JFK Torch 20 May 2011

torch the

20 11 “the torch has been passed to a new generation.� - John F. Kennedy May 20, 2011

John F. Kennedy High School 4545 Wenig Rd. NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 Volume 44, Issue 9

the end. graphic by Rachel Gilman

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JFK Torch

editorial

may 20, 2011

Page by Alex busbee

Less of AP-ness will mean success

torch the

Students are being stifled by the increasing focus on standardized testing, which will hold them back in the long run.

Here’s a quick quiz from Daniel H. Pink’s A Whole New Mind, a novel that argues for the importance of right brain, or R-Directed, thinking.

According to the latest research, IQ accounts for what portion of career success? a) 50 to 60 percent b) 35 to 45 percent c) 23 to 29 percent d) 15 to 20 percent The answer: between 4 and 10 percent. (Confining oneself only to the answers presented is a symptom of excessive L-Directed Thinking.)

L-Directed thinking is what AP tests and ITEDS test for, your ability to analyze a question, and then use logic and memorized facts to find the right answer.

R-Directed thinking deals with more creative tasks such as humor and art. So why does this

John F. Kennedy High School 4545 Wenig Rd. NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 Volume 44, Issue 1

Mission The Torch staff and adviser are committed to producing a top quality student newspaper, applying high standards of writing, editing, and production. The Torch seeks to fairly serve the Kennedy High School faculty, students and staff, showing no favoritism to decisions about content are the responsibility of the individual editors and the Editorial Board.

Advisor Gary Lindsay

Editorial Board Editor-In-Chief Alex Busbee Managing Editor Michael Hoefer Photo Editor Asmaa Elkeurti Design Editor Allison Kindig

Editors News Darcey Altschwager Profile Jessica Rowan, Rachel Gilman Feature Michael Nordstrom Copy Editor Sean McQuade, Steph Wenclawski Lifestyle Allie Sindlinger, Shane Goodall Sports Riley Galbraith, Mohammad Cheetany

Writers Jordan Calef, Zack Goodall, Grant Sheeley, Spencer Grekoff, Amy Brause, Alli Nemecek, Grace King, Bailey Zaputil, Hanna Krivit, Andrea Traeger, Katie Hefflefinger, Norm Althoff, Annie Feltes, Steph Mercer, Tara Mittelberg, Lexi Theusch

Photographers Erle Kaasik, Sam Nordstrom, Sarah Sickles

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Lifestyle

12 Camping survival guide

Torch seniors say goodbye The end of Lindsay’s issues

Photo

13 Getting down at prom ‘11

News

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Companies want people with a sense of humor to raise morale, or people with a good eye for design who can make their product aesthetically appealing. Those are things that a computer or someone living in Asia can’t do.

And what’s a great way to develop these skills? Get involved.

Step into the life of another person by acting in a play (which develops empathy, an important skill for doctors). Or join speech team and improve public speaking skills and persuasion (important for lawyers). Or even take drawing, graphic design, or one of the many other art classes offered (learn to meld function and style when designing products).

Taking six AP classes won’t make you any more successful in life. So next year, save room for classes and activities you’re truly interested in. It will pay off in the long run.

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Editorial

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matter?

It matters because year after year, we are drilled with long study sessions and punished through three-hour long exams trying to get into a good college, to later land a dream job. But in reality, good AP and ACT scores don’t guarantee successful careers.

The game has changed, thanks to computers and Asia. It’s great if you can rattle off the dates of the Spanish-American War or how many genes there are in the human genome, but any kid with a smart phone can Google the answer instantly. And many entry-level jobs are being shipped to China and Asia, where more than two billion people are willing to do your job, for a smaller wage.

That is why it’s so important to develop yourself as a human being. Companies want people. Not scantron-filling robots. Computers can do that.

AP Contributor Fired

Sports

bin Laden dead

15 Summer sports start 16 Carrying on the tradition

Feature

8-9 Where Kennedy seniors are headed Profile

10 Foreign exchange students homebound 11 Alli Koch to bike across the country

Want to advertise in the Torch?

Contact the Business Team today for a free consultation. email: khstorch@yahoo.com phone: 319-558-3123

Staff Editorial: Passing the Torch The Torch staff prides itself on being a positive representative through the efforts put into each issue to produce a quality paper. Although we’ve dealt with many time crunches, deadline has never been missed.

We strive to make content relevant to current issues and relatable to each student.

After generations of success with state, regional, and national journalism competitions, and year after year of Gallup awards for the overall quality of the paper, the primary source of the Torch’s accomplishments

can be attested to the top-notch advice and direction of one man: Gary Lindsay.

Year after year, seniors graduated, leaving openings, which freshmen would later fill. The paper went through many revolutions as the student leaders changed. But as the high school students came and went, one person remained steadfast, guiding the paper¾the adviser.

The Torch staff is sorry to see such an encouraging and respectable adviser leave Kennedy after years of accomplished

teaching. The most effective part of his leadership was his hands off approach. The Torch has experienced significant growth in being allowed to learn from our own mistakes, giving us practical expectations of the real world.

Despite his absence, Gary Lindsay’s legacy will be carried on as the next generation of Torch students learn from those who have been instilled with his philosophies.

Indeed, the Torch will be passed to the next generation. Thank you, Mr. Lindsay.

editorial

JFK Torch

Page by grace king and bailey zaputil

may 20, 2011

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Torch seniors say last goodbyes Embrace change, embrace who you are

Looking back on my four years at Kennedy high school, a million different things come to mind. I’ve learned a lot about my chosen subject areas, but even more importantly, I learned a lesson that I will carry with me to college. That lesson is to embrace change.

Throughout my high school career I saw myself grow and change into the person I am today. Although I’m not even near finished growing and changing, I have learned that change is good, very good. Starting out, I had no idea what to expect. I signed up for classes that seemed basic and normal. I joined tennis

and went out for a school play, desperate to get back into the things I was familiar with.

It was only after I started to try new things that I really began to enjoy high school.

I found new activities and interests that sometimes made me step outside my comfort zone. In the end it was the experiences like joining the school newspaper, participating in volunteer activities, enrolling in photography, and traveling abroad with classmates that had a huge impact on the person I am today.

I can think of so many ways I have changed since freshman year. Never in a million years would I have predicted that I would find a love for alternative music, develop a knack for photography, campaign for Barack Obama, travel to foreign countries just to volunteer, and go off to college with an intended major in environmental science. I am not at all the same kid I was coming into Kennedy.

So my lesson is simple. Be comfortable with who you are, but never stop embracing change and trying new things. We have decades left to live and tons of life changing experiences ahead of us.

Michael Nordstrom

Top ten things seniors learned in high school

Year after year, seniors leave Kennedy, leaving many feeling sad and empty. Although the seniors will walk across the stage, the bridge to a new life, their spirit and impact will stay forever at Kennedy. What follows is my final top ten list. The top ten things seniors learn at Kennedy.

1) Learn how to avoid homework. Get work done in class, get together in a study group, etc.

2) Be nice to teachers. Having a good relationship with your teachers can make your

life easy. They will grade you better, let you go to the bathroom more frequently, and remember you as you age.

3) Don’t ever ask, “Why are we learning this? How will this help us after we graduate?”

In high school we learn how to learn, how to adapt. In high school we grow. Yeah, you might not use derivatives in your career, but learning about them teaches you how to grasp advanced concepts.

4) Stay active. You feel much happier after exercising, so do it.

5) Explore the school. You’ll be surprised at what you find.

6) Stand up for those who get bullied!

7) Eh, top ten lists are always hard to finish.

10) Enjoy your time. You only have four years at Kennedy, so make the most of it.

Wave to people. Say hi to people. Don’t be afraid of what people think. When your final day approaches, you want to be confident knowing that you got the most out of your high school experience.

Mike Hoefer

photo by Sarah Sickles Awkward family. The Torch seniors pose as an awkward family. (From left) Michael Nordstrom, Mike Hoefer, Allison Kindig, Asmaa Elkuerti, Shane Goodall, Alex Busbee, and Erle Kaasik.

Try diverse activities to make the best four years

The year is drawing to a close, and with it, my high school journey. I learned several valuable lessons throughout the experience, there is one lesson that sticks out among the others; there is a whole school of wonderful activities to do outside your box.

