Diller Street Journal - Volume 4, Issue 1

New Schedule Reviews Page 6

DSJ is back for the 20152016 School Year!

The Diller Street Journal November 2015

New Faces Bring Focus to Environmental Issues at North Shore

The Horse Race that is the Presidential Elections Chris Healey ’16

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t was our sectional semifinal game. The previous year, we had made it to the sectional finals, and we were facing a familiar opponent. The team that had ended our last season, and the team that was poised to do the same again: Westmont. I came up to bat with one out in the top of the 7th and we were trailing by 5. We had runners on first and third and the count was 1-2. The 1-2 pitch came in, and I hit it to second base. 4-6-3. Just like that, our season was over. The high school careers of 8 seniors were over. Westmont ended our seasons again. One of the main reasons was the 6 in that double play: Charlie Donovan. He was a senior, committed to the University of Michigan and the talk of our team, at the time, was that he had just been drafted by the Brewers with their 30th round pick. As you may have heard, Charlie killed himself on the 5th, my birthday. A kid with whom I had grown all too familiar, just through baseball, was now gone.

The two prominent memories I have of him were when I tagged him out on a pickoff and, the more poignant of the two memories, in his previous at bat, when he hit the hardest ball I have ever had hit at me. Now he’s gone.

This brings up an issue that we do not talk about enough, and it is not just an issue in society, but in baseball too. There is a societal taboo against depression and mental illness, and there is pressure against talking about these issues. According to what I have heard, Charlie suffered from depression, and I do too. Now I am one of the lucky ones, I was able to tell my parents and get help before things got to this point. But he wasn’t. Now, in society, all of the “ideal” people, the celebrities, are portrayed as living models of perfection. Very physically attractive, outgoing, and talented, with no mention of mental issues. This also rings true in baseball, and all sports. Sports are a world similar to the celebrity sphere of society, where all differences are swept under the rug. Now think through every major league player you know. Who, during their playing careers, has come out with the fact that they are struggling with depression? The fact is, only two current players, Zack Greinke and Joey Votto, have come out as having some mental disorder. Greinke is known to have social anx

h, the presidential elections. The exciting time that comes every four years when America’s top political figures come together to discuss important matters like health care, the economy, foreign affairs, and….Donald Trump’s wedding?

Wait a minute...What? Well, what did we expect when The Donald first entered the race (besides sheer chaos)? To me, Donald Trump is a successful version of Mr. Krabs (think about that one).

But no, this article is not about Donald Trump. He has already received much of the spotlight.

That being said, here is where we stand (insert race-horse commentator voice) “Innnnnn first place we have The Donald, Big Trump, the Trumpy T coming in at a whopping 27.4%! Second, from Detroit, Michigan the brainiac himself Dr. Ben Carson garnering 18.8%! Ah, well let’s just continue. The rest follow this brutally entertaining order: Marco Rubio at 8.3%, Jeb Bush and Carly Fiorina at 7.5%, Cruz at 6.5%, Huckabee at 4.5%, my main man Rand Paul at 3.5% (time to step it up big guy), Kasich at 3%, Christie at 2.5%, and Walker at 1.3%. There are other candidates, but let’s face it - if they are below one percent as of now, they don’t have a prayer.

Now, I could just write a generic article listing statistics and telling you about how they make me “feel”, but knowing the average high school student, that is basically just another homework assignment.

So instead, I just want to highlight what fascinates me. Those of you who know me know where I stand

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Will O’Connor ’18

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nvironmental Club, otherwise known as E-Club, is the rapidly expanding organization of students and faculty that is tasked with the challenge of meeting the environmental needs of North Shore Country Day School.

E-Club had its first meeting to begin a new productive school year and more importantly a new productive year in fixing the environmental problems of North Shore.

Older leaders of E-Club, including AJ Formolo ’16 and Lille van der Zanden ’16, have taken the initiative to make their last year a productive one. Aside from the final aspirations of the soon to be graduates, many younger faces have come in to pick up the torch of E-Club’s leadership positions. Some of these younger students, Andrew Potter ‘17 and Brad O’Connor ‘18, have taken the initiative to become co-leaders of the club along with the more well established members of the club. It is because of these younger students who have taken initiative that the club’s focus has been altered and reinvigorated with a new sense of importance.

The main focus of E-Club this semester, unlike last year, is to get the students of North Shore to become more interested in the environment. As Formolo said, “We’re not looking to threaten the school to recycle, we realize that no one cares.

