d e v i l s ’
a d v o c a t e
September-October 2021
dancing through the decades- p.12 the balancing act- p.16
hinsdale central high school | volume 100
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t a b l e
o f
F
16 Battleground Contributors
Club Contributors
Section Editors
Editor-in-Chief
Danyal Jawed
Hannah Brown
Grace Myall
Mara Severts
Katie Parkins
Rachel Brugge
Maximillian J. Pohlenz
Managing Editors
Artistic Contributor Karen Tan
Photo Contributor Mia Hanlon
Grace Deane
Nadia Burt
Annie Koziel
Killian Hughes
Reagan Scott
Copy Editor
Samrah Syed
Christine Leung
or the past year, Hinsdale Central has been zoomed in- literally and ἀguratively. All eyes were on case counts, Zoom issues and virtual assignments. Almost all of us have been living under a microscope. Devils’ Advocate takes this issue to zoom out instead, taking a bigger view of what’s going on in our school as a whole. As we move back to normalcy, we look to introduce the spirit of Central to younger generations: introducing the school to juniors who have never had a f ull, normal year of high school, and freshmen who haven’t had in-person classes since they were 12. In “ The Balancing Act”, we take time to share how students succeed at a high performing school, and in “”Dancing Through the Decades”, we explore searching for inclusivity when trying to bring back events postCOVID. Daily Devil takes a s troll around the school, taking a lo ok at the stresses and joys of coming back to in-person school. Our editorial discusses the implementation of ID’s, and our new column “Dear Devil” gives answers to students most pressing questions with advice. This issue, we took a step back. And with our ἀrst issue of the 100th volume, we hope to let you get the big picture of who Central is—for your ἀrst time, or for your last.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mara Severts
Cover Design by Mara Severts
Devils’ Advocate seeks to provide an open and diverse forum created by and for the students from Hinsdale Central. The staff of Devil’s Advocate aims to bring news to the community of the school and the surrounding area, by wokring with students, parents and faculty, as well as reporting on events in a fa ir and balanced manner. The publication strives to inform, educate and improve, the atmosphere and student body by sharing information and recognizing and ideas.
2 | Contents
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c
c o n t e n t s .....................
ISSUE 01
around campus
profiles
04 06 08
DAILY DEVIL TRENDS CURRENT EVENTS
10
20
06
ONE PACE AT A TIME Runners from Hinsdale Central’s cross country teams comment on challenges they face in the sport
features
12
DANCING THROUGH THE DECADES
Generations past and present ἀnd the balance between a return to normalcy and the opportunity to create change.
08
16
THE BALANCING ACT
12
Hinsdale Central’s high reputation for academic excellence places high expectations on the students.
19 20 22 23
perspectives
PHOTOSPREAD DEAR DEVIL BATTLEGROUND EDITORIAL CONTACT ADVISER, CHERISE LOPEZ CLOPEZ@HINSDALE86.ORG 630.570.8361
04 10 19
23 Contents | 3
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d a i l y
d e v i l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
back to stress
students’ poll results show what students think about the start of the school year by Hannah Brown
T
he 2020-21 school year was marked by adaptation and quite a bit of hand sanitizer. But now, school has returned to in-person, so gone are the days of having Cohorts A, B, and R. Students are learning full-time on campus with the relief of no Zoom meetings, no faulty WiFi, and no hours sitting in the same chair. As school returns to normal, some students have noted the return to intensity as well. Only a t hird of students who responded to a D evils’ Advocate survey indicated that they found last year harder than the ἀrst bit of this year, with under half reporting their homework load as intense or ridiculous. One student said that, while it was joyful to see peers again and to make new friends, “so much homework” was bringing down the experience. Out of the 109 students who took the survey, nearly 60% agreed that their year had been a 7 or 8 out of 10 so far, with the overall average being a solid 6.7.
How would you describe your homework load this year?
How would you rate your first month of school (1 being terrible, 10 being fantastic)
109 responses
Several students also expressed happiness with how school has gone so far. One student said that math had become a favorite subject because “it’s challenging and I lo ve my teacher!” Others said that they found the content covered in classes such as World History Honors, AP Psych, AP Euro, and Computer Science to be
fascinating and enjoyable. Additionally, classes such as art and jewelry were reported as leaving students feeling happier by the end of the period because of how “relax[ing] and chill” they were. Overall, the ἀrst bit of the new school year has been considerably different than last year.
more than just a paycheck
students detail what they’ve learned from taking on jobs by Sarah Cheung
I
n the midst of a pandemic when most businesses are posting ‘Hiring Now’ signs in their windows, students have found ways to get into the workforce. Sara Pelini, sophomore, has always had an interest in s aving people, so over the summer, she worked at Wood Pools in Burr Ridge, Ill. Despite the effects COVID-19 had on public places, Pelini still found the experience similar to a p re-pandemic one in that she learned valuable skills. “[I] enjoyed working [at Wood Pools], and learned important life-saving and time-management skills,” Pelini said. Sophomore Sarah Magrahbi worked as a hostess at the Italian restaurant Zazas in Clarendon Hills and said it taught her many lessons and helped her grow as a person. “[Working] taught me problem-solving skills and prepared me for the future,” Magrahbi said. However, some students noted they faced several challenges while working throughout the school year, citing how
they have to balance their involvement in clubs and sports with the academic responsibilities of their courses. “Having a j ob with school can be difficult to manage. Working while dealing with school is truly a challenge, but is something many students can overcome and manage,” Magrahbi said. Janet Leon, sophomore, is a s erver and cashier at Standard Market Grill (a New American restaurant in Westmont), and shared how she has already made many memories and will continue working during the school year. “I like it because our work environment is very good. All my coworkers are really nice and we formed a s trong bond…,” Leon said.
Amal Arora, sophomore, works as a teacher’s assistant for TIAB (To Identify and Beyond). She prepared the second and third graders for their math competitions via Zoom in September.
