The April 2022 Issue

APRIL 7, 2022 VOLUME 95, ISSUE 5

MIDDLE GROUND LIBERTYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL’S STUDENT NEWS PUBLICATION

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CONTENTS

NEWS 6-7 LHS COVID

8 LHS CLUBS

Covid-19 Timeline

New club seeks to find middle ground

8 9-11

FEATURES 9-11 LHS

25 COOKING

Dr. Koulentes: The king of compromise

Cooking Cats

13-15 CAFFEINE

26 WHAT’S TRENDING

Crazy for Caffeine: The effects of energy drinks on youths

Spring Fashion

16-17 SOCIAL MEDIA

27 WORD SEARCH

TikTok Takeover

Spring

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OPINION

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18 STAFF EDITORIAL

20 FACE-OFF

Is compromise possible?

Do RAD Days have a place in the curriculum?

19 COLUMN

21 SATIRE

Masks do not define my political affiliation

Wordle ruined my life

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SPORTS

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22-23 LHS ATHLETICS

24 SPORTS OPINION

Road to State

The NFL needs change from the inside out

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CONTENTS

CHECK US OUT ONLINE lhsdoi.com

EDITORIAL BOARD JADE FOO

JASMINE LAFITA

Editor in Chief jade.foo@lhswildcats.org

Online Editor

ELLIE GEORGE

Opinion Editor

Editor in Chief ellie.george@lhswildcats.org

ANDREW BROOKS

SARAH WUH

SUBURBAN RAGE: HOW LIBERTYVILLE FUELED TOM MORELLO

Sports Editor

PAUL REIFF Faculty Adviser paul.reiff@d128.org

STAFF Andrew Brooks Jack Birmingham Alex Clark Ella D’Amore Roqaya Elmenshawy Eva Fahrenkrog Jade Foo Liam Foo Ellie George Natalie Isberg

Lauren Kern Mia Khan Jasmine Lafita Liv Martin Sadie Parvis Zahraa Patel Ashley Sanchez Kylie Skibitzki Marisa Tarica Sarah Wuh

Photo via Wikimedia Commons Eva Fahrenkrog

Alex Clark

WHO WE ARE Drops of Ink is a student-written, edited and produced high school publication.

Our publication functions as a service to the school and greater community of Libertyville, first and foremost delivering open-minded, informative content that is relevant to our readership. While not our primary motive, Drops of Ink also looks to provide entertainment to our audience. We aim to challenge readers to see different perspectives and gain knowledge of the world around us.

WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

TIMELINE OF UKRAINE-RUSSIA TENSIONS

Mia Khan

Contact us at L.doi@d128.org Contents by Alex Clark Cover Art by Sarah Wuh Cover Design by Zahraa Patel & Alex Clark Focus Cover by Jade Foo & Natalie Isberg APRIL 2022

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LETTER TO THE READER

LETTER TO THE READER Hi :),

Thank you for grabbing our fifth publication of the year! In this issue, we explore the concept of middle ground.

As Drops of Ink’s Editors-in-Chief, we are excited to share the inclusion of guest writers in this month’s issue!

As editors, we highly value and appreciate the voices from everyone at LHS, and in an effort to further diversify the voices of Drops of Ink, we decided to include guest writers from the LHS community in this issue. One of our core values on Drops of Ink is to Amplify All Voices, and as staff members as well as editors, that is always one of our main goals and priorities.

While we understand that not everyone can be on staff, we still want LHS community members to be able to contribute to and enhance the content we send out to our readers.

Drops of Ink is always looking for new and diverse ideas as we understand that some readers feel their voices aren’t represented. Our focus of middle ground was created with the intention of providing an opportunity for more people to participate in sharing their perspectives.

We greatly appreciate the support from the LHS community this school year, and are forever thankful for such an uplifting environment that provides us the opportunity to express ourselves.

As Editors-in-Chief, we are extremely proud of the quality and hard work the staff put into this issue. Please enjoy our April issue: Middle Ground.

Ellie George and Jade Foo

Editors-in-Chief

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DROPS OF INK

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FOCUS COVER

We understand that the past two years have been plagued with divisiveness, and in an effort to bridge the divisions that LHS has experienced, we explore the ideas of compromise and middle ground in this issue. From the small compromises we attain with ourselves and our friends, to the large-scale compromises necessary in today’s political world, Drops of Ink is proud to present our newest issue about finding a middle ground.

APRIL 2022

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NEWS

COVID-19 Jasmine Lafita and Sarah Wuh

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March 12

March 13

March 17

Extracurriculars, including both clubs and sports, at LHS shut down.

School is shut down for the next two weeks.

2 LHS staff members test positive for COVID-19.

Sep. 29

Oct. 5

Oct.

Nov.

District 128 students and parents gather to advocate for shift to in-person learning.

D128 Board of Education votes in favor of implementing hybrid model starting at the end of October.

LHS community prepares for hybrid model.

LHS plans to begin the hybrid model Nov. 30, but rising COVID numbers cause plans to be pushed back.

June 11

Aug. 30

Sep. 6

Illinois lifts its mask mandate for the first time in the wake of lessening COVID numbers.

Governor JB Pritzker reinstates the statewide mask mandate for all people in Illinois.

Governor Pritzker’s reinstates mask mandate takes effect for everyone over two years of age in indoor settings.

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DROPS OF INK

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NEWS

TIMELINE Mia Khan

March 31

April 17

May 1

Aug.

Governor JB Pritzer extends school closure until April 31.

Governor JB Pritzker announces Illinois public schools will be closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.

Statewide mask mandate for public spaces is instated.

LHS extends eSchool into the fall semester.

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Jan. 19

Feb.

May

LHS enters Hybrid Learning format.

LHS winter sports resume after two-month pause.

LHS plans for full in-person learning in the fall.

Feb. 4

Feb. 7

Feb. 14

Feb. 18

Judge Grischow grants a temporary restraining order against mandating students and teachers to wear a mask.

D128 maintains mask mandate, and unmasked students/ parents protest against D128’s decision to keep mask mandate.

There are over three hours of public comment at the D128 Board of Education meeting regarding masks.

D128 moves to mask recommended status, student opinion is split.

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NEWS

NEW CLUB SEEKS TO FIND MIDDLE GROUND Lauren Kern

Natalie Isberg

Every other Thursday in room 131 at 8 a.m. the Gray Area gathers to discuss an intriguing topic. The new club, founded at the start of the school year, aims to promote healthy debate among students. The four founders are seniors Jack Distenfield, John Graham, Owen Haywood, and Tavish Sharma.

Everyone’s voice is welcome in the Gray Area because it is not only a place for one singular idea or belief. Rather, the club is a place for multiple beliefs to be shared and discussed.

When the club first started, the founders wanted to start easy before diving into more serious and political topics.

“We started from more trivial topics, like country music vs rap music, and we built it out,” Graham mentioned.

“We kind of wanted to get people used to the format and get people kind of comfortable talking with each other,” Haywood agreed.

Recently, the club held a discussion about the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

“The whole thing kind of divulged into, ‘What do you think America’s role should be?’ And everyone in the club was talking about whether they believe we should be the international police force or, you know, be more isolationist,” Graham continued. “I think there’s kind of a healthy split between the two.”

