The oracle vol 54 issue 7 may 27 2016 by Marshall Harris

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4000 w. lake ave, glenview, il 60026 volume liv, issue 7, may 27, 2016 theoracle.glenbrook225.org FUN-LOVING FAGEL: Smiling

widely on stage, Principal Lauren Fagel tap dances in the 2016 Variety Show, backed up by the SingerDancers (left). Posing with Tommy the Titan and Nina Santacrose, Fagel enjoys the Circle of Friends Halloween party in October 2015 (top right). Clapping to the Titan fight song, Fagel enjoys the atmosphere of a September football game (bottom right). Fagel says her first year was a huge success, and she says that she loves being a principal again. Photos by Sophie Mason (left), Sean Dolan (bottom right) and courtesy of Lauren Fagel (top right).

Principal Fagel’s first year in review MARY GRACE REYNOLDS staff reporter

After a year of new experiences such as assemblies, Variety Show and homecoming, Principal Lauren Fagel reflects on her first school year as Glenbrook South’s principal. According to Fagel, she has worked at four high schools previous to South including Lake Forest, Mundelein, Deerfield and Highland Park. Of all of the high schools she has previously worked at, South has the most unique, positive atmosphere, according to Fagel. “I really do feel that [Glenbrook South] is the most positive, welcoming and warm environment than any school I’ve been at [...],” Fagel said. “It seems like everyone very happily exists together. That’s what I would say is the biggest difference. You can’t touch it, you can’t put your hands around

it, but it’s just the feeling that you get.” From that start of the year, according to Fagel, she had one goal, and as she mulls over her first nine months she believes that her goal was successfully met. “[I wanted to] build relationships, get people comfortable with me as their principal and get me comfortable with them, and I do feel like I’ve accomplished that,” Fagel said. According to Fagel, she was initially unsure if she wanted to take on the role of a principal. However, her previous experience as a principal for Mundelein High School influenced her to decide to be principal again. “I was hoping and thinking that I would love being a principal again, and I did,” Fagel said. According to Fagel, some highlights of the year, include the Variety Show (in which she tap danced alongside Singer-Dancers), Spring Fling and the

TLS basketball game. “[The Variety Show] was amazing and I loved participating in it,” Fagel said. “[Initially], I was quite anxious and nervous about performing on the stage but it was an incredible experience.” According to Fagel, she is currently attending graduate school in order to receive her doctorate in August of 2017. She hopes that her graduate work will help her identify ways to improve upon South’s already welcoming environment. Fagel summarized her year as an encouraging first impression of South. “Glenbrook South, to me, it just stands out as really warm and welcoming and friendly and happy,” Fagel said. “I’m in the hallways and I’m in the classrooms a lot and I get this very comfortable feeling. That’s what stands out to me.”

College AP acceptance law goes into effect for upcoming school year CASSIDY FORONDA staff reporter

Illinois public colleges must grant credit to Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores of 3 or higher beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, as mandated by a new law passed August 2015. According to College Coordinator John Klasen, it was passed to amend prior inconsistencies among universities, whose policies differed on AP scores and the credit to be rewarded for them. “I think [the law] allows students to more confidently take [AP tests] and receive those scores with [...] knowledge of what credit is going to be given,” Klasen said. In addition to added transparency, the law was also passed to make higher education more accessible within the state. “Students can use [the new law] to their benefit to try and shave off a few credits,” Klasen said. “With the rising cost of college, it could be very beneficial.” In regards to the law’s assets, Principal Lauren Fagel sees it as an added advantage to already existing reasons for students to take AP classes. According to Fagel, because of this, the new law will have little effect on current AP enrollment. “There [are] so many things to gain from an AP course,” Fagel said. “I think the kids who know about the law will probably already be in AP classes.” According to senior Tommy Barrett, the law is fair because it recognizes the effort put into the courses. He says that a 3 is sufficient to prove that a student understands the coursework. “I think any big standardized test [doesn’t] really reflect how hard a student can work—it’s just . a one and done kind of thing,” Barrett said. “I think it’s more important to look at a GPA and how a person can work.” While the law sets a standard for AP score policy, according to Klasen, universities still have power over the value of credits earned. “I think you lose some of that transparency,” Klasen said. “It’s going to cause some questions in terms of where [a] student stands with [a] score of 3 or higher.”

Annual Spring Fling requires thoughtful preparation CORINNE SHAW staff reporter

Spring Fling, under the direction of Student Council, took place May 6 during all three lunch blocks in the autos courtyard. According to senior Clayton Nimz and junior Harrison Kane, all planning for the event was completed by Student Council. Nimz says that planning included calling to reserve all of the services, and completing tasks like making the t-shirts. Kane also says that Student Council was divided into different groups, each responsible for a different aspect of Spring Fling. “There are groups in charge of getting the [equipment] for the DJ and the [activities]. [Other] people are in charge of talking to clubs [regarding] food,” Kane said. Some of the activities included a dunk tank, henna hand painting and a giant inflatable ob-

news INCREASING COLLABORATION

stacle course, alongside food choices not normally available in the cafeteria. Greek club provided gyros while other options included a food truck or barbecue-style entrees. Entertainment included a DJ and bands from GBS. Kane said, “[Spring Fling] is basically a time for people to go outside, hang out, and have a mini carnival at [their] own school.” Kane says that Student Council has talked about changing the timing of Spring Fling but decided that having it at lunch is the best option for most students. “We talked about having [Spring Fling] all day but [Student Council] realizes that people can’t [come] throughout the day,” Kane said. Spring Fling is the only event that is planned by Student Council that is not raising money for any type of cause, according to Nimz. “There is no obligation to give money, there is no stress,” Nimz said.

opinions seniors CIVIL WAR

COLLEGE MAP

According to freshman Kelly Skoulikaris, Spring Fling is successful due to the fact that it is all run and put together by other students. “[Spring Fling has different aspects] that specifically engage the students,” Skoulikaris said. “[Student Council] knows the [students’] interests.” Skoulikaris also said that Spring Fling is an event that draws in all types of students. “By having students run [Spring Fling] it shows how GBS comes together as a community,” Skoulikaris said. “The different [social groups] get to interact [with each other].” According to Nimz, the goal of Spring Fling is to give the students a break from their normal school day to do things that they will enjoy. “[Spring Fling] is really the one opportunity of the whole year to [step back and say] ‘well, let’s just make [students] happy,’” Nimz said. “I think we do a good job with that.”

GRINING GREEKS: Offering a traditional Greek dish to other students, senior George Maroutsos serves gyros to Spring Fling attendees. Other GBS clubs such as Girl’s Letter Club and Ciao Club made an appearance at the event. Photo courtesy of Liz Claire Rodriguez

features a&e

RETIRING TEACHERS

12 16

SIRVATKA RETIREMENT

sports MEN’S WATERPOLO

news

May 27, 2016

Bill aims to prevent student censorship

Old News

ANUSHKA KALRA staff reporter

Taking a closer look at events that have shaped the world

VIETNAM WAR TEACH-INS MAEVE PLUNKETT

staff reporter

SERVICE WITH SHELLARD: Speaking to a class of Sophomore Honors English students, Dr. Jim Shellard, assistant principal of student activities, emphasizes the importance of serving others. Shellard’s remarks set forth the celebration of the service research projects. Photo by Grace Shin

South incorporates collaborative work in classes A SIGN OF OPPOSITION: Protesting the

Vietnam War, people gather around a sign that reads, “Get the hell(icopters) out of Vietnam” at the 1967 March on the Pentagon. Photo from Lyndon B. Johnson Library

In April, South students from STAND for Peace held “teach-ins”, public information sessions, for all freshman history classes about topics ranging from freedom of speech to the contested genocide in Burma as well as the refugee crisis that overtook Europe this fall. These “teach-ins” began during the Vietnam War, which was one of the most largely protested events in United States history. Thanks to the war video footage shown on television, more information about the war was available than ever before. Atrocities were broadcasted across the world, causing Americans to question the validity of the U.S.’s involvement in Vietnam. In an effort to understand the full scope of U.S. involvement in Vietnam, universities organized “teach-ins” to educate students and faculty. The largest reported teach-in was at the University of California in Berkeley from May 21 to 23 in 1965. “Teach-ins” usually featured speakers from a range of occupations, including authors, professors and government officials. The faculty at Berkeley attempted to get representatives from the State Department to present their views on the war to students but none attended. Around 20,000 students went to the “teach-ins” and developed views they would express across the country for the duration of the war. Also at Berkeley, students protested by burning draft cards and launching the Free Speech Movement, motivated by increased world knowledge, whether simply about the war or human rights overall. “Teach-ins” offer a non-violent and educational alternative to other forms of activism. They have opened up dialogues around the world and advanced the cause of justice.

KATIE CAVENDER & NICK MORAN co-editors-in-chief SASHA VASSILYEVA co-opinions editor

This year, many teachers and programs throughout the school have been pushing toward a more collaborative work model for writing assignments. Several teachers in the English Department have decided to give students the opportunity to work with other students on writing assignments this year. According to Dr. Tom Kucharski, English Department instructional supervisor, working with others in writing assignments gives students the opportunity to improve their writing skills by becoming more conscious of their process. “It seems as if the collaborative process in writing helps make us more mindful about all of the different aspects that go into writing,” Kucharski said. “We’re less likely to write in a stream [but] more likely to write in an edited context.” Danita Fitch, Foreign Language Department instructional supervisor says it is almost impossible to avoid collaboration in foreign language classes. “I think in our department, every [assignment...], even the way that our classrooms have been designed in terms

For English teacher Debbie Cohen, of the physical space, try to create more the goal of the transition was to give collaboration,” Fitch said. This year, the Sophomore Honors students an opportunity to talk through English research projects were changed their thinking process with another from an individual format to a partner student. Each research topic is a big format. English teacher Katie Hoover problem with many possible solutions explained that the availability of tech- which, Cohen said, could be cognitively nology and the cooperative nature of overwhelming for some students. “Having another person to bounce Google Drive is what allowed for the ideas off of and transition to do some comto partner “One of the major skills that parisons in work. According employers are looking for, with terms of ‘this is understandto Hoover, our students up and coming in my ing of the probGBS has begun to the workforce, is their ability to lem, this is my understanding develop a collaborate.” of the solution, collaborative cul- English teacher Katie Hoover what’s yours?’, that conversature in and out of the classroom, and learning to tion actually forces a lot of clarity for work together will help students with students individually and as a group,” Cohen said. their collaborative skills. According to sophomore Hannah “One of the major skills that employers are looking for, with our students up Goldberg, having a partner relieved a and coming in the workforce, is their lot of stress for her during the process of writing the research paper. ability to collaborate,” Hoover said. “The workload would have been reHoover also said that past students have struggled with the research pro- ally large without a partner, but I think cess on their own. She hoped the transi- [working in pairs] was manageable,” tion would help alleviate stress and give Goldberg said. “Some of my friends students an opportunity to share ideas didn’t have partners, but definitely havwhile also dividing the workload. ing a partner made it a lot easier.”

Alumna earns BridgeBuilder award LIZZIE GARVEY staff reporter

Briana Flores, graduate of Glenbrook Evening class of January 2016, earned a Techny BridgeBuilder award on April 9. The BridgeBuilder award was created in 2007 to recognize students making a difference in their communities, according to Jerome Hoynes, consultant to the BridgeBuilder committee and past winner of the BridgeBuilder award. Eleven other Chicago-area students received the award, and each recipient made a significant effort to help their

BRIDGEBUILDER BRIANA: Posing with a

friend, Briana Flores (left), Glenbrook Evening class of January 2016, was one of 12 Chicago-area students honored on April 9 as a 2016 Techny BridgeBuilder. Photo cour-

tesy of BridgeBuilder Awards Committee

classmates or community members, according to Hoynes. “[The award] is validation of the efforts that [the winners have] put forth already, and inspiration for them to continue with [those efforts] their whole lives,” Hoynes said. Hoynes explained that many Chicago area schools got the chance to put forward one or two students they felt exemplified the characteristics of a BridgeBuilder. According to Melissa Defrenza-Israel, Glenbrook Evening counselor, Flores was the clear choice for the Glenbrook Evening nominee. “Briana came right to mind,” DeFrenza-Israel said. “She’s just always extending out a hand to help others, she’s a very hard worker and she’s got strong qualities of citizenship.” According to DeFrenza-Israel, Flores was very skilled at reaching out to other students in the school and supported them through little things, like pointing out the positives in life. “[Defrenza-Israel] acknowledged how I acted with the [other students] and showed me that, as cliché as it sounds, my actions affect other kids,” Flores said. According to Flores, she was very surprised when she had found out she was a winner, but also was grateful that DeFrenza-Israel nominated her. “I appreciate that I was acknowledged, and [the award] really made me reflect on who I am as a person,” Flores said.

A bill upholding the First Amendment rights of student publications was unanimously passed by the Illinois House of Representatives in February and is being reviewed by the Senate. The bill is a part of The New Voices movement, a grassroots campaign created to legally protect the rights of high school and college students as well as gather and share information, as described on their website. The Illinois bill not only sought to protect those rights, but also to overturn the standard placed by Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier—a Supreme Court case from 1988 that allows school administrators to censor student publications if the administrators believe a publication contains content that does not reflect a valid educational purpose or that could potentially disrupt school activities. Brenda Field, adviser of the GBS Etruscan yearbook, is President of the Illinois Journalism Education Association. “One of the problems with the language used in [Hazelwood] is that it is very vague,” Field said. “[The new] legislation helps to clarify for school publications [and] administrators what represents a disruption to school activities.” Laura Fine, Illinois State Representative, felt comfortable with the way the bill was written. Fine believes that it will benefit administrators as well as students because whatever is good for students is also good for the school. “I think [journalistic writing] is such an important skill, especially at [the age of high schoolers],” Fine said. “I think it is an art form that needs to be preserved.” In the Senate, the bill is being represented by Senator Daniel Biss and is going through its second reading. There has been some debate about parts of the bill, according to Field. “I went to a Senate hearing and there was someone there who represented an administrative associate, and there were some concerns there,” Field said. “We’ve tried to address all of [the concerns] in the bill and [tried] to make clear that there is a clear articulation of what isn’t protected.” The Senate has until the end of May to vote on the bill. If it is passed, Governor Bruce Rauner may veto or sign it. After 60 days without action from Rauner, it would automatically become a law.

editorial

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

May 27, 2016

45% of all U.S. undergraduates go to community college

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Graphic by: Sophie Mason

“Unacceptable” post-graduation plans lead to unfair judgement After nearly four years of high school, seniors are given the opportunity to sculpt their future through the college selection process. Most South seniors choose to attend a university while others decide to pursue alternative plans, such as attending a community college or trade school or taking a gap year. Since a smaller proportion of graduating students prefer alternative plans in place of a fouryear institution, a stigma can be observed facing those students, creating an inaccurate perception that these students lack ambition or can not get into college. In an unscientific Oracle-conducted survey of 285 South students, 77 percent believe a stigma surrounding community colleges exists. In the Oracle’s process of collecting students’ plans for the next fall for the college map, the editorial board tends to notice that several Oakton students decline to be included, presumably due to feeling ashamed of their attendance to a community college. The Oracle Editorial Board believes that alternate post-high school plans deserve the same respect as plans that include four-year institutions. Therefore, we urge that students resolving to undertake alternate plans be treated as such. Social worker David Hartman said that, at least from the perspective of the administration, students are seen as equal despite their post-high school decisions. He believes it is ultimately up to the student, not what society expects of them. “For most of the teachers I know and for sure all of the clinicians I know, [...] we don’t value [differing priorities],” Hartman said. “What we do is look to [each individual] and ask what’s the best for them.” However, accepting and eliminating the stigma is easier said than done as group effort is required to do so. According to Hartman, students are societally expected to attend college after high school. Because of this idea, he believes that students who don’t have the opportunity to go to college or decide not to attend are perceived to have a lack of ambition. “In our community, there’s a presumption that [college] is what’s next,” Hartman said. “The frank

answer is that’s not what’s next for some kids. Whether that’s because of a disability or because of maturity or because of finances or because of other reasons I can’t even think of, there are lots of different reasons why college isn’t next for some kids.”

lege due to the large expenses of four-year institutions. A year of classes at Oakton tends to cost about $8,065, while a year at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, for example, can cost up to $30,330 for an Illinois resident, according to collegedata.com.

