2014-12-19

westsidestory iowa city west high school

2901 melrose ave.

iowa city, IA 52246

wsspaper.com

Volume 46 issue 3

NO

EXCUSE The WSS investigates the severity of sexual harassment at West and what is being done about it.

Pages

22-25

DECEMBER 19, 2014

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Photo by mADIE MILLER

NEWS | 6-7 | Blue zones Project

feature |18-19| ferguson

Preparing for the Theatre West production Little Women, juniors Leela Bassuk and Kayla Luegering practice during the dress rehearsal Tuesday, Dec. 2.

profiles | 8-9 | DIVINE DIVIDERS 3

Attempting to make Iowa Communities and its citizens happier and healthier, the Blue Zones Project works to make Iowa City an officially certified community.

@wsspaper

Not only has West’s math team, F ,won state for the past ten years, they also have some fun traditions.

For more coverage visit

ENTERTAINMENT |30-31| CENTER STAGE

Students react to the non-indictment of Darren Wilson and recent events in Ferguson, Missouri that have caused an uproar of emotion in America.

Meet SPIT directors, seniors, Jenna Choi, Ryan Bozer, Olivia Sheff, and Ryan Hansen as they prepare for performances on Jan. 15 and 16.

wsspaper.com

wss staff

cover Illustration by kelsey keranen

Aaron Carter Sports Editor Akash Borde Editorials Editor Allie Biscupski Writer Avery Smith Videographer Barbara Badovinac Videographer Benjamin Bliven Ad Representative Braedyn Dochterman Artist Brittani Langland Editor-in-chief Cameron Cook Writer Chanel Vidal Photographer Claire Murray Designer Consuelo Mendoza Writer Christina Dai Writer Danetta Dobre Writer Ebony McKeever Writer Eleanor Ho Writer Eugenia Chen Assistant Design Editor Gabby Skopec Sidebar/Sports Editor Hannah Song Artist Isabelle Robles Copy Editor Jaycie Weathers Design Editor

Jiung Jung Writer Kai Gui Web Programmer Katarina Fuhrmeister Designer Katie Peplow Feature Editor Kelsey Keranen Artist, Columns/Copy Editor Lauren Knudson Profiles/Web Editor Layla Hannaford Videographer Leola Eko Writer Lexi Shaffer Writer Lily Westemeyer Designer, Writer Lushia Anson Copy/Web Editor Madie Miller Photo Editor Maggie Terry Writer Mary Mondanaro Photographer McKenna Harris Designer

2 TaBle of contents DECEMBER 2014 wsspaper.com

Megumi Kitamoto Managing/Social Media Editor Michael Moonjely Entertainment Editor Miriam Perez Photographer Morgan Schmitt-Morris Designer Nick Deerberg Photographer Olivia Read News Editor Ryo Ohashi Designer, Writer Paige Brazina Photographer Sara Whittaker Adviser Schyler Davis Tech support Shanthi Chackalackal Artist, Writer Sharon Xiang Archivist, Circulation Manager Simran Sarin Assistant Design Editor Taylor Libby Designer Zayetzy Luna Ad Designer/ Representative

DECEMBER

for more

coverage visit

wsspaper.com On The Arts: Cameron Braverman ‘15

Braverman shares his music experience with WSS and talks about his upcoming mixtape.

FERGUSON TO IOWA CITY Photos and videos from local protests.

“Something has to be done. We have to stand up for ourselves. They relate it to, ‘well, if [black males] had been more educated they wouldn’t commit crime.’ I say that that’s a lie. I say that we need competency training within the police department. I say we need cultural sensitivity within the police department. We need diversity. The police force is the new Jim Crow. We have to stand up for ourselves, because the police will not do it for us,”

-Carolyn Henderson, RJR program director

JOONSOO KIM

Black ice skates— with a sharpened blade on both sides for clean edges, laced up tightly with swift fingers — etch the smooth, fresh ice with new blade marks. This is the icy world of freshman Joonsoo Kim for one to two hours each day, six days a week.

Arshaq Saleem Winning national chess competitions? Arshaq Saleem ’18 has been there, done that.

Twice. Saleem added a new challenge to his bucket list this past month: competing at an international level. Saleem will represent the US at the World Youth Championship in Greece next year.

DAVID DILEO

David DiLeo ‘15 could be considered one of the most accomplished athletes at West High.

He has compiled five team state titles during his five seasons of tennis and basketball; not including one doubles state title in tennis he won with West High alumnus Karl Wenzel ‘14. wsspaper.com DECEMBER 2014 WEB 3

NEWS TWITTER TALK:

FOOD DRIVE

COMPilED by BENJAMIN BLIVEN

The first thing you notice is the piles, boxes and bags filled with canned and boxed food lining the front of the classroom. Next you notice the abnormally large amount of students before school walking in with bags full of canned food, curiously looking at the chalkboard and talking with their classmates, asking if they brought any food in. This is social studies teacher Neil Davis’s classroom; with a competitive twist to the student senate food drive, he has managed to get forgetful students to bring in food, and lots of it.

“The students compete in their class period to try to be the student in that class period that brings the most items, and then they compete with other class periods to try to be the class period that brings the most items,” Davis said.

The students get competitive about it.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do during snow days?

BY THE NUMBERS

56 36 2200

the perfect ACT score achieved my Mason Koch ’16 dollars made during No Shave November

person highly skilled in or another artistic pursuit.

VIRTUOSO amusic There are musically gifted students all around, but few of these virtuosos really take the opportunity to actively share their interest.

Sonia Jeon ’16 and David Ryu ’15 have both been a part of the new orchestra club Virtuoso since its start this fall. Jeon began the club with a specific goal in mind.

“It seems like classical music is kind of dying out. So, we want to revive classical music for young people,” Jeon said.

The group has been playing at events to spread their passion for music to the school and community.

“We just try to play for fun,” Jeon said. “We will be playing at the MOST Benefit Concert and Children’s Hospital soon.”

4 NEWS DECEMBER 2014 wsspaper.com

competing.”

COMPilED by GABBY SKOPEC

WEST SIDE WORD:

COMPilED by OLIVIA READ

students attended the All-State music festival

Davis says in a past year he had a students who brought in about 400 items.

“It’s fun to compete against my classmates and other classes to see who can raise the most goods, and it’s for a good cause.” said Daniel Neese ’18.

This isn’t the first year that Davis is doing the competition, “I started [the competition in] about 1994 because I saw some food banks in Iowa City that I knew were running low during the holidays,” Davis said. “It motivates me to put energy into the process of presenting it to the students, because like a good lesson or like a good coach, the better I seem invested and excited about the process, the more excited the students get about it. So it kind of helped me by energizing me, and it helped the food banks, and the students love just

COMPilED by MICHAEL MOONJELY

Bye Felicia (feh-LEESH-ah) When someone says something irrelevant, dismiss them by saying ‘Bye Felicia’. Derived from the 1995 film, Friday

Although the club has been off to a satisfying start, Virtuoso is still looking for more peers to join.

“We don’t have that much music support at the school [for orchestra]. But, there’s a lot of people who are passionate about it. A lot of people seem shy about attending,” Ryu said.

Both Jeon and Ryu look to music as a creative outlet, and would like to share the experience with others.

“No matter how bad or good you are, it’s good to have music,” Jeon said. “It’s just another way to express yourself and make people happy.”

Katie: Hey remember when you dated Jerry?

Anna: Bye Felicia

COMPilED by OLIVIA READ DESIGN BY CLAIRE MURRAY

What

in the

Worcester, Massachusetts: An unknown man named Sam was photographed by a friend climbing the local Auburn Ice Canyon wearing nothing but a torch helmet and climbing boots.

Source: Mirror Amazon Jungle, South America: Paul Rosolie, wearing a speciallydesigned suit, attempted to be swallowed by a 400 pound anaconda. His experience was aired on the Discovery Channel on the show Eaten Alive.

Source: Mirror

RLD?

Xishuangbanna rainforest, China: Thirty new spider species were discovered by a research team from the Institute of Zoology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Source: Unexplained Mysteries

Mars: The NASA Spirit rover picked up a photograph of a rock that many people believe resembles the U.S. president, Barack Obama.

Source: Unexplained Mysteries COMPilED by OLIVIA READ

The ICCSD will be more strict with school cancellations this year.

After the school year was extended due to snow days last year, questions have been asked whether or not cancellations will be cut down so summer can begin on time. According to Superintendent of Schools Steve Murley, the school district will follow the same procedures as last year for consulting weather services about transportation safety.

“Student safety continues to be

our number one factor in deciding whether to delay or cancel school,” Murley said. “As to whether or not there will be fewer days, ‘The Old Farmer’s Almanac’ predicts that this winter will be another arctic blast with above-normal snowfall throughout much of the nation.”

Students can rest assured that cancellations will not be cut short; it all depends on the weather, so it looks like we may be in for more snow days.

Busted

Rumor Buster

W

Stadium cleanup money is not distributed evenly between sports.

COMPilED by OLIVIA READ DESIGN BY BRITTANI LANGLAND

stadium cleanup generates about $28,000 toward school district athletics.

“Everyone benefits from the money earned,” Kibby said. “I fund my athletic squads on a per pupil basis with some adjustments for things that I know by experience cost more.”

It costs more to equip more students, and outdoor sports also

require more money than indoor sports, so they get the proper funding. Also, the school buys the equipment they own, but if a student owns the equipment (ex: a warmup jacket), then they will buy it.

Students don’t have to worry knowing that stadium cleanups create ample money to be fairly given to each sport.

busted

Student athletes have been participating in stadium cleanups during the University of Iowa football season. Some have been wondering where the money from this work has been going. According to Principal Jerry Arganbright, the funds are given as support for the athletic programs at the five secondary schools around town. Also, according to Athletic Director Scott Kibby, one season of

wsspaper.com DECEMBER 2014 NEWS 5

News

B

Research was gathered from areas with high concentrations of centurions and citizens who live healthy lives. The models for the Blue Zones Project were derived from the habits of the people living in these places.

Ikaria, Greece

Z ONES PROJECT Loma Linda, California

LUE

By MADIE MILLER

Sardinia, Italy Okinawa, Japan

Nicoya, Costa Rica

miller.madie@wsspaper.com

Healthier Iowans may be in the state’s future as the Blue Zones Project works to reform the way we live, work and play.

What is the Blue Zones Project?

In advisory, students placed a checkmark next to items on a pledge claiming things like “I will discover my purpose” and “I will grow a garden.” WSS investigates the efforts behind the project and explains that there is more to the project than what students may think.

Across the Pacific Ocean 7,115 miles away, the elders living in the small island of Okinawa, Japan embrace ikigai, a “life of purpose,” and encourage their families to feel needed and honored. This cultural virtue emphasizes the importance of respect within their families and communities. Ikigai may be one of the reasons that people living in Okinawa are some of the happiest and healthiest in the world. Okinawans have one-fifth the rate of cardiovascular disease, one-fourth the rate of breast and prostate cancer and one-third the rate of dementia of the U.S.’s.

Attempting to replicate the long and healthy lives of Okinawans and people living in similar environments, Dan Buettner, a

researcher, author and National Geographic Fellow, conducted research in areas with the highest rates of centenarians. Buettner’s research team identified nine common characteristics of healthy individuals in these communities and developed the “Power 9” principles. Buettner teamed up with Healthways to implement the Blue Zones Project across America.

If a community wishes to become a certified Blue Zones Community it must work to improve different sectors of their community. These include work sites, restaurants, grocery stores, physical environment and citizen engagement. One aspect of the citizen engagement sector is having individuals take a pledge. In order to be a certified community, 20 percent of citizens over the age of 14 must take the Blue Zones personal pledge to attempt healthy habits such as eating more vegetables and exercising more frequently.

6 news december 2014 wsspaper.com

Power 9 Key principles

After researching the healthy lifestyle habits in the original locations, the Blue Zones Project developed these nine key principles to help individuals live longer, happier, healthier lives. The following are suggestions from the organization and are the basis for their work.

1. Move naturally: Find convenient ways to comfortably be more active.

2. Know your purpose: Knowing your purpose adds seven years life expectancy.

3. Down shift: Develop a stress-relieving strategy for physical and emotional benefits.

4. 80% rule: Stop eating when you feel 80% full; invest in smaller dish ware to assist with portion control.

