What happened to Kony?
What are the most haunted places in Lake County?
Page 7
What does it mean to be a Sequoit? Page 23 The Student Voice of Antioch Community High School
Page 19
Who inspires you the most? Page 29
What song would you listen to on repeat forever?
THE QUESTIONS ISSUE Page 25
What really happened at band camp?
DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS?
Should sex ed be updated?
PAGE 7
Page 9
Page 31
Do you know your Facebook friends? Page 28
Where will you be in 10 years?
Do fish drink water? Page 7
DO YOU TRUST ANYONE WITH Where will YOUR LIFE? you be in 10 PAGE 29
What is Feminism? Page 9
Page 31
Why did D117 split schools? Page 12
years?
What is your weirdest obsession? Page 26
Page 32
Page 21
Do You believe in love at first sight? Page 28
What is Victoria’s secret? Page 27
Volume 53, Issue 1 10.31.2014 www.sequoitmedia.com
How many students have graduated from ACHS?
SHOULD THE LEGAL DRINKING AGE BE LOWERED? PAGE 6
Where’s the WHAT IS THE best place to eat MOST PATRIOTIC in Antioch? Page 16
COLOR? PAGE 27
VISIT
SEQUOITMEDIA.COM DAILY
IN THIS ISSUE: OCTOBER 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS ON THE COVER Page 7
What does it mean to be a Sequoit? Page 23 The Student Voice of Antioch Community High School
Headlines
What are the most haunted places in Lake County?
What happened to Kony?
Page 19
Who inspires you the most? Page 29
What song would you listen to on repeat forever?
THE QUESTIONS ISSUE Page 25
What really happened at band camp? Page 31
DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS?
Should sex ed be updated?
PAGE 7
Page 9
6
8
10
13
16
19
22
23
26
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STAFF EDITORIAL:
What DID aNtIOCh LaCK OVeR the Last 100 YeaRs?
ARE WE TERRORISTS?
WHAT IS YOUR STANCE ON FEMINISM?
Do you know your Facebook friends? Page 28
Where will you be in 10 years?
Is the Illuminati real? Page 30
DO YOU TRUST ANYONE WITH Where will YOUR LIFE? you be in 10 PAGE 29
What is Feminism? Page 9
Volume 53, Issue 1 10.31.2014 www.sequoitmedia.com
Why did D117 split schools? Page 12
years?
What is your weirdest obsession? Page 26
Page 32
How many students have graduated from ACHS?
Page 31
Page 21
Do You believe in love at first sight? Page 28
SHOULD THE LEGAL
What is Victoria’s DRINING AGE BE LOWERED? secret? Page 27
PAGE 6
Where’s the WHAT IS THE best place to eat MOST PATRIOTIC in Antioch? Page 16
COLOR? PAGE 27
This issue is dedicated to 100 questions and is inspired by ACHS’s centennial celebration. The cover and this table of contents feature just a sampling of our questions. One hundred questions, however, are difficult to fit into 36 pages of a magazine, so we thought we’d try something new. Throughout the magazine you will see QR Codes and Google short codes. Download a QR Code scanner on your phone or tablet and scan the QR code for the story you’d like to read. The code will take you right to the story. If you are having difficulty, you can use the short code to take you right to the story on sequoitmedia.com.
Community
WHAT MAKES A GOOD COACH?
WHAT IS THE MOST DANGEROUS INTERSECTION IN LAKE COUNTY?
Random Thoughts
25
WHEN DOES CRAZY BECOME TO CRAZY?
Relationships and Sexuality
28
WHERE DO BABIES COME FROM?
31
WHO IS JESSIE’S GIRL?
WHAT CHANGES ARE COMING TO THE ANTIOCH THEATRE?
WHAT DOES ACHS USE THE BOMB SHELTER FOR?
WHAT WAS THE BEST DREAM YOU’VE EVER HAD?
29
WOULD THE WORLD SUFFER MORE WITHOUT MEN OR WOMEN?
Who Am I?
32
WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?
HOW PREVALENT ARE HIGH SCHOOL STEREOTYPES TODAY?
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE AT ACHS LIKE?
WHAT IS VICTORIA’S SECRET?
Pop Culture
30
SHOULD JUSTIN BIEBER BE DEPORTED?
ONE | SEQUOIT
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HEATHER BECKMAN MATT STIGLIC
EDITOR’S NOTE
WHAT WILL YOU ACCOMPLISH AS THE CLOCK TICKS DOWN?
Sometimes asking the right question is all you need to do as graduation approaches. MARINA PALMIERI
Editor-in-Chief he 2014-2015 school year marks Antioch Community High School’s 100th birthday. This means that ACHS has been educating respectful, responsible and proud Sequoits for 100 years. 1,200 months. 36,500 days. 876,000 hours. 52,560,000 minutes. 315,36,00,000 seconds. To the Tom Tom, this time all boils down to 100 questions.
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the TOM TOM staff
2014-2015
Marina Palmieri Mr. Patrick R. Johnson, CJE Editor-in-Chief Adviser Arlenne Lozano Managing Editor
Madelyn Chassay Digital Director
Kyle Heywood Creative Director
Nicholas Dorosan Johnny Horton Advertising Director Asst. Creative Director Madison Paddock Lifestyles Editor
Nathan Borries Sports Editor
TOM TOM STAFF Lauren Ponzetti Dan Meade Yasmin Lara Abby Pierce Nathan Formella Shane Sorensen
Theodore Martinek Clay Vesser Shannon Zogran Brianna Linco Jordan Staten Nathaniel Alexander
Mission Statement 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 ACHS.
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Madelynn Soberano News Editor Kristina Esdale Alex Ruano Jessica Guzman Paige Gruber Chris Bedolla
Letters to the Editor 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.
In the Tom Tom’s first issue of the centennial year, age-old questions about ACHS and life outside of school are answered. Some were asked by students and faculty members; others came from Tom Tom staff members. While this issue contains multiple interesting, creative questions, there are also controversial ones: Do you believe in love at first sight? Have you ever wondered why ACHS does not have open campus lunch? Should P.E. be a requirement? Why are we here? Should there be a national language? To me, it is important to question certain aspects of life, whether they be on the more amusing side or the more serious side. If I did not ask questions and received answers, I would not have made some of the decisions I have. For example, when I came to ACHS as a freshman, I had no clue what the school had to offer. The different athletics, clubs and programs were a mystery to me. Many students and teachers invited me to join several extracurriculars, but I did not commit to any before asking exactly what they did and how they were involved at ACHS. Now that I am MARINA PALMIERI, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF a senior, I am thankful that I researched and joined the activities I have become a part of, especially the Tom Tom. This year, I am extremely enthusiastic about the Tom Tom. With a much larger and diverse staff than in past years, I look forward to producing quality content in both print and online. We, as a staff, hope to focus in on ACHS's 100th birthday and celebrate what makes us who we are as Sequoits. Additionally, I wish to graduate leaving a lasting impression on ACHS students and staff through our news magazine and sequoitmedia.com. With only seven short months until the seniors walk across the stage at graduation, it is important to think about what you will leave behind at ACHS. Think about it. Seven months. 212 days. 5,088 hours. 305,280 minutes. 18,316,800 seconds. I have one last question. What will you accomplish while the clock ticks down? TT
With only seven short months until the seniors walk across the stage at graduation, it is important to think about what you will leave behind at ACHS.
STAFF EDITORIAL
WHAT DID ANTIOCH LACK OVER THE PAST 100 YEARS? National rankings should push ACHS to focus on future endeavors to promote academic rigor and success.
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n this very page is a question that isn’t typically asked: what has Antioch Community High School lacked over the past 100 years? Considering nobody in the community is 100 years or older to answer this question with knowledge, the answer was quite difficult to find. However, given recent national rankings, the answer seemed to grow more evident each day; Antioch lacks national recognition. Newsweek and The Daily Beast recently released their annual lists of “The Nation’s Top Schools,” and, unfortunately, ACHS fell short of making the list. The list included local schools, such as Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Barrington High School and Lake Forest High School, which ranked exceptionally well as No. 12 in the nation on Newsweek’s list. Both of the lists are chosen based upon graduation rates, test scores, college readiness and percent of college bound students, as well as other factors such as poverty/reduced lunch rates, enrollment in Advanced Placement exams and college level courses. Newsweek releases this list annually and bases its choices off of three criteria: student performance, school rankings and economic disadvantages. According to Newsweek, this
Cartoon by Nathan Borries
year’s list was more strict and precise than ever before. The Daily Beast is a new online-only publication that focuses on a different type of methodology to identify the “top high schools in America.” According to The Daily Beast’s website, the publication “reached out to the nation’s best high schools to find out which were turning out the top students. To come up with our initial pool, we consulted 2012/2013 data from the Department of Education and contacted public schools with above-average graduation rates of at least 85 percent. Around 1,200 public schools completed our survey, then we crunched the numbers further, comparing schools by graduation and college acceptance rates, as well as their academic rigor using AP, IB and AICE classes and test scores, and finally, student performance on college admission exams, another indicator of a school’s preparation.” Of course, it is a goal of ACHS to strive to achieve these national standards, and the administration as well as the students are working hard to meet the bar. We also strive to compete academically at the same level and standard as our sister school. It is constantly stressed how important ACT and SAT scores are, and they play a
huge part in the choosing of the top schools. The No. 1 school on The Daily Beast’s list, Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky, has an average ACT score of 31.7 and an average SAT score of 2040. ACHS’s current average ACT score is 22.3. Not to be discouraged though, because there are schools on The Daily Beast’s list with average ACT scores of about the same. ACHS is seeing major improvement when it comes to ACT scores in recent years, and continues to try to prepare students to the best of their ability. When it comes to graduating and college bound students, ACHS is headed down the right track, with a graduation rate of 94 percent and 87.4 percent of those graduates planning to attend college. Overall, ACHS, although lacking on national lists, is progressing in the right direction and believe, if both students and administration take the steps toward improvement by continuing to set high standards, ACHS could make it to the lists in the near future. This should be a call to strive to be a nationally acclaimed school, as well as to improve the education of our community and brighten the futures of all ACHS students. TT
Tom Tom 10.31.14
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SHOULD MARIJUANA BE LEGALIZED?
ARE WE TERRORISTS?
The definition of terror could lead to an unwanted reflection of the American belief system.
An answer in exactly 420 words.
“high” often causes more problems. If one were to become Tom Tom Staff a regular smoker, a tolerance arijuana is increasbuilds up, the intensity dwiningly becoming dles, and people will set out to socially accepted, look for a stronger high. This especially as of a result of slowcan lead to dangerous drugs. ly being legalized within the ACHS science teacher HowUnited States. Marijuana, after ard Citron sees the dangers of being legalized in Colorado and making recreational marijuana Washington becomes the third legal. drug available to adults, in ad“Marijuana is a slippery dition to tobacco and alcohol. slope. It is a gateway drug. I What many don’t recognize is know a lot of people tell you it’s that alcohol and tobacco are the not. But especially when you’re two most common causes to younger, it is a gateway drug cases of prebecause ventable death it’s genfrom motor erally the vehicle accifirst drug dents and to that people various types would try,” KENZIE SCOTT, JUNIOR of fatal cansaid Citron. cers. Though “And it is marijuana the reason cannot scienthat opens tifically be addictive, it is seen that door to other things that as a “gateway” to other more then take you to that next level.” harmful, powerful and addicDespite that, Citron has a diftive drugs. ferent idea on medical marijuaJunior Kenzie Scott stands na usage. firm on the idea that even rec“Medically, there are benereational marijuana should be fits. I would tell you that somelegalized. body who has cancer, it is an “I think marijuana should excellent way to get them hunbe legalized for many reasons. gry. As somebody who went One reason in particular is the through chemo, you’re not huncountry would make 13.7 bilgry, and you just start to wither lion dollars per year if weed away. Before starting chemo, I was taxed. People will smoke weighed 240 pounds, and six either way if it is illegal or lemonths into chemo I went down gal, so why not make profit to 108.” from it? Weed doesn’t create The controversial topic of horrible scenarios, people do,” whether or not to legalize marisaid Scott. “Marijuana isn’t a juana is a long, ongoing debate. gateway drug and you have zero Finding opportunities to discuss percent chance of overdosing or this topic seems to only be done dying from weed. The people at the governmental level. As overpower the plant.” states begin to legalize recreWhile science doesn’t beational use, the debate may end lieve one can’t overdose from up at ACHS. TT weed, How far one goes for the
PAIGE GRUBER
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“Weed doesn’t create horrible scenarios, people do”
Cartoon by Nathan Borries
CLAY VESSER Tom Tom Staff
Stereotypes for terrorists just don’t apply anymore. Your friend, your co-worker, your neighbor or even a relative could be a terrorist. Stereotypical views of terrorists include the turban-wearing Arabs, commonly seen in film and television. Some terrorists can fit this stereotype, but many do not. Terrorists are often associated with bombings and plane crashes, but plenty fail to notice the everyday terrorist. It’s even in the name. A terrorist is simply one who uses terror to gain his or her objective. A terrorist could be a typical, everyday worker who simply had enough and decides to
WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE FAIL TO APPRECIATE BY MADELYN CHASSAY
commit a terrorizing act. Social studies teacher Charlie Trout recognizes that a terrorists can be anywhere. “I think terrorists can be born anywhere. I think most people have the idea or vision that a terrorist is someone of an Arab decent, somewhere else, but it’s not that long ago that a couple Americans destroyed the Federal Building in Oklahoma City. There are typically people everywhere who are extremists, who are willing to resort to violence in order to gain their objective,” said Trout. It seems that terrorists can be anywhere and anyone. Middle Eastern, European and, yes, even American. TT
http://goo.gl/MCelR6
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IS GLOBAL WARMING REAL?
