Issue

Senior Jamie Howe� sews T-shirts together to form a quilt during FACS at Future Pathways. Howe� is a� ending Future Pathways to catch up on credits so she can s� ll graduate in 2009. “I really don’t want to graduate with the class behind us,” Howe� said.

HOOVER PUBLICATIONS 4800 AURORA DES MOINES.IA. 50310 515.242.7313 11.26.08 V.43 I.4HOOVER PUBLICATIONS 4800 AURORA DES MOINES.IA. 50310 515.242.7313 11.26.08 V.43 I.4CHALLENGER

Bea Rendonco-editor in chief

INSIDEPg.2 Watchu know bout ObamaPg.3 Guitar heroes at Hoover

Pg. 4 Fighting to fi t in Pg. 6 Presenting Peter PanPg. 8 Entertaining last night

Presen� ng Peter PanClose cast complements characters on stage

-pg. 6

Guitar heroesGuitarist bring skills to guitar club

-pg. 3

Se� ng up for health

Michael Robystaff writer

New initiative introduced to teach new lessons in health and well-being

‘None of those things are true’Future Pathways student, teacher and administrator set record straight on grad program

October 11, 2005. That was the day senior Jamie Howett “just didn’t feel good.” What started out as a migraine became Chronic Daily Headache (CDH), which meant that Howett was experiencing painful migraine symptoms all day and night—for over three years. Since there is no cure for CDH, Howett’s doctor in Iowa City originally recommended a regimen of morphine treatments. But it didn’t last. “It just became so frequent that the hospital thought I was a drug seeker, like I wanted it for pleasure,” Howett said. “So we had to come up with something else.” As Howett and her parents desperately searched for an effective treatment, she was missing more and more school. And with every day of school she missed, Howett also missed interaction with other students. “When I would hang out with my old friends, it seemed like they were in some ways more mature than I was, because they had life experiences in those three years and I just didn’t,” Howett said. “I guess I kind of missed out on growing up.” After visiting doctor after doctor, including neurologists at the Mayo Clinic, a holistic doctor and an adolescent specialist, Howett’s headaches finally improved last spring. Still, it didn’t make up for all the time she had lost. “I spent so much time out of school and not getting credits that I’m way behind,” Howett said. “And I really don’t want to graduate with the next class behind us.” Howett had counselor Penny Weishaar put her on the waiting list for Future

Pathways, a new district-run high school completion program which “serves students who are in need of a more flexible educational environment in order to complete their high school diploma,” according to the DMPS website. Future Pathways Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Alison Arnold said that there is a wide range of reasons why a student might choose Future Pathways over a traditional route: some have had children, prefer an alternative setting or need to catch up on a few credits, like Howett. “It totally varies from student to student,” Arnold said. “They might have to work full time to support family, or they might have to stay home with children.” Arnold said that Future Pathways appeals to students with these issues because of its flexible schedule: not all the students attend seven hours every day—it depends on how many credits they have left to earn and their schedules. Administrator Erin Stoen said that there are rarely discipline issues because of the lack of power barriers. Students call teachers by their first names, there are few rules and students are simply asked to leave if they cannot stay self-motivated. “We only have one rule, and that is, while you’re here, you’re learning and working toward graduation, and if you’re not doing that, then it’s time to go home for the day,” Stoen said. Future Pathways combines several methods of alternative education, including project-based learning and learning by design. Units of skills and understandings end with a project that must include a product and a performance. Stoen said that students

learn transferable skills to improve concept understanding and retention. “For example, instead of studying World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the war in Iraq, we study conflict—what happens among nations, and what’s the impetus for disagreement to create war or not,” Stoen said. Stoen and Arnold both said they feel that people make the wrong assumptions about Future Pathways. “There are so many assumptions about what we do,” Stoen said. “Everything from kids getting a credit in one day, to kids only have to show up 10 hours a week, to getting credit for a project that can cover a whole class—and none of those things are true.” Arnold said students with the wrong idea about Future Pathways “are not successful here, because they get a rude awakening when they realize you don’t do one project and receive credit for a whole class.” Howett said she felt that her education at Future Pathways is preparing her for the future in several ways. “I think in some ways I’m getting more of an education,” she said. “I’m learning how to teach myself things that I want to know, and I’m learning things from regular classes, but at the level I want to learn.” Arnold said she feels that Future Pathways has given hope to students who couldn’t succeed in a traditional environment. “Our main focus is to have them graduate,” she said. “And for a lot of them, they never thought that would happen.”

