MMESS

MMESS Maathir

Mariam

Elise

Sophia

Business Professionals of America A look inside BPA’ s 2019 nationals that were held in Anaheim, California.

Sarah

FEATURE So much more than a camp

PROFILE

Perry Heredia

08-11

06-07

04-05

Ta b l e o f

COVER

BPA: What it takes

Letter from the Editor Dear Readers, I hope you enjoy the MMESS Magazine. Maathir, Mariam, Elise, Sarah, and I have spent countless hours working on our ideal publication. Our publication includes ideas for summer fun to extracurricular activities at West High School. We hope you enjoy the publication which is an even mixture of all our personalities and cultures.

This publication reflects on all of the things we have learned in Foundations of Journalism over the last school year. Our team has worked hard to make our online and print publications unique to our team and each individual.

We hope you enjoy the MMESS Magazine, Sophia Davis

ENTERTAINMENT • Summer Recepies • Ramadan survival guide

Staff List: • Maathir Elsheikh • Mariam Keita • Elise Seery • Sophia Davis • Sarah Callanan

14-15

12-13

Contents

OPINION

• What you may be missing • Adopting vs. Shopping

03

F E AT U R E

MAY. 18, 2019

By: Elise Seery

So much more than a camp T

he excitement in Steve Merkel’s classroom on May 1, seemed to be radiating from the walls. Everyone was gathering around the tables and taking turns playing music on the Smartboard. Everyone was laughing and smiling, because they knew that the next three days were going to be amazing. Why was everyone so excited?

From May 1-3, students ventured outside of Monticello, Iowa to a place called Camp Courageous. Camp Courageous is a year round facility that caters to people with special needs. They offer respite services and year round camping opportunities, for ages 3 and up.

West High is not a new face at Camp Courageous. Steve Merkel, a special education teacher, explains how long West has been coming “21 (years) and went six years when I taught in Atlantic Iowa.”

Since this wasn’t West High’s first year at camp, students and staff both knew what their favorite parts of camp were. Jaden Buckley’19 a senior at West High and who attended Camp Courageous this past week, explains his favorite activity. “My favorite thing to do at camp is the zipline, because it makes me feel like a bird.” Camp Courageous offers a variety of activities to include all participants. The camp has an indoor bowling alley and arcade and has an olympic style swimming pool. Not only this they also have archery, canoeing, fishing, adventure sports, farm animals, arts and crafts, ice cream making, train rides, caving, hiking, and so much more. The camp makes all of their activities as accommodating as possible, so many people can participate.

Camp Courageous has a unique philosophy of challenge by choice, which allows participants to do activities within their comfort zone. This furthers Camp Courageous’s beliefs on inclusion and makes sure nobody feels pressured or left out.

West High students were divided into three groups to do these activities. Each group had a different agenda and had different interests in the activities. Some groups did more action based activities, while others did more calm activities. Regardless of the activities that the groups did, it is guaranteed that you will have fun.

Places like Camp Courageous are important no matter who you are, because they offer a safe environment for all to grow and have fun. Laurel Haverkamp’20, president of West High’s Best Buddies Chapter and attended camp as a peer helper. Furthers this idea of importance “Camp Courageous is important, because it provides a safe environment for people of all abilities to step out of their comfort zone and have fun!”

“Camp Courageous is important, because it provides a safe environment for people of all abilities to step out of their comfort zone and have fun!”

-Staff and Students Camp Courageous is an incredible place hidden by acres of woods. Thousands of people attend annually and all come together for the same two beliefs, fun and inclusion.

West High Students and Staff ventured to camp and they can guarantee it was a truly life changing experience.

West High Students and Staff ventured to camp and they can guarantee it was a truly life changing experience.

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F E AT U R E

MAY. 18, 2019

Camp Courageous offers a lot of fun activities like rock climbing

Jaden Buckley’19 poses for a picture with a wide smile on his face.

