and one rabbit.

What did you major in college and what college did you go to? I went to the University of Iowa for six years for English and mastered in English education.

How long have you been teaching at Bettendorf? I have been teaching for 22 years.

What are your hobbies? Being a mom, gardening, reading and playing with my dogs.

What is your favorite pizza flavoring?

My favorite is cheese pizza at sport’s Fans.

What is your favorite pair of shoes you own? My Birkenstock clogs.

What is your favorite motto or saying?

Do unto others has you’ll have them do to you. (Treat others how you want to be treated.)

What is your favorite high school memory? Not appropriate to share.

What is a piece of advice you have for your students? Know yourself well enough to do what you love and do what makes you happy and pursue it.

Anything else? I love my job and feel lucky and blessed because I love the people I work with and feel honored to teach the students that go here. Also, my dream job is to be a stand up comedian.

Feb. 6, 2014

Features

08

Families in Bettendorf endure military lifestyle

by Damaris Stroker Staff Reporter

With her family, Claire Cook skypes her father, who is deployed in Izmir, Turkey. has learned a lot from being an Army brat.

“I learned a lot about respect. Not only do I respect everything that our military members go through to protect us as Americans, I respect my dad on a whole other level,” said Rant.

Rant believes that all should feel the same respect that she feels towards our veterans and current military members, and that everyone should try to get a better understanding of what it is like to sacrifice as much as military members and military families do.

Nick Arevalo, senior, is also a former Army brat. Arevalo’s father, a retired

member of the Army, has taught Arevalo about character and respecting veterans.

“It is pretty cool to hear stories from my dad about when he was in the Army. I have learned a lot from them and have gained a lot of respect for everything he sacrificed for our country and every other military member who has sacrificed so much for us. I am a much more thankful person thanks to having a veteran for a dad,” said Arevalo.

Although being an Army brat has its disadvantages, it has its life experiences and acquired traits that make it valuable and unique.

Students set goals for year

by Melissa Weinstein Staff Reporter

Senior Melanie Trepa describes the new year as a time to “start fresh” and have a “do-over” which she believes is why so many people make New Years resolutions.

“This year, I decided to be healthier because previously I had poor eating and exercise habits, and I wanted to take care of myself. I also wanted to be more optimistic because I am anxious and worrisome often.

Having a positive attitude would calm my angst,” Trepa said.

Freshman Jack Stamper plans to eat less sugar in 2015.

“I made this resolution because it’s healthy. I run cross country and play basketball, so I want to be in the best shape possible,” Stamper said.

Trepa’s fulfillment of her resolution includes her drinking significantly more water during the day than in years past. She also exercises regularly and works to eat only when she is hungry “instead of eating simply because I’m bored.”

As far as being more optimistic, Trepa finds her goal to be “a work in progress”, but her overall happiness and thoughts have improved “When I feel negative, I stop what I am doing, and I try to see the positive situation in my problem,” Trepa said.

Sophomore Kyle Anderson shares

by Olivia Teach Staff Reporter

T

T

he official flower of a military child is a dandelion. Dandelions, like military children, put down roots wherever the wind takes them and are strong and resilient.

Military children, specifically Army children, referred to as Army brats, are abundant in BHS. Army brats are forced to deal with obstacles many average kids cannot even imagine. Being forced to move every two or three years is common when in the army.

Claire Cook, sophomore, has moved nine times so far.

“You have to have a lot of patience when moving. All you really have is your family, so you have to rely on them,” Cook said.

Cook, although she recognizes how hard it is to move around every few years, highlights the benefits of constantly being subjected to new environments.

“I have been forced to become more outgoing and friendly. When you move around the country so much you are always put in the position of being the new kid at school who knows no one. Everyone is so different and I have learned a lot about not only other people but about myself,” Cook said.

Cook enjoys moving and seeing and experiencing a lot of new places and people almost as much as she enjoys when her father, who is currently deployed in Izmir, Turkey, returns from his multiple tours around the world.

