The Tom Tom | September 15, 2017 by Antioch Community High School Tom Tom

THE STUDENT VOICE OF ANTIOCH COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

THE GREEN ISSUE

volume 56 . issue 1. september 15, 2017 sequoitmedia.com. @achstomtom. @sequoitsports 1133 main street. antioch, illinois. 60002

sequoitmedia.com online exclusives Want a quick rundown on vehicle issues to address car problems before they begin? Check out senior editor Jessica Lamberty’s story on how to care for a vehicle and handle accidents.

Look at Emily Higgins’ unwritten rules of

social media and find out how to be the

best at social media.

Avoid losing followers with these tips.

Assistant digital director Alex Rapp focuses on how much stress is put on high schoolers as they get involved with numerous extra curriculars while also trying to maintain good grades.

Do you have an unusual talent that no one knows about you?

have staff and students who walk the halls everyday with peculiar hobbies, to find out

some of these check out

Alex Johnson’s

story.

Have you ever heard of JonBen‌et Ramsey’s murder? Learn some Sequoit perspectives on what they think actually took place in this murder case. Read McKenna Kalisz’s story to dive into multiple conspiracy theories regarding this topic.

One of our senior Sequoits, our cover model, made the journey from Iraq to Illinois before she entered high school. Photo coordinator Kat Zamudio found out Maryam Alani’s experiences on her move and the differences in atmospheres of the two cities of Baghdad and Antioch.

EDITOR’S NOTE 04 Staff Editorial 05 News 06 LIFESTYLES 10 beginnings 18 Growth 20 EXPERIENCES 23 Sports 26 What it Feels Like 28 table of contents

the tom tom // the green issue // september 15, 2017

scan our cover with aurasma to hear our cover model’s story of her journey from bagdad

PERSPECTIVES | September 15, 2017 | The Green Issue

THE GREEN ISSUE

Jessica Nettgen JASON R. WOOD editor-in-chief // @jason_wood7

hen I think of the color green I think of change and innocence; it was my favorite color growing up. The emotions and positivity accompanied with green affected me so much so that I even painted the walls of my childhood bedroom a bright green. Not the best decision I’ve ever made, but sixth grade me wanted green in every facet of life. I think I loved the color so much because of the intoxicating “anything is possible” feeling that it provokes, and as a middle-schooler that is a feeling which is hard to come by in your daily life. It’s also a feeling which couldn’t fit the start of a new school year better. The color green encompases a range of emotions and topics. From nature and growth, to experiencing life changes and taking on new beginnings, green is a color which provokes improvement. As a result, it is a fitting color to start a new production season. As the year progresses, each magazine will feature a single color with all content inside seeking to harness the connotations associated with it. This year we decided that collectively we needed to take a step back. Building on the progress made last year, we wanted to continue pushing the idea of seeking out those who are truly original. In order to do so, we went back to the most basic tool possible: color. Oftentimes we forget that color exists as solely itself; it is commonly seen as simply a piece of the greater puzzle in the spectrum of life. We wanted to acknowledge the individuality of color, and stop seeing it as a minute piece of the grander scheme of things. Following that same precedent, our goal is still to seek out those people that fail to be acknowledged for their individuality: to seek out the ones who are just seen as another piece of the puzzle.

This first magazine, “the green issue,” seeks to exemplify the ideas of growth and new beginnings. The Tom Tom as a staff seeks to not only meet the exceptionally high bar set by the previous members, but to raise it. Each member pursues growth and excellence in their craft, the exact emotions conveyed by the color green itself. I myself continue to try and be affected by the color green, even though it no longer coats my bedroom walls. I seek growth and new experiences in everything I do. Producing my first magazine as editor-in-chief has been incredibly nerve-wracking and stressful, but as such, it has also been a learning experience and finally brought back that “anything is possible” feeling. Our program’s theme for the year is “we don’t see things in black and white” and this magazine has pushed me to live this theme. The ideology behind the saying is that the world isn’t black and white, rather there are shades of gray mixed in between; things don’t exclusively have to be right or wrong, people don’t exclusively have to be good or bad. This process has taught me that not everyone has to be good or bad at writing, at photography, or at design. Rather, people are shades of color, not absolutes. One staffer may be exceptional at photography, but not be the next Shakespeare. Another may be a talented writer and designer, but not know the power button from the button that takes a photo on a camera. On a staff of 83 Tom Tommers these shades come together to form a picture of excellence. In this first issue, we addressed the topics commonly associated with the color green. Nature and its hurricanes are depicted by public relations director Nico Chiappetta. Growth: mental, physical and emotional are written about by senior editor Jessica Lamberty. Read print director Branden Gallimore’s story to see how life changes have forced some to mature. Senior editor Lauren Bluthardt talks about principal Eric Hamilton’s new beginnings at ACHS. Outside of the realm of the color green, if you’re looking for a new destination to treat the sweet tooth, check out team leader Madisen Krapf’s review of Hansen’s ice cream parlor. To see the homecoming themes, look no further than photo coordinator Jessica Nettgen’s photo story. Finally, a new tradition begins in this magazine; in conjunction with the color green’s connotation of new beginnings, we’ve started a new segment called “I tried.” Similar to when our staffers participate in different sports in “Tom Tom Tries,” the “I Tried” pieces will focus on immersing oneself into a different lifestyle for a period of time. As always, thank you for reading and helping us show that there is more to life than what we may see as black and white.

executive team

JASON R. WOOD Editor-in-Chief PATRICK R. JOHNSON, MJE Adviser JILLIAN M. EVERETT Managing Editor BRANDEN W. GALLIMORE Print Director KAYLEE S. SCHREINER Digital Director NICO L. CHIAPPETTA Public Relations Director CHLOE E.GRASS Creative Director DIANA ANGHEL Print Director ALIYA N. RHODES Creative Director Editorial Board DIGITAL ASSISTANTS Griffin P. Hackloer Jacob R. Johnson Alex L. Rapp Emily M. Torres

SENIOR EDITORS Lauren N. Bluthardt Jessica L. Lamberty John P. Petty Monica E. Wilhelm

Coordinators SOCIAL MEDIA Jared D. DeBoer Emily C. Hanes Mikayla M. Holway PHOTOGRAPHY Jessica J. Nettgen Steffanie A. Richardson Kat B. Zamudio

TEAM Peter A. Boeh Dan D. Filippone Alexandra C. Johnson McKenna R. Kalisz Madisen M. Krapf Valerie N. Rasmussen Eleni A. Sakas Karley K. Rogalski

staff journalists

Gianna M. Chiappetta Joyclyn L. Crawford Caden M. Davis Taylor A. Feltner Merrick W. Foote Avery J. Frasch Kayla E. Grenke Emily A. Higgins Robert S. Hulting Joseph M. Kestian Alexandria Q. Knight Emily Lara

Ella M. Maggio Julia M. Murillo Benjamin J. Nauman Jadda C. Pope Ashly M. Ring Tyler S. Skutnik Matthew P. Soberano Kevin E. Tamayo Sadie M. Vanderwall Skyler R. Wackenhuth Mollie T. Wagner Sierra M. Ward

staff interns

Haley Aitken Charlotte Bongratz Gavin Calabrese Evan Day Andrew DeBoer Matthew Edmark Brianna Fisher Julia Hackeloer Kaitlyn Howe Jackson Hugener Isabelle Hunter Jake Ilkka Sofia Klem Madison McBride

Alexis Olson Maggie Quirke Alexander Riedel Alessia Rivera Grace Rowe Maya Schon Rilee Schreiner Sarah Smith Cassidy Thomas Katelyn Vaskovsky Beatriz Warnes Alison Weiser Walker Winkler

mission statement

The Tom Tom seeks to not only be the premier source of student news, sports and lifestyles at Antioch Community High School, but it also aspires to do so with integrity, respect, responsibility and pride. The Tom Tom believes wholeheartedly in giving voices to the voiceless through unique engaging methods of storytelling, while engaging with the Antioch community to see diverse and challenging perspectives. In doing so, we choose to tell some of the more challenging or untold stories even when they can be controversial in order to make our community stronger, more caring, and more tolerant. This program envisions a holistic experience of quality journalism through print publications and digital content, as well as promotes student spirit and school culture through innovative and inspiring public relations and advertising campaigns. We are the Tom Tom. We are originals. It would be an awfully big adventure if you choose to come along with us and work as one community, One Sequoit.

