May 24, 2016

John F. Kennedy High School

Volume 49, Issue 6

May 24, 2016

the torch

New in town

Elianna Novitch//Page 22

Contents John F. Kennedy High School 4545 Wenig Rd. NE Cedar Rapids, IA, 52402 Volume 49, Issue 6

Mission Statement

The student staff and adviser are committed to producing top quality student publications, applying high standards of writing, editing, and production. These media seek to fairly serve the Kennedy High School faculty, students, and staff showing no favoritism to any particular interest, individual, or group. Final decisions about content are the responsibility of the individual editors, and the Editorial Board.

Non-Discrimination Policy

It is the Torch policy not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age (employment only), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status (students/program only) in its educational programs and its employment practices.

Ownership

The Torch publication, website, official social media, and broadcasts serve as a public forum produced by the students in Journalism-Newspaper. Student editors make content decisions consistent with the Torch Editorial Policy, Iowa law and the ethics of journalism.

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Opinion 04 Policies gone too far-Abby Donovan 05 Staff Editorial: Forever a Kennedy Cougar 05 Accepting ADHD-Olivia Haefner 06 The right to bear arms...in classrooms?

News 08 Oh, the places you’ll go 10 Meals from the Heartland-Nathan Sheeley 11 Senior service wrap-up-Gabby Olejniczak 11 Class of 2017 plans senior service project-Nathan Sheeley 12 Firearms in new hands Culture 14 To pee or not to pee-Naomi Hofferber 16 Summer slams-Madeline Jamrok Feature 16 New in town-Elianna Novitch Profile 24 Certified to save-Jayden Bisson 25 A youth with a mission-Jayden Bisson 26 A series of unfortunate goodbyes-Brooke McNeal Photo 28 A year in review-Macy Anderson & Jenna Anderson Sports 32 Cougars conquer the record book-Jake Corkery 34 Athletes of the year-Gabby Olejniczak 35 Cougars dashing to Drake-John Nolan

Letters from the Editors

“Have your moment.” Those were the words spoken to me when it finally hit me that I’m a senior; that this entire year, I’ve been experiencing my lasts. My last football game at Kingston. My last set of AP tests. My last speech season. My last year on the Torch staff. My last year at Kennedy.

It’s finally here. In a mere few days we go from anxious students ready for school to be over to graduates of the class of 2016. To finally be at this moment of my life is rather shocking.

This final school year has been one that we’ve all talked about forever but didn’t really realize was here until now. We have all been going through the motions this year without truly embracing them for what they were; our lasts.

For some of you, it was the last time you would ever lace up your cleats and step onto the field. For others it was the last time you would ever stay until 8 at night for one final rehearsal before a big performance.

While we didn’t know it at the time, those were experiences that we will never get back and that we should remember and value now.

So what about what comes next? We will all go our different ways but with us we will take the experiences Kennedy has had to offer us.

They have helped shape who we have become and will continue to guide us onto who we will be.

So as I experiences my lasts, I know that I am moving on to experience many other firsts that will impact me just as much as my time at Kennedy has.

I want to end with this: Good luck class of 2016 with all your firsts to come.

To try and put into words what I’m thinking and feeling right now, I’d say that part of me is scared, and uncertain, and unsure of how I’m going to function out in the real world; another part of me is excited and ready to go and carve out my own place in the world; but mostly I’m just waiting to see what happens. Whatever it is, whether it’s good or bad, I know we’ll all be ready for it-or at least I hope so, because in the grand scheme of things, that’s really all school has been about: shaping who we are and preparing us to deal with the world.

Coming away from the experience that was high school, I think all of us will look back and remember one thing that truly defined us during those four years. For me, that will be the Torch. From the day I walked into freshman orientation as a scared little eighth grader and first found out what the Torch was, I knew it was what I wanted to do. Back then I never would’ve imagined becoming the editor-in-chief, but I’m tremendously thankful for that experience. Coming to Torch every day, even on days where the class and the people in it were causing me stress and frustration and anger, was what made me feel at home at Kennedy.

I’m very grateful for being able to spend four years being taught by Dr. Haynes-Moore, who has continued to push me to excel both inside and outside of the journalism program, and for being able to work alongside my amazing co-editor Elianna and all of the other staff members who make Torch the incredible publication it is.

To the underclassmen to whom we’re passing the Torch, good luck, and I can’t wait to see you guys continue to produce above and beyond what the other seniors and I could imagine.

And to my fellow seniors, thank you for contributing to the atmosphere that was Kennedy High School.

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Opinion

Policies gone too far

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oday, one of the most controversial issues is gender identity. We see it portrayed in our media, the presidential race and now at one of the nation’s largest shopping centers, Target. They have recently began allowing guests to use the bathroom based on the gender they identify with. After analyzing the “bathroom bill” I can only conclude that is an appalling idea. The answer should be that we compromise and come up with private accommodations for the few, rather than changing the whole policy for the many.

Over one million Americans have decided to no longer buy their products at the nation’s second largest retailer, because of their new bathroom policy. On April 19, the Target retail corporation announced that their beliefs need to be brought to light, “we stand for equality and equity, and strive to make our guests and team members feel accepted, respected and welcomed in our stores and work places every day.” The American Family Association, an advocacy group that began the boycott warns us that Target’s policy puts women and children in danger, and I for one, agree.

The percentage of transgender Americans is hard to determine because the United States Census Bureau and other official records do not ask about gender identity. A study was done by the National Center for Transgender Equality resulting in 71 percent of the known transgender population agreeing that most hid their gender transition to try and avoid discrimination. Since the Social Security Administration started in 1936 only 135,367 people have changed their sex, which is less than one percent of the American Population. We can only assume that the number of transgender identifiers lie around 2% or even less.

Therefore we can also assume that much less than one percent of people who walk into Target every day are transgender, while hundreds of thousands of women and children walk into Target.

We need to focus on the majority and while the minority should have equal rights, they should not be able to use the bathroom based upon the gender that they identify as. What if a man were to walk into a restroom and say, “I identify myself as a woman so I

should be able to use this restroom”, but instead turns out to be a sex offender, or a predator hunting down vulnerable women? The question isn’t, “should everyone have equal rights?” because yes, we should, but when trying to address the concern of less than 1 percent of the population, you are also violating the rights of the remaining 99 percent. The important question is whether or not this is safe.

There is also a concern of privacy invasion. If K-12 public schools allow people who identify as transgender to use whatever restroom they like, how do the other teenagers feel? They are already uncomfortable with themselves at this age, so why should a school allow those of the opposite sex to shower together? This also leads to the thought of gender neutral facilities increasing the likelihood of sexual assault on school grounds.

If someone were to answer my question they would probably counter-argue that they have to show proof that their identity has changed, making it safer inside the restrooms. But, then what, do you expect to see a paid guard standing at every restroom asking to see an ID of each person who identifies as transgender? In reality, this would only ever happen once or twice in a month. A person’s birth certificate clearly states the gender they were born.

If a person’s birth certificate says that they were born a girl they should use the women’s restroom and vice versa. Social conservatives in California have vowed to get a “Privacy for All” initiative on the ballot that would require people who identity as transgender to show their birth certificate when entering a school or government facility.

No one should have to completely give up their rights. Hell, we live in the United States of America where we pride ourselves on freedom. I believe there should be a compromise. Instead of using any bathroom you choose, there needs to be unisex or single stall bathrooms in any store or public place that allows people to use whatever bathroom their gender identity agrees with.

Abby Donovan

Staff Xander Riley Editor-in-Chief Elianna Novitch Editor-in-Chief Macy Anderson Photo Editor Abby Donovan Opinion Editor Naomi Hofferber Culture Editor Gabby Olejniczak Sports Editor Jenna Anderson Photo Editor Jayden Bisson Profile Editor

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Jake Corkery Sports Editor Caitlyn Fisher Opinion Editor Taya Floyd Staff Writer Erica Gouchee News Editor Avery Haefner Photo Editor Olivia Haefner Opinion Editor Madeline Jamrok Culture Editor Mary Liscum Ad Manager

Colby Manley Ad Manager Brooke McNeal Profile Editor John Nolan Ad Manager Anna Reinhart News Editor Nathan Sheeley News Editor Taylor Weiss Sports Editor Katie Beer Staff Writer Stacy Haynes-Moore Adviser

Opinion

I

Staff Editorial: Forever a Kennedy Cougar

n high school, we tend to believe everything is eternal, that things will last forever.