Our hope is to get the student body to appreciate the environment more.”

This push for environmental interest has come with a few plans for the coming semester. E-Club is look

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Photo of Charlie Donovan by Steve Bittinger

Charlie Donovan and Depression: The Darker Side of Baseball Connor Watrous ’17

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Charlie Donovan Connor Watrous ’17

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iety and Votto went on the Disabled List because he was struggling with extreme depression. That leaves two out of the 750 Major League Baseball players with some form of depression. The rate of depression among adults in the United States is 6.7% and some estimates even say that the rate among college and professional baseball players is as high as 1112%. According to that figure, between 82-90 MLB players are struggling with depression, yet only two have sought help or made this fact known.

Charlie was a great kid, both on and off the field. On the baseball field, he was the number one prospect in all of Illinois for the graduating class of 2015. Off the field, just by the closeness him and his brother showed on the field, I could tell he was a great brother. I hope that Joey isn’t taking this too hard, but I can only assume that it is impossible not to do so. From friends and coaches alike, I have heard the resounding sentiment that Charlie was a great kid to be around. A great friend, a great role model, a great player. Despite what it may seem from the outside, someone could very easily be struggling with depression, and one of the worst things about having the disease is worrying about how others would see you if they knew. In terms of baseball, the way that we portray our athletes does not help with this stigma. Being set on a platform as the ideal people just adds to this stigma that needs to be removed from society. The only way to do so is to be accepting. Hopefully, that can save the lives of many talented people, young and old. Charlie, you will be missed.

Environmental Club Will O’Connor ’18

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ing to boost the number of outdoor classes, field trips, and other sorts of activities pertaining to the environment. This rise in environmental interest will hopefully increase the urge for action in many of the students of North Shore.

E-Club leaders are planning for the second semester to focus primarily on reforming the attitude of the school towards the environment as well as reinvigorating efforts in the fight for environmental change with activities and challenges for students to better their environmental habits. E-Club has big goals for this year, and hopefully the rebirth of interest in the club (primarily sparked by members Brad O’Connor ‘18, Andrew Potter ‘17, and Will O’Connor ‘18) will carry the sole Environmental group of North Shore to new heights of success and prosperity.

Presidential Elections

Chris Healey ’16

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politically (heck, I just told you who I support). But for me, something is different this time. Yes, Trump may be your stereotypical arrogant Republican (disagreements are welcome), but I feel that the party is changing. As a new generation of Republicans grows, our ideas grow as well. It just may not yet be our time to shine on the political stage. Now, I am not going to go through and list my opinions on every political issue because anyone who knows me knows that I can rant for hours on end. It’s obvious that those who seize the political stage - especially during election times - are the ones with the most money and power. And that goes for both sides of the political spectrum.

So, what I am trying to say is this: I may have totally missed my point and ended up ranting, but this is an opinion article: find your own opinions on matters. Do your own research. Allow your political views to be influenced - not dictated - by where you come from. Be open minded and never enslaved by your own views. In other words, don’t say: “I am going to vote for Trump or Hillary!” and force yourself to agree with their viewpoints. Develop your own view of the world, and see who fits it the closest. Mine happens to be Rand Paul on just about every issue (not all), and yours may be someone totally different. In the end, take advantage of living in a democracy. People from around the world have died trying to reach the freedom that you have. The freedom to vote (even if you aren’t old enough yet) and the fact that you can think independently about what you want in this world are miracles, and nobody can take that away from you. I will just gladly tell you why I disagree with you.

11/17/15

Faculty Profile:

English Teacher David Grossman

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Cara Savin ’18

r. Grossman, a new English teacher at North Shore Country Day School, is incredibly thrilled to be joining our community. The closeknit bonds between students and teachers excite him, and the opportunities to have an impact on a student’s life excite him. After having the opportunity to sit down with Mr. Grossman, I learned all about his goals at North Shore Country Day School and his commitment to making our school a better place.

DSJ: Why did you decide to come teach at North Shore Country Day School?

Mr. Grossman: After practicing law for many years, one of the things that was most appealing was the opportunity to work with students in a smaller classroom setting. I wanted to work with students who were excited by the work they were doing and committed to the work they were doing. Seeing the students be so dedicated made me really want to make an impact on their lives with my teaching. After beginning my work at a large public high school, although it was a wonderful experience, I knew I would be more in my element at a school where there were smaller class sizes, the students had ample amounts of opportunities outside the classroom, and the collegiality among the faculty was greater and here it is wonderful. These were critical to my decision to come to North Shore Country Day School.