The obesity rate in the United States has been increasing for the last several decades. For many reasons, Americans are putting on weight and not losing it. The NFL and the Midwest Dairy Council plan to remedy this situation with a program to introduce positive peer pressure to students to get them eating right and exercising for 60 minutes a day. Des Moines is among the 11 cities selected for the program, Meredith Middle School being one of the 10 Des Moines schools selected.

Carrie Scheidel, school nutrition program manager for the Midwest Dairy Council, said she feels that the program will be very successful and believes it will get students more involved to make a difference. “It’s very important because it involves the youth in the planning and implementation process,” Scheidel said. This project will include encouraging kids to get more active on their own, introducing new exercise programs in schools such as walking clubs and implementing new marketing on the lunch menus. Up to $5000 will be granted to each school, with the ability to apply for grants afterwards, in hopes that the schools will all take this in their own directions. “The enthusiasm for this program is overwhelming,” Scheidel said. “And changes around wellness need to come from the youth.” She also said she felt confident the students would take this same enthusiasm and use it to encourage one another to take a stand to be healthier. Eighth grader Ann Strom said she feels like steps against unhealthy children should be taken. Strom guessed that about half of the middle school students ate healthy enough and got enough exercise. Strom also said that she thinks she gets enough daily exercise in P.E. class, but she looks forward to the new program. “I think it’s going to be hard at first, but it will be enjoyed,” Strom said. The new initiative will kick off in January, and if it seems successful, the entire country will join in the fight against the obesity crisis.

Scheidel said she thought the program would be successful, and students were taking the next step up against obesity.

Gas prices gone wild First they were up, then down, then way up, then way down. . . what’s the deal?

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A large reason why gas prices rise is because of public demand. As a result of Americans being so dependant on gasoline and there being such a large demand, the prices rise to provide a bigger profi t for gasoline providers.

The retail price for gasoline varies among regions to include all factors necessary to provide it, such

as transporta� on. Everyone from the crude oil providers to a part-� me gas sta� on employee have to make some form of a profi t. The higher the prices rise for crude oil, the higher the retail prices are raised in order to ensure everyone makes some money.

Rapid gasoline price increases occur in response to crude oil

shortages. Confl icts between crude oil

providing countries and the United States o� en � mes drives up the price of crude oil per barrel. The world only contains a certain amount of crude oil and once it’s gone, it’s gone. This makes crude oil incredibly valuable which causes increasing and fl uctua� ng gas prices.

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The winter sports assembly will take place Dec. 12 in the large gym. The assembly will feature members of the girls and mens basketball team, as well as many other athletes. The juniors have taken the spirit s� ck both � mes this year and hope to make it a third. “We’re going to take the spirit s� ck every assembly this year,” said junior Keri O’Tool.

payton quinn page design 11.26.08.v42.i4news 2

Senior pictures deadline

StuCo

Drama presents Peter Pan

Mock trial

Senior pictures for the Husky yearbook are due Dec. 5. Baby ads will be due the same day. Submit photos digitally to � [email protected] or take them to room 172.

Thanksgiving break

The winter play is Peter Pan, which will be presented Dec. 4-6 at 7:30 p.m in the Denis Hildreth Auditorium.

Thanksgiving break starts tomorrow. School dismisses today 20 minutes early. There are three girls basketball games on Friday, Nov. 28. The girls are facing Ames. Game � mes are 12, 1:30, and 3.

HUSKY BRIEFS

Upcoming sports

OBAMA watchu know bout

Barack Hussein Obama was born in Hawaii Aug. 4, 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

His parents separated when he was two years old. His father went to Harvard to study, and returned to Kenya.

In 1967 he moved to Indonesia with his mom. They moved to be with Obama’s new step father ,who was Indonesian. There, his mother had his sister Maya.

But when Obama was ten, his mom sent him back to Hawaii with her parents

Road to the White Houseso she could resolve some household problems. Maya stayed behind with his mother. A couple years later, his mom and sister joined him in Hawaii, where he was raised by his grandparents. His mother divorced his stepfather.

Obama later on went to Occidental College and then transferred to Columbia University in New York, where he got a degree in political science. He moved to Chicago and worked for NYPIRG. He later went back to school at Harvard to study law. He was elected the first African-

5 pm- polls close in parts of Indiana 6 pm- polls close in Virginia, Georgia, most of Florida and most of New Hampshire 6:30 pm- polls close in Ohio and North Carolina 7 pm- polls close in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Missouri. All polls in Florida and New Hampshire close.