The friends we see in the hall will be close forever. These golden ages, where the responsibilities of adults meets the freedom of a child, they will last forever.

The emotions we feel; the fear, the stress, the heartbreak, the sadness, the joy, the hope, the faith, we will feel this way forever.

Even ourselves we deem eternal. We take risks, make the leap, act bold out of that faith in being forever young.

It’s that belief that pushes us to dream bigger, to reach higher, to live like nothing can stop us.

Our time at Kennedy is not forever. These faces will fade into memory, our days of school dances and football games are coming to a close. But we are forever in what we do, what we contribute to this world, who we reach and who reaches us. We are eternal in who we become when we cross that stage, when we walk out these doors, when we decide who it is we want to be.

We may not walk these halls again as students, but we will forever be Kennedy Cougars.

Accepting A

n estimated 11% of U.S. school-aged children have been diagnosed with ADHD in their lifetime. A majority of people don’t understand what the disorder ADHD is.

Teachers and parents are unaware and unrealistic about ADHD. This is something that shouldn’t be used lightly or joked about because students at Kennedy High school are affected by ADHD every day of their lives.

ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It is characterized by a constant pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity that interferes with one’s functioning or development. More intense symptoms of this disorder are being forgetful, squirming/fidgeting, talking too much, and having difficulty with school, friends, and at home.

Teachers and parents set unrealistic expectations for students that have this disorder. How can teachers expect students with ADHD to sit in class quietly and do their homework while so many other distractions are going on in the classroom? I wonder if they even know this child suffers from ADHD. Students with this disorder are held to the same standards as people who don’t, even though their attention span is much shorter.

Medication and behavior therapy can help students with this disorder, but does this really help them get to the same level as people without ADHD? Symptoms of ADHD can affect a person at school or work, but this is not classified as a learning disorder.

It’s unfair, unrealistic and something needs to be done about it. I know teachers can’t change their standards, but I think the teachers should at least be aware that a child has ADHD so they can do

something about the disorder.

Parents should be especially accepting of ADHD if their child suffers from it. Having parental support is a key to helping the child accept and understand his or her disorder. It makes no sense for parents to have extremely high expectations and compare children with ADHD to children without it. If anything, they should be getting help for their child.

Having ADHD can result in students becoming a bully or a victim of bullying. Because of this disorder students have problems being accepted by their peers because of their behaviors. In a study that examined children with ADHD in third to sixth grade, 58 percent of children with ADHD were involved in bullying, compared to only 14 percent of children without ADHD. This is an additional risk factor that should be considered when dealing with students with ADHD. So, what’s being done about this? Who even knows about this disorder? The answer is, that more people should become educated about ADHD. We need to make teachers and students aware of this disorder and that ADHD is something to take seriously.

ADHD is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly or joked about.

It’s a disorder that affects 6.4 million of US school-aged children.

People who are unrealistic and unaware of this disorder only add problems to the people suffering from ADHD. Olivia Haefner

Pages by Abby Donovan | 5

Opinion

The right to bear arms

Kennedy staff shares their thoughts on armed teachers in classrooms This is not a “for or against” issue. I tend to be conservative in my beliefs and support the right to bear arms. As a police officer though, if I am to ever confront an armed intruder in our school, I want to know that the staff coming to help would have as much training as I do with their own firearm and how to respond with me.

These are very tense, quickly evolving situations. Police and military are some of the only people who, mentally and physically, run toward danger when everyone else runs away from it.

We think differently because of this.

In addition, our world is full of liability in what we do and what we say. Having armed staff in schools, other than the police, is a

large liability issue for the school districts that has to be closely examined. Lastly, we cannot bypass how parents and students would feel having staff members armed. Our school is OUR community, a safe place to learn and grow.

So although I appreciate the thought of having “back-up” in my building, I also know there are many other dynamics in play that cannot be ignored. Thus, I honestly cannot say we should have armed staff members, nor can I say we shouldn’t. I think having the conversation and really listening to how others feel, is what makes Kennedy such an amazing place to be!

Charity Hansel Cedar Rapids Police Officer

36.5% of Kennedy students believe teachers should be armed in classrooms.

18.2% of teachers agree.

The goal of any school is to provide a safe environment for the students. Granting staff members the ability to have a gun accessible in order to protect people in the building from a shooter would be a good idea. It may also be a deterrent to a shooter contemplating an act of violence in the school because the shooter would not know who had a gun to use.

Currently we have one gun in the school. A shooter knows who that person is and can easily observe if that person is in the building. Giving a shooter the option to either illuminate or avoid that person. The staff members should have the option to carry a gun.

However, the decision to carry should not be mandated by the school district. The school district should provide training, policies and procedures for those staff members who choose to carry.

A sobering statistic for the graduates of 2016; according to the Wikipedia article “List of school shootings in the United States”,

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18.1% of Kennedy students are unsure.

there were 95 school shootings that occurred during your time at Kennedy.

These shootings resulted in 88 deaths and 131 injuries. That’s like having approximately 62% of your class either killed or injured by a shooter. Keep in mind, that does not include the shooting deaths and injuries of students and staff that occurred outside of school.

I can’t help but believe that having armed staff would have reduced the number of deaths and injuries.

Carl Barton Security Gaurd

... in classrooms?

Ok…here we go…

Guns in schools? As a former Marine from South Carolina my initial instinct would be to give a hearty “hell yeah!” however, I am not sure that schools in general possess the staff and resources to have this as an option.

On the yes side, I think in terms of security and safety, I fully believe that on site responders would be the best deterrent to a school shooter. A small strike team of educators that were armed and equipped to respond in the event of a shooting would be the best reaction to a school shooter.

Particularly if there are multiple shooters. Having an SRO [Student Resource Officer] on deck is a great advantage, but one versus 2-3+ shooters in a gun fight is a disadvantage. There is no question that in the event of a school shooting having more guns on the good guys’ side would be a benefit.

If the CRCSD were to move in this direction, I would volunteer to be an on-site responder. I believe that at JFK we have about 4-5 teachers that I can see being a part of this.

It would take a considerable amount of training, I would say at least a couple thousand rounds through the fire arm on a range, and that doesn’t include the tactical training of moving through the halls, around corners, providing fire and maneuver in the event of contact, take down methods, rules of engagement, and some form of moving target shooting practice.

I would think that if we are going to arm a squad of teachers then the district would need to arrange exhaustive training with the local police and SWAT units and those teachers would need

Opinion

to undergo some type of military style training. I think it would need to be tough and extremely mentally stressful to even come close to replicating the situation of a school shooting.

On the no side, I consider the cost, logistics, and real value. Do these teachers get an extra stipend since in the event of a school shooting they are going into the fray as opposed to hiding or running? How do we train them? What firearm is appropriate and how much ammo? Do we get full riot gear like SWAT teams or do we just keep a pistol in our desks? How do we secure the gear in our rooms?

Those are all just logistics questions though, the real question is do we allow more guns in schools? Do we believe that the chance of a school shooting is high enough to militarize teaching and teachers? Would this be an open carry kind of thing?

I think that the presence of firearms on a teacher’s hip would only add to anxiety or fears. Would kids spend any time wondering which teacher was armed (if this were a secret thing) and if so is that a greater risk having weapons on site?

Then in the event of an actual reality of a school shooting, are the armed teachers prepared to go to bed at night with those images in their head? PTSD affects combat troops that have trained rigorously for that, I have a hard time imagining most educators dealing with that kind of mental trauma. We want to inspire kids, not shoot them.

George Anderson Social Studies Teacher

45.4% of Kennedy students do not believe that teachers should be armed in classrooms.

72.7% of teachers agree.

1.1% of teachers are unsure.

Page by Olivia Haefner | 7

Oh, the Places you’ll go!

