The Diller Street Journal February 2017
Women’s March: Chicago
Seussical the Musical!
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Grace Scullion ’18
n January 21st, millions of global citizens from all seven continents (that’s right, there was Antarctica included) took part in over 200 protest marches as part of the Women’s March movement. Twenty-two members of the North Shore Country Day School community traveled downtown together to join 250,000 others in the Women’s March on Chicago. The Women’s March movement was an effort to raise the voice of those concerned for the future of their bodies, the planet, the new administration, security, their children, and more. The NSCDS group carried posters that reflected some of these concerns—slogans read “My Body My Choice,” “Science is real, save the planet,” “The Future is Female,” to name a few. At the march, protesters spilled into the streets, chanting “this is what democracy looks like!” and “be loud, be clear, refugees are welcome here!” On January 21st, 250,000 Chicagoans demonstrated that democracy is a verb. The energy under the unseasonably warm sun was undeniable. The Women’s March movement garnered worldwide attention. In the wake of a tumultuous and unconventional US presidential election, it made the voice opposing bigotry, racism, sexism, and ignorance loud and clear. The NSCDS community was part of that voice, and proudly so. The coordinators of the Women’s March made it clear that the march was just the beginning. Marchers and others wishing to flex their democratic muscles must ride the wave of the energy of the march into continued action.
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Cara Savin ’18
A Submitted by Grace Scullion ’18
Mentoring Can Help with Chicago’s Violent Crime Rate
Betsey Freiburger’19
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n Valentine’s Day the face of a beautiful 11-year old girl was flashed across the evening news, and I stopped. The child was dressed in a pink winter coat, with a smile filled with hope and a hair bow attached to the top of her head. “Takiya Holmes has died in her mother’s arms on Valentine’s morning after being shot in the head over the weekend”. Her beautiful face was gone forever, and what is supposed to be a day of love became a day of insurmountable grief for one family in Chicago. However, this can not be the new normal, we have to try and help. Part of North Shore’s mission statement is “To Live and Serve” and we need to act on this sentiment. In 2016, Chicago reported 762 murders. These numbers are twice the size of New York and Los Angeles combined and are representative of how many individuals are regularly killed in Chicago. Although the violence can affect anyone, it continues to be mostly in Chicago’s African-American neighborhoods where the crime rate is at nationally high levels parallel to the unemployment rate. Chicago’s Mayor-- Rahm Emanuel-- gave a speech last September that addressed these incredibly discouraging numbers. Along with statistics, he gave a call to action for all of Chicago’s citizens. “The Fight is for all of Chicago because it is Chicago’s future that is at stake”, the mayor said. The mayor promised 1000 more police officers, tougher gun laws, police-community collaboration, a $36 million dollar investment in mentoring programs, and summer jobs for at-risk teens. With approximately 9.4 million people living in the Chicago metro area, how can we not all take a moment and think about the responsibility we have to give back to our city? It has been widely reported that many of these kids just need love, they need guidance, and they need programs to keep them on track. As students who have access to almost everything we could ever want or need, I truly believe we have a responsibility to look at these numbers and help. dNAinfo.com, a neighborhood newsource for the city, tracks the crimes. As of January 1, 2017, seventy murders have taken place. The only days in January murderless were January 8th, 10th, and 25th. Thirty-one days and only 3 without violent crimes.
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s springtime rolls around, the North Shore Country Day performing arts department begins the creation of their annual musical. However, North Shore has strayed from the tradition of performing a musical targeted at an older audience and instead has chosen to perform Seussical the Musical. Not only is Seussical a reflection of our school’s inclusivity by being an appropriate show for all individuals JK-12, but it showcases performers from both the middle and upper schools. Chip Heller ‘18 is incredibly excited about the ability to collaborate with people from all grades and shares: “the difference between this show and our musical from last year is pretty significant, as we have middle and upper schoolers working together to create one incredible show.” He adds, “This year, our cast is really amazing. Everyone who is participating in this show feels very lucky to have the talent we do.” Fortunately, the talent of our performers is not limited to a few individuals, as the show has a wide variety of principal actors. Some of the most significant roles of the show include JoJo played by Clark O’Bryan ‘19, Horton played by Firouz Niazi ‘17, The Cat in the Hat played by Emmy Cho ‘20, Maizie played by Paula Fiegl ‘19, and Gertrude played by Emma Flannery ‘17.