“I’m glad he (Obama) won. McCain lost, that made me happy.”-junior Krista Nelson

“I was disappointed, but still he’s (Obama) our president.”-senior Kaleah Plain

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8 pm- polls close in Colorado, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Louisiana, and Arizona. 9 pm- polls close in Nebraska, Iowa, Montana, and New York. 10 pm - polls close in California, Oregon and Washington.12 am- polls close in Alaska

Night of the elec� on

Watchu think?

The fi rst mee� ng for mock trial has already been held, but anyone s� ll wan� ng to par� cipate can talk to team captain junior Ka� e Hawks, or speech teacher and sponsor Sarah Hamilton. Mee� ngs will be held every Wednesday, and the group’s case will be released in December. The group will be reenac� ng a court case and entering a compe� � on against other Des Moines schools in March. Sponsor Sarah Hamilton said she feels excited and confi dent about this year’s team. “It should be pre� y good this year; we have an experienced team this year, and with an experienced team we’ll hopefully have be� er results,” Hamilton said.

StuCo is working on the blood drive for December. More informa� on will be released when it gets closer. StuCo’s next project will be winter formal.

“There’s new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, threats to meet, and alliances to repair”

American editor to the Harvard Law Review. He graduated magna cum laude in 1991.

In 2003 Obama ran for the U.S Senate. In 2004 he became the third African American elected to U.S Senate. He won with 70 percent of the vote.

In 2007 he announced that he was running for president.

On June 3 2008 he became the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.

-from president-elect Barack Obama’s acceptance speech Nov. 4

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The Guitar Club has given guitarists and other instrumentalists a place to play the songs members love to play. The Guitar Club was originated last year by English teacher Nick Jackson. Jackson has been happy with this year’s turnout. “It is not Carnival or Mardi Gras, but it has a loyal base of adherents,” Jackson said. A typical day in the club consists of learning different things dealing with music and guitar. “We discuss what we want to do for the day and try to stick to the plan, but as making music goes, the play could go in any direction,” Jackson said. Junior David Mathews joined the guitar club this year. Mathews plays a four-string Epiphone Thunderbird bass guitar and has enjoyed his time in the club. “Time just flies by in there, everyone’s just having fun playing riffs,” Mathews said. Mathew’s said that the members are always willing to help each other. “Everyone’s just helping each other out all the time,” Mathews said. Mathews said the one big thing that’s unique about Guitar Club is that everyone has their own input. “Everyone brings something to the table with their different styles so you’re always learning something new,” Mathews said. Mathews believes he has more fun and learns more in the club than taking actual guitar lessons. “It’s like everyone’s a guitar teacher

jessica thrane page designwww.hooverchallenger.com features 3

Guitar heroes

but instead of being boring, it’s fun,” Mathews said. The Guitar Club is still looking for more members. Mathews says anyone who plays a bass or guitar is allowed to join the club. “Not a lot of people show up, so we need bassists, guitarists, or acoustic guitarists no matter what skill level,” Mathews said. Junior Jason Reichenbacher has been playing guitar for over seven years. “Jazz and blues are my two favorite types of music to play,” Reichenbacher said. Reichenbacher has had much interest in the club but hasn’t had the time to join. “I usually work every Wednesday, I barely even have time to play guitar by myself anymore,” Reichenbacher said. Reichenbacher said he believes that the idea of a guitar club is great and has a lot of potential. “I’m sure next year the club will have many more members, there are a lot of musicians walking the school,” Reichenbacher said.

Panek attack

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Everyone brings something to the table with their different styles so you’re always learning something new.

Guitar Club takes place in senior English teacher Nick Jackson’s room. The club was created last year and Jackson is happy with the turnout this year. “It is not Carnival or Mardi Gras, but it has a loyal base of adherents,” Jackson said.

