HOOVER PUBLICATIONS 4800 AURORA DES MOINES.IA. 50310 515.242.7313 12.18.09 V.43 I.3 WWW.HOOVERCHALLENGER.COM

Ted Olson and David Bois, both veterans of the Bush vs. Gore case in 2000, are now working together to sue California federal government and Proposition 8 for being a breach in the constitution. Biology teacher Miriam Heurmann has spent fifteen years of her life fighting for gay rights, and is hoping that this trial will reflect a change our modern society, specifically an opening to awareness. “I think we need to allow people to have equal rights no matter what, to have the same benefits and acceptance no matter who you are. We don’t choose who we love,” said Heurmann. Heurmann has already seen a lot of change in this respect around the school, seeing more tolerance and acceptance of the LGBTAQ community. “I mean we still have a bullying issue, but a lot of that is based on ignorance,” Heurrmann said. Sophomore Thayne Henderson is also a supporter of the actions being taken in California. Henderson considers himself a homosexual, is Christian and hopes the world can stop seeing everything in black and white. “If God was truly against it, wouldn’t he make it so no one was gay?” Henderson said. Henderson has been a member of this cause since middle school and is rooting for Bois and Olson to finish what needs to be done and set the law straight. “It’s up to what you believe. If you believe it’s fine to marry the same sex then saying no is a violation of the constitution,” Henderson said. California’s Proposition 8, also known as the, “California Marriage Protection Act,” voted into action in California last year, is the law under the attack. The ban on same sex marriage states, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” According to protectmarriage.com, main online supporter of Proposition 8, the actions were taken by California families in order to protect the family unit, and prevent the social definition of marriage from changing in the state. Iowa court went through the process of legalizing same sex marriage earlier this year, and, as far as Heurmann is concerned, that decision didn’t do any catastrophic damage. “We haven’t had anything here in Iowa; marriages weren’t compromised because of same sex marriage. It isn’t the end of the world; it isn’t the end of marriage. It’s these time that we have to continue to do what is right,” Heurmann said.

BY ALEKSANDRA VUJICIC SPORTS EDITOR

BY MICHAEL ROBYOPINION EDITOR

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John Mayer Battle Studies

John Mayers new CD review

[ PG. 6 ]

The unthinkable becomes reality

Even with holes in her heart Kinsey Van Houten still fi nds a way to

do good in basketball and school

[ PG. 5 ]

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting

the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press

or of the right of the people to peaceably assemble and to petition the government

for a redress of grievances

Hundreds of homes, thousands of students, millions of allergens

Teachers concerend about air quality, dust particles fl oating in air, raise questions about safety

INSI

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Same sex marriage ban in CaliforniaStudents and staff voice their ideas on the eff ects of this battle for justice

With 1200 students, the school is a vacuum for millions of allergens from 1200 different homes. The air quality and mold have been topics of concern after teacher complaints about an increase in allergies. Spanish teacher Terri Dessauer has had allergy symptoms since the second week of school, including hives, nasal congestion, wheezing and her ears have closed off. After being in her classroom for the past five years, this is the first year she has had this number of symptoms. “I swear it’s this room. I can go home and feel 100 percent better. I felt good, until I walked into here; and I have to stay in this room all day. “For each symptom, I get a new one,” Dessauer said. Dessauer voiced her concerns to principal Doug Wheeler. “First I had the custodians clean the dust out of the 43 year old vents (at area of concern). I called in the district when I realized it was beyond our ability,” Wheeler said. Chief operations officer Bill Good was notified about staff reactions and concerns. “Whenever we receive a concern about air quality within a building we take it very seriously and investigate potential causes. Providing the best air quality to our schools is a priority. All of our schools meet ventilation

requirements,” Good said. An air quality test was performed to find the root of the concerns. Different types of mold, humidity and carbon dioxide levels were tested. The tests were done twice to compare results. “We found one area which had some mold growth that we have taken care of. The samples taken in and outside the building would indicate that the air inside the building was better than the outside,” Good said. The results stated that the hallway outside of Dessauer’s room was at or around the minimum threshold of being detected for mold. “So the administration is saying it’s not in my room, but it’s less than 20 feet away,” Dessauer said. Dessauer also said that 13 colonies of mold were found in a service locker. “I want to know all 13 of these colonies and I want to be tested for all thirteen of them because I want them to know that it’s not all in my head. I wasn’t bothered by allergies for the past 10 years. If I continue wheezing, I am seeing an allergist,” Dessauer said. Wheeler said that the mold detected in the service locker cannot spread because it has been isolated and will be removed. The test also showed an increase in humidity levels due to a pipe leak in the girl’s restroom outside of room 101. Both areas will be treated and retested. “The findings were safe for students and staff,” Wheeler said. The tests were done at and around areas of concern, not the whole school. “That’s not a reasonable test. The