BY TED MARTINEK
http://goo.gl/MZ7ooD
SHOULD THE DRINKING AGE BE LOWERED? BY CLAY VESSER
http://goo.gl/OUpByb
WHERE DO YOU STAND? The nation is divided on the Redskins debate, something that may hit home at ACHS.
SHOULD AMERICA HAVE A NATIONAL LANGUAGE? BY CLAY VESSER
http://goo.gl/glFO7F
WHERE IS KONY? BY MADELYNN SOBERANO
Graphic by Brianna Linco
BRIANNA LINCO
Tom Tom Staff uring the summer, and most of the preseason, the Washington Redskins found themselves between a rock and hard place with newspaper headlines and critics talking about how the team’s namesake mascot inaccurately represents a culture of people who are passionate about their ancestors’ story. Many citizens are concerned that the name “Redskins” will never be changed. Now that the football games are finally underway, it seems like the organizations that are raising the question are ignoring the issue. “I’m surprised it hasn’t gotten out of hand. Normally things like this start riots and uprisings. It is crazy to think that something hasn’t happened yet. In my opinion, I do not think it will ever change unless something really bad happens where people start becoming in danger with threats,” said junior Ben Hermes. The Redskins debate is a controversial topic that relates to Antioch’s very own mascot: the Sequoit.
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“My understanding of the term Sequoits is that it is a word for a winding creek. It’s not a derogatory name referring to a specific group of people and, therefore, I think it should be okay. It certainly is worth a discussion, though. But to have a professional sports franchise use the nickname Redskins in 2014 is particularly baffling. They won’t change it because the debate generates interest in the Washington NFL franchise and people will continue to buy merchandise. However, changes like this have occurred and the world continues to spin,” said social studies department chair Grant Murray. “Many colleges and universities have changed their nicknames without massive riots and explosions. Most recently, the Cleveland MLB franchise, which also uses a nickname that some Native Americans found offensive, took the ‘Chief Wahoo’ logo off of their hats and used the letter ‘C,’ for Cleveland instead. They did this without fanfare and without making a big deal out of it. Last I checked, people still go to games and buy their merchandise.” TT
http://goo.gl/glFO7F
DO FISH DRINK WATER? BY ALEX RUANO
http://goo.gl/nLjg16
DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN?
Although not many Sequoits are able to vote this November, students seem to be split between political parties and ideologies. SHANE SORENSEN Tom Tom Staff
November is voting month, and Antioch Community High School, like with anything else, is split politically between the democratic and republican parties. The majority parties for the ACHS student body go as follows: 50 percent
of freshmen are republican, 43 percent of sophomores are republican, juniors are 37 percent independent and seniors are 80 percent democrat and republican. Of the 29 percent that sided with the democrats, 1/3 did not understand what the democratic party stands for today. The democrats stand for a larger federal government, higher taxes and less state control. The republicans
are the opposites with lower taxes, a smaller federal government and more state control. The argument of which side is correct has been raging on for over 200 years, but the truth is, both are correct and both are wrong. In this day and age, both parties have their advantages and disadvantages. TT Tom Tom 10.31.14
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: T S I N
ic m o n o d ec n a , l litica ichie. o p , l a cia gozi Ad o s e femh N t a inist?’ It es in amand v e i l means believing e b m i ho es,” Ch in equality of opportuniw n o x ties for all people. Who would s e r s e be against that?” said English depart“A p ity of the ment chair DeeAnn Andershock. l a “The number one thing that people need equ
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I EM
WHAT IS FEMINISM? Feminism is one of the most heavily debated topics across the world. But, what does the word “feminism” really mean? MADELYN CHASSAY Digital Director
JORDAN STATEN Tom Tom Staff
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ra burning. Man-hating. Ugly, angry women. Stereotypes like those listed above make feminism seem like a dirty word: a controversial topic that has had the nation buzzing for decades. Every day, people around the world, but more specifically women, are not given equal opportunities as others, particularly white, heterosexual males. It is now almost 2015 and the controversy is ongoing. Feminism is for the equality of the sexes, not female empowerment. There are many people who believe that feminism is “man hating,” but it is not. There are also many people who hate the word “feminism” but what is important is the meaning behind the word, not the word itself. “Feminism? Equal Rights? Why are we even still talking about these issues in the year 2014? It is unconscionable that we need to have people—not just women—fight for equality for half the population of the world. My question to everyone is ‘why aren’t you
to realize about feminism is that being a feminist doesn’t mean that you have to burn bras and hate men. It is really about being treated equally for any opinions you may have,” said senior Lauren Novick. In order to achieve equality of the sexes, there needs to be more of an effort from men, not only females. Men need to be in full support that all genders should be equal. To help achieve this, actress Emma Watson has introduced the United Nation’s new initiative, “He For She,” which promotes men to be in support of women to achieve equality for all. “If we stop defining each other by what we are not and start defining ourselves by who we are, we can all be freer and this is what ‘He for She’ is about,” Watson said in her UN address. “It’s about freedom.” We, as a country, have come a long way in the fight for gender equality, even though we are not quite “there” yet. Why hasn’t anything seemingly changed? The truth of the matter is some things have changed, but not nearly enough. “Although we aren’t persecuting women for being individuals, I think we are still far away from an equal society because of patriarchal culture so many of us were raised under,” said Novick. To some, the role of a feminist is seemed to be taken too far. But is there really a point where this can be considered too far? “Women are not yet equal in this country, and frankly, it’s appalling, embarrassing and shameful. You ask if I think feminism is taken too far—how? How would that be possible?” said AnMAYA ANGELOU dershock. The next step for achieving gender equality is, “to stop using different words for men and women. Like if a man takes authority, he is a leader. But if a woman does the same, she is seen as abrasive or bossy. Likewise, men are expected to be strong and when they show natural emotions they are seen as weak,” said Novick. “If we stop associating words with certain genders, we can slowly break the normalities of degrading one gender.” TT
Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.
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WHAT IS YOUR STANCE ON FEMINISM? FREE SPEECH I would consider myself a feminist because I support the idea of equality in both genders and I would love to see women continue to change the world as they have already proven that they can. Kaitlyn Koski, Senior
I think being a little feminist is good with the way girls are treated in our society. I think every girl should have a sense of pride for themselves and fellow girls because no one should be able to tell them they aren’t as good as boys. But it shouldn’t get to ridiculous levels where you just despise men. Griffin Hill, Junior
I believe that gender doesn’t and shouldn’t be separated as in a man is no better than a woman and that women are no better than men. Yes, there are jobs that people view as more manly such as construction work and more hands on jobs, but I believe that a woman can do those jobs as well if she wanted to. For relationships, I know that some feminists think that by a guy opening a door for them or paying for the dinner bill is belittling them. I do not believe that they are belittling you, that it is out of respect and courtesy. Amanda England, Junior
A feminist is a person who believes in the equality of the sexes, which is an idea that I support. So I consider myself to be a feminist. Riley Beckett, Senior
SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT BE ABLE TO CONTROL PRESCRIPTIONS RELATED TO A PERSON’S SEX LIFE? The history behind two powerful drugs creates an ongoing debate on whether or not they should be handled by the government. KRISTINA ESDALE
Tom Tom Staff his is a constant debate: should the government be able to control prescriptions related to a person’s sex life? Many people say no, the government should not have anything to do with your sex life. But others argue that there are risks in taking certain medications and that the government should be allowed to restrict it. In 1952, the first birth control pill was created by scientist Carl Djerassi, but it was not approved by the FDA until 1957. At first, the pill was only supposed to be used for women who had severe menstrual disorders. Three years later, the pill was approved to be used as a contraceptive. In 1989, Viagra was created by scientist Peter Dunn and was sold as a heart medication, but males across the country were experiencing different side effects to the drug. After it was approved by the Federal Drug Association, pharmacists prescribed Viagra to more that 40,000 men in the United States alone. In 1998, it was only legal to sell in the United States, Brazil, Morocco and Mexico, but the rumor was that it was being sold through the black market to other countries as well. “Those are two very powerful drugs. I think that to some point, the government should be able to control them from certain people or age groups. But on the other hand, I don’t think that they should be able to control them. If someone chooses to take a prescription related to their sex life, that is their business. The government should not get involved,” said a pharmacist at the Walgreens located in Antioch, who wished to remain annonymus. In the future, the government is planning rules for over the counter drugs: education, monitoring, proper disposal and enforcement. This means that they are planning to properly educate patients on the drugs. A new system is possibly being developed where researchers can track data from across the country and with healthcare providers.
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Graphic by Kristina Esdale
“I don’t believe hormonal birth control influences a person’s sex lifebirth control is prescribed for many reasons, one of which includes the prevention of pregnancy. The use of these drugs should not influence the choice to be sexually active. Instead, that choice needs to be determined by the individuals values and needs,” health teacher Robert Hafer said. “If two people made the collaborative decision to be sexually active, they have to realize birth control does fail. As a result, they need to be conscious of the consequences of that choice.” The government is seemingly more interested in birth control as a result of the higher percentage of pregnancies, particularly in teens. “With all that being said, with the governments ability to control pricing and availability of both Viagra and the numerous birth control options, I believe they should control the use of birth control. Why? I believe the government should make birth control as inexpensive and easy accessible as possible,” said Hafer. According to Hafer, research shows that there were 26.6 births per 1,000 females aged 15-19. Eighty-nine percent of these pregnancies were unplanned. “With access and the availability to use birth control, these births could be prevented. Why prevent these births? Teen births generally reduce the quality of life for both the mother, father and child,” said Hafer. As a whole, sexuality and uses of contraceptives are incredibly personal. Hafer believes that conversations with doctors, parents and other support systems should be held before making any kind of decision. “There are many other significant consequences to sex than just pregnancy. The person should be evaluated for any communicable infection they could potentially transmit to their partner,” said Hafer. “Viagra should also be accessible for those who are in need. This should be discussed with a doctor, as there are frequently underlying medical conditions which cause ED (erectile dysfunction).” TT
SHOULD SEX EDUCATION BE UPDATED?
Changing criteria in health classes may help students to make more educated decisions in their personal lives. MADELYN CHASSAY
Digital Director Many schools across the country teach abstinence only health education. As the times change rapidly, many believe it is time for sex education to be changed as well. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn recently signed a law that sex education will be required to inform students on different birth controls, contraceptives and sexually transmitted diseases, not just abstinence. This law will be go into effect Jan. 1 and will not only prevent more unwanted pregnancies and the spread of
STD’s, but will inform teens to make the right decision for themselves. “Abstinence is the only 100 percent effective way, but the reality is that by the end of senior year in high school, two-thirds of our kids are saying that they’ve had sex,” said Illinois State Senator Heather Steans. Schools in Illinois will either have the choice to update their sex education programs, or not teach it all together. Antioch Community High School’s physical education, health, and drivers ed department decided they will be updating their criteria.