Tanner BuckleyEntertainment Editor

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-junior David Mathews

SAMI RICKE SIDEBAR

KIRA HERRON ILLUSTRATION

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While all students deal with the struggles of teenage life, some students are forced to deal with the struggles of teenage life with a mental disorder. Through programs like Best Buddies, students are in an environment which encourages acceptance of their peers with learning and social disabilities such as Asperger’s disorder. Unlike mental disorders, Asperger’s affects a person’s ability to interact socially. According to www.aspergers.com, Asperger’s disorder stems from autism and is diagnosed when a person shows signs of social isolation and eccentric behavior. Also, people who have Asperger’s generally tend to have repetitive patterns and focus on specific, usually abnormal, topics of interest. Special education teacher Jacque Fletcher specializes with students who suffer from Asperger’s and autism disorders which are forms of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). Fletcher said she sees the affects of Asperger’s in her students every day. “The students have one subject that they really like and they have a hard time getting off that subject,” Fletcher said. “There is often times an absence of facial expressions. These things go on the older they get, and they have really depleted organizational skills.” As a teacher Fletcher said she does what she can to help her students who have Asperger’s with their education, and the special education program creates structured learning classrooms

Did you know: A� en� on Defi cit Disorder

(ADD)

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• ADD is a developmental disorder in which impulsiveness, hyperac� vity, and ina� en� on are the main symptoms

• ADD is more likely to occur in boys than girls

• ADD has a strong gene� c component

• Methods of treatment usually involve some combina� on of medica� ons, behavior modifi ca� ons, life style changes and counseling

• ADD is very hard to diagnose. It involves an arduous series of tests and trials

• ADD impairments usually aren’t apparent un� l the teenage years

Chloe Gambleopinion editor

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to help focus in on their struggles. “We act as tutors trying to help them succeed. The class helps them with their organization,” Fletcher said. Fletcher believes that each one of her students is unique and Asperger’s disorder does not affect them all the same way. She said it is important for her to view her interaction with them through that mindset. “Everyone in the classroom is different. It depends on where they are on the spectrum. I have a whole range of students. It’s their social interaction issues that group them together,” Fletcher said. “There are all different levels of IQ just like there are all different kinds of people.” From her experience with Asperger’s, Fletcher said the symptoms of the disorder can be recognized and diagnosed at an early age. “Lots of times parents will notice symptoms right away. Generally what people notice right away, even at infancy, is there is no eye contact and poor non-verbal expressions. Also,

babies will do the same things over and over again,” Fletcher said. Fletcher notices her students have a hard time joining into conversation and usually focus on random topics. She said they struggle the most in high school with social interaction so it helps to expose them to the idea of friendship. “I talk to these kids like they are my friends; I always refer to them as each others friend. I really emphasize taking small steps,” Fletcher said. Fletcher said observing the way students with Asperger’s disorder are treated by students who don’t have disabilities makes her proud but believes improvements can always be made. “I think this school is particularly wonderful at accepting people who are different. I think if things were perfect, kids would take them (disabled students) into their group of friends and shelter them in that group,” Fletcher said. “Students really have to take the initiative to make contact.” Though Fletcher admits her job comes with its challenges, she feels the joys outweigh the difficulties.

She said she enjoys the feeling of accomplishment that comes with helping others. “I enjoy working at Hoover,” Fletcher said. “It’s very fulfilling to work with the kids who have Asperger’s and autism.” Freshman Melissa Hollister is spending her first year of high school as a member of Best Buddies. She said she wanted to join because she liked the concept of doing some good and having some fun at the same time. “You get to help people and I knew I would meet a lot of people in that club,” Hollister said. Hollister said she feels that she takes as much from the experience of being in Best Buddies as the students who the activities are centered around. She thinks volunteering with disabled students, some of whom suffer from the affects of Asperger’s, is beneficial for everyone involved. “I think it helps me fit in with all different types of groups of people,” Hollister said. “It makes me feel better as a person.”

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at accep� ng people who are

diff erent.

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-special educa� on teacher Jacque Fletcher

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sami ricke page design11.26.08.v42.i4 sports 5

Swimming in the morning

Boys basketball making a run for state

Girls basketball start it off right

Bowling ballers

Prac� ce kicked off Nov. 17 and the girls had their fi rst game on Nov. 25 at Urbandale. They have a game Friday in Ames, then the girls travel to Dowling and Valley with the boys team. “It’s going really good. S� ll have lots to work and improve on,” senior Ka� e Zenz said. “We’re all really excited!”

The boys swimming team has begun to have morning prac� ces. soon they will have to balance two-a-days and at least one or two meets a week. The fi rst meet will be at South East Polk and will start at 5:30 p.m.

