, S A W T D A N H A W AT IS BE L H L I W AT W H W The Student Voice of Antioch Community High School
Volume 53, Issue 2 12.12.2014 www.sequoitmedia.com
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Tom Tom
12 December 2014
Contents
Vol. 53 No. 2
ON THE COVER
AS,D W T WHAAT IS ANBE WHAT WILL WH The Student Voice of Antioch Community High School
NEWS 8 HEROES
Who does ACHS look up to?
11 SEXISM
Where it was, what has it become and what it will turn into.
LIFESTYLES 15 TECHNOLOGY The changes technology brought to the classroom and what it will contuine to change.
18 CELEBRITIES
The style of the time changes with them.
20 FINE ARTS
SPORTS 24 GAME ON
The musical “The Music Man” will return to ACHS in the spring of 2015.
Although ACHS provides many athletic options, some wish to have more.
24 RELATIONSHIPS
28 RIVALS
How the meaning of a high school relationship evolved.
Surprisingly, LCHS and ACHS have not been rivals for very long.
Volume 53, Issue 2 12.12.2014 www.sequoitmedia.com
From left to right: Freshman Nathaniel Baldwin, Sophmore Matt Rowe, Junior Ben Hermes, Senior Matt Stiglic. They are replicationg the Charles Darwin evolution photo and represent the past, present and future of ACHS.
EDITOR’S NOTE
REFLECTING ON THE PAST TO MOVE FORWARD TO THE FUTURE
The future comes with the incorporation of new features that will enhance readers’ experiences. MARINA PALMIERI Editor-in-Chief
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ith a century down and hundreds of years to go, students of Antioch Community High School and members of the Antioch community know how important it is to reminisce on the past to be successful in the future. One of the Tom Tom’s main focuses is and always will be telling the history of the school: the past, the present and the future. We, as a staff, believe it is important to
the TOM TOM staff
2014-2015
Marina Palmieri Editor-in-Chief
Madelyn Chassay Mr. Patrick Johnson, CJE Senior Editor Adviser
Arlenne Lozano Managing Editor
Nicholas Dorosan Kyle Heywood Digital Director Creative Director
Kristina Esdale Clay Vesser Johnny Horton Advertising Director Asst. Digital Director Photo Editor Madison Paddock Nathan Borries Lifestyles Editor Sports Editor
Madelynn Soberano News Editor
TOM TOM STAFF Lauren Ponzetti Alex Ruano Jessica Guzman Paige Gruber Chris Bedolla
Dan Meade Shannon Zogran Brianna Linco Jordan Staten Nathaniel Alexander
Theodore Martinek Yasmin Lara Abby Pierce Nathan Formella Shane Sorensen
Mission Statement
Letters to the Editor
The Tom Tom provides fair and balanced news reporting for the Lake County area. The Tom Tom is a student-run news organization that serves the Antioch community through a quarterly print news magazine and daily online content. It is our duty to encourage the involvement of town activities and sporting events. The Tom Tom is an open forum publication and strives to inform, educate and improve the atmosphere and student body here at Antioch Community High School.
Letters to the editor must be signed and should not exceed 250 words in length. Those wishing to withhold his or her name must still sign the letter for the Tom Tom office purposes. No more than two signatures can represent a letter. Unsigned letters will not be printed. The Tom Tom staff reserves the right to edit lengthy material or withhold the publication of any letters.
learn and celebrate the Antioch community’s and ACHS’s rich history. However, it is equally important to look forward to the future—where community members, ACHS staff, my fellow peers and I want our town and our school to be in the next five, 10 and even 100 years. To me, the past is fascinating. I love learning about what student life was like at ACHS when my parents, aunts and uncles attended the school. I love learning about what is the same and what is different. The contents of this issue focus in on what the town of Antioch and ACHS were like so many years ago, while discussing how far we came as a school and as a community in the present. We discussed topics such as fashion, famous Sequoits, rules and even the evolution of the ACHS/Lakes rivalry. A large part of the future is the incorporation of new technology into everyday life, including into the Tom Tom. We started with the transition and expansion from a traditional newspaper to a glossy newsmagazine and informative website. In our last issue, QR codes were included on almost every page for readers to scan on their cell phones and read even more of the Tom Tom’s latest news, perspectives, lifestyles and sports stories. In this issue, as the Tom Tom reflects on the past, discusses the present and shares hopes for the future, we added another innovative piece to our magazine to enhance readers’ experience: “The Augmented Reality,” available through the app Aurasma. We hope that the addition of augmented reality improves your reading experience as you uncover the past, present and future. After downloading the Aurasma app, a whole new world of experiences is open to the reader. This innovative new feature allows the reader to hold their phone over a part of the magazine page and have another story or graphic pop up on their screen, many of which come from our school’s past. We plan to continue using and adding different features in each issue in hopes of enhancing our interactions and communications with our readers, including members of the community, students and teachers. Download Aurasma. Time travel back to the past to experience and reminisce the older life of our former Sequoits and Antioch community. TT
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hink about this: Superfan Stan lands his first job sophomore year and is required to fill out a W-4 form, but does not know how to because he didn't take Life Resource Management yet. Senior year, Stan is saving for college and now needs to keep track of the balance on his account; he just finished LRM, so he knows how to do it. It's ten years after high school and a button falls from Stan's shirt, but because Stan took LRM, he knows how to sew it back. Over the years, LRM became enthralled in a school-wide culture war because students and staff continue to debate whether or not the class is really necessary. This war-like debate derives from the frustration many LRM students feel they encounter through the course of taking the semester-long class; students often feel that LRM is not vital enough to the district and benefits them in little to no way. However, LRM teaches students life skills such as how to sew a pillow, write out a check, pay for college, write a thank you letter and balance an account. So, is LRM really necessary? Of course it is. Like any class, there are drawbacks to it, but maybe that means what was taught in the past and in the present may need an update to accommodate the growing needs of our students as they enter the real world. LRM guides students to the correct path of knowledge for their futures. Although, while it has much to offer, is all of it really necessary? Granted, a student will need to know how to properly fill out a check for future scenarios, but it's less likely that a student will really find a vital situation to where he or she will need to sew a pillow or apply solemn memorization from the excessive repetition of worksheets that cover the same topic. A drawback of LRM lies on the staggering dilemma of finding a balance and priority on what should be taught, how often it should be taught and what should be left out of the teacher's agenda. There are three other classes besides LRM that also guarantee the Consumer Education credit required for graduation and the required Consumer Education class for the state of Illinois: Advanced Placement (AP) Economics, Introduction to Business and Consumer Education. The multiple offerings seemingly confuse students as to what option is the best for them to select for their schedules. In the past and present, many students often took a wrong route in choosing their CE class. There are always students who personally believe and find LRM to be very enjoyable, and then there are also students who believe the complete opposite. Every class is not the same, just like how every student isn't the same. Each CE class is assessed and
Graphic by Shane Sorensen
taught in a different manner, just like how every student likes to learn in a different manner. "What often happens is that students choose the 'wrong' class and find themselves disliking the one they are in. Some like more hands-on learning, some like to be on the computer more often. When a student who likes to learn by using a computer takes LRM, he or she is going could feel disappointed," said Consumer Education teacher Marcia Zboril. "I love the challenge of every class and every student. Every year is completely different; every student is completely different. Different in a good way, though. This is the era of technology, but we don't want our students relying on it that they don't know how to get things done, and that's why each class and teacher is different." The difference between CE classes falls under the distinction of courses that are computer-driven project-based learning, like Consumer Ed. and Intro. to Business, and classes that are grounded more in hands-on project based learning and worksheets, like LRM. Consumer Ed. and Intro. to Business provide students with an experience that is driven by authentic real-life situations. LRM touches briefly on hands-on situations, but connects its students more with worksheets. "People have come to thank us," said LRM and foods teacher Caitlin O'Grady. "Not everyone's parent, grandpa, aunt, uncle or whoever are available all the time to teach this. Not everyone has that opportunity to teach them so that's why at school [LRM] should be taught and required. Some of the parents came up to me at teacher conferences and said 'wow, I'm glad that my child has someone teaching them this because I sure don't know how to.'" We, as a staff, support LRM and other CE classes; it is a grand opportunity that young adults, district-wide should take advantage of because it can help them succeed in the future. Like every class, this one in particular shares its flaws. However, this one is vital and can benefit students by preparing them for adulthood, or in adult talk, "the real world." LRM is vital because it teaches students life skills that an English, social studies, gym or science class could not do. Of course, every student won't find themselves feeling benefited in the moment, but LRM will treat them well in the future, which is approaching faster than ever before. Perhaps with a few tweaks in the agenda and lesson plans, LRM could one day be a class that all students are sure to enjoy. LRM always was part of District 117's past, currently part of its present and should remain for its future. TT
THE CENTENNIAL SEQUOIA
BUY YOUR YEARBOOK TODAY ($37) JOSTONS.COM/YEARBOOKS
From family businesses to worldwide franchises, Antioch mas some changes in recent years. NATHAN FORMELLA Tom Tom Staff
PAST
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he town of Antioch was founded over 150 years ago. It is an old, yet small, cozy town. Antioch today came a very long way and now has all sorts of new stores and restaurants, but what was here before they all arrived? Antioch used to be a town with many small, family owned businesses. There was a small store called Ben Franklin, located where Hannah’s most recently inhabited. Ben Franklin had a variety of candies and a quaint snack bar where people could sit down and have a quick bite to eat. Antioch Community High School ILC Clerk and Antioch native Kathleen Stewart said, “I loved going [to Ben Franklin] to get bubble gum.” The Jewel Osco was originally located where Mexican Paradise is today. It was there for a long time until it was burned down by a fire. Jewel then ended up moving to its current location, but before it moved, there was a hotdog place called Don’s drive-in located in that area. It was a successful restaurant until Jewel took over. Stewart said, “That [Don’s drive-in] was always a hopping place, until the new Jewel was built in that area.” None of these businesses are still here today due to all of the big new franchises and stores that are currently in Antioch. “All of these new franchises have put many small family businesses out of business throughout Antioch,” said Stewart.
to perfect,” as they each represent a step away from the traditional mom-and-pop shops Antioch was always known for. Some places in Antioch were recently updated or are in the progress of being updated. The town seems to be growing more and more as new renovations are made to places. The Antioch Aqua Center was a huge project that was finished in time for summer 2013, and the pool is looking better than ever with a new and improved facility. The McDonald’s was also recently updated, and both the Dairy Queen and Antioch Theatre are currently under construction. The McDonald’s exterior was remodeled and the Dairy Queen and Antioch Theatre are both having major improvements and renovations made. “They are expanding [Dairy Queen] a bit and then they are also going to be putting in public bathrooms,” said junior Amanda England. The Antioch Theatre is under new ownership and is adding a digital system, new screens, more chairs, a new outdoor facade and signage and a new fire system. The Antioch Theatre was going to be forced to close because of all the new movies being changed to digital and not having money to support the rapid evolution, but the town was able to raise $83,501, according to Kickstarter, to save it through a Kickstarter campaign. The Antioch Theatre is a historic piece of the town and will continue to stand as it will receive the improvements it needs to continue to entertain the people of Antioch.
