East Scroll issue 4

SCROLL

SENIOR ISSUE VOLUME 87 ISSUE 4 MAY 18, 2018

Staffers

Co-Editors in Chief

Shelby Alsted Carver Bartz Lynsey Borgen Fabiana Centeno Blake Christensen Caleb Cook McCayla Dahlberg Elise Dowler Caleb Enos Stephon Field Ryleigh Hayworth Caitlyn Hexamer Delanie Jackson Siara Kozeliski Maddie Miller Joshua Sales Madison Stout Fallon Trenter Mayson Williams

Abby Folkerts Toni McPhee Elaina Rothmayer

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4

Get to know East High’s Valedictorian

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Design Editor

FREE college? it did not come easy for five seniors

Alyssa Ayersman

Copy Editor

16/17

Nikki Grove

Social Media Editor

Marching their way across the stage; Senior band members

Toni McPhee

Cover

Elaina Rothmayer Toni McPhee

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Adviser Natalie Niemeyer Principal Leslie Morris

DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL EQUALITY STATEMENT The Des Moines Public Schools prohibits discrimination in educational and employment programs and activities based on age, race, creed, color, sex, marital status, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. In addition, the District prohibits acts of intolerance or harassment toward employees or students that are not related to the individual’s employment or education.

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men who do not care about gender stereotyes

ADS POLICY Ads are available in quarter page, half page and full page sizes. Ad inquiries should be directed to Natalie Niemeyer at natalie.niemeyer@dmschools.org. The Scroll reserves the right to reject ads deemed not in the best interest of East students.

The paper is printed by Wilcox Printing in Madrid, IA.

LETTER POLICY The Scroll welcomes letters but reserves the right to edit for space as needed. Outside contributions are subject to the usual restrictions of libel and obscenity and must conform to general paper policy, which is available upon request. Signed commentaries represent personal opinions, not views of the staff. Also, your letter needs to include your full name and grade. Unsigned letters can not be printed. You can deliver your letter to Natalie Niemeyer in room 3060N.

NOTE: All contents are the product of the EHS newspaper production staff. Occasional stories are contributed from the Journalism Intern program.

The Scroll is a public forum for student expression.

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS Page Editor/ T. McPhee

Letters Editors from the

Toni

Toni McPhee

Abby

I started my journey in 3060N in Niemeyer’s sixth period Journalism class clueless to the future I would have in her classroom. My success did not start by me being talented (even though I know I am pretty awesome), it came from the countless hours of staff members around me helping with each piece I made and most importantly Ms. Niemeyer for always encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone each story and design I made. You are the teacher I aspire to be in my future. After three years in Newspaper our paper has GROWN into multi-award winning paper but I could have NEVER done it alone. Each staff member has truly expressed themselves into making each issue looking more magnificent than the previous. Each member works so very hard each day, which I cannot put into words how thankful I am for each person for making my senior year in Newspaper an unforgetable year.

Newspaper has been a place where I was able to express events at East High I would not have been able to do in any other classroom and if you are someone reading this letter that hasn’t taken the chance to join or feel like they need to find their place at East, Newspaper is honestly the easiest place to feel welcome. Every word you plave on a page creates meaning for not only you but each person in the class, and everyone will be welcoming to any idea you want to write about. Plus we have parties all the time with the BEST snacks! Peace out 3060N just for now but not for forever, this place is my home and I’ll be back soon, being even more awesome ;)

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Elain

a

Abby Folkerts

I feel the need to start off by saying how incredibly fast these past four years have been for me. It feels like it was just yesterday I was walking in the doors of East for the first time, terrified of what the next four years would bring me. When I first started at East, I was incredibly shy and kept to myself most of the time. I have always had a passion for writing, and when Ms. Niemeyer reached out to me after the end of first semester of my freshman year about joining the Newspaper staff, I was ecstatic. Being apart of the Scroll Staff for four years, and being an editor for two, I have definitely been pushed to my limits, and was always encouraged to get out of my comfort zone. I was able to develop relationships with people I otherwise wouldn’t have. Right now, as a senior, I look back at my freshman self, and I don’t even recognize that shy girl who kept to herself all the time. I have developed self confidence, and I am not afraid to speak my mind and stand up for what I believe in.

Throughout my four years in Scroll, I have grown physically and mentally. I have made great friends, and I am so sad that we will be going our separate ways as we are all starting new chapters in our lives this May. The Scroll Staff is a family, and I am so blessed that I was given the opportunity to be apart of it.

I owe so much to Ms. Niemeyer, as she has been there for me for four years, and has played such a huge role in shaping me into the person that I am today.

Goodbye for now, 3060N!

Elaina Rothmayer

Okay, where to begin. There are so many things I want to say, and only a few words to do so. First off, thank you. Thank you to Ms. Niemeyer, for seeing something in me when I was a freshman, and could hardly see myself.

Thank you for giving me the tools to get going and letting me loose into this crazy world of publications. Thank you for always being there when I need a sounding board or a guiding hand.

Comparatively, thank you, reader. This paper is as much for you as it is for me.

I loved creating it, but not as much as I enjoyed seeing you read it. The support I received from staff and students alike is something I will cherish for forever. Being in Newspaper for four years, and being an editor for three, it’s taught me things I never thought I needed to learn. Its showed me that I love helping people, I love working with others. Something I had always seen as a negative in my life became a positive because of newspaper, and I am forever thankful for it. Summer camps and field trips full of unforgettable memories, and important lessons. Journalism showed me I was capable of something greater than myself, and newspaper gave me the tools to share that with others. I just wish I could have shared that with more people before leaving.

So please, dear reader, whether you are already in journalism or would never think of it, I hope you find what you never thought to look for. I hope you find something that inspires you to do great things, no matter how small.

Thank you reader, for giving me that opportunity, and know that yours will come too.

Page Editor/T. McPhee

From Central to East, Dezell Turner’s high school career comes to an end story/ E. Rothmayer The class of 2018, a phenomenal group of students, full of crazy stories, fun memories, and shared secrets. One particular member, was able rise above the rest and earn the title of “Valedictorian”. How he did it, and who helped him, makes for an interesting story.

Enter David “Dezell” Turner, a quiet hardworking individual who is nothing if not dedicated. But who is he? While he may be a top student he isn’t chained to a desk.

“You can usually find me making short films with my friends, or playing video games.

I’ve also got a bit of a pop culture obsession, so I read a lot of comic books and watch a lot of Marvel movies. I don’t have a job, but I do volunteer with a charity cosplay group and at Joshua Christian Academy,” Turner said.

Working on a short film isn’t easy, it takes a lot of passion to see it through.

“I like doing all parts of the short films, since it’s really just a few of us and a cellphone, but I enjoy editing the most. We’re not really making these for an audience, so I like to edit the films in absurd ways or add in jokes at the last minute that my friends aren’t expecting.

We once improvised an entire parody of Duck Dynasty and edited it in a mockumentary style; that was probably the most fun,” Turner said.

Getting back to school and extracurriculars and college classes isn’t easy though, sometimes it can take a helping hand to keep going.

“I’m blessed to have very supportive parents, friends, and teachers. I’m pursuing a career in aerospace engineering, and they’ve been a massive help with that; my parents have always encouraged my curiosity, my teachers have helped me given me resources and helped me make connections in the scientific community, and my friends have helped me forget my stress and enjoy myself,” Turner said.

One of those friends would be classmate Gabe Ewert who has been friends with Turner since an eighth grade accelerated math course at Central.

“He’s probably one of the hardest working people I know, if there’s only one person raising their hand it’s probably Dezell,” Ewert said.

Turner admits that he’s definitely

had an unforgettable senior year, “It’s been insane — and I mean that in the best possible way. I spent the first three years of high school at Central Academy, then one day a week, I would tutor students at Joshua Christian Academy.

That was great, but I decided I wanted to transfer to East for my senior year (while still going to Central).

I actually had no idea I was valedictorian until about midway through the year. The year’s been pretty stressful with homework, college applications, and science fairs, but becoming valedictorian was definitely a nice surprise.” Turner said.

While valedictorian may have been unexpected for Turner, it was no surprise to Scott Schoneberg, a Central Campus science and computer science teacher. Schoneberg first met the aspiring academic in one of his many classes, and formed a bond with Turner.

“He was a quiet but very directed young man when I met him years ago. Then I had David in AP Computer Science where I found out that this young man is very talented. He knows everything.

He has such deep insight to everything.

He also was great at problem solving. I also found out that he was quite a humorous person. Every once in a while another side would come out and it makes everyone laugh.

He is the kind of person that represents Des Moines Public School highest level of excellence,” Schoneberg said. When asked if he had any advice for Turner, Schoneberg only had one answer, “Be true to yourself. If he does that, he has nothing to worry about,” Schoneberg said. With hopes that Turner will take those words with him forwards in life, the graduate has high hopes for his future schooling. “ For college, I’m trying to decide between MIT and Caltech, and I want to major in aerospace engineering. I’m really interested in space travel (probably because my uncles are all aerospace engineers, too), and I’d like to work on engineering space suits,” Turner said.

The future is bright for Dezell Turner, no doubt about that. The class of 2018 is waiting with baited breath to hear his commencement speech at graduation, and to see where life takes him.

Guardians of the Galaxy (Vol. 1) Captain America: Civil War Iron Man 2

I’m thinking Iron Man will die in Infinity War -- I mean, the franchise started with him, so maybe this phase should end with him, too -- and I’m thinking the Soul Stone is in Wakanda,” Turner said.

photo/ E. Rothmayer

page /4 feature

Page Editor/E. Rothmayer

with

Q and A

Alejandro Zarate Story/ A. Folkerts

Humanitarian, political activist, kind-hearted, and hard-working.

These are all words that could be used to describe senior Alejandro Zarate. From being president of four clubs here at East, to participating in many different sports and activities, Zarate will definitely be missed here at East when he walks across the stage with the class of 2018 at the Knapp Center on May 26.

How does it feel knowing you graduate in a month?

“I’m actually very sad it’s going to be happening because all of the work and all of the stress that we’ve been going through, it kind of feels like we made it, but its still sad that we’re leaving.”

What activities are you involved with at East?

“I am very involved. I am president of four different clubs- student government, senior board, pep club, and Central College upward bound. I am treasurer of NHS, and I do sports like cross country, swimming, tennis, I also did theater, handbells.”

Any activities you are involved with in the community?

“Iftar dinner is a national movement that kids from all around Des Moines.