JASON R. WOOD editor-in-chief

THE TOM TOM STAFF

2017-2018

Jillian Everett

STAFF EDITORIAL

BEYOND BLACK & WHITE

The tints and shades of life are oftentimes more important than hues we choose to see.

e, as a society, like to think that we are open minded about the views and beliefs of others. We like to think that we are accepting and encouraging, while having an open mind about life. We like to think that we don’t see things in black and white. First off, what does seeing things in black and white even mean? Oftentimes, people tend to think of aspects of life in extremes; if it’s not good, it’s bad. If it’s not fascinating, then it must be boring. If things aren’t perfect, then they are horrible. If it’s not black, then it’s white. In almost all situations in life this is not the case—many things are understood, and should be seen, in shades of gray. Our minds seem to gravitate toward simple ways of dividing things into categories. It is difficult to understand that every situation doesn’t just have two sides—there are so many other perspectives to take into consideration. We tend to over-simplify things that have subtle nuances and complexities that need to be noticed in order to be understood. Sometimes we view others as friends or foes; we see people as good

or bad. We establish that someone is with us or against us. We separate people by the political party they associate with; however, not everything has two definitive groups, solutions or ideas. We are all different in nearly every capacity; how does one judge another based on an assumption before getting to know their whole self and not just a sliver? We can’t truly have an accurate perception of a person or situation until we see all sides. Life is complex. People are complex. Ideas are complex. In reality, people don’t fall into categories, they constantly ebb and flow through numerous classifications depending on many spheres of influence. Some problems in this world stem from the fact that we view people in over-simplified ways, including religious or ethnic backgrounds. Listening, communicating and accepting others leads to genuine experiences and interactions. It’s only when we break out of our original beliefs—break out of our comfort zones—that we see life as a whole spectrum of color and become aware of the endless opportunities that are presented throughout. Seeing things in black and white is only a limitation. In our community, and in our school, we have an unlimited amount of diversity, both in people and in ideas. In order for our school to reach its full potential, we must learn to appreciate this diversity and try to understand the varying outlooks on issues that people possess. We have to learn to utilize the tools we have offered to us: whether that be to join different clubs and activities, engage and volunteer in the community or simply go out of the way to have a real conversation with someone. Having an open mind is imperative to being able to recognize people’s differences and accept why they are the way they are. When we put ourselves in other people’s shoes, we start to understand why people think the way they do and have the beliefs they have. As we gain more knowledge about one another and our world, we start to see the world in the vibrant shades, tints and hues of color that it truly is. We don’t see things in black and white here, and you shouldn’t either. 5

NEWS | September 15, 2017 | The Green Issue

PRAYING ON THE FIELD NLCC Conference intentionally reschedules Varsity football game in order to protect religious tolerance in allowing Jewish members of the community to celebrate Yom Kippur.

KAITLYN HOWE tom tom staff intern // @_kaitlynhowe_ The varsity football team is scheduled to play at home against Round Lake on Thursday, September 28, as opposed to Friday the 29th, due to the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur, meaning “Day of Atonement,” is considered one of the holiest days on the Jewish calendar and is the annual Jewish observance of fasting, prayer and repentance. The football game was originally scheduled on Thursday by the Northern Lake County Conference in order to respect those who celebrate the holiday of Yom Kippur, including athletes, students, teachers and fans. The irregularly scheduled football games began in areas with a high population of followers of the Jewish religion. Locally, the NLCC is playing all week 5 games on Thursday the 28th. However, for the rest of the state, the dates vary. A large number of conferences in Illinois are continuing to play their Varsity football game on Friday the 29th, while others have moved the game to Thursday and a couple schools have moved their game to Saturday the 30th—although that continues to conflict with Yom Kippur. Being a public school, district and conference, scheduling decisions are expected to be made with due respect to all religions and ways of life. “The NLCC typically does not schedule athletic contests in the fall that would fall during the Rosh Hashanah or the Yom Kippur time periods,” Athletic Director Steve Schoenfelder said. The awareness and respect of the Jewish holidays is appreciated by teacher, soccer coach, and follower of the Jewish religion, Marni Polakow. Being involved in Antioch Community High School’s extracurricular activities and Friday night events, Polakow experiences the conflict of the Varsity football game and Yom Kippur on a personal level. “If my kids were football players, yes it would interfere with that because you’re not supposed to play on that holiday,” Polakow said. “I would choose to go with my family over going to the football game and going to synagogue.” Polakow describes Yom Kippur as one of the most religious holidays in the Jewish religion. She celebrates the holiday of Yom Kippur by going to Synagogue with her family at sundown on Friday, September 29. She and her family then return to the Synagogue the following Saturday, where they spend almost 12 hours engaging in prayer, meditation and other services. Polakow KAITLYN HOWE

‘‘ YOM KIPPUR, MEANING “DAY OF ATONEMENT,” IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE HOLIEST DAYS ON THE JEWISH CALENDAR

Griffin Hackeloer The Mahzor, a Jewish prayer book, is used on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur; the tallit and yarmulke are worn in synagogue. The football helmet included with these religious items symoblize that both athletics and religion can play a large role in the lives of Sequoits.

and her family also fast for 24 hours to atone for all their sins of the year. When the sun goes down on Saturday night, Polakow and her family have a big celebration dinner. Polakow herself is indifferent on whether or not the irregular scheduling of the football games is necessary. Within the community, there are not that many people that would be directly affected by the conflict of the football game and the holiday. But in turn, by thinking that no one is affected, Polakow is concerned that minds will be closed off to other people in the world that truly are directly affected and engaged in Yom Kippur. “It’s a good lesson to learn that there are other people who are celebrating a holiday today and that is why we don’t have the game, but at the same time because it isn’t affecting anybody, it is just a whole cluster of a mess to move things and rearrange them,” Polakow said. “But I think in the respect factor, I appreciate that our conference still does this.” Freshman Michael Lampert agrees in the importance of families staying together during holidays, such as Yom Kippur. Lampert describes the Jewish religion as a close-knit community that is there for one another. The intentional rescheduling of the varsity football game and the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur emphasize the ideals of allowing all voices to be heard in any circumstance.

JR Johnson Certain activities get more funding from the school than others, with the most recognized sports getting the most money. “Lack of funding [for activities] puts more pressure on us as [students] because our families have to spend more money out of their pockets,” senior Deighton Butenschoen said.

THE FUNDING BATTLE

Unsurprisingly, sports recieve more funding than other activites. But how does this affect the rest of the school? RILEE SCHREINER tom tom staff intern // @rilee06

ith clubs starting and fall sports beginning to reach the middle of their season, the dependence on money from the school for these activities is huge. In full swing of fall athletics, things around the school can get pretty exciting. Maybe it’s the Cardinal Crazies hosting pep rallies or marching band getting everyone ready for Friday night games, but from all the new freshmen to the outgoing seniors, sports have always been a part of the school. Whether it was the football team going undefeated last year or girls basketball making it to supersectionals, energy is always in the air. But what about the students who are in the lesser recognized sports? What about the students who aren’t even involved in sports? Students don’t always recognize all of the other thrilling activities going on in certain clubs and organizations. Why hasn’t anyone heard more about these clubs? Clubs are not recognized like sports are at Antioch. Some believe this issue was created the moment the school decided to give more money to sports than clubs. Some students that are involved in clubs don’t feel like

they are noticed like the athletes that walk the halls on gameday with their cardinal jerseys. “It feels as though we aren’t recognized as a club that is trying to teach others about the German culture and lifestyle,” senior German club member Deighton Butenschoen said. Butenschoen also feels this way about field hockey, which is a lesser recognized sport compared to football or basketball. “I know that playing field hockey we don’t get much attention at all because we play in the same season as football so that takes away from us as a team,” Butenschoen said. Due to certain sports and clubs being less prominent in the school, players and members are forced to pay more out of their pockets to go to certain tournaments or events they may want to attend. “It makes sense why funding is not even, but it really stinks for those who are involved in the clubs and sports that come up short,” Butenschoen said. Our school is lucky enough to have over 35 sports and activities, but with this comes the liability of funding all of these activities. “We have different clubs that are just social clubs,” activities director and physical education department chair Teri Klobnak said. “People are in Spanish club and German club. Whether it’s Cardinal Crazies or gaming club, they just meet to hangout and get together so they don’t really require funding,”

