Profiles 2013

from the classroom to the newsroom : PERSONALITY PROFILES introduction to newspaper class project - september 2013

BY SASHA WEMMIE

sashawemmie@gmail.com

Tall palm trees, a cool drink in your hand with a tiny umbrella and a bendy straw under a parasol. Beach towels everywhere under the sun and as far as the eye can see, and surf boards riding waves of turquoise colored water and golden beams of sunlight and cool breezes that drift off from the deep ocean.

This is what Katie Fuhrmeister ’17, wishes was her normal day of life was. Waking up, eating breakfast, going to school, coming home, doing her homework, snacking, sleep, repeat. This is the normal day in the life of Fuhrmeister.

When asked to compare school to summer her response was, “Summer is 100 times better than school,” Fuhrmeister said. “It’s school free, no homework, and I can do pretty much whatever I want.”

One of things she wants to

feats in life she wants to accomplish is bungee jumping.

FAST FACTS

Fast facts Favorite color: blue Favorite book: Harry Potter Favorite animal: All animals Favorite vacation: Hawaii Freshman at West High Graduation Year: 2017 Went to North Central Junior High and Wickham Elementary

add to summer is a car. “[I want a car] so I don’t have to ask my parents or sister to go anywhere or take my friends somewhere, like the pool or the mall,” Fuhrmeister said.

on idea of what would happen the the worst day.

“The worst day would probably be when the strap on a bikini catches something and gets untied,” she said.

Her hobbies, other than chilling The place Fuhr- with her friends meister wanted go or watching tv, to during the sum- include collectmer was in fact the ing colorful rocks pool, and while such as onyx, tigers describing the best eye, turquoise, and day she stumbles more. One of the

“It’s one of those things that I would like to do but I‘m a bit scared,” she says. Bungee jumping consists of adrenaline and danger, an exciting combination. Falling from bridges and riding roller coasters is a life of adrenaline, as Fuhrmeister tells of other places she would like to go over the summer. Adventureland, an amusement park in Des Moines, is a place where adrenaline isn’t an unusual thing. Rides and amusement park foods, such as cotton candy, popcorn, pixie sticks, and icees, also create a feel of fun.

But when summer and candy is over, it comes back to the basics - school. Fuhrmeister wants to be a teacher when she graduates so she can fix what mistakes she believes teachers have made over the years.

Born to flip, forced to quit Facts About Reagan Grieser-Yoder: Dream Pet: Unicorn

Dream house location: Somewhere with nice weather Favorite Food: Asian food

Favorite Artist : Lady Gaga Favorite color: Pink

You plant your feet on the balance beam, standing tall as ever. You’re building up the intensity, leaving people wondering when you will spring into the air. Quickly you crouch down, kick off the beam, and that very moment when you’re in the air, you feel a sense of valiancy. You smile as you’re fleeing in mid air, rocking that backhandspring you’ve been working on for years.

Here at West High in the freshman wing, we have an all state gymnast.

Her name is Reagan Grieser-Yoder ‘17.

Grieser-Yoder is extremely hard working, and is triumphant in her skill in gymnastics. “Gymnastics is both mentally and physically challenging,” said Grieser-Yoder. Because of her craving for success, she earned all A’s, and has made it into honor band. Unfortunately, in the summer of 2013, she broke her ankle, leaving her with a tough choice.

Grieser-Yoder had to quit gymnastics, due to her third broken bone. Though she had to quit something she loves, she has not stopped working hard, and has still stayed involved. Reagan now has a job at Fareway, which she loves,

Famous husband: Channing Tatum Thing she likes to do: Play saxophone, sleep

because there she gets to see lots of her friends, and has had many encounters with interesting people.

“Reagan is very funny and outgoing,” said Haley Roach ‘17 “She’s silly, and doesn’t like to copy anyone.

She likes to be unique.”

She has lots of good friends, whose faces all smile at the sight of her. “Reagan to me is run and easy going. She’s so fun to be around, and she’s super funny and light hearted,” said Katie McGrane ‘17.

Not only is it her attitude that keeps her going, but her mom does also. Reagan looks up to her mom in a way that most kids don’t. “She’s really busy, but still makes time for family, “ Grieser-Yoder said. Grieser-Yoder says she has a great family, including her mother, father, and her little 11 year old brother, named Cyrus. Reagan and her family have a strong relationship, which she is extremely happy about. Only one thing is still missing.

Reagan wishes for a gymnastics team at West High. She would like to start gymnastics again, but un-

fortunately is unable to right now, due to her ankle injury. According to Grieser-Yoder, having a gymnastics team at West high would allow her to excel in her gymnastics career, and would give her more self discipline. Grieser-Yoder is confident that she could definitely help out a lot on the team with her bright attitude, and her talent in gymnastics. Though she has had to quit gymnastics for now, she’s planning on jumping right back onto those mats again soon. Her bright attitude towards things keeps her going. “I appreciate life, because not everyone is as lucky as I am,” Grieser-Yoder said.

Chanel Vidal Chanelsmita@gmail.com

Erica Roth Erica’s Favorites 1. Favorite Celebrity

Logan Lerman

2. Favorite Sport

Love watching football

Chalk, it’s everywhere. The sweaty smell. It’s hot and humid. The room almosts seems foggy. The bouncy spring boards. The fuzzy blue floor. The hard, skinny, tan beams. This also happens to be Erica Roth’s ‘17 second home. Roth is a spunky 14 year old freshman. Who spends a lot of her day at gymnastics, literally almost all day. When Roth is not at gymnastics she spends her time practicing, reading or doing homework. “I do my homework whenever I have time to. I’m up really late most nights,” said Roth. When she says late she stays up till 11pm most nights.

3. Favorite School Food?

gets

The chicken nug-

4. Favorite color?

Deep sea blue

5. Favorite Food?

Pizza

Staying up late and practicing all day shows that Roth is a passionate gymnast and gymnastics is her life.

Her best memories are even in gymnastics. “The best memories I have are of getting new skills. I feel a lot of pride. When you have worked on a skill for a long time, you feel proud to get it,” Roth said. It’s like when you make you first touchdown at a football game or score a homerun.This is the kind of pride that she feels.

6. Favorite subject?

Math 7. Favorite Team?

Dallas Cowboys

8. Favorite gymnastic event?

Beam 9. Summer or winter?

SUMMER! 10. Favorite Movie

Sea of Monsters

When Erica isn’t at gymnastics, you can find her many places. She sometimes is at the pool, she is on the West High swimming and diving team. Diving is her second favorite thing to do. Another place you can find her is in her room at home, she would be sleeping or doing homework.

One more thing that you might not know about about her.

She loves to take pictures. She wants to go to college to be a professional photographer. Or maybe she wants to be a web designer. She can not choose. Although for now she will stick with her favorite thing, gymnastics.

“When we are with Erica, she always makes us smile,” says friend Jordan Rogers ‘17. Wherever Roth is at she is always joking and smiling. wanting to make a laugh.

Some of her other friends describe her as “Crazy” or “Really fun.” Thats also one of Roths main goals, to have fun.

So whether she is on the mat or is hanging with friends she is always having fun and making people smile.

Maeven Goodno’s facts 1. She’s half chinese 2. She has a 9 year old sister named Sylvia 3. She likes Dr. Who 4. Likes meeting people who like anime and manga 5. Likes anime 6. Reads and draws manga 7. Has a golden doodle named schubert 8. favorite animal is a dolphin 9. favorite colors are black, red, white, and silver 10. Loves playing online games, and video games.

11. Hates socializing.

PIKAchu, i choose you!

An article on Maeven Goodno

Catching animals out in the wild is quite the challenge, but not so much as in the virtual world, because they can’t attack you. Pokemon are digital animals that fight other animals to evolve and win battles. It was an anime show, but now it has games and collectibles. This isn’t cruel to the animals because they’re digital, and usually they want to battle. They travel around with their trainer catching new animals. They don’t look like everyday creatures. They have special abilities, and they have types. Types determine what moves the Pokemon can use, and the abilities depend on what Pokemon it is, not the type.The world of Pokemon is where Maeven Goodno ’17 wishes she lived.

Goodno has played all the Pokemon games, and has all the Pokemon. She plans to do a Nuzlocke, which makes Pokemon harder. Goodno owns a few Pokemon things, ranging from Plushies and figurines. ”I own a Turtwig and Piplup plush, a Munna and a Pikachu figurine, and two Pikachu T-shirts.”

When Goodno goes into her own little world, she pulls out her DS and Pokemon. When she is starting out, the hardest decision is always picking out the starter. Goodno picks out the water types, usually. She says that they are really cute in their first forms. If Goodno could have whatever type she wanted as a starter (not legendary), she would choose dark type, because most of them look “cool and scary”. Goodno first got into Pokemon when she saw an ad for Pokemon diamond and decided she would get it. she also watched the anime before that, and that’s how she got into the games.

Out of all of the Pokemon games (Only the black, white, green leaf, etc, not the pokemon ranger or mystery dungeons), Goodno’s favorite version is the Black version, because you get to meet a guy called N. He works for one of the teams that set free other people’s pokemon. He is also quite funny when other people draw him. Another favorite character would be Falkner, because he’s beautiful, “and his pokemon are fun to slaughter.” Not really, they’re probably easy to kill. She also likes the cherish ball, because when you set them out to battle, rainbows come out of the ball and it’s pretty.

“Maeven is a Pokemon nerd,” says her friend Meldia Sharpe ’17.

Traveling from city to city in less than an hour, Goodno goes around catching Pokemon and fighting gym leaders. Her favorite gym leaders would be Morty, who is a ghost type trainer, and Candice, the ice type trainer. “I find it amazing how she can wear a skirt in a snow-filled town.” Goodno says.

After you collect all the gym badges, you go to battle the Elite four. But before you battle them, there’s a legendary you can beat. Goodno’s favorite legendary is Celebi. “Celebi is very cute, yet powerful with it’s time powers and energy of the forest.” she says.

BY KIERA TRAN |)_.._ (| /___ (O^_^O) Z__7 (“___ ”)Z7 “ “

The Game

BY MAGGIE TERRY dmrt98@gmail.com

You stand on the mat, crouched, arms tense against your torso. You stare through the mesh barrier that partially obscures your opponent’s face. Waiting, waiting. Your heart beats out so loudly that you are sure it can be heard by your opponent who is older than you, at least a senior. As this thought crosses your mind, you hear the swish, slap, swoop that can only mean one thing: the game is on!

Such is the life of varsity volleyball player, Emily Halverson ‘17. Halverson has only been playing volleyball since 7th grade when she tried out for the rockets but she had a sports filled childhood.

“I did almost every sport there was,” said Halverson. Softball, T-ball, swimming, gymnastics all were part of her childhood. None really appealed to her as much as basketball.

“I’m tall, I think that helps,” Halverson said when asked about her suc-

is

cess at basketball. She was not planning on doing volleyball at all until her parents convinced her to try out for the rockets in 7th grade.

Halverson made the A team in 7th and 8th grade and both years the team went to nationals last year ranking 11th. Still, Halverson was surprised at her own abilities when she found out she made varsity this year.

“I don’t start, but I do get a lot of playing time.” Halverson said. With practices every day for two hours and games on weekends coupled with homework, this doesn't leave a lot of time for socializing but she doesn't mind all that much.

“Sports are a way of life, you make friends, and stay healthy both mentally and physically” says Halverson.

She credits sports with the good friends she has made over the years.

They keep people out of trouble and help them learn about life.

on!

For varisity vollyball player Emily Halverson ‘17

While it can be hard to balance sports and academics along with a social life Halverson makes it work.

She eats lunch with friends and tries to spend as much time with them in the off season.

“She had an awesome work ethic, is very reliable and never gives up,” says friend Ali Tauchen, 17. “[she] is amazing at volleyball and basketball!”

Her family is also very sports centric, her parents always encouraged their three children to try as many sports as they wanted to so they could find their favorite. Her younger brothers play sports and she hopes they will continue to do so.

Halverson is not sure if she wants to turn her skills in sports into a career.

She has already been getting recruiting letters from colleges. She may not have plans yet, but she has a bright future ahead of her at West and wherever she goes next.

Fast Facts about Emily Halverson ‘17 born: December 15 siblings: 2 Josh ‘19 Tyler ‘21 plays: front right sings: alto 2 pets: dog, cat from: Nebraska ancestry: Norwegian

Welcome To The Spotlight Freshman Shanthi Chackalackal’s acting career blossoms at West

By Gabby Skopec She’s playing Veruca in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and she was Mrs. Little in Stuart Little. This is Shanthi Chackalackal 17’. Chackalackal’s acting journey started with her acting out her favorite scenes from movies as a kindergartener, and since then it has blossomed.

Chackalackal first started doing acting camps when she was young, and by the time she was nine she had auditioned for Stuart Little. Chackalackal wasn’t even sure if she would get cast as a minor role, so when she was cast as Mrs. Little, one of the larger roles in the play, “I was so excited, I jumped on my bed for like an hour.” she said.

Now as a freshman she has landed the role of Veruca in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which was played by Julia Winter in the movie.

Chackalackal’s family has been very supportive of her acting career. Her mom did it in high school, and both of her brothers have been in plays. Speaking of her family, Chackalackal also enjoys to play tennis with them. Other activities she enjoys alone include; reading, writing,

Fast Facts

FavoritePlay- Macbeth

FavoriteStoreBarnes and Noble FavoriteRole- Veruca FavoriteSuperheroBatman Favo r ite T Vs h o w Sherlock Holmes and Modern Family FavoriteCharacterSherlock Holmes or Dumbledore

drawing, and playing the violin.

Theatre has been very helpful with public speaking and being confident to Chackalackal. Advice she would give to shy newcomers would be to pretend you are the only person there, and enunciate your words. Chackalackal also says that she’s interested in backstage, but isn’t very tech savvy, so costumes would probably be the way to go. Shanthi hopes to continue acting throughout high school and college, and would

consider a job in acting, but doesn’t think that she’ll be good enough to become a professional.

Although, friend Maggie Terry says, “She’s going to go far. She works very hard to make sure she has the character right.”

FavoriteBook- The Book Thief or Harry Potter FavoritePlaceonthe stage- Center FavoriteMovieHarry Potter FavoriteThe at reRiverside Theatre

Born to Run The kid that never stops

BY LEXI SHAFFER

lexi.shaffer123@gmail.com

10 FAST FACTS 1. FAVORITE COLOR IS YELLOW 2. FAVORTIE SPORT IS GOLF 3. FAVORITE TV SHOW IS THE WALKING DEAD 4. FAVORITE MOVIE IS THE OTHER GUYS 5. FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL IS SCIENCE 6. FAVORITE FOOD IS CALAMARI (SQUID TENTICLES) 7. FAVORITE VACATION WAS TRIP TO ANNA MARIA, FLORIDA 8. FAVORITE SEASON IS WINTER 9. FAVORITE ANIMAL IS HIS PET LIZARD 10. FAVORITE BOOK IS THE MAN IN THE EMPTY SUIT

That moment when you just want to give up. Stop, slow down or just catch your breath. When that moment comes the little voice in your head tells you you can do it, just keep moving forward.This is the moment that Brandon Berner ‘17 experiences every time he races.

Berner started out running track but after finding out he was good at long distance he soon took up cross country to see what it was like. Later he found out he loved it and continued. Berner likes meeting all the people and all the support he gets from family, friends, and teammates.

“Even the best people like helping the least talented,” Berner said.

It is reasons like this that keep Berner running. However, it isn’t all fun and games. It is a competition that they have to take seriously.

Berner describes the feeling of race time to be both nerve wracking and exciting. This is the time that he focuses on the task at hand and has to just keep moving forward. Despite these harder parts Berner stays in cross country and finds all the positives about running for a team, such as meeting new people and continuing old friendships like with close friend Noah Armstrong ‘17.

Armstrong and Berner have known each other since the first football practice of 7th grade and have been close friends ever since.

Today they run together on the West High cross country team along with many others.

“Brandon is a talented runner and a very nice person,” said Armstrong.

When Berner is not running his heart out on the track he enjoys spending time with friends.

“We like to talk and play video games,” said Armstrong.

Berner said he enjoys puzzle type video games to keep the mind active and sharp. One of his favorite games is Portal 2. Another thing Berner enjoys off the track is spending time with his family outside. This is one of the reasons Berner enjoys his annual family vacation to the Ozarks so much.

“We go boating and spend a lot of time outside,” said Berner.

Berner has three younger half siblings, at the ages of 11, 5, and 2, that accompany him on the trip.

Berner plans to graduate from West high in three years and soon after go off to college. Although he doesn't know where he wants to go yet, he knows he doesn’t want to do cross country wherever he ends up.

“I’ll still run for fun but I don’t think I’ll do cross country [in college] because I will be too busy with homework and other things,” said Berner.

However Berner still loves the sport and the experiences it gave him.

“I don’t think I would change anything even if I could.”

Yes or No? Facts about Natalie Trout 1. Favorite Celebrity?