President Clinton had made a tradition where we wanted to resolve any crises around the world. One of the muslim presidents actually came during that time of religious fasting, so in order to show respect, President Clinton moved his feeding time around. He realized if you sit together with someone having a crisis, then you can resolve it just by talking. Iftar dinner is a unity inclusion dinner for everyone in the nation. There is approximately 30 schools around the nation who are doing it. I am hosting one of the national ones.”

Do you feel that you have changed from freshman year?

“Definitely. Freshman year I was a chunkier, and introverted dude. As time went on, I realized that I can’t really do much if I’m introverted and if I don’t do much. I started getting more friends. I started getting more involved and that’s when I learned that if you’re more involved you feel better because you know more people. I felt like it was a very big change from freshman to senior year because I have physically changed, I’ve mentally changed, and anything that I can help with I will try to be there.”

photo/ contributed

What made you want to major in that?

“My sister is a doctor in Mexico, and she’s always said to do something you love. I’ve always liked mammals and I thought about becoming a marine biologist but as I kept studying it I was like, ‘I don’t want to focus on the ocean forever’, so I thought to myself what the next best thing would be for me. I chose humans, and after my research neurosurgery does sound fun, and I think this is something I could do.”

What sparked you to become a political activist?

“It all started when SF 481 passed. I have family that is affected by this.

I try to do my best in what I can and with the knowledge I have. This is actually pretty fun. It’s not going to school and learning the curriculum, it’s more of learning what real life is. It’s very interesting.”

What do you like to do in your free time?

“I love going on runs. I love talking to my friends and hanging out with them. I’m not a big reader, but I do love being caught up with the news. I am more politically active now. Anything that involves politics I am there for and I try to stand up for what I believe in.”

What will be the hardest thing about graduating?

“The kids and my friends who have been there for me through the toughest times. I know I’ll have to leave some of them behind, just because of college reasons. I will always be there for them. I’ll be heartbroken because I know I’ll be farther away from them.”

How do you want to be remembered by your peers?

“I want to be remembered as someone who was there for them. I’m not looking for the popularity, I’m not looking to be the best at this or the best at that. I’m looking for remembrance of the heart.”

What’s your advice to juniors coming into senior year?

What is your biggest accomplishment?

What college are you going to, and what will be your major?

Anything else you want to add?

“Get ready because it’s gonna kick your butt.”

“University of Iowa. I want to become a neurosurgeon.”

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“Meeting every single one of you guys.”

“I just want to say it’s been a blast being here. I’ve learned so much from you guys and I am so happy to be a Scarlet. If anyone ever needs anything, they’ll know where I’m at.”

Page Editor/ A. Folkerts

Seniors

@

Central Academy

photo/DMPS

story/ C. Cook You’ve probably seen them around the hallways, and at first glance, you see a regular East student. But look beneath the surface and you’ll find hardworking, talented, and involved students taking on a demanding course load to help prepare themselves for college and beyond.

Carolynn Luong

Brian Deo has been a student at Central Academy for two years, and his favorite class is. AP French IV. Deo plans on attending Iowa State University, and plans on majoring in Business, hoping to one day own his own business. Deo is happy with the classes he takes at Central, as he welcomes the challenging academics offered.

“I Like Central because of how it’s organized, the way they really challenge us,” Deo said.

Jerry Jones

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Carolynn Luong has attended Central Academy for six years, and her favorite class is AP Literature and Composition. Luong will be attending Iowa State University, majoring in Management Information Systems, which is basically the business side of technology. She hopes to be a business analyst in the future. “I like Central because so many creative minds come together as one-the environment is so enlightening, and everyone’s just so kind and brilliant,” Luong said.

Brian Deo

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“fun facts” about

Central Academy

top

1%

of educational programs in the nation

9 Jerry Jones has attended Central for six years, and his favorite class is AP European History.

Jones will attend Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and plans on triple majoring in Political Science, English, and Philosophy. “Sometimes I honestly hate Central, but it’s given me some of the best opportunities of my life,” Jones said. Jones is a well-known guy in the halls of Central Academy, participating in many after school events and extracurriculars, even winning Central Academy’s annual Political Science student of the year award for the class of 2018.

National Merit Scholar semi-finalists (2 East students)

2nd place

in the GPML (Great Plains Math League) State competition

Page Editor/C. Cook

The future is Photo Illustration/ R. Hayworth Story/ R. Hayworth Photos/ R. Hayworth

Tera Richardson

Alejandro Zarate

Dayanna Martinez-Soto

Anfa Ahmed

Jenny Marquez page / 7

“Bright”

Meet the East High seniors of 2018 who have received the Lois Dale scholarship.

It was a Tuesday afternoon, and senior Tera Richardson was staying after school. Looking at her social media, she began to see her friends post pictures of their rejection letters.

She too, was awaiting a letter from the Bright Foundation, telling her if she had been awarded the Lois Dale scholarship or not. She went home to find a letter in the mailbox from the Bright Foundation that read: “We are pleased to inform you…” Richardson is one of the five East High seniors who received the scholarship in 2018.

The Bright Foundation gave their first Lois Dale scholarships away in 2012, honoring Lois and H. Dale Bright, the foundation’s starters.

This scholarship is only available to Des Moines Public Schools seniors, and covers tuition, room and board, books, etc. ensuring students receive a completely free ride to college. The Bright Foundation’s goal is to “make higher education at Iowa universities and community colleges possible for talented young Iowans who may not otherwise have the means to get a college education” (Bright Foundation).

“The one thing that the Lois Dale scholarship considers that other scholarships might not is financial need,” counselor Lauren Brandt-Erickson said.

The Bright Foundation awarded five Lois Dale scholarships to students in the East High Class of 2018; Alejandro Zarate, Dayanna Martinez-Soto, Tera Richardson, Anfa Ahmed, and Jenny Marquez.

“My older brother and sister had applied for it (the scholarship), and they didn’t get it so neither of them ended up going to college because my family didn’t have enough money for them to go to college.

Once I arrived to high school, I was determined to get it,” Zarate said.

Zarate considers himself a leader at East. Here, Zarate is the president of student government, senior board and pep club. He is the treasurer of the National Honor Society and the president of central college upward bound. He is attending the University of Iowa in the fall, to pursue a medical degree,

and plans to be a neurosurgeon.

“Honestly, I am the first generation in my family to even graduate from high school and attend a University. This is a big game changer.

It proves that dreamers out there just like me can do it too. This is an open door I’m taking. It’s changed my attitude and life,” Martinez-Soto said.

Martinez-Soto is involved in National Honor Society, Gay Straight Alliance, student government, Link Crew, and prom committee. She has overcome many struggles being a Dreamer (a person who came to the United States at a very young age without documentation, and was raised in the US). She is attending the University of Iowa in the fall to major in microbiology, and double minor in Spanish and psychology. She wants to go into the medical field.

“It’s given me a chance to go to my dream school, and get out of Des Moines,” Richardson said about the scholarship.

Richardson is involved in National Honor Society, College Bound, Upward Bound, Link Crew, student government and tennis. Before receiving the scholarship, Richardson was planning to attend Iowa State University. Receiving the scholarship has enabled her to go to the University of Iowa instead. Her family members are huge Hawkeyes fans, and she knew going to the U of I would make them proud.

“I wasn’t expecting that I would get it, I was just trying to see what I could do. It was because my parents could not afford my college for four years, we have low income,” Ahmed said.

Ahmed came to the United States when she was 11 years old.

She is involved in student government, East High Cares, Sisters for Success and fashion show. She is going to the University of Iowa for their medical program. Ahmed wants to be a nurse, but she does not yet know what kind of nurse.

“I applied for Lois Dale because I knew my family and I wouldn’t be able to afford college, and I didn’t want to just stop af-

ter high school,” Marquez said.

In her freshman and sophomore years, Marquez played volleyball, soccer and participated in track.

In her junior and senior years, she had to give those up in order to get a job for college. She does coach a horseback-riding drill team and is involved in FFA (Future Farmers of America). She will be attending Iowa State University in the fall for their veterinarian programs. She has observed Hispanic people avoiding vets because they don’t speak English, and she wants to change that.

“I just wanna be a change, being bilingual, helping animals and helping people” Marquez said.

“How have you overcome adversity it your life?” This is the prompt applicants received for their essay. Richardson had two months to write the essay, and wrote it two days before the due date. Marquez advises not to leave an essay unwritten until last minute, but that is what she did. Zarate used the two months to write his essay.

“My advice for any scholarship application is don’t downplay any of your accomplishments, and write proudly about your achievements and plans for the future. Also, be honest and check that you fill out all parts of the application,” counselor Lauren Brandt-Erickson said.

In order to apply for the Lois Dale scholarship, a student must be accepted by Iowa State University, University of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa, DMACC, Indian Hills community college, or Southwestern Iowa community college. They must also have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA for high school, be in significant financial need, be an outstanding community member and have a path to pursue throughout college and into a career. As long as the student maintains 2.5 cumulative GPA while fullyenrolled in college, the scholarship is renewable for three more years.

“We encourage students to check out scholarship opportunities, there are many good tools and resources available to East High students,” Brandt-Erickson said.

Page Editor/ R. Hayworth

Dayanna Stephanie Martinez-Soto

Just the surface to a revolutionary person that can change the world for the better.

Seniors are getting ready for graduation and the anticipation is building in all their hearts and minds of moving on with their lives and going into the real world.

Dayanna Stephanie Martinez-Soto is just one senior that has been waiting for this moment since the first day of kindergarten. She plans on going to the University Of Iowa and majoring in the political science and getting a minor in Spanish.

At East she has been involved in many different activities through the four years of being a student. She has always been an amazing role model at East inspiring people to be better and to help the community. She has always been a light in a dark room trying to make people feel like they are home. She is ready to go to college and continue with her life to make the world a better place. She has always been a person that wanted to make the world better for others, rather than focusing on herself. People just go through life like wind in a storm, but not her.

She is like a rainbow in a thunderstorm.

She loved high school freshmen year to senior year and has always been trying to make the most out of everything she has. Like when she fractures her foot playing soccer, then was happy because she didn’t have to play it anymore. People sometimes do the most and don’t get anything for it and are completely fine, but she deserved so much in life like receiving the Louis Dale Scholarship. This is a full- ride scholarship for the University of Iowa, Iowa State, UNI, which means that these recipients are going to college debt free. The Lois Dale Bright Founda-

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tion selects five students from East, and those students get a full ride to the colleges listed above. These foundation has been making students futures so much bright with their hard work and dediction.