News

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Work Force -Muhannad Abdel-Haleem -Victoria Barnes -Andrew Basu -Jeremy Ciha -Austin Evans -Bailey Hauschild -Stephanie Harris -Brandon King -Jade Knake -Mary Liscum -Dahlton Loehr -Sean Long -Binod Magar Arizona State University -Ashley Amendt -Ryann Jensen Belmont University -Alexi Edmonds Bethel University -Hadley Rittgers -Halle Rittgers Capri College -Sydney Baum Carnegie Mellon University -Linden Runels Central College -Lucas Berry -Madelynne Herlocker Coe College -Jackson Behn -Tyler Dralle -Jacob Henry -Morgan Petsche -Dahmie Steel Columbia College Chicago -Caleb Marner -Curtis Williams Creighton University -Meredith Lloyd -Hannah Walker DMACC -Bailey Flood Drake University -Erica Gouchee -Liz Haskin Emory University -Lydia Yang Florida Gulf Coast University -Hailey Schultz Grand View University -Zachary Amsler -Christopher Krystofiak Howard University -Delon Dixon

-Kantrell McGlown -Jacob Steinburg -Trevor Vaupel -Stefana Vlahos -Jason Wright Jr

Indiana State University -Sierra Hargens John Hopkins University -Sweta Sudhir Kaplan University -Sarah Cheramey La James International College -Alex Strait Liberty University -Lela Sellers Loras College -Brandon Niemeier Loyola University -Anna Fluent Luther College -Nathan Schulte -Paige Timmerman Minnesota State Mankato -Kirsten Siebenga Mount Mercy University -Peyton Baskerville -Valarie Davidson -Chianne Eischeid -DaVonte Franklin -Kirsten Hiatt -Tyler Jacobs -Kyle Minor -Lindsey Olson -Shawn Shaft New York University -Nina Yu North Central University -Alexis DeCoteau Northern Illinios University -Brinley Milbrath Olivet Nazarene University -Ethan Goetzinger -Anna King Richmand American International University -Joshua Linnear

Military -Delaney Allen (National Guard) -Andrew Barmore (National Guard) -Tanner Camenisen (Guard or Marines) -Reba Detwiler (National Guard) -Ryan Feeny (Marines) -Ariel Hurst (Army) -Robert Jacobus (Navy) -Alana Johnston (Army) -Wyatt Osborn (National Guard) -Zachary Peter (Army)

Roosevelt University Brennan Urbi Simpson College -Cameron Stump Southwestern CC in TN -Congera Nahumu Stanford University -Sydney Rieckhoff St. Ambrose University -Aimee Ermer St. Thomas University -Austin Coates Tribecca Flash Point -Curtis Williams Truman State University -Aren Buresh University of Minnesota -Adam Wall University of Nebraska-Omaha -Macy Anderson University of Nebraska-Lincoln -Cameron Currie University of Northern Colorado -Angelica Fink American University -Maia Bennett University of Wisconsin LaCrosse -Nolan Hromidko -Logen Rodriguez Utah State University -Emily Pickering Wartburg College -Gabby Olejniczak YWAM -Mikah Lunsford University of Disney Taya Floyd

Kirkwood CC -Ramesh Adhikari -Fatima Al-Yassiri -Carter Allee -Curtis Barnes -Katelyn Bathke -Brandon Bermel -Michael Bisenius -Jess Bond -Sara Brandenburg -Lexi Brannaman -Kelly Breja -Treyton Bruns -Cassidy Calvert -Kelsey Carmer -Gyan Chhetri -Bryce Church -Bryce Clark -Skye Condran -Crystal Connelly -Emily Cooper

-Tony Curry -Kallishandria Davis -Indira Dhakal -Robert DonaldsonBush -Madeline Dvorak -Sam Falck -Abby Fett -Isabelle Fiester -Tyler Gail -Nick Graham -Andrew Greeb -Cayla Greer -Dylan Hall -Taylor Handeland -Mickel Harris-Jones -Holly Hasenbank -Michael Hazelton -Wyatt Hill -Holly Huggins -Isabel Hung

-Brenden Jacobs -Hannah Jones -Macy Kalina -Josh Kingery -Alayna Kohrs -Alexis Konu -Jayci Kvach -Caitlin Langguth -Taylor Lukan -Maria Luna -Zayla Mackrell -Patrick Manchester -Cameron McEldoon -Riley Medema -Jacob Meyer -Jose Millan-Ramirez -Sydney Miller -Laura Nesseler -Alex Nolting -Christian Norton -Morgan Novak

-Chris Oppedahl -Jaret Pealer -Christian Pearson -Maria Pham -David Phelp -Tyree Powell-Reed -Molly Proctor -Claire Prokop -Seth Pyle -Rajesh Rai -Kennedy Ray -Brittni Rhomberg -Nichole Richardt -Xander Riley -Teah Robinson -Jonah Severson -Nathan Sheeley -Connor Sidels -Kennedy Smith -Malea Suehomel

University of Iowa -Dan Baxter -Madi Beauchamp -Shaun Beyer -Jayden Bisson -Sydney Boysen -Aaron Brown -Tai Cheung -Hope Christensen -Connor Christophersen -Kendra Cullinan -Nicole DeCoste -Nolan Dewitte -Hunter Didriksen -Abigail Donovan -Khadija Elkeurti -Adam Froehlich -Annabelle Gust -Todd Gusta -Madison Haefner -Cale Hamilton -Alec Hanson -Jacob Henry -Naomi Hofferber -Dalles Jacobus -Andrew Johnson -Parker Kalb -Austin Kerska -Lauren Kiesey -Olivia Kipper -Stefan Kitsos -Elizabeth Klein -Katie Knox -Keanna Knutson -Dillon Koch -Matthew Koelling

-Elizabeth Krejci -Chelsy Lesmeister -Matt Lewis -Ron Lund -Thomas Luong-Tran -Katie Magner -Alli Maiers -Aly Maloney -Emily Manders -Natalie Martin -Renee Mittelberg -Sabreen Mohamed -Takudzwa Muskwe -Elianna Novitch -Molly Osborn -Kathie Pham -Chase Philpott -Rachel Reed -Jacob Ross -Kaylee Scheer -Kyle Scheer -Allie Seelau -Mahlan Sharf -Rizwan Sidhu -Miranda Slife -Meghan Smith -Andrew Solsrud -Morgan Stangl -Alana Steele -Jordan Teale -Stormy Waldrep -Trevor Wieland -Adam Walker -Bill Wilding -McKenna Woods -Austin Wu -Sean Wu

Iowa State University -Leif Albertson -Austin Bailey -Nicole Barrett -Joshua Beck -Erica Becker -Amber Bortz -Kyle Bramer -Bryan Castek -Taylor Caton -Michael Ciabatti -Noah Cronbaugh -Mitch Dahl -Aaron Daughetee -Zachary DeMaris -Dylan DePanfilis -Gage Farmer -Roger Ferguson -Elijah Feuerhelm -Anna Frerichs -Brady Gibson -Lauren Gifford -Taylor Golden -Luis Granadillo -Thomas Haddy -Avery Haefner -Kayleen Hammer -Creston Herdlicka -Josiah Ihnen -Mason Jacobs -Parker Jacobson -Bryant Jasper -Tyler Kadolph -Brenden Koenighain -Griffin Konchar -Carly Langhurst -Reece Linder

-Andrew Lloyd -Colby Manley -Quinton McGovern -Rylee Mitchell -Spydel Nardy -Daniel Neff -Pascal Niyinganza -Alex Paustian -Sean Sailor -Jason Shaffer -Kimy Southard -Bekah Staley -Nathan Stecker -Catherine Swiderski -Alissa Waterhouse -Claire Wille -Olivia Weigel -Jordan Weiss -Isaac Zehms

-Dayton Sumner-News Formanek -Maegan Tanner -Srijana Thapa -Alex Thompson -Carlie Tigges -Taylor Turner -BreeAna Viramontes -Jakob Waack -Chloe Weaver -Spencer Wilhelm -Jasmin William -Jayden Williams -Kollin Wiebel -Maddie Wood -Nathan Worsfold -Olivia Zaputil -Morgan Zebuhr

University of Northern Iowa -Thomas Basemann -Jacy Chiaramonte -Kasey Dekko -Tianna Drahn -Nathan Fisher -Matt Gardner -Derek Girling -Nicholaus Green -Sydney Hayden -James Jambois -Emma Kieckhaefer -Jordan Lang -Rylee Melsha -Alec Mobley -Phuc Nguyen -John Nolan -Chloe Pflughaupt -Colin Ralston -Kim Skoog

Pages by Erica Gouchee | 9

News

d n a l t r a e The H

Meals Fro

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aiti is the poorest country in the northern hemisphere, and one of the most impoverished in the entire world, with the average citizen living on less than $2 U.S. per day. Roughly 50 percent of Haitians are unemployed, and millions of men, women, and children die from starvation each year. Throughout the 40 day long Christian holiday of Lent, one Cedar Rapids area church came together to battle Haitian hunger.