Making it big

One Direction, can’t choose between them

2. Favorite Food?

Tacos

3. Favorite Color? green (west) and orange

You see them at football games, in competitions, and all around west. Chances are you’ve met one or two or more. these mysterious people are cheerleaders, the hard-working, calm, and cheery. “My addiction started right there,” said Natalie Trout ‘17.

Trout has been doing cheerleading ever since 1st grade when her teacher told her she should join cheerleading. That’s where it all started, and now, Trout is the only freshman to make the West High cheer squad and has almost reached the top level of cheer at Iowa Elite.

4. Favorite Football Team?

Hawkeyes

5. Favorite Tumbling Pass?

Punch front tuck forward roll into a front walkover, round-off back-handspring, back-handspring back tuck

Trout practices every day after school for west high cheerleading and every day for Iowa Elite. In the spare time that she can find she does homework and enjoys listening to music. Trout hopes to be a meteorologist and/or a music therapist. Trout hopes to sing to children who have life threatening diseases and to inspire them to stay strong.

Lexi Shaffer, Trouts friend, met Trout in kindergarden and has been her friend ever since. “She is a very determind, hard-working cheerleader.” by erica roth roth.ericawhitney@gmail.com

6. Favorite Day of the Year?

March 14th, which is her birthday

7. Favorite Season of the Year?

Spring

8. Favorite Holiday?

Christmas because they eat a lot of food

Pl

ay

ig

E

ight years ago, Emma Fowler `16 began her first day of gymnastics. From there, her love of sports blossomed.

“It’s just something I’ve always done and always will,” said Fowler.

Fowler has been involved in athletics since the age of six, ranging from track to tumbling. It all started with her family, who wanted Fowler to be as involved in sports as they were. Fowler immediately brought up the subject of her father, who inspired her to start running.

“My dad runs all the time and did a bunch of marathons,” Fowler said.

After six and a half years of competitive gymnastics, Fowler quit to get involved in other sports.

“It was a relief,” Fowler said. “Gymnastics was getting to be too much after a while.”

Thus began Fowler’s activity in track and volleyball.

“It’s great because you’re part of a team,” Fowler said.

n

G a

for the

me This girl isn’t in it for the win she’s in it for the game.

by Olivia Read olivia7r@gmail.com

Fowler has been part of a team since she started both junior high track and volleyball in seventh grade. Fowler is not on track this year, since she is trying to focus on her studies and get back into her school routine. Despite her extensive experience in sports, Fowler is most interested in running.

“It’s the only thing that’s really stuck with me this whole time,” she said.

For three years until her sophomore year, Fowler was on the volleyball team. She was also on club volleyball during her freshman year.

“Emma’s played volleyball, and she played club volleyball when she played at West … She was really good last year. She always tries really hard and practices everyday,” Mallory Knoop `16 said.

Knoop is one of Fowler’s closest friends and a fellow athlete.

Although Fowler is not in volleyball this school year, she would like to continue her volleyball career throughout high school.

“I quit because I just didn’t have the experience,” Fowler said.

She hopes to improve her skills, not only to possibly join the volleyball team again, but to also become more well-rounded in athletics.

This lighthearted but motivated mindset about athletics has helped Fowler succeed not only on a team, but in terms of fitness.

“I don’t always do sports competitively, but I’ve always done them just because,” Fowler said.

Her ardor for athletics has taken her many places so far; unlike most athletes, Fowler describes the atmosphere right before a game to be enthusiastic and supportive.

Fowler’s eager and careless spirit is what makes her such a unique athlete; she’s determined in terms of sports, but won’t do anything she doesn’t enjoy just to get ahead.

“I’ve never been the type to play anything super competitively,” Fowler said.

Her love for athletics is not about the winning, but rather about what it takes to get there.

Although Fowler’s has no sports on her agenda at the moment, her intrigue and passion for athletics has not ceased.

“Sports will remain a part of my life,” Fowler said.

“I think they always will.”

When finally asked for one simple piece of advice to any athlete out there, Fowler’s response is one that many competitive players should heed.

“Don’t take it too seriously,” Fowler said. “Just be happy to play the game.”

“I DON’T ALWAYS DO SPORTS COMPETITIVELY, BUT I’VE DONE THEM JUST BECAUSE.” QUICK QUOTES Gymnastics “[Gymnastics] was probably the most physically demanding and time-consuming.

Not my favorite sport.”

Volleyball “Volleyball was the most relaxed, but the most fun. I really enjoy it.”

Track “Track has the most conditioning. It’s not my favorite sport but it’s stuck with me the most.”

“SPORTS WILL REMAIN A PART OF MY LIFE. I THINK THEY ALWAYS WILL.”

FAST FACTS ABOUT PAIGE

•Has traveled interntionally 7 times •Has lived in 7 houses and 5 apartments •used to swim and run competitively •likes fashion •best friend lives in Lansing, Mi. •does senior pictures •favorite city is Chicago •favorite thing to do w/ friends is go to concerts •favorite food is pasta •doesn’t have a favorite color

Another year, another life.

Paige Brazina’s life is forever different after getting involved in a few activities..

BY KEVAN PATEL kevan.patel525@gmail.com

Imagine you are on stage or on the football field, dancing, singing, or cheering in front of 100s of people.

You’ve practiced this for years and now it’s time to perform, this is what life is like for Paige Brazina ‘16. Whether it’s on the stage, or at home, Brazina is always working hard at dancing, cheerleading, and school.

Brazina, dances at National Dance Academy, is a moral captain at Dance Marathon, is a cheerleader, and is in show choir crew at West High School.

Her passion for dancing started when she was little, and now she dances professionally at school and outside of school.

“I used to dance when I was little, but it wasn’t professional,” Brazina said, “My friend got me into it. I did cheerleading, but I really liked art, so I started to do ballet.”

Now that Brazina has started ballet,

she loves it. “I enjoy ballet the most because my friends do it, and it’s a good way to relax. And the teachers are nice too,” she said.

Although Brazina has a huge passion for ballet, she’s involved in other extracurricular activities too. She is also “I enjoy ballet the in the 1440 volunteering most because my club and kid’s friends do it, and camp. “Ballet it’s a good way to is on Monday, relax. And the Cheer on Tuesday, and Show teachers are nice Choir crew is too,” said Brazina. on Wednesday,” said Brazina.

Ballet also helps her in other activities, so there is another advantage of doing it. “Ballet is slow and controlled, so I can take a lot of stuff I learned in ballet and use it in cheerleading.”

Kiya Law, ‘16 and Brazina hang out regularly and are very good friends.

“Paige is very talented, and a very hard worker,” Law said. “Sometimes we don’t have time to hang out because she’s so busy.”

Even though Brazina is so busy, she gets some time off over the summer.

“This summer I went to Ecuador, and last summer I went to Turkey. I enjoyed my time there and had a lot of fun with my family.” Paige loves to travel around the world, and usually every summer, she goes to some foreign country.

Brazina started to dance professionally this year, and cheerleading a year ago.

She loves to dance, cheerlead, and be in show choir. “I’m probably not going to dance or cheerlead after high school, it’s more of a hobby and a thing to do with my friends,” she said.

But, for now Brazina will always be busy, and try to get better at the things she does.

Doodle Daze

An Artist in our midst

Q: Favorite Animal?

A: Owl Q: Favorite Subject in School?

A: Science

Q: Favorite Movie?

A: My Neighbor Totoro Q: Favorite Food?

A: Buttered Noodles Find Nicole’s videos at: youtube.com/stinkytwinky13

BY KATIE MCGRANE

mcgrane.kaite@gmail.com

Doodles. We all draw them. But to some, the doodles are much more important. To Nicole Lange ‘17, drawings are so much more than just scribbles on a paper. To Lange, they are something that deserves time, focus, and concentration.

Lange is an anime artist. She enjoys drawing things such as Pokemon, My Little Pony, and cats. Her favorite works, however, are her original drawings of cats. The thought of drawing other animals has crossed Nicole’s mind before, but she decided that she wants to stick with anime and cats because most other animals move too much and are too fluffy.

One thing that frustrates Lange the most is, “[The] lines don’t go where I want them to go.”

Nicole said.

She enjoys

drawing to such a point that she will spend 45 minutes to one hour on just one drawing. This is not all drawing, this is also uploading the drawings to the computer, recording the Speed Paint project (Speed Paint is a process that speeds up the video of your work), and uploading her new video to YouTube. This process usually starts with pencils or colored pencils then moves to scanning the drawing onto her computer into a program called Sketchbook Express. After she does this, then she moves to taking time to edit and perfect her drawings. Occasionally she will upload a video showing this process to YouTube and other times she will just have fun making another drawing.

When Nicole is not drawing she is at school, on the computer, or playing video games. These video games include Pokemon, Minecraft, and Kirby. At school, Nicole also draws.

In almost every class she creates another doodle.

“I admire her ability to draw in both areas of human and animals. It was fun to watch her draw in french class last year,” said Maeven Goodno ‘17 ,“she seemed to be good at drawing wolves and backgrounds.”

Lange hopes to continue being creative in her future“...it would be cool to be a game designer.” But she doesn’t think it would work out because she would have to be really good at doing concept art, drawing someone else’s ideas, and that isn't one of Langes strengths in drawing.

Lange has a passion for drawing and hopes to continue it for years to come. She hopes that continuing to draw will lead her to a life of drawing beyond her daily doodles.

Saving the Worlds Animals, One Dog at a Time

Fast Facts 1) Favorite Color?

Magenta 2) Favorite Superhero?

The Iron Lantern 3) Favorite Musical Artist?

Rihanna 4) Favorite Movie?

Open Season 5) Favorite TV Show?

Family Guy 6) Favorite Subject In School?

Spanish 7) Favorite Pizza?

Macaroni 8) Favorite Animal?

Shark 9) Favorite Bird?

Albatros 10) Birthday?

February 18th, 1999

The Ritani Bos Story

Animals all around, barking at each other. Each one running up to the gate of their cage, to greet you with a bark. The loud metallic bang as they collide with the metal cages, trying to intimidate you, or maybe just trying to play with you.

This is a regular occurrence for Ritani Bos ‘17, who started volunteering at her local volunteer scene by her uncle, Ben Owens, who also volunteers at the animal shelter. Bos has been coming in once a week, on the weekends for about 4 hours a day. At first, Bos was just there to play with the animals, but she then decided she wanted to help them too.

Bos loves animals, so that’s a great perk about working at the shelter. One of the things Bos wishes she could see at

the shelter would be a shark.

Bos loves sharks, they’re her favorite animal by far. They’re much better than lions, that is for sure. Bos’ favorite part of volunteering at the shelter, “... after all of the work, you get to play with the animals,” said Bos “Ritani always works her hardest. She’s a caring person, and when she cares about a animal shelter when she was 13 years old. Ritani loves animals, and got introduced to the whole cause or something, she won’t give up on it until it’s done.” said Reagan GrieserYoder, who has been Bos’ best friend since the seventh grade When Bos isn’t at the shelter, she’s usually listening to music. Her favorite musical artist is Rihanna. Bos’ favorite

song is “Diamonds”, which is also by Rihanna. When Bos isn’t volunteering at the animal shelter, she’s spending time with her dog, Boog.

She named him Boog after the bear in the movie, Open Season. Bos got Boog when she was in the second grade, from her local animal shelter. Boog is a pitbull, which just so happens to be Bos’ favorite breed of dog.

Another thing Ritani likes to do in her free time, is hang out with her friends. She can usually be found downtown by the Old Capitol mall, where she enjoys eating at her favorite restaurant, Noodles & Co.

Floor Burns

and Bruises

BY NICOLE LANGE

lange.nicole15@gmail.com Many say that you have to be on a traveling volleyball team to make a high school volleyball team, but not Katie McGrane ‘17, who is on high school volleyball team.

She started playing in third grade, but it was just for fun. She currently plays the DS (Defensive Specialist) position in which you serve, receive, and pass, the player must have lightning-quick reflexes. They can play in the back row or they can play in the front row. Unlike the Libero, which can only play in the back row. The best thing that has happened to her was proving that you don’t need to be on a traveling team to make a high school one.

“If I could change anything about volleyball it would be to stay on my feet because I am always on the ground,” said McGrane.

Since the player sometimes has to dive to get the ball they end up on the ground or they fall trying to hit the ball. While going after the ball it’s pretty easy to get floor burns.

Besides getting floor burns, bruises, and becoming embarrassed by missing the ball, the worst part about volleyball is probably getting down on herself for not thinking she

is good enough. In eighth grade McGrane was on the eighth grade A team. She never really had anyone who influenced her in volleyball, but her eighth grade volleyball coach, Jenifer Secrist supported her a lot.

A good friend of McGrane, Sofia Perez ‘17 said “She’s very committed and always does her best with everything she does”.

When McGrane is not playing volleyball, she enjoys playing basketball (she was also on North Central Junior High’s basketball team) or playing with her dog Maggie, who is a mini schnauzer. She hopes to one day go to a vet school that is out of state, despite the fact that once when she watched her fourth grade teacher’s pet cat, it vomited, hacked up hairballs, urinated and pooped all over the house and she had to pick it up. McGrane was the student president of North Central Junior High School in 2012 - 2013.

She is also in band and marching band, where she plays the clarinet.

FAST FACTS BIRTHDAY - April 18, 1999 FAVORITE COLOR Purple FAVORITE TV SHOW Bones FAVORITE FOOD Mashed Poteos with Cottage Cheese FAVORITE ANIMAL Panda

Rachel Collinss Dreams By: AlexisGronewold email: kklexis521@gmail.com

The Reasons for Rachel Collinss Dreams Weights and fitness is a trait and love that Rachel Collinss’15 has. Loves fitness; her favorite things to do are weights, yoga and running. The reason Collinss loves doing them is because it makes her stronger, and she doesn't want to stop getting stronger and better. “I love fitness, I love getting stronger and better,” Rachel Collinss said ‘15.

Rachel is a junior in high school and she started loving fitness when she was a freshman; she started swimming and got hooked. So then she also started weights and it made her want to do more. From there she kept on going. Even from 6th grade when she won her first 50 meter dash in track, she was so happy and wanted to win more events.

“Before I ran the 50 meter dash I didn't think I was good enough.

So when I won the race, it was one of the best feelings so I wanted to win more. So I started working harder” Rachel said, so she is working hard to get better and stronger.

Rachel Collinss’s dream is to have her own practice or fitness magazine and maybe even a personal trainer. She loves helping people so much, so she keeps going and she doesn't want to

stop. Her style of fitness clothes would be baggy tops with tight pants or spandex. She doesn't know what she would name the magazine, but for the models, she knows she would want to take a random person and use them, and help them get more out there in the world and get them fit too.

Her parents have always been there for her dreams and always will be. Her dad would drive 5 hours just to see his daughter Rachel in a track meet, he also helps her get better and pushes her to do her best. He also makes her keep going and doesn't let her stop. Rachel's mom has also had a big part in her dreams.

She and her mom go on runs together and they push each other to do better.

“My parents are big supporters in my life and they push me so I can do my best” said Rachel.

Rachel also looks up to Shawn T. She looks up to him because he used to be very overweight and he worked really hard to lose it. He did and now he is in the best physical health he could be and Rachel looks up to that.”I personly know Rachel very well.

Rachel always tries her hardest, always trying to improve, which

she does. Rachel never makes excuses and is one of the hardest working athlete I know”said Makenzi ‘15 “I have cross country every day, I am not a big fan of it because I am not used to long distances but it helps me get better with my stamina, so I keep trying and doing more.”Rachel every day has cross country practice she does it so she can get better at

track for when she does running events. fun facts about Rachel collinss

Favorite holiday: Charismas Birthday: August 18 Favorite food: watermelon

Favorite class in school: Ap Government

When she works to get better: We practice for

cross country from 3:40-6:15 every day and then 8-10:30 on Saturday!

My favorite movie: Argo Favorite sport: Track Favorite thing to do in free time: Run

Dancing ‘till she Drops

BY REAGAN GRIESER-YODER

reagan.g.yoder12299@gmail.com

It comes in all styles. It is an art that binds cultures together with its beauty and grace: Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, Poms. These are only a few types of it. It is dancing, and for Chanel Vidal, it is life.

Vidal started dancing about a year ago, but her love for dancing started much earlier. When she was three years old, Chanel could often be found twirling and dancing around in her living room.

“I thought dance seemed fun,” said Chanel Vidal ’17. “I wanted to turn that twirling around in my living room into real dancing.”

Soon after, Chanel started gymnastics, but felt that there was something missing.Then, finally, when she was thirteen, she found dance. It clicked right away and Chanel finally found what she was missing.

“I think dance is really pretty.”

Said Vidal.

Almost everyday, Chanel can be

found dancing.

“I dance all the time,” said Vidal.

“It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s fun.

I love it.” Chanel is very committed to her dancing and her friends and family couldn’t agree more.

“Chanel will do everything she can to make her goals in life or dance.” said Addison Vandepol, ’17, “She will put 110% into everything.”

It is traits like this along with her passion for dance that have made Chanel such an amazing dancer.

Along with her work ethic, Chanel has perseverance. She works through every obstacle she has with patience and level-headedness. When she was 12 years old, she found out that she had an extra bone in her ankle.