This lesson begins with a simple assignment I did in LA 9. It wasn’t anything atypical. We were simply asked to bring a box of things that represent ourselves to talk about in front of the class. I don’t really remember what things I had in my box, but I do remember a consistent pattern among all of the

boxes. They mostly contained items related to our activities we had planned on participating in at Kennedy. In hindsight it seems kind of silly. It was the start of our freshmen year and we were already making informal commitments to the next four years.

I assert a challenge to all Kennedy students; don’t allow yourself to be sorted into a box. There is a whole school filled with activities for you to explore in your four years here.

Even if you find things you really enjoy doing, who are you to say it is the only thing that you would enjoy doing for the next four years? I can guarantee that when I was a freshman I didn’t have a newspaper in my box to symbolize writing for the Torch, but in hindsight, I am so glad I gave it a shot my senior year.

It is important to explore everything Kennedy has to offer you. If you are a football player, try out for the spring musical. If you play the trombone, try out for speech team.

Kennedy is a school with the resources to offer a variety of experiences. It’s a waste to not take full advantage.

Shane Goodall

Allow your fellow students to have impact on you Good teachers help you learn about the world

Make a mark, have an impact, leave a legacy, pave a path, inspire – it’s a dream shared by many. But in my few years at Kennedy, I’ve discovered an equally appealing aspiration, one that happens without effort, without thought, without planning, and sometimes without knowing. It’s not the act of inspiring, but being inspired.

Best Buddies taught me this lesson, a lesson I wish to take with me and pass on. As a four-year club member, I’d like to think I’ve had an impact on the lives of our buddies.

What I know for sure, though, is that they have had an impact on mine.

Best Buddies pairs general education students with students who have physical and intellectual disabilities to promote leadership development and lasting friendships. It’s safe to say the buddies actually inspire us to lead with greater confidence and courage. We need a role model just as they do. It’s a unique relationship of give and take. You give inspiration

as well as take it in.

This couldn’t have been more apparent this spring. For the “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign, the buddies went on the announcements with the officers to encourage students to sign our campaign banner. Doug Boyd, jr., spoke on behalf of all the buddies when he said it’s more important to focus on our abilities, not your disabilities. His words were few, but very powerful. It may not have seemed like a big deal, but for Boyd, it was huge. I saw him practicing his line over and over before going on the announcements that morning. I wouldn’t say he was nervous, just determined to do his best. With courage and conviction, he took the microphone and shared his thoughts before the whole school. Boyd inspired me that morning. When was the last time I was that careful with my words? Or had something so important to say I recited it to perfection because my peers were counting on me? Boyd reminded me of a lesson my parents taught me very early on: always try your best in all you do, even if it is making an announcement at school. Boyd caught me off guard. I was going on the announcements to inspire others when I was the one who was inspired.

That’s when I realized, perhaps the best paths are the ones paved by those who identify as the inspirer and the inspired. It’s not always about having an impact, but allowing others to have an impact on you.

Allison Kindig

My last four years were probably more or less the typical idea of the cliché high school experience. I feel like this institution is churning out a sort of me that’s hardly recognizable with my small(er) freshman self all those years ago. I’ve developed so much in my opinions and beliefs that they’ve completely changed. Obviously, I’ve definitely been heavily influenced by my peers, but my teachers have also had a lot to do with this evolution.

Behind all the dramatic antics, the extracurricular activities, and the socialization that comes along with it, high school is a place primarily devoted to the expansion of knowledge and preparation for the real world. And that’s what the last four years of my life have been, expansion and development. I’d like to think I’ve become more intellectual, more openminded, and a bit less oblivious to the goings on of the world.

The majority of us have had all sorts of adults and mentors feed us all this enlightening information, hopefully stuff that carries

on. There are those whose help and advice has impacted our blossoming selves more significantly. Those who have given us comforting, yet professional feedback to help us through whatever (most likely) trivial problem we’re dealing with. And some teachers have this clever way of giving generalized advice geared to the lot of us through their teaching.

There are certain individuals who take advantage of being in a position of power, not giving their subordinates the proper amount of deserved respect. This sort of mentality taints the student-teacher interaction, which inhibits the ability of the student to really take in the positive effects of their teacher. It’s really commendable when you find yourself with a feeling of equality while talking to a teacher.

And beyond the mathematics and the chemistry and the literary devices I’ve been fed, I’ve carried along these useful bits of information that continue to help me out on a daily basis. The teachers who’ve taken the time to incorporate real world knowledge into their teaching have helped in my becoming a little less naive. Those who take the time to let you know what things are like ‘out there’, beyond our sheltered high school lives.

This doesn’t just apply to the people who are confined to a classroom. Not at all. This goes for any staff member or administrator or coach who’s instilled certain qualities in you, or made you look at a certain situation a little differently.

Asmaa Elkuerti

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JFK Torch

editorial

may 20, 2011

Page by Alex busbee

“There was no one else in high school that helped me explore my interests and encouraged me to pursue them to the best of my abilities.

Elise Krivit, 2010

“I really think that Mr. Lindsay is one of the finest teachers of journalism. He’s not only a teacher to students, but also to other teachers, to help the adults understand that [the Torch] is a student driven newspaper. Its a piece of educational work. He has done just a fabulous job of teaching students the power of public works.”

- Dr. Mary Wilcynski, principal “The impact Mr. Lindsay has had on my life and writing is immeasurable. His gift and ability to teach while not overstepping boundaries and allowing all of his students to experiment with different styles and strategies are unmatched by any teacher or mentor I’ve ever had.

He was able to create an atmosphere in the Torch room that built countless friendships while also producing awardwinning work.”

- Reid Galbraith, 2009

“Mr. Lindsay’s teaching style was one of student autonomy with teacher guidance coming only when necessary. I’ve experienced his wit, writing expertise and abillity to turn students into hardworking journalists.”

- Shannon Rowan, 2008 “I’ve joked that we’ll wear ‘what would GL do?’ bracelets. Seriously, though, I believe that Gary Lindsay has taught me what I need to know.

Trust student journalists and allow them ownership of the school press.

Be a support, a mentor, and a friend to those around you.”

- Kara Asmussen, AP Lanphoto by Asmaa Elkuerti gauge Arts and yearbook adviser Retirement. After 40 years, Gary Lindsay will no longer be teaching at here at Kennedy.

The power to choose After 40 years, Gary Lindsay sounds off on importance of choice in education

In 1967, when my class of 155 seniors lined up for graduation in the hot, muggy gymnasium of Clear Lake High School, we shared many things with today’s senior class. We were excited to be done with the four years of high school and a little sad to be saying goodbye. Two things were significantly different, however. The war was raging in Vietnam and for most senior boys there were two alternatives: become college boy or draft bait. Some volunteered for a service branch just to have a choice. Our generation later rebelled over the injustice of this. We wanted choices. We wanted relevance.

At the same time, the girls in the class were seeing choices ahead for them that their mothers and grandmothers never had, thanks to the women’s movement, and these choices empowered the women of my generation to choose their future.

When I came to Kennedy to teach just four years and one summer after my high school graduation, I joined a school in transition.

The staff was transforming a curriculum that consisted primarily of yearlong courses in the basic subject areas. Students were grouped by their ability to learn – the smartest in top level, struggling learners in low-level and the rest in the middle. Curriculum work in that era was very exciting as teachers and district curriculum leaders responded creatively to student protests and calls for courses that were relevant to their interests and the changes that were happening in culture.

The result was a move to the trimester and a rich array of electives in every subject.

Students responded. Some courses died from

lack of interest and others became wildly popular. There was even an all-school Issues Week where students were excused from their regular classes to attend an array of seminars, debates, protests, and mini-classes. The result was near chaos, but also tremendous engagement. Students made choices that mattered and because they were able to choose, they valued the experience, became engaged and learned a lot.

I taught one of the courses that survived Issues Week, Environmental Encounters.

Born in 1974 and lasting until 1985, EE taught students environmental awareness experientially. We backpacked in the Yellow River State Forest or canoed the Upper Iowa River. Summer trips went to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and the Wind River mountains in Wyoming. This course changed lives. I know that because 30+ years later I still hear from these students.

