Surveyor The Washington
2205 Forest Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403 Volume 53, Number 8
April 26, 2020
Thompson charged with sexual exploitation Sam Seyfer Editor-in-chief After a two-week investigation by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, former social studies teacher Eric Thompson has been charged with sexual conduct with a student. The investigation was conducted after the department was contacted by an anonymous source. According to the complaint, Thompson engaged in sexual conduct with a student at Washington. The complaint places the time period between March 1 and 31. Thompson was previously placed on administrative leave April 1. “Based on Thompson’s account of a situation he was involved in, the district was compelled to place him on administrative leave,” principal Ralph Plagman said on April 15. Thompson was officially asked to resign on April 5 and on April 8 he submitted his resignation. Although the specifics regarding the charges are still unknown, Thompson’s teaching career is in jeapordy. Plagman commented that,”Certain situations lead teachers to face consequences, and whether he will be able to continue teaching matters among three arenas.” The three arenas in which Thompson could potentially receive punishment are through his employer, by the legal authorities and by the Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE). Thompson has already received consequences from the first two, with his employer (the district), asking him to resign and the police department charging him with
From the Iowa Code:
709.15 SEXUAL EXPLOITATION BY A COUNSELOR, THERAPIST, OR SCHOOL EMPLOYEE.
Photo by Jessica Wohlers
Former social studies teacher Eric Thompson looks on at the Diversity Forum in January four months before he was asked to resign and was charged with sexual exploitation by a school employee.
Check out Profiles (page 7) to read more about Thompson’s substitute, Tyler Walker
3. Sexual exploitation by a school employee occurs when any of the following are found: a. A pattern or practice or scheme of conduct to engage in any of the conduct described in paragraph “b”. b. Any sexual conduct with a student for the purpose of arousing or satisfying the sexual desires of the school employee or the student. Sexual conduct includes but is not limited to the following: kissing; touching of the clothed or unclothed inner thigh, breast, groin, buttock, anus, pubes, or genitals; or a sex act as defined in section 702.17.
March 1-31- the complaint alleges that Thompson was involved in sexual conduct with a student
Monday, April 5- Thompson was officially asked to resign by the school district
Thursday, April 1- Thompson was placed on administrative leave by the district
The Focus section reveals the inside scoop on Senior Prom throughout the generations Page 8-9
sexual exploitation. His state teaching license’s future is in the hands of the third group, the BOEE. They will review the information and decide whether or not he will retain his license. Despite the distraction the incident has caused, Thompson’s classes have had to continue on. His three AP US History Classes have had to cope with losing their teacher just a month before the AP exam, which is a critical review period. Within a couple days of the resignation, Plagman had found a long-term sub with Tyler Walker, a former Wash graduate. Walker took AP US at Wash, and Plagman has received “great feedback” about Walker. The students will also receive help from Sigrid Reynolds, who taught AP US and AP World History at Wash until 2008. In regards to who will actually fill Thompson’s position next year, Plagman said they have not made any decisions yet. “In this era of budget cuts, every vacancy gets scrutinized,” said Plagman,”However, it’s likely that (Frank) Scherrman will pick up AP US next year.” Regardless of shifting classes, the shock of the allegations has not worn off. Many students and teachers are left wondering what actually occurred during March. Plagman said, “There’s a certain line, and once you cross that line, it doesn’t matter how many positives there are. Once you cross it, that’s all that is looked at, the rest is thrown out.” According to the complaint, Thompson admitted to the offense. Thompson could not be reached for comment.
Thursday, April 8- Thompson submitted his resignation, officially ending his tenure at Washington
In this issue Isaac Halyard investigates Washington’s plans for summer musical festival attendance
Connor O’Neil explains why your great aunt Ruth’s dead body should be used to fertilize your pagonias
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4-26-2010
New York City, NY: April 10, 2010 The New York Society Library, established nearly 200 years ago, announces that president George Washington, would owe over a hundred years of overdue fines if he were still alive. Washington checked out two books Nov. 2, 1789 and never returned them. The library states that they do not intend to seek payment of these fines, but would instead prefer that the two volumes be returned as the rightful property of the library.
News Just so you know Events written by Tyler Hubler
Smolensk, Russia: April 10, 2010 In a trip meant to strengthen ties between Russia and Poland, the plane of Polish President Lech Kaczynski crashes near the Russian city of Smolensk. The crash kills 96 passengers, including top Polish political, military and church leaders. The cause of the plane crash has, thus far, been cited as the product of pilot error and dense fog.
Graphic by Trevor Polk
Brasilia, Brazil: April 21, 2010 Brasilia celebrates its 50th anniversary as a city, and as one of the world’s first “planned” cities. Through the leadership of former President Juscelino Kubitschek, tens of thousands of hardworking lower-class Brazilians, often referred to as candangos, were driven by a will to “make their own way” in new Brazil. The candangos used this will to carve a capital city for Brazil out of dense surrounding rainforest.
<-------------------------The rundown: Upcoming events ---------------------------> -> Friday, May 7, Creme de la Creme concert, Cedar Falls, Iowa. The Revolutionists and Slice of Jazz perform at 7:30 p.m. in UNI’s Gallagher-Bluedorn Peforming Arts Center. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for students. -> Friday, May 14, School district early dismissal for students. Photo courtesy of http://www.defence. pk/forums/
Events compiled by Tyler Hubler News Editor
Paris, France: April 20, 2010 Following the volcanic explosion of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull glacier April 14, and a subsequent ash cloud hovering over a large section of Western Europe, thousands of passengers face flights canceled for four to five days. Some flights are now allowed at Paris’ Charles De Gaulle Airport and other major national and international airports across Europe. Due to this major interruption of European air travel, Europe’s aviation industry estimates that it has lost more than $1 billion.
iPhone may land in Verizon’s hands Patrick Anderl Staff Writer Apple’s coveted iPhone may finally become accessible to other cellular telephone customers. Apple, who released the iPhone in 2007, has recently been reported opening up discussion with major cellular companies, including Verizon and Sprint. As long as the iPhone has been in circulation, the gadget has been sold exclusively under AT&T’s network. Maintaining this sole ownership of the iPhone has cost AT&T a fortune; however, the deal has produced an enormous profit, placing AT&T right behind Verizon as the second largest mobile carrier in the United States. AT&T has claimed 43 percent of Smartphone customers with the help of the iPhone, while Verizon only has 23 percent, according to Yahoo News. Despite such success, AT&T’s network has been put under strain in larger cities such as New York. The result has sparked a fierce rivalry between
the carriers, which is often displayed through television commercials aimed at the opposing network. “AT&T has let the iPhone down, and seriously darkened the views people have on the phone itself. They are an unreliable carrier and Verizon needs to get the phone soon,” said Max McGee, ’11, who has owned the iPhone since it was released. Now, the deal between Apple and Verizon that many have waited for, may occur in the near future. According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple plans to deliver a new iPhone later this year that would run with code division multiple access technology, which happens to be the network technology that Verizon and Sprint run on in the United States, according to Apple insiders. AT&T, on the other hand, uses the global system for mobile communication technology. After the report, both Apple and Verizon’s stocks rose to recent highs. Neither side has commented on the possible deal.
Survey says: If the iPhone was carried by your cellphone company, would you buy one? 57.6 percent said “yes” and 42.4 percent said “no,” in a survey of 125 Washington students. Are you satisfied with your cell phone service company? 81 percent responded “yes” and 19 percent responded “no,” in a survey of 126 Washington students.
A breakdown of Washington students’ cell phone carriers:
Verizon: 39.1% U.S. Cellular: 18.8% AT&T: 17.3% Sprint: 10.5% Iowa Wireless: 7.5% Other: 3% Statistics were compiled from a survey of 133 Washington students.
