The student news site of ADM High School

Black & (Red)gister
  • Check out our monthly news program "Black & Red TV" in the category above!
  • Interested in Journalism? Stop by Mrs. Basingers Room for an Application
  • Be Sure To Fill Out the Career Day Form From Coach Wink by Feb 6th
  • Pop Out to the Basketball Game this Friday Against Winterset
  • Be sure to double check where you are supposed to go for power hour, if you attend the wrong class, you will be given a detention.
  • Submit your work to Roar! literary magazine using the link in the daily announcements or flyers around the school.
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  • See what goes into a news site at @BLACKANDREDGISTER on Instagram
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  • Check the bulletin board in the commons for new job information and opportunities.
The student news site of ADM High School

Black & (Red)gister
The student news site of ADM High School

Black & (Red)gister
Sean Whitson

Sean Whitson, Reporter

Hello! My name is Sean Whitson, and this year I am a senior! There are many reasons that I joined News this year, but the most important reason for me was that I could meet new people and make friends, as well as tell stories that people need to hear. This year as a student journalist, I hope that I can write stories that are impactful, learn how to use a camera, as well as learn from people that are more experienced in this field. I also feel, however, that the things that I learn from this class should expand outside of the classroom, or even the school. I am hoping that I can build a good work ethic, get things done on time, and balance things such as work, music, school, and extracurriculars. Other than that, I love music, movies, videogames, coffee, and playing the guitar!

All content by Sean Whitson
Senior Isabel Ortiz smiles during a power hour while choosing not to wear a mask.

ADM Changes Mask Mandate

Paige Jansen and Sean Whitson
May 19, 2021
Whitson: Finding my Voice

Whitson: Finding my Voice

Sean Whitson, Reporter
May 19, 2021

[Video] May 2021 Friday Flash

May 14, 2021
October 2020 Friday Flash

October 2020 Friday Flash

Aaron Teckenburg, Brookelyn Evans, Haley Gonzalez, Callie Hazel, Sean Whitson, Dominic Gardiner, Kashish Patel, Christine Aukes, Paige Jansen, and
May 13, 2021
May Boys Track Athlete of the Month: Nate Mueller

May Boys Track Athlete of the Month: Nate Mueller

Sean Whitson, Reporter
May 11, 2021
Sarena Gibson, May's Fine Arts Student of the Month, smiles beneath her mask in the News Room. She is among the final group of people to have been nominated for this honor this year.

May Fine Arts Student of the Month: Sarena Gibson

Sean Whitson, Reporter
May 7, 2021
This week, a very interesting and influential Supreme Court case is being heard that will affect the way schools can punish students for social media posts.

Supreme Court to Decide Whether Schools can Punish Students for Off- Campus Speech

Sean Whitson, Reporter
May 5, 2021
Bubble tea is a traditional Thai drink that typically has boba or popping pearls in it. In Des Moines, there are not a lot of options for bubble tea, but thankfully the options are well worth the drive.

The Best Bubble Tea in Des Moines

Sean Whitson, Reporter
April 27, 2021
Averi Brady, April's Fine Arts Student of the Month is performing in the musical, which is set to premier on April 16th. She opens the show with an energetic solo, which sets the tone for the entire show.

April Fine Arts Student of the Month: Averi Brady

Sean Whitson, Reporter
April 16, 2021
Sarah Moews, April's Student of the Month, poses in the frigid April rain after a rehearsal for the musical.

April Student of the Month: Sarah Moews

Sean Whitson, Reporter
April 15, 2021
March Friday Flash 2021

March Friday Flash 2021

Aaron Teckenburg, Christine Aukes, Paige Jansen, Sean Whitson, Dominic Gardiner, Callie Hazel, Brookelyn Evans, Kashish Patel, Haley Gonzalez, and Callie Hazel
April 8, 2021
The ADM choirs sing a combined piece at the yearly Pops Concert. However, next year, every choir concert will look similar, as there will only be one curricular choir.

ADM to Move to One Choir

Sean Whitson, Reporter
April 8, 2021
Mr. Schroeder has been nominated as one of the teachers of the month. He believes that it means that a connection has been made with the student, which means a lot to him.

March Teacher of the Month: Mr. Schroeder

Sean Whitson, Reporter
March 23, 2021
The Anchors, Aaron Teckenburg and Callie Hazel

February Friday Flash 2021

Aaron Teckenburg, Paige Jansen, Sean Whitson, Christine Aukes, Brookelyn Evans, Kashish Patel, Callie Hazel, Haley Gonzalez, Lauren Brady, and Dominic Gardiner
March 11, 2021
The Simpsons movie, directed by David Silverman, is a surprisingly well told and heartwarming tale. It sports the typical humor that the Simpsons popularized, and the longer runtime allows for a more in depth plot.

The Simpsons Movie– A Surprising and Haunting Tale

Sean Whitson, Reporter
March 10, 2021
Composer Eric Whitacre and poet Charles Silvestri teamed up to create one of the most beautiful choral works in modern classical music. It takes on subjects like love, sickness, grief, and death.