The members of St. Mark’s Faith and Life Center raised over $50,000 during the Lenten season as a service project coalition with the Des Moines-based non-profit organization known as Meals from the Heartland. On April 15 and 16, over 600 volunteers packaged 227,448 meals in a 12 hour period.

“I thought it was a wonderful experience,” said Karen Brenneman, one of the team leaders on the project.

Brenneman added that it had taken years to get the project together, but that it was worth it.

“The journey started in Des Moines, where seven of us had worked there in 2013, and we’ve been working to get it together here ever since, and it’s better than I ever thought it could be,” Brennemen said.

In order to package the 227,000 meals, it took several ten-member teams working in six twohour shifts. The first eight would place the ingre-

Volu n

teers

10 |

dients into bags that could hold six meals (consisting of rice, vitamins, vegetables, soy, etc.) while the final two workers would seal the bags, place them into boxes, and finally load them onto a pallet that would be taken in loads of 12,000 meals to a semi-truck, which then took the meals to a warehouse in Des Moines, where they will be held until final transportation to Haiti by a partner organization called Convoy of Hope.

“It was interesting to see how many bags we could fill in the two hours we worked,” Madeline Jamrok, jr., said.

Jamrok spent her two hours scooping the rice into the funnel, which was used to ensure that all the ingredients had the proper balance,.

“Once we got started our group got into a really good rhythm,” Jamrok said.

Brenneman hinted at a similar service partnership for 2017.

“Maybe we can get a team from Kennedy for next year,” Brennemen said.

Jamrok added that it was a rewarding service opportunity and went to a good cause.

“It’s cool to know that we are helping kids in Haiti, and doing something about the hunger problem there,” Jamrok said.

For more opportunities to volunteer in the community or the service project, go to faith-life. org or visit mealsfromtheheartland.org.

Nathan Sheeley

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Photos courtesy St. Marks Faith and Life Center 2016

Senior service wrap-up T

his year for the senior service project the class of 2016 partnered with Variety, a non-profit children’s charity, to help raise money for the construction of an all-inclusive playground.

Variety is the head organization for the project. They have contractors in place who will be building the playground which has received the seal of approval from the city.

“This will benefit all kids in that they would have a brand new playground that’s nicer than the current Noelridge playground, but especially benefits those with disabilities,” NHS leader Alec Hanson sr., said. “It will unite families with children with and without disabilities and allow everyone to have a good time at the park.”

The all-inclusive playground is going to be built in Noelridge Park off of Council Street. It will allow children who normally take part in playing on the playground to continue doing so, but it will also be more accessible to children who have disabilities.

Unlike previous senior service projects that Kennedy has taken part in, students were unable to physically help with the construction of the project. Instead, students were tasked with the unique opportunity of raising money to help fund the project.

Kennedy’s contribution goal was to try and raise as much money as possible, while Variety had a goal of $500,000.

During the school year, several big pushes to raise money took place, including the collection of coins for spirit stick points at

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News

the pep assemblies. Students were even able to help raise enough money to meet a $50,000 match in December.

Variety had raised $49,000 and in order to have that amount matched by Wellmark they needed to raise an additional $1000

by Dec. 15. That’s where the pep assembly came into play.

Principal Jason Kline had the idea for each class to collect as many coins as possible and then combine them to be weighed.

Whichever class had the highest weight, would receive the two spirit stick points. The idea was a success.

“I thought that if we made it a contest for a spirit point, people would definitely bring change in,” Kline said. “I was shocked by what we raised. I thought NHS would raise maybe $500, which would be good. This first dump of coins into the counting machine alone was like $450.”

The collected weight of change added up to $1,520.56. Other NHS campaigns had already raised $740, and the money raised in the spirit stick fundraiser helped NHS to exceed their goal.

Variety has yet to set a date to break ground, but it is scheduled to begin work this spring.

Gabby Olejniczak

Class of 2017 plans service project

he class of 2017 has begun planning for the annual senior service project which all Kennedy senior classes undertake before they graduate. The class officers from the current junior class have started meeting with each other and Principal Jason Kline to discuss plans for the project and ideas on fundraising activities.

“Once the officers can collect some good ideas, we will either have NHS members or the entire class vote on what they would like to do most,” said Jamie Milota, jr., one of the officers for the class of 2017.

Once the results are in, the project will be presented and shared with the rest of the class. After the class presentation, the officers plan to immediately get to work.

“Our goal as officers is to use summer break to work on it,” Milota said.

The class officers have been brainstorming ideas on the project, although a popular idea seems to be transforming a bare piece of land into something beneficial for the environment and community, “I’d like to do something where we can make a lasting impact while also providing opportunities for everyone to participate,” Milota added.

Members of the National Honor Society will likely play a crucial

role in deciding the official plans of the project and the goal is to have them do most of the organizing in order to help the project run smoother.

The class officers are currently working on brainstorming ideas to raise funds for the project, and as Milota has learned, they must get creative to maximize the money generated,.

“The traditional t-shirt idea doesn’t really work for our class, but I can almost predict it will be more of a one day event where faculty and students get together and do something,” Milota said.

The class of 2017 will reveal their plans for fundraising over summer break as the process continues to move forward. Milota emphasized the importance of being involved in the project.

“Participate in it whether you are an NHS member or not, volunteering will look great on college applications, Milota said.

“We are a large class and all of the little actions add up and will accumulate into something bigger, and you’ll be able to see that by the end of our senior year.”

Nathan Sheeley

Pages by Nathan Sheeley | 11

Firearms in New Hands

News

T

he fatal school shooting at Sandy Hook ElCalifornia state laws have recently granted school disementary School got people across the coun- tricts the decision to permit teachers with the right to a try thinking about what could have been done handgun if a situation arises in which they could use it to decrease the number of deaths. Many people think against an opposing, violent force. The first district was teachers having guns is suitable for the types of situa- quick to ensure the staff in their district would have the tions that can occur, those that are similar to the Sandy right to carry guns in the classroom, after proper trainHook shooting. ing.

In California, one school district has unanimously "No matter what, the way our society is today, it decided that teachers in their school district should would protect us," Lindsay Guffey, fr., said. She believes carry guns, but not just any teachthat regardless anything else, teachers. The superintendent of a Califor- “Guns won’t help, they only ers should have a firearm to protect nia school district will choose five the students from dangerous intrudmake things worse.” teachers, those that will have had ers.

-Reya Sands, fr. training, to have the ability to carry In California, parents have exa gun. pressed concern with the new law. Some think teachers "I would feel so uncomfortable about teachers in my carrying guns only give them something else to think school having guns," Reya Sands, fr., said. " Just know- about in one of these dangerous situations. Although, ing there's a gun in classrooms, I “No matter what, the way some think it would just be another mean a student could take it," Sands precaution to take. Some think it our society is today, it would could delay the advancement to more is extremely discomforted with the protect us.” idea of guns being on campus. This of the schools if teachers had guns.

-Lindsay Guffey, fr. goes for high schools, middle schools, This way, they could delay until the and elementary schools. authorities arrive.

The Sandy Hook occurrence has been seen as a reason Sands and Guffey disagree on the principal of teachto step up security in schools, it has been seen to pre- ers carrying guns, but agree on one thing, shootings vent anything similar happening again. in schools are a dangerous situation, and those guns "Guns won't help, they only make things worse. No shouldn't be in the wrong hands in the first place. one will benefit from teachers having guns if the guns ANNA REINHART don't get into the wrong hands in the first place," Sands said.

Would the school be safer if teachers carried firearms? Photo provided by Katie Kerska.

12 | Page by Anna Reinhart

Public safety or human rights?

Culture

Where do we draw the line between legalized discrimination and a necessary action?

In North Carolina, House Bill 2 has caused these questions to be considered, caused for national response, and caused for large discussion about what really constitues gender.