ACHS physical education and health education teacher Robert Hafer said, “Teachers today realize that while some students will choose abstinence, some won’t. So how are we going to protect them? And that’s why we teach about contraception.” If parents only want their children to learn abstinence based sex education, they can opt out of having their children take a health education class, although they would be “doing their child a disservice by not giving them the tools they need to be successful, but that is certainly up to the parents,” said Hafer. TT Tom Tom 10.31.14
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WHAT MAKES A GOOD COACH? Finding opportunities for athletes to be successful and welcomed rank at the top. ABBY PIERCE Tom Tom Staff
Photo by Natalie Ivins The Cardinal Crazies are the newest club at ACHS. The group hopes to promote and enhance school spirit beyond what it was in the past. The Crazies go all out at football games by hosting tailgates and sponsoring themes. Beyond that, they create pep rallies and attend many other events. Seniors Collin Prather and Shannon Zogran lead the group as vice president and president.
WHAT MAKES YOU CARDINAL CRAZY?
Being respectful, responsible and proud are the number one priorities. NATHAN FORMELLA
Tom Tom Staff o you have the craziness, the school spirit and the pride to be considered a Cardinal Crazy? If you don’t, why not? Being a Cardinal Crazy is all about having a good time, socializing with friends and, of course, cheering for and supporting the Sequoits. If you’re not familiar with the criteria of being a Cardinal Crazy leader, there is one student at Antioch Community High School that can answer any questions you have about the Cardinal Crazies, and senior Collin Prather is the man to see. Prather is the Vice President of the Cardinal Crazies and is sociable, gets everybody involved and, most of all, he’s crazy. Prather is a very committed student who puts care and effort into everything he does. He is the definition of a Cardinal Crazy. Senior Bella Hoffman said, “Collin is a very outgoing guy and cares a lot about the Cardinal Crazies. I also really like how he includes everybody’s thoughts and ideas and listens to everyone when people come to him about ideas for the Cardinal Crazies.”
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So what exactly is the definition of a Cardinal Crazy? Prather said, “To be a Cardinal Crazy, you have to always be ready to go all out for school spirit at games.” Hoffman and Prather both said being a Cardinal Crazy is a blast. Going to games, dressing up for the themes and cheering for the Sequoits are the best, especially since everyone comes together to cheer for one team. Being a Crazy is also a time to socialize, create memories and meet new people you’ve never seen or talked to before. If you’ve been to a football game this year, either home or away, you have most likely seen the students’ fan section more packed than ever. The Cardinal Crazies are the energy block of the stadium. They get all the fans and football players pumped when they begin cheering. The Cardinal Crazies, according to Hoffman, is a tremendous group of people who serve as role models for the whole school. They not only support the sports teams by cheering, but also support ACHS by portraying their spirit for the school. The Crazies have one question for ACHS: “Are you ready to get your crazy on?” TT
A coach is someone who pushes you through hard times. They’re a best friend when you need one, but they also need to be a coach and do whatever they can to make you your best. A coach should bring out the best in their athletes. They believe in you, which will make you believe in yourself. Antioch Community High School junior and dance team co-captain Brianna Chastain said, “I think that a good coach is someone who understands [his or her] athletes and encourages the team to accomplish their goals for the season. [A good coach] also need to be motivating and positive. A good coach is someone who may be harsh at times, but in the end truly cares and sincerely wants the best for the team.” A coach will listen to what you have to say and take it to heart. They know that in order to help their athletes, they need to have trust in them. Let them know you need the athlete’s trust to be successful in a season. A good coach is someone who never gives up on their athletes, even if they are not doing their best, whether they are scared to do a trick or had a bad day. Senior and field hockey player Abby Vogel said, “I think a good BRIANNA CHASTAIN, coach is someone who really JUNIOR cares about the sport and the people they are coaching. Someone who is willing to put in extra hours and time into making each and every athlete better on and off the court.” Being positive is a great characteristic to have as a coach. It brings out the best in each and every athlete. Although a coach needs to be hard, they also need to be able to have fun and be passionate about the sport that they coach. Vogel also believes a team needs to have one set of rules for each athlete on the team, and that teams need to have respect for their coach and for the others on the team. Finally, both athletes felt that a great coach needs to be able to connect with their athletes and form bonds that they will remember for the rest of their lives. TT
A good coach is someone who understands their athletes.
Photo by Sam Worden A “good student” focuses beyond the tradition of academics. This type of student is proactive in his or her experiences and takes advantage of opportunities the school has, such as participating in the homecoming parade, as seen above, and dressing up for spirit day themes and events..
WHAT MAKES A GOOD STUDENT?
WHAT MAKES A GOOD TEACHER?
It takes more than just intelligence to be a good student at Antioch Community High School.
It takes more than just a degree to be a good teacher at Antioch Community High School.
NATHAN BORRIES
SHANNON ZOGRAN
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When it comes to teaching academics, stereotypes do not rule. The teachers who teach the hardest classes, the administrator’s pet and the know-it-all aren’t really present in a teaching staff. However, there is a basis for what makes a teacher good. Unlike students, they need specific characteristics. What does it really take to be considered a good teacher? Senior Vanessa Solis and Assistant Principal of Student Services Omar Rodriguez tried to identify what it means to be a good teacher. What makes a good teacher? Solis: “[A good teacher] needs to know what they’re teaching, be able to deal with different kids with different personalities, have an emotional aspect with their students, needs to put others before themselves and make students enthusiastic and learning fun.” Rodriguez: “[A good teacher] needs to be extremely caring and needs to build relationships; to have patience; to be resourceful [when teaching lessons]; needs to know what to say and how to say it in order to capture students’ attention; and to be thick-skinned. Does a “good teacher” have to be liked? Solis: “No, everyone will have their own opinion on a teacher and everyone likes to be taught a different way; you cannot please everyone.” Rodriguez: “No, I think a good teacher may not be liked in the immediacy of it but in the long run that good teacher is remembered, respected and eventually liked.” Being well-liked is not everything. It is how a teacher handles different situations in the classroom and the kind of long lasting impact they make on a student that matters most. TT
Sports Editor
hen it comes to academics, stereotypes rule. The students who take the hardest classes, the teacher’s pet and the know-it-all usually get labeled a “good student.” However, there is more than what it looks like. What does it really take to be considered a good student? Sophomore Patrick Schoenfelder and English teacher Jamie D’Andrea share what they feel makes up a good student. What makes a good student? Schoenfelder: “You have to get good grades and to take work seriously. However, even if they get a bad grade, they still get something out of it.” D’Andrea: “Good students are those that are less motivated by the final letter grade or test score, and more motivated by the level of understanding they achieve as a result of their ‘research.’ A good student is one who has truly learned the material and can not just recall it in the future, but can apply that information in other situations.” Does a “good student” have to be enrolled in a Honors/AP class? Schoenfelder: “No. It’s not that hard to get into an AP class. All you need is a decent grade and a recommendation. Anyone could be in an AP class.” D’Andrea: “...too often [AP students] aren’t motivated by the right thing. They’re just trying to get the grade, not a deeper understanding of the material. Without that deeper understanding, I would argue that students haven’t truly learned anything...” Grades aren’t everything. It is what a student takes out of a class that really makes them a “good student. TT
Tom Tom Staff
Tom Tom 10.31.14
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WHY DID ANTIOCH SPLIT INTO TWO HIGH SCHOOLS?
With the school reaching nearly 2,300 students, Community High School District 117 made the decision to split into Lakes and ACHS. NATHAN BORRIES Sports Editor
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n extremely overcrowded Antioch Community High School split into two completely separate schools in 2004. Students lost friendships and teachers lost relationships Many people wondered why. Despite the potential for a powerhouse athletic program and substantial opportunities for academic and extracurricular growth, a super-school was ruled out in favor of two separate school campuses in Community High School District 117. ACHS being crowded was one of the main reasons for the split. The nearly 2,300 students in the school needed to walk on certain sides of the hallways to be sure traffic flowed effectively, classes were crammed full of students and teachers were displaced from their classrooms so other teachers were able to find a room to teach in. "Before we split, we had no room. It was very crowded and out of control. We didn’t have anywhere to go. Scheduling was very hard," Counselor Kelly Lindgren said. In fact, Lindgren was not in favor of staying as one school. She prefers the opportunities she has getting to work with a smaller population of students in the school, especially related to counseling. "I love having a little bit of everything. I love helping with picking out colleges. I would miss helping out and I wouldn’t get to see [the students] grow up," Lindgren said. A two campus option would have placed freshmen and sophomores in one building, then juniors and seniors in another. Although the idea was proposed, it was turned down by the school board and community. In fact, before finalizing the decision of building Lakes, a poll was sent to the district with the majority of the respondents wanting two separate schools with two separate programs. "Many students would be losing out on opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities. The total number of Lakes and Antioch athletes is almost double that of the number of participants
the last year that we were one athletic program. I do not have the numbers for clubs, but my guess is that it would be similar,” Assistant Principal of Athletics and Activities Steve Schoenfelder said. “In 2009 the two girls track teams went one, two at the sectional track meet. We qualified 41 girls from the district to the IHSA State Meet. At least half of those girls that qualified would probably not have even competed in the meet if we had been one program." The largest school that feeds into both ACHS and Lakes is Antioch Upper Grade School. With students from Antioch, Lake Villa and Lindenhurst, students of Antioch Upper Grade build relationships and feel they have to break them when it is time for high school. "If we didn't split, then I would get to see all of my friends. Also, if we were in one, big school, we would be able to compete with the other side of the conference," junior Danny Brito said. Brito isn’t the only student who would like to see his middle school friends again in the hallways of a combined school. Despite some Sequoits finding seeing their former classmates as positive to a merger, other students like senior Briana Jimenez feel a super school would siimple put ACHS back to where it started. “I feel like if that were to happen, our school would back to the same issue it faced before, which is the school being over-populated,” said Jimenez. I also feel like classes could be too big and studentsmay not be able to form relationshops with teachers as closely as we are able to now.” ACHS saw a renewed interest in relationships since Principal Bradford Hubbard assumed the position. According to Jimenez, this positive change would slowly diminish with a merger of the schools. While looking at surrounding schools near Antioch, such as Warren and Stevenson, ACHS students may fantasize about being a big school. However, with athletics and relationships in mind, the district believes it was a better decision to have two separate schools rather than one. TT
IF WE STAYED TOGETHER, WOULD LAKES AND ANTIOCH BE A SUPER SCHOOL? 12 Tom Tom 10.31.14
NO.
FREE SPEECH How would you feel about an Antioch super school?
It would be very crowded. You would have over 3,000 students here, and it wouldn’t be good walking through the halls or going to you locker. Gary Braun, Security Guard
[Kids] would get along easier and better because there would be more people and they would interact more. Oscar Munoz, Senior
WHAT CHANGES ARE COMING TO THE ANTIOCH THEATRE?
This historic piece of downtown Antioch is going through a major renovation. MARINA PALMIERI Editor-in-Chief
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he Antioch Theatre is a historic and important part of downtown Antioch. Ever since its opening in 1919 as a live performance theater called the Majestic Theatre, it served as a place of entertainment to many generations. However, as of May 2014, the Antioch Theatre was forced to close its doors due to maintenance issues and a necessary switch to digital projection. With help from sponsors and donors, the Antioch Theatre is undergoing renovations and is under new ownership. Through Kickstarter, 676 backers raised $83,501 to pay for new digital equipment for the theatre. With this, the theatre will be able to show first-run releases and broadcast live events, such as sporting events. Other renovations will include an additional 29 seat theatre, new screens, drapery and seating, a new classic marquee, a redesigned façade and lobby and a sprinkler fire protection system. However, the balcony above the main theatre will remain historic. The stage beneath the screen will also remain for guest speakers and other live events. The additional theatre is key to the remodel. When the Antioch Theatre receives a new film, it is required to run for at least two weeks. Towards the end of the The iconic sign of the Antioch run, the theatre’s attendance drops due to the showing Theatre will not be changing of a week-old movie. The older film can be shown in the smaller second screen, while a new release plays in the in the renovation.
main theatre, which will boost attendance. “I would go to the theatre a few times with my family. I loved the atmosphere of it,” said senior Devin Kappie. “I’m most likely going to go to the theatre more often now because the changes sound super nice!” TT
Photos by Kyle Heywood The theatre is a staple in the Antioch community, but financial issues led to its doors closing earlier this year. The theatre hopes to open by the end of the year.
WHY CAN’T WE HAVE OPEN CAMPUS LUNCH?
