OPINIONS
4 Blueprint
Nov. 16, 2012 BlueprintStaff
Eco-Fads versus Lasting Impact
Baby steps won’t make the strides toward counter-acting climate change
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Editorials: Editorials reflect the opinion of the Blueprint staff. Subjects and positions for editorials have been agreed upon by the staff. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the adviser, student body or CSD99-South. Student submission: Replies to articles and letters to the editor may be e-mailed to the reporter or submitted in room A310. Letters must be signed, but names can be withheld upon request. Emails with contact information should be sent to DGSblueprint@gmail.com
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The ideology that “even the small steps matter” has helped encourage the young and old alike to get involved in whatever activity is at hand. Although this principal seems redeeming and worthy, it turns out that the small steps may not be enough. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, who promotes “work[ing] together to protect wildlife, safeguard human health and combat climate change,” the climate’s temperature has increased unnaturally fast in the last 100 years due to human activities that produce carbon dioxide, in turn trapping heat and other greenhouse gases. Not only does climate change affect our lives on a global scale, the Midwest has a crucial connection to the deteriorating environmental status that needs to be addressed in a concrete manner. The Great Lakes are an imperative and integrated part of the Midwestern society as the temperature continues to increase, so does evaporation. It is estimated that water levels could drop one to two feet by the end of the century. Heat waves, floods and droughts will cause the Midwestern environment to be extremely hard to handle. This directly impacts the state of agriculture. To throw an already recycled water bottle back in the recycling bin and cross your fingers that it’ll arrive safely back at the recycling plant instead of a landfill will only get us so far. Being eco-friendly in a simplistic fashion won’t produce the positive prevention that is needed. “Real” involvement calls for complex action that will be lasting and effective. As far as DGS is concerned, junior Go Green club member Haley Holz feels there are definitive ways students can help out. “We could use reusable trays in the lunchrooms and encourage a [stricter] recycling rule,” Holz said. “It is frustrating to see students who merely toss any waste they have into the recycling bins.” These baby steps show a conscious effort to combat what many students believe are our environmental woes, but the weight of those attempts is what we believe should be reconsidered. Eco-minded decisions can make a difference if consistent. More times than not, if one step is taken and carried out, it will snowball into other eco-friendly choices. Trends and fads that celebrities endorse on the red carpet fade- and we need long-term progress. While it may be argued that trivial environmental fads are better than nothing, investing time in go-green activities for a week and then, simply forgetting that the environment is deteriorating will not get the job done. Earth Science teacher Bradley Krumpolz acknowledges that although the larger environment’s digression “is a global problem that needs to be fixed by 7 billion individuals,” there are most definitely ways to avoid “dodging our responsibility.” “Many of the initiatives that we are currently investigating in the U.S.A. and other parts of the world will certainly have lasting effects and need to be pursued aggressively,” Krumpolz said. “Examples include alternative energy sources and carbon sequestration.” Climate change is not a child star. Its show cannot get cancelled. It cannot be “bought out-” it is here to stay. We need to find a way to combat the negative effects that are already playing out, and prevent them from digging deeper holes in our environment. G
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Junior, Jack Marcoski
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Entertainment Editor Stephanie Major
Sports Editor Katie Jordan
Photo Editor Sammie Anselmo
Graphic Designer TJ Stice
Copy Chief Editor Kayla Dickman
Copy Editor Kelly Slagter
Copy Editor Emma Venetis
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Features Editor Jessica Rouzan
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Associate News Editor Eleni Eisenhart
All DGS students are welcome
What:
Picking up recycling bins
When:
Every Tuesday after school
Where:
Room D172
Why:
“There should be a Go Green Club at every school ... [to] help with big community recycling projects. If every school in the U.S. has a club like this, our environment can only improve.”
How:
“All you have to do is put something that can be recycled [paper products] in the blue recycling bin.”
Managing Editor Marygrace Schumann
Business Manager Gabhriel Bell
Staff Reporters: Courtney Byczynski Jenna Hinsdale Mira Marchioretto Dhara Puvar Cartoon Artist: Crystal Ponce Faculty Adviser: Agnes Filipowski Co-Adviser: Kari Alore 1436 Norfolk Street Downers Grove, IL, 60561 @DGSblueprint
OPINIONS
4 Blueprint
Dec. 21, 2012
Staff Editorial: Ready to jump?