Photo courtesy of http://www.shoppalstores. com/wireless/image//logos/img_51471_ iphone_wb.jpg
News
4-26-2010
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Money, money, money: Paying for college Alyssa Christian Staff Writer “All alone.” These two words can be especially intimidating. When combined with another potentially intimidating phrase, “paying for college,” stress levels seem to rise. However, when it comes to finances and the financial aid process of college, students and parents may not be quite as alone as they might think. Financial aid comes in various forms including scholarships, grants, federal financial aid and student loans. Following the completion of the FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, one can apply for federal aid. “The thought behind the financial aid process is that the students and their families will pay for college. So within the financial aid process that is the premise they start with and if students- when they apply for financial aid- if there’s a big gap then the federal government or the state government will try to kick in some grants, but that’s only to try to even the field,” said Larry Simons, a Washington counselor. “Hopefully, early in a student’s life, parents start saving for college.” Families who are saving for their children’s education also have options, including the utilization of a 529 plan. This is an education savings plan which is operated by the state and designed to help families set aside college funds. It offers the benefits of federal and state tax breaks, along
with an increased level of control and access when compared to other savings accounts. “For me, my parents said not to worry about it at first [the financial aspect of choosing a college], they said ‘see where you get in and then we’ll worry about it.’ But when it really came down to me, personally, I didn’t want to put that burden on my family…Obviously academics came first but that [the cost of a college] was a huge part of it,” said Julia Emery, ’10. “However, I’d say look for the colleges
Washington seniors’ thoughts on paying for a college education:
you can really see yourself at, which have the programs you want- that you love- before the financial part of it. There are so many resources out there for you, and you really shouldn’t keep that [the cost] deciding where you’re going to spend the next four years.” This thought was echoed by Simons. “When students look for colleges, price is certainly a consideration but hopefully they’re also going to just be looking for the college that’s going to be the best fit for them. Does the college have what the student’s looking for? So try to find a college and then let that college financial aid office try to make it affordable for you,” said Simons. “That’s what students need to pay attention to the most, and foremost, is the scholarships that are available at the schools because they’re going to be bigger and they’re going to be renewable.” Parents, as well as school counselors and community professionals such as ICAN, the Iowa College Access Network College can aid planning and preparation. According to the ICAN website, “The centers provide free information and support to a diverse population of students and their families as they plan, apply, pay for and succeed in college.” The process of saving and applying for financial aid for higher education may seem intimidating, but with the resources available, no one should feel all alone when paying for college.
Graphic by Gabrielle Lisinski
College scholarship search engines: 1.) College Board’s Scholarship Search: http://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_ss/wel come.jsp 2.) Fast Web: http://www.fastweb.com/
Taken from a survey of 53 Washington seniors.
3.)
IHaveAPlanIowa: https://secure.ihaveaplaniowa.gov/de fault.aspx
4.)
Kaarme Scholarship Search: http://kaarme.com/find_scholarships
5.)
Scholarships.com: http://www.scholarships.com/
Who pays the most...?
$ Ivy League universities (e.g. Harvard University) $ American service acadmies* (e.g. Army, Navy, Airforce and Coastguard. $ Stanford University $ Northwestern University (Chicago) $ Duke University *Service Academies don’t offer financial aid but rather charge no tuition for those enlisted in their respective services.
Sobering simulator coming to Washington Emily Wicke Staff Writer
people’s lives after being in a critical drunk driving accident. The final headlining event will be in the auditorium. Here, students will each take a pledge to never drive while under the influence. SADD On April 30, the members of Washington High members hope that an estimated 150 students will School’s Students Against Destructive Decisions take part in this event. (SADD) are teaming up to bring a unique, opAbigail Johnson, ’12, co-president of SADD, portunity to students. Students in all grades will hopes that the simulator experience will grab the athave the chance to participate in a state-of -the -art tention of many Washington students, while leaving simulation, and experience first-hand the dangers of each of them with a lifelong lesson. driving while under the influence of alcohol. “This will be a positive and fun environment, but Members of SADD have looked at numerous it will also educate and remind students how fatal companies to host an event that would have a posidrugs and alcohol can be,” said Johnson. tive impact on Washington students. They chose the The members of SADD Professionals Encouraging believe that this event will Educational Reform Statebenefit the entire student wide (PEERS) organization. body. PEERS hosts the number one “Sometimes it is hard to rated drunk driving preventhink of ways to promote tion program in America, safe decisions that will grab and the program is dedicated people’s attention and help to enhancing the quality of increase the awareness of the life for today’s youth. reality of the dangers that This Washington event when people make Abigail Johnson, ’12 happen will last from 8 a.m. to 2 destructive decisions. But on p.m. The feature events of the April 30 with the L.A. teachday will take place in different locations throughout ers cooperation, we will have a lot of success with the school. The main event will be in the auditogetting our message out and providing experiences rium, where the actual drunk driving simulator will which will lead to safer decisions and a safer prom as be located. In the little theater a short video will well,” said Johnson. be shown that gives students a glimpse into several
“This will be a positive and fun environment, but it will also educate and remind students how fatal drugs and alcohol can be.”
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4-26-2010
News
Health care reform bill delivers a broad impact Shana Matthews Staff Writer After a long debate about the future of health care, President Obama signed health reform into law on March 23. The essence of this law is to provide health care to uninsured Americans by awarding them tax credits to help pay for coverage, and to help those with pre-existing conditions pay for their health insurance. According to the White House website, those who receive health insurance through their workplace will not see their health care costs rise, and in fact see lower premiums and a reduction in administrative costs because of increased competition among insurance companies. However, some Americans are doubtful of these claims. “I’m still fearful we are going to be paying too much for too little reform,” said Theodore Townsend, president of St. Luke’s Hospital. “[Health care reform] will make insurance available to those who don’t have it, and that will be a good thing, and it does subsidize insurance for those people of lesser means. And that is also a good thing, but those with insurance will pay for that through higher premiums, or taxes, or both.” Right now, 10 percent of Iowans are without health insurance. Approximately 302,000 residents could get affordable insurance after the health care reform, but those who are already insured may have to pay additional costs. This is especially true for young adults who may expect to pay $300 to $400 more per year when the plan takes full effect. These extra costs would be offset by tax credits, and by the end of this year, young adults, up to age 26, will be covered by their parents’ health insurance. As for the bill’s effects on doctors and hospitals in Iowa, Townsend believes it will be negligible. “I don’t think [reform] will affect St. Luke’s a great deal because it is mostly about insuring more people, and here in Iowa, the vast majority of people already
Quick facts about the bill: ~ The bill will cost the government $990 billion. ~ The U.S. spent about $2.2 trillion on health care in 2007. ~ The bill will help 32 million Americans currently without insurance afford health care. ~ Under this plan 95 percent of Americans will have health insurance.
Major components of the bill: ~ A new process to appeal decisions made by health care providers will be created. Photo courtesy of http://image3.examiner.com/images
President Obama signs the health care reform bill into law, March 23. The bill will allow coverage to be extended to 32 million additional Americans. have insurance. However, it will help individual doctors more than hospitals because they often have to deal with more uninsured people,” said Townsend. Another major benefit to families is that within the year, health insurance companies will no longer be able to refuse to pay for treatment of children’s pre-existing conditions, and those adults who are uninsured because of pre-existing conditions will be offered help by the government.
~ Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping health care coverage for those who get sick or from placing lifetime limits on coverage. ~ Young adults can remain on their parents’ insurance until age 26. ~ Insurance companies can no longer refuse to pay for treatment of children’s pre-existing conditions. ~ Beginning in 2014, those with a moderate income level will be eligible for tax credits to help pay for insurance premiums.
Long-term detour delays students Sara Larson Staff Writer
The old East Post Road Bridge is about 60 years old. When the structure’s age was combined with its dated structural capacity, construction on the The construction taking place on the bridge was viewed as a necessity. The East Post Road bridge on the southeast road closure to the bridge construction side of Cedar Rapids has forced many created many concerns and problems for residents to change their routes to work those who travel on East Post Road daily. or school, creating many commuter “There was early concern over the tree concerns. removals and traffic along the detour Preparation for the construction route,” said Snell. “Most concerns were project began in February, when crews taken care of when citizens found out cleared the site. Actual construction that the contract does include placing didn’t begin until March 15, which was 100 new trees on the site and native also when the East Post Road closure grass seeding to keep the natural appearbegan. “The old bridge is being removed and ance of the area.” In order to cope with worries regardreplaced with a new structure. We will ing traffic routes, the city has placed a also be installing sanitary sewer, storm detour along 34th Street and Cottage sewer, water main and new concrete Grove Avenue. There was also a tempopavement around the new bridge,” said rary traffic signal installed at the intersecLoren Snell, the Construction Engition of 34th Street and Cottage Grove neering Manager for the City of Cedar Avenue to make traffic run more swiftly. Rapids. “This work was not originally in the plans. Due to citizen and staff concerns over the first few days of the project detour, traffic counts were taken and it was determined that a signal was warranted for the intersection due to the increased traffic,” said Snell on the installation of the traffic signal. The signal is only temporary however, and will be removed once construction is completed. It is expected that the project will be finished by October Photo by Lauren Hoth 2010. The city has been given The temporary traffic signal at the intersection a monetary incentive for early of 34th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue was completion, but weather will determine how quickly the installed after high volume traffic congestion construction will be finished.
occurred due to the closure of the East Post Road bridge.