4 | Daily Devil
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Freshmen rehearse for “Jungalbook” after school in September with Director and English teacher Mr. Chris Kostro.
photo by Samrah Syed
whats new in drama
a look at Central’s past and upcoming theatre productions by Samrah Syed & Reagan Scott
I
t has been over a year since the theater department performed a li ve show. As students begin the new school year, the drama department has been busy creating a variety of productions. There are a f ew performances in s hort succession, from a beloved story of animals in the jungle to a cabaret of musicals.
JungalBook
“Law of the Jungal!” From crawling on all fours like animals to memorizing lines hours on end, freshmen worked hard to put on a g ood show for the student body on Oct. 20 and 22. The annual freshman play, JungalBook by Edward Mast, was an adaptation of “The Jungle Book”, set on a c hildren’s playground. It is the story of Mowgli, a boy who gets adopted by wolves at a young age, and slowly learns that he is not like everyone else. The actors and actresses of this play practiced for three hours, four times a week for six w eeks, to make this production
come to life. “My favorite part of directing this show was directing the freshmen, who will hopefully stick with the theatre program,” said Chris Kostro, English teacher and play director. “I look forward to seeing [the freshmen] grow and take on bigger roles in the future.”
The Laramie Project
At the same time as freshmen worked on the Jungalbook, upperclassmen worked on the production of “The Laramie Project,” with performances on Oct. 21 and 23. This play follows the true story of the murder of Matthew Shepard from Laramie, Wyoming. The Laramie Project is a co llection of interviews that tell the story of the town and the impact the tragedy had on it. Witnesses share confessions in a deeply personal exchange. The Laramie Project and Jungalbook ran on alternate days of the same week, a ἀrst for Central’s drama department. This was possible due to the lack of overlapping casts,
Posters from The Laramie Project and Jungalbook, which ran simultaneously at the end of October.
so that rehearsal times wouldn’t conflict.
All Together Now
“The ἀnal huzzah!” The last show of the semester is a musical where students of all grades can come together to bring everyone a production celebrating the return of Broadway after COVID-19. With references from “Matilda”, “Annie”, “Rent”, and more iconic shows, there is something to like for everyone in this theatrical cabaret. The musical opens on Nov. 12, T ickets for these productions can be bought online at ticketpeak.com/hcdrama. Daily Devil | 5
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d e v i l ’ s
t r e n d s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .
Donda by Kanye
MUSIC
drake vs kanye Drake came out with his new album “Certified Lover Boy” and Kanye with “Donda”, named after his mother who passed away. “Donda” was supposed to be released on Jul. 23. “CLB” came out on Aug. 27. Many passionate fans have been hotly contesting which album is better. As for the album covers, it’s safe to say there is no winner.
TV / M OV I E
photos by Christine Leung designed by Mara Severts and Christine Leung
Certified Lover Boy by Drake
by Christine Leung
picture credits: pixaby.com
squid game
Squid Game, out of nowhere, has shot to critically acclaimed fame. It’s a survival thriller set in modern-day Seoul, where destitute people are lured into playing simple children’s games to win money — or die trying. Watch it on Netἀix now!
BEAUTY f l u f f y hair Tik Tok often helps inἀuence beauty trends, and every couple weeks there seems to be a new “hot” item. Currently, curtain bangs are a n ew popular hairstyle. As a r esult, hair rollers and round brushes have become extremely popular.
ACCESSORY
F OOD
claw clips salmon rice Tik Tok has a trending recipe every month. The newest fixation of thousands is Emily Mariko’s salmon rice. It’s deceptively simple but so good. Rice, salmon, kewpie mayo, and sriracha. Bonus points for sesame seeds or seaweed on the side!
They stay all day. They come in a mi llion colors. They are super cute and not to mention, affordable! Claw clips have taken the world by storm and for good reason-these little clips can be bought at Target or Amazon and are effortless.
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biker shorts
While controversial, biker shorts have amassed quite a following, and it’s easy to see why. Especially after quarantining for so long, people are looking for comfortable clothes that look presentable. Biker shorts provide that solution!
BAGS tote bags It’s hard to reinvent the wheel, but there’s a reason this type of bag has been a staple. It’s easily customizable and super easy to throw on as you’re leaving the door.
S HOE S
converse Converse are all the rage right now! They’ve managed to stay relevant and have been extremely popular since the 1980s. The most popular styles have a more modern twist, like the more grunge lugged converse or elevated platform high tops.
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c u r r e n t
by Killian Hughes designed by Mara Severts
e v e n t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
September and October have been tumultuous months for global events. From foreign policy to public health to big tech exposes, there are a wide variety of global phenomenons that are impacting the lives of Central students every day. Wiki Commons
Vaccines the future of COVID
T
he CDC has recently approved new booster shots for the PἀzerBioNTech vaccines, which are now recommended for adults over the age of 64 a nd those over the age of 49 w ith underlying health conditions, according to The Atlantic. The shots are also available for those 18 a nd up who work in a hig hrisk environment or have underlying health conditions. Although no information has been released on booster shots for people outside of this relatively small population, it remains plausible that shots will be either available or recommended for a g reater number of Central staff and students in the coming several months. Additionally, according to the FDA, vaccines for children under the age of 12 are in the works. Although vaccines require more testing due to more difficult dosage requirements, major improvements might be on the way. According to The Wall Street Journal, Pἀzer has asked the FDA to approve its vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, and it is possible that young children might start getting immunized in November. This could have a large impact on local elementary schools and middle schools, where greater vaccination rates could help to further normalize class for young children.