The impending doom that our economy is staring dead in the face has proved to not only confuse the average American, but also put Democrats and Republicans at a stalemate when it comes down to solving the “fiscal cliff.” According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), “the ‘fiscal cliff’ is a term used to describe a bundle of...U.S. federal tax increases and spending cuts that...[will] take effect at the end of 2012 and early 2013.” The CBO also estimates that the end of the Bush-era tax breaks will cut the federal budget deficit by approximately $500 million while simultaneously causing a tax hike for all Americans. The consequences of these cuts ending have many economists predicting another recession and a rise in the unemployment rate. Both sides have to decide whether to lower the deficit by relying on citizen spending while raising their taxes or to put tax cuts in place despite running the national debt into the ground. Overwhelming, extremely, and knowing the issue is one step, but finding a solution is the next. The Blueprint staff believes U.S. lawmakers should consider the alternative-fiscal scenario, which makes many changes to the current law and would end up modifying some of the law that might be difficult to sustain for a long period of time. This resolution does not allow the government to continue to spend immense amounts of money we do not have. Although the results of this scenario might have a bleak impact on the immediate future, the exposure of our nation’s exponentially growing debt will prompt the need to change the current mind-set of our economic leaders. Senior Adam Soto expresses his concerns about the possibility that his family might fall into the proposed financial ditch. “My parents’ income tax rates will go up and that will cut in to what we can spend which is what scares economists since spending drives our economy,” Soto said. “My father may lose his job which would put us to the brink of foreclosure. But that is only if the country does in fact go over the cliff, and then stays over the cliff…[if]we are over the cliff for even two months, it won’t really hurt.” Raising taxes for all and expecting them to faithfully invest in a recovering economy should not be the solution to prevail. Social Studies teacher Jordan Delay remains optimistic that the political tension will stop in order to compromise what is best for the nation at large. “Both sides need to be open to change, including the possibility of increasing taxes on the wealthiest Americans,” Delay said. “Congress needs to recognize the impact this decision has on the American public…the economy and not allow political ties and campaigns to affect their decisions.” Our nation’s fiscal woes have yet again caught up with us, and this time, they need to be exposed and dealt with head on.
Fiscal cliff encourages economic awareness
“The government doesn’t really have much to choose from. They can either...not increase taxes and not cut spending [even though] that would add to the deficit, or go somewhere in between these,”
“Whatever they agree on will be better than what is in place now, but even with the current plan the economy is not doomed,” -Jacob Amiri, junior
Features Editor Jessica Rouzan
Entertainment Editor Stephanie Major
Sports Editor Katie Jordan
Photo Editor Sammie Anselmo
Graphic Designer TJ Stice
“Lawmakers should just come together, put aside partisan politics, and work together to come to a solution that benefits every family in this country,”
“If these tax increases and spending cuts all take place, the government would save almost $600 billion next year, but it would put a huge strain on the economy, hindering growth and possibly leading to another recession. “
Online publication: Heavy Video Company
News Editor Ali Krecek
Opinions Editor Bianca Smith
Copy Chief Editor Kayla Dickman
Copy Editor Kelly Slagter
-Andrea Fogarty, senior
Copy Editor Emma Venetis
Managing Editor Marygrace Schumann
Business Manager Gabhriel Bell
By Dhara Puvar, Staff Reporter
-Halli Goldman, Reporter
Editor-in-Chief Aiste Markevicius
Associate News Editor Eleni Eisenhart
Plunge
“Without new legislation, there will be a $1.2 trillion cut to government programs, including defense and Medicare.” -Halli Goldman, Reporter
Editorials: Editorials reflect the opinion of the Blueprint staff. Subjects and positions for editorials have been agreed upon by the staff. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the adviser, student body or CSD99-South. Student submission: Replies to articles and letters to the editor may be e-mailed to the reporter or submitted in room A310. Letters must be signed, but names can be withheld upon request. Emails with contact information should be sent to DGSblueprint@gmail.com
-Aamna Khalid, junior
Graphics by TJ Stice
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“Taxes would jump about $2,000 for a middle income family, according to a study by the non-partisan Tax Policy Center. Because consumers would get less of their paychecks to spend, businesses and jobs would suffer.”