Opinions
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4-26-2010
Fake bake worth it Exercise mind without leaving books behind despite no Cyrus Where is the happy medium between sickly white and Tropicana orange? Going to a tanning bed has many code names. I’ve heard it been called “fake bake”, “stuff white people do”, and “cancer”. Regardless of what you call it, everybody is doing it. I recently took a trip down to Planet Beach to see what was all the rage. A young woman named Caitlin led me to what she claimed was the most powerful bed and told me that noobs are only alto go for seven minutes. Molly Brown lowed I carefully removed my clothing, mentally deStaff Writer bating whether or not I should go the whole nine yards. I saw a sign that guaranteed me that the beds had been sanitized, and I went for it. I stuck a peace sign sticker on my pelvis and hopped into “Venus”. I expected to continue hearing Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.” as I bathed; however, once I pressed the green button the music suddenly stopped. A purple-ish glare flooded my vision and I closed my eyes. I laid down realizing I would have to entertain myself somehow. This was a bad idea. All I could then think of was the scene in “Final Destination 3” where the two girls go tanning and die. I was absolutely paranoid. I thought I could feel the plexiglass cracking beneath me. I knew this was going to be my end. As I waited for my death, I thought about how oddly cool it was, and then the bed turned off. I jumped out, and put on my clothes. I was disappointed when I saw that I had barely gotten any color. Maybe I should try again. The next time of course I knew what I was doing. I grabbed my peace sticker and put it on the exact same place it had been the week before. I got in the bed ready to feel the cool air. There was no cool air. I was struck with heat for the longest nine minutes of my life. I could feel myself sweat, and I knew the fans must not be working. This could only mean that now I was going to die. After I got up, I figured I would be slightly damp. I was astonished at the pool of sweat I left behind, and I still was pale. Maybe this is why I see people looking a little discolored. No one knows when they should stop because they still look the same. One thing I know for certain is that I will be back on Saturday to Planet Beach. I’m going and I will get color, possibly skin cancer. Beds, though, really are a lot safer these days. Plus my stomach looks great.
As I look back into my elementary school years, I remember how much I loved to read books. They offered solace and a refreshing break from the real world; they were a look into the lives and adventures of characters that I could reenact in my mind. read books for the sake of readJack Shey Iing, and I never felt obliged to Staff Writer read or forced into a book. It was a natural enjoyment and a leisure activity accompanied by basking in the sun with a glass of fine whiskey - but times have changed since then. During much of my volunteering at elementary schools, I often ask kids that what their favorite books are. The response is almost always, “I don’t read books.” Today, fewer kids realize the importance of reading. They see it as a by-product of earlier schooling, a necessity that can be used only for textbooks and required study. What is frustrating is the claim that books are boring and worthless. In all reality, books are so much more than monotonous scanning and interpreting. The main benefit of reading books is its contributions to your mental abilities. Just as weights are used to exercise our muscles to increase physical strength, so too can books be used to exercise our brains and increase mental strength. Unlike the passive interaction of television, reading keeps your mind actively involved. As you continue to push through a book,
you unconsciously make millions of small connections between the words on a page and memories in your brain. With every paragraph, the mind is enveloped in its own calculations, while searching deep into the memory to recollect images that help decipher the material. Studies have shown that people who read on a regular basis are less likely to develop memory loss in the future. As the brain increases in strength and mental capacity, concentration and conversational skills also increase. It is observed that children and teenagers who love reading have comparatively higher IQ’s. They succeed in high school and college because of the fact that they can take a subject, break it down into its components, and analyze the subject much more effectively than someone who reads sparingly. It is also observed that those who read regularly are much more sensitive to global issues than those who do not. Analyzing and interpreting the meaning of many books forces one to make modern day moral and ethical connections. Therefore, those who read are much more prone to be actively involved in the community, to volunteer and take greater interest in current issues. As the world progresses towards a more mediabased society, we must continue to stress the importance of reading books. However, increasing overall interest in books should not exist predominantly on a younger level, but should apply to all generations, old and young. - Shay Gutman
Do celebrities have to forget taken faithfulness? Natuity? Why is the responsibility of and to walk away. Credit
rally if one watches television, they have seen the lack in faithfulness of some limelight Nick Heins soakers. We’ve seen Staff Writer scandals and affairs involving notable figures, such as the Clintons, the Edwards, Eliot Spitzer and yes, even the Kennedys. More recently we have heard about the greatest golfer in the world, Tiger Woods, and his fall from prime as a sexual deviant. Why is there so much infidel-
marriage so easily disregarded? Though my attention rarely lies on such subjects, for in truth I don’t really care enough to judge the accused, I find myself wondering what brings such talent and reverence of the attended into such infidelity, such lack of faithfulness. We hear about infidelity among Hollywood’s greats, we see it in our icons and sometimes we hear about it happening among political figures. One thing to remember about being married is that an oath is taken, whether you mean it or not. Thus, marriage was not intended to be disposable. Just because times get tough does not mean that the easy way is to be
must be given to Tiger Wood’s wife for her willingness to work at the marriage even though she had been betrayed like other wives and husbands that have stayed. So does being famous bring about a thick layer of arrogance, that faithfulness is no longer part of their persona? I am not the judge of this world and if God is good it will remain that way, yet I wonder about what makes lime light dwellers so immune to the need of a dignified upholding. I’m not simply stating a grievance, rather, just a question. Does treating a person like a god entitle them to feel relinquished of their responsibility to the world?
Surveyor Editorial Policy Surveyor is established as a school-sponsored open forum dedicated to informing and entertaining its readers. It is published nine times each school year by students enrolled in Sam Seyfer the Journalism News class at Washington High Editor-in-chief School. The staff will report as fairly and wellbalanced as possible. All activities and news will be covered to the best of the staff’s ability. Surveyor accepts the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics as the basis for good journalistic ethics. Jessica Wohlers Editorials and the reviews that appear under Photo editor a byline are the opinion of the writer, not necessarily the staff. Unsigned editorials represent the majority of the Editorial Board. The opinions section is designed to provide a forum for the opinions of the Surveyor staff and the Washington High School Community. Molly James Readers are encouraged to express their Profiles editor viewpoints through guest editorials. Surveyor also welcomes letters to the editor, with these Writers guidelines: Patrick Anderl Natalee Birchansky 1. It is not libelous or obscene. Jill Broghammer 2. It explains the material clearly. Molly Brown 3. It is not longer than 300 words. Alyssa Christian Catheryn Cooper 4. It is signed.
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4-26-2010
Opinions
RFTC (Running from the cops)
Daniel Williams Staff Writer N.W.A. used the phrase “f*** tha police” in their 1988 album “Straight Outta Compton” to signify their distrust and disgust of law enforcement. Today this phrase is used everywhere to express feelings of resentment towards the police, from South Central, Los Angeles to the South East side of Cedar Rapids. What keeps this saying so popular is the almost “coming of age” that is associated with its use. As an elementary or middle school student I would have never dreamed of disliking cops. If anything, I wanted to be one (didn’t we all at some point?). But then high school rolled around, and suddenly laws actually mattered - and more importantly now you
could actually break them. The good ol’ days when you could innocently go to any old elementary school at 11:00 at night without having the cops called or walk through someone’s backyard without them screaming at you that “you’d better get off mah damn’d propr’ty or else I’m callin’ the cops!” were over. So with the seeds of resentment sewn it would only take a catalyst to make the hatred of cops full and final. For me this catalyst took place in the form of me and some friends getting in trouble for walking across a St. Luke’s parking garage during the flood so we could get a closer look at the damage. Naturally they had the garage roped off with yellow “Do Not Cross” tape, and, naturally, we just ducked under it and proceeded on our way. I mean honestly what could possibly be wrong with walking 50 feet into a parking garage and surveying the devastated Cargill factory? Apparently a lot. When we were done investigating, a St. Luke’s security guard stopped us from leaving
and told us that we were trespassing on private property and took our ID’s, wrote down all our information, took our picture and told us that if we were ever to go across St. Luke’s property again we could be criminally prosecuted for trespassing. I mean, what the hell? All we were doing was walking, talking and having a good time. In no way were we doing anything wrong or out of the ordinary. Since then I’ve known several other people who have had run-ins with the cops for other innocuous “crimes”. The ones that frustrate me the most are traffic violations. It’s so hard for me to comprehend that it’s against the law to roll a stop sign when there’s indubitably no other cars or pedestrians nearby. As an avid hyper-miler (that is, trying to extend the mpg of my car as much as possible) I try not to unnecessarily stop or slow down the momentum of my car - and one of the things that is notorious for doing both of these is stop signs. I see absolutely no harm in rolling a stop sign in the absence
of any cars or pedestrians in the area. The CRPD feels differently - I was pulled over for doing this exact thing last year. In my senior year of high school I can actually identify with that timeless N.W.A. lyric. All of my encounters with the police have been for absurdly petty offenses that are in no way, shape or form hurting anyone. Since when do PUBLIC parks close at 10 pm? Since when is it not okay to play midnight soccer at Grant Wood? Since when is it not okay to try and save gas and help the environment? Since when do cops show up every weekend and ruin every party I go to (although running from the cops is pretty exhilarating)? It seems to me like the Cedar Rapids government should spend more on fixing up the roads, cleaning up the West side of town and not tearing up soccer fields than worrying about what teenagers are doing on the weekends, while also randomly patrolling parks at night. Maybe then there wouldn’t be t-shirts everywhere that say “f*** the police”.