Financial reasons

Compatibility with educational system

Several students choose to attend communiAlbert Einstein and Thomas Edison are famous ty colleges, Oakton Community College being the for their brilliant minds yet in school, they were most popular choice among South students (see relatively unsuccessful. The Oracle Editorial Board the college map page 12-13), for the first two years would like to argue that some students may learn after high school. This usually allows for students better outside of the rigid school system we are fato get their General Education courses fulfilled miliar with, as the aforementioned famous indiearly and then transfer to a larger institution to viduals did. focus on their maAccording to Dan“It seemed only fair that, after 12 jor for the next two iel Zapler, teacher of years of classrooms and studying the Issues and Anyears. Soju Kunchandy, and stress, I could take a year to my- swers Philosophy South alumnus and class, he feels some self and get away from all of that. brilliant students current Oakton student, chose Oakton Unfortunately, not all people look at may have the misperfor the long-term fiception that they are it that way.” nancial benefits. unintelligent if they - South graduate Madison O’Brien are unsuccessful in “When I first started [looking at things such as writcolleges], I didn’t want to go [to] Oakton just being essays or multiple choice exams. cause I wanted that college experience, but at the Zapler also believes that if a student chooses same time, I knew it was a smart financial move,” to not proceed onto a college or university and Kunchandy said. instead start living in the ‘real world’, they are The Oracle Editorial Board would also like to thrown into real-life experiences with obstacles address that regardless of college qualifications, they must learn to overcome. The Editorial Board financial needs sometime take precedence over would like to point out that this form of learning one’s academic ambitions. Kunchandy agrees with can be more effective for some as it would force this point based on the diversity of people he has one to take risks and face failures, which Zapler armet at Oakton. gues students are taught to avoid. Kunchandy recalls a student he knew who was accepted into the University of Chicago but did not Travelling and Service attend because of financial reasons. This is a prime In reference to students taking gap years, some example of why the stigma of students going to community college due to lack of intelligence is resort to this alternative plan in order to take advantage of the year off from school. Many use this inaccurate. While Kunchandy does believe there is a stig- time to work and save money for college, discover ma present, he feels it is slowly changing because their passions or gain worldly experience through more students are attending community col- travelling. Contrary to some beliefs, students use

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.

editors-in-chief Lauren Frias* Hannah Mason* Dani Tuchman* news editors Katie Cavender John Schurer opinions editors Evan Sawires* Elaine Sine* features editors Alexandra Sharp Anne Marie Yurik a&e editors Mollie Cramer* Hannah Rauh*

sports editors Georgia Arvanitis* Samantha Casey photos editors Ashley Clark* Jacqueline DeWitt* asst. news Grace Shin Sasha Vassilyeva asst. opinions Jonathan Lee Lilly Ludwig* asst. features Leah Dunne Maddy Ruos Gracie Sands* Olivia Sotirchos*

their gap year to do more than just sit. South graduate Madison O’Brien spent her gap year travelling the Eastern Hemisphere. For three months in Zambia, she taught and worked with native children. She then spent five months in South America, which consisted of backpacking in Argentina, Chile and Peru for two months and volunteering in the Amazon rainforest. She concluded her travels by spending a month in Colombia. In the fall, O’Brien plans to attend McGill University in Montreal, Canada. According to O’Brien, taking a gap year provided her the necessary freedom to find herself and discover her passions. However, this came at the cost of straying from the expected high school to college transition. “I decided to take a gap year because I love to travel, and I didn’t want to wait to see the world,” O’Brien said. “For me, school could wait. It seemed only fair that, after 12 years of classrooms and studying and stress, I could take a year to myself and get away from all of that. Unfortunately, not all people look at it that way. Especially graduating from a place like South - where over 95 percent of graduates attend college straight away - what I did was definitely out of the norm.” O’Brien said that she was affected by the stigma pinned against students that don’t go straight to university after high school. Amidst all of her peers choosing colleges to attend, she began to waver in her decision to travel instead of going to school. With a stigma having such a powerful influence to almost stop a student from pursuing their dream, the Oracle Editorial believes that we as a community need to work collectively to end the stigma created simply because gap years deviate from the norm. “I remember thinking that I was making the wrong decision, since so few were making it with me,” O’Brien said. “My close friends and family were always really supportive, but I could tell that some of my parents’ friends and some of my relatives thought I was crazy. [...] It’s ridiculous how many people think that those who take gap years are ‘just not ready for college’. The amount of times people asked me, ‘Why?’ was crazy. The real question should be, ‘Why not?’”

asst. a&e Nick Moran Hwa Oh* asst. sports Sophie Hensley Cassidy Jackson asst. photos Sophie Mason adviser Marshall Harris *Denotes senior editor gbsoracle@gmail.com “The Glenbrook South Oracle”

@GBSOracle

opinions

May 27, 2016

College tuition leads to unthinkable decisions, disheartening lifestyles

Letter to freshman self: Tips and tricks to live by

EVAN SAWIRES senior editor

Dear past me, ELAINE SINE senior editor

After we leave high school, we’ll be the mature, untouchable college students getting an education. It doesn’t matter what price we have to pay for it, so long as it’s an education, even if it gives you crippling debt. And when we think of paying off those debts, the idea of doing sex work is taboo and not an option, especially for the well-off suburban kids like us who reside in the North Shore bubble. However, according to Vice, five percent of college students in the UK have done some type of sex work (prostitution, cam shows, etc.). Although this doesn’t seem like a grand percentage, one in five students said that they thought of doing sex work to pay their tuition for college. This isn’t just a British phenomenon, and it also occurs in the United States: Miriam Weeks, also known by her stage name Belle Knox, was a student at Duke University who began working in porn to pay for her tuition. Later on, due to Weeks’ income as a porn star, the university took away her financial aid, and she had to pay the full $62,000 tuition. Let’s all take a moment to take this in: we have to consider doing work we’re not passionate about in order to pay for something that should inherently be a right in order to strive for the quality of life we should all deserve. These facts about student sex work are disgusting not because of people who choose a career in sex work, but because they are forced to consider it since it’s money they could earn to pay for the glorified notion of a college education that is worth any price. In this progressive world where the U.S. government condoned spending 693 billion dollars on the military budget in 2010, according to Business Insider, we can’t even manage to offer all American children the choice to go to college with the inflated price for a degree. If you’ve ever seen Good Will Hunting in which M.I.T janitor Will Hunting actually turns out to be a math genius, you’d know that everyone has the capabilities to become someone more than who they’re seen as from their socioeconomic position in life if they are given the chance. Yes, Good Will Hunting is a fictional movie, so you’re probably going to think, “Well, that kind of intelligence isn’t something you encounter in real life,” right? Well, what about in the documentary Spellbound, where Ashley White is a bright, entirely real girl with a photographic memory from Washington, D.C. who competed with other intelligent children in the 1999 Scripps National Spelling bee? Even with this beautiful talent of hers, White’s socioeconomic status and circumstance almost made her not go to college after getting pregnant at age 18. A woman named Pam Jones found White after viewing the film and used her power as a nonprofit marketing consultant to help White go to Howard University, according to the Washington Post. No doubt is White smart, hard-working, persevering and a God-given gift on earth for her talents in which she “banged out 18 units a semester” to graduate, according to the Washington Post. However, if she didn’t get the publicity from the movie in which she was featured, who would have cared about her? It’s disappointing to see that governments around the world, especially the United States (where we declare the “liberty and justice for all”), can’t see that they’re wasting the potential of their children. Free college education would allow for everyone to show their potential, yet we continuously ruin it with this concern for money. But please, continue extorting us, the sons and daughters of America, in order to gain that extra money you totally need. It’s not like we need it to survive in this world of moral stagnation, right?

Ok. So, over the past four years at GBS, you’ve picked up some stuff. Some of it (6%) good, most of it (94%) not good. Here are some tips and tricks that hopefully would have balanced these statistics more. Good luck fam. 1. Learn to speak when you’ve got something to say, but don’t stress about the grade, it’ll only make you tired.

2. You should talk to teachers when you need help. Try and do this even if it requires overcoming literal tunnel vision, as it occasionally did for me. You should also find some teachers you can talk to when you just want to talk to an adult who isn’t your parents. Their honesty and openness may surprise you; you just gotta be willing to hear it. 3. Take the classes you want to take! Freshman year, you were weighed down by all honors classes you weren’t interested in, but as you begin to increasingly prioritize interest over level, your grades will go up anyway. 4. Step out of the box a little and take something you wouldn’t normally take. You’ll take journalistic writing as a freshman despite having occasional nightmares about the concept of conducting an interview, but Oracle has ended up being my primary activity at South. 5. It is ok to occasionally get called out of class to take a nap. You deserve it! 6. Learn how to publicly speak. I never got the hang of it (and I doubt I ever will), but it’s better

than it was freshman year. So, get on it early to do what you can. 7. Not to sound like the grumpy old person who’s bitter about not understanding computers, but social media can be the worst. Facebook is always bad, no exceptions. Twitter and Tumblr are ok as long as you follow people you like & can improve from. Instagram and Snapchat, being unconducive to textual communication, are the only pure and righteous forms. Use them well. 8. The kiddos who vape in the parking lot are literally the Coolest People In The World and the rest of us must honor and respect them. 9. Read more books, especially but not exclusively fiction (theory alone will suck the creativity and hope out of you). Do this at the expense of small homework assignments if you have to. Prioritize big picture learning. 10. Speaking of homework, you probably should have done more of it. I know I just said to prioritize learning, but there’s a middle ground. Don’t let your grades slip because you don’t want to take 15 minutes to fill in some blanks. 11. Don’t check Powerschool. It is a terrible website that does not acknowledge extenuating circumstances and it will make you feel bad about yourself. 12. The atmosphere in this school will make you feel smothered by self-righteousness and it’ll make you tired for three years straight. This is inevitable. Address it when you feel you have to; otherwise, surround yourself with people who are the opposite. 13. Gain what you can from your time here. Historically, the Oracle’s letters-to-self have been pretty positive and nostalgic, and that’ll definitely apply to a lot of your time here. But again, you’ll be here four years; find some value in it.

Illustration by Jini John

Final senior days give opportunities to form new friendships

JONATHAN LEE co-opinions editor

When we first encountered them on our first day of high school, we immediately understood that they are the top dogs. No one is as cool as them. They run the school, they start the trends and they don’t care about anything. Who are they? What is their next move? What will get in their way? Seniors: there’s no means of stopping them. Other than being really tall, obnoxious, annoying and intimidating, seniors are actually good people. Shocker right?! Sure, they make fun of you and ignore you. If you haven’t had a senior yell, “Freshman suck!” to you, even if you were a sophomore, you haven’t fully experienced the love they give. But in all honesty, seniors help in ways we don’t often think about. In less than a month, our seniors will be leaving us, and it’ll soon be time to say goodbye. I’ve met a lot of seniors this year, and they have helped me immensely during my junior year. I’ve met them through clubs, classes and even through things like Paranoia*. You don’t have to go to Kairos to find your “family,” they’re already out there you just have to find them. There are many reasons why I think seniors are pretty cool people, and here are a few of them. Seniors give amazing advice. Why? Because they went through the same thing you’re going through right now. Your parents don’t remember anything from high school, and how is the dean going to help if you need to know the best times to ditch class? When I got a B+ on a math test, I had no idea what to do. I was broken emotionally and physically. I just wanted to hide in

DRAMATIZATION a local supermarket and become a banana. But because of some amazing seniors I knew, they reminded me that there’s more to life than just school. How amazing is that??? Another reason is that seniors are the nicest people. Yes, I said it. Sure, there are some kids that might seem like jerks on the outside, but on the inside, there’s a bit of good in them. Freshmen are too busy being shy. Sophomores are too busy antagonizing the freshman. They’re at the stage where they think they know everything about the school, but in reality they really don’t. Juniors say they are too busy with their own “problems” like with ACT and college, so they get super worked up about little things, but they’re just really lazy. And then there are the seniors. Having it be their last year, they really want to make up for all their mistakes in the past. It’s their last way of leaving their mark and making a difference at South. At the end of the day, we’re all going to be seniors at some point. Obviously we want the best for others, and we want to make a difference in everyone’s life, whether you teach someone a valuable lesson, promote a club or give strategies on the best ways of sleeping without getting caught.

For example, in freshman year, a senior taught me the technique of “the prayer.” It’s when you’re feeling pretty tired in class and need some rest, you fold your hands in prayer and you put your head down. This gives you five minutes max, but if your teacher starts to get suspicious, he or she might ask you to wake up, but by that time, you’re awake and you say, “Amen” to finish off your prayer. So as we go on, we remember, all the times we had together. For underclassmen, seniors are definitely intimidating, and there’s a chance that you haven’t interacted with any. So I urge you to talk to one of them, and I promise you it will be worth it. I recommend doing the ‘Running Man’ if you’re too scared to talk because seniors love trendy dances. And for seniors, go talk to an underclassman. You guys have like two weeks before you leave, no pressure. So from the bottom of my heart, I just want to say: thank you. *Read “A day in the life of a paranoier” from Issue 6 to learn more about Paranoia.

reviews

May 27, 2016

Captain America: Civil War revives classic debates Captain America defends Avengers Iron Man fights for accountability

LAUREN FRIAS senior editor

What do you think of when you hear the word “superhero”? Maybe you picture Superman saving a damsel in distress; or you see Spiderman swinging from building to building to save a child from getting hit by a car. But what if the safety of these victims was compromised by government interference? Then who gets to decide what a hero needs to sacrifice in order to truly stand for justice? In the latest Marvel box office hit, Captain America: Civil War, this is exactly the case. From encounters with extraterrestrials to fighting Ultron, the artificial intelligence with a god complex, the Avengers saved the day in both their first and second installments. Despite the best of their efforts to evacuate the cities, lives were lost amidst the destruction, creating the inaccurate perception that the Avengers view civilian casualty as just another part of the job. The most notable incident of citizen casualty takes place in Sokovia, a country in eastern Europe, in which Ultron decidedly plotted to eradicate the human race and “purify” the Earth by hurling the country like a meteor back into the Earth, producing a large enough tremor to wipe out mankind. The incident indubitably ended with thousands, if not millions, of lives lost, and with that alongside another similar situation in Lagos, Nigeria, the Sokovia Accords were introduced in Civil War. The Sokovia Accords established a United Nations panel that detailed the terms and conditions of the heroes’ job, i.e. only letting them interfere in global conflict if the government allows it. However, good ol’ Captain America (Chris Evans) stood by the hero code, abiding by the freedom and liberty of his own terms of justice and refusing to submit to the will of the government. Though some join Cap on his side of undesignated justice, others decided to avoid conflict and sign the accords, namely Tony Stark a.k.a Iron Man (Robert Downy Jr.), a surprising contrast to his normally autonomous demeanor depicted in previous films. All things taken into consideration, I stand, now and forever, with Team

Cap. Lives were lost in Washington, D.C., New York, Sokovia and Lagos, but it is presumptuous, to say the least, that having the government dictate the Avengers’ involvement will solve the problem of citizen casualty. If anything, it could increase them, granted the government’s emotional detachment from the situation. The deaths happened, not because the heroes didn’t care, but because they don’t have the capacity to save every person; to say that the Avengers are outnumbered is an understatement. Let’s keep in mind that these guys have been “good guys” for a while now. If anything, they put their lives first to save civilians. Remember Hawkeye using his body as a shield to save the Sokovian boy in Age of Ultron, and how Quicksilver ran in front of them to take the hit and save them at the expense of his own life? Being a hero is a never-ending train of loss and sacrifice, but that doesn’t mean that they choose the civilians to face that fate. While the Avengers remain divided going into the Infinity Wars series, all that superhero fans can hold on to is that they’ll put aside their differences and reunite as a team. For all they know, some formidable foe, one even bigger than the Avengers themselves, is coming their way; one that can’t be overcome by a team divided.