The idea for founding the club started during the summer when the four co-founders would meet for coffee in the morning and discuss politics or current events.

They were tired of hearing extreme sides, but not being able to hear the middle area: the ‘gray area’ of the conversation.

“The gray area is kind of like the area between the extremes of either side, coming to the middle and discussing it,” Graham said.

Another reason for the club’s founding was the expansion of new ideas. “[Most of the time,] you’re talking to people that kind of just feeds into your similar beliefs,” Haywood said. “And so we wanted to create an opportunity for people to kind of talk outside of that limited bubble.”

Disagreements do happen during the club’s discussions, as it is a natural part of human nature to formulate one’s own ideas and opinions, but the club provides a safe environment for healthy, productive debate.

“We bring some sources to look at and kind of just come to consensus and try to have some disagreements and then try and work it out from there and see how it goes,” Graham said.

Anyone is welcome to share their ideas on the topic, provided that idea is factual to some degree. This is why, before the club starts, a brief background summary is provided or written on the board so those who have a brief understanding of the weekly topic can learn more. Other than that, the club time is spent wherever the discussion leads.

“There’s not much structure to it,” Graham said.

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Senior Owen Haywood helps lead a discussion about “which cereal is best?” Topics at The Gray Area vary from light-hearted topics like cereal preference to serious topics such as state laws and the legalization of marijuana.

The Gray Area selected two administrators, Ms. Sarah Greenswag and Mrs. Kristen Hawver. Both co-teach American Studies, a cross-curricular course that focuses on reading, writing, and immersive class discussions about current and past events in American history.

“They felt like a very natural choice,” Haywood said. “They were comfortable giving their own opinions, but also [playing] devil’s advocate. And they’re also just willing to kind of let us do our own thing.”

Interaction is a key component of the Gray Area, and Greenswag, and Hawver are always open to debate, be it political or simply a fun, whimsical discussion.

“We try so hard in our class to represent multiple points of view and just to model how to have productive disagreement, and have people who have different viewpoints still be able to hear each other,” Ms. Greenswag said.

“Last year during the pandemic, John Graham would come to my room,” Greenswag said. “He had a period off and we would have all kinds of conversations about tough topics that were happening in the world. And it kept getting brought up that like, man, this is so nice, how we’re just having a conversation and talking about different points of view.”.

Through the club’s use of sources, Greenswag and Hawver hope to combat the use of fake news and emphasize the idea to do research beforehand and not just lean on social media.

At the Gray Area, students have the opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions on a topic in a safe and open-minded environment while having in-depth conversations - and enjoying a complimentary donut.

The topics vary, and so do the points of view, but make no mistake, the Gray Area welcomes every perspective. It was founded to share ideas that usually spark controversy, and is a safe space at Libertyville High School.

DROPS OF INK

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FEATURE

Dr. Koulentes: The King of Compromise Alex Clark & Eva Fahrenkrog

Marisa Tarica

Kylie Skibitzki

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FEATURE It’s not easy being the principal, especially in an environment where divisiveness is all around us. Conflict comes at every corner and it seems like no one can agree on anything anymore. How does Dr. Tom Koulentes, the principal of LHS, deal with today’s divisive climate and help opposing sides find a middle ground?

“My first job is to listen,” he explained.

“Sometimes it might only be two sides, but sometimes there could be three or four sides of a problem. My job is to listen as much as I can to the concerns of whatever group or individual has those concerns.”

The DARING mission that was laid out by the district along with any rules and regulations play a factor in Dr. Koulentes’ decisions.

“What are the core values and mission of Dr. K is deep in thought in his office where he works hard everyday to decide upon community conthe school? What are the rules“[BeinG and reg- a cerns, utilizing the DARING mission statement of D128 (which encourages unity and inclusivity) for student a best interests of students and staff. ulations that schools have to follow?

And inthe public school] school rules, and my own personal decisions listen to one another, and compromise. what is ultimately something that is to the helps you bethat in I make towards that. That’s part of the It’s harder for me to bring compromise benefit of the whole?” he said. situations job and leadership in general,” Dr. Koulentes to adult constituents than it is to student As the principal, Dr. Koulentes struggles whereofpeople explained. constituents,” Dr. Koulentes said. with opposition from all sides the school,might experience and Students are the priority in his decision One event that was especially challenging from both students and faculty. seeasthe world making, as they are the ones that will be for the LHS community and Dr. Koulentes’ “The only way that, I believe, you, a directly impacted by the decisions made career was the debate amongst students principal, maintain a community’sdifferently trust is if by administration, but it can be diffiand staff over the Illinois mask mandate you continue to make sure the process thanofyou” after Judge Griscow’s order. Dr. Koulentes those decisions is clear, and you continue to K cult balancing opinions since parents and - Dr. was hit with many arguments of differing allow people to have a voice,” Dr. Koulentes community members will also be indirectly priorities in the issue, but he was widely explained. impacted by the decisions. praised for his ability to strive for comNot only does Dr. Koulentes have to “[I] ultimately make a decision that I bemake a lot of tough decisions, he knows lieve is in the best interest of the majority promise in this challenging situation of that every decision will be scrutinized. of our students,” Dr. Koulentes said. “ I aldivisiveness.

“I have to be aware that there’s going to “There’s clearly some students who ways try to make decisions that are best for be disagreements about school policies, believe we need to continue to wear masks students. And then right after that is staff for health reasons,” Dr. Koulentes explained. and community. But it can be a challenge “And other students are saying, ‘Hey, I would sometimes. Because sometimes what’s like to not have to wear it for my health best for [some] students might reasons’. Making decisions when there are not be best for all students.” good arguments on both sides is when [my] Dr. Koulentes pointed job is the most complicated.” out differences between Weighing differing priorities is important working with students to Dr. Koulentes, as not one decision can and working with best meet the needs of everyone in the adults and comLHS community. This is why listening is key munity members what I can to his decisions. to find compropromise is that we “I didn’t know what the right answer was mise. will always have a but I knew that there were really passion“I find high process that is in place school stuate people on both sides of the argument, where people's ideas and and I knew what our school rules were,” he dents tend opinions can be said. “So I never wanted our students or our to be more open to that parents who thought that masks should heard.” process than be recommended and optional to feel like - Dr. K they were bad people and to feel like they adults. Students are often willing were hurting others.” to come and talk, The lifting of the mask mandate wasn’t

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FEATURE selves everyday. How we respond find a common ground is a vital skill. to those differences is crucial to “Changing [rules] at public schools is no understanding others and to easier and no harder than changing the developing our sense of world,” Dr. Koulentes said. “Because public identity. schools are a reflection of the larger world.”

“I think one of LHS continues to encourage and teach “[BeinG a the big things conflict resolution skills by incorporating that you learn as a the DARING method into everyday teachstudent in a ing as well as providing a variety of clubs student going to a public school] public school is that for students to feel heard and accepted.