Thorns Roses - Thunderstorms - Long, hot, sweaty runs - Colonoscopies - Duke winning national championship - Easter candy - Ali Farokhmanesh - No shoes in the grass - iPad - Spring sports assembly - Photoshop class calling Mrs. Dvorak “mom” - Heat baths after running in the rain - Freshmen tribal chants in the hallway - Heads up 7up in Stat
- Smelly women’s track team - Rectal ticks - Already saving quarters for laundry machines at college - Taking blood pressure in AP Biology - Librarians not letting study hall kids sit in the IMC - Group projects - No friends online - Filling out scholarship opportunities - ACT - Falling grades - Bear attacks on the rise - Seniors nearly gone - Glenn Beck - Staying in Iowa for college
Use your dead for garden soil Yesterday, while I was watching the reasonably handsome Mr. Ruffles teach, I began to think about the last dead body I saw. My grandma Connor O’Neil died a couple of Opinions Editor years ago due to lack of interest in living. It was the first funeral I’ve ever been to, and it was painfully boring. It was quite sad at some points, but there was also a lot of religious jibbery-joo. The most interesting part, however, was seeing the dead body; just this weird mass of organic matter decaying on some bed. Later I watched a pretty bizarre ritual: putting the body in a large wooden coffin and burying it deep amongst many other dead bodies. When I reflect on this experience now, I’m dumbfounded. So many people take what I consider an absurd route in dealing with the dead. Let’s consider the somewhat standard funeral. For many Americans, a funeral consists of some short anecdotes from the deceased’s life followed by a modest meal and concluded with some extensive prayer and a trip to the burial sight. I could not think of a worse way to spend my day. Furthermore, if I were the one who was dead I would feel nothing but guilt in the hours leading up to my death, knowing that I had to make all of my family and friends suffer through a long day of mourning and prayers. Here is how my funeral better happen: The location is somewhere out in the woods by a creek with plenty of fold out chairs and (vegetarian) barbeque. People meet up around noon and, after a couple of stories regarding how I got my Nobel Prizes, begin to party. Some people share some stories about me, others have never even heard of me, but by 2 pm everybody
is wasted and dancing to the live band Darci Family Tour. My body is propped up on some bench and drunk acquaintances move my limbs around and take funny pictures of me. Chances are my body would eventually be disregarded as some passed out guy, and would remain in the woods where it could become the fertilizer for the next year’s plants. In the morning, everyone is satisfied with the party from the night before. So at the very least, if they’re sad that I’m not around, they can say “Yeah, but he threw a crazy party.” What really bothers me is stuffing all these dead bodies in the ground with a wooden or metal coffin. Too much effort and money is put into the process of digging a grave and paying for the coffin, gravestone and funeral procession. Way too much land is devoted to graveyards where bodies aren’t even allowed to decompose very fast. My body better not be honored in such a way. Afterall, it is just organic material that is of no further significance to anybody else. Here are a couple of ways I’d prefer my body to be handled: First is obvious - medical research. If not research, I’d hope that my family would be willing to put sunglasses on my corspe and prop it up in different locations (i.e. put it in an intersection and make it look like it’s directing traffic, or put it on a canoe thats heading for the Niagra Falls so everyone can see it). If my family does not comply, I’ll have no choice but to arbitrarly place my body near some river so that the next generation of kids will have some story about “that old decomposing body by the river.” The point I’d like to drive home with this article is that our bodies are organic matter that will inevitably decompose (unless you’re Lenin) and provide good soil in the future. Therefore it should not be in our interest to assign any value to a dead body. In fact I think we should look into an industry of bodies for engine fuel.
Profiles Former Washington student takes over after Thompson resignation Natalie Neppl Staff Writer Due to the recent leave of absence of Eric Thompson, former Washington student, Tyler Walker, has gladly filled the position. Walker describes his new position at Wash as a dream job. He stepped in on a very short notice, but his familiarity with Washington made adapting easy. Walker’s greatest concern was jumping into a fulltime job when his only teaching experience has been substitute and student teaching. “Everyone has been very helpful and supportive. Teachers make the effort to check on how I am doing frequently,” said Walker. Walker feels confident in preparing the AP U.S. History students for the AP exam. As a student, Walker took the class and knows what is expected on the test. “Mrs. Reynolds will come in to help teach prep for the AP exam nine days before test day. The students already know about 90 percent of the material, so I feel confident they will do well,” said Walker. Walker is teaching his classes from Thompson’s lesson plans, but personalizes them to fit his personal teaching style. Sharing stories of history with the students is what he most enjoys about teaching. “I lecture to expand others’ knowlegde in history by teaching something they already know and throwing in something they don’t,” said Walker. According to Walker, there have been many changes since he was a student. “The biggest change is the addition of the new science wing and fine arts wing,” said Walker. As a student at Wash, Walker participated in golf and orchestra. His peers voted him “Apple Polisher” for the senior edition of the Surveyor. Walker was also elected junior class secretary. He graduated from Wash in 2003 and attended Coe College, graduating in 2007. Walker hopes to continue teaching full time in the future, whether at Washington or another school.
Halyard straight from Hollywood Cole Rhatigan Staff Writer Vaughn Halyard, father of Washington’s productions, describes Halyard as, “An Isaac Halyard, is no common person. If he extremely effective worker. He’s exceptional were to bump into Randy Jackson, instead at what he does.” of whipping out a pen and asking for an Halyard has made contributions to autograph, he’d be more likely to greet major motion pictures such as the “Scary Randy with some of his own terminology, Movie” franchise and “The Final Season” “Yo, what’s up dog?” and begin to remi(set in Norway, Iowa). His current projnisce on their years of working together as ects include a Canadian sports movie, and music producers. a television series for PBS entitled “The Jackson and Halyard collaborated in Science of Thrill.” producing music by such notable artists “This show will look at such things as as Janet Jackski teams and son and Stevie analyze the sciWonder. ence that goes “Stevie was behind making it great to work entertaining,” said with. He’s Halyard. both musiOne may cally intelligent think that doing and extremely all this from Iowa talented,” said would be rather Halyard. difficult; Halyard However, agrees. Halyard didn’t “It’s hard to do Photo courtesy of Vaughn Halyard always work in everything I do music produc- Vaughn Halyard (right) sits side-by-side with from Iowa. I have tion. Nor was Stevie Wonder while producing the soundtrack to travel a lot. it his life-long And it’s bureauto the 1991 film, “Jungle Fever.” dream. cratically difficult. “I never really aspired to get into the However, it’s a great place to raise kids,” production business. Events in my career said Halyard. just ended up leading to it,” said Halyard. For those who have a dream of getting Halyard’s first job was at IBM, where he into the production business or any kind worked at selling large computer comof show business profession but feel it’s a ponents. This led to work at a high tech bit farfetched, Halyard feels now is a great computer music company. From there, time to work towards it. Halyard landed a job at a record label and “If you want to do it now, do it. Study ultimately Disney productions. creative writing. Study science. So much Recently, Halyard has experienced a of it is technology and an understanding of transition from the music production that is extremely helpful. But everything industry to television and motion picture is important. History is important, friends production. Credit for this transition goes and the interactions of people are imporin part to Halyard’s work with GoDaddy. tant. You just need to find a way to be com. Here, he worked as a consulting pro- creative and original,” said Halyard. ducer for GoDaddy’s production company. It may also be helpful to be friendly toMarc Rhatigan, vice-president of GoDaddy ward Isaac Halyard - he’s got connections.
4-26-2010
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Barber masters BMX Catheryn Cooper Staff Writer As spring sports get under way at WashBarber tries to get out to the track and ride ington High School, Chris Barber, ’10, conabout five times a week. During the school tinues to compete in BMX races. Since he year he tries to go as much as possible and was 10-years-old, BMX trains usually for one or has been a big part of two hours. At the track, his life. Barber has won Barber likes to mess many local competitions around with the jumps, and recently received but he mainly works on first place at the state his main gate start. competition in two “It is really imporclasses. tant to know the time “It not as big of deal sequences when the gate anymore winning in drops so you can be right Cedar Rapids, but at there,” said Barber. the national races, it’s Barber truly believes exhilarating to know that BMX is more than that I actually accomjust sitting on a bike. plished making it to the At times, he becomes main, the eight fastest frustrated because very riders. Anything after few people know about that is just like an added it so they view it more as bonus,” said Barber. an activity rather than a Barber has been sport. competing for eight As a rider, he puts a years and now races in lot of time and energy Photo courtesy of Chris Barber into it and would like to the expert class for amateurs. BMX entails one see others experience the Chris Barber, ’10, flies high while lap of racing through thrill of it also. turns and jumps. Barber competing in a BMX race. “It’d be cool to grow enjoys that BMX is a the sport and get more sport without a team aspect. people to know about it,” said Barber. “It all depends on the rider and how they Barber rides at the Cedar Rapids BMX prepare themselves for it,” said Barber. Track and really encourages people to come When training during the summer, out and see what it’s all about.
