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SPEEDY STEVE: Standing up in amazement, senior Steve Cho smiles as he realizes he solved the 3x3 Rubik’s Cube solve in 4.59 seconds at the ‘ChicaGhosts 2017” on Oct. 28 (left). Memorizing the patterns on a cube, Cho prepares to solve the puzzle right before he breaks the world record at the ‘ChicaGhosts 2017” conference (top right). Looking at his finishing time at the Bulldog cubing competition on Sept. 9, Cho beat his previous record of 8.97 seconds. Cho has been cubing since 2012, and over the course of five years he has attended thirteen American Cube Association competitions. Photos courtesy of Steve Cho

Steve Cho breaks Rubik’s Cube world record Abby Grant co-opinions editor

Senior Steve Cho broke the world record for fastest time solving a standard Rubik’s Cube with a time of 4.59 seconds at the ‘ChicaGhosts 2017’ competition held in Chicago on Oct. 28.

In a Youtube video that shows Cho completing the puzzle, he can be seen looking at the clock in disbelief as his competitors applaud (scan snap code to see). The video has racked up one point nine million as of Nov. 7. According to Cho, the moment which followed his official world record was a surreal experience.

“There was a huge line [that] formed,” Cho said. “Everyone was waiting for me to sign my signature and take pictures. It was crazy. I couldn’t believe it.”

Cho’s world record was deemed official at the World Cube Association (WCA) sponsored competition ‘ChicaGhosts 2017.’ According to ‘ChicaGhosts 2017’ organizer Ryan Jew of San Francisco, the World Cube Association (WCA)

is more legitimate and credible when it comes to er avenues for competition include solving 4x4 or documenting times. Sofia Rocher, pubic relations 6x6 cubes and solving other puzzles like a Skewb. coordinator of the Guiness World Records, says One day events typically host 5-9 events out of Cho would have to apply to be included in the official 18, Jew says. the book.

According to Cho, he has atJew said, “[Cubers] tended thirteen American Cube only care about the World Association competitions since Cube Association reported his first one in 2012. When dePRevious world world records because they ciphering these cubes seconds record: update continuously rather prior to solving, the world-re4.69 sec. than once a year.” cord holder reviews complex Although Cho’s 4.59 algorithms necessary for a conseconds is a record for incise solve-time.

Steve'S world dividual solves, Jew says “I plan out a couple moves record: most competitions average ahead,” Cho said. “I can see five solve-times. The best 4.59 sec. Rachel Nwia the moves I need to do. While y and worst times are removed, turning it, I look ahead even more hic b Grap the remaining three are averaged and to see the moves. I solve it like that.” a winner is declared.

Some of Cho’s other WCA documented times Beyond the standard Rubik’s Cube challenge, include solving a megaminx and a dodecaheother competition events include solving a 3x3 dron-shaped puzzle with 50 pieces, in approxiRubik’s Cube with a restriction to one hand or mately one hour and six minutes. Additionally, with the fewest amount of moves, Jew says. Oth- Cho has completed a 6x6x6 Cube in an hour and

RUBIK's RECORDs

fifty four minutes and a 3x3 cube while being blindfolded.

Looking toward the future, Cho says he is optimistic about his pursuits with speed cubing and will continue to compete within the World Cube Association.

“I always look forward to enjoying the competitions as much as possible, as well as meeting new people, because competitions are not all about winning,” Cho said. “Goals are [also] about self improvement and I always try to improve my times.”

Scan to watch Steve Cho break the world record!

Canned Food Drive adopts point system for donations Mary Grace Reynolds co-news editor

GBS Student Council replaced the numerical structure of the Canned Food Drive from a dollar being worth four cans to a hierarchal point system to restore values of humanity and service back into the annual event, according to Abby Grant, student body president.

Despite the new approach, the Canned Food Drive will continue to give all donations to the Northfield Township Food Pantry, Onward House, and Vital Bridges, Grant says. This year’s theme,

“Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop,” as system originated at GBN. The voted on by Student Council, GBS executive board felt that will also aid in publicizing the GBN’s system of giving out event to students and businesses three points for the items in highin the community. est demand, two points for foods Act h a t cording weren’t to Josh as essenKoo, tial for assis1 Point 3 Points the famt a n t ilies, and Includes: Includes: princione point 2 Points pal of for items Beans Includes: Bottles of Water Boxed Dinners Cans of Soda student deemed Canned Meats Mashed Potatoes Canned Vegetables activunnecCereal Pie Filler Canned Fruit ities, essary, Cookies Crackers t h e should Graphic by Rachel Nwia point be mim-

See Canned Food Drive, page 3

CANDID CANNING: Sorting cans, senior Abby Grant, student body president, and junior representative Matthew Baumstark work to box donations from students and staff. This year, instead of accepting both money and cans, Student Council is moving toward only food donations. Photo by Sam Parsons

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icked. There will be a competition between grade levels and gold one classes, Koo says.

“We don’t want to say we raised 130,000 cans and pride ourselves on it, when half of those were items that the food pantry really didn’t need,” Koo said. “We thought we could incentivize it so that students would want to bring in more points for the grade-level competition, and as a result, bring in more items.”

Jill Blackwell, elected super-

HOMECOMING

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BENEFITS OF SETBACKS

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TITAN STRONG FOR LUKE

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ZACH ADAMS

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GIRLS GOLF

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Graphic by Matthew Risinger

The Oracle reports on news happening across the country.

Tragedy in Texas

Devin Kelley shot and killed 26 people in First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas on Nov. 5, before killing himself in his car.

According to CNN, 23 victims died inside the church, two died outside, and one at the hospital.

Kelley passed a background check when purchasing a Ruger AR-556 rifle, the gun used in the shooting.

Additionally, three weapons have been recovered in the search of the church and Kelley’s car thus far. A domestic situation between Kelley and his mother-in-law is the suspected motive.

New documents on JFK’s death released to public

According to the New York Times, 676 documents related to the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy were released on Nov. 3 in response to a 1992 law passed to get rid of any lingering suspicions about Kennedy’s assassination. President Donald Trump ordered the release of all concealed documents, but the FBI and CIA will gradually release additional papers until the April 26 deadline, when all files are due for public release. The most recent release includes C.I.A. surveillance photos from the early 1960s, a visitor log from December 1963, and reports with blacked out information.

Act of terror in New York

On Oct. 31, eight people were killed and more than a dozen were injured when a man identified as Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov drove a rented pickup truck down a busy bicycle path in Manhattan, New York City, according to CNN. Law enforcement sources say that Saipov is from Uzbekistan but had been living in the US since 2010.

Authorities discovered a note claiming that the attack was made in the name of the terrorist group ISIS.

#MeToo movement gains traction on social media

On Oct. 15, a social media movement coined “#MeToo” started in response to the Harvey Weinstein scandal in Hollywood, who has been accused of sexual harassment by several women, according to CNN. The movement included people, mostly women, tagging their accounts to indicate that they had previously been sexually assaulted or harassed. It started when actress Alyssa Milano tweeted a message that day recommending sexual assault and harassment survivors to write “#MeToo” on their profiles to “give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem” of sexual assault and harassment.

Graphic by Rachel Nwia

Community reacts to student protests Sofia Snyder co-sports editor

After members of the marching band and cheerleading squad knelt during the national anthem at the home football game on Sept. 28, anonymous community members have reached out to the school in reaction to the protests.

An anonymous letter titled “$Boycott South$” was sent to administrators, the Board of Education, and several community members, according to Principal Dr. Lauren Fagel. The letter mentions how the students who knelt “disrespected their uniforms” and “companies will severely restrict donations” to GBS. Betsy Baer, executive director of the Glenview Chamber of Commerce, says the Chamber has no association with letter and was disturbed by what it claims.

Fagel said, “Not only is the person [or people] a coward for not signing their name, but they also don’t want to call [the protesting] what it is, which is making a cultural statement. The fact that they want to punish [South] for something that the students have a constitutional right to do is infuriating.”

According to Fagel, the letter con-

tains false information and will not make a difference to students’ right to kneel going forward. Regardless of the letter, no student will be forced to resign from their respective team based on a peaceful protest, Fagel says.

“I would tell [students] not to feel threatened by someone so cowardly, and that they are so much braver than the people or person who wrote this letter for thinking and caring about what’s going on in their own country,” Fagel said. “I think that is most important for students and not to let anything like this stop them.”

According to freshman Mia Marchiori, though students are protesting for issues that they think the country hasn’t been addressing correctly, the media paints an untrue picture of police officers who risk their lives for the country. Marchiori believes that she would still have been against the protest, but would have understood the student body who knelt more if they had chosen a different way to protest.

“I don’t agree with kneeling during the national anthem because it’s disrespectful,” Marchiori said.

“But if it was [a] peaceful protest with a petition with signs and posters than that’s fine.”

Junior Quinn Toomey believes believes that because South stukneeling during the national an- dents live in Glenview, they don’t them is a peaceful understand the effects protest that anyone can Dates of Dissent of racism and police take part in. Though brutality.

Colin Kaepernick protesting at South “These are North doesn’t make as much kneels in protest Shore kids, and they of an impact as it of police brutality don’t identify with the (Aug. 14, 2016) would on a national struggle that the NFL level, Toomey says players are protesting protesting students are President Trump for,” Singh said. showing support for begins to tweet Despite the reactions, protest against police Fagel says she is proud about kneeling brutality against Afriof the student body (Sept. 23, 2017) can Americans. for knowing current “The point of the events and feeling that protest is to advo- More NFL players the issue is worthy of start kneeling cate for the people protest. Senior Edwin in protest who want equality, Baik agrees with Fagel (Sept. 24, 2017) especially African that South is not only Americans, and it’s a place where students an issue that needs to Some South students can practice their first be addressed,” Toom- kneel at the home amendment rights but ey said. “They could also a place where evfootball game [protest] a different eryone is welcome.

(Sept. 28, 2017) way and they would “Our school does a Graphic by Rachel Nwia have just as much hate, or just as good job of respecting everyone and much support.” encouraging everyone to respect According to sophomore Isaac each other despite race or ethniciSingh*, although the administration ty,” Baik said. “But as a nation I was correct in allowing students to hope this is a process that will bring protest during the home football us one step closer to finding racial game, they didn’t handle the rest equality.” of the situation correctly. Singh *Name has been changed

South reflects on revamped homecoming Katherine Schurer staff reporter

South held its first Homecoming using BOOM Entertainment last month. The school sold 2,200 tickets as opposed to 1,500 last year, according to Abby Grant, student body president.

According to Josh Koo, assistant principal of student activities, though the increased price for hiring BOOM raised some concern, the number of tickets sold and the $6 dollar increase on individual bids made the school a profit.

“One hundred percent of the budget came from ticket sales and we were able to make the whole week a profitable one,” Koo said. “[The money] will go right back into enhancing student experiences at GBS.” In years past, many people would stay for short amounts of time and leave after not hearing many engaging songs, Grant says. But she feels that Student Council accomplished their goal of having students stay longer this year. According to Koo most students stayed for about one to two and a half hours.

“We had a line that wrapped

around the Dome, and actually had the student body out there as op- experience whether or not BOOM to ask many students to leave after posed to a little under 50 percent is used, according to Koo. In terms the night ended because they real- that we have done in the past,” of the future, Grant says she hopes ly wanted to stay,” Koo said. “That Grant said. the dances become so popular that has never happened.”

Despite speculation on wheth- people will be lining up before the Koo says he owes a lot of the er Turnabout will use BOOM as doors open. night’s success to the flexibility of well, Koo stresses the importance “I hope [dances turn] into someBOOM and their ability to cater to of a unique dance and says if the thing where people are waiting outstudents’ interests. Despite the over- company were used for Turnabout, side 30 minutes before it starts to all success of the dance there are the setup would feel overused. The get the front row because they are still some improvements that could goal is to provide a quality dance so excited,” Grant said. be made, according to Koo. “We are looking into ways to cool the gym so students don’t get overheated,” Koo said. “We plan on improving [the coat check] system so more students can utilize it in a more efficient manner.”

Because of the success of this year’s dance, Student Council hopes to continue using BOOM in the fuKOO KOO FOR HOCO PUFFS: Beaming at the camera, Josh Koo, assistant principal of student ture. activities, celebrates on the stage at Homecoming on Oct. 21. This was the first Homecoming that South “We were able has held using the company BOOM Entertainment. Photo courtesy of BOOM Entertainment to get 70 percent of

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PASSIONATE PROFESSORS: Smiling at one of her classes, Yearbook Advisor Brenda Field (left) goes over the deadlines with her students. Field was honored for her journalistic achievements in and out of the classroom with the NSPA Pioneer Award. Reading a textbook, Pa’al Joshi, special education teacher (right), helps one of his students with math. Joshi receives Symetra Heroes in the Classroom Award for his contributions to South’s special education program. Photos by Matt Risinger and Sam Weinberg

South teachers recognized for accomplishments Teachers Brenda Field and Pa’al Joshi receive Pioneer and Symetra Heroes awards respectively for educational achievements Chaerim Park staff reporter

Yearbook Advisor Brenda Field received the 2017 Pioneer Award from the National Scholastic Press Association, or NSPA, on Sept. 11.

The Pioneer Award is the highest honor journalism educators can receive from the NSPA, according to studentpress.org/nspa. According to Field, she was nominated by a past colleague and later received an email notifying her on the award. “[The executive director] asked me to do a little write up for their press release [in an email] and that’s how I found out,” Field said.

“It was announced publicly about a week later.

I was thrilled and honored and humbled by the award.”

According to Field, she believes that her efforts to pass the law in Illinois against Hazelwood laws — laws that prevent student journalists from exercising their first amendment rights — might have contributed to the award. “[Hazelwood] unfortunately prevented student journalists from being able to always write about the things that really mattered to them,” Field said. “We were able to convince the Illinois legislature and eventually the governor that students needed to have the ability to write what matters to them.”

Sabrina Moheydeen, yearbook co-editor in chief, thinks that Field deserves the award because of her ability to help and give advice.

“Most of yearbook is self-run by the students, but she’s always there to help us out and give us advice because obviously she’s more experienced than we are,” Moheydeen said.

Photo Editor Corey Henry has also noticed Field’s efforts to unify and encourage the yearbook staffers by pushing the editors and staff to support each other’s work.

“She’s taking steps to make sure that the

Canned Food Drive,

continued from front page visor of the Northfield Township Food Pantry, shared that the pantry actively serves 556 households at the moment, which equates to about 1,600 people who utilize their services on a monthly basis.

“This isn’t helping strangers or people in a far off land,” Blackwell said. “When I talk to kids, I always ask where hungry people are, and Africa is usually the first answer. They are always startled to hear [hungry people] live right here.”

According to Koo, about one-fifth of GBS students use assisted lunch, a discounted lunch for students who can’t afford to buy a lunch every day. Because a portion of students utilize these aids, asking students for a monetary donation would be counterintuitive, Koo says. Student Council will still be collecting money from parents, communities, and businesses, but are asking students to only bring in cans.