Also, the tremendous sense of community here, both within the classroom and throughout the whole school, was something I really admired, and wanted to be apart of.

DSJ: What was your first impression of North Shore Country Day School when you began teaching here?

Mr. Grossman: Everyone at school is so nice to one another, especially when some students don’t even know each other. Also, I was impressed by how the students and teachers interacted with each other and how they had a great relationship. All the students seemed to be smiling and happy and cheerful. Everyone at school was very relaxed, because it was a comfortable environment.

DSJ: What are you most excited for in the future here?

Mr. Grossman: I am really excited for a lot of things at school. But, I am really excited to teach and work with students. When I begin to see students in the hallway, I feel a surge of energy. I am excited to learn from the students the way they learn from me. The ability to pursue my passions, in a way that allows students to grow as well, excites me. Being a part of this community, and being able to take advantage of all the the school has to offer excited me. Things like interim, and after school activities, and morning ex, everything that makes North Shore Country Day a special place makes me really excited to be here.

DSJ: What do you want to get involved in at school?

Mr: Grossman: I am really intrigued about the effort through the food service to think about food more deeply in the sense of the environment and where it comes from. I have an awareness of food, which is really important to me, and so I would like to share that with students. I’d really like for everyone to think of food and environment as a whole. I would like to do this through interim and extra curriculars.

DSJ: So, for students to get to know you, what do you like to do outside of school?

Mr. Grossman: I love to ride my bike, spend time with my family, play the banjo, and spend time outside.

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Opinion Students Weigh in on the New Schedule

11/17/15

Robbie Bay ’17

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his year, the Upper School of NSCDS implemented a brandnew schedule, which came as a surprise originally considering I rarely heard any complaints about the old one. When this new schedule was announced last year, boasting a 7 day rotation and 75 minute classes, there was a considerable backlash from many students; however, some students, myself included, decided that they would give the new schedule a chance and see how it would work out. And much to my surprise, there are certainly positives to this new schedule.

First off, I don’t hate 75 minute classes nearly as much as I thought I would. It is taking a little getting used to, but I had great fears about how painful every class would be. At least for me, this year’s classes feel shorter than last year’s “long blocks” despite actually being longer. It also makes free blocks much more enjoyable, giving plenty of time to do some work, or simply chat for a while. The homework load is also more manageable with many one night assignments spread out over two nights.

Now, you might be thinking, “this is supposed to be a “cons” article, so why am I talking about good things?” Well, I just like to give credit where it is due.

But the new schedule has its fair share of problems.

Let’s start with Lunch. Not only is it painfully late, starting at 1:20, but it is also extremely short. Those last 20 minutes of the class before lunch can be described only as painful, and it becomes very difficult to concentrate on what you are supposed to be doing. 35 minutes is enough time to only eat lunch and not much else. In the past, Lunch was a time where you could eat at whatever pace you wanted, talk with friends, and then hang out in the V until 1:30 when your next class started.

Now you have to run, and I mean RUN, to the cafeteria in order to beat the line, order your food as fast as possible, devour your food especially quickly if you had to wait in the line, then rush to your next class.

This really is not a very pleasant experience. To quote Richard Santi ’17 on the topic, “They somehow managed to make lunch stressful.”

And despite my above praising of the 7 day rotation because it allows homework to be more spread out, it still causes its fair share of problems.

Scheduling appointments outside of school is now much more complicated. Last year it was very simple. Perhaps every Monday you had all your academic classes in the morning, so your appointment could be scheduled any time in the afternoon; now, if you want to schedule an appointment, you have to do the math in your head to find out what day of the rotation it will be and then see if your schedule lines up. But, let’s say you did that but perhaps left out a certain X day somewhere down the line, so the appointment no longer lines up. As a result you try to reschedule, but you now have no time.

One of the main problems I have with this schedule is the many additions that don’t honestly help that much. The performing arts period is supposed to eliminate the conflict between play rehearsals and sports That would be a great idea, if they happened more often than once every seven days. How is this supposed to help? In a single week you might not even have it. But you will still have sports practice every single day.