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Focus
4-26-2010
Generations of prom... It’s all about the tux
Back in t
Anna Fisher
Like all school dances, Language Arts teacher Adam Witte began his memorable night getting dressed in fancy attire. The following people “I love to dress up; nothing makes me happier than wearing a tux,” said Witte. of Washington facu Witte wore a black tux with tails and green accents to match his date. He took dances from the his high school sweetheart, who wore a handmade green dress. are up for the “Each parent wanted pictures. My date was already taller than me, but including who is w heels and her big hair, she made me look like her little brother,” Witte said. bott Following pictures, Witte borrowed his parents 1985 Honda Accord to take his date to the nicest restaurant Illinois had to offer, Grammercy Park. The prom theme that year was Stairway to Heaven. They posed for one more round of pictures and then hit the dance floor. Witte remembers dancing to U2’s Witte’s song list at prom: “One”, Pater Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes”, and “Stairway to Heaven”. The after party was sponsored by the high school PTA at a local bowling alley. Studen “Stairway to heaven” by Led Zeppelin entertained by carnival games, bowling, and plenty of food. “I was the only person at the after party still wearing my tux jacket. I refused to take it off all “In your eyes” by Peter Gabriel Witte said. Witte’s prom night ended there, but he remembers it as one of his greatest experiences in his high “One” by U2 “Because it was the end of my senior year, prom was one of the last times I got to see all my friends together. It was a great night.” Witte wishes all graduating seniors a great prom night, and advises them to have fun and make good dec
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DRESS: light pink Scarlet Ohara dress,” massive collar, long puffy sleeves with elegant long white gloves DATE: high school friend Kitt Rosberg DINNER: homemade dinner at Barb’s house CAR: Chevy Superspot POST PROM: breakfast at Karen’s house “The best part of prom was being with great friends.”
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Prom expert of five proms Norma Wenzel
DRESSES: light pink, scoop neck, floor-length with satin sash; white with avocado sash and yellow daisy petals across the bottom of the dress DATE: Bobby, Larry and Mike (all high school friends) DINNER: put on by parents at the school CAR: “I am one for cars, it was definitely always a convertible.”
Brenda’s song list: “Ben” by Michael Jackson “Hotel California” by The Eagles “Dancing Queen” by ABBA “Stayin’ Alive” by Bee Gees
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Fancy dresses seniors carrying thoroughly enjo prom as an enjo Dr. Plagman where the senio the junior class high school. “We had dinn at the school,” was no post-pro the cost was mu probably almos would’ve been were in the five Plagman rem his girlfriend, J “It was nothin other!” They attende couples. Plagm occasion, but n wore new suits as fancy as thos changed over th “The music w jockeys ar Howev the
Light blue diva Brenda Carter
DRESS: light blue, floor-length, halter dress with matching hooded fur-trimmed jacket Tide-to-g DATE: high school boyfriend, previously graduated DINNER: Sneaky Pete’s restarant Band-aids CAR: light blue Dodge Charger Gum POST PROM: drive in movie with boyfriend “Prom has become equivalent to a wedding for many girls. Prom is a great way to end your four years but it’s getting far too costly.”
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ed the dance as a couple, rather than in a group of man describes the event as having been a dress-up not quite as formal as the event is today. The guys s, and the girls wore long dresses, though not quite Dress: se worn today. Music is another aspect that has $100-$500 he years. we danced to was played by a live band. Disc re relatively new,” said Plagman. Hair/accessover, one commonality that has persisted throughout e years is all the excitement of attending prom and ries: endless fun on the dance floor. $25-$150
m
4-26-2010
5.
who? Prom today Lauren Kelley
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For many, prom is one of the highlights of their high school years. Over time, it has developed from a simple dinner and dance into a memorable night filled with music, elegant dinners, fancy dresses, after-parties and even breakfast. As the long-awaited night grows closer, the anticipation continues to build as students finalize their plans. Prom has become one of the largest social events of the school year. With time have come numerous changes and additions such as post-prom parties, attire, promenade, limousine rides and the music. Of the many changes that have been made over the years, the many costs involved with prom are some of the largest. Ticket costs have risen. Depending on the school, tickets can cost from $20 to $50 per couple. The cost of dresses and tuxes has also increased. Dresses now cost anywhere between $75 and $250, and tuxes cost an average of $150. Flowers usually cost $10-$20. Pictures can vary in prices as well. Based on the photographer and number of copies, pictures can cost $40-175. Depending on restaurant choice, dinner can be expensive too. Whatever the cost, prom promises a new and exciting experience for students. This year, prom will be held on Saturday, May 15, with a masquerade theme. Kathryn Bell, ’10, attended last year’s prom and says it was a very positive experience. “I think prom is a thousand times better than homecoming or WPA,” said Bell, ’10. “I like that it’s held somewhere other than the school, and it just seems more mature.” Tillie Loeffelholz, ’10, one of the senior class officers, says they have been planning prom for almost a year. Loeffelholz, ’10, has played a large role in the promenade preparations. “We’re giving out masks this year, to go along with the masquerade theme,” said Loeffelholz, ’10. “I am very excited for it!”
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4-26-2010
Profiles
A day in the life: Kathryn Bell Sangamithra Sathian Staff Writer Successful people aren’t successful on a whim; they give their heart and soul for what they love. This definition of success is fitting of Kathryn Bell, ’10. Bell is a ferocious athlete, singer extraordinaire, devout Christian, diligent student and a hard-working employee. Athletics play a big role in Bell’s life. She was a captain of the women’s cross country team and a member of the track team. As a sophomore, Bell beat her personal records on her runs at state. Besides track and cross country, Bell also enjoys running the Pigman Triathlon every year. “I plan on doing them for the rest of my life. The feeling you get when you cross the finish line is indescribable,” said Bell. She is currently training for a half marathon with friends Abby Varn and Tiffany Westrom both, ’10. As an avid musician, Bell spends much of her time after school practicing with Washington’s jazz singers, Slice of Jazz. She especially enjoys the music they get the chance to sing and loves working with other Slice members. As she has been singing with her family and three older sisters since her toddler years, it comes to no surprise that singing is such a source of joy in Bell’s life. “When an awesome chord and harmony is hit, it rings...so awesome,” said Bell. As for her future, Bell plans to attend Iowa State University, where she will sing in one of their two choirs and study environmental science or geriatrics. After college, Bell would like to travel and be a missionary in Haiti. “I went there when I was younger, and I’ve developed a love for the Haitians,” said Bell. She is also passionate about helping people; she wants to teach people how to purify their drinking water and set up systems in less privileged countries that will help citizens maintain a healthy lifestyle. Finally, Bell is employed at Parlor City Ice Cream and serves as a leader for a music worship team at her church. Bell’s years at Washington have been some of the most memorable. She has had the opportunity to do and excel in any area that she has wanted to. “I’m going to miss having this safe haven to attend everyday where I feel like there is always a place for me and really anyone can fit in and where I’m encouraged to do my best,” said Bell. “She works very hard at everything she does. I look up to her a lot,” said Jenny
Wenzel leads the way to ‘Nirvana’ Lily Gasway Staff Writer For many high school students, choosing a college can be a stressful and difficult decision. However, students in Norma Wenzel’s AP Literature class have an easier time deciding because of her guidance. Wenzel had retired, but returned to Wash to teach when principal Ralph Plagman offered her a part-time position. She also came back because she likes her colleagues and enjoys the relationships she has formed with other staff members over the years. Several of Wenzel’s former students and student teachers are now teachers at Wash. “She is a fabulous teacher. Students flock to her classes. We are very fortunate to have her,” said
Plagman. Wenzel’s students – only seniors – get a start on their college planning early in the school year. “We started out the beginning of the year by writing our résumés; pretty much the whole first trimester our homework assignments would be to research different colleges from all over the U.S.,” said Mallory Williams, ’10. The year continues with journaling, brainstorming, polishing essays, reading newspaper articles and getting financial aid forms and other college information. “She was rockin’ it. It was really cool. She would talk about certain schools and every day she mentions that college is going to be Nirvana, we’re going to enter Nirvana, Nirvana, Nirvana, Nirvana,” said Filipe Camarotti, ’10. Wenzel also helps students choose back-up schools and keep their options open if they’ve already decided. “I like working with kids this age. I had very little counseling at this age, but we did not have as many options and college was not near the cost it is today,” Wenzel said. To help her students out with college costs, Wenzel relies on her relationships with college admissions people. These relationships have been very successful. “Usually all I have to do is call someone and they will offer more money to my students or automatically enroll them in the honors program. Most schools really like Wash kids, and the professors and counselors at these schools tell me the students are really prepared,” said Wenzel. Every year, Wenzel has to see her students leave and in the fall, her classroom is filled with all new students. “I get sad when the students leave each year and I never think the next group will be like the last one. They never are. However, there is something special about each class. This current senior group is very unique. They are very affectionate with each other. I have never had a group that was so open about their feelings,” Wenzel said. Usually during the first four months of their college experience, Wenzel’s former students email her and let her know how it’s going. Sometimes they’ll share tips and advice for the current senior class or even come and visit the classroom. “I think she makes a huge impact on entering seniors who have no idea what they want to do after high school,” said Williams.