Students believe the staff is the reason there is no open campus lunch, but in reality it is past students who are to blame. JESSICA GUZMAN Tom Tom Staff
There are plenty of myths about high school cafeteria food, so why can’t students get their own food? Here is the inside scoop about open campus lunch and why Antioch Community High School doesn’t have it. With the way that ACHS is placed across the street from what students call “fast food mania,” there are one too many complications with open campus. One problem involves the fact that it is beyond District 117’s control. Both the schools, staff and students are taken into evaluation when considering open campus lunch. ACHS Principal Bradford Hubbard said, “I believe it has been brought up to the Board of Education in the past, but not looked upon very favorably.” Even though the topic has come up with the people that could ultimately make the decision for the district, it is overall not a good idea. “To my understanding, ACHS used to have open campus, but the reason it was taken away was that there had been some local businesses
making complaints about them [students] not buying anything, or just sitting around with their friends,” said Hubbard. Many of the students could potentially cause problems with being late, loitering, or just being plain irresponsible. However, ACHS Dean Wilbur Borerro has confidence in the students of ACHS. “I think the majority [of the students] are responsible enough, but there are other things we have to take into consideration,” said Borerro. Not having open campus lunch is not only because of the students of ACHS, but also the students of Lakes Community High School. Issues related to driving and limits cause potential stresses and headaches for staff of both schools. There are also fewer options for LCHS students, forcing them to drive. Though there are many obstacles in the way of ACHS being able to have an open campus lunch, the staff is rooting for it as much as the students are. Maybe one day in the far future it will be able to happen, but for now, keep sticking to cafeteria pizza and pretzels. TT
Photo by Kyle Heywood
Tom Tom 10.31.14
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STEROIDS: If athletes get caught using them, should they be allowed to play? NATHAN BORRIES Sports Editor
Photo by Johnny Horton
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-Rod, McGwire and Armstrong—just to name a few. Athletes are increasingly getting caught using steroids. Whether it is while they are still actively playing or when they are retired, performance enhancers are often dealt within sports. However, it is the punishment that makes the difference. Should coaches suspend players and let them play again? Or should they banish them from the league altogether? When it comes to the topic of performance enhancing drugs, there are differing opinions regarding the consequences. One argument believes athletes should not be punished at all, whereas another assumes they should be banned from their respective league entirely. Either way, this controversial topic impacted
DO STUDENTATHLETES FACE HARSHER REGULATION THAN THEIR CLASSMATES? BY ALEX RUANO
http://goo.gl/j1uVva
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some of the most highly decorated athletes. Avid sports viewer and sophomore Jack Connelly said, “I don’t think that they should be allowed to play again. If they get caught they are probably going to do it again.” As of right now, athletes usually are able to play after getting caught with steroids once. However, the athletes receive consequences that are then used as a reminder to the rest of the league not to use steroids. These could consist of taking away trophies, championships and even reputations. This is true in many professional, collegiate and recreational leagues. With the NFL and MLB, multiple athletes each season get caught or admit to using steroids. Connelly said, “I don’t think that the consequences fix the problem because there tons
of [athletes] that are repeat offenders and get caught and caught again.” Lance Armstrong, seven time Tour de France winner, had his championships taken away and was even sentenced to a life ban from the sport of competitive cycling. From the NFL to the MLB, steroids are used and everyone knows it. It could be generalized that almost all athletes have used performance enhancing drugs once in their career. Why don’t the professional leagues do anything about it? Sure some would say that a ban from the sport would be too excessive. But then why do people get kicked out of college for cheating? Student’s do not get a second chance so why do athletes? TT
WHY DO ATHLETES HAVE TO BE DRUG TESTED? BRIANNA LINCO
Tom Tom Staff Each summer freshmen athletes are drug tested by the deans office. The school, after the students’ freshman year, continue to have surprise drug test done on athletes, as well as students who purchased a parking pass. Colleges expect their students to be well educated inside and outside of school so they can be focused on their game. Athletes get drug tested to ensure they are not cheating themselves and other teams. “I think athletes are of higher concern because they can be screened for PED’s as well as the drugs that others use. I do believe there should be surprise tests done during sophomore and senior year to all students,” said ACHS senior Brandon Burpo. ACHS is consistently compared to other schools based on students’ academic and athletic successes. School and district administration want to strive for excellence, which would lead the administrators to care about what student athletes are doing outside of school.
“Instead of doing drugs with your friends on the weekend, the administrators would much rather you go to the library and do a group study on your previous class discussion,” Burpo said. Others believe the school should not care what students are doing after school. “Drug tests shouldn’t be done, unless some athlete decides to start applying for sport scholarships. There’s no point in testing random students otherwise,” said senior Amanda Spooner. Drugs are prohibited on the school campus, and any issues will be investigated. “Steroids and performance enhancing drugs are used with athletes for an advantage, and I don’t believe they should be taking advantage of other team’s skills. I think the rule is fair because we do drug test students who purchase a parking pass. We do surprise tests during the mid-seasons of sports. In fact, we have already begun surprise drug tests on the football players,” said ACHS security guard Noel Working. TT
WHO IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN YOUR LIFE?
Sometimes the person with the greatest impact is under the same roof or in front of the room.
Photo by Alex Ruano Students return from summer vacation through these doors every year. Coming back to school in August, an early return compared to Wisconsin schools, results from academic changes to the schedule.
WHY DO WE START SCHOOL SO EARLY IN AUGUST? BRIANNA LINCO and ABBY PIERCE Tom Tom Staff
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tudents and teachers love a warm and beach-filled summer. Girls gather by a pool and tan while the boys head out in the hot summer sun and play the sport they love. The one thing many students and teachers have in common is throwing school out of their heads and relaxing the day away on vacation. So, why not continue to enjoy the hot month of August and start school in the muggy September weather? Students want to get done earlier, but getting out earlier means go back earlier. “I wish it started in September and that we would get out in June because there is nicer weather at the end of August than the beginning of June that we can enjoy,” said freshman Matthew Capek. Either way students would still enjoy three months of summer, but some have a preference of what weather to enjoy. The spring/summer weather is nice to relax and sleep in. The summer/autumn weather allow students to be outside and enjoy the natural environment that we live in. To teachers, the first semester is not long enough. There is so much to cover in a four month period that starting in September would just make the work load more stressful for students. “I believe we start in August to help balance the two semesters. As is, first semester is a little shorter than second semester.
For classes that only last for a semester, it is difficult to cover the same content first semester as you do second semester,” said math department chair Jill Farrell. Decisions to start early ultimately came from moving final exams to before winter break. "[Former administration] made the transition to move the end of first semester from January to December so that students would take their final exam before the winter break, and in order to do that and get the days you need to get in a cleaner break you had to move the start of the school year earlier. [That change] resulted in starting earlier in August and getting out at the end of May, not including snow days," said principal Bradford Hubbard. Starting school earlier also has other benefits for the students at ACHS. "I think there are some studies out there that show it’s beneficial for students to test them before they go on break and then they get their final exams done and over with," said Hubbard. "A big factor for us is the ACT date is set by the State of Illinois. It used to be late April, but this year it’s going to be in early May." Ultimately, the transition to an earlier start date, thus cutting August short for students in staff, was made in an effort to assist ACHS students academically and make winter break a little less stressful. And who can argue with a little rest and relaxation over the cold winter break rather than studying for final exams. TT
Photo by Johnny Horton
THEODORE MARTINEK
Tom Tom Staff
For most people, they have an important person in their life. It usually ranges from being someone they are related to, to a close friend or a teacher in the school. For a teacher that touches students with his endless wisdom and encouragement, social studies teacher Anton Borchert finds his most important person to have touched his life in various ways. Borchert said, “My mom has helped me with so many different lessons about life. I catch myself thinking and saying to people like yourself and other people that I care about all the time.” For another student, her mom is also the most important person, Senior Sydney Nielsen said, “she supported me through everything I have done in life, even when I have made some bad choices.” Mothers raise their children, and with everything that their child does in our life, support them in our actions and doings. But it is not only mothers that raises children and help them out with he first stages of life, fathers have a big role in it too. As sophomore Miranda Morrow said, “he raises me and inspires me, and he has been through a lot. He is someone that I look up to and admire.” Parents, mothers or fathers, lead their youth into adulthood, and during that time the child will pick up traits and ways of thinking from their parents, they will notice what parents put up with and sacrifice for them. Into adulthood, everyone will remember who helps them start off. TT Tom Tom 10.31.14
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HOW PREVALENT ARE HIGH SCHOOL STEREOTYPES TODAY? JORDAN STATEN
Be yourself, no matter where you fit in.
Photo by Madison Paddock
Tom Tom Staff
There are many diverse types of people roaming the halls of Antioch Community High School. However, all different groups have one thing in common; they are all Sequoits.
ock, geek, cheerleader and prep are just some of the words that are used to describe high school students across the country. These groups are used to stereotype students into what others think they fit into. These stereotypes are seen on screen, in novels, in the news, on social media and even in real life. Are these stereotyping groups necessarily offensive, or do they help young people fit in and feel accepted among people they can relate to? Unlike the common stereotypical high school movie, a majority of students interviewed at ACHS said that they didn’t feel as though they would fit into one specific group. “I don’t think I would put myself into a group because I do a lot of different things. I’m in clubs and I am also a cheerleader,” said ACHS junior Andi Leineberg.
Many clubs, groups and sports were created to help students feel more accepted and involved in schools, as well as have a widerange of interests and friends. Leineberg thinks that high school stereotypes are better today than they were in the past. “I think it’s better because now people spread themselves out instead of being in one group,” said Leineberg. Movies such as “Mean Girls” and “The Breakfast Club,” and almost any other movie set in a high school, emphasize the expectation for high school to be organized in specific groups like jocks, geeks and preps. In most cases, the “outcast” in these films is the person who has characteristics that would allow he or she to fit into more than one group, but in reality, those are the kind of people are most involved, more outgoing and
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are in most cases, more successful. Kids are taught now more than ever to be original and surround themselves with those who make them happy, and media, novels and films are starting to adjust to this new standard of society. Celebrity Eva Mendez said, “People are incapable of stereotyping you; you stereotype yourself because you’re the one who accepts roles that put you in this rut or in this stereotype.” Whether it’s the jock, the prom queen, the loner, the nerd or the basket case, stereotypes are everywhere. No matter where it is that someone fits in, it is essential that it is somewhere that keeps them healthy and happy. A name does not define who a person is. Don’t succumb to society and the stereotypes within it. TT
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MUSIC IN THE HALLS? Over the past few years, the halls of Antioch Community High School were filled with music during each passing period. This year, the music has disappeared.
JOHNNY HORTON
Assistant Creative Director Music connects to everyone. What’s better than having that while walking to your next class? Some might be just a bit too young to know or remember, but the quiet halls of Antioch Community High School once played music during the five minute passing periods. Although it was just a phase, what happened to it and what would it be if started once again? “I have no clue what happened to it. [If started again] I think it would be 80’s music,” said Junior James Tiernman. Junior John Neville thinks the music went away because some people complained.
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“Someone probably complained about it and they stopped it because of that. If it came back on, I want them to play some country music or throw it back to the 80’s,” said Neville. Students who remember the music that played in the hallways enjoyed it, whether the selection may or may not have been appealing to their personal taste. But where did it really go? “The CD player on the PA system broke. The last we heard, it’s thousands of dollars to fix. I’m asked every day where the music went, we all miss it,” said ACHS attendance clerk Laura Wright. Maybe one day in the future it will be fixed, but for now students will have to use their headphones. TT
WHICH ROBIN WILLIAMS FILM IS YOUR FAVORITE? BY ALEX RUANO
http://goo.gl/ONG56u
http://goo.gl/g2Y7PX
WHERE WILL ACHS BE IN ANOTHER 100 YEARS? BY LAUREN PONZETTI
Antioch Community High School is surely not the same as it was 100 years ago. There are additions to the building, changes to the staff and a constant rotation of students roaming the halls. ACHS’ centennial celebration brings the opportunity for current students to interact with alumni of all ages, and for alumni to have a class reunion of sorts with other alums.
SCAN FOR THE FULL STORY
BY NATHAN FORMELLA http://goo.gl/x6KXgT
WHY ISN’T THERE A STARBUCKS IN ANTIOCH?
There are plenty of rumors, but one of America’s favorite coffee shops is still nowhere to be seen on Main Street.