Last month at the Olive Garden a man I didn’t recognize congratulated me on my retirement. When he saw me struggling to put a name to his face, he reintroduced himself as Tim Meggers. Tim told me he took EE and that he still used the knowledge and skills that that course introduced him to. He wore hiking boots to his white-collar job. His whole family was into hiking and canoeing. He said simply, “Environment Encounters changed my life.” In my view, he made a choice and that changed his life.

In 1986 I began teaching journalism and advising student publications, and I soon discovered that it remains one place where students still hold the power to make significant choices and experience their consequences. Iowa law gives public school students this power. As a school official I can only advise and act to prevent them from committing libel, invasion of privacy or obscenity. For 25 years I have seen the power of their decision-making help students grow in intellect and character. Occasionally, my students made poor choices (like employing a font made of tiny little penises in last year’s senior issue); more often they made solid choices that some adults sometimes didn’t like but which they still defend and believe in.

Today’s educational system has replaced choice making with standardization and

accountability. This year’s graduates have never known a school system outside the influence of high-stakes testing and standardized curriculum dictated by No Child Left Behind. It also has a high percentage of disillusioned and disengaged students who see just two alternatives: competing within the system to earn the highest GPA possible or be a “slacker” somehow intuitively disgusted with the whole game. Each year I see personal columns written by some of the winners of this achievement derby suffering buyer’s remorse moaning about how it was all a sham. When I give students alternatives and ask them to choose, I typically get just two questions: “Which is easier?” and “Which will earn the most points?”

The good news is that seniors upon graduation are finally facing some significant educational choices. Hopefully, in addition to solid coursework, they have also had some experience making hard choices. Not every choice in life is win-win. Many choices have hard consequences. I predict that we will soon see a new movement in school to bring back electives as a way to better engage students to empower them for the real high stakes world after graduation.

Lindsay over the years

1972

1980

1984

1986 photos provided by yearbook

Gary Lindsay

photo provided by yearbook Torch ‘86-’87. Gary Lindsay poses with his Torch staff on the foyer stairs for a photo.

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Page by Spencer Grekoff

JFK Torch May 20, 2011

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JFK Torch

News

May 20, 2011

Page by Darcey Altschwager and Amy Brause

AP contributor fired Dr. Chirantan Ghosh has recently been fired from his position at the Physicians Clinic of Iowa. Dr. Ghosh has been donating his money to the Cedar Rapids School District to reward AP test takers.

This time of year can be crucial for students between summer, preparing for finals, and taking AP exams. Most students dread the AP exams but taking those tests can pay off.

Not only is he helping people out through his oncologist work, but he is contributing to the Cedar Rapids community and schools in a big way. Being a guest speaker at Kennedy’s academic assemblies and senior night, he has inspired a lot of people to go above and beyond and to never give up.

Recently, Dr. Ghosh got some bad news. According to the Gazette newspaper, he will no longer be working at the Physicians Clinic of Iowa as of June 30, 2011. After treating many patients, this is coming as a shock to a lot of people.

When talking to Dr. Mary Wilcynski, Kennedy principal, she didn’t really know why he was fired. “I saw him Saturday

when I was out to the State Large Group competition…I thanked him again for being here on senior recognition night and he kind of chuckled and said, ‘Yeah, I’m there on Tuesday night for Senior Recognition night and then in the paper Wednesday for being fired,” Dr. Wilcynski said.

One thing Dr. Wilcynski does know about Ghosh is that he is a wonderful influence on the students and people of this community. “What I do know is that he has been a remarkable philanthropist for the students in the Cedar Rapids schools and providing them with the money and recognition for their hard work in educational classes,” Dr. Wilcynski said.

With all that he does for the Cedar Rapids schools and community, Ghosh’s contribution can get overlooked.

“You take two AP exams, they throw out the first and if you get a three, you get $40 back, if you get a four or five, you get $50 back. If you take five exams, they still throw out the first one, if you get four or five, you are going to get $200 back,” Dr. Wilcynski said.

Even though he is wanting

photo provided by Cathy Thompson Achievement. Dr. Chirantan Ghosh shakes the hand of Rachel Dean, sr., as she receives an award for her achievements. other people to contribute their money with him, he is giving his own money to the students. “It is his own personal money because he grew up in India, he thinks

education is the key to success, and so he gives money to the reimbursement thing for AP students at Kennedy, Washington and Jefferson students, any kids in our

Cedar Rapids schools,” Dr. Wilcinski said.

With all this happening, Dr. Ghosh is still donating his money to AP students.

He is still the same person

he was and according to Dr. Wilcynski, “He just is who he is.”

Jordan Calef

Drivers education teacher leaves for unknown reasons

photo by Hanna Krivit A job well done. Mary Gibney poses with some of her students and her Arc Educator Award.

Teacher receives award Mary Gibney, special education teacher, received the Arc Educator Award, an award for teachers who work with children with special needs, for her work with Best Buddies on May 2.

“I was actually really surprised,” Gibney said. Gibney is head advisor for the Best Buddies Club, an international organization that promotes inclusion of special education students and friendships between them and the general education students. General education students either have a special needs partner who they are matched with and have a year long commitment too, or are an associate, which means they come to the activities.

“What I love about Best Buddies the most, I think, for me is the reactions for the students here,” Gibney said. “Sometimes they come up to me and say ‘Hey, I just saw my best buddy in the hall!’ A lot of them [the partners] have activities on their own, and they say ‘I went out to eat with my best buddy, or I went bowling with my best buddy!’ It’s just a cool thing that the friendship goes one step further outside of school.”

Gibney helped implement the Best Buddy program in Kennedy during the ’04-’05 school year. Worldwide, Best Buddies has about

700,000 people with and without disabilities.

“The best thing about Best Buddies is the friendships that continue past the school year, like the students who go to college and comeback and hang out with them,” Gibney said.

Allison Kindig, sr., president of Best Buddies Club, said that Gibney definitely deserved it.

“She’s been a great advisor,” Kindig said.

“She really cares for the kids, and it’s apparent in her work. She’s really great.”

Kindig has a peer buddy, Jenna Erceg, so., who Kindig says that she’ll miss being able to see everyday after she goes to college.

“Best Buddies is a great club. We have a wonderful advisor, and I encourage anyone to join...I think what’s really cool about Best Buddies is that you like to think that you have an impact on their life, but you soon realize that they have a huge impact on your life. It really makes you appreciate the small things in life, and makes you realize that you should focus on your abilities, not your disabilities,” Kindig said.

Gibney said that her goal is to find ways to continue to find opportunities for inclusion for her students.

Bailey Zaputil

Former drivers education teacher, John Haddy, worked at Kennedy High School for six years before he was fired from the Kirkwood Community College’s drivers’ education program.

Haddy was employed by Kirkwood to be an instructor for their drivers’ education program. Kirkwood employs fully licensed educators and is licensed by the Iowa Department of Education along with the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Jim Muench, associate principal, said, “He [Haddy] is not with us for personal reasons. I was informed by Kirkwood that he would no

longer be teaching here.”

Michelle Cherrier, program manager at Kirkwood, confirmed that Haddy was no longer employed there.

Cherrier had no comment when asked why he was no longer employed.

Mark Wilden is also employed by Kirkwood to teach drivers education at Kennedy.

Wilden said that Haddy’s unemployment wasn’t related to alcohol or drugs. Wilden also said that as far as he was concerned Haddy didn’t fail a driving test. Curt Roesler is replacing Haddy as driving instructor. Roesler was also hired by Kirkwood.

Dr. Mary Wilcynski, principal, said that Haddy had

been working at Kennedy for about six years. When asked why Haddy was fired, Dr. Wilcynski said, “By law you don’t have a right to make private personnel (information) public.”

Dr. Wilcynski said that the drivers’ education classroom and driving policy is all state regulated. “The whole drivers’ education program and curriculum is very refined by the state Department of Transportation,” Dr. Wilcynski said.

Grace King

Sales tax plan voted down The Local Option Sales Tax vote, held on May 3, was a bill to extend the current tax increase of 1 percent. It would have been in place until June 30, 2014, for another 20 years to pay for flood protection, street repair, and property-tax relief.