5. Plant slant: Consume an array of fresh fruits and vegetables; eat only lean meat.

6. Wine at FIVE: Wine has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, when consumed responsibly.

7. Right tribe: Create and participate in social circles that support healthy behaviors.

8. Community: All but five of the 263 centenarians belonged to a faith-based community. Feeling like part of a larger group is important to health.

9. Loved ones first: Positive, committed relationships, such as caring for children, add up to six years life expectancy.

DESIGN BY BARBARA BADOVINAC

Vitality Compass The organization has created an online tool for people to enter their individualized information about healthy habits to receive up to 12 customized recommendations to help live longer. Those who fill out the pledge are encouraged to visit bluezonesproject.com to calculate the following:

• Biological Age • Overall Life Expectancy • Healthy Life Expectancy • Years you’re gaining/losing because of your habits

NEW COMMUNITIES IN ACTION

After highlighting the most important ways to live a healthy life, the organization developed key principles for how communities can change to make it easier on their citizens to adhere to the Power 9 principles. Their progress is tracked by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.

City environment changes: Safer areas for biking and walking Find volunteer opportunities

WEST

After being one of 15 communities selected from 87 applicants, Iowa City has begun its responsibilities as a demonstration site in hopes to be certified as an official Blue Zones Community by February of 2016. Being the first state to encourage multiple communities to participate in the project on a statewide level, Iowa hopes to share experiences with future sites.

In addition to having healthier citizens, being certified as a Blue Zones Community will benefit the state in other ways. According to the Community Program Manager, Shannon Greene, healthier and happier people cost less in the sense that they have lower healthcare costs and volunteer more in the community.

In addition, the certification may help the Megan Kann ’16 state attract new residents and businesses.

“We may also be able to leverage our certification status to help us secure new grants and funding in the future,” Greene said. “It is a major accomplishment that Iowa City was selected out of so many applicants, and it will be a significant honor for us to be able to say that we are a Blue Zones Community.”

WEIGHS

IN

The city works to improve the citizen engagement sector in the form of pledges. With thousands of Iowa students in schools each day, the Iowa City Blue Zones Project teamed up with the Iowa City Community School District to administer the pledges that 20 percent of the population must complete.

Student senate held a raffle as an incentive for completing the pledges, selecting 100 students to win free t-shirts. Some students had mixed emotions about the pledges.

“I think it’s a good idea because it makes me reflect on my choices, but I would have liked to know about the project and what it means before I was told to fill it out,” said Nada Ibrahim ’16.

Similarly, Megan Kann ’16, a member of the Environmental Advocates Teaching Sustainability club, agrees that more information would benefit the project’s outreach to high school students.

“Students, obviously, respond better to a topic once they are educated on it. The few short minutes in advisory are not enough to inform the people on why the activities outlined in the pledges are important,” Kann said.

However, many students are excited about the potential of

Creating healthier workplaces: Organizations can register to commit to follow suggestions to make their work environment less stressful and healthier Make easy choices: Making healthy choices available and convenient Grow social circles Join group activities: Join “moais,” or organize a group of people who work together for a common goal.

ARTWORK BY HANNAH SONG

making Iowa a healthier, better place.

“The Blue Zones Project means well and has a good goal in mind,” Kann said. “I will be using their website to find information on where West can improve.”

The project encourages students to get involved.

“Developing a healthy lifestyle as a teenager sets the stage for good health later in life,” Greene said. wsspaper.com December 2014

news 7

profiles Four members of the math club and F3 talk about quirky traditions: a F3 cape, Xtrememly Bad Suits for ultimate intimidation, green caps bought each year in anticipation of winning state and playing Zheng Shang You or Chinese poker.

Pink with a skirt, mismatched plaid, bright blue and shiny, banana yellow; these are descriptions of just some of the suits, affectionately known as Xtremely Bad Suits, that math team members wear to some competitions.

“There are a couple of special competitions throughout the year, in other states usually, and it’s their state qualifier, so we show up and we beat them and we do it wearing bad suits,” said Elizabeth Han ’16, proud owner of one such suit. The suits tend to date from the 80s or 90s and thus tend to be polyester and clashing.

“There’s this plaid suit which is

by maggie terry

terry.maggie@wsspaper.com Walk by room 206 on a Friday after school and you will hear laughter, conversation and lively discussion. This might not look like a typical math club, but F3,or Fun For Fridays, is one of West High’s two math clubs.

“It’s a club where we go to do some really challenging math problems and eat food and hang out with other people who like to do really challenging math problems,” said Michael Dlouhy ’15, one of the members. F3 is student run and not as structured as the other math club. “[At a typical meeting] We put out some treats and sheets of math problems created by one of our tetrarchs. Then, we get some treats and math problems” Dlouhy said.

The tetrarchs are another interesting aspect of this club.

“We have four leaders called tetrarchs (the prefix tetra meaning four) and they create sheets for math problems and they make sure there is an order of people to bring treats and encourage math wherever possible,” Dlouhy said.

There are some interesting traditions in F3.

“There is the F3 cape. At one point in time, there were multiple capes, but those have since been lost. There is one remaining, [...] it has a lot of history; there are names of people who were in this club before I even got to high school. There’s the big F3 in the middle. It’s pretty cool,” Dlouhy said.

already bad enough on its own, but the top doesn’t match the bottom so it creates an interesting ripple effect,” Han said. “There’s a beautiful pink one with a skirt for a bottom that doesn’t look ridiculous at all. I myself have have this wonderful banana yellow suit that is far too long.” Even though the suits are very ugly, or as math team members would prefer you call them, Xtremely Bad, people aren’t embarrassed to wear them.

“I think it’s more [that] you feel a sense of pride, like ‘look at all you plebeians who don’t have beautiful suits,’” said Han. Considering Wests winning record in math competitions, they seem to be a good luck charm.

“It’s great to beat other people at their own math competitions, but it’s even better to do it with style,” Han said.

Michael Dlouhy ’15

Elizabeth Han ’16

math club

8 profiles december 2014 wsspaper.com

photo by madie miller

by jiung jung

jung.jiung@wsspaper.com West High finds success everywhere, and the math team might exemplify this success the best. The math team has won state the past 10 years and continues to assert its dominance.

“I think West High’s tradition of winning state stems from a strong school area, with a college being around us, and I think we train hard,” said Max Hill ’17.

Their road to state is a relatively easy one, due to the strong members of the math team. However, one school always stands in their way.

“The hardest competition comes from Central Academy.” said Hill.

“They’re based out of Des Moines, and they are a magnet school, which means they have several smart people.”

As an underclassman, Hill finds himself on a comfortable spot on the team without much pressure.

He acknowledges the varsity players that lead the team, which include Junhee Lee ‘18, Casey McClenathan ‘17, Elizabeth Han ‘16, Kai Trepka ‘16 and Amy Xiong ‘15.

“Our varsity guys go to a lot of

competitions,” Hill said. “They’re really smart.”

After all their math state championships, the team does not leave empty-handed.

“When we win state, we get these hats. They’re green and like baseball caps,” Hill said.

Behind all the success is a group of talented mathematicians who like to get together on Tuesdays, eat food, and do some math.

“I like math club because of the food, but the people are also surprisingly cool,” Hill said.

Not many people love math, let alone make a game out of it. This is something that the math team embraces.

“In math club we play this game called Zheng Shang You, also known as Chinese poker,” said Pranav Krishnamurthy ‘18. “We usually play with anywhere from 4-6 people, it’s similar to poker except there is no betting.”

Krishnamurthy, the only freshman, has seen the significance of this game that is special to the math team.

“Ever since I’ve been in the math club, this is the game that everyone plays,” Krishnamurthy said. “We usually play after math club or at competitions.”

Krishnamurthy has savored his experience so far at math club.

“I like math club because you get food and you get to travel places and you get to hang out with friends.” Krishnamurthy said.

Krishnamurthy has big goals as a freshman.

“My individual goal is to make it to regionals and do well. As a team, it is probably to win regionals.” Krishnamurthy said.

He finds inspiration for his mathematical success from many different people.

“My dad, [Northwest Junior High math teacher] Mr. Norton, Mr. Kirpes, and Jun-Hee [Lee ’17] all inspire me in math,” Krishnamurthy said.

Max Hill ’17

Pranav Krishnamurthy ’18

traditions DESIGN BY eugenia chen

wsspaper.com december 2014 profiles 9

PROFILES

NANCY EL-SHEIKH’16 dai.christina@wsspaper.com Fashion can be an outlet for a great many things, including selfexpression. Perhaps even more, it represents the freedom we have to express ourselves. In a country such as the United States, this freedom is something many of us never give a second thought; the idea of it being taken away from society is far more foreign. Nancy El-Sheikh ’16 has experienced both sides of the coin. Before moving to Iowa in 2013, El-Sheikh lived in Egypt, where she wasn’t able to dress as freely as she had wanted.

“Before, I lived in Egypt because my parents are Egyptian. Then the revolution happened, so my dad got worried and we decided to move,” she said.

Besides the change in food, housing and education, El-Sheikh also experienced change in something seemingly more trivial– her clothing style. In Egypt, the freedom to dress in anything slightly revealing was very limited, so moving to Iowa provided the opportunity to experiment with styles she was less familiar with.

“In the town I lived in, I couldn’t wear short-shorts or tight skirts or dresses because if I wore something short, I would get sexually harassed … basically, all the time all I wore was, if it was hot, a short-sleeved shirt and jeans over it. I couldn’t wear a crop top or anything like that, but here I can

wear whatever I want,” she said.

Others have also noticed the change El-Sheikh’s closet has undergone. Hannah Underwood ’15, a close friend of El-Sheikh since she moved here, has been there to witness it all.

“Last year and the beginning of this year, she was always very reserved in the way she dressed; very covered up. She always told me she got tired of wearing things the things she was ‘expected’ to wear by her family,” Underwood said.

Since then, Underwood has played a big part in El-Sheikh’s journey in expanding her wardrobe. “[I] got her to open up and showed her how to be more comfortable in wearing other things,” she said. “I’ve taken her shopping a few times [and] have helped her pick out clothes out of the norm for her, and now she dresses a lot differently than before.”

El-Sheikh is enjoying exploring her new options. Her style varies from day to day and now she dresses depending on her mood.

“I don’t really have a specific style. Some days, I like to wear dresses and I match them with combat boots. Some days I like to be comfy, so I wear a crew neck or a hoodie over jeans and a scarf.

In [the] summer, I used to wear shorts and crop tops or dresses.

In winter [I wear] just a dress and a long cardigan with it,” she said.

Though on the outside ElSheikh appears to have changed quite a bit, Underwood said that

10 profiles december 2014 wsspaper.com

in

2000

Everyone has a story to tell. West Side Story randomly chose three students and asked them to tell their story.

by CHRISTINA DAI

1

more 1 in 200o profiles, wss For go to wsspaper.com

her personality is still intact.

“Her personality hasn’t really changed,” Underwood said.

“She’s still that bubbly, funny, outgoing girl that I met last year.”

photo by miriam perez

DESIGN BY LAUREN KNUDSON

photo by miriam perez

TRE BURGE ‘15 by nina elkadi WSS Intern

Most students at West High dread hearing the beeping of their alarm in the morning, but Tre Burge ’15 has a much different outlook on life.

“The worst part of my day is sleeping. The best part is waking up,” he said. “My mother passed in her sleep, so I’m thankful I can wake up every day.”

Burge’s mother passed away when he was ten, and every day since then, Burge has turned to something that many only do when forced to for an assignment— he writes.

“It’s so weird with me being like a young black kid [with] my big stature. Every time I come to a school there’s a coach hitting me on the back, and he’s like, ‘Hey, comin’ out this season?’ I’m like ‘What?

No.’ and they look confused.”

Burge leans back in his chair and chuckles at the thought.

“They go, ‘Then what do you do?’ and I go ‘Well, I write.’”

For Burge, writing is like eating “day-old ravioli.”

“You’re hungry; you have nothing else to eat,” he said. “I base ‘hungry’ off of [the fact that] there’s something going on in your life, [and] you don’t know what to do, you don’t have an outlet. My outlet is that writing.” “[To not be] hungry anymore, you eat that day-old ravioli,” he

photo by MIRIAM PEREZ

continued. “That stuff is disgusting, and your hunger is filled; you solve that problem. And you really don’t want to taste that ravioli again. All of your emotions, everything you need to talk about is all on that paper. You don’t want to feel those emotions again.”

Burge frequently writes about topics such as stereotypes and the future. His poetry and short stories are filled with powerful phrases about defying stereotypes and having aspirations and dreams in his life.