“In dance your ankles have to be strong.” Said Vidal. The extra bone hurts whenever she dances, but she still continues to do what she loves. “Chanel never lets anyone or anything knock her down.” said Alex Walton, ’17. This past sum-

Fast Facts About Chanel :)

favorite food: Chocolate favorite movie: Pitch Perfect favorite color: pink favorite book: Twilight/Harry Potter favorite song: any song by Adele lucky number: 3 favorite subject: science

role model: Adele

mer, Chanel injured her hamstring.

She had to sit out for two and a half months while her teammates did leaps and jumps. However, she went to practice anyway and did what she could. Eventually, her hamstring healed and now she is back in dance, stronger than ever.

Outside of dance, Chanel enjoys a variety of other activities including socializing with friends and playing piano.

“She is very bubbly and she knows how to make you smile on your worst days,” said Walton. “She is always happy.” Even though she has had some rough patches in dance and in life, Vidal always has a positive attitude, and will continue to dance through life with perseverance, strength, and spirit.

It’s paintin time!

Flippant and sarcastic at homework and new people, while amazing at making her friends laugh at the same time, that’s the kind of girl Kiera Tran ‘17 is. Kiera is very skilled at drawing animals, also called “furries”.

Furries are animals drawn in a cartoon style with human qualities. She’s also good on making sarcastic remarks about school.

However, very, very few people know this because of how shy she is, and how she has her own way of standing up for people.

A friend of Kiera’s said that she had helped comfort her when she was crying over someone that didn’t like her. Kiera swiftly insulted him, and drew an elaborate picture of him getting kneed in the groin. Kiera said, “You don’t need good people when you’ve got epic people.”

The friend started giggling and said that there were other fish in the sea.

An interesting fact that you need when you befriend Kiera, a very hard thing to do, I might add, is that you might want to brace yourself for floods of randomness. Kiera can make her friends laugh by rolling her eyes to imitate the troll face, a renowned icon on the internet face. Or she can make a bizarre giggle and saying thing like “Ermahgerd” in a weird voice.

Kiera is a very artistic person; she’ll draw furries, sometimes as doodles, sometimes as works of art on DeviantART. In addition to that, she’s very good at making little clay objects. One of her sculpted works of art was a little

bowl, perfect for small trinkets people can sometimes find on the street . Just looking at how she displays her earring collection is a good way to know how talented she is with art.

Some of the things that she doesn’t like so much are people making it so she doesn’t sit next to a friend anymore, or someone unpleasant. She doesn’t like being short, either. Some things she does like besides art would be hanging out, baking, being on her laptop, Skyping, being on her phone, playing animal crossing on her 3ds, playing Minecraft, playing Transformice, watching anime, drinking ramen, or watching her friend stupidly empty the entire packet of chili powder onto her ramen, and having her mouth burn.

Kiera laughed and said, “Haha you so stupid..”

Quick facts about Kiera: 1. She likes calling her friend Maeven, “Asian” 2. Adept at drawing animals, or, “furries” 3. Avid pokemon fan 4. can’t wait for pokemon X and Y to come out 5. Kiera is half vietnamese 6. Kiera is the oldest in her family along with a brother and a soon-to be-sister 7. Very good at sculpting little objects such as small bowls or figurines.

By Maeven Goodno 8. Loves the anime “Hetalia” maeven.goodno@ 9. favorite color is mint green gmail.com

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usic is in the air at this house. Do you love music as much as Sasha Wemmie ‘17? “Music is an eleven for me on a scale of one to ten,” said Sasha. He explained how music is a flow that you stick to or you don’t. “The mood and the flow puts everything together (when I playing music.)”

Sasha Wemmie plays four different instruments on a daily basis, the cello, the guitar, the bass guitar and the piano. He practices a lot too, 24 hours a week of cello, five hours of piano, and seven hours of guitar and bass guitar. “The best part is playing what I want.

Sasha’s favorite instrument to play is his cello, and his favorite song on the cello is “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson. What famous artist from the past or present to play with in concerts is uncertain to Sasha. “I guess I would play with 2Cellos, but to pick any artist is hard.”

If you had to pick an artist to perform with, would you play with Sasha?

“When I am older I would probably keep playing [my instruments], but I don’t know about being a professional musician, and writing songs. I would rather join a band than a string quartet if I had to.”

By KATARINA FUHRMEISTER kafuhrmeister@gmail.com

Fast Facts BORN: May 18, 1999 WHERE: Russia NICKNAME: Sasha FULL NAME: Alexander Thomas Wemmie FAMILY: Mom, Dad, Two brothers PETS: One dog NAME: Peanut

A

New friends in a new place, a new school and a new face. Freshman Olivia Read is no stranger to new places, because she has already lived in four different states and she’s just 14 years old, shes moved so much because of her father’s job. It’s more than just a slight culture jump moving from a place like Denver, Colorado to Atlanta, Georgia.

So far, Iowa has been her favorite place to live “Iowa’s probably my favorite because it has been the most welcoming,everyone is very nice here” said Read. Although moving has its many downsides, one upside to Read’s many moves is a new attitude, Read says that moving so many times has brought her out of her shell, she is less shy than she used to be, which in this case is definitely a good character trait to develop.

However, Read says that the worst part of all her moves was learning to adjust and meet new people time after time. She also found that keeping in touch with old friends got easier the older she got, but as she moved each time it got scarier and scarier. She says it became scarier because as you get older, everyone already has their friendships from long ago and are very established so it be-

BY EMMA FOWLER

fowler580@gmail.com

New Home

comes more difficult to meet new people.

Besides Read’s obvious ability to adapt to a new place quickly, she’s also got a clear idea of where she wants to be in the future, and she has set high goals, “Ten years from now I hope to be getting a higher degree in college, possibly in language or even writing” said Read, expressing her huge appetite for success. Read is no stranger to a challenge, she has an autoimmune disease that is a cause for her short height, a close friend of Read’s, Yiwen Gao recalls, “She may have to go on a growth hormone to help her grow, but even then she won't get past the five foot mark.” this is just another of the challenges Read has overcome. In her off time Read enjoys art, and writing and is a fellow member of the newer West Side Story kids.

Her other interests include languages, Read is currently involved in West High’s world language department as a Spanish student and says she would like to get involved in the Korean language, at the University of Iowa in the future.

Overall, Read doesn’t seem to mind all the moves she has made and even acknowledges the fact that it’s helped her in some

ways. It has helped her grow and shaped the person she has become today. “Sometimes it seems like the worst thing that could happen to me, but it always turns out to be the best,” said Read.

A RATING OF CITIES

Olivia’s “Five star”, or not so five star rating of each place she has lived.

•Iowa City, Iowa.

“The people are fun and welcoming here.”

•Boise, Idaho.

“It was a really tight knit community, it felt like family.”

•Atlanta, Georgia.

“The people were rude and it was just an overall bad atmosphere.”

•Denver, Colorado.

“There wasn’t much to it, nothing exciting or memorable.”

Violinist Now Doctor Later

By Morgan Conrad Mc31@gmail.com

Do you know a person who plays the violin, is motivated to become a doctor, has lived in different places and, has been to countless music schools? I do but can you guess who this talented person is? Yes Eugenia Chen ‘17.

It began when Chen was about six years old when she was faced with tough a choice between playing the piano, or playing the violin, and found at a young age that the violin would be an easier and more fun task. Since then she had made much progress Chen has been to Blair Music School, First Chair at North West Junior High and, Chamber Music

Camp.

Chen realising the competitiveness of the real world she has a back up plan which is to become a doctor or scientist for her major profession. She has taken many different classes to better her over all resume such as spanish ii honors, intro to journalism,and she has won the Science fair at Northwest jr., she also plays in the schools orchestra .

Eugenia is pretty straight forward person, as soon as she gets home from school she’ll get a snack and start on her home work for the day and after she is done she’ll start practicing on her violin for about an hour or

Fast Facts

Favorite Movie is Sky fall • Favorite Color is yellow • Favorite Animal is an Elephant • Favorite food is Chocolate • Doesn’t know where her favorite place is • Sister name is Sophia • Doesn’t watch much TV • Her Favorite number is three • Doesn’t have a favorite song •

two a day and that depends on her home work. She’s probably not that surprised if she hears her 12 year old sister practicing as during the duration of her after school rituals she also plays the violin. Chen admires successful people “ I Look up to teachers, older people and professionals.” Now thats a good strategy to follow so you can see the successful people do it right and then follow in their footsteps and thats the key to success.

MORGAN CONRAD ‘16

BY EUGENIA CHEN

eugeniachen123@gmail.com

Wearing a grey and orange Nike “Basketball Never Stops” t-shirt and Nike Air Jordan basketball shoes, it’s not hard to see that Morgan Conrad ‘16 is a basketball player.

It started in 7th grade at Northwest Junior High when Morgan’s friends were all trying out for basketball.

Never a sports player, he wasn’t that interested, but, he was willing to give athletics a try. That decision would turn out to be a good one. Conrad then played basketball and ran track

for the next three years of school.

Sports are now a big part of his life.

On most days after school, and after doing his homework, he plays basketball for an hour at the least.

It is not basketball season yet, but Conrad is looking forward to it. “[I’m excited for] pretty much everything. I just like to play the game,” he said.

And play the game he will. His basketball season for the IA Dynasty basketball team starts in Novem-

ber. In his team, Conrad’s position is point guard. This is arguably the most difficult position in a basketball team. It requires a quick mind; solid skills in dribbling, passing, and shooting; leadership abilities; and good defense tactics.

Conrad’s friend Kevan Patel ‘16 can confirm that Morgan has these skill sets. “Morgan is a very good defender,” Patel said.

Patel and Conrad became friends in 7th grade.

“[Morgan] played basketball too and we’ve been good friends from then,” Patel said. Without support from friends like these, Conrad probably wouldn’t be able to keep up with the demanding nature of his sport.

Though basketball is a highly competitive sport, Conrad hangs out with his teammates and treats them like close friends.

He said, “We’re pretty mellow… we’re pretty cool with each other.

Play around.”

Though there are laughters, good times, and happy memories associated with playing a team sport, being on a basketball team is not all fun and games. “[Basketball] has shown me that people can be competitive and if you want something, you have to get it.

It’s not going to come to you and people aren’t going to get it for you,” Conrad said.

Through all

the hard times and tough practices, Morgan has grown to become a very confident player and has one simple goal for himself. “[I want] to win as many games as possible,” he said.

With that goal in mind; pressure from coaches, teammates, and friends, Conrad gets a bit nervous before each game.

“Yeah, it’s sometimes stressful to me,” he said. “But, when it comes to [the game], you have to be ready for it.”

With this attitude, Conrad is ready for any challenges that come his way. When asked about his future, Morgan said he would like to play college basketball and possibly become a

pro player. Being realistic, he knows that professional sports aren’t for everyone.

“If it doesn’t work out, I’ll just be a doctor,” he said. Regarding that plan, he also works hard in school and takes part in extracurricular electives like Spanish and Introduction to Newspaper.

Conrad clearly has the right ideals to be a successful person in life. He gives advice for others saying, “[You] need to work a lot. Don’t give up when it gets tough.”

FAST FACTS Runs 400m, 200m, and hurdles in track Have a brother named Ryan who is 13 Have a sister named Janicqua who is 10 Favorite TV channel is ESPN

Favorite color is green Likes dogs Likes to eat burritos at Pancheros Favorite number is 31 Favorite video game is 2K Favorite super hero is Spiderman

RU N NE R THE

I

Gabby Skopec

n a country whose inhabitants are growing less and less active, Gabby Skopec ‘17, stands out as a girl who runs nearly every day.

“I run at least six times a week, but sometimes I do workouts in the morning and afternoon,” Skopec said.

Her passion began in third grade, when her father took her out for a short run. But to Skopec, it had seemed too far. “‘I can’t do it dad,’ I said, ‘It’s too much,’” recalls Skopec. Soon, however, running would become a habit for Skopec. But it would be much more than that, too.

“Sometimes [running] makes me feel like I wanna die, but it really makes you feel free,” said Skopec.

Along with the feeling of freedom comes a lot of family support.

BY SHANTHI CHACKALACKAL boomchackalackal@gmail.com

“ [I admire] my dad and then Mary Cain, she’s seventeen and ran in the world championships this summer,” Skopec said.

Thanks to plenty of practice, Skopec has been able to take on runs of increasing difficulty. This summer, she ran a half marathon--a full thirteen point one miles. Skopec prefers long runs.

“I’m not the kind of person who picks up speed right away,” she said, “I like long distance, definitely.”

Running is a great way to stay in shape, and Skopec would encourage everyone to try it. Also, she has some advice for novice runners.

“You have to start somewhere,” she said, “it’s not a big deal if you’re not really fast at first. You’ll get better.”

“She’s very passionate about it,” said Gabby’s twin, Jessi Skopec ’17, “and she works hard.”

When asked what her favorite thing about running was, Skopec replied,

All of Skopec’s family run and she considers her father to be her role model.

“That’s really hard... probably like, when you feel like you’re going really fast...you just feel, like, in control.”

Gabby Skopek ‘17

Favorite Pastimes: Cooking, reading, and writing.

Favorite Books: The Harry Potter series, the Hunger Games trilogy, Sarah Dessen books and the City of Bones series.

Fun Fact: Gabby has a twin sister, Jessi. “Sometimes I like being a twin,” Skopec says, “but always being compared with Jessi is hard.”

Family: Jessi, another sister, one brother, two cats, one dog, and a fish.

Plans for the Future: Gabby is interested in cooking or running professionally, and has college plans.

Making the Sh t

BY PAIGE BRAZINA

paigebrazina@wsspaper.com

I

magine that you are a basketball player playing for Northwest’s team: The Vikings. The game that you are desperately trying to win is at a tie and the crowd of people filling the stands watch anxiously. You have battled this team for quite a while and now it’s down to the last seconds. You find yourself able to make a quick move with the ball, then you shoot, and you score! This is how basketball player Kevan Patel ‘16 helped The Vikings to win the game, and also develop more confidence in his skills.

This rising star has always loved to watch basketball on TV and on the court. He has his own basketball hoop at home to practice for more winning shots. For Patel, basketball relieves stress -Morgan and is a great way to hang out with his friends. “My friends are really crazy, but it makes basketball a lot more fun,” said Patel. “Every week we all go down to the Iowa City fitness center and play together.” This team bonding is especially impor-

“

tant because it creates a connection in the players that gives each of their games have a stronger performance. The fitness also gets them in better shape which gives them an advantage over all of the teams that they play.“Patel is a really great player and a really great friend,” said Morgan Conrad ‘16, “He really enjoys basketball.”

This year Patel will be playing on West High’s sophomore basketball team, and he hopes to make another glorious shot like he did for The Vikings. “I’m excited to play for West High this year because I hear there will be a lot of competition from the other schools in the area,” said Patel. This competition is just what Patel and his crazy team is ready for.

“We usually win all of our games,” Says Patel, “The worst time for us was the year that we lost two games.” This determined attitude is what makes Patel so good at basketball. Every day he tries to shoot hoops; whether it’s with Conrad his team or his family. “Basketball is very rewarding to me because it gets you in shape, gets you more motivated, and it teaches you how to be a good team member.”

“KEVAN IS A REALLY GREAT PLAYER AND A REALLY GREAT FRIEND.”

FACTS ABOUT KEVAN PATEL: -Kevan likes tacos -He hates cats -His favorite TV show is Shootin a Fool -Kevan’s favorite color is blue -He cracked his head open when he was little -His favorite number is seven -Kevan’s favorite video game is 2k13 -His favorite superhero is Batman -His favorite restaurant is Pancheros -Kevan was born on October 9th, 1997

He fee ls the b TOUC HDOW all hit his ha nd as N! He s This is he c cores th the exc e i ting life goal an atches it and felt goo d of Cart d to pla er LeaV wins the gam y it, it f e e. elt righ sseur ‘1 t.”

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Football Feels right Profile on Carter LeaVesseur ‘17

While pla ying footb all isn’t the joys doing on he also en joys playin ly thing LeaVesseur how to pla eng y when he g in was fift uitar which he learn guitar bec h grade. aus ed He always had never e he got one for his h a d ten ev a Stairway to en touched it, after th birthday before b ut playing his Heaven” h e had lear while also first song, ned this so being a ea “ n s g y song to found it w play as a b first because hile sneak eginner h y around in e had his brothe rs room.

ny riend Fin f is h h s wit band seur play r used to be in a s e V a e L e s t hNowaday ady and LeaVessu laying music toge yp buy . Br Brady ‘17 now they just enjo ome famous and but art in to bec together is a big p ay want ic d s e u m M o s s e fun, e,” he jok ch more er. “They n u o m h p e f o r li mic makes age bear,” ic r s e u v a golden a M e “ h , t than ur’s life telligent in LeaVesse e t. r o m l e Agains e fee is m R s y e b k s a m ong playing s he enjoys “ Al‘17 says, ake t u o r T om Natalie d a way t n fi o t s mea ways h thing, so y r e v e f o is t ch but he a joke ou u m o o t .” y be times ma and funny person d a very kin

BY RITANI BOS RBOS23466@GMAIL.COM

FAST FACTS 1. FAVORITE COLOR: PURPLE 2. FAVORITE ANIMAL: SHARK 3. FAVORITE SUPERHERO: BATMAN 4. FAVORITE SPORT: FOOTBALL 5.FAVORITE SUBJECT: MATH 6. FAVORITE FOOD: SPAGHETTI 7. FAVORITE BOOK: LEGEND 8. FAVORITE TV SHOW: SCRUBS 9. FAVORITE MOVIE: SHARKNADO 10. IF HE COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE IT WOULD BE: CALIFORNIA 11. KNOW TO FRIENDS AS: CHALUPA BATMAN

Future Thought Profile of Lexi Shaffer

BY BRANDON BERNER

brandon.berner1234@gmail.com

When did you decide what job you wanted to have after you finished school? Middle school? High school? College? Even some adults are still trying to figure it out. Well, for Lexi Shaffer ‘17, the choice has been clear since fourth grade.