NATHAN BORRIES Sports Editor
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alking through the hallways in the morning at Antioch Community High School, there are many people drinking coffee and hot chocolate. However, none of them seem to have a Starbucks cup in hand. Junior Brittany Bluthardt said, “[I want a Starbucks in Antioch] because I wouldn’t have to drive and waste gas driving to Round Lake or Gurnee. I go to Café Book and Dunkin Donuts right now, but I would go to Starbucks because the coffee is better.” With no response from the Village of Antioch, it is unknown whether or not the rumors are true if a Starbucks will ever be coming to Antioch. Even without a Starbucks, Antioch has other great, affordable places to go for your morning coffee, such as the friendly Café Book or fast Dunkin Donuts. TT
Infographic by Madison Paddock
Read the full story by scanning the QR code above.
WHERE’S WALDO? CONTEST
We’ve got four little friends that will be hiding around the school and Antioch community. Find all four and take a picture on Instagram or Twitter each time your find one using #ACHSWaldo and you could win a Taco Bell gift card. Starting today, each of the four Waldos will be hidden: two in the school and two in businesses that advertise in the magazine. TT
Visit sequoitmedia.com on Nov. 21 to see all four of the locations of the Waldos, as well as the announcement of the winner. Tom Tom 10.31.14
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HOW HAS TECHNOLOGY IMPACTED ACHS?
New programs, software and technological devices transition students and staff into a new era of education.
SHANE SORENSEN Tom Tom Staff
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ver the last few years, Antioch Community High School increased the amount of technology used in classrooms by providing students with iPads, iPods, Chromebooks and two new Mac labs. The increase in technology allows for students and ACHS to move toward a one-to-one model. This year, some teachers are using various Google Education products, such as Classroom, for assignments. Both the English and social studies departments have taken to using Google Drive as an opportunity to help students get more organized with technology, as well as encourage digital publishing. The world languages department uses translation software and audicity to promote proficiency in language acquisition. Math and science are also using devices for more collaboration and enriched learning experiences. Fine arts and CTE are also using new technologies like the Adobe Creative Suite and iLife Suite to enhance their curriculum. The real question becomes, however, whether ACHS students want more technology or not. Junior Samantha Brands thinks that more technology may lead to distraction in students. “[Students] won’t be doing what they have to,” said Brands. Additionally, with the inclusion of more technology, the technology support department has become more lenient with the filter on the Wi-Fi. Junior Charles Taylor also shares the same viewpoint as Brands. He believes that stu-
Graphic by Johnny Horton Each day teachers provide students with a variety of learning experiences, many of which involve different pieces of technology. From iPads to Chromebooks to various apps and software, students and teachers at ACHS are now able to go beyond chalk boards and into the 21st Century.
dents’ work is divided equally between paper and technology. With the use of Google Drive, teachers are able to share and grade documents right from their browsers. On the flip side, students are able to organize, collaborate and keep track of their assignments. Google Drive is a powerful platform with many features, but students may not know how to use it. “There should be a class with technology that will teach you how to use it,” said junior Zawistowski.
This class, he explained, would teach students how technology works and how to use it. This type of class could be helpful for those who are having trouble using the Chromebooks, Google products or iPads, and could expose more students to the power of current day technology. Both Brands and Taylor feel that a tech literacy class should be required in the coming years to help with the changes in tech. Only time will tell if administration agrees with them. TT
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OLD AUDITORIUM? Renovations throughout the last 60 years brought the theater program out of the gym and into the space it is in today. LAUREN PONZETTI Tom Tom Staff http://goo.gl/5SdluQ
IS IT IMPORANT TO GO TO COLLEGE? BY NICK DOROSAN
Throughout the history of Antioch Community High School, the building has had many renovations and additions. In 1915, when ACHS was founded, there were less than 100 students attending, and now in 2014, there are over 1,300 students that attend. One of the school’s most recent renovations is the auditorium. ACHS’s current auditorium, located in the southwest part of the school, is used for musicals and plays put on by the fine arts program, performances by the band and orchestra, class meetings, movie showings, church on Sundays and much more. The auditorium has proven to be a wonderful asset for ACHS, and that is thanks to its renovation in 1953. The year 1953 was a big year for ACHS, as it brought along a new north wing to the building along with the addition of new classrooms and office space, a new gym and
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Photo by Nathan Borries
the converting of the old gym into an auditorium. The auditorium that ACHS has today is not the exact same as it was in 1953, as it has had numerous changes and additions since that time to keep it modern and functioning. One of ACHS’s many renovations over the years created the auditorium out of the former gymnasium. The auditorium has proved to have so many convenient uses over the years, and it will continue to be used to it’s full ability in the years to come. TT
IS ACHS HAUNTED?
Students have claimed to see paranormal activity in the halls of century-old ACHS. YASMIN LARA Tom Tom Staff
S
ince it’s Halloween season, Antioch Community High School may be the place to hunt down some ghosts. There are many rumors about ACHS being haunted, but nobody knows for sure how true these rumors might be. ACHS was ranked No. 4 on the list of the most haunted schools in Illinois, according to mysteriousheartland. com. However, there are some doubts about the supposed haunting of the school. “I do not think ACHS is [haunted], but I have heard rumors that it is. Until I see anything myself, I think it’s just a rumor. I don’t really think anywhere in ACHS is truly scary,” said junior Zach Lewins. Although there are suspicions, multiple rumors about the school have circulated throughout the student body. Some students heard that a student hanged himself in the auditorium before it was remodeled, and that is who haunts the school. Many girls believe that the bathrooms in the English hallway are
haunted simply because there is a creepy feel as they walk in. These stories, whether true or false, have captured the belief of some students. However, not all students agree. “I always hear stories about Antioch being haunted, but personally I don’t believe in that because I have never had an encounter with paranormal activity or have had eerie feelings,” said sophomore Gabby Wolske. ACHS is believed to be haunted because of its many renovations and expansions. A former art teacher told the author of “Voice from the Chicago Grave” that the lockers had done something supernatural. The teacher claimed to see the lockers in the basement all swing open in a perfect row. “I don’t believe that ACHS is exactly haunted. Personally, I don’t believe in the ‘haunting’ type of supernatural beings. But, there are plenty of fun myths like Johnny Sequoit who lives in the vents,” said senior Raymond Luc. ACHS students think these theories are old myths that just get passed on, and no one
WHAT IS THE MOST HAUNTED PLACE IN LAKE COUNTY?
Paranormal activity could be right in your backyard.
MADISON PADDOCK
really knows why people say the school is haunted. TT
WHAT IS THE MOST DANGEROUS INTERSECTION IN LAKE COUNTY? ACHS travel some of the most dangerous every day. NATHANIEL ALEXANDER
Lifestyles Editor
Halloween has arrived; it’s the perfect time for scary movies, Ouija boards and haunted houses. This year, instead of checking out the local haunted house, give yourself a real scare by visiting one of the real haunted locations in Lake County, Ill. Lake County is notorious for having many eerie and supposedly haunted places. Many have heard the rumors: the sacrifices that took place at Devil’s Pool; the creepy old farm road called Crawford Rd., where a ghost is said to chase you off the road; unexplained noises at the Antioch Theatre; and even at Antioch Community High School. It seems like every where you turn, there is paranormal activity happening. Bob Jensen of the paranormal investigating team based out of Lake County claims he knows the most haunted place in Lake County. “A private location in Lake Forest [is the most haunted]. The location still hosts a poltergeist,” Jensen said.
Photo by Johnny Horton Mysterious ghost sightings have occurred at ACHS according to former teachers and students.
Tom Tom Staff
Illustration by Nathan Borries
A poltergeist is a paranormal entity that is capable of making physical disturbances. Visitors of the house have been thrown down stairs, choked, bitten and physically assaulted by unseen entities, according to Jensen. The home was built in the 1800’s, and the reason for the paranormal activities is still unknown. Although the location of this house is undisclosed, it still earns the title of the most haunted place in Lake County, and is sure to scare daring visitors for years to come. TT
Getting a driver’s license is a monumental experience, and is usually followed up with a warning to be cautious of one’s surroundings. Intersections, for new and experienced drivers, can be some of the most dangerous driving locations because of the lack of communication with other drivers. Although it may depend on the conditions and other drivers, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said that the most dangerous intersection in Lake County is US Highway 12 and Lake-Cook Road. This intersection has hundreds of accidents each year. Following that intersection, some of the other most dangerous intersections in Lake County that have the highest number of accidents recorded include Grand Avenue and US Highway 45, Illinois Highway 59 and Grass Lake Road, Illinois Highway 83 and Half Day Road, and US High-
way 41 and Wadsworth Road. Despite the locations, it is important to drive safely no matter the intersection. According to a study by the Association For Safe International Road Travel, 37,000 people die every year in car crashes in the United States, whether it be from distraction, speeding or other unsafe practices. “I think the the most dangerous thing while driving are the other drivers. Not all of them, just some who drive like there is nothing that can hurt them,” said junior Kyle Babcock. “I drive everyday and it’s kind of scary how other drivers drive.” Some drivers may make others a little nervous with the way they choose to drive, but it is very important to stay composed. Driving angry can be just as dangerous as driving blind. Driving is one of the most liberating milestones in one’s life, but it is also the most dangerous. The key is to be aware, especially at intersections. TT Tom Tom 10.31.14
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TO REQUIRE OR NOT TO REQUIRE?
Although disliked by some, gym class has the possibility to change a student’s life completely.
Many students do not see fine arts as a necessary course to take in school due to lack of creativity.
CHRIS BEDOLLA
Tom Tom Staff Physical Education is only a requirement for some states’ schools throughout the United States, including Antioch Community High School. Four years of P.E. is required in the state of Illinois because the government, schools and administration would like students to live better and healthier lifestyles. Schools cannot force a student to choose a physically active lifestyle, but they can make a P.E. class as fun as possible by playing competitive games such as basketball, football and soccer. “If you look at the obesity trends in this country over time, it’s apparent that not only are we less physically active, but health in general is declining, and if you look at the classes that are in your academic schedule, how many are those that improve your fitness,” said P.E. and health teacher Robert Hafer. “I think, similar to other classes, the benefit is up to the student. I think if they are motivated and willing to improve their fitness, then P.E. benefits them.” Some believe gym class should be a decision for students to make instead of a graduation requirement. “It should be a choice, but you do benefit from it as you gain endurance and be physically fit, if people wanna do it, go ahead. If they don’t, well they can be the lazy person they are,” said sophomore Sjana Henderson. While faculty see P.E. being a smart requirement, some students don’t necessarily agree. “I do not think that P.E. should be a requirement because half the people don’t try in my class anyways, so I’m not getting anything out of it,” said senior Jessica Tyrell. Although some students dislike gym class, P.E. has the possibility to change a student’s life completely. If an individual really wants to transform their life through fitness, P.E. class is a great opportunity. TT
Photo by Kyle Heywood Twenty one and a half credits are required to graduate from Antioch Community High School. Among these classes, students must take at least one fine arts class and four P.E. and health credits.
THEODORE MARTINEK Tom Tom Staff
One of the more difficult requirements needed for graduating from Antioch Community High School is a fine arts credit, which some students believe should not be mandatory in their four years at ACHS. Junior Nichole Lass said, “Not everyone is talented enough to be in the fine arts.” But being in a class that requires “talent” is not the only option. There are classes like “Fine Arts Appreciation,” where one learns about more cultural part of our society, with an emphasis on the humanities. Fine Arts teacher Jonathan Untch said, “Learning about fine arts does not require any talent, and fine arts includes music, dance, drama, so students should give it a try before they assume they have no talent for it.” Many of the classes teach students how to become better at the courses offered at ACHS. Students have to potential to turn this high school requirement into an opportunity for success. TT
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SUBJECT? Throughout high school, students take a large variety of courses without knowing which ones truly matter. SHANNON ZOGRAN Tom Tom Staff
In school, students are required to take so many classes and consistently pose questions like “when will I need to understand piece-wise functions outside of school?;” “why do I need to interpret Shakespeare?”; or even “how will knowing Russia’s economic system help me get a job?” It becomes difficult to see what subjects are useful and actually important to take and which are not. It also becomes difficult to know what actually makes a course so important to take. Classes in school range from basic mathematics to intricate AP art courses, which each apply to a certain subject. In a survey done by the Tom Tom, students and teachers agreed that math, life courses and English are the most important subjects in school, and with good reason. Respondents felt that each of these three subjects are used the most in the daily lives of both students and teachers, whether it be to calculate exactly how much something will cost, what spoon to use during a nice dinner out or knowing exactly what tone to use in a certain situation. TT
20 Tom Tom 10.31.14
Graphic by Shannon Zogran In a survey sent out to Antioch Community High School about the most important subjects, 101 students responded. Overall, students felt gym, art and foreign language was least important.