Game dates

SPORTS BRIEFS

BOWLING-Dec. 4 vs. Lincoln at Bowlerama Dec.11 vs. East at Plaza LanesDec. 18 vs. North at Plaza Lanes GIRLS BASKETBALL-Nov. 28 vs. Ames at home Dec. 2 at Valley Dec. 5 at DowlingDec. 9 vs. Ankeny at home Dec. 12 vs. Lincoln at home Dec. 16 vs. Marshalltown at home BOYS BASKETBALLDec. 2 at Valley Dec. 5 at DowlingDec. 9 vs. Ankeny at home Dec. 12 vs. Lincoln at home Dec. 16 vs. Marshalltown at homeBOYS SWIMMING- Dec. 4 at Southeast Polk Ames invite Dec. 6 at Ames High School at noon. Dec. 9 at home vs. Grinnell Dec. 11 at Valley Dec. 13 Husky Invite at noonDec. 18 at O� umwa

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staff writer

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Head coach Charles Zanders has faith that the boys basketball team will do well this year. “I believe this year’s team has all the tools to make a run at the state tournament.” Zanders said. “We are extremely talented, fast, and we have one of the deepest benches we’ve had in several seasons.” The boys basketball team prac� ces six days a week from 5-7:30. “We develop our players,” Zanders said. “While in prac� ce, they prac� ce in skill building drills that we as coaches hope to carry the skills over into games.”

Wrestling schedule Dec. 4 JV and varsity wrestle Johnston at North at 6:30. Dec. 6 JV had the Polar/Husky Tourney at North at 9am. Dec. 11 JV and varsity wrestle Marshalltown at North at 6:30. Dec. 12 and 13 is the Saydel tournament at Saydel. The 12 is at 5 p.m. The 13 is at 9 a.m. Dec. 18 JV and varsity wrestle Mason City at Mason City.

The girls’ swimming state meet was held Nov. 8 at the Marshalltown YMCA. Senior Becca Leffl er won the 50-yard freestyle in 23.69 seconds, making her the fi rst Hoover swimmer to win an individual event at state since 1987. This was Leffl er’s fi rst gold medal, although she has made it to state every year since her freshman year. Leffl er also placed second in the 100-yard freestyle with 52.21 seconds. Juniors Amber Anderson and Emily Dungan also made it to state, with senior Kylie Good as an alternate.

Girls swimming state results

Coach takes new approach at bowling

Boys golf coach Steve Lundholm is coming out of retirement to coach boys bowling again. Lundholm has been bowling ever since junior high. He enjoys coaching bowling because in bowling, girls and boys practice together, unlike in other sports where boys and girls practice separately.

First game

#32 Sam Turner Senior Spotlight

“You don’t practice together in other sports,” Lundholm said. Lundholm said he thinks the team should expect him “to have discipline, respect, guidance, be there for any problems that arise.” Lundholm doesn’t expect greatness from the team. He only wants to see improvement from them. “I just expect them to get better,” Lundholm said. Junior Charlie McInroy tried out for bowling this year. McInroy has been on the boys bowling team for two years. “I like him because he’s (also) the golf coach,” McInroy said. Junior Niki McClain also tried out for the boys bowling team this year. “I’ve been bowling for a couple of years and I liked it,” McClain said. McClain also thinks that Lundholm should expect the team to “bowl well, and listen to him.” “I look forward to coaching this year,” Lundholm said. “(I expect them to be) good players with good attitudes.”

The bowling team wrapped up try-outs on Nov. 19 and the fi rst meet will be held on Dec. 4 at Bowlerama vs. Lincoln.

Win conference and make it to the state tournament.

Team goalsWin conference, go to state and do better than next year.

Personal goals“My goals aren’t any different from the team’s. Personally I have to do what it takes to get us down (to state), whether that’s me playing a lot or not.”

Senior year expectations

“To be able to look back and have no regrets or say there were any games we should have won that we lost. I want to play to my full potential.”

“I’m going to miss the overall memories and the team unity friendships.”

Plans to attend Iowa State and will not play basketball.

December 2, at Valley.

College plans

First game

Team goals

Was on Nov. 25, at Urbandale. The girls play Nov. 28 at home against Ames.

Personal goals“Be the best I can possibly be!”

Senior year expectations“I want to have fun and have a winning season. There will be a lot of great moments and a lot of great memories.”

“I’m going to miss all the girls, coaches, games and practices, just the whole experience.”

College plansUndecided on where she will be attending.