Gerrymandering
state politics
H
ere in Illinois, the 2020 Census data arriving means that redistricting for state and federal legislative districts is here. According to The Pantagraph, an Illinois political newsletter, two Republican advocacy groups - one a group of Republican party leadership officials and another a Latino voter organization - have ἀled lawsuits against a D emocrat-drawn district map. Their complaints include the fragmentation of Latino voter bases and seven pairings of Republican legislators in southern Illinois that would force them to run against one another. Illinois Democrats, on the other hand, claim the maps are not gerrymandered illegally, and point to the fact that the courts have upheld their redistricting maps over the past several cycles as proof. Redistricting on the congressional level has started recently as well, with Illinois losing one of its 18 s eats due to a 0.14% p opulation loss from 2010 to 2020. All of these new congressional and state legislative districts will have a m ajor impact on the Hinsdale Central community, as many students and families could end up voting for completely new lawmakers to represent them.
Facebook business and mental health
F
inally, a r ecent exposé published in The Wall Street Journal, with the help of whistleblower Frances Haugen, has shed new light on negative aspects of Facebook’s business model. In addition to evidence that Facebook actively targets preteens to use their platforms, it has become clear that Facebook was aware of a myriad of mental health concerns stemming from their subsidiary platform Instagram. Internal studies from Facebook give compelling data showing that about a q uarter of teenagers feel pressure from Instagram to look “perfect,” and that Instagram contributes signiἀcantly to anxiety, eating disorders, and other mental health issues. The ἀles also note that Instagram is a uniq uely negative social media platform, given its lack of fun ἀlters or otherwise distracting elements to prevent harmful degrees of social comparison. These ἀndings may change social media for Central students, since their focus on Facebook’s negative impact on teenage users is extremely pertinent to Central’s large population of Instagram users.
8 | Current Events
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one pace at a time Runners from Hinsdale Central’s cross country teams reflect on the sport’s importance in their lives. by Grace Deane designed by Mara Severts
C
ross Country. It’s a simple sport: it requires no special equipment, court or ἀeld. All you need is yourself and a path to run on. Despite this absence of limitations, it is not as easy as it sounds, and it can demand just as much dedication from a participant as any other sport. “Running is 75% m ental and 25% physical,” said Colby Revord, a s enior on the varsity cross country team. “It tests the limits of the human heart.” Cross country is a fall sport at Central, so it starts in August and ends in October. There is practice six d ays a w eek, and happens either before or after school. A normal practice usually includes running for 40 to 50 minutes, stretching, and drills. Besides practice, the runners also compete in meets and receive awards based on their performance and placement. Katie Tschosik, a s ophomore on the freshman/sophomore team, said she understands that cross country has a similar structure to other sports with practices and meets, but said she believes that cross country is different from other sports in a variety of ways. “It’s different from other sports since it’s not a game that you win or lose,” Tschosik said. “It’s just you get out there and try your best…you’re focusing on yourself and your own personal best.” However, the runners agreed that it’s deἀnitely not easy. Revord said running isn’t always glamorous, such as running ἀrst thing in the morning or in the heat after a long day of school. Running demands a lot from an individual.
“Running is not always enjoyable,” Revord said. “What you put into it is what you get, and you’ve got to be driven…it’s not only physically demanding but even more mentally demanding.” Tschosik agreed that the sport can be difficult and exhausting, but said it has many beneἀts, and how all the hardship involved becomes worth it. “It’s a r eally great way to get more physically active and ἀt, and participate in more school activities,” Tschosik said. Revord and Tschosik were both introduced to running because of their families. Revord’s sisters were runners and he’s since followed in t heir footsteps. Tschosik’s dad would take her for runs when she was younger because he loved running so much. Both Tschosik and Revord also ran on the cross country teams at their middle schools. Tschosik also mentioned how she runs not only because she enjoys it and her own family history with it, but because of her connections with the people on the team. And as they both started to describe the team at Central, it became clear that they both believed that while competition exists amongst individuals, the team culture focuses on a p ositive, caring environment where every runner supports each other. “I think it’s a mi sconception in s ome ways that cross country is an individual sport because each guy has to play their role,” Revord said. “We’re running for each other, you know…we’re running not just for ourselves, but we’re running because we’re a team.” Revord mentioned how even though in the end they place individually, they practice together, warm up and cool down at meets together, and travel together. He stressed how on the surface cross country seems solitary, when it really isn’t. He also mentioned how even if cross country isn’t the most well-known or acknowledged sport, everyone on the team doesn’t need that recognition to succeed and commit to the sport. “We understand that it’s not really cared about...but we have goals that we want to achieve...together,” Revord said. “We’re great friends on the track and outside of the track.” Tschosik agreed she feels very connected to the team, and cross country is a great way to get involved in t he school and become
more active. “We all really care about each other,” Tschosik said. “It’s a lo t different than middle school because of how hard we try and how much we all care about each other.” Last year, cross country met in person during a time when almost everything else occurred over Zoom or Canvas. Tschosik remarked how important it was to have that time each day to talk and interact with others while doing something she enjoys. “It deἀnitely helped my mental health a lot…meeting and talking to people did wonders for me,” Tschosik said. Her sentiment wasn’t felt alone. Revord mentioned multiple times how crucial cross country was to his life, especially last year. “I couldn’t imagine running in solitude... running is just a m edium for my life,” Revord said. Revord emphasized that human connection is what makes running special to him. He also speciἀcally mentioned the impact the coaches have on the team and the success of the team. He claimed the coaches play a huge role in helping foster a comfortable environment for the team and supporting the runners, and it’s one of the things that makes Hinsdale Central’s cross country team special. “Coaches are so influential and passionate about making connections with each individual athlete regardless of talent or speed level,” Revord said. “It draws in more people to the team which ultimately creates a more successful team.” Revord included that the coaches are flexible, and that even when the runners are injured, they’ll still ἀnd a way to work with them. Revord and Tschosik have faced obstacles and trials throughout their years running, and everything that comes with it, good and the bad. Injuries, as Revord mentioned, are one of the most noticeable and prevalent challenges runners like him face. “It feels like I’ve been injured more than I h ave been healthy and running,” Revord said. Common injuries in cross country include tearing ligaments or muscles, achilles tendonitis, and runner’s knee (wearing down cartilage in y our knee). Running in t he heat also can cause other injuries like dehydration or heat exhaustion.
