The Envoy

THE

ENV O Y The Face of Beauty

IOWA CITY WEST HIGH SCHOOL

2901 MELROSE AVE.

IOWA CITY, IA 52246

WSSPAPER.COM

JUNE 4, 2014

Dance the night away

PHOTOS BY//AZEMINA LISINOVIC, ISABELLE ROBLES, MCKENNA HARRIS, CREATIVE COMMONS, RICKY RODRIGUEZ, RYO OHASHI

Summer vacations

Desummerization of summer

Double-edged sword

The face of beauty

The best Of West

2 UNE 2014 { DESIGN BY RYO OHASHI

20

12

7

16

10

4

#waybackwednesday to...

FRESHMEN YEAR. Graduating seniors reflect on their high school carrers and time at West. They reveal ups and downs, tips only they could tell, funny stories and how their experinces at West changed them. Fore more infromation refer to page 14.

What are your favorite SONGS of the year?

We randomly chose five songs from iTunes overall top 10 chart as off May 16tand asked students their opinion.

STUDENTS’ FAVORITES

PHOTO FROM//ELENA PLOTNER

The FIRST RAIN of the year was long awaited and brought weeks of thunderstoms with it, along with beautiful spring flowers.

1- ALL 0F ME, 34% 4

BY JOHN LEGEND 2- HAPPY, 24% 5

BY PHARREL WILLIAMS 3- CLASSIC, 22% 3

BY MKTO 4- SUMMER, 14%

BY CALVIN HARRIS 5- TURN DOWN FOR WHAT, 6%

BY DJ SNAKE & LIL JON

FOR MORE COVERAGE GO TO WSSPAPER.COM

2 @wsspaper asked West High students

What are three words to describe the school year so far? @bekkuhha:

Too high expectations.

Becca Staib ‘16

Zach Richmond ’14

@HysaRodriguez:

Hysa Rodriquez ‘17

@mynameis_graham:

Graham Robles‘16

Ready for summer.

Yolo, swag, hesher.

COMPILED BY//ISABELLE ROBLES

2

NEWS BY THE NUMBERS:

The number of days left for students in the school year.

DESIGN BY//ISABELLE ROBLES

Side

stories

9

1

STUDENTS’ LEAST FAVORITES

4

COMPILED BY//ISABELLE ROBLES PHOTO BY//ISABELLE ROBLES

2

1- HAPPY, 50%

BY PHARREL WILLIAMS

1

2- TURN DOWN FOR WHAT, 34% 5 BY DJ SNAKE AND LIL JON 3- CLASSIC, 8%

BY MKTO 4- SUMMER, 6% BYCALVIN HARRIS 5- ALL OF ME, 2% COMPILED BY//ISABELLE ROBLES

BY JOHN LEGEND

3

What do you think when you hear the word “SUMMER?”

“

WARM, SWIMMING, SHORTS, SUNGLASSES, TAN, SOFTBALL, BASEBALL, GRASS, SUNNY, VACATION AND NO SCHOOL.” -Sofia Perez ‘17

The date of the teachers last day in June.

COMPILED BY//ISABELLE ROBLES FOR MORE COVERAGE GO TO WSSPAPER.COM

JUNE 2014 NEWS 3

“

the best of west

PIPER

WENZLE

By McKenna Harris

mckennaharris78@gmail.com

ANNIE

My favorite memory was during the Saturday afternoon show when Sandy, the dog, decided he didn’t want to come on stage and so I had to drag him across the stage while at the same time singing the song, “Tomorrow”. “

ALEX

GRADY

“

distinguished

young woman

OF IOWA

“

We ended up losing [in the state finles against Southeast Polk] but we were all really proud for what we ahd done, and we ended up winning the Team of the Year award.”

4 PROFILE June 2014

BEHIND THE MASK

“

One of our biggest accomplishments was recieving Youth Human Rights Awards, and raising $5,291.50 for To Write Love on Her Arms.”

RYAN

HANSEN

KATE

MASON KOCH

Photos from sources

“

ANSTREICHER

Our club tries to make West High more environmentally conscious through reducing, reusing and recycling efforts.