“What students have is time and if one of our main goals is to provide a service opportunity

Imra Tajuddin staff is really unified and every part is realco-news editor ly integrated with one another,” Henry said.

“We started [sending] emails of what we can do in our jobs to help the staffers and everyPa’al Joshi, special education teacher at body else.”

Glenbrook Off-Campus, head coach of GlenField hopes that this year’s yearbook staff is brook United, the Special Olympics team, a able to accomplish their goals.

Glenbrook Evening School teacher, and as“[The staff] have a lot of ideas of what they sistant sophomore football coach, received the want to create and they are realSymetra Heroes in the Classroom ly excited about it and award on Oct. 3.

I’m excited about it,” The insurance comDistinguished Dates pany Symetra, partField said. “Part of Sept. 11, 2017 - Brenda the joy of advising nered with the ChiField wins NSPA Pioneer is watching your stucago Bears and the Award dents set goals and Seattle Seahawks, then surpass them.” awards the prize to Oct. 3, 2017 - Pa’al Henry agrees that nominated teachers Joshi wins Symetra Field helps individual several times a year.

Heroes in the Classstaff members to attain According to Joshi, he room Award their goals. In Henry’s was one of two teachers case, she started as a writer, chosen out of 16 nominees.

He says that the award was extensive, inbut later discovered a passion for journalistic photography through the support of cluding several certificates, a football autographed by Bears Quarterback Mitch Field.

“Field really encouraged me to Trubisky, a Bears jersey with his continue shadowing because she last name on the back, two tickknew I didn’t like writing, but ets to the Oct. 9 Bears game, Graphic by Jack C. Davis and Molly Stryker she really saw I had a passion and a $2,000 check for the for photography,” Henry said.

Glenbrook Off Campus facility. “[She] really shaped my future. I want to be a Joshi says that he was surprised and humbled photojournalist [and that’s what I want to do in by the award. college], so I really have her to thank for that.”

“We had a meeting at the Off-Campus site Field mentions her passion for advising and with the students and they surprised me,” Joshi constantly learning in order to encourage her said. “I walked in and there were some people students to create a meaningful product. in suits, [and] I thought it was some sort of lec“I love advising because I’m constantly ture about the school, but as it turned out they learning,” Field said. “Because the technology started talking, and next thing you know I was is constantly changing, the stories that need to presented with the award. I was very surprised be told are different. Year to year, it’s never the ... [and] so humbled and honored.” same. I enjoy the process of creating something According to Joshi, he was nominated for with the staff that’s meaningful, has an audithe award by School Psychologist Dr. Susan Frankel, who wrote a letter to the Bears about ence, and which I’m always learning from.”

for them, we should do something they can add to,” Koo said. “It’s one thing to ask your mom for a check and another thing to ... take that check to the grocery store, pick the cans from the high needs list, and bring them in.”

Koo stresses that nothing should be takenaway from past successes, and that the change should be treated as an enhancement to the old system.

“They served a great purpose, had a lot of people excited, got the community involved, and helped an overwhelming amount of people,” Koo said. “Now, we know we’ve run successful drives, [but want to concentrate on] how to make them even more intentional, meaningful, and focused.”

Still, Grant shares her excitement over the new changes and believes that they will be a well-timed and equally successful follow up to this year’s new Homecoming dance.

“This year is a really great year, being Mr. Koo’s first year as the assistant principal of student activities, and a great [opportunity] to start changing things up and to set a [new] precedent so ... classes to come can build off what we’ve changed,” Grant concluded.

him.

“He’s super dedicated, which is why I decided to nominate him,” Frankel said. “He very much cares about the kids. He was well-deserving, and he was just very excited about winning the award too. I think, most importantly, he was very happy that he could share it with his family and his coworkers.”

Megan Williams, special education teacher and assistant Special Olympics coach, believes that Joshi was absolutely deserving of the award.

“Pa’al is super dedicated,” Williams said.

“He does a lot for these kids when not everybody does, and I feel like he really puts his heart and soul into the Special Olympics.”

Sophomore Nicky Kotsinis, a participant in the Special Olympics program, commented on Joshi’s fun and interactive personality.

“I know Coach Joshi very well because he’s my buddy and my coach,” Kotsinis said. “He’s funny, super serious, and super crazy. We play volleyball, basketball, soccer, and swimming.

He took us to the movie theater and parties.

He’s a very good sport.”

According to Joshi, he takes on every day differently and spontaneously, and his passion for working with special education students is fruitful and rewarding.

“Impacting students [or] athletes day in and day out means the world to me,” Joshi said.

“Every day I know we’re doing something for somebody, whether it’s coaching football, or [teaching] night school or at Off-Campus, or [coaching] Special Olympics.”

Joshi says the work is sometimes difficult, but that doesn’t make the work any less rewarding.

“It’s exciting but also sometimes challenging, but I love challenges,” Joshi said. “I think the greatest reward is seeing the students [and] families that we’re impacting.”

changed,” Grant concluded

PANTRY PREP: Counting cans, junior Matthew Baumstark (second from left) and seniors (from left to right) Christian Pareja, Mira Cler Josaiah and Abby Grant, collect donations at the Student Activities Office. Donations to the effort go to the Northfield Township Food Pantry, Onward House and Vital Bridges. Photo by Sam Parsons

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Nov. 10, 2017

The editorial expresses the opinion of the majority of the editorial board and not necessarily that of the publisher, adviser, school administration or staff.

editorial

illustraton of student sick in bed w big to-do list in thought bubble next to them, debating whether or not to go to school Illustration by Riley Gunderson

Workload compels students to disregard health

is published monthly by students at Glenbrook South High School, 4000 W. Lake Ave., Glenview, IL 60026.

The opinions expressed in the Oracle are that of the writer(s) and not necessarily of the staff or school.

The Oracle neither endorses nor rejects the products and services advertised.

that and how to adjust that, I think there needs to be some flexibility from a teacher.”

While the Oracle Editorial Board feels the two-day makeup policy can prevent the accumulation of a heavy workload, teachers should be considerate toward the circumstances surrounding a student’s health that may impair their ability to complete work in a two-day time frame.

For example, a student contagious with mononucleosis, known to fatigue those infected, should prioritize a prescription to rest over completing missed homework. We encourage teachers to keep an open mind, whether it be a sinus infection or more severe illness, when students express concern with the makeup policy.

Fagel echoed a similar sentiment to Rylander regarding the value of teachers being flexible when it comes to student health issues. Fagel, similar to the Oracle Editorial Board, believes that digital resources such as Google Classroom, a homework document or a detailed day-by-day syllabus is a successful tool in giving students the ability to get a head start on assignments they’ve missed and be informed of the notes or activities from class.

“With Google Classroom, [keeping absent students updated] is much easier,” Fagel said.

“Sometimes you do feel better [if you are home sick] in the afternoon or evening, so you can try and not be so far behind when you get back [to school].”

The Oracle Editorial Board encourages teachers to include all homework assignments on a digital agenda so students can have the opportunity to keep up with their course work regardless of if they were in class.

As second quarter is known to be turbulent between ongoing illnesses and finals, it is probable that the tendency of this phenomenon will only increase into the winter. For both students and teachers, the Oracle Editorial Board encourages you to keep these perspectives in mind when making a decision about staying home from school or implementing a missed-work policy.

editors-in-chief Leah Dunne Cassidy Foronda Grace Shin news editors Mary Grace Reynolds Imra Tajuddin opinions editors Gigi Cepeda Abby Grant features editors Brigid Murphy Eliza Schloss a&e editors Yoon Kim Josie Schneider sports editors Sofia Snyder Sophie Vick

photos editor Rachel Nwia asst. news Jack C. Davis Molly Stryker asst. opinions Lizzie Garvey Julia Patterson asst. features Ashley Desserich Aidan Graham Caroline O’Shaughnessy Ellie Ruos asst. a&e Karina Benson Ava Mazzei asst. sports Mary Jane McNary Henry Schleizer

Ignoring Illness

86%

of students have previously come to school despite feeling ill*

73%

of students claim to have fallen behind significantly in schoolwork due to staying home sick**

66%

of students believe students coming to school while sick is an underlying trend at South* *of 257 students **of 310 students

asst. photos Matthew Risinger advisers Marshall Harris Bob Wysocki gbsoracle@gmail.com “The Glenbrook South Oracle”

@GBSOracle @GBSOracle thegbsoracle

Graphic by Lizzie Garvey

Throughout the years of elementary school of getting those around them sick, according to and middle school, many students earn a rep- John Blix, consumer education teacher. Senior utation for notoriously faking sick. Whether it Austin Sulejmani acknowledges this issue and be heating a thermometer under a warm fau- believes one way that students can avoid this cet, drawing red polka dots across their skin or risk is by staying home to sleep or considering faking symptoms the night before, preteen kids coming for only two blocks if it is necessary. across the country have mastered this art.

However, if a student does decide to come In the transition from middle school to high to school when they are not feeling well, they school, this phenomenon has crumbled in the en- should have a conversation with their teacher vironment created by South’s intense academic beforehand, according to Jeffrey Rylander, Scirigor. The Oracle Editorial Board has noticed an ence Department instructional supervisor and increase in students refraining from an absence AP Physics teacher, who believes an easy way when they are sick on a school day. to relieve the stress that may come with missing According to a non-scientific survey conduct- class is avoiding procrastination. ed by the Oracle, of 257 students, 86 percent “I think it’s also good for all of us to reflect, say that they have come to school before despite ‘Am I doing what I can ahead of time? Or am feeling ill. Sophomore Abby Neptun I procrastinating on that big assignment so that explains that she rarely stays home I’m up ‘til 2:30?’” Rylander said. “Nofrom school when she is sick for body functions well on two hours fear of missing her school work or of sleep.”

The Oracle Editorial Board extracurricular activities. also believes completing assign“Every time I have a head cold, or if ments ahead of time can help minI’m just not feeling well at imize the effects of unforeall, I still come to school,” seen illnesses and encourages Neptun said. “If I’m sick, students to keep this in mind nine times out of ten I’m still they begin to feel early at school.”

18% of students believe when symptoms.

While at times it may The other end of this seem easier to simply come teachers are accepting prevalent issue involves the to school, the Editorial of students missing teachers and their absence Board urges students to take According to Ryinto account their own perschool due to illness policies. lander, South’s policy asks sonal well being. According *out of 257 students that students are given two to Principal Dr. Lauren FaNwia days to make up an assigngel, in the long run, coming to chel a R y hic b Grap ment for every day they are absent. school sick can lead to missing more According to Rylander, while this policy has school, as students are more likely to merit, he believes students and teachers must overwork themselves.

“My advice would be to stay home and lis- have a conversation about the student’s ongoing ten to your body,” Fagel said. “When your body illness in order to reach a successful outcome.

“We want you to try and [have assignments] is telling you something, [and] when you push yourself, you [will] just get sicker, and so now made up in a couple of days [because] otherwise it drags on and on,” Rylander said. “But, that you’re just going to take longer to get better.”

Another unforeseen issue with students com- being said, [every student] knows the craziness ing to school when ill is that they run the risk of [their] schedule and if we need to talk through

opinions Life’s setbacks turn to blessings

By Leah Dunne co-editor-in-chief

As soon as Nov. 1 hit, (seniors you’ll understand me) all I could do was take a huge deep breath and release the anxiety that had been building since summer. Let’s face it: college apps were no walk in the park. Having to dig deep down and write about obstacles you’ve encountered and how you’ve grown from them in under 650 words was truly a struggle for me, and I’m sure it was for you too.

Over the past couple of months—and in writing these essays—I’ve come to realize that one of the greatest challenges I have faced is my diagnosis with Type I Diabetes (T1D), and it has actually been one of my greatest blessings in my life. Anyone could use these essays as an opportunity to gain perspective from difficulties in your own life.

If you asked nine-year-old pre-diabetes me what I thought I would be doing at school, giving a presentation to my fourth grade class about how my body no longer creates insulin producing cells was not at all on my radar.

After I finished the presentation, a girl asked “How do we make sure that we don’t catch it from you?” I tried to explain to her that it was not contagious, but somehow I knew that regardless of what I said my classmates were still scared of it.

And I’ve heard it all from “Should you really be eating that?” to “More exercise will help cure it.” Now as I’ve gotten older, I recognize that there are many misunderstandings about T1D, and because of this I have made it a priority to advocate for my condition. I fundraise for diabetes walks with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and work with Congress to lobby for legislation and funding for people with medical conditions.

In part with facing these misunderstandings, I made the decision (or rather was forced) into going to diabetes sleep-away camp. At the time it sounded like the worst possible place: being forced to talk about diabetes all week when at that point all I wanted to do was forget I even had it.

Today if you ask me where I’ll be the first

week of August every year, without a doubt, my answer will always be camp. From Houston, to Oswego and even right here at South, the friendships that I have with other diabetics are some of the most important in my life.

Camp has allowed me to feel some sense of normalcy, something that was so needed when I was first diagnosed. Meeting other diabetics made me feel so much less alone and assured me that I was not the only person in the world that had to go to the nurse every day before lunch to take an injection of insulin.

Although camp and the friends that I have made make me feel so much more open to sharing my story with others, I did not always feel so comfortable sharing with students why I’m always drinking juice boxes or why I have injection scars on my stomach. Everyone has their obstacles they are dealing with, and although diabetes is mine, it has allowed me to empathize and relate to my peers on a much deeper level.

Diabetes is not something I should be ashamed of or feel the need to hide from others: a lesson that I internalized and even tried to avoid for a long time. And while the ways that diabetes has impacted me are countless, by far the most important has been in allowing me to see a significant setback as anything but that.

It propels me forward with newfound friends and a sense of purpose.

Until we start to look at our obstacles as anything but a negative force in our lives, that’s all they will ever be. Once we start to look at how our setbacks have changed us for the better they will slowly turn into blessings.

Persevering through ACT develops work ethic

National Average: 21

GBS Average: 25

5

South's Most

Influential Every issue, South’s Most Influential places a spotlight on the opinion of an involved student.

By Will Dunk Eagle Scout

WORTH THE WALK: Celebrating as a team, Dunne’s Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation walk team raised $3000 on Oct. 1. Dunne has been participating in the walks for eight years and has raised over $30,000 in total for juvenile diabetes research. Photo courtesy of Leah Dunne

the classes I took in middle school as ACT preparation; my training actually began my sophomore year. Most begin their prep junior year but my goal was to complete the ACT by the end of my sophomore year. It didn’t go as I had planned.

Grace Shin I officially started my ACT marathon the co-editor-in-chief December of my sophomore year and continued to take two more tests that school year.

My score increased from my first and second If you know me, you probably know that test but stayed the same on my third one. The basically my entire life has been devoted to increase was better than nothing but I wasn’t completing the ACT. Sure, everyone’s life was even close to the number that I, or the peoat one point. But when I say ple around me, were satisfied by. I had to my “life,” I mean severkeep running. al years, not just a few As I was running to classes and tests, months.