For Shaffer, she’s always known she wants to go into physical therapy. Shaffer plays soccer, so she has had a few injuries and has needed a physical therapist. This, along with her dad doing physical therapy, is part of the reason why Shaffer wants to have this profession. Along with doing physical therapy in the United States, Shaffer would like to travel for her job and study abroad.

With all of the possible injuries that people can give themselves, there has to be those people that are willing to travel to help others. “I like to know I’m making a difference,” said Lexi Shaffer ‘17.

Currently, Shaffer is involved in soccer.

“She is a very smart and team player,” said Ali Tauchen, a frequent watcher of Shaffer’s soccer games.

She found her passion for soccer when she was only three years old. When she was three, her parents had her doing all kinds of sports, but soccer really stood out to her.

“I just fell in love with it,” Shaffer said.

A lot of people on Shaffer’s soccer team also want to go into physical therapy because they have gotten injured and they have needed the help of a physical therapist to get back to playing their sport. In junior high, she also tried volleyball. “It was really enjoyable,” Shaffer said. Although she enjoyed it, Shaffer no longer plays volleyball as a school sport because it was one too many things on her agenda. Shaffer also used to play clarinet in band with her friends, but it was no longer fun and she didn’t have time to play, so she stopped playing.

Shaffer has a good sense of humor, does good in school, and can be kind of crazy, although she is a little bit shy before she gets to know you. Her craziness can consist of just board games and messing it up, but can get up to sugar highs and throwing food.

Fast Facts

Favorite color is blue Lucky number is 16 Favorite movie is The Hunger Games Favorite thing to do is play soccer Favorite food is ice cream Favorite place to go is Europe Favorite animal is the zebra Least favorite animals are sharks Favorite season is fall Favorite class is biology

So You Think You Can

Dance...

BY LILY WESTEMEYER

As a little girl, McKenna Harris ’16, would show up for dance class in her big, fluffy tutu, ready to learn. Today, she still strives to be her best, both at dance and soccer. She works MCKENNA’S hard, and it shows.

Harris plays soccer three times a week, and FAVORITES dances four times a week. She loves them both, and doesn’t really prefer one over the FOOD: other, but if she had to choose, she said that MAC ‘N’ CHEESE she’d choose dance.

She’s very busy with both dance and soccer, DRINK: GRAPE JUICE and had to cut time off of both of them to be able to balance both of the activities along CANDY: with school. Because of this, she takes advanGUMMY BEARS tage of her free time.

“I’m not one to sit around and do nothing,” MOVIE: THE LAST SONG Harris said. In her off time, she likes to hang out with friends, watch movies, and basically TV SHOW: be a teenager.

GOSSIP GIRL This past summer, she spent two weeks in Russia dancing at the Bolshoi Academy. She COLOR: PINK got in through an exchange program. The Bolshoi is an internationally known dance CLASS: academy that’s located in Moscow.

ENGLISH Some of her favorite parts about being in Russia were getting the exposure to the differANIMAL: CAT ent cultures and the influence of her teachers.

While at the academy, Harris learned about different kinds of Russian dance techniques.

When she’s not in Russia dancing, Harris takes dance lessons at Kate Carol. She does all kinds of dance, but she likes ballet the best.

Harris hopes that she is interpreted as nice, friendly, and funny, or just a good person overall. She’s very independent and doesn’t dwell on the unimportant things.

“I try to learn from my mistakes and move on. Just not get hung up on the little things,” Harris said. She looks up to both of her parents who are independent and strong people, like she tries to be. “[She is] willing to tackle challenges and not give up,” Said Tara Cronbaugh, Harris’ mother. “She is a gal that just will not give up until she gets what she wants or believes in.”

Harris enjoys being with her friends, family, and her cat, Maya, because they’re always there for her when she needs them.

Despite her interest and skill in dance, she doesn’t so much want to pursue a career in dance but rather in business or fashion. Her goal for the future is to go to the University of Iowa, with a major in business and a minor in dance.

Running Life Freshman Ali Ali looking towards the future with West High Cross Country

BY AVERY IAN SMITH

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avery.ian.smith.ais@gmail.com

o the untrained eye, the first 100 meters of a cross country race can look like pure chaos. But for a runner, it’s a strategic battle of passing others and letting no one get ahead. That’s one of the many reasons that Ali Ali ’17 loves to run with West High’s cross country team.

Ali has been running since elementary school. Around age eight, his dad started to take him and his three older brothers to the field house on a regular basis. As they walked inside, their dad would say, “Just go and run.” He’s been running ever since.

“The first time I ran a mile and half, I felt completely dead” he said.

“But, by the end of 8th grade, I was running four miles regularly.”

This isn’t the only sign of improvement seen in his running, however. His personal record for all of junior high cross country was a 13:04 two mile time. After training with West’s cross country summer training program, he’s already dropped his time to 11:51 in just a few months.

This large improvement in time is one of the many aspects of West High cross country that he likes much more than cross country at the junior high level. The sense of community among the runners, the structured training regiment that makes your progress clear and easy to see, there are lots more things that makes the program a great one. Will he be sticking with it the rest of his high school career? “Most definitely,” he says.

Ali has a lot of potential in the coming years

as a runner. “I’m really excited to see the progress Ali makes this season and in the years to come,” says Francis Jayoma ’16, member of West High’s cross country team.

But cross country isn’t the only activity Ali is interested in. He hopes to one day go into computer sciences, likely programming, because of all the opportunities arising on the internet. He is also interested in joining speech and debate, and possibly dabble in some chess as well. But he says that for the time being, all these things will likely come second to running. Why? “It’s just relaxing,” he said.

Ali is a freshman at West High.

He has one older brothers and one younger brother. Right now he hopes to one day become a software engineer. He is interested in taking engineering classes along with foreign language courses while he is here at West.

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simran.ranisarin@gmail.com

Imagine that your throat is on fire. Your tongue feels dry as you try to push the powder down and out of your mouth. “Why did I agree to do this?” you think. All you want is a nice, cool glass of water to wash your mouth out.

This is how Mostafa Sidahmed ’17 felt when he tried the cinnamon challenge with his friends.

Sidahmed has an interesting life. The crazy games that kids play in movies are what he and his friends do often. They do many challenges, such as the cinnamon challenge and salt and ice challenge. The cinnamon challenge is when you swallow a spoonful of cinnamon at once and the salt and ice challenge is when you hold salt with ice in your hand for a minute. These challenges are fun to watch people do, but they cause extreme pain. “The salt and ice challenge is horrible. It stings a lot and leaves a dark colored mark. You don’t want to try it,” said Sidahmed.

Sidahmed’s friends are one of the most important things in his life. He moved here from Connecticut five years ago and goes to visit his friends there every summer. The first day Sidahmed moved to his new house in Iowa City, he saw some boys playing football across the street. Just like any other 10 year old boy would, Sidahmed went to go play with them.

This is how he met his best friends. Sidahmed loves his friends, but sometimes they can get on his nerves. “Of course everybody has that friend that goes out of his way to annoy you.

He tries to make me mad, he plays around too much, and is way too goofy. He always gets ev-

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Of course eVERYbody has that friend that goes out of his way to annoy you. He tries to make me mad, he plays around too much, and is way too goofy. He always gets everyone into trouble.”

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eryone into trouble.” said Sidahmed.

When they are not annoying Sidahmed, his friends also help him out if he is having a rough day. Sidahmed’s friends will always make it better by either making a funny comment or them just doing a fun activity such as going to the mall or each other's houses to hang out. They go to Panchero's frequently, which is currently Sidahmed’s favorite restaurant. “Mostafa is the sort of friend you go to when you need to hear a funny joke,” Sidahmed’s close friend Ali Ali ’17 said. Ali and Sidahmed have been friends for three years and they usually hang out during lunch and sometimes breakfast.

In the future, Sidahmed hopes to go to college,

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and then work in a business. He hopes to eventually become the CEO in a big business such as Apple or Microsoft. After becoming an important person in the business world, he wants to start his own company. “Starting your own business has a high percentage for failure, so I want to work and then start a business,” Sidahmed said.

Sidahmed isn’t too sure about how his future is going to turn out. All he knows is that he is ready to make it big in the world, and he knows his friends will support him along the way. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “In this world, nothing can be said to certain, except death and taxes.”

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weaty palms, people with blue mask, people yelling and telling you to push, while you're behind is on the bed and your back is on the pillow. It looks like you're about to jump out of your body.

To the side of you, your

husband is standing right there holding your hand. He's sweating more than you, but he’s trying to calm you down. It feels like you are in a pain that you can't describe.

You're screaming to the top of your lungs, as the baby head is coming down your down legs.Your hus- she has her first she plans band faints, you scream and the on being married, and all her babies mixed. She will be 20 doctors tell you to calm down. years old when she has first and her baby.Taicheal, her best You lay down you're huffing breath your get to friend for years, will be the puffing trying back. You look down and you see Godmother. blood down your legs. You feel dizI asked Lanier would zy, and you pass out for just a little the she be a mean mom or nice bit. When you wake up, you see your to baby your g mom.”I'm going to be a fun doctors handin mom, because im fun, borhusband. ing is so boring”. Lanier reYour husband eyes are plied with a warming smile.

filled with happy tears, as hes hold- I asked her what was her ing the baby, the only thing you can definition of fun, “ not boring do is put your hand to your mouth haha”. Lanier said. and gasp. You gesture for your The reason why I husband to bring your baby boy to you. you're amazed as how small choose to interview Lanier the baby is in your hand, it seems on having children, because like you're an giant. The baby is like at this point of time this is when teenagers are getting the completed of your family. pregnant or thinking whethThis is how Lanier 17 wants er if they want kids or not.

her first pregnancy to go. ‘I want So I decided to see if Lanier a boy first, so my son can protect wanted to have children, if my daughters’. Lanier said. When she had a plan. It turns out she does. I asked her cousin

Patty would Lanier be an great mother. She simply replied “Umm. laughing out loud, yes she would be a great mom, but she can't watch my kids”.

The main thing I focused on was what type of mother would Lanier be. I asked her what type of relationship she would want for her and her children to have, she said ‘ I want a relationship like a friend relationship, but they would know where the limits are;

I want them to be comfortable and know that I'm here for them” Lanier said. When she said that she had concern in her voice, as if she didn't know what was her position.

I began to ask, but then again iwas like ok.

She began to go on as she just don't want to be a regular mom she wants to be

a mother her kids want to be.

Lanier wants to be a teacher before she has a baby, she wants to make sure her baby as everything in the world. I asked Lanier would she spoil her baby” yes i will spoil all my kids, my kids are my world and I shall give them that”,Lanier said.

By: Taicheal Petty email: pettytaicheal@ gmail. com

Life of a Violinist By miriam perez

miriam.prz359@gmail.com

10 fast facts about Yiming Liu 1. Favorite food: rice.

2. Know’s how to solve a rubik’s cube in under a minute.

3. REALLY wants a cat.

4. Favorite shows: Game of Thrones and Sherlock.

5. Biggest habit: pencil spinning.

6. Favorite book: Song of Ice and Fire series.

7. Favorite Celebrity: David O’Russell, director of the movie: Silver Linings Playbook.

8. Her idol is her father because, he started off as a poor man in a small village in China and got out when he was older and became a successful man.

9. If she could travel anywhere around the world she would travel to Korea to go shopping.

10. Favorite store: Zara

Imagine being on a stage. The lights are bright and shining down on your face, making you squint a little to catch a glance of the audience.

The pianist is on the left waiting for you to start performing; you’re nervous, almost too nervous to move a muscle. Butterflies are in your stomach, you feel like you can just faint any minute now and then this will all end. This is exactly how Yiming Liu ‘17 felt on that important day….

Liu was only nine years old when she had her first recital. She had been preparing herself for weeks by practicing day by day her violin solo until she had it perfect. Finally, when the day came she remembered it as the most nervous day of her life that she’d never forget.

“It became more real once I heard people clapping,” said Liu. Once she heard the sound of cheering and clapping she was ecstatic, she could never have been more proud to be able to perform by herself.

Now 14 years old, Liu describes herself as a bit brave but more in the quiet and shy category. She has been playing the violin and also the piano for as long as she can remember. She moved here to the U.S

when she was 2 years old, and almost immediately started to learn English and how to play the violin. Liu’s inspiration comes from Li Yundi, who is a very good pianist for his age.

Liu dedicates all her free time playing the piano and violin. You may think that Liu only plays the violin and piano for fun but, she also loves to read as well. Her favorite book is, Wuthering Heights by: Charlotte Bronte.

“It was really dark for a classical book,” Liu described.

She also likes to watch movies from time to time. One of her favorite movies is, Lord of the Rings. Liu’s sister, Yiyi describes Yiming as cute and adorable. “My sister tries to act normal in public but is crazy once she’s at home.” says Yiyi Liu. Yiyi is hoping to see Yiming still focused on school in the next 5 years or so and is successful with her music as well.

Her Life In Music Notes

BY MARY MONDANARO

Marymondanaro@gmail.com

Y

ou are standing on a stage in front of thousands of fans.

You always get a little nervous before performing, but this is a whole different feeling. You feel excitement.

It’s like going on stage gives you a high that you can get from nothing else. This is what Jory Lamp ’17 craves. Lamp wants to be the bass player in a famous rock band when she grows up.

Lamp has had an obsession with music since she was in fifth grade when she would always play guitar hero with her siblings.

“I fell in love with it. To me, rock songs have a deep meaning. I have always been able to relate to them, whether they are about feeling hurt or family problems.” said Lamp.

Lamp is really into Rock, Hard Rock, and Heavy Metal music. Some of her favorite bands includeThree Days Grace, Paramore, and Slipknot.

Lamp not only loves to listen

to and learn about music, but she plays the bass too.

“I have never heard Jory play the bass before, but I know she plays a lot and she has pretty much been obsessed with it since her brother started playing,” said one of Lamp’s good friends, Mikayla Johnston ’17.

Lamp has been playing the bass for eight months and she will hopefully continue playing throught her entire life.

Lamp’s favorite song to play on the bass is “Brick By Boring Brick” by Paramore. Lamp shares a bass with her brother but hopes to get her own someday. Other than listening to and making music, Lamp works at Fareway and plays softball in her free time. As you can probably tell, Lamp is a very busy girl.

If Lamp had one million dollars, she would buy a five string bass guitar, give some to her mother to help support her family, and buy a car.

Lamp lives in a house with

Photo of Jory with her younger sister Jody

eight other people. She lives with her mom, her mom’s boyfriend, her four brothers and sisters, and her two step siblings. Lamp may live in a house with a lot of people, but she is still her own individual person. Lamp thinks that it would be a very fun to be in a band when she gets older.

“

AS LONG AS I AM DOING ANYTHING INVOLVING MUSIC, I AM HAPPY.” -Jory Lamp

FAST FACTS

Favorite color is purple Favorite subject in school is art Favorite thing to do besides play the bass or listen to music is draw Favorite food is scotcharoos

Maddy Axt: Artist on the rise FAST FACTS

HOW MADDY DESCRIBES HER FAVORITE DAY: -MARATHONING ANIMES -HANGING OUT WIHT FRIENDS -DOODLING CONTESTS -ANY KIND OF ART

BY CLAIRE MURRAY

claire.cl.murray@gmail.com

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ou’re in class, scanning the room to somehow find an answer to the question on your paper. You’re hoping that somehow it’ll pop out of the walls.

You look to your left, still searching, but instead of finding your answer you see a shy girl doodling fascinating artwork in her spiral notebook.

The next thing you know, you’re asking her for her name. She replies with “Maddy Axt.” Axt ’16 is a sophomore at West High who was born in Cedar Rapids. She describes herself as “I can’t really hold a conversation well, and I always have to move my hands,” Axt said.

Axt has two older sisters and a niece that lives with her. Her dad is a guitarist and her mom is a realtor at Lepic-Kroeger. She loves to make songs and clothing, as well as going to anime cons -- or wishing she could go to anime cons. Anime cons are a convention focused on anime cartoons. They are held in a convention center and attendees dress up as anime characters. In the convention center there are a vari-

“

[Art is] relaxing; if I’m stressed I can just sit down and start drawing... until drawing stresses me out; then it’s just a stress circle!”