“His writing style is more like freestyle,” said Tom Lindsey, Burge’s creative writing teacher.

Burge frequently can recite his stories from his head rather than reading them word for word, which is where the “freestyle” element comes into play. Burge also writes about where he has come from in his life, and what he aspires to do in the future.

Burge someday hopes to give back to people. In his other schools, he had to ask his teachers for things such as food and deodorant. ”They saw potential in me,” Burge said.

He hopes to live up to that potential and be the positive role model he never had for his brothers.

“I feel like those two are my anchors. I want them to depend on me, but really I depend on them entirely. They’re all I have left.”

photo by MIRIAM PEREZ

LOGAN STUART ‘17

by ELEANOR HO

ho.eleanor@wsspaper.com If you asked Logan Stuart ’17 to show you his passport, you would see stamps from Mexico, Peru, Austria, Denmark, Spain and countless other countries.

Stuart has been traveling the world for nearly his entire life.

“My dad teaches [psychiatry] all over the place. My parents like to travel, so my dad just takes us with him,” Stuart said.

Stuart and his family have traveled to over 20 countries in Europe, North America and South America.

“I lived in Australia for around a year. I was pretty young,” Stuart said.

Throughout his travels, Stuart has had many interesting experiences.

“When I was in Malta, an island in the southern Mediterranean just off the coast of Libya, we just randomly saw Prince William. It looked like there was a parade. He drove up in a limo 15 minutes later,” Stuart said.

Despite the multitude of places Stuart has visited, his

favorite comes to mind easily.

“Machu Picchu is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. It’s really beautiful, and so high that you’re above or in the clouds,” Stuart said.

“I think [traveling] has made [Stuart] a more cultured individual,” said Stuart’s friend Orion Staskal ’17. “It’s good that he gets to experience the world and learn more about other areas of the world.”

In the future, Stuart wants to travel to countries in Asia like India, China and Japan, as well as Africa.

“I don’t think I want to live outside the United States [when I grow up], I just like travel. I like seeing new things,” Stuart said, “I would like to sail around the world. It’d be really cool.”

When asked about why he loves traveling so much, he pauses contemplatively before answering.

“Traveling has given me a wider perspective and helped me to understand more cultures.”

wsspaper.com december 2014 profiles 11

PROFILES

COMING TOGETHER

AND FIGHTING WITH FLASH

Austin Schroeder and his family at the “Gold Out” football game against Cedar Rapids Kennedy.

PHOTO BY PAIGE BRAZINA

Powell, Marshall Koehn and Super Bowl XXXIV (34) MVP Kurt harris.mckenna@wsspaper.com Warner have also shown support.

Freshman Austin “Flash” Professional Golfers Association Schroeder was diagnosed with golfer Zach Johnson tweeted at stage three T-Lymphoblastic him, “Thinking about Hawkeye fan Lymphoma on April 14, 2014. “FLASH” know prayers are headed Austin is known for his big heart your way- God’s peace and mercy to and contagious smile, and of course help fight cancer. #FightwithFlash.” his “flash” of speed on the baseball Close friend Belle Parker ’18 said, diamond. Schroeder’s fight against “[Austin] really appreciates what cancer has inspired many, within everyone does for him. He is just a the state of Iowa and beyond. really appreciative boy. He knows “Through all this, Flash showed that all those people are famous, me that things could always be but that’s not what it is about for worse and that you can’t ever give him. He doesn’t care how famous up or feel bad for yourself,” said they are; he just loves that people Carter Johnson ’18, Schroeder’s support him.” friend. “You just have to fight and Schroeder’s fight has brought overcome the obstacles that come together thousands of people. in your way.”

“I think it’s amazing how people Schroeder has also inspired have come together and everyone thousands throughout the has kind of just united to help community, including baseball support Austin,” Johnson said. “All teams such as the St. Louis the money that they have raised [is Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, from] everyone working together the Iowa Hawkeyes and University and everyone doing their part of Northern Iowa Panthers. ... I think it’s amazing how many Football players such as Sawyer people have stepped up.”

Kollmorgen, Tim Dwight, Damond

Austin Schroeder with the baseball team who have supported Schroeder’s fight by sporting his name on their jerseys.

PHOTO courtesy of anne johnson

by MCKENNA HARRIS

12 profiles december 2014 wsspaper.com

West High School Dance Marathon WHSDM is a West High club which raises money and awareness for pediatric cancer. The club has organized multiple events such as the WHSDM Hair Drive, Pool Party, 100 Days Out Event, Dash For Dashiell and the annual Dance Marathon event where students sign up to dance five hours “For The Kids.” WHSDM holds an annual “Gold Out” football game with Kennedy High School. This year the game was dedicated to Flash and his fight. To encourage Flash, WHSDM danced in a flash mob, with over 100 people attending. Students can sign up to be a part of WHSDM. in Mrs. Secrist’s room or Mrs. Hughes’ room.

DESIGN BY SIMRAN SARIN

See the community in

$9,488 “

action

raised at the Pizza Ranch Fundraiser.

I think my favorite [fundraiser for Flash] was that we went to Pizza Ranch and I was the busboy for the night. All the tips and 10 percent of the sales went to Austin and LLS [research].”

- Carter Johnson ’18

100

flowers planted around Schroeder’s house to welcome him home.

Lepic-Kroeger Realtors gave Schroeder a gift card that allowed him to buy a MacBook for online schooling.

20

approximate number of letters Schroeder recieves per day from the community. Schools like Van Allen Elementary and North Central Junior High have sent class packs of letters to Flash.

Taylor Fridrich ’18 and Ben Cupp ’18 brought together several West High students to make a birthday video for Schroeder.

$27,000

dollars raised at the Flash Golf and Silent Auction Benefit for Schroeder and his family.

300

necklaces made and sold at the Iowa/Iowa State game by Belle Parker ’18 and Maddie Huinker ’17. All proceeds went to LLS research.

$250

raised at the Ghurtie’s fundraiser went to Schroeder and his family.

1,000

helmet stickers were purchased by the Trojan Baseball Organization and given to various West High teams and organizations.

Pat McGrath Auto gave Schroeder tickets to a Cardinals game.

Thousands of dollars worth of gift cards from small businesses around the state have been sent to Schroeder and his family.

$4,165

raised on INDIEGOGO.com by students at North Central Junior High in order to raise awareness for childhood cancer in honor of Schroeder and Avery Flick. Their goal is $10,000 by Dec. 31. #FightwithFlash can be seen on a herky statue dedicated to support cancer fighters Schroeder and Patrick McCaffery.

1,440

t-shirts and wrist bands have been sold for Flash.

All proceeds went to Schroeder and his family.

“Flash” gear is available on Schroeder’s Facebook page “Fight With Flash” for purchase.

$150

raised by West High Poms at the “Light the Night” fundraiser. All the proceeds from the event were donated for LLS research.

“

When they did the service at the church [for Austin], they only expected a few people there.

Seeing [over] 300 people there, you could tell that everyone has come together to help him.”

- Belle Parker ’18

The community has organized an ornament drive to collect ornaments to create a Christmas tree for Schroeder. In addition, volunteers have decorated Schroeder’s house with Christmas lights and a homemade wreath. wsspaper.com december 2014 profiles 13

14 DECEMBER 2014 wsspaper.com

FEATURE

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN

MAGIC?

Card Trick Techniques 101:

The Double Lift

Step 1: Hold what looks like one card in your hand, but is actually two cards, with one hidden behind the other. The audience thinks the 2nd card is the top card.

Step 2: Discard the actual top card. The top card should be at the bottom of the deck, but it’s actually still at the top.

Step 3: Mind Blown

For video coverage, go to wsspaper.com

PHOTO BY MIRIAM PEREZ DESIGN BY CLAIRE MURRAY

BARLOW GUESS ‘16 West High’s resident magician Barlow Guess lets the WSS delve into his magical world.

With the grueling weight of high school heavy on our shoulders, it’s always a delight to find something that can lighten the load. While we can’t give you faith, trust or pixie dust to get you through your academic woes, there is a little bit of magic in West High’s very own resident magician Barlow Guess ’16.

This blossoming magician was inspired by a friend who is good at flourishing cards (the stuff you see card sharks do in movies). This made him decide to take matters into his own hands.

“I enjoy doing magic and it entertains people,” Guess said. “I enjoy entertaining people.” He specializes mostly in card tricks, always armed with a handy deck in his pocket.

“I mainly do card magic, but I do have some other tricks.

I can do stuff with sponge balls and other things, but mainly cards,” Guess said.

Even though his magic career is young, he hones his skills by practicing the tricks of the trade relentlessly.

“I just watch YouTube videos, mainly,” Guess said. “You just have to search ‘card tricks’ on YouTube if you’re really interested”.

Sadly, he can’t make your homework disappear, but he can put a little magic in your step to help get you through the rest of your day.

COMPilED by EBONY MCKEEVER Barlow Guess ‘16 holds up his magic cards for display.

wsspaper.com DECEMBER 2014 FEATURE 15

feature

2014

COMPilED by sharon xiang and leola eko

in review

The WSS put together a recap of the year from pop culture to sports to events that changed the world.

on the spot

WHat was your favorite tv show in 2014?

highest grossing

movies

Captain America: Guardians of The Winter Soldier $259.8 MIL the Galaxy

FROZEN

radio fancy

“

“

Scandal … because I’m trying to figure out who I’m in love with more: Jake or Fitz?.”

$331.9 Mil

Even though it came out in 2013, Frozen reached a gross of over $1 billion in March 2014, and has become the highest grossing animated film of all time. It has become a favorite among families across the globe in the short year it has been out. WSS asked Jeff Garbut ’18 about his favorite part of the popular film.

on the

Hiba Ibrahim ’16

Transformers: The LEGO Movie Age of Extinc$257.8 MIL tion $245.5 MIL

Jeff Garbutt ’18

“I liked how Sven was all big and bad but he was funny sometimes.”

Annie Chen ’18

“How I Met Your Mother. It’s really fun and shows a lot of different kinds of characters.

I didn’t like how it ended, but I felt like the creators did a good job.

”

It was hard to escape these five catchy tunes this year

problem

Shake it Off

Ariana Grande iggy azalea taylor swift feat. Charli XCX feat. Iggy Azalea

Bang Bang Jessie J, Nicki Minaj,

and Ariana Grande “I kind of liked it, it wasn’t the best... It was kind of horrible. If you think about the type of people who write it...

Mazin Mohamedali ’18 They’re horrible people.”

16 feature december 2014 wsspaper.com

don’t

ed sheeran

Ryan Ruckdaschel ’15

“

American Horror Story. It’s very intense and it’s scary and unexpected.”

Annie Peterson ’16

“The Voice, because everyone is a good singer and I strive to be a good singer. I also like the celebrity coaches, they’re really funny.

”

COMPilED by sharon xiang

west

photos by madie miller

sports recap COMPilED by LExi shaffer

girls

volleyball basketball softball soccer bowling

Cross country

28 - 12 - 0 12 - 11 - 0 29 - 10 - 0 16 - 3 - 0 9-4-0 134-8-0

boys

Regional Team Champions track tennis 10-7-0 swimming 6-3-0 golf 171.25 Combined (9 & 18) Adjusted Avg Top 4 Players Total Adjusted

by Course Rating

West Side Story: What

Ted Paulsen ’15

is your favorite memory from this past season of soccer?

Ted Paulsen:

Definitely the state final game. We played Johnston. They had one big forward who controlled it up front, but we ended up winning.

Jack Olson ’14 had the winning goal. It was pretty fun.

WSS: what did you guys do to prepare for state?

football basketball baseball soccer bowling Wrestling

Cross country

track tennis swimming golf

7-5-0

23 - 3 - 0 34 - 10 - 0 18 - 1 - 0 7-6-0 23-7-0 109-25-0 85-16-1 19-0-0 1-1-0 (as of 12/11/14) 171.25

Combined (9 & 18) Adjusted Avg Top 4 Players Total Adjusted by Course Rating

TP: Lots of practices on the weekends. Practices almost every day.

Some of the alumni came back and they helped us prepare a little bit.

WSS: Describe how you felt when you won state.

TP: It was kind of surreal at first.

The buzzer went off at zero and I wasn’t quite sure what to do. I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to rush the field so I just kind of stood there. Then everyone around me starting running towards everybody on the field. It was pretty

top stories

cool.

