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BLACK AND WHITE SEPTEMBER 2020 VOLUME 29 ISSUE 1
SEPT
EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Print Editor Online Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor
Marandah Mangra-Dutcher Savannah Dennis Kylie Emery Joel Kellar Noah Gilbert
When Jay Rice ‘94 brainstormed the name of our paper in 1991, it was not because of the ink color. For the last 28 years, our mission has been to bring our audience stories from the school, community and nation, told clearly and without exaggeration--in black and white.
STAFF WRITERS Nolan Akins Parker Anderson Nathan Anderson Payton Blahut Audrey Bristow Thomas Center Olivia Frantum Lily Fredricks Laila Hasanovic London Heim Matthew Hickman Marley Jenkins Alyvia Jensen Ramayana Kazazic Zachary Kehoe Tate Larsen Braedon Layman Ethan Le Abby Lehan
Photo Provided by Girma Tabor
Theron Luett Aydon Lyon Levi Manley Jay Marren Sabrina Mcguire Alyssa Minear TJ Olson Charles Pruett-Shhillak Ciaran Rigby Tyler Roberts Tristen Smith Tarun Srikaran Alma Suarez Edina Suljic Aidan Topolinski Jacob Weah Micheal Wesseh Allyah Van Wyk
CONTENTS 4 Car Culture Photo Provided by Savannah Dennis
6 Not So Breaking News 8 Bilingual is a Necessity 10 Travy Patty 12 Best in Class 16 Parties in Pandemic
Tradition is painted above the lockers in the baseball locker room and reminds the players about the program’s history. The baseball team won its fifth state title this season.
18 Let the Dragons Roar
PAGE 16 Kidan Girma’s yard is filled with balloons. Girma’s friends surprised her by putting the dozens of balloons there without her knowing, followed up by a birthday Zoom call.
JUMBLED Life right now is a mess. Everyone is trying to set in to the new normal, which seems to be no normal at all. There is so much constantly happening that we could not narrow down our topics to one specific theme. So instead we worked with multiple diffferent topics to create an organized issue about everything. We strived to cover as much as we could with the amount of the time we had. As our advisor says ‘it’s a pandemic” so we have been doing the best we can. Sorry if it’s a bit jumbled.
20 Where should you go for lunch?
FINE PRINT Black & White is published solely by the Johnston High School newspaper staff. It is an open forum. In accordance with Iowa law, students assign, edit material and make all decisions of content. Editorials represent the opinion of a majority of the editorial board. Editorial and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the advisor, school officials or the district. Letters to the editor must be signed. Like all material, letters may not be libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. To write a letter to the editor, or report an error in the issue, please contact the editors at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com.
-Marandah Mangra-Dutcher Editor-in-Chief
@jhsnewspaper
@jhsnewspaper
4 | Feature Lucas Clayton 21’ and his black 2014 Scion FRS. It has a 2.0L boxer four engine developed by Subaru making around 200 horsepower from the factory and a 6-speed manual transmission. “It's a blast to drive not too quick, but she gets the job done.” “Have you done any modifications to your vehicle?” “To this car we’ll start with the performance mods.
C
This has a set of catless unequal length headers and a catback exhaust as well as being tuned on E85 to maximize the performance of all of the mods. On top of that, it has lowering springs and a wider set of wheels and tires. Cosmetically, it has a wing and is basically blacked out.” “Do you have an interesting story about your car?”
R CULTURE Spread by Tate Larsen
Just four guys and their cars
“Before this I had a 2006 BMW 3 series and it taught me how to drive a stick and to enjoy cars a little Connor Kinnick 21’ and his 1998 standard cab Chev-
more. It was starting to get to the end of its lifespan
rolet S10. It has a 2.2L inline 4 with a 5-speed tremec
where I was going to have to put a lot of money into
manual transmission.
it to get it running for a long time, so I made the
Dylan Trudeau 22’ and his grabber orange 2007 Ford
“Have you done any modifications to your vehicle?”
decision why spend all the money on that when I
Mustang with a 4.0L V6. “I was shopping on Craig’s
“Nothing really too big, just an exhaust and intake.
can sell it now and use the money I would spend on
List with my mom and we saw it online at a place
We also did all the brakes, the rear end and a fuel
that to buy something better. That's when I started
called Tom’s Auto Sales over in Des Moines, so we
the hunt, I knew that I wanted something two-door,
Sam Childers 21’ and his red 2002 super cab Ford
pump. You know just maintenance type things.”
went down there and picked it up for $7,200.”
small, and lightweight, because I wanted to track
Ranger XLT with a 3.0L V6. Sam said, “It’s rear
“I also got rear ended by a teacher once and we re-
“Have you done any modifications to your vehicle?”
it, but more specifically autocross. It came down to
wheel drive so that makes everything more fun.”
placed the bed.”
“I've put a cold air intake and an axle back exhaust,
“Have you done any modifications to your vehicle?”