-Maddy Axt ‘16 ety of activities and panels for the attendees to enjoy.

Axt loves Anime conventions but,“They’re so expensive!” said Axt. Axt enjoys doing many activities, but the one that really stood out was her love for art.

“Art has always been very important to Maddy,” said her mom, Jane. “In the last six years she has concentrated on her drawing skills.

She has improved her skills by practicing daily,” said Mrs. Axt.

Axt loves abstract, realism, and anime art. All the young artists around the world fascinate her; she usually finds them through social media, specifically Tumblr. Her junior high art teacher loved her and even entered one of her pieces into an art show. So why does Axt love art so much?, “It’s relaxing; if I’m stressed I can just sit down and start drawing... until drawing stresses me out; then it’s just a stress circle!”

Axt said she didn’t take art se-

riously until the summer of 8th grade. I was amazed by how much she knows, considering the time she’s really taken interest to it, even though she hasn’t been immensely interested in art for too long, how has it impacted your life so far, if it has? She replied with, “My social life went down the toilet.”

She loves art so much she’d rather do that than socialize at sporting events, or at the mall. To Axt, art is life.

Singing Your Heart Out Facts about Miriam

Miriam Perez ’17 possesses something that very few others have: star quality. When Perez was 12 years of age, she and her sister, Ivette Perez ’15, auditioned in a talent scouting function in Cedar Rapids. After singing her way through the first audition, the sisters received the highly coveted ‘callback’; meaning that the judges responsible for the function responded positively to their singing abilities and star quality.

Favorite Singer- Lia Michelle Favorite Tv Show- Glee, Austin and Ally Favorite store- Forever 21 Favorite Style of music- slow songs, pop/rock Favorite food- Spaghetti Favorite months of the year- March and December Other Languages- Spanish Birth place- Iowa City Future plans- Law school Talents- Singing, piano

Perez remembers lucidly the nail-biting wait af- Imagine the heartbeat tapping of the shiny drum set, a guiter the audition for her highly anticipated callback. tar, and a baby grand piano, all there for the sole purpose of “After my mom got off the phone, my sister and I helping you perform. The bright lights of the stage reflect off were screaming! We were so excited,” Perez said. of the metallic cymbals, casting a perplexing translucent glow through the dimly lit seats of a ghost crowd.The sharp eyes of Being from a rather monotonous region of a vast ocean the judges pierce through you like an icy stake; you’re the center of corn fields that is Iowa, to most, the glamour of Hollyof attention. The stage is bright, but you must shine brighter. wood and show business seems like a divine seraglio light years away in distant galaxies. But for Perez, her breath- “The first two auditions I was nervous, but for the third, I of-fresh-air persona was almost unfazed by it, even at wasn’t,” said Perez. Callback after callback, Perez and her elder first expressing that nothing exciting had ever happened sister traipsed their way through nerve-wracking auditions. to her, which is subsequently and even obviously false.

“After three auditions, it was determined whether or not we Perez’s good friend Claire Murray ’17 describes her as would be going to Hollywood or LA to pursue a career,” said Perez. kind and caring. “She’s a really good friend.” says Murray.

“She did tell me about the audition, and I knew she was The singing sisters were in fact presented with the opa good singer in the school choir. She also told me about portunity of going to the coveted U.S. city, though ulher singing competitions in which she placed well in.” timately decided against it. It would have been a big gamble both financially and mentally, though it was the Though Perez vaguely remembers which songs she per- dream of every young girl at that age -- to become a star. formed for her potentially fate-changing auditions, she re- “I’ve always wanted to sing,” says Perez. She gives a far off, members the three judges sitting in front of the stage; two men sumptuous gaze, casting silver and gold luxury auras of a and one woman dissecting her every note and movement. caged bird wanting to spread her wings and fly, and sing.

Home Is Where The Pool Is

Splish! Splash! Boing! Since he was little he always loved to swim. The feel of the water on his skin, the rush of adrenaline diving off the high board with big dreams to join the West High boys swim team, to feel the rush of the crowd roaring as you swim towards the finish line.

Benjamin Bliven ‘17, has enjoyed swimming since he was a little boy. Every summer he would spend his days at the pool and in the water any other chance that he got.

“Swimming helps clear my mind and helps me concentrate,” said Bliven. Concentration has been a problem for Bliven and swimming helps him regain the focus he tends to lose.

The most memorable experience swimming was when he jumped of the high board at the North Liberty community pool going for the perfect dive and ended up flipping over and landing on his back. Ouch.

He says he and his friends got a good laugh out of it. Once Bliven joins the West High swim team he believes his dives will improve greatly, “it would be a fun experience,” Bliven said. Though that trick off the board was not his best one, he expects that with the support of a team behind him he hopes to help bring the team to a big win.

Though swimming is Bliven’s favorite activity, he also enjoys biking, is in the marching band helping cheer on our football team and pump up the crowd every game. In the next 20 years he hopes to be settled down and working a job that he enjoys. Bliven’s biggest influence in life is his grandfather who has always been there to support him.

Swimming is a fun hobby for Bliven but he hopes that in the future he could turn a fun hobby into a big success, if not winning medals and trophies then by learning new skills and holding the same passion that he has now. “I’m not the fastest swimmer and don’t expect to break records but it’s something I just really love to do,” Bliven said.

FAST FACTS 1. Ben has been to Florida 7 times 2. Knows how to build computers 3. Has a dog named Miley 4. Plays the clarinet 5. Likes video games

BY: AZEMINA LISINOVIC AZEMINA1@GMAIL.COM

Diving In

The Swimming life of Freshman Cameron Cook

BY TAYLOR LIBBY

Extra Laps

F Hobbies: Playing the violin and eating Old Schools: Went to Horn Elementary, Northwest Junior High school Family: Younger brother (11), Mom, Dad Future: Medical School

The smell is the first thing you notice as you walk in. Along with the white-blue walls and the wet tiled ground. The charts of the competitive times hang on the wall to remind you the reason of why you are there. Nothing else can compare to the way you feel when you walk into the swimming pool.

Cameron Cook ’17 has been swimming for as long as she can remember.

“At the end of the two week swimming lesson my instructor told me I had to either skip a level or go on to the swim team,” Cook said. “I was done with swimming lessons so I chose the swim team.” And so the start of Cook’s swimming career begun.

Her coach, Don Spellman, has been the head coach of the Iowa City Eels organization since Cook started. Spellman was the one who got Cook started on the long distance event where you swim for one mile.

Cook has many goals for her swimming career; she would like to have state qualifying times as well as sectional qualifying times to name just a

few. However, the Olympics are not included in these goals. Cook said “(it’s)too stressful.”

Like most athletes sometimes the journey to suc cess can be tough. Cook has admitted to thinking about quitting sometimes but never times that were too serious. “ It takes so much time” said Cook. This especially true since her practices are usually 2 ½ hours long with it taking over dinner time. Although Cook definitely knows how to manage her time well.“I think one of the most admirable things about her as an athlete is that she understands that a balance in her life is important,” said Jenny Pigge ’17.

Pigge is a fellow teammate to Cook.

Of course there are always the things that stomp over any chance of quitting the sport you love. “I like the mental state it puts me in,” Cook said. “Nothing else puts me in that frame of mind.” Her future plans in clude graduating from medical school in order to be come a medical researcher.

On Stage With

Mary Mondanaro

BY JORY LAMP

jorylamp@gmail.com

Y

ou stand on stage, but it’s dark. When you regrets. “I try and do everything I want to do because look out, you see rows and rows of chairs, life is short,” Mondanaro said. filled by rows and rows of people. The lights This is why she is also involved in diving with Hawkeye come on. Showtime.

Divers, and makes time to do everything she wants to This is an all too familiar scene to do so nothing gets pushed aside. Besinger and show choir participant sides diving, singing, and showchoir, Mary Mondanaro ’17. Mondanaro has Mondanaro also enjoys reading, been singing since she was a little girl; which is something many people are she decided to take it a step further and “very surprised” to learn about her. join choir in 2011, and then take it even Mondanaro plans on joining West further when she decided to join show High’s school newspaper, student choir, in 2013. senate, and 14/40, West’s volunteer “She goes at it full force. Her facial club, in her next four years of high expressions are really good.” Mikayla school. Her biggest goals for high Johnston ’17 said. school though are to “be rememShe enjoys singing to pop music and bered, help people out, and make a broadway musicals, of which Wicked Mondanro (left) and 8th grade Science change.” After high school, Mondanand Les Misérables are her favorites. teacher Dr. Patricia Witinok (right). aro plans on going to college at Notre One of her biggest musical inspirations Dame to “continue making it part of is Adele. “She’s the only [singer] I feel her life,” since her grandfather and is actually real,” Mondanaro said. According to Mon- uncle both went to school there, and her family spends danaro, pursuing a singing career is unlikely, but not a lot of time there to visit and attend football games. completely out of mind.

There she hopes to study business, like her father, who When it comes to getting involved, Mondanaro has no is an entrepreneur.

MONDANARO ON DIVING 1. Q: WHAT IS DIVING? A: DIVING IS A SPORT WHERE YOU DIVE OFF OF DIVING BOARDS INTO WATER. 2. Q: WHAT GOT YOU INTO DIVING? A: MY DAD KNOWS THE OLD IOWA DIVING COACH AND WANTED ME TO TRY DIVING INSTEAD OF GYMNASTICS WHICH IS HARDER ON THE BODY. I WAS SCARED AT FIRST, BUT THEN I LIKED IT. 3. Q: FAVORITE THING ABOUT DIVING? A: THE WAY IT FEELS WHEN YOU DIVE DOWN UNDER THE WATER. 4. Q: WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT DIVING? A: GETTING OVER THE MENTAL FEAR.

A AYL L

After seven years of Tae Kwon Do, Layla’s still not tired of it.

By Mikayla Johnston

You walk into the field house. It has the same open space and feel of a big warehouse. It’s very hot and stuffy and it smells like sweat.

This is where Layla Hannaford ’17 practices Tae Kwon Do, for one to one and a half hours three times a week. “It’s a good skill to know if you ever get in trouble,” said Hannaford, “but some of the instructors are not the best.”

Most of the time she practices at don’t like nerves,” Hannaford the University of Iowa Field House, said. She has gotten “Most but sometimes she practices at the Outstanding Female Student” Iowa Gym-Nest. “The Gym-Nest is once and has received “Most better than the field house,” Han- Outstanding Student” twice. naford said, “It actually has air conAbout a year ago, Hannaford ditioning.” convinced a friend, Elena As for tournaments, Hannaford has Johnson ’18, to join her at Tae never been in one. “It’s because I Kwon Do. “Layla convinced me by pretty much bugging me about it until I joined,” said A typical practice starts with bowJohnson, “She kept on saying ing to her instructors and then to ‘I’m the only girl in the class!’ the flags of the United States of until I joined.”

America and then Korea. They Johnson thoroughly enjoys then proceed to stretch and warmdoing Tae Kwon Do with Hanup. Next, they practice kicks, naford.

“Doing Tae Kwon Do blocks, punches, and forms. Near with her [Hannaford] is mainly the end of practice, they practice fun,” said Johnson “She’s a counting in Korean. “We practice black belt and I am a lower our knowledge of the culture, too,” belt; because of that, we don’t Hannaford said. get to work together that often, She first started practicing Tae but it’s still fun.”

Kwon Do a little more than six years ago, when she was just unFast Facts about Layla Hannaford der eight. She first got into Tae Kwon Do because of movies and FULL NAME: Layla Li Hannaford TV shows. “I kind of just like marAGE: 14 tial arts,” explained Hannaford.

Almost seven years later, she is BIRTHDAY: September 5, 1999 now 14, and she still doesn’t have another reason for why she keeps HOBBIES: Tae Kwon Do and Video Editing doing Tae Kwon Do. “I just like it,” she said.

LIKES: Electronics and Internet Hannaford says she likes Tae Kwon Do, “because I think it’s fun, you get a good workout, learn to defend yourself, and make friends,” Hannaford said. “It’s good to know if you ever get in trouble.”

DISLIKES: When people walk really slow FAVORITE SUBJECT: Math or Science FAVORITE COLOR: Lilac or Light Blue FAVORITE WEBSITE: YouTube

Lily

Westemeyer building a brighter future

BY MCKENNA HARRIS

MCKENNAHARRIS78@GMAIL.COM

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iggles, screams, the pitter patter of children’s bare feet hitting the floor, smiles all around that brighten your day like no ot her... well at least for Lily Westemeyer ’17. Her love for children started at the age of seven, when she was just a child herself. “I just love watching them grow… I want to make a difference in their lives,” said Westemeyer, and she is doing just that.

Westemeyer realized her love for children when she was just seven years old when she would join her mom at work. Her mother, Laura Westemeyer is the creator and owner of The Children’s Center for Therapy in Iowa City. At the age of seven, Lily would join her mother at work by joining a peer group at the center. There she would talk to the kids, set a good example.

“I would just be there for the kids as a friend,” Westemeyer said.

As she grew older she realized she had a definite love for children she started to babysit kids around her neighborhood. “I baby sit a lot, it is one of my favorite things to do (on her free time),” Westemeyer said.

As Westemeyer is working to be a role model herself, she has one of her own. “I look up to my mom… she is so independent. She always pushes me to be a better person,” Said Westemeyer. Westemeyer wants to follow in her mother’s footsteps and make a career

of working with children.

“Lily has a true gift…” said her mother Laura Westemeyer. “She had volunteered (at the Childrens Center for Therapy) many times and helps children with her kind demeanor. She is very patient, and her soft spoken nature is appealing to the many children we serve.”

Although she doesn't know exactly what career she wasn't to pursue she knows she wants to make a difference.

She wants to do this by working with children and being able to teach them new things and become their role model.

FAST FACTS FAVORITE FOOD: STRAWBERRIES AND NUTELLA SIBLINGS: JOE(12) LUCY(10) PETS: 2 DOGS AND 3 CATS FAVORITE COLOR: PURPLE FAVORITE HOBBY: BABYSITTING FAVORITE HOLIDAY: CHRISTMAS FAVORITE CANDY: RESSES FAVORITE ANIMAL: CAT

“I want to make a difference. Even if it’s just one person’s life, that would even accomplish my goal,” Westemeyer said.

Outside of babysitting and working with kids, Westemeyer is also very dedicated to school and her grades. She is dedicated and loves to accomplish her goals. “My parents always push me to be the best I can be and get good grades, but self-consciously I am always thinking about the learning aspect,” Westemeyer said. Westemeyer loves a good challenge. Along with the babysitting and school work she wants to take it further than that.

“I want to do something I love (as a career) but is also challenging to me,” Westemeyer said.

“It’s a great joy as a parent to watch their child find something that exudes the best from them, and being around children does that for Lily.” Laura said.

Mikayla Johnson Fast Facts

Singing Solos

favourite color: pink favourite food: shrimp favourite sport: swimming TV: revenge, scandal, adventure time, bob’s burgers, family guy Movie: breakfast at tiffany's first memory: it was a dream when she was 4 siblings: 3 sisters all younger

M

ikayla

The first thing you see when you walk to the middle of the black stage is all the people’s faces turn and their eyes following you to the center of the stage. You notice your parents in the back row smiling and giving you their support. The only thing you are concentrating on is the microphone in front of you. The bright light shining in your face. Your hands feel wet with sweat. You think it’s now or never and try not to mess up. That is what Mikayla Johnson ‘17, feels every time she steps on a stage for a solo.

“She is a great singer and very committed to what she sings,” said shanthi Chackalackal ‘17,.

Johnston first started to sing when she was just 3 years old. She was inspired by her father when he played his music and she used to sing along. It wasn't till she was 9 when she joined Iowa City Girls Choir. From there she has sang two solos, but she left the Iowa City girls choir. She was still singing and when she went into junior high, North Central, she decided to take choir as a class. It was a regular day in choir when the choir

Johnston

By Layla Hannaford

teacher said that solo auditions were going to start and the sign up sheet was on the door. Johnston has done solos before but it was the first time she has done on in a school choir. She thought to herself its now or never and signed up. Three weeks later the choir teacher announced the soloists.“I was really happy at first then I got nervous.” said Johnson.

The night of the concert we asked Johnson what was going in her head that night right before she went out on stage,” everything in the world could go wrong will go wrong.” Johnson said. Three years later Johnston has had ten solos and has been in four different choirs. Well you are probably asking her how she does it? “at first you are excited, then right before, you’re a little scared, but as soon as you are done you are like that was awesome lets do it again,”

English, as a second language...

BY MOON FANGMAN

moonfangman@gmail.com

BY MOON FANGMAN

W

hen you think of Central America or South America, most of you will think about beautiful beaches and gorgeous sunsets. But the reality is, some places in that region are struck with poverty and low education. For some, the only escape is moving to the United States. But how will they communicate? How will they be able to find jobs and resources without knowing the English language? fourteen year old Allie Biscupski ’17 from Downer’s Grove, Illinois, is one of the many people who sees this as an overlooked problem, and says enough is enough.