At least from my experiences thus far, Advisory seems to have been hurt by this change. I notice that we are meeting fewer times, and when we do meet, it’s always at an awkward time. I am willing to say that these issues will get worked out in the future, and the problems I listed above are just “beginning of the year craziness,” but this is something to keep in mind.

Also, it was an odd decision to cut our passing periods. While I understand that things like Snack and CWP are supposed to essentially serve as passing periods, what about the community events?

There is no set time frame for when we need to be seated. I guess it’s just, “get there as fast as you can.” I think the way to go is to take 5 minutes off of each class, because 70 minutes is still plenty of time, and just make those passing periods. Also, take Snack and CWP and just add them on to Lunch, so that time management isn’t as stressful.

Joy Pasin ’18

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o far this year I have been very pleased with the new schedule.

Last year I was very skeptical of the presented change, because the hour-and-fifteen minute class periods seemed very intimidating; however, I was pleasantly surprised. Not only do longer periods allow students to accomplish more during the duration of the day, but students also have more time to figure out ideas on their own and teachers have more time to thoroughly explain concepts to them. Also, students can accomplish much more during Study Hall/Free Period.

I found that having four periods during the day eliminates a lot of stress. With the old schedule I had a homework assignment for every class I had during the day, but I would get very distracted when doing my homework because of the many transitions between subjects. I especially enjoy the time we have between each period during the day. This allows me to take a “mental break” and chat with friends, rather than rushing from class to class. Can we just take a second to appreciate all of the late starts this year? We get to come to school late at least once a cycle, not to mention we get to sleep-in using our morning Free Periods. One could compare the new schedule to a mullet: education in the front, and party in the back.

Photos by Connor Watrous ’17

Despite what I’ve been writing, I don’t hate the new schedule, but it is important that our criticisms are heard in order to improve the schedule. Plenty of students and faculty agree with me when I say that it needs work. Improving the schedule needs to be a collaborative effort. Now that we have firsthand experience, we know exactly what needs to be changed. We just need to start by listening.

Opinion

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Small Portions for Large Stomachs

Brad O’Connor ’18

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oming into this year, I was very excited when I heard that we were getting a new cafeteria and a whole new layout. After finding out that this renovation also included the end of the lunch program that I had loved since I was in 6th grade, I was confused and skeptical as to how the school would replace such a good thing.

On the first day of school when I went to lunch for the first time, at 1:20, I waited a good 15 minutes in a line that seemed to never end. Once I made my way into the newly-renovated space, I waited another five minutes until I got the front of the line where there was no pizza, no pasta, but a taco salad. After getting my taco salad, I proceeded to a counter which contained a flurry of plates that had maybe six to seven pieces of pasta on them. Looking at these, I said to myself, “how will this ever fill me up?” but decided to move on to the drinks and where last year we had Powerade, Lemonade, and Half and Half, I saw coconut water, Argo Tea, and La Croix. Having no idea what to drink, I got some chocolate milk. After getting my “hearty” lunch of taco salad and chocolate milk, I then waited another 5 minutes in the checkout line. In total, this process gave me about 20 minutes to eat and get right back to class with no time to socialize with my friends or let my brain rest before my next 75 minute class.

Last year students were promised a “quicker, more efficient, and better lunch program,” and what did we get? A lunch program that should be a restaurant. I’m not saying the lunch program this year is all bad; I personally think Chef Willis is a fantastic chef and knows what he’s doing; however, the way Handcut Foods makes lunch is not for a school setting.

As a student, I believe we need a lunch that is going to fill us up.

A lunch that tastes good and can get us through our sports practices. I think the school needs to realize that we are all still kids, many of whom don’t love having salad every day, extremely small portions of pasta, chicken, or whatever the special is on a given day. The lunch program North Shore has right now would make for a good restaurant for adults to stop by, but we need something like our old lunch program to keep us fed and excited to go and focus in another 75 minute class.

I’m not the only one who has noticed this. There is an undercurrent of students who are going to practice hungry because they either don’t like the food or can’t get their food fast enough. These people continue to go through the lunch line without saying anything; however, if we don’t say anything, then nothing will happen. I encourage anyone who has recommendations as to whether the lunch program should change or not, to say something before it is too late.