NATHANIEL ALEXANDER Tom Tom Staff
T
eachers and students spend a lot of time together. One could assume that teachers and students know quite a bit of information about each other, considering the number of hours each week spent together teaching and learning. Yet sometimes their knowledge doesn’t extend beyond knowing one another’s names. “I wish teachers knew really how busy students are, and understand if a student says they couldn’t do something because they were busy, then it actually can be because they were busy,” said junior Stephen Frandsen. “I think teachers’ frustration with that
can be that they can never tell when a student missing assignment. “I think teachers should know what their is being truthful or getting one over on them.” students intentions The bridge to getting to are when coming know a teacher better can be to school everyday, as easy as asking a simple also what their stuquestion. dents strengths and “I think the same should weaknesses are,” go for the students because said junior Heba Abteachers’ lives can be just NATHANIEL ALEXANDER, TOM TOM STAFF dellatif. as busy,” said Frandsen. All it takes are “Some teachers have clubs a few simple quesand sports that they direct after school, and, sometimes, the time just tions to end the gap between misunderstandings. isn’t available.” “I think it would be easy to get to know Both teachers and students have busy lives and should be able to have a little bit of a your teacher, asking a simple question would cushion when it comes to late grading or a be the first step to that,” said Abdellatif. TT
All it takes are a few simple questions to end the gap between misunderstandings.
HOW MANY GRADUATES DOES ACHS HAVE? Many Sequoits have come and gone throughout ACHS’s 100 years. BRIANNA LINCO
Tom Tom Staff Graduation is an example of achievement for any high school student, whether it is having a class of 20 or having a class of 500. Since Antioch Community High School will be celebrating its 100th graduating class this year, some students were curious as to how many Sequoits have worn the ACHS graduation cap since 1915? After looking through the electronic transcripts of the number of graduates from ACHS since 1999, nearly 7,000 Sequoits turned their tassles. Counting how many students have graduated since 1940 will take time and manpower.
“All in all, there has been 6,850 students who have graduated from 1999 to 2015. The largest class was 616 students and that was the year of 1999, and the smallest class was the year 2007 with only 301 students. This year, the seniors have a graduation class of 310,” said Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction Aryan Haren. Graduation used to be a half hour long and is now two hours long. The Tom Tom staff hopes to continue to attempt to answer this question. We will be able to tell you at least how many people graduated from Antioch from 1940 to present once we sift through the thousands of paper transcripts the school has on file. TT
How many students will graduate this year in the U.S.? About 3.3 million students are expected to graduate from high school in this year, including 3.0 million students from public high schools and 278,000 students from private high schools, according to nces.ed.gov.
Graphic by Johnny Horton
Tom Tom 10.31.14
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WHAT DOES THE WORD “SEQUOIT” MEAN? The centennial-old namesake derives from Native American tradition, with a little help from English translation and a pebble from a babbling brook.
JOHNNY HORTON
Assistant Creative Director
H
ere is a question that isn’t often posed: why was a Sequoit chosen as the school’s mascot and what does “Sequoit” really mean? Surprisingly, a wide variety of students from Antioch Community High School do not know the etymology of their mascot. However, they have a few theories as to how ACHS became the home of the Sequoits. “I think our school shows and means that there were Native Americans that lived in Antioch before us and we are using their name to show everyone that they came before us,” said junior Jordan Jacob. “I think we are called “The Sequoits” because we are named after an Indian tribe that used to live here,” said senior Brooke AlderseBaes. Many students believe that the school name represents a Native American tribe, but it doesn’t. The name “Sequoit” actually has no relation with any Native American tribe that was in Antioch years ago. In fact, the word “Sequoit” is not even a part of the Native American language. “Sequoit” is derived from the real Native American word “sa-da-quoit,” meaning smooth pebbles in the bed of a stream. The school mascot can be deceiving and can often times be portrayed as one thing but, in reality, means another. However, even through all that, the Sequoit name brings pride throughout the entire school and community, even if everyone doesn’t know what “Sequoit” means. TT
Photo by Madelyn Chassay After 100 years, spirit remains strong with the new Antioch Archer and Superfan Stan cheering up the crowd. Both mascots are contemporary examples of a Sequoit, a word that has gone beyond a pebble and defines the spirit of the school.
WHERE IS THE LAST REMAINING PORTION OF THE SCHOOL?
WHAT DID WE DO WITH THE COLD WAR BOMB SHELTERS?
BRIANNA LINCO
Finding the secret of behind the mysterious shelter beneath our feet.
The Student Services Office contains the final piece of Antioch Township High School. Tom Tom Staff It is hard to decide what these halls looked like 100 years ago. No commons for students to gather in; clubs inexistent in the school; two floors and only two halls for students to be educated; or even a small part of the building that once was the main office. Sophomore Emily Bronswick and junior Trevor Koch both said the only portion not redeveloped is the math hallway. Senior Marissa Grant believes that business hallway is a century old. Despite the valient effort, only Alternative Education teacher Phyllis Fay had the actual answer. “It is the short staircase leading up into the student services center. This was the front door of the original high school. This was a popular place for taking small group pictures because I was here when the majority of the original building was torn Photo from the Sequoia, volume 52. down in 1999, and the current main office Antioch underwent many renovations in 100 years, and student services center was created above is the last remaining visible portion of the buildsoon after,” Fay said. TT ing as of 1958.
22 Tom Tom 10.31.14
SHANE SORENSEN
Tom Tom Staff Every day students walk down the halls and never stop to think about the secret that is hidden beneath them. During the Cold War, the United States urged everyone to create bomb shelters in their homes and businesses. As a result, ACHS’s addition to the south wing during that time period also included a bomb shelter. Fortunately for the school, the shelter was never required to perform its operation, and to this day it sits below our feet, but what do we do with it? The answer to that question still remains a mystery as no student knows. Some have speculated that it is used for storage, but the building manager did not respond by print time to clarify that answer. Until the next renovation is scheduled, a piece of the Cold War still waits idle beneath the school waiting for the day it may be required. TT
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE AT ACHS LIKE?
A former Tom Tom staff member recalls how the skills she learned as a Sequoit have lead her to a fruitful career. KELLY Q. ANDERSON
ACHS Alumna suggestion changed everything. Really, that’s all it took. My best friend’s cousin had taken an Intro to Journalism class, liked it, and suggested we do the same. So we did...turns out, we quite liked it, too. I didn’t realize at the time how ahead of the curve ACHS was. I walked into the University of Iowa knowing the Adobe Creative Suite, AP style writing, as well as how to shoot and print my own photography (ahem, before blissful digital advancements). Professors were impressed and I was empowered. It seemed only natural that Journalism fill the space on my student file where the word ‘Undeclared’ had been. I grasped my Tom Tom knowledge and sprinted with it. More photography courses peppered my schedule along with creative writing workshops, typography, and web design. Basically, I spent a whole lot of time in front of Apple computers. As graduation fast forwarded, I packed my creative tool kit into a corporate real estate career, whereby I served as head writer of RFP documents and Director of Marketing. At 33 years old, I’m twice the age I was when I wrote my first newspaper article back in 1997. So it’s amusing across the board that I’m now a professional writer and newspaper columnist. I’m penning books, editing novels, working with lit agents, and
A
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A SEQUOIT?
http://goo.gl/Xw4EvZ
BY NICK DOROSAN
WHAT MAKES ANTIOCH ENJOYABLE?
http://goo.gl/n5DAfx
BY YASMIN LARA
CAN YOU NAME ALL 50 STATES?
http://goo.gl/BS6h77
BY SHANE SORENSEN
WHO ARE THE MARCHING SEQUOITS?
BY LAUREN PONZETTI Photo Courtesy Kelly Anderson
using the skills I honed back in the halls of ACHS. It’s a massively fun career but the best part has been the people I’ve worked with along the way (Tom Tom staffers, included). They are fresh laughter in a quiet room—simply the best. And to think this all stemmed from a simple suggestion... TT
WOULD YOU TRUST ANYONE WITH YOUR LIFE?
BY YASMIN LARA
http://goo.gl/oImnPS
http://goo.gl/ghIKpO
WHY IS THE NEWSPAPER CALLED THE TOM TOM? A contest gave the Tom Tom the name of Native American drum. MADISON PADDOCK Lifestyles Editor
People read the news updates from The Tom Tom every day: on the Internet, on Twitter, on Instagram, even right now as you flip through the pages of this publication. But what exactly is a Tom Tom? By definition, it is a Native American drum, for the purpose of this question, is the real meaning behind The Tom Tom and the long history of the publication at Antioch Community High School. “Back in 1958, a girl named Ann McMillen won a ‘Name The Newspaper’ contest and
named it the Tom Tom because we were the Sequoits,” said former Tom Tom adviser Michael Gordy According to Gordy, in the 1980’s there was another contest held as an attempt to change the potentially politically incorrect name, but low and behold, the name “Tom Tom” won once again. As for the history of the Tom Tom, Gordy believes the newspaper has evolved significantly in the past 60 years from a two page mimeograph full of gossip to its current state as a professional publication that incorporates all aspects of a real newspaper both in print and online. TT
DID YOU KNOW... Until 1958 when the paper was renamed, the Tom Tom was called Sequoit News. The publication produced bi-weekly papers. During the 1937-38 school year the paper briefly went out of print due to a lack of funding. Tom Tom 10.31.14
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WHEN IS CRAZY TOO CRAZY?
IF YOU COULD PUT ONE SONG ON REPEAT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
The student section carries a name that some argue doesn’t represent a positive, spirited culture.
BY YASMIN LARA
SHANNON ZOGRAN
Tom Tom Staff
L
et’s get a little bit crazy! Sequoit, Cardinal Crazy! Most Sequoits take pride in this cheer and being Cardinal Crazy, but when does crazy become too crazy? Far too often in high school, students are told to calm down or to “act their age” because they are being too crazy, according to the adults that surround them. While having fun and being themselves, it is extremely difficult to keep track of and know when they actually need to relax a little at high school events. Being crazy can be compared to: disrespect, weird and obnoxious. Yet it can also mean: energetic, spirited and enthusiastic. This is why the term “too crazy” becomes confusing. For many years now, the Cardinal Crazies referred to themselves as the craziest fans in Lake County. There is no doubt as to how crazy they get, but there is doubt as to how appropriate their craziness can be. Antioch Community High School Senior Courtney Rieb said, “I think it becomes too crazy [at high school events] when there are people jumping around and hurting each other.” Rieb is one of this year’s Cardinal Crazy leaders who sought out to change the definition of crazy. Rieb and the rest of the Crazies aren’t the only one’s who see how crazy can get out of hand. ACHS social studies department chair Grant Murray said, “Any time anyone is physically in danger it is probably a little over the top. A basketball game, for example, has a tendency and environment where
http://goo.gl/OPZDHN Photo by Sarah Ogborn Once a month the students gather on Main Street to spread school spirit to the Antioch community by sign holding.
people can get out of control and become abusive towards maybe another player or another individual.” A crazy environment needs to be safe and appropriate in order for it to not get “too crazy.” This is something that the Cardinal Crazies hope to achieve throughout the school year while supporting their fellow Sequoits. When people become endangered and have a chance of getting physically hurt, crazy is too crazy. When people are being verbally abused, crazy is now too crazy. When you are no longer respectful, responsible and proud, crazy is now crazy. When people are supporting their school’s sports team and creating a crazy-positive atmosphere, crazy is Cardinal Crazy. When fans kneel for an injured player on the other team, crazy is Cardinal Crazy. When you are being respectful, responsible and proud, crazy is Cardinal Crazy. TT
WHAT WEAPON WOULD YOU CHOOSE IF THERE WAS A ZOMBIE APOCOLYPSE? Watching AMC’s hit might give you a leg up on surviving the walking dead. NATHAN FORMELLA
Tom Tom Staff Oh no! There are zombies everywhere and you can choose only one weapon to defend yourself. So what weapon do you choose to save your life? A gun, a knife or maybe even a wooden spoon. Whatever you choose, you better hope it’s good enough to hold off all of the zombies you will have to face. Antioch Community High School Junior Collin Runyard said, “I would choose a wooden spoon for my weapon because it just has multiple uses and is
very easy to carry around with you.” You never know, a zombie apocalypse could break out at anytime and if all you have to grab is a wooden spoon, looks like you’re stuck with it. A weapon is a weapon and a wooden spoon is better than your bare hands. Junior Jake Cloe said, “I would choose a big metal hamster ball because no zombies would be able to touch you and you can just run the zombies over.” So if you were stuck in the zombie apocalypse, what would be your choice of weaponry? Make sure you choose wisely. TT
WHICH SUPER POWER WOULD YOU HAVE IF YOU HAD THE CHOICE? BY KRISTINA ESDALE
http://goo.gl/XfaKTr
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE SUPERVILLIAN? BY CHRIS BEDOLLA
http://goo.gl/Vqg2uZ
Tom Tom 10.31.14
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WHAT IS YOUR WEIRDEST OBSESSION?