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “Injuries have really taught me how to deal with a lot of adversities that come my way,” Revord said. “I come back stronger each time from [adversity]. It teaches me a lot about life.” Revord said since he’s started running, he’s grown a lot physically, but also grown a lot mentally. He’s learned to view things in a different way because of what he’s had to persevere through. And even throughout everything, he’s never given up on running. “It’s about how you adapt to [facing adversity], and learning how to handle [it] is what makes a good athlete,” Revord said. Both runners said that lessons learned in practice and at meets apply to someone’s character just as much as it applies to them as a runner. To Revord, learning how to handle challenges or deal with injury can teach lessons equally as important as those taught in the classroom, and they’re lessons that’ll stick with him forever. “I’ve deἀnitely grown in r egard to my perception on injuries and the adversities that come along with it, speciἀcally with running,” Revord said. Tschosik has a simi lar outlook. But, instead of facing injury, she commented on how she feels after she doesn’t perform how she wanted to at a meet. “I’ve always been really hard on myself about failure; it really motivates me to try harder in practice,” Tschosik said. She explained how she’s grown and become more motivated, especially since her freshman year. She said this has resulted in not just an improvement in h er performance, but also an increase in her enjoyment of the sport Senior Colby Revord competes at the Naperville Twilight cross country meet on Oct 6. Photo courtesy of Colby Revord itself. She also remarked that after seeing her current growth, she’s hopeful to others, like Revord and Tschosik, it’s enough. No one can make you run. You for the future. something more. It’s something that’s been have to do i t because you enjoy running. “I’m really looking forward to improving a part of them for a long time. It’s a place And for Revord, that’s exactly it. on my times in the following years,” where they can count on one another. It’s “I love it. That’s why I do it,” Revord said. Tschosik said. a place where they can learn to be better To an outsider, choosing to run every and grow. day might seem like a p unishment, but But at the end of the day, all of that isn’t Proἀles | 11 10-11 (3).indd 3
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The Balancing Act
Hinsdale Central’s high reputation for academic excellence places high expectations on the students. by Grace Myall designed by Mara Severts photos by Grace Myall and Mara Severts
T
he day starts oἀ in t he early morning, as a phone rings out the daily wake up call. The sky is still dark, with the only light coming from shining streetlights. The morning consists of getting dressed and ready, brushing teeth, and eating breakfast (if time permits). Perhaps scrambling to finish homework is also on the table, pen scribbling or keys clacking - ringing throughout the dark room. Car doors open with a beep that seems louder than it is in the still air. As the wheels turn on to the street, it’s with slicked rubber and pumped-up music, attempting to turn the heavy lidded eyes to something more bushy-tailed and alert. Arrive at Hinsdale Central early enough to find some spare pavement in front of the senior parking lot, cars already filling up both sides of the street. Various classes make up the school day. Homework is made up of notes and essays and continuous worksheets and online programs. Something new and something old every day, something diἀerent from the past two years and yet the very same. The day ends with a bell and the parking lot is immediately filled with honking cars and yelling students. The car ride home is quiet, the only sound being the wind whooshing through the open windows. The night is made of tired eyes looking at the computer screen, pen scribbling down answers. It always ends with a m essy desk and turned-on lamp. Dinner reheated on a cold plate. And then the day starts all over again. This can be the life of a t ypical senior at Hinsdale Central. According to US N ews, Hinsdale Central is ranked 252th nationally and 10th in state for academic excellence. It’s well known for the exemplary academic work that the students produce, and was just named a 2021 B lue Ribbon School. Only 325 schools across the country are named for this prestigious award that represents excellence in academics, determined by state and national test standards. This is not the only award won by the school over the past few years; a p age on the Hinsdale 86 w ebsite shows a li st of students and faculty from both Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South that have won diἀerent awards such as the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, the Brower Youth Award a nd more. According to the Illinois Report Card, the graduation rate is 97%, a nd 91% o f students apply to Features | 13
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some form of postsecondary school within 16 months of graduation. The country’s average graduation rate was 88% in the 2018-19 school year. Ruby Bartkowiak, junior, talked about the perception of the academic standards of Hinsdale Central compared to the school she attends, Downers Grove North. “I feel like all the schools in our district are well oἀ academically,” Bartkowiak said. “When you compare that [Hinsdale Central’s] education...to Downers Grove North, we’re pretty even in that sense.” Though Bartkowiak is accurate Downers Grove North has a graduation rate of 96% - t he overall national rankings of the two schools diἀer greatly. DGN is ranked #2974, co mpared with Central’s #325, according to US News and World Report. After the last year and a half working through school assignments over Zoom, students are back in the classroom. They now are in t he balancing act of wanting to perform well in a high-pressure environment and keeping the other parts of their lives up as well, such as social relationships with their friends, family, or participating in dif ferent activities/ clubs or sports. For seniors, this stress is especially heightened with college applications right around the corner, and their need to work hard on maintaining their grades as well as keeping up with the steady stream of classwork. However, the students said they are also impacted by the pressure put on them by society, their families, teachers, and, most
importantly, themselves. “It’s not really pressure that my family puts on me, it’s just a s tandard that I p ut on myself,” said Beatrice Havekos, a junior at Central. “And I t hink a lo t of kids go through that either with their parents or just by themselves.” Self-inflicted pressure is a sig nificant factor with the rising numbers of depression and anxiety amongst teens. According to the World Health Organization, an
“It’s not really pressure that my family puts on me, it’s just a standard that I put on myself.”