What Gender belongs in this Restroom?

Page by Naomi Hofferber | 13

Culture

You

The discussion of human rights has taken an interesting turn; right into a bathroom stall.

North Carolina’s House Bill 2 (HB2), commonly known as the bathroom bill, has gotten recent attention across the nation, bringing up the arguments of public safety and of human rights.

HB2, passed on March 23, states that individuals must use the public restrooms which align with their gender at birth, regardless of what the individual identifies as in current day.

The Arguments

This proves an issue for individuals who identify as transgender in North Carolina, who do not identify with their gender at birth. The law states that they would have to use the bathroom they do not identify with, even regardless of hormone therapies or gender reassignment surgeries, which would alter the physicality of individuals.

Kate Kedley, a transgender activist and doctoral student at the University of Iowa College of Education, has been involved in advocacy programs in both Iowa City and in the Honduras, working to gain rights for transgender individuals.

“It (HB2) is restrictive for the Trans* community in that it puts unnecessary surveillance on a space where it simply isn’t needed,” Kedley said, “I think (the bills) are restrictive to anyone who does not express their gender in normative ways. When I was a small child, I would often get “mistaken” for a “boy” in the girls’ restroom, and it was difficult as a 9-year-old to know how to respond or what to do - it was mostly embarrassing and I felt like a deviant.”

Arguments for and against the bill have sparked across the nation. Concerns about transgender rights and open discrimination meet those who question the legitimacy of the transgender individuals using the restrooms, and fear without the law, individuals could enter restrooms of the opposite gender, with a false claim of being transgendered.

“I believe it’s more about public safety because if I were a parent or an older brother I would not feel safe sending a younger sibling or child into a bathroom alone knowing there could potentially be a sex offender that “identifies” as a different gender inside,” Jonathan Morrow, jr., said, “It’s not the people that are transgender that I am worried about, it is the criminals -sex offenders, rapists, pedophiles- that I am worried about.”

Kedley believes the bill allows for fear-mongering.

“It is fear-mongering,” Kedley said, “Those who try to link assault and pedophilia with LGBT populations are missing the fact that people who commit sexual assault can also be cisgendered and identify as straight.”

Asch Siegel, fr., believes that going into the “wrong bathroom” would endanger individuals.

“If you’re a transgender woman you have to go pee with guys, and if you’re a transgender man, that is sending a man, a person who looks and acts like a man into a woman’s restroom, which is causing way more of a ruckus than someone who acts and dresses like a woman into the woman’s restroom.”

“We all run into trans* folks all the time, and we just don’t know it. Like I said -- we don’t know what others’ genitals are -- we just make assumptions and then judge accordingly. Trans* people are part of your community,” Kedley said.

14 |

“49 (b) Single-Sex Multiple Occupancy Ba – Public agencies 50 shall require every m changing facility to be designated for and their biological House Bill 2- North

decide

Culture

Government Responds

On May 5, the United States Justice Department said HB2 violates the Civil Rights Act, and they would give North Carolina until May 9 to remedy the situation. North Carolina responded by suing the Justice Department, saying their ruling is an overreach. “We have not taken away any rights that have currently existed in any city in North Carolina, from Raleigh to Durham to Chapel Hill to Charlotte” Pat McCrory, North Carolina governor said in a press conference March 28, according to Politifact.

At the time this story was written, there has been no decision made regarding the bill.

Financial Consequence

In response to the passing of HB2, various musicians have cancelled or postponed concert events in North Carolina, including Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas’ Future Now tour, Ringo Starr, Mumford and Sons. Companies have also responded to the North Carolina bill; Target released an official statement on their website stating, “In our stores, we demonstrate our commitment to an inclusive experience in many ways. Most relevant for the conversations currently underway, we welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity.” This statement has prompted calls for boycotts across the nation.

In Our District

The Cedar Rapids Community School District currently has no specific guidelines revolving around bathroom use by transgender students, however does have an anti-discrimination policy stating, “It is the policy of the Cedar Rapids Community School District not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (employment only), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status (students/ program only) in its educational programs and its employment practices.”

Despite the lack of specific policies revolving transgender students at the district level, the Iowa High School Athletic Association does have guidelines, wherein it states that individuals can participate in the sports in which their gender identifies with, and accommodations are to be provided in order to create a safe and comfortable environment.

While varying policies regarding transgender individuals are slowly being created across the country, there is a large grey area as administrators must determine the appropriate course of action in issues in regarding transgender individuals. *Trans is short for transgender or transsexual. and sometimes used to be inclusive of a wide variety of identities under the transgender umbrella

pancy Bathroom and Changing Facilities. e every multiple occupancy bathroom or d for and only used by persons based on iological sex.”

2- North Carolina

Naomi Hofferber

Pages by Naomi Hofferber | 15

Culture

Freedom Festival When: June 20-July 4

Where: Cedar Rapids, Iowa “There are many events to get involved in at the festival. One of my favorites is the parade and festivities surrounding the fireworks. It is the largest display of fireworks in all of Iowa,” Sydney Reickoff, sr., said.

Photo provided by Connor Crippes

Photo provided by Robyn Reickoff

Lollapalooza 2016 When: June 28-31 Where: Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois

201 SUMM SLAM

“It’s fun listening to big name artists perform.

There is even crowd surfing, everything that takes place is insane, you have to see it to believe it,” Connor Crippes, jr., said.

Photo provided by Adam Walker

Newbo Music Fest When: August

Where: Newbo City Market, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

16 |

“It was a really fun vibe. There was a lot of teenagers there so you can jam with people your age,” Adam Walker, sr., said.

Culture

The Great Jones County Fair When: July 20-24

Where: Monticello, Iowa “Last year I went with a group of friends and it was a good time, the best part was the Tim McGraw concert,” Jacob Henry, sr., said.

016 MMER AMS

Photo provided by Lauren Vaske

Photo provided by Jacob Henry

Iowa State Fair 2016 When: August 11-21

Where: Des Moines, Iowa

Sweet Corn Festival When: August 12-14

Where: St. Jude’s Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa “At the festival you can ride rides, play games for prizes, walk around and hangout with friends,” Brianna Petsche, so., said.

Photo provided by Madeline Jamrok

“I have been to the fair ten times and the atmosphere is awesome. You can walk around, see farm animals, go to the shows, see photography, and enjoy the fair food,” Lauren Vaske, fr., said.

Pages by Madeline Jamrok | 17

Ads

18 | Page by Mary Liscum

Ads

Page by John Nolan | 19

Feature

20 |

Feature

The Pig and Porter

Raygun

The Quarter Barrel

New in town Cedar Rapids, IA

Pages by Elianna Novitch | 21

Feature

RAYGUN

“Cedar Rapids: Wake Up & Smell The Crunch Berries.”

While that may be what the website claims, Draper has other This witty slogan is just one of many that can be found on the hopes besides that for the impact the stores can have in the compopular products of the store RAYGUN. RAYGUN is part of the munities they are located in. latest addition of stores to be added to the growing NewBo City “We take our role in the community very seriously. Starting Market area. with the product: 95% of what we sell is made in America. Our The new Cedar Rapids location is one of four stores in the sur- shirts are cut and sewn sweatshop free in California. Our paper rounding Midwest area. Other locations include Des Moines, is from Wisconsin and printed by Union Labor in Des Moines.

Iowa City, and Kansas City.

[And] we do our own screen printing and design,” Draper said.

RAYGUN was founded by native Iowa owner Mike Draper. “So we first make sure that our money and daily operations are Draper opened his first store in 2005 in Des Moines. adding to a healthy American economy. And then within our speDraper chose to open his most recent location in Cedar Rapids cific communities, we hope to be a fun place for people to visit; to because, “[It] has a lot of similarities to Des Moines, so we’re be entertaining for visitors.” pretty comfortable with the environment in general. Then with When it comes to designing the quirky products, Draper says all of the development in NewBo and the energy behind that— that everyone at RAYGUN can suggest ideas. Then he and two NewBo City Market, Brewhemia, CSPS, “Running a company is a lot of work other designers work to pick the final The Cherry Building, Geonetric, Vault, and turn them into the popuand can certainly be stressful, but slogans etc.—it was something we really wanted lar products that are currently for sale to be a part of and we hope to be able to the fun of creating can make that all today. add to that energy.”