The importance of clubs when it comes to you’re here with helps you be in spreading ideas is imperative. all different types situations whe“We want students to think: ‘How can of students,” Dr. re people might our club also help other people understand Koulentes explained. why we’re interested in this and understand Different backexperience and grounds and what we’re passionate about?’” Dr. Kousee the world lentes said. experiences During conflict, Dr. Koulentes’ primaand income differently ry method is using the “both, and” way of levels, than you” thinking. When coming to a compromise, linguistic - Dr. K many often find themselves thinking in the backgrounds, eth“either, or” state of mind. The “both, and” nic backgrounds, method shows appreciation towards all parties involved by acknowledging their input: racial backgrounds, both “this” and “that.” and religious backgrounds.” That being Dr. Koulentes sets an example for LHS said, there are benefits of students and staff in regards to hearing every side. Listening is crucial when it comes early connection between students who may not share the same to understanding one another and eventually achieving compromise. views or perspectives.

“As a principal, I can never promise a “[Being a student in a public school] the only hard decision for Dr. Koulentes. community of parents, a student, a teacher, immerses you in situations where people He was faced with decisions regarding might experience and see the world differ- that I can make them happy with my deciently than you,” said Dr. Koulentes. sion. But what I can promise is that we will the Parkland shooting walk-outs in 2018, Learning experiences, such as setting always have a process that is in place where and two opinions on the matter. One was aside what you know and believe in order to people’s ideas and opinions can be heard.” advocating for gun control, and the other was advocating for their 2nd amendment rights. In the end, Dr. Koulentes decided to allow two separate walk-outs, one for each opinion.

“It was a way for me to show compromise, that not one side was right and another was wrong. Both ideas are important in a democracy, and that we need to listen to each other,” he said.

One of the more ongoing debates throughout his time as principal was debates around who was allowed to park on-campus and who was allowed to leave for open campus lunch. This was mostly solved by the creation of the Brainerd parking lot and the LHS allowing all students to leave for lunch because of Covid-19 restrictions. However, it is unclear if open campus lunch for all grade levels will remain in the 2022-23 school year.

Principal Dr. Tom Koulentes (Dr. K.) presents a wholesome disposition and a welcoming smile.

In a public school setting, students inter- Although the role of being a principal is without a doubt hectic and stressful, Dr. K. puts forth imact with students different from themmense effort to make LHS the best it can possibly be.

what I can promise is that we will always have a process that is in place where people's ideas and opinions can be heard.”

- Dr. K

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FEATURE

Crazy For Caffeine: The Effects of Energy Drinks On Youths Jack Birmingham

Ashley Sanchez

Jade Foo

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FEATURE

Caffeinated beverages and energy drinks have reached new heights of popularity amongst teenagers and young adults. This is exemplified in the fact that in November 2018, the company Monster Beverages had an estimated market capitalization of $29.9 billion. In 2020, the same company had approximately $4.6 billion in revenue, accompanied by a net income of $1.06 billion. But it’s not just energy drinks that are on the rise. The corporation Starbucks, founded in Seattle in 1971, is now the world’s largest coffeehouse chain. Many teenagers and young adults turn to caffeinated beverages and energy drinks for a multitude of reasons, whether it be to keep up with sports, pull all-nighters for that one essay due tomorrow or just to get an energy boost throughout the day. But is there such a thing as too much consumption of these glorified products?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, there is, in fact, such a thing as too much caffeine. The study states that “teens should limit their caffeine intake to less than 100 mg per day”, which is approximately the amount in a cup of coffee. A single serving of Monster Energy, a popular energy drink, contains 86 milligrams of caffeine. This amount is increased to 111 milligrams for a 12 fluid ounce can of Red Bull.

Limits usually exist for a reason, and the recommended limit to caffeine intake and consumption is no exception to this rule. While caffeine does have some benefits, such as boosting energy, improving physical and mental performance, and even helping to burn fat, it also comes with some serious, detrimental side effects, especially About 19 percent of adults living in the United States develop an anxiety disorder for teenagers. due to excessive intake. Caffeine can be an effective short-term solution for “There’s both positive and negative effects,” said LHS fatigue, however, over-consumption can leave long-term health problems and nurse Cameron Traut. “But for teenagers, there might dependency, as well as anxiety. be a little bit more increased risk because of where their brain development is. So their brain is more at risk for overdoing it.”

One example of a negative effect is anxiety. Approximately 40 million, or 19.1 percent of adults living in the United States suffer from an anxiety disorder. Caffeine can cause excitement in a person’s central nervous system, which can lead to feeling anxious or irritable.

Another notable side effect is insomnia. According to the CDC, “children should regularly sleep 9–12 hours and teenagers should sleep 8–10 hours per 24 hours.”

Additionally, getting addicted to caffeine can be a result of regular caffeine consumption. Freshman John Nevill enjoys drinking coffee because of its taste, but understands the danger of consuming too much caffeine.

“Caffeine is awesome in moderation, but having it every single day will have your body building up a tolerance that you wouldn’t want,” Nevill said. “There’s a ‘too much’ for everything.

Having too much caffeine too often will make your body immune to it rendering the caffeine you had useless, making you want more. Caffeine, like every drug, is addictive.”

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FEATURE

LHS’S FAVORITE CAFFEINATED BEVERAGES (based on 71 responses)

Nevill is not the only student who sees benefits and drawbacks of caffeinated beverages and energy drinks. Junior Matthew Ramaker, a fan of Reign Energy drinks also drinks energy drinks and caffeinated beverages, and has felt both its positive and negative impacts.

“Most weeks, I drink a couple of Reigns,” Ramaker said. “They are really good after a tiring, early morning baseball practice.”

Reign Energy drinks, of course, come with a caffeine boost and energy rush. A 16 ounce can of Reign averages about 300 milligrams of caffeine.

“A big part of the caffeine energy boost for me is definitely the placebo,” Ramaker said. “ Moments after I finish my drink I start shaking, running around, and sometimes screaming. It usually wears off after a few hours.”

In terms of his personal views on caffeine, Ramaker agreed with the idea that routine caffeine consumption can in fact do harm.

“There is definitely such a thing as too much caffeine,” Ramaker said.

“The more you drink, the less it affects you, and the more you crave.

Once you start drinking too much, you get looped into an endless cycle that is difficult to escape from.”

Junior Hollis Friese holds the belief that while some caffeine has positive effects, too much caffeine can cause unnecessary and unwarranted problems.

“I don’t drink energy drinks but my go-to caffeinated drink is coffee,” Friese said. “I don’t always have a cup but if I do it’s about 12-16 ounces (one cup) of coffee. Weekly I probably consume about 50 ounces (about 4 cups), since I only actually drink coffee about 4 times a week.”

However, Friese is wary of consuming excessive caffeine. “I definitely think there is such a thing as ‘too much caffeine’ and the overconsumption can be dangerous,” she said. “ I also definitely believe caffeine can be addictive or highly craved. Some people experience caffeine withdrawals, just like withdrawals from anything addictive. I believe people can consume too much caffeine, and rely on it. I think the intake of caffeine becomes ineffective when you become so reliant on it, you can’t function without it. Caffeine should be enjoyed, not needed.”