- Beatrice Havekos estimated 10-20% o f teens experience a mental health issue, a s tatistic that has rapidly climbed in the past 20 years. When one goes to a school like Central, students compare their grades and classes to others. Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction, Jessica Hurt, has worked at Hinsdale Central for the past 15 years and has seen the worth that students put in their
grades. “I think that instead of students forging their own path that might be diἀerent than others... some students are measuring themselves against their peers, which could cause a lo t of anxiety,” Hurt said. “We’re trying to make sure that [students] leave here with a skill set, to be able to successfully manage a post secondary world.” Bartkowiak concurred. She discussed how, when playing golf with Central students, she can sense that the pedigree of golf titles and strong competitive culture can rub oἀ negatively on players. “I feel like there’s probably a b it more pressure at Hinsdale Central,” she said. Despite the pressure of going to a hig h level school like Hinsdale Central, the school still draws in n ew families to the area. Parents come to Hinsdale and the surrounding towns for the school system. Dayna Larson, a p arent of previous and current Hinsdale Central students, looked at test scores, class oἀerings, and percentage of students who go onto higher education when moving to Hinsdale. Though she agreed that there was a lot of academic pressure at Hinsdale Central, pressure that she could see in her children, she said she believed that it was worth it for the future. “[Hinsdale Central] gave [my son] a good baseline of what college would be like,” Larson said. “I think that students might not realize that until they go to college themselves.” The school works on ingraining skill sets into students to help them ease into
According to Illinois Report Card, Hinsdale Central’s graduation rates after 12 months of gradution compared to the district and the state of Illinois graph by Grace Myall
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“We’re We’re trying trying
to make to make sure sure that that [students] [students] leave here leave here with a skill with a skill set, to to be be able able set, to to sucessfully sucessfully manage manage a post a post secondary secondary world,world. ” ” - Jessica Hurt
society, while developing programs that could help alleviate academic pressure for struggling students. MTSS, or Multiple Tiered System of Support, is a p roblem-solving program at Hinsdale Central. It’s a t eam of adults at the school, consisting of a counselor, social worker, school psychologist, a Dean and an administrator. If a s tudent is struggling in class, the teacher can contact the counselor and the student can be put onto a General Education Student Support Team. They analyze to see if i t’s a s ocial-emotional problem, a skill problem where the student is feeling overwhelmed, or something else. There is also EXCEL 3, a s upported study hall that is implemented at the school to help students who are struggling due to missing some days because of quarantine or perhaps just being overwhelmed by the workload required of them. As it is very one-on-one, teachers are able to help students more intensively and make sure
that they’re understanding the material and using problem solving skills, skills that can be used after high school as well. The SEL program, implemented into every subject across the curriculum, is used as a “ carry through” to make sure that students are learning all the right tools and skills to accurately and efficiently handle their emotions in times of stress. A part of SEL learning is weaved in diἀ erent classes throughout the year, and each department is able to focus on diἀerent SEL competencies. Kurt Vonnahme, an SEL coach at the school, has been working on supporting students beyond just academics. “The ultimate goal would be that SEL becomes interwoven into the curriculum within each class in e ach course,” Vonnahme said. The school is currently working on infusing the lessons on social-emotional learning into diἀerent courses. And as a result, teachers are able to see students being
able to recognize their own emotions and handle it in a more responsible manner. “The really good thing about this district is that we have prioritized services for students to come for help when it comes to social emotional needs,” Hurt said. Though there are many programs that are made for helping students, District 86 and - by extension - Hinsdale Central is continuing to work in a g ood direction to keep up the welfare for the students and help them with any academic pressure or social-emotional problems that may arise. SEL lessons are continuing to be implemented across the district, working on becoming part of the culture here, and many programs are being put in p lace to support students throughout all events that may pop up during their high school experience.
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Dancing through the Decades
Generations past and present ἀnd the balance between a return to normalcy and the opportunity to create change. by Maximillian J. Pohlenz designed by Mara Severts photos courtesy of Hinsdale Central Homecoming Court, Devils’ Advocate, El Diablo vol. 45 and Maximillian J.Pohlenz
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TheHomecoming parade
takes place on a rainy Saturday- something that is not at all uncommon for Chicago fall weather. Later that day, senior quarterback Tony Coffey will lead the Red Devils to a victory over Downers Grove North. The year is 1988 a nd Tony Coffey’s date to homecoming, Jennifer Coffey (though she was still Jennifer Jacobs in ‘88), t ries to shelter herself from the rain as she watches the floats go past. She can’t help but smile at the float her fellow members on the class of ‘88 executive committee have put together at the last moment. It consists of two dudes sitting on a couch that has been delicately placed on the back of their pickup truck, lunches conveniently nearby, and a sig n stating “At least we tried!!?” “It was really funny. Like this is our float? They put a couch on the back of the pickup truck, and they were sitting there,” said Jennifer Coffey, recalling the case of early senioritis. Indeed, some 33 years later, Coffey ἀnds a special sort of nostalgia when she recalls homecoming festivities, including the dance later that day. The theme for the dance is “Red Reign,” a play off the Peter Gabriel song “Red Rain” and a ra ther ἀtting title given the weather. The dance itself takes place in the cafeteria, where black paper has been plastered over the windows, and streamers have been flown across the ceiling. “It did not seem at all like the cafeteria,” Coffey said. Indeed, the sudden and complete transformation of the dance has given Coffey a m emory that still remains with her to this day. While Coffey counts herself lucky for the memories formed during the dance, she is also cognizant others did not have the same experiences that she enjoyed during her teenage years. Yet, for the class of ‘24, t hey had no choice in w hether or not they went to Homecoming, due to its cancellation in 2020. Now, as this Fall marks a return to normal, the current members of varsity club, have found ways to get everyone involved with the events happening around campus, including the annual homecoming week. The homecoming itself is coordinated via two bodies- varsity club and the activities director, Sally Phillip. Coffey notes it is a far cry from the laissez faire approach of her day. “One of our counselors was our sponsor, and he kind of let u s do w hat we want,”
