The Tom Tom |October 30, 2018 by Antioch Community High School Tom Tom

THE STUDENT VOICE OF ANTIOCH COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

h t i fa s e o her n o i t i d tra n o i t a z i l a i spec

of volume 57 . issue 2. october 2018 sequoitmedia.com. @achstomtom. @sequoitsports 1133 main street. antioch, illinois. 60002

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NEWS

PERSPECTIVES 04 | EDITORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NOTE 05 | STAFF EDITORIAL 06 | EVERY HERO HAS THEIR SIDEKICK

08 | SEQUOIT TO SEQUOIT 09 | BACK TO BASICS 38 | WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO FAIL A STUDENT

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06 SPORTS

35 | SEQUOIT SNAPSHOT 36 | SPORTS IN BRIEF

THE TOM TOM | 2018-2019

FEATURES

26 | THE LOST GENERATION Self confidence, religion and love are at risk in today’s society. 29 | INVISIBLE CAPES Not all heroes wear capes. Some don’t need powers. Some don’t need costumes. Others don’t even need an alter ego. 32 | PULLING THE PLUG Knowing when to pull out speciaized players in sports is often just as hard as playing the sport itself is.

The Tom Tom is a student-produced magazine that is distributed to students, faculty and staff of Antioch Community High School, as well as the members of the Antioch Community. Members of the Tom Tom staff contribute to sequoitmedia.com, the Sequoit Media website, on a regular basis. The student magazine serves as a public forum and is supported by New Voices legislation in Illinois and policies of Community High School District 117. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of ACHS or D117, nor Antioch Community High School’s faculy, staff or administration. CONTACT INFORMATION Mailing Address: 1133 Main St., Antioch, Ill. 60002 // Phone: 847-395-9433 Website: sequoitmedia.com Email: Staff members may be contacted by using their first name(dot)last name(at)chsd117.org MEMBERSHIP The Tom Tom belongs to the Kettle Moraine Press Association, Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association and Quill & Scroll International Journalism Honor Society. ADVERTISING Businesses and community members may sponsor the Tom Tom if their sponsorships adhere to guidelines. These can be found in the Sequoit Media Lab (room 263) or on our website (sequoitmedia.com). EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emily M. Torres MANAGING EDITORS Diana Anghel Gianna M. Chiappetta PRINT DIRECTOR Benjamin J. Nauman DIGITAL DIRECTORS Alex L. Rapp Karley K. Rogalsk SPECIAL PROJECTS DIRECTORS Jessica J. Nettgen Eleni A. Sakas CREATIVE DIRECTORS Merrick W. Foote

Aliya N. Rhodes ASST. PRINT DIRECTOR Joseph M. Kestian ASST. SPECIAL PROJECTS Avery J. Frasch

ON THE COVER WE’RE MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE. SO IS SHE. SOPHOMORE GRACE ACELLO FINDS HERSELF PARTICIPATING IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES—CHEER AND ART TO NAME A FEW. EACH SHOWCASES A DIFFERENT SIDE TO THE MANY FACES THAT ARE ACELLO.

volume 57 . issue 2. october 2018

SENIOR EDITORS Alexander J. Riedel JUNIOR EDITORAL BOARD Joy L. Crawford Kayla E. Grenke Emily A. Higgins Alex C. Johnson Madisen M. Krapf

Emily Lara Valerie N. Rasmussen Alessia N. Rivera Sarah M. Smith Mollie T. Wagner

Grace A. Rowe Adrian Ruiz Rilee A. Schreiner Matt P. Soberano Kevin E. Tamayo

Sierra M. Ward

Cassidy A. Thomas Katelyn M. Vaskovsky Beatriz C. Warnes Joseph R. Whittall

TOM TOM STAFF Haley M. Aitken Kylar A. Arias Charlotte M. Bongratz Reagan C. Brewer Gavin R. Calabrese Kyle A. Christian Evan M. Day Lena M. DeVore Kara C. Galarneau Julia C. Hackeloer Kaitlyn A. Howe Robbie S. Hulting Izzy J. Hunter Jake T. Ilkka Athan A. Kaliakmanis Sofia C. Klem Avery A. Krizanovic Jacob R. Leitza Madison R. McBride Bridget J. Nauman Alexis N. Olson Brandon R. Pinto Shannon E. Price Maggie M. Quirke Brandon R. Reynolds Jazzmyn J. Roman Valerie Rosek

Walker A. Winkler ADVISER Patrick R. Johnson, MJE SEQUOIT MEDIA TEAM Iwona Awlasewicz, SBN Sarah Ogborn, Sequoia Sam Worden, Finesse ENGLISH DEPARTMENT CHAIR Dee Andershock ACHS ADMINISTRATION Eric Hamilton, Principal Aryan Haren, Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction Scott Leverentz, Assistant Principal for Student Services Steve Schoenfelder, Athletic Director Teri Klobnak, Activities Director Patricia McGuigan, Dean Grant Murray, Dean DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION Jim McKay, Superintendent Brad Hubbard, Asst. Superintendent Brie Cederna, Asst. Superintendent Jennifer Nolde, Asst. Superintendent Ryan Miles, Chief Technology Officer

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. RESPONDING TO THE TOM TOM Letters to the Tom Tom can be submitted through sequoitmedia.com or directly to the adviser’s email. All letters must be signed, must not contain personal attacks against an individual and may be edited. CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS The Tom Tom is committed to seeking the truth, minimizing harm and presenting the most accurate reporting as possible. If you notice any inaccuracies in this or previous issues, please contact the adviser at patrick.johnson@chsd117.org.

EDITOR’S NOTE

A LEGACY CONTINUED Even after great

success there is still time to reflect and improve on future experiences.

EMILY M. TORRES editor-in-chief @emily_marilynnt

uch like high school, journalism is all about finding your place. It’s about finding what you’re interested in and taking that to the next level. Last magazine, I talked about how the staff from five years ago had to restart a legacy. This magazine, continuing my goal to honor the staffs previous to me, the staff from four years ago had to go through and figure out the dynamics of the class. They had to

discover themselves and train the staff in order to truly start and continue the legacy that they were introduced to the year previous. I guess you could say that my staff is a mix of the staffs from four and five years ago. We’re trying to restart a legacy, teach new skills and reteach old ideas and improve the class overall. I think that rebuilding a legacy and finding your place describes my goal for this year. Everyone is trying to show their strengths and growing from their weaknesses. We all know what we have to do this year: almost exactly what the staff did four years ago. We need to figure out where everyone belongs and how everyone works with one another. Journalism is a team sport—sometimes you work alone, other times you’re working with others and learning how to improve. In the Tom Tom, we all work with one another in order to get better. This goes along with finding your place as well because the staff is so diverse. We learn from one another and we improve from one another. The staff from four years ago, had to experience the same things. This year, we’re creating our

own legacy and finding our place, just like them. In that same vein, this magazine is a matter of reflection and perspective. Not just this note, but also with the content that you will be reading. In this magazine, you will find that our staff is starting to fall into place. You will see stories about the Brett Kavanaugh case and how it is affecting society in “Kavanaugh, #MeToo: Politics Vs. Media,” by junior editor Madisen Krapf. Tom Tom staffer Kaitlyn Howe writes about Seasonal Affective Disorder and how it affects people in “Sad to See the Seasons Go” Junior editors Emily Higgins and Mollie Wagner discuss the impact that the Sequoit Sidekicks have had on them. In the first feature of the magazine, Tom Tom staffer Bridget Nauman talks about how this generation has lost some of the basic ideals that were staples of the past generations. Tom Tom staffer Rilee Schreiner writes about what it means to be a hero, even if they don’t have a cape. As always, thank you for reading this magazine—we hope that the stories included in this magazine, where people found their place, allows you to find a place of your own.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH Senior Grace Weber and junior Sierra Siedlecki dance during the fall sports skits on the night of the homecoming parade.

Jessica Nettgen

4 | PERSPECTIVES | October 2018 | The Tom Tom

The girls varsity volleyball team recently ended their season. Read more about how they did this season in “Sports Briefs.”

STAFF EDITORIAL

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE...

> Diana Anghel

With tradition and visibility for all.

pledge allegiance to the Sequoits of Antioch, Ill., and to the tradition for which it stands...

For as long as it has stood, 104 years to be exact, Antioch Community High School has been a place of tradition. It’s an institution that has upheld the same values to this day; however, it seems that in the past 104 years, these values have never been morally challenged. How is it that our tradition is to support one another, yet the same tradition tells us to only support one thing? As a staff, we too have contributed to the problem: we are traditionalists. When it comes to Sequoit sports, the inequality of tradition can be seen from afar. Anyone knows that within the school, football and boys basketball are the most recognized sports. They are the only sports you have to pay to attend. Along with this, they get the biggest fan sections, Cardinal Crazy themes, cheerleaders and they get more advertising than anyone else. Our program has even failed numerous times to provide these “lesser promoted” sports the time, attention and publicity they deserve. We’ve failed tennis. We’ve failed cross country. We’ve failed the marching band. This isn’t news to anybody, but why does everyone seem to be okay with it, even if we are so conscious of it? What puts one sport above the other? Is it the sport itself or the people in it? Is it the financial funds? Or tradition? We think that it’s tradition; it’s always been this way. If football went to state, there would be no state walk. There would probably be a parade. Girls tennis went to state and the doubles team made history. Their state walk comes a week after they had already competed. The boys basketball season has not even started, and yet we already hear

talks about it all over school. Girls cross country just qualified for sectionals and have gotten zero recognition. We want this to change. In order to have a fully supportive school, we cannot put one sport above the other. Athletes should be encouraging one another to be supportive of other sports; at the end of the day, they all have the same symbol on their uniform. The goal is not to compete with Sequoit sports, but to build a support system that sees no limit. Imagine if all football players went to a girls soccer game, just once. Imagine the impact the girls soccer team would feel. Imagine if the golf team actually had a fan section. Imagine if we all supported each other—what a tradition that would be. The truth is that a major reason as to why more people show up to the football and basketball games is because they’re a social event. From our experience, we know that most of the fan section aren’t there to cheer. We’d be surprised if half of the fan section could understand the last play that was made. Even when the stands are packed, the volume of the cheers is far from what it should be. To the fans: your presence isn’t enough. If you’re only there as a social event rather than to actively participate and feel the school spirit, you’re doing it wrong. Realize that it’s not embarrassing to show support, to show you care, to show you are a Sequoit. This goes for every fan and every athlete. To the athletes: if you get a fan section at your games, realize how fortunate you are and don’t take it for granted. Realize that the support you are getting should be returned. If you’re not getting a fan section, change starts with you. Invite other teams; support other teams that are in the same place you are. To everyone: stop following old traditions and start making new ones. ..one community under the Antioch A, indivisible, with tradition and visibility for all.