Biscupski has been taking Spanish as a second language for almost three years now. She has lived in the Midwest her whole life but doesn’t want to stay here forever. “I love the city of Chicago, but other than that I really don’t like the Midwest,” said Biscupski. “there’s just not a lot to offer.”

Biscupski’s plan for after high school is to get her teaching license online and travel to Central or South America so she can help children around the ages of 14 to 16 learn English as a second language. One of Biscupski’s best friends, Sofia Perez ’17 said, “I think she will do great because

she loves learning about new cultures and learning new languages, herself so she’ll be a good teacher.”

But Allie doesn’t plan on teaching her whole life. She also really likes the idea of -traveling all over the world. “I want to study abroad as much as I could,” said Biscupski. “There are so many people and places and I want to see them all.”

One of Allie’s favorite quotes, and one of her many inspirations, written by Algerian Saint Augustine of Hippo is “The world is a book, and people who do not travel only open one page of it.” When thinking about traveling on your own to new places with new cultures and new types of people, not knowing what to expect, most people would be very nervous to do those things with very little guidance.

Allie, on the other hand, is very excited to be on her own and discover things by herself. “Going on vacation with your family and friends is fun, but it’s different than being on your own,” said Biscupski.

FAVORITES

HOBBIES

FAVORITE COLOR: RED FAVORTIE MUSIC GENRE: INDIE FAVORITE BOOK: ENDER’S GAME FAVORITE TV SHOW: THE FOSTERS

- DANCING - PIANO (FOR TEN YEARS) - READING

Birds of a Feather

BY DANETTA DOBRE

danettadobre@yahoo.com You know the old saying. Christina Dai ‘17 gives us an insightful glimpse from within the Chinese-American community. traditional Chinese instrument, and spent forever teaching him how to

W

hen it comes to duck and chicken feet, the Chinese sure aren’t winging it. Food is an important part of Chinese culture, as Christina Dai ’17 already well knows. From Mooncake at Chinese New Years, to rice and dumplings for everyday meals, the cuisine is as endlessly diverse as its people. But how do families of a culture with such a massive discrepancy react to America?

Fourteen year old Dai is fully acquainted with such a life.

There are several perks to living in a Chinese-American household. According to Dai, she has profited from the infamous academic expectations many Chinese parents set on their children. Their level of studiousness has helped her guarantee good grades, even if sometimes the pressure can be very stressful. Dai also assured us that yes, duck and chicken feet are a delicious Chinese delicacy. Dai has been learning Mandarin at Chinese school since she was seven years old. She enjoys it, though, “... it’s incredibly hard.

But I guess that’s the way all of Chinese culture is like.”

The house parties aren’t so bad, either. Many from within their Chinese community and Chinese church gather together with plenty of food and overly active children. They even rent a shelter at Lake Macbride once a year for their congregation.

It’s not all fun and games, however. “I don’t like the how they favor boys over there,” Dai said. “Once, my great uncle gave my brother an erhu, a

play. I got nothing, and they treated me like I was five.”

There are some other differences and similarities between American and Chinese-American households. For example, Chinese-Americans typically take their shoes off and put slippers on before entering a house, while Americans leave their shoes on. Dai finds the huge pile of shoes beside the door thoroughly amusing whenever she’s at a gathering.

“

EVERYTHING I DO IS CHINESE.” -Christina Dai ‘17

Dai has made many friends and friendly acquaintances through the Chinese community. She’s completely integrated and more than happy to discuss her Chinese heritage. “Everything I do is Chinese.” Dai said.

Yiwen Gao ’17 and Dai have known each other for a long time. When Jon first met Dai in 3rd grade, she thought Dai was extroverted and enjoyed helping others. Jon has also witnessed firsthand Dai’s tendency to put off her homework to the last minute. “[Dai] really likes to sleep,” Jon said. “So it’s really hard to get her up.”

Dai’s heritage is a vital part of who she is. From academic studies to house parties, her lifestyle is influenced more by her Chinese heritage than anything else.

danettA DOBRE

No Need for a Publisher

BY CHRISTINA DAI

christina.dai18@gmail.com

F

anfiction.net. Wattpad.com. Quizilla. com. Livejournal.com. Tumblr.com.

Most have never heard of the majority of these sites, but Danetta Dobre ’17 knows every single one of them. And while they are not well known around here, millions of people around the world partake in the entertainment they provide. Tumblr alone has 300 million monthly users. What kind of entertainment is this, you ask? Well, according to Dobre, it’s a type that many people look upon as a bit perverted, known as fanfiction.

“People usually couple fanfiction with anime, which is looked down upon as a show for middle-aged, unhygienic, live-in-the-basement-oftheir-parents kind of men.” Dobre said. However, Dobre is trying to change that. Dobre is one of many aspiring young writers who reads as well as writes fanfiction. She very much enjoys it and is not ashamed to admit it.

Dobre looks fairly quiet at first glance. She’s a small girl with a pair of Converse on her feet and black square frames perched on her nose.

In her ears sit a pair of black earbuds that seem to always be somewhere on her person.

“She was the green jacketed short girl who never took out her earbuds completely...I thought she was awesome,” said Maggie Terry ’17, who is one of Dobre’s close friends. Though Dobre may not be a big girl, she has lots of room in her heart for a large number of obsessions. “[Dobre] loves Supernatural, Star Trek, Misha Collins, Sherlock, Harry Potter; the list goes on and on,” Terry said. Misha Collins is a particularly primary obsession.

“He’s, like, the greatest, most kindest person in existence,” Dobre said.

Dobre also finds time to do some extracurriculars, like choir and spending time with her Romanian community even though much of her time is taken up by screen time. A notably big chunk of that screen time is taken up by the social networking site Tumblr.

Tumblr is a deep, deep hole that can never be climbed out of after fallen into. However, this deep abyss holds a lot of meaning for people like Dobre because a lot of inspiration for writing and fanfiction exists there. To Dobre, fanfiction is an exploration of what’s already there.

That’s one of her favorite things about it; it’s not completely fiction because it is something that could very well happen.

Even though Dobre is very passionate about reading and writing fanfiction, it is not something she wants to do for the rest of her life. She has ambitions about becoming a psychologist.

Terry mentions that she thinks Dobre will be a good psychologist.

“She understands people very well,” Terry said. As for her fanfiction career, Dobre will keep reading and writing as a hobby and will continue to zealously support fanfiction. One of her favorite quotes, said by @NightValeRadio, is “There is no such thing as fiction. Just non-fiction written in the wrong parallel universe.”

INSPIRATION Out of Tumblr’s millions of users, there is one that stands out to Dobre. She is known as Askance, but requests that others call her Askee. Askance is a nineteen year old english/ film student who specializes in writing Supernatural fanifics, which is mainly why Dobre idolizes her so much. Askee’s writing style is very poignant and emotion evoking.

“It’s more like poetry than just writing.” Dobre says, “She doesn’t use punctuation in a lot of her writing, and she makes it so smooth.”

working in the

Field

by Cameron Cook

S

oftball isn’t just a sport, it’s life for Taylor Libby ‘16, and it’s a life she’s lived since age eight.

“If I didn’t have softball, I don’t know what I’d be doing,” Libby said.

We don’t know what she’d be doing either. Libby started tee-ball at the young age of four, and moved to the more advanced sport of softball at eight. She’s been in the Jaguars Organization ever since she started and recently began playing Southeast Iowa AllStars as well.

“It’s a lot more time taken off your hands (to play in two leagues). It’s pretty much softball all the time, besides schoolwork, of course,” Libby said, “and no social life.”

All that hard work and time put in pays off. Libby plays five hours a week during the fall and ten in the summer, but she is still critical. “[My idea of a successful season is] making it to state, for the team, and getting a .400 or .500 batting average for a single person,” said Libby. She achieved this only once, on her team two years ago.

Softball isn’t all fun and games though.

“You always have those kids who are like, ‘why’s she on the team’ and you have to look past that,” Libby said.

Despite this, Libby sticks with it.

“It’s cool to see the differences in teams; the things that work for them work for them, and the things that work for you work for you.”

But it all boils down to the games. How does Libby deal with it?

“Before most games I get really pumped up and kind of hyper,

EXTRA INNINGS

Pump up Song: Jorge Quintero--300 Violin Orchestra Usual Position: Catcher Best Pre-game Snack: Watermelon Best Post-game Snack: Snickers bar

but when we actually start warming up I get really focused,” said Libby. “When we have big games, I put my music in so that it gets me ready, and then I feel really ready to just give it all I have.”

Libby’s friend, Madi Miller ’15, says she can’t wait to see what Libby will be like at the end of her softball career.

“I believe that softball comes easily to Taylor. She plays with confidence and a great attitude,” said Miller. Miller is also confident; confident that Libby has excellent character.

“Taylor is an amazing person, friend, and teammate. She makes softball more than just a game.” Miller said.

Libby, though always immersed in the world of softball, has other life goals as well, among them becoming a graphic designer for Seventeen magazine. According to her, the designer always gets to do the cool stuff.

“I’ve always been creative, rather than [working with] the hard facts,” Libby said.

Ambition isn’t all she has, though. She’s already job-shadowed a graphic designer, and is taking intro to journalism at West High to learn how magazines work. It doesn’t mean some of her hopes aren’t a little up there, however.

“I’d really want to meet Harry Styles. He’s a celebrity and [as a graphic designer] I’d get to work with those people.”

But for now, at least, Libby can safely say softball will stay her main focus.

“Softball to me is like water to a fish. I am most at home on the field with a glove in my hand.”

A Traveler’s Life

Azemina Lisinovic

BY BENJAMIN BLIVEN benjamin.bliveswss@gmail.com

FAST FACTS

V

rrrrrrr…. Is the sound the plane makes when Azemina Lisinovic ‘15 takes off to go on an1. Is allergic to all animals other trip. Azemina Lisinovic ‘15 enjoys playing basketball, and is annoyed by almost 2. Is going to Italy and Monanything. Lisinovic is also graduating early, tenegro next summer (first trimester in her senior year,) and her most challenging subject is math. She is taking journal- 3. Has a very large family ism so she can get enough English credits to gradu- 4. Hates drinking milk ate early. She played basketball in junior high at 5. Hates math Northwest, and likes to play basketball a lot.

Lisinovic was born in Germany. She moved to Iowa when she was only two years old. When she graduates, she wants to major in criminal psychology.

She is influenced by her friends, and her favorite sport is basketball. But, what you might not know about her is that she has been to Bosnia twice, Slovenia once, Croatia twice, and Germany twice.

While in those countries, Lisinovic likes to go shopping, and hang out with her friends. One time she went to the Adriatic Sea. The water there is super clear, you can see right through it! She also stepped on a sea urchin. Ouch.

Some interesting things about Bosnia are that you have a lot more freedom. There aren’t a lot of laws like there are in the United States. While there, Lisinovic visits her grandmother and friends, however she wouldn't want to move there because the economy is bad, but she still likes to stay there because she feels like she has a lot more freedom and has a lot of fun.

“I like going to see my friends. It’s fun, and it is nice to see everyone when I travel. You have a lot of freedom, and you can basically do whatever you want” said Lisinovic ‘14 One time in Bosnia, she was with her friends and they went out late, even though they weren’t supposed to. When they got home they tried to put the key in the lock, but it wouldn’t work! So, they had to take the screen off of the window in climb into the house. Later their friends dad came home and they were all laughing.

Teaching America’s Next

Generation

BY ALLIE BISCUPSKI

albiscupski@gmail.com

O

n any given day, you can find Moon Fangman ’17 at her friend Rebecca Sandhu’s house doing everything from completing homework, to watching television, to singing duets with Rebecca. The multi-talented freshman hopes to become an English teacher. “I want a job that leaves an impact on someone,” Fangman said.

Fangman didn’t always want to be an English teacher, though. When she was younger she wanted to be a policeman and was always interested in the profession. If she wouldn’t be able to teach, she still wouldn’t mind being a cop or, preferably, a detective.

Since then, she has grown an interest in reading and writing. “When you’re writing, you can revise and edit your story,” said Fangman, “It’s fun to think of a way to put your own twist on a story.”

Fangman would like to take her love of reading and writing to the chalkboard. While little kids are adorable,

High school freshman sets sights high THIS OR THAT CATS OR DOGS? CATS BLACK OR WHITE? BLACK SHORTS OR PANTS? SHORTS SUMMER OR WINTER? WINTER VANILLA OR CHOCOLATE? VANILLA

she would like to teach an older audience. She definitely wants to teach high school, preferably sophomores and juniors. “They’re in that transition stage from child to young adult; I like that,” Fangman said.

Fangman’s best friend Sandhu thinks she should definitely stick with the career path she wants to take. “I think it’s amazing she wants to be an English teacher and she would be really good at it!” Sandhu said.

As for college, Fangman doesn’t have everything planned down to the last detail, but has a general sense of what she wants. Having lived there for less than a year when she was three, Fangman would like to go to school on the west coast, hopefully residing in San Diego. “It’s warm and diverse. I love the weather and beaches,” she said about California.

As a teacher, Fangman wants to leave an impact on the students she teaches.

Fangman said, “I’d like my students to remember me as a good teacher.”

An Adventure in the Open Air

At first there was nothing but a lull breeze and the enourmous ruckus coming from the boat.It took a bit, but eventually all was said and done and the boat finally started moving. You are gripping handles tight, hands sweaty in anticipation. For around three minutes you are but merely hydroplaning on the surface of the water, but then suddenly, you feel a slight tug at the back. At first you make a few small jumps every now and then, but you gradually gain speed, and jumps turn to bounces, and after a minute you stop bouncing and start hovering above the water for a few feet and gaining. It doesn’t take long for the loud sounds of the boat to somehow completely be drowned out by the silence of the air. The view, to be concise, is breathtaking. From only 50 feet in the air you could see about a mile in all directions. To one side are the crisp, brown beaches of Destin, Florida, and to the other is the crystal blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico.This is what most people might people might have visualized when West High Sophomore Avery Smith ‘16 described his first experience in the arts of parasailing.“[Parasailing] created a relaxing atmosphere”

Avery so far has only parasailed once in his life while vacationing at the small coastal town of Destin, Florida.

What is parasailing? you ask.

Well, let me tell you it is not a hang glider attached to a boat, but rather, a parachute attached to a seat which happens to be attached to the boat. By the dictionary definition, parasailing is “A sport in which a person is harnessed to a parasail and are towed by a fastmoving vehicle on either land or water.

When asked on whether he would mind parasailing over the open road via a car, Avery Smith said “That would be really interesting” According to Avery, parasailing is overall a fun and exciting event, saying, “I [would] definitely do it again.” He also said similar words about showing his future children the sport (after reaching an appropriate

By Ali Ali

age of course!). After he asked about how easy it was to start parasailing, he told me, “The profcess was just hook up, hang on, and ride.”

Abdalla Ali, ‘16 another student at West High School, said about Smith, “He’s very intelligent and kind, and [you] can get a good laugh from him.” They first met at while doing cross country in middle school. According to Ali, over the years, there wasn’t much difference between the Avery of now and the Avery of then. “My life would be less pleasant without someone to talk [to] about intelligent puns At last, its half an hour of constant parasailing and you see, rather than hear, the motor-boat’s engine dying down and the boat itself slowing as it neared the pier. You see the winch reeling you back in and hear its unrelenting creaking. as you make your way back to land, you suddenly realize how memorable an experience this will be. After experiencing it once, you just can’t wait until you get back in the air again.

Quick Facts About Avery Smith: Favorite color-purple favorite sport-running favorite meal-spaghetti with alfredo favorite breakfast-waffles with maple syrup and whipped cream favorite dessert-cheesecake favorite video game-Team Fortress 2 Marvel or DC-Marvel favorite superpower/superhero: Hulk

WE BE JAMMIN Ryo Ohashi

By Nate Armento Ryo Ohashi, grad year 16, loves music and can even play it. He practices piano and he is also in all state, bass choir, and show choir.

Ryo started to play the piano seven years ago when he was inspired by his sister who has been playing from before he was born.

He likes all music, but his favorite is classical. “I feel like classical just comes natural to me,” he said. “My friends listen to it and I just ended up liking it.”

Ohashi has been in multiple piano competitions like the local IMTA (Iowa music teacher association) and he even tried for national, but has not been able to get through regional. He has tried two years and this year will be his third and is hoping to get to regional this time, but says its fine if he doesn’t. He has entered the competitions both years in the junior division, but this years he will try for the senior division.

His best friend ever Nate Armento, grad year 17, says, “I really hope he does great and I will be cheering from my bedroom in spirit.”

Ohashi and his family moved to the U.S. from Japan when he was three. He moved from the suburbs of Tokyo to Iowa and has been here since. His whole family speaks Japanese, but only him and his sister can speak English clearly and fluently.

Some of Ryo’s hobbies include; sleep, play-

ing on the computer, listening to music and hanging out with friends. He also likes soccer, pokemon, anime, and food. He wants to be viewed as a cool, funny, smart guy by his friends. “He’s cool, interesting, and really smart,” his friend Shea Yamashita,grad year 16, says. “He’s a pretty jammin dude,” his friend Ricky Rodriguez,grad year 16, said.