WSS: What was the biggest challenge your team faced last year?

TP: Communication was a big issue. You can never have too much communication and that was a big thing Stiles pushed for [last year].

WSS: What do you enjoy most about West soccer?

TP: I like all the guys on the team.

We have lots of fun, but we also put in a lot of hard work to hopefully win another championship this year.

Top: Nick Gallagher ‘14 gets ready to deliver a pitch for West.

Left: Anna Hausler ‘14 runs passes the ball to a teammate during a varsity game.

Bottom: West lines up on defense against Davenport North at the Homecoming football game.

senate elections The number of political advertisements that plagued the airwaves until the

COMPilED by cameron cook

twitter did you think of this question What year’s political ads?

senate election make it easy to believe that the race between Bruce Braley and Joni Ernst was the most expensive non-presidential election in Iowa history and generated the most voter turnout.

ebola epidemic

The first outbreak of the Ebola virus began in the country of Guinea in February of this year and quickly spread to both Sierra Leone and Liberia.

The virus came to the US in late September, and has so far infected four people, though only one patient has died. Fortunately, Ebola has not spread past the states it was introduced into, and Iowans are currently safe.

DESIGN BY JAYCIE WEATHERS

“I am not [afraid of catching Ebola] because I understand how it’s transmitted and I don’t think I’m going to be in any situation that would put me at risk.”

Jill Hofmockel, Librarian

wsspaper.com december 2014 feature 17

FEATURE

story of the year by

kelsey keranen

keranen.kelsey@wsspaper.com

ebony mCkeever

madie miller

mckeever.ebony@wsspaper.com miller.madie@wsspaper.com

Causing an intense uproar across the country, the incident in Ferguson, Mo. has frequently consumed the nation’s headlines and made an overwhelming presence on all social media platforms. Other incidents involving police officers and the deaths of black individuals have since ignited the country to talk about race and evaluate the police system. WSS investigates contradicting opinions from students.

There seemed to be a collective hush across the world as the clock ticked closer to 8:00 on the night of Nov. 24, the hour drawing closer to the announcement of a fundamental decision. Protesters and supporters nationwide fell silent, awaiting the results of the Darren Wilson grand jury case. When it seemed as though the anticipation would last all night, a tired-looking man ascended a podium, adjusted his mouth to the height of the microphone, and began to speak. In the following minutes, the silence was broken; breaths were released and raucous cries took their place in the still night air. Fires roared to life, glass storefronts shattered from the furious impact of bricks and stones, and tear gas painted a moving arc across a softly glowing sky. Upon the release of the grand jury decision to not indict police officer Darren Wilson for the death of black teenager Michael Brown, a new wave of protesting began, the wave’s tendrils even reaching their way into this little corner of the Midwest.

the aftermath

The protests that followed the decision in Ferguson managed to extend their influence into the heart of Iowa City, with many students voicing their opinions on social media and engaging in peaceful protests on the Pentacrest. However, these protests were admittedly tamer than what occurred on scene in Missouri. According to Sam Ruback ’15, an attendee of the Iowa City Ferguson protest the night after the non-indictment, the resulting riots and looting in Ferguson

were disappointing.

“I think that looting is not a good thing, but I understand why it’s happening,” Ruback said.

Ruback suggests that the violent framing of the protests in Ferguson is a negative result of poor reporting on the incident.

“Focusing on the looting instead of the people who are actually trying to say something, that’s a way of delegitimizing the issues and trying to move away from what’s actually important … Looting and rioting is bad, but I think focusing on that instead of what people are saying is a bigger problem,” Ruback said.

Jade Merriwether ’17, a student whose family lives in the St. Louis area, believes that although the protesters have a right to be angry, the subsequent looting after the verdict is a poor decision that will not prove beneficial to the looters’ cause.

“I think the protesting was necessary and it made a huge impact. I think that part is exceptional. But the looting, rioting and burning of things ... I understand that people are angry, but that is not the answer at all,” Merriwether said. “You can’t blame these people for being angry, after being tear gassed and all this happening; however, we all know there is a way to have a peaceful movement and still make an impact. I don’t think violence is the answer on either end, from the police or the protesters.”

Others still believe that the violent actions taken by protesters after the verdict were inexcusable.

“Though the feelings [of the protesters] are understandable, the actions of looting and destruction of

18 feature december 2014 wsspaper.com

property are simply wrong,” said Andrew Conquest ’16. “And anyone caught should be charged to the full extent of the law.”

Sam Fleagle ’15 agrees with Conquest, lighting on how the protests have lost meaning due to poor organization and questionable credibility.

“I think the violence is extenuating the stereotype [they] are trying to prove wrong,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of anger and not a lot of leadership in the movement. If there had been a strong sense of leadership and unity, it wouldn’t have gotten as violent and there could have been more meaningful protests,” Fleagle said.

in the courtroom After the results of the case were revealed, evidence arose bringing to question whether or not the decisions made by the Missouri Grand Jury were entirely fair and unbiased, further developing protesters’ arguments against the judicial system and its handling of the Michael Brown case.

“The grand jury didn’t reflect the partisanship of the community as a whole, which doesn’t seem fair because it was nine whites and three blacks. They don’t indict because it is racially motivated. If you deny that it’s racially motivated, then that’s just very ignorant, and you aren’t seeing it as it actually is, and you’re trying to veil it behind something to veil your feelings about white people,” Grace Young ’16 said.

Ruback, like Young, recognized these issues in the case and came to the same conclusion that the trial

had been executed ineffectively due to the racial make-up of the jury. Ruback agrees, adding that the case’s flaws may have originated with the prosecution.

“Prosecutors are very good at getting indictments, and most of the cases where people aren’t indicted are when [the defendants are] police officers being put on trial, so I think that’s a huge flaw,” Ruback said.

Merriwether agrees that the results of the trial were flawed. “[Darren Wilson] killed a young man and that’s a crime, no matter who you are. It wasn’t even considered that he had done something wrong by the grand jury,” Merriwether said.

Fleagle, however, thinks that people who are upset by the case are primarily misinformed, elaborating on the laws set in place for the Missouri Grand Jury to follow when they execute trials.

“The reaction from the surrounding community made it into a racial issue without knowing the details of the case, and that kind of snowballed because it seemed that everyone had an opinion but no one knew anything about the case,” Fleagle said. “Unless the jury finds that beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act in lawful self-defense, you must find the defendant not guilty. This implies the jury must be fairly certain that Darren Wilson did not fear for his life in this situation in order to move forward to trial. Proving that someone felt they were not in life-threatening danger when they testified, under oath, that they felt they were in life-threatening danDESIGN BY JAYCIE WEATHERS

ger proves daunting if not impossible to do.”

Police Brutality

While the complete actions of Darren Wilson and Michael Brown on that fateful night remain hazy, other facts are glaringly clear.

Twelve shots were fired and six hit their mark, which this begs the question: Were Wilson’s actions necessary or excessive?

“I don’t believe [the officer] was being brutal,” said Fleagle. “I think it boils down to [officers] doing their jobs. They felt in danger so they reacted in the way they are trained to. Their training justifies their actions because if they feel that they are in danger or someone is a danger to themselves or others then they are allowed to use force.”

Conquest, “just as unruly rioters should be held liable for their actions. We all have a responsibility to behave in a civilized manner and any deviation from that should be addressed.”

Others, such as De’Ja Bunyan ’17, bring Michael Brown himself into the mix, “I think [Darren Wilson] does need to be held accountable for his actions, but I also think that Michael Brown needs to be put on the stand as well because prior to the whole shooting incident he robbed a store trying to get cigarettes, so he was in the wrong already,” Bunyan said.

is it about race?

Cases like Michael Brown’s call to question the presence of racial motivations. Would the same thing

that an officer will shoot them than if a black kid is.” Ruback said.

However, it is often stated that the media is a contributing factor as to why so many people have been focusing on race.

“If you listened to any news stories, they all began with ‘A white cop shot an unarmed black teen…’

With that as the intro, ignoring race is improbable,” Conquest said.

Influence of the Media With every refresh swipe of a Twitter newsfeed, users saw an explosive response on the night of the decision. Opinions from students and adults alike flooded social media outlets in response to the decision. News stations across the country responded in a similar

students react: Fleagle also stated that “another common complaint about the trial is the number of times Darren Wilson fired his weapon. David Klinger, a former police officer who now teaches criminal justice at the University of Missouri stated that, ‘Officers are trained to shoot until the threat is no longer presenting a threat’. Darren Wilson, in accordance with police training, discharged his firearm until the Michael Brown no longer appeared as a threat to him. This is how Wilson was trained and he acted upon that training which, sadly, resulted in the loss of a life. The idea that Wilson should have shot to injure, not kill, Mr. Brown is one of haughty ignorance of police training and firearms in general.”

But other students disagree. “[Darren Wilson] should be able to deal with one person, unarmed, without defaulting to brutal force.

He should have had a taser. He didn’t need to shoot [Mike Brown] repeatedly when he was already wounded,” Young said.

However, students on all sides of this issue seem to agree that everyone involved should be held accountable for their actions.

“Of course, the police should be held liable for their actions,” said

Fleagle believes the news stations were catering to the viewers.

“People are more interested in watching people who are emotional than hearing facts like ‘the bullet entered his arm at this angle,’” he said.

Some students appreciate the attention from the media.

“I think covering this news and making it pertain to race really catches everyone’s attention and really brings attention to the police brutality and brings attention to the racial barrier,” said Merriwether.

what happens next?

In response to recent events, the White House has called for $75 million to make 50,000 body cameras available to police departments across the country. President Obama has spoken out in support of officers wearing body cameras.

Although video was supplied during the more recent Eric Gar-

Ferguson have happened if the victim had been a different race? Like many other aspects of this case, the answers are unclear and opinions clash starkly.

“The media has sensationalized the race aspect of the incident and journalism hasn’t made it about the details of the case. There is no way to say that this incident was or was not racially motivated,” Fleagle said. “I think it boils down to the fact that we will never know if this is a race issue. We will never be able to fully understand the motivations. I don’t think there is a definitive way to tell.”

Other students such as Merriwether believe that the root of the Michael Brown conflict, as well as those like it, is race.

Racial motivations in this case are obvious to Ruback.

“People are saying that the way they’re being covered makes them race issues, but I think that the fact that they were even killed at all, it goes back to there. If a white kid is walking down the middle of the street, there’s a way smaller chance

manner, covering the violent rioting well into the night and the following week.

Creating hype and swaying opinions of viewers, the presence of the media has played a role in the response to the incident and during the entirety of the case.

“While the grand jury was deliberating [the media was] spreading a lot of stuff that made people formulate their own opinions, which led to a lot of confusion because people reacted so strongly,” Young said.

The nation became invested in the case well before the protests began.

Viewers could watch interviews on varying news stations with analysts and people in the community after the initial incident took place.

The media took hold of the case and brought it to light at a national level.

“I believe the media coverage is the most tainted part of these stories,” said Conquest. “The mainstream media purposefully plays stories to their advantage. And too often that involves sensationalizing stories to garner more viewership.”

ner case, the officers involved were not indicted. Because of this, students are wary about the effectiveness of body cameras.

“I don’t know if [body cameras] will make a difference ... because in the Eric Garner case they had the evidence and he still wasn’t indicted,” Merriwether said.

Fleagle disagrees and sees the value in law enforcement wearing the cameras.

“Wearing body cameras would create a sense of liability,” he said, “One will act differently if they will be held accountable.”

Aside from the opportunity for additional evidence with the cameras, Ruback believes the biggest change that can come from these incidents is for this generation to evaluate how we view others.

“We’re next, we’re the people who are going to be judges, who will be jury members, who will be police officers,” she said. “So if we can’t change the way our parents think, we can at least look at the way we think.”

wsspaper.com december 2014 feature 19

HOLIDAY FOODS:

WHAT WE EAT AND WHAT IT MEANS

A

s the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, most people turn to one thing for comfort: food. First there’s Thanksgiving, a holiday during which families come together to feast. Then comes a succession of celebrations, all providing an excellent excuse to eat and eat well.

With holidays ranging from Hanukkah to Japanese New Year, there’s quite a variety of delicacies that West High students will be enjoying this year.

COMPilED by ALLIE BISCUPSKI AND SHANTHI cHACKALACKAL

JAPAN ESE

NEW

YEAR

Traditional Mochi

“We make mochi,” said Yuhka Niki ’17. “Basically, it’s just a rice cake which you can make by pounding sweet rice (mochigome in Japanese.) One year, I was in Japan for New Year, and I remember making mochi with my grandparents. I just remember having a lot of fun celebrating a tradition with my family.”