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FEATURE

TIKTOK TIKTOK TAKEOVER TAKEOVER Liv Martin

Ashley Sanchez

Liam Foo

“I feel like they should not use music they’re trying to market] in What do Marina & The Diamonds, DaBaby, Doja Cat and Destiny’s every single video,” said junior Elaheh Shamloo. “It looks like they just Child all have in common? They all have TikTok songs, which means want money. They don’t want to make it for people.” at least one of their songs has been heard, danced to and even Another benefit to the ever-growing world of TikTok music misinterpreted on this app dominated by Gen-Z. Whether you like is its ability to resurface old songs and give new life to music that it or not, TikTok has a growing influence on the music industry. wasn’t as widely received when released as it is on TikTok. Take TikTok music has created a ripple effect across various forms “Deceptacon” for example: its bouncy beat was listened to by a of music consumption. Songs can go viral on TikTok before they niche audience when Le Tigre hit the radio or are even released it in 1999, and who released. In October of 2021, would have guessed twenty singer-songwriter Emmy Meli years later, it would be used to released a short clip of a new make internet strangers’ mini song she’d been working on vlogs? Songs can blow up on that quickly went viral with 34.2 the app, despite being out of million views (as of March 22). the mainstream for decades.

The next day, she wrote a Teenagers like Shamloo are comment saying, “I was going turning back to artists such as to wait until December to Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj and Nelly release it but I have decided I’m Furtado because TikTok makes going to be staying up all night.” them trendy again. “Stuff from “I AM WOMAN” was released old music that now is trending one month later and Meli curagain, I love them. I download rently has 622.5k followers on them or listen to Spotify.”

TikTok. Meli is becoming part of The pendulum of music is a new category of artists using swinging back to the 90s, with TikTok to replace radio virality. bands and artists like Nirvana, Some students argue that Alanis Morisette and NotoriTikTok is a force of good for ous B.I.G. becoming popular on the music industry. Senior TikTok and with Gen Z. Back in Haley Sanchez, who plans on February, three of the five feareleasing music to TikTok in tured Super Bowl artists were the future, sees the business popular 90s music icons. The benefits of marketing music on pop culture world is catching the app in hopes of going viral the nostalgia fever too, such to jumpstart a career. “If you Music is considered an essential part of everyday life to promote mind as when the new movie The don’t post one thing, you could growth. Tiktok, a music based video app has grown in popularity over Batman featured Nirvana’s 1991 be holding back from a [viral] the last few years due to its overwhelmingly positive response to aspiring song “Something In The Way,” video,” Sanchez said. “Posting artists. which subsequently caused a any song could be a hit or miss, 1200 percent increase in Spotify streams of the song. so you might as well try and post it because you can make a ton of Songs are being introduced to an entire new generation that was money from it. in diapers when they were released. Young people don’t just listen Music analytics company MRC Data found that 67 percent of the to old songs, they dance to them, remix them, use them in edits of app’s users are more likely to seek out songs on music streaming their favorite characters - the possibilities are endless. services after hearing them on TikTok. However, listeners agree For example, the UK based band Sohodolls hasn’t reached the that a little goes a long way when it comes to celebrities and influcharts since 2006, yet their song “Bang Bang Bang Bang” struck a encers using music to boost their brand.

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FEATURE

“If something’s being gate kept from chord with TikTok users around me, I’m like ‘that’s bad, gatekeeping late 2020. After this revival, the is bad,’ but when it’s something I reband remastered two of their ally like, I’m pro-gatekeeping,” Purvis most popular TikTok songs in explains. “I think it’s kind of that way 2020 and 2021. Despite being with everyone.” However, others are inactive for six years, Sohodolls strongly against this practice. remixes are getting hundreds of “I think it’s kind of selfish, knowing thousands of plays on Soundsomething and not sharing it instead cloud, tens of thousands of views of letting other people enjoy it,” on TikTok, and 76 million original Sanchez says. “If you don’t want othand remastered combined plays ers to experience the joy that you on Spotify. Not too shabby. got from it...it’s very selfish.”

Despite the positives, TikTok Gatekeeping isn’t foolproof, as exposure can have a dark side. users can always comment on a The extreme virality of songs The lyrics for this song, “Pope is a Rockstar,” were misinterpreted video the source of something today could be ruining the because of a TikTok trend. being gatekept, but it does make experience for some listeners. things a bit more difficult.

A song is great one, two, maybe Shamloo adds, “If you make a five times, but not 319.6k times TikTok with [a gatekept song], you’re not going to get a lot of likes (the current official sound for “Heather” by Conan Gray on TikTok).

Senior Hazle Purvis explains how “Heather” by Conan Gray was her and comments because it’s not a trend.”

TikTok songs can often be used in the background of a video, in favorite song until TikTok users took it over. “I remember the night a makeup tutorial, photo dump or a mini vlog, so songs layered with that album came out. I remember listening to that and texting all meaning become cut down to one line or misinterpreted when my friends and saying, ‘this song is so good,’” she recounts. “I think they become a trend. it was three months later and it was on TikTok and I then thought I The 2010 song “I Am Not A Robot” by Marina & The Diamonds is can’t listen to this song anymore.” a pop song about emotional vulnerability and letting go of perfecTikTok exposure can sometimes feel like a betrayal to long-time tionism, but on TikTok, the intro bears a striking resemblance to a fans who were there long before TikTokers. Purvis shares how Michael Jackson-style high note. TikTokers used the song to transwhen she stumbles upon a song by the band The Neighborhood, “it form themselves with makeup into the late singer for a brief trend, just hurts me a little bit.” missing the deeper meaning of “I had a special, emotional ata powerful song. tachment to Baby Came Home More recently, “Pope Is A 2/Valentines,” Purvis says. “Once Rockstar” is a 2016 song with it became a trendy TikTok 2.7 million videos on TikTok. song, it was no longer unique However, many users mistook and because I heard it often, its the lyrics for “go little rockstar.” meaning almost lessened.”

But as they say, all press is good TikTokers have found a press. somewhat controversial soluWith the ability to make tion to the “my favorite song songs go viral before they went viral on TikTok and now I are even released, TikTok is hate it” dilemma: gatekeeping. creating change in the music Gatekeeping refers to the act industry for new and old artists of keeping something hidden alike. With the persuasive to keep it unique to yourself, powers of social media, artists such as a song or clothing can connect with potential fans brand. TikTokers use it as a faster than ever before. As way to keep songs from going music production and marketviral and losing their meaning ing continue to become more among the chaotic world of accessible (posting a TikTok is TikTok, but it’s created a rift free, after all), anyone can crein the internet community. ate the next big TikTok song.

Some users see the merit in it, but others see the negative affects.

SCAN HERE

APRIL 2022

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3/23/2022 11:19:50 AM

STAFF EDITORIAL

Is Compromise Possible?

DOI Staff

Natalie Isberg

Zahraa Patel

Note: This piece is a staff editorial, which is an opinion article meant to reflect the opinions of the Drops of Ink staff.

Because of this, the author’s name does not appear alongside the story, as the opinions shared in here are based on class discussions about the topic among the 20 DOI staff members. The staff is composed of students of all grades from a variety of backgrounds and experiences; therefore, the editorial speaks to the publication’s view on a subject and is not representative of each staff member’s exact view on the issue at hand.

In today’s polarizing political climate, the possibility of compromise down the other person.

If we just refute instead of listen, we become even more set has often been brought up as a solution to a variety of divisive issues, in our beliefs, and far less likely to actually compromise. Instead of especially COVID-19, climate change and other politicized issues. accepting that someone may have different views, we dismiss them However, many people see compromise merely as persuading as wrong and see everything they say as a means to attack them, as someone else onto your side, but there’s much more to it. There opposed to looking at the commonalities. needs to be a give and take in a compromise, with each individuThere’s a fine line between maintaining values as an individual and al willing to make concessions for the purposes of coming to an being willing to compromise on political issues. Of course, we all have agreement. certain views on the world around us or morality that we feel are Mutual respect is an essential part of a compromise. If the two too important to compromise, which is okay, but we also need to sides in the issue don’t respect each other, they’ll be unwilling to understand that there are issues where compromise is available, and listen, and therefore unwilling to lose anything they want. we should seek one.