Elise Seery’21 and a students get ready to have a fun time fishing.

06

Perry Heredia

PROFIL E

MAY. 18, 2019

F

By: Sarah Callanan

Perry Heredia’21 smiling for a picture in front of the Eiffel Tower.

rom Michigan, to Hong Kong, to Iowa, and soon to Boston Perry Heredia ´21 has experienced life from all over the world. ¨I think that it’s really cool I got to experience so many different cultures, especially because I travel internationally.¨ said Heredia ´21. Since Heredia ´21 has been going to West high she always had the thought of leaving in the back of her mind. ¨My parents and I had always kind of planned on going to boarding school that has always been a thing in the back of our minds.¨Heredia ´21 said.

Heredia ´21 is planning on going to Milton Academy next year in Boston Massachusetts and can’t wait for the change in scenery including class sizes and being able to experience a new part of the world. Heredia ´21 is a first generation to Milton Academy ¨ I’m like a first generation (to Milton Academy) so my parents didn’t do it or anything¨ which is no surprise since Heredia ´21 is a very hardworking strong woman. Not only is Heredia ´21 academically talented she is also musically talented as well she currently plays the viola in the Symphonic and Chamber orchestra at West High.

Recently Heredia ´21 learned Mandarin Chinese ¨ I took Mandarin at the University of Iowa. And then this year I’m not doing any classes but, I have spoken Chinese for nine years now.¨ Heredia is well-versed in cultures around the world not only has she lived in Hong Kong she has also traveled all around the world with her family. Heredia ´21 said ¨it’s really cool to experience so many different countries, especially because I travel internationally and experience different cultures, and I have so many friends from around the world now that it’s kind of a unique experience.¨ Even though Heredia ´21 is leaving West High and Iowa next year her experience here will never leave her ¨ it’s definitely so nice to kind of have that experience, and really know that like the Midwest is not just stereotypes¨ Heredia ´21. Through West High Heredia ´21 was able to experience every aspect of public school and the midwest.¨I think that being a public schools comes with so many great things you know like the diversity is definitely something that everyone at West High is very proud of.¨

07

PROFIL E

MAY. 18, 2019

Heredia’21 continues to travel and explore diffrent places and countries.

Perry Heredia’21 posing in fornt of a building.

¨My mom has always emphasized the importance of doing what you love, and even if you’re not sure if that’ll make enough money or if you’ll be able to support yourself you should always just trust your gut.¨ -Perry Heredia ‘21

Perry Heredia’21 at a young age in front of a beautiful scenery.

Heredia’s Trips Around the World!

Heredia’s love for traveling grows as she learns new languages and cultures.

08

C OV E R

MAY. 18, 2019

By: Sophia Davis

BPA: What it takes E

very year in May, Business Professionals of America hosts their National Leadership Conference. The host city rotates every year, between Orlando, Anaheim, and two other cities. Business Professionals of America’s fifty-third National Leadership Conference was hosted in Anaheim, California.

Business Professionals of America is a Business Club that aims to prepare today’s students for future careers in a professional workforce. Business Professionals of America spreads across 25 states and Puerto Rico, with over 1,800 chapters, and 45,000 members. Business Professionals of America is available at the Middle, Secondary, and Post-Secondary levels. Roughly 6,200 members attended the 2019 National Leadership Conference in Anaheim.

Rebranding: BPA’s 2019 National Leadership Conference started with the unveiling of BPA’s new logo.

This logo represents the changing times we are in and how BPA is keeping up with the times. The rebranding of BPA is super important to BPA members. This new logo will be used to network and revive the BPA brand. 2019 brought a lot of changes to BPA, with the rebranding and the retirement of our national officer coordinator, Sheryll Wheeler.

The new logo of BPA after rebranding with bright and beautiful colors.