Jamie Atkinson

EVERY HERO HAS A SIDEKICK A social club inside the school has more of an impact than what one would think.

MOLLIE T. WAGNER junior editor @mollliewagner_

he characteristics of being a hero have been swirling over the minds of hopeless romantic teens that believe Prince Charming is waiting on their fire escape in the middle of a thunderstorm, or the people that are labeled as “senseless dreamers” and spend hours clashing action figures into each other without reconciliation of the outside world--because the pure fantasy of a hero, sidekick and fairytale is all the more fulfilling than the reality that not all heroes wear capes. I have always been the hopeless romantic. The senseless dreamer, a small girl with tight blonde curls that could sit and talk to the wall for all she cared, anything beat silence; but nothing beat the bright and belligerent imagination stemmed in someone under five foot that couldn’t even tie her own shoes. I grew up alongside an imaginary friend, her curls loose and red, freckles far and wide, but she was just like me. She was my sidekick in the faulty superhero stories I created when I couldn’t sleep. As I got older, my fantasies became smaller. The princess castle I used to reside in when I opened my eyes slowly began to droop, my pink dream journal became tattered and filled, without a page to spare. I can’t remember the last time I saw the redhead girl, nor did I know that would be the last time, but she remained the focal point in the peak of my imagination.

6 | PERSPECTIVES | October 2018 | The Tom Tom

She was open and understanding, a friendship that I was unable to match for the majority of my life, up until I walked into a program that changed my perception on life entirely. It was a colder part in my life, or so I remember. Someone close to me had introduced this new idea of friendship, and I was quick to react in the excitement of joining a club that I knew little to nothing about. To say being apart of Sequoit Sidekicks is one of the most eye opening experiences of my life--that would be an understatement. It was walking into a room full of big smiles and bright ideas. It was high fives, learning names and giving hugs. The greatest part of it all; every single Sidekick, was their own hero. The first thing I noticed in these kids was the resemblance to the small girl with red hair. It was immediate comfort, acceptance and happiness that oozed out of the room and it was almost overwhelming—but in a good way. Everyone wanted to be everyone’s friend, the hero to everyone’s sidekick and vice versa. I joined this program at the beginning of my sophomore year, and have made lifelong friends because of it. I got to watch and participate in different activities with the Sidekicks that have not only changed my life, but theirs as well. Watching the growth in the Sidekicks and the buddies, like myself, is mindblowing to see in just one year. The beauty within every single person apart of this program opened my eyes to the little things. How much I love pink sparkly barrettes because my favorite Sidekick wears them with her ponytail, how cool it is to watch someone play basketball in a wheelchair and how fast every single person in the gym shot out of their seats when they made a basket. Being able to take into consideration the hardships that this program faces on a daily basis, and being able to put a spotlight on it in a positive way, was never something I wrote in my dream journal, but became a dream come true. I will always consider myself a Sidekick to these heroes who have utterly changed my perspective on life. Not all heroes wear capes, stand on your fire escape in the pouring rain, or have red curly hair, but the real heroes change your mindset, help you see clearer and all around make you a better person.

SIDEKICKS ARE MY HEROES EMILY A. HIGGINS junior editor @emilyhiiggiiins

hen you have a sibling that is labeled as different in the eyes of society, all you think about is making sure they feel “normal.” But feeling accepted and feeling comfortable are two different things. At a first glance, you see a boy with blue sticks that are always accessible and within teach. Occasionally,

Kaylee Schreiner

you might see him wear shorts, revealing what looks like hard plastic socks. Since we were young, it seemed like society viewed him nothing more than a disability. Society saw a blue placard in all of the cars, but my family saw it as a straight path to our destination and less of a chance for him to slip on the hard black asphalt. Other people might see an elevator with an out of service sign, while I am wondering how the both of us are going to climb up a flight of stairs together. Some might see him walking down the halls, but I can’t help but recognize his frustrated look of carrying his extra large backpack trying to walk through the hallways, attempting not to fall and disrupt the traffic full of students. Despite what everyone might overlook or see on the surface, I see my brother flashing his bright blue crutches and his new custom made mobility-designed reduced plastic orthotics patterned with his favorite sports team. For years he was self conscious of his braces. It did not matter the temperature or season. He always wore his sweatpants—jeans were too tight to fit over his braces, and his lack of coordination and strength in his hand made removing the button another challenge he faced. Little did everyone else know, the kid smiling and giving elbows in replacement of high fives to staff and students down the hallway is not the same kid he was three years ago, thanks to a club within the school: the Sequoit Sidekicks. Without the Sequoit Sidekicks, a program that celebrates one another through field trips, sports and forever friendships, my brother would be sitting at home, waiting for his one and only friend to answer his text. Without the Sidekicks, the genuine smile and confidence you see in the hallway would confine to his small circle of friends and his family. For years, we wanted to make our different lifestyle feel normal in order to help him fit in with everyone

else. We tried clubs and different activities, but his physical difference compared to other kids made him hide to his room, where he was most comfortable. Birthday parties were limited, and there were no such things as sports or sleepovers at my house. Instead of finding friends who would

I WAS ALWAYS ON THE SIDELINES WITH THE SIDEKICKS. I AM A PART OF SOMETHING I HAVEN’T EVER BEEN ABLE TO DO. JUNIOR // DREW HIGGINS

accept him for his differences, he turned to computer programed units, online strangers and virtual sports. When freshman year came around, opportunities for him were limited— until we found that a social club that included other Sequoits and sports, something he always wished he could do. I knew this club would make my families lifelong goal come true. He is finally accepted. He is comfortable. He is himself. We knew this club would be beneficial for his social well being, but we did not realize how much his personality would change for the better. The relationships he formed with the other Sidekicks and buddies evolved this once quiet boy, to a young man accepting who he is. Every person involved in this club makes a connection with each individual inside and outside of the school. My freshman and sophomore years, I decided not to join the Sidekick program, but to watch on the sidelines. I felt like this was his time to hang out with his friends while filling his love for sports, since he has never had a full chance like this before. Through this time, I got to see the buddies and sidekicks be a part of something much bigger through the different events and activities the Sequoit Sidekicks hold. This year, I decided to be a buddy to other students in the club. Watching him and his friends on the sidelines from three years ago, to now being in the club, I have seen everyone’s mindset change, their personalities more defined and grow not only as an athlete, but as the strong individuals they are. This club gives students a chance to be a part of something that they might not of been able to otherwise, and feel comfortable in themselves and in others. They might be labeled as the Sidekicks, but this program and students involved will forever be my heroes.

TALKING VALERIE N. RASMUSSEN junior editor @val0270

SEQUOIT TO SEQUOIT:

TEXTING ALEXANDRA C. JOHNSON junior editor @woahalex2

have grown up in a generation where life has been centered around the small handheld piece of technology that is a cell phone. Most teenagers cannot go more than a couple of hours without looking at their phones to see the newest updates about the world around them. Even though I would like to believe that I am not this type of person and that I could go a whole day without looking at my phone, that would be a lie. I use my phone as a way to show my personality through my text messages. I turn to my phone as a security blanket because when I am texting someone, I can be whoever I want to be. I have the chance to think about what I am going to say before I have to say it and there will not be an incredibly awkward and long pause in the conversation like there is when I am talking on the phone or in person. I can make myself seem more confident through text than I usually can in person. The person I become over text is the person that I wish I could be in real life. It’s the one form of communication that turns me into the person that I know I can be, but I am too afraid to show other people. People ask me all the time if they can call me instead of texting, and most times I turn them down right away. I start to think of everything that will go wrong in the conversation and then all of the sudden I am too anxious to even consider calling them, which leads me to either telling them that I am busy or just not answering the phone all together. I do hope that one day I will get over my anxiousness toward a simple conversation over the phone but for now texting will be my go-to method of communication.

8 | PERSPECTIVES | October 2018 | The Tom Tom

hones have always been one of the easiest ways to communicate and since their original creation,

they have evolved to streamline communication in many different ways. One major use of cell phones is texting, which many people prefer over traditional verbal conversations. However, I have always preferred talking. While emojis can help to show the feeling someone is trying to convey through their words, being able to hear the inflections and change of tone in someone’s voice has always made it easier for me to have a conversation. When I text, it’s very easy for messages to be misconstrued into something that it’s not. By being able to hear someone’s voice, I have the peace of mind knowing without a doubt that we are on the same page. Hearing someone’s voice not only makes it easier for me to understand them, but it also makes the conversation more authentic. I’m not on my phone all the time and because of that, it usually takes me awhile to respond to all of my texts. The long breaks between messages make the entire conversation feel impersonal; many people nowadays text whenever they find themselves with a bit of spare time and when we feel like it. By talking to someone face to face, we are both agreeing to pay attention to and spend a few minutes with each other at that moment, not just haphazardly when we have time. Based on this, I’ve always felt that talking to people is safer and it allows for a real connection, something special shared between two people who truly want to communicate with one another.

BACK TO BASICS

Living a month

without social media brings new experiences and time with loved ones.