“Getting the Lois Dale Scholarship was probably the most shocking thing for me. I’m very thankful. It was the greatest news I had received” Martinez-

Soto said. High school was probably the hardest experience she ever had to experience. 100 percent of the time she hung out with her friends and talked about just graduating and just getting that college experience. “She is a very outgoing and motivated person that is driven for success. She has a lot of school spirt and is very active in what she does. I see a lot of potential in her. I see her in the future being in a leadership role, because she is not the type that will be behind a desk

all day”, teacher Lacy Anderson Said Her freshmen and Sophomore year were more fun but taught her that her middle schools friends won’t be there for you, and that fitting in and getting a boyfriend was more important. Junior and Senior year she figured herself out. She begun hanging out with the right of people, she quit her sports (Volleyball, Soccer, and Cheerleading) to focus on school. Senior year she got involved with Student Government, Link Crew, GSA, IHSSA, National Honor Society, and student internship at Grandview elementary and a non-profit organization called Iowa CCI. She doesn’t really have any regrets of anything from high school. She just learned and moved on with life, which is something that everyone should learn because you might be focused on one situation but you’re missing life as it goes by pass you. High school was a long adventure and it helped her get ready for the next steps in her life. It’s important to live happy and positively. Surround yourself with happy people and not rude, judgmental, and negative people that are a waste of time and energy.

“She’s taught me to love anyone and everyone. I met her freshmen year, and I watched her grow into a beautiful woman. I would go out of my way to make sure she is safe. She IS a beautiful woman, and she leads other women to be confident with themselves. In my own words I would describe day as life’s

Page Editor/C.Enos

Q + A with Michaela Verwers A look through her high school journey

From tennis player, to cheerleader, GSA member, Student Government member, Link Crew leader, volleyball player,theater kid and choir member is Senior Michaela Viewers.

Tell me about any advice you have for underclassman or upcoming seniors?

“Just make the most of you time, put in a lot of effort, go to school, and get involved” is Michaela’s advice she would tell any uncderclass man before she leaves.

Tell me about what you plan on doing after school?

Tell me about what classes you’ve taken to help you?

“ I took six blocks of science this year along with math. Ap Biology, Biotech, Chemisty, Neuroanatomy.”Michaela has taken many classes to help her perpare for her future.

How would you discribe your high school years in seven words?

photo/contriuted “ According to the Census Bureau’s 2009 American Community Survey (ACS), women comprise 48 per- cent of the U.S. workforce but just 24 percent of STEM workers. In other words, half as many women are working in STEM jobs as one might ex- pect if gender representation in STEM professions mirrored the overall workforce.”

“It’s stressful, period of Growth, fun.”Michaela talks about how she would discribe her high school years.

If you could change anything about your high school years what would you change?

M

“I plan on going to Iowa State for Biochemistry, going as an honor student,”Michaela has big plans and shes on her way to make paths for people.

“ I wouldn’t have taken a lot of classes, it’s a scam. Mostly senior year.”

ichaela in 10 words...

“Caring, and fights for people and things that she believes in,” Mailyn Huynh said “Goofy,tired(needs coffee to function) advocate, sassy, firece,”Katelyn BucktonDululio said. @michaelaverwers

@michaela_verwer

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photo/contriuted Michaela takes selfie at the hospital during the homecoming game.

@michaelaverwers

Page Editor/ M. Dahlberg

Senior Tatum Hochmuth

Photo/L.Squiers

Photo/C.Hexamer

Photo/C.Hexamer

Past, present, and future Photo/C.Hexamer

up with her school work. At ISDTA State this year color guards biggest performance Tatum was clearly not feeling well and she still came and performed 100 percent.

“She always put her love into her team and work,” Forget said.

Tatum was helpful this year as a captain and she will be missed by many people on the team whether they admit it or not.

“I’ll miss my team.

They’re a second

Good Friend

Sweet

Wonderful

Giving Great

Serious

Opinionated

Talented

Caring

She always put her love into her team and work.”

-Ashlyn Forget

Beautiful

Sassy

family,” Hochmuth said.

While color guard is a big part of who Hochmuth is she is more than just color guard she is also a dedicated graduating senior. When Hochmuth joins something, she is dedicated.

Even though color guard is time consuming grades must stay up to be able to perform.

“For a while, balancing school, work and color guard was a struggle.

I started falling behind in school.

So, I started cutting my hours at work and dedicating days where I didn’t have anything going on to sitting down and getting what I needed done to pass all my classes, “ Hochmuth said.

Hochmuth works at Hy-Vee and next year she will be headed to Iowa State for college. She has a bright future ahead of her with college and jobs to pay for college but with her dedication she is excited.

“I’m pretty excited about working two jobs. 1 will be fulltime and the other will be part time. So that’s more money for college,” Hochmuth said.

In her future Hochmuth knows what she wants to do.

She is ready and can already see who she will grow up to be.

“I see myself as a social worker, I want to help in child services, “ Hochmuth said.

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“

to welcome the new people and help them learn the basics.

After teaching that she got to witness the team grow.

“Being able to see all the new faces and see they grow from the first to last day,” Hochmuth said.

Hochmuth worked hard in color guard even though she had other things she could have been doing like work and keeping

Strong Awesome Funny

Story/C.Hexamer Unitard, Blue crop top, leggings, jazz shoes, rifle and a flag. Who owns all of these? None other than Color Guard Captain and senior Tatum Hochmuth.

Hochmuth has been on color guard for four years she was enticed by the colorful posters. After joining she went on to be a captain for her last year as a senior. The EHS Color Guard Team is more like a family and Hochmuth is like an older sister giving advice and helping her teammates t h r o u g h everything.

“She was good at being there for us by helping us do drop spins, tosses, and more,” freshman Ashlyn Forget said.

B e i n g a captain, Hochmuth helped the team get the work down when Coach Madi couldn’t be there. She might have been harsh, but she knew what she was doing, and she was just trying to make the performance perfect.

“It felt like she picked on us but really she’s helping us look good on the field and on stage,” Forget said.

As captain and a senior Hochmuth did a lot for the team. She had experience and she knew what she was doing. At try outs she helped

TATUM reserved Page Editor/C.Hexamer

The team behind the

dream

Story/ A. Ayersman

A goodbye to the seniors who helped shape varsity girls’ soccer When high school girls’ soccer is talked about, the first schools that come to mind may be Iowa City High, Ames High, or Valley simply because they are the more talented teams in the state each year. Metro schools such as East, Lincoln or Roosevelt do not come to mind due to the fact that inner city athletes are viewed to be nothing more than amateurs. For the last four years, this is the stereotype that the five varsity seniors have played through.

Kylie Hanna: When watching a girls’ varsity soccer game at East, it is easy to get Kylie mixed up with junior, Kimberly DeAvila, since they both have long dark braids down their back. Kylie has been a role player on varsity since her freshman year as a mid-fielder not only setting others up for goals but scoring goals herself. The best part about being on varsity to Kylie is “just being on the team since they’re like a second family so you continuously make new memories and always have fun together”. Kylie will be continuing her education at the University of Iowa as a Nursing Major in the fall!

Taylor Baker: “#TaylorSoWhite”. This joke between the soccer girls started their freshman year, but it was for another player named Bailey. Both girls have very fair skin, so when Bailey graduated, the tradition got passed down to Taylor. Taylor has been playing outside midfielder on varsity since her freshman year as well. Taylor is one of the very few left-footed players on the team, which makes her presence on the team so much more special, but also a threat to other teams as well. “I’m very proud to be a Scarlet! I will always be proud of where I came from!” Taylor will be continuing her education in the fall, studying Pharmacy at Drake University!

Naomi Kham: Most people do not know Naomi by her real name, but as her nickname “Mimi”. Mimi was on varsity her freshman year, but then moved to Ankeny for her sophomore year. Coming back to East, Mimi was back on varsity again for her junior and senior year. As a forward,

“Thank you guys for making my last four years unforgettable!

Always remember the skies the limit, don’t settle for less.”

-Alyssa Ayersman

“I love you guys!!! Wish you the best!!”

-Naomi Kham

Mimi has been a threat for the three years she has been playing for East. “[The best thing about being on varsity] is my teammates and the girls I get to play with! The coach is a little cool too!” In the fall, Mimi will be going to the University of Iowa to majoring in accounting in hopes to get her Certified Public Accountant degree, (CPA).

Denisse San Elias: “D-D-D-Defence”. Denisse has been a key defender for the Scarlets for the last two years. Denisse holds it down when everything else is not going right in the front field. “My favorite thing about being on varsity is we are not getting better individually but as a team” Denisse will be attending Iowa State University in the fall with an undeclared major, hoping to find out what she wants to major in soon.

Alyssa Ayersman: When you see Alyssa anywhere around Des Moines, you will always see her “bff ” Patricia. Patricia is not a real person, but the bun hairstyle that she wears daily. Kylie Hanna came up with the name freshman year at the end of the season. Alyssa has jumped around between mid-fielder and forward during her four years playing varsity, but she is currently back to the mid-fielder position. Her favorite memory is when the team would play away at a suburban school, and the team would blast “hood rat” music to try and intimidate the other team when they would pull up. Alyssa will be studying Journalism at Drake University in the fall.

Although the team may not have had the ideal records for the last couple of seasons, the friendships and bonds that have been made during that time will last forever.

“Don’t finish the season knowing you could have played better but finish the season knowing you left a legacy.” -Denisse San Elias

“I love you guys and always play your heart out for yourselves and for each other” -Kylie Hanna

“Keep trying your hardest and you’ve all made my four years at East, years to remember” -Taylor Baker

Photos/ A.Ayersman

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Page Editor/ A.Ayersman

Meet the co-first chairs Learn more about their journey through orchestra and high school Story/ F.Centeno

Melissa Hidalgo After being introduced by an orchestra group that played for her class, Hidalgo has been in Orchestra since the fourth grade quit, during fifth but returned in sixth grade. Growing up with a parent who is a musical person, Hidalgo always had a love for music, singing and playing the violin.

“After a long day of stress or no matter my mood, good or bad, I’m always looking forward to going to orchestra,” Hidalgo said.

Hidalgo is not only in orchestra, but she is also in Chamber strings since this year. She also was picked for first chair this year.

“It’s a good way to get me prepare for the future and gain leadership skills,” Hidalgo said. She’s always willing to help the students in her class and help Mrs. Luft, the orchestra teacher. “I like seeing my peers being successful and it’s taught me social skills as well,” Hidalgo said. She especially likes helping the incoming freshman the most. “She made me feel like my part and presence in orchestra matters,” freshman Andy Montalvo said. In the future Hidalgo is going to Grandview University to major in social work and Spanish.

“My biggest goal in life is to make a difference in someone’s life and in my community,” Hidalgo said. She would like to continue taking lessons for orchestra there. “I like her positive attitude, she’s supportive and made me a better violin player,” sophomore Leslie Hoang said.