During the holidays, food does more than satisfy hunger; it brings family together.

“My whole family makes [mochi] together,” Niki adds. “I love this annual tradition we have as a family and it just gives me one more thing to look forward to in the holiday season.”

20 feature December 2014 wsspaper.com

I just remember having a lot of fun celebrating a tradition with my family.

-Yuhka Niki ‘17

Design by katie fuhrmEIster

Schnitzel While mochi celebrates the secular new year, Hanukkah puts an emphasis on the assortment of oily, fried foods eaten in remembrance of the miracle of the menorah burning for eight days in the Jewish religion.

“Hanukkah is celebrated because of a miracle that let the menorah, usually filled with oil, burn for eight days instead of the one [day] it was supposed to. That is why everything is very oily; to remember the miracle.” said Nathan Abramoff ’17.

Abramoff reminisces about making the dishes with his family abroad.

“It is special to me because it is one of my favorite holidays, and for as long as I can remember here and in the Netherlands my family has eaten these foods; I have good memories of them,” he said. “We do it all as a family; every one of us usually makes a couple different dishes that we are good at, which makes it special when you eat all together because it serves as a sort of bond over the meal.”

H A N U K K A H

One doesn’t have to be part of a culture to enjoy its traditions. Theresa Juhl, French teacher, delights in a Christmas confection baked every year in France: Bûche de Noel. This fabulous cake is decorated to look like a yule log, covered with snow and toadstools.

“Many years ago, French Club hosted a Bûche de Noel contest,” said Juhl. “Students generally worked in pairs to create a pretty and delicious cake. Lots of kids of this short period of time worked really hard to create cakes and usually we had one cake per class to share, total sugar high for the day. You need to keep in mind in a general sense your entire caloric intake for the day could take place by eating a slice of this lovely, rich and pretty cake.”

Bûche de Noel seems to be worth the calories, however.

“One year we had 15 cakes,” Juhl reminisces. “There was frosting everywhere. I think I had enough Bûche in the years we did the contest to last a lifetime … or is there ever really enough?”

CHRISTMAS

Yuhka Niki ‘17

Nathan Abramoff ‘17

Bûche de Noel

French teacher Theresa Juhl

Photos from Creative commons

wsspaper.com December 2014 feature 21

Sexual harassment: Harassment in a workplace, or other professional or social situation, involving the making of unwanted sexual advances or obscene remarks. Catcall: A loud whistle or a comment of a sexual nature made by a man to a passing woman. It doesn’t just happen in dictionaries. The statements in

the speech bubble are from student sources who have experienced sexual harassment at West High. source: oxford dictionaries & Merriam-webster

The things I would do to you. Damn mama.

Ooo, girl, she looks hot in that outfit.

I’d rail you really hard.

Come to this room after school.

by isabelle robles and danetta dobre robles.isabelle@wsspaper.com dobre.danetta@wsspaper.com additional reporting by maddie moriyama DESIGN BY katie peplow

T

ripping over heels, being cut off and getting pushed into lockers by the crowds are things that many have gotten used to at our school of over 2,000 during passing time. There is, however, one thing that students should not have to expect: sexual harassment. Students have been catcalled, have had inappropriate comments directed towards them and are being made fun of daily. Many victims don’t believe enough is being done about it.

One such person is Jenna Pepic ’15. As she was coming out of the temporaries, Pepic was approached by two male students who proceeded to harass her as she walked to her car. The students yelled sexual comments and asked inappropriate questions

Teens 16 to 19 years of age are 3 ½ times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault.

1 in 5 women will be sexually assaulted in her life.

GRAPHICS BY KATIE PEPLOW

as they followed her into the parking lot.

“They [said things] like, ‘I’d rail you really hard,’ ‘Come to this room after school,’ and ‘Damn, the things I would do to you,’” Pepic said. “It was just me alone outside, so I was really scared. [I] didn’t know where to go except run to my freaking car.”

Bailey Banks ’15 was walking alone through an empty hallway as

she was eating her lunch when she was harassed by two male students.

“They said, ‘Damn girl, can I take a bite out of your burger?’ and they were looking at my butt as I was walking by,” Banks said. “I was just like, ‘Are you serious?’ I wasn’t even wearing provocative clothing.”

Pepic had similar feelings when it came to clothes.

“Do I wear boy clothes so I don’t get [harassed] or am I known as ‘that girl’ that walks down the hall and gets hollered at all the time and then reports every boy that hollers at her?” she said.

When it comes to sexual harassment, the subject of what the victim is wearing is often brought forward despite the fact that it is not an excuse. Susan Junis, an employee at the Rape Victim Advocacy Program believes that societal expectations fuels victim blaming.

“We have a culture that blames victims for what happened to them,” Junis said. “An outfit is not consent.”

Banks chose not to report the incident to an administrator.

“I just don’t see what they can do about it,” Banks said. “I didn’t know who it was [that harassed me] and I have no evidence of them doing it.”

Irena Charles ’17, who has endured unwanted touching and lewd comments about parts of her body at school, went to her mother about the harassment instead of an administrator.

“To go to someone I don’t know as well as I do my own parents would just feel a little awkward,” Charles said.

Pepic, on the other hand, did not even realize there was anything to report. Principal Jerry Arganbright learned of the incident only after overhearing Pepic discussing it with a friend during lunch. Once he knew, Pepic was reluctant to explain to Dr. Arganbright what had happened.

“I was afraid to tell Dr. A because I thought those kids would find out that I said something,” Pepic said. “Obviously they would know it was me [if they got in trouble] and like do something to me [and] either hurt my car or hurt me when I’m alone again.”

1 in 71 men will be sexually assaulted in his life

source: U.S. Department of Justice

38% 24%

of West students* have been catcalled, yet only believe they’ve been sexually harassed.

*363 students surveyed.

Pepic eventually went to administration after her story was overheard, but she was not fully satisfied with the response at first.

“It’s a really big deal and I feel like teachers and administrators aren’t doing anything about it as much as they should because a lot of girls go through it,” Pepic said.

Pepic also believes that sexual harassment has become common in high school.

“Nowadays I feel like we accept it more only because if we tell an administrator they’ll just be like ‘You know, we’ll take care of it’ and in reality they don’t really do anything about it, just [tell the harasser] ‘Hey, don’t do this again, go apologize to her,’ and that’s it,” Pepic said. “I think we’re not scared; we just don’t care anymore. It’s just something we have to get used to, I guess, because we are girls. It sucks.”

The administration does punish perpetrators, but, out of respect to both parties, does not share the exact consequences with the victim, according to Dr. Arganbright. Pepic admits that although she wishes she knew the consequences, she feels safer now that she has reported the issue, though she is still concerned about other girls.

“It’s not like just because [I reported the situation] they will stop from doing that to another girl. They will stop doing it to me, but they won’t stop doing it to other girls because I know they won’t report them,” Pepic said. “I feel safer, but I don’t know if the other girls that heard my story feel safe.”

Micah Smith ’17 thinks that no students should have to fear this event happening.

“Not only is [sexual harassment] illegal, but it is a horrible, evil thing to do and it should just not happen. People in this world are just messed up,” Smith said.

In order to bring more light to the situation, he suggested that victims come forward on their experiences with sexual harassment.

“I think a lot of people aren’t aware of the situ-

ation or they’re probably aware they just don’t give too much mind to it. They assume that if it’s not happening to them, then it’s not happening,” Smith said. “I think informing people about it would be a good [thing to do] and encouraging people that have been sexually harassed to speak up and just inform other people about it.”

Ruby Murray ’15 suggests having a presentation to raise awareness for sexual harassment.

She believes the assembly would be a good step for the administration to take to help stop sexual harassment. Dr. Arganbright agrees, but thinks taking it a step further by using advisory for this would be more beneficial.

“We would be very open-minded about [having assemblies] if we felt that was something that would be purposeful … [We are now planning on] using advisory for that as well because assemblies are good, but when you put 500 students together, sometimes you lose students as compared to a smaller group.”

Caleb Thurman ’17 also believes that informing students should go beyond an assembly. “[I think] creating a very open, safe environment for people to come and talk, kind of like Behind the Mask, for people who have been sexually harassed [would help],” Thurman said.

“Maybe get someone older or someone in the school that would be willing to stand out and speak out against this as a first [person] point of view.”

There is already some talk of sexual harassment in the health class taught by Kathy Bresnahan.

She brings in a speaker from the United Action for Youth in Iowa City to discuss sexual harassment and healthy relationships.

The administration’s efforts have already paid off for people like Tyler Herring ’15. Herring was sexually harassed at his previous school in Davenport and feels much safer at West High.

“There’s a different environment,” Herring said.

“It’s an accepting community.”

If you have felt sexually harassed at school, go to a trusted adult and give a brief explanation of the situation.

Although the next step will vary from case to case, the teacher will typically set up a meeting with an administrator. The administration will then handle the situation from there to ensure all students are safe.

on the spot

What do you think defines sexual harassment?

Erica Hsu ’16

“

When someone touches a person in an inappropriate way.”

Alfonso Wheeler ’18 “Anything sexual without consent.

”

Brennon Keen ’18

“

Any type of harassment between a couple.”

Mackenzi Marsh ’15

“When people feel uncomfortable because of someone else.

”

COMPIlED by Isabelle robles

ENTERTAINMENT

Macio Gordon ’17

Holly Manternach ’15, Lily Lucas ’17, Gabrielle Hartman ’18

Anna Wells ’16

Lily Adamson ’18

Stefan Schmidt ’16

Kendra Law ’16

TRENDING NOW:

M A R O O N

AS THE YEAR COMES TO A CLOSE, A NEW COLOR ROAMS THE HALLS: MAROON. LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT FASHIONISTAS SPORTING THE LATEST TREND. PHOTOS BY MARY MONDANARO, CHANEL VIDAL AND NICK DEERBERG

Emily Mergenthaler ’17

Sammy Plummer ’16

Holly Paulsen ’18

Isabel Greene ’17

Mariam Himat ’16

Isaiah Johnson ’15

Oskar Holmes ’16

Jaron Lamp ’16

Meg Moreland ’18

26 entertainment december 2014 wsspaper.com

Amanda Parsons ’18

David Ki ’16

DESIGN BY MARY MONDANARO

O

n

A

the

rts

The TremeNdous Trio Pieper Stence ’18

Madison Voigt ’15

Mackenzie Voigt ’17

Stence have influenced and helped cook.cameron@wsspaper.com each other with performing.

“The first musical I did was Singing and theater performances through a community theater and aren’t always just a hobby; for Mad- I know that it definitely got Mackison Voigt ’15, Mackenzie Voigt ’17 enzie and Pieper interested in doand Pieper Stence ’18, music is a ing [musical] theater,” Madison family affair. said.

In addition to being related, the Although they two sisters and their cousin have spent a lot of more in common. Mackenzie and time involved Stence are both in Showtime, Mad- in music, neiison is in Good Time Company, ther Madison and they all take voice lessons. nor Mackenzie However, what unites them the feel the need to most is their love of performing. go into music in “[Performing is] one of the things the future. we like to do together,” Mackenzie “I guess I have thought about it, said. “We used to have this little but I don’t think I’m interested in musical group and performed for professionally pursuing anything our parents on family vacations.” in the musical theater or a singing Since then, both Voigts and career,” Madison said.

BY Cameron Cook

However, she doesn’t want to completely give up on the musical part of her life.

“It’s something that’s influenced me so much that I don’t want to necessarily stop it. It’s a hobby that I’d like to continue. [I’d] like be in-

“It’s something that we all have in common, and I know that we will for a long time.”

-Pieper Stence ’18 volved in a community theater or community choir.”

Stence, on the other hand, wants to see where music could take her in the future.

“I think I’d really like teaching it if I can develop my piano skills more.

Then I can see a bigger array of options,” Stence said.

With their combined talent and passion, the girls work together to expand their horizons.

“We like to make covers of songs and we like to [sing] medley songs, mash-up songs, [or] layer one song on top of the other,” Madison said.

Whether it’s an individual accomplishment or a group effort, all three girls agree that music is an essential part of their lives.

“I like it that’s its something that we all share together,” Stence said.

“It’s something that we all have in common, and I know that we will for a long time.”