AVERY A. KRIZANOVIC tom tom staff @krizanovicavery

ocial media is something that has tremendously affected this generation and something that today’s teenagers can’t go a day without. It has a major impact on the daily lives of all people. Social media is now becoming more relevant in aiding with education in schools, as well as jobs and home life. Nowadays, we can use technology to reduce the amount of paper used. When being used in jobs, social media is heavily used depending on the job that you have. For example, it’s a great way to promote one’s job and what they do. Also, it’s a great way to get information out to people such as new inventions, ideas and events. There are many sites such as Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Pinterest and more that are frequently used for many purposes.

their phones while I could not be on mine. After awhile they would eventually notice and put their phones down. It was nice to be able to hangout with them and talk about things we never get the chance to talk about. We got to laugh and really enjoy each other’s company, instead of being completely distraught by technology.

I recently decided to go a month without social media to see how it would affect my life and my

That feeling eventually got less and less intense and I was able to enjoy life just living in the

surroundings. It was nerve racking, considering the fact that I use social media on a daily basis. After going a month without it, I realized that many things have changed; the first one being the relationships with my friends and family.

moment and being able to notice things going on around me.

My relationship with my family got much stronger. I was able to spend more time and bond with them. Instead of jumping right onto my phone to see what people were posting, I had more time to watch my family’s favorite movies or sing and play music with them. Which is a huge part of my family’s life. “I think that if I put my phone down I would have a lot more fun with my friends,” sophomore Grace Acello said. “I wouldn’t be focusing too much on what’s going on on my phone.” At first, my bond with friends was weird. So many of my friends are addicted to social media that it was hard for me to have them be on

At first, it was very difficult to get away from social media. I felt like I was missing out on all the events going on at my school and with my friends. It was all I could think about for the first week. According to the Odyssey, those who withdraw from social media suffer similar side effects to drug addicts that are withdrawing from an addiction.

My grades and my motivation were two aspects that dramatically changed during the month of being separated from social media. I was able to get my homework done faster because I wasn’t getting a snapchat every minute. My GPA went from a 3.2 to a 3.7 very quickly. I noticed that it made me feel proud and accomplished. Overall, this experience taught me a lot. I think that it is important for kids to know that there’s so much more to life than what’s on our screens. Teenagers today have so much potential and it’s sad to see what phones and social media can do to distract us from all the important things we can accomplish. I challenge a lot of you to just see how quickly things in your life can change. It will be really hard to get away from it for a while, but don’t give in.

NEWS IN BRIEF

FALL CONCERT LEAVES SEQUOITS CONNECTED

he Antioch Community High School choir hosted their annual fall choir concert in the auditorium on Tuesday, October 23. A variety of music, ranging from classical to modern hits, dazzled the packed auditorium of families and friends. “I’ve always been passionate about singing,” junior Marcella Rivera said. “It’s been amazing to connect with people who share those same passions.” Additionally, multiple different sections of the school’s choir program performed at the concert including A cappella, Concert, Madrigal and Jazz choirs. ALEX C. JOHNSON

Alex Johnson

MAKERSPACE OFFERS FRUITFUL EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS Makerspace has been giving students the opportunity to learn how to use Raspberry Pi since October 16. Every Tuesday and Thursday after school in the month of October, students have been able to go into the Makerspace and learn how to program. Junior Emily Taylor frequents the Makerspace often. “The activities are always really enjoyable,” Taylor said. “I go to the Makerspace almost every day.” Raspberry Pi is a small computer that can be plugged into a computer monitor or TV; it allows anyone to learn how to program. Emily Lara

ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE SAVES OVER 600 LIVES Antioch Community High School hosted their annual blood drive through LifeSource, a nonprofit organization devoted to saving lives by organ, tissue and eye donations, on Wednesday, October 24 from 6:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. in the auxiliary gym. According to LifeSource, there are nearly 115,000 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant worldwide and nearly 3,500 of those waiting are here in our community. However, donating is not the only way to contribute towards this mission, online giving or checks create the effect of change in those who need one’s support. EMILY LARA

10 | NEWS | October 2018 | The Tom Tom

KAYLA E. GRENKE

SPORTS COMPLEX HOSTS HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES Halloween Fest 2018 will be taking place on Tuesday, October 30, at the Libertyville Sports Complex. Starting at 5:30 p.m., one can enjoy the family fun event featuring activities such as inflatable games, train rides, costumed characters and other exciting Halloween activities. “I think it sounds like a fun event,” junior Maddy Carpenter said. “My brother would love it.” If one is pre-registered, the individual cost for entry is seven dollars, but ten dollars on the event day. Parents and grandparents may enter for free. VALERIE N. RASSMUSSEN

SEQUOIT SNAPSHOT Physical education teacher Jamie Walton’s advanced fit for life class headed to Hastings Lake to run an annual 5k this past Friday. Before the run even began, the class painted rocks with motivational quotes and advice that they then left along the path as they ran. Walton’s class has been reading “Girl, Wash Your Face.” The motivational rocks were inspired by chapter two of the book. JESSICA J. NETTGEN Jessica Nettgen

| 11

SAD TO SEE THE SEASONS GO an important neurotransmitter involved with mood, and may overproduce melatonin, a hormone that tells the body to sleep. Another reason people may experience SAD is a lack of vitamin D. Vitamin D is related to serotonin activity; therefore, a lack in vitamin D may be associated with significant depression symptoms.

Change of weather, change of clothes, change of mood.

Seasonal Affective Disorder can be felt in many different magnitudes. It is felt by those who were diagnosed with depression, but it is also felt by people who have not been diagnosed with depression. Anyone can sense this mood change.

KAITLYN A. HOWE tom tom staff @_kaitlynhowe_

s October closes in and the weather gets colder day by day, the change in temperature is not only felt physically but also mentally. The change in seasons may bringing about sad and discouraging feelings and is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. Seasonal Affective Disorder (also known as SAD) is a form of depression that comes and goes with the seasons. Although the exactanone exact cause is yet to be pinpointed, biological research gives clues to the true exact origin. According to HelpGuide.org, people with SAD may struggle with regulating serotonin,

S E A S O N A L

A F F E C T I V E

12 | NEWS | October 2018 | The Tom Tom

Lakes Community High School sophomore Sophia Gesmundo has experienced many of the SAD symptoms. “During the time from summer to fall I feel a lot of motivation loss and just all around lethargic,” Gesmundo said. “Which is odd because fall is my favorite season.” Gesmundo has became very aware of her feelings change in feelings during this time of year. While she enjoys apple picking, sipping pumpkin spice lattes and many other fall

activities, she still notices herself feeling tired and discouraged. This mood change can also cause students to feel less social and less willing to go out. “If it’s like cold, rainy, or snowy I like to stay inside with a hot cup of cocoa,”cocao,” junior Tate Baker said. The transition from summer to fall has left many students excited about the new food and activities that come with the arrival of autumn. However, the effects caused by the shift in weather makes it hard for students to actually partake in the activities that they get excited about. These feelings of discouragement and lack of motivation are not only prevalent in those who experience SAD but also those around them. “If me or someone in my family or one of my friends is feeling off or particularly sad or it rubs off on everyone,” Gesmundo said. People’s moods tend to affect others; this can lead to a rapid spread of SAD and its effects. With the commonality and expansion of the disorder, it may seem as though there is no hope. However, there are multiple solutions to help those who deal with SAD. Depending on the severity of Seasonal Affective Disorder and if the patient has been previously diagnosed with depression, the treatments vary. Simple treatments include exercise, a healthy diet and increased time in the sunlight. It is also helpful to reach out to trusted family and friends who are willing to help. Seasonal Affective Disorder at its most severe can be treated with therapy and medication.

D I S O R D E R

Seasonal Affective Disorder can affect any student at any intensity. While the transition from season to season can be a difficult time for some, it is important to learn how to cope with SAD and embrace the new up- andcoming season.

n efforts to adapt to current events, both Antioch and Lakes Community High Schools have added new security to their schools. Community High School District 117 signed a new deal with the Howe Security company. The security team, lead by location manager Mel Steiner, is a constantly growing group of people helping to keep the halls of ACHS safe. “I monitor hallways, retrieve kids from classrooms who are leaving, escort kids from classes,” one of the new security guards who goes by Trent said. “Normal things like locking doors and maintaining safety.” Howe Security is a company from Lake Bluff, Ill., with a primary focus on protecting commercial and financial businesses. A 2010 chart on the company website shows that five percent of businesses helped are educational facilities. This educational section is the lowest percentage listed, below businesses like housewatching and mobile patrol. Howe Security features testimonials on their company website, mentioning well done jobs and good protection. They also promote a set of certifications and qualifying features of the business. “Thanks, as always, for your professional work and our long-time relationship,” the website said. “Lake Forest and Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce approval.”

Deans Pat McGuigan and Grant Murray were the main help to the security team, guiding the guards and helping them find their way around the school. Murray wants the security guards to continue exploring the school during the day to get a better sense of the school environment. “We asked them to spend some time getting to know the building and walking around the building and acclimating,” Murray said. “But you know, just like it is sometimes with a new teacher, you go through training and you roll them out on the first day.” Additionally, the security team is a help in enforcing the dress code and school rules. They have already done so during lunch and passing periods. Murray expects the new security staff to look out for suspicious behaviour and possible hazards. “If they see something that doesn’t seem right, we want them to say something; we want them to air on the side of caution,” Murray said. “If that means telling someone to take their hood down, I’m perfectly fine with that.” District 117 is not the only school district in the area to work with Howe Security. Lake Forest and Warren also have contracts with the company. Sophomore transfer student Christian Aszman also experienced high amounts of security patrolling his old school.

WE’VE TAKEN STEPS TO BE SECURE. DEAN // GRANT MURRAY “They had a security guard pretty much at every intersection at the hallway and each hallway,” Aszman said. “The school was a lot bigger, but there were tons of security guards.” ACHS is falling in line with other schools in the United States by employing an updated security team. A high school in Hackett, Ark., is also going through a transition of security with a representative saying it is a top priority. Both Antioch and Hackett’s representatives echo the importance of school safety and want students to thrive. They want to keep the students who attend school each day safe and make sure that each individual has an opportunity to succeed “I think the more comfortable we are at school, the more likely we are to succeed,” Murray said. “And that’s what we want to try to do.”