Left: Bell shows off her running technique as she trains daily for a half-marathon. Right: Bell “sings her head off” while practicing with Washington’s Slice of Jazz. Photos by ?????????
Bell’s Typical Thursday 5:30-6:30 a.m.: Attempt to wake up. 7-8 a.m.: Start school with a wonderful morning with Norma Wenzel in AP Lit, where I get the low down on what everyone did that weekend and the latest gossip. 8-9 a.m.: Enjoy physics with Washington’s wizard, Mr. Kleman, laugh at Drew Stevens, attempt a lab or two, eat my cheerios and drink the rest of my stale coffee. 9:20-10:10 a.m.: AP Spanish with Johannsen. Awesome, hilarious. What else can I say? 10:11-11:10 a.m.: Pre-calc with DR. Ask a few questions and try to pretend I understand. 11:15-12 p.m.: Take attendance in concert choir, watch people text behind binders and try to look as if they’re actually paying attention. 12-12:45 p.m.: Abigail Johnson’s for lunch daily. If not there, Bruegger’s fo sho. 1-1:45 p.m.: Attempt homework in the library, then fall asleep and wake up with an awesome print of some sort on my face, usually spirals. 2-2:45 p.m.: Off to Madrigals. Same situation as concert choir, but I love it. 3-4 p.m.: Sing my head off at Slice. 4-5 p.m.: Train for the half-marathon I’m doing; it’s the death of me. 5-6:30 p.m.: Eat/fall asleep in the middle of texting someone something important. 7-8:30 p.m.: Go to Coffeesmith’s for a book study with a girl from my church and the famous Abby Varn. 9-12 p.m.: HOMEWORK. 12-12:20 a.m.: Try to read the Bible to the best of my ability. Then crash.
A&E
4-24-2010
11
Student musicians recieved well by WHS audience Surveyor staff writer, Mackenzie Hepker, reveals the inside scoop on the performers that made this year’s Jamnesty a success.
Darci Family Tour
Goodnight Chi Town
Cat Head Murphey
Vini,Veni,Vici
David and Bailey
The Darci Family Tour is an indie cover band consisting of Trevor Polk, ’10, Blake Carrera, ’10, Noel Nissen, ’10, and David Yepez, ’11. They performed a version of Neutral Milk Hotel’s “King of Carrot Flowers, “My Girls” by Animal Collective, and “I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself ” by the White Stripes.
Anab Abdi, ’10, Nafisa Abdi, ’13 and Robert Miley, ’13 form the pop cover band Goodnight Chi-Town. Their lineup included “That’s What You Get” by Paramore, “Hey, Soul Sister” by Train, and “Breakeven” by Script. With coordinated outfits and great voices that synched quite nicely, this trio delivered a very enjoyable and charming performance.
Joey Mescher, ’10, Dan Williams and eighth-grade drumming prodigy Jack Mescher make up Cat Head Murphey and the Kitty Litter Crew. They, played “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers as well as “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd and “People Say” by Portugal the Man. Despite the fact that everyone was sick, the guys sounded great as usual.
Consisting of Christian Conrad, ’12 and Logan O’Neal, ’11, this duo has seemingly mastered the vocal style of the emo-esque band Saosin, and showed it by covering two of Saosin’s songs, including “7 Years.” The crowd responded well to their performance, several people cheering, others swaying in reverence.
David Yepez, ’11 ,and Bailey Sande ’10, are a great musical match, combining a beautiful and haunting singing voice with saucy strings skills. At Jamnesty, the pair produced cover versions of “Fix You” by Coldplay and “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers, as well as an unnamed original song that they composed together.
8 Guys with Mics
Meggo
Tupac Ressurection
Hoobastank
Children of the Funk
This version of 8 Guys With Mics consisted of only six guys, including Jeremy Corbett, Jackson Bartleme, and Drew Stevens, all ’10, Isaac Halyard and Wes Carlson, both ’11, and Connor Schulte, ’08. This fantastic group of vocalists performed “Insomniac” by Billy Pilgrim and were very well received by the audience.
Wash’s Phil Peterson, ’10, with foreigners Megan Hawk and Jake Burkle conglomerate to form the group “Meggo,” described by Phil as an acoustic cover band. After some silly and playful banter, Meggo performed just one song, the love ballad “Means A Lot To You” by Day to Remember. It was an impressive (and adorable) show.
BFFs Ben Matsuda, ’11, and Andrew “Tupac” Watkins, ’13, brought a moving classical/instrumental performance to the stage. Together, they played their adaptation of the piano ballad“Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence” by Ryuichi Sakamoto, then Matsuda excused himself to let Andrew perform the delicate “Into The Ocean” by Andy McKee solo.
Composed of Connor O’Neil, ’10, Hannah Wheeler, ’10, ’10, Drew Stevens, ’10, Wes Carlson, ’11, Becca Herron, ’11, Erika Narhi, ‘10 , Liz Matus, ’10, Brianna Zumhof , ’11, and Andrew Clair, ’11, Gabby Lisinski, ’10 , and Dan Williams, ’10 , this mass collaboration of individuals presented “Daydreamin’” by Lupe Fiasco and achieved crowd favoritism.
The night closed with this popular and established jazz ensemble, comprised of Neel Ghosh, ’11, Max McGee, ’10, Jack Kohn, ’10, John Snell, ’10, Roland Hart, ’09, Michael Olson, ’11 and Alex Taylor, ’09. After they had played one jazztastic song the lights went out, the audience stood up to clap and worship the funk, and the night ended on a high.
Summer music festivals mark an extraordinary end to the Warrior school year Isaac Halyard Staff Writer High school is nearing an end for a fourth of Washington students, many of whom plan to place an exclamation point at the end of their careers in public education by attending a music festival. The most popular venue for Wash students is Lollapalooza, held each summer in Greene Square Park, Chicago. For some devoted fans and adventureseeking graduates, Bonnaroo, located in Manchester, Tennessee, is a festival well worth the trip. These summer escapes to musical bliss may be a stellar end to high school, but they hold much deeper roots. The American music festival as we know it can be traced back to the 1960s, the era of the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. Artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and The Who performed at large festivals, most notably The Woodstock Music and Art Fair in Bethel, New York. The music festivals provided inspiration for many citizens during a time of political and social confusion. The emotional reasons for attending music festivals have somewhat faded, but attendance for Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo has only increased annually. Last summer, the three-day Lollapalooza event reached record attendance of 225,000 while the smaller Bonnaroo received
about 80,000 listeners. For most Wash students, music is plenty of incentive to attend a festival. Headliners Green Day, Lady Gaga and Soundgarden draw numerous attendees to Lollapalooza. “The Lolla lineup this year is super sick,” said Tori Barrigar, ’11 “I mean, it’s a three-day concert in Chicago with all the tightest people just there to jam.” For other students, reasons for attending are based solely on the exciting atmosphere of the festival, regardless of who is playing. “(Lollapalooza) is basically the best three days of my year. Everyone is friendly and just having a good time,” said Ethan Erdenberger, ’10. “ I haven’t even the band list. I -Tori Barrigar, ’11 checked just dream about being back there.” The four-hour drive to Lollapalooza is a very capable feat for many Wash students. However, the 2010 Bonnaroo lineup has motivated many students to make the trek to Tennessee. “Bonnaroo is a better musical experience, and the lineup is better than Lolla,” said Alex Zalesky, ’11. Featuring Dave Matthews Band, Kings of Leon, Jay-Z, Damien Marley and Nas, the early June festival provides musicality, which, for many Wash students, Lollapalooza cannot surpass. Whatever the reason for going, both music festivals will without a doubt bring musical joy to many Washington students. Half a century later, the tradition of Woodstock lives on within the population of Washington High School.