We also organize events such as Focus the Classroom and Bike to School Week, and run the West High student garden.”

EATS

BOYS RUGBY

With the overall distinguished young woman of Iowa title, I’ll be going to Mobile, Alabama for the national program. “

SLOANE

TERRILL

AIDEN KEEN

West High

BEST BUDDIES

boys swimming STATE ATHLETE

“

West High Boys Basketball

My greatest memory was when my best buddy graduated, and having that huge portion of someone’s life to be a part of.”

of the YEAR

MAGGIE

“

I’ve played basketball basicly since I could walk... its always been a huge part of my life. The highlight of the season would have to be the celebration after we won the state championship game. “

CONNOR

McCaffery

“ WHSDM

Amalon

“

Im really proud of myself for getting on the varsity team and getting to go to state as a freshman. Hanging out with my team was my favorite part of the season. Everyone on my team is fun to be with and that are all very funny.”

TAYLOR

It has opened my eyes to the struggles these families face day by day, but also what the work WHSDM does means to them.

There's something very powerful about seeing your help pay off, and it makes you want to continue helping. WHSDM sparked a passion in me that I didn’t know I had. “

Paul

GIRLS GOLF

Jordan

“

My biggest accomplishment this year was definitely winning all my events at state. Swimming has completely taken over my life. Its my passion.”

“

Curry

Counting SPIT I’ve been in seven Theatre West productions. The highlight of the play Willy Wanka for me was when Eric Millers randomly walked on stage in the final scene during rehearsal. A simple mess up but all too funny.”

S.P.I.T student produced inivative theatere

Designed by//Mckenna harris PRofile June 2014 5

AP Struggle As freshman and other students prepare for their next year, many seem to worry about their future AP classes.

However, how much of their worries are actually true?

BY RYO OHASHI

ryohash1231@gmail.com

AP test: noun. An advanced placement test where high school students take in May and all die. That’s the feeling at least.

The word “AP”makes many underclassmen cringe. The idea of taking a college credit class and a having a big test that could affect your future can be intimidating to many.

“They scare me. I cry everytime when I hear the word ‘AP’,” Julie Watkins ’17 said. She has many fears about these classes and tests like many other freshmen.

However, this might just be a facade caused by the inexperience of underclassmen. According to many upperclassmen and sophomores with AP test experience, AP tests are not as bad as they sound.

“The test wasn't too bad; Shutt prepares you well,” Austin Wicke ’15 said after taking the AP government test. Sophomores who also took the AP Euro test said that it is not that bad as well. “ I’m not gonna say it was easy but it was pretty alright,” said Ebony Mckeever ’16. “You just gotta take notes and stay optimistic. Otherwise you’ll die.”

So AP tests are not that bad. Then what gives underclassmen the idea of AP tests being horrible?

“I think it’s because everyone talks about it,” said Watkins. “[Upperclassmen] talk about how much it sucks even though the teachers prepare you well.”

According to multiple AP expirienced students, AP classes and tests are becoming more of a prank to upperclassmen. They are trying to scare underclassmen and make them unsure about their future AP courses.

So for you underclassmen scared of taking AP courses and tests: its not that bad. Do not worry about it too much. You’ll be fine. Don’t let the words of upperclassmen fool you.

“If you do the assigned readings you will do well,” Wicke said.

6 FEATURE JUNE 2014 { DESIGN BY RYO OHASHI

SCAN THIS FOR MORE COVERAGE ON WSSPAPER.COM

PHOTO BY //RYO OHASHI

die Schönheit lepota al'Jamal yoffi hebat kauneus kecantikan

DESIGN BY//ISABELLE ROBLES

HOW DO YOU TRANSLATE BEAUTY?

PHOTO BY//ISABELLE ROBLES

schoonheid fegurð čudo minune ilu beauté belleza krása

The face of beauty PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY//ISABELLE ROBLES

The media has been known to portray that real beauty can only be achieved by being skinny, blond, and blue-eyed. This has now become accepted in society. The Envoy investigates whether or not this problem occurs at West High.

BY ISABELLE ROBLES isabeller99@gmail.com

P

icture an advertisement in a magazine.