The city’s proposed plan would have cost approximately $375 million. The flood protection would have been on both sides of the river with about seven miles of protection total. About four miles on the east side of the river and about three miles on the west side of the river. The flood protection would have earthen levees, permanent flood walls, and removable flood walls. The flood of 2008 left the city with approximately $3.7 billion worth of damage. If the tax extension would have passed, the money would have been used to prevent a flood from happening in Cedar Rapids.

There were approximately 32,000

votes on May 3, and the tax extension lost by 216 votes. Alburnett, Center Point, Central City, Ely, Lisbon and Mount Vernon, Palo, Springville, and Walker voted yes, while the Walford and the Cedar Rapids-Metro block, which includes Cedar Rapids, Fairfax, Hiawatha, Marion, and Robins, all voted no.

In Cedar Rapids, 13 out of 47 precincts had approved the tax extension. 706 more people voted “no” instead of “yes” in Cedar Rapids. 3,364 people had voted via absentee ballot in this election, about 1,765 for the tax extension and 1,599 against it.

The city can only get money from the federal government for flood protection, if they match some of the money, which the tax would have been used on. The Cedar Rapids City Council voted a 7-0 vote in January to hold the election that happened on May 3.

Alli Nemecek

News

JFK Torch

Page by Darcey Altschwager

May 20, 2011

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DEAD. graphic by Rachel Gilman

Osama Bin Laden dead Students react to death O

n the night of Monday, May 1, thousands of people were gathered around their televisions as President Barack Obama had announced there would be an impromptu national security message to the nation.

Nerves were on the rise as some feared for bad news from overseas, but that feeling quickly turned into triumphant relief as President Obama announced that Osama Bin Laden, leader of Al Qaeda and the mastermind behind the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City, had been killed by American forces.

Bin Laden had been hiding in a highly guarded facility in Pakistan. Bin Laden rarely ever left the two rooms he was accustomed to living in, but even hiding out of sight from the world didn’t stop the American forces from tracking him down.

President Obama received word from the military that they had the specific location of the hideout and gave orders on April 29 to go in and take Bin Laden: dead or alive. The attack was carried out by the Navy’s specialized group: Team Six, who are trained in extreme

conditions and called in only for extreme situations.

The raid only took a few minutes, as Bin Laden was unaware of the American presence.

The team was flown in by helicopter and broke down the door to Bin Laden’s house as a group.

Bin Laden was unarmed, but attempted to use one of his wives as a human shield. Though he attempted to put up a struggle, Bin Laden was overtaken by force and killed.

The Navy reported that he died of a gunshot wound to the head. After his death, Bin Laden was buried by way of traditional Islamic culture: a water burial done in a very timely manner.

At the breaking of the news, America erupted into excitement and celebrations went broke out across the nation, as the tragedy of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks finally came back around full circle.

Andrea Traeger

H

earing the news of the death of Osama Bin Laden has had a special effect on the members of the military, and all their families.

Megan Pospisil, fr., has a brother who has been in the military, and her brother was discharged recently due to an injury. “I first heard that Osama Bin Laden was dead when my friend texted me at 11 at night. It didn’t register in my mind until it was all over the news,” Pospisil said.

Though Pospisil is happy over the victory, she thinks a different approach to celebration could have been beneficial. “I think his death has been a good end to a lot of our [America’s] worries, but I feel like a lot of people are being disrespectful about the issue. Even though he was not, in the least bit, a good person, I don’t think people should rejoice in his death. I’m not saying I don’t understand where they’re coming from, just that some people find it offensive,” Pospisil said.

Elyse Nelson, jr., also can relate to having someone close to her overseas, as her brother

is currently deployed in the Middle East. “We were glad that [Bin Laden] was killed. My brother is in the Navy so he was not directly involved, but it is one step closer to ending the war and bringing him home. I think it means more to me knowing my brother is over there fighting,” Nelson said.

Along with the military and their families, another group of Americans, practicing Muslims, found a sense of relief in Bin Laden’s death, but many believe it could have been handled very differently. Ahmad Wagdy, jr., is a Muslim student who shares this view, “Well, seeing as Osama Bin Laden led a terrorist organization that went against the fundamental values of Islam, I have no sympathy for the man. He broke numerous rules, and should be held accountable. On the other hand, I believe that only God has the right to take away one’s life, so I see it wrong to have him abruptly murdered, no matter what he did against the United Sates and against Islam.”

Andrea Traeger

Students hold memorial to honor those who fought overseas

photo by Asmaa Elkeurti Rememberance. Memorial placed on a rock for fallen soldiers.

On April 27, three days before Osama Bin Laden was killed, three Kennedy students and one former Kennedy student held a memorial in honor of the soldiers who lost their lives in the war on terror. All four students spoke at the dedication along with two war veterans.

A golden crab apple tree and a rock with a plaque was placed near the softball field at Kennedy to honor the soldiers who have lost their lives. For Tom Henry, sr., Brad Eveland, sr., Dan Wasta, sr., and Lauren Barnett, graduate, the memorial started as a class project and then turned into something much more important and meaningful

than that. Barnett started the project by planting the crab apple tree after hearing some of her friends were planning on enlisting in the army.

“Our little memorial here at Kennedy High School is so that everyone can remember the fallen soldiers,” Henry said.

“I remember feeling proud and scared as I thought about the possible outcomes of their decisions,” Barnett said, during her speech at the dedication ceremony. To her, the memorial is a way to always let students who enlisted in the army feel welcomed home.

“It started as a way to support fellow classmates serving in the armed forces but it

has become something much bigger than that, something that will be remembered for years to come,” Eveland said.

Building this memorial took lots of hard work and dedication from all of the students.

“Every time we hit a wall, we found a way to persevere,” Wasta said.

Twenty-four year war veteran, Earnes Rimrod, also spoke. “It is an inspiration to me and my fellow service members. On behalf of all of my service members, veterans, and all of the branches of the service, I would like to thank you very much from the bottom of my heart,” Rimrod said.

George Anderson, social

studies teacher and marine veteran, spoke about his appreciation to the students dedication. To Anderson, a rock is a strong foundation that will never fade away just like the memories of those who lost their lives.

Patrick Cory, government and AP psychology teacher, has been advising the students along their journey to complete the project. To wrap up the ceremony he read aloud a letter that he wrote to the family and friends of lost soldiers.

“To me, trees and rocks and words will never replace your loss,” Cory said.

Darcey Altschwager

8

JFK Torch

Feature

May 20, 2011

Page by Michael Nordstrom and Grant Sheeley

Feature

JFK Torch

Page by Michael Nordstrom and Grant Sheeley

May 20, 2011

Kirkwood

the countdown is over.

0 0

0 0

Inside look at where seniors are headed next year.

David Ackerman Jordan Anderson Lucas Baethke Taylor Barr Jordan Baskerville Megan Beebe Kaitlin Bekeris Kasya Bell Derek Bents Haley Bermel Jennifer Berndsen Joshua Beske Bryce Blomberg Ruth Borsay Kayne Bowden Bryce Brekke Nicholas Bruns Thomas Bures Aaron Burkey Colby Casey Kelton Cernin Je'dah Chism Collin Clark Kassandra Cork Anthony Crawley Ryan Cummins Victoria Dabler Austin Day Willem Dejong Ashley Detwiler Kelsey Devereux Allison DeVore Kyla Dittmar Maida Dizdarevic Matthew Dohrmann Domanick Dominguez Logan Drewelow Jacob Dunne Mariah Early Lisa Eastman Tyler Easton Marissa Eggers Hailey Eide-Hull Corbin Evert-Fratzke Benjamin Fogle Jacob Fousek Zachary Frederick Haley Gallagher Shane Glenn Mark Graham Nathan Green Laura Grotte Paige Hagemann Kelsey Haight Andrew Hansen Katie Havel Jed Haycraft Lina Hegazi Jennifer Hejda Colin Hines Jacob Huber Trevor Hyatt Lukas Jack Alexander Janechek Nashua Kilburg Kyle Kloft Autumn Kohl Miranda Kress Logan Kubovec Ramerra Lacey Trent Laird Rachel Lee Shane Little Shatonna Long Katelyn Loveland Allea Lovely Chad Ludovissy Justin Lytle Connor Mahan Austin Marshall Cassondra Matthews Tyler Maus Alecia McEachran Cody McIntyre Hailey McSpadden Morgan Megonigle Zachary Miller Zishan Monawar Jessica Mora Ruthann Muenzenmeyer Connor Nicholas Cody Oberfoell Jena Perkins Marissa Peterman Lydia Polsean Bria Postley Bryson Postley Lashawandra Postley Hannah Potter Jason Rettig Dane Reynolds Troy Reynolds Marco Rice-Trejo Kiona Rolfes Jacob Sanders Andrew Scanlon Vinessa Schmitz Michael Schultz Ivy Seufferlein Brooke Sherman Brittani Sherzer Abbey Shroyer