My Expireance:

The 2018-2019 school year was my first year in BPA, and I have accomplished a lot in BPA. I was elected to the Iowa Secondary State Officer team as the Parliamentarian. I placed in first place for my event, Entrepreneurship, at the state level and I placed 12th at the National level. My first NLC was overall an amazing experience. I learned so many valuable lessons about the business world.

I developed stronger relationships with my chapter-mates and the rest of the current and future state officer team. I met BPA members from Massachusetts to Puerto Rico. I met with the National Officer Candidates and I participated as a voting delegate in the Secondary Election.

The old logo of BPA before rebranding.

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C OV E R

MAY. 18, 2019

Students from West High School posing for a group picture in front of the convention center.

Iowa BPA engraved on the beach’s sand.

The Anaheim Convention Center building that held the BPA nationals of 2019.

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C OV E R

MAY. 18, 2019

West High BPA:

West High’s BPA chapter is led by our two wonderful advisors Mrs. Fickel, and Mrs. Weipert. West’s chapter had 30 national qualifiers at the State competition and we brought 29 people.

The list below is all of the West High Student’s who competed at the National Conference in Anaheim.

Lucas Sorensen -Web Design Team, Prepared Speech Kiah Martin -Presentation Management Team, and Medical Office Procedures Test Aiden Yamashita-Presentation Management Team Alex Carlon- Admin Support Research, Video Production Team Breno Sader-Econ Research Team Conner Hopkins-Presentation Management Team Ellie Brown-Presentation Management Individual, Global Marketing Team Emily Cray- Global Marketing Team, Econ Research Individual Frances Dai- Graphic Design Promotion Isabelle Paulsen-Web design team, Fundamentals of Web Design Luke Arens-Presentation Management Individual Maddy Luegering- Advanced Interview Skills, Small Business Management Team Maggie Towler-Global Marketing Team Margaret Liu-Video Production Team

Mary Woodward-Business Meeting Management Matt Karwal-Management, Marketing and HR, Computer Programming Concepts, JAVA Programming Morgan Hawkins-Management, Marketing, and HR, Small Business Management Team Nate Nelson-Economic Research Team Olivia Dachtler-Presentation Management Team Sara Baroncini-Video Production Team Sophia Davis-Entrepreneurship Tanner Heiar-Info. Technology Concepts, PC servicing and troubleshooting Taylor Steggall-Global Marketing team Zhihui Chen-Economic Research Team Grace Heller-Presentation Management Team Jada Dachtler-Video Production Team Schuyler Houston-Small Business Management Team

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C OV E R

Overview of the Trip

MAY. 18, 2019

12

By: Mariam Keita

E N T E RTA I N M E N T

A Review on Smoothies

MAY. 18, 2019

The Review: S

ummer is approaching quickly and cool, nice, refreshing drinks and popular. I went browsing on Pinterest and found a quick and easy recipe to make. I tried the strawberry and kiwi smoothie. I bought strawberries, kiwis, milk, bananas, and honey (to add a little sweetness). Blended it all together and took it out. I tried it with my brothers and they loved it. Ameza Keita states,

“ It tastes good and it’s pretty healthy. I like the taste of the two fruits,”.

-Ameza Keita

By: Maathir Elsheikh

R

13

E N T E RTA I N M E N T

Ramadan Survival Guide

amadan is the holiest month in Islam in which Muslims fast from sunrise until sunset.

The fast is intended to bring the faithful closer to God and to remind them of the suffering of those less fortunate. Muslims often donate to charities during the month and feed the hungry. As the month starts, the first few days can definitely be a struggle.

Your stomach begs for food and it’s hard to get through the day. While it’s difficult to refrain from food and water from sunset to sunrise.Here are some tips to get you through fasting effectively for anyone on who wants to try fasting.

• Eating well before and after fasting: Easting foods that can fill your stomach up before suhoor (sunrise) and after iftar (sunset) is definitely a necessity. Specifically avoiding anything that can cause dehydration like coffee, sodas, and teas.

Drinking water is more important than filling your stomach up and its beneficial to stay hydrated to avoid feeling any worse from when your body wants food.