SECURITY UPPED AT ACHS

With new problems coming to light, district 117 has taken extra steps toward safety.

JAKE T. ILKKA tom tom staff @19_rocker

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KAVANAUGH, #METOO: POLITICS VS. MEDIA

The current state of Politics causes nationwide attention.

MADISEN M. KRAPF junior editor @madisenkrapf

s social media bleeds into politics, it becomes easier for information to spread like wildfire. Once an idea takes hold on social media, it causes heads to turn and assumptions to be made. Anyone from everyday citizens to those considered higher up in social class can be easily targeted and exposed for millions to witness, including those in the government. One of the most prominent of these in current politics and media is that of the Kavanaugh hearing. On September 14, United States Supreme Court candidate Brett Kavanaugh was accused of sexual assault by former female classmate, psychology professor Christine Blasey Ford, in the early 1980s, when the two were 17 and 15, respectively. Ford claimed that Kavanaugh attempted to remove her clothes and proceeded to put his hand against her mouth as she struggled against him. Ford also added that Kavanaugh was intoxicated at the time. The case went to trial and was broadcast

HE BLAMED ME AND I BELIEVED HIM. TWITTER USER // @JMPALILEO

live over numerous social media outlets. After a decision was made, with 11 votes in favor and ten votes against, it was ruled that Kavanaugh would indeed be granted entry into the United States Supreme Court. This caused a mixture of positive and negative responses in the media which called even more attention to the now globally infamous case. “Everyone all over social media has been talking and debating about this trial,” junior Kara Brooks said. “It seems like a big deal that everyone should learn something from.” Not only did the Kavanaugh trial draw attention to the #MeToo movement, but for a period of time the #WhyIDidntReport was trending on Twitter. The hashtag consists of people’s explanations as to why they did not report their sexual assault experiences as early as possible. It is speculated that the hashtag is a response to #MeToo and highlights that the majority of the time, victims were not capable of reporting their experiences. A common objection of the opposition to the hashtag question what instances of alleged assault could be excused by the lack of timely victim reports. In some cases, there are credible reasons for why reports were delayed. Some examples on Twitter by various victims are as follows: “I was 7,” Twitter user @jmpalileo said. “I didn’t have the language to say what my older half brother was doing, I just knew I didn’t want it. He blamed me and I believed him.” “Because I was 16, because he was popular [and] older, because it was my first sober time, because I was embarrassed,” Twitter user @1woods_chloe7 said. “becauseI had a crush on him for years, because I invited him over, because I didn’t even believe it myself.” The #MeToo movement and Kavanaugh’s circumstances provide evidence on how the dangers of sexual assault are all around us. These dangers have always been present, even though Twitter wasn’t always around to share the news of them.

14 | NEWS | October 2018 | The Tom Tom

LOSING OUR HUMANITIES

Even with STEM

fields growing in prominence, the humanities are still valid career choices.

SHANNON E. PRICE tom tom staff @shan_eileen01

n recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in the types of career fields young people are pursuing. With an increasingly technological society, more high school and university students are going into STEM fields: science, technology, engineering and math. According to Emsi, Illinois universities alone have seen a 36 percent increase in student graduaton with STEM degrees from 2010 to 2016, whereas the number of those graduating with humanities degrees - which includes the arts, English and social studies - decreased by 10 percent in the same period. Fewer teenagers in America are viewing humanities careers as viable options today than they have

in years past, but there are benefits to pursuing them nonetheless.

degree, STEM students are more likely to get and keep a job, as well as get a higher annual salary.

Regardless of what field a student intends to explore, learning some aspect of the humanities can provide a unique and holistic perspective on complex issues. History teacher, Charlie Trout, explains why it is important even for STEM students to have some grasp of the humanities.

Senior Colin Conway discusses how and why he decided to go into music education as opposed to something more firmly rooted in technology.

“I think that [learning about the humanities] makes sense on face value, that you learn more about [the] society around you,” Trout said. “You still operate in this society. We are social beings, so it makes sense that that would benefit people.” Senior Zoë Semersky, despite intending to go into a STEM field, still finds benefit in learning about subjects beyond those pertaining to her scienceoriented major. “The liberal arts education is important because it makes you more well rounded and therefore, a more interesting scientist,” Semersky said. “Then, instead of just focusing purely on science, math, things like that, [you] really go in depth on what you’re trying to discover or talk about because of the humanities aspects.” For many students, societal pressures to make money in their future occupations tend to steer them away from humanities-based career options. A report from the Department of Education states that within the first four years of obtaining their

“I was in a position where I wanted to just go for money, but I wanted to switch because I realized that I actually like what I’m doing,” Conway said. “I think people should go more for passion because they’d enjoy it more in the future. I found what my home is and it’s music.” Society tends to put a strong emphasis on working to make money. However, even though the humanities do not encompass the most economically lucrative occupations, pursuing one’s passions is important for teenagers to consider as they move towards their future beyond high school.

I FOUND WHAT MY HOME IS, AND IT’S MUSIC. SENIOR // COLIN CONWAY

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A CRAZY EVOLUTION Throughout the years, the sequoit superfans have seen lots of change in celebration. what to wear each Friday. He also contacted his friends and they would host tailgates together before the games.

KARA C. GALARNEAU tom tom staff @karag__

he Cardinal Crazies are the purest example of what it is like to have Sequoit spirit. They are the students who inspire others to get involved in school activites in a fun and exciting way. The Crazies organize multiple events and traditions for students to enjoy such as pep rallies, tailgates, themes and chants. These students not only affect the players and other students, but also contribute to the overall community atmosphere of Antioch. “I think the organization, especially spirit wear and tailgates, has been really instrumental in making sure that kids are able to have a lot of spirit and support for their team, school and community appropriately,” English teacher and former Cardinal Crazies co-sponsor Kelly Taylor said. “It’s really made a difference in the Antioch culture.” Taylor has watched the Cardinal Crazies evolve into the organization it is today. But how did the Cardinal Crazies come to be? It is a question that not many students can answer. Antioch Community High School class of 2010 graduate Blake Reed, and a group of his friends decided to form the Cardinal Crazies in 2008. The reason behind their decision shows true Sequoit spirit. “It started because none of us played football,” Reed said. “But we loved sports, so we wanted to be more involved.” Reed would come up with themes and post flyers throughout the school to inform students

Previously, the Cardinal Crazies had no formal leader or organization. In 2013, former Antioch Community High School principal and current assistant superintendent Bradford Hubbard made the decision to meet with the Crazies and establish a more organized system, which included appointing a faculty member to run point on school spirit. “Our hope was to help get more support for our teams,” Hubbard said. “But also ensure that the group was truly respectful, responsible, and proud in its representing of ACHS.” One year later, media teacher, current school spirit coordinator, and sponsor to the Crazies, Patrick Johnson formed the Cardinal Crazies leadership team. Since then, the Crazies have been more organized than ever before. Their access to social media has helped expand the organization greatly. The Crazies leaders share the themes and communicate with all student Crazies through social media. They are able to reach out to more people which leads to more participation and fun for everybody. The original Crazies were students that started a legacy. Ten years later, students continue to participate in the Cardinal Crazy tradition. Current Cardinal Crazy leader, Robert Christiansen, continues to keep this tradition alive. “I hope that the Crazies continue to be leaders of school spirit and they will continue to run as a group that’s passionate about cheering on the Sequoits,” Christiansen said. “Without the Cardinal Crazies there definitely would be less involvement in school pride and spirit.” Thanks to the staff and students involved in the making of the Cardinal Crazies, everyone can experience the Sequoit spirit no matter what activities they do.

16 | LIFESTYLES | October 2018 | The Tom Tom

SAFETY DOESN’T TAKE A HOLIDAY

The constant fear

that comes with the everyday job of keeping people safe.

SARAH M. SMITH junior editor @smsmitty3

eing a member of the military, a police officer or a firefighter comes with many hardships that have large impacts on one’s life. These jobs can take a negative toll on both the person in the force and their families. Be it going through a lot of physical pain due to constant workouts and emergency calls or emotional pain because of everyday worries about safety, a police officer, firefighter or member of the military goes through hard times while working at their jobs. Many families are faced with obstacles and challenges that they need to overcome when a relative is serving in the military or another, domestic, force. A family member may worry about and fear an injury or loss of a loved one while they are on duty. Junior Kacey Meltzer has immediate family members in multiple job departments including paramedic, emergency medical technician, firefighter, chief and correctional officer. Having many family members in many different departments of services makes a difference in the everyday lifestyle of Meltzer. She has developed a love for firefighting and is a cadet for the fire department. Being a cadet has taught her ways of mental toughness and has challenged her mentally and physically. “I always worry about my family when they go to work because each of them are putting their lives on the line when they step in the door of their job,” Meltzer said. “My main concern is their safety. I know that each of them take their job very seriously; however, there is always a fear in the back of my mind that one of them will not come home one day.” As part of the fire department, Meltzer has

Sarah Smith a good understanding of the job and every aspect of it, but for someone who is less involved, it may be much more frightening not knowing what their loved ones are walking into when they go to work.

“We always worry about safety, but we rely on each other and our training to get through any situation we encounter,” Katzenstein said. “My biggest concern while working is that my family is always good and safe. If they are good, I am good.”

Junior Teryn Jones’ father is a firefighter, but she has no interest in pursuing this career herself. Jones’ views of the job differ from those of Meltzer, as their lives are effected differently by the job.

On both sides of the situation, whether one is an officer or a relative, many emotional difficulties are faced and can be overcome with more knowledge of the job and all that comes with it. Being a family member of a worker in the armed forces takes a lot of courage, selflessness, pride and sacrifice. Members of the armed forces often put their lives on the line and need as much support as they can get from their families, no matter the difficulty of handling the situation.