“When I was younger I used to go there a lot, so I think it’s really cool that they were able to save it,” said senior Melissa Nettgan. “It’ll be good for the town and give younger kids an opportunity to enjoy the theatre.”
FUTURE
What is in store for the future of Antioch? There is a rumor going around that Antioch will be getting a Starbucks. In the October issue of the Tom Tom, that question was unable to be answered. Whether this is true or not, a Starbucks would be nice for the town. Teachers and students at ACHS seem to be pretty fond of the idea of having a Starbucks in town. “I would like to see a Starbucks in Antioch because it’s a popular place and I know a lot of people who would appreciate it,” said senior Taylor Schiltz. Teachers agree. “I would love to have a Starbucks close by school as I already go there at least once a day. Also, I think we would see a rise in student performance due to the caffeine,” said math teacher Arnold Glapojone. Starbucks isn’t the only thing students and staff are wanting to see come to the area. A quick sit-down venue is desired. Stewart said, “I would love to see a Panera Bread come to the area.” Whether it’s a Starbucks or Panera Bread, the residents of Antioch are looking for something new and tasty to come to town. TT
PRESENT
Antioch was a small town in the past is now bigger and better. The town now has a number of fast food chains and new stores. Antioch is home to many fast food options such as McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Subway, Jimmy John’s and more. There are also major corporate stores including Walmart, Jewel, Menards, CVS and Walgreens. These places bring added finances and positives to the town, allowing residents many different places to get food and also to do their grocery shopping without ever leaving town. However, each business takes away from the Antioch motto: “close to home, close
Photos by Johnny Horton
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A THOUSAND WORDS BY DANNY MEADE T O M T O M S TA F F
THE
Photo Illustration by Johnny Horton
HEROES OF ACHS
Heroes come in many shapes and sizes, including a multitude of past, present and future military members. 8 Tom Tom 12.12.14
PAST
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ntioch Community High School is the workplace of veterans with many of the security guards being veterans of the United States military. Not only did they protect the nation, but they keep us protected in the school as well. Antioch's very own security guard, Robert Gabriel committed a significant portion of his life into helping Americans feel safe at home. "I didn't join the military, I was drafted. I was the last guy drafted for Vietnam in 1972 on my 19th birthday. But, I was happy now that I look back on it, spending almost 38 years in the Army," said Gabriel. Gabriel accomplished a lot in his 38 years, retiring in 2010 as a Sergeant Major. Since his service, he received multiple medals including the Legion of Merit, which is equivalent to the Medal of Honor. He also grew close with his military brothers over the years and is close with many of them to this day. He credits the military for creating such a strong bond between comrades. "The military is family, and just like in any family, you're going to have your sibling rivalries, disagreements and good and bad moments. But, the gratifying thing is that if you have to go into a combat situation, you know everyone's capabilities and each soldier has each others backs," Gabriel said. Gabriel uses his past experiences to help students decide whether or not they want to join the military. The military world is totally different and should be kept in mind when considering joining. "It's very strict, demanding and hard, but that is what it takes to be the best," said Gabriel. Only the few that are brave and strong enough rise up to the challenge by defending our country and putting their lives on the line. "The military isn't high school; they will bust your chops, you don't get a detention, it is much worse," Gabriel said.
PRESENT
A hero is one who puts their life in harms way to help others. The heroes of Antioch Community High School are always busy defending the country and making sure people are safe here at home. Many students go off to college after high school. They work hard, get a job and ultimately have a family. That wasn't the life that Antioch alumni Moises Teran wanted. Teran and his best friend Chris Baxter are both currently Privates in the Marines and graduates of 2014. "I honestly did not want to go to college and I saw the Marine Corps as a way to bypass that. I did not want to take the route everyone seems to be going to," said Teran. Teran wanted the road less traveled, which was the military life. Although the military career path sounds complicated and hard, it brings people together. It turns family into friends. The soldiers go head first through boot camp and all their
Photo Illustration by Johnny Horton Two thousand-fourteen Antioch Community High School alum Moises Terran and best friend Chris Baxter pose in their United States Marines uniform. Terran and Baxter are newly enlisted Marines as of 2014.
challenges coming out as one. "The Marine Corps is a brotherhood. It's something you can only experience to understand. It's through the hardships we experience together that makes us so tight. When you suffer with someone long enough, that's when you get close to one another," said Baxter. Everything the soldiers do is relatable. They all have each others backs as if they were brothers and understand one another. It's important for each and every soldier to understand one another in battle. The transition between a civilian and a soldier is a very big leap with all the demands. One learns to be the best of the best. Soldiers learn things like commitment, discipline and manners. "You learn how to walk, talk, eat, and breathe as a soldier. I'm not the same person I was three months ago after training. It's a complete transformation. They don't take your personality away, they just make you better," said Baxter. Teran and Baxter are both examples of military strong: disciplined, brave and intelligent.
FUTURE
Every single day soldiers fight for their lives in order for Americans to feel safe going to work, being with their family or going through everyday motions. Although one may not realize it, students walk alongside future soldiers that will be fighting for their lives to protect american citizens one day. Patriotism is one of the many reasons people join the military and that is what one can see at ACHS with some of the students wanting to enlist. "There are many reasons I would like to
join the military, but above all I would like to join in order to make the world a better place," said junior Zach Olson. Olson is looking to become a Marine in the upcoming years and wants to follow this path for at least three years. "I realized I wanted to join in eighth grade when hearing Chris Bedolla talk about his brother in such a positive way," Olson said. Olson realized how big of a role soldiers play and how respected they are. He learned from his peers how so many people are thankful for the military. He feels the military can have many benefits and can teach soldiers a surplus of great qualities to have such as respect and integrity. Senior Morgan Yankee said, "I would suggest others to join. The military teaches people to be selfless. It teaches loyalty and all of these traits are valuable and will help you out in your future lives." Although it's a tough lifestyle, Yankee looks forward to the life as a soldier. Yankee was selected to be part of the U.S. Army All American Marching Band and is performing during the halftime show of the U.S. All American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas on Jan. 3, 2015. "I am looking forward to the experience, the people I'm going to meet and, above all, wearing my country's colors," Yankee said. Becoming a soldier in the military is not like an everyday job. It's not easy and it isn't a job for all people. One has to have great characteristics and much dedication. The military has many benefits in joining and can teach many important life lessons as well. Although it is a very dangerous lifestyle, members of ACHS are proud to be the future of this nation's military and are willing to protect and fight for this country. TT Tom Tom 12.12.14
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THE EVOLUTION OF SEXISM
The stereotypical gender roles of the past progress to offer significant opportunities for social change.
THE PAST
SHANNON ZOGRAN Tom Tom Staff
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tarting young in their lives, women were encouraged to not follow in suit of men. They were given the name “homemakers,” while men were seen as the “breadwinners.” Women were expected to prepare for life after high school differently. Men prepared for the workforce, while women prepared to take care of the house and family. This created the still-relevant concept of inequality between the sexes. “The expectations [of women] were to start and take care of a family. They were taught a lot of domestic skills unlike now, where women are encouraged to get the same education as men today,” said Antioch Community High School social studies department chair Grant Murray. “If we go back to the same era, men were expected to gain job skills to be profitable in a factory or farm. There was no family training for them.” The expectations of the homemaker, in other words the housewife, can be seen in a former club at ACHS. From 1945 to 1977, the group was known as Future Homemakers of America (FHA). At ACHS, FHA consisted of only girls and had a main focus of staying in school, knowing how to prepare for a marriage and knowing how to build a family. The club also focused on the economics of the household, such as spending. At the time, the club was thought to empower women to be independent in their homes. Men were allowed to join, however, it was unusual to see a male in such a group. It was the only organization with the family as its main focus. In the 1970s, Home Economics Related Occupations (HERO) was launched to encourage the FHA to expand their focuses. With HERO and FHA coming together, the club was then able to have a main emphasis on career preparation rather than stay-at-home work. Soon, men were seen joining FHA and HERO. The club actually became empowering rather than telling women to stay home.
PRESENT
To this day, women are still considered sub-par to men. They make up half the United States’ workforce and receive more college and graduate degrees than men. Knowing this, should women be consid-
10 Tom Tom 12.12.14
ered as successful if not more successful than men in general? Just in 2013, on average, every dollar a man made, a woman in the same position made 78 cents. That is a 22 percent wage gap between the sexes. However, even with this large gap, women are continuously moving up in the work force and world. “Women have to work in a middle, lower class society because it is difficult to live off of one income,” said Murray. “I think there is this dichotomy women go through. They can be expected to be successful and be an individual in their job, but also to have and take of their children. To have a job and family goals, they do not always go together.” Women always had different expectations from men, but now they are changing, especially with more women joining the work force. To this day, ACHS still has a variation of FHA. The name and its values changed since it merged with Home Economics Related Occupations (HERO) in the 1970s. FHA/HERO is now known as Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). FCCLA changed from focusing on the housewife and now is accustomed to the description on its website: “FCCLA is a national Career and Technical Student Organization that provides personal growth, leadership development, and career preparation opportunities for students in Family and Consumer Sciences education.” “I think it’s good that women’s [expectations changed]. Women were unhappy with their expectations so they decided to change that [and try] to make themselves equal as men” said junior Kaleigh Miller. FCCLA, which predominantly had female members, now has a large of amount of male members as well. The national organization encourages community services and getting actual jobs in the field of Family and Consumer Sciences. FCCLA focuses more on the economics of living rather than home economics. While men may still have the upper-hand in the workforce, the expectations of men and women continue to change. “I hope we have evolved as a society to accept that primary roles are not set in stone and that we should not pigeon hole women to be exactly what society wants [them] to be, and the same goes to men,” said Murray. “The societal changes have not caught up. Some men are able to do a good job at raising a family, some still probably aren’t. Some still expect men to be the main breadwinner.” Society’s expectations of women changed over time. Hopefully some day, women will be seen in the same light as men and will not have a wage gap or any inequality of that kind.