I developed a deep hatred for the ACT. To give a little backBecause of this test, I was forced to take ground on my history hours out of my week and constantly with the test, I remember practice. As I took almost every test oftaking my first ACT Enfered to me during glish test in middle school, my junior year, my Source: ACT at around sixth grade. score increased Shocking, I know. If I were to but the ratio of compare my ACT experience to training for a time to score marathon, I would say I was finding the shoes increase was I would run the marathon in. Except, I didn’t too small for know I would be running, and that it would me to be happy. take over a year.

Then, at a certain Source: Illinois Report Card The next year, I took an Enpoint, I hit a wall. glish class at a tutoring cenI had taken so Graphics by Rachel Nwia ter geared towards teaching many test preparation 57% improve the ins and outs of English classes and practice tests that it begrammar. I wasn’t encame hard for me to find a practice test tirely upset about taking on second test I hadn’t taken. On all of the tests I took, I kept seeing the same number over and this class because I knew Source: ACT over again. I kept getting the same comit would help me beyond posite score on all the practice and real tests preparation for the test. After I took. I was tired of running this never-enda short break that let me adjust to high school, I began to take the real ACT ing marathon and tired of being able to expect classes that were focused on getting me a bet- my score. ter score.

So I had to change my strategy. I stopped At this point, you may be asking why I start- relying on the classes to get my score and started test preparation so early. But I don’t count ed practicing on my own; it worked. My com-

Nov. 10, 2017

posite increased by two points from the number I was stuck on during the September test this year. A weight was thrown off my shoulders; I broke down the wall I was stuck behind and I was running again. But I still signed up for the October test.

I’ve heard my share of “You’re crazy’’s throughout my time with the ACT, but people were more shocked when they heard I was taking a test less than a week before the early college application deadline, since I had already reached my goal score. But I had to because I didn’t get a 36. The race wasn’t over.

I don’t expect myself to get a higher score on this test, but I’m okay with it. Maybe there wasn’t a point to taking this test then. But I wanted to take every opportunity I was given, including the very last one. If I was going to end my marathon with ACT, I wanted to end it with as few regrets as possible, regardless of whether I got Illustration by Jack C. Davis a 36.

Why didn’t I get a 36 after all those tests? I don’t know. Maybe it was my lack of motivation. Do I regret it? A little. I probably could have gotten to where I am now a lot faster. But do I regret not giving up in the middle? No, not a chance. If I had given up at my wall, I never would have known that I would be able to break it down.

Running a marathon isn’t about finishing it under a certain time and isn’t about giving up when you run into a wall; it’s about perseverance and finishing it knowing that you tried your best.

As of Oct. 11, the Boy Scouts of America made the decision to begin accepting girls into their program, causing controversy in the news and ensuing debate from people of all sorts of political beliefs. Arguments range from assertions that Girl Scouts already provide a similar opportunity for girls to girls flat out have no place being a part of the Boy Scouts of America at all. The amount of people I have personally witnessed being distraught about this situation seems particularly odd to me. People have latched onto this issue as a reflection of their political views.

I have been a Boy Scout since Feb. 2011, and as such I have spent a large portion of my adolescence in the Scouting program. I recently completed my Eagle Scout project this October by revitalizing a deaf community center in Northbrook. I have been on several trips such as hiking the Appalachian Trail, canoeing the Boundary Waters in Canada and backpacking at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. I have spent over 100 nights camping and over 150 hours volunteering. Scouting has shaped me as a person, and I have benefited from the lessons and values that are taught. I am currently the President of Venture Crew 55 in Glenview. I would consider myself to be first-hand evidence of how great an influence Scouting can have on a person’s life.

With all this experience, I would consider my opinion on this subject to be somewhat more valid than the average person’s. While co-ed immersion in Boy Scouts will definitely change the dynamic of the program, I do not necessarily believe it will make anything worse at all. Girls are already part of the Scouting program in several different capacities. Girls can join the Venturing program, which is for those within the range of ages 14-21. Many women also serve as staff members at Boy Scouts of America summer camps and facilities. Not to mention, there is a massive amount of mothers who serve as adult leaders in their children’s Boy Scout troops.

Conversely, the acceptance of girls into the Boy Scouting program will fundamentally change the nature of Scouting altogether. Most of my favorite memories involve my friends being the idiots that only adolescent boys can be.

This is not to say that girls do not fit this depiction of Scouting, but that it is an inherently different experience than has previously been the case. Realistically, I do not see this being a huge issue in the future as the crowd that is drawn to Scouting will subscribe to the same philosophies regardless of their gender.

As of Jan. 2017, Scouting now accepts openly gay, transgender and women as both adult leaders and scouts. Considering the Boy Scouts of America’s conservative history, this is a monumental development for the future of the program. In 1910, they were an organization that believed women could not be involved in the program at all and openly gay members were strictly forbidden. Growing up as a Scout, it always upset me when people would talk about Scouting in a negative light, usually in regards to one of these topics, as my experience did not reflect this at all.

I find my experience to be what Scouting is truly about: growing as leader and becoming a morally upstanding person through outdoor activities. While things may change, this is the foundation of Scouting and this guiding principle is not gender specific.

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Nov. 10, 2017

Nov 5, 2010

opinions

Illustration by Riley Gunderson

Respect for girls necessary in any environment Jack C. Davis asst. news editor

To me, parties have always seemed like a natural product of high school. Kids are stressed with school work and the challenges of growing up, and it’s nice to forget such woes and let it loose for a while. Still, I have been surprised at the behavior at some of these parties.

It was at a New Year’s celebration in 2016 when one of my friends pointed out how often girls are touched at these parties. I’d never noticed it until he said this, but now it’s practically impossible to miss: a guy going directly up to a girl and, without even saying a word, reaching his hand for her hip, wrapping his arm around her shoulder suddenly and the like.

The observation has stuck with me since, and the obscurity of it continues to confuse me. Primarily, I’ve always found it strange how it only seems to occur at parties. Walking down the halls of South, I have yet to see a boy go up to a female student and immediately put his hands on her hips. Sure, the environment is different at

a party, but the context is practically the same; ture is knowing how to handle these urges. If the a lot of girls that I’ve talked to about it sound fact that sexual harassment is illegal doesn’t stop uncomfortable with the described situation, de- you, why not the simple immaturity of your acspite the setting. tions? I know that in high school things like “beI understand, perhaps, that the temptation is ing a man” are seemingly more important than greater in a party scenario. Girls are dressed up the law, but abiding by either of those do not and likely much more relaxed when they’re out involve touching a girl inappropriately when she with their friends than they would be in school. isn’t comfortable.

However, temptation doesn’t change the situaAnother argument that our partying male tion from what it is: sexual harassment. might present is that he does it because he’s inIn a survey conducted by the American As- terested in the girl, or he thinks she’s interested sociation of University Women in 2011, 48% of in him. It’s fine to think that a girl likes you, but middle and high school girls the notion of such a thing doesn’t is no justification for physsaid that they had been sexu- Temptation ally harassed at least once, a assumptions. I hope she change the situation ical vast majority by their peers. does like you, but a converNow, one might say that this from what it is: sexual sation wouldn’t hurt before survey is dated, but I think you start wrapping your harassment. the issue has never been arms around her. more relevant.

A conversation that I had In the past month, Hollywood producer Har- with another friend of mine on the same topvey Weinstein has been fired from his studio for ic turned into some fantastic advice. She told sexual abuse, and the #MeToo movement has me, “If you wouldn’t do it in broad daylight, gone global, reaching 1.7 million tweets. I’m then why would you do it in the darkness of doubtful that 48% has gone down. someone’s basement?” It makes sense. If you Imagine half of all the female students at wouldn’t even be comfortable doing it out in the South being sexually harassed at some point. open, imagine how uncomfortable she would be Absurd right? No, it would be average. if you decided to do it at all.

Again, I understand how temptation is difI know that the phrase has been used so much ficult to overcome. Being an adolescent boy that it’s become a cliché, but I’m going to say it comes with some urges, but a part of being ma- anyway: girls are not objects. Most of the guys

I’ve talked to would probably agree with that statement, but it’s remarkable how that mindset seems to go out the door once a party starts.

Girls should be respected and comfortable no matter the setting they’re in. Showing that respect, that understanding for what she wants, means everything and more.

Hopefully one day that basic respect won’t need to be appreciated so much. Hopefully one day it will become a normality that isn’t wished for but expected. Still, that hopeful future doesn’t just happen. It begins with us. Until that 48 becomes a zero, until the #MeToo movement becomes unnecessary, and until every high school girl can be comfortable at a party knowing she won’t be harassed, we’ve failed.

So, I challenge all my male peers reading this to really look around at the next party they go to. See how prevalent the problem is and do your part to change it. If you truly see women as equals, then let your actions speak for you. I’m sure the ladies would dig it.

Stricter gun regulation imperative for preventing tragedy Lizzie Garvey asst. opinions editor

Gun control: one of the most prominent political issues facing America today and nothing to be taken lightly. After mass shootings in Sandy Hook Elementary School, the Las Vegas Strip and most recently the Texas church shooting, something needs to be done.

The topic is argued a lot, but seemingly not enough if we’re still failing to take action and consequently failing to save lives.

Take Sandy Hook, for example, a massacre that shocked the nation and led to cries for change in the case of gun control. These cries were not completely ignored, but according to The Washington Post, each of the reform bills proposed after Sandy Hook were individually blocked by the Senate, including a measure for the expansion of background checks before gun sales, a measure 9 in 10 Americans supported.

It shouldn’t come as a shock that the amount of mass shootings taking place hasn’t been on a decline; virtually no change on the national level has been implemented. According to the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive, 38 mass shootings have occurred in America during 2017 as of Oct. 1, if adhering to the federal mandate defining a mass shooting as an incident in which 3 or more people are shot and killed.

As the so-often quoted second amendment states, we do have the right to gun ownership, but it seems as if this amendment lends to vi-

olence more than it does freedom and protec- civilians and injure over 500 others, according tion. It’s simple—people are dying, and America to The New York Times. These assault weapneeds to do something about it. In fact, accord- ons are completely unnecessary for self defense ing to National Public Radio, the U.S. has the (one of the main arguments for gun ownership in 31st highest rate of gun-related fatalities in the America), yet are still available for purchase and world, with 3.85 deaths due to gun violence per possession in all but six states and the District of 100,000 people. Countries ranked slightly high- Columbia, according to The Washington Post.

Although one of the least controversial of the er than the U.S. include the Bahamas and Jamaiproposed gun control ca, both immersed measures, the National in poverty. ComRifle Association also pared to the rates of actively opposes the imequally socio-ecoplementation of univernomically develsal background checks oped nations such as before the purchase of Denmark (.14 deaths a firearm, while only per 100,000 people) 20 states legally require that also have much them before the transacsmaller populations, tion, according to The this number is, simWashington Post. ply, way too high.

One of the main arAddressing every guments used by the single counter arguNRA is that proposed ment made by those gun control measures who are so avidly don’t necessarily stop against raising stancriminals from getting dards for gun control firearms due to other is impossible to acmeans of purchase like complish with a limthe black market. In a it of 800 words; my political climate as confocus is on those that troversial and tense as are the most obviAmerica’s today, howous and, frankly, the ever, it comes down most ridiculous. to doing something For starters, REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS: A playground built for in regards to the abownership of a 6-year-old Jessica Rekos, Sandy Hook victim, stands in Farihunting rifle or field, CT. There are 26 playgrounds built in honor of those who normally high rate of gun-related deaths a pistol is much died in the Sandy Hook mass shooting. Photo by Kieran Brown and violence rather more reasonable than ownership of an AR-15-style assault rifle, than doing absolutely nothing. One of the deadone of the weapons used by the Las Vegas gun- liest mass shootings in American history ocman in order to carry out the massacre of 57 curred just a month ago—how could we sit back

and argue that we can’t do anything about it?

One of the biggest and unwarranted worries among gun owners is that an uptick in restrictive gun control measures will result in their guns being taken away from them. We need only look at Germany, a country with one of the highest concentrations of guns in the world and the tenth lowest rate of gun violence according to The Guardian. After a school shooting in 2009 in which 15 were killed, Germany made tweaks to their gun control regulations; a few include psychological evaluations required for anyone under 25 trying to purchase a firearm, and a mandatory certificate proving prospective gun owners can safely and correctly handle and store a gun, according to The New York Times.

Germany has experienced significantly less mass shootings since the one in 2009 that warranted these regulations to begin with, according to The Los Angeles Times. And although there is still sentiment against these regulations among some German residents, most still look at America in shock as shooting after shooting occurs and the government takes absolutely no action Make a change and disrupt America’s stagnancy facing gun control—write a letter to your congressman, or strive to advocate (or vote!) for those who might actually take action towards limiting gun violence in a nation that touts freedom and ‘security’. Action must be taken now, and legislation is the best way to do so; people are at risk, and the life of another is more important than a dated American love affair with weapons.

opinions

Nov. 10, 2017

Nov 5, 2010

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Illustration by Sophia Lau

Holly wood needs improvement in representation Gabby Zabat columnist

Currently there have been a lot of live-action remakes of Disney princess movies, and Mulan is one I am extremely looking forward to.

While I am anxiously waiting for Mulan to dramatically slide down The Great Stone Dragon and contemplate her life’s meaning just like me, there have been controversies regarding whitewashing the characters that I am not a fan of. In fact, there have been multiple issues surrounding wage gap, whitewashing and Asian representation in Hollywood that have made the careers of Asian actors ten times more difficult.

This problem didn’t really hit me until Hawaii 5-0, a show that I have been watching since I was an awkward 10 year-old little girl, eliminated the two main Asian characters off the

show. My Asian pride kicked in immediately. screenwriter Aaron Sorkin argued they had difI’ve realized that Asian actors are being under- ficulty with casting because “there aren’t any represented and underpaid in Hollywood.

Asian movie stars,” according to an article by Although these two characters made up the the New York Times. *cough* Jamie Chung, George Takei, Ki entire storyline of the show, they still received a lesser salary than the two white co-stars. Ac- Hong Li, and Arden Cho just to name a few. cording to Daniel Dae Kim of Hawaii 5-0, he Who can forget Kira Yukimura in Teen Wolf and Asian costar Grace Park received 10-15% or Minho from The Maze Runner? Nonetheless, less than the rest of the cast. After seven seasons the directors of Flash Boys still believed they couldn’t find an Asian lead ‘movie star’ and had the two actors finally quit.

To say I am disappointed is an understate- to end production of the movie.

I refuse to believe that there ment. I couldn’t imagine filming a television show in Hawaii without Why are Asian are no Asian actors that are as talented as Scarlett Johansson to any non-white actors. Instead, they actors not play Major in Ghost in the Shell introduced a Caucasian cast from New Jersey to speak the language paid the same or Emma Stone to play Ng in Aloand celebrate the Hawaiian culture. amount as the ha. I can’t even begin to explain disappointed my brother and To be honest, I don’t understand white actors? how I were to see our favorite manga, why this is happening to begin with.