However, other people like Butenschoen think otherwise. “For German club we were unable to attend Christkindlmarkt due to funding,” Butenschoen said. Last year, German club could not attend a small trip down to Chicago for the day to experience the culture they are interested in learning about. “Look at a typical game; you have the referees out there, you have uniforms that are out there, you have the busing that the other teams need to get there, the fields that have to be upkept, there’s so many pieces, so yes, athletics has more funding,” Klobnak said. Another aspect that plays a huge role in funding are the fees a student has to pay to play and be involved in a sport. There are roughly 80 people in the football program. Each of the players then has to pay the fee of 150 dollars, which adds up to 12,000 dollars for the football organization to use on equipment, buses, uniforms and more. Looking at clubs, members are not required to pay nearly as large of a fee; clubs stay in the range of five to 60 dollars. This small fee contributes to the lack of funding for these types of clubs. Without financial support from the school, clubs and lesser known sports will continue to suffer from lack of funding, while the more celebrated sports will continue to thrive.

NEWS | September 15, 2017 | The Green Issue

FINDING THE RIGHT SPOT

With fewer parking spots resulting from the summer overhaul, Sequoits were left without the designated upper lot parking they expected to have at the beginning of the year.

LAUREN N. BLUTHARDT senior editor // @laurennoelle_

he approach of the big 1-6 involves two major life goals: driving and having a sweet birthday party. The thrill of finally having the plastic rectangle that provides new freedoms is a new beginning. Having the ability to drive anywhere, anytime (with permission of course) and showing off the new or used wheels can be an exhilarating feeling. Pulling in on the first day of school, ready to turn into the easiest right sided spot until ... you remembered. Your parking pass was denied, and now you want to know why. In previous years the upper lot parking at Antioch Community High School has been a jumbled mix of seniors and juniors with the occasional drifting sophomore. Different this school year is the administration’s decision to solidify the upper lot as a senior area, and the lower lot for the juniors. This year, the amount of parking passes received in the dean’s office racked up to almost 300 applications. Dean of Students Patricia McGuigan has worked at Antioch for 11 years and recalls a number of parking changes since then. “There has been a large increase in student drivers since I arrived here,” McGuigan said. “We could get everybody in the upper lot.” Since then, more rows of parking additions for students have been made. Unknown to most is the removal of teacher parking in order to fulfill the influx of student drivers. Previous teacher parking spaces have been sanctioned off for the benefit of the students, including the spaces along the fence near the railroad and the row of spaces by the auditorium. The number of spots available to students in the upper lot is 198 spaces, in which currently the school has given out 190 parking tags to the seniors along with 32 tags due to zero hour students and those with medical notes (overfilled due to the factor of absentees). Additionally, all juniors and seniors were eligible for a parking pass, even if the student may not have their license or a vehicle yet. “We are awarding our upperclassmen,” McGuigan said. “We completely made it seniors in the upper lot and juniors in the lower lot.” Although there are no readily available spaces for juniors who are not in zero hour in the upper lot, there has been an addition of roughly 75 spaces approved by the district for use at McMillen, besides those available in the lower lot. Spots that do open up in the upper lot will be eligible for a lower lot junior student based on a lottery of the students. Senior Sally Bessette believes there could be a happy medium. “It’s called senior privilege,” Bessette said. “After the seniors get their spots and there are open ones still, the juniors should definitely be allowed access.” Due to the large amount of students further away from the school, there have been a number of shuttle buses added to 8

the system to pick up students. The luxury of being close to the school is a privilege, and for students who are passionate in extracurriculars it seems to be a controversial issue. “While we wish we could give everybody a parking space, it’s just not feasible,” McGuigan said. “I can’t fit 10 pounds of potatoes in a 5 pound sack.” Recently, angered Sequoits took to social media to share their opinions. Junior Piper Foote used Twitter as her outlet for discussing her opinions. “I have a lot of after school activities,” Foote said. “Some of them are off campus so it’s hard for me to get to the lower lot and then to practice on time.” McGuigan has received numerous similar responses by parents and students discussing the matter. “You can not base everything on athletics and academics,” McGuigan said. “There [are] a lot of other situations and special circumstances for why kids need to drive to school.” With close to 300 applications and a limited amount of spots available, there can be no way to fit everyone. “I encourage people to send me an email,” McGuigan said. “A constructive email on how they would like to see this problem fixed.”

BY THE NUMBERS Sequoit Parking Over 300 parking applications were submitted to the deans’ office 198 upper lot spots were available after the revamp this summer Roughly 32 juniors in upper lot for medical or zero hour reasons. 221 tags were given out—a majority were seniors.

Kat Zamudio Pictured above is an upperlot parking pass, which has sparked controversy throughout the community. The pass is a visible sign to Antioch security that the car is able to be parked in the upper lot. A number of Sequoits received this parking pass for being in zero-hour physical education.

HECTIC HURRICANES HIT HARD In a time of political turmoil regarding climate change, the weather in the Atlantic continues to wreck havic on the Southeast and its people.

NICO L. CHIAPPETTA public relations director // @nico_chiappetta

other Nature has not been pleasant with us in the closing months of summer. Hurricane Harvey came plummeting into Houston, Texas, on August 25 with massive amounts of wreckage and damage with community. Demolishing homes and flooding cities have caused over 150 billion dollars worth of destruction. An estimated 50 people have died from the hurricane, mostly from being trapped by flooding and thousands are left without homes or transportation for safety. “I feel really bad for all the people in Houston that got affected by the hurricane,” sophomore Devin Nobiling said. “All the destruction is horrible and I wish the best for everyone there.” Members of the Houston community and celebrities around the country attempted to make an impact. Someone making a signficant one in helping with relief efforts in the city of Houston is J.J Watt, defensive end for the Houston Texans. Watt set a goal to reach 200 thousand dollars worth of donations. After his goal was surpassed almost instantaneously, he kept raising the bar. As of September 9, he raised 30 million dollars for the relief of Hurricane Harvey. District 117 has also been taking part in helping Houston by having their own donations to help those struggling against Hurricane Harvey. “I donated a lot of old clothes and shoes,” senior Nick Galante said. “I really just wanted to do anything I could to help the people in need,” What at first seemed to be a second hurricane, Irma is now classified as a Tropical Storm. Irma crashed into the lower Florida Keys on September 10. While not as devastating as Hurricane Harvey, people were strongly urged to evacuate before Tropical Storm Irma hit. Strong storms and winds are leaving floods of 7-feet deep and power outages. The maximum wind speeds of up to 130 miles-per-hour are pulling off roofs of houses and other debris scattered across towns and cities. Despite being weaker than when it originally started, Irma still has potential to reach parts of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi. Be on the lookout for two other potential hurricanes: Hurricane Jose and Hurricane Katia, both estimated to hit in the middle of September.

Associated Press Subscription Tropical Storm Irma’s path completely covers Florida and some parts of other southern states. Heavy rainfall have caused major flooding and destruction. “All the hurricanes and storms have got me worried about what is next to come,” sophomore Devin Nobiling said.

Marcus Yam, LA Times / Associated Press Subscription Major Flooding has completely taken over residential neighborhoods from Hurricane Harvey on August 29. Many people are still living without power and necessities to live. “I hope ever can get to safety as quick as possible,” senior Nick Galante said.

Associated Press Subscription Hurricane Harvey is the most powerful hurricane to hit the United States in the past decade. The purple patches represent where the rainfall is the greatest. Houston, Texas is in between where the most rainfall occurred. This is leading to an overflow of water causing major floods in and around the city. “I can only imagine the terrifying storms taking place down in Houston,” sophomore Devin Nobiling said.