It may seem tough to give up what you want, but in reality, we Most issues now, like masks, the environment, and equal rights, do it almost every day. If your friend wants to get lunch at Chipotle have become divided along political party lines which can be incredand you want to go to Culver’s, you might say that you could go to ibly harmful. If people only focus on party alliance, they’re far less Chipotle today and Culver’s tomorrow. That’s a compromise. likely to look at the other side, even if their values align with certain We should try to focus on the little compromises we make, and issues of the other party. see how the outcomes of those affect you positively. With political This division creates an us vs. them mentality lacking any mutual polarization, we often find ourselves asking if compromise is really respect for the other side of the argument, which makes comproworth it, without realizing just how often we make compromises. mise seem impossible.

If we gave up on the concept of compromise, we could never get In the end, striving for a compromise is worth it. It allows for a anything done on any level. If you and your friend don’t compromise more successful world where more people are satisfied with the on where to go to lunch, you wouldn’t be able to get lunch with world around them. Even if we don’t get everything exactly as we them unless you agree exactly. want it, we still get something, and the world would be better for it.

While choosing a place to eat may seem like a small issue, the same ideas can be applied on a much larger scale. When passing any law, there has to be a compromise. Some representatives may not want a certain clause in a bill, so to get them to vote in favor of it the sponsor of the bill may remove that clause.

In history, we tend to focus on when compromise didn’t work, as opposed to when it did. Most wars fought can be broken down into a failed, or unattempted, compromise.

However, it is much more difficult to successfully compromise on bigger issues, since people are so much more passionate. You may not have a strong preference on where you and your friend go to lunch, but you’re far more likely to have strong views on political issues.

Both sides can be equally as passionate as one another in most political issues, but it’s tough for each side to realize that. When arguing, we find ourselves getting so caught up in our side of the argument that we don’t even listen to the other side; instead just finding ways to knock down what they’re saying.

The mutual respect needed to successfully comproFinding a middle ground in small issues, such as finding a place to have lunch mise is lost when we don’t actually listen to the other with friends, is something we do on a daily basis. However, compromises for side. With some exceptions, the goal of discussions on bigger issues are harder to achieve due simply to the passion and the multiissues should be to find a compromise, not just knock tude of preferences expressed within the issue.

18 DROPS OF INK

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3/23/2022 11:27:20 AM

OPINION

Masks do not define my political affiliation.

Ellie George

Lauren Kern

Alex Clark

S

ince March 2020, a piece of cloth has polarized local communities, countries and international relations.

The decision to wear a mask or not has torn relationships and friendships apart, but what does wearing or not wearing the piece of cloth really represent? Protection for oneself or others against a deadly disease? Or a political statement?

There has been conflict surrounding mask mandates in the Libertyville community, as well as at LHS. Because of this, I have witnessed and experienced various different types of political assumptions based on the choice to wear or not wear a mask.

To some, wearing a mask is a statement of valuing their own, or others health. To others, mask mandates were an infringement on personal freedoms. Some people wore a mask simply because they wanted to follow the rules, and weren’t trying to make any statement by wearing a mask.

These are personal decisions, and shouldn’t be perceived as an exemplary clue into what political party someone belongs to.

To clarify, choosing not to wear a mask when there is no mask mandate can be taken differently than choosing not to wear a mask when there is a mask mandate.

Those who chose to not wear a mask during peaks of the pandemic, when there was a mandate, could have been making a political statement. But it seems different for those who don’t wear a mask after the mandate has been lifted.

A large reason why the choice to wear a mask has become politicized is because of large figureheads at the front of national politics.

Former President Trump’s reluctance to impose a nation-wide requirement for wearing masks while in public in March 2020, and his own unwillingness to personally wear a mask provides the question: has former President Trump’s views and behavior regarding masks had an impact on the mask-wearing behavior of those who support him?

The same could be said for Democrats. President Biden was vehemently pro-masks during his campaign as well as for the majority of his first year in office. This could have influenced some Democrats willingness to continue to follow the mask mandate.

Regardless, wearing a mask is not and should not be an indication of someone’s political affiliation.

On the first day the mask mandate was lifted, a classmate of mine chose to not wear his mask. Barely into the school day, he was approached by another student who was wearing a mask, and said to him: “I didn’t know you were a Republican.”

The student directly correlated him not wearing a mask with being a Republican, and this shouldn’t be the case.

This goes beyond politics and extends into drawing conclusions about people’s character or intelligence, and ability to

think for themselves . Walking into school during the mask protest, I heard countless adults screaming at me, as well as other students, to “take the filthy masks off” and calling us “sheep.”

Being a Republican or Democrat is not a bad thing, and presenting yourself as such isn’t either. However, assuming someone is one or the other based on their choice on if they wear a mask or not could be harmful.

It’s human nature to assume things about others, or strangers based on what they look like or what they are wearing. But to then verbalize assumptions about someone based on their personal choice is unfair.

As a senior in high school, being freshly 18 years old, I am still figuring out my own political views. Political views are supposed to change over time, as you gain more life experiences and become older and more mature.

I feel it is extremely dangerous to pigeon hole young adults into a political party, based on their choice to wear a mask or not, when many others (including myself) aren’t sure of where they stand politically yet.

Fellow classmates, as well as myself, have felt peer pressured and scared on the decision to wear or not wear a mask, simply because of the fear of being assumed to be one political party or the other.

As the future generation of voters, it is our responsibility to grab control of the polarization of politics that is happening right now, as well as learning how to manage hot button topics in a respectful manner.

We are the future of the United States, and in order to age in a political climate of respect and dignity, we need to understand now that people will have different perspectives on things, political or not, and that is ok.

APRIL 2022 19

19.indd 3

3/23/2022 11:22:32 AM

OPINION

FACEOFF: DO RAD DAYS HAVE A PLACE IN THE CURRICULUM? Ella D’Amore

Eva Fahrenkrog

Blended learning, resource area days, RAD days. These terms are all synonymous for class periods when instruction or activities can take place outside of the classroom. Teachers assign lessons to well-performing students (who meet a certain criteria) on Google Classroom and students complete the allotted activities independently away from their teacher.

AGAINST

FOR Charles Verkoulen (Guest Writer)

Alex Clark In my years at LHS, RAD days have been an escape from my Since I’ve begun utilizing RAD days this year at LHS, I’ve monotonous routine and have allowed me greater flexibility found that I ended up having less motivation to do the with my learning. We should embrace, and even promote, RAD work assigned by my teacher. I then favor my time to bedays as they incentivize effort, provide a level of autonomy ing on my phone or doing other work from other classes. and allow teachers to work with students in need of additional Since I’ve procrastinated work, especially from other support. classes, that work now gets priority during RAD days.