“I wish that their safety wouldn’t be put at risk as much,” Jones said. “I do not have an interest in [this career], people may lash out and blame you and may hurt you, so that doesn’t really interest me.” There is still the fear that something may happen to her father because Jones’ different understandings and thoughts of these careersxcause her to worry about him in a different way than Meltzer. From an opposing view, while on the job as a police officer, one can worry about their family. Sergeant Michael Katzenstein of the Vernon Hills Police Department has a lot of experience on the job but also has constant thoughts about his family and their safety while on the job.

THERE IS ALWAYS A FEAR THAT THEY WON’T COME HOME JUNIOR // KACEY MELTZER

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TOP 8 SCARY HALLOWEEN MOVIES OF ALL TIME

Illustrations by Charlie Bongratz

SCREAM

#1 #4 T

THE SHINING

tephen King is notorious for his horror stories and this movie is no exception. With excellent direction from Stanley Kubrick, this movie displays psychological issues and leaves the audience with many unanswered questions.

FRIDAY THE 13TH

ith direction from the late Wes Craven, this movie is action packed from the start. There is a lot of room for watchers to guess the identity of the killer, similar to a game of Clue.

“I like the plot twists,” sophomore Skye Jackson said. “You think [the killer] is all these different people and then it turns out to be the person you least expect.”

BEETLEJUICE

eetlejuice”: This may not be the creepiest movie but it’s definitely a good movie to get anyone into the Halloween spirit. With direction from Tim Burton, “Beetlejuice” has something for everyone.

#3 T

his is a great Halloween movie for a younger audience or those who don’t enjoy horror movies. Director Henry Selick portrays the story in a unique claymation style and combines the themes of Halloween and Christmas.

HALLOWEEN

his film has no shortage of action. From start to finish director Sean S. Cunningham leaves viewers anxiously waiting for what comes next.“I just really think the motives behind the killer are really interesting,” freshman Logan Van Alstine said. “The personalities of some of the people, while [they] can be dull, they can also tell a story.”

#7 A NIGHTMARE

he “Halloween” series has gone on for decades and it’s no surprise it’s still going. With the killer’s interesting backstory and action shown through the direction of John Carpenter, this movie is extremely captivating.

ON ELM STREET

ightmare on Elm Street”: Everyone has nightmares and these can be some of one’s scariest memories. With Craven’s directing, this film manifests nightmares into real life and there’s no denying that it’s truly terrifying.

18 | LIFESTYLES | October 2018 | The Tom Tom

A NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

his is a great Halloween movie with the perfect storyline for the whole family to enjoy. Director Kenny Ortega takes simple Halloween themes and turns them into a thorough plot perfect for viewers of all ages.

HOCUS POCUS

JAZZMYN J. ROMAN tom tom staff @jazzmynroman

POWERFUL IN PINK as a celebration of breast cancer awareness comes to a close, one mom reflects on her journey.

Grace Rowe

SOFIA C. KLEM tom tom staff @sofia_klem

t was a beautiful September day as Antioch Community High School mom, Lisa Morris, was telling her family about her diagnosis of breast cancer. L. Morris was diagnosed with cancer in 2010; which marked the beginning of her emotional journey. Her family had to stay strong during this process and help their mother with anything they could. Kiara and Robert Morris had to mature and take on more responsibility, being L. Morris’ two oldest children. Thankfully, L. Morris has been breast cancer free for eight years, but the family still is healing. When she found out in nursing school she was very scared, as anyone would be if they had to tell their kids they have cancer. To begin her own personal journey through cancer, L. Morris thought the best first move was to tell her dad. “I told my dad immediately after I found out and he helped me move things forward and get appointments

and pay for opinions, second opinions, doctor after doctor after doctor,” L. Morris said. “We asked if I could wait to have surgery and the doctors said, ‘absolutely not, you have to have it immediately because it is so aggressive.’” L. Morris’ children were very young at the time of their mother’s cancer. R. Morris was 11, K. Morris was eight and Aaron Morris was four, therefore he remembers the least. Since K. Morris was so young, she felt confused about everything that was happening, but was still supportive and gentle towards her mother. L. Morris made it so that her kids couldn’t visit her in the hospital because she didn’t want them to see her sick and worry more than they already were. “It did affect me a lot because I was so young,” K. Morris said. “I didn’t really understand it so as I got older it just kept making me more nervous about the upcoming years because I thought she was going to get breast cancer again.” L. Morris and her family feel extremely lucky for the fact that the doctors successfully removed the cancer through surgery. Convinced by skillful doctors, she chose to have a double mastectomy rather than a single to remove the cancer and eliminate the chance of the cancer spreading to the other breast. If a different choice was made, L. Morris stated she could’ve died at age 40, but thankfully they caught the cancer at the right time when she had the surgery at 37. Before she had the surgery, she was very frightened. L. Morris, her family and the doctors didn’t know if she was going to survive the cancer or not, which made the process all the more traumatic and terrifying. “It was a really sad time and it always makes me upset thinking about it,” R. Morris said. “It taught me that anything could happen to anyone.” The emotional trauma the Morris family went through was rough and will always be in their memory, but luckily the family is healing well from this journey and L. Morris has remained cancer free to this day.

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OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS Experiencing the world beyond the confines of Antioch, Ill., may be as simple

as embarking on a journey to grandmother’s house.

ALEXANDER I. RIEDEL senior editor @RiedelRiedel6

igh school gives students high levels of freedom and introduces them to many new people. Students meet new people through classes, clubs and sports. One way of meeting new people and creating lifelong friendships with memories that tends to float under the radar is Rotary. Rotary is also known as the foreign exchange program at Antioch Community High School. In this program, students choose a country that they would like to visit and are paired with another student from that country who wants to come and visit the United States. After being paired with a “brother” or “sister,” students plan when they will go visit. The American student then lives with the foreign exchange student in their country for several weeks, after which both students come to the U.S. for several weeks. Every pairing is one of a kind, because every pair comes from some place different. For senior Ian Gugel, Rotary changed his life and consumed it in a positive way. Gugel went to Madrid, Spain for five weeks in 2017, followed by a six week stay in America by Gugel’s “brother,” Enrique Baeza. In 2018, Baeza returned to America for another six week stay in Gugel’s home. Rotary allowed Gugel to explore and be exposed to a new culture. It was new to him and something he enjoyed a lot. “I learned the difference in cultures between the U.S. and Spain,” Gugel said. “The everyday life in Spain is very different.” Another example of a unique Rotary experience was that of senior Jena Burton.

20 | LIFESTYLES | October 2018 | The Tom Tom

Burton first experienced Rotary when she decided to go to Pozuelo de Alarcón, which is an outskirt of Madrid, where she stayed with Cristina Agudo. After their time in Madrid, Agudo came to Burton’s house to visit. One thing that Rotary does is give recommended activities for families to do with exchange students. In Burton’s case, they recommended that they take Agudo to Chicago and do fun activities. “We asked what she wanted to do, made a list and just kind of explained everything to her,” Burton said. The Rotary program does have some rules installed in order to keep everyone safe, as well as making the process easy for everyone. For example, Gugel and Baeza had the same school schedule and spent all day together so the process was made simple for the Spaniard; however, they do give the visiting students some freedom to do what they want. “There is a rule that you have to be with the exchange student 90 percent of the time,” Burton said. “But one time she went to a Cubs game without me.” Gugel and Burton are two students who have experience with Rotary. The two have only positive things to say about their experiences but many students cannot relate to them because they have never had the chance. Senior Alexander Keeler, has never had an exchange student but from what he has seen from Baeza and Gugel, he has formed a positive opinion about the Rotary experience. “I would definitely be open to having a foreign exchange student come and even possibly going over to their country,” Keeler said. “It’s one of those things you really can’t experience anywhere else.” Rotary has brought many life changing experiences and long lasting memories for students and is a program that is sometimes overlooked by many. The Rotary club has weekly meetings at the Lodge in downtown Antioch at 7 p.m.

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TRIES: THE FIVE FACTOR DIET BEATRIZ WARNES tom tom staff @bwarnes28

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C H I 22 | LIFESTYLES | October 2018 | The Tom Tom

As District 117 takes steps to ensure the safety of students, choir director Trey Hickey implements a new protocol to keep his classroom.

S A F E For choir students at Antioch, catty attitudes and remarks became an obstacle to overcome, prompting Hickey to address the social aspect of being in a choir.

JOY L. CRAWFORD junior editor @joycrawfordl

ecure, comfortable, protected. When parents send their children to school, they expect the school to make the safety of students a top priority. To ensure that these expectations are met, school officials have taken steps, like hiring new security, in order to keep the staff and students safe at Antioch Community High School. Choir director and fine arts department chair, Trey Hickey, introduced a new philosophy by the name of S.A.F.E. to his students at the beginning of last year. The acronym S.A.F.E. pushes students to create a (S)afe, (A)ttentive (F)amily (E) nvironment in the choir room as well as across the school and community. As students grow older, typically as they enter middle school, drama becomes a bigger part of their lives than before. Unfortunately, not all drama is played out by the time students enter high school.