11/17/15

Raw Zucchini and the Problems with Snack Owen Hiland ’18

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s many of you are already aware, North Shore has recently made some big changes in the food service department. The new company, H a n d c u t Foods, focuses on providing nutritional and locally-sourced food options for its clients. This is Photos by Connor Watrous ’17 not, however, the only food-related change that has been made this year. Another of the most drastic shifts this year is the movement of the beginning of lunch from 12:40 to 1:20.

Acknowledging that this is a significantly later time and realizing that it is much harder to focus on an empty stomach, the school has decided to serve a snack after the first block of the day at 10:15. Among the snacks provided are fruit, vegetables with hummus (and sunflower seed butter), raisin-oatmeal granola bars, and ham and cheese with bread.

Now, I can not speak for the entire Upper School when I share my opinion, but I have not been satisfied with the provided snack. I am a big fan of food, but the options provided have been disappointing and unfulfilling. Almost daily, I find my stomach growling well before Lunch, even if I have two portions of the day’s snack. Perhaps this is because, for multiple days in the past three weeks, the snack has been nothing more than celery, carrots, and hummus. I will admit that, if it were done right, this could be a wonderful snack; however, it has not been well executed.

The celery and carrots are often exceedingly dry, and I’ve found the hummus to be slightly chunky and often quite warm.

Now, I’m not arguing that we should be eating potato chips or those delicious gummy fruit snacks for snack, no matter how they might taste.

But I’m saying that variety, or at least consistency, would be preferable to the options presented as they are currently. I think many students might also appreciate some sort of system for feedback. Something that would allow improvements to be made upon existing snack options. In any case, I would certainly like to see some changes made to better the snacks provided here at North Shore.

The Freshman Perspective Betsey Freiburger ’19

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reshmen, truly what are we?

We are the young kids aimlessly wandering the halls looking lost, we are the ones who can’t manage more than 1 hour of homework with sports, but mainly we are the “newbies.” Whether you are returning from North Shore’s middle school, or one of the over 30 new kids arriving from 25 different schools, everything seems to be unfamiliar.

Luckily, we have accomplished so much in the past two months. We have learned how to sit through a 75 minute class, tried to remember 56 names of our fellow classmates (does anyone think we should have nametags until at least December?), procrastinated too much yet still

managed to get everything done, walked up 3 flights of stairs in record time, and coped with the rest of the stress that comes with high school!

On a positive note, even with all that is new, many of our hopes and dreams for high school at North Shore are also coming true. Interclass friendships are strengthening, team spirit is growing amongst our athletes, and club involvement is high. Overall, there is a buzz of joy in the halls, reflecting our collective happiness to no longer be in the dark age known as “Middle School.”

So to answer my opening question, we are not just freshmen. We are the class of 2019, and we are ready to take on whatever high school brings us!

Opinion

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11/17/15

An Analysis of the Iran Nuclear Deal Ike Pratt ’17

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here is a Cold War underway that few people address. The two biggest participants? Saudi Arabia and Iran. The only thing that is missing is the prospect of mutually assured destruction by nuclear weapons. It is important to keep this fact in mind when considering the Iran nuclear deal. Many conservatives see the the biggest issue with Iran obtaining a nuke as being the almost-certain launch of said missile at Israel. Perhaps this is a legitimate concern, but surprisingly, it is not the biggest one. The greater concern lies in the prospect that if Iran develops a nuclear weapon, a nuclear arms race would be triggered across the Middle East - involving Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey. The real aim of the nuclear deal is to prevent this scenario from becoming a reality by increasing Iran’s breakout capacity, which is the time required to produce enough fissile material for one nuclear weapon. By extending Iran’s breakout capacity, the threat of both Iranian nuclear weapons and a regional nuclear arms race are not as pressing.

Currently, Iran’s breakout capacity can be measured in months. Under the deal, Iran will curb that length of time to over ten years. When people like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claim that the deal will “pave the way for Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon,” this is the part of the deal they are referring to. They believe that after ten years, Iran will get a nuke anyway. However, the deal states, “Iran reaffirms that under no circumstances will Iran ever seek, develop, or acquire any nuclear weapons.” The major issue that some take with this statement is that it relies on the goodwill of the Iranians, and is too trusting of the Iranian government . There is indeed no reason for the US, EU, and the UN to trust Iran. However, the deal relies not on trust, but on verification. Under the terms of the deal, the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA, is granted access to Iran’s nuclear facilities to verify that Iran is in compliance with protocol.