HANNAH MASON senior editor

I’m going to cut straight to the point, no attention grabbing lead or anything. Point blank: I am team Iron Man. Yup, you heard me right. In the latest installment to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Captain America: Civil War, which hit theatres May 6, Iron Man (Tony Stark) and Captain America (Steve Rogers) are faced against each other in a fight of loyalty, friendship and justice. The initial argument revolves around the Avengers signing the Sokovia Accords, which would prohibit their ability to take action in catastrophic situations. Of course, this is where we see the initial divide between Iron Man, who believes they should sign the document, and Captain America, who feels the opposite. After destruction and death in New York in Avengers (2012), Sokovia in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) and Logas, Nigeria in Captain America: Civil War, the team of heroes have wreaked havoc internationally. Stark has so much pent up guilt over the lives lost, that he hopes signing the contract would help him be one step closer to easing his conscience. Captain America does have a point though: who are they to take away his free will? At the same time, this free will is costing lives and causing ruin. The Avengers aren’t ordinary people, and sometimes the rules can’t apply to people who can so easily break them. There needs to be some kind of restriction to keep the peace of mind of people who aren’t as extraordinary. Though Stark initially seems harsh towards his teammates, as the plot developed, I learned of the rough break-up Stark recently is going through with girlfriend Pepper Potts, which is not a surprise considering their fight at the end of Avengers: Age of Ultron. Stark is also in a state of grief, as he has been having to rehash his feelings after his parents’ death in order to promote the new technology he created. The problem soon evolves to become more about Captain America’s inability to put his emotions aside and imprison Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier and his best friend from the 1940’s. While captured by the Soviets during World War II, Barnes’s mind was

played with to make him a maniac killer when they would repeat a code to him. Thus, making him uncontrollable when under this spell. Even though Captain America and Bucky’s relationship is the epitome of a bromance, Bucky is unsustainable and puts the well being of everyone around him in danger. Iron Man simply wants to protect the people, and isn’t that the real job of a hero? Captain America is selfish in his actions because he only cares to protect selected people. Iron Man isn’t some kind of horrible monster either, so I don’t understand Captain America’s lack of trust towards him in this scenario. Given the enormous amount of resources he has, he would probably be the only person that could help cure Bucky. If Rogers and Stark had some kind of civilized conversation to go over their options, this entire fight and splitting of the Avengers wouldn’t have happened. Then again, this is Hollywood, and all reasonable solutions are thrown out the door. Overall, the fate of the Avengers now lies up in the air; Tony Stark is destroyed emotionally, mentally and physically. The fate of the MCU we have known since Iron Man was introduced in 2008 has been altered, and there is really no telling where it will take us until the release of Avengers: Infinity War I in 2018.

A Moon Shaped Pool astounds listeners, holds up to past successes SASHA VASSILYEVA co-opinions editor

For nearly five years, Radiohead has stayed on hiatus with no singles or albums released since 2011 and virtually no activity since the King of Limbs tour in 2012. However, their ninth studio album, A Moon Shaped Pool, which was released on May 8, met all my expectations and more. With Thom Yorke’s vocals and Jonny Greenwood’s orchestral score, this album moves beyond the typical Radiohead sound and into a new era of contemporary acoustics and political antagonism. What drew me into this album was the single “Burn the Witch,” which was released five days prior to the album. Greenwood’s modern string arrangements and Yorke’s powerful lyrics alongside a stop-motion animation video deliver a startling, dark political statement which moves past the typical anti-society cliches seen in a lot of music. Lyrics like “This is a low flying panic attack” fit many scenarios from the presidential race to who should be allowed to use which bathroom and bring to light the simpler truths of our society. The deviation from their previous electronic vibe to a more gentle, acoustic one really intrigued

me. Though electronics haven’t been entirely abandoned, the use of piano, acoustic guitar and strings in songs such as “Desert Island Dark” and “Glass Eyes” created an overall relaxing atmosphere and added a sort of elegance to Yorke’s words. In this album Greenwood also introduced a technique known as col legno battuto, Italian for “hit with the wood,” in which players strike their strings with the wooden part of their bow rather than bowing them, producing a percussion sound. This technique is primarily seen in “Burn the Witch” and is another quality that has made this song a personal favorite. Just as well, other songs such as “The Numbers” didn’t fail to impress with its own in-

credible string section and use of percussion and acoustic guitar to create a jazzy aura. The album was released less than a year after Yorke split with his wife, but by no means does this make it a “break up” album; however, songs such as “Daydreaming” appear to connect to themes of loss and remorse. At the end of the song, Yorke’s voice is played backwards saying “Half my life,” probably referring to the 47 year-old’s 23 year marriage in one way or another. Other songs such as “Identikit” also seem to illustrate underlying themes of heartbreak as Yorke sings “I see you messing me around” and “Broken hearts make it rain.” However, saying this is their “break up” al-

bum takes it too far. After all, this is Radiohead, not Taylor Swift. The album ends with “True Love Waits,”which has been around since circa 1995. Now recreated and reduced to just Yorke and a piano, a combination that comes close to perfection, this version of the song brings a new meaning to its words. Never have I purchased a full album off iTunes until I heard A Moon Shaped Pool. It’s soothing instrumentals and eerie motifs instilled a newfound admiration for Radiohead. After staying silent for so long, this album was worth the wait.

seniors

May 27, 2016

MOST CHANGED

In an Oracle-conducted survey, the senior class voted on who they thought were the most-changed of their grade. These seniors had the most votes!

BEFORE

Edgar Borun

Alex Sirakides

After

Patrick Szczerbowski Maggie Kmiecik

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seniors

Com m Glenbrook South was named number one in the nation for the best extracurricular activities by Niche.com. Juniors Danielle Callas and Bailey Burke work on a pyramid for GBS’s Turnabout dance, one of the many activities at South. Photo by John Schurer

The 2016 Variety show, Curiosity, featured the various acts of talented South students during Feb. 24-27. One of the acts was junior Trey Haris who performed his original rap, “Wanna Know.” Photo Courtesy of Alana Swaringen

Jamnesty, organized by Amnesty International and STAND for Peace, occurred on April 15. Students performed music, poetry and speeches. The goal of the event was to raise issues of international human rights. Photo by Jacqueline DeWitt

Wome n

Dive sends 10 to d n a sta im

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A & E

Jamnesty promotes global change

meet te

S P O R T S

Principal Lauren Fagel discusses the issue of gender inclusivity awareness at a Gender in Schools committee meeting. The committee’s meeting on April 12 was the first of many that the committee hopes will foster a welcoming environment for all gender identities. Photo by Jacqueline DeWitt

uth presents o S C ok o r

Dance Show Sparks artistic expression On Dec. 11, various South dancers performed at the Dance Show, Spark. The event featured Orchesis, De La Cru, Poms and Latino Heat. The event was organized by the Orchesis dance group as an opportunity for various styles of dance to share the stage for one night. Photo by Jacqueline DeWitt

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Due to Syria’s civil war, about nine million refugees have taken asylum. GBS custodians Sahar Barkho and her husband Stewart Adam are affected by the issue through familial connections in the country. The South community has shown interest in assisting the crisis. Photo by Dani Tuchman

South number one high school in nation for extracurriculars

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Syria affects n i So is ris

The Oracle selected highlights from 2015-2016 news, a&e, and sports stories. towards g

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N E W S

TOP 3:

May 27, 2016

Football season ends without post-season The men’s swimming and diving team closed off the 20152016 season with a 10th place finish at the IHSA state meet. The team took a step back from last year’s third-place finish. Photo courtesy of Visual Image Photography

Graphic by Ashley Clark

Titan football ended on Oct. 16 when the men lost their last game to New Trier with a score of 35-14. Despite the lack of a post-season, Head Coach Mike Noll had pride for the team’s seniors. Although their last season ended abruptly, he described that the seniors’ admirable leadership skills were evident on and off the field. Photo by Ashley Clark

The varsity women’s basketball team finished their season with a record of 25-6, according to Head Coach Steve Weissenstein. The most memorable games were wins against New Trier and Loyola with scores of 48-40 and 43-33 respectively, according to Weissenstein. Photo by Ashley Clark

seniors

May 27, 2016

SENIOR SUPERLATIVES

MOST LIKELY TO...

GET CARDED WHEN THEY’RE 30:

BEST...

DAD BOD: Ben Carlson

Dani Alper BE NORTH SHORE PARENTS:

FASHION SENSE: Taylor Raschillo Emma Thomas & Trevor Burke

MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN:

Megan Briggs & Nolan Bertog

seniors

May 27, 2016

MOST LIKELY TO...

Nov 5, 2010

BE SEEN HULA HOOPING AT COACHELLA:

BEST... BROMANCE:

Carrie Reusche BE LATE TO GRADUATION:

Perri Stewart & Pranav Gulukota

Michael Rodriguez & James Catizone

DAB:

BE THE NEXT SHELLARD:

Calvin Sailer

Danny Schiller

seniors

May 27, 2016

STUDENT ATHLETES CONTINUE ON TO DIVISION ONE ATHLETIC PROGRAMS GEORGIA ARVANITIS senior editor

Justin Machado

Caitlin Morrison

Fordham University Baseball

Valparaiso University Basketball

McLain Murphy

University of Vermont Lacrosse

Jordan Libman

Illinois State University Baseball

Sarah McDonagh

San Diego State University Lacrosse

Tommy Hagerty Boston University Swimming

Sam Salganik

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Swimming

South students embark on gap year journeys, pursue alternate plans OLIVIA SOTIRCHOS senior editor

LISA GEBIEN

JACK MAHON

BARB SODOS

What are you planning on doing next year during your gap year?

What do you plan on doing next year during your pursuit of an alternate plan?

I am a creating a bucket list of things I want to do during my gap year. So far, some of the items on my list include becoming a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), travelling to Paris, catching up on my reading list, skiing as much as possible and visiting friends at their respective colleges. However, I will mainly be working and interning with a local hospice.

What caused or inspired you to take a gap year?

I was offered the opportunity to take a gap year and then join the University of Chicagoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (U of C) class of 2021. Even though I initially planned to enroll in college this coming fall, the U of C has always been my first choice, so I began to research gap years. After speaking with several students who had taken gap years, I decided I could greatly benefit from one.

What do you hope to get out of your gap year?

I intend to use next year as a time to rest and reenergize before college. I am not quite sure what I will learn, but the unknown is alluring. I especially hope to gain more perspective before going off to college.

What do you plan on studying during your time at the University of Chicago?

I plan to major in Biological Chemistry and minor in History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Science and Medicine.

I am enlisted in the Marine Corps. I am set to report to recruit training this summer.

What caused or inspired you to pursue this plan?

I have seen the positive changes experienced by Marines and have been deeply inspired by it. My junior year, [... ] I was first given the chance to truly interact with Marines at a local recruitment station. It was a powerful experience and I soon began to plan for an enlistment in the Marines.

What do you hope to get out of your years as a Marine?

One reason I decided to enlist in the Marine Corps was to find a path in life. Also, I am looking to not only benefit from the financial and educational benefits from the Marine Corps, but also from the important qualities such as discipline that I know will come out of the experience.

Will you be starting college in 2017? If so, where and what will you be studying?

I will be taking college classes through military programs. My education will probably not be complete during military service, but I plan to finish it after my time in the military.

I will be drafting to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for two years of service.

What caused or inspired you to pursue this plan after graduating high school?

Most of my life Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve known that I wanted to go to the Israeli Army. Every [Israeli] citizen at the age of 18 drafts to the army in order to protect and serve the country. I am moving to Israel permanently. I feel that if my friends, family and the rest of the country have to go to the army, so do I.

What do you hope to get out of your years serving in the Israel Defense Forces?

I hope to gain leadership abilities, learn many life lessons, as well as experience in a field that I might be interested to go into one day.

Do you plan on going to college after your years of service?

I plan to go to college after I finish my two years of service. If I decide to sign on more time with the army, then they will send me to get a degree in a specific field that they want me to go into.

seniors

May 27, 2016

CLASS OF 2016 ALABAMA

Maddy Eenigenburg, Auburn University Ben Carlson, Auburn University

Clayton Nimz, University of Alabama Marlye Jerva, University of Alabama Miranda DeBow, University of Alabama Emily Abrams, University of Alabama Emma Thomas ,University of Alabama Mia Crespo, University of Alabama

ARIZONA

Hannah Qutaishat, Northern Arizona University Macy McPhilliamy, University of Arizona

CALIFORNIA

MASSACHUSETTS MICHIGAN Brian Lada, Berklee College of Music Ella Voss, Boston College Tiam Moradi, Boston University Lauren Frias, Boston University Meilin Chan, Boston University Maddie Cohen, Boston University Tommy Hagerty, Boston University Kevin Gordon, Harvard University Jane Oh, Northeastern University Doug Stryker, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Andrew Kim, Tufts University Doroteya Yoshovska, Suffolk University

Samantha Levi, University of Southern California Dani Tuchman, University of Southern California Sarah McDonagh, San Diego State University Timothy Torres, California Institute of the Arts Edgar Borun, Santa Monica Community College June Kim, California State University Jordan Chiappetta, Peter Dales, Chapman University University of California-Berkeley Lilly Ludwig, Dominican University of California Tori Brown, Santa Clara University Hannah Rauh, University of Michigan Megan Tristano, University of San Diego Brian Roche, Santa Clara University Carolyn Levi, University of Southern California Michael Sarov, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts P.J. Thoelecke, University of Michigan Nick Panagakis, University of Michigan Stuart Hannah, University of Michigan

COLORADO

Sarah Maestranzi, Colorado State University Samuel Canary, Colorado State University Julia Sonnenfeld, University of Denver Maddie Murphy, University of Denver Angelo Nickele, Regis University

Taewon Kim, Andrews University Kyrus Tsai, Calvin College Sarah Westerfield, Grand Valley State University Nicole Hampton, Grand Valley State University Charles Vanderveen, Michigan State University Sydney DeHorn, Michigan State University Holly Hennelly, Michigan State University Agila Abraham, Michigan State University Jeremy Joseph, University of Detroit-Mercy Madeline Shechtman, University of Michigan Sarah Hussain, University of Michigan Perry Adamopoulos, University of Michigan Ashley Clark, University of Michigan Cassandra Huerta, University of Michigan Ali Boland, University of Michigan Adam Ley, University of Michigan Vinny Ahluwalia, University of Michigan

NEW YORK

Julianne Arnold, Bard College Mollie Cramer, Cornell University Komal Gupta, Cornell University Juliette Ovadia, Cornell University Daniel Weber, Cornell University Justin Machado, Fordham University Charith Wickrema, Hofstra University Edward (EJ) Joseph Reynolds, Ithaca College Charlie You, New York University Jimmy Martinelli, New York University Olivia Sotirchos, New York University Taylor Raschillo, Parsons School for Design Brian Filipiak, University of Rochester Alexander Brown, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Ray Rigney, University of Dayton Trevor Lohre, University of Dayton Brant Hlavin, University of Dayton Tray Cashman, University of Dayton Maggie Sullivan, University of Dayton Livvie Roberson, University of Dayton Edem Darkey, University of Dayton Olivia Peters, Walsh University Madeline Sprowls, Ohio State University Claudia Wojslaw, Ohio State University Joseph Gorgas Jr., Ohio Technical College Conor Faut, Ohio University Brian Blanchard, Ohio University Preeti Patel, Ohio University

north carolina utah Cameron Beach, Duke University Michael Callahan, Wake Forest University Harish Rajan, Wake Forest University

ohio Lisa Kim, Case Western University Grace Moran, Case Western University Benjamin Friedland, Cleveland Institute of Music Carrie Reusche, Denison University Andrew Aviles, Heidelberg University Megan Edelstein, John Carroll University Alex Freidinger, Kenyon College Isabela Galarza, Miami University Nick Campobasso, Miami University Patrick Garden, Miami University Johannes Aquino, Miami University Andrew Marziani, Miami University Nolan Bertog, Miami University Ty Jablonski, Miami University Jacub Stos, Miami University Dionisis Papadatos, Miami University Jake Bertog, Miami University Ryan McFaul, Miami University Adrian Rafalski, Miami University George Maroutsos, Miami University Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami University Bobby Quinn, University of Dayton Owen Boyle, University of Dayton Rosemary Maher, University of Dayton Jack Miller, University of Dayton Alex Zepeda, University of Dayton

Ross Carpenter, University of Colorado Boulder Ivy Zhou, University of Colorado Boulder Erika Bim, University of Colorado Boulder Chris Andrew, University of Colorado Boulder Vivian Vaisanen, University of Colorado Boulder

CONNECTICUT Samantha Mason, University of Connecticut

Caroline Satherlie, Eckerd College Anna Taju, Florida A&M College of Pharmacy Michael Jaszewski, Florida Gulf Coast University Kyle Hagan, Florida Gulf Coast University Julia Walker, Florida State University Andrew Kaczmarek, Lynn University