Another student, senior Megan Rant, is a former Army brat. Rant, whose father served when she was a younger child, also

New classes 15-16 year

Photo Credit: http://blog.trill.me/15-resolutions-for-2015/ Trepa’s resolution to be healthier and also plans to drink less pop than previous years.

“I want to run more often which will improve my health,” Anderson said.

Both Anderson and Stamper have made resolutions before this year, but their goals have not always worked out.

“I typically never made resolutions before this year because I was never sure of what to say,” Trepa said.

Anderson has had a fairly easy journey without pop, and he plans to keep his resolution throughout the entire year.

“To keep myself from cheating my goal, I am going to feed all of the extra sugar in my house to my sister, Ellie,” Stamper said.

Trepa has every intention to maintain her healthy and productive choices throughout her life.

“If you want to make a resolution, include your friend in your goal. By working together, the likelihood of you cheating yourself goes down,” Anderson says.

Stamper encourages others to make resolutions during anytime of the year.

“It’s never too late to improve yourself,” Stamper said.

Trepa agrees and actually began her workouts in December.

“It’s so important to stick with your resolution by making short term goals.

You can make little goals like going a week without negative thoughts. If you stick with it, you can give yourself a reward like buying small harmless gifts.

The important thing to remember is that your resolutions won’t happen if you wait until tomorrow so start today,” Trepa said.

here are seven new classes that have been approved and added to the BHS curriculum. The first class is called Advanced Foods involving food preparation techniques that represents many cultures around the world as well as around the world.

This class may be taken after the prerequisite, foods and nutrition. While in the class, students expect to learn how to safely handle knives, tools and kitchen equipment. Students will expect to learn different measuring techniques, proper techniques for preparing a variety of American regional foods and also investigate careers in the food service industry.

The Advanced Foods course will help students expand on the learned concepts by providing the opportunity to in-depth study and produce authentic cuisine.

After taking Foods and Nutrition and Advanced Foods the third class is Culinary Principles. In this class students will look at developing trends in management and industry structure.

This class can earn students two hours of college credit from Scott Community College after the course is completed.

Essential Science is a new course that will teach students core science skills such as science inquiry, life science, earth/ space science, physical science, and health skills such as proper nutrition and exercise, sex education, personal hygiene and first aid.

Coding and Gaming CSI involves playing games and competing in challenges while you learn about how computers work, the history of computing, algorithms, and how information is stored into the computer.

This class will prepare students to be ready for additional courses about computer science.

Business Leadership will be a new course taught by Mark Pisel where students will get hands-on experience in communication, group dynamics, self-awareness, goal setting, leadership, organizational and managerial skills and efficient use of technology.

Students will also be communicating with actual business professionals to help mentor.

Last but not least is the new course, women’s chorale, which is for intermediate level women in choir that is in between Concert Choir and Bettendorf Singers.

This group would have a total of five performances every year at Metrofest and IHSMA large group.

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Feb. 6, 2015

Features

09

Students work hard to make SEIBA posted which indicates which musicians are to audition again for a chance to make the honor band.

On Dec. 10, students traveled to “The judges Fairfield, Iowa, to audition for the have a yellow Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association sheet with (SEIBA) Honor Band. SEIBA is a various scoring regional honor band that begins in categories such as seventh grade. The SEIBA Honor Band tone quality and concerts for middle school, high school rhythm. They look and jazz were held on Saturday, Jan. 24. for the various Freshman Ben Tinsman auditioned on musical aspects trumpet and made the honor band for the and review how third year in a row. you play overall.

“SEIBA is something I’ve always The categories done, and making the band is a good goal are scored from for me to try and achieve,” Tinsman said.

1-10 and whoever Senior Lauren Arner has auditioned all has the highest four years of high school on trombone. numbers in “I was a member of SEIBA last year the categories and wanted to see if I could get a better Lauren Arner, Ben Tinsman, Morgan Hoffman and Alysa are selected,” chair placement,” Arner said.