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Opinion
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Mentoring Can Help with Chicago’s Violent Cont from page 1 Crime Rate
Betsey Freiburger’19
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Women’s March: Chicago
Grace Scullion ’18
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If you want to surf this wave of democratic action, call your representatives and senators, write letters, and, most importantly, vote when possible. As the wise Lorax said, “unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it’s not.”
typical teenager who helps with mentoring can change a life. MENTOR Illinois points out research has proven kids who are mentored have better attendance in school, better attitudes towards school, a stronger chance to go onto higher education, and are less likely to use drugs. 96% of existing mentors would recommend mentoring to others. In order to create change we have to become involved. Our contributions may not solve all the problems, but what if our community helped one or two children who live Sofia Baumann ’18 in violence and fear everyday of their lives? We can raise money for the mentoring programs, like BAM (Becoming a Man) and show that we care. This is our problem North Shore club life has been busy! Spring is springing and the clubs are because this is our city. Takia’s family deserves our support and by creating any getting active as they become involved in the North Shore community in different ways. In fact, there have even been some new clubs, like Guitar Club! If you have amount of support, we can-- and will-- have an impact. a guitar, ukulele, or any instrument of the like, Richard Austin ‘18, Owen Hiland ‘18, and Felix Schwarzfischer ‘18 would be happy to teach you. The GSA, whose leaders are Rachel Hayes ‘17, Justin Hartley ‘19, and Jenna Wyman ‘17, has been busy planning the LGBT+ dance! This dance is open to Cont from page 1 members of the LGBT community and allies alike, and promises to be a safe Cara Savin ’18 While the talent is diverse in age, Heller ‘18 shares, “although performing the space and a fun time. The club has also been leading conversations on transgenmusical is incredibly rewarding, the comradery of the cast is what makes particder rights and how the current political climate has been affecting the LGBT+ ipating in and practicing for the show extremely fun.” Seussical the Musical has community. been adapted from a children’s story written by Dr. Seuss, so it surely will contain Speaking of conversation, there’s a new dialogue club- S.U.N.D. It stands for some incredibly funny moments and scenes. With guaranteed laughs, the NSCDS Students United for National Dialogue. It’s a club to help establish a dialogue in between students and points of view in the North Shore community. It is not spring musical will certainly be a performance to see! a debate club, instead it aims to help students understand differing opinions and encourage open-mindedness. The Investment Club continues to thrive and meets on Tuesdays in Mr. Posner’s room. They go over the intricacies of the stock market while keeping the meeting fun by keeping the stock market game competitive. Currently latecomer Eli Kraus ’18 Will O’Connor ‘18 is in first place, followed closely by sophomores Max MarThere are people in this world who are pioneers in their fields of occushall ‘19 and Trace Hefner ‘19-- look out Will, anything can happen in the stock pation. Michael Jordan transcended basketball, Babe Ruth transcended baseball, market! and the musical talents of Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson transcended music. OUTDOOR CLUB!! Please contact Claudia Hayward if you would be interIndividuals hear these names in regards to topics broader than their particular ested in going on a surprise outdoor excursion!! Text or email her at 224-688areas of expertise. Often times, these names are mentioned in conjunction to some 7611 or chayward18@nscds.org of the greatest names of history. The community service club is gearing up for the annual Thanksgiving Food In the same way the people above are considered the greats of their vocations, Drive in April. North Shore chooses to host