Iowa State University

Central College

Sarah Sirlona Jenna Sitter Brooklin Smith Carina Smith Mackenzie Smith Noah Smith Spencer Smith Stephanie Snyder Anthony Spoke Seth Stewart Morgan Studt Taylor Studt Bailey Stuefen Amber Swiney Conner Taylor Tiffany Tillman Stephanie Treptow Keara Turkington Dwight VanHyfte Karina Vargas Daniel Vitale Chanae Warden Tara Lynne Weber Tanner Wellik Christopher Welsh Leighann Westermeyer Trask White Zechariah Wilharm Benjamin Williams Corey Williams Dominique Wright Starnisha Young

Armed Forces Matthew Bryce Aaron Dillon Kelly Michael Kurt Desiree Zachary Garret Joshua Timothy Leo

Adams Andrews Bedell Braden Burngarner Gutschmidt Haage Kern Koch Linne Reedy Shauger Williams III

Ashford University

Marissa

Klinger

Sarah Brittany Caleb

Fonseca Clark Mere

Coe College

Caleb Mere Lindsay Meade Matthew Peak Jacqueline Pedersen Tucker Rathjens Taylor Rowell Kennedy Satterfield Ryan Sheldon Kaitlyn Thomas Keenan Wilson

Colorado College

Michael

Nordstrom

Cornell College

Katherine Sickelka

Cottey College

Emily

Wrider

Davidson Community College

Chelsea

Burke

DePaul University

Molly Samuel

Hutchcroft Krause

Drake University

Ethan Gascho Hanna Geiger Katherine Helmlinger Erica Jensen Austin Lewis Hunter Quint Emily Sohl Mackenzie Welsh Dane Worley

Jada Beard Caitlin Brown Zachary Carlson Nathan Castek Rachel Collingsworth Jamison Countryman Benjamin Davis Zachary Deitrich Norah Eppele Audrianne Freeman Johnathan Freeman Sean Gilbert Chris Haman Arrien Hansel Benjamin Harlander Thomas Henry Michael Hoefer Forest Kelly Michael Kennedy Christina Ling Christian McKee John Mettler Kim Muench Alexandar Niebuhr Nathaniel Nosek Katelyn Oates Andrew Paulsen Alexander Rohrssen William Rowan III Madison Schmitz Jacob Schoneman Trevor Shannahan Thomas Singer Jacqueline Smith Jessica Staley Dallas Terrill Mitchell Valenta Morgan Vanderlind Maria Vognsen Kristin Wasson Leslie Wille

Iowa Wesleyan College

Morgan

Railsback

Kaplan University

Amanda

Streight

Kennedy-King College

Samantha Weir

Auburn University

Anna

Brousard

Eastern Illinois University

Garet

Merta

Bethel University Hannah Koskamp Tanatswa Tavaziva

Boston University

Cason

Trey

Milks

Brigham Young University

David

Eastman School of Music

Tait

Madsen

Evergreen State College

Colin

Alyssa Emma

Luther College

Ashley James

Hannah

Sorsby

Hawkeye Community College

Brooklyn Mally Clifton Waterman

Heffernen Odegaard

Marquette University

Brown

Grand View University

Bachman Penn

Alexander Busbee

Mid-America Nazarene University

John

McCandless

Minnesota State

Austin

Benson

Kaiser

Iowa Central

California Polytechnical State Unversity

Daniel

Wasta

Capri College

Rylee Keiana Morgan

Daniels Freeman Shillings

Emily

Lauderdale

Carlsen College

Xavier Share Student

Marlin Maxwell Rahul Ryan Mitchell Chris Kylere Hallie Zachary

Dupler Eller Gomez McGraw Mclaughlin Miller Paulsen Pucelik Smith

Matthew Ingram

Northwestern University

Sean

McQuade

Oregon University

Christian French

Program

Kathrine Buchheim Bethanne Marconi

Simpson College

Caitlin

Dicus

Southeast Missouri State University

Brenda

Forstrom

Southeastern Community College

Griffin Terrell David

Michael Sykes Yancey

Southwest Minnesota State University

Alexus

Litts

St Louis University

Chandini Reddi

Transition Center

Jeffrey Perkins Kevin Then Matthew Dudley

Truman Sate University

Katherine Reysack

Rossi

Adams

Iowa Lakes Community College

Carmen Kylee

McCoy Von Ahsen

Missouri State University

Jennifer

Morningside College

Nathen

Sullivan

University of WisconsonPlatteville

Kendra Jacob

Hendrickson Manning

Viterbo University

Nicholas Arceo Paige Ermer

Undecided

Kingstin Garcia Collin Hartgrave Ryan Hentrich Alexa LandonHeinbuch Hailee McDonald Cody Myers Sara Nanke Miyah Reynolds Bethany Steichen Justine Miller

University of California- San Diego

Sydney

Frazier-Flores

University of Advanced Technology*

James

Crumpton

University of Dubuque

Timothy Martinez Ashley Schlueter

Warder

University of Georgia

University of Texas- Austin

Chase

Smith

Mary Katie Jacob Isaac Laura

Mt. Mercy University

Christensen Hougas Misener Rowley Pauls

Upper Iowa University

Olivia

Meier

University of Iowa

Cole Ambrosy Shannon Beck Amanda Brause Chloe Brigl Jasmine Butler Logan Butler Kylie Crippes Taylor Delperdang Asmaa Elkeurti Natalie Erickson Bradford Eveland Lucas Everman Chase Fergus Chase Fifield Shane Goodall Amy Hanson Breanna Hawley Elizabeth Hayes Tia Heires Madelyn Hemesath Carly Henderson Anna Hobart Macaulay Hudson Hannah Kaiser Allison Kindig Jordan Lindo Jacob Losch Matthew Maiers Nicholas Martin Miranda Neff Jaccob O'Connor Lisa Marie O'Neill Hailee Raue Judson Rhoades Karalee Ripley Steven Santacroce Shabana Sidhu Colin Taylor John Taylor Allison Thompson Hunter Thompson John Tollefson Nicole Tygart Rebecca Welch Nykeisha Williams Zachary Winters

University of Massachuetts

Kylie

Tichy

University of Miami

Rachel

Dean

Tuskegee University

Herschel Dixon Jr.

Loras College

Hohmann

Brevard Community College

Lehmkuhl

Christianson

Baylor University Ashley

Lake Forest College

Jack

Northwest Missouri State University

9

Allison

Koch

University of Southern California

Cassandra Kenworthy

Wichita State University

Michael

Khouri

University of Nebraska

Austin

Christensen

University of North Dakota

Kali

Hildebrand

University of Northern Iowa

Sydney Aarhus Ellen Bardsley Dana Bumgarner Joshua Carew Zachary Carney Kristen Carollo Brian Crew Elizabeth Frerichs Shauna Happel Benjamin Hennessey Brittany Kiley Kyle Lamaak Rebecca Lensing Jenna Lyons Courtney Magner Rachel Maker Kassi Nunnikhoven Emily Pei Alexis Ptacek Dakota Reed Brittany Rinehart Valerie Ross Mark Sabotta Katherine Schulz Katherine Schura Caitlin Shea Casey Sheets Ashley Stubbs Mackenzie Thompson Taylor Vanhorbeck Jacob Wagner Erin Wilson John Zauche

Wartburg College

Kristen Carissa

Huebsch Serbousek

Information Gathered by Guidance Secretary Vicki Korf, Steph Mercer, Katie hefflefinger Graphic by The Rachel Anne Gilman

10

JFK Torch

profile

may 20, 2011

Benjamin Bach Coming to America, Bach didn’t know what to expect outside of the Kennedy website. Would he be liked?