Goethe made the SEIBA Honor Band.

The concert was held in Tinsman said.

Tinsman, who had auditioned for Iowa City on Saturday, Jan. 24.

Though most All State earlier in the year, was fairly instruments get comfortable with the audition materials recalled, less as they are the same for both SEIBA You can then choose a scale you’d like to popular instruments may only hold an and All State. On the day of SEIBA play along with the chromatic scale. There initial audition. auditions, Tinsman warmed up and dressed are two different etudes that you practice, “If you’re recalled, you go back to in nice clothing before his performance. and you play a section from both, but you audition place with same judge, play The audition process lasts an entire day don’t know which part of the etudes you different parts of etudes and more scales. beginning with initial auditions, recalls and will be asked to perform. Finally, you Then, you wait for the next list to be the final posting. play a solo of your choice that you have posted,” Arner said.

“The audition consists of two unknown prepared,” Tinsman said.

The day of auditions did not begin scales, so you need to practice all of them.

After the first audition, a recall list is

how Arner had planned as she only had 10 minutes to warm up by the time they arrived at the high school.

“After the audition, you have to wait which is just tiring. A lot of people bring stuff to do, and one person even brought a lawn chair to sit in by an outlet. I got the most nervous towards the times of recall and band postings,” Arner said.

Tinsman believes that the key to being musically successful is to prepare well, which increases confidence and appreciates being compared to his peers to see where he ranks.

“SEIBA allows you to practice much harder material which is good for me to practice. I got a lot of help from Saito who showed me how to play very musically.

SEIBA really helped me be able to think about what I’m playing and what I need to do to be better,” Tinsman said.

Arner agrees.

“I’ve learned to prepare ahead of time and not wait until a couple days before because that won’t help you. SEIBA helped me to make sure that I prepare everything and not spend all of my time focusing on one specific aspect of the audition. SEIBA is an experience that you can make very fun and rewarding,” Arner said.

Along with Arner and Tinsman, freshmen Morgan Hoffman and Alysa Goethe made the honor band. Senior Andy Braught made the highly competitive jazz band.

concerned?

“Currently, influenza (flu) is widespread across Iowa, and much of the country. So, it does not surprise us that many people are searching the internet for information on how to prevent getting ill, various symptoms, and potential treatment for illness,” Amy Thoreson, Deputy Director of the Scott County Health Department, said.

Symptoms of the flu include: a temperature usually over 100oF, a cough or sore throat, a runny/stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills, fatigue, and nausea/ vomiting and diarrhea.

Although not deadly, those who are at most risk while contracting the flu are

a lot and drinking a ton of water,” McGee said.

“My plans were altered because I was contagious for the first five days of break so I couldn’t see any of my extended family, and once I wasn’t contagious anymore I still felt awful for another week. I really didn’t want to do anything.”

Although the flu may seem unavoidable during the sickest season of the year, following the previous cautions can help lessen the chances of catching the dreaded illness.

So, cover coughs, carry tissues, and stay home when sick.

by Melissa Weinstein Staff Reporter

‘Cover your cough’ and be well

by Alex Connor Newspaper Co-Editor

‘T

is the season for the flu. Peaking in January and February, sniffles turn to sickness, sleep is what one constantly thinks about, and the excuse “it’s just allergies,” is met with cold medicine and tissues.

According to a study done by WebMd, Davenport was named ninth in the top 10 sickest of metro areas in America. This was based on the most number of people who were searching for information about the symptoms.So what has Quad Citians so

those over the age of 65 and under two years old, along with pregnant women and those already ill.

Treatments for the flu include: getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids, placing cool, damp washcloths on foreheads, arms, and legs, and covering up in a warm blanket to reduce chills, according to flu.gov.