“Do you have an interesting story about your car?”
a lot of cars, but one day I was driving down the
and for cosmetics I have a carbon fiber wing, tinted
road to take my dad’s car to the dealership to get
“I’ve put wheels and tires on as well as some ex-
“Well, we bought the car when I was 14 about to
tail lights and halo fog lights in the front.
serviced and I saw one of these on the road and the
haust work where I wide piped it out to duals. I also
turn 15 from the second owner, so we’ve had it for
“Do you have an interesting story about your car?”
dude was flying. I thought it was sweet and sounded
bought a front lift and I’m going to drop the rear
a while. It was a cool story. The original owner did
“I guess the only story that I have was when I put
awesome and it happened to be at the dealership
end.”
some work on it then we bought it and did a little
the cold air intake on wrong I was going down the
“Do you have an interesting story about your car?”
more work and now here we are.’’
we were headed to and we knew the salesman there
highway and the whole thing fell off so the car
and he said let's go take it for a drive. I knew that
“One day my dad and I were driving around and we
When Lucas was interviewed, he wanted to know
wouldn't accelerate and was lopping so i was stuck
it was the next car that I owned. That car that day
saw this truck, and I wanted a truck so I told him to
what Connor said in his interview. Lucas said Con-
on the side of the highway for two hours. Then, I
wasn't the one we bought but this one popped up a
pull over so that I could get a picture and the num-
nor didn’t mention how his truck was lower and
popped the hood and figured out what was wrong
few weeks later in Ames.”
ber of the truck.”
that its paint is metallic pewter and he said that’s
and fixed it up.”
what makes the truck unique.
6 | Feature
NOT SO BREAKING NEWS Words | Sabrina McGuire Layout | Sabrina McGuire
Newspapers are finding themselves becoming a rare breed as online new takes the spotlight.
41% from television
after its peak in the late 1980s, the numbers
influx of smartphones and ‘info-with-a-touch-
began plummeting. With the introduction
of-a-button’ features, many people have
of digital news and information at
seen the ways they have gotten their news
superspeeds, newspapers slowly began
and media change drastically. Sara Konrad
piling up on the stands, untouched.
Baranowski, an editor for the Iowa Falls Time
Around 28.5 million weekday newspapers
Citizen, sees the shifts in news platforms first
circulated in 2018, Pew Research Center
hand as a journalist. “We have some people
estimated, whereas 62.8 million circulated
that don’t want to look at the website at all, or
in 1987. In only 30 years, the number of
don’t want to use the website or get an email
weekday newspapers being distributed was
newsletter,” Baranowski said. “And then, we
cut in half.
have people who don’t have any interest in
While the number of newspapers was
getting the physical newspaper, they just
heavily decreasing, the smartphone-era
want to read it online. So it’s kind of a mixture
had definitely kicked into gear. In May of
of different preferences.”
2011, only about 35% of U.S adults owned a
Pew Research Center pulled together
smartphone, which soon increased to 81%
data and estimations of U.S Newspaper
in 2019, according to Pew Research Center.
circulations from the last few decades, and,
“If you’re looking at the numbers, yes,
8%
13% from print
from online
from radio
the numbers are saying fewer people are
efficiency of ‘right at your fingertips’ is hard
choice. “You can go onto Facebook and find
subscribing to newspapers,” Baranowski said.
to beat. With busy schedules and the rush of
out something that happened, or Twitter,
“But that doesn’t mean that fewer people are
the news nowadays, it’s quite hard to find a
ten minutes ago. So news is much faster,”
reading news.” In fact, nearly 23.5 million
newspaper, and sit down and read it. “[Online
Baranowski said. “And if we were only printing
people visited online news sites in 2019, according to Pew Research.
the newspaper, we would be
Delete File
way behind. … So stuff that happened on Tuesday, you
With the rapid move to
have to wait for Saturday for.
digital aspects of life, many
Which, in these days, is just
people today find themselves
insane because you could have
getting their With the turn of the decade, and the heavy
37%
news online--
versus on paper. “I use a news
Are you sure you want to delete ‘newspaper’?
a huge COVID outbreak in that time.”
aggregator. So Google News
It is more than obvious that
pulls stories together from
news and media have moved
Yes
all sorts of different sources,”
No
Social Studies teacher, Patrick Hennes said. “And then of
to the digital age, and that many people find newspapers inefficient.
news] is right there,” Tu said.
However,
those, probably, most frequently, I will read
Online news can be uploaded with a few
does still have its way of being useful. “But
from New York Times, The Washington
clicks of a button, whereas paper has to be
I would also argue there’s still a place for
Post and Des Moines Register.” It is not
physically printed and distributed. As well,
print,” Baranowski said. “Parents want to cut
uncommon for our phones to be right at
newspapers seem like a waste to some people.
out the article about their kid in the football
our sides all day, everyday. News and media
A quick read and it’s tossed aside.
game, or hang up the page when there’s a big
is right at everyone’s fingertips, instead of
In some cases, newspapers and magazines
feature about their business. There’s all kind
having to wait for the paper to arrive. “The
do not even get a read and they are wasted.
of reasons they like the physical paper, but
convenience factor is the most important,”
“I just finally got rid of my last magazine
they also like the immediacy of the online
Hennes said.
subscription, The New Yorker. I was getting
presence.”