The slogans range in comedic topworthwhile.”

The business first came to be after ics and many are related to the stores’ -Mike Draper, Owner & Founder of Draper left Iowa in 2000 to study hissurrounding areas. Some other popular RAYGUN tory at the University of Pennsylvania. slogans for the Cedar Rapids location In the spring of his senior year in 2004, include: Draper and a friend started selling a t-shirt design on campus.

• “Cedar Rapids: A Full Sensory Experience” They originally printed 100 shirts and began selling them to stu• “We built this city on ce-re-al” dents as they walked by.

• “Cedar Rapids: 5 Seasons. 126, 326 Attractive From there it grew to a single store with a staff of just Draper, Residents.” to four stores today with a staff of 45 people.

RAYGUN sells a variety of products including t-shirts, bags, “As a creative person, I love having control over the entire cre- drinkware, and more. ative process [at RAYGUN]; design of product, manufacturing of The addition of this new store will help the Cedar Rapids’ econproduct, and selling of product through our stores,” Draper com- omy grow. When a new store is opened, about eight new people mented when asked what his favorite part of the job as founder are hired. Along with the creation of jobs, RAYGUN also impacts was. “Running a company is a lot of work and can certainly be the economy by paying rent and not taking money from the city. stressful, but the fun of creating can make that all worthwhile.”

In the end, Draper wants RAYGUN to not only be a successful According to the official statement from the store’s website, store that sells unique products, but also “an example of what its goal is to “create stuff that makes people laugh, save America Iowa can create.” from 10,000 years of darkness, and find a way to get out of this t-shirt thing and into something more meaningful like pharmaceuticals or petroleum.”

22 |The new RAYGUN location is a two-story complex full of various types of products like the ones seen above. Photos by Naomi Hofferber.

The Pig & Porter can be found in the heart of the NewBo Market area at 1028 3rd Street SE. Photo by Naomi Hofferber.

The Pig & Porter

A

soon-to-be-opening restaurant has a Kennedy tie. The Pig & Porter, expected to open the second week of June, is owned by Matt Melone, whose wife teaches psychology at Kennedy.

“I can’t wait to be done with all the business stuff and get back to cooking,” Melone said. Melone will act as executive chef and owner of the restaurant when it opens.

The Pig & Porter is located down in the NewBo Market area next to RAYGUN. “I think the area we are at is a great location.

It’s a booming little part of downtown and the newest up and coming place to be,” Melone said. “We are fortunate to be there and we are looking forward to doing some things to give back to the community in the future.”

The restaurant gets its name from the word ‘porter’ which is a general laborer/kitchen term for someone who does everything.

As for the pig part of the name, it comes from Melone’s love as a chef to use pig.

“Our restaurant will be a seasonal upscale casual place,” Melone said. “We will have nice food in a more casual environment that will appeal to more people. [The menu will include] a wide selection of micro beers and bourbon, and a lot of food from local farmers.”

The opening of The Pig & Porter will be a boost for the local economy. It will do its part to create jobs and be a place to create revenue as well as be a positive work environment for its employees.

“We are really building a team and we are treating our employees how we want to be treated,” Melone said. “We think that we can set a new standard in the industry because at the end of the day you see these people more than your own family--they are family in a way.”

Melone is eagerly awaiting the opening of his restaurant. He hopes it will have a vibe that is “a little more youthful and for lack of a better word, an urban hipster vibe.”

It takes a lot to open a new business and Melone recognizes and values all the help that he has received. “There have been so many people who helped us get this together,” Melone said. “We are grateful to all those people.”

Got game? The vintage games avaiable for play at Quarter Barrel cost a quarter each. Photo by Naomi Hofferber.

Quarter Barrel

T

here are plenty of restaurants around that are trying to make their mark when it comes to the atmosphere they give off and service of the overall establishment.

One restaurant in particular that is paying special attention to this and bringing a unique idea to Cedar Rapids is Quarter Barrel.

The recently opened restaurant is a retro arcade bar and brewery where pizza and brewed drinks meets vintage arcade games. The restaurant had its grand opening on Jan. 30, 2016.

Quarter Barrel is co-owned by husband and wife duo, Chris Ellis and Lorelle Lindo. The couple came up with the idea for the restaurant after having become regulars at an arcade before going out for drinks with their friends at a local bar while they lived in Chicago. They were drawn to the idea of combining the two establishments.

“We’re trying to figure things out as we go,” Ellis said. “We had this insane idea at the back of our minds that we might open an arcade bar and we combined it with my brewing skills and opened a brewery arcade.”

When one takes a look inside the doors of Quarter Barrel, they will be met with a bar set up and walls lined with glowing arcade games.

Quarter Barrel owns more than 30 arcade games to serve as entertainment for guests while enjoying their dining experience.

Some of these classic games include Galaga, Donkey Kong, PacMan, and Mr. Do’s Wild Ride.

Pinball machines can also be found amongst the arcade games for guests to use. It costs a quarter to play the games.

Quarter Barrel’s food menu consists of different types of woodfired pizzas, sandwiches, and other comfort foods for people to enjoy while being in a unique environment.

“There aren’t a lot of restaurants in Cedar Rapids that are casual but classy,” Ellis said. “We wanted to fill that gap.”

Elianna Novitch

Pages by Elianna Novitch | 23

Profile

Certified to Save As an EMT on the Hiawatha Fire Department, Adam Froehlich never knows what to expect.

He spends some of his shifts hanging out with his crew, and others desperately doing everything in his power to save the lives of complete strangers.

He has learned to embrace the unexpected while still allowing himself to let his guard down and enjoy the time spent with his crewmates.

“The work environment varies. Many times when on a call the environment is very stressful,” Froehlich said.

“However, when we are at the station the environment is very relaxed and fun. We often play cards, basketball, ultimate Frisbee, and video games. We laugh and have fun. The same crews always work together, which allows us to bond into a family unit.”

However, Froehlich is obviously not there to shoot hoops with his crew, and when tensions rise and the outcome looks grim, Froehlich makes his way onto the scene.

He quickly thinks through what he needs to do, and then jumps into action as soon as he arrives on scene.

“Often you can tell how serious a call is based on the information or lack of information given (by dispatch). The first thing I do when I get in the ambulance is grab gloves. . . . . Next I start thinking about the issue, what the signs and symptoms are, interventions I could take, equipment I might need beyond the basic vital signs diagnostic equipment. I run through my scene size up steps in my head, think about what I might find on scene. All of these steps allow me to provide more prompt, effective patient care,” Froehlich said.

Froehlich has only been an EMT for a few months, but has known that this is what he wanted to do since he joined Hiawatha Fire Department’s explorer post four years ago.

He’d always had an interest in medicine, and his time as an explorer pushed him to make the decision to get his EMT certification.

“I had assisted on many medical calls, from holding the med bag, to participating in a CPR in progress. I really wanted to play a larger role in all of those situations, but I needed my EMT certification to do that.”

To get his certification, Froehlich had to take a one semester class at Kirkwood, pass a practical and written exam, and complete 24 hours of clinicals in an emergency room and in an ambulance.

Froehlich spends at least 10 hours every week at the department, in addition to the time he spends in meetings and trainings.

He usually gets anywhere from zero to five calls during his shifts, but it is extremely inconsistent.

“It really just depends on the day. The department average is three per shift, however I am known to be a bit of a ‘white cloud’ meaning nothing happens when I am there,” Froehlich said.

It is a volunteer-based department, but Froehlich gets paid $20 to $25 per call, depending on his role during the call.

Despite the unpredictability of the job, Froehlich loves what he does and enjoys the knowledge that he is visibly influencing his community.

“I hope to impact lives by improving medical outcomes, saving lives, and just helping people through what is often one of the worst days of their lives for both patients and their families. I hope to have a positive impact on both the community and my department. My favorite part is when I know I’ve made a difference, usually through an improved patient condition or letter or card thanking the crew for a certain call,” Froehlich said.

After high school Froehlich will attend the University of Iowa, and plans to use his experience to help propel him through medical school.

“I think my EMS experience will help me be a better doctor in the future. I also hope to use my certification in college to work part-time on a paid service or as an ER tech in the hospital,” Froehlich said.