Would he make friends?

Throughout his experience he discovered the answers to his questions and learned many other unexpected things.

Bach was taken into the home of his host parents, the Wright family. He feels being with the family is the base of his exchange experience. “It’s a second place where you feel free to come and go in and out. I feel comfortable,” Bach said.

Bach has many hobbies including playing piano, soccer, the trumpet, Happiness, marching band, a little bit of cross country, and finally spending time with his good friends, usually Thanh.

As of the moment, Bach is confused on whether or not he’s happy to be going home, or sad that he has to leave. “The best case is that my family and friends from Germany come here, so I can be with them and my American friends and family,” he said.

Knowing that the time for his departure is approaching, Bach would like to end his farewell by saying, “I’d like to thank Kennedy and the people here. It’s been an unforgettable experience.”

Page by jessica rowan and rachel gilman

Home bound

Exchange students reflect on their past year in America

Lumiao Zhang

Photo by Jessica Rowan Close knit. Foreign exchange students huddle together and strike a funny pose as they are photographed together for the last time. experience is not knowing about show choir combo sooner.

Being a student from a different country changed Nguyen’s life. It opened his eyes and he has gotten to experience a different culture first hand.

“I enjoy everyday I have here. I have so much free time; because I’ll have to make up this year in Germany, its less stressful,” Nguyen said.

Nguyen feels that his trip shouldn’t be over yet, and he wishes to stay, even if its only for a little longer. Meeting all of the people in America has been such an amazing experience, and going home will be pretty hard to do.

Thanh Nguyen Knowing he would be walking through the doors of a high school that had about 1,800 students got Thanh Nguyen excited. A school with so much going on, and so many faces was such a thrill.

Nguyen has taken part in speech team, Moonlight Express, and now soccer. His only regret about his great

Kaasik said.

Kassik feels her biggest regret is, at some point in time, she wasted a lot of time doing pretty much nothing, She feels everyone was kind and so friendly. Erle is very excited, however, to be reunited with her loved ones.

“No other place is better than home, even if everything is doing good somewhere far away.”

the main influence during his time in Iowa. “We just became really, really close friends,” Bassani said.

Other important people in his life include Jessica Rowan and Sr. Kollasch.

Bassani’s host parents were also a huge part. “They’re the best people ever, very wonderful,” Bassani said. He feels they have done so much for him and he is forever thankful.

Bassani feels that after coming to America, his bashfulness has completely disappeared and he is now much more outgoing.

Pietro said he is 90% sad to be leaving Kennedy, and 10% excited. He’s happy to go home to his parents and friends but is very sad to be leaving all the people he has met behind.

He plans to return for a visit, possibly as soon as next Christmas break.

Pietro Bassani Pietro Bassani was unable to set his mind on a solid image of American lifestyle.

There would be new people, a new family, new customs, new food, new everything.

Bassani very much has enjoyed his stay here and liked meeting a ton of new people! Austin Anderson was

heart was, with soccer. He automatically liked the look of the soccer field and knew he’d be playing there during his trip. He’s been playing for a total of approximately 9 years now and soccer has taught him many things like patience, and given him many great friends.

“I think my most exciting memory was the soccer game against Linn-Mar, May 5. I scored a goal and we won by penalty kicks after overtime.

That was an exciting game because we defeated LinnMar, and I scored a goal,“ Takaoka said.

One regret Takaoka has had was not trying to play football, American style. He feels the kids at Kennedy are average teenagers, and are very friendly.

“I’ve made so many friends, and they’re so nice!”

Takaoka said. He’s not excited to leave his new friends, his host family, and Wendy’s Spicy Chicken. He feels very sad, but has enjoyed the time he’s had here.

Sho Takaoka Sho Takaoka’s first impression of Kennedy resulted right where his

Erle Kaasik

In the country of Estonia, Erle Kaasik was awaiting to hear where she would be going for the next school year. News got back to her that she’d be taking a flight to Cedar Rapids and her first instinct was, “Okay, time for Google!”

Kaasik had seen many movies about high school but when it came down to it, she was clueless as to what to expect.

Erle has really enjoyed her time from the beginning.

She immediately took a liking to her host parents and has grown to love and respect them. “Living in their family has make me want to raise my family like that; they’re so much fun, easygoing, and peaceful,” Kaasik said. She was very fascinated by her trips to New York, Miami, and Seattle with her second set of parents, who have been such a large part of her life.

She feels she has done so much in the last year and it has been the most memorable of her entire life.

“I’m more confident and open minded. I’m not as shy anymore,” Kaasik said.

Kaasik is going to miss American sweets like cookies, cupcakes, pies, and especially peanut butter! “The snacks are better here, more than any other place in the world,”

Lumiao Zhang was thrust into America, right out of China. She’d have to leave her parents, her family, and all her friends. For the first time in her life, the only person should could count on to make her decisions, would be herself.

“I’ve learned to be more independent and to not rely on my parents so much,” Zhang says. Being in America has also taught her how to value the things that are given to her, like advice and wisdom. She also enjoys the people being kind in general.

“I love the other kids. They’re really nice to me and have helped me so much,” she said.

Zhang especially enjoys her host sister Allison Kindig.

She spent one of her favorite memories with her; It was Zhang’s sweet sixteen, and it was an unforgettable night.

She’ll miss the winter, and her friendly teasing with her favorite teacher Mr. Bennedict.

Although Zhang plans to come back to America one day, she’s unsure when she’ll be able to come back to Iowa.

“When I leave my home I know I’ll come back, but when I leave here, I don’t know when ill come to visit,” Zhang said. She’ll be very sad to be leaving.

Steph Mercer

Mugs by Sarah Sickles

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JFK Torch

Page by Alli nemecek and tara mittelberg

may 20, 2011

Powered by the heart

11

Senior bikes from Canada to Mexico to raise awareness

F

or most seniors, graduation means that summer is here and college is on the way next fall. For Alli Koch, sr., graduation means she’ll head on a journey across the country raising awareness.

On May 30, only three days after graduation, Koch will be doing a bike ride which she named Powered by the Heart. “It’s my journey to raise awareness for the importance of heart health and to raise $10,000 for the American Heart Association,” Koch said.

The trip will begin in International Falls, Minnesota where she will start a 2,200 mile journey and end in Brownsville, Texas.

Along the way, she will stop in various places throughout the states of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Koch will be in the Pigman

Triathlon in Palo on June 5 and participate in the RP Mansfield Sprint Triathlon in Mansfield, Texas on June 19.

Koch first started doing triathlons after she had seen her dad complete a triathlon and was instantly hooked by it. When she was 13 she competed in her first, and since then has competed in 21 sprint triathlons and one Olympic distance triathlon.

Koch first had the idea to do this journey last summer and began organizing soon after she had the idea. “It was a long process getting it organized. I had to write a whole bunch of letters and contact people who were willing to sponsor, but when people started to sponsor it helped out even though it took a pretty long time,” Koch said.

“Exercise is a big part of my life, and I wanted to help people and since heart disease is the biggest cause of death

Determination. Alli Koch, sr., trains for a bike ride this summer that will start in Minnesota and end in Texas.

Photo provided by Alli Koch With her journey quickly approachin America, it helped motivate me to fol- the American Heart Association through low through with the journey,” Koch said. donations along the way. Koch currently ing, Koch is eager to start her journey.

Koch managed to get sponsors for has approximately $1,500 raised and is “I’m not nervous; I know that I can do her trip and at the same time built a hoping to be above her goal when she is it, the only thing that I’m actually nervous about is any injuries along the way,” website providing information about her finished with her journey.

Since the announcement of her trip, Koch said. With that she added, “I hope journey. “I built my own website (www. poweredbytheheart.com), which was Koch has gotten local media attention this ride can inspire people to get out, tough since I didn’t know how to do any- from the Gazette and KGAN about her start exercising, or do something to get thing like that, but I managed to set it journey. Koch is hoping to raise aware- healthier.”

Mohammad Cheetany up,” Koch said. Along with her sponsors, ness and get other attention so she can Koch is also hoping to raise $10,000 for spread her message.

KHS parent says farewell to photos Cathy Thompson was editor of the yearbook in 1980. Today, 31 years later, she is still involved with photography at Kennedy High School.