WISCONSIN

Daniel Jenkins, Carroll University Meira Mathew, Carroll University Bryna Jacob, Carroll University Tiffany Thomas, Carroll University Ian Sanford, Milwaukee School of Engineering Katie Schmalz, Marquette University Matthew Zerwic, Marquette University Timothy Nowak, Marquette University Dea Poshi, Marquette University Nolan Urban, Marquette University Gemini Plamoottil, Marquette University Megan Briggs, Marquette University Joanne Tralmer, Marquette University Bridget Fogarty, Marquette University Juhi Gandhi, Marquette University Harte Haffner, Marquette University Katie Coy, Marquette University Teodora Vukosavljevic, Marquette University Daniel LaPierre, Marquette University George Giannetos, Marquette University Casey Kleeman, Marquette University Alexandra Hristakos, Marquette University Sinead Heneghan, Marquette University Charlotte Daniels, Marquette University Michaela Balestrieri, Marquette University Julia Bellair, Marquette University

WASHINGTON Miranda Koulogeorge, Digipen Institute of Technology Don Savaiano, Gonzaga University Ali Campbell, University of Washington Jess Melchor, Seattle Pacific University

Ben Herzon, University of Wisconsin-Madison Paul Sohn, University of Wisconsin-Madison Kasey Busiel, University of Wisconsin-Madison Elizabeth Jortberg, University of Wisconsin-Madison Nicole Schreiber, University of Wisconsin-Madison Matt Grinde, University of Wisconsin-Madison Nimil Patel, University of Wisconsin-Madison Courtney Morrison, University of Wisconsin-Madison Maggie Kmiecik, University of Wisconsin-Madison Anne Brennan, University of Wisconsin-Madison Alyssa Carrillo, University of Wisconsin-Madison Abby Roberts, University of Wisconsin-Madison Isabella Luo, University of Wisconsin-Madison Lauren Benson, University of Wisconsin-Madison Erica Gelman, University of Wisconsin-Madison Will Villaflor, University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse Jilly Hebert, University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse John Loyola, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Troy Wilson, University of Wisconsin-Platteville Sam Salganik, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Jennifer Luciu, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

ALTERNATIVE PLANS Barbara Sodos, Drafting to the Israeli Defense Forces Francisco Martinez, U.S. Marine Corps Ted Steger, Gap year Lisa Gebien, Gap year then attending University of Chicago Andrew Torres, U.S. Marine Corps Bogdan Todorean, Construction work Sandra Sanchez-Cruz, Gap year John Mahon, U.S. Marine Corps Ivan Ricardo Flores, Marine Corps Infantry Ash Box, Gap year

Quinn Hennelly, Savannah College of Art & Design Stephen Sholty, Savannah College of Art & Design Jordan Chiang, Georgia Gwinnett College

INDIANA

Brian Johnson, Indiana University Rebecca Wittenstein, Indiana University Kate Maki, Indiana University Andrew Block, Butler University Thomas Karnig, Indiana University Sarah Jane Rubenstein, Butler University Matt Harrison, Indiana University James Lustig, Butler University Jacob Just, Purdue University- West Lafayette Henry Tarbox, Butler University Marc Turenne, Purdue University- West Lafayette Nate Stadler, DePauw University Angely John, Purdue University- West Lafayette Alexa Steil, DePauw University Alan Gelman, Purdue University- West Lafayette Matt Cabrera, Holy Cross College James Catizone, Purdue University- West Lafayette Maddie Pastor, Indiana University Jack Ryan, Purdue University- West Lafayette Billy Loggarakis, Indiana University Danielle Eickenburg, Purdue University-West Lafayette Georgia Arvanitis, Indiana University Patrick Tener, Purdue University - Indianapolis Pamela Haralampopoulos, Indiana University Caitlin Morrison, Valparaiso University Ben Milling, Indiana University Taylor Strong, Saint Mary’s College Coady Raab, Indiana University Hwa Oh, University of Notre Dame Hannah Mason, Indiana University James Mullaney IV, Purdue University-West Lafayette Rose O’Grady, Indiana University Aagam Shah, Purdue University-West Lafayette Winston Park, Purdue University-West Lafayette Daniel Krolopp, Purdue University-West Lafayette

Ellisa Kim, Drake University Tiya Tito, Drake University Arina Kim, Grinnell College Alexander White, Iowa State University Andy Finzer, Iowa State University Dylan Ryan, Iowa State University Max Bunim, University of Iowa Patrick Doumitt, University of Iowa Amanda Kelly, University of Iowa Emily Blachman, University of Iowa Tyler Canning, University of Iowa Grant Reese, University of Iowa Jamie Christ, University of Iowa Jack Pabich, University of Iowa Majdi Khatib, University of Iowa Cassidy Henry, University of Iowa Matthew Skweres, University of Iowa Melissa Scherer, University of Iowa Isabel Salvador, University of Iowa Mckenzie Anthony, University of Iowa Johnny Hughes, University of Iowa John Hennelly, University of Iowa Andre Rajchwald, University of Iowa

Kami Kosharova, University of Richmond Alison O’Hara, University of Richmond

Thomas Barrett, McGill University- Montreal, Quebec Jaiden Hamelin, Western University - London, Ontario Claudia Choi, Yonsei University - South Korea Anna Madsen, University of British Columbia- Vancouver, Canada Mitchell McCrory, University of Ottawa- Ottawa, Ontario

Ashley Meek, University of Miami-Florida Grace Poulos, University of Tampa Gabby Baldo, University of Tampa Kaley Mulhern, University of Tampa Hanna Punnoose, Nova Southern University

georgia

IOWA

virginia

Jackie O’Connell, Middlebury College Jack Collins, University of Vermont McLain Murphy, University of Vermont

INTERNATIONAL

FLORIDA

Trevor Burke, Emory University Daniel Bujnowski, Emory University Michael Aki, Georgia Institute of Technology

Natalie Wiseman, Utah State University

vermont

KANSAS

Samantha Nevin, University of Kansas Olivia Hlade, University of Kansas Jamie Deal, University of Kansas David Castroblanco, University of Kansas

KENTUCKY

Darius Jones, Western Kentucky University Melanie Reimann, Western Kentucky University Hope Carrane, University of Kentucky

LOUISIANA Casey Coletta, Tulane University Jake Biales, Tulane University Claire Demorest, Tulane University Mary O'Dea, Tulane University

MAINE

Sara Moradi, Bates College

minnesota

Ann Isaacs, Carleton College Brandon Moy, Carleton College Nick Reighard, St. Olaf College Suvd Davaadorj, St. Olaf College Maya Bauer, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Caroline Marchiori, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Madeline Baxter, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

MISSOURI

Michael Jesser, Washington University - St Louis Brian Heneghan, Saint Louis University Linnea Dolan, Saint Louis University Brendan Redfern, Saint Louis University Dana Meinecke, Saint Louis University Tori Lothian, Saint Louis University Taylor Abrahams, University of Missouri

MONTANA

Jesse Tuten, Montana State University Alyssa Carasotti, Montana State University

NEVADA Emily Thompson, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

oregon

Parker Hugueley, University of Missouri Gracie Sands, University of Missouri Maya Patel, University of Missouri Perri Stewart, University of Missouri Connor McCann, University of Missouri Kyriakos Kopley, University of Missouri

NEBRASka

Annette Wierzbicki, University of Nebraska - Lincoln Samantha Maglalang, University of Nebraska - Omaha

Sarah Hill, Lewis & Clark College Beckett Cummings, Reed College Nicole Kretekos, Reed College Nicholas Stanek, University of Oregon

PENNSYLVANIA Ryan Janczak, Carnegie Mellon University Thomas Dinelli, Lycoming University Patrick Braczko, Pennsylvania State University Grace Kilpatrick, University of Pennsylvania Jacob Lee, University of Pittsburgh

New hampshire RHODE ISLAND NEW JERSEY

Scott Okuno, Dartmouth University

Daniel Schiller, Brown University Claire Lussier, Salve Regina University

Yekaterina Hegay, Princeton University

SOUTH CAROLINA Jaclyn Wamboldt, Furman University Natalia Hayes, University of South Carolina

TENNESSEE Tina James, Belmont University Bianca Vanciu, Lee University William Hartler, Middle Tennessee State Leah Schwartz-Dodek, Vanderbilt University Kevin Mihelic, Vanderbilt University Caroline Bodnya, Vanderbilt University Mary Langas, Vanderbilt University Matthew Peterson, University of Tennessee

texas

Sean Dolan, University of Texas - Austin Daniel Moses, University of Texas - Austin William Huie, Rice University William Almond, Texas A&M University Ross Foley, Texas A&M University Jenna Skulstad, Texas Christian University James Coleman, Texas Christian University

Anna Patten, Gap year Hyeji Yang, Gap year Anna Patent, Gap year

NOTE FROM THE EDITORS: The college map is comprised of all schools that the class of 2016 will be attending in the fall. Logos were determined by the most attended universities per state. Only students who responded to the Oracle survey and wanted to be included are published in this map. Please note that inaccuracies may have occurred in the map, and the Oracle has made several attempts to verify all responses to prevent them.

Congratulations AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL GRADUATES!

SEE PAGE 14 FOR ILLINOIS MAP

CLASS OF 2016 ALABAMA

Maddy Eenigenburg, Auburn University Ben Carlson, Auburn University

ARIZONA

Hannah Qutaishat, Northern Arizona University Macy McPhilliamy, University of Arizona

CALIFORNIA

COLORADO

Sarah Maestranzi, Colorado State University Samuel Canary, Colorado State University Julia Sonnenfeld, University of Denver Maddie Murphy, University of Denver Angelo Nickele, Regis University

NEW YORK

north carolina utah Cameron Beach, Duke University Michael Callahan, Wake Forest University Harish Rajan, Wake Forest University

CONNECTICUT Samantha Mason, University of Connecticut

WISCONSIN

WASHINGTON Miranda Koulogeorge, Digipen Institute of Technology Don Savaiano, Gonzaga University Ali Campbell, University of Washington Jess Melchor, Seattle Pacific University

Quinn Hennelly, Savannah College of Art & Design Stephen Sholty, Savannah College of Art & Design Jordan Chiang, Georgia Gwinnett College

INDIANA

Kami Kosharova, University of Richmond Alison O’Hara, University of Richmond

Ashley Meek, University of Miami-Florida Grace Poulos, University of Tampa Gabby Baldo, University of Tampa Kaley Mulhern, University of Tampa Hanna Punnoose, Nova Southern University

georgia

IOWA

virginia

Jackie O’Connell, Middlebury College Jack Collins, University of Vermont McLain Murphy, University of Vermont

INTERNATIONAL

FLORIDA

Trevor Burke, Emory University Daniel Bujnowski, Emory University Michael Aki, Georgia Institute of Technology

Natalie Wiseman, Utah State University

vermont

KANSAS

Samantha Nevin, University of Kansas Olivia Hlade, University of Kansas Jamie Deal, University of Kansas David Castroblanco, University of Kansas

KENTUCKY

Darius Jones, Western Kentucky University Melanie Reimann, Western Kentucky University Hope Carrane, University of Kentucky

LOUISIANA Casey Coletta, Tulane University Jake Biales, Tulane University Claire Demorest, Tulane University Mary O'Dea, Tulane University

MAINE

Sara Moradi, Bates College

minnesota

MISSOURI

MONTANA

Jesse Tuten, Montana State University Alyssa Carasotti, Montana State University

NEVADA Emily Thompson, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

oregon

NEBRASka

Annette Wierzbicki, University of Nebraska - Lincoln Samantha Maglalang, University of Nebraska - Omaha

Sarah Hill, Lewis & Clark College Beckett Cummings, Reed College Nicole Kretekos, Reed College Nicholas Stanek, University of Oregon

New hampshire RHODE ISLAND NEW JERSEY

Scott Okuno, Dartmouth University

Daniel Schiller, Brown University Claire Lussier, Salve Regina University

Yekaterina Hegay, Princeton University

SOUTH CAROLINA Jaclyn Wamboldt, Furman University Natalia Hayes, University of South Carolina

texas

Anna Patten, Gap year Hyeji Yang, Gap year Anna Patent, Gap year

Congratulations AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL GRADUATES!

SEE PAGE 14 FOR ILLINOIS MAP

14 14

seniors seniors

May 27, 2016

ILLINOIS SCHOOLS university of illinois at urbanachampaign

Triton college

Jioranni Escobedo

dominican university

Medin Milla Guadalupe Lara

north -eastern university

Guadalupe Lara Katherine Guiracocha Medin Milla Lewis University

Darnell John north park university

kendall college

Elvi Selimi

knox college

harper college tricoci university

Roosevelt University bradley university

lake forest college

Northern illiniois university

Northwestern University

Michael Heredia

Luke Howland JeWoo Kim Kiran Merchant Naomi Perlow Liam Freeman Justin Lorenz Gayoung Kim Alex Sikorski Richard Yong Billy Almond Bradley Noxon Connor Hartigan Oakton Community college Kevin Halloran Natalia Plichta Adam Landau Jacqueline DeWitt Michaela Skweres Alex Sirakides Jasmine Gencik-Shannon Kelsey McGrath Dillon McNulty Jacqueline DeWitt Nathan Meiver Nathan Meier Brandon Rylicki Courtney Day JinWoo Jeon Billy Almond Enkhlen Orgil Jack Davis Kayla Feldstein Alexa Heitzman Kellie Wortsmann Cory Klapacz Sophia Shin Anushka Haldar William Peterson Julia Grace Wisowaty Caroline Bickel Jack Davis Mary Beth Zerwic Grace Hennelly Jeffery Kurian Inaki Bascaran Jane Park Elias Joseph Saniya Merchant Grace O'Malley Joyce Park Danielle Alper Jamie Kang Dana Sim Elaine Sine Nick Kasner Cherie Saram-Munro Katherine O'Connell Sania Gilani Eugene Ro Francine Yoon Jane Park Courtney Day Ashley Saperstein Appy Wielgus Constance Chrones Sabrina Simpson Calvin Sailer Saniya Merchant Taylor Thurston Emily Weiss Pranav Gulukota

Grace Yang Paola SantosDe Soto

Solomiya Furdas Zihan Zheng Alishah Hussain Inaara Ali Irene Kim Clare Curtis Mary Batrich Allison Kraft

Jamie Rotman Grace DuBois John Tryfonopoulos Katelyn Luckey Landon Hartfield Patryk Lis Kaylie Kleutgen Jenna Hyemin Lee

Minji Kim Dorothy Wasilewski Tijana Markovic Byron Mandell Nicole Volchek

Clay Satherlie Jimmy Jang Sangmin Lee Hae Mi Chung Brian Ennis Anthony Aversano Jacob Racho Hae Mi Chung

seniors

May 27, 2016

DRAMATIZATION

Rules to live by:

LILLY LUDWIG senior editor

Most of you know that the Senior section of the Oracle is created for seniors to celebrate the end of high school. However, if you happen to be some rando junior or somebody’s mom and you’re just lurking in the senior section to live vicariously through the fun and excitement of our senior year, don’t worry; I’ve created a column just for you! My senior year was pretty successful, so I’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks to have the best possible senior year. The best part is, everyone can benefit from this! I’m serious, everyone. Once you’re done gaining from my knowledge, give this list to your cousin in the first grade, or your sister who’s married with a stable job, or your rabbi. Everyone can learn. 1. Make sure to go on as many college tours as possible. I mean it. As many. As possible. You might just want to just skip senior year and visit a different college every day of the school year. After all, you can never really get sick of hearing “here’s our beautiful quad, here’s our beautiful academic building, we have 59 clubs (including a really ob-

Graduating senior offers foolproof tips for a healthy and happy senior year

7. You may log into Facebook and see that all of your peers are scure one, like Marching Orchestra Club), and if there isn’t a club that committing to Ivy League schools. Yes, this is the time to panic. Disinterests you, YOU CAN START YOUR OWN OWN”. 2. Remember that not every moment of senior year needs to be fo- regard the fact that nationally, most seniors don’t commit to their cused on college. Senior year provides a lot of time to get serious on schools until April, and go into full blown crazy trying to finish your that wedding Pinterest board. I know your board is all Royal Wedding applications. If you’re not crying as you type, you’re probably not right now, but seriously consider your budget when you get married. trying hard enough. 8. The alternative to #7 is to emotionalYou might have to go more Brangelina with your budget, and accepting that Once you’re done gaining from ly shut off, a technique that’s proven to be very practical. The best way to go about is an important part of growing up. my knowledge, give this list to this is to throw away all your college pam3. Be at peace with the realities of phlets, burn your schoolwork, and take a high school. Understand that if you your cousin in the first grade, gap year of complete hibernation. don’t get out of class early, sitting or your sister who’s married 9. Keep a mental list of everyone you through the panini line will be as painful as waiting for your Netflix to buffer. with a stable job, or your rabbi. think you will hate after high school, and remember every embarrassing story you 4. Speaking of Netflix, senior year Everyone can learn. have of them. Trust me, you’ll thank youris tough with applying to colleges and self at your class reunions when these keeping up with schoolwork, but you also need to remember what’s important in life. I stayed grounded by people have successful jobs and families and your biggest accombinge watching every season of Gossip Girl, 90210, and Desperate House- plishment that year is adopting a new cat and sort of paying your wives. I know, I’m setting the bar high, but if you have determination, bills on time. 10. Lastly, remember to have fun, because you only get one senior I bet you can come close. 5. It’s senior year, time to take classes that really interest you! I year. If you don’t start the year with at least 300 Instagram followers, was fortunate enough to learn that South actually has a policy for you should probably skip senior year altogether. After all, if people how many free periods one student can have. Apparently, if a stu- can’t see you having fun, you’re not really having fun. dent has too many SRTs, they are forced to do something productive, like running passes. I found this time in the building incredibly valuable (see #4 for ideas of how to really use these classes to their full potential!). 6. I know it seems like prom is the most important thing in the world right now, and that’s probably because it is. Make sure that you have the perfect group, the perfect date, the perfect attire, etc. Just keep reminding yourself that if one detail isn’t perfect, the whole night will be ruined and you’ll probably end up looking like a mix of Miley, Lindsay, and Britney’s breakdowns.