Coffey said. Today, the two bodies work together, with the varsity club handling the more broad strokes under the guidance of Phillip. “Oftentimes it’s a b ack and forth dialogue. Sponsors come to me with ideas and I help develop some of those ideas,” Phillip said. While varsity club handles most of the planning when it
“ WE
REALLY LOVED BEING IN THE SCHOOL AND JUST DANCING AND HAVING FUN WITH ALL YOUR FRIENDS.” -Jen Coffey
comes to theme and activities, the senior executive committee, which is a part of the Student Council, collaborates on the parade and pep rally. The current president of the executive board, Annette Ciupek, has participated in several of Central’s homecoming festivities, like Coffey once did some 30 years ago. And like Coffey, Ciupek has also found that special experience at the homecoming dance. “It’s a good union place where everyone can meet and just see everyone in their dresses, in t heir suits, and mingle with people they normally wouldn’t see outside of school,” Ciupek said. Ciupek highlights perhaps one of the most crucial roles of the dance- its ability to create a nig ht that showcases student joy and spirit. Yet, Ciupek is also cognizant of a h arsh reality- most students have never really ever had a r eal homecoming experience, due to outside variables such as the pandemic. Ciupek said she is well aware that to keep annual activities such as homecoming going, younger classes must be engaged to ensure that it continues to
occur after her class’s graduation. “When we were freshmen, we loved looking up to the seniors doing it. That was the highlight of it. The pep rallies were fun. I know when we were sophomores it was kind of crazy w ith the skits, but it was still fun to see it and people looked forward to doing that when they were seniors,” C iup ek said.
Ciupek isn’t the only one who feels this way. Indeed, current varsity club co-president Sam Romberger said he feels
similarly. “After sophomore year, seeing how much students enjoy homecoming, I k ind of wanted to be a part of being able to bring that to them,” Romberger said. Romberger and Ciupek shared they wanted to create an experience for the younger students that would inspire them to be involved with homecoming and the other activities that make up high school. Ciupek said she wanted this year’s homecoming to resonate with underclassmen- along with everyone else. “I want it to reach everybody, but I really want to target and capture the underclassmen’s attention,” Ciupek said. “[I wanted] them to know and remember how they felt on homecoming, that it was a positive experience, that they will go again, and that they will tell the future generations that homecoming’s a fun thing.” Later, she noted that she hopes this will cause the week to only widen its positive perception. Coffey and many of the members of her senior planning committee use homecoming week as the backdrop for the class of ‘88’s reunions, which brings back Hinsdale alumni from across the country. Perhaps this idea can be summed up with why Phillip loves the pep rallies so much. “It’s crowded, people are loud, it’s like Features | 17
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people are right down close to you and it’s just like we’re one school,” Phillip said. “And people are supporting each other. And I love it. It just makes me so happy to work here during those [pep rallies] and just like that all of these kids feel a part of the school.” Phillip indicates a more deep understanding of the nature of homecoming- that perhaps, the actual week, the buildup, is as important as the dance. It is also something that Ciupek said she understands as well- despite her having only been at Central for four years. Though Ciupek will graduate this year, and join Coffey as yet another Central alumni, she has visions for the future. She envisions a h omecoming centered around the “general experience.” “The actual homecoming is just a dancethere’s a p arade, there’s dress days, there’s the pep rally, there’s the homecoming court, there’s so many [more] factors to it,” said Ciupek, who hopes to one day have homecoming be a w eek where students participate in p ep rallies, powderpuff, and attend all sporting events with an increased vigor as they do at the Oaken Bucket rivalry game against Downers Grove North. According to Ciupek, in a perfect world, the dance is on Dickinson, with fairy lights hanging overhead, whilst the laughter coming from the
opportunity to adapt. “The theme was actually chosen two years ago and was originally meant for last year, but obviously because of Covid, we had to put it on hold, so there’s been multiple varsity club ‘generations’ involved in planning based on this theme,” said Maurice Tobiano, varsity club co-president. Tobiano also noted the greater signiἀcance of the theme. Like her peers, she too knew the dance was necessary, due to half of the student body never having experienced one. “Personally, my main priority was just having a dance, whether it be inside, outside, or underground. I wanted to make sure that the student body could get some sort of high school experience,” Tobiano said. Romberger said he felt similarlyhis own brother, despite being a sophomore, has not had a h omecoming experience
“CHANGE WILL EVENTUALLY BREAK THROUGH.” -Annette Ciupek
games flits through the last bits of summer air. Ciupek credits her inspiration for this vision of an outdoor dance to the class of ‘21’s own improvised prom. “I feel that people are more comfortable with the idea because it was done, and now we can work on improving it,” Ciupek said. The “Dancing Through the Decades” Homecoming of 2022 w ould, however, be forced inside last moment due to a rainstorm, leading to the class of ‘22 showing slightly better aqueous improvisation skills than the class of ‘88’s float builders. Yet, the weather would not prevent the sentiment of building on previous years to welcome back normalcy while seeing
experience. “Change has to start somewhere, and new traditions can’t happen [without it],” Ciupek said. For Ciupek, the moderate approach of balancing current traditions whilst creating new ones is a balancing act, but she said she ἀnds that such changes are not impossible. Coffey herself said she enjoyed seeing her eldest daughter (who is currently studying at Purdue) go to homecoming with a group, and enjoys seeing the increased inclusiveness the practice brings- a practice that is some thirty years removed from the one it replaced. “When I was [a student at Central], you would never think of going to the dance unless you had a date,” Coffey said. “Now I love how kids go in big groups together and you don’t have to have a date to go.” Ciupek said she has noted how the year away from school provided time to reflect and think about how to do t hese experiences differently, and said she looks towards the future with excitement for what may still be in store. “It’s hard to go through change. It’s hard to be the one that has to start the change, be the grade that is the beginning of change,” Ciupek said. The planning and events that have happened so far this year show just how much work has gone into returning to campus, and while the class of ‘22 h as danced through their decade, just as the “Red Reign” of the class of ‘88 is no more, the future classes have a new decade to dance through. How they dance through it, only time will tell.