“The Lolla lineup this year is super sick. I mean, it’s a three day concert in Chicago with all the tightest people just there to jam.”
gignow.com
Above: Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs performs for an audience at 2009 Bonnaroo. Below: Lollapalooza attendees enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the festival’s Grant Park venue.
chicagonow.com
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4-24-2010
A&E
“The Soundtrack to My Life”: Alyse Burnside, ’10 Joey Mescher Staff Writer What song do you like to listen to when getting ready for the day? “F**k Tha Police” by NWA, or “Shoop” by Salt-n-Pepa, it gets me going. What was the last song you listened to? “Gone B4 Yr Home” by Le Tigre. What song do you enjoy most while driving to school? “Don’t Want You Back” by Eamon, not just school, but whenever I’m in the car. The perfect song to listen to on a date? “A.B.C.” by The Jackson 5 because it’s subtly romantic and educational. What’s your current favorite song? “When The Wind Blows” by Dear, sorry it’s not funny, just a really good song. What song do you like to listen to when doing homework? “Tight Pants/Body Rolls” by Leslie & The Lys. It’s good for the concentration and self image. What’s your “weekend song?” “Boyz-n-theHood” by Eazy-E because it relates to my life almost exactly. What’s your favorite song to dance to? “Remix To Ignition” by R. Kelly, and of course “Party In The U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus. I’d say they’re self-explanatory. What’s the worst song on the radio right now? That eenie meanie miny moe song, I hate it.
What song do you like falling asleep to? Anything by Enya, its soothing and spiritual. What is the theme song to your life? “Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gaye, it just speaks to me so well.
Upcoming Events: April 30 The Happy Chromosomes perform at the Mill in Iowa City, 9 pm
May 7 Babies, a new film that simultaneously follows 4 babies around the world, hits the big screen.
May 19 photos by Ellen Hart
Rock and pop legend, Frankie Valli, performs at the Orpheum Theatre in Sioux City.
May 21 Virgina bluegrass band, The Dixie Bee-Liners, make their CSPS debut, 8 pm
May 23 The seried finale of the hit TV show, Lost, is shown on ABC.
Sports
4-24-2010
Athlete of the Month: Lauren Manninen
Racing for the Relays Abby Varn Staff Writer Every April, Drake University proudly hosts the Drake Relays. This three-day track and field event brings over 8000 competitors from the high school, college and professional fields. Runners here at Washington High School work hard every year to qualify. Wednesday, April 14, was the cut off for the qualifying period. Math teacher Tracy Stranathan knows how the process works better than most. Stranathan ran in the Relays herself when in high school, and is currently an assistant coach for the women’s track team. “There is a certain date that runners have until they can’t qualify anymore,” said Stranathan. “There is a certain “Running at Drake is number of something we all work runners who make it, and for. It’s a big deal to the number run there.” depends on the race.” -Andy Marshall, ’10 For
example, while the 4x100 relay accepts 79 teams, only 21 girls qualified for the 1500m run in 2009. “Running at Drake is something we all work for,” said Andy Marshall, ’10, who is in his fourth year as a Warrior runner. “It’s a big deal to run there. There are a ton of people and the competition is intense,” Last year, participants from both the men’s and women’s track team qualified for various events. Among other races, four runners from the men’s team worked hard to win the 4x200 relay. Ronnie Henderson, ’10, and Alex Carr, ’11, made up half of the team, and both returned for the 2010 season. Qualifiers from the men’s team this year included several relays. The 4x100, 4x200, 4x800 and medley all competed last weekend. Individually, Henderson ran the 100 meter dash. For this year, on the womens side, Maddy Becker, ’10, qualified in the 3000, Brooke Foreman, ’12, in the 400 hurdles, and Layloni Beard, ’11, in the 100 hurdles. The shuttle hurdle team and 4x100 relay will also join them. Coaches and athletes from both teams make it a goal from the beginning of the season to work toward placing as many Warriors in the Relays as possible. This year was no exception.
Photo courtesy of http://www.eteamz.com/txstallionstrack/images/DrakeStadium2.JPG
Several Warrior track athletes and coaches made the trip to Des Moines to run at the 101st annual Drake Relays on April 22-24. Athletes must run a qualifying time in order to be eligible to compete.
New turf revolutionizes Kingston Stadium Kitty McGurk Staff Writer
and not having to deal with a torn-up mess during practices,” said J.P. Graham, men’s head soccer coach at Washington. At the new soccer haven, games aren’t cancelled Although Kingston Stadium has hosted countless as often, the pace of the ball is faster, and there is football, soccer, and track meets, it only received a decrease of injuries due to the lack of dip holes. minor upgrades in its first 57 years. There are some disadvantages to the turf, such as the However, with the funding help from the School painful scratching from small particles on falls and Local Option Sales Tax and PPEL, Kingston was sore knees from running on the surface, but majority completely renovated and ready for the 2009 of players enjoy the changes. football season on Aug. 2. “The quality of practice is much The once rough and weatherbetter when on a normal permitting playing field was “It’s really great having field,” than said soccer player Austin replaced with a synthetic grass a substantially nice field Bergstrom, ’13. surface and a sub-base drainage Both teams posted a winning and not having to deal system. This new turf provided record last year. The girl’s varsity a safe, multi-purpose playing with a torn-up mess.” finished 14-3 and the men’s varsity surface that can be used in any finished 15-4. With improved weather condition and provides -J.P. Graham practices due to the revamped permanent football and soccer Kingston, the soccer teams are markings, eliminating the expected to succeed once again. need for re-painting. Lighting improvements, the One thing that would substantially help lead the construction of two new public restrooms, concrete soccer teams to victory would be fan base. With the restoration, and the remodeling of two existing new lights, night games happen more frequently and restrooms were included in the renovation project. The updates positively affected the football players with a new sound system music is able to be heard throughout the stadium. in the fall and are currently making an impact on “The women’s soccer team has great potential this the men and women’s soccer teams. Both teams have year, with talented newcomers and returning players, home games and practices at Kingston this season. it makes a little support from all grades almost “It’s really great having a substantially nice field necessary,” said soccer player Bailey Lane, ’11.
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1. How long have you been playing golf? I have been playing since freshmen year. I had never picked up a club before, but needed a sport to get out of gym. 2. What is the best part about playing for Wash? The attitude of the whole team. They’re pretty laid back. 3. Do you participate in other sports at Wash? No, but I play ice hockey with the Pink Ladies and Mrs. Adams. 4. What does a typical golf practice consist of? Driving range, putting green, and playing a few holes. 5. What does a typical golf match consist of? Playing 9-18 holes with two or three golfers from other schools. 6. How has the team changed with the new coach this year? Well, he’s been a coach before, and helped out last year, so it hasn’t changed too much. 7. What is your favorite sport to watch? Hockey, the Redwings. 8. What is your favorite pro sports team? The Redwings. 9. What are your expectations for the team
Lauren Manninen Women’s Golf this year? They’re great, our team score has dropped a lot. 10. What are your expectations for yourself this year? I want to be hitting in the 40s consistently. 11. Are you a Tiger Woods fan? Not really. I can’t stand watching golf. It’s boring! 12.Do you plan on golfing in college? No, the college I’m attending doesn’t offer it. I’ll probably play on occasion, though. 13. Where is your favorite place to golf? Brown Deer. 14.Do you enjoy miniature golf? No, I hate putting. 15. What do you do to wind down after a match? I reassure myself I did the best I could so I don’t regret any bad shots.
Warrior Numbers 1:06.37 Time posted by Brooke Foreman, ’12, in the 400m hurdles. Foreman’s time earned her a chance to run at the Drake Relays, an opportunity only eight high school girls in the entire state receive.
9-0 Score for the women’s tennis team in their matches against Prairie on April 13.
4-0 Record for the Warrior women’s soccer team as of April 20. Preseason, the Warriors were ranked 9th, but April 22 rankings moved the team up to 4th.
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4-24-2010
Summer athletes train through all seasons Ian Fischer Staff Writer Their season starts in May and ends in mid July, so why do you hear the cling of the bats inside when the weather is sub zero? The Warrior baseball and softball teams have a demanding almost year-round schedule. From conditioning and batting practice in the gyms to fall league practice, Jordan Pilcher, ’11, stays busy with the softball team during the offseason and hopes it will pay off during the regular season. “Our defense has improved a lot and we’re looking to win more games this season,” said Pilcher. In addition to being year-round, practice for the baseball and softball practices can be long as well. “The coach can make practices however long he wants, it gets up to four hours sometimes, that kind of sucks,” said baseball player Samuel Kacena, ’11. Practicing year round can burn out an athlete easily, but Pilcher says she likes all of the practice in the offseason because she gets to spend time with her teammates. Whenever she feels a little exhausted from the sport, she sleeps it out and is soon back at it. As a soccer player in the spring, Pilcher finds it kind of difficult to keep up with both practice schedules. “Sometimes I want to go watch a different sporting event, or play soccer, but I can’t because I have to go to softball in the evening,” said Pilcher. Looking forward to this summer, Pilcher hopes that with the improved Warrior softball defense, they can win more regional games than last season.