whole school should be done. The drop ceilings too, someone needs to get up there,” Dessauer said. Good feels that sample testing is necessary for financial reasons. “Testing every part of every school would not be a good use of our dollars. Testing can be very costly and to do tests where we don’t have issues would not make sense,” Good said. Wheeler concentrated on the areas that the complaints were coming from. “I also asked them to test other areas including the auditorium and second floor. We just want to make sure everything is safe,” Wheeler said. And since it has been a wet year, there is mold growing on leaves outside of the building, which can also cause symptoms of mold allergies. “A mold allergy can do permanent damage to the lungs. Luckily, we don’t have an unsafe level of mold. We’re safer inside than outside,” Wheeler said, “The environment is so important with what we do.” Good feels that any type of airborne contaminant can impact individuals differently. “As humans we are all different. We react differently to many things from temperatures, what may be in the air, food allergies, or other environmental conditions we encounter every day. We need to recognize that and do what we can to improve our quality of life,” Good said.

I think we need to allow people to have equal rights no matter what, to have the same benefits and acceptance no matter who you are. We don’t choose who we love,” said Heurmann.

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Winter Break begins a� er school

today

Dona� ng to make adiff erence

Changes beingdetermined

throughout theschool board

IHSSA large group speech contest

rehearsals begin

The drama department just fi nished its run of the winter production Get Smart last Saturday and has already started on the next endeavor: Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) speech contest. Large group speech contest includes a one act play, group improvisation, choral reading, reader’s theater and more. Check the board outside the drama room for rehearsal times. Thespians are also continuing fundraising. Drama merchandise can be purchased in the student center during lunch. See senior Cassie Tant for more information.

payton quinn page design news news2

Being army strong means having immense emotional, physical and mental health. Being a high school student means having class 8 hours a day, tests and finals. Certain students among the halls balance the two in their own way. Junior Josh Strait is involved in JROTC at central academy. “I want to full active in the military after I go to mechanic school,” Strait said. Strait used to skateboard on a regular basis but when he decided to start JROTC and training for the military he couldn’t risk getting hurt. “The military expects you to be in good physical health, giving up skateboarding was hard but I really want to join when I’m done with school,” Strait said. Strait spends a lot of time balancing school and military stuff. “School takes up time as it is, so balancing the work and training for ROTC it can get difficult,” Strait said. Senior Seth Jamison became involved with ROTC and the military for many reasons. “I want to be in the military because I understand how it works and I have the experience from ROTC,” Jamison said. “Plus it will help me with college and its one of the most respected

Be Strong

Army Strong

programs.” Physical fitness is a huge part of the military. People joining are expected to be in shape and meet physical expectations. If someone cannot live up to expectations they may be denied entrance. “I do a lot of running, pushups, and sit-up’s because that’s the military basic

physical, I also do raiders for ROTC which takes place before and after school,” Jamison said. Jamison doesn’t find that his programs interfere with school. “ ROTC is a class so its not a problem, Raiders is an extracurricular activity so it doesn’t interfere,” Jamison

said. Many other things can interfere with joining the army. Such as dating someone in the army and already being involved. Senior Ellie Riordan is not joining the army because her boyfriend is involved. “ I’m already involved with the

military through ROTC and my boyfriend is in the army so I’m involved,” Riordan said. The Military’s quota saying is “Army Strong”. Merchandise has this saying on it and so does much other stuff they sell.Jamison and Strait have their own definition of what army strong is. “ I pretty much agree with the army’s definition of army strong so I don’t really have my own words,” Strait said.Jamison has his own personal definition of being army strong. “ Being army strong is probably not only to be strong physically but mentally and emotionally as well,” Jamison said. “To push yourself to the absolute limit and never give up, to be the best we can be.”

BY PAYTON QUINNNEWS EDITOR

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Thinking about joining?

�������Apply online. This step is op� onal but will benefi t the person wan� ng to join and will also put their foot in the door of joining the military.

�������Talk to a recruiter. This person will help you fi gure out how to get started and what your career will consist of. The recruiter will get in touch with you and help you get going. In Des Moines ge� ng in touch with a recruiter will go through Camp Dodge. People that are or once were in the army would be able to get a recruiter.

�������Understanding the Armed Services Voca� onal Ap� tude Ba� ery( ASVAB). This is a wri� en test that will help the applicant understand their strengths and what jobs in the military will be best for the applicant.