Pulling back the curtain to find out what really makes us obsess. JORDAN STATEN Tom Tom Staff
Who would’ve guessed that in the quiet town of Antioch some of the weirdest obsessions would be discovered? One doesn’t truly know someone until they learn what that person has an extreme liking and interest for. Just like the show “My Crazy Obsession,” most of the people that confess their odd ob-
sessions are very proud of them and don’t think that what they have an extreme liking for is strange in the slightest bit. “I have a weird obsession with soy sauce. I literally use it on everything I eat,” said Antioch Community High School Junior Lauren Slack. “I am really obsessed with Carrie Underwood. I know every single fact about her,” said Sophomore Haley Edwards.
The concept of why it is that we obsess over certain things is a difficult one to fathom. Slack said, “I think we obsess over specific things because we like them so much that we cannot get enough.” It is as though we cannot come up with a real reason other than the fact that we enjoy them more than other things, but what is it about these things that make us obsess? TT
WHAT IS YOUR BEST DREAM? Whether it’s about Justin Timberlake, or flying to the moon, we all have a favorite. PAIGE GRUBER Tom Tom Staff
E
ver wonder why you had that one weird dream? Maybe it was about flying killer whales in space, or possibly going on a date with your favorite celebrity crush. But the truth is, scientists don’t have a definite answer to where dreams exactly come from. Despite scientific support, it still is fun to wonder about what that dream was truly about, or why y o u wake up smiling in the mornKAYLA VAZQUEZ, JUNIOR ing. “One time, I met Zac Efron at this movie theater premiere. He put my number in his phone and he sent me a text later saying he wanted to hang out with me,” said junior Kayla Vazquez. “I cried when I woke up.” Freshman Deighton Butenschoen said, “I had a dream that Eminem and I recorded a song together,” said Butenschoen. “And all of the sudden we started jamming out and got married.” Senior Hanna Miholovich said, “My best friend surprised me on my birthday with twin baby chickens.” Sweet dreams, Sequoits. TT
One time, I met Zac Efron at this movie theater premiere.
26 Tom Tom 10.31.14
Photo by Clay Vesser
WHAT IS YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE?
Don’t worry. It was only a dream. PAIGE GRUBER Tom Tom Staff
You wake up suddenly in the middle of the night sweating, panting and even trembling, telling yourself that it was just a dream and you weren’t really being chased by a shark in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In fact, join the club. Everyone has crazy nightmare experiences. “One time, I had a dream that I was trapped on this really tall building. Then, all of the sudden, snakes and spiders started chasing me and I couldn’t go anywhere. It was a combination of all my fears: snakes, spiders and heights,” junior Mardochee Kamanga said, “One night, I had this bad dream that I was on ‘Fear Factor’ and my challenge was to eat a bucket full of scorpions,” said junior Anna Arden. “[It] almost made me cry just looking at it for $15,000, or I could walk away with what I already won...I walked with $1,000.” Next time you wake up paranoid and terrified, take a deep breath. It was only a dream and nightmares are natural. TT
HOW MANY BUTTERFLIES ARE THERE IN THE WORLD?
BY ARLENNE LOZANO
DO YOU BELIEVE IN BIGFOOT?
BY DANNY MEADE http://goo.gl/79T2jh
WHAT ARE THE FIVE BEST BOOKS? BY JESSICA GUZMAN
http://goo.gl/9iGz8o
HOW MANY LICKS DOES IT TAKE TO GET TO THE CENTER OF A LOLLIPOP?
BY JORDAN STATEN
http://goo.gl/MLoznF
http://goo.gl/cBubhS
UGG BOOTS AND YOGA PANTS?
What is the reason for this seasonal obsession?
KRISTINA ESDALE Tom Tom Staff
OUIJA BOARDS: PRACTICAL JOKE OR DANGEROUS TOY? LAUREN PONZETTI Tom Tom Staff
A
ccording to Google Search, a Ouija Board is, “a board printed with letters, numbers, and other signs, to which a planchette or movable indicator points, supposedly in answer to questions from people at a séance.” Antioch Community High School junior Courtney Coleman said, “Ouija boards are definitely real because of all the stuff that has happened to my friends and myself, and I would be crazy if it [Ouija Board] wasn’t.” Contrary to Coleman’s take on Ouija Boards, junior Ian Flatley said, “Every time I’ve tried to use the Ouija Board it never works for me, so I’m pretty skeptical about it.” There seems to be no solid answer on whether the Ouija Board actually has powers, since most can be made with just a block of wood or cardboard and a marker. But whether
or not Ouija Board’s are believed to be real, they are still to be approached with caution. “To do the Ouija board, you put your hands on the palette and then spin the palette in the counter clockwise position seven times and ask the spirit if it is here. When it says ‘Yes,’ you start asking questions. I wouldn’t recommend doing it, but if you do, be safe about it,” said Coleman. “I don’t know how many times I’ve done it [Ouija Board], but I know I’ve done it too much. I think I’m haunted, bad stuff started happening and now the lights flicker.” Ouija Boards were originally invented in the late 1800’s as a fortune telling toy with incredible accuracy. It started out being used to solely communicate with family members, but then quickly escalated into asking too many questions and over stepping dangerous boundaries. Ouija Boards in today’s society are mainly used to prove bravery and courage, but if Ouija Boards can do what they are said to be able to, is the risk worth it? TT
WHAT IS VICTORIA’S SECRET?
As the weather starts to drop, there is one noticeable trend that stands out the most for girls: Ugg boots and yoga pants. What’s the craze about them? First off, they’re extremely comfortable and easy to match with. Every teenage girl knows that for sure. Antioch Community High School sophomore Carlie Gaylord said, “They’re comfortable and they look cute. You can wear basically anything with them.” When did this phase of yoga pants take over? “Probably when yoga pants from Pink came out. I think it was around 2011,” said Gaylord. Since Pink released their brand of them, it was noticed that other stores started to make their own. Different styles soon started to appear: cropped, short, multiple colors and ridiculous patterns. Other stores also are known for making boots very similar to Ugg boots, but for an extremely lower price. The reason for the obsession is clear: Uggs and yoga pants are cute, comfortable and affordable. TT
WHEN ARE YOU TOO OLD TO TRICK OR TREAT?
BY JOHHNY HORTON
http://goo.gl/HJ1IOa
News flash: Victoria was actually a guy and his name was Roy. KRISTINA ESDALE Tom Tom Staff
Victoria’s Secret is a very popular lingerie store for women that opened in 1977. Women are immediately drawn in by the big, pink advertisements of skinny girls modeling cute lingerie. But the real question is, who is Victoria? What is her secret? It’s not what we think about while we shop around inside the store itself. “I think that her secret is that she’s actually confident with herself even though it may not seem like it on the outside. I think the store helps younger girls feel more confident about themselves,” said sophomore Ashley Reiser. Victoria’s Secret is known for making women feel more confident about themselves on the outside and inside. Occasionally, people come up with crazy theories like thinking
that Victoria is actually a man. In 1970, Roy Raymond walked into a department store to buy lingerie for his wife. While shopping inside, he was extremely uncomfortable and felt like he was being judged. He knew he wasn’t the only male to feel this way, so he came up with the idea to open up a lingerie store where men would feel more comfortable shopping. He based the theme of the store around the Victorian era, which is where the name Victoria came from. But in 1982, the store was nearing bankruptcy. Leslie Wexner bought the store from Raymond and in a matter of 15 years, Victoria’s Secret became a $1.9 billion company. However, the story behind one of America’s favorite lingerie stores is quite tragic. Rayond ended up commitying suicide after another failed business attempt. TT
WHAT IS THE MOST PATRIOTIC COLOR? BY DANNY MEADE
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PURGE: PLAY OR PASS? BY YASMIN LARA
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WHERE DO BABIES COME FROM?
Spoiler alert: they’re not really delivered by the stork. MADISON PADDOCK Lifestyles Editor
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t’s the age old question of the birds and the bees, but where do babies really come from? Astoundingly and unfortunately, a large number of babies are coming from high school and college students in the United States. According to Teenhelp.com, the United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the Western industrialized world. In 2012 alone, 305,388 babies were born to women ages 15 to 19 years old in the U.S. Thirty-four percent of teenagers will have at least one pregnancy before the age of 20. If that’s not surprising enough, consider this: three in 10 teenage girls will become pregnant before they graduate college. Junior Courtney Coleman said, “When I see someone that is pregnant, I feel bad for them. It’s sad to see a girl at such a young age that now has to take care of a child.” With the media glorifying teen pregnancy with shows like “16 and Pregnant” and “Secret Life of an American Teenager,” and movies like “Juno” and “The Pregnancy Pact,” this issue is becoming a social norm. The good news is that teen pregnancy rates are actually decreasing for the first time since the mid-1940’s. Hopefully, in a few years, the answer to ‘where do babies come from’ will not en in stating stats. TT
Photo by Shannon Hauhe Almost every kid asks, “Where do babies come from?,” and the answer is always very suprising. Scan the QR code above to see what the ACHS Little Sequoits preschoolers had to say about where babies come from.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT?
Bigfoot and the Lochness Monster are myths to some people, but love at first sight is the biggest myth of all to those in high school. Photo Illustration by Jordan Staten
JESSICA GUZMAN Tom Tom Staff
High school love: it's in movies, television shows and even in the halls of Antioch Community High School. It is everywhere. The real question is, did these couples fall in love at first sight? Love at first sight is stereotyped as finding that person, the one person you are destined to be with. In high school, love at first sight might just be mistaken for attraction. "It is only attraction at first sight," said Junior Benjamin Dahms. Dahms is a common
opinion, but this attraction can easily turn into love over time. Kathleen Stewart, ILC Secretary, said, "Within a short amount of time, you can tell whether that attraction can turn into something deeper." Stewart is a prime example of this. Her husband, whom she met in high school, liked her at first sight when their eyes met across the room at homecoming many years ago. She constantly brings up the respect held between each other, and the simple kindness he
IS THE ILLUMINATI REAL?
DO YOU KNOW ALL OF YOUR FACEBOOK FRIENDS?
BY NATHANIEL ALEXANDER
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BY THEODORE MARTINEK
showed went a long way, "it's almost like he treated me like a fine piece of china." "I definitely believe you can fall in love in high school, because I did," said Stewart. By keeping respect in the relationship, it changes the "like" into love. Whether it's being "in like" with someone when you first see them, or falling in love with someone over time, love is real. It comes in many different forms when you first see them, but love is in the air, so take it all in. TT
WHY DO PEOPLE GRIND AT DANCES? http://goo.gl/q3wpdI
BY NATHAN FORMELLA
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WOULD THE WORLD SUFFER MORE WITHOUT WOMEN OR MEN?
Photo by Jessica Guzman
Can’t live with them, can’t live without them. Who would the world suffer more without? Men or women? MADELYNN SOBERANO News Editor
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ho really rules the world? Men? Or Women? With the popular topic continuously brewing, the answer is still up in the air about who relies on who. Antioch Community High School science teacher Robert Schrader said, “If you didn’t have one or the other, there would be no propagation of the species. From a biological stand point, you’re done.” But putting aside the biological and scientific reasoning, who would suffer more? “The traditional role of men is that they are the providers of the family. That they are the ones that have the jobs and support everybody. The modern role that both men and women should be equal in is relationship or family. They should both be the providers and should split the domestic traits as well,” said ACHS English teacher Sarah Ogborn. “Tra-
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SCARY MOVIE?