Death Note, played by Caucasian Why are the Asian actors not paid the same amount as the white actors? Why are di- actor Nat Wolff. I’m sorry, but someone who was in The Naked Brothers Band is not fit to rectors unable to negotiate fair salaries?

The producers believe that the Asian actors play someone like Light Yagami.

While these issues are very upsetting to the just aren’t as talented as the rest of the cast.

During the filmmaking process of Flash Boys, Asian community, many others disagree. Some which surrounds the phenomenon of high fre- are asking, “Why is it not okay for Caucasian quency trading in the U.S. equity market, actors to play traditionally Asian roles when

Asian actors can play traditionally white roles?”

Underrepresentation.

While Caucasian actors have a wide variety of opportunities in Hollywood, Asian actors have to take advantage of every new role because opportunities for them are very scarce. According to a study by Professor Stacy L. Smith, 40 of the top 100 films of 2014 had no Asian characters.

Whitewashing an Asian character is not going to attract a wide audience and can actually ruin the origins of a film. Not only would I enjoy watching Jamie Chung or Malese Jow play Mulan, but seeing Asians take part in Hollywood and media production is a tremendous sign of diversity spreading throughout our nation.

According to the University of Southern California’s recent study on diversity in entertainment, only 5.1% of Asian actors make up the big screen. This can’t continue; I don’t want to see a Caucasian Sailor Moon popping up on my Netflix account, and I really hope the rumors of Jennifer Lawrence playing Mulan aren’t true.

College application process lends itself to self-reflection Abby Grant co-opinions editor

On a late summer night, a canopy of twinkling Christmas lights hung above my family as they began sharing college stories at the outdoor dinner table. The exchange of stories ranged from “studying in Shanghai” to “venturing a new city with my college roommates” to “running around campus all night.”

The first thought these exciting stories brought to mind was, “Crap, it’s August and I still haven’t even looked at the Common App.” But after that brief interjection, my sense of alarm was tranquilized by the thought of embarking on this four year escapade that is referred to as ‘college.’

For those who plan to attend college, deciding where and how you can maximize the enjoyment of these upcoming four years is a difficult task. Generating the unique formula to incorporate every aspect you want in your college experience is almost as difficult as sitting down at your laptop and looking for the perfect school to fit these criteria.

Now that I’ve drowned in the deep end a few times (such as when I found myself writing my Common App essay for the fifth time or when I had 18 colleges on my list), I want to give juniors (and even underclassmen) the best opportunity to succeed by sharing some advice I’ve learned.

First and most importantly, it is imperative to understand the ‘best’ college isn’t necessarily the highest ranking university in terms of academics. If you aren’t already in this mindset, you, unfortunately, will probably adopt this false logic at some point, since it’s extremely contagious amidst the constant talk of college between seniors.

When I first generated my college list at the end of junior year, I constantly found myself researching the year’s ‘best’ undergraduate colleges on U.S. News. Almost every college graduate I’ve asked about this phenomenon has explained that unless you attend the top 1015 universities, you will be able to receive the same academic experience and reputation at any school, whether it be ranked 30th or 250th by U.S. News and World Report.

According to TIME Magazine author Michael Bernik, the place in which a student receives their degree is far less important than how well a student’s academic performance is throughout undergraduate studies. In a follow up to the study conducted by economists Alan Krueger and Stacy Berg Dale, the responses of 19,000 surveyed graduates concluded that job outcomes, in terms of earnings, were unaffected by the colleges where degrees were received.

This gives you all the more reason to consider more than just academics when creating a college list. I defined my ‘best’ school as one with a strong engineering program, an equally strong social scene, raging school spirit/ highly ranked football team and close proximity to a major city. If you have no idea what you want, tour some local colleges that each give off a different vibe, such as Northwestern (private and suburban) to U of I (public, Big Ten school and rural) to DePaul (urban).

Once you form your list, you’ll have to consider your essays. The best way to be compelling and avoid cliches in your college essay writing is to go soul surfing. Think of a spot that can engage all your senses to the rhythm of nature; is this at Lake Michigan, the forest preserve or somewhere tropical under the stars? Question your existence. Your purpose. Immersing yourself in a natural environment will allow you to reflect on who you are, something colleges look for beyond the transcript.

Lastly, colleges are looking for substance. Diversity in background and involvement. Leadership past the title. While intellectual merit is important, what is it without the leadership qualities necessary to revolutionize some aspect of society? These people of outstanding potential are the people whom colleges would like to move along in their conquest for innovation and advancement.

To the juniors, you are all capable and ready to take on this task in small doses as semester two approaches. When times become unbearably frustrating and you’re in your bedroom at 3 a.m. prying your eyelids open with every last bit of motivation as you complete homework or ACT prep or whatever, take a walk and let the excitement from the thought of college keep you going.

We have so much left to go in our education and we can only imagine how great those four years will be. To all my fellow seniors in the process now and juniors who will be starting shortly, I wish you the best in these endeavors!

Sincerely, A College Applicant

Illustration by Riley Gunderson

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Nov. 10, 2017

features

Nov 5, 2010

Eagle Scouts promote leadership skills Noah Walch staff reporters

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Life Scout George Wood hammers away at a new deck for the Glenview Methodist Preschool.

On the other side of town, Life Scout Colb Uhlemann rests on one of the benches that he just installed for the Grove. Both men are aspiring to be Eagle Scouts through their community service projects.

The bulk of this process is the Eagle Project, which, according to eaglescout.org, “must demonstrate leadership of others and provide service” to the community. The road to becoming an Eagle Scout, the highest rank of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), began for seniors Wood and Uhlemann when they joined Cub Scouts in 2007. Uhlemann believes that the final promotion is a way to embrace everything that Boy Scouts embody. “[Achieving Eagle Scout] shows that over your years in scouting, you’ve acquired the skills and leadership qualities that Boy Scouts hope their program will instill,” Uhlemann said.

Wood has also spent the last decade workEAGER TO ACHIEVE EAGLE: Assembling a bird-feeder post, Life Scout Colb Uhlemann uses a drill to hang metal hooks in order to put up the bird feeder. Uhlemann ing toward this prestige, moving from Cub makes the bird feeder post in The Grove for his Eagle Project, hoping to achieve Eagle Scout status for community service work. Photo courtesy of Will Dunk Scouts to Boy Scouts in 2011. According to Wood, he has aimed for Eagle Scout since the beit badges are a necessity, and leadership posiFor their projects, Wood chose to renovate in watching his protégés complete their projects ginning of tions are highly recommended, Wood said. the playground of Glenview Methodist Pre- each year. his time as Both have served as senior patrol leaders, school, while Uhlemann decided to refurbish the “These are young men that are successful in a scout. He who are in charge of the rest of the patrol garden outside of the Grove’s historic Kennicott many other aspects of their lives, yet still feel cites his grandleaders and small groups of Scouts.

House. Uhlemann explained that the positive compelled to do something special in the comfather, who de“Boy Scouts is more youth-led than Cub feeling from achieving Eagle Scout is unparal- munity,” Murphy said. y Bo spite not obtainScouts; all of the troop functions are run leled because the years of work will pay off once Wood feels that gaining the final promotion 186 ts , 5 5 u ing the badge still by youth and I found that by getting in- he gets his promotion. of the BSA may be a double-edged sword.

Sco eved f o hi wished for it, as the volved in the troop I could find some re“It’s been such a long time coming to Despite the honor and accomplishments k c a t an impetus for seeking ally great leadership experiences.” Uhle- reach this point because I joined scouts that it recognizes, Wood fears that e r Scou h t e 6. the title. gl 1 mann said.

“I feel like that’s helped me back in 2011 when I was ten achieving Eagle Scout is a signal that 0 a 2 E in sourcea: zine.org “[My grandpa] got grow as a person and [pushed me] out of my and becoming an Eagle he is at the end of his time in Boy g a tingm scou to Life Scout, which is comfort zone.” doesn’t happen overnight,” Scouts. the rank before Eagle,” Similarly, Wood believes that his Uhlemann said. “All this “It’s sort of a bittersweet Wood said. “When I was a kid, leadership experience within Boy work led up to the project moment, because I know that he used to talk to me about Scouts has been beneficial to his and then the project went well when I finish Eagle I’m not how he wanted to [become Eagle Scout journey. He explains and the next day I was like, going to be as driven to partican Eagle Scout], and I althat serving as a senior patrol lead- ‘Wait that’s it, now I’ve done ipate in troop activities,” Wood ways wanted to get Eagle er allowed him to refine his leader- everything I need to do to said. “I can always say that I’m an y because of my grandpa.” ph Eagle Scout, but at the same time I ship style. reach this goal.’” ur M d Each Boy Scout rank, rang“I was a senior patrol leader last According to Assistant don’t want to move past this part of igi Br by ing from Scout to Life, has ceryear,” Wood said. “I got to see how Scoutmaster Jim Murphy, he feels my life because I’ve had so much fun.” c i h ap tain prerequisites, but the requireI am as a leader and I learned a privileged to have worked with GBS Gr ments for Eagle are the most stringent, *Interviews conducted by Noah Walch and lot about my leadership style and I students on their paths to Eagle Scout for twelve according to Uhlemann. Twenty-one merthought that was really valuable.” years. Murphy explains that he feels great pride Emily Brower

GSA changes club name to SAGA to promote inclusion Shannon Mathew Anne Ribordy staff reporters

The first time junior Kaleb Garden attended a Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) club meeting his freshman year, he was greeted by the previous club sponsor, Katrina Prockov-

ic. According to Garden, current president of SAGA, Prockovic welcomed everyone by saying, “Ladies and gentlemen and everybody in between.” Garden said that was when he knew that he would be a part of the club.

According to Matthew Bertke, French teacher and co-sponsor, SAGA changed their name from Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) to be more accepting of other genders and sexualities.

“GSA did not fit in with the core beliefs of community were the Transgender Day of Reour club,” Bertke said. “We really felt that GSA membrance Candle Vigil and the GSA Dance. was not inclusive of everyone in the room. ” According to Chambers, these events were creAccording to Bertke, the club’s two most im- ated to support the LGBTQIA community, and portant goals include they plan on continuing making sure that evto host these events eryone is treated equalthroughout the year. ly and creating a safe “The vigil honored space in which all feel the memory of indiwelcomed. viduals whose lives “I would like to reach were lost in acts of students who are uncomfortanti-transgender vioable or students who are feeling lence,” Chambers said. “The a little lost, and for everyone to dance provided a safe space realize that they have a place for GBS, GBN and other high in this school,” Bertke said. “I school LGBTQIA communities G source: think it is [rewarding] watching raph to have fun and dance the night algbtical.org ic b people feel comfortable and feel away.” yR ac he at ease in this space to participate, Both Northrup and Garden agree lN wi a share and be who they are.” that the biggest accomplishment of this Freshman Annabelle Northrup, a club was creating gender-neutral bathmember of SAGA, mentioned that berooms by the freshman cafeteria. fore she first joined SAGA, she was According to Garden, GBS students doubtful if the club would be as acshould join SAGA because of the comcepting or caring as they advertised. But munity and acceptance within the club. after joining SAGA, she said she felt very “The most rewarding part is knowing that welcomed. somebody feels safe and themselves when they “They are very accepting people,” Northrup are there,” Garden said. “We are really like a said. “They weren’t just doing it because they community, and we really try to make sure that were told it was the right thing to do, they did everyone is included.” it because they wanted to, and I think that really According to Northrup, even if GBS sturesonated with me.” dents are not in the LGBTQIA community, they According to Northrup, this club is a safe should join SAGA, which meets in Room 204 space, an activism club, and it raises money for every Tuesday. Northrup says everyone’s ideas LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, are represented and acknowledged no matter queer, intersex, asexual) charities through bake how they identify. sales and concessions.

“It really opens your eyes to other people Heather Chambers, social studies teacher and things that you would have never known, or and co-sponsor of SAGA, says two key events things you have never cared about if you had not the club organized last year for the LGBTQIA gotten involved,” Northrup said.

This gender symbol was created to represent transgender individuals.

Illustration by Raya Shoilekova

features

Nov. 10, 2017

Nov 5, 2010

9

GREGORY’S IN GOLD: Running in a cross country race, freshman Luke Gregory smiles toward the finish line (left). Posing for a photo, Luke and his sister, junior Kate Gregory, stand side-by-side at a Go Gold volleyball game (right). Both cross country and volleyball participated in Go Gold events to support the Gregory family. Photos courtesy of Kim Kiraly

South goes gold to support the Gregory family

This year, over $2,400 was raised for Cal’s Angels by GBS athletes and families as part of the “Go Gold” Campaign.

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Illustration by Sophia Lau

to Kiraly, Kate reached out to her in the Spring of 2017 with the idea of involving Girls’ Letter Club in the “Go Gold” campaign. Kiraly said Kate and her ideas fit seamlessly into the club, considering Girls’ Letter Club has traditionally been involved in spreading awareness for pediatric cancer.

“It just seemed like a natural fit for Girls’ Letter Club to partner with Cal’s Angels and partner with Kate and her “Go Gold” initiative,” Kiraly said.

“It allowed all of us to work together to make a larger, successful [Go Gold] event.”

Girls’ Letter Club was responsible for organizing all of the gold attire provided by Cal’s Angels, then distributing it to South’s Fall sports teams for games and the Fall Sports Assembly. They also were encouraged to organize separate fundraising events within their own teams.

Kiraly believes Girls’ Letter Club, along with all athletes, should strive to go beyond themselves and help out the community.

“Athletes are already building so much character and developing character through athletics,” Kiraly said. “Part of [building character] is your ability to go beyond yourself and do something for your greater community.”

According to Kiraly, the money raised at GBS this fall for pediatric cancer cycles back into the Chicagoland area to fund research, grant children with cancer once in a lifetime wishes or support families who are struggling. Kiraly says it’s powerful to know that the work put in by students at GBS can directly affect other students struggling with the effects of pediatric cancer. Kiraly believes more people are touched by cancer than we realize, so it’s important to have support for those people. She hopes students at South affected by pediatric cancer can look to the school as a safe and open space to be supported by their fellow peers.

“When people feel comfortable with talking about [pediatric cancer] or knowing that people care, that goes a really long way,” Kiraly said.

“For students to know that this is a safe place and a supportive community, at the end of the day, that’s the best gift you can have as a teacher, to know that your students feel safe and they feel supported because cancer is not easy to process or deal with. For them to know that this is a place they come and find some refuge is really important to us as faculty.”

Luke wants people to understand “Go Gold” is not only for him. He is one of many people with cancer and his family is one of many being affected by this disease. He wants others to know that, like him, they are not fighting the battle alone.

“I’m not the only kid at GBS who has had cancer and Kate’s not the only one with a sibling with cancer,” Luke said. “I hope going gold showed that GBS cares about them too.”