One of the many great characteristics of RAD days is that RAD days also are very similar to the old Wednesday they encourage and reward hard work. Oftentimes teachers schedule that was utilized in the 2020-21 school year, will give RAD days depending on a student’s level which I found was overall of understanding, and this can be determined unproductive. I had a by their completion of an exit slip or homework. tendency to push that This system not only motivates students to work further and further put in effort, but also makes sure that students behind prioritizing my taking RAD days have a solid comprehension of phone or other activthe material. ities. This tendency to RAD days also provide students with a healthy push work away and level of autonomy. Everyone learns differently, prioritizing notifications and giving students control over their and entertainment on own learning helps them understand phones, I believe, affects their limits. The lesson plans allow stueverybody, especially dents to prioritize more pressing work kids using RAD days. and doesn’t punish them for doing their But, in class I find myself being classwork later. These asynchronous much more productive with my work assignments teach students to find because I have a teacher to guide me outside resources and encourage them through the lesson. I also comprehend to be less reliant on direct instruction. the lesson much better, or at least If asynchronous just isn’t working for better than I would have on my own. In you, then just don’t use the RAD day. addition, I observed myself performing According to math teacher Mrs. Davis, better on tests especially when I went in the four years that RAD days have to in-class review days instead of been implemented at LHS, there have RAD day reviews. I respect the deciAlex Clark, sophomore, receives help from math teacher Mrs. Gooris, while Charles Verkoulen, junior, been no negative trends in grade data, sion for teachers to utilize RAD days, chooses to utilize his RAD day in the library. and surveys show that students have and I am grateful that I have options experienced reduced stress levels. for how I can learn but they aren’t the Another benefit of RAD days is best use of my time. that they permit teachers to help students who need it. With I also don’t choose to participate in RAD days because classes of up to 30 plus students, RAD days can create smaller I go to school to have in-person instruction. Why would environments that allow teachers to support students that I choose to watch an EdPuzzle (video) in the library when need extra assistance. I know that when I’m struggling with I could go into class and watch my actual teacher teach? a math concept, RAD days provide the opportunity for extra It’s just too similar to asynchronous work which was a clarification from my teacher that wouldn’t be possible during poor utilization of time. I obviously understand why we regular class. were remote then, but why would I want to continue RAD days are one of the many things that make LHS so these aspects of learning when I have the opportunity to special. Allowing students to control their own lives and be the be in-person? heroes of their own stories is something that isn’t available at RAD days are a chance for the entire class to fall behind, many other schools. The fantastic work of math teachers Mrs. especially myself. Learning in-class is substantially better Davis and Mr. Taylor, who brought RADs to LHS, has given LHS than any RAD day will ever be. Let’s prioritize the entire students the opportunity to grow themselves and develop real class when deciding to utilize RAD days. life skills with important applications. With increased autonomy, more motivation, and a specialized class makeup, what’s not rad about RAD? 20 DROPS OF INK

20.indd 2

3/23/2022 11:20:23 AM

OPINION - SATIRE

wordle ruined my life David Joseph I hate Wordle. Yes. I said it. I hate Wordle. Before you throw tomatoes at me, let me explain.

My hatred for Wordle started on January 26th, 2022, a day I refer

Lauren Kern only have one right letter: “a”! I could not believe my eyes. I had never used more than three tries on a Wordle. The crowd of reporters reacted with groans and gasps as I quickly guessed the words “place”

to as “the incident.” I did my usual morning routine– drink some OJ

and “flack” in sheer panic. I realized too late that “plate” was a useless

and try to catch the bus before it leaves. Barely making it, I take a

guess because “adieu” contained an “e,” but my grief was short-lived

seat in the front row and open the application that had taken the

in the victory of “c” and “k” both being green, indicating that the word

wheel in my life. Wordle.

ended in “ack.”

I had started playing Wordle two months prior when a friend

Two more guesses. I could not afford to lose here. 500,000 peo-

recommended it. I vividly remember me guessing the word on my

ple were watching the broadcast– Terry Crews, Justin Beiber, the

first try. That was the moment I realized that I had a talent– No, a

President, anyone you could think of. I guessed the only word that

gift from nature itself. I was destined to be the world’s best Wordle

could come to mind: “thack.” The “h” turned green, but the “t” was

player! Wordle quickly enveloped my life. My popularity grew rapidly–

incorrect. I could not believe it. I was at the end of my rope. I could

paparazzi would constantly flood me outside my residence, news

only think of one word: “shack.” I typed the letters in and held my

stories would be written about me, and my parents even told me

breath as I pressed “enter.” The whole world seemed to go silent for

to give up on my dreams of becoming a doctor to play Wordle pro-

a second. I watched as all of the letters turned green – except for

fessionally. There was even a fan club at school for me. But little did I

“s.” I blinked and looked at my screen. The word was “whack.” I had lost

know that I was going to lose all of this that day.

my first Wordle.

I started my Wordle with the first guess: “adieu.” It was a phenom-

I don’t remember much from what happened after that. Appar-

enal word– but it only gave me a yellow with the letter “a” – indi-

ently, they had to forklift me out of my chair due to the state of

cating that “a” was in the word, but not in the right spot. I gasped

shock I was in. The world didn’t take the news lightly, the president

audibly. Never before had I gotten a yellow on the first try; there

declared a national emergency, and my parents kicked me out of

was always at least one green letter. Nevertheless, I brushed it off

the house. I now work in New York as a busboy, hoping to achieve

as the bus arrived at school. I departed for the entrance where I was

stardom again. But I know that stardom will never come back to me

flooded by reporters from the fan club all trying to witness a master

and I am convinced that it was all because of Wordle. That is why I

play his game. They asked me if they could broadcast this game to

hate Wordle. I hope that you all will join me and give up Wordle. It is

the world. Reluctantly, I agreed as I ventured for a second guess. I

the necessary solution to world peace.

guessed the word “graph.” I held my breath as the results revealed to APRIL 2022 21

21.indd 1

3/23/2022 10:14:55 AM

SPORTS

RoAD TO STATE

Andrew Brooks Roqaya Elmenshawy Jade Foo

On Saturday, Feb. 19, two LHS athletes brought home state championships. Senior wrestler Josh Knudten and junior gymnast Anna Becker won the state finals in their respective sports within hours of one another. It was an incredible day for LHS Athletics as well as for Knudten and Becker, who had been on the path towards this title for many years before they stood atop the podium.

Anna Becker Girls high school gymnastics has four events: vault, bars, beam, and floor. LHS knew they had a special gymnast on their hands when Anna Becker qualified for state in all four of the events in her freshman year during the 2019-2020 season. After a year of COVID-19 disruptions, Becker returned to state her junior year, and came away with a state championship.

Becker has been a gymnast since she was 3 years old. After years upon years of club gymnastics, she brought her talents to LHS when she was a freshman. After her remarkable run of state qualifications, Becker “made it to the event finals in vault and bars.”

“I didn’t place in either of them my freshman year but being at state was a really nice experience,” she reflected.

Becker’s sophomore season featured many disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the mitigations and uncertainty, Becker did not participate in LHS gymnastics. She continued training with her club gymnastics team and honed her skills so she could succeed when the pandemic subsided.

Becker returned to LHS gymnastics her junior year with lofty goals and expectations.

“During the season, I had fun but it was definitely stressful and nerve wracking,” she explained. “I always really wanted to make it to the next meet.”