Graphic by Jacqueline DeWitt

features

May 27, 2016

RETIREMENT READY: Joining together to reminisce about their careers, South retiring faculty prepares to end the school year for one last time. These staff members have devoted countless years to helping students learn and grow. Featured from left to right: (top) Jerry Zabin, John Lewis, Todd Hansen, Peter Masciopinto, Terry Jozwik, Marty Sirvatka, (bottom) Janice Osowski, Ellen Eichler, Mary Vicars, Kay Sopocy, Dawn Fendt. Not featured: Fred Kocian, Carol May. Photos by Rachel Nwia

Retirement is now in session:

South faculty say goodbye to GBS with lasting memories, relationships, legacies

ALEXANDRA SHARP co-features editor

ELIZA SCHLOSS staff reporter

BRIGID MURPHY staff reporter

After his 39th year and subsequent retirement, Terry Jozwik, social studies instructional supervisor (IS), hopes to leave South having helped others believe in themselves. John Sullivan, social studies teacher, believes Jozwik’s leadership as IS was a key factor in the History Department’s success. “I think if I were to point to perhaps the crowning glory of [Jozwik’s] time here, it’s been his ability to [...] guide our department through some very difficult times and do so in a way that has left us all feeling good about the direction we’re headed in,” Sullivan said. Having coached track, co-created the Academy and advised Key Club, Jozwik worked to foster relationships with students. “I think that no matter how old you are, there’s never a time in your life when you should stop learning,” Jozwik said.

Todd Hansen, special education teacher, is a social studies guru and a true kind friend, according to Carol Buresh, a special education teacher. After over two decades at South, Hansen will be retiring. Hector Carabez, special education teacher, has gotten to know Hansen as a friend as well as a colleague. Carabez recalls a time when Hansen supported him after the loss of a family member. “When I saw [Hansen] I said ‘Hey, how are you?’ and he just gave me a big hug,” Carabez said. “I started crying because I had my friend there and [it] was a special moment.” According to Hansen, he plans to enjoy his retirement with people close to him but will always miss the community at South. “It’ll be bittersweet,” Hansen said. “You work with kids, they graduate, they move one. So in a sense, this is my senior year too.”

Social studies teacher Mary Vicars is retiring from her teaching career in 2016. According to Vicars, she knew she wanted to be a teacher since her junior year of high school, but did not pursue a teaching degree right away. “Every year for two years I had a different major,” Vicars explained. “I wanted to be a teacher, but I thought ‘I’m not going to get a job,’ and finally my father gave me the best advice [that] I tell my students now: do what you like.” Senior Mary Langas is grateful her relationship with Vicars was not cut off after the conclusion of her freshman history class. “She’s just a very friendly teacher, and she makes you feel special because she remembers you in years after,” Langas said. “She still seems excited to see me [now] which is why I’ve loved her so much.”

HANNAH BUCHBAND staff reporter

ANNE MARIE YURIK co-editor-in-chief

YOON KIM staff reporter

Every year, South loses some of its greatest contributors as teachers retire from their positions come summer. Biology teacher and girls cross-country and track coach Frederick Kocian has announced his leave at the end of the school year. According to fellow science teacher Christopher Hilvert, Kocian had a great impact on all of the students he taught with his infectious passion for learning. “His ability to relate to kids is a great strength,” Hilvert said. “Kids enjoy being in his classroom [and] kids enjoy getting to know him.” Kocian is glad to be retiring, but he still greatly enjoys his job. “There’s always a challenge […] to try to get people to do their best, and in each place, the classroom and the track, it’s hard work that gets you where you want to be,” Kocian said.

Come next year, the cozy and jazz-filled atmosphere of social worker Jerry Zabin’s office will be gone as he retires after 20 years at South. According to ceramics teacher Kurt Webb, the impact Zabin has made on South is insurmountable. “He’s a great listener, and he is non-judgmental,” Webb said. “He finds value in everyone despite sometimes the insurmountable odds [...]. He’s a very positive person in the lives that he touches.” Zabin believes a very important piece of his job is creating connections with the students and teachers that he works with. He’s worked with a wide variety of students to achieve this goal. Once retired, Zabin says he will be out enjoying time with his family, repairing cars and focusing on his group in Evanston that deals with domestic abuse.

Three-season athlete, graduate of South and coach of four sports, PE teacher Dawn Fendt retires after 15 years of teaching. Fendt played an important role in cultivating the adaptive program at South, according to PE teacher Kay Sopocy. “[Fendt has] worked a lot with the adaptive kids, and I think she shaped that program into a more meaningful [program] for the students in there,” Sopocy said. In regards to her retirement, Fendt plans on spending time with her parents in Florida and staying active as an athlete. Being able to enjoy the rest of life comfortably was a key factor in choosing to retire early, Fendt mentioned. “I want to retire when I’m young so I can enjoy my life,” Fendt said. “I have the years, I’ve put in the time, and life is short sometimes. You never know what might come up.”

Scan this QR code to check out the full profiles on all of the teachers that are retiring from South this year! To scan the QR code, go to the App Store, search QR reader and download.

features

May 27, 2016

Cure Club sponsors Relay for Life event TAYLOR EVERSON staff reporter

Illustration by Alex Solecki

Community college students confront stigmas, struggle with false judgements

ther weren’t focused enough in high school, didn’t achieve what they wanted to in high school to get where they wanted to be in college or couldn’t afford to go to college,” Redfern ‘Poor grades,’ ‘low quality education,’ ‘stupid,’ ‘dumb,’ ‘not said. “I think that these are stigmas in this affluent and highprestigious,’ ‘easy to get into,’ ‘not an actual college.’ These are achieving community that are a little hard to overcome when all words and phrases written by South students regarding you say you are going to Oakton.” For Patsas, making the decision to go to Oakton was not community colleges. In an unscientific Oracle-conducted survey, 220 out of 285 South students believe a stigma surrounding easy, especially considering that her peers would attend large out-of-state universities. In addition to making the college adcommunity college exists. South senior Stefanie Patsas has decided to attend Oakton mission decision more difficult for her, the stigmas she faced next year and is well aware of the many stereotypes that she alienated her from her peers that were attending traditional must confront as a result of her decision. She feels that despite four-year universities. “I got into DePaul, and I had the chance to either accept the individual’s personal character, assumptions about their school of choice may get in the way of knowing who that per- that or defer my decision and do two years at a community college and then go back,” Patsas said. “At first, I was really upset son really is. “I’ve heard so many [statements about Oakton students], about it. I thought everyone around me was going to this cool, like either you’re not smart enough to get into an actual col- big school out-of-state, and I [didn’t] want to be stuck at home lege or you can’t afford one,” Patsas said. “[These are] things at a community college. Then I thought about it and realized I that dictate who you are as a person just because of the school can be in the same place as everyone else when they graduate in the next four years.” that you choose to go to, Senior Nathan Garret which doesn’t really mean “It’s not as glamorous as a [four-year has also committed to Oakton anything because it’s how college] and that’s absolutely right, for next year and has chosen people see you.” According to South but at the same time I’m having real- to do so mainly for the academic freedom it will bring. counselor Travis Myers, the word experiences while not spend- As for the supposed drawstrong prevalence of the stigma within South doesn’t ing as much money. And it’s all really backs of community college, such as the lack of a formal correspond to the amount worth it to me in that way.” or traditional college social of graduating seniors who life, Garret tries to keep an end up attending a commu- South alumnus Alessandro Berto, open mind and view the lack nity college. Myers believes currently attending Oakton of partying as a positive. In an that Oakton may be underenvironment where it is imrepresented as a result of students feeling ashamed to not be attending a “typical” univer- portant that a student is academically succesful, Garret predicts the lack of social life to be a beneficial aspect of college sity. “As you go through the halls, I think some people think for him. “I like the idea of community college because if I’m away that if everybody else is wearing a four-year school shirt, their Oakton shirt doesn’t have as much [appeal],” Myers said. “So I from home, I might want to party a lot,” Garret said. “But comthink there’s that idea of what others are perceiving of a stu- munity college kind of grounds you and reminds you that dent going to Oakton. And I’m not sure if that’s as real as we you’re just here for studying and not for partying. So that sets perceive it to be because number-wise we have 15 or 20 percent me on a good path.” According to Berto, the stigma that community college is of students going there.” Alessandro Berto, South alumnus and Oakton freshman, not as fun due to the lack of social life can be true. However, he chose Oakton not because it was his ideal school but because views fun as a relative term because he is having fun discoverit fit both his financial needs and allowed him two years in a ing what he loves and finding what he wants to pursue in his community college to figure out which career path he wants time learning at Oakton. “It’s not as glamorous as [a four-year college] and that’s to pursue. “I did have a good idea back in senior year of high school absolutely right, but at the same time, I’m having real world of what I wanted to do with my life, but I didn’t want to commit experiences while not spending as much money,” Berto said. to a school and then have a change of heart,” Berto said. “So I “And it’s all really worth it to me in that way.” According to Myers, community college is the right chose to go to Oakton for two years because I didn’t want to be spending money at a place [where I didn’t know what I wanted choice for many students. Some students agree with him when to do]. Now Oakton is helping me solidify what I want. I’m get- he mentions it as an option for them yet still have difficulties accepting this choice due to the stigmas that exist. However, ting the same education, just at a cheaper price.” Rene Redfern, South librarian and Oakton Community like Berto, many learn that the decision will best serve their College graduate of 1989, attended the school to receive her As- futures, allowing them to succeed admirably. “I hope that the stigma is fading because it’s a really good sociate’s degree. According to Redfern, as a community college alumna, stereotypes were always present and stemmed from option for students,” Myers said. “I like to see the students more over-achieving areas where it is common for students to come into my office and talk about Oakton or a two-year school because it’s right for them, and [I don’t] have to kind of sell it attend traditional four-year colleges. “I think that in this overachieving community, people to them. And I don’t know how real the stigma is, [...] but hopewho go to community colleges [are looked at as] kids who ei- fully we’re minimizing it and changing that perception.” HANNAH BUCHBAND & ELIZA SCHLOSS staff reporters

When the sun goes down, candles are lit and placed in bags around the bleachers and track in an event called the Luminaria Ceremony to honor those who have lost their lives to cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, four million people in over 20 countries participate in Relay for Life, an event dedicated to raise money and awareness for cancer. GBS hosted a Relay for Life event on Friday, May 20. According to Deborah Stein, the sponsor of Cure Club for eight years, Cure Club is helping to organize the community event. Stein explains that Cure Club is dedicated to raising awareness and funding for cancer research. “We work with the community committee to help promote the event within the school,” Stein said. “[We try] to also help with the planning of the event more from the perspective of the things the kids are interested in.” According to Stein, people join a team and fundraise before the event. The event is about coming together to celebrate, to remember and to fight against cancer. “Somebody from your team is supposed to always walk around the track; that’s the idea: that cancer never sleeps so we never sleep either,” Stein said. Senior Ali O’Hara, who is part of the leadership board of Cure Club, has participated in Relay for Life five times, her first time being in seventh grade. “It’s really empowering, and the cool thing about Relay and Cure Club in general is it’s very community based,” O’Hara said. “Almost everyone has a connection to cancer in some way. [...] It’s something we can come together to fight against.” According to O’Hara, there are many events at Relay for Life such as the survivors lap, relay races and performers. O’Hara said her favorite memory from Relay for Life was from her sophomore year. “[My team] walked the whole night, raised a bunch of money and then the next morning, we all drove to the beach and watched the sunrise together,” O’Hara said. According to O’Hara, she has many motivations for participating in Relay for Life, one being losing her grandpa to lung cancer. “It’s the one that’s most personal for me because I always remember when I was little seeing my grandpa in the hospital bed, and I felt very helpless,” O’Hara said. “But also throughout my life, there’s also been other people who’ve been affected [by] it.” For freshmen Nikki Dontcheva, this year was her first time participating in Relay for Life. According to Dontcheva, her motivation for joining Cure Club and Relay for Life is her mom, who was diagnosed with cancer for the second time in June. “I was really upset,” Dontcheva said. “I was really sad. [...] I felt alone sort of because my mom’s going through this, and all my friends don’t really go through this. Coming to Relay for Life [preparations], I was joined with all of these people that have had that experience and comforted me, and we’re doing something to end it.” According to Dontcheva, she has been fundraising by holding bake sales and having restaurants as sponsors. Her goal is to raise $1,500 for her team and recruit more people and make them aware of Relay for Life. “I am looking forward to making a change and helping people that go through what I go through daily [...], making them see that they are not alone,” Dontcheva said. O’Hara, Dontcheva and Stein agree that Relay for Life is important to participate in because of the benefits to the community and the awareness it raises. Strengthening support for cancer research through Relay for Life, Stein explains, also unifies the community and the people involved. “Going to that event, it really brings together people from all different walks of life who have been affected by cancer,” Stein said. “It’s a very powerful thing to get together with people who have had similar or different experiences and to know we’re all united and working together to fight the disease.”