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Sandy Le

Le has been playing the violin since fourth grade. She got her own first violin in sixth grade and she’s been playing the same violin since eighth grade.

“Orchestra gave me an outlet to release my stress, it’s one of my easy classes I enjoy going to and look forward to,” Le said. She attends central and takes AP Lit, AP Psych, Government, Orchestra, AP Bio, AP Japanese and Bio Technology.

“She’s been a good influence on me and makes me do the right choices also guides me to the right path,” sophomore Kathy Le said. Le has been in Honor orchestra for two years and for her first time was first chair her sophomore year but became first chair again her senior year. “I didn’t want it to be a pity just because I’m a senior, I wanted to work for it,” Le said. She is also involved in National Honors Society as VP, Student Government and was part of prom committee.

“She’s had more experience with leadership and got more confidence by doing more solo and ensemble, she’s been taking more risks,” Orchestra teacher Jennifer Luft said.

Because of orchestra Le got to meet new people and expand her friendship group. She found people who share the same interests. Also, she has found people in orchestra who have inspired her.

“Throughout the past four years it helped me go through my day and end my day on a good note,” Le said. Le will be attending University of Iowa to continue in STEM and become a researcher in Mayo Clinic.

She would like to continue the violin, music or art.

Page Editor/ F.Centeno

Conducting his way through life

Photo/ M. Stout

An inside look of EHS’ very own drum major, Andrew Yenzer And-rew Yen-zer (noun) 1.) Ambitious and determined to do the right thing, hilarious, a good friend, dedicated, and more talented than Raini Rodriguez (an inside joke within the band room), and known as the “applesauce to your pork chop” and is motivated yet practical. Meet your 2017-18 drum major and his gang of band kids.

How long have you been a band kid? What other instruments do you play?

Yenzer been playing since sixth grade, around seven years, and he played trombone at first but now he plays tuba and bassoon.

What other activities are you involved in?

“I’m mainly involved in band, but I work tech with the theater kids during their performances as well,” Yenzer said.

What will you miss the most about East High School?

Yenzer will miss not being able to spend time with his best friends every day... they’re his family and he loves being around them.

What are your plans after high school?

Yenzer plans to go to Iowa State University to study music education. He also plans on auditioning for the varsity marching band and wind ensemble.

What does it mean to be a “drum major”?

A drum major can lead and conduct a bad but doesn’t have the full

“My favorite memory with Andrew would have to be our band trip to San Antonio and a car ride we went on while we were there. I’m going to miss him and I’m so thankful to him for being a great friend,” Gabe Ewert said.

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power of the actual teacher, such as Mr. Thering. “I’m basically a discount band director,” Yenzer said.

With being a drum major comes great responsiblity and Yenzer was more than willing to step up to the plate.

“He contributed songs, led parades and directed the freshmen and taught them how to keep up with the rest of us,” senior Gabe Ewert said. Ewert and Yenzer have been friends since the first grade and have many memories together.

What will your legacy be when you graduate?

Yenzer leaves his legacy for his little sister in hopes that she can live up to it as she joins band as she enters high school.

“All I can say to Andrew is don’t compromise your philosophies and what I will miss the most about him is his musicianship and what he brings to the table, he has amazing leadership,” Thering said.

What would you say to future band members?

“It’s very important to be committed to your practice; band is just like a team, everyone needs to pull their weight,” Yenzer said.

“My favorite memory was when Andrew and his gang took over our trip to the University of Iowa. They were in charge and I was just there to be a body guard. We had a blast though, and that’s all that matters,” Joseph Thering said.

Page Editor/M. Stout

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A last glimpse at a retiring teacher and his love for East High School

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There have been many teachers that have made an impact in my life. But it’s always me that’s leaving them; this year, however, my favorite teacher is leaving me. Mr. Mullin made an impact on my heart in so many ways and I know he will continue to do so for others and for the service of humanity.

60

year old 20th century world history teacher, Jeff Mullin, has decided to retire after 11 years of teaching and 23 years in the US military.

Retiring won’t be easy for Mullin, especially considering he graduated from east in 1976.

While being both a Scarlet graduate and an East sider born and raised, leaving this school and these memories behind him won’t be easy.

“I feel like having served my country for 23 years and serving my community for 11 years, that now it’s time to go find a new way for the service of humanity,” Mullin said.

There are so many opportunities and experiences Mullin looks forward to in retirement. He’s espe-

“

cially excited to spend time traveling across Iowa and camping with his wife and high school sweetheart, Tammy.

“We met when we were 10th graders at East High School. She was walk-

Although Mullin is excited for what the future holds, he is going to miss his interaction with the students most. He graduated from Grandview University to become a history teacher because during his time serving the military, Mullin developed a passion for traveling the world and experiencing other countries histories.

“I’m a teacher because my life was changed by a teacher.

It’s not about how much I know and how much I teach, or the stories and pictures I show kids of me being at the pyramids. It’s about building a relationship with teens- learning about them and caring for them. And maybe along the way I can impact them the same way my life was,” Mullin said.

Find a new way... for the service of humanity.”

-Jeff Mullin ing the hallways and I was checking her out, of course. One of our mutual friends introduced us. We started dating the march of 1974 and we got married in December of 1977. Now we have 2 kids and 3 grand babies,” Mullin said.

I look at him and ask: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” While both laughing and pointing at his DC sneakers, Mullin responds with, “I don’t think I will ever grow up. But there is something on my bucket list... I think I want to promote rock bands. I think that would be pretty cool.”

I would just like to say thank you to Jeff Mullin for being a teacher that has made a significant impact on my high school experience. From having conversations about our weekends, politics, how stressed we both are, to the small moments where he brings me flowers for my performance in the spring play. I hope that RV holds up for you in retirement so you can go camping everywhere in the US. Thank you, Mr. Mullin.

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Page Editor/M. Williams

A & Q

Tell me about your family

What are you doing after retiring?

“I am only 55 so this is really just a working retirement where I plan to build my current business and enjoy being able to set my own schedule and pursue some other personal goals.”

“I began teaching in Des Moines Schools 25 years ago.

After being reassigned each year to different schools at first, I found a home at East in 1999 – 19 years ago – It’s interesting when I realized a couple years ago that I started at East before my students of the past 2-3 years were even born.”

Tell me about your past jobs...

Story/ N. Grove

How long have you been a teacher?

with Don Heese

I have two “I have a very lovely and pleasant wife named Jody.

Both are adults ago. years 20 children who were adopted from Russia 18 months old. was Kyle and her, now. Olga was 14 when we adopted er Emily, who aught step-d a and e I also have a step-son Andy, in colleg will start ninth grade next fall.”

“In college I was a swim pool manager for the city in Iowa City – and at the same time I worked at Campus Food Services and in the Recording Studio at the School of Music. I was also apartment manager at the complex where I lived. I did all that because I liked the money – and I was paying for my own college. In grad school I worked at a private music school and at the university as a Teaching Assistant to the professors. When I moved back to Des Moines, I started my own private music school in conjunction with a piano company here at the time, and we built that school from the ground up to over 200 students in the first two years. After four years of that, I chose to return to school in my 30s and get licensed to teach social studies in the public schools.

I’ve been a part of DMPS and mostly EHS ever since.”

Tell me about your job as a hypnotist...

In eighth grade, a friend of mine and I walked out of the school gym after witnessing our first hypnotist show. We decided to try it on each other. He tries it on me – it didn’t work. I tried it on him and he goes into a trance. It was kind of strange, but I got used to it pretty quick because during high school, I got asked by a lot by people to hypnotize them for all kinds of things like sports, stage performances, playing pool better, and even some who were stressed or having trouble getting over relationships. I went public six years ago and I meet with clients in the evenings at my home.”

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Page Editor/ N. Grove

Drum Major, is your band ready... to graduate?

Story/ R. Hayworth Photos/ J. Hayworth

As their time at East comes to a close, find out what the senior band members of 2018 are planning to do after high school.

Each year on the morning of graduation, East High’s concert band gathers at Drake University’s Knapp Center about an hour before the ceremony starts. They will find their seats and warm up. As the graduating class walks in to find their seats, they will play the infamous Pomp and Circumstance. As they play, they will wonder if the 500-person chain of seniors being seated will ever end. But this year, band seniors Ian Delk, Gabe Ewert, Abraham Salgado, Josie Weber, Michaela Wisecup, and Andrew Yenzer aren’t playing Pomp and Circ with the band. They will be preparing to walk across the stage, graduating from the band family that has been built up for the last four years.

“The best part of band is just hanging out with the other seniors, because we have become so close as a group of friends. I’ve always enjoyed after different football games or pep bands, going out with band people to Perkins, or IHOP, or Buffalo Wild Wings, and just hanging out with them,” Ian Delk said.

Given the choice between band and choir, band sounded more appealing to a fifth-grade Delk. In pursuit of an instrument to play, Delk tried the saxophone and couldn’t get a sound out of it (“probably because it was a three-and-a-half

Page Editor/ R. Hayworth

reed,” he says, “but we don’t talk about that.”)

He tried the trombone and was able to make a sound, so that was the instrument he chose.

Delk will be attending Iowa State University to major in physics and minor in music. He wants to continue challenging himself with music and reach the next level of difficulty. After college he wants to do his own research, potentially about quantum mechanic and how “particles do weird things” or different stars in the galaxy and their

I hope the seniors of 2018 are as successful in the rest of life’s ventures as they have been in band.

“

Mr. Joseph Thering

energy. He will miss being as involved in the band when he goes to college, because he will not have as much responsibility with writing music or helping the director as he has here at East.

“The best part of band is hanging out with my friends,” Gabe Ewert said.

With Ewert, it took very little convincing for him to join band. His decision to play the saxophone was just as simple. The day before choosing his instrument, he had heard a cool saxophone solo, and as the director was demonstrating the instrument choices, he realized that he could play the saxophone, too. Ewert will be attending the University of Iowa for their pre-med program and in-state tuition. He plans to major in biology, and be a doctor or genetic researcher after college. He feels that being a doctor or genetic researcher is a good way to help people. He is going to continue music in college, and plans to join the marching band. Band is a great way to make friends, and since most of his friends are going to Iowa State, he will be able to find new friends through marching band at the University of Iowa. Ewert will miss seeing his friends everyday once he is in college.

“The best part about band is the people.

Most of my friends are band kids, they’re just a good group of people,” Abraham Salgado said

When Salgado was in the fourth grade, he decided to join band. He tried the trumpet, but did not like the way it made his lips feel, choosing the flute instead. Salgado had thought about joining the marines after high school, but received a scholarship for tuition from the multicultural office at Iowa State, leading him to attend Iowa State University to major in computer hardware engineering. Salgado is considering joining the army after college, because they do not offer Reserves Officers’ Training Core (ROTC) for the Marines at Iowa State. He does plan to continue music in college, because he would like to play better and more challenging music. Salgado will miss the memories made at marching band competitions and honor bands after he leaves high school.