Whereas online news and media is
that weekly,” Hennes said. “But I hadn’t read
everywhere, newspapers are a much rarer
it in months. … They were just piling up on
find.“I don’t have much access to it [paper
my kitchen counter.”
newspaper],” Christopher Tu ‘22 said. “It’s
With the difficulty of getting an actual
hard these days to walk around and pass a
newspaper and the unappeal to some people,
little newspaper stand and be like, ‘oh, here’s
online news can seem like the better, faster
a quarter, I’ll take one’ and I read it.” The
~ ~ ~ δ
Being fluent in a language is more than
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in life. Knowing more than one language--that is being fluent in more than one language-- is very beneficial to both you and your peers. diverse ways that it is mind-blowing. Being bilingual myself, I have reflected on how
an
much a language assists me in my everyday
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ph o d n
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that being bilingual majorly can assist in communicating, being more intelligent, traveling, and school/work.
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life and the long run. I have concluded at least one of one four main areas of life:
išeje
o s t·
Communication has always been a key for a successful life, both in your professional and personal life, because you can translate and help others communicate effectively. Interpreting or translating-whatever you want to call it--saves everyone from using Google Translate, which can result in a lot of confusion and wasted time. numerous positions where I have needed to translate something for someone. I have completed paperwork, interpreted for appointments, and many other things. Every time that I have helped someone out, I was able to accomplish more than any translating website could do in a shorter amount of time. And every time, it was awesome. or skill. “It’s easy,” Lejla Basic ‘23 said.
ult
i li n
güe
~ч ~
always the better option.
“[When you are talking to someone and] you don’t want someone to hear you… you can just use your secret language,” -Evelyn Paucar ‘23
Throughout my life, I have been in
Translating can even be a fun experience
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es una nece
si d a d ·
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~
complex conversations at a normal pace
knowledge of the language in other areas
k· V
Words | Edina Suljic Layout | Edina Siljic and Savannah Dennis
я
than that. It is about being able to have
The knowledge can serve you in so many
Bilingual Is a Necessity
~
or French class (in our case). It is a lot more
said to you. But it is mainly applying your
aa
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someone and pass all four years of Spanish
and fully comprehending what is being
dz
å
~
gi
ni
just being able to have a conversation with
ς
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8 | Feature
She is one of the many bilingual students at the high school who has translated in the past. “I like doing it,” Basic said. “I feel powerful.” Nowadays, many colleges and even jobs are on the lookout for people who know more than one language, which is another reason why you all should be multilingual. You have higher chances of getting a job or
9 | opinion
The reason why I know these things is because my sister works at a hospital. She uses her fluency of the Bosnian language to help so many patients and even colleagues. Given that she works in a setting where there is a thin line between life and death, her bilingualism is worth and praised a lot more. The hospital, as well as many other businesses and jobs, like having these types of employees because it makes them more successful and diverse. Colleges also like having multilingual students because of their diversity and because they have this unique intellect. Speaking of intellect, being multilingual makes you be, feel, and appear smarter. Evelyn Paucar ‘23 admitted to one of the many superpowers that she gets to have as a bilingual person. “[When you are talking to someone and] you don’t want someone to hear you… you can just use your secret language,” Paucar said. I consistently do this as well, and I love it. Not only does it serve as an advantage for you, but it also makes you look cool and feel, as Basic mentioned, powerful. Knowing more than one language can help you so much when you travel.
71
different languages are spoken thoughout the school district
Just imagine, no more struggling to figure out how to get from place to place. Multilingualism provides more opportunities for you while traveling. You have the benefit of getting to do and see more, without unnecessary hassle or stress. You can experience more memories of a lifetime. Those memories really do play their role, especially during a pandemic. Communication is a necessity in life, especially while traveling. “If you like to travel, it’ll just be easier for you to communicate,” Basic said. Being multilingual helps you in many areas of life, like when you are traveling, in college, or translating for someone. If you are not multilingual yet, this is your time to be it. Go the extra mile and learn. It is not that hard (I have heard calculus is harder)! You need to prepare yourself well for all
getting into college with that knowledge,
the trips you are going to take when this
which means less stress. And less stress is
pandemic ends. So what are you waiting for?
10 | commentary
Travy Patty
The lighthearted style of the commercial
Words | Zach Kehoe Layout | Marandah Mangra-Dutcher
E
veryone dreams of being the next
Travis Scott is an amazing example of
getting monetarily compensated for this
strengthening its brand to the max.
is mimicked through the merchandise drop,
brand collaboration, but he is also gaining
combining Scott and McDonald’s branding.
tremendous amounts of brand recognition.
because I got the meal. My brother and
The marketing and branding worked
The merchandise uses bright, colorful
Scotts brand is already worth over 21 million
my friends piled into my car, ecstatic to try
classic designs reminiscent of a bygone era.
dollars, according to Forbes. This brand
the “Travis Scott Burger.” This meal is just
Fun products are also for sale, including a
collaboration will, for sure, rocket Scotts
a regular quarter pounder with bacon. I
valuable restaurant brands in the world. A
ninety dollar McNugget body pillow. Many
brand to new heights.
can honestly say that without Scott’s name
Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, and
defining and creating a personal brand.
collaboration of this scale for Scott rockets
of these products are a bit out there, drawing
Taylor Swift, having thousands of
Take, for instance, the recent Travis Scott
his brand and image into the minds and
a direct parallel to Scott and his branding.
have been highlighted, McDonald’s is also
quarter pounder. But the brand compelled
screaming fans chanting your name. When
McDonalds collaboration. Travis Scott
hearts of millions across the country.