prior to 2022. He also pointed out the changes and disruptions that many students have already experienced in t he past few years. To him, this year’s homecoming week then took on an extra weight of being an anchor to many students. And, perhaps because of that, he said he hopes homecoming week will become an anchor to the classes of ‘22, ‘23, ‘24, and ‘25 for years to come- just as it has been for the class of ‘88. On the other hand, Ciupek said she believes that while it’s important to honor what homecoming has been in t he past, the break, caused by COVID, provided opportunities to alter and improve the
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p h o t o s p r e a d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
capturing the mundane through the eyes of a photographer photos by Mia Hanlon
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d e a r
d e v i l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
a purely red devil advice column to address your most pressing questions by Hera designed by Mara Severts graphics by Karen Tan
“I have a situation where I have two friends but one of them hurt the other emotionally. I don’t want to take sides but now I don’t know how to navigate my friendship with either of them. What should I do?”
S
o, your two friends broke oἀ their friendship and you don’t know what to do - let me help. It’s always tough navigating broken relationships, but it becomes another issue altogether when you are watching this broken relationship as a third party. The first thing to do is get the argument from both sides. If you want to help mend the friendship between them, or even salvage a relationship with either of the broken sides, you need to know what happened and why one hurt the other. Once you get the full story, now it’s time for deliberations. Is there one friend that you empathize more with? How much do Friend A and Friend B dislike each other? Sometimes, it’s possible to maintain a separate friendship with each person, especially if the argument doesn’t involve you personally. If their diἀerences seem irreconcilable but you don’t want to lose them, then the best thing to do is keep separate friendships. Remember to set boundaries as you navigate these new relationships and communicate your needs as well. High school is a time of new beginnings, so even though these friendship problems may seem the endall-be-all right now, just remember that there are a million new friendship opportunities!
“How can you motivate yourself to study?”
D
iἀerent people require diἀerent types of motivation. For some, the motivation has to come from a parent telling them to study for a test or work on an assignment. For others, those constant reminders do more harm than good and they need a more relaxed hand. One way to motivate yourself to study could be using a reward system. For example, for every five textbook pages you read, you give yourself a piece of candy or a five minute TikTok break. You could even go and buy something that you really wanted if you get a certain grade on an important test. I found that when I study for a test, i.e. creating my own written study guide and 85 Quizlet terms, the only way I can get through it is breaking it into chunks. I’ll designate 30 minutes to start doing practice questions or notes for a test. Once those 30 minutes are up, I put away the work for that class, take a break, and do other homework. I think you’ll realize that after you put in the time and eἀort into your studying, it’ll reflect in your grades. Hold onto that sense of gratification that comes from an A on a test, and remember it the next time you’re feeling unmotivated to study.
“How do you get over someone you never dated?”
O
h boy, been there done that. I t hink that this healing process definitely depends on how close you were to this prospective date, who I’ll call PD. If PD was a little crush you had for one or two months, then the best way to get over them is to find something new to occupy your mind. It could be a new crush, but it also could be a new hobby, friendship, or activity that you really want to get into. At this stage, distraction is key. As soon as you get your mind oἀ of them, you’ll feel a lot better. If PD is a person that you know a little better and the attraction goes a little deeper, then a Pro/ Con list is definitely your friend. Really think about them and all the little icks and red flags that you have noticed over the course of your interactions. Write down that one shirt of theirs that you hate, the fact that they speak too loud, or how they don’t say thank you to the cafeteria staἀ - you know, major red flags. You can put down a few pros about PD too but once you start thinking about the cons, they tend to stick in your mind. Now the biggest difficulty is if PD was a really close friend of yours. You know a lot about this person and they know a lot about you and it seems like it’s impossible to get over them. It’ll hurt, but the only way to get over them is with time and a tub of ice cream. Put on some sad music, watch a depressing movie, and get those feelings out. Once you do that, the disappointment will feel a little less sharp and you can start moving on. In the end, prioritize yourself! You are an amazing individual and if you never end up dating your PD, then that’s their loss. You want to make sure that if you do end up in a relationship, that it is with someone who only wants you for you.
Have a question for our dear devil writer(s), or want to send us your feedback? Scan this QR code for the google form!
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b a t t l e g r o u n d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . should private organizations mandate vaccination for employees?