LIFESTYLES | September 15, 2017 | The Green Issue

ANTIOCH PROVIDES SAFETY FOR ITS STUDENTS Students express their viewpoints on how and why they feel Antioch is a safe space. VALERIE N. RASMUSSEN team leader // @val0270

safe space is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a place intended to be free of bias, conflict, criticism, or potentially threatening actions, ideas, or conversations”; for some, this definition brings ideas of home and to others it brings them to school. Sophomore Jasper David considers school to be somewhere he can be himself without the fear of being judged. “I feel like it is a safe place, honestly.” David said. Although he feels that school is somewhere he can be safe, to him it is more than just the building that makes somewhere feel secure. “I feel like caring people are in that environment,” David said. The people within an area are a major contributor to the way students feel, and they also help to determine whether or not that environment can be deemed safe. Health and physical education teacher Robert Hafer understands the impact students can have on an environment. “Even the students in a classroom where they’re treated well, oftentimes their reactions after someone says something possibly offending them may cause someone to feel uncomfortable,” Hafer said. “I think it’s the people that are within that space that allows someone to feel comfortable; that’s what’s important to creating a safe space.” In his health classes, Hafer gives important knowledge about understanding everyone in the world around them and he tries his best to keep any discrimination out of his classes. “I think in a lot of cases, just information and knowledge helps people to have a bit more of an open mind,” Hafer said. While Hafer teaches his students about different kinds of people, he also hopes that his room is somewhere that students can feel comfortable. “I hope that my classrooms are safe spaces,” Hafer said. “I do my best to control the people in it.” In addition to his classroom being somewhere safe, there are other areas around the school that many feel are somewhere they can be themselves. “I would consider student services and the office very safe spaces,” David said. These areas, in addition to Hafer’s classroom allow, for students to feel more comfortable and safe when they are at Antioch. In contrast, oftentimes an unsafe space is described as somewhere where students are afraid that they will be physically, mentally or verbally abused. Hate crimes have been steadily increasing and students are continuously using phrases such as “that’s so gay” that may cause other students

‘‘ Valerie Rasmussen

This flag is a symbol of love and pride for many. Within Antioch, many Sequoits feel

that this community is one that is safe for them and that they can feel comfortable in.

to be afraid of being open about who they are or what they believe in, in life. “The Chicago Police Department documented 72 hate crimes in 2016—a 20-percent spike compared to 2015 and an overall five-year high,” WTTW Chicago Tonight wrote. With hate crimes reaching new highs in Chicago, some students feel they have to hide who they are in order to stay safe and to avoid being injured or bullied from their fellow peers. Although school may sometimes be looked at as an intimidating place for some students due to the rise in hate crimes and offensive slang phrases, Antioch is a place where students can be themselves without fear of discrimination or persecution.

“I THINK IT’S THE PEOPLE THAT ARE WITHIN THAT SPACE THAT ALLOWS SOMEONE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE

ROBERT HAFER

PHOTOGRAPHY: THE BASICS The essential how-to, to getting the best quality snapshots.

JESSICA J. NETTGEN photo coordinator // @jessienettgen

hotography isn’t hard; it’s just a lot of work. No matter the level of experience or type of camera, everyone has what it takes to be a good photographer. It all starts by thinking like a photographer. This means constantly looking for the best locations to shoot; whether it be the lighting, background or a combination of both that draws in the budding photographer. For portraits, look for a location that offers plenty of shade. Never put the subject in direct sunlight; it creates harsh highlights and shadows on their face and it can cause their to squint if the sun is in their eyes. Acquire a camera and get to know the equipment and modes right away. There is nothing worse than not knowing how to use the camera that you own, so take advantage of the internet. “I do know there is a lot of stuff on Pinterest,” 2006 Sequoit alumna Jaci Moore said. “I’m sure that could be very resourceful.” Creating a good picture is so much more than just the right location and equipment; it can be crafted by knowing how to use the manual functions on the camera. There are three main manual functions: manual (M), aperture priority (AV) and shutter speed priority (TV). What is being photographed will determine which camera mode to use. For sports pictures or anything high speed, use shutter speed priority. For portraits, the aperture priority will give the best results. “I usually just use manual because I like to control what I do,” junior Anli Butler said. Next, practice, practice and practice some more. Ask friends or family to photograph them, or go to local sporting events to practice taking sports photos. No matter what, don’t stop taking photos and constantly practice photography like any sport or musical instrument; if not, the skill will be lost. “I think the big thing is just practicing and practicing,” Butler said. “The more pictures you take and the more you look at them, the more you learn about yourself and what you enjoy.”

Jessica Nettgen Javen London runs the ball while playing the first game of the season against Tremper. To get the best sports shot, the new photographer must learn how to anticipate motion and direction, plus move quickly themselves.

STEP-BY-STEP HOW TO: Quickly capture the best photo 1. Put yourself in the right mindset, and lookout for good locations to shoot 2. Get to know your equiptment and how it works 3. Know how to use the manual controls to shoot. TV for high speed, AV for portraits and M for total control over the camera. 4. Practice as much and as how often as you possibly can

Jessica Nettgen Jessica Lamberty jumps for joy while at a photoshoot for this past years musical, Grease. In order to capture the best motion, the beginner photographer needs to learn f-stop on his/her camera.

Jessica Nettgen Grace Weber smiles for the camera during a fun photoshoot at a friends house. Finding the best lighting is critical to the most successful headshots. Two of the best times for natural light is the golden hour, or the hour before the sun sets and the hour after the sun rises.

LIFESTYLES | September 15, 2017 | The Green Issue

or a week f a new tom tom tradition.

I TRIED MAKING NEW FRIENDS. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED. SKYLER R. WACKENHUTH tom tom staff // @skylerrose_

ne of the most important experiences in high school is meeting new friends. Sharing crazy experiences with people you love can amplify trust and the bond within a group. This week I set a goal to make some new friends, but I needed a better plan before I jumped right into “friendship.” I started on Wednesday with setting goals; not knowing where to start, I decided to go easy on myself and make a simple list: all friendships must be genuine, I will try to add that person on some form of social media, and I will try to talk with them out of the classroom on social media or in person. With these goals set in the back of my mind, I decided to go into school with an open mind and no expectations. Making friends is hard. I’m a firm believer that friendships should not be forced and I tend to be an introvert in situations when I don’t have any friends with me, but I stayed hopeful that I’ll make at least one friend by the end of the week. Wednesday rolls on by and I attempt to make small talk with people that sit by me in class, but not much more is said than “I’m so tired” and “same I was up all night doing homework.” These conversations were going nowhere fast and the day was over before I knew it. Thursday came around and I finally made a friend in biology. I was partnered with junior Justin Jones; I didn’t know him that well at first, but as the period went by we became friends. We had similar interests and we knew the same people so it was easy to become friends. I took the chance and added him on Snapchat and we had a conversation about school, gym class and some of our favorite things, and how we usually make friends. “I just try to put myself out there and help everyone out,” Jones said. “It can attract some bad people, but usually it can be a great conversation starter that can start a lasting friendship that wouldn’t have happened if we didn’t talk.” Thursday was a success and I had a field trip on Friday. I was hoping an out-of-school experience could bring a new

DID YOU KNOW? Dravin... is learning German. his favorite class is Adventure Education with Gregg Henning. is a Boy Scout. is a World War II reenactor. Justin... is in acapella choir. is also in jazz choir. is also in Madrigal choir. his favorite class is Adventure Education with Gregg Henning.