Ryo Ohashi lives a regular music filled life in Iowa. Maybe one day he’ll be able to play the piano as great as Sergei Rachmaninov, Vladimir Horowitz, or Sviatoslav Richter, but for right now he is just a regular teenager going to high school.

Favorite song: Rhythm of love Favorite artist: Pentatonix Favorite sport: Soccer Favorite food: rice Favorite teacher: Mr. Haas Favorite actor/actress: Hugh Jackman Favorite book: Ender’s Game Favorite class: Bass Choir Homecoming? Yes Favorite movie: Les miserables

BY CONNER BRUNS NOTCONNERBURNS@GMAIL.COM

1. Current favorite song: Miserable at Best By: Mayday Parade 2. Number of states visited: IDK 3. Number of Days while age 7: 1 year 4. Pets: Dog named Thunder 5. Favorite Food: Asian food

“Welcome to The Man’s World” is one of the numerous hacked public lobbies Ricky Rodriguez ‘16. Rodriguez doesn’t enjoy major hacks such as this one. “I hate, like, the ‘Welcome to The Man’s World’ because all you do is spawn and die, spawn and die,” said Rodriguez.

Ricky plays on mainly PC and Wii U. Rodriguez doesn’t go all out when gaming. “I just really play with only my controller,” Rodriguez said.

“First time i talked to him he seemed like a cool person. And since then i became friends with him,” Ryo Ohashi ’17 said about Rodriguez.

Fun Facts About Fanta:

1.Undercover bragger ( in a fun way ) 2.She is super helpful 3.Likes dancing in the streets with friends 4. Doesn't like to think about sad thing 5. Loves to listening music, when she has a lot on her mind 6. Wants to be a therapist when she gets older 7. Likes to keep Nice and sweet people around her 8. In Love with Chuck Taylor Shoes

I wonder what goes through Fanta Karembe’17 mind because getting to know her was a blast. As I was interviewing her I had a fun time because we joked around, shared fun and weird stories with each other also laughed a lot. I chose to focus Karembe’s personality because its amazing, weird, and interesting. The first question I asked Fanta was “How do you hope people describe you?”. Right off the back she knew the answer, she wants people to describe her as a nice, helpful, and bipolar person. What caught my attention was when she said “Bipolar”. I looked at her in a weird way and she said “ I know it sounds crazy but really I am.’’ She laughed.

Not just her personality is interesting but also the music she listens to.“ What kind of music do you listen to?”.

She took her time answering this one but then she said a type of music I never heard of. “ I like Rap music, 1% of Pop music , and Dubstep music” said Fanta Karembe ’14. I asked her what was dubstep music? She said “ Dubstep is electronic music”. I learned something new that day. Then she gave me an example of Dubstep music and I surprisingly liked it. “ What do you look for in a guy? Or what type of guys do you like?” When that question was asked. A big smile appeared and said “ I like boys that are tall, active, and strong.

And the boys also have to be sweet and nice.” Fanta Karembe basically like an outgoing type of boy because she is outgoing as well. Then I asked a follow up question which was “ What would you call a perfect date?”. “ My perfect date is to go to the movies or just chilling at home watching television.” Karembe said. Fanta wants a relax and calm relationship with a guy.

My time interviewing Fanta Karembe was fun and I got to learn so much about her. I can truly say her personality is unique.

By: Sydney Hemphill

9th grader

Leola Eko: the Singing Sensation

BY ELEANOR HO

eleanorcpbw12@gmail.com

A

thirteen year-old steps forward, nervously tapping her fingers on her leg.

She faces the rows of fellow churchgoers, takes a deep breath and opens her mouth. A few among the crowd wince as she begins to sing. When her first solo ends, she gladly retreats to her spot amid the rest of the choir.

Later, she realizes she was off-key.

Despite that misstep, Leola Eko ’15, hasn’t stopped singing since. Eko sings in both her church’s choir and the school’s choir.

“When I’m in a choir, I feel like I belong,” Eko said, describing how she feels when she sings.

Eko grew up listening to Michael Jackson, Prince, and other artists during long car rides with her parents. She also enjoyed singing along to commercials on the television and watching music videos on YouTube. Eko currently likes to listen to Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Foster the People. Eko has been influenced by her favorite artists, as well as her church choir director, who she said made her do the solo mentioned above.

“She has practice usually on Saturdays, but sometimes very early on Sunday mornings,” said Sipra Eko, Leola’s mother, commenting about church choir practices.

While interviewing Eko, I noticed that despite having to wake up early on Sundays, she’s a cheerful person who smiles often; a little shy at first, but warms up quickly. She describes herself as awkward, strange (“in a good way”), and sociable.

Fun Facts about Leola Eko: Second Favorite Hobby: Tennis Favorite song: Applause” by Lady Gaga Favorite animal: Sloth

“This past June, when Vacation Bible School took place at our church. Leola volunteered as a music leader, along with two other girls. Leola is a bit clumsy, and she didn't know the songs, or the hand motions that went along with them very well, due to the short amount of time given to learn them. During the closing ceremony, Leola kept messing up the moves, and her name tag, which was dangling on a long string around her neck, kept flinging all over the place and ruined the motions she was trying to do. And the audience, which was mostly younger children from Pre K. to 6th Grade, thought that this was hilarious. But, being herself, Leola just laughed along and had the best time,” her mother said.

Eko started singing in choir in the seventh grade. She is a part of the concert choir, participates in band, and has won awards for her piano talents.

“I’ve always made sure choir is on my schedule,” Eko said, smiling, no doubt recalling fond memories of singing and messing around with friends.

Eko considers herself an academic person. Her favorite classes include introduction to journalism, choir (of course), and econ. She also plans to take the SAT in April or May in the coming year.

“I want to stay in the Midwest,” Eko tells me, looking thoughtful, as I ask her about her future.

She wants to go to college, and is considering studying at Iowa State to become a doctor. She also dreams of someday getting married and having kids. Who knows, maybe one of them will be as good of a singer as she is!

Favorite show: Criminal Minds Least favorite food: Rice Pets?

No, but she would want a hamster

Pet peeve: When people are mean If she were an animal, she would be: a giraffe Band instument: Alto sax

l e : a y l e h j n c o Mi Mo The King of the Court Fun Facts About Michael Moonjely 1. Favorite subject:Biology 2. Favorite food:Hungarian Goose Liver 3. Preferred sports drink on the court: Water (Dasani preferred) 4. Accomplishments?: Attained 4.0 GPA all throughout Junior High 5. Favorite Social Media Website: Instagram 6. Apple or Android?: Android 7. Favorite Vacation: South Africa or Brazil 8. Favorite Brand: Polo Ralph Lauren 9. Favorite Athletic Brand: Lacoste 10: Favorite superhero: Batman

BY JIUNG JUNG

jjjiung@gmail.com

About 8 years ago, Michael Moonjely ’17, was hitting tennis balls back and forth with Mark Blume at North Dodge Athletic Club.

Since then, he has been working harder and harder per day. His work has not gone to waste. Today he competitively plays in tennis tournaments and trains at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation center in Iowa City, Iowa.

Moonjely first picked up a racquet and started hitting tennis balls when he was about five or six years old. He now plays USTA tennis tournaments around the state and has competed very well in them. He has won many matches against people from all across the state.

“I enjoy tennis tournaments. Even though I’m sometimes nervous before my matches, I always get over it before the match begins,” said Moonjely ’17. “It’s also great physical activity.”

He trains almost every day at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation center and he has been improving much as a result. He trains with Abby Jans, ’17, and Cole Schneider,

‘17. He also works with a coach. He takes lessons from instructors at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Center. He hopes to play for West High varsity tennis by his sophomore year and hopes to play tennis until his senior year at West High. “He definitely has the potential to play on West High’s varsity team.” said Michele Conlon.

Moonjely’s role model is Roger Federer when it comes to tennis. “I love how he is so calm on the court. I need to learn that from him.” said Moonjely.

Moonjely isn’t the only one in his family that plays tennis. In fact, his whole family plays tennis! Moonjely and his father are the best in their family at tennis, “I’m a little bit smarter when it comes to playing matches. However my Dad is a little stronger and hits more powerful balls.” said Moonjely. His mother play’s recreationally and his sister plays competitively.

When Moonjely isn’t on the court, he enjoys playing soccer and hanging out with other friends. However, tennis is still Moonjely’s passion. “I love tennis because it’s a sport that makes you push your boundaries emotionally and physically,” said Moonjely.

Who is Sydney Hemphill?

Sydney Hemphill ’17, age 14; Sydney would love going out

and exploring the world but in this weather, “Chilling in a air conditioned room is all I can do” said Hemphill FUN FACTS ABOUT ’17.

SYDNEY When Sydney isn’t doing -Loves Rihanna much she likes reading -Likes to dance and she’s currently reading -Sticking her hand out of Stolen, and I’m not even a car, in the middle of the going to lie it’s a very excitstreet ing book. Also hanging out -Adventurous with her nephew when he’s -Likes to pretending to be not annoying, but I think like Bèyonce that’s how they all are.

-Scared of giant baby She remembers when he heads had, -Hanging out with Grand“Accidently thrown my ma, because she buys her really cute blue slippers in chips the toilet, i was obviously -She’s obsessed with blue annoyed and furious so i lollipops gave him two empty pieces

of empty bread when he asked me to get him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich” Hemphill said.

So far, interviewing Hemphill has been a pleasure and I’m not just saying that because we’re good friends but because she brings positivity about everywhere she goes, for example she knows that my dad and I have a bad relationship and I feel as if he doesn’t love me, “ Well people have different ways of expressing their love for each other” Hemphill said.

Her positivity makes it almost hard for her to be mad at you, me, or anyone, unless you bring all your negativity towards her for no apparent reason.

Like many teenagers, Hemphill likes her family- when they’re not too annoying. She says her sister, “Puts a lot of weight on me knowing i’m still young”, and

in response I let her know that all that stress put on her is only to make her not only good woman but a perfect one as she grows.

Sydney Hemphill’ 17 She also admires her grandma very much, she remembers of a time when her aunt and her were just driving along and stopped at red light and you wouldn’t guess who was parked right next to them, her grandma; to show off how silly their love is, Hemphill and her grandma reached their hands out the car so their hands would touch ‘TOGETHER FOREVER’ they shouted.

Hemphill also admires Rihanna and Nicki Minaj. When asked why she loves Rihanna she says “Rihanna is a thug and she’s not afraid to wear or do anything she wants, which encourages me to do the same as a teen or even when I’m all grown up”.

Since we are both journalist, I informed her that I was planning on dropping the class and she says the same but when she finds out she could have a chance in being in the newspaper she takes it back.

When I asked what Hemphill wants to do in the future, she responds with a simple “We’ll see where life takes me”.

“Smiling even in pressures and pain is not pretending.. It's a strength from GOD that enables us to go on in spite of everything”.

Club

BY EVELYN KNIGHT EVELYNDANIELLEKNIGHT@GMAIL.COM

Fun Fact

Fair

Rosters fill up in the cafeteria at the 2013 club fair on September fifth. Recruiters successfully lure students to join their clubs with candies and cookies spread out near their booths giving off a Halloween like atmosphere.

Talk about “sweet talk!”

The atmosphere is hot and sticky. students swarm like bees in a beehive searching for a area to keep their honey; in this case it is students searching for a list to write their name on. the peppy dance marathoners dance on tables in frilly purple tutus and sing to “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey at the top of their lungs. The brunette in the middle screams “ sign up if you hate cancer!” Across the way quidditch club returns their screams yelling “get that snitch! Join quidditch!” Meanwhile the fencers of fencing club quietly sit awaiting other students to come up and speak to them.

In the opposite corner E.A.T.S! an eco friendly club that has“a lot of fun” says one of the leaders in a yellow print skirt; offering out zucchini bread instead of candies. Next door to the E.A.T.S! club stands a goofy cardboard cutout of a tree? Cardboard? In the shape of a tree?

A member from theatre club later approaches my asking if i would be interested to join their club that “eats snacks and watches movies, why not? it’s free.”

Between the loud music from the dance marathon fundraisers small purple boombox, the spread of chocolates, taffys, and varieties of bread. All you need is west highs large number of students in a hot smuggling atmosphere with a handful of candy and boom! You have West High Schools annual club fair.

Iowa city west high school has over 100 clubs and activities for students to participate in.

PHOTO CREDIT TO MADIE MILLER

15 Year Old World Traveler:

An Exlusevie interview by Zayetzy Luna lunazayetzy@gmail.com

She’s only 15 years old, yet she’s traveled to 6 different countries, an exclusive interview with world traveller Morgan Schmitt-Morris ’16. Besides traveling the world, Schmitt-Morris loves to play soccer. Lucky for her, she was able to put the two together back in 2012, when she went Europe with her soccer team.

In Europe she went to Denmark, Germany, and Iceland. “They were the best vacations ever,” SchmittMorris said.

In Denmark she went to a monument called the Little Mermaid. According to Schmitt-Morris’s friend, Lexi Shaffer ’17, the statue is based on an old Danish movie called the Little Mermaid. This movie is very similar to the Disney version except that the mermaid only wanted to marry the Prince because she wanted an immortal soul like him. Even though she does not achieve this and is to die the sunrise after he marries a Princess, the little mermaid gets a chance to get an immortal soul by becoming an air spirit and doing good deeds to achieve her soul.

In Iceland she went to the Blue Lagoon. While at the Blue Lagoon, “Me and my friends put gooey sand from the banks of the lake on their faces because of its supposed cleansing properties,” SchmittMorris said.

Schmitt-Morris has gotten use to the tolls of traveling, jet lag, weight loss, and the strange food. Though some of her friends have not. “I guess some of us lost a few pounds

when we were over there because the food was different and also because the time change affected everyone,” Shaffer said about her and Schmitt-Morris’s reaction to Europe.

Besides traveling with her soccer team, Schmitt-Morris travels with her family every summer. She has gone to Mexico, Japan, and The Bahamas. She loves to travel because she gets to meet new people and find out about other cultures and lifestyles. Mostly, she loves to travel because of the rich history that other countries have compared to the United States.

For this reason if Schmitt-Morris were to move permanently out of the country she would move to Copenhagen, Denmark, because of the “oldness of the buildings and the cleanliness of the towns,” Schmitt-Morris said.

Schmitt-Morris plans to travel the rest of her life. A place she would like to visit is the mountain of Machu Picchu in the Andes. She says she would like to go there because she loves to hike and do vigorous physical activities.

Also “It’s that age thing again … How so long ago they could put city up there, how that old civilization was so modern, it amazes me.”

Schmitt-Morris says. A girl with hopes, dreams, curiosity, and bravery to see the world, Morgan Schmitt-Morris world traveler.

Fast Facts about Morgan Schmitt-Morris Favorite Sport: Soccer Favorite Sports Team: US National Womens Team Favorite T.V. Shows: How I Met Your Mother, Parks and Rec., The Office Favorite Color: Blue (just blue) Favorite Food: Chocolate Favorite Vacation Spot: Denmark Favorite Class: History Favorite Season: Fall or Spring

He’s On

a

Roll!

FAVORITES

• ice cream: cookies n’ cream • Food: burritos • Sport: Hockey • Video game: Need for Speed:

BY EBONY MCKEEVER It’s a lazy afternoon and you decide to do something to pass the time, whether it is writing, drawing, or even updating your favorite social media site. About halfway through your task you feel a change. Something in you has clicked and you begin to smile, “I love this,” you think to yourself, “I love it.”

It’s not uncommon for a person to find something they’re passionate about, but it’s almost like a miracle when they discover it early in life and are able to practice it frequently.

While most six year olds in the 2000s were busily watching Caillou or terrorizing the neighborhood armed only with tricycles, Alejandro Drey ‘17 was taking his first tentative rides on a skateboard. The board was a gift his father gave him in an attempt to make his child feel better, since Drey was feeling sick at the time. The board was about half the size of a normal skateboard, nevertheless, a young Drey named it Bulldozer and he has been skating ever since An average day of his consists of going to school, babysitting, and then skateboarding for however long he sees fit.

Since he describes himself as a street skater it’s unlikely that he’ll be able to pursue a career in skateboarding but that doesn’t stop him from being passionate about it. He has

Most wanted

even modeled himself (to an extent) after Rob Dyrdek, the host of several shows on MTV and a casual skateboarder.

Drey’s liking for the TV star shows in his laid back sense of humor and stylish DC-esque shoes.

Along with his infatuation of skateboarding, Drey has also developed a liking for art. He says he has been drawing for as long as it’s been possible for a child to pick up a crayon and haphazardly scribble on a sheet of paper, but his skills as of late have improved since his toddler days. The art form he prefers is traditional sketching with only a paper and pencil, and he mainly draws cars, surrealism, and fanart. Over the years he has developed his own drawing style, perhaps to better express himself. The only art form he seemed to dislike (at least when he draws them) are cartoons, as in comic strips and graphic novels. “It’s impossible to draw those things, like, you have to make everything the exact same…” he said.