STRIDES FOR A CURE: Dedicated to the cause, a few participants walk purposefully around the South track at the annual Relay for Life event. The goal of the night is to raise money for a cure to cancer. Photo by Sophie Mason

features

May 27, 2016

South students unearth hidden passions within school environment AUGIE MIKELL staff reporter

Remember the first day of school as a freshman? Upon walking through the school doors, you have the opportunity to participate in all of the different activities that South has to offer. According to some GBS students, they have discovered their passions while exploring new opportunities. Senior Joey Legittino discovered his passion for playing bass guitar during his sophomore year. “[Music is] the best way to express yourself, so I wanted to be able to pick up an instrument and play in a band, [which is] what I did,” Legittino said. Legittino’s passion for bass guitar grew after joining a band. According to Legittino, he and his four other bandmates are part of a pop punk band known as Belmont. “We played Warped Tour in Chicago last summer and went on our own tour [as well],” Legittino said. “We just signed to a label, so playing bass in a band with my friends will be my job for however long we want to do it.” According to Legittino, one of his biggest inspirations for bass guitar was Nirvana member Kurt Cobain. Legittino said that he was inspired by how Cobain didn’t let what other people say get to him. “The way [Kurt Cobain] went about life, as in how people viewed him and how he just [didn’t] really care what a lot of people think, is something that always spoke to me,” Legittino said. “I wanted to be like him and play music in a punk band.” Similar to Legittino, senior Rebecca Wittenstein said she discovered her interest for teaching later in high school rather than when she first started at GBS. According to Wittenstein, she had no desire of becoming a teacher until her parents had a conference with Mark Gallagher, Wittenstein’s former math teacher. “My parents came back [from conferences and said], ‘Mr. Gallagher said that you would be a really good teacher,’” Wittenstein said. “I [thought],

‘That’s weird, whatever,’ and I didn’t give it a second thought. But the more I thought about it, the more I [realized], ‘Yeah, I would like to teach.’” According to Gallagher, he thought that Wittenstein would make a good teacher because of all the leadership qualities she has. Along with this, Gallagher said these qualities allowed Wittenstein to stand out from his other students. “[Wittenstein is] inquisitive, she has good attention to detail and she really enjoys helping other people,” Gallagher said. “Those are the top three pieces to any good teacher- someone who strives to always do their best, who is willing to share what they know with others and [enjoys] communicating and helping others.” According to Wittenstein, she believes one of the greatest parts to being a teacher is the opportunity to leave an impact on students. From Wittenstein’s experience as a swim instructor and a teacher’s assistant, she is proud of her students when they learn something from her. “There’s just something about when you’re working with kids and you get to explain something to them, teach them something new and help them understand something that they never even knew without you there,” Wittenstein said. “Being able to expand their horizons and even just change their minds a little bit about something is just the coolest thing, and it is so rewarding.” Wittenstein said her first-grade teacher greatly inspired her to go into teaching. According to Wittenstein, she was an incredible teacher whom she formed a close relationship with. “If [my first grade teacher] accidentally tripped over you or forgot to give you one of the worksheets, she would apologize profusely and [say], ‘I’ll give you a treat after class,’ and you would get a cool marker or ruler,” Wittenstein said. “She [made] sure we knew she wanted the best for us, and I remember that all the time.” Similar to both Legittino and Wittenstein, senior Grady O’Connor found his passion

BELMONT BOY: Jammin’ out with his pop punk band Belmont, senior Joey Legittino pursues creating excellent music. He discovered his passion for the guitar as an underclassman at South. Photo courtesy of Joey Legittino

for television production as an underclassman. O’Connor was able to find his interest after becoming part of South’s television program. “[Television production] is something that I’ve always been interested in, even when I was younger,” O’Connor said. “I always loved making videos, just messing around with my friends [and] making little movies, and now I want to make it a career.” One of O’Connor’s greatest memories in television production was helping with the Variety Show. According to O’Connor, one thing in particular he enjoyed about the Variety Show was the live directing. “Live directing itself is really invigorating because you have to figure out on

the spot what kind of shots you want and all that,” O’Connor said. “It was almost like you were nervous, but you liked it.” O’Connor said that one thing he regrets from his time at South is not joining activities earlier. Because of this, he wants future South students to become involved when they first begin high school. “I waited two years to finally [get involved], which is still a long time in high school,” O’Connor said. “I would say going into freshman year, try and do as many things as possible to really find what you’re good at and know by the end of your senior year what you want to do in life.”

NEW STUDENT COUNCIL BOARD President JOHN SCHURER

Vice President JOEY PETROLINE

Secretary MAUDE TARBOX

Treasurer SAARAH BHAIJI

Photos by Sophie Mason

features

May 27, 2016

Students formulate unique identities with different faiths tensively involved in her church and parish-related events. However, Cepeda’s connection to the faith led her to question her Some individuals go to church, synagogue beliefs. She recalled a particular retreat she or a mosque with their families to worship attended in sixth grade and from that point in accordance with their faith. Others may going forward she questioned her beliefs. choose not to align themselves with the same “I went on a teen retreat and I just rebeliefs as their families or even associate member everyone else was crying and was so themselves with a particular religion at all. touched, and they said that they could ‘feel According to a study by the Pew Research God in the room’, and I just couldn’t feel any Center, “One-in-four adults under age 30 of it,” Cepeda said. “I got frustrated because I are unaffiliated, describing their religion as thought I talk about God because that’s just ‘atheist,’ ‘agnostic’ or ‘nothing in particular.’” what I had learned from listening to other Similar to the PEW surpeople, but [I “[My atheism] is kind of a wasn’t] feeling vey, an unscientific Oracle-conducted survey of balance between figuring out any of these 273 students showed 38.5 what I am comfortable with things.’” percent of students not Similarly to practicing any religion. and not disrespecting [my Cepeda, senior One student, junior dad], but also staying true to Brian Casey’s* Manny Martinez, identibeliefs were imwhat I believe in.” fied himself as irreligious pacted by a mofor almost all his life. Acment in his life. - junior Grace Cepeda cording to Martinez, his According to beliefs differ from his Catholic mother. Casey, he was not religious until his freshman “My opinion [regarding religion] may year. Casey was influenced by the scriptures change later, but right now and up to now I’ve of the Bible, which ultimately led to his bapnever felt the need to go to [religion],” Mar- tism during his sophomore year. Casey tinez said. described how his faith was impacted Martinez noted how the way his parents in April 2014 when his mother passed raised him impacted his views on religion. away of abdominal cancer. According to Martinez, his parents set a foun“[My mother] persevered dation of faith for him but ultimately allowed [through her faith] even despite her him to create his own beliefs. deteriorating condition,” Casey said. “My mom has always said to me, ‘You “Often times people had questioned should always believe in some sort of God,’ al- me saying, ‘Why are you still believing though [my mom] has never forced religion [in Christianity] even though your onto me,” Martinez said. “It has kind of been religion did not work during this more of ‘I’ll set the foundation, but you for- time of distress, your mom did not mulate your own opinions’.” get healed; why do you still conFor junior Grace Cepeda, her beliefs were tinue to believe this?’ I say that not as easily formulated or accepted by her sometimes the answer to prayer parents. However, according to Cepeda, her is no, because you do not know devout Christian father greatly influenced everything that God knows.” her early religious scope. Freshman Songhee Back sim“I am an atheist,” Cepeda said. “My dad is ilarly struggled to formulate very religious, and I also grew up Christian her religious identity. Back was but later decided that it was not for me. [My raised as a Christian until she atheism] is kind of a balance between figur- was 6 years old when her mother ing out what I am comfortable with and not converted to Buddhism. Back disrespecting [my dad], but also staying true explained that growing up Christian brought an asto what I believe in.” Throughout grade school, Cepeda was expect of community to

LEAH DUNNE co-a&e editor

her life when she moved to the US, but ultimately she realized her beliefs did not align with Christianity. “[My Christianity] was always a part of me, but [my differing beliefs] really hit me when I was around nine or ten when [my mom] was forcing me to go [to temple], and I realized no one can force me to do [something I don’t believe in] especially in [the United States] where you have freedom of religion,” Back said. Although she does not affiliate with Christianity or Buddhism, each has impacted her individually. Back additionally noted that although she does not practice a religion, she respects and understands those that do. “My [extended family] all practices different religions,” Back said. “Some are Catholic, some are agnostic, but between my mom and I religion really changed our lives. If something [such as religion] can really impact your life or change your perspective, then [you should believe in that].” *name has been changed

Illustration by Alex Solecki

Senior Bryanna Hernandez graduates early, fulfills father’s last request

GRINNING GRAD: Beaming proudly with her parents, senior Bryanna Hernandez graduates from South early on April 14. She did so in order to ensure that her father, who was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer earlier this year, could witness her graduation ceremony during his last days. Photo courtesy of Bryanna Hernandez SHARON KIM staff reporter

Many students at South are eager to graduate, counting down the days until they can throw their graduation caps in the air and step into adulthood. For senior Bryanna Hernandez, the long-awaited graduation ceremony came early on April 14 when she fulfilled her father, Ricardo Hernandez’s, dying wish: to see his daughter graduate. According to Bryanna, her father was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer this January, which had eventually spread to his liver. “The doctors had originally given [my dad] a year to live, so we didn’t think that we needed to do anything because he would have still been there for my actual graduation,” Bryanna said. “We went back to the doctor, and they said that the cancer

was progressing faster than we thought.” Susan Hernandez, Bryanna’s mother, recalled Ricardo left to visit his sister and nephew after his benefit party but unfortunately returned very sick. “He knew that he had been diagnosed with a terminal condition but he didn’t want to know how much time he had,” Susan said. “He asked, ‘I just want to know one thing: am I going to see my daughter graduate?’ And I said, ‘yeah, you are. You’ll be here for that.’” Because Ricardo’s life expectancy was shortened to four months, he would have been unable to attend Bryanna’s graduation. Upon hearing about Ricardo’s situation, South Principal Lauren Fagel recalls that she did not think twice about helping them out with an early ceremony. “The mood was bittersweet,” Fagel said. “Everyone was very emotional because we all knew the

Ricardo was well known for his stunning sense reason we were there [and that] was very sad. But of humor and kind personality as a Chicago police people were also very proud of Bryanna.” According to Bryanna, the ceremony was held officer, according to Susan. According to Bryanna’s for her father at the Journey Care Hospice in Glen- friend, senior Hannah Qutaishat, Ricardo and Bryview with around 25 to 30 people in attendance. anna would pick her up in the mornings, often takFagel led the 15-minute ceremony, presenting Bry- ing a different route to school because Qutaishat anna with a diploma cover but not a real diploma. taught for Child Development at another school. Bryanna still attends South and will receive her Qutaishat is grateful for Ricardo’s selfless behavior. “With the time I did get to know [Ricardo], he real diploma with others on stage in June. “[The ceremony] was overwhelming, but I was was like a father figure to me,” Qutaishat said. “I also very grateful because I don’t think [an early think that he knows that I’m just happy that I got graduation] has ever been really done,” Bryan- to meet him and that he’s the best person there is.” Bryanna and her father were like “two peasna said. “The fact that it was done for our family in-a-pod,” according to Susan. Acting sometimes makes me give all my respect [...] to [South].” Bryanna treasures the early ceremony because like brother and sister, Susan recalls that Ricardo she was able to show her father her graduation. helped guide Bryanna through many experiences. “They were like two kids,” Susan said. “If I took According to Susan, she also feels that Ricardo was them out to a restaurant, they’d be goofing off and ecstatic to witness Bryanna’s graduation. “When I brought him back to the room, I said, playing around with the food. They would always ‘Hey Papa, what did you think; Bryanna graduat- have a good time doing things together.” According to Bryanna, being the youngest in her ed,’” Susan said. “He said, ‘I made it. Mama, I made family has been tough because her father will not it.’” Two days after the ceremony, Ricardo passed be by her side for as long as her siblings. Despite away in hospice, according to Bryanna, while she this hardship, Susan wants Bryanna to remember her father positively. and her mother were pres“[Bryanna should] just reent in the room. Since Ri- “He asked, ‘I just want to cardo’s passing, Bryanna know one thing: am I going member [her dad’s] smiles,” Susan said. “It takes more enhas asserted that everybody copes differently with loss. to see my daughter gradu- ergy to be mad than it does to Although Bryanna has yet ate?’ And I said, ‘yeah, you be happy. It takes more musin your face to make a to fully accept his death, are. You’ll be here for that.’” cles frown than to make a smile.” she is certain that her faWithin her 22 years of ther would have wanted her - mother Susan Hernandez marriage with Ricardo, Suto live on his legacy. “One of the moments where I’ve been the [...] san was proud to be her best friend’s wife. Accordproudest of my dad is when before this cancer, he ing to Bryanna, she wants others to remember her was diagnosed [...] with multiple myeloma and he father as who he was: the man who sought out the battled that for two years,” Bryanna said. “We went best for everybody. “My dad always told me that it’s okay to be to the doctor, and they said he went into remission, and I remember he took a picture and said, ‘I scared, but don’t be afraid,” Bryanna said. “I try to live my life by that.” kicked cancer’s ass.’”

a&e

May 27, 2016

Students await Lollapalloza, reminisce on past experiences genres. Rock, rap, pop, electronic and more. This year’s artists range from The Red Hot Chili Peppers to Mac Miller to 400,000 people. Four days. One fes- Disclosure. According to senior Camertival. Lollapalooza is a familiar experi- on Beach, this aspect of musical diverence to high school students and Chi- sity is the cornerstone of the four-day cagoans. Roughly 200 bands will play at festival. Grant Park in the span of four days, July “[What] I love about it is how diverse 28 to 31. Last year, Lollapalooza brought the sets are [...] you have electronic artin an estimated 100,000 people each ists playing next to rappers and alterday, according to the Chicago Tribune. native bands,” Beach said. “There’s re“I was walking around when Lolla ally something for everybody, which is tickets went what makes on sale [...] festival “[What] I love about it is how di- the in the liso unique.” verse the sets are [...] You have A c c o r d brary every single electronic artists playing next to ing to junior com put er Neda Abrappers and alternative bands. b a s z a d e h , screen was on the LolThere’s really something for ev- Lollapalloza l a pa l o o z a expectations erybody.” w e b s i t e ,” are based junior Abby on what stu-Senior Cameron Beach Finnegan dents hear said. “Evfrom friends eryone was trying really hard to get and see on social media. For sophomore tickets.” Kayli Fradin, her expectations were Similar to Finnegan, junior Niki based upon her previous personal exBlinov explains the challenge of getting perience at the festival. tickets first hand for the festival in 2015 “I was expecting to go see a lot of when the tickets came on sale in March. good music and have a good time [...],” “It was extremely hard to get the Fradin said. “Now that I’ve gone for a tickets,” Blinov said. “I had three lap- few years, I know my expectations were tops open in class along with my phone. accurate, and that’s a great thing.” I waited around 10 minutes after 10 According to Beach, her first time a.m. on my phone and it finally loaded.” going to Lollapalooza was the sumThe performers are from different mer after her sophomore year. She ex-

MEGAN SHEQILADZE staff reporter

plained that although it was a hectic atmosphere, she enjoyed the festival. “I didn’t expect how fastpaced everything would be,” Beach said. “I didn’t realize that I would be standing up all day, [...] sprinting down Adams St. to catch a train back to Glenview and [...] getting separated from my friends halfway through the day. That being said, my first day at Lolla was awesome!” For some South students, including sophomore Lena Sanchez, this year will be their first time attending Lollapalooza. Sanchez explained that she was influenced to attend Lollapalloza by her friends positive expe- LOLLA LOVIN’: Grinning at Grant Park, (from left to right) juniors Sam Langenbach, Niki Blinov, Lily Sands, Colleen McPeek, and Jennii Lee enjoy the opening day of Lollapalooza in 2015. Headliners for the 2015 festival included riences at the festival Paul McCartney, Metallica, and Florince + the Machine. Photo courtesy of Niki Blinov in previous years. artists in one place and just that over- plains that she looks forward to the fes“A bunch of my friends went last year [...] and were whelming experience of having your tival and the experiences that await just talking about it for weeks, and I was ex- friends with you to have the same feel- around the corner at Lollapalooza 2016. tremely jealous,” Sanchez said. “I think ing as you.” “Lolla is definitely a different muAccording to Finnegan, the combi- sic festival because everyone there has Lolla differs [from other music festivals] because it’s such an amazing ex- nation of music and a promising time such great energy and it’s really welperience to see so many of your favorite is what appeals to people. Finnegan ex- coming,” Finnegan said.

Students pursue elective courses, spark

career endeavors for after high school SAMANTHA RYLICKI staff reporter

English, math, science, repeat. While attending high school, it may seem necessary to get involved in more than South’s core academics. According to an unscientific Oracle-conducted survey, for some, the sole reason they wake up is to attend their elective course. Glenbrook South offers around 80 elective courses, ranging from horticulture to television. According to senior Taylor Raschillo, she’s been pursuing art since a young age and has been accepted to the art school of her dreams, Parsons School of Design in New York City. Raschillo looks to pursue her fervor for fashion. “I’ve always been interested in [art] [...] I liked having classes built into my schedule that I am genuinely interested in,” Raschillo said. Reaching her ultimate goal of being admitted to Parsons didn’t come without its hardships, according to Raschillo. “This entire year I had to compromise my academics for finishing some art related things,” Raschillo said. “It [...] wasn’t the best choice for the class at the time, but [it has] definitely paid off.” According to Raschillo, although balancing academics and her passion has been difficult, there have been many highlights. “I was featured in the [Illinois High School Association Exhibition] art show,” Raschillo describes. “I published a photograph that I took in the studio of freshman Kirsten Sully. It was a multiple exposure shot; [pictured in] black and white photography.” Another student at South planning on pursuing their elective in the future is senior Matthew Peterson. After dedicating six semesters to radio courses, Peterson was chosen to be a Senior Sports Director. “We manage the shows during class and after school,” Peterson said. Holding a management position has paid off for Peterson. Once his final semester of radio is complete, Peterson will be going to University of Tennessee to further his broadcasting education. According to Peterson, college is not where broadcasting will end. “[My] Mount Everest goal here is to become the play-by-play guy for the Chicago Bears,” Peterson said. Senior Michael Sarov also aims high as he

will be attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts for stage work. Enrolling in South’s drama courses helped crack a once shy teenager out of his shell. “I liked taking drama in middle school, so I knew I wanted to do it in high school,” Sarov said. “I didn’t know many people but through [drama] I made a bunch of friends.” Through a friendship formed in drama class, Sarov was encouraged to take the final leap and join the school play. “I was pushed to audition my freshman year [for the play], by my buddy Landon,” Sarov explains. “We met in our Drama One class.” Participating heavily in theatre productions, Sarov made his way to become one of the presidents of Drama Club. Planning to become an actor, he is extremely grateful for the opportunity to explore his passion at South, according to Sarov. “I am going to miss my time at South in the theatre department,” Sarov said. “It really has made me the person I am [today].”