Skyler Wackenhuth

friend in, and it did. At the Racine Yacht Club in Racine, Wisconsin, the Adventure Education gym classes had a whole day to sail, swim and explore. A couple of my friends and some other people joined us to go to the beach and my group and I became friends with senior Dravin Naramore. We ended up talking about what it is like to make friends in the twenty-first century. “Talking goes a long way to make friendships and to make things more social,” Naramore said. “We live in a social media generation, but we forget to be social.” Being on phones and social media can make us less social, getting off of devices can make one to actually talk to others. To make new friends, one must physically talk to them, and make an effort to keep the friendship going. This experiment was definitely hard for me. I set goals and achieved most of them; making friends is a must when it comes to high school and I’m happy I put myself out there.

ummer: the time where the heat is at its max and there are more outdoor activities to encounter. For many first timers, going on a romantic date could be very intimidating. Therefore, going somewhere or doing activities that do not involve too much intimacy are go-todates. “My ideal summer first date would be to go to a summer carnival during a sunny afternoon,” freshman Holly Hovart said. “Where you can see people and do a lot of other things such as go on rides and talk, to get to know each other and have fun.” Other summer ideas include canoeing, going to the pool or the beach, attending summer festivals, listing to outdoor concerts or going out for ice cream.

pring: the perfect combination of not too cold and not too hot. During this time of the year, outdoor dates are very convenient. These outings could consist of drive-in movie theaters, eating lunch or dinner outside, being a tourist at a nearby city, attending a sporting event or taking a stroll at an amusement park. Most of these dates are very enjoyable and a good opportunity to learn more about your partner.

FINDING REASONS FOR THE SEASONS Romantic and fulfilling dates to do with that extra-special someone.

all: the stage where it is in between being cool and freezing. Throughout the fall season, watching movies and cuddling is commonly found around this time of year. If the weather is not ideal for being outside, then there are other options including baking, binging scary movies, decorating pumpkins, doing arts and crafts, and making a bonfire. There are also fun outdoor activities such as going to a corn maze, picking apples or pumpkins, riding on hayrides and heading to a nearby coffee shop for a steamy chai or pumpkin spice latte. “Pumpkin carving and scary movie marathons are good first dates during the fall,” sophomore Cenie Frieson said.

EMILY LARA tom tom staff // @emily_lara1

inter: the ending of a whole year—the time when it is white, beautiful, cold and loving. In this time of the year, most couples tend to go on extraordinary dates during the holidays depending on the weather. “Usually when I go on dates we plan with the weather, but if it turns into a blizzard then we most likely just relax at home and watch movies or go inside ice skating,” junior Kameron Jones said.

Emily Lara For a winter date to be extraordinary, sometimes simple activities can make all the difference. If staying indoors, baking, watching movies that are part of the “25 Days of Christmas” on ABC, doing arts and crafts, making hot cocoa or having a game night can create multiple memories. Furthermore, going to Downtown Chicago during the holidays, especially on Christmas or New Years, can be very romantic and wonderful experience.

NEW BLOG: CONFESSIONS OF AN RBF I swear, it’s not my face. “Are you okay?” “Are you upset?” “Why do you look so angry all the time?” “How come you don’t smile?” The average person would not encounter these questions on a weekly, even daily basis. There is only a small handful of people who know the typical recurrence of these, quite frankly, annoying questions. These people know who they are and exactly what I’m talking about. I’m talking about the infamous RBF. Yes, I’m talking about the people who look like they hate the world when they are simply walking down the halls or sitting in class. Trust me, I know the struggles of this condition, because I, too, am a victim of the permanent frown. Want to read more? Head to sequoitmedia. com and search for “Confessions of RBF” to continue reading Emily’s column. And follow along as she creates new posts each month.

LIFESTYLES | September 15, 2017 | The Green Issue

MONDAY / MISMATCH

TUESDAY / SPORTS AND VIDEO GAMES

FASHIONABLY SPIRITED Homecoming week is next week, which means itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to break out the Sequoit wear, brush off the dirt from your boots and throw on some sunscreen and flippers.

JESSICA J. NETTGEN photo coordinator // @jessienettgen

WEDNESDAY / WESTERN

THURSDAY / LIFEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S A BEACH

FRIDAY / CLASS COLORS AND SENIOR TOGAS 15

LIFESTYLES | September 15, 2017 | The Green Issue

BEHIND THE TASTE

Get the inside scoop on the new hot spot outside of town: Hansen’s Ice Cream Parlor of Wilmot.

MADISEN M. KRAPF team leader // @madisenkrapf

p north, located in a previous soda fountain building from many years ago, is the newest sensation: Hansen’s Ice Cream Parlor. Whether there are history enthusiasts, admirers of the atmosphere or just plain ice cream lovers, it is the perfect spot for anyone. The owners, Adam and Kelly Hansen, were looking for something extra in their lives before taking on this new adventure. “I’ve been wanting to do it for a while, and I’ve always wanted a business of my own,” A. Hansen said. “I”ve always wanted to do something that made people happy.” Many reasons contribute to the success of the parlor. One is the overall experience. This component can make or break chances of visiting a second time. “I think the community was missing something that was really family oriented,” K. Hansen said. “I think we have good, decent prices and we offer great products. We try to give a good experience when you come in.” The owners of Hansen’s thrive on giving back to their community and trying to make the world a better place. Instead of taking tips, they have a jar to donate to organizations and families in need. “You realize so many people have it so hard in life, and you know they were dealt with bad hands, illnesses and everything else,” K. Hansen said. “Once we put that on the tips and we were accepting donations, people were throwing in twenties. The first month, we

‘‘ ‘‘

had a thousand dollars.” Hansen’s Ice Cream Parlor is also big for the “old-timers.” The building has been in and out of businesses for many years, so long-time Wilmot residents enjoy seeing the new attractions that come. “This was the original soda fountain and pharmacy in Wilmot for 70 years,” K. Hansen said. “A lot of the old timers in Wilmot would come in, and during their time ice cream was 14 cents.” The overall aesthetic of the parlor brings a contemporary feel that attracts customers. An article from Little Lake County shows how the inside of the unique parlor was created, and how committed the entire family was to make sure everything was in tip top shape. The article stated, “Kelly’s dad painted the paintings on the walls, Adam’s mom made the tables, Kelly and her daughter stained and installed the shiplap, and at any time you can usually find any or all of their family behind the counter.” The Hansens have discovered a lot of road bumps while taking on this new adventure. A. Hansen said that to achieve whatever it may be, for example a business, it’s important not to rush things. “You need to be patient, and nine times out of ten what you want to Madisen Krapf achieve comes to you,” A. Hansen said. “It finds you, so you just have to have patience.” The Hansens have defied limits of exceptional owners. They do whatever it takes to have a positive community. “You guys are the ones that make us successful,” Kelly said. “Why wouldn’t we want to give back and make the community better?”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLAVOR AT HANSEN’S?

“My favorite flavor is Coconut Explosion because I like the diversity,” freshman Isabella DeMartini said.

“My favorite flavor is Superman because I love all the colors,” freshman Adriana Barrera said.

THE GREEN ISSUE features 91517

SECTION FOLIO | |September FEATURES September15, 15,2017 2017| |The TheGreen GreenIssue Issue

Kat Zamudio Antioch Community High School’s new principal for the 2017-2018 school year stands near the front office entrance, an entrance Hamilton will continue to enter throughout the next three years he is contracted with the district. “It is an exciting school,” Hamilton said. “With a great community that supports the school and wants you to do well.”

WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER ONE OPENS

Principal Hamilton’s transition is paving a new chapter at Antioch Community High School as he is welcomed as a fresh Sequoit. LAUREN N. BLUTHARDT senior editor // @laurennoelle_

reshmen walk in on the first day of school completely unsure of where to go and full of nervous excitement. The change of a new school can be foreign, as it’s normal to feel uncertain about the future. Not knowing

Feeling like a freshman, Hamilton was excited to see what his new journey at ACHS would entail. “Everyone has been extremely welcoming,” Hamilton said. “I was able to

their schedule, struggling to remember new names

come in March, April, and May and it just verified it

and figuring out their new teachers are all typical

[ACHS] was the right choice.” Faculty within the school continue to support, as

for new students. This is also the case for Antioch Community High School’s new principal, Eric

transitioning schools is a daunting task. New teach-

Hamilton.

ers are welcomed every year, but the magnitude of this closed door has stood out for the staff. As a

For the community of Antioch, change came

second generation member of the Sequoit family,

in full force. After the formal announcement of

English department chairwoman Dee Andershock

former principal Bradford Hubbard heading on to

has been around the block when it comes to wit-

Community High Schoool 117 District office last

nessing changes within the school.