“My favorite part of band is the community, I like playing hard stuff and I like learning new things, but I like seeing the people that I like. We’re like a big family and so I enjoy seeing these people every other day” Josie Weber said.

Weber joined band in the sixth grade to escape having to join choir. The flute was not their first choice, however. Weber originally wanted to play clarinet. The director was asking each student what they wanted to play, going in alphabetical order. Weber was toward the end of

page 16 Page Editor/ R. Hayworth

Thank you for being kind, courteous and respectful at EHS. Never lose the love of music and always listen.

“

Mr. Brian Connelly

the list, and when it was their turn, they pointed to the only other flute in the room and said ”I wanna play that thing.” Weber will be attending Iowa State University to major in graphic design. They chose Iowa State to join the marching band, because art colleges do not have marching bands. After college, advertising in a potential career for Weber. They plan to join the Cyclone Storm, which is more of a pep band or junior-varsity marching band, and requires less time than the varsity marching band. Weber will miss going to honor bands with talented instrumentalists and close friends once they are in college.

“The best thing about band is bonding with everybody over music, it’s just a great thing,” Wisecup said Michaela Wisecup joined band in fifth grade to be a second generation clarinet. Her mom had also played the clarinet in school. Wisecup will be attending Simspon College for their elementary education program. She wants to be a first grade teacher. She has yet to decide whether she wants to continue band in college or not. She does plan to continue choir though. After going to college, Wisecup will miss the people she met in East’s band.

“My favorite part of band is that I get to come to an ensemble full of some of my greatest friends,” Andrew Yenzer said.

When Andrew Yenzer was in fourth grade, his soon-to-be band director came and demostrated band instruments, and Yenzer found them “pretty interesting”. He started off playing the trumpet, because it had the least amount of buttons to push. About halfway through fifth grade, the director realized Yenzer was not doing so hot on the trumpet. The director handed him a trombone, and he was much better at it.

Yenzer also plays the tuba, because his mother played the tuba in high school. Yenzer will be attending Iowa State University to major in music

page 17

El-Baroudi exits East

This veteran East teacher tells about his current job situation and more about what is next for his career

Story/B.Christensen Samy EL-Baroudi has been a well-respected teacher at East High School for the last 21 years. But recently his profession as a teacher at East High has come to a halt. This however was not Mr. El-Baroudi’s choice.

Des Moines Public Schools’ budget cuts brought his teaching career at East to an abrupt end. El-Baroudi speaks about his current situation with Des Moines Public Schools, his opinions, and even his future as a teacher.

From what El-Baroudi said, he has been “excessed” which means that his position is no longer needed at East High School due to budget cuts.

This could be from not enough upper classmen wanting to take the classes that he teaches, or a variety of other reasons. “It doesn’t matter what it is, everyone needs a skill,” El-Baroudi said.

He believes that his work experience and teaching skills help students do just that and be more prepared when going out into the real world as adults. “Working at McDonalds when you’re 16 is a fine job, when you’re 21, it’s not,” El-Baroudi said.

According to an email sent by Des Moines Public Schools, it was never their intention to let go of anyone in the district by any means necessary. “There will be administrative, teacher operations reductions around the district. but again, due to careful planning (including the retirement incentive that was offered last fall), we plan to avoid having to “pink slip” anyone,” Thomas Ahart said in an emial sent to the staff. El-Baroudi’s His opinions on this situation however are passionate. He believes that he should not have

been the one to get excessed by the district and that it was a “very poor decision” by Des Moines Public Schools, given his job experience and skills as a teacher. El-Baroudi has a been a teacher for 21 years, which means he can show students all the things he learned during his time of being teacher and a critical part of the community. “Both College Marketing and College Personal Finance are going from four to two teachers,” El-Baroudi said. One of his concerns is that young students will not get the right classes that they will need for the real world.

“When your only skill is to press a button so that a cheeseburger was ordered, you’re never going to make any real money,” El-Baroudi said. With all this being said, El-Baroudi said he is fortunate that he had the opportunity to work and have a job.

For his plans as teacher, El-Baroudi plans to become a teacher full time at Scavo. While there, he plans to help students, who are struggling with their plans for going out of high school and wants to open their opportunities for a chance to have a great starting profession for when students graduate high school. He has also stated that he is unclear as to what is his situation with being next year’s tennis coach. But that he would love to if given the opportunity.

El-Baroudi’s presence will be deeply missed by students at East High. “Mr. El-Baroudi was one of the best and funniest teachers, he actually made learning fun,” East High Junior Fredy Leiva said.

“Working at McDonalds when you’re 16 is a fine job, when you’re 21, it’s not,” ElBaroudi said.

Photo/B. Christensen

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Page Editor/B. Christensen

David J. Mahler, a man of stories, passion, and humour. From Des Moines, to Las Angeles, back to Des Moines. Well traveled and well versed, East High School was lucky to snag such an amazing teacher for 11 short years. From office job to therapist to inspiring teacher, Mahler may be ending his current career, but he still doesn’t know what he wants to be when he grows up. Mahler’s wise words of wisdom didn’t fall on deaf ears, and he hopes he managed to help some students along his career.

Why did you decide to retire?

“The school district educational bus, is going in a direction that I don’t necessarily agree with. The instruction and evaluation the districts is following a path that is not one I would choose. I’m not retiring because I’m tired of the kids. A couple years ago we were at a meeting, and all this new stuff coming down the line, a comment was made “content isn’t what matters, process is what matters” where as I agree process matters, I’m old school enough to realize that educational matters beyond high school, content definitely matters, an the fact that it has taken a backseat bothers me. The new system (SRG) allows for student to excel I guess I’m old school and more hard core, but the new system allows kids to really not excel, that some of the new rules in place that come from above our administration, are far more approving of mediocrity than I am. Its okay to not excel, it’s okay to forget assignments, its okay to accept “passing” as good enough. That’s not me,” Mahler said.

What do you want your students to know about you before you leave?

“I want my students to know that I value learning, I value knowing stuff, but the most important thing that I want for them is to be happy, to be confident, to know how to express themselves, and possibly even to make themselves the best “you” that they can be. This is a serious job, and I like having fun, but I do value the professionalism. Everyone can learn, but we might as well have fun while we do it,”Mahler said. “I’ve been asking myself what I want to be when I grow up for about 200 years now, I would like to be able to say that I made a difference, I would like to say that my interactions with people, even if it only a few helped them deal with the world,” Mahler said.

What are you going to miss the most about East?

The students, the energy of the kids, looking at where they are in the world and where they’re going, it’s fun to see people grow. My hobby is working with wood, I make pens. When I want to feel better I go down to the basement of my house and make sawdust, and why? Why do I find it so relaxing or so rewarding? This profession (teaching) you never get to see thing through to the end, you guys are a work in progress, I understand that every teacher knows that. We don’t know what you’re going to be like in ten years, other than the fact that hopefully your experiences at East are going to mean less and less to you as you go through life. I don’t get to see what you become in 15 years. When I work with a piece of wood, or a block of wood or making my own magnets out of wood, I can cut it and mold it and shape it and finish it. I can hold the end results of me efforts in my hands, which you can’t do when you teach. When I work on a project and I can finish it, that a feeling I rarely have in my professional world with my classroom there’s so much more with everything that we could have done. My hands are tied in what I can teach, I’m going to miss the aha moments when a student really gets it and it makes sense, you get the enjoyment in the things I enjoy, knowing stuff is fun.

What do you plan to do after retirement?

My number one plan and most important plan as of right now, is not get up at five o’clock in the morning again. I have never liked getting up in the dark, it’s not getting any easier, and I would like to stop doing that, as far as employment and oth- er activities, I don’t know. I know I’m not ready to sit in a chair and watch TV all day, but other than that I don’t know. I enjoy travelling, and I’m looking forward to not having to travel in the summer and over Christmas vacation.

From Teacher to traveler East High School says goodbye to David Mahler

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Page Editor/E. Rothmayer

Diane Fleming

After 34 years and seven principals, office secretary, Diane Fleming retires

Story/N. Grove

What's your favorite part of being at East?

"I've loved working with the people, all of the staff."

What do you plan on doing after you retire?

"My goal is to spend more time with my extended family, my brothers and my father.

Right now, I don't get to see them often, but I hope to change that."

Tell me about your past jobs

"I worked at Broadlawns psychiatric and I was also a travel agent before that and loved both. I started here when my son started school."

“

photo/N. Grove

Tell me about your hobbies

"I love to read and travel. I have two trips planned already, one in August and one in September."

Tell me about your family "My husband has worked at his job for 38 years and he is going to work one more year before he retires.

I have one son and two beautiful grandchildren. My son attended North and it worked out very well."

Tell me something interesting about you "I grew up as a little Iowa farm girl and I loved it. I feel bad my son never got the opportunity to go horseback riding or chase calves."

I’ve loved working with the people, all of the staff.” page / 20

Page Editor/N. Grove

Q & A lex Liu

story / L. Borgen

photo / L. Borgen

The pressures of going into freshman year while being top of your class rank, and the responsibilities to come.

Being the number one student in your class can put a lot of pressure on a person. Put that on top of doing extracurricular activities, school, homework, trying to find a good college to go to, spending time with family and friends, and still having enough free time to yourself. All of these things can take a toll on a person.

Meet Alex Liu, one of the incoming seniors at East High School, who is currently at the top of his class.

What do you feel you will struggle with most during senior year?

Motivation, also managing my time in between school, extracurricular, and social life.

Do you feel any pressure from your family to do good in school? Why? I do feel a bit of pressure from my family to do well, but mostly its pressure that I put on myself to do well and make my family proud. in?

What extracurricular activities do you participate

Band, varsity swimming, varsity tennis, and if you count clubs I’m in NHS and ETS. I tried one day of cross country, and in middle school I did track and track.

How do you balance all those activities with school?

I don’t balance everything, I just let things happen and do whatever I can.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed in the middle of balancing your schedule?

Definitely. Especially during something like swim season, where you have early practice at 6 a.m. before school starts, and sometimes until 8 p.m. for a meet, spending well over 12 hours at school and going home knowing that you have a thousand different things you still must do for school the next day.

How do you maintain good grades?

I do my work. Believe it or not, if you do your homework, you’ll probably be good for that class.

How do you deal with your stress?