THE PRESENT THE FUTURE
Graphics by Shannon Zogran
FUTURE
The year is 2014. The United States’ workforce is made up of 50 percent women and 50 percent men. The wage gap is at an all-time high of 28 percent with women making 72 cents for every dollar a man makes. The House of Representatives and the Senate, some of the most important places of power, are made up of a majority of men. There has yet to be a female President. Nothing changed. The year is 2114. The United State’s workforce is made up of 65 percent women and 35 percent men. The wage gap is at an all-time low of three percent with women making one dollar for every 97 cents a man makes. The House of Representatives and the Senate, some of the most important places of power, are made up of a majority of women. Nine females were elected as U.S. President. Between 2014 an 2114, anything could happen and change how women are seen in the workforce. Now, women make up just over half of America’s employees. They are paid less, on average, than men. But, with more and more women going to work, a lot of changes could be predicted for the future. At the same time, little change could also happen.
“I think that [expectations will] generally stay the same but that women will receive a little more respect in the work place as time goes on,” said Miller. Compare the mid-1900s to 2014, and it is clear that women really made a positive impact on their expectations. “I think [the change of expectations and what women do now] is a good thing. I think it will always be a struggle for women. They need to figure out how to balance [being a mother and having a job],” said Murray. “Now there are more women in positions of power. That will continue to effect how society views gender roles. But I really do not know how much more it will change.” Depending on how women step up in the workforce and in positions of power will truly determine if there will be any future changes that could make women be seen as equal to men. Perhaps in 100 years, the pay gap will be non-existent. Perhaps in 100 years, the U.S. will elect at least one female President. Perhaps in 100 years, there won’t be a need for women to have to fight to change people’s expectations of them. TT
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THE HISTORY RULES OF ACHS
Past and present rules of ACHS are bound to shape and create stricter rules in the future for the student body. NATHAN FORMELLA Tom Tom Staff
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ules at Antioch Community High School in the past were not as strict as they are today, but the punishment students received were much harsher. Today if a student gets sent to the dean’s office for failing to follow school policy, a detention or warning is usually the harshest punishment enforced. In the past, however, depending on what the student did, he/she was paddled. Of course, it is crazy to think about physical punishment in today’s world considering the consequences a teacher or dean would receive. Values changed since the old days, and back then, it wasn’t that strange for a student to be hit by a teacher. Former ACHS Principal John Whitehurst said, “Deans and even a few teachers would paddle kids.” In the earlier years at ACHS, no one had cell phones. No one texted, played games or used social media in class because no one had the resources to do so. Technology was very low and students did not have any electronics at all. In the past, schools were stricter, but they also allowed for more freedom at the same time. There was no security, no doors were locked during school hours and there were no cameras watching students’ every move. Students would commonly smoke in the bathrooms between passing periods or just leave school grounds to wander around. “Smoking in the bathrooms was a terrible problem back then. The bathrooms constantly smelled like a smoking room, and teachers had to check bathrooms between classes,” said Whitehurst. “Also, doors were not locked, and security, particularly against external threats, wasn’t as tight.” Rules in the past do not seem to compare to the rules students have today at ACHS and changed drastically.
PRESENT
There were many rule changes within the past few years at Antioch Community High School. The excessive absence rule to prevent students from taking advantage of skipping school to new cell phone policies in the school. The excessive absence rule specifies that after a certain number of days of being absent from school, the student will not be allowed to make up their missed work. Any homework, tests or projects will automatically go into the grade book as a zero until the student returns to school. These sick days became a problem because some students started taking advantage of
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Photo by Shane Sorensen
this right. Students would have their parents call in, and they would be absent for many consecutive days, all while still being given the opportunity to make up their missed work. The big problem was that these students missing weeks of school did not have to make up their work and were still receiving good grades. This was unfair to other students because they were being graded on these assignments while the absent students were not. “We had a student absent (excused) for over 30 days in one semester, but yet still earning ‘A’ and ‘B’ for classes, which is unfair to other students,” dean of students Wilbur Borrero said. In addition to absences, technology expanded drastically within a couple of years. Many students nowadays have smartphones and use them in their classes. No texting during class is one of the rules that many students disobey each day in the classroom. This is a down fall with allowing the use of cell phones in class but cell phones are an essential tool for students and staff to use in school. “The cell phone has become such a valuable tool for the students and staff to use in school,” Borrero said. Teachers sometimes allow students to use their phones to look up the answer to a problem, look up the definition to a word or even take notes off from a website. Smartphones have countless helpful tools and apps and can really improve the work of students and teachers and are a valuable piece of technology in schools today. At ACHS, new rules are being enforced do to the fact of students disobeying rules, such as the excessive absence rule. There are some rules though that were added which benefit
students, such as the use of cell phones being allowed in classes under certain circumstances.
FUTURE
The future will bring many new rules to ACHS. With technology increasing and the generations evolving, ACHS is not sure what rule changes it will see in the future. Borrero believes the rules on technology will keep going back and forth, and there will not be a clear decision as to what the official rules for the school’s future will entail. However, ACHS is looking to increase the usage of technology in classes in the near future. Borrero said, “I believe that the future with phones will continue to be like a revolving door.” Students at ACHS believe cell phones should be allowed in future years. Junior Wali Anjum said, “Cell phones should be allowed in the future at ACHS because they help us as students learn more efficiently.” There are some questions that only the future has an answer for: Will the dress code be altered? Are future rules regarding technology become more strict or liberal? Will students be allowed to go off campus like in past years? Will students’ use of websites such as Sparknotes be banned? Or will the parking pass rules be enforced? Will they change? For right now, there is no clear answer to any of these questions. However, solutions to today’s issues will definitely alter and have an effect on student behavior and expectation. Up until then, the standard for students in regards to appropriate behavior is set high for a reason. The more students abuse school policies, the more current rules will change. TT
TESTING TIME
Changes are being brought upon ACHS as students and staff seek a change to curriculum and standardized testing. NATHAN BORRIES Sports Editor
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Core Standards. These standards focus on students’ skills as opposed to strictly content. Students skills that the CC focuses on, but are not limited to, include critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills. There are specific English Language Arts (ELA) and math standards. The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are to be implemented next,” Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction Aryan Haren said.
tudents learn. Teachers teach. Administrators administrate. But what exactly does that mean? Curriculum is what tells teachers what to teach and how to teach it. Over the years, Antioch Community High School, along with Illinois schools alike, saw changes to their curriculum. It went from federal to state re- PRESENT To go along with curriculum, standardized quirements. It is nearing a nationwide level testing plays a big role for students in high again as Common Core is spreading across America attempting to improve the education school. At ACHS, the most emphasized standardized test has been the ACT. According to of young, hopefuls. In the past, curriculum never played as the ACT, being college ready is receiving a big of a role as it does today. Due to the low 21 or higher. At ACHS, more than half of the numbers of college-bound students in high class of 2015 reached that benchmark. Another opportunity introduced to the school, not many of those students cared or thought of a way to promote a standard that Sequoit student body this school year is the appropriately portrays how a good student new Cum Laude program. This program challenges students to earn 26 credits, to have should be. ACHS social studies teacher Charlie Trout zero suspensions, to volunteer for at least 40 said, “I’m not really sure how many students hours, to have a 95 percent attendance rate, were college bound but it was probably be- pass three capstone classes and to be involved tween 50 to 60 percent. It is usually clear to in at least four extracurricular activities. “I believe this program challenges our stusee who is college bound, but not always.” ACHS students of the past viewed stan- dents to take more rigorous classes and get dardized testing differently as well. Only stu- more involved inside and outside of school. dents who knew they were set on attending Overall, the program raises the bar for expeccollege took standardized tests such as the tations for our students to be well-rounded, successful young adults. ACT and SAT to meaThis program promotes sure their college readiour core beliefs of reness. spect, responsibility and “Since I plan on going pride,” Haren said. to trade school, I don’t Sophomore Maura see the need for everySolano is up to the chalone taking the ACT,” lenge. said junior Tristin Eves. “I think the Cum As time progressed, Laude program is a great so did the number of ARYAN HAREN, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL addition to our school,” ACHS students willing Solano said. “It is going to further their education to help a lot of students after high school. Curin the near future.” riculum began to evolve as well. In 2002, former President George Bush FUTURE With recent changes to curriculum and passed the No Child Left Behind Act in hopes standardized testing, it is hard to predict of setting the benchmark nationwide for children attending school. It included the first where they will take Antioch Community push for standardized testing to assess where High School in the future. However, students recently learned about a new test they will students really were on the IQ scale. The effects of the No Child Left Behind take come spring 2015. It is the Partnership Act are fading away as new benchmarks are for Assessment of Readiness for College and being followed nationally. ACHS is not ex- Careers test (PARCC). It was rumored that the PARCC test will ception as it is adopting Common Core staneventually replace the ACT as the Illinois dards. “The biggest change in curriculum the last state funded standardized test. This brings few years has been the shift to the Common up many concerns. As many students depend
Overall, [Cum Laude] raises the bar for expectations for our students to be well-rounded, successful young adults.
Photo by Shane Sorensen
on the state funded ACT in the spring to send to colleges; they might not be given another chance to test for education after high school. “I do not think the ACT is going away. Currently, the ACT is used for entrance into colleges and universities across the nation. Whether the ACT will be taken during the school day and funded by the state, in the future, is a different question. For this year, juniors will be taking the ACT on March 3rd. Future ACT testing has not been determined,” Haren said. “ If PARCC continues to be the state-mandated test, it will be several years before we know what the scores mean and how to establish college entrance criteria for post-secondary school experiences.” Solano feels otherwise in regards of the ACT disappearing. “I feel like the ACT going away would be a good thing because a test score shouldn’t define how smart you are or what college is right for you. It doesn’t prove how much work and creativity you put into your work,” Solano said. “I wish we had less homework and more projects because it shows how well your work ethic is and how creative you can be.” When it comes to standardized testing and curriculum, much like anything else, as time goes by many aspects change. As people evolve, so does the way that they are taught. However, the importance of both could not be stressed enough for the good of students’ futures all over the country. TT Tom Tom 12.12.14
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. . . Y E O J S I THIS HE IS A FUTURE SEQUOIT. Scan here to see a video about what is driving Joey toward his high school experience. http://goo.gl/XuAxvt
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PAST
Before the age of computers, phones and Internet, people considered technology to be tools such as the steam engine or the car. For entertainment, it was the television that was innovative since Netflix and Hulu had not been thought of yet. These innovative devices are only a small percentage of what technology is. Despite being iPhone-less, the generations of the past did get to experience the beginning of the era of TV and computers. "I remember our first color TV’s. I remember electric typewriters versus the manuals. I remember getting my first computer, which was when I was working at Illinois State University. Technology has grown by leaps and bounds. I got a computer right away," career technology education department chair Donna Corcoran said. Many types of technology have proven themselves to advance society some way in the past, but yet they also have had an everlasting impact on the present.
PRESENT
Graphic by Clay Vesser
INNOVATION DRIVES CHANGE
Technological advances provide society with new ways to entertain, communicate. CLAY VESSER
Assistant Digital Director
E
ach year Apple comes out with a new version of the iPhone, Microsoft a new operating system and Boeing a new type of jet to fly. What hasn’t changed throughout history is the impact technology has on humanity: its past, its present and its future.