In return for their compliance, sanctions against Iran that were enacted by the US, EU, and UN when negotiations stalled, will be lifted over time. This will gradually release an estimated total of $100 billion in frozen Iranian assets. Should the IAEA discover that Iranian compliance with the deal is not genuine, the process of unfreezing these assets will be reversed. A major concern regarding this policy is that once Iran gets its money back, it will then be able to use it to more effectively support its proxies in the Middle East; like Hezbollah, a group engaged in the Syrian Civil War on the side of the regime.

While this is a legitimate concern, the alternative is a nuclear-armed Iran.

The people against the deal, particularly the ones in Washington, say the deal is not good enough, and that the US should continue to pursue a better one. They suggest that the US could continue to enact crippling sanctions against Iran until it caves in to their demands.

However, these people overlook the role of other world powers, most importantly China and Russia, in the imposition of sanctions on Iran. It is a geopolitical marvel that these two countries agreed to sanction Iran in the first place, but it is unlikely they will continue to do so. Russia is itself currently under sanctions by the US and EU for its annexation of Crimea in 2014. The Russians certainly will not be doing the United States any favors because of this. Meanwhile, China gets 11% of its oil from Iran. Beijing has also stated that it will not continue to impose sanctions on Iran. Without Russian and Chinese support, continued sanctions by the US would largely be meaningless. Therefore, the only other way the United States could gain leverage over Iran would be through military means, and going to war with Iran has very obvious drawbacks.

While the Iran nuclear deal has its fair share of critics, few of them bring up valid concerns - all of which are outweighed by the pros of the deal. The conservatives in Congress, Benjamin Netanyahu, and King Salman do nothing but bash the deal, but none of them have peace in mind, and they certainly don’t have an alternative that isn’t war.

Photo on Wikimedia Commons

The Modern Enigma that is the Dress Code Katie Karmin ’17

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’m willing to bet that if you surveyed the entire Upper School female population asking for one of the most mortifying school experiences, being “dress-coded” would definitely rank near the top. As a personal offender of the articulate guidelines, it certainly is not an enjoyable nor memorable encounter when a teacher of any gender has to tell you that your skirt is too short or the outline of your bra is too visible. It’s a real blow to one’s self-esteem. Not to mention a minimum of two weeks where the student tries his or her very hardest to avoid said teacher at all costs. It is an overall traumatizing interaction that could and should be so easily removed.

While I know Student Council spent a lot of time the previous year addressing student concerns, I feel our voices were not accurately heard. Yes, creating a gender neutral handbook was a positive change.

But to be honest, I do not feel it was adequate. Times have changed since the rules were written. I, for one, am not a large supporter of the whole yoga pants movement, but if people want to wear yoga pants and a shirt that meets the waistline, let them wear yoga pants and a shirt that meets the waistline. These boundaries were established to create a comfortable atmosphere for both students and teachers. And while I get that the obvious goal is to provide a learning environment without distractions, would it really kill the classroom mood if just a few more students jotted down their notes wearing discreet black leggings?

The more we distinguish these alleged limitations that create what I like to call the model of the “wanton student”, the more uncomfortable we as a community will feel when violations are committed. And let’s be frank, violations will be committed. This is high school after all, not prison. We should be encouraged to explore the depths of our personality, whatever that implies.

As an appreciator of fashion, it can a bit frustrating knowing that my passion must be contained within the school hallways. A kid can openly adore field hockey here at North Shore, proudly chanting slugs from the NSFH team, but if someone has found a real calling in the style industry, then they have to hide their honest selves for the week. It is insulting. I want to be able to wear my ripped jeans in confidence, not because they expose more skin garnering people’s attention, but because they make me happy. I guess what the dress code really boils down to is one question: are we as a school going to celebrate individuality, or are we going to confine ourselves to the outdated expectations previously cemented?

6

Sports Chicago Cubs: Finally Back to the Future

11/17/15

Alex Nickel ’16 and Will Lawler ’16

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t’s 2015. Handheld tablets are taking over, flying cars and hoverboards roam the skies, and the city of Miami has a baseball team. The United States has elected its first woman president, Princess Diana has been crowned the new Queen, and the first three minute mile has been achieved. Is this starting to sound a little weird? Well, back in 1989, when Back to the Future Part II was released, none of these things seemed impossible. Director Robert Zemeckis’s final prediction? The Chicago Cubs winning the World Series in 2015 - for the first time in 107 years.