I take breaks occasionally. If you find yourself being unproductive or just stressed, take a break and try to make that time enjoyable, look at your phone, hang out with your friends, etc.

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Do you have a mentor or someone you look up to? Why? Not really, I guess I just admire other smart and successful people because they seem to have their lives figured out.

How long have you been on the swim team?

I have been swimming since I was five years old, I have been on the swim team at East every year of high school.

How many people are in your family?

I have four people in my family, my older sister, my mom, and my dad.

How long have you been a lifeguard?

One year.

What instruments do you play?

I’m a percussionist, I play snare drum, and triangle.

One of the people that understand how hard Alex

Fun facts about Alex Liu What is your favorite color?

Black and red

How long have you been the top of your class?

Since sophomore year What is your GPA?

4.36

works to achieve his goals is his friend and fellow boys swim team captain of the upcoming season is junior Ethan Straight.

How long have you known Alex Liu? I have known Alex since 5th grade and we have been swimming together for years and are now captains together.

Do you think Alex works hard to achieve the grades he gets?

Alex is a very hard worker, he talks about staying up late because of the multiple AP classes he takes and how much homework he has to do.

Describe Alex in three words.

Blue-collar, intelligent, and thoughtful.

How close are you to Alex?

I am very close to Alex, he is one of my best friends.

How long have you gone to school with Alex?

I have only gone to school with Alex for 3 years in high school.

Anything else to add?

Alex is very driven, he sets goals and he accomplishes them, both in the pool and out of it.

Another person that is close to Liu is sophomore Kade Dolphin.

How long have you known Alex Liu? I have known Alex for about eight years.

How long have you swum with Alex?

I have swum with Alex for seven years.

How long have you been on the same tennis team as Alex?

I have been on the same tennis team with Alex for two years.

Describe Alex in three words.

Intelligent, ambitious, and sardonic.

Do you think Alex is a hard worker and always works his best to achieve his goals?

Alex Liu is one of the hardest workers on our team, he is always working to better himself.

Page Editor/L. Borgen

Caleb’s

l a i t n e s Es

summer guide story/ C. Cook

3

Summer is right around the corner, and with it comes great weather, plenty of events, and a lot of free time to fill. I know what you’re thinking: “What will I do to fill the day?”. Well never fear, because here is the Essential Guide to Summer in Iowa.

summer go-to’s

1 photo/ contributed

Adventureland Park www.adventurelandresort.com

2 photo/ contributed

Blank Park Zoo www.blankparkzoo.com

3 photo/ contributed

Iowa State Fair www.iowastatefair.org

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Work hard Summer is long, and if utilized properly, can be great for you, both socially and financially.

Summer is the best time of the year to get a part time job, as it will allow you to not only build your resume for the future, but also save up a lot of money to fund your summer lifestyle, while not interfering with school. And hey, if you already have a job, see if you can get more hours. “It is a great way to get experience for future jobs, and will allow you to earn money,” Junior Robby Duff said.

Go swimming This is obvious, but it’s truly a staple of summer. Swimming is a great way to socialize, stay active, and most importantly, relax and have fun.

There are a variety of options available in the metro, from something simple like Teachout, located on the East side of Des Moines, or a larger park like Cascade Falls in Ankeny. Also, try something new, like maybe riding a giant waterslide, a wave machine, or jumping from the high dive.

Try a new sport Ever played Ultimate frisbee? Golf ? Tennis?

Well, if you haven’t, don’t worry; summer is the best time of the year to try these out, and many other sports, for the first time. Equipment for a variety of sports is available at Walmart, Goodwill, or even your uncle’s shed. And remember-you don’t have to go pro- just go out there and have fun trying something new. “It gives you something to do, because a lot of people have free time,a nd it can keep you busy and in shape for your sport,” junior Christian Ounlokham said.

Go to a concert Summer is the time of concerts and music festivals galore. And you don’t want to miss out on a slice of the fun. Start looking into when and where your favorite artists will be performing, make plans with your friends, save some money, and go enjoy some music. And if you don’t want to spend any money, there’s plenty of free concerts as well.

Watch an entire TV series Summer is long. Over two months of the year, and not every one of those days is going to be bright and sunny. So on those rainy days, those summer nights, start watching a new series, whether it be on Netflix, Hulu, or anywhere else. It’s a great way to relax, keep yourself entertained, and fill those long summer days.

Read a good book Now, I know summer is about being away from school, books, and homework. But reading, although considered boring to some, is a great way to keep your brain active, keep you from completely forgetting everything you learned the year before. And again, it’s something you can do anytime, anywhere. “I like reading because you get to picture the events and people in the story your way, and for me, reading is also relaxing,” junior Shelby Cook said.

Page Editor/C. Cook

D

on’t cry. Don’t show the hurt.

Don’t talk about it. Don’t express. Just, don’t.

Growing up, boys are taught that pushing down their feelings rather than letting them show and come to surface is what makes them strong, because apparently it makes them less of a man to show that they hurt too. Being vulnerable with anyone is scary, but being put under the thumb of the stereotypes and boundaries makes it terrifying to defy it whatsoever.

Many men don’t necessarily like being viewed as defenseless or exposed, especially when being susceptible in their emotions. One man who does not hide his emotions or put up a shield when being confronted with these overwhelming feelings is East theatre teacher and director, Jamaal G. Allan.

Growing up, Allan unintentionally bottled up all of his emotions due to wanting to look and act the way a man “should”.

As he got older and became more involved in acting and being a performer. Allan learned how to be comfortable with his emotions and to truly become vulnerable with others. In the end, it all came with the maturity that accumulated with age.

“We live in a world where there’s expressions like ‘be a man’. That has such a loaded implication- that being a man is supposed to be this statement of strength.

‘Don’t be weak, be a man, be strong.’ Yet if someone shows emotional strength it’s viewed as a weakness. The ability to empathize for others and the strength to say ‘this is who I am. This is how I f e e l ’ ; we somehow consider that not m a n l y all of a sudden,” Allan said.

Junior at East High School, Michael Schminkey, has always been a very emotional human. Schminkey is a broad shouldered 6’3 man who has never been afraid to show his sensitive side, and has never been ashamed of the tears he sheds.

Schminkey has always been taunted by his guys friends and poked fun at because of this fragile side of him, yet he views it as more of a strength rather than any sort or weakness it may be considered.

“People view men as strong figures but it can go both ways; a girl can be strong and not cry about anything while a man can be strong and cry over the smallest of things. I don’t see how we can still label people like that and still call them out for it when really emotions are a basic things for a human. If someone is more sensitive than someone else, I don’t think gender should be an argument to why they shouldn’t be like that” Schminkey said.

Tahzhae Burton is a junior at East High who grew up with three women and no male figures to mentor him. It was normal for him growing up to allow his emotions come to surface and to be a man that wears his heart on his sleeve.

“People called me soft, gay, tell me I act like a girl for being in touch with my emotions and expressing myself. It goes with my personality. I’m not afraid to express myself because I want to show others there’s someone like me who is not afraid of them self so that they feel as though they can be their own full person and bring them self to light. I believe it makes me stronger and more appealing to everyone else,” Burton said.

Using sexuality as an excuse for vulnerability is nothing short of a mediocre attempt of being secure in one’s own skin. Its easier to hide what you’re not good

at expressing and that’s similar to why people give up before attempting- in fear of not being good enough. Putting on a persona rather than taking off the mask is simpler to avoid rather than being a sensitive and vulnerable being. The concept of using sexuality as an excuse for empathizing with others is a pathetic a n d disgusting endeavor that people vocalize i n t h e most crass o f ways. “There is n o should and shouldn’t, there is what we do.

It’s when we are feeling we must project because of who society tells us we are, when an individual tells us who we are, or who we want people to think we are versus who we truly feel we are- I think that’s when we’re doing ourselves a disservice as men, as women, as human beings,” Allan said.

Finding who you are as a person is next to impossible so one shouldn’t allow another human to define them and their circumstances. In the end, you’re the only one who knows your struggle.

It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to show the hurt. It’s okay to express. Men don’t need to be depicted and told to be masculine beings. A man doesn’t have to be apart of the LGBTQ+ community to justify why he’s opening up about what he’s feeling It’s okay to not be okay and cry. It’s okay to be happy an cry. Crying and showing emotion has no gender.

Story/M.Williams

Boys Don’t Cry page / 23

Page Editor/M. Williams

DRESS

page / 24

Every 98 seconds a sexual assault occurs in the United States. One out of every six women is or has been a victim, nine out of ten rape victims are female. (According to the rape, abuse, and incest national network) A stereotype exists that women are asking for rape or sexual assault if they are dressed any way other than all skin covered. Men who are responsible for sexual assault or rape often like to use the excuse, ‘She was asking for it’ to defend themselves or make themselves feel better about the situation. In reality this is not a factor nor an excuse of an assault. It is a source of comfort for the man. No woman asks to be assaulted, no matter what she has on.

Teenage girls are afraid of wearing a simple spaghetti strap shirt to school on a 90 degree day in fear that they will get dress coded for showing their shoulders. They are told that it makes the male figures in the school ‘uncomfortable’ or ‘distracted’. According to the American Psychological Association sexualizing young women at an early age could have a bad effect on their life growing up. These effects include mental health disorders such as depression, eating disorders, and low self esteem.

Going into college is scary for some young women due to the rise in campus assaults. A former East High student was a victim at Iowa State University. This former student was in an environment where she felt comfortable, and wasn’t expecting anything bad to happen which most college students are at the time of their assault.

“I think that the biggest thing about my rape was that I felt and was assured that I was safe in the environment that I was in,” East alum Kira Kennedy said.

Kennedy was very open about her assault which is brave because most women are not. Kennedy wanted to share her experience with other young women so they know they are not alone. Kennedy was simply at a friends house and fell asleep, and woke up to something terrifying.

Sherry Knox is one of The Polk County Crisis and Advocacy Services Center counselors. She stated that sexualizing wom-

story/S. Alsted

MY

Page Editor/S. Alsted

Illustration/E. Rothmayer

en at a young age can really affect their self esteem. It can make women rely on altering their self image, instead of embracing their beauty. Knox also spoke on the very strict dress codes for young women at schools, how they cant simply show their shoulders but a boy can wear a muscle shirt? Knox says it’s unfair, and that boys should be taught to not be distracted. Men who prey on women feed on this control they have over young women.

“Women should not have to think they can’t wear something they feel good in because of the fear of being sexually assaulted it is just silly,” Knox said.