Becker didn’t just make it to the next meet, she did so in spectacular fashion. “I won Conference,” she said. “Then I won Regionals and Sectionals so that was really exciting.”

Next up was state. Becker was making her triumphant return two years later and went into the meet with an attitude of enjoyment.

“Once I made it to state, I felt like all of the pressures were off. I thought, ‘I did it. I made it to this step.’ So I just wanted to go out there and have fun. You need to enjoy the ride and not worry about anything else. Just having fun with your team because you’ll miss it once it’s over.”

After two days of competing in the four events as well as the AllAround competition, Becker landed her final vault in the event finals and waited for the other competitors to vault and receive their scores. After all ten finalists had their turn, Becker was announced as the 2022 Vault State Champion.

However, her celebration was somewhat short-lived. “I was pretty excited but then I also had to focus on bars, which was right after so

I had to keep my focus.”

Becker went on to place fourth in the bars, bringing home two state medals, one of which was the state championship.

Becker will return to LHS gymnastics for her senior season as a reigning state champion. Her goals are to “not put too much pressure on myself, have fun, and just enjoy my senior year.”

Becker receives two medals for her performance in the gymnastics state competition.

She won a first place medal and was declared as the state champion for vault and received a fourth place medal for bars. Becker said she “was really happy that [she] was able to do [her] best vault because [she] had hurt [her] ankle the day before in prelims so [she] was excited with the outcome and all of the work [she] put in for that moment.”

Photo Courtesy of Anna Becker

On Feb. 19, Anna Becker executes a flip flop layout step out on the balance beam in the state competition at Palatine High School. Becker qualified for state for gymnastics during her freshman year and finished in the top ten for vault and bars.

Photo Courtesy of Anna Becker

22 DROPS OF INK

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3/23/2022 11:22:09 AM

SPORTS

JOSH KNUDTEN “I was just feeling so happy,” said senior Josh Knudten, reflecting on the moment that the official lifted his arm to declare him the 2022 Wrestling State Champion. Knudten’s final high school wrestling match placed him at the peak of the mountain. However, the climb and the journey he took to get to that moment was long and arduous.

Knudten almost never became a wrestler. Beginning the sport in Kindergarten, he “hated it and quit that year.” It wasn’t until sixth grade that he tried it out again. One of his friends in his carpool went to sign up for wrestling after school. Knudten figured he would too, since the two of them were friends and rode home from school together.

When he began wrestling in middle school, he “loved it.”

After a successful wrestling career in junior high, Knudten had a goal freshman year of making the varsity team at LHS. After tryouts, he was disappointed to have not made varsity, but he absolutely proved he belonged in high school wrestling by going undefeated on the freshman level.

As a sophomore on varsity, Knudten had a defined goal: “Qualify for state.” He trained hard all season up until the double elimination Sectional tournament.

“I lost my first match at Sectionals,” he said. “Then I won three straight matches over three seniors to make it to state. That was pretty fun because I accomplished my big goal for the year.”

Knudten called this one of his “favorite moments” of high school wrestling. “I don’t know if anyone thought that I’d make it to state then. I was the only sophomore in that bracket of all seniors.”

Unfortunately, just weeks after the state meet his sophomore year, the country went into lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This derailed nearly every aspect of life.

“My junior year was a really awkward season because everything was pushed back and delayed,” he explained. “We had a state meet, but it wasn’t even organized by the IHSA. It was just planned by a group of wrestling coaches.”

Even though it wasn’t the same as in previous years, “most of the top guys in the state were there,” according to Knudten. He took fifth place and began to train for a senior year he hoped wouldn’t be shrouded by COVID-19.

On Feb. 19, the referee holds Josh Knudten up to celebrate his victory after the overtime win in the state finals in Champaign. He won the state finals by a go behind with twenty seconds left. Knudten was satisfied with finishing the season off this way.

Photo Courtesy of Josh Knudten

22-23.indd 3

“Training before my senior season I was just focused on the little things like getting my pace better and making sure my technique was perfect,” he explained. He went into the season with the goal of winning state.

However, he began “a little rocky. I didn’t have the best conditioning because we didn’t have a preseason and I took a loss at the first tournament of the year. From then on, I realized that I needed to practice harder and get my conditioning up.”

Throughout the rest of the regular season, Knudten only lost one additional in-state match. This loss came at the hands of a wrestler from DeKalb who was the defending state champion. He took Knudten down by one point.

When the postseason began, Knudten won Conference, Regionals, and Sectionals. “I was pretty much dominating everything,” he said. “I thought I was definitely peaking at the right time. Going into the state tournament, I was feeling really good.”

Knudten felt many emotions the day of the state tournament. “Before my last match. I sat there and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this could be the last match of my career right here.’ I stood there at the edge of the mat, looked up, said a quick prayer to God, and was thankful for the moment.”

At state, after making it all the way to the semifinals, Knudten was met by the wrestler who beat him in his first tournament of the season. But this time it went differently. He avenged his loss by “pretty much dominating the whole match.”

Finally, it was on to the state finals, where he once again earned a chance at redemption. His opponent was the DeKalb wrestler who had beat him a few weeks earlier and won state the previous year. But Knudten did not let him go back-to-back.

“I just kept to what I know, made my moves, and eventually got a take down in overtime to win it,” he said, describing his state finals match.

This state championship victory marked the 100th and final win of Knudten’s LHS wrestling career. However, he is far from done wrestling, as next year he will take his talents to the University of Michigan to join their wrestling team.

Knudten stands tall after his win in the competition. He holds a “2022 IHSA State Finals Class 3A” poster. He also wears a medal that declares him as the IHSA 3A 182 lb State Champion.

Photo Courtesy of Josh Knudten

APRIL 2022 23

3/23/2022 11:22:09 AM

SPORTS OPINION

THE NFL NEEDS CHANGE FROM THE INSIDE OUT Sarah Wuh

Jack Birmingham

Liam Foo

color for head coaching and senior operation vacancies. It’s exactly “End Racism”. “Stop Hate”. “It Takes All of Us”. Messages like these the type of rule that is intended to make the NFL a more equitable promoting social justice started appearing on NFL players’ helmets place - yet Flores’ experiences show that some anti-discrimination and in NFL end zones amidst the Black Lives Matter movement rules currently in place aren’t bringing the needed change. following George Floyd’s death in 2020.

Flores is the first black coach to file a discrimination lawsuit against These messages parallel the NFL’s “Inspire Change” social justice the NFL. His actions thrust employment practices and underrepinitiative, a widely publicized showcase of the NFL’s actions towards resentation of people of color in NFL management into the light. creating progress for a more equitable future in the U.S. Through Flores made an extremely public television advertisements and somove to stir up conversation and cial media, various NFL members reveal that the NFL is in fact not as are featured telling their stories or perfect as it seems on the outside. showing their involvement in acTherefore, isn’t it ironic that tivist positions. 70 percent of NFL players and coaches are wearing players are black, so it’s inspiring messages like “End Racism” when to see the NFL create change in there are issues deep within the various communities.

NFL system that counter those But that’s just the thing. Sevsentiments? Sure, it looks good on enty percent of players are black, the screen, but it feels tinged with yet in management positions, hypocrisy. barely any coaches are black: Only Furthermore, the 2022 Suone head coach is black. Only per Bowl halftime performance four of the 32 teams have a black felt shallow in the face of Flores’ offensive coordinator. Only three discrimination lawsuit. The lineup, quarterback coaches are black.