“In the choir classroom, feeling safe is a must as singing is a very personal act that has to be done together,” Hickey said. “If you feel self-conscious you won’t perform at your best, so implementing this motto has helped enforce that we are all in this together and we need everyone to be at their best.” Repetition is the mother of learning; S.A.F.E. is displayed everyday in the choir room at the top of the agenda reminding students to be kind to one another and embrace the idea of being a family. Senior and A cappella choir veteran Ash Flackus believes that Hickey’s choice to introduce S.A.F.E. and his methods of reinforcing the idea have brought success in giving students some perspective as to how they treat others. “Hickey puts [S.A.F.E.] on the board everyday and that’s one of the first things I see when I walk into choir,” Flackus said. “If we see that in every class, it would remind people [to] be a better person everyday. To try to be better everyday. I think it would really help with the whole state of the school in terms of maybe not clashing as much and getting along.” Perfection is an illusion; every family has disagreements and choir is no different. However,

after choir students began applying S.A.F.E. to their everyday routine, progress has been made in not only their etiquette, but also in their ability to set differences aside during rehearsals for the best of the choir. “I have seen most classes come together as a unit,” Hickey said. “The biggest thing I have seen is students feeling comfortable to show who they really are.” The choir room isn’t the only place that S.A.F.E. can be applied. Students who aren’t involved in extracurricular activities run the risk of feeling excluded and unsafe in school, but if S.A.F.E. is practiced by more students and staff members, those who feel unsafe can find the support they may not know that they needed. Senior Ashutosh Atre has been involved in fine arts all four years and alongside many other fine arts students, also excels in academics. Atre gave his idea to spread S.A.F.E. around the school. “The school as a whole should talk about it, but I feel that it would work better when implemented in groups where people spend lots of time together, like choir, or band or the football team or math team,” Atre said. “I think from there, it will spread through the school a lot easier.” If Atre’s theory is correct, ACHS can reap the benefits in no time.

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T S O C A T A E T TAS sian in s of A e p y t with t n t e n l e a v Differ rants are pre your Restau ounty, which is Lake C e? t favori

JOSEPH M. KESTIAN assistant director @j_kestian9

CHOPSTIX A place that is often missed based on its location is Chopstix in Lindenhurst, Ill. Though it is not a very popular place to eat, it has been one of the restaurants I have come to like in the area. Chopstix is nothing like Asian Harbor or Tsukasa. It doesn’t have flashy Asian culture or the calming music that is heard in restaurants like Asian Harbor. It seems to be more of a place for a quick lunch or dinner, for those who are busy multiple days throughout the week. “Chopstix is a nice restaurant to choose when its a last minute decision to eat chinese,” senior Vincent Roszkowiak said. “It’s quick and cheap when you dine in, so that’s always a plus when choosing a restaurant.” Chopstix does not offer sushi. It is more of a fast food version of chinese food since it has the option for delivery to one’s house. One of my personal favorites is the chicken lo mein with fried rice on the side. What I like about Chopstix is that even though it’s not the nice, fancy, chinese restaurant, it provides a warming feeling when I decide to dine in with my friends or family. The cost is very cheap and the food comes out almost instantly after ordering it.

24 | LIFESTYLES | October 2018 | The Tom Tom

ASIAN HARBOR

hile it might not get the recognition it deserves, Asian Harbor is one of the best restaurants I’ve been to in Antioch. Not only does it provide a calming state to enjoy dinner with family or friends, but the service is exceptional. When ordering my food I realized that the price on the menu was a little expensive but it was well worth the money. Some say that Asian Harbor provides some of the best sushi in the area. Although Asian Harbor is known for their sushi, it’s not for everyone- especially someone like me not being a fan of it. It tends to draw attention to itself by staying relatively on brand by having options that contain the asian culture, but also having options applicable to those who have different tastes. “The sushi has been really good every time I have gone there,” senior Grace Roberts said. “ I don’t really like the sushi from anywhere else because it just doesn’t taste as good as it does from Asian Harbor.” If you’re looking for an Asian restaurant that is close in proximity and tends to be a little expensive, Asian Harbor is the restaurant to choose.

TSUKASA OF TOKYO The famous Tsukasa of Tokyo is located in Vernon Hills, Ill. It is a common attraction for family dinners along with being a place for gathering of friends. One aspect that I had heard of originally was that when preparing food, the chefs cook it right in front of you on the flat top grill. The chefs will take requests along with putting on a show for their audience. When watching, it was more than just a nice dinner with my family, we had to share a table with another family so we got to meet new people throughout our time at dinner. While you enjoy time with your family or friends, you get to speak with new people, making the experience that more enjoyable. “I like the atmosphere that Tsukasa provides,” senior Rachel Ustich said. “I go there with my friends often and the food they serve is amazing in my opinion.” While the food is amazing and worth the money, the time it takes to prepare the food often takes too long. If you’re looking for a reason to dress up and look nice for a night out with your family and friends, then Tsukasa is the way to go.

SCARY STORIES NOT TO TELL IN THE DARK

MADISON R. MCBRIDE tom tom staff @maddieemcbride

he fog rolled in over the graveyard as the clock tower struck midnight. The hair on the back of the young girl’s neck began to stand up as she felt dozens of redrimmed eye staring at her from behind each tombstone. Being able to be scared in a safe space draws hundreds of people into the written world of horror. Well crafted scary stories increase the ability of a reader to be truly terrified without having to experience real danger. There are many elements that are used in order to create a good story. Suspense Building up to the truly terrifying aspects of a story enhances the horror. Drawing in the readers with cliff-hangers and barely tangible clues, without revealing the ultimate ending creates more adrenaline and anticipation. Unpredictability and surprises stay interesting for much longer than predictable, stereotypical stories. When the ending and plot lines aren’t anticipated instantly, the fear of what is to come continues throughout the entire story. “It’s all about suspense,” junior and scary story writer, Grace Nance said. “That makes the climax of the story much more interesting.” The website Cultural Entails for Dark Nights’

Peppermint is Nance’s recommendation for a suspenseful story.

Violence, blood, and injury are unavoidable in the genre of horror but relying too heavily on these et

Characters

Tone

The personalities, reactions, and relationships of characters changes the way readers’ interpret the story.

The atmosphere of the setting and the mood of the characters affects plot events and the feel of the story as a whole.

“It’s important to get interesting characters that have personality and background,” English teacher Audrey Nagel said.

“It’s all about the tone, the atmosphere, the ‘dark and stormy night stuff,’” Nagel said

By having stagnant or stereotypical characters, readers lose their ability to fully submerge themselves into a story. No person fully encompases a singular trope, and by having characters who do that, a story loses all relatability. Relatability overcomes realism in the realm of horror. “Alhough stereotypical tropes are understandable; it’s not realistic,” Nance said. “You don’t fear it as much as something that could seem real, even if it’s out of the realm of possibility.”

Properly setting the mood enhances the readers’ fear and anticipation. A majority of horror stories take place in a dark setting. A number of this type of story are featured in Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark by Alvin Schawrz, many of which take place long after the sun has set. Darkness in the environment makes it easier for dark events, and dark feelings to manifest. “Using different natural elements creates a mood that draws the reader in and makes it more intimidating,” Nance said.

Nance recommends Stephen King’s It for the fully developed and relatable characters. Gore

Aliya rhodes

BEST PART OF A SCARY STORY

The main purpose of a scary story is to provoke an emotional reaction from the readers. One of the most important ways to create these emotional reactions is by changing the natural elements of the story to create and maintain the feeling of horror.

Blood, bone, and pain resulting from violent acts create a more A twitter poll reveals the preference that gruesome story. For teens in ACHS have when reading a scary many, gore is more of The best written scary story. a shock factor than stories can stick with a an actual source of reader for years; words fear. Gore shows what there is to be scared of at of horror tend to stay in one’s mind. When all the direct face value, without the elongated horror of most horrifying elements of horror converge into suspense. one story, the effect can be haunting. Never forget “Gore can work,” Nagel said. “But if it’s just what might be in the dark. excessive gore with no point, it’s not scary.”

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The

Lost

GENERATION Self confidence, religion and love are at risk in today’s society as teens are beginning to simply lose faith.

BRIDGET J. NAUMAN tom tom staff @bridgetnauman7

Photos by Jessica Nettgen

n today’s society, it is very easy to give up and lose faith. Kids often tend to focus on themselves more than others, and this causes the world to be a corrupt place. There is rarely news about good deeds anymore, and more and more people are getting judged based on their beliefs. As the world is changing, so are people’s attitudes and judgments. A question that can only be answered by this generation: Is the world changing for the better or for the worse? In the world today, kids and teens tend to lose faith in themselves, and this may

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cause depression or create an environment of sadness in the world. This is a generation that is scared to fail because they are afraid that they will have a bad reputation follow them due to their failure. This society is strife with brutality and judgement, and every little thing someone does seems to have repercussions in other people’s minds. “Junior year I became really lazy and sad and I was skipping a lot of school,” senior Madelyn Mitchell said. “I gave up on school and myself, but luckily I had a lot of people there for me that helped.” Although a great group of friends can help someone get through anything, people often push their friends away and give up on them. This generation shows little concern for others, and instead tends to pay attention only to their own image. “I think our generation is extremely focused on themselves and also appearances, mainly because of social media,” Mitchell said. “A lot of young girls and boys seek validation from their followers and likes.”