“We continue to emphasize the importance of getting a flu shot, washing your hands well and often, covering your cough, and staying home when you are sick,” Thoreson said.

Casie McGee, 17, who got sick over winter break with Influenza A, offers her best cure for getting better from the flu.

“The best cure for being sick is sleeping

Students learn sign language for fun

by Olivia Teach Staff Reporter

“I

t’s my favorite part of Tuesday,” Breanna Kane, senior, said. Kane is involved with BHS’s sign language club.

Kane decided to learn American Sign Language because her uncle and other members of her family are deaf and she wants to able to communicate with them.

After she graduates she plans to take the three year program at Scott for signing.

The sign language club is every Tuesday morning at 7:40 to 8:10 a.m.. All are welcome. The leaders of the club are the two licensed interpreters at Bettendorf High School, Annie Sheller and Darcy King.

“American Sign Language is a language which is learned through games, books and fun at the club,” Sheller said.

Gabby Harrington is signing “sister.”

Sheller was inspired to learn how to sign when she was young because one of her neighbors was deaf and she taught herself to fingerspell her ABC’s. As she got older she went into the same program Kane is looking into at Scott for two years.

Annie Sheller signs “sister.”

At first when Sheller got at a job at an elementary school, she was the school nurse until the school started mainstreaming, or bringing in deaf students. Once she started interpreting for the student, Sheller “fell in love.”

Morgan Beaver signs “girl cousin.”

Now Sheller has been signing for over 20 years ago and interpreting since 2002.

If interested in trying out a new language, visit the lab located on the left in the back of the library on Tuesday mornings.

Feb. 6, 2014

Sports

10

While getting ready for games, coach Clark adresses the team before tip off to make sure everyone knows what to do in order to win.

Boys look to finish strong

by Brett Gaydos Newspaper Co-Editor

T

his year’s boys basketball has had an uncharacteristically down season. The team holds a losing record right now for the first time in several years. Through all of the adversity, the team has also faced its share of inexperience and injuries. “ We have to overcome the adversity by staying positive,” senior Matt Coiner said.

The team has gone through ups and downs but has competed hard in every game. Going into every game the squad still feels like they can come out with the victory. Getting those tough wins is what makes all the hard work pay off.

“When you win its like your hard work has paid off,” senior Noah McKissick said.

“Knowing your coaches are happy and so is the team is nice.”

For some players, playing the game of basketball can teach individuals many life

lessons and experiences. Win or lose can always be a lesson learned from the game.

Each person can take their own lessons.

Dealing with the losses can be compared to life.

“I have learned that I need to be more responsible and do my job right because others depend on me,” Coiner said.

With only a couple of games left in the season, the team is staying positive and looking to finish strong. Having the attitude to win is what has driven the team

this far in the season and is what will keep them going through until the end.

“Same way we have gone into every game with, the intentions of winning,” McKissick said.

The team will look to snag a home win tonight against a tough Muscatine game.

The players would love to have the stands packed for this big conference battle on the hardwood.

Dance marathon planned Why walk when

by Ellie Stamper Staff Reporter

Your dance skills only have to be as

good as Taylor Swift’s -- in other words, you don’t have to have any skills at all -- to stay up all night and hang out with your friends for a good cause. Bettendorf High School’s dance marathon is being revived this year and is coming back bigger and better than ever.

Dance marathons are events in which participants raise money to stay up and on their feet for a given amount of time. These occasions are typically popular fundraisers at universities.

“The dance marathon is a big event, similar to any of the other dances at the high school, but dissimilar in that all proceeds go to the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital,” said Ryan Berg, senior and ambassador to St. Ambrose.

The marathon, which will be held March 6 at the high school, will benefit the MakeA-Miracle foundation.

This is not the dance marathon of the past.

Organizers say the old dance marathon has been revitalized and will bring surprises.

“We have made big changes to make it better to get more participants,” said Isabella Blackman, sophomore and chairperson of the dance marathon.