Danyal
Jawed
F
or many, the hope for an end to the madness caused by COVID-19 was a vaccine. When the vaccine development process that Dr. Fauci “optimistically”
D
ue to COVID-19’s detrimental economic impact, employers are desperate to return “back to normal.” What does this new normal look like? ἀ e Hill reports that more than half of US companies are considering mandating the COVID-19 vaccine. Not only are companies legally allowed to require the COVID-19 vaccine, but they should do so to protect their employees and customers. Companies can mandate vaccination as a qualification for the job, as long as they provide religious or health exemptions. DOJ lawyers ruled that employers must inform employees of choice “to accept or refuse administration,” but this doesn’t prohibit companies from mandating vaccination “as a condition of employment.” Lawrence Gostin, a p rofessor at Georgetown Law, continues that the US p ractices “at-will employment,” meaning that employees can be fired for any reason at any time. ἀ ose who refuse vaccination are not a marginalized group, so companies can mandate the vaccine. Additionally, private companies should
predicted would take anywhere from 1218 months was completed in just 10, the anticipated relief turned to skepticism for many. Because of this, and various other personal beliefs, many have decided against receiving the vaccine, and this topic has become very polarizing. With the CDC reporting that as of Oct. 12, approximately 66% o f Americans have received at least one dose of the vaccine, we have taken a g reat step forward in combating the pandemic. However, the antivax minority has been scrutinized for their reluctance as America continues to seek stability. Unfortunately, we have seen private institutions attempting to change this figure forcibly through vaccine mandates. Wanting to create safe work environments is commendable, but the approach is flawed. Employers are asking employees to choose between their jobs, which put food on the table, and their medical freedom. The former requires coercing Americans into sacrificing their beliefs and the latter has severe consequences. According to ESPN, Andrew Wiggins
was denied a religious exemption to the NBA’s vaccine mandate. He was forced to sacrifice his religious beliefs to retain his spot in the NBA. While intimidation may work on some, others stand firm in their beliefs.When asked about the morality behind the mandates, Orchestra teacher Mr. Serge Penksik asserts that “no job is ever worth your freedom”. A group of health-care workers in New York embodied his words. As reported by ἀ e New York Times, in response to a vaccine mandate, Lewis County General Hospital had so many staff members quit that the hospital was no longer able to deliver babies and the maternity ward was shut down. ἀi s direct outcome of a vaccine mandate is a dir e concern and a s trong indication something is being done wrong. Because of the two options given to Americans by private institutions being undesirable, even though private institutions may possess the power to mandate the vaccine, it should be an absolute last resort.
consider vaccine mandates to protect their employers and increase economic profit. Employers are responsible for creating a safe working environment. ἀ e vaccines effectively block life-threatening cases, with Yale University quantifying that vaccines have saved more than 279,000 lives. Additionally, vaccine mandates will further boost revenue. ἀ e Census Bureau reports that people are more content after receiving the vaccine, increasing their confidence in t he market. In addition, vaccines indubitably reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, which is paramount for companies just recovering from the pandemic—workers with COVID-19 decrease office productivity, producing a lower output. While some might argue that a mandate is an infringement on individual rights, saving lives is more important than personal opinions. Prioritizing health, promoting economic productivity, and providing steady income through physical safety are more crucial than subjective ethics. ἀ erefore, companies should
consider vaccine mandates because they safeguard health and promote economic success when needed most.
Katie
Parkins
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s t a f f
e d i t o r i a l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
lanyards: well intentioned but wasteful
This editorial is the consensus of the Devils’ Advocate Editorial Board.
S
tudents at Hinsdale Central have a lot on their minds. From age-old worries like standardized tests and college applications, to new concerns like masks and social media, there is always a myriad of things ἀghting for students’ time and attention. And, as of last Fall, students have one more detail to remember, keep track of, and stress about: ID l anyards. Last year, the school started to require newly introduced green lanyards to hang around students’ necks at all times, with the intention of bolstering safety at Central. According to Sean Brennan, dean, the administration has been planning on introducing lanyards for students since they began requiring staff members to wear them several years ago, and COVID simply accelerated the process. “When you’re looking down the hallway, you can see who’s supposed to be in t he building, and who’s maybe not supposed to be in the building,” Brennan said. However, although lanyards give a sense of security to the school, their actual usefulness is unclear. Lanyards for teachers are more beneficial, since they help to prevent unwelcome adults from entering through Central, but as long as potential teenage intruders can ἀnd one person to give them a spare ID, the entire system crumbles. Officer Michael Coughlin, a s ecurity guard at the school, said that the lanyards also help to identify adults in the school, and regularly prevent wayward parents, siblings, and other unwelcome adults from wandering the hallways. Neither Coughlin nor Brennan could recall an incident where lanyards would have or did p revent a dangerous situation. However, Coughlin pointed out that the administration is trying to get ahead of the curve. “We don’t want anything tragic to happen, and that’s why we’d rather be proactive than reactive,” Coughlin said. Unfortunately, this security system is impractical in r eality. Three quarters of students have an extra lanyard, making it extremely easy for non-students to procure a spare, and exceedingly rare ID c hecks make the cards themselves irrelevant. Brennan recalled from his old district, Township High School District 211, t hat
non-students would occasionally enter the school to participate in gang ἀghts, even though the district used lanyards. Even if t his sort of activity was a t hreat at Central which it is not - lanyards do nothing to prevent it, since students can simply give their own cards to out-of-district friends. Lanyards do have negative effects, too. One is the sheer inconvenience to students. Worrying about having your lanyard on is an unnecessary stressor for already stressed-out students - r emembering to bring it, taking it on and off for certain P.E. classes, and constantly keeping track of it are all pretty easy things to do by themselves, but added together they revert a signiἀcant amount of time and energy away from classes, sports, and extracurriculars. Senior Michael D´Aprile, for example, said that his lanyard often distracts him in c lass, and he dislikes having to keep track of one extra thing during his already busy schedule. Recently, this stress has been exacerbated by mass-referrals handed out at security checkpoints, where students are sent in to the Dean’s office in droves for noncompliance. These events, while certainly carried out with prevention in mind, come off as punitive interruptions made only for their own sake. Coughlin defended these actions, pointing out that a de creasing number of students wearing lanyards throughout the school day necessitates intervention to remind students of the expectations. In addition, lanyards take a lot of valuable time from faculty. According to Coughlin, security guards at Central all spend signiἀcant portions of their day working on lanyardrelated issues. It would be better if they were able to spend more of their time training, preventing criminal incidents, and educating students on how to stay safe. The deans, as well, have to redirect valuable minutes and hours to lanyard compliance. Currently, ID lanyards at Central only serve a surface-level role. While they give the impression of security,
they fail to address most of the real safety issues facing the school. Central’s administration should either convert the current ID apparatus into a leg itimate ID-c hecking system or scrap the lanyards altogether, since the current model only serves to incur all of the costs of lanyards in return for none of the beneἀts.
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