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As part of the “Go Gold” Campaign, about 2,000 gold ribbons were placed on trees all around Glenview as a way to raise awareness for pediatric cancer.

positive is from having such supportive friends, community and family,” Luke said. “People that don’t even know me have said ‘Hi’ to me and told me they are praying for me and thinking about me all of the time and they hope I continue to do well.”

Many of Luke’s friends also find him to be inspiring due to his outlook on life and his attitude.

According to freshman Maggie Ryan, she has known Luke since sixth grade and they are close friends.

“One thing Luke has taught me is how to make the best out of a bad situation and stay positive,” Ryan said.

“He has taught me how to be a better person.”

Cal’s Angels is an organization that does funding and research for pediatric cancer. With their program called “Go Gold,” the foundation provides schools’ varsity athletic teams with gold attire (the color associated with pediatric cancer) to wear in order to spread awareness on the subject. Kate was inspired to bring “Go Gold” to South because of her brother, as well as other students affected by pediatric cancer.

“I was inspired by my brother but at the same time it really is affecting a lot of people in the school,” Kate said. “So many people in the school have had a family member go through treatment, or their sibling, or even [they] themselves have gone through some sort of pediatric cancer treatment. It’s important that we raise awareness for all those people and not just my brother.”

The fall sports teams at South have participated in many ways to support Cal’s Angels.

Cheerleading wore gold bows and field hockey and volleyball teams wore gold socks. According to Kate, schools are not required to do funding. However, most teams stepped up and organized their own fundraising events such as auctions and bake sales. When Luke found out about the “Go Gold” efforts, he was very excited that pediatric cancer was getting more recognition throughout the community.

Luke said, “When my sister started emailing coaches to organize it over the summer, I thought it was a great idea because cancer affects a lot of kids and not many people know much about it.

[Pediatric cancer] definitely needs more awareness and funding for research.”

In addition to Cal’s Angels providing school sports teams with gold attire, others in the Glenview community have offered help to spread awareness. According to Kate, a family friend close to Luke provided 2,000 gold ribbons to adorn the trees of Glenview.

Kim Kiraly, sponsor of Girls’ Letter Club, has worked closely with the Gregory family to help further raise awareness at GBS. According

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when I’m not feeling well,” Luke said.

Luke used to go to the hospital once every three weeks for treatment, along with chemotherapy for the weeks in between. Now, he does In 2017, roughly 15,270 adolescents up to age chemotherapy once a week in the local clinic, 19 will be diagnosed with some form of pedi- according to Kate. Through Luke’s journey, atric cancer, according to the National Cancer Kate believes her family has been able to remain Institute. This year, when freshman Luke Greg- positive because of the immense support of the ory walked through the doors of South, fighting community. his own battle with a rare type of cancer called “I’d say a lot of [staying positive] has been Rhabdomyosarcoma, many clubs and sports support from the comteams at South came tobecause every“Laughing with [my sis- munity gether to support Gregoone has really stood with ry and help spread awareus and tried to make sure ter] definitely distracts ness for the thousands of they’re doing everything me when I’m not feeling other children being afthey can to help Luke fected by the disease. well.”-Freshman Luke with his journey,” Kate According to junior said. “It’s really easy to Gregory Kate Gregory, Luke’s stay positive when there older sister, Luke was diare so many people backagnosed last August. The family noticed a mass ing you.” in Luke’s foot, so they had a biopsy performed, Luke is also able to remain optimistic which led to his formal diagnosis. Kate says throughout his journey because he believes if since Luke has been diagnosed, she and her fam- you think positively then there will be a better ily have worked to make sure he is comfortable. chance of a positive outcome.

“Laughing with her definitely distracts me “One of the biggest reasons I have remained Caroline O’Shaughnessy Ellie Ruos asst. features editors

10

THE IMPACT OF THE CONCUS

the park district and petitioned them to allow flag football to continue until eighth grade. According to Laura, the need for having flag football continue through middle school was due to her son’s Sofia Snyder love for the sport but disinterest in participating in tackle. co-sports editor “I rallied the parents on our team, because we knew we wanted our kids to continue,” Laura said. “We got together and asked the park district to continue it until eighth grade, and the Glenview Park Football leagues are taking a hard hit. As information on the District was great. They saw parents were interested and willing to long-term effects of concussions has come to light, participation volunteer to coach, [so] they expanded the program.” in Chicagoland football programs has been on the decline, accordThe decreasing trend in local feeder football leagues is similar in ing to Geoff Meyer, president of The Chicagoland Youth Football high school programs throughout the nation, according to a report League. by the National Federation of State High School Associations, who Enrollment for Highland Park’s Park District tackle football says such programs have lost about 25,900 participants in the 2016league has shrunk dramatically according to Liza McElroy, exec- 17 school year. According to trainer Tony Catsaros, this decline utive director of the Highland Park Park District. With only 11 hasn’t yet impacted South but he, like DeVine, is aware of what players expressing interest has, in part, caused this decline: concussions. in participating, the park “There have been [schools] that we used to play with a freshdistrict had to cut the proman A and freshman B team that now only have one freshman gram, says McElroy. team,” Catsaros said. “We’ve had some schools now in the According to Greg area that have no freshman team. There are severDeVine, Jr. Titan Midweight al schools in the area that have no sophoe “For som Coach, there has been a decrease more team.” g in y tr t in enrollment for his majority p David Schoenwete k I n so rea and ] e sixth grade team. DeVine says in ter, head footm a g e h [t h g u the 2016 season, 22 players parball coach, to make it thro and after a d le ck ticipated on his team while this says to creta g in tt e g t I just kep year there were only 17. DeVine ate a uniform unding o p s a w believes the decline may be in d standard across Glena e h y m while part due to the impact that footview, the Titan football team ball has on developing brains has to collaborate with the Jr. Titan really hard.” including long-term effects like coaches in order to learn safe tackling s a -Senior Thom Chronic Traumatic Encephalopstrategies before their players enter high school.

“We have tried to do a good job of working with athy (CTE). is k a Boutsik the Jr. Titans and teach them ways to tackle, show them what “This year [concussions and we’re doing, and they’ve done a great job of buying into that and their effects] have been such y urph teaching the younger kids,” Schoenwetter said. an issue in the news and id M g i r

by B c i As middle school students head into tryouts for the South foothave been very prevalent,” h p Gra ball team, DeVine says he implements these tackling strategies in DeVine said. “I think that order to avoid concussions. [partially] is why our num“We really have been focusing on [teaching kids proper tackbers are down.”

Laura Eilts, mother of sophomore Nick Eilts, was hesitant to sign ling] in the last couple years,” DeVine said. “You can call it ‘heads her son up for sixth grade tackle football after the flag football pro- up’ tackling and the idea is to make sure your head is up and your gram ended in fifth grade. Laura says she can attribute her concern eyes are up. [Another technique] we have been using to try to minimize head to head contact [is] leading with your shoulder as opto the new information of concussion risks presented in the media.

“As the media started raising more awareness of the long-term posed to your head.”

Catsaros says by being attentive to the risks of concussions and effects of tackling, from concussions [and their] health effects as [players] age [to] seeing the types of injuries youth sustain from incorporating changes in football, policies will improve safety tackles, [it] made me very cautious of risking injury to my own throughout the football season.

“There have been rule changes through IHSA down to the juson,” Laura said.

Laura, along with several other parents, voiced their concern to nior levels,” Catsaros said. “[This includes] where to hit and so on.

Eliza Schloss co-features editor

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[There have been] adjustments to kick-offs which can be seen in the professional level [by moving out kick-offs], which means a lot more touchbacks [and a] lot less contact on special teams.”

Despite changes in policies, senior Kosta Halkias says he received a total of five concussions throughout his high school football career. According to Halkias, his parents tried to warn him about the dangers of continuing to play, but due to his love of football, he was torn. When he received his fifth concussion over the summer, Halkias decided that football was not worth the risks.

“From freshman year to the end of last summer it would have taken a lot of convincing to get me to stop playing football,” Halkias said. “But by the time August came around and I got my second concussion of the summer, it was really easy to convince me to stop because I didn’t want to go through getting the symptoms again and risk getting another concussion.”

Halkias believes that the hardest part of stopping football was watching his teammates play without him this season in his final year of high school, although he knows it will ultimately benefit his well-being.

“In the long run I know I’ll be happy [stopping football], but in the moment and especially during the season I was very sad because I kept thinking that my last play of football was during practice and not even during a game,” Halkias said. “But I know it will benefit me in the future.”

Senior Thomas Boutsikakis, a former Jr. Titan who also played for South, received multiple concussions throughout his football career. This past summer at a football camp, Boutsikakis received a concussion during a game but cast the pain aside to continue to play and did not tell his coaches how he was feeling at the time.

“For some reason I kept trying to make it through [the game] and I just kept getting tackled and after a while my head was pounding really hard,” Boutsikakis said.

According to Catsaros, educating all Titan athletes about concussion prevention is what makes a difference. If students are aware of concussion symptoms, for example, they are able to speak up, says Catsaros.

“I think that concussions [are] at the forefront right now [so] that kids can recognize that it’s important to say something whereas years ago [people] just dealt with concussions,” Catsaros said.

SSioN CONCERN:

11 the toll it takes on teams and players

st ud c t e i stor es a ies nd

What is CTE? Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy a degenerative brain disease found in those with a history of repetitive brain trauma Graphic by Eliza Schloss

The following studies were all published by the JAMA medical journal. Researchers conducted studies on numerous donated brains.

1.

CTE was found in 3 of 14 former high school football players

2.

48 of 53 former college players showed signs of the disease

3.

CTE was identified in 110 out of 111 former NFL players

Dave Duerson

1960-2011 Duerson suffered from football related brain injuries, and shot himself in the chest so his brain could be salvaged for research. source: rollingstone.com

Graphic by Brigid Murphy and Eliza Schloss

12

Halloween

Nov. 10, 2017

S P O OKTA C UL AR

S

UT H

On Halloween, A&E editors hosted the seventh annual Oracle costume contest, where South students showed off their creativity by dressing up. The editors would like to showcase their favorites below.

Yoon Kim Josie Schneider co-a&e editors Karina Benson Ava Mazzei asst. a&e editors

MOST LIKELY TO...

These superlatives were decided by the A&E editors for students who volunteered to be photographed for this issue.

features

Nov. 10, 2017

13

STRIDES FOR A CURE: Cheering at a Cure Club event (left), sophomores Lina Pedrelli, Sammy Tvaroh and Erin Nukk smile for the camera. Gathering for a group photo (right), Cure Club members huddle together after their Stride for a Cure event. Last year, Cure Club raised approximately $50,000 for cancer research, a number they hope to surpass this year. Photos Courtesy of Gigi Cepeda

Cure Club offers support for those affected by cancer Gwyn Skiles staff reporter

Grief. According to senior Amanda Swanson, grief is powerful and can sometimes motivate people to make an impactful change in their community. This is something Swanson experienced after having lost her mother to colon cancer two years ago. Through Cure Club, she has been able to reach people and save lives.

Deborah Stein, Cure Club sponsor, believes that Swanson’s story is exhibited in other members of Cure Club. According to Stein, goals of Cure Club include channeling grief towards bringing awareness to other students about different types of cancers, as well as hosting events to gather donations for organizations. However, Stein explains that Cure Club doesn’t just provide donations, but has also proven to be emotionally supportive for the students who have lost someone dear to them.

“It’s not a support group or anything like that, but I think it’s a place where kids who have suffered from loss [can] feel like they can take their

grief [and make it into] a positive energy,” Stein said.

According to Swanson, Cure Club continues to make her feel hopeful and happy. When she joined, she felt as if she could relate her grief to others, making her feel important and included.

“This was my safe space,” Swanson said. “I quickly discovered that other people had similar stories too. I could talk about my mom’s struggle. I just felt that instead of sitting around moping about [the passing of my mom], I’d join Cure Club to give me something to do and help other people in the process.”

According to Stein, Cure Club’s main attraction, Relay for Life, raised around

$50,000 for the American Cancer Society last year, something they wish to continue to expand.

“We have these big events throughout the year that just mobilize the whole school, people from all different areas, and that’s what I want Relay for Life to be: the end of year party that everybody does,” Stein said.

According to junior Toni Zheleva, Cure Club board member, the increase in students partaking in the club has increased rapidly in the past year. She says ham increased participation will ra G idan attract more donations and ic by A Graph attendees at Relay for Life.

“This year, I really think we’re going to pull through because our club has tripled in size,” Zheleva said. “I’m really excited about organiz-

ing and bringing a lot of fun to people with high hopes.”

According to Stein, at a regular meeting they typically start with a powerpoint focusing on a type of cancer and discuss, schedule and sign up for fundraising events. Anybody can participate in this club, even if you don’t have a history of cancer, which is what Zheleva thinks makes their community so special. Stein agrees with Zheleva and describes the kids involved in the club as caring toward each other and their community.

“They’re nice kids and it makes me happy to be around them and witness them doing these awesome things and supporting each other.”

Stein said.

According to Stein, the optimism of the members is profound, something that she considers to be rare and important to her.

“It’s sort of cheesy, but there’s really bad things that go on in the world and I feel like when I’m with students from Cure Club and see all of the great things they’re doing, I’m momentarily optimistic for the future,” Stein said.

Kayt Ribordy embraces language programs at South unparalleled gift in learning foreign languages and advanced Kayt, a student with no formal Spanish lessons, to Spanish level four honors class.

“I don’t think there are any teachBeing able to speak more than ers here that could compare with one language is an impressive feat, Kayt’s potential to study these lanbut four? Kayt Ribordy, a native En- guages,” Fitch said. glish-speaking senior, is the president According to Kayt, learning a lanof French Club, co-president of Span- guage is something that everyone ish Honors Society and a member of should do, and that everyone can learn German Club. These activities are just a language if they are committed. some of the ways Kayt maintains, im“It’s not like I’m some language proves and expands her multilingual- genius and it clicked immediately,” ism.

Kayt said. “If you speak English, Ribordy began you have learned a lan“I don’t think learning her first guage. [People don’t foreign language, realize] they can do it there are any French, in grade again so easily.” teachers here school. According to Kayt’s language Ribordy’s mother, Eiachievements have not that could leen Ribordy, Kayt gone unrecognized. compare with was considered adAccording to Kayt’s Kayt’s potential sister, Anne Ribordy, vanced for her French class, so she began to after taking the Nationto study these independently learn al French Exam, Kayt languages.”

Spanish in tandem qualified for a summer with French. Accordabroad scholarship pro-Danita Fitch ing to Kayt, she now gram interview. Howspeaks French, German, Spanish and ever, as she was not 18 years old, Kayt English. did not meet its prerequisites. Despite “The great thing that keeps me in- her inability to claim the scholarship terested is that you will always have last year, she hopes to qualify again some use for language,” Kayt said, this year, Kayt says.

“There will always be some situaKayt has also qualified for the Seal tion in which you have to use [your of Biliteracy, which is awarded to a skills].” student who is fluent in two or more According to Ribordy, she met foreign languages; according to Fitch, with Danita Fitch, World Language Kayt stands apart from those awardDepartment instructional supervisor, ed last year because the languages at the end of her freshmen year with she has learned were taught through hopes of moving into a Spanish class. school or out of her own interest.