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-Connie Cass, Reporter
Staff Reporters: Courtney Byczynski Jenna Hinsdale Mira Marchioretto Dhara Puvar Cartoon Artist: Peter Dignan Faculty Adviser: Agnes Filipowski Co-Adviser: Kari Alore
Online publication: Huffington Post
1436 Norfolk Street Downers Grove, IL, 60561 @DGSblueprint
5 Blueprint
OPINIONS
Feb. 15, 2013 BlueprintStaff
Staff Editorial: Driving privledges for
all Illinoians
n residing o have bee h w ts n ra mig er’s license ssued driv s, illegal im -i th te n a o st m a 0 e 1 inn, Senate receiv ately ov. Pat Qu G In approxim granted the ability to f o sy e rt , the bill ill be ents. Cou rd Acevedo a w d in Illinois w the proper requirem E . p e dR nts could ing hicago) an al immigra -C g le (D il after fulfill n o se o rt e th s John Cull theft issue President le identity ib ss t by passo p . e ll a th in the righ ing for re v e ri w d disregards r rs fe to sa ges cuss conlegisla used to dis ead encoura that although state e to b st in ld u d o n a sh ng system ves llow create fingerprinti ths that fo t staff belie n n a o f ri o p m e y 0 it lu 1 il B e ib The reform, th nd the poss migration ore depth a nts. m f ca o s Enforceli s p p ing this im ck a e nd Custom iminal und ch a cr ro n g d o n ti ck a a ra t b n ig g nd punImm udule ductin detained a g the U.S. re otential fra a in p v s e e ri d th im n te cr o a g elimin inistrati committin bama Adm al persons g le il hand, and re With the O o t. n m e c incid nwide, o hand and o fi g ti ci a e m n e to be sp ) st e E sy C th rints were ing on rinting ment (I d rp rp n e e e g g p n e n fi d fi if a ly at ing and f the bill th t. ished accord f federal involvement sponsors o h ngagemen it e o t w E a s e IC re f re tal o g r a a t The th n fe ri , in p data 893 fa eing e slim e Blue sh b a th f ld cr o u 2 o 1 ty w 0 ri t 2 -ou on sed, b the majo ransportati plicant turn sh or decea T p a f a o cr e t e n th e th t m a g in taken, th ois Depart her surviv to the Illin drivers, eit se o th wheel or in f o According 6 0 with 2 behind the d t . e n rr ra u ig cc m o l im st be seized crashes nsed illega drivers mu ce f o li n ra u e n n a d a st se te d r es ha educa unlicen llow simila e fatal crash y of achieving a more ual must fo (IGNN) id iv rk d o it Whether th in n tw e u e ews N opport nse, th e N ce t li in th n d e t, e a m u se ss rn e ate-i ve resided Gov the back t must “ha lify for a st he Illinois a n g T u ca in q y. li v b p to ri e p d r a id e a b e pass In ord hts, th must a g r… s e ri n ’ b e z rs m e ti u v ci n ri l d lega al Security in access to dards that le for a Soci order to ga ib g in li e t rocess a e b th t o d eges’, the p ear…n outline y il v a ri n p a n th e z gal l citi more insurance.” that of a le ing on lega Illinois for g to to u l in a ca fr y ti in rr n e ts ca n id and se immigra ble to drive is almost safety test ents of the a m g u in rg e a b e y it ll when she lega Desp Lithuania ure before m d o n e fr s st te u ta m S uiring state ed in they to the Unit igrants acq er. v d m ri te d im l l ra a fu ig g e m le p t il and ho , who im agrees tha ileges. nts a Simulyte er license, h e tizens’ priv ci iv Junior Iev l gal immigra ce a le g re il le s to g a t n e re ti y e la s h a ,w hat dh y vio get a license n,” Simulyte said. “T was five an re in no wa a to s y se it n n u ce li rt e ] affect er’s citiz oppo ot [directly American issued driv e an equal n n v s a a e h s o a s d n ts it e z h g se ti “All legal ci ss to gain ri erican] citizens becau ugh a proce m ro A l th a g o e g [l f to so reform and have e privilege migration th im rm th a t out of o h b t s o does n toward nities is no u ch m a m ro p co p r a u o .” ive ads and in their rights l showing a progress e on the ro g il n b a is ch nt testth e v h ti Wit , a posi ith sufficie is w o t n a li th Il s e in s ill be safer. sposito agre driving law ll drivers w legally ristopher E a h , C rn ir a tu h . in C t reach ment ill be, and who are no ies Depart d drivers w ople here, se e n p paying ce e l Social Stud li v il a e st h b y, to conom going rving to e se e re e a th d u o to se y o g if n at uti wever they ing, th nse to me th l working, still contrib to make sure that ho se s e k a m “It nt stil to said. that we wa fe,” Esposi e here, but b s, sa e to x is d ta B s re t le te in it regis s and sa oint A to po rs’ license, ayroll taxe their job- p ing a drive v a to o h e h t w m taxes via p a o y y h d rl o nyb icula from their censes to a issue, part li ’ is rs th e are getting t v a ri d g e lookin nd issue “When we’r nse to have testing a se f o t makes a lo .” n the road o e b ld wou