Social media seems to have taken over the world. Teens often lean on social media to make them look better than they actually are and it becomes a popularity contest. Using filters or photoshopping apps create fun but unrealistic looks that are then posted on social media. Looking in the mirror or seeing friends in person exposes everyone to the reality of how people really look, which may not be as flawless as what they see on each other’s Snapchat stories. Social media brings out the narcissistic side of people and it may degrade others self confidence. Teens look through social media and see seemingly perfect figures and some think that is what they have to be, which is an unattainable ideal. Social media might also eliminate our

physical connection to each other as face to face conversations are getting harder to have. This generation may have never learned some valuable skills like talking on the phone, sitting and having a conversation with just one person or how to interact with a group of friends without allowing phones to be a distraction. “I think people look at friends different and evaluate relationships different due to social media,” English teacher Jim Hellen said. “Social media tries to make kids more social, but in actuality it makes kids more introverted and less interconnected.” The world today makes it harder to trust and believe others. With all the tragedies that

have happened in the recent years people are typically more closed off than they used to be, and it is harder to break down their emotional walls. Every move made is a risk taken. When everything can be instantaneously spread on social media for all to see and judge, people have become much more cautious about what they say and do. Friends may see other friends together and get frustrated about being left out of the group. Posts can easily be misinterpreted causing unnecessary conflict between people. This may lead people to give up on one another even faster. Friends often give up and begin to resent one another when bad things happen, because they are scared it will affect their own life. Some people try to avoid face to face

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gatherings entirely so that they are not in any situation that could be perceived as negative to the world since so much of life is captured and shared at such a rapid pace. “When I first came into freshman year, I didn’t have much hope in finding my place,” junior Sara Jilly said. “I came from a small Catholic school with twelve people in my graduating class, so I didn’t know anybody going into high school.” While social media may have allowed someone like Jilly to see what people looked like before starting high school, it may not have portrayed an accurate picture. One place where Jilly and her family used to see people face to face each week was at church. It is becoming difficult to be religious in today’s society for many reasons. The commonality of actively practicing religion is clearly fading in this day and age because teens often do not care enough to put in the effort. Religion used to be the center point of most people’s lives, but as time goes on, people tend to care less and less. “I feel like I have definitely been losing faith in my religion,” Jilly said. “I used to go to church twice a week, and now I go about once a month.” Some people are simply too busy and others may be scared to express their religious beliefs because they are worried about getting judged. Humans often stereotype others based on their beliefs, and this is very ignorant because no one can change what others believe in. People these days talk so much about being tolerant and accepting of all, but that doesn’t always seem to translate to what truly happens. “I think people lose faith in their religion when something traumatic happens,” Mitchell said. “When something catostrophic happens people will either become greatly invested in their religion, or they believe there is nothing to believe in at all anymore.” As the world is changing, so is love. This new world is making many opportunities for finding love but again, people are afraid of getting judged because they are different. A lot of people, especially teens, look to always be in a relationship because they feel more supported with someone by their side. “People feel more confident in a relationship only because someone is always telling you that you are good enough,” Jilly said. “You always have constant support.” In today’s generation, it is very easy to lose faith in most everything. Teens tend to focus on the negative aspects of life instead of the positive, and because of this, people give up on themselves or others. It is up to this generation to change the world for better or for worse.

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capes | 29

Heroes are everywhere, but all too

often they are thought of as being the masked figures who fly around and save the world with great strength, flight, invisibility, time shifting and more; however, those aren’t the heroes that walk this Earth. The Sequoit superheroes’ powers go unnoticed and last far beyond the closing credit scenes of a movie. The impact of these heroes lasts a lifetime.

RILEE A. SCHREINER tom tom staff @rlee06 Photos by Rilee Schreiner

here are stories heard all around the world about people who jump in front of trains to save children or something else equally newsworthy. These stories bring up the question: What about all the everyday heroes? The ones who walk the streets without doing anything other than holding a door for someone. The ones who help the elderly cross the street. The ones who greet everyone with a smile and a compliment. The ones who make it their goal everyday to make someone else’s day just a little bit better. Who are those people? “[An everyday hero is] someone who is there for others without being asked,” physical education teacher Marni Polakow said. “Someone with a positive outlook on life that makes others feel loved and important.” There are often times when people overlook the everyday heroes within their community. These everyday heroes are the ones who are always there no matter the situation, simply trying to lend a helping hand. “An everyday hero is a person who leads by example,” special education teacher Kelly Johnson said. “[They] provide assistance and support anytime a need arises, whether they are asked or not.” Everyday heroes tend to have certain characteristics in common with each other. Although they all look different, these heroes have the same tendencies and inner drive that sets them apart from others. “I think that an everyday hero is a person who selflessly devotes their time and effort in the service of others,” guidance counselor Brett Heintz said. “A hero can also be someone who has overcome a great hardship and kept on moving. I’m happy to say that I know many everyday heroes of each kind.” People go through their days and don’t notice the people that are heavily influencing their lives daily. The everyday heroes in their lives are seen as just another, normal, everyday, social interaction. Because of this, sometimes the hero doesn’t even realize the kind of impact they have on the person, they just consider themselves normal or doing the right thing. “They usually do not do things for accolades, they do things to help and assist because it is the [right] thing to do,” Johnson said. “They do things to make [others’] lives better, not just to make their [own] life better.” As for Heintz, he has a different opinion as to why these

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heroes go unnoticed. “I think for a lot of everyday heroes the goal is almost to go unnoticed,” Heintz said. “I think part of being a hero is to be so without seeking recognition or glory. On the other, less-positive side, perhaps everyday heroes are easily taken for granted.” Lots of people are taught to be kind to others, but the most important people are those who don’t have to be told how to be a good-hearted person. “Many are just being who they were raised to be,” Polakow said. “Most are not going out of their way to act a certain way, they are just being their normal, everyday selves.” Anyone could be an everyday hero. People are often everyday heroes without even noticing. A lot of the time, they do something that to them seems like a normal thing to do, while to someone else it seems kind or special. “Everyday heroes have the potential to help anyone and this could happen either directly or indirectly by inspiring heroic acts,” Heintz said. “One of the great responsibilities of heroes is to inspire others to help.” Everyday heroes are often mistaken for being what students call “fake.” People assume they are just putting on a face or pretend to care, but this usually isn’t the case because these people don’t see themselves

EVERYDAY HEROES HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO HELP ANYONE AND THIS COULD HAPPEN EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY INSPIRING HEROIC ACTS. COUNSELOR // BRETT HEINTZ as being everyday heroes. Many people also overlook teachers as everyday heroes. Some teachers come to school everyday just to inspire students to be better. “I try to inspire my students not only through their health and wellness, but in life as well,” Polakow said. Johnson and Polakow are not the only adults in Antioch Community High School that are everyday heroes to others: counselors, deans and other staff members are too. “Assuming I am one, my job as an everyday hero is to support those around me to the best of my ability,” Heintz said. “This goes far beyond my role as a counselor at ACHS.” Students are just as capable of being everyday heroes as adults. Lots of students feel their acts go unnoticed by teachers at ACHS, but students are the ones that make teachers want to be an everyday hero in the first place. “There are many everyday heroes at the school in every role, including students,” Heintz said. I am inspired every day [by them].” When the signal of the Sequoit A lights up the sky and the shadow of a cape flaps in the wind, a hero comes calling. This person doesn’t arrive to the call of those in need because he or she wants the recognition; rather, this person, the hero, is there to help make the lives of those around him or her better, stronger, more impactful. When that light comes on and the call is heard, these heroes come flying in ready to act no matter what. These heroes are unsung and beloved for all the right reasons.

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the

Pulling Plug Valerie Rosek

In every sport, there are pivotal positions that all teams have, but when that player isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t playing to their caliber, knowing when the right time to take them out is vital for the success of the team.

32 | FEATURES | October 2018 | The Tom Tom

JOEY R. WHITTALL tom tom staff @jrw_14

Coaching sports requires one to know who the right people are to have in the game at every moment. Balancing talent with energy takes almost as much skill and experience for a coach as playing the sport itself does for an athlete. Each sport has specialized positions that few players can fill. In field hockey and soccer, that position is the goalkeeper. In volleyball, the libero fulfills this role. The most prevalent example of specialized positions however, occurs in softball and baseball, where the pitcher has the most unique and specialized job on the team. Of course, even the most elite athletes are human and can make mistakes. That is to be expected in sports. A goalie can misjudge an easy ball, giving up a goal. A libero may miss an easy pass, giving up a point they should have had. A pitcher could misplace the ball, giving up a homerun or a base hit in the process. Every player has bad games sometimes and that’s to be expected in all athletes, from little leaguers to the professionals. There’s nothing wrong with an athlete being a little off their game; that’s what backup players are for. However, when it comes to these specialized positions, there’s a lot more riding on their success. These positions are specific to the sport, unable to be filled by a random player on the bench. Goalies, liberos and pitchers go through their own specific training, rarely doing the same offensive and defensive drills as their teammates, so when it comes time for one of these players not performing to the best of their abilities, it’s not as easy to throw any player into their spot. Coaches have to be a little more lenient with their decision process on whether or not to pull these players, knowing that putting in a replacement may not lead to as much success on the field. “I’ve pulled goalies due to a lack of judgement, a couple bad plays, seeing something that they’re doing consistently wrong or I just see that the goalie has gotten into their own head and their struggling,” math teacher and varsity boys soccer coach Michael McDermott said. “I look at them as a player and as a person, and I look out for their well being.” Being a goalkeeper in soccer is just as much a physical game as it is a mental one. Keepers must have a short memory. If they let in an easy goal, they need to move on and focus on the game in the present, instead of in the past. That can be hard for some players though. This leads to the player getting in their own head, causing them to struggle. It’s hard for the goalie not to put the blame on themselves when something goes wrong. They’re the last line of defense and if they make a critical error, it could completely shift the momentum of the game. Seeing the other goalie waiting to be substituted can be crushing to the keeper, so the words the coach says after the switch are crucial for the pulled keeper’s confidence. “A couple things I could say are ‘you got to have a short term memory,’ ‘everyone has an off day’ or you can even ask them if they’re doing okay personally,” McDermott said. “You can make that connection as both a soccer coach and a life coach.”

Kyle Christian

Of course, soccer is not the only sport with goaltenders. Even with field hockey’s recent successes on the field, there have still been times when the goalies have struggled. “I was pulled from a game one time last year when we were in Saint Louis for a tournament,” senior varsity field hockey goalie Zoё Semersky said. “I believe it was due to the fact that there were too many goals being scored.” Just as in soccer, the feeling of being pulled can be aggravating to goalies but in Semersky’s case, she was able to see the bigger picture. “I was a little upset at first,” Semersky said. “But I realized, for the good of the team, it was probably necessary to have someone else in goal for at time.”