The NFL, one of America’s most beloved sporting organizations, decided in September of 2021, When the camera pans to the has recently been the subject of intense scrutiny and controversy in featured almost exclusively black box seats to the owners of the regards to its efforts to promote racial and social equity. artists like Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige and teams, only rich, white old men Kendrick Lamar. It was a powerful show up. In fact, only two NFL display of black culture and music. In no way is giving black artists a owners are people of color. platform negative, but it almost felt forced, as if the NFL was trying Some would argue that these figures in themselves don’t necestoo hard to compensate for their shortcomings and bad publicity. sarily mean that systemic racism exists within the NFL. And it is true It should be noted that I LOVE football as a sport. I love the game, that the NFL’s various recent social justice initiatives have created the emotions, the drama. Football represents a common ground real change - The NFL has certainly done a good job of showing the in my family and my friends. At its core, football is a safe haven and public that. escape from reality for me.

However, the societal issues that the NFL is trying to combat However, the NFL is still do exist within the NFL itself, rooted in reality and still has a and there is no better insight long way to go to become a into that than Brian Flores’ racial more equitable place. If the NFL discrimination lawsuit against is trying to contribute to “ending the NFL and three teams in early racism”, it has to embody that February of 2022. message at every level - not just According to National Public display it on the surface. If the Radio, Flores, the head coach of NFL seeks to tie itself with social the Miami Dolphins for three justice, it has to seek to improve years, alleged that he was fired that aspect of itself as well. before the end of his five-year Looking to the future, the NFL contract as a result of racial first has to realize that all the discrimination. He claimed he show and spectacle won’t solve was not given a fair shot in the anything. Why are the unfair employment practices in the NFL being interviews for both the Denver Broncos and the New York Giants coaching positions, and Flores charged that racist employment prac- ignored? Why can’t some money and publicity be applied to the hiring process? tices were at the center of all of it.

It does “Take All of Us” to combat racism. “All” means coaches.

Flores specifically claimed that his interview with the Broncos was Owners. Those in power who aren’t giving people of color a fair a ‘sham’ staged just to satisfy the Rooney Rule, a policy that went chance. Everyone at every step in the system. It takes all of us. into effect in 2003 that requires teams to interview candidates of

“If the NFL is trying to contribute to “ending racism”, it has to embody that message at every level - not just display it on the surface.”

24 DROPS OF INK

NFL Equity.indd 1

3/23/2022 11:17:16 AM

FEATURE Ella D’Amore

Sadie Parvis

Zahraa Patel

Breakfast - Chocolate Donuts (Bakerish via Pinterest)

Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup cocoa powder 2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 eggs 1/2 cup sour cream 6 Tbsp milk 2 Tbsp butter melted 2 tsp vanilla extract 1 donut pan Glaze: 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar 4 Tbsp milk 1-2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 400 F and spray a donut pan with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.

2. In a bowl, add all dry ingredients and whisk to combine.

3. Add eggs, sour cream, milk, butter and vanilla extract and stir everything until just combined.

4. Spoon into wells of donut pan.

5. Cook for about 10 minutes or until donuts spring back when touched.

6. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

7. Meanwhile mix together your glaze ingredients until smooth.

8. Once donuts are cool, dip tops and bottoms of donuts into glaze and set back on the wire rack to

Dinner - Penne Arrabbiata (BakerbyNature via Pinterest)

Directions: 1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium Ingredients: heat. Add garlic and chili flakes and cook for 1 1/4 cup olive oil to 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until garlic is 6 cloves garlic, sliced very thin fragrant and just starting to soften. Stir in the 3/4 tsp crushed red pepper tomato paste. flakes 2. Add in the crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, 2 Tbsp tomato paste and sugar and bring to a steady simmer. Reduce 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes heat to medium-low and continue cooking for 15 1 tsp salt minutes - stirring occasionally. In the meantime, 1/4 tsp black pepper make your pasta.

1 tsp granulated sugar 3. For the pasta, fill a large pot with water and 16 ounce box penne a dash of salt. Place over a medium-high heat 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped and bring water to a rolling boil. Add penne and Parmesan cheese, for serving cook for 8 to 9 minutes, or until pasta is al dente (cooked, but firm when bitten). Drain pasta well.

4. Stir the cooked pasta into the sauce. Add in the basil and stir well to combine.

5. Serve pasta warm, with plenty of grated Parmesan cheese.

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WHAT’S TRENDING

What’s Trending: Spring Fashion Ella D’Amore

Sadie Parvis

Fashion is a great way to express yourself and feel comfortable in what you wear. Throughout the years, spring fashion has its main staples whether it is shoes, shirts or shorts. What makes spring fashion unique is the favored style during spring, including mixing and matching longsleeves with shorts and short sleeves with pants. The variety of different outfit possibilities encourages creativity and expression during the floral season.

26 DROPS OF INK

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FEATURE

SPRING WORD SEARCH Sarah Wuh

Kylie Skibitzki

Instructions: Figure out the words by solving the clues, then find the words in the word search. Multiple word answers will appear in the word search with no spaces. Words can go in any direction, and can share letters as they cross over each other.

1) People celebrate the start of spring through “Ohanami”, or cherry blossom viewing, in this country. [5] 2) This spring festival celebrated in Hindu culture involves throwing colorful powder. [4]

6) The proverb “April showers bring May _______” is commonly used throughout April in the US, and traces back to 1500’s England. [7] 7) Cimburijada, celebrated in Bosnia, welcomes spring with a feast of this mixed up egg dish usually cooked in a frying pan. [13]

3) This region in the Netherlands, famous for its tulip fields, hosts the Flower Parade of the Bollenstreek that features floats made up of flowers to commemorate springtime. [7]

8) This White House tradition on Easter Monday involves a competition where children look for these little trinkets. [10]

4) On Easter Saturday, people on the Greek island of Corfu drop big pots made of this earthy material used in ceramics off their balconies to ward off bad spirits. [4]

9) As the winter fades away, a common custom in Bulgaria involves tying these small red-and-white woven threads worn on wrists called Martenitsa to trees when signs of spring are seen. [9]

5)Translated to ‘new day’ in Persian, the celebration of Nowruz in Iran and other central Asian countries marks the Spring Equinox, which is in this month. [5]

10) The Songkran Festival, which marks the start of the Buddhist New Year in Thailand, is celebrated with the splashing of this liquid. [5]

1) JAPAN 2) HOLI 3) HOLLAND 4) CLAY 5) MARCH 6) FLOWERS 7) SCRAMBLEDEGGS 8) EASTEREGGS 9) BRACELETS 10) WATER 27.indd 3

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MIDDLE GROUND

DR. KOULENTES: THE KING OF COMPROMISE PAGES 9-11

MASKS DO NOT DEFINE MY POLITICAL AFFILIATION PAGE 19

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NEW CLUB SEEKS TO FIND MIDDLE GROUND PAGE 8

IS COMPROMISE POSSIBLE? PAGE 18

FACEOFF: DO RAD DAYS HAVE A PLACE IN THE CURRICULUM? PAGE 20

THE NFL NEEDS CHANGE FROM THE INSIDE OUT PAGE 24 3/23/2022 7:18:48 AM