Social media seemingly affects nearly everyone in some way and many could not imagine how their lives would be without it. It is used every second, night and day, all around the world. Students at Antioch Community High School are no exception. Sophomore Jourdan Durfee is one student who uses technology to do what he loves. “[I] play video games, watch movies or TV or make and edit gaming videos for YouTube. The whole reason I make videos is because of what I see through the media,” Durfee said. Without technology, Durfee would not be able to do what he does, nor would many others. There would be no phones, computers, Internet, TVs, cars or much of anything without technology and what it created. Smart phones help to keep organized and on task, and they are a great source of entertainment and an easy way to quickly look something up within seconds. Seventy-seven percent of students at ACHS surveyed believe that technology can make life a lot easier and more convenient for its users. Despite the convenience, some feel that the increase leads to pain. “I believe that cyber bullying is an inhumane act that targets innocent victims,” junior Ryan Thorn said. Thorn sees a trend that people are stepping up to the cyber violence in an effort to be better humans. “Hopefully our society can [head] towards a more peaceful direction,” Thorn said. TT
IN THE FUTURE
I think we are going to see all sorts of things, like instead of Skype we are going to have holograms, and I think a lot of the things we saw in movies will come to pass. Donna Corcoran, CTE Department Chair
I think there will be a large boost in virtual reality devices, but I hope someone makes a hover board. Booker Grass, Sophomore
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FUN
WHAT
STUDENTS
DO FOR
Adventure-driven students from the past and present tell their favorite activities both in and out of school. CLAY VESSER
Assistant Digital Director
S
PAST
chool takes up most of the day. However, the majority of a student's time is not just spent in school, but also waking up, getting ready, riding the bus or driving, coming home, doing homework, studying and participating in any after school activities, clubs and sports. While education may be the emphasis of a student's life, it is not the only part. Time is needed to relieve stress, relax and spend time with family and friends.
PRESENT
Sophomore Connor Byczek asked his dad, Mike Byczek, a 1986 ACHS alumnus what he did for fun after school. "My dad told me that when he was in high school, he liked to attend or play sports. He played football but liked to watch the basketball team and he liked to hang out with his friends," Byczek said. In the past, many students chose to watch and/or play sports when not studying, and/or simply enjoy the outdoors and the fresh air while spending time with friends. After school activities also presented an opportunity not only to get a scholarship, or have a sport/club to put on a transcript, but to enjoy being with friends. In the 79th volume of the 1995 Sequoia, class of '98 student Josh Mack said, "I think after-school activities make school worthwhile and fun. Being in basketball is preparing me for my goal of playing college ball.
Photo by Madelynn Soberano Recently, D117 hosted a TedxYouth event that examined where the future will take the members of the community.
FUTURE
Graphic by Clay Vesser In a survey of ACHS students, a majority of students found school to be more important than focusing on one’s social life.
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Technology is considered by nearly everyone to be the main focus of the future. How will this affect future generations of students? Some students believe that technology will be what kids gravitate towards in the future. Education, jobs and entertainment will be run by technology, and therefore, technology will be what kids use to occupy their time inside and outside of school. “I think kids in the future will do more things that involve technology and less social interactions because that’s how kids are becoming now,” junior Adam Regalado said. TT
For many students at Antioch Community High School, there is more to life than school. In a small survey conducted by the Tom Tom, 20 out of 62 students, said that their social life is more important than school. This seems realistic, since many students are on social media all the time not only at home, but in school as well. Senior Morgan Musich said, “I go to cheer practice, and then I come home and eat dinner with my family and then I watch my favorite show, Gossip Girl, with a large bowl of popcorn.” Watching TV and spending time with family is a great way to pass time and relax when not doing homework or studying. Hanging out with friends is also a common after school activity. “The second I get home, I pick up a guitar or find my way to my band mates house. I’ll play for hours a day in the privacy of my home or in our band’s practice spot to write songs or get ready for upcoming shows,” junior Mark Segura said. “Playing guitar and singing allows me to express how I feel in any way I please. All I need are a few hundred dollars for equipment like an amp, pedals and, obviously, a guitar.” For teenagers, like Mark, they occupy time in the present by focusing on the future, which is a great way to spend time and relax when not studying.
#SL@NG IS “THE BEES KNEES” I mean, the kind of words you’re using bruh are just so far out; they’re so fetch, but then again, that’s never going to happen. PAIGE GRUBER Tom Tom Staff
T
he use of informal phrases, more commonly classified as slang, was around for centuries. Whether it’s a new word, or a regular word given a new meaning, slang is modified and adapted over time into a present day format so that people are able to communicate in a more relatable manner.
PAST
It’s not normal to hear a 13 year old boy casually talking to his friends saying “bees knees” or “flim flam,” both of which were some of the many famous slang phrases in the 20’s. So, where do phrases like “phat,” “tubular” or even the infamous “swag” come from? Antioch Community High School art teacher Julie Elver grew up following and speaking slang. Different terms and phrases were commonly used by Elver and during her era; some of the slang faded and new phrases became very common. Elver said, “I think it [slang] starts as a vocabulary among young people and/or hip people. Kind of like a code that only hip, cool young people would understand. As the words get used more and more by older people, mass media and mainstream people, the words get abandoned by the hip, the young and the cool folks. They have to then find some new slang to take its place.” Some of the phrases that Elver heard and spoke around her hip times included, “Put the kibosh on it,” which meant to “stop it.” “Neato” and “nifty” meant “awesome.” “Split” meant “let’s get out of here” or “to leave.” “It’s not my bag” meant “it’s not my thing.” Although these phrases from the past seem strange, the slang that high schoolers use today will seem odd to young adults in the future.
PRESENT
It’s safe to say the evolution from the past as far back as the 20’s or as early as 10 years ago changed dramatically. People nowadays say “bruh” rather than “bro,” “broski” or “brother.” Slang today goes as far as using symbols like the hash-tag, which can now be slipped in front of almost any word; #ThanksTwitter. All it takes is one person to start the trend, then everyone is saying the new word and is glorified on every type of media or even in the chorus of one of Justin Bieber’s songs.
Photo by Paige Gruber It takes a lot to make a word “happen,” as Regina George so kindly reminded audiences around the world in 2004. Each year, new slang terms are adopted and others fall the wayside. If the word is lucky, it will be immortalized in the dictionary, much like the word for 2014, “vape.”
Antioch Community High School junior Collin Lytle believes today’s slang comes from music. Music in today’s generation has a large influence on the public. Terms like “YOLO” meaning “You Only Live Once” or “QOML” which means “Question Of My Life” grew popular and stuck to people are they followed these couple terms in their everyday lives. “Gucci means good. And I think that started from Kanye. A lot of slang comes from rap or possibly just trying to be unique. Idiots mostly, idiots come up with the best stuff,” Lytle said. Abbreviations are also something not seen as often in the past, but rather more in present days. This was a product of texting back when phones didn’t have convenient touch screen keyboards, so it was simply faster to type in “LOL,” “OMG” or “C U L8R” when shooting a casual message to a friend. Though it was not as common to own a smart phone, the era of abbreviations in communication stuck around and continue to create new slang. A more recent example is “right now” which
can be shortened to “RN.” Although the use of slang among high schoolers is in full force, texting abbreviations may disappear with the evolution of smart phones.
FUTURE
Where slang will end up in five, 10 or even 20 years is a mystery. Random words, such as “soap” or even “mother,” could have completely different meanings or connotations. It all depends on the current generation and where they decide to take phrases that are used in everyday life today. Will hashtags still be used? Or will a different symbol like a percentage sign or a tilde take a step up to the plate? As new technology is born, it can be predicted that text abbreviations may die out. With the new swipe addition to smart phones, the ability to type out an entire word instead of its abbreviation will be simpler, faster and easier. Slang is nothing more than a trend, and just like fashion or music, it doesn’t stay the same for too long. Then again, it might just stay forever. TT Tom Tom 12.12.14
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PAST: THE PHASES OF MADONNA
REINVENTING CELEBRITY
“Like A Virgin” (1984) Madonna Photo by Alexis Vetter Miley Cyrus perfoms on a gold truck at her concert in Chicago. Clearly, live performing styles have changed drasticly from what they used to be. Miley continues to shock her audience with her provacative performances.
Many celebrities go through numerous phases of different styles and music. “Vogue” (1990) Madonna
“Music” (2000) Madonna
“MDNA” (2012) Madonna
PAIGE GRUBER Tom Tom Staff
PRESENT
I
t's nearly impossible to predict what kind of fresh news the press will release about celebrities. New faces to stardom appear, new styles become trendy and even celebrities tend to switch up their musical genre, just like how Taylor Swift shifted away from the country genre singing phase to the "Everything Has Changed" pop music. Another popular, present day star who pretty much transformed their entire style is Miley Cyrus. Cyrus was thrust on the silver screen at 11 years old. Now going on 22, her image has evolved from an innocent Disney Channel star to a rebellious adult who, evidently, cut off her long locks and now prances around in a skimpy two piece, rides hot dogs or dances around topless as was the case of her recent “Happland” themed birthday party. Around 2010, Cyrus released Can't Be Tamed, including her first "older" or more mature music video which included lots of leather and provocative dressing. She shed Disney and adults were outraged and wondered where the sweet Hannah Montana went. It is true that she is only human and that growing up is a part of life. However, Cyrus didn't stop there. 2012 was the year she posted a picture on twitter of her iconic topknot, and in her mouth rested a pair of scissors. Fans were confused and some felt upset as a response to this mysterious image, but it's fair enough to say that it was something they later became adjusted to, especially when her album "Bangerz" was released in 2013, as yet another new persona. Cyrus held back nothing in her pop album infused with hip-hop style. She has anthems about rising up like "We Can't Stop" and love songs including "Adore You." Though critics and adults went back and forth on the album, her
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true fans declare it as perfection. Cyrus' new look can be determined as independent yet rebellious and mischievous. After all, she opened up one of her shows sliding down a tongue-shaped slide, wearing an outfit made of fake marijuana leaves. She is not afraid to state her opinions, whether it be on drugs or feminism. "I absolutely love her style now. I think she can doing anything she put her mind to. She would want to do this because she always doing something unexpected and risky," said junior Jaylene Sparks. Evidently, celebrities, like Hannah Montana once said, get the best of both worlds. Or a variety of worlds, for that matter.