a food drive in April because many Mary Tyler Moore is regarded as a revolutionary for acting and comedy. Through- food kitchens are lacking donations in the spring. Club leaders Sophie Hiland ‘18 out her career, spanning over fifty years, Mary Tyler Moore was an icon, a legend, and Joy Pasin ‘18 will be pioneering the food drive, and the NSCDS community and a friend to everybody she knew. On January 25th, news broke that she had is excited to participate once again. passed away at the age of eighty due to years of health struggles and weeks on a The student body has become incredibly involved and active. We are excited to ventilator at a hospital. see how the clubs progress for the rest of the school year! Instantaneously, the biggest names in the entertainment industry publically offered their condolences by expressing fond memories and paying tribute to a woman who was synonymous with success in the entertainment industry. Legends, including Dick Van Dyke, Betty White and Ed Asner, expressed their sorrow over the passing of Mary Tyler Moore. Her closest friends and colleagues, including Carl Reiner, Valerie Harper, Cloris Leachman, Georgia Engel and Rose Marie, shared their fondest moments and warmest sentiments through social Zaina Vohra ’18 media and news outlets about Mary Tyler Moore. Prosody Needs Your Art and Writing! The outpouring of public grief and memories was truly incredible. Mary Tyler Prosody is North Shore’s literary magazine that gets published and distributed to Moore’s death united a currently divided public-- due to political unrest-- through all the students at the end of the year. It offers a wide sample of creative works from shared stories and love of a truly inspirational woman. The reason Moore had the students in the lower, middle, and upper school divisions. Our goal is to create a book ability to unite individuals from all over the world is because she embodies what that reflects the art and writing of North Shore’s artistic members in the community, many wish to achieve in their lifetimes, and stands as a symbol of success in the but Prosody needs your help in order to make the book possible. We are asking for any entertainment industry. Her two biggest TV shows, the Dick Van Dyke Show and interested students to share their artwork or creative writing by emailing any submissions the Mary Tyler Moore Show, are two of the highest grossing sitcoms of all time. to prosody@nscds.org. Below are some easy reminders when submitting. Her clothing lines and influences in the fashion industry continue to sell at rapid speed. Additionally, she was an activist. Mary Tyler Moore fought for rights of all How To Submit: groups of people while simultaneously being one of the most beloved actresses of 1. Email an attachment to prosody@nscds.org her generation. 2. Art: attach a Photo file (.jpg) to your email Dick Van Dyke said of Mary Tyler Moore that she “changed lives”, and this 3. Writing: attach a Word document (.doc) to your email opinion was shared amongst many individuals. Larry King described Moore as “a 4. Share a google doc with prosody@nscds.org fighter”, who went about it in the “right way.” Mindy Kaling called her “beloved, beautiful and remarkable.” Norman Lear and tennis player Billie Jean King Helpful Hints: 1. Name all attached files so we can accurately attribute student names to work praised Moore for her acting abilities and humor. Anybody that can draw upon love from actors, musicians, athletes, comedians, producers, directors, business2. Scan or photograph art at a high resolution (1MB or more when sent) man, show hosts, activists and politicians alike is-- in my opinion-- somebody 3. Photos should be in-focus, well lit, vivid, straight, no flash who deserves to be honored. Luckily Mary Tyler Moore was given the honor and 4. 3D art should be photographed on a plain background celebration of life she deserved. 5. Writing submissions must be typed At a time like this-- where diatribe is so popular-- it is important to remember 6. Sorry, we cannot accept PDFs the positivity in the world. Mary Tyler Moore was an individual who fought for equality for all and was a positive influence around the world.
Club Update!
Seussical the Musical!