BROADCASTING BLISS: Speaking into the mi-

crophone, senior Matthew Peterson broadcasts at South’s WGBK Radio. Peterson is one of many students at South that found their passion through their elective courses. Photo by Jacquline DeWitt

a&e

May 27, 2016

SINGING FOR SIRVATKA: Preparing for the concert on May 28, members of the Master Singers choir practice their piece entitled “Orphans of God.” Current students of Sirvatka will be performing the piece along with some of his former students. Photo by Jacqueline DeWitt

Sirvatka’s retirement concert to put ribbon on career AAKASH BHOJWANI & JOHN PARK staff reporters

“Don’t settle for mediocrity.” Although it is Choir Director Marty Sirvatka’s final year, according to GBS graduate Tom Olickal, his mantra will continue to ring throughout the Choir Department for years to come. According to Olickal this mentality has helped Sirvatka’s students flourish, and on May 28, his pupils, past and current, will take the stage to celebrate his career through various performances. According to senior Danny Schiller, the concert is titled “Reprise,” and it represents how the concert will be one final recapitulation of his career. “I hope it’s everything that he wants it to be in the idea that it’s sort of like the end of it all, and it’s [...] from start to finish a nice circle summing up his career,” Schiller said. Troy Ossey is in charge of coordinating with the alumni for the concert. Ossey is currently in the Tech Support Department at South. Ossey was a previous student of Sirvatka and was part of the first Nine choir group at South. He hopes that the concert will celebrate Sirvatka’s legacy and successes throughout his time at South. “I think our biggest goal is to honor Mr. Sirvatka and the dedication that he’s put into this program,” Ossey said. “As much as he would probably like to deflect a lot of the attention, this concert really is about him and the legacy that he has created [...].” One alumnus participating in the concert is Olickal who was part of choir during his four years at South. He is involved in the planning for the concert, which involves contacting Sirvatka’s past students. In addition to GBS alumni, according to Olickal, some of Sirvatka’s students from Leyden High School, where Sirvatka taught at prior to GBS, will be coming to the concert to honor his career and his musical influence. “There are so many aspects to this concert because we have to get in touch with so many alumni, [...] make sure that it is coordinated and somehow rehearse all of them,” Olickal said. “I don’t think it’s really been done before.” According to Sirvatka, he decided to have this concert so his students could have closure and say goodbye to him. While this concert can

be considered a celebration of Sirvatka, he says ried that he wouldn’t be able to handle his comthat there is much more to it than that. mitments to soccer, academics and choir. But, a “Well I just thought it was a good capstone, a memorable meeting with Sirvatka allowed him good punctuation mark on my career [...] ,” Sir- to put aside his fears and move forward in his vatka said. “It is more than me celebrating me, it participation throughout the department. is me celebrating all the students that I’ve had.” “He took the time to just speak with me one Sirvatka says he is honored that so many of on one and say that he knows it’s going to be his former students are coming back to be a part difficult for me to balance my time, but that of this concert. A mass choir of all former stu- he’d really want me to be in part of the [singdents will be singing a number called “Orphans ing] groups,” Schiller said. “That was sort of the of God,” according to junior Michael Kirby, and a spark [...]. From that point forward, I kind of choir of all past and current Nine members will owed it to him because he took the time out for be singing “Nearer My God to Thee.” Sirvatka me, so I had to take the time out for him.” says that this concert will reenact some of his faThis retirement concert will be Sirvatka’s fivorite moments that have taken place on stage. nal concert. He says that he anticipates feeling “I think it’s going to be an amazing display of pride and joy at the special event. talent,” Sir“It’s mixed “What makes [the concert] special is it’s emotions,” Sirvatka said. “I think it’s goMarty Sirvatka. He’s not an ordinary vatka said. “I’m ing to be a and excited. choir director. He works day and night, happy good chance And then there’s for people to seven days a week, 365 days a year. [...] a lot of sadness. see the hisThat’s what makes [the concert] so spe- But it’s more sentory of this It’s not cial. It’s about honoring him, and it’s a timental. program and like I’m feeling for the alumflourish of talent.” pity for myself or ni to come regret. This is tears - South alumnus Tom Olickal back to see of joy if there’s gowhere the program has gone and how the excel- ing to be tears.” lence was maintained.” Kirby believes that this concert will also be Above all, Olickal feels that the concert will important to show how many students Sirvatka be special because of Sirvatka himself, as he is has influenced and taught. Olickal says that Siran influential source of talent. Olickal has a high vatka has influenced him by instilling a strong opinion of his former choir director and mentor. work ethic. “What makes [the concert] special is it’s Mar“I never took music very seriously in choir ty Sirvatka,” Olickal said. “He’s not an ordinary until I got into Nine my junior year [...],” Olickal choir director. He works day and night, seven said. “He made me work harder, and he made me days a week, 365 days a year. He goes hard [...]. learn things [...]. He taught me how to be more Students who have come through the departaware and work in a group environment, to get ment understand that. [The concert is] about your tasks done. And these are all lessons that honoring him, and it’s a flourish of talent.” I apply to my life now [...]. He has instilled this According to Olickal, a perfect example of sort of mentality that you can’t settle.” Sirvatka’s legacy is the commonality of excelAccording to Olickal, the mentality that Sirlence in the singing style of his students. vatka has emphasized has taken the GBS choir “Throughout the years, not much has changed,” Olickal said. “People who have gone department to great heights. “The sound of the GBS choir is as good as any through the department can hear [people who] were in the department twenty years ago [...]. professional choir,” Olickal said. “The sound of the a cappella groups and Chambers is up there The group has sounded the same year to year.” Sirvatka holds the culture he has created very with college, if not better [...]. The hype of the close to him and regards his choir department is thanks to Mr. [Sirvatka].” One memorable moment where Sirvatka’s students as an extension of mantra inspired students was during last year’s his family. “They have become my Glenbrook musical, according to Kirby. “We were learning a song for How to Succeed family,” Sirvatka said. “They have impacted me more than [in Business Without Really Trying] and we weren’t I would have ever believed. being very productive [...],” Kirby said. “So he They have inspired me; they told us his whole speech of ‘don’t settle for less,’ have challenged me; they and it just made us instantly better. It just made have consoled me, they have the dynamic of ‘this can either be a high school given me lots of laughter, a show or [...] a professional show.’” Sirvatka hopes that this mindset is what he’s wonderful sense of purpose and they have reminded me leaving behind at GBS for music students of the of what it is to stay young future. “I always feel like [you need to] do your best, and excited about life.” Schiller also appreciates reach down really deep within you and be chalSirvatka’s willingness to lenged and go farther than you ever thought reach out. During his fresh- you could,” Sirvatka said. “So that’s the legacy Graphic by Sophie Mason man year, Schiller was wor- that I’d like to leave.”

Photos by Jonathan Lee

a&e

May 27, 2016

South alumnus performs globally, reflects on past nothing quite like putting an act together start to finish and then performing it for five shows in a row in front of Plucking the strings of an instru- a full house every night.” ment while hearing the audience apAccording to Marty Sirvatka, Music plaud in delight is the dream for many Department instructional supervisor, students in the Music Department. Cur- Chmielinski was a great contributior rently, Dan Chmielinski, Glenbrook to the music program. Chmielinski was South alumnus and Juilliard student, is able to assist Sirvatka in many musical living his dream by performing the bass performances. After graduating GBS, in a trio of musicians on a world tour. Chmielinski believes he left an impact One of the stops he made this spring on the music program that inspires stuon April 14, was at GBS for an intimate dents to participate in the many musiperformance for about fifty students in cal opportunities that South has to ofthe band room. Chmielinski expressed fer. his gratitude for being able to return to “I definitely feel like I gave South and share his talents with aspir- my all to the [music] program everyday ing musicians, just as he experienced- and really just said yes to everything,” Chmielinski said. “I hope that I inspired when he went to GBS. “[The performance] was absolutely someone in the audience to maybe be in surreal,” Chmielinski said. “It definitely the Variety Show.” brought back memories. More so than While continuing his studies at Juilperformances, it brought back memo- liard, Chmielinski has been practicing ries of when I’d be in the bass by performing band and old alumni with his band around would come back and “I feel that as a musi- the world alongside visit. It was a full cir- cian, it is my responsi- drummer Bryan Carter, cle moment for me.” bility to to share music and 12- year-old Joey According to with as many different Alexeander. According to Chmielinski, they Chmielinski, throughhave performed in the out his four years at people as possible.” Netherlands, GermaGBS he worked to - Dan Chmielinski, ny, London, Italy and take advantage of South alumnus are later performing in the music program by participating in jazz band, the orches- Prague over the summer. He explained tra program as well as Variety Show. that, although he always knew that muChmielinski explained the profound sic was his passion, while at South, he impact that his participation in Variety had never imagined that he would have Show had on him while he was at South the opportunity to share and perform socially and beyond as he now is pursu- around the world alongside his banding his masters degree in an advanced mates. “I definitely wouldn’t have predicted course placement at Julliard. “V-show was a huge part of my GBS the specific set of circumstances that experience,” Chmielinski said. “There’s I’m in right now, but I can tell you that

IMRA TAJUDDIN & GABBY ZABAT staff reporters

BASS BOY: Strumming the strings on his bass, South alumnus Dan Chmielinski performs alongside his bandmates in their group entitled “The Joey Alexander trio.” The trio performed at Kuumbwa Jazz, a concert venue in Santa Cruz, California. Photo courtsey of Dan Chmielinski

music is bigger than all of us,” Chmielinski said. “I feel as a musician, it’s my responsibility to share that music with as many different people as possible. So traveling the world and performing music has always certainly been an aspiration of mine.” Chmielinski added that even prior to his time spent at South he knew that music was the career path that was for him, and added that perserverence is a major aspect for aspiring musicians. “Absolutely, [music] has never been

a question for me,” Chmielinski said. “I’ve just always known that music is my path.” According to Chmielinski, he sees music as an opportunity to build relationships and foster empathy between one another, regardless of location or culture. Chmielinski believes that the best way to continue to do so through music is to continue exploring and discovering. Chmielinski added that he believes through building bridges between music, relationships can be made

and fostered. He offers this advice to aspiring musicians at South. “To fully understand music and use it to the fullest of our capabilities, we have to keep digging and exploring,” Chmielinski said. “[Music] behooves all of us to try and seek out as much of it as possible and start to make connections between genres, geographical regions and chronological periods. The pursuit of that combined with the individual’s passion will lead to a successful and fulfilling life in the arts.”

Student gamers challenge labels, overcome stereotypes

Illustration by Jini John

Huie also explained that the growing popularity KARINA BENSON’ and possible employment opportunities through staff reporter professional gaming, or Esports, has allowed gaming to be seen as more of a feesible profession. SimThe many different worlds of video games are ilarly junior Steven Kang believes that the world filled with obstacles and puzzles designed to chal- of gaming has become more popular over the past lenge both the player’s gaming abilities as well as few years. their problem solving skills. “There’s a lot going on; and I feel like over the According to senior Will Huie, a competitive next few years there’s probably going to be huge gamer, the video game “Super Smash Brothers” is a news [on competitive gaming],” Kang said. “[...] great game that almost everyone will encounter at There’s a lot going on and I feel like it’s going to some point in their lives. Huie said he had played keep going on as [gaming] starts getting more recthe game frequently ognition [...]. It’s prob“Even though [gaming] may not ably going to become when he was younger and was drawn be considered a physical activ- something really huge, back to it again many in my opinion.” ity or sport, you still have to use According years later. to “With the release Kang, the question of your physical senses in a way. I whether or not gamof ‘Super Smash Bros 4,’ that sort of got believe it is a sport in that way.” ing should be considme thinking about ered a sport has also - junior Steven Kang ‘Smash’ again,” Huie become prevalent. said. “You look back Kang believes gaming at your memories of it and think, ‘Oh hey, there shouldn’t necessarily be considered a sport, but was this awesome game that I had a great time it should be categorized on its own, composed as playing, maybe I should look back into it.’” more of a technological activity than a profession-

al sport. “Even though it may not be considered a physical activity or sport, you still have to use your physical senses in a way,” Kang said. “I believe it is a sport in that way and [because the professionals] have to train so hard [...] [gaming is] their regular job.” Similar to Kang, Stephen Stanicek, Athletics Department instructional supervisor, believes that the world of gaming and gaming professionally incorporates many of the ideals of what a sport in entails, but do not necessarily parallel the activity level. Stanicek noted that whether or not gaming should be considered a sport depends on the person’s definition of the word “sport.” “If you’re talking about the competition between people and teams, then I would say gaming falls right into that,” Stanicek said. “If you’re talking about a sport as part of the overall physical health of something, probably not.” Stanicek also explained that he believes that there are some aspects associated with sports that are not available through online gaming. According to Stanicek, he Graphics by Sophie Mason has seen first hand the unique components of physical activity within the Physical Education Department and how it can benefit students. Stanicek explained that sports, as opposed to gaming incorporate many social and emotional aspects which fosters sportsmanship. “I think there is a huge benefit through the physical nature of [sports],” Stanicek said. “The one thing that I really like about our P.E. Department right now [...] is that Facts from GameSkinny.com there’s still that activi-

ties piece. [The activities] create an environment for the social/emotional [aspects] and the sportsmanship [aspects to play a role].” According to Kang, he often receives or sees criticism on social media regarding the classification of professional gaming as a sport. However, Kang explained that he still believes gaming should be classified as a sport in some sense because of the similar benefits. “I guess the notion of gaming is just [not seen as equal to physical sports],” Kang said. “A lot of die hard sports people will start to try to explain to me that [gaming] is not a sport.” Regardless of whether or not gaming is considered a professional sport, Huie explained that it does not affect his love for playing. “You fall in love with how a game feels when you play, the specific sensation of joy, that’s hard to describe,” Huie said.

Facts from ESPN.com

sports

May 27, 2016

Women’s track makes a run at the State finals SOPHIE VICK staff reporter

RAW REACTION: Crouching down on the Trevians home field, junior defender Cassidy Price reacts by holding her hands to her face as she watches the Trevians celebrate after they scored in overtime. The Titans lost to the Trevians’ by a score of 0-1 on May 24, ending their season. Photo by Sophie Mason

Women’s soccer earns regional title HENRY SCHLEIZER staff reporter

The 2016 women’s soccer team has faced a lot of adversity coming into the season, according to Head Coach Seong Ha. However, the girls have exceeded Ha’s expectations and were on a winning streak of 18 games before losing to New Trier in the post-season on May 24. The Titans team coordination has been a huge component in regards to this seasons success, according to Ha. “The team chemistry has been great,” Ha said. “We are playing great defense, and our goaltending has been great. Our midfielders and forwards have been ruthless on other teams [as well].” The Titan’s highest point of the regular season was tying against New Trier, who was number one in the nation, according to senior captain Olivia Peters. “We knew we had the potential

to possibly beat them,” Peters said. According to Ha, the girls com“We were the underdogs, [so] we munication prevented any early didn’t have anything to lose.” breakdowns because they were also Although the game ended in a very organized, knowing where to tie, 1-1, the girls were confident and be at the right time. content with their performance, The Titans’ strong defensive peraccording to Peters. formance against New Trier nearly “We all played our hearts out,” resulted in a win, but a goal with Peters said. five minutes “That was a “The team chemistry has left and unreal turning been great. We are playeven time point in our of possesing great defense and our sion forced season for us.” The Titans goaltending has been great. a tie, accordalso showed ing to junior Our midfielders and forstrong comforward Lily posure against wards have been ruthless Sands. New Trier the on other teams [as well].” “New Trifirst time they er has a lot played on April - Head Coach Seong Ha of skillful 19,allowing players, and only one goal and containing the our ability to compete and not alTrevians’ offensive attack, accord- ways get knocked off the ball really ing to Ha. helped us tie the game,” Sands said. “What really stood out was our “We didn’t dominate possession beleadership, communication and our cause they had the ball the majority organization,” Ha said. of the time, and we were left chas-

ing [the ball].” Although the New Trier tie was the highlight of the season, the girls had some crucial learning points in the season, according to Ha. “We were tied with Evanston until we allowed a goal with a minute and 50 seconds left in the match,” Ha said. “We have to learn from those games, to progress our season and rewrite those wrongs.” In addition to New Trier and Evanston, the women had a tie with Maine South. The Titans outshot the Hawks 14-4 but tied the game 1-1, according to Ha. A big reason for the Titans’ success has been the strong leadership and determination of the seniors and captains, according to Sands. “We all want to go far,” Sands said. “[The seniors’] positivity and confidence has really helped us [throughout the season].” The Titans lost to New Trier on May 24 ending by a score of 0-1 in overtime, acording to Peters.