Jayden Bisson

Photo provided by Adam Froehlich

24 |

Profile

A Youth With a Mission As her classmates attend college courses and enroll in the workforce, senior Mikah Lunsford will be spending next year with a missions group in Baja, California. Lunsford has been on mission trips before, but this trip will be the longest one yet, spanning over the course of nearly an entire year.

S

enior Mikah Lunsford will be participating in a unique program called “YWAM” following graduation this year.

The program “Youth With A Mission” is a missionary university with campuses and bases located all over the world.

YWAM’s main base is located in Kona, Hawaii.

The base in Baja, California near Tijuana, Mexico will be home to Lunsford next year.

In Sept., Lunsford will move south to the beautiful base, which is compared to a five star resort and overlooks the ocean.

Joining her at the base will be about 30-40 other students.

“Since I don’t know what major I would choose for college, I have decided to move away for six months and spread the word of Christianity with a mission group,” Lunsford said.

Lunsford is enrolling in the discipleship training school program. For the first three months she will be practicing biblical studies and learning about mission work.

While attending discipleship training school, she will be able to join the music missions group where she can enjoy singing and playing the guitar.

During her last three months with the program she will be doing mission work in third world countries.

“It was hard at first to narrow down the list of bases I could live on. After many coffee dates with my mom I decided I wanted to be on the coast. The Baja, California base meets all my standards and I am excited to live there in the fall,” Lunsford said.

Lunsford has already been on mission trips within the states.

She has done work in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida.

Photo by VonPresley Studios, provided by Mikah Lunsford.

On these trips she did community service work, serve food, and help kids through the “Make A Wish” program. ““Both the prior mission trips I’ve experienced and my parent’s involvement with YWAM inspired me to go my own way and try it out,” ” Lunsford said. “My parents actually lived on one of the bases in Montana when I was born and I got to live there for 12 years before I moved to Iowa. Growing up on the base in its unique culture also impacted my decision.”

“I am super excited to meet a bunch of new faces and make intimate relations with everyone,” Lunsford said. “The distance from family and friends will be hard, but I will still have my phone for the quick calls home and texts to my friends.”

Lunsford will return home in March of 2017. For now, say your farewells and wish her luck.

“With my passion for music, traveling, and faith this experience will be perfect for me,” Lunsford said. “My hope is that in the end it will reveal what I want to do with the rest of my life.”

“My hope is that in the end it will reveal to me what I want to do with the rest of my life.”

Madeline Jamrok

Pages by Jayden Bisson | 25

Profile

A SERIES OF UNFORT A

Debora Aldrich Language Arts

s a Kennedy High School alumni herself, Debora Aldrich finds it hard to say goodbye to the place she has called home as a Language Arts teacher for 41 years. She will be retiring after the 2015-2016 school year.

Aldrich started as a 10th grader at Kennedy in 1967. Aldrich’s classmates got to choose the mascot and they even came up with the name for the Torch. When it came to activities in high school, Aldrich cheered the Cougars on as a cheerleader, though only for boys sports since those were the only ones offered.

After high school, Aldrich attended Luther College and University of Iowa. Recent-

J

Jan Perkins Spanish

26 |

an Perkins, Spanish teacher at Kennedy, got the influence to pursue a career in world language because of one of her high school teachers. She has been teaching at Kennedy since the fall of 1986 and will be retiring after this school year.

“My favorite memory at Kennedy is all of the phenomenal students and the great staff I’ve gotten to work with,” Perkins said.

She attended Western Illinois University and then continued on to get her Master’s degree at the University of Iowa. Perkins started at McKinley when it was a Junior high and spent 8 years there teaching Spanish and French.

“I love Kennedy because of the size and I feel as though we are treated like professionals,” Perkins said.

ly, she gained her Ph.D from the University of Iowa.

“I always wanted to be a teacher; when I was a little girl I would practice teaching my sister. We had a little school in our basement,” Aldrich said.

Aldrich has taught at other schools, such as Washington High School in Cherokee, Iowa, but no place has felt like home like Kennedy does for her.

“I will miss the LA department and the people I eat lunch with terribly. I planned to retire last year for this year because I knew it would take a long time to say goodbye to Kennedy High School,” Aldrich said.

When she leaves, she will miss all of the staff and her past and present students.

“I’ve been thinking about retiring for a few years once I knew that I could, but this particular year seemed like the best time,” Perkins said.

As a retiree, she plans to spend time on hobbies she has put aside, spend more time with her husband and family, and she is also thinking about subbing for teachers.

“New students should take advantage of the sports and clubs at Kennedy and get involved in extracurricular activities,” Perkins said.

She believes that Kennedy’s students and staff are what make the school and the profession of teaching so great.

Profile

RTUNATE GOODBYES S

Diana Ross German

tarting as a full time teacher at Kennedy in 2007, Diana Ross pursued her passion and fascination of communication through teaching the German language to students.

“At the end of my 3rd grade year, my parent took my whole family to Europe for the summer for 3 months and Germany was my favorite place. I was just fascinated by the whole idea of communicating in another language,” Ross said.

She graduated from Robbinsdale high school in Minnesota and then went on to attend college at St. Olaf where she met her husband.

Ross attended her last year of college at the University of Minnesota and continued to get her masters at Coe College.

“The biggest difference between Kennedy

K

Wendy Ziegler Librarian

ennedy librarian, Wendy Ziegler, checked her first book out at Kennedy in the fall of 1999 and she will check her last one in at the end of this school year.

“I wanted to become a librarian since high school but then the laws changed so that people weren’t able to get a bachelor’s degree in library science. Then, ten years later I decided to take the plunge and get my masters at the University of Iowa,” Ziegler said.

Before Kennedy, she was a librarian at a Williamsburg Elementary School for eight years.

“Kennedy is different because there are so many opportunities for students and it is one of the top schools,” Ziegler said.

She remembers an embarrassing memory at the first pep assembly she was here for and all of the teachers had to put on tiny clothes in a

and other schools *I’ve taught at is the friendliness. It feels like a family here and I definitely haven’t gotten that feeling at other places I’ve taught,” Ross said.

Although she is looking forward to retiring, Ross will miss the world language department along with her students.

“When I retire I plan on spending time with my grandkids (she has a new granddaughter due in August), gardening, spending time with my husband, and seeing our daughter that lives out in Seattle,” Ross said.

As for advice, she believes that it is more about effort than brains and that you should always look at every situation positively.

relay race.

“To all the new teachers: the first year is very hard, so hang in there,” Ziegler said.

She will miss Deb Baber as they have became very close friends.

“When I retire, I plan to spend more time with my grandchildren and travel with my husband. This summer we are traveling to many places which include Austria, New Mexico, and California,” Ziegler said.

Retirement hasn’t hit her yet and she says it probably won’t until it is August and she doesn’t have to come back to school.

Brooke McNeal

To Read all of the unfortunate goodbyes visit www.kennedytorch.org

Pages by Brooke McNeal | 27

Photo

Homecoming King and Queen 2015 Dalles Jacobus, sr., and Ellie Klein, sr. Photo by Naomi Hofferber.

Varsity Football entering the field for the semi-final game. Photo by Naomi Hofferber.

A Year in Review

Mikah Lunsford, sr., performs in the fall play Nice People.

Photo by Xander Riley.

28 |

Kirsten Siebenga, sr., and Taylor Golden, sr., embrace after a race at the state swim meet. Photo by Naomi Hofferber.

Varsity volleyball after their loss in the quarter-finals of the state tournament.

Photo by Naomi Hofferber.

Photo

Arshi Munjal at the state capitol building with the Kennedy Student Union.

Photo by Naomi Hofferber.

Principal Jason Kline wearing clothespins for Kinder Kennedy. Photo

by Caitlyn Fisher.

The varsity swim team is awarded medals at the state swim meet.

Photo provided by Shawn Thompson.

Kennedy Varsity Dance Team at state.

Photo provided by Alli Maiers.

Logen Rodriguez, sr., wrestling at state.

Photo provided by Logen Rodriguez.

Pages by Jenna Anderson | 29

Photo

Olivia Weigel, sr., and Megan Wagner, jr., at showchoir nationals.

Photo provided by Olivia Weigel.

Seniors at the spring pep assembly. Photo

by Nathan Sheeley.