Those “big changes” include partnership with St. Ambrose University and the Goldusters, as well as the actual activities going on at the marathon.

“Our goal is to raise the $10,000 and to throw the coolest dance marathon this side of the Mississippi,” senior and committee member Archie Weindruch said. “The plan for the DM is to have each participant to raise at least $25 in donations from friends,

family, and local businesses.”

The Dance Marathon committee has decided it’s time to go big or go home. Or don’t go home, and stay up all night.

“In the past, the dance marathon just seemed like a spur of the moment event,” said senior Hannah Chin, a chairperson from the Goldusters. “The Goldusters weren’t involved with this in the past and the marathon just wasn’t on a big enough scale.”

Activities that will happen during the marathon consist of “drunk goggle” dodgeball, a video game tournament in the planetarium, a dance with a DJ, a performance by the Goldusters, a chance to win prizes, and speakers from the Makea-Miracle foundation.

“People should come because the money goes to a great cause,” Blackman said. “It’s a fun way to spend a night in Bettendorf while giving back to the community.”

But students and faculty shouldn’t only go for the fun activities. Berg explains that there are a lot of families from the Quad Cities, and even from Bettendorf High School, who benefit from the Make a Miracle Foundation. This is an activity that is not only fun, but helps people in the school’s own community.

“The committee knows that students and faculty get hit up for things like t-shirts and hoodies and wristbands and ‘items’,” Chin said, “but this is more than just a dance marathon. It’s a good way to spend your money because it is going to charity and affecting people at BHS. It is helping someone’s siblings or other families get better in the Iowa Children’s Hospital.”

“As cliche as it sounds, it’s a great cause,” Berg said “We have a lot of really fun events planned, and we hope that the student body gets as excited as we are.”

you can dance?

D

ance can be a way of exercise, expression, or competition. Competition dance is difficult, yet valuable for many.

Dancing is an art and a form of expression for many, including senior Jenna Bengtson.

Bengtson, as a child gymnast, quit gymnastics to pursue something she loved, dance. Bengtson chose dance over any other sport because she felt like she could truly express herself through dance, unlike in most other sports.

“I am truly able to express myself when I dance. If I am upset, angry, happy, excited, or really any emotion, I am able to take all of my emotions and pour them into each step I take while dancing. I truly feel that dance is a rare case in which you can express yourself directly in a sport,” Bengtson said.

Dance had taught Bengtson a lot of lessons that help her out not only in the dance studio but the classroom and her social life.

“On stage at a competition you cannot be shy or afraid of what the judges are going to say, just like in life you have to go out there and do your thing and not worry about what everyone is going to say,” Bengtson said.

Hannah Krug, freshman, has also picked up a lot from her 11 years of dancing.

“I have learned how to be confident in myself and to be a team member. Working with a team and all, trying to memorize the exact same dance and make it look fluid throughout the whole group is hard, so patience and cooperation are something I have learned through countless times of doing this at dance,” Krug said.

Although putting in many hard working

by Damaris Stroker Staff Reporter

Jenna Bengtson performs with her studio dance team at an event. hours every day at the studio to prepare for competitions, Krug also has fun memories from dance.

“For a school talent show, a friend and I both did a dance routine. We dressed as grandmas with big butts and did a hip hop routine. I could not stop laughing and still chuckle when I think about it. It was probably one of my favorite memories from dancing,” Krug said.

Kaitlin Scheff, a sophomore, has learned valuable life skills from dance.

“I learned to respect others opinions from listening to criticism from judges and keep an open mind about a lot of things,” Scheff said.

Many discredit dance and see it as simple and something everyone can do.

Scheff, having danced for 13 years so far, has proved the opposite.

“I work just as hard as any other athlete.

Dance is not as easy as it looks. There is a lot of time and effort put into it.”

Feb. 6, 2015

Sports

11

Hockey team skates to greatness

by Hannah Chin Staff Reporter PJ Nelson, from the Quad City Blues, attempts to keep puck from opposing team.