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Jessica Nettgen The parallels between soccer and field hockey continue with how the coach communicates with the benched goalie after the switch. “Same as if I pull any athletes off the field,” varsity field hockey coach and math teacher Terry Dewing said. “If something’s going wrong, you have to explain that to them so they can learn from that situation and hopefully not make the same mistake again.” It’s not only up to the coach to save the confidence of a struggling goalkeeper, the teammates also need to communicate that everything will be alright. “They’re usually saying things along the lines of ‘don’t worry, we got this,’ and ‘we’ll pick it up, we can do this’,” Semersky said. “That makes me feel good about myself.” For Semersky, experiences like the one in Saint Louis have helped her to become the athlete she is today. With six shutouts on the season, Semersky looks back at that game as a big help in getting her to where she is today. In other sports like volleyball, the issues that lead to the special player being pulled aren’t so black and white, and coach’s discretion is a much bigger factor than it is in soccer or field hockey. “Sometimes in a close match, people will go after a certain player who has maybe missed a ball or two,” special education teacher and varsity boys volleyball coach Jamie Atkinson said. “We had

34 | FEATURES | October 2018 | The Tom Tom

another team go after our libero with serves, and the libero got in their head. To keep him from self destructing, I removed the libero during those few points.” Senior libero Nicholas Gagnon has been in this situation before. “All my passes were going over the net, and they weren’t staying on our side,” Gagnon said. “I felt like I let my team down at that point, but it’s not all bad because you know that you have someone that’s there to back you up.” There is no other sport where pulling special players from their position occurs more frequently than baseball and softball. It is rare for a pitcher to go the distance and throw a complete game. Typically, fatigue catches up and forces the coach’s hand but there are other reasons for pulling a pitcher. “I’ve had to pull pitchers both when they’ve been playing well and when they’ve been struggling,” freshman baseball coach and special education teacher Francis Fracek said. “When a pitcher is doing well, you can pull them for confidence reasons, leaving them with something to build off of for their next start. Obviously it’s very common to pull a pitcher when they start to show signs of struggling or the opponent is hitting them pretty well.” Not only is confidence a concern when it comes to leaving pitchers in a game, but the time of year can also play into effect.

“Early on in the season, I don’t like to have the pitchers throw heavily,” Fracek said. “With our program here at Antioch we try to limit our pitchers throughout the season. At the start of the year, our guys aren’t really throwing nearly as much as they are by the end of the year. Our goal is to have them hit their hundred pitch mark by the summer, so as coaches we have to be very cautious with how often we’re throwing them because it can do a lot of damage to their arm if we’re not careful.” Pitchers typically have a much better understanding of the strategy after their time pitching is done. “[When I got pulled] I wasn’t finding the strike zone as much as I usually would,” sophomore pitcher Aidan Trusky said. “I felt angry, but I realized it was better for the team.” Similar issues occur in softball, too. Typically pitchers are pulled after command and speed are lost and they aren’t throwing strikes anymore or they are giving up a lot more contact. Many unlikely trends can arise between sports. When it comes to pulling players from these specialized positions, one trend is very common: Being pulled isn’t solely to benefit the team, it’s to protect the player, too. In every sport, when a player is pulled due to performance issues the coaches keep the confidence and wellbeing of the player in mind. Sometimes, it takes the worst experiences to bring out the best in athletes.

SEQUOIT SNAPSHOT After a successful tennis season for the Sequoits, senior Piper Foote and junior Sierra Ward made a trip downstate to Palatine Ill. to compete for a potential state title. After the first day of competition, the doubles team was able to battle their way into day two in Rolling Meadows, where their historic state run ended. “I was very proud of the girls,” head coach and English teacher Jamie D’Andrea said. “Not only did they qualify for state, but they finished higher than everyone expected them to.” The duo is the first doubles team in Antioch history to make it to day two of the state tournament. D’Andrea’s duo’s state run comes after two seasons of Kelsey Neville medaling at the state tournament—the only Sequoit to ever do so. BRANDON R. PINTO Eleni Sakas

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SPORTS IN BRIEF CROSS COUNTRY

successful weekend at sectionals.

For the first time since 2014, both the girls and the boys varsity cross country teams will be competing at sectionals. After placing in the top six at the IHSA Regionals, both teams have advanced to next week’s sectional at Woodstock North. With top runners junior Charlie Smith and senior Natalie Hill, the teams are set up to have a

“Qualifying for sectionals really boosted our confidence,” senior Noor Abdellatif said. “We are super excited for this weekend and are hoping to accomplish our goals.” However, the season isn’t quiet over yet for some of the Sequoit runners. At this past Saturday’s IHSA Sectionals, the Sequoit boys cross country

team finally broke the top 10 after four of the last five years placing 12th. The team placed 9th overall. Junior Charlie Smith received a third place medal and qualified, for the second year in a row, for next weekend’s IHSA state competition. AVERY J. FRASCH

GOLF The boys and girls golf teams both had an exceptional year. The boys went undefeated. It was also the first boys conference win in 23 years. “It is sad to leave,” senior golfer Karley Rogalski said. “However, I know that the team will be in good hands and they will have another great season next year.” The girls also had a season to remember as they went 4-2 in conference. The two seniors on the team had a great season and the underclassmen will have big shoes to fill for next season. BRANDON R. REYNOLDS Valerie Rosek

FOOTBALL The football team finished with a third undefeated regular season and claimed the Northern Lake County Conference title. The 9-0 Sequoits are looking to make it deep into this year’s playoffs, already with a 49-0 win over the Reavis Rams this past Saturday. The program is ready to make a name for themselves throughout the state. Round two of the playoffs will be hosted at home this Saturday at 1 p.m. The opponent: the Sequoit’s crosstown rival Lakes Community High School who beat Belvidere North in their playoff home opener. The last meeting of the two teams this season was the Sequoits’ homecoming game in which the Eagles went home empty-handed and the Sequoits took the Pigskin Classic trophy for the third year in a row. The Sequoits clinched the NLCC title at the homecoming game against Lakes. KEVIN E. TAMAYO

SOCCER From the start of the season, the boys varsity soccer team struggled to pull out wins, but they didn’t lose determination. Throughout the season they built a strong bond despite their record of 3-16-0. “No one is perfect, so we are using the tough moments we had this year as an opportunity to improve,” boys varsity soccer coach Michael McDermott said. The team and coaching staff are looking forward to getting better for the next season. CASSIDY A. THOMAS

36 | SPORTS | October 2018 | The Tom Tom

FIELD HOCKEY The girls varsity field hockey team’s season ended successfully with 9th place overall in the state. Their season was highlighted by beating Lakes Community High School twice, as well as going to St. Louis for a tournament to play against some of the best teams in the state. “I think our season was really good this year,” junior Paige Bolton said. “We really worked together as a team and it showed when we would play hard teams.” KYLE A. CHRISTIAN

VOLLEYBALL Throughout the season, the varsity Sequoits volleyball team experienced many ups and downs. They finished the regular season going 15-19-1, but lost in the first round of regionals,17-14, to the Richmond Burton Rockets. The Sequoits lost the series 2-0 and came close but could not finish. “We could have definitely done better near the end but we played well and worked hard,” Junior Sierra Siedlecki said. ADRIAN RUIZ

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WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO

FAIL A STUDENT BY JACKIE DECARO AS TOLD TO SIERRA WARD

t’s the beginning of a new year teaching AP and regular biology. Maybe this will be the year all my students will try to succeed in class and turn in all their assignments. Maybe this year I will not have to call and email parents, caseworkers and counselors. This year could be the year I do not have to mail notice after notice to students’ homes in an attempt to make a student understand, to make them care. Deep down, I know that I am not that lucky and not everyone in school cares about their grades. They think they can get by without doing any work. I do not know who put that in their mind or how they continue to have that mentality going into their junior year of high school, but it amazes me with every student.

Each assignment I give comes back blank. That is if the kid is even in class. There has been no improvement whatsoever, no increase in effort. I asked the student to stay after class and talk to me; they just nodded as I spoke, looking bored. I had to contact the parents. Countless emails and phone calls have been shared between the parents, the student and I, but the parents have been unsuccessful in making the missing assignments appear on my desk. After talking to the student more and more often, I can tell there is no motivation to make a change. Each conversation is met with promises for improvement, but those are empty promises; there’s nothing I can do if there isn’t any motivation for change.

When I assigned the first homework assignment I was lucky enough to have every student turn it in on time. That’s a great start to the year. The second assignment had the same results. This is going well. One student forgot the third assignment. It’s one worksheet, one night. It will be fine. They can turn it in late. Two students forgot the fourth, including the one who forgot the third. That means the student has turned in 50 percent of the homework. I keep telling myself homework is a small percentage of a student’s total grade. The tests, quizzes, and projects will improve their grade. There’s no need for concern yet. The ‘F’ can easily be raised.

Second progress report. The grade is still slipping, I can’t even keep track of the missing assignments. The zeros in the grade book keep piling up and my stomach aches every time I have to add to the list. The grade is continuously getting lower. The lower the grade gets and the more time progresses, it becomes more difficult to fix. An after school meeting with the parents has resulted in no change. Going to parents has not helped in the slightest; talks with the student have had no effect. Next step is contacting a counselor. Maybe this will be the person that will get through to them. I am starting to feel depleted. I do not know if their mind is ever going to change. The stubbornness of some students amazes me. Why would they not want to do

The first progress report is today and the same student never got their grade up from before.

38 | PERSPECTIVES | October 2018 | The Tom Tom

well? Especially when they see how many people are trying incredibly hard to help them succeed. After talking with the counselor, I feel a little better. I know I have tried everything to get this student where they need to be. I know the counselor will try their best as well. I know everyone that needs to be contacted has been contacted and every opportunity that could be given was given. I tried everything I could to improve the grade. I tried everything I could to help them succeed, or at least pass. The student knows the material; their test and quiz scores are at least passing, sometimes exceeding passing. There is potential there and that is what hurts me the most. The only factor holding them back is effort. They are smart enough. All I need is for them to care. It is nearing the end of the semester; the only grade left to go in the gradebook is the final exam and it is not weighted enough to get the final grade up to passing. They have one more day to turn in any missing assignments from the last unit. Sadly, I know it will not happen; my hopes are not high and my expectations are at the floor. After the final, I will have to submit the final failing grade. That is my least favorite thing. I know that I have tried everything in my power to help and there is absolutely nothing more I could have done, but the disappointment in myself as I submit the final grade is extreme. All I can do is hope I do not have to do this again. I hate it. I have failed a student and I have failed myself.

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