FUTURE
A predicament for the future of celebrity phases relies upon the celebrities that are yet to become well-known. Perhaps, bands like the Mowgli's, Terraplane Sun, Mercies, the Black Moods or Poolside will shape a new phase for all celebrities. Artists like Pitbull and Fergie will transition from their classy, polished and spunky fashion to a more alternative, subtle, ripped jeans, Red Hot Chili Peppers t-shirt with a flannel look. Or maybe Ariana Grande will team up with Jared Leto and write a new metal rock one hit wonder. The outcomes and predictions are simply endless. As for the future, it might be that a darker Miley Cyrus is underway. She is collaborating with the psychedelic band the Flaming Lips, and gained inspiration from the punk lead singer of Bikini Kill, Kathleen Hanna. That being said, it would not be a surprise to see a even more insubordinate or punk-rock Cyrus blossom from the creation of her next album. Sparks said, "I couldn't really picture her being punk rock, but I also couldn't picture her not being Hannah Montana." Life goes on and everybody is changing. Nobody is the exact person they were the night before. Through that unpredictable journey, some are lucky enough to find their true selves and for others, it's just another phase. The phases that celebrities go through will never remain in one place, one style, one attitude, one feeling or one lifestyle. TT
PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF MOVIES With more advanced technology and more expierenced actors and directiors, the film industry is rapidly developing. From new cameras and special effects, to new sources for film viewing such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, the film industry is evolving to better the viewing expierence for all. LAUREN PONZETTI Tom Tom Staff
PAST
I
n the golden age of Audrey Hepburn, John Wayne and Judy Garland, movies held a special place in the hearts of Americans. There just seems to be something about older movies that make them favorites. According to Rotten Tomatoes, a movie critique company, the top three on their list of classic movies are as follows: “The Wizard of Oz” (1939) “Citizen Kane” (1941) “Casablanca” (1943) These movies are not considered better than any others. What makes these movies classics is that when the United States was at war, movies were something Americans could rely on to take their minds of the stress in society. According to Film Site, sponsored by AMC, “The world was headed toward rearmament and warfare in the early to mid-1940s, and the movie industry, like every other aspect of life, responded to the national war effort by making movies, producing many war-time favorites, and having stars (and film industry employees) enlist or report for duty.” Using movies as a crutch to fall back on during hard times brought movies that are held close in the heart of many Americans. Although the top classic movies were mostly filmed around the 1940s, the “Top 100 Greatest Movies of All Time,” were not. According to the Internet Movie Database, the first three movies on the list of the “Top 100 Greatest Movies of All Time” are “The Godfather,” “The Shawshank Redemption” and “Schindler’s List.” Movies that are seen as classics or even the greatest movies of all time can change at the drop of a hat, because it is not the quality of the movie that makes it popular, but the affect it has on the hearts of Americans.
PRESENT
At drive-ins, home-theaters and regular cinemas, movies offer fun and relaxing entertainment for all ages. Movies are a popular source of entertainment, but technology, such as Netflix, Redbox and even YouTube, made it easier to watch movies whenever people please. The ability to watch a movie is at a person’s fingertips. The viewing experience is not the only improvement from the films of the past. Now, films provide a unique environment for technology to thrive and change the storyline for the viewer.
The graphics, acting and story all add to the quality of movies. These effects improved greatly from the past and is becoming more spectacular with each film being made with new technology, such as the Dolby Atmos Sound System that brings a more personal sound experience to viewing. According to 4DTV.org, technology even offers viewers a new dimension to experience, such as 4D movies that use physical effects like drops of rain, wind or fog. “I remember when I was a little boy, always looking for the greatest movies and TV shows to watch. But back then it was very hard for me to achieve this goal, I would have to go to numerous TV and movie stores,” Antioch Community High School junior Jake Cloe said. “But then I heard of a magical thing called Netflix. All it took was one month... One month and I was hooked like a big bass floating down the Mississippi river on the biggest shiniest hook you ever seen!” These new technologies also changed the way viewers experience film and television, especially Cloe. “Netflix has changed my life. It has been a big part of my life and it will be for a long time. When I needed somebody or something, Netflix was there. When I was feeling down or blue, Netflix was there. When I was feeling like there was no one else to turn to, Netflix was there,” said Cloe. “Movies are definitely more easy to access using Netflix. All of the best movies are right in front of your eyes! It even shows the movies that are more suitable for your taste of interest! All it takes is a little loading time and WAZZOO! A nice HD movie right in front of your pearly eyes. Netflix is the real MVP and I think anyone can agree on that!”
FUTURE
The year 2015 is a big year for movies: sequels, movies based on novels, fantastic fiction movies, and comedies. According to IMDB, the following movies will be hitting theaters throughout next year.
January : “Selma ,” “Take Boy Nex n 3,” “T t Door” he Februar y: “Out of the D piter Asc ark,” “J ending,” u“Lazaru M a rc h : s” “Cinder ella,” “I “ S e re n a nsurgen ” t,” April: “ Furious 7,” “Pa Mall Co ul Blar p 2,” “C t: hil May: “ The Ave d 44” ngers: A tron,” “P ge itc June: “T h Perfect 2,” “S if Ulp ed 2,” “P aper Tow y” side Out” ns,” “In July: “M inions,” “Pixel,” August: “Pa “ “Sinister The Fantastic n” 2,” “Goo sebumps Four,” Septemb ” er: “The Visit,” “ “Everest” Triple 9 ,” October : “The Wa “Vacation,” “K lk idnap,” Novemb ” er: “Sil ence,” “James “Peanuts Bond 24 ,” ” Decemb er: “Sta r Wars: Awaken The For s,” “Infe ce rno” TT
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Photo from all-comic.com
Fine Arts
OVER A CENTURY
The Antioch Community High School fine arts department has allowed its students to shine through their talents and self expression throughout the history of the school. MADISON PADDOCK AND KRISTINA ESDALE Lifestyles Editor, Advertising Director
PAST
S
elf expression and creativity were important aspects of education for countless years. The main contributor to the self expression of students is the fine arts department, which is a large part of Antioch Community High School’s history. The fine arts department was a part of ACHS for almost as long as the school existed. For many years, the department provided students with the opportunity to express themselves on and off the stage. Throughout ACHS’ past, the program excelled artistically, theatrically and musically. The school put on many performances through the fine arts department, such as band and choir concerts, art showings and theatrical performances, which even included class plays, performed by each grade of students in competition among each other. Specifically, ACHS was and still is known for putting on high quality musicals, such as “Androcles and The Lion,” “Two Crooks and a Lady” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” One of the highlights of ACHS’ production history was the musical “The Music Man” that was performed by fine arts students in 1985. The story of a river town in Iowa during the 1920s, “The Music Man” tells the tale of a salesman who sells musical instruments to the young children in town. “’The Music Man’ is about a con artist named Harold Hill. He sells bands to schools and he comes to a town in Iowa to try and make business,” said drama teacher Wanda Teddy. “There is a connection between Harold Hill and the town librarian, so you’ve got this musical con artist as well as a love story.” The musical revolves around joy, love and humor, and was a huge hit with the community of Antioch as well as the cast and crew of “The Music Man.” “I consider it to be one of the happiest musicals,” said ACHS’ former drama director Ken Smouse.
Photo from the Sequoia, volume 52. Alumni Mike Ocweija, Brendan Hannigan and Dennis Tracy perform as singing school board members of River City in ACHS’ 1985 production of “The Music Man.”
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PAST TEN YEARS OF MUSICALS
2014 “Oklahoma!”
Photo by Samuel Worden Senior Alex Fink, alumna Avery Herbon, alumnus Zac Keller and senior Riley Beckett take the stage for ACHS’s 2014 production of “Oklahoma!” The musical is one of many successful productions by ACHS students.
PRESENT
The tradition of a reputable fine arts department continues to the present days of ACHS; because of the department, students are at no loss of talent and artistic opportunities. Along with the recent additions of orchestra, digital photography and improvisation classes, the fine arts department will continue to impress the community in the spring of 2015 with a remake production of “The Music Man.” Teddy said, “I always want to get bigger and better. [The 2014 spring musical] “Oklahoma!” was classical but country, whereas [“The Music Man”] is classical in the period. There are different styles of dance and bigger dance numbers this year as well. I want to expose the cast to a different style and push everyone to do better and bigger things.” In addition to a new style, different time period and bigger dance numbers, the production will feature younger students who are not yet in high school, who will play band members. Student choreographers will assist English teacher Kelly Taylor in choreographing the dance pieces for the show. Senior fine arts student Abby Shepherd is looking forward to putting together another great production with the rest of the cast. “I think it’s really important to utilize all of our rehearsal time and to continue to push ourselves like we do with every production,” said Shepherd. “I’m really excited to see how this year’s cast works together to create another great show for the school and community.” The entire fine arts department will continue to showcase their talents throughout the school year through concerts, performances and other showings.
FUTURE
As for the future of the fine arts department, ACHS wants nothing but improvement for the program as well as the students. Students involved in the fine arts program are impacted positively and, as the department expands and improves, so will the experience of ACHS students. Senior fine arts student Riley Beckett said, “The fine arts department has a lot to look forward to and a lot of growing coming in the future. The program has already grown so much since since my freshman year. In my opinion, it’s only uphill from here.” Beckett was involved with the fine arts program since his freshman year, and participated in choir, madrigal choir and numerous productions with the theatre department. “The fine arts department has helped me make friends and form relationships. It’s also helped me build confidence,” said Beckett, “I’ve also been provided with amazing opportunities such as going to Disney World, New York City and the Illinois High School Theatre Festival.” The talented and award winning fine arts program will continue to to make changes for the betterment of fine arts students, and the legacy of the ACHS fine arts department will live on. TT
2013 “Legally Blonde The Musical” 2012 “West Side Story” 2011 “Aida” 2010 “42nd Street” 2009 “Guys and Dolls” 2008 “The Sound Of Music” 2007 “Anything Goes” 2006 “Once Upon A Mattress” 2005 “How To Succeed In Business” 2004 “Bye Bye Birdie”
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DANCE, DANCE
Photo from Sequoia,volume 58
The history of the Sequoits is full of twists, bumps and grinds. BRIANNA LINCO Tom Tom Staff
PAST
I
n the younger days of ACHS, students would dance side by side bumping hips or spinning in circles. This style of dance was seen as outrageous to parents of the time. Long dresses, slimming to the body was seen as being seductive to men. As the live band played, students came just to have pure fun, in today’s standards, in a more appropriate manner. History, especially with dance, seemingly repeats itself. According to art teacher Toni Leprich, dance is something that had the power to cause an uproar, but also an opportunity to have fun. “We never really had a DJ come play music for us in the late 70’s. It was always live bands like “Styx” or similar music to Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Beach Boys, etc. It was not the type of music to grind to. You simply just danced with your friends in a line or circle with your hands in the air, jumping around, or bumping hips together. Coming into 1978 or 1979, you would have seen more disco at dances,” said Leprich. “If parents or grandparents saw how we danced they probably would have been outraged, but it was the ‘norm’ to us students. I am sure it is the same for students. At some schools, it was a set number to be a certain distance apart and where your hands had to lay. Each generation has a different aspect about dances. If we had parents chaperones, would the dancing change? For most people, probably not, but I know a lot of students would not attend if their parents were there watching.”