T

he Quad City Blues high school hockey team is in full swing for the last half of its regular season.

The Blues are composed of freshmen through senior students from across the Quad City area and are coached by Shane Lovdahl, Steve Andry, Jay Carr, Zach Honert, Patrik Levesque, and Marty Fillion.

Several of these coaches formerly played hockey with the Quad City Mallards, the professional hockey team located in the bistate area.

The team practices and competes at the River’s Edge Sports Complex in Davenport. They are also a member of USA Hockey and the Midwest High School Hockey League. The Blues are currently ranked seventh in the MHSHL and have one of the top junior varsity goalies in the region.

The Blues have traveled as far as Omaha, Nebraska, and Kansas City, Missouri, for league games. The team has a chance to bond during road trips and hotel stays.

“My most memorable experience as a player this season was the knee-hockey tournament in Omaha. We all had a good time joking around in the suite,” sophomore Peter Sakalosky said.

Sakalosky plays both varsity and junior varsity as a center and right wing for the Blues.

“I have racked up a lot of penalties this season, but the two I remember the most were my headbutt misconduct and the game when I gave a Dubuque player a fourth degree concussion. Those were interesting games to say the least,” freshman Mason Chin said.

Chin plays varsity defense and junior varsity wing for the Blues.

The team also held its annual benefit hockey game at the River’s Edge Sports Complex in January. This years theme was “Slash MS.”

“A person very close with the

QUAD CITY BLUES

team was diagnosed with MS early in his professional career. We chose the theme, ‘Slash MS’, to honor him,” Chin said.

The Quad City Hockey Association Booster Club partnered with Genesis Health Systems to raise funds and awareness for multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable disease that disables the central nervous system and disrupts information flow to the brain.

In addition to the game, the players’ custom jerseys that were specifically made

for the event were auctioned off to the public following the last buzzer.

Although there are many upperclassmen players, the majority of the team is new to the program. The young team can be a disadvantage at times, but allows for players to set high goals for their high school careers.

“My goals for future seasons are to start varsity consistently, score goals, and lead the team in points,” Sakalosky said.

“I love playing hockey because it allows me release all of my rage and just hit people, without any major repercussions. I can’t express myself in that way at school.

I want to have the most penalty points in the league,” Chin said.

The Quad City Blues take on the Cedar Rapids Roughriders at home on Friday, Feb. 13. The varsity puck drops at 6:45 p.m with junior varsity at 9 p.m. Like the team’s Facebook page for more information.

Wrestling team looking for repeat

by Brett Gaydos Newspaper Co-Editor

A

lmost every year the wrestling team is very competitive at the state tournament.

The boys are looking to repeat last year’s performance by placing several wrestlers.

In order to keep the winning tradition going, the squad is working on staying positive and focused through the final challenge of the season.

“I only have positive thoughts about this year,” senior Paul Glynn said. ”It is my last chance and I want to give it my best shot.”

The season can be long and hard. Many hard practices and cutting weight can take its toll on some of the best athletes. Injuries and sickness have plagued the team but some of reserves have filled the missing pieces. Even with all the troubles, the team has still had a very successful season.

“Some challenges have been dealing with sickness and injuries,” Glynn said, ”A lot of kids on our team have stepped up big in filling in spots for sick and injured

Paul Glynn looks to make a run for an individual state title after his runner up finish last season. starters.”

Many highs and lows come with the sport but sticking it out is what makes wrestlers tough. Each person is responsible for making weight and that takes time in

and out of the gym. A disciplined diet and hard work outs is what it takes to make the proper weight.

“Making weight can be challenging at times because there are days when you

want to eat something like Azteca or junk food before a meet but you need to make weight,” senior Jacob Schwarm said. ”For other people it takes a lot more to cut down weight and that can be even more challenging.”