�������The visit to The Military Entrance Processing Sta� on ( MEPS). This step is when the applicant will go and do a physical test, Select your MOS and be sworn in the army as an American soldier. From there on out the assignments are uop to what’s going on in the military.

Since December is National HIV/AIDS awareness month, the Hoover-Meredith Gay-Straight Alliance decided to set up a donation table on Tuesday and Thursday during lunch that would raise money for the Aids Project of Central Iowa. They also had intended to have a speaker from the Project come to Hoover for an HIV/AIDS awareness assembly but had to cancel it due to weather.

Winter break will begin on Dec. 21 and last up until Mon. Jan.4. Finals will then be held the following week, starting Jan. 11. School will not be dismissing early today for break. Following the return of break students will have a week and a half to prepare for fi nals

The school board will meet every other week on Tuesday nights throughout the year. In their earlier meetings, the board has discussed necessary budget cuts and changes in curriculum. Students to soon be entering high school will have to earn 28 credits instead of the current 24, because block scheduling allows more credits to be earned more easily. School board chair Connie Bosen knows there are issues to come, but is still confi dent in the board and their work. “It’s hard to keep up with changes in schools, but we know we have to to keep our students from falling behind, that’s what we’re trying for,” Bosen said.

“I do a lot of running, pushups, and situp’s because that’s the military basic physical, I also do raiders for ROTC which takes place before and after school,” senior Seth Jamison said.

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To join Central Academy’s ROTC Red Bull Battalion, enroll in the ROTC program online or with a counselor. Get in touch with LTC. Ronald Bennet. He is the instructor of the program. Physical training as well as classroom work will be involved.

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12.18.09 v.43 i5 SPORTS BRIEFSNEWS

BRIEFS

BY PAYTON QUINN

BY ALEKS VUJICIC

BY MICHAEL ROBY

BY EDWARD RODRIGUEZ

payton quinn page design features 3

When fights breakout in the hallways, hall monitors rush to the scenes quickly as they can to break them up, risking a few punches in the process. Dean of students Jeff Panek says that not many fights come his way because of the vicinity he’s in at lunch. “The teachers have to supervise once a week before or after school,” Panek said. The teachers usually supervise during passing by standing outside of their rooms and watching students go by. At lunch there are other adults supervising like Panek, so that teachers can eat or help students. “We hope we get people who care about the kids and school,” Panek said. Hall monitor Andrew Douglas got hit breaking up a fight in the gym at lunch and had to get stitches. Panek says that Douglas has been hit a couple of times. “No, Mr. Douglas got hit a couple of times,” Panek said. Douglas has broken up three or four fights this year. In one of those fights he got punched and had to get stitches. Douglas has had some training before and during this job. He

Just a walkie -talkie call away When a fi ght breaks out certain

people around the buliding respond, hall monitors

Fraterni� es and Sorori� es:More than a party

got training at The Crisis Prevention and Intervention. “Yea, I’m a certified behavior disorder teacher,” Douglas said. Douglas has been doing this job for nine years and was trained in non violent ways so he can restrain people peacefully. He usually supervises in the gym during lunch and in front of the school during passing to make sure people don’t get into the school that aren’t supposed to. “First thing to do is get on the radio and announce a fight is coming,” Douglas said. Douglas gets to know students while he supervises. This helps him so student trust him if they get into a fight. Douglas is the guy to call if there is a problem or a fight. “I’m an interventionist, kind of a super hall monitor,” Douglas said. Senior Nino Uzzo saw a fight last year somewhere around spring time. “Two groups were fighting and the police came and tried to stop them and they wouldn’t stop and the police mace them in the eye,” Uzzo said. As Uzzo was waiting for the bus he saw the fight break out in front of the school and saw most of it. Uzzo says that the fight wasn’t very long until the police arrived. “I just saw them get cuffed and dragged them into the school,” Uzzo said.

Being in a chapter at any university is more than weekend par� es. Good grades, school ac� vi� es and social aspect is expected. Good grades is crucial to the chapter because university representa� ves review the chapter to evaluate how well they are doing. If any problems surface the correct punishment or ac� on will be taken. If chapters are caught underage drinking the maximum punishment is enforced

University of Iowa

Frats SororitiesAlpha Phi Alpha

Omega Psi Phi

Sigma Nu

Alpha Chi Omega

Alpha Delta Pi

Sigma LambdaGamma

Drake UniversityFrats Sororities

Fraterni� es and sorori� es have a good social aspect. Making new friends and having the chapter life experience. Chapters hold volunteer projects and do many things together. Chapters become families and become close.