WHO IS MORE SUCCESSFUL: MEN OR WOMEN? BY NICK DOROSAN
ditional roles of women would be to take care of the house and raise children, but of today, still lots of women take on the role of parent, caregivers or ‘domestic goddess,’ whichever you may have.” From the traditional standpoint of the argument, if all women were to disappear off the face of the earth, what would happen? Would the house be a mess? Would the kids run wild? “If my mom were to just disappear one day, our house would be disgusting and my brother and I would be eating mac n’ cheese and pizza every night for dinner. If my dad were to disappear, the house would still be clean, but there would be no consequence,” said junior Kyle Babcock. If, instead of men, women were in charge of our government and military, how would it be different? Would countries just ignore each other and go without talking? Or sub-
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BY CHRISTIAN BEDOLLA
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tweet each other constantly? “In some ways, there would be less aggressive actions, not in every case, but more attention would be brought to family and maternity leave. Women’s issues would have a greater voice. I think culture would change theoretically,” said Ogborn. “In all honesty, I think if we had fewer women, we would suffer. The women that are present. There would be a lot going for them and feel scarce. If there was a lack of women, I think violence towards women would increase and the world would become more aggressive.” “I couldn’t imagine a world without women. There would be way too many men,” said Schrader. With the bias answer still unclear, there is no way to tell exactly what the outcome really is. The only real way to tell is if one or the other disappeared completely. TT
WHO IS YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH?
BY PAIGE GRUBER
http://goo.gl/XLiynq
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IS TUPAC REALLY DEAD? The myths and reality of the legend will forever remain a mystery.
CHRISTIAN BEDOLLA
Tom Tom Staff
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he rap game changed dramatically when one person turned the tables of the game. He goes by the name of 2pac or Makaveli. Tupac Shakur is the legend of rap. He changed the whole industry, but his life ended early in 1996 at the age of 25. Many people questioned Shakur’s death because of the many signs that could prove that the legend was not dead, including one of his most famous nicknames being spelled wrong on purpose. Niccolo Machiavelli was a famous Italian general who faked his death so his enemies wouldn’t be able to kill him and then he snuck in and killed them. Junior Zach Olson said, “I think Tupac is dead because why wouldn’t he come out of hiding yet? The Illimunati would of got him by now.” Another lead was said that Tupac would return in 2014. The many numbers in his songs add up to 2014. Junior Josh Gillcrist said, “I think Tupac is alive because there are more signs to prove he is alive than dead, I don’t know if he is going to Photo by Madelyn Chassay come back but I hope he does.” TT
JERSEY SHORE: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? BY ALEX RUANO
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HAVE YOU SEEN ALL THE HARRY POTTER MOVIES? BY MADELYNN SOBERANO
Graphic by Johnny Horton
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WHO IS A? BY ABBY PIERCE
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SHOULD JUSTIN BIEBER BE DEPORTED? The pop sensation poses the circulating question in response to his illegal behavior. MADELYNN SOBERANO News Assignment Editor
Justin Bieber’s name always seems to appear somewhere, but things started getting out of hand when #DeportBieber began trending on Twitter in the last few months. With Bieber’s large ego continuing to grow and trouble seeming to follow him where ever he goes, is it time to send him packing? Lately, Bieber had several run-ins with the law. With the twitterverse in an uproar regarding his decisions, many think he should get deported back to Canada. In an anonymous survey at Antioch Community High School, one respondent said, “If he was considered an equal, he would receive the same treatment as other immigrants—those who have committed minimal to no crime at all are still deported. Just because
he is a celebrity, his actions are brushed off the shoulder, and it shows the inequality in our country and the falseness of ‘all men are equal.’” Bieber is in the United States on an O-1 Visa, which is issued to anyone with “extraordinary ability or achievement” in their field. While some think he should be thrown out completely, others think he should be given a second chance. Junior Courtney Coleman said, “Other people commit crimes daily; he should not be deported because people don’t like him. I’m not supportive of the things he’s been doing, but I don’t think he should be deported.” Maybe the former clean-cut teen pop star won’t be sent back over the border in the near future, and his welcome home might be a poor one. Bieber was booed at a Canadian award show earlier this year. TT
WHO REALLY IS JESSIE’S GIRL? Photo by Clay Vesser
The cult classics “Jessie’s Girl“ and “Stacy’s Mom” sparked two crazy cool questions that hit home. Photo by Johnny Horton
JESSICA GUZMAN Tom Tom Staff
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wo of your favorite songs from different decades are back to prove a point. Did Stacy’s mom really have it going on and is Jessie’s girl really what you’d thought she’d be? Both songs are making a comeback and making real impressions of ladies in the Antioch Community High School community. Stacy is known as the girl next door with the mom who has got in going on. Even though Stacy is seemingly the average high school student, is her mom really the hot woman you think of in your dreams? Fountains of Wayne first claimed she was in 2003. With no students at ACHS with the name Stacy, junior Will Frillman helped answer the question by aiming to the conclusion that, “No, she’s not hot.” As for Jessie’s girl, there’s high hopes for Rick Springfield’s iconic girlfriend of 1981. Sophomore Jesse Tamez, filling in as ACHS’s Jessie, actually has a “Jessie’s Girl” in mind. Even though he is not with her and refers to his mother as his No. 1 lady, Jesse’s girl is a sequoit. Jesse’s girl, a sophomore and a close and personal friend of Tamez, is someone he has been thinking about lately. Though Jessie’s girl will remain a mystery, she is a lucky lady to Tamez. She is Jesse’s girl. TT
WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE YOUR CELEB PARENT? PAIGE GRUBER
Tom Tom Staff Could you imagine being little Blue Ivy, growing up having the fearless Beyonce as a mother? Or what about a super, funny dad, who could never fail to make you laugh like Jim Carry? ACHS students took the time and thougt about who they would like to be their parents. “Kloe Kardashian and Justin Timberlake,” said Antioch Community High School junior Allison Craun said. “They’re are my favorite people and I seriously love them!” Junior Matt Adams took a very different approach on the question. “I would choose my own parents,” said Adams. “They made me who I am today and they mean the world to me.” Family is forever, and even though we don’t have super famous parents, no one is going to love you as much as your true parents.TT
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED “THAT ONE TIME AT BAND CAMP”? BY MADELYN CHASSAY
http://goo.gl/Zz5tcX
WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?
A student analysis of the hit song by the Baha Men reveals who really let the dogs out. DANNY MEADE Tom Tom Staff
“Who let the dogs out?” Many are familiar with this famous song, but do es anyone actually know who let the dogs out? “I think an old man let the dogs out based on what I saw in the music video,” said sophomore Carlie Gaylord. She believes the dogs represent girls, and that girls are looked at in a more negative way. As in, “who let all these girls out of their place.” According to the app Rap Genius, “who let the dogs out” means, “The dog here is presumably meant to be taken as sexually active men.” Breaking down lyrics can help the listener discover what really the artist meant. There is always a deeper meaning to lyrics. TT Tom Tom 10.31.14
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WHY ARE WE HERE? BY SHANNON ZOGRAN
http://goo.gl/2jPifD
DO YOU LIKE YOUR NAME? BY JOHNNY HORTON
Photos by Nathan Formella
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN TEN YEARS?
Through the course of life, comes struggles that might just lead to the right path. NATHANIEL ALEXANDER
try. English was not my first language, and in a lot of contexts, and just my background in general, my mom and I were not that well off growing up. So statistically n a decade the students who walk the halls will be speaking, I think I had a lot of strikes against me. My in different places with different stories following feeling is that it is your desire to succeed that is ultithem. The question is, what will those stories con- mately going to make the difference," said Rodriguez. His plan contained one main goal: not to upset his tain? Everyone has different plans after high school, mother. plans that will hopefully be accomplished. "My biggest fear was letting my mom down and my Even the most sucsesful have to motivation was to make all the sacbegin somewhere. Assistant Prinrifices that she made for me pay off," cipal of Student Services Omar said Rodriguez. "If I were still in Rodriguez faced several obstacles school I could see myself in a little before reaching success. "Statistitrouble, but I could also see myself cally I shouldn't be here," said Rostill going to college." driguez in his opening address at As for junior Jatiyah Childs, her the annual class meetings. "Initialstory is only a dream waiting to ly I really didn't know what it was become a reality. that I wanted to do. Throughout the "In 10 years I see myself gradmajority of my educational experiuated from college, and living ence I didn't necessarily see myself a successful life, and I also see in college." myself having a steady career. My Rodriguez’s story can resonate inspiration would be my family, I with many students who feel they just can’t make it. He was once a OMAR RODRIGUEZ, ASST. PRINCIPAL just want to see them happy and know that I didn’t upset them,” said confused high school student, and Childs. “My goals should be easy to now came out on top against all accomplish as long as I work for it.” odds. Goals can only be achieved if we have the mind set "I am at-risk left and right. My mom is a single parent. I am a Latino male immigrant from another coun- mentality to strive for nothing but the best. TT
Tom Tom Staff http://goo.gl/7c5otf
WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? BY MADISON PADDOCK
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I am at-risk left and right. ... English was not my first language, and in a lot of contexts, and just my background in general, my mom and I were not that well off growing up. So statistically speaking, I think I had a lot of strikes against me.
WHAT IS
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF? BY ABBY PIERCE
There is more to life than just growing and breathing. CLAY VESSER Tom Tom Staff
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rofessors, theologians, biologists, movies, literature and humans constantly come up with theories, but really, what is life? If you search for “the answer to life, the universe and everything” on Google it gives you a number, 42. The number 42 is the answer to life according to the movie “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy“. But before you scramble to Netflix, think about what the real question is, or rather, questions. Yes, multiple questions. If you think about it in simple terms, the answer to “what is life?” is what you are doing right now as you read this. Breathing, using energy, growing, reproducing and then, eventually, dying. That is life. What we really want to know when we ask “what is life?” is, what is the purpose of life, why is there life, and do I have a reason for the life that I have been given? Antioch Community High School science teacher Elizabeth Pohlman sees life as happiness. “I don’t think that any individual is actually created or born with a specific purpose they’re meant
to serve. I think that you find your purpose as a result of the people that you interact with and the experiences that make you the way that you are and who you are. And based on those interactions and experiences, you figure out what your purpose is because in essence, it all comes down to what fulfills that person, and really, what makes you happy,” said Pohlman. The purpose for life is really to find what makes you happy and to fulfill your goals in life. What this means is that the purpose in life is to do what makes you happy, to do what you want. Because in the end, the person that matters the most, the person that will always be with you, is yourself. ACHS junior Seth Wright on the other hand, believes life is about helping others. “I think the purpose of life is to do good things, and to help each other,” said Wright. Whether you choose to make others or yourself happy, in the end it is really all about happiness. Life is too short, so whatever you decide to do, make sure it makes you happy. TT
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST REGRET? High school is not about an all work and no play mentality. MADISON PADDOCK Lifestyles Editor
American society is plagued by “YOLO” and “no regrets” being slogans to live by; where living fast and acting without thinking is a daily occurrence. Ideally, there would be no regrets about past events, but the truth is, in high school, kids make mistakes all the time, and the Antioch Community High School staff and alumni feel they are no exception to this. Recent Antioch Community High School graduate Christian Norris’s advice to high schoolers is to take advantage of the limited time you have. “My biggest regret would have to be rushing through my four years. I always seemed to be worried about moving on and what was next. I wish I would’ve sat back and enjoyed everything. I also regret not getting involved more,” Norris said. One of the new ACHS staff members feels that it's not good to get too caught up in the past and regrets. "I'm not a big regret sort of person. I believe that we can only learn from our past experiences and use them to drive us forward," science teacher Howard Citron said. It is true that high school is the time to make mistakes and learn who you are, just make sure you don't 'YOLO' too hard.
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ARE YOU PROUD OF YOUR LABEL? BY MADISON PADDOCK
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WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOURSELF? BY ABBY PIERCE
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. . . R E H T A E THIS ISSHEHPLAYS THE VIOLIN Scan here to see a video about Heather Beckman and her high school experience.
http://goo.gl/7QrgUk
. . . T T A M S I THIS HE’S A FOOTBALL PLAYER. Scan here to see a video about Matt Stiglic and his high school experience.
http://goo.gl/Cd5Uxv
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