Going into this season the team knew that they would be good. The squad returned several key wrestlers who wrestled in the state meet. There are also many senior leaders on the team that have wrestled in the state meet since they were underclassmen.

Those experiences should help everyone in competition later this month.

“The seniors on this team have all stepped up to be leaders,” Schwarm said. ”We all make each other better and feed off each other during practices and meets.”

“As a team I feel like we have performed beyond our expectations so far,” Glynn said.

The state meet will be held later this month in Des Moines.

Feb. 6, 2015

Valentine’s Day

12

Love is in the air

by Ellie Stamper Staff Reporter

L

ove is in the air this time of year as evidenced by all of the happy couples who roam the hallways during passing times.

With so many relationships blossoming, it’s hard not to wonder what the secret is to a happy and lasting relationship, especially around Feb. 14.

A special day of the year, Valentine’s Day is when gifts, flowers and candy are exchanged in the name of St. Valentine, a martyred saint who died a horrible death in the name of love. But let's stick with the happiness.

“I don’t really see why people make such a big deal over one day of the year,” said Trevor Larson, a junior who is dating sophomore Maddy Caroll. “If any day of the year should be celebrated like that it's each couple’s anniversary."

Others are doubtful of the power of Valentine's Day. “It’s weird that we only have a day dedicated to appreciate and love each other. It kinda seems like a scam... Like Christmas,” said senior Colin Malin, boyfriend of senior Libby Weaver.

Malin and Weaver met in elementary school but started dating only three months ago, and have never celebrated Valentine’s Day together before.

“I think [Valentine’s Day] is a fun

holiday and a good way to spend some quality time with your boyfriend/girlfriend,” Marisa Casas said.

Casas and boyfriend Jake Rollinger, both freshmen, have been dating for almost a year. This year for Valentine’s day, Casas and Rollinger are keeping it simple, just hanging out and enjoying each other’s time.

Caroll and Larson have similar plans.

“Well, at this point we think we're both going to be involved in activities all day,” Caroll said, “but if we have free time we'll most likely go to dinner or watch movies.”

On the other hand, some couples have more elaborate plans for the holiday. For instance, Malin and Weaver are going to Chicago Feb. 13 to celebrate.

Whether at home or away, a few gifts seem to stand out as favorites on Valentine’s Day. Both Larson and senior Dustin Murphy claim that their favorite gifts from their girlfriends were handmade blankets. Malin claims that the best gift he has gotten from Weaver are bow ties.

Many girls enjoy gifts such as jewelry or stuffed animals.

“I really love the silver heart necklace that he [Murphy] got for me sophomore year,” senior Casie McGee said.

(Left to right) Casie McGee and Dustin Murphy, Marisa Casas and Blake Rollinger.

Carrol prefers the stuffed animal approach to holidays.

“My favorite gift from Trevor is the big stuffed dog that he got me for Christmas,” Carrol said.

However, Weaver loved her heartfelt, handmade present from Malin this past Christmas.

“He handmade probably the greatest card I've ever seen,” Weaver said. “On one side there were little plastic jewels and a plastic rabbit and on the back he wrote his name with crayon.”

Valentine’s Day can bring a lot of pressure to a relationship. But rather than fixing things with gifts, the key to a successful relationship is found in simple

advice.

“Don’t assume your relationship is not going to work out because of one fight.

Just talk it out and don't leave the problem alone until it's fixed,” Casas and Rollinger said. “And stay by each other’s side for everything.”

Trevor Larson’s advice is simple: get flowers.

Whether a couple has been dating for only three months, like Weaver and Malin, or nearly two and a half years, such as McGee and Murphy, perhaps they can tell others if John Updike was right -- that “we are most alive when we are in love.”

Or at least they can share some of their chocolates.