FOR MORE COVerage visit WSSPAPER.COM

PHOTO BY NICK DEERBERG DESIGN BY CONSUELO MENDOZA

wsspaper.com DECEMBER 2014 ENTERTAINMENT 27

watch

Numb3rs One former FBI agent and a genius mathematician use their skills to solve crimes. The way they come up with solutions to their crimes are simply mindblowing.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

This documentary is about the best sushi restaurant in the world, Sukiyabashi Jiro. It tells the fascinating story behind the restaurant and the amount of work put in one small sushi.

WSS Recommends

COMPilED by Benjamin Bliven, Ryo Ohashi, Chanel Vidal

WSS compiles Netflix recommendations from students for your winter break bingeing escapades.

to

What

Browse

In this sitcom, Ted tells crazy stories to his kids about him and his friends and how he eventually met their mother. It is a show that gets funnier as you watch it as you start picking up on their inside jokes.

How I Met Your Mother

The Doctor, the last alien of his kind, flies around time as he goes on crazy adventures around the universe. This wacky science fiction in its seventh year in running is gaining popularity as it goes.

Doctor Who Blackfish

DESIGN BY RYO OHASHI

wsspaper

This documentary focuses on a killer whale that caused the death of several people as it shows the backstage of Seaworld.

Search

“I’ve watched 13 hours worth of American Horror Story in a weekend and seven seasons of How I Met Your Mother in about a month. I’ve also watched 180 hours worth of Supernatural in less than half of a summer.”

Alec Dorau ’15

Most (Binge) Watched

“It only has one season, but it’s really good. It’s worth the ten hours.”

-Alec Dorau ’15

“It’s about Nazis making a comeback after hiding in the moon. It’s pretty ridiculous, but pretty great.”

Jared Sasina ’15

Firefly

Iron Skies

Hidden Gems of Netflix

Kyle Triplett ’15

Sarah Graber ’15

wss

“One day I meant to do my homework and instead I decided to watch one episode of New Girl, and instead ended up watching a whole season which was about five hours.”

For more coverage, go to wsspaper.com

“I watched an entire season of Breaking Bad in probably two days. I was impressed with myself.”

Erin McCain ’17

“[The main character] has a mental disability and he’s been in love with a girl for his entire life.

She’s engaged Ashley McMahon ’17 ... They fall in love anyway.”

“Some dude pretends to be a grandpa and does stupid things. I think it’s a funny thing for teenager to watch.”

“Reign is a historical drama about sexual scandals of a Queen. I just think it’s really cool.”

Zach Armstrong ’15

Waiting For Forever

Bad Grandpa

Reign

T P S I DIRECTORS ENTERTAINMENT 2014-2015

MEET THE

[

COMPILED BY LUSHIA ANSON

[

In the past, these four seniors have shown dedication to Theatre West by acting, stage managing and working on costumes. This year, they will present their own student-led plays.

West Side Story: How did you become a director for SPIT? Ryan Bozer: I was picked by last years’ four [senior] directors (Paul Curry, Jack Christensen, Emilia Szymrgala, and Kate Anstreicher) after an interview on why I wanted to direct.

Jenna Choi: I had an interview with the previous directors which included questions about my strengths and weaknesses and also creative questions like "list all the things you can do with a brick."

WSS: What is your role as director?

RB: I facilitate the communal group silliness.

Jenna and I picked out a script and just sort of gave it to the people whom we picked to act and we just guide them as they read their roles.

Honestly, so much of the talent already comes from our actors, that my job is pretty easy.

JC: During the rehearsals, we try our best to have the students experiment with many different voices or characterizations and possibly give them some options to try out. We decided that instead of telling them our visions first, we would let them decide so that we can end up with the best [interpretation.] We also work with the Theatre West’s Heads of Costume, Lights, Sound, Set, and Props to bring the whole show together for the performance.

WSS: What has been your favorite part of rehearsal?

JC: Seeing everything outside the page. Ryan and I had so much time to just read the script, but seeing the actors perform is just so much

COMEDY

RYAN BOZER AND JENNA CHOI

more interesting and it really makes us laugh and enjoy our time in rehearsal.

RB: Honestly, laughing with everyone. Some of the scenes are done in such a shocking way that I wasn't expecting that I honestly cannot stop laughing.

WSS: Why did you select the play that you did?

RB: Because it's timely. So many of us are starting to worry about college, and Jenna and I thought that we should pick something that poked fun at that.

JC: It was really difficult to choose the script.

I think we went through about hundred plays, if not more. We had to consider the time, the size of the cast, and how well we could perform it … The play we decided on was perfect. The writer actually wrote two separate plays called "13 Ways to Screw Up Your College Interview" and "14 More ways to Screw Up Your College Interview." We could choose our favorite characters in the play and match them up to the actors who auditioned.

WSS: What do you hope the audience will take away from your play?

JC: I think the best part about our play is that people can just laugh at a really hard time for seniors. College applications are really complicated and stressful, and our play just overplays and makes fun of all the different aspects of college. I hope that it can at least take some of the stress away from the seniors ... with what they are going through.

ARTWORK BY HANNAH SONG

30 Entertainment DECEMBER 2014 wsspaper.com

PHOTO BY PAIGE BRAZINA

From left to right: Ryan Bozer, Jenna Choi, Olivia Sheff, and Ryan Hansen are directors for the SPIT productions that premier on January 15

DRAMA

RYAN HANSEN AND OLIVIA SHEFF

West Side Story: What was the audition process like?

Olivia Sheff: Different from what I expected. Everyone was good, but it was hard to find the right people for each part that we had.

[The process] was more focused on how each person fit each character. Ryan [Hansen] and I worked long hours deciding on our final cast.

WSS: What is your role as director?

Ryan Hansen: Find plays, choose the play, get the play approved, plan out the next five months, do auditions, cast the play, rehearse a ton, manage all the cast members, get the play amazing, put the play on, be super organized, get your school work done, have a life, don’t die.

WSS: Describe a typical day of rehearsal.

OS: We try to pick [a theatre game] that pertains to what we're doing that day. Then usually each person presents their monologue or scene, [and] I let others at the rehearsal say one good thing, then they give constructive criticism, then I give my advice.

Then I let them go out and practice.

WSS: What is the most difficult part of rehearsal?

DESIGN BY MICHAEL MOONJELY

OS: Realizing that the actors can't read your mind. They perform it one way, but we, the directors, want it performed a different way.

WSS: Why did you select the play that you did?

OS: We wanted one that pertains to high school students and brings up mental health issues, because Ryan and I think that its a very serious issue that isn't spoken about enough.

RH: Both Olivia and I wanted to do something more resonating and relatable, so my first thought was to do something involving depression. I found the script online, Olivia looked it over, and we kinda decided on it then.

WSS: What do you hope the audience will take away from your play?

RH: That it is okay to talk about anything that’s on your mind.

You shouldn't be afraid or ashamed to talk.

OS: That they are not alone. That many people face issues just like they face every day, and if we don't talk about our problems, then they only get worse. The audience should know that if or when they want to talk, people will listen and care. wsspaper.com DECEMBER 2014 ENTERTAINMENT 31

SPORTS

RISING STAR

NELSON BRANDS ’18 WRESTLING

Brands chose to begin wrestling in fourth grade on a local club langland.brittani@wsspaper.com team. Four years later, in eighth Nelson Brands ’18, last year’s grade, he won the junior high state Junior High State Champion for championship. However, Brands’ wrestling, will be joining West’s father does not take any of the credit for his son’s victories. wrestling team this year. “[My success] has nothing to do Brands isn’t the first wrestler in his family. His father, Terry with my son’s success,” said Terry Brands, is a wrestling two-time Brands.

Brands values his father’s World Champion, Olympic bronze medalist and is the associate head experience and agrees. “[Their success] used to affect me, coach for the University of Iowa Wrestling team. Also, his uncle, but right now it is about me and not about what they did Tom Brands, won the in the past,” Brands said.

World Championship “They are great coaches once, is an Olympic for me to learn from, gold medalist, and is but I don’t care what the head coach for happened in the past for the University of Iowa them.”

Wrestling team.

Brands stayed Despite his family Nelson Brands ‘18 motivated by focusing background, Brands on his personal wrestling did not feel pressured game. into wrestling.

“I felt better, and I was getting “Since my dad is the associate head coach for Iowa, most people better. I wasn’t staying the same think that he wanted me to start like I was in 4th grade, I wasn’t very wrestling, but I decided to start on good then. I was getting better and my own when I was ready,” Brands better, and that is what made me not worry about what they did in said.

by BritTani Langland

32 SPORTS DECEMBER 2014 wsspaper.com

Freshman with Olympian father makes his own name in wrestling.

the past,” Brands said.

West High’s head wrestling coach, Mark Reiland, is pleased with the addition to the team.

“Nelson is a competitor. He hates

and the other guy, and that’s it,” Brands said. “I just tell God ‘give me grace’ and I’m ready to wrestle.”

Although Brands enjoys wrestling, he also believes it takes a

“[My success] has nothing to do with my son’s success.

-Terry Brands, Nelson Brands’ father to lose and that goes a long way in making a good wrestler. He has obviously been around the sport for a long time and has seen some of the best in the country train and compete and knows what it takes.

Any time you have someone of that ability it adds to the overall team,” Reiland said.

Brands will be wrestling in the 120-pound weight class, and his goal for high school is to eventually win state.

“I like wrestling a lot, because you can’t blame anybody else. It’s you

lot of work.

“It’s not a fun sport like basketball or football. It’s all hard, but it’s what you get out of it in the end that matters,” Brands said.

He plans to continue his wrestling beyond high school and attend the University of Iowa.

“I want to go to Iowa, because it would be really weird to wrestle against my uncle and my dad.”

DESIGN BY MORGAN SCHMITT-MORRIS

FAVORITES NFL team: New England Patriots Music genre: Country Music artist: Allan Jackson Food: “All food is good” Sport other than wrestling: Hockey

Sports drink: Water Quote: “Once you wrestle everything else in life is easier,” -Dan Gable (modified: easy to easier)

COMPilED by Brtianni Langland

Wrestling

by The Numbers

125

13 66

Olympic medals won by U.S. wrestling

Olympic wrestlers from the University of Iowa National Championships

COMPilED by Brtianni Langland

Source: www.BigTen.org and www.hawkeyewrestlingclub.com

Nelson Brands ’18 Wrestles at a meet on Thursday, Dec. 11 photos by mary mondanaro

wsspaper.com december 2014 sports 33

SPORTS

PHOTO BY PAIGE BRAZINA

OLYMPIC HOPEFULS

Ruby Martin ‘18 and Aidan Keen ‘16, two students who swim for the Iowa Flyers, a local club swimming team, will compete for a chance to be on the U.S. National Swimming Team after qualifying for the Olympic Trials for swimming.

by Megumi Kitamoto

kitamoto.megumi@wsspaper.com

Aidan Keen ‘16 Standing on the starting blocks before a race is exhilarating. While looking out into the water that can determine the performance of a race, nerves can deter some, but adrenaline can bring out the best in others.

Because of his fast race times and multiple practices a week, Aidan Keen ’16 will be Aidan Keen ’16 swimming against some of the fastest swimmers in the nation in the 200 freestyle. “When I found out that I qualified for the Olympic Trials, my mom texted me and I was kind of speechless,”

Keen said.“I was staring at my phone for a really long time.”

Keen’s journey in swimming began when he was 11 years old.

“A lifeguard at the North Liberty Recreation Center saw me swimming during Red Cross lessons and recommended me to join Hawkeye Aquatics (a local club swimming team),” Keen said. “My love for swimming was immediate, and (West High swim coach) Robert Miecznikowski helped me spark my love.” When asked about Keen’s talent when he first starting swimming, Miecznikowski said that “I always thought that [Keen] would be a good swimmer from the beginning. He had a natural feel for the water.”

Keen currently swims for the Iowa Flyers, and he attends ten practices a week with an emphasis on out-of-water conditioning. Through these practices, Keen keeps his goals in perspective.

“When I have a hard time getting to practice, I know that I have to go to improve. I’m not really worrying about trials too much right now but

34 SPORTS December 2014 wsspaper.com

it’s kind of always in the back of my mind so I remember my goals which helps motivate me during hard practices,” Keen said. He also finds a motivation to continue swimming through other people.

“My parents support me because they never make me do things that I don’t want to do, and Ruby [Martin ’18] and Mark [McGlaughlin ’16] are really influential teammates to me because we are all going towards the same goal of wanting to be faster,” Keen said. His coaches at Iowa Flyers will most likely be an influence on how he will train for the Olympic trials.