Fitch said she found Kayt to have an “Kayt is someone who previously

Sheila Fogarty Caitlyn Giertz staff reporters

knew none of those languages,” Fitch said. “French, Spanish, and German.

None of those are heritage languages.”

According to Anne, Kayt’s language fluency is also recognized in settings outside of school. Kayt translated for her family on their trip to Germany, allowing them to connect to the people and culture.

“It’s crazy, like we would go to a different city and there are people talking in a different language in front of us and she would be like listening in on their conversations and they wouldn’t know,” Anne said.

Understanding the ways language affects culture are things Kayt considers to be very beneficial. According to her, simply visiting a foreign country is extremely different than the art of actually comprehending the language.

“I think it’s so cool, the different things I would notice living in the country versus if you are just visiting,” Kayt said. “Especially if you speak the language, [it allows you to] experience the country as a native would.”

According to Kayt, she continues to learn bits and pieces of other languages today through friends and online apps. She hopes to work in a field that employs polyglots in the future, Kayt said.

“Something in international relations would be cool,” Kayt said.

“Or even a language teacher. [Teachers have] given me a more globalized perspective of the things I could achieve if I [continue] learning different languages.”

FOREIGN FUN: Standing in a street near Lyon, France, Kayt Ribordy (right) and her exchange partner (left) immerse themselves in French culture. Ribordy speaks English, French, Spanish and German. Photo Courtesy of Kayt Ribordy

14

Nov. 10, 2017

features

Nov 5, 2010

South students partake in youth groups dle school and during his freshman year, people he befriended led him down the wrong path. Forkin said that he joined Young Life his freshman Loud music fills junior Eleni Cop- year of high school and that the leadetas’s basement on a Monday night as ers helped him turn his life around a crowd of high school students dance so much so that he decided to come around and sing to the music. The back. “[After college], I wanted to take bass drops, and Young Life, a Chrissome time and give back to the orgatian youth group, begins.

Young Life is one of the many re- nization that gave a lot to me,” Forkin ligious youth groups that South stu- said. “I think everyone benefits a litdents participate in. According to Co- tle from [Young Life]. Every student petas, GBS Young Life is a chapter of gets a little bit of guidance from role a national group and involves a group models, a little sense of community of South students who meet on Mon- from it and everyone has a lot of fun.”

According to Forkin, his favordays and Wednesdays to have discuss how their religion relates to their life ite experience is when kids who are invited to Young Life after a tough in an engaging manner.

“Most of the time we talk about week leave feeling loved and wela verse of the Bible or two and we come.

“I would say that the over-archcompare it to our lives,” Copetas said.

“One time we listened to Chance the ing mission statement of Young Life Rapper and compared it to the Bible, would be to show students how much God loves them,” Forkin said. “If which ended up making sense.”

According to Copetas, even though they take the energy that they have they discuss the Bible, Young Life brought to Young Life to any part of doesn’t only focus on religion. Cope- their life, then they will be successful.” tas believes that Young Life also fosA different youth ters a sense of community and helps group that South stuthe members build relationships. dent participates “For me personin is Jeremially, [Young Life] ah Temhelped me make a lot ple Youth of friends and helped Young Life was created Group, me to stay true to my in 1941 and today there or JeTY, beliefs,” Copetas said. are 16 GBS students on at Temple “[Coming to GBS], I Jeremiah in the board was really worried Northfield. that I was going to Junior Anna lose [some of my beShabelman liefs] or be easily influenced is a member by other people who might not of the JeTY board have a positive effect on me.” and helps to plan the Similar to Copetas, Young Life youth group’s events. Achad a positive effect on Grady Forkin, Glenview Young Life area di- cording to Shabelman, there are three rector. According to Forkin, in mid- different youth groups at her temple, Taylor Everson Mia Merchant staff reporters

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LIVING THE YOUNG LIFE: Posing for a picture, seniors Megan Quill and Kacey Leone and juniors Claudia Brown, Dylan Samuels and Eleni Copetas enjoy the Young Life halloween party. South students participate in Youth Groups such as this one for the various activites and outings. Photo by Sam Weinberg

with the older groups geared more towards volunteering. “[Being on the board has] taught me a lot about leadership,” Shabelman said, “It’s nice to address issues with people your same age who have a similar mindset and it’s a cool environment to be in.”

Of all the experiences Shabelman has had with her youth group, her favorite is when her advisor invited the people on her youth group board for a Shabbat dinner. According to Sha-

belman, Shabbat is a holiday that is celebrated every Friday night from sundown until sundown on Saturday, a day of rest.

“We went to [my advisor’s] apartment and she took us out for ice cream,” Shabelman said. “It was a really good bonding experience.”

Similar to JeTY, Pilgrim Youth Fellowship (PYF), based at Glenview Community Church, emphasizes volunteering, according to senior Zach Adams. Adams said that the mission

trips facilitated by PYF are a fun and emotional experience. “[During a mission trip] in Marvel, Arkansas, my job was to run a sports camp,” Adams said. “I played sports with [kids] on a daily basis and got them out of their home environment to have fun. Leaving that place was really touching for me because over a week you wouldn’t think you would be able to create such deep bonds with some of the kids, but you really do.”

reviews

Nov. 10, 2017

15

Caesar displays emotion through soulful approach Yoon Kim co-a&e editor

Love, loss, longing and every shade in between. These themes, along with many others, are captured in the mellow, mid-tempo music of Daniel Caesar, an up-and-coming R&B artist.

Originally born in Toronto as Ashton Simmons, Daniel Caesar is an R&B artist who first started releasing EPs online in 2014 and officially debuted in late August of this year with his first full-length album, Freudian. Backed with rhythmic piano melodies, hints of funk-embedded grooves and waves of Frank Ocean-esque interludes, Caesar’s music is a godsend of altR&B meets gospel, divinity meets humanity, love meets loss.

The first impression that I got from Caesar after listening to his single “Japanese Denim” and later Freudian, was that he’s like a child with an old soul.

He’s earnestly romantic and has not yet given into the cynicism of having experienced the heartbreak of an unrequited love. Still, his music reaches beyond mere human relationships and seeks for something more, frequently questioning his own faith and referencing the divine. I instantly fell in love with his soulful vocals and mellow ambiance that his music wraps you in.

In Freudian, most everything is coated in a layer of blissful vulnerability. Even as he wrestles with the harsh reality of letting a loved one go in “Loose”, one of my favorite picks. He bathes the track in pleasant-sounding melodies and chords, forging an almost peaceful serenity in a song that could have taken on so many other

SOULFUL CAESAR: Playing his guitar, Canadian artist Daniel Caesar practices songs from his most recent album, Freudian, released August 2017, pictured above. His honest and personal music is influenced by throwback R&B and classic gospel. Photo from Ceasar’s Instagram

moods. At the end of the song, Caesar leaves the audience with a raw, acoustic recording of him singing the lyrics to the subsequent track “We Find Love” to himself and then concludes with fragments of a conversation between him and a former lover. In the way that he invites his audience to almost peek into his personal space, the simple combination of his soft piano and delicate falsettos provide a deep vulnerability and intimacy with his listeners.

Not only is Caesar’s work honest, it’s also surprisingly classy in that it does not stoop down to the hollow and sleazy lyrics that other artists of the genre sometimes spew out. His words are emotional, contemplative, and perhaps at points even incomprehensible, but they are definitely not empty. Although he occasionally touches on sensual content and a dash of dirty words in tracks such as “Get You” and “Take Me Away”, he distinguishes himself as an artist who sings about meaningful intimacy rather than loveless hook u p s .

Caesar carries an innocence that can even find gratitude in any season of love, demonstrated in lyrics such as “Yes, I’m a mess, but I’m blessed to be stuck with you,” from his stripped-down piano ballad, “Blessed”.

One defining characteristic that sets apart Caesar as an artist is his paradoxical blend of spiritual notions and secular desires. Stemmed from his religious upbringing, Caesar’s music has been significantly influenced by both ‘90s and classic gospel, evident in his spiritual lyrics and organ intros. “I live in the real world, I’ve lost my faith,” Caesar sings on his track, “Death

and Taxes” as he questions his own place in the grand scheme of things. Visible in his early music as well as throughout Freudian, Caesar struggles with finding his identity in both of these worlds but as a result finds himself in a place much more worthwhile: the space in between. He continuously juxtaposes his heavenly lyrics with his grounded voice, ultimately highlighting the acceptance— and even beauty—of human imperfection.

Freudian does not attempt to please any crowd of listeners but rather is an endless journal of Caesar thinking, listening, reflecting and then repeating. Despite the deliberate crafting of the package, the album exudes an effortless charm, almost as if Caesar threw together an impromptu, yet seamless collection of his own personal moments of life—grand revelations and little nuances alike.

As I listened to the 22-year-old Toronto native fall in and out of love, I couldn’t help but admire the genuine sincerity of the artist. Caesar somehow finds a way to beautify any and every phase of life and, in the same breath, melts his listeners with his soothing voice, reflective lyrics and blissful melodies. The creamy quality of his voice and soft undertones of his instrumentals naturally lend themselves to a perfect lazy Sunday jam. What I love most about him, though, is that he holds onto an endearingly hopeful approach to life, no matter what it has to offer.

Wu Tang Clan disappoints, Lady Gaga releases Joanne, Saga Continues lets down exposes fresh musical style Ben Olson staff reporter

Let’s actually disregard the title. This isn’t a Wu-Tang Clan album (despite the artist name) nor is it a Wu-Tang album in spirit. Nearly all this album has that resembles past Wu-Tang is that some of the songs feature Wu-Tang members. Ever since the Shkreli scandal involving a single Wu album going for two million dollars, the legendary ‘90s rap group has been consistently seen in a negative light by passive fans and diehards alike. So to continue the trend, they falsely hype up The Saga Continues as a return of the group, with production from RZA and fan-favorites such as GZA, Ghostface Killah, and Raekwon, often considered Wu’s best rappers.

But don’t be fooled.

This album isn’t worth a million bucks, nor is it worth your time. In a nutshell, this album is purely a Mathematics and a Wu-affiliate album. Mathematics, although a co-founder of The Wu-Tang Clan, is not considered a main member and is often criticized for his lackluster production. The main Wu producer, RZA, decided to sit this one out.

This was a terrific move for his reputation, because listening to this was a painful disappointment. A fair amount of backstory, but how does the actual music hold up in terms of all the controversy? The easiest way to describe it would be a dysfunctional family reunion with a great deal of tension and quite a few relatives who don’t remember each other. Previous Wu albums contain an average of four members per

song, but here we see about one on each and occasionally people who have no affiliation to the Clan in any way, often featured longer than those who are. It’s rapping for the sake of rapping. Not one has any bit of interesting storytelling to share and if they ever come close to, Mathematics waters it down with a tacky R&B beat that sounds like an Usher throwaway from 2004.

The real problem, however, boils down to the delivery and the conveyance. The energy and enthusiasm that made 36 Chambers and The W so lively is completely absent. Ghostface delivers some of his worst lines ever, and Method Man comes off extremely bland with only a few quick bursts.

The album serves no purpose for anyone but Wu looking to produce a few bucks. It’s unnecessary and ultimately, a cheap moneymaker.

Put in simple terms, The Saga Continues is the equivalent to the spin-off TV series, Joey, of Friends. We all were wondering what happened to him, but once we received it, we realize we didn’t need to see any more than what was presented in the original.

Ava Mazzei asst. a&e editor

When I think of Lady Gaga, I think big: meat dress, auto-tune, sparkles and techno-pop.

So naturally you can imagine my surprise when I put on the first track of Gaga’s new album, Joanne. Despite Gaga’s shift from pop to alternative rock, every song made its way to my “Top 25 Most Played” playlist.

The pink hat she wears on Joanne’s album cover symbolizes not just her new fashion style, but a new direction in her music as well.

REVAMPED ROCKSTAR : Performing her newest album Joanne, Lady Gaga demonstrates her new style, replacing pop with alternative rock. This album shows a more personal side to Gaga. Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Joanne introduces us to Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, the woman under the wig.

This woman has proven to make deeper connections and inspire millions of listeners worldwide to listen to their hearts when it comes to change. It is heartening how she connects with her fans without having to put up a front. Her fans accept her for what she is because she practices what she preaches, and in this case, that change is natural throughout the course of life. If she did not change, she would be lying - not just to herself - but to her fans as well.

This album unmasks some of her most personal thoughts and experiences. I never knew Gaga was so complex! The raw workings of her life fly out from each song like intricate butterflies expelling from a cocoon. Whenever I listen to the album, each song flutters around in my head with a multitude of colors, each representing a shift in Gaga’s life.

My favorite track is “Come to Mama”. It stands out as both a meaningful and unique composition. The song spreads the message of loving one another and keeps an old concept fresh by using jazz to present it. The harmony of the background singers meets with a catchy rhythm for a foot-tap worthy tune. The swing to the song rejuvenates the beats found from this point on in the cue.

In contrast with “Come to Mama” are the songs “Dancing in Circles” and “Perfect Illusion” both of which bring her funky style full circle with her past music. The incorporation of these more vibrant tracks authenticized this album for me because the old Gaga is still present, despite the development of her new musical identity. I’ll be following the woman under the wig closely after this, to say the least.

16

Nov. 10, 2017

a&e

Nov 5, 2010

Modeling project illuminates personal artistic styles Brendan Wolf staff reporter

Students circle up and begin painting the model in front of them. Tensions are high, as they only have five minutes to complete their work. However, amidst the chaos, junior Chloe Costigan can hear the music playing in the background and see the collaboration amongst students. She feels the studio-like vibes of the classroom and finds a newfound appreciation for the peacefulness of the modeling project. The general idea of the project is that the students form a circle around a model, who they paint on canvases, according to Costigan.

According to art teacher Stephanie Fuja, the idea of the Painting 2 class is that students get very broad prompts and are able to use their imagination to create what they want within the guidelines. It is directed towards idea development because the students are able to take projects in the direction that best suits their artistic style.

“The point of the class is to really develop [each student’s] own artistic painting style and for them to become their own artist,” Fuja said.

Fuja says she started the modeling project at South last spring. According to Fuja, this project is much different from any other projects they do in the class because it is painting from real life, which is a whole different ball game than painting objects in a still life.

“You are not just going off a picture or from your head, you are looking at a real live person and painting them, and it’s very challenging,” Fuja said.

According to Fuja, students have to do specific measurements with sticks and their arms in order to understand how to measure the full body length. It’s very hard to translate all these measurements onto a canvas, Fuja said.

“Looking at someone in real life and painting them in the correct proportions is probably the most challenging part,” Fuja said.