Knox also spoke on some of the myths and stereotypes of sexual assault. One of the most common myths is that stranger rape in more common than being assaulted by someone you know. Stranger rape actually isn’t very common but it is something that happens. Another myth exists that you can’t be raped by your husband or wife because you are a married couple. That is also false, if you didn’t want it you simply didn’t want it. A very big stereotype is that if a woman had something to drink she was asking for assault. Sexual assault should not be a consequence for a drink Catcalling is also something that makes women feel very uncomfortable. It is a form of street harassment. The definition is Street Harassment is a form of sexual harassment that consists of unwanted comments, gestures, honking, catcalling, exposure, following, persistent sexual advances, and touching by strangers in public areas such as streets, shopping malls, and public transportation.

Harassment is not okay. A woman’s dress is not a yes. A woman’s v neck shirt is not a yes. A woman’s short skirt is not a yes. A simple article of clothing can not speak and tell a man ‘yes you may assault me’. You are believed, and you are cared about. If you are in trouble or know of someone who is seeking help speak up and have a voice.

Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline. 800.656.HOPE

IS NOT A

It’s her body

Controversial Fetal heartbeat bill passes in Iowa

Story/A. Ayersman

A·bor·tion: the ending of pregnancy by removing an embryo or fetus before it can survive outside the uterus. Studies have proven that a fetus may survive outside of the womb as early as 22 weeks but, the child will need excessive medical treatment to keep it alive and healthy. Currently in Iowa the state is fighting an anti-abortion law, making it illegal to have an abortion no matter the circumstances except medical emergency.

The fetal heartbeat bill would make it a felony to perform an abortion once the woman is tested and a fetal heartbeat is detected. A fetal heartbeat is present at the earlier stage of six weeks, for most women, this could be too late. If a woman gets pregnant without her knowing, it could be a whole month without a physical sign of her period. For most women, periods come regular every month, that leaves only two weeks for that woman to make a life changing decision; if she is going to keep the baby or terminate the pregnancy.

How is this fair for every woman? Every woman is built differently and has different anatomy, so while one woman may detect a sign early and clearly, another might be later and not as easily detected. A heavier set woman may go past the six-week mark and still have no sign of a heartbeat. But for a woman who is more-slender, it may be easier to detect a heartbeat right at the six-week mark. How would the state go about a woman who wants to have an abortion but didn’t detect a heartbeat until after the six-week mark.

Six weeks is way too early to determine if a woman can terminate her pregnancy when it wouldn’t even have a chance of survival until the 22nd week.

What about rape victims? What are the victims supposed to do? Is she supposed to see the face of her rapist every time she looks the baby in the face?

Is she supposed to carry the pregnancy to term then give the baby up for adoption? The fetal heartbeat bill is supposed to make lives better for everyone, but the lives of the mom and the baby will be worse.

If it were possible for men to get pregnant, would they still pass fetal heart-beat bill? Would a male who was raped be in enough mental state to keep a baby from their perpetrator? It is unfathomable to force a child on the victim of rape. It is like throwing in

page / 25 opinion

the victims face every single day that they were raped and had no choice but to keep the baby because terminating the pregnancy would inhumane since the baby has a heartbeat. Men are so blind to things, until those same things happen to them. Why is it right for men to determine what a woman can do with her body, that’s like telling a dog it cannot bark.

Planned Parenthood has publicly stated that “Mr. Trump and his administration have been ‘laser-focused on using their power to control women’s bodies,’” Women’s rights are an ongoing issue in our Nation’s push to ban abortion. If the fetal heartbeat bill were to become a law, all women would lose their rights. Every woman should have the right to choose if she can bring a new life into the world. A woman should not have to be scared that she will have to care for a child that she is not ready for, if the child is the result of rape, or if the mother is not in a mental state for care for another human being. If a woman is not comfortable bringing a child into this world, her personal life should be her priority. If she is forced to give birth to a child she is not ready to take care of, it will only make it miserable for the mom and for the baby. You cannot force the pressure of a child onto a woman.

Even if the child is born to a mother who is not ready, how would the life be for the child. Would the child become the main priority now, would the child’s health be a concern to the mother, or would the child be neglected due to the circumstances.

No woman should have to suffer, no woman should have to be put through pain they do not deserve, no woman needs burdens that she could have prevented. We cannot restrict women and their rights, they deserve to live the life they want, no man, no matter his power, has the right to tell a woman what she can and cannot do with her body, when he could never possibly be put in the position she is in. A woman’s body is a temple, men who do not have the access key, do not have a say in what goes on in her temple.

Recently Governor Kim Reynolds signed the Fetal Heartbeat Bill, banning every form of abortion unless medical emergency.

The new law will go in effect on July 1, 2018.

Page Editor/ A.Ayersman

Story/D.Jackson With the recent school shootings, the idea of arming teachers with guns have been a huge topic. A teachers job is to teach, not shoot guns

Since January 1 2018, there have been an estimated 18 school shootings in the United States. With the most publicized school shooting happening in Parkland, Florida, a lot of attention was brought to gun control in the United States. Some people think gun laws need to be stricter while others think guns are not the problem and arming teachers with guns will stop school shootings.

People who think arming teachers with guns are not thinking about how the students would feel with a gun being in the classroom. Most students have not even been around a gun before and would feel unsafe being in a classroom with one.

“I would not feel safe with a gun being in the classroom because you never know who get a hold of it,” junior Amy Carranza said.

Students could even get a hold of the gun which could have major consequences.

“What happens when I am out in the hall and theres a fight going on and I am trying to break up the fight and some kid reaches for my gun and starts shooting,” East High teacher David Mahler said.

Majority of parents would have an opinion on their child being surrounded with guns. Parents should not have to worry about the kids being safe at school.

Some teachers may not even feel com-

fortable having guns. In recent school shootings many have the noticed majority of school shooters are students themselves.

“The vast majority of school shooters are children, they are kids themselves. I don’t know if I could kill a kid,” East High teacher Brian Koch said.

A teacher’s job is to teach not shoot bad guys. A teacher should not have to come to work everyday worrying if they will have to put their life on the line because of gun violence.

“We are not trained to do that

“We are not trained to do that. It’s not our job, our job is to educate kids not shoot guns,” Brian Koch

it’s not our job, our job is to educate kids not shoot guns” Koch said.

The police force is armed and trained to handle these situations not teachers.

With an increase in school shootings lately some teachers are left feeling helpless. With the gun laws not improving, some may feel it’s better to have a weapon

to protect students than to have nothing.

“We are helpless. If somebody had a gun maybe that wouldn’t happen,” East High teacher Deborah Peterson said.

It’s no secret that school budgets are decreasing, so why should schools waste money on guns. They would cost a lot of money that we don’t have. Teachers would have to go through training which would also cost a lot of money. Schools don’t even have enough supplies for students. “ We’ll be spending public money on guns, this will be my taxpayer dollars going to buy weapons that could kill people, I do not want that. I do that enough for the police and the military, I don’t need to do that for public school teachers,” Koch said.

Instead of spending money on guns they could spend that money on extra security in schools. With extra security added on to the school it would make it safer. But that would mean less privacy for students.

“We would have bag searches so you’ll have to give up some of your privacy to add more security,” East High teacher Justin Smith said.

The youth has the power to change gun laws. If more millennials would go and vote we could change gun laws. Only about half of eligible voters 18-29 voted in that last Presidential election (Green). If we want to make a change we need millennials to start voting.

#ArmTeachersWith The #ArmTeacherWith is a movement on Twitter where teachers and students are speaking out about what they would rather be armed with than guns

Supplies

Page / 26 opinion

Higher salaries

A safe environment

Page Editor/D.Jackson

TOO much GUN Protecting America’s youth from gun violence

Story/A. Folkerts

Columbine, Sandy Hook, Marjory Stoneman Douglas. All three of these school shootings were considered at one point the “deadliest school mass shootings in American history”. But when does it stop? How can we stop future school shootings from happening? Well, that’s the million dollar question.

Discussions ranging from tighter gun control laws, all the way to arming teachers in the classroom has people all over the country on the edge of their seats waiting for the government to make their next move. Just three weeks after the horrendous shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, the state government passed the “gun control and school safety” bill which takes a stand against the ever-growing gun debacle in America.

The state of Iowa is among the states that has yet to pass any laws in response to the recent school shootings. Should the State of Iowa act? Should they continue to do nothing? East High Senior President Alejandro Zarate shares his thoughts.

“It shouldn’t be just a local resolution.

This problem needs a world-wide resolution.

We need stricter gun reform, and a stricter psychological background check up,” Zarate said.

In addition to this, he also believes that the younger generation needs to stand up, unite, and speak up for the change they wish to see in the country and the world.

senior Sayler Rivas.

“I think that arming teachers would be a very bad idea, only because it could make students feel intimidated in the school and not feel comfortable in their learning environment. Also, if teachers have access to guns there’s a possibility a student could get ahold of that gun and use it,” Rivas said.

What happens if a mentally ill teacher gets ahold of a firearm? What if something crazy happens and a gun accidentally goes off ? These are all things congress needs to think about before they arm teachers. Maybe instead of giving teachers firearms, let’s give them classroom essentials such as pencils, pens, notebooks, folders, etc, and leave the protection of our students to police and student resource officers in the building. Students come to school everyday to learn and teachers come to school everyday to teach those who are eager to learn. Neither teachers nor students should have to fear for their lives in such an innocent environment.

The youth needs to tell legislators that we need change or else we will be the next generation to change their legislative position in the governmentSenior Alejandro Zarate

“

“I believe that in order to keep this from reoccurring, the youth needs to tell legislators that we need change or else we will be the next generation to change their legislative position in the government,” Zarate said.

One of the main things President Trump has suggested to individual states is the need to arm teachers in classrooms. There are many people that oppose this idea, including

photo/ contributed

page / 27

Page Editor/ A. Folkerts

Story/ M. Stout You’re sitting at a restaurant with your best friends, they’re talking about the sandwiches, burgers, and mozzarella sticks they’re planning on getting and you’re reluctantly looking at the salads like you just lost your earbuds.

This seems like something a person on a diet would do, reluctantly giving everything you love up to be healthier.... try doing that every day for the past five years. Welcome to the world of having Celiac’s Disease, an autoimmune disease that can tear up your digestive system and makes your body goes crazy.

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, one in 100 people—about 1 percent -- have celiac disease, an inherited autoimmune disease that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is ingested. For those who don’t know what gluten is, here’s a way to simplify it. Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye. These three grains are some of the most prominent ingredients in everyday foods such as, bread, pizza, and even Chinese food. If one with Celiac’s would ingest, say, a piece of pizza.... a very small piece deteriorates the lining of the large intestine and the villi or the tiny finger-shaped tissue that lines the organ. When a food containing gluten goes through the digestive system, the villi flattens which allows the lining to become exposed and as the gluten passes though, it slowly damages it.