Warriors getting paid for their passions Joe Eken Staff Writer
Sports College sports coverage: fair? Joe Eken Staff Writer In this day and age, college sports have become a colossus of the business world, generating billions of dollars of revenue for the NCAA and producing massive television audiences across the nation. Dedicated fans and alumni are everywhere, purchasing tickets and buying huge amounts of what seems like never ending college apparel. Most of this money comes from large Division I programs, generally in the areas of football and basketball. For example, the Texas football program alone takes in over $47 million dollars a year. It makes sense, then, that Division I men’s athletics often dominate media coverage on a national and even local scope. Many of the women’s programs as well as Division II and Division III athletics are often swept under the rug and forgotten in the grandeur of the division one media circus. This has led some to question the media monopoly big-time sports have. Is it really fair that these athletic programs garnish all the media’s attention? Or should Photo courtesy of: http://www.uni.edu/ncaa/sites/default/ the smaller schools and women’s teams get equal files/14COVv23_1.jpg representation in papers and television? The University of Northern Iowa men’s basketball Arguments can be made for both sides. team got some overdue recognition with a “Sports It is certainly understandable why major programs Illustrated” cover after beating top-ranked Kansas are all over the headlines. They are the best of the best. in the March Madness tournament. They do have the most popularity among sports fans across the country, and they bring television, radio and How can the local paper run a week’s worth of articles journalistic institutions the major stories and the big about which hotel the Iowa Hawkeyes football team is bucks. After all, in addition to bringing us the news, the staying at before the Orange bowl, but fail to realize the media is still a business, and businesses need to make a success of a basketball team 60 minutes north of Cedar profit. Rapids? There is another side to the story, however. The women’s basketball teams were similarly shunned. A limit must be placed on how much the media All three of the states major teams, Iowa, Iowa State coverage should be weighted toward the bigger and UNI, made the women’s national championship programs. Sometimes great stories can get lost amidst it tournament but went largely unrecognized. all. The issue of how much coverage is too much coverage Take the UNI men’s basketball team for example. is one that will likely be debated for some time. The The Gazette provided minimal coverage of their season answer to it is probably not at either extreme, but rather as the team continued to win games and build a better a compromise between the two viewpoints. After all, in and better record. Even Sports Illustrated ran an article the case of athletics, it doesn’t matter how many eyes are midway through the season about the team, “Iowa’s watching, it matters that you play the game. Got A Secret,” it was called.
With the end of the school year drawing near, many students anxiously await the arrival of summer vacation and the freedom that comes with it. However, for some Washington pupils, summer means the opportunity for making some extra money. There are a wide variety of jobs open to students over the summer, many of which allow students to get outside and stay active while working. Shaun Welsh, ’10, a member of the men’s varsity soccer team, has managed to translate his love of soccer into a job refereeing youth games on weekends. “It’s easy and it’s good money. All I do is run up and down the sideline and raise my flag sometimes,” said Welsh. Will Hart, ’10, is another student who managed to get a job that involves athletics by helping out kids through the Cedar Rapids Parks Department. April 27 “It was easy to get hired, and I really enjoy working with kids. Sometimes they kick me in the shins a lot though,” vs Linn-Mar said Hart. at Excelsior Staying cool during the hot summer days can be important as well, and because of this many students take Middle School jobs at public pools. 4:15p.m. Tim Kigin, ’10, teaches swimming lessons to younger kids at Bever Pool to earn extra money for college. May 1 “The best part is the sweet staff that works at the pools,” vs. Xavier and Prairie said Kigin. No matter what the job, summer is a great time for at Kingston earning a little cash while still having some fun.
Upcoming Warrior Athletic Events Men’s Soccer
8:00a.m. and 12:00p.m.
Women’s Tennis
April 27 vs Waterloo West at Waterloo West 4:00p.m. May 1 vs Iowa City High and Iowa City West at Washington 8:00a.m. and 12:00p.m. Graphic by Alexandra Bergman
Women’s Track
April 29 Bettendorf Invitational at Bettendorf 5:00p.m.
Mens Tennis
April 27 vs Waterloo West at Washington 4:00p.m. May 1 vs Iowa City West, Iowa City High Away 8:00a.m. and 12:00p.m.
Women’s Golf April 29 vs Hempstead and Xavier at Twin Pines 3:15p.m.
Women’s Soccer
April 27 vs Linn-Mar at Kingston 5:45p.m. May 1 vs Xavier and Prairie at Xavier and Prairie 8:00a.m. and 12:00p.m.
Men’s Track April 30 Warrior Invite at Kingston 4:15p.m. May 4 Linn-Mar Relays at Linn-Mar 5:00p.m.
Sports Wash in running for All-Sports Trophy Maddy Becker Sports Editor Across Iowa, certain high schools are known to dominant various sports. Track and field in Iowa City, Ames on the basketball court, and our own men’s swim team with their district championship streak. But what if we could determine which school was strongest in athletics, overall? Many students may not realize it, but someone has been keeping track of just that. The MVC Valley Division AllSports trophy is awarded to the school in Valley Division with the greatest athletic success each year. The division includes seven schools, including Cedar Falls and Linn-Mar. Each sport is scored based on the team’s success. Sports such as football and basketball earn points based on their regular season conference record, and sports like cross country
are scored based on how teams place at their divisional meet. First place receives seven points, second receives six, and so forth, with seventh place receiving one point. In the event of a tie, half-points are split between the schools. Last year, the Warriors won both the girls and boys all-sport trophies, an uncommon feat. “We hadn’t won either [trophy] in awhile,” said Washington athletic director Paul James. “To win both of them in the same year was great.” The last time the men had won was the 2003-2004 school year. James believes the last time the women won was in the late ‘90s. Linn-Mar is currently leading on the boy’s side, but the Warriors are just three points from second. On the girl’s side, Washington is tied for first with Linn-Mar. With some hard work this spring, perhaps the Warriors can earn another set of trophies.
Tennis teams on an upswing Jill Broghammer Staff Writer The men and women’s tennis teams are off to a strong start this season thanks in part to many new underclassmen. The younger half of both men and women’s squads are working hard which is proving to have a positive effect on the court. Sophomore Olivia Brooks has been playing tennis since fourth grade. Brooks hopes to improve her game physically as well as mentally during the season. Brooks also enjoys the tennis squad members and the practices. “I really enjoy the competitive edge of it but sometimes I wish it wouldn’t be so intense,” said Brooks. Brooks also fees that since the team is really young that having an upperclassmen role model is really helpful to the team.
“Although our team is really young, [senior team captain] Keile has been a great role model because she’s played certain people and knows how to handle the game really well,” said Brooks. Freshman Kristin King has been playing tennis since she was eight years old and is really enjoying the high school level of tennis. “It’s really fun and a lot more competitive than middle school,” said King. King feels that the upperclassmen have really helped out her game and her spirit for the sport. “Keile has especially helped out the underclassmen. She knows the game well and has shown great leadership for all of us underclassmen,” said King. King hopes to do really well as a team this season, improve her personal game and make new friends throughout the season.
4-24-2010
15
Healing wounded Warriors
Photo by Lauren Hoth
Ankle sprains are a common soccer injury. Alicia Puls, Washington’s athletic training, wraps Jacob Davis’, ’12, ankle to minimize injury risk.
Athletic trainer Puls keeps Wash athletes healthy Ian Fischer Staff Writer Alicia Puls, Washington’s own athletic trainer, is no stranger to sports. In high school she was a three-sport athlete, playing basketball, volleyball, and golf. After she graduated from high school in Grinnell, IA, Alicia ventured to the University of Northern Iowa following an interest in the medical field. Her future as an athletic trainer was not predetermined, but rather stumbled upon with a sudden curiosity in the athletic training programs offered to her at the college. Puls continued her studies at the University of Toledo in Ohio where she received her graduate degree. Before working at Washington as the head athletic trainer, Puls began her career at a high school in Toledo, Ohio. “Being an athletic trainer is more than just taping ankles. We evaluate injuries, rehabilitate injuries, and if it’s too much for us we refer them
to a doctor,” said Puls. There is a way to prevent ever having to see her, and that is by stretching and warming up well before every physical activity. Also, if you ever think you might have been injured from a sport, don’t hold off a visit. If something hurts, take a trip down to the training room after school and get a free evaluation. A minor injury can turn into something serious without treatment. Instead of just a few simple stretches to cure it, you may need to eventually get surgery. “Kids in football, soccer and track are most injury-prone because they compete at the highest speeds,” said Puls. It is important to stay fit during the offseason to prevent common injuries like muscle sprains. Football, soccer and track make the most work for Puls with athletes coming in with ankle sprains, shin splints and knee and shoulder problems. One of the worst injuries Puls has seen in her tenure was in cheerleading. While one cheerleader was doing a simple handstand, she fell and broke her tibia, a bone in her lower leg. This calamitous injury shows the danger in a sport such as cheerleading, proving to us all that none of us are safe.
Top 10 Most Common Sports Injuries: 1. Muscle pull 2. Neck pain 3. Shoulder impringment 4. Lower back strain 5. Tennis elbow 6. Runner’s knee 7. Shin splints 8. Ankle sprain 9. Achilles tendinitis 10. Arch pain Courtesy of: sportsinjuryhandbook. com
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4-26-2010
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