• Distraction: Being distracted at all times is definitely helpful and makes time go by fast. Fasting during school days can be exhausting but it’s easier, because you are occupied at all times and rarely think about food, while fasting during weekends can be difficult because it’s tempting to look at the time more often. You can do anything light that won’t consume that much energy, like exercising. There won’t be anything to gain that energy back until you’re able to eat again.

• Sleeping schedule: Having a good sleep schedule and being able to sleep for at least eight hours can be a struggle especially when you’re supposed to wake up for suhoor, and fall back asleep. Usually taking a nap might help gain the energy lost during the day and pass time. Another way is to sleep after iftar, which is usually around 8-9 PM and then waking up for suhoor, which is around 4-5 AM. As long as your sleeping schedule doesn’t cause sleep deprivation and fatigue anything works.

• Avoiding thinking/watching any food related topic: The urge to imagine all the delicious food you can be eating and to watch cooking videos is strong, but your stomach will suffer and you will suffer so that’s probably not a great idea.

MAY. 18, 2019

14

OPI N ION

MAY. 18, 2019

By: Sarah Callanan

What you might be missing

M

ismatched shirt and pants and never brushing my hair, all things that seem foreign to me now that I live in Iowa. In 2014 when I moved from the Chicago suburbs to Coralville Iowa I never realized how much moving would not only affect the place I lived but, also the person I was. Starting off in Iowa I was a wreck I hated it, I had no friends, no nearby big city, and no Portillo’s. As life moved on so did I, I became close with some of my best friends and improved not only my awful fashion sense but, my overall attitude.

Being in Iowa for five years straight now I have realized a couple things for one I hate not having a big city near me and two saying yes to everything in life will make life a lot better. Before moving I was always waiting on people to make decisions for me but, after having to start over and reinvent myself forced me to make decisions for myself.

Without knowing how to adapt to change it is hard to overcome big changes that come with no warning. Moving is one of the hardest things to overcome leaving can be a hard task but, since I have moved away from my hometown I have not regretted the change I went through. Although moving taught me to be more social it also showed me how to be an independent women. Being able to start over my life over will give me skills for the future when I won’t always be surrounded by friends. Everytime one of my friends consider going to college out-of-state I highly encourage them to do so because I want them to be able to get out of their bubble in Iowa City. If you never leave your hometown there is always the thought of what else is out there and what you might’ve missed. Of course leaving may show you how much you loved your hometown but, you will never find out if there is something better waiting outside of your hometown bubble.

By: Sophia Davis

15

OPI N ION

Adopting vs. Shopping

MAY. 18, 2019

Sophia Davis’ 21 smiling brightly for a picture with a dog.

“I hate all dog breeders.”

This is a common response I get after I tell someone that I want to breed dogs in the future. To me, this response is uneducated and close-minded. There’s a strong connotation between puppy mills and dog breeds which unfortunately is often true. I constantly see breeders online following inhumane breeding tactics which are viewed as socially acceptable. I’ve seen XL pocket bullies being sold for $8,000. The reason why this dog is so expensive is that the dog’s mother was artificially inseminated and gave birth via C-section. Small bulldog type breeds often cannot naturally reproduce. These breeds are so inbred that the puppies heads are too big

and the mother’s pelvis is too small for natural birth to occur. Without human intervention, these breeds would not exist.

These surgical procedures and consumer desire for these types of dogs has caused a huge price increase. A low pedigree English Bulldog costs roughly $5,000. Selective breeding has not only caused price increases but genetic issues with the breeds which eventually detriment the pet. When I say that I want to breed dogs in the future, I don’t mean that I want to selectively inbreed and overbreed dogs. I plan to also adopt dogs in the future as I am an avid supporter of adoption. I want to be a responsible breeder who spreads awareness about the correct ways to breed and humanely raise and train dogs.

Summer Coloring Page!

By: Elise Seery