Cupid Cupcake Recipe INGREDIENTS • • • • • • •

1 box of white cake mix 3 egg whites 1 cup of water ¼ cup vegetable oil red food coloring pink frosting Valentine’s sprinkles

SUPPLIES • • • •

cupcake pans festive cupcake liners large bowl for mixing cake separate bowls for food coloring

HOW TO: Everyone has

a sweet tooth, and with Valentine’s day coming up, these Valentine’s Day-themed tie-dye cupcakes are the perfect way to show someone he or she is loved.

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees (or as called for on the box of cake mix).

Put the festive liners into the cupcake pan.

In a large bowl, prepare the cake batter following the directions on the box: pour the dry ingredients into the bowl, then add one cup of water, ¼ cup of vegetable oil, and three egg whites (also known as the “wet ingredients”). Mix ingredients together until smooth.

Once the batter is clear of any lumps, separate the mixture into four separate

bowls. In three of the bowls, add the food coloring to your liking.

Once you are satisfied with the varying colors of batter, add a spoonful from each of the bowls to the cupcake liners so there is a multi-layer effect.

After you have filled all the cupcake liners, bake the cupcakes for 18 minutes, or until puffy and baked throughout.

When the fluffy cupcakes are taken out of the oven, allow 10 minutes to cool and then begin frosting.

When the cupcakes are frosted, add Valentine sprinkles to make the cupcakes as cute as they are delicious.

BHS adopts “TomKat”

by Ellie Stamper Staff Reporter

D

ebatably the hottest couple of 2015 so far, Tom Parker and Katherine Baer are “TomKat,” the Twitter-famous “It Couple” at Bettendorf High School, and perhaps, the world.

“I was blinded by a lot of other guys who didn’t really know what was best for me,” Baer said, “but Tom is the first guy to step in here and really tell me how he feels.”

The couple met in sixth grade, but don’t remember exactly how. Because who remembers anything in sixth grade, other than pizza every day for lunch?

“We were blindsided, really,” Baer said.

“The blind force of love,” Parker said about the relationship.

So far, their relationship sounds like it’s defined by a lack of vision.

The couple’s relationship was introduced via Twitter mid-January, but dates back to one of Parker’s Facebook posts circa 2011.

Baer commented on the post Parker made, which led to banter between the two.

“That’s when I knew,” Parker said, “that there was something more. She had something to say.”

“We have social media to thank for this,” Baer said.

Though so much public attention, or “hype,” can be fatal to some couples like Kim Kardashian and that basketball player or Kanye and himself, Parker and Baer seem to love the attention their relationship garners.

“I love the hype,” Parker said, “Our relationship thrives off of the hype. If

When you bite into the delicious little cake, see a swirl of colors. Whether you are making these cupcakes for yourself, your friends, or your significant other, these treats are sure to fill their stomachs and minds with nothing but love.

*article written as a Valentine’s day spoof. Real people and interviews, not real situations.

there were no hype, there would be no relationship.”

“We have to believe in the hype,” Baer said.

Though Baer claims to have been blindsided by the relationship, Parker has planned the romance for years. Much like a professional stalker.

“Throughout high school it has been my goal,” Parker said, “that second semester senior year Katherine and I were going to be the ‘it’ couple.”

“Dreams become a reality at some point,” Baer said of Parker’s goal.

However, every dream has obstacles, and one particular obstacle was Parker’s former love interest, senior Alexis Tansey.

“Tansey has been pretty distant lately, and I can understand why she would be jealous because Tom is quite the catch,”

Baer said.

“It was as bit hard to cope at first,” Tansey said, “being that Katherine and I are good friends. But I’m over it now and I’m happy for them.”

“You know, I never meant to hurt Tansey,” Parker said, “I mean, every new beginning starts from some other beginning.”

With Valentine’s day coming up, Parker and Baer have plans of making new memories together.

“Our relationship is young so we don’t have any lasting memories yet,” Parker said, “only immense potential.”

Parker claims to think the relationship will last forever. However, Baer seems to have other ideas.

“I give it a week,” Baer said.