According to Costigan and junior Olivia Wilas, the hardest parts of the project were being timed and figuring out proportions. According to Fuja, it’s not normal to see this kind of project in a high school setting because it is col-

MODEL MANIA: Painting on canvases, students partake in a real life modeling project last year. Each student is able to depict the model in their own style. Photo courtesy of

Stephanie Fuja

lege level work. “[Students] found [the modeling project] interesting and different, which made it more exciting for [the students],” Fuja said. “They did say it was really hard and challenging, but they like the challenge.”

According to Costigan, the project was difficult because in order to get the proportions right, she and her classmates had to measure how big the different body parts were by holding their arms up and basing them on the size of their thumbs.

“It was very interesting to see that no matter who your subject was, all their proportions were generally the same,” Costigan said.

According to Wilas, the modeling project is very different than any other projects they do in that class because it is timed and they paint on cue.

“I thought it was interesting because everyone has a different style, and you could see all the finished products right when they finish,” Wilas said.

Costigan enjoyed multiple aspects of the proj-

ect, which she says helped her develop a style within her painting and also better understand proportions.

According to Fuja, the fact that the students were all collaborating and sitting in a circle with their model in front of them created the vibe of a real studio. Costigan says that looking around the room in order to see what others were painting gave her insight on which techniques she should use in her own work.

“It gave [me] inspiration because everyone had their own style,” Costigan said.

Adams searches for balance between music and athletics Marcel Hoang Julianne Crawford staff reporters

Similar to how Zac Efron’s character, Troy Bolton from High School Musical can be seen shooting hoops on the court with fellow Wildcats, senior Zach Adams can be seen defending South’s goal line on the turf. When Troy sings with Gabriella on the main stage under the watchful eyes of his peers on the basketball team, Zach can be seen singing in the Variety Show for the football act. The catch here is that the fake character Zac Efron plays in the movie inspired the real Zach Adams.

“High School Musical was a pretty big thing as I was growing up, so [I thought] if Zac Efron can do [both], why not me?” Adams said.

Adams says that he is involved in choir and fine arts activities, specifically in Master Singers, Variety Show, and extracurricular groups Chambers and Nine, while also being on the varsity football team for his third season. According to Adams, his parents were the main source of inspiration for joining musical groups as well playing for the football team.

“What inspired me to participate in music and sports was mainly support from my parents,” Adams said. “At a young age, my mom always told me that if I worked hard enough, I could do whatever I wanted.”

Adams explains that he is still trying to find er I get into a zone during a game or practice an equilibrium between the two, and that doing there’s always a song in my head.” his homework requires some time management.

Andrew Toniolo, co-choir director and di“The balance is kind rector of Nine and Master of nonexistent; I just Singers, remembers meetgo to football practice ing Adams when he was and usually the second a freshman. Toniolo, like it ends, [I] run off to Adams, was also a footshower and go to choir ball player involved in rehearsal,” Adams said. choir when he was in high “Usually, I just hope I school, and he says that don’t have too much Adams is reflective of his homework when I get own high school self. home.”

“I was excited about the Though Adams fact that he was a football struggles to find a balplayer in choir,” Tonioance between football lo said. “I saw a little bit and music, he says of my past and it made me that they compliment feel nostalgic. Not a lot of each other in the meanguys participate in both of while. those activities.”

“Football helps me Since being involved out with my strength in both activities, Toniofor music; since I’m COUNTRY CANDID: Singing at Synchroicitylo says that Adams brings themed Variety Show in 2017, Zach Adams (right) constantly crafting my is accompanied by teammate Christan Cole (left). his strengths from one exbody, I can perform Adams and Cole participated in the football act tracurricular to another and lifts well for V Show, last year. Photo courtesy of Emily Tu that these strengths help or have good balance Adams develop better leadwhile dancing,” Adership skills. ams said. “Music helps me be more creative in “Through football, he’s developed a lot of football and, in a way, keeps me calm whenev- leadership skills,” Toniolo said. “People gravi-

tate towards him because they sense the stability he gives others.”

Robert Shellard, co-choir director and director of Chambers, says that Adams is a hardworking team player who is ready to help others succeed and has the potential to succeed in any area due to his ability to work hard.

“I think he has the right mindset to succeed in whatever area he puts his mind to,” Shellard said.

Coach David Schoenwetter, head of the varsity football team, appreciates Adams’ involvement in music and says that Adams knows how to lighten the mood whenever he feels the team is too tense. He also mentions that Adams knows how to balance between motivating others and having fun, all while being a very tough offensive and defensive lineman.

“I went to a liberal arts college, so I understand the value in the fine arts,” Schoenwetter said. “I’ve always appreciated the fact that he’s followed his loves in life and has been persistent in making time for fine arts and football.”

Adams concludes that both sports and fine arts are foreseen in his future.

“I want to play football in college, be able to sing in college, and just keep living the lifestyle I’ve created for myself here in high school,” Adams said. “It truly has been the best few years of my life and to just give it up forever doesn’t seem right.”

“The Harley Davidson in particular has a serious culture that is connected to it. And that culture is people getting together and barbecuing and telling stories and taking particular rides that are at times more dangerous, and at times just for the beauty.”

ESGVBL Every issue, the Oracle features a Titan who has a story to tell about their car.

“I think there’s a part of me that has an outdoor need - I garden a lot, I go camping, and being on that motorcycle really does provide me with great opportunity to be outside in the elements and just enjoy both the sun beating down on [me] as well as sometimes riding in the cold. You just bundle up; you’re getting the fresh air, and it’s just like, ‘man, life doesn’t get any better than this.’”

Photo courtesy of Daniel Hicks

- social studies teacher Daniel Hicks

17 a&e Drumline bonds, increases female involvement Nov. 10, 2017

Nov 5, 2010

Ann John Caylie Jeruchimowitz staff reporters

The powerful drum beats echo throughout the room. With each unified burst of sound, the excitement within the student body grows. This group of percussionists work hard to entertain and support South.

Drumline is a smaller group in the band program that focuses solely on percussion instruments. According to co-band director Brian Boron, 17 members are chosen in order to achieve the best balance of sound. He believes the drumline to be a hardworking group of kids.

“They have to be willing to work hard,” Boron said. “It’s a tough job to do. It’s very team oriented and there’s a very strong community in the drumline.”

Drumline performs at many events in an attempt to express the Titan spirit, according to senior Spencer Peterson. He explained that drumline has inspired many students to pursue their passion of music including himself.

“I’ve seen the drumline before when I was younger at football games and I thought it was really cool,” Peterson said. “[Since] I was a drummer, I thought, ‘Maybe I could do that.’”

Drumline is the only auditioned group in band and according to drum captain Michael Vilches this places a lot of responsibility on its members.

Vilches says drumline has been rewarding as it has given him a sense of discipline.

“In this day and age there’s a lot of kids that mess around, but I feel like once you enter the world of drumline and music ... there’s a sense of structure and you feel more confident when you come out,” Vilches said.

Vilches emphasizes how close of a group they are and how much time they spend together both inside and outside of school. He says that drumline is like a big family who come to each other when they need support.

“The group is different because it’s more than just playing with people you know, it’s your friends,” Vilches said. “All those guys and girls in there, everybody in there, I would take a bul-

DEDICATED DRUMMERS: Members of South’s drumline, junior Bryce Brennan, senior drum captain Michael Vilches and senior Grace Rodriguez (from left to right) diligently practice in the band room after school. The drumline is a close-knit group composed of 17 members, according to Vilches. Photo by Rachel Nwia

let for because they’re my friends and ultimately my brothers and sisters.”

Junior Morgan Keime was influenced to join drumline by her older brother Taylor, who was drum captain last year. Keime says that drumline has given her an experience she will never forget.

“The memories that you make are probably the best part of it ... because they last forever,” Keime said. “I made so many friends through it and it might take a lot of time but in the end it’s worth it.”

According to Keime, drumline has more girls

than ever before this year. While there have been female drum majors in the marching band, there have not been female drum captains in the drumline. Hoping to further girls’ involvement in drumline, Keime says she strives to become the first female drum captain.

“I’m going to apply to be a section leader because we haven’t had a girl drum captain in years, if ever, so I’m going to definitely try and change that,” Keime said.

Similarly,Vilches has noticed an increase in girls joining the group with about an equal number of boy and girl members this year.

“It has mostly been a boys club but we have definitely noticed a change and that’s cool because we’ve always been trying to get more [girls] involved,” Vilches stated.

As the years progress, Boron hopes drumline will continue to flourish. He believes it provides an opportunity for involvement in South’s music program. He says the students bonds will continue to grow as the years progress.

“I hope they keep building their skills and recruiting new members,” Boron said. “I’d love to see it grow because it’s really a good place to be.”

De La Cru reflects on team, unique beginnings in dance Ava Mazzei asst. a&e editor

err and Kim. “It’s just different now ... It’s really nice being able to have a vision and apply it to the entire team,” McKerr said. “Now we’re just trying to be more authentic and come up with new ideas and put more thought behind our moves instead of your basic hip hop pop-lock type of thing.”

Sophomore Juliana Abraham recognizes this change in the choreography to be positive. Furthermore, Abraham says that the new moves McKerr and Kim have been coming up with have been helping the team to improve as a unit.

“I have noticed a really big difference in the style of dancing, I feel like [we are doing] bigger, more complex moves so that we can get really precise with our dancing,” Abraham said. “I feel like it’s a nice challenge, and I know everyone on De La Cru likes a challenge.”

Despite both being drawn to De La Cru, the captains found their reasons for joining were different. Kim says he found it to be an opportunity to learn more and showcase all that he had to offer.

McKerr had been admiring the team from a distance and wanted to get it on the action herself.

“I remember freshman year just seeing De La Cru perform at all the assemblies and pep rallies and I loved their performances,” McKerr said.

“Whenever I watched them I was just like, ‘I want to be doing that.’”

Similarly, Abraham says the group is comfortable enough with each other to offer constructive criticism as well as compliments. According to Abraham, they are all trying to improve their dancing as a group.

“I feel like we’re more of a family, and we’re really close to each other,” Abraham said. “I feel [that] we share a common interest, which is dance, and [that] the people are nice, loving and we all just work really well together.”

De La who? That’s right, it’s De La Cru. This season, De La Cru is starting fresh with a new team as well as a new style. Despite these new changes, the team still recalls where they came from, and how they got to the point they are at now.

Co-captain Chloe McKerr says her earliest memory of dancing was making up dances with her friends in her basement. McKerr said she began by taking classes and later began competing on a dance team. Sophomore year, McKerr says, after trying Poms, she wanted to go for something new.

“I wanted to do something that had more self expression,” McKerr said. “I was able to come up with my own moves and really express my own style instead of looking very uniform.”

On the other hand, co-captain Eden Kim never took dance classes, but learned K-pop dances as his mom watched them on the television when he was younger.

“I wish my parents spent the money and time and put me in [dance classes] instead of tennis,” Kim said. “They didn’t really see [dancing] as a priority, so it just was something I was developing by myself through videos online, or in my basement in the mirror.”

Similarly, senior member Leyla Silic has been on the team for four years and says dance has helped define her since she was ten years old. Silic says her mother encouraged her to take her first formal class and she has been dancing ever since.

Silic finds that what differentiates De La Cru from any other club at school is their bond.

“Nobody has cliquey groups,” Silic said. “Everyone is there for the same reason, and everyone is there to perform for the school and have a great time.”

McKerr and Kim say they have found a difference between being a dancer and a captain on De La Cru. Having to take responsibility for a KILLER KIM: Senior co-captain Eden Kim helps lead the De La Cru team at the Pep Rally. Kim and fellow co-captain Chloe McKerr say they are attempting to whole group of people and taking action has develop new styles for the team this year. Photo by Emily Zimbler been the biggest change, according to McK-

18

sports

Nov. 10, 2017

TACKLING GENDER NORMS: Freshman Katie Pribyl sprints down the field on a kickoff against the St. Patrick’s Shamrocks (left). Pribyl lines up, readying against the snap count prior to a play against the Shamrocks (right).

Priybl is the first female football player in the GBS program, according to football coach Matt Hoshaw. Photos by Emily Zimbler

Women compete in male-dominated sports Emily Zimbler staff reporter

They might not be able to out-muscle their opponents, but they can outwit them. Currently, according to Timothy Cichowski, the GBS wrestling coach, women joining male dominated sports has been increasingly popular. Both junior Alinne Merida on the JV wrestling team and freshman Katie Pribyl on the freshman football team are on mens’ sports. According to their coaches, both women have excelled.

According to freshman football coach Matt Hoshaw, he was initially surprised to see Pribyl try out for the team. As far as Hoshaw knows, the football team has never had a woman try out.

Hoshaw explained that Pribyl brought intensity, passion and heart to practice during the season.

“Even from when I played football here, there was never a girl that was playing, so it was a surprise,” Hoshaw said. “Seeing her and

speaking with her, to hear that she’s been play- ing on primarily male sports. According to Meing her whole life and it’s not just that she came rida, although she had support from her teamout for freshman year, this is something that mates and parents, she had to persevere through she’s passionate about. You can tell that it does adversity from her peers. mean something to her.”

“Many of my friends Through Pribyl’s playand family suggested me to ing, she hopes to convey that not to do it,” Merida said.

1,992 GIRLS women shouldn’t be discour“There hadn’t been girls PLAYED HS FOOTBALL on the wrestling team in aged from trying out for men’s IN 2017 sports. According to Pribyl, a long time. That was my she also wants to show that first obstacle in someone girls can play contact sports 14,587 GIRLS telling me not to wrestle.” and that gender stereotypes Merida explained that PARTICIPATED IN should not impede more girls she has always been treatHS WRESTLING from playing. ed with equality and reIN 2017 “I wanted to show that you spect by her coaches. AcGraphic by Matthew Risinger cording to Merida, she was can do anything and it doesn’t matter what gender you are,” Pribyl said. “You thankful that her coaches welcomed her to the can play football if you want to, it’s not solely team, and treated her as just another member of a boy’s sport.” the team.

Merida has similar feelings about women be“For me, my coaches never treated me differ-

ently than the rest of the team,” Merida said. “I really do appreciate it because it must have been hard having one girl and a bunch of guys and I thank them a lot because I never felt different.”

Merida fits right in with the team and she has continued to grow in the sport, according to her coach Tim Cichowski.

“Shes adapted well to the sport, and I think her self confidence has to.” Cichowski said.

According to Merida, she hopes that her story will inspire others. Merida believes that it is harder for girls to join men’s sports due to stereotypes and gender norms.

“Boys all play the same sports,” Merida said.

“I think that guys dominate most sports. For example, in football, many people watch the guys play, but [they do] not [watch] the girl [sports] and [it] sets off a stereotype that only guys can play football,” Merida said. “In my opinion, it’s harder for a female to join a majority male team because the intensity is higher.”

Lizzy Shaw pursues childhood dream

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that I had one of my best games and it has been my warm up playlist ever since.”

According to Shaw’s mother, Laura Shaw, Lizzy works hard, as she strives to become a better person mentally and physically. She begged her doctor to take off her cast so she could continue playing basketball. Basketball is so beneficial to her life, she would do anything to get a chance to have a ball in her hand, according to Laura.