To describe him, Drey’s friend Nick Sehr ’17 simply replied with “He’s a hipster, he doesn’t think things through very well…” The first statement being easy to believe, since Drey has insisted on wearing a grey beanie every day without fail.

...Jiung Jung ‘17 could just be what West High boy’s tennis needs

BY MICHAEL MOONJELY mmoonjely9@gmail.com

A

s Jiung Jung ’17, takes the court, he tries to remain calm, as he knows the task at hand will require great physical and emotional strength. As the balls fly through the court, Jung coolly returns the ball. This is what Jung loves the most. As Jung talks about his tennis career, you can see the joy in his face. “Tennis has always been my passion,” Jung said. “It is a great individual sport that you can play with anybody.” Ever since Jung moved to Iowa City at age seven, he has loved the sport of tennis.

He started playing tennis at the state of the art Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex in Iowa City, with coach Michelle Conlon, the director of the Hawkeye Tennis Academy in Iowa City. Jung advanced quickly through the tennis class levels and advanced to the academy level of playing-the highest level offered at the center. Jung quickly became a leader at the facility, and befriended several other players.

At the age of 10, Jung started to play USTA tournaments. “ I always really like tennis tournaments, because they teach you to become a good competitor,” Jung said.

With only a couple years of tournament experience Jung

FAST FACTS ON JIUNG JUNG

PREGAME SNACK: SUBWAY PREGAME DRINK: GATORADE FAV SUBJECT: MATH TENNIS IDOL: ROGER FEDERER CLOTHING STORE: WET SEAL

won a futures tournament, which Jung describes as a regionals tournament, and played in several National Tournaments. As of now, Jung holds the number one ranking in the boys 14’s division in singles tennis. Aside from tennis, Jung is a star in the classroom. He received a 4.0 grade point average in junior high school, and was involved in extracurricular activities such as playing the violin in the orchestra.

As for the future, Jung has many goals. Jung also wants to take his tennis career to the next level, and play collegiate tennis. “College tennis is one of my biggest goals. I have always dreamt of playing tennis after high school,” Jung said. For now, Jung is currently trying out for the boy’s varsity tennis team at West High. “The varsity tennis program at West is great, and the team always finishes very well at state. It would be great to play on the team my freshman year,” Jung said. Varsity or not, Jung’s hard-working attitude and passion for the game of tennis makes him a force to be reckoned with on the court.

RESTAURANT: PAGLIAI’S DESTINATION:HAWAII MOVIE: WORLD WAR Z SINGLES OR DOUBLES? DOUBLES SINGER: JUSTIN BIEBER

Nate Armento:

His Story

By Ryo Ohashi

ryohash1231@gmail.com

As young Nate Armento’17 wakes up in his slightly dusty minivan, he gazes out the window. He notices the blue sky and the never ending corn fields. As the thumping of the car echos in the quiet highway, his father in the driver’s seat said, “Son, we are in Iowa now. It’s a new life. Don’t make new trouble.”

However, Armento, a typical everyday teenager, faced hardships when he was little. He used to live in Gulfport, Mississippi, where gang fights were not uncommon. His older brother took part of these gangs so there were gunfights and drug dealings close around him. His family struggled economically as well. They occasionally had nights without dinner. They moved up along the river, living in cheap apartments. Finally, they ended Everybody has a truly extraordinary story in their life. Some you can up in Iowa, with a real house for them to live in. comfortably share with others, while some you’d like to keep to yourself.

However, at our age- not many people have truly extraordinary experi- Armento was in third grade when he moved over to Iowa. Although his ences yet. It’s just a small thing that happened at some point in their lives. living environment became much better, he still faced some hardships in That is what I was expecting from my partner; something that a modern the beginning. Because of his southern accent he was constantly teased by first world child will say such as winning a competition for something. other kids. He was really shy so it was hard for him to make friends. One Armento gave me a totally unexpected answer instead. day, however, one person approached him by greeting him in an extremely

enthusiastic manner. Shea Yamashita ‘16 was the kid who approached him You can identify Armento by his black hat covering his curly hair. He first, and also Armento’s first friend in Iowa. They became friends and are wears the hat every day, even if its 100 degrees outside, and he dresses ac- still friends now. Yamashita’s first impression on Armento was surpriscordingly to it. Some of his hobbies are listening to old rap music, such as ingly, “Obnoxious, strange, and loud.” According to Yamashita, Armento’s Tupac and Eminem, and gaming. speaking voice is about as loud as a, “jet a jet preparing for take off,” He is “I’m definitely a hardcore gamer. I’m the type of person that will finish awkward and shy around people he meets for the first time but is still loud. his homework as soon as possible and spend the rest of the day playing Call of Duty. Its not rare for me to stay up past midnight playing games,” Armento now has more friends than he did in third grade. He got over Armento said. He also enjoys knife collecting. So far he has seven or eight his shyness and is now much more open to people. He no more has his knives from pocket knives to even short swords. Armento started collect- southern accent. He is planning to join the navy when he graduates. His ing knives because of his grandfather. His grandfather had a knife collec- dream is to get a medal, but not exactly a medal from the navy. tion as well and one day he gave his grandson one of his knives. Since that “I don’t like medals from the army,” said Armento, as I asked him what day Armento started collecting knives. He also had, “An interest in sharp he wants to accomplish in the future, “It’s usually for being the only one objects,” since he was little. alive or saving one person.What’s so rewarding about that?” He describes the medals as “medals of guilt,” emphasizing not being able to save your colleagues and other people than yourself or just one other person.

1. Favorite Game: Red Dead Redemption 2. Favorite Food: Spaghetti 3. Interesting Fact: Did all nighter playing games multiple time 4. Favorite Artist: Eminem 5. Favorite genre of music: rap 6. Favorite sport to play: Soccer 7. Favorite sport to watch: football 8. Favorite professional football team: Patriots 9. Homecoming? : nah brah 10. Collections: knives

After 5 years in the army, he is thinking to go towards computer engineering.

“I think that engineering is fun, and is going to be a fairly stable job choice,” said Armento with a bright smile as I interviewed him in the noisy news lab room. For Armento, despite his dark, hard past, his future seems bright like his smile.

Hannah Song: Teen With A

TArGET

Teen spends free time focusing on helping others.

BY ISABELLE ROBLES isabeller99@gmail.com

This

OR

That?

Cookies or cupcakes?

Books or movies?

Chocolate or vanilla ice cream?

Summer or winter?

Cats or dogs?

Early bird or night owl?

Pepsi or coke?

Oreo cream or cookie?

Animals. A lot of people love animals, right? But, do you love the stench of the poop or pee? The sounds of your bird chirp, chirp, chirping in your face? Your dog clawing at the ground? Your cat scratching at your arm? For Hannah Song, ’16, it’s all a part of the… “job.”

Song has been volunteering for five years and she enjoys every minute of it. “It feels good to know you’re helping someone,” Song said.

It all started in 5th grade on a school field trip. She played board games and played her viola for the elderly in the nursing home, and on the way out, a woman stopped her. She got out a piece of paper with a picture of a horse-shaped tombstone on it. “She was like ‘Oh, my husband just died, so what do you think of this design for his tombstone?’ And we talked about that...,” Song said.

Despite the occasional uncomfortable situations, she still volunteers, and has been regularly every summer and every Thurs-

day during the school year at a variety of places since. She volunteers mostly with friends and occasionally with her sister.

She has volunteered at Emerson Point, The Iowa City Animal Shelter, Pet Central Station, Mix and Match Animal Center, and the Coralville Public Library. She has done everything from walking dogs and washing dishes to playing Sorry and making snacks for first graders. Her favorite place by far, though, is the animal shelter.

“I have an interest in animals,” Song said.

She has met some pretty cool ones, too.

She’s worked with one cat that had one eye and front legs that were too short compared to the rest of his body. “He was an outsider cat; no one else liked him,” said Song. “I liked him a lot.”

Despite being an active volunteer,“She can be really sarcastic at times,” said friend Ebony McKeever ’16, “It can lead to strange happenings.” And as for the future? McKeever predicts that the happenings will continue to occur in the future.

A Gamer At

Heart

You think you like Pokemon?

Wait till you meet Connor!

By Ricky Rodriguez

C

onner Burns ’17 first found his passion for gaming at the young age of four, playing Super Mario World on the classic Nintendo SNES. He didn’t stop there though. Burns soon found that he didn’t only like video games but that he also enjoyed the popular card game Pokemon. Burns soon found that his favorite pastime was evolving into something more, a passion, a passion for the games.

Burns is probably the most competitive Pokemon player i know, he plays every sunday and competes so much that even his mom is thinking about competitively picking up the game. When asked about his tournaments, Burns said, “It smells like when the cafeteria is 100 degrees and then times that by ten.” But the smell isn’t enough to keep Burns away from the game, and competes sometimes up to twice a week.

Burns is also an avid first person shooter/Call Of Duty fan. Although he is not a big Black Ops II fan, he loves Modern Warfare 3 and MW2. “It’s not my best COD,” says Burns, Burns is more about droppin M.O.A.B.’s on MW3.

Despite his dislike for BO2 he still really enjoys zombies and can’t wait for the new map pack. “The new map pack is going to be awesome!” said Burns, unfortunately Burns will have to wait another month before getting his hands on it due to legal issues but in the meantime he can focus on honing his Pokemon skills.

FAST FACTS Favorite C.O.D.: MW2 Favorite card game: Pokemon Competitive wins ratio: 15/3 Longest gaming session: 27 ½ hours Favorite Sport: Football

Video games may be a passion for most but Burns would like to take it a step further. “I’d love to test and design games in the future,” say Burns, and with his skills this is definitely a possibility in the future. Although Burns has found his career of choice he has other options. “He’s a funny dude,” said Alejandro Drey ’17, and all of Conner’s friends agree. “I’d be more of a Dane Cook type of comedian,” says Burns..

Who knows? Maybe someday Conner will be burning through the industry , while Dane can only cook up a nice hearty meal of retirement.

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W

alking into West High’s room 109 seventh period and finding Zayetzy Luna ’17 sitting attentively in Mrs. Whittaker’s introduction to journalism class would be no surprise.

Why? Because she’s a writer.

Although Luna sits in a room reserved for journalism, she prefers to write fiction and fantasy. “[I like that] I can make up a whole new world,” said Zayetzy Luna ’17 of her genre choice.

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Luna gets some of her ideas for her stories from dreams.

Along with her dreams, some of the stories are even based upon herself. Luna likes that she can be the hero or villain of her own story, returning to that appealing idea that she can make up her own world.

Not only is fantasy her favorite, but it is also the reason that she began writing, “I just started writing fantasy pieces and really liked it,” Luna said of her experience.

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Iowa City West High

Freshman

2013-2014 It was just last year, in Meg Corbin’s 8th grade language arts class at Northwest Junior High that Luna knew she really enjoyed putting pencil to paper.

Luna‘s former teacher praised her ex-student, “What makes Zayetzy a topnotch student is not only her strong writing abilities but also her strong thinking abilities. She is not someone who is just looking for the right answers; she is looking for the right questions,” Corbin said.

Along with her fantasy pieces, Luna also began to write poetry in 8th grade.

With her poetry she earned a spot in Poetry in Public-a program that displays poems on buses, buildings, and kiosks in the Iowa City area.

Her piece entitled “Falling Fall,” a poem about fall dying and becoming winter

was displayed. When told that Luna had been accepted into the program, Corbin was proud, but not at all surprised by her student’s success, knowing that Luna was a superb writer.

Luna’s doubts that she would ever become a fiction writer, “... I would probably starve to death,” Luna said.

Luna claims she would never make it as a writer because she is distracted easily, making it hard to even finish a piece.

But apart from her distraction, she has already begun writing Called Upon, a book loosely based on Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series and his other book, The Red Pyramid. Although it’s a work in progress, it’s sure be great because it’s coming from the creative mind of Zayetzy Luna.

dancing

through life

By Hannah Song

Her first memory of dance was of when she was a mere six years old. It was at tap class, and the teacher had left her pupils by their lonesome. Isabelle Robles ‘17 remembers her fellow classmates taunting her, daring her, saying she couldn’t lift the heavy weights that belonged to the teacher. She was only six years old, but brave, as she walked up to the two orange dumbbells. The class fell silent and all that could be heard was the tap tap tap of her shoes.

She lifted the weights, but her time to shine quickly disappeared as the two weights in her hand crushed her middle finger. There were tears, shrieks of terror, and blood spurting everywhere as a friend’s mother wrapped the broken finger with toilet paper, and rushed her to the ER. For Robles, a bad day at dance doesn’t exist, “It’s always fun because I can spend time with my friends while doing something I like to do, which is dance,” Robles said.

Even after breaking her finger and living with the reminder of the day through her permanently crooked finger, her love for dance cannot be broken as easily. When she was five years old, and a youth group was interfering with dance, she switched studios from Nolte to the National Dance Academy. Even after trying basketball, volleyball, soccer, and other sports- Robles always preferred dance. If there’s one thing that can instantly cheer her up, it’d be dance. In particular, what Robles enjoys most about dancing is the feeling that comes with it. Say she had a bad day, a test didn’t go well, fight with a friend, or some other difficulties that come up in life. After going to dance, all those feelings would be lifted away from Robles as she danced.

“I like the emotion put into it… say you had a really bad day at school and you just go to dance, you’re not the same person, you can just express yourself through dancing,” Robles said.

The feeling of all her troubles disappearing because when she’s there, dancing, her day is instantly better. Another reason Robles enjoys dance so much, especially lyrical, modern, or contemporary, is that she can express herself in ways words may not be able to describe.

One of Robles’ best friends, Christina Dai ‘17, who Robles met at dance in sixth grade describes her as a really fun person to be around. “I really like being around Izzy because I feel like I can relax around her and just talk about anything and everything. She’s just a real cool person to be around and I love how she can always cheer me up when I’m down,“ Christina said.

Favorite…

TV show: America’s Next Top Model Bands: Mumford and Sons, Coldplay Board game: Harry Potter Clue Leisurely activity: Eating Ice cream: Chunky Monkey, Phish Food

She is not a “try hard.”

Eleanor Ho

magine this: You walk into the Band North Room at West High School. In the middle of the room, sitting on the ground, is a girl in an Adventure Time t-shirt. Several questions run through your mind. Who is this girl? Why is she here? What exactly is she doing? Why am I here? However, you begin to feel excitement as you see the girl pulling out a clarinet, and then she begins to play a slow, melodious tune that pleasures your eardrums.

Then you realize it is in fact the one and only Eleanor Ho ’17.

Ho began playing the clari net in 5th grade, when she was given the option to try out several different instruments. The ones she liked best were trumpet, clarinet, and trombone. She eventually chose to pursue the clarinet. Ho enjoys playing in marching band, which includes participating in crazy antics with friends during band. An acquaintance of Ho described a funny incident.

“On the first day of marching band practice, which was the first day we had seen each other in a little over a month, the two of us ended up running toward each other from two different sides of the room and laughing while we did this. Once we sat in our seats, we ended up laughing so hard that we cried for around five minutes.

Long story short, Eleanor ended up laughing so hard her face turned a delightful shade of purple,” said friend Ashley McMahon ’17. Ho is a big music buff, and is fond of indie rock. She also loves show tunes that incorporate trumpets and stringed instruments.

Ho, aside from being a clarinetist and

a music fan, is a big bookworm and describes herself as the “nerdy type.” Her favorite authors are Rick Riordan and Jodi Picoult. After interviewing Ho for a few days, I have observed that she is a very open minded, happy person with a hint of individuality.

“Eleanor’s personality is very individual. She is very funny and bubbly and she is also usually optimistic and cheerful,” said McMahon. Ho loves school and learning new things, and is a big fan of science. She plans to be a marine biologist in the future, because of her love for animals. She has expressed interest in studying someplace warm, Soci preferably Florida. She added that her al L ife interests are heavily influenced by her brother.

“My older brother Louis shows me a lot of science related stuff, and that is what got me excited about it,” said Ho. As a freshman, Ho is already preparing herself for the future. Some of the more advanced classes she is taking include Spanish II Honors and Algebra II Honors and wants to take quite a Random, fun facts about Eleanor Ho! few more honors classes next year, as well as some AP classes the follow1. She has an older brother and a ing years. Her favorite class is Intro younger sister. to Newspaper, and plans to take 2. She loves to eat ice cream with fruits.

Newspaper Lab next year. She says it 3. Her favorite show is Dr. Who. gives her the opportunity to be cre4. Her favorite song is Beautiful Day by ative and write down her ideas. She Michael Bublé.

5. She loves animals. dislikes math, however, even though 6. Her biggest pet peeve is when people she excels in it. play out of tune in band.

“There is nothing creative about it,” 7. She loves all books. There is not a said Ho, about math. “Just think of single book that she will not read. it this way; math is like vegetables!”

8. She adores penguins.

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By Leola Eko leolaeko@gmail.com

9. Her parents are from Singapore.

10. Her favorite movie is The Avengers.