Phi Delta Theta

Phi Delta Gamma

Pi Kappa Alpha

Sigma Chi

Theta Chi

Alpha Delta Phi

Alpha Phi

Kappa Alpha Theta

Kappa Kappa Gamma

INFO PROVIDED BY DRAKE.EDU.COM,UOFI.COM

BY ERIK HOFFMAN

FRONT PAGE EDITOR

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www.hooverchallenger.com

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payton quinn page design features 3

When fights breakout in the hallways, hall monitors rush to the scenes quickly as they can to break them up, risking a few punches in the process. Dean of students Jeff Panek says that not many fights come his way because of the vicinity he’s in at lunch. “The teachers have to supervise once a week before or after school,” Panek said. The teachers usually supervise during passing by standing outside of their rooms and watching students go by. At lunch there are other adults supervising like Panek, so that teachers can eat or help students. “We hope we get people who care about the kids and school,” Panek said. Hall monitor Andrew Douglas got hit breaking up a fight in the gym at lunch and had to get stitches. Panek says that Douglas has been hit a couple of times. “No, Mr. Douglas got hit a couple of times,” Panek said. Douglas has broken up three or four fights this year. In one of those fights he got punched and had to get stitches. Douglas has had some training before and during this job. He

Just a walkie -talkie call away When a fi ght breaks out certain

people around the buliding respond, hall monitors

Fraterni� es and Sorori� es:More than a party

got training at The Crisis Prevention and Intervention. “Yea, I’m a certified behavior disorder teacher,” Douglas said. Douglas has been doing this job for nine years and was trained in non violent ways so he can restrain people peacefully. He usually supervises in the gym during lunch and in front of the school during passing to make sure people don’t get into the school that aren’t supposed to. “First thing to do is get on the radio and announce a fight is coming,” Douglas said. Douglas gets to know students while he supervises. This helps him so student trust him if they get into a fight. Douglas is the guy to call if there is a problem or a fight. “I’m an interventionist, kind of a super hall monitor,” Douglas said. Senior Nino Uzzo saw a fight last year somewhere around spring time. “Two groups were fighting and the police came and tried to stop them and they wouldn’t stop and the police mace them in the eye,” Uzzo said. As Uzzo was waiting for the bus he saw the fight break out in front of the school and saw most of it. Uzzo says that the fight wasn’t very long until the police arrived. “I just saw them get cuffed and dragged them into the school,” Uzzo said.

Being in a chapter at any university is more than weekend par� es. Good grades, school ac� vi� es and social aspect is expected. Good grades is crucial to the chapter because university representa� ves review the chapter to evaluate how well they are doing. If any problems surface the correct punishment or ac� on will be taken. If chapters are caught underage drinking the maximum punishment is enforced

University of Iowa

Frats SororitiesAlpha Phi Alpha

Omega Psi Phi

Sigma Nu

Alpha Chi Omega

Alpha Delta Pi

Sigma LambdaGamma

Drake UniversityFrats Sororities

Fraterni� es and sorori� es have a good social aspect. Making new friends and having the chapter life experience. Chapters hold volunteer projects and do many things together. Chapters become families and become close.

Phi Delta Theta

Phi Delta Gamma

Pi Kappa Alpha

Sigma Chi

Theta Chi

Alpha Delta Phi

Alpha Phi

Kappa Alpha Theta

Kappa Kappa Gamma

INFO PROVIDED BY DRAKE.EDU.COM,UOFI.COM

BY ERIK HOFFMAN

FRONT PAGE EDITOR

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www.hooverchallenger.com

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Condi� oning over the holidays

Maintaining high grades may become a challenge when extracurricular activities seem more intriguing than spending time studying. That, along with high expectations from parents and poor time management may often set a student up for stressful nights of cramming and failure at their job of being a student. Senior Brenna Carlson takes classes at IB and is involved with band and drama. “Extracurricular activities keep you balanced, but schoolwork gets you into college. Dedicate yourself and focus on one (extracurricular activity) and you won’t feel overloaded,” Carlson said. Drama director Chelsea Cunningham feels that some students work well under pressure while others have trouble managing their time efficiently. “Balancing schoolwork with other activities requires you to organize your life in general, decide what your priorities are, and take into account how you handle stress. Some students get too over-committed and forget that it’s their job to be a student first,” Cunningham said. Cunningham also thinks that the reason students tend to put schoolwork after everything else is because it’s easy to get excited about extracurricular activities, whereas class isn’t necessarily as stimulating. “Extracurricular activities are awesome and they teach us so much, but if you don’t end up with a diploma nobody cares if you were an athlete. It doesn’t get you a job,” Cunningham said. Though it’s important to maintain high grades, Cunningham believes students tend to take on big loads with sports and clubs because they are resume driven, for social reasons or they simply have sheer love and interest for the activity. “Extracurricular activities are good for our own well being. It’s our form of recess,” Carlson said. Though Carlson sees the positive aspect of extracurricular activities, she has had to give up mock trial in order to find more time for schoolwork. “There would be nights I wouldn’t get home until 9. With too many activities it’s hard to get schoolwork done,” Carlson