“I’m going to probably meet with my coaches after this season to reevaluate my goals and go from there,” Keen said.

With college right around the corner, Keen would still like to continue swimming. “[I would like to go to a] school with good team dynamics that have sports medicine or engineering majors,” Keen said. “Without swimming, I don’t know what I would do with my life.”

Design by taylor libby

Ruby Martin ‘18

Some families bond over travel and literature, but that is not the case for the Martin family.

Oliver Martin ’17 has the record for most receptions in a football game, as well as a school swimming record for the 200 medley relay and the 200 free relay. With the help of Oliver’s support, his sister, Ruby Martin ’18, qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 200 individual medley, 400 individual medley and 200 butterfly.

Although Martin has achieved something that many competitive swimmers yearn for, she was not as interested in swimming when she first began.

“I started when I was seven for a YMCA team.

I actually quit for a season, but stuck to it after I made more friends on the team,” Martin said.

“I also did soccer and tee-ball but I enjoyed swimming a lot, since I had a thing for the water.”

Her interest for swimming has not waned since, and Martin now swims ten practices a week in addition to out of the water conditioning twice a week. “Since I am a distance swimmer, endurance is important so [out-of-the-water conditioning] has been helpful for me,” Martin said. In addition to the practice schedule, Martin has benefitted from her relationship with her coaches.

“My training is pretty specific for the events I’ll be swimming. [The coaches] are slowly going to increase my yardage at practice over the next year and a half. I will also be attending specific national meets that will help me.

I’ll be competing against some of the best

swimmers in the country,” Martin said.

She also adds that her coaches at Iowa Flyers are also important people in maintaining her regime. Iowa Flyers’ assistant head coach, Richard Salhus, sees potential in Martin. “[Martin understands] the importance of ‘doing the little things right’ in each practice and meet situation,” Salhus said. Although a rigorous swimming schedule may seem daunting, Martin states her father and her brother as her influences to continue.

“My dad used to swim for YMCA team, and he’s the one that got me started and supports me through the whole thing,” Martin said. “If I’m nervous, he sometimes tells me how to swim a race. I also look to my brother because of his accomplishments.”

Her qualification has led to feelings of anticipation and excitement.

“Competing at a venue with 20,000 people is pretty exciting. This has been my dream since I started swimming. I didn’t expect to qualify at 14 so that made me shift my focus from high school swimming to Olympic Trial training, which was a tough [decision].”

“This has been my dream since I started swimming.”

Ruby Martin’18,

Photo Courtesy Of Ruby Martin

wsspaper.com December 2014 sports 35

SPORTS

BASKETBALL

The girls basketball team practices on Dec. 11. BELOW: Ally Bauer ’17 dribbles the ball as Nia Basabe ’17 defends during a drill. RIGHT: Danielle Craig ’15 dribbles the ball as Mikaela Morgan ’15 defends. For boys basketball coverage, see pages 39-41.

PHOTOs by miriam perez

BOWLING

West High’s bowling team competes on Dec. 5 against Cedar Rapids Prairie.

PHOTOs by CHANEL VIDAL

36 Sports december 2014 wsspaper.com

PHOTOs by madie miller

WRESTLING

Cheerleaders look on as the varsity wrestling team competes in a meet against Linn-Mar on Dec. 11. West won 35-30.

BOYS SWIMMING

Boys swim team competes at a home meet against Waterloo West on Dec. 9.

PHOTOs by mCKENNA HARRIS

wss

For more SPORTS PHOTOS, go to wsspaper.com

DESIGN BY GABBY SKOPEC

wsspaper.com december 2014 sports 37

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SPORTS

COMPilED by AARON CARTER and CONSUELO MENDOZA

p

After a successful last three seasons ended in a state championship, the varsity boys basketball team is currently training in hopes of a fourth win. With Steve Bergman as their coach, having 25 years of experience, and a variety of fans to support them, there is no doubt that the team isn’t in this alone. The starters reflect on last year’s season and tell us about their expectations for this upcoming season.

to ho

die ma by

r mille

STEVE BERGMAN West Side Story: What expectations do you have for the team this year?

Steve Bergman: I have high expectations for the team this year. We have set such a high standard here; we’ve won the last three state tournaments, and I know that this team expects to be at that level and I think we can be at that level if we work hard and we stay healthy.

WSS:What is the team’s strongest points or aspects this year?

SB: Our strength is [that] we have a lot of guys who play a lot of basketball and they have worked very hard at getting better.

WSS: What is going to be the biggest challenge for the team this year?

SB: Our weakest point is inexperience. We’re

Bergman is honored for his sucessful time with the program by Dr. Arganbright at the end of last year’s season.

very inexperienced and we need the boys who are more experienced to step up and help the other players, to work well as a team.

WSS: Is there a lot of pressure to win a fourth state championship in a row?

SB: No, not really. It’s never been done so I think people realize that’s a very hard thing to have happen, but you know we are in a position to at least have it as a goal. So it’s a goal, but we’re a long way away from it.

WSS: What’s your favorite thing about coaching basketball?

SB: I enjoy it most when a group of individuals with individual goals set those aside to form a team where the goals of the team supersede the individual players goals.

VARSITY STARTERS WALI PARKS

CONNOR McCAFFERY

DEVONTAE LANE

Junior Small Forward 6’5” 198 lbs

Sophmore Point Guard 6’5” 200 lbs

Sophmore Shooting Guard 6’1” 203 lbs

What does Bergman do during practice to prepare you guys for games?

What was it like to come into state as an underdog and end up winning it all?

“Well he is really loud, and he yells at us, which makes us work harder, but he is also just the type of guy that you want to work hard for.”

40 SPORTS DECEMBER 2014 wsspaper.com

“It was a different feeling for all of usww... It was nice to prove the doubters wrong, but at the same time we also wanted people to believe in us.”

What does Bergman do that makes him a great coach?

“He tells us to never give up, to keep fighting, and if you practice good habits you’ll be a better player.”

DESIGN BY LILY WESTEMEYER

95-9 Photo courtesy of Scott Kibby

The boys varsity basketball team’s record for the past four years

The 2014 varsity boys basketball team at Wells Fargo Arena after winning their third consecutive state title on March 15, 2014, with a score of 57 to 45

63 20

The team’s longest winning streak

Average number of hours of training per week

12

West High basketball players have gone on to play college basketball in the past four years

DAVID DILEO Senior Forward 6’5” 200 lbs

TANNER LOHAUS Junior Center 6’6” 195 lbs

Is there any pressure to pursue that fourth championship?

What was it like to come into state as an underdog and end up winning it all?

“Not really pressure, but we know that nothing is given, and our goal is to win a fourth state championship.”

“It took some pressure off of us, because nobody expected us to win, so we were able to play our game and focus.”

“The

average player puts in ten hours a week in the off season, but many elite players probably put in double that on their own.”

-Steve Bergman wsspaper.com DECEMBER 2014 SPORTS 41

OPINION

quality

‘Twas the last night of break Why homework over long breaks is often counterproductive

‘Twas the last night of break, and to my dismay I bore hours of homework due the next day;

To dozing and dreaming until the new year, Not hunting for “x” ‘til my eyes brim with tears.

For the sake of providing additional reason To not assign homework this holiday season,

I’d had plans for vacation, which I thought was fair But my teachers, you see, they just didn’t care;

We’re busy enough, driven down to the quick, Of this tired routine we’re thoroughly sick.

We have too many engagements to pay any attention To subjects like gametes or friction and tension

Each time I left home, I was impounded in dread While visions of failing grades danced in my head.

The adults in our life will not deign to listen To our complaints of a life that we’re thoroughly missing;

So the moment we have time, no reason to delay We’ve forgotten most of the material, anyway,

My consistent agenda was to stay home and nap, But the tirade of worksheets called for my thinking cap.

To a teacher, their one assignment seems ever so small But to the students’ chagrin, that’s the view of them all;

Resulting in a classful of uninformed students, An incomprehensible disaster in every sense.

Logs and passive voice drove me mad as a hatter, And I thought to myself: why should this matter?

Each period we’re weighed down with more work assigned, No definitive purpose, no real reason why.

Teachers: Consider these words, take heed this plea, Try your best to understand; attempt, at least, to see

Why is it that teachers find it their place to hash Out piles of homework on our last day of class?

With readings and theorems turning the holidays blue, It’s almost as if we never left school.

That vacations without essays are more than complete, End this vile curriculum, make the change tout de suite.

What does a break mean to them, do they know That vacation is meant to be spent apropos

And despite there being definitive proof That our minds need a break, it’s just not enough.

of life

index:

A complex month in review

College Applications Never has the word [dead]line had so much meaning.

-2i Holiday Season Don’t forget to celebrate with a healthy dose of capitalism this year!

+3i New Bathrooms So fresh, so clean. And no more construction outside the gym!

+2i Short Days Few daylight. Much dark. Such soon.

EDITORIAL CARTOONS

-4i Weather [I’m loving this chil[ly], freez[ing] weather. A lot.

(x)-2i

total:

2014, it’s been real.

2+0i

42 opinion december 2014 wsspaper.com

art by ebony mckeever

Compiled by akash borde Design by akash borde

WSS editorial board Aaron Carter Akash Borde Brittani Langland Consuelo Mendoza Chanel Vidal Isabelle Robles Jaycie Weathers Katie Peplow Kelsey Keranen Lauren Knudson Lushia Anson Madie Miller Megumi Kitamoto Michael Moonjely Nick Deerberg Sharon Xiang

“CLEAR THE HALLS” This holiday season, the WSS offers its readers some basic advice about proper hallway etiquette.

Clear the halls, stop walking slowly Fa la la la la, la la, la, la I won’t be late to class, I’m hoping Fa la la la la, la la, la, la

De-odorize your smelly bodies Fa la la la la, la la, la, la No congregating in the lobby Fa la la la la, la la, la, la

I’m hearing music through your headphones Fa la la, la la la, la, la, la Don’t walk and text into your smartphones Fa la la la la, la la, la, la

The lunchtime hallways: we can’t use ‘em Fa la la, la la la, la, la, la ‘cause you noisy kids abuse them Fa la la la la, la la, la la

Greet your friends, but do it softly Fa la la la la, la la la la Don’t want to hear your noisy posse Fa la la la la, la la la la

The library’s not for socializing Fa la la la la, la la, la, la The gridlock there’s immobilizing Fa la la la la, la la, la, la

Keep secured your icy coffee Fa la la, la la la, la, la, la After lunchtime, don’t be sloppy Fa la la la la, la la, la, la

Don’t stop the traffic, at the staircase Fa la la, la la la, la, la, la Save the embrace for your own place Fa la la la la, la la, la, la

Equity Statement

It is the policy of the Iowa City Community School not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, martial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, socioeconomic programs, activities or employment practices. If you believe you have (or your child has) been discriminated against or treated unjustly at your school, please contact the Equity Director at 509 Dubuque Street, 319-688-1000.

Editorial Policy

The West Side Story reflects the views of the staff and does not represent the school administration, faculty or student body. Guest articles may be accepted to represent an additional point of view or as a part of a collection of reader contributions. The staff will carefully scrutinize all reader submissions.

All ads are subject to approval by the business staff. Those that are libelous, obscene or plainly offensive may be rejected. The West Side Story attempts to publish all letters, which must be signed, to the Editors, but may reject submissions due to space limitations, inaccuracy or poor quality. It is the responsibility of the opinion editor to verify authorship. Editors can make minor edits for the sake of clarity, length and grammatical correctness.

ART by BRAEDYN DOCHTERMAN

wsspaper.com December 2014 opinion 43

OPINION OPINION

THE SYSTEM FAILS AGAIN

BY SHARON XIANG

xiang.sharon@wsspaper.com

I

am ashamed of calling myself an American right now. I’m ashamed because America is a country that values the simple word of a white man over the horrible death of an African-American.

I’m ashamed because the media only covers the violent riots over the many more peaceful protests that have happened. I truly believe that Darren Wilson should have been indicted, but I wasn’t a part of the grand jury; therefore, I can only give my opinion after examining the evidence that was given.

Wilson claimed that he felt his life was in immediate danger. He said that he “felt another one of those punches in my face would knock me out or worse”, yet when I look at the pictures of him that were taken at the hospital the only thing I see is reddened cheeks and a light bruise.