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PRESENT
At Antioch Community High School’s homecoming and turnabout dances, students walk into the doors of the fine arts hallway. Each student is instantly inspected by the chaperones. Many students are asked questions like “How short is that dress? What is in that bottle? What do you have in your purse?” However, students continuously disappoint the chaperones each year because when one mishap occurs, everyone else is stereotyped by that one mistake. However, ACHS is very lenient with the rules following school dances compared to schools surrounding the area. “There have been some schools who give out two different color wrist bands. If one gets taken away, it is a warning. If both get taken away the student would be escorted out of the dance,” student council adviser Laura Tielke said. Tielke has to follow the rules of the school and try to keep the students satisfied for three plus hours. Her goal is to make all school dances memorable for a special purpose. “[School dances] are a lot of fun and it is always a great time when you are with your friends.
The teachers do a pretty good job keeping the dances sane,” senior Dakota Daniels said. Keeping dances sane is one of the hardest parts for teachers and administration. Tielke said, “Some girls look like dogs in heat. It is repulsive. I do not understand how that could be having ‘fun’ at a dance. Girls dancing with girls are never a problem, but as soon as you get a boy and a girl, they take things way too far.” Tielke is unaware how and why grinding began, but she isn’t a fan. “No idea. Maybe a rock star mentioned it and then grinding became a nationwide thing,” said Tielke. Daniels thinks grinding evolved much like any other dance, a change of the times. “If I had to take a guess, grinding probably started in the early 2000’s because of it being a new century, students decided that dances had to take a turn as well,” said Daniels. Leprich believes the change of music style is what drives the transition in dance. “As I’ve witnessed dances over the past years, it is that as the music changes, the dancing
transition in dance. “As I’ve witnessed dances over the past years, it is that as the music changes, the dancing changes; the more seductive dresses girls wear, the more dancing becomes intimate,” Leprich said. “Honors students, my most innocent students, they are all grinding. Grinding is even starting to get junior high schools.” Dances in the present can be seen similarly to an R-rated movie. Students have a hard time drawing the line on how they dance. Students never think about their reputation or the image they are giving other acquaintances attending the dance. Junior high students are also starting to grind due to the influence of their “role models.” Is grinding really how 10, 11 and 12 year olds should be dancing? “Girls are being disrespectful to their bodies. They flaunt what they have because they want to be competitive to all the other girls at the dances. Boys do not respect their girlfriend’s bodies as they are shaking their junk,” said Leprich. “Girl’s dresses move up inch by inch for everyone else to see. If I was a boy, I would want my girlfriend’s body to be private and well clothed because that is not something I want my friends to see.” Teachers and students alike believe there needs to be a line drawn for students and how they define the word “fun.” The only way school dances will change is if the students change the definition themselves. Since dances evolved from concerts and dirty dancing to grinding, what could possibly be next?
FUTURE
So, if grinding could become more sexual, how will students at ACHS feel?
According to a recent survey conducted by the Tom Tom, 20 percent of students at ACHS believe dances will go down hill and will become more intimate as time goes on. Three students wish to see dances going back to the 70’s, with a lot of swing dancing. If dances go in the way of the majority, will students still consider going to school dances? Forty-eight percent of students said they would not attend the school’s dances if they become more intimate, leaving 52 percent being fine with going. However, students also emphasized the fact that if they were not forced by their peers to grind, that they would dance differently and still have a great time. “Dances are so provocative now that I
cannot imagine it getting any worse,” Tielke said. “It is hard for me because being the school council adviser, I have to let it take it’s own course and still try to set some boundaries for students.” It gets to a certain point that as a society, everybody must know the limitations. Grinding at a wedding with mostly family attending is a very inappropriate scene. Dances became overly intimate can cause many problems and accidents. Administration in the future could certainly upset the next teenage generation by either getting rid of dances or draw a line on grinding rules. Dances could be nonexistent from lack of participation if administration sets rules. Grinding already turns away teenagers to even consider showing up. It is
certainly awkward for teachers to approach students as well. Should an English teacher really see their student’s spandex underneath their dress? As a whole, that is what student’s at dances are showing. As a generation, it is important to think about how promoting grinding and twerking could destroy future mindsets. School dances are just the typical norm that the next generation just cannot seem to comprehend. Hopefully, ACHS’s hypothesis changes to something more positive where everyone can have fun and feel comfortable enough to participate. TT
THE EVOLUTION OF A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT
Antioch community experiences push youth to think critically about who they are and who they want to be. ARLENNE LOZANO Managing Editor
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as high school comes around. It’s all natural, it’s an evolution and change in diversity. The century of true freedom and gender equality is here and alive. Females are treated fairly compared to males, if not better. Females are allowed to participate in not only cheer, dance and gymnastics, but also in sports like soccer, basketball, track, cross country, bowling, wrestling, field hockey and tennis. It’s normal and expected that all females attend school to receive an education, instead of staying home. Women and men are taking as many opportunities available and standing out of society with careers and higher educations. With that being possible, there are now an immense amount of advances and resources offered in the world today. Resources and advances include better and more dynamic technology, such as smartphones, tablets, iPod’s, laptops, cameras, holograms, and robots. Today’s world is advancing so quick, diversity seems to expand with it as well.
he history of evolution offers endless opportunities for society today to answer questions about the world’s past times, norms, trends, events and etymology. Jonathan Glover, in past years, such as the 1970’s, females, above both sexes, experienced a time of great despair and inequality. Females were faced with inequality, treated like the under-dog, and were pushed into taking the “woman in the kitchen” role in society. In high schools, even Antioch Community High School, females were only allowed to participate in three sports: cheer, gymnastics and dance. Opportunities were limited to the female population.For males, school wasn’t earned, it was given. Males went to school to receive an eduFUTURE cation, as a way to prepare them Ten years down the road, 10 graduations from for adulthood, so that the wife can now, 10 new additions to Antioch Community do household jobs, such as cookHigh School from today, Antioch will witness a ing, cleaning and taking care of the whole new evolution. New school rules will be imchild, while the husband worked to plemented into the system. Instead of detentions, keep the family stable maybe students will receive a suspension right High school systems in the past were an entirely different world Photo by Jasmine DeLara away. Or maybe the paddle will return to ACHS. Students might respect their teachers obey the than today’s school systems. For The town of Antioch and ACHS will continue to grow, expand rules. After school activities will change from ha rules, students were held to a higher and become more diverse in the future. ing a casual time at home with friends while eating standard because unless they wanted to befriend “the paddle,” a student was expected to behave appro- a Taco Bell burrito to hanging out at the Dunkin’ Donuts by Piggly priately and respect their elders. This had a massive impact on student Wiggly to drink an iced butter pecan coffee, with cream and sugar, behavior. Classes were different because not as many were offered to of course. The future holds so many mysteries and the world will continue students, and, up until ACHS built Lakes Community High School, to grow, expand, and become more diverse. Humans will dare to do class sizes were large, which is why LCHS was built. the impossible and achieve the unexpected. The world has so many innovative ideas that are brought to real life and put into action; it PRESENT Every morning, when people wake up, they are not the same per- expands the opportunities that this world will take advantage of. The son they were the day before. While time changes, so do people. Just Earth’s diversity is in constant growth and the next evolution will be like how middle schoolers have that large and strong bond with their revolutionary. TT friends but then tend to naturally shift in opposite directions as soon Tom Tom 12.12.14
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DATING:
MUTUAL RESPECT OR JUST HOOKING UP?
High school relationships changed immensely since the days of holding doors and going steady. MADISON PADDOCK Lifestyles Editor
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any long for the simplicity of the past. Some dream of a moonlit walk home, sheepishly holding hands for the first time and being walked to the doorstep, with nothing more than a kiss on the cheek to say ‘goodnight.’ Relationships of the past were simple, loving and pure. Deep down, everyone wants to have a fairytale, old-fashioned love and to meet their “high school sweet heart.” Contrary to popular belief, high school sweethearts are not just made up for the movies. Although it may not happen as often anymore, many lucky couples found love when they were just teenagers. Antioch Community High School ILC clerk Kathleen Stewart met the love of her life in high school back in the 1970s, and their old-fashioned love story is that of a fairy tale. “I had absolutely no doubts and I couldn’t wait to be married to my best friend. There was never a time that I doubted that I had made the right choice,” Stewart said. “[On our first date] we went to a pre-sea-
son Bears football game with friends. We had a really great time. It was after about a month of hanging out at school and talking on the phone everyday.” Relationships of the past were pure and innocent, unlike the changed standards of relationships in recent days, where hooking up and sex are what relationships are based upon. Stewart said, “We did a lot with other friends, and totally avoided parties with make-out sessions and alcohol.” Stewart and her husband are still together today and happier than ever. Their love has not died out through the years, and one simply has to wonder what made their relationship so successful. Stewart said, “Decide ahead of time where you want to stand with your relationships. Make wise choices, as the decisions you make can and will effect the rest of your life. Have people in your life hold you accountable to your convictions. If you don’t, you are more than likely going to follow the crowd or the current trend.” Maybe those perfect high school relationships of the past can be attainable in this age with the right amount of respect and wise decisions.
PRESENT
Graphic by Nathan Borries Dating used to consist of milkshakes at diners and a drive-in movie. Many miss the old days and the relationships that came along with them.