Editorials: Editorials reflect the opinion of the Blueprint staff. Subjects and positions for editorials have been agreed upon by the staff. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the adviser, student body or CSD99-South. Student submission: Replies to articles and letters to the editor may be e-mailed to the reporter or submitted in room A310. Letters must be signed, but names can be withheld upon request. Emails with contact information should be sent to DGSblueprint@gmail.com
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Editor-in-Chief Aiste Markevicius
News Editor Ali Krecek
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Associate News Editor Eleni Eisenhart
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Opinions Editor Bianca Smith
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Features Editor Jessica Rouzan
Entertainment Editor Stephanie Major
Sports Editor Katie Jordan
Photo Editor Sammie Anselmo
Graphic Designer TJ Stice
Copy Chief Editor Kayla Dickman
Copy Editor Kelly Slagter
Copy Editor Emma Venetis
Managing Editor Marygrace Schumann Graphics by TJ Stice
Business Manager Gabhriel Bell
281,788 crashes and 918 deaths occured in 2011.
The average cost for a critically injured survivor of a motor vehicle crash is estimated at $1.1 million over a lifetime.
IL
Driving
Data
Statistics recieved from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
In 2011, there were 18,331 motor vehicle crashes in DuPage county.
Staff Reporters: Courtney Byczynski Jenna Hinsdale Mira Marchioretto Dhara Puvar Cartoon Artist: Peter Dignan Faculty Adviser: Agnes Filipowski Co-Adviser: Kari Alore 1436 Norfolk Street Downers Grove, IL, 60561 @DGSblueprint
5 Blueprint
OPINIONS
March 22, 2013
How To:
BlueprintStaff
Senior Jonathan Woods says the original Harlem Shake is as simple as “just [shaking] your shoulders side to side.” Photo Illustration by Sammie Anselmo
The Blueprint staff danced their way into the hype of The Harlem Shake. Opinions on witnessing the videos were expressed, as well as after we made a video of our own: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4uK6dtVFpkw
Before Yet again, we have been graced with another viral sensation. Unfortunately, this is one too many. The Harlem Shake, or at least the 2013 YouTube versions of The Harlem Shake, shouldn’t be receiving mass amounts of attention for reasons of non-existent dancing skills, poor costuming and ridiculous settings. But most importantly? Because we don’t care. The Blueprint staff believes that The Harlem Shake phenomenon is a phase- Not necessarily a mockery but still not extremely humorous. Annoying, for a lack of better terms. From the University of Georgia’s underwater rendition of the newest craze to the Harlem Shakers of New York firing back with claims that rappers G. Dep and P. Diddy’s original dance is being made fun of, everyone seems entranced. In 2001, dubstep and sleeping bags were not involved- just shoulder raises accompanied by a few shakes in between. Now, it all starts with a single “shaker.” This individual had free reign to move as he or she pleases and can be identified by a helmet or a mask in the midst of normally clothed and unmoving people. The antics play out for approximately four to eight
For Indifferent Against
25% 50% 25%
counts. At this point, the anticipation builds through the bass of the song, and once it dropsAnarchy. As a staff, we had to weigh the outrageous options: Would we rather search for humor in 30 seconds worth of randomly costumed gyrating, or immerse ourselves in world debates that actually affect our well-being? The second option prevailed. With this article seemingly contradicting our wishes to discuss more worthwhile topics, the absurdity of the popularity surrounding the “modern” Harlem Shake needed to be dismissed. Senior and dance enthusiast Jonathan Woods doesn’t appreciate the newest version of the Harlem Shake. Woods had the “Soulja Boy” dance down step by step in the eighth grade, and doesn’t hesitate to show off a “Stanky legg” or “Dougie,” every time the opportunity arises. “I saw Bow Wow and P.Diddy do it in [2001]...[this is] just a... video version flash mobbing which is also popular in New York but it is taking a dance that was originated in Harlem and making a joke of it,” Woods said. No matter which dance came first, or if you can even call the newest Harlem Shake a dance, the controversy and attention surrounding it should be spent on more urgent issues- Not who can claim the moves their own or how hilarious it is to watch masses of people flail in costume.