said. School nurse Jeanne Mark has had students come to her office with headaches and stomachaches due to feeling overwhelmed. If students get too busy, they spread themselves too thin and then it’s hard to do well at everything,” Mark said. Mark thinks it depends on the student- some students are good multi-taskers, while others think having a social life is more important than grades. Another aspect that may cause struggles with maintaining a high GPA is parents having high expectations of their child. “Parents can put too much pressure on the student that they may not be able to meet. Then students get stressed to attain what their parents want them to be,” Mark said. Cunningham prefers to focus on the positive intention parents have when giving their child high expectations. “As a child it was frustrating at times because I felt like I couldn’t live up to what my parents wanted. But now I totally see why they had high expectations. I wouldn’t have this job without them pushing me. The intention behind it is more important. Students don’t see that that’s how they (parents) love us,” Cunningham said. Maintaining expectations may involve finding time for relaxation in order to deter the feeling of being overwhelmed. “Take a break, hang out with friends, find whatever you enjoy doing and sometimes it’s the extracurricular activity that helps you. Trying to sit through four hours of homework won’t work, your brain will get overloaded,” Carlson said. Mark feels that what always needs to come first is oneself. “If you can’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of commitments. You’ve also got to make good decisions for yourself,” Mark said. Along with caring for oneself, Carlson keeps a few things in mind that drive her to success. “Make sure you don’t let yourself get too stressed, figure out what the issue is, balance your time, use your planner, make sure you know what needs to get done and have goals, like college, to work toward,” Carlson said.

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SPORTS EDITOR

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Game datesVarsity Boys& Girls Basketball- Dec. 18 Against East @ HooverJan. 5 Against North @ HooverJan. 8 @ O� umwaJan. 9 Against Mason City @ HooverJan. 12 @ RooseveltJan. 15 Against Lincoln @ Hoover

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WrestlingDec. 19 @ SaydelJan. 7 Against O� umwa @ NorthJan. 9 @ CrestonJan.14 @ LincolnJan. 16 Perry TourneyJan. 16 Jeff erson Tourney

BowlingJan. 4 Against North @ Plaza LanesJan. 5 Against O� umwa @ Champion LanesJan. 7 Against Roosevelt @ Air LanesJan. 11 Against Lincoln @ Plaza LanesJan.14 Against East @ AMF Lanes

aleksandra vujicic page design sportswww.hooverchallenger.com

BY JASON REICHENBACHER

FEATURES EDITOR

from normal to abnormal when she stepped into the doctor’s offi ce. This time there was a student doctor in the room as well as her normal doctor and as always all of her clothes from the waste up needed to be taken off . Van Houten is now in a room with a complete stranger wearing nothing but an open front hospital robe.

“It was awkward; I was uncomfortable,” Van Houten said.

Despite being uncomfortable Van Houten was not afraid of the outcome of the checkup.

“He almost always gives me good news,” Van Houten said.

After the murmur was checked, Van Houten went back into another room for an ultra sound, meanwhile the doctor analyzed the information from the nurses and his observations. He came back into the offi ce and right off the bat, Van Houten’s uneasy feelings got worse.

“He came in and started talking about how he was going to put some restrictions on me, he was trying to be nice about it, at this point I was scared because I started thinking about surgery,” Kinsey said.

Little did she know that surgery would be the last thing she needed to be worried about.

“He was looking at this piece of paper with my parents, it showed that the leakage in my heart went up by a lot,” Van Houten said.

Van Houten now entered the moderate-range of leakage and this was rewarded with a new list of restrictions.

“I could tell that he was going to take away one of my sports; I knew it would be important to me,” Van Houten said.

The doctor explained how this was the worst part of his job but, he told her that playing basketball would not be a possibility.

“At this point I was bawling; I couldn’t control myself, I couldn’t grasp the idea of not being able to play,” Van Houten said.

Van Houten’s dream of following in her mom’s footsteps playing high school basketball came crashing down.