Freshmen before the WPA dance.

Photo provided

by Riley Hull.

30 |

Members of Best Buddies dance at the dance marathon.

Photo provided by Aren Buresh.

Mikah Lunsford, sr., Rizwan Sidhu, sr., and Caleb Marner, sr., react to winning their speech banner. Photo provided

by Melissa Osborn.

Photo

Kennedy Wilson, so., performing at the spring musical The Pajama Game.

Photo provided by yearbook.

Runners pose for a picture at Drake Relays. Photo provided by Austin Coates.

Sierra Hargens, sr., prepares to make her move. Photo provided by yearbook.

Nathan Schulte, sr., at the One Night improv performance.

Photo provided by yearbook.

Linden Runels, sr., Kasey Dekko, sr., and Sydney Hayden, sr., at Senior Recognition night. Photo provided

by Sydney Hayden.

Pages by Macy Anderson | 31

Sports

Cougars conquer the record book

The Cougars had the most wins in a season with a total of 13.

Photo by Naomi Hofferber.

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Lifting Records: Hang Clean: Dalles Jacobus, Mason Jacobs, and Jackson Coker are all tied for 330 lbs.

Paige Franck holds the girls record at 155 lbs.

Front Squat: Jackson Coker 405 lbs.

Peyton Baskerville and Megan Webber 200 lbs.

Bench Press: Jackson Coker 335 lbs.

Photo by Jake Corkery.

Stefan Kitsos, Cade Schoenauer, Brady Gibson and Reece Linder broke the 200 yard medley relay record with a time of 1:37.08 as well as the 200 meter free relay with a time of 1:27.75.

Photo provided by Yearbook.

Sports

Womens golf broke the nine hole record with a team score of 167 at Ellis golf course. Photo provided by Yearbook.

Logan Rodriguez and Nolan Hromidko became just the 12th wrestlers in school history to be a part of the 100 win club. Photo provided by Audrey Clarke.

The Cougars had their best finish in State finishing as runners up. Photo by Naomi Hofferber.

MacKinzee Macho and Jessica Williams won the 200 yard medley relay with a time of 1:48.45. Photo provided by Yearbook.

Volleyball was MVC Champions for the second time in school history. Photo provided by Yearbook.

Jackson Coker broke the shotput record with a throw of 60ft 8 1/2 inches. He also broke the discus record throwing 177.6 ft. Photo by Jake Corkery.

Pages by Jake Corkery | 33

Sports

Seniors Dalles Jacobus, Sydney Hayden, and Shaun Beyer all won athlete of the year at Senior Recognition Night.

Photo provided by Dan Kempf at Joe Photo Impact Photography.

T

Athletes of the year

he auditorium was filled with the sound of medals clanking together as the class of 2016 received their many honors for both athletic and academic achievements on senior recognition night; awards they’ve earned during the past four years at Kennedy.

Each year, one male and one female athlete are selected to receive the honor of being Kennedy high school’s athletes of the year.

Head coaches for each sport are in charge of nominating athletes they deem fit to be athlete of the year to athletic director, Aaron Stecker. From there, Stecker compiles a list of all nominated athletes which he then sends to all coaches to select.

“This year we had seven males and six females that were nominated for athlete of the year,” Stecker said. Most of the students that received other athletic awards, such as the athletic honors award, had been in the original consideration for athlete of the year.”

Each head coach was able to vote for two athletes. Criteria for athlete of the year is based on athletic accomplishments, leadership within their program, citizenship within the school and academic performance.

This year’s female winner was Sydney Hayden. Hayden has always been active in athletics and during her time at Kennedy,

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she has participated in soccer and basketball all four years.

Hayden will continue her education and soccer career next year at the University of Northern Iowa. She does not plan to continue playing soccer after college.

“I don’t plan to play soccer after college due to the slim chance of playing professional sports,” Hayden said. “Instead I plan to focus on getting my masters degree in Biology.”

Two males received the honor this year, serving as co-athletes of the year. Those athletes are Shaun Beyer and Dalles Jacobus.

“Dalles Jacobus and Shaun Beyer were selected to be co-athletes of the year because they had a straight tie,” Stecker said.

Beyer and Jacobus helped the football team go 13-1 this season, with their strong family mentality. They will continue their athletic careers together next year, playing football at the University of Iowa, and eventually hope to make it to the NFL. “Going pro after college is the goal.”, Beyer said.

Jacobus participated in multiple sports during his time at Kennedy, including baseball, track, football and wrestling. Beyer participated in basketball, track and football.

In college, Beyer plans to study Biology, while Jacobus plans to study occupational therapy.

Gabby Olejniczak

Cougars dashing to Drake A

Sports

t the end of April, the top high school and college track not too worried about it. When we get to state I know I’ll and field athletes gather at the blue oval of the Drake improve.” Beyer said.

University track for the Drake Relays. Kennedy sent sevThe Kennedy Shuttle Hurtle relay team made history at Drake eral athletes to compete in these events. also. In 2010 Kennedy set the record with a time of 56.09. This The cougars qualified to go to drake in all four field events; shot time around they had a time of 57.37 seconds. That is the seventh put, discus, long jump, and high jump. They also sent their 4x100 best time in Iowa history, but unfortunately, not fast enough for meter and their shuttle hurtle relay teams to compete. Kennedy first place. also qualified in the 400 meter hurdles and 110 meter hurdles.

Linn-Mar had a great run and with the time of 55.68, broke the In the shot put, Dalles Jacobus, sr., and Jackson Coker, jr., both record previously held by Kennedy. However, the Cougars now placed. Jacobus took home eighth and Coker placed 11th. hold three of the top seven times in the shuttle hurdle relay.

“I really didn’t have a great day of throwing. I was feeling terIn the 110 meter hurdles, Beyer just missed the cut to get into rible and I know I can do a lot better,” Coker said, “I’m expecting a the finals, taking 10th in the preliminary round. lot to improve for the state meet and I think it will go a lot better “It was kind of rough to not get a shot to go into the finals. I for me there.” should’ve been in it.” Beyer said.

Coker and Jacobus also threw in the discus event. Jacobus Kennedy also sent a team to compete in the 4x100 meter relay. landed in fifth place overall and The team set a new personal record but it “It’s my senior year and I the top throw for athletes in 4A. wasn’t enough to get them into the finals.

Coker’s throw was enough to earn Connor Christopherson, sr., was the have really high hopes and him the seventh place spot and fourth runner in the relay. expectations. I want to win.” third best in 4A. “We ran pretty well, getting the [personal “I’m happy with the throws I record] as nice. Drake is a good test but we -Dallas Jacobus, sr. had, but I know I can do better,” are really focusing on a great performance Jacobus said, “when we come at state,” Christopherson said, “We made back here for state I expect to do better. It’s my senior year and I some changes and figured some stuff out and now we know we have really high hopes and expectations. I want to win.” can run even better.”

“There are so many factors that impact how your throwing goes.

Austin Coates, sr., qualified for the finals in the 400 meter hurThose factors weren’t with me this time. I know they will be next dles. He took home ninth place with a time of 56.53. time.” Coker said.

In the women’s high jump Katie Beer, jr., took seventh place Jacobus also feels that with warmer weather and less rain, his with a jump of five feet two inches. Her jump was the fourth highthrows would have been better and would have led to a better est in 4A. finish.

In the long jump Beer jumped fifteen feet three inches. That In the long jump, Kennedy’s Shaun Beyer, sr., placed fourth jump earned her 21st place in the finals. overall and second in 4A with a jump of 22 feet, 4 inches.

After their performance at Drake, the Cougars are working hard “That jump felt pretty good, but it was far from my best. It was to improve their times and improve all aspects of their competigood enough for fourth, on a better day I know I could do better,” tion.

Beyer said.

The Cougars are excited to compete at state and hope to show Beyer also tied for ninth place in the High Jump finals. His their full abilities and bring home some wins. The State Meet will jump was 6 feet 3 inches. be at Drake Stadium on the 21st and 22nd of May. “I’ve jumped higher than that before and I know I can again. I’m John Nolan

Boys and girls track has been practicing since the early spring in anticipation for big meets like Drake Relays. Photos by Jake Corkery and Naomi Hofferber.

Pages by Taylor Weiss | 35

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