“She had a couple of injuries and it is good to take time, but she didn’t want to rest, she wanted to work on the part of her that still worked,” Laura said.

Senior Liz LaPierre, one of Lizzy’s teammates, describes Lizzy as someone who is crucial to the team. According to LaPierre, she sees Lizzy as a person to look up to. Lizzy reminds everyone to do their best and is portrayed as a person who motivates her teammates, according to LaPierre.

“Lizzy is really dedicated and always worked really hard, so when I play, I always remind myself to try as hard as Lizzy,” LaPierre said. “She motivates everyone because she works really hard, she gives her all and it makes everyone want to try hard and be like her.”

According to shaw she hopes to stay in touch with the game.

“I will probably stay in touch with the game, but I don’t want to play pro,” Lizzy said. “Playing basketball in high school gives you a lot of life lessons you can carry on in life.” Lizzy said.

Growing up, South senior Lizzy Shaw always had a basketball in her hands. Friends and family found her on the sidelines of her sister’s practices mimicking the players. She dreamed of playing, dribbling right, cutting to the basket, rising up over defenders and laying the ball softly off the glass. However, one would’ve never guessed how she got there. It was these dreams that led her to where she is now, with a basketball scholarship to The University of Chicago.

Shaw’s work ethic is unmatched, according to Steve Weissenstein, head basketball coach.

Shaw’s ability to lead a team is apparent. Weissenstein said Shaw persevered through an injury last season.

“When she is in the gym, she is in there to really work hard,” Weissenstein said. “She gives it her all even when she broke her wrist. She still went to practice everyday, handling what she could do with her right hand and tried to stay in shape by going to the fitness center.”

Along with Shaw’s outstanding basketball resume, she also has an impressive body of work in the classroom, according to Weissenstein. She is enrolled in Academy, which is a set of advanced English, Language, and History courses. On the day prior to her basketball games, Shaw says there are different things she does to help prepare. She says the Hamilton soundtrack brings excitement, and motivation for her to play her best.

“I like listening to Hamilton before warmups because it helps me get DRIBBLING DREAMER: Beating a defender, point guard pumped,” Shaw said. “I remember Lizzy Shaw charges down the court. Photo courtesy of Victory Views

sports

Nov. 10, 2017

19

of the

Sofia Snyder co-sports editor

SWINGING SENIOR: Taking a practice shot, senior Sophia Lau finishes her swing with a follow through. Lau competed with the rest of her team at state on Oct. 13 and 14. Photo by Emily Zimbler

Women’s golf places 11th at state Madaket Chiarieri

though it seemed like a reach at the beginning of the season. The girls’ outJunior Hanna Tanaka stood next to the standing performance throughout the leader boards with the rest of her team- regular season and the postseason series mates on the women’s golf team, waiting helped them to achieve their goal, which for the scores to come in. The sectional hasn’t been done at Glenbrook South since 2000, accordmeet had just ended, and the girls ing to Paek. were on the brink of qualifying “It was really a for the state meet for great accomplishthe first time in 17 ment for the years. The scores girls,” popped up. TanaLAU PERAKIS Paek ka looked over at -20 +8 11TH said. junior Kaki FeerTANAKA ick and started PLACE AS “ B e yond crying tears of joy, +11 A TEAM t h e hugging her teammates, golf, it as they had qualified for state.

Graphic by Rachel Nwia was reThe girl’s strong performance the girls come in the sectional meet helped them make ally great to see Glenbrook South history, according to together as a team in such an individual sport.”

Tanaka.

Although this was Paek’s first year “I played the best that I’d played all season and so did [freshman] Maria coaching, he is regarded as a strong Perakis,” Tanaka said. “It was that one leader and role model by his team. Paek moment we saw the totals tallied up and created a strong learning environment we saw that we were the third to make and provided a balance of fun and work in practice, according to Tanaka. it to state.”

“This was his first year coaching, but Head Coach Jeff Paek’s ultimate goal for the team was to make it to state if it was any other coach I honestly staff reporter

STATE SCORES

don’t think we would have made it as a team to state,” Tanaka said.

Perakis wasn’t sure what to expect going into her first season, but she managed to maintain a level of consistency throughout the year. Perakis’ play was crucial in helping the team to qualify for state. Perakis, along with Tanaka and senior Sophia Lau, were the foundation of the team in every match, according to Paek.

“I’ve never really been on a golf team before and golf was such an individual sport for me,” Perakis said. “I wasn’t used to having teammates surrounding me but it was a lot more fun that way and a lot less pressure.”

As one of the team’s goals, they participated in a “golf-a-thon” to raise money for hurricane relief. This year, they raised $1,000 for hurricane by playing golf and collecting money through the week.

Aside from qualifying for state, another goal was for the girls to become stronger mentally. “[Paek] helped me a lot with my mental game,” Perakis said. “He knows what I want to hear so I don’t worry as much and I play better.”

Luo figure skates beyond South’s walls Anika Thota Annie Rogula staff reporters

Two years ago, junior Rachel Luo was skating by another teammate when she lost her balance and collapsed, leaving her with bloody fingers and a white scar she’ll have for the rest of her life. Rachel is a member of a highly competitive team called “The Starlights,” who will be traveling to compete in Berlin and France this year.

Luo’s sister, Isabella Luo, a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, introduced her to skating.

“My sister and I have a pretty strong bond,” Rachel said. “Every sport that she did, I did. So [when] she [started] skating, I started skating.”

Throughout the eleven years Rachel has been skating, Sheng Luo, Rachel’s mother, has been a huge supporter of her career. From the beginning, Sheng has encouraged Rachel every step of the way.

“As parents, we want to support what she loves to do,” Sheng said. “We want her to understand, as soon as she’s determined, she can’t give up. She has to put 100 percent effort in. Nothing comes easy. Every success requires persistence and hard work.”

According to Rachel, she takes honors and AP courses in addition to skating a minimum of twelve and a half hours per week. Rachel says there are times when the amount of skating she and her team endure takes a great toll on them.

“There is a point where we break, and every season it happens, but our coach

will realize we can’t work as hard as we spite “The Starlight’s” seasonal menused to and she’ll tell us ‘The hardest tal fatigues, they have proven that hard practices are the ones where you learn work does pay off, and as a result, are and grow the most,’” Rachel said. now representing Team USA for this According to Rachel, breaking down year’s international competitions in Beris often the result of stress. It is hard to lin and France. overcome, but Rachel says once it’s “When we found out that we were done, it makes the transition to going to France and Berlin, it was a move on and work hard much relief that we finally knew where easier. we were going and [that] we were “It makes me feel emotional going to good competitions,” when I do skating because no Rachel said. other aspect of my life is [like Throughout Rachel’s career, that]. At skating, everything that she has encountered many ups happens is a big deal,” Rachel and downs. Although she has said. “It’s cool because it seems had the support from family, unique to what everybody else does.” coaches and friends, Paige Although Rachel may struggle states that it took Rachel’s sometimes with stress, Heather resilient heart to get where she Paige, head coach for the Staris now. Being an skater, Rachel lights synchronized skating teams, shares advice for high schoolers says her natural grace and ability to who are passionate about the show beautiful lines throughout her sport: movements gives her the potential to “Hard work is so much become a well accomplished skater. more important “No one takes direction and than talent, coaching better than Rachel,” especially in Paige said. “It is the sign of skating bea true competitor. She is cause you can the most resilient skater improve a lot if I have ever met. Injuries you listen to what your do not phase her at all. coaches tell you,” Rachel I’ve never in my life said. “It doesn’t matter if seen a skater receive you start at a young or so many stitches old age, you can still get [at a competo where you want to tition] be if you put in the and not work.” shed o n e GLIDNG GLORY: Skating across the ice, junior Rachel Luo completes a Spread Eagle tear.” at an exhibition. Luo has traveled the world and competed nationally for skating.

D e - Photo courtesy of Rachel Luo

Titan of the Month is a Q&A based on athletes nominated by the Oracle’s sports editors and voted on by South students.

...

Conor Nash, senior middle linebacker, played for the South football team all four years of high school and was on varsity his junior and senior year.

Photo by Matt Risinger

Do you think you emerged as a leader this season?

“I think I did. I consider myself a shy guy around people I don’t know, so I didn’t know a lot of the guys and they didn’t really know my personality. ... I don’t consider myself a vocal leader, I consider myself a more ‘lead by example guy’, so it took a lot of effort for me to be more of a vocal leader.”

What have you personally done as a leader this season?

“During the games I try to keep the energy high, because football is such an up and down game that if one bad thing happens it can bring everyone’s mood down. So one thing I try to do is get the energy back in guys and not let their head get down because once your head is down, you can’t bring that energy back. So keeping guys’ confidence and energy up is what I try to do.”

What advice would you give other players on your team?

“Always be ready because you never know when your time is going to come. Especially for me, because my junior year I never would have seen the field if it wasn’t for a last minute injury to [South alum] Ryan Tovcimak, a guy I looked up to.When he got injured I didn’t know I was going to play middle linebacker, so always be prepared and always be ready.”

What is your favorite memory from this season?

“Week three against Conant, going into overtime after we had lost a field goal. We had lost an opportunity with that missed field goal, but going into overtime and stopping Conant on four downs, and [senior] Savontae [Garner] scoring on one play for a ten yard touchdown and dog-piling in the endzone was one of my favorite memories.”

Do you have a favorite memory for you personally?

“Also in the Conant game, it was a crucial fourth down, and [they] were going for it ... and did a boot-pass towards the endline. I was running from behind and dove.

[I] managed to get a piece of the ball and ended up turning the ball over and getting that opportunity back.”

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TITAN ATHLETICS

Nov. 10, 2017

sports

DIVING ME CRAZY: Beginning her event, junior Leza Bergin competes against Niles West on Oct. 27. The Titans defeated the Wolves 94-92 and celebrated the class of 2018 at their senior night. Photo by Sam Parsons

Women’s swim & dive looks to qualify for State Emily Bauer staff reporter

The GBS women’s swim team is back in the pool this fall with several victories already including against competitors such as GBN and Evanston. As the season progresses, the team hopes to continue succeeding and finish strong, according to senior Erin Nitahara.

“Swimming has been a pretty big part of my life and I just hope to end on a good note,” Nitahara said. “It’s really important to me since it’s probably the last time I’ll ever race.”

With less than a month left of the season, the team has begun preparing for the state championships. According to Keith MacDonald, head varsity coach for both the women’s and men’s swim teams, sectionals and state have become the prime focus.

“We hope to perform well at the conference, sectional and state,” MacDonald said. “We are tapering mostly for sectionals in hoping to qualify individuals and relays to state.”

With a goal of qualifying for the 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, 50-yard freestyle, 500-yard freestyle, and several relays, MacDonald explains how the team has been strategizing their training in order to improve their performance at sectionals. According to MacDonald,

this can be done with not only lots of training, sures that come with that. but also lots of rest.

“You can only make state at sectionals, so “We taper our workouts and tend to decrease you only get one shot at it,” Kang said. “The yardage [to rest],” MacDonald said. “We [also] state times are also faster than club season times, will eliminate our morning workouts two weeks so it’s definitely a struggle to make state during before state and increase our sprinting.” high school season. [Even if] you are going state Working as a team rather than individually is times during the season, you [could] slip off the what will push the team to train harder in these block at sectionals and not make [the state cut].” last couple weeks before state, according to juJunior Catherine DeVine is one of the sevnior Morgan Kang. Kang says, if they do not eral swimmers hoping to qualify for state. Alwork as a team, ready swimming it will be even the state time more challengfor the 50-yard ing for everyfreestyle in a one to improve previous meet, VS and qualify.

DeVine hopes “Obviously to go an even it’s an individual faster time by sport because you focusing on her are in the water technique. alone racing for yourself,” Kang “I’ve been working Graphic by Rachel Nwia said. “But it’s [also] a team sport [beharder on the little things that will help cause] you have the motivation of your team- [me qualify],” DeVine said. “Individually, I’ve mates with you, [which] motivates you to keep been working more on my technique. [Instead going, keep trying, and putting in all your ef- of] just trying to race every race and win it, I’m fort.” trying to work on taking it slower and [improvNot to mention, state is not easy to qualify ing] my technique.” for, according to Kang. As Kang explains, each In freshman Emsela Orucevic’s opinion, qualswimmer can only qualify for state once at the ifying for state and performing well at sectionals sectional meet. Therefore there are a lot of pres- is not all physically oriented. Orucevic hopes to

SWIM AND DIVE

94

92

DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-GAME RITUALS?

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE GBS ATHLETES? KAHLE: I would tell them to take advantage

KAHLE: I usually eat M&M’s before the game and my teammate Greer [Bireley] and I do a handshake type of thing.

of their time as an athlete at South because it really goes by fast.

THERIAULT: I try to make it as similar to

THERIAULT: Enjoy the little moments... four years fly by and the memories you make with your teammates last a lifetime.

practice as possible. I stretch the same, eat the same and try to keep a positive mental attitude.

OLDHAM: Our whole team stands in a circle and hype each other up. We talk about what we’re going to do in our game and after, we do a South cheer.

OLDHAM: If you love your sport, don’t give up. You’re going to win some and lose some but that’s how you grow as an athlete.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE SEASON?

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL?

FIELD HOCKEY

KAHLE: My favorite part of the season was

KAHLE: My older sister is definitely my role

probably playoffs because it was super competitive.

THERIAULT: My mom [because] she’s always there to motivate and support me.

THERIAULT: Our overnight trip to Peoria to run at the state meet course, everyone ran amazing. It bonded the team and set the tone for the rest of the season.

OLDHAM: My dad [because] he’s always watching my matches and always there helping me out and giving me pointers.

OLDHAM: Making it to state [because] I worked really hard... so making it to state was awesome and a great end to my four years of high school tennis.

model. She’s really good at everything she does and she’s just my best friend.

ELLIE KAHLE

qualify in the 200 freestyle relay, and emphasizes the importance of positivity in swimming.

She explains how her mindset has changed due to the transition into high school swimming.

“Before high school season, I wasn’t positive about my races,” Orucevic said. “But during high school season, I started getting more positive and thinking of what I could do better on.

[Training with a positive mindset] is hard, and it takes a lot of time and effort.”

Yet even with the challenges and difficulties that come with it, having a correct and positive mindset is what will cause success, according to DeVine.

“Hard work and being there mentally can really push you forward in swimming,” DeVine said. “We’re all there physically at the state meet, but you really have to be there mentally [to succeed].”

But overall, the best part about swimming is knowing all the hard work and training will eventually pay off, according to DeVine. The state championships are what proves this to each individual who qualifies, DeVine says, and it perfectly provides a great closing to the season. “[Succeeding at state] really shows that if you put the effort into it and the mentality, you can get to a higher level of swimming,” DeVine said. “It feels good knowing all that effort will pay off.”

jordan theriault CROSS COUNTRY

Kendall oldham tennis