The fact that I wanted to purchase some of
profiting immensely. This collaboration
me to buy a regular burger that I otherwise
imaging famous people, often the sold-out
was given his own McDonald’s quarter
this merchandise speaks volumes about the
has caused a quarter pounder shortage.
would not have any interest in purchasing.
arenas and thousands of streams are at the
pounder meal. At first glance, the meal
to the millions of McDonald’s customers?
power celebrities hold over us.
So monetarily, McDonald’s seems to be
forefront of thought.
looks preposterous, what does Scott have in
Taking a look at the advertisement
But what image is Travis trying to convey
Music, especially rap music, is hard to
While thus far, the benefits for Scott
attached, I would not have purchased a
This burger frenzy has caused a social
benefiting. But not unlike Scott, McDonald’s
media firestorm. With countless videos
common with quarter pounders. But take a
Mcdonalds produced to market the meal
market to listeners outside of the rap scene,
has a brand image, and this collaboration
of teenagers pulling up to Mcdonalds
aspects of a celebrity are often the main
step back and consider, why is Scott doing
provides a point-blank example of Scotts
due to the stereotypes and preconceived
is strengthening its brand. The amount of
and shouting, “Cactus Jack sent me.” My
topics of discussion, what is oftentimes
this brand deal? The answer is simple: he is
branding. The happy-go-lucky, fun, and
notions that hip hop is violent mumbling.
clout that comes from being associated with
own brother framed his receipt and has
overlooked is the influencer’s personal
pulling a massive flex.
animated style is exactly what Scott wants
But when McDonald’s, a universal brand
Travis Scott is astronomical.
it hanging in his room. The typical brand
While the performance and artistic
people to think about when you picture the
with a colossal reach into every society,
and brand deals a celebrity makes, are
are massive, making this flex well worth
rapper. This image is mimicked throughout
gets involved, the world notices. When
brand image’s family-friendly aspects, while
are in a new era, where we can get people to
intentional, and serve the purpose of
it. McDonalds is so massive that, according
Scott’s music. His beats and raps convey a
Scott drops a new song, he will reach a
Scott appeals to young adults and teenagers.
frame McDonald’s receipts.
furthering the celebrity’s monetary gains.
to Statista, it ranks in the top ten most
light, happy, and fun-loving style.
whole new audience of people. Scott is
This expands the McDonald’s empire,
brand. Many, if not all, of the marketing
The scope and prevalence of McDonalds
McDonald’s branding focuses on the
collaboration has been shattered, and we
Best In Class
they’re two really strong programs, kids grow
playing in the second round, but we came out
up in the same neighborhoods as each other,”
and won.”
13 | in-depth
guys have to prove they can beat me it’s not the other way around.’”
assistant coach Kris Campbell said. “I grew
Ankeny was the last thing standing in the
up with a lot of kids from Urbandale because
team’s way of a fifth state title with one game
During the top of the fourth inning,
How the Johnston Baseball team went from being ranked sixth to taking first.
I went to Johnston, and just that rivalry was
left on the season. “For the championship
Ankeny scored four runs. The score was now
tough there.”
Words | Savannah Dennis Layout | Savannah Dennis
O
An overview of the field while the team practices. This season, the Dragons won the state tournament, bringing home Johnston’s fifth baseball state title.
n Aug. 1, Jacob Wolver threw his final pitch of the 2020 baseball season. That pitch turned into a
What was your favorite moment of the season?
ground ball headed for shortstop Ben Wilmes.
“My favorite moment ever is definitely
Obviously winning state, I mean that
Wilmes flipped it to the second baseman Gabe
the Urbandale game pregame Barta
night was one of the greatest nights of
Swansen, and in one swift motion under the
called all the outfielders in the room and
my life and I’ll never forget that with
bright lights of Principal Park, the Dragons
he told me I wasn’t athletic,” Steck said.
each and every one of the guys, coaches,
were state champions.
“And then in the second inning, I made
and managers in that locker room. It was
In March, baseball was shut down along
that catch… and after the half-inning
just an unreal thing.”
with school, leaving everyone to wonder
Barta was looking at me as I was running
whether the season was even a possibility
in… Biggest shoulder bump I’ve ever
amidst the pandemic. “I was kind of 50-50
gotten in my life, and he had the biggest
because of the way that everyone shut down,
smile on his face.”
“Beating Urbandale in state,” Wilmes said. “Probably beating Southeast Polk, coming back that much in the last
even the NBA was shut down,” Caden Steck
“Shupe hit a grand slam in the substate
inning because I kinda was doubtful
‘20 said. “I was hoping for it, obviously, but I
final,” Smith said. “When we came back
about it, and I think we scored nine runs
was trying not to get my hopes up just in case
down 9-2 against Southeast Polk. When I
in one inning,” Campidilli said. “That
it ended up not happening.”
threw a four-inning no-hitter.”
doesn’t happen that much especially in
Although the season was up in the air, the
“Game two of Waukee, which is the
players were still practicing. “Pretty much
game that I pitched, had two hits against
“Definitely Shupe’s grand slam in
just lifting, eating, and throwing 24/7,” Cooper
me and I hit a grand slam against them,”
substate championship,” Risley said.