December for this school year, the community was

“It is always good to get fresh blood,” Ander-

overwhelmed with uncertainty. The anonymity of who would take over as the new front-line of ACHS was a topic that took precedence for Sequoits of all ages. Finding the perfect fit led to the welcoming of Libertyville native, Hamilton. Exceeding the qualifications, Hamilton was chosen as a man who could bring beneficial change and a refreshing start for the Sequoits. 18

Kat Zamudio

shock said. “He’s got a lot of experience and it is always good to hear someone else doing something some other way.” Hamilton emerged from a family of educators

and continued down this path when he began working at Waukegan High School as a bilingual educator for nine years. At Waukegan, he taught

10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ANTIOCH’S NEW PRINCIPAL 1. His favorite color is red. 2. His favorite holiday is Christmas. 3. He has one older brother. 4. His favorite season is fall. 5. His favorite sport is baseball and his favorite team is the Chicago White Sox. 6. He went to Iowa State University. 7. His favorite place to get coffee is Starbucks. 8. His prefers coffee over tea and hot chocolate. 9. He owns a Michael Jordan warmup shirt. 10. His first job was at Luebbers Pharmacy. By Alex Rapp

bilingual education, English as a second language and Spanish classes all of which impacted his life. After nine years, he went to Lake Zurich High School as the assistant principal for curriculum and instruction. Hamilton previously worked alongside his wife Carlye Hamilton who is a Spanish teacher at the same high school. With tremendous support from his wife and family, the transition to this new chapter of his life, being in a new place with new people, was bittersweet for him. “If it wasn’t for Lake Zurich High School, I would not have met my wife or have my two beautiful kids,” Hamilton said. “At the same time, I was really ready for this brand new opportunity and to be able to continue to grow professionally.” Leaving the Bears behind for the Sequoits was a step Hamilton was ready to take. School spirit within the school community and the town of Antioch is something many of the students seek to exemplify. Senior Alexa Waheed was a member of student cabinet, previously Hubbard’s Cupboard, and is an active participant in extracurriculars. From the packed stands at athletic events to the dozens of clubs, the 102 year old history of the school is something many Sequoits find impactful. “Sequoit pride is definitely a big thing in our school,” Waheed said. “[I want Hamilton to] be excited with us, get to know everybody and be one with the students.” Aside from Hamilton’s professional life, the importance of family takes the podium as one of his greatest passions. Besides his adoration for education, the most substantial parts of his life include his nine-year-old daughter Claire and five-yearold Presley. Both have already made appearances at kickoff night and the first football game. “They are dancers,” Hamilton said. “I have been becoming a dance dad, trying to figure out what these things are.” Not only does he take pride in his family, but as an Ohio State alum and a big South Sider, the Chicago Bears and the Chicago White Sox continue to be his go to sports teams. Hamilton’s enthusiasm for sports will continue to rub off on ACHS as he journeys into the next phase of his life. Preparing for the upcoming sport and club events is a plus for Hamilton, but he cannot wait to see how it connects to what is occurring in the classroom. “It is really a symbiotic relationship,” Hamilton said. “When you are doing well as a school, then your extracurriculars and co-curriculars are doing well and vice versa.” With the beginning of the school year pep assembly and the commencing of fall sports, the level of anticipation for school to begin showed Hamilton what being a Sequoit is all about. “It is an exciting, very involved school and a great community that supports the school and wants you to do well,” Hamilton said. “Seeing the lightbulbs go on and seeing the connections is a powerful piece that I really enjoy.”

With arms wide open, Hamilton hopes this new school year will allow him to see what truly makes being a Sequoit so great. Faculty in the school are ready to work alongside Hamilton and show him how impactful the students are at ACHS. “I think we have outstanding kids,” Andershock said. “They’re just good kids who want to do well in this world and want to be successful and be happy.” Similar to Andershock, Hamilton shares the same ambition of working alongside and learning from each student as the years go by. Getting to know new students can be a difficult process, in which Andershock has advice. “My advice to him is to be yourself,” Andershock said. “He needs to be who he is and form those relationships in his own way.” Just like a freshman, Hamilton wants to get to know the student body and join in on the involvement that is shown throughout the community. Student bonds and participating alongside the community are important to him. “Just getting to know people and forming some relationships,” Hamilton said. “Watching you guys perform both in and out of the classroom [...] it is an exciting school.” As one door closed at Lake Zurich, another one opened for Principal Hamilton. A chapter finished for a Sequoit legacy, another with new ideas and a fresh mind begins; the is community welcoming this new journey. “We are all family here,” Waheed said. “We are welcoming him to our family—our Sequoit Family.”

Kat Zamudio Hamilton was welcomed by faculty and students starting in the final months of the 2017 school year. He was impressed by the Sequoit community. “The is a great level of commitment from the kids and faculty,” Hamilton said.

FEATURES | September 15, 2017 | The Green Issue

GROWTH IN MIND BODY AND SOUL

People grow in all sorts of ways. Sometimes it is a physical change, and other times, people develop new ideas or gain new friends. Most commonly in high school, growth is measured in three areas: physical growth, spiritual or emotional growth and academic growth. However, junior Noor Abdellatif, senior Charles Wagner and senior Za ‘Tozia Duffie-Walker exceed these categories. They have grown into the mature, clever and talented people they are to this day. JESSICA L. LAMBERTY senior editor // @jessicalamberty13

Out of the “Noor”m.

bdellatif first moved to Antioch in 2005, but she has not always thrived in her current surroundings. In reality, Abdellatif was the opposite of success. She never did anything out of the ordinary, spoke up when she disagreed, or talked to anyone. “I used to not believe in myself at all, not only with academics, but in sports as well,” Abdellatif said. “I was told that I needed to believe in myself by a lot of my teachers, coaches, friends and family.” In 6th grade when Abdellatif joined the cross country team for the first time, she met people that changed her whole personality. She was transformed from the quietest kid around to the most energetic person on the team. The girls track coach, Dan Oslage, thinks Abdellatif is a lead-

er to many of the girls and underclassmen in track and field. “She is respected by other team members, not only for her athletic abilities, but for other qualities such as responsibility, work ethic and positive attitude,” Oslage said. Oslage believes Abdellatif shows growth through her dedication and positive attitude towards track, and this is just one of her many accomplishments throughout her high school years. She is involved in nine extracurricular activities and sports. A mere four years ago, she was not involved in anything besides sports. “I was not always a person who would like to get involved with anything or be social at all, but over the years I started to realize that involvement is important in order to succeed and I strive to succeed in life,” Abdellatif said. As for being a leader, Abdellatif’s positive work ethic and commitment to reaching her goals makes her a leader for anyone who needs someone to give them a push in the right direction. “I know it is important to stay in the right mindset and not show negativity to those around you,” Abdellatif said. To all those who do not see themselves as the person they want to be, keep striving to accomplish dreams. The more involved one is, the more opportunities that lead to future success there will be. “Join a club or sport because high school is the time to try new things and our school has so much to offer,” Abdellatif said. “Don’t be afraid to make new friends because you can meet people that can change your life in a good way.” From the silent student to the star student, from the goofy girl to the team leader, Abdellatif has grown tremendously by exerting herself, joining new communities and never losing sight of her goals. She stands as an example of Antioch Community High School and the community to show that a positive attitude makes anything possible.