“I started taking pictures at Kennedy again when my oldest son, Tyler, was playing quarterback for the football team in 2004,” Thomson said. Soon after, Thompson purchased a digital camera with a larger lens and began giving pictures to the players. “Soon it became to hard to print every picture so I created the cougar clips website. The team could go to the website and view all the photos, and if they liked one they could purchase the photo for $1,” Thompson said. The money was then donated back to the school, for different things.

Thompson’s other son, Miles, participated in show choir and theater. “I started taking photos at all the events my children participated in,” Thompson said. She added the photos to the website and soon after had photos from majority of the sports at Kennedy.

“I tried to get to every activity at least one time during their season,” Thompson said.

“My youngest child, Mackenzie, is graduating this year, and I have slowed down and do not take photos at every activity anymore.”

-Cathy Thompson

“Other teams at Kennedy wanted their own site and it soon became expensive,” Thompson explained. Thompson decided to go to the booster club; they supported the idea of having the website. Soon kennedyactivities.com was

Cathy Thompson dances at Going Out Concert.

Photo by Jessica Rowan created. “Now, not only are we sharing photos, but information, schedules and game results are accessible to everyone,” Thompson said.

“My youngest child, Mackenzie, is graduating this year, and I have slowed down and do not take photos at every activity anymore,” Thompson said. Thompson hopes other parents will take photos at Kennedy events and hopes they are willing enough to share their photos on kennedyactivites.com. “Hopefully these photos will be keepsakes and reminders of their time at Kennedy. I am sure I will be at many of the events at Kennedy in the future, and I promise I will bring my camera,” Thompson said. sam nordstrom

Male cheerleaders break four year streak There has not been a male cheerleader at Kennedy High School in over four years. This up coming year we are going to have two male cheerleaders: Damien Jaster, fr., and J.B. Brown, so. Jaster made sophomore boys football and Brown made varsity boys basketball.

Brown has had cheer experience before, “My mom was a cheerleader so I wanted to be one. I was a cheerleader all eigth grade year in Texas.

I was also a cheerleader for a little bit of freshman year at Washington High School.

One day we were practicing and they dropped me. I had to

Graphic By Tara Mittelberg

stop cheering for the rest of the year,” Brown said.

Jaster has never cheered before, but when he saw the opportunity he just couldn’t pass it up. “I have never seen a guy cheer for Kennedy, and I just wanted to try it and it also sounded like a lot of fun,” Jaster said.

It was a challenge and both of the boys were very nervous to try out. They both said that they went home and practiced for hours. “It took tons of hard work, but in the end it was definitely worth it,” Brown said.

“I just can’t wait to cheer my butt off. It will be a ton of fun and I can’t wait for games and practice.

No matter what people say or do I will not stop cheering. I knew that Brown would make it because he is freaking amazing so I compared myself to him a lot,” Jaster said.

“I can’t wait for games and just cheering. My friends were so proud of me. I have never seen my friends so happy for me. I am also proud of Jaster for making it. I know we will have fun cheering together,” Brown said.

“I think it will be a great thing to have boy cheerleaders this year. I think that it will help out with the stunts and stuff. I think that it will encourage more guys to try out. I think more guys should try out because it is definitely cool having boys on the team,”

Sydney Aarhus, sr., said.

Having boys on the team will also affect the girls. “I think that they will be able to bond just as well as before, and I’m sure the boys will be included just as well. Overall I think it will be easy for them to bond with the girls,” Kiona Rolfes, sr., said.

“I think it will be interesting to cheer with boys. They seem really pumped up so it should be fun. I have never cheered with a guy before. I don’t think people will change. We will be just as close and we will accept them to the team just as we would a girl.”

-Savannah Tuttrup The cheerleaders on the team are going to make sure the boys feel just as welcome to a team as they would for a new girl. “I think it will be interesting to cheer with boys.

They seem really pumped up so it should be fun. I have never cheered with a guy before. I don’t think people will change. We will be just as close and we will accept them to the team just as we would a girl,” Savannah Tuttrup, fr., said. lexi theusch

12

JFK Torch

Lifestyle

May 20, 2011

Page by Shane Goodall and Allie Sindlinger

where to go

what to make

Pinicon Ridge Park Address 4729 Horseshoe Falls Road Central City, IA 52214 Phone 3194381961 Features 925 acres. On the Wapsipinicon River.4 camping cabins. 2 Enclosed, year round lodges, 2 open shelters playgrounds, Frisbee golf.

Its approximately 30 minutes away from Kennedy.

Palisades Kepler Park Address 700 Kepler Drive Mount Vernon, Iowa 52314 Phone 3198956039 Features 44 campsites 26 electrical hookups. Good hiking spots. 6 mile trail. Good for picnicking too. Fishing. Cedar River. About 20 minutes from Kennedy.

Walnut acres Address 221228 Hwy 38 N Monticello IA 52310 Phone 3194654665 Features fishing lake, 2 rental cabins with air conditioning, 3 shelters for group outing, playgrounds, river tubing trail and large sand beach. About 50 minutes from Kennedy.

Pleasant Creek State Address 4530 McClntock Road Palo, IA 52324-0242 Phone 3194367716 Features: great place for a picnic. 69 campsites, 43 electrical hook-ups and 2 modern showers and rest room facilities. 4 camer cabins. 10 mile of trails for hiking, snowmobiling, bicycling. Lake activites are swimming, fishing, and boating. About 20 minutes from Kennedy.

Banana Boat A twist on a classic camping treat!

01. Slice a banana down the center then slather it with peanut butter.

02. Add marshmallows and chocolate chips on top of the peanut butter inside the banana.

03. Wrap the banana in foil and set it in the embers of the fire.

04. Unwrap the banana boat when the marshmallows and chocolate chips are melted and enjoy.

what to bring

Hanna Krivit

The food and drink essentials ___reusable water bottle ___crystal Light water bottle packets ___s’mores ___peanut butter ___loaf of bread ___cereal ___apples and bananas ___trail mix ___granola bars

The clothing essentials ___t-shirts ___jeans ___sweatpants ___athletic shorts ___sweatshirt ___rain coat ___flip-flops ___sneakers ___extra socks ___swimsuit

Tonka Toaster A Tonka Toaster is a versatile contraption perfect for cooking various foods over a campfire.

01. Grilled Cheese-layer a few pieces of cheese between two slices of bread in the clamp’s cavity and latch together. Set in the embers of the campfire to cook for several minutes, until the bread is golden brown. Remove from the fire and eat up!

02. Fruity Dessert- Scoop pie filling between two slices of bread or piecrust. Clamp the Tonka Toaster together, roast over embers, then dig in!

03. Pizza Pie- Layer cheese, pepperoni, and tomato sauce between two pie crusts in the clamp’s cavity. Latch the Tonka Toaster closed and cook over the campfire. Enjoy!

Hobo Dinner This is a delicious meal cooked over the campfire that can be personalized and prepared ahead of time.

01. Choose ingredients to be combined and cooked over the fire. Experiment with potatoes, onions, hamburger, ham, chicken, bacon, peppers, chopped carrots, green beans, cheese, and various spices.

02. Lay out a piece of aluminum foil on a flat surface and scoop ingredients onto its center.

03. Wrap the foil tightly around the ingredients to form a pouch, making sure that no food can leak out.

04. To cook, set the pouch into the embers of the fire. Cooking time depends on the ingredients and amount of food, however 30 minutes is a good place to start.

05. Carefully remove the pouch from the fire, let cool, unwrap the foil, and enjoy!

Tara mittelberg

The essential ammentities ___sleeping bag ___tent ___flashlight ___deck of cards ___folding chair ___matches ___pillow ___backpack ___newspaper (for the kindling) ___bug spray ___towel Tara mittelberg

Graphic by Rachel Gilman

Photo

JFK Torch

Page by Asmaa Elkeurti

may 20, 2011

13

masquerade prom ‘11

graphic by Rachel Gilman

Court. Members of the prom royalty await crowning at Grand March ceremony, the first event of the night. photo by Jessica Rowan

YMCA. Allie Sindlinger, jr., throws her hands up at prom at Elmcrest Country Club. photo by Jessica Rowan

Crowned. Mark Sabotta, sr., and Shauna Happel, sr., are crowned prom king and queen. photo by Jessica Rowan

Masquerading. Caleb Mere, sr., escorts Mariah Simmons, jr., down the runway at Grand March in decorated masks to fit the year’s theme. photo by Jessica Rowan

Left. Ballet. The hypnotist hired to perform at post prom laughs as Will Rowan, sr., is held up by Christian French, sr., as he practices his graceful lifts. Right. Bird is the word. Hypnotized students pet the imaginary birdies they believe are in their hands lifted with their fingers. Post prom photos by Lauren Boyer. More prom photos can be found at www.photopuma.smugmug.com/other.