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‘Hooking up,’ ‘talking,’ ‘a thing,’ ‘it’s complicated.’ These are all terms used to describe high school relationships in the present. Dating became much more complicated than it ever was in the past. No one ‘goes steady’ anymore and actual dates are few and far between. It is rare that a boy asks a girl out to get ice cream and promises to get her home before dark. More often than not, relationships start and end after one night. Call it a change in values or blame it on technology, old fashioned simple relationships are truly becoming a thing of the past. Many relationships in this day and age revolve much more around sex than they did in the past. “Friends with benefits” and “one night stands” were never a thing back in the day when a couple’s first kiss was still a huge step in their relationship. “I feel really sad about how relationship values have changed so much. There is a lot less emphasis on love and more emphasis on the physical aspects. People don’t take sex as a serious thing anymore,” said junior Jaylene Sparks. The emphasis and the pressure for physical aspects in a relationship
caused a loss of respect in many relationships. People are used, people FUTURE get hurt and people aren’t treated appropriately. Relationships are supThere seems to be a fork in the road, and that the future of relationposed to be about respect and love but many turned into the opposite. ships could go one of two ways. There could continue to be more and Too many people are only in relationships for the physical aspects and more hookups and “friends with benefits” situations, cheating could once they get what they want, they leave. “People nowadays hook up too often and guys just don’t respect girl become socially acceptable and respect could become virtually extinct. Or, older, traditional dating values could make a comeback and the same way they did in the past,” junior Mardochee Kamanga said. help high school relationships imWith this loss of respect comes prove and become more respecta much higher frequency of able again. cheating. If someone doesn’t get There are countless traditions what they want out of a relationand ideals of relationships from ship, they are quick to go and be the past that have went of style. unfaithful to their significant othJunior Mardochee Kamanga KATHLEEN STEWART, ACHS LIBRARIAN er. Cheating became so common thinks respect for your signifiand many blame it on the media’s cant other and their family should glorification of it. come first. Sparks said, “Relationships are Kamanga said, “An old fashioned habit that should be brought back flawed in today’s society because a lot of people don’t take the relationships they’re in seriously anymore. Bad examples in the media is when a guy would ask a girl’s father for permission to date her.” Sparks believes patience is the key. cause people to think that it’s cool and acceptable to cheat.” “I think in today’s relationships people should wait to have sex with It is very true that the media makes cheating seem normal and acsomeone they love, like they did in the past,” said Sparks. ceptable. Popular television shows portray high school and college Maybe traditional dates, bringing flowers to your significant othrelationships as a new hook-up every night, and celebrities are coner, holding the door and having genuine respect for your partner will stantly publicized and getting attention for being unfaithful. “The influence of reality TV makes it look normal to hook-up with make a comeback in the near future. One thing is for sure, it will be very interesting to see what high school relationships will be like anyone after just meeting them,” said ILC clerk Kathleen Stewart. T Whatever the causes or the effects may be, dating is certainly not as when this generation’s children are in high school. T simple or as innocent as it used to be in the past.
“I had absolutely no doubts and I couldn’t wait to be married to my best friend. There was never a time that I doubted that I had made the right choice.”
As seen by students throughout the halls of ACHS, the important part of relationships has become the physical part. Students have abandoned hand holding and have turned to make out sessions in the hallways, yet many want to go back to the old days of bringing the girl flowers and holding hands. Tom Tom 12.12.14
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TIMELESS FASHION MARINA PALMIERI Editor-in-Chief
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PAST
hroughout the past four decades, the world of fashion witnessed an evolution. Every decade, fashion-followers are influenced through what they see and hear in the media. The 70's was a decade made up of bright tones and polyester. For both genders, butterfly collars, platform shoes and tight bell bottom pants were all the rage. The 1970's were not only a time of fashion change, but also a time of cultural and social change. For the first time, women could be seen wearing pants instead of skirts or dresses in everyday life. Women started to dress less conservatively, incorporating high cut boots, low cut pants and miniskirts into their wardrobes for nights at the disco. For men, tight, striped, v-neck velour shirts and floral patterned dress shirts were very popular. As for fashion in sports, men could be seen wearing tennis headbands and different types of shorts than the ones that are worn today. The 1980's fashion trends eliminated certain fads from the 70's and created new ones. Fashion-followers were influenced by trend-setters, such as Michael Jackson, MC Hammer and Madonna. High school hallways were a blur of Chuck Taylor's, neon and acid-washed jeans. Both men and women proudly wore denim jackets in every wash, popped collars, parachute pants and shoulder-padded shirts. Women's closets were full of over-sized tops, skinny jeans, jelly shoes and leg warmers. Transitioning from the 70's, miniskirts were commonly worn, sometimes over a pair of leggings. Accessorizing was a must, with huge earrings, finger-less gloves, fanny packs and scrunchies. Men could be seen wearing pastel colors, Member's Only jackets and loafers. And of course, an icon of the 80's was big hair for women and mullets for men. The 1990's was a transition in the fashion world to grunge. Stores started selling items such as overalls, baggy and ripped jeans, turtlenecks, cargo pants and combat boots. Accessories included chokers, bandannas, backwards caps and chain wallets. Both men and women wore the popular brands of clothing and shoes: Guess, Vans and Airwalk. Stirrup pants and pleated pants were in style for women, while men wore unbuttoned shirts over skate tee's and tanks. A new fad for fashion-followers was body piercings and tattoos, which were not as popular before the 90's. The trends for hairstyles were bleached, crimped and spiked hair.
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ow, it seems as though the hallways of Antioch Community High School are a sea of UGG boots, moccasins, yoga pants and sweatshirts. Brands such as American Eagle, Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch and Victoria's Secret Pink are taking over the world of fashion for young adults. "Girls tend to wear comfy clothes," senior Vanessa Solis said. However, that is not the case for everyone. Like many other high school students, Solis has a signature outfit. "For shirts, I like something with a cool design that sticks out, so the rest can be nonchalant like nice jeans and a pair of flats," Solis said. Junior Ben Hermes also has a go-to outfit he wears to school often. Hermes said, "[I wear] moccasins, jeans from American Eagle, Bibber Box sweater shirts and Marc Jacobs glasses." Trends that recently became popular include high waisted pants and shorts, beanies, leather jackets, knits and patterned leggings. Style always seems to come back, and trends from the 70's, 80's and 90's, such as overalls, acid-washed jeans, Vans, parachute pants and combat boots, are making a comeback. Although silver jewelry dominated for a while, gold jewelry became popular again throughout the past few years. "[My least favorite trend is] leather jackets because they make too much noise and are hard to move in," Hermes said. "A jacket shouldn't be shinier than your shoes." Solis said, "In the past, people were risk takers, but right now, high school students dress more high fashionable and nicer." Although it seems that fashion trends change significantly from decade to decade, the concept of being in style doesn't. "People are still taking time to get dressed and putting some thought into and looking nice. I felt that was what people did when I went to school too," said ILC clerk Kathleen Stewart. "I really love what’s in now, I really like the feminine stuff that’s in for the girls. It seems like people are really putting thought into what they are wear."
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PRESENT
ith fashion from the 70's, 80's and 90's already returning, fashion in the future will likely include trends from the past combined with new ones. Predictions for this winter's fashion trends include knitted and comfy tops, fur and plaid. Fashion experts think the spring of 2015 will include the return of some trends from last year, such as gladiator sandals and transparency. It will also include the return of some styles from the 70's and 80's, like statement earrings and platform shoes. The combination of trends from last year and ones from the past will also return with polo's, shirt dresses and stripes. Each season, certain colors are considered "in." According to pantone.com, the colors of aquamarine, scuba and classic blue will be popular with designers this spring. Additionally, custard (a soft lemon yellow), lucite green (a bright mint) and marsala (a red-brown) will catch on. Some students at ACHS have predictions of what fashion will be in the future. Senior Josh Malkamaki said, "I feel like skinny jeans with work boots will catch on, complete with a flannel or leather jacket and bandana." "The next fashion trend for girls will be combining their style with guy's style. For example, girls are wearing baseball tee's and high socks," senior Vanessa Solis said. This trend of a combined style already caught on, with the popularity of boyfriend fit jeans. These looser, relaxed, worn jeans can be bought from well-known brands, such as Levi's, American Eagle, Gap and Lucky Brand. The world of fashion and upcoming trends is a mystery, for what's "in" is constantly changing. Remaining in style, however, will forever stay the same. TT
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GOOD EATS, SWEET TREATS
THE FUTURE OF ANTIOCH RESTAURANTS
From Las Vegas and Steitz’s to Dairy Queen, David’s Bistro and Anastasia’s, local restaurants provide Antioch residents with growing opportunities to experience food. MARINA PALMIERI Editor-in-Chief
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magine walking into the local family-owned diner. The smell of quality hamburgers and french fries is in the air as customers sit down and order large Coca-Colas. The chatter of excited teenagers and families at dinner to spend time together is deafening. In the past, going out for a meal to a restaurant was very different than today. Although it may be hard to believe, the fast food chains that are overtaking the restaurant industry today were not always around. Instead, it was more likely for customers to sit down for family style home cooking. In the past, meals were a time for family members to enjoy their food and spend time with each other. At restaurants, there was no TV on in the background, no distractions from the people around the table. In Antioch there are multiple family-owned restaurants that opened their doors to the community decades ago. Throughout the construction of multiple fast food places including McDonald’s and Taco Bell, they evolved while maintaining a homemade feel and quality food. According to steitz.com, Steitz’s restaurant, bar and marina was a landmark of the Chain O’ Lakes region since 1938. The walls of the third-generation family-owned restaurant are full of history. Instead of displaying reality TV shows or movies, the flat screen on the wall flips through black and white photographs of how Steitz’s, the Chain O’ Lakes and the town of Antioch evolved into what they are today. In addition to Steitz’s, the Antioch Pizza Shop was “a slice of Antioch since 1977,” according to antiochpizzashop.com. The small yet comfy restaurant brings customers into the past with its vintage Coca-Cola items and pictures of how the pizza shop looked when it first opened. Many restaurants in Antioch, such as Steitz’s and the Antioch Pizza Shop, bring the past into the present by providing quality food and unique, family friendly atmospheres that were common decades ago.
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PRESENT
McDonald’s. Taco Bell. Culver’s. Subway. These restaurants all have one thing in common; they are all the home of cheap food and corporate ownership. In the past, fast food chains were not even an option to consumers. If they wanted to eat out, they had no choice but to support the family-owned restaurants in their town. Today, the town of Antioch offers numerous options to consumers, including Mexican, Chinese and Italian cuisine. With people in such a hurry, fast food chains are more popular than ever, while local sit-down restaurants still draw in diners who are attracted to a more relaxed meal. “I prefer to eat a well cooked, from scratch, as well as healthy meal,” said Antioch Community High School senior Zach Rundle. “The eating at fast food chains are driving our country into the ground from obesity.” However, sit-down restaurants evolved throughout the years with technology; the walls of many sit-down eateries are full of flat screens that broadcast the latest sports games. Additionally, many traditional family-owned restaurants now offer delivery to compete with fast food chains. In the past, it was common for restaurants to only be open for breakfast and lunch, or just dinner. Today, it is common for restaurants, especially fast food chains, to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Being open constantly creates the opportunity to bring in more business and money, but also requires more workers. Fast food chains in Antioch are all located in one general area, and include McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King, Taco Bell, Subway, Popeye’s, Arby’s, Jimmy John’s and Culver’s. With so much variety, it can be difficult to pass up fast food for a local restaurant. However, Antioch is home to numerous family-owned eateries, including Mexican Paradise, Anastasia’s, Oliverii North, David’s Bistro, Las Vegas, Grande Letty’s, the Antioch Pizza Shop and Steitz’s. Although fast food chains may draw consumers in, it is important to support the family owned businesses that contributed to make Antioch what the town is today. TT
I think they [restaurants] will stay the same, a few new ones popping up and some current ones closing down. Matt Horton, Senior
I think Antioch has well organized restaurants that will be able to last for a while. Zach Rundle, Senior
. . . K C A J S I THIS HE IS A CURRENT SEQUOIT.