“I couldn’t think straight, it made me mad at the doctor even though it wasn’t his fault. I told my parents that I didn’t care what he said and that I was just going to play anyway,” Van Houten said.

Van Houten’s parents did not go along with the idea, and they didn’t want to make it worse or even risk death.

Coach Jeff Fleming had compassion for Van Houten. He could see her love for the game.

“She was kind of the heart of the team. She was the fi rst one done with the exercises, and never complained. She was the fi rst one ready for practice and the last one to leave. Kinsey was the best leader on the team,” Fleming said.

Fleming was proud of the way Van Houten handled herself after the event.

“After the initial shock was over she was still the same Kinsey,” Fleming said.

Sophomore and teammate McKenna Brown noticed a change in Van Houten’s self proclaimed outgoing personality in a way that only a best friend could notice.

“She seemed quieter, and she kept to herself more than usual, she didn’t talk much after she heard the news,” Brown said.

Brown was devastated about Van Houten not being able to play.

“I loved having her on the team. She tried harder than anyone. She was a team player and would have done anything to make the team better,” Brown said.

Van Houten was angry about not being able to play, and overhearing the girls talk about the games only made the pain worse.

“My lowest point was watching them play, because I wanted to be out there,” Van Houten said.

Van Houten is now a manager on the basketball team. It’s her job to get ice for injured players and make sure that the team stays hydrated.

“It (being manager) was so I could be part of the team, it made me feel welcome and needed,” Van Houten said.

A young girl’s heart fi lled with love for the game of basketball becomes the one obstacle keeping her off the court.

Sophomore Kinsey Van Houten was born with a heart defect called Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) as well as aortic valve stenosis, which means that Van Houten has two holes in her heart, and her aortic valve leaks because it is thickening. The defect had never disabled her from doing anything she enjoyed doing; in fact her yearly checkups were showing signifi cant improvement until her 2009 check up when her hopes of playing high school basketball came crashing down.

Just three days before the fi rst game of the season, Van Houten went in for a yearly check up with her cardiologist.

“It was the same as it always was, I sat in the waiting room then went back with the nurse to do height and weight and chest x-rays. Then I go to a different doctor where he listens to the heart murmur through a stethoscope,” Van Houten said.

Unfortunately the visit quickly went

The boys swim team was defeated against SE Polk, with a score of 130-39. And the team placed 5th out 6 teams at the Husky Bear Invite. Junior Joe Wildt believes that the losses are due to having a small number of swimmers. “We need to recruit more swimmers because the team’s not big enough to win,” Wildt said. Senior Nick Hestbech’s goals include ge� ng a relay to state, and improving his best � mes. “A� er prac� ce you have a good, posi� ve feeling about how you just conquered that prac� ce, and look forward to the next meet,” Hestbech said.

5aleksandra vujicic page designwww.hooverchallenger.comwww.hooverchallenger.com“He was looking at this piece of

paper with my parents, it showed that the leakage in my heart went up by a lot,” Van Houten said.

Van Houten now entered the moderate-range of leakage and this was rewarded with a new list of restrictions.

“I could tell that he was going to take away one of my sports; I knew it would be important to me,” Van Houten said.

The doctor explained how this was the worst part of his job but, he told her that playing basketball would not be a possibility.

“At this point I was bawling; I couldn’t control myself, I couldn’the idea of not being able to play,” Van Houten said.

Van Houten’s dream of following in her mom’s footsteps playing high school basketball came crashing down.

“I couldn’t think straight, it made me mad at the doctor even though it wasnfault. I told my parents that I didnwhat he said and that I was just going to play anyway,” Van Houten said.

Van Houten’s parents did not go along with the idea, and they didn’t want to make it worse or even risk death.

Coach Jeff Fleming had compassion for Van Houten. He could see her love for the game.

“She was kind of the heart of the

The unthinkable becomes reality

With a new coach comes a new style of game for the varsity basketball team. Senior Josh Johnson is proud of the team thus far. “We started last year 0-2, and this year we are 2-0; the new coach knows what he’s talking about. He’s got us winning games,” Johnson said. The basketball team is playing more of a set off ense game, which means that the team is slowing things down and se� ng up plays on the court. “Don’t get me wrong, we will s� ll run’n’gun every now and then but it’s a new style of game,” Johnson said.

More swimmers

needed

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Shortness of breath

Fast breathing

Hard breathing

Paleness

Ventricular Septal Defect

Many small defects will close on their own. For those defects that do not spontaneously close, the outcome is good with surgical repair. Complica� ons may result if a large defect is not treated.

Defi ni� on: One or more holes in the wall that separates the right and le� ventricles of the heart.