Dance
Editor-in-Chief Aiste Markevicius
After
For Indifferent Against
What’s an argument without acknowledging or in our case, experiencing its counterpoint? The excitement almost couldn’t be contained as willing participants of the Blueprint staff awaited the filming of their Harlem Shake video. Filming the “new-age” Harlem Shake allowed a fresh perspective on why the video’s successes were so immediate and enjoyable: It is, without any embellishments, fun. Watching members of a normally serious and sophisticated staff- especially with the stress of deadlines- dress up in Santa costumes and ski masks while awkwardly dancing around was a much needed release. Despite the majority of our staff feeling indifferent toward the Harlem Shake’s fame and humor, almost immediately after we were costumed, the indifference morphed into wanting to look the most ridiculous, or gain the most laughs. Varsity dance coach Dawn Jovic recognized the similar name, but foreign dance, is much less complicated as everyone is making it out to be. “The new fad is not much like my version of the Harlem Shake at all,” Jovic said. “But...most viral videos like flash mobs and the ‘Call Me Maybe’ videos I think it’s just people being silly and having fun.” The thrill of being a fool, or at least creating a ridiculous
video and being able to laugh at yourself as well as be laughed at by an audience that shares the same attraction to the craze that you do may just be why these videos become so addicting. Editor-in-Chief of the Blueprint and senior Aiste Markevicius reflected on the power of the communal craze and the impact it has on the culture of DGS. “The Harlem Shake videos have connected a lot of DGS students and a lot of individuals on a global scale,” Markevicius said. “Many of us have created these videos and experienced the process of creating these videos, so we all share similar experiences and memories.” Even if the subconscious drive to make these videos are to be a part of something greater than our immediate and contained community, realizing the origins of the craze as well as focusing on worthwhile news topics is essential. The laughs were full and genuine, and the post-Harlem Shake buzz hung in the air for the rest of the period. Even though our filming was a success, when reflecting on the aftermath of creating a Harlem Shake video, it still didn’t resonate past our previous understanding of this viral craze.
2007 2009 2012
Timeline Information compiled from YouTube at the time of publication “Crank That Soulja Boy”
“Teach Me How To Dougie”
“Gangnam Style”
136,288,695 views
45,608,069 views
1,447,979,958 views
Graphics by TJ Stice
VIRAL Video
36% 46% 18%
Editorials: Editorials reflect the opinion of the Blueprint staff. Subjects and positions for editorials have been agreed upon by the staff. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the adviser, student body or CSD99-South. Student submission: Replies to articles and letters to the editor may be e-mailed to the reporter or submitted in room A310. Letters must be signed, but names can be withheld upon request. Emails with contact information should be sent to DGSblueprint@gmail.com
News Editor Ali Krecek
Associate News Editor Eleni Eisenhart Opinions Editor Bianca Smith
Features Editor Jessica Rouzan
Entertainment Editor Stephanie Major
Sports Editor Katie Jordan
Photo Editor Sammie Anselmo
Graphic Designer TJ Stice
Copy Chief Editor Kayla Dickman
Copy Editor Kelly Slagter
Copy Editor Emma Venetis
Managing Editor Marygrace Schumann
Business Manager Gabhriel Bell
Staff Reporters: Courtney Byczynski Jenna Hinsdale Mira Marchioretto Dhara Puvar Cartoon Artist: Peter Dignan Faculty Adviser: Agnes Filipowski Co-Adviser: Kari Alore 1436 Norfolk Street Downers Grove, IL, 60561 @DGSblueprint