Smith ‘21 said. “I knew if we had a season, I
Wolver said. “We won that game 16-0.”
“Winning substate. My first at-bat on
had to be the best I could if we wanted to go
“I think the breaking point of our
the bottom of the seventh.”
varsity was pretty cool.”
season was the Southeast Polk game,”
The Dragons went on to win 19
In the absence of being able to work with
Stewart said. “We were down, what,
regular-season games and split three
their team in person, the coaches created
eight runs in the seventh inning and
doubleheaders to get three losses. They
resources to help develop their players from
we come back… That was easily one of
also won both substate games to bring
home. “We just pretty much built a library of
my favorite doubleheaders of the year.
their record to 21-3. During the season
videos and possible workouts,” head coach
Getting to pitch at state for me, but of
they struck out 207 batters, stole 86 bases,
Michael Barta said. ”And we just wanted to
course, playing at Principal Park is fun
hit 157 singles, 54 doubles, 10 triples, and
make an online Google folder and give kids
to do … I’ll never take that for granted.
17 home runs.
far in the postseason.”
game, we had a lot on Ankeny… we knew
7-3, and Johnston had a deficit to come out of
was
their starting pitcher would be good, but we
if they wanted to win.
important for the team, having lost to them
knew he walked a lot of guys,” Barta said.
The team did not give up. “You got to
in the state title last season. “It was the game
“So, eventually his pitch count would get
give credit to coach Barta just because of his
I was looking forward to since last year,”
up and we’d get into their bullpen, and they
desire,” Campbell said. “He truly believes
Barta said. “I was not nervous for that game.
had used up a lot of pitchers already in the
that you’re never out of a game and just gotta
Yeah, it was a tight game. I’m sure people
state tournament. We knew that was going to
push the pedal to the metal. We talked a lot
were nervous in the stands, but I felt very
happen.”
about not finishing, and no matter if you’re
Going
up
against
Urbandale
comfortable knowing our plan is right. Our
Spencer
Campidilli
was
feeling
the
pressure stepping onto Principal Park’s field
“There’s nobody you want to beat more than Urbandale and to go out senior year and beat Urbandale in a state tournament game to go to the championship, that locker room was crazy,” -Caden Steck ‘20
The players fought back and worked their
was really nervous,” Spencer Campidilli ‘22
way back on top. “I think key guys on the team
said. “I don’t know. I just really didn’t want
that had specific roles and guys that didn’t
to mess up and let my team down and be the
have roles stepped up,” Jackson Stewart ‘20
The team visualizes the game as a way to get focused and prepared before the state final game starts. Photo by Savannah Dennis
bad sophomore that ruined the game.” Wolver, the starting first baseman, and
base hit, Dinh bunting the ball just doing the little things, you think about Wilmes always
connecting with the crowd during the
coming up with big hits, Swansen, Parker
big games. “The environment of being at
Shupe, you think about all those guys. You
Principal Park, I like it so much more because
could go down the list and guys stepped up
you just build off the energy with all those
in their roles, and I just think everybody did their job.”
fans there, the whole city is watching you,”
videos to watch, quotes… You really had to be
us. End of story.” Johnston beat Urbandale 3-1
Wolver said. “There were a lot of people
one pitch can change the whole game. So I
off of six hits: three singles, two doubles, and
watching that live stream, I know.”
The team was the first seed going into
was really nervous about game one. Once
one triple.
the state tournament and faced the eighth
the game got rolling, I felt a lot better.” The
guys are very committed.” The preparation worked. “I watched all
said. “You think about Camp having a huge
closer for the final state game, enjoyed
training has been great; if we lose, they beat
The Final Games
the game. Finish the game, don’t ever quit.”
for his first-ever state championship game. “I
possible workouts, IQ videos to watch, culture obsessed to get something out of it, and our
down or up or whatever, just keep finishing
Then, it was Wolver’s turn to do his job and close the game. “I was like okay we’re coming
For Smith, the starting pitcher of the state
back we have a chance now because it was 7-6
Winning that game was a milestone for
final game, there was more on his mind
and then I just went out there, and I dealt,”
than the crowd. “Before the game started, I
Wolver said. “I gave up one run, I think. I feel
those videos that our coaches and managers
seed Cedar Falls for the first round. “I think
Dragons beat Cedar Falls 11-7 off nine hits to
the team. “I feel like that game was more of
sent out, and I thought that was a big part
we watched two games that we found online,
go to the second round of the tournament.
a state championship than the actual state
was nervous,” Smith said. “I threw my pen, I
like as soon as I get that comfortable lead
settled down a little and then after I threw
of two or three runs, I can go out there and
of how we got better,” Jacob Wolver ‘21 said.
and we called like 40 coaches to try and get a
Round two of the state tournament was
championship game,” Wolver said. “That’s
“Other teams I feel like weren’t doing that. I
scouting report, and we just didn’t have a lot,”
up against Urbandale, whose rivalry with
probably because of our rivalry against
my first pitch everything just went away, and
do what I do, throw strikes, and get ground
it was like ‘okay this is a game, I’ve done this
balls.” And that he did. Johnston beat Ankeny
hundreds of times through my life, these
11-8 off of eight singles.
also went out with some of my buddies and
Barta said. “Those are really scary scenarios
Johnston is written in history. “I mean,
them. It was amazing. During the season, we
hit and threw.”
for a good team… That’s how baseball is;
obviously there’s tension there, because
split against them, so I was kind of nervous
14 | in-depth Good People = Good Baseball
that’s a fantastic part of the program.”