What comes to mind? A blonde-haired, blue-eyed, light-skinned woman? If so, it would make sense: According to a study done by Old Dominion University, 76% of the faces American’s see on television are white, and only 16% are black, with an even less percentage Anoushka Divekar ’16 admits that she feels pretty strongly about herself and the way she looks, but thinks everyone, especially women of color, have wanted to look like the models in the media at one time.

“I know when I take pictures I don't look like what they have in magazines and things, that's definitely when I feel the least beautiful compared to the media,” Divekar said.

Even though many women have felt insecure about beauty, there was a breakthrough this year: Lupita Nyong’o, a Mexican-born and Kenyan-raised actress, was named the Most Beautiful Woman of 2014 by People Magazine. The 31 year-old has now been chosen as an ambassador for Lancome, a cosmetics company. This has raised awareness for the idea that there is such thing as ethnic beauty in America today. Although she is now viewed by many as Hollywood’s “It 8 FEATURE JUNE 2014

Girl” because of her award-winning performance in 12 Years a Slave, Nyong’o admits she had trouble accepting her natural beauty.

"Beauty was what I saw on television, you know, light skin and long, flowing, straight hair," Nyong’o said in an interview with People. "Subconsciously, you start to appreciate those things more than what you possess."

Divekar has similar ideas.

“I think a lot of products are tailored to Caucasian Americans, simply because it looks good with them. Sometimes when I am looking for cosmetics or hair products, I try to mirror what I see in the media, but those products are not tailored to my skin, or hair type, Anoushka Divekar ’16 and it’s taken a while for me to understand that,” Divekar said Freshman Nia Basabe’s said her view of herself hasn’t been altered by the media.

“Everyone has an opinion. What’s the perfect hair and what’s the perfect skin and stuff, but [I have not been affected] makeup wise,” Basabe said.

This media rejection of ethnic beauty has lead many to change their appearance. According to the American

Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were nearly “They shouldn’t try to make someone who 3.2 million cosmetic procedures performed on they’re not. That’s just like creating another ethnic patients in 2010. This is an increase of person … you’re made into someone else,” 248% from 2000.

Basabe said.

According to Modernplasticsurgeon.com, There are many ways to avoid this drastic surgeons go as far as “specializing” in plastic measure of changing a person’s appearance. surgery of a certain race so they can easily Instead of looking for ways to change physical change their facial features into what is features, English teacher Cynthia Woodhouse desired. Dr. Shim Ching, a Honolulu plastic suggests looking deeper into the meaning of surgeon, specializes in Asian cosmetic surgery. the media.

He has found that people of different races “I think a lot of the problem is that teens often partake in are placing importance on special procedures the wrong kind of media. If to change their you don’t just pay attention to hereditary features, imagery and learn about those like a small, “button images, you’ll get more out of it. nose” that is often Even if it’s finding a model who associated with Asian looks like your race or ethnicity, women. According don’t just idolize her for the way to his website, he she looks. Learn about her. Find then created special out what her story is and if [or] procedures to change how you can relate to it. You can these features into learn a lot about what beautiful - Anoushka Divekar ‘16 more of what he claims people from your culture are are aesthetically doing beyond our borders and pleasing features. In it’s genuine,” Woodhouse said. other words, more She also suggests changing the Caucasian American way students look at themselves. features.

“I think it’s important for teens to find He’s not alone; many surgeons, like Dr. something they enjoy doing, whether that’s Brooke A. Jackson, a dermatologist located a group activity/sport, or something they do near Chicago, tells Divine Caroline in an alone. Even if it’s something that takes a while interview that these specialized treatments are to learn and you aren’t the best at it, by finding helpful and are used solely something you enjoy, you radiate confidence to enhance their beauty, as and positivity. No matter your race, ethnicity, she does or how other people see you, once you find However, many, like your own confidence and voice in something, Basabe, argue that they others will see that beauty come out in a promote American number of ways besides physical,” Woodhouse superiority and changing said.

Nia Basabe ’17 of identity.

Divekar agrees “Women of different “I think beauty is not in the eyes of the ethnicities are just as beautiful as white beholder. If you think you are beautiful, then women,” Divekar said. you are beautiful and nobody can take that Basabe agrees. away from you,” Divekar said.

“

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, THEN YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL AND NOBODY CAN TAKE THAT AWAY FROM YOU.”

What is real beauty to you?

{

COMPILED BY//ISABELLE ROBLES

Nick Deerberg ’16

Shay Raffensberger ’17

Marianne McGrane, science teacher

“When someone doesn’t necessarily look pretty on the outside, but is on the inside beacuse they are caring and nice.”

“Real beauty comes from within and it gives people the ability to see the world like other people don’t.”

“Just don’t be a Barbie or fish stick.”

DESIGN BY// ISABELLE ROBLES} JUNE 2014 fEATURE9

Double-edged

Sword

By Ricky RODRIGUEZ keepitswell@gmail.com

10 OPINION JUNE 2014

Marijuana, weed, pot, ganja, grass, drugs, substance, medicine. For years now cannabis has been seen as an evil “gateway” drug that leads our youth on the path of darkness and turns smart respectful folks into dumb, motivationless stoners. However, isn’t this just another misguided stereotype created by society? Is it possible that cannabis could actually be considered a medicine? Rest assured there is much more to cannabis than smoking a “j” in the parking lot.

Everything on this earth can be used in both positive and negative ways. For instance, spray paint is completely legal and is usually used to to add color to an object while also providing protection against the earth’s elements, interesting to note that spray paint can also be inhaled, known as huffing, to create a euphoric effect.

So should the government turn a blind eye on spray paint and illegalize its use? Of course not, there are many everyday, safe, and positive uses of paint besides huffing. same goes to cannabis.

Now let’s take the whole stoner/recreational user out of the equation and just look at the medical aspects of the plant. On the surface cannabis has great uses for helping with depression, anxiety, and sleep insomnia to just name a few. With hundreds of strains to choose from, users can find specific plants targeted at specific illness.

“I have a family member who had this really terrible disease and the only thing that made her feel better was when she could smoke”, said Grace Huber ’16.

Now let’s analyze this quote; she said weed, cannabis, is the only thing that makes her feel better. The only thing, no pills or hospital visits just a plant.

But this is only the beginning, cannabis is made up of two active ingredients: Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol, or THC and CBD for short. Now THC is the part that makes the user high but lets forget

all about that and lets focus on the truly amazing and astonishing part of cannabis: CBD. CBD unlike THC does not create any euphoric effect whatsoever so it’s very hard to even classify strains with a high CBD content as drug, especially a Schedule 1 drug at that. CBD has shown to be great at combating chronic pain and illnesses such as epilepsy. But the truly miraculous thing about this “drug” is it’s effect on cancer. Many studies have shown that in some cancers, specifically breast, CBD, MARIJUANA, actually attacks the cancerous cell and gets it to commit internal suicide therefore eradicating the cancer from the body. Not only can it be used to attack the cancer but it also has been shown to prevent cancerous tumours.

So why isn’t a plant that has the potential to actually cure cancer legal to use and obtain?

“I think the U.S.A. doesn’t want to support research of marijuana due to statistics in the rising crime rates” says Jonathan Neese ’16. Without proper research done by the feds legalizing marijuana on the national level won’t be an option.

Most politicians turn a blind eye when it comes to cannabis, and you really can’t blame them considering the propaganda the U.S. has been trying to shove in our heads for years now.

As Joe Feldmann ’16 puts it “[There is] for the most part fear, confusion, misunderstanding about weed which leads to accusation”.

People simply don’t know and moreover don’t want to know about the medicinal values of cannabis. Until society is able to open their eyes and see both sides of the story ya’ll better start packing up and head for the mountains.

JUNE 2014 OPINION 11

As West High students get older, their content of their summer become filled with volunteering, educational camps, and jobs.

The Envoy staff asked a few West High students about their summer and their extra responsibilities.

Desummerization of

BY RYO OHASHI

ryohash1231@gmail.com

Summer

12 FEATURE JUNE 2014 {DESIGN BY RYO OHASHI

Ahh, summer break. A time for rest, vacation, catchactivities, “I have very little time just ing up with friends, and just relaxing overall. Not for doing nothing. Only about 16 days all, however. total.”

As students go from junior high to high school, their As students get older, summer is summer activities change. Instead of going to the pool getting more restricted with camps with their friends they go to educational camps, SAT and volunteering. However, that preparation camps, hospital volunteering, and work does not mean that it takes away the Collin Waldron’16 “I think it’s just a part of becoming older,” said Sean fun from it. They are rather looking Chi ‘17, who applied for volunteering at forward for it. the UIHC, “the older you are, the mores “I’m super excited to see all my friends I HAVE VERY responsibilities you have.” from other schools. Not so sure about There are multiple reasons why students LITTLE TIME JUST lectures but I’m excited to learn about the chose to do more serious summer activi- DOING NOTHING. topic.” said Waldron. Aside from reunion ties. with friends, camps are doorways to new Some people are going to camps to excel friendships ABOUT in school extracurriculars like Colin “That’s another thing I like about camps.

Waldron ’16. He is one of many going to a Meeting new people .” Chi said. seven week Debate camp held in the UniAlthough summer is becoming less -Collin Waldron versity of Michigan. “Our debate coach free, it doesn’t mean it becomes less fun. teaches and I have a lot of friends going,” It increases interactions amounts with said Waldron, “It is the most well known and I went other people from other places. It is a way to make new last year.” friends that you usually wouldn’t.

Waldron feels a little congested with his summer

“

ONLY 16 DAYS

JUNE 2014 FEATURE 13

Flashback to Freshman Year The Envoy investigates how seniors have changed throughout to the years.

Scan this for more coverage on wsspaper.com

PHOTOS by//MIRIAM PEREZ

DESIGN BY MIRIAM PEREZ} JUNE 2014 WEB CONTENT 14

Rare Tracks: Haling from Manchester, The 1975 are a four-piece outfit best known for their hit singles “Chocolate” and “Sex”. Although they’ve only relased one full length album, there is a decade worth of material that might be worth checking out. Here’s a few songs to get you started.

By RICK RODRIGUEZ

pHOTO by//tHE 1975

keepitswell@wsspaper.com

< Milk

Although “Milk” isn’t officially on the Sex EP one can find it on the band youtube channel. For fans of the bands infamous hit “Sex” this song is for you, with a driving backbeat and chorus that just makes you wanna bob your head you’ll probably be wondering why it’s legal to download.

< Lost Boys

102

Written and performed solely by lead singer Matt Healy, “102” is completely stripped down and just features guitar and vocals. With a very mellow vibe the song captures a very nostalgic feel of lovers lost.

>

Like “Milk” and “Sex”, “Lost Boys” also has a great backbeat which was sometimes lost on their debut album. The song starts out relatively calm with a single palm muted guitar riff and builds up to an all out jam at the end. Healy’s vibratos during the chorus are spot on and give the song a bit of extra flavor. {Design by ricky rodriguez}

JUNE 2014 A & E 15

Oh, the places you’ll go..

The West Side Story took the opportunity to interview two of Wests students on the vast adventures they have been on

BY AZEMINA LISINOVIC AZEMINA1@GMAIL.COM

“The way the places are set up for examTwo of our very own West High students packed their bags and headed out to ex- ple, Belgrade is a huge city so everything is perience different customs and traditions tight and compact and there are so many places to go and things to see compared to around the world Barbara Badovinac ‘16 has traveled all Iowa.”

Badinovic would love to visit Paris in the over the United States and Europe. Most of her family members live in Belgrade, Ser- future. “I travel because I love changing things up and being able to do the things I bia.

Fluent in Serbian Badovinac made her love, like skiing in Colorado or swimming way to the neighboring countries of Monte- in Europe!” negro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. In addition, Badovinac has also been to Greece twice.

“My favorite place in the world is Skopelos, Greece!” Badovinac said. “It is just so beautiful, the beaches are so white! This was actually where Mamam Mia was filmed and it lived up to every expectation!”

Since Badovinac was little her and her family have been traveling. “I feel like traveling has opened me to completely different lifestyles and made me more accepting of PHOTOS USED WITH PERMISSION FROM BARBARA BADOVINAC different customs and traditions.”

Badovinac also explained how everything Graham Robles ‘16, like Barbara Badoviis new and diffferent in different countries. nac has also had quite the travel experience. In addition to Canada, Mexico and Peru he has also been to the Bahamas, the Galapagos islands, Ecuador and Macchu Pichu.

“Macchu Pichu was in such great condition for being so old.” Robles said.

Robles often travels with his grandparents.

His trip to Macchu Pichu included stopping in various cities in Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos islands.

“My favorite part was that in the Galapagos every island was a different color with different waters and sand or rocks.” Robles said.

Traveling has known to inspire people and change their views on life.

“Traveling made me realize how boring Iowa really is.” Robles said. “I often travel with my grandparents because they have a condo in Mexico and in the future I hope to visit Mexico again and Spain.”

Other places Barbara has visited: -Chicago -Minneapolis -Baltimore -San Francisco -Denver -Keystone -Washington, D.C. -Madison -North Carolina -South Carolina -Island of Kurcula in Croatia -Budapest, Hungary

DESIGN BY AZEMINA LISINOVIC JUNE 2014 17

16 PHOTO BY AZEMINA LISINOVIC JUNE 2014

.

THE ENVOY OPINION . please stop the pda .

by Isabelle Robles

“

Did you know that there is a serious problem present right here at West High School? It pops up and dots the halls on Feb.14th and every other day of the school year: Public Display of Affection.

For some reason couples find it necessary to show their affection to the other person by displaying things that really ought to be private. I recall one couple that ran up and grasped the other in a hug and then proceeded to kiss, making it as loud and noticeable as they could.

I experience similar happenings two or three times a day almost every day a week. I don’t know about them, but I, and I’m assuming a good number of my fellow students, have to get to their next class and don’t have enough time to have a three minute conversation with a person, let alone spend the full five getting intimate with a significant other.

I’ve seen and heard of numerous cases in which couples decide to display their affection in front of another person’s locker, and when the person arrives to get into their locker, they either refuse to move or take their time in doing so. Is it really necessary to thrust your tongue into anothers mouth for a solid five minutes? *GAG* Not only is seeing a couple displaying such affection in front of your locker gross, it’s rude to refuse to depart. A student at this school be allowed to go to their school locker to get their school supplies to accomplish school activities without being glared at a couple that happens to be in their way.

So please, if you happen to be apart of the small group of students that just cannot wait until after the 3:15 bell sounds to be intimate, find another way to show your partner your happiness and love for them without disturbing other students and their stomachs.

”

18 opinion JUNE 2014

{Design by McKenna harris}

. basically white .

by McKenna Harris

“

Okay, soooo I’ve been getting called a “basic white girl” lately and I’m not quite sure what to think of it. I dont know what “basic white girl” even means, tbh.

I thought “white” was just the color of my skin, and now people are pretty much putting a label on me, like my whiteness means something. But idk, maybe i’m just taking this all the wrong way.

I mean. what do I know anyway? After all, I am blonde... Ya “dumb blonde”, everyone knows that one.. but white? When did that become a thing.

So what if i’m holding a starbucks frappe with extra whip and wearing my PINK yoga leggings that are currently tucked into my grey knit bailey button UGGs? Maybe I do own like 15 pairs of the exact same leggings, and maybe I do live in these UGGs 24/7 and maybe casually nap in them sometimes… but that’s not what makes me “white girl”, right?

Okay, I will admit that baggy crew necks and infinity scarves are kinda my go to outfit… its kinda an obsession/ collection I have been gaining lately, nbd or anything. And lately the “white girl” comments have been coming at me quite hard when I wear my Olaf crew neck, but they just need to let it go.

So can I just advise you all to keep the comments to yourselves… because soon these manicured claws are commin out. Ugg. Whatever, I’m sooooo over this, please excuse me while I get back to Wanelo. Ttyl.

”

.

EDITORIAL THE ENVOY Nooks, iPads, Kuno tablets...

West High School is becoming a school with more advanced technology, installing smartboards and purchasing class sets of handheld computers like nooks, tablets, iPad minis, and kuno tablets into classrooms.

However, are they really helping?

These technological devices were installed into the classrooms this year in hopes to enhance learning using the quick accessibility to the internet and the virtual world. It is used in many classes from American history to biology, for the purpose of doing online quizzes and online research.

Some classes tried to use kuno tablets, a tablet specialized for school use. However, instead of having a cool virtual classroom type of class, it was used to make humorous drawings of people using the paint tool for more than half of the class period.

Although there are a few successful runs, one of the first associations with handheld computers in school is technological difficulties. There are almost always some devices that do not turn on or connect to the internet. Since the teachers do not know how to fix the problem they call in the librarian or the technological staff of West High. With all of the fuss, instead of completing the online quiz that was assigned, students become distracted with the technological troubles surrounding them. These technology devices are becoming more of a distraction than a nice enhancement.

So was all of the money used to buy these tablets a waste? Well it depends on what we do from now. Teachers must be educated more on these handheld computer devices instead of calling the tech crew every single time there is a problem with connecting to the school internet. They need to know how to make the tablets connect to one source and do more interactive virtual lessons. We can not say that we benefit from these devices until we know how to use these devices up to their full use.

{Design by McKenna harris} JUNE 2014

EDITORIAL 19

DAN Prom and homecoming are some of the most prominent events during the school year at West High. There are many differences and similarities that The Envoy took time to investigates.

As you may know, prom and homecoming are some of the biggest events that occur throughout the high school year. They are supposed to be nights of fun with your friends to dance the night away and enjoy yourselves. There are many differences between prom and homecoming, but they’re also many similarities, which can prove to be troublesome in choosing a favorite.

It is common to see all the women come in with their somewhat short skin-tight dress and their unbearably high heels at homecoming. The hair is usually worn down, straightened or curled to make sure it won’t fall down from a bun as they dance through the night. As for the men they come in with their dress shirts and a tie that matches their date, if they have one. The room, for where the event takes place, is designed to have a DJ, tables, and a drink station. No food is necessary because who eats at homecoming? However, some students wish that this would change.

“I sometimes wish homecoming had a food station with little snacks like cookies and stuff like that,” said Ivette Perez ’15.

Even though some wish changes were made, homecoming is still proven to be a fun night for most people.

“I like homecoming because it’s not as serious as prom, and you can also be with your friends because at prom you had to 20 FEATURE JUNE 2014 {DESIGN BY MIRIAM PEREZ

always stay with your date and it was way too serious,” said Nia Basabe ‘17.

Homecoming is usually seen as a “dance that everybody goes to” because every grade is allowed to attend. For some upperclassmen their views on homecoming seem to change the more they go to the dance.

“I think it depends on the grades because under classmen usually only care about their friends and worry about grinding, and upperclassmen just wanna dance that’s a bit more romantic in some way,” Perez said.

Prom, which only allows juniors and seniors to attend, is a dance that has more positive views reflected upon it. It’s a night similar to cinderella, as some say. Here women to wear a sometimes very long and expensive dress, it often covers their shoes. As usual the men wear their best suits, or if they can’t afford one they use their father’s old one. The guys are usually always responsible to bring a corsage for their date, if, once again, they have one. “[Prom] was much more romantic and classy, and everyone looks very very good!” said Elena Plotner ’14.

Though prom may seem to be a night to remember, some wish it was set up differently.

“The thing that bothered me most about prom was the

NCE the NIGHT AWAY

By Miriam perez

miriam.prz359@gmail.com

music..there was maybe one slow song. And that was bad. There should have been more slow songs,” Plotner said. Some dissagre.

“Everyone was just a bit too formal and it wasn’t like you couldn’t act totally crazy as you could at homecoming,” Basabe said.

When you picture prom, you see juniors and seniors out on the floor having a good time, but it’s becoming more and more popular to see some underclassmen out there as well. It may at times bring out awkward moments for the under classmen since they are not surrounded by their usual class aged peers. Yet, they seem to find a way to enjoy themselves with a buddy or two.

“It was a little weird because you’re really singled out being a freshmen, [but since I] have so many upperclassmen friends from church and Annie, it was still super fun,” said Ariel Halvorsen ’17.

“I really enjoyed myself; I was with my friends most of the time instead of with my date because I wanted to have a great time and I could only have that with my friends,” Basabe said.

Some people may think they know which dance is their favorite right off the top of their head. For others, there are so many positives and negatives to be thought about, about both dances. making it hard to decide. But there is one thing some people would agree on: you should at least go to both dances at least once throughout your high school years. One of them is bound to be a night to remember.

PHOTO FROM//CREATIVE COMMONS

FEATURE JUNE 2014 21

Summer Treats COMPILED BY AZEMINA LISINOVIC

Lemonade with Blueberry ice cubes

Ingredients: For Blueberry icecubes: -1 small box of blueberries -Water -Lemon zest -Mint leaves -Ice tray with cubes Cut mint into small pieces and and zest lemon, add all ingredients into the ice tube and freeze For homemade lemonade: -1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice -1 3/4 cup sugar -8 cups of water Mix together.

4th of July Strawberries

Ingredients -1 package strawberries -1 container cream cheese fruit dip -Blue sprinkles Wash & dry strawberries dip in cream cheese and sprinkle with blue sprinkles! Easy, fun and festive for the 4th of July!

22 DESIGN AND PHOTOS BY AZEMINA LISINOVIC JUNE 2014

Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;mores in a cone

Ingredients: -1/2 cup milk chocolate chips, or more to taste -12 ice cream cones -1/2 cup miniature marshmallows, or more to taste - 12 12x12-inch squares of heavy-duty aluminum foil Place about 1 teaspoon chocolate chips into an ice cream cone, followed by a layer of mini marshmallows. Continue layering chips and marshmallows into the cone until full. Repeat with remaining chips, marshmallows, and cones.

Wrap each cone tightly in aluminum foil.

Heat the foil-wrapped cones in a campfire until chocolate and marshmallows are melted, 3 to 5 minutes.

Meet the Staff: Two Truths and a Lie 1. He has been to four other countries.

2.He speaks Chinese fluently.

3. He won a state piano competition.

{

{

Ryo Ohashi ‘17

Isabelle Robles ‘17

1. She has a fish that is 6 years old.

2. She has been to Mexico 15 times.

3. She learned how to ride a bike at 8.

{

{

Ricky Rodriguez ‘15

Miriam Perez ‘17

1. She was featured in restaurant commercial.

2. She auditioned for Ipop, a talent agency, and got a callback.

3. She met Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis at an Iowa football game.

Azemina Lisinovic ‘15 1. She has lived in three countries.

2. She has a dog named Molly.

3. She is naturally blond.

{

{

1. He is allergic to dogs.

2. He loves sushi .

3. He considers himslelf a semi -vegan.

McKenna Harris ‘16

1. She has three dogs with the first initial “L.’ 2. She has danced at the Bolshoi in Russia.

3. She is a natural red-head.

COMPILED BY/ISABELLE ROBLES

DESIGN BY ISABELLE ROBLES} JUNE 2014 A & E 23

LIES: RYO: 2, ISABELLE: 1, RICKY: 3, MIRIAM: 3, AZEMINA: 2, MCKENNA: 3

Summer Bucket List The Envoy collects a checklist of fun things to do this summer.

ART BY/ISABELLE ROBLES PHOTO BY//ISABELLE ROBLES

1. Run a marathon.

2. Participate in the Color Run July 12 in Des Moines.

3. Volunteer at the Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Museum.

4. Go camping with a group of friends.

5. Go to the drive-in movie theater in Maquoketa.

6. Plant a vegetable garden and try to incorporate a vegetable into a homemade meal.

7. Go on a road trip, without a destination in mind.

8. Go cliff-diving/sky-diving.

9. Have an all-night-long bonfire.

10. Sleep outside under the stars.

DESIGN BY/ISABELLE ROBLES

COMPILED BY//AZEMINA LISINOVIC