Men’s lacrosse finishes season after losing to Glenbard West CASSIDY JACKSON co-a&e editor

The men’s varsity lacrosse team closed off the regular season with an overall record of 8-8. According to Head Coach Will Jeffery, the team ended the season on a high note with a five game streak and hopes to keep the momentum going into playoffs. However, the Titans lost to Glenbard West in their last postseason game. “We are peaking at the right time,” Jeffery said. “We’ve been saying that the playoffs started early for us [because] we’ve been playing how we want to play in the playoffs.” Junior Aleks Jura hopes that the recent success won’t get to the team’s head going into playoffs. Jura points to the

early season frustration as a reminder of the repercussions of cockiness. “[It was] so frustrating; we lost against teams we should have killed,” Jura said. “It was probably because we were too cocky. Now at the end of the season, we’ve been getting big wins, and it’s been getting a lot better now.” Senior captain McLain Murphy acknowledges that the turning point for the team was April 28, the day the boys hit the turf against rival Glenbrook North. The team took a loss with the end scoreboard reading 10-6. Murphy says that the loss was a tough pill for the team to swallow, but it revealed to the team what was stunting their growth. “We realized that when we make a lot of mental mistakes it eventually comes back to haunt us, and that’s exactly what happened in the Glenbrook North game,” Murphy said. According to Murphy, with new insight into what needed correcting, the team walked into the New Trier game on May 3 with newfound confidence. Despite walking away with an-

other loss at a score of 3-9. Murphy that he was extremely proud of that explains that it exemplified the moment, but the game on May 16 against Lake Forest that closed the team’s strength the most. “We wanted to win that one regular season was a huge win and too, but then again, we made huge confidence booster for the team. “The Lake Forest game was strides against New Trier,” Murphy said. “They scored the least amount another test for the team as they of goals on us in our whole Confer- were ranked amongst the top 10 in ence [...]. Only losing to a top five state,” Reynolds said. “It was a hard team by six goals is something we fought game, but I believe it was can be happy about since New Tri- our squad’s ability to play selflessly er is such a powerhouse. It shows that gave us the edge over Lake Forhow much fight we have [...]. It also est, [...] which solidified the team’s shows that if we don’t make mental position as a high seed.” Reflecting mistakes we “We are peaking at the on the close could beat of the reguteams like right time. We’ve been lar season and New Trier.” saying that the playpredicting Murphy points out a offs started early for us the future, Jeffery despecific mo[because] we’ve been bunks skepment in the tics and asNew Trier playing how we want serts that the match that to play in the playoffs. team’s ability sticks out as outshines the an immense Head Coach Will Jeffery record and GBS accomplishment. In the beginning of the last season’s finish. Knowing that last season the team lost in the first game, the team held a 1-0 lead. “We went up 1-0 right off the round of playoffs, Jeffery works to bat, and it was a cool feeling be- prevent that from happening again. “It’s a much different season cause in my four years at GBS I don’t think there’s ever been a mo- than last years,” Jeffery said. “We ment where we were beating New got a couple of bad loses out of the Trier,” Murphy said. “A defensemen way early [and the men] made their EJ Reynolds [...] was being double mistakes early on and learned from teamed and still somehow threw that.” According to Murphy, the Time the ball and I scored. I give a lot of props to EJ because he went tans finished their season on May 24, losing to Glenbard West ending through all the pain.” Senior EJ Reynolds explains by a score of 8-7.

LOOK TO SHOOT: Cradling down the field, senior captain McLain Murphy dodges past the Palatine defense. The men played Palatine on April 4, and ended with a score of 15-2, according to Murphy. Photo by Jacqueline DeWitt

The Glenbrook South women’s track team led by Head Coach Fred Kocian had a tremendous season, according to Kocian. “For our indoor portion of the season, we took third place at Conference, but we won our John Davis relays, which was great,” Kocian said. According to Kocian, the team beat long time rivals, New Trier, for the second year in a row during their indoor season for hurdles. Additionally, sophomore runner Emily Noone took seventh during the indoor State meet. Kocian also believes the team has done well so far for their outdoor season. The girls took 3rd at the Titan Invite and both the Varsity and Junior Varsity levels won the Niles North Invite. Katelyn Luckey, senior hurdles runner, agrees with Kocian in regards to their season meets. “When I saw my friends running their events and really giving their all, I could totally tell people were willing to go the distance because they knew [track] was winding down,” Luckey said. According to Luckey, the girls worked on accomplishing goals both as a team and individually this season. She felt this was really demonstrated at the Niles North meet. “I was in a specific heat where I knew all the girls, and I knew how they ran.” Luckey said. “So when the [race] began, I knew that I had to give it my all because [as a senior], when else was I going to do something like this.” Luckey took first in the hurdles at the Niles North meet. According to Luckey this was one of her main goals of the season because the Niles North meet is such an important meet for the Titans. In addition, senior Rose O’Grady also accomplished her goal for the season of getting a personal record. “I wanted to get a [personal record] in either the half mile event that I do or the mile, and I did get a [personal record] in the mile, but I’m also hoping for another one,” O’Grady said. According to Kocian, the team has had many great placements throughout the season with many distance runners making personal records at the Palatine Distance night, where runners had to be invited to compete. “Emily Noone was invited and Kaylie Pitterman ran her time of 11:11 in the 2 mile race and Amelia Papajohn almost ran a time that would qualify for state,” Kocian said. According to both Kocian and Luckey, the team hoped to have multiple runners qualify and advance onto State in Charelston, IL. “For track it comes down to one meet,” Kocian said. “[For] Sectionals, you want to do your best there so you can move onto state, […] and as the season progresses, the meets become more and more important leading up to Sectionals.” According to junior runner Amelia Papajohn, the Titans never made it past preliminaries, but had a great experience running as a team. The relay that qualified for state included runners Papajohn, Emily Noone, O’Grady and Lauren Hayes, according to Papajohn. “Our 4 by 800 relay team qualified, and prelims were Friday, and finals were Saturday,” Papajohn said. “Friday, we unfortunately didn’t make it out of preliminaries, but we all ran our hardest and it was cool just getting to run down state at such a nice track. [Emily Noone] qualified for the 800 too, but sadly also didn’t make it out of prelims. But we all had so much fun hanging out together. Just being there was a really cool experience.”

RUNNIN’ ROSE: After grabbing the baton from her teammate, senior Rose O’Grady runs in the Niles West Sectional meet on May 12. The Titans sent four girls to participate in the IHSA state meet this season. Photo courtesy of Varsity Views

sports

May 27, 2016

GBS alumna, NCAA Champ, prepares for 2016 Olympic Trials SAMANTHA CASEY co-sports editor

The 2016 Swimming Olympic Team Trials will be held on June 26 through July 3. This year’s Trials will be GBS alumna Olivia Smoliga’s second appearance at the meet. Smoliga graduated from GBS in 2013 and is currently swimming at the University of Georgia. It will also be GBS junior Sam Iida’s first appearance at the Trials. Smoliga qualified for the Trials in the 100 and 50 meter freestyle and the 100 meter backstroke in 2012 and 2016. Smoliga placed fourth in the 100 meter backstroke in 2012. In order to qualify for the Olympics in an individual event, Smoliga needs to place in the top two, and to be part of a relay, she needs to place in the top six in her 100 meter freestyle. According to Smoliga, she does not want to say how she is going to do at the Trials because she does not want to jinx herself. “I think my 100 meter freestyle has been getting a lot stronger, so I am hoping to do a lot better in that [event than I did in 2012],” Smoliga said. “I would like to make it into the final for the 100 meter freestyle.” Smoliga is excited for the Trials especially after her success at NCAA championships. Smoliga won the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 21.21 seconds. Her time broke the NCAA record, and is the second fastest 50 yard freestyle in women’s history. Smoliga also won the 100 yard freestyle with a time of 46.70 seconds. “I am really happy [with my performance at the NCAA Championships],” Smoliga said. “I had a pretty rough year my sophomore year, so it was really great to come back and perform how I wanted to and to get back on the right track.” Smoliga was also part of the second place 200 yard freestyle relay and the third place 400 yard freestyle relay. Smoliga’s team, the Georgia Bulldogs, won the NCAA title with 414 points beating out second place Stanford (395) and third place Cal Berkeley (358). “The last day of the Championships we were really tight on points and it was basically a fight for first [place] between Georgia, Cal and Stanford,” Smoliga said. “[The 100 yard freestyle was on the last day, and] I was swimming next to Lia Neal from Stanford, and that [event] was going to be a 10 to 15 point swing either way. When you go to the NCAA [Championships], it is completely team orientated, and you want to win the National Championship for your team, and by that third day I just wanted to fight so hard, win and do the best I could.” Smoliga has been preparing for the Trials by switching from short course yards training to long course meter training. According to Smoliga, the biggest change is the mental difference from a team orientated college season to an individual orientated meet. “Coming to college totally changes your outlook on the entire sport becuase you want to have your teammates do better than how you are doing, so it makes the team standing better,” Smoliga said. “It is so cool because I train with these girls every single day and to see us drop times and win events, there is nothing like it. I definitely love the team aspect, and I think that is going to be really hard at Trials to be as excited as I was at NCAAs.” In addition to Smoliga, Iida has qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 200 and 400 individual medley. Both Smoliga and Iida swim for the Glenview Titan Aquatic Club. According to Iida, he is seeded in the top 50 for the 400 meter individual medley and top 30 for the 200 meter individual medley. “[After I qualified], it was really nice just sitting there thinking that I am going to be swimming at U.S. Olympic Trials and that the U.S. is the fastest swimming country in the world,” Iida said. According to Iida, the 2016 Trials are more for experience as he hopes to make the Olympics in either 2020 or 2024. Iida hopes to drop time in his events and to place top 10 in the country for his 400 meter individual medley and top five for his 200 meter individual medley. “[They are] pretty lofty goals, but I am working hard right now so [they] will come [true],” Iida said.

SMILING SMOLIGA: Pointing to her University of Georgia teammates, GBS alumna Olivia Smoliga smiles after finishing an event at the NCAA Swimming Championships. The University of Georgia won the NCAA Championships with 414 points. Photo courtesy of Olivia Smoliga

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TOUGH TOMMY: Attempting to avoid a Maine West defender, senior captain Tommy Hagerty shoots the ball as the shot clock runs out during a game against Maine West on May 5. The Titans beat Maine West by a score of 11-5. Photo by Ashley Clark

Men’s water polo places second in Sectionals SOPHIE HENSLEY co-sports editor

With an overall record of 27-6, the 2016 Men’s Water Polo team has had a generally successful season with a few setbacks, according to Head Coach David Lieberman. Senior captain Tommy Hagerty acknowledges the positivity in this season versus previous years. “It was overall the best season we’ve had in years,” Hagerty said.

SPLASHING AND SOARING: Lunging

out of the water, senior goalie Brian Johnson blocks a shot on goal from a Maine West offender. Photo by Ashley Clark

“I had the most fun this year with this team [out of my] four years. We had some ups and downs and problems, but it was always fun, and I know the guys next year are motivated to [go] further [in playoffs.]” According to Lieberman, the Titan’s dynamic was rocky throughout the season, but the men pulled it together for the last couple of games for their post-season. “We got a lot better as we got into the post-season,” Lieberman said. “The guys really started to play and work together much better and really started to buy into what we were trying to do, especially defensively.” In addition to Lieberman, Hagerty believes the game against New Trier was the their best game. “[Our] team chemistry wobbled up and down throughout the season, but for that last game, it was better than it ever was,” Hagerty said. According to Lieberman, the

last game the men played was against one of their toughest rivals, New Trier, for the Sectional title on May 14. “Unfortunately, we came out one goal short against New Trier where we lost 8-7, I think that was probably our best game all around,” Lieberman said. “New Trier has beaten us pretty easily the first couple times we had played them, and we needed a much better game, and we got it. Even though we came up short, we showed that we can play with those guys.” In regards to the final score, the Titans were upset due to the preparation they went through to get to this point of their season, according to Hagerty. “[My team and I] were pretty devastated,” Hagerty said. “We had prepared for that game all year to get to state and to lose it by that little against a team that had dominated us all year was tough to face.” According to Lieberman, besides the loss against New Trier, the men defeated Loyola twice this year in their regular-season

games. “I think both of our games versus Loyola [were great],” Lieberman said. “Defensively, we did a great job against them. We played them earlier in the year, [and] we beat them 6-3. Then we played them at Sectionals and beat them 6-2.” Similar to Lieberman, Hagerty was very proud of the team’s perseverance during both games against Loyola and was happy with each outcome. “[Those games were] incredible,” Hagerty said. “We had never beaten Loyola in my time at GBS, but this year, they never scored a goal that wasn’t a penalty shot in either game. It showed us how good we actually were in the State because they were a top 10 team all year.” Despite losing four seniors and three key players, Lieberman is hopeful for next season and for other juniors to step up and take on the leadership roles on the team. According to Lieberman, some of those juniors include Jack Wells, Tucker Nienhaus and Richard Poma.

Women’s lacrosse looks to go far in post-season MAGGIE ESCHENBACH staff reporter

The women’s lacrosse team has advanced through the first two rounds of the playoffs after beating Barrington (16-4) and Palatine (15-4). The team currently has a record of 14-7. According to senior captain Sarah McDonagh, the game against Montini was an important win, with a close score of 11-10. The game went into overtime, and was a very uplifting win, according to McDonagh. “[It was] a huge win for us because they had a lot of strong players, and we battled through the entire time and played really really well together,” McDonagh said. McDonagh also believes that a problem the team had been struggling with prior to the Montini game was trusting one another to catch the ball. “Our team in the past has had an issue with trusting each other to catch the passes and [trusting] that our teammates are gonna be there for us,” McDonagh said. According to McDonagh, however, this is mostly due to a large portion of the team having graduated last year, so there are many new faces, including five freshmen, on the varsity team. Having trust in their teammates during

the Montini game heavily contributed to the win. McDonagh also believes the team played well on the defensive end of the field due to their new zone defense. “We came out with a lot of stops on the defensive side, and we’re playing a new defensive zone this year,” McDonagh said. “We’ve been doing a really good job at getting to know [and] perfecting [the new defense] on that level.” Lesch credits the win in part to the players perserverance and that the seniors played especially well during overtime. “[Montini] had a possession in overtime, but [we gained pos-

session], executed and scored,” Lesch said. “We really stepped up, [and] I was really proud of our seniors for their play in those final minutes.” Aditionally, the game against GBN was also a very important and competitive game, according to Lesch. “There’s always intensity with [playing GBN due to the NorthSouth] rivalry, and GBN was really excited to play us this year because it was at their home field,” Lesch said. According to Lesch, it

was clear that GBN went into the game focused and ready to play, and in return, GBS needed to be devoted as well. “They moved their senior night off that game so there would be no distractions, so we knew they were really pumped for it,” Lesch said. “[This] got us to take them a little more seriously and to come out really strong right off the first draw.” The Titan’s play their third game in the playoff series on May 25 against Maine South. *The Oracle went to print on May 24.*

SHOOTING FOR SUCCESS: Progressing through her shot, senior captain Sarah McDonagh practices her form during a

scrimmage before the playoffs. The Titans won their first playoff game against Barrington by a score of 16-4 on May 18.

Photo by Sophie Mason