It’s all in “Z” attitude. serious in times when maturity and seriousness is required,” Duffie said. Duffie’s home life has changed, too. Her mother and her used to argue and did not have a good relationship, but now, she is more relaxed and feels comfortable around both of her parents and siblings. She spends most of her time with them

nique has two connotations: the weird individual and the individual who embraces their differences. Senior Za ‘Tozia Duffie used to fear being associated with that word, but instead has now grown to love it. “I’ve grown to accept my individuality and my uniqueness,” Duffie said. Duffie has not always breathed individuality, in fact, she did not think much of herself in her middle school years. With no goal in mind, she followed her usual routine only to find disappointment and boredom with each day. It was not until freshman year that she found her voice. She established a goal to become a successful role model and was determined to spread her wings at Antioch Community High School. While taking on the new challenges of high school, Duffie expressed her uniqueness in every way. Good and bad, she would laugh her way through every day and gradually developed a sense of maturity. “I am still a huge giggle ball, but I’ve learned how to be more

since she is often too busy to visit with friends due to her involvement in many extracurriculars. “I make sure that I’m always trying my best to be a light to others and always letting off good energy,” Duffie said. “I always do my best because I know I am going somewhere.” As for who she is now, Duffie prides herself in her ability to be mature. “There was a time when I would cry very often because I’m sensitive, but I’ve grown and matured,” Duffie said. She struggled in her middle school years, shifting around in three different schools, but she thought negatively of her peers. “I’m a better thinker and I have a new and refreshed outlook now,” Duffie said. Her new attitude towards others has allowed her to gain new friends, even though that meant letting go of some old ones. Part of growing up is accepting and understanding, just as Duffie did. “I had to learn that I can still be cool with people who I grow apart with and that I have to forgive them,” Duffie said. “In those instances, we were going different places and it was the best thing for me.” Although Duffie has grown tremendously since her middle school dilemmas, she always seeks improvement. “I need improvement in my patience, self control and love for others,” Duffie said. “Other than that, I am pleased with how I have matured and developed as a stronger and positive person.” Duffie advises students to be themselves. “She has found her voice and found her confidence,” theater teacher Wanda Teddy said. “She really advocates for people to find their own truth and a sense of who they are.” Through the ups and downs, growth will occur when one learns to accept themself and set their own goals.

FEATURES | September 15, 2017 | The Green Issue

The Big Move

o climb into someone else’s skin and walk around in it is something not easily done, but senior Charles Wagner prides himself in his ability to do so. Prior to living in Antioch, Wagner resided with his family in Ohio and spent a majority of his early life there. Wagner was forced to choose Ohio or Illinois as his home when his parents got a divorce. Eventually, he moved to Illinois with his mother and sister. At first, he hated it and constantly fought with his mother. The divorce his freshman year caused him to understand and connect his life to so many other children who had gone through the same situation. “I used to be very closed off,” Wagner said. “I would keep to myself and I did not have too many friends or people that I could talk to normally.”

A little shy and uninvolved, Wagner was apprehensive about his new home, but with encouragement from a friend he decided to audition for the spring musical, “The Music Man.” From then on, Wagner thrived in the fine arts department and made friends through many music groups. He no longer felt the initial worries of being the new student, but he never lost sight of what his real goals were. “I did not know anyone, but [I] was greeted with love and comfort from the people around me and quickly grew close to some,” Wagner said. “I did not move move too far out of my initial friend circle.” This past summer, Wagner sought to expand his role as a leader. He demonstrates this role by participating in school and being open with peers outside of the classroom. Wagner has grown by being able to understand and help people with his sympathy and generosity. Now, he sees himself as easily approachable and open-hearted. “I can take charge and congregate others ideas to find a solution to a problem while working with people around me in a calm and collected manner,” Wagner said. “It is fairly easy for me to take multiple ideas and mix them together to get the best outcome for the people involved as well as the problem at hand.” At home, Wagner tries his best to stay active and stick to his character. “He’s become a mentor to a lot of underclassmen and encourages them to get involved in different aspects of school life,” Teddy said. Outside of school, he spends a lot of time with his friends or with his little sister and mom. Developing friendships can be difficult in a new school, but staying true to one’s self has the highest promise of success. There are so many opportunities if one is brave enough to go after them.

EXPERIENCE: A PRICELESS COLLECTORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ITEM

FEATURES | September 15, 2017 | The Green Issue

Everyone runs into different and new situations throughout high school and may not have the experience to know what to do; however, its in the journey they learn the most. BRANDEN W. GALLIMORE print director // @brandengal

teacher, a parent, an adult or a senior. These are all types of people that can be reliable sources due to previous experiences. People with experience teach those with a lack of experience in order to help them learn, expand and be better prepared for tasks ahead of them. When high school hits, it is easy to pick out those who lack experience. Whether it is in sports, classes or social life, all new high-schoolers have some type of inexperience, and the quicker the inexperienced students can gain experience, the better off they will be on their journey. There are many different ways to become experienced, but the best way is to keep practicing and working towards goals. A basketball player gets better by constantly shooting shots, a dancer improves by practicing dance moves and a student gets smarter by reading and doing work. Repetition is the best way to learn. Patience is a virtue and being able to use it is a strong attribute for any sequoit to have. There is nothing like high school sports. Friday night football games, basketball and volleyball games against rivals, cheer competitions and any type of athletic contest is fun for all athletes and fans. If a student was asked what their favorite part of high school was, then they might answer playing a sport or going to watch a sporting event. But the changes in athletics from middle school to high school are much more than people may expect. “Playing basketball in middle school for the high school feeder team definitely helped,” senior Alex Larson said. “I had already known most of my teammates.” Chemistry is what some teams may lack between their players. The more teammates play together, the more experienced and comfortable they become with each other. Some athletes are lucky enough to have already played with most of their teammates, making the transition from middle school to high school sports easy. But for those who never played before, the transition may be more difficult. “Knowing how teammates play and already having that chemistry helps out a lot,” Larson said. “But already having friends on the team makes practices and everything more enjoyable.” Playing a sport is one thing, but playing a sport while enjoying it is totally different. The more enjoyable a sport is for an athlete, the more interested they will be and they will play better as well. The best way for an athlete to make the most of their high school experience is to enjoy it. Enjoying a sport may seem as if it is an easy tasks, but when athletes go through an entire day at school, go to practice and then come home to do more school work, sports may appear as if they are more of a job than a passion. When the inexperienced athletes start to realize this, they will start managing their time better and become one of the experienced. In middle school, signing up for the same classes with a best friend guaranteed getting them together, but in high school, it is not the same story. There are many periods of the same classes all with different teachers and students. Not only is new material taught and learned, but meeting new classmates and friends is also a part of the learning experience. One of the main points of learning in high school is not in the classroom; instead, it is making new friends. Everyone has a freedom who their friends are and who they are not.

“I’ve noticed that I am a lot more free,” freshman Michael Lampert said. “It’s like not having someone constantly walking around holding your hand.” Not having a guardian there to guide can be a big change when coming into high school. Along with making new friends, having to get homework together, organized and finished on top of extracurricular activities is something most students have not done completely on their own until high school. Having to do everything on their own for the first time, students may feel overwhelmed with the situation they are dealing with. As time goes on, and students become more experienced, they will figure out the smartest and clearest path toward becoming successful. “The most difficult part was getting used to so many responsibilities,” Lampert said. “Getting everything together and finding my way around was tough.” The group of friends someone hangs out with oftentimes represents who they may become—what his friends do, is what he will do. What his friends want, is what he will want. Not knowing what friend group to be in results from a lack of experience in high school, but being able to pick out the right group from the wrong one is something every student will learn sooner or later. Friends can determine the decisions someone makes, so choosing the right friend group is crucial. “I am friends with a lot of the people that I was friends with in middle school,” sophomore Treshaun Watson said. “But some of them are not as good of friends as they used to be.” Most seniors would agree with the statement that not all friends will stay friends throughout high school, but some realize it early. From the decisions friends are making to how their attitudes are can both be negatives that is not worth it. On top of sports, homework and other activities, the last situation that anyone wants is more stress with relationships. Being able to find strong, positive relationships is a strong asset to have at any point in life, but being able to stay away from sour relationships is what is most difficult. “I have definitely realized who I should hang around with and who I shouldn’t,” Watson said. “It’s not easy to do, but it definitely will help everyone out.” High school is known to be the years of someone’s life where they find out who they really are and they take that into college and the real world. But it almost seems as if those who are supposed to know who they are, what they want to be, and what they want to do really do not know any of that at all. Time flies by, and if students are not prepared, the decisions they choose

JR Johnson

‘‘ IT’S TOO BIG OF A DECISION FOR ME TO ALREADY DECIDE.