Now, this all seems super scary when it comes to give up everything you grew up on; Oreos, Pop-Tarts, Casey’s Pizza.... you feel like there’s nothing that you can eat but fear not.

The gluten-free department is bursting at the

3

seams are more and more people are dealing with Celiac’s and other gluten sensitivities. Many grocery stores like Target and Hy-Vee provide a section for people with Celiac’s and other dietary issues filled with gluten free cookies, donuts, pastas, and more. There are different brands and many types to choose from, but one thing seems to scare a lot of people just joining the gluten free community.... the price. Living gluten free is not cheap, while a box of Kraft macaroni n’ cheese is 99 cents, a box of gluten free macaroni may be about $3. Many worry about how their new diet will affect their budget, but if push comes to shove and you’re seeking assistance, call your doctor for suggestions or look up affordable gluten free brands.

As a student, school lunch may not be the highlight of your day but having dietary restrictions may put an even bigger damper on the day. Many schools don’t serve food that would be considered gluten free or there’s a high risk of cross-contamination. Many students bring lunches from home, go out to find something else, or just deal with it. But the nurses at East were able to give a little insight on the process of when a child comes in with a food allergy.

“The process of providing kids with the

Foods you didn’t know have gluten in them Sushi

Artificial crab in most California rolls contain flour or some form of gluten.

page/ 28

food they need all starts with a note from their doctor stating that they do have this dietary issue and then we send all the paperwork to the nutrition office and then they will provide the lunching staff with all the materials they need to provide so they kid can a have a full lunch”, school nurse Amy Cherry said.

She handles all the paper work to make sure that each and every student is getting the proper care they need.

For those who are new to eating gluten free and feel like your life is over because you can never go out again without getting sick.

You can eat the burger, bun and all, with only a few modifications. HyVee offers burgers with a gluten free bun at their famous Market Grille, Spaghetti Works offers all you can eat gluten free pasta and provides you with special sauces along with an all you can eat salad bar. The possibilities are endless, there is also an app that you can download called “Find Me Gluten Free” for when you don’t know what to eat. Just plug in the nearest zip code (for example, 50317) and the nearest restaurants will pop up with directions, ratings, etc.

It seems hard when you’re the one who can eat it but it’s harder when you’re one making sure you don’t end up in the hospital. There are so many ways to react when your body ingests gluten that it’s hard to interpret what it’ll be until it starts to happen. Many symptoms include indigestion, nausea, rash, and severe abdominal pain, to name a few. Everybody reacts differently and sadly the only way to fight against it when you accidentally ingest it is to just let it pass.

BBQ Sauce

Flours are often used as a thickener in the sauce to create a nice thick coating on meat.

Soup

Like BBQ sauce, flour is used in a “roux” and used to thicken the soup.

Page Editor/M. Stout

Water worries

Increased thirst

Dehydration symptoms 75 percent of Americans are chronically dehydrated, this means that there are about 247,500,000 people in America who are dehydrated. Dehydration is a serious thing that happens to many people, even if most of them aren’t even aware that they are dehydrated. Water makes up more than half of the human body, and lack of water in the body can cause many problems.

Many people could be dehydrated and not even know it. East

Dry mouth

Dizziness

Decreased urine output

page / 29

Tired or sleepy

“ You can’t think, get dizzy, and the longer you are dehydrated the more damage it does on your organs.”

Coach James Giboo High School’s nurses Amy Cherry and Vicki Bonnett describe why so many people might not know that they are dehydrated.

“Some people confuse thirst with hunger,” Cherry said, many people will eat when they feel hungry, but, all they need is a nice glass of water. Bonnett adds, “Being dehydrated can sneak up on you, sitting in class all day with no water breaks can take a toll on the body.” Students need to make sure that they are taking every opportunity they possibly can to drink water, whether its taking a break from class to get water or bringing a water bottle to school to stay hydrated.

Water is a very important concept, even wrestling coaches still encourage athletes to drink water when they are trying to drop weight for a meet.

“Your body can’t function without fluid and going without it can lead to long term damage,” East High School’s wrestling coach and biology teacher James Giboo said. High school athletes must drink a certain amount of water or else they won’t be able to compete. “when you’re dehydrated you can’t think, get dizzy, and the longer you’re dehydrated the more damage it does to your organs,” Giboo added.

When people get dehydrated it can turn serious very fast. Arminda Neppl, a Junior at East High explained how badly she was affected by dehydration, 75 percent of horrible Americans are chronically dehydrated, “I’ve gotten cramps in my calves, I have to be on this means that there about 247,500,000 people in occaan IV to get fluid, andareI almost passed out on multiple America who are dehydrated.

Dehysions,” Neppl said. People can get dehydrated and may think it drationdifferent is a serious thing “Some that happens is an entirely situation. people just don’t like towater, many when people, mostitof to drink youeven reallyif need to them survive,” Neppl said. aren’t even aware that they are dehy/ more L. Borgen drated. Water story makes up than half of the human body, and lack of water

Urine is low volume and more yellowish than normal

Dry skin

Headache

Page Editor/L. Borgen

Monday morning breakfast

Photo/M.Miller

The Des Moines Police Department and Salvation Army pose for a photo after serving breakfest on Monday morning at East High.

Story/M.Miller

page / 30

munity members including the Salvation Army wanted to help show the positivity in the youth.

On Mondays, right before lunch is when kids are hungry and ready for lunch, that is when the most arrests and suspensions are taking place. On Monday, there are 100 less referrals then on Tuesday and Thursday. Administrators believe Fuel Up has something to do with this. The two largest improvements in this is the nutrition and the relationships with officers and the youth. "That goodwill might be just as impose to the nutrition," East Behavior Coach Mark Core said. The partnership is a win/win for everyone, including East, who is always looking to improve their reputation and that starts with lowering behavior referrals.

As students advance, the number of referrals lower. Ninth graders have 1,531 referrals, tenth graders with 1,074 referrals, eleventh grade with 948 and twelfth grade with only 325 so far this

year. "Our goal is to see students succeed and we look for articles written about East High students and teachers and follow how well you are doing in sports," Neely said. Neely and the volunteers that help serve breakfast on Monday mornings always feel that they are a part of the East High family.

On the first day they only served 64 people but now have served 1,111 this has defiantly been some positive changes. " Its heart warming to know that we have adults in our community that care and want to see us succeed" Crystal Vela said. Vela is a senior at East High school and sense the fuel up program has begun she looks forward to it each week. The volunteers have made a survey regarding the Monday morning Fuel Up program. If you do the survey and put your name in, five people will be chosen for a prize. Only a few minutes to answer questions could land you a prize.

have on your

plate ?

Theses items are handed out on Monday mornings

apple OJ

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How does it make you feel when you walk into to East High on Monday mornings and you are greeted by so many smiles, a breakfast sandwich and an apple? This has been the experience of East students for the last year. This is a result of the Fuel Up program, dedicated to keeping kids fed on Mondays.

Sergeant Lori Neely has been a police officer in Des Moines for 24 years and a Sargent for nine years. Neely has gone in so many ways but, right now her role is to connect to the community, she is assigned to a few neighborhood she is constantly being told how negative the youth is, but it has been showed to her how the stereotypes that are brought among the youth is not true. Instead of just agreeing, she has decided to make a change. They did just this by deciding to come to East on Monday mornings to serve breakfast the program is called the Fuel Up program.

Neely and her fellow com-

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On t h e m o r n i n g announcements, you hear about how the football team did last week, how there are basketball tryouts next week, how you should join track this spring. But you never hear much about clubs or programs which causes less chances of students joining programs/clubs to have a chance to get try new opportunities for education or for college. One program that you never hear about is Al Éxito.

This is a non-profit organization that provides programming to build the leadership potential of Latino/a youth through college preparation, career development, civic engagement, family support, and celebration of culture. Also, by being activists in our community as a group by participating in rallies, peaceful protest, and political events.

“It’s guidance, mentorship and shaping the minds of young adults,”Spanish teacher Ruby Herrera said. This group travels to different places to engage with their community to receive training. They are always open to everyone even those who aren’t Latino to participate in their group by understanding what types of conflicts they go through and can gain an understanding of their point of view. “It’s a program that helps with our college process and we do a lot of action against social justice,” freshman Iris AmayaLeiva said. Many students are very passionate about this program because it has helped them in personal issues or in leadership skills..“[The] group is an opportunity to become a leader, to

activate yourself,” senior Cindy Delgado said.

Delgado has been in Al Èxito since the beginning of high school. Al Èxito has taken many students including Delgado to college visits, out of state and share their stories with authorities.

“It’s affected me in a good way.

It’s taken me to Chicago, college visits, scholarships and we even started a business, |drem|sed| which is a youth led businesses and we partner with local Latino businesses,” sophomore Caroly Coronado-Vargas said. Al Èxito has given many students to get out of their comfort zones and helped with public speaking. “I’ve found out I’m an activist, I like to speak out and believe in a chance to get more leadership skills,” Lincoln High Junior Wendy Lerma-Guerrero said. They are very involved in the community.

Speaking at rallies and at protests.

One memorable protest was at the day of immigrants the protest at the capital, many students did public speaking and built more confidence. “It’s a support group, we talk about stuff that bothers me and people understand.

Nothing I see at school very often,” Delgado said. Many students describe this group as a family and way to speak about topics schools don’t allow or they’re not comfortable speaking about such as immigration, stereotypes and conflicts with the communities. However, many students don’t even know about this group or even many teachers.

“They give other groups promos but not us,” CoronadoVargas said. It isn’t promoted in the school

announcements or talked about in school. “How well they keep these programs, it speaks loudly how you see your students and how you value them,” Herrera said. The fact that schools don’t promote this program gives students a less chance to find a group to help them succeed or give them a safe space.

“Schools promote sports more, opportunities should be more spoken out than entertainment,” Lerma-Guerrero said. Another huge way schools leave Al Èxito out is by not showing Al Èxito’s accomplishments on Class Day. “When the seniors present their groups Al Èxito isn’t included,” Delgado said.

During Class Day, seniors present the clubs they are in and all the accomplishments they earned in the group. “They don’t want the Latino population to take over, they don’t want minorities to succeed and they’re setting us to fail,” Coronado-Vargas said. This program helps many students with Latino descents and prepare for life choices, learn about their cultural and how to overcome obstacles with society. The fact that it isn’t represented doesn’t show all their accomplishments with speaking with authorities, going to conferences and speaking their voices. “There’s lack of communication, we need to build more leaders with schools to go to the principals or administrators saying what they need and demand for Al Èxito,” Herrera said.

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