The Sacred Veil– The Mesmerizing Meaning Behind the Music

Sean Whitson, Reporter
February 23, 2021
Senior Megan Olson anxiously awaits her turn to question the esteemed composer Eric Whitacre, nervously pondering which of her many questions to ask. She was given this opportunity through Becca Cassel, ADM’s choir teacher, and the Wartburg Honor Choir, which only allowed 400 students to attend this event. “It was extremely surreal,” Olson said. “It was insane to think that he was talking to me… it was hard to believe I was actually speaking to someone that has had such a large influence on my life.”

Inspiration: ADM Student Meets Choral Hero

Sean Whitson, Reporter
February 18, 2021
Smoothly leaning against the wall, senior Jacob Derifield has his picture taken for the Kiwanis Student of the Month.

February Kiwanis Student of the Month: Jacob Derifield

Sean Whitson, Reporter
February 9, 2021
Beaming behind her mask, senior Aniston Smith stays during her open to complete her interview. She has been honored as one of the Kiwanis Students of the Month, which she believed is due to her applying herself more in school and activities.

February Kiwanis Student of the Month: Aniston Smith

Sean Whitson, Reporter
February 9, 2021
The Homecoming Court stands in front of the "Welcome to Las Vagas" sign after being announced on Tuesday, January 19th. This was the start to one of the biggest controversies of the year, as the students that were selected were chosen by the teachers and not the students.

Homecoming Court Controversy: My Response

Sean Whitson, Reporter
January 22, 2021
Trump supporters gather in front of the US capitol building.

One Week Later: Chaos on Capitol Hill

Sean Whitson, Reporter
January 12, 2021
My sisters and I stand in front of the lake in Grand Lake, Colorado, the day before 2021.

Hindsight 2020

Sean Whitson, Reporter
January 12, 2021
Junior Michael Payne stands near the auditorium, where a very intense Jazz rehearsal had just finished.

January Fine Arts Student of the Month: Michael Payne

Sean Whitson, Reporter
January 12, 2021

December Friday Flash 2020

Aaron Teckenburg, Sean Whitson, Paige Jansen, Haley Gonzalez, Christine Aukes, Callie Hazel, Brookelyn Evans, Kashish Patel, Dominic Gardiner, and Lauren Brady
January 8, 2021
I'll Make a Headline Later... The Art of Procrastination

I’ll Make a Headline Later… The Art of Procrastination

Sean Whitson, Reporter
December 17, 2020
December Kiwanis Student of the Month: Bella Benetti

December Kiwanis Student of the Month: Bella Benetti

Sean Whitson, Reporter
December 15, 2020
Phillip Annear, one of the December Kiwanis students of the month, poses in front of the board across from the French Room.

December Kiwanis Student of the Month: Phillip Annear

Sean Whitson, Reporter
December 8, 2020
Pixar is one of the most beloved film companies in the world, and for good reason.

The Purpose of Pixar

Paige Jansen and Sean Whitson
November 19, 2020
Senior Astraea Munyan runs in the Winterset meet. She has been given the honor of being the Girl's Cross Country student of the Month.

November Girl’s XC Student of the Month- Astraea Munyan

Sean Whitson, Reporter
November 12, 2020
Starting November 9th, all businesses within the city limits of Waukee will be requiring masks due to a new proclamation by Waukee mayor Courtney Clark.

Waukee Issues New Mask Mandate

Sean Whitson, Reporter
November 7, 2020
November Friday Flash 2020

November Friday Flash 2020

Aaron Teckenburg, Paige Jansen, Sean Whitson, Kashish Patel, Lauren Brady, Callie Hazel, Brookelyn Evans, Dominic Gardiner, Haley Gonzalez, and Christine Aukes
November 2, 2020
Brennan McGee, Cash Riker, and Sean Whitson, the three All-State choir musicians all posed in their suits after they finished their auditions. Days later, they learned that they all were accepted to the choir.

Do Not Fear the Unknown: My Road to All-State

Sean Whitson, Reporter
October 27, 2020
Backstage Manger Brennan McGee during his interview, moments before the first dress rehearsal since last March.

Welcome Back, ADM Drama

Sean Whitson, Reporter
October 15, 2020
October Fine Arts Student of the Month: Sarah DenHerder

October Fine Arts Student of the Month: Sarah DenHerder

Sean Whitson, Reporter
October 9, 2020

October Friday Flash 2020

Aaron Teckenburg, Sean Whitson, Paige Jansen, Haley Gonzalez, Dominic Gardiner, Callie Hazel, Brookelyn Evans, Kashish Patel, Lauren Brady, and Christine Aukes
October 6, 2020
Sophomore Ben Smith (left) comforts Dallas Trigg (right) after Trigg fractured his tibia and fibula.

Sidelined: A New Perspective on Sports Injuries

Sean Whitson, Reporter
October 1, 2020
Nathan Royer, Boys Cross Country Student of the Month

Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Month: Nathan Royer

Sean Whitson, Reporter
September 8, 2020
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