14

JFK Torch May 20, 2011

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Sports

JFK Torch

Page by Mo Cheetany

May 20, 2011

Photo by Jessica Rowan Patience. Ryan Unash, jr., pulls back a bunt while practicing hitting for the upcoming season.

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Photo by Erle Kaasik Concentration. Missy Grecian, so. keeps her eye on the ball while taking cuts in the batting cage.

Summer sports start

Baseball, softball kick off upcoming seasons Baseball looks to High hopes for repeat at state softball team While the school year is winding down for most students, the baseball season is just about to begin.

Last year the Cougars topped off a great season by winning the state championship, which was something no other baseball team in Kennedy’s history has done.

This year’s players are expecting nothing less for this upcoming season. “Our expectations are pretty much the same as last year. Besides missing a few players, we feel we can do the same thing we did last year,” Austin Christensen, sr., said.

Winning state for a second time in a row is a lofty goal but only one team in the state has an opportunity to do that—Kennedy High School.

While not cocky, the team is very confident going into this year’s baseball season. While a few key players have graduated, the bulk of the team returns for this season with an addition of juniors filling their places. Rather than being complacent and resting on their laurels, if anything, the team is working harder than ever in their attempt to reach and win a second state championship. “Coach Hoyer is doing a very good job of keeping us level headed and not letting us get too cocky after the success we had last season,” Christensen said.

Although it won’t be easy to do, as every team has their sights set on defeating the state champion from the previous season. “I don’t believe

any team is a bigger rival than the others. Every team wants to beat us just as badly this year,” Christensen said.

The season starts on May 23 in the Metro tournament against Jefferson High School, a team that beat Kennedy during the regular season last year. It will be a great test for the team to see if they can continue winning big games when they need to. “Practices have been going very well so far and the team is really coming together well to start off this season,” Terrell Sykes, sr., said. That first game against Jefferson, however, will be a true indicator as to how far the team has come in the off season.

“We are really excited for this year’s season to get started and our hopes and expectations are high,” Coach Hoyer said. Winning regular season games is important to Coach Hoyer, but it is not the most important thing. Improving each game as players and as a team is the best way to insure that at the end of the season, Kennedy High School is once again the last team standing.

Allie Sindlinger

“We are really excited for this year’s season to get started and our hopes and expectations are high”

-Coach Hoyer

Photo by Jessica Rowan Baserunning. Matt Maiers, sr., works on fundamentals in practice.

Photo by Erle Kaasik Hitting. Allie McQuiston, jr., swings hard at the ball during softball practice.

Despite the loss of a lot of players, having one senior and a previous record of 8-32, the girls softball team is hoping for a winning season this year. “I have a really good outlook for this season. We are still a very young team, but a young team with a lot of varsity experience among us.

We have nine returning varsity letter winners, so I think we’re going to be pretty competitive,” head coach Katie Bova said.

“This season, I think we’ll do pretty good. We just have a hard time finishing out the game, but we work well together,” Kassi Nunnikoven, sr., said. “This year, as well as most years, [our biggest challenge] is communication, we have a hard time sticking it out for the whole game.”

“I don’t know that there’s a big challenge we face as a team but we do need to play all seven innings,” Bova said.

“We can’t have any innings where we let down our mentality. There’s always that one inning that kind of discourages us, but I think we’ll be better about that this year.”

Because there is only one senior on the team, Nunnikoven, she has had to step up to lead the team. “It’s kind of a weight on my shoulders. I just have to lead the team,” she said.

“I think that if we’re down in points, we need to work on just keeping it together and coming back to finish the game,” Lauren Kubovec,

fr., said. “When we’re on our game we can have a really strong team.”

“As a team I think our goal is definitely to finish 500 or better,” Bova said “I think we can make it to state,” Kubovec said Bova, Nunnikoven, and Kubovec all agree that their toughest competitor right now is Jefferson. “Our toughest comptetitor is always Jefferson just because there’s always that rivalry against us. I would also say Xavier is going to be pretty tough this year,” Bova said. “I think as a team we need to be in the middle or toward the top of our conference and just go into every game with a positive attitude.”

Amy Brause

“I think as a team we need to be in the middle or toward the top of our conference and just go into every game with a positive attitude.”

-Coach Bova

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JFK Torch

sports

May 20, 2011

Page by Riley Galbraith and Nathan Althoff

Carrying on the tradition Photo provided by Shelly Galbraith

Photo by Jessica Rowan

Photo by Sarah Sickles

Accomplishments Boys Tennis Team: Photo provided by Allie Stigall

After years of domination, the Kennedy boys and girls tennis teams are back and looking for another shot at a state championship Only dominance can describe the boys and girls tennis teams over the last several years. The teams have perservered through tough meets and beat some of the best competition in the state year after year. Only four teams make it to the state tournament and most people only dream of making it, yet both tennis teams make it, showing who’s boss in high school tennis.

The girls team has built a dynasty, placing no worse than fourth in the state eight out of the last 11 years. Joe Benedict has been the head coach since 2008 and is continuing the tradition. “[The key to success] is players willing to work hard in and out of season.

[We have] great assistant coaches…the depth has allowed us to re-load, not rebuild each year,” Benedict said.

The playoffs are around the corner, and the team only needs two more wins to qualify for the team state tournament. “It will be very disappointing if we do not make it to state,” Benedict said. The number one on the team, Jackie Pederson, sr., is in strong contention at making the singles state tournament, having only lost twice this year.

The team’s best season recently was in 2007. The team capped an

undefeated season with a state championship in Vance Fuller’s last year as head coach. Coach Benedict has had several outstanding teams since then, showing that the girls tennis program is not a one-year wonder. “My first team was undefeated until the regional finals and lost to the eventual state champs. Two years ago we were third,” Benedict said. Last year the team made an exciting trip to state, winning the last doubles match in the regional final to make it there.

The boys have made very impressive runs at state recently as well.

They won the team title in 2008 after rain forced the tournament to a new

“[The key to success] is players willing to work hard in and out of season. [We have] great assistant coaches…the depth has allowed us to re-load, not rebuild each year.”

-Joe Benedict

location indoors at Drake University.

Last year, the team finished fourth, higher than a lot of people expected, showing thier resilience and heart to fight against the odds.

This year the team just missed qualifying for state in quite possibly the hardest district in the state, ending their long run at the state tournament. On a good note, however, Riley Galbraith, jr., qualified for the state singles tournament which is at Veterans Memorial Tennis Center.

Great teams need good players to step up and be the foundation of the program. Jackie Pederson, sr., is a four-year letter winner on the girls team and has been the rock the team has looked for. Coach Benedict says he will miss all that she has meant to the tennis team. “Jackie Pederson, Kali Hildebrand, and Ashley Schlueter are all in our top six and will be tough to replace. The pressure is on our juniors to step up,” Benedict said. Next year Perderson will play tennis for Coe College. Joey White, ‘10, graduated early last year to enroll at the University of Iowa to play tennis.

Nathan Althoff

2008: State Champion 2009: Third Place 2010: Fourth Place

Individual State Qualifiers 2008-present:

Joey White Jeff Damisch Eric Allebach Ivan Lao Riley Galbraith

Girls Tennis Team: 2006: Second Place 2007: State Champion 2008: Regional Final 2009: Third Place 2010: Third Place

Individual State Qualifiers 2007- present

Allie Stigall Megan Nielsen Gretchen Wertz Lindsey Slater Christina Goeddel Jackie Pedersen Sara Lasecki Laura Boenish Trisha Hinke Haley Neiderhiser

Sarah Cadwallader Leesa Cadwallader

Individual State Champions