#4 Katie “Pita” Zenz

tanner buckley page design 11.26.08.v42.i46 entertainment

The drama department is at it again, this time with their winter performance of Peter Pan. Peter Pan is played by freshman Jay Jacobson who has performed in plays since he was in third grade. “I am Peter Pan, and I never want to grow up,” Jacobson said. Jacobson said that he plays an obnoxious young boy, who at times acts like a father figure for the other characters. “It is interesting to see him being an adult in some scenes and an obnoxious kid in some scenes,” Jacobson said. Senior Shaun Knapp plays Captain James Hook, who is the enemy of Peter Pan. Knapp said his character is different from other Captain Hooks because he is more of an evil character. “He seems to be a more humanized and misunderstood person,” Knapp said. “He has his fears so he is mean to everyone else.” Senior Valerie Vivian plays Captain Hook’s right-hand man, Smee. “I am like his flunky,” Vivian said. “Pretty much, my part is searching for the lost boys and trying to make Wendy be our mom.” Usually, Smee is played by a fat, bald guy who is ordered around by Captain Hook.

“This play is different because we get to use our own creative twists,” Vivian said. “My character is feisty and wants to be in control.” Each one of these characters said that with a close cast, their performance on-stage improves and allows them to have more fun at rehearsals. Vivian said that they have a quote book that they read from at rehearsals which triggered one of her favorite memories from rehearsal. “I was supposed to say Johnny Corkscrew, but instead I said Johnny Cockscrew and it was really funny,” Vivian said.

Jacobson’s favorite memory happened to be three weeks ago when he was with Knapp. “...I was messing with Shaun and he didn’t know who I was because I was hiding and scaring him,” Jacobson said. “That was fun.” Knapp had a different memory in mind. “One of my favorite rehearsals was where just the pirates were up on stage and created a song and had fun creating a melody and practicing walking in,” Knapp said. “It was really fun because we got to be all weird and do what we thought the parts would do.”

Vivian said that she believes that the connection the actors have offstage creates a better performance when they’re onstage. “I think it is a large part of why we’re so good,” Vivian said. “Because it’s not just an on-stage connection.” Vivian also said that for this play they tried a different technique in preparing for the play, which will make this play better than past plays. “In the beginning, we devoted one hour of practice to memorizing the play,” Vivian said. “This helps because we have more time to develop our characters.”

Presen� ng Peter Pan�����������������������������������������

��� Play Doh Hoover’s up and coming band, Play Doh, is releasing their new recorded CD. Although their fi rst recording didn’t quite make the cut, lead singer Sean Bremhorst said he feels confi dent second time’s the charm!

Their new CD will include the following songs: Piggies Don’t Save Me from the Grave If the Riot came Today Puddle of Red Tea End... And More! CD’s can be bought from the band members and at their shows.

Christian PhotoDick Christian Brian Christian

Sales 515-270-8030 Fax 515-270-8056

6721 Douglas AvenueDes Moines, Iowa 50322West of Merle Hay at 68th

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Joanna Weltercopy editor

Seniors Shaun Knapp, Valerie Vivian, and Jordan Saltonstal prac� ce for Hoover’s upcoming play “Peter Pan.” Rehearsals began in mid-October, and the play is planned to be diff erent compared to others of Hoover’s past. “This play is diff erent because we get to use our own crea� ve twists,” Vivian said. HILLARY OLSON PHOTO

MICHAEL ROBY SIDEBAR

Hoover’s new rock band

The CHALLENGER is published by the newspaper staff of Herbert Hoover High School, and exists to serve as an open forum for the students, faculty, staff, administration and community. All state and federal laws regarding the publication of student materials shall apply, and the CHALLENGER will not publish materials which also fall under the guidelines established by the Des Moines Public School system, and are deemed libelous, obscene or a material and substantial disruption to normal classroom activities. The views expressed are not those of Des Moines Public Schools, faculty, staff or administration. All articles are researched, written, edited and designed by the staff, and are the result of editorial decisions made by the entire staff. Any student, faculty, staff, or community member wishing to contribute materials will need to submit copy within deadline restrictions; however, final publication is at the discretion of staff. Letters to the editor are encouraged, and must be 250 words or less in length and signed; letters may be edited for length, grammar, spelling, etc. Every attempt will be made to verify the authenticity of the author, and no anonymous letters will be published. Advertising will be accepted for all products or services that are legal for minors to possess or utilize. Advertisers wishing to reserve publication space should call 242-7313 and leave a message.