Scan here to see a video about Jack and his current Sequoit experiences and future plans. http://goo.gl/uuXxGT
Tom Tom 12.12.14
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GAME ON.
(On June 23, 1972, girls earned the right to play sports like their male counterparts. Today, ACHS offers 13 options for girls to play. In the future: a new athletic conference.) We are Sequoits. We stand strong on and off the court, the field, the rink and beyond. In the past a separate athletic association challenged girls to play against one another within the confines of the school. Even sports of the past, like gynmastics, have gone the wayside. Presently the challenge is to improve the current offerings of atheltics by including sports like swimming into the mix. In the future, many students hope for the additions of a lacrosse program and solidifying a hockey team solely to ACHS. NATHAN BORRIES Sports Editor
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magine a time when girls could not compete with other schools in athletics. Oh wait, that was 40 years ago. Thanks to a law called Title IX, girls gained equal opportunities to boys when it came to athletics. The law states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity.” Up until 1974, schools nationwide did not allow girls to participate in interscholastic athletics. Antioch Community High School was not an exception. ACHS was home to a program called the Girls Athletic Association, an inner-scholastic league where girls from ACHS would play each other rather than athletes from other schools. Sophomore Allison Smith was dumbfounded by this. “I think that it would not be fair for girls to not be able to compete in sports,” said Smith. “Sports are a huge part of many girls’ lives. Therefore, girls should always have the ability to do what they love. Girls should have equal rights with boys.” The past of ACHS was full of sports, even gymnastics which came to an end the 2006-2007 school year. Even to this day, athletics are a big part of ACHS and its role in the Antioch community.
the coaches at Antioch are understanding and put time and effort into making sure we succeed. The coaches also understand that academics come before sports.”
FUTURE
As many know, ACHS has a few Sequoits representing themselves on teams made up of multiple schools. For example, there is a combined club lacrosse team made up of District 117 student athletes. Another sport that is made up of more than just Sequoits is ice hockey. The Lakers Hockey Club Association hosts student athletes from ACHS, Lakes Community High School, Grayslake North, Grayslake South and Grant. It is an opportunity for prospective hockey players because it gives those athletes a chance to play, even if their high school does not offer it. Freshman ice hockey player Derek Olson would love if ACHS would add hockey to its list of sports. “ACHS should get ice hockey,” said Olson. “It would allow ACHS to have their own team and would give students an opportunity to play if they haven’t before.” Ice hockey and lacrosse aren’t the only sports that students wished ACHS added in the future. A survey conducted by the Tom Tom about which sports students would like added, resulted in swimming, diving, boys bowling and fencing as desired sports. Lacrosse was chosen by the students to be the next sport entering PRESENT ACHS with hockey being the runner-up. Athletics are still an important part of ACHS to“Right now we are attempting to bring back day. They bring students together to form one team DEREK OLSON, FRESHMAN activities, underclass sports levels and stipend to make lasting memories, while bringing students positions that were lost in the budget cuts a together in the bleachers to cheer on their fellow few years back. The intention is to have these Sequoits. restored by the 2015-2016 school year. There “Athletics play a huge part of my life socially, physically and mentally. I think that it is not only important to get was a district co-curricular expansion committee made up of parents, involved academically, but with athletics too,” said Smith. “Many of students, coaches and community members to look at the potential of the friendships I have made have been through sports, and it is a great expansion of the co-curricular programing once the budget cuts were restored. This looked at the addition of coaches and levels to existway to do what you love.” “Swimming without a high school team is really hard because I ing programs along with potential new sport programs. In addition, I don’t get to compete in dual meets throughout the high school sea- know there is already interest by staff members of adding new activity son. I only get to swim at conference and sectionals. I have my moth- programing in the future also, especially with students interested in er, Linda Jackson and my friends dad, Tony Besson for my coach- achieving Cum Laude status looking for new clubs to join. If a decies. My mom really supports me throughout the entire season. She sion to expand occurs, my guess is that the information gathered by really keeps me in check when I’m at practice so I don’t slack off, the committee along with interest brought by staff members to begin junior Jordan Jacob said. “A lot of the other high school teams get new clubs will be reviewed and determinations will be made as to how their own time to practice but we do because we don’t have a pool for to best use available resources to provide programming that will allow me to swim in during season I have to stay with my club until the week for the maximum participation of students in the district,” ACHS athletic director Steven Schoenfelder said. of conference so I really rely on her to push me to my limits.” Although these are all wishes, one dream will come true for football For the girls, ACHS offers basketball, bowling, cheerleading, cross country, dance, field hockey, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track, vol- and soccer players at ACHS in the near future with a new stadium. The addition will include a new turf field and eight-lane track. leyball and wrestling. The future holds a lot for the prospective students of ACHS. With a For the boys, ACHS offers baseball, basketball, cross country, footnew stadium with turf going into play next year, one may ask what is ball, golf, soccer, tennis, track, volleyball and wrestling. In addition to the sports offered, some Sequoits take part in swim next for ACHS. Maybe future Sequoits will be able to have an access meets to qualify for state while other student athletes are part of la- to a pool or even revive the gymnastics team. Another addition of athletics going into play during the 2016-2017 crosse and hockey teams. Presently, ACHS athletics is very proud of its coaching staff. As the school year is a new conference. With the name undecided, Antioch years go by, so do coaching styles. Smith runs cross country and track will be joined by new schools from the Fox Valley Conference like Grayslake North and Grayslake Central. and is very proud of her coaches here at ACHS. Athletics were, are and always will be a part of ACHS and what it Smith said, “I think Antioch sports are different from others because everyone on the teams grow close together, like a family. All of means to be a Sequoit. TT
ACHS should get ice hockey. It would allow ACHS to have their own team and would give students an opportunity to play if they haven’t before.
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RIV
Photo from Sequoia 2006, vol. 90 Sequoit Alumnus fights his way to a victory aganist a Lakes wrestler.
No matter what sport it is, the stakes will always be high. NATHAN BORRIES
Sports Editor
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Photo from Sequoia 2006 , vol. 90 The Sequoit cross country team prepares for sectionals.
veryone needs that one opponent, that one person or team that motivates them to do their best. Everyone needs a rival. The Bears versus the Packers, the Cubs versus the Cardinals, or even Edward versus Jacob. Antioch Community High School and Lakes Community High School are just a few out of the hundreds of high school rivalries that are around the country today. But before 2004, when District 117 created LCHS, who was ACHS’s rival? One of the biggest rivals ACHS had in the past was Grant Community High School. When the North Suburban Conference went into play, GCHS won conference championships in multiple sports. There were, however, multiple other nearby schools that never failed to pump up the Sequoits for big games. “Warren was historically a big rival going back to the [Northwest Suburban Conference] days. Zion was a big draw for football and boys basketball,” ACHS athletic director Steve Schoenfelder said. Because many of ACHS’s athletic programs in the 1970s and 1980s were very successful, ACHS was able to compete with bigger schools like Warren. With progression of time, schools grew to a larger student capacity and ACHS found itself unable to compete with them any longer. It was not until 2004 that a sister school was born. ACHS finally had a school, a rival that they could compete with: Lakes.
PRESENT
Photo by Johnny Horton Junior Alexis Duehr takes a tumble over a Lakes field hockey goalie.
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When it comes to any sports season, one game stands out above the rest: when ACHS plays LCHS. The gym or stadium are always packed with ACHS’s Cardinal Crazies and LCHS’s Royal Rush filling the stands. Blood pumps through the veins of not only the athletes, but all of the fans. The ultimate prize is at stake: bragging rights. ACHS boys varsity basketball coach Jim White said, “It’s good stuff and neither side can honestly say ‘it’s just another game on the schedule.’ Regardless of records going into the game, our team goes into the competition with the mindset of doing whatever it takes to win the game. Games are always competitive and players must balance their emotions to not allow the hype to adversely affect their play. Some compare it to nerves or anxiety on a big test. Some levels of this help rise the individual to the task at hand and succeed; however, there exists a fine line where too much hype can cause negative results.” The hype just doesn’t stop when the athletes play the game. The rivalry is shown through not only the players, but between the two student sections. What makes a really good and healthy rivalry is the safety and respect between the two schools, although that can easily be abused. That is why each rivalry has fan section leaders. LCHS junior and Royal Rush leader John Ott said, “I love the rivalry we have between our schools. It’s a great way to get more students to come to games and it
VALS
FUTURE RIVALRIES: THE NEW ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Photo from Sequoia 2008, vol. 92 Alumnus Alec Paramski sacks Lakes quarterback Randy Ratajczyk.
draws out more fans to cheer on our classmates. I mean, sure, at times the tension between our schools can get pretty heated, but no one is out for blood from either schools and I think the rivalry is very safe. I don’t think we take the rivalry too far. Sometimes it can get a little out of hand with the student fan sections screaming at each other, but that’s what the rivalry is all about.” This brings up the question, does the rivalry ever go too far? Senior Cardinal Crazy leader Hanna Mihovilovich said, “It doesn’t necessarily go too far, but not in the right direction. We are one district who should come together as a whole on certain occasions, like the Volley for the Cure game, rather than attack each other.” Coming down to it, the rivalry between District 117’s schools finds itself at a medium between appropriate but still full of tension.
FUTURE
Looking into the future, it is hard to judge the outcomes of rivalries and competitions between ACHS and neighboring schools. One thing is for sure: the Sequoits and the Eagles will never stop being rivals. ACHS athletic director Steve Schoenfelder said, “I do not believe [the rivalry] will ever die off. It is as intense as it was five years ago.” What nobody would have ever guessed was that a new rivalry would rise. As a matter of fact, a big change is going to come into play when a new conference is introduced. The new conference will now include Grayslake North High School and Grayslake Central High School. Schoenfelder said, “I think the Grayslake games will draw more interest than when they were non-conference games [in the new conference].” Of course, LCHS will always be the sister school to ACHS. During rivalry games, athletes compete their hardest, fans will cheer their loudest and, evidently, the most tickets will sell. When it comes to rivals, nobody said it has to end at just one. The future could hold many rivalries with new schools where athletes and fans do not take it as “just another game.” It all comes down to the community. Who will they go out and see compete? Will it always be the ACHS versus LCHS games? Or will the community diverge a little and make a hike to GNHS or GCHS to watch another possible rivalry game play out? TT
Antioch Community High School
Lakes Community High School Returing Rival
Grant Community High School Returning Rival
Grayslake Central High School Future Rival
Grayslake North High School Future Rival
North Chicago High School Returning Rival
Round Lake High School Returning Rival
Wauconda High School Returning Rival
Tom Tom 12.12.14
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. . . E V E T S S THIS I HE IS A SEQUOIT ALUMNUS. Scan here to see a video about Steve and his Sequoit experiences. http://goo.gl/EglmGX
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