Dawson and I decided to shovel his driveway
2020 is not Johnston’s first baseball season
The culture strives to teach players about
since we were open. The next day we show
ending with a state title or its first class to
the details that can bring them success off of
up at 3:30 a.m. and shoveled seven inches of
write this program’s legacy. “We’ve won two
the field. “The very little things that apply
snow. I’ll do anything for that guy.”
other titles since I’ve been here, ‘13 and ‘17, and
to me the most, like making sure you’re not
Even in the face of danger, this program
both of those teams were very, very senior-
driving fast in the parking lot or don’t put
is a priority for him. “I was shocked how he
led teams that were legendary classes,” Barta
your sunglasses on top of your hat covering
coached us with his daughter,” Steck said.
said. “This group, and I kind of told them,
up the J, keeping stuff tucked in,” Steck said.
“For him to be able to do that, because he was
early on they drove me nuts a little bit… But
“Just the discipline that Barta engraves in
risking so much. I didn’t really have anything
then as the year went on, they really invested
you that everyone who leaves his program is
to lose, but Barta obviously that’s family. He
in our program and in each other, and by the
going to be successful because he doesn’t just
has two young kids… I thought there’s no way
end of the year, they were a pretty mature
build good baseball players, he builds people
that he’s even around us at all. He’d probably
group that really cared and was willing to do
with good character too.”
FaceTime us at practice or something like
anything to win and anything for each other.”
There is a standard set for the members of
that. For him to do all that just to be able to
Players like that come from time dedicated
the team and the level at which they work. “I
coach us, that was shocking, and that shows
to teaching a culture that will set them up
come in here every day, and I’m expected to
the kind of person that he is. He cares more
for success in the long-term. It is not about
give 110% every rep, mentally and physically,
about others than himself sometimes.”
teaching them about how to field a ground
and knowing that I have to make this a better
Barta’s coaching style is different from
ball or lay down a bunt; it is about how to be
place, not only for the people around me but
other coaches, but it is what the players love
a person of good character.
for the people who are going to be here in
The culture created in the baseball
two, three, four, five-plus years,” Smith said.
program is unlike any other. “I think the
Good character translates on the field in
culture is fantastic,” Campbell said. “The kids
the form of success. “I’m trying to get our
love it. Barta’s done a fantastic job, just kind
guys by the time they graduate to see that
of taking the reins and pushing for over a
decision and do it perfect, make a great,
decade now. And, for me, I’ve just never seen
perfect decision and do it really really well
anything like it. It’s a well-oiled machine…
almost every time,” Barta said. “If that would happen, then… that person then becomes better, and if we have good people, we’ll win every time.”
“Probably just the best thing I’ve ever been a part of. All of us are just so committed to be great and win. It’s just awesome.” -Miles Risley ‘22
Since becoming head coach in 2012, Barta has won 270 games, lost 86, and tied one.
Johnston 4A in the following Johnston ledled classclass 4A in the following categories this season: categories this season:
.462
2nd
.543 1st
2nd
.478 2nd
2nd
271 1st
192 1st
100
2nd
200
48
1st
3rd
had,” Campidilli said. “He pushes everyone to
like that and a program recognized beyond
get better no matter their skill level. Everyone
the metro area, it is hard to ignore the impact
always improves as a player and as a person
his coaching has had on Johnston Baseball.
if you go through his program or even one of his classes at the school.”
see them get better. “I mean, he’s great. He
That growth and development is the
can get on you sometimes, but I feel like it’s
cornerstone of this program. “We develop
for the better of us,” Wolver said. “If we do
our kids one through 140,” Barta said. “We’re
one small thing wrong, he’ll tell us, and we’ll
going to try and develop every one of those
take that as constructive criticism. We want to
kids. Some of them start from a lower spot,
learn from our mistakes and get better.”
and some of them start from a higher spot.
The team is as dedicated to Barta as he is
But when that kid gets to be a senior, we want
to them. “Barta was out of town one weekend,
them to be able to step on a varsity field and
and Friday morning at lifting, he asked the
be successful. Our development beat you.
whole group if two guys would shovel his
Our development will win every time unless
driveway so his pregnant wife could drive
they do a better job.”
3rd
181 2nd
Doubles
3rd
226 1st
172 3rd
Runs Batted In
.355 2nd
state titles in only nine seasons. With a record
.455
1st
54
53
3rd
“If I can be half the man that Barta is I’m going to be pretty well off in life,” -Caden Steck ‘20 about him. “Definitely the best coach I’ve ever
.524
On Base Percentage
Runs Scored
bringing home seven state trips and three
around,” Ben Wilmes ‘21 said. “So Owen
3rd
3rd
107
2nd
13
.458
Slugging Percentage
211
1st
Home Runs
That gives him a winning percentage of 75%,
Barta wants to help his players grow and
17
14
.356 1st
.323 3rd
Batting Average
Statistics and standings provided by ia.varsitybound.com
2020 4A CHAMPS - JOHNSTON DRAGONS at bat
Ankeny Johnston
ball
strike
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
out
inning runs
hits err
16 | feature
Party in a Pandemic Words | Daphine Mansour Layout | Daphnie Mansour Below: Kidan Girma’s yard is filled with balloons. Girma’s friends surprised her by putting the dozens of balloons there without her knowing, followed up by a birthday Zoom call. Photo by: Girma Tabor.