Brown was six foot five inches and 290 pounds while Wilson is six foot four inches and 240 pounds, but Wilson testified that he felt “like a

child” against “Hulk Hogan.” That means there is a one-inch and fifty-pound difference between Hulk Hogan and a child. I was unaware of that. The x-rays performed on Wilson’s jaws showed no fractures.

From Wilson’s injuries, I don’t believe that he was justified to shoot twelve shots at Michael Brown.

Wilson also testified that he had blood on his hand, which he later washed away. Let me restate this: a police officer who is trained to preserve evidence literally washes evidence down the drain.

It is also extremely important to talk about the prosecutor for this case. Bob McCulloch has a history of being pro-cop and failing to try police officers for crimes.

His father, a police officer, was in fact killed by an African-American male. With such a gray case as this one, a prosecutor such as McCulloch would have lots of personal bias and would probably believe that Wilson was justified in kill-

ing Brown, since the shock of his father’s death would have led McCulloch to perceive that AfricanAmericans are violent and that they regularly attack police officers. In his statement to the press about the grand jury ruling, McCulloch reiterated again and again about how inconsistent the testimonies of eyewitnesses were, yet said nothing about the inconsistencies of Wilson’s testimony.

The ruling of the grand jury has already been made, and it can’t be changed. However, America should use this injustice as an initiative to call for change in the justice system. The Ferguson ruling was another unfortunate consequence of a system that is flawed. It’s a consequence of a system that again and again chooses the side of a white police officer who can hide behind his badge. I’m not saying that I don’t support our justice system and its officers; I do. I simply don’t agree with the fact that in cases

where there is enough evidence to indict, police officers are not indicted. Something needs to change, because we live in a society where police officers need to be policed and people of color need to worry about whether or not they will be arrested for walking “suspiciously” on the street.

Despite this event, I’m still hopeful as an American because America is a country known for its everchanging society. I’m hopeful that with two such high-profile cases, people understand that America is not a post-racial society but a society in need of extreme fixing, sooner rather than later.

GEEK GRANDEUR BY eleanor ho

ho.eleanor@wsspaper.com

A

ccording to the obviously reliable Urban Dictionary, a geek is a person who is generally non-athletic, and enjoys things like gaming, comic books, and perusing the internet. Well, guilty as charged. I watched Star Wars before I learned how to write properly. I have a 250-dollar wishlist of stuff related to Marvel Comics, Star Wars, et cetera. I read the Game of Thrones books before watching the show. I could procrastinate for days on Reddit. While I may not be the most “hardcore” among geeks, I definitely qualify.

This is the point where I generally side-cough to avoid any weird looks or general eye contact I might

be getting for revealing my deep, burning hatred for Superman while my good-humored friends just nod, smile and pretend to know and or care about what I’m talking about.

You know, unless they’re as bad as I am.

I have always had a sort of reluctance to share my geekiness with other people, as if their reaction could somehow change my possibly unhealthy Internet habits.

Whether it’s a part of my shy-untilyou-know-me personality or other people’s influences, I can’t say.

But the truth is, I love being a geek. Being a geek taught me things in a way that was fun and engaging.

Take Pokemon, for example. As a kid, I spent a lot of time running through the tall grass from town to town facing my Pokemon against the computers. I was determined to

44 opinion DECEMBER 2014 wsspaper.com

beat all of the gym leaders. And I used a bit of that determination I learned in real life to get real-life things done.

I ended up learning a lot from the all the various fiction I’ve absorbed over my fifteen years: the Jedis’ way of helping other people, Tony Stark’s do-it-yourself attitude. Your move, Hannah Montana.

Being a geek is something that I’m proud of; being called geeky or nerdy is a compliment. I love freaking out at each and every Stan Lee cameo, watching as people unknowingly stream out of the movie theater during credits, unaware of what they’re missing. I love the satisfaction of finally getting through a particularly difficult dungeon in Legend of Zelda. To me, being a geek is being passionate about something that I love.

So I guess that means everyone is a geek in their own right, whether they’re passionate about sports, math, music or anything else under the sun. As long as you love it, it doesn’t matter.

So I guess that means Urban Dictionary is wrong. Go figure.

PHOTOS BY PAIGE BRAZINA

THE PURR=FECT FRIEND

bY mEGUMI kITAMOTO

kitamoto.megumi@wsspaper.com

O

n rather boring nights where I lie on my bed and deny that I need to be productive, I spend quality bonding time with one of my pals. He’s really soft, loves to cuddle and is the cutest creature to ever roam the earth.

Oh yeah, did I mention that this “friend” is my cat? That’s probably important for future reference.

Seriously though, my cat Rum

Tum is the cutest thing in the world. He is named after the rather pompous Rum-Tum Tugger from the musical Cats, but his personality is the complete opposite of his namesake. He senses when I’m going to sleep and he is an excellent heater in the winter. When I move in my sleep, he does not, so usually he ends up on my face by the time I wake up. I’m okay with it, though.

Waking up to 20 pounds of cat on you is one of the best feelings in the world. We also spend quality time together when he sits on my keyboard and we squabble over who has rights to the keyboard. In the end, he always gives up the fight because he knows that I will give him food if he does. Obviously, it’s a very healthy human-cat relationship. Now that I have shared some wonderful episodes of my cat, are you in love with him yet? Nope, you probably think I’m really weird.

I know what you’re thinking. Do

you seriously have friends that don’t have four legs and fur? Why yes, I (hopefully) do. Most of them brush off my cat stories and have seen my cat pictures at least six times, but still pretend that they’re interested in a teenage girl’s love for her feline friend. Something that also makes my cat-lover business difficult is that my cat detests human interaction with people he doesn’t know, so I can’t show my friends my cats in person, which makes it harder for them to believe that I actually have a “friend” at home.

After I had a period of time where I would prefer spending time with my cat than humans, my friends took action began inviting me to social events (cue collective gasp) where I was seperated from my precious kitty. But I am very thankful for my friends, who are considerate enough to include me in their group activities. They are nice sub-

stitutes for my furry ball of joy.

What makes this even more depressing is Rum-Tum is the only cat in my home that actually likes me (besides stuffed animals, but that’s beside the point). My other cat Jemmy is a cutie pie as well, but we never really hit it off as friends, and there’s also the fact that she licks tape. The only interactions that we have now are when she scratches my face so I can halt whatever I’m doing to give her food. The depressing truth has come out. I am destined to spend my time with fat fluffy cats forever.

Despite the groans from my friends and many people around me, I am a very happy cat lover. If you are shy about expressing love for your cats, never fear. There is a cat maniac roaming the same campus as you (me.)

ARE YOU A HAM SANDWICH?

BY avery smith

smith.avery@wsspaper.com

W

ith the outrage surrounding the Ferguson ruling, the phrase, “A prosecutor can have a grand jury indict a ham sandwich if he wants,” has been tossed amongst protesters of Darren Wilson’s non-indictment.

The idea is that it is so easy to indict someone through the grand jury that Darren Wilson’s lack of an indictment must mean there was a strong bias towards Wilson either within the prosecution, grand jury, DESIGN BY KELSEY KERANEN

or both.

But is that really the case? How is it that this case lead to no indictment, when grand jurors only need probable cause as opposed to belief beyond a reasonable doubt? Besides, a ham sandwich? That’s worrying.

What if I’m the ham sandwich?

So let’s look at this ham sandwich shabam. Simply put, the concept is that everyone and anyone is a ham sandwich. You are a ham sandwich.

Your cousin is a ham sandwich.

Your Grandma. Your dog. Everything is a ham sandwich. One day, a police officer (also a ham sandwich) strolls by and sees you are minding your own business. He decides to arrest you under the pretense that each person has done something wrong throughout their life. It is provable (legally) that you have done wrong through the grand jury process, justifying the officer’s arrest of you. This leads to you to be prosecuted against and indicted for those crimes. There’s no reason not to arrest everyone (at some point)

if anyone can be indicted and brought to court fairly (in the eyes of the written law.)

Okay. Now look back at your entire life. Has an overwhelming majority of your friends and family been arrested under this pretense? How about 50% of them?

25%? Maybe like one or two? I’m guessing the number is fairly low.

The fact is police are not arresting everyone they meet. We are not ham sandwiches! But if we aren’t ham sandwiches, then why is it that anyone could “indict a ham sandwich?” Because the only ham sandwiches being tried in front of grand jury are pretty clearly moldy bastards.

Regardless, indictment numbers are still high. However, there is an outlier in the data: law enforcement. According to the National Police Misconduct Report, the general population faces a 68% conviction rate of felony defendants, while the number only lands at 33% for law enforcement. Why?

Because their job can quite literally be “shoot the baddies.” While the issues of whether who they shot is truly a baddie, if their motives were racially charged, etc., are concerning, none of that can be taken into account. The Supreme Court’s 1989 ruling of Graham v. Connor states that the use of force on a free citizen by an officer is to be evaluated as a seizure of the person under the Fourth Amendment. Basically, prosecution can only use objective knowledge of what the officer knew at the time of the discharge.

So in the eyes of the law, I agree with Darren Wilson’s non-indictment. There were too many conflicting reports and a lack of damning evidence. Am I suspicious of him? Of course, this case is too ambiguous for me to definitely believe what he did was or was not wrong.

But I would rather that this slightly shady dude is off free than an innocent version of him locked up for the rest of his life, or given capital punishment.

wsspaper.com DECEMBER 2014 opinion 45

HUMOR HORIZONTAL

Cartoon by Braedyn Dockterman

THE

FRIDAY GAMES

Cartoon by Shanthi Chackalackal

Well folks, it looks like we’re gonna have a great show today!

And look at the turn out!

Okay, remember, this is a fight to the death. No mercy.

Happy Black Friday! And may the odds be ever in your favor!

COMPilED by Eleanor HO

complete

“Blank Space”

by Taylor Swift

lyrics

WSS: Cause we’re young and we’re reckless, we’ll take this way too far, it’ll leave you MEDD: Blasted

the

with Rich Medd

46 Humor DECEMBER 2014 wsspaper.com

“Jealous” by Nick Jonas WSS: Or with a nasty scar, got WSS: I turn my chin music a long list of ex-lovers, they’ll up, and I’m puffing my tell you I’m insane, But I got a MEDD: Cheeks MEDD: Brand new baby DESIGN BY OLIVIA READ

MY

FAVORITE PLACE

photo by chanel vidAL

photo by madie miller

IN IOWA CITY

squire point

hannah van roekel‘15 & trey krupp ‘15

downtown

alex walton ‘17 ABOVE RIGHT: The high point of Van Roekel and Krupp’s summer days was when they could spend time together at their favorite tree. They enjoy visiting the tree to release the stress of everyday life. “We just enjoy being outside,” Krupp said. “I’m a lot happier when I’m outside,” Van Roekel adds.

RIGHT: Winning Reserve Grand Champion for Johnson County 4H, Law’s favorite place is being with her horse, Bonita Bae or ‘BB.’ “My favorite part is probably the excitement of barrel racing and going really fast around the barrel,” she said, “But I also like the connection with my horse that I have.”

photo by madie miller

bow hunting

kiana wilson ‘15

photo by chanel vidAL

DESIGN AND COMPILED BY MADIE MILLER ABOVE LEFT: Spending time shopping and dining, Walton’s favorite place is roaming downtown Iowa City. “I love downtown in the winter because of all the lights,” she said, “Plus, who doesn’t love Yotopia?”

BELOW: Following her family tradition of hunting, Wilson loves being outdoors with her bow.

Her favorite place to be is out practicing for turkey or deer season. She practices at Lake Macbride when the weather is nice. “It gets very cold, but the rush I get when I finally hit something makes it so I’m not cold anymore,” she said.

horseback riding

erika law ‘16 47

How to

Make a

Snowflake in simple 1

5

Hashtag #WSSsnowflake on Twitter and Instagram so we can retweet and re-insta you and your creative snowflakes.

Starting with a square piece of paper, fold one corner over to meet the other, forming a triangle. Fold it diagonally again to form a smaller triangle.

5

Unfold and show off your one-of-a-kind festive snowflake.

3

steps

2

COMPilED by jaycie weathers

Now comes the tricky part: fold the triangle into thirds as evenly as possible. It should have two points sticking out of the top.

Cut off points sticking out of the top of the triangles.

4

Harness your wildest creativity by cutting shapes into the small triangle.

photos by madie miller DESIGN BY JAYCIE WEATHERS