TRESHAUN WATSON

will live with them for the rest of their lives and there is no going back. “When people ask me where I want to go and what I want to do, I don’t know what to tell them,” Larson said. “It’s just something I haven’t decided on, just like most seniors.” When choosing a college to go to for the next four years and deciding on a major to pursue for the rest of their lives, seniors have a lot of big decisions on their plate. But the questions “where do you want to go?” and “what do you want to do?” seem to come up more than most would like and, a lot of the time, earlier than necessary. Selecting a college to attend for four years of their lives is hard enough, but having to choose a profession, when the world seems so new, is very rare to find with a high school student. “I’m really not worried about any of that as of right now,” Watson said. “It’s too big of a decision for me to already decide.” Most love being a kid until they hit that point in high school where they are close to not being a kid anymore.

JR Johnson That bittersweet feeling of almost being on their own, but also having so many more responsibilities is what most high school seniors feel. Just like how freshmen are learning more and more about high school everyday, seniors are learning about college and their near future. Those people that say they wished they had played a sport or took a certain class when they were younger but did not are perfect people to go talk with. Soaking in information that may seem repetitive from those with experience is some of the best information given. Finally realizing there are no second chances is important; at one point in life, the hope is to say there are no regrets. Accomplishing goals is a dream of everyone, but some, with experience, obtain these goals earlier and easier than most. Going to high school seems like going to college: taking on new experiences, obstacles and beginnings. Lack of experience is something that everyone has at some point; it is those who want to learn and want to expand themselves that some day turn their lack of it into a genuine version of it.

SPORTS | September 15, 2017 | The Green Issue

SPORTS IN BRIEF SOCCER

FOOTBALL

The boys varsity soccer team is currently holding a 4-3-0 record including a championship title at the Illinois Math and Science Academy. “We have had our good and bad moments,” senior captain Gabriel Tijerina said. “Lately, we’ve been playing really well together and I hope we continue improving as the season goes on.

TENNIS The girls varsity tennis team is lead by senior Kelsey Neville and junior Piper Foote, holding a 5-4-0 record for the season thus far. “The season looks like it will be one of our more dominant seasons,” junior Piper Foote said. “We have lots of talent on the JV and varsity level so we have been able to implement strategy into our gameplay which has helped us to be very successful as a team.”

Jessica Nettgen Senior Hunter Price runs down the field in the season opener against Tremper High School (Kenosha). The game was played at Indian Trail High School in Kenosha, Wis., because Tremper’s field renovations were still not finished. Going into tonight’s away game against Grant, the Sequoits sit at 3-0.

he varsity football team has started off their season strong breaking through to the top ten in the 5a class. The boys swept the scoreboard against Tremper and Wauconda, and stole the lead by one against Woodstock North for a 3-0-0 record. “We have a really good start to our season,” senior John Boyd said. “We have a lot of heart and potential on the team. We just need to get our heads straight and work on our communication.” Matthew Soberano

TENNIS The girls golf team has been having a rough season, yet they had an all-time best score of 194 strokes when they played their match against Grant at Antioch Golf Course. On the other hand, the boys golf team have been doing well with a current record of 4-2-0. Both teams will continue to push forward as there season begins to wind down and they head toward regionals. 26

VOLLEYBALL

Jessica Nettgen

The girls varsity volleyball team started their season holding a 5-2-1 record going into their first Conference match. The girls are lead by captains Brianna Vettese, Katherine Barr, and Grace Weber. The team hopes to accomplish big things for the remainder of the season. “Our team has been bonding really well this year,” senior Brianna Vettese said. “We have a lot of talent on the team as well as leadership on and off the court.”

SEQUOIT SNAPSHOT The varsity field hockey team has been fighting throughout the season, holding a 4-4-1 record. After a tough loss against their rival Lakes, the Sequoits look to jump back on track with a win over Lake Forest Academy on Monday, September 18. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Despite the unfortunate losses, I think this has been our most successful season yet,â&#x20AC;? junior Karina Steitz said. JR Johnson 27

PERSPECTIVES | September 15, 2017 | The Green Issue

WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO

LIVE LIFE ON A STRAIGHT PATH BY DYLAN CZERLANIS as told to diana anghel

often go back to a time when things were simpler, when my only worry revolved around video games. I often reminisce about what it felt like to live life with no responsibilities and have no stress about what will happen. I often remember living with you by my side; your warm motherly embrace being wrapped around my shoulders. Today, I find myself on a straight path led only by my own motivation. It guides me to live a normal life, that of a regular teenage guy that plays hockey and football. When people ask me what the best day of my life was, I tell them about the day my hockey team won a championship. The moment the game ended, the crowd roared wildly while all my teammates were hugging each other. It was like a miracle; we were not in any way predicted to win the game, but it happened. The story of the worst day of my life works in the same mysterious way: it was not supposed to happen. As a freshman, I spent all my time playing video games. It was like a mind game, a mind game that eventually turned into endless hours being spent on the couch living a fictional life. So, when my mom asked if I wanted to watch TV with her, my initial thought was that I would have to give up playing my game. I said no. I have never

changed. As this road goes on, I continue to grow as much as I can. I lost 95 pounds in the past year. I find myself spending more time on the weight deck rather than playing video games. This habit grew out of a necessity to create the best me there is. Physically, I improved myself to be more than I ever thought I would. It’s like a release of emotions every time I hear the weights dropping from my hands. As I felt the anger slipping away during exercise, I realized I had found a replacement for video games, a much better replacement. Although I still occasionally game, the amount of hours I do has decreased greatly. That is due to the amount of resentment I hold myself to when I remember the worst day of my life. As to the mental growth that my straight path encountered, it all comes down to learning to enjoy every moment. You never know when someone or something is going to slip away from you. I taught myself to treat everyone as if it was their last day. That may sound morbid, but truly living by this motto has brought many positives in my life. I always try to be there for those around me, understanding that I don’t always know what they’re struggling with or going through. I make

Losing someone so dear to me gave me an outlook on life that many others do not have. Losing my mom had a great deal to do with me changing my personality. My mindset was completely reversed, going from focusing on what I wanted, to only searching to do what those I love want. I try my best to make those around me happy. I strive to make my mom proud. That is why my academics have become a priority. My school work used to be optional to me, not something that was to be done all the time. Now, it is no longer an option, but instead it is mandatory. No one forces me to do it but myself. I want to become the first of my family to make a successful career. I know I have it in me to accomplish my goals. My ultimate dream: to become an NFL player. As for those who are going through a type of pain that no one understands, I would advise them to just keep going. Just keep going in the same direction until you find your own straight path, not letting yourself get distracted by things life throws at you. Life waits for no one. The sun will always rise each morning, and you’ll never know if it’s the last day for you or for someone else. I would tell them to enjoy every moment,

regretted anything more in my life. That night was the night heaven took her away from me, the worst day I have experienced. I consider both these days to be part of the same journey which led me to where I am today. I do regret things I’ve done, or maybe haven’t done, but at the same time I would never want to go back to the past. Ever since I was little, I taught myself to never let obstacles steer me left or right. No matter how painful and heartbreaking the barrier may be, I will always keep to the same straight path. That doesn’t mean I haven’t

myself look very strong, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have bad moments. Even the strongest people have weak days. Sometimes, little things trigger me and the emotions I try to hide within myself come back in waves, collapsing in my head. I feel lost, as if I have no one that understands the pain I have to live with. At first, I forced myself to pretend that everything was normal, that my life hadn’t changed. That took a toll. A few months later I fell in a dark place, but thankfully it was only a few days until I was able to get back up out of it.

purely because every moment is precious in its own way. I am who I am because of what I’ve been through; that’s something I would never change. Would I go back and relive my experiences? No, and I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone else either. But, in the end, I am thankful I found a way to continue on my straight path, even after losing the most valuable person in my life. I am thankful for everything that has gotten me to where I am today, and maybe one day I will reunite with my angel up above. No road goes straight forever.

JR Johnson 29

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Editor-in-Chief: Jason Wood e-mail: jason.wood@chsd117.org

Media Adviser: Mr. Patrick R. Johnson, MJE e-mail: patrick.johnson@chsd117.org

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