Below: Kidan Girma ‘22 smiles for a photo over her birthday cake. As the candles state, this year she turned sixteen. Photo by Girma Tabor.
How do people celebrate during a worldwide lockdown? me and put a bunch of balloons in my front
special was that she usually doesn’t do a lot
be the least of our concerns. There’s risk
yard,” Girma said. “There was also a Zoom
to celebrate, and it was a nice change. “This
involved in simply leaving the house to get
call, and my friends organized it and it was
was one of my better birthdays,” she said.
groceries, so celebrating with family and
really nice because they all showed up. It
friends seems out of the picture, right? Not
made me happy.”
With everything going on, parties should
invite some friends over and have a get-to-
saying goes, time flies when you’re having
to celebrate her birthday over Zoom. “I got
gether, but because Ganic and a friend, Ni-
fun. So when the opportunity arises, cele-
to Zoom with my family, who lives down
kita Deymich ‘21, have birthdays just a week
brating with people you love sounds like a
south, and they sang happy birthday with
apart, they decided to do something special.
great way to pass the seemingly endless time
us,” Girma said. What made this birthday
“Our other friend Bria, her and her family wanted us to have a joint celebration,” Ganic
On Emma Kajtazovic’s ‘22 birthday, it
said. “So we celebrated at her house in the
started off pretty boring, like any other
basement. … And she just decorated her
day in quarantine. “At the end of the night
entire basement and she made a cake and
me and my friends went out to dinner, and
split into two parts, relating to me and then
we picked up some sushi on our way out,”
relating to Nikita.”
Kajtazovic said. “Then we went to Saylorville
Prior to the party, they had played it
lake and ate sushi on top of a car.”
safe to ensure their fun. “We all got tested
Even though it felt different than usual,
to make sure, you know, nothing bad was
Kajtazovic still had a good time. “It was defi-
gonna happen,” Ganic said. “Together it was
nitely a unique birthday,” Kajtazovic said.
just five people, like all of us.” Ganic and her
“Probably my best one, to be honest. It felt
friends watched movies, videos, and listened
more special since I hadn’t seen anyone for
to music. “We were just hanging out, and
a very long time.” The best part, Kajtazovic
being with my friends was really fun.”
said, was actually being around friends in
Compared to her other birthdays, Ganic
person.
said she couldn’t really compare them. “I
Kajtazovic isn’t the only one who’s cele-
mean, it wasn’t much different than what
brated a socially-distanced birthday. Many
I was gonna do if there wasn’t a pandemic
students have come up with ways to party
going on, but I guess I did have more fun.”
with their friends safely during lockdown.
Thanks to safe practices during lock-
One example is how Kidan Girma ‘22 and her friends celebrated her birthday—over a Zoom call. Girma’s birthday started off similar to Kajtazovic; she didn’t have much planned. Her friends, on the other hand, had some surprises for her. “My friends surprised
Above: Emma Kajtazovic ‘22 eats sushi with friends on top of a car. They parked and ate at Saylorville. Photo by Gabi Michalski
interesting one. Originally, she was going to
Girma’s friends weren’t the only ones
exactly. People get bored quickly, and as the
in lockdown.
Above: Adisa Ganic ‘21, Parker Anderson ‘21, Bria Cox ‘21, Ajdin Hasanic ‘21, and Nikita Deymich ‘21 pose for a photo with emojis hanging in the background. The party was emoji-themed. Photo by Adisa Ganic. Below: Bria Cox ‘21 strikes a pose while Parker Anderson ‘21 and Adisa Ganic ‘21 smile at the camera. Following the theme, the tablecloth is covered in emojis. Photo by Adisa Ganic.
For Adisa Ganic ‘21, her birthday was an
down, many people were able to be with Adisa Ganic and Nikita Deymich pose with a sash that reads “Birthday Queen.” Photo by Parker Anderson
loved ones on their special day. Seeing friends and family became a special gift on its own, and on a birthday, what more could anyone ask for?
18 | editorial
The editorial is an opinion held by the editorial board of the newspaper and is a collaboration of the board. It needs a simple majority to pass. This month’s vote was 5-0.
A
t the first home football game of
excitement for the football players because
if that was the only way they could attend. “I
the season there were no chants
there aren’t that many people there.”
think that the students would be inclined to
to encourage the players. No
The students are angry, and the seniors are
screams when we made a good catch. No
devastated. This was the last year for them to
singing of the fight song when we made a
experience the thrill when the team wins, or
A traditional student section does not seem
touchdown. The stands were silent.
the sadness when we lose around their peers
like a good idea. However, a partial student
With
COVID-19,
created
and friends. The student body lost our sense
section is safely possible. Ankeny Centennial
of community. “It is just kinda sad since we
gives out 200 wristbands to students through
events, in accordance with the Central Iowa
are all seniors that our grade doesn’t get to
a lottery system. Iowa State assigned seats,
Metropolitan
experience what we get to,” cheerleader Kolbi
required masks and allowed 1,000 student
Watson ‘21 said.
spectators into their game.
for
district
spectators
League’s
at
recommendations.