SymptomsThis condi� on is always present at birth.

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Accomplishments

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Bailey has received vars� y and academic le� ers. The team always seems to play well against Ames, which is a huge accomplishment in Bailey’s opinion. “It’s good because they are a ranked team (7th) and it shows we have poten� al when we play well against them,” Bailey said.

Goals Bailey hopes to improve her skills and help her teammates improve their skills. “This year, I hope to play more as a team than in previous years,” Bailey said.

Athlete of the issueBio

Bailey started playing basketball in third grade because her friends were doing it and it was a great oppurtunity for them to do something together.

Age: 18Height: 5’7”Sport: BasketballYear: Senior

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Failure to gain weight

Fast heart rate

Pounding heart

Swea� ng while feeding

Frequent respiratory infec� ons

Girls Basketball Faces

Marshaltown

The girls basketball team is facing Marshaltown tonight, a� er being defeated by Lincoln last friday. Head coach Haywood Boston feels it’s important for the girls to give everything they got on the court. “I want all the kids playing well. And we leave everything on the court, win or lose,” Boston said.

SPORTS BRIEFS

New game plan

BRIEFS

BY JASON REICHENBACHER

SPORTS

BY ALEKS VUJICIC

BY ALEKS VUJICIC

UNDEAD

jason reichenbacher page designentertainment 12.18.09 v.43 i5 entertainment6

John Mayer Battle Studies

Discography

Heavier Things

Room For Squares Continuum

TRY John Mayer Trio

released september 18th, 2001

released september 9th 2003

released september 12th, 2006

released november 22nd , 2005

John Mayer is not only a song-writer, but an overwhelmingly talented guitarist and singer. Mayer’s new album “Battle Studies’’ showcases his powerful voice and lyrics. “Assassin” brings out Mayer’s jazz guitar playing, lightly glistening in the background but still very catchy. Mayer’s third track features rising pop/country star Taylor Swift. Swift’s vocal talent, layered under Mayer’s melody, was very deep, making her range a major stand out. Mayer is not only the best guitarist in pop-rock music, but uses his weapon efficiently, only shredding when necessary. Mayer’s most played single “Who

Says?” captures the story of Mayer’s younger days of partying and music writing, and not to mention, avid pot-smoking. The album flows very nicely and has every aspect of pop-music nailed to the door. Mayer paid tribute to an early influence in Eric Clapton by adding a funky-updated blues version of the song “Crossroads.” Mayer’s vocal work also stands out on this track which was layered with multiple harmonies. Continuum may be a tough album to top, but Mayer may have out done himself on this one. If this album doesn’t leave you hooked on one song, you need to take a step back and think about what a true musician is.

Grammy award winning artist leaves a trail of platinum and multi platinum albums

BY TANNER BUCKLEYENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

“There was more humor in it (New Moon).” Alyssa Gourd

“I preferred New Moon because I thought it was more action packed.” Sophomore Alyxis Belts

“Most people like New Moon more because of how sexy they think Jacob is or how hot Edward wasSenior Sarah Bradley

“I prefer New Moon over Twilight because it follows the book more than Twilight does.”Sophomore Taylor Ross

Twilight vs.New Moon

What do YOU think of the

The Twilight sag: New Moon definitely beat out Twilight when it comes to humor and an action packed adventure. Though Edward Cullen (played by Robert Pattinson) was not present for most of the movie, his replacement, Jacob Black (played by Taylor Lautner), brought steam and danger into the plot. Lautner seems to bring more variety in his acting, whereas Pattison has the same pale one dimensional expression of pain. Lautner also brings more out of Bella (played by Kristen Stewart) as they playfully bond along with some not-so-hidden romantic tension. Jacob Black’s struggle to lure Bella show, as he hopelessly shows how much he cares for the girl in love with a vampire. Twilight was mainly centered on the love between Bella and Edward, but New Moon went to the extreme with vivid adventure and danger as Jacob Black was transformed into a growling wolf, chasing after his one predator- vampires. The wolves seem to come to life as they chase the evil vampire of Victoria through woods that seem never-ending. Though fans went die-hard for heart-throb Cullen, Black’s warm, genuine personality took over in this film. The love between edward and bella seemed to capture many people’s attention. People were captivated by the way he treated Bella and the experiences they shared. It’s safe to say that Twilight was meant to be a love story as New Moon was meant to show action and the fight for the love of Bella. Twilight was also full of the issue that Bella is not a vampire and Edward should not be with her. Family members of his refused to have anything to do with her unless Edward told them to do something. New moon showed more acceptance and prepared the audience for the release of Eclipse in the spring of 2010. Twilight may fade into another teen heart throb movie series but it may also continue to swoon teenagers and keep them wanting to watch more and more.