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Volunteering for the right and wrong reasons����������������������������������������������������������������

IN OPINION... MY

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Students should decide to volunteer without the

help of incen�ves.

The Challenger staff voted 13-0

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Do you think most students volunteer out of the kindness of their own heart?

Student Sound Off

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Due to increasing pressures from college applications and various volunteering requirements, the true motivations and desires to volunteer are being questioned. Due to the faltering economy, college tuitions are rising and scholarships are becoming more competitive. High school students are taking it upon themselves to volunteer more and take on community work in order to impress colleges. Much of it is done for the right reasons, but enough of it is done for the wrong reasons, which questions our society’s morals and ideals. Incentives like Hoover’s Silver Cord program and a boosted college resume are a few factors that drive students toward completing volunteering hours. Factors like these pose the question whether students would actually volunteer if there were not any direct benefits or requirements. Dowling High School and various other high schools around the nation have mandatory community service hours. These are positive efforts because they increase the awareness and engagement young people have in the community.

They also provide organizations with the labor they need. But people feeling forced to volunteer almost defeats the purpose. It is found

sometimes that we are not volunteering for others, but are actually volunteering for ourselves. It is sometimes debated whether or not these students are actually volunteering out of the kindness of

their hearts without expecting anything in return. The disappearance of the principle behind volunteering is reflective of our highly narcissistic society. Successful volunteering can only come out from the true desire to help the community out. If someone is not clearly motivated in their volunteering, it affects both the volunteering effort itself and the surrounding community. Sometimes students forge their hours due to requirements, which make the true

ideals of volunteering harder on those that actually want to volunteer. Volunteering should be made out of a person’s interest and ability. Like employers, heads of non-profit organizations can tell who is serious or not. It is a hassle for the hard-working directors of organizations who have to deal with uncommitted volunteers. Volunteering requirements do have positive effects too. It allows the student to expand their interests and it improves the character of the student and the community around them. Volunteering raises self-esteem, gives a student a bit of a reality check, responsibility and a bit of direction in life. Youth can learn valuable lessons and it is the younger generation that will have a significant impact in the near future. Volunteering can provide career prospects, satisfaction in receiving respect and enhancement to one’s life. The ultimate point of volunteer work is to feel a sense of involvement and to feel like a difference has been made in people’s lives.

Coming back from lunch I often find myself looking at half-eaten food items in the parking lot and the school hallway. I also see people putting their cups and garbage on top of other people’s car. A few weeks ago I came out to my car to find someone’s pop just sitting on top of my car. That’s gross. There is nothing more gross than having people’s half-eaten food and

drinks all over the place, but on your car? Are you kidding me? The other morning I came to school and was talking to a friend in the student center when I saw a girl dump her cereal all over the floor, and then she and her friends had a dancing party on it. Laughing and screaming, the girls squished the cereal to millions of pieces for someone to clean up when we all went to class. I soon found the janitors cleaning it up. But I never see the janitors with a mad look on their face. I always see them with a smile on their face, doing their jobs. There are five garbage cans in the student center and many more around the school. There all also garbage cans in the parking lot and on the way back into the building. Toward the beginning of the school year I walked into the school to find little baby octopi in front of the building. That was so disgusting. Later on that

day I heard people talking about how they got them from a Chinese restaurant and decided to share their food with the school. I always hear people complain about how Hoover is dirty and it’s disgusting but it’s the students that make it that way when we choose not to walk the extra two steps to the garbage can. If everyone in the school would take the time to walk to the garbage can and not throw their garbage in the parking lot, a staff member wouldn’t have to spend time cleaning the parking lot after school. I’m sure the janitors would be very thankful, if they didn’t have to clean up food all over the hallways. Also, let’s all try not to put food or beverages on top or in people’s cars. No one wants to touch the stuff on top of their cars as much as the janitors don’t want to touch the food on the floor. Let’s all work together to keep Hoover pretty.

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Clockwise from far le� : Students play a few rounds on the Wii. Wesley Dawson and another students play a pick-up game in the gym. Senior Mehmed So� ic, freshman Andrew Davidson and junior Niki McClain are prepared to leave it all on the poker table. Senior Andrew Davidson and sophomores Aaron Homard and Max Parks throw down some energy drinks a� er rocking out. Entertainment Tonight was Nov. 7.������� ����� ������

Aiming to entertain