When Marty McFly time traveled from 1989 to Oct. 21 2015, he was justifiably shocked to learn of the Cubs breaking their curse ridden streak through a hologram message. However, as October rolls around, the Cubbies’ chances at taking home the title are no longer just 1980s nostalgia.

When Tom Ricketts hired Theo Epstein - who ended an 86 year championship drought in Boston - as President of Baseball Operations in 2011, it was clear the tide was beginning to turn in the Windy City. Despite massive optimism, Epstein’s major rebuilding strategy received backlash during his first three seasons at the helm, as they all resulted in dismal 60-win seasons. However, this year, Epstein’s youth movement is finally coming into place.

After a controversial decision to leave Kris Bryant in the minors to begin the season, the rookie sensation has been better than advertised. After passing Billy Williams’s franchise rookie record for home runs (26), and leading the team in RBIs (99), he has solidified his campaign for National League Rookie of the Year.

As the summer progressed, Chicago welcomed rookies Javier Baez, Addison Russell, Jorge Soler, and Kyle Schwarber into the starting lineup. From Soler’s raw power to Russell’s commanding role as the captain of the infield and Baez’s dazzling glove, Chicago is experiencing an unprecedented level of young talent. The scariest statistic for the rest of the National League? All of these rookies are under 23 years of age, and locked up on bargain deals for the remainder of the decade.

After a busy offseason that featured the signing of a new manager in Joe Maddon, the $155 million acquisition of Jon Lester, and controversial stadium renovations, expectations for the upcoming season were mixed.

More than five months later, the Cubs have exceeded everyone’s expectations by recording a 45-18 since July 29th, the best record in the NL over that span.

Cubs star shortstop Starlin Castro has received a lot of grief this season for his defensive struggles. After losing his starting spot to Addison Russell in August, he has proven he is capable of coming in as a pinch-hitter and making an impact. Since August 11th, Castro has boasted a .347 batting average, .403 on base percentage, a .619 slugging percentage, and a team best 1.021 on base plus slugging percentage. His value is much higher than many Cubs fans believe. After being booed off the field for making three errors in late August, it is not unreasonable to believe those same fans will be chanting his name as he hits a walk off to clinch a World Series berth.

Despite having the third best record in the National League, the Cubs had to face off in a winner takes all - one game playoff against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who had the second best record in the National League.

Unfortunately, the talented roster of the Pirates had to face Chicago’s ace, Jake Arrieta. Since the All-Star break, Arrieta has posted a 0.83 ERA, thrown his first career No-Hitter, and became the MLB’s first 20 game winner of the season. Arrieta was so dominant in the Cubs 4-0 victory that the Pirates purposefully threw at him when he was batting trying to cause warnings for both teams, and then hoping Arrieta would accidently hit one of their batters. This resulted in the benches and bullpens clearing, and one Pirates player being ejected. It also meant the end of Pittsburgh’s season.

While the outfield bleachers may not have been completed for Opening Day in April, they were rocking when the Cubs hosted their archrival, the St. Louis Cardinals. After losing the first game of the series in St. Louis, the Cubs rebounded by winning three in a row and clinching their first playoff series ever at Wrigley. They did this with one of the most unique offenses in the history of the game. They finished first in the league in strikeouts and first in the league in walks, a combination that has never been seen.

They also managed to finish fifth in the league in homeruns with a lineup that started 4 rookies for a decent amount of games. They were simply too much for the Cardinals to handle, catching the eye of the nation and becoming the favorite to win the World Series.

Besides the influx of talent on the roster, there is no denying that this team simply feels different than those in years past. The locker room camaraderie, late inning comebacks, and confidence this team has displayed has already made 2015 a memorable season, regardless of the outcome.

Unfortunately, forecasting playoff baseball is nearly impossible, as the difference between becoming World Series champions and being one-and-done is incredibly slim. Many are comparing this year’s Cubs team to last years Royal team that made it to the World Series. However, even if the Cubs can not fulfill the famed Hollywood proclamation this postseason, one thing is for sure: the Cubs have the brightest future in all of baseball.

Photos by Connor Watrous ’17

Sports

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11/17/15

10 Questions with QB1 Andrew Potter ’17

B

ernie Sander ‘17, has been a real leader on the North Shore football team. He has taken his new role as captain in stride as he continually leads the team by example every day. Teammate Ward Madigan ‘19 described what it is like playing with Sander: “Bernie sets a great example for all of the younger kids on and off the field everyday.