A Tribute to a Legend: Mary Tyler Moore
Prosody: The NSCDS Literature Magazine
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The Roots of North Shore Girls Basketball
Sports Pro Sports Alliyah Rumbolt-Lemond’18
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ranchise Tags Definition: An “exclusive” franchise player must be offered a his year the North Shore girls basketball team won regionals, with a score of one-year contract for an amount no less than the average of the 34-32 against Schaumburg Christian. The win was due to the team’s enthusiastic, top five salaries at the player’s position as of a date in April of the hardworking players and the Varsity coach, Bruce Blair. Bruce has been a part of current year in which the tag will apply, or 120 percent of the player’s the North Shore basketball program for the past 5 years, and has met many successes previous year’s salary, whichever is greater. (Wikipedia) in his time here. Bruce previously worked with ESPN, but states affectionately that Franchise tags have become both a burden to both the player and “nothing has been more rewarding than this experience of working with such great kids and coaching at this awesome school”. Curious to know more about Bruce’s and the their nfl team. The tag leaves a player unable to explore options, but girls basketball team’s success, I decided to ask him a couple of questions about our also unsure of what the team’s front office is thinking. Will they keep team here at North Shore. me after the year if I don’t perform how the team wants? What happens Q: How has your basketball team and your success this year compared if I get injured? There are so many factors that give the team the upper to past years? hand when a player is tagged, leading many top nfl talents dreading From a competitive standpoint, the obvious difference is that this year’s varsity team set a school record for girls basketball wins. The current record is 20 wins the tag. Not only is the tagging system unfortunate for the player, but and 3 losses while the old record was 15 wins set in 1989. This years team is shorter the team too. By tagging a player a team puts themselves in a tough but quicker than our other teams. And, with all due respect for those teams, this is our situation that may lead to a rather high payout if the player is persistent. best and most opportunistic team defensively. One goal I had for the team was that we As tag season approaches all eyes are on the nfl creating an unknown would not lose a game in which we were favored to win and I am proud of the team for for many players. Top Possible Tagged Players: accomplishing that. Q: What was your favorite moment at the regionals game? Kirk Cousins-Washington Redskins A great memory is how well the defense played on a subpar shooting night, Highly sought after quarterback. Only two other quarterbacks not only everyone’s intensity, but their focus, smarts, and on-court communication. This had more passing yards than him. is what team basketball is all about. Another great moment for me was seeing how hapDont’a Hightower-New England py the girls, their parents, and the fans were at the end of the game. No one had a bigger Most likely being set up for a long term contract.Alshon Jeffery-Chicasmile than Grace Atia who had to sit out last year due to a knee injury and concussion. In Grace’s excitement-- after hitting the game tying shot in the last few seconds of the go Bears. game-- she flew at one of our players and nearly jump-bumped her into the wall after One of the Bears top offensive player and would be a key part of the the Schaumburg coach called timeout. If I’d known she could jump like that, I’d have line-up next year due to the implementation of a new quarterback. insisted she drive to the hoop and dunk the ball- it’s a higher percentage shot. Q: Do you have any advice for young girls hoping to improve their game? National Basketball Association 1) This is easier said than done but playing in the summer will guarantee improvement. The approach of All-Star Weekend leads many teams feeling comfort2) Practice shooting whenever you can. Feel free to contact me or any of able in their current positions in the standing and some already looking our other coaches about the best way to improve your shooting or to start learning. forward to the start of the next season. Both the Cavs and Warriors 3) You can never get enough practice dribbling the ball. have been able to sustain their number one spots in the east and west 4) Understand that a good effort on defense is non-negotiable if you want respectively. They are still not in the clear with the Celtics and Spurs to make the most of your basketball experience. nipping at their heels. The Cavs have seemed like a very nice target As a former North Shore basketball player, I can safely say that the girls on the team all lately, due to complaints from Lebron James, star power forward, for love Bruce, and attribute much of their success to his exemplary coaching. Keep up the the front office to make changes. This has led many top analyzers to good work, girls basketball! contemplate that he is pushing for Carmelo Anthony in a possible trade with Kevin Love. However their biggest competition, the Warriors, have been unstoppable all season. It doesn’t seem like the Cavs have enough to stop them.Special Notes East: 6th-8th spot still up for grabs, Raptors continue falling West: 8th spot up for grabs, Thunder fighting for the 6th seed MVP Race.James Harden continues to hold on to the top spot in the mvp race. Russell Westbrook seems like the obvious choice to many, but his team is a seventh seed compared to Rockets being third in the west. In the end how can you deny a literal walking triple-double? If Westbrook wants to win this race he needs to make his team better, and get them winning games. Women’s National Basketball Association Before free agency could start Elena Delle Donne (MVP 2015 Season) was traded to the mystics. The sky were well aware that Delle Donne was looking for a change and made a smart move by trading her, so they could get something in return. Delle Donne was the biggest player being looked at during free agency, which has waned some enthusiasm regarding free agency. The reigning champs the LA Sparks have three core players that will become free agents leading to a lot things up in the air. Phoenix will also have problems ahead with Brittney Griner becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Joy Pasin ’18
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Submitted by Tori Blair ’19
Alliyah Rumbolt-Lemond’18
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Where is Keith?