JASON REICHENBACHER SIDEBAR

BY PAYTON QUINN NEWS EDITOR

CD REVIEW

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Student sound off

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Class disruptions can come in many forms, but the most common is in the form of a student. There’s at least one student lurking in every classroom, waiting to spring up at the most inopportune moment to cause utter disruption. He or she has no regard for the teacher they are disrespecting or even the classmates from which they are taking time away. Certain oafs decide to challenge a teacher’s authority. They sit and argue simple instructions and create situations that often snowball into detention, a referrals or even suspension. Other oafs decide to challenge classmates. They stir up controversy that can ultimately result in physical aggression. And finally some oafs decide to challenge themselves by not completing their coursework or paying attention and wasting other students’ time by asking pointless questions.

To put it plainly, all of these disruptions suck. Most students come to school to learn. Most students want to do better and strive to improve themselves. But the minority of students who are disrupting classes are putting an abrupt halt to the needs and wants of the majority of the school.

The sad part is that this smaller group of students is out voicing the majority. Teachers, administrators and counselors are forced to sit and listen to all of their arguments so they can

7

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find some means to remedy their problems. The truth is that they don’t deserve to have a voice and they don’t deserve to have attentive teachers, administrators or counselors. Disruptive students forfeited that right the second they decided to steal the education of their entire class. The “obedient” kids who do their work and everything that their teachers ask of them deserve twice the amount of attention as any problem student. These are the kids that deserve to have their teachers, administrators and counselor listen to them more, not the other way around.

I remember I was ten years old and having a good time running around hanging out with my cousins and family. We had dinner and the adults were all talking. My cousin Logan had a friend with him and they were running around outside. Maria and I went to see what they were doing and join in running around with them. Logan and I had never really gotten along and he wasn’t exactly my favorite cousin. He is three days older than me and every time I see him this annoying reminder pops in my head of him saying “Hey Payton, I’m three days older than you”. It got old after a while even though I was only ten years old. The boys were running around and chasing each other so I started to run around too until Logan decided to throw a rock at me so I shoved him. Before I could think about what I just did he ran inside. In my family this behavior was not okay and normally would follow with a punishment from a parent or grandparent. I ran in behind him to go tell my grandpa Jim what he had

done to me in result of my reaction. I walked in the back door of the activity center to find Logan talking to my grandpa and him not looking so happy. I walked up to my grandpa and immediately knew I was in trouble. He began to scold me on why I did what I did without a chance to explain myself. I stormed away by myself and didn’t talk to anyone the rest of the day. Before I knew it, it was time to go. Leaving family parties means kissing and hugging and saying I’ll see you soon a million times when in reality we never see each other until the next holiday. I saw my grandpa a lot more than anyone there. It came time for me to say goodbye to my grandpa he was the last person to put a happy face on and get it over with, but I couldn’t he had really upset me before and I didn’t want to forgive him. He told me to give him a hug so I did but I followed the hug with these words “ I didn’t mean that hug” . He told me to stop and give him a kiss, I turned my head so he kissed my cheek. We left and I still didn’t feel bad about not meaning my hug or turning my head. The days had passed and it was finally New Years Eve, which meant lots of fun and staying up late. I went to my friends house and we stayed up all night and at about 2 am I couldn’t stop thinking about my grandpa.

I hadn’t talked to him since Christmas day. I stopped worrying about it and went to bed. The next morning my friends uncle had come upstairs and told us that my mom wanted me home so I figured she just wanted me in the yard so we all went up to my backyard and hung out on my swing set. Soon again her uncle came outside and said my mom called again and needed me inside now. I walked upstairs and saw my mom crying, I asked her what was wrong about a million times until the words “ Grandpa died” came out of her mouth. My knees buckled, my heart sank, tears rolled down my face and I ran to my room. I don’t remember what happened after that for the next couple hours because i sat in my room at stared out the window at the sky. The one time that I was too busy being a stubborn brat was the last time I would ever get to see my grandpa alive. I kept thinking about Christmas day and what had happened I began to blame myself and think that he didn’t know that I loved him with all my heart. Everything to do with the funeral came and went. It was over before I knew it but the feeling of guilt and numbness never really faded for a while. That Christmas taught me a lesson of appreciate and care about the people in your life because you never know when they will be gone.

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by payton quinnnews editor

Students should just calm down and let everyone else

learn.

The Challenger staff voted 10-0

for this editorial

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Make life count

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