The entire team learns a lot from playing with [him].” Despite their 2-5 record, Sander has played exceptionally well. Through seven games, he has put up over 650 yards rushing and over 250 yards passing, as well as accounting for seven total touchdowns. This past week, I got the chance to ask Sander some questions about the season.

DSJ: How do you feel the season went?

BS: We also lacked focus late in games, but I think we picked it up this against Wayland Academy. I feel we came out strong in the beginning, but we started to waver later in the games because of some injuries, especially to Jack Mangel, one of our best linemen.

DSJ: What are your team goals this year?

BS: At the beginning of the season, making the playoffs was a goal, especially after winning our first game, but now I want to see us get back to five hundred and carry some momentum into our remaining games and into the next season.

DSJ: How does it feel to be a team captain your junior year?

BS: It’s a really great feeling. It’s cool having the younger guys look up to you and come to you for advice. I feel like myself as well my fellow captains, Briggs Wright and Evan Airey, have really embraced our role so far.

DSJ: Describe what it is like playing with a trio of junior playmakers Briggs Wright, Pierce Hourihane, and yourself?

BS: The trio works. I feel we really lead the team and are vital to the success of the team.

DSJ: With the switch to 8-man football, do you notice that you have three less men in the huddle?

BS: No, I don’t notice a difference at all.

DSJ: If you weren’t playing football, what activity would you be doing?

BS: I have always had an interest in Badminton, so I think I would pick up that.

DSJ: How does it feel to have star offensive linemen Joey Buterbaugh and Henry Eisner return to the team?

BS: It’s a really reassuring feeling to have some security up front. Those guys have been essential to my success this year.

DSJ: Do you ever think about anything on the field other than football?

BS: Yeah, I do, especially on defense. While I’m looking at the defense, I sometimes hear the cars go by on Willow and I’ll look over and check them out, but I always get right back into the play.

DSJ: Rumor has it that there have been several Great Eight conference teams that have inquired about freshmen duo Will Karmin and Ward Madigan. Your thoughts?

BS: I would be really surprised if Coach Darling accepts any of these proposals. It would be a detrimental blow to the team, especially because these guys are the future of the team.

DSJ: If you were stranded on an island, what two things would you want with you?

BS: My iPhone and a football.

Photo by Art Jessen

North Shore’s Own Fantasy Football Insider Andrew Potter ’17 and Will Madigan ’17

A

new type of fantasy sport has seen a rise in participation among the students here at North Shore: Daily Fantasy Sports.

Fanduel and Draftkings, the two main companies in Daily Fantasy Sports, offer a variety of contests for all professional sports. The main idea behind their companies, and what is making them so successful, is the no commitment, short time period leagues.

The first step in playing Fanduel and Draftkings is to pick your sport.

Currently, only football, basketball, and hockey are in season. The next step is to pick your lineup. Both Fanduel and Draftkings operate on a salary cap system, where each player costs a certain amount of money, the better players costing more money.

As a player, your task is to pick the best team possible with the set amount of money. After creating a lineup, the next step is to enter that lineup in a variety of different contests that offer different cash payouts.

Fanduel and Draftkings offer leagues where entry fees vary from $1 up to $1000, and cash payouts from $1 to up to $1 million.

This week’s recommended Fanduel Lineup: QB

Mark Sanchez

$6,400

RB

Jonathan Stewart

$7,000

RB

Charcandrick West

$7,100

WR

Jordan Matthews

$6,300

WR

Mike Evans

$8,000

WR

Larry Fitzgerald

$7,400

TE

Rob Gronkowski

$8,400

K

Jason Myers

$4,700

DEF

Miami Dolphins

$4,700

DSJ Editors-in-Chief Anand Shankar ’16 Cooper Ochsenhirt ’16 Executive Editors Connor Watrous ’17 Associate Editors Antonia Theodosakis ’16 Cara Savin ’18 Brad O’Connor ’18 Owen Hiland ’18 Staff Writers Alex Nickel ’16 Will Lawler ’16 Chris Healey ’16 Emily George ’17 Robbie Bay ’17 Ike Pratt ’17 Katie Karmin ’17 Andrew Potter ’17 Will Madigan ’17 Will O’Connor ’18 Joy Pasin ’18 Betsey Freiburger ’19 Sponsors Ms. Dani Chung Ms. Lauren Marica