K
Satire
eith is unfortunately unable to answer your questions this week, as he is on sabbatical and has only been in contact through carrier pigeons and secret messages encoded within Russian intelligence briefings. We were, however, able to receive this brief fragment telling of his adventures on a secret island somewhere off the shores of New Zealand. We hope you can make more sense of it than we could! BEGIN TRANSMISSION: I could see the men in their sleek black suits with skinny little ties hanging around their necks, their pristine white shirts standing out in sharp contrast with their black and scuffed submachine guns. They had nearly gotten me on the submarine, but it looked like they might succeed once and for all here. One on my eight, one on my two, four coming from high noon, and surely more snipers up on the rooftops. I clutched the amulet around my neck with one hand and reached for my trusty flare gun with the other. “Oh, Keith, what have you gotten yourself into this time?” I thought to myself, for perhaps the last time. The market still bustled with activity, the gambling pits still full, but the people stood in tense agony; the last time men with guns had come through, they had nearly found the entrance to the labyrinthian tombs which ran beneath the city and straight to the heart of the secret which lay at the center. Now, I was all that stood between these men and some vast, untold power. Readying myself behind my cover of baskets filled to the brim with rough burlap garments, I steadied my breath and prepared to take my aim. Peeking from inside my hidden position, I quietly raised my weapon, drawing a line with my gaze down my arm and through the sights of the flare gun. As I gently exhaled, my finger squeezed tenderly down on the trigger... END TRANSMISSION. CONNECTION TERMINATED.
The Perfect Grilled Cheese Brad O’Connor’18
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he art of cooking eludes many. Its intricate designs and various methods have proven challenging to master for even the most dedicated artisans. I for one have yet to master its ways. However, I believe I have mastered an individual skill that falls under the umbrella of “cooking.” The grilled cheese, while very simplistic and common, has many forms of beauty. Whether it be the different grill marks one can create, or the mixes of cheese and bread, no two grilled cheeses are the same. The mystery of cooking the grilled cheese lies within the perfect combination of bread, cheese, and possible addition of meat. After conversing with local foodies and North Shore students, I have come to the conclusion that the perfect grilled cheese contains: Exactly, there IS no specific set of ingredients for the “perfect grilled cheese.” The different styles of bread and cheese that are beloved to many different people vary significantly. For example, Claudia Hayward ‘18 described her grilled cheese as, “Two nice thick slices of whole grain bread slathered in the purest New Zealand butter, on both sides. In between these pieces, I would have sharp English cheddar. To finish it off, I would add some basil pesto to ONE slice of the bread, before I ‘crisp that baby up.’” While I am still a bit confused as to what “crisp that baby up” means, I am sure it is some unique technique used by Claudia to ensure the best quality of grilling possible. On the contrary, Mr.Young, Director of Library and Educational Technology, enjoys a “thick-breaded, challah grilled cheese. I usually throw in some turkey bacon and, delish!” After discussion with many others, the different grilled cheeses brought me to the conclusion that this simple dish defines the cultural diversity that has been so accepted in America. And while the conversation on diversity in America is one many indulge in daily, this article is about the perfect grilled cheese. It will stay that way. Grilled cheese and the cooking atmosphere of the United States provide an enjoyable escape in the ever changing and fast paced world we call home. I know I’ll be enjoying a grilled cheese soon, and I hope you will be too!
DSJ Editors-in-Chief Cara Savin ’18 Brad O’Connor ’18 Executive Editors Owen Hiland ’18 Will O’Connor ’18 Assosiative Editors Betsey Freiburger ’19 Staff Writers Joy Pasin ’18 Eli Kraus ’18 Zaina Vohra ’18 Sofia Baumann ’18 Grace Scullion ’18 Alliyah Rumbolt-Lemond ’18
Sponsors Ms. Ester Safford Ms. Lauren Hernandez