Every participant, including marching band,
Let the
Dragons Roar
the game,” cheerleader Morgan Lee ‘21 said.
sporting
regulations
the
follow these rules and stuff so they can enjoy
dance, cheer and football, the directors and
The district is aware the students are
Not having a student section has had
coaches all receive two tickets. For senior
frustrated, however they did what they
many negative effects on the football games,
nights, four tickets. Visiting teams get 200
thought was best for the students. “I know
but one good thing has come out of it. The
tickets to use at their discretion. “That puts us
it is frustrating not to have one, I know how
participants feel closer to each other. “When
at about 1,000 people,” Activities Director Josh
important that is to people,” Tobey said.
the dance team or cheer would start doing
Tobey said, “which when you’re measuring
“But ultimately maintaining and sustaining
a dance or something they’d [football] turn
“I am just looking forward to the time when we can fill those stands again.” -Brian Woodley
around and start cheering us on and getting
out social distancing based on CDC [Center of Disease Control] guidelines, that is a comfortable amount.” However, this decision meant no student section at games. To build a culture of school spirit, especially in this time of isolation, our school needs to have a student section at football games. Players felt the shift in energy at the first few games, even though they won. “With all of the parents there it’s still pretty loud but there is certainly a key component missing at the games,” Cade Kuennen ‘21 said. “It just sucks not having students because when we make a big play they always get loud and it helps with the games.” Cheerleaders,
who
are
tasked
with
motivating the crowd, can not do their job with no crowd. “It was a little awkward cheering to pretty much nobody,” cheerleader Erin Shortell ‘21 said. The cheerleaders tried to motivate the small crowd. “We feed off the energy of the crowd. It is kind of weird being the only people cheering and going crazy,” Shortell said. Dance team also felt the change in energy at games. “We have to work a lot harder to get the excitement of the crowd to where it usually is when there are more people there,” Zoey Kloewer ‘21 said. “We have to create the
a football season is what we felt was most important for the kids who are participating in those activities.” However, kids from the activities felt otherwise. “We gotta respect what the athletic director does but I feel like we could do it in a safe manner,” Kuennen said. The district, however, has not changed their mind. “The challenge with any student section, from seeing how a student section interacts with each other, would be that if we have a student section like we traditionally have they would not social distance,” Tobey said. However, the majority of students would follow the expectations put in place just like they do when wearing a mask at school. The
cheers started,” Kloewer said. “That was kind of nice because usually we don’t have that much of a connection.” While students and administrators are focusing on the short-term effects of not having a student section, the coaches are worried about how it will affect seasons to come. “Students not being allowed to come I think will cause them to lose interest in sports and supporting their friends,” head coach Brian Woodley said. With all of these restrictions in place students have found a work around, and the student section has started growing more with each game. Participants have been giving their tickets to other students rather than family. “The student athletes and participants decide where those tickets are going to,” Tobey said. Allowing students to support their team from the stands will bring back our sense of community and hope. Every team makes the playoffs this year. We have no more home games this season, unless a playoff game is scheduled at Dragon Stadium. If a game is scheduled, we need a student section.
district just has to enforce it. Participants think students would follow the rules set in place,
Photos by Zach Kehoe, Esmeralda Flores, Brianna Loop, Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher, SIerrah Mangra-Dutcher
W
o y u d g l o u o f o h r s l e u r nch e h ? START HERE!
What grade are you in?
STAY AT SCHOOL! Sophomore
Junior or senior
Sophomores can get there off campus privileges
How much time do you have?
removed for next year if they are caught going out for lunch. So just stay at school. Plus the schools
Do you have a ride?
No.
Just lunch.
pasta is really good.
Yes
How much money do you have? $
I have a free period before/ after.
$$
Looking to try something new?
What are you in the mood for, burger or sandwich
CASEY’S
An Iowan staple. Casey’s has a lot of good cheep food options, from pizza to salads. You can also just get a quick snack. Plus they are
Yeah sure.
Burger
just a block from the school.
Nope
Fast food?
Sandwich
PANCH The most popular choice for
MCDONALD’S
Located on 86th street
JIMMY JOHNS
If you are in a rush Jimmy Johns Freaky fast service will get you back to school before the lunch period ends. A healthier option than McDonald’s great for a quick meal.
students. If you have gone here once you have gone here
No ew.
a hundred times. Pancheros
McDonald’s might not be the healthiest choice, however if you are looking for something
is a great choice if you are
I don’t mind.
quick and you are sick of
looking for something basic and quick.
school food this is the perfect choice.
PANARA
CHICK-FIL-A
Another long drive but if you
All the way over off of Merle
are not looking for greasy
Hay, you have this option, It is
fast food Panara is the best
a long drive and the line can
option. From salads to soups
be long sometimes so make
and sandwiches pa